The following comes from a November 20 A Shepherd’s Voice blog post:
The recent Synod on the Family included an event of supreme importance that has been noted by many—the emergence of the sub-Saharan African Church. There is a stark contrast between the incoherence of the infected bishops and the simple and assured clarity of the African bishops. A number of examples could be given, but one will suffice for this article: the masterful Intervention of Cardinal Robert Sarah.
First, Cardinal Sarah noted the infection had reached the highest levels of the Church. Excerpt:
“I say frankly that in the previous Synod, on various issues one sensed the temptation to yield to the mentality of the secularized world and individualistic West. Recognizing the so-called ‘realities of life’ as a locus theologicus means giving up hope in the transforming power of faith and the Gospel. The Gospel that once transformed cultures is now in danger of being transformed by them.”
His Eminence also insisted on a ‘Discernment of History and Spirits.’ He then discerned:
“A second hope: that the Synod honor its historic mission and not limit itself to speaking only about certain pastoral issues (such as the possible communion for divorced and remarried) but help the Holy Father to enunciate clearly truths and real guidance on a global level. For there are new challenges with respect to the synod celebrated in 1980. A theological discernment enables us to see in our time two unexpected threats (almost like two “apocalyptic beasts”) located on opposite poles: on the one hand, the idolatry of Western freedom; on the other, Islamic fundamentalism: atheistic secularism versus religious fanaticism. To use a slogan, we find ourselves between “gender ideology and ISIS”.
Several clues enable us to intuit the same demonic origin of these two movements. Unlike the Spirit of Truth that promotes communion in the distinction (perichoresis), these encourage confusion (homo-gamy) or subordination (poly-gamy). Furthermore, they demand a universal and totalitarian rule, are violently intolerant, destroyers of families, society and the Church, and are openly Christianophobic.”
The First Council of Nicaea, in 325 AD, was another Church event of supreme importance. Yet who, outside of a church historian, can even recall the name of the Pope at the time of the Nicaea? The pivotal figure at Nicaea was not the then-Pope, but Bishop Athanasius. And any Catholic with even a slight knowledge of the faith, not to mention people outside the faith, knows of Athanasius. His Holiness Pope Francis called the Synod on the Family. But a thousand years from now it may well be remembered as Cardinal Sarah’s Synod.
I like this man. He “pulls no punches” God bless him, and may the Good Lord give us more men like him.
I did not mean that Cardinal Sarah is not kind when it is warranted, but that he certainly can show “tough love” when the occasion arises.
Cardinal Robert Sarah is a good and holy man. Also as the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship he clarifies binding doctrine.
” If he (Pope) speaks about the environment, the climate, the economy, immigrants, etc., he is working from information that may be correct, or mistaken, but [in these cases] he is speaking as Obama speaks, or another president,” Cdl. Sarah explained. “It doesn’t mean that what he says on the economy is dogma, something we need to follow. It’s an opinion.” – Cdl Sarah.
https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/cdl.-sarah-if-theres-no-repentance-theres-no-mercy#disqus_thread
The good Nuncio can “call” the Jesuits to more Catholic identity, but I found a long time ago that call is to a line that has been disconnected.
Steve Phoenix, to dismiss an entire order of men who have given their lives to God. Just because you don’t like to think, is no reason why Jesuit thinkers must all be hopelessly corrupt.
Honor this great man, who dares to speak the truth.
Amen to that, Maryanne. Not only does Cardinal speak the truth, but he does so with concise clarity. He straightens out the confusing messages we sometimes get from our Holy Father—often due to selective editing, even downright distortions
of statements, offered by the secular media. God bless and preserve this mighty Prince of the Church.
“we find ourselves between “gender ideology and ISIS”.
Indeed – and although the Be-headers are making the splashy videos, it is the MISNDRY (Hatred of Men & Boys, Masculinity & Normal Heterosexuality) Machine that I say represents the greater danger.
Gory videos may sicken the well or inspire the sick – but to Seriously Exterminate requires a Ruthless Machinery (like the Homo=Nazi reich used) operated by equally Ruthless Zealots.
The Gaystapo has overseen extermination on a mass scale before, and although the actors may have changed, the pogrom remains the same with today’s (Radical Leftist / Gender Feminist / Homosex) Hate Machine.
Michael, I know you are trying to get a message across, but I also suspect that if there was an article about the blight in the orange groves of Florida you would blame it on MISNDRY. It is your response to almost everything. Using Gaystapo, and other weird descriptions diminishes the value of your otherwise well thought out comments. I assume you are a lawyer, based on your comments, but I also assume you can’t win many cases using this type of vocabulary, or win over many on this site with that language. Just saying.
To Cardinal Sarah I say, well said, Amen. I hope he has influence in the College of Cardinals in the next election of a pope, which I hope will be soon.
Sarah
The ‘tyranny’ of sex-change surgery and its political sycophants
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-sex-ideological-tyranny-of-sex-change-surgery-and-its-political-sycophants?
This mental disorder is characterized by a repudiation or aversion to one’s sex, and whether surgically altering genitalia is legitimate treatment, or a mutilation vainly done to satisfy a mental delusion, is the most consequential question for transgendered persons themselves, and one of the more controversial issues surrounding “transgender rights.” These have “emerged as the next big thing”
SEE
Understanding and Responding to the Transgender Movement.” https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF15F45.pdf…
Rudimentary knowledge of genetics and biology tells us that there are, indeed, individuals that lack a clear biological sex identity. We can talk about people with XXY chromosomes, we can talk about genetic mosaics (individuals which have some cells that are XX and others that are XY IN THE SAME PERSON), developmental issues with regard to genitalia, and many more.
Failing to recognize such people’s existence makes them the targets of abuse and ridicule if you try to claim that individuals who experience gender confusion are all “denying reality and God”. Of course, Mike will dismiss such individuals as an insignificant few as he attempts to…
McDermot’s link also fails to consider that Adrenal Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) proves that gender identity is separate from chromosomes. An AIS individual has XY chromosomes, but the cells don’t respond to androgen hormones (testosterone). Such a person can ONLY develop female secondary sexual characteristics and will develop a female sexual identity.
AIS proves that it is HORMONES not chromosomes that create sexual identity, presumably exposing the developing brain to sex hormones during fetal development. While I agree sex identity is immutable at birth, I also assert that fetal hormone surges can set a sexual identity at odds with chromosomes and will not be apparent in the DNA despite having a basis in biological development.
Intersex is different from transgenderism or transexuality.
No one knew intersexuality conditions existed 200 years ago. Why is it so impossible that other conditions could exist that our science can’t identify? 200 years ago, such intersexual individuals would have been condemned as homosexuals and defying God’s will.
Some intersex conditions are noticeable at birth. Some might be “detected” at puberty. Others would have been considered sterility without understanding the cause. It is possible that some might have been considered homosexual.
There is no confusion in the sex of transgender and transsexual persons. Hormonal inadequacy in the womb as a cause of transgenderism is possible. Transexuality is a choice that a person makes.
So your answer to a person with a completely XY body, that say discovers that 70% of their brain cells are XX, to just live with it? That it would be immoral to modify the body to match the brain? If such an act is immoral, then why is it moral for a hairlip to seek surgical repair?
Is this answer for their spiritual benefit? Or are you asking them to live in misery just so you will be spared moments of discomfort, or so you enjoy doctrinal clarity in your faith?
You sure read a lot into my post that just plain isn’t there.
Jon J, I am no expert but except for reproductive cells, all cells in the body have the same chromosomes.
JonJ, if you want to know whether something is immoral or not, seek out the wisdom of the Church.
When you ask anyone else you will tend to get a narcissistic morality.
i would not be surprised at all to see him soon as pope augustine I