'Pope Francis has directly thrown upon himself the utter distrust of an immense number of faithful Catholics.'
Yes I've been wondering at what point the sleeping giant of the Catholic Church might wake up and say, 'Whoa there's something wrong here?' \But since the majority of Catholics oppose Humane Vitae I am not holding my breath. The sleeping giant will stay sleeping.
I would say that a huge number of Catholics know that something is wrong with Pope Francis, even very many know by now that something is seriously wrong. Even a goodly few know the wheel has totally fallen of the wagon. But moral indignation? No. You have to be capable of it before you can have it. Most have not got the clarity of conscience to be indignant or even know what it means. I include our Bishops in this. Personally I am totally horrified by Pope Francis. My jaw no longer drops. It has fallen right off. I am sorry to be so cynical, but there you are.
But in a totally different way. Take marriage and divorce. Is Pope Francis not expanding and changing the points Christ made about multiple marriages?
I am certain that you are writing this in all charity, dear Scolaire Bocht, and are correct about paying our respect to the Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis. I see your point about challenging people, but this is too central to our Faith and surely it should not be done at the expense of bringing confusion and loss of faith and salvation to other souls. I am neither a Traditionalist nor a Modernist, just a regular Catholic who is being confounded by what she reads. It says one thing in the canon of the Magisterium and another from the Vatican press, and Papal encyclicals. Granted my understanding at any level of theology is very limited, but why posit ideas to confuse poor souls like me? That is cruel, putting people at risk of losing their faith. I well remember in the 60's when some of the Church's restrictions were changed that old folks like my Gran who never ate meat on Fridays was shocked to the core by the new rules. Perhaps the theologians are not explaining Pope Francis ideas and changes as they should, I don't know, but I beg the Holy Father to be succinctly clear in his teaching, for the sake of charity. Answer the dubia would be a good beginning. Holding the hem of Christ and His Mother's cloak!
Let us not criticize those who try to see the goodness in our Holy Father. He has spoken well on some things but has been concerning in others. We also have a false press to discern what we are reading in the news and on the internet. We must pray for each other, for the Pope and for our Priests. We all know where our Church is heading (to Calvary), but we also know that all is in God's Divine plan and we have a responsibility to "pray, pray, pray" so that the waters will calm after the great storm! "Pray, hope and don't worry!"
Kevin, you seem to have a good grip on where we're at and how we got here. I have one question which has been bothering me since David posted the article by Stephen Walford proclaiming Pope Francis to be a prophet. Is it possible that a Pope could be the False Prophet of Revelation? I ask because I always believed it impossible but now I'm not so sure. I think that the FP would have to be someone with influence or authority in the Church to enable him lead astray "even the elect". I suppose that some kind of anti-Pope would fit the bill but then I recall the peculiar circumstances surrounding the election of Pope Francis. If reports about the St. Gallen group are correct, he broke his Jesuit vows of obedience to the Pope and not seeking high office. On matters of personal morality he's a walking saint in comparison to some past Popes but even the worst of the money grabbing, murdering philanderers didn't resort to undermining or dismantling the Deposit of Faith. When I see all this backtracking on settled Church teaching regarding marriage, sexual morality, and primacy of conscience, I can't help but think of what the Catechism says about the final deception being one that will offer men a solution to their problems. Please note that I'm not calling Pope Francis the False Prophet. These are confusing, troubling times and just when we most need a shepherd to lead us along the narrow path, we seem have one who uses his crozier like a scatter gun with the barrel pointed at Catholics trying their darnedest to live the faith in a hostile world.
At Mass this morning, the Priest told us in his homily, that we are white martyrs and that we are the remnant of the Catholic Church. His words really struck me.
I read the above article which David posted as a battle cry, a cry for unification before a battle begins. Cardinal Muller and Cardinal Sarah realize that the term, "Traditional Catholics" has been used to divide the church, even by the Pope himself. A better description is devout Catholics, faithful Catholics or reverent Catholics. Personally, that is how I describe MOG members, those whom defend the one true faith. I believe that this article is a battle cry for all devout, faithful and reverent Catholics and also, possibly a wake up call for the Pope to unify the church as oppose to dividing it.
My personal view is that the title of Traditional Catholics is loosening a bit and there is a coalition forming between "Orthodox Catholics" and "Traditional Catholics". Both groups see what is going on for what it is. Both groups understand their faith and practice it. Because of this and the grace of the Holy Spirit they are not fooled. For the most part those that don't see what is going on or those that don't mind it are either Modernists or those who call themselves Catholics, but who disagree with Church teaching on things such as abortion, contraception, homosexuality, etc. anyway. There are also probably a very few who simply are still confused as to what is going on, but that number is diminishing daily.
From Father Gobbi's Blue Book message #509 12/31/1993 Great is my concern, because my Church is at the mercy of the forces of evil which are threatening it and attempting to destroy it from within. Masonry, with its diabolical power, has set up its center in the very heart of the Church, where the Vicar of my Son Jesus resides and from there it is spreading its evil influence to to every part of the world. And now the Church will once again be betrayed by its own; it will be cruelly persecuted and led to the gibbet. I see the the bloody persecution is now at the doors and many of you will be scattered by the violent wind of this frightful hurricane.
Pope Warns New Bishops Against Rigidity Tells Them to Discern Through Prayer, Humility and Obedience September 14, 2017Deborah Castellano LubovPapal Texts Pope Francis has warned new bishops against rigidity. Speaking to over 100 bishops who were appointed during the course of this year and are in Rome participating in an annual course of formation for new bishops, at times affectionately referred to as ‘Baby Bishop School,’ Francis reminded them to be creative, and to ground themselves in prayer and listening to God’s direction. He began noting that bishops ought to remember that not through their own merits, but “by pure divine benevolence” they are entrusted with testifying the Gospel of the grace of God and ministering the Spirit. A central task of being a bishop, Francis reminded them, is offering to “the flock” that spiritual and pastoral discernment necessary for it “to reach the knowledge and fulfillment of God’s will in which all fullness resides.” Identifying What Is Pleasing to God Through Prayer Highlighting that the Holy Spirit is protagonist of any authentic discernment, the Pope noted that only if one is led by God, can one have the title and authority to be proposed a leader of others. “One may teach and grow in discernment only if familiar with this inner teacher who, like a compass, offers the criteria to distinguish, for himself and for others, the times of God and His grace; to acknowledge His passage and the way of His salvation; to indicate concrete means, pleasing to God, to accomplish the good that He predisposes in His mysterious plan of love for each and for all.” This wisdom, the Pope stressed on this feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is the practical wisdom of the Cross. Prayer Is the Key “Discernment is born in the heart and mind of the bishop through his prayer,” Francis said, especially “when he puts the people and situations entrusted to him into contact with the Divine Word pronounced by the Spirit.” It is in such intimacy, he noted, that the Pastor matures the inner freedom that makes him firm in his choices and behavior, both personal and ecclesial. “Only in the silence of prayer can one learn the voice of God, perceive the traces of His language, have access to His truth.” The bishop’s discernment is always a community action, which requires listening and openness, Francis suggested. Invitation “I invite you to cultivate an attitude of listening, growing in the freedom of renouncing one’s own point of view (when it is shown to be partial and insufficient), to assume that of God.” “Without letting oneself be conditioned by the eyes of others, make efforts to get to know with your own eyes the places and the people, the spiritual and cultural “tradition” of the diocese entrusted to you, to respectfully enter into the memory of its testimony of Christ and to interpret its concrete presence in the light of the Gospel outside which there is no future for the Church.” Discerning therefore means humility and obedience, Francis said, “noting humility with regard to one’s own projects and obedience with regard to the Gospel, the ultimate criterion; to the Magisterium, which conserves it; to the norms of the universal Church, which serve it; and to the concrete situation of people.” Creative Process Discernment, the Pope said, is a remedy for the immobility of “it has always been so” or “let us take time.” “It is a creative process that does not just apply schemas. It is an antidote against rigidity, because the same solutions are not valid everywhere. “It is always the perennial today of the Risen Lord that demands that we do not resign ourselves to the repetition of the past, and have the courage to ask ourselves whether the proposals of yesterday are still evangelically valid,” Francis said, adding: “Do not let yourselves be imprisoned by the nostalgia of having only one answer to apply in all cases.” God, Pope Francis told the bishops, was already present in their dioceses when they arrived and will still be there when they are gone. In the end, the Pontiff said, “we will all be measured not by counting our works but on the growth of God’s work in the heart of the flock that we keep.” True Discernment True discernment, though definitive in every step, is an always open and necessary process that can be completed and enriched. . An essential condition for progressing in discernment is to educate ourselves in the patience of God and His times , which are never ours. “I beg you to keep scrupulously before your eyes Jesus and the mission that was not His but of His Father, and to offer to the people – confused and lost today, just as they were yesterday – what He was able to give: the chance to encounter God personally, to choose His way and to progress in His love.” Pope Francis concluded reminding them to keep their gaze fixed on the Lord today, the Feast of the Holy Cross. __ On ZENIT’s Web page: Pope’s address: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-address-to-newly-appointed-bishops/
Over 100 new bishops in one year!!!! There are already about 70 Jesuit Bishops. Is there an ecclesiastical equivalent to gerrymandering? How many of them are titular Bishops without a diocese like the ghostwriter of Amoris Laetitia? http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/d3t09.html OnePeterFive has some excerpts from Archbishop Fernandez's book "Heal me with your mouth - the art of kissing", for example: Come down my dear before you awaken suddenly someone desperate with a terrible hickey. How was God so cruel as to give you that mouth… There is no one who resists me, bitch, hide itMore here, if you're a glutton for punishment: https://onepeterfive.com/full-text-art-kissing-pope-francis-ghostwriter-archbishop-tucho-fernandez/ Forget earthquakes, comets, mystery planets and colliding starts. 100 more like Archbishop Fernandez is more Warning and chastisement than humanity can bear.
If this is the kind of junk that is written by our Catholic clergy, then it's no wonder that our Church and world are in such sad shape!
Speaking of revolution... https://abyssum.org/ ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT / DEEP CALLS TO DEEP IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A MAN TO BE ELECTED POPE WHILE HE IS IN THE STATE OF BEING AN EXCOMMUNICANT? THIS IS MORE THAN A HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION. Posted on September 16, 2017 by abyssum Election of Pope Francis Pursuant to Universi Dominici Gregis “My people have been a lost flock: their shepherds have caused them to go astray and have made them wander in the mountains. They have gone from the mountain to the hill: they have forgotten their resting place.” (Douay-Rheims translation, Old Testament, Jeremiah 50:6) “According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they [i.e., Christian Faithful] have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.” (1983 CIC 212 §3) By John J. Aréchiga 27 March 2017 The March 13, 2013, papal election of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) is arguably a high point in an ongoing MODERNIST conspiracy and this commentary will establish that Bergoglio’s (Pope Francis) papal election is invalid. On March 12, 2013, the Papal conclave of 2013 convened to elect a pope to succeed Benedict XVI – following the resignation of Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013. On March 13, 2013, the College of Cardinals elected Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, SJ, an Argentine cardinal and Archbishop of Buenos Aires as pontiff. He selected the name of Francis. Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) celebrated his inauguration on March 19, 2013, and installed as Bishop of Rome on April 7, 2013. The 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law, Canon 160, makes clear that only an apostolic constitution governs the election of the Roman Pontiff. “The election of the Roman Pontiff is guided SOLELY (emphasis supplied) by the constitution of [Pope] Pius X Vacante Sede Apostolica of December 1904; in other ecclesiastical elections, the prescriptions of the canons that follow are to be observed [as well as] those special ones, if there are any, that are established for individual offices.” In this regard, The 1983 Johanno-Pauline Code of Canon Law, Canon 349, is consistent with the 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law. In pertinent part: “The cardinals of the Holy Roman Church constitute a special college which provides for the election of the Roman Pontiff according to the norm of special [not canonical] law [Apostolic constitution].” On February 22, 1996, His Holiness John Paul II, Supreme Pontiff, published Universi Dominici Gregis, Apostolic Constitution, On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff. Pope John Paul II declared abrogated all Constitutions and Orders issued in this regard by the Roman Pontiffs, and at the same time declared completely null and void anything done by any person, whatever his authority, knowingly or unknowingly, in any way contrary to Universi Dominici Gregis. The election of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) was therefore pursuant to Universi Dominici Gregis, Apostolic Constitution, On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff, Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on February 22, 1996, by His Holiness John Paul II, Supreme Pontiff. That being said, it is very important to note that this author is NOT a canon lawyer. The author used English translations of both the 1983 Johanno-Pauline Code of Canon Law and the 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law to develop this commentary. In moving forward one must first understand the relevance of Universi Dominici Gregis before discussing relevant allegations and arguments. Promulgation of Universi Dominici Gregis In promulgating Universi Dominici Gregis His Holiness Pope John Paul II wrote: “Wherefore, after mature reflection and following the example of my Predecessors, I lay down and prescribe these norms and I order that no one shall presume to contest the present Constitution and anything contained herein for any reason whatsoever (emphasis supplied). This Constitution is to be completely observed by all, notwithstanding any disposition to the contrary, even if worthy of special mention. It is to be fully and integrally implemented and is to serve as a guide for all to whom it refers. As determined above, I hereby declare abrogated all Constitutions and Orders issued in this regard by the Roman Pontiffs, and at the same time I declare completely null and void anything done by any person, whatever his authority, knowingly or unknowingly, in any way contrary to this Constitution (emphasis supplied). Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 22 February, the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle, in the year 1996, the eighteenth of my Pontificate. [Universi Dominici Gregis, Promulgation].” An Apostolic Constitution, absent specific reference to a specific canon, takes precedence over canon law. Therefore, Canon Law did not have any bearing on the papal conclave election. Interjecting canon law into the papal election of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) only serves to distract, confuse, and obfuscate relevant criteria: Universi Dominici Gregis. Powers of the College of Cardinals during the Vacancy of the Apostolic See In promulgating Universi Dominici Gregis His Holiness Pope John Paul II made clear the powers of the College of Cardinals during the vacancy of the Holy See, and the election of the Roman Pontiff. Paragraphs 4-6 state: “During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, laws issued by the Roman Pontiffs can in no way be corrected or modified, nor can anything be added or subtracted, nor a dispensation be given even from a part of them, especially with regard to the procedures governing the election of the Supreme Pontiff. Indeed, should anything be done or even attempted against this prescription, by my supreme authority I declare it null and void (emphasis supplied).” [Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 4] “Should doubts arise concerning the prescriptions contained in this Constitution, or concerning the manner of putting them into effect, I decree that all power of issuing a judgment in this regard belongs to the College of Cardinals, to which I grant the faculty of interpreting doubtful or controverted points. I also establish that should it be necessary to discuss these or other similar questions, except the act of election, it suffices that the majority of the Cardinals present should concur in the same opinion.” [Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 5] contd..
“In the same way, should there be a problem which, in the view of the majority of the assembled Cardinals, cannot be postponed until another time, the College of Cardinals may act according to the majority opinion.” [Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 6] Arguably, Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 5, also rendered Normas Nonnullas superfluous, unnecessary, and moot. Determining Validity of the Papal Election A valid papal election depended on the compliance with Universi Dominici Gregis, Apostolic Constitution on the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff. “Should the election take place in a way other than that prescribed in the present Constitution, or should the conditions laid down here not be observed, the election is for this very reason null and void, without any need for a declaration on the matter; consequently, it confers no right on the one elected.” [Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 76] “I decree that the dispositions concerning everything that precedes the election of the Roman Pontiff and the carrying out of the election itself must be observed in full (emphasis supplied), even if the vacancy of the Apostolic See should occur as a result of the resignation of the Supreme Pontiff, in accordance with the provisions of Canon 333 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law and Canon 44 § 2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.” [Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 77] Universi Dominici Gregis paragraph 76 essentially references the Matters to be Observed or Avoided in the Election of the Roman Pontiff as prescribed by paragraphs 78-86; paragraph 77 emphasizes that the dispositions concerning everything that precedes the election of the Roman Pontiff and the carrying out of the election itself must be observed in full, even if the vacancy of the Apostolic See should occur as a result of the resignation of the Supreme Pontiff. In pertinent part Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 76, states: “The [Papal] election is for this very reason null and void” As written, “for this very reason” refers to “election take place in a way other than that prescribed in the present Constitution, or should the conditions laid down here not be observed.” As written, “the [Papal] election” infers there was an election – and that the Church moved on. In pertinent part Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 76, also states: “Without any need for a declaration on the matter;” As written, there is no need for adjudication by anyone. This includes the Magisterium and the College of Cardinals. This is both a logical and critical concept. It would be illogical to take the evidence of an invalid papal election to the invalidly elected pope or his appointees. It would also be a conflict of interest to take the evidence of an invalid papal election to the invalidly elected pope or his appointees. The inference is that all that is required is for one or more responsible parties step forward with evidence that the papal election took place in a way other than that prescribed in Universi Dominici Gregis. This includes members of the laity. In pertinent part Universi Dominici Gregis, paragraph 76, also states: “Consequently, it confers no right on the one elected.” As written, paragraph 76 infers that an invalidly elected pope does not speak infallibly on matters of Church faith and doctrine; cannot convene Church councils, synods, etc.; cannot lawfully reassign, appoint, or consecrate bishops, archbishops, or cardinals; cannot lawfully reorganize or restructure the Roman Rota; etc. As written, paragraph 76 infers it may be minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, even decades, before it is discovered “the election” took place in a way other than that prescribed by Universi Dominici Gregis.
