Remember how, in the DC archdiocese, the geniuses in that office thought that we'd be fooled if the Campaign for Human Development second collection was renamed "Communications and Human Development Campaign" (or something to that effect)? Not too many people were fooled by that charade. The Archdiocese of Baltimore did not learn from that mistake.
They are renaming their "Archbishop's Annual Appeal" collection to "Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries". Of course we aren't learning this from the Catholic Review, but the Baltimore Sun. Supposedly we are to be fooled into thinking that none of the money will be going towards the sex scandals but only to the various ministries of the archdiocese. Well, not quite, and to understand why, we need to take a look at the concept of fungibility, particularly as it is used in non-profit budgeting.
Here is an article that explains the concept well. Applied to this Archdiocesan situation, funds earmarked for "Catholic ministries" could well free up other funds to be used elsewhere in the budget - such as sinking funds for anticipated legal expenses. Michael Hichborn did a video that explains how Planned Parenthood uses fungibiity in relation to government grants. My advise is this: don't give one red penny to any archdiocesan collection, for at least some portion of it will go to where it shouldn't. Instead, send your money directly to worthwhile charities.
Back to the Sun article. Notice how the archdiocese is trying to reassure the Catholics that sex abuse matters are paid out of an insurance trust that was set up? Well, that's nice, but... who pays the premiums? And aren't those premiums most likely going through the roof now? What kind of dunces do these people think we are?
Apparently some of them think we're stupid enough to believe that "music can unite the faithful" - at least according to one "music minister" in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. His name is Zachary Stachowski, working at St Ignatius of Loyola in Ijamsville MD. He wrote a song after the abuse crisis jumped in our faces again and that is the subject of that interview. Apparently the song is being used quite widely. I wonder how much he may be garnering in royalties? I have no problem with that, for the song is his intellectual property. The premise that "music can unite the faithful" is simply a bunch of hooey, though. Authentic unity can come about only when all accept the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed through Holy Mother Church. Along those lines, Stachowski seems to be keeping company with some who blatantly oppose those teachings.
One of his buddies is David Haas - yes, him. According to his twitter page, he and Haas teamed up to do a "singing workshop" at that heretical hootenanny known as the LA Religious Education Conference. See here and here for a flavor of what goes on there. While I know little else of Stachowski, what I do know leads me to question just what he thinks "unity" is.
I have made it a point to skip all archdiocesan collections and to plan my parish donations so that they aren't assessed by the Archdiocese of Washington. I certainly suggest to my Baltimore friends that they do the same, and those in many other areas of the country should do likewise.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Monday, December 24, 2018
Have Some Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Taken Leave Of Their Senses?
LifeSiteNews reports that some pro-life pregnancy centers are applying for Title X funding. The HHS is withholding them from outfits that commit abortions and now some cpc directors are finding it difficult to resist the federal funding siren call. The LSN article reports that pro-aborts are upset about this seeking after federal funding. For vastly different reasons than those of the pro-aborts, I too look askance upon this funding endeavor.
First, let's be honest about the term "federal funding". From where do these "federal funds" come? Hint - take a look in the mirror. That's right; federal funding really means that the money is taken from the pockets of each and every taxpayer in this country. That is not a charitable donation, for the term "charitable donation" means a free-will gift. Once upon a time, many decades ago, the federal government understood its constitutional limits. It understood that it was not in the business of determining which endeavors deserved access to our wallets. That understanding faded many years ago, and now has apparently faded from the understanding of otherwise good people. This "federal funding" amounts to income-redistribution, teetering very close to socialism. I am baffled that those who otherwise call themselves "conservative" let themselves be seduced by the easy lure of "free" money.
Now is that money really "free"? Of course not! There is a saying, "he who has the gold, rules". That certainly is true when it comes to governmental grants. Always there are strings attached - at least eventually. Maybe the Trump administration will be relatively benign, but what would happen if these pregnancy centers became dependent on federal grants to fund their budgets - and another Clinton or Obama were to win the White House in future years? How many attempts have we seen over the past several years to get Christian charities to hire LGBT people, to "tone down" their pro-life convictions, etc? To be blunt, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stands as a stark example of a Catholic organization that has literally sold its soul for federal dollars. No other organization, should it start lusting after federal dollars, will be immune from that temptation. Why are they literally courting disaster?
These pregnancy centers, if they go after federal grants, will be digging their own graves. They will literally place themselves in a position of having to muzzle and compromise their beliefs. They will also find themselves in the unenviable position of benefiting from the immoral confiscation of the hard-earned money of US citizens. They need to abandon these foolish and fatal endeavors.
First, let's be honest about the term "federal funding". From where do these "federal funds" come? Hint - take a look in the mirror. That's right; federal funding really means that the money is taken from the pockets of each and every taxpayer in this country. That is not a charitable donation, for the term "charitable donation" means a free-will gift. Once upon a time, many decades ago, the federal government understood its constitutional limits. It understood that it was not in the business of determining which endeavors deserved access to our wallets. That understanding faded many years ago, and now has apparently faded from the understanding of otherwise good people. This "federal funding" amounts to income-redistribution, teetering very close to socialism. I am baffled that those who otherwise call themselves "conservative" let themselves be seduced by the easy lure of "free" money.
Now is that money really "free"? Of course not! There is a saying, "he who has the gold, rules". That certainly is true when it comes to governmental grants. Always there are strings attached - at least eventually. Maybe the Trump administration will be relatively benign, but what would happen if these pregnancy centers became dependent on federal grants to fund their budgets - and another Clinton or Obama were to win the White House in future years? How many attempts have we seen over the past several years to get Christian charities to hire LGBT people, to "tone down" their pro-life convictions, etc? To be blunt, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stands as a stark example of a Catholic organization that has literally sold its soul for federal dollars. No other organization, should it start lusting after federal dollars, will be immune from that temptation. Why are they literally courting disaster?
These pregnancy centers, if they go after federal grants, will be digging their own graves. They will literally place themselves in a position of having to muzzle and compromise their beliefs. They will also find themselves in the unenviable position of benefiting from the immoral confiscation of the hard-earned money of US citizens. They need to abandon these foolish and fatal endeavors.
Saturday, December 22, 2018
The Situation Of Father LaCuesta
Let me preface this post by saying that my own family is no stranger to suicide, as are the families of some close friends of mine. I have seen and experienced that pain.
A young man in the Detroit area recently committed suicide and his requiem Mass was conducted by Father Don LaCuesta. It appears that the parents met with Father beforehand and requested that Father "celebrate how Maison lived, not how he died". Well, I understand that the parents were grieved, but that doesn't give them leeway to dictate to the priest his homily.
So the Mass happened, and Father proclaimed the truth about suicide. I understand that twice during that homily the parents got up and asked him to stop - during Mass. That is simply unacceptable conduct, grief notwithstanding. Then they went to the media and Archbishop Vigneron to complain about the homily. Here is the text of the homily about which they complained. I find nothing objectionable about the homily that proclaimed God's love many times, but yes, reaffirmed the objective sinfulness of suicide.
The parents are demanding that Father LaCuesta be laicized (more on that later). Vigneron promptly forbade LaCuesta to preach at future homilies and to have "all other homilies reviewed by a priest mentor". He even has to submit to "help from professionals - on human, spiritual and pastoral levels". There's that word "pastoral" again but they forgot the word "accompaniment". We may only shudder to think who these "professionals" may be.
Perhaps Archbishop Vigneron was simply trying to deflect media attention from himself, for he has acquired a boatload of that. He has, for several years, allowed Dignity almost free rein in his Archdiocese, with the founder of Dignity being one of his auxiliary bishops. It is said that he fears a "rebellion" among the gay priests. Well, why doesn't he sack them, just as he sacked LaCuesta? He has been called out on the denial of the role of homosexuality in the problems in his own archdiocese - something being brought to bear on him by the Michigan attorney general. It seems that Vigneron is preparing for a lawsuit - by shifting archdiocesan assets to a holding company where they will be sheltered from lawsuits. So yes, we can see why Vigneron might want to keep the media wolves at bay by tossing to them a sacrificial lamb in the person of Father LaCuesta.
Let me get back to a point that I wanted to make earlier, when I said that the deceased's parents were demanding the laicazion of Father LaCuesta. This is strikingly similar to the treatment of Father Marcel Guarnizo in my own parish over six years ago. In that situation, he withheld Holy Communion from a practicing lesbian at her mother's funeral. The medial lambast started that same week and Father Guarnizo was ejected from the Archdiocese of Washington. I wrote about that almost exclusively from Feb - April in 2012.
Now the long knives are out for Father LaCuesta. One wonders if this incident was simply a handy excuse to remove a faithful priest and even destroy his vocation.
A young man in the Detroit area recently committed suicide and his requiem Mass was conducted by Father Don LaCuesta. It appears that the parents met with Father beforehand and requested that Father "celebrate how Maison lived, not how he died". Well, I understand that the parents were grieved, but that doesn't give them leeway to dictate to the priest his homily.
So the Mass happened, and Father proclaimed the truth about suicide. I understand that twice during that homily the parents got up and asked him to stop - during Mass. That is simply unacceptable conduct, grief notwithstanding. Then they went to the media and Archbishop Vigneron to complain about the homily. Here is the text of the homily about which they complained. I find nothing objectionable about the homily that proclaimed God's love many times, but yes, reaffirmed the objective sinfulness of suicide.
The parents are demanding that Father LaCuesta be laicized (more on that later). Vigneron promptly forbade LaCuesta to preach at future homilies and to have "all other homilies reviewed by a priest mentor". He even has to submit to "help from professionals - on human, spiritual and pastoral levels". There's that word "pastoral" again but they forgot the word "accompaniment". We may only shudder to think who these "professionals" may be.
Perhaps Archbishop Vigneron was simply trying to deflect media attention from himself, for he has acquired a boatload of that. He has, for several years, allowed Dignity almost free rein in his Archdiocese, with the founder of Dignity being one of his auxiliary bishops. It is said that he fears a "rebellion" among the gay priests. Well, why doesn't he sack them, just as he sacked LaCuesta? He has been called out on the denial of the role of homosexuality in the problems in his own archdiocese - something being brought to bear on him by the Michigan attorney general. It seems that Vigneron is preparing for a lawsuit - by shifting archdiocesan assets to a holding company where they will be sheltered from lawsuits. So yes, we can see why Vigneron might want to keep the media wolves at bay by tossing to them a sacrificial lamb in the person of Father LaCuesta.
Let me get back to a point that I wanted to make earlier, when I said that the deceased's parents were demanding the laicazion of Father LaCuesta. This is strikingly similar to the treatment of Father Marcel Guarnizo in my own parish over six years ago. In that situation, he withheld Holy Communion from a practicing lesbian at her mother's funeral. The medial lambast started that same week and Father Guarnizo was ejected from the Archdiocese of Washington. I wrote about that almost exclusively from Feb - April in 2012.
Now the long knives are out for Father LaCuesta. One wonders if this incident was simply a handy excuse to remove a faithful priest and even destroy his vocation.
Monday, December 17, 2018
Pope Francis Thumbs His Nose At Predecessors Regarding The Death Penalty
Pope Francis has for several years been advocating for an end to the death penalty, claiming that it is immoral. Of course such opinions are in direct contradiction to the 2000+ years of Church Tradition. I have long suspected that he has gone after that precisely because many good Catholics are ambivalent about usage of the death penalty today. Perhaps he thinks that he can tinker with it to the point of heresy since he is not too likely to receive strenuous blow-back from such heretical attempts. Therefore, if he weakens and compromises Church doctrine regarding that topic, he will have set a precedent for mutating other Church doctrine.
Earlier today, the pope addressed a delegation from the International Commission Against The Death Penalty. During that address, he dared to state that his predecessors "ignored the primacy of mercy over justice". Of course he set up one of his infamous false dichotomies between "mercy" and "justice", as though justice is not an attribute of God's.
We must continue prayers for this pope. While doing so, we must also study the Faith on our own, for many simply don't have access to faithful teachers of Church tradition.
Earlier today, the pope addressed a delegation from the International Commission Against The Death Penalty. During that address, he dared to state that his predecessors "ignored the primacy of mercy over justice". Of course he set up one of his infamous false dichotomies between "mercy" and "justice", as though justice is not an attribute of God's.
We must continue prayers for this pope. While doing so, we must also study the Faith on our own, for many simply don't have access to faithful teachers of Church tradition.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
The Papal Betrayal Of Faithful Chinese Catholics Continues
A tweet from Raymond Arroyo caught my eye:
I for one do not believe for a second that the pope is simply being naive about the nature of Communists. He and the Vatican hope to gain something, and that "something" has nothing to do with any real benefit to faithful Catholics in China.
Actually, Pope Francis threw two faithful bishops under the bus. See here and here. So they were ordered to submit to godless, atheistic dictators for "the general situation of the Chinese Church". That last part in quotes is cleverly worded, from their disgusting perspective. Notice the words "general situation" and not "benefit"? The Chinese Church is not benefiting at all from this farce. The words of Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese civil rights activist rightly calls the deal a "slap in the face to millions of Catholics and other religious people in China".BREAKING: Vatican demands that a faithful, underground Chinese bishop cede his office to a formerly excommunicated, government approved cleric “as a sacrifice for the general situation of the Chinese Church.”https://t.co/qBxfBpY2Cz— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) December 14, 2018
I for one do not believe for a second that the pope is simply being naive about the nature of Communists. He and the Vatican hope to gain something, and that "something" has nothing to do with any real benefit to faithful Catholics in China.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Texas Federal Judge Declares Obama Hell Bill Unconstitutional
Yesterday a Federal judge in Texas ruled that the Affordable Care Act, aka the Obamacare Hell Bill, is unconstitutional in its entirety. See here and here.
Of course it has always been unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that because Obamacare contained a tax provision, that it fell under Congress' purview to levy taxes and therefore passed constitutional muster even though it violated the Interstate Commerce Clause. Last year Congress repealed that tax, commonly known as the individual mandate.
Texas and 20 other states argued that without that tax, the whole ACA is now unconstitutional and Judge Reed O'Connor agreed. He did not grant an injunction against Obamacare. It appears that this matter will again head to the Supreme Court. Bear in mind that in 2012, it was only because of the tax provision that the Court ruled it constitutional. That tax provision no longer exists. The Court admitted in 2012 that without the tax, Obamacare is unconstitutional.
It should be noted that O'Connor was appointed by George W. Bush. Does anyone believe that any judge appointed by a Democrat president would have ruled correctly? Elections matter - even when the candidates are not sterling.
Now about the Catholic hierarchy - when are they going to start crabbing about this development? Many of them were supporters of the Hell Bill, abortion provisions notwithstanding. Will they once again make fools of themselves? Of course that question is rhetorical.
As for the president,
Of course it has always been unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that because Obamacare contained a tax provision, that it fell under Congress' purview to levy taxes and therefore passed constitutional muster even though it violated the Interstate Commerce Clause. Last year Congress repealed that tax, commonly known as the individual mandate.
Texas and 20 other states argued that without that tax, the whole ACA is now unconstitutional and Judge Reed O'Connor agreed. He did not grant an injunction against Obamacare. It appears that this matter will again head to the Supreme Court. Bear in mind that in 2012, it was only because of the tax provision that the Court ruled it constitutional. That tax provision no longer exists. The Court admitted in 2012 that without the tax, Obamacare is unconstitutional.
It should be noted that O'Connor was appointed by George W. Bush. Does anyone believe that any judge appointed by a Democrat president would have ruled correctly? Elections matter - even when the candidates are not sterling.
Now about the Catholic hierarchy - when are they going to start crabbing about this development? Many of them were supporters of the Hell Bill, abortion provisions notwithstanding. Will they once again make fools of themselves? Of course that question is rhetorical.
As for the president,
As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster! Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions. Mitch and Nancy, get it done!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2018
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
"Baby It's Cold Outside" Reveals Reactionary Behaviors Of Some Catholics
While it may seem like I'm beating a dead horse with continued discussion about the 1940s song "Baby It's Cold Outside", I think this controversy has laid bare some problems in the thinking (or maybe more accurately non-thinking) in which some good people - even Catholics - are engaging.
Let me link to previous posts: here and here. Now here's an article in which the author appears to take pride in his mindlessness. Notice this sentence: "In fact, I never really cared for the song, Baby it’s Cold Outside, but now I do, and I’ll request it wherever I am and play it as often and as loudly as I can."
He is defending the song, not on its own merits, but simply because some leftists oppose it. In other words, he is taking his cues from them as opposed to his own independent ideas about the song. He goes so far as to call it "the greatest Christmas song" when the the word "Christmas" is mentioned not once in it, let alone any mention of the birth of Jesus Christ. Is this the sort of brainlessness that Catholics should adopt?
Many leftists describe us conservatives as knuckle-dragging neanderthals who only know how to react and who have no cogent reasons or basis for their actions. Sadly, the conduct of many conservatives in this matter serves only to justify such stereotypes.
More importantly, many Catholics are embracing this song simply because some leftists oppose it. This is actually a rather serious problem, since the lyrics of "Baby It's Cold Outside" depict the back-and-forth between a man and a woman who are not married to each other. These lyrics depict the man trying to seduce her into the mortal sin of fornication, with the woman wavering in her own convictions. Some leftists complain of the implications of date rape in the song. Regrettably, the line "say what's in this drink" shows their complaint to have some basis. At the very least, the man and woman are teetering close to the mortal sin of fornication.
Appallingly enough, some Catholics are in denial of what the lyrics are saying. They want to approve of the song simply out of a knee-jerk reaction to the leftists' claim of date-rape, so they are willing to deny the other sinful implications of the song. If these are the mental contortions in which they'll engage with this song, will there be other scenarios in which they will jettison their sense of Catholic morality?
Let me link to previous posts: here and here. Now here's an article in which the author appears to take pride in his mindlessness. Notice this sentence: "In fact, I never really cared for the song, Baby it’s Cold Outside, but now I do, and I’ll request it wherever I am and play it as often and as loudly as I can."
He is defending the song, not on its own merits, but simply because some leftists oppose it. In other words, he is taking his cues from them as opposed to his own independent ideas about the song. He goes so far as to call it "the greatest Christmas song" when the the word "Christmas" is mentioned not once in it, let alone any mention of the birth of Jesus Christ. Is this the sort of brainlessness that Catholics should adopt?
Many leftists describe us conservatives as knuckle-dragging neanderthals who only know how to react and who have no cogent reasons or basis for their actions. Sadly, the conduct of many conservatives in this matter serves only to justify such stereotypes.
More importantly, many Catholics are embracing this song simply because some leftists oppose it. This is actually a rather serious problem, since the lyrics of "Baby It's Cold Outside" depict the back-and-forth between a man and a woman who are not married to each other. These lyrics depict the man trying to seduce her into the mortal sin of fornication, with the woman wavering in her own convictions. Some leftists complain of the implications of date rape in the song. Regrettably, the line "say what's in this drink" shows their complaint to have some basis. At the very least, the man and woman are teetering close to the mortal sin of fornication.
Appallingly enough, some Catholics are in denial of what the lyrics are saying. They want to approve of the song simply out of a knee-jerk reaction to the leftists' claim of date-rape, so they are willing to deny the other sinful implications of the song. If these are the mental contortions in which they'll engage with this song, will there be other scenarios in which they will jettison their sense of Catholic morality?
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Buffalo Bishop Commits Sacrilege Against The Eucharist
HT - ChurchMilitant.com
A possible Eucharistic miracle may have occurred at St Vincent de Paul Church in Springbrook, NY. When notified of the miracle, Bishop Malone (yes, him), instead of ordering a proper investigation, ordered that the Host be destroyed. His reasoning? He is quoted as saying, the Host had already dissolved and "Christ was no longer present".
Pictures clearly show the Host intact. Moreover, if the Host truly was already dissolved, there would be nothing left to destroy. Right, Your Excellency???
Bishop Malone's dismissive attitude towards the Blessed Sacrament is deplorable. He may now be guilty of sacrilege against our Eucharistic Lord. One of the commenters on the CM site believes that Malone may have automatically brought about his own excommunication.
The bishop needs to feel some heat for his refusal to follow proper procedures for investigating the possible miracle and for his cavalier attitude towards the Eucharist, leading to probable sacrilege. The diocesan website is here. All readers, no matter where they are, can call and/or email this diocese.
Many faithful Catholics in that area are righteously outraged. In addition to contacting that chancery, I'd suggest a complete boycott of all diocesan donations. I'd suggest that if you see the bishop in person, that you challenge him regarding his brash decisions and derelictions of duty. Let him know that bishops should act like bishops and not crass businessmen.
A possible Eucharistic miracle may have occurred at St Vincent de Paul Church in Springbrook, NY. When notified of the miracle, Bishop Malone (yes, him), instead of ordering a proper investigation, ordered that the Host be destroyed. His reasoning? He is quoted as saying, the Host had already dissolved and "Christ was no longer present".
Pictures clearly show the Host intact. Moreover, if the Host truly was already dissolved, there would be nothing left to destroy. Right, Your Excellency???
Bishop Malone's dismissive attitude towards the Blessed Sacrament is deplorable. He may now be guilty of sacrilege against our Eucharistic Lord. One of the commenters on the CM site believes that Malone may have automatically brought about his own excommunication.
The bishop needs to feel some heat for his refusal to follow proper procedures for investigating the possible miracle and for his cavalier attitude towards the Eucharist, leading to probable sacrilege. The diocesan website is here. All readers, no matter where they are, can call and/or email this diocese.
Many faithful Catholics in that area are righteously outraged. In addition to contacting that chancery, I'd suggest a complete boycott of all diocesan donations. I'd suggest that if you see the bishop in person, that you challenge him regarding his brash decisions and derelictions of duty. Let him know that bishops should act like bishops and not crass businessmen.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Aristotle And Aquinas
I myself haven't watched the entire clip but I too believe that many of us faithful Catholics have suffered from lack of adequate intellectual formation in our Faith. This clip is worth a listen, from what I've seen of it.
Monday, December 3, 2018
The Strange Defense Of Baby It's Cold Outside
A radio station recently announced its decision to ban "Baby It's Cold Outside" from its airwaves. It cites its allegiance to the #metoo movement as its reasons. Immediately the whining and kvelling commenced, with most complaining that the station simply is kowtowing to politically correct sentiments. They mock the notion that "baby" promotes date-rape - although the lyrics lend credence to that allegation.
What truly baffles me is how many Catholics are defending the song, claiming that:
What truly baffles me is how many Catholics are defending the song, claiming that:
- It's a Christmas classic (even though Christmas isn't even mentioned)
- The lyrics are silly and harmless, especially compared to today's rap music.
First, let's take a look at the lyrics, and a piece that I wrote about the matter three years ago. As I read the lyrics and notice the line "what's in this drink", I acknowledge the possibility of date rape being implied in this song. Even if it weren't, the singers are flirting - not only with each other but the mortal sin of fornication. Someone attempting to defend the song said "it was written in a sane time when they wouldn't be contemplating sex". Why, oh why, should I accept that theory? He's asking her to stay the night. If nothing else, that constitutes near occasion of mortal sin, does it not?
Others cite the course music of today. Yes, rap is truly raunchy - but did music degrade to its current state only within the past several years? No, it's been a gradual process. Many decades ago, the proverbial envelope was pushed, little by little, to the current dismal state of affairs today. "Baby It's Cold Outside" was a definite push of the envelope. Is that so difficult to understand?
This song isn't worthy of the ears of decent people. It certainly isn't worthy of the defense that Catholics are lending to it. My fellow Catholics, we can - we must - do better than that. There is so much decent, uplifting music to help us dwell on the Birth of Our Lord. That is real Christmas music.
Others cite the course music of today. Yes, rap is truly raunchy - but did music degrade to its current state only within the past several years? No, it's been a gradual process. Many decades ago, the proverbial envelope was pushed, little by little, to the current dismal state of affairs today. "Baby It's Cold Outside" was a definite push of the envelope. Is that so difficult to understand?
This song isn't worthy of the ears of decent people. It certainly isn't worthy of the defense that Catholics are lending to it. My fellow Catholics, we can - we must - do better than that. There is so much decent, uplifting music to help us dwell on the Birth of Our Lord. That is real Christmas music.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Police Raid Of DiNardo's Offices Raises Some Interesting Questions
We see from here and here and here that various Texas law enforcement agencies conducted a surprise raid on the offices of the Galveston-Houson Archdiocese. They were searching for data focusing on one priest and found information concerning several more who abused young boys.
As far as this Texas situation goes, I think this is a most positive and much needed move. However, in light of the recent USCCB meeting, some questions immediately arise in my mind. Texas officials descended on the offices of DiNardo very soon after that meeting. However, why haven't local officials swarmed upon the chanceries of Washington DC, Chicago, Metucheon and others? I'm sure that quite a few of those local officials are eager to move in. What is restraining them? What restrained the Texas officials until just now?
Recall that at the meeting, Cardinal DiNardo, president of the USCCB, made plain to all his displeasure at the pope's orders that measures pertaining to the sex abuse crisis not be voted upon at that meeting. Cupich interrupted him, making quite clear that he, not DiNardo, enjoyed the pope's favor. So now, all of the sudden, it's DiNardo's chancery that is raided. Mind you, this is not to impugn the local Texas officials who are just doing their job. I suspect something or someone was preventing them, just as they are preventing law officials from showing up at the DC and Chicago chanceries. Could those restraints have been lifted from the Texas officials as punishment for DiNardo's public displeasure at Pope Francis?
As far as this Texas situation goes, I think this is a most positive and much needed move. However, in light of the recent USCCB meeting, some questions immediately arise in my mind. Texas officials descended on the offices of DiNardo very soon after that meeting. However, why haven't local officials swarmed upon the chanceries of Washington DC, Chicago, Metucheon and others? I'm sure that quite a few of those local officials are eager to move in. What is restraining them? What restrained the Texas officials until just now?
Recall that at the meeting, Cardinal DiNardo, president of the USCCB, made plain to all his displeasure at the pope's orders that measures pertaining to the sex abuse crisis not be voted upon at that meeting. Cupich interrupted him, making quite clear that he, not DiNardo, enjoyed the pope's favor. So now, all of the sudden, it's DiNardo's chancery that is raided. Mind you, this is not to impugn the local Texas officials who are just doing their job. I suspect something or someone was preventing them, just as they are preventing law officials from showing up at the DC and Chicago chanceries. Could those restraints have been lifted from the Texas officials as punishment for DiNardo's public displeasure at Pope Francis?
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Of Papal Resignations And Depositions
The seemingly non-stop insults to Tradition coming from Pope Francis have led to much discussion regarding the possibility of deposing a sitting pope and, in this case, whether or not Benedict XVI's resignation was valid. Below are two videos. The first is a discussion between Taylor Marshall and Eric Sammons regarding the possibility of deposing a pope. As you listen, pay close attention at the 6:04 mark, when Sammons says, "there's only been one pope at a time; never has there been a case of two popes at a time."
That dovetails into Ann Barnhardt's video, in which she makes a case, from canon law, that the "resignation" proffered by Pope Benedict XVI was invalid. That being the case, Benedict is still pope and Jorge Bergoglio never has been. These videos are long, but they are well worth the investment of time to consider. You may agree or disagree with what these individuals say, but they raise questions that all faithful Catholics must ponder for we are indeed living in treacherous times, and much of that treachery comes from Church leadership. Now the videos...
That dovetails into Ann Barnhardt's video, in which she makes a case, from canon law, that the "resignation" proffered by Pope Benedict XVI was invalid. That being the case, Benedict is still pope and Jorge Bergoglio never has been. These videos are long, but they are well worth the investment of time to consider. You may agree or disagree with what these individuals say, but they raise questions that all faithful Catholics must ponder for we are indeed living in treacherous times, and much of that treachery comes from Church leadership. Now the videos...
Saturday, November 24, 2018
What's Happening With McCarrick?
With all the events surrounding the joke of a bishops' meeting in Baltimore, and now the prospect of yet another synodical farce this coming February, the fate of Theodore McCarrick seems to have fallen from the radar screens. Or so some prelates might have hoped.
The Washington Post seems to have noticed that, and has remarked about that. Normally I'm not a fan of the Post but in this case I respect their determination not to let this matter fall by the wayside. They ask questions that deserve answers.
Well, maybe there are answers. This LifeSiteNews article details how McCarrick was quite the effficient errand boy for Pope Francis in his various progressive endeavors. I need not rehash all the mess here. Suffice it to say that there is plenty of reason why Pope Francis would like to keep the spotlight off McCarrick. Perhaps he would one day like to spirit McCarrick off to some posh resort in Europe - for prayer and penance, of course! Or perhaps they are waiting for nature to run its course; McCarrick is getting on in years and the day of his eventual passing from this life is drawing near.
Speaking of that inevitable event, please keep him in prayer, that he would come to real repentance and make a good confession before he dies. Else, his eternal prospects look rather dim.
The Washington Post seems to have noticed that, and has remarked about that. Normally I'm not a fan of the Post but in this case I respect their determination not to let this matter fall by the wayside. They ask questions that deserve answers.
Well, maybe there are answers. This LifeSiteNews article details how McCarrick was quite the effficient errand boy for Pope Francis in his various progressive endeavors. I need not rehash all the mess here. Suffice it to say that there is plenty of reason why Pope Francis would like to keep the spotlight off McCarrick. Perhaps he would one day like to spirit McCarrick off to some posh resort in Europe - for prayer and penance, of course! Or perhaps they are waiting for nature to run its course; McCarrick is getting on in years and the day of his eventual passing from this life is drawing near.
Speaking of that inevitable event, please keep him in prayer, that he would come to real repentance and make a good confession before he dies. Else, his eternal prospects look rather dim.
Baltimore Catholics, Why Do You Tolerate These Charades?
This sacrilege happened at Sacred Heart of Mary Church in the Dundalk area of Baltimore yesterday. Almost as scandalous as the dance hall music is the reaction of a lot of the viewers. They simply show the abysmal state of catechesis that has dumbed down the sensum fideli of many Catholics today.
One might argue that at least this doesn't rise to the level of scandal that might be found at St. Matthews on Loch Raven Boulevard. However: lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivandi. The behavior of Auxiliary Bishop Madden illustrates quite starkly that principle. He celebrated yesterday's Sacred Heart debacle. Moreover, in the past, he has lent his support to the gay-pandering dissidence at St. Matthew's.
The sane parishioners that remain in that parish need to rebuke that pastor: both in word and in the withholding of financial support.
One might argue that at least this doesn't rise to the level of scandal that might be found at St. Matthews on Loch Raven Boulevard. However: lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivandi. The behavior of Auxiliary Bishop Madden illustrates quite starkly that principle. He celebrated yesterday's Sacred Heart debacle. Moreover, in the past, he has lent his support to the gay-pandering dissidence at St. Matthew's.
The sane parishioners that remain in that parish need to rebuke that pastor: both in word and in the withholding of financial support.
Friday, November 23, 2018
From The Fox Guarding Hen House Department: Cupich To Head Vatican Sex Abuse Summit
We saw last week how Cardinal Cupich did the pope's bidding as he stopped the USCCB from taking steps to address the episcopal sex abuse scandals. It was clear that both he and Cardinal Wuerl had no intention of addressing the matter in any meaningful fashion.
Neither does the pope. Else, how does one explain the pope's appointment of Cupich to head up this Vatican sex abuse summit that is slated to happen next February? It will be a sham, just as has been all these synods and meetings that have happened in the past few years. I've no doubt that even now Cupich, Wuerl, Tobin and others are working on "synod documents" that will be completely fabricated long before the summit attendees arrive in Rome. The summit will be just another dog-and-pony show to pretend that the Vatican is all into "collegiality" and that they are "listening" and "accompanying" when nothing else could be further from the truth.
So what might this "summit summary" have to say? Did Cardinal Cupich give us a hint with his suggestion that some clergy sex offenses were "consensual" and should be treated differently. And who can forget his dismissive "rabbit hole" quip? Might this be a ploy to normalize sodomy in the priesthood and elsewhere? I suspect the outcome of this summit has already been determined and that it will accomplish diddly-squat when it comes to eradicating the filth from the clergy.
Neither does the pope. Else, how does one explain the pope's appointment of Cupich to head up this Vatican sex abuse summit that is slated to happen next February? It will be a sham, just as has been all these synods and meetings that have happened in the past few years. I've no doubt that even now Cupich, Wuerl, Tobin and others are working on "synod documents" that will be completely fabricated long before the summit attendees arrive in Rome. The summit will be just another dog-and-pony show to pretend that the Vatican is all into "collegiality" and that they are "listening" and "accompanying" when nothing else could be further from the truth.
So what might this "summit summary" have to say? Did Cardinal Cupich give us a hint with his suggestion that some clergy sex offenses were "consensual" and should be treated differently. And who can forget his dismissive "rabbit hole" quip? Might this be a ploy to normalize sodomy in the priesthood and elsewhere? I suspect the outcome of this summit has already been determined and that it will accomplish diddly-squat when it comes to eradicating the filth from the clergy.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Strong Protest And More
In LifeSiteNews we read commentary about a blog post written by Msgr Charles Pope. Msgr Pope encourages all to protest and write very specific letters to the papal nuncio. While I agree that this step would be helpful, that is not all we can and should do.
One step that many of us have been touting is the withholding of donations to the local bishops. Money, or lack thereof, does seem to be one language that these errant prelates understand. Boycott the various collections, but be sure to let the bishops know exactly why your donations have ceased.
Be sure that among your fellow parishioners that you broach the various issue facing the Church. Don't let them fade from their minds.
Here's another action item that Michael Voris implemented when he found himself on the same flight as Bishop Malone. See the Vortex below to see him in action. Then look below that for more discussion.
We can all do this - and we must, particularly if you are so unfortunate as to have one of these gay-enablers in your chancery. Don't be afraid to picket them, especially when they rub elbows with pro-aborts and other dissidents. Eight years ago we did precisely that, when both then-Cardinal McCarrick and Sr Carol Keehan were honored at the commencement for Gonzaga High. This was just a few months after Keehan wielded her influence to foist upon us all the Obamacare Hell Bill. Given what we know now, thanks to Archbishop Vigano's various testimonies, it is quite possible that at that time, McCarrick was flouting Pope Benedict's directives not to say Mass in public. At that time we had no way of knowing that. Still, his appearance with Keehan was its own travesty. We picketed that. See this blog post and the video embedded therein. Towards the end of that video you'll see McCarrick receiving a well-deserved earful. We must all be at the ready to deliver the same.
One step that many of us have been touting is the withholding of donations to the local bishops. Money, or lack thereof, does seem to be one language that these errant prelates understand. Boycott the various collections, but be sure to let the bishops know exactly why your donations have ceased.
Be sure that among your fellow parishioners that you broach the various issue facing the Church. Don't let them fade from their minds.
Here's another action item that Michael Voris implemented when he found himself on the same flight as Bishop Malone. See the Vortex below to see him in action. Then look below that for more discussion.
We can all do this - and we must, particularly if you are so unfortunate as to have one of these gay-enablers in your chancery. Don't be afraid to picket them, especially when they rub elbows with pro-aborts and other dissidents. Eight years ago we did precisely that, when both then-Cardinal McCarrick and Sr Carol Keehan were honored at the commencement for Gonzaga High. This was just a few months after Keehan wielded her influence to foist upon us all the Obamacare Hell Bill. Given what we know now, thanks to Archbishop Vigano's various testimonies, it is quite possible that at that time, McCarrick was flouting Pope Benedict's directives not to say Mass in public. At that time we had no way of knowing that. Still, his appearance with Keehan was its own travesty. We picketed that. See this blog post and the video embedded therein. Towards the end of that video you'll see McCarrick receiving a well-deserved earful. We must all be at the ready to deliver the same.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
The Pope's Hatchet Men
Towards the beginning of the debacle known as the USCCB meeting in Baltimore, Cardinal DiNardo, president of the USCCB, announced the pope's orders to shelve any vote on measures to deal with the episcopal sex abuse scandals. It was apparent the DiNardo made the announcement with much chagrin and some of the bishops were likewise displeased at the announcement. Right away Cardinal Cupich stood up and declared that the pope was taking the matter seriously. It was clear that he knew of the pope's intentions and his mission was to run interference for the pope.
Throughout the meeting it was apparent that Cupich was the de facto head honcho of the meeting, along with Cardinal Wuerl. A few months ago Wuerl elicited well-deserved scorn for suggesting that bishops should investigate one another: specifically, an accused bishop should be investigated by his metropolitan, as Archbishop Lori is ostensibly doing with Bishop Bransfield. In other words, the foxes should guard the hen houses. That is precisely what Wuerl and Cupich tried to cram down the throats of the other bishops. Here is a video, but more follows this video.
Another henchman is Cardinal Joseph Tobin. As Tobin was checking out of the hotel after the meeting, George Neumayr intercepted him and asked him several questions. Tobin didn't bother to deny that Italian actor Francesco Castiglione was living in his rectory - but didn't give any plausible reason why. It may be reasonable to opine that he was the intended recipient of the "nighty-night baby I love you" tweet. I pray that Tobin was being honest when he said that he wouldn't be foisted upon the DC archdiocese as its next bishop.
A few bishops - but only a few - spoke up with some truth at that meeting. See the video below. Meanwhile, Legatus, an organization of Catholic businessmen, announced that they would be withholding their annual donations to the Vatican in light of their abysmal performance. No doubt they want reassurances that their donations won't be used to cover up the mortal sins of clergymen. We need to do that as well - withhold our donations until they get serious and clean the filth from their own ranks.
Throughout the meeting it was apparent that Cupich was the de facto head honcho of the meeting, along with Cardinal Wuerl. A few months ago Wuerl elicited well-deserved scorn for suggesting that bishops should investigate one another: specifically, an accused bishop should be investigated by his metropolitan, as Archbishop Lori is ostensibly doing with Bishop Bransfield. In other words, the foxes should guard the hen houses. That is precisely what Wuerl and Cupich tried to cram down the throats of the other bishops. Here is a video, but more follows this video.
Another henchman is Cardinal Joseph Tobin. As Tobin was checking out of the hotel after the meeting, George Neumayr intercepted him and asked him several questions. Tobin didn't bother to deny that Italian actor Francesco Castiglione was living in his rectory - but didn't give any plausible reason why. It may be reasonable to opine that he was the intended recipient of the "nighty-night baby I love you" tweet. I pray that Tobin was being honest when he said that he wouldn't be foisted upon the DC archdiocese as its next bishop.
A few bishops - but only a few - spoke up with some truth at that meeting. See the video below. Meanwhile, Legatus, an organization of Catholic businessmen, announced that they would be withholding their annual donations to the Vatican in light of their abysmal performance. No doubt they want reassurances that their donations won't be used to cover up the mortal sins of clergymen. We need to do that as well - withhold our donations until they get serious and clean the filth from their own ranks.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Wind-Down Of The USCCB Meeting
This meeting of the USCCB is showing us the true colors of many of our shepherds - and those colors aren't pretty. First we have Bishop Olson of Fort Worth TX calling on the US bishops to rebuke Archbishop Vigano for calling on Pope Francis to resign. Some might remember that four years ago Olson banned the Tridentine Mass from Fisher More College. Also refer to the Church Militant link for an account of how Olson and other Texas bishops worked to undermine the efforts of Texas Right to Life.
We also learned that the bishops voted against asking the Vatican to share its documents regarding ex-cardinal McCarrick. Well, surprise surprise - not! These bishops are either buddies of McCarrick or those on whom McCarrick et al have dirt. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. One of McCarrick's buddies is Cardinal Cupich. At that same meeting, he opined to the other bishops that sex between two adults (including clerics) was "consentual sex". In other words, he tried to keep the focus on the abuse of minor children. While that indeed is a horrific crime, the de facto rapes of young men by pervert clergy cannot be overlooked, as some believe to be the hope of Cupich and others.
On the other hand, Bishop Joseph Strickland, also of Texas, challenged his brother bishops regarding their belief in Jesus' teachings regarding homosexual conduct. In particular, he wondered aloud how, if they believe the Church's teachings, how they could allow pro-LGBT priests to speak in their dioceses. It doesn't take a genius to figure that he was speaking of Father James Martin; why Strickland didn't name him, I don't know. He might as well have also mentioned Cardinal Wuerl, who invited Martin to give a meditation during the services on Good Friday 2017 at St. Matthew's Cathedral. And of course there is Pope Francis himself, who invited him to join the Vatican Communications Office. Martin is actually in charge of handling the Vatican's tweets.
I understand that this gabfest cost almost a million dollars. With all the kvelling about the funding for their various "social justice" outreaches, one might think they could have held their meeting in some retreat house already owned by the Church. Whatever happened to being wise stewards of financial resources? But time after time they have shown their propensity to squander their spiritual resources. I still remain of the opinion that the USCCB should be dismantled, and soon.
We also learned that the bishops voted against asking the Vatican to share its documents regarding ex-cardinal McCarrick. Well, surprise surprise - not! These bishops are either buddies of McCarrick or those on whom McCarrick et al have dirt. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. One of McCarrick's buddies is Cardinal Cupich. At that same meeting, he opined to the other bishops that sex between two adults (including clerics) was "consentual sex". In other words, he tried to keep the focus on the abuse of minor children. While that indeed is a horrific crime, the de facto rapes of young men by pervert clergy cannot be overlooked, as some believe to be the hope of Cupich and others.
On the other hand, Bishop Joseph Strickland, also of Texas, challenged his brother bishops regarding their belief in Jesus' teachings regarding homosexual conduct. In particular, he wondered aloud how, if they believe the Church's teachings, how they could allow pro-LGBT priests to speak in their dioceses. It doesn't take a genius to figure that he was speaking of Father James Martin; why Strickland didn't name him, I don't know. He might as well have also mentioned Cardinal Wuerl, who invited Martin to give a meditation during the services on Good Friday 2017 at St. Matthew's Cathedral. And of course there is Pope Francis himself, who invited him to join the Vatican Communications Office. Martin is actually in charge of handling the Vatican's tweets.
I understand that this gabfest cost almost a million dollars. With all the kvelling about the funding for their various "social justice" outreaches, one might think they could have held their meeting in some retreat house already owned by the Church. Whatever happened to being wise stewards of financial resources? But time after time they have shown their propensity to squander their spiritual resources. I still remain of the opinion that the USCCB should be dismantled, and soon.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Faithful Catholics Spat Upon By Their Shepherds
As I write this, the US bishops are meeting in Baltimore. On their agenda was the clergy and episcopal sex abuse scandal that continues to plague the Church. However, just as they were convening, word came from Pope Francis that they are to put any action on this crucial matter in abeyance. Ostensibly he wants to convene a meeting of the world's heads of bishops' conferences.
Many are disgusted, understanding this to be one more manifestation of the pope's disregard for the concerns of faithful Catholics regarding the sex abuse, many of those Catholics being personally impacted by the same. The link above explores the matter in greater detail.
I wrote a few days ago how the USCCB sicced the Baltimore City Police on Church Militant on account of the prayer rally they spearheaded. A similar thing happened in front of the Vatican Embassy in Washington DC today. A group of faithful Catholics gathered to petition Pope Francis to appoint a faithful bishop, such as Cardinal Burke, to take the episcopacy recently vacated by Cardinal Wuerl. For their holding of signs in front of the embassy, the Vatican staff there called the Secret Service on them. Perhaps the Vatican staff is unaware of the First Amendment in the United States. Unless I'm wrong, I don't believe the Secret Service interfered in any significant manner.
What insults to the Faith and faithful Catholics will be coming from the Vatican these next few days?
Note: Thank you to my alert readers for pointing out my typo. It is now corrected.
Many are disgusted, understanding this to be one more manifestation of the pope's disregard for the concerns of faithful Catholics regarding the sex abuse, many of those Catholics being personally impacted by the same. The link above explores the matter in greater detail.
I wrote a few days ago how the USCCB sicced the Baltimore City Police on Church Militant on account of the prayer rally they spearheaded. A similar thing happened in front of the Vatican Embassy in Washington DC today. A group of faithful Catholics gathered to petition Pope Francis to appoint a faithful bishop, such as Cardinal Burke, to take the episcopacy recently vacated by Cardinal Wuerl. For their holding of signs in front of the embassy, the Vatican staff there called the Secret Service on them. Perhaps the Vatican staff is unaware of the First Amendment in the United States. Unless I'm wrong, I don't believe the Secret Service interfered in any significant manner.
What insults to the Faith and faithful Catholics will be coming from the Vatican these next few days?
Note: Thank you to my alert readers for pointing out my typo. It is now corrected.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Archdiocese Of Baltimore Aids And Abets Border Crashers
Canon 212 pointed me to this article from Not-At-All Catholic Reporter. Given its dissident slant, NCR speaks glowingly of this nonsense. However, it is scandalous on several fronts.
This isn't the first time that Lori has pandered to border-crashers. Dare I opine that the scent of federal grants is a strong impetus for this pandering?
One of the parishes that will roll out this program is St Matthews - yes, that St Matthew's! This sorry excuse for a parish has openly participated in Baltimore's "gay pride" parades during the summers. Lori ostensibly told them that they were not to carry signs that identify the parish in last summer's parade. Mind you, he didn't tell them not to particpate at all, but just to keep the parish name hush-hush. Of course St Matthew's flouted that directive anyway. So what did Lori do? Absolutely nothing. He just turned a blind eye as he always has. A real bishop with half a spine and sense of duty would have placed that errant parish under interdict a long time ago in addition to defrocking the dissident pastor. Doesn't it make one wonder just what Muth et al are holding over Lori's head? And now we hear that Lori is giving them a prominent role in his own smooching up to illegal aliens.
We also hear that an outfit called Baltimore United In Leadership Development is also playing a prominent role. Now click on its "about us" subpage. Notice that they are affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation. The IAF was founded by Saul Alinsky himself. Please study the posts in the preceding two links to understand why it's most harmful for the Church in Baltimore to grant legitimacy to any Alinskyite organization.
So there you have it! To curry favor with the progressives running Baltimore and to glom onto some grants tied to illegal immigration, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is striking hands with both a flaming dissident parish and a left-wing Alinskyite organization. What could possibly go right with this arrangement?
I believe the Archdiocese of Baltimore is conducting its CCHD in-pew collection in a weekend or two. This is one collection that should be totally boycotted.
This isn't the first time that Lori has pandered to border-crashers. Dare I opine that the scent of federal grants is a strong impetus for this pandering?
One of the parishes that will roll out this program is St Matthews - yes, that St Matthew's! This sorry excuse for a parish has openly participated in Baltimore's "gay pride" parades during the summers. Lori ostensibly told them that they were not to carry signs that identify the parish in last summer's parade. Mind you, he didn't tell them not to particpate at all, but just to keep the parish name hush-hush. Of course St Matthew's flouted that directive anyway. So what did Lori do? Absolutely nothing. He just turned a blind eye as he always has. A real bishop with half a spine and sense of duty would have placed that errant parish under interdict a long time ago in addition to defrocking the dissident pastor. Doesn't it make one wonder just what Muth et al are holding over Lori's head? And now we hear that Lori is giving them a prominent role in his own smooching up to illegal aliens.
We also hear that an outfit called Baltimore United In Leadership Development is also playing a prominent role. Now click on its "about us" subpage. Notice that they are affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation. The IAF was founded by Saul Alinsky himself. Please study the posts in the preceding two links to understand why it's most harmful for the Church in Baltimore to grant legitimacy to any Alinskyite organization.
So there you have it! To curry favor with the progressives running Baltimore and to glom onto some grants tied to illegal immigration, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is striking hands with both a flaming dissident parish and a left-wing Alinskyite organization. What could possibly go right with this arrangement?
I believe the Archdiocese of Baltimore is conducting its CCHD in-pew collection in a weekend or two. This is one collection that should be totally boycotted.
Friday, November 9, 2018
The USCCB Resenting Faithful Catholics
Today Michael Voris received a call from the Baltimore City Police Department. Apparently the officer received from the USCCB a request for "help". The bishops are slandering those faithful Catholics who will be participating in the Silence Stops Now prayer effort that will happen outside the bishops' semi-annual meeting. They have accused those Catholics of plotting violence. In their railing against faithful Catholics, they accuse them of adopting antifa-like tactics. By the way - when did you last here any of these bishops denounce the violence carried out by the real antifa over these past few years? Neither did I - but I digress. The vortex is immediately below, but I also have more news of the US establishment wailing and gnashing their teeth at us.
An entire slew of officials from various Catholic "charitable" organizations are shocked - shocked! - that faithful Catholics are reluctant to give to them in light of the clergy sex abuse scandals. Sr. Donna Markham, CEO of Catholic Charities, is "deeply concerned" about the donation drop-off. I might suggest to her that she cease the efforts of Catholic Charities to help sneak into this country thousands of illegal immigrants. I might suggest that local offices cease their needle exchange programs. A reminder - Sr Donna was a supporter of the pro-abortion Obamacare. Why on earth would any decent Catholic think that Catholic Charities is a worthy steward of Catholic donations?
In response to this problem (question - since this involves the shrinkage of donations, does this matter rise to the status of a "massive, massive crisis"?), these leaders have consulted with Alexia Kelly. Now when have we heard that name before? Yep! She sounds like quite the expert, doesn't she?
Meanwhile, the Lepanto Institute revealed today yet another reason why the CCHD collections in a few weeks should be totally boycotted.
We havc more conclusive proof that they do listen to the language of money. We need to speak it - namely by our withholding of it. Let that cause them to quake in their boots.
An entire slew of officials from various Catholic "charitable" organizations are shocked - shocked! - that faithful Catholics are reluctant to give to them in light of the clergy sex abuse scandals. Sr. Donna Markham, CEO of Catholic Charities, is "deeply concerned" about the donation drop-off. I might suggest to her that she cease the efforts of Catholic Charities to help sneak into this country thousands of illegal immigrants. I might suggest that local offices cease their needle exchange programs. A reminder - Sr Donna was a supporter of the pro-abortion Obamacare. Why on earth would any decent Catholic think that Catholic Charities is a worthy steward of Catholic donations?
In response to this problem (question - since this involves the shrinkage of donations, does this matter rise to the status of a "massive, massive crisis"?), these leaders have consulted with Alexia Kelly. Now when have we heard that name before? Yep! She sounds like quite the expert, doesn't she?
Meanwhile, the Lepanto Institute revealed today yet another reason why the CCHD collections in a few weeks should be totally boycotted.
We havc more conclusive proof that they do listen to the language of money. We need to speak it - namely by our withholding of it. Let that cause them to quake in their boots.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Holiness And Toxic Masculinity
This is the first that I've heard of this blogger "Vermont Crank" but I believe he/she is onto something in this post. We are being told, ad infinitim and ad nauseuum, about the dangers of "toxic masculinity". How often are real men demonized as dangerous? How often are boys punished for having interests traditionally associated with boyhood? The truth is that the progressive states find it difficult to exert control over real men so they are constantly trying to convert them into "pajama boys".
Our prelates have taken up this false mantra, constantly depicting Jesus and the saints as wimpy flower children. I believe that's why our liturgies have become, at best, orgies of sentimentality and emotionalism (at worst, they are downright blasphemous and heretical, but we'll leave that for other posts for now). The meme below touches upon that quite well. Let us encourage real masculinity, and femininity too, as Our Lord designed us.
Our prelates have taken up this false mantra, constantly depicting Jesus and the saints as wimpy flower children. I believe that's why our liturgies have become, at best, orgies of sentimentality and emotionalism (at worst, they are downright blasphemous and heretical, but we'll leave that for other posts for now). The meme below touches upon that quite well. Let us encourage real masculinity, and femininity too, as Our Lord designed us.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Time To #Sayno2cchd
Now that the elections are behind us, it's time to take note of that annual in-pew shake-down known as the CCHD collection. Most dioceses have these collections during a November week-end. I won't rehash the whole sordid history of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development but will remind you that it was created with the intention of conning faithful Catholics into donating to organizations that actively promote anti-God agendas.
Many years ago, the CCHD was a major contributor to ACORN. When the various scandals revolving around ACORN were made public, the USCCB promised reforms in the ways that CCHD determined its grants. Not too surprisingly, we discovered that those "reforms" were just smoke and mirrors; no meaningful reforms were enacted at all.
A few days ago, Lepanto Institute published their research that shows that CCHD is currently giving $280k to organizations that actively promote abortion and "LGBT" rights. I cannot say they are back to their old tricks for I do not believe they ever paused in their chicanery.
When the collection for CCHD occurs in your parishes, I'd suggest not only denying CCHD any money, but making it quite clear to them why you are doing so. At the bottom of this post is a note that you can use to drop in your CCHD collection plate - or draft one of your own. Just #sayno2cchd this year.
Many years ago, the CCHD was a major contributor to ACORN. When the various scandals revolving around ACORN were made public, the USCCB promised reforms in the ways that CCHD determined its grants. Not too surprisingly, we discovered that those "reforms" were just smoke and mirrors; no meaningful reforms were enacted at all.
A few days ago, Lepanto Institute published their research that shows that CCHD is currently giving $280k to organizations that actively promote abortion and "LGBT" rights. I cannot say they are back to their old tricks for I do not believe they ever paused in their chicanery.
When the collection for CCHD occurs in your parishes, I'd suggest not only denying CCHD any money, but making it quite clear to them why you are doing so. At the bottom of this post is a note that you can use to drop in your CCHD collection plate - or draft one of your own. Just #sayno2cchd this year.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
All In The Interests Of Collegiality And Dialogue - Right?
An Italian author, Aldo Maria Valli, has published a compilation of the writings of Archbishop Vigano. However, Vatican officials are applying pressure to the publishing house to restrict future editions. That is hardly what we'd call "dialogue", isn't it? Of what is the pope afraid?
Meanwhile, in Washington DC, the current nuncio relayed a "request" from Vatican Secretary of State Parolin to the US bishops that Cardinal Burke not be invited to give talks. This is just the latest insult to have been proffered to the Cardinal since Francis assumed the papacy. Parolin relayed this request orally to deny Burke the right to appeal.
Parolin is giving lots of these oral requests lately. He also orally communicated to Bishop Schneider of Kazakhstan that he is to reduce his travels and to clear any travel plans with the local nuncio.
Let's be clear. Vigano, Burke and Schneider are good prelates who are defending Tradition against the human wrecking balls that now occupy the highest places in the Vatican. The pope et al are in full panic mode, as if we, the Great Unwashed, are too stupid to see through their shenanigans. They have absolutely no real interest in "dialogue". Their "collegiality" masks are being discarded and we can now see them for the tyrants they are, hell-bent on undermining the teachings of Jesus Christ. They will mow down anyone in their way - if they can. Will we let them?
Meanwhile, in Washington DC, the current nuncio relayed a "request" from Vatican Secretary of State Parolin to the US bishops that Cardinal Burke not be invited to give talks. This is just the latest insult to have been proffered to the Cardinal since Francis assumed the papacy. Parolin relayed this request orally to deny Burke the right to appeal.
Parolin is giving lots of these oral requests lately. He also orally communicated to Bishop Schneider of Kazakhstan that he is to reduce his travels and to clear any travel plans with the local nuncio.
Let's be clear. Vigano, Burke and Schneider are good prelates who are defending Tradition against the human wrecking balls that now occupy the highest places in the Vatican. The pope et al are in full panic mode, as if we, the Great Unwashed, are too stupid to see through their shenanigans. They have absolutely no real interest in "dialogue". Their "collegiality" masks are being discarded and we can now see them for the tyrants they are, hell-bent on undermining the teachings of Jesus Christ. They will mow down anyone in their way - if they can. Will we let them?
Monday, November 5, 2018
Tomorrow - Make Sure You Vote
Tomorrow we vote in the "off-year" elections. Every seat in the House of Representatives and approximately 33 seats in the Senate are up for grabs. Additionally, there are many local elections occurring as well. The stakes are high in this particular election, as many progressives are seeking to derail the improvements that President Trump has made so far.
We had quite a problem with some folks who adopted the hashtag #nevertrump two years ago. I would have thought that the improvements wrought by Trump these past two years might have encouraged them to see the imprudence of their stances. Unbelievably so, many still dig their heels in, declaring with some stinking pride that they will simply not vote at all. I dealt with this two years ago and will not rehash my rebuttals of that foolishness; see here for an anthology of those posts.
Now let's look at some Maryland races (since I'm in Maryland). It goes without saying that I intend to "vote red", that is, vote for the GOP candidate. While I'm not completely enamored with some of them, I know the Democrats in Maryland embrace anti-God and progressive platforms. As far as possible, they need to be kept at bay.
We also have elections for the board of education. So for whom do we vote in these races? Well, the Maryland Education Association puts out their "apple ballot" of endorsements. Here it is. I simply study their list, and then vote for the "apple candidates'" opponents. We know that the National Education Association is dedicated to turning public schools into progressive indoctrination camps; the MDEA is simply their local chapter.
Ora et labora. Pray your rosaries and vote.
We had quite a problem with some folks who adopted the hashtag #nevertrump two years ago. I would have thought that the improvements wrought by Trump these past two years might have encouraged them to see the imprudence of their stances. Unbelievably so, many still dig their heels in, declaring with some stinking pride that they will simply not vote at all. I dealt with this two years ago and will not rehash my rebuttals of that foolishness; see here for an anthology of those posts.
Now let's look at some Maryland races (since I'm in Maryland). It goes without saying that I intend to "vote red", that is, vote for the GOP candidate. While I'm not completely enamored with some of them, I know the Democrats in Maryland embrace anti-God and progressive platforms. As far as possible, they need to be kept at bay.
We also have elections for the board of education. So for whom do we vote in these races? Well, the Maryland Education Association puts out their "apple ballot" of endorsements. Here it is. I simply study their list, and then vote for the "apple candidates'" opponents. We know that the National Education Association is dedicated to turning public schools into progressive indoctrination camps; the MDEA is simply their local chapter.
Ora et labora. Pray your rosaries and vote.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Sinister Uses For Synodality
Chris Ferarra released a piece a few days ago that I believe details nicely the purpose that Pope Francis seems to have for all these "sin-nod" gab-fests. I too have believed that these things are nothing short of expensive smoke-and-mirror gimmicks designed to get us to swallow the latest insults to Faith and Tradition. To his list I might have added the pre-sinnod "listening sessions" along with all sorts of dissidents brought in for "preparatory meetings". Anyway, the pope might as well save the Church a few million dollars and dispense with these dog-and-pony shows and just go about slashing and burning the Teachings of Our Lord Himself. But I suppose there really are some people who allow themselves to get snookered by all the artificial hoopla. We see similar conclusions drawn by LifeSiteNews.
I will now post a discussion by Robert Royal and the "papal posse's" thoughts just at the conclusion of the sin-nod.
I will now post a discussion by Robert Royal and the "papal posse's" thoughts just at the conclusion of the sin-nod.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Involuntary Hiatus
No, this blog is not abandoned. Early last week I suffered a medical emergency that necessitated major surgery and a week in hospital. I'm recuperating now and hope to be back to regular blogging once I'm back up to speed.
I see that in the meantime quite a bit has unfolded, mainly the none-too-surprising results of the "youth sin-nod". Many have reported on that already and I suggest you plug into them. From Lepanto we do see that the CCHD continues to funnel Catholic dollars into organizations that foster mortal sins. Please boycott those collections in a few weeks.
Meanwhile I appreciate prayers for a speedy recovery.
I see that in the meantime quite a bit has unfolded, mainly the none-too-surprising results of the "youth sin-nod". Many have reported on that already and I suggest you plug into them. From Lepanto we do see that the CCHD continues to funnel Catholic dollars into organizations that foster mortal sins. Please boycott those collections in a few weeks.
Meanwhile I appreciate prayers for a speedy recovery.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Youth Sin-Nod Gives Nod To The Mortal Sin Of Sodomy
In the most recent issue of Crisis magazine, we see an article entitled, "Is The Youth Synod's Final Document Already Written?" I've got to assume that this question is merely rhetorical, for given the Vatican's behavior with the family sin-nod (the one that produced Amoralis Lamentia) we knew from the get-go that it was probably written long before the first attendees landed at the local airport.
We got a hint of that when Book Thief Baldy lied about the letters "LGBT" being included in a pre-synod document. They weren't but he thought it was a handy excuse to include them in the Instrumentum Laboris. When called on his lie, he just shrugged his shoulders and said that the acronym would remain. With that he also confirmed the suspicions of many faithful Catholics - that this gabfest is all about trying to make sodomy seem acceptable to the gullible Catholic in the pews.
It's worth pointing out here that one of the sin-nod's discussion groups took the occasion to trash-talk Catholic home schooling. Folks, let's cut to the chase. The progressives in the Church fear home schooling for they know that home-schooled children stand an excellent chance of learning the authentic Catholic faith. These young people will then be able to see through their lies and shams and reject them for what they are. Of course those lies include the acceptance of the mortal sins of sodomy and other related perversions.
The Vortex's take on the matter....
We got a hint of that when Book Thief Baldy lied about the letters "LGBT" being included in a pre-synod document. They weren't but he thought it was a handy excuse to include them in the Instrumentum Laboris. When called on his lie, he just shrugged his shoulders and said that the acronym would remain. With that he also confirmed the suspicions of many faithful Catholics - that this gabfest is all about trying to make sodomy seem acceptable to the gullible Catholic in the pews.
It's worth pointing out here that one of the sin-nod's discussion groups took the occasion to trash-talk Catholic home schooling. Folks, let's cut to the chase. The progressives in the Church fear home schooling for they know that home-schooled children stand an excellent chance of learning the authentic Catholic faith. These young people will then be able to see through their lies and shams and reject them for what they are. Of course those lies include the acceptance of the mortal sins of sodomy and other related perversions.
The Vortex's take on the matter....
Friday, October 19, 2018
Keep Cardinal "Nighty-Night-Baby" Tobin OUT Of The Archdiocese Of Washington
From the Remnant we hear news that the dissident Cardinal Joseph Tobin is being seriously considered as a successor to Cardinal Wuerl. We have had enough of dissident prelates. Please join this effort by signing the petition and by passing this on to your families and friends, particularly if they live within the Archdiocese of Washington.
So Much For Accompanying In The San Diego Diocese!
Bishop McElroy of the Diocese of San Diego has hosted "listening sessions" for the benefit of those Catholics in his diocese who are troubled by the sex scandals. Well, for the benefit of some Catholics. McElroy has evicted several faithful who have brought up failings of McElroy himself - including the retention of a sodomite in prominent positions who lives in gay #mowwidge.
Church Militant has obtained footage of one such ejection and has exposed another. Lepanto Institute recorded the ejection of a woman who rebuked the retention of a sodomite as a diocesan employee. The latter caused McElroy to go into a royal hissy fit as he had her forcibly ejected.
The Lepanto piece delved more into the background of Aaron Bianco, the sodomite occupying several positions of influence. Lepanto pointed out his address: an address that is available to anyone who googles his name. I tried it myself and here's the link.
Father James Martin, infamous dissident, is one not to let a good crisis go to waste. Get a load of his tweet. He did relate some good news: that Bianco resigned. In reality, Bianco should have been fired long before this. Notice how Martin intimates that Lepanto and LifeSiteNews hunted down Bianco's address and maliciously published it? Again, I myself found it in 20 seconds just by googling his name. Martin also tried to implicate Church Militant with responsibility for the church vandalism: something for which he has absolutely no proof. Here's the link to his tweet. Please open the entire thread. See how he tries to ascribe responsibility for the tire-slashing to Church Militant? Teensy problem for Martin: the tire-slashing happened last year, before this expose. CM has replied that Martin may find himself with a defamation suit on his hands. I for one hope CM goes for it.
Martin also calls for the "reporting" of faithful Catholics who rebuke those in mortal sin. He is of the same nazi-esque mindset as McElroy, who gives faithful Catholics the heave-ho from his "listening sessions". Only dissidents and/or perverts are to be accompanied. Maybe that's just as well because I for one would not want to accompany them on their current hell-ward direction.
Church Militant has obtained footage of one such ejection and has exposed another. Lepanto Institute recorded the ejection of a woman who rebuked the retention of a sodomite as a diocesan employee. The latter caused McElroy to go into a royal hissy fit as he had her forcibly ejected.
The Lepanto piece delved more into the background of Aaron Bianco, the sodomite occupying several positions of influence. Lepanto pointed out his address: an address that is available to anyone who googles his name. I tried it myself and here's the link.Father James Martin, infamous dissident, is one not to let a good crisis go to waste. Get a load of his tweet. He did relate some good news: that Bianco resigned. In reality, Bianco should have been fired long before this. Notice how Martin intimates that Lepanto and LifeSiteNews hunted down Bianco's address and maliciously published it? Again, I myself found it in 20 seconds just by googling his name. Martin also tried to implicate Church Militant with responsibility for the church vandalism: something for which he has absolutely no proof. Here's the link to his tweet. Please open the entire thread. See how he tries to ascribe responsibility for the tire-slashing to Church Militant? Teensy problem for Martin: the tire-slashing happened last year, before this expose. CM has replied that Martin may find himself with a defamation suit on his hands. I for one hope CM goes for it.
Martin also calls for the "reporting" of faithful Catholics who rebuke those in mortal sin. He is of the same nazi-esque mindset as McElroy, who gives faithful Catholics the heave-ho from his "listening sessions". Only dissidents and/or perverts are to be accompanied. Maybe that's just as well because I for one would not want to accompany them on their current hell-ward direction.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Yet Another Reason To Curtail In-Pew Donations In Washington - And Federal Investigations Commence!
As if the $50k-per-month retainer arrangement wasn't enough, we now learn that the Archdiocese of Washington paid CNN to run ads that extol the supposed "accomplishments" of Cardinal Wuerl. Now what does it really mean when we say "Archdiocese of Washington paid"? It means, fellow Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington, that the funds for this image-rehabilitation futility came from our donation dollars. Well, not mine since I made the corrections not to allow my donation dollars to be funneled to diocesan bank accounts.
The hubris and self aggrandizement of Wuerl is an outrage. Does he really believe that we are so stupid as to fall for that codswallop hook-line-and-sinker? I regret that some still persist in stubborn denial, but more and more are having the scales fall from their eyes.
Speaking of expenses, one might wonder if Cardinal Wuerl might be dismissing the Jones Day law firm, the one to which the archdiocese was paying a monthly retainer of $50k to cover the Cardinal's, uh.., "hind regions". I wouldn't bet on that. Federal investigators are launching their own probes into the allegations broached by the state of Pennsylvania. Once again, that means that both Wuerl and McCarrick are directly implicated. If I was one of the investigators, I'd see to it that Wuerl's and McCarrick's passports were immediately revoked. By the way - in addition to being alarmingly close to schools, McCarrick's penitential hideaway is also close to an airport? Don't the hierarchical wolves think of everything?
Let the investigations commence. Keep your prayers coming, but stop the dollar flow.
The hubris and self aggrandizement of Wuerl is an outrage. Does he really believe that we are so stupid as to fall for that codswallop hook-line-and-sinker? I regret that some still persist in stubborn denial, but more and more are having the scales fall from their eyes.
Speaking of expenses, one might wonder if Cardinal Wuerl might be dismissing the Jones Day law firm, the one to which the archdiocese was paying a monthly retainer of $50k to cover the Cardinal's, uh.., "hind regions". I wouldn't bet on that. Federal investigators are launching their own probes into the allegations broached by the state of Pennsylvania. Once again, that means that both Wuerl and McCarrick are directly implicated. If I was one of the investigators, I'd see to it that Wuerl's and McCarrick's passports were immediately revoked. By the way - in addition to being alarmingly close to schools, McCarrick's penitential hideaway is also close to an airport? Don't the hierarchical wolves think of everything?
Let the investigations commence. Keep your prayers coming, but stop the dollar flow.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Sin-Nod On How To Spiritually Murder Our Youth
This so-called "youth synod", more accurately a sin-nod, is showing how literally hell-bent some of our prelates are to brainwash young people (and anyone else) into normalizing the mortal sins of homosexual conduct. They are becoming more and more brazen about it.
The first ominous signs appeared in the sin-nod's Instrumentum Laboris; I touched on just a few of them here. Archbishop Chaput pointed out another glaring fault when he noticed the phrase "LGBT youths" in paragraph 197 of the document. He rightly stated that it is inherently unhealthy for Catholics to define themselves according to sexuality. I'd add that it is doubly dangerous to define oneself in terms of inherently disordered traits. What might one say to someone who claims to be a "murderous Catholic"? Most of us would do a double-take, I daresay. When LifeSiteNews called out "Bookthief Baldy" on the matter, he tried to claim that the phrase came from a pre-synodal document composed by young people. LifeSiteNews called him out on the lie (politely, of course). In other words, Baldy et al inserted that phrase themselves, pretending that they were "listening to and accompanying" the young people.
One of the small groups took up the mantle of gay-shilling, led by Cardinal Maradiaga. In addition to being another flagrant progressive, he is also de facto leader of the "gang of nine" AND embroiled in some homosexual scandals of his own in Honduras. They want the Church to "pay more attention to homosexuals" and the "realities they face", such as "marriage and surrogate pregnancy". This group makes no mention whatsoever of the reality of eternal damnation that looms on the horizon for any practicing sodomite who doesn't repent and make a good confession before he or she dies and is called to his/her particular judgment.
We also heard from a "youth delegate" from Chile who claims to have listened to Catholic and non-Christian youth. Using the excuse that she heard more from the non-Christians, she completely omitted the input that she received from Catholic youth, as though they should have no voice at all. The woman's name is Silvia Teresa Morales. She claims that homosexuals "live their faith within the church". Big problem! If people are defining themselves as homosexuals (or racists, or murderers, etc), they most likely are giving way to their disordered drives. Therefore, they are NOT living their faith. They have the same rights as all Catholics: to repent of their sins, confess their sins. No one has the "right" to flaunt their mortal sins and thumb their noses at God Himself.
Some voices of sanity and decency still remain in the Church hierarchy. In addition to Archbishop Chaput, Cardinal Sarah spoke out, stating quite plainly that the watering down of Church teaching will not attract young people (or older ones, for that matter). He said correctly that they want clarity
But wait a minute! It appears that the pope is once again railing at those of us who do hold onto the crystal-clear teachings of Jesus Christ and refuse to let them be obscured by all this "accompanying" jibber-jabber. Yesterday during his Mass he lambasted us "rigid" Christians. Again, this is talk specifically designed to shut us up. One of the sin-nod's small groups took a swipe at Catholic parents who home-school their children. They fear that these parents might have an "ideological basis". Well, if they mean that the parents intend to pass on the unadulterated Faith to their children, as they are called by God to do so, maybe that can be called "ideological" but that is by no means to be interpreted in a pejorative manner.
So it appears that this youth sin-nod does have a theme, doesn't it? It's about contradicting the clear commands of Our Lord with regards to homosexuality, affirming perverts in their mortal sins and making it more likely they'll find themselves in hell. Why else would the pope wear this? He's both promoting the gay ideology and profaning the Cross of Jesus Christ. Please continue with your rosaries by all means.
The first ominous signs appeared in the sin-nod's Instrumentum Laboris; I touched on just a few of them here. Archbishop Chaput pointed out another glaring fault when he noticed the phrase "LGBT youths" in paragraph 197 of the document. He rightly stated that it is inherently unhealthy for Catholics to define themselves according to sexuality. I'd add that it is doubly dangerous to define oneself in terms of inherently disordered traits. What might one say to someone who claims to be a "murderous Catholic"? Most of us would do a double-take, I daresay. When LifeSiteNews called out "Bookthief Baldy" on the matter, he tried to claim that the phrase came from a pre-synodal document composed by young people. LifeSiteNews called him out on the lie (politely, of course). In other words, Baldy et al inserted that phrase themselves, pretending that they were "listening to and accompanying" the young people.
One of the small groups took up the mantle of gay-shilling, led by Cardinal Maradiaga. In addition to being another flagrant progressive, he is also de facto leader of the "gang of nine" AND embroiled in some homosexual scandals of his own in Honduras. They want the Church to "pay more attention to homosexuals" and the "realities they face", such as "marriage and surrogate pregnancy". This group makes no mention whatsoever of the reality of eternal damnation that looms on the horizon for any practicing sodomite who doesn't repent and make a good confession before he or she dies and is called to his/her particular judgment.
We also heard from a "youth delegate" from Chile who claims to have listened to Catholic and non-Christian youth. Using the excuse that she heard more from the non-Christians, she completely omitted the input that she received from Catholic youth, as though they should have no voice at all. The woman's name is Silvia Teresa Morales. She claims that homosexuals "live their faith within the church". Big problem! If people are defining themselves as homosexuals (or racists, or murderers, etc), they most likely are giving way to their disordered drives. Therefore, they are NOT living their faith. They have the same rights as all Catholics: to repent of their sins, confess their sins. No one has the "right" to flaunt their mortal sins and thumb their noses at God Himself.
Some voices of sanity and decency still remain in the Church hierarchy. In addition to Archbishop Chaput, Cardinal Sarah spoke out, stating quite plainly that the watering down of Church teaching will not attract young people (or older ones, for that matter). He said correctly that they want clarity
But wait a minute! It appears that the pope is once again railing at those of us who do hold onto the crystal-clear teachings of Jesus Christ and refuse to let them be obscured by all this "accompanying" jibber-jabber. Yesterday during his Mass he lambasted us "rigid" Christians. Again, this is talk specifically designed to shut us up. One of the sin-nod's small groups took a swipe at Catholic parents who home-school their children. They fear that these parents might have an "ideological basis". Well, if they mean that the parents intend to pass on the unadulterated Faith to their children, as they are called by God to do so, maybe that can be called "ideological" but that is by no means to be interpreted in a pejorative manner.
So it appears that this youth sin-nod does have a theme, doesn't it? It's about contradicting the clear commands of Our Lord with regards to homosexuality, affirming perverts in their mortal sins and making it more likely they'll find themselves in hell. Why else would the pope wear this? He's both promoting the gay ideology and profaning the Cross of Jesus Christ. Please continue with your rosaries by all means.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Pope Francis, Do NOT Appoint Another Dissident To The Archdiocese Of Washington!
As announced a few days ago, the pope has (finally!) accepted the resignation of Cardinal Wuerl as Archbishop of Washington. The pope stipulated that Wuerl is to retain authority as "apostolic administrator" until a successor is selected. We may rest assured that Wuerl will have huge input (if not sole input) regarding that selection. However long it takes, Wuerl will be in charge; that is, he's gone in name only.
The rumor mill has floated some names, none of which are outside the realm of possibilities, given the mindsets of both Wuerl and the pope. Some of these give great cause for concern, as I have written when the "possibilities" have made their problematic characteristics known. They are:
The rumor mill has floated some names, none of which are outside the realm of possibilities, given the mindsets of both Wuerl and the pope. Some of these give great cause for concern, as I have written when the "possibilities" have made their problematic characteristics known. They are:
- Cardinal Joseph "nighty-night baby" Tobin He allowed lesbians to celebrate their perversion of #mowwidge in a KofC hall. He allowed gay "pilgirmages" in his diocese. He poo-pooed the concerns of the Dubia Cardinals. He is not to be confused with Bishop Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island.
- Bishop Robert McElroy - In his opposition to President Trump, he wrote that "we must all become disrupters"; might he hold some blame for all the antifa crap going on now? We faithful Catholics who expose him, on the other hand, are called "cancers" engaging in "verbal violence". He ordered his priests to give Holy Communion to adulterous Catholics.
- Cardinal Blaise Cupich - his appointment here would be the stuff of nightmares. He has persecuted faithful priests such as Fathers Frank Phillips and Paul Kalchik. He is a shill for the giving of Holy Communion to adulterers and sodomites. He allows dissidents like Father Michael Pfleger to run rampant. Church Militant put up a petition that he be removed - and now he might come here? Puh-leeezeee!
I and many faithful Catholic bloggers have taken these prelates (and others) to task. To the trolls who have been charged by the Vatican to follow our blogs, please be advised that if any of these (or other dissidents) are assigned to the Washington Archdiocese, we will rebuke them when necessary (perhaps that might be its own full-time job). We will shine the light on any misdeeds.
We of the Archdiocese of Washington have already put up with two dissident prelates and have seen good priests here both hog-tied and/or expelled. Be advised that we will not be silent. We will take a page from Pope Francis' playbook and make a mess for those who would turn the mystical body of Christ into just another social-justice, community-organizing progressive racket.
Rest assured we will be watching and we won't hesitate to raise our voices and withhold our dollars if we perceive the next bishop to be one who will continue with the desecration of Holy Mother Church. To the progressive Vatican officials who even now ponder their choices, if you do select another progressive, well, to borrow a phrase of Cardinal Cupich, do you really want to go down that rabbit hole?
Friday, October 12, 2018
More Vomit From The Youth Sin-Nod
What else can be expected when it starts off with the pope carrying a wiccan stang into the opening Mass? I just started to glance at the Instrumentum Laboris and that promises to be a stinker, too.
At this thing, the attendees were put into fourteen groups for discussion, all led by prelates. Cardinal Cupich led one, Cardinal Maradiaga another. Right there you can see the rigging in the works. Cupich's group allegedly called for "recognition of other forms of family". Stop right there. A family comes about when a biologically born man and a biologically born woman enter into matrimony and beget/raise children. Not two men, not two women, not self-mutilated people or any other permutation, pretenses and delusions notwithstanding. So why might I think that Cupich might have forced that conclusion? Well, let's examine the following facts about his Archdiocese of Chicago.
Father Rigoberto Gamez of St Aloysius parish has recently been charged with several instances of sexual battery. He is now ordered to wear a monitoring bracelet. Currently he is Associate Vicar for Canonical Affairs for the Chicago archdiocese. Will he retain that position and his parish assignment?
Father Michael Guimon of the Friars Servants of Mary is head of the priory at Our Lady of Sorrows National Basilica in Chicago. Within that priory he hosts what are essentially gay hook-up meetings and he is a "gay masseur". In other words, he has turned the basilica into a sodomite orgy den, profaning that sacred place with filthy abominations.
Will Cupich laicize these two? Who knows? We do know he has the long knives out for Father Kalchik who is still in hiding lest he be dragged to St Luke's because his parishioners burned a gay flag. This is the sort of prelate who has been given a key role in this sin-nod.
I post now a video from Remnant TV showing a rather raucous performance by young people, with prelates obviously enjoying it. One commenter wrote that he noticed just how much the bishops were enjoying seeing young men gyrate and prance about. Sadly he's probably correct. See for yourselves and keep praying.
At this thing, the attendees were put into fourteen groups for discussion, all led by prelates. Cardinal Cupich led one, Cardinal Maradiaga another. Right there you can see the rigging in the works. Cupich's group allegedly called for "recognition of other forms of family". Stop right there. A family comes about when a biologically born man and a biologically born woman enter into matrimony and beget/raise children. Not two men, not two women, not self-mutilated people or any other permutation, pretenses and delusions notwithstanding. So why might I think that Cupich might have forced that conclusion? Well, let's examine the following facts about his Archdiocese of Chicago.
Father Rigoberto Gamez of St Aloysius parish has recently been charged with several instances of sexual battery. He is now ordered to wear a monitoring bracelet. Currently he is Associate Vicar for Canonical Affairs for the Chicago archdiocese. Will he retain that position and his parish assignment?
Father Michael Guimon of the Friars Servants of Mary is head of the priory at Our Lady of Sorrows National Basilica in Chicago. Within that priory he hosts what are essentially gay hook-up meetings and he is a "gay masseur". In other words, he has turned the basilica into a sodomite orgy den, profaning that sacred place with filthy abominations.
Will Cupich laicize these two? Who knows? We do know he has the long knives out for Father Kalchik who is still in hiding lest he be dragged to St Luke's because his parishioners burned a gay flag. This is the sort of prelate who has been given a key role in this sin-nod.
I post now a video from Remnant TV showing a rather raucous performance by young people, with prelates obviously enjoying it. One commenter wrote that he noticed just how much the bishops were enjoying seeing young men gyrate and prance about. Sadly he's probably correct. See for yourselves and keep praying.
Pope Francis Accepts Wuerl's Resignation As DC Archbishop
I certainly was delighted to see that news this morning. By the way - isn't it just the strangest of coincidences that news like this often breaks on Fridays? It's like some people hope that the weekend will help dissipate interest in the topic at large, right? But I digress.
But as I pondered the pope's request that Wuerl remain as an interim administrator in DC until a successor is named and installed, my jubilation was tempered somewhat. Just how long will this selection process take? Is this "resignation acceptance" thing just a ploy to allow Wuerl to retain all his authority and influence while pretending that he really isn't doing that? Speaking of authority, Wuerl will still retain his position at the College for Bishops. I'd also be willing to bet that he'll have significant input, if not sole discretion, in the selection of his successor.
The CM link has the full text of the pope's letter in which he accepts Wuerl's resignation. As you read it, please have some peptol bismol at the ready and try not to punch your computer screens. His praise of Wuerl is over the top, yapping and yammering about his "heart of the shepherd" and "nobility". Oh, puleeze! Get real! Oh, wait a minute! What can we expect? In many ways the pope and Wuerl are two peas from the same pod.
Another pea from that same pod is Father Rosica - yes, this one! After the news broke, he let loose with a tweet praising Wuerl, saying "he touched us". One might wonder just where was he touched? Given the fact that Wuerl is suffering the just desserts of having covered for McCarrick and other predators, we can only state that Rosica's choice of words was oafish and boorish at best. Or perhaps it was quite the Freudian slip.
Catholics in the DC archdiocese, please be alert as to how this news is handled at Mass this Sunday. Share your reactions in the comment boxes if you'd like. We will all keep praying our Rosaries, as many more clerical dissidents and predators need to be removed.
But as I pondered the pope's request that Wuerl remain as an interim administrator in DC until a successor is named and installed, my jubilation was tempered somewhat. Just how long will this selection process take? Is this "resignation acceptance" thing just a ploy to allow Wuerl to retain all his authority and influence while pretending that he really isn't doing that? Speaking of authority, Wuerl will still retain his position at the College for Bishops. I'd also be willing to bet that he'll have significant input, if not sole discretion, in the selection of his successor.
The CM link has the full text of the pope's letter in which he accepts Wuerl's resignation. As you read it, please have some peptol bismol at the ready and try not to punch your computer screens. His praise of Wuerl is over the top, yapping and yammering about his "heart of the shepherd" and "nobility". Oh, puleeze! Get real! Oh, wait a minute! What can we expect? In many ways the pope and Wuerl are two peas from the same pod.
Another pea from that same pod is Father Rosica - yes, this one! After the news broke, he let loose with a tweet praising Wuerl, saying "he touched us". One might wonder just where was he touched? Given the fact that Wuerl is suffering the just desserts of having covered for McCarrick and other predators, we can only state that Rosica's choice of words was oafish and boorish at best. Or perhaps it was quite the Freudian slip.
Catholics in the DC archdiocese, please be alert as to how this news is handled at Mass this Sunday. Share your reactions in the comment boxes if you'd like. We will all keep praying our Rosaries, as many more clerical dissidents and predators need to be removed.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Corruption Is Shedding Its Disguises
More and more we are seeing corroboration of the words of St. John Chrysotom: "The road to hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lamp posts that light the path."
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of the Archdiocese of Brisbane (Austrilia) tweeted a few days ago as a reply to Jesus being "consultant or king", that "not too sure that I want or have him as either". It sure sounds like apostasy to me. I found it rather hard to believe, but unless his twitter account was hacked, the evidence is there to see. I found the exchange on twitter and post it below. Click the tweet to see Coleridge's reply.
As you can see from the comments, several people have asked him for clarification and have received no response. I myself just posted an email to the diocesan website and encourage all to do the same. If we just reply to the tweet and his account is indeed hacked, he'll never get the message. If, however, I fail to receive any reply to my inquiry, well, that indeed will be a reply.
During a recent interview, Cardinal Cupich said it's "not our policy" to deny Holy Communion to those in sodomite #mowwidge. In other words, it's his policy to thumb his nose at Canon law and the Tradition of the Church. It's also his policy to persecute faithful priests in his diocese, such as Fathers Paul Kalchik and Frank Phillips. Speaking of faithful priests in the Chicago area, Cupich was asked in that same interview about Bishop Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, a suffragan diocese of the Chicago metropolitan. Paprocki made clear that his diocese would obey Canon 915. We can imagine that Cupich is already doing all in his power to make Paprocki's life as miserable as possible.
Please recall that last summer a drug-and-sodomy orgy was busted by police inside the apartments belonging to Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio. It turns out that "cocaine-cocco" was present at the orgy. One can only imagine his level of participation in the party "activities". Apparently the police told him to leave before they started arresting people. Why they didn't arrest him too is its own tale of corruption, I suppose. Vatican sources say that Pope Francis knew of "cocco's" presence at that party. Might that be the reason why the police let him off?
Speaking of the pope, Church Militant has learned that the Vatican is attempting to rig its "investigation" of Archbishop McCarrick. Their aim is to ascribe as much responsibility as possible to the now-deceased Pope John Paul II. Neat, huh? Stick it to someone who can no longer defend themselves. But hey! They've rigged synod reports now, haven't they? They've distorted them to make it appear that the bishops unanimously agree that it's time to go soft on perversion, Holy Communion for sodomites and adulterers, etc. After all that, they've no hesitation in putting on a sham investigation to deflect attention from the corruption that still festers inside the Vatican.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of the Archdiocese of Brisbane (Austrilia) tweeted a few days ago as a reply to Jesus being "consultant or king", that "not too sure that I want or have him as either". It sure sounds like apostasy to me. I found it rather hard to believe, but unless his twitter account was hacked, the evidence is there to see. I found the exchange on twitter and post it below. Click the tweet to see Coleridge's reply.
"Most people want Jesus as a consultant rather than a King” @timkellernyc— Daniel Ang (@DanielAngRC) October 7, 2018
As you can see from the comments, several people have asked him for clarification and have received no response. I myself just posted an email to the diocesan website and encourage all to do the same. If we just reply to the tweet and his account is indeed hacked, he'll never get the message. If, however, I fail to receive any reply to my inquiry, well, that indeed will be a reply.
During a recent interview, Cardinal Cupich said it's "not our policy" to deny Holy Communion to those in sodomite #mowwidge. In other words, it's his policy to thumb his nose at Canon law and the Tradition of the Church. It's also his policy to persecute faithful priests in his diocese, such as Fathers Paul Kalchik and Frank Phillips. Speaking of faithful priests in the Chicago area, Cupich was asked in that same interview about Bishop Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, a suffragan diocese of the Chicago metropolitan. Paprocki made clear that his diocese would obey Canon 915. We can imagine that Cupich is already doing all in his power to make Paprocki's life as miserable as possible.
Please recall that last summer a drug-and-sodomy orgy was busted by police inside the apartments belonging to Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio. It turns out that "cocaine-cocco" was present at the orgy. One can only imagine his level of participation in the party "activities". Apparently the police told him to leave before they started arresting people. Why they didn't arrest him too is its own tale of corruption, I suppose. Vatican sources say that Pope Francis knew of "cocco's" presence at that party. Might that be the reason why the police let him off?
Speaking of the pope, Church Militant has learned that the Vatican is attempting to rig its "investigation" of Archbishop McCarrick. Their aim is to ascribe as much responsibility as possible to the now-deceased Pope John Paul II. Neat, huh? Stick it to someone who can no longer defend themselves. But hey! They've rigged synod reports now, haven't they? They've distorted them to make it appear that the bishops unanimously agree that it's time to go soft on perversion, Holy Communion for sodomites and adulterers, etc. After all that, they've no hesitation in putting on a sham investigation to deflect attention from the corruption that still festers inside the Vatican.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Youth Synod's Instrumentum Laboris - A Disaster At First Glance
After last week's extremely inauspicious beginning, we had to expect more mess to come from the "youth synod". Indeed it has. We can see it in the Instrumentum Laboris. I won't have time this evening to do an exhaustive study, but will point out some glaring departures from the Faith, ones that can only be overlooked by the obstinately blind.
The first few sections list all manners of "concerns" facing young people, whether imaginary or fancied. However, all these concerns were those of this life. Nowhere was there mention of mankind's ultimate destiny. Nowhere was there mention of God's purpose for our lives. While they ostensibly are kvetching about the need to reach young people and how the Church can be relevant, the bishops refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ's reason for establishing the Church: to save souls. That is the ultimate concern and goal of everyone - young and old. The Church's primary and overarching mission is to guide people to heaven.
As I read this document, it seems that whoever wrote it is hell-bent on doing the precise opposite.
Look at section 16 under "life choices". I'll quote: "Crucial moments for the development of our identity include: deciding our course of study, choosing our profession, deciding our beliefs, discovering our sexuality and making life-changing commitments."
Do we have here an attempt to insinuate acceptance of the gay lifestyle? "Discovering sexuality" is not a choice as is "profession" and "course of studies". One is born male or female. One acknowledges that, or one sins against truth. With that, there is no choice among several morally acceptable options, as with the others. Whoever allowed that to be published deserves many rebukes - even if he sits on Peter's chair.
I will examine this thing more closely soon. Meanwhile, here's an analysis from Crisis. Suffice it to say that if this is a harbinger of the guidance that our young people can expect, their chances of eternal salvation are greatly imperiled and parents must be extra vigilant.
The first few sections list all manners of "concerns" facing young people, whether imaginary or fancied. However, all these concerns were those of this life. Nowhere was there mention of mankind's ultimate destiny. Nowhere was there mention of God's purpose for our lives. While they ostensibly are kvetching about the need to reach young people and how the Church can be relevant, the bishops refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ's reason for establishing the Church: to save souls. That is the ultimate concern and goal of everyone - young and old. The Church's primary and overarching mission is to guide people to heaven.
As I read this document, it seems that whoever wrote it is hell-bent on doing the precise opposite.
Look at section 16 under "life choices". I'll quote: "Crucial moments for the development of our identity include: deciding our course of study, choosing our profession, deciding our beliefs, discovering our sexuality and making life-changing commitments."
Do we have here an attempt to insinuate acceptance of the gay lifestyle? "Discovering sexuality" is not a choice as is "profession" and "course of studies". One is born male or female. One acknowledges that, or one sins against truth. With that, there is no choice among several morally acceptable options, as with the others. Whoever allowed that to be published deserves many rebukes - even if he sits on Peter's chair.
I will examine this thing more closely soon. Meanwhile, here's an analysis from Crisis. Suffice it to say that if this is a harbinger of the guidance that our young people can expect, their chances of eternal salvation are greatly imperiled and parents must be extra vigilant.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Not All Are Happy With Kavanaugh's Confirmation
I and many good people certainly am. Common sense prevailed in the Senate, but just barely. Meanwhile, we have all seen the antifa brats wail and moan in the streets as they conduct their rather tiresome temper tantrums. But there is consternation among some others as well. Observe and enjoy!
Sunday, October 7, 2018
From The "Et Tu Brute" Department - Cardinal Ouellet
Apparently he has pointed the long knives at Archbishop Vigano. He issued an open letter to that effect. Please see it on the Vox Cantoris site, along with Vox's excellent analysis of it.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
How NOT To Honor St Francis Of Assisi
Today is his feast day. St Francis is the founder of the orders that bear his name and by extension, the other orders that are the offshoots of those. I link now to an article detailing the saint's life; of course there are more on the internet as well as countless books besides. I'd urge careful, thoughtful study of these: first, to learn what his role in the Church was and second, to diffuse some of the pseudo-pious legends and sayings surrounding him. The latter might be born of enthusiasm and admiration for him, but all too often the enthusiasm sheds boundaries of reason and actually wind up trivializing the saint's life. I will now delve into some common gaffes:
- "He's the greatest imitator of Christ who ever lived". I recently saw this on the internet, but it is by no means the first. Here's the problem: a rather serious one. The word "greatest" is an adjective of comparison. If that statement were true, we must also admit its converse: "All other imitators of Christ are inferior to St Francis". Whoever conceives these statements therefore sits in judgment over the sanctity of every Christian who ever lived. That's extremely presumptuous at best. Only God Himself is in a position to make any sort of declaration like this. The following is similar.
- "St Francis is the most saintly of the Italians, and the most Italian of all the saints." I suppose the first part of this canard is less innocuous than the one in the first bullet, for at least its originator sits in judgment of only those of Italian descent and not the whole of humanity. The second part of this thing invokes some rather silly and shallow stereotypes of Italians. I suppose it has to do with popular notions of Italians being spontaneous and effusive in their gestures and vocal inflections, often given to displays of emotions. Surely these stereotypes have nothing to do with the more low-key, scholarly saints like Thomas Aquinas..oh, wait! Last time I checked, St Thomas Aquinas was an Italian!
- "St Francis of the bird bath" I don't see these so much now, but at one time they abounded. This probably has to do with the incident of him preaching to birds, and they flocked to hear him. This is one notion that has as an effect (hopefully unintentional) of trivializing him into a mere nature-lover. The next and last one has no veneer of piety whatsoever and no faithful Catholic would be caught dead dabbling in this.
- "St. Francis the envirowhacko". I wish I was making this up. The environmentalists among us have arrogated to themselves St. Francis' name to legitimize their environmental idolatry, with all its anti-life underpinnings. Take a gander of the job that the "Catholic Climate Covenant" has done with Franciscan imagery, being so arrogant as to call their pledge to idolatry the "St Francis pledge".
If St. Francis had to do any purgatorial pit-stop after his death, I'd be willing to bet that knowledge of the aforementioned lapses of intelligence in his name would have been part and parcel of his mortification. Let us ask his intercession, and that of all Franciscan saints, that our Church be restored to fidelity to Christ's immutable teachings and leave behind the fantasies of the "god of surprises".
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
What The Hell Is THAT????
I refer to the excuse for a crozier that the pope is carrying in this picture.
And no, it is not photoshopped; it comes straight from the Vatican's site. In the "photo" section, it's in the second row, third column. Moreover, the video shows him plainly carrying it. By the way, the video is one of the pope saying Mass before the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. At around the 49:30 mark is the consecration. Again we don't see the pope kneeling in adoration as instructed in the rubrics. The cameramen are careful to pan out during those moments, but they cannot disguise things. Because the pope has knelt while protestants "prayed over" him, we know it's not a question of handicap.
Edit: Thank you, Rorate Caeli. This is the "youth synod", you know, the one whose "working document" will dignify the acronym "LGBT". This is courtesy of Book-thief Baldi.
Between the refusal to kneel and the crozier that looks like a broken farming tool, we have to wonder about the level of reverence shown for Our Lord - if that reverence exists at all. Is this a harbinger of the output that we should expect from this synod?
Will this "youth synod" feed into the World Youth Day for 2019? Remember what that logo is? Why am I beginning to smell a sinister rat?
And no, it is not photoshopped; it comes straight from the Vatican's site. In the "photo" section, it's in the second row, third column. Moreover, the video shows him plainly carrying it. By the way, the video is one of the pope saying Mass before the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. At around the 49:30 mark is the consecration. Again we don't see the pope kneeling in adoration as instructed in the rubrics. The cameramen are careful to pan out during those moments, but they cannot disguise things. Because the pope has knelt while protestants "prayed over" him, we know it's not a question of handicap.
Edit: Thank you, Rorate Caeli. This is the "youth synod", you know, the one whose "working document" will dignify the acronym "LGBT". This is courtesy of Book-thief Baldi.
Between the refusal to kneel and the crozier that looks like a broken farming tool, we have to wonder about the level of reverence shown for Our Lord - if that reverence exists at all. Is this a harbinger of the output that we should expect from this synod?
Will this "youth synod" feed into the World Youth Day for 2019? Remember what that logo is? Why am I beginning to smell a sinister rat?
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