The following comes from a December 16 LifeSiteNews article by Steve Jalsevac:
Our Nov. 16-23 visit to Rome was the most dramatic of many such twice-per-year work trips we have taken there during the past 10 years. After meeting with cardinals, bishops and other Vatican agency and dicastery staff, John-Henry Westen, our new Rome reporter, Jan Bentz, and I saw a consistent pattern of widespread anxiety and very real fear among faithful Church servants. We have never encountered this before.
Many were afraid of being removed from their positions, fired from their jobs in Vatican agencies or of encountering severe public or private reprimands and personal accusations from those around the pope or even from Francis himself. They are also fearful and anxious about the great damage being done to the Church and being helpless to stop it.
Near the end of our visit, one very high-level cleric confirmed our observations. He added, “One can sense the fear. It is tangible.” Another, who has always been willing to discuss difficult situations, immediately told us that he would not talk, even off the record, in confidence, about any of the current controversies. We were told not to ask him any questions about these things. By the end of that visit we were able to broach one of the controversies and the important information unknown to him was appreciated.
The release of the dubia letter by the now known to be six brave cardinals, quietly supported by at least 20 to 30 other cardinals, has clearly sparked a heightened atmosphere of intimidation and fear in the Vatican.
On Nov. 23 LSN journalist Pete Baklinski reported that Bishop Athanasius Schneider said he had “great astonishment” for what he called the “unusually violent and intolerant” nature of the backlash, adding that such reaction runs contrary to the Pope’s call for “dialogue and acceptance of a legitimate plurality of opinions.”
The Francis papacy has created a radically different climate in Rome from that of Pope St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI, under whom Rome was a vastly more welcoming place for Catholic Culture of Life warriors such as ourselves.
Another Nov. 23 story reported that Cardinals Burke and Pell were officially removed from the Congregation for Divine Worship and that “the office’s membership was recently gutted, with numerous progressives appointed as replacements.” This has effectively left the strongly orthodox Cardinal Sarah, the congregation’s head, a neutralized, silenced figurehead. Cardinal Ouellet, head of the Congregation of Bishops, has also been left with little real authority, with progressive, Francis-appointed underlings now having the greater say on who becomes a bishop. The bishops being appointed now are generally tending to be of the most radically liberal views, such as now Cardinals Cupich and Farell and San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy.
The Academy for Life, originally personally founded by Pope St. John Paul II and the also saintly Dr. Jerome Lejeune, has been drastically changed and Kasperite bishop, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, has been chosen by Pope Francis to be the new head. The original requirement by St. John Paul II and Dr. Lejeune that members must sign a declaration that they uphold the Church’s pro-life teachings has been removed, the mandate of the Academy has been changed to a seamless-garment type that will now include a focus on the environment. The life-long memberships of the many distinguished original members of the Academy have been revoked. It is likely no coincidence that this was done considering that a significant number of those original members, dear friends of John Paul II and Dr Lejeune, have been among the severest and more capable lay critics of Pope Francis.
Claire Chretien reported on Nov. 23 that Pope Francis has praised the 1960s German moral theologian Bernard Häring, one of the most prominent dissenters from Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, for his new morality, which the pope said helped “moral theology to flourish.”
Can you imagine the impact of that act by Francis on all those in the Vatican curia and agencies, and on pastors around the world, who were all taught to strongly defend Humanae Vitae by St. Pope John Paul II and Benedict? What will happen to them now, in the current climate of severe intimidation, if they continue what was natural to them for decades in union with the Catholic magisterial teaching on the issue of contraception – teaching going back to the very beginning of the Church?
In his editorial in the upcoming December issue of LifeSite’s Faithful Insight magazine, John-Henry Westen relates more of what we discovered:
“… Catholic universities in Rome are watched and professors’ lectures screened to ensure they fall in line with a liberal interpretation of Amoris Laetitia. Clerics are reported to superiors if they are overheard expressing concerns about Pope Francis. Many are afraid to speak openly, even though in the past they were always very willing. Vatican reporters told us they were warned numerous times not to report on the dubia.”
It is as though Catholic Rome has turned into a type of Church police state because of what is seen to be a great threat from the dubia letter to certain agendas. In a December 13 article on OnePeterFive, Vatican commentator Maike Hickson stated,
“I have heard reports that the Vatican is like an occupied state. Certain sources I’ve spoken with have a fear that communications with Vatican officials are being monitored; some have even reported suspicious anomalies in their telephone conversations in which, after a dropped call, the audio of the last moments of their conversation has played over and over again on a loop, as though they are hearing a recording. Some individuals who work within the Vatican are advising their contacts on the outside not to share sensitive information via email or their Vatican-issued cell phones.”
Hickson goes on to quote respected Vatican correspondent Ed Pentin’s response to a question in an extensive interview in Reginamag.com titled, “Is there a reign of terror in the Vatican?” Pentin responded,
“The Pope’s reaction, of going so far as to question the [four] cardinals’ mental state, has been read as a manifestation of his own anger at having his agenda taken off course. And instead of taking the four cardinals at their word (they have said they are acting primarily out of charity towards the Holy Father, justice and deep pastoral concern), they are seen as adversaries. I understand he has also been working behind the scenes to ensure his agenda is not thwarted. From strategically placed articles in L’Osservatore Romano to equivocations from those who publicly criticized the dubia when asked if the Pope had asked them to do so, Francis has been acting, as one observer put it, like a “behind-the-scenes political lobbyist.” In the three weeks after the dubia were published, the Pope gave three interviews to the world’s media, each of them aimed at legitimizing his position while denigrating his critics.
Lastly, it’s important to point out that simply by matching facts with words coming from the Pope and his allies, it’s clear there is significant lying and deceit taking place, as well as calumnies and the besmirching of reputations of those labeled to be “on the right” just because they are publicly critical of Amoris Laetitia, or merely report on such criticism. It genuinely pains me to say all this, because as a Catholic journalist one doesn’t wish in any way to diminish the Petrine Office, but I feel I have an obligation to report the facts on what is happening.”
These are strong words from this always top-notch Vatican reporter who is normally soft-spoken and very mild-mannered.
In another LifeSite article, we reported Bishop Athanasius’ assessment of the deterioration of the situation in Rome,
“The reaction to the dubia is a proof of the climate in which we actually live in the Church right now,” Bishop Schneider said. “We live in a climate of threats and of denial of dialogue towards a specific group.”
Who is to say the observations are in fact correct observations. Since this article is viewed by observations from what is going on in Rome I view it with a grain of salt. Brothers and sisters in Christ pray for the Holy Father, all the Cardinals, Bishops and Priests in Rome that they prepare their flocks for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ True God True Man Lord of Lords King of Kings. I love you Jesus, I thank you Jesus I trust in you Jesus.
Very “pietistic” but not addressing the issue. Everyone who does not like bad news “takes it with a grain of salt.”
I work in Rome.. this article is sensationalizing and incorrect. It strings together some truths to support a forgone conclusion in which the writer (or news outlet) wants to reader to have. This is wrong.. simply wrong.. to mislead people in this way. I am in Rome 6 months out of the year and have many friends who work inside the Vatican. This news outlet is trying to create a divide in our church.. Guard your eyes!
The question that the reader should be asking is why would any news outlet write such things — cast such a negative light on the Pope — when they are just observations. To evoke emotion… and with emotion you get action and action — hits, clicks, shares and comments — All of this is needed to fundraise…
And this anonymous poster is attempting to pin the realities of divergence within the Church on CCD. This is wrong, simply wrong to mislead people from seeking the truth or even looking at anything outside the prescribed narrative of all’s-well. Guard your eyes, yes, but do not blind yourself to the realities that we are called to discern. By their fruits you shall know them, not by what “they” say.
The question that the reader of this anonymous post should be asking is why the Vatican seems so intent on denying the reality of what is, in truth, going on. To evoke a sense of shame at merely looking to what is evidenced even at the parish level.
Look at the hires and fires, that is “actions” not what is said. As for…
…fundraising, that is too often the motive for pretending that all is holy, healthy, and right on track – especially by those presuming to change the gospel to suit those with itching ears and deep pockets.
Check out CCC 675. It’s written for good reason.
This news outlet has been at the bottom of the destabilisation which has occurred since the pontificate if Pope Francis began. It is this outlet and followers who have created the climate of confusion especially over AL. It is this outlet which has harrassed the Holy Father. Pope benedict is also part to blame because he changed the nature of papacy from lifelong charism to one of job where pope can be dismissed or forced to resign. this is what is happening. Shame. Shame. Shame. No fear of God. We are seeing disobedience and how power corrupts.
“We are seeing disobedience and how power corrupts.”
When father’s misbehave there is confusion, Hannah. That is why heads of families need to lead,and lead with the truth that doesn’t take the authority given to mistreat/mislead the children.
So if you’re looking for one to tag with changing the nature of the papacy, look to the one who fancies teaching his own ideas and takes no regard for the position accepted. Answering legitimate questions, questions about confusing directives that deviate from the truth, is part of the job.
Shame, shame, shame. Power corrupts absolutely. And obedience comes when it is taught from the top down, not the other way around. That is obeying God’s law.
Hannah Smith: Your post is puzzling. “Pope benedict is also part to blame because he changed the nature of papacy from lifelong charism to one of job where pope can be dismissed or forced to resign.” He changed nothing in that regard. The list of popes who resigned or were “driven” from office by events is long. “It is this outlet and followers who have created the climate of confusion especially over AL.” No. In fact it was the pope’s letter to the Argentine bishops saying that their interpretation of AL is correct which created the confusion. As for “how power corrupts”–perhaps it only reveals.
anonymous, i’m glad you’re in a position to follow things more closely than most of us. by the way, whatever became of monsignor balda vallejo? i last heard he sent sent to the ‘vatican jail’ after being sentenced. i wonder if that didn’t set an example for some in gigh position as , perhaps, a necessary warning to any who might think of interefering with the holy father’s work through illegal leaks and stories.
typo…’gigh’ shoul be ‘high’.
I often was amazed by the words of jp11 with which he used to clarify beyond doubt any points of uncertainty that might have arisen in the minds of any who read them . pope francis , I feel has not used enough words to clear up any misunderstanding , for ex. when he refers to – concrete – situations and how he expects the priest to respond based on catholic dogma . if taken , by inference , these concrete situations , are supposed to be approached in a non doctrinal way so as to be non judgemental of those in these concrete situations , but francis fails to provide a path on which the priest may walk the penatant back to our lords heart . our blessed mother has said that mortal sins commited while trying to stop commiting that mortal sin…
anonymous, i just noticed that hilary white is still writing articles for lifesite news. she used to be based in rome but developed a kind of disgust for it, from what i gather from her comments here and there. she now operates out of norcia and is marked by a virulent disgust for pope frances, both his style and content. she is quite prone to foul language on her twitter site, but not in her other reporting. i mention her because i have a sneaking suspicion that she may have helped spin the lifesitenews team to find a darker side to the ‘rome climate’ story than is actually there, as you have said. she has become a regular…
as ‘rome reporter’ for the remnant online site.
thank you well stated.
Great! Pope Francis is “draining the swamp” at the Vatican much like President- Elect Trump is going to do in Washington.
George,
Pope Francis is no Trump. Francis is Hillary Clinton on steroids. Francis is not draining the swamp. He has the swamp monsters running the place. The worst of the worst that are silencing and marginalizing the few good men in the Vatican.
When this pope first appeared on the balcony, my heart sank. I didn’t know why but it has become clear to me now. But the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. Let us be steadfast in prayer.
Maggie, can you explain more about your heart sinking…? Did those feelings continue…?
I know why your heart sank, as did mine. We were in a state of grace and the Holy Spirit allowed us to discern the deception. One of the first indications was his failure to extend the urbi et orbi blessing during his first public appearance – probably for the first time in modern history. Instead he called for the public to bless him – a very Protestant thing to do, equating the blessing of a priest, let alone a pope, with that of the laity. Also, the false humility of rejecting the red fisherman’s shoes, that symbolize readiness to embrace martyrdom for the Faith and the Church, really upset me. And this was all just for starters…
My heart sank, too! My first thought, was, sadly, “This is no Pope! This is a man who rejects the role of the Papacy and does not really want it! He is not a champion of the Church, at all! He can’t even find words to say to us, nor a quick hand to extend, to BLESS US, and to PROUDLY ASSURE US ALL OF HIS STRONG, STEADFAST LEADERSHIP, FOR THE WORLD– IN CHRIST’S NAME!!” Oh how sad!! I read this news story originally, on LifeSiteNews– and I do agree, although the article sounds a bit “sensational.” I have been wondering, if many faithful Catholic priests, prelates, and Vatican employees, have been having a tough time, under the Papacy of Pope Francis– because, clearly– THEY ARE SO UNWANTED!!
Pope Francis is now age 80. Perhaps he will do more and more damage to the Church, along with fellow dissenters. However, this will not last, of course! And at some point– what will the College of Cardinals do?? Although they now are more full of liberal dissenters than before, due to Pope Francis’ Papacy– at some point, they do have a responsibility to Christ!! And they know it!! At some point, they will have to set aside their delusions about Catholicism, their hypocrisy, their corruption and dishonesty– and face God!! If the dubia is not answered– things may worsen, and we may see (bloodless) martyrdom– but Christ will win, in the end!
There could not be two more diametrically opposed men than Bergolio and Trump. Francis has done nothing but twist and denigrate the president-elect’s positions and persona, following in lockstep with the MSM’s leftist agenda: slamming The Donald for putting America first, for calling for extreme vetting of refugees from Middle Eastern nations where Islamist terrorism thrives, for wanting to secure US borders, for calling for more oil drilling, etc.
How is any of this comparable to Trump in essence or form?
Agree
Remember who the Pope really is, an Argentinian, with a determined liberal streak, that was raised and embraces, the “anti-Medieval” Catholic Church movement. What does this mean? That the “old” Catholic Church ended at Vatican II and implementation of the “Spirit of Vatican II” has created a NewChurch. The Pope’s “Amoris Laetitia” is nothing more or less than a voice of the NewChurch. Francis is angry about the dubia because he does not believe in the Church’s historic form of discipline and correction.
Francis is, in all respects, the Il Caudillo of the Church. Anything that does not result in recognition of this status is, by definition, opposition and to be fought. Fraternal correction is non-existent.
So we, as Catholics are willing to dismiss the coming of the Holy Spirit and His pLACE IN THE ELECTION OF A POPE? We are comfortable saying that Jesus has left us orphaned even though he promised He would not? I will always error on the side of obedience to the authority of the Church because this is true of every Saint and what we are called to.
Jesus will never leave His Church orphaned even when those men charged with upholding the good disregard the Holy Ghost who allows for free will – even in a conclave. Obedience to the authority of the Church sometimes means being beaten up by Churchmen who misuse their authority to persecute faithful…. and the Faith.
But we are called to witness to the truth.
Amen, Ann. And, the idea that the church must adjust its teaching because of cultural pressures, pushing mercy at the expense of truth, must never be allowed, not even by a pope.
People forget that the Truth shall set you free, not the lie that grave sin doesn’t kill.
Hosea 4:6 “…my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
If we are to believe that the Holy Spirit would never allow for the election of an immoral, venial, or worse pope, then how would you explain Popes John XI, Paul III, Alexander VI, Sergius III, Julius III? As the Lord told the Isrealites, “My ways are not your ways.” We do not know why in His infinite wisdom God allows for bad things to occur in His Church. The only thing we can bank on is that the Church will overcome all attacks and attempts to destroy her. And this is because although her members are mortal men and women, she was founded by God Incarnate Himself and He will ultimately guide and protect her. But Christ Himself also warned that in the end times, there would be merely a remnant of faithful left. Maybe we are witnessing…
I heard an explanation that was helpful: yes the Holy Spirit inspires the candidate that He wants, but THAT DOESN’T MEAN THEY VOTE FOR HIM. We can all reject grace, even Cardinals.
Ironic how just 50 years ago His Grace Cardinal Raymond Burke would have been considered a “defender” of The Faith now after Vatican II he is public enemy number one! Now we see yesterday in Berlin Germany another “Islamic” attack on the streets of Berlin at a Christmas market and the media is calling it a “truck” crash instead of a MUSLIM killing 12 and wounding over 50 Berliners. When will the German people awake from their slumber and start to expel not the migrants, but what they really are INVADERS? Stop calling them migrants they are not migrants 85% are men of fighting age and NOT women and children as the liberal MSM want’s the SHEEPLE to believe.
Yes, all very true what you say. And sadly, it’s also true that Francis enables and encourages this dangerous Christian/Western civilization-threatening invasion. Belgium has already reached the demographic point of no return and Spain, Italy, Scandanavia, the Netherlands and Germany are fast approaching that precipice. Even if they all started having babies now, in one generation they will be minorities in their own, once God-fearing nations. This is what Trump wants to prevent in the US and this is why the leftist so-called “progressives” hate and despise him.
I cannot help but think of how St. Francis views all this and what he went through in the 1200s. I have always been taught that when God chose Francis, his expressed mission given by God was “Rebuild my church”. As there has never been another Francis since then, and with so much controversy in the church over rules and regulations versus Love, Compassion, and Mercy, I can’t help but wonder if our current Pope hasn’t been given the same edict.
The portrayal of St. Francis of Asissi as a happy -go-lucky environmentalist hippie animal lover, just going along with the flow, is a historical distortion. Francis was profoundly orthodox in his theology and religious practice. That is precisely what Jesus meant when He told him, “Rebuild My Church.” The Church had fallen into spiritual and theological decay and laxity, sort of where we are heading today under our current top leadership. The Love, Compassion and Mercy St. Francis preached was within the framework of repentance and correction. They cannot exist where sin and heresy thrive. The so-called Prayer of St. Francis was NOT written by him, but first appeared in a French Catholic paper in 1912, and does not really jive with…
maybe it can be looked at in this way — the first shall be last and the last shall be first . adam and eve brought sin , our lord and our blessed mother brought salvation . st. francis brought church renewal and pope francis is bringing decline .
When a society such as Europe has no reason to fight for its survival they cannot stop what is happening to them. The Europeans have all but abandoned the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches, while in Germany during Holy Week 20 years ago in “Catholic Bavaria and the Rhineland” the churches were EMPTY, however the mosques were packed and overflowing into the streets with Turks, this is the future of Europe, Angela Merkel let in 2,500.000 Muslims in ONE YEAR, the ethnic Germans simply cannot reproduce enough to stem the tide. Remember, Europeans only have 1.2 children per household while the Muslim invaders have 8.7 children per household, these are the cold facts. And Rome asks Europeans to OPEN their homes to the invaders, this Pope…
The Left is trying anyway they can not to connect this terror attack in Berlin with Islam, the Left in Europe and in America with the Democrat Party have allied themselves with Islam not “radical” Islam for there is NO difference between the two, ISLAM is ISLAM one cannot separate mosque and state, they go hand and hand, having said that, the LEFT, such as Democrats, feminists, radical gays, environmentalists, celebrities, all have one thing in common hatred for the West and Christianity. This is nothing new, ISLAM has been trying to conquer the West for over 1500 years, only this time it will not be by the sword but by sheer birthrate, and nothing can stop them this time around.
Why in the world would these people make all of this stuff up? It is a known fact that there has been clerics who last their jobs from this Pope. Just ask the well reputed Edward P. from the National Catholic Register. WAKE UP EVERYBODY.
The 4 Cardinals writing the Dubia to the Pope were in good concience pointing out areas that could lead to
confusion regarding its teaching. They asked for clarification from the Pope. The Pope has banished them.
Decide for yourself what is going on.
Whether or not the observation of the Cardinals in Rome is correct, many people are watching this Pope very carefully. People are not criticizing him just watching and praying for him. He was raised in South America where liberation theology was flourishing. He appears to be caught up in that manner of thinking. However, he has made some very conservative statements, such as,” No women priests ever.” He has also canonized some very holy people, such as St. Pope John Paul II, and Saints Zellie and Louis Martin to name a few. Protestant ministers, who loved St. Pope John Paul II, are also somewhat astounded at some of Pope Francis’ statements. It never hurts to be wary and watchful while praying diligently for the Pope and all of…
As a simple observer, watching from the sidelines, I believe that the Conclave that elected Pope Francis knew what they were doing. They knew they were electing a Pope that they expected to clean house in the Vatican. They knew his theology, his reputation, etc. I believe they also expected confusion. (Don’t forget that he had the second most votes when B Vi was elected). Today’s church is a southern church. We in the U.S. represent only about 6% of the Catholics of the world. What confounds us is that we are a country of laws, that most people obey. In many other countries, Italy for example, laws are mere suggestions. There is no doubt, however, that the Church needed, and still needs a good shaking up. Look at the parishes…
God’s laws are not suggestions, Bob One, no matter what your geographic location. This seemingly “practical” breakout that those in the conclave knew what they were getting, someone to “clean out” the Church, may well be true. It would seem, however, that that which was desired to be cleaned out is the Truth. (Too inconvenient)
CCC 675: Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.574 The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth575 will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the…
… Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.
So advocating that everything is okay because those in other countries look at the law as mere suggestion is rather disturbing.
Bob One, which Christ are you following?? The One in our Bible?? Well, I don’t think Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, with the “Ten Suggestions,” written on the two stone tablets! Nor do I think Christ, the Master, the holy Son of God — told His Apostles and students and lay followers, “My Teachings are just some suggestions..” No way, Bob One! “If you love Me, keep My commandments!” “Commandments,” not “suggestions!” He was– and is– the holy Son of God! And we, His children– owe him our respect and obedience!
Bob One, you say that the Church needs a “good shaking up?” Yes! Especially since the liberal, immoral, rebellious, heretical 1960’s era! And I think, that in Christ’s day– He shook up most people, everywhere He went! Shook them all up so much– that the Jews (many of them phony Pharisees and Sadducees) ended up crucifying Him! Yet, thousands followed Him, nevertheless! He brought shocking life changes to all– and in the end, led faithful followers right to Heaven’s door! He was the Son of God! The Real Christ, will shake-up anyone, and cause a HUGE change of life!
I just want to know what happened to Mark 10: 11-12? These are words that came from Jesus’ own lips. Are we to disregard them? If we don’t disregard them, we are told we are being “rigid’ and unmerciful. Does that mean Jesus was ‘rigid” as well? Yes, He was merciful to sinners, but never forget that He ALWAYS told them to “Go and sin no more.” He was never ambiguous.
Larry– I agree! Christ was clear as a bell! Never ambiguous! Churchmen of old, who led the faithful to Christ, were strong, courageous, rugged, clear-headed, and truthful!
“But when Peter (the Pope) came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.”
Saint Paul, Galatians 2:11 New Living Translation
Lifesite News has always been accurate and RELIABLE !
The main issue as I see it is – “Does Pope Francis stand for the One True Faith” because Christ founded the one and only Church (Catholic Church) and it appears that Pope Francis does not believe this and does not teach that the Catholic Church is here to save souls and lead them to heaven.
What he is teaching is against the “The True Faith” and will lead souls to hell.
Amen! Have we not heard Bergolio himself say that ALL faiths are the same? That Catholics should NOT “impose our Faith on others”? Has he not offered Holy Communion to Protestants in St. Peter’s Basilica itself? Has he not traveled recently to Sweden to CELEBRATE the 500th anniversary of Lutheranism, co-celebrating and participating actively in their heretical rituals?? What MORE proof do we need that he is falling and trying to lead us into grave error?
Pope Francis is commerating the 500 yr anniversary of Lutheranism, not celebrating. Big difference
EnTeaJay, your ENTJ is showing! The J is very much judgmental and expressed in a very Extroverted way. Yes, he has done a lot that old traditional (small t) might find difficult to live with. But, it has been a long time since the Church admitted that people of other Christian faiths will also get to heaven. The Church, under Pope Benedict has signed documents that state that the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church are in agreement on Justification, the fact that Christ died for our sins so that we may be in heaven with him, because, by his death we are pardoned and will rise to glory. We are all on our way to heaven unless we really screw up and don’t obey his commandments.
as I have heard from a Lutheran , their pronouncement that they believe in jesus Christ as their savior places them in an altered state , where by they can commit all sins that are from venial to mortal and they still – will – go to heaven . that is a far cry from our belief of living your faith , both prayer and sacrifice . so, what did this agreement agree to ?
Bob One, it has been a long time since the placate-statements have been floated out. But outside the Church, there is no salvation. The idea is that others may somehow be part of the Church though not in a visible way.
Sorry, but a signed document on justification that falls short of carrying through with the reality that salvation can be lost is a real hiccup. We could sign a document saying we both believe Jesus is the Christ, but that is no progress toward the rejection of errors that are the true source of division.
Helen Wheels. Well said. Unhappily, Francis is no Peter. And if he was called to “rebuild the church”, I think Francis took that to mean “change the dogma, build your own version of the Church.” it seems to me he is constructing Vatican III.
Papa Francesco has repeatedly told bishops to get out of their ivory tower, get their hands dirty and be with the people. Perhaps those, who have focused on their own privileged positions of power, need to be removed. Perhaps the house does need to be cleaned. I wonder – if it were Jesus himself doing the cleaning – how much the crows would squawk. Pope Francis is of strength and courage. He is pope. He is not ruining the church. Those in cardinal’s and bishops robes have been and continue to be the problem. He is trying to clean up the mess.
Cleaning up the mess is a wonderful idea, but not when one’s idea is ensconced in the ivory tower of thinking one can be more merciful than Christ. That’s like cleaning a mess by putting a tarp over it.
Many different point of views have been expressed. My thoughts are the following.
Praying is critical to hearing the Holy Spirit’s wisdom.
It is always helpful to go back to the doctrine expressed in the early Church.
Christ’s enemies were the religious and government leaders who did not want to change and saw change as threat to their positions.
I hope and pray this helps.
There is a new series, just released by Netflix, called “Call me Francis”. It is a story, in several episodes, that purports to show the life of Pope Francis before the Conclave; his many years in the Church in Argentina, the fight to save people from the Peron government’s killings, working and living in the slums of BA, etc. IF half of it is true, you get a good idea of how this Pope thinks compared to others. Worth the time to watch.
That is precisely the mentality of those who are preparing the world for The Staged Second Coming of Christ – The Ultimate Snare
Our reply was specific to the comment made by Anonymous says:
December 19, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Regarding your website: The red shoes of the past popes were not made by Prada, and they were to remind them to be willing to die for the Faith. Some say the last Antichrist will be of Jewish descent, others a Muslim, and not necessarily from the Church. This is all speculation. Another thing, people from a colder climate often wear heavier clothing, including fur if nothing else is obtainable, and they often have heavier, longer lasting liturgy vestments for the climate, not necessarily out of pomp and pride. People from sunnier climates do not always understand that as they have no need for such clothing. Many even wear a hair shirt under that “finery”. Don’t judge by appearances.
From the same website on December 1:
Concerning the question of fighting between camps within the Vatican walls, [CDF head Cardinal] Müller gave a negative answer. There is no “power struggle behind the scenes or the ‘high walls’ of the Vatican, between the reformers and those who want to put on the brakes.” These rumors show “how thinking and acknowledgement of categories of power have already turned [minds] bad.”
It is all a matter of perspective. A priest friend shared that many employees of the Vatican with more moderate views also felt afraid during the pontificates of St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
I don’t think true, devout Catholics, are much-wanted, in the Vatican, since the Council! I do not think I would always feel comfortable, after Vatican II, working in the Vatican, as, for example, a simple, lay domestic work employee– because— who would support me, in my Catholic faith?? The Pope?? Maybe! Maybe sometimes, Pope St. John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. And Pope Francis? Vatican II is highly unstable!! With lots of dissenters!! And plenty of MOCKERY for our beautiful, old Catholic Traditions and devotions, and our beautiful, Old Latin Mass!
When a patient presents to a psychiatrist with nothing but self-referential conversation, the psychiatrist can be fairly sure that a serious personality disorder is present.
Histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are but two examples.
If this were only (I say ‘only’ but that is an understatement) about Holy Communion for remarried and devout Catholics I believe our pope could make a noble case for it. Call it “divine mercy over the law” in this special case because there are thousands and millions of Catholics pining to be sanctioned by the Church to be allowed. If Pope Francis had only pleaded with the Church on that matter for the sake of mercy. After all, “divine mercy” as Jesus told St. Faustina is “better than the heavens.”
But now there is so much more going on and so many other issues that causes a lifetime traditional Catholic like myself to wonder what is really happening. Francis has gone from bold (which I love) to harsh and even…
unfortunately , yes . my deacon friend and i have reached a point of holding our breaths and waiting for the pope to be more clearly on the side of dogma .
How about a more than obvious climate of Church history repeating itself? If Church Teachings (on many issues) are no longer UPHELD and accepted “as they are”… then, it is only a matter of time, before faithful cardinals, bishops and laity will no longer be accepted “as they are”. They will also be labeled as being the rigid, unmerciful, basket of deplorables. St. John Fisher was also viewed as being rigid, unmerciful and deplorable after Henry VIII’s conscience allowed him to think that he needed and deserved a new wife. Any Church leader who said different, lost their life. What does “as they are” mean? It simply means *remaining faithful to Christ’s teachings* “as they are”… even when certain leaders within the…
continued….
Once again….. What does “as they are” mean? It simply means *remaining faithful to Christ’s Teachings* “as they are”…..even when certain Church leaders attempt to improve or embellish the wisdom and mercy of God.
LES FEMMES – THE TRUTH: Those who Uphold the Doctrine of the Church are now the Dissenters?
https://lesfemmes-thetruth.blogspot.com/2016/12/those-who-uphold-doctrine-of-church-are.html#more
Wharton is happening to the Academy of Life under Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia of St. Egidio is very worrisome. It seems the dubia was raised at exactly the right moment. Thank you Cardinal Burke.
Beware the ‘Happy Mafia’ and their Pogroms, which have bankrupted so many lives and parishes.
SEE
The Traumatic Foundation of Male Homosexuality
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2016/traumatic-foundation-male-homosexuality
As a psychologist treating homosexually oriented men, I’ve watched with dismay as the LGBT movement has convinced the world that “gay” requires a revised understanding of the human person.
The psychological profession is much to blame for this shift-
Homosexuality is, in my view, primarily a symptom of gender trauma.
Although some people may have been born with biological conditions (prenatal hormonal influences, inborn emotional sensitivity) that make them especially vulnerable to such trauma, what…
Pope Francis would be the “Champion Pope” of King Henry VIII, of England! And just what were St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher martyred for?? Better to be a martyr for Christ’s Truth– than to be a false “champion,” for the faithless!!
Cardinal Burke is a fear-monger. Beware of people who appeal to fear. It is dangerous to the Truth. Cardinal Burke was stung by being fired from the Curia by Pope Francis. Cardinal Burke is trying to get revenge against our Pope. Beware of wolves in cardinal’s clothing.
but don’t forget that the wolf of gubbio was converted and was a good wolf. we need good wolves who can fight the wolfworld of obscurity. it’s pretty clear that cdl burke is a good wolf working for the Lamb.
Kim you hit the nail on the head because fear does not come from God it comes from the devil. The second Anonymous from December 20, I am glad you work in Rome because you too hit the nail on the head. Brothers and sisters in Christ pray like you never prayed before because there is a great deception going on throughout the world. The evil one and his minions are trying to sow discord to confuse and divide the flock in preparation for the final battle between the forces of good and evil. Pray for discernment and faith. Our lady of Fatima in preparation for your 100th apparition anniversary at Fatima in 2017, pray for us and particularly pray for America.