Pope Facing Insult On USA Trip
President Obama will apparently test just how far Pope Francis’ notorious tolerance will go by inviting a rogue’s gallery of people opposed to Catholic teaching to greet the pontiff at the White House during his visit next week.
In a stunning show of political indecorum, Obama has invited a series of individuals who publicly flout Catholic teaching, including a pro-abortion religious sister, a transgender woman and the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, along with at least two Catholic gay activists.
The White House was illuminated in gay pride colors on June 26, 2015, after the Supreme Court legalized gay same-sex marriage.
One of the invitees, retired Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson, made history by becoming the first openly gay episcopal bishop in 2003 and subsequently the first to divorce his gay partner in 2014, after having previously separated from his wife of 14 years. He has attended a number of religious events with the Obama administration, offering a prayer at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009 and taking part in the 2014 National Prayer Breakfast.
Mateo Williamson, a cross-dressing woman and former co-chairman of the Transgender Caucus for Dignity USA, has also received an invitation to the White House for Pope Francis’ visit. Williamson says that though she now thinks of herself as a man, she continues to be attracted to males. “Today I identify as a gay man and before that was difficult to understand because I thought that in order to be transgender, in order to be a transgender male that I had to be attracted to females but I never have throughout my entire life.”
Though Pope Francis has said that he doesn’t believe in judging persons and is ready to welcome anyone in Christ’s name, he has also said that Catholics do not accept the modern mentality of transgenderism and once said that gay marriage is the devil’s “attempt to destroy God’s plan.”
“The acceptance of our bodies as God’s gift,” Francis wrote in his encyclical letter on the environment, “is vital for welcoming and accepting the entire world as a gift from the Father and our common home, whereas thinking that we enjoy absolute power over our own bodies turns, often subtly, into thinking that we enjoy absolute power over creation.”
Earlier this month, the Vatican officially prohibited transgender persons from being baptismal godparents posing as the opposite sex from which they were born.
In its response, the Vatican Doctrinal Congregation said that “transsexual behavior publicly reveals an attitude contrary to the moral imperative of resolving the problem of one’s sexual identity according to the truth of one’s sexuality.”
Another White House invitee for the Pope’s visit, Sister Simone Campbell, is the pro-abortion executive director of the social justice lobby NETWORK. Campbell fought against the U.S. bishops when Obama’s Affordable Care Act was originally being debated, in an attempt to undermine their abortion and conscience concerns.
Sister Campbell will attend two events: the White House reception and Pope Francis’ address to Congress on Wednesday. Campbell famously helped organize the “Nuns on the Bus” a tour by Catholic religious women to protest the budget of then-Senator Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
An intermediary for several of the invitations to greet the Pope was Vivian Taylor, a 30-year-old male transvestite who acted as Executive Director of Integrity USA, a homosexual and transgender activist wing of the Episcopal Church, until last March.
“A few months ago I received an invitation from the White House to attend the reception for Pope Francis,” Taylor told CNS News. “I was told I could bring several friends with me,” adding that he is “glad we can bring some LGBT representation to the event.” Source
What, you got fifteen wives? You into polygamy, man? What the heck. Yeah, sure, come along and meet ole Papa Francis. He’s cool.
Anything goes. Anything except those fundamentalist types, you know, the ones who think he ought to cancel his trip here because of all the “free thinkers” we’ve invited to meet him. What’s that? Your friend who signed up with the Ashley Madison site to arrange an adulterous affair? No problem. Bring him, as well. It’s gonna be a Grand Ole Party! Er… so to speak!
Comment
If someone set me up like that, I’d cancel in a heartbeat. Should the Pope cancel his forthcoming visit to the USA and throw in his opinion (or rather, my opinion of Obama) for good measure? I mean, would YOU trust this man to sell you a used car? So, what do you think – should the Vatican cancel this trip to the USA? Or should the Pope take advantage of the guest list to proclaim Catholic teaching loud and clear? Well, we’d probably all agree that he should, but will he? Or, is he likely to say: “Well… who am I to judge?”
Comments (79)
At this stage I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pope made out the guest list.
Of course the Vatican should cancel, but it won’t. Obama is doing his bit to insult and denigrate the Catholic Faith; we can only pray that Our Lady takes a hand and puts a stop to it.
Therese,
I was on the phone to a friend when your comment appeared and I laughed out loud reading your opening sentence – so did she when I read it over to her!
I would cancel the visit as it is insulting our Church!
Lionel,
It is, indeed, a calculated insult to Holy Mother Church. But will Pope Francis recognise it as such? Doubt it.
Hélas!
Absolutely Lionel it is highly insulting to the church for all manner of reasons and especially Sister Simone Campbell what possible reason would the pope want to be in her company let alone another pretending they are in the wrong body.
Morgana,
It’s all about “dialogue” – don’t you know that yet? You not with the programme, girl? What century you in….?
And “dialogue” means that the Pope will have to listen to – and agree with – everyone he meets, whether they’re in the wrong body or not. Surely you remember now? 😀
The Wall Street Journal has reported yesterday that The Vatican has directly challenged the guest list.
I should also be noted that Sister Campbell is attending as the guest of Senator Boxer, and is not a direct invitee of The President.
That’s good, then, if the Vatican had challenged the list. Bravo!
Still, I won’t be surprised to see the Pope draped in the stars and stripes and enjoying the party when he reaches the US of A 😀
The Pope has not proclaimed the true Catholic Faith up till now. What’s to make us believe he will to these few and to the whole United States, for that matter? Sad times, we live in, when we can’t even count on the Pope to preach Catholicism. Instead, we get what even Protestants would have no problem preaching.
DOFT,
Well said. Sadly, so true, every word.
Let’s pray that he responds to the grace undoubtedly available to him, to make his trip to the USA and exception to his performance to date.
This is an excellent opportunity for Francis to wash some feet and show Mercy.
Yes editor I am keeping up but this continued behaviour off the pope beggars belief .surely he can see but does not want to see that his duty is at all times to preserve the faith.On judgement day when we are all called to account for our sins the pope includedGod will not be interested in excuses or sentiment.
Maybe all these lovely people will present him with a rainbow dress, to wear back at the Casa. Seriously though, he probably WILL be given something on the lines of the recent hammer-and-sickle object. How he responds will be Interesting. And no, he won’t cancel the visit. Of course not. He’s reaching out …
Pope Francis’ aides will have gone over the guest list with the Obama Administration, none of this will have been arranged without agreement. Pope Francis has probably known the guest list for some time.
I’m afraid we must prepare ourselves, once again, for the spectacle of our Blessed Lord and His Holy Church being insulted, blasphemed, and made a mockery of, and this time around, by many of his “alleged” disciples.
At least we have the comfort of knowing that Lucifer’s seeming triumph will herald his eternal defeat.
You could not make this stuff up.What a ” team”. Not a decent believer amongst them. I think we can rely on Pope Francis to let us down. Worse still to let God down.
I think pope francis should cancel the visit to the u s .
Why would he cancel? These are exactly the types he loves to mingle with. They don’t pray, respect natural law or believe in the sanctity of life or the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now you might argue that this is a good thing, and I think our Pope makes a point that Jesus didn’t hang around in the best parts of town. But what Francis doesn’t do that Our Lord does.. And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Summa,
What Papa Francis forgets is that when Our Lord “hung around” the less posh parts of town, it was to preach Christ, and Him Crucified – not to tell manifest public sinners that He was OK with their sin.
How could Jesus “preach Christ, and Him Crucified” if He hadn’t yet been crucified?
Helen,
Well done! You are first to spot my deliberate mistake! Well done!
I meant to say that Our Lord “hung around” to preach sin and Hell and that HE (Papa Francis) should be doing the same. I must stop typing so fast, especially around midnight. And it would help, no doubt, to think, think, think… and when I’ve done that – to think again!
Thank you Helen – I think your observation and correction requires a lot more than just moving up the pay scale a little, so there will be a little something in the post for you on Monday. You’ll realise it’s from me when you hear it ticking… 😀
Aye, you’re right. It was to forgive but to redirect the lives of the penitent.
This is the crux of the Kasper hypothesis: the penitent doesn’t redirect towards the right path. It’s a case of, I’m sorry and now that I acknowledge my sin, I can continue in it and receive the sacraments.
I received the following email earlier today, and promised to post it on this thread, in case it is of interest to the mathematicians among us…
Hello, I hope this finds you well. I thought this might make an interesting (and timely) addition to your ongoing coverage of the Pope’s visit to the US.
The Pope’s upcoming visit to the US, and the canonization of Junipero Serra on U.S. soil inspired us to put together a study and infographic on Catholic Saints. We looked at every Saint since 1910, where they’re from, and how long it took for them to get canonized. Serra, for example, will be the 42nd native of Spain to be canonized, and he waited 36 years longer than his average predecessor.
You can view our infographic and accompanying report here:
The most notable thing in that graph is the shortest wait for canonisation – i.e. Pope John Paul II. When you see it on the graph with the length of time, centuries, that others have waited, it makes it all the more ridiculous that he was rushed through. I like the style of the graph – not dull as most graphs are, and very easy to follow.
Interesting graph, but I’ve just done a quick count of British saints and have already reached 10 – I’m sure there are many more. 5’s a bit of an insult!!
The $64 question is of course whether this Wayward Welcoming Committee was drawn up by the Obama Administration as a calculated insult or if it was decided upon rather because of the impression that the Pope gives of being an ‘easy-going guy’ and hence a bit of a soft touch when it comes to being used by various astute worldly sophisticates eager to make social,political or religious points for their own oh-so-clever purposes. I think it’s the latter and unfortunately, you can make the claim that the Pope has only got himself to blame for appearing to want to be all things to all men*, what with his ‘Who am I to judge?’ comment, his letter of ‘appreciation’ in response to being contacted by some Italian woman author in a lesbian ‘relationship’ and of course not forgetting hammer and sickle crucifix-gate. Wouldn’t it be good to see the Vatican strike back and not just cancel this motley crew’s reception party but go one further and bypass any meeting with Baby-Killer-in-Chief Obama as well? Now THAT would send out an unambiguous message for once. That happening though is about as likely as a Catholic pontiff circuitously indicating that divorce is now an acceptable (if still regrettable) port of last resort. Oh, hold on…….
P.S. If they still made any cartoons worth watching in America, this scenario would be the equivalent of Droopy inviting Bugs and Daffy Duck round for lunch and after locking the door behind them, ushering them into the dining room where Wily Coyote, Elmer Fudd and the Big Bad Woolluf himself are waiting to ‘greet’ them. Though even those three are probably more personable than Obama’s selection of sweethearts.
(And even if the Vatican has objected, I can’t help wondering how strongly e.g. like an ultimatum saying strike these individuals off or the event is dead in the water – and whether the U.S side will do any more than tinker round the edges by perhaps having some part of the schedule behind closed doors, assuming they take any notice of any objection in the first place.)
* barring Catholics who take their Catholicism seriously,it seems.
Spudeater,
According to a post from Don’t Panic, the Vatican DID object: I’ve copied the relevant post for you below, in italics…
The Wall Street Journal has reported yesterday that The Vatican has directly challenged the guest list.
I should also be noted that Sister Campbell is attending as the guest of Senator Boxer, and is not a direct invitee of The President.
Having said that, I think your suggestion as to how this list may have come about, rings true: that the Pope gives the impression of being easy-going and wouldn’t think anything of meeting such people. Could well have been the case. And since there are reports of quite a bit of unrest within the Vatican from those less keen on the shenanigans of Papa Francis, it could be that some form of objection from “the Vatican” has been made.
It’ll be interesting to see how this trip is reported. One shudders to imagine, one really does.
On the day that our Holy Father flies off to Havana (did really write that?), it would be appropriate to visit a great Catholics Website and mull over what he has to say.
I speak of William Briggs who is part of my daily bread.
http://www.wmbriggs.com/post/16832
Read the whole but with particular attention to his final link to “Holy See expresses support for UN development goals”
Another reaffirmation of our Red/Green Popes departure from reality.
I just love this blog.
http://ecclesandbosco.blogspot.co.uk/
Will take a look later, but I hope you folks who are posting your “favourite” blog links here, are spreading this one over there, if you see what I mean!
Will do, but what I meant was that it is really ‘on topic’ as far as Obama’s guest list is concerned. (I try to keep my comments short, but maybe I try too hard!)
PC,
I’m only teasing you – worry not. How could I ever get mad at that avatar? 😀
Oh dear editor you are the greatest, and we only access the bestest ones!
Waterside,
You always seem to hit on just the right words! 😀
This thread goes to the heart of the very vexed question of the relationship between the Church and the world.
The Church is sent into the world by Christ in order to evangelize it. But the world, let us not forget, lives under the dominion of its Prince, i.e., Satan. Yet it was not ever thus. The world as created by God was intrinsically good; Satan’s dominion is a consequence of original sin. So, the Church, the community of the baptized, those saved by Christ, has a divine mandate, from which she cannot subtract herself, to evangelize the world, i.e. deliver it from the power of Satan. But this must be undertaken in such a way that the Church does not herself fall victim to ithe world. Hence the need for great vigilance and prudence.
In the climate of almost collective delirium and mindless optimism following Vatican II, many Catholics came to see no distinction between the Church and the world. And this led to some very chastening experiences as both the hierarcy and the faithful learned that the hard way what they could have known more easily from the Gospel and church history had they but trusted them, i.e. that the world is not only a very dangerous place but is also inimical to the Church. Just look at what the world did to the priestood–to say nothing of the wider credibility of the Church–through the clergy sexual abuse scandals. Look a bit harder and you will see the untold damage wrought to the family, the transmission of the faith, the liturgy and even theology itself by the pervasion of worldly influences.
And so we are in the midst of a dilemma as old as the Church herself. How are we to engage the world without being contaminated by her?
Francis’s resolution of this dilemma is to just go out and evangelize, come what may. How often have we heard him say that he prefers a Church injured by the battle to one which does not enjoin battle. While I have a certain respect for this seemingly courageous approach, upon closer examination it turns, in my opinion to sheer folly. For no general worth his salt would ever enjoin battle without a strategy. And the bottom line is that Francis’s strategy coincides, alas, with Francis himself. And this is insufficient to the nth degree.
In the first place,I think that the Church is deluded if she thinks that she can evangelize through the secular mass media. The media are almost withput exception hostile to Christ and will twiist and dissolve the Church’s message to the point where it is transfomed into a weapon against the Church herself. Anyone who doubts this should only has to look at the coverage of the Pope’s forthcoming visit to the U.S. In the second place, engaging with the world requires a pureness of heart since any desire–no matter how minimal–to be pleasing to the world immediately renders the desirer a slave to the world.
Francis is cunning, but I am not sure that this alone will see him emerge victorious. O, yes, he may return to the Vatican propelled by the rapturous acclamation of the secular media. But that to a great extent will be the sign that he has failed in his mission. For in all that the Church does or says, there is one criterion of judgement and one only: does it move the world closer to Christ or move it further away from him? And the the judge in this case does not, thank God, sit in the court of secular opinion.
Prognosticum,
That’s an interesting commentary on the relationship between the Church and the world. I’m surprised, though by your comment that “Francis’s resolution of this dilemma is to just go out and evangelize, come what may.”
My understanding is that the Pope doesn’t want us to convert people, that it’s best if all “Christians” just work together, so I’m not sure how we can “evangelize” – what do you think he meant by that?
At the risk of getting my knuckles rapped (again) for posting on the wrong thread, May I quote from Irish televisions coverage of Pope Francis visit to the US Mosque and its head O’Bama.
“It seems clear to me also that climate change (sic) is a problem which can no longer be left to future generations when it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment in our history”
People who know me well wonder why after 70 plus years of faithful attendance at the Sacraments I can no longer practice my Catholic faith at a Church which has a plaque declaring ‘We are an ecocongregaton’
This Popes nonsense should be sufficient proof to justify my absence, amidst the slaughter of Catholics as yet unborn and grown up ones of Muslim countries. If our misguided Pontiff had referred to these serious issues, then I could die in peace.
I wonder how the politicians who battled to have Planned Parenthood defunded after the sale of baby body parts, feel hearing the Pope talking about the environment and saying (again) that we shouldn’t obsess over abortion and homosexuality.
He’s a complete embarrassment.
Another example I see of inadvertent prophecy, this time from Pope Francis himself, ‘We are living at a critical moment in our history.’ As some of his more ‘aware’ American Catholic listeners must have said in reply, ‘We sure are,buddy.’ But to use that portentous line in relation to the environment rather than the spiritual state of the world is like an A & E Consultant telling a man who presents with an axe in his head that he’d better get his blood-stained shirt in the hot wash and pronto otherwise it’ll be permanently stained.
I wonder if it occurred to the Pope when he spoke that sentence that there are countless millions who were never allowed to see this ‘critical moment’ thanks to dyed-in-the-wool supporters of the Culture of Death like his gracious host, Obama? Almost certainly not. How sad that a golden opportunity has once again been missed (never to return) to warn and even implore those who’ve hitched their wagon to that ascendant satanic star that only ruin can ultimately result.
Spudeater,
Watching the adoring crowds stretching out to touch the Pope as if he were some kind of living saint, was painful in the extreme. And goodness knows what the Carly Fiorina, thought, the American Republican politician who led the (successful) campaign to have Planned Parenthood defunded, on hearing that the Pope had not made any comment about the evil of abortion, beyond saying that we ought not to “obsess” over it – she is a practising Baptist, I believe. With friends like Pope Francis, she is bound to have thought, who needs Obama fighting for the pro-abortion lobby?
His emphasis on “the environment” only serves to make him look ineffectual and populist. Tragic.
An excellent point Editor – Francis really has missed (i.e chosen to pass up) an excellent opportunity in the wake of the Planned Parenthood scandal.
He could be making hay while the sun shines on this USA tour, I dont ever remember the pro-life lobby having such an excellent opportunity, yet…….he takes about the environment.
Disappointing and embarrassing and no doubt very demotivating to the people (inc the baptist woman you mention) who worked hard to expose Planned Parenthood and who give much time and effort to the pro-life cause.
Its interesting to note that even the secular press is now carrying criticial articles about Francis and his style.
A thought which helps keep me going through this pontificate is that the reign of Francis will cause the Cardinals to choose a corrective candidate in the next conclave, and so persons previously thought “too conservative” by some prelates will now be seen as reasonable and desirable – just as they always were.
Gabriel Syme,
I believe the Pope has now mentioned abortion – in his address the US bishops! Talk about preaching to the converted.
He’s addressing the US congress this afternoon, billed as “not being afraid to raise the controversial issues” – the “controversial issues” listed as the environment, immigration, capitalism – everything and anything but abortion and homosexuality.
The only thing that is a cause of some surprise to me these days, is that Judas Iscariot has not (yet) been canonised, or at least had a Square or Street named after him in Rome.
Editor,
Sorry, wrong – the Pope has mentioned abortion in his talk to Congress this afternoon.
I heard that on the radio coming home from work Lily.
Sadly he didn’t mention abortion by name, but – as part of a speech against the death penalty – mentioned the need to protect human life “at every stage of development”.
For this he was applauded by Republican Senators (rather generously I thought).
It was better than nothing, but I think he should be more forceful and direct on the matter, especially given the Planned Parenthood scandal as a backdrop to his visit.
Gabriel Syme,
I think that is disgraceful that he didn’t name abortion. Why is he so unwilling to condemn such an obvious evil? It is really worrying.
I wonder if he was told by the planners of his visit not to mention it because of the Planned Parenthood scandal?
An “ecocongregation”. Dearie dearie me. Does that mean they are recyclable?
Therese,
Love it !
Therese,
“An “ecocongregation”. Dearie dearie me. Does that mean they are recyclable?”
That’s a corker! Priceless 😀
A must look:
And this:
http://thatthebonesyouhavecrushedmaythrill.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/the-pope-francis-little-book-of-insults.html
I saw that book of insults before. It is a scandal, it really is.
I think, our Pope’s honeymoon period, with the secular press, is over.
Summa,
I’d be interested to know why you think that? I can only see adulation everywhere.
The “liberals” certainly love him to bits, still. Here’s a glowing report on his address to the US bishops – even the feminists are not over-critical of the fact that it was an all-male event…
Editor,
I think Summa is right – check these articles out:
Washington Post: “Pope Francis’ fact-free flamboyance”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/pope-franciss-fact-free-flamboyance/2015/09/18/7d711750-5d6a-11e5-8e9e-dce8a2a2a679_story.html
Weekly Standard: “Pope Francis: Menace or Farce?”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/pope-francis-menace-or-farce_1033365.html?page=1
To some extent they are a refreshing reality check against the fluff-Catholicism currently on tour in the USA.
Some additional secular news articles bucking the trend on reporting of Francis:
Fox News: “False prophet? Why Pope Francis has disappointed many Roman Catholics”
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/09/24/false-prophet-why-pope-francis-has-disappointed-many-roman-catholics.html?intcmp=hphz01
US news: “Pope Francis Just Echoed Obama’s ‘Offensive’ Prayer Breakfast Remarks”
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/09/24/pope-francis-just-echoed-obamas-offensive-prayer-breakfast-remarks
The Federalist: “Che Guevara’s Pope”
http://thefederalist.com/2015/09/24/che-guevaras-pope/
(these 3 shamelessly pinched from Rorate, which also notes criticism from Lifesite News and Catholic sources).
Gabriel Syme
So far, I’ve only read the Fox News article “False Prophet…” which is very good. It’s actually good that there is growing awareness of the “Francis Effect” – and the problems therein!
Hi Ed. Gabriel got in before me. There are more and more questions being asked about his liberalism, his moral vacuity, his blinkered silences on pressing issues. More than anywhere else, the US has a large conservative population that are sensitive to these matters.
It is from the US that the questions are now being asked.
Gabriel Syme & Summa,
Thank you for those posts – I’m looking forward to studying the links later but glad to note that not everyone is on their knees before Pope Francis – we should all be on our knees FOR Pope Francis, of course, but that’s a bit different!
Also in the mainstream The Australian newspaper we have questions about the Pope being asked, especially around his politics and climate views. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/pope-francis-says-hes-no-leftie-but-he-isnt-right-either/story-e6frg6n6-1227544307941
Pope Francis says he’s no leftie but he isn’t right, either
THE AUSTRALIAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 12:00AM
Questioned about his political and economic philosophy by reporters travelling with him from Cuba to Washington, DC, this week, Pope Francis said:
Some people might say some things sounded slightly more leftish, but that would be a mistake of interpretation.
The Greens and other opponents of markets can rest assured, however, that the Pope shares at least some of their ideas. Speech in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in July:
Time, my brothers and sisters, seems to be running out; we are not yet tearing one another apart, but we are tearing apart our common home. Today,
the scientific community realises what the poor have long told us: harm, perhaps irreversible harm, is being done to the ecosystem. The earth, entire peoples and individual persons are being brutally punished. And behind all this pain, death and destruction there is the stench of what Basil of Caesarea called “the dung of the devil”. An unfettered pursuit of money rules.
Perhaps the CFMEU should take note. Structural economic change, he said in Bolivia, was needed to fight “the new colonialism’’, including some free-trade treaties:
The new colonialism takes on different faces. At times it appears as the anonymous influence of Mammon — corporations, loan agencies, certain “free-trade” treaties, and the imposition of measures of austerity which always tighten the belt of workers and the poor.
Those left behind by the market were:
Exploited like slaves.
But the transition of some of the world’s largest nations such as China, India and Brazil from acute poverty towards prosperity has not impressed, judging by Francis’s first encyclical, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), in late 2013:
Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralised workings of the prevailing economic system. We have created new idols. The worship of the ancient golden calf has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy.
Francis also has embraced the most catastrophic warnings about the impact of climate change on “mother Earth”. His second encyclical, Laudato Si (Praise Be to You), argues:
Doomsday predictions can no longer be met with irony or disdain. We may be leaving to coming generations debris, desolation and filth … The time has come to accept decreased growth in some parts of the world in order to provide resources for other places to experience healthy growth.
Big government programs and enforceable international climate treaties could help:
Enforceable international agreements are urgently needed, since local authorities are not always capable of effective intervention … Global regulatory norms are needed to impose obligations and prevent unacceptable actions.
The same approach, he suggested. should be applied to tackling poverty and combating the transnational financial and economic sectors:
It is essential to devise stronger and more efficiently organised international institutions, with functionaries who are appointed fairly by agreement among national governments, and empowered to impose sanctions.
Truth will out. In a long interview, Francis told America Magazine in 2013:
I have never been a right-winger.
Editor and Summa,
This evening by chance I stumbled (via a Catholic blog) onto another two US articles expressing concern over Francis. One of them is by Lord Monckton, who I believe was formerly involved with UKIP in Scotland (?).
though the pope’s U.N. speech quoted himself at least five times and previous popes once or twice, there was not a single quotation from the Bible, and neither God the Father nor Jesus Christ nor the Holy Spirit nor the divine nor any saint made it into the text.
http://www.wnd.com/2015/09/two-cheers-for-pope-francis/
The Catholic Church has strong positions on homosexuality, on marriage, on abortion and on contraception. None of that has changed, but since Vatican Two, the interpretation by bishops and priests has softened the view of the day-to-day Church.
The result has been that the American Church, especially, has become fragmented.
http://www.wnd.com/2015/09/bye-bye-pope-bye-bye-church/
Gabriel
Yes, truly inconceivable if it wasn’t before one’s eyes.
Talking about UKIP, I obtained a signed copy by the author, Hugh Williams, of his history book every traditional catholic should own http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10257603/Senior-Ukip-figure-writes-non-PC-world-history.html
Refreshing bitesize articles unencumbered by PC. You only need to look at the Vatican II reference to know this is the book for you.
Summa.
Hugh Williams contacted us by email to ask if we would review his history book – Peter has written a short review for us, published in the October edition of our newsletter, about to go online and in the post. Sounds very good.
If your reporting is true, then it is a good thing for mankind. It will be just as Jesus dined and congregated with sinners, so shall Pope Francis have the opportunity to model and preach God’s Gospel of mercy and forgiveness. If just one of these lost and confused souls is saved or repents then what does it matter that the Liberals plucked our beard or spat upon us. We are the one true Church, the universal Church and our message is most closely associated with God’s teachings, Natural Law and treating and supporting all men and women equally.
Kevin, if what YOU suggest is true then we’d all be delighted, but, based on past evidence – from right at the beginning of this pontificate – Pope Francis is more inclined to affirm sinners in their lifestyles than to correct them. I know that he sometimes makes public statements that are orthodox, but when speaking to individuals and small groups personally, his “pastoral” care leaves plenty to be desired. Memories of his lunch with a group of Evangelical Protestants whom he assured had no need to convert to Catholicism springs to mind. If he’s met the Samaritan woman at the well, he’d have been more concerned that she had been left to carry the water buckets than the fact that she was living in adultery. And I can’t see Pope Francis calling anyone a “whited sepulchre” – can you?
Since I don’t know what you mean about “treating and supporting all men and women equally”, I’ll pass on that one, in case you mean that women should have the same jobs, careers, vocations (to priesthood) as men in which case I say – no, thanks. If I’m ever in need of a strong pair of arms to carry me away from physical danger, send a guy. Immediately. No need to check out his bank balance – I’ll do that later 😀
Fr Z reports that seminarians and novice religious were each issued with special copies of Cardinal Sarah’s new book, “God or Nothing”, at the mass with Pope Francis in Washington. The books were inscribed with a special greeting from the Apostolic Nuncio.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2015/09/a-special-gift-to-seminarians-who-attended-pope-francis-mass-hint-card-sarah-alert/
From the book:
“The idea of putting Magisterial teaching in a beautiful display case while separating it from pastoral practice, which then could evolve along with circumstances, fashions, and passions, is a sort of heresy, a dangerous schizophrenic pathology. I therefore solemnly state that the Church in Africa is staunchly opposed to any rebellion against the teaching of Jesus and of the Magisterium. The Church of Africa is committed in the name of the Lord Jesus to keeping unchanged the teaching of God and of the Church.”
Robert Cardinal Sarah
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1621640507?creativeASIN=1621640507&linkCode=w00&linkId=QS6IWLFTAE43LWPU&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=whatdoesthepr-20
I hope this is a sign we can take confidence from, regarding the forthcoming synod.
(N.B. Cardinal Sarah has had a hand in the “ten Africans” book too, which is also a contribution to the family synod).
In catechism class tonight we talked about another African Church hero, St Athanasius. In times of crises we should return to his letter to the faithful http://www.fisheaters.com/stathanasiusletter.html
and also St Vincent of Lerins’ Commonitory http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3506.htm
Folks,
An advance notice to alert you to the fact that I will be posting a “Synod Special” thread soon to discuss up to date news about the forthcoming synod, so you may wish to hold fire with articles and reports on that until I get round to posting the new thread – possibly tomorrow, at some point. Not a hard and fast rule, just saying! It’s perfectly permissible to re-post something, so if there is something you just have to share, go ahead.
THE FORGETFUL PRIEST
Whilst beheadings are de jure
In the moslem middle East,
Our Pontiff is fixated –
– He forgets he is a Priest
When ancient Christian culture
Is trammeled by pagans swarming,
He consorts with the ‘great satan’
Endorsing global warming.
Baby body parts for sale
“Lets have the highest bidder”
A priority perhaps
For Francis to consider;
But no – he is fixated
With crooks who fiddle data
Non existent temperatures
Which have his imprimatur.
He has not a word to say
Of the chaos in the Church,
With homosexual unions
Which Old Ireland’s name besmirch;
Lets revert to ancient Rome
The machinating Senate,
Stab old faithfuls in the back
Hoist truth upon a gibbet.
So does the old faith matter
In the nuevo feeley isles,
All this time we had it wrong
With our fathers fruitless trials;
They should have all submit
To the heathens of the day,
Then Luther and Mohammed
We would not to have gainsay.
Patrick Healy.
Waterside,
Great poem! Patrick Healy clearly has his finger on the pulse – just about everything is covered in there!
Pope’s Mass for families…
https://youtu.be/1pgIayS4xR8
This is an interesting interview with the priest in charge of organising the papal Mass in Philadelphia
http://adoremus.org/2015_gill_interview.html
Having just watched the news on BBC I wondered if anyone else noticed the nun rocking along to sister sledge and she was elderly and unbelievably this was the popes last mass.
My mistake it was at the family festival where he was entertained by said singers I just picked it up wrong from the way they reported it still no place for a nun.
Morgana,
I watched the TV clips of that performance in front of the Pope. Emotional claptrap that the Pontiff has no business endorsing with his presence.
As for his Mass. Did you see the woman in the goonie leading the singing of the Kyrie from the Sanctuary? It was spine chilling stuff. Pope Francis just continues to humiliate the Church, God have mercy on him.
Yes I thought she was quite literally going to take off with her uplifted swaying arms to the most horrendous music for the kyrie.To use the popes own words although he was referring to the abuse victims indeed GOD DOES WEEP.
Morgana
I couldn’t help but notice the orchestral accompaniment to the Mass, a secular manifestation that St. Pius X vigorously strove to rid the Church of during his Pontificate. And I noticed again the scandalous distribution of Holy Communion into the hands of thousands during the Mass. That means millions of sacred particles, each one the body, blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord, trampled under foot at the Papal Mass today without any apparent concern on the part of the Pope, prelates, priests or faithful. This tragic reality highlights perfectly the superficiality of the post conciliar Reformation.
Athanasius,
I can’t help wondering how many priests actually believe in the Real Presence in every particle – I know of one (ex-Seminary Rector, Scotus) who said to A.N. Other “you don’t really believe that, do you?” (words to that effect, I think that’s verbatim or almost.)
So, “tragic reality” is spot on. Truly tragic.
the latest corker – Pope meets “secretly” with Kim Davis (who hit the headlines in the USA for her opposition to same-sex “marriage”) while he meets openly with every atheist, transgender, Evangelical, you-name-it in the phone directory. Yet this “secret” meeting is reported in the most positive light. Why didn’t he openly praise her and tell all those battling against these evil laws to “stay strong”? Answers on a postcard please. Or, easier still, the postcard stamp.
Gimme strength.
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