https://www.barnhardt.biz/2020/01/1...-finally-waking-up-case-in-point-john-zmirak/ #TOLDYA The Truth WILL out. People are finally waking up. Case in point: John Zmirak The timestamp I transcribe begins at 25:12… “What this shows me is that Pope Benedict is NOT a free agent, he is not able to do what he wants. I REALLY think the Italian police should remove him from the Vatican and make sure that he wants to still be there, because I don’t think he’s there of his own free will, and I wonder if he RESIGNED of his own free will, or if future historians are gonna find out that he was coerced or threatened or somehow cajoled into resigning, and if that happens then Pope Francis’ whole term in office will be regarded as an Antipope, and there will be an asterisk next to his name in history books. This kind of thing happened in the Middle Ages occasionally, happened in the Renaissance. There is a track record for evil men grabbing hold of the Office of the Pope….” +
This has been my thought all along, even before it was commonly thought. But that might happen in the future. For now we are NOT able to judge this pope’s status as lay people.
Brian, Me too and exactly. We need to be patient and to continue to pray. I don't believe that it will be long now, March 18th is my guess. *** Cardinal Sarah: Claim that Benedict did not co-author book on celibacy is 'defamation' of 'exceptional gravity' https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/...not-co-author-book-on-celibacy-is-false-70714 Vatican City, Jan 13, 2020 (CNA) - Cardinal Robert Sarah said Monday that claims Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI did not co-author with him a new book on priestly celibacy are “defamations of exceptional gravity.” The publisher of the book told CNA that critics suggesting that the pope emeritus did not co-author the book, or authorize its publication, are wrong. “Are these people really implying that Cardinal Sarah is involved in a conspiracy to distort the truth?” Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, editor-in-chief of Ignatius Press, asked Jan. 13. “If Cardinal Sarah is telling [Ignatius Press] that the chapters from Pope Benedict are from Pope Benedict, we take his word for it,” Fessio said, adding that the publisher stands by its attribution of the book to both Sarah and Benedict. The priest’s comments were a response to a tweet from Eva Fernandez, Vatican correspondent for COPE Radio, a radio station owned by the Spanish bishops’ conference. Una fuente muy cercana a #BenedictoXVI asegura que él no ha escrito el libro “a 4 manos” junto al cardenal Sarah y que no ha dado su autorización a que se publicara. Tan sólo le facilitó un escrito sobre el sacerdocio en el que estaba trabajando. Lo contamos en @linternacope pic.twitter.com/lq1mPLow6g — Eva Fernández (@evaenlaradio) January 13, 2020 Fernandez tweeted that “a source” close to Benedict XVI had told her that Benedict did not write the book with Sarah, or give authorization for its publication. Fernandez said that Benedict “only made available a text about the priesthood on which he was working.” Fessio, a long-time friend of the pope emeritus, told CNA that was untrue. "Regarding Ignatius Press: we don't do ‘fake news’" he told CNA. The book, “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” will consist of chapters written individually by Benedict and Sarah, as well as an introduction and conclusion reportedly credited jointly to them in the French edition, although the text has not yet been published. continued below...
continued from above... On January 13, Sarah tweeted a series of letters from Benedict XVI, that seemed to affirm that the pope emeritus wrote the chapter attributed to him and authorized its publication. The letters also seemed to indicate that Sarah had edited the text provided by Benedict. “Attacks seem to imply a lie on my part. These defamations are of exceptional gravity. I give this evening the first proofs of my close collaboration with Benedict XVI to write this text in favor of celibacy,” Sarah wrote. Attacks seem to imply a lie on my part. These defamations are of exceptional gravity. I give this evening the first proofs of my close collaboration with Benedict XVI to write this text in favor of celibacy. I will speak tomorrow if necessary.+RS pic.twitter.com/EjD9K0Uc0D — Cardinal R. Sarah (@Card_R_Sarah) January 13, 2020 In the book, Benedict and Sarah argue that priestly celibacy is not merely an optional feature of Church life today, but an ontological necessity for the priesthood. The introduction to the book says that it arose from a series of meetings in recent months between Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, “while the world was echoing with the din created by a strange media synod that overrode the real Synod.” Some voices at the October 2019 synod made a case for the priestly ordination of married men in the Amazon region, ostensibly as a response to a lack of vocations. But other synod participants said that the lack of priests in the Amazon region is not caused by the obligation of priestly celibacy, and that the Church must pray for vocations and strengthen priestly formation in the region. Cardinal Sarah was among the synod participants opposed to the idea of relaxing ecclesial discipline on celibacy. Priestly celibacy is also on the agenda of the “binding synodal process” undertaken by the Church in Germany. Responding to this ongoing discussion, Benedict and Sarah are releasing “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” published in English by Ignatius Press. It can now be preordered, and is due to ship Feb. 20. It is due to be published in French this week. In the book, Benedict examines the history of the priesthood in the Old and New Testaments, saying that a proper understanding of the nature of the priesthood is crucial in answering contemporary questions about the priesthood. “At the foundation of the serious situation in which the priesthood finds itself today, we find a methodological flaw in the reception of Scripture as Word of God,” Benedict said. Abandoning a Christological interpretation of the Old Testament has led to a “deficient theology of worship” among many modern scholars, who fail to recognize that Jesus fulfilled the worship owed to God, rather than abolishing it, he continued. Looking at the history of the priesthood in the Old Testament, Benedict said that “the relation between sexual abstinence and divine worship was absolutely clear in the common awareness of Israel.” He noted that the priests of Israel were required to observe sexual abstinence during their time that they spend leading worship, when they were “in contact with the divine mystery.” “Given that the priests of the Old Testament had to dedicate themselves to worship only during set times, marriage and the priesthood were compatible,” he said. “But because of the regular and often even daily celebration of the Eucharist, the situation of the priests of the Church of Jesus Christ has changed radically.” Since the entire life of the priest in the New Covenant is “in contact with the divine mystery,” he said, it demands “exclusivity with regard to God” and becomes incompatible with marriage, which also requires one’s whole life. “From the daily celebration of the Eucharist, which implies a permanent state of service to God, was born spontaneously the impossibility of a matrimonial bond. We can say that the sexual abstinence that was functional was transformed automatically into an ontological abstinence. Thus its motivation and its significance were changed from within and profoundly.” The pope emeritus rejected the idea that priestly celibacy is based on a contempt for human sexuality within the Church. He noted that this claim was also dismissed by the Church Fathers, and that the Church has always viewed marriage as a gift from God. “However, the married state involves a man in his totality, and since serving the Lord likewise requires the total gift of a man, it does not seem possible to carry on the two vocations simultaneously,” he said. “Thus, the ability to renounce marriage so as to place oneself totally at the Lord’s disposition became a criterion for priestly ministry.” Just as the priests from the Tribe of Levi renounced ownership of land, priests in the New Covenant renounce marriage and family, as a sign of their radical commitment to God, he said. This is seen in the Psalm prayed when a man entered the clergy before the Second Vatican Council, he said: “The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a goodly heritage.” Benedict’s theological reflection is followed in the book by a set of pastoral considerations from Sarah. “My bishop’s heart is worried. I have met with many priests who are disoriented, disturbed and wounded in the very depths of their spiritual life by the violent challenges to the Church’s doctrine,” Sarah said. “I speak up so that everywhere in the Church, in a spirit of true synodality, a calm, prayerful reflection on the spiritual reality of the sacrament of Holy Orders can commence and be renewed.” The cardinal called priestly celibacy “the expression of the intention to place oneself at the disposal of the Lord and of men and women,” adding that “Priestly celibacy, far from being merely an ascetical discipline, is necessary to the identity of the Church.” Ordaining married men would create a “pastoral catastrophe,” risking the Church’s understanding of both the priesthood and itself, Sarah warned. “If we reduce priestly celibacy to a question of discipline, of adaptation to customs and cultures, we isolate the priesthood from its foundation.” “This total delivering of himself in Christ is the condition for a total gift of self to all men and women,” he said. “He who has not given himself totally to God is not given perfectly to his brethren.” While some exceptions exist – such as when some married Protestant pastors become Catholic and are able to be ordained priests – the shortage of priests in isolated areas is not such an exception, he said. Ordaining married men in these communities “would prevent them from giving rise to priestly vocations of celibate priests,” which would create “a permanent state detrimental to the correct understanding of the priesthood.” Sarah questioned whether the call for married priests among “isolated, poorly evangelized populations” is intended “to prevent them from discovering the fullness of the Christian priesthood.” The cardinal said that he has met with isolated communities who were living the faith through prayer and scripture without the support of priests and sacraments, similar to the situation faced by some communities in the Amazon. He recalled their “unimaginable joy” at being able to participate in a celebration of the Mass. “Allow me to state forcefully and with certainty: I think that if they had ordained married men in each village, they would have extinguished the Eucharistic hunger of the faithful,” he said. Ordaining married men would prevent young Churches from the experience of seeing themselves as the Bride of Christ and encountering Christ as Bridegroom through the radical encounter of a celibate priest, he said. Sarah added that he would not be a priest today if it were not for his encounter with celibate missionary priests in his youth, because it was the radical nature of their lives that impacted him. The cardinal also argued that “[t]he Eastern married clergy is in crisis,” pointing to comments by some members of these Churches noting tension between the priestly and married states, as well as the problem of divorce by priests. He also rejected calls for female ordination, while encouraging a deeper study of “the feminine charism,” in order to properly recognize the role and contributions of women in the Church. Concluding their work, Benedict and Sarah encouraged the discussion surrounding celibacy in the Church to be carried out with a proper understanding of the nature of the priesthood. “It is urgent and necessary for everyone—bishops, priests and lay people—to stop letting themselves be intimidated by the wrong-headed pleas, the theatrical productions, the diabolical lies and the fashionable errors that try to put down priestly celibacy,” they said. They called for priestly celibacy to be examined through a “fresh look with the eyes of faith.” “This fresh look will be the best rampart against the spirit of division, against the spirit of politics but also against the spirit of indifference and relativism,” they said. On Jan. 13, Andrea Tornielli, editorial director for the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications, wrote an op-ed praising the book. “Ratzinger and Sarah — who describe themselves as two Bishops ‘in filial obedience to Pope Francis’ who ‘are seeking the truth’ in ‘a spirit of love for the unity of the Church’ — defend the discipline of celibacy and put forth the reasons that they feel counsel against changing it,” Tornielli wrote. This story is developing and will be updated.
I'm fond of this guy. He has a light touch but gets his point across. At a time when we are been lied to in truly mind blowing way, it is a Oasis in the Desert to Find someone who actually does him best to speak the truth. Bless him all all who don't keep telling us Porky Pies. (Though he's a bit long winded; he needs to work on that.... He's very,very smart indeed though.) John 8:32 The Truth will Set You Free 31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”…
Poor Pope Benedict. He is actually in his nineties. I had no idea. \Poor man. If I ever reach my 90's they will be feeding me through a straw. 90's . Just imagine.
Padraig, I agree with Steve Skojec that there have been far more important issues to speak up about and that both Cardinal Sarah and PE Benedict probably felt that they were agreeing with Pope Francis on the requirement of priest's celibacy not being changed in the future BUT this is like the pachama ordeal God is giving us signs to take note that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark", in this case the Church of course. And I don't think that this was a ploy by the publishers to sell more books. I truly believe that the big horrible moment occurred already with AL (and the associated synod was the one that OLofG spoke of). Specifically the moment was when Pope Francis put his seal of approval on the Buenos Aires bishop's interpretation of chapter 8. All the other bad news that has and will occur in regard to the Vatican is meant to help wake up those who are still sleeping. This is just my opinion, of course, take or leave it. Edited to add: I disagree with Steve Skojec on PE Benedict's possible short term memory issues. I highly doubt that was the cause if PE Benedict is experiencing this at all. I believe that he was told to back away from this project by someone in the Vatican and he chose to do so. Archbishop Vigano felt that he should go into hiding and it appears that PE Benedict is fearful in this respect also. PS - I love the very end of the video when Steve Skojec does various accents, I didn't realize that he had that talent. It's entertaining to watch!
Brian, this past summer I took my family to Italy and while in Rome we had a private tour of The Vatican (it felt cold there, empty). When we entered the museums our guide stopped by a window and pointed over to a building and told us "that's the residence where Pope Emeritus Benedict lives now". I looked over at the building and this thought immediately hit my mind "that's his prison". I have never thought that Pope Benedict was forced to resign or subscribed to any conspiracy theories about it, but there it was, the little voice telling me it was his prison the moment I looked over at the building. Take that for what you will...
Me too. How can we possibly trust anything that comes out of the Vatican. What a sad state of affairs. I feel as though PE Benedict needs to be rescued from his prison, what a tremendous sacrifice.
you’re not alone in feeling that way. I just read this blog: https://7thhorn.com/2020/01/16/the-real-reason-folks-want-you-to-ignore-benedicts-situation/
Oh I am just sick over this. The book actually exposed what so many of us suspected all along. If we can't physically 'storm the castle', we will have to storm the castle with our prayers. Do any of you feel as though Benedict is in grave danger?
Jo M, No, I don't think that PE Benedict is in grave danger but I think that the Church is in grave danger. Do you think that he is in grave danger? I wonder if someone can offer PEB a week's long vacation somewhere, maybe Cardinal Burke or Cardinal Mueller could do this. Someone on the inside like these two men should be able to provide some more insight as to what is going on in PEB's regard, I would think so anyway.
I must admit I had my suspicions. So many things line up. Going back to the strange phenomena at his resignation. Lightning strikes over St Peter's, crows attacking the doves at PF's appearance at the balcony, the configuration of Virgo on Oct 13 in 2017 with the moon at her feet in front of the sun with the cluster of stars over her head. To me that was SO significant. I believe the destruction of Notre Dame was a sort of "in your face" to Our Lady by the Enemy. Such a coward's gesture. Fr Ripperger said last night on Fr Heilman's podcast that when Our Lady shows up during an exorcism if is all over. Done. Demons leave. So many signs all around us.
