Cost of Corruption in Westminster – £20
One of our English readers emailed me today to share the self-explanatory article below. Click on photo to reach original source.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols (pictured, right, waving goodbye to the last vestiges of Catholic Faith in his archdiocese) plans to share a platform with Fr Timothy Radcliffe, notorious dissenter and advocate of “gay rights”, at a youth conference being organised in the Archdiocese of Westminster, with young people (or more likely, their unsuspecting parents) asked to fork out a cool £20 per ticket for the privilege of having their faith and morals undermined, if not destroyed. £20 seems to be the modern day equivalent of 30 pieces of silver on Cardinal Nichols’ treacherous watch. The young (34 year old) mother whose blog article appears below is fighting a valiant battle to defend the family in the current crisis, so be patient if you detect a certain innocence in her comments about the Cardinal, including the remark about him ‘happening’ to be a speaker at the same event, as if he didn’t know exactly what he was doing when he agreed to share the platform with Fr Radcliffe.
From the Blog: Faith in our Families…
Many people have contacted me since reading my last article Women Priests, Gay Sex, and Communion for the Re-Married: Is Fr. Timothy Radcliffe an appropriate speaker for Flame2 Youth Conference 2015? Mostly, people have been angry that a man with these views would be allowed to speak at a UK youth event. Many others have thanked me for alerting them to this issue as they had no idea what Timothy Radcliffe’s views were.
I believe parents and youth ministers alike would have sent their kids to this event in good faith, not realising that Radcliffe holds these views. If parents want their kids to listen to a speaker like Radcliffe then fine, but is the responsibility of CYMFed to be honest as to what they are providing.
It’s such a shame, because Flame 2 could have been such a fantastic event – if only they could employ speakers who are in line with the Catholic faith. I truly hope Flame 2 successfully goes ahead without Radcliffe. There is of course still time for CYMFed to drop him and find another speaker – let’s hope they do. But until that time, they will continue to be held accountable for the fact that they are continuing to sell tickets without informing people of Radcliffe’s views.
Half of the 10,000 tickets have already been sold – many bought in large quantity by youth groups and dioceses. Since the information regarding Radcliffe’s views has now been brought to public attention, the responsibility to inform parents of Radcliffe’s views also lies on the Bishops, clergy and youth workers who are asking parents to part with £20 per ticket and more importantly, to trust them with the care of their children. They have now been put in a very difficult and embarrassing position. Of course they have no choice but to inform parents of the situation, but this will most likely result in many parents wanting a re-fund and feeling extremely let down.
Cardinal Vincent Nicholls will be speaking alongside Fr. TImothy Radcliffe at Flame 2, which is being held in his diocese of Westminster.
Another key point is that ultimately the buck stops in one place ecclesiastically and that’s at the desk of Cardinal Vincent Nicholls (who also happens to be speaking at Flame 2). It is in his archdiocese that Flame 2 is happening so it’s his responsibility in a unique way to safeguard the orthodoxy of the event and how it could affect the faith formation of those children attending.
It seems to me that the parents of those attending are the last to know in this situation, but it is with them that the real power lies. Let us not forget that prophetic declaration of St John Paul II:
“…families will be the first victims of the evils that they have done no more than note with indifference.” – Familiaris Consortio Para 44.
The church teaches that parents are the primary and most influential educators of their children and their protectors. However, it seems the largest youth conference in the UK deems it unimportant to alert parents to the dissident views of one of its speakers. If my child attended this event and was exposed to a speaker like Radcliffe I would be livid. As a parent I would feel betrayed. Have CYMFed considered how much damage their lack of transparency regarding Radcliffe is going to cause regarding the trust of the parents?
Never before in history has our human right to be the primary educators and protectors of our children in British society been so far removed. Now, according to the Education Act 1996, parents have no right to remove their child from a sex education lesson advocating same-sex marriage. A doctor has no obligation to inform the parents of an under 16 seeking contraception or abortion if he deems them to be Gillick competent. One cannot help but remember the chilling words of Lady Helen Brook, founder of the Brook advisory centre:
“It is now the privilege of the Parental State to take major decisions – objective, unemotional, the State weighs up what is best for the child…” – (Lady Helen Brook The Times 16 February 1980)
I this the direction CYMFed is taking? How does CYMFed expect the child’s parents make an informed decision regarding Flame 2 if they are not given the facts? Are CYMFed recognising and respecting the parents’ role as primary educator and protector? Or are they acting as some sort of ‘Nanny State’?
I would encourage you to join the ever increasing amount of people writing to CYMFed asking why they feel Timothy Radcliffe is an appropriate speaker for a UK youth event? And to ++Vincent Nicholls asking why he is letting this happen in his diocese? Source
CYMFed
07528 643 420
admin@cymfed.org.uk Cardinal Vincent Nichols
020 7798 9033
enquiries@rcdow.org.uk
Comments invited…
Comments (86)
Indeed The Cardinal knows what he is doing
DominieMary,
Absolutely, the Cardinal knows exactly what he is doing, just as he knew exactly what he was doing by permitting the Soho Masses and supporting the introduction of Civil Partnerships. Would he ever share a platform with Bishop Fellay? No question about it, Cardinal Nichols knows exactly what he’s doing. And what he is doing, in risking the souls of the young people in his archdiocese by exposing them to the beliefs of such a notorious public dissenter from the Catholic religion and true morals, is downright evil.
I had to check out the organising group, CYMFed because I’d never heard of them. CYMFed stands for Catholic Youth Ministry Federation and, to quote my correspondent, “Seems like they are trying to make it a diocesan thing like Cafod – very suspicious. It was the brainchild of Bp Conry”
The brainchild of Bishop Conry? Need we say more?
Parents in England lock up your children.
The problem with Fr Radcliffe is that unless you are well informed, you could be fooled by him, as he is supposed to be a very good speaker, good humoured etc. Young people could be easily ensnared by him. They’ll leave that event thinking the Church is wrong about homosexuality and other things, that is a very real danger.
This Fr Radcliffe is a very busy bee. He keeps popping up hither and yonder.
I with many others protested his appearance at the Divine mercy conference in Dublin
during the summer. I won,t bore you with the smug response we received from the organisers.however we did manage to get under the skin of Abs Martin,who fired off a few bromides at those
who had the temerity to complain.
All that’s happening at the moment reminds me of W.B Yeats “Second Coming”. Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned.
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity
Tommy,
I think it is amazing that archbishops and cardinals are getting a gay rights activist like Radcliffe to speak at their conferences, especially conferences aimed at the young. Does it mean they don’t see anything wrong with homosexuality and want young people to know that it’s “OK” to be gay? That’s the only conclusion I can draw.
I wonder if SPUC will protest this event as they protested the Dublin Divine Mercy Conference, though, since SPUC do like to keep in with the hierarchy in Britain.
http://spuc-director.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/more-evidence-for-why-fr-timothy.html
Tommy,
I’ve heard that ++ Martin never replies to letters so that was something if he answered your protests. Shows he has a smidgeon of conscience, at least.
Nicky. Your quite right. He doesn’t answer letters. He prefers instead to
hurl abuse at the faithful from the pages of the Irish Times.
Trying to bring Abs Martin to account is like trying to nail jelly to the wall!
Lilly. Its difficult to know in each individual case why a given Bishop or Priest would facilitate the spread of heresy. some of them may be fearful of the media,or compromised in their personal lives, and are being blackmailed. maybe some would like to see homosexuality normalised because they themselves are inclined that way,or a loss of faith.
I also think that there is a real infiltration of those who are animated by a real hatred of the church and are working feverishly for her destruction.
Ultimately they will fail. But the damage being done to souls now is immense.
I am incensed that Cardinal Nichols would allow Timothy Radcliffe to speak at a youth conference and even share a platform with him. This means he will be praising Radcliffe. It’s unbelievable.
I hope that the parents who object make their presence felt, literally, by going along to listen to what is said. Every parent in the diocese should object but as we know probably won’t, since there is a lot of apathy among parents about sex education in Catholic schools so this won’t bother a majority. There’s a short sighted attitude among Catholic parents (including home-schoolers, in my experience) where they think it’s not their problem because they know enough to scrutinise and protect their kids from this sort of thing. Instead of being the first to warn about the likes of Radcliffe, they just keep their heads down. I can’t understand it at all, so kudos to the mother who runs the Faith in the Family blog. Well done!
Michaela,
I agree with you, every parent in the diocese should object. Every Catholic should object. There is, in my experience a colossal disinterest on the part of parents regarding sex education- most of them really don’t find anything wrong with the idea.
I add my kudos to yours for the mother who runs the Faith in the Family blog! She is doing her bit to warn other families about this dissident priest.
Strange times, when the laity have to take action to correct a grave wrong, while the priests and bishops remain silent.
If only more people in Westminster were incensed, that might make the Cardinal think twice. It will be interesting to see if this event is reported in the Catholic press and if so what kind of spin they put on it.
This is absolutely disgraceful. This heretic is being given a platform by bishops all over the place.
I hope the parents get up a protest group to go along and object. Cardinal Nichols is a disgrace, but then, he always has been. He should never have been given the red hat.
Wrong, Nicky. That’s WHY he got the red hat!!
Crofterlady,
It’s interesting that he didn’t get the red hat when Benedict was pope, he had to wait for Francis. No surprise there, then.
Just been reading some of these articles and just out of curiosity wondered if you have any involvement in any form of youth ministry or Catechesis if this is the alternative?
Worried For The Church,
In answer to your question, I would describe this blog as more adult Catholic apologetics than Catechetics, although we do at times discuss Catechetics in the sense of their absence from most parishes today, at least in their traditional orthodox form.
I have to say, though, that I do not recognise this “youth ministry” thing you speak of; it sounds like something imported from the Pentecostals. What exactly is a youth ministry and how does it relate to the Traditional method of forming the souls of Catholic children in the truths of the Faith?
Athanasius,
I couldn’t agree more with you about the Protestant language now being used by Catholics, such as “youth ministry” and other “ministries.” We never used that word before the way it is used today.
I notice that the author of the blog article from Faith in our Families tends to use protestantised terms, such as “witnessing to the kingdom” and I have to admit it irritates me when Catholics do that.
Saying that, I congratulate the young mother on her initiative in setting up a blog to defend families.
As for Cardinal Nichols permitting Fr Timothy Radcliffe to influence the young people in his diocese – that’s just one more piece of shocking evidence that Cardinal Nichols is a dissenter himself, if not an apostate.
Fidelis,
I too, find it irritating when Catholics talk of “youth ministry”, “bible study :women’s fellowship groups and ‘where do you worship?’ 😀
Jobstears,
Me, too. I hear this kind of thing all the time. Even priests say “the Lord” or “the Lord Jesus” instead of “Our Lord” which was always the way Catholics referred to Our Lord. I presume it’s been the ecumenical movement that has brought these Protestant sayings in. I really don’t like it at all.
MM,
It’s a relief to find someone else irritated by referring to Our Lord as “the Lord”!! Next, we’ll find Catholics “claiming scripture verses”, it took me some time to understand what that meant!
Jobstears,
I wracked my brains until I remembered where I’d read something from the Church about using the word “ministry” for laity, and it was in the Instruction on the Laity on the Vatican website. The following extract is important because it emphasises the it is really only priests who can use the term accurately:
In this original sense the term ministry (servitium) expresses only the work by which the Church’s members continue the mission and ministry of Christ within her and the whole world. However, when the term is distinguished from and compared with the various munera and officia, then it should be clearly noted that only in virtue of sacred ordination does the work obtain that full, univocal meaning that tradition has attributed to it.” (55)
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html
Fidelis,
Thank you for the explanation and the link. I had always understood the word ‘ministry’ to be used only when referring to the work of a priest. Unfortunately, the word has lost its meaning and most Catholics don’t think twice about it- I remember one seminarian being so disgusted with the various ‘ministries’ (he was a convert ) in his parish, that he was fully prepared for them to start a ‘coffee-pot ministry’!
Note how, once again, the laity have to raise these serious issues while every bishop, priest and religious in the country remains silent. This is the story of the conciliar reformation – evil abounds because good men do nothing!
Athanasius,
I’ve always wondered at that saying because, to me, if men are doing nothing in the face of evil, they’re NOT good. Same goes for those who pick and choose their issues, such as the Mass. They’ll shout from the rooftops about how we need to restore the old rite, but say nothing about the moral issues. I don’t call them “good” – to me, they’re cafeteria Catholics.
Is Father Radcliffe a monk?
Helen,
Add on “ey” and I’d say “yes, definitely”.
Nicky,
“Monkey” – LOL! Agreed!
Helen,
Fr Radcliffe was the head of the Dominicans, although I don’t think he is now. As far as I know, he’s not a monk. The Dominicans are an active Order, to the best of my knowledge.
Most parents of ticket holders will being saying, Oh, it’s just that silly besom again.
Constantine the Great,
If only one person is led astray by this Fr. Radcliffe then the result is as catastrophic as 1000 being led astray. Every soul is precious in God’s sight, dearer to Him than the entire Created universe.
Constantine the Great,
Would they say that if the speaker were a known drug dealer or is it true that Vatican II Catholic parents don’t care as much about their children’s souls as they do about their bodily health?
Apologies for my absence today, folks, but I’ve had a very heavy cold for the past few days and came close to losing my voice (don’t all cheer at once!) So I’ve been trying to get back to (what, for me, passes for) normal by taking hot drinks etc and avoiding all work… Any excuse will do 😀
Quickly skimmed the comments posted today and all very interesting. Thanks to all who have commented so far on this important thread. Your names have been written in the Book of Pay Rises 😀
Worried for the Church, in reply to your question there is an orthodox group of Catholics who run a week’s summer school in the Oratory school in woodcote near Reading. Also, there is a traditional summer school at St. Michael’s School in Burghclere, Hampshire. This latter is run by the SSPX. Both are excellent, says my aunt.
A great deal of concern being expressed by the usual whinging moaners and complainers on this blog. Why not put your money where your mouths are supposed to be and actually do something more than whine on ct. If any really truly are concerned and want to protect children and young people from the malign influences, imagined or real then get off your backsides and protest ,not just whine to each other: organise an alternative conference!!! Go to the event and make your feelings known, or is that too much to expect from moaning Minnie’s?? Do something constructive; that is if your are genuinely concerned, it is children and young people after all ( and they couldn’t possibly know their own minds or God forbid, express an individual opinion or thought). As for those who appear to know the subject content of the speakers talks, I wish I had their gift of clairvoyance to be able to tell what someone is going to say in several months time on any subject!
Domchas,
Well, it’s pretty obvious that you couldn’t care less about young Catholic souls, so don’t come here stirring it with people who do care. Do you not have another house you can haunt?
Well that isn’t a very kind response. Athanasius, I’m disappointed in you.
Anon,
You probably do not realise it, but Domchas (sometimes Chasdom) is a semi-regular troll on this blog. He NEVER participates in the discussions, but merely attacks the bloggers here and has revealed himself as a “gay” rights supporter, many times. Naturally, he will be annoyed that we object to Fr Radcliffe’s invitation to (further) corrupt the youth of Westminster. They are already corrupted, of course, by merely participating in the goings on – permitted or not – in that archdiocese.
So, it’s not easy to offer “kind” responses to his attacks which are often personal and very nasty. As you can see from Margaret Mary’s reply to him, he hadn’t even taken the trouble to clock the fact that the original author of the blog article was encouraging readers to contact both CYMFed and the Cardinal to complain PLUS Michaela suggested that parents go along to protest on the day. Domchas doesn’t care about the truth of the matter, because he is merely seeking opportunities to attack Catholic Truth – and I don’t just mean this newsletter, website and blog!
So, don’t worry about Domchas’ perceived hurt feelings. Pray for his salvation which is definitely on the “must pray for” list, judging by his comments on this blog over a very lengthy period of time.
Anon
I’m disappointed that you’re disappointed. Domchas has been a troll on this blog for way too long. We all have our limits, as Our Lord’s driving of the money changers from the temple amply demonstrates. This person is clearly ill-intentioned and it is wearing.
Domchas,
Michaela suggested yesterday that parents should go along to protest at this conference. Also, there’s two email addresses and phone numbers for us to make our objections known (see end of blog article) so I don’t think you can say anyone here is “whining” instead of protesting.
What you say about young people knowing their own minds is surprising. I think the worry is that they don’t have enough knowledge of the Church to realise that Fr Radcliffe is opposed to Catholic teaching on a number of issues, especially homosexuality, and so their own minds are not being properly informed for them to reach an informed opinion.
Nobody needs to be a clairvoyant to know what Fr Radcliffe will say – you can find him on YouTube, if you take the time to listen to him.
Margaret Mary,
“…the worry is that they don’t have enough knowledge of the Church….so their own minds are not being properly informed”, very true, and that I believe, is why we are in such a mess.
Just wondering if any of you contributed to the 2nd collection on the feast of Christ The King?!?
BIYM,
Well, while you’re wondering about that (can’t think why – presumably it goes to some “youth ministry” cause in which case I wouldn’t give them a penny) maybe you would tell us precisely what those of you involved in “youth ministry” DO.
DO you – for example – seek to make up for the shocking lack of teaching about the Catholic religion in Catholic schools? Do you seek to make sure that “Catholic youth” knows and accepts ALL the dogmas of the Church? Not just “I was hungry and you gave me food” but ALL the teachings of the Church.
Well?
Well no you’ve got me there, we SUPPORT the ongoing teaching of the Catholic Faith in Catholic Schools which is particularly highlighted by the many fantastic lay chaplains working in schools across the country who are a great presence of Christ in the school environment especially with the sadness that many Priest Chaplains struggle to get in as regularly as they would like due to parish and diocesan commitments.
And we endeavour to help young people on their faith journeys making sure they know they are welcomed into God’s House as a part of the Body of Christ and a beloved Child of God. Of course as part of this journey it is of great of importance that we help them to explore and understand the Dogma’s of our Catholic Church as this is what we are saying we are part of and what we believe in with our parents Amen at Baptism and our own Amen at Confirmation and the Creed we proudly profess at Mass! We don’t however want to give it all written down like a ‘terms and conditions’ that people in society these days just tick agreement to without looking at them – instead we like to walk this journey with them explaining and answering questions on the many wonderful and sometimes difficult to understand dogma’s that we live by and agree to by saying we are a Catholic! Does that answer your question?
Well?
BIYM,
Yes, that sure DOES answer my question and is just as I suspected: “youth ministry” is a case of the blind leading the blind.
God doesn’t ask us to “support” the “on-going teaching of the Catholic Faith…” or to accompany people on their “journey”. He laid down the “terms and conditions” which you appear to reject. Check out the Gospels, where He commands us to TEACH and to SPREAD the Faith, not dialogue everyone to death over it. His final words on this earth were: “Going, therefore, teach ye all nations: baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost… Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 26:20)
More than once, elsewhere in the Gospels, Christ bequeaths His own authority to teach in His name, to His Church, and in a unique way to His Vicar on Earth (the Pope) and the bishops in communion with Him. The precise meaning of all of this has been settled centuries ago and is now Catholic Tradition, taught and affirmed by saints, Doctors of the Church and popes for 2000 years. Anyone who departs from this (received and accepted by the Church from its beginning) Catholic Tradition, to teach any new doctrine, as St Paul reminds us, must be rejected. Even if that new teaching comes from an Angel from Heaven!
And even if it comes from a bad pope who has turned his back on Tradition. If you have any responsibility whatsoever over young people, you have an obligation to quiz and to question, not “the Church” (as has been the fashion in Catholic education for many years now) but to question those who seek to “reform” and to “change” the Church. Nobody has the authority to do that. Not even the Pope. Especially not the Pope. His key task is to PRESERVE and PASS ON UNDILUTED, the teaching of Christ as it has been handed down from the time of the apostles. End of. Ditto the moral law. He has no authority to decide not to judge immoral actions. His duty is to protect God’s moral law and to speak out to explain and defend it when it is attacked – and it is being attacked in our times, as never before. There’s always been immorality – never before, though, has it been legalised and promoted as a good in itself.
There’s absolutely nothing difficult about any of the dogmas of the Church – that’s another fallacy fed to the young to encourage them to doubt and question. Once they understand the key teaching that God has revealed the means of salvation to us through His Church, that the Church is not a human invention, and that all that is required of us is that we accept and live by His authentic religious and moral teachings, they are perfectly capable to recognising the self-evident truth that what God has revealed cannot be “changed” or “reformed”. Once grasped, this key truth – understood in the context of the availability of God’s grace – is enough to remove any perceived difficulty in the minds of anyone of average intelligence.
Does that make sense to you?
Thanks for your replies and thanks for the advice Domchas – sorry it’s taken me a while to reply I’ve just been contemplating and praying through an appropriate response. I’m confused by your ‘blind leading the blind’ comment because nowhere in my comments have I said that I want to change any teachings of the church – if you want to point it out to me then please do. The use of the words ‘terms and conditions’ may have been the wrong choice – I was merely referring to the fact that many people are happy to tick the ‘I agree’ box rather than read the ‘terms and conditions’ these days and that’s exactly what I don’t want our young people to do when they say they are a Catholic. This is where the ‘journey’ comes in – you say that God doesn’t ask us to ‘support’ the ‘ongoing teaching of the faith’ but surely this is what Jesus did when he spent 3 years on a ‘journey’ with his disciples, teaching them along the way. Surely the same with St Paul’s letters to the many communities where he was ‘supporting’ them in understanding the faith properly. Surely that’s what our priests are doing when they preach on the divine Word at mass. Surely that’s what Pope Francis does whenever he speaks. From the way you speak you make it sound like we just need to be baptised as babies, given a bible and we automatically know everything there is to know about being a Catholic!
From your thinking it’s as if you don’t think there needs to be teachers in schools because it’s all written down in text books so we may as well just give them the books and leave them to it!
When I talk about the Church’s teachings being difficult to understand I think even someone like myself with an ‘average intelligence’ can sometimes struggle to understand the wording in Church and Vatican documents so I’m sure it can be a bit of a struggle for an 11 year old who has a reading age of a 7 year old – I personally would like to help them to understand what it is saying rather than leave them to struggle with it.
And you speak of today’s society attacking the Catholic faith more than ever and I agree – this is why it is even harder for young people to proclaim themselves a Catholic. This is why youth ministers are on a journey with young people to support them in their ongoing learning about their faith to help them to be able to confidently stand up for their faith and it’s teachings.
This includes young people, and friends of mine, who struggle with the idea of being Catholic and having a gay sexuality, and those young women who are fighting for equality in many parts of their lives and don’t understand why women can’t be priests. And those people who are divorced who already feel hurt and rejected and then feel that same animosity from people in their church.
It feels like many people commenting on this blog are treating these people (and youth ministers by the sounds of it!) as the modern day lepers and tax collectors! Strangely enough though – that’s exactly who Jesus liked to spend his time and energies on – he came for the sick not the healthy! So as I continue trying to live out and proclaim my faith as best as possible I will continue to admit that I haven’t got all the answers and will turn to the Bible and Catechism to guide me. I will also continue walking the journey of faith with young people trying to follow the perfect example of Jesus in the gospels and I’ll do my best to repair the damage caused to young peoples hearts, minds and souls by comments like those that appear on blogs like these.
Hopefully Therese is happy that you got an answer and don’t worry editor your previous answer was exactly what I was expecting – hopefully this hasn’t been too much ‘sentimental claptrap’ for you – pleased be assured though that we are all trying to build the kingdom here on earth so even if we disagree on methods I hope you can pray for me as I will for you.
God bless
BIYM,
I’m sorry to have to say this but you write as though the Church was only instituted a few decades ago instead of 2000 years ago. This is typical post-Vatican II Modernism and it is completely wrong.
Let me try to explain what I mean.
You wrote: …This is where the ‘journey’ comes in – you say that God doesn’t ask us to ‘support’ the ‘ongoing teaching of the faith’ but surely this is what Jesus did when he spent 3 years on a ‘journey’ with his disciples, teaching them along the way. Surely the same with St Paul’s letters to the many communities where he was ‘supporting’ them in understanding the faith properly…”
The word ‘journey’ is a Modernist word that was never used by the Church at any time until Vatican II because it suggests that the truths of the Faith are as yet not fully expounded but rather await discovery by each individual according to his own lights. Hence, the use of the word ‘support’ in the same sentence is wrong and out of context.
St. Paul did not support communities in the way you indicate. Rather, he expounded in his Letters the truths that must be held for salvation, correcting errors and admonishing the deceived whenever and wherever necessary.
What Our Lord Jesus Christ taught in His 3-year public life, and what St. Paul continued to teach and explain thereafter, was a fixed body of divinely revealed teaching we call today Church doctrine. The principle duty of every pope, prelate, priest and Council since has been to pass this doctrine on to other generations without the slightest alteration.
It is not given to any, much less lay people, to try a new approach under the pretext of imitating Our Lord and St. Paul. This is utter presumption and extremely dangerous. If we want to be like Our Blessed Lord, St. Paul and all the other Fathers, saints and Doctors of the Church, then all we have to do is pass on the Faith as the Church has always passed it on, which is to say by traditional Catechetical instruction given to Catholic children from the earliest age. We do not leave children to go on some kind of a ‘journey’ that could lead them anywhere. Rather, we put them and keep them on the road of truth by teaching what has been divinely revealed through the Church from the beginning.
Your next comment indicates perfectly what I’m saying. You wrote: “Surely that’s what our priests are doing when they preach on the divine Word at mass. Surely that’s what Pope Francis does whenever he speaks…”
When was the last time you heard the Pope or a priest speak of the infallible dogma ‘outside the Church no salvation? When was the last time you heard them speak of mortal sin and of the impossibility of receiving Holy Communion while in that terrible state of soul? When was the last time you heard any of them speak of the dangerous doctrines of “false religions,” of Hell or of the four last things? No, today the priests and the Pope do not speak as the Popes and priests once spoke. Neither do they teach the faithful as once they did. Why? Because they have new ideas that are not consistent with what the Church has always taught. They are not passing on faithfully what has been handed down, but are rather teaching and tolerating things previously condemned by the solemn Magisterium of the Church. You need to appraise yourself of the crisis the Church has been living through these past fifty years!
You then wrote: “From the way you speak you make it sound like we just need to be baptised as babies, given a bible and we automatically know everything there is to know about being a Catholic!
No, that’s what Protestants do, and it is precisely what modern Catholic priests, teachers and others are doing. We have said nothing of the sort here. Quite the contrary, in fact. Catechetics is all important along with inculcating Catholic piety in young people. I notice you fail to mention either of these essentials.
You wrote: “From your thinking it’s as if you don’t think there needs to be teachers in schools because it’s all written down in text books so we may as well just give them the books and leave them to it!”
Once upon a time we had great Catholic teachers, completely faithful to the teaching of the Church. Now the so-called religious instruction teachers in Catholic schools are teaching Catholic children the benefits of Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc., and even worse things when it comes to morals. Please, don’t get me started on what passes for religious teaching in Catholic schools today. It’s heresy from start to finish.
You wrote: “When I talk about the Church’s teachings being difficult to understand I think even someone like myself with an ‘average intelligence’ can sometimes struggle to understand the wording in Church and Vatican documents so I’m sure it can be a bit of a struggle for an 11 year old who has a reading age of a 7 year old…”
Well, they didn’t have difficulty understanding it for 1900 years before Vatican II. So what’s changed? The doctrine, perhaps?
You wrote: “And you speak of today’s society attacking the Catholic faith more than ever and I agree – this is why it is even harder for young people to proclaim themselves a Catholic.”
No, it’s harder for them because they have been deprived of sound Catholic formation of their souls and of pius example by those who were charged with the duty of sanctifying them in truth and grace.
You write: “This is why youth ministers are on a journey with young people to support them in their ongoing learning about their faith to help them to be able to confidently stand up for their faith and it’s teachings.”
The Catholic Church does not have “youth ministries”. As I said before, this is Protestant terminology. And there’s no “journey” involved in passing on the teachings of the Church with fidelity. Travel as far as the pages of a Traditional Catechism and you’re home!
You wrote: “This includes young people, and friends of mine, who struggle with the idea of being Catholic and having a gay sexuality, and those young women who are fighting for equality in many parts of their lives and don’t understand why women can’t be priests. And those people who are divorced who already feel hurt and rejected and then feel that same animosity from people in their church.”
First off, the idea of women priests is pagan. Only pagans had priestesses in their religions. If Our Lord had wanted women priests, then He would have made a point of having one amongst His Apostles. He didn’t, so let’s not drift off into this blasphemous territory. Each sex is complimented by its individual strengths, talents and vocations. There is no inequality in this truth, so let’s not confuse the sexes with looney ideas.
As for those struggling with “gay sexuality.” This is a Cross they are asked to bear if they wish to save their souls. The Commandments of God cannot be altered, adultery is adultery in any form. So these people simply have to pray, stay in a state of grace, or repent of sins committed and make use of confession to return to a state of grace, if they want to save their souls. Everyone has a heavy Cross of some kind to bear in this life and if it’s not borne with patience and resignation to God’s will it will crush us beneath its weight. What do “gays” want? Do they want the Church to tell them that they can commit mortal sin and all with be ok? It’s not going to happen because such teaching would constitute a demonic lie.
As for the “divorced”. It’s the divorced and REMARRIED to whom the Church forbids access to Holy Communion, because they are living in an adulterous unions. If those who find themselves in this sad situation want that situation to change, then they must give up their sinful union. They cannot have God and sin, it doesn’t work like that!
You wrote: “It feels like many people commenting on this blog are treating these people (and youth ministers by the sounds of it!) as the modern day lepers and tax collectors! Strangely enough though – that’s exactly who Jesus liked to spend his time and energies on – he came for the sick not the healthy! “
That’s not the case at all. All we do here is expound what the Church teaches and has always taught, nothing more or less. It is you, and others like you, who are preaching new things unheard of before Vatican II.
Furthermore, Jesus certainly went to the sick, as you say, but only those who wanted to become healthy. Our Lord demanded a change of life “go and sin no more,” “sin no more lest some worse fate befall you”, etc. There is no Gospel story indicating that Our Lord did not expect fidelity to His Commandments once He rescued them from the slavery of their sins. Do you think He died that painful death on the Cross just so that people can live whatever way they like? Again, this is Protestant doctrine – justification by faith without acknowledgement of good works, e.g. keeping the Commandments!
You wrote: “…I’ll do my best to repair the damage caused to young peoples hearts, minds and souls by comments like those that appear on blogs like these.”
If only you could grasp that it’s not any comments on here that will do damage to young hearts, though I’m sure Lucifer would disagree. Rather, it is you and all others like you, good intentions notwithstanding, who are the destroyers of Faith today. And the reason for this? You don’t have a clue about the Faith yourselves. You are equally the victims of conciliar Modernism, the previous generation to this and the first to suffer the bitter fruits that followed in the wake of that dreadful Council. Hence, the very pertinent statement made earlier, vis, “the blind leading the blind.” I’ll give you this much, though, there’s no shortage of pride amidst all that ignorance.
Finally, you wrote: “pleased be assured though that we are all trying to build the kingdom here on earth…”
This, again, is Protestant terminology. The Kingdom of Heaven is where we go if die holding the Catholic Faith in a state of grace. This is achieved by fidelity to the Church here on earth, the Catholic Church, divinely instituted with an unchangeable doctrine, an ordained priesthood to perpetuate Our Lord’s Sacrifice on Calvary and administer the Sacraments and dispense grace. What, then, is this “building the kingdom” you speak of? This is not Catholic talk!
I hope you will take what I have said to heart and start investigating matters, such as the Encyclicals of the Popes before Vatican II, before commenting further. Believe me when I say that at this time you are not fully Catholic in your beliefs, however well intentioned you may be. Please, take this seriously and get started in your study of the Traditional teaching of the Church. There’s safety in antiquity, not in Modernist innovations!
BIYM,
You sound too balanced and sensible to take Domchas’ advice- honestly, please think again.
Frankly, I’m really happy to see someone involved in youth ministry take the trouble to look at a sound Catholic blog.
Please look at the comments carefully- nobody on this blog treats a sinner like a leper- far from it. We do believe- as Catholics should- that the soul is worth saving no matter what measures we must take. If you saw a mother administering medicine to a dying child, medicine that is life-saving but so hideously watered down as to render it ineffective, would you stand by and allow her to do it? Or would you rather have the child take the medicine for his/her own good?
That seems to be what is happening today, young people do not know their Catholic Faith, and it is safe to say, most adults don’t either. So, educators and especially youth ministers have an obligation to educate these children. You say an 11 year old cannot be expected to read encyclicals/documents- I agree, but since the earliest days of the Church, illiterate Catholics have known their Faith without recourse to books- because they were taught it, well and thoroughly.
It sounds like you are a dedicated and generous young person, and I sincerely hope you will never back down from presenting Church teaching fearlessly, even when the truth is inconvenient. Because Catholics today, question and challenge certain teachings and practices of the Church, it doesn’t mean we have to water down those teachings to make them palatable, or worse,entertain the notion that the teachings no longer apply since we understand human nature better today.
At times like this, I am reminded of Bernadette, who,when asked how she felt about the priest doubting the message Our Lady asked her to give him, replied very simply, that Our Lady only asked her to give the priest the message, she was not required to also make him believe it. Like Bernadette, we do our bit by teaching what is handed down to us and leave God to do the rest.
Our task is to show the struggling/hurting/confused, the genuine and deep concern the Church has for each and every one of us, precisely in those hard teachings, because they are there for a reason, to guard us, here and now and ensure we spend eternity in heaven, for whether we like it or not, hell exists and it’s not worth getting there to be convinced of it.
Thank you jobstears for a wonderful, coherent response that actually seems like you’ve read what I have been writing – I appreciate your time! I understand completely what your saying and always try my utmost to explain the church teachings to the best of my flawed human capabilities! I just believe there is a way of doing things that remembers that commandment of showing love to your neighbour.
Many thanks
God bless
You are welcome, BIYM.
I agree, everyone his or her own way of getting a point across! I have found one fail-proof tactic, that is not hard to implement: devotion to Our Lady. If you can get every person in your group to begin the simple practice of saying three Hail Mary’s every single day (morning and night), they will be more open to hearing the truth 😀 Simple, easy and it works because Our Lady never fails!
Jobstears,
Wonderful advice. Perfect, in fact.
BIYM,
As a former (now retired) teacher of Religious Education, I found your latest comment very interesting indeed and I have much that I would like to say to you in response. Before I do, however, I would be grateful if you would answer one question.
You wrote: “This includes young people, and friends of mine, who struggle with the idea of being Catholic and having a gay sexuality, and those young women who are fighting for equality in many parts of their lives and don’t understand why women can’t be priests. And those people who are divorced who already feel hurt and rejected and then feel that same animosity from people in their church.”
My question to you is, what do you say to these young people and friends of yours, when they express their “struggle” with the issues you mention? How do you answer their criticisms?
I look forward to your reply, which will enable me to finalise my response to your most recent comment.
Thank you.
Sorry I won’t be able to reply sooner but I will answer as soon as I can.
BIYM,
The answer to editor’s question wouldn’t have taken long. You could just have said that you charitably and patiently explain the Church’s moral teaching while advising that devotion to Our Lady is very helpful in these, as in all other, conditions of fallen human nature; but that the greater the cross borne for love of God, the greater the reward.
Athanasius – no need to be so rude and presumptuous – I was actually heading out for a meal with friends and thought I’d show some courtesy to Editor. But in fact you summed up my response pretty well. Thanks.
BIYM,
I was not being “rude”, I was being practical. But I’m pleased at least to see that my response would have been your own.
Now, if only all other Catholic teachers in the UK would say and do exactly the same, the Faith would be re-established in Catholic youth within half a generation.
BIYM,
I look forward to your answer in due course.
Thank you.
Sorry for the delay once again Editor – as Athanasius said I would indeed patiently and charitably explain the teachings of the church – not having a discussion about how to change them. I would however try to change some common misconceptions with comments such as ‘why does God/the church hate gay people?!?’ when the truth is that is not the case and it’s important for young people to know that. The church does teach that the sexual act and impure thoughts of any two people outside of marriage is wrong. Especially in today’s ‘sex-driven’ culture it can be hard for young people to accept a love between two people that can be a tender, caring, life-giving love without the involvement of sex. I’m not going to lie and say I’m an expert in all aspects of church teaching and I’m still learning about my faith as I grow older. Luckily I have some great clergy and academics in my life who can share their knowledge and wisdom with me. I will always try my best to point young people in the right direction to find answers to questions I don’t feel confident answering myself so they are not misinformed. I fully support those in the Church like Fr Radcliffe and Pope Francis who will speak about these issues openly rather than simply dismissing them as wrong – not changing the teachings but explaining them from a source of love and compassion – after all Pope Francis wrote about ‘the Joy of the Gospel’ not the ‘Punishments of the Gospel’.
Thanks once again for your time and I appreciate your responses which also help me grow in understanding of my faith.
BIYM
For your, and others, edification, here is a link to a sermon preached by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1972, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The sermon was delivered during SSPX priestly ordinations in the USA. If only all prelates continued to preach like this. Please take time to read it. I found it very edifying indeed, so concise and unambiguous. What a tool for religious teachers.
http://sspx.org/en/immaculata-keep-our-souls-immaculate
By the way, I am not aware of any Catholic having said that God and the Church hates gay people. I’m a bit perplexed as to where you got that notion from.
As regards purity/impurity in the young or old, it has been the constant teaching of the saints that the struggle is largely down to Faith. If Faith in Our Lord is strong, a person will hate sin and maintain purity. If it is weak, a person will not be able to withstand the onslaught of carnal temptation. Again, the Church is very wise in these matters and that’s why devotion to Our Lady in these times is so utterly indispensable, especially for the young.
Psychology and/or liberal pandering to modern sensibilities by being afraid to call mortal sin mortal, i.e., sin that is an affront to God, that kills all grace in the soul and makes it worthy of Hell, is the wrong approach. This is the new approach and it has failed catastrophically. Young people are not as gullible as some think; they want the truth head on, not a sanitised version of it.
They need to be told outrightly that one mortal sin (Adam & Eve) was sufficient to cause the Son of God to have to take flesh and die a most painful death on the Cross to repair the outrage done to the Creator by His creatures. That should instill in all an absolute horror of mortal sin and a desire to establish the same repugnance in young Catholic souls while at the same time expounding the great mercy of God for those unfortunates who may already be living in mortal sin and really do want to repent and amend.
It’s all about presenting the Church’s teaching forthrightly with mercy and charity. There is no true mercy and charity in a teaching that plays down the serious nature of mortal sin and its consequences for fear of offending the listener. I’m sure you see the truth of this.
BIYM
Thank you for giving a fuller picture of position.
You say you fully support Fr Radcliffe, who says about the so-called Soho Masses:
“The mass isn’t being closed, it is being moved to the Jesuit Farm Street Church,” he told the Londoner. “The Archbishop has always been very supportive of this group, and it would be so untrue if the impression were to be given that he is anti-gay. Anything linking the story to his opposition to gay marriage is simply misguided.” Radcliffe, the founding global patron of the International Young Leaders Network at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, has fond memories of the masses and urges Catholics to see past sexuality.
“I’m a good old Catholic,” he said. “But to me that means that no one should be rejected. It is not my concern as a priest to probe into men’s souls: I don’t ask heterosexual people what they get up to in their lives.”
Is this the kind of statement that you support?
BIYM
I must apologise to you for taking so long to respond to you – my hectic schedule these past few weeks combined with a recent very bad cold which I just cannot shake off, is causing me to be running behind with everything.
There’s lots I want to say to you but time is limited right now (I’m hoping an early night will finally shake off this awful cold and sore throat) so I’m limiting myself to one comment on your post at 12.51. I do, of course, agree that it is right to allow young people to ask their questions but it is crucial that they receive the correct answers, so it worries me that you write:
“I fully support those in the Church like Fr Radcliffe and Pope Francis who will speak about these issues openly rather than simply dismissing them as wrong – not changing the teachings but explaining them from a source of love and compassion…”
Firstly, neither Fr Radcliffe nor the Pope are explaining where these false ideas are wrong. They both give the impression that it’s good to question and challenge Christ’s revealed dogma. Wrong. It’s a grave sin to deliberately entertain doubts. And there’s nothing “compassionate” about leading people to think that it is OK to commit grave sins. Yes, by all means ask questions but only to get the right answers. Neither the Pope nor Fr Radcliffe are giving the right answers. They are both highly dangerous men and should not be allowed anywhere near young people. The Pope’s exhortation to them at WYD to go back to their dioceses and “make a mess” rule him out as a sound and desirable influence over the young. I know parents who wouldn’t allow him within ten miles of their offspring.
And Fr Radcliffe is no better. Contrary to what you say, he does seek to have certain teachings changed. For example, although he was careful to say he didn’t think same-sex marriage could be accepted (words to that effect) he added that same-sex partnerships should be recognised. I’m paraphrasing but he’s on public record with his support for “gay” activity along the unthinking lines of “all you need is love”. That alone disqualifies him from having any influence over young Catholics.
In summary: yes, we must allow young people to ask questions about God and the Church, but only for the purpose of teaching them the truth and helping them to comprehend the religious, spiritual and moral life better. What would we think of a Maths teacher who would invite some famous mathematician with outlandish views on the subject, someone who may even cast doubt on basic facts such as 2 + 2 = 4, to address students in a classroom or at a conference? There would a hue and cry, with calls for that teacher to be sacked.
And so with the organisers of the Conference in Westminster. For them to invite a known heretic, a bad priest like Fr Radcliffe to spread his poisonous ideas at a youth Conference in the archdiocese, is a monumental scandal.
Would the organisers, do you think, invite a speaker – one of our bloggers, for example – to give an alternative view (i.e. authentic Catholic teaching) at that Conference? Could one of us come along and address the young people? Can’t be me, as I’m unable to travel at the present time, but that’s a moot point because, as I’m sure you know, there’s no way in the world that Cardinal Nichols would share a platform with any Catholic who adheres to the Traditional Catholic Faith & Liturgy, hook, line and incense. Not for a second. That alone should give you food for thought; the Cardinal, charged with defending, teaching and promoting the Catholic religion willingly shares a platform with a known heretic, while rejecting those of us who adhere to the entirety of Christ’s teaching and God’s natural moral law. Think about that, BIYM. Unbelievable.
That’s all I’ve got time for right now, BIYM, but feel free to come back at me if anything requires clarification. I’m sincerely hoping that you are having second thoughts about the wisdom, if not the immorality, of exposing poorly formed (in the Faith) young Catholics to Fr Radcliffe, a reputedly personable and popular speaker, whose anti-Catholic and immoral beliefs will confuse them and potentially lead many astray, not least because they will see their Cardinal endorsing those false beliefs by his very presence on the same platform.
The very thought of trying to explain the above at their judgment, should have a chilling effect on the organisers, given Our Lord’s warning about millstones around the necks of those who are the cause of scandal to one of these young people who believe in Him. Chilling.
BIYM,
What are the Ten Commandments, if not God’s “terms and conditions” for salvation?
Applying your modern method of teaching young Catholics, which incidentally is completely different to the method hitherto used by the Church to pass on the deposit of Faith to her children, we can see why so many young souls are now totally ignorant of even the most basic truths of our holy religion. No wonder many of them have either abandoned the Faith or simply just pay lip service to the Church. They can’t keep the Commandments if they’ve never been taught about them.
Our Lord said: “If you love me, you will keep my Commandments.” He didn’t say: ‘If you love me, you can ignore the terms and conditions necessary for salvation.’
This is the most destructive era for young Catholic souls whose teachers no longer even know themselves what they should be passing on. As editor said, it’s the blind leading the blind today.
BIYM, please don’t get involved in an argument or difference of opinion with the editor of ct or any one else on this blog. The usual contributors are totally incapable of accepting any other point of view, or expression of faith which differs from their own specific interpretation or view. No one outside this ridiculous small minded clique of numpties and idiots can possibly have anything to say which is not in an agreement with their small minded attitude. They actually do more harm to those who are genuinely seeking to grow in faith and do not in any way shape or form contribute to the building of the Kingdom of God. Just read editors rly to my post and the odd one or two others that have posted. Just thought I’d point that out.
Editor: this is a typical comment from Domchas. That’s why his posts – alone out of everyone who contributes here, whether regularly or occasionally – have to be read in advance by me. Often they contain even nastier personal remarks than are posted here. One thing, however, which Domchas NEVER does, is to address the topic under discussion. Notice, as always, his comment is generic. He does not challenge anything specific in any replies to you, just makes generalised, sweeping statements of personal condemnation against those of us who adhere to the Church’s teaching. Notice he does not actually say that anything in our replies to you is an error. He can’t. What we have written is elementary Catholic teaching on divine revelation and the nature and purpose of the Church, which is to teach and preach and spread the Catholic Faith not dialogue to reach agreements with non-believers on what we’d all LIKE God to have revealed. He knows he cannot refute the truth in our comments so he ignores the detail and resorts, as always, to personal attacks. “Shoot the Messenger” is his motto. Domchas also rejects Catholic teaching on homosexuality – that has come across in several of his comments; he regards us as “homophobic” which tells us all we need to know about his attitude to a sin that, for two thousand years, Christians said was a sin so grave that it “cried to heaven for vengeance”. So, BIYM, read his attacks on us in the context of his own dissent. He’s got no problem with Fr Radcliffe corrupting the youth in the Archdiocese of Westminster. Otherwise, he’d have said so, without ambiguity. Ask him if he’s pleased that the young mother who authored the above blog article has alerted other parents to this event? Or does he consider her a homophobic bigot as he labels us?
Thanks for proving my point Ed. Good to have you on my side! May God Bless and keep you from harm!
Domchas,
On the contrary, it is YOU who have proven MY point. Nothing specific in any of your posts, frustratingly for you, you just cannot prove us wrong – ‘cos we ain’t! 😀
Must be maddening!
Domchas
You should just tell BIYM to follow your example. You never get involved by answering questions or explaining your beliefs, do you? You only spout childish and spiteful comments. You persistently refuse to enter into an intelligible dialogue. You come here like an angry wasp and snipe at Catholics who actually know and care about their Faith, and portray yourself as a faithful Catholic, and yet you give us no evidence to back that up. Could that be because you don’t know what it actually means to be a Catholic, I wonder? You certainly don’t write like one who knows or cares about the Truth.
Like the Pope, you are in grave need of prayers, and I will certainly keep you in mine.
Therese as I said , I It is pointless debating with people who have already decided that they and they alone have the answers. It is a waste of time for everyone concerned. Fortunately people who pretend to know where I am ‘coming from’ or know all they ‘ need to know’ merely from anything I said, or not said on this blog do not impress. The usual sarcastic comments or attempts at put downs simply prove my point about lack of charity towards others who disagree with numerous views expressed on here. Entering into a meaningful debate is truly pointless! All prayers are appreciated, however wrongly or well intentioned they may be. God will accept them and sort them out on both your and my behalf. So thank you for your prayers.( actually quite honoured to be prayed for along side His Holiness, the Pope!). May the Peace and Blessings of the Christ Child be abundant for You and your loved ones this Holy Christmas Season.
Domchas:
“Therese as I said , I It is pointless debating with people who have already decided that they and they alone have the answers”
Should read…
“It is pointless working to “reform” and to “change” the Church when the Church alone has the fullness of the truth. This is the core message of Catholic Truth”
Footnote: those, like the bloggers at Catholic Truth, who preach the above truth of the Catholic Church must be prepared to be insulted and told THEY don’t have “the answers”. We never claimed to have “the answers. We expound the Church’s teaching – and those teachings ARE “the answers” given to us by Christ who is God.
It’s a very simple concept, really. God can neither deceive nor be deceived. He doesn’t lie. If HE established the Catholic Church, then it obviously has “the answers”.
As for it being pointless to “enter into meaningful debate” with us – how would you know? You’ve never tried it. I think what you really mean, though, is, there’s no point in challenging any teachings of the Church here, because this bunch of numpties accept them all as coming from God. Pointless to debate with them!
True, if by “debate” you mean exploring means of changing those teachings but if you wish to understand them better and clarify anything, this is the best place in cyberspace, so to do. Try it.
Editor,
Absolutely correct!
As the line in the movie ‘The Song of Bernadette’ so aptly put it: “For those who have Faith, no further explanation is required. For those who do not, no explanation will suffice.”
Given his persistent opposition to Catholic Truth’s fidelity to the Traditional teaching of the Church handed down, we are forced to conclude that Domchas falls into this latter category. This is not a blog of personal opinion, unlike Modernist outlets. It is merely a mouthpiece for authentic Magisterial teaching. Anyone who takes issue with it, personalities aside, takes issue with the authentic Magisterium. It is that simple, as you say.
Domchas
Thank you for your best wishes for the Holy Season of Christmas. I certainly reciprocate them.
You write that it is pointless debating here; you have certainly never tried to do so, and I wonder therefore why you keep returning? You write about “the usual sarcastic comments or attempts at put downs”, but you surely must acknowledge that you have proven yourself to be adept at such behaviour?
You also write that “..people who pretend to know where I am coming from….merely from anything I said, or not said..” Domchas, how else are we to discern “where you are coming from” if not from what you have said or refused to say?
I’m glad you are honoured to be prayed for alongside His Holiness. I also pray frequently for Philip Pulman and Richard Dawkins, so I hope you aren’t too offended!
As I said Therese all prayer is acceptable before God. Yes I am guilty of being just as sarcastic comments and put downs as the rest of the bloggers on here, at least we have that in common! True discernment comes through the Holy Spirit, who breathes where He/She will.[Ed: emphasis added] Inside or outside the Roman Catholic Church. Something I am not convinced bloggers on here appreciate quite as much as they ought! A bit too modernist for many of you.
Domchas
The “She” part of your comment is blasphemy. As for the rest, the Holy Ghost only operates outside the Church to bring souls of good will into the Church.
There is no salvation outside the Catholic Church; this is the infallible dogma. Invincible ignorance in respect to those not physically part of the Mystical Body operates in such a way as to make them united to the Church in spirit. This is how the Holy Ghost works.
What you appear to be suggesting is a conglomeration of different religions all inspired by the Holy Ghost, but teaching contrary doctrines. That’s heresy, my friend, condemned by the Church as a dangerous fallacy. There is no disorder or disunity in teaching by the Holy Ghost, no ecumenical Tower of Babel. You are very gravely mistaken!
Domchas
I am not a “Roman” Catholic; I am a Catholic.
Your words are much too modernist for me – and, forgive me, but you should not boast of Modernist thought. It is heresy.
I fear you do not accept that the Catholic Church holds the fullness of Truth, and therefore has no need of the discernment of other faiths. Any truth they have certainly does come from the Holy Ghost, in His mercy and generosity, but it is purely a partial reflection of the Truth which is taught by Christ’s Bride and which has been handed down by Tradition.
This is something which I fear you do not appreciate anywhere near as much as you ought, which is a terrible sadness, and which also means that you are not able to enter into a productive discussion with Catholics who do know their faith.
I will ask my priest to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for you in the fervent hope that you will come to realise the error(s) into which you have fallen and that you will consequently receive the fullness of the Catholic Faith.
God bless.
Therese,
I forget which pope but it may have been St Pius X said “Modernism if the synthesis of all the heresies.” so nobody should boast of being modernist at all
Editor
Good luck with getting an answer!
Therese,
As I’ve just said in my response to BIYM, I got precisely the answer I expected. I doubt if BIYM has just gotten the answer he/she expected, though. Stand by!
That’s the trouble with these so called “ministries” in that they don’t address any religious ignorance among the young people. Being Catholic is all that’s required. Some of my own young people have attended these affairs in the past and noted the complete lack of knowledge shown by the youth. Plenty of enthusiasm but little catechesis.
Crofterlady,
Well said. All young people get these days is a load of sentimental claptrap to replace the solid and unambiguous teaching of the Faith to which they have a God-given right. God help these “youth ministers” at their judgment.
Which of us would think of donning a surgeon’s gown and heading into the nearest operating theatre with nothing more to equip us than a vague sense of hopefully being able to help the patient back on their feet (to continue their journey home if not their faith journey?!)
Crackers.
Ed
I wouldn’t put it past Dowden to chance it.
Frankier,
Hilarious! I wouldn’t be surprised!
I have emailed the organisers on the email address given in the blog article, admin@cymfed.org.uk and I copied Cardinal Nichols into it – his email is cardinalnichols@rcdow.org.uk
Just don’t expect a reply from the Cardinal – he is so rude that he NEVER answers critics.
If you haven’t yet written, I would urge everyone to do so now. Here’s a biblical quote you may like to use – I did:
“…he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck and that he should be downed in the depth of the sea” (Matt 18:6)
I don’t know about Britain these days but in some continental countries there is still a tradition of people “writing to” powerful individuals to give them a piece of their mind on some current issue. Since they are liable to complain about the “rudeness” of any failure to reply – a standard reply goes out that “X thanks Y for their interesting communication of such-and-such a date, the contents of which have been noted”. They are normally signed by some minion to discourage autograph collectors. Other countries use junior civil servants to cut their administrative teeth in constructing a bespoke reply: yes, the writer’s great-grandmother is, in a sense, a living part of the National Heritage but, no, the Ministry of National Heritage will not pay for her upkeep. The original communication (often written in green ink and giving the address of some mental or penal institution) is then filed as along with similar effusions as a dire reminder of just exactly the spectrum of derangement that the administrator may face. If ecclesiastical administrators fail to reply to the shrill demented choirs of wailing traddies, they do presumably offer up some prayer that they may come to their senses one day and that, till they lay the green ink aside, they are being properly looked after.
The criticisms here seem to be of the green-ink variety.
I am never entirely sure how one’s personal reproductive history entitles one to comment on affairs as does “Catholic Mum of Three” or indeed how a decision to become “A Teenage Bride” is any sort of recommendation. The lady in question does not specify the age of the eldest child blessed with this young “Catholic Mum” but anyone who knows older teenagers will understand that they need, and will often benefit from, some attention to their particular needs – if nothing else they deserve to be listened to.
If a church happens to have a distinguished Oxford theologian among its clergy, a man experienced in working with people in difficulties and who find themselves at the margin of a faith community, it makes good sense to hear him out. Teenage Brides are unlikely to have the sort of experience of the world that comes from a world-class university with a diverse student body and, in that sense, it is particularly important for their children to be helped get to grips with the wider word. Cutting “Catholic Mum’s” apron strings is going to be an especially important developmental stage, especially if a child happens to be gay.
Things may have changed, but (apart from the odd Anglican convert such as young Mr Newman) the old Italian Mission to the Irish was not noted for the number of Oxford men it could deploy. So, if the talent now exists, use it. Don’t send daft e-mails to remind the authorities exactly how much help some teenagers may need from Dr Radcliffe on their “iter fidei”.
Ed: since I just don’t have time to interject comment throughout the above nonsense, allow me to remind bloggers that Dowden is an Anglican. He does not share our faith and lacks even the basic “respect” that is the whole raison de’etre of the ecumenical movement – has to be, given that there’s no chance of organic unity now with the “ordination” of women and the latest fad, “ordination” of women “bishops” – keep a straight face… (for evidence of his lack of ecumenical respect, see his references to “Mr” and not “Cardinal/Blessed” John Henry Newman, the great Catholic convert from Anglicanism.) The whole ecumenical baloney is laughable, a complete joke, when you recall that the Church does not recognise Anglican Orders anyway, not that this fact stops them beavering away to “ordain” anything that moves, as long as she’s wearing shoulder length hair, long earrings and a cheesy smile. 😀
Dr John
Just a couple of questions.
Where on earth do you manage to get green ink in this day and age? And what is the name and address of the institution at the top of your letters so that I can drop you a Christmas card?
Frankier,
That’s a tad naughty. Just a tad 😀
Editor: comment removed following emailed request from “Anon”. I replied asking for dates and times of the two comments (s)he wishes me to delete but the email was returned by Mail Delivery Sender as there being no such recipient. I found this one easily enough, since it is near the end of the thread but I will have to search for the other one when I find time. (S)he did ask that her/his email not be published, so I am honouring that request.
Irony? ha ha ha
I love the irony of these ANONs* who come here to be nasty, smug, belittling and unChristian and accuse others of being nasty, smug………. blah blah.
I notice that they NEVER actually engage in the subject matter, though. Why is that?
*We all realise the irony of your pseudonym, attached as it is to your minatory statement…..
I don’t think I have ever encountered anything nasty on this blog except by occasional interlopers like yourself. We know every hair (well, those of us who still have any) on our heads are counted, but it is the right and proper thing to point out error so that souls can come to a realisation of sin.
Therese and Crofterlady,
You are both absolutely correct. What we witness in these trolls is the last vestiges of a guilty conscience. They never comment on the topics, as Therese has noted, only attack through to savage the bloggers. Who cares? Sticks and stones etc…
Comments are closed.