Sacraments - Matter, Form, And Intent

Recently a priest in the Diocese of Phoenix resigned after it was discovered that his misuse of pronouns during baptism ceremonies rendered the sacrament invalid.  He did this to hundreds of babies over the years.  The upshot is that they never received the graces pertaining to baptism.  Original sin was not remitted.  Subsequent sacraments received by the affected individuals were likewise rendered invalid and perhaps some died in that state.

I'm now going to post some links that give the Church's teachings on the topic of Sacraments, and the Sacrament of Baptism in particular.  Please bear in mind that Jesus Christ has empowered the Magisterium over the centuries to pronounce His teachings.  Also bear in mind that Sacraments and their attendant graces are objective realities, apart from any experiences or judgments that we may harbor.  Please see this, this, and this.

Bishop Olmsted is a bishop who takes his responsibilities seriously.  Understanding the spiritual peril in which many of his people were placed, he is taking measures to ensure that as many as possible are notified so that they can receive proper baptisms, confirmations, etc. 

This situation is being discussed on social media.  On Facebook, I am reading comments that display an abysmal lack of understanding and appreciation of the sacraments.  As a summary, I will paraphrase some of the opinions that seem to be prevalent:

• God only cares about the intention of those involved
• This is not a big deal.
• The bishop is nit-picking
• It is cruel to exclude these people from the Church

All of these statements display common erroneous mind-sets.  They are evaluating baptism from the stance of mere subjective experience.  They deem the badly-administered sacrament to be valid because of "trauma" that some might experience, utterly disregarding the fact that sacraments are objective realities that are independent of their opinions.

As we understand in the reading of the links, the reality of the Sacraments hinges on three things: intent, matter and form.  A defect in any one of those things will render the sacrament invalid.  These other people seem to appreciate intent, but have little disregard for form.   That parish priest uttered the words "we baptize you" instead of "I baptize you", undermining the understanding that it is Christ who baptizes through the priest.

I don't know the ages of these people, but I strongly suspect that their Catholic education was compromised by the proceeds of Vatican II.  Mine was, but my earlier years weren't.  They gave me some decent frame of reference that served to at least partially shield me from some of the pernicious modernist lies.  Later on I embarked on some self-reading and education, still ongoing, to rid my mind of lingering nonsense.  

I say that because if someone can dismiss the Church's emphasis on proper form as "nitpicking" and "legalism", they simply did not receive a decent Catholic education.  I hope it is that, for if they do know the Church's centuries-old teaching on these matters and still scoff at them, they place their souls in danger.  I and some others actually posted links to Church teaching, most of which were summarily dismissed.  As long as Catholics insist on elevating their own emotions above what Our Lord objectively teaches, we will see much of the Church collapse like a house of cards.  The rest of us must continue to pray and to speak the truth, regardless of the mockery that comes our way.

More On The Vigano Statement

Now come reports of various individuals - including the Pope Emeritus - of Vigano's testimony being corroborated.  The National Catholic Register's sources confirm that Pope Benedict XVI did indeed discipline the errant former cardinal McCarrick.  Of course Pope Francis completely disregarded them and allowed McCarrick free reign and much influence in the process of selecting new bishops.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix released a statement that appears on the diocesan website.  He knows Vigano and vouches for his honesty and character.  He urges that "Vigano's testimony be taken seriously by all".

Msgr Jean-Francois Lantheaume, a former Nunciaoture official, vouched for Vigano's honesty.  We have now been informed that Archbishop Vigano has fled and gone into hiding in fear for his life.  His fear is understandable.  Consider in his testimony he said that his two predecessors died "prematurely".  Both?  That's quite the coincidence.  Also consider how two of the dubia cardinals both died within a short period of the dubia being released.  These evil thugs in the Vatican seem to play for keeps.

Bishop Olmsted On New Evangelism - Exhortations

A "new evangelism" that doesn't proclaim all the truths - particularly the moral truths regarding life, family and sexuality, is NOT evangelism but "happy-clappy, joy-pop" sentimentalism.  Thank you Bishop Olmsted!

Father Orsy At St John The Baptist

Yesterday the periodical "Our Parish Times" was distributed with the parish bulletins.  On page 7 appeared an article on the address given by Father Landislas Orsy, SJ, at St John the Baptist Church in Silver Spring.  I saw he that he is currently at Georgetown.  Right there the combination of "Jesuit" and "Georgetown" raised the proverbial red flags.  The address focused on the Vatican II Council, but first I'll give some other details about his publicized opinions.

I blogged previously on the courageous action of Bishop Thomas Olmsted in pronouncing excommunication on Sister Margaret Mary McBride for her direct aiding and abetting of abortion.  In America magazine (where else?) Father "declared" that excommunication to be "null and void".  I believe the Vatican has given their opinion on this excommunication, but I'll elaborate at the end of this post.

Two months ago America interviewed Father for his comments regarding the council.  Notice how he defines an "ecumenical council" as "human reality and saving mystery".  Hmmm - a rather curious definition for an "ecumenical council"; one might call it overly lofty.  But that's not all!  It's a "tsunami of the faith"!  Why is it that so many people like to co-opt the word "tsunami" for their own pet fantasies?  Now listen closely at the 11:00 mark; it seems that he is claiming that the bishops operate independently of the Holy Father.  Click here if you can't see embedded video.

I am not at all surprised that this church would invite him to offer commentary.  Several years ago I had to attend Mass at St John the Baptist.  Right from the beginning I knew I was in for an atrocity.  Immediately after the priest processed in, he stated that before he would begin Mass, we all had to "greet" each other.  Immediately the musicians broke out into a piece that I can only describe as lounge/elevator music while people milled about the nave, back-slapping and howdy-doing each other.  I cringed, and the worst was yet to come.  It turns out that during that very Mass a little girl was making her First Holy Communion.  She looked like the typical First Communicant with white dress and veil.  As Father began the Canon, he caller her to join him beside the altar.  He then asked her to "help" him with the words of the Consecration!  Naturally her family and most of the congregation were all smiles and giggles over this blasphemy.  Of course the little girl was innocent in all of this; in fact, it was she who was the most ill-served in all of this as she received an abysmal example of how to trivialize Mass - and at a time that should have been one of the most holy in her life.

Here is the news regarding Bishop Olmsted to which I alluded earlier.  The Vatican Insider reports that he is slated to become the new Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Religious Life.  No doubt the Vatican approves of Bishop Olmsted's handling of the Sister McBride scandal (no doubt to Father Orsy's chagrin).  In his new role, Bishop Olmsted will have much influence over the governance of Catholic religious life.  While the Diocese of Phoenix will miss him, we know that Sister McBride, Sister Simone Campbell, and the rest of that cabal will be quaking in their polyester pant suits - and hopefully come to repentance.

The "Olmsted Effect" Is Catching On!

Archbishop John Vlazny of the Archdiocese of Portland (Oregon) has advised the board of Catholic Community Services to forswear the use of United Way dollars.  That United Way also gives money to Planned Parenthood of Southwest Oregon.  That Planned Parenthood is administering RU-486, an abortifacient pill.

I pray that this is the start of a great trend.

This information was gleaned from RegisterGuard.com.  Thanks to Pewsitter for the tip.

Bishop Olmsted Takes Issue With Critics

As was to be expected, progressive elements who call themselves "Catholic" are having their typical snit-fits against His Excellency.  According to this FoxPhoenix article, "Catholics United says the bishop is too much of a hard-liner, out of touch with many Catholics -- and the Phoenix Diocese responded swiftly and sternly. Firing back, Bishop Olmsted said Catholics who do not agree with him are no longer Catholic themselves."

Amen, Bishop Olmsted!  When it comes to "Catholics United", he is spot-on correct about that bunch.  Go to their website to take a tour.  The first thing you'll notice is their defense of another aberrant group, the CCHD.  We have taken CCHD to task numerous times for their alliances with progressive and baby-murdering organizations.  For that, Catholics United calls us "opponents of social change".  Well, given the kind of "social change" for which this crowd pines, we'll wear that title as a badge of honor.

When examining an organization, it's always helpful to look at their key players.  So let's examine their director, Chris Korzen.  Wikipedia's article about him is most informative.  Now most people will know that Wikipedia itself tends to lean to the left, so the information contained therein cannot be so readily dismissed by the left-wingers.  He is linked with the Service Employees International Union.  You remember them from last spring, don't you?  They're the bunch that sent 500+ people to stampede all over a bank official's front yard.  Now Korzen claims fidelity to Catholic moral teaching in regard to abortion.  So why, oh why, does he write for RH Reality Check?

Co-founder James Salt has even less credible claim to allegiance to the Majesterium regarding abortion.  As mentioned before on this blog, he worked for rabidly pro-abortion Tiller-pal Kathleen Sebelius.

Again, thank you, Bishop Olmsted, for calling out another faux-catholyc bunch.

Thanks to Pewsitter for this alert.

Sister Carol Keehan Sides With Hospital, Not Bishop

Truth be told, I was very much expecting to see this.  The Catholic Health Association released this statement by Sister Carol Keehan.  Of course in this statement, she directly contradicts the bishop and takes issue with Bishop Olmsted's proper use of his episcopal authority.

Of course all will remember her for the pivotal role she played in the passage of the Obama Hell bill - which in itself will facilitate the abortions of untold numbers of tiny children.  She offered this support in direct opposition to the USCCB.  Thus it is no wonder that she feels a "bond of disobedience", as it were, with St. Joseph's Hospital.

Bishop Olmsted Strips St Joseph's Hospital Of Catholic Status

Today was the deadline for St Joseph's Hospital to indicate to Bishop Thomas Olmsted its promise to comply with Catholic moral teaching.  It obstinately refused.  Accordingly, Bishop Olmstead wielded his rightful authority and stripped St Joseph's Hospital of its status as a Catholic institution.  Please read His Excelleny's formal statement in the Arizona Catholic.

It goes without saying that Bishop Olmsted has shown courage that's all too rare amongst bishops today.  Moreover, as Catholic Culture points out, he raises the bar for those other bishops where Catholic Healthcare West has its tentacles.  Refer to the American Life League's report on that network.

Catholic Healthcare West Promotes Abortions

Apparently the abortion at St Joseph Hospital in Phoenix is rather par for the course with Catholic Healthcare West.  Its interest piqued by Bishop Olmstead's rebuke of CHW, the American Life League launched its own investigation of Catholic Healthcare West.  Within two days, they discovered much incriminating evidence to suggest that CHW no longer deserves the "Catholic" designation itself.  Read the report now.  Spread the word.

God bless Bishop Olmstead as his deadline for CHW approaches tomorrow.

Bishop Olmstead Extends Deadline To This Coming Tuesday

From AZCentral.com.

The Olmstead VS Hospital Situation - The ACLU Chimes In

We read in Lifesite News that the ACLU has given their all-too-predictable opinion.  They chide Bishop Olmstead for doing his duty.  Naturally their screed originates from their "Reproductive Freedome Project".  Their attorney, Alexa Koibi-Molinas states, "A hospital’s first responsibility must be to protect the health of its patients."  Well, yes, that's correct.  But what Koibi-Molinas fails to acknowledge was that in the abortion situation, there were two patients.  St. Joseph's Hospital, in committing the sin of abortion, e.g., the murder of a baby, violated the very same principle articulated by Koibi-Molinas.  So what is her snit about?

Here are some interesting questions.  Why doesn't the ACLU just suggest to the hospital that they forego the "Catholic" designation?  Why, one might think the ACLU would celebrate the hospital's new status as not being chained to the Catholic Church!  After all, aren't they all about separating the church from every facet of society?  What's their real motivation here?

I'll be so bold as to hypothesize.  What the ACLU wants is for the Catholic Church to compromise its conscience.  Like other progressive cabals, their own collective consciences, sickened by sin, cannot brook the presence of the Church and its proclamation of Godly truth.  They want to silence that voice in a vain attempt to assuage their own guilt.

ACLU = Anti-Christian Libertines Union

Bishop Olmsted Set To Discipline Catholic Hospital

Bishopt Thomas Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix has demanded that St Joseph's Hospital guarantee compliance with Church teachings by this coming Friday or he will strip the hospital of its Catholic status.  You might recall my earlier post about the bishop and Sister Margaret McBride, the hospital's former chief administrator.  Under McBride's watch, the hospital committed the sin of abortion.

I encourage you to read both links.  Moreover, I encourage us all to pray for more bishops like Bishop Olmsted who will insist that Catholic institutions within their diocesan bounds conduct their affairs in accordance with the Magisterium.

Stand in Defense of Bishop Olmsted

Ever since Sister Margaret McBride excommunicated herself by authorizing the murder of a baby in the hospital where she was a chief administrator, Bishop Olmsted has been under constant attack by left-wing media for confirming the fact of her excommunication.  Watch this video from American Life League's Michael Hichborn for details and how you can support the good bishop.  (Click here if you can't see embedded videos)

Support Bishop Olmsted

On May 17th, I relayed the action that Bishop Olmsted took when a renegade administrator of a Catholic hospital gave permission for the mortal sin of abortion to be committed in her hospital.  He pronounced Sister Margaret McBride excommunicated.  As you can imagine, the good bishop is under vile attack by the mainstream media and dissidents within the Church.

American Life League has launched a website for the express purpose of mobilizing support for Bishop Olmsted.  It is http://www.supportolmsted.com/.  Please visit it and sign the online petition.  A large showing of support will not only encourage him but will show the world that faithful Catholics will once again act as the Church Militant.

Thank You, Bishop Olmsted

Late last year, St Joseph's Hospital, a Catholic hospital in Phoenix, committed the sin of abortion on a female patient.  This was done with the express consent of its head administrator, Sister Margaret McBride.  We read that Bishop Thomas Olmsted confirmed that by giving the "go-ahead" for this baby-murder, this woman incurred automatic excommunication.

This is not the first time that the Bishop of Phoenix has demonstrated through action what it means to be a real bishop after the model of the Twelve Apostles.  Deo gratias!