Tag Archive for: Catholic

Syrian Archbishop: “We expect Christians in the West to help us. They do not”

Why don’t the Christians in the West help them? Because it might harm the dialogue: “Talk about extreme, militant Islamists and the atrocities that they have perpetrated globally might undercut the positive achievements that we Catholics have attained in our inter-religious dialogue with devout Muslims.” —Robert McManus, Roman Catholic Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts, February 8, 2013

“Syrian Archbishop: ‘We expect Christians in the West to help us. They do not,’” by David Gibson, Religion News Service, May 4, 2015:

NEW YORK (RNS) Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo is returning to the front line of the real war on Christians, which he calls home — that is, Aleppo in war-torn Syria, where his ancient church faces the threat of extinction.

I wrote here about Jeanbart, who was in the U.S. last week in an effort to raise awareness about the plight of Christians in Syria — they include his Eastern-rite Melkite Catholics as well or Eastern Orthodox and other churches — and to raise money for their survival.

The archbishop is a remarkable figure, facing the personal danger while trying to protect an entire community and tradition and way of life. He had controversial things to say (at least in the U.S. political context) about supporting Syrian president Assad; when faced with ISIS as the alternative, you understand his “devil-you-know” choice.

But Assad may be at risk of falling. Americans are not likely to shed a tear for him, and many have been pushing the administration to aid the Islamist rebels, who could wind up slaughtering what’s left of the Christians in Aleppo and elsewhere.

And American Christians know so little about their fellow believers in the region, or even that such Christians exist, that Middle East church leaders like Jeanbart face an uphill battle:

“We expect Christians in the West to help us. They do not,” as Jeanbart told Cardinal Timothy Dolan during the New York archbishop’s weekly radio show.

I couldn’t include all of the interview in the first version, so wanted to pick it up here with the question:
What does Archbishop Jeanbart want?

In short, he thinks the West, led by the U.S., should work to stop the flow of arms into the country. He does not want Western military intervention in terms of boots on the ground – just a ceasefire so that Syrians themselves have a chance to work out their problems in a way that respects each community. That’s how it was for centuries, and he says that’s how it can be again.

Most immediately, he wants material support for Syrian Christians.

A chief problem, church officials say, is that Christians who are among the nearly 8 million internally displaced people in Syria are afraid to go to refugee camps that receive the bulk of international humanitarian aid because they would have to register to enter and could then be pegged as Christians – and would be targets all over again.

So Christians wind up trying to stay put in war zones, or seek refuge in churches, Catholic hospitals or schools, or the homes of relatives. (Aid to the Church in Need has pledged $2.8 in emergency aid for Christians in Syria.)

“The church will support us in a way, morally and spiritually. But the church has very little material means,” Jeanbart said. “It doesn’t have armies. It doesn’t have budgets to help. Nobody has ever taken care of us.”

“We expect Christians in the West to help us. They do not,” Jeanbart, his voice rising in frustration, told Cardinal Timothy Dolan during the New York archbishop’s weekly radio show.

Jeanbart said that on the other hand, his Muslim neighbors and religious leaders in the city have often offered him a place to live or hold services….

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Pope Francis: “You can’t make a toy out of the religions of others…In freedom of expression there are limits”

The Pope is speaking generally of religions here, but clearly he is only talking about one religion, and not his own. For those who insult the Pope’s religion, and there are many, have no reason to “expect a punch” from believers, and the Pope must be aware of that. Moreover, in these remarks he flatly contradicts himself. He says: “Everyone has not only the freedom and the right but the obligation to say what he thinks for the common good … we have the right to have this freedom openly without offending.” “Without offending”?

So the freedom, right and obligation to say what one thinks for the common good ends wherever someone else takes offense? But what if the offense is unreasonable or unwarranted? Is the fact that some people get offended to the point of murderous rage over a handful of cartoons really sufficient reason to curtail the freedom, right and obligation of others to say what they think for the common good? Then any tyrant can silence his critics by claiming that he is offended, and we will be ruled over, and indeed tyrannized, by the perpetually offended. And that is pretty much the situation we are heading toward these days.

“After Paris attacks, Pope speaks out against insulting religions,” by Philip Pullella, Reuters, January 15, 2015:

(Reuters) – Pope Francis, speaking of last week’s deadly attacks by Islamist militants in Paris, has defended freedom of expression, but said it was wrong to provoke others by insulting their religion and that one could “expect” a reaction to such abuse.

“You can’t provoke, you can’t insult the faith of others, you can’t make fun of faith,” he told reporters on Thursday, aboard a plane taking him from Sri Lanka to the Philippines to start the second leg off his Asian tour.

Francis, who has condemned the Paris attacks, was asked about the relationship between freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

“I think both freedom of religion and freedom of expression are both fundamental human rights,” he said, adding that he was talking specifically about the Paris killings.

“Everyone has not only the freedom and the right but the obligation to say what he thinks for the common good … we have the right to have this freedom openly without offending,” he said.

To illustrate his point, he turned to an aide and said: “It is true that you must not react violently, but although we are good friends if (he) says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch, it’s normal.

“You can’t make a toy out of the religions of others,” he added. “These people provoke and then (something can happen). In freedom of expression there are limits.”

Seventeen people, including journalists and police, were killed in three days of violence that began with a shooting attack on the political weekly Charlie Hebdo, known for its satirical attacks on Islam and other religions.

Referring to past religious wars, such as the Crusades sanctioned by the Catholic Church against Islam, the Pope said:

“Let’s consider our own history. How many wars of religion have we had? Even we were sinners but you can’t kill in the name of God. That is an aberration.”…

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Gay Marriage and the Catholic Church: It’s time to Clean House Now!

ck chesterton church quoteHope all is well on this Feast Day of St. Hillary as we are only “18” days away from the biggest event in the Diocese of Palm Beach – our “13th Annual Catholic Men for Jesus Rally” – at the Cathedral on January 31st. Yes, an estimated 1,400 men will be attending this phenomenal rally, where we spend pretty much a full day, worshiping our Lord & Savior by way of Praise & Worship – through music, inspirational talks, testimonies, confession and a Mass by our own Bishop Barbarito. It’s all about Real Men. Men who adore their Savior. Men who believe in Pro-Life (beginning with our fiery guest speaker, Jesse Romero). Men who believe in Traditional Marriage – Holy Matrimony – the sacramental and divine union between One Man and One Woman – all under GOD’s blessings.

But, if you have been reading all my e-mails and articles these past 8 days, that topic of Gay Marriage has become an excruciating term – especially to those who cannot see two men exchanging vows and saliva at a church altar…not at a Catholic Church altar – if I can help it…

But, once again – it is Church Militant’s bold Michael Voris, who tells it better than anybody in this country, when it comes to the evils of Gay Marriage and the underlying problem we have in the Catholic Church today…No, it’s not just Gay Marriage. It’s not Gay altar servers, or Gay Ushers…It’s GAY BISHOPS & PRIESTS…You heard me right and now, you can hear Michael Voris right – right from his mouth, as he does more diligent homework on the topics that he discusses in his powerful videos than any lay Catholic Activist that I know. Voris knows his stuff. The good majority of the “Bold” Catholic Activists on my e-mail list will attest to that and agree with every word that he says – while those who are intimidated by his Bold Truths – tend to be more reserved, showing some serious denial, and say “Wow, did Voris really say that? Do we really have that issue in our Catholic Church? Are there really Gay Bishops and Priests in our Church”???? Denial is NOT a river in Egypt…

Friends: Please take a good, hard look at these two very powerful & provocative videos from Michael Voris and Church Militant. Try to understand why he calls his organization “Church Militant”. Do you NOT think that he is fighting for the good of His Holy Catholic Church? Did it ever dawn on you that Michael Voris is trying to wake up the Holy Catholic Church from its “denial slumber”? Did it ever dawn on you that what he has said for so many years holds true and he has the accurate facts to prove it? Why is it that there are still many who watch his bold videos have to question him – try to find fault in him – and continue to say that he was asked to leave the seminary for some reason.

Folks: That “for some reason” is what makes Michael Voris what he is today – and why he won the prestigious “Bold National Lay Evangelist/Apologist of the Year Award” – from Christian on a Mission last week. Voris has GUTS! And, he is Bold about what he speaks about – not afraid to tell the Truth about the flaws of the Catholic Church – while those who fear his accurate accounts, speak badly about him. Those are the trembling Catholics (including countless clergy), who are in DENIAL and prefer to turn a deaf ear, a blind eye – and want to pretend that they are “Real Christians” by saying that “they accept everybody – including church leaders – who are either homosexual or embrace that “jovial lifestyle” – because “that is what Jesus would do”…I beg to differ, as Voris elaborates on this topic in these videos with clear distinction…The saints of our church got it right…and, they are speaking for today – not latter.

My dear friends: If there were “5” words in the English vocabulary that I would want to throw out as soon as possible are the following: “WHO AM I TO JUDGE” – in that exact order. Those 5 words have proven to be a recipe for disaster for the entire world. It is like “taking the fifth” over and over again – an escape clause, if you will. It gives anybody and everybody an excuse – an out. You do not have to answer the question. And, every single Gay Organization in the world has manipulated this phrase in their favor, and using it against anybody who condemns the disgusting act of sodomy. Ironically, Pope Francis gave the Gay Nation a “safety net” with that statement and as powerful as the “famous 3 words” that Saint John Paul II coined and saved a good part of the world from Communism with – “BE NOT AFRAID” – Pope Francis’ famous 5 words have had a completely opposite effect.

Yes, I have written countless e-mails and articles about those “famous 5 words” uttered by our 267th pope on that famous plane ride coming back from World Youth Day in Rio. And, although the Holy Father meant to do no harm – damage has been done – and the salivating, liberal media will continue to distort, twist, and turn that “enigma-laden” expression until all “50” states in the Great Union legalize the Gay Union. 36 states…and counting…and until the flamboyant and colorful Catholic Church Bishops and Priests do what Michael Voris clearly tells them to do in this first video – GET OUT! – Gay Marriage will be here until we clean house of this despicable disease that Jesus Christ and so many of our beloved saints so clearly spelled out for us as an intrinsic evil of the Catholic Church…

In closing, when Catholic Church leaders defy the teachings of Jesus Christ – we have a problem – not only in Houston – but in every part of the world. And, when our own “luke warm” Catholics try to defend any part of this appalling abomination, the problem grows even deeper and the “sitting-on-the-fence” Catholics jump off the barbed wires and run the other way. Well, for starters – we hope and pray that we can begin cleaning house right here at the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida as well as the Archdiocese of New York – two dioceses that are represented by the exact problem that Michael Voris so clearly demonstrates for us in these two powerful videos…Lynch & Dolan – pretty good name for a law firm…Not a very good name for representatives of the One Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church…

MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON THOSE CATHOLIC CHURCH BISHOPS & PRIESTS WHO HAVE NO BUSINESS CALLING THEMSELVES “HOLY SERVANTS OF GOD”!! MAY GOD CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER THE BOLD MICHAEL VORIS AND ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE TO SPELL OUT THE TRUTH TO US ABOUT THE EVILS THAT LURK BEHIND SO MANY SACRISTIES IN OUR HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH!!

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP US GOD – WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW, FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT – AND PRAY LIKE HELL FOR THESE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS WHO WILL BE HEADING THERE FOR BEING DISOBEDIENT TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR…

Church Militant TV – VORTEX Video: GET. OUT.

Two words for the gay and gay-friendly clergy – GET. OUT. Watch this episode of The Vortex, and forward it to your family and friends.

CHURCH MILITANT VIDEO #2:

THE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH – SO HELP THESE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS…

The Nightmare of our Lifetime: Gay Marriage is now LEGAL in Florida

Hope all is well on this “Week of Infamy” – as our beloved state of Florida – the one that we all love so dearly – is the latest to fall to the “depths of the demons”. Yes, just picture two men in full beards at some church (other than a Catholic Church) saying “I do” and the gutless presider saying “You can now kiss the bride”…Think about that for a minute. Let it sink in…and then, try to explain it to your 7 year-old son who confusingly asks: “Daddy, aren’t those two men up at the altar? Is that his best man?” “No, son, that is his husband – those two men are actually getting married to one another”…

Friends: If you are not sick to your stomach – disgusted to the nth degree about what is going on in our beloved United States of America with this “Same Sex Marriage Crap” – you need to check your pulse! If today’s front page in every single newspaper in the state of Florida did not make you want to throw up your breakfast – I don’t know what to tell you. I could not even read the front page of the Palm Beach Post this morning! I could not watch the News on TV. The way those anchors so enthusiastically shared this disgusting news with their viewers – as if they were all for it. Sickening. Appalling. Immoral. UnGodly. Sad state of affairs – all 36 of them…soon to be all 50…

When the “Dysfunctional Closet Emperor” took office 6 years ago, only 4 states legalized Gay Marriage. Today, it is 36…and counting. You can blame the liberal socialist in our White House for these shenanigans as that was a huge priority in his platform – Legalize Gay Marriage. And, he’s got 727 days left as a “dead duck” – I mean – “lame duck” – and GOD knows what else this Pro-abortion impostor has up his rolled up sleeves…

And, like I have said time and again – you want to be gay and jovial – that’s fine. I will never attack or condemn a person for his or her choice of sexual preference. I don’t agree with it, I know that it is immoral and unGodly – but, I will not attack them or judge them. I refuse to waste my time with that when I have so much to do. No, I am not “homo-phobic” – I just happen to be a devout follower of Jesus Christ. I know plenty of gay people. A couple of them re-did my closet…

You can say that you are in love with your same sex partner and want to have a marriage, a civil union, a relationship…that’s fine. But, when you tell me that you are getting married – and you refer to this Gay Marriage as a Holy Matrimony – one of our Blessed Sacraments – then, you will have to hold me back…You do NOT mess with Holy Matrimony when it comes to Same Sex Marriage because it CANNOT be a Holy Sacrament in the eyes of GOD…Holy Matrimony is the civil union between One Man and One Woman. Period. End of story…

That has been my stand on this fiasco that people refer to as Gay Marriage from Day I. Again, it cannot be a Holy Sacrament and the term Holy Matrimony cannot be in the same vocabulary. You want to get married for health benefits, to save money, to beat the system, to be flamboyant & rebellious and smear it in everybody’s face – that’s fine with me. Just do not come anywhere close to any of our “53” Catholic Churches in our Diocese to even think of getting married at one of our ever-sacred altars…That is Holy Ground…That is Jesus’ sacred territory…

Friends: I have already expressed my thoughts and stance on this Gay Marriage issue to Bishop Barbarito over a year ago when I met with him. And, like our beloved Bishop, everybody knows that if, indeed, I find out that one of our priests in our Catholic Diocese is going to be presiding in a Gay Marriage in any one of our churches – you are going to have to put me behind bars. As GOD as my witness, I will do everything in my power and spiritual being to NOT allow any same sex marriage happen in any of our Catholic churches! Not over my dead body…And, I pray to GOD that everybody who is reading this e-mail, is with me on this and has my back on this commitment. Let us Pray…

For the life of me, I still cannot comprehend how Gay Marriage has been legalized in “36” states in our beloved country. Like I have written time and again – only a mere “2%” of this country considers themselves Gay. Not 92%! That’s 2% of 318 million American citizens or 6,360,000 homosexuals living in the U.S. Then there is the 98% who are “straight” or 311,640,000. Isn’t that the majority? Doesn’t the majority in this Free Country rule? Let’s see: 2% of 50 states = 1 state. I can see how maybe one state – the state of California may have allowed Gay Marriages out of the 50 states – but, to have “36” states allowing this debacle to take place in this country…come on now – that is almost 75% of our states allowing Gay Marriages – clearly telling us that the mere 2% of this country calls the shots!! Gays Rule!!

Did we not have elections in 2008, 2012 and just recently in the mid-terms on November 4th, where the “majority” voted AGAINST Gay Marriage? I know for a fact, that we did in Florida. How can “5 liberal attorneys in black robes” (including Judge Hinkle), dictate what we can or cannot do in the state of Florida, when it comes to Gay Marriage? How can 5 liberals over-rule the Majority who voted AGAINST Gay Marriage in the state of Florida, after it was clearly declared that Florida does NOT recognize Gay Marriage? Will these same 5 liberal judges over-rule the majority who voted against Medical Marijuana this past November 4th election and legalize it next year? Where does one draw the line? Why in the hell are we voting???

Since 1973, the good, wholesome citizens in this country have been totally disrespected and not given a fair shake in trying to abide by our Constitution and in a “culture of life”. Thus, we have the atrocity of Abortion; the Curse of Common Core; the Fiasco of Obamacare; and now, queers getting married in our beloved Sunshine State…Queers…what a strange word…I thought that term went out in the 60’s. Now, it’s back to haunt us and it is beyond appalling…

Pam Bondi – Thank you for your relentless efforts! Our courageous, petite Attorney General fought this immoral non-sense tooth and nail to the end. I am not sure where everybody else was at. Where were the rest of our state leaders at – beginning with Governor Rick Scott? As governor of Florida, do you have any say in this matter? How can you possibly allow this to happen before your very own eyes when you know the way that voters voted against this fiasco? If the past 3 elections clearly showed that “we do not approve of Gay Marriage in Florida”, how come 5 liberal judges have the power to tell us straight people to take a hike? How can this happen in the United States of America? Where are the American citizen’s rights? Why is this corrupt system giving those “legal rights” to 2% of our country’s population while the majority of the other 98% have to suffer? How come we did not have a say in this matter, while it was just over-turned, and presto – Gay Marriage in Florida! Are you all with me? Am I missing something?

In closing, all I can say is that I feel for the generations to come. I feel for our beloved children. That is who I live for. Explaining abortion and Common Core to them has been a huge challenge. It is tough for a 10 year-old kid to comprehend that there are doctors (OBGYNs) in this world who can deliver a perfectly healthy baby on a Monday and say “It’s a boy”. And, then, have that same doctor (an abortionist), kill a perfectly healthy baby on Tuesday and say “It’s a job”…Now, try to explain to that same 10 year-old kid that it’s ok that those two men at the check-out counter in Publix are “normal” because they are affectionately kissing each other. “Yes, Johnny, those two men are legally married to one another. I know that it is an abomination in the eyes of GOD, but, it is perfectly normal in the eyes of those 5 liberal judges and a handful of liberal politicians who just ruined the state of Florida at midnight last night. That is why you are Catholic and you must continue to pray, be bold for your Faith and fight against the intrinsic evils of this society with all that you’ve got. In the end, good will prevail over evil – GOD over the devil…Let us Pray.

fl catholic bishops

TALLAHASSEE, FL (January 5, 2015) – The Catholic Bishops of Florida have issued a statement addressing the redefinition of marriage in Florida to accommodate couples of the same sex.

The full statement follows:

Tomorrow, with the expiration of a stay on a U.S. District Court ruling, marriage licenses for same sex couples are being issued for the first time in our state. The Catholic bishops of Florida are deeply disappointed by Judge Hinkle’s ruling, as well as refusals by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States to stay the decision while appeals pend.

The conjugal nature of a marriage between a man and a woman has provided for millennia the basis for norms of marital exclusivity and permanence that made possible stable families necessary for human flourishing. In redefining marriage to include same sex couples, the judge has in effect overturned a state constitutional amendment approved by nearly 62% of the electorate in a 2008 ballot initiative.

How society understands marriage has great public significance. Because of this, redefining civil “marriage” to include two persons of the same sex will have far-reaching consequences in society. Such a change advances the notion that marriage is only about the affective gratification of consenting adults. Such a redefinition of marriage does nothing to safeguard a child’s right to a mother and father and to be raised in a stable family where his or her development and well-being is served to the greatest extent possible.

Redefinition of marriage will have implications not yet fully understood. The term “marriage” can be found in family law, employment law, trusts and estates, healthcare law, tax law, property law, and many others. These laws also affect and pervasively regulate public and private institutions including religious institutions, such as churches, schools, and hospitals. Besides the predictably disruptive effects, imposing this redefinition of marriage threatens both religious liberty and the freedom of individuals to conscientiously object as already seen in those states that have redefined marriage to accommodate same sex couples.

Marriage based on the complementarity of the sexes is the lifeblood of family, and family is the foundation of our society. The crisis that sadly the family is experiencing today will only be aggravated by imposing this redefinition of marriage. Society must rediscover the irreplaceable roles of both mother and father who bring unique gifts to the education and rearing of children.

For the benefit of society and the common good, the conjugal understanding of marriage between a husband and a wife and complementarity of a father and mother must be preserved so that the family can be a school of love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, mutual respect, patience and humility in the midst of a world darkened by selfishness and conflict.

Our parishes, family life offices and other ministries are available to assist those seeking to understand the truth and beauty of marriage and to assist husbands and wives to strengthen their bonds. Additional resources can be found at www.marriageuniqueforareason.org and www.foryourmarriage.org / www.portumatrimonio.org.

We look forward to the first visit of Pope Francis to the United States, where he will lead the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, from September 22-27, 2015. For each of us, our true glory is in our capacity to love as God loves; and no better means exists to teach the meaning of love than the family. May we speak the truth in love, and may family life led by father and mother flourish again in our state, nation and throughout the world.

The statement can be found online at: http://www.flaccb.org/statements/2015/150105Marriage.pdf

ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is an agency of the Catholic Bishops of Florida. It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy and serves as liaison to the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. The archbishop and bishops of the seven (arch)dioceses in Florida constitute its board of directors.

Is God Behind Ominous Signs for 2015?

Only He can do the Solar Eclipse and Passover Blood Moon.

The unique timing of a solar and lunar eclipse to mark the beginning of the biblical year in the spring is an omen of when He did so in Egypt when judgment fell as Israel put blood on their doorpost two weeks later at Passover. This spring’s Passover will see a “blood moon”–a token of judgment?

Wasn’t it God who said, “The sun shall be darkened and the moon turned into blood before…the day of the Lord,” Joel 2:31. It will happen this spring!

Furthermore, the solar eclipse on March 20 and a “blood moon” two weeks later on Passover supports this year as a unique parallel to Exodus 12:2 when God indicated the beginning of the biblical year and two weeks later, Israel put blood on their doorposts for Passover, verse 7.

And what is Passover? It’s a time of judgment. God said then, “I will execute judgment,” Exodus 12:12. Will He do it for America?

Billy Graham said, If God waits much longer, He will have to apologize to Sodom. Many cultures have a problem with homosexuality, but Sodom “paraded” it, Isaiah 3:9, NIV. Welcome to the US where gay parades flaunt sin as Sodom did.

When asked about the sins of “the end of the world,” Christ said to “learn a parable of the fig tree,” Matthew 24:32. A day or so earlier He had cursed a fig tree that offered promise of fruit because of its many leaves and the nature of the tree in that locality, but it, like the Jewish nation then, was fruitless with empty promises.

Can we see any parallel to America today? Given great light and a Constitution like the 10 Commandments that favors self-government so there is little need for others to tell us what to do. But preachers failed America as they depreciated the 10 Commandments as the works of the law that do not save us.

It’s true that we can’t earn salvation by keeping the 10 Commandments, but as a standard to live by, we need them and we need government to support them, but we have a “Supreme Court” that favors opposing principles destined for the take-down of America.

The majority of the Supreme Court justices are Catholic and the majority of congress is catholic (little “c”–not Roman Catholic, but universal—go along to get along, with no stand except for political gain.) And how we got a Muslim bisexual in the White House with a fabricated birth certificate is amazing.

Just as Christ gave a sign of the times by cursing a fruitless fig tree and the next day it was withered, we are about to see a rapid withering of America with an onset of judgment. Many have predicted it, including Billy Graham, but it has to have biblical timing.

Harold Camping was probably right with his idea of http://MayJudgmentDay.com but wrong to connect his May date to a rapture and he didn’t have the advantage of the unique timing for the solar and lunar eclipses that will mark this spring.

EDITORS NOTE: Dr. Richard Ruhling offers a dozen parallels of the US to Egypt, that received the plagues of God’s judgments, in his ebook, Exodus 2, available as a gift on Saturday, January 3 at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EN63UR2 He also offers The Fall of America free January 3 at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1V2I84 (both 99 cents regular price)

VIDEO: Pope John Paul II’s “Letter to Artists”

Students at John Paul the Great Catholic University put together a 3-minute inspirational video to commemorate the canonization of John Paul II with something that is near and dear to our hearts, his Letter to Artists!

For those who are unfamiliar with this hidden gem of John Paul II’s papacy: on Easter of 1999, John Paul II wrote a letter to all who work in the creative fields – poets, writers, actors, musicians, media professionals, etc. – to remind them of their vocation to Beauty. He urged them not to waste their artistic talent but to develop it, and to put it at the service of humanity as an authentic “vehicle of culture.”

Many of the students Great Catholic University are pursuing careers in the arts –  film directing, screenwriting, acting, game design – and fifteen years later John Paul II’s letter remains a source of both inspiration and challenge.

The video below is merely a 3-minute summary of a rich, 6,000 word letter. Not all lines spoken are direct quotes, and some are paraphrased, inferred, or rearranged, while still retaining the message of the original letter. To read the full version his Letter to Artists, click here.

Who is Pope Francis? Perhaps his ‘Transformation on 9/21/53’ may help us understand him better?

Today’s million dollar question: Who is Pope Francis?

I refer to our Holy Father as a Holy Catholic Enigma.

Hope all is well on this day after “Pope Francis’ 61st Anniversary of his Conversion & Call to Religious Life”. Yes, it occurred in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the Feast Day of St. Matthew (September 21st, 1953), some 61 years ago, when a troubled, 16 year old Jorge Mario Bergoglio walked into church for confession. The rest is history…and, the rest is a bit confusing and perplexing – especially the last year year and a half of his 77 years here on earth.

Pope Francis has been at it for 18 months now, as our Holy Father – CEO of 1.2 billion Catholics world-wide. He hit the Vatican ground running on that Feast Day of St. Joseph (March 19th, 2013), as he took the baton from our beloved Pope Benedict XVI Emeritus, who thought it was wiser to resign from his post at age 85, allowing the younger cardinal from Buenos Aires to take it from there. First time we have seen that in the Vatican in 600 years, since Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415. Wise move from a very wise retiring pope, who gave it his all in his nearly 8 years as our 265th pontiff.

And, if we were to take a national survey today – 61 years after Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s confession & conversion – we would probably see a wide assortment of answers when asked that million dollar question: “Who is Pope Francis”?

Friends: Where does one begin? How does one describe what you have seen, heard and watched from Pope Francis in his short, 18 month tenure so far? Why is it that this pope has caught the attention of billions (as in B) all over the world, as in a stark contrast to his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who quietly took over after Pope John Paul II’s incredible 27 years? Is it because Pope Francis was elected so quickly by the 121 cardinals and because it was after the resignation of a pope, which we have not seen in 6 centuries? Is it because this pope is from the Americas – South America – of all places? Is it because he has a “chip on his shoulders” and wants to embrace the entire world to the religion of Catholicism like it was meant to be – just like Jesus ordained it to be over 2,000 years ago?

Or is it because this is what GOD ordained and what GOD considers part of the Big Plan? If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked “Willy, what is your take on Pope Francis”, I would be able to buy new text books for all 100 Catholic dioceses in this country who unforgivably adopted the Curse of Common Core and I would get the curse out of every one of those schools immediately.

Friends: Keep in mind that every time Pope Francis answers a question from the media, it is interpreted hundreds of different ways in hundreds of different languages. And, that is why the secular, liberal media love this guy. They get to twist & turn every one of his words and they, for some reason, always take his comments way out of context. That is one reason why he was voted “Person of the Year” last year and why he appeared on the front cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine…not “Roll away the Stone” magazine…The secular media see Pope Francis as a rock star…but, millions of faithful, die-hard Catholics all over the world do not.

And, that is where it gets sticky, confusing, perplexing, frustrating, and some times, down right excruciating. The “old school” Catholics don’t care for the pope being named Person of the Year. They don’t read Rolling Stone magazine. But, they do read the interviews on the pope. They do read his comments on abortion, contraception, same sex marriage and wealth vs. poverty. They saw him wed 20 different couples at St. Peter’s Basilica two Sundays ago (hearing that several of those couples had lived together and a few had babies out of wedlock).  And, the majority of people in this country, alone, still do not know what to make of his ever-famous quote given 3,000 feet up in the air on his return trip from Rio de Janeiro after World Youth Day when our Holy Father uttered his “famous last 5 words”:

WHOM AM I TO JUDGE?

So, with all this being said and with this “enigma-laced” question above still dangling for everybody to interpret – “Who is Pope Francis” – what do we make of all this? Like I told the Palm Beach Post almost a year ago when they interviewed me: “Pope Francis is doing a ‘Global Open House’, where he is inviting EVERYBODY to the table – the haters, the sinners, the homosexuals, the atheists, the outcasts, etc., and is simply getting their attention to be able to sit them all down at one time in about another year and show them what Catholicism teaches – what the Holy Catholic Church truly teaches”…I pray that I am right.

This has been my prayer ever since I heard his interview when he told the reporters “Who am I to Judge”? Believe me, friends, those 5 words do not sit well with me because like I said last year in that same interview – they can be interpreted a million different ways…and, they have been. It sent out mixed messages and truly confused the Catholic faithful. The pope opened up more than a can of worms when he uttered those 5 simple words and many of the Catholic die-hards lost it about then. And, many left the Church and refuse to come back.

And, while Catholic lay evangelists like Matthew Kelly, Dr. Scott Hahn and Tom Peterson are trying their best in “Calling Catholics Back Home”, damage has been done and those “old school” Catholics who were not patient enough to see when Pope Francis is going to elaborate on all of these “new school” expressions (not Catholic doctrine or teachings), may have left prematurely as the Church has lost numerous patrons who said they had seen enough.

And, Catholics are stubborn by nature…So, to ease your minds, please take a good look at this article below, which makes a ton of sense when speaking about Pope Francis. It honestly allowed me to relax a bit and not be so impatient with the pope. It gave me a different perspective on the pope’s perspective. The sections on “personal encounters” and “forgiveness” says a lot about our Holy Father and gives you the sense that he truly does believe in compassion and embracing even those who transgress us. Deep down, I honestly believe that the pope is simply trying to follow in the footsteps of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, but, he does add a bit of flair and drama to his evangelization and preaching, thus, keeping everybody honest and a bit off balance…some more than others.

Enigma: Look it up on Google and see if it says “Pope Francis” under synonyms…He is like the Holy Rosary…a mystery to so many Catholics…a joyful one, though.

All Eyes on Francis

September 18, 2014

All eyes are on Pope Francis.

People around the world are watching what he is saying and doing and trying to understand what it means.

A friend called today from Switzerland: “What do you make of this alleged ‘irritation’ of the Pope over the new book defending traditional Catholic teaching on marriage?” he asked. “And his allegedly asking Cardinal Mueller not promote the book? What’s going on?”

Another friend emailed from New York. He had just spoken with an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi who is well-known in the pro-life movement. “I have been talking to a mutual friend — Rabbi Yehuda Levin, who spoke at the March for Life for several decades. He is a strong supporter of the Catholic Church’s stand against abortion, and for traditional man-woman marriage, etc. He is a spokesman for the Rabbinical Alliance of more than 800 Orthodox Rabbis. He feels that if the Church waffles or retreats on abortion or homosexuality or marriage at the upcoming Synod, this will have an adverse effect on Orthodox Judaism and other strong family religions. He is very concerned about the upcoming Synod.”

And another friend wrote, in response to my email of yesterday: “Excellent run down on the issue and cardinals involved. Prelates encouraging or advocating change are gradually ruining the authentic true Catholic Faith. The Roman Catholic Church is not supposed to be a ‘feel good’ Church, waxing and waning to current social issues. It is tragic, that the once prestigious Roman Catholic Church, is now dysfunctional, divided, depleted, contentious and infiltrated.”

And another reader wrote: “Many thanks — was hoping for more clarification on this issue! Will watch this space. Any comment on Cardinal Burke’s new job?” (Note: There have been unconfirmed reports that Pope Francis has decided to move the American Cardinal Raymond Burke from his post in the Roman Curia, as head of the Apostolic Signatura, to a post outside the Curia, as head of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta: see the report on this by Sandro Magister, the Italian Vaticanist, at link).

So many Catholics, and some Orthodox Jewish rabbis, in many countries around the world, are watching Pope Francis, and wondering what he is doing, and what he will do next…

Understanding Francis

Pope Francis, I think, is attempting to make a slight adjustment in the Church’s pastoral focus.

Not to change Church doctrine, but to review and reform how the Church deals with, and cares for, fallen human beings.

This attempt is rooted in both personal experience, and in theological conviction.

Francis is persuaded there is a need to reach out to suffering, wounded, disoriented sinners in part because of a personal experience.

He had a personal, life-changing experience, a mystical experience, of God’s forgiveness of his sin.

It came after he went to confession, at the age of 16, in a church in Buenos Aires.

He has even told us the date: on September 21, 1953 — the Feast of St. Matthew (for this reason, Francis is fascinated by the painting of Caravaggio called The Calling of St. Matthew in the Church of St. Louis of the French near Piazza Navona in Rome; in past years, he often would go there when visiting Rome). This is how the Vatican put it in a biographical sketch published at the time of the Pope’s election last year: “Following a confession, he felt his heart touched and sensed the descent of the mercy of God, who with a look of tender love, called him to the religious life, following the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” In these few, spare words, we are told of an experience which transformed the life of young Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He felt his heart “touched” and he “sensed” the “descent of the mercy of God.” He felt, “in a very special way,” the “loving presence of God in his life.”

This experience is part of the reason the Francis wishes to deal with human frailty and sin, not through a restatement of why the sinner is in sin, or in a recitation of the Church’s judgment that the sinner’s choices and actions are sinful, but with mercy, with forgiveness, and so, with an opening out to new life.

There are also theological convictions at the base of Francis’ vision for the pastoral care of Christians — and for all human beings.

Francis is persuaded that the Church is a Mother, that the Church nourishes and protects and supports her children.

He is persuaded that the Lord Jesus, Founder of the Church, still present in the Church, in the Eucharist, in His Word, in his ministers and disciples, and in the love of the members of the Christian community for one another, wishes — as He did when He walked on this earth — to pardon sinners, to forgive them and heal them, not to condemn them and cast them out.

Francis believes in the “personal encounter” — with persons, with a “Mother”… a “Father”… a “Brother” who walks beside us, with us.

And he regards a certain type of “moralism,” which can seem to set laws and precepts and anathemas above such a “walking with,” as something to be avoided, a possible trap for believers.

He doesn’t want to “change the rules” about what is good and evil. Rather, he wishes to forgive those who transgress those rules, and repent, and seek forgiveness.

And he senses that he must privilege this attitude, and this action, or he may lose many souls, who will, sadly, perhaps in despair, turn aside from the way of the Christian faith, unless the Church reaches out to them with arms to embrace and forgive.

And precisely today, Francis spoke about this very personal vision of human life, human morality, and human sin, in his morning homily at Mass in the chapel at his residence, the Domus Santa Marta.

In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis said that it is precisely in one’s sins where one meets Jesus. (Here is a link to a Rome Reports video of parts of the homily: Link)

The Pope said that in recognizing our sins, we are able to experience Christ’s loving forgiveness. He said: “This is why the ability to acknowledge our own sins, to acknowledge our misery, to acknowledge what we are and what we are capable of doing or have done, is the very door that opens us to the Lord’s caress, His forgiveness, to His Word ‘Go in peace, your faith has saved you!” The Pope concluded his homily saying that those who feel themselves sinners open their hearts in confession and experience the mercy of God.

Vatican Radio provided these further excerpts: “He (Christ) only says the word salvation — ‘Your faith has saved you’ — to the woman, who is a sinner.

“And he says it because she was able to weep for her sins, to confess her sins, to say ‘I am a sinner’, and admit it to herself.

“He doesn’t say the same to those people, who were not bad people: they simply did not believe themselves to be sinners.

“Other people were sinners: the tax collectors, prostitutes… These were the sinners. Jesus says this word — ‘You are saved, you are safe’ — only to those who open their hearts and acknowledge that they are sinners.

“Salvation only enters our hearts when we open them to the truth of our sins.”

“This is why the ability to acknowledge our own sins, to acknowledge our misery, to acknowledge what we are and what we are capable of doing or have done is the very door that opens us to the Lord’s caress, His forgiveness, to His Word ‘Go in peace, your faith has saved you!’, because you were brave, you were brave enough to open your heart to the only One who can save you.”

One can see clearly in these words the influence of the Pope’s personal experience of September 21, 1953, which continues to shape his understanding of how he should deal, as Pope, with the issue of moral evil and sin, and with the reality of God’s loving mercy which can forgive such sin.

The Tale of Two Catholic Cardinals: Chicago’s Francis George & New York’s Timothy Dolan

Hope all is well on this “Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows” as we bring you a very interesting e-mail here for you – a look at the two former Presidents of the USCCB – Cardinal Francis George (pictured above) and Cardinal Timothy Dolan – a stark comparison of two completely different men; two different types of cardinals; and two leaders of large and popular archdioceses in our country.

Cardinal George closely oversees the archdiocese of Chicago with two keen eyes while Cardinal Dolan nonchalantly watches over New York City with a very sleepy eye. Both archdioceses have their fair share of crime; the abortion rates are high and both cities are always under the spotlight. But, while Cardinal George takes pride in preaching boldly from the Gospels and getting out in the streets to fight crime and the other evils of a big city like Chicago – without looking for the limelight – Cardinal Dolan plays it safe – hangs out with the Pro-abortion politicians, ministers Holy Communion to them, has taken the title of the grand Marshall at the controversial St. Patrick’s Day Gay parade – and lives for the limelight…Two completely different men – both cardinals, both archbishops. Both walking in different directions.

Friends: Please take a look at the below article from the bold and courageous Cardinal George as his views on Gay marriage, Obamacare and abortion – to name a few – are quite different than this successor, Cardinal Dolan.

Cardinal George’s comments are right on target and what the Catholic faithful should consider as Catholic doctrine, Catholic teachings. He has no problem telling it like it is, has the courage to back it up and goes as far as referring to those Catholics who do not adhere to these Catholic Church teachings as the “fake church”. A devout supporter of the “Holy Roman Catholic Church”, he could not have said it any better as I refer to this new church-goer as the Progressive American Catholic – a member of this fake church that the cardinal is referring to and the church-goer that Cardinal Dolan has catered to and is actually in the process of creating, as we speak…

This “Progressive American Catholic” is completely different than the “Holy Roman Catholic” and that is the crux of the problem in the United States today.

The Catholic Church has become divided. One comes from the liberal “church of nice” – where everything is relative and everything is accepted. The other comes from the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church – the one that Jesus built upon Peter, the Rock, whose foundation is solid and will last throughout eternity. Those are the Catholic Church teachings that Cardinal George relies on and lives by. Cardinal Dolan, on the other hand, finds himself in that “politically correct” church of nice – where mostly anything goes and being in front of the media is more important than saving souls. Again, two completely different church leaders with two different agendas and two different approaches – but, yet, represent the same Holy Catholic Church and the Vatican in Rome.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with these two different schools of thought as I for one, have had more than enough of Cardinal Dolan and the liberal controversies that he has brought to our beloved Catholic Church. Dolan has disgraced our Church way too many times and millions of Catholics around the country have also had enough and even many of Cardinal Dolan’s colleagues have not been too keen on his latest attention-getting shenanigans.

Meanwhile, keep focused on what Cardinal George is preaching and bringing to the pulpit. This is the type of church leader – courageous cardinal – that the Holy Catholic Church needs today. If more cardinals and bishops spoke and acted like this Holy Man of GOD, the Catholic Church would not be in the trouble it is in today. If they all spoke from the pulpits like Cardinal George and Cardinal Burke have been doing for years, then the Catholic Faithful would know what to follow, what church doctrine really is and what the real Holy Roman Catholic Church is all about. It’s time we all boldly stand together as One Body in Christ and bring our Church back to where it is supposed to be – the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church that Jesus founded over 2,000 years ago…Like EWTN’s fired up Catholic evangelist, Tom Peterson, said this past Wednesday evening at St. Jude Church in Tequesta:

CATHOLICS COME HOME…MAY MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS LIKE CARDINAL GEORGE STEP UP AND LET THEMSELVES BE HEARD LOUD & CLEAR WHEN THEY SPEAK NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH! MAY CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS LIKE CARDINAL DOLAN STOP THEIR SELFISH & BLATANT ANTICS THAT CONTINUE TO DISGRACE OUR BELOVED HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH!!

Cardinal: U.S. ‘Creed’ on Gay Marriage Like Sharia Law

September 10, 2014 – 2:07 PM

By Michael W. Chapman

cardinalgeorge

Cardinal Francis George, head of the Catholic archdiocese of Chicago and a former president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (AP)

(CNSNews.com) – Cardinal Francis George, head of the Catholic archdiocese of Chicago, said the levers of power in government, education, entertainment, and media are enforcing a “public creed,” a “fake church” that requires all citizens to approve of gay marriage and related sexual anomalies or be punished by the State, just “as Christians and Jews are fined for their religion in countries governed by Sharia law.”

Cardinal George, who was president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2007-10, made his remarks in his Sept. 7 column for the archdiocesean newspaper. In his commentary, the cardinal explains that America , despite social frictions at certain times, had always strived to ensure religious freedom and respect for different religions.

The State, in the past, had “kept its promise to protect all religions and not become a rival to them, a fake church,” said the cardinal.

But that has now changed, he said. “In recent years, society has brought social and legislative approval to all types of sexual relationships that used to be considered ‘sinful,’” he continued.  “Since the biblical vision of what it means to be human tells us that not every friendship or love can be expressed in sexual relations, the church’s teaching on these issues is now evidence of intolerance for what the civil law upholds and even imposes.”

“What was once a request to live and let live has now become a demand for approval,” said Cardinal George, whose archdiocese includes about 2.2 million Catholics.  “The ‘ruling class,’ those who shape public opinion in politics, in education, in communications, in entertainment, is using the civil law to impose its own form of morality on everyone.”

“We are told that, even in marriage itself, there is no difference between men and women, although nature and our very bodies clearly evidence that men and women are not interchangeable at will in forming a family,” he said.  “Nevertheless, those who do not conform to the official religion, we are warned, place their citizenship in danger.”

The cardinal then noted that Americans who objected on religious grounds to the Obamacare mandate on contraceptives, sterilizations, and abortion-inducing drugs, were chastised by many in the media, including the liberal Huffington Post, which claimed the opposition, and the six Catholic judges on the Supreme Court, raised “concerns about the compatibility between being a Catholic and being a good citizen.”

This was not the anti-Catholic voice of nativists, or the Know-Nothing Party, or the Ku Klux Klan, said the cardinal, but, “rather, the self-righteous voice of some members of the American establishment today who regard themselves as ‘progressive’ and ‘enlightened.’”

“The inevitable result is a crisis of belief for many Catholics,” said Cardinal George.  “Throughout history, when Catholics and other believers in revealed religion have been forced to choose between being taught by God or instructed by politicians, professors, editors of major newspapers and entertainers, many have opted to go along with the powers that be.

”This reduces a great tension in their lives, although it also brings with it the worship of a false god,” he said.  “It takes no moral courage to conform to government and social pressure. It takes a deep faith to ‘swim against the tide,’ as Pope Francis recently encouraged young people to do at last summer’s World Youth Day.”

The cardinal continued, “Swimming against the tide means limiting one’s access to positions of prestige and power in society. It means that those who choose to live by the Catholic faith will not be welcomed as political candidates to national office, will not sit on editorial boards of major newspapers, will not be at home on most university faculties, will not have successful careers as actors and entertainers.” “Nor will their children, who will also be suspect,” he said.

“Since all public institutions, no matter who owns or operates them, will be agents of the government and conform their activities to the demands of the official religion, the practice of medicine and law will become more difficult for faithful Catholics,” said Cardinal George.  “It already means in some States that those who run businesses must conform their activities to the official religion or be fined, as Christians and Jews are fined for their religion in countries governed by Sharia law.”

Cardinal George went on to argue that U.S. civil law has done much to weaken and destroy the family, which in turn has forced the State to impose more and more restrictions on people and their activities that are unloosed from the “internal restraints that healthy family life teaches.”

He also says that many of the “tenets of the official State religion” are largely dictated by elements of a certain social class, noting that “’same-sex marriage,’ as a case in point, is not an issue for the poor or those on the margins of society.” How the situation may end, said the cardinal, is unclear because there are many Americans, “even among the ruling class, who do not want their beloved country to transform itself into a fake church.”

Catholics and traditional Christians know by faith, said Cardinal George, thatChrist will return to judge the living and the dead and the church “will be there to meet Him.”

However, “[t]here is no such divine guarantee for any country, culture or society of this age or any age,” concluded Cardinal George.

The archdiocese of Chicago, established in 1843, serves about 2.2 million Catholics through 356 parishes, and with more than 1,400 priests and 1,600 women religious. The archdiocese operates 44 schools and 5 colleges, the latter educating 49,000 students. The archdiocese also oversees 17 Catholic hospitals, assisting 2.6 million people a year, and helps another 1.2 million people through 150-plus different charities.

The Atrocities of Abortion / The Curse of Common Core: It all comes down to “CHOICE”

Hope all is well with you as we dare to begin the second week of this tumultuous school year. Tumultuous only because an unconstitutional government take-over of our beloved education system has taken over a good majority of the country; “100” out of 176 Catholic dioceses in the United States have sinfully adopted this curse; and the good majority of our 317 million American citizens in the United States still do NOT have a clue what Common Core is – where it came from – and the dangers it is going to have on our nation in a couple of years, if not sooner…

Folks, Common Core has been the most controversial issue to hit our country in decades, maybe since January 22nd, 1973, when the ruthless liberals passed Roe v. Wade, making the killing of innocent babies in the womb, fair game. Abortion has taken a toll on our country to the tune of over 56 million babies having been aborted since that infamous day in ’73. It affects women who have had an abortion more than experts know as they are still doing studies on that. It affects men, just as well. And, society says that it is all about “choice” – that it is the women’s choice whether to have her baby or abort that precious little one. So, as much as us devout Pro-Lifers fight it – this culture of death that we are living in today – says that abortion is perfectly legal and that it is up to the woman to make her choice – whether she sneaks in an abortion clinic as a teenager (without her parents’ consent) or whether it is an older woman in her 40’s, who decides that she can’t afford to have another baby. The word “choice” keeps surfacing when it comes to women’s rights…at least she does have a choice…

Now, let’s take a look at this other attack on our country that has taken it by storm – one that I refer to as the “Curse of Common Core”. Let’s see how it relates to the atrocity of abortion in terms of that word, “choice”…

  • In 2002, all 50 states in our country had the “choice” to come on board with a program called “No Child Left Behind” with regards to Public School Education – under the watch of President George W. Bush. 45 states chose to sign up for this program because the funding was outstanding – they took the millions – but found out shortly that this program was not that outstanding. It barely survived, but those public schools in those respective states’ governments still received lots of money – but, were now “married” to the Federal Government and had to abide by their rules. It was their “choice”.
  • In 2009, when our good buddy, Obama, took over as president in his first term, he and Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, and several other cronies sort of “resurrected” this No Child Left Behind mess and renamed it to “Race to the Top”. Part of the evolution process. They both used their left hands to sign on the dotted line and those same 45 states followed the blind, chasing more money, as they really had “no choice” with which way this administration was going to run this new program. They were still “married” to the government, were at their mercy, and needed the money more than ever, so they continued with their rocky marriage – having “no choice” in the matter…a one-way relationship with no say from the governors or school leaders…

Divorce was NOT an option – they would not receive any more money if they filed for divorce!

Over 7 years had gone by since the start of “No Child Left Behind”, and now, another 3 years with “Race to the Top” – and the public schools from those same 45 states were still at the mercy of this liberal government, who now were looking to come up with another “gimmick”, in order to keep those 45 states eating out of their hands at their command since Race to the Top seemed to have run its course and the top bottomed out. It was time for a new and improved program to keep these 45 governors and their respective school districts quiet and hungry for more…

Come 2012, and Obama and Duncan felt like it was time for another “magic trick” in order to continue to have control over all of these public schools – and without the consent of anybody who mattered when it comes to school matters – they pulled a dirty rabbit out of the hat and decided to call it Common Core. And, those same 45 states had no choice but to continue to follow the blind, chase the money and be at the mercy of the Obama/Duncan dictatorship. All the while, no teacher, student or parent had any clue what these two and the rest of the so-called “education experts” were up to. Only a few of these “corrupt cronies” who were behind this stealth operation knew what was going on and by the time the public finally heard about Common Core, it was already in Phase III…and too late for the public to react…so we thought…And, that was at the beginning of last year’s school year…

Once again, these same 45 states who began with “No Child Left Behind” in 2002 had “no choice” in this matter and could not care less what new name they gave it. They were stuck with it. They just needed the money. For the record: They did NOT volunteer for this new, untested and unproven set of standards that these liberals decided to call Common Core, but they had no choice but to follow along and do whatever it took to stay in grace with the Obama administration and to continue to receive this money – not knowing that the last penny from Race to the Top was going to be paid out on June 30th, 2014. Are you still with me? Stay with us and keep the word “choice” in mind.

“Choice”…a very important word. Important when it comes to a woman’s right. Important when it comes to our children’s education. Keep in mind that all 3 of these government programs that I have spoken about deal with PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ONLY! They have nothing to do with Private schools, Home schools or the ever-curious Catholic schools…

So, when the Catholic schools got wind of this new set of standards and all the money that came with it, they began to explore what was on the other side and started to get a bit curious, then greedy – looking into how they could get their “preying hands” on some of this Federal Funding that these Public schools were receiving. Common Core had nothing to do with the Catholic schools – but, somehow, they made it a point to have something to do with it. It was the beginning of the “fall from grace” – just like the analogy I gave you a week ago when I referred to Common Core as the “forbidden fruit” in the Garden of Eden. Temptations from that evil serpent…Starting to make sense, now?

“100” of the 176 Catholic dioceses in our country (including all 7 right here in our beloved state of Florida), decided to compromise their Catholic identity and cross over the boundaries to the other side to see if they did, indeed, eat from that forbidden fruit, if there were any consequences to pay. Would they be thrown out of that beautiful garden? After all, there was a ton of money out there and what’s a simple venial sin? Once again, it was these Catholic dioceses’ “choice”, with 100 of them disobeying their Creator, listening to the evil serpent, and eating from the forbidden fruit – an apple…and, now the entire country knows that it is “rotten to the core”…

And, that brings us full circle to what is going on in our country today. All the facts are out there now, plain and clear. We caring, anti-Common Core activists continue to illustrate to the entire nation how corrupt, unconstitutional and unethical this Curse truly is. We have laid it out there for all to see while exposing all those who decided to entertain that forbidden fruit – the greedy politicians, the shady legislators, the corrupt school leaders, the superintendents, the Catholic Church leaders, the Bishops, etc. They all know the difference between right and wrong. Moral and immoral. What is the truth, what is not true. And, once again, it’s all about “choice” and free will. Life is all about choice. Giving life – aborting life…it’s all about choice. Adopting Common Core, not adopting it…it’s all about choice…

On January 22nd, 1973, the most critical decision in our country was made in regards to giving a woman the choice to abort her baby or have her baby. Ironically, “abortion was born”. The liberals won that battle and in these past 41 years, 56 million babies have lost that battle…they had “no choice”…

We are now in the year 2014 – six years into the presidency of the most liberal, “Pro-abortion President” this country has ever seen in its 238 year existence, as things continue to move to the left, while Obama continues to promote these two intrinsic evils that I am writing about. American citizens have a choice to make right now, in regards to Common Core, as it is still in its “developmental & experimental stage”, and from the looks of things, the more people in this country learn about Common Core, the more they hate it. It has become the country’s biggest controversy. People are finally beginning to understand the hidden socialist agenda behind this monster that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation helped create with their “blood billions”. Its approval rate is dropping quicker than Obama’s and now more than 65% of the country do not believe that Common Core is good for this country.

So, to tie this entire story together, you can now see how the liberals’ two most controversial claims to fame – Abortion and Common Core – are quite similar in many aspects. Abortion attacks our innocent unborn and it was legalized by the immoral liberals in our country in 1973 – while the Church just sat and watched. Common Core attacks our school children and it was designed by the same people, while that same church has not only sat & watched – but has jumped into the bounty, to make matters even worse. These two evils ultimately will have the same effect on our country’s youth – one destroying them at birth, the other – destroying them in school. Looking at the “Big Picture”, Common Core could be even more detrimental than abortion, and once indoctrinated into our country’s society, Common Core will be entrenched for decades to come. And, not a single student in this country (unless “home-schooled”), will have a choice as to what he or she will be taught in their schools – public, private or Catholic. “NO CHOICE” – it’s Common Core or bust!

And, if you think that the abortion issue has taken a toll on our country these past 41 years – just let Common Core take hold of our beloved schools the way these liberal government and greedy school leaders are pushing for. It will be catastrophic. Mark my words – Common Core will destroy this country because education plays such a huge role in our beloved nation and it will effect everybody – whether you know it or not. And, in contrast to the abortion issue, where the woman has a “choice” to abort or deliver her precious baby – when it comes to Common Core – our beloved children will have “No Choice”. It will be the law of the land unless we citizens stand up for our rights and our freedoms and make our voices heard and fight for our 5 C’s:

Country, Constitution, Church, Children and Christ.

Friends: It is up to the good citizens of this country to take back our beloved country, schools and churches. Almost 13 months have gone by since we began this fight against Common Core. It pales in comparison to the 41 years of our fight against abortion right now – but, Common Core has the makings of being even more damaging as it will affect every child in our country ages 5-18. We have a “choice” today: Either remain silent and do Nothing about this issue – or get up, make your voice heard; stand up for our beloved country, church and children – and say “NO” to Common Core. It’s your choice. It’s our children’s future…and they are the future of our beloved country…

Does The Vatican Need A Quick Reactionary Force?

By Alan Kornman and Wallace Bruschweiler –

The events in Iraq by the Islamic State and other Islamist groups against Christians and  ‘others’ are only the last of a long (and very little reported) series of horrible “events” in Iraq, Syria, Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria, Lebanon, Sudan, etc.

The Vatican has called on Muslim leaders to denounce unambiguously the persecution of Christians and Yazidis in Iraq – and ‘hinted’ that it is ‘considering’ breaking off dialogue with Islamic representatives if they fail to do so.

The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue said ISIS had committed “and was continuing to commit unspeakable criminal acts”. To reinforce the point, it listed some of the atrocities for which ISIS is reported to have been responsible. They included “the massacre of people solely for reasons of their religious adherence”; “the execrable practice[s] of decapitation, crucifixion and hanging of corpses in public places”; “the choice imposed on Christians and Yazidis between conversion to Islam, payment of a tax (jizya) and exodus”; “the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of people, including children, old people, pregnant women and the sick”; “the abduction of women and girls belonging to the Yazidi and Christian communities as war booty (sabaya)”, and “the imposition of the barbaric practice of infibulation”.

The Guardian reports, “Pope Francis gave an early indication of the Vatican’s hardening attitude last Sunday when he said that news from Iraq had left him “in dismay and disbelief”. Last Friday, the pope named Cardinal Fernando Filoni as his personal envoy to the region. The cardinal was due to fly out on Tuesday after his departure was postponed on Monday, apparently because of security fears.”

How come ‘security fears’ of Cardinal Filoni are valid and not being applied to the rest of the ‘normal’ Christians?

St. Peter’s Doors Closed, Armed Neutrality

In September of 1943, the Nazis entered Rome and the gates of the Vatican were shut, and closed for the first time ever.  The doors of the Vatican are partially closed to the cries from hundreds of thousands of Christians being slaughtered, tortured, raped, and displaced by the followers of Islam fighting under the black flag of Jihad in Iraq, Syria, Middle East, and the world.

Pope Francis must realize the threshold of ‘prudential judgement’ to go to war has been crossed a long time ago. The Pope must acknowledge this fact by acting decisively, with no further delay, to engage the Islamist enemy wherever Christians are attacked and slaughtered.  For the Vatican to consider breaking off interfaith dialogue with Islamic representatives is feckless bluster.

Pope Francis can no longer hide behind the neutrality of the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City.  In today’s world, there is no active military force that will come to the aid of persecuted Christians with a singularity of purpose.

Conclusion

The so-called news media (written and TV) is either blind and deaf or just “politically correct”. The sleazy advances of violent Islamic extremists must be stopped before it is too late.

Action today is imperative.

The Vatican must utilize its vast resources in forming a Quick Reactionary Force (QRF) of mercenaries to protect and defend Christians wherever and whenever they are under attack around the world.

Wallice bruschweiler

Wallace Bruschweiler

ABOUT WALLACE BRUSCHWEILER

Wallace Bruschweiler, a quadri-linguist and subject matter expert on counter terrorism and national security issues. Over 30 years experience operating in Europe, Middle East, and North Africa.

“Son of GOD” – What a Movie! What a terrific Turn-out!

I cannot explain to you the feeling that went through my entire body last night at the Cobb Palm Beach Gardens Theater, while watching the phenomenal blockbuster, “Son of GOD”. Not only did we weather the “Tornado Warnings” during the afternoon to get there and not only was the movie a very accurate depiction of what truly happened in the life of our Lord & Savior – but, to watch a movie like this – a day after Ash Wednesday – with a theater full of Catholic friends – is difficult to put a price tag on an experience like this. We need to do this more often.

I laid in bed all night, thinking about the movie; thinking about all our wonderful friends who showed up; thinking about the “100” year-old Catherine Hughes, who sat in her wheelchair in front of me; thinking of our youngest camper, Marlee (8 years old), who sat next to me (while covering her eyes during the rougher parts of the scourging); and I am still reliving the beautiful prayer that Father Richard Champigny – the 75 year-old humble Carmelite priest – opened up the evening with. Yes, a beautiful, heartfelt prayer in a public theater. We had the entire theater to ourselves & that was awesome! It should be like that everywhere we go. Thank you, Father Richard.

And, friends, if Christian on a Mission had the money, we would do this “Bold for Our Faith Movie Night” every single time a wonderful Christian movie like this comes out. Heck, we should show Christian movies like “Son of GOD” at our churches every Sunday – we will pack the pews! And, nobody will leave right after Communion. They will wait until the end of the movie!! And, the movie “Noah”, is on deck & coming soon to a “Catholic Theater” near you…Can we do this one more time? I will try my hardest to do this all over again. Stay tuned…Just pray it doesn’t rain for 40 days & 40 nights when this one comes out…and, no woodpeckers on the ark, please.

Well, last night, the Catholics came from everywhere. From “18” different parishes (not including some of our “snow birds” from Ohio, New York, New Jersey, etc,). But, nobody traveled as far as our beloved “100” year-old Catherine Hughes – who came up all the way from Deerfield Beach with her beloved mom, Dolores (President of the CCW). And, they drove up in torrential rain, wicked thunderstorms and tornado warnings. Needless to say, Jesus was right there in the back seat with Catherine & Dolores, calming the storms as they headed north on I-95. They came up early (at 4:30 pm, during the height of the storm), to get a bite to eat. Friends: If that doesn’t motivate you to get more active and “step out of the boat” for your Faith, I don’t know what will…I love those two beloved ladies as well as the countless ladies from the CCW who showed up last night, as they filled the entire theater with their love and tenderness.

And, not too far behind them was our two beloved Carmelite priests – Father Richard Champigny & the retired Father Rommaeus Tooney. They drove all the way up from St. Jude in Boca – and yes, during the torrential storms as well. Nothing but dedication and a love for our Lord. I think it was only appropriate that we had those wicked storm warnings leading up to a Christian movie like this because Satan tried his hardest in keeping all of us from attending – while Jesus simply walked on water and calmed the storms for us, just in time for the majority of us to drive safely to the theater. When we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and not lose sight of Him, He will bring us to calmer waters, greener pastures and Catholic Theaters.

And, let’s not forget our “Michelangelo of the Diocese”, Father Harold Buckley, whose latest & greatest sculpture, The Descent”, graces our beautiful grounds at our beloved Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery. Yes, soon to turn “89” (in April – the same age that Michelangelo retired from his prolific art career), this Brooklyn Renaissance Man showed up with the ever-smiling, beloved Ken Reynolds, as his Cursillista “groupers” greeted Father Buckley as if he had co-written “Son of GOD” with Roma Downey & Mark Burnett. “The Buck Stops Here” is how I always greet Father Buck and just to watch him walk ever-so-gingerly to the box office with his trusty old cane, made my night. What a gem we have in Father Buckley. Folks: Love him while we still have him. They don’t make them like Father Buckley anymore. I love the man dearly. GOD Bless him.

Friends: It would take me forever to thank everybody that came out to “Son of GOD” last night, as we had an incredible representation from our beloved Diocese. From Bishop Barbarito’s Executive Secretary, Annette Russell & her beloved mom (the last two to leave the shopping center with me); to our beloved Chancellor, Lorraine Sabatella & her husband, Joe; to Birthline/Lifeline’s coordinator, Mary Rodriguez & her husband, Jose; to countless ministry leaders, sacristans, Pro-Lifers, Deacon John Beaudoin, Deacon Greg Horton, My Main Man, Barry Hallett, and one of the cutest & most serious altar servers we have in our Diocese – Jordan Ross (11 year-old from St. Patrick). Sitting next to me on my left was Jane McGann – another gem in our Diocese. What a humbling honor to hold her hand during the more excruciating parts of the Passion. All told, we came from “18” different parishes – all to see one thing:

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD – The Life & Times of Our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.

For those who could not make it out last night for this “Special Event”, we prayed for you and hope you can make it out to see this wonderful film. You did miss one special night, but there will be more to come. This film was made very purposefully, very articulately and with terrific cinematography. The lighting was exceptional. The acting, tremendous. The story line, right on target. The lead actor, superb. The main character, perfect.

How does one portray a perfect character like Jesus of Nazareth? How does one try to imitate everything that He did? How does one become closer to Jesus and His teachings? For starters, going to a movie like this in a huge group of “180” Catholics is a pretty good start. And, going a day after Ash Wednesday truly motivates one to fast, pray & give it all up for the One who died for us. I only wish we could have attended this incredible movie on Ash Wednesday, itself, as I can just see the theater managers, Susie & Harry, watching 180 Catholics walking into their lobby with ashes on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. That was my initial idea, but, too many people were at church that evening receiving their ashes. That would have been “bold”, though…”bold for our faith”.

In closing, on behalf of our non-profit ministry, Christian on a Mission – I want to say Thank You to everybody who came out last night to watch “Son of GOD”. I thank the numerous people who sent beautiful e-mails & thank you messages about our event last night. This was our “6th Christian Movie Night” over the past few years as I try to do these events because it serves to bring all of our parishes “Two-Gether” as One Body in Christ – and that is my ultimate mission with our ministry. We have “266,882” parishioners in our “53” Catholic parishes in our Diocese and my ultimate goal is to one day be able to meet each and every one of them through the countless events that we run in our beloved Diocese.

Now, tell me it isn’t great to be Catholic?