Pope Francis Calls EWTN "The Work Of The Devil"

How many remember various sit-coms that featured a manipulative mother/mother-in-law who was always complaining about how close she came to death's door and how no one appreciated her?  That's what this recent exchange between the pope and some of his fellow Jesuits calls to mind.  In Slovakia last week, a Jesuit priest asked him how he was.  The pope replied, "still alive, even though some people wanted me to die".  The poor priest got quite the earful.  "Drama queen" are the words that come to mind.  Did Pope John Paul II carry on like that after he was shot?  I don't recall him doing so.

The pity-party continued.

• He railed against EWTN (albeit not by name) for "speaking ill of the pope".  He called them the "work of the devil".  Funny!  I seem to recall him asking "who am I to judge"?  Hmm...
• He said of young priests seeking permission to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, "it is a phenomenon, that indicates we are going backwards"..."This is the evil of this moment - namely, to seek the path in rigidity and clericalism, which are two perversions".
• He complained that "it frightens us to accompany people with sexual diversity", urging the Jesuits to "go forward in pastoral experiences."

So from the last two bullet points, can we gather that he thinks those of us who attend the Traditional Latin Mass are perverts, while sodomites are simply "diverse"?  If he thinks that the latter need "accompanying", these "pastoral experiences" better include the Sacrament of Confession for the sake of all involved.

Below I'll post a video of a Traditional Latin Mass that took place two days ago.  Fr. Chad Ripperger gave the homily and spoke about Traditionis Custodes.  He linked this to modernism, and mentioned that a key feature of modernism is its hatred of the sacred.  I regret to say that he nails it when it comes to how the pope is simply railing against the Mass of the Ages at every opportunity.  Go to the 33-minute mark where Father's sermon starts.  I will say I differ with him when he opines that we should "be silent".  St Catherine of Siena lamented such silence, blaming that in part for the condition of the papacy in her day.  We have to speak and shed the light so that others aren't led astray.  Of course we pray and offer sacrifices, but these alone will not suffice.  Ora et labora.

Why We Write

My blogging colleague at Tenth Crusade touched upon this topic and I'd like to add my two cents.  Some have chided me in the past, saying my "negativity" will chase away the impressionable from the One True Faith.  I believe that is incorrect and daresay that some who say this to me may be struggling with denial at the mess that is emanating from this papacy.

What will scandalize in the face of the heresy from the Vatican is a lack of truthful speaking from those of us who are striving to adhere to the Teachings of Jesus Christ as found in His Church.  We simply must provide the antidote for the modernist, progressive bile coming from the papacy and from heretical parishes.

Case in point.  We know that there are good young people striving to be faithful to the Church and her teachings.  What would you think would hurt them more?  This blog (and others like it) or this thing that came from the pope?



These poor kids get mocked by their peers, teachers, culture at large.  Now we see that the pope is hurling the same crap at them.  We are needed to tell these kids that they should stay the course.  If they seem "rigid" to the world, it's because the Teachings of Christ, like Christ Himself, are immutable.  God does not "change His mind".  Faithful Catholics need encouragement and affirmation to counter the poison and spite that is shot at them from progressives, even if these progressives occupy high places in the Church hierachy.

Pope Spits At Faithful Catholics Again

It was just last week I wrote something similar.  These diatribes are occurring with disquieting frequency.  Yesterday's occurred during Mass, when again the Pope decried the "rigid": that is, those who abide by all the Church's teachings.  Have you ever noticed how many times he assails us, yet utters not one peep about those who play loosey-goosey with the teachings of Jesus Christ regarding faith and morals?  Is all this "rigid is bad" talk part of a strategy to get us to swallow Amoralis Lamentia?

Three days earlier, we heard from him again about Jesus's "tenderness" versus our "rigidity".  I could be wrong, but I don't recall ever hearing about any saint going on so much about Jesus's "tenderness".  I also fail to see how Jesus views our sins with tenderness.  Our Lord hates sin for the dishonor it entails and for the harm it does to sinners.  All this "tenderness" yammer makes Our Lord sounds like an effeminate sentimental squish.  It's almost blasphemous.

These are just the latest instances of him setting up false dichotomies between "rigidity" and "meekness/tenderness".  What I find particularly despicable is him accusing young Catholics of being "rigid".  Let's face it; the young are dealing with a world that is literally hell-bent on dragging them from the One True Faith.  They need to be strong, to be strident, to be the Church Militant.  The operative word is "militant".  Our Lord did not establish the Roman Catholic Church to be:

• church mellow
• church mediocre
• church meely-mouth
• church milque-toast
• church mushy

Why on earth is the pope joining the mob who seek to undermine the very salvation of our young people?  In fact, he's doing that to all faithful Catholics and those who need a strong Church that does stand firmly, even rigidly, against the sinful snares and wiles of this sin-sick world.

Pray for his conversion.

When Faithful Catholic Youth Challenge Vatican Disdain For Truth

The Pope has confided to the world that he is worried.  We faithful Catholics agree that there are indeed many pressing concerns:

• the persecution of Christians increasing throughout the world
• the numbers of Catholics practicing their faith decreasing and churches shuttering
• Christian marriage and family life being discarded for the hook-up culture
• the whole-scale murders of millions of babies

That list could go on and on - but none of these amounts to a hill of beans in comparison with this matter that weighs heavily on Pope Francis' mind.  What might be this pressing concern?  In his own words, "When they tell me that there is a congregation that draws so many vocations, I must confess that I worry."  He shared this heavy burden at a meeting with 140 superiors general of various religious orders.  He went on by saying that young people in traditional orders are "soldiers who seem ready to do anything for the defense of faith and morality, and then some scandal emerges involving the founder".  Frankly that seems rather cynical, doesn't it?

No one can help but notice that "modern" progressive orders are literally dying of old age.  They've stripped themselves so much of any real remembrance of their original charisms that they aren't attracting any young people to their ranks anymore.  The orders who do embrace the Faith of Our Fathers, that is, who wear the traditional habits, who devote themselves to the Divine Office and prayer, who practice penance and the evangelical counsels and have eschewed new-age modernism/progressivism are the ones who are attracting young people.  Why?  Because in devotion to prayer, sacraments, teachings, etc, they open themselves to God's grace and that is what young people find attractive.  They find meaning in this life by working to secure their eternal salvation and that of the world.

That kind of devotion flies in the face of the modernistic bile that the pope seems intent on cramming down our throats.  Hence the charge of "pelagianism", etc.  It seems that the pope has animosity towards these orders.  "Scandal involving the founder"?  Well, if one can't be found regarding a particular founder, sometimes they can be contrived out of thin air.  Look at the abuse that Father Manelli, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is still undergoing as the friars are now scattered hither and yon.  There was an order chock full of young men who love Jesus and Holy Mother Church.  But they didn't embrace modernism with all its attendant nonsense.  For that, the pope continues to grind his axe at Father Manelli.  But I don't think any fear of "scandals" is what is driving the Vatican's animosity towards young people who love the Church.

Recall that last month, the pope, at a meeting for the World Day of Communications told those in attendance that "reality in and of itself has no one clear meaning".  Is that not, in and of itself, a ridiculous (and even self-contradicting) statement?  He is the Vicar of Christ, the same Christ who declared that "I am the way, the truth and the life".  Reality and truth are essentially the same, are they not?  Now, if we take the pope's statement to be accurate, does it logically follow that Jesus Himself has no meaning?  The pope's error leads to that conclusion.

These young people, of whom the pope takes a condescending view, understand that reality stands on its own, for it originates from God and certainly from the Second Person of the Trinity.  In addition to holding these faithful Catholic youth in disdain, he also sounded his alarm about "rigid thinking" to a group of Jesuit editors.  The two of these considerations make sense.  Truth by definition cannot change.  Therefore, to adhere to immutable truth would amount to consistent thinking - or as the pope puts it, "rigid thinking".  His rationale?  As he put it, "Rigid thinking is not divine because Jesus assumed our flesh, which is not rigid except at the time of death."  I really don't know how to make sense out of that gobblygoop

So there we have it.  We have a pope who thinks that truth and reality changes with the wind.  Now we can see how he justifies his attempts to warp the timeless teachings of Jesus Christ as He communicated them to the Church with the most recent manifestation of the mischief being seen in the mess called Amoris Laetitia - or Amoralis Lamentia as I've dubbed it.  When faithful Catholic youth flock to traditional orders and faithful Catholic cardinals seek clarification (or rigidity as he might call it) when they issue dubia, he sees it as a threat to his wish to have truth devoid of real meaning.  Now we see why the young people are derided, why other faithful Catholics are slandered with the epithet "pelagian" or when faithful prelates such as Cardinals Burke or Muller are maltreated.

Pope Francis Rigidly Promotes His Progressive Priorities

I thank Vox Cantoris for pointing out the pope's mindset that underlies his rhetoric and actions in two areas.  Let's look at priestly formation, for starters.  Rorate Caeli analyzed a talk that the Pope gave to a group of Jesuits a few months back.  In it he lamented "rigidity" in the priestly formation in traditional circles.  Notice how he slyly insinuates that when a young man is "too confident, rigid and fundamentalist", then he might be "mentally ill".  Of seminary teaching he laments "educating in light of overly clear and distinct ideas".  Then he talks about the "dynamics of personal discernment, which respects the law  but knows how to go beyond."

There's much to unpack here.  First, let's look at the phrase "overly clear".  Most sane people would agree that clarity is a good to be desired.  Clarity is tied to truth.  How is it possible to be "overly clear" or "overly truthful"?  If one lessens the truth or clarity, then one is engaging in dishonesty and obfuscation, right?

Now let's address that second quip about the "rigidity" indicating "mental illness".  This is nothing short of slander directed at young men, aspiring to the priesthood, who exert much effort to follow God's immutable commands.  And yes, God's commands are quite clear.  For instance, "thou shalt not commit adultery" does not admit of any exception.  Does the pope find that "overly clear"?  Well, perhaps he needs to take that up with the Author of that "rigid"command.

This dovetails right into that last quote: "respect the law but know how to go beyond".  If one is going beyond what God's law says is permissible, he/she should drop any pretense of "respecting the law".  "Respect" is just a mental game played by those who would justify thumbing their noses at God's law, and ultimately God Himself.

So, as far as Pope Francis is concerned, is everything up for "discernment" and "accompaning on the journey"?  Is everything to be considered free of "rigidity"?  Surprisingly, NO!  There are some matters, according to this pontiff, that are to be considered set in stone, that admit of no divergence of opinion whatsoever.  These are matters that are indicative of his real loves and mindsets.

Today he addressed the Pontifical Academy of Sciences regarding "climate change".  He said it's "indispensible to create a regulatory system that includes inviolable limits and ensure the protection of ecosystems" blah-blah-blah.  "Indispensible"!  "Inviolable"!   Hmmm!  Sounds like rather "rigid" language to me!  Where does "knowing how to go beyond" fit in with this paradigm?  So the Teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed through His Church is subject to "gray areas" but "climate change" junk sciene is sacrosanct?

Let's look at this "regulatory system".  Who will be controlling this "regulatory system"?  The pope never got around to divulging that teensy detail, but one can imagine that the UN (Useless Nincompoops) would have their hand in that, along with George Soros and other assorted oligarchs.  Over the years I've done many posts on the menace of environmentalism.  As you read the posts, you'll notice that one underlying motive to this movement is the deconstruction of western civilization and its Christian roots.  In particular, pay close attention to this post, noticing the three motives that seem to be underlying this junk science (and watch the video).

Unless we believe that the pope is a total idiot, we must concede that he is in cahoots with the progressives and their agendas.  Owing to his position as Vicar of Christ, he is poised to spread the poison of progressivism.   Many Catholics at one time were naive in their disbelief of this problem.  While some continue their pollyanna-esque blindness, an increasing number are admitting that the ever-mounting pile of evidence is shattering their illusions.  Some of these, though, are now trying to ignore the problem, pretending that it has no relevance to their lives.  This blog joins with the Remnant in stating that we cannot be indifferent and silent with respect to the harm being caused by this papacy, for souls are at stake.

Does The Pope Regard Traditional Catholics As Niggers Of The New Age?

Remember three years ago when Pope Francis asked "who am I to judge" when discussing the situations of gay people?  It sure sounds so nice and non-judgmental now, doesn't it?  Contrast that with this screed that he uttered against those Catholics who prefer the Tridentine rite (Extraordinary Form).  He speaks particularly derisively towards young people who prefer that rite over the Ordinary rite.  To wit: "Pope Francis told Father Spadaro he wonders why some young people, who were not raised with the old Latin Mass, nevertheless prefer it. And I ask myself: Why so much rigidity? Dig, dig, this rigidity always hides something, insecurity or even something else. Rigidity is defensive. True love is not rigid."

Let's unpack this.  Notice that he equates "preference for the Tridentine rite" with "rigidity".  Then "rigidity" is equated with "insecurity" and "not true love".  The pope is slandering those faithful Catholics who prefer the Tridentine rite, portraying them as "insecure", "rigid" and not possessing "true love".  What ever happened to "who am I to judge?"  Let's address that now.

When the pope uttered that now-infamous quote three years ago, he was applying that to people living in states of mortal sin.  With that, he avoided the task of rebuking sinner, of setting them on the path of salvation.  However, when it comes to those Catholics who do obey Christ and His Church, he is quite judgmental towards them, demonizing their piety.  In this LifeSiteNews piece, read what Anya Proctor has to say about her love for the Tridentine Mass.  Her insights are nothing less than wise and profound.  Do you think this young lady deserves to be belittled by the Vicar of Christ?  Yet such is the treatment meted out to her and to countless others as well.  Liturgyguy believes this screed by Pope Francis to be a direct insult to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Catholic Family News believes that we are being demonized as the new "deplorables" or as I've observed, this is more relegation of us to the status "niggers of the new age".

When The Pope Calls Evil "Good" And Good "Evil"

That is essentially what happened in the Pope's homily today.  He took the occasion to (again) vilify faithful Catholics as "rigid" and therefore "heretical".  Read this LifeSiteNews report, along with commentary.  He claims to decry an "all or nothing" attitude that he perceives in us, forgetting that Our Lord Himself often took an "all or nothing" stance, particularly when it came to obedience to His immutable commandments.

Last November, in a plane interview (Yep!  Pope Francis and planes are a bad combination!), the pope seemed disinclined to view the usage of condoms in light of the Fifth and Sixth Commandments.  First He cited the pharisees' question, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath" as a roundabout way to justify using condoms to prevent the spread of aids.  What he fails - refuses to understand is that there is a world of difference between "healing" (a good act) with usage of condoms (inherently evil act as it frustrates God's intentions for sexual relations).  The latter can never be justified.

He then segues into a screed about what he calls "big wounds": social injustice, environmental injustice, etc.  His remarks during his interview are really quite explicit.  To summarize, the pope - chief shepherd of the Church, can't be bothered with mortal sins of the flesh, even though they most likely will cause the eternal damnation of millions.  These poor souls don't amount to a hill of beans when it comes to this "social gospel".  He shows that he has his priorities exactly ass-backwards.  Please read the above link thoroughly, for it is an excellent treatment on why each person must conform to God's moral demands before he/she can even begin to address "social issues".

About six weeks ago, Msgr Charles Pope offered commentary on wise words uttered by Cardinal Robert Sarah during an interview, detailing why the concept of the "social gospel" is complete anathema to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At about the same time, the Cardinal spoke at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.  He warned that "today we are witnessing the next stage and the consummation of the efforts to build a utopian paradise on earth without God."

Regrettably, the pope's poo-pooing of the immutability of God's commands and disregard for the same in preference to focus on temporal matters seems to be part of these "efforts to build a utopian paradise on earth without God."  If we are to counteract this spiritual poison, it is vital that we not be cowed by attempts to marginalize us as "rigid" and even "heretical".