Closure of the Catholic Truth Blog…
Editor writes…
First things first; as I promised in the May newsletter, Holy Mass will be offered for all our supporters and benefactors, as we close our apostolate.
I invited Father Linus Clovis (left), to offer this Mass. In fact, he has promised to offer two novenas of Masses. The first from 1st June 2023 to 1st February 2024 and the 2nd from 7th March to 5th December, 2024. Effectively, monthly Mass for the rest of this year and all of next; 18 in all. These Masses will be offered on the first Thursday of every month, to enable everyone to participate spiritually, if possible. Thank you so much, Father.
We were privileged to have Father Clovis address one of our Conferences in Glasgow (2016) and he was set to attend our recent Conference on 25 March, but prevented by an unexpected change in his personal circumstances which meant he could not travel to the UK at that time, after all.
So, again, sincere gratitude to Father for his generous provision of so many [Traditional Latin] Masses on the closure of the Catholic Truth apostolate.
Secondly, to the “what now?” Well, that’s up to you, our bloggers and readers, because I think it’s only fair to allow all of you the opportunity to suggest topics for discussion before we close. If there are burning issues or topics of interest that I may have missed and/or you are keen to discuss, now is the time to say so. Just tell me in the comments what you would like to discuss between now and the 4th July, when I will be pressing the “delete” button, and the Catholic Truth blog will disappear from cyberspace. I will, hopefully, be able to accommodate everyone.
Over to you…
Comments (85)
Father, how do we respond when Protestants say “Scripture contains everything essential for salvation.” What are the verses that disprove that? Also, do you know of any sources outside the Bible that states Sodom & Gomorrah were punishments for sodomy?
Abby,
Although I posted a photo of Father Linus Clovis and explained that he is offering Mass for the intentions of our supporters and benefactors, Father is not “answering questions” on this blog. This thread is really to suggest topics for discussion before we close the blog.
Your questions are very good and I will see to it that they are answered in a post. If someone chooses to answer any questions like yours on THIS thread, that is fine.
Abby,
To start with, you will find this small booklet, available to read online, very useful indeed. The Protestant belief that the bible alone (Sola Scriptura) is sufficient for salvation, is not found in the Bible itself! Read the booklet at this link
https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.org/twenty-one-reasons-to-reject-sola-scriptura-j-peters/
Abby,
I’ve settled on the work of archaeologists to answer that part of your question about extra-biblical sources for Sodom & Gomorrah because the majority of other sources (such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica) accept the claim of some biblical scholars that the two cities were probably merely legendary. This is where the work of archaeology comes into its own – follow the science as they say 😀
https://opentheword.org/2020/08/25/archaeologist-find-evidence-that-sodom-and-gomorrah-were-destroyed-by-intense-fire/
Wait! I missed the announcement. Can you pls post the link of this original announcement or briefly tell me why you are ending your blog? Are you really going to delete it? It’s such valuable info to be able to search, look back, etc…
thank you for all of your work! Much of it was over my head, but as an eager re-vert, I enjoyed the challenge! Thank you!
I found the post! I’ll read it tonight!
PS you have the best comments on any blog! Thanks to the regulars too! Awesome to learn from you too!
Erica,
Thank you SO much for your positive comments about this blog. I very much appreciate your kindness in coming on to tell us that you have found the discussions useful. Hopefully, you will stick around for the remaining few weeks, and take part in the conversations.
God bless.
Erica, I second everything you say. I would like to keep it as a read only blog. It’s a pity it was always the same bloggers who came on to comment. I think it has helped so many across the world. I’ve learned more about my Catholic Faith through the blog than I have elsewhere, even at Mass, I’m sorry to say.
Catherine,
Thank you for that – others have said the same thing, so it is wonderful to think that the bloggers here have helped readers to “learn more about [their] Catholic Faith…” Marvellous!
N O T I C E …
This Notice is for information only – please do not reply to it. I do not want this topic to be discussed. Thank you for your co-operation.
As most of you will know, I have been expelled from the SSPX Masses. I am not permitted to enter their chapels. You will find the explanation for this in my talk to our recent Conference published at this link.
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2023/03/29/on-the-closure-of-the-catholic-truth-apostolate/
It has come to my attention that a number of Mass-goers have written to the priests to ask them to permit me to return. Please do not do this. I know people are well-meaning but I would ask you not to write to the priests about this matter. It is only making the situation worse.
With the closure of the Balornock TLM, I am now unable to attend Mass, so I continue to drive my family members into the SSPX chapel, and stay in my car where I pray my rosary, and read through the Mass. It’s a long time to remain seated, so I get out of the car afterwards to stretch my legs and walk a little along Renfrew Street. Sometimes, people exiting the church naturally speak to me, and lament my situation but I have never asked anyone to act in support of me. Others, who have long been my enemies, ignore me. Now that I am aware of the way certain things are being misinterpreted by the priests, I would encourage Mass-goers/readers/bloggers not to write or approach either of these priests again, and it is best if you don’t approach me, either. Obviously, I will be polite to anyone who chooses to speak to me but I do not want to be seen as encouraging any level of perceived “rebellion” 😀
I feel the need to say this because the priests are accusing me of “waylaying” people after Mass. “Last week” was the example cited in correspondence sent to me yesterday. The truth is simple: having got out of my car to stretch my legs, I found myself unexpectedly facing one of the priests exiting the church. Taken aback, I did not have time to react by saying even something so mundane as “Hello Father” or “Good morning Father” for which a kindly Mass-goer later gently chided me, saying I ought to have acknowledged him verbally. Can’t win! Now, with the “waylaying” charge, I feel that I cannot acknowledge anyone, any more! To continue my efforts to appease these priests, I will do my best to find a parking space further away from the chapel where I can wait for my family members but in case I am forced to park outside, please just ignore me.
I am accepting (albeit not “respecting”) the decision of these priests to expel me from their chapel, so I urge everyone else to accept it as well.
Thank you to those who have contacted the priests, of course – I fully appreciate your charity.
Reminder: please do not respond to this comment. If you have something which you feel you must say, feel free to email me on editor@catholictruthscotland.com but be aware that I cannot enter into extended correspondence. Thank you.
One of the crucial things we need to discuss is about all the cheques/pay rises that we’ve been promised over the years that have NEVER arrived . . . Lots of back pay owing to all concerned. I think this has got to be a BIG closure of blog issue, solicitors involved, the whole works. 😀 😀 😀
WF,
Good try! But since there’s no point in strike action now, I’m holding out to see what the unions agree for other workers before adding another zero on to the pay here… I mean £000.000 isn’t bad at all given that we are in a cost of living/lockdown crisis. 😀
Madame Editor,
On the question of wages, may I quote an observation made to me by a priest relative to the hours of unpaid work put into maintaining an apostolate? He said: ” I know the wages are zilch, but the pensions are out of this world.”
May Our Lady reward you for the tremendous good that you brought about by launching and running your apostolate through all these years.
Leprechaun
Leprechaun,
Thank you for your kind words. And thank you, too, for all the behind-the-scenes assistance YOU have given Catholic Truth over the years. God bless you.
I’ll let you off this time . . . but only because it’s you! I wouldn’t want anyone thinking I’m a pushover! 😀
Could we discuss the disconnect there is between what Catholics say they believe about love of neighbour, and what they actually do, how they actually live, because I am sometimes quite shocked to witness this disconnect. This applies to priests as much as to lay people, in my experience. Some people are treated like lepers in certain congregations and others are the bees knees. I’d like to explore that.
Fidelis,
I suspect it was ever thus, prior to Vatican II and later, divided TLM and NO communities. It’s called fallen human nature.
Fidelis,
You are right, and such behaviour constitutes a truly appalling witness.
Part of the problem is that priests do not always exercise that divine paternity in which they are constituted. They are a big part of the glue which should hold everything together. Of course, lay people have to help them in this. (Contemporary priests, in my opinion, rarely appreciate the supernatural power their office confers, but that is another story.)
To put it succinctly, we all have to decrease that Our Lord might increase, but it is very much a work in progress, as we all know.
Fidelis,
As WF and Leitourgos have intimated, such bad behaviour (which you term a “disconnect”) is here to stay, evidence of our fallen human nature and which needs our constant attention and a lot of God’s grace, which we seek in prayer and through the Sacraments. Not sure there’s much to say once that has been admitted/accepted, but, still, I’m putting all suggestions into the mix, so thank you for it.
I am wondering if it would be good to discuss this latest DNA / IVF development.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12065167/Britains-three-parent-baby-born-Procedure-marks-biggest-leap-forward-IVF-created.html
Josephine,
I think that would make an interesting discussion – although in the absence of a few science buffs it may be a short, if not sweet, debate. On the list, though, so thank you for that.
Editor, wish you well now and in future.
Sorry to hear of your bad experience with SSpx which isn’t surprising in some places. Could u imagine Christine Niles visiting SSpx church in Scotland one day, get noticed and barred. You aren’t the only one out there.
Fds,
There’s a difference though – Christine Niles seems to be out to “get” the SSPX. Editor has been very supportive of the SSPX for years and only posted the Holy Week thread last year and the one on the Trinity Sunday sermon on the Low & Sung Masses, those are the ones which caused offence to the Scottish SSPX priests. They were about the issues of liturgy not personal to the priests or attacking the SSPX itself. That’s a big difference IMO.
Lily,
Well, there was also the thread about the Angelus Conference…
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2019/09/29/traditional-conference-porn-priest-bishop-fellay-to-share-platform/
We have a duty to be true to our purpose, whether to call out evil-doing (a) in the diocesan parishes or (b) in traditional chapels or (c) at a Conference such at the one linked, where we have a combination of (a) and (b) above!
Editor,
I have two suggestions.
1) A Fatima thread to discuss how long bloggers think we have before the Consecration of Russia since Our Lady said it would be done but it would be “late”. How do bloggers measure the time line?
2) I copied this from the thread with your talk: It would be useful, also, to reflect on ways to encourage the members of the Nicodemus Club to take courage and stand against the kind of false obedience which is keeping them prisoners of the modernist outrages damaging the Church throughout Scotland in our times. My suggestion is a thread to discuss why priests are so lacking in courage and how can this be changed? I was appalled again when reading that so many priests just ignored your emails about the Conference. How can they be so rude and yet preach to the rest of us about charity?
Laura,
Many people take the 100 years (to the day) from the Sacred Heart apparition request to consecrate France to the Sacred Heart, to the beginning of that particular chastisement for France, because the Kings refused to make the consecration. At Rianjo, Spain, Our Lord appeared to Sister Lucia and linked this to the Fatima apparitions https://fatima.org/the-apparition-at-rianjo-1931 and because of this, many have thought that the 100 year timeline from the formal request for the Consecration of Russia in 1929 at Tuy, may have been the start of the period given https://fatima.org/the-apparition-at-tuy-1929 If this is the case, and the Consecration hasn’t been done by 2029, then the annihilation of nations that Our Lady warned of could take place then. Odd that it is one year before Klaus Schwab’s ‘Great Reset’ planned for 2030. Perhaps God has other plans. Obviously what I have written above is conjecture, but it is very interesting that Our Lord linked the failure to consecrate France with the Consecration of Russia.
Laura,
I worked with Novus Ordo priests for quite a while (although not taking part in their religious life or sacraments) and I can assure you many of them have lost the concept of vocation, and either got no real formation, or their formation has been corrupted. To such priests, the priesthood is just a job and once they’ve put their hours in, the rest of the day is theirs to watch TV or whatever. And it’s not just the ones I worked with. Many are like it. I know of a person who went to a presbytery needing confession who was turned away by the priest, because it was ‘out of his working hours’ and he was told to make an act of contrition, and come back during ‘church opening time’ the next Saturday. To many of them, it’s just a job, and so it follows they wouldn’t have any courage to tackle any problems facing parishioners. The only time I used to see the priests I worked with getting irate was when something happened which affected THEM adversely.
As a variation of Abby Smith’s request, I’d like to discuss how traditional Catholics (i.e. Catholics) can speak convincingly (not to mention charitably and patiently) to “mainstream” Catholics about why the Novus Ordo is a poverty-stricken, basically anti-Catholic liturgy that should be shunned. I know we just had a topic on the “Stated Purpose of the New Mass” etc., but my request has to do with how to broach the subject with non-traditionalists. Do we even speak the same language?
RCA Victor,
That’s insightful – and I agree; we need to be able to speak about the new/TL Mass issue in a way that makes the gravity of the issue readily understood by those who have not “grown up” with the debate or who have been so indoctrinated in modernism that they have forgotten what we all once took for granted. So, thank you for that suggestion.
Stuck at home with a bad cold, I got to thinking about the imminent end of the CT apostolate. I found myself reflecting on how I have changed regarding the issues highlighted here over the years. I think that it would be good if we all did the same.
Suffice to say that mine has been a game of catch-up. I never fully grasped until very recently the importance of Fatima as a lens — the most important lens — through which to see the ‘crisis’ (let’s call it that for talking’s sake) in the Church. I also did not see the debacle of the liturgical reform for what it is: an attack striking at the core of the faith of the Church.
If such a thread is put up, I certainly would, God willing, hope to contribute to it.
It’s a pity the content on Catholic Truth will be lost when the blog finally closes in July because, as some have noted, its content has helped a good many Catholics to return to the Faith and Mass of their forefathers, and even won a few converts to the faith along the way.
I think it fair to say that quite a few of those who have returned to Tradition now attend Mass at the SSPX. In this regard, this lay apostolate has been a far greater instrument of God’s grace for confused and lost sheep (so to speak) in an era of scant zeal.
The importance of this lay apostolate over the decades cannot be overstated, especially when we come to realise that the crisis in the Church is largely clerical in nature. When those whose duty it is to teach and to sanctify fail in their task, for whatever reason, the laity are expected to step up to the plate, as per their Confirmation duty. I think that’s all CT and its contributors have sought to do, largely unsupported by those who should be front and centre in these “Last Times”.
The best example I can think of to demonstrate the point was that horrible period back in 2011/12 when certain clergy and laity in the SSPX broke away from the Society in rebellion because Bishop Fellay was having discussions with Pope Benedict XVI for a personal prelature within the Church.
I still have memories of receiving anonymous telephone calls in the wee small hours and of being physically assaulted by the then-District Superior (now a sedevacantist outcast) because Catholic Truth stood firm in its public defence of Bishop Fellay against a UK-wide online avalanche of attacks on His Excellency. Bishop Fellay expressed his thanks to CT at the time for bringing truth and objectivity to the debate, which was very gratifying.
Not all priests have been hostile to this apostolate, as you know. There have been many good examples of holy priestly zeal and support expressed by such as Fr. Clovis, God bless him, and others who, while unable to contribute directly with comments, have fully endorsed what CT has attempted to do, and done quite successfully, despite the poisonous claims of those with bad conscience.
In this regard, I cannot fail to mention the late, great Fr. Eldred Leslie. I never met this holy old priest but my brother met him on a couple of occasions while on SSPX retreat at St. Saviour’s House in Bristol.
The letters I received from this saintly soul in response to my published articles defending the faith are so beautifully written, so Christlike, that I have treasured them, and his memory, for decades. In stark contrast with these, I have communications from other priests which are nothing short of evil.
The difference between these vastly opposed interactions of priests with the laity brings home the teaching of the saints on the power of priests to sanctify, damn or render indifferent the souls placed under their care by Our Lord. Tragically, there are far fewer Fr. Leslie’s in the world today than the latter, which is why the Church is in the state it is while indifference and evil abound.
I have no doubt at all that Fr. Leslie is now enjoying the eternal reward for so perfectly imitating Our Lord in this life and even in death, given that he was murdered in South Africa while ministering to the faithful in a poor township.
It seems fair to state here that, since we are all human and have failings, there may have been times when comments posted have been a little over-zealous or failing in charity. I charge myself with this failing on occasion but I can say that regardless of this, I have never written anything which is not rooted in the teaching of the Church and the Popes.
I think I can safely make this claim also for Editor and all others who have contributed articles over the years. It’s also fair to state that those who have taken issue with the blog over that time, especially the ordained, have done so less because they are offended by our human failings than by the truth of what is written, which they cannot bear in conscience.
This has been particularly true of priests living double lives and those who are secretly effeminate, which latter is always identifiable in their unique and particularly nasty method of writing. The correspondence of these blind guides makes the adage “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” pale in comparison.
Anyway, I want to thank Editor for her years of dedication to this online apostolate as well all my fellow contributors for their participation. We have shared a great journey together in the faith, informing one another and supporting one another. And finally, although not directly related to this blog, I want to take the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the kindness and support of Bishop Stephen Robson of Dunkeld. His Excellency has offered some great advice and support in a private matter recently for which I am grateful.
It’s a great day indeed when a Catholic lay person actually gets a Fatherly response from a priest or bishop to his correspondence. It’s a rare treat in a time of so much clerical pride and contempt. Heart breaking, though, to think that this rarity was once the universal norm.
God bless one and all, and God grant a restoration of all things in Christ – soon!
Athanasius,
Your shocking experiences from 2011/12 regarding the “Resistance” breakaway reminded me of something somewhat similar. I was attending an SSPX chapel at that very time, when someone in the parish surrendered our parish email list to someone in the “Resistance.” Everyone suddenly began receiving the most sardonic, shamelessly defamatory emails against Bishop Fellay from some Resistance thug. I don’t remember how everyone else reacted, but I told the sender in no uncertain terms that he’d better remove me from his list, which he did. I also remember having completed a thorough analysis of their ridiculous claims, showing them to be nothing but lies, as cheap and sinister as Protestant distortions of Catholic teaching.
That said, I share your gratitude for this apostolate and Editor’s tireless work; it has been very helpful for my discernment over these many years. As I said to Editor when she first announced her decision, “Where will I go to pontificate now?”
RCAVictor
You never know, Pope Francis may soon be in the market for someone to pontificate. Start brushing up on your Pachamama and North American Indian rituals, just in case!
Athanasius,
“Brush up on etc” LOL!
RCA Victor,
I have learned loads from this blog especially from Athanasius, Westminster Fly and you. My Three Amigos, LOL!
How about a thread where we can all suggest online recommendations for information/forums for debate when CT closes (I’m sure there would be some debate on that one!)
WF,
Yes, that would be a very useful thread – I have already advertised two blogs which I recommend in the newsletter – Tradidi Quod et Accepi https://aaambrosetti.wordpress.com/ and Les Femmes – Women of Truth. http://www.lesfemmes-thetruth.org/
The above are both American sites but I can’t think of anything in the UK – if I’m missing something, please feel free to correct me when we publish a thread on the subject.
So far, all very interesting suggestions.
Editor,
I visited Les Femmes just now and they are discussing the Pope’s statement about there not be enough children – which is interesting since he’s signed up to the abortion and contraceptive plans for the brave new world! Also, and you may be annoyed at me for highlight this, Mary Ann Kreitzer hasn’t listed Catholic Truth among the blogs she follows. https://www.blogger.com/profile/18245237845099708478
Maybe we could have a thread on the Pope’s statement on having children not pets 😀 and maybe another one on why people follow certain blogs and not others?
Lily,
We can’t blame Mary Ann for not following this blog – we’re thousands of miles away and with only eight dioceses/bishops, there’s not a lot to uncover compared with the USA and other “super-powers” or should that be “supernatural super-powers” 😀
Lily,
If Francis made a statement about there not being enough children, then he appears to be talking out of both sides of his mouth again. What a shock. Remember his infamous insult early in his pontificate about traditional Catholics who breed like rabbits?
RCA Victor,
Ah, yes, as the song goes, I remember it well.
Maybe, benefit of the doubt and all that, he has realised his mistake. One hopes and one prays…
Lily,
I had an issue with Les Femmes a while back about objectivity over a certain incident, which I don’t want to raise again, and I haven’t used the blog since. It seems Mary Ann Kreitzer, the moderator, just deleted comments which didn’t suit her narrative. I made these points to her in a comment: “Your actions show a complete lack of objectivity or balance. Catholic Truth Scotland – a blog which I very much admire – allows dissenting views and then answers/corrects them – that is the nature of debate (and the beginnings of ‘instructing the ignorant’ – one of the seven spiritual works of mercy) but you don’t seem to understand that.”
“Sometimes – as I have tried to point out in my previous emails – the truth isn’t always that easily discernable, and the fact is, individuals and organisations that we don’t like, may sometimes be right. The flip side of that is that individuals and organisations who we think are good may in fact not be so. I feel as though I’m banging my head against a brick wall on Les Femmes about this topic now, so I will bow out gracefully and wish you every grace and blessing.”
WF,
I’m disappointed to read that. I recommended Les Femmes because – although I seldom comment – I had seen a change in attitude, primarily towards the SSPX, ironically, as it turns out, having never guessed that I’d be expelled! (I realise more and more every day why God gave me a sense of humour 😀 ) Interestingly, my one reservation is (and this applies to Tradidi Quod as well) that all comments are moderated. I don’t understand that. I only moderate first comments and others if there is a particular concern. Why can’t they all be like me? Seriously, in general I avoid blogs where all comments are moderated because, more often than not, the reason is to censor in the way that you have experienced, instead of correcting to educate if and when necessary.
Editor,
I guess people have different methods of moderation / censorship – and different motives. Like the time when Taylor Marshall did a video on Garabandal, and in my opinion, pretended to sit on the fence about it, but when I sent him the official statements from the Holy See and the local Ordinary, they went on his website, but were rapidly deleted – twice. It seems some people just want comments which will support their agenda / narrative, and either quickly delete comments, or never let them out of moderation. I suppose some might argue that they don’t have time to regularly check their blogs due to other work. In which case, comments which are erroneous or offensive might remain on the site for some time, before being dealt with. I still suspect most of it is down to control freakery.
WF,
Nobody should take on blog administration if they don’t have/make the time to do it properly. I think it’s worse that comments would languish in moderation for an indefinite period before publication, than that comments containing errors be published and perhaps not corrected immediately. If a blog administrator can’t check his/her blog at least in the morning at some point and last thing at night, then he/she should not be offering that facility. That is my considered opinion which I have considered well and which I hope YOU consider a good one … or else… All things considered… 😀
WF,
Years ago, when I was writing a newsletter, I belonged to something called the Catholic Media Coalition (I believe Editor might still belong, but I’ll leave her to verify). Mary Anne K. was the CMC blog moderator, and several times refused to allow a discussion about the merits of the Novus Ordo vs. the TLM, so I soon stopped bothering with that blog and also her own website.
RCA Victor,
I didn’t know that about refusal to discuss the NO Vs TLM – things have turned around on that score now, thank God.
Yes, Catholic Truth Scotland is still listed as a member of the Media Coalition so I’ll need to email Mary Ann to make sure that she knows we’re soon to be history…
Consider the matter closed! 😀 But I still think deleting comments (unless they are off-topic/offensive) is out of order, especially when they are legitimate ecclesiastical declarations.
Dear Editor and friends
Like all of you l am deeply saddened that our blog is in its final days.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the plethora of topics since it’s inception. I have found your insights, experiences and expertise a great source of joy strength and comfort to me, my wife our family in these dark times.
I have also had the added privilege of being able to participate in these many and wonderful discussions. It has been an honour.
Every blessing
Michael 🙏
I’ve had a request offline for a thread on “Duty of State” – so if everyone is agreeable, I’ll post that as the first of the “suggested” threads, hopefully tomorrow. Keep the ideas coming, though – we can’t get too many…
Editor,
Our strategy, you see, is to request so many threads that you will be forced to keep the blog open longer… 🙂
RCA Victor,
Very funny! I have just made a couple of comments under the YouTube video at this link about Garabandal. So many numpties who believe it all – crazy stuff. I am commenting as “Patricia”. You’ll find yourself reading her comments and saying “WOW! Is she good, or what?” Anyone who replies “or what” gets cancelled. At one time I’d have said “sacked” but one must move with the times, folks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEPqrTvTP2o
This is the kind of thing we can all do to fulfil our Confirmation duty to be Soldiers of Christ.
Editor,
I couldn’t find your comments? I can’t post on YouTube as I don’t have an account or sign in. But if you’re going to start disputing pro-Garabandal videos on YouTube, your CT workload will seem like a stroll in the park! YouTube is inundated with apparition nutters. One comment under the video which caught my eye was in Portuguese and it said “I’m Portuguese, I’ve only recently heard about Garabandal. I read a lot and I’ve been to Fátima many times, they say that Our Lady said goodbye at Fátima saying: Farewell until San Sebastian! (Note: the village of Garabandal’s full name is San Sebastian de Garabandal). I have never read any of that in the vast collection of books I have about Fátima and about Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta! Can someone tell me where I can find this?” The reason why she can’t find it, is because it didn’t happen. This was a rumour spread around years ago – probably by Garabandalists. I have definitely read that Sister Lucia was asked about this and she denied Our Lady said that to her, and she said ‘Fatima has nothing to do with Garabandal’. Note: she didn’t say Garabandal was true or false – she would never usurp Church authority, she just said that Fatima was nothing to do with it. I can’t remember where I read that, but I definitely did. If I find the source before the blog closes, I’ll post it.
Editor,
I couldn’t find your “Patricia” comments either. Are you sure you didn’t post under the name “chocoholic” instead?
RCA Victor
Chances are she’s been cancelled.
WF and RCA Victor,
You’re right – my comments are gone. Shocking.
RCA Victor and WF
May I suggest that you go into that video and comment, to see if you get cancelled as well. I had posted the Bishop’ final statement on Garabandal, posted by WF on the other thread, and I’d commented on the claim that Padre Pio supported Garabandal. If you don’t have time, or feel you would be disloyal to CT by commenting there 😀 I will understand 😀
This is the classic Garabandalist tactic – suppress/cancel all legitimate ecclesiastical declarations. I found another shocker today which has been completely overlooked: “In 1967 Bishop Vicente Puchol Montiz of Santander issued an “official note” declaring: “There was no apparition either of the Blessed Virgin or of St. Michael the Archangel or of any other celestial personage. There was no message. All the phenomena which occurred have a natural explanation.” Despite claims from Garabandal devotees that jurisdiction lies with the Holy See, on May 10, 1969, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration giving “full support to Bishop Montiz, saying he ‘acted correctly in this matter, and in full accord with his authority.”
Apologies, as I said in my previous post, I can’t get into YouTube. I don’t want to open an account with them, as it just means more intrusive surveillance by Google. “YouTube is an American online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States. Accessible worldwide, it was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google and is the second most visited website, after Google Search.”
Sorry – forgot to put the Garabandal link: https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=CTR19690523-01.2.55&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN——–
WF,
I understand but the fact is, when you log into your computer, “they” know all about you anyway.
That’s a great quote from Bishop Vicente Puchol Montiz and as far back as 1967. These Garabandal fanatics just will not be telt, will they.
WF and Editor,
I just posted the paragraph about Bishop Montiz under the video. We’ll see how long it stays there.
Also, I looked up this unkempt-looking “Father Alexander Crow” who is apparently featured in this video. He is a new priest in Alabama, ordained in 2021. Here is his info page, including an email address:
https://corpuschristiparish.com/people/fr-alex-crow
RCA Victor,
I’ve just paid a visit to the YouTube platform and can’t see anything from you about Bishop Montiz – I don’t know what username you posted under but the fact is there are no comments, not even one, which are challenging Garabandal – all are supportive/believers, God help them.
So, looks like you’ve been deleted as well. We’re victims of the cancel culture, you and I. Victims of the cancel culture. Who’d have believed it… 😀
I will email that priest tomorrow. Right now it would make extremely unpleasant reading for him. If I take time to prepare, sleep on it, perhaps say a prayer, who knows, I can make it unpleasant reading minus the “extremely”. Every little helps 😀
For the record, I have just emailed Fr Crow – my message below…
Dear Father Crow,
Yesterday, I posted a few comments on the YouTube platform where your interview on Garabandal is published, under my own name, which is Patricia. I expressed my concerns at this latest pushing of the unapproved and patently false apparition claims at Garabandal. A number of American outlets are doing this at the present time (Lifesitenews and Taylor Marshall in particular). We have discussed this phenomenon on our Catholic Truth Scotland blog. My comments on your YouTube interview were removed. Subsequently the comment of a friend who also posted a correction, was also removed. We’ve been censored for speaking the truth!
I hope that you don’t mind me emailing you privately about the matter – although a public correction is essential to undo the scandal caused. There is so much evidence against these apparition claims that I hardly know where to begin but – in fact – only one piece of evidence is required for any Catholic who knows the Faith. Below, a comment which I’ve taken from one of our many blog discussions on the subject – this one provides the essential Catholic attitude to claims of supernatural apparitions:
“I’ve always understood that the local bishop found negatively about Garabandal… I found this in an article by a priest about the discernment of true and false apparitions – at this part of his essay he is talking about Garabandal:
Another example: the alleged apparitions in Garabandal in northern Spain, in which four young girls alleged that the Virgin Mary appeared to them from 1961-1965. The response of successive bishops of the diocese of Santander has been uniformly negative, and the present Bishop Vilaplaua has concurred with this verdict. Despite this, there are a number of active associations supporting Garabandal. A simple case of disobedience to lawful authority.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6602&CFID=11565882&CFTOKEN=96025576
I think it’s important only to accept those apparitions approved by the Church, especially nowadays when there seems to be hundreds if not thousands of supposed visions all over the world.
In fact, given that Fatima is the most important event of the 20th century, and has the power to bring peace to our world if only the hierarchy would obey, I think it is seriously misguided, if not sinful, for any Catholic to waste time spreading unapproved apparitions.”
The above taken from our blog at https://catholictruthscotland.com/2019/01/26/church-authority-who-decides-which-apparitions-are-true/
And note, that there are comments posted from at least one blogger who says she is “uncertain” about Garabandal but appears to be fairly keen on it, to say the least! We don’t DO censorship at Catholic Truth, preferring to correct errors and heresies rather than suppressing free speech. It is not only disappointing but shocking, in fact, to read the thread of comments at YouTube in which blatant falsehoods are left uncorrected. A major falsehood is the misrepresentation of Padre Pio who is portrayed as having supported Garabandal. His brother priest, asked about this, said that Padre Pio would never have anticipated the Church’s ruling in that way, that he would never have given credence to such claims until the Church – through its legitimate authority, the local Bishop – had pronounced judgement.
There is no question about it – Garabandal is diabolical, and it is shocking to find it being resurrected and promoted at this time when the prophecies of Fatima are unfolding before our very eyes, while Catholics are doing the Devil’s work by promoting a variety of fake claims, including Garabandal. Here is one of our more recent discussions on the subject, in which you will find the “final” statement on the matter from the bishop…
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2023/01/25/beware-lifesitenews-itching-ears-st-paul/
In the current edition of Christian Order there is a thoroughly documented article on Garabandal. Unfortunately, the website is not up to date so you cannot read it there. However, it’s well worth subscribing to this publication – the only sound Catholic publication in the UK which is read worldwide. https://www.christianorder.com/subscribe.html
I did not mean this email to be so lengthy, so I apologise for taking up so much of your time. I would exhort you, though, to refuse any further public statements on Garabandal or any other unapproved claims of apparition because these are often the means by which the Devil gets hold of a soul and leads them right out of the Church – as a priest you will bear heavy responsibility for such losses. I am astonished, frequently, at the spirit of rebellion in those who follow such unapproved apparitions – they write off the legitimate authority of the Church, often using the excuse that the bishops are in error in so many things; that is to abuse the crisis situation in which we find ourselves. While we must resist any bishop who teaches us contrary to the Faith, we must obey when he is doing his duty, as in the case of pronouncing judgement on apparition claims.
Again, apologies for the length of this message which, I hope and pray, will be of some use to you.
Kind regards.
(Signed)…
Editor
I think that thread should be “Duty of the State”. It might get me some handouts!
I’ve just seen this article in the Catholic Herald – a scandalous humiliation for priests
https://catholicherald.co.uk/french-priests-to-carry-id-cards-to-show-if-they-are-sex-offenders/
I will add it to the list of future topics.
To the best of my knowledge, lay or clerical UK sex offenders – of any stripe – don’t have to carry ID. If it is brought in either in the UK or France/rest of Europe, it should be brought in for ALL sex offenders, not just priests, because that shows discrimination against priests. I’m sure that could be challenged under discrimination laws. What about Imams / Rabbis / teachers / policemen / doctors etc etc. But in any case – if a priest was a proven sex offender, wouldn’t they have been laicised anyway, so no longer able to minister as a priest? It would be akin to a dead priest being made to carry around his death certificate. Mad.
WF,
Excellent points. Like all such [anti-Catholic] measures, the point is not to protect children, but to keep the issue (that a tiny minority of Catholic clergy have been convicted of the horrendous crime of child sexual abuse) at the forefront of people’s minds. To stoke the fires of contempt for Christ’s Church. Disgraceful.
I think that is truly discriminatory and I hope someone does take it to court. They wouldn’t do that to any other group – there are doctors and teachers who have been convicted of such crimes but those professions won’t be made to carry that kind of ID. I really have heard it all now.
Editor
This is what happens under a Modernist (worldly) hierarchy. The bishops all over the world, but particularly in France, are destroyers of the Church and of faith. It’s the Third Secret of Fatima unfolding before our eyes – apostasy from the top down.
Athanasius,
Agreed – and to think of priests who are doing their best to remain faithful in the midst of the scandals caused by other priests – to tar them with the same brush is a disgrace.
I’ve now posted the first of the suggested threads – you can “read all about it” at this link…
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2023/05/16/duty-of-state-vs-religious-obligations-clash/
Oh [dear] re Garabandal again. It also had shades of Medjugorje as well. Strange thing that I noticed that they walked backwards at some speed. I’m guessing it here that evil walks backwards if you look at it more carefully, it’s spelled out backwards as ‘Live’.
For me, Lourdes is the real deal. Knock shrine is peaceful. But I’m not sure cos witness statements were lost or deleted which they had to interview the witnesses all over again in 1936 some 57 years later. I could feel it inside the old church but not the new building or the main basilica. One thing that struck me was the priest who died in his bedroom (now converted into a small chapel) was where I felt some strong energy there.
Its my belief that 99%of all apparitions (approved or not approved) are false. It all takes just 1% of it that are genuine and authentic.
Re Medjugorje, I met a woman from Dublin who went there as she was living in a life of sin. I asked her what changed you? She said she saw hell there as she changed her life around completely.
I was in Medjugorje twice many years ago as it was 2nd trip there that I felt the presence of a devil that stopped me. Some of my friends who went there said it just brought bad luck to them. I didn’t press them further.
Medjugorje is a major money spinner shrine that [the Church] wanted to get their hands on 💰. Same can be said for Knock cos [the Church] owns a hotel and a hostel there plus a shop which all covers say 80% of the revenues of Knock shrine. They have covered themselves nearly all of them as regards to 💰.
I am smiling at the emails which I have been receiving which are lamenting the closure of this blog, mostly from those who seldom, if ever, have contributed to it, and who, in the same breath, ask if there is no-one with sufficient zeal to launch a public forum to replace this blog.
For the record, there is someone who is an occasional blogger with us who asked my opinion – he is considering the possibility of launching his own blog when we close, to fill the vacuum, and although I warned him that it is extremely time-consuming, so I wouldn’t encourage anyone who is in full-time employment and has family responsibilities, I am hopeful that he will do that. Indeed, I can’t wait!
Anyone with similar plans is invited to advertise here.
Editor,
It will be interesting to see if any other forum fills the vacuum left by this blog. It’s no mean task but good that someone is willing to try.
Editor,
Thank you for that thoughtful letter to Fr. Crow. I hope it kindles some serious re-thinking on his part.
RCA Victor,
Thank you – so far I’ve had no reply but, hey, as you all say in the old U S of A – what’s new?!
For your information, I have just posted the thread which you requested on the Mass and how to communicate on the subject with our beloved brothers and sisters in Novus Ordo land…
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2023/05/17/explaining-the-dangers-of-the-new-mass-to-diocesan-catholics-but-will-they-listen/
One thread before you close which is a must: Get people to fill the Government consultation form in about Central Banking Digital Currency. It’s another step to The Great Reset. https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/paper/2023/the-digital-pound-consultation-paper It has to be filled in online before 7 June 2023
WF,
I’m on it – I’ve been getting emails about this quite a bit recently. Stand by!
Further info on CBDC: https://expose-news.com/2022/11/29/105-countries-are-exploring-cbdcs/?cmid=41b44902-6d6c-49b5-8841-36e6c77258e1
There won’t be any point on me posting a thread on the CBDC is it is going to be discussed here. I’ve almost finished preparing the thread, so let me know if I should just leave it now.
OK – WF sent email confirmation that we still need a dedicated thread on this, so I’m working on it. Hold fire with links and comments or there will be nothing left to say, folks. 😀
I’ve also had a couple of people mention their frustration in confession queues, both in novus ordo parishes and in traditional chapels, as a result – they suspect – of people “seeking advice” from the priest (in one case a woman said she sat for 35 minutes before the penitent emerged.) So, I’ll launch a thread on that subject, too, asap.
I’m getting more thread suggestions from readers offline than from bloggers, so what’s wrong with y’all? Strictly rhetorical question!
I can’t say I’ve noticed that where I go to Mass now, it only ever happened once to me in Westminster Cathedral (I stopped going to confession there – I think it is done by a rota of diocesan priests as well as cathedral priests, and some of them are dreadful). On the occasion it happened to me, I was second in the queue, and the woman who went in before me was in there for about 40 minutes. The (long) queue was getting restless, which is not a good frame of mind to be in just before going to confession. I think if people want to make a general confession or receive spiritual direction/advice with confession, then they should make an appointment to see a priest, so that others won’t be inconvenienced.
An email just received from Father Linus Clovis contains the following reminder…
I just wanted to remind you that Thursday is the first Saturday in June as well as the first of June and that the Mass will be for your benefactors and supporters…
Father mentions, too, that his 40th anniversary of ordination is on 12 June, so we might all remember a wee prayer for him, on the day…
Editor
Fr. Clovis is a good soul, the very essence of what priest should be. I’m grateful for his prayers and he can be assured of mine for his 40th anniversary.