tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91946717124155355372024-03-18T16:34:29.646+00:00De Omnibus Dubitandum Est....the existential consequences of assuming Cartesian doubt, the method of modern philosophy, to its last consequences.Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.comBlogger1690125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-42990437937831533382024-03-18T16:33:00.003+00:002024-03-18T16:33:33.840+00:00Italian prosecutors to bring charges against Becciu’s brother<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-FlQ8iQYbU2gg0xfE442I4wxkz_6A089F8TxdSYd0EL0_esM7GeGvuGL2yIcmgZjZaJsI1WpJY7uDLi7ff9ZMmeiEbYuD8nYENceK8N56Sx719CYov1-9796xI6_TOHwWAAAPVaPObFF2ODZUekD_iUu1IVHE_fv9uXvhp6_X7G0ZjRZovdCCG0bCjlx/s1200/_methode_times_prod_web_bin_bd7f7740-ff3d-11ea-8eac-e356e4cd0308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-FlQ8iQYbU2gg0xfE442I4wxkz_6A089F8TxdSYd0EL0_esM7GeGvuGL2yIcmgZjZaJsI1WpJY7uDLi7ff9ZMmeiEbYuD8nYENceK8N56Sx719CYov1-9796xI6_TOHwWAAAPVaPObFF2ODZUekD_iUu1IVHE_fv9uXvhp6_X7G0ZjRZovdCCG0bCjlx/w640-h360/_methode_times_prod_web_bin_bd7f7740-ff3d-11ea-8eac-e356e4cd0308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /> The Pillar <a href="https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/italian-prosecutors-to-bring-charges" target="_blank">reports</a>:<br /><br />Public prosecutors in Sardinia are set to bring charges against the brother of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, after completing an investigation into alleged theft and fraud in the management of Church charitable funds.<br /><br />Local police completed their investigation in January, <a href="https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2024/03/indagati-il-fratello-del-cardinale-becciu-e-il-vescovo-di-ozieri--4e422070-4614-4da6-84b1-5c1f6440907f.html">according to a report from Rai</a>, the Italian state broadcaster, and are expected to file charges against Antonio Becciu, his wife Giovanna Pani, and Pani’s daughter. <br /><br />The local director of Caritas, Fr. Mario Curzu is also expected to be charged, along with five other individuals in the case, with prosecutors alleging the group misappropriated more than 2 million euros between 2013 and 2023. <br /><br />The money, identified as coming from the “eight per thousand” system by which Italians taxpayers are required to allocate .8% of their annual income tax return to a recognized religious body or state run social assistance program. <br /><br />According to investigators, the funds originated with the Italian bishops’ conference and were sent to the Sardinian Diocese of Ozieri but channeled into Church charitable accounts controlled by Antonio Becciu and Fr. Curzu and used to fund private interests and business ventures.<br /><br />Lawyers for Becciu and Curzu issued a statement to media Tuesday saying that they have been “aware of the investigation of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Sassari for some time” and now that it had concluded they “are finally allowed the possibility of clarifying the positions of all the people involved.”<br /><br />The lawyers said that they “would have preferred the confidentiality on the facts,” rather than public disclosure of the allegations, until their clients had been able to offer their own account of events to prosecutors, but insisted they would mount a vigorous defense.<br /><br />Becciu and Cruzu were repeatedly cited in the Vatican financial crimes trial, which concluded in December last year. Both men were summoned to appear as witnesses by judges in Vatican City to answer questions about the conduct of Cardinal Becciu, who was convicted on several counts of financial crimes and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.<br /><br />Both Antonio Becciu and Fr. Cruzu refused to appear during the Vatican trial, despite repeated summons.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/fraternally-francis-the-becciu-francis-letters-hit-vatican-courtroom">Sources close to the prosecution have previously told </a><a href="https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/fraternally-francis-the-becciu-francis-letters-hit-vatican-courtroom">The Pillar</a> that the priest and the cardinal’s brother refused to appear in court because they were concerned they would face the choice either to implicate themselves in criminal activity or make false statements, which could have been used against them by Italian prosecutors.<br /><br />Cardinal Becciu has appealed his convictions — as have Vatican prosecutors, who are seeking a longer sentence.<br /><br />Among the charges on which the cardinal was convicted, he was found by judges to have embezzled Church funds by arranging for more than hundreds of thousands of euros to be sent to bank accounts controlled by his brother, Antonio, who runs the Spes Cooperative, a Catholic charity in Sardinia.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/not-a-cent-becciu-tells-vatican-judges">The cardinal said during the trial</a> that he authorized an initial 100,000 euro loan, later converted to a 50,000 euro donation from the Italian bishops’ conference, because he was “excited” by his brother’s charitable work which, he said, made him “blush, as aAsked about two more payments, one of which was made from a Vatican Secretariat of State account into his brother’s personal bank account and totaled 130,000 euros, Becciu insisted that it is ordinary practice for Vatican funds to be deposited with individuals, including family members, for charitable purposes. <br /><br />The cardinal was convicted for breaking Vatican City and canon laws prohibiting the alienation of Church funds or property to family members.<br /><br />Both Vatican and Italian prosecutors have disputed how “charitable” the Becciu brothers’ purposes were, however. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.pillarcatholic.com/becciu-meets-with-pope-francis-to-clarify-secret-recording-amid-mounting-scandals/">Italian financial police had identified forged delivery receipts for nearly 20 tons of bread, which was supposedly delivered to parishes by Spes for distribution to the poor.</a><br /><br />In November 2022, Vatican prosecutors told the court that their Italian counterparts had found the forged receipts among nearly 1,000 pages of paperwork they examined.<br /><br />When the paperwork for the supposed deliveries was produced, no one could recognize the signatures on the documents, prosecutors said. <br /><br />Italian financial police concluded that invoices were created just weeks before police searches, and were fabricated to cover supposed deliveries dating back to 2018, for which no other records exist. priest.”<br /><br />Asked about two more payments, one of which was made from a Vatican Secretariat of State account into his brother’s personal bank account and totaled 130,000 euros, Becciu insisted that it is ordinary practice for Vatican funds to be deposited with individuals, including family members, for charitable purposes. <br /><br />The cardinal was convicted for breaking Vatican City and canon laws prohibiting the alienation of Church funds or property to family members.<br /><br />Both Vatican and Italian prosecutors have disputed how “charitable” the Becciu brothers’ purposes were, however. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.pillarcatholic.com/becciu-meets-with-pope-francis-to-clarify-secret-recording-amid-mounting-scandals/">Italian financial police had identified forged delivery receipts for nearly 20 tons of bread, which was supposedly delivered to parishes by Spes for distribution to the poor.</a><br /><br />In November 2022, Vatican prosecutors told the court that their Italian counterparts had found the forged receipts among nearly 1,000 pages of paperwork they examined.<br /><br />When the paperwork for the supposed deliveries was produced, no one could recognize the signatures on the documents, prosecutors said. <br /><br />Italian financial police concluded that invoices were created just weeks before police searches, and were fabricated to cover supposed deliveries dating back to 2018, for which no other records exist.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-29069010671551384892024-03-18T12:52:00.004+00:002024-03-18T12:52:44.533+00:00East End Evangelisation<p> </p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/khzkS47iWMA?si=-xWNwgNe-hzVWJRM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-40054587243055255202024-02-23T12:09:00.000+00:002024-02-23T12:09:01.761+00:00"Embarking on a Quest: In Dialogue with Father Paschal Uche and Mark Lambert"<p>Journeying through the depths of contemporary society, Father Paschal Uche and Mark Lambert engage in a riveting discourse exploring the intricacies of evangelization amidst a secular backdrop. Their dialogue unfurls a tapestry of insights, illuminating the pressing need for a revitalized commitment to the transformative essence of the Gospel.</p>With candor and conviction, they delve into the labyrinthine challenges faced by the Church in its mission, grappling with the specters of apathy and ennui that often cloak congregations. Together, they unveil the urgency of authentic exemplars of sanctity, those luminous beacons igniting fervor and faith amid the prevailing shadows.<br /><br />Their exchange resounds with a clarion call to confront head-on the encroaching secularization of faith, championing Christ as the sovereign nucleus of the Church's sacred vocation. Through their discourse, a resounding refrain emerges: a clarion call to rekindle the flames of evangelization, to walk hand in hand with fellow pilgrims along the path of spiritual discovery.<br /><br />Key Insights:The labyrinth of evangelization in secular terrain presents hurdles such as apathy, ennui, and a dearth of Gospel comprehension.<br />The Church must boldly confront the secular tide, championing the Gospel's transformative potency.<br />Authentic models of holiness stand as potent catalysts, stirring hearts to embrace and embody their faith.<br />At the heart of the Church's mission lies Christ, the radiant lodestar guiding all evangelization endeavors.<br /><br />In the crucible of their dialogue, Father Paschal Uche and Mark Lambert beckon us all to embark on a profound odyssey, one where the light of truth shines ever brighter amidst the encircling gloom.<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(227, 227, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QLUKZASbQrs?si=yECWabijxBvFjY8_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-30693532246798178042024-01-19T13:23:00.003+00:002024-01-19T14:52:11.422+00:00Gay blessings and theological porn: why leading cardinals are distancing themselves from Pope Francis<p> <span style="font-family: minion-pro, serif; font-size: 20px;">Just before Christmas, the Vatican’s new doctrinal chief Cardinal Victor ‘Tucho’ Fernandez unveiled a new style of blessing designed to make gay couples feel at home in church without changing the Church’s teaching on marriage. The Argentinian Tucho has for years been Pope Francis’s protégé – but for how much longer? The new gay blessings, supposedly blessing the couple but not their union, have been decisively rejected by all the Catholic bishops of Africa, forcing Francis to backtrack and say they could ignore Fernandez’s decree. Then, last week, it was revealed that in 1998 Tucho published a book on, of all things, the theology of orgasms. It is jaw-droppingly graphic, has been widely described as ‘creepy’, and has encouraged leading cardinals hoping to succeed Francis to distance themselves from this pontificate.</span></p><p style="border-color: var(--c-black); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: minion-pro, serif; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: var(--size-16); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Listen to this episode of <em style="border-color: var(--c-black); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;">Holy Smoke</em> if you want to know about the new crisis tearing apart the Catholic Church – but be warned: the erotic musings of the future Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith are not suitable for children.</p><p style="border-color: var(--c-black); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: minion-pro, serif; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: var(--size-16); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></p><p style="border-color: var(--c-black); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: minion-pro, serif; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: var(--size-16); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Listen to the podcast here: <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/gay-blessings-and-theological-porn-why-leading-cardinals-are-distancing-themselves-from-pope-francis/">https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/gay-blessings-and-theological-porn-why-leading-cardinals-are-distancing-themselves-from-pope-francis/</a></p><p style="border-color: var(--c-black); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: minion-pro, serif; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: var(--size-16); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K2uFA0NVOEO98WoCkslxcXmxvoh-u8BeXNIs3xTd31zObp9qWC3Np5JQe7K9A-YxUGXx86gtKtgDSBZRfC_2Gs67X8SvYO0InNKr09xrv9YmNumgNWfPv-5jrGRq15KWESxedWNqMHVu2GphXyvgqAruDi6dm3HmiLtiFOxgE1O5uKjQKPqNS7fSmrPu/s960/LR7CFXZHRFJMROOT4SOHTWCM3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K2uFA0NVOEO98WoCkslxcXmxvoh-u8BeXNIs3xTd31zObp9qWC3Np5JQe7K9A-YxUGXx86gtKtgDSBZRfC_2Gs67X8SvYO0InNKr09xrv9YmNumgNWfPv-5jrGRq15KWESxedWNqMHVu2GphXyvgqAruDi6dm3HmiLtiFOxgE1O5uKjQKPqNS7fSmrPu/w640-h426/LR7CFXZHRFJMROOT4SOHTWCM3A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="border-color: var(--c-black); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: minion-pro, serif; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: var(--size-16); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></p>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-27503458448500171522024-01-18T10:04:00.007+00:002024-01-18T14:44:53.740+00:00Salford Diocese continues to promote LGBT+ "Mass"<p>When one considers the paucity of leadership the Catholics of England and Wales are forced to endure, a couple of names consistently float to the surface.</p><p>Perhaps the most concerning is Bishop John Stanley Kenneth Arnold, Bishop of Salford. Former Vicar General of Westminster Archdiocese and rumoured to deeply desire the episcopacy of that Archdiocese. He will celebrate ten years as bishop of Salford this September.</p>Bishop John is a member of the Bishops’ Conference Department for International Affairs; Chair of CAFOD’s Board of Trustees and a Trustee of Caritas Social Action Network. At CAFOD he approved the appointment of the current director <a href="http://marklambert.blogspot.com/2018/11/cafod-catholic-in-name-only.html">who is clearly at odds with Catholic teaching</a>. He is also the <a href="https://www.cbcew.org.uk/lead-bishop-for-environment-makes-plea-to-prime-minister-ahead-of-cop28/" target="_blank">Environmental Lead for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales</a>.<div><br /></div>Bishop John is clearly seriously at odds with much of the Catholic faith and overly concerned with issues best described as mission creep. He advised the Catenian Association to drop "practicing Catholic" from its statutes and is obsessed with CAFOD and climate change, issues which might seem trendy, but in reality only diminish the Gospel.<br /><br />He also loves an "LGBTQI+ Mass" - more on some of that stuff <a href="http://marklambert.blogspot.com/2022/11/bishop-arnold-uses-pope-francis-to.html">here</a>. To me he epitomises so many of the bishops: he likes the trappings and power but is very uncomfortable with what the Church actually teaches. <div><br /></div><div>His diocesan Twitter feed is once again promoting LGBTQIA+++ "Mass":</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu14tVLY-ZsvaP24m2M26ltCjfXQpF5rzhyAiHT8rzzmhV2KEdEa5Jci36B2lUecKAuPfNtVgCit3mrLVtYll9jf3j8QZjod6E_kW0MfOCpmzHuNx8zZVPSIPX0tMZJr1-qGJL1P0nyydNhlWb76lnbLEd1RzO2vsdDMYFDERqsPNbYuQQDu9P-yl79qrV/s724/Salford.1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu14tVLY-ZsvaP24m2M26ltCjfXQpF5rzhyAiHT8rzzmhV2KEdEa5Jci36B2lUecKAuPfNtVgCit3mrLVtYll9jf3j8QZjod6E_kW0MfOCpmzHuNx8zZVPSIPX0tMZJr1-qGJL1P0nyydNhlWb76lnbLEd1RzO2vsdDMYFDERqsPNbYuQQDu9P-yl79qrV/w528-h640/Salford.1.png" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>"All are welcome" - a betrayal of the Gospel call to repentance and a fatal undermining of Catholic anthropology on so many levels. And Bishop John has lots of history! When, <a href="https://marklambert.blogspot.com/2022/11/bishop-arnold-uses-pope-francis-to.html" target="_blank">in 2022</a>, Michael Haynes of <i>Lifesite News</i> <a href="https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/english-bishop-defends-lgbt-masses-being-together-trumps-preaching-the-virtue-of-chastity/">asked</a> bishop Arnold whether “LGBT Masses”, widely promoted by him in Salford diocese, taught Catholic Church teaching – specifically on sexuality, chastity, and the denial of Holy Communion to those obviously living in a state contrary to Church teaching, such as in a practicing same-sex relationship, Arnold immediately deferred to pope Francis – what is the point of him? Do bishops now bear no responsibility for teaching the faith? Does bishop Arnold have no idea himself what the Church teaches or should teach on the issue? What a sorry excuse for a bishop!<div><br /><blockquote style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: x-large; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>“Pope Francis asks us to welcome everybody and to accept people as they are, made in the image of God,”</b> </i>Arnold replied,<i> <b>“and I think the Mass should focus primarily on the message of the Scriptures of the day – that we are concerned about the ongoing conversion of all of us.”</b></i></div></blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>Can they not see the CONTRADICTION?<br /><br />I have no doubt every child can. This is not what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about this issue and frankly it smacks of moral relativism: Fast becoming the hallmark of this papacy!<br /><br />They are robbing the faithful of the opportunity of repentance and re-making their lives in the image of Christ. In short, they are doing the opposite of what they are commissioned to do!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So Arnold is demonstrably bad at teaching the faith. His governance at CAFOD has led to the appointment of a director who has expressed opinions <a href="https://marklambert.blogspot.com/2018/11/cafod-catholic-in-name-only.html" target="_blank">fundamentally at odds with Catholic teaching in pertinent areas</a>. He must be a financial wizard or something then? No, in fact from the figures, it looks like Salford Diocese is in serious financial crisis:</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXCE3kt_l40bwfwETYgeKt6CWJjUrx4DE_JZqaTn8A7bSaZw6GTmGA_JiPk6nOYjrcbXJ58wd7Qr2eeRjCPQR6L2s3-ov9Q29OXG5SBLDRXAJGVZAmv4-FjtpWF8e3X6qydy9Uu5_rIqYhK8UKBLcE8M7ka1mJPf0UFURHXSClifIhaTrVnpaIYlPIjZ3/s909/Salford.2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="909" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXCE3kt_l40bwfwETYgeKt6CWJjUrx4DE_JZqaTn8A7bSaZw6GTmGA_JiPk6nOYjrcbXJ58wd7Qr2eeRjCPQR6L2s3-ov9Q29OXG5SBLDRXAJGVZAmv4-FjtpWF8e3X6qydy9Uu5_rIqYhK8UKBLcE8M7ka1mJPf0UFURHXSClifIhaTrVnpaIYlPIjZ3/w640-h124/Salford.2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCgupkbI-AdHNeK5dbQ_c8VYJgtT6H3-AJt_F1n8aaDXKzL7mpzj6gWjlXDaSP3OksXclY9yQM-SzTCT75xBqON3x70JHHMMzx16ewqrlba5rhtnlJioOwC4eOe1O8uFyk8YTGJcCYc6G7H3bxNVfgat87tJguuTxVTr5SbwGILIWC5nu9X9AwFUWhFPB/s1165/Salford.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1165" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCgupkbI-AdHNeK5dbQ_c8VYJgtT6H3-AJt_F1n8aaDXKzL7mpzj6gWjlXDaSP3OksXclY9yQM-SzTCT75xBqON3x70JHHMMzx16ewqrlba5rhtnlJioOwC4eOe1O8uFyk8YTGJcCYc6G7H3bxNVfgat87tJguuTxVTr5SbwGILIWC5nu9X9AwFUWhFPB/w640-h482/Salford.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><br />Oh dear.<br /><div><br /></div><div>So is it vocations? He must be attracting lots of new priests to the diocese with his forward thinking, progressive agenda, right? Let's have a look on the<a href="https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A14454140&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Faccounts-and-annual-returns&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=250037" target="_blank"> Diocese of Salford Annual Report and Accounts:</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cLiAWuC3S7ps5LdqTXt2fDF1FdyzdgXnXlJi0Lb-7IrPfdE2udf-Rg2BD1xKthSYdVa3hyxtoOK79NVA_PIyTkKZXcQITUMdDPi1QvflJky5f5BblITM2DU558eszauly5FX_ZP441jlWUvQyRRiynw_IA1omCv6nrJPPI13UENV7i9NBdRn1T6x0yhQ/s914/GEE_9RmWkAEa0nd.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="914" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cLiAWuC3S7ps5LdqTXt2fDF1FdyzdgXnXlJi0Lb-7IrPfdE2udf-Rg2BD1xKthSYdVa3hyxtoOK79NVA_PIyTkKZXcQITUMdDPi1QvflJky5f5BblITM2DU558eszauly5FX_ZP441jlWUvQyRRiynw_IA1omCv6nrJPPI13UENV7i9NBdRn1T6x0yhQ/w640-h92/GEE_9RmWkAEa0nd.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Oh dear. So that's a disaster too!</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Bishop John completely out of his depth here?</div><div><br /></div><div>Warbling on about the environment, dumbing down or totally contradicting Catholic teaching, killing his diocese through bad stewardship, bad teaching, mis-management. Are we supposed to just let this happen until the diocese is bankrupt and everything the Catholics before us built up has been destroyed?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-90676621236218143492024-01-14T18:19:00.007+00:002024-01-14T18:22:15.311+00:00Archbishop Charles Chaput weighs the cost of Pope Francis decade of making a mess Archbishop Charles Chaput's reputation and his exclusion from becoming a cardinal despite his important role as Archbishop of Philadelphia are discussed. The connection between Archbishop Chaput and The Pillar, an independent Catholic news outlet, is explored. The confusion caused by the Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans and the Pope's response to criticism are highlighted. The importance of clarity, consistency, and speaking the truth in love is emphasized. The urgent challenge of anthropology and the crisis of fatherhood and male Christian spiritual leadership are addressed. The chapter concludes with a call to prayer for the Church and the Pope.<div><br /></div><div>You can support me here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa192d2lVSnJQdmhmeTgxSzk1cm5zT2dZcVNKZ3xBQ3Jtc0tueWZGT3Etd3lCMnVRTnNiLWEwZmcwb2k5c3U3QTZnZ21TMkx6TjNEaTl6ekFwbWhtbHJZVWRCRjlRYVRoWTBxb2VQb1dkZ240c01RV1JERTNqTGQ0a3o4R0pwN3NncWVKbkNSdEVPWGE5RS1FNUpCaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buymeacoffee.com%2Fmklambert2r&v=SBS_UjvACWc">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mklambert2r</a><br /><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SBS_UjvACWc?si=OME1NlQoDJczcERf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-59033751161060581092024-01-12T09:27:00.001+00:002024-01-12T09:27:50.642+00:00Fiducia Supplicans: "a heresy that seriously undermines the Church, the Body of Christ, because it is contrary to the Catholic faith and Tradition"<p> My video on Cardinal Sarah's comments regarding Fiducia Supplicans:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XEOXPiTF0_o?si=LXj_9hiJ_UIkypDx" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><div>If you don't already, please do like and subscribe to my Youtube channel!</div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-10623791639084047432024-01-08T11:24:00.006+00:002024-01-08T11:51:22.542+00:00Cardinal Sarah on Fiducia Supplicans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi0OCneuGRJB7yJkjOF5UBAavTjStY103xi15NzgO-JzHKizyJ2nP0F7tuA-X0qZmj_ZrJa9YgSoOtk57-e1uK1jUCestHNUntbCYt87L7hZV-6prHSnb9xa5dwEAHo4XEs4nuXWfLiFQ9FX4gzRwluFW3h7qJB26UTanUHt5wjw7LNVyPg95X4qW7tvP/s678/++Sarah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="678" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi0OCneuGRJB7yJkjOF5UBAavTjStY103xi15NzgO-JzHKizyJ2nP0F7tuA-X0qZmj_ZrJa9YgSoOtk57-e1uK1jUCestHNUntbCYt87L7hZV-6prHSnb9xa5dwEAHo4XEs4nuXWfLiFQ9FX4gzRwluFW3h7qJB26UTanUHt5wjw7LNVyPg95X4qW7tvP/w640-h426/++Sarah.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Breaking news this
morning that Cardinal Robert Sarah, the former Prefect for the Congregation for
Divine Worship, the Vatican’s Liturgical Office now headed by former Bishop of
Leeds Cardinal Arthur Roche, has entrusted the veteran Italian Vaticanista
Sandro Magister at the Settimo Cielo blog <a href="https://www.diakonos.be/fiducia-supplicans-il-cardinale-sarah-ci-opponiamo-a-uneresia-che-mina-gravemente-la-chiesa/">with
his reflection</a> on the current state of confusion in the Church
following the recent declaration of the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith <i><a href="https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_it.html">Fiducia
supplicans.<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></a></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There can be no
doubt his comments constitute a firm rejection of the Vatican declaration, but
they also reflect the dismay of many Catholics regarding the tenor, self-contradictory
content and poor timing of this document.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Directly quoting
Pope Francis on the devil, the Cardinal laments that at Christmas, a time when
Jesus brings us peace and, as the Word of God, truth, we have error and
confusion issuing from the Vatican: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"It is
precisely confusion, the lack of clarity and truth and division that have
disturbed and darkened this year's Christmas celebration."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The reflection,
which reads like a Papal Letter, excoriates bishops who endorse <i>Fiducia supplicans</i>,
saying: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"They do the
work of the divider....sowing doubt and scandal in the souls of the faithful by
claiming to bless homosexual unions as if they were legitimate, in conformity
with the nature created by God, as if they could lead to holiness and human happiness.
They only generate errors, scandals, doubts and disappointments. These bishops
ignore or forget the severe warning of Jesus against those who scandalize the
little ones: "Whoever scandalizes even one of these little ones who
believe in me, it is better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck
and to be thrown into the depths of the sea" (Mt 18.6)."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Sarah
seems to turn Pope Francis' own words against him, quoting him directly
regarding the nature of division and confusion introduced by the devil. Sarah
affirms the Pope's words regarding dialogue with the devil and asserts that:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"We do not
enter into discussion with the declaration “<i>Fiducia supplicans</i>”, nor
with its various uses that we have seen multiply. We simply respond with the
Word of God and with the magisterium and traditional teaching of the
Church." <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And he qualifies
the rejection of the declaration by stating: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"Like Jesus,
we dare the first of mercies: the objective truth of deeds"<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The former Prefect
for the Congregation for Divine Worship goes on to clearly state Church
teaching on same-sex attraction, highlighting the clear contradiction between
what the Catholic Church has always taught and the new direction taken by the
newly appointed head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the
Faith, Víctor Manuel "Tucho" Fernández. Cardinal Sarah quotes
Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Saint John Paul II's
monumental Encyclical <i>Veritatis Splendor</i> as well as other sources from
the CDF.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">He then thanks
those who have rejected <i>Fiducia supplicans</i> stating he shares their
"firm opposition" and positively encourages other national or
regional bishops' conferences and every bishop to do the same. Cardinal Sarah
stops short of calling Pope Francis a heretic, instead saying that the rejection
he advocates is not a rejection of Pope Francis, but a firm and radical
opposition to <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"a heresy that
seriously undermines the Church, the Body of Christ, because it is contrary to
the Catholic faith and Tradition."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Sarah then
addresses the Church in Africa, reminding us of the continuing mission given to
the continent by Popes from Paul VI onward as a lung for the Church, especially
aware of "the necessary respect for nature created by God." He cites
Benedict XVI, Opening homily of the second special assembly for Africa of the
Synod of Bishops, 4 October 2009: “Africa represents an immense spiritual
'lung' for a humanity that appears to be in a crisis of faith and hope. But
this 'lung' can also get sick. And at the moment at least two dangerous
pathologies are affecting it: first of all, a disease already widespread in the
Western world, that is, practical materialism, combined with relativist and
nihilistic thinking. […] The so-called 'first' world has sometimes exported and
is exporting toxic spiritual waste, which infects the populations of other
continents, including those in Africa in particular”.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Sarah
wonderfully weaves many of Pope Francis leitmotifs into his reflection: Care
for the environment, as evidenced in the previous passages, his warnings about
the influence of the devil and now he turns to Pope Francis' care for the poor,
stating:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"The Church of
Africa is the voice of the poor, the simple and the small. It has the task of
announcing the Word of God in front of Western Christians who, because they are
rich, equipped with multiple skills in philosophy, theological, biblical and
canonical sciences, believe they are evolved, modern and wise in the wisdom of
the world. But "that which is the foolishness of God is wiser than
men" (1 Cor 1:25). It is therefore not surprising that the bishops of
Africa, in their poverty, are today the heralds of this divine truth in the
face of the power and wealth of some Western episcopates. Because “God has
chosen the one who is foolish to the world to confound the wise; he who is weak
to the world, God has chosen to confound the strong; what is ignoble and
despised by the world, what is nothing, God has chosen to bring to nothing the
things that are, so that no one can boast before God" (1Cor 1,27-28). But
will we have the courage to listen to them in the next session of the Synod on
synodality? Or should we believe that, despite promises to listen and respect,
their warnings will not be taken into account, as we see today? "Beware of
men" (Mt 10:17), says the Lord Jesus, because all this confusion, aroused
by the declaration "<i>Fiducia supplicans</i>", could reappear under
other more subtle and more hidden formulations in the second session of the
Synod on synodality, in 2024 , or in the arguments of those who help the Holy
Father write the post-synodal apostolic exhortation. Didn't Satan tempt the
Lord Jesus three times? We will have to be vigilant about the manipulations and
projects that some are already preparing for this next session of the
Synod."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This evidences the
growing concern among senior clergy regarding the opacity and therefore the
validity of the whole synodality process, which, it has been suggested, is
merely a fig leaf for the progressive agenda already worked out by Pope Francis
and his team. This is perhaps best evidenced by the fact that it has been
reported that Cardinal Fernández had already written <i>Fiducia supplicans</i>
before the synod. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Sarah next
directly addresses one of the most concerning dimensions of the Franciscan
Pontificate, the consistent introduction of confusing sophistry and a refusal
to clarify, stating: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">"Every
successor of the apostles must dare to take seriously the words of Jesus: “Let
your speech be: 'Yes, yes', 'No, no'; anything more comes from the Evil One”
(Mt 5.37). The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers us the example of such a
clear, sharp and courageous word. Any other path would inevitably be truncated,
ambiguous and misleading. At this moment we hear many speeches so subtle and
twisted that they end up falling under this curse pronounced by Jesus:
"Whatever is more comes from the Evil One". New meanings of words are
invented, Scripture is contradicted and falsified while claiming to be faithful
to it. We end up no longer serving the truth."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Sarah says
it is pointless to quibble about the meaning of blessing, directly attacking
the false distinction set up by <i>Fiducia supplicans</i> between so-called
"liturgical blessings" and "spontaneous blessings".
"It is obvious that we can pray for the sinner" he states, the prayer
of the Church is not denied to anyone "But it can never be diverted into a
legitimation of sin, of the structure of sin, or even of the proximate occasion
of sin."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Sarah
makes the important point that the Church offers mercy and welcome to all, yet
hardness of heart, a rejection of conversion, can only result in wrath and
judgement (Rom 2:5-6).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Finally, Cardinal
Sarah alludes to the fact that the direction of travel indicated by <i>Fiducia supplicans</i>
is a direction which fears rejection from the secular world and our adherence
to the truth should not be concerned with seeking the approval of those who
reject Christ and His teachings.<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">This reflection
constitutes a firm rejection of the direction of the Pontificate of Francis
while avoiding an open attack on the office of the Pope. It demonstrates that
the Cardinal has paid great attention to what Pope Francis has taught over the
last decade and is concerned with an attempt to mitigate the Gospel message to
make it seem more acceptable to the world. In the end, all that such a
compromise can do is render the Gospel message impotent, which, perhaps, is
just what the devil and the secular world are seeking to achieve.<o:p></o:p></p><div></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-6321001758187975792024-01-02T16:07:00.003+00:002024-01-02T16:09:17.660+00:00Franciscan University Professor of Theology Regis Martin calls for the pope to resign in light of the scandal of Fiducia Supplicans.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EeCgN0BpMUnly-vUb07iP-IXZlhqBa5QUIvXXXSddPhUIMbVhYrNFHIt2vRn75vSlbUBd7RSTSwTEM-yenPVSabxZDVywOhzvh8SYYqAZhFuRyLra8oUKNJ9BECuseKERmOnqPcv7mdUxhy1UWGVRdA037mIa-_cN836BBfSHKQujgZdkDGMk1_e9ok4/s1402/Crisis%20pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1402" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EeCgN0BpMUnly-vUb07iP-IXZlhqBa5QUIvXXXSddPhUIMbVhYrNFHIt2vRn75vSlbUBd7RSTSwTEM-yenPVSabxZDVywOhzvh8SYYqAZhFuRyLra8oUKNJ9BECuseKERmOnqPcv7mdUxhy1UWGVRdA037mIa-_cN836BBfSHKQujgZdkDGMk1_e9ok4/w640-h362/Crisis%20pic.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Regis Martin is Professor of Theology and Faculty Associate with the Veritas Centre for Ethics in Public Life at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He earned a licentiate and a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He has authored an article in Crisis Magazine today calling for Pope Francis to stand down.<br /><br /><a href="https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/my-advice-step-down" target="_blank">In it he states</a>: <br /><br /><span style="color: #660000;">“Your Holiness, with all due respect, there are two things you must do, and two more you might do. The first two are fairly easy. Get rid of Fernandez; then dump the Declaration. As for the remaining two, these are optional, but I’d strongly recommend both. Resign the Office that has become so tortuous to occupy; then go off to the nearest monastery for a life of prayer and penance.” <br /><br />Who knows, perhaps the former prefect can be persuaded to accompany the former pope into the silence? It could do wonders for both their souls."</span><div><br /></div><div>He draws attention to the pain and suffering caused by such casual leadership:</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #660000;">"the declaration signed and delivered by him is flat out wrong. “A great deception,” to use the language of Archbishop Tomash Peta of Kazakhstan, and his Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider, who assert that its proposed blessings of same-sex couples, along with those committing adultery, “directly and seriously contradict Divine Revelation and the uninterrupted, bimillennial doctrine and practice of the Catholic Church.” Amounting to, they add, “a serious abuse of the most Holy Name of God, since this name is invoked upon an objectively sinful union of adultery or of homosexual activity.” <br /><br />In short, it cannot be salvaged. If left to stand, they argue, the Church herself risks becoming “a propogandist of the globalist and ungodly gender ideology.” And so, to undo the damage, which is both far-reaching and profound, heads must roll. Beginning with the guy who wrote it. But not ending there; he can’t be the only fall guy in the room.<br /><br />A heartless solution, do you think? <br /><br />For whom, actually? Certainly not for the young man I was once told about by the late Fr. Benedict Groeschel, whom he had desperately sought out for advice concerning an ongoing struggle with same-sex attraction. “I’m in a kind of hell,” he told the wise old priest. “And one of these days I’m going to want to get out of that hell. But until I do, Father, please promise me two things: One, that you’ll never give up on me and, two, that you’ll not throw away the map.”<br /><br />With Fiducia Supplicans, it looks as if the Church has just thrown away the map. And without the map, she pretty much gives up on all who struggle with sexual sin. Certainly, there is nothing in the document that could possibly bring solace or encouragement to that young man. Or countless others who struggle, often in ways positively heroic, to overcome their affliction. Who accept the hard sayings of Mother Church with total and heartfelt conviction. They’re not looking to luxuriate in their sin, secure in the knowledge that thanks to Father’s blessing, everything’s just swell. They’re looking for grace, for a bit of hope to tell them the struggle, while hard, is worth it in the end. But you will search in vain to find any acknowledgment of the hidden dramas they enact in their lives."</span><div><br /></div><div>The article concludes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #660000;">"How bewilderingly sad it all is. After all, hadn’t the Pope as recently as two short years ago said exactly the opposite of what is being said now? Unless the Law of Non-Contradiction has been repealed in the meantime, the Church cannot have it both ways. However far Pope Francis may wish to extend the reach of his vaunted “pastoral vision,” it can never encompass the blessing of sin. Either adultery and sodomy are wrong, and those who engage in such practices are committing serious sin and in need of repentance; or there is nothing wrong or untoward about either, and no priest should stand in the way of those who come forward to have their unions blest.<br /><br />That way lies madness. And the Church, which has always stood for sanity, may have to ask the Pope to step down in order to make things sane again."</span><div><br /></div><div>I think this shows just how frustrated and depressed faithful Catholics are with this ruinous papacy. I think this is another huge intervention: Martin joins Cardinals, Bishops and theologians from all around the world who have expressed their concern with the Pope's trajectory and leadership. It may be another huge intervention but the real question is is it bigger than the Pope's planet-sized ego? Time will tell.</div><div><br /></div><div>Read the full thing at <i>Crisis Magazine</i> <a href="https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/my-advice-step-down" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-88482463326604996562023-12-30T12:11:00.006+00:002023-12-30T12:11:40.429+00:00Expert Discussion: 2023 The Fiducia Fiasco, Synodality, Fr Rupnik, and more Don’t miss this candid, lively, and extended conversation with Fr. Gerald Murray, Diane Montagna, Edward Pentin, and TCT Editor-in-chief Robert Royal on the recent Vatican document on blessing same-sex “couples” (and the sharp reaction to it around the world), the year of synodality, the cases of Cardinal Burke, Fr. Rupnik, and Cardinal Becciu, Christian persecution, and prospects for the Church in 2024<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SRLqD0-tQnI?si=m3ig80g5nYH7Pd0U" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-9859160492317182032023-12-22T09:05:00.003+00:002023-12-22T12:04:10.880+00:00Fisking Fiducia Supplicans<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-UwJ34CmhOJR37-Y1bOVgcanMs_5guoyYKf-uo1zaZwpG3Kw47wmeMIBbGvlyV3-n1TfeIBie96ADHjYVgj16XoKxFx50_R74XOJPTcCPEZkccDeL7ufOEX4cLEYTsSnVCrhu5oHmNyK6dnkm4N_6Ojo892JnZBMjiORhpJV_cqz-NVT8bJErXzPBOryM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1265" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-UwJ34CmhOJR37-Y1bOVgcanMs_5guoyYKf-uo1zaZwpG3Kw47wmeMIBbGvlyV3-n1TfeIBie96ADHjYVgj16XoKxFx50_R74XOJPTcCPEZkccDeL7ufOEX4cLEYTsSnVCrhu5oHmNyK6dnkm4N_6Ojo892JnZBMjiORhpJV_cqz-NVT8bJErXzPBOryM=w640-h332" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have thoroughly read through this very worrying Vatican document which tries to legitimise blessing gay couples by introducing a new theology of blessing. Here is the document with my own comments.<div><br /><p></p><p align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Declaration</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Fiducia
Supplicans</span></i></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">On the
Pastoral Meaning of Blessings</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Presentation</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">This Declaration considers several questions that have come to
this Dicastery in recent years. In preparing the document, the Dicastery, as is
its practice, consulted experts, undertook a careful drafting process, and
discussed the text in the <i>Congresso</i> of the Doctrinal Section
of the Dicastery. During that time, the document was discussed with the Holy
Father. Finally, the text of the Declaration was submitted to the Holy Father
for his review, and he approved it with his signature.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">A plea for authority – it’s like, at the very beginning they
know this is going to be deeply problematic, so they have to preface it with
credentials; a desperate attempt to give it credibility the text itself
desperately lacks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">While the subject matter of this document was being studied, the
Holy Father’s response to the <i>Dubia</i> of some Cardinals was made
known. That response provided important clarifications for this reflection and
represents a decisive element for the work of the Dicastery. Since “the Roman
Curia is primarily an instrument at the service of the successor of Peter” (Ap.
Const. <i>Praedicate Evangelium</i>, II, 1), our work must foster, along
with an understanding of the Church’s perennial doctrine, the reception of the
Holy Father’s teaching.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">“the reception of the Holy Father’s teaching” – continues the
trend of almost deifying Francis, putting him as some kind of primary source of
revelation. Deeply ironic as he deliberately undoes the work of his
predecessors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">As with the Holy Father’s above-mentioned response to the <i>Dubia</i> of
two Cardinals, this Declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the
Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing
similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion. </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">What a
hoot! </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">The value of this document, however, is that it offers a specific
and innovative contribution <i>to the pastoral meaning of blessings</i>,
permitting a broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding of
blessings, which is closely linked to a liturgical perspective. Such
theological reflection, based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis, implies a
real development from what has been said about blessings in the Magisterium and
the official texts of the Church. This explains why this text has taken on the
typology of a “Declaration.” </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">A false allusion to the development of
doctrine</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">It is precisely in this context that one can understand the
possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples
without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s
perennial teaching on marriage. </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">What context??<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">The very fact that Fiducia supplicans refers to "couples of
the same sex" is a deviation from what the magisterium clearly taught in
the CDF document on the pastoral care of homosexual persons in 1986, that
"The human person, made in the image and likeness of God, can hardly be
adequately described by a reductionist reference to his or her sexual
orientation." We ought not treat them as "couples" because they
are not coupled - their identity remains singular, a "creature of God, and
by grace, his child and heir to eternal life." Whatever sins, struggles,
intrinsic disorders, or pathologies an individual struggles with does not make
him or her less a creature of God, but by identifying two men who purport to
marry each other as a "couple" we've already surrendered to the
malformed culture the definition of terms upon which so much matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">This Declaration is also intended as a tribute to the faithful
People of God, who worship the Lord with so many gestures of deep trust in his
mercy and who, with this confidence, constantly come to seek a blessing from
Mother Church. </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">Hat tip here to the sensus fidei</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Víctor
Manuel Card. FERNÁNDEZ<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Prefect</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Introduction</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">1. The supplicating trust of the faithful People of God receives
the gift of blessing that flows from the Heart of Christ through his Church.
Pope Francis offers this timely reminder: “The great blessing of God is Jesus
Christ. He is the great gift of God, his own Son. He is a blessing for all
humanity, a blessing that has saved us all. He is the Eternal Word, with whom
the Father blessed us ‘while we were still sinners’ (Rom. 5:8), as St. Paul
says. He is the Word made flesh, offered for us on the cross.”<sup>[1]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">2. Encouraged by such a great and consoling truth, this Dicastery
has considered several questions of both a formal and an informal nature about
the possibility of blessing same-sex couples and—in light of Pope Francis’
fatherly and pastoral approach—of offering new clarifications on the <i>Responsum
ad dubium</i><sup>[2]</sup> that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith published on 22 February 2021. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">Let's remind ourselves of the text of that Responsum: <o:p></o:p></span><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Document of the CDF 2021: " Blessings belong to the category of the sacramentals, whereby the Church “calls us to praise God, encourages us to implore his protection, and exhorts us to seek his mercy by our holiness of life”. In addition, they “have been established as a kind of imitation of the sacraments, blessings are signs above all of spiritual effects that are achieved through the Church’s intercession."</span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Consequently, in order to conform with the nature of sacramentals, when a blessing is invoked on particular human relationships, in addition to the right intention of those who participate, it is necessary that what is blessed be objectively and positively ordered to receive and express grace, according to the designs of God inscribed in creation, and fully revealed by Christ the Lord. Therefore, only those realities which are in themselves ordered to serve those ends are congruent with the essence of the blessing imparted by the Church.</span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">For this reason, it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage (i.e., outside the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex. The presence in such relationships of positive elements, which are in themselves to be valued and appreciated, cannot justify these relationships and render them legitimate objects of an ecclesial blessing, since the positive elements exist within the context of a union not ordered to the Creator’s plan."</span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">CCC 1078: "Blessing is a divine and life-giving action . . When applied to man, the word 'blessing' means adoration, and surrender to his creator in thanksgiving.' </span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Anyone else confused by the latest development of doctrine?</span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">3. The above-mentioned <i>Responsum </i>elicited
numerous and varied reactions: <b>some welcomed the clarity of the document </b></span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><b>and its consistency with the
Church’s perennial teaching;</b> </span><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">[Hang on a minute, I feel a "hold my beer moment coming on here!!!]</span></span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> others did not share the negative response it gave
to the question or did not consider the formulation of its answer and the
reasons provided in the attached <i>Explanatory Note</i> to be
sufficiently clear.</span><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> [What??!! What could be clearer than the above?]</span></span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> To meet the latter reaction with fraternal charity, it
seems opportune to take up the theme again and offer a vision that draws
together the doctrinal aspects with the pastoral ones in a coherent manner </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">this
should be a laugh!</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> because “all religious teaching ultimately has to be reflected in
the teacher’s way of life, which awakens the assent of the heart by its
nearness, love, and witness.”<sup>[3]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">I. The Blessing in the Sacrament of Marriage</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">4. Pope Francis’ recent response<i> </i>to the second of the
five questions posed by two Cardinals<sup>[4]</sup> offers an opportunity
to explore this issue further, especially in its pastoral implications. It is a
matter of avoiding that “something that is not marriage is being recognized as
marriage.”<sup>[5]</sup> <b>Therefore, rites and prayers that could create
confusion between what constitutes marriage—which is the “exclusive, stable,
and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the
generation of children”<sup>[6]</sup>—and what contradicts it are inadmissible.
This conviction is grounded in the perennial Catholic doctrine of marriage; it
is only in this context that sexual relations find their natural, proper, and
fully human meaning. The Church’s doctrine on this point remains firm. </b></span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">This
sounds great – a reaffirmation of doctrine – yet we must remember it is given
in the context of a blessing for same sex couples, which makes it inherently
problematic. As was pointed out with the responsa, how do you make it clear in
blessing it, that you are not equating it with marriage? It seems flaming
obvious that that is exactly what you ARE doing?</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">5. This is also the understanding of marriage that is offered by
the Gospel. For this reason, when it comes to blessings, the Church has the
right and the duty to avoid any rite that might contradict this conviction or
lead to confusion. Such is also the meaning of the <i>Responsum </i>of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which states that the Church
does not have the power to impart blessings on unions of persons of the same
sex.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">6. It should be emphasized that in the Rite of the Sacrament of
Marriage, this concerns not just any blessing but a gesture reserved to the
ordained minister. In this case, the blessing given by the ordained minister is
tied directly to the specific union of a man and a woman, who establish an
exclusive and indissoluble covenant by their consent. This fact allows us to
highlight the risk of confusing a blessing given to any other union with the
Rite that is proper to the Sacrament of Marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">II. The Meaning of the Various Blessings</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">7. The Holy Father’s above-mentioned response invites us to
broaden and enrich the meaning of blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">8. Blessings are among the most widespread and evolving
sacramentals. Indeed, they lead us to grasp God’s presence in all the events of
life and remind us that, even in the use of created things, human beings are
invited to seek God, to love him, and to serve him faithfully.<sup>[7]</sup> For
this reason, blessings have as their recipients: people; objects of worship and
devotion; sacred images; places of life, of work, and suffering; the fruits of
the earth and human toil; and all created realities that refer back to the
Creator, praising and blessing him by their beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">The Liturgical Meaning of the Rite of Blessing</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">9. From a strictly liturgical point of view, a blessing requires
that what is blessed be conformed to God’s will, as expressed in the teachings
of the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">10. Indeed, blessings are celebrated by virtue of faith and are
ordered to the praise of God and the spiritual benefit of his people. As
the <i>Book of Blessings </i>explains, “so that this intent might
become more apparent, by an ancient tradition, <b>the formulas of blessing are
primarily aimed at giving glory to God for his gifts, asking for his favors,
and restraining the power of evil in the world.”<sup>[8]</sup> Therefore,
those who invoke God’s blessing through the Church are invited to “strengthen
their dispositions through faith, for which all things are possible” and to
trust in “the love that urges the observance of God’s commandments.”<sup>[</sup></b><sup>9]</sup> </span><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">PERONISM</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> This is
why, while “there is always and everywhere an opportunity to praise God through
Christ, in the Holy Spirit,” there is also a care to do so with “things,
places, or circumstances that do not contradict the law or the spirit of the
Gospel.”<sup>[10]</sup> This is a liturgical understanding of blessings
insofar as they are rites officially proposed by the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">11. Basing itself on these considerations, the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith’s <i>Explanatory Note </i>to its 2021 <i>Responsum </i>recalls
that when a blessing is invoked on certain human relationships by a special
liturgical rite, it is necessary that what is blessed corresponds with God’s
designs written in creation and fully revealed by Christ the Lord. For this
reason, since <b>the Church has always considered only those sexual relations
that are lived out within marriage to be morally licit, the Church does not
have the power to confer its liturgical blessing when that would somehow offer
a form of moral legitimacy to a union that presumes to be a marriage or to an
extra-marital sexual practice.</b> The Holy Father reiterated the substance of
this Declaration in his <i>Respuestas </i>to the <i>Dubia </i>of<i> </i>two
Cardinals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">This is all good. But it is clearly an attempt to say yes to
doctrine while changing the rules at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">12. One must also avoid the risk of reducing the meaning of
blessings to this point of view alone, for it would lead us to expect the same
moral conditions for a simple blessing that are called for in the reception of
the sacraments. Such a risk requires that we broaden this perspective further.
Indeed, there is the danger that a pastoral gesture that is so beloved and
widespread will be subjected to too many moral prerequisites, which, under the
claim of control, could overshadow the unconditional power of God’s love that
forms the basis for the gesture of blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">13. Precisely in this regard, Pope Francis urged us not to “lose
pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes” and to
avoid being “judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.”<sup>[11]</sup> Let
us then respond to the Holy Father’s proposal by developing a broader
understanding of blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Blessings in Sacred Scripture</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">14. To reflect on blessings by gathering different points of view,
we first need to be enlightened by the voice of Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">15. “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his
face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his
countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num. 6:24-26). This “priestly
blessing” we find in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Numbers,
has a “descending” character since it represents the invocation of a blessing
that descends from God upon man: it is one of the oldest texts of divine
blessing. Then, there is a second type of blessing we find in the biblical pages:
that which “ascends” from earth to heaven, toward God. Blessing in this sense
amounts to praising, celebrating, and thanking God for his mercy and his
faithfulness, for the wonders he has created, and for all that has come about
by his will: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, bless his
holy name!” (Ps<i>. </i>103:1).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">16. To God who blesses, we also respond by blessing. Melchizedek,
King of Salem, blesses Abram (cf. Gen. 14:19); Rebekah is blessed by family
members just before she becomes the bride of Isaac (cf. Gen. 24:60), who, in
turn, blesses his son, Jacob (cf. Gen. 27:27). Jacob blesses Pharaoh (cf. Gen.
47:10), his own grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh (cf. Gen. 48:20), and his
twelve sons (cf. Gen. 49:28). Moses and Aaron bless the community (cf. Ex.
39:43; Lev. 9:22). The heads of households bless their children at weddings,
before embarking on a journey, and in the imminence of death. These blessings,
accordingly, appear to be a superabundant and unconditional gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">17. The blessing found in the New Testament retains essentially
the same meaning it had in the Old Testament. We find the divine gift that
“descends,” the human thanksgiving that “ascends,” and the blessing imparted by
man that “extends” toward others. Zechariah, having regained the use of speech,
blesses the Lord for his wondrous works (cf. Lk.<i> </i>1:64). Simeon,
while holding the newborn Jesus in his arms, blesses God for granting him the
grace to contemplate the saving Messiah, and then blesses the child’s parents,
Mary and Joseph (cf. Lk.<i> </i>2:34). Jesus blesses the Father in the
famous hymn of praise and exultation he addressed to him: “I praise you, O
Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Mt.<i> </i>11:25).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">18. In continuity with the Old Testament, in Jesus as well the
blessing is not only ascending, referring to the Father, but is also
descending, being poured out on others as a gesture of grace, protection, and
goodness. Jesus himself implemented and promoted this practice. For example, he
blessed children: “And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his
hands upon them” (Mk.<i> </i>10:16). And Jesus’ earthly journey will end
precisely with a final blessing reserved for the Eleven, shortly before he ascends
to the Father: “And lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed
them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven” (Lk.<i> </i>24:50-51).
The last image of Jesus on earth is that of his hands being raised in the act
of blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">19. In his mystery of love, through Christ, God communicates to
his Church the power to bless. Granted by God to human beings and bestowed by
them on their neighbors, the blessing is transformed into inclusion,
solidarity, and peacemaking. It is a positive message of comfort, care, and
encouragement. The blessing expresses God’s merciful embrace and the Church’s
motherhood, which invites the faithful to have the same feelings as God toward
their brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Joshua 7:1-7: 26
Sin Blocks Blessing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">A Theological-Pastoral Understanding of Blessings</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">20. One who asks for a blessing show himself to be in need of
God’s saving presence in his life and one who asks for a blessing from the
Church recognizes the latter as a sacrament of the salvation that God offers.
To seek a blessing in the Church is to acknowledge that the life of the Church
springs from the womb of God’s mercy and helps us to move forward, to live
better, and to respond to the Lord’s will.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">Or it is seeking affirmation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">21. In order to help us understand the value of a more pastoral
approach to blessings, Pope Francis urges us to contemplate, with an attitude
of faith and fatherly mercy, the fact that “when one asks for a blessing, one
is expressing a petition for God’s assistance, a plea to live better, and
confidence in a Father who can help us live better.”<sup>[12]</sup> This
request should, in every way<b>, </b>be valued, accompanied, and received
with gratitude. People who come spontaneously to ask for a blessing show by
this request their sincere openness to transcendence, the confidence of their
hearts that they do not trust in their own strength alone, their need for God,
and their desire to break out of the narrow confines of this world, enclosed in
its limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">You cannot subjectively know this – you cannot know what
people’s motivation actually is – you can say what it should be and what a
blessing conveys. Homosexuality is outside of God’s plan for sexual
relationships which must be ordered to life. It takes great courage to live out
this life in fidelity to the Gospel and same sex attracted people need great
clarity, love and encouragement to do so. Those who have fully embraced
homosexuality have broadly long rejected the Gospel, why would they be seeking
a blessing? Surely a blessing would form a valuable part of ongoing pastoral
care in guiding someone away from a homosexual lifestyle and towards fidelity
to the Gospel?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">22. As St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus teaches us, this confidence
“is the sole path that leads us to the Love that grants everything. With
confidence, the wellspring of grace overflows into our lives […]. It is most
fitting, then, that we should place heartfelt trust not in ourselves but in the
infinite mercy of a God who loves us unconditionally […]. The sin of the world
is great but not infinite, whereas the merciful love of the Redeemer is indeed
infinite.”<sup>[13]<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></sup></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">Here is another hat tip to the constant overplaying of mercy –
setting up a false dichotomy between justice and love – a game we have seen
played so often, though it only demonstrates a poor theological grasp of the
basic message of revelation!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">23. When considered outside of a liturgical framework, these
expressions of faith are found in a realm of greater spontaneity and freedom.
Nevertheless, “the optional nature of pious exercises should in no way be taken
to imply an under-estimation or even disrespect for such practices. The way
forward in this area requires a correct and wise appreciation of the many
riches of popular piety, [and] of the potentiality of these same riches.”<sup>[14]</sup> In
this way, blessings become a pastoral resource to be valued rather than a risk
or a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">24. From the point of view of pastoral care, blessings should be
evaluated as acts of devotion that “are external to the celebration of the Holy
Eucharist and of the other sacraments.” Indeed, the “language, rhythm, course,
and theological emphasis” of popular piety differ “from those of the
corresponding liturgical action.” For this reason, “pious practices must
conserve their proper style, simplicity, and language, [and] attempts to impose
forms of ‘liturgical celebration’ on them are always to be avoided.”<sup>[15]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">This is so much nonsense – you cannot differentiate between
liturgical and spontaneous blessings, this is a nonsense which is employed here
to act as a smoke screen for blessing gay couples.</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">25. The Church, moreover, must shy away from resting its pastoral
praxis on the fixed nature of certain doctrinal or disciplinary schemes,
especially when they lead to “a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism, </span><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">[What? Banning the Traditional Latin Mass isn't narcissistic authoritarianism though I suppose??]</span></span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> whereby
instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of
opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and
verifying.”<sup>[16]</sup> Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an
exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring
it. For, those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral
perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">Who on earth expects people coming forward for a blessing to have "moral perfection"? Rather than “exhaustive moral analysis” (which appears to be a
short hand for “don’t ask – don’t tell”) surely this is just good pastoral
practice? To enquire in love about the situation you are being asked to
affirm??? Fr Christopher’s approach struck me as an extremely generous and
pastoral one. The Pope works under the pretence of a pastoral approach but here
it is clearly no more than a pretence - an excuse for gay blessings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">26. In this perspective, the Holy Father’s <i>Respuestas </i>aid
in expanding the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s 2021
pronouncement from a pastoral point of view. For, the <i>Respuestas </i>invite
discernment concerning the possibility of “forms of blessing, requested by one
or more persons, that do not convey an erroneous conception of marriage”<sup>[17]</sup> and,
in situations that are morally unacceptable from an objective point of view,
account for the fact that “pastoral charity requires us not to treat simply as
‘sinners’ those whose guilt or responsibility may be attenuated by various
factors affecting subjective imputability.”<sup>[18]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">I get that this is about not turning away people who are seeking
repentance and want to be reconciled, but first you have to recognise that you
need to change and that involve conviction<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">27. In the catechesis cited at the beginning of this Declaration,
Pope Francis proposed a description of this kind of blessing that is offered to
all without requiring anything. It is worth reading these words with an open
heart, for they help us grasp the pastoral meaning of blessings offered without
preconditions: “It is God who blesses. In the first pages of the Bible, there
is a continual repetition of blessings. God blesses, but humans also give
blessings, and soon it turns out that the blessing possesses a special power,
which accompanies those who receive it throughout their lives, and disposes
man’s heart to be changed by God. <sup>[…] </sup>So we are more
important to God than all the sins we can commit because he is father, he is
mother, he is pure love, he has blessed us forever. And he will never stop
blessing us. It is a powerful experience to read these biblical texts of
blessing in a prison or in a rehabilitation group. To make those people feel
that they are still blessed, notwithstanding their serious mistakes, that their
heavenly Father continues to will their good and to hope that they will
ultimately open themselves to the good. Even if their closest relatives have
abandoned them, because they now judge them to be irredeemable, God always sees
them as his children.”<sup>[19]<o:p></o:p></sup></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">Although there is some truth to the idea that biblical
covenantal initiative is from God and without condition the text deliberately
(it seems) ignores that we are to respond in fidelity and prayer (CCC 2567). This
is a twisting of the biblical theology of blessings: <span style="background: white;">The Bible teaches that people are to respond to God's initiative
expressed in His covenant through prayer, obedience of faith, and acceptance of
His truth. It’s like this only gives half the story?!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">28. There are several occasions when people spontaneously ask for
a blessing, whether on pilgrimages, at shrines, or even on the street when they
meet a priest. By way of example, we can refer to the<i> Book of Blessings</i>,
which provides several rites for blessing people, including the elderly, the
sick, participants in a catechetical or prayer meeting, pilgrims, those
embarking on a journey, volunteer groups and associations, and more. Such
blessings are meant for everyone; no one is to be excluded from them. In the
introduction to the <i>Order for the Blessing of Elderly People, </i>for<i> </i>example,
it is stated that the purpose of this blessing is “so that the elderly
themselves may receive from their brethren a testimony of respect and
gratitude, while together with them, we give thanks to the Lord for the favors
they received from him and for the good they did with his help.”<sup>[20]</sup> In
this case, the subject of the blessing is the elderly person, for whom and with
whom thanks is being given to God for the good he has done and for the benefits
received. No one can be prevented from this act of giving thanks, and each
person—even if he or she lives in situations that are not ordered to the
Creator’s plan—possesses positive elements for which we can praise the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">29. From the perspective of the ascending dimension, when one
becomes aware of the Lord’s gifts and his unconditional love, even in sinful
situations—particularly when a prayer finds a hearing—the believer’s heart
lifts its praise to God and blesses him. No one is precluded from this type of
blessing. Everyone, individually or together with others, can lift their praise
and gratitude to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">This strikes me as a bit weird- presupposing what someone thinks
or feels or how their heart moves in a hypothetical encounter – there are way
too many variables to be able to make a statement like this, surely it is
simply an appeal to hypotheticals set up to justify the direction the DDF wants
to take here?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">30. The popular understanding of blessings, however, also values
the importance of descending blessings. While “it is not appropriate for a
Diocese, a Bishops’ Conference, or any other ecclesial structure to constantly
and officially establish procedures or rituals for all kinds of matters,”<sup>[21]</sup> pastoral
prudence and wisdom—avoiding all serious forms of scandal and confusion among
the faithful—may suggest that the ordained minister join in the prayer of those
persons who, although in a union that cannot be compared in any way to a
marriage, desire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy, to invoke his
help, and to be guided to a greater understanding of his plan of love and of
truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">III. Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples
of the Same Sex</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">31. <b>Within the horizon outlined here appears the possibility of
blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex</b>,</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"> here’s
the problematic bit</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> the form of which should not be fixed ritually by ecclesial
authorities to avoid producing confusion with the blessing proper to the
Sacrament of Marriage. In such cases, a blessing may be imparted that not only
has an ascending value but also involves the invocation of a blessing that
descends from God upon those who—recognizing themselves to be destitute and in
need of his help—do not claim a legitimation of their own status, but who beg
that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their
relationships be enriched, healed, and elevated by the presence of the Holy
Spirit. These forms of blessing express a supplication that God may grant those
aids that come from the impulses of his Spirit—what classical theology calls
“actual grace”—so that human relationships may mature and grow in fidelity to
the Gospel, that they may be freed from their imperfections and frailties, and
that they may express themselves in the ever-increasing dimension of the divine
love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">This is over egging the pudding it seems to me: a blessing may
increase sorrow for sin and the desire for repentance, conviction of heart etc
(Prevenient Grace) but does not give Sanctifying Grace without proper
repentance and Confession: Sin blocks grace. We are only being given part of
the story in this paragraph, again because it suits the agenda. Also, no
citations in this paragraph!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">32. Indeed, the grace of God works in the lives of those who do
not claim to be righteous but <b>who acknowledge themselves humbly as sinners</b>,
</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">ß</span></span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;">that’s the important bit</span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> like
everyone else. This grace can orient everything according to the mysterious and
unpredictable designs of God. Therefore, with its untiring wisdom and motherly
care, the Church welcomes all who approach God with humble hearts, accompanying
them with those spiritual aids that enable everyone to understand and realize
God’s will fully in their existence.<sup>[22]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">33. This is a blessing that, although not included in any
liturgical rite,<sup>[23]</sup> unites intercessory prayer with the
invocation of God’s help by those who humbly turn to him. God never turns away
anyone who approaches him! Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to
increase their trust in God. The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and
nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a
thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world
in which we live. It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not
hindered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">34. The Church’s liturgy itself invites us to adopt this trusting
attitude, even in the midst of our sins, lack of merits, weaknesses, and
confusions, as witnessed by this beautiful Collect from the Roman Missal:
“Almighty ever-living God, who in the abundance of your kindness surpass the
merits and the desires of those who entreat you, pour out your mercy upon us to
pardon what conscience dreads and to give what prayer does not dare to ask”
(Collect for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday<i> </i>of Ordinary Time). How often,
through a pastor’s simple blessing, which does not claim to sanction or
legitimize anything, can people experience the nearness of the Father, beyond
all “merits” and “desires”?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">35. Therefore, the pastoral sensibility of ordained ministers
should also be formed to perform blessings spontaneously that are not found in
the <i>Book of Blessings</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">36. In this sense, it is essential to grasp the Holy Father’s
concern that these non-ritualized blessings never cease being simple gestures
that provide an effective means of increasing trust in God on the part of the
people who ask for them, careful that they should not become a liturgical or
semi-liturgical act, similar to a sacrament. Indeed, such a ritualization would
constitute a serious impoverishment because it would subject a gesture of great
value in popular piety to excessive control, depriving ministers of freedom and
spontaneity in their pastoral accompaniment of people’s lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">37. In this regard, there come to mind the following words of the
Holy Father, already quoted in part: “Decisions that may be part of pastoral
prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm. That is
to say, it is not appropriate for a Diocese, a Bishops’ Conference, or any
other ecclesial structure to constantly and officially establish procedures or
rituals for all kinds of matters […]. Canon Law should not and cannot cover
everything, nor should the Episcopal Conferences claim to do so with their
various documents and protocols, since the life of the Church flows through
many channels besides the normative ones.”<sup>[24]</sup> Thus Pope
Francis recalled that “what is part of a practical discernment in particular
circumstances cannot be elevated to the level of a rule” because this “would
lead to an intolerable casuistry.”<sup>[25]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">38. For this reason, one should neither provide for nor promote a
ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation. At the same
time, one should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in
every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing.
In a brief prayer preceding this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister
could ask that the individuals have peace, health, a spirit of patience,
dialogue, and mutual assistance—but also God’s light and strength to be able to
fulfill his will completely.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">39. In any case, precisely to avoid any form of confusion or
scandal, when the prayer of blessing is requested by a couple in an irregular
situation, even though it is expressed outside the rites prescribed by the
liturgical books, this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with
the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them. Nor can
it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a
wedding. The same applies when the blessing is requested by a same-sex couple.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">40. Such a blessing may instead find its place in other contexts,
such as a visit to a shrine, a meeting with a priest, a prayer recited in a
group, or during a pilgrimage. Indeed, through these blessings that are given
not through the ritual forms proper to the liturgy but as an expression of the
Church’s maternal heart—similar to those that emanate from the core of popular
piety—there is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s
life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy
Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">41. What has been said in this Declaration regarding the blessings
of same-sex couples is sufficient to guide the prudent and fatherly discernment
of ordained ministers in this regard. Thus, beyond the guidance provided above,
no further responses should be expected about possible ways to regulate details
or practicalities regarding blessings of this type.<sup>[26]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">IV. The Church is the Sacrament of God’s Infinite Love</span></b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">42. The Church continues to lift up those prayers and
supplications that Christ himself—with loud cries and tears—offered in his
earthly life (cf. Heb<i>. </i>5:7), and which enjoy a special efficacy for
this reason. In this way, “not only by charity, example, and works of penance,
but also by prayer does the ecclesial community exercise a true maternal
function in bringing souls to Christ.”<sup>[27]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">43. The Church is thus the sacrament of God’s infinite love.
Therefore, even when a person’s relationship with God is clouded by sin, he can
always ask for a blessing, stretching out his hand to God, as Peter did in the
storm when he cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” (Mt. 14:30). Indeed,
desiring and receiving a blessing can be the possible good in some situations.
Pope Francis reminds us that “a small step, in the midst of great human
limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in
order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties.”<sup>[28]</sup> In
this way, “<i>what shines forth is the beauty of the saving love of God made
manifest in Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead</i>.”<sup>[29]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">44. Any blessing will be an opportunity for a renewed proclamation
of the <i>kerygma</i>, an invitation to draw ever closer to the love of
Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI taught, “Like Mary, the Church is the mediator of
God’s blessing for the world: she receives it in receiving Jesus and she
transmits it in bearing Jesus. He is the mercy and the peace that the world, of
itself, cannot give, and which it needs always, at least as much as bread.”<sup>[30]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">45. Taking the above points into account and following the
authoritative teaching of Pope Francis, this Dicastery finally wishes to recall
that “the root of Christian meekness” is “the ability to feel blessed and the
ability to bless [...]. This world needs blessings, and we can give blessings
and receive blessings. The Father loves us, and the only thing that remains for
us is the joy of blessing him, and the joy of thanking him, and of learning
from him <sup>[…] </sup>to bless.”<sup>[31]</sup> In this way,
every brother and every sister will be able to feel that, in the Church, they
are always pilgrims, always beggars, always loved, and, despite everything,
always blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Víctor
Manuel Card. FERNÁNDEZ<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Prefect</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Mons.
Armando MATTEO<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Secretary
for the Doctrinal Section</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Ex Audientia Die</span></i><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> 18 December 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Francis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yN056utgATg?si=3OJitWeuEUGnUdWF" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-64088815849504035722023-12-05T12:16:00.003+00:002023-12-05T12:16:37.755+00:00Bishop Athanasius Schneider in conversation with Gavin Ashenden - 'The Vatican Coup.' <p> </p><p><br /></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TAuP-GDcQfw?si=8RGD73kmzB-E5GOR" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-17318547821797796582023-11-29T10:49:00.000+00:002023-11-29T10:49:26.554+00:00Why Does Francis Hate Good Priests? - Archbishop Héctor Agüer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08Xbr74A82QMD4q7rRA1r_pao9mvJESFcaXFWTZGABeI7c8WFI83Xidwcqhw1lGzbbq5kd5lgTmEPWWIltCd-XeXFuO7r4IycYQ4c5z4RwT1tL4YpA9Saqu9sZBYBdqFd4U5yP7rhBkTb1hnCuesMwQaIWSqc0gnKvnpAkwiMsM9NLE8m-OaxMtjyNcyT/s1200/Hector-Aguer-Pope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08Xbr74A82QMD4q7rRA1r_pao9mvJESFcaXFWTZGABeI7c8WFI83Xidwcqhw1lGzbbq5kd5lgTmEPWWIltCd-XeXFuO7r4IycYQ4c5z4RwT1tL4YpA9Saqu9sZBYBdqFd4U5yP7rhBkTb1hnCuesMwQaIWSqc0gnKvnpAkwiMsM9NLE8m-OaxMtjyNcyT/w640-h336/Hector-Aguer-Pope.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A new post on <i><a href="https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2023/11/slandered-priests-canceled-priests-by.html" target="_blank">Rorate caeli</a></i> from Abp. Héctor Agüer, Emeritus of La Plata, Buenos Aires and written on November 28, 2023 asks why Pope Francis appears to "hate good priests"?</p><p>He states:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px;">Several priests who follow the teachings of Pope Francis with attention have expressed to me their dismay and sorrow because they have recorded how often His Holiness denigrates priests. He has called them “bitter (cod-faced), spinsters, sacramental clerks, ambitious, gossipers, climbers…,” and other denigrating epithets. A lack of justice and charity. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[Mark says: I have heard this from quite a number of clergy directly: what comfort, what encouragement do you ever hear from the Holy Father for those workers in the Vineyard? Not much! What works best? Constantly attacking those who you are responsible for leading or constantly building them up and encouraging them?].</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;">There are thousands of priests in the world; among them there are some to whom some of the epithets that Francis’ accusations accumulate are applicable. But his generalizations in sermons, catechetical texts, and messages contradict the truth, and what is scandalous is that they depart radically from the affirmations of the Second Vatican Council, which dedicated the Decree <i style="box-sizing: inherit;">Presbyterorum Ordinis</i> to the ministry and life of priests. I quote some passages from that text: <a name="more" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #db2323; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;"></a></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 5px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #6b6b6b; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 10px; padding: 10px; position: relative;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Configured to Christ the Priest by the sacrament of Holy Orders, they certainly received the sign and gift of so great a vocation and grace that they feel capable and obliged, in the same human weakness, to pursue perfection according to the Word of the Lord: ‘Be perfect as the Father who is in heaven is perfect’ (Mt 5:48). Priests are especially obliged to acquire that perfection… because they are living elements of the Eternal Priest in order to attain more aptly the perfection of the One whose function they represent… They are ordered to perfection of life by the very sacred actions they perform every day, as well as by their entire ministry” (P.O 12).</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[Here we have another Archbishop who seems to think the best way of showing up the false teaching of Pope Francis (ie that the problems faced by the Church are because of <a href="https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/15592/pope-says-refusal-to-accept-vatican-ii-is-problem-for-church" target="_blank">a refusal to implement Vatican II</a>) is to highlight the ways the Pope's teaching consistently <i><u>contradicts</u></i> the very teaching of Vatican II! Nice work Archbishop Héctor!]</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> In the following paragraph, the Council “vehemently exhorts all priests to strive always toward greater holiness; this will make them more apt for the service of the People of God” (P.O 13). The ideal that the Council recalls is that of unity and harmony of life, which comes from the imitation of Christ in the exercise of the ministry; it is pastoral charity, a trait that distinguishes the diocesan priest from the religious, to whom the Council dedicates the Decree <i style="box-sizing: inherit;">Perfectae caritatis</i>. In <i style="box-sizing: inherit;">Presbyterorum Ordinis,</i> it is also affirmed that from the unity of life arrives “consolation and immense joy” (P.O. 14). It is striking how different this theological and spiritual perspective is from the petty sociological perspective of Francis in his slandering of priests. This is not perceived in the teachings of John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, who honored priests.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;">Another aspect to point out is that the Pope’s calumnies are frequently directed at priests who are closer to Tradition; he has called them “backwardists” [<i style="box-sizing: inherit;">indietristi</i>] because they “look backwards”, that is, because they do not follow the “new paradigms” proposed by the Successor of Peter. This is how the “canceled priests” abound, who are swept away as scum from the exercise of the ministry. Rome’s authoritarian progressivism is imitated all over the world. As it happens here, in Argentina, in several dioceses where the cancelation of priests faithful to Tradition, a dogmatic and practical Tradition, is exercised. </p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">The Pope does not cease to cause harm. His duplicity, both Jesuit and Argentine, inspires him in his worst decisions. Now, it also moves forward against bishops: Joseph Strickland, bishop of Tyler (Texas, USA), was sacked; and he tries to neutralize the best among the Successors of the Apostles, imposing on them a coadjutor, or sending an Apostolic Visitation. Among us, in 2020, he liquidated the excellent Bishop of San Luis to replace him with a progressive, who blesses "in the Name of the Father and the Holy Spirit", bypassing the Eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, so that the non-Christians who attend his "ecumenical" acts do not feel annoyed.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">In Argentina, the number of </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol;">cancelled</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> priests is growing, due to the Franciscan obedience of an irrelevant episcopate, which contemplates impassively how society is becoming de-Christianized. This distancing from the Christian origins inherited from Spain, began among us at the end of the 19th century. And in recent times it has shown its social and cultural strength, in the face of the impotence of Catholicism, to which the spread of progressivism has given the</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> </span><i style="background-clip: padding-box; background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coup de grâce</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">I must recognize a paradoxical fact, which shows its mysterious character: the growth of some parishes faithful to Tradition, where Catholics, especially the young, enjoy a normal liturgy, open to a devout participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. I have said "normal", without strange things, as it should be and is not usually in the opaque mediocrity of progressivism imposed by the post-conciliar fantasy. The existence of this fact strengthens our hope in the future ecclesial recovery. The intercession of the Mother of the Church, whom we confidently invoke, will protect her.</span></p><div style="background-clip: padding-box; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 17px;">You can see the full post at <a href="https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2023/11/slandered-priests-canceled-priests-by.html?m=1" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #db2323; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Rorate Caeli</a></em></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-6595621691256107472023-11-28T10:45:00.000+00:002023-11-28T10:45:03.985+00:00A New Open Letter to the Faithful from Bishop Strickland & My Comments<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH89YWTLkyaI68P1bE9cQNhQT5RzB58gGJWtjZxExpDyfS-FSgTDFr63zOM47LjvWr8LWVuBI7kKlp1xHiyYp2tZW6-TbpSJttId_p8ldDpCAK_TZZ185dPhR9sDe2vD7-ARra1A4NitEIDyIHENnzHzFPyAVllN2SKpID3renCORxysKQplMbr_vd303/s640/Bishop_Joseph_Strickland_usccb_Nov._13__2018_810_500_75_s_c1_1553283080153_78695216_ver1.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="640" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH89YWTLkyaI68P1bE9cQNhQT5RzB58gGJWtjZxExpDyfS-FSgTDFr63zOM47LjvWr8LWVuBI7kKlp1xHiyYp2tZW6-TbpSJttId_p8ldDpCAK_TZZ185dPhR9sDe2vD7-ARra1A4NitEIDyIHENnzHzFPyAVllN2SKpID3renCORxysKQplMbr_vd303/w640-h396/Bishop_Joseph_Strickland_usccb_Nov._13__2018_810_500_75_s_c1_1553283080153_78695216_ver1.0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">An Open Letter to the Faithful from Bishop Joseph E. Strickland </span><a href="https://bishopstrickland.com/blog/post/letter-to-the-faithful-november-272023" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">posted on his website</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> and dated 27/11/2023</span></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-originalfontsize="11pt" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #222222;">As I am sure you have heard by now, I have been removed as Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler. I was asked to meet with the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, and in that meeting I was read a list of the reasons I was being removed. I would make these reasons available to you if possible; however, I was not given a copy of this list at that time, and I have not been able as of yet to obtain a copy despite my requests.<b> </b></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[Mark says: Surely this points to the complete injustice of this situation? It is great that Bishop Strickland is continuing to stand up for Catholics in this way, I could not help but feel the Vatican's removal of him played into his hands. It is like the Lord has a plan to expose the present corruption and confusion and we are seeing it unfold before us! Removing him makes Strickland the true martyr. This is compounded by his own gentle obedience and constant reassertion of the fundamental truths of the faith. He can literally say "all I am doing is reiterating the fundamental truths of our faith" with utter integrity and this exposes the hypocrisy, clear lack of justice and integrity being shown by those who are working to remove him!]</b></span></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-originalfontsize="11pt" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In the reasons that were read to me, no mention was made of administrative problems or mismanagement of the diocese as the reasons for my removal. The reasons given seemed to be related, for the most part, to my speaking the Truth of our Catholic faith, and to my warnings against anything that threatened that Truth (including things that were being brought up at the Synod on Synodality). </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>[This is just so awesome to me - it is exactly what a bishop should be and exposes the hypocrisy of the Pope of Mercy's narratives of dialogue, open discussion and accompaniment for the utter sham they really are! If Pope Francis actually believed in that, why not call Strickland and alleviate his fears about the agenda as a brother bishop? All my instinct and experience tells me the only answer can be that the Pope <i>is</i> working to undermine the deposit of faith as Bishop Strickland pointed out!].</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Also, mention was made of my not walking alongside my brother bishops as I defended the Church and her unchangeable teachings,</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> [Interesting in the context of Cardinal Pierre's constant cajoling of the USCCB to "implement Francis!" We also know that McElroy, Cupich, Tobin, Farrell - all Pope Francis lackeys and McCarrick proteges are all going to be seriously at odds with Magisterium! What would "walking alongside" brother bishops look like? I have a distinct sense it would mean kowtowing to the Francis mafia within the USCCB, ceasing all attempts to preach the faith and getting on board with climate change and alphabet stuff]</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> and of my not implementing the motu propoio </span><i data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-removefontsize="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit;">Traditionis custodes,</i><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"> which were I to have implemented, would have required me to leave part of my flock unfed and untended. As a shepherd and protector of my Diocese, I could not take actions which I knew with certainty would injure part of my flock and deprive them of the spiritual goods which Christ entrusted to His Church. I stand by my actions as they were necessary to protect my flock and to defend the Sacred Deposit of Faith. </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[Apparently there are at least 100 dioceses who have not implemented </b></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Traditiones custodes</i><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;"> in the USA. Many more throughout the world. Just this fact shows how draconian and unnecessary a measure it was, the lack of collegiality it betrays and it would similarly appear to demonstrate how many bishops share Bishop Strickland's sympathies here. Why would a good bishop want to hurt and punish faithful members of his flock? The way Strickland articulates his concerns in this regard really encourages me and confirms that he is a true shepherd and a man of God!].</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #222222;">This is the time for everything now covered to be uncovered, and everything now hidden to be made clear. In fact, it was in a time when things were being hidden regarding disgraced now-former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and the Church sex abuse scandal that it seems I first entered the Vatican’s radar. My main crime, then as now, seems to always have been about bringing to light that which others wanted to remain hidden. Sadly, it now seems that it is Truth Himself, Our Lord Jesus Christ, that many desire to be hidden.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b> [We know that there is a profound truth here. The facts are that there was a huge cover up regarding McCarrick. His abuse was an open secret among many clergy and yet it was ignored and covered up as part of a network of abuse, power and money. It is a brave man who would stand against that and a man of integrity and Bishop Strickland is clearly that man, thank God for him! If more bishops were like this we would not have to deal with this abuse, instead many are complicit with this Catholic <i>omerta</i>, often in the cause of a false kind of unity].</b></span></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-originalfontsize="11pt" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #222222;">Although I am now without a diocese, I am still a bishop of the Church and therefore a successor of the apostles, and I must continue to speak Truth even if it requires my very life. I want to say this to all of you today – DO NOT ever, ever leave the Church! She is the Bride of Christ! She is now undergoing her Passion, and you must resolve to stand resolutely at the cross! It is important to attend Mass every Sunday and as often as possible, to spend time in adoration, to pray the Rosary daily, to go to confession regularly, and to call always upon the saints for assistance! I urge you to persevere that you might say in the end, “I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith.” </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[This is fantastic. It speaks to the truth that this battle is taking place everywhere in our culture, abandoning the Catholic Church will not save you from it. You have to take a stand; we all do. on Catholic Unscripted, when we first discussed this, we suggested that if he was removed, Bishop Strickland could end up as the worst enemy the evil agenda in the Vatican could ever have: a bishop without mandate, free to roam the world building the faith. It looks like that prediction is really coming true now!]. </b></span></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-originalfontsize="11pt" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">May Almighty God bless you, and may our Holy and Blessed Mother intercede for you and point you always to her Divine Son Jesus as we enter this Advent season.</p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-originalfontsize="11pt" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I remain your humble father and servant,</p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="14.666667" data-originalfontsize="11pt" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Bishop Joseph E. Strickland </p>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-15684612028146013252023-11-27T09:45:00.004+00:002023-11-27T14:08:30.721+00:00Pierre Vs Broglio - USCCB War with the Vatican Accelerates <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rz-R5qnegaYYtJEEeO2RZ3Np-U888LJZxJCgFTvXyitPxGbhWuSkSVVM3z1Si8DDyyTbIWAavY1udAQ7l2Ba4d9_qxexrfNfCnE3Y4wpd4P9dPwaauJ8YeakMBI4PyDUetih3EYzzOz_3LiBOMZXXZvvHTR8H561DdUYd_NyrdVwQXKl6rqOjrHZv3JO/s816/Screenshot%202023-11-27%20093716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="816" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rz-R5qnegaYYtJEEeO2RZ3Np-U888LJZxJCgFTvXyitPxGbhWuSkSVVM3z1Si8DDyyTbIWAavY1udAQ7l2Ba4d9_qxexrfNfCnE3Y4wpd4P9dPwaauJ8YeakMBI4PyDUetih3EYzzOz_3LiBOMZXXZvvHTR8H561DdUYd_NyrdVwQXKl6rqOjrHZv3JO/w640-h234/Screenshot%202023-11-27%20093716.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />My recent article in the <i>Catholic Herald - <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-growing-rift-between-the-vatican-and-usccb/" target="_blank">See here</a> -</i> was subject to some editing! A paragraph which juxtaposed the promotion of Aparecida by Cardinal Pierre with the stats for Catholic disaffiliation was not included. Here is the full text with links for reference:<br /><br /><div> Recently the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/recap-us-bishops-fall-plenary-baltimore#:~:text=BALTIMORE%20%2D%20The%20United%20States%20Conference,an%20afternoon%20of%20regional%20meetings.">gathered</a> from November 13-16 for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore.<br /><br />There seem to have been two main stories which have emerged from this event. One is the continuing insistence on the pre-eminence of abortion: U.S. bishops approved a voting guide affirming abortion the ‘preeminent priority’, despite resistance from Pope Francis's favoured US prelates, Cardinals Tobin, McElroy and Cupich, <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/42801/analysis-us-bishops-at-odds-over-abortion-and-the-francis-test" target="_blank">who have repeatedly attempted to overturn this</a>.<div><br /></div><div>The second story is the open clash between Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the U.S. Military Services, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, and the papal nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre who, two weeks prior to the conference, gave an interview in <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/11/02/cardinal-christoph-pierre-interview-246416" target="_blank"><i>America Magazine</i></a> where he made a number of rather stark criticisms of the Catholic Church in the USA.</div><div><br /></div><div>His remarks included an interesting emphasis on the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean commonly known as the Aparecida Conference. This took place in May 2007 in the city of Aparecida, Brazil and aimed to address various pastoral challenges facing the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as to provide guidance for the Church's mission in the region. The document produced at the conference is known as the "Aparecida Document" or the "Final Document of Aparecida" and it emphasises social justice, advocating for a preferential option for the poor, and addressing issues of inequality and poverty, all themes which were later taken up in Pope Francis' first Apostolic Exhortation, <i>Evangelii Gaudium</i> (2013). Additionally, the<span style="background-color: white;"> Pope has frequently hearkened back to the document throughout his pontificate: Four months after Pope Francis was elected, he said in Aparecida that the “</span><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130724_gmg-omelia-aparecida.html" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Conference was a great moment of Church. It can truly be said that the Aparecida Document was born of this interplay between the labours of the Bishops and the simple faith of the pilgrims, under Mary’s maternal protection</a><span style="background-color: white;">.”</span></div><div><p data-substack-content="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: var(--font-family-serif); font-size: var(--font-size-scale-body-copy); line-height: var(--line-height-scale-body-copy); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: var(--content-flow); min-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">The Pope's appreciation of this text has also been remarked on by others. Diego Fares, a board member of the semi-official Vatican journal <i>La Civilta Cattolica</i>, <a href="https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/ten-years-on-from-aparecida-the-source-of-francis-pontificate/" style="box-sizing: border-box;">wrote in 2017 that Aparecida is the foundation for the approach and perspectives of the Francis pontificate.</a></p><p data-substack-content="" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: var(--font-family-serif); font-size: var(--font-size-scale-body-copy); line-height: var(--line-height-scale-body-copy); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: var(--content-flow); min-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Papal biographer Austen Ivereigh wrote in 2015 the Aparecida document “</span><a href="https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/latin-america-emerges-new-source-church-under-pope-francis" style="background-color: transparent;">underlies the Francis program</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">,” and in 2018 that the pope has drawn from the document a “</span><a href="https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/34511" style="background-color: transparent;">vision...of how you evangelize a world in flux.</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">”</span></p></div><div><br /></div>In his interview with <i>America</i>, the nuncio suggested that a majority of US bishops were ignorant what was going on "in their own continent", and stated “I was astounded that many of the bishops didn’t know what had happened in Aparecida. They did not know that <i>Evangelii Gaudium</i>, the first document of Pope Francis, was rooted in Aparecida.” The nuncio explained that this document constituted a new pastoral approach to evangelisation which has become necessary because the church and society have changed, meaning the faith is not being transmitted through the culture as in the past, therefore news means of transmission have become necessary.<div><br /></div>Cardinal Pierre stated that this societal change was particularly evident in the United States, where, he said, "almost nobody comes [to church] anymore". <div><br /></div><div>In his presidential address on Tuesday, Archbishop Broglio clearly took exception to this interpretation stating that the bishops “strive to meet people and find ways to invite them to participate in the life of the community of faith.”<br /><br />He pointed to ways in which the U.S. Church is evangelising, listing specific ministries including Evangelical Catholic, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), Formed, Net Ministries, and Reach More. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cardinal Pierre had said that religious sisters “have disappeared,” and “seminaries are now empty.” but given the reality that a number of U.S. Seminaries are actually at capacity, one has to wonder where he is actually drawing this information from?</div><div><br /></div><div>It is also interesting that <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2014/11/13/religion-in-latin-america/" target="_blank">the latest statistics from South America</a> demonstrate a broad capitulation of Catholicism to Protestant denominations. In nearly every country surveyed, the Catholic Church has experienced net losses from religious switching, as many Latin Americans have joined evangelical Protestant churches or rejected organized religion altogether. For example, roughly one-in-four Nicaraguans, one-in-five Brazilians and one-in-seven Venezuelans are former Catholics.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cardinal Pierre's consistent repetition of Pope Francis' every wish may well have resulted in a red hat (he was raised to the cardinalate in September), but we know that U.S. donations to Rome have <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251777/the-puzzle-of-the-peters-pence-and-the-vatican-london-deal" target="_blank">suffered drastically</a> since the Argentine Pontiff started a war of words with the Church in the U.S. In 2018, the US bishops were shocked when <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/news/vatican-cancels-us-bishops-vote-on-sex-abuse-reform-measures" target="_blank">an instruction to delay consideration</a> of a new ‘Code of Conduct’ for bishops on child abuse, came directly from the Holy See. The next year saw the nuncio<a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/42801/analysis-us-bishops-at-odds-over-abortion-and-the-francis-test" target="_blank"> appearing to attack the USCCB</a> for not reflecting the Pope's priorities. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rift shows no sign of healing, with Pope Francis finishing his most recent Papal document, <i>Laudate Deum</i> with these words:</div><div><br /></div>"If we consider that emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries, we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact. As a result, along with indispensable political decisions, we would be making progress along the way to genuine care for one another."<div><br /></div><div>So U.S.A. bad, China good.</div><div><br /></div>Pope Francis has also just removed his second bishop, a US bishop, without trial or reason, actions which are virtually without precedent in the Church. I could not help but be reminded of the words of Cicero “For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.” Except Francis does not even allow his enemies justice. One is left wondering How Pope Francis can be the supreme legislator of the Church if he has no regard for the law?<div><div><br /></div>And what about the twenty or so seminarians in Tyler, Texas? How must they be feeling at the moment? Bishop Bonny <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/belgian-catholic-bishop-advocates-euthanasia-for-the-elderly/">endorses killing the innocent</a> and is not removed, or even sanctioned. Bishop Wiesemann<a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/german-bishop-authorises-same-sex-blessings-in-diocese/" target="_blank"> authorises same-sex blessings</a>, directly contradicting the DDF but he is not removed. Bishop Strickland is removed and no one is even told why.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-60322461479541235792023-11-24T16:40:00.006+00:002023-11-24T16:40:40.930+00:002024 Christian Leadership Formation programme<br /><br /> Are you in Lower Sixth Form or S5? Do you have a desire for public service? Learn how to draw on the treasures of the past to build a better future through the 2024 Christian Leadership Formation programme (CLF) offered by the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst. <div><br /></div><div>With residential sessions in Stonyhurst and London, sharpen your leadership potential through CLF's one-of-a-kind educational offering.<br /><br /></div><div>Visit the NEW WEBSITE for CLF, <a href="http://christianleadershipformation.com/?fbclid=IwAR3vXzAhPGiOB7nc1RJ-wB-vm9IwPsPMKdmJBypCKTUdwfaaSU_Hy-aYHBk">christianleadershipformation.com</a> to find out more, and follow the CLF's new Instagram account (@christianleadershipformation) for the latest updates. </div><div><br /></div><div>CHC director Stefan Kaminski was interviewed on Radio Maria about the initiative this week:</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1FtRsBap5KQgYUQQsZb6g1?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>
<div><br /></div><div>Please help spread the word about this important initiative!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrDGRxQe74zDWWeW5_jTo2JJK_9XgviWDnEnSyNfFHG6VhX1_p2IICVwZOAoffMhQz8VTxSkEKLgE1KtzQZIqulqGXDJo1PZaJBu2RRnwhRPiR2Nh3Idso6QeS5zyIqTz05_A-Jvre14yQf_NXwKwk8NXujJkeT0jHclhrrdf9dy9uesbt-3D4GAwr8F2/s2048/387764938_694432202717602_182810392899333172_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrDGRxQe74zDWWeW5_jTo2JJK_9XgviWDnEnSyNfFHG6VhX1_p2IICVwZOAoffMhQz8VTxSkEKLgE1KtzQZIqulqGXDJo1PZaJBu2RRnwhRPiR2Nh3Idso6QeS5zyIqTz05_A-Jvre14yQf_NXwKwk8NXujJkeT0jHclhrrdf9dy9uesbt-3D4GAwr8F2/w414-h640/387764938_694432202717602_182810392899333172_n.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-27395955744451511832023-11-23T09:07:00.002+00:002023-11-23T09:07:41.616+00:00Bishop who attended the synod says some proposals are "just absurd"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswLkHrdTzQyW2uQ3iRowGOe1xq00of0XUl4-7_1s28NkpRYfJoMBZFG5yFicZYa4DnqJAl4cFs_5WVeTYInPHQjCoV_nhTq_ZJe-VZ0tJ0hyT7FYJZj6Grj_Umy6F0qB0dSRGRH_Ny1JMA7B1WNmXYakn-MP212whASwKbG5iQtccwVgdTTJL8gCq-293/s678/usprelates_francis_synod2018-678x380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="678" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswLkHrdTzQyW2uQ3iRowGOe1xq00of0XUl4-7_1s28NkpRYfJoMBZFG5yFicZYa4DnqJAl4cFs_5WVeTYInPHQjCoV_nhTq_ZJe-VZ0tJ0hyT7FYJZj6Grj_Umy6F0qB0dSRGRH_Ny1JMA7B1WNmXYakn-MP212whASwKbG5iQtccwVgdTTJL8gCq-293/w640-h358/usprelates_francis_synod2018-678x380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Bishop Robert Barron has released his own reflection on the Synod on Synodality in which he excoriates the manner and depth of reflection.</p>We now have +Barron plus two Archbishops who attended the synod and have excoriated it afterwards: ++<a href="https://youtu.be/Hol_G64Qt6k?si=FVpM546i_oTvro2K" target="_blank">Wilson</a>, ++<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTBU6cmYYwQ" target="_blank">Gądecki</a> and lets not forget <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-mueller-says-synod-on-synodality-is-being-used-by-some-to-prepare-the-church-to-accept-false-teaching" target="_blank">Cardinal Müller</a> who said some in the assembly are “abusing the Holy Spirit” in order to introduce “new doctrines”.<div><br /></div><div>Without naming him, Bishop Barron is particularly scathing of <a href="https://marklambert.blogspot.com/2023/03/heretical-cardinal-promoted-to-council.html" target="_blank">Cardinal Hollerich</a>, his reflection suggests Hollerich, who stated in 2022 that Catholic doctrine was "false" does not understand Church teaching and has not engaged with it as well as calling his approach "absurd". He goes so far in terms of criticism of the synod as to state:</div><blockquote>"It is troubling to see that some of the members of the German bishops’ conference are already using the language of the synod report to justify major reformulations of the Church’s sexual teaching. This, it seems to me, must be resisted."</blockquote><div>You can watch my full unpacking of his reflection in this video:</div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JYJUHXiUhm8?si=ZcqEsKDb7fPUcM5L" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-39577843074067993662023-11-21T22:08:00.002+00:002023-11-22T09:57:28.819+00:00Stop the Anglicans Desecrating Canterbury Cathedral!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzPPMqsbV9WSd_e5lcYfY_Ogex2C76g9yg6ujOzCsu15-eOkN-oHW_Fp0kviMcsY7f_iulwjg34W5YmJHmhpOabebP2fp0W8Q-NePqvyvSVFPuKnjYwRcPkORqxvcwhS9yYChUOR0YijqphmvUDysPoLtwu0iI03uoESwep1CAm8Vohh7_G_98ay72HKx/s1817/Screenshot%202023-11-21%20220525.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1817" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzPPMqsbV9WSd_e5lcYfY_Ogex2C76g9yg6ujOzCsu15-eOkN-oHW_Fp0kviMcsY7f_iulwjg34W5YmJHmhpOabebP2fp0W8Q-NePqvyvSVFPuKnjYwRcPkORqxvcwhS9yYChUOR0YijqphmvUDysPoLtwu0iI03uoESwep1CAm8Vohh7_G_98ay72HKx/w640-h222/Screenshot%202023-11-21%20220525.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />"My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:12-13<br /><br />Or, in this case, ravers.<br /><br />In February 2024, a silent disco will take place over two nights in the nave of Canterbury Cathedral. It is a strictly 18+ event, featuring plenty of alcohol and the music of the 90’s: Britney, Spice Girls, Eminem and the Vengaboys.<br /><br />Everyone likes a Silent Disco, but its place is in a nightclub, not in Canterbury Cathedral.<br /><br />Some people think that opposing this latest embarrassment is pointless, what with all the other mistakes of the C of E of late. They also say, "who cares, it hasn't been a sacred space since the reformation really, since true Eucharistic worship ceased". <br /><br />They would be wrong on both counts. While opposing the deeper theological descent into madness of the Anglicans may indeed be fruitless, the sheer hubris of this desecration is clear for all withinamd without the church to see. <br /><br />Everyone, religious or not, has a sense of the sacred. We wouldn't tolerate a disco on the cenotaph, or in the house of lords, or on our grandmother's grave. Even if some bright spark said it was the only way to keep the war dead, or parliament, or Nanna Edith relevant to the youth. That argument wouldn't wash.<br /><br />So why should we think of Canterbury Cathedral any differently? After all, it's the most important church in England, a symbol of the nation.<br /><br />The site of the martyrdom and relics of Saint Thomas Becket.<br /><br />The repository for the mortal remains of kings, princes and bishops.<br /><br />The destination of millions of pilgrims for centuries, past, present and future.<br /><br />The inspiration for our greatest early work of literature.<br /><br />And most importantly, the epicentre of countless prayers and sacraments - the House of God.<br /><br />Despite what the dean of the cathedral may think, it will not bring young people closer to Christ, rather it will send the message that Christ and His Church, and all the truth, beauty and goodness it has to offer, are unimportant. That entertainment deserves our attention more than God. That Christians do not take their faith or their holy places seriously.<br /><br />That Christianity is a lame joke.<br /><br />By pushing back on this, we have an opportunity to remind people of the beauty of our Christian heritage, and the seriousness with which Christians and others in England still treat their holy and historic sites. Let's revive a sense of the sacred in Mary's Dowry.<br /><br />PLEAS|E SIGN THE PETITION HERE <a href="https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-rave-in-the-nave-in-canterbury-cathedral">https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-rave-in-the-nave-in-canterbury-cathedral</a>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-15361006947582153802023-11-21T08:43:00.005+00:002023-11-21T09:23:58.582+00:00Catholic Man Annual Conference<p>Last weekend I was invited to speak at the Catholic Man UK annual conference at Buckden Towers in Cambridge.</p>Buckden Towers, formerly known as Buckden Palace, is a medieval fortified house and bishop's palace in Buckden, Cambridgeshire, England. It is now a conference and retreat centre operated by the Claretian missionaries.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNbfnl55ruivG3bjFqAwOauWHiOYfzEr4gQcmD4wLKoGGZvUWEjI8GUQkc8cXelQng0RiHWu0Ait_Q4NFO-8f7an4WfMyLgX804GMjo0_ZfzvGaWZ97ASggcNbfPRTYC2doo7P6csohyphenhyphenGut2pb_gA5DGsGqxUueDqSCEM6-rZJ9tYrzcoCNEYgdoW7ykl/s2048/403800938_364498386147812_5592430457578281876_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNbfnl55ruivG3bjFqAwOauWHiOYfzEr4gQcmD4wLKoGGZvUWEjI8GUQkc8cXelQng0RiHWu0Ait_Q4NFO-8f7an4WfMyLgX804GMjo0_ZfzvGaWZ97ASggcNbfPRTYC2doo7P6csohyphenhyphenGut2pb_gA5DGsGqxUueDqSCEM6-rZJ9tYrzcoCNEYgdoW7ykl/w480-h640/403800938_364498386147812_5592430457578281876_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fdKL6iMuryXeC8tUCJBlsjRStfZzpb74P5xwPx0qWi6zPd4i9Zftq3V-SAVHLV1fnQkzZkubShbBbi_25daHgaXaJDP1cns5xc6jQy_MNda60s3qm8mrNrgLj23qRXaghqPfKBWPuw6C_MgSjI8rENpblRvYjBE31JKKHG4XynEe05Vqg2eW241FBW8d/s2048/403836358_364498279481156_2068083314270320238_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fdKL6iMuryXeC8tUCJBlsjRStfZzpb74P5xwPx0qWi6zPd4i9Zftq3V-SAVHLV1fnQkzZkubShbBbi_25daHgaXaJDP1cns5xc6jQy_MNda60s3qm8mrNrgLj23qRXaghqPfKBWPuw6C_MgSjI8rENpblRvYjBE31JKKHG4XynEe05Vqg2eW241FBW8d/w480-h640/403836358_364498279481156_2068083314270320238_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRX3eQd6zlxQWOoGUCZI0VOAoq8j6g8o0xmQz6TAQ8YjZRR-1ovAT9vTGHFpjZkbx90An7I6rRe_Zc0Dw2B7yH5Zop5mwpL3Yy1jtMZ0qmzAJmQBMNvfnjjt7nOUlqSe4Rp1Sk5m72zQKz38htRsmO8LYesFumt3MB5jj_hLZUqgu7NQETXk3VIzP58fT/s2048/404144899_364498336147817_2043073068145171127_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRX3eQd6zlxQWOoGUCZI0VOAoq8j6g8o0xmQz6TAQ8YjZRR-1ovAT9vTGHFpjZkbx90An7I6rRe_Zc0Dw2B7yH5Zop5mwpL3Yy1jtMZ0qmzAJmQBMNvfnjjt7nOUlqSe4Rp1Sk5m72zQKz38htRsmO8LYesFumt3MB5jj_hLZUqgu7NQETXk3VIzP58fT/w480-h640/404144899_364498336147817_2043073068145171127_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiVLZfuXVJEAlxKQUD6bfN7E-wMPdauuxnNYJB5aW0lx5joUJMf_FOeJqA9sZf03mzML3uAZljcikrUqS9ka0ldt590x0mE7GQeCvWO3h-biohsR7a_2n6QK29mzMZrSKaxYk3fH6yFxbt2R5kjKsdCR8kQ_8xEez8SDkL3S1lplPu4tZjdlG6L2K1UoI/s2048/404321302_364498302814487_3275322743635247663_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1634" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiVLZfuXVJEAlxKQUD6bfN7E-wMPdauuxnNYJB5aW0lx5joUJMf_FOeJqA9sZf03mzML3uAZljcikrUqS9ka0ldt590x0mE7GQeCvWO3h-biohsR7a_2n6QK29mzMZrSKaxYk3fH6yFxbt2R5kjKsdCR8kQ_8xEez8SDkL3S1lplPu4tZjdlG6L2K1UoI/w510-h640/404321302_364498302814487_3275322743635247663_n.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The 15th-century buildings are the remains of the palace of the bishop of Lincoln. Although it is often stated as being built in the 15th century, the first (wooden) Palace was built in the late 12th century, when records show it as being used by the bishops of Lincoln. The wooden structure was replaced by more substantial buildings and a tall brick tower was added in 1475, protected by walls and a moat, and surrounded by an outer bailey. Parts of the complex were demolished in 1632 on the orders of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The Victorian house now present on the site was built in 1872. The remains of the bishops' moated palace consist of the great tower, the inner gatehouse, (where we had our lodgings for this event), part of the battlemented wall, which used to surround the inner court within the moat, and the outer gate and wall.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvO2cetB-DnJxiK7CE80uk24AwruGmmaUsIFS8NRc4qABum4N8QYMo61sRqJB1hHmEV-IjbKxbvGxK5cS2cs8arDVKd1KTs4BByebVgA5j7r53laB92fyDARDgYG8oEhljF_M1YndHoc3k7Q5M-_xXxD-lCJu3eMQEOQtFZmV0-ijcv0zXs8iZdNpitTF/s2048/403924422_364498269481157_8595638883179119841_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvO2cetB-DnJxiK7CE80uk24AwruGmmaUsIFS8NRc4qABum4N8QYMo61sRqJB1hHmEV-IjbKxbvGxK5cS2cs8arDVKd1KTs4BByebVgA5j7r53laB92fyDARDgYG8oEhljF_M1YndHoc3k7Q5M-_xXxD-lCJu3eMQEOQtFZmV0-ijcv0zXs8iZdNpitTF/w640-h480/403924422_364498269481157_8595638883179119841_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>The weekend was a mixture of high quality speakers, prayer and fraternity with a liberal alcoholic accompaniment and lots of excellent food.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldfS_liPtl19wrCNQy6QTDdB64OkSifsOS7t8YkDyZOMJjmmN49yeTUjxbDXb2luLXX9yNxPyw5dY0NLC142K1_q8fIrhMxCfm-2zCdANz58K2iRLWcDj5NRcrXErGfXPgjuTxR5eUuuWm_NjWoHmiHSYRYzCY5leJXcvU8qclcRPuli5BPm8uK9V4X3I/s1741/400157869_185265494651688_7094913807558096656_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="1662" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldfS_liPtl19wrCNQy6QTDdB64OkSifsOS7t8YkDyZOMJjmmN49yeTUjxbDXb2luLXX9yNxPyw5dY0NLC142K1_q8fIrhMxCfm-2zCdANz58K2iRLWcDj5NRcrXErGfXPgjuTxR5eUuuWm_NjWoHmiHSYRYzCY5leJXcvU8qclcRPuli5BPm8uK9V4X3I/w610-h640/400157869_185265494651688_7094913807558096656_n.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br /><div><br />I spoke on the path to mature manhood, focusing on the transition from boyhood to manhood and reflecting on what it means to be "mature" from a Christian perspective.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other talks were given by Samuel Baker, co-founder of Catholic Man UK, Dr Jacob Phillips (who recently penned <a href="https://thecritic.co.uk/against-christianitys-cultured-admirers/" target="_blank">this excellent piece</a> in <i>The Critic</i>, and the group's chaplain, Fr Pius Collins of the <a href="https://catholicpeckham.org.uk/" target="_blank">Norbertines</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The conference was attended by an extremely well formed group of men of various ages and this led to some really interesting discussion and panel questions.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGlX-bYqLJRhaZMMFMlVuOB31JiniNWeKt8QsAaytF8fxWCPM-neAJkykU5c4Li4hU68YdLoD2Faqx9jWYBDCsGpNfBavBmBU2RuOCrwKxvkBDAaXWCC1U1Cm_HMrdS8h63VhscDXYpbxEePteiHjps8UxmDqD-piZcFfl9eXLEMZKoZwNRm2M3JkX_1x/s2048/400187654_1430634371141826_7276057191905128087_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGlX-bYqLJRhaZMMFMlVuOB31JiniNWeKt8QsAaytF8fxWCPM-neAJkykU5c4Li4hU68YdLoD2Faqx9jWYBDCsGpNfBavBmBU2RuOCrwKxvkBDAaXWCC1U1Cm_HMrdS8h63VhscDXYpbxEePteiHjps8UxmDqD-piZcFfl9eXLEMZKoZwNRm2M3JkX_1x/w640-h480/400187654_1430634371141826_7276057191905128087_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>There was plenty of time for prayer, an all night vigil in front of the Blessed Sacrament and a huge bonfire.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB8ayhweWL-i2e3Ek5yMb0WuGe7MR88gyir__ZsMmQJmnBLNsmH4d2tAAm6LrQJMtW_neE7lbQu4K-Dv-9X9YePHWknb5bid7DXDLi4d8chZ5tLabLBme8o3PkiK3ALRO5VijrSoJJvnD_xDLHV6IWr5Fc2ZhVtRkEA0enTsHs24KiVRB5sYQj3c9SuYS/s2048/369306632_3184107375231361_7253009376662527969_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB8ayhweWL-i2e3Ek5yMb0WuGe7MR88gyir__ZsMmQJmnBLNsmH4d2tAAm6LrQJMtW_neE7lbQu4K-Dv-9X9YePHWknb5bid7DXDLi4d8chZ5tLabLBme8o3PkiK3ALRO5VijrSoJJvnD_xDLHV6IWr5Fc2ZhVtRkEA0enTsHs24KiVRB5sYQj3c9SuYS/w470-h640/369306632_3184107375231361_7253009376662527969_n.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfULWzhhE4FdQ3bam7Eny2msmECSBzyjpar0qtf__CaSsbaICQR4PrmA7QxDEUZFHpzAvf1OJyE3-S3IasAUbrhPsjbjzXYqX_TTgf-dISf6AxbW_3Q7wd7bu9u0HZEa5N13zAaGAwV9zkwQz5pLRaBoV27bEXB_Mg92hqYDwDN2e7w264fjrHvKBQ9JSp/s2048/370090936_1282658545780926_7257791984909793421_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfULWzhhE4FdQ3bam7Eny2msmECSBzyjpar0qtf__CaSsbaICQR4PrmA7QxDEUZFHpzAvf1OJyE3-S3IasAUbrhPsjbjzXYqX_TTgf-dISf6AxbW_3Q7wd7bu9u0HZEa5N13zAaGAwV9zkwQz5pLRaBoV27bEXB_Mg92hqYDwDN2e7w264fjrHvKBQ9JSp/w480-h640/370090936_1282658545780926_7257791984909793421_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRtfiKY7Q3Wkl-xRfS253wODkXOPxcSJO9PlSUUOMGD4abCAQHoH94q6XcYkTJOM-o6VnEUv93zJT5ERVQZ_4pDAFIm17uc8-RL39roIe7urmRVK6gc6FK-dwGu8zFLN5rZIrVhsuSDmrYHjE_eCR3v4DAHKzza7_Qoe3aR7oU93XFq_vcPTzo_3MDioR/s2048/370630535_380125504445743_8717080839487887503_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRtfiKY7Q3Wkl-xRfS253wODkXOPxcSJO9PlSUUOMGD4abCAQHoH94q6XcYkTJOM-o6VnEUv93zJT5ERVQZ_4pDAFIm17uc8-RL39roIe7urmRVK6gc6FK-dwGu8zFLN5rZIrVhsuSDmrYHjE_eCR3v4DAHKzza7_Qoe3aR7oU93XFq_vcPTzo_3MDioR/w480-h640/370630535_380125504445743_8717080839487887503_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84BT3oY5441al07wsbihZU5wFQP4s5tZ_EjabVMrA3jBMssb5htRQ7mnXaJZKEJFyOxWJe_O5t9fLR0JC568NRMDwFR3shD3pXhFwaviJIEQKlzVaQiP6QqikykhemRPzBNIHh9YSTloQ_cczXdh0HJf-1z6w3SU4ffX7LJhamgKql6r3Rc6iFlHMxTpR/s2048/399876934_876990467245392_2177755492201911004_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84BT3oY5441al07wsbihZU5wFQP4s5tZ_EjabVMrA3jBMssb5htRQ7mnXaJZKEJFyOxWJe_O5t9fLR0JC568NRMDwFR3shD3pXhFwaviJIEQKlzVaQiP6QqikykhemRPzBNIHh9YSTloQ_cczXdh0HJf-1z6w3SU4ffX7LJhamgKql6r3Rc6iFlHMxTpR/w480-h640/399876934_876990467245392_2177755492201911004_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeoFspejAgivTwMkAjJNWZ9FHi-6PnKGVE-IE-qSSb03Pod8_Q5IxiWB4qKziKOGWGwMGcnGux-MuHaMUD6GK7b54g7O-zrB3PXtyBFNQJN-fsHgS8OMnBgowTDUVTKRaiNBs8Oa4DYNKWPC1qttohHekUQhwIUiSjaJTvA-wWvUAEuCnGuMc2VnUKp1H/s2048/400648863_1023961612152192_3794361283072448463_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeoFspejAgivTwMkAjJNWZ9FHi-6PnKGVE-IE-qSSb03Pod8_Q5IxiWB4qKziKOGWGwMGcnGux-MuHaMUD6GK7b54g7O-zrB3PXtyBFNQJN-fsHgS8OMnBgowTDUVTKRaiNBs8Oa4DYNKWPC1qttohHekUQhwIUiSjaJTvA-wWvUAEuCnGuMc2VnUKp1H/w480-h640/400648863_1023961612152192_3794361283072448463_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Where else can you gather in such excellent company, sharing all that is best and hopeful about the faith and Catholic truth with like minded men? Encouraging each other, sharing advice, hope and encouragement. I highly recommend that you join us for future events!</div><div><br /></div><div>Catholic Man UK has a very active Facebook group you can join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/catholicmanuki/" target="_blank">here</a> and a website explaining the mission and purpose <a href="https://catholicman.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Photos here by James Leatherland</div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-21281900276727887012023-11-12T09:35:00.003+00:002023-11-12T09:35:29.329+00:00US Nuncio joins Pope Francis in ridiculing young priests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA4LLVUuVjZfzpQTJv__XJ7ekaFt78OWMwRMILykJZMAwW_moiLmJUdhj-F6RrV8fzG4I7KL3zEvlzKcVlh3D6Pqk_YfIW6SpA0wqm17dMIEYV-wSv9wjHTfe048g_B2cjfeUdiqPK1YStufnCsRhMwEIuXgPFxcOJTcT3OaoKj0VtGF7rMC1mkmIJj4J/s3600/LAS-VEGAS-ARCHDIOCESE-1767202.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA4LLVUuVjZfzpQTJv__XJ7ekaFt78OWMwRMILykJZMAwW_moiLmJUdhj-F6RrV8fzG4I7KL3zEvlzKcVlh3D6Pqk_YfIW6SpA0wqm17dMIEYV-wSv9wjHTfe048g_B2cjfeUdiqPK1YStufnCsRhMwEIuXgPFxcOJTcT3OaoKj0VtGF7rMC1mkmIJj4J/w640-h426/LAS-VEGAS-ARCHDIOCESE-1767202.JPG.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />Personally I found it shocking that Pope Francis used <a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/10/25/0742/01633.html" target="_blank">his intervention at the Synod on Synodality</a> to attack young priests who want to purchase dignified vestments to offer or assist the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.<div><br /></div><div>The Holy Father states: <div><br /></div><div>“It is the great defeat to which clericalism leads us. And this with a lot of shame and scandal, just go to ecclesiastical tailors in Rome to see the scandal of young priests trying on cassocks and hats or albs and surplice with lace. Clericalism is a whip, it is a scourge, it is a form of worldliness that soils and damages the face of the Lord's bride; and enslaves God's faithful holy people.”<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Neither is this the first time he has invested time and energy in his papacy to attack clergy who vest in appropriate ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2022 <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/grannys-lace-why-is-pope-francis-so-unsupportive-of-ordinary-clergy/" target="_blank">it was lace</a> that saw the brunt of his ire.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2016, he took aim at a wide range of clerical dress:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRmxg68auHqj0zQGlvQxnJlwCTY_LLFZzTk-M9i20oFzNn1wonH2yh3jO22FHm5MdRm6QUM5myZ8HU9InUw5lLWt9VHem0iwCrRJf7Pmpzp8pyamaxboJSv_HH1oTV1VtbVA6aYSe90Z9H6nlBgvlhORorgSzTg7liX65kY3fAWgp8QCIe85WQgdUwyzF/s746/saturnos.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="746" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRmxg68auHqj0zQGlvQxnJlwCTY_LLFZzTk-M9i20oFzNn1wonH2yh3jO22FHm5MdRm6QUM5myZ8HU9InUw5lLWt9VHem0iwCrRJf7Pmpzp8pyamaxboJSv_HH1oTV1VtbVA6aYSe90Z9H6nlBgvlhORorgSzTg7liX65kY3fAWgp8QCIe85WQgdUwyzF/w640-h392/saturnos.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So why is he so bothered by what young priests wear?</div><div><br /></div>It is easy to link his words with Matthew 23:5 where Jesus attacks the Pharisees with fancy tassels and lengthened phylacteries. Is there not at least some sort of parallel, here, that the Pope is making?<br /><br />It's important to note that Jesus does not condemn the wearing of phylacteries or fringes. The objects are not wrong, neither is their use. Rather, He calls out religious leaders for making an excessive show of those objects: wearing large, broad phylacteries & extended fringes so everyone will notice them. Their intent is not primarily to honour God; it's to get credit from other men for being extra religious and good. They had lost sight of the proper motive for these religious objects: a reminder of the law.<div><br /></div><div>Following the Pope's words at the Synod, the US Nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre has jumped on the bandwagon and repeated the accusations in an <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/11/02/cardinal-christoph-pierre-interview-246416" target="_blank">America Magazine interview</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this video I discuss this as well as one young priest's response:</div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L2t_PYvAA50?si=7Lh_RXnMH3jMjhe_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-91058903502213843732023-11-06T22:04:00.005+00:002023-11-06T22:04:36.610+00:00Bishop Barron at ARC "Freedom just around the corner for you, but with the truth so far off, what good will it do?"<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ta1dB9WdiRg?si=2Rw6fjwT0X0Pz2jx" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-27673620518150539952023-11-04T17:25:00.001+00:002023-11-04T17:25:36.489+00:00Bishop of Speyer goes ahead with same sex blessings<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpkzcSwanhlBml0K3s64mE5_3D2kg1FzqRROo3FNPu5aDIRuY6jxnWu5_mPY8-M0-CseL7-vfuWLriQQCtXAfZJGSPbD6w57PPn9HAJdJWZ368feStfSEvYczm7XkUEcTRlRW97yEmIoFNQv8sn-9jmnZ_xUhmNXCqZRkEZexQ97dDJjMsUkA2a_VIImV/s800/csm_BischofWiesemannPortraetausschnitt_f88d6116f5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="799" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpkzcSwanhlBml0K3s64mE5_3D2kg1FzqRROo3FNPu5aDIRuY6jxnWu5_mPY8-M0-CseL7-vfuWLriQQCtXAfZJGSPbD6w57PPn9HAJdJWZ368feStfSEvYczm7XkUEcTRlRW97yEmIoFNQv8sn-9jmnZ_xUhmNXCqZRkEZexQ97dDJjMsUkA2a_VIImV/w640-h640/csm_BischofWiesemannPortraetausschnitt_f88d6116f5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>An utterly scandalous letter has been sent out from the Bishop of Speyer in Germany endorses blessing same sex couples. The letter includes a formalised rite which directly contradicts Pope Francis' responses to the <i>dubia </i>of the five cardinals <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-responds-to-dubia-of-five-cardinals.html" target="_blank">which state</a>:<br /></p><blockquote>"it is not appropriate for a Diocese, a Bishops' Conference, or any other ecclesial structure to constantly and officially enable procedures or rituals for all kinds of matters, because not everything that "is part of a practical discernment in particular circumstances can be elevated to the level of a rule" as this "would lead to an intolerable casuistry" (<i>Amoris laetitia</i>, 304). Canon law should not and cannot cover everything, nor should Episcopal Conferences with their varied documents and protocols claim to do so, as the life of the Church flows through many channels other than normative ones."</blockquote><p></p><p>Exactly as was stated at the time, these <i>responsa</i> are ridiculous and unworkable, Cardinal Zen <a href="https://oldyosef.hkdavc.com/?p=1945" target="_blank">said</a> it:</p><blockquote>"is pastorally untenable. How can the Church, in such an important matter, leave the people without a clear rule and trust individual discernment? Isn’t this how a chaos of casuistry very dangerous for souls will break out?"</blockquote><p>With the appointment of Víctor Manuel Fernández to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Francis has practically removed doctrine from the table: The DDF is a meaningless entity, the Church has lost its way and is in the hands of little men and their friends who have infested the Vatican. The world is just waking up to the fact that it will be a dark place without Christianity, just listen to <a href="https://youtu.be/U4BVKOBrnTY?si=gjmQBUE_SDreqksD" target="_blank">this conversation</a> between Jonathan Pageau and Dr Martin Shaw: Shaw states: </p><p></p><blockquote>"The Church needs to be Camelot again - if people don't think we are in a moment of tremendous peril they are not paying attention"</blockquote><p>Given this from Speyer directly contradicts the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Canon Law and the recent responsa given by Pope Francis to the five dubia cardinals, can we expect an immediate Apostolic Visitation to Wiesemann's diocese as was launched when Bishop Strickland spoke out about the valid teaching of the faith? </p>In Speyer as of 31 December 2006, 44.5% of the population of the diocese was Catholic (you can bet that's a lot less today - Over 160,000 Catholics left the Catholic Church in 2016, while only 2,574 converted (most of them from Lutheranism). The total number of priests in Germany in 2016 was 13,856 – a fall of more than 200 from the previous year. Marriages, Confirmations and other sacraments are all in decline. The sacrament of Confession, which the DBK does not provide numbers for, has to all intents and purposes disappeared from many, if not most, parishes.)<p></p>Back in 2016 the dioceses of Aachen and of Speyer registered a rate of only 7.8 per cent of Catholics going to Mass on Sunday.<div><br /></div><div>In 2022-23, there were only 48 new candidates for the priesthood in the seminaries of the 27 dioceses of Germany. This emerges from an interim report by the German Bishops' Conference (DBK), published on January 25, 2023.</div><br />In nine years – between 2007 and 2016 – there have been half as many seminarians. And between 2016 and 2022, the number has once again been halved.<br /><br />The Church in Germany lost 359,338 members in 2021, through the “exit” program, from the Church. A figure to which deaths must be added. The total exceeds half-a-million.<div><div><br /></div><div>Are the bishops leading the German Church really worth anyone listening to about the faith? They are not speaking to the culture, they live like Renaissance Princes while their people spiritually starve. </div><div><br /></div><div>Robert Nugent runs through the full letter here:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2XYwMI_mp4?si=ImHg74BcJUlYv-g2" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-2921068477209155402023-10-28T18:57:00.002+01:002023-10-28T18:58:23.215+01:00My Experience Street Preaching in Southend with the Baptists<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mbb2UKrz1zE?si=ZZCMKs563Ac9-jBS" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXpVgIgTk9m2vYhcGoQLCYQV6Gzsx3fnUHMIzZCiNrr0U3RXHiiiIWI-uUagqChlIqW_0wX0VIsjLueZ1xtcuiFxJqJj1m_ZXUQD7SEKycWiWd45AbVYSNRS0Abx4731ZHJbY_0VL6PW6IC8I1W6KmSG8fLEEwE1wKyuEvSXcUMFZma4G9nglE2ldSht4/s2000/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-28%20at%2017.26.13_2eb006b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXpVgIgTk9m2vYhcGoQLCYQV6Gzsx3fnUHMIzZCiNrr0U3RXHiiiIWI-uUagqChlIqW_0wX0VIsjLueZ1xtcuiFxJqJj1m_ZXUQD7SEKycWiWd45AbVYSNRS0Abx4731ZHJbY_0VL6PW6IC8I1W6KmSG8fLEEwE1wKyuEvSXcUMFZma4G9nglE2ldSht4/w640-h360/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-28%20at%2017.26.13_2eb006b5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-72843135842945769952023-10-24T10:59:00.002+01:002023-10-24T10:59:44.221+01:00What Jimmy Savile and Whoopi Goldberg have in common with the ‘synodal’ way of thinkingThe latest from Katherine Bennett, too controversial for the Catholic Herald!<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklfzT8XW8hwziyX-rDwMIDYRqNiEyV65epSTmn2HpbLwJQ-8jfJXkQfQOnZXQE2hqk3s-ms2iK-vuklWXPwRk55s7gTIi9k2v8YrX1V9zAW9huBygvh53bL7nwNr047AQ5WaRZTNaKqRMpxUfxv5pXW_oLxwKdq1LEZVgvn4MFWhEKUoaZYtqeE68-W_8/s907/Screenshot-2023-10-24-at-09.22.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="907" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklfzT8XW8hwziyX-rDwMIDYRqNiEyV65epSTmn2HpbLwJQ-8jfJXkQfQOnZXQE2hqk3s-ms2iK-vuklWXPwRk55s7gTIi9k2v8YrX1V9zAW9huBygvh53bL7nwNr047AQ5WaRZTNaKqRMpxUfxv5pXW_oLxwKdq1LEZVgvn4MFWhEKUoaZYtqeE68-W_8/w640-h464/Screenshot-2023-10-24-at-09.22.54.png" width="640" /></a><br /> <br /><br />The world is full of so many disadvantaged people living on the margins – high profile politicians, former US Presidents, billionaire globalists and their nepo babies, Hollywood stars and celebrity LGBT activists – all of whom are welcomed into the big tent by Pope Francis while Cardinal Zen shivers in the car park with the Latin Mass-goers. <br /><br />The latest marginalised face to receive a golden ticket to PopeWorld™ was rich, celebrity loudmouth Whoopi Goldberg who has waited years to thank Pope Francis for his message of inclusivity towards people who had never been excluded in the first place. What Ms Goldberg, a pro-abortion activist, is really thankful for is that there is now a Pope whose ambiguity allows people to indulge the perennial temptation to push God aside and place their own will at the centre.<br /><br />“At the heart of all temptations,” Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his series of books entitled “Jesus of Nazareth”, “is the act of pushing God aside because we perceive him as secondary, if not superfluous and annoying in comparison with all the apparently far more urgent matters that fill our lives. <br /><br />“Constructing a world by our own lights without reference to God, building on our own foundation, refusing to acknowledge the reality of anything beyond the political and the material while setting God aside as an illusion; that is the temptation that threatens us in many varied forms. <br /><br />“Moral posturing is part and parcel of temptation. It does not invite us directly to do evil, no, that would be far too blatant. It pretends to show us a better way where we finally abandon our illusions and throw ourselves into the work of making the world a better place.”<br /><br />This elevating of social justice above worship and holiness destabilises the right order and leads to the kind of incoherence we are witnessing in both the world and the Church today. It is something Cardinal Ratzinger foresaw in his <a href="https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/incontri/rc_con_cfaith_19890502_laxenburg-ratzinger_en.html">far-sighted address to European bishops in 1989.</a><br /><br />As Pope Francis wins plaudits from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Clinton, Alex Soros and Fr James Martin for his stance on climate change, immigration and homosexuality, faithful members of the Church are hung out to dry, such as the courageous Cardinal Zen who was refused half an hour with him, nuns who were allegedly viciously abused and bullied by his friend Marko Rupnik, people with same-sex attraction living in accordance with Church teaching, Bishop Strickland facing pressure to resign and Nicaraguan Catholics who await a muscular response to their persecution.<br /><br />The very things that Pope Francis claims will bring unity are causing division. He either knows this and does it anyway or doesn’t know it and does it anyway. Either way it doesn’t look good. As Donald DeMarco commented in Crisis Magazine last week, “The Church is in a bad way when her pope alienates faithful Catholics while bonding with her detractors”.<br /><br />The German priest Alfred Delp who was executed by the Nazis warned against the temptation to elevate political or material ends above God. “…Bread is important,” he wrote, “freedom is more important, but most important of all is unbroken fidelity and faithful adoration.” Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that “When this ordering of goods is no longer respected but turned on its head, the result is not justice or concern for human suffering, the result is rather ruin and destruction”.<br /><br />The problem that Pope Francis needs to overcome with his synod on synodality is not, and never has been, the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is instead the problem of those who seek to refashion God and His church to suit their own worldview, who marvel not at God who “laid the foundations of the earth” (Job 38:4) but marvel instead at the “moral law within”. Paedophilia, abuse, bullying, backhanders, the raw exercise of power all occur when we turn away from Christ and His Church and turn instead towards our own sense of how things should be. What we need is more Job and less Kant, the very opposite of what the Synod on Synodality is offering. <br /><br />As we approach the 12th anniversary of the death of Jimmy Savile, a number of programmes about him have been produced, including BBC drama “The Reckoning” which opens with Pope Francis’ henchman Cardinal Roche (who implemented the clampdown on the traditional liturgy) celebrating that it “is impossible to list all the charitable causes which Jimmy supported and espoused”. <br /><br />A lot was made of Jimmy Savile’s Catholic Faith, and it is likely that people watching will use it to bash Catholicism. They will suggest it is proof that Catholicism is a wholly awful enterprise and any attempt to shake it up and make it fit for modern times (as Pope Francis is attempting to do) should be celebrated.<br /><br />The problem is that Savile, who was praised for his charitable works and courted the approval of those whom the world tells us are important, has far more in common with a synodal way of thinking than with authentic Catholicism. Rather than elucidate the constant teaching of the Church, the Synod elevates poorly catechised voices in the laity who want the Church to change to suit them; voices calling for the ordination of women, blessings for homosexual unions and receiving communion as a “right” rather than a “gift”.<br /><br />Savile, who sexually molested an 11-year-old girl whilst standing at the back of Church during Holy Mass and who said, “There are many sorts of Gods …there’s my own God who is a God moulded to my own image insofar as he suits me”, is not a man who accepts that Jesus Christ bought the right to set down the laws and limits for His Church with His own blood on the cross. This was not a man who humbly fell on his knees before God and asked how he might change. He was a man who manipulated God (just as he did everyone around him) to conveniently suit himself. Worse still he convinced a disordered world that he must be good if he runs marathons and raises money for charity, and they bought it. <br /><br />They bought it because they were the product of a world that told them the highest good was social justice; a world that, unanchored from truth, screams about climate change, human rights and open borders; a world in which worship of God and striving for holiness doesn’t feature. In such a world only the Church is in a position to reorder goods to guard against the inevitable failure of this approach. It is something that Pope Benedict XVI tried to do but was eviscerated for as he wisely declared: “We must make it clear that departure from Church teaching or silence about it in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral, only what is true can be ultimately pastoral.”<br /><br />“Why can’t you see me?” were the words uttered by the girl violated by Jimmy Savile at the back of a church. The uncomfortable answer is that they were falling over one another to say what a great man he was because of his social works. As Pope Francis wears his humble clothes and cheap black shoes, rides in a fiat rather than a limousine, praises celebrities and politicians who work tirelessly for social causes, those seeking to rest in truth itself might well ask “Why can’t you see me?”. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194671712415535537.post-64297024788271574572023-10-23T09:56:00.003+01:002023-10-23T09:56:17.730+01:00Vatican synod – heat and light: Not all changes are reforms<p><br /></p><p> An <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2023/10/23/vatican-synod-heat-and-light/" target="_blank">excellent letter</a> in the <i>Irish Times</i> today as follows:</p><p>Hat tip to Luke for sharing this!</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Sir, – There has been a great deal of heat and very little light coming out of the Vatican synod on synodality. Even the name is incomprehensible and designed to confuse and obfuscate. This is, of course, quite deliberate, but there is an easy, step-by-step way of deciphering precisely what is happening.</span></p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">Step one is to understand that the church is mirroring the world instead of the other way around, and the world is governed by midwits who have spent just enough time in universities to think themselves educated.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">These people then colonise administrative and bureaucratic positions and use their office to “make a difference”. This generally involves sidelining and “reinterpreting” the directives of whatever constitution they are supposed to be serving until the goals of that constitution are eventually run into the sand.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">It rarely occurs to such people that the difference they make is more often for the worse than the better.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Step two – which the church is currently engaged upon in the synod – is to present the now moribund constitution as in need of being made “fit for purpose” for modern times. Suitable “voices of the dispossessed” will be included to prove the need for such upgrading, and the curious homogeneity of these voices is just the proof that things needed rejigging in the first place. A discreet veil is invariably drawn over the counsel of people like Bishop Fulton Sheen that to marry the spirit of the age is to become a widow in the next because our midwitted friends always know better, so we’ll just plough ahead regardless.</span></p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">Step three is the creation of a parallel constitution – or magisterium, in the case of the church – which bears little or no relation to that which it replaces.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">Within church circles, this is a difficult wheeze to pull off since the magisterium is, supposedly, immutable. That which is established cannot be disestablished. This is not a major problem, however, since, if we just act like there’s a whole new order in place, we can, by course of dealing, effectively create one.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">Step four is, of course, the inevitable collapse of the new, improved, inclusive and diverse programme. We have already witnessed some of this over the last few decades with liberal priests and nuns abandoning their vows to marry and go back into the world because they hadn’t managed to “make a difference” within the church big enough to satisfy their goals, though not before doing substantial damage to the institution first.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">This is nothing to what will happen in the future.</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">With its newfound emphasis on matters like global warming, ecology and migrant rights, the church seems to be set on a course of establishing itself as the state church of whatever new world order is in the process of developing. Big mistake, and not only for the reason Bishop Sheen warned against. The head of any state church is always the prince of that state. Perhaps our prelates might consider who the prince of this world actually is. I’m sure one or two of them must have been present in seminary the day they taught theology. – Yours, etc,</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">DAVID SMITH,</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">Swords,</p><p class="default__StyledText-sc-1nhbny4-0 gVsmvl body-paragraph paywall" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "Noto Serif JP", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 2.125rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">Co Dublin.</p>Sitsiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410440649485944766noreply@blogger.com1