On Wednesday, October 2, CalCatholic reported on the September 15 pastor’s message by Father Brian Joyce of Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill. In his message Father Joyce remarked “With the present shortage of vocations to priesthood and disappearing number of women religious (sisters), many feel this is a great loss. Frankly I feel just the opposite.” Our article then documented at least one “vocation” out of Christ the King: “In 2004 Christ the King parishioners organized a group called Women of Magdala. The Women of Magdala group organized a Eucharistic Gathering in a house church in San Francisco’s East Bay, where lesbian womanpriest Victoria Rue would perform. One of the Women of Magdala, and a Christ the King parishioner Maureen Mancuso, has since been ordained as a deacon and then as a womanpriest in the association of Roman Catholic Womanpriests.”
The September 29, 2013 bulletin of Christ the King includes a schedule for their adult education series. The entry for Monday, October 7 reads “…at 7:00 pm, Parish Hall, “Mary Magdalene Today with Kayleen Asbo, (Exciting and inspiring speaker).”
On the Mary Magdalene page of Ms. Asbo’s website the reader finds information for a seminar on The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. The description reads: “The Gospel of Mary is an extraordinary ancient document of Mary Magdalene’s teachings rediscovered at the end of the 19th century in Egypt. In it, Mary Magdalene is depicted as the spiritual leader who guides the disciples after Jesus’ death. She strengthens their courage and reveals an inner vision and teachings that Jesus gave to her alone. Harvard professor Karen King writes that this is a work that can ‘lead the reader inward toward the identity, power and freedom of the true self, the soul set free from the Powers of Matter and the fear of death.’ It is a book that has much to teach us about finding inner truth and the liberation from ignorance.”
From the (capitalized) “Powers of Matter” to the phrase “liberation from ignorance,” (rather than the Christian liberation from sin and from death) the expressions are not Catholic or Christian, but Gnostic. Asbo’s citing of Karen King as an authority is also significant. King, professor at Harvard Divinity School, has built her career around this subject. Her titles include What is Gnosticism? Images in the Feminism in Gnosticism, Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity, etc. An excerpt from a 2012 interview with Smithsonian Magazine, quotes King “You’re talking to someone who’s trying to integrate a whole set of ‘heretical’ literature into the standard history.”
King’s Gnostic orientation is echoed by Asbo’s. Asbo’s explanation of her interest in St. Mary Magdalene, given in a May 1, 2013 interview in Depth Insights: Seeing the World With Soul, reads like something out of Dan Brown: “Mary Magdalene appeared and said if I wanted to find the real Christianity, I should follow the trail from France to Wales. I took the dream seriously, and have been researching early Christianity and its manifestations in France and the British Isles every since.” In the same interview she said “I think Mary Magdalene really could be the figure for our times who holds the key to alchemical transformation.”
Asbo herself is considered an expert on St. Mary Magdalene by others than the parishioners of Christ the King. Earlier this year she was hired by the San Francisco Opera to “lead explorations” (for both audiences and actors) into their recent production The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. According to San Francisco Opera Director David Gockley, the opera “debunks the virgin birth, the resurrection, and the celibacy of Jesus.” Asbo has a webpage about the opera on her website. One of her youtube webinars on the opera is headed “What do the various Mary Magdalene stories tell us about interpreting the Christian traditions? What is relevant in these stories to contemporary society and theological interpretation? What is the opera saying about this?”
Many reputable scholars have answered this question. One is Philip Jenkins, distinguished professor of history and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University , and author of Hidden Gospels: How the Quest for Jesus Lost its Way. In a column in Biblical Interpretation, Jenkins wrote “Far from being the alternative voices of Jesus’ first followers, most of the lost gospels should rather be seen as the writings of much later dissidents who broke away from an already established orthodox church. This is not a particularly controversial statement, despite the impression that we may get from much more recent writing on the historical Jesus…. Despite its dubious sources and controversial methods, the new Jesus scholarship of the 1980s and 1990s gained such a following because it told a lay audience what it wanted to hear. The hidden gospels have been used to provide scriptural warrant for sweeping new interpretations of Jesus. Generally, the hidden gospels offer wonderful news for liberals, feminists, and radicals within the churches, who challenge what they view as outdated institutions and prejudices….”
When one considers Father Brian Joyce’s infamous Clown Mass, his attendance at Call to Action convention, his parish’s support of the Women of Magdala, that group’s hosting of house masses with an open lesbian womanpriest, his RCIA instructor who was ordained first as a womandeacon then as a womanpriest, his recent statement that he is encouraged rather than troubled by the decline in religious vocations to the Catholic Church, and now his hosting of a Gnostic, Professor Jenkins description could not be more apt.
Contact: Bishop Michael Barber
Diocese of Oakland
510-893-4711
bishop@oakdiocese.org
The Bible is the inspired word of God. The writing of the gospels the Catholic Bible are the inspired word of God written by the Apostles. Any so called “hidden gospels,” are not the inspired word of God.
Isn’t it generally agreed that Matthew, Mark and Luke didn’t write their Gospels? Also, let’s remember the history of development of the Bible as we know it today. The paulists won the vote on what to include. The other gospels, James for example, were not included because they didn’t get the votes needed to be included. I agree, that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but it has an interesting history.
Bob One wrong again on all points….
Lord, have mercy!
This parish sounds like some kind of loony bin, if I may use technical language.
I thank God our parish priests obey the teachings of the Church, and don’t go off the deep end.
Sounds like we have one of the Bishops Pope Francis calls the Bishop of the Airport Diocese.
Sounds like a job for a mental health professional!
Hope Amidst the Runes
The beacon of Heaven that Guides Us in Hope – is the beauty of the nearness to God…
– And not the ‘good times’ of a never ending beer bust like Valhalla promised Viking Norsemen.
Hence, the constantly repetitive radical homosex mau mauing by the Alinskyite Trolls roosting here is simply meant as a distraction from our goals; similar to whiny kids denied cookies before dinner constantly repeating the demand via escalating Tantrum Theater.
The Trolls know that even if denied the cookie, persistent cheesy whining helps to drive away others wanting Real Help seeking God…
Which makes no sense – unless those humoring such Malignantly Narcisstic Trolls from a misguided notion of Christian Charity – remember that it is Not ‘Help’ they want – but Destruction of the Church, which they can then loot for cookies.
Better to offer them True Food, and leave the tooth fairy frothing in the beer hall
Homosexuality and Hope
CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
https://catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/ho0039.html
“Homosexuality and Hope” outlines a positive program of providing help, support and hope for those homosexual persons who wish to live in union with the Catholic Church.
1. Not born that way
2. Same sex attraction as a symptom
3. Same-sex attraction is preventable
4. At-risk, not predestined
5. Therapy
6. Goals of therapy
1. Ministry to individuals experiencing same-sex attraction
2. The role of the priest
3. Catholic medical professionals
4. Teachers in Catholic institutions
5. Catholic families
6. The Catholic community
7. Bishops
8. Hope Bibliography Appendix
Fabulous post Michael McDermott!
“The Trolls know that even if denied the cookie, persistent cheesy whining helps to drive away others wanting Real Help seeking God…”
Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.
All Greek 2 Me
A “Lesbian” (Male Resident of the Greek Island of Lesbos) once filed suit against the degrading appropriation of the term by Dyke Misandrists…
– Using it as a cover for their Rank Raw Hatred of Men & Boys, Masculinity and Normal Heterosexuality.
SEE: Men told not to rain on parade Unity key to Dyke March / 50,000 expected at S.F. Dyke March 50,000 expected — men not advised
However, Greek courts proved just as sympathetic to such MISANDSRY as amerika…
– Where Male Bashing is The Tenure Track in Law & Academentia – even for ‘Unkle Tim’ types, who must gaily roll on their backs and soil themselves in shame for their gender if they want promotions.
‘Womyn-Pests’ seeking to abuse, loot and Destroy the Catholic Church – are often the most viciously venomous of the tywsted systers, and particularly hateful toward Boys.
This aspect of the Homosex Pederast Infiltration and Abuse of Boys is usually censored (see Michael Rose – “Goodbye Good Men”) – often because of a misplaced sense of Chivalry.
Many of us taught deference to Women and Reverence to Mary – have difficulty in confronting such Misandrists, even those whose enabling of Pederasty feeds their vengeance against the Hated ‘Y-DNA BioManPIgOppressorPatriarchy.
‘Womyn-Pests’ can always start their own ‘church’, or don gay genes and join existing denominations already circling the drain – and try to attract more than fleas & flies as followers.
But Misandry remains More Fun & Profitable for these Twysted Systerz of Hate.
Bingo ! Ah the good old days !
“Bob One”: Where did you learn your Church (and Bible) history? You are so consistently wrong on almost every issue that you raise. “Fr.” Joyce is a leper among Catholic clergy, although he is not alone, unfortunately. Professor Jenkins nails the irrelevance, error, and political nature of the dopes like Karen King, Victoria Rue, Maureen Mancuso, and Kayleen Asbo. This is not Catholicism in any form, and “Fr.” Joyce knows it. But, he is ordained, so maintains some patina of authenticity to the many unread Catholics. He is little more that a “Professional Catholic” looking for the main chance at advancement by trying to say ingratiating things to his Vatican II trained masters. And, with Francis, and other liberal crew that are always looking to obtain power, he is finding some support. What a crying shame.
Dumb de Dumb Dumb
Dumb de Dumb Dumb
Dumb de Dumb Dumb……DUMMMMMMMMMMMB !
Our Church is being Chastised for 50 years of “I’m all right ,Jack !” V2 abuses. We deserve EVERYTHING we’re getting.
We’ll be wandering in the desert for a figurative 40-more like 400-years.
Out Lady of Fatima was correct-in my opinion the Holy Father in the third secret represents the ENTIRETY of the Body of Christ.THE WHOLE CHURCH.
Gordon, I feel fairly certain that Our Lady of Fatima is thrilled to receive your vote of confidence in this matter.
As for your notion that the Roman Catholic Church is being chastised because of the Solemn Ecumenical Council which took place in the 1960’s, well, you are certainly free to hold whatever opinion you choose.
However, Holy Mother Church has being going through ups and downs since her birth, and She will continue to go through ‘chastisements’ and ‘joys’ until the Lord Jesus returns in glory.
So don’t exhaust yourself in trying to pin down why x is happening, or why y is not happening. We can leave that to the Lord.
Suzanne: I suggest you do some reading about the supposed Solemn Ecumenical Council that took place in the 60’s and compare it to the list of modernist heresies as outlined by Pope Saint Pius X. The writing of Pius XII are good too.
There is nothing wrong with root-causing the problems of our day. Much like root-causing the source of personal sin with frequent confession, self examination, etc.
As for exhausting oneself, you may want to cease from your exhaustive efforts to tell others to ‘Don’t worry, be happy.’ After all, if you really believe that Our Lady of Fatima is thrilled with Gordon’s vote of confidence in Her, shouldn’t you pay attention to what Gordon is actually saying? Our Lady is the Mother of God and our mother as well.
Or was your mention of Our Lady’s good pleasure just another form of condescending to those traditionalists that are wondering where the fruit has gone? An honest question that deserves an honest, straight forward answer.
Sounds like Flip Wilson’s “Church that’s Happening Now”. What a disgrace. Where in the Lord’s name is the bishop? Why doesn’t he pull the plug and flush the whole sorry bunch down the drain. Gnostic gospels are mostly fiction. As authentic as the Book of Mormon. What a joke!
Anton I. Seidl, Flip Wilson’s skit was “The Church of What’s Happe’n (Happening) Now”.
Thank you Anne, for the correction! It’s been a few years…
Yes, quite a few, Anton. How well I know. I only have kept up to date on the name of the skit because of an article I read by Cal Thomas a couple of years ago, who said basically the same thing you said but about some Episcopalian and other churches. Evidently Cal Thomas is a more conservative Episcopalian, if he is still Episcopalian at all.
Actually, Anton, after reading Cal Thomas’s article again, evidently he was not an Episcopalian when he wrote the newspaper article, but he does know a lot about Holy Scripture. Although, he writes from a Protestant perspective, you might enjoy his article. It is still on line under “Church of What’s Happenin’ Now by Cal Thomas”. It was included in many newspaper, so you can take your pick from different websites.
Lesbians already had their own religion called Wiccans. Seems Modern Culture is implacably against the Catholic Church.
The Egyptian Coptic Christians would certainly disagree with Kayleen Asbo about Mary Magdalene, and they are not even Catholics.