Irish Laity Challenge Archbishop of Dublin To Support Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality…
Archbishop Martin of Dublin shocked Catholics recently by using the term “homophobia” (as Pope Francis shocked the world by referring to “gays”).
The archbishop has, in the past, shown himself to be sympathetic to and tolerant of the homosexual agenda – click on the photo to read more and then click here to read about the funeral of the homosexual pop star whose “husband” was publicly recognised by the priest during the funeral service in Dublin. A number of concerned laity wrote to the archbishop about this, including the editor of Catholic Truth, but were ignored. The clergy grapevine say this is not unusual, that Archbishop Martin “never answers letters” even to his priests, apparently. Well, if it’s true, as Belloc claims, that “the grace of God is found in courtesy” that tells us a lot about the Archbishop of Dublin.
The invitation to known homosexual activist, Fr Timothy Radcliffe to address a conference in Dublin, is the latest evidence of the archbishop’s support for the homosexual rights movements. All the publicity surrounding this invitation, with calls for the organisers to withdraw the invitation, were ignored – notably by the person with responsibility for squashing dissent and refusing dissenters a platform – Archbishop Martin.
Happily, one group of Catholic laity decided not to let this latest scandal pass without taking a stand. They are calling on their archbishop to do his duty and unequivocally proclaim the truth about homosexuality. This from their press release:
The Legion of Saint Joseph was responsible for the Rosary protest at Father Timothy Radcliffe’s talk at the Divine Mercy Conference in Dublin on 22nd February.
We are a group of lay people who are fed up of the wishy-washy talk from the majority of priests and bishops. Father Radcliffe has expressed views which are repugnant to Catholic moral teaching e.g. that civil unions are acceptable.
We call on His Grace Archbishop Martin of Dublin, in whose diocese this conference took place, to state in unequivocal terms the constant teaching of the Church, that civil unions are not acceptable nor any other legal instrument which encourages or condones unnatural lifestyles.
We call on other Catholics attached to the unchanging teaching of the Church to make their voices heard and to resist as much as they can, even publicly against those who would undermine the doctrine given to us by Saint Patrick. END.
Is the Archbishop of Dublin likely to rise to this challenge from concerned Irish Catholics? And what about that prompt to the consciences of fellow laity – will they rise from their slumber to defend the Faith and God’s natural moral order? I know what I think. What do you think?
Comments (48)
Sorry, I’m not familiar with the background here: how is it that a homosexual activist is still called “Father”? Question 2: is this bishop a homosexual? Question 3: Or is he being blackmailed by the homosexual mafia? Question 4: Or has he been promised something lucrative by same mafia?
Great Pretender,
I think the answer to each of your questions is: “diabolical disorientation”.
Read the link to the Lifesitenews report in Leo’s first post below, and you will find your jaw dropping.
I’ve said it before and I’ll no doubt say it again: but for the fact that Our Lady appeared to warn us of this crisis to come, both at Quito in the 17th century and again at Fatima in 1917, I’d have given up my Faith by now. No question about it.
Editor
The Catholic remnant in Ireland are indebted to you for highlighting this latest scandal in the destruction of the Faith in the land blessed to be brought that Faith by Saint Patrick. Over the last few days, I haven’t come across any outcry in any of the small number “conservative” Catholic blogs over here. Can’t say I’m surprised.
Scotland, England, America, wherever, the devastation and destruction of the Faith wrought by the Invasion of the Modernists is evident to all Catholics possessed of an open mind and God given reason. But if anyone wants an example of how virtually an entire society and nation can be dragged off into some sort of modernist, antichrist Babylonian captivity, then come to Ireland.
What centuries of persecution, penal laws, and famine failed to do, modernism and masonry have brought about in fifty years. I don’t know how any of us are going to face the dead generations, the martyrs, who held the Faith and guarded it through dungeon, fire and sword.
The issue under discussion here is just the near terminal outcome of what has being going on for a long time. Nothing has happened overnight. Since the seventies we have had episcopal retreat after retreat as there has been a complete abandonment of the defence of the Social Kingship of Christ. Contraception and divorce (one bishop notoriously claimed to have voted for it) were the most notable concessions before the indelible unimaginable stain caused by the effective abandonment of the fight for unborn last year. Hospitals under Catholic patronage will now be part of the killing apparatus. The evacuation of the Church from education is now underway. We have sodomy as “sacrament” coming over the hill, to be followed no doubt by euthanasia.
In the linked article at the top of this thread, Archbishop Martin is reported to have preached against a “harshness and an arrogance and a relentless sense of vindictiveness, both in deeds such as in violence, but also in speech and in public debate”. It’s not clear to me, who exactly those words are directed to. And I think that I, along with many faithful Catholics with a functioning brain are entitled to a lack of uncertainty, given a string of previous statements, and lack of statements by the Archbishop.
Here’s a link to another article covering the Archbishop’s recent remarks, remarks which are truly scandalous.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/dublin-archbishop-responds-to-gay-marriage-debate-suggesting-gay-civil-regi
One thing we can be certain of: pre-emptive surrender to the luciferian agenda will not bring about a peaceful life for Catholics, in Ireland, or anywhere else, to say nothing of the judgement of Christ the King.
“And if the watchman see the sword coming, and sound not the trumpet: and the people look not to themselves and the sword come, and cut off a soul from among them: he indeed is taken away in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at the hand of the watchman.” – Ezechiel 33:6
“When there is an imminent danger for the Faith, Prelates must be questioned, even publicly by their subjects.” – Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II, II, q.33 a. 4.
“Heresy has been called a canker: “It spreadeth like a canker”. (2 Tim. 2:17) As a canker infects the whole body, so heresy infects the whole soul – the mind, the heart, the intellect and the will. It is also called a plague; for it not only infects the one contaminated with it, but others who associate with him. Truly the spread of this plague in the world has injured the Church more than idolatry.” – Saint Alphonsus Liguori, The History of Heresies
I have no doubt that the vast majority of Catholics who paid €30 to attend the Divine Mercy Conference on Saturday did so with the best of motives. No doubt many of them are the quietly despairing parents and grandparents of self-absorbed theologically imbecilic apostates. Trusting innocents these attendees might well be. Those responsible for inviting Father Radcliffe and doggedly defending him cannot escape the charge of culpability. Fair fraternal correction was made, based on real, substantial scandalous evidence, and yet they persisted. The main Conference organiser, described the campaign against Fr Radcliffe as “scurrilous and vitriolic” while terms such as “in good standing” (the same “standing” as Hans Kung?) and “hearsay” were bandied about in a desperate sounding defense.
Leo,
Many thanks for your posts on this thread so far. I hope we can expect more jewels in due course!
I’ve just emailed the Bishops Conference of Ireland and asked for the link to this thread to be circulated to all the Irish Bishops – one lives in hope!
I decided to further email it direct to Archbishop Martin via the website of the Archdiocese of Dublin, so they will, at least, know that there are laity in Ireland (and Scotland) who are less than impressed with the Archbishop of Dublin and his support for Fr Timothy Radcliffe. With bells on – because to may astonishment, I noticed a link to the Archbishop’s homily at the Divine Mercy Conference. It hadn’t occurred to me that he would attend it himself! And in case anyone is in any doubt about whether or not he agrees with the Gospel According to Timothy Radcliffe, get this extract from his homily ostensibly exhorting those present to “missionary” enterprise:
“We are to reach out not with a package of dogmatic formulae or a check list of morality…” Source
In other words, go out into the whole world and bring folk into the Church but don’t be going all over the place telling them about dogma and the natural moral law ordained by God. Gerragrip and tell them just about anything else!
Leo,
“Those responsible for inviting Father Radcliffe and doggedly defending him cannot escape the charge of culpability. Fair fraternal correction was made, based on real, substantial scandalous evidence, and yet they persisted. The main Conference organiser, described the campaign against Fr Radcliffe as “scurrilous and vitriolic” while terms such as “in good standing” (the same “standing” as Hans Kung?) and “hearsay” were bandied about in a desperate sounding defense.”
You have yet again hit the nail on the head. Those responsible for that conference are culpable and that includes the archbishop of Dublin.
I read the Lifesitenews report with him arguing for civil partnerships. The great Irish saints must be spinning in their graves.
The man’s a disgrace.
If anyone is in any doubt about the dangers and effects of modernist carbon monoxide poisoning, please read the bibliography issued to parish pastoral councils under the banner of Pastoral Renewal and Pastoral Ministry. I can think of plenty of words, but renewal is not one that springs to mind here.
The following was taken from a link on the website of the diocese of Armagh but is referenced in a Manual for parish councils everywhere in Ireland, obtainable in Veritas Books which is owned, I believe, by the Irish Bishops.
http://www.parishandfamily.ie/Parish/Resourcing_Pastoral_Renewal/454-parish-pastoral-councils-bibliography
Here is a reminder once more of some of the material deemed fit to “renew” the Church in Ireland. Quite a collection. God in Heaven, help us. “Stones instead of bread” doesn’t begin to describe this.
Byrne, Lavinia. Women at the Altar. The Ordination of Women in the Roman Catholic Church. Liturgical Press, 1994. Explores the problem caused when God calls women to priesthood, while the Catholic Church formally teaches that only men can be ordained.
Chittister, Joan. Women, Ministry and Church. Paulist Press 1983. A series of reflective essays on the roles and problems of modern women in the ministries of the Church.
*Groome, Thomas H. Sharing Faith: A Comprehensive Approach to Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry: the Way of Shared Praxis. Harper SanFrancisco, 1991
*McBrien, Richard P. Ministry: A Theological, Pastoral Handbook. Harper and Row, 1987. For those in ministry, those contemplating it and for those who recruit people for ministry. Practical guidelines.
Schillebeeckx, Edward. The Church with a Human Face: A New and Expanded Theology of Ministry. Crossroad, 1985.
Kung, Hans.The Church. Sheed & Ward, 1967
McBrien, Richard P. Catholicism – study edition. Winston Press, 1981
Rahner, Karl. Theological Dictionary. Seabury, 1965 Sheed & Ward, 1967
Boff, Leonardo. Ecclesiogenesis. Orbis Books, 1997
Like I say, quite a collection. And they’re only some of the names I recognised. Truly, it’s a wonder there is any faith in Ireland.
If only Pope Saint Pius X’s prophetic 1907 encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis was on the above mentioned bibliography. I don’t expect many Irish Catholics suffering from the effects of modernist mustard gas have ever read the following words of the great pastor of souls. Can anyone deny their extreme relevance today? Just read the opening paragraphs to see how a true saint guards the flock entrusted to him:
“…the partisans of error are to be sought not only among the Church’s open enemies; but, what is to be most dreaded and deplored, in her very bosom, and are the more mischievous the less they keep in the open. We allude, Venerable Brethren, to many who belong to the Catholic laity, and, what is much more sad, to the ranks of the priesthood itself, who, animated by a false zeal for the Church, lacking the solid safeguards of philosophy and theology, nay more, thoroughly imbued with the poisonous doctrines taught by the enemies of the Church, and lost to all sense of modesty, put themselves forward as reformers of the Church; and, forming more boldly into line of attack, assail all that is most sacred in the work of Christ…”
“Although they express their astonishment that We should number them amongst the enemies of the Church, no one will be reasonably surprised that We should do so, if, leaving out of account the internal disposition of the soul, of which God alone is the Judge, he considers their tenets, their manner of speech, and their action. Nor indeed would he be wrong in regarding them as the most pernicious of all the adversaries of the Church. For, as We have said, they put into operation their designs for her undoing, not from without but from within. Hence, the danger is present almost in the very veins and heart of the Church, whose injury is the more certain from the very fact that their knowledge of her is more intimate. Moreover, they lay the axe not to the branches and shoots, but to the very root, that is, to the faith and its deepest fibers. And once having struck at this root of immortality, they proceed to diffuse poison through the whole tree, so that there is no part of Catholic truth which they leave untouched, none that they do not strive to corrupt. Further, none is more skillful, none more astute than they, in the employment of a thousand noxious devices”
“… We must interrupt a silence which it would be criminal to prolong, that We may point out to the whole Church, as they really are, men who are badly disguised.”
Leo,
I recognise all of those names and they are all dissenters from the faith. It is scandalous that their books are being recommended on a diocesan website in Ireland. It’s like the church authorities are seriously trying to drive people away from the faith. I can’t get my head round it at all.
We need to redouble our prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We know she will triumph in the end and woe betide the dissenters then. If I was Archbishop Martin, I’d be shaking in my shoes just thinking about it.
“If I was Archbishop Martin, I’d be shaking in my shoes just thinking about it.”
That’s the trouble in a nutshell, Margaret Mary: bishops who are afraid of human opinion, but not of the wrath of God and of the dread possibility of hearing these words at their death: “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Great Pretender,
It just is beyond understanding how bishops could behave like they are doing.
You put it well when you said “they are afraid of human opinion but not of the wrath of God” etc.
They have convinced themselves that God is merciful and so everyone will get to heaven. They are really clueless.
GREATPRETENDER: They don’t believe in hell or at least they don’t believe that there are any souls there. Remember the famous words of Cardinal Connor Murphy when he said words to the effect: “we have to believe in hell but we don’t have to believe that there is anybody in it.”
Crofterlady,
And that underlines the problem – if there is nobody in Hell, and they believe that “God wouldn’t send anybody there” – why bother with the Church at all?
That’s the bit that really gets me. If I thought there was no Hell and no chance of ending up there, that “Vacancy” advertised in the newsletter would just HAVE to be filled. My last words would ring around this blog, big time: “I’m outa here” ❗
Why on EARTH do bishops and priests who don’t believe in the God of divine revelation, and the dogmas of the Faith remain in the Church? It’s incomprehensible apart from those two famous words…
diabolical disorientation. It’s this alone that makes them remain physically in the Church and do the devil’s work in trying to destroy it, through imposing what they believe, in their faithlessness, to be improvements.
http://www.europenews.dk/en/node/77346
Latest statistics relative to the issue(s) perhaps?
I couldn’t see any statistics on that link. I watched most of the video but it seemed to be darting from one type of “artist” to another all the time. I got a bit bored with it, sorry – so can you say what the stats are that you say may be relative to the issue – the issue being an archbishop who seems to be pro-gay rights IMHO.
Leo,
That’s a fantastic extract from Pascendi. If only we had a pope like Pius X right now.
Thanks again for the great comments you put into your posts. They help no end.
The devil is definitely having a field day when a Catholic archbishop in a previously Catholic country could say this, which I copied from the Lifesitenews report posted at 3.35pm by Leo:
“I believe that there are ways in which, civil registrations for example, in which gay and lesbian people can have their rights respected and legally protected,” said Archbishop Martin in an interview with the state broadcaster RTÉ.
“There can be ways in which gay people can celebrate their togetherness, their love for one another, but it isn’t marriage,” he added. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that a civil partnership is somewhat of less value than marriage.”
That leaves me speechless. I just cannot believe it. So much for “Catholic Ireland” – my own grandparents will be turning in their graves. Like a lot of people in the west of Scotland my family originally came over from Ireland and so it makes me very sad to see that the faith is lost over there. Archbishop Martin should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.
In his address in the RDS on Sunday, Fr Radcliffe appeared to indulge in a bit of long range psycho analysis when he claimed that “some people use religion to satisfy their judgemental attitudes” and to “sacrifice people at the altar of their indignation”.
Those who devote their lives to challenging Church teaching, are often very quick to play the charity and respect and freedom of expression card. Lest anyone forget, the Catechism of the Council of Trent teaches us that charity is a supernatural virtue which induces us to love God above all things and then our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God. True charity towards our neighbour, which works for his supernatural good, cannot but place divine truth above everything else, cannot but oppose our neighbour when he is opposed to divine revelations, cannot but seek to protect our neighbour in the face of another’s errors. To sacrifice love of God out of human respect is not charity. Liberalism, in fact twists the true order of charity, placing our neighbour before God. Catholic truth is Catholic inflexibility, is Catholic charity. Liberal so-called charity and tolerance of error is essentially opposed to the true good of man, which is inseparable from the unchanging divine law.
“Modern Liberalism…imposes a false notion of charity: our neighbour first, and, if at all, God afterwards. By its repeated and trite accusations toward us of intolerance, it has succeeded in disconcerting even some staunch Catholics.
“But our rule is too plain and too concrete to admit of misconception. It is this: Sovereign Catholic inflexibility is sovereign Catholic charity.
“This charity is practiced toward our neighbour when, in his own interest, he is crossed, humiliated and chastised. It is practiced toward a third party when he is defended from the unjust aggression of another, as when he is protected from the contagion of error by unmasking its authors and abettors and showing them in their true light as iniquitous and perverse, by holding them up to the contempt, horror and execration of all. It is practiced in relation to God when, for His glory and in His service, it becomes necessary to silence all human considerations, to trample underfoot all human respect, to sacrifice all human interests – even life itself – to attain this highest of all ends.
“All this is Catholic inflexibility and inflexible Catholicity in the practice of that pure love which constitutes sovereign charity.”
– (Fr. Felix Sarda y Salvany, Liberalism Is a Sin, pp. 94-95)
Leo,
I was wondering how many people attended that conference to hear Fr Radcliffe and if the archbishop spoke to praise him in any way?
Margaret Mary
I read a report somewhere that mentioned an attendance of 3,000 on Saturday. I would have said 5,000. I’m not aware of the Archbishop speaking direct words of praise or support for Father Radcliffe.
I have no idea at all whether or not Archbishop Martin has attended this Conference in previous years, but it’s an unavoidable and reasonable question to ask whether the fact that he offered Mass at the Conference on Saturday (presumably at the time described in the timetable as indicating “Eucharist”) will not at the very least appear to be some sort of endorsement of Father Radcliffe’s presence. Will people not draw their own conclusions? I’m only asking, as I’m sure many others will. His Grace’s name did not appear on the Conference timetable.
There was a live online camera feed at the Conference. I had a very quick look at the very, very end on Sunday. I recall there were tickets for Mejagorgje being raffled! I don’t know if that’s the reason, but the crowd looked very sparse at that stage. I hope it was something to do with the power of the Rosary.
Leo
Was it a Soho Mass?
Frankier
I probably shouldn’t be laughing. I can’t speak as a witness at the Mass, but the attendees wouldn’t have struck me as the rainbows flags and Village People type.
You’ll like this, Frankier. Not a lot. I read today that Archbishop Martin has said somewhere else that the Church “has lost its sense of fun”. Seriously. He should be reading this blog regularly.
Leo,
Thank you…. I think 😀
I found this statement from Fr Timothy Radcliffe on the website of the Divine Mercy Conference – he says he is opposed to gay marriage, which surprised me.
Statement from Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP.
“I am sorry that so many people seem alarmed at my forthcoming presence at the Divine Mercy Conference. I am sure that they are moved by a sincere love of the Church and its teachings, which I share.
I have been surprised at the wide concern with my views on homosexuality. I have written or edited eight books, and given over a thousand lectures since my return from Rome, and none of these have been about homosexuality, except in passing.
I did write an article on the admission of homosexuals to seminaries, which received the approval of my successor as Master of the Order, and of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster prior to publication.
I have presided occasionally at Masses which were intended to be especially welcoming to gay people. These Masses are part of the pastoral programme of the Archdiocese of Westminster, approved by Cardinal Murphy O’Connor, who consulted the then Cardinal Ratzinger and received his support. There are no grounds at all for regarding these Masses as gatherings of dissenters from the Church’s teaching.
I addressed the Anglican Commission on Sexuality, which prepared the Pilling report. The key issue was ‘gay marriage’ which I opposed. Nothing that I said was against the teaching of the Church.
May the Divine Mercy Conference be a time of peace and blessing for us all.”
Fr Radcliffe is pulling the wool. He says eh “presided occasionally at Masses which were intended to be especially welcoming to gay people”.
Those Masses were run for gays by gays and were openly dissenting towards Church teaching. There youtube evidence available and there were plenty of eyewitness accounts about the goings on at those Masses.
Radcliffe is a very dishonest man whitewashing his dissent the way he’s done, giving the impression that he’s not really pro-gay rights when he is. .
What a blethering skate that priest is. He clearly has no clue about Our Lord and His Salvation offered for all sinners. (Sinners who repent, not men who sin and do not repent).
The Arch- bishop is just a waste of space.
St Patrick intercede on Ireland’s behalf. Amen.
Fidelis
I think that that particular example of woolly evasion from Father Radcliffe has been comprehensively dealt in various places. Credit where it is due, the Protect the Pope blog has also shone a light on this scandal. It has carried maybe half a dozen threads on it recently. The following in particular does a nice shredding job on Father Radcliffe’s statement. Readers should be warned that early on, there is quotation from Father Radcliffe’s statement to the Anglican Pilling committee which is offensive and scandalous in the extreme. I can just hear the modernist mumblings about “nuance”. Well, heresy and blasphemy are the words that come to my mind. Did someone say “priest in good standing”? You can bet diamonds the enthusiastically clapping crowd didn’t hear about that on Saturday.
http://protectthepope.com/?p=9984
Full marks also to John Smeaton of SPUC for being on the case in the defense of Divine Law.
http://spuc-director.blogspot.ie/2014/02/more-evidence-for-why-fr-timothy.html
Nicky has made the point well already, but I will just add that I don’t think many here are going to be taken in by the following words of Father Radcliffe, which contain rather a lot of discussion material:
“I have presided occasionally at Masses which were intended to be especially welcoming to gay people. These Masses are part of the pastoral programme of the Archdiocese of Westminster, approved by Cardinal Murphy O’Connor, who consulted the then Cardinal Ratzinger and received his support. There are no grounds at all for regarding these Masses as gatherings of dissenters from the Church’s teaching.”
I don’t suppose words such as the following were used as part of this notorious, ahem, “pastoral programme”:
“No sin has greater power over the soul than the one of cursed sodomy, which was always detested by all those who lived according to God….. Such passion for undue forms borders on madness. This vice disturbs the intellect, breaks an elevated and generous state of soul, drags great thoughts to petty ones, makes [men] pusillanimous and irascible, obstinate and hardened, servilely soft and incapable of anything. Furthermore, the will, being agitated by the insatiable drive for pleasure, no longer follows reason, but furour…. Someone who lived practicing the vice of sodomy will suffer more pains in Hell than anyone else, because this is the worst sin that there is.” (St. Bernardine of Siena, Predica XXXIX, in Le prediche volgari (Milan: Rizzoli, 1936), pp. 869ff., 915, in F. Bernadei, op. cit., pp. 11f)
I think Father Radcliffe and Archbishop Martin, and indeed the Anglicans would benefit from reading the words of Saint Augustine, Saint Gregory the Great, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Peter Damian, and Saint Catherine of Siena on this sin that cries out to Heaven for vengeance. I know. The usual modernist line about “development of doctrine” and “charity” is predictably and unashamedly wheeled out in the defence of perversion.
Those words of the Saints and Doctors might not qualify for the novus ordo pastoral stamp of approval, but would surely help drag at least one soul out of the abyss of mortal sin. What value can be put on that? How hard exactly is it for pastors to tell souls that if they persist in mortal sin, and the sin of sodomy is most definitely a mortal sin, then they will go to Hell for all eternity. How exactly is it “charitable” to withhold that pastoral warning?
Leo,
I think any homosexual reading that quote from St Bernadine of Siena would be terrified, especially this bit at the end:
“Someone who lived practicing the vice of sodomy will suffer more pains in Hell than anyone else, because this is the worst sin that there is.” (St. Bernardine of Siena, Predica XXXIX, in Le prediche volgari (Milan: Rizzoli, 1936), pp. 869ff., 915, in F. Bernadei, op. cit., pp. 11f)
That fits in with what St Paul says about sexual sins being the most serious sins.
You are right to say that it is not charitable to “withhold that pastoral warning”. I’ve never heard a priest quoting St Bernadine of Siena on homosexuality. They are too full of human respect to do so, I suppose.
Editor has quoted the following from Archbishop Martin’s sermon at the Divine Mercy Conference last Saturday:
“We are to reach out not with a package of dogmatic formulae or a check list of morality…”
I think an understandable reaction would be to say, “try telling that to Moses”. Or, go and read the Sermon on the Mount.
Catholics who are buried in the novus ordo rubble, in Ireland and everywhere else, as well as the swelling masses of humanity in the City of Satan might benefit from hearing the following words from the shepherds:
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” Saint Augustine, Contra Faustum 17,3
“Faith, as the Church teaches, is “that supernatural virtue by which, through the help of God and through the assistance of His grace, we believe what he has revealed to be true, not on account of the intrinsic truth perceived by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God Himself, the Revealer, who can neither deceive nor be deceived” (Conc. Vat., Sess. Iii.,cap. 3). If then it be certain that anything be revealed by God, and this is not believed, then nothing whatever is believed by divine Faith: for what the Apostle St. James judges to be the effect of a moral delinquency, the same is to be said of an erroneous opinion in a matter of faith. “Whosoever shall offend in one point, is become guilty of all” (Ep. James ii., 10)…he who dissents even in one point from divinely revealed truth absolutely rejects all faith…” Pope Leo XIII in Satis Cognitum
Someone in a previous post said that the Bishops are frightened of public opinion. Correct. If I were a Bishop, I would preach the unchanging Church teaching and risk 100,000 people leaving the Church. The Church is there to lead, not to follow. It is a shepherd, not a lamb. If people want a Church where anything goes, then they should join the Church of Ireland.
Archbishop Martin is a failure, like his predecessor. He famously said, ‘being gay should not prevent a man from joining the Priesthood’. Has this galoot not heard of the paedophile Priest scandal?
The only good he has done is permit a TLM at St Kevin’s.
Leo,
Thank you for your excellent posts.
Given the lifesite news link on Leo’s 3.34pm thread yesterday, about Archbishop Martin’s remarks on the “gay marriage” debate. Annette O’Donnell said that he was not giving any media interviews (seemingly since his already stated remarks). Does anyone know or have heard whether any other Bishop in Ireland has commented on what he has said. I certainly have not found any. Has no other Bishop in what was the land of Saints and scholars defended Catholic teaching on the matter?
Then again that is a senseless question to ask, for they probably have not. No wonder we have to pray very hard for priests, oh for a Saint John Vianney or a Padre Pio.
Answering the questions in the blog article – after reading this thread I don’t think for a second that the archbishop will pay any attention to the lay challenge to him to support Catholic teaching on homosexuality, and I don’t think the laity will “rise from their slumber” either to defend the faith.
If I’m wrong, please correct me, but I don’t see any new bloggers here from Ireland. I read the blog a lot and I don’t see any new names on this thread, so if all they did was ask for a Scottish group to discuss it, what’s the chance that they’ll consider this to be their “challenge” to the archbishop and he won’t bother one bit.
As I say, I hope I’m wrong but I’d be interested to know more about the lay group that contacted Catholic Truth. Are any of them posting here? If not, what are they doing to challenge the archbishop? I’m sure he couldn’t care less about a bunch of Scots discussing him.
Michaela,
You seem not to realise that Leo is an Irishman and from Dublin. He is not the person who emailed me – I’ve never met that person – but the fact that he was keen to publicise their protest speaks well of him and Leo is to be thanked for coming on here with his usual treasure trove of comments on the subject.
As far as I know, the protest was organised by a group of young Catholics, led by the young man who emailed me, so we really can’t be too hard on them for not blogging here; they did well to go along to that Conference to pray the Rosary. The fact that they’ve chosen to work under the patronage of St Joseph, with the Rosary as their first weapon of attack, bodes well for their future as apostolic warriors, don’t you think?
The fact, too, that they knew that Fr Radcliffe should not be speaking at the event, and that they wanted to make reparation, is praiseworthy. Let’s not be too hard on them. Hopefully, one of these days, they’ll consider using our blog to exercise their baptismal duty to actively spread the Faith, but, in the meantime, let’s simply say “well done” and thank them for their efforts to bear witness to the truth about homosexuality. To choose a “Rosary Protest” for their first foray into Catholic Action is wonderful. The first, we hope, of many.
I apologise for my lack of charity – of course it is great to see young people making a Rosary protest at the Fr Radcliffe conference in Dublin. I should have said that right off. I think I had been thinking “oh this is interesting, we’ll have a lot of Irish people on this topic” and that’s what made me post that cynical comment.
Sorry, yes, I did know that Leo was Irish.
I endorse this: “To choose a “Rosary Protest” for their first foray into Catholic Action is wonderful. The first, we hope, of many.”
I agree totally.
I’m curious about how many young people were at the protest and what kind of reaction they got from the people attending the conference. Did they say the rosary before the conference began, inside the hall, outside the hall – there’s a lack of detail in the blogged email, which would be of interest to know, if possible.
The young people who did protest were very brave. It’s encouraging to know that there are still some young folk with strong faith in once-Catholic Ireland.
Nicky,
The event – with mention of the protest – was reported briefly in The Irish Catholic.
Notice Fr Radcliffe’s reference to people like us, concerned about heresy etc. which he (in his charity) interprets as acting like police…. and opposed to the truth that God loves us unconditionally – giving the clear impression that God really doesn’t mind too much what any of us believes.
Fr Radcliffe is a very dangerous man.
“My mother says that all her relatives went to Mass a generation ago. She further claims that Catholics today are a different species to when she was young.”
Does that include traditionalist Catholics, such as those who are devotees of the SSPX, FSSP, ICKSP, Institut du Bon Pasteur and Institute of St John Mary Vianney?
I’m sure there are many faithful Catholics who attend the NO Mass. I fail to see how Vatican II could lead to a mass abandonment of doctrine as no doctrine has been changed.
CC: You would have been correct to say: “No doctrine has been officially changed,” or “Magisterially changed.” That is one of the core components of the crisis in the Church: clergy and laity preening about, speaking and writing as if it had been changed, dissenting left and right, and making up their own “doctrine” as they go…thus thoroughly obscuring the fact that absolutely nothing has been changed, because, as we know, nothing Magisterial can be changed!
VII, you see, made of the Church a democracy. No, it ain’t workin’ over here in America either.
Great Pretender,
You’re in America! Oh no! 😯
I thought you were normal, just like us!
Kidding … mostly!
Catholic Convert
Maybe you, understandably, fail to see how Vatican 11 could lead to a mass abandonment of doctrine (although nobody suggested that) but I do.
If you had approached Holy Communion with your hands out before V 11 a flying column of
the Children of Mary would have frogmarched you out of church to the cheers of the congregation but those type of people are now gone.
Believe it or not, the majority of people, subconsciously even, like discipline. When that goes, along with devotion and obedience, the baw, as they say here, is on the slates.
How would you like the fire brigade to come to your house to quell a fire dressed in kilts and playing bagpipes?
That is what has happened to the Catholic Church and the sooner Pope Francis gets up onto the slates to give us our “baw” back and get rid of the bagpipes, the better.
Catholic Convert
Instead of I do, that should be I don’t.
Maybe I should have said that when I was getting married.
I’m going to tell your wife. Send me your address pronto 😀
Ed
I’ll just tell her to read your post.
Spoilsport!
How dare you! There is nothing wrong with us leprechauns I’ll have you know – nothing at all at all!
Leprechaun ,
They don’t know you like I do…. Of course there’s nothing wrong with leprechauns. I wouldn’t talk to them at all if there were anything wrong with them. And I talk to them all the time 😀
Editor
You are absolutely right when you say “it has to be a major part of the reason why the Church, in human terms, has all but collapsed since the introduction of the new Mass”
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