Not again!

To the bewilderment of many Catholics, Pope Benedict is scheduled to visit a Lutheran 'church' on March 14 where he will give a homily along with a Lutheran 'pastor'. Commentary: Permit one to simply close with a wise mother's (surprised) reaction to this planned event: "Why is he doing that?"

"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)

"The toleration of heretics is more injurious than the devastation of the provinces by the barbarians." (Pope St. Gelasius I, 5th century A.D.)

"No one shall pray in common with heretics and schismatics." (Council of Laodicea, 365 A.D.)

Also See: Heresy (Reflections) | Necessity of Being Catholic For Salvation | Ecumenism Q & A | Guest Article (Figuratively Speaking): "There once was a vacuum cleaner salesman..."

[2/19]

Even More News Highlights...

* Fortunately, an offer to allow Anglicans the use of a Catholic church in Australia for their pretend 'ordinations' was withdrawn after an "unnamed Vatican department" complained. [Reminder: The Church has ruled that Anglican 'orders' are "absolutely null and utterly void"] Regrettably, some misguided local Catholics have "criticized the decision and apologized to the Anglicans" who had wanted to confer pretend 'orders' on (heretical) Anglican women (& men) inside a Catholic church [Note: Click here for 'Top Reasons Why Women Can't Be Priests' | Click here for information on the necessity of being Catholic for salvation]

* Good news: A Catholic college in Iowa has received $500 cash along with an anonymous handwritten apology letter regarding a radio stolen from the teacher's lounge back in 1955. The repentant thief said he/she "regretted this foolish act ever since and have resolved many times in these past years to make restitution" and asked for forgiveness and prayers.

Refresher: "[If] the penitent has taken anything from his neighbor, he is bound to restitution. Likewise if, by word or deed he has injured his neighbor's honor or reputation, he is under an obligation of repairing the injury by procuring him some advantage or rendering him some service. Well known to all is the maxim of St. Augustine: The sin is not forgiven unless what has been taken away is restored." (Catechism of the Council of Trent)

* Here we go again: Woman sees "image of Jesus" in brownish residue on the bottom of her iron. The woman, who is separated from her husband, feels the image in the residue is a reassurance that her "life is going to be good." She hopes the supposed residue-image will "inspire others during the holidays"

* Dissent female religious at it again: One of the rebellious U.S. women religious - who, as a whole, are "almost unanimously" refusing to cooperate in the Vatican's investigation - has claimed that it has been a "challenge" to "respond to the Vatican in a way that breaks a cycle of violence." The dissident sisters find language in the Vatican questionnaire to be "violent" (oh please!), while finding their "resistant" responses to be "creative and affirming"

* Ecumenism at it again: The President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has visited the Istiqlal mosque, which was designed by a Protestant architect and is "the largest in Southeast Asia." [Now hold your cookies...] The cardinal "walked barefoot" in the mosque and claimed "It seems there is no gap between Muslims and Catholics."

* Irish citizens are "stunned, furious, and sad" over the contents of a recently released abuse report concerning the Archdiocese of Dublin. The report concluded that there was "no doubt" of a "decades-long cover-up of abusive clergy coupled with the mistreatment of survivors." It was acknowledged that "no words of apology will ever be sufficient."

Also, since the release of the report, at least one commentator has complained that a "spin" is being put on the scandal, namely that "there is an effort to implicate the 'pre-Conciliar' Catholic Church in the wrongdoings." As proof, it is noted that one of the Archbishops who was a "Vatican II skeptic" is being "unjustly dragged into the scandal." The Archbishop in question had resigned years before the period covered by the report. The commentator notes that the image of abusers that is being propagated is one of traditional clergy whereas he claims "the nightmare...of relentless mortal sin recorded in this report was committed by modern priests" who "[devastated] their church sanctuaries as badly as they devastated children's lives, abolishing all the devotions such as Benediction, the Rosary, regular confession, devotion to saints, etc. that had sustained Irish faith for centuries." In short, he claims that this "filthy abomination was a scandal of the post-Vatican II, open-windows, relevant, touchy-feely" 'post-Conciliar Church'. [Note: Some typographical errors appearing in the original quotations have been corrected herein]

* Could it be, an end to ecumenical talks? A "third phase of official dialogue" with Anglicans will reportedly take place next year and will cover "divisive issues." One report claims that this third phase of ecumenical dialogue is "likely final"

* The president of the Pontifical Council for Culture has expressed "alarm" over an "immoral trend" of former churches being used as bars & nightclubs. He called on dioceses to use "great caution" in insuring that former church buildings are not used for immoral purposes

[11/27]

More News Highlights

More brief summaries of recent news items...

* Controversy has erupted over where to house Mother Theresa's remains. Various areas including the country of her parents and the area where she was born have demanded or may demand possession of her remains.

* An alleged Eucharistic miracle which occurred a year ago in Poland "may have merit" according to reports concerning the investigation. The case has been forwarded to the Apostolic Nunciature in Warsaw for further review.

* A "wealthy homosexual activist" speaking to a group of 'gay rights' advocates has stated that Catholic leaders are among their "greatest adversaries" and advises them to take "active measures" against those who oppose homosexual causes.

* A "leading ecumenicist" Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, has published a new book regarding ecumenical efforts which he says "aims at creating a welcoming atmosphere for ecumenism". Although tradition-minded Catholics are not likely to rejoice in the news of its publication, they may be interested in his comment regarding the claim that ecumenism "has not borne any fruit and left us with our hands empty", namely "that is not the official opinion". Interesting, no?

* The New York Times has made waves by publishing a sordid story about a serial-adulteress (now terminally-ill) woman and the philandering, vow-breaking priest who fathered children with her and suggested an abortion. The story involving two consenting (yet gravely sinful) adults appeared on the front page of the paper while another story involving the "Safe Schools Czar" which involved a case of homosexual statutory rape appeared on page 19 of the publication. As the Catholic League's president stated: "There is a reason why this story about an irresponsible priest and an irresponsible woman merited 2,424 words on p. 1, and the story about the irresponsible gay activist turned 'Schools Czar' merited 488 words on p. 19: the lead story was about ginning up public sentiment against priestly celibacy."

[10/16]

Ecumeniacs will tell you it's a victory, but would St. Paul?

Apparently, a Catholic radio station and an Islamic radio station in Guinea Bissau have agreed to air each other's programs. While is certainly great that Catholic truth will presented to those who listen to the Islamic radio station, how can it be good that Muslims will be allowed to speak to Catholics about the Islamic faith on a Catholic radio station?

St. Paul tells us...

"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)

St. John says...

"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)

A hearer of St. John the Apostle said those who "corrupt by evil teaching the faith of God" and those who listen to such a person will be damned...

"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.)

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."

If it was truly necessary to "learn each other’s faiths very well" in order to live together, why doesn't Scripture teach this? Why doesn't Apostolic example or the Early Church Fathers confirm this? Doesn't Scripture rather point to converting the one in error to the Truth? Do we really think Jesus would have allowed Muslims (had they existed at the time) to preach to His flock? Didn't He rather instruct His apostles as follows...

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Mt. 28:19-20)

[8/19]

French diocese to aid heresy?

The French diocese of Périgueux-Sarlat is reportedly lending some of its parishes to Anglican 'clergy' (heretics with absolutely no authority or power playing dress-up) to "minister" to some of their "faithful". Although it's certainly not the first time we've heard of such scandalous actions, should it ever fail to shock faithful Catholics when authorities of the Catholic Church aid & abet heresy?

Have officials in the French diocese forgotten that...?

* Anglican 'orders' are invalid - therefore the Anglican "church" does NOT have a valid Eucharist. Should they worship their bread wafer, they would be committing idolatry. Will they allow this in a Catholic parish?

* Anglicans are (objectively speaking) heretics who reject the papacy & other infallible doctrines of the Church - As Holy Scripture says:

"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)

"Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, regarding those He sent, Lk. 10:16)

"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)

* Anglicans parade their false clergy around as if they had legitimate authority and power - and their false clergy even includes open homosexuals and women despite the fact that Holy Scripture calls homosexual acts an abomination (Lev. 18:22) & St. Paul forbids women from speaking in Church as "a commandment of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:32-37)

This French diocese is scandalously promoting religious indifferentism, enabling heresy, neglecting their duty to warn Anglicans of their grave situation, and allowing God's holy temple to be profaned. In earlier ages excommunications may have been issued for such activities, but now one may fear that if complaints were made, the diocese would cite a certain directory published in 1993. However, even that ("utterly shocking!") ecumenical document refers to the necessity of taking "special measures to overcome the dangers of indifferentism".

Given the bad example from their leaders, it's no wonder why large sectors of the population in France seem to have long ago forgotten what it means to be Catholic - most of today's French 'Catholics' fail to attend Mass & the majority of them reject the Church's teaching on various sins (earlier story here). If only the faithful ancestors of today's French Catholics could return to protest the profanation of God's holy temples - both the physical churches & the living temples (the souls of so many lost French 'Catholics'), maybe the Church's "eldest daughter" would get back on track.

St. Louis IX, King of France, pray for us!

[8/3]