General Discussion (11)
If there’s something of interest in the news that’s not covered in one of the topic threads, or you have a question to ask, a comment you’d like to make about anything under the sun, more or less, this is the thread for you. However, please check first, to ensure that you haven’t missed a topic thread or another thread where it would be appropriate to post your comment, as the GD discussion threads fills up very quickly. Readers, all too often, go straight to the General Discussion thread to post news that is already the topic of a thread or to ask a question that is already being discussed elsewhere. So, do your Sherlock Holmes – at the very least check the side-bar – before posting here, please and thank you!
Feel free, also, to share your favourite spiritual reading books, prayers and devotions. Whatever. Enjoy!
To read previous 10 General Discussion Threads, click on the links listed below.
(1) click here (2) click here (3) click here (4) click here (5) click here
(6) click here (7) click here (8) click here (9) click here (10) click here
Comments (486)
Following on from Wendy Walker’s comments about Abp Oscar Romero – I have no idea if he was a homosexual, but the main promoter of his Cause in this country is none other than Julian Filochowski, who is the Chair of Trustees of the Archbishop Romero Trust http://www.romerotrust.org.uk/about-trust
Mr Filochowski is mentioned in this article:- https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lgbt-group-backed-by-cardinal-to-march-in-londons-huge-gay-pride-parade
Yes, but Julian F was also director of CAFOD, an organisation that admires Oscar Romero.
And by homosexual, do you mean of homosexual orientation or a sexually active homosexual ? And if the latter, merely in youth or after ordination ?
Tony Buck,
Julian F is well known to be living in a homosexual partnership. He and his partner actually had a Mass to celebrate their 25th silver jubilee!
https://zenit.org/articles/bishop-apologizes-for-agreeing-to-homosexual-mass/
Interesting one, I didn’t know about the Mass.
Am I alone in finding speculation about the sexual orientation of the late Archbishop Romero distasteful?
Elizabeth,
It is distasteful but that’s what the LGBT lobby does all the time. They besmirch the names of famous Catholics, including Cardinal Newman, in order to push their agenda. They seek to give the impression that a significant number, if not a majority, of people, including famous Catholics, including among the beatified and canonised, were homosexual. It’s diabolical.
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/04/considerations-schmidberger-letter.html
Great post on Rorate providing a translation of Fr. Schmidberger’s (SSPX) letter about reconcilliation with the Holy See.
Summa,
That is an excellent letter, but I have to wonder about yet another “leak.” Might there be some mole in Menzingen who is attempting to use passive-aggressive disobedience to fight any normalization?
Elizabeth
I wasn’t speculating about his sexual orientation. I know little or nothing about him and his life in general, let alone anything about his sexuality. I was responding to the comment made by Wendy Walker in General Discussion 10. The point I was trying to make is that the promotion of his Cause has been very closely allied with the ‘Catholic LGBT’ lobby in this country, and I’ve never understood why that should be so.
I always mean to follow these threads but am sometimes away for a while and when i go back online suddenly there are a million posts and I’m ages catching up!! Looking forward to meeting bloggers at conference in June.
Great article on why the SSPX should be regularised. There would be great benefits to the Church with the sound catholic faith of such Traditional catholics.
“Veri Catholici, an international association of Catholics dedicated to opposing the errors promoted by Cardinal Kasper, is calling on all Catholics in the world to join us in Rome to condemn the document Amoris Laetitia and its many errors, and to demand from the Pope and Sacred Hierarchy that the document be withdrawn and its errors condemned, formally and canonically.”
https://vericatholici.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/invitation-to-international-conference-to-condemn-amoris-laetitia/
Aside from the obvious error of blaming Cardinal Kasper for AL, this could get interesting….
RCA Victor,
I’ve just submitted a comment to ask them to avoid Saturday 18th June as there is a Catholic Truth Conference in Scotland on that day, and many who might attend theirs are already booked to attend that.
It’s a brilliant initiative so I hope it is successful. If I win the lottery, I’ll be there, that’s for sure! Seriously, when the details are published, I’ll give serious thought to going over there for the event, despite being a nervous wreck in Rome due to the chaotic traffic; roads without rules, as seems to be the case across the European continent. To be fair, though, it’s been like that since well before Papa Francis’ election. We can blame him for working towards a Church with no rules, but the roads? No – we can’t blame him for that. I avoid the continent like the plague, due to those horrendous roads… You want to hear my stories about just trying to cross a road in Rome, never mind trying to drive, which I would never, in my wildest mad moment, think of doing. I’d sacrifice my nerves to attend, however, because it is an excellent way to send a signal to the Pope and Hierarchy that we’re not daft. We can still recognise heresy when we see it.
Not all priests can say the same, unfortunately. I’ve been wide-eyed at some of the comments from clergy, ranging from “I haven’t read it yet” (So? The commentaries from informed and reliable critics should suffice at this stage. After “who am I to judge?” the shockers in AL should be no big surprise) to “there are certainly some ambiguities in AL” to “I’m not going to say anything about it… least said the better” – unbelievable stuff. The very stuff of pastoral, spiritual, religious and moral neglect, rolled into one.
Anyway, thank you for posting the link RCA Victor. It would be great if we could all attend. You can then give me that tenner you owe me from 2009.
Editor,
I can only imagine your condition at having to drive in Rome, as I recall mine at having to ride with you from the airport to your flat, and from thence to the hotel in Glasgow, in 2008 – not from your driving, of course, but from all those cars whizzing by on the wrong side of the road!
Anyway, I was about to return to that website to scold them for their Michael Voris imitation (i.e. sidestepping naming the Pope as the true responsible party for all these heresies – after all, Kasper proposes, Francis disposes), but since you are so enthusiastic about it, I’ll just swallow my urge to think I know better and go eat my dinner! Fish dinner, that is….
RCA Victor,
Snitch! I’ll stick to driving you round the bend in future – you can jump in a taxi from the airport next time!
I hadn’t noticed that the VeriCatholic group were sidestepping – I thought the opposite that they were demanding the Pope overturn AL – if they are going to sidestep the key issue, there’s no way I would go to their Conference, even if the Road Police are out in force for the event!
Well, I accused them of sidestepping, at any rate, since they refer only to “Kasper’s” heresies, rather than Francis’. You can see my comment on their website.
RCA Victor,
Took a quick look and they replied that they’re not sidestepping just named the one who started the ball rolling (so to speak – I paraphrase)
Still, it’s a bit of a concern. Will work on thinking about this. Oops! That is a bit of a Freudian slip – how DOES one “think” … again?!
RCA Victor,
I’ve now posted the following comment – they are moderating all comments so posting it here in case it doesn’t get through:
VC Editors,
I share the concerns of RCA Victor, and sincerely hope that you will not shy away from denouncing the grave errors being promoted by Pope Francis. He has certainly used Cardinal Kasper right from the get-go, after his election in 2013, to help prepare us for the shockers to come, but Kasper is the monkey and we need to send a message to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
The buck for the disgraceful papal Exhortation stops at the desk of Papa Francis. I’m hoping against hope to be able to make it to your conference but only if I am certain of hearing the truth about AL which, as Father Lombardi emphasised at the live press conference, which I heard with my own ears, was written by Pope Francis, no-one else. Fr Lombardi stressed that fact, in answer to a question from the floor. So, there’s no question about it. Pope Francis is totally responsible for this document and he must retract it as a matter of urgency. As others with greater minds than mine (must be at least one!) have said, clarifications are no use. Too late for sticking plasters. He must withdraw the document and apologise for foisting his misleading through to heretical personal views on Holy Mother Church. Won’t happen. We refuse it. And THAT’S why so many (we hope) have come from all over the world to attend this conference.
Let’s all stand now and sing “Faith of our Fathers”! END.
VC Editors replied to my comment about laying the blame for AL at the feet of the Pope by saying they can’t understand why anyone thinks they are not doing that but went on to say that the laity don’t have the jurisdiction to “condemn a person” (you can read the comment for yourself on their blog – link at end of this post)
I replied as follows:
VC Editors,
Nowhere in my comment have I suggested “condemning a person” – we may never “condemn” a person if by that you mean the ultimate judgment. That is not what I mean and I think my comment is very clear.
The Pope – not “the Pope and the Bishops” has the power to retract this disgraceful document. The Pope is the Supreme Pastor. For this reason HE must be named and must be held accountable. Today is the Feast of St Catherine of Siena who wrote very straight talking letters to the popes of her time and told them – e.g. to “rid the Church of priests who poison and rot the Church.” Was she “condemning” a person, the person of the Pope? Of course not. She was telling him to get on and do the work of preserving the Faith and protecting the flock from bad priests. That’s what popes are for – not to be diplomats or ecumenical activists. On another occasion, St Catherine called on the pontiff to resign if he wasn’t up to the job. Was she “condemning” a person? No, she was pointing out that he was not living up to his duties. There’s nothing in her letters beyond a legitimate judgment based on observable data.
St Catherine of Siena didn’t “condemn” those popes any more than we “condemn” Pope Francis but we are saying clearly that he is a bad pope. He’s a popular person, but so what? The world is never short of nice men who are popular. But, just as we would say that nice Mrs Smith was a bad teacher if she fed her history students false information, so we are permitted – indeed duty bound – to exercise our Confirmation prophetic duty to warn of the dangers within, as well as without, the Church, especially when living at a time of major crisis in the Church, as is our lot today. This simple distinction is one that far too many (most) Catholics appear unable to comprehend, because most Catholics today are papolatrists. They treat the pope as if he were a divine being.
Pope Francis is not a good pope. Am I “condemning” him as a person, that is, am I saying he is bound for Hell? He may be Hell-bound, but that’s not my judgement to make. It IS my judgment to make as to his fidelity to the Faith because I can actually hear and read what he is saying and writing that runs counter to the traditional Catholic religion – in almost its every aspect.
Too many Catholics who express themselves appalled at the (to quote yourselves) ” errors, lies, blasphemies, heresies, deceits and patent strategem of the document attacking the Catholic Faith and Divine and Apostolic Tradition, not to mention immemorial ecclesiastical Tradition, and the Family as God has willed it.” are pulling back from laying the blame where it firmly belongs – at the feet of Papa Francis.
There have been plenty of petitions objecting to the shocking statements from Pope Francis and they’ve made no apparent difference. I would have expected that the organizers of a Conference of this weight, held in Rome itself, and about such a momentous matter, would – at the very least – merit a short meeting with the Pope himself in order to hand over a letter on behalf of us all. With all the usual cameras buzzing.
After all, if atheists and adulterers can so easily get the ear of this pope, whether in interviews or via telephone calls from Vatican City, then that is surely the least you – as the organizers – should seek.
One last word: I notice that every post is being moderated on this blog. I have a policy of NEVER contributing to moderated sites, since I just don’t have the time to spare to write lengthy comments like this one, only to find that they do not see the light of publicity. If that is, in fact, the fate of this comment, I will presume the worst, I’m afraid, and leave you all to it, with my best wishes.
“Blackmail” you say? Me? Moi? Never…! END.
Click here to reach the VC blog
A few minutes later…
The following reply was posted to my comment above:
VC Editors,
Nowhere in my comment have I suggested “condemning a person” …(very long praeter rem comment follows)
VC Editor replies:
We did not suggest you did, we only wanted to explain our position. And yes, these comments are moderated, because no commentator, especially one who leaves a 2-3 page comment, is the best judge of what should or should not be published on another’s website. Pax tibi! END OF COMMENT BY VC EDITORS
It goes without saying, folks, that I won’t be attending that conference, nor will we advertise it. A conference of papolatrists? You kidding! A group who are deliberately withholding a comment such as the above, quoting a Doctor of the Church and warning of papolatry? Who, in their right mind, is going to travel across the continent of Europe to listen to them? Not moi. Definitely not moi.
What about you, RCA Victor?!
Editor,
My passport shall remain in my file cabinet…unless, of course, I happen to win the lottery, in which case my destination of choice will be Glasgow, not Rome!
And thank you for eloquently exposing the sidesteppers.
RCA Victor,
Thank you – I sincerely hope you DO get that lottery win – Glasgow needs you.
I have just posted my final comment on that site – here it is, for the record… (play on your username fully intended!)
MY FINAL COMMENT ON THE VC SITE…
Your dishonesty and lack of true charity in not publishing my comment is staggering. I have posted it on the Catholic Truth blog, so our highly intelligent and fully informed readers will draw their own conclusions. We will not be supporting your conference after all – we’ve enough to do battling papolatry in Scotland without travelling all the way to Rome to support it! ‘Bye folks.
https://catholictruthblog.com/2016/04/29/general-discussion-11/#comment-40738
Editor,
It will be interesting (yawn) to see how they intend to “condemn” AL without exposing the perfidy of its author….who knows, perhaps that treacherous document can be traced to the deleterious effects of global warming on the mind of Cardinal Kasper…or perhaps they will hire Michael Voris to concoct a plausible excuse…
RCA Victor,
I think Michael Voris would be a fantastic choice of speaker for them – don’t you? 😀
We chose not to publish your long comment, not because you quoted a Doctor of the Church, but because of your chain-letter kind of threat at the end, which is very immature, if not vicious..
VC Editors,
Hilarious! Is THIS extract below, from the end of my quote, what you consider to be “immature” and (possibly) “vicious”…
One last word: I notice that every post is being moderated on this blog. I have a policy of NEVER contributing to moderated sites, since I just don’t have the time to spare to write lengthy comments like this one, only to find that they do not see the light of publicity. If that is, in fact, the fate of this comment, I will presume the worst, I’m afraid, and leave you all to it, with my best wishes.
“Blackmail” you say? Me? Moi? Never…! END.
Don’t make me laugh. I have posted my entire comment above, so our bloggers can make up their own minds about your reason for not publishing it.
Editor, not to mention all the traditionalists who say “AL contains much that is good, but…”, and even Bishop Schneider does this.
‘The worst kind of heretic is the one who, while teaching mostly true Catholic doctrine, adds a word of heresy, like a drop of poison in a cup of water.’ (Pope Leo XIII)
Christina,
I’m always saying that – this business of trying to appear so “reasonable”, see what is good in the offensive product, whatever it is, in this case AL, rather than get down to business right away and say it as it is. So, I agree with you on that, 200%
Christina,
As our former Prior once told us, if the Devil laid out his agenda and purpose straight up, we creatures would be horrified and repulsed – so he disguises it with things that sound “good” in order to draw us in unawares, and hopefully trap us beyond the point of escape. Seems like the smooth-tongued, mealy-mouthed Conciliar hierarchy and their fellow travelers – the ever-burgeoning army of “dissenters” – have learned that lesson well, and have even invented a new language to suit their evil purposes.
Except that now, the dosage of poison has become to large to hide under enlightened-sounding (but empty) words…
Meanwhile, before I forget, here is an audio sermon by a faithful priest on being the first to stop clapping:
http://reginaprophetarum.org/audio/20160424-Peter-Has-No-Need-of-Lies-and-Flattery.mp3
Unlike the wafflers and papolotrists at VeriCatholici, this priest gives the full dose of reality regarding AL and Pope Francis.
Prognosticum,
This is in case you missed my posts on the subject of The Case of the Disappearing Website (Apropos) on the Hans Kung and General Discussion (10) threads…
Prognosticum,
I’ve had a letter today from Hamish Fraser, son of the famous Communist convert of the same name, and he thanks me (you) for alerting the family to the disappearance of the website, which they didn’t know had happened. They are now looking into the matter and hopefully it will be restored soon.
So, sincere thanks to you for alerting us here to that. I always have it in mind to reprint many of the articles on that site but something always seems to turn up to prevent me doing so. Hopefully, when it is restored, I can make up for my tardiness. So, again. many thanks for the alert.
Prognosticum et al,
I’ve now had an email from Hamish Fraser to say that the family have now restored the website and it is now up and running. It is linked from our website but for ease of reference, click here to reach the Apropos website.
So, once again, many thanks to Prognosticum for alerting us to this matter.
How’s about this for making a mockery of the sacrifice of Our Lords life…… words fail me!
RORATE CÆLI: A Vatican II Moment – True Liturgical Movement: Pontifical Bike Mass in Palermo, Italy
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-vatican-ii-moment-true-liturgical.html
Gerontius,
Completely mad. Totally, and without a shadow of a doubt, crackers.
See Catholic Truth blog General Discussion 10 re: latest Tina Beattie pro-abortion scandal: an update can be found here:- http://www.torchofthefaith.com/news.php “The Tina Beattie Scandal Just Got Worse – and Became Local”
WF,
Shocking. It shows the sheer deviousness of Beattie and her dissenting comrades, not to mention the clearly culpable complicity of the hierarchy. I copied the following paragraph although I was spoilt for choice – the entire report is horrendous:
It is now just over 7 weeks since we raised awareness about Ms. Carrie Morrow bringing in a homosexualist drama-group to present a play about two princes ”getting married” to the young children in her care at Sacred Heart School in Atherton. She had also got them to design ”Gay Pride” posters for the ”Wigan Pride” event. Since then, some 6,777 people have signed a CitizenGo petition asking for Liverpool’s Archbishop Malcolm McMahon to intervene for the defence of the Catholic Faith, childhood innocence and parental rights. As yet, there has still been no public response from His Grace or from any of the priests or teachers in the Archdiocese.
I was just thinking what a good and useful website that is, when I clicked on About Us and laughed, truly laughed, out loud. Is there ANYONE involved in the crisis in the Church – either as participants in causing it, or those seeking to fight it – who does not quote “put out into the deep”? Drives me NUTS!
Editor,
I don’t mind putting out into the deep with the Modernist destroyers of the faith so long as I’m allowed to take a sufficient number of mill stones with me!!
Athanasius,
That verse is quoted all the time, and is used to mean “don’t be afraid of change”. The implication is, that is what Our Lord was saying to Peter when he exhorted him to let down his nets, despite having had no catch of fish so far. The Modernists use it all the time to suggest that we need to adapt to their new “model” of Church, but as one of our readers pointed out on another thread (Hallam), the fact is that when the disciples DID cast out into the deep and landed their huge catch of fish, they immediately called for more help, not less! So, we need MORE priests, not less, as the “Cast out into the deep” brigade suggest in their efforts to re-model the Church as a lay-led institution, over the head of the Holy Spirit who clearly didn’t know what He was doing to create a hierarchical Church in the first place. Gimme strength!
Rare Footage of Pope St. Pius X’s Incorrupt Body
Gerontius
Thank you for posting that video of St. Pius X. I didn’t know that existed. Just watching the ceremonial around his casket reminds us of how holy and reverent things once were. Everything now is shabby and crude in comparison. So much for liberalism and its poisonous effects on the Church these past 60 years.
Thanks again.
Athanasius and Jimislander,
Many thanks for kind words. You may already have this, but I decided to post it in case you or anyone else is interested.
Novena Prayer to Saint Pius the X
Glorious Pontiff, Saint Pius the X, devoted servant of Our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a saint in Heaven. I give myself to you that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation.
Aid me in observing the duties of my state in life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Pope of the Blessed Sacrament, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of all grace and holiness and to receive this Sacrament as often as I can.
Gentle father of the poor, help me to imitate your charity toward my fellowmen in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently and with perfect resignation to the will of God. Loving Shepherd of the flock of Christ obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Pius the X beloved Holy Father, I humbly implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favour …(mention your request).
Great Pontiff, whom Holy Mother Church has raised to the honour of our altars and urged me to invoke and imitate as a Saint, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s Holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
St. Pius the X pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death.
Amen
In Thanksgiving to God for the graces bestowed on Pope St. Pius the X
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be 3 x each
Taken from:
A Novena to Pope Pius the X
by Father Lovasik
IMPRIMI POTEST
Robert C. Hunter, S.V.D., Provincial Girard Pennslyvania
NIHIL OBSTAT
A.H. Wiersbiniski LLD., Censor Liborium
IMPRIMATUR
John M. Gannon D.D., D.C.L., LL.D. Archbishop of Erie Pennsylvania
Geronitus
Thank you for that Video Gerontius. The ceremony around his coffin shows the difference between the true faith and the Shambolic nonsense foisted upon the Church today
Yes, thank you Gerontius, especially for the novena prayer. If ever we needed the help of Pope St. Pius X it is now. I found the video uplifting in one way, but disturbingly ironical that Pope John XXIII conducted such a ceremony – now that we know what his Council was to unleash and can only imagine what the great Pope would have thought of it. It is sad also that his incorrupt, but rather shrunken body lies visible today behind a dusty grille below a dusty denuded and neglected minor altar in St. Peters, unnoticed and unheeded by the crowds of pilgrims and tourists. I did wonder, having seen the body a few times, why it looks so unlike that in the video. I looked it up and learned that when incorrupt bodies are shown after exhumation, they have make-up or wax applied to improve the appearance, but not in any way to hide or deceive. I am pleased now to have seen the great saint exactly as he must have appeared in life.
In episcopal consecrations, the essential form, according to Catholic Encyclopaedia, is the Eucharistic Prayer and the laying on of the hands performed by the principal consecrator. The Co-consecrators lay on their hands separately whilst saying the words Accipe Spiritum Sanctum. What if the principle consecrator and one of the co-consecrators is a heretic and does not intend to do what the Church does? However, if the third consecrator has the right intention and lays on his hands along with the words Accipe Spiritum Sanctum, would that validly confer the episcopate, even though the Co-consecrator does not say the Eucharistic Prayer?
CC
I can’t answer your question with certainty but I imagine that the co-consecrators are there for just such an eventuality, although I think the circumstances you describe would be rare indeed, if ever arising at all.
I have to say with respect, you don’t half come up with some odd questions. What prompted this one?
Hmmm….I wonder if the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament would sell to the SSPX…not that they would want such a physical plant so costly to repair and maintain….
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160504_Bensalem_shrine_to_Saint_Katharine_Drexel_to_be_sold.html
You’ve got to laugh, or you’d cry! Pope Francis is busy, in his morning waffle sessions (aka sermons) in Casa Santa Marta, adding to his ‘Little Book of Insults’ (May 3rd). I think he’s having a go at all those unmerciful mummies who don’t like AL!
“Christians who stay still, who don’t go forward, are non-Christian Christians. We don’t know exactly what they are. They are slightly ‘paganized’ Christians: who are there, who stay still and don’t go forward in their Christian lives, who don’t make the Beatitudes bloom in their lives, who don’t do Works of mercy… they are motionless. Excuse me for saying it, but they are like an (embalmed) mummy, a spiritual mummy there. There are Christians who are ‘spiritual mummies,’ motionless, there. They don’t do evil but they don’t do good deeds.”
Hmmm…if Christians who are “standing still” but don’t do evil are like mummies, then what are Christians who DO do evil, like Pope Francis? Lutherans?
Where in the world was this disgrace formed, anyway?
PS: Christina, my copy of Malachi Martin’s The Jesuits arrived yesterday…..
RCAVictor, that’s good. I won’t say ‘enjoy’ but it’ll give you an insight into just what (de)formed our Sovereign Pontiff. Now unwind those embalming bandages and get reading!
Well, Christina, whatever happened to “who am I to judge?”
Christina
It seems Pope Francis is not even conversant with basic Catholic spirituality, which teaches that one cannot stand still in the spiritual life. Either one moves forward in grace and virtue, or one slides back into sin. The Pope seems to think there’s a “mummy” phase where the soul stands still, doing neither good nor evil. Yes, I’m afraid, with respect to the Pope, this is just more confusing codswallop. Why couldn’t Pope Francis have been a Trappist instead of a Jesuit? Think of all the wonderful silence the rest of us would have enjoyed.
Athanasius,
It seems to me that what you say about moving forward in the spiritual life is exactly the same as the Pope was saying.
Eileenanne, I can’t see why you should think that. As Athanasius said, and common sense dictates, one cannot stand still in the spiritual life – but Pope Francis says you can. It’s also noteworthy that he says that these ‘mummies’ aka non-modernists, don’t ‘let the beatitudes bloom in their lives’ and, in obvious grammatical apposition, he then says ‘who don’t do Works of mercy… ‘. Muddled in these off-the-cuff wafflings as usual, he seems to confuse the Beatitudes with the Corporal Works of Mercy. The former are not about ‘Works of mercy’ of which Pope Francis, in his teaching, overwhelmingly emphasises the corporal rather than the spiritual. As I understand the Beatitudes they speak essentially about the dispositions of the Catholic soul, not about feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven
It is not enough that the Bishops of Scotland have, by cowardly silence and inaction, allowed Catholic schools to be infiltrated by the wearers of the hijab, the followers of islam.
Now look: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/14468567.Jewish_and_Catholic_religious_leaders_in_ceremony_to_welcome_new_joint_faith_school_campus/
The whole point of Catholic schools was that they were just that. Schools where technical and academic knowledge was imparted in a Catholic ethos, by teachers founded in a Faith that was shared by the pupils and their parents. Schools where the atmosphere, ethos and all underlying assumptions were Catholic.
Where is the Rock when we need him?
Interesting, Andrew.
Your link – plus this one – reminds me of a school in the south side of Glasgow, which was targeted by Muslim pupils and eventually had more Muslims than Catholics. Try selling the “Catholic ethos” in that neck of the woods!
My much better half taught in a primary school before we had our own little ones. There were many non-native speakers of English, and some who had no English at all. Not a new situation, but it was previously relatively rare, whereas it is now becoming overwhelming.
Catholic schools In Scotland are in the position of having little Church control. The Church makes NO financial contribution to their upkeep or running except what Catholics pay in taxes. They are owned and run by the local authorities with the Church having the right of approval of some teachers, which does not amount to hiring and firing, and of determining the Re curriculum.
When the system was set up in1918 it seemed ideal, and for many years it worked admirably. However, it needed the consent of the non-Catholic community and that has to some extent been withdrawn. Many parents of other faiths and none have sent their children to Catholic schools, either to undermine them or because they are good schools – who knows? The point is that they are local authority schools, open to all. Bishops have no control over the admissions policy.
Eileenanne,
“The point is that they are local authority schools, open to all. Bishops have no control over the admissions policy.”
What’s the point of Catholic schools in Scotland then? The Bishops don’t have control over admissions, and the schools need the consent of the non-Catholic community. I can’t see how you can ask for Catholic schools and then let the non-Catholic local authorities dictate important policies. What is the point of them?
Margaret Mary,
As I said, it was a system that worked well for many years. When I was a child, we had schools for Catholics and non denominational schools which were generally referred to as Protestant schools. Pretty much everyone identified with one of those groups and chose their child’s school accordingly. Over the years, a few parents began to choose Catholic schools despite not being Catholic, but I think the big change began when a new road made a non denominational school in Glasgow harder to reach for a number of its pupils so a fairly large group transferred their children to the nearby Catholic school. The publicity that received opened the floodgates and Catholic schools began to attract pupils from more varied background, including Muslims and others who would previously have been more inclined to go to the “Protestant” school.
It is fair to say, however, that if all the non-Catholics were removed from Catholic schools many would not have enough pupils to keep them open.
I did not mean to imply that the non-Catholic community needed to give consent in any formal way. I simply meant that the system could work only as long as it was not challenged.
Eileenanne
It was always going to come back and bite them though, was it not? You cannot sell out your schools to secular authorities and then expect them to permit you to run them on a purely Catholic ethos. With all this human rights garbage going on today, it is now impossible for bishops to ban Islamic dress, etc. in Catholic schools. Non-Catholics and non-Christians as a rule should not be given access to Catholic schools; that’s why they are called Catholic schools (if only in name today). It’s all a big shocking mess with indifferent bishops at the helm. So much for the formation of young Catholic souls, which was one of the principle reasons for having separate Catholic schooling at the outset.
What a pity you were not around to give advice on 1918. I am sure you would have foreseen the current situation even though no one else did.
Eileenanne/Eileen…
I restored your username and removed what I presume is your real name. I hope I’ve not done the wrong thing but I thought that your username had possibly disappeared due either to a typo at login or caused by one of these WordPress blips that we’ve all come to know and love. If you wish me to restore the other name, just let me know.
Thank you editor. I was doing it on ny phone which is fiddly, so it could well have been my mistake.
Yes, that is understood. However, there is no requirement to stand back and let it all slip away. The Bishops represent a fairly large constituency and could bang a fairly loud drum. So, why don’t they?
It is a betrayal of those 19th century Catholics who were prepared to pay their whack for State schooling via taxes, and stump up for private Catholic schooling for their children. The Catholic schools were subsumed into the State system in 1918 and continued to be Catholic schools. I attended one. In my time there was only one non-Catholic pupil, a Buddhist who attended courtesy of the headmaster agreeing to the council’s request to allow this. The thinking was, that if he went anywhere else, he’d probably be killed.
This has all been allowed to slip away, even encouraged, by our pusillanimous excuses for Bishops. It is not about the fact that they are, as you say, “open”, but it is about the fact that this is yet another area where our Bishops have comprehensively failed us.
Indeed, I can think of no area in which our Bishops have reached even the minimum that we would have expected from them given their high responsibility, honoured positions, very excellent living and easy working conditions.
Andrew Paterson,
I agree. I think I’m right in saying that the bishops were persuaded to allow the schools to go under local authority because Catholics were paying twice for schools. We were paying our taxes like everyone else to fund schooling and then paying through the collection plate for our Catholic schools. So, if it is now the case that the bishops have very little say over what happens in Catholic schools, which seems to be the case, then why not return to paying for them through the Church’s own funds. We could also ask for a tax reduction to take account of the fact that we’re not using the local authority schools any more.
I think the truth is that the Catholic faith isn’t taught in the schools any more and there is no real desire to keep them, except for reasons of wielding power. It’s a terrible let down when you remember that Catholic teachers made great sacrifices to teach in the parish schools before 1918. They were paid less money than the teachers in the other Protestant schools. I remember being told that when I was at school myself and it made an impression on me that the faith was that important, that our teachers took less pay just to make sure we knew our faith. It’s terrible to see where we’re at now.
Margaret Mary
Thanks for your response. However the schools may have come about it is the attitude of the Bishops that has brought about the present miserable condition.
One could say that teaching the Faith is the primary responsibility of the Bishops and that they are commissioned by God to do just that. This is a high calling and there are few higher, except for those individuals singled out out to do special service.
It is up to the Bishops to manage the health and growth of the Faith in this country. To teach the young, to foster vocations, to educate, and promote pastoral work and the devout life. This means interaction with the world, in controversial and non-controversial ways. The Church – the laity – as represented by the Bishops must always be a loggerheads with the world, with politicians, with the MSM, and with their functionaries, in areas such as immorality and perversion, euthenasia and abortion, and especially the intrusion and acceptance of these in the school curriculum.
At every stage the Bishops have failed. This is a failure that has been ongoing since Vatican 2. Ironically one of the shortcomings that Vatican 2 was intended to fix, was the gap between the hierarchy and the Laity. The hierarchy swanned on, paying no attention to the needs of their flock in a changing world. In rural districts where there are no Catholic schools there has been no Catholic instruction available. The backsliding in Catholic schools with the admission of all sorts of children has led to a change in ethos and a fall in vocations.
The shameful ruin of Cardross, a financial and religious disaster, is a monument to the way the Bishops have signally failed, jointly and severally. Soon Cardross may become a beacon for the triumph of worldly rubbish over the devotion of the Faithful.
Not quite true that rural children received no RE. I brought my children up in a tiny village and the lack of Catholic schools simply meant that we parents had to take the full responsibility ourselves. As well as what we did at home, some of us provided weekly classes for our children and supported each other. I was involved in that for eleven years. It wasn’t as good as a good Catholic school might have been, but it wasn’t nothing either. Others in other parts of the scattered parish did the same. It also had the advantage that our children experienced the sacraments as family and parish celebrations. I have some dislike of the showiness and regimentation we sometimes see when schools do,all the organisation of these events. Nowadays there is more family and parish involvement than there once was, but in the days when First Communion and Confirmation were school events it was easy to see why some children cast off the Faith. along with their school uniforms.
Eileenanne, I made my first Holy Communion in the days when it was organised by the school. We were catechised for a year, to a level few parents, certainly not mine, were knowledgeable enough to teach. Without any lack of understanding of wherein lay the importance of that day, the preparation (by our parents) of beautiful white dresses and veils, and corresponding boys’ dress, and the ‘Communion breakfast’ prepared by our mothers, served to emphasise the one-off solemnity of that most memorable day. Our parents were in the rows directly behind us First Communicants, and they truly shared in our great day. I do sense a lack of solemnity in the present custom as you describe it. And surely you don’t think that fewer lapse from the faith now than did in the ‘bad old days’!
‘… but in the days when First Communion and Confirmation were school events it was easy to see why some children cast off the Faith. along with their school uniforms.
I promise you they didn’t!
ElieenAnne
Please read my comments in context. I was saying that there was no religious instruction provided in rural areas by the Hierarchy. Yet, this is almost the entirety of their mission.
I was not saying that Catholic parents could not do it. Not at all. Of course parents will do their best to step into the breach. That is a less effective means maybe than teaching in schools ina Catholic atmosphere. Both approaches, school and parent are required to reinforce each other. How many Catholic parents possess the certificate that allows them to teach the Faith in schools?
Oh Andrew, I could not agree with you more! I help with the RE for my grandchildren who do not have access to a Catholic school. They are in a diocese where many children are in the same position, and NOTHING is provided to help parents and parishes pass the Faith to the next generation.
I have emailed their diocesan RE advisor and the SCES assuming they would provide materials or suggestions for same. The former was not helpful, and the latter failed to reply – twice. The hierarchy seem to define Catholic Education as “that which goes on in Catholic schools”. Children in rural areas are simply not considered important.
Eileenanne,
I was under the impression the Church made a contribution to the cost of building the schools, and/or bought the land they were built on – is this incorrect?
And while anyone can attend a Catholic school, is it not the case that Catholics are prioritised for places? (though there are usually no conflicts over admissions).
Personally, as a new parent, I view most contemporary Catholic schools only as a nominally Christian environment where children might be spared the worst excesses of the secular system.
Certainly, they are good schools academically and have a much better reputation than non-denom schools in terms of fostering community and in discipline and general standards.
In my own experience (1982 – 1995), the RE given is absolute garbage, of use to no-one.
Given that people of all faiths and none attend the schools, I guess the teaching is limited to bland platitudes incase someone should take offence. Its my impression that even most of the Catholic kids are only nominally Catholic.
In my 13 years at Catholic school I learned:
– how to say an Our Father and a Hail Mary
– communion in the hand (standing) was “just the same” as on the tongue (kneeling)
– abortion was wrong
– nuclear weapons were bad
– it was OK for people to say they were gay and that we were still to be their friend
As I say, garbage. I could not have even began to form an answer as to why God made us, or why the Church existed. And they wonder why people lapse.
It will be years yet before my Daughter is of school age, but (as is likely) if we must use Catholic Schools then we will be stating that we wish to be left to our own devices as regards catechesis and sacramental preparation etc. (“thanks, but no thanks” to the school novus ordo masses also).
I believe what you describe is what happens in England, not here. In 1918 the Church in Scotland came to an agreement that transferred almost all control and all responsibility to councils. I believe they were paid a fair price for the buildings they owned.
Editor, only one? Lucky old Glasgow! Read this link right to the end – you’ll LOVE the last few lines.
Christina,
I did smile – 140 languages spoken in Scottish schools. Goodness, trying to get the native Scots children to speak standard English is difficult enough (Ah hate this posh stuff, disnae sound right!) but trying to teach groups of pupils who all speak different native languages – can’t imagine the chaos. Where do they all go sightseeing on holiday – Blackpool Tower or Tower of Babel?
This is a good example of where teaching about the Mass, for example, would have been much easier when the use of the Church’s official language, Latin, was the norm. 😀
Dear All,
In your charity, please remember a prayer for my Auntie Cathy who went to be with the Lord yesterday pm. She was my Godmother. May she rest in peace +
Pat McKay,
Will pray for your Godmother, repose of her soul. May she rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss.
Pat,
My sincere condolences and promise of prayers for the repose of the soul of your Auntie Cathy. May she rest in peace.
Many thanks. A widow for over 20 years, now reunited with her other half (my namesake), her parents and many siblings and especially her youngest son. Thomas died tragically in an accident at school back in ’76, only 12 years old.
Pat McKay,
That’s very sad about her child dying at only 12 years of age. RIP.
Pat McKay,
I am sorry for your loss and will include your Godmother and all your family in my prayers.
God bless.
Pat, be assured of my prayers.May she rest in peace.
Thank you all – and may God bless you. My cousin, Chris McKay, posted a tribute to her on Facebook…
https://www.facebook.com/StJosephsCemeteryAirdrie/?fref=nf
Chris is the ‘webmaster’ for the St Joseph’s Cemetery page.
Pat McKay,
Your aunt looks lovely and that’s a lovely tribute to her on the Facebook page.
I will remember the repose of her soul in my prayers and I send sincere sympathy for your and your family’s loss. May she rest in peace.
Dear Aunty Cathy looked a lovely lady ..RIP….salt of the Earth comes to mind Pat
Bless her ..reunited with all her pre deceased kin now
I will pray for your auntie Cathy, Pat, and I’m sorry for your loss.
Oh Man!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4nXV1hKDJM&w=560&h=315%5D
If that doesn’t work, I give up!
Thanks for posting that Crofterlady. If you were to replace Pope Francis with a Che lookalike or a Hugo lookalike, leaving allelse unchanged, would you notice anything untoward? Or what about Ban Ki-moon?
It’s like we are so removed from this stuff now, it’s frightening.
The insidious doctrine that men and women are the same is a great danger. There should be no argument that they are equal, but they are not the same.
It seems to be very much the approach of the LBVGTI brigade that the sexes are the same, although there are apparently more sexes than there used to be, much to God’s surprise (“That’s funny, I thought I’d created just the two?”)
Personally, I think the Che look is better than the others although some clever make-up might be needed. The message does not need much in the way of tinkering. I just wonder if the Pope might not be better directing his energies towards helping us save our souls rather than achieving sexual equality in paypackets.
These are, as we all know, extremely dangerous times for souls. So a very potent warning from St. Pius X seems to be in order at this time, APPLICAPABLE OF COURSE, ONLY TO THOSE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Compare what St. Pius X wrote here, with the link given after this extract.
Pope St. Pius X, Motu Proprio, Praestantia Sacrae Scripturae –
On The Decisions of The Pontifical Biblical Commission
November 18, 1907
“But we observe that some persons, unduly prone to opinions and methods tainted by pernicious novelties and excessively devoted to the principle of false liberty, which is really immoderate license and in sacred studies proves itself to be a most insidious and a fruitful source of the worst evils against the purity of the faith, have not received and do not receive these decisions with the proper obedience.
Moreover, in order to check the daily increasing audacity of many modernists who are endeavouring by all kinds of sophistry and devices to detract from the force and efficacy not only of the decree “Lamentabili sane exitu” (the so-called Syllabus), issued by our order by the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition on July 3 of the present year, but also of our encyclical letters “Pascendi dominici gregis” given on September 8 of this same year, we do by our apostolic authority repeat and confirm both that decree of the Supreme Sacred Congregation and those encyclical letters of ours, adding the penalty of excommunication against their contradictors, and this we declare and decree that should anybody, which may God forbid, be so rash as to defend any one of the propositions, opinions or teachings condemned in these documents he falls, ipso facto, under the censure contained under the chapter “Docentes” of the constitution “Apostolicae Sedis,” which is the first among the excommunications latae sententiae, simply reserved to the Roman Pontiff. This excommunication is to be understood as salvis poenis, which may be incurred by those who have violated in any way the said documents, as propagators and defenders of heresies, when their propositions, opinions and teachings are heretical, as has happened more than once in the case of the adversaries of both these documents, especially when they advocate the errors of the modernists that is, the synthesis of all heresies.
http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/fetzen-fliegen/item/2497-catholics-still-hoping-francis-cracks-down-on-liturgical-abuse.
Do these scandalous actions fall within the censure, so clearly delineated in the above extract? If so, then……..
Eileenanne, I see you help with the formation of your grandchildren. I have some very good orthodox material with which I have finished as my children are grown up and I don’t yet have any grandchildren. If you give your address details to Editor I will send it to you.
Thank you so much Crofterlady. I would be very grateful.
Eileenanne,
I have now forwarded your message to Crofterlady. Over to thee, Crofterlady!
….’These are, as we all know, extremely dangerous times for souls’…..
Amen to that, Gerontius.
I may risk sounding a bit flippant when I write about 2:30am ‘calls of nature’, but bear with me. (Perhaps that’s why these are known as the ‘wee, sma’ hours’?….) Anyway, if you’re like me, you may find a problem trying to get back to sleep after an interruption as such. Alas, these can be times when ‘Auld Nick’ tries to make inroads, sowing the seeds of self-doubt, plaguing us with anxieties, guilt-trips etc. The Rosary is, of course, always a powerful ‘get thee behind me’ weapon, but in this Month of Mary I wanted to share with you a little prayer to Our Blessed Lady, of my own composition (a few bits ‘nicked’ from here and there).
Mary, my Dearest Mother, bless me with your maternal presence
Enfold me in your womb, where Jesus once lay
That I may be nurtured, loved, consoled, protected.
Pray for me now and at the hour of my death. Amen.
Well, she is Our Mother – and we are her ‘big babies’, after all.
Many, many thanks for this post Pat. I can assure you that it’s been a great help for me at this time.
I’m having some trouble with my Internet connection right now, a cable provider upgrade to the system apparently. I am unreliably informed that this upgrade will be going on until around May 12, which means that my connection will be down intermittently for hours at a time. Sorry about this.
Athanasius,
Well, don’t be surprised when your next payslip arrives – docked 😀
Athanasius and Editor,
I’m beginning to wonder if the Scottish Government operates the internet over there – I haven’t seen so many reports of internet service interruptions since the days of dial-up modems!
RCA Victor,
Nothing would surprise me about this Government. They lost votes due to the growing resistance to their daft and dangerous Named Person Scheme, so now they’ve stepped up their campaign to impose it, using taxpayers’ money to fund a PR initiative. Read more here. For sheer nerve, you have to give them full marks.
The name Teresa Tomeo will probably be familiar to some of you – she’s one of the regular presenters on EWTN’s ‘Catholic View for Women’ show.
On a recent programme when so-called ‘contraception’ was being discussed, she made a very valid point with regard to ‘equality for women’, when she said something like….’we keep hearing so much on the media about how women are supposed to have equality these days. Well, if that’s true, why are WE always the ones who are expected to keep pumping this garbage into our bodies?’….
What did she mean by ‘garbage’? Well, in scientific and medical circles the impacts of chemical ‘birth control’ on the female body are well documented.
The ‘Pill’, injectable Depo Provera, Norplant, the IUD and all methods that use steroids to inhibit or subvert a woman’s natural fertility have countless side effects, ranging from headaches to severe depression and even death. Chemical ‘birth control’ methods have even been identified as carcinogens by the World Health Organization. Oestrogen, a key constituent of these drugs, is dangerous enough to be placed in the same category as cigarettes and asbestos. And while every cigarette packet carries a health warning, these chemical ‘birth control’ drugs continue to be dished out like sweets. (As I’m sure you’ll be aware, many of these are passed off as ‘contraceptives’, but they do not in fact prevent conception. Instead, they actually procure an early abortion. ‘Human pesticides’ would be a more accurate description).
‘You can’t interfere with nature with impunity’ is an old and very true saying. The sort of side effects women experience include…
Acute allergic reaction; sudden total or partial blindness; deep vein thrombosis; heart attacks; liver, cervical and breast cancers; strokes; ectopic pregnancies; blockage of an artery in the lungs; high blood pressure; dizziness, vertigo and fainting; abdominal discomfort, bloating and pain; gall bladder problems, including gallstones; inflammation of the pancreas; nausea and vomiting; fluid accumulation; blot clots in the veins; insulin sensitivity; elevated potassium levels; migraine headaches; mood swings; breast pain and swelling; changes in menstrual patterns; acne and rashes; hair loss; fatigue and significant weight gain.
To reiterate – Ms Tomeo raises a very good question. If equality does exist, shouldn’t women be asking why it’s always THEM who are expected to poison their bodies with this stuff?
Pat
Thanks for your excellent and informative post.
You can always trust Pat McKay to do a marvellous post his intelligence and knowledge abour all things PRO LIFE are amazing and what a memory he has computers have nothing on him ……..an excellent comment our PAt well done
Wendy,
Yes, Patrick always comes up with the goods. There is a real vacuum within the Church today for someone with Pat’s knowledge of the facts on these key issues of sexual morality; the “Church spokesman” waffle away and are safe guests for the TV companies when they’re looking for a “Catholic” voice on their shows, and, more often than not, they weakly assume that the “experts” on the other side, know best.
If I’m ever asked to go on or provide a substitute on this topic, I’m going to recommend Patrick. Stand by Pat!
Here is an excellent analysis of our narcissist Pope by Ann Barnhardt: http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/fetzen-fliegen/item/2508-diabolical-narcissism-why-princes-betray-their-king
RCA Victor,
I’m disappointed in the New Oxford Review. Admittedly. I haven’t read them for ages now but years ago they picked up on one of our reports about Cardinal O’Brien (then the new Cardinal, just received his red hat) and went along to his press conference in Rome where they (their journalist) challenged him, and was forcibly removed by the new Cardinal’s henchman, one of the Catholic media office minions. I would need to check the files for the exact details, but that’s the gist of it.
Seems there are still folk who are willing to criticise the hierarchy until it gets to the desk where the buck stops, I presume these clowns pray TO and not FOR Pope Francis? Madness.
I have been sent a link to a free e-book called “Can Documents of the Magisterium of the Church Contain Errors? Can the Catholic Faithful Resist Them?” It comes from the TFP organisation. I am not recommending it in anyway as I haven’t even read it, but when I get time I will have a look at it. I give the link here for those who may be interested, and would be grateful to hear any critiques:- https://s3.amazonaws.com/all-pdfs/Books/CDMCCE.pdf
Westminsterfly,
Please be careful here. The link you posted brought up this eShield alert.
( eShield is a Google Chrome extension )
eShield Warning
This page on the domain s3.amazonaws.com contains active threats and is not recommended for browsing. The access to this website has been blocked for your protection.
Learn More
Return to the previous page and choose another link (recommended). Go Back
I use SUPERAntiSpyware Version 6.0.1218 to clean my PC – it works for me.
I received an email this morning that claims that “Recently, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it ‘offends’ the Muslim population which claims it never occurred.”
I don’t recall this debate being mentioned on the blog, but I haven’t been back for all that long. Was there in fact such a debate?
RCA Victor,
I’d need to check it out, because can’t remember. I doubt it though because they’re crazy mad about talking about the Holocaust at every opportunity over here. It’s the only atrocity EVER don’t you know.
Thanks Editor – did you get my email about a disappeared post on the Brexit thread?
I’ve just received your email but had released your Brexit post earlier so I presumed the disappearing trick had recurred. There’s nothing lurking anywhere in the system, so I’m guessing you only posted one “disappeared” comment and it’s now been published by my unworthy self.
Detective Inspector Editor, at your service!
WF and folks
Could you hold fire on this link as I’ll be posting a Fatima thread on the Feast Day, 13th, after midnight. Would be more appropriate to discuss it there rather than use up the space here. Thanks.
Editor
Sorry! I replied to Westminsterfly before reading your comment. A thick lug is on its way to me, I fear!!
Athanasius,
That’s OK – it’s just a one-liner. I hope WF re-posts the link but I may have to do it for him, as he’ll be working (or putting on a show of it anyway!) I’ll leave it until mid morning and then re-post if he hasn’t done so. He won’t mind. Or else! The new Fatima thread is now online.
Pope Francis to consider the ordination of female deacons. Sources: SKY TG24 (Italy) and the Guardian…
Yes, Perplexed, I’ve received two links to this news and am wondering which is the most appropriate thread to break the news – back soon!
A short while later…
I’m back! Decided this news had to go on the Pope’s PC Prayer Intention for May.
Interesting commentary on the Bergoglio Effect: https://fromrome.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/how-bergoglios-permanence-signifies-the-apostasy-of-the-flock/
I sent in a comment, but apparently the moderator didn’t like what I had to say. I knew he wouldn’t so I saved it:
“The temptation (more like a seduction) of Bergoglio succeeds because the clergy and the faithful have been gradually conditioned for 50 years, like the boiled frog syndrome, to accept the pseudo-catholic faith hatched at Vatican II, which replaced the true Faith. So it appears Lucifer has now determined it was safe to lay all his cards (and his light show) on the table, as he is sure no one will wake up and jump out of the pot.
Yes, the heretics are emboldened, saturated in the foul wine of their own hubris. They got away with putting the Freemason Roncalli on the throne, after someone else was apparently elected and then threatened. They got away with hijacking Vatican II. They got away with the Novus Ordo, whose express purpose is to avoid giving offense to heretics. They got away with surrendering the Papal Tiara. They got away with murdering JPI, who threatened to expose them and their Freemasonry. They got away with Assisi. They got away with canonizing dubious and unworthy candidates. They got away with forcing Benedict to abdicate. So they know they will get away with Bergoglio and his excrement.
That is, until Our Lord has had enough. Actually, I suspect He had enough a long time ago, and our punishment via the “malice of revolutionary men” is proceeding apace.”
RCA Victor
You are a naughty so and so, you really are!
Roncalli wasn’t a Freemason (the Cardinal Siri story was never really credible), Benedict XVI wasn’t forced to abdicate (by his own free will, he said), and JPI is more likely to have been murdered because of the Vatican Bank scandal he was set to expose. He was himself a Modernist, as reflected in the double-barrelled name he took as Pope, so that rules out a Freemasonic hit on a Traditional leaning Pontiff.
You’re some guy! I think you were winding that poor moderator up. You’re right about the Masonic influence in the high clergy, though. There are infiltrators in the Vatican, without a shadow of a doubt, though I do not believe they have ever infiltrated the Papacy. They don’t have to when the Popes already share their world vision!
Athanasius,
Yep, my middle initial is “T” for “Trouble”! (Or maybe for my old nom de plume…) But seriously, thank you for the gentle scolding. Here is where I derived most of my post from:
1. Roncalli: Bellegrandi claims in his “NikitaRoncalli” book that Roncalli was initiated into the lodge whilst Apostolic Delegate to Turkey during the 1930s. And one of our priests, who hasn’t read that book, also claimed the same thing. However, neither Bellegrandi nor our priest cited any source for the claim. Is this one of those urban legends?
2. The 1958 Conclave: I wasn’t necessarily referring to the Siri thesis, since Bellegrandi claims (in the same book) that an Armenian Cardinal, not Siri, was actually elected and then threatened. Fr. Malachi Martin also referred to that threat during that Conclave, calling it “the little brutality,” but I can’t remember where he said that – maybe in one of his Art Bell interviews?
3. JPI: I forget where I read that he was murdered because he was about to expose the Masons in the Curia – might have been an on-line booked linked on the Abbe de Nantes’ old website that I read years ago. I never thought he was a tradition-leaning Pope, though. Also, if I remember correctly, the Abbe thought very highly of him, but don’t ask me why….
4. Benedict: I know he claimed he abdicated of his own free will, but don’t you think the disclosures about the “St. Gallen” group tend to cast serious doubt on his claim?
Anyway, if these examples are questionable, there are probably a lot more examples of what the “enemy within” has gotten away with in the last 50 years. Maybe Editor can start a thread where we can make a list….
RCA Victor
The first point I would like to make is that you are anything but “trouble”. Your contributions here are highly valued and always eminently well presented. Trouble for the Modernuists, yes. Trouble for us? Emphatically no! I should also add that I personally value my friendship with you.
Anyway, yes, I see where you’re coming from with the information you provided. The problem with that info is that it has no official source, as you point out, and as such must be discounted as sedevacantist propaganda.
There is no solid evidence whatever to suggest that Cardinal Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) ever joined the Freemasonic sect. There is evidence, however, that, as Pope, he failed to acknowledge the seriousness of the Fatima Message and Secret and paid the price for his misplaced optimism by seeing his Council deviate away from the Traditional Catholic Faith. It is worth recalling that John XXIII insisted that Latin must remain the language of the liturgy and that the Council was to remain on a modest level, not touching on doctrine. This at least rules out Masonic affiliation on his part and even raises questions about just how Modernist he was. He did, after all, rubber stamp the Missal of his predecessor Pius XII in 1962.
I haven’t heard of an Armenian Cardinal being threatened into refusing the Papacy. The story that was circulating, and Malachi Martin certainly touched on it on more than one occassion, related to the Italian Cardinal Siri. But again there is no source to back up the claim and no senior prelate ever came forward to declare dirty dealings at the conclave, which means we have to dismiss the rumour as unfounded.
Regarding JPI, there is every possibility that he was murdered by Freemasons in the Vatican. Bela Dodd, a very credible source, has confirmed the existence of such false prelates in the Curia. I also remember some newspaper headlines of the early 1980s stating that two senior bishops close to Pope John Paul II had been unmasked as Communist spies. Those headlines were very quickly silenced and have since been expunged from every Internet source. So yes, there is a very reasonable chance that JPI was done in.
Just as Roberto Calvi (head of the collapsed Banco Ambrossiano) was found hanged symobolically under Black Friars bridge in London (the Mafia group inviolved in the collapse at that time called themselves the Black Friars), so JPI’s death had its symbolism. He died 33 days into his Pontificate, 33 being the number of degrees in Freemasonry. But it could also be argued that the 33 days was symbolic of Our Lord’s 33 years on earth, that perhaps God had removed him from office because of his rumoured intention to relax Church teaching on contraception.
We’ll never really get to the bottom of these mysteries and that’s why I personally never raise them in my commentaries. At the end of the day it’s all speculation that serves only to distract from the real issues. I will never believe that any of the conciliar Popes were/are Freemasons intent on the destruction of the Faith. I think they are just misguided Modernists, victims of the “diabolical disorientation” that they themselves have invited by their love of novelty and resultant refusal to accede to Our Lady’s Maternal request for a public and solemn consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. They chose to follow their own lights instead of heaven’s and now the darkness is everywhere visible!
Athanasius,
Many thanks for your warm reply, and I also value our friendship tremendously…though it might be better if we saw each other more often than once every 8 years!
I will write more later about this Bellegrandi book, esp. his treatment of Roncalli, but I need to do some shopping, pubbing, clubbing and grubbing at the moment, so perhaps more tomorrow…when I have time to indulge in that rare activity, says Editor: thinking!
RCA Victor,
8 years? Has it been that long? I blame the scrapping of concorde for it myself. Atlantic crossings are just not the same any more.
Athanasius,
Just a few thoughts on a smattering of things about Bellegrandi’s book (which I would love to have your opinion on, along with any other blogger who is interested). He does not pretend to be an investigative journalist, the book is more like an insider’s reflection, at the death of John XXIII, on the brief but tumultuous years after the death of Pius XII, a comparison of the accidentals/styles of the two Pontificates, and then going back to early in Roncalli’s career. Bellegrandi was, according to this manuscript, Chamberlain of the Sword and the Cape of His Holiness, and a journalist for L’Osservatore Romano.
Bellegrandi paints Roncalli (whom he claims was known as “the Pope of the Communists”) as a two-faced figure, a Janus, with a hidden revolutionary agenda: opening the Church to communism/Marxism (and thus, actually, Freemasonry). With one face he appeared to preserve Catholic Tradition, while with the other he was busy putting the pieces in place, behind the scenes, to undermine Tradition and transform the Church. For example: forming the Secretariat for Christian Unity under Cardinal Bea – apparently, a liberal (a Secretariat which quickly became the headwaters for the new “ecumenism,” “dialogue,” re-evaluation of the “Jewish question,” etc.); calling questionable theologians to his Council as peritii; allowing the violation of procedural rules so that the liberals could reject the draft schema prepared for the Council, as well as rejecting the membership of the Commissions; ensuring that his Council refused, for the first time in the history of the Church, to condemn Communism in accordance with the secret pact he had made with them; installing the ultra-liberal Montini as, in effect, the back-seat driver of his pontificate….and, of course, the claim that Roncalli was a Mason. Not only that, but that he was elevated to the Papacy, by the embedded “enemy within,” precisely because of that membership.
At any rate, I leave all that for your perusal. The book is quite gripping. But a couple of other thoughts:
1. You express the need for an official source to confirm these speculations, or unproven statements. The problem with that, as you know, is that in the modern Church, the official sources are also corrupt – which leaves us perhaps with relying on outside sources (e.g. Antonio Socci?) to dig up facts.
2. I agree with you that it doesn’t really matter, at this point, to speculate or state that Roncalli was a Freemason, as it has no bearing on a 53-years past Pontificate. However, were it discovered that he actually belonged to the Lodge, I think that it would have a dramatic bearing on his beatification – i.e. immediately annul it.
3. An unrelated question, about Pope Benedict: I’ve never understood how he can be referred to as a “Pope Emeritus,” or a Pope Anything, for that matter, when he in fact abdicated the papacy. Is this just an honorary title – i.e. is he just the Kentucky Colonel of the Church (!!) – or is there more weight to it than that?
(I’m going to save this post in case Editor’s computer does a Cardinal Lienart and diverts me to the black hole…)
RCA Victor
Since my last comment I have revised much of the Pontificate of John XXIII and the conclusion I have come to is that he was a tragic and careless dreamer.
It has to be remembered that Pope Roncalli knew that he had been elected as a stop-gap Pope, a shadow of the former Pontiff (Pius XII), chosen to fill the Chair of Peter for a short time without incident. Well, John XXIII had different ideas. He wasn’t about to sit quietly on the Papal Throne awaiting his demise.
Rather than being inspired by Masonic directives, John XXIII believed himself to be inspired by the Holy Ghost to bring about a “New Pentecost”. Intellectual and/or spiritual pride seems to have been at the root of his disastrous decision making, although not all decisions made by him were disastrous. For example, He very suddenly and inexplicably removed from office arguably the most dangerous liturgical revolutionary in Rome at that time, one Fr. Annibale Bugnini.
Now I ask you: would a Freemason Pope have sacked Bugnini? No, I don’t think he would have.
On the other hand, he did, as you rightly point out, promote some very dangerous theologians to important roles in the preparatory commissions for Vatican II. The singular most dangerous man, one who was to exercise great influence on the conciliar documents, was Henri de Lubac, the French theologian whose works were for so many years banned by Pius XII, and who was forbidden to preach by the same Pope.
John XXIII did not ask de Lubac to recant his errors, errors so serious that Pius XII addressed them directly in his Encyclical Mediator Dei. Instead, he just appointed him to a senior role at the Council against the statutes of Canon Law which forbade the appointing of heterodox theologians as periti at a Church Council. This act of John XXIII was to prove greatly detrimental to the Traditional teaching of the Church.
Another grave mistake of John XXIII was to meet in the Vatican with the Soviet leader of the time, Nikita Khrushchev. Having dismissed in his blind optimism the warning of the Third Secret of Fatima, John thought it opportune to welcome that scheming Communist with a view to securing a Russian Orthodox presence at the Council. This was all part of his dream that the schism could be ended between East and West and a new Christian era begun. Khrushchev played him like a fiddle! He promised a token representation from the KGB controlled Orthodox church in return for a silence on Church condemnations of Communism. It was the very antithesis of what Pius XII stood for and what Our Lady of Fatima requested, yet he went along with it like a little naive school boy, thinking his judgment greater than that of his predecessor and indeed the Mother of God. That year saw a one million increase of votes for the Communist Party in Italy. “Diabolical disorientation”? You bet it was, and on a grand scale.
I could go on at length here relating both the good and the bad of John XXIII’s Pontificate, but it still wouldn’t get us to the real truth of what exactly was going through the mind of this Pope.
There is no question that he made some very serious errors in judgment, greatly damaging to the Church. But it is also demonstrable that he made some very sound declarations concerning the liturgy, Our Lady, etc. For me, he epitomises the Modernist mind described by St. Pius X.
As regards the Cardinal Siri business, I have read many reports, mostly only available on sedevcantist webistes, and it remains my opinion that the claim is false. I do not believe that Cardinal Siri was ever forced to decline the Papal election. What I do find interesting is that those who claim he was make their claims in books, the sales of which depend on a bit of sensationalism. No serious source, by which I mean any Cardinals of the time, and they weren’t all Freemasons, have come forward to declare dirty goings-on at that particular conclave. They would have been obliged to do so had there been a serious threat to the integrity of the Papacy. All we have is the assurances of some minor minions in the Church who couldn’t possibly know anything about the secret balloting of a conclave.
Finally, as regards Benedict XVI. You are absolutely right, there can be no such title as “Emeritus Pope”. The whole business is a scandalous novelty which is not remotely sustainable in Tradition. He is Cardinal Ratzinger now, as far as I’m concerned. And by the way, there are no special privileges attached to his new title, it’s a meaningless office created by Francis to give the impression that Popes can resign. He knows that Benedict did not resign, he abdicated, yet he insists that Benedict created a new precedent for the Church, that of Papal resignation. Hence the title forced on Benedict to great detriment of the authority of the Petrine See.
Athanasius,
Many thanks! On the subject of the “Siri Thesis,” now that you mention it, I believe Father Gruner did a video with John Vennari (one of their “questions@fatimacenter.org” series) debunking the whole claim.
I hope the whole truth about him and his successors comes out at some point – perhaps the equivalent of the opening of certain archives after the “fall” of communism….meanwhile, it appears to be mostly up to the faithful to keep the pieces together….
RCA Victor
I agree entirely. Whatever is hidden, if there is anything, will come to the surface one day. In the meantime, we have to get on with keeping the faith and avoiding sensationalism. There are so many opinions out there that I stick only to what can be proven without a shadow of a doubt. That usually means I’ll try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, except editor who is definitely not La Popessa in waiting!
Athanasius,
Don’t be too sure about that “La Popessa in waiting” – You’ll have heard of the God of Surprises but what about the God of Shocks?
Speaking about sticking only to what can be proven… Here’s today’s lead story from One Peter Five – yet another “breaking news” report that we’ve known for a while.
Editor
The good thing about that 1P5 article is that for the first time a source close to Benedict XVI is revealing what the Pope actually told him. This adds great substance to what, as you rightly say, we have all known for quite some time. It’s yet another testimony in support of the truth about Fatima.
Athanasius,
I have read that before about that priest revealing what the Pope told him. It seems that IP5 is reporting anew things that have been in the public domain for a while. Still, it’s good to be reminded of them.
Athansius,
I just replied, but my post went into the black hole again. Oh Editor…..
RCA Victor
You’ve had it tonight, she’ll be pubbing and clubbing at this hour. I guess you’ll just have to remain suspended in cyberspace until she returns bleary eyed and bedraggled in the morning. That should get me a few more zeros in my pay packet!
Athanasius,
Well, how wrong can you be?! I decided NOT to go pubbing and clubbing tonight, and instead do an all night vigil… !
Actually, I was posting a fresh topic thread on AL and about to close the old one which is too lengthy now.
So, THERE!
Editor,
I once stayed up all night reading the Aeneid – so I suppose you could call that an all-night Virgil….
RCA Victor,
Now THAT’s clever! That’s very “thinking”. Well done!
As Athanasius says, 8 years is far too long – you need to come and see us asap. You sure you can’t make it to our June Conference? I mean, you pay the fare from the USA and book your hotel and I’ll stand you your ticket. Well… Ten quid is ten quid. And I’m (almost) certain Athanasius would offer to pay half. Five each and you’re in the conference hall. Petrus will pay for your meal 😀
Mean Scots? Did I hear someone say “mean Scots”? You’ve got us all wrong, RCA Victor. We can be very kind and thoughtful like the husband who was heading out to the pub when he turned to his wife before leaving and said, ‘Jackie – put your hat and coat on lassie.’
She replied, ‘Awe Iain that’s nice – are you taking me to the pub with you?’
‘Nah, I’m just switching the central heating off while I’m oot.’
Over and out!
Editor
And let’s remind ourselves once again that copper wire was invented by two Scotsman fighting over a penny!!
RCA Victor,
I’m not sure that Petrus will stand you a meal. Better bring some sandwiches just in case. I suggest something mould resistant as they may have to last you a while. Mind you, my understanding is that the meals are being served with free bread and gravy, so assuming your constitution is ok you’ll be good for the bread and gravy. And the water is always free, as you know!
Athanasius,
Well, as a last resort, I could always dress like a Hare Krishna and sell flowers and pencils at the airport to earn my way across the pond!
Editor – would you let me into the Conference if I showed up in my “alternative” garb? I promise not to do any chanting or drum-beating…or smell like a sheep….
RCA Victor,
I’d even let you in if you turned up in a kilt. That’s how keen we are to see you! Just don’t bring bagpipes!
Editor,
How about this? http://www.you-can-be-funny.com/images/bag2.jpg
RCA Victor,
Brilliant! I recognised you right away – I’d recognise you anywhere, whether in a kilt or Hare Krishna outfit!
RCA Victor
If you did turn up smelling like a sheep you would have to be prepared to get the old Australian rebuff: “Rack off ya dag”!
Hare Krishna garb is just fine, people will think you’re a Jesuit!
LOL! Maybe I’ll wear a sign that says “Hare Krishna Dressed in White” – in case there are any New Age Fatima buffs attending!
RCA Victor
If you do, then remember to bring the lava lamp.
Athanasius,
I’m just catching up with this latest round of nonsense but I suggest you duck next time you see Petrus!
Editor
I was merely pointing out that Petrus might not be so keen on your volunterring his wallet to RCA Victor. I know his wallet is a fat one but that’s only because it contains a picture of a relative with a hump!
Besides that, charity begins at home. If there’s a free meal on the go I’ll be at the head of the queue. A change from dog biscuits would be really welcome. And on that note, what’s a Conference without a free doggy bag? Something for you to think about!
Athanasius,
I think Petrus is unlikely to be consoled by your “explanation”!
As for free doggy bags, even those of us directly involved in organising the conference and those good souls who are helping, are having to pay for our meals. Only those wearing clerical collars will be on the receiving end of a free doggy bag – so there’s an incentive for you to apply to the local seminary… if only we had one!
That reminds me of this old joke: the Hunchback of Notre Dame wasn’t really a hunchback. He ate a cantaloupe, you see, and it backed up on him!
Sorry about that RCA Victor – I’ve now released it. Can’t explain it. The mysteries of technology are far harder to comprehend that any mystery of faith, if you ask me, which nobody ever does. See if I care!
Westminsterfly
Thank you for posting the onepeterfive link, it was very informative.
Anybody wishing to know more information about Our Lady of Good Success there is a comprehensive list of articles underneath, highly recommended.
http://www.traditioninaction.org/OLGS/olgshome.htm#olgs
John,
I sometimes find the TIA website not quite accurate. This one is dedicated to OLGS so it might be more accurate.
http://www.ourladyofgoodsuccess.com/frames-3-4-2005/aaa.htm
The BBC is too Christian in its religious output, according to an internal review, and should increase its Muslim, Hindu and Sikh programming.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/bbc-says-it-is-too-christian-and-must-diversify-mvg7lh6t2
Oh that’s priceless!
Here’s the latest from 1P5
http://www.onepeterfive.com/cardinal-ratzinger-not-published-whole-third-secret-fatima/
gerontius
I found this on Akita, and I have too agree with ED on this one. Quito And Fatima are sound. Remember Grabandal? People who make these videos tend to put their own interpretation into them, and omit that which goes not fit.
“In 1976, Ito, bishop of Niigata (r. 1962 – 1985), created an inquiry commission which “declared that it was not in a position to prove the supernatural events. In 1978, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) published norms for examining “presumed apparitions or revelations. Following the 1978 CDF norms, Ito requested a CDF intervention in 1979 to create another inquiry commission to re-examine the facts. In 1981, the CDF was “unfavorable to the events” and responded that it would not initiate a new examination. But the 1981 CDF response “contained some misunderstandings, according to Ito, so he re-examined the facts in 1982 and “sent the complete dossier, augmented with the new facts” to the CDF. Ito met with CDF officials in 1983 but the case remained under examination by the CDF. Although the case remained under examination, on 22 April 1984, Ito wrote that he did not find “any elements which are contrary to Catholic faith and morals” in the events.
So Bishop Ito acted on his own.
Jimislander,
Thank you for that background – I didn’t know any of it, so much appreciated.
I’m still in shock, and I might have to go lie down for a bit, but Rorate Caeli just endorsed an SSPX parish: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/05/rorate-on-road-in-north-carolina.html#more
RCA Victor,
“I might have to go lie down for a bit…”
Yeah, right. Any old excuse…
The Italian press is reporting that, according to Joseph Ratzinger, a part of the third secret of Fatima has not been made public by the Church. From “Il Giornale”, 16 May:
“Ci sarebbe una parte ancora segreta del terzo segreto di Fatima. Alcune frasi della rivelazione che la Chiesa non avrebbe ancora pubblicato. Lo scrive Maike Hickson, Benedetto XVI sul sito “OpenPeterFive”, affermando che a dirglielo è stato il professore di teologia tedesco Ingo Dollinger amico personale di Ratzinger.
Make any sense?
Perplexed,
“Make any sense?”
Not unless you can read/speak/understand Italian! “Ciao” just about does it for me.. Even then, it took me years to get the pronunciation right…. 😀
I’ve been reading a bit more and Dollinger says that he was told by Ratzinger that the as yet unpublished part refers to a “bad council and a bad mass that would appear in the future”. Secondo Dollinger, il papa gli avrebbe confidato che la parte pubblicata del segreto di Fatima è completamente autentica e che quella segreta parlerebbe di “un cattivo concilio e di una cattiva messa” che sarebbero successi in futuro.
Perplexed,
Well, I’m trying not to say “We told you so….”
I have to say that it seems incredible that the popes and others who read the Third Secret would actually ignore such predictions as Council / Mass, but then we know all about the problem of iniquity – more than a problem, a “mystery”.
Not half!
La Croix has published an interview with Pope Francis, part of which refers to the SSPX (relevant parts copied below):
– On April 1, you received Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior-general of the Priestly Fraternity of St Pius X. Is the re-integration of the Lefebvrists into the Church again under consideration?
Pope Francis: In Buenos Aires, I often spoke with them. They greeted me, asked me on their knees for a blessing. They say they are Catholic. They love the Church.
Bishop Fellay is a man with whom one can dialogue. That is not the case for other elements who are a little strange, such as Bishop Williamson or others who have been radicalized. Leaving this aside, I believe, as I said in Argentina, that they are Catholics on the way to full communion.
During this year of mercy, I felt that I needed to authorize their confessors to pardon the sin of abortion. They thanked me for this gesture. Previously, Benedict XVI, whom they greatly respect, had liberalized the use of the Tridentine rite mass. So good dialogue and good work are taking place.
– Would you be ready to grant them the status of a personal prelature?
Pope Francis: That would be a possible solution but beforehand it will be necessary to establish a fundamental agreement with them. The Second Vatican Council has its value. We will advance slowly and patiently.
http://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Pape/INTERVIEW-Pope-Francis-2016-05-17-1200760633
I wonder if this talk of a “fundamental agreement” contradicts what ++Pozzo said before, that disagreement on aspects of Vatican II were “not an obstacle” to the formal recognition of the Society.
Still, his comments on the Society and Bishop Fellay seem quite positive.
(Rorate Caeli also has a piece on this and notes that Francis statement on SSPX confessions recognised validity to absolve all sin, not just abortion which is specifically mentioned above).
Gabriel Syme,
“…they are Catholics on the way to full communion.”
That’s just hilarious. I laughed aloud when I read that and thought, “if only we could say the same about you, Pope Francis!”
Editor
When I read the line you refer to I thought: “Can one be at the same time Catholic and yet not in full communion?” What an odd thing for the Pope to say.
Gabriel Syme,
I meant to highlight Pope Francis’ remark about Bishop Williamson, speaking as if Bp W is still with the SSPX when he has been expelled. He’s NOT with the Society any longer, so it is either ignorant or mischievous of Papa Francis to speak about him as if he is still in the Society if not on the same planet.
I meant to ask on the feast of Fatima thread (now closed) when the 13th May was designated as that feast day? It is neither on my SSPX calendar nor in my missal.
Helen,
I was told recently the date and I’ve forgotten but it was too late for the missals – I remember that much!
I am very surprised that there has been no mention in any of the blogs about the great Feast of Pentecost last Sunday. Surely now is the time that we should be imploring the Holy Spirit to ” fill the hearts of thy faithful”. If I had had the technical know how I would have posted one of the lovely versions of Veni Sancte Spiritus. I even checked the sspx calendar to see if by any chance they celebrate on a different day, but no. Anyone shed light on this please?
Elizabeth,
My fault. I’m afraid I have been so busy that I didn’t think of posting a blog dedicated to Pentecost. You are right to point to my negligence. To see that I sincerely mean to make reparation, click on the video!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kphky63gK5I&w=854&h=480%5D
Incidentally, your comment went into moderation because there was a mistake in your login – Elizabeth was typed Elizabetg so the system thought you were a new blogger. Apologies for any delay in releasing it, since I’ve been away from my computer for a few hours.
Sorry about my careless typing and thankyou for the hymn. I was not having a go at you by the way, just genuinely puzzled!
Petition to the BBC to reject proposals to downgrade Christian programming:
https://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/154be6e7120536e3
Thanks Therese
Oops link is wrong I think?
Therese,
You’ve linked to a “welcome to gmail” page!
Oh phooey. Let me try again.
http://www.citizengo.org/en/34624-we-call-bbc-reject-proposals-reduce-and-downgrade-christian-programming?tc=ty&tcid=22628525
Pretty disgusted right now with Paypal: see here for the homosexual picnic picture https://www.paypal.com/au/home This banner picture may change but regardless, why are these companies so intent on pushing the fringes upon us. I know that this method is used to desensitise the younger generations to make the abnormal normal, but what commercial benefit does it have?
Summa,
I don’t see any picnic picture, let alone a homosexual one. Do I need to visit Specsavers, or what?
Oops here ye go http://s90.photobucket.com/user/111267/media/paypal.jpg.html
Summa,
I see it now. Awful but getting more and more commonplace.
Society is steeped in the homosexual “lifestyle”. It’s everywhere.
All I get is a message that ‘oops, this person moved or deleted this image’. Censored by the sodomy industry?
Christina,
You are correct – I’ve just checked Summa’s link again and the image has gone. That’s very interesting indeed. Perhaps there have been complaints – let’s hope!
http://s90.photobucket.com/user/111267/media/paypal_zpsbb17f5e1.jpg.html
Yes, this is going beyond ‘an alternative lifestyle’ (whatever that is). It is in their eyes a promotion of an equal relationship. They are doing this here in Australia with the Safe Schools program. These are the kind of posters being plastered in our schools. It would make you weep http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/2df69af2cb03ab0b112af27de876cd90?width=650
Summa
I agree with you, it brings tears to the eyes to see what these renegades are getting away with. But Our Lord will have the last word!
Never in my lifetime have I started every day deeply depressed by what I hear on the news, or the awful Victoria Derbyshire programme. This morning someone has become aware that there is an insufficient number of sodomites and lesbians in sport. Ergo, a number of MPs, e!ected by the British public, are too spend their time trying to determine wherein lies the ‘homophobia’ that is preventing them all from ‘coming out’. Utterly diabolical. Make sure all groups in society have enough perverts in their number or WE will want to know why.
And another cause for my current state of mind – during the annual much publicised display of their sanctity and the kow-towing to it by the idiotic natives, Muslims will have the triumphal joy of seeing ‘GLORY TO ALLAH’ in Arabic blazoned across the buses for the whole month of Ramadan in the area where I live. This blasphemous demon-worship is to be implemented in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and other cities of high Muslim occupation.
Christina
Look on the bright side. At least the people of these cities can feel safe from suicide bombers as they travel on the buses during Ramadan!
Christina,
This just in from Rorate today.
My opinion on what follows below cannot be posted, especially regarding the last sentence.
For the record: Francis compares Jihad with the Great Commission
We were the first English-language medium to translate a portion (dealing with the SSPX) of the interview granted by Pope Francis to La Croix, and published yesterday.
As we said in our update to that post, La Croix released a full translation today, and another remark has generated intense debate. We publish it here for the record of current events:
La Croix: The fear of accepting migrants is partly based on a fear of Islam. In your view, is the fear that this religion sparks in Europe justified?
Pope Francis: Today, I don’t think that there is a fear of Islam as such but of ISIS and its war of conquest, which is partly drawn from Islam. It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam. However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.
Gerontius, OF ALL THE UNBELIEVABLE THINGS THIS POPE HAS SAID THIS MUST BE ONE OF THE WORST. It’s absolute blasphemy to my ears. Presumably His Holiness has his own specially revised translations of the Gospels:- ‘ Going therefore kill ye all nations, beheading, burning and disembowelling them in the name of ……, (and of Allah, all-merciful, and of Mohammed his Prophet, blessed be he)’. For how much longer will God stay His hand?
Christina and Athanasius,
Since this man who currently holds the Petrine Office continues to scandalize the faithful with ever increasing frequency, and risks making the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church an object of mockery, I thought to post the below links for the benefit of those Novus Ordo readers who are becoming alarmed. (Please feel free to issue corrections if and where necessary.)
This is a clear and comprehensive exposure of the modernist heresy written by a priest of the S.S.P.X.
http://fatima.ageofmary.com/apostasy/new-religion/
This one is from catholic apologetics:
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/vatican2/Privatican.htm
And this one from the S.S.P.X:
http://archives.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/q5_novus_ordo_missae.htm
And remember, that horrible commemoration of the heretic Martin Luther is getting closer.
Jeremiah 23:1
Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture! Declares the LORD.
Gerontius
No wonder you withheld your comment on this statement. I will likewise bite my tongue. All I will say to this scandalous Pope is that the “conquest” Our Lord sent His Apostles on was a conquest of love and life, not one of hatred and death by the sword. “All who take up the sword shall perish by the sword”, said He. Pope Francis must have missed that bit!
And where does he get the idea that ISIS is only “partly drawn from Islam”? What else is he suggesting it’s drawn from? And what about Boko Haram and a hundred other jihadi Muslim groups around the world, whose numerous adherents are quite capable of walking into a public place with semtex strapped around their waste? But of course this has nothing to do with Islam, which is really a friendly religion! Right, Pope Francis?
Give me strength!
We keep being told that Islam is a peaceful religion but there is little evidence of that. The chaos and violence in the Middle East and Africa are all down to either internal Muslim conflict or the wicked behaviour of boko haram or the Taliban. How the pope can draw parallels with that and Christian evangelism is just beyond belief. People say that the troubles in N. Ireland are just the same but that was mainly a political war based on historical differences with Britain, religion was a side issue and not to be compared with the Islamic situation. It seems the Pope Francis either just says what comes into his head or really has no idea of the effect of what he says. Can you even imagine Pius XII making such remarks? Where/when will it end?
Elizabeth
If you watch this video you will see how England in 20 – 30 years time could be controlled by Islam.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-hPCnel0qc
Anglican activist, David Skinner has sent the following petition – I have signed it…
PETITION TO REMOVE AAQIL AHMED FROM THE BBC
Dear Friends,
the BBC has for long been an instrument for pushing Neo – Marxism In this it no longer bothers hide its agenda, but blatantly and provocatively pushes Islam and homosexuality into our faces. When the government says that what we do in private is none of their business they lie. What cronies in high places might do, might be private; but when it comes to our homes, schools and nurseries the government intrudes and micro manages every sneeze and blink of our children so that they sing sweetly from the cultural Marxist and politically correct hymn sheet. Their weapons of choice for corrupting our children are a coalition of victim groups: notably Islamists; homosexualists and feminists. – the Muslim Council of Britain, Stonewall and the Fawcett Society.
Ultimately the only defence we have against this Satanic attack is our faith in the God of Jacob, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This why the BBC and every government controlled and funded agency are working night and day to expunge any memory of our once having been a nation founded upon Biblical Truth. Meanwhile the nation sleeps.
Lynda Rose of Voice for Justice has generated an excellent petition. Please sign it.
We call on Lord Hall, Director General of the BBC, to protect the UK’s Christian heritage and reject current proposals to reduce and downgrade Christian programming in favour of increased coverage for Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths. We further call for Aaqil Amhed, Head of Religion and Ethics for the BBC, to be removed from office on the grounds of Islamic bias and clear disrespect for Christian belief.
In recent years Christian programming has already been severely downgraded, yet Mr Ahmed, the Muslim Head of Religion and Ethics for the BBC since 2009, claims the BBC is ‘too Christian’, and has written a report saying non-Christian faiths are underserved. He says the BBC must be more diverse, and that there should be an increase in Muslim, Hindu and Sikh programming. It has even been suggested that the BBC might televise Friday prayers from a mosque, in similar format to the Christian programme ‘Songs of Praise’, as well as broadcasting the daily Muslim call to prayer.
During his time at the BBC, and prior to that at Channel 4 where he exercised a similar role, Aaqil Ahmed has displayed a clear bias towards Islam and contempt for Christianity. He has regularly commissioned documentaries displaying clear pro-Islamic bias, while calling into question fundamental tenets and teachings of Christianity, in such a way as to trivialise and undermine Christian faith. While at Channel 4, for example, he screened a week of special programmes on Islam, including a feature-length documentary on the Qu’ran, and a series of interviews with Muslims around the world talking about their beliefs. But in the main Easter documentary of 2011, entitled The Secrets of the 12 Disciples, he encouraged disrespect for Christian belief, questioning core tradition and casting doubt on the validity of the Pope. In similar fashion he has sparked fury by comparing Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, to refugees in the Calais jungle.
This is unacceptable. The UK is a Christian country, established as such by statute. In marked contrast to the traditions and values of all other belief systems, our society – founded on the idea of respect for the individual as made in the image of God – is based upon Christian values. These values and beliefs have shaped our laws since before Magna Carta, and over time have become the foundation for Western democracy worldwide. It is entirely right therefore that Christianity be given more airtime than the beliefs of minority groups, and that it should be treated with respect. In particular, Islam should not be singled out for special interest and presented as impliedly superior to Christianity.
We therefore call on Lord Hall as Director General of the BBC to reject this misguided and overtly anti-Christian proposal, and for Aaqil Ahmed’s immediate removal from office.
Sign petition here
Editor
I think that’s the same petition I linked to above.
Oops! Therese, what am I LIKE?! Strictly rhetorical question!
John Vennari has linked this outstanding article on the CFN website, about “Cultural Marxism,” and its effect on the West and on the Church: http://voiceofthefamily.com/dr-anca-maria-cernea-cultural-marxism-a-threat-to-the-family/
A reader sent me the following very interesting email from John Vennari –
New sun miracle in Fatima? [Ed: on Father Gruner’s birthday!]
The Portuguese media is reporting that believers have experienced a new sun miracle in Fatima last May 4. The event had taken place in Vila Nova de Ourem shortly after 8am.
According to media reports, more than a hundred people were witnesses of the phenomenon.
On May 5, the newspaper Correio Da Manhã reporte:
“More than a hundred faithful experienced yesterday a phenomenon in Ourem, which they describe as a new, sun miracle.'” The statue of Our Lady of Fatima had been venerated throughout the night in the church. For several months she pilgrimaged through the diocese of Fatima from place to place. In the morning she was taken to the next place, when the phenomenon occurred. It took more than a quarter of an hour, exactly the time it took the procession to move the statue from Ourém towards Caxarias and then disappeared from the sight of the faithful. “Those present reported an unusually bright light shining like a beam of light which was directed to them, with the light source turning at high speed.”
The pastor of Ourém, Don Armindo Janeiro, had previously celebrated a Holy Mass. For 50 years the statue had not visited the parish.
“It was spectacular.” “It was an extraordinary situation”
More than one hundred believers – all locals – acknowledge that they have experienced an extraordinary solar phenomena during the translation of the statue, several of whom are quoted by the media, said the priest, who hasn’t seen “anything unusual”. He told Correio Da Manhã : “Such are the mornings in Ourem”.
The phenomenon occurred a week before the international pilgrimage for the anniversary of the apparition of May 13, 1917. At the time, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children. The Apparitions revealed the three secrets of Fatima which the children had been entrusted to keep.
Next year, the event marks the centenary.
The newspaper has published a video report [in Portuguese] on its website:
– see http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2016/05/third-secret-of-fatima-not-completely.html
From JV: Yes, Father Gruner’s birthday was May 4 END.
I’d be very wary about this. Even some good Catholics are not averse to ‘signs and wonders’. Since the genuine solar miracle in 1917, further solar miracles have been claimed at Fatima, which were probably due to nothing more than atmospheric conditions. On the same day that John Paul II’s beatification ceremony took place in 2011, claims were made of one such solar miracle:- http://www.traditioninaction.org/Questions/B460_Hypocrisy.html I was contacted by a World Apostolate of Fatima supporter who told me about that alleged event, claiming it to be a sign of Heaven’s approval of the beatification. Also, World Apostolate of Fatima Catholics claimed to see a solar miracle at their Fatima shrine in New Jersey in 2009 http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=7981 This, sadly, is one of the rotten ‘fruits’ of Medjugorje. Spinning suns everywhere.
WF,
Wise warning indeed. Thank you for that. We need to be very careful in assessing (before accepting) the likelihood of such events. It did cross my mind that a few thunder and lightning strikes at Fatima might be more appropriate, given the failure of the popes to fulfil the Message by consecrating Russia. So, again, thank you for that timely warning.
Fr Gruner was much loved by Our Lady and for that to happen on Fr Gruner’s birthday surely is no coincidence. (Heaven does not do coincidences.)
This is very interesting indeed! I’ve sent it to myself, Editor, in case it doesn’t work here and then you’ll call me a numpty!
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/154c7d7f4ef2840b
Crofterlady,
I’m the Numpty-in-Chief, so you’re in good company.
If you click on the link yourself in your post, you can confirm whether or not that is what you meant us to see and read.
I doubt it but I do wonder how this keeps happening – and not just to you. It’s puzzling.
Yes, I meant to post the “conversion of Muslims” story but not from my in-box! The copy I sent to myself worked OK. There must be gremlins in WordPress!
Crofterlady,
WordPress has no control over how you copy and paste links. I don’t use gmail so can’t really help but I do know that the same principle applies across the board. If you copy a link from your browser on the page you wish to link, and then click “paste” here, it will appear. I can’t see how it will appear correctly in one place but not another. It really can’t be WordPress to blame for this. If you send ME the link by email, I will see if I can figure out what is the problem.
I’ve just tried again after our email exchange and still get the Google-mail advert https://www.google.com/intl/en/mail/help/about.html#inbox/154c7d7f4ef2840b
For the record, (and thank you for sending me the link by email) when I tried the link from my email account I received a pop up asking me if I wished to open it using Internet Explorer or Firefox, so I tried both. Each time I received a different Google ad! As you know, I’ve sent you both links in my reply email.
The only other time we had this issue, if you recall, was with a blogger (forget who) whose link also led to a Google-mail advert. So, the problem seems to be with Google-mail, not with WordPress.
Okay, thanks. In that case how can I post an interesting article, do you know? I suppose I could try cutting and pasting from Word?
Crofterlady,
What I do when I want to post a link is I go to the article itself on whatever the website is, and I then cover over the link in my browser at the top where it says http://www (etc)
I right click on my mouse to click “copy” and then I bring my curser here to the comment box and I right click to pick out “paste” and then click that, and the link appears in the comment box.
It has to be the http://www line in the browser of the same page on the website where you are reading the article. The article has to be in front of you. Or else you can copy the article on the page, by covering the words and then picking “copy” from your right click on them mouse, then bring it here and right click your mouse to pick “paste” and then paste it here.
I hope that helps.
Something of interest here from John Smeaton:
http://voiceofthefamily.com/votf-co-founder-building-a-catholic-resistance-movement/
Therese,
I smile at this “we’re building a resistance” movement as if there hasn’t been a resistance movement for years now. John Smeaton is among those neo-Catholics who wouldn’t say a word about any of the modernist popes as long as they were sticking to the “abortion is wrong” script. There was no talk of building a resistance movement when scandals like the Assisi meetings were announced, or Cardinal Nichols was photographed paying homage to Hindu gods, and the rest, so I’m not getting remotely excited about this “better late than never” venture. Good luck to them. If their experience of being shunned, insulted and mocked is anything like what the rest of us have suffered, collectively, since the end of Vatican II, they’ll need luck in spadefuls.
Wendy sent this by email today – thought-provoking, to say the least.
https://stupidbadmemes.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/eagles-and-embryos.png
Yes, and moreover I have it on good authority (sitting opposite me at the moment), that the golden eagle lays two eggs but that, without upsetting the order of nature, frequently the first hatched will kill the other, which, if you think about it, makes the contrast even more dreadful.
Dear all,
I have recently found this beautiful and moving rendition of Salve Mater Misericordiae sung by Croatian Franciscans on YouTube. I urge you to listen to it as it is truly divine.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJDzpjblPAw&w=854&h=480%5D
Lovely! I have not heard that for years. And how good to see so many young Friars too.
An article in today’s “La Reubblica” reports that Joseph Ratzinger has said that the secrets of Fatima have been published in their entirety and that he has never spoken with Professor Dollinger about Fatima.
Perplexed,
What strikes me about that which I saw online this morning earlier, is that it is very unusual for a Vatican press release to be given on something like this. How many people claimed that Pope Francis had spoken out about different things, and we still don’t know, as there’s been no Vatican statement, yet on Fatima, there is.
That makes me think there is something in what Professor Dollinger says. Why would he lie?
Fidelis
A very salient point indeed. Why this desperate response when it comes to Fatima.
Perplexed
Very curious indeed! We know very well that the text of the Third Secret has never been revealed, so this is a highly questionable statement by Cardinal Ratzinger, Fr. Dollinger aside. What goes on in the minds of these conciliar theologians. Me thinks the spirit of Fr. Dhanis S.J. is still influencing matters.
Remember that introductory sentence to the Third Secret text as noted in Sister Lucy’s memoirs: “In Portugal the dogmas of the faith will always be preserved, etc…” Well, it wasn’t published as a heavenly commentary with the 2000 vision. I wonder why? And now they just deny its existence.
How do I get full access to the La Reppublica article? Do I have to subscribe to the newspaper? If not, would some kindly soul post me a link directly to the piece so that I can read it in detail? Many thanks in advance to that kindly soul.
The link to “La Repubblica” only works if you have a subscription. The following link will take you to the Newspaper “Avvenire” of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, which carries an article on the same topic:
http://www.avvenire.it/Chiesa/Pagine/ratzinger-segreto-di-fatima-interamente-rivelato.aspx
Buona lettura!
Athanasius & Perplexed …
1P5 are reporting this matter. I’ve copied the entire article below, with an admission that I’ve not yet read it right through myself, but it looks very interesting…
FROM ONE PETER FIVE (1P5)
Today, May 21, 2016, the Holy See Press Office has released, in its daily bulletin, a statement attributed to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The statement categorically denies the affirmation, reported here, from Fr. Ingo Dollinger, which speaks of a private conversation in which then-Cardinal Ratzinger spoke to Dollinger, a personal friend, about there being more to the Third Secret of Fatima than was published by the Vatican in June of 2000. Here is the full text of the Vatican statement:
Communiqué: on various articles regarding the “Third Secret of Fatima”
Several articles have appeared recently, including declarations attributed to Professor Ingo Dollinger according to which Cardinal Ratzinger, after the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima (which took place in June 2000), had confided to him that the publication was not complete.
In this regard, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI declares “never to have spoken with Professor Dollinger about Fatima”, clearly affirming that the remarks attributed to Professor Dollinger on the matter “are pure inventions, absolutely untrue”, and he confirms decisively that “the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima is complete”.
[00855-EN.01] [Original text: Italian – working translation]
As the Publisher of OnePeterFive, I wish to respond to this statement. One cannot take lightly a rebuttal from someone of the stature of Pope Emeritus Benedict. It is noteworthy that — to our knowledge — this is the first time since his abdication in 2013 that the Pope Emeritus has issued an official statement through the Vatican press office. With all that is currently troubling the Church, with all the confusion that now assails the faithful, this is the story which has prompted Benedict to break his silence. Clearly, this is a matter of unusual importance in the eyes of the Holy See. [Emphasis added, for obvious reasons! – Editor CT]
This statement is received by us with filial respect and love for the Pope Emeritus. And yet, it presents a problem. It conflicts directly with statements we have reported, and accuses us of false “atrribution” and “invention.” It also flatly contradicts our source, Fr. Dollinger, not offering the possibility even of a misinterpretation, but rather, an accusation that the events he recounts are completely fabricated. [Editor: which smacks of desperation.]
It is, in itself, a strangely perfunctory communique, and is presented in a way that prompts questions about its provenance and completeness. It is not a full, unabridged statement from Pope Emeritus Benedict; nor does it bear his signature. We are presented instead with pull quotes attributed to Benedict, and lacking the full context in which they originally appeared. Neither is it given to us to know who conducted this apparent interview with him, or how the questions were phrased.
We are, in other words, asked to take it on faith that the statement contains the authentic, complete, and ratified sentiments of the Pope Emeritus on the matter.
It is noteworthy that when we presented the words of Fr. Dollinger as reported by Dr. Hickson, we were accused by some of reporting unverifiable hearsay. But now we are given partial statements attributed to Benedict by an unnamed member of the Vatican communications staff — statements which implicate us, and also Pope Benedict’s old friend, Fr. Dollinger, in wilful deception — and we are asked to believe that the matter is therefore settled?
I hope you will forgive my scepticism. [Editor: most certainly – we share your scepticism, in dollops.)
I have two questions about the semantics of this carefully-constructed statement. I believe they merit consideration.
First, I would like to draw attention to the portion which states, “the remarks attributed to Professor Dollinger on the matter ‘are pure inventions, absolutely untrue’.”
Dr. Maike Hickson, who personally called Fr. Dollinger, attests to the truth of what she recounted from that conversation. Inasmuch as the Vatican statement accuses her of “attributing” statements which are “inventions” to Fr. Dollinger, it is false. She did not imagine the conversation she had with Fr. Dollinger, she reported it, and I stand by her testimony with full confidence in her integrity, both as a journalist and as a faithful daughter of the Church.
Further, this morning Dr. Hickson telephoned Father Dollinger with the news of the Vatican statement, and at that time he again confirmed to her emphatically and clearly his previous remarks. In other words, he stood by his story.
We must also reiterate that Dr. Hickson’s original conversation with Fr. Dollinger could not have been an “invention” inasmuch as it was not original in its content. It was not an attempt to break news, but rather to seek direct confirmation of a story that had already been attributed to Fr. Dollinger years ago. As stated in Dr. Hickson’s original article, “This sensitive information pertaining to the Third Secret, which has been circulating among certain Catholic groups for a few years now, has now been personally confirmed to me by Fr. Dollinger himself…”
The first published account of Fr. Dollinger’s testimony (of which we are aware) appeared in an interview with Fr. Paul Kramer in Fatima Crusader in May of 2009. It has since been referenced in various Catholic publications and venues. Anecdotally, one of our commenters on the Fr. Dollinger story recalled that as a Brazilian, he had heard this same story from a priest who was a student of Fr. Dollinger in 2003 or 2004. (Fr. Dollinger was the rector of the Institutum Sapientiae in Brazil, where he taught moral theology.) The only thing new about our report is the direct confirmation made by Fr. Dollinger (in German, his native language) to Dr. Hickson, which she sought in an attempt to gain clarity on the matter.
Second, the communique quotes Pope Benedict as saying that “the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima is complete”. This is very cautious language, in a legal sense. If the Vatican has already published all that it intends to publish about the Third Secret of Fatima — even if there is more that they do not intend to publish — one would be technically correct in saying that “the publication is complete.” It does not in any way dispel the notion that a text written by Sister Lucia at the prompting of Our Lady as a means of interpreting the symbolic import of the Third Secret may yet exist.
As I stated in my follow-up to our original article, one needn’t assume that the popes who have potentially concealed additional information relating to the Third Secret have lied to us; if they fear that the information it contains will cause severe damage to the Church in some way, they may be using broad mental reservation in their concealment of the portion of the text in question. [Which is a tad arrogant, since they are implicitly suggesting that Our Lady was careless or ignorant about damaging the Church! She asked for the Secret to be released in full in 1960; their arrogance is breathtaking – Editor.] There is also the issue, raised by Marco Tosatti, of internal questioning within the Vatican apparatus about which portions of an additional explanatory text, if it exists, can be attributed to Our Lady, and which to Sister Lucia. If there were sufficient doubt, one could conceivably conceal such a text while remaining technically correct stating that the full secret (ie., the portion that they were confident came from Our Lady) had been revealed. [Doesn’t wash – Editor.] The legalistic sense, therefore, is noteworthy in this regard.
I believe that beyond the questions raised by the text of the communique, there are other known facts which simply do not add up in this statement as attributed to Pope Benedict. The language is strong, even harsh, and it seems uncharacteristic in that regard. Benedict has a reputation for kindness and gentleness, and the source of the information he is refuting comes from a long-time friend – a friendship that his statement does not deny.
The statement also appears to close the door emphatically on the question of any further undisclosed import in the Third Secret. And yet Benedict’s own position on this issue has seemingly evolved over the past 16 years, and it would be difficult to characterize it as a settled matter. On June 26, 2000, when the Vatican announced the text of the Third Secret of Fatima, it was accompanied by a theological explanation by then-Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In it, he said:
And so we come to the final question: What is the meaning of the “secret” of Fatima as a whole (in its three parts)? What does it say to us? First of all we must affirm with Cardinal Sodano: “… the events to which the third part of the ‘secret’ of Fatima refers now seem part of the past”. Insofar as individual events are described, they belong to the past. Those who expected exciting apocalyptic revelations about the end of the world or the future course of history are bound to be disappointed. Fatima does not satisfy our curiosity in this way, just as Christian faith in general cannot be reduced to an object of mere curiosity. What remains was already evident when we began our reflections on the text of the “secret”: the exhortation to prayer as the path of “salvation for souls” and, likewise, the summons to penance and conversion.
But as Pope Benedict, Ratzinger travelled to Fatima in May of 2010. And at that time, he offered a somewhat different interpretation. From his airplane on May 11, 2010:
I would say that, here too, beyond this great vision of the suffering of the Pope, which we can in the first place refer to Pope John Paul II, an indication is given of realities involving the future of the Church, which are gradually taking shape and becoming evident. So it is true that, in addition to the moment indicated in the vision, there is mention of, there is seen, the need for a passion of the Church, which naturally is reflected in the person of the Pope, yet the Pope stands for the Church and thus it is sufferings of the Church that are announced. The Lord told us that the Church would constantly be suffering, in different ways, until the end of the world.
Two days later, at a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 2010, Pope Benedict said:
We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.
Christopher Ferrara, a noted expert and author on the topic of Fatima, recounted the following earlier this week, related to Antonio Socci’s book on the topic:
[I]t should be said that, in fact, the Popes themselves have not told us that the Message has been fully revealed. The vision pertaining to the Secret was not revealed until 2000, after which John Paul II observed a conspicuous silence concerning the controversy over the completeness of the revelation. And in 2010, as Socci has put it, Benedict not only declined to say that all had been revealed but rather “reopened the dossier” on the Third Secret by alluding to contents that clearly do not appear in the vision. Further, Benedict sent Socci a note thanking him for publishing The Fourth Secret of Fatima (which I translated into English), even though it accuses the Vatican apparatus of concealing a pertinent text.
For his part, in a blog post dated May 12, 2007, Socci relates that he keeps the letter Benedict XVI wrote to me about my book, thanking me “for the sentiments it inspired in me.” [per i sentimenti che l’hanno suggerito] Words that comfort in the face of insults and accusations…
The inspiration for Dr. Hickson to seek out confirmation from Fr. Dollinger came, in part, from the new testimony of Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, who recently published formerly private information regarding an additional portion of the Third Secret which indicated an “infiltration of the Church to the very top.” This information, according to Dr. von Hildebrand, was revealed to her and her late husband in 1965 by Monsignor Mario Boehm, a former editor of the official Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.
Is Dr. von Hildebrand also to be accused of inventing her story? What of the late Cardinal Ciappi, the papal theologian to Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II? It is Ciappi who is widely credited with the public revelation of the information that Alice von Hildebrand has now confirmed: “In the Third Secret it is foretold, among other things, that the great apostasy in the Church will begin at the top.”
There is a great deal that does not add up. There are many questions left unanswered. We offer our sincere prayers for the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and our gratitude that he broke his silence to address this open question.
At the same time, we are being asked to believe that we are being lied to by our sources. That we are being deceived by individuals in the last years of their life, with nothing apparent to gain. Individuals who have established strong reputations as noteworthy and orthodox Catholics, and whose reputations have now been put on the line by presenting an alternate version of events.
This is a great deal to ask, and we must respectfully request, therefore, that we be given a complete response — a full, unaltered, and witnessed statement from the Pope Emeritus himself. The filtered words of the Vatican Press office do not suffice. From One Peter Five
Just as Cardinal Sodano dominated the televised press conference in 2000, so, arguably, he is keeping his hands on the reins to keep Fatima under wraps. If, as it seems, the explanation of the visionary part of the Third Secret reveals the attempts to destroy the Church, then it is no surprise that he, as one of the chief destroyers (in my considered opinion) will want to squash all and every piece of information that confirms what we all know, that the Third Secret has NOT be revealed in its entirety. I doubt very much if Pope Benedict is behind this communique.
“I doubt very much if Pope Benedict is behind this communique.”
I agree completely, Editor. This smells like another one of those infamous anonymous Vatican communiques which purports to speak for the Pope. That is, just another of the many dirty tricks committed by those who have the fate of millions of souls to account for.
This is a video I found of Malachi Martin speaking about the Secret, although it is made when Sr Lucia was still alive. I copied the text below it:
In ‘The Fourth Secret of Fatima’ Mr. Socci constructs a hypothetical account of what happened in 2000 behind Vatican walls. Socci believes that when John Paul II decided to release the Secret, a power-struggle of sorts erupted in the Vatican. He postulates that John Paul II and Cardinal Ratzinger wanted to release the Secret in its entirety, but Cardinal Sodano, then Vatican Secretary of State, opposed the idea. And opposition from a Vatican Secretary of State is formidable. First, we have the recent statement by Bishop Williamson of the Society of Saint Pius X, who relates that a priest acquaintance from Austria told him that Cardinal Ratzinger confided (to the Austrian priest) that he had two things weighing on his conscience. One was his mishandling of the Message of Fatima on June 26, the other was his 1988 mishandling of Archbishop Lefebvre. Cardinal Ratzinger is reported to have said that in case of Archbishop Lefebvre, “I failed”, and in the case of Fatima, “my hand was forced.” Socci’s hypothesis supports Cardinal’s Ratzinger alleged statement on the forcing of his hand
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGNBJZee7D0&w=854&h=480%5D
Margaret Mary,
That video is good but spoilt towards the end by the sections on Garabandal which is an unapproved apparition. I couldn’t help wondering why Fr Malachi Martin, who says he’s seen the Third Secret but is under oath not to reveal it, would bother talking about other apparitions, that are questionable. I find that quite strange.
Sorry to interrupt an important discussion, but I am desperate for advice. I like to spend much time from May to October in Galloway (between Stranraer and Drummore). At home I have access to a wide choice of traditional-rite Sunday Masses, while here I do not, so obviously there is a matter of conscience involved. Last weekend I tried going to Glasgow by coach and staying over on Saturday night, but for various reasons, including financial ones, that won’t work again. I would, at a push, kneel at the back of an NO Mass reading my missal if I could find an NO parish where abuses are minimal and I could do this in relative peace and quiet. So I wonder if any blogger can point me at one.
I have tried the nearest Catholic church (14m away), but the din of the pop guitar and drum ensemble, with the children telling Father, at the ‘offertory’ where they went yesterday and what they had for dinner, was too much to face again. Today I am reeling (no, not the Highland sort) after my 33m each way journey in the other direction. The babble and occasional screech of laughter before Mass were as nothing when the DJ got going with his 60-something group of electronically-assisted keyboard, guitarists, cymbalists and drummers who performed fortississimo four times while the singers belted out ditties, the only recognisable words being to the entrance ‘hymn’: ‘Am wokkin to the Lord, alleeloo-oo-oo, alleeloo-oo-oo-ya, am wokkin to the Lord, alleeloo-oo-ya’. The communion pop song was introduced by the DJ with a wee joke which had everyone tittering then swaying to another belter immediate after they had returned from Communion, and before the poor priest was off the altar all were required by the DJ to give a round of applause to a visiting ‘singer’ who had contributed to this cacophony.Now I know what happened to those 15 year olds in the 70s who were so taken with the New Mass because being there was great – just like being in the Cavern. I love almost everything about Scotland – bagpipes, kilts, much of Rabbie Burns, even haggis at a pinch, and I used to be a mean Scottish dancer, but your Mass bands will send me packing. HELP! 😠
Christina
I’m really sorry to hear about your awful experience in Glasgow last weekend. I only wish I had a home with guest accommodation but I’m afraid I don’t.
I have just looked up the Travelodge in Hill Street (Glasgow) and you can see the Jesuit church at the top of the first photo; that House of Heresy is right round the corner from Renfrew Street where you will find the SSPX chapel, as you know.
The prices there are a great deal less expensive than the hotels and even guest houses while the rooms look good and it has been refurbished inside and out, I’m told. I browsed through the links on the Travelodge in Glasgow website, and they seem to do rooms very reasonably – £59 was one quoted but I’ve seen even cheaper. I think they told me once, when I enquired before one of our conferences, that if you book early enough you can get a price as low as £20.
I think if you can’t make the journey to Glasgow (or Edinburgh) for traditional Mass, sitting at the back of even the best of the novus ordo Masses would be distracting, to say the least. There always the EHMCs marching across the sanctuary and the sign of (anything but) peace, up with which to put, so I’d say either check in at the Travelodge (until I win the lottery and can buy a huge house with guest quarters) or pray your swears in your holiday home in Galloway using your missal and rosary and pleading for mercy. You will NEVER find a peaceful novus ordo in Galloway, that’s for sure, but, if, against all the odds, you do, don’t report the poor priest to the Bishop!
Hope this helps. I will, I promise, buy that lottery ticket!
PS – Stop Press! I’ve just remembered about a priest who does offer the TLM in Galloway – I’ll email him and get back to you…
Christina,
A few days late, but hope this might help:
I would bet Editor is correct about the typical mass in Galloway. Other posters here have indicated that Diocese seems especially moribund.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are the only real options for a sunday TLM in Scotland. However – given you are very close to Cairnryan, why not get a ferry from there to Belfast where you could have:
SSPX – 11am Sunday mass
Saint Pius V Chapel – Belfast
78 Andersonstown Road
Belfast
or
Diocesean provision at: http://www.latinmassbelfast.co.uk/
I don’t think the travel cost or duration would be much more significant (if at all) than going to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
(Apologies if you are actually from Belfast haha – that would be ironic! haha!).
If none of the Cities are an option, I would definitely take the advice given by others of seeking a live TLM internet broadcast to participate in, rather than risking the bandit country of local parishes.
The FSSP broadcast daily mass at this location:
http://www.livemass.net/LiveMass/home.html
There are three participating Churches from around the world. Their schedules are stated on the “live broadcast page” at that link above (they warn you to remember time differences and advise on this).
I think this is an excellent initiative.
Portsmouth Cathedral has a Tridentine Mass on Sundays at 8am which can we watched live by visiting their web site. I believe that the SSPX chapel near Rimini also has a live streaming of their Sunday Mass.
Regarding the Belfast chapel, you could spend hours just trying to find it. It’s in the basement of a shop and is entered along a lane at the rear of the buildings. One lady from Edinburgh set out to go their and gave up because there was nothing to indicate that it was there. A few years ago a couple from Edinburgh had the same experience trying to locate it and the wife went into one of the shops and asked where no.78 was. What took place was like something out of a comedy show. The man behind the counter looked at her and, looking right and then left, in a whisper asked “is it the Mass you’re after?” When she said yes he started gesturing to the floor with his head. When she said that she didn’t know what he meant, he started pointing to the floor with his hand as well as his head. “What do you mean?” asked the confused lady, and, again pointing to floor he whispered “it’s down there.” “What’s down there?” she asked and he whispered back “the Mass.” She said “you mean the Mass in the basement?” Putting his finger to his mouth he shooshed her and then whispered “yes.” “How do I get down there?” she asked and, shooshing her again, he whispered “go along the street to end of the shops, turn left and then left again and down the lane and it’s the second door on the left.” Honestly, you couldnae make it up.
I have found out that the SSPX chapel in Sanford, Florida broadcasts it’s 9 am Mass on Sunday. http://www.sspxflorida.com
They are five hours behind us so it can be viewed at 2 pm our time.
Wow, that would be great! The Galloway one I mean, but would be surprised if he did a regular Sunday.You see I’m here with my dog, so can’t travel with her every week. The city hostelries don’t take dogs.. Last week my son was here and looked after her while I went to Glasgow. No, if I can’t find a quiet NO I’ll have to stay at home. I can ignore the EMs, etc. because I don’t look up from my missal – it’s the diabolical noise that can’t be ignored. Alas, I think my economical seasonal emigrations will have to stop.
Christina,
Oops, my post below was intended to be a reply to yours – hope you see it!
Christina,
Hope this helps.
I watched the TLM live from Florida today at 13:30 – 08:30 Florida time.
Please see this link for a comprehensive listing of mass times:
http://www.livemass.net/LiveMass/live.html
Christina,
How about this to further insulate yourself from the NO “experience,” if you are unable to find a TLM: get yourself an iPod, or borrow one, and download a recording of a TLM (there are plenty on YouTube), which you can then listen to with your earphones (or earpods, or whatever they call them these days) during the NO, as you follow your missal. Perhaps your son could help you with that….failing that, if you are able to muster up an iPod, I recommend Leprechaun to you for expert assistance!
Editor and Perplexed
Thank you both for your responses to my request.
Yes, it seems that famous old “Vatican source” comes a-rollin’ on out evey time someone gets too close to the truth about Fatima. The same tactic was used for years on the SSPX – “a Vatican source confims schism on the part of the SSPX”, etc., that kind of stuff. There was never anything concrete, no names, no evidence, no pack drill, just damaging statements from this annonymous mouthpiece called “a Vatican source” or “spokeman”. These guys are way too devious for it to be natural.
The 1P5 response is masterly. I wonder if the Vatican will take up their challenge to clarify. Ha! No chance. These Vatican infiltrators are, as editor rightly observes, desperate.
Christina
I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’re having getting to a sound Catholic orthodox Mass. God reads the heart, however. He knows full well your good intentions, limited resources and crisis of conscience. It’s not your fault if regional Churchmen have robbed the district of the Mass of the saints and martyrs. You are quite right to avoid the sacrilegious events you describe in local parishes. God will reward your fidelity and will severely judge those whose infidelity has led to such a torment for the faithful. Stick with your rosary, a reading of the missal on Sunday and a spiritual communion until you return home. It is so incredible that the Church in Galloway has come to such a state under these false shepherds.
There is no mortal sin involved when the desire to fulfill our obligations is denied us by the works of those who abuse their authority to destroy the faith. Mortal sin is only contracted when we miss Mass because we can’t be bothered going. What you suffer presently is a kind of spiritual martyrdom that can be offered to Our Lord, so worry not.
Why Are Millions of Muslims Becoming Christian? (15190)
COMMENTARY: Muslim conversions increase, and researchers explain why.
by SHERRY WEDDELL 05/17/2016 Comments (11)
2011 Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
Miss USA Rima Fakih converted to the Catholic faith from Islam.
– 2011 Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
My oldest female friend (I’ll call her “Natali”) has lived in the Muslim world for 25 years. Her Arabic is fluent and her network of relationships incredibly broad, so listening to her has given me a glimpse of a world few Catholics know exist.
Natali has often talked about “Muslim background believers” (MBBs) who are now emerging within the Muslim world. These are men and women who were born and raised Muslim and intentionally converted to Christianity as adults. They were popping up everywhere — as individuals, in families and within small fellowship groups.
Because the cost of following Christ can be so high in the Muslim world, information was strictly on a need-to-know basis; and even then, it was always vague, so even my friend Natali had no idea how many MBBs there were. All she could tell me was that when she first went to the Middle East, there weren’t any — and now she is meeting them pretty regularly.
Natali loves Muslims and lives in the Muslim world intentionally, as a witness to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. I know that this will startle many Register readers, but she has told me many times that she doesn’t feel endangered or afraid living in a Muslim setting.
Muslims are people she knows and individuals she loves. When she returned home for a visit after 9/11, I had to explain to her why the conversation in the United States had changed so much. Natali had not experienced what the average American had experienced because she was living in the Muslim world during the whole horrific event. She watched those terrible pictures from afar on the BBC, while being showered with apologies, sympathy and support from her local Muslim friends who had been close friends for years.
In her world, ecclesial divides that loom so large for us — like Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox — mean little. What matters is “Are you a ‘believer’?” — a follower of Isah (Jesus) — or are you, perhaps, a true seeker like one wise Muslim friend of Natali’s.
Recently, Catholics have begun seeing mainstream media coverage of mass baptisms of Muslims in Europe. Some of my friends who work in Catholic parishes have helped Muslims enter the Church through RCIA. This is a foretaste of something that has never happened before in history and the implications of which are just starting to dawn upon us.
Duane Alexander Miller and Patrick Johnstone published the first serious global estimate of the size of the Muslim-background Christian community in their 2015 article in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion, “Believers in Christ From a Muslim Background: A Global Census.” Miller estimates that there were between 5 million and 16 million MBBs in the world in 2010. The author believes the best estimate falls just short of 10 million.
The U.S. is a magnet for MBBs, which is why about 477,000 lived here in 2010. Roughly 60,000 were Catholic, 40,000 were Orthodox, and the rest are almost all evangelical Protestants. There were approximately 180,000 Arab-Muslim background Christians and about 130,000 Iranian MBBs in the U.S. six years ago. What is especially stunning is to realize that the pace of MBB growth has dramatically accelerated since 2000. Dudley Woodbury, a Fulbright scholar of Islam, estimates that 20,000 Muslims in the U.S. become Christians every year.
What draws people raised within Islam to Christianity? Woodbury published the results of interviews with 750 MBBs from around the world in 2008. Here were his top five reasons:
The lifestyle of Christians. Former Muslims cited the love that Christians exhibited in their relationships with non-Christians and their treatment of women as equals.
The power of God in answered prayers and healing. The Jesus portrayed in the Quran is a prophet who heals lepers and the blind and raises the dead. Often, dreams or visions about Jesus or a man of light were reported. (Some also have dreams of the Bible or of the Virgin Mary, who is revered within Islam.)
Dissatisfaction with the type of Islam they had experienced. In his article “How ISIS Is Spreading the Gospel,” David Cashin of the Zwemer Center observes, “I have often referred to Islamic radicals as ‘proto-evangelists’ for the Christian faith.”
The spiritual truth in the Bible. Muslims are generally taught that the Torah, Psalms and the Gospels are from God, but that they became corrupted. These Christian converts said, however, that the truth of God found in Scripture became compelling for them and key to their understanding of God’s character.
Biblical teachings about the love of God. In the Quran, God’s love is conditional, but God’s love for all people in the Bible was especially eye-opening for Muslims. These converts were moved by the love expressed through the life and teachings of Jesus.
In 2010, I received a thought-provoking letter addressed to Pope Benedict from a Protestant resident of the Muslim world. He described three ways that Catholics could help Muslims who are seeking spiritual alternatives:
“That Catholic parishes in the West with significant immigrant Muslim populations be ready and willing to give out Bibles in the languages of local Muslims: Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Turkish, etc. ‘Even in the most fundamentalist Islamic countries, if a person asks for a Bible, it is not considered to be antagonistic to Islam to give him one.’”
“A key reason listed in the conversion narratives of Muslims is a dream or vision. Often, this is of [the] Messiah himself, but other times, it’s of an angel or saint like John the Baptist or the Blessed Virgin. What if each diocese were instructed to discern among their clergy (or laity?) an individual (or several) with the charism of interpreting dreams and visions? A small publicity campaign — small ads in local publications read by immigrants, notices at the church doors — letting people know that, if they have had dreams or visions which they cannot explain, that someone with experience in that field is ready and willing to talk with them.”
(I have not come across a charism of “interpreting dreams” as such. But I do think that persons of considerable spiritual maturity, trained in listening and Ignatian discernment, with some background in Islam, and with a charism of wisdom or prophecy or encouragement, could be exceedingly helpful here.)
“That each bishop have a plan for how to respond when Muslims ask to be baptized. ‘… I know well a new disciple of Christ who has been seeking baptism for some time. He has suffered for his faith more than most Christians ever will, and he knows the Scripture[s] better, too. … Yet the local Latin priest in his home city eventually chased him away. Why? He was from a prominent Muslim family. What if there had been a quietly-communicated policy in place? What if the believer had been discreetly told to visit a certain person? All of this, to be sure, after his devotion to and comprehension of the Good News, had been certified. As it stands right now, this young man was recently baptized by an evangelical pastor/elder. He was turned away from the church where he first sought fellowship. With a sensitive policy in place, this young man could have been a new, vibrant Catholic Christian.’”
God is doing something new in our generation. Significant numbers of Muslims are quietly looking for spiritual alternatives. If you and I understand our mission as evangelizers and apostles, build relationships of trust, rouse spiritual curiosity through our lives, pray for and share our faith in Christ and his Church with the Muslims about us, we can play an important part in this unprecedented movement of the Holy Spirit.
Sherry Weddell earned a bachelor’s degree in modern Near-Eastern history
and studied Islamics and cross-cultural missions at the graduate level before
entering the Catholic Church. She is theco-director of the Catherine of Siena Institute,
creator of the institute’s “Called & Gifted” discernment process and the author of
Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus.
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/why-are-millions-of-muslims-becoming-christian/#ixzz495Albmha
Does anybody know anything about a book called: “She shall crush thy head” by Stephen Mahoward? It’s available on Amazon at a cost of £48 plus postage!! Is it worth buying?
Crofterlady I have never heard of that author but if you think about it, you can buy a Douay Rheims bible for £17.99 so why would you pay nearly 50 quid for a book by someone you’ve never heard of? I wouldn’t. You can read the reviews on Amazon, though, to see if you think it’s worth the money. I wouldn’t pay that for a book unless it was written by a canonised (before VII) saint and bound in real gold, LOL,
I don’t know much about Roberto de Mattiei, but I thought he was one of the “good guys.” Guess I’ll have to revise my opinion, based on this foolishness: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/05/de-mattei-completeness-or-not-of-fatima.html
RCA Victor,
It’s a rather strange piece by Roberto De Mattiei this time. All over the place. He seems to be dismissing the importance of the unpublished part of the Fatima Message (Third Secret) which is something of an insult to Our Lady – these folk who seek to play down the Third Secret and the Consecration of Russia don’t seem to realise that they are effectively dismissing Our Lady’s words, as if they are of particular importance. Incredible.
RCA Victor
I agree with you and editor that this is not the clearest article I’ve read on Fatima. I can see to some extent where the author is coming from, but his thoughts are not well expressed.
What he’s basically saying, I think, is that we don’t need to prove the fulfillment or of the Fatima Message and Secret because the tragedy it speaks of is unfolding before our eyes by the Communist spirit that has taken hold on all Western governments and the unprecedented spectacle of two Roman Pontiffs, one ruling and one “emeritus” sharing different aspects of the Papacy. That’s revolutionary and counter-Catholic.
I just wish he had made his poisiton a little clearer and insisted a little more on the need, more now than ever, for a true consecration of Russia to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
When I saw the following Mail Online headline (sent to me by a reader)
Catholic priests and monks are told they must obtain a certificate to prove they are not a paedophile in Spain
I presumed it was inspired by some Government initiative, so I replied: “And I hope Muslims are being required to obtain a certificate to prove they are not a terrorist…” But no – it’s the Bishop who is tarnishing all priests with the same brush – paedophile until you prove otherwise… Shocking.
Read more here
Every cleric, and volunteer, within the U.K., working with the young, and vulnerable, has had to obtain a certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau, now replaced with the Disclosure and Barring Service, since 2002. I am surprised you are not aware of that fact as it has applied, for example, to those paid employees, and volunteers, within schools since that time too. The Mail headline misrepresents The Spanish initiative, and fails to point out similar measures apply here. It is sad you take your sensationalist lead from the secular press, and twist things. (Logically, as in The UK, the Spanish legislation will apply to people of all faiths and none.) I am shocked too that you are scandalised that any Bishop would want to safeguard children and the vulnerable.
Editor: the Mail report makes no mention of Spanish legislation that applies to everyone. And, while teachers and those working with children in the UK are automatically police checked when appointed to a position of paid employment, no “certificate” is issued – as a teacher I was checked and never received any certificate, nor heard of anyone else receiving a certificate; in fact we heard nothing about it, and only the fact that we were given confirmation of the appointment, evidenced the fact that we had passed the security check. Further, no bishop in the UK, as far as I know, has publicly called for his priests and monks to obtain a “special certificate” to prove they are not criminals/child abusers. It seems a very strange system indeed, if paedophiles are expected to download a certificate which is then taken to prove they are not paedophiles! Crazy. And why only one bishop? If this is normal practice in Spain, why would any newspaper think it of interest? As for bishops wanting to safeguard children and the vulnerable – oh yes, that’s why not one Scots bishop turned up (not even once), at the recent 40 Days for Life in Glasgow to pray for the most vulnerable of all children, those in the womb. Instead of meekly giving the impression that all priests are child abusers or potential abusers, the bishops should be doing what the leader of any teachers’ union would be doing in similar circumstances; emphasising that this evil is perpetrated only by a minority of people within the profession and that while they will submit to any government initiative (as long as it DOES apply across the board and not just to the Catholic Church) they will not be insulting their clergy by requiring daft certificates, self downloaded from the internet, to “prove” they are innocent before even a criminal charge is laid against them. Crackers.
Since 2002 people receive a certificate, and they have to produce it, as necessary.
Further, under CRB people had to have one for each employer/voluntary activity. Not so for the new scheme – one clearance is enough.
In England and Wales, and I assume in the British Isles, every cleric has to have such a certificate.
Further in addition, within England and Wales, and most probably the British Isles, every Bishop has to request, from the Ordinary of the cleric/religious, a Letter of Good Standing which would normally assert they have faced no claims of abuse, and/or have not been suspected/charged/convicted of abuse, and that they have no unresolved substance issues (i.e. addictions) if they come to work, even temporarily in his Diocese.
I suspect the Spanish Bishop was unfortunate to be the victim of scandal-mongering for doing something other Bishops do.
With regards The Certificates lo logically it would need to be a Civil Law authority that issues it.
Well, I have NEVER received such a certificate and I was police checked AFTER 2002.
You live in Scotland, but in England and Wales you need them for sure. At one time I had three for different “sponsors”.
I have been CRB checked in Scotland, but I was teaching in England in and after 2002. I was CRB checked there and I have never received or even heard of such a certificate, whether in Scotland or in England. Never. Nor was I ever asked for a “sponsor” – this is getting more ridiculous by the minute. The point of the CRB checks was always to see if the person applying for the post (or in most cases appointed TO the post) had a criminal record of the kind that would debar them from taking up a position working with children and young people. If they had such a conviction, what on earth use were “sponsors” (“Oh, in my opinion, despite being a convicted paedophile, this person would be great in this job teaching children” ?)
I don’t know what sort of new system has been put in place, according to you, but it sounds decidedly dodgy. The principle “innocent until proven guilty” should apply EVEN to those alleged to be guilty of crimes against children. It is right, in the face of serious allegations, to suspend the accused until post-investigation, but it is absolutely wrong to treat those accused of these crimes as if by virtue of the allegation itself, or of belonging to the same profession as others accused/convicted of such a crime, they are already guilty.
If I were a bishop I’d be on the offensive about this, big time, and REFUSE to blacken the characters of every priest on account of the (shocking) sins/crimes of a very small minority. If this witch-hunt were taking place within the teaching, medical or legal professions, there would be an outcry. And rightly so. Guilt by association is unjust. Absolutely unjust.
I still have the most recent certificate whichever body/organisation you worked for would have been the “sponsor”, In my case The Diocesan Trustees, and both they, and I, received a certificate.
In England and Wales The Church works with The Statutory Authorities and not against them. They, of course, have the Criminal Records.
The Certificate certifies the innocent innocent based on official records. It is not a trial but a declaration of the absence of things that would make a person unsuitable with the young and vulnerable.
Scandalous
What a pity the bishops are not so conscientious when it comes to abuses against the Blessed Sacrament. They have all gone with Communion in the hand against the Church’s in-force discipline of receiving on the tongue while kneeling. And of course you will know that while Communion in the hand is today an Indult permitted by the Holy See, it was originally introduced illicitly into the Church by Cardinal Suenens in Belgium and spread around until it became a widespread abuse.
I don’t see the Bishops acting with anything close to the same standards to protect Our Lord from the multitudes of abuses that have since occurred against His Real Presence.
As for these government checks, I am sick to death of the government and the media implying that the evil actions of a minority of clerics are potentially representative of the entire Catholic priesthood. Without doubt it is, as editor suggests, a case of guilty until proven innocent when it comes to Catholic priests in the eyes of these people. The bishops should resist these initiatives as excessive and biased, especially since clerics thus far convicted of child molestation had no previous record of offending and would not therefore have raised a red flag under this present system.
I will add that if the bishops had been more vigilant in terms of the candidates they admitted into seminaries, as well as faithful to the Traditional methods of priestly formation rather than adopting the hippy style post-Council, then I feel that a majority of those who went on to offend against children would have been identified as unsuitable for ordination and weeded out before they had the chance to comit their crimes. I wish there was a government check in place that could identify careless shepherds.
Cardinal Capovilla has died – RIP. Read here
When I attended one of Fr Gruner’s (RIP) Fatima Conferences, we were shown a very interesting interview with the Cardinal on the subject of the Fatima cover up. Read here
We pray for the repose of the soul of the Cardinal – may he rest in peace.
If I recall correctly, Cardinal Capovilla was labeled a Marxist in Bellegrandi’s book about Roncalli, thus his choice as Roncalli’s personal secretary (Roncalli was apparently known as a socialist sympathizer). But he certainly plays a large role in the Fatima envelope story….RIP…
Our Lady of La Salette
Published by
the Shepherdess of La Salette with Imprimatur by Mgr. Bishop of Lecce.
“Well, my children, you will pass this on to all of my people.”
Simple reproduction without commentary or controversy
of the original edition of Lecce in 1879.
THE APPARITION
Only the witness herself, Melanie, can, along with Maximin, give an account of the apparition. After giving it by word of mouth an incalculable number of times, she decided to write it all down in 1878. It was published at Lecce on the 15th of November 1879 – with the “Imprimatur” of Bishop Zola – and reprinted “ne varietur” at Lyon in 1904, a few months before Melanie’s death. This slim booklet is now a rarity. The text is followed exactly here.
http://www.thepopeinred.com/secret.htm
Gerontius
There has always been something about the LaSalette apparitions that doesn’t sit right with me. I read the life of Mellanie and was not overly impressed by it. And I can’t seem to find anything on the life of Maximim. There’s too much of a mystery surrounding the entire business. Nothing like Fatima abd Lourdes.
Athanasius,
I’ve always felt the same about La Salette. Can’t put my finger on it.
Anyway, the author of this blog has asked me to link to it for your comment, one and all.
Athanasius,
Yes, I know what you mean. The accounts of LaSalette always seamed to me to be somewhat disjointed. This may be in part because they refer to two events separated by an unspecified period of time i.e. Napoleonic and Antichrist. Who knows? (Napoleon – sounds very similar to Apollyon)
However, Our Blessed Mother’s request for conversion, and especially because of her tears at that time, brought to mind the fact that some of her sacred images are now crying tears of blood.
Gerontius,
I remember a Protestant saying to me once that the real miracle now is finding a statue that ISN’T crying tears!
I had to smile 😀
Can someone explain this information I have found pertaining to Papal Primacy and Universal Jurisdiction?
While traditionalist Catholics tend to believe that their Church has always defended the Papacy’s powers of supreme and universal jurisdiction, there is strong evidence to suggest that this view gradually evolved in the West. One pope venerated by both Catholics and Orthodox as a saint, Pope St. Gregory the Great (r. 590-604), famously opposed Patriarch John of Constantinople’s desire to add the term “Ecumenical” to his title, writing to the patriarch that
“Whoever calls himself the universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor of Antichrist, because he thus attempts to raise himself above the others. The error into which he falls springs from pride equal to that of Antichrist; for as that Wicked One wished to be regarded as exalted above other men, like a god, so likewise whoever would be called sole bishop exalteth himself above others. . .”
Pope Gregory’s unequivocal condemnation of any primate calling himself “universal” or sole bishop might shock most Catholics who have never read it, since the Catholic Church has long attempted to convince its faithful that popes always professed the claim to universal authority and immediate jurisdiction over all other Christian Sees. Yet St. Gregory clarifies that this is anything but the case. He points out to Patriarch John that even when the 451 Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon offered the bishop of Rome the honorary title of ‘universal’ bishop, the reigning pope refused to accept it:
“You know it, my brother; hath not the venerable Council of Chalcedon conferred the honorary title of ‘universal’ upon the bishops of this Apostolic See [Rome], whereof I am, by God’s will, the servant? And yet none of us hath permitted this title to be given to him; none hath assumed this bold title, lest by assuming a special distinction in the dignity of the episcopate, we should seem to refuse it to all the brethren.”
This is the very antithesis of a pope claiming universal power and authority over all other Christian Sees. Pope St. Gregory refers to his fellow bishops as “brethren” and cautions against any bishop “assuming a special distinction in the dignity of the episcopate”. He not only reiterates that since his predecessors as Roman popes, first in honor among the five apostolic sees or patriarchates, declined the honorary title ‘universal’, all other patriarchs ought to avoid using the term, but he specifies that even when the Fathers at Chalcedon offered the popes this title, they understood it primarily as an honor of distinction, rather than a recognition of the Papacy’s unique power. St. Gregory clearly feared that this honorific title and similar ones offered to previous Roman popes could lead to an improper and heterodox elevation of one of the patriarchates above the others. Even the title ‘pope’, meaning ‘father’, was first applied not to the bishop of Rome, but to the Patriarch of Alexandria. Today, the primate of the Coptic Oriental Orthodox Church centered in Egypt is still addressed by this ancient title which precedes the Roman one.
CC,
I think a true reading of Pope St. Gregory’s words to Patriarch John is that no one amongst the bishops should seek to exault himself above his fellows, which truly would signify pride. He was not saying that Christ Our Lord did not in fact make Peter the head of the Church, elevated above the others in authority.
Remember the words of Our Saviour to Peter alone: “To you I give the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” It is also recognised from the very time of the Apostles themselves that Peter was elevated in office above the rest by divine appointment.
I think it safe to say that you have not stumbled upon a truth that the great Saints and Doctors of two thousand years missed. With the very greatest respect, you’ll need to be careful of that inclination to curiosity in matters already long established by the Church. I’ve known people who have lost their faith this way, confusing themselevs by delving into subjects they are not sufficiently instructed or qualified to investigate. I hope you’ll take what I say as a genuine admonishing in charity, not a nasty rebuke.
And by the way, “brethren” is a perfectly normal address from a Pope to his brother bishops. It does not detract in the least from his superior office and unique authority in the Church.
I presume the debate on Hallam and Kasperite Parishes has now gone to archive. Thank you to the editor and Michaela for their comments.
It’s a good time to review what the Hallam situation etc is actually all about. Robert Aske leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace who fought against Henry VIII said ‘we will not have this new religion’ this I see is what Catholic Truth and its editor are all about. Titus Brandisima a Dutch Carmelite killed by the Nazis said ‘if we want to win the world for Christ we must be prepared to come in to conflict with it’ also see pages 11 & 12 of a booklet from SPUC ‘why the pro life movement needs the catholic church an address by John Smeaton to the Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria Abuja 5/6/2014. Someone explained to me what the concept of passive aggressive means. Our inaction and passivity on for example no priestly recruitment and abortifacients etc can be a form of aggression supporting those within the church who are hostile to the truth. Before it went ecumenical and in its good days the Coursillo movement taught me that the three pivotal elements to our faith are prayer, study and action. If any members of catholic truth are suffering from inaction and passivity with regard to the catholic truth conference on the 18th June they should actively start campaigning for others to go in great numbers as well as going themselves. Our editor and the church need and deserve this in Jesus name.
Liam,
Happily, as we approach the month of June, we are finding the Conference ticket orders piling in, so we are, increasingly, looking forward to the event.
Thank you for your support for our humble work. I understand why you, personally, are unlikely to be able to join us for the Conference – joining, too, the several people who have booked from your lovely homeland of England – but if not, I know you will keep the day (with our intentions for great spiritual benefits for all concerned) in your prayers.
“In pericolo e non un pericolo”, or “Not a danger but in danger” is a quote from Pope Francis from the L’Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper, and reported in English by Breitbart. The Pope was referring very specifically to immigrants.
This alone shows that the Holy Father is now incontrovertibly an enemy of the West. We have defended our religion, our holy places, our people and our culture against all comers. Our bishops have given Communion to our soldiers on the morning of the day of battle, as they prepared to give their lives for us, the generations as yet unborn.
So now the Bishop of Rome, our religious leader to whom we look for spiritual guidance and light, betrays us by welcoming our enemies.
Andrew,
I understand your sentiments, and Papa Francis is not my favourite pope, that’s for sure, but I doubt if he’s deliberately making himself an enemy of the west – or even of the traditional Catholic Faith, more to the point. He just has a distorted world (and Church) view which will remain that way until (or unless) he consecrates Russia – see the new thread here on that topic.
Thanks for your response. He is surely of sufficiently of sound mind to be aware, not only of what he says, but of the effects that will be produced.
This was a planned and orchestrated event with theatrical props.
To welcome our enemies is indefensible. Those who stand with our enemies are our enemies.
Andrew,
Yesterday, I stumbled across this video (scroll from 4.53 to end) and – believe me – any pope who can tell us not to “obsess” about abortion, is surely not “sufficiently of sound mind to be aware, not only of what he says, but of the effects that will be produced”. His every word on this subject should be calculated to command us to action, not to apathy. This has haunted me since I first viewed. Poor little baby.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPyn2_Tdizs&w=1920&h=917%5D
I am continually surprised and ashamed at the lack of action being taken by our Bishops in respect of abortion. When did the Church offer to accept, raise and support to adulthood any unwanted baby?
When was the last time that a priest assassinated an abortionist or burned down a clinic?
These things have not happened, any more than has a continual and outspoken condemnation of those who support abortion. When did our Bishops publicly urge Catholics to refuse to vote for all of the main political parties, as they all (Tory, Labour, SNP, Lib/Dem, Green) support abortion? And that means abortion on demand, in reality. That is thirty-three a day in Scotland. The Bishops have not done this. A glance at Bishop Cushley’s engagements for May reveals a comfortable round of necessary work. Nothing that will upset anyone.
Where does that leave the Catholic in the street? If our leaders do not lead we are left to stick our necks out. When the secular authorities get a grip on us will the Bishops also condemn us?
That video should come with a health warning! It’s awful, shocking and almost beyond belief. The human race deserves to be annihilated for tolerating such barbaric practices. I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again.
I’m not watching. I still have nightmares seeing a US hostage get his head chopped off by Muslims during the Bush era. I’m no longer morbidly curious about such things. They haunt your waking hours.
Summa,
I wouldn’t compare the two things – the video of the baby is actually beautiful. To see the little leg moving and see the fully formed baby. The only horrendous thing about it is that it’s a baby that has been murdered by its own mother using the euphemism of abortion to ease her conscience and the consciences of the medical staff involved. Seeing that has redoubled my objection to abortion and I will always mention what I’ve seen when the subject comes up.
Well said – that is EXACTLY the purpose of publishing such a video as this. Well said.
Summa, you are right! I’ll never ever again open such a link. However, a lot of people need to know the reality of abortion and its consequences and so it must be publicised.
Oh, I have no problem with graphic videos, I’m just not sure if I can stomach another horrifying scene. But that’s just me.
Summa,
Well, I have to admit, it’s to protect people who are offended or upset by such videos, as expressed by Helen and yourself that the print and broadcasting media refuse to publish graphic videos of aborted babies, let alone the procedure, as they publish other operations. Now the BBC can point to the comments here to justify their persistent refusal to broadcast such legalised horror on the TV news – where it manifestly belongs. My own response: upset people? I should jolly well think so. I will ALWAYS open such links, because I do not want to allow myself to ever forget or lose the full impact, of just what is happening to these innocent babies. If I lose some sleep over it (as I did last night) – shows my conscience and Catholic moral sense are not completely dead!
Any normal person would, rightly, be horrified and upset by seeing that innocent baby moving after being “aborted” but instead of focusing on our “upset” we should be moved to spread it far and wide to waken up as many people as possible to the evil of this legalised slaughter. Let’s forget about our “upset” and use the video to try to RE-sensitise consciences. A young person seeing that, may, hopefully, think twice about abortion if she ever finds herself in the situation of considering the possibility.
Editor, I think you make some good points here about the MSM finding justification not to print/post graphics. Despite my own reservations about viewing (not screening) I do think you should have posted the video – I cannot of course comment on the content having decided not too, but I can guess that its not nice. And people need to see the truth of the abortion business, for that is exactly what it is: murder for money.
I suppose I was just thinking out loud my reaction…”I’m not doing that again”… because I have a fair idea of the horror displayed. When I was at school I recall that for a while I helped distribute pro-life leaflets and the graphics on them displayed baby parts/limbs in dumped black bags. I defend the use of these to shock people into waking up to the reality of what’s going on. So to reiterate, I have no problem whatsoever about these stills/videos being posted. I suppose from my perspective, all I can say is that I have seen it (albeit not the exact clip) and that’s enough for me: I don’t need to see it again to be convinced. Once is enough.
Summa,
I fear you have misunderstood the nature of the video. It’s not “graphic” in the sense normally meant. Nicky remarked that it’s actually “beautiful” and so it is. If more people saw that short clip, with the little aborted baby moving its legs, I have no doubt that many women would change their minds about the morality of abortion. If anything, it is much MORE powerful that the images of babies’ limbs etc.
Oh, ok. My initial reaction was in response to Helen’s post https://catholictruthblog.com/2016/04/29/general-discussion-11/#comment-41793 where she used the words: shocking, health warning etc. If it isn’t, then lesson learnt!
Summa,
I understand. Helen is too young to talk much sense. Don’t pay any attention. She’s a flibbertigibbet, so she is. With bells (and make up) on!
I mean, she says she’ll never sleep again (after viewing the clip) and have YOU seen her back here since? She’ll have been sound asleep on beaches, on couches, in her comfy bed, you name it, for days now. When she comes to again, she’ll pop in here to cause havoc again. She’s a case for the High Court, Summa. Trust me 😀
PS kidding, Helen. Only kidding… kinda…!
Just watched the video. I agree: it’s not what I thought it was going to be like. But some amount of sick people out there eh?
Protestors who show such material in the street are arrested.
Andrew,
Some may be – probably are – arrested but I suspect the way round that is to ask people if they would like to take a picture to see the reality of abortion. Nobody can be arrested for offering to give something away, surely. I guess the argument is that people are having the images “forced” on them, blah blah. If I find myself unthinkingly accepting a leaflet that I don’t want, I just make my way to the nearest bin and chuck it in there. These folks who are so easily traumatised, so “sensitive” blah blah, need help.
South Wales. Demonstrators holding graphic posters of abortions were taken into custody. I think that they may have subsequently been fined. I cannot remember the date.
This is the reason we must keep on speaking up and out to save innocent little lives ……no wonder our world has so much pain ,illness and evil in it we are being punished by allowing this to happen to the tiniest ,most vulnerable of our Species ..Thank you Patricia for showing this
Thank YOU Wendy. You are doing this work day in and day out, trying to re-awaken consciences to the full horror of abortion. God bless you – keep up that great work.
So, is there any link between homosexuality and child abuse?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-36417415
No, of course not…..!
Also, they mentioned on the news that multi-agencies had been involved in supposedly watching this little boy and actually believed the women when they explained away the toddler’s injuries by saying he was self-harming. Yikes! And these are the very people who would be Named Persons, lording it over perfectly caring parents! If they missed these obvious abusers, how could they possibly care for every child in Scotland for 18 years!
multi-agencies had been involved in supposedly watching this little boy and actually believed the women when they explained away the toddler’s injuries by saying he was self-harming
Indeed Michaela, and I would bet every single one of the agencies was too “PC” / wary to suggest that the women might have been harming the boy, due to their homosexual identity.
As usual, the state stood and watched the avoidable death of a child.
The State doesn’t need “named persons”, it needs basic competence and accountability and to operate based on facts, not liberal ideology.
Maybe this is a random comment but why is there always a small percentage of voters on the home page who vote against the motion? The present lot are ridiculous: setting the Pope against GOD! truly unfathomable.
are they even Catholic, do you think? Or nasty trolls?
My wife has just phoned me from Lourdes where she has been to confession. She told the priest that it was a disgrace that the printed format for examination of conscience contained no reference to contraception and especially the use of abortifacients. I therefore remind bloggers of the comments of May 25th 2016 as follows.
Agreed. Pope Pius X1 said “The first and obvious duty the priest owes to the world about him is service to the truth, the whole truth, the unmasking and refutation of error in whatever form or disguise it conceals itself. To fail in this would be not only treason against God and your vocation but a crime against the true welfare of your people and your fatherland”. A theme of commentary on the Hallam situation emphasized the absence of parishioners as well as priests. A factor with regard to the absence of parishioners is the low birth rate. What follows is an extract from a submission I have suggested for publication following my initial published letter:
1. The birth rate is below replacement level in the Western World.
2.Natural Family Planning is wrong unless used for a justifiable reason.
3.Many so called contraceptives are actually abortifacients. Vatican guidelines on Morality of conjugal life, handbook for confessors, pontifical council for the family pages 16 & 17, section 5 state “a specific and more serious moral evil is present in the use of means which have an abortive effect, impeding the implantation of the embryo which has just been fertilised or even causing its expulsion in an early stage of pregnancy” thus IUDS, hormonal birth control including progestin only pill, injections, norplant, Implamon, the patch, vaginal ring, emergency contraception and the pill cause abortion and their use is forbidden by church’s teaching.
In this context Nazism was defined by Pope John Paul II as a manifestation of the anti-Christ and Jews etc. were killed by chemical pellets being inserted in the roof of the death chambers. An east European Cardinal, a prisoner of both the Nazis and the communists stated that contraception and abortion would finish of the work that Hitler had begun in the death camps. When couples use hormonal birth control they repeat the process that Hitler began when a pill is dropped in to a woman’s body which kills their child. From the pulpit there is perennial silence on these subjects. Many priests seem unaware of there own policy guidelines and some of them don’t even agree with them. I have heard one sermon on the subject in fifty years of church attendance. The devil hates every conception which is made in the image and likeness of God because it has a destiny of eternal life which Satan cannot share.
For decades on these and many other issues the church has suffered from the twin evils of obscurantism and the ‘smoke of Satan’ which has entered the church. Thus the recent synod on the Family never mentioned abortifacients etc. and there was little reference to the blessing of children. Instead we got a treatise on the evil fruits of contraception such as divorce etc.
Cardinal Biffi in a Lenten meditation given to Benedict XVI stated the anti-Christ is likely to be ‘a pacifist, ecologist and ecumenist’. He further stated that the antichrist was not necessarily a person but ‘the reduction of Christianity to an ideology’ and he criticised a tendency of some Catholics to promote vague spiritual goals, rather than focussing on the importance of Christ’s sacrifice.
I was uplifted by repeated comments by fellow bloggers that the gates of Hell would never prevail. Our Lady of Good Success said ‘that when all seems lost She will intervene’. So lets all press on under the inspired leadership of the editor!
Editor,
Friday 3rd June, being the feast of the Sacred Heart Of Jesus, I thought I’d post this prayer of reparation to Our Lord, so necessary in these dark times of sacrilege, outrage and indifference.
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Your alter (in Your presence) eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying for from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law. We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded. Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renews daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent other from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowing gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen.
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich on the “relationship between two popes”
There is a glaring contextual break in this prophecy which indicates that an important part may have been kept secret. I wonder if the missing text contains similar information to Fatima’s famous “3rd secret.”
“I saw also the relationship between the two popes… I saw how baleful would be the consequences of this false church.”
Research so far has proved fruitless.
Gerontius,
Thank you for the prayer to the Sacred Heart, much appreciated.
As for the “two popes”/Catherine Emmerich – that does not refer to the situation today. Read this article, which points out that although the parallel between the two popes currently living in Rome is being applied all over the internet, it ‘s not a correct interpretation…
Editor,
Perhaps there is more than one correct interpretation.
Archbishop Gänswein made this startling remark at the presentation of a new book on Benedict’s pontificate at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome May 20,
Archbishop Gänswein … said that Pope Francis and Benedict are not two popes “in competition” with one another, but represent one “expanded” Petrine Office with “an active member” and a “contemplative.”
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich’s: “I saw also the relationship between the two popes. . . I saw how baleful (harmful) would be the consequences of this false church. I saw it increase in size; heretics of every kind came into the city (of Rome). The local clergy grew lukewarm, and I saw a great darkness…”
Hmmm…. “baleful” – “heretics of every kind” – “false church” – “great darkness” Makes you think, doesn’t it?
And Francis is going to join the celebration of one of the greatest heretics ever to afflict Holy Mother Church….. and lets not forget the horrors perpetrated against the Blessed Sacrament at Assisi. I’ll stop here, since I sense anger on the horizon.
Gerontius and other readers of Gerontius’s comment – I’ve just posted a thread on the claim of Archbishop Gänswein, so please,Gerontius feel free to re-post your comment on that thread and others likewise respond on the topic thread. Click here to reach it.
Thank you!
Some good news from Rorate today, Deo Gratias.
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/06/sspx-reaches-new-milestone-600-priests.html
And here’s a great (and simple to use) tool for windows 7 or 8 users who are experiencing intrusive and unwanted Windows 10 upgrades.
http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/
access the above URL and download the GWX Control Panel
Hallam errupts again! This is my most recent letter to the Catholic Press.
To the Catholic Press
From the privileged and safe position of the pulpit Mgr Sexton Vicar General has today publicly rubbished and questioned the veracity of my letter to the Universe and the article in the Catholic Herald concerning the shortage of priests. Mgr Sexton knows only too well that I wrote to him and the Bishop several times concerning this issue together with issues of abortifacients use and a protocol for families facing euthanasia for one of their family members. I never received a reply, phone call or an acknowledgement to any of my communications to them. Thus I wrote to the press. In the April 2016 edition of the Hallam news our Bishop wrote as follows regarding the shortage of priests “The most common solution offered, as I move around, is to import priests from abroad. I would like to record my gratitude for the work that our Nigerian priests already here in the Diocese are already doing. Without their presence among us we would find it even more difficult to function as a Diocese. However, and I know that some would strongly disagree with me I do not believe this is a long term solution. Something more radical is needed.” The De La Salle College I attended taught me that I should précis that Bishop’s statement as meaning “no more foreign priests.” The Bishop goes on to say that we would follow a Kasperite model and in the subsequent May edition of the Hallam News we had an article ‘Liturgy in the Absence of a Priest’ confirming the Diocesan position for the future. Mgr Sexton now tells us today that we are waiting for three Indian priests to work in the Diocese. Good news at face value but nowhere near enough priests to cover the situation in many parishes where priests try to run two of three parishes simultaneously – an impossible pastoral task.
A letter I previously sent the catholic press also tells the full story of racism in the Diocese, a factor in the non recruitment of Polish and Nigerian priests in Hallam and again an issue I have raised with the Bishop and Vicar General – again with no response.
In his last pastoral letter to the Diocese the Bishop talked about the presence of God “in the Word”, His presence where “two or three are gathered in his name” and “most intensely in the Eucharist” making a sort of equivalence between the three scenarios. This could have been more softening up of parishioners to prepare for Kasperism, priestless liturgies and no sacramental provision etc. There is absolutely no such equivalence since the Eucharist is not an ‘intense experience’ but the ‘true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ together with His soul and divinity under the appearances of bread and wine’ ie the real presence of Jesus Christ in our midst. His real presence is being denied access and ‘rationed’ by these policies of inadequate recruitment of priests from abroad and racism.
I will know we are making progress when the presbyteries of parishes of two or three clustered churches impossibly ‘managed’ by one priest are manned up by the wonderful priests abroad especially by the Polish and African priests who bear the brunt of racism, ill treatment and non-importation into the Diocese.
Thanks to the proactive press corp of the Universe and Herald these crucial issues are now in the open and now being debated. An anecdotal episode contrasts the way the press is run compared with our Diocese. Some time ago the Catholic Herald were alerted by me that they had an insert from ‘Medicine Sans Frontiers’ on a regular basis. This organisation confirmed to me that they actually perform abortions. Thus in Catholic churches we canvass support for abortion providers. Swift action by the managing director and editor of the Catholic Herald stopped this practice immediately (the Universe having stopped some time before). The Tablet continues the practice. Again I had written to the Vicar General and Bishop about this several times with no response, no action, inertia and passive aggressive reaction to the death of the unborn both locally and indeed by the national Bishops conference in England and Wales. This was in sharp contrast to the action taken by the staff of the Catholic Herald. I stand by every word of my letter to the Universe and commend the Catholic Herald coverage for obvious reasons.
Finally Mgr Sexton said from the pulpit today “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.” He presumably includes the Hallam News in this advice!
Many thanks
Mr Liam Jenkinson
Liam,
I’m glad you have managed to get some publicity out of the Catholic papers but it won’t last – trust me. You’re the new kid on the block, not yet identified to them as a troublemaker, but once they learn that you’ve been bad mouthed from the pulpit, they are more likely than not to add your name to the rest of our names, on the censored list. I sincerely hope I’m wrong but that’s been the form so far. I must have written more letters to those same newspapers than St Paul wrote to the early churches combined, and after the initial one or two, there’s been a Catholic Truth Blackout. Time will tell. Whatever, well done for rattling cages in Hallam. Well DONE!
Some years ago I amused myself by working out the retiral dates of all the priests in St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese and comparing the rundown with the replacement influx from seminaries. I averaged the number of seminarians by year. It was easy to calculate the point where the the number of retirees exceeded new ordinations. The result of the imbalance would inevitably be closed churches and combined parishes. And so…
Perhaps though, this comment should go under the article on Archbishop T’s proud boast concerning Catholic schools?
Taking Bishops to task is a fruitless exercise. They have no humility. I tried it with Cardinal O’Brien after he delivered a particularly self congratulatory homily in St Mary’s Cathedral. I raised the matter of Catholic education and falling vocations. (Inshallah!)
Here’s wisdom.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s 12 steps to surviving as a Catholic family in a heretical wasteland
ROME, May 27, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – As the battle for the very soul of the family and all its members intensifies around the world with the push for sexual anarchy veiled as “education,” the undermining of what is truly masculine and feminine in the name of “gender rights,” and the destruction of marriage masquerading as “equality,” a spiritual leader who has suffered under the terror of a communist regime has laid out a survival plan for Catholic parents who find themselves in a secular, relativistic, and hostile environment but who simply want to raise their children to become future citizens of heaven.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhstan told LifeSiteNews in an exclusive interview earlier this month that Catholic parents must take seriously their “first duty” of raising their children in the faith if their children are to overcome the negative and even hostile influences that are pressing in from all sides and seeking to destroy.
In a wide-ranging interview that covered his experience as a Catholic boy growing up under communism, his thoughts on what it means to be a Catholic family today, his thoughts on education, bad parishes and dioceses run by agenda-driven priests and bishops, as well as his views on how faithful laity should address concerns about Pope Francis, the bishop laid out twelve steps that he said Catholic parents must take to safeguard their families and their children.
Bishop Schneider said that to survive in a heretical wasteland, Catholic parents must:
1. See persecution as a grace from God for becoming purified and strengthened, not simply as something negative.
2. Become rooted yourself in the Catholic faith through study of the Catechism.
3. Protect your family’s integrity above all else.
4. Catechize your children as your first duty.
5. Pray with your children daily, such as litanies and the Rosary.
6. Turn your home into a domestic church.
7. In the absence of a priest and Sunday Mass, make spiritual communion.
8. Withdraw your family from a parish spreading error and attend a faithful parish, even if you have to travel far.
9. Withdraw your children from school if they are encountering immoral danger in sex-ed.
10. If you cannot withdraw your children, establish a coalition of parents to fight for that right.
11. Fight for parental rights using available democratic tools.
12. Be prepared for persecution in protecting your children (see first point).
The bishop said that being a Catholic “family” in the truest sense of the word is the key to survival. “From my experience of the time of the persecution, the vital importance is the family, the integrity of the family, and that both parents are deeply rooted in the faith. This is then transmitted to the children. I would like to say that the children have to receive the faith with the milk of the mother. And then the first task of the parents is to transmit to the children the purity, the beauty, the integrity of the Catholic faith in a simple manner.
Thanks for that list of advice from +Schneider, Athanasius, its very helpful.
I was going to ask what (beyond praying together) he meant by “domestic church”, but googled instead and found a decent list.
Posting it here, in-case it is of use to others. Any other suggestions gratefully received!
——————————
Domestic church traditions
The blessing of the home: Whether your domestic church is a house or an apartment, invite a priest to come to bless it, either when you first move in or at any time. In addition to blessing your home, you may enthrone your home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Invite a priest to assist you with the enthronement or do it on your own by hanging up the images in your home and praying the following prayer together.
Act of family consecration: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, we consecrate ourselves and our entire family to you. We consecrate to you: our very being and all our life. All that we are. All that we have. And all that we love. To you we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls. To you we dedicate our home and our country. Mindful of this consecration, we promise you to live the Christian way by the practice of Christian virtues, with great regard for respect for one another. O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, accept our humble confidence and this act of consecration by which we entrust ourselves and all our family to you. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Devotions: Praying the Rosary is a popular devotion for many Catholic families, who, through its mysteries, reflect on significant events in Scripture pertaining to Jesus and Mary. Wearing the brown scapular is a devotion whereby the person places himself or herself under the protection of the Blessed Mother.
Sacred images and sacramentals: A domestic church should be filled with sacred images and sacramentals. Holy pictures and crucifixes should be hung throughout. A holy-water font can be placed by the front door in order to bless oneself with holy water and remind you of your baptism. Holy water should be regularly sprinkled throughout the home.
Parental blessings: Parents can trace the Sign of the Cross with their thumb or forefinger on their child’s forehead at any time while asking God to bless him or her.
Celebrate namedays: Celebrate your family’s namedays, which are the days dedicated to each person’s patron saint.
Follow the liturgical year: Families can pray the Liturgy of the Hours together.
Creating family traditions: Establish your own family traditions. Enjoy regular dinners together, connecting as a family, sharing and praying together. Incorporate a holy pilgrimage into the family vacation by visiting shrines.
Ireland has gone to the dogs; it’s confirmed…
The women’s mini marathon in Dublin was a bright and sunny affair despite a huge downpour only moments before it started. About 35,000 women, children and men dressed in drag took to the streets over the 10km route in one of the largest fundraising activities of the year for causes around the country.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/sunshine-after-the-rain-for-marathon-qp2b2s8fx
Latest from Rennant TV – I don’t think I’ve ever seen Michael Matt so angry. (no wonder).
https://youtu.be/UplH-ijWTAY
Therese,
Neither have I seen Michael Matt so angry. And I agree, no wonder.
I found this little piece of new on the Remnant Newspaper that Kindle has banished into oblivion the book – 1984. If books like this one disappears, what then for anything on the internet, e-books etc.
http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2562:amazon-secretly-nixes-1984-from-kindle-what-does-this-have-to-do-with-the-remnant
Therese,
Brilliant! I am so glad to see such justifiable – dutiful – anger in Michael Matt. What a scandal. I’m afraid I know very little through to nothing about these film stars so I didn’t think much of these awards when I saw them reported, didn’t read the text. But hearing the details – utterly scandalous.
I recommend we all use this latest fad of Pope Francis, his new Q & A website so see if we get answers to our questions along the lines indicated by Michael in that excellent video. I can think of a dozen off the top of my head, so we must search for the website address and get typing on there, fully aware that we are about as likely to receive an answer as we are likely to receive one of those ever so humble phone calls.
Therese
Thanks for posting that Remnant TV clip. It is absolutely incredible that a Successor of St. Peter should choose possibly the three most hostile apostate Catholics in Hollywood to present awards to. I can hardly believe he did that. And not a word of objection from a single prelate!!
Michael Matt was justifiably angry at this scandalous abuse of authority by this ultra liberal Pope who is greatly harming the faith. How long will the hierarchy tolerate him before standing up for Our Lord? Has even one bishop in the Church got sufficient zeal for the faith left in him to stand up for divine truth and the salvation of souls? It doesn’t look like it.
Michael Matt looked worn out, and no wonder.
The Remnant Newspaper have a small article on Bishop de Galarreta on the possible recognition of the SSPX. See link:
http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2569:bishop-de-galarreta-on-the-sspx-recognition-of-vatican-ii
And here is more information from Catholic Family News:
cfnews.org/page88/files/7a2a57a16eb9f9849f833b1ccb7fdb5b-595.html
I wonder if the recognition of the SSPX depends upon the Society recognising Vatican II? Or, Bishop De Galarreta expressing his own thoughts? The Vatican needs to be forthright in its approaches to the SSPX and speak plainly.
Our Lady of Fatima – pray for us.
Well the irony is that a Personal Prelature would not be possible without the SSPX implicitly acknowledging the validity of VII. For it was from VII that this canonical structure was born. I don’t have a problem with this. Only the Razoristers and the Sedefakeartists would have a problem.
Theresa Rose
It’s only certain documents of Vatican II that the SSPX cannot accept, the two rejected by Archbishop Lefebvre which were/are Dignitatis Humanae (on religious freedom) and Gaudium et Spes (Church in the modern world). The Archbishop like his SSPX today never said that Vatican II was invalid. In fact, the Archbishop said that it was convoked with legitimate authority but taken over by liberals.
Theresa Rose, thank you for that link to The Remnant article on Bishop Galarreta. halfway down said article is a link to a video talk given by Archbishop Lefebvre. It’s in French with (not a completely accurate translation) and it would be worth learning the language in order to listen to it. C’est magnifique, as would say our friend, Lionel in Paris! One day the Archbishop will be canonised!
Aquinas1225,
I agree. But I don’t recall Archbishop Lefebvre and the SSPX ever rejecting the validity of Vatican II. They have always maintained that Vatican II was a valid Council of the Church. Archbishop Lefebvre refused to sign two of its documents and lamented the usurpation of the Council by a clique of liberals, but he never rejected the authority of the Council itself. In fact he participated in it, as we all know. Well maybe not “all”. It seems those “Razoristers” and “Sedefakeartists” you mention have rather selective memories when it comes to facts like these!
Athanasius, I think that ++Lefebvre signed some documents that he later regretted. I do not blame him for this, given the underhanded and ambiguous nature of the VII ambush on the Faith. I suspect that he would have rejected much more if VII had proper procedural and consultative processes in place.
Summa
There is an inerview with Archbishop Lefebvre somewhere on the SSPX Asia website in which he declares that he refused to sign only two of the 16 documents of Vatican II because of their outright contradiction of Church teaching. The rest he may have had reservations about but didn’t see them as the same threat to faith. The enemies of the SSPX try to make out that the Archbishop signed all the documents of Vatican II and then recanted his signature on two of them. But this is completely untrue. They confuse (probably deliberately) the formal signing of conciliar documents with the signing of the register that accompanied them to declare one’s presence during the debate and vote.
Reading through death notices I came across this gem; “ashes reposing at her home from…etc. I mean I have ashes reposing at my home every other day….in the hearth!!! I think that it’s a sad day when people come to venerate ashes of a deceased in the same fashion as they would the “mortal remains” in other words BODY of the deceased. It wouldn”t have happened 60 years or so ago when The Church took a more serious view of cremation. Or does anyone else agree?? Am I being over the top here?
Spiritus
You’re right about cremation, it was absolutely forbidden to Catholics before Vatican II. Those who requested it before death were denied the Rites of the Church. Now anything goes because they no longer believe that the body was a temple of the Holy Ghost in life.
The only exception for cremation was when plague necessitated a quick disposal of remains in an effort to stem the spread of the disease.
Currently hearing “once I had a secret love..” on the radio( not by choice). Isn’t that song sorta related to AL? (Sodomy?) Or have I got that wrong also? Hope to catch up with many bloggers on 18th. Can’t wait!
I don’t think that particular song has anything to do with homosexuality. It was originally sung by Doris Day in Calamity Jane, which was way back when homosexuality was anything but fashionable!
The Summa of the South Seas is Glasgow bound at the end of June. On route from Terra Australis we will be staying in the Holy Cities of St Francis and St Barbara before flying over to city that never sleeps. We are so thrilled to find out that when in the Big Apple, there are two once a year events on: Gay Pride March and World Naked Bike Ride. How lucky are we?
I have a question regarding TAN books. I have several of their publications and had always perceived them as a solid traditional publisher (which I believe was founded in response to V2 and the ensuing carnage).
However recently I got their “Manual for spiritual warfare” and was surprised to encounter very modern things inside – e.g. talk of “anointing of the sick” as opposed to “extreme unction / last rites” and inclusion of the luminous mysteries, to give some examples. I also note the book was approved by a contemporary Bishop in 2015.
This hasn’t spoiled my enjoyment of the book, which I feel I benefiting from (not finished it yet), but it has raised my eyebrows.
Was my previous perception of TAN incorrect, or has their stance changed somewhat? TAN was bought over by “St Benedict Press” in 2008, was this acquisition perhaps related to possible changes behind the scenes?
(Don’t get me wrong, the book still contains much which you would never hear in a million years in the typical parish – useful information about the Catholic faith etc, that kind of thing.)
TAN also do a “Manual for Eucharistic Adoration” which I was intending on buying. Does anyone have any comments on that?
More form Hallam:
At a Hallam Catholic Primary School an 8 year old boy has returned to School after half term and at his Mothers instructions he is to be treated in all respects as a girl called Amber. The clergy say that legally they don’t have a leg to stand on but should the Church be following the law of God or the law of the land? Any expert advice is welcome so we can start an informed dialogue about the Church’s stance locally and nationally.
Liam,
I’m about to leave my computer behind for the day so haven’t time to Google the link but there has been a statement from the Vatican, I’m almost certain, to the (obvious) effect that we must recognise the gender which God gave us at birth.
Otherwise, think about it, I could end up as Pope!
“In 2002 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Vatican issued a letter sent without public release to every Bishop. It clearly stated that such surgical procedures do not alter a person’s gender and that in no circumstance are baptismal records of such individuals who have undergone them to be altered. Further, the document made clear that no one who has undergone such a surgery is eligible to marry, be ordained to the priesthood or enter the religious life. At the time the letter was sent from Rome, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., was the President of the U.S. bishops’ conference. He sent a letter to all US Bishops in which he wrote “The altered condition of a member of the faithful under civil law does not change one’s canonical condition, which is male or female as determined at the moment of birth.” The Gender Identity or Gender Expression Movement seeks the recognition in the positive law of a right to choose one’s gender and laws which accommodate, fund, and enforce such a new “right”. Those involved in the activist wing of the movement seek to compel the rest of society to recognize their vision of a brave new world or face the Police Power of the State. The Pope is absolutely correct, “the profound falsehood of this theory and of the anthropological revolution contained within it is obvious.”
Full article here:- http://www.catholic.org/news/national/story.php?id=49036
There are many cases of people regretting undergoing surgery to resemble a member of the opposite sex. The case of Walt Heyer is one of the most prominent examples. Once one of the darlings of the ‘LGBT’ movement, after masquerading as a woman for a time, he became a (non-Catholic) Christian and returned to living as a male – which is when the ‘LGBT’ movement turned on him. No surprises there. His website is here:- http://www.sexchangeregret.com
WF,
You have answered Liam’s question to perfection. Those links are all anyone needs to answer the pro-“trans” lobby and sympathisers within the Church.
Hey up, our Liam – learn Westminster Fly’s response by heart and get thee to the diocesan office forthwith!
Oh please, the one we’ve got is bad enough.
Watch it!
We should carefully consider our position when our formation and beliefs bring us into conflict with the laws of the land. While we are required to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” that cannot include our conscience. We are increasingly moving towards a state where Christianity is not tolerated. If our occupation puts us in the way of conflict we can choose to give up our occupation. This is to yield ground to the bad people. To accede to the wishes of the law may be necessary in order to maintain one’s livelihood. It is not an easy decision. To resist the bad laws, to disobey them presents different problems, no less serious.
The people who propose and enact laws that will cause such conflict do not mind that this creates difficulty for Christians. They welcome it. They are amoral and working to destroy us, although they would argue that such an outcome is a by-product, and not an objective.
We have step by backward step conceded everything to the agents of Hell. Our bishops have gone along with it, merely decrying it sotto voce from the pulpit from time to time. Had they acted as their calling demands, they would all be in prison. We have been effectively abandoned by them. We may be sure that unless they act then the slide will continue inexorably.
Thank you for the responses so far. The Headmistress in this situation has been put in an impossible situation because of the failure of the hierarchy and clergy locally to follow their own policy guidelines, most notably those of Pope Benedict. I have learned that there is a formal and an informal educative process. The very fact of the events now unfolding in this case means that the sensitive consciences of very young children are blighted by the infamy and corrupting influences of these events.
The families of these children are similarly affected. Furthermore every primary school in the diocese is now compromised and will have to accept this “norm” should a similar event arise in their school. The senior cleric involved has said that we need to follow the local authority guidelines otherwise we would be sued. Thus money trumps conscience and morality yet again. We should follow the lead and inspiring example of the guest house owners who refused to accommodate a gay couple saying it went against their religious principles. They were fined but maintained their morality. Similarly the family bakery who refused to bake a cake with a gay icon on it were also fined but upheld their own morality.
The headteachers left to carry the can by our weak hierarchy deserve our unfailing support. As with abortifacients, euthanasia we now have further attacks on the integrity of marriage and the family unit. On these and other issues we should remember the advice of Alexander Solzhenitsyn who said that the worst aspect of living under the communist regime was that eventually when innocent people were imprisoned and killed no one reacted! I would venture to advise fellow bloggers to the follow the example of Robert Aske leader of the pilgrim of grace who said before he was murdered by Henry viii “we will lot put up with this new religion.
Any further insights and advice would be most welcome.
Liam Jenkinson,
There is no way the Church and school can accept that boy as a girl. They must stand firm over this and let themselves be taken to court if necessary.
I also think the Church in Scotland should be standing up and speaking out about the evil Named Person scheme.
This video clip shows how determined the SNP are to push this scheme through
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jljED4XC31I&w=854&h=480%5D
This video clip shows Nicola Sturgeon clearly not being truthful.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHyAqeKY7O0&w=854&h=480%5D
MM,
Thank you for those video clips – Mzzzz Sturgeon is seen, her dishonesty laid bare for all on YouTube to see.
The NO2NP campaigners have done excellent work in exposing the Scottish Government’s duplicity and contempt for the electorate, in particular for the rights of parents, in pushing this ridiculous NP scheme. And “scheme” is the operative word – their scheming to attack and intrude on family life is a scandal too far.
Thank You Margret Mary.
Just got in from Mass and I should have added the following to My earlier blog.
Other head teachers in the diocese with no support from the hierarchy and the governors will be left to compromise their conscience and share in the guilt of an others sin by silence etc. (see penny catechism).
These events should prompt us to take a reality check on the overall situation we are faced with. A 1960s Catholic dictionary said that the Greek for heresy meant ‘to choose’. According to R. Knox and others resisting a known truth is a sin against the Holy Spirit and the sin against the Holy Spirit according to the Gospels will not be forgiven in this world or the next. Thus Priests who by accident, design, default or omission resist the known truth, say a valid Mass but make an individual sacrilegious communion (I know a Priest who loves the old Latin Mass but doesn’t accept that the contraceptive pill is an abortifacient). This latest attack on the integrity of the Family is another grievous wound inflicted on the mystical Body of Christ.
When giving a retreat to Pope Benedict Cardinal Biffi quoting Soloviev said that the Antichrist is likely to be a pacifist, ecologist and ecumenist. He went on to say that the Antichrist was not necessarily a person but the reduction of Christianity to an ideology promoting vague spiritual goals rather than focusing on the importance of Christ’s sacrifice. After this reality check I repeat the call of Robert Aske ‘we will not have this new religion’. Onward Catholic Truth.
Liam Jenkinson,
Well said.
Thanks to all for support help and guidance. the latest news is that the mother of this unfortunate 8 year old boy (now called Amber “a girl”!) has put an entry in the births column of the Rotherham advertiser thanking the pupils and staff of his school for their support etc. With regard to hierarchical involvement in this affiar thus far I can only quote Isaiah “woe to those who call good evil and evil good.”
Liam,
May I suggest that you contact the Head Teacher to give her the link to this blog thread? Here it is for you to copy and paste in an email to her…
https://catholictruthblog.com/2016/04/29/general-discussion-11/#comment-42133
If you’d rather I did it, just post the name of the school and I will look it up.
What next?
Europe – The rise of the Horned god
Be afraid!
Last week saw the opening of the Gotthard Tunnel – the deepest and longest tunnel in the world, running for an amazing 35.7 miles beneath the Alps. Something to celebrate? Definitely!
Switzerland thought so too, and they pulled out all the stops, staging a glittering two part extravaganza before an audience of 80,000, which included a host of world leaders such as German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; President of France, Francois Hollande; Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, and many others. But the overtly pagan and satanic content has both puzzled and amazed spectators, provoking not a little stunned complaint.
If this is the first time you have heard of the event, the ceremony opened with a group of orange-clad zombies marching towards the tunnel entrance. There they were seemingly sacrificed, before re-emerging as scantily clad veiled spirits, followed by an actor dressed as a goat, who began ritualistically to consume and mate with the veiled dancers. During this, the huge image of the goat/Satan’s face was displayed on a massive screen, overlooking the proceedings with apparent relish, while three Eygptian scarabs floated in front of his face…
Read full article at: http://vfjuk.org.uk/news/
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/voiceforjusticeuk
I’ve just viewed this atrocity on Youtube. I wonder what Papa Francis would make of this? On second thoughts, I don’t think I want to know.
I saw this only very recently while induging in some free-style browsing on the Internet. Can there be a clearer expression of why Pope Francis has nothing to say to the Church of our time?
I am neither a pessimist nor a conspiracy theorist, but we underestimate an event of this kind at our peril.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/23376-satanic-switzerland-new-tunnel-opens-with-bizarre-occult-like-ceremony
Prognosticum,
I saw videos of that bizarre occult like ceremony a couple of weeks or so back. Truly dreadful. I agree that we must not under-estimate the significance of this event – especially since there were leading public figures present, giving it the appearance of normality and acceptance.
I thought you might like to hear this bit of news. Utrecht is the Primatial See in the Netherlands and the parish of St. Willibrord was closed by the Archdiocese during reorganisation. Here is a description from a visitors guide to Utrecht:
“One of the most beautiful neo-gothic churches of the Netherlands. The hidden treasure of Utrecht.
Hidden in the historic city centre of Utrecht lies the St Willibrordkerk. The church’s wealth of decorations, unique to The Netherlands, will astonish you. Admire the colourful stained-glass windows, the beautiful woodcarvings and the lavishly painted walls and ceilings. The neo-gothic St Willibrordkerk offers the opportunity to experience a characteristic church atmosphere at the time of the Middle Ages.”
Last year the SSPX started offering Mass in the church on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 5 p.m. and a few months ago this increased to every Sunday. The Society in now in negotiations to take over the church completely and perhaps some of you would say a prayer for the success of this venture.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Overzicht_Sint_Willibrorduskerk_vanaf_de_domtoren_-_Utrecht_-_20367570_-_RCE.jpg
http://cdn.nltwee-zderadice.savviihq.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/St.-Willibrordkerk-Utrecht-1024×768.jpg
Thank you for this Vianney. I will gladly offer prayers for your specified intention.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful news Vianney.
How did the situation come about? Did the Diocese sell the Church to someone who contacted the Society, or did the local Church authorities actually demonstrate a bit of gumption themselves by inviting the Society?
Whatever the case, its wonderful news and I am sure the Church will now go from strength to strength as a thriving center of authentic Catholicism.
If you go to you-tube and search “SSPX Utrecht” there are a number of videos of SSPX masses / activities at this Church, here is one example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C75A8Zh65KI
What a magnificent Church it is.
Such a contrast with the archdiocese of Glasgow where a Catholic Church (All Saints in Barmulloch) has become a boxing club. There’s a report in the current Flourish (official organ of the archdiocese) expressing delight at this development, excuse the pun.
From what I can gather, the Archdiocese closed the church but the congregation refused to move out and obtained the services of a retired priest, Fr. Kotte, who said the Novus Ordo ad orientem It became independent from the Archdiocese and Fr. Kotte founded the St. Willibrord Foundation which owns the building and upon his death there was a reconciliation with the Archdiocese who put in a priest, Fr. Schnell, who continued saying the Novus ordo, ad orientum, but in Latin. I don’t know what happened to this priest but I believe the SSPX approached the St. Willibrord Foundation requesting use of the church and they agreed. It is certainly a magnificent church and like so many ordinary parish churches in the Netherlands, is huge. In Amsterdam, before the Council, there were ten such churches within walking distance of Dam Square and of the four remaining churches three have Mass (Novus Ordo) in Latin. One of them, De Papegaai (the Parrot) a short walk from the Royal Palace, has both Sunday Masses in Latin. Ironically in the Netherlands, while their modern churches are often hideous beyond believe, many, perhaps most, of the older churches have never been vandalised and retain their original furnishings. Instead of pulling out the high altars they simply put a table in front and many retained the altar rails. The following video is in Dutch but it gives a great close up of the High Altar,
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Ul4ONsnwc&w=854&h=480%5D
Thanks for the great info and video Vianney.
So we can thank people power and Fr Kotte!
Interesting you mention Amsterdam and its central Churches. I think there is a former Church right on Dam square which is now flats. The only Church I have been to there is St Agnes (FSSP; near Vondelpark). Despite visiting a few times, I haven’t yet made it to the Cathedral near the train station.
Have you been to “Our Lord in the attic” in Amsterdam? A town house which was secretly converted to a Catholic Church inside, during times of persecution. Its quite remarkable.
The church on Dam Square is De Nieuwe Kerk, (the New Church,) which is no longer a functioning church and is used for concerts and exhibitions. It is still used for the inauguration of the monarch and the King and Queen were married there. I have been to Our Lord in the Attic and it was one of 40 clandestine churches that existed in the city. Each of these churches had a nickname like the dove, the parrot, the sower, and if people knew there was a church in a particular street they would walk down looking for a door with a dove, or a man sowing, or a parrot above the door and that’s where the church was. After Catholics were allowed to worship publicly these clandestine churches were replaced by proper church buildings but retained their nickname. Our Lord in the attic was replaced by St. Nicholas, near the station (it’s the main church in the city but not the cathedral which is in Haarlem) but the old church survived. There are another two clandestine churches and they are still in use. One is in the Begijnhof Chapel in the Begijnhof which is a hidden square off Kalverstraat. The other is St. Peter and St. Paul (the Parrot) in Kalverstaat, just a few hundred yards from the Royal Palace. It is the largest of the hidden churches and was a proper church building hidden behind other buildings. It now has a small frontage on Kalverstraat with a statue of St. Peter and a parrot above the door. Interestingly, you have to go through a turnstile to enter.The Sunday Masses here are all Latin Novus Ordo. The other two city centre churches are Our Lady’s (not far from the back of the Royal Palace) and now served by Opus Dei and the Jesuit church where the 11am Sunday Mass is Novus Ordo in Latin with Gregorian chant. If you are ever back in Amsterdam all five churches are well worth a visit and are very near each other.
https://bigrab.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/chapel.jpg
Begijnhof chapel
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qSQTXveugU/UAx0xHBfQhI/AAAAAAAABtc/TZXPuVAGM8o/s640/Picture+033.jpg
The parrot (note the parrot at the top left hand of the photo. How can you hide a church that size?
Thank God. Let us hope that the enemy does not put a spanner in the works somewhere.
Yet another reason to hope that the FSSPX will be “regularised” soon.
We need to put the situation in Hallam, the magnificent work of Catholic truth, under the patronage of St John Fisher who said ” those who should have defended the fort have betrayed it” referring to his fellow Bishops etc. Also St Restituta Kafka who was beheaded by the nazi regime for the defending the rights of the weak and the sick. Faced with the anti religious supression of the nazis she responded by defending religious freedom, and refusing to remove crucifixes at the hospital she worked in, she also counted the swastika sticker with the cross of Christ. Spied on by two ladies she was denounced by a doctor close to the SS arrested on Ash Wednesday 1942 she was sentenced to death on 29th October 1942 and she was beheaded on 30th March 1943. (That’s within my lifetime!) From prison, before her death, she wrote ” No one can take from us the faith we have in our heart. In this way we can build an altar in our own hearts.” A fellow prisoner said of her “She was a saint because in that situation she encouraged everyone, she transmitted a power, a positive spirit, and one of confidence”.
Without wishing to embarrass her too much the latter statement reminds me of our editor!
Kind regards
Liam
Liam,
You are very kind, if very wrong – I’m not remotely saintly, more’s the pity.
But worry not – your cheque is in the post!
Latest from Hallam. Bloggers should access legatus.org/catholic schools catholic schools policy transgender students (Catholic-school-policy-and-transgender students). By Edward J Furton PhD. Director of publications national Catholic bioethics centre.
Here is wise words from my son inlaw on the matter.
“When they talk about genetic tests they mean looking at the sex chromosomes. Normally these are XX (girl) or XY (boy). However, there’s lots of scenarios where you get something else due to mum or dads egg/sperm being abnormal. This could be extra chromosome (like downs but with the sex chromosomes), eg XXY. Furthermore, you could have a mutation with a gene that meant you didn’t develop normally. You could be an XY (chromosomally a boy) with a defective testosterone receptor gene, stopping your body cells from responding to testosterone. The result would be physiologically developing as a girl, but biologically being a boy.
So the genetic test won’t be a “solve-all” in every case. But the whole conflict if I’ve understood the dilemma correctly, is that gender is a social construct and biological sex is a scientific description (albeit with certain exceptions – as always).
What I’m concerned by is the threat of a new form of bigotry, in this case based around gender identity, being picked up by the loony-left and being used to bully institutions like schools etc into bending over backwards to accommodate the minority. What we end up with is the majority being distracted and prevented from getting on with the task at hand, whilst we pamper the neuroticism of whoever the supposedly oppressed group of the moment is.
My Dad was one of a handful of child psychiatrists in the country who specialised in helping children with gender issues, the vast majority were situations where there was either chromosomal or birth abnormalities. I chatted to him about this very issue the other week and he was quite clear that there’s a social / political undertone to some of this that has nothing to do with the difficulty and suffering of a small minority. Its serving the liberals who long to find potential human rights issues to champion in any environment no matter how obscure. Its almost entirely self-serving and will do more harm to children than good.
I’ve got some academic papers that my Dad and a few others wrote on gender identity etc. If anyone wants to looks at them let me know and i’ll send you the links.”
From all sources from Catholic truth etc the following now seems quite clear: the churches teaching is that the Gender inserted on the baptismal certificate for all time denotes the churches stance on an individual’s gender. Whatever happens in life thereafter does not change this baptismal gender definition. To add more weight to the brilliant blog above there is a small vociferous militant world wide view pushing this transgender agenda. Ps my son pointed out that on the ground headteachers and governors have policies for school covering dress code, hair colour school uniform etc. Thus a catholic school policy should also state clearly that boys should not come to school dressed as girls and vice versa.
Just written to CDF asking them to instruct the Bishop of Hallam, the Vicar General and Parish Priest to immediately reverse their