Will the (de facto) Schism in the Church be made Manifest at the Amazon Synod?
Comment:
Even the once-papolatrist organisations and individuals who refused to criticise the Pope because he is the Pope, have been shocked into speaking out since the election of Pope Francis, albeit belatedly realising the gravity of the crisis in the Catholic Church
And now, by all accounts, the Amazon Synod (6 to 27 October) is about to reveal the reality and the depth of this crisis; many of us know that there has been a schism for many years now, as the Vatican has separated itself, bit by bit, from Catholic Tradition. It’s not disobeying a pope in a particular instance which causes schism, as is clearly explained here
Now, however, it seems that the real schism – a rejection of the Faith as it has been handed down to us – is about to become undeniably manifest, if the forecasts are correct, that Pope Francis intends to change the very basis of Christianity – the deposit of Faith.
But, what can anyone actually do to prevent this? There is no authority on earth above the pope. Divine intervention, then? And just what do the Fatima and Quito prohecies about the Church in our times, teach us about the way forward?
Comments (107)
I receive updates from Lifesitenews and received a series of articles today containing talks by leading opponents of the synod such as Taylor Marshall, John Henry Westen, Michael Voris and Michael Matt etc. Call me optimistic, but I can’t see anything changing. This is the Catholic Church, Christ and the Holy Ghost will not desert us in our time of trial. I implore Our Lady of Fatima to place her maternal power and guidance over the hierarchy. I remember the Synod on the Family when the section on homosexuality was not included. I still have hope.
Catholic Convert1,
I think you mean you are “pessimistic” not optimistic.
You were probably wishing you could be optimistic! I’m in the same boat, LOL!
I am looking forward to the Amazon Synod because I agree with the (I think it was a cardinal) who said it is going to be a turning point. I actually believe that is true.
One thing that is of interest is this panel of “traditional” commentators, because it includes both Michael Matt and Michael Voris! They can’t both be traditional since Voris insists on saying that the SSPX is in schism. So, how come Michael Matt is OK sharing a platform with him?
Laura,
It was Cardinal Sarah who said that. He also said this:-
“On the unchanging nature of truth and Church teaching: “We are facing a real cacophony from bishops and priests. Everyone wants to impose their personal opinion as a truth. But there is only one truth: Christ and his teaching. How could the doctrine of the Church change? The Gospel does not change. It is still the same. Our unity cannot be built around fashionable opinions.”
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2019/09/23/cardinal-sarah-i-believe-that-we-are-at-a-turning-point-in-the-history-of-the-church/
I didn’t like everything he said in that report, though, but maybe others will disagree, so I’ll keep my powder dry on that one for now, LOL!
I believe Cardinal Sarah is indeed a voice crying in the wilderness. His new book: The Day is Now Far Spent seems to go to the heart of this crisis and I liked his remark that the devil fears a man on his knees! In prayer of course. His comments on the liturgy, that it should not be seen as a form of entertainment but as worship of God above all are also timely. Should be blindingly obvious of course but with clown masses, balloon masses etc it needs to be said. Well worth a read.
Elizabeth,
I don’t know what he means by this (I just hate when anyone refers to the traditional Mass as the “extraordinary form” but that’s not what I am asking about here. It’s the rest of what he says):
“On traditional liturgy and young people: “When the extraordinary form is celebrated in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, it reveals its full fruitfulness: How can we be surprised that a liturgy that has carried so many saints continues to smile at young souls thirsty for God?”
How can the TLM be “celebrated in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council”?
That’s a genuine question – I haven’t a clue what he means.
Laura, I have read that sentence over a few times and it rather baffles me too. I wonder if it a poor translation from the French maybe? However if you look at the two paragraphs before I would say that Cardinal Sarah is very much calling for the restoration of the traditional dignified liturgy of all ages rather than modern travesty of today.
Elizabeth, Laura, et al,
I read that sentence with one question uppermost in my mind. Here it is. At what period in our previous history, after which Council of the Church, was absolutely everything mentioned or discussed by reference to that Council?
Absolutely everything today is dated – not from AD any more – but from “Vatican II” . It’s truly incredible. I haven’t been able to find any record of this happening before in the history of the Church. Feel free to correct me if there is some documentary evidence available to prove me wrong. I’d be genuinely interested.
A second question springs to mind: since Cardinal Sarah is now on public record saying that “When the extraordinary form is celebrated in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, it reveals its full fruitfulness…
Does that mean that prior to the Second Vatican Council, the traditional Mass, which nourished saints and martyrs for centuries, was not “fruitful” or not fully fruitful?
Now, I understand that the rest of the Cardinal’s sentence is acknowledging that the ancient Mass “carried so many saints…” but that’s a rather weak, almost begrudging statement, so there remains, I believe, a question to be answered there.
Or is it simply the usual Modernist confusion – I honestly believe that even the best of the prelates, who, nevertheless fall short of calling for a total end to the “fruits” of the Second Vatican Council and a wholesale restoration of Catholic Tradition, do not, themselves, actually realise that they are confused.
Which brings me full square back to where I usually begin: the spiritual blindness that has enveloped the hierarchy. Even those who see something of what has gone wrong, can’t, it seems, see the whole picture. To quote Pope Saint Pius X: “…it is pride which exercises an incomparably greater sway over the soul to blind it and lead it into error, and pride sits in Modernism as in its own house…” (Pius X: Encyclical – On the Doctrines of the Modernists, #40)
I know that Cardinal Sarah has been praised for the spiritual insights that are found in his book, and that is good, of course. Still, at this stage in the crisis, when the very deposit of Faith is under threat, in danger from the Pope himself, it’s not quite enough. Personally, I’m confining my spiritual reading to the classic texts and/or the writings of the authentic saints of the Church, for the foreseeable future.
Editor,
I have just submitted the following message to Cardinal Sarah’s Facebook page, based on your telling observation:
“Your Eminence: you are on public record as stating ““When the extraordinary form is celebrated in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, it reveals its full fruitfulness…” I am confused by this. Do you mean to say that before Vatican II the Traditional Mass had not revealed its full fruitfulness? Thank you.”
RCA Victor,
Excellent! Let me know if you get a response!
Elizabeth,
It seems to me that the comment cited by Lily should put a serious dent in Cardinal Sarah’s hero status. I second Lily’s question, though I suspect he might mean something like “when the TLM is celebrated in obedience to the Second Vatican Council,” or, “when the TLM is celebrated in obedience to the Church.”
If the first meaning is accurate, then there’s another question: how can one be “obedient” to a pastoral Council, which promulgated no new doctrine? If the second meaning is accurate, then here’s yet another question: given Summorum, how can the TLM be celebrated in disobedience to the Church?
I suspect this is a hidden dig at the SSPX, actually.
Laura,
I thought it was a pretty strange mix of speakers as well, but it was sponsored by a group called Voice of the Family, which is a large umbrella group composed of both Catholic and non-Catholic groups. They were the ones who issued the invites.
The Remnant, Catholic Family News and The Fatima Center are not among the supporting groups, oddly enough, though LifeSiteNews is, and LifeSite was the one who did all the promotion. That group in Ireland which we complimented on the Ireland thread is a member (Lumen Fidei Institute), and there are a couple from Scotland:
http://voiceofthefamily.com/about/
RCA Victor,
I can only see one group from Scotland – Holy Family Apostolate, based in Edinburgh. They do very good work in organising various activities to protect and promote traditional family values.
Laura,
I disagree in a sense with Dr. De Mattei when he states that there are now two religions in the Church (Catholicism and the one with the Amazonian face).
I think there are actually three:
1. The Catholic religion
2. The Protestantized Catholic religion
3. Paganism/Marxism
#2 claims to be the Catholic religion, but it is not. The vast majority of those who practice it are being deceived, and most probably deceiving themselves as well. It is an ever-evolving facade which has adopted some of the accidentals of the real Catholic religion, but which is in substance entirely different.
RCA Victor,
I know your comment addresses Laura, but I’m just popping in to say that, not yet having heard all the talks, and not having heard Dr De Mattei’s, I will look out for that suggestion from him and get back to you with my [considered, of course] opinion, in due course!
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9d/b3/b7/9db3b7297dd4cbe1def66b89f7ca3548.jpg
Editor,
Dr. DeMattei’s comment was first in the video (he spoke first), so you won’t have to look far…
RCA Victor,
I’m surprised at that since the chairman had said the speakers would be announced in alphabetical order and silly me, therefore, presumed Dr De Mattei would be among the “Ms” – but not before Dr Marshall… Signed: Confused, Glasgow…
https://www.askideas.com/media/10/You-Mean-To-Tell-Me-Funny-Joke-Meme.jpg
Editor,
According to my careful prosthesis, it was an ad hoc decision to go with age before alphabet….
Ironically, the SSPX might soon find itself acknowledging Francis as Pope while Michael Voris subscribes to Benevacantism. That would be a pole shift in positions.
The SSPX has been alarmingly quiet over the whole Lad’o Si and Amazon Sin-od Pagan worshipfest. In the past John Paul II only had to commit a heretical act or hint at one and they were nipping at his heels.
With Francis….crickets.
I just listened to the three speeches, Henry Weston, Michael Matt and Michael Voris to compare Matt and Voris, and it was worth doing! Michael Matt spoke about all the heresies, all doctrinal errors of Pope Francis, but Michael Voris, who thinks it’s wrong to criticise a pope about doctrine, because he just can’t err (!) said that Pope Francis was causing “moral and political confusion”! I’d love to have seen the audience questioning him about that, but the video stopped after Henry Weston’s talk which was very good and not as long as the others. They allowed each speaker to speak in alphabetical order. I’d love to have seen Voris’s face during Michael Matt’s talk which was a brilliant list of all the things Pope Francis has said and done to attack doctrine.
I hope we will get to see videos of the questions and answers. That would be very interesting.
Well folks, this thread, posted a few hours ago, reminds me of an email exchange I had today with a reader, who said that we have a “good number” of bloggers. Hmmmm… Only five comments so far, but, then, I didn’t post it until late in the afternoon, to be fair.
His remark, though, reminded me of a highly placed priest (who was, in fact, the person who persuaded me to launch this blog way back when) who would sometimes ring me to chat about the state of the Church – and try to twist my arm to launch the blog. He pointed out that while other blogs got “the numbers”, we get the quality. High praise indeed.
Your comments so far on this thread, reinforced that memory. His other “blog of choice” at that time was Damian Thompson’s Holy Smoke (not sure if it is still published) but, Monsignor said, while Holy Smoke had hundreds of contributors, there was just, in his view, no competition with regard to quality. Catholic Truth was the place to go for quality, he insisted, so thank you folks, for the handful of comments so far. All pass the quality test, as ever!
I don’t know what the way forward is, except for the obvious: continue to expose the errors spread by the apostate hierarchy, and continue to do penance.
However, I’m reminded of the Gospel passage about Our Lord asleep in the boat, as the storm rages around Him and the Apostles. The Apostles panic and wake Him up: “Lord, save us, we perish!”
So far in this crisis, however, only a handful of prelates have called upon the Lord in this storm: a handful of Cardinals (including the two Dubia Cardinals who have now passed), Apb. Vigano and Bishop Schneider. So here’s some speculation:
When a critical mass of the hierarchy gets down on their knees and begs Our Lord to intervene, then perhaps He will awaken and have Our Lady crush the head of these serpent minions. Whether that happens before the Passion of the Church turns into the Crucifixion remains to be seen. It seems we are pretty darn close to that fork in the road.
RCA Victor,
I tend to assume that the cardinals and others who don’t think there’s a crisis, are hardly likely to pray to Our Lord for help. Isn’t that exactly the problem?
We have the guarantee that Our Lady will crush the serpent, that her Immaculate Heart will triumph in the end, but that doesn’t excuse us from doing our part, to make up for the apostate clergy and hierarchy.
I like your reminder of the Gospel passage where Our Lord is asleep in the boat, or seems to be and the apostles panic. That should help us to keep calm and work and pray to over come the Devil, who seems to be best pals with Pope Francis, God help us all.
The BBC report on the synod includes the video clip showing the Pope pulling his hand away when pilgrims tried to kiss his ring. His ignorance and bad manners are just beyond the pale.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-49921731
Lily,
I was a bit perturbed at first, but I read online, in a reliable article, that it is not bad manners or ignorance in this case, but the Pope apparently has a bit of a germ phobia.
CC,
I hate to contradict you, but we had a thread on this at the time and it seemed to be generally agreed that he has a “tradition-phobia”. In fact, when this claim was made by the Vatican, some time after they were inundated with questions and comments about his bad manners, that he worried about germs, it was pointed out that he has no problem with hugging people and agreeing to selfies and so on; so I don’t believe that it’s anything to do with germs. Have you seen all the photos of him wearing hats – fireman’s hat, “Amazon hat” blah blah.
https://images.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/2013/07/27/in_brazil_pope_francis_speaks_out_on_the_amazon_environment_and_indigenous_people/pope_in_hat.jpg.size-custom-crop.0x650.jpg
No, I am sorry to say, I think he detests everything traditional – it’s as simple as that. Here’s the link to our discussion at the time:
https://catholictruthblog.com/2019/03/26/francis-a-totally-un-papal-pope/
And by the way, even if he IS a “scaredy-cat” as we say up here in not-so-sunny Scotland, he should offer up his fear and imagined danger as a penance, rather than cause the scandal he did by pulling his hand away as he from well-meaning pilgrims seeking to show their devotion to the papacy. Not to him, remember. The papal titles (Holy Father etc) and customs (kissing the fisherman’s ring) are tributes to the papal office – not to any current holder of that office. Just as well.
Editor,
As they say: I stand corrected!
CC,
Well, sit down and behave yourself !
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9a/4b/45/9a4b457afba84bc1a0f92270782bc6ae.jpg
That’s so cute! We had the original Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head growing up.
With the creation of thirteen new cardinals, Pope Francis has just locked up the College of Cardinals … Humanly everything is done, God alone can save his Church and He will!
Lionel,
I don’t recognise the names of any of them but I think it’s a safe bet that they are modernists each and every one, to their fingertips. Apparently, after the ceremony, they all met Benedict who reminded them of the “value of fidelity to the Pope”. So much for the useful idiots who, while insisting that Pope Francis is an anti-pope, are equally insistent that Benedict is still the valid pope. As if that would be much, if any, improvement.
God will, indeed, save His Church. It’s precise details on how that we’re looking for now 😀
Here’s an update from Remnant TV, from the scene of the crime… I’ve not had time to watch the whole thing (20 minutes) but it’s a promising start.
Please bear in mind that not all of the 13 are voting members as a number are over 80.
It’s now gone midnight here so I’m heading for my beauty sleep (say nothing, RCA Victor – say absolutely nothing!)
But first, a very happy Feast of the Most Holy Rosary to one and all.
A very happy feast day to all bloggers!
À tous et à toutes, sainte et joyeuse fête du Rosaire!
Que Notre-Dame vous guide et vous protège!
A happy Feast of the Most Holy Rosary to everyone. Today, is a reminder in a way of the defeat of Islam in the naval battle of Lepanto in order to save Catholic Europe. Again, following World War II, Germany and Austria were conquered nations. In Austria in 1955 because of Rosary crusades, the Russians up and left unconditionally. This had never been known before.
Todays situation I think was foretold at Quito, I remember the thread in 2013.
https://catholictruthblog.com/2013/09/24/quito-prophecies-for-our-times/
Theresa Rose,
Many thanks for that reminder of the origin of the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.
I think we need to pray for a similar miracle, as the Pope is speaking of “a daring prudence” required at the Amazon Synod
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2019/10/06/pope-francis-prays-for-daring-prudence-during-amazon-synod/
“Prudence” with an adjective like “daring” alongside, should sound a very loud alarm bell for us all. Prudence is, in any event, all too often used as an excuse to keep a low profile in the apostolate. I’ve heard it from priests – I should say the ordained, generally, in fact, she said mysteriously – and from lay people worried about their careers. We should pray that the Pope – and the rest of us – obtain the grace to understand TRUE prudence. It is not a virtue properly understood by many of us.
Editor,
A flying comment! That’s an interesting comment about lay people being afraid of losing their jobs. I’ve just finished reading Pope Pius XII’s document on the lay apostolate. It’s very interesting. I can’t see anything that would suggest lay people are called to do anything that would put their job in jeopardy. Perhaps this document could form a future thread, because it’s very interesting indeed.
Petrus,
I’m really interested in what you say – can you link to that document please?
I know people who are watching their every word in their workplaces because of the fear of being demoted or sacked. I actually know of someone who was demoted for saying he didn’t believe in evolution.
I second the move for that thread!
Fidelis,
I’m busy right now but will post the link later.
Petrus,
A flying reply!
You won’t find any papal encyclical (exception, Francis, of course!) which absolves any lay person from being active in the lay apostolate. Sanctifying the world – not least through the workplace – has always been a key principle of the work of the laity. At least, that’s what I was taught back in them bad old days before it was decided that the laity should join Extinction Rebellion and concentrate on saving the planet, not their own souls or the souls of their family, friends and … work colleagues!
I am puzzled anyway that you (perhaps? appear to be?) taking exception to what I said about fear of losing jobs/prudence – because I’ve never known you to bow to a false prudence. On the contrary, you have often told me of instances in your own workplace where you have made your adherence to Catholic Faith and morals crystal clear. So, this is signed Puzzled, Planet Earth
And, like Fidelis, I’m keen to read that document – post that link asap! Not sure when I’ll get to read it, but I will – avidly. Because if there’s a loophole in there that allows us to get OUT of the lay apostolate, I want to find it 😀
Editor,
Will get the link ASAP.
There’s no loophole, but i think the document will be interesting reading !
I find it interesting that the mature bloggers often talk about what they were taught about the lay apostolate, remarking that their teaching and understanding of it was very good. However, this is the same generation that accepted Vatican II and the New Mass! Surely their understanding and experience of the lay apostolate couldn’t have been that good if they allowed that to happen en masse?
https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius12/p12layap.htm
I’ve just read the document again. It’s a great read.
What’s very clear is that the lay apostolate can take many forms. Setting a good example, serving on the altar, singing in the choir are all mentioned as being noble and praiseworthy.
It does, rightly, praise Catholic Action, but cautions is to avoid seeing Catholic Action as the sum and total of the lay apostolate. I can’t see anything whatsoever that calls for us to speak out to the extent that we risk losing our jobs.
Petrus,
” I can’t see anything whatsoever that calls for us to speak out to the extent that we risk losing our jobs.”
Somebody should have told Thomas More that – he had a great job as chancellor of all England, LOL!
Lily,
That example doesn’t really work. He didn’t speak out until he knew that his death was inevitable.
Petrus, Lily,
Correct – St Thomas More exercised true prudence because there was no need for him to say a word. Everyone knew that he was faithful to the Pope’s authority over the King’s claim. When he did speak, his words had all the more power as a result.
Editor,
Yes, I agree.
Petrus,
I’m surprised that you seem to be only finding out now that the lay apostolate can take many forms. I’ve said this umpteen times in the newsletter although, in times of Church crisis, the laity have come forward to unite in specific actions – such as hauling their priests from their pulpits when they preached heresy! We can’t all do everything, we can’t all do the same thing, but DO something, we must, however little. Not so long ago you told us on this blog about conversations you’ve had with Protestant preachers at your front door… ? Didn’t you realise you were engaging in the lay apostolate at that time?
As for risking your jobs – I would love to know when I’ve ever said anything to make you think that you have to risk your job. In a very difficult employment situation myself, I went out of my WAY not to lose my job. If’ you’d seen my bank balance, you’ve have taken a wild guess as to why!
So, I remain “Puzzled, Planet Earth”. I do NOT recommend risking your job! Is there any possibility at all that you may have misinterpreted something I’ve said?
Petrus,
Thanks for the link. I’ve read the document and right at the start it says everyone is called to the lay apostolate. I copied this:
“All the members of the Church, as We Ourselves said in the Encyclical Mystici Corporis Christo (The Mystical Body of Christ), are called upon to cooperate in building up and perfecting the Mystical Body of Christ. (Cfr. AAS 36, 1943, p. 241.) They are all free persons and should; therefore, be active.”
I think common sense and tact (which is mentioned) should always be employed in the workplace but I think it is a duty of us all to do what we can to speak the truth in the workplace, which is not easy these days, with the new immoral laws in place and the threat of accursations of hate speech.
Today’s feast of the rosary is a good day to think about these things.
Petrus,
I’ve never said anything “good” about myself ever.
Clearly, there was something wrong with the teaching about obedience to popes, when so many people followed their leader at Vatican II. All part of the mystery of iniquity – I certainly don’t have the answer – sorry!
Editor,
I meant to clarify that no, I don’t take exception. I know you wouldn’t have been meaning anyone in particular. I genuinely would like to learn more about this.
Petrus,
I cannot think of anything more to know! We are baptised lay people, which itself gives us the duty to spread the Faith but then, as confirmed Soldiers of Christ, having been given added strength, grace and gifts from the Holy Spirit, we have a clear duty to defend the Faith under attack – soldiers fight.
Doesn’t mean we have to go LOOKING for a fight, but when the opportunity arises and there is a need to defend Catholic dogma and morals, then, in whatever way we can, we have a duty to speak or act, do what we can to fulfil our basic duty.
Now, that’s always been my understanding. If I’m wrong, however, and if we fulfil our duty by simply attending Mass on Sundays, and speaking to those sympathetic with our beliefs, please let me know – I’ll be truly delighted to be corrected, believe me!
Editor,
Yes, that’s right. We can do that in our own local circumstances, can’t we ? Going to work, out with friends, family circumstances etc.
Editor,
Here is my attempt to translate “daring prudence”:
Disguise your daring objective in vague gibberish that could be interpreted in six different ways, including the way you want it interpreted.
“We have used ambiguous phrases during the Council and we know how we will interpret them afterwards.” (Edward Schillebeeckx, quoted in Open Letter to Confused Catholics, pg.106.)
Well shiver me timbers! We’re about to see more of the same old Vatican II tricks!
RCA Victor,
I suspect these same old Vatican II tricks, as you so eloquently put it, are here to stay until Russia has been consecrated to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, as she requested, way back when…
Happy Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, everyone! This was a great day in history!
Sorry, folks, I meant to post something on the Battle of Lepanto / Feast of the Most Holy Rosary earlier but got caught up with other things. So, as we approach midnight, and the end of this year’s Feast, here is a piece from Rorate Caeli
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2019/10/lepanto-highest-moment-that-centuries.html
Enjoy!
Here is the next update from Remnant TV. Have not listened to it all as yet. Worrying indeed! Women baptising. Women hearing confessions in the absence of priests. Women after all cannot give absolution. I hate to think what is coming next.
Theresa Rose,
That video is really worrying. Women hearing confessions? As Michael Matt says, they admit they can’t absolve, but this is a ruse to get people used to seeing a woman behind the grille and thinking it’s better than nothing. Just like has happened with the extraordinary ministers of Communion, people think it’s better than not having Communion at all.
BTW, I hope this doesn’t sound too uncharitable but I wish someone would tell Michael Matt to hold back with the sarcastic laughing. I find it very irritating.
Laura,
That’s just terrifying.
Editor, it makes me wonder what is the point of any kind of work such as The Remnant and Catholic Truth? Have you not done all you can now, and I got the feeling that Michael Matt’s laughing was a sign of his weariness.
Maybe what Our Lord said applied now – that some devils are only cast out by prayer and fasting?
Catherine,
I think you make a good point.
Reading the document of Pope Pius XII, the one thing that is emphasised by him is that the lay apostolate should be directed by the hierarchy. That word comes up time and time again. In these days the SSPX must stand in place of the hierarchy, so I now believe our lay apostolate should be directed by the priests of the SSPX.
Petrus,
I don’t see the SSPX as the answer at all – they are not a group who are active and they hardly speak out at all, they seem to want to keep a low profile, so I don’t agree with you about that. I see there is one speaking at the Catholic Truth seminar next year, so that is good, but generally speaking the SSPX priests are nowhere to be found in this crisis, except in their own chapels preaching to the converted!
What I meant was that, with this crisis so bad, and people not doing their bit (I saw a comment from Athanasius on the thread about the “porn priest” sharing the platform with Bishop Fellay saying he had pulled out of blogging) then maybe it’s time for the Catholic Truth (and maybe the Remnant as well) to shut up shop. It’s not ideal but this is a time of dreadful crisis when everyone should be pulling their weight and that’s not happening. It’s being left to a handful of people at Catholic Truth and things are now so bad that I don’t think it’s fair to expect them to do all the work.
Catherine,
I wouldn’t bother about the numbers here. People come and go and it was always the case that a minority work for souls. There was only one Jeremiah, remember, LOL! Only one Hosea!
We’ve just managed to keep the blog open so don’t go giving editor ideas about closing down the whole shop, LOL!
Lily,
It is a very attractive thought, to close down shop. That day will come (hopefully soon!)
For now, though, we’re plodding on – at least until the end of the Amazon Synod and then we will re-assess…
Stay tuned!
Catherine,
I don’t think that’s completely fair. The SSPX bishops do speak out, they arrange conferences which are posted on YouTube. For example, there’s a great conference on the family that happened at Knock last week. Bishop Fellay and other SSPX priests give great talks. The UK priests now have their sermons online. There’s lots of information on their website and SSPX priests write books on the current crisis. What else would you like them to do?
Catherine,
Thank you for your kind concern.
In fact, Catholic Truth has enjoyed quite a lot of support from SSPX priests over the years. As you mentioned, yourself, our current prior is speaking at our Education Seminar next May, on the subject of our Confirmation duty to be Soldiers of Christ, and he is, in fact, trying to set up a Legion of Mary group – which was my own favoured lay apostolic action from the age of 11 years. We’ve promised to publicise and promote that praesidium once it is up and running. Indeed, as a former full time Extension Worker for the Legion of Mary (I gave up my day job to spend a year travelling the length and breadth of Scotland establishing praesidia in parishes in my otherwise misspent youth), I offered to help the organisers with the setting up process. We might all pray for the success of that enterprise. The Legion of Mary at its best, is the model apostolic work for lay people, working under the spiritual direction of a priest, seeking to bring back the lapsed, including “street women” (red light districts – quite a challenge!) win converts to the Faith, distributing miraculous medals and sound literature – all wonderful work.
Our work is in a different category and is simply an emergency measure, a means of alerting our fellow Catholics to the fact that there IS a crisis in the Church; in the nature of our work, it is not fair to expect priests to openly support us, let alone direct our work, since we are exposing the heresy and immorality within the ranks of the priesthood, and yet…
One of our earliest newsletters carried a very supportive letter from an SSPX priest in England, who included a very generous donation with his encouraging letter, in which he urged us to continue with our humble efforts to alert our fellow Catholics to the crisis in the Church. He remarked that, but for our newsletter, he wouldn’t know the half of what was going on in the Church. Certainly, even today, reading the official Catholic press, most people would think everything in the garden is rosy. And he is not the only SSPX priest to have donated to our funds. Along with a number of diocesan priests, the Society clergy have been very generous to us over the years.
Then, when we organised leafleting (distributing Fatima leaflets) outside Bellahouston Park, during the visit of Pope Benedict to Scotland, our then SSPX prior joined us, and the other priest apologised profusely saying he would just love to join us but had another unbreakable commitment. Father Prior stayed on to socialise with us in a local parish afterwards, where the parish priest has always been supportive of our work.
SSPX (and other) priests have attended our various meetings and conferences over the years, and when we have organised a meal afterwards, they’ve all stayed on to be fed as well! An Irish SSPX priest allowed me to share a platform with him when some readers in Cork organised a Conference, some years ago. How was I to know that his talk would be much better than mine?
Finally, Bishop Fellay – I’m reliably informed – was keen to accept our invitation to address one of our conferences but felt forced to decline for reasons I won’t give here, as I’m already overdue at another appointment. Clue: it was at the time of the resistance movement being orchestrated by the then District Superior in London (who has now left the Society) and it was felt that it might exacerbate the situation since I’d let the Bishop know that I was not exactly flavour of the month with that particular Superior.
So, it’s not really true to say that the SSPX priests are not active, although if you are meaning they are not pro active, that is probably a fair criticism of many, most of the time. However, when approached, they will – in my experience – respond positively to invitations and are generally supportive of lay initiatives. Our current prior had planned to join us at one of our public rosaries but misunderstood the arrangements. While he waited – in vain – for us to turn up outside the church, we were praying our socks off outside the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh (at the time of the Irish referendum on abortion.)
I take your point about bloggers pulling out – it is always a pity when contributors disappear but, hey, that’s life. Goodness, the divorce rate has rocketed – people can’t stick at even marriage for long, let alone for life! So we can’t be too surprised that bloggers come and go. My message to them is a friendly one…
https://sd.keepcalms.com/i/good-luck-have-fun.png
I think that Catholic Truth has done great work. However, I agree with you that the blog should now be retired gracefully. Lots of great Catholic blogs that did good in the past have now closed. The lay apostolate needs to adapt and evolve, just like military tactics adapt and evolve. The golden age of Catholic blogging was 2009 to 2015. The old Catholic blogs and forums that have remained open are dead now, and I believe that they too should close.
Miles,
I do not agree that the blog should close, I think it continues to do good work and also that there will always be a place for blog and discussion forums.
I think you make a good point about the lay apostolate adapting its tactics, but I don’t think we will ever need to stop talking / discussing!
As well as being educational / informative, the blog is good place for a sense of solidarity and fellowship.
It is also a useful means of communication: for example, I learned details of a recent rosary / funeral thanks to the blog.
You are right that the Catholic internet scene has, in general, dipped in recent years. I strongly believe that is down to this Pontificate and the fact that many people simply are (to say the least) not very enthusiastic about talking about Pope Francis and his antics.
I remember, when the Pontificate was still quite new, I spoke to a Scottish Catholic blogger who said he was packing it in “until we get a new Pope”.
Granted, only an anecdotal example, but I believe that lower enthusiasm for blogging is, in some way, comparable to the paltry crowds Francis draws to St Peter’s square. In the sense that the lower level of engagement signals both a form of protest and disinterest.
Miles Immaculatae,
I did not say that the blog should be retired gracefully. What I was saying was that if people are not blogging who could be blogging, then why should editor and her team bother. However, I agree with Gabriel Syme that the blog is educational and informative and also that even if it helps to save one soul, then it is doing God’s work.
I am one of the followers of this blog and I read it and learn from it. I don’t feel that I know enough about all the topics to contribute and I have a husband and a young family, so I don’t have much free time. I do come on whenever I can, and I use it to ask questions, for example, on the General Discussion thread. I am particularly interested in the Amazon synod at the moment so I am following this discussion closely.
Sorry if I gave the impression that I wanted the blog to close, that is not what I meant.
Miles Immaculatae,
Well, they say a week is a long time in politics, so I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised that 5 months is a long time in blogging – not so long ago, you were saying what a great shame it would be if this blog closed! I wonder why you have changed your mind?
Anyway, we have paid the renewal for another year, so it would be very wrong to abuse our donors’ money by closing the blog now. I hope, therefore, that you will understand why we are keeping it open, at least until the next renewal date – unless divine intervention decides otherwise!
But, listen, nobody needs to blog here or anywhere else. I have often acknowledged that various bloggers here have important work and family commitments and I never expect anyone to blog, certainly not instead of attending to their duty of state (and other) personal commitments.
So, please don’t feel you need to blog here at all – allow me to thank you for all of your very interesting comments to date, but don’t let me keep you from “adapting and evolving” 😀
And – be assured – while it seems impossible to get out of the EU, there’s no such problem here. You want out, you go. Not a problem. Thanks again for your contributions – but, please, do not feel the need to comment further. Get on with those military tactics… adapt and evolve! 😀
http://militaryhumor.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/military-humor-military-intelligence-sounds-better-on-paper.jpg
Editor,
Please don’t feel you need to answer this, but I get the feeling, rightly or wrongly, that you are under diabolical attack. I am just here to say stand firm. Don’t listen to critics – who knows what their agenda is, but just remember that this blog helps lots of people and that is what enrages the devil. Stand firm, as St Paul says.
I strongly disagree that this blog should be retired, gracefully or otherwise. Please cite your references for making statements like “The golden age of Catholic blogging was 2009 to 2015.”
And if you have any suggestions for adapting and evolving of tactics (aside from closing blogs), please post them.
Michaela has already pointed out below her opinion that this blog is under diabolical attack – i.e. an attack which is an attempt to divide and conquer – and I agree with her. What better sign than this, that the blog is threatening to those with evil purpose?
If there’s any time in which the resources of Catholic sanity should be maintained, it is now, and this blog is an oasis of Catholic sanity.
“If there’s any time in which the resources of Catholic sanity should be maintained, it is now, and this blog is an oasis of Catholic sanity.”
Two cheers for you, RCA Victor!
Margaret 🇺🇸
I think the schism is already manifest. Cardinal Marx some time ago (2015) boasted, of the German Episcopal Conference, that “we are not a subsidiary of Rome”.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/we-are-not-a-subsidiary-of-rome-are-germanys-bishops-ready-for-schism-over
Now (2019) Sandro Magtser quotes him as saying: “Rome will not be the one to tell us what we have to do in Germany”
http://magister.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/2019/10/08/muller-accuses-from-this-synod-they-have-driven-out-jesus/
Marx’s arrogance is shocking, and he has denied the hierarchical nature of the Church on more than one occasion.
2 quotes, years apart, from different sources, assure us that this is not down to a poor translation.
Also in the Magister link, Cardinal Mueller rights identifies that the “amazonian synod” is a really about a German driven european agenda.
However I am surprised that the article claims that Pope Francis and Cardinals Woelki and Quellet are concerned by the German Bishop’s own “binding” shadow synod.
I think both synods, Francis, Marx etc are all linked, part of an extravagant dog and pony show.
In particular Cardinal Woelki of Cologne is surely the “good cop” to Cardinal Marx’s “bad cop” in this German theatre. The North-Rhine Westphalian Laurel to the Bavarian Hardy.
Gabriel Syme,
Yes, the schism is already manifest and your German example is spot on.
In fact, way back before we launched the Catholic Truth newsletter, one Glasgow man (part of the original team) used to write to the Vatican about various liturgical abuses / scandals, and he always headed his letters “Regarding the Schism of the Catholic Church in Scotland” (words to that effect – I think that’s a verbatim quote). He sent his letters to various Congregations, always copied to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and throughout the years of his writing, when he received replies galore (in those early days, after the Council), not one prelate ever challenged the idea that the Church here was schismatic. Not once. The contents of his letters illustrated the undeniable truth of the headline.
Love the “Laurel & Hardy” reference! Clever!
Here’s the latest update from Remnant TV
No wonder Michael Matt can’t keep a straight face. This synod is turning out to be truly hilarious. We were all told to obey the UN and now we find out that the UN is the one trying to end infanticide in the Amazon region while a cardinal of the Church tries to deny it even happens. They have been planning this synod forever, so did they not make sure they knew all they could about the region before saying it was time the whole Church learned from the indigenous peoples of the Amazon? It’s ridiculous.
Michaela,
There is another possibility about this infanticide, even more horrifying than their agenda-driven incompetence: namely, that infanticide doesn’t bother them one bit.
And if this Cavalcade of Clowns is steeped in Marxist excrement, as they appear to be, then infanticide – i.e. another variety of abortion – would indeed not be a problem, as abortion is a permanent plank in their evil platform.
As for their alleged reverence for the indigenous, that is just a ruse in their attempt to drive a stake into the heart of the Church. Just like the alleged concern for the poor and the oppressed is a ruse to give Communists leverage to foment revolution.
RCA Victor,
You are so right when you say “As for their alleged reverence for the indigenous, that is just a ruse in their attempt to drive a stake into the heart of the Church.”
I read about the pagan ceremony in the Vatican grounds using the statue of a pagan goddess – it’s unbelievable. Where is the reverence for the Holy Trinity? Where is the reverence for Christ, our Saviour? Where is the reverence for Our Blessed Lady?
I couldn’t agree more with you that the whole thing is just a ruse to foment revolution. That is it in a nutshell.
Editor,
I couldn’t believe my ears that anyone at that synod has said Jesus was an Indian, and got away with it! The devil really is having a field day.
Here’s another Amazonian whopper: a tribal leader who exposes the roots of this Synod:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/amazonian-tribal-leader-liberation-theology-poverty-misery
Teaser:
“Marcolino,[tribal leader] a lawyer and mathematician who was illiterate for the first 18 years of his life, until he received an education, told a packed venue in Rome that a “dictatorship” of missionary workers teaching Liberation Theology has “dismantled” the work of the first missionaries, “preached conflict,” and sought to prevent development in the region, thus keeping indigenous people in poverty and misery, with bat-filled homes and insect-eaten feet.”
The socialist globalists have all the money, but the truth always seems to sneak out at the most inopportune moments.
RCA Victor,
That whole article from Lifesite is very interesting indeed – it’s clear that paganism has entered the Vatican.
Cardinal Sarah speaks of the Amazon Synod “insulting God”. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2019/10/09/cardinal-sarah-ideological-push-in-amazon-synod-an-insult-to-god/
This is from the Remnant site – a bishop openly speaking about the ordination of women.
https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/4627-the-sham-is-on-women-priests-and-global-warming
I’ve just watched the video from today’s Remnant – it’s really interesting.
Lily,
thanks for posting that. This synod is just getting worse and worse. That bishop was cornered by the journalist and just being careful what he said but it’s obvious that he wants women priests. That would have the same effect as the girl servers, i.e. drive away possibly male vocations.
I think bloggers will find the latest Remnant TV report very informative.
What a powerful report from Michael Matt! Really it is heartbreaking to listen to him speaking the truth: that the Catholic Church as represented by this synod and by Francis is a travesty of the Church as it used to be. I wish that he could address all the delegates though I doubt if they would listen to him, they are too busy “listening to and accompanying” the worldly, the environmentalists and the psychobabblers. This is the truth they should be hearing.
I suppose we can do little but pray and trust that the True Church will survive in the end.
Elizabeth,
I agree. All of the Remnant videos have been excellent, exposing what is actually going on at that synod.
I’m the same, wondering what is happening to the Church. As you can we can’t do much more than pray and trust God.
Can we remember to invoke Our Lady of Fatima today, anniversary of the miracle of the sun, to bring graces to the participants in this Amazon Synod.
https://fatima.org/news-views/the-102nd-anniversary-of-the-miracle-of-the-sun/
Laura,
I kept thinking yesterday that we are seeing Fatima coming true before our very eyes. The diabolical disorientation couldn’t be more clear.
I think this travesty of a Synod is bringing out the best in Michael Matt. This video is really eloquent and stirring. As for the “new Christ” he starts to talk about around 21:00, the new Christ with which we are being harangued to death: he doesn’t draw the logical conclusion, but he hints at it.
This “new Christ” is nothing but the anti-Christ. And this dark era is the preview of things to come. We should warn our children what it will look like.
RCA Victor,
I agree – Michael Matt is really coming into his own in these videos.
I didn’t take “anti-Christ” out of what he said, just that this pope and Vatican are trying to re-make the Church and Christ in their own image. I suppose that actually is “anti-Christ”, though.
The Fatima Center also are making daily videos during the synod – the answer about euthanasia (case by case basis) is very worrying.
Just an hour ago, here is a LifeSite journalist asking a (very long winded) question about the pagan statue set up in St Peter’s – pity she was so long winded but worth watching the 4 minutes to see the responses from the top table.
“It’s a female figure that has no sacred or pagan value…” were among the speaker’s concluding words. Yet earlier in his non-response, the speaker stated that this female figure represented “life.”
I’d love to know what school these people went to, a school where they obviously took classes in how to say nothing while sounding like you’ve said something. It gives new meaning to a “BS” degree….
Bishop Schneider has spoken to an audience about his new book Christus Vincit, and, has presented Michael Matt with a copy of it.
https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/4634-major-vatican-event-schneider-burke-speak-during-amazon-synod
Theresa Rose,
Thank you for that link which I look forward to reading later. Having problems with log in today, among other distractions, but I will check in when free.
RCA Victor,
I think the school they attended ran that well known course… you know the one… Oh yes, that’s it – you can fool some of the people some of the time, so – go for it!
What I’m wondering now is, where are all the papolatrists who used to visit us on a fairly regular basis to defend all things papal? I take that back – don’t want them here. I’m getting lovely positive messages of appreciation about how peaceful the blog is these days, so let’s keep it that way! Still, it would be interesting to hear their defence of Papa Francis and the Amazon Synod. Just saying!
Editor,
I think “papolatrist” is no longer an accurate term to describe those people. Let’s try “hucksters” or “hoaxers” – you know, like the puppets who are trotted out to speak to reporters at the Amazon Synod. (I’m trying to think of a new term for this Synod, but so far words have failed me)
Here’s an analysis of the secular version of hoaxers, i.e. the mainstream media:
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/10/journalists_have_become_hoaxers.html
If this period is the Passion of the Church, then I’m beginning to think that this Amazon Synod is the Crucifixion.
We’ve had the betrayal (Vatican II – the kiss of human respect), we’ve had the arrest and condemnation of Tradition, we’ve had the Church scourged and sentenced by the state (government responses to sex abuse scandals), and now…
Please, would everyone sign this Lifesitenews petition asking the Vatican to remove all pagan symbols (I can’t believe the question has to be asked!)
https://lifepetitions.com/petition/vatican-must-remove-all-pagan-symbols-from-st-peter-s-and-the-synod-hall
MM,
Thank you for posting this link! I sent it to Madame Editor but you beat me to it! 🙂
I signed it and hope the entire CT family signs it too.
In Christ the King,
Margaret 🇺🇸
Here’s a welcome shock: a Dutch bishop telling it like it is, in great detail!
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/dutch-bishop-amazon-synods-politically-correct-agenda-ignores-christ
The first thing that comes to mind, reading this faithful denunciation of this evil Synod, is this: why hasn’t the SSPX, the alleged lifeboat of Tradition, said this?
RCA Victor,
I suspect that the Dutch bishop is the brother of a woman who lives here in Scotland. I met her years ago- she was (and I presume still is) involved in the pro-life movement, and I remember her saying that she had a brother who was a bishop in Holland (and I’m almost certain his name is Robert). I only know her by her married name so can’t be “I swear on oath” sure that he is one and the same, but seems very likely.
I’ve lost touch with her now, not least because she wanted to keep her distance from Catholic Truth, imagining (fondly!) that she would be more successful with her efforts to combat explicit sex education if she were not associated with us. I wonder if she views the safe spaces for “gay” pupils in Catholic schools and the acceptance of “trans” pupils into same schools, and all the rest, as “success”.
It’s great that the Dutch bishop is speaking out so clearly – and I agree that it is surprising, and very disappointing, that the SSPX isn’t doing the same. There is a school of thought that where the diocesan prelates speak out, best to leave them to it, as being associated with the SSPX doesn’t help. At least, our visiting SSPX priest spoke well at Mass on Sunday about the Amazon Synod, the shock of having pagan goddesses in the Vatican etc. so “on the ground”, I presume, they are not keeping silent.
Good new – some Catholics have taken the initiative and thrown several Pagan Pachamama statues into the River Tiber:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-controversial-amazon-synod-statue-siezed-and-thrown-into-the-tiber-river-full-video?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com&utm_campaign=fed6bfd0d4-Catholic_10_22_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12387f0e3e-fed6bfd0d4-402144653
CC.
Thank you for that link.
RCA Victor did post the original report on the Extinction Rebellion thread, saying (rightly) that this is the sort of rebellion we welcome!
I’m going now to post the YouTube video from Lifesitenews on the new thread about the divinity of Christ/Church. Thank you for posting it here.
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