Distorting The Spiritual Works Of Mercy

Note: While I'm using the bulletin from my own parish as an example, I've no doubt that they published what they did due to "orders from on high".

In our parish bulletin (page2) appears what is being passed off as the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  Some of us older types might notice the problem immediately, having received solid training thanks to the Baltimore Catechism.  For comparison, here are those works as they appear in that Catechism; you'll have to scroll down to Question 813.  As you compare the two, you'll notice one major difference.

In the Baltimore Catechism version, please note that the First Spiritual Work of Mercy is "Rebuke the Sinner".  In the bulletin you'll notice that it has been rendered "encourage sinners to seek forgiveness".  The others remain essentially the same.

So why do today's Catholic leaders eschew "rebuke the sinner"?  Quite simply, they are part and parcel of what can be called the "church of nice".  You see, it's not considered "nice" to rebuke anybody, although both the Old and New Testaments are replete with godly men (and Our Lord Himself) with rebuking those in sin, particularly those who are obstinate about it.  It's not "happy-clappy smiley-face" enough for those whose spinal columns are calcium-deficient.  Perhaps they don't believe in the reality of hell.  The latter is a grim reality, and those who rebuke the sinner simply see that is where the sinner is headed if he or she doesn't repent.

That dovetails into today's Gospel reading from Mark.  The very first recorded word that Jesus uttered in Mark's Gospel is "repent".  It even comes before "believe the Gospel".  The order is important.  However, too many of our leaders want to put false "happy faces" on God's clear teachings that they distort them in the presentations: hence the distorted version of the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  Too often they won't even tell Catholics what actions constitute inherent sins for fear of pricking seared consciences.  What doctor worthy of the name would withhold a truthful diagnosis to a sick patient?  How would that patient be able to follow proper remedies, uncomfortable those these remedies might be?  But that is what the "church of nice" is doing to Catholics in their pews. 

Let us pray that our priests find the resolve and courage to preach the whole truth to Catholics so that they can come to true, soul-saving repentance this Lent.

In The Face of Opposition From Church Of Nice, Stay Alert And Active

Let me cut immediately to the chase.  The evidence is clear and irrefutable in indicating that Pope Francis is angry at those faithful Catholics who are not blindly following as he attempts to deconstruct the Faith and Western civilization.  He is especially irritated when we call him out, along with his lackeys, as they make their moves.  On one level this saddens me, but on another level it tells me that the light we shine is having beneficial impact.

More and more people are waking up.  The Remnant commented on a piece put out by Fox News.  That piece pointed out that the pope's disdain for Trump and his policies is obvious.  By extension, those of us who supported Trump over Hillary also warrant the papal stink-eye.  I pointed out two pieces of evidence yesterday.  Those are just the latest; there will undoubtedly be more.

Today Michael Voris released a Vortex in which he summarizes some "talking points" of the "church of nice", i.e. the progressive-infested hierarchy.  Please look at those points and consider a few things.

• The thinking behind all these "talking points" runs rampant through Amoris Laetitia, or as I call it, Amoralis Lamentia.  This post from One Peter Five links to an in-depth analysis of the errors of Amoralis Lamentia; it is worth a read even though it's rather lengthy.
• They stem from the heresy of situation ethics.

Voris rightly rebukes the prelates who are destroying the church and jeopardizing their souls.  Whether or not it is Voris' thinking, I believe that the pope must be included in that number and must also receive our prayers for clarity of thinking and preaching, if not salvation itself.

We need to be aware of these matters so that, at the very least, we can pray intelligently for our Church and, if appropriate, take action.

The Church Of Nice Is The Real Cesspool Of Hatred

We haven't had much from the #Rosicagate Department lately, but today Father Thomas Rosica has again made a fool of himself.  First, check out this anthology of articles regarding Father Rosica and the animosity that he obviously harbors to those telling the truth regarding his progressive shenanigans.  His vituperation inspired him to file lawsuit against Vox Cantoris, if you'll recall; the Vatican, embarrassed by his obvious tempter tantrum, ordered him to drop it and save what remained of his face.

Well, judging from this piece that appears on the Crud site, Rosica still has plenty of axes to grind against us Catholic bloggers.  In his rather questionable judgment, we are "creating cesspools of hatred".  Then he goes on to spout vitriolic descriptions of us being:

• "obsessed, scrupulous"
• "disturbed, broken, angry individuals"
• "trolling pontiffs, holy executioners"

Coming from him, these choice descriptions are badges of honor!  But seriously; he sputters like that, and then has the audacity to accuse us of creating "cesspools of hatred"?  At best, I think we have a case of "pot calling kettle black".  What's really happening is that we bloggers are not allowing him and his compatriots to have a monopoly on social media and we aren't allowing them to dictate the terms and conditions of public discourse.  We can and will call out their dissidence, blasphemies and heresies.  I highly suspect that motivated his tirade in Crud and possibly goaded him into trying to sue Vox Cantoris.

By the way - Rosica still occupies his position in the Vatican.  I suspect his employment there does not so much continue in spite of his hatred for faithful Catholic media but because of it.  Given what we've seen from the Vatican - and the pope - over these past few months, I think my suspicions have valid basis.

Another way to put this situation is that those of Rosica's ilk resent us combating their "church of nice" instead of following their lead like sheeple.  Read what Michael Voris has to say about how the "church of nice" is the antithesis of true charity.  Father Rosica inadvertently illustrates that fact with his screed in Crud.  Did you notice, as you read Rosica's words, that he didn't offer one objective rebuttal to anything we've broached over the years?  He cannot for his "church of nice" isn't at all interested in objective truth, and in the God reflected in that truth.

We must continue to pray for those seduced by the "church of nice".  We will also continue to speak the truth.

We Are The Church Militant - NOT The Church Mellow

I learned from the Telegraph today that the Holy Father has dismissed Daniel Anrig from his post as commandant of the Swiss Guard, a position he held for five years.  The Pope announced this in a one-sentence press release.  While there were no specific reasons given, the Holy Father is said to want the Guard to be "less rigid" in its rules and even "less military".  Given recent patterns of behavior, I find these theories to be most plausible.

I'll be frank.  This is just one more instance of him thumbing his nose at customs and protocols that have been a part of the papacy for hundreds of years.  They may seem like minor matters (such as the slippers and apartments), but minor gaffes often turn into bigger gaffes (and they have).  However, let's look at the Swiss Guard, shall we?  By definition, they are soldiers.  While there is much ceremonial significance to their roles, they do have military training.  Their duties require military demeanor.  Anrig is being sacked because he takes seriously his role to protect the pope.  I understand his successor has been chosen and I mean the following to reflect at all upon this gentleman, who I understand is also a Swiss Guard.  Does the pope think that a troupe of "pajama boy bubbas" will be adequate for the security that his role requires?  What does he think he's leaving for his successors?

For me, the Swiss Guard is a reminder that we are the Church Militant - a term that has been in use for hundreds of years.  St Paul spoke of the Church in military language.  Many of the early converts were Roman soldiers.  Only in the past fifty-sixty years has the "flower power" mental poison corroded the thinking of church leaders.  The former Cardinal Bergoglio would be among that generation of clergy most befuddled by that kool-aid.

Other manifestations of the "church mellow" (also known as Church of Nice) thinking were occasioned by the pope's recent trip to Turkey.  It was bad enough that he prayed in a heathen temple, but upon his return, he told reporters that "islam is a religion of peace" and "the koran is a book of peace".  These statements are not only a denial of the truth of islam, but are a slur on the memories of those who've been, and continue to be, butchered by muslims precisely because they are Christians.  I link now to an article - with a video showing the "religion of peace" in action.  WARNING - it is a video of a beheading; that is why I will not post it here.  Please be of strong stomach and keep children away.  I link to it only to dispel the dangerous notion that "islam is a religion of peace".  Nothing could be more untrue.  Pope Francis - and Cardinal McCarrick - will you now wake up?  We need real men - not aging hippies - to stand up for Christ!

Speaking of real men, please watch the Vortex below to understand how some church leaders are systematically discouraging authentic Catholic masculinity - such as displayed by Anrig.

Unless There Is Repentance, God's Unconditional Love Will Be To No Avail

Simply put, God insists that we approach Him on His terms, not our own.  The Church of Nice, along with their atheist/progressive puppet masters, have trouble acknowledging that the first admonition of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Mark is "repent".

Too often I hear at my own church homilies that proclaim the greatness of God's love (true enough) and that if we'd just "open ourselves to His love" our lives would be fuller.  Well, what does "open ourselves" mean?  I know full well that in that congregation are those in irregular marriages, those who call themselves "pro-choice", those who support sexual perversion (and who punish those priests who stand for God's teaching in that regard).  They will never "open themselves to His love" until they repent of their mortal sins - and many won't unless they are told, point-blank from the pulpit, just what specific sins endanger their immortal souls and that they need to get themselves to Confession pronto.  First things first - as exemplified in the Gospel of Mark (see Mark 1:15).

Today's Vortex delves more deeply into this matter.  I'll reiterate one key line of Voris's: God loves us unconditionally, but He does not save us unconditionally.

Baltimore's "Rebuilt" Parish In Serious Need Of REAL Rebuilding

Below is another video of a "church of nice" gushing about how nice they are!  This is the Church of the Nativity and it's in the northern Baltimore area, within the Archdiocese of Baltimore of course.  As you look at the surroundings of the two people, they could be in any workplace lunchroom.  There's nothing to distinguish it as a Roman Catholic Church.  You'll also hear the incessant yammering about "experience".  This subjective "experience" is often registered at the level of mere emotion; forget the intellect, reason and will.

Some oddities:

1. At the 1:00 mark, we hear that to "reach the lost we must understand what their likes are..and construct your building, physical surroundings and your service to reflect those likes".  If by "construct your service" he means tweaking the Mass rubrics, he has his thinking literally upside down.  Let's look at the definition of Holy Mass, per the Baltimore Catechism.  "What is the Mass?  The Mass is the sacrifice of the New Law in which Christ, through the ministry of the priest, offers Himself to God in an unbloody manner under the appearances of bread and wine."  Here's another.  "What are the purposes for which Mass is offered?  The purposes for which the Mass is offered are: first, to adore God as our Creator and Lord; second, to thank God for His many favors; third, to ask God to bestow His blessings on all men; fourth, to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him".  To be brief, Mass is about God, not about "an amazing weekend experience"!
2. At 2:45, the man is playing the role of the hypothetical visitor.  "Now that I'm seated, it seems like a great atmosphere; it's almost like a theater."  Whoa!  Let's pause right here!  A theater?  As in "entertainment, show-kind" of theater?  Is that an integral goal of this "amazing weekend experience"?
3. He goes on.  He does say the "light is on the altar where it needs to be".  I'll give him kudos for that, bit it goes downhill.  "The music is great, the band looks professional."  The band!!?!?!?  I tremble at the thought of the cacophony emanating from them during Mass.  In churches of old (back when "experience" was not worshiped more than God), we had choir lofts in the back of the church.  They were elevated and more importantly, behind the congregation so that they wouldn't draw undue attention.  The choir at that time enhanced the worship of God and was not concerned about entertainment and experience. 
4. Notice how they refer to "service"?  Whatever happened to the word "Mass"?  I find that substitution odd and a tad disconcerting.
5. You'd have to be paying attention before 3:51 to glean what the woman considers "the capstone of the weekend experience" to be: the socializing and snacks after Mass.  Would not the capstone of Holy Mass be the Consecration?  Or at least Holy Communion??  What she uttered is the kind of drivel that spills out of the mouth of those who don't understand just what a priceless treasure the Holy Mass is.  Her focus, at least in this video, is completely man-centered and not at all God-centered.

I sincerely hope and pray that they rediscover the real riches of their Roman Catholic heritage.  They're settling for, and offering, fluffy-puff stuff.

Vortex Scolds Bishops For Turning Their Backs On Phil Robertson

I've got to hand it to Phil Robertson and the rest of his Duck Dynasty family for adhering to Christian moral principles and proclaiming them boldly.  I too am ashamed of most of our Catholic bishops for not doing likewise.  They couldn't even muster up the zeal to stand publicly beside this good man.  Shame on them!

IMPORTANT ADDENDUM:  Fellow residents of the Archdiocese of Washington, remember two Lents ago, when Father Marcel Guarnizo actually was treated far worse than Roberson was.  They only ignored Robertson.  Father Guarnizo was actually punished for standing up for Godly morality.  Never forget that!

The Christmas Sword

I appreciate how Voris can cut through the "church of nice" sentiments to keep the focus on the true spiritual warfare that enveloped the Birth of Christ.  Notice at 5:30 that he makes the point that only after the end of the world and final judgment will "the sword be beat into a plowshare" and not before then (Note: "Peace and justice" crowd, learn that once and for all.)

The Charge Of The Lighten-Up Brigade

I and some others have noted with dismay a growing tendency of some Catholics (mostly younger) to simper and giggle about trivial doings and sayings of prominent Catholic leaders.  I noticed this first when a blogger (I won't name him) regularly featured Pope Benedict XVI's pictures on his blog and asked readers to supply a caption.  Either the Pope had an unusual expression on his face or was undergoing some harmless mishap.  Because that was really quite harmless I paid no attention to it, not wanting to waste my time.  But recently some not-so-harmless manifestations have blazed their ways through the blogosphere.

Sentimentality And Niceness - Dangers To Salvation

An overly-sentimental approach to spiritual matters is not a recent problem.  In 1940, Brother Francis of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary penned a piece called "Sentimental Theology".  It's worth a read.  Now below is some "food for thought" from Ann Barnhardt regarding the vice of being "nice".

Shedding More Light On The Church Of Nice

A Blog For Dallas Area Catholics weighed in on the rancor of the "church of nice" against Michael Voris and some of us other faithful Catholics who will call them on the carpet.  Please take time to read it.

Are You Attending A Church Of Nice?

Watch the Vortex below for some symptoms of the sickness known as the "Church of Nice".  For some fun (hopefully it's fun), check out the quiz starting at 4:23.  How did you do on it???

A Warning To Bishops

Time For The Boretex From The Church Of Nice