Cardinal Burke – Latest & Greatest Victim of the Dreaded “Francis Effect”?
As the impeccable prefect of the supreme tribunal of the apostolic signatura, [Cardinal Burke] is on the verge of being demoted to the purely honorary role of “patron” of an order of knighthood. At the behest of Pope Francis by Sandro Magister
VATICAN CITY, September 17, 2014 – The “revolution” of Pope Francis in ecclesiastical governance is not losing its driving thrust. And so, as happens in every self-respecting revolution, the heads continue to roll for churchmen seen as deserving this metaphorical guillotine. In his first months as bishop of Rome, pope Bergoglio immediately provided for the transfer to lower-ranking positions of three prominent curial figures: Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Archbishop Guido Pozzo, and Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca, considered for their theological and liturgical sensibilities among the most “Ratzingerian” of the Roman curia. Another whose fate appears to be sealed is the Spanish archbishop of Opus Dei Celso Morga Iruzubieta, secretary of the congregation for the clergy, destined to leave Rome for an Iberian diocese not of the first rank. But now an even more eminent decapitation seems to be on the way. The next victim would in fact be the United States cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who from being prefect of the supreme tribunal of the apostolic signatura would not be promoted – as some are fantasizing in the blogosphere – to the difficult but prestigious see of Chicago, but rather demoted to the pompous – but ecclesiastically very modest – title of “cardinal patron” of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, replacing the current head, Paolo Sardi, who recently turned 80.
If confirmed, Burke’s exile would be even more drastic than the one inflicted on Cardinal Piacenza, who, transferred from the important congregation for the clergy to the marginal apostolic penitentiary, nevertheless remained in the leadership of a curial dicastery. With the shakeup on the way, Burke would instead be completely removed from the curia and employed in a purely honorary position without any influence on the governance of the universal Church. This would be a move that seems to have no precedent. In the past, in fact, the title of “cardinalis patronus” of the knights of Malta, in existence since 1961, like the previous one of Grand Prior of Rome, has always been assigned to the highest ranking cardinals as an extra position in addition to the main one. This is what was done with cardinals Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro (appointed Grand Prior in 1896 while remaining secretary of state), Gaetano Bisleti (at the same time prefect of the congregation for Catholic education), Gennaro Granito Pignatelli (cardinal dean and bishop of Albano), Nicola Canali (governor of Vatican City), Paolo Giobbe (leader of the apostolic dataria), Paul-Pierre Philippe (until the age of 75 also prefect of the congregation for the Oriental Churches), Sebastiano Baggio (removed from the congregation for bishops but kept on as governor of Vatican City and camerlengo), Pio Laghi (until the age of 77 also prefect of the congregation for Catholic education).
Two separate cases are those of Cardinal Giacomo Violardo, who succeeded the 89-year-old Giobbe as patron at the age of 71, two months after receiving the scarlet at the end of long service in the curia, and of the outgoing Sardi, appointed pro-patron in 2009 at the age of 75 and made cardinal in 2010 after having been for many years the head of the office that writes pontifical documents. Above all, Sardi’s retirement would not be a compulsory act, since the age limit of 80 does not apply to positions outside of the curia. And in fact, with the exception of Paulo Giobbe, all of the aforementioned cardinal patrons went on to a better life “durante munere.”
Burke is 66 years old, and therefore still in his ecclesiastical prime. Ordained a priest by Paul VI in 1975, he worked at the apostolic signatura as an ordinary priest with John Paul II, who made him bishop of his native diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1993. It was again pope Karol Wojtyla who in 2003 promoted him as archbishop of the prestigious see, once cardinalate, of St. Louis, Missouri. Benedict XVI called him back to Rome in 2008, and made him a cardinal in 2010. With a very devout personality, he is also recognized as having the rare virtue of never having struck any deals to obtain ecclesiastical promotions or benefices. In the liturgical and theological camp, he is very close to the sensibilities of Joseph Ratzinger.
He has celebrated a number of times according to the ancient rite, even donning the “cappa magna,” as do cardinals George Pell and Antonio Cañizares Llovera, without being punished for this by Pope Francis. A great expert in canon law, and appointed to the apostolic signatura for this reason, he is not afraid to follow it to the most uncomfortable consequences. Like when, to the tune of articles of the Code – number 915 to be precise – he upheld the impossibility of giving communion to those politicians who stubbornly and publicly uphold the right to abortion, bringing the rebukes of two colleagues in the United States valued by Pope Francis, Sean Patrick O’Malley of Boston and Donald Wuerl of Washington. (emphasis added)
Free in his judgments, he has been among the very few to make critical remarks on “Evangelii Gaudium,” pointing out that in his view it is orientational but not truly magisterial. And in view of the upcoming synod of bishops, he has repeatedly taken a stand against the ideas of Cardinal Walter Kasper – well known to be in the good graces of Pope Francis – in favor of communion for the divorced and remarried. The dicastery headed by Burke, eminently technical, recently accepted an appeal from the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate against a provision issued for them by the congregation for religious. A courageous move on the part of Burke, situated within the context of the punitive action undertaken by the Vatican congregation against one of the most substantial realities of Catholic traditionalism, an action that Pope Francis endorsed by approving in specific form the congregation’s decision to prevent the Friars of the Immaculate from celebrating the Mass according to the “Tridentine” rite. (emphasis added)
It is only with this kind of pontifical approval, in fact, that a decree of the curia can overturn standing law, in this case the motu proprio of Benedict XVI “Summorum Pontificum.” It is difficult to identify among these episodes the ones that may have have had the greatest influence on the fate of Cardinal Burke. But it is easy to predict that his definitive downgrading will provoke both a tumultuous reaction within the traditionalist world, where Burke is seen as a hero, and a corresponding wave of jubilation in the opposite camp, where he is instead considered a bogeyman.
On the latter side it can be recalled that the “liberal” Catholic commentator Michael Sean Winters, in the “National Catholic Reporter” of November 26, 2013, had called for the head of Cardinal Burke as a member of the congregation for bishops, because of the nefarious influence, according to him, that he was exercising over episcopal appointments in the United States. On December 16, in effect, Pope Francis humiliated Burke by crossing him off from among the members of the congregation. To the hosannas of “liberal” Catholicism, not only in the United States. The pope certainly did not do so out of obedience to the wishes of the “National Catholic Reporter.” But now he seems right at the point of giving the go-ahead for the second and more grave demotion of one of the most untarnished personalities the Vatican curia knows. Source
Comment
Those who remember the way Cardinal Burke caved in to the “liberal” bullies in Westminster by withdrawing at the last minute from his speaking engagement at the London Conference hosted by the orthodox group Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, will be pleased to recall the details above of his later fearless confronting of the “liberal” elite. He is now paying the price, of course, if the reports of his “demotion” are, in fact, true. We welcome your thoughts on this latest bombshell from Rome.
Comments (105)
Eccles & Bosco beat me to it: “promote Dolan”??
Sixupman,
I don’t know who Eccles & Bosco are. Could you tell us? I wouldn’t want Cardinal Dolan to be promoted after his comments about the St Patrick’s Day parade and allowing homosexuals to march.
I am not sure E&B is entirely suitable for you, but see ecclesandbosco.blogspot.co.uk
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Cardinal Dolan is given a huge promotion now, after allowing the homosexuals to parade on St Patrick’s Day.
I am shocked at this news about Cardinal Burke. The Pope is not good at hiding his modernism. I found this report which is also shocking. I get the feeling that the synod on the family is going to be a shocker.
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/09/pope-francis-is-irritated-with-pro.html
It is really incredible that a cardinal like Burke who is very sound (I agree about his weakness at the time of the Pro Ecclesia Conference) should be sacked in this way.
Also for the Pope to be irritated by the pro-marriage book by the other cardinals beggars belief.
I know editor keeps saying he’s a bad pope but IMHO he’s beyond bad.
“Free in his judgments, he has been among the very few to make critical remarks on “Evangelii Gaudium,” pointing out that in his view it is orientational but not truly magisterial.”
I think Cardinal Burke was asking for trouble when he criticised the pope’s very first encyclical and then to disagree openly with Cardinal Kasper was setting himself up for a fall. All in all, he has been a faithful defender of the faith and truth (e.g. the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate) so he had to go.
Is there any serious Catholic who is still defending this pope?
Nicky,
I completely agree. When Cardinal Burke spoke out about enforcing Canon 915 so that pro-abort politicians would not receive Holy Communion, I was delighted. Now he is paying the price for that and his other faithful comments.
I actually know of Catholics who say they “can’t make up their mind” about Pope Francis. I was speechless.
Any Catholic still saying they’re not sure about Francis, is either thick as mince or being dishonest. It’s obvious that he is a scandal on legs. I have no time for fence sitters at the best of times, but the time for false charity is way gone now with Pope Francis causing chaos in the Church.
Josephine
I concur.
I was trying to be charitable by reserving my opinion of Pope Francis. Frankly, it scares me to think of the damage he could do. Burke would have been a better, orthodox choice for Pope.
Linda,
Cardinal Ranjith would have been even better.
I understand completely Linda…..Some of the ‘false charity’ I do believe is the fact some people want to give the Pope every benefit of the doubt……and then some of it is ‘denial’. This ‘cannot be happening, there has to be and explanation.’ If we aren’t already there, there will come a time when all will see what he is really all about. At least those who decide to be very honest with themselves.
“Catholics who can’t make up their mind about Pope Francis” is an oxymoron. Unless they really are invincibly ignorant, I would find it hard to think of them as Catholics at all.
If Cardinal Burke is indeed removed, that will make up my mind about Pope Francis. A promotion of Cardinal Dolan would further serve to confirm my doubts about Pope Francis. I was disappointed that Archbishop Chaput was not made a Cardinal. I had hoped Cardinal Burke would become our Pope.
Linda,
Yes indeed, Cardinal Burke would have been a far better choice for Pope. I still can’t understand how and why the Cardinals in conclave decided on Cardinal Bergoglio, who represents the very antithesis of everything Benedict was attempting to achieve. It raises the serious question of whether these Cardinals voted in good faith for the good of the Church. Personally speaking, I can’t see how anyone with a modicum of the Catholic Faith could have voted for so liberal a prelate. Still, he is our Pope now and we have to pray for him.
Athanasius,
It becomes easier to understand when you remember that Cardinal Bergoglio was the close second at the previous conclave. In other words, a significant number of cardinals wanted him first time around, and so Pope Benedict was a real thorn in the flesh.
And it goes without saying that you are correct in that “[no-one]with a modicum of the Catholic Faith could have voted for so liberal a prelate.”
Unless, of course, they are diabolically disorientated and really and truly believe that they WERE “[voting] in good faith for the good of the Church.”
That is the nature of this diabolical disorientation prophesied at Fatima. These dissenters/liberals/modernists actually believe that they’ve got it right and the Rosary Counting brigade is an obstacle to the new Church of Convergence – you know, the one that the Holy Spirit has been trying to create since the beginning.
No wonder Our Lady was sent from Heaven to warn us ahead of time. Arguably, it would be virtually impossible to keep faith but for the Fatima apparitions.
Editor,
I completely agree, although I’m not quite convinced by the claim that Cardinal Bergoglio came second at the time of Benedict’s election. I’m sure that story was also punted around about some Cardinal from Milan who was a favourite for election during the conclave.
You’re right about Fatima and devotion to Our Lady’s rosary. We would all be in danger of losing our faith if it had not been for Our Lady’s prior warning that a diabolical disorientation was set to envelop the Church. At least we knew it was coming before it came, and we also had the warnings of the Popes Pius (IX, X, XI & XII) that internal revolt was imminent.
I think it was Cardinal Murphy O’Connor who leaked that information about Cardinal Bergoglio coming second so you may well be right – could be a tall story.
I’m still wondering if something ‘funny’ went on in the Conclave. I have seen suggestions to that fact, but we will probably never know. The politics played in the Vatican is something to behold.
And, Margaret, for the BOOK that he co authored on the true precepts of the Church on marriage. The Pope from what I understand was furious about it. He told Cardinal Muller NOT to promote it when it comes out, according to what I have read.
As to the reason there are some Catholics who ‘can’t make up their minds’ about Francis, that is understandable. Modernists are confusing. They flip at times between truth and falsehoods. They go back and forth, but that is the general idea from what I have learned…..to .keep the flock confused. I would say it looks a lot like ‘Diabolical Disorientation.’……or………….truth mixed with lies……who is THAT I wonder???…..:) I think we all know.
Whatever they do to Cardinal Burke, the forthcoming Synod on the Family will not provide the liberals with what they want. God will not permit the moral teaching of His Church to be changed, so they’re all in for a bit of a disappointment. I agree that Pope Francis is a grave scandal to the Church by his words and actions. He has taken us back to the worst of the 70s revolution in the Church, God have mercy on him. Cardinal Burke, like the Franciscans of the Immaculate and any other Tradition-leaning prelate or institution, are at the mercy of a Pope intent on complete suppression of the old Faith.
If Cardinal Burke did not remain silent when he knew his position was at risk, he will not be silenced. Regardless of the Pope’s actions, we have not heard the last of Cardinal Burke! It is important to remember that 4 other Cardinals had his courage in putting their names as co-authors of the book Pope Francis seems to object to. God’s Truth will prevail. We still have faithful Cardinals, bishops, and priests. We must keep all our clergy in prayer.
AMEN LINDA……AMEN!!!!
Here’s a very interesting development http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/
Could it be that certain prelates in Rome, having had their eyes opened, have set themselves on the path of countering the new liberal revolution? Our Lord is, as always, in charge of His Church.
Yes, Athanasius…….WE PRAY SO!! In echoing St. Therese and others, I pray now often throughout the day………..’Jesus I TRUST IN YOU’…………but…..let me trust you EVEN MORE!!
I’ve just posted that news (though from the SSPX site) onto the SSPX thread. I just assumed that would be the place – sorry, if it needs to be deleted, I’m fine with that.
…the forthcoming Synod on the Family will not provide the liberals with what they want. God will not permit the moral teaching of His Church to be changed,
Absolutely right.
The question isn’t whether the Church’s teaching on marriage will change. We all know that cannot be. However, it can be made to look like it’s changed if priests are given the green light to let adulterers approach for Communion and be more or less told their situation is OK. That’s what is happening just now with the tacit approval of Pope Francis. and it happened in Argentina when he was cardinal there. He wants that “mercy” to be spread worldwide. That’s the danger, not that the teaching will change, of course.
Nicky,
Yes, agreed. But only God can sort that problem out, and He most certainly will do just that.
Exactly. This crisis is in its final stages so anything is possible now. The appearance of apostasy is already here and it is all set to get worse at this synod in October.
Athanasius,
I’m not completely sure whether it is the Pope’s to completely suppress the old Faith. I think it is worse in that it is just a by-blow of his disinterest in the Liturgy. Jesuits have never really been liturgists of note (with the exception of a very few) and the Pope is an example of this. It is his underlings who are pushing the agenda now – underlings who he has purposely surrounded himself with, who are taking the fall on his behalf. However as a late American President stated: the buck stops here.
Church history shows that there have been Popes who have not listened to the Holy Ghost and gone their own way. If indeed we are unfortunate now to live through such an era then we must accept it as one of the burdens God has given us to bear and pray for Holy Mother Church more fervently.
Benedict,
I agree about the “burden” – accepting it is the difficult bit. However, I take your point and yes we must pray hard for Holy Mother Church under this scandalous pontificate.
Is it not time to get rid of the big pointy hats & twisted sticks. get back to Jesus without this so called fractious “Intelligentia” which has bogged down Our Lords basic message?. Blairs College and it’s close members have imposed the worst accfection (Infection) on Scots Society, it seems to be getting even worse from the Vatican.
Marcellus,
I’m not sure what you mean – “big pointy hats & twisted sticks” (I hope you are not suggesting we are akin to the KKK? A sure and certain way to make sure you do not get a foothold on the pay scale here).
And I hope your remark about the “Intelligentia which has bogged down Our Lord’s message blah blah is not a swipe at the hierarchical constitution of the Church which – after all – Christ Himself established and so is hardly likely to consider is “bogging down” His message.
The current hierarchy, right to the top of the tree, is diabolically disorientated. But they are not – no more than we – “the Church”, which exists in Heaven, Purgatory and on earth, and that from the very beginning. It’s not just those of us on earth today who are members of the Church. So you can’t condemn “the Church” for anything, nor consign it to history. It’s here to say – as Our Lord promised – until the end of time.
By “Blairs College and its close members” I take it you are referring to the Cardinal O’Brien scandal. Well, we’ve said just about everything there is to say about that sorry state of affairs.
Please mark me out of ten for the above and – presuming I’ve got it in one – thank your lucky stars I watch plenty of Miss Marple.
Marcellus,
With respect, it seems you have fallen into the classic error of wanting to throw the baby out with the bath water. Remember that Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve but nobody would reasonably suggest that his treachery was indicative of a flawed divine institution. You need to be able to differentiate between the Church’s divine offices and the fallen human beings who are appointed to them.
I was coming home from Manchester today with a friend and we were discussing Card. Burke’s future and worried as to whether he would manage to weather the evil modernism of Francis. Lo! The good Cardinal has been demoted, as has Cardinal Canizares Llovera, who has been demoted to the see of Valencia from his powerful curial office. Cardinal Burke is one of the few Bishops wish the true faith, and he celebrates the TLM regularly worldwide, and he also wants to excommunicate abortionists and same sex ‘marriage supporters. I turn my worry to Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop Cordileone and Archbishop Leonard.
We must pray and offer penance for an end to this pontificate.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
I really cannot believe that Cardinal Dolan is as stupid as he appears to be in the quotes attributed to him in this report dated 19th September.
If these quotes are truly from his lips, then we can be certain of two things: (1) he really is an idiot (with any respect due to his high office, of course) and (2) he is destined for promotion probably relayed to him in a personal telephone call from “the boss”.
It’s unbelievable that Cardinal Burke could be treated so shabbily for his fidelity to the Faith while the faithless, not to say clueless, members of the hierarchy like Dolan are toasted (certainly by the LGBT brigade) and – without a doubt – praised by Papa Francis as a “non-judgmental” blah blah “merciful” blah blah etc etc member of the new LGBT friendly post-conciliar Church of the People.
Crazy stuff.
Cardinal Dolan is New York’s answer to Justin Welby. Both of these men are selling out to secular society, and are becoming traitors to God. At least Judas had the decency to hang himself. I wonder who’ll be giving Cardinal Dolan his 30 pieces of silver?
Cardinal Burke is America’s finest prelate, due to his devotion to traditional doctrine and the Mass of all time. If he was the Archbishop of New York he would have shut down the parade, or refused to go at least. When he was the Archbishop of St. Louis, he denounced John Kerry and said he would refuse to give him Communion and he said Bishops in America who dispensed Communion to abortionists were ‘weakening the Faith’. Later on, in the Signatura, he denounced the Irish government over abortion, called the Democrats the ‘Party of death’ and voiced concerns over Obama’s anti-life agenda. He also resigned from the board of Cardinal Glennon’s Children’s Hospital, when Sheryl Crow, a pro-abortion campaigners was to perform there, and also urged St. Louis Catholic University to take action against baseball coach Rick Majerus for supporting abortion and embryonic stem cell research alongside Hillary Clinton.
Burke has also criticised Francis after the latter refused to talk about abortion.
I worry for the Faith.
Catholic Convert1
How true – “Cardinal Dolan is New York’s answer to Justin Welby”
I couldn’t agree more but I don’t “worry about the Faith”. It’s been said many times on this blog that Christ won’t abandon his Church, and that all that is happening is part of the crisis warned of at Fatima. That thought needs holding on to, and should keep us strong in our faith.
I’m sorry Nicky, but I cannot stop worrying. Praying isn’t enough for me. Some days I feel like opening the barbiturates and downing the lot.
CatholicConvert1
I’m very disturbed to hear you speak like that.
The crisis in the Church has been stewing for 50-odd years now and – short of a miracle (for which we should pray hard) – it’s completely unreasonable to expect it to right itself overnight..
When you think that prayer isn’t enough that’s perhaps when you need to do a bit more! Sometimes Our Lord sends us consolations in the most peculiar ways and it’s up to us to recognize them. I don’t know about you but often I’m not very good at that bit. At any rate, despair is most definitely NOT the answer.
If you really are experiencing the feeling that it’s all too much then please seek professional help urgently. These things can quickly get out of control – so don’t delay! There is no shame in asking for help.
You will be in my prayers (and I’m sure in those of everyone else on here).
CC,
I thought you might take some comfort from the following excerpt, headed ‘Trust in the Lord’, from the book entitled “Words of Encouragement,” by Fr. Daniel Considine, SJ.
“Directly after this he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away.” (Matt: 14, 22). A voyage thus begun we should have thought would be most prosperous, undertaken by a direct command of Our Lord Himself. The disciples embarked and began their journey in order to do the will of God. Surely it will be a most favourable one!
On the contrary, they met an adverse wind, rough seas, and everything that was difficult. “While the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind.” (Matt: 14, 24). The sea raged, the wind howled, the little boat was tossed about – and Jesus was not there! Our Lord was with them, but it was His will they should have this difficulty. It is necessary to meet many troubles in His service: even when we are most truly doing His will.
Our Lord allowed these tribulations to befall His Disciples in order to show His watchful love over them. He allows troubles to befall us in order to make us long for Him, think of Him, trust in Him and call upon Him for help.
Far from losing courage, we ought to redouble our efforts in His service and work fearlessly, however loudly the winds and the waves may roar. He sees and knows all, and awaits His own time. In His own time He will come, even walking on the waters of tribulation.
“In the fourth watch of the night He went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw Him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.” (Matt: 14, 25-27). Often in trouble we cry out, and He answers in our hearts. He often comes to us in that very tribulation which hides Him from us saying: ‘Courage!: it is I! Do not be afraid’.
Peter, full of impetuous love, hearing the voice of his Master, cries out, “Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You across the water”. (Matt: 14, 28). Tell me to come to You! And He said ‘Come.! Then Peter walked upon the water to come to Jesus. Fervent love offers itself for any service, believes nothing impossible, is ready for all.
St. Peter walks happily towards Jesus as long as he looks at Him alone, but the moment he looks at the waves and himself he sinks. Look at Jesus, not at self or at danger. Then St. Peter cried out: “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, took hold of him and said “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus and Peter entered the boat. And the wind ceased; calm reigned around. Then they adored Jesus, saying: “Truly, You are the Son of God”.
Athanasius,
That is a superb quote from Fr Considine. Fancy a Jesuit writing that tremendous commentary on the Gospel account of the calming of the waters. Wonders will truly never…
If that doesn’t keep CC away from the aspirin bottle, nothing will 😀
Editor,
Yes, Fr. Considine was a Jesuit of the old school who died in 1928. I think it fair to say that he would be appalled at the damage the Jesuits in particular have done to the Church since Vatican II, including Pope Francis’ own unique contribution to the eradication of Catholic orthodoxy. It’s probably just as well he’s not living today or else he’d find himself being sent to consult a psychiatrist for being too close to God and too distant from the people!
I had a very dear friend (no longer here, and probably in Heaven) years ago tell me……’There are two camps of Jesuits, the Orthodox and the Non Orthodox.’ When Francis was elected, I felt fairly confident that he would be an ‘Orthodox’ Jesuit…….looking back, I wonder what I was thinking, since so many of our Cardinals belong to the ‘Non’ camp. And then again, I’ve read so much about the questionable nature of the election itself, who really knows what transpired? We may never know until we are in Heaven. All I know now, is that Pope Francis definitely belongs to the ‘Non’ camp.
TLM
The only orthodox post-Vatican II Jesuit I’m aware of was the late Fr. Malachi Martin, all others of prominence have been heterodox.
That’s not to say there isn’t the odd one out there somewhere who has escaped the diabolical re-orientation of Jesuit thought, but they’re as rare as hen’s teeth.
On the subject of Fr. Malachi Martin, he once said that it would be against the spirit of St. Ignatius Loyola and the near-500-year rule of his Jesuit Order for any Jesuit to accept election to the Papacy. Jesuits, he said, were there to defend and support the Pope but never to become pope. He went on to say: “If ever a Jesuit becomes Pope the people should run for the hills, for then the Church will be in very serious trouble.” How prophetic are these words on hindsight?
Athanasius,
Those are truly prophetic words, unbelievably so.
AMEN Josephine…..are they EVER prophetic!
You may disagree, and/or possibly you have more info than I do, but I have watched Fr. Pacwa (a Jesuit) from EWTN for some time now. On his program where he teaches about the faith, he has always …….(at least) seemed to me to be pretty orthodox in his teaching. I have heard him speak of the importance of confession at the very least to confess mortal sin immediately, and preferably at least once a month anyway, and on the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and how that needs to be talked about more from the pulpit, heaven and hell, Catholicism being the only one true faith, homosexual relations being intrinsically wrong, against God’s law (and natural law which mirrors God’s law) how evil abortion is, etc… I have also heard him talk about when he was choosing an order, his father was upset that he chose the Jesuit order. (I’m sure because his dad KNEW how questionable their orthodoxy was) But yes, like you said, they are very far and few between, and if you find one they are a rarity..
TLM,
That’s good to know about that Jesuit on EWTN. However, the problem with EWTN is that it is a mixture of orthodoxy and liberal modernism. Christopher Ferrara wrote a book about it
http://www.networkgonewrong.com/
I know people, family mostly, who love EWTN and watch it a lot, but after reading Chris Ferrara on it, I think it needs to be scrutinised like everything else these days, sadly.
Yes, I am aware…..I do not watch it like I used to……I used to watch it all the time, but felt the ‘milk toast’ if you will. I watch occasionally now. After Mother Angelica had to sell, things went partially south.
Correct Nicky, this was all warned about at Fatima and also prophesied by many of our great Saints, Anne Catherine Emerick comes to mind. Look up her prophesies…..you will be AMAZED. Also prophesies from (ironically) St. Francis of Assisi. They are proving true as we speak, like in the ‘here and now.’
The bishops need to support the Holy father to retire this year. He doesn’t know how to listen the the Holy Spirit. He does not will to listen to the Holy Spirit, he wills the opposite.
Weak men have no place as bishops ( of Rome or otherwise).
The German bishops already have their 30 (billion) pieces of silver from their pornography business and this Pope bows to their evil will??? You couldn’t make it up.
Graeme Taylor,
I think many Traditional Catholics share your frustration but you have to remember that Popes DO NOT “resign,” much less be forced to resign. This is a novelty begun by Benedict XVI that no Catholic worthy of the name should countenance or wish to see repeated. This resignation business gives the false impression that the Church is a human institution with human offices that one may retire from to enjoy the last years of one’s life before entering oblivion.
No, only two Popes have stepped down in the entire history of the Church; both “Abdicated” for very serious reasons, they did not resign nor where they forced to go, which is impossible.
I would say that we have to trust a little more in Our Lord here knowing that He is in full control of the situation and will deal with it in due course. And let me tell you, the German church will not escape its just desserts!
You know, the Germans started the First World War, the Second World War and the Third World War, as Archbishop Lefebvre described the revolution after Vatican II. It was the German theologians who were at the forefront of the rebellion from day one and they stand out today as certainly closest to the brink of formal schism with the Church, if not already schismatic. Their arrogance is astounding. That’s not to say that all Germans are the same, just that the troublesome ones know how to cause global chaos when they have a mind to.
We need to pray for Pope Francis, that’s our duty as Catholics, and let Our Lord decide how best to resolve so scandalous a Pontificate. He doesn’t seem to me to be a willfully bad man, just a man whose personal fidelity to the Traditional Catholic Faith, for whatever reason, is seriously questionable. Again, though, it will be for the Church at some later date, when it returns to full health, to investigate this and a few other Pontificates and declare on their orthodoxy, or absence thereof.
“We need to pray for Pope Francis, that’s our duty as Catholics, and let Our Lord decide how best to resolve so scandalous a Pontificate. He doesn’t seem to me to be a willfully bad man, just a man whose personal fidelity to the Traditional Catholic Faith, for whatever reason, is seriously questionable.”
Amen
The papacy is not the place for ‘political correctness’. He should be a model of correctness before our Lord. I fear he has lost that. We DO need to pray for his conversion of heart.
Linda,
I admire your charity. Obviously we cannot judge the pope’s heart so don’t know if he is wilfully bad or not but he certainly doesn’t show any pity towards those of a “traditional leaning”. I am struggling therefore to share your – and Athanasius’s – charitable thoughts.
I do of course agree that he needs our prayers and plenty of them.
Athanasius, you be right! I should have said abdicate. This Pope is a disaster he has a very tenacious will and he doesn’t will the following of the teaching of the Church, his own will is to be alarmist and destructive. So the bishops need to encourage him to abdicate.
Graeme Taylor
Pope Francis was the popular choice at the conclave; they knew what they were getting and they wanted exactly that, a Modernist prelate who is void of all Traditional Catholic sentiment. There’s no way they’ll ask him to abdicate, if only for fear that his successor might be a restorationist.
Athanasius,
I hope you are right that there be no reason for the real bishops to stand up after the synod in October and encourage the Pope to abdicate. I am afraid I am not so optimistic, the Pope is a real danger, he promotes pornographer prelates and attacks faithful religious orders. He is, sadly, a Pope of the world and we have had too many of them.
Graeme Taylor,
The upcoming Synod is more likely to operate by the usual ambiguous nod and wink to hippie prelates than by any formal public contradiction of Catholic moral teaching. From that point of view it is unlikely that the Synod will generate serious ire amongst those you call the “real bishops”.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what it would take for these “real bishops” to stand up and be counted. It seems to me that the majority of them are content to keep their heads down, say nothing and act casual rather than do what Catholic bishops should do, which is to shout from the rooftops about the present orientation of this Pontificate. Our Lord needs saintly shepherds of souls at this time, not self-serving diplomats who pretend that it’s more holy to follow established protocol than to speak truthfully and openly of a worsening situation in the Church. What has become of holy zeal in our Churchmen?
Wow, I have just stumbled on to this blog! Love it! Now I have somewhere to go to vent about the state of our beloved Church. The latest ‘thorn in my side’ is the tapping by Pope Francis of the new Archbishop of Chicago, Bishop Cupich. I am really hoping that it is all media spin that he, ( the way I’ve seen it) : ‘ Is a moderate, unlike Cardinal George who is a Conservative’. This is my Diocese so it will affect me directly. Am hoping they are just exaggerating for sensationalism, but I fear they are not. I have seen some quotes by him and some of his ‘theological views’ on abortion, the TLM etc. He put the clamps on Seminaries and Priests wanting to ‘Pray in front of abortion clinics’ and in his Diocese in general in Spokane, WA. He is quoted as saying: ‘We need to rethink the issue of abortion’. (???) He also forbid Latin Masses and Liturgies during Holy Week, and seems to be somewhat ‘Dolan like’ in his approach to SS relations. I am a little heart sick. To say we will miss Cardinal George is an understatement. He is suffering from Cancer so please pray for him….He has been a WONDERFUL Shepherd to his flock, and a GREAT Warrior for Christ, fighting against abortion and SS Marriage and taking on the ‘Chicago Machine’ publicly and often. I have a dread feeling we will be needing many prayers in Chicago.
TLM.,
Welcome! I’m delighted you have “stumbled on this blog” and since it sounds like you plan to stick with us (great news!) may I express the hope that you will add an avatar to your username. The other “mystery men” have ignored my pleas to affix a suitable picture to their comments, so I hope you will prove the exceptional “mystery man”! There are some glorious pictures of the TLM so you have no excuse!
I’m not sure about why you prefer a “moderate” as opposed to a “conservative” bishop since “moderate” suggests “liberal” to me but then, I’m a simple gal as you will find out in due course 😀
No, no…..I don’t prefer ‘Moderate’. I was quoting the article I read about Bishop Cupich. That was the exact term they used in the article…..’Moderate’. To tell you the truth, this is the way I see it………we need to describe prelates in these terms: ‘Catholic’ or ‘Non Catholic’, or maybe ‘Partial Catholic’. 🙂
TLM,
I looked up Bishop Cupich last night, and we have a genuine cause for concern. He told seminarians not to get involved with pro-life demonstrations outside abortuaries or 40 days for life in Spokane, and when same sex sodomy referenda in Washington State were being foisted on ordinary people this is what the galoot had to say for himself:
‘Proponents of the redefinition of marriage are often motivated by compassion for those who have shown courage in refusing to live in the fear of being rejected for their sexual orientation. It is a compassion that is very personal, for those who have suffered and continue to suffer are close and beloved friends and family members. It is also a compassion forged in reaction to tragic national stories of violence against homosexuals, of verbal attacks that demean their human dignity, and of suicides by teens who have struggled with their sexual identity or have been bullied because of it. As a result, supporters of the referendum often speak passionately of the need to rebalance the scales of justice’.
Sorry old chum but these people are not motivated by compassion but they are motivated by the Devil and a diabolical hatred for marriage and traditional family life. The Revolution has reached America, and you’re all in for a helluva bumpy ride.
I know, Catholic Convert……I was heartsick to read about him myself. My H and I have just recently found (I think) a TLM that we may be able to go to at least occasionally, (they don’t have one EVERY Sunday) I am checking into it this week. We both grew up with the LM but they yanked it from us in High School. It seems in the past when we have found one in the area, all of a sudden they would ‘discontinue’ it. We have gone to Novus Ordo Masses our entire life, some reverent and beautiful and some NOT, but nothing (to me anyway) can compare to TLM. I am terrified at this point that Cupich will shut down all TLM’s in the Chicago area, because he is of the same ilk as Francis……’Tradition is Taboo’ to him.
Oh and BTW, I have read online that in a few Diocese here in this country, they are already starting to make even more changes to the Novus Ordo Mass. Or at least Pastors have indicated they are coming. They will include inviting Protestant Ministers to give the homily. How true this is I don’t know, but I have read one poster on another Catholic site that is extremely upset about this. I was alarmed to read this, but I guess we should just hold on and not get all upset just yet, and of course…….give this all to Our Precious Lord…..He knows EXACTLY what’s going on and how to guide us.
Oh and as a side note………I will try to add an avatar, but bare with me, I am NOT technology savvy (AT ALL). …..I guess I’m showing my age:) It may take me some time to figure it out, but….I will try my darndest!
I’m afraid I believe anyone who would say those words, bishop or not, is a homosexual himself.
My comment at 2.48 is a reply to Catholic Convert 1, when he quoted a bishop on same sex marriage.
As soon as I heard him described as a “moderate”, I looked him up, too. I also believe there is a genuine cause for concern based upon a number of his comments. I am glad to have found this site.
Linda,
We’re glad you’ve found our site as well. Let me repeat my suggest to our newest (but one) blogger (you’re newest now!) to organise an avatar, a small picture to appear beside your comments. All you do is when you login and are taken to your dashboard, click on “change my avatar” where the mystery man (or woman!) is, and follow the simple instructions. Make sure you have your chosen picture saved on your computer where you can find it when instructed to “browse”.
Then we’ll feel you’re here to stay, not to mention it will be easier to find your comments. Go on… you know it makes sense!
Boy, me too Linda!!! Thank the Dear Lord!!
Just as a sidenote: I was disappointed and disheartened to hear of this new appointment, but not surprised. He was hand picked of course by the Pope, so it seems he wants Chicago and indeed this country to lean modernist……this shouldn’t at this point surprise anyone!
TLM,
It doesn’t surprise us at all. This pope is an “outright modernist” to quote the SSPX Bishop Fellay.
How applicable to Pope Francis and to his outrageous Vatican II liberal confreres is this wise admonition of Pope Gregory XVI, who wrote: “To use the words of the Fathers of Trent, it is certain that the Church “was instructed by Jesus Christ and His Apostles and that all truth was daily taught it by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, it is obviously absurd and injurious to propose a certain “restoration and regeneration” for her as though necessary for her safety and growth, as if she could be considered subject to defect or obscuration or other misfortune. Indeed these authors of novelties consider that a “foundation may be laid of a new human institution,” and what Cyprian detested may come to pass, that what was a divine thing “may become a human Church…” ? (Encyclical Mirari Vos, 1832).
We are indeed in the process now of the ‘absurd restoration and regeneration’ under this Pope. As I have read on other sites from true Catholics ‘The worst is no doubt yet to come, unfortunately.’ I look for a much more intense persecution of TLM and Catholic Tradition in general and probably as (I believe) Anne Catherine Emerick prophesied ‘A Split’ of the Church. Actually Bishop Schneider predicted a split not more than a few months ago. Hang on to the hem of the robe of Jesus, we are in for a rough ride……and oh yeah……….PRAY YOUR ROSARIES!!! I would like to have a tee shirt (or sweatshirt) that says…….’Proud to be a Rosary Counter’ to counter act and even defy Pope Francis’ ridicule of what he terms ‘Rosary Counters’.
One of our readers – a Glaswegian gentleman who actually went to Rome at the time of Vatican II – has been writing regularly to various Congregations, always copied to the CDF, about the various scandals and liturgical abuses here. From the start, he headed his letters “Regarding the De Facto Schism of the Catholic Church in Scotland” – and was never once told that he was wrong.
So, TLM, the schism, sadly, has – in fact – been in place for a very long time now. All we are awaiting is the formal announcement, but what, with the Pope busy planting trees and organising football matches, it could take a while yet 😀
TLM
Pope Francis’s shocking comments about anyone remotely orthodox, through to “traditional leaning” – such as the one you quote about “Rosary counters” – should be sufficient to make any Catholic with an ounce of Catholic sense in their souls, see this pontificate in its full horror.
But still, there are those – the editors of the Catholic papers, so called, spring to mind – who think he’s the best thing since the establishment of the Orange Lodge. Yip. They’re THAT Catholic.
Ugh…..it is UNBELIEVABLE, how the Catholic establishment media is still GUSHING over him……UNBELIEVABLE.
“Only one offense is now vigorously punished, an accurate observance of our fathers’ traditions. For this cause the pious are driven from their countries and transported into deserts.” – Epistles of Saint Basil, n. 243
The degradation of Cardinal Burke can’t have come as a great surprise to Catholics faithful to Tradition. Nor indeed to anyone who isn’t in a third degree coma, or even remotely familiar with the manner in which Pope Francis has exercised the powers of his office. No doubt we will hear of more such dismissals at various levels throughout the Church. We can be sure that the modernist commissars are gleefully adding names to their lists. Whether or not there are large numbers of “enemies of the Revolution” to be added to the list, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculata surely won’t be the last victims to be crucified along the roadside.
It’s no revelation to state that this papacy is taking on the appearance of a runaway train hurtling downhill: all the more reason for all Catholics to offer prayers and mortification for Pope Francis in the exercise of the Petrine Office, with its grave responsibility before God.
“With our soul full of fear for the strict account we shall have to give one day to the Prince of Pastors, Jesus Christ, with regard to the flock entrusted to us by Him, we pass our days in continued anxiety to preserve the faithful, as far as possible, from the most pernicious evils by which human society is at present afflicted.”
– Pope Saint Pius X, 1906 encyclical, Pieni l’animo
I don’t think it is unfair, or a result of faulty recollection, to state that Cardinal Burke didn’t exactly pull up trees in calling out the conciliar novelties, ambiguities, contradictions and errors. That said, His Eminence was undoubtedly very sincere in his support of the greater availability of the true Mass for Catholics, and compared to so many Judas Bishops in these catastrophic times, was a firm and unambiguous defender of the natural law, and resolute adversary of political profaners of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Cardinal strikes me as a humble man, and far from the sort to indulge in egotistical sulking over loss of office and influence. But let’s not have any illusions about possible replacements. Resigned dread isn’t out of order. Regardless of the apparent hammering of iron fists in Rome, there isn’t exactly a show of hands from prelates waiting to break a lance for Tradition, or even express some public sentiments of justice towards the Society. Maybe the impression that any such prelates would fit comfortably into one car is just another scary manifestation of this unprecedented crisis. Bishop Fellay was told two years ago about all the friends he had “inside the walls”. I wonder when we’ll see their heads appearing above the parapet.
Many faithful Catholics who do not have a full grasp of the Church’s teaching on the papacy, or who are unfamiliar with Church history are no doubt greatly troubled and scandalised at present. The neo Catholic careerist opinion makers who have led the cheers for the “New Springtime” might want to reflect on that. Those Catholics whose view extends back nineteen centuries before 1962, and those who have a proper understanding of the Powers of the Keys know that Our Lord is still in charge, as ever. Maybe this crisis is utterly unprecedented, but the Church has been through dark days before.
“But you are blessed, who by faith are in the Church, dwell upon the foundations of the faith, and have full satisfaction, even in the highest degree of faith which remains among you unshaken. For it has come down to you from apostolic tradition, and frequently accursed envy had wished to unsettle it, but has not been able.” Saint Athanasius, Festal Letters 29, 330 AD
Finally, the following words of Father Schmidberger, the Society’s former Superior General, are worth recalling:
“Let us not be discouraged or be of little faith seeing the passion of the Church, but let us neither have illusion about the state of things. The overcoming of the crises of the Church depends much also on each of us, it must be surmounted in ourselves first. We must persevere in our battle like Gideon who fought a large army with only 300 courageous men, or like the Maccabees where one father with his five sons restored the religious order in Israel, or like Gregory VII who died in exile with these words on his lips: “I have loved justice and I have hated injustice; that is why I die in exile.” He himself did not see the fruits of his courageous action, but later on his reform bore its fruits and granted full freedom to the Church.”
– Given at a conference on January 27, 2005 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Leo,
I laughed at several places in your fabulous post but not at this bit:
“Bishop Fellay was told two years ago about all the friends he had “inside the walls”. I wonder when we’ll see their heads appearing above the parapet.”
Why aren’t these cowards speaking out? If they’re already promoted and “inside the walls” what have they to lose by speaking out?
The schism which is already in place needs to be announced if the ignorant are to become aware of what is at stake.
Thanks for those great quotes, of which your posts are always a treasure trove.
Athanasius
I agree completely with your statement that the “the upcoming Synod is more likely to operate by the usual ambiguous nod and wink to hippie prelates than by any formal public contradiction of Catholic moral teaching.”
This is old ground of course. I am sure that you have made the point before about the ambiguities (time bombs) contained in the documents of Vatican II, and of the candid admission of none other than Cardinal Kasper. If any readers are inclined to disagree, here’s the evidence, straight from the scandalous Cardinal’s mouth:
“In many places, [the Council Fathers] had to find compromise formulas, in which, often, the positions of the majority are located immediately next to those of the minority, designed to delimit them. Thus, the conciliar texts themselves have a huge potential for conflict, open the door to a selective reception in either direction.” (L’Osservatore Romano, April 12, 2013)
http://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/kasper-intentional-ambiguities-vatican-ii-1749
It looks ominously like the same old tactics are about to be deployed once more. Concerning such things, St. Thomas Aquinas had this to say: “Well, these ones are false prophets, or false doctors, inasmuch as, raising a doubt without resolving it is the same as conceding to it.” (Sermon “Attendite a falsis prophetis”).
The Modernist revolutionaries and their schemes stand condemned by the remarkable warning of Pope Pius VI in 1794, words that bear constant reflection and repetition today:
“In order not to shock the ears of Catholics, the innovators sought to hide the subtleties of their tortuous manoeuvres by the use of seemingly innocuous words such as would allow them to insinuate error into souls in the most gentle manner. Once the truth had been compromised, they could, by means of slight changes or additions in phraseology, distort the confession of the faith that is necessary for our salvation, and lead the faithful by subtle errors to their eternal damnation. This manner of dissimulating and lying is vicious, regardless of the circumstances under which it is used. For very good reasons it can never be tolerated in a synod of which the principal glory consists above all in teaching the truth with clarity and excluding all danger of error.
“Moreover, if all this is sinful, it cannot be excused in the way that one sees it being done, under the erroneous pretext that the seemingly shocking affirmations in one place are further developed along orthodox lines in other places, and even in yet other places corrected; as if allowing for the possibility of either affirming or denying the statement, or of leaving it up the personal inclinations of the individual – such has always been the fraudulent and daring method used by innovators to establish error. It allows for both the possibility of promoting error and of excusing it.”
– Pope Pius VI, Auctorem Fidei, condemning the false council of Pistoia
I think, Athanasius, that nearly everyone here will agree when you say “… I don’t know what it would take for these ‘real bishops’ to stand up and be counted. It seems to me that the majority of them are content to keep their heads down, say nothing and act casual rather than do what Catholic bishops should do, which is to shout from the rooftops about the present orientation of this Pontificate.”
Those Bishops of are not actively and enthusiastically pursuing a revolutionary agenda with malice aforethought might be stirred to come out from behind their sofas by the same Pope’s quoting of one of his predecessors, a Doctor of the Church:
“Our great predecessor Gregory [the Great], in instructing the heads of the churches, said with his usual excellence: ‘Often imprudent guides in their fear of losing human favour are afraid to speak the right freely. As the word of truth has it, they guard their flock not with a shepherd’s zeal but as hirelings do, since they flee when the wolf approaches by hiding themselves in silence…. A shepherd fearing to speak the right is simply a man retreating by keeping silent.’” – Pope Pius VI, Inscrutabile, December 25, 1775
Leo,
There is little I can add to your very correct and concise comments, except perhaps one observation. Those “seemingly innocuous words” Pope Paul VI spoke of as employed by innovators to cause maximum harm to Faith struck a cord with me. One of the most heinous of these words is “dialogue”. How much damage has been done to the Catholic Faith and to souls by this single word, so craftily utilised by Modernists to promote a new and revolutionary ecumenical Gospel?
Agreed completely, Athanasius.
Death and destruction by the novelty of dialogue is one of the dreadful legacies of the Revolution.
The very suggestion of dialogue on matters of the Faith would have been met with angry incredulity by Popes, or indeed any orthodox pastor, before the Council. The whole concept, going back to the time of Socrates was to establish truth in some matter, where it was lacking. To introduce it into matters concerning the One, True, Divinely revealed Faith surely amounts to a Masonic spirited contradiction of reason, betrayal of Truth, and grave offence against God.
This Spirit of Assisi intoxicated religious dialogue must bear a heavy responsibility for much of the blight of the heresy of Indifferentism that is so prevalent today. And there is no doubt that it is right at the heart of the New Evangelisation, or rather None Evangelisation.
Leo,
The shocking thing about the Assisi events (apart from the fact that they took place at all) is that the fact that they were a papal initiative, which now allows dissenters to cite them as examples of legitimate growth/development in teaching about non-Christian religions. Or so I read in a recent article extolling the virtues of Pope John Paul II.
Testing….
Therese,
Success! Lovely avatar.
Second test as requested – and many thanks….
You’re definitely organised now. When your first real comment (with avatar) appears, I’ll delete these tests.
This is Michael Matt’s reaction to the demotion of Cardinal Burke and the Cardinal Dolan scandal.
Thank you for posting this Margaret Mary.
If I didn’t have Our Lord’s assurance that He would be with us until the end of time, I would be in flat despair. God have mercy on us all – especially on those traitorous/misguided churchmen who have led so many of the followers of His Holy Church into chaos and heresy. What I find most frightening and inexplicable is that through God’s grace I have not been misled, while so many much worthier people, have been. To those who have been given much, much is expected. Terrifying.
Therese……’But by the Grace of God……there go I’. Yes, we have the Lord’s assurance…..and His word is more solid than gold. Amazingly as you said we have not fallen prey to deception…….but…..a short story about me. Years ago, I did for a time fall prey to erring prelates…..a friend of mine suggested I start praying the Rosary regularly……I did, and my eyes were opened wide! The Blessed Mother and her precious Rosary saved me, quite literally. As so did it my spouse. There are many more like us out there. Just yesterday, I read a terrific blog by a Catholic Convert. He is a real warrior for the truth of the Church, and as he put it, the truth is what led him into the Church, he will fight to the death for it. Needless to say, I am a real advocate of praying your daily Rosaries, as I also am for praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Praying that the Lord’s wonderful and endless Mercy will continue to poor out on us all, and may it also poor out on our poor deceived Prelates.
TLM
I do believe that Our Lady is bringing us all together to enable us to receive consolation from each other in the wilderness in which we find ourselves. It’s a comfort to hear from others who see the truth so clearly, and who actually care.
God bless you and your family and nice to have you “aboard”!
Thank you Therese (my favorite saint btw….St. Therese the Little Flower)…..I am ever so glad to be here too! God Bless you and yours as well,, most abundantly.
I saw Cardinal Dolan on EWTN the other day. He was explaining how so many of his parishes would have to cease to exist – but not to worry, this is a GOOD thing! Yes, like my own bishop, he expounds that we must go forward with “outrageous hope”.
Outrageous is the word.
Therese,
I couldn’t agree more – absolutely outrageous to think that any good can come from a shrinking Church when Our Lord commanded us to spread the Faith across the world.
BTW, I love your avatar!
Thanks Michaela. It is my favourite picture of Our Lady – both She and the baby Jesus have such beautiful faces and expressions. I have a copy hanging in my home and would love to know who painted it.
Therese,
Well it sure wasn’t me. My artistic skills are second only to my cooking. The most commonly heard sound in our house is not me rattling my rosary beads but the smoke alarm going off!
Editor
Don’t tell me you haven’t got any of St Delia’s cook books? You’d be a domestic goddess in no time at all….
Therese,
Once I discovered that she is an advocate of women’s ordination I lost interest in her books. Anyway, I couldn’t find a single recipe for boiling eggs in any of them 😉
Did anyone watch Raymond Arroyo on EWTN this week? Was the silence regarding Cardinal Burke as obvious to anyone else as it was to me? There was a brief reference to “the book” written by Cardinal Burke, Cardinal Pell and others, but, there was no mention at all regarding the possible demotion of Cardinal Burke by Pope Francis. To Mr. Arroyo’s credit, he did question some of Cardinal Kasper’s remarks. Mind you, I have great respect for EWTN, the orthodoxy of the majority of their program and the clergy. Father Mitch Pacwa is a most faithful and well-educated Jesuit. However, this ‘news cast’ seemed to ignore this serious issue, in my opinion.
Linda,
Christopher Ferrara has written a book about EWTN, entitled EWTN: A Network Gone Wrong. It is worth checking out.
In my opinion too Linda. Yes I watched it and yes it was so very obviously MISSING INFORMATION. Important information.
Linda
It makes you wonder what they’re scared of, doesn’t it?
Just had a quick read of Editor’s link to Christopher Ferrara’s book. I’ve stopped wondering.
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