Pope Francis and genocide

Pope Francis has used the word "genocide" to describe what happened to the Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Good for him!

Indeed, we can add to this the Greek and the Assyrian Genocide and the persecution of my Maronite ancestors by the Ottomans and the evil that has come out of the false religion of a desert dweller that has denied Christ for 1400 years. Yesterday, in Byzantium, words from the at false prophet and antichrist were read in the Church of Holy Wisdom.

The government of Turkey is upset and has called in the Ambassador of the Holy See and has recalled their own from Rome.

Enough of the lies of these Turks and of Islam. Perhaps the Pope has come to the conclusion that the slaughtering of Christians in the last year has in fact been with the acquiescence of these in Turkey who refused to defend the Assyrians on their border and have provided access points for murderous barbarians to join the so-called Islamic State of Dirt Dwellers. This is nothing new for the Turkmen who have done this so many times in the past.

Let us give thanks to God that Pope Francis has named the evil. May he find the courage and wisdom to call out the root of it.

Turkey threatens a response

Erdogan's Turkey threatens "response" to Pope’s affirmation of Armenian "genocide" 
Government officials across the board define " the words spoken yesterday by Francis as “invalid", "null and void", "inappropriate", "unilateral", "unacceptable" and "distorts history". The same words used in 2001 by John Paul II. But the "moderate" Islamic president wants to propose a new Ottomanism and is concerned about the approach of the general elections of 7 June.


Rome (AsiaNews) -  "Null and void", "inappropriate", "unilateral", "unacceptable" and    a “distortion of history", this is the harsh response from the Turkish government to Pope Francis’ words about the "genocide" of Armenians carried out one hundred years ago by  the Ottoman Empire.
Francis was speaking during Mass celebrated for the "Metz Yeghern", the Armenian "Great Evil" when he stated that " our human family has lived through three massive and unprecedented tragedies. The first, which is widely considered “the first genocide of the twentieth century” affected the Armenian people.
Ankara’s response seems to indicate a new Vatican attitude regarding the Armenian "genocide" – which Turkey continues to deny - but in reality the term was used in the Joint Declaration made in Armenia, in Etchmiadzin by John Paul II and Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, September 27, 2001, which was expressly mentioned yesterday. At the time, the Turkish reaction was very bland.
Thus, if the "Vatican" statement is the same and the Turkish reaction very different, the change of policy actually is on Ankara’s part.  The political power has passed from the secularism of parties who referred to the tradition of Kemal Ataturk to that of the "moderate" Islamism of Erdogan and his attempt to propose a new Ottomanism. Moreover, the president is concerned about the approach of the general elections of June 7, to the point of taking intransigent positions on the most sensitive national issues to contain the dreaded drain of votes from his AKP party towards MHP nationalists.
In fact, yesterday the Turkish foreign ministry summoned the papal nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Lucibello, to whom the deputy undersecretary Levent Murat Burhan said that the Pope’s remarks caused “deep sorrow and disappointment” in Ankara. Criticizing the Pope’s remarks as “one-sided” and “far from accurate,” that they had “created a loss of trust in bilateral ties” and that “Turkey will surely respond.” Ankara has also recalled its Ambassador to the Holy See Mehmet Pacaci "for consultations". The Foreign Ministry, in making their decision known stated that the allegation made by Francis " is controversial in every aspect, which is based on prejudice, which distorts history and reduces the pains suffered in Anatolia under the conditions of the First World War to members of just one religion".
And that’s not all. The Minister of Turkey to the EU, Volkan Boksir, via Twitter also wrote: " I reject the Papal attitude, which should strive to leave a legacy of peace and friendship for future generations, but instead tries to derive enmity out of history". “There is - he added - There is no period of time in Turkey's history that it would be ashamed of. Efforts towards constituting an identity based on falsified documents will fail". And there’s even more, the Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in another tweet described the Pope's words as "unacceptable", " far from historic and legal truths".
Finally, the same Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, In a televised speech on Sunday, Davutoglu accused the pontiff of making “inappropriate” and “one-sided” remarks, adding, "We'd expect the religious leaders to call for peace. Opening archives for those whose hearts are sealed serves no purpose". This last statement refers to the request made to Turkey, and never met, to open the archives relating to that period.
In this regard, the official Anadolu news agency, repeats the "historic" Turkish line, according to which "the Ottoman Empire, following the revolt, moved Armenians to eastern Anatolia and there were Armenian victims during the process of relocation".
An estimated one and a half million. (FP)


http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Erdogan's-Turkey-threatens-response-to-Pope%E2%80%99s-affirmation-of-Armenian-genocide-33961.html

Reprinted below is a post from January of this year featuring an article from Uzay Bulut. It is worth remembering in light of these other holocaust deniers.

Why Does No-one Remember the Assyrian Victims of Ottoman Turkey's Christian Holocaust?

As you read below this article from October 2014 and scan the old photos, ask yourself, have you seen these images lately? Who was behind it then? Who is behind it now?

From the International Business Times

By Uzay Bulut

October 28, 2014 12:10 GMT

You may have heard of the Armenian genocide. You've probably heard of Stalin's starvation of the Ukrainians, and the atrocities committed by the European empires in Africa. You've definitely heard of the Holocaust.

Yet chances are you've never heard of the Assyrian genocide, even though this was just as brutal and costly. It was perpetrated alongside the Armenian massacre, yet only one of the twin programmes has lived on in infamy.

The Assyrian genocide occurred 100 years ago, and decimated a people whose territory stretched from the areas now known as Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Egypt. Today, this very same area is the world's fiercest conflict zone, the wounds which opened a century ago showing no sign of healing.

Which makes it all the more important that we remember the horrors inflicted on the Assyrians all those years ago.

Ethnic cleansing

Historians today describe the Assyrian Genocide as a programme of extermination carried out by the Ottoman Empire upon the Chaldean, Syriac and Assyrian populations. All three peoples were Christian, and the Ottomans attempted to wipe them out during a wider ethnic cleansing campaign, which also included the Armenian and Greek genocides.

The Assyrian extermination campaign actually lasted from 1914 to 1923, Turkey's rulers carrying on the killing long after their empire had been dismantled. The death toll varies depending which historical scholar or record you consult.

"Estimates on the overall death toll vary, with some contemporary reports placing the figure at 270,000, and estimates range to as many as 750,000," reported Dr. Israel W. Charny, the editor of two-volume Encyclopedia of Genocide and executive director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide.

Charny groups the Assyrian Genocide together with the massacre of Greeks and Armenians in a "Christian Holocaust", which he claims was "the precursor to the Jewish Holocaust in WWII." 

"To this day, the Turkish government ostensibly denies having committed this genocide" Charny adds.

Ottoman Jihad against native Christian populations

Sabri Atman, who is also one of the most well-known lecturers on the Assyrian Genocide, said in an interview with the Armenian Weekly this year that the Ottoman Empire was bent on "ethnically annihilating all non-Muslim citizens living under the Ottoman occupation, with the objective of homogenising Turkey in accordance with their goal to create a nation of 'One Religion'.

"Their motto was 'One Nation, One Religion.' To achieve their goal, jihad (or holy war) was declared on Nov. 14, 1914 in all of the Ottoman mosques... The main plot was to get rid of all the Christian minorities of Turkey,."

Atman added that "Denial is a form of continuation of the genocide. It is to be killed twice."

Hannibal Travis, a Professor of Law at Florida International University, wrote an article on the Assyrian Genocide in 2006, suggesting that "the Ottoman Empire's widespread persecution of Assyrian civilians during World War I constituted a form of genocide... a deliberate and systematic campaign of massacre, torture, abduction, deportation, impoverishment, and cultural and ethnic destruction.

"Established principles of international law outlawed this war of extermination against Ottoman Christian civilians before it was embarked upon, and ample evidence of genocidal intent has surfaced in the form of admissions by Ottoman officials.

"Nevertheless, the international community has been hesitant to recognize the Assyrian experience as a form of genocide."

Finally, a monument

An Assyrian genocide monument, in memory of the Assyrian victims of the Christian genocide of the Ottoman Empire during World War One, was erected on 19 October in Athens. The monument's opening was attended by Kyriakos Betsaras, the president of the Assyrian Union of Greece,  as well as the current and former Mayors of Athens.

Assyrian Monument vandalised in Sydney, Australia in 2101.

Sabri Atman spoke at the ceremony, called on "Turkey and all nations around the world to recognise this historical reality," adding: "In recent years, Assyrians have been working diligently towards greater public awareness and worldwide recognition of the Assyrian Genocide.

"The ethnic extermination of hundreds of thousands of our people and the destruction of our lands forever changed the demographics of the area we called home for thousands of years. We Assyrians standing here today are the children of a nation which was almost completely eliminated from the face of the earth," he said.

"I'm also proud to stand in front of you today knowing that over 20 countries have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. It is my hope that in the future, countries will continue to follow in this pattern, and will also include the recognition of Assyrians and Greeks as victims of the same Genocide."

Monuments commemorating the victims of the Assyrian genocide have also been erected in Sweden, Belgium, France, Armenia, Australia, Wales and the United States. Whether Turkey follows suit, however, remains to be seen.

Papal Bull

Pope Francis has issued a Papal Bull, Misericordiae Vultus proclaiming a Year of Mercy. Amongst the paragraphs is this:

18. During Lent of this Holy Year, I intend to send out Missionaries of Mercy. They will be a sign of the Church’s maternal solicitude for the People of God, enabling them to enter the profound richness of this mystery so fundamental to the faith. There will be priests to whom I will grant the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See, so that the breadth of their mandate as confessors will be even clearer. They will be, above all, living signs of the Father’s readiness to welcome those in search of his pardon. They will be missionaries of mercy because they will be facilitators of a truly human encounter, a source of liberation, rich with responsibility for overcoming obstacles and taking up the new life of Baptism again. They will be led in their mission by the words of the Apostle: “For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all” (Rom 11:32). Everyone, in fact, without exception, is called to embrace the call to mercy. May these Missionaries live this call with the assurance that they can fix their eyes on Jesus, “the merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God” (Heb 2:17).

Rorate Caeli blog has listed those crimes or sins in the Code of Canon Law reserved for the Holy See:

Can. 1367. A person who throws away the consecrated species or takes or retains them for a sacrilegious purpose incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; moreover, a cleric can be punished with another penalty, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state.

Can. 1370 §1. A person who uses physical force against the Roman Pontiff incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; if he is a cleric, another penalty, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state, can be added according to the gravity of the delict.

Can. 1378 §1. A priest who acts against the prescript of can. 977 incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See. (Can.  977. The absolution of an accomplice in a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is invalid except in danger of death.)

Can. 1382 A bishop who consecrates someone a bishop without a pontifical mandate and the person who receives the consecration from him incur a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.

Can. 1388 §1. A confessor who directly violates the sacramental seal incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; one who does so only indirectly is to be punished according to the gravity of the delict.

To these may be added a sixth offense, by virtue of a decree of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dated December 19, 2007:

Without prejudice to the prescript of can. 1378 of the Code of Canon Law, both the one who attempts to confer a sacred order on a woman, and the woman who attempts to receive a sacred order, incur an excommunication latae sententiae reserved to the Apostolic See.

If, in fact, the one who attempts to confer a sacred order on a woman, or the woman who attempts to receive a sacred order, is one of Christ’s faithful subject to the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, that person, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 1443 of the same Code, is to be punished with a major excommunication, the remission of which is also reserved to the Apostolic See (cf. can. 1423, Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches).

* * *

We can agree that there are many abuses of the Holy Eucharist. Punching a pope has not been an issue lately. There really are not that many situations of the conferral of a sacred order on a woman (impossible regardless). We hope all will be forgiven and we see a welcoming home of the SSPX bishops. 

Seriously? These Missionaries of Mercy are going to travel the world for these?

On the surface, this looks pretty ridiculous with all this fuss and talk of mercy for these relatively few situations that by and large do not even affect the laity other than those who may defame the Holy Eucharist or the few women who try to become ordained priests. 

What am I missing; or do I already know?

I suspect that one of the tasks of these flying Missionaries of Mercy will be to override the established Canonical process of annulments as a way of getting around the doctrine of the indissolubility of marriage and provide easy and blanket annulments. "See," they will say. "We have not changed doctrine." 

What else will these Missionaries of Mercy undertake?

Quasimodo

As Father Z writes, this Sunday has many nicknames. It is liturgically called the Second Sunday of Easter in the Missal of 1970, the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite and in the traditional liturgy, the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite it is the First Sunday After Easter. It is also known of course as Divine Mercy Sunday after the request by Our Lord through St. Faustina and proclaimed as such by St. John Paul II in 2000. It has also been called in the traditional rite Low Sunday in contrast to previous weekend. I've never liked this term or the term "Low Mass" (Missa Lecta or Read Mass is more appropriate) No Sunday and no Mass, can be "low." Also in the traditional rite, it has been known as White Sunday or Missa in Albis for the catechumens who would have come to Mass today and then put away there white robes or albs, which they'd worn since their baptism on Holy Saturday. 

And yet, there is another name and it comes from the Introit or Entrance Antiphon of the Mass in both Forms -- Quasi modo Sunday. "In the same manner as newborn babes long for the rational milk without guile..." from the First Letter of St. Peter 2:2.

How unfortunate that in the Ordinary Form of the Mass, the opening hymn or song was not Quasi modo but some other non-liturgical text. Here is hoping that it was at least edifying such as Christ the Lord is Risen Today or At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing. Regardless, the loss of the liturgical texts in the practical use of the Missal of 1970 remain a stumbling block to the Mass properly being said or sung, notwithstanding the GIRM's permission to substitute based on the disastrous 1967 document, Musicam Sacram. Gradual solemnity had merit, the rubrics of the traditional Missal are very restrictive, but this document went much too far with the allowance to substitute the Proper of the Mass, Introit, Offertorium and Communion with hymns. This has been a liturgical disaster that we will never recover from until it is revoked. This antiphon is in the Altar Missal and it is in the various permanent or disposable pew missals. It is in the official chant book for the 1970 Missal the 1974 Graduale Romanum and in various English offerings such as the Simple English Propers. There is an Offertory Antiphon as well for the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. It was only a few months ago when in a conversation about the Simple English Propers after a Mass with a Bishop, I was asked what "that" was as he pointed to the Offertory Antiphon. Perhaps that is best left for another post.

There is one more little tidbit about today which you can read below. It comes from the quill of Victor Hugo for it was on this day, the First Sunday After Easter or Quasimodo Sunday that he found the deformed creature and thus the poor boy received his name.

Sixteen years previous to the epoch when this story takes place, one fine morning, on Quasimodo Sunday, a living creature had been deposited, after Mass, in the church of Notre- Dame, on the wooden bed securely fixed in the vestibule on the left, opposite that great image of Saint Christopher, which the figure of Messire Antoine des Essarts, chevalier, carved in stone, had been gazing at on his knees since 1413, when they took it into their heads to overthrow the saint and the faithful follower. Upon this bed of wood it was customary to expose foundlings for public charity. Whoever cared to take them did so. In front of the wooden bed was a copper basin for alms.

The sort of living being which lay upon that plank on the morning of Quasimodo, in the year of the Lord, 1467, appeared to excite to a high degree, the curiosity of the numerous group which had congregated about the wooden bed. The group was formed for the most part of the fair sex. Hardly any one was there except old women.

In the first row, and among those who were most bent over the bed, four were noticeable, who, from their gray cagoule, a sort of cassock, were recognizable as attached to some devout sisterhood. I do not see why history has not transmitted to posterity the names of these four discreet and venerable damsels. They were Agnes la Herme, Jehanne de la Tarme, Henriette la Gaultière, Gauchère la Violette, all four widows, all four dames of the Chapel Etienne Haudry, who had quitted their house with the permission of their mistress, and in conformity with the statutes of Pierre d'Ailly, in order to come and hear the sermon.

However, if these good Haudriettes were, for the moment, complying with the statutes of Pierre d'Ailly, they certainly violated with joy those of Michel de Brache, and the Cardinal of Pisa, which so inhumanly enjoined silence upon them.

"What is this, sister?" said Agnes to Gauchère, gazing at the little creature exposed, which was screaming and writhing on the wooden bed, terrified by so many glances.

"What is to become of us," said Jehanne, "if that is the way children are made now?"

"I'm not learned in the matter of children," resumed Agnes, "but it must be a sin to look at this one."

Catholic Teacher Patricia Jannuzzi reinstated!

Patricia Jannuzzi, the Catholic Teacher fired for stating her views on the homosexualist agenda has been reinstated by Immaculata High School.

Congratulations to Mrs. Jannuzzi!

Bishop Bootkoski, the Monsignor Pastor and the School Administration committed a grievous act against Mrs. Jannuzzi. They were wrong and they can't wiggle out of it no matter how they try in this letter.  Had Mrs. Jannuzzi's family not gone public with the injustice these cowardly so-called Catholic leaders would have not backed down and she would have been unemployed in August. She was able to raise the funds for a lawyer no doubt and John and Mary Catholic were able to voice their condemnation of the deceitful manner with which she was treated. Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund trial attorney Charles LiMandri provided extensive legal advice to Patricia Jannuzzi, and assisted her local counsel David Oakley, in achieving a mutually satisfactory resolution of this matter. 

Monsignor blames the medial and presumably, bloggers for being "hurtful." The letter also mentions "theology" numerous times insisting that the matter was not "theological." 

As I found out in my own recent situation with a clerical bully, we must stick together when these clericalists attempt to silence us and the new gestapo, or gaystapo, comes at us.

Thanks be to God for this victory and for justice. 

Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund - "Obama's Call to Ban Therapy would violate Constitutional Rights!"

Following the post below on the situation regarding JONAH, I have heard from Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of FCDF. Coincidentally, the American President has threatened just in the last day, those who counsel individuals with same-sex attraction. Far be it from the current President of the United States to uphold the Constitution. After all, he has a pen and a phone.

http://www.consciencedefense.org/

Here is their press release:

Obama's Call to Ban Counseling Therapy would

Violate Constitutional Rights

 

Refusal to recognize the rights of Americans to seek help is nothing new, but in this case it is also unconstitutional

Rancho Santa Fe, California – Today, President Obama injected his views into the personal decisions of private individuals seeking counseling, calling for a ban on conversion therapy for minors.   “President Obama and politicians in Washington have no place prohibiting teens and parents across America from seeking counseling. Dictates from Washington that prevent free people from exercising their First Amendment rights to make these personal decisions without government interference are repulsive,” said Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund.    The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund will defend these First Amendment rights in court this summer by defending JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing), a Jewish group which helps those who deal with unwanted same-sex attractions by providing a community with educational outreach services, including counseling referrals, for affected individuals and their families.    “Seeking counseling is a very private and personal decision people make and coercive tactics to shut down all alternatives for people with same-sex attraction is simply wrong. The President’s refusal to recognize the rights of Americans to seek help is nothing new, but in this case it is also unconstitutional,”  Gallagher noted.   The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund is a nonprofit, public-interest law firm which defends the conscience rights and religious freedom of those of all faiths and no faith. The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund's mission is to defend religious freedom by providing protective legal services at the trial level to persons whose religious liberty and free-speech rights have been attacked. Located in San Diego and led by experienced trial attorney Charles LiMandri, FCDF assists individuals and organizations nationwide with pro bono services.   Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, is available for commentary.  Please contact Ryan Hughes at RHughes@SBPublicAffairs.com, by phone at (703) 739-5920 or by cell at (224) 723-8688 for more information. ###

 

 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

 

 

For Life and Freedom, 

 

Scott Maxwell

Executive Director 

Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund

858-759-9948

www.ConscienceDefense.org

JONAH INTERNATIONAL - More persecution by the homosexualist agenda and the hard Left

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Mr. Arthur Goldberg, the Co-Director of JONAH INTERNATIONAL - Institute of Gender Affirmation. JONAH, -- Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, is a non-profit international organization dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish community about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to same-sex attractions. JONAH works with those struggling with unwanted same-sex sexual attractions (SSA) and with families whose loved ones are involved in homosexuality.

Our Jewish brothers' Rabbinical sages explain that because mankind has been endowed by our Creator with a free will, everyone has the capacity to change. Furthermore, the Rabbis emphasize that parents, teachers and counselors have a special responsibility to educate, nurture, and provide an opportunity for those struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions to journey out of homosexuality. As Catholics who accept the teaching of the Church we believe this as well. I know people personally who have come out of the sin of sodomy to live holy and productive lives. We only have to look at the Courage Apostolate to know of the good work that is done and the success that people can have in living as children of Our Creator.

Through psychological and spiritual counseling, peer support, and self-empowerment, JONAH seeks to reunify families, to heal the wounds surrounding homosexuality, and to provide hope.

Mr. Goldberg has reached out to seek the support of the readers of this blog. I have reprinted below his letter. Friends, we are in this together. The fight for the truth is not easy and it is not going to go away. We have seen the persecution of little people such as pizza makers and florists. JONAH INTERNATIONAL and Mr. Goldberg are also on this list and are in need of our prayers and financial support.

I imagine that there was at time when the Southern Poverty Law Centre did good and worthy work; if they ever did, that time has long since past.

Dear Readers of Vox Cantoris,

I am being defended in a "first of its kind" lawsuit by a superb Catholic oriented pro-bono law firm, Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund (www.consciencedefense.org) (FCDF). They have spent nearly $3 million (American) to date to defend us. However, as the date for the trial is quickly arising (June 2) and an immense amount of pre-trial work is now needed, FCDF must raise some additional funds. Thank the Lord, a benefactor based in the mid-west has offered a $100,000 matching grant to them. In other words, FCDF must raise $100,000 in order to receive the extra $100,000. This will be a major breakthrough in reaching their goal of $300,000.  With this matching grant, a gift today of $100 becomes $200, a $1,000 gift becomes $2,000, a $10,000 gift is doubled to $20,000, and so on.  I therefore wondered if you would be willing to post on your blog information about FCDF (who have successfully defended a number of cases attacking Christians on a pro bono basis.) I am hoping that your readers may decide to help a co-religionist whose commitment to Catholic principles is without question. FYI, FCDF has scheduled a 54-day Miraculous Novena starting on April 9 to pray for their successful defense of us and for the protection of religious freedom.  Please allow me to set forth below a bit more about the specifics.  

JONAH, the organization I co-direct, (www.jonahweb.org) and I (individually) have both been sued by the radical Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for "consumer fraud" for simply providing resources for men and women with unwanted same-sex attractions to find appropriate assistance to lead a life consistent with G-d's commandments.  The purpose of the plaintiffs in the litigation is to create a chilling effect on people and organizations that stand for the position that change is possible, a position that is directly commanded  by  the Bible. (See my book: Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality, and the Power to Change.)  JONAH only works with people who express dissatisfaction with their homosexual ideation (or other sexually based issues such as pornography or sex addiction), helps them assess and overcome deep issues, and does not seek to coerce anyone into changing their sexual orientation. We support the right of client self-determination. Because the intent of this lawsuit is to totally deny individuals the freedom to seek help for their own unwanted same-sex attractions and directly affects freedom of religion, a fabulous law firm specializing in freedom of religion cases, Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, agreed to defend us pro-bono. (See, www.consciencedefense.org.)  The case has dragged on for nearly two years and, in the process, our pro-bono attorneys have spent approximately $3 million of their own funds defending us. The trial is scheduled to begin in early June and while the attorneys are beginning the intense pre-trial work to defend us, they have exhausted much of their own financial resources and now find themselves in a major economic bind. Thank G-d, they recently received an offer from a benefactor in the mid-western United States to provide a matching grant of up to $100,000 and I as their client wish to assist them in finding the necessary matching funds. I am hoping that you can publicize their need on your blog how every dollar contributed will provide the resources for us to be properly defended in court.

Charles LiMandri, the CEO and President of FCDF has been standing up to bullies such as the SPLC for over 12 years – defending an individual's right to matters of conscience and not forcing someone to violate the laws G-d handed down to us to follow. Chuck believes we have a very good chance of winning the case by convincing the jury that we did not commit fraud while trying to help men overcome same-sex attraction, a choice made freely by those who come to us.   But we need help to do so.

In order to complete the tasks at hand with the case, FCDF actually needs to raise a minimum of $300,000 but a major start is raising $100,000 so that they can receive the second $100,000 pledged under the matching grant. I am reaching out to you to publicize their work in defending our precious constitutional and religious rights. This first-of-its-kind case is the tip of a very large and dangerous spear aimed at the heart of religious minded people in America. The SPLC has made it clear that its $340 million war chest will be used for lawsuits to bankrupt traditional Jews, Christians, and other believers as though we were violent haters and racists. In addition to a war chest of multiple millions, the SPLC has 15 activist lawyers on this case ready to make life a living hell for anyone who dares to resist their efforts to shut down help for homosexual people seeking to live a life as envisioned by the Holy Bible. They aren’t concerned about the cost; they’re assuming that none of us will care enough to pay the price of defending freedom.

Mr. LiMandri has stated that "JONAH is perhaps the most critical religious liberty case of our time. It has the potential to set a chain of events in motion that will severely hamper ministries that help men and women with unwanted same-sex attraction."

The opposition has no intent to stop these attacks on our Constitutional and religious rights until they completely exterminate our religious freedom. They will not tolerate any of our faith beliefs, and they have a $340 million fund available in their attempts to silence us! The Southern Poverty Law Center wants to silence us. We need to stop them and  need to find additional finances to continue the fight.

If your readers wish to provide secure online donations directly to FCDF, they can do so by going to their website,  www.consciencedefense.org.  Alternatively, checks may be sent to the FCDF address at P.O. Box 9520, Rancho Sante Fe, CA,  92067.

Most sincerely,

Arthur Goldberg, co-director

JONAH

New NAZI's!

Below are just four links which I quickly took off of PewSitter. When we consider these, Patricia Jannuzzi, Memories Pizza and Barronelle Stutzman, the florist in Washington State, all are current situations for which we can easily call out the homosexualist movement as the new fascists.

My question is this:

Why are we taking this and when are we going to fight back; and why are we allowing what is no more than 2% of the population to dictate and dominate the agenda as they have been allowed to do?

http://www.wnd.com/2015/04/gay-leader-to-churches-support-homosexuality-or-be-taxed/

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/heads-lgbt-win-tails-christians-lose-colorado/

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/04/07/colorado-double-standard-bakers-should-not-be-forced-to-make-anti-gay-cakes/

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-churches-must-change-their-teachings-on-homosexuality-new-york-ti

Welcome to those from WDTPRDAD!

Welcome to all those who have found their way here from What Does the Priest Really Do All Day?

I hope you'll stay a while and learn a thing or two.

Just don't expect me to link back.

Thanks.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Behold your mother

Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani

Hoc est enim corpus meum.

Italian Interview with Cardinal Burke - Has Crux given you the full story?

Rarely, and only if necessary, do I read Crux. This is one of those times. I consider it in the same category as the National Catholic Reporter and now even the National Catholic Register owned by EWTN and having sacked blogger Pat Archbold.  Crux and the mainstream Catholic media are very good at manipulating the story for their advantage and that of those who prop them up. They and many clerics are also very good at bullying those who stand up for the truth and bloggers are easy targets. I should know.

Ines St. Martin wrote yesterday about Cardinal Burke wherein she quotes an interview His Eminence gave to the Italian online journal, La Nuova Bussola Quotidian. It is unfortunate that she did not print more of the actual interview and instead chose selectively to continue what is a scandalous attempt to discredit Cardinal Burke as evident in the combox there. The Cardinals answers are detailed and clear and easy to understand. The readers at Crux would have benefited from the full interview, but when you have an agenda, what does truth matter?

This is not new. 

Salt+ Light Television, Alicia Ambrosio undertook the same smearing and scandalous attempt to discredit the Cardinal stating that he lived in an "Ivory Tower" - the evidence is out there (so come and sue me, if you dare). We can put Crux, the National Catholic Reporter in this same category with the absolute distortion of the recent interview at LifeSiteNews where Cardinal Burke was alleged to have said that adulterers and gays were no better than murderers. Headlines can say many things to the non-thinking, non-reading masses and can do much damage to the truth to Catholics and non-Catholic alike. That is not what the Cardinal said as the interview makes clear. However, mortal sin is mortal sin. Some are worse than others. No good work by a murderer, an adulterer or a sodomite will make up for it, only repentance through the Sacrament of Penance and amendment of life will.

I have taken the interview in La Nuova Bussola Quotidian and translated it using Google Translate and have tidied it up a little. It is well worth reading in its entirety. Once again, Cardinal Burke speaks with clarity and truth and remains an inspiration to Catholics everywhere.

In recent months Raymond Cardinal Burke has been portrayed as a fanatic, an ultra- conservative, an anti-conciliarist and a conspirator against Pope Francis, even ready to a schism if the upcoming Ordinary Synod on the Family opens unwelcome changes to Church teaching. The campaign against the Cardinal is so strong that even in Italy several bishops have refused to accommodate his lectures in their dioceses. And when somewhere he is allowed to hold a meeting - as recently in some cities of northern Italy - invariably some of the priests have contested it, accusing him of spreading propaganda against the Pope. 

"They are all nonsense, I just do not understand this attitude. I never said a word against the Pope, I strive only to serve the truth, a task that we all have. I've always seen my work, my activities as a support to the Petrine ministry. People who know me can testify that I'm not a Pope. On the contrary I have always been very loyal and I've always wanted to serve the Holy Father, which I do even now. "

In fact, meeting him in his apartment around the corner from St. Peter's Square, he is affable and very spontaneous and appears as a thousand miles away from the image of dour defender of "cold doctrine", as described by the mainstream press.

In the debate that preceded and followed the first Synod on the family some of Cardinal Burke’s statements are actually played as a criticism of Pope Francis, or so they have been interpreted. For example, recently there was made by the media lot of noise that his "I will resist, resist" as a possible response to the Pope's decision to grant communion to divorced and remarried.

“But it was a sentence misrepresented, there was no reference to Pope Francis. I believe, that because I have always spoken very clearly on the issue of marriage and the family, some want to portray and neutralize me as an enemy of the Pope, or even ready to schism, just using that answer I gave in an interview with a French television station.”

So how then should that answer be interpreted?

“It is very simple. The journalist asked me what I would do, if hypothetically, - not referring to Pope Francis - a pontiff was to make decisions against the doctrine and practice of the Church. I said that I should resist, because we are all in the service of truth, starting with the Pope. The Church is not a political body in the sense of power. The power is Jesus Christ and his gospel. To this, I replied that I will resist and would not be the first time that this happens in the Church. There were several moments in history where someone had to stand up to the Pope, beginning with St. Paul against St. Peter, who wanted to impose circumcision to the converted Greek. But in my case I'm not at all undertaking any resistance to Pope Francis, because he has done nothing against the doctrine, nor do I see myself at all in the fight against the Pope, as they want to paint me. I'm not pursuing the interests of a group or a party; I just try to be as Cardinal, a teacher of the faith.”

Another "count of indictment" against him is his alleged passion for "lace," as it is said in a demeaning way and something that the Pope cannot stand.

“The Pope has never made me doubt the way I dress, which however, is still within the norm of the Church. I also celebrate the liturgy in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and there are for this vestments that do not exist for the celebration in the Ordinary Form, but I always wear what the rule is for the ritual that I am celebrating. I do not engage in politics against the way of dressing of the Pope. We have to also say that every Pope has his own style, but that does not then impose this style to all other bishops. I do not understand why this should be a cause for controversy.”

But the newspapers often used a photo in which he has worn a Cardinals galero a headdress definitely out of time.

“Ah, that; but it's amazing. I can explain. It is a picture that has spread after a newspaper had used it to publish an interview with me during the Synod. The interview was done well, but unfortunately they used a photo that was taken out of context, and I'm sorry for it, because by doing this they gave the wrong impression of a person living in the past. What happened, in fact, was that, after being appointed cardinal, I was invited to a diocese in the south of Italy for a conference on the liturgy. For the occasion, the organizers wanted to give me the gift of a former cardinal's hat - they did not know who’s it had been. Obviously it is in my hand and I had no intention of wearing it regularly, but he asked me if I would put it on to be able to do at least one photo with the hat, so I wore it. This was the only time I put that hat on my head, but unfortunately that picture has been all over the world and someone used it to give the impression that I go around like that. But I've never worn it again, not even in a ceremony.”

He was also listed as the inspiration, if not the promoter, of the "Petition to Pope Francis on the family", which was released for collecting signatures on a few sites amongst the world’s traditionalists.

“I signed that document, but it was not my initiative or my idea. Nor did I write or co-write the text. Those who have said otherwise stated falsely. For all I know it is an initiative of lay people, I was shown the text and I signed it, as have many other cardinals.”

Another of the charges put to him is to be anti-conciliarist, against the Second Vatican Council.

“Labels are easy to apply, but there is no basis in reality. All my theological education in the major seminary was based on the documents of Vatican II, and I am still trying today to study more deeply these documents. I'm not at all opposed to the council, and if one reads my writings will find that many times I quote the documents of Vatican II. One on which however do not agree is the "Spirit of the Council", this realization of the council who is not faithful to the text of the documents but that purports to create something totally new, a new church that has nothing to do with all the so called aberrations of the past. In this, I follow fully the bright presentation that made Benedict XVI in his address to the Roman Curia for Christmas 2005. It is the famous speech in which he explains that the correct interpretation is that of reform in continuity, as opposed to hermeneutics of rupture in the discontinuity that many sectors carry on. The intervention of Benedict XVI is brilliant and explains everything. Many things that happened after the Council and attributed to the council have nothing to do with the council. This is the simple truth.”

But the fact remains that Pope Francis has "punished" him by removing him from the Apostolic Signatura and entrusting the patronage of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

“The Pope gave an interview with Argentine newspaper La Nacion that has already answered this question by explaining the reasons for this choice. This says it all, and not for me to comment. I can only say, without violating any secret, I was never told by the Pope or given the impression that he wanted to punish me for something.”

What is certain is that this "bad image" has to do with what Cardinal Kasper also, in recent days, called the "synodal battle". That seems to grow in intensity as you get closer to the Ordinary Synod next October. Where are we?

“I would say that there is now a much more extensive discussion on the topics covered by the Synod and that's good. There is a greater number of cardinals, bishops and lay people who are intervening and this is very positive. I do not understand why all the noise that was created last year around the book "Remaining in the Truth of Christ," to which I have contributed along with four other cardinals and four specialists on marriage.”

That book is where was born the theory of a plot against the Pope, a view echoed recently by Alberto Melloni in the Corriere della Sera, and that cost him a lawsuit by the publisher Italian Cantagalli.

“It is simply absurd. How you can be accused of conspiracy against the Pope with what the Church has always taught and practiced on marriage and communion? It is certain that the book was written as an aid for the Synod to answer the thesis of Cardinal Kasper. But it is not controversial, is a presentation faithful to the tradition, and is also the highest scientific quality possible. I am totally available to receive criticism about the content, but to say that we have taken part in a plot against the Pope is unacceptable.”

But who is fomenting this witch hunt?

“I do not have any direct information but surely there is a group that wants to impose on the Church not only this thesis of Cardinal Kasper on communion for divorced and remarried, or for people in irregular situations, but also other positions on issues related to the themes of the Synod. I refer to the idea of ​​finding the positive elements in sexual relations outside of marriage or homosexuality. It is evident that there are forces pushing in this direction, and for that they want to discredit us who are trying to defend the Church's teaching. I have nothing personal against Cardinal Kasper, but for me, the question is only to present the Church's teaching, which in this case is related to words spoken by the Lord.”

Looking at some of the themes that emerged strongly in the Synod, the about a gay lobby is common.

“Without being able to pinpoint, I do see more and more that there is a force that goes in this direction. I see people who, consciously or unconsciously, are carrying out a homosexual agenda. How this is organized I do not know, but it is evident that there is a force of this kind. At the Synod we have said that talking about homosexuality had nothing to do with the family, rather it would have been better to convene a special Synod if you wanted to talk about this issue. But we found in the Relatio post disceptationem this issue that had not been discussed by the fathers.”

One of the theological justifications in support of Cardinal Kasper that today is very often repeated is that of the "development of doctrine;" -- not a change, but a depth which can lead to a new practice.

“Here, there is a big misunderstanding. The development of the doctrine, as it has for example presented by Blessed Cardinal Newman or other good theologians, means a deepening in appreciation, knowledge of a doctrine, not the change of doctrine. The development in any case leads to change. One example is that of the Post-Synodal written by Pope Benedict XVI on the Eucharist, is "Sacramentum Caritatis;" - in it is presented the development of the knowledge of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, also expressed in Eucharistic adoration. There were some in fact contrary and opposed to Eucharistic adoration, because the Eucharist is to be received within. But Benedict XVI explained - also citing St. Augustine - that if it is true that the Lord gives us himself in the Eucharist to be consumed, it is also true that you cannot recognize this reality of Jesus' presence under the Eucharistic species without worshiping these species. This is an example of the development of doctrine, but it is not that the doctrine on the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist has changed.”

One reason for the controversy on the Synod is the alleged opposition between doctrine and practice, doctrine and mercy. Even the pope insists that the often self-righteous attitude of those who use the doctrine create a distance and prevent love.

“I think you have to distinguish between what the Pope said on a few occasions and those who claim a contrast between doctrine and practice. You can never admit in the Church a contrast between doctrine and practice because we live the truth that Christ tells us in his holy Church and the truth is never a cool thing. It is the truth that opens to us the space for love, to really love you must respect the truth of the person, and the person in the particular situations in which he or she finds themselves. So to establish a kind of contrast between doctrine and practice does not reflect the reality of our faith. Whoever supports the thesis of Cardinal Kasper - change of discipline that does not touch the doctrine - should explain how it is possible. If the Church admits to communion a person who is related in a marriage but is living with another person in another marriage relationship, that is in a state of adultery how can one believe at the same time that marriage is indissoluble? The relationship between doctrine and practice is a false contrast that we must reject.”

But it is true that you can use the doctrine without love.

“Sure, and that's what the pope is denouncing, use of the law or doctrine to advance a personal agenda, to dominate people. But that does not mean there is a problem with the doctrine and discipline; only there are people of ill will commit abuses that may for example by interpreting the law in a way that harms people. Or applying the law without love, insisting on the truth of the situation of the person but without love. Even when a person is in serious sin we must love the person and help as the Lord has made example to us with the adulteress and the Samaritan woman. He was very clear in announcing the state of sin in which they were, but at the same time showed a great love by inviting them to come out of this situation. What did not the Pharisees, which instead showed a cruel legalism: denouncing the violation of the law, but without giving any help to the person to exit from sin, so as to find peace in his life.”

BREAKING : Pope Francis to Pontificate on Easter Sunday at Traditional Latin Mass in St. Peter's Basilica!

VATICAN CITY - In a surprise announcement this morning, the Director of the Vatican Press office, Father Federico Lombardi, S. J., announced that Pope Francis will celebrate a Pontifical Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday morning. The Holy Father has been studying in secreto the Traditional liturgy. The Pope was ordained in 1969 right after the implementation of the Novus Ordo Missae by Pope Paul VI. Although he is familiar with the ancient Mass from his youth and years in seminary he has never celebrated it as a priest. Lombardi would neither confirm nor deny reports that the Society of St. Pius X has been quietly working behind the scenes with the Pontiff on the liturgical finer points.

When asked about singing the Mass, Lombardi said, "Well he is a Jesuit after all, but Pope Francis will chant quietly in recto tono those parts of the Mass particular to him as the Holy Father has some difficulty with singing. 

The Pope will enter St. Peter's Basilica carried on the sede gestatoria not used since the short pontificate of Pope John Paul I, suspected of being murdered by the wolves Pope Benedict XVI warned about. As for papal vestiture, 

Monsignor Guido Marini verified that "the Pope will will be properly dressed." This will include the fanon, buskins and gloves as shown in this photo of Pope Paul VI. In fact, he will wear these exact vestments as shown including the mitre as these were used by Pope Paul VI the last Pontiff to celebrate the most solemn and ancient liturgy of the Latin Rite in St. Peter's Basilica. 

It was also announced that the papal court has been reconstituted today in the Motu Proprio "Quis ego sum iudex nimis" by Pope Francis and the procession will include the ostrich feathered flabellum not seen in over a half-century.  In an effort to dissuade fears amongst PETLNFB -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Large Non Flying Birds, Lombardi said that in "harmony with the upcoming encyclical on the environment, no ostriches were harmed in the accumulation of feathers." Father Lombardi was uncertain if the Holy Father would wear the Papal Tiera.

Lombardi also announced that Father Thomas J. Rosica, CSB, of Salt + Light Television, Canada's Catholic Channel of Hope will be handling the worldwide broadcast of the Holy Mass. In keeping with Pope Francis' Year of Mercy, Father Lombardi praised Rosica for his recent merciful example to an obscure and dyspeptic blogger. 

Sources indicate that ever since Father's interview with Bishop Bernard Fellay, SSPX, he has been secretly studying the traditional rites and has been consulting with experts at the Toronto Traditional Mass Society on the finer points of the liturgy. Father Rosica is studiously preparing to celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and the Ego Sum Vox Cantoris Schola Cantorum is expected to provide  Gregorian chant. The Mass is to be held at Holy Rosary Church to commemorate the departure of the Basilian Fathers and bless the recently renovated rectory. It is reported that the original rood screen, now stored away in the basement, is being reconstructed for the occasion, just in case.

Countering speculation that this story is too far-fetched to be true, Father Lombardi indicated that a new fresco has been unveiled outside the entrance to the Chapel of the Hotel Santa Marta where the Pope says Mass daily which should answer any doubts as to the veracity of his announcement.