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The USCCB and the Weaponization of “Dialogue”

In the wake of the latest instance of a faithful son of the Church pointing out that the papal emperor has no clothes, we have been treated to yet another flurry of loud and aggressive assertions that there is nothing to see here, no confusion really exists, and can everyone please stop acting childish and just move along?

Meanwhile, that faithful son — Fr. Thomas Weinandy — has been forced out of his position as a doctrinal consultant to the USCCB, while their president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, had the audacity to talk about his “departure” under the auspices of “an opportunity to reflect on the nature of dialogue within the Church.”

Dialogue? Really? Since when does dialogue include the immediate dismissal of a man who posed his concerns — rooted in his conscience, which we are constantly informed by our betters in the Church can serve as the arbiter of all critical moral truths — with such deference and respect to the pope that people have criticized him for being too obsequious? Of course DiNardo wasn’t man enough to come out and admit that Fr. Weinandy had been told to resign; instead, he referred to his “departure” as though his former chief of staff on doctrinal matters had merely drifted away inexplicably on a gentle breeze like Mary Poppins.

Let’s make something clear: the USCCB is a disgrace to Catholics everywhere — a predominately progressive organization that has enriched itself through hundreds of millions of dollars of government money for refugee resettlement while opposing any sensible laws to restrict immigration — a fact that looks very much, as Catholic writer and author John Zmirak pointed out on yesterday, like political simony. “How much would we have to pay the bishops to teach what the Catechism says on #immigration?” he asked. To put it more bluntly, I’d be interested in knowing how much we’d have to pay them to just be Catholic.

The USCCB’s concern for disassociating itself with an uncouth thinker only goes so far, however. For example, they still haven’t asked Ralph McCloud to resign. McCloud is the head of the USCCB’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development, who split his first year working for the US bishops by moonlighting as treasurer for the political campaign of Wendy Davis, a Planned Parenthood-endorsed candidate for the Texas state senate who was at that time was in the process of unseating a pro-life incumbent. Davis would go on to be known for her 11-hour long filibuster in the Texas legislature to block more restrictive abortion regulations. Under McCloud’s leadership the CCHD has been linked to funding from Planned Parenthood affiliates and an organization performing same sex marriages.

No “departure” for Mr. McCloud while wistful reflections on dialogue were issued.

Or what about the USCCB subsidiary, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which was recently exposed as being involved in developing an African sex-education program “aimed at children as young as 10, encourages condom use, promotes abortifacient contraception, normalizes homosexuality and masturbation and lists Planned Parenthood as a resource.”

Was action taken? Nope.

For that matter, how about Jessica Garrels, a “program quality coordinator” for CRS, whom, as Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute reminded us yesterday, “had strongly supported and promoted Planned Parenthood on her Facebook page.” Among other examples Hichborn cited — including a profile picture with a Planned Parenthood graphical overlay on her account —  on January 9, 2016, Garrels “wrote “Well said!” cheering on the statement of US Representative Gwen S. Moore in her defense of maintaining funding to Planned Parenthood.” Hichborn continues:

Shortly after the the article on Garrels was published and sent to the bishops of the United States, Garrels’ Facebook page was locked up tight to hide her posts from public view.  CRS never issued a response to the report, and when LifeSiteNews contacted CRS for a comment on the matter, “CRS did not respond to LifeSiteNews’ inquiry into the information about its employees’ public support for Planned Parenthood.”

As it turns out, Garrels is still employed at CRS over a year later.

Just this summer, Garrels gave an interview to the Huffington Post on behalf of Catholic Relief Services. Clearly, they think she’s a perfectly acceptable ambassador for the brand.

Support abortion? Not to worry! You can stay at the USCCB.

Respectfully ask the pope to consider the damage he is doing to the Church by citing specific examples raised through pastoral work via the concerns of the faithful? Get. Out.

Knowing just how impossible it is to do what I’d really love to see happen — defund the USCCB — makes fighting back challenging. After all, with a tidal wave of cash coming from the federal government, we can only do so much damage by starving them of income from the faithful. And we should starve them in any way we can. Not a single penny should be transferred from the faithful to a single USCCB program. In fact, we should probably begin putting the pressure on our own bishops through their annual appeals. Perhaps we should all put letters in those envelopes in lieu of checks, telling our bishops that if they don’t reign in the conference, they’ll get no more money from us. But to be honest, it’s hard for me to come up with a specific action item in this regard because the whole thing should simply be gutted and set on fire and dumped into the nearest ocean. (And nuked from orbit, just to be sure.)

Feeling this frustration yesterday and looking for any opportunity to make our voices heard, I began encouraging people on social media to go to the Facebook page of the USCCB and leave one-star reviews after I saw others encouraging the same. Within no time, their page was flooded with people complaining about their treatment of Fr. Weinandy along with other issues. Clearly, there’s a lot of pent-up frustration out there amongst the faithful.

But the USCCB wasn’t having it. They began banning anyone who left a negative review from interacting with their page, making it impossible to comment on other reviews or posts or even to so much as hit the “like” button. Today, since Facebook won’t allow a page owner to edit or delete negative reviews, they’ve instead found a way to remove the reviews feature entirely. (That’s okay, though. I saved a whole bunch of them in a nice long screenshot. You can download the PDF here. For posterity!)

So. Much. Dialogue!

You can still go to their contact page and give them a piece of your mind. Mostly, though, this will be a minor irritation that low-level staffers will have to deal with. After all, important members of the USCCB — like Cardinal Blase Cupich, who is in the running for the USCCB’s pro-life committee despite repeated collusion with pro-abortion politicians and an outrageous statement about the undercover Planned Parenthood videos — have to give critical talks like this week’s “Dialogue [there’s that word again!] in the Key of Pope Francis”, in which he is seen defending Fr. James Martin, SJ, and telling us that if we want to “take up discernment” in the mode of Pope Francis, we must “be prepared to let go of cherished beliefs and long-held biases”.

And what about this gem, taken from the same speech?

Image courtesy of @RadicalCath

Cupich, of course, makes an important point here about the evolution of decentralized ecclesiastical structures. Many people simply discount the role of the USCCB because it has “no power” and “no official authority” within the Church. But remember, Francis wants to change that too. From his exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (32):

The Second Vatican Council stated that, like the ancient patriarchal Churches, episcopal conferences are in a position “to contribute in many and fruitful ways to the concrete realization of the collegial spirit”.[36] Yet this desire has not been fully realized, since a juridical status of episcopal conferences which would see them as subjects of specific attributions, including genuine doctrinal authority, has not yet been sufficiently elaborated.[37] Excessive centralization, rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church’s life and her missionary outreach.

The pope took a big step, in fact, toward granting significant autonomy to bishops conferences in his motu proprio Magnium Principium, which, as he clarified in his very public rebuke to Cardinal Sarah, grants them the authority to perform their own regional Mass translations without Rome’s pre-approval. (Already, the excitement in parts of Europe is bubbling over with the new possibilities!)

Meanwhile, the faithful are left with no recourse to this style of “dialogue,” which effectively amounts to being shouted down and told to know our place, under the iron fist of the Dictatorship of Mercy. In addition to continuing to speak out, prayer and penance is most likely the course of action the saints would recommend. Admittedly, however, such a response feels incredibly meager in the face of the continued implosion of all we hold sacred.

294 thoughts on “The USCCB and the Weaponization of “Dialogue””

  1. “Dialogue” is when a group of cardinals ask the Pope a series of simple questions and he refuses to answer them. Now that is real dialogue!

    These men are monstrous hypocrites. How do El Lider Maximo and his acolytes even have the nerve to mention the word “dialogue”? How do they get it out of their mouths without choking?

    Scoundrels! Utterly corrupt scoundrels!

    Reply
      • Just ask him what is the purpose for the dialogue. There must be an end in mind for the talk between two sides who do not agree. One must give way to the other…but we always come to a standoff – the Catholic Church gives way almost to the point of denying the true Faith, then she pulls back from this total apostasy and heresy and writes up a lovely document focusing on the fact that the coffee was enjoyed by all at the conference. Then they begin to dialogue again.

        All of this is evil.

        Reply
  2. Steve, forgive me for “nit-picking” somewhat in relation to the last two sentences of
    an informative and articulate article.

    Obviously since we are desperate for positive developments
    (given our current trajectory) within the Church, there is a danger that we “under-estimate” https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0c2461a3d195507ab55d52f65d5c9cca93b8ffb3cc9b32cce94ad1582bee5a40.jpg the ACTUAL Power
    of Prayer AND Penance.

    Every single Act of Penance and Prayer is critical, powerful, and IS doing untold REPARATION for Our Beloved
    Church which is under great pressure resulting from its infidelity to its raison d’être.

    Reply
      • How do you see the sarcasm?
        That is not my intent and I apologize to you or anyone if seemed that way.

        I truly do believe there are priests and bishops and cardinals who are every bit wanting to be as courageous as this priest in the clip. Sometimes, I am bit difficult in tone, questioning their reluctance to stand for the Church, but if I did not believe so many were capable, I would not waste my time.
        I think some prelates are hesitant, as for concern for their own immediate flock and suffer for it.
        Some, perhaps, just scared of the unknown consequences, and imagine the worst, for good reason.

        Let us pray for them…..much to risk……….but then, that is what saints are made out of.

        Reply
        • I misunderstood your point that it is harder to step into a parish not goverened by an SSPX or FSSP priest because I have not observed this widely where I am located. It is hard for me to tell where many priests stand on these issues. I think I agree with your sentiment though. We need to pray for our priests and bishops to be courageous in these times and to stand up for Christ and His Holy Church especially when the salvation of souls hang in the balance.

          Reply
  3. The day is coming when “they” will take away “our” only source of unity. They will, through the bishops, take away the Tridentiine Mass. They tried to do it once before by lying to our parents that the TLM was abolished. They almost succeeded. Now they know that in order to remove all orthodoxy, they must get rid of the TLM. We cannot wait for that to happen. We must fight back now. The question as well put, Steve, how? As I stated in another post, this boat we are in is getting larger and larger. At some point, we will need to turn it into a battleship. With God on our side, we can’t lose. We’ll take some really bad hits, but we will not lose.

    Reply
    • Good point, they’ve lost this war already. We need to stop addressing the apostates as if victory might be theirs, because it is not. We have all the reason to be alarmed here but Cardinal Cupich and the like minded prelates have no real power, simply the pretense of it, because they have given up their faith. He can say whatever he likes, his soul is in grave danger. End of story

      Reply
    • One of the chief characteristics of the papacy is to be a living locus of unity. This is why the nefarious Bergoglian enterprise is so horrifying in it apparatus. It is deliberately dismantling the papacy and all the while abusing its power to achieve its ultimate goal of eliminating it. Its actually quite ingenious and bespeaks the demonic character of what we are witnessing. Observe the dissemination of lies, misinformation, disinformation and subterfuge in both secular society, religious associations and the Church.
      It is all of a piece.
      There is social engineering going on at a pace we cannot conceive. The Vatican Council made the Church impotent in the face of the rise of secular materialism purposefully. We can take comfort in believing most of the participants were not aware of what was transpiring with their submission out of evangelical obedience.
      That comfort provided, the current crop of lads who compose the episcopate know a whole lot. They maintain silence at the risk of their immortal souls.
      Prudence and discretion do not exempt us from proclaiming the truth of the present situation. Bishops are not only successors of the Apostles, but also of the Prophets of Ancient Israel. They are not doing their job in exhorting us to assent to the revelation of Almighty God in Jesus Christ. They are asking us to accommodate ourselves to strange gods.

      Reply
      • “It is deliberately dismantling the papacy and all the while abusing its power to achieve its ultimate goal of eliminating it.” – Spot on!
        But, in fact, the real, true ultimate goal of all united evil forces, is to try eliminate the Christ’s Church.
        So, can we say then, that this goal (eliminating of the papacy), probably can be THAT last, the penultimate step before the final one,- coming of the Antichrist? And if it is really so, then there can be no doubt about who the false prophet is.

        Reply
        • I can only stand by what I said, Ivan, but no doubt this is far bigger than I can conceive. I’m having an enormously difficult time absorbing this disgusting rebuke of Father Weinandy. As bad as things have been, and despite my always stated “nothing surprises me,” I wasn’t prepared for the cruel, mindless, predatory, sadistic slap down which came immediately.
          I just don’t understand how such garbage has risen to the top in our Church.
          Mind-numbing.
          We are dealing with a group of grossly nasty boys with who are not held accountable. They are capable of anything.
          I wouldn’t trust them the care of a fish tank over a short weekend.

          Reply
          • I have to agree, James. I have been as disturbed as anyone over the accelerating carnage of the past four and a half years, but even so, this incident truly shocked me. I once held Cardinal DiNardo in high regard; no longer. He began to sink in my opinion when he repeated all the Democrat Party talking points about President Trump’s efforts to control the US borders and restrict immigration from countries that export terrorists, seeming to ignore what the Church actually teaches about immigration. But that pales in comparison to his grossly uncharitable treatment of Fr. Weinandy accompanied by the most insultingly fatuous “statement” I have yet seen from the USCCB on any topic.

          • I remember when DiNardo was advanced, and then the sense of relief when he took over the USCCB, and being quite relieved to see he was being acknowledged. Thus the shock compounded. Just more betrayal at the hands of an episcopate that is unworthy of the most pedestrian responsibilities.
            The impulse came to write him a letter – a respectful one, but to the point. Having been in religious life I roused myself to accept the reality that the letter would never have a place before his eyes, and if it did get quite that far it would be consigned to a laugh at best and then the basket.
            These are mostly little men in a world that allows them to feel adequate and big. On the contrary, they inhabit the central mystery of reality – God and man locked in embrace, His Spouse, His Church – and they are clueless, or worse, don’t believe at all.
            We all need to take the time to listen to Edward Pentin’s address at the Catholic Identity Conference (Fr. Z has a link and of course Remnant does). A very sober and enlightening reconnaissance of the ecclesial landscape. While a bracing bucket of cold water, it contextualizes this crew of misfits and for all the tragedy, you come away believing indeed, our Lord will be victorious.

  4. “In addition to continuing to speak out, prayer and penance is most likely the course of action the saints would recommend. Admittedly, however, such a response feels incredibly meager in the face of the continued implosion of all we hold sacred.”

    Steve, your last two sentences are exactly why I have committed to devoting Thursdays to concerted prayer for our priests and our Church. I realize just how helpless we are and think of Lepanto. Truly, God hears prayer, as we saw firsthand with Fr. Weinandy.

    In the last couple of weeks as things have become even more heated, I committed to trekking down to the Archbishop’s cathedral for my daily Mass and then go into their Adoration chapel for an hour of concerted prayer, starting with the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. The large, looming chair of the Archbishop on the altar is a great way to ponder the state of chaos our beloved Church finds herself in.

    I loathe fasting, but because of the dire situation, have committed to a bread/water fast on Thursdays. And, for the very first time, I have not succumbed to terrible headaches at the end of the day, which is the normal outcome of fasting for me.

    We are really NOT helpless. Lepanto should be a lesson for us. Sometimes prayer is the BEST weapon we can bring to the fight!

    Reply
  5. The USCCB has dropped the masque, though I dare say without a shred of integrity, out of
    cognitive dissonance and sycophantry. On that fateful night in Gethsemani the cowardly Apostles ran off to hide, but for the one beloved innocent.
    Their successors appear to run off to pick up the lash.
    Will their outrageous comportment never be put aside in utter shame?
    Not satisfied to degrade the face of Holy Mother Church on the world stage these men assault the
    faithful, blaspheming boldly when abusing the truths of the faith — making them mere objects of debate rather than extolling them as the very truth from the lips of Truth Himself.
    These men are without faith. Surely this is what generates the gross cowardliness of the
    boys in the ecclesiastical sandbox.

    Reply
  6. Cupich gives new meaning to the phrase “mealy-mouthed.” A hack is a hack, red hat or no. As for the USCCB, Francis can strengthen that subsidiary of the Democrat National Committee all he wants, but no one can force those of us in the pews to fund their leftist nonsense.

    Reply
    • Writing from England, and therefore not being completely familiar with the situation in the USA, I ask: Aren’t you forced to fund them through your taxes? Isn’t that a part of what Steve has complained about, here? (A small part, I think, but probably a significant one in their Lordships’ eyes, and their bureaucrats’.)

      Reply
      • Simon, these weasels take federal money for the “refugee” scam, lots of it. I think that is what you are referring to here.

        Reply
        • Yes, that’s what I understood to be the case, and what I meant. It would seem to shield them from reliance on the faithful.

          Reply
          • You’re right, it does. On the other hand, the USCCB’s dependency of tax dollars shows them to be political hacks and not true shepherds. So, while dollars roll in their front door, their credibility leaves through the back door. Many US Catholics, I believe, think USCCB is a sour joke, and no one in his right mind looks to that organization for authentic spiritual guidance.

          • True.

            Imagine the cataclysm and horrific persecution of all, good and bad that would have to occur to separate the USCCB from their money if they won’t do it willingly.

      • Catholic universities, social outreaches, medical facilities can and do qualify for government funding through various programs. The universities were eviscerated in their Catholic ethos by the 1968 Land O’Lakes agreement which in essence neutered them. Thus the state of American Catholicism — and eviscerated ecclesiastical identity having more to do with mainline protestant associations.
        Otherwise there are no tax subsidies for associations of a religious nature. We aren’t Germany. Its bad enough the way it is.

        Reply
  7. The modernists are radical leftists and “dialogue” is an ideological concept which can only be understood in the context of the cultural Marxist concept of “repressive tolerance”. Under repressive tolerance free speech is encouraged from dissident groups which advance the agenda of the leftist revolutionaries but aggressively withdrawn from their enemies to the “right”.

    http://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/repressive-tolerance

    Reply
    • I 100% agree. This papacy is a gift, insofar as it is a means of separating the sheep from the goats, as well as helping us in our sanctification. After all, if everything was hunky-dory there would be little need for us laity to fight for the truth. Instead, we have the opportunity to become saints by deepening our prayer life and fighting the rot that we currently face. Given that we are Catholics, we remember that God works everything unto good (Romans 8:28).

      Reply
    • True, but useless, esoteric information in the absence of a Pope who will discipline the heretics.

      We need exactly ONE good Pope to do that.

      Can you think of ONE man alive who, made Pope, would willingly and courageously excommunicate, laicize and place under the interdict all deserving of such treatment?

      That would require a warrior Pope and I personally do not know of a single man of the prelature who fits that category. Maybe one.

      Reply
        • I hesitated before typing “sheep from goats”, but went ahead because it was the phrase that first came to mind. I meant, as Fr Weinandy put it, better, “Jesus wants to manifest just how weak is the faith of many within the Church” so that, presumably, we, the Church Militant, can see what’s what.

          I take little comfort from that thought, however, because of the souls that are surely being lost through this terrible scandal.

          Reply
          • Simon, I appreciate the clarification. I am still amazed that this priest stood up so fiercely for his sheep. What an amazing man! As Pope Francis would say, he “smells like his sheep.”

            He does, indeed!

          • You and me, both.

            But why?

            We here have raised sheep and have other livestock. We have killed our share and then some of dogs and coyotes that have mauled them or worried them and chased out our share of wolves. My son at 14 was hiking back in the dark in the mountains with his pistol and rucksack, checking a trapline in the effort to make sure our livestock were safe.

            We are led by urbanized queers in the Catholic Church.

            God save the Catholic Church from Her leaders.

        • On earth, the Pope is to administer the discipline of the Church.

          For the last 50 years nothing of the sort has been done. There was an actual “official” date of death of discipline you can hang on that, too, tho the practice of ignoring sins in the Church goes back further, naturally.

          Read Pope John XXIII opening address to Vatican 2. See what he says about condemnation of evil.

          Don’t read it standing up.

          Reply
          • Exactly! John XXIII’s opening address used the word “modernize” so many times it is almost laughable. If fact, he had to KNOW what the heresy of Modernism was. He once took the Oath against Modernism, only to resurrect it, and fully support its full implementation via the Vatican II documents and the formation of the Novus Ordo Mass.

      • The difficulty for any such Pope that you describe (and we all fanaticize about) would be what to do next when all the cardinals, bishops and priests he excommunicates, laicizes and places under interdict tell him to “go to hell”? I think that’s exactly what happened to JPII and B16 – they just said: “no.” A Pope would rely upon “religious obedience” and there isn’t much of that anywhere.

        Reply
        • That is why I refuse all pamphlets and any encouragement to visit Medjugorje. Two bishops in succession warned they had reservations about the authenticity of the apparitions. That town has made a business out of encouraging disobedience to the discerning judgement of 2 local bishops.

          We have so many approved apparitions–why the rage at Medjugorje? Because people say there is such a peace there, really there is.

          What did Mary do in Guadalupe when the bishop did not believe Juan Diego? She appeared TO THE BISHOP! She has never co-erced anyone to disobey a bishop-EVER!

          Except in Medjugorje.

          Reply
          • One would think that the Blessed Mother saying she loves all her children whether they’re Catholic, Muslim or Jews wouldn’t stop there, but go on to plead that all her children be “One” in her Son’s Mystical Body, of which she is a member and Mother. No, to allow people to believe a message that the RC Church is optional explains all the huge numbers of conversions. It’s demonic.

  8. Maybe a turning point has been reached with the Weinandy letter. Even the hyper-liberal “Tablet” rag from the UK seems to be offering a sympathetic account of the affair with a number of theologians coming out in support of him. From their article:

    “Fr Thomas Petri, OP, academic dean of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, told Catholic News Agency (CNA) that Fr Weinandy “is a theologian of the highest calibre,” and that the “letter to His Holiness is quite obviously written with a deep filial piety and loyalty to both our Holy Father Pope Francis and to the Church.”

    “Fr Weinandy says directly but, I think, charitably what he believes is on many people’s minds. Many priests are confronted daily by members of the lay faithful expressing confusion and concern in reports they read or hear about Pope Francis and his advisers,” Fr Petri added.

    Chad Pecknold, professor of theology at the Catholic University of America, agreed. Fr Weinandy “is arguably the most distinguished Franciscan theologian working in the English language today,” Professor Pecknold told CNA. “He is a theologian centred in the Church, and not at all at her outermost fringe. So his letter carries the weight of the centre.”

    “Rather than presume to correct, Fr Weinandy describes the current situation, and informs the Holy Father that what seems to many like ‘intentionally ambiguous’ teaching has led to confusion, leading some of his own advisers to publicly advance error,” Professor Pecknold said. “There is something admirable about the impassioned plea of a son of St Francis writing to Pope Francis, in truth and love, as a son to a father. His love for the pope is evident throughout his appeal.”

    Jacob Wood, theology professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, raised concerns about the publication of the letter in the media. “If Fr Weinandy’s intention is fraternal correction, publishing his letter might not be the best way to go about it,” Professor Wood told CNA. “It is easy for our intentions to get warped when treated in the mass media by people who don’t share the perspective of faith. There does exist some danger of scandal.”

    Fr Weinandy told Crux that he published the letter because it “expresses the concerns of many more people than just me, ordinary people who’ve come to me with their questions and apprehensions,” adding: “I wanted them to know that I listened.”

    RR Reno, editor of First Things magazine, and formerly a professor of theology at Creighton University, told CNA that publishing letters like Fr Weinandy’s can be helpful to Catholics. “Weinandy’s letter is an attempt to clearly state problems we face,” Reno said.

    Fr Charles L. Sammons, OFM Cap, told CNA that he lived with Fr Weinandy in 2015. “I experienced Fr Thomas as an uncomplicated and earnest person who simply loved the Lord and his Church, and didn’t seem to have many concerns apart from that. I remarked to myself more than once that this seemed like a blessed way to live,” Fr Sammons said, adding that his time with Fr Weinandy “had been given to me as a grace of good example, for my own religious life as a Capuchin friar.””

    Full article here: http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/8022/0/top-franciscan-quits-catholic-doctrinal-post-

    I nearly spit my coffee over my keyboard when I saw such positive coverage coming from the “Bitter Pill”. Shame that the only whinger came from Steubenville. Are they big on papolatry there?

    Reply
    • “Jacob Wood, theology professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, raised concerns about the publication of the letter in the media.”
      A major component to the virulent corruption within the Church is this cult of secrecy which preserves immunity for individuals who malpractice in a broad degree of manner.
      Those boxes of files Benedict shoved off on Bergoglio should have been published online, heads roll, housed cleaned.
      With this weeks action by USCCB against not only Father Weinandy, but against all the faithful, they no longer merit any deference, ecclesiastical or moral.
      Frightened morons leashing out at the well spoken and ardent query from a faithful priest are useless in the spread of the Gospel. Their sole objective is the preservation of their personal privilege. Their office is rather for the service of the Church.
      Get to work or get a real job.
      And I will include the milquetoast inhabitants of the theological academy in that final admonition. Satan seems to have pride of place at department tea parties.
      Revolting.

      Reply
      • This is In the News (over at Holy Name Province Franciscans web page):
        For building green, church wins honor
        Arizona birthright citizenship bills pulled after businesses voice opposition
        Toward Sustainable Capitalism
        State Lawmakers Outline Plans to End Birthright Citizenship, Drawing Outcry
        Can Water Cooperation Be a Model for Middle East Peacemaking?
        Global Warming
        Post-DREAM, What’s the Next Immigration Battleground?
        House GOP readies bill to prohibit EPA from regulating carbon emissions
        Senators look for Immigration Deal
        A Pastor Takes on BP in New Orleans
        Youth and Social Responsibility
        Thousands of south Louisianians praying in face of massive Gulf oil spill
        Efforts to Limit the Flow of Spill News
        —————————————————–
        There’s not one mention of Fr. Wienandy’s firing, or the Right to Life issue.

        Reply
      • I always tho’t Steubenville was a good school. Maybe they are, but this guy should be asked to resign purely on the fact that he has no understanding of courage. Tho courage in the Catholic Church seems to be an anti-virtue these days.

        “Definition of courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty”.

        Per Jacob:

        “Jacob Wood, theology professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, raised similar concerns. “If Father Weinandy’s intention is fraternal correction, publishing his letter might not be the best way to go about it,” Wood told CNA. “It is easy for our intentions to get warped when treated in the mass media by people who don’t share the perspective of faith. There does exist some danger of scandal.”

        https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.asp?ID=180679

        Oh, and Mr Wood knows what is the more (politically) correct way to go about telling a Pope the obvious, that he is at odds with the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the world today?

        Why did I deny the best people on earth I have ever known in converting to the Catholic Church?

        Oh, yeah…I forgot for a moment…

        Reply
        • My estimation of Steubenville was the same.
          This is the second or third event which has led me to question what is happening there. The seismic flow appears to be undermining venues one would have thought secure — regretfully I need to include EWTN and the Knights of Columbus. Although I will commend EWTN for Edward Pentin and the “Papal Possey.” But that is about it for them.
          Good Lord, I’d love to see what would be flying if Mother Angelica was alive…she used to get on my nerves but the woman was fearless, stealth and had grit.
          It merely goes to show that as bad as we knew things were, they are far worse than we can imagine.
          Let pray for our priests, and for each other.

          Reply
          • “the woman was fearless, stealth and had grit”

            Being a recent convert, I knew her for what I then thought to be a creepy Rosary on EWTN.

            Horses Posterior was I.

            What a woman!

          • For all the rough edges and sharp corners she was a gift from God. Its hard to believe we can look back to the nineties as something of a golden age now that we sit in the Bergoglian cesspool.
            But the good God will see a fit time for restoration. Let us man up and be patient — as patient as we can muster anyway.

          • That’s why CC have among others, you guys here. Keep it continues doing so.
            We see not immediately the (positive) effects of our own daily ‘crying voices in the wilderness’, but I believe God see it, and know, and use it in the most proper way to achieve His goals and of His Church.
            There are many mother Angelicas here around. Thanks to our good Lord for all of them!

          • I’ll always have a veneration for February 10, 2013 — the last day of sunshine. Even that was partly cloudy.

          • She definitely wouldn’t be mincing any words! To me she was a regular person, someone who came from a tough childhood/background which so many, including myself could relate to and appreciate. The progressive left in the Church tried to destroy her and she fought back, standing tall for Christ and His Church, she is an heroic example for today. We need more like her who speak the unvarnished plain truth directly and without apology.

          • Mother Angelica practiced what she preached, just like St. Borromeo.
            A sermon by St Charles Borromeo
            Practise what you preach
            I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us the means to find it easily. One priest may wish to lead a good, holy life, as he knows he should. He may wish to be chaste and to reflect heavenly virtues in the way he lives. Yet he does not resolve to use suitable means, such as penance, prayer, the avoidance of evil discussions and harmful and dangerous friendships. Another priest complains that as soon as he comes into church to pray the office or to celebrate Mass, a thousand thoughts fill his mind and distract him from God. But what was he doing in the sacristy before he came out for the office or for Mass? How did he prepare? What means did he use to collect his thoughts and to remain recollected?
            Would you like me to teach you how to grow from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already recollected at prayer, you can be even more attentive next time, and so give God more pleasing worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
            If teaching and preaching is your job, then study diligently and apply yourself to whatever is necessary for doing the job well. Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.
            Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul, do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself. You have to be mindful of your people without becoming forgetful of yourself.
            My brothers, you must realise that for us churchmen nothing is more necessary than meditation. We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: I will pray, and then I will understand. When you administer the sacraments, meditate on what you are doing. When you celebrate Mass, reflect on the sacrifice you are offering. When you pray the office, think about the words you are saying and the Lord to whom you are speaking. When you take care of your people, meditate on how the Lord’s blood that has washed them clean so that all that you do becomes a work of love.
            This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work: in meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in other men.
            (From Roman Franciscan Breviary)

          • So if Pope John Paul I is declared Venerable, that makes every Pope from 1958 to 2013 either a Saint, Blessed or Venerable.

            It took Pope Pius X almost 37 years to be declared a Saint.

            This makes me very uncomfortable.

    • Good luck with this one, Convert! You’re going to need it. I think you might see the Pontiff run the NYC marathon before he’d hire Fr. Weinandy or fire the errant American Jesuit fascinated by sodomy questions.

      Reply
  9. “be prepared to let go of cherished beliefs and long-held biases”.

    Psalm 1

    “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
    standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
    (2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he
    meditate day and night..”

    Gods law shines forth His deep and profound love for mankind. Violation of His law is hatred.

    Reply
  10. Litany for the Church in Our Time

    Lord, have mercy.
    Christ, have mercy.
    Lord, have mercy on us.
    Christ, Divine Founder of the Church,
    hear us.
    Christ, Who didst warn of false prophets,
    graciously hear us.

    God, the Father of Heaven,
    have mercy on us.
    God, the Son, Redeemer of the World,
    have mercy on us.
    God, the Holy Ghost,
    have mercy on us.
    Holy Trinity, One God,
    have mercy on us.

    Holy Mary, Mother of God,
    pray for us.

    St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us.
    St. Michael, Defender in Battle, pray for us.
    St. Peter, the Rock upon which Christ built His Church, pray for us.
    St. Paul, Protector of the Faithful Remnant, pray for us.
    St. Francis of Assist, Re-builder of the Church, pray for us.
    St. Anthony, Hammer of Heretics, pray for us.
    St. Pius V, Restorer of the beauty of the Sacred Liturgy, pray for us.
    St. Pius X, Foe of Modernism, pray for us.
    All ye Holy Angels and Archangels, pray that we may resist the snares of the Devil.
    St. Catherine of Siena, pray that Christ’s Vicar may oppose the spirit of the world.
    St. John Fisher, pray that bishops may have the courage to combat heresy and irreverence.
    St, Francis Xavier, pray that zeal for souls may be re-enkindled in the clergy.
    St. Charles Borromeo, pray that seminaries may be protected from false teachings.
    St. Vincent de Paul, pray that seminarians may return to a life of prayer and meditation.
    St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray that religious may rediscover their vocation of love and sacrifice.
    St. Thomas More, pray that the laity may not succumb to the Great Apostasy.
    St. Francis de Sales, pray that the Catholic press may again become a vehicle of Truth.
    St. John Bosco, pray that our children may be protected from immoral and heretical instruction.
    St. Pascal, pray that profound everence for the Most Blessed Sacrament may be restored.
    St. Dominic, pray that we may ever treasure the Holy Rosary.

    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us.
    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
    Christ, hear us.
    Christ, graciously hear us.

    Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
    That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

    Let Us Pray.

    Jesus, our God, in these dark hours when Thy Mystical Body is undergoing its own Crucifixion, and when it would almost seem to be abandoned by God the Father, have mercy, we beg of Thee, on Thy suffering Church. Send down upon us the Divine Consoler, to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills.

    Thou, O Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived, have promised to be with Thy Church until the end of time. Give us a mighty Faith that we may not falter; help us to do Thy Holy Will always, especially during these hours of grief and uncertainty. May Thy Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Thy Holy Mother be our sure refuge in time and in eternity. Amen.

    Reply
    • tpb, I wanted to thank you for that prayer. I saw it last night when I was headed to Mass. I put it aside and prayerfully read through it while in front of the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration. Perfect!! I will add it to my Thursday prayers for the Church.

      Reply
  11. I tried to post this on Lifsite (but it is still pending…after 8 hours) regarding Cardinal Cupich’s complete crap statement of “giving up our cherished beliefs’ so that we can discern like Francis.

    “Just sickening. Total modernist BS from start to finish. This is all about the destruction of the Catholic Church and this man and all like him are abject Heretics of the Highest order and if they do not repent they shall suffer for eternity in Hell.

    Spare your people O Lord and deliver us from our persecutors.”

    There is one thing that I wholeheartedly agree with Cardinal Cupich on: if you want to be like Francis and discern like Francis then you must give up your cherished beliefs that have been handed on to you from Jesus through the Apostles and their successors.

    I recommend against doing that, I would rather discern with Jesus and all of the Fathers, Doctors and Saints of the Church.

    Filled with disgust for these heinous wolves,

    Fr. RP

    Reply
      • ? I guess I don’t understand. The link you posted isn’t working, but I presume it’s the article that I am referencing. My point about LifeSite is that for some reason my post is still pending and not published. I presume it’s because I had the temerity of joining B with S. Which, in my estimation, is pathetic. Especially when you read the other comments on that article which are far more aggressive than anything I wrote.

        Reply
        • I’m sorry, Father. That link didn’t work for me, either. I will try again: https://www.lifesitenews.com/all/article-catholics-must-let-go-of-cherished-beliefs-to-discern-like-pope-francis-u.s

          If that doesn’t work, you can find it by searching for the title “Catholics must let go of ‘cherished beliefs’ to ‘discern’ like Pope Francis: U.S. Cardinal.” It was posted at 3:40 PM yesterday afternoon and written by Pete Baklinski.

          I don’t know what you mean by “I had the temerity of joining B with S.” Over the years there have been times when a post of mine has gotten lost or took forever. Usually it’s because they are inundated with combox traffic.

          Reply
          • Usually my posts go through immediately. So they must have a buffer set up to screen certain words etc.. that’s how this stuff works most of the time.

          • That’s fine. I hope you can find the article. Feel free to remove my posts if you’d like. I must scoot out as I attend the “Alliance of the Two Hearts” Masses on the First Friday and First Saturday. First Mass starts shortly and then the second one after midnight. Won’t be home till around 2 a.m. GOD BLESS YOU FATHER!!! I WILL DEFINITELY pray for you tonight.

          • Thank you and May God reward you for your faithful service of Him and His Holy Bride.
            And I would never delete these kind of comments, as there is nothing wrong with them. People are free to disagree with me, I’m not speaking infallibly 😉

          • Yes, colorful vernacular is blocked, something my sinful soul falls into rather frequently. You can always use the asterik trick… E.g. you can’t even say so and so is an *ss with sh*t for brains on lifesite – even if you’re talking about Nancy Pelosi etc

            Church militant still blocks anything with negativity toward Vatican II.

            OnePeterFive and Breitbart are still beacons of free speech – the latter shockingly so at times.

          • The link didn’t work for me either, so I just entered ‘Cupich’ into their search box and the article was the first thing that popped up.

        • I like Life-site news but they blocked me from posting years ago. I contacted them and they unblocked me twice, but now I have been blocked for quite some time…no reasons ever given. They have come a long way since the start of Pope Francis’ pontificate, and I often share their articles.

          Reply
    • After a week like this your draw on the wisdom of Cardinal Cupid is still quite bracing.
      “…giving up our cherished beliefs’ so that we can discern like Francis.”
      The man is mad.

      Reply
    • Moderation limbo?

      Count your blessings!!

      They BANNED me for what I don’t know. I know I can get hot-headed and so does my priest, but I wasn’t really hotheaded with them that I know. Maybe it is a coincidental Discus glitch?

      I asked and got no reply. And Lifesite is a good site overall. I really like it.

      Ezekiel 22:30.

      Reply
    • “If one cannot say BS, then what can one say?”

      I find that “bovine excrement” often gets round the problem. 😉

      Reply
    • Fr. RP, it had nothing to do with the use of “BS.” It had everything to do with your calling Francis a HERETIC. In reality, that is only a couple more steps away from at least one cardinal making the pronouncement that Francis is a pertinacious, material heretic, and has lost the papacy. We all know what is coming down the pike after Cardinal Burke issues the public, formal, fraternal correction.

      Reply
      • I have great respect for Cardinal Burke, but I do wish he’d get on with it if he is going issue the correction. If Bergoglio hasn’t responded at this point–to the dubia, nor to any other similar petitions–I don’t think it is as a result of yet to be completed, deep pondering of the matter on his part that requires further indulgence.

        Reply
        • Exactly.

          Cardinal Burke could off the top of his head write a sound correction after a bottle of Jack Daniels and three rounds with Mike Tyson.

          It has no connection to the technical and theological that this is so slow in coming.

          Reply
        • I wonder if he is reluctant because once the Correction is issued and Francis continues with his present course without answering there is no other recourse. We cannot actually DO anything to Francis – nothing that he won’t just ignore…so at least with the Correction still in the offing it’s being talked about and thought about. That’s a lot.

          Reply
          • Probably that.

            He knows the race is rigged and there’s no finish line for the True Believers no matter if the Pope is riding a three-legged mule.

            But God might throw a tape across the track. That’s what I think.

            Let the correction come.

          • If the faithful prelates in the Curia could get the Swiss Guard to agree the Pope is a manifest heretic, there’s plenty they could do about it. The Vatican has its own jail, y’know.

            Then inform the world the Pope has been deposed and is incapacitated, call a conclave, inform Bergoglio’s newly annointed they are not eligible to participate and proceed. Nothin’ to it.

          • The Swiss Guard also have guns. I’m sure there must be a multitude of Canons to take care of that minor matter.

      • “We all know what is coming down the pike after Cardinal Burke issues the public, formal, fraternal correction.”

        That is…if he ever does…

        Reply
      • That’s not accurate. You can say that Bergoglio is a heretic, I do it all the time. What probably was moderated was, as someone said. the word Hell.

        Reply
        • Well, I made an educated guess. Why? Because I got banned from LifeSiteNews for saying something almost identical several months ago.

          Reply
          • LSN has covered this heretic in the chair of Peter for more than several months now.
            I suggest that there might have been something else in your comment that they did not allow. It’s their website and they can set the rules. I have lost some of my comments too for whatever reason, but I’m still there, I’am being a little more careful in the words I choose.

          • At the time, LSN was still “coming around” regarding Francis. Their moderators now seem to allow comments such as what I made at that time. That’s okay. It takes time to properly educate and catechize most Catholics. I do not say this in any condescending manner. However, many of us have been way out ahead the power curve for quite some time regarding this current pope.

          • Yeah, when Bergoglio was pope in his early days, I just couldn’t say anything against him. It took not too long to see that he was way bad and getting worse. Sort of waking up the fact that the man occupying the Seat of Peter was terribly wrong.

            LSN was not pro-Trump during the campaign, they were against him actually. I commented with support and hope for Mr. Trump. Now they have articles that praise him and what he is doing because they see for themselves that there is good being done.

    • “One of the fine attributes of 1P5 is that, for the most part, one can
      say things like BS. I should know, as I am a moderator and let many
      posts stay that I don’t agree with the content of, or the manner in
      which they are delivered, not all mind you, but many.”

      I thank you for that as well. Open dialogue (less blatant profanity) should never be censored. Often, Catholic sites like to squelch dialogue which really just leads to more division, misunderstandings. What many do not understand as well is that as Catholics, we need a place to question, gain better understandings, and breakdown divisions. Then there is the plain and simple fact that as Catholics we really do not have a voice in matters that mean a lot to people. We may not be able to change/influence what the RCC does that one may find objectionable/questionable but being able to come together even in a comments section allows us all to learn from each other. Thank you again for not being afraid of keeping the lines of communication open.

      Reply
    • Why, Father, I am surprised at you! Such language coming from a staunch, faithful priest! 😀

      Yet, right on!

      The “decentralization” of the Church will result in the same destruction of unity, let alone liturgy and theology, that has plagued protestantism since its beginning with the consequence that there are now some FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND protestant denominations. The process of decentralization will include theology (I.e. ideology) and be extended first to diocese and then to individual parishes and houses of religious orders. The result will be thousands of individual departures from the Truth and the faith that has prolaimed and acclaimed it for 2,000 years. And that is only ONE way of Francis and his legions way of achieving their master’s goal.

      Reply
      • That’s exactly what Bergogio’s agenda has been from the beginning. It became apparent very early in this wretched papacy. I’d say what is pathetic is his thinking he can defeat God, but he doesn’t believe in God, which means he doesn’t believe in hell. Every time I think of that I think of what Padre Pio said to a guy who told him he didn’t believe in hell: “You will when you get there.”

        That goes for you, too, Bergoglio and Cupich and all your pals. You will believe in hell when you get there. There is a signpost there for each of you, waiting for your skulls.

        Reply
        • We don’t know if any among them will end up in hell. The evidence points in that direction, but any number of them could repent at the last minute. Only God knows, but we must remember the thief who repented while dying alongside Jesus and Jesus’ promise to him. I would be overjoyed if Francis and his bunch repented (the sooner the better for everyone).. yet, like you, I’d be surprised if it happens. He was elected in 2013 and by early 2014 I saw the writing on the wall (but I also had help). I couldn’t convince a good friend and fellow orthodox Catholic of where Francis was taking the Church. It wasn’t until last year that he became convinced. I think it was AL that caused him to wake up and see the light.

          Reply
      • friday, november 03, 2017 FATHER’S STAGE “ACT” GIVES ME INDIGESTION

        God help us! What a clown, go to the link from ‘Convert’
        at your peril.

        “Dymphna’s Road” website

        Reply
      • What the Hades? That is sacrilegious and undignified behavior for a priest. I wouldn’t even like to see my priest do that in the community room in the church basement. I sure don’t want to see it in front of the altar containing the blessed sacrament during high mass. Good grief. My Anglican priests never even pulled a stunt like that before I converted.

        Reply
      • No this is not what “goes on” at Novus Ordo Mass, and the inference that you are suggesting (we are irreverent baffoons) doesn’t speak well for those who, I’m guessing, attend the Vetus Ordo. I go to both and these snotty comments only widen the rift. Christ prays for unity, we should at least try to be civil to one another for His sake.

        Reply
    • What do we as laypeople do? We are bound to obedience. We cannot speak up, or else we’re being “uppity” against our bishops and leaders.

      They hold the authority. We’re just….I don’t know *what* we are anymore.

      Reply
    • “Discerning” is the new motto of the Bergoglian Church.
      Discerning what ? The only thing I could discern until now is that Francis and his followers are heretics or even apostates because I was taught my catechism in a pre-VATII time.
      Giving up our cherished beliefs? My cherished belief is my catholic Faith. Cupich et al want us becoming like themselves: Apostates.

      Reply
      • The Francis definition of discernment means approve of mortal sin. We should probably write a modernist dictionary which explains the real meaning of modernist weasel wordsmith.

        Reply
    • Bovine excrement perhaps, as one commenter termed it. I heard another more polite way to phrase it, but totally forget what it was.

      Reply
  12. The Bishops are shrewd by giving a % back to the parish to make it seem like the Annual Appeal is good deal to the average pewsitter- the more you give the more you get. I wish people would realize that it is not charity to give to the Bishop’s appeal but a $ laundering scam to fund the progressive left’s agenda.

    I agree the USCCB needs to be shut down, their only agenda is to implement their fair share of the progressive left’s agenda to the tune of billions, the latest gravy train the ‘refugee’ resettlement’.

    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/catholic-charity-rejects-govt-funding-to-maintain-religious-liberty

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/24/catholic-church-collects-16-billion-in-us-contract/

    http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/11/29/unholy-alliance-christian-charities-profit-1-billion-fed-program-resettle-refugees-40-percent-muslim/

    Reply
    • My parish has never received a dime from the USCCB or the Local Diocesan Bishop’s appeal. So, this must be a practice in your particular Diocese, but it certainly isn’t in mine.

      Reply
      • You are very fortunate Father not to have to deal with that, I know that parish priests are caught in the middle of all this, its been my experience living in LI, NY- Diocese of Rockville Centre, NC – Diocese of Charlotte, and SC – Diocese of Charleston, the parishes are assigned a certain amount to raise and then the individual parishes receive a % back if they meet their goal and that is how it is promoted.

        Reply
        • To be sure, we are assigned a target goal for the annual Diocesan Appeal, but thanks be to God there is no percentage kick back for meeting the goal. Hopefully this will not enter their heads…

          Reply
  13. No surpise from Cardinal DiNardo, he allowed a woman Protestant fake bishop to hold a Protestant Service in the Cathedral in Houston some years back. There was also a Catholic Funeral for an active Lesbian at the same Cathedral.

    A side question: Does anyone know what happened to Pewsitter’s website ?

    Reply
  14. I think all good Catholics should rise up and award Fr. Weinandy the First Annual “Shepherd Living with the Smell of the Sheep Award.” That was one of the first admonishments that Pope Francis handed down to his priests right after he was elected Pope. (Chrism Mass 2013) Francis went on to say “When a priest “doesn’t put his own skin and own heart on the line, he never hears a warm, heartfelt word of thanks from those he has helped.”

    I think Weinandy fits the bill. It could be a yearly event.

    Reply
      • Nah, I really like the “Shepherd Living with the Smell of Sheep Award.” Kind of like a sharp stick in someone’s rib cage, since it was presented as a challenge to the priesthood at the time.

        Maybe someone could make cape of sheep’s skin for him.

        Reply
          • Thanks v, but it’s not me. It’s all God.

            My normal predisposition is to come out swinging, being that I am an A+ type personality who was raised in New York. But….God’s been working on me. (Kicking me in the butt is more like it. Just ask my kids!)

  15. The cold fact of the matter is that these bishops are Catholic in name only, like the flock they lead and therefore the only course to take is to avoid them and all their works. Find a parish that is still Catholic and take refuge there. We are obliged to adhere to the Catholic Faith in order to be saved and if our prelates are leading people away from the Faith our only option is not to follow them. As Stephen Brady stated in 2009, “While bishops and priests in union with Rome have been destroying the Faith – good Holy Priests have been stripped of their faculties for simply defending the faith. Most of you know of a priest who falls into this category.”
    “For these reasons I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer, in good conscience, recommend to Catholics in distress that they in any way return to their Novus Ordo parish with essentially band-aid solutions to what is a much deeper problem. In a word, I now believe that he so-called Traditionalist Catholics are right. That is, the present post-Conciliar ecclesial establishment has, in large part, lost the Catholic Faith. That being said, where do we turn? Fortunately, that Faith is now being valiantly preserved in numerous Traditional chapels, Oratories and Mass centers throughout the world. As Christ promised, the Gates of Hell would never prevail against the Church even though the light of faith may be dimmed in many or even most places, as occurred in the Arian Heresy during the Fourth Century. While my family still attends a diocesan parish to fulfill our Sunday obligation, we are in search of a new home.”See the rest of his letter here, http://www.rcf.org/RCFgoodbye.pdf

    Reply
  16. As I was reading the passage concerning the USCCB, above—“… the whole thing should simply be gutted and set on fire and dumped into the nearest ocean. (And nuked from orbit, just to be sure”—I flashed on that scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” where the Nazi officer removes the lid from the Ark, releasing all the powers of Heaven which come surging out like pent up fireworks encircling all of the Nazis, causing them to implode while the flesh melts off of their skeletons.

    “If the devil don’t dodge me, I’m gonna spit in his eye
    When I get my wings, I’m gonna fly.” —Billy Joe Shaver

    Reply
  17. This episode of Fr Weinandy getting fired reveals the USCCB to be absolutely hypocritical and cowardly — and it is like a trap. actually, that they dove into — with both feet. Of all the responses they could’ve done, they do the worst! Perfecto! They, they themselves, have revealed themselves more fully than anything we could say.

    And the amazing thing is, they’re too dense to see what they’ve done.

    RC

    Reply
    • How true. They didn’t even attempt to “dialogue” with him while bragging about their desire to dialogue. Pretty much shot themselves in the foot and didn’t even see the irony. But everyone else did.

      Reply
  18. What do we do?

    How in the world does one make an impact on the bureaucratic Catholic Church, besides withholding $$?

    Something else, cuz I got that part down. Only Catholics and Catholic mission gets my dough.

    Reply
        • We fight on our knees, Rod. Think Lepanto. The Christians were vastly outnumbered by the Muslims. When the Pope asked everyone to pray the rosary, the Muslims were defeated and pushed out of Europe.

          We think that we need to “do” something, yet God is not asleep at the wheel. He wants each and every one of us to get down on our knees and in humility admit our inability to fix this problem, pleading with Him to take this cup from us. We are in over our heads. He’s not. That’s what Faith is all about. He’s got a plan and we have to trust in Him.

          Reply
          • First I agree with pretty much everything you say in the post above.

            As for Lepanto, let’s take a look at that.

            Lepanto was not a prayer meeting. Lepanto was a battle. It demanded logistics and preparation and commitment and hard fighting and sacrifice. Sound history does not tell us that the Holy League simply got the order to pray, prayed the Rosary and the Turks fled the scene.

            Not at all.

            THE TURKS DIDN’T JUST UP AND LEAVE THE FIELD {SEA} OF BATTLE, THEY WERE DEFEATED AND DRIVEN AWAY.

            Every time I read of Catholics suggesting it’s the job of the Blessed Virgin to “fix” the Church with “prayer” I just shake my head. Lepanto didn’t just “happen”. Study the military history of that and the Battle of Vienna and all successful battles against the “Turks” {who at this point in history seem to include the leadership of the Church}. At Lepanto, the Holy League AND the Turks lost about the same number of dead; 8,000 or so but the battle is considered a victory because it put and end to ONE goal of the Turkish forces. And by the way, of the wounded, none other than Miguel de Cervantes!

            Is it right to ascribe the victory to Our Lady’s intercession? Absolutely!!! But it is also correct to declare that it was a great struggle demanding the lives of many and the sacrifice of all.

            When people say, “Pray. Remember Lepanto” so often they are not remembering Lepanto at all!

            No, WE must engage the Enemy. WE must take on those forces and those forces today are the high ranking members of the Church who are obviously hell-bent on destroying Holy Mother Church.

            HOW is another thing entirely, and I do not know the answer in full. Certainly prayer is a part of it.

            So we pray.

            But let our prayer not be an excuse for inaction, rather let our prayer guide us to the action God desires for us personally and collectively to take. And for that we need leaders. And right now we simply do not have them. So…we pray for leaders.

            CCC 675.

          • First, I’d like to reply to the last two paragraphs.

            There already is a group who has come together behind Cardinal Burke to pray the rosary on the first of each month for our Church. They are calling it “Operation Storm Heaven” saying “let us join His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke in a spiritual crusade to storm Heaven with prayers to dispel confusion and…”

            Check it out here: http://www.catholicaction.org/take_heaven_by_storm

          • I’m glad that it seems we’re on the same page for a good bit of this, Rod. I think our very souls depend on how we see our current situation — it resonates that deeply within me.

            Lepanto is a good place to start, but I’m going to go back further than that. First and foremost, the battle we are engaged in is a Spiritual Battle which is being waged on the supernatural level. God alone sees the Big Picture; we don’t. (Isaiah 55: 8-9) “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'”

            Prayer is not being lazy or inactive. It’s not what you should do when you can’t think of anything else to do. Rod, you say: “…WE must engage the Enemy. WE must take on those forces… HOW is another thing entirely, and I do not know the answer in full. Certainly prayer is a part of it.”

            Prayer should be our FIRST and most highly-developed weapon if we are to conquer evil GOD’s way. From our early relationship with God in the Old Testament He has shown us over and over again that all of the strategic plotting and planning of warrior leaders is for naught when put up against the strength of a puny know-nothing with a “Teachable Spirit.” He wants us to learn that HE is in control of the situation; not us.

            Look at David and Goliath. Saul had his armies warring against the Philistines. (1 Sam. 17) But, it was the scrawny kid who took down Goliath with a pouch of stones after eschewing the armor Saul had offered him, saying to Goliath: “…and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” (verse 47)

            Or, look at Gideon. His people had been putting up with the shenanigans of a much stronger Midianite community which pillaged their crops and wreaked havoc on their lives for seven years. God chose Gideon, a simple farm boy, to rescue his people. (Judges 6:15 – 7:12) An incredulous Gideon challenged God’s decision and repeatedly asked God for confirmation. (Hence, what is often called “Laying the Fleece.”) Once convinced, though, Gideon was terribly impressed that 32,000 men had volunteered for service under him. Thought that was nothing compared to the 135,000 Midianites they’d be up against, Gideon felt sure of victory. But, God had other plans. He winnowed down Gideon’s army to a mere 300 men so that Gideon “could not boast” that victory came at his hands, but at the hands of God. When victory was delivered to them, God got all the glory.

            Now let’s look at Lepanto. Nobody has ever declared, to my knowledge, that there was no fighting involved and that — poof — people prayed the rosary and victory was won. The Christians had been fighting the Turks for a long time and the Turks were winning. Europe was putting her best effort into the fight, but the Ottoman Empire was growing bigger by each battle. As the Holy League met up with the Turks at Lepanto, Pope Pius V had asked everyone to pray the rosary and, at that point, the tide turned and the Ottoman Empire began to be defeated. The victory has always been acclaimed as the results of the Rosary — so much so that the Church declared that October 7th, the day of Lepanto’s victory, would be dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The point being that all the might and strength of the Christian forces couldn’t defeat the Muslims — but prayer did. Were it not for the Rosary, we might all be bowing to Allah right now.

            Finally, let’s look at Fatima. With all the talk this last year of the 100th Anniversary, most of us should be pretty familiar with the details of Mary’s visits with the three shepherd children and Her messages. Again, God chose three uneducated and “backward” children to teach the world about His ways versus OUR ways. God even sent the Miracle of the Sun to convince people that He had a plan. That plan was conversion. Conversion of hearts through prayer. Pray the rosary daily, Mary said. Observe First Saturday devotions, she implored. If not heeded, our Blessed Mother showed the children just how ugly things would become. Mary impressed the children so much that they began praying the rosary with fidelity each day and little Jacinta even went so far as to practice self-mortification for the conversion of sinners. Lucia entered a cloistered convent where she spent the rest of her life beseeching people to listen to the messages of Our Lady. And prayer was at the center of it all…

            So much so that one of the most pivotal aspects of the messages of Our Lady had to do with the Pope consecrating Russia to her Immaculate Heart so that Russia’s errors would not be spread. At that moment in time, communism was just a whisper on the horizon. The catch was that the Pope had to consecrate Russia IN UNION with all the bishops of the world. I can just hear the prideful bishops laughing at the notion that a simple prayer would be efficacious enough to conquer Communism. What a crazy notion. (Like Naaman laughing at the silly idea that washing in the puny Jordan river would cure his leprosy.)

            What is prayer going to do for us in our current situation? Prayer is not just a part of the solution, it is THE most important part. What David and Gideon and Jacinta and Lucia and Francesco and even Naaman all have in common is a Teachable Spirit. They were TRANSFORMED when they succumbed to God in humility. Prayer is the weapon of transformation. Humility is the fruit.

            Once we realize the battle is the Lord’s and HE really does have the Big Picture in mind, we can be at peace in the midst of the storm. Our job is to pray and ONLY when He gives us a clear sign that our job branches out from there do we move forward at His leading. Fr. Weinandy did just that and his letter may very well be the stone that brings down Goliath.

            There is no higher privilege than to be a prayer warrior, on the front lines of the Spiritual Battle that is being waged against us. It is “engaging the Enemy” in the very highest sense of the word and not a sign of inaction at all. How lucky we all are to be on the front lines of such an important Battle!

          • Satan is the one behind it all. Spiritual Warfare. The only way we can fight this is on our knees…on our knees.

        • Me? I’m just a combox warrior. Basically at the moment I just try to hearten the faithful when I meet them IRL or online. IRL ppl are talking more about the state of the Church. I did also email my pastor to object to the Reformation commemoration. It didn’t change anything, but it had to be done. I also need to write to my bishop: none other than Cardinal Di Nardo. Mainly we need to not panic.

          Reply
          • I don’t sense any panic from anyone. I sense more exhaustion with the nonsense.

            I mean, who is fooled by the scheduled and planned train-wrecking of the Church?

            It has gotten so embarrassing.

            No advanced degrees are need to decipher any deep, technical theological concepts. We are now entering the stage of complete and blatant rejection of the Catholic faith by these men. Who cannot see this?

            And yet, how may we best advance the cause of Truth? That is a technical question that is somewhat tricky.

    • Call and write President Trump and your congressman relentlessly. Tell them to ban federal funds from Planned Parenthood and the USCCB; two sides of the same coin that is part of the infamous 30 pieces of silver.

      Reply
  19. As I’ve posted before, there’s no narcissist like a homosexual narcissist. Those words are synonyms, in fact. Especially one of advanced age like many of the so-called bishops.

    Reply
  20. QUOTE: “They are hard at work . . .”

    Meaning, more forward stuff is in the ecclesiastical pipeline. Exhortations, personnel changes, reorganizations & reformulations, maybe an encyclical or two, above all revisions of all sorts, to be dropped on us at a faster rate than we are able to update our blogs and warn our faithful neighbors.

    The rate is meant to disspirit and exhaust us. Yet, the urgency is theirs. The pipeline must be emptied, the stuff institutionalized, before Pope Francis is no more.

    Reply
  21. These are the words spring to mind about the firing of Fr. Thomas Weinandy by the USCCB : Corrupt, Unjust, Unmerciful, Mendacious, Lying, Twisted. This is the Francis true version of mercy.

    Petition President Trump to remove them as government contractors. They only use the money to promote Communism, Democrats and impeach Trump.

    Reply
    • I just posted this comment on LifesiteNews:

      Fr. Weinandy is a saint for our times. He is like Joan of Arc being
      condemned unfairly by the USCCB. The USCCB is a corrupt, Democrat toady
      political organization, largely funded by the U.S Government’s
      Immigrant resettlement program. We should ask President Trump to remove
      them the list of government contractors due to their being a political
      organization whose policies are destructive of American values and
      Trump’s Presidency.

      Reply
      • Michael, if you go on the US government website, you will see the ability to start a petition. It guarantees if there are100,000 names within a month of starting the petition, that the US government will look at the petition.

        Given that there are many American citizens who are angry with the USCCB on their policy of allowing/supporting ilegal immigrants and Muslim refugees withiut extreme vetting, you just may get the required numbers….with even non-Catholic Americans signing.

        I am appalled at the USCCB,…I am not an American so can do little regarding the petition.

        Reply
        • Maybe Steve Skojec could consider the petition ideal for 1Peter5. . It would be the kind direct action move
          I would like to see more. Words without actions are meaningless. Let us pray that Steve or some other good Catholic blogger takes this idea to heart and does something about it.

          Reply
  22. This is well said, Steve, from start to finish. The title alone is a good encapsulation of the present situation in so many sectors of the earthly Church… indeed, we seem to be moving from an experience of culpable silence in the face of challenges to heterodoxy to this new “weaponization of dialogue” as you frame it.

    At least the weapons are coming out now. I, for one, “prefer a straight fight to all this sneakin’ around.”

    Reply
  23. The give in all that has and may come to be under Pope Francis does come around to dialogue. God is worthy of praise beyond our abilities; his love is infinite and yet his justice is terrible. People who believe in the one and only God, the omnipotent God, should never–especially when be responsible for sharing the goods news with and ministering to the flock–be so sure and determined of themselves. That this group–including sycophants who are clueless yet welcomed–is charging ahead so quickly with trying to change dogma, even twisting Christ’s words is s telltale sign of faithlessness or perhaps full faith but fealty to another besides God.

    Reply
  24. What is spewing forth from the heirarchy is stomach-turning. Cuddling up with Luther and his wretched heresies, tossing in a few heresies of their own for good measure (I am speaking merely as a laymen with no ecclesial authority, and limited theological knowledge, but by what other term than heresy can I call it?); seeking to deconstruct the Church into whatever fractured, picture-puzzle scheme they envision; persecuting those who are striving to adhere to the Faith as it had been until Vat 2 and its slipshod remodelling job, while at the same time welcoming with hugs and kisses those who are bringing their spritual contagions into the Church itself.
    St. Paul told us what to do in Galations 1: 6-10. I will trust him on this matter.

    Reply
  25. There is a logic in the appreciation and promotion of “pro-lifers”, who are pro-abortion. We have been told years ago by the current occupant of the Petrine Office that there has been too much talk about abortion. While he praises – very highly – as one of Italy’s best, an abortionist of many thousands of the most vulnerable human beings, Emma Bonino, he is very pro-life in his stance on death penalty for the criminally minded. While he claims that sins stemming from “below the belt” (no, they always stem from the mind and will, which have always directed a Catholic’s fight against sin) are fairly insignificant (such as braking of holy vows, adultery, sodomy, devastation of lives of spouses and children and whole nations), those stemming from a concern for own family and nation before others, are very serious.

    God tells us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, but Jorge Bergoglio conspires with anti-God Soros to force us to sacrifice own children and nations on the altar of the convenience of a stranger, who vows to rule us – when strong enough in ever increasing numbers, thanks also to pro-life/wealth-redistribution-to-achieve-eqaul-outcomes-for-human-resource-material Bergoglio – in the name of his false god.

    The new pro-life stance (everything is falsely claimed to be new and fresh in the hellish UN plan the Vatican has embraced or directed from the start – I wouldn’t know, which) is killing babies to save animal and bacteria species, is refusing to kill unrepentant criminals meaning harm while killing Christ’s Church.

    Reply
    • Absolutely correct. No one with authority will call them out. They create a new false Church from within the True Church. Termites of our time.

      Reply
  26. Dialogue is a weasel word. Makes me want to throw up every time I hear the modernist weasels throw it out. Pardon my expression, but what the hell is it supposed to even mean. From the example of its promoters, it obviously applies to error and evil. Does it include Satan? It’s just an excuse for rank heresy, and the heirachy is either afraid or complicit. The destruction continues as the majority of spectators cheer.

    Reply
  27. Yesterday I read in our diocesan newspaper that Pope Francis had dropped another of his “bombs” at the daily Santa Marta Mass. I said that, “after all, we all come before God with empty hands”. I am sure that that will please those who teach that good works count for nothing or “once saved, always saved”. Lutherans and some others will be quite happy. But what about a lady I know who raised 12 children while dealing with an alcoholic and abusive husband? She raised all those children to be faithful Catholics. One is a priest. The others are now married and are raising beautiful families. Do you, PF, mean to tell me that that strong, courageous, and pious woman comes before God with empty hands???? How could you say such a thing? It is not only insensitive – which seems to be one of the only sins left – but it is just plain wrong! Read the Epistle of James. It’s all right there. Or is that another of the cherished beliefs we have to give up?

    Reply
    • Dear Msgr…have added you to the list of priests that I pray by name during my weekly Adoration Hour for clergy only.

      Thank you for speaking out so clearly.

      The priests who comment on this website…their names are in my book to pray for during adoration. (that includes Fr.RP)

      Reply
    • Monsignor, I’m not sure I understand why that statement is theologically incorrect. And, yes, I know the book of James. Faith without works is dead.

      But, everything I have and everything I do is by the Grace of God. I am responding to His Grace within me and can boast of nothing on my own.

      All I have is His. All I do I want to be for His glory. My hands ARE empty.

      Reply
      • Think about the parable of the master who went on a journey but before he left he gave his servants a certain amount of money. When he returned he asked for an accounting. When the last servant came and reported that he had done nothing with the master’s money, he was condemned. Yes, God gives you grace, but he expects you to use that grace and to show him what you have done with it to further the Kingdom of God. He expects to find fruit on that fig tree when he comes to inspect it. Don’t fall the quintessentially Protestant heresy that you come before God with empty hands.

        Reply
        • Yes, Monsignor, but that servant hid his money because of his cowardice. He did not have faith and trust that what the Master had given him would be generously multiplied. His hands were empty because he didn’t even try.

          The Protestants falsely believe that we Catholics rely on our good works to get to heaven. It is our own actions which merit heaven; not God’s. Yet, as I understand it, the Church teaches that we cooperate with God’s Grace within us.

          (CCC 2008) “The merit of man before God in the Christian life arises from the fact that God has freely chosen to associate man with the work of his grace. The fatherly action of God is first on his own initiative, and then follows man’s free acting through his collaboration, so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the grace of God, then to the faithful. Man’s merit, moreover, itself is due to God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and assistance given by the Holy Spirit.” (see also 306, 155 and 970)

          As I understand the Church’s teachings, our internal nature is one which has a true proclivity towards doing what pleases us — not what pleases God, calling it “concupiscence.”

          (CCC 978) “…Yet the grace of Baptism delivers no one from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil.”

          So, in the example you gave of the holy woman in your parish who suffered with an abusive husband while raising 12 Godly children, I would think it fairly certain that her own, innate nature, would be to knock his block off. Yet, understanding the importance of leading a good example and wanting to please God — cooperating with the Grace which God supplanted in her — she heroically rose above her circumstances and produced healthy and well-adjusted children.

          Hopefully she will not stand before God with her hands outstretched, showing him what a good wife and mother she was, as evidenced by the fruit of her suffering. No…..hopefully she will fully acknowledge that without the grace of God within her, she would have succumbed to her fleshly desires to leave the lout, and only by His grace was she able to persevere and bring glory to Him.

          She would not WANT to show Him her success as if it was her own. She would only want to acknowledge His divine grace which allowed her to rise above her wretched circumstances. Therefore, her own hands are empty as she has given all the Glory to Him.

          At least that is how I understand the Catholic Church’s teaching.

          Reply
  28. LifeSite has opened up a petition to send to Fr. Weinandy. The Petition reads:

    ‘To: Fr. Thomas Weinandy

    Your letter to Pope Francis was an act of love not only for the Petrine Office and for Pope Francis himself, but for the Church as a whole.

    Please know that I support you in your decision to make public your letter to the Pope. Catholics across the world are being intimidated into silence and are astonished at the level of confusion being sowed by Pope Francis.

    There are many who are attacking you right now, dear Father, but rest assured that I am praying for you as you defend the Mystical Body of Christ.

    May God bless and guide you in your priesthood.”

    You can go to the Petition here: https://lifepetitions.com/petition/show-your-support-for-fr-thomas-weinandy

    Reply
  29. Fr. “Mundabor” made some good points on his blog the other day about the whole situation involving Fr. Weinandy

    Father Weinandy’s story – which is, so to speak, the cause of the letter I have already commented – deserves a couple of considerations.

    There is a mixture of arrogance and superstition in Father Weinandy’s story about how the letter came to be.
    No one of us has the right to even think “I will do my duty of Catholic
    only if you, God, send me a sign; and I will tell you exactly what kind
    of sign I want to have; and I want to have it tomorrow”.

    Father Weinandy’s letter-writing might
    be right or wrong, but you don’t pose conditions to God. If it is right
    to write a letter, then by all means write it. If it is not right to
    write it, then by all means do your duty of Catholic theologian in a
    different way. But do not ever think that you can be exempted from doing
    what is right because God hasn’t sent you a pink dog dancing on his
    hind legs, or a chap without a number of specified passports, telling
    you exactly the words you want to hear, within a strict time frame.

    Yes, God may use and test even the
    arrogant and, if the story is true, I can’t avoid thinking of Him
    prompting the guy to this act of arrogance in order to, rather
    amusingly, baffle him into doing what he had to do anyway.
    However, it is still not right to hide behind hugely favourable odds and
    perform this kind of order-giving to God for something one knows to be
    right and the thing to do anyway. For heavens’ sake, this is a
    theologian who writes books about Catholicism, and everything indicates
    that, had he not seen the pink dog dancing on his hind legs of sort (his
    condition for, generally, “writing something”), he would have taken it
    as an excuse not to write anything at all (much less a
    letter to the Pope) about the current state of affairs in the Church.
    Talk about a coward found out and, by God’s grace, amusingly prompted to
    grow a pair and do his job already, actually even going beyond his
    original intention. The ways of the Lord…

    But this is not the way to go about our
    duties. You know what you have to do. Never think you can get out of it
    by just giving God strange ultimatums about what He has to do to let you
    do it.

    Father Weinandy is very, very lucky that
    his act of presumption was used by God towards his salvation. He must
    have been pretty impressed to follow up on it in such a public way.

    Reply
    • LOL, such nonsense on many levels. Weinandy did what millions do everyday in one form or another and have always done. It is perfectly moral and in keeping with Catholic theology.

      Reply
      • Fr. Mundabor wasn’t questioning whether the content of the letter and his action of writing it is in keeping with Catholicism. It most certainly is.

        He is, rightfully so and in keeping with being a brother priest with Fr. Weinandy, addressing the circumstances surrounding such, in particular the “sign from God” bit.

        I’m pleased that someone pointed this out and hasn’t been subsumed in the enthusiasm of “someone else has criticized Francis!”

        Reply
        • I was referring specifically to his plea with God. That was perfectly licit and is consistent with our faith. There is no need to question it at all.

          Reply
          • Fr. “Mundabor” should read about Gideon (Judges 6 -7). Christ Himself said that if we had Faith the size of a mustard seed, we could tell the mountains to move and they would. (Matt. 17:20)

            What Fr. Weinandy’s supplication shows is great Faith. He believed he should write to the Pope, but didn’t want that letter to be outside the Will of God. He knew God would answer him and wouldn’t step forward with his plan until he was certain it was part of His plan.

            Only those who habitually dialogue with their Abba Father understand the sweet succor He provides when He answers our supplications with such specificity. As I’ve said elsewhere on this site, everyone should read Cardinal Sarah’s new book, “The Power of Silence.” Nothing — absolutely nothing — can take the place of silence with our Lord. It is there that we learn to hear Him in the Whispers.

            What a shame that Fr. “Mundabor” chose to publicly criticize Fr. Weinandy on such flimsy grounds rather than lift him up for the courage he showed.

          • Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

            What saddens me so much is how often I see — here and elsewhere — the rash rush to judgment regarding what other people should be doing. An example of that would be the criticism of Cardinal Burke in how quickly or slowly he acts in accordance to the whims of the people. I have an absolute trust in Cardinal Burke’s ability to discern the Will of God. He WILL act when God puts it on his heart to do so. He knows full well that if he acts based on his own discernment, and not on God’s specific urging, his efforts will be in vain.

          • Don’t be astounded. Well meaning people truly believe that our relationship with God is such that we aren’t “allowed” to petition Him.

            Yet, when we practice obedience through silence and restraint until we KNOW, with certainty, that we are acting in His Will, we understand the beauty of the Father/Child relationship so much more.

            He wills that we would know HIM intimately. Silence is His vehicle. Hence my strong recommendation to others to read Sarah’s “The Power of Silence.”

            (Cardinal Sarah, “The Power of Silence,” #8, page 25: “God achieves everything, acts in all circumstances, and brings about all our interior transformations. But he does it when we wait for him in recollection and silence.”)

            The key here is WAIT. That takes practice. 🙂

          • If I see a person pointing a loaded .45 at another with the manifest intent to shoot him and I have a loaded .22 and therefore the means to stop him from shooting, I don’t need an extraordinary affirmation of my intent from God to act in that instance. I just act.

            Fr. Weinandy’s credentials are his loaded .22, and Amoris Laetitia is the Pope’s loaded .45.

          • Absurd drama. The priest prayed about how he should act. He was given an answer. Nothing about it is bad or illicit.

            You are caviling.

          • I’d switch the shooting irons around or better.

            Doctrinally-speaking, as it applies to handguns, Weinady is pointing a .500 S&W at the Pope’s .22 CB Cap.

  30. Either inadvertently or with truly stupefying arrogance, Cardinal Soupy’s remark about giving “permanence” to “reforms” of ecclesial structures and processes by framing them as “authoritative interpretations of the Second Vatican Council” reveals the thought process of these apostate revolutionaries. They believe they can nullify everything said by every Pope and Council prior to 1965 merely by purporting to interpret “authoritatively” a Council that explicitly disclaimed any dogmatic intent, and which therefore manifestly lacks any real authority of its own. And this, they go on to assure us with perfectly straight faces, will make their “reforms” permanent. Unlike everything that went before.

    The law of non-contradiction obviously means nothing to these guys.

    Reply
    • Indeed, and this critique you give here is not just a recent one, but rather, it is the consistent observation of many uttered since the Council.

      It is hard indeed NOT to see an hermeneutic of rupture in the Second Vatican Council.

      Reply
      • Yes, it is almost impossible to avoid seeing that if one explores the history, documents and aftermath of the Council with an open mind. In the years immediately following my conversion to the Church (which happened in 2004-5), I kept hearing claims that this or that practice or alleged doctrine was required by “the Council”, but I couldn’t find such things mentioned in the 1994 Catechism, so I bought a book of the Council documents and proceeded to look for myself. Seeing how completely and brazenly the provisions concerning the liturgy in Sacrosanctum Concilium were ignored was my first clue that something was not right. As I got into Lumen Gentium and ran into some of the ambiguities there, I began searching online for more information, which led me ultimately to the Remnant, Rorate Caeli and eventually 1P5. So here we are. And as most everyone who regularly comes here knows, no one has been able to explain how a “pastoral” Council can, simply by means of studied ambiguity, overrule overtly dogmatic statements of previous Councils on such issues as “EENS”, the duty to evangelize, and the proper roles of the Pope and the bishops. It takes a degree of intentional blindness to the obvious to conclude that the V2 declarations are all acceptable.

        Reply
        • This statement needs to be repeated:

          “no one has been able to explain how a “pastoral” Council can, simply by means of studied ambiguity, overrule overtly dogmatic statements of previous Councils on such issues as “EENS”, the duty to evangelize, and the proper roles of the Pope and the bishops. It takes a degree of intentional blindness to the obvious to conclude that the V2 declarations are all acceptable.”

          I myself have a very similar experience in the faith, having converted in 2014. Basically I’ve gone thru the same process you identify.

          Reply
          • We are still in the right place. Certainly the Lord never said it would be easy to be His disciple, but I was hoping those of us who are trying our best would at least have the support of the hierarchy of His Church. So, absent that, we try to find holy priests among the weeds, hang onto the Sacraments and private prayer, and remember to trust in the Lord.

  31. “Dialogue? Really?” Exactly.
    In the Diocese of WIlmington, Delaware their twitter account @TheDIALOGWilm has banned and blocked me. I found this out today when seeking to share a photo of a young priest praying after the Latin Mass….sad. I’m not even controversial…

    Reply
  32. “Admittedly, however, such a response feels incredibly meager in the face of the continued implosion of all we hold sacred.”

    Yep.

    Reply
  33. Late to this thread, but have been thinking about this a lot.

    It seems to me that it is usually futile to conduct any *prolonged* dialogue with persons of a Catholic background, who demonstrate a settled refusal to assent to what the Church has always believed and taught. In other words, rebels.

    Usually the angels and Jesus Christ Himself, when speaking to Jews of good will, exchanged only one or two remarks. From the human person, the first utterance was often a sincere question seeking to gain knowledge or to clarify something; the second, was usually a reply of assent. The Blessed Virgin Mary had only one question before consenting to become the mother of the Messiah, and then she gave her reply of assent. The young Jewish scholar who asked Jesus just one question – which was the greatest Commandment – received from the Lord his answer. Scripture records that the young man made one simple reply, praising the words the Master told him.

    It was the Scribes and the Pharisees – the hypocrites – who always had one more question, one more argument – always trying to contradict and to undermine what Jesus had been saying to the crowds. Pilate and Herod are recorded as posing multiple questions to the Lord – questions that did not arise from a genuine desire to gain knowledge, but from a desire to justify themselves and to score points. This is probably a part of the reason that the Lord chose not to answer these men at times.

    Not all exchanges of words are “dialogue.” Arguing is seldom “dialogue.” Questions and comments that arise from a critical or self-justifying spirit do not constitute “dialogue.”

    The one exception would be an exchange of comments between a faithful Catholic and one of a non-Catholic faith or of no faith, who is unfamiliar with the Church’s teachings. An example of this in Scripture would be the eunuch who was attempting to read a book of the Old Testament. When asked if he understood what he was reading, the eunuch replied, “how can I, when there is no one to explain it to me?” And so the Apostle engaged in a genuine dialogue of many questions and answers with the man, who at last asked, “what is there to prevent me from being baptized at once?” Thus we see that in the case of this non-believer of good will, after arriving at a fuller understanding, he gave his assent and embraced Jesus Christ. Here is true dialogue.

    The same may hold with other believers who don’t have a Catholic background. Many of these seek sincerely to understand and to clarify their understanding by asking questions – even challenging ones – of Catholics. But it can usually be seen that their questions are sincere. This, too, is true dialogue.

    The case will often be quite different with Catholics who do know God’s word, or who should have known by inquiring, but simply didn’t want to hear God’s word or put them into practice. More than one or two exchanges of words with such persons rapidly devolves from dialogue into argument and dissension. This is useless, or worse, mischief – especially on the part of the rebellious Catholic.

    Let us be careful to discern whether an exchange of more than one or two comments or questions and answers arises from a sincere spirit of inquiry, or whether it arises from a spirit of rebellion and hypocrisy. The former is more likely to be the case with an obviously uncatechized Catholic or with a non-Catholic, while the latter is more likely to be true in the case of one who continues to present himself as a Catholic, but who has dared to rebel and has been so unfortunate as to withhold his assent from one or more teachings of God through his holy Church. It is generally not possible to hold “dialogue” with such a one, for he has no intellectual or spiritual honesty.

    Reply

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