Paris: Terrorism Vs Kingship of Christ
Michael Matt speaks of the real conspiracy – apostasy and the destruction of the human element of the Catholic Church, which is leading to the destabilization of formerly Christian Europe and chaos throughout the New World Order. But there is hope, according to Michael. The future of France and of all of Europe depends on the proclamation of the Kingship of Christ – and that is beginning to happen right now. The Church will rise again, and here’s proof…
Comments invited…
Comments (89)
I would like to comment on two aspects deriving from the Paris tragedy.
First, it is clear to me that the secular west is intellectually too weak to understand and react to what happened at Paris last Friday or, for that matter, in New York in 2001. So much in the West is predicated on Enlightenment values, among which is the tenet that all religions are equal because they are equally false. The West simply cannot get its head round the fact that there are people in our midst who are willing to kill and be killed for their faith. When our politicians get up in the wake of terrorist attacks and rush to tell us that there is no problem with Islam as such, this isn’t just the spin of political convenience but a true reflection of what they have been told since they were at their mothers’ knee, i.e all religions are equal. Ergo Islam is pretty much like Christianity. Ergo it can be tamed and made to conform to hedonistic Western values. But it simply can’t, as many of those grieving in Paris now know.
Second, the West is in the grip of a new form of Pelagianism which sees man as morally neutral and wholly capable of choosing between good and evil. This way of thinking has made great inroads into the Church. Today many Catholics view Christ as Just the rather nice cherry on what is in itself a very nice cake. They do not realize that Christ is everything, and to subtract our world from him is to signal a descent into chaos. The Apostle Paul tells us that Christ rescued us from the domain of darkness, but from the way many Catholics think and act today, he might as well have written that Christ moved us from the light to a more intense light.
I don’t think politicians think Islam is pretty much like Christianity. They are terrified of Islam, so we get told all the time that Islam is a peaceful religion, but Christianity is fair for the mocking.
I agree with your last paragraph because it’s now obvious that most Catholics don’t think of Christ as being divine, just a very nice man, a “prophet” which is what the Moslems believe about him. Catholics are also the first to praise Islam and defend it when these atrocities happen. The same ones who say it’s a minority in Islam doing this, denounce the Church for child abuse cases, not saying that that’s a minority, as well.
Lily
If you ever hear anyone describing Christ as a nice man or a “prophet” ask them if they thought he was a “nutcase”. Either he is who he said he is “The Son of God.” or is a nutcase. There cannot be any other answer.
Lily
I don’t know about being terrified of Islam but they are certainly terrified of ISIS and who can blame them.
This is the reason they are using a piling hammer to flatten a pea by continuous bombing rather than putting “boots on the ground”, to quote their favourite term.
They started something themselves that they will never, ever control. That’s what happens when you put your filthy hands into someone else’s porridge.
The type of monster they have created will never be beaten until they start talking to them, however outlandish and hilarious that may sound to some.
Time for a few of our own war criminals to be put on trial. That would be a good start.
To look at it in another way. I might be wrong but I don’t think it will be dangerous to go on a night out in Iceland or the Faroe Islands where
leaders mind their own business.
There are very few Muslims in Iceland or the Faroe Islands.
Therese
I really don’t think you have got my point.
Perhaps.
They are not so much terrified of Islam as of Muslims.
Prognosticum,
That suggests you are a believer that Islam is “a peaceful religion” as we keep being told. I wanted to be as fair as possible to Islam during all this terrorism so I Googled the question is Islam a peaceful religion and got this site up.
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/top-10-reasons.htm
Pray to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, who appeared in 1830 to St Catherine Laboure, at the Rue du Bac in Paris. St Catherine’s incorrupt body and St Vincent de Paul’s incorrupt heart can still be seen in the chapel to this day. Our Lady told St Catherine that those who visited the Shrine and wore the Medal would receive ‘many graces’. People can send prayer intentions to the Shrine’s website which are printed off and left in the Sanctuary where Our Lady appeared.
http://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/langues/english/prayer-intentions
The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart will usher in the Reign of the Kingship of Christ.
I must say I was surprised to see Michael Matt speaking about the Kingship of Christ and not the Consecration of Russia (not that they are opposed of course) and I have noticed that the people on the streets, which must include many Catholics, are putting candles on the street instead of at the shrines in their great cathedral. It is very sad that France is now a secular state instead of the once great Catholic nation it used to be.
I am glad of your reminder about the Miraculous Medal. I’m lax about wearing mine so I must start doing that from now on. Thank you Westminster Fly!
A few years ago I visited 140, rue du bac and I must say it’s the most beautiful and awe-inspiring (much overused word but in this instance wholly appropriate) chapel that I’ve ever had the privilege of entering. To be actually in the place where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré after her guardian angel had led her there was a great experience. It’s very centrally located, just on the left bank of the Seine and is well worth a visit. Given recent events and the current parlous state of the Eldest Daughter herself, it’s little wonder that when Our Lady appeared standing on a globe and with another globe in her hands, St.Catherine was given to understand that this represented not just the whole world but ‘France in particular and each person individually’.
Even though France is pretty much a secular country these days, it was heartening to see the crowds that flocked to the Mass at Notre Dame in Paris. At times of disasters or tragedies, churches are still the gathering point and still have a place even in apparently godless societies, even in Russia!
Christiana
To me, people rushing to Notre Dame are only acting like sheep. God forgive me if I am wrong but I feel all this hugging and the laying of flowers is a bit false.
If I went in among these crowds and asked for flowers to be laid or candles lit outside the nearest hospital in memory of children being aborted at that very moment I would probably be lynched.
There are only about 5% of French people who profess to be Catholics attend Mass so I really haven’t much time for most of these “mourners” who go along with the crowd.
I wonder how many of them knelt to say a decade of the rosary for the victims.
In the past, anyone carrying out similar actions in a Catholic country would have made the sign of the cross after laying a bunch of flowers but I didn’t see one person making such an act.
You mention Godless societies followed by “even in Russia!”. I would suggest that an even more Godless society now is one from which a lot of us on here are descended. I won’t say who they are but even their leprechauns,
except for you-know-who, are now atheists.
Frankier,
You are right in much of what you say, but it is important to remember that the vast majority in any society are more or less unthinking and uncritical. Not only can they not join up the dots, but they are content to, as it were, go with the flow. When a tragedy like this one happens, they are at a loss as to what to do and so do what they see others doing on television.
Frankier,
Thank you for your exceptional exception.
The problem with the people in the country you have in mind is not so much that they have declared themselves to be atheists, but that the older ones who were taught the Catechism at school have never striven to add one jot to their knowledge of the Faith since, and the younger ones were never even taught the Catechism in the first place – either at school or in the home, and certainly not at Mass.
All would be mightily offended if you were to accuse them of being atheists, but without a catalyst, none of them are likely to do anything about it.
There is much inspirational reading to be found in the Newsletters of Fr. Karl Stehlin who has revived St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Militia Immaculatae after it was so severely mauled in the immediate aftermath of Vatican II.
The current Newsletter and an archive of its predecessors can be read at this link:
http://archivist2017.webspace.virginmedia.com/
This could be the catalyst that is required for the fight back towards re-establishing the Kingship of Christ.
Frankier,
I agree completely. While our first response to events such as those in Paris is always ‘Lord have mercy on their souls’, the events themselves and their aftermath must be viewed through the eyes of faith (eyes which the Curé d’Ars said ‘see deep into eternity’). Those poor directionless people don’t realise (or have never been taught) that even one brief prayer said while thinking of the words and aware of why they’re being said and to Whom is of more value than covering the whole of the Place de la République in tea lights and flowers. It’s that old cliché,I suppose, about there being a ‘God-shaped hole in everyone’ which if it’s not got God ‘in it’, gets filled up instead with all kinds of weird and not very wonderful attitudes and behaviours. How can they begin to ‘make sense’ of Friday’s shootings when they are only capable of taking a worldly, exclusively rationalist point of view? God help them. And your point contrasting prevailing attitudes to abortion is only too true. THAT’S where all our modern-day humanitarians fall down flat.
Christiana
In case something in my comments “gets lost in translation” I would just like to say.
Eternal rest grant unto all the poor victims’ souls O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them and comfort their poor families at this time.
Certainly there is a very strong traditional church in France and, I’ve been told, that it is stronger and more numerous than the modernist one.
I also think that there have been more Marian apparitions in France than in any other country which may be because France is the Eldest Daughter of the Church.
Things much have changed greatly in the last few years if there is a very strong traditional church in France: I know I had great difficulty in finding a Tridentine Mass on my frequent visits, up to 4 years ago. I hope it’s true, and that it is growing. I think that Frankier is right, especially about the majority conscience re abortion; I don’t think people flocked to attend Mass per se, but naturally in times of crisis people are comforted by gathering together in mourning, and the cathedral was a logical place to do so. Perhaps I’m being too cynical.
Therese,
If the current trends continue – the novus ordo priesthood dying out, and the traditional one ordaining many – then by the year 2038, more than half of French priests will be traditional Catholic priests.
That sounds good, but the bad news is that there will only be just over 1,000 French priests in 2038, down from 15,000 in 2014. However, that ought to be the low tide mark.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/if-france-stays-catholic-it-will-be-traditionalist/
I also heard a statistic (I cant remember where sorry) which estimated that 1/3 of French Catholics would be SSPX in about a decade.
Gabriel Syme,
Those statistics, coupled with the prophecy of Cardinal Ranjith that the novus ordo Mass would be gone in a generation, give us hope for the future.
The SSPX has churches throughout France including three in Paris.
Intereting Vianney – I know about St Nicolas Du Chardonnet, and Our Beloved Lady of Comfort in Paris – but what is the 3rd Church you mention?
In particular would love to visit St Nicolas one day (or preferably many days!).
I think the French are tripping over SSPX Churches actually. I recent years I have visited La Rochelle on the West Coast a few times (before I found tradition) and I have since checked and – sure enough – La Rochelle has an SSPX Church! So I daresay I may visit there again sometime!
Gabriel, the third church is The Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of France. It’s the smallest of the churches and is, I believe, a converted hall. a couple of weeks ago there was a French lady at Mass who attends Notre-Dame de Consolation and I asked her why the 9 and 11.45 Masses were celebrated in the crypt instead of the church. She told me that the crypt is a lot bigger than the church and as those Masses have the larger congregations they have Mass there.
I believe the church in La Rochelle was a convent chapel. This is their web site: http://www.catholiques17.com/
Thanks for the info Vianney, much appreciated!
Gabriel, forgot to say that on YouTube you can see a Mass from St. Nicholas.
Yes – the video of the sung mass with Fr Bouchacourt. It is magnificent, I have had good value from that in recent years!
Therese,
I have been camping in France for this past 28 years, and have chosen my sites where there is an SSPX chapel or Mass centre within reach.
The link below is to a map showing all the French Departments, and each one is hyperlinked to the SSPX chapels in that department. Whilst the details are in French, it is not difficult to pick out the address and the Mass times.
I commend it to all who go touring in France:
http://laportelatine.org/district/lieux/lieux.php
Incidentally, whilst many of the French no longer attend Mass, you will find that the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th is normally very well supported due to the great love that the French still have for Our Lady.
you will find that the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th is normally very well supported due to the great love that the French still have for Our Lady.
That’s very touching.
The Catholics in the Chartres Pilgrimage, the hopeful sign of a Catholic Restoration, peacefully and joyously sing “Chez nous.” The people listening to the California band “Eagles of Death Metal” are slaughtered by Muslim terrorists. That juxtaposition alone is quite a commentary on the Kingship of Christ vs. the rule of Satan.
As Micheal Matt says the Parisians should be falling to their knees and praying for the souls of the dead and for their country.
It is a terrible frightening situation and yet the politicians talk about tightening up borders and looking for secular answers to something we know is a truly spiritual war against God.
When will the catholic Church take heed of Our Lady who asked for pray and penance?
There is no mention of penance nowadays as the sacrificial nature of the Mass has been taken out with the Novus Ordo Mass. The modernists will not mention the sins which call out to heaven for vengeance but that vengeance is now being enacted by the enemies of Christ and His Church in front of our eyes.
I know that there are a lot of very traditional Catholics in France having been among them on the Chartres pilgrimage which attracts over 10.000 people.
We used to have processions in our towns to honour Our Lady in May every year until Vat2.
The young folk now probably never sing hymns to Our Lady or have experienced the lovely Novenas to Our Lady of perpetual Succour which happened in all the parish Churches followed by Benediction which alas has gone from the modern church.
Maybe we should do our best to revive these practices and seek the help of Our Lady in these terrible times.
Clotilde,
You paint a devastating but substantially true picture. Reviving tradition once the chain of transmission has been broken is certainly a very tall order. But it is far from impossible.
Mother.
If tomorrow the sun should fail to shine for you,
Gathering cloud and mist, obscure your view,
Roaring Waves, threaten to overwhelm, and smother,
Whisper gently,
“Mother, Mother, Mother”.
I’m afraid I’m of the view that humanly speaking, we are only at the beginning of sorrows. All the talk is of revenge, an eye for an eye. I believe the situation is out of control, the genie (Satan) is well and truly out of the bottle, and the only one capable of putting him back there, Our Blessed Mother, is sidelined in favour of dialogue, compromise, false mercy, and to put it bluntly, licking up to the elite and the godless.Yes, the Triumph will come, but Our Lady said it will be late, so with the blind leading the blind into the pit, one can only shudder at the desolation and horror that the world will experience for it’s apostasy, pride, and rebellion against it’s Creator. So it’s the Rosary, the Five First Saturdays, the Brown Scapular, frequent Confession, the Mass Of All Time, and on bended knee wail like little children, “Mother,Mother,Mother.”‘
Attono,
Well said – I totally agree. We must definitely employ all the spiritual helps we possible can, especially those asked for, specifically, by Our Lady, so thank you for that.
Attono,
I agree. We are only at the beginning of our sorrows. But there is one thing in all of this which I find strange. The 2004 train bombings in Spain killed more than the events of ladt Friday and Charlie Hebdo put together, but I cannot remember all of this fuss. Or is it simply that Spanish lives count for less in the eyes of Europe’s elites?
Along those same lines, I came across the following consecrated prayer years ago which is brief but beautiful:
Maria, monstra te esse matrem!
(O Mary, show thyself a mother!)
They have definitely lost the plot!
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/11/vatican-secretary-of-state-holy-year-is.html
Crofterlady,
I honestly thought I was seeing things when I visited that link. Lost the plot, all right – totally and completely crackers, the lot of them.
They have definitely lost the plot. The one thing that Pope Francis and all the Bishops could and should being doing is to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. But will they? No, at the present moment.
Attono,
I agree that it is the Rosary, the First Five Saturdays, the Brown Scapular, the frequent Confession, the Mass of all time on bended knee. Wailing Mother, Mother, Mother.
Theresa Rose,
Well said. I second (and third, and fourth!) everything you have said.
So the Vatican Secretary of State thinks that the Muslim god is our God? Beyond belief!
Dear Editor,
Thank you for having broadcasted this beautiful video; It is very moving.
En union de prière LD
Lionel,
I’ve been thinking of you throughout this awful time. Yes, indeed, united in prayer.
All of us on this blog know the answer to this crisis. It his in the hands of one man and only one man out of seven billion people can avert the coming catastrophe.
http://www.cfnews.org/page88/files/fe963bf33d81f42746b3d9965322fd8e-496.html
Well said, John. Many thanks for that link. The Consecration of Russia cannot be far off. It is really only when prophecies are unfolding that they become clearer to us – I think the vision of the “Bishop dressed in white…. we had the impression it was the Holy Father” is becoming more and more clear to us. If only the same were true of Pope Francis… and Pope Benedict whom some commentators believe may well be that “Bishop in white”…
I’m new to this site
The Paris tragedy is merely a continuation of the crusades – whether we see that or not it is clear from the ISIS. Propaganda
I would create a patriots act here and make sure all people sign it adhering to the British values such a s they are and if we find a terrorist in our midst deport them and their immediate and extended family the Muslim community in particular have extended families – someone knows or suspects this type of attrocity in the planning that way everyone in the country is finger printed and facial recognition is law.
That means the hijab come under scrutiny.
I would also split high percentage Muslim groups and divide them among the nation thus preventing the ghetto mentality and the shariah law which exists here in England in certain Islamic communities
We need to fight them on our doorstep now
Ed: we are not too worried about alleged “British values” (which include butchering babies in their mother’s womb if all concerned – except the poor baby of course – deem it acceptable if not desirable) and our “fight” tends to be in the spiritual realm, the physical, violent type having manifestly failed and patently made things worse. So, be aware that this is a Catholic site, not a political site, and the evil we are fighting is inspired by the “principalities and powers” warned of in Scripture. Pray for the Pope to consecrate Russia to Our Lady, as she requested in the Fatima apparitions which began in 1917, and then (and only then) the world will enjoy the promised period of peace. Bombing Raqqa won’t do it. Else she would have mentioned it.
This short article was reported in the Remnant Newspaper by Michael Matt. Now am I missing something? Or, is there something in wind that is NOT politically correct.
http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2161:french-prime-minister-attending-mass-most-beautiful-response-to-terror-threat
Here are the two articles published in the latest Fatima Perspectives. John Vennari’s article is here (quoting the ISIS threat to Rome) and Christopher Ferrara’s article is here.
I agree with the editor that this is a spiritual battle – the Devil and his satanic forces have weakened the West so much that this terrible war is upon us. I recently attended the Aid to the Church in Need Conference where one of the speakers – the Bishop of Aleppo – said during the course of his talk “Please stop bombing us”.
Click here to read the Statement from the SSPX Superior of the French District. I reproduce the English translation here for ease of reference…
Terrorist acts of particular gravity just hit our country. Hundreds of people were killed, injured or traumatized.
We pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in this tragedy, and we assure our prayers their families and loved ones in mourning, injured victims to regain their health quickly.
Such an attack undoubtedly deserves a prompt policy response police, military from the French public authorities. But will this be it sufficient to durably restore order, peace and security in France? We affirm the opposite.
Indeed, Pope Pius XI in his beautiful encyclical Quas Primas of Christ the King, seeing the early twentieth century clouds build over the world, proclaimed:
“Not only misfortunes outburst invaded the universe because most men have banished Jesus Christ and his most holy faith, their customs and their particular life as the family company and the State, but the the hope of a lasting peace between peoples never shine as individuals and States obstineront to reject the authority of our Saviour. ”
Only Christ, Prince of Peace, is able to restore the heart of human society the reign of justice, love and peace, broken by sin and by rejection, public and private, of the God’s law. That is why we must work every day to establish “peace of Christ through the reign of Christ,” that is to say the fruitful union of faith and of the fatherland, the Church and the State.
These tragic events are dramatic consequence of divorce consumed there are more than two hundred years between France and the Church, and that led our leaders to reject Christ out of society, dragging our country towards a slow apostasy.
As we do we want to work with all our strength to the restoration of the reign of Christ the King.
We call on the bishops, priests, Catholics and all people of good will to rediscover the courage of our fathers to work every day for the extension of this salutary rule, for the greater good of souls and society.
Let Christ the King of nations have mercy on our country, and that the Virgin Mary Patroness and Queen of France raises generous souls and brave able to give back to France its Catholic soul that made it great.
Abbot Christian BOUCHACOURT, District Superior of France of the SSPX, Suresnes, November 14, 2015 on the feast of St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr.
Compare the above with the statements of just about every other churchman who has commented on the tragedy. No comparison.
No wonder more and more people are turning to the Society. Today, I had a telephone call (another one) from a gentleman asking for directions to the SSPX chapel in Glasgow. Voting with our feet is the best way to signal that we are done with the diocesan drivel. Well and truly done with it.
I’ve read it and it says it all. The chastisement is imminent, I think, and it looks like it’s coming from the infidels, the Muslims.
Before I became an atheist one of the things that caused me the most cognitive dissonance when I was a Catholic was the deep and persistent feeling that I would absolutely hate to live in a society run by Catholics. The Catholic confessional state that people like Michael Matt advocate is especially terrifying.
This implementation of the social reign of Christ the King would be a hell hole, just like Franco’s Spain was.
Might I add, in case you were bewildered about my user name, I assure you, it really is me.
Matt calling homosexuality a perversion just goes to show what a fanatic he really is. Some of the things I have heard Catholics say to my face about homosexuality is absolutely repugnant. Little did they know that I was actually a closeted ‘pervert’. HAHAHAHA Now I am a fully fledged and proud pervert.
Editor: Raphael, this latest post of yours makes me very sad indeed and demonstrates the depth of the evil that is homosexual activity. Even the devils turn away in disgust when it is about to be committed, so St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, revealed, despite the fact that they are the tempters to that same sin. I released your post reluctantly, and only in the hope that any comments here in response, will make you re-think the issue and your personal responsibility before God for upholding – or rejecting – His Moral Law. There’s nothing “fanatical” about God’s natural moral law.
Raph,
I am very sad to read your post. It’s extremely concerning that until a couple of weeks ago you were receiving the Sacraments. To go to this extreme in such a short place of time is rather concerning to say the least!
I don’t know where to start with your largely incoherent and diabolical post. What I will say is this. I don’t believe you are an atheist. I’ve spoken to a number of atheists over the years and they have all had one thing in common – a rejection of the moral law. The devil is clever. In your pursuit of sexual licence you have convinced yourself that God does not exist and you are the master of yourself. You think you have found freedom but it is a false freedom. You have, in fact, become a slave.
I fear the only thing we can do now is pray and offer sacrifices for you. You have been absent from the blog for a long time but for some reason you have felt it necessary to come back and announce this. I think you should reflect on what has brought you back here.
Raph,
Who were you trying to convince with that post @ 2.00am, us or yourself?
It sounds to me like you are neither happy nor proud in this moral state. How could you be if just a few weeks ago you were receiving Holy Communion?
This is a downward spiral, not a sudden fall, and it will bring you eventually to utter misery and despair unless you fight back. My advice is to go to Our Lord immediately with a firm resolve to take up the fight again against the devil, the world and the flesh. He will forgive you, no matter what the sin, if you really trust in His grace and turn to Our Lady and St. Joseph for help.
Your cross in this life is to bear with these tendencies and thereby win great grace, just as St. Paul bore with the particular “sting in the flesh” that afflicted him. Don’t refuse that cross, and a happy eternity, for the sake of illicit fleeting pleasures. If you do it will crush you beneath its weight.
And please, do not fall for the old “I’m gay and proud of it” ruse, it’s a complete fabrication. Human beings who live in mortal sin, despite protests to the contrary, are always deeply unhappy people. Remember the truth spoken by the Redemptorists: “You have one life to live, one soul to save; death will come soon, then heaven or hell for all eternity.
I like what an old monk once said when asked by someone how he managed to sleep every night on a wooden board on the floor. “Yes,” said he, “it is truly a hard bed to lie on, but a sweet one to die on.” We may apply that wisdom to every hard thing we bear for salvation in this world.
For Gods’ sake think about the path you have chosen!
Raphael
Have you ever wondered, discovered or even tried to find out what non-Catholics or fellow atheists think about homosexuality?
I personally think that every human being has their own opinion on sodomy no matter what religion they either have or don’t have.
A well known personality (I suppose that is why he was well known), Frankie Howard, claimed that it was a filthy habit of which he was immediately ashamed after “performing” and I don’t think he was a Catholic.
Petrus and Editor,
Many years ago I was a member of a great organisation you may have heard of, the Legion of Mary. One of the things the founder of the Legion, a man called Frank Duff, said was that we should always try to leave a good impression of Catholics. Unfortunately, I fear your haughty replies to Raphael may have ensured he remains committed to the homosexual lifestyle. I’m not sure lecturing him how disgusting homosexuals are (for that’s how it will be understood) is really helpful, given that he will have been going through a great personal crisis of faith and conscience.
Raphael,
I don’t know much about you, but I can see that you have been struggling and I agree with your assessment of many of the adherents to Catholicism. The only thing that keeps me in the Church (and there are times when I am hanging by a thread!) is that I do believe in Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.
Alex F
I totally refute your allegation and think, to be honest, it’s a needless distraction. I also think it’s very easy to take quotes out of context. When dealing with an attack on the Catholic Church and open rebellion against the will of God, I’m not sure Frank Duff would have been just as forthright.
My understanding of that particular quote from Frank Duff is that he was counselling those who come into contact with non-Catholics in the course of everyday life or visiting homes. This is very different.
Sent from my Samsung device
Alex
That’s a completely unfair interpretation of what Petrus and Editor wrote. Neither of them has stated that homosexuals are disgusting; they have merely stated, as is their Christian duty, that homosexual acts are; there’s a difference. It is unhelpful to accuse others of lecturing, and then proceed to deliver your own lecture. Every right thinking Catholic wants the very best for their fellow ransomed brothers and sisters, and they have a duty to try their best to bring themselves and their brethren safe home. Ignoring the obvious and sugar coating the effects of sin is not the way.
Raphael,
I wonder if you have heard of the organisation Courage that tries to give support to people who struggle with same-sex attraction but want to live in accordance with the teachings of Our Lord and His Church. There is also a website called People Can Change that might be of some help. I can’t link to them but you should be able to find them through a search engine easily enough.
It’s really hard, but try not to dismiss Catholicism outright because of the sanctimonious way some people come across on the Internet.
I can tell you are sincere.
Don’t worry, none of the commenters on this blog are solely responsible for my apostasy or renewed delectation for sodomy. To be honest with you, despite her infamous temperament, I have always had a soft spot for Editor… she is a real diva.
By the way, I used to be one of reparative therapy’s biggest advocates. Now, I fully intend to be one of its biggest embarrassments.HAHAHA
I think this post speaks volumes and is, sadly, inspired by the Devil. Raph needs our prayers and sacrifices now as he is now in the grips of evil. God help him.
Sent from my Samsung device
Raphael
I do remember you once posted about your absent father and the trauma of meeting him and your estranged brothers and sisters. I can only imagine that this torment has left you emotionally, psychologically and spiritually scarred. However, you will not find solace in perversion. Don’t fall for this trick of the Father of Lies!
Sent from my Samsung device
Well said, Petrus.
I’ve just inserted responses into Raphael’s latest comments which are on the “Rigid Church” thread, and I’m asking everyone to stick to that thread if and when responding to his posts from now on. I’ve had a telephone call from a reader who finds it very confusing having to follow two threads. My fault for not noticing that in the beginning but now that I’ve had it brought to my attention, would everyone please simply answer Raphael on the other thread – click here.
Thank you.
Very sad for you, Raphael. I will pray for you.
Alex F,
I think you are being a little harsh on Editor and Petrus. Editor hasn’t, to my knowledge, responded to Raph on this thread, and I think Petrus’ response has been very measured indeed. I’ll take it you’ve never attended a Traditional Catholic Mission? The missionary priests were not afraid to hurt people’s feelings with graphic detail about sin and its consequences.
Perhaps we all need to think a little more about the price Our Blessed Lord paid on the Cross for sin instead of fixating on the hurt feelings of those who manifest their sin with pride on a public forum. There are many, many sinners in this world who interiorly acknowledge their wretched state of soul and keep quiet about it in their personal shame. Then there are those who have lost all shame and sense of sin who take pleasure in announcing their new-found freedom to the world. This latter category needs to be reminded, whether they approve or not, that there are particular sins that are so heinous before the face of God that He has personally intervened in history to punish them as an example to all others.
The Chuirch of old did not recoil from calling homsexual activity “a sin crying to heaven for vengeance.” Why, then, should we? There has been a great increase in this and other mortal sins since the liberalism of Vatican II gave rise to a false mercy and charity. True mercy and charity for one’s neighbour sometimes involves speaking the truth, however harsh that truth may seem.
When responses on this blog to such as Raph turn personal, then I will agree with you that they have ceased to be Catholic. Unless and until that happens, I can only agree with Our Lord, who said: “the truth will set you free”. We don’t always like the medicine our doctor prescribes for our cure, but we take it because we want to get well. If we refuse the medicine, we could die!
It is clear that Raphael is known by some on this blog so I don’t understand why he would choose to out himself .Surely one should keep ones private sins to themselves.What is there to be gained from this action.
I think that’s a fair question. Looks like attention seeking.
Sent from my Samsung device
Raphael,
The Curé d’Ars said “It is impossible to mediate…..upon the mysteries of the Rosary and remain in a state of sin.” In other words and adapting the saying to your situation, daily prayer to Our Lady and homosexual activity cannot co-exist. Therefore, I would offer you a free, no strings attached, 30 day trial of saying the Rosary each day (which may take all of 25 minutes) and then re-reading your posts and seeing if you still agree with them. If you are disinclined to take up the offer, I believe the main, unspoken reason would not be the relatively small amount of your time it would take up or even that you believe that you would simply be pouring out empty words to empty air. No. It would rather be because you would be very wary (dare I say, scared?) of the consequences of introducing such potent intervention right into the centre of your current lifestyle. I agree – anything (good) could (literally) happen.
Just weigh up the two options for a minute or three: Hollow and illusory indulgence fast fading into dim and depressing memory or a happy eternity. Remember those ridiculous T-shirts a few years ago that had ‘CHOOSE LIFE’ printed in huge letters on the front? Well, try wearing (metaphorically speaking) a T-shirt with ‘CHOOSE ETERNAL LIFE’ emblazoned on its front. You’ll find it’s a good fit.
I’ll leave you with some words that G.K.Chesterton spoke while lapsing in and out of consciousness on his death-bed: “It’s all clear to me now; it’s between light and darkness and every man must make his choice.”
Summary of news item as reported by the BBC:
Bataclan. Eagles of Death Metal. Documentary on the group and their frontman. Now withdrawn from Amsterdam Film Festival. Documentary Title: The Redemption of the Devil.
Enough said.
SPUDEATER
I see that Jesse Hughes, or The Devil as he likes to be called, is described as a Catholic minister and bishop of his Church.
Do you know what this means?
It seems to me that he and his group were a deliberate ISIS target because of their choice of music in the same way that Charlie Hebdo was chosen for their form of wit.
Despite all the bravado, it soon left him when he flew from the stage to seek refuge in whatever wee dark corner he could find.
When the going got tough the “tough” certainly got going, in his case anyway.
Frankier,
I read that as well and thought “Oh really? Well, whaddya know?” Haven’t got a clue what THAT entails and frankly (!) don’t want to know but I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be part of the same grouping that decided that Sinead O’Connor could call herself a nun.
SPUDEATER
So that probably means that in Pope Francis’ eyes bishop Jesse Hughes will be higher up the pecking order than the likes of Cardinal Burke or Archbishop Lefebvre.
Mind you, Jesse James will be higher up even.
I agree as well, Crofterlady.
Follow the link and listen to this great 15-minute sermon.
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/11/islam-christian-heresy-straight-out-of.html
The sermon on the link you have provided is well worth hearing. I think it worth hearing more than once.
Athanasius,
Will listen asap.
In the meantime, look at the (usual) BBC coverage of Catholicism here, and below is the reply that I just couldn’t resist posting underneath the linked article:
I wrote:
Yet again, the BBC fearlessly attacks the Catholic Church, which is all bad, just awful, isn’t it, while doggedly defending Islam, the “peaceful religion” (Er?) refusing even to use the name of its (currently) leading terrorist group, without prefacing the name Islamic State with “so-called” – I don’t remember that happening when the (so-called) IRA were on the go.
How about inviting a true Catholic, a practising, traditional Catholic to give your thought for the day or point of view or whatever the daft slot is called these days? I can give you any number of names of such Catholics who love the Church and can defend it every bit as effectively as the constant stream of Muslim apologists who are given a platform by the BBC and other media outlets, on radio and TV day in and day out, and most especially after every evil atrocity carried out by Islamist terrorists. That’s when Islam needs defending most and the BBC isn’t about to disappoint them.
But you will never give true Catholicism a platform. That’s a given. Something tells you that the truth is to be found within the Catholic Church, that that’s where God has revealed His saving truths, and no matter how bad things are on the human side, the divinely established constitution of the Church is safe and well and has Christ’s own guarantee that it will never fail, even when we have to suffer bad popes (as we do at the present time). Two thousand years later, and we’re still here to defend and promote God’s natural moral law and to spread the Gospel of Christ about sin and salvation.
So, no matter the human failings of Church members, including the clergy and hierarchy, this is where God is to be found. Or, as the great English Catholic convert, G.K. Chesterton put it, within the Catholic Church we find “the wild truth, reeling but erect.”
The kind of half-baked commentaries about the Church written by lapsed and apostate Catholics, people who are, by definition, ignorant, don’t impress anyone. So, either invite people who know what they are talking about to speak on Catholicism, or stick to what you have a proven track record of success in doing – which is promoting Islam.
May God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – bless you!
Sarcastic? Me? Moi? END.
If others could take a minute or two to post a comment, that would be great. The BBC and media in general, get away with their anti-Catholic bias all the time. Let’s challenge it on this occasion.
Why are they engaging a woman who openly admits to not being a Catholic anymore to speak about the Catholic church and faith what does she bring to the table absolutely nothing .
MORGANA
The answer is in your own question.
They are certainly not going to ask the Editor.
I will try to send a response to the BBC about that later today Editor.
They have no objectivity / neutrality whatsoever. I will also ask about their sneering article criticising Islam, which I am sure must be in the pipeline? (haha!)
Why not get a former muslim to make various puerile criticisms of their former faith? Agitate for female imams, or for adherents to condemn the wholesale murder and barbarism frequently committed by their co-religionists?
Such articles used to irritate me, but now I see that, if we are getting up the nose of the likes of the BBC, then we must be doing something right (the present crisis of faith notwithstanding).
Gabriel
I find it hard to accept that these people get “radicalised” only when they get to higher education. Normally that is a time when they move away from their beliefs.
If suicide bombers are really convinced that they go straight to heaven it looks to me that it is part of their teaching from childhood and therefore taught at home.
Lionel (Paris), our French blogger, emailed me this video saying (rightly) that we won’t see this on our local news programmes. The conductor of an orchestra lectures the audience (in Holland) – an audience which includes their Queen – inviting them to have faith in Allah. And the entire orchestra rise up and walk out! Subtitled, well worth the few minutes it takes to view… As Lionel points out, the Dutch are about the most “liberal” people on earth – when they draw the line, it’s time to sit up and take notice!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkTcReX_1SA?feature=player_embedded&w=640&h=360%5D
Christina
I recall hearing, some time ago, about an important Nazi connection to the development of the terrorist arm of Islam. I’ve never read this book, but you might be interested. An enticing quote from the Amazon summary: “Al-Husseini was a bridge figure in terms of transporting the Nazi genocide in Europe into the post-war Middle East.” Here’s the book: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41knFHj0x0L._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
Thank you, Christmasliszt. I’ll check on that and see if it’s Kindleable. 😉
Editor,
Have just sent this in response to that BBC article you linked:
Predictably, Sarah Dunant presents the case of the self-confessed apostate Catholic who seeks to mould the Church in her own image rather than God’s.
Clerical opportunities for women, acceptance of homosexual behaviour, marriage for priests, a people’s Church, etc. etc., reinforced with a cleverly constructed revisionist glance at history which was entirely subjective, as was her take on present Church statements and events.
This is nothing new to Catholics. All apostates seek to justify their conscience with such blame shifting. It’s not they who have abandoned the Church but the Church that has abandoned them by refusing to alter her teaching to suit their tastes and inclinations!
Certainly there have been corrupt Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, priests and religious throughout history, who have played the part of Judas Iscariot. But these are in very small number in comparison with the countless saints whose fidelity to God and goodness to neighbour Ms. Dunant conveniently omitted to mention.
What is fairly obvious is that the author of this slanted piece has an ulterior motive for writing which has nothing in common with the laws of God or nature, but which is rather driven by an unprecedented modern counter-cultural mindset that would have made even the ancient pagans blush with shame.
Ms. Dunant would do well to study Catholic history a little more closely and objectively, provided she can stir up sufficient intellectual honesty. If she does she will discover, for example, that there would be no universities, schools or hospitals as we know them today had the Catholic Church not been there to found and nurture them. Nor would science be as advanced had the Church not been there to provide so many Catholic mathematicians, physicists, chemists, astronomers, etc., many of them learned clerics.
As for clerical celibacy, I will permit a veritable army of 2000 years of saints to testify to its efficacy and aid to sanctification. Sex is only a fixation for those who have lost all sight of the true dignity and destiny of souls. The pagan cultures were obsessed with sex, the more so as they entered into their death throes. But even these hedonistic societies stopped short at homosexual marriage. What does this tell us about our present culture?
Other similarities between the pre-Christian and today’s post-Christian societies is the widespread violence, disorder and suicide rates amongst its citizen’s. So much, then, for modern forward thinking. I believe Our Lord Jesus Christ likened it to the dog returning to its own vomit.
I’m pleased to say, however, that the Church will never compromise on her divinely ordained teaching and discipline, no matter how many liberal Churchmen, apostate Catholics and general atheists agitate for it.
The Catholic Church has withstood 2000 years of such assaults without wavering, including the Martin Luther shenanigans Ms. Dunant presented to bolster her case. Her attack will fade away like all the rest because the Church is divinely protected when it comes to supernatural truths concerning faith and morality. Adherents of the Church of England would do well to reflect on this fact in light of recent developments within Anglicanism.
One final point, if I may. If the BBC wishes to do something about its anti-Catholic reputation, then perhaps it will consider commissioning an article from myself or some other informed Catholic writer who will present the real face of Catholicism rather than the presently-favoured distorted view of apostate authors.
Editor & Athanasius
Both letters were a perfect response to the broadcast/ article you both have a gift of putting into words what the majority of us would like to say but are not as articulate. As for the BBC having anyone on one of their shows who is a traditional Catholic, (put it this way) don’t wait in for the call. 😀
Two great letters, Editor and Athanasius! I like to write too but, despite my age, I’m not very I.T. literate. Any tutelage would be very welcome!
Thank you kindly, folks, for the kind feedback. Personally, I’m not as happy with my letter as I might have been. I missed out a very important point which is that the only religions every to have priestesses were the pagan ones. Still, it was 4am when I wrote the letter so I won’t be too hard on myself. It probably won’t make a blind bit of difference to those hardened BBC people anyway. But we live in hope, do our duty and leave the rest to God!
I found this video on the Remnant blog earlier and couldn’t believe it. There’s no date on it, so I don’t know when the film was made.
. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYFzrEIzoHE?feature=player_embedded&w=640&h=360%5D
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