Once again, we witness the sad results of Catholics' loss of the sensus Catholicus - this time in the dispute in Texas. Parishioners at the remote parish are unhappy because the diocese wants to demolish their hurricane-damaged church. They believe the building can be repaired and have taken the matter to (civil) court where a judge issued a restraining order on their behalf. In the meantime, rather than arrange appropriate accommodations, some parishioners took it upon themselves to schedule a Mass at a Methodist 'church'. Fortunately, the diocese apparently ordered the priest to stay away from the event (unfortunately, it is not clear if it was for the most essential reason - some claim it was "in retribution"). Sadly, the parishioners went ahead with their own priestless "service" at the aforementioned 'temple of heresy', a Methodist 'church', led by heretical "ministers".
Why these Catholics would voluntarily choose to adore God at a place erected solely for the purpose of heretical worship boggles the mind. We know that holy persons of the past would have chosen martyrdom rather than step foot on such unholy ground.
It seems even more evidence that decades of ecumenism have destroyed the sensus Catholicus. Don't these people realize that...?
* This 'temple of heresy' is a profane place that Catholics should not enter. It exists for the sole purpose of heretical "worship" by those in a false, man-made religion which is set up in opposition to the one true Church of Christ. Keep in mind that false religions deny the hierarchical nature of Church, papal supremacy, papal infallibility, the Immaculate Conception, Christ's true Flesh and Blood in the Holy Eucharist, etc. They advocate false doctrines, reject and distort parts of the Bible & they may tolerate or promote sins such as contraception, euthanasia, abortion, divorce, etc.
* If there is a so-called 'altar' there, it would be a great offense to lay the Holy Eucharist on this unblessed & profane place used to conduct false worship.
* Despite numerous warnings in scripture, these people have willingly "opened their ears" to false clergy, listened to 'scripture' which was (presumably) from a corrupt - heretical - translation, and allowed themselves to be led in prayer by "wolves" (false preachers).
In the past, the penalty for such actions would have been excommunication: "None must either pray or sing psalms with heretics; and whomsoever shall communicate with those who are cut off from the Communion of the Church, whether clergymen or laic, let him be excommunicated." (Council of Carthage, 398 A.D.)
Even the Second Vatican Council has said "Common participation in worship (communicatio in sacris) which harms the unity of the Church or involves formal acceptance of error or the danger of aberration in the faith, of scandal and indifferentism, is forbidden by divine law."
These people apparently are somehow unaware - or don't care - that their actions are an offense to almighty God and cause scandal. They also appear to be contemptuous of the diocese (one story reads: "Parishioners vow to have the service if only to send a message of their displeasure to the archdiocese").
If only they would take a lesson from Scripture...
"After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic, realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned." (St. Paul, Ti. 3:10-11)
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works." (St. John, 2 Jn. 1:10-11)
"Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: 'I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore, come forth from them and be separate,' says the Lord, 'and touch nothing unclean; then I will receive you and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.'" (St. Paul, 2 Cor. 6:14-18)
A little history lesson might also be of assistance...
* St. John the Apostle wouldn't so much as remain in the same building (a secular edifice) with a heretic ["Everyone knows that John himself, the Apostle of love, who seems in his Gospel to have revealed the secrets of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and who never ceased to impress upon the memory of his disciples the new commandment 'to love one another', nevertheless strictly forbade any intercourse with those who professed a mutilated and corrupt form of Christ's teaching: 'If any man comes to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house, nor say to him, God speed you.' (2 John 1:10)" (Pope Pius XI, "Mortalium Animos", 1928 A.D.)
* A disciple of the St. John the Apostle referred to a heretic as "the first-born of Satan ["Irenaeus himself relates with regard to his master Polycarp {who was a disciple of St. John the Apostle}, how, when being asked by the heretic Marcion if he knew him, he replied: 'I know thee to be the first-born of Satan.' He also tells us that St. John {the Apostle} hearing that Cerinthus was in the same public edifice into which he had just entered, fled precipitately, for fear, as he said, that because of this enemy of truth the walls of the building would crumble down upon them all: 'so great,' remarks the bishop of Lyons, 'was the fear the apostles and their disciples had of communicating, even by word, with any one of those who altered truth.'" (Liturgical Year)]
* Another disciple of St. John the Apostle said those who listen to heretics will be dammed ["Do not err, my brethren: the corrupters of families will not inherit the kingdom of God. And if they who do these things according to the flesh suffer death, how much more if a man corrupt by evil teaching the faith of God, for the sake of which Jesus Christ was crucified? A man become so foul will depart into unquenchable fire; and so also will anyone who listens to him." (St. Ignatius of Antioch, a hearer of St. John the Apostle, c. 110 A.D.)]
* Throughout history, popes, councils, and numerous saints warned of the danger of associating with heretics. We know also that saints would give up their lives rather than partake part in 'worship' with heretics or enter heretical 'churches' - "temples of Satan". As St. Ephraem the Syrian, Doctor of the Church has said, "Fly from them and from their doctrines; do not go near them, for you know that whoever is found in a place where outrage has been offered to the king has to come into court to be questioned according to law. Even if he can prove he was not guilty he will be condemned for want of zeal. Do not sit with heretics nor associate with apostates."
Frankly, their use of this facility makes as much sense asking one's avowed mortal enemy to borrow his house to celebrate your birthday. These parishioners would probably know better than to do that, but somehow they didn't know better than to use such unholy ground to "worship" God? Do they actually think God is pleased that they have used this "temple of Satan" for "worship"? Will anyone tell these poor, misguided people to get to confession; that they have - objectively speaking - betrayed the Catholic faith, and God? As one participant in the "worship service" said, "This is not about being Catholic." At least there's one thing they got right.
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