Faithful Catholics! We Must Step Outside Our Comfort Zones!

Today's Vortex is a report of the escapades of Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP, former head of the Dominicans who has jumped the tracks, so to speak, to shill for acceptance of the mortal sin of homosexual behavior.

Radcliffe had just concluded a speaking tour in the Diocese of San Diego.  Voris features some reactions of faithful Catholics in that diocese, and their frustrations at having their pleas for correction ignored and rebuffed by the chancery.  Question!  Is there more that faithful Catholics can do in such situations?  Most likely, yes BUT it will mean that we must step outside our comfort zones and raise our voices that will cause the dissidents and their supporters to lose their comfort.  More after the video.



My first experience of this was in September 2012.  A Montgomery County parish was planning a commemoration of the 9-11-01 attacks.  One feature of their commemoration was to allow Connie Morella to address the congregation from the pulpit (although I don't think this would have been during Mass).  At the time she was a "katholyc" US Representative.  Some of us got wind of this a few days beforehand and made clear that a picket would happen if she spoke (I bought a bull-horn for that occasion).  They saw the light of day and canceled her talk.  On that occasion a picket wasn't necessary - not so other occasions.

We found ourselves picketing Catholic high school commencements when the convocation addresses were being given by flagrant pro-aborts.  I link now to the protest we did outside Gonzaga's 2010 commencement, when Sr Carol Keehan was the main attraction.  We've also shed light on other planned travesties, such as the Catholic Businessmen's Network planned hosting of Mark Shriver last month.  After a number of us protested, it was determined that Shriver "had a scheduling conflict".

My point is that we cannot allow these scandalous events to proceed without pricking their consciences.  We have to aim to make them uncomfortable in the conduct of these debacles.  Yes, many will hate and despise us (as you might have noticed in the comments on my Gonzaga post).  So what?  They want to conduct their squalid sorties in quiet, low-key fashions.  We cannot reward them by being "polite" as these talks, etc are conducted.  Ideally, when we protest first in writing, phone calls, etc, they'll see the light and cancel.  If not, we must go into action.  We must be willing to raise protests, taking to the streets when advantageous.  Leaflet cars and parking lots where dissidents are speaking.  Picket outside the events.  Go inside and ask probing questions.  Who among us will commit to that?  If not, complaints to the chanceries will be useless.

This Papacy - Troubling Incidents Continue To Increase

A few weeks ago, I wrote of "Obvious Questions Regarding This Papacy".  Since then, more questions have surfaced.  First, I recommend to your reading "The Rise Of Bergoglianism" by Christopher Ferrara.  While I look a bit askance at the term "bergoglianism", Ferrara reminds us of some things that should cause us to have great concern for the future of the Church.

I won't rehash what Ferrara wrote, please read for yourselves.  I will mention that Ferrara missed a few things.  For one thing, there was the multi-marriage extravaganza that occurred earlier this month, and the plethora of issues raised with that.  There is the bizarre treatment meted out to Cardinal Burke; see here and here.  There is the rather nauseating appointment of Bishop Blase Cupich as Archbishop of Chicago.  I haven't written about this (yet) but other blogging colleagues have.  See here and here.  There is also the troubling dismissal of Bishop Rogelio Livieres of Paraguay.  He was an opponent of liberation theology (quite the fad in Paraguay) and one who managed to fill his seminaries with numerous vocations.   More troubling is that Pope Francis has refused to receive the bishop when he came to discuss his dismissal, as no reasons had been given to him beforehand.

Then there is the matter of Cardinal Walter Kasper.  He is reputed to be a close friend of Pope Francis' and will most likely wield much influence at the Extraordinary Synod of the Family to be held next month.  He has stated that he favors the allowance of Holy Communion to those Catholics who are divorced and who have civilly remarried without obtaining a Church annulment.  Now mind you, he's not about "changing doctrine", but just "pastoral practice".  Got that?  Gotta love that "pastoral" word - it allows for all sorts of double-talk chicanery.  Kasper had the gall to insinuate that his proposal "was agreed" ahead of time by the Holy Father.  I pray that's presumptuous double-talk for the only other explanation is horrifying.

Kasper is also on record as favoring a "reinterpretation of the Church's ban on contraception".  He says that  "so-called natural family planning, which is promoted by the Church as an alternative to contraception, also has an artificial element", according to the Telegraph.  Read John Kippley's analysis of this statement.  So in addition to a major theological failure, we also have from Kasper a biological gaffe as well.

So Cardinal Kasper wields Vatican influence and Bishop Cupich takes the See of Chicago, while Cardinal Burke and Bishop Livieres have been given the proverbial boot.  It makes sense, and I'm not being sarcastic.  There seems to be a move to marginalize authentic tradition for intellectual and theological slop, and sentimental notions of "mercy" and being "pastoral".

We need to pray for this upcoming Synod.  Again, the Vicar of Christ cannot solemnly promulgate error.  But other sorts of havoc, almost equally damaging, can be visited upon the Church.  I join my friend Carol in stating that this blog also refuses to be silent regarding the increasing number of "elephants in the living room".  We must see clearly in order to pray properly.  We will pray as we sound alarms.

Vatican Swallows The Spiritual And Intellectual Poisoned Koolaid Called Environmentalism

LifesiteNews did an expose of the Vatican's embrace of environmentalism this past Wednesday called "Why Is The Vatican Stumbling Into Climate Controversy?"  He points out the Vatican luminaries (including Cardinal Maradiaga, the leader of the "gang of 8").  He also points out a statement by the Vatican that "the scientific consensus is rather consistent..."  No it isn't.  There is a wide divergence of conclusions in the scientific community (see here and here) - the sort that the progressive media tries to keep silent.

The most important Jalsevak pointed out is that this matter of "climate change" is way beyond the bishops' realm of competence.  They have no knowledge by which to make scientific conclusions, let alone decide and declare which of widely varying theories is correct.

I would like to think that the Vatican is just being naive and easily led when it comes to climate change.  However, I now believe there are powerful forces within the Vatican - the same ones controlling the USCCB - that are pulling puppet strings and doing their utmost to promote progressive agendas upon the whole world.  Last week Cardinal Dolan was simply taking marching orders from those holding his puppet strings; the behaviors cited in Jalsevak's reports are at the behest of the same masterminds.

Four years ago I posted commentary on an expose of environmentalism done by Michael Voris.  Here is the link to my commentary; embedded in that post is the video that he produced and another link to supporting documentation.  Note the three principles to environmentalism: population control, world governance, earth worship.   Here I believe we see a rather stark example of earth worship.  If you clicked on the "Dolan" link in the preceding paragraph and were able to endure RFK Jr.'s diatribe in the video, you noticed his none-too-subtle hints at socialism.

In this video from Sunday's parade/charade (ht Reason Magazine) you'll notice even less subtle calls for socialism.  Warning!  As the video proceeds, your eardrums will be assaulted by hideous music performed (using words "performed" and "music" loosely) by aging hippies.  You might want to offer up any earaches as penances.

Environmentalism is just another ploy to replace western civilization with atheism and socialism.  Now they are leading the Vatican by the nose.  This is yet another reason why we cannot blindly follow and obey every statement issued by the Vatican - especially when they violate the Magisterium and step outside their realms of competence.  Now the Right Reason video..

A Muslim Beheads An American - Will US Bishops Finally Learn Some Lessons?

Yesterday in Oklahoma, a recently-fired worker named Alton Nolen went on a murderous spree.  He had just been fired from Vaughn Foods and broke out his knife.  He beheaded one Vaughan Foods employee and was stabbing another when he was shot by the CEO and owner of Vaughan Foods, Mark Vaughan.  Co-workers said that Nolen had been trying to convert them to Islam.  Some accounts to read are Jihadwatch and WesternJournalism.com.  On Facebook he's known as Jah'Keem Yisrael.  Take a look at that page before it's taken down.  His firing had been occasioned by his insistence that women should be stoned for certain offenses, a common belief of Muslims.  I'd suspect his supervisors feared he could turn violent.  If so, their fears were realized.

Besides the general alert that beheading is now occurring on American soil, I think there are some real lessons, particularly for our US bishops.

1. Moore, OK is about a 20-minute drive from Oklahoma City, maybe 11 miles in distance.  Nolen was said to have lived in Oklahoma City.  What happened in Oklahoma City this past Sunday?  The black mass - that is, worship of demons.  Can anyone doubt now that malevolent spiritual forces were given more free play by those participants in that demonic debacle?  When people flirt with evil, they open all sorts of doors that shouldn't be opened.
2. If you didn't hear about the black mass until just now (or after it happened), that shows dereliction of duty on the parts of the US bishops.  With the obvious exception of OK's Archbishop Coakley, I do not recall hearing of one bishop who sounded the call for his flock to offer prayers and sacrifices.  All of them should have called their flocks to spiritual battle.  They didn't.  Why not?
3. Nolen was stopped because Mark Vaughan exercised his Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms.  Had he not done so, that second woman would have died and there probably would have been more victims.  Under no circumstances should citizens be deprived of their abilities to defend themselves.  Our bishops should be ashamed of themselves for playing the lackey to governmental progressives in trying to strip us of our arms.
4. The US bishops must cease their inane attempts to portray Islam to be morally equivalent to Christianity.  Yesterday's incident is just the latest evidence that the bishops' pipe dream could not be further from the truth.  That 66-page piece of poppycock that the USCCB wrote would be considered an utter joke if it wasn't based on dangerous naivete of the bishops (unless some of them are closet imams themselves).

We need to oppose our bishops loudly whenever and wherever they play the puppets of the progressives.

USCCB - Puppets And Mouthpieces For Muslim Terrorists

Today Crisis Magazine published a piece by William Kilpatrick entitled "The Downside Of Dialogue".  He is commenting on a document called "Revelation: Catholic And Muslim Practices".  This thing was concocted by both the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Islamic Society of North America.

I've written in the past why I believe the USCCB could just as well stand for "Useless Syndicate of Corrupt Cowardly Bishops".  But let's take a look at this Islamic Society of North America (ISNA for brevity), shall we?  Discoverthenetworks (see right side bar) has done rather extensive research into their origins and history, detailing links with the Muslim Brotherhood.  Notice their aim to impose sharia law wherever it can, and their allegiance to the Wahhibist brand of Islam - the same from which springs ISIS.  Jihadwatch has a plethora of articles detailing ISNA's Hamas links and their disdain for the State of Israel.

Let me say a word about that word "dialogue".  Much deliberate mischief has been wrought by that word's invocation.  Dialogue is used in terms of describing conversation between equals.  However, progressives will blather mindlessly how Jesus "dialogued" with others.  HE DID NOT!  Certainly He conversed with others, but He always spoke as a Teacher instructing His disciples.  In the same way, the bishops are called to proclaim the truth.  They have a charism as teachers; they are belittling that charism by engaging in distracting "dialogue".  That should cease immediately.

This document is 66 pages long.  Maybe one day, if I have time, I'll wade through the mess.  In the meantime let's look at one statement.  In its conclusion we read, "Both Jesus and Muhammad loved and cared for all whom they met, especially the poor and oppressed; their teachings and example call for solidarity with the poor, oppressed, homeless, hungry, and needy in today’s world."  Last week I wrote on a "Muslim Day" parade in New York City.  In that parade we saw clear demonstration of Muhammad's "love and solidarity".  It is an act of blasphemy for the USCCB to equate the charity commanded by Jesus Christ and the murderous barbarism of the Muslims.

Once again the USCCB is showing itself to be a collection of stooges for the progressives.  At one time I would simply have suggested that they not be taken seriously.  My opinion has changed; I fear now that they must be regarded as enemies of the True Faith.  We must watch them with caution and oppose them.

The Disgusting March Cardinal Dolan Wanted Catholics To Attend

Two days ago the debacle called the People's Climate March was held in New York City.  Cardinal Dolan just adored the idea - he hoped for a "strong Catholic presence".   I couldn't help but notice not one hint of the need for prayer for the black mass that was scheduled to happen - but I digress.

Speaking of adoration, there seemed to be a good bit of that going on at the climate farce.  Youngcons shows a bunch of farce attendees bowing to an idol.  It's rather grotesque, too.  I'm not sure just what the hell that thing is supposed to represent, but there's no doubt that environmentalism is a cloak for paganism.  Of course that cloak is now a bit more transparent.  Now consider that Cardinal Dolan wanted Catholics there.  It was clear from his own blog that he didn't want Catholics to preach the Gospel; after all "proselytism is solemn nonsense"!  Would he have been ok with them joining in the overt idol worshiping that was happening?  I wish I could answer confidently in the negative.

Many from the leftwing "gang of usual suspects" put in their appearances.  Michelle Fields of PJ Media managed to get an interview from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  The man makes absolutely no sense.  Marylanders will recognize his cognitive dissonance as being similar to that of our former Lt. Governor, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, his sister.  When one fills their brain with pro-abortion gobblygook and empties their conscience of any trace of their Catholic faith, their brains will fry.  Behold for yourselves.



Breitbart News has information on other famous attendees.  Former VP Al Gore was there; afterwards he departed in his Chevy Suburban SUV.  Leonardo Di Caprio also was there; he owns five luxury homes and lives quite the jet-setting lifestyle.  By their own professed standards, what do you believe would be the sizes of their "carbon footprints"?  Oh, excuse me!  It's just fine and dandy for them to live high on the hog.  It is we, the great unwashed rabble, who must pare back our own lifestyles to appease that idol that was worshiped at the farce!

When the nonsense finally came to a close (and all the bigwigs made their getaways in their various gas-guzzling vehicles), they made quite a mark on the city.  That is to say, they left piles of trash that the city maintenance workers had to clean up.  Oh, wait!  Maybe they didn't have to clean it up!  Perhaps they fed the garbage to their grotesque idol!  That must be it!

Cardinal Dolan, what do you have to say about this mess now - assuming you care?

Why I Believe Cupich's Appointment To Chicago Bodes Ill For The Church

As most people know by now, Pope Francis has appointed Spokane's Bishop Blase Cupich as Archbishop of Chicago to succeed the ailing Cardinal George.  This appointment, particularly on the heels of the de facto sacking of Cardinal Burke to the hinterlands, causes much consternation to faithful Catholics.

It was exactly three years ago when Cupich forbade his Spokane priests to participate in the 40 Days for Life Campaign.  I wrote rather extensively about that disgrace.  Moreover, when the Messiah Most Miserable polluted the once-holy grounds of Notre Dame University, he did not join the protests of other US bishops against that debacle.

My friend at Les Femmes reported on what some progressive rags are saying about Cupich.  They are ecstatic.  Given what I wrote above, their glee (from their perspective) has basis.  Now we read how the gay rag, the Advocate, chortles over this appointment.  Ladies and gentlemen, they advocate mortal sin to the detriment of their immortal souls.  Why do you think they gloat?  Because they believe that they have in Cupich someone who won't trouble their consciences with the truth!

There also seems to have been some considerable - how do I say it? - political maneuverings within the Vatican to secure this appointment.  Rorate Caeli believes that Cardinal Oullet and the Congregation for Bishops were sidestepped by Pope Francis at the suggestion of the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.   Missing from the Congregation of Bishops, of course, is Cardinal Burke - removed by the Pope and replaced by Cardinal Wuerl.  Rocco Palmo of Whispers in the Loggia has key points to ponder (his post is long, but work your way through it).  He seems to think that Cardinal O'Malley and Cardinal Wuerl gave support to Cupich's nomination (I can see them also lobbying to keep Cardinal Burke away from that see).

There have been way too many ominous signs from the Vatican to ignore.  The enemy lies within and his minions wear clerical garb.  While we know that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, in this struggle the forces of hell can wreak much havoc and cause the eternal damnation of countless souls.  Pray your Rosaries and beg God's mercy on His wounded Church.

SSPX Priests Lead The Public Witness Against Yesterday's Black Mass

I congratulate the SSPX (Society of St Pius X) and the hundreds of Catholics who traveled from all areas of the country to offer reparation for the horrible blasphemy of the black mass in Oklahoma City.  I hope we all offered extra prayer yesterday, from wherever we happened to be at that hour.  By the way - from "church of nice" parishes, did you hear one exhortation to pray a Rosary in reparation for this blasphemy?  In my church I heard - crickets.  The "church of nice" is in deep denial about the true nature of the spiritual warfare.  Pray for them and challenge them.

Fulfillment Of The Akita Apparitions?

In Facebook I found this quote from the late Dietrich von Hildebrand:

"One of the most horrifying and widespread diseases in the Church today is the lethargy of the guardians of the Faith of the Church ... who make no use whatever of their authority when it comes to intervening against heretical theologians or priests, or against blasphemous performances of public worship ... but assume a rigorously authoritarian attitude towards those believers who are fighting for orthodoxy, and who are thus doing what the bishops ought to be doing themselves! ... They want to silence the faithful believers who take up the cause of orthodoxy, the very people who should by all rights be the joy of the bishops' hearts, their consolation, a source of strength for overcoming their own lethargy. Instead, these people are regarded as disturbers of the peace. ..." ~Dietrich von Hildebrand, "The Devastated Vineyard"

No one can doubt this is happening today.  He might well be speaking of Cardinals Dolan and Wuerl, or perhaps the new archbishop of Chicago.  Those are only three; the modern church is replete with examples.

I'll now link to an EWTN synopsis of Our Lady's apparitions at Akita.  Bear in mind as you read this that the apparitions happened 40 years ago.  Given what's going on at the Vatican right now (and all over the world) one could imagine that the predictions are unfolding right before their eyes.  They are.

My colleague at Les Femmes highlights how today's situation reflects another series of apparitions of Our Lady of Good Success - these having occurred 400 years ago.

Pray for our clergy and raise our voices against misdeeds.

Complete Video Of Mother Angelica's Rebuke Of The Church Of Nice

During the World Youth Day of 1993, with Pope Saint John Paul II in attendance, some mime performers portrayed the Stations of the Cross.  The mime who portrayed Jesus was obviously a woman.  I agree with Mother Angelica and others that this portrayal was blasphemous and another symptom of the progressive poison that is killing the faith of so many Catholics.

Michael Voris on his Vortex series has been analyzing her rebuke.  However, he only used excerpts of her talk in his own shows.  Therefore I am delighted that I found Mother's entire address on video (thanks to Rorate Caeli) and present it now to you.

It's worth noting that after this talk, liberal bishops throughout the country aimed their long knives at her.  Sadly they succeeded and she no longer directs EWTN - that she founded.  Now she is gravely ill.  It must be a cross to her to see how EWTN has degraded into a milquetoast mouthpiece of the Church of Nice.   A few days ago we witnessed something similar with Cardinal Burke.  After the release of his book that defends Christian marriage and Church laws, he too has been relieved of positions of influence.

Vortex Dismantles Dolan's Lame Excuses For Celebrating Mortal Sin

First, read what Cardinal Dolan had to say about the matter - straight from the blog of the Archdioces of New York.  There's much I could say, but a good deal has already been said by today's Vortex episode.  Please watch.  Towards the end, Voris asks that Cardinal Dolan to interview with him.  To echo the invitation, contact the Cardinal here.

More On The Disgraceful Treatment Of Cardinal Burke

I truly suspect the book on which Cardinal Burke collaborated, called Remaining in the Truth of Christ, had much to do with the de facto removal of Cardinal Burke from a position of influence at the Vatican.  Read what Rorate Caeli says on the matter.  As you read it, take note of the book and its publisher in case you want to procure your own copy.  I plan to do so.

I'd also recommend a look at what Pat Archibald says in his EWTN piece "The Humiliation of Cardinal Burke (No Spin Zone)".  What's in parenthesis is key.  So many of these incidents are piling up (I've documented just a few) that one simply can no longer put a "happy face" and play "three monkeys" regarding the proceeds from the Vatican and still maintain intellectual and yes, spiritual honesty.

We need to hold the Holy Father in prayer.  However, we must also be honest and not be afraid to articulate what we see.  Else, our prayers will be greatly reduced in efficacy.

Cardinal Dolan Just Loves Parades, Doesn't He?

Yep!  Especially when they have progressive flavors to them!  On the New York Archdiocesan blog, he is urging a strong Catholic presence in the (drums and trumpets, please!)

PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH!

Oh joy, oh joy!  What a way to waste a Sunday afternoon!  Let's take a look at People's Climate March's website.  A decent indication of the mess that this is can be found in the "partners" subpage.  Therein we see "the usual gang of suspects".

• Humanist Society of Metropolitan New York
• Progressive Democrats of America
• SEIU (several chapters)
• Code Pink
• MoveOn.org
• NAACP
• Communist Party USA
• National Islamic Committee on Scouting (did they participate in the Muslim Day Parade?)
• AFL-CIO (several chapters)
• Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Dignity/New York
• Socialist Party  USA
• Leadership Conference of Catholic Religious (several progressive nun orders are listed)
• Pagan Cluster
• Pax Christi

So now you can see that this escapade is simply another venue to shill for more governmental encroachment and more acceptance of atheistic and socialistic ideas and general brainlessness - all to create "a world safe from the ravages of climate change".  

For an example of sheer stupidity, get a load of this "event" - "Living Without Fossil Fuels".  Now consider how most of these attendees will have arrived at this event - with some utilization of fossil fuels.

That Cardinal Dolan would pollute a Catholic site with this nonsense is - not at all surprising.

Catholic Relief Services - Proud To Be Ashamed Of The Gospel

Over the years I have had too many occasions to write about the scandals of Catholic Relief Services.  Some of their actions have been outright murderous, as several of their workers in Africa have been caught dispensing abortifacients.

Therefore, it surprises me not in the least to hear that Bill O'Keefe, CRS's vice president for government relations and advocacy, told CNN that "..we do not attempt to engage in discussions of faith.  We're proud of that..."   Father Shenan Boquet, president of Human Life International, chided CRS for not sharing the Gospel while praising them for "serving the poor and marginalized".  I believe Father was being way too generous to CRS; whatever else "serving the poor" may mean, it does not mean inducing them to practice contraception.

Now notice this lovely statement came from their vp for government relations.  Most telling!  When one considers that CRS receives over 60% of its funding from USAID, we can see how O'Keefe might have wanted to keep his sugar-daddies happy.  Considering how little of the Faith CRS knows or believes, it might be just as well they keep their yaps shut, lest they spew forth all manners of heresies.

Catholic Relief Services, like its parent organization, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is beyond repair.  It's time to dismantle the whole sorry mess.

Why Is Cardinal Burke Being Demoted?

The news is all over the internet that Cardinal Raymond Burke, current head of the Apostolic Signatura, is to be relieved of that post and to be relegated to "patron of the Order of Malta".  See LifeSiteNews, Chiesa, Remnant, Breitbart.  Some time ago, the Cardinal was removed from his post at the Congregation for Bishops.  It seems that he was deemed to still have too much voice and influence at the Vatican, so off he has to go!

As head of the Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Burke was slated to attend the Extraordinary Synod on the Family.  He has always been a defender of the practice of withholding Holy Communion from those Catholics who are divorced and civilly remarried. It is said that he collaborated with Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller and three other cardinals in writing a book that will be released October 1, warning the Synod not to relax nor change Church teachings regarding Communion to divorced and civilly remarried people.

That this demotion - and the 20-couple wedding extravaganza - occurs just before the Synod, is much more than mere coincidence.  I must agree with Rorate Caeli that this move against Burke is a direct insult and punishment for Burke's fidelity and courage in standing for the Tradition and teachings of the Church.

The "Patron of the Order of Malta" is merely a symbolic position, reserved for those prelates at or beyond retirement age.  But Cardinal Burke is only 66 years old.  That one of the few faithful prelates is being so degraded does, quite frankly, reflect badly on the judgment of Pope Francis.

The Multi-Marriage Ceremony - Obfuscation Of The Issue Of Sacrilege

Yesterday Catholic News Agency posted a piece by Kevin Jones and Ann Schneible entitled "No Scandal Here: How The 20 Couples Married By Pope Francis Were Legit".  Right there in the title can be seen a hint of the problem.  In all the reading I've done on this matter, I don't recall anyone casting doubt on the canonical legitimacy of what happened this past Sunday at St. Peter's Bascilica.

Possible sacrilege is another matter - one that is receiving too little attention.  The Sacrament of Matrimony, being a sacrament of the living, must be received in a state of sanctifying grace.  Else sacrilege will occur.  All reports indicate that at least a few couples were "CURRENTLY cohabitating": not "WERE cohabitating" but "CURRENTLY".

Now bear in mind these couples were selected by the Vatican for this Sunday ceremony.  Why were "CURRENTLY cohabitating" couples selected?  I asked a number of questions in a post Friday that I won't rehash here; please read the post and "Leon's" comment.  That comment is most telling in terms of marriage preparation in US parishes at least.  In a post on Saturday, I tried to reply to Leon as well as rehearse the preparation for my own First Confession.  I used those Baltimore Catechism questions to illustrate concerns as to whether those 20 couples were given ample time and teaching to avail themselves of that Sacrament, and to understand why fornication is mortally sinful.

Let's move back to the CNA article.  John Grabowski, a theology professor at Catholic University of America, had this to say about the Holy Father's approach: "What he wants to do is simply put the Church’s focus on mercy, on an encounter with Christ as the heart of its life."

"Put the Church's focus on mercy"??!?!  Odd!  Since when has the Church not focused on mercy?  No need to put focus on something if that focus is already there (and has been for two thousand years).  I will now link to an excellent piece written by Msgr Charles Pope (ht LifeSiteNews) regarding the mortal sin of fornication, which would have been the sin of those cohabitating.  One sentence is key, with this "focus on mercy".  It is "Mercy is accessed only by repentance".  It's toward the end of the article but the rest is very worthwhile.  If we're really going to "focus on mercy" there must be focus on the Sacrament of Confession, for only therein is forgiveness for mortal sin.

As I said in one of the previous posts, I know priests who make plain in their bulletins that any couples seeking marriage in their churches while living together will be required to separate.  Will the efforts of these good priests now be undermined by what happened Sunday?  While I hope not, I think so.

Cardinal McCarrick, Does This Look Like Catholic Social Teaching?

Last week I reported that Cardinal McCarrick disgraced his office and made a fool of himself at a press conference hosted by Muslims.  At that conference he claimed, "Catholic social teaching is based on the dignity of the human person… [and] as you study the holy Koran, as you study Islam, basically, this is what Muhammad the prophet, peace be upon him, has been teaching."

Oh yes!  He actually said that Catholic social teaching and Islam have the same idea of the dignity of the human person!

Last Sunday the 29th Annual Muslim Day Parade occurred in New York City.  Conservative Post has a write-up and I'll post the video here.  The video, part of the parade, depicts what seems to be a favorite Muslim activity these days - hanging people!  If that is Cardinal McCarrick's idea of "human dignity", no wonder Holy Mother Church in the US - particularly DC - is in such a sorry state!

Watch the video - particularly at 1:25.  At 1:40, notice the children marching behind the barbaric spectacle.  The truck appears to have pictures of other acts of Muslim violence pasted on it.  I'm not sure Muslims know what being human is, let alone have a decent concept of human dignity.

Cultures Of Sex And Death Go Hand In Hand

In today's Vortex, Voris deals with the Culture of Sex.  Yes, that is going on too (besides the Culture of Death), if you haven't already noticed a long time ago.  The late Fr. John Hardon wisely stated that "sins against the Sixth Commandment lead to sins against the Fifth Commandment".

He upbraids the Catholic clergy who allow it to fester in the Church.  He's correct, although I will fill in some "gaps".  We certainly are "accommodating the culture of sex".  He could well have in mind the landmark disgrace that Cardinal Dolan heaped upon his own vocation as he gleefully announced he'd be leading the charge at the St Patrick's Day parade and its celebration of gross perversion.  He could well be talking of Cardinal Wuerl as he punished Fr Guarnizo when the latter refused Holy Communion to practicing lesbians.  He could also be talking about those parishes that allow engaged couples to cohabitate and fornicate as they (pretend to) prepare for Catholic marriages.

He says the leaders of the Church are accommodating this mess because they are weak.  I think that's true for many of them.  But quite a few of them actually revel in the debauchery themselves and they lust after the Culture of Sex/Death.  We're certainly seeing that in the sex abuse scandals from which we are still reeling.

More On Today's Multi-Marriage Ceremony

BBC News did a little piece on the ceremony at St Peter's Basilica earlier today.  Naturally it had a nice leftist twist to it.  I await the full text.  Meanwhile I'll comment (in red) on the snippets that BBC did see fit to publish.

Sunday's ceremony at St Peter's Basilica in Rome comes three weeks before a meeting of Catholic bishops from around the world to examine church teachings on family matters.  A mere three weeks!  How about that?  Coincidence?

Very slowly, the church under the guidance of Pope Francis is facing the fact that many Catholic couples cohabit before marriage, use contraception freely and divorce and remarry without seeking an annulment, says the BBC's David Willey in Rome.  Mr. Willey, the Church has always been aware of these matters.  The Church has been around much longer than you or I have been alive, and has been dealing with these matters regularly during these past 2000 years.  Mr. Willey, these "facts" as you call them are sins.  Got that?  They are transgressions against God's laws and they always will be sins, and will be treated accordingly.

He (the Pope) said in his homily that families are bricks that build society, but also believes that the church should forgive those who have sex outside marriage or who don't obey church teaching to the letter.  Well, the Church does forgive such sins and has been doing so these past 2000 years - in the Sacrament of Confession.  But they must be sacramentally confessed for they are mortal sins.  That's why I went into such a long discussion about the Sacrament yesterday.  

As I said, I'd love to see the full transcript of today's nuptial homily.  No doubt some important details were omitted (inadvertently, of course).

Cohabitating Couples And The Sacrament of Confession

Earlier today Leon posted a comment to my post about the wedding of cohabitating couples.  Please note that he says that he, his wife and (I assume) other couples confessed right before their wedding ceremonies.  This raises a whole bevy of questions.   Let me preface these questions with some important clarifications.  As I ask questions and make remarks, I do not intend these to be construed as criticism of Leon and his friends.  I've no doubt that the actions they took were taken in good-faith compliance with their priests and marriage-prep instructors.  I suspect Leon and his friends were merely victims of poor catechesis resulting from the erroneous "spirit of Vatican II".  For that matter, their priests and marriage-prep instructors may well have been robbed of their proper Catholic formation by that same "spirit of Vatican II".  I know I was in my latter years of school.  Fortunately my sacramental preparation wasn't so corroded, as we used the Baltimore Catechism.  I'll be referring to that catechism later.  Now the questions arising from Leon's comment.

• Why "right before"?  Why were they not advised to take advantage of that sacrament at earlier times during their course?
• Were the cohabitating couples ever advised that they should separate (that is, cease fornication) during the course of their marriage preparation      
• If they were urged to confess, were they urged to confess the mortal sin of fornication?  Were they even taught why fornication is a mortal sin?

I suppose that list of questions could go into infinity, but I'll stop here.  As I said in the last post, no sacramental grace (including from matrimony) can accrue to those in a state of mortal sin unless one receives the Sacrament of Confession.  The fact that Confession in Leon's case seems to have been delayed until the eve of the wedding makes me wonder if that sacrament is being misunderstood, and to such an extent as to compromise the efficacy of that Sacrament.  As I said, I'll be trotting out the Baltimore Catechism (used to prepare me for my first confession).

Here is Question 384: What must we do to receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily?  To receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily we must:
       first, examine our conscience
       second, be sorry for our sins (contrition)
       third, have the firm purpose of not sinning again
       fourth, confess our sins to the priest
       fifth, be willing to perform the penance the priest gives us

If Confession really occurs on the eve of the wedding, how does that allow for a proper examination of conscience and, more telling, testing of the purpose of not committing fornication again?

Let's look at several other questions in succession, and I'll put comments in red.

Question 388: What is contrition? Contrition is sincere sorrow for having offended God, and hatred for the sins we have committed, with a firm purpose of sinning no more.  Under the scenario that Leon described, was a hatred for the mortal sin of fornication properly instilled in the marriage prep attendees?

Question 389: Will God forgive us any sin unless we have true contrition for it?  God will not forgive us any sin, whether mortal or venial, unless we have true contrition for it.  Unless that hatred of fornication has been instilled, there is no forgiveness of that mortal sin.  How can this be interpreted otherwise?

Question 390: When is sorrow for sin true contrition?  Sorrow for sin is true contrition when it is interior, supernatural, supreme and universal.

Question 391: When is our sorrow interior?  Our sorrow is interior when it comes from our heart and not merely from our lips.  So how are currently-cohabitating couples being taught to have interior sorrow?

Question 392: When is our sorrow supernatural?  Our sorrow is supernatural when, with the help of God's grace, it arises from motives which spring from faith and not merely from natural motives.  The natural motives in the case of marriage preparation might include "discharging the formality of confession" as though it was just another item on the "punch list" of things to do before the wedding.

As I pointed out in the previous post, if couples have been committing the mortal sin of fornication, they need to receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily before they can properly receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.  I recited and commented on the Baltimore Catechism questions to illustrate why I think it's highly unlikely that Leon and his friends were properly prepared to receive either Penance or Matrimony.  I have good reason to believe this scenario is repeated in parishes throughout the world.  Are the twenty couples being married tomorrow also victims of ill-considered marriage preparation?

The divorce rate for Catholics is roughly on a par with that of non-Catholic couples; that's indicative that God's laws about marriage and sexuality are not being taken seriously, assuming they are known at all.  I realize a good deal of Catholic education is below par, but in this day of the internet, there is no excuse for not filling in the gaps of our own education.

If the couples whom the Pope will marry tomorrow have indeed been properly instructed, I ask why the new article (particularly from Catholic sources) did not make that clear.  The lack of such mention leaves too much room for ambiguity and even scandal.

Pope To Marry Cohabitating Couples? Really??

I know of a pastor who places in his bulletin a requirement for engaged couples going through his marriage prep program.  He requires that if they are cohabiting, that they live separately until their wedding day.  Why?  In his words, "it is sinful, causes scandal, and leads to greater likelihood of divorce".  Of course he's spot-on correct.

Here's another consideration.  Since fornication is objectively a mortal sin, would that not mean that at least some of these cohabitating people have mortally sinned?  Some, out of ignorance of Church teaching, may not be fully culpable, I realize.  But for those in the state of mortal sin, it is my understanding that no grace from any other sacrament will be of benefit to them until their mortal sin is absolved in the Sacrament of Confession.  Would that not include grace from the Sacrament of Matrimony?

The internet is now carrying the news that Pope Francis will marry twenty couples this coming Sunday including "those who are already cohabitating".  That is troubling.  It doesn't say "those who had been cohabitating".  The Telegraph speaks in present tense, not in past tense.

I suppose by now these couples have already been selected.  Have they been required to cease their mortal sin?  Have they been required to confess their mortal sins of fornication and receive absolution from a priest?  If not, they'll most likely not receive the sacramental grace that otherwise they might anticipate from Matrimony.  Moreover, they'll most likely receive Holy Communion at these weddings while in mortal sin, right?  That sounds like two sets of sacrilege right there!

As I read this article, I see no sign of these couples righting their relationships with God and the Church.  I hope I'm wrong in this, but if not, we're looking at scandal of breath-taking proportions with the potential of poor souls careening to hell due to bad example and poor teaching.

Cardinal McCarrick Channels His Inner Imam - Again!

Nine years ago, Cardinal McCarrick addressed some Jordanian dignitaries at the Catholic University of America.  In his prayer incantation, he invoked "allah" (as though it were a true deity) three times!  Guess how many times he invoked Jesus Christ?  Zero-zip-nada!  Read it from this blog's sister site here http://www.restore-dc-catholicism.com/McCarrick%20watch.htm and scroll all the way to the bottom.  Please read the text of the complete address.  Here are more incredible McCarrick gaffes relating to Islam.  Two days ago he added yet another.

Two days ago at a press conference in Washington - arranged by the Muslim Public Affairs Council, he again offered islamic-sounding incantations (I will not call that idolatrous screed "prayer"!), saying less-than-edifying pronouncements:

• "In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate" - an islamic invocation, roughly analogous to the Sign of the Cross for Catholics
• "Mohammed the prophet, peace upon him" - again, another nod to the islamic heresy - never mind that Mohammed was a pedophile who murdered anyone standing in the way of his false creed

I see no sign that the Cardinal invoked the name of Jesus Christ at least once - just as happened nine years ago at Catholic University of America.  Please read that entire article as it points out the horrid ways that McCarrick contradicted historical fact.

I am so grateful that McCarrick has retired and can no longer vote in papal conclaves.  He still manages to make a mockery of the Faith - with the permission if not approval of Cardinal Wuerl.  Lately the Vortex has been focusing on the evil that progressive bishops have been wreaking on the faith.  Here is yet one more sad example.  I'm sure another will appear in a matter of weeks if not days.

Yippee!! The Culture Wars Are Over!!

Now we can all join in the vacuous happy-face "let's all go along to get along" party!  At least that's what Cardinal Dolan said!  And we all know him to be a champion of the Faith!

Obviously, the above was said in jest.

In a macabre way, I can understand Dolan's perspective.  He has utterly surrendered to the Culture of Death and secularism and has in fact thrown in his lot with its proponents.  So of course he thinks "it's all over".

Except it isn't.  We're not going away.  Two big contingents of us that will not go away (and thus will be thorns to the Dolanites) are 1) pro-life activists and 2) Catholic bloggers and others utilizing electronic media.  We are armed by Our Lord, with prayer and the Sacraments.  Come what may, we will be engaging the Culture Wars - with or without so many faithless and feckless bishops!

Catholic Mainstream Media - Thoroughly Corrupt

I've known for some time now that the mainstream Catholic media is nothing more than mouthpieces for the US bishops.  About 10 years ago, Cardinal McCarrick caused much rancor when he made plain his disdain for Canon 915.  Hundreds of people wrote letters to the Catholic Standard (archdiocesan paper) to protest.  At that time, the Standard abandoned its "letters to the editor" column.  It was that decision (among other factors) that impelled me to start this blog's sister website and to start shining the light on nonsense occurring here and elsewhere.

There is another bi-monthly publication by the Catholic Business Network that focuses on parishes (and advertisements for its members).  It's called Our Parish Times.  The CBN has always had permission to distribute OPT in parishes and as bulletin inserts.  In the beginning, they were definitely a grade or two above the Standard.  They weren't afraid to tackle some of the real issues facing the church.  However, once Bob McCarthy's column (the best one) disappeared from OPT, it because another milquetoast happy-clappy rag just like the Standard.  I might point out that when Father Guarnizo was treated so shamefully by the Archdiocese of Washington two lents ago, neither the Standard nor OPT saw fit to utter a peep about it - although the incident made international news.

Below the jump break I post two Vortex videos that detail just how pervasive is the corruption of mainstream Catholic media - and why we bloggers are desperately needed.

From The Niggers Of The New Age Department - The Bigots Of Community College Of Baltimore County Strike Again

Last April I reported on the case of Brandon Jenkins, who applied for the Radiation Therapy Program at Community College of Baltimore County.  The young man's application was rejected because during an admission interview, Jenkins indicated the pivotal role his faith in Jesus Christ played in his life.

It seems that CCBC doesn't learn, and the obtuseness is prevalent in those who direct the Radiation Therapy Program there.  Comes now the news that they have stiff-armed yet another Christian applicant named Dustin Buxton.  Again the American Center for Law and Justice is stepping in to fight for his First Amendment rights.

It seems that the CCBC should be doing a serious review of those who direct and staff their Radiation Therapy Program.  This is now twice that unbridled anti-Christian bigotry has been put on ugly display.

As I've said before (to the consternation of the "can't we all just be nice" crowd), we Christians are being marginalized by the prevalent Culture of Death.  We in fact are the Niggers of the New Age.  Do you think I'm exaggerating?   Think of what's happening in the mid-east with Christians being crucified and beheaded.  Do you think that can't happen here?  With bigotry that is on display at CCBC, the groundwork is being laid by devotees of evil to bring about similar persecution.  Will it ever reach the extent as in the mid-east?  A lot depends on how we respond; we need to develop the spinal fortitude to shed the "nice" self-deception, see the situation as it unfolds before our very eyes and stand up to the bullies.  While organizations such as American Center for Law and Justice, Alliance Defending Freedom and others are doing heroic work, we must join them.

Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen On True Versus False Compassion

Venerable Sheen died in 1979; I don't know how old this clip is, but it is quite prophetic.  So many who are unthinking lemmings of the USCCB's "social justice" racket need to see this - just to see how  destructive and even damning is their constant shilling for governmental intervention.  Certainly we could recommend it for Cardinal Dolan, as his celebration of gays in the St Patrick's Day parade will only grease the skids as those poor souls careen towards eternal perdition.

Wicked Bishops - What Else Can They Be Called?

In today's Vortex, Voris is rightfully rebuking Cardinal Dolan.  Towards the end, as he reiterates the call for Dolan's resignation, he mentions "other bishops" who have likewised befouled their callings.  Immediately Cardinal Wuerl comes to mind.

Obvious Questions Regarding This Papacy

Any Catholic with their eyes and ears halfway opened knows that there has been much controversy surrounding Pope Francis and whether or not he will uphold the traditions of the Roman Catholic Faith.  Some are concerned that if current trends continue, the Church may lose what little spiritual and moral credibility that she still retains.

There is much confusion regarding the papacy.  Our Lord promised that His Vicar would never solemnly promulgate error in matters of faith and morals; that is, he'd never pronounce error "ex cathedra".  That's it!  That is the extent of His promise.  We were never promised that all other sayings/actions by a reigning pontiff would be free from error.  Too many people today equate every saying and/or doing by the pontiff, be that saying/doing ever so trivial, with the spiritual weight of a truly ex cathedra pronouncement.  They are either: 1) utterly convinced when such errors happen that the Church has apostatized and thus is no more or 2) be overly scrupulous about accepting such misstatements as ex cathedra and thus condemning those of us who take exception to such misstatements.

We were never promised a holy and/or intelligent pope at all times.  Indeed, history shows that some popes have been outright scoundrels.  Alexander VI comes to mind.  He, while sitting on the throne of Peter, had several illegitimate children.  Lucretia Borgia was his daughter.  His son is said to be the inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Prince".  The son apparently learned some murderous tricks from his father.  If we've had less-than-holy pontiffs in the past, we've no reason to presume it can't happen again.

Let's face it.  Pope Francis has caused many eyebrows to raise.  While I have neither desire nor competence to accuse him of any malice of heart, by the same token I'm in no position to excuse him of any such thing in the light of so many questionable incidents during his pontificate.

Right from the start of his papacy we knew things were going to be unusual.  For the sake of brevity I'll not elaborate on them in this post (at least not too much).  I'll post links that will go more into detail, as I do believe we should all be aware of these matters.

We learned right away that Pope Francis had no plans to reside in the papal apartments in which his predecessors had all resided.  Rather, he chose to occupy a suite of rooms in the Casa Santa Maria, a Vatican guest house.  Some might opine these arrangements to be more modest than the apartments; one must wonder what expenses were incurred to adjust this suite to be adequate living quarters.  We also learned that he was removing some of the ornate features of papal vestments and - disconcertingly - referring to himself as "Bishop of Rome" as opposed to "pope" or "pontiff".

Here is a list of other changes noted by some during his first few weeks of his pontificate.  Some might argue that these matters only deal with externals.  But are they perhaps taking an overly simplistic look at how this pontificate is evolving?  These matters, such as the apartments, the papal slippers, his preferred title, etc aren't merely externals.  They are part and parcel of the tradition of the papacy, a tradition that transcends the individual preferences of the man who may be on the Chair of Peter at a given moment.  Such traditions link him with his predecessors and with his role as Vicar of Christ.  I'm sure previous pontiffs may have chafed at some of the traditions themselves, but they embraced the traditions as part and parcel of their new vocation.  Moreover, as has become evident, attitudes towards relatively minor matters are often harbingers of attitudes towards more weighty matters.

One addition to papal vestments was rather banal.  In congratulating a newlywed couple, he saw fit to don a clown-nose and pose with that thing on his face.  Sense of humor, one might say?  It's more like an affront to the dignity of his high office.  Like it or not, no pope is simply "just one of the guys".  He's the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ.  Like all ordained, the Holy Father doesn't "punch a clock".  The Sacrament of Holy Orders confers on the ordained an indelible mark upon his soul, a mark that lasts into eternity.  Any priest is an "alter Christus"; why would he disregard that high dignity for even a moment?

Such "clowning around" segues into real violations.  Last year, after the World Youth Day in Brazil (you know, the one where bishops were led in a silly dance by gay choreographer Fly), Pope Francis returned with several souvenirs: a beach ball and soccer jersey.  So what did he do with these items?  He went to St. Mary Major Basilica and put them on the altar - right next to the tabernacle.  The altar of any Catholic Church is reserved for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  When the words of Consecration are uttered by a priest saying Mass at that altar, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity comes down on that very altar.  That altar is to be reserved for sacred use only: not to be the receptacle for cheap baubles.

I've posted before on the various impromptu interviews that he has given; see this link.  These interviews have caused immense damage: damage that has at least been anticipated and tolerated, if not deliberated.

There has been papal disdain for spiritual bouquets offered on his behalf; see here and here.  There is the draconian treatment being meted to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate; see here.   We've seen him NOT genuflecting during the Consecration of Masses, but he does kneel when protestants "pray over him".   During two Holy Thursday liturgies we've seen him wash women's feet, in direct violation of rubrics; see here and here for evidence of the damage done by poor example.   Then there is the damage being done in the name of ecumenism; some of us have renamed it "ecumenicide".  Another name for it is indifferentism.

Do we have a problem in the Vatican?  A reasonable person might conclude from the foregoing list that indeed we do.  The jury might still be out on that question, but bear in mind that the preceding list is from a papacy less than three years old.  Again, not one of us is qualified to judge his heart or motives, but we do look at what has proceeded from the Vatican thus far.

Again, Our Lord promised that His Vicar would never solemnly pronounce error, but that's as far as the promise goes.  We must pray for Our Holy Father and all clergy.  We must also have our eyes wide open and not be afraid to utter objective truth, be that truth ever so unpopular or uncomfortable.  Else our prayer won't be worth much.

USCCB = Useless Syndicate of Crazed Communist Bishops

Thanks to the USCCB and their own fecklessness, many of the US bishops (not all, there are a few good bishops left, but way too few) have made plain their absolute disregard for the high demands of their vocations and of Our Lord.  Cardinal Dolan's malfeasance with the gay parade is but the latest example.  I'd suspect in a few months yet another scandal will emerge.

Listen to yesterday's Vortex on the matter.

Msgr Pope Apologies - Under Archdiocesan Compulsion?

Now we knew this was coming, didn't we?  See below what currently appears in the url http://blog.adw.org/2014/09/what-happened-to-the-st-patricks-parade-post/

My word!  How stupid does the Archdiocese of Washington think we are?  I've no doubt that this "apology" was coerced and the language for this may well have been dictated by the chancery.  Remember - this is the very same chancery that gave Father Marcel Guarnizo the heave-ho when the latter denied Holy Communion to a flagrantly practicing lesbian (as was his duty per Canon 915).

Msgr Pope's language in his now-censored post was strong, but such language was needed to adequately describe the depravity of Cardinal Dolan's kiss-up to the gays regarding what now will be the St Patrick's Day Orgy.  No doubt the unabashed truth stings the consciences of all progressives in all chanceries.  They will circle the wagons to protect their own from the light of the truth.

Msgr Pope is vowed to obedience to the local bishop.  Most likely he had no choice but to allow that poppy-cock apology to be published on his behalf.  We the laity are not so constrained, and we will call out this chicanery for what it is.

To the ADW trolls reading this post - no, we had no communications with Msgr Pope, so if your noses are out of joint because of this post, it will avail you nothing to vent your spleens at Msgr Pope.  My com-boxes are open.

Vortex Brings More Of Mother Angelica's Wisdom

Other Progressive Bishops (Namely, Archdiocese of Washington) Covering For Dolan?

Msgr Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington, in the wake of Cardinal Dolan's disgusting kiss-up to gay activists, posted the article below on his blog.  I think he's spot-on correct.

However, Msgr Pope's blog is hosted on a server owned by the Archdiocese of Washington.  Lo and behold, the original link no longer works; try it!  http://blog.adw.org/2014/09/time-to-end-the-st-patricks-parade-and-the-al-smith-dinners/

Whoopsie!  Whaddya think of that?  Wanna bet that the "good ole boy" network of progressive bishops has mobilized to protect one of their own?  Cardinals Wuerl and McCarrick are of like mind as is Cardinal Dolan.  Such are the hazards of relying on other entities for your message medium.  So Msgr Pope's post was pulled.  I pray that's the only repercussion that he suffers.

Now the article..

It’s time to end New York’s St. Pat’s Parade and the Al Smith Dinner

 Al Smith Dinner , Homosexuality , New York City , St. Patricks Day Parade

The time for happy-clappy, lighthearted engagement of our culture may be nearing an end. Sometimes it takes a while to understand that what used to work no longer works. Let me get more specific.

Decades ago the “Al Smith Dinner” was a time for Republicans and Democrats to bury the hatchet (even if only temporarily) and come together to raise money for the poor and to emphasize what unites us rather than what divides us. But in the old days the death of 50 million infants was not what divided us. We were divided about lesser things such as how much of the budget should go to defense and how much to social spending. Reasonable men might differ over that.

But now we are being asked to raise toasts and to enjoy a night of frivolity with those who think it is acceptable to abort children by the millions each year, with those who think anal sex is to be celebrated as an expression of love and that LGBTQIA… (I=intersexual, A= Asexual)  is actually a form of sanity to which we should tip our hat, and with those who stand four-square against us over religious liberty.

Now the St. Patrick’s Parade is becoming of parade of disorder, chaos, and fake unity. Let’s be honest: St. Patrick’s Day nationally has become a disgraceful display of drunkenness and foolishness in the middle of Lent that more often embarrasses the memory of Patrick than honors it.

In New York City in particular, the “parade” is devolving into a farcical and hateful ridicule of the faith that St. Patrick preached.

It’s time to cancel the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Al Smith Dinner and all the other “Catholic” traditions that have been hijacked by the world. Better for Catholics to enter their churches and get down on their knees on St. Patrick’s Day to pray in reparation for the foolishness, and to pray for this confused world to return to its senses. Let’s do adoration and pray the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet unceasingly for this poor old world.

But don’t go to the parade; stay away from the Al Smith Dinner and all that “old school” stuff that hangs on in a darkened world. And as for St Patrick’s Day, it’s time to stop wearin’ the green and instead take up the purple of Lent and mean it. Enough of the celebration of stupidity, frivolity, and drunkenness that St Paddy’s day has become. We need penance now, not foolishness. We don’t need parades and dinner with people who scoff at our teachings, insist we compromise, use us for publicity, and make money off of us. We’re being played for (and are?) fools.

End the St Patrick’s parade. End the Al Smith Dinner and all other such compromised events. Enough now, back to Church! Wear the purple of Lent and if there is going to be a procession, let it be Eucharistic and penitential for the sins of this age.

For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!

How say you?

Cardinal Dolan: Does His Capitulation To Gays In St Patrick's Parade Constitute Cooperation With Mortal Sin?

Michael Voris put out a special report on Dolan's latest scandal - that of a Catholic prelate affirming the gay lifestyle as will be displayed at the next St Patrick's parade.  It's not the first time his seeming indifference to the mortal sin of sodomy has caused much scandal and evisceration of his own moral authority as a bishop.  Now, though, it isn't merely indifference.  The gays will be flouting their mortal sin - and Cardinal Dolan will literally be leading the charge!

So here's a question for orthodox theologians.  Does Dolan's stance constitute formal cooperation with the sin of homosexual conduct?

When High Callings Are Abandoned: EWTN And Cardinal Dolan

Michael Voris continued his Vortex by examining the role that EWTN played in smoking out the evil within the Church when Mother Angelica held the reins.  Once some resentful bishops succeeded in marginalizing Mother, they installed lay puppets in EWTN's management.  Now they no longer utter a peep against those who spread poison within the church; sometimes ETWN personalities even cozy up to the nefarious elements.  So EWTN abandoned their high calling.

News arrived that New York City's St Patrick's Day Parade will allow a gay presence in their next parade.  One might have hoped for a protest from Cardinal Dolan!  Nope!  He says he'll continue to support it; in fact he still plans to be the Grand Marshall at the planned orgy.  He offered some lame excuse, saying that he "cannot control" who marches in the parade.  Well, yes he does have control over at least one person who will march in the parade: himself.  He can also forbid any Catholic/diocesan organization from participating.  I agree with the Archibalds that such would be a terrific display of leadership and courage appropriate for a bishop.  But he's caved to sinful pressures many times; see this anthology of so many examples of the scandals offered by Dolan.

Below is today's Vortex.  In it we see Mother Angelica's excellent rebuke of so many church officials.  One can only imagine what she'd say to Cardinal Dolan today.

Vortex: Time For Faithful Catholics To Wake Up To Destructive Elements Within Establishment Hierarchy

Today's Vortex points out that many Catholics have been asleep and naively unaware of the malevolent forces that operate even within our diocesan chanceries.  I was one of them.  We are starting to wake up, but the rest of us must wake up quickly.

He points to Mother Angelica of EWTN who had an epiphany of sorts after the 1993 World Youth Day debacle.  She produced and released an excellent clip wherein she lobbed some well-placed rebukes.  Voris intends to analyze Mother's comments and to look at what has befallen EWTN since Mother took ill and had to surrender the reins of EWTN.  Voris wonders if EWTN has joined the Church of Nice.  Well, I can certainly affirm that EWTN has indeed capitulated to the progressives within the Church.  Recall my post of two years ago as irrefutable evidence.  EWTN might do a half-hearted job against the Church's external foes, but they are now silent with regards to the wolves and snakes that spread their progressive poison from their positions in high places in US Church hierarchy.  Certainly we can find them at the USCCB, but also within many chanceries; Voris listed many of them.

USCCB Social Justice - Poisonous From Its Beginnings

I stumbled upon two videos featuring Michael Voris.  Apparently they're from a conference in Louisiana that he gave within this past year.  They both deal with the origins of current "social teaching" by the USCCB.  When I said yesterday that the USCCB's prattling was both deadly and corrosive, I didn't realize how correct I was, for these talks show the insidious beginnings and the sinister players in the development of what is mistakenly called "Catholic social teaching" in the United States today.  In fact, it bears little resemblance to actual magisterial pronouncements but are merely progressive talking points dressed up with "catholic" vocabulary to impress the unsuspecting Catholic in the pew. I post both videos below.