Catholic Standard And Catholic Review Repeat Our Sunday Visitor Inaccuracies Regarding Bishop Strickland

Both the Catholic Standard and Catholic Review use the same article from Our Sunday Visitor as they relay the news of Bishop Strickland's ouster.  OSV acknowledges that the Vatican has not yet given any official reason for Strickland's ouster, but it does point out a tweet that Strickland wrote last May stating that the Pope is "undermining the deposit of faith". 

All Strickland did was call a spade a spade.  Let's look back at some of the antics coming forth from this Vatican, shall we?

• A few weeks ago, he signed a document that allows gays and transgender perverts to be godparents at baptism
• While Strickland was stripped of his diocese, the German bishops who declared their intention to "bless" gay unions remain untouched.
• There is the colossal pachamama debacle during which this filthy idol was worshipped in the Vatican Garden, in the pope's presence.  Later that week, he placed a pachamama plant on the altar during Mass - a direct violation of GIRM and an act of idolatry.
• There is that insidious footnote in Amoris Laetitia, stating that de facto adulterers may receive Holy Communion while continuing their mortally sinful lifestyles
• He declared the death penalty to be inherently evil, directly contradicting 2000 year old Church teaching. 

This list could go on and on, but these will suffice to demonstrate that yes indeed, the pope is undermining the deposit of faith.

As for this October 31 address in question, LifeSiteNews diligently recorded the entire thing and published it for our reading.  Here it is.  Please read it.  Some reading the OSV article might get the erroneous impression that Strickland is calling the pope a "usurper".  In an interview with the Pillar Catholic, Strickland plainly states that such is not his view.  Rather, he was reading a letter from a friend to illustrate the confusion that this pope is undeniably causing.  He states that the pope is neglecting to clear up confusion by not answering the dubia and not issuing plain statements of belief.

Further on down the OSV article, we read that "the letter outright attacked Pope Francis' validity as the successor of St. Peter...Bishop Strickland said the letter's words were challenging but did not dispute the allegations."

I find great fault with the reporting of Our Sunday Visitor in this matter.  They utterly failed - whether by neglect or intent, I do not know - to take into account Strickland's subsequent exchange with the Pillar, during which Strickland acknowledges Francis's papacy.  OSV's sloppiness could lead the unsuspecting reader to believe that Strickland doubts the validity of Francis' papacy.  The OSV has a duty, in my opinion, to correct their reporting.  Moreover, The Catholic Standard and Catholic Review. have a duty to acknowledge their own sloppiness in their blind repetition of the OSV error without doing any "due diligence" verification themselves.

Here are more details about these matters from the Lepanto Institute.

Serious Clean-Up Needed At Baltimore's Catholic Review Diocesan Rag

Several years ago I leafletted cars of the attendees at one of these "Social Ministry Convocation" in Baltimore, knowing that they were smooching up to the gay agenda.  Indeed, as I was leafletting, I couldn't help but notice all the sodomy-affirming bumper strips on the cars. 

This past March, they did so again.  It's no surprise since the Catholic Campaign for Human Development seems to be spearheading these things.  But please look closely at that link.  Yes, it is the Baltimore Catholic Review to which I'm linking.  This rag is the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  This is from their March 16th edition, advertising for this gathering that was to occur on March 26.  

The schedule says quite blatantly that one of the "workshops" is "Dreaming of a Church That Is Inclusive and Welcoming of LGBTQ+ Catholics".  Because I see no sign of calling to repentance those who are engaging in homosexual acts and/or making a monstrosity out of marriage, I could just as well reword that title to read "Dreaming of a Church That Coddles Sexual Perversion and Ushers LGBTQ+ Catholics Straight to Hell".

I might have expected such an announcement from New Ways Ministry or the Washington Blade, but not from an official publication of a Catholic archdiocese.  Is there any kind of archdiocesan oversight for the Review?  Or are archdiocesan officials complicit in the promotion of sodomy?

By the way - I believe the CCHD collection for Baltimore will be in November.  Here you have yet another reason to utterly boycott that collection.

Why Is The Archdiocese Of Baltimore Allowing Tai Chi Workshops On Its Properties?

First, let's go into some background on tai chi itself.  Touted as a "martial arts" series of disciplines and exercises, its roots in Taoism and Buddhism cannot be denied.  Despite pipe dreams to the contrary, these pagan roots permeate the various motions and do cause altered mental states.  In short, like many "new age" gimmicks, it can open one to demonic influences since it does mimic idol worship.  In a saner time, when our prelates valued prudence and wisdom, no Catholic would have been granted permission to participate in any of these rituals.  That was then, this is now.  Progressivism has wormed its ways into our chanceries as prelates lack the backbone and/or wisdom to oppose it.

My blogging colleague at Harvesting The Fruit, headquartered in Baltimore, posted about a tai chi workshop being hosted by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Marriottville, MD.   I will divert from the topic of this post for a few moments to comment on this so-called "retreat center", starting with some personal experience.  About 10 years ago, a pro-life group with which I was affiliated had a day-long retreat/conference.  This Bon Secours place was booked; unbeknownst to us, it was even then a new-age haunt.  I arrived late for the meeting and rushed in, not paying attention to my surroundings.  Only after the meeting ended did we look around and noticed the literature rack by the front door, loaded with pamphlets that extolled the wonders of ashrams and crystals.  Needless to say, our eyes were opened.  They were opened even further as we walked to our cars and noticed the labyrinth to the side.  We each made a Sign of the Cross.  Our first trip to Bon Secours was also our last.

Let's take a virtual tour of Bon Secours, shall we?  To their dubious credit, they make no bones about being a de facto witches' coven.  At their main page you can see to the right the tai chi session.  Go to the events page and scroll down till you see the "soulcollage" thing.  The whole idea of this thing revolves around the unsuspecting victims participants selecting images that "depict your personality parts, your archetypal guides, your energetic companion animals, and even some of the sentient beings that have loved, taught, and challenged you."  Sentient beings!  And just who/what might they be?  Familiar spirits?  Demons?

Now check out the "grounds and meditation" tab.  We've touched a bit on the labyrinth so why not visit the "peace garden"?  Well, one reason not to visit is that they call it "zen-type".  It even comes with a "peace pole"!  That is a new one on me.  Until an hour ago, I never heard of a "peace pole".  Look - if you really want a prayerful garden, go to the grotto at Mt. St Mary's in Emmitsburg.  There you'll find a garden with mosaics of the Stations of the Cross, the Mysteries of the Rosary AND a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament reposed.  Why waste time in a place filled with symbols of idolatry - and most likely worse?

And to this snake-pit the Archdiocese of Baltimore refers Catholics?  But wait!  We're not done yet!  It gets worse!

Tai-chi poison is being spread in a Catholic church in Baltimore!

Again, with the Catholic Review singing its praises, we read an account of it at St Dominic's church in Baltimore.  The aged perpetrator nun declares right off the bat that "this is not something like tai chi or yoga".  But a few paragraphs before that we read how all the participants were in a "trance like state".  If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck - guess what?  It's a duck!  They call this sign chi do, as though a name change will fool everyone.  I googled it and it does seem to be quite the money-making racket.  One site I found does acknowledge the obvious; that is, tai chi is to be found in the roots of this sign chi do.  It goes on to blather about being "aligned in body mind and spirit" and "healing".  She calls it "sacred".  It's not; it's new age claptrap.

For two thousand years the Roman Catholic Church has preached the way to true healing.  Our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us His Sacraments.  Confession and Holy Communion are the two to which we can and should frequently resort.  Of course that involves repentance and conforming our lives with His Word.  Around that there is no short-cut; all other gimmicks are false and will lead to hell.  Shed the gimmicks and stay with Christ and His Church.

From The "Francis Effect Department" - Baltimore Catholic Review Shills For "Gay Coming Out"

Since the heresy known as the interim relatio was allowed to be published from the SinNod two weeks ago, we've been seeing increasingly blatant advocacy for dissent from supposedly Catholic institutions.

The following article is from the Catholic Review, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  I need to reemphasize that it comes from an official Catholic publication for one could easily be confused into thinking it's from a "New Ways" newsletter or even the Gay Blade.  It's in the October 23rd online issue and the link is http://www.catholicreview.org/article/home/st-matthew-broaches-topic-of-coming-out-for-parents-gay-catholics

We urge all to contact Archbishop William E. Lori, as well as the staff of the Review.  Point out that they offer false consolation to those struggling with same-sex attractions.  We wish to point them towards repentance, salvation and healing.  In no way do we want to affirm them as they engage in mortally sinful acts nor do we wish to approve of their family members as they misguidedly affirm such sin - such affirmation would be its own mortal sin.  With the release of this article they failed utterly in their mission as Catholic journalists to proclaim Christ to the world.

I trust that they will have the good sense (unless the Francis Effect is more advanced than I suspect) to pull that article and issue a retraction.  I will reproduce it below so you can see just what was allowed to be printed in a Catholic newspaper.  You may also wish to contact this St. Matthew's parish and urge them to once again be a truly Catholic institution as opposed to a glorified dating service for gays.

And now, the article.

St. Matthew broaches topic of ‘coming out’ for parents, gay Catholics

October 24, 2014

By Maria Wiering

mwiering@CatholicReview.org

“Coming out is a journey for the whole family,” a Catholic mother of a gay son said Oct. 12.

She and her husband shared their family’s story at St. Matthew Parish in Northwood as part of a nine-person panel discussion called “When a Family Member Comes Out.”

Moderated by Father Joseph L. Muth Jr., pastor of St. Matthew and Blessed Sacrament in Baltimore, the panel included three gay Catholics, two sets of parents of gay adult children, and a pastoral counselor from Loyola University of Maryland.

Each panelist shared his or her experience, including how coming out as gay affected their relationship with family members and the Catholic Church.

About 50 people attended the two-hour event, which included a question-and-answer session. Attendees asked for advice on personal situations, including navigating conversations with family members.

“People find themselves in a confusing place because they have a faith that allows them to be strong in the face of adversity, but they sometimes have a church that’s been challenging them about how they should see their family members who are gay,” said Father Muth in an interview after the event.

The panel discussion coincided with National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11. It was an extension of LEAD, St. Matthew’s LGBT ministry. The 3-year-old organization hosts monthly meetings. Its members have marched twice in Baltimore’s Pride Parade.

Relationships vary

Panelists candidly described realizing they or their children were gay and initially fearing the judgment of others, especially people at their churches. Some panelists maintained strong family relationships. Others, such as John, felt rejected and hurt. A gay Catholic and St. Matthew parishioner who asked his last name not be printed, John shared his experience of feeling shunned by his Catholic parents, who insisted on years of therapy. He spent time in seminary, and also participated in Courage, an apostolate for gay Catholics that focuses on helping its members live celibately.

Over the years, John’s relationship with his parents has repeatedly frozen and thawed, he said. At times they refused to allow him to use “we” or “our” to refer to his then boyfriend, now legal husband; other times they met the two for dinner.

“To live with that tension, it’s incredibly difficult,” he said.

“No matter the amount of fuss you put up, it’s not going to change that they’re gay or lesbian,” John added, speaking to parents of gay children. “There’s a hyper-focus on (being) gay as the worst sin. That’s hard to shake off. For me, it’s been a process.”

A welcoming approach?

The panel was held in the middle of the 11-day Synod of Bishops on the family in Rome, where topics included pastoral responses to gay relationships. Midterm and final reports suggested disagreement among bishops over the kind of welcome gay Catholics should receive in the church.

Despite the church’s insistence that its marriage teaching will not change, several panelists stated support for church sanctioning of gay marriage. All three of the gay panelists were civilly married to same-sex partners. Several explicitly rejected Catholic teaching that marriage is reserved for a one-man-one-woman relationship, and that all non-married Catholics, including those who are gay, are “called” to celibacy.

Father Muth said that he’s spoken with people who feel positive about the synod’s potential outcomes on homosexuality.

“The church teaching may or may not change at some point down the road – that’s not something I can do anything about – but the initial step to people who have felt rejected and put aside for many years is to create an atmosphere of welcome,” he said.

That atmosphere also encourages gay Catholics to tell their stories, he said.

“I think through that storytelling, people begin to see how hurt people have been and how they’ve turned away from the church,” he said. “With the church’s whole emphasis on this new evangelization, this is a real opportunity to reverse the attitude – to have a more welcoming, compassionate, listening attitude, to tell people they can be included.”