Priest Advises a “Brokeback Lent”, Homily Encourages Propaganda Film

LifeSite ^ | March 7, 2006 | John-Henry Westen

[NYer]

Priest Advises a “Brokeback Lent”, Homily Encourages Propaganda Film

By John-Henry Westen

BOSTON, March 7, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The homosexual propaganda film Brokeback Mountain, besides winning three Oscars over the weekend, has shown itself as an adept tool for outing dissidents within the Catholic Church.  While committed Catholics have seen in the film as a dangerous propaganda tool which normalizes homosexuality, left-leaning Catholics have been hard-pressed to outdo one another in lauding the film.

First, the director for the USCCB Office for Film and Broadcasting Harry Forbes gushed over Brokeback saying, "Director Ang Lee tells the story with a sure sense of time and place, and presents the narrative in a way that is more palatable than would have been thought possible.”  (the review was substantially altered after LifeSiteNews.com exposed it http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/dec/05121607.html) 

Also, a prominent Dominican Leader, Rev. Tom Condon, student master for St. Martin de Porres Province of the Dominicans, lauded the film as “an engrossing story, a plea for tolerance, and a sad, emotional film that will touch anyone who has ever been in love.” ( http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06020703.html) 

Shortly thereafter, the liberal associate editor of Canada’s largest Catholic newspaper – the archdiocese of Toronto’s Catholic Register, extolled the films portrayal of the homosexual acts saying, “When the gay cowboy lovers first discover a way to be authentic with each other - truthful about their basic sexual attractions and the source of their happiness in each other - they achieve a resemblance to truth itself." (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06021508.html)

 Finally, the new Archbishop of San Francisco, whose installation was appreciatively received by the homosexual community, called the film “very powerful”. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/feb/06021306.html)

The latest example has Father John Allan Loftus, S.J. the Director of the Jesuit Urban Center at the Boston Church of the Immaculate Conception recommending a “Brokeback Lent.”  In his homily for Ash Wednesday, March 1, Loftus urged congregants to watch the film. “I suspect many in this community have already seen Brokeback Mountain,” he said. “If not see it; if you have, see it again and reflect on the consequences of not being interiorly free, the consequences of not knowing who you really are and want to become, the tragic consequences and subsequent devastation that comes from only living in a ‘pretend’ world.”

Rev. Loftus proposed, contrary to Catholic teaching, that sexual sin is not real sin, whereas not giving in to one's desires is sin. “For too many of us, what we think of as ‘our sinfulness,’ our not yet even being the full human beings we are created to become, remains a paltry and cheap catalogue of peccadillos, usually having something to do with sex or not being ‘charitable’ toward each other.  Those so-called ‘sins’ are hardly worth setting aside 40 days each year to ponder; those sins of yours or mine are hardly worth mentioning, really.”  Loftus continued, “There is something much bigger at stake here than my petty sinfulness, my unkindness, my frustrated sex life, or my infuriating love life.  The sin that is before us always is our refusal to grow into the freedom for which we were born.”

The fact that Brokeback Mountain is a propaganda film to normalize homosexuality has been attested to by even the secular media, but has also been analyzed as such by an expert in the field.  Dr. R. Winfield, in an article on the controversial film writes, “Having studied propaganda and its effects on societies for over 50 years, I can state unequivocally that the film Brokeback Mountain is one of the most blatant propaganda pieces of recent times.”

Winfield’s must-read analysis of the film points out that scenery, music and lighting were all expertly utilized in the film to create a “most effective” piece of propaganda which “comes in under the radar, it's innocuous and appeals to our humanity and emotions.”  (see the full analysis: http://www.rense.com/general69/prop.htm )

To contact Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley about Fr. Loftus

Seán Cardinal O'Malley, OFM Cap
Archbishop of Boston
Office:
2121 Commonwealth Av.
Boston, MA 02135-3192
Phone: 617-782-2544
FAX: 617-782-8358
http://www.rcab.org/Information/contactform.html

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[redgolum]

There is a Byzantine Catholic church in Davenport, and I told my wife that she might like it there. When my in laws come to town, I might be able to convince them to go to that.

[truemiester]

Great, another black eye for Catholics from the liberal underminning squad.

[magisterium]

I was there, as well. I especially liked the tweak Fr. Corapi gave to the archdiocese when he railed against the "Catholic politicians in Massachusetts and elsewhere" who have been allowed to act as they do while they go unchallenged as "Catholics." It was an indirect slap, but a needed one. And Fr. Corapi got a standing-o for it!

You're right, we are hardly a monolithic group of rump rangers up here. But we will have to listen to the abuse for as long as we are perceived as doing nothing about it. 5300 men got their marching orders last Saturday at that conference. I think they're of a mind to start "doing something" about it! The entire New England province, and the Archdiocese of Boston in particular, will soon be put on notice, by these men and those they influence, that they had better pay more attention to the doctrine of the Faith and the rank-and-file believers in that Faith, than they do to the politicians and "beautiful people" around here whom they schmooze to gain money and political influence - the attainment of which reliably winds-up being ill-served and counterproductive to the ends of our beliefs anyway.

[Romish_Papist]

I think another suppression may be in order.

[magisterium]

No. That was at the Paulist Center, right across from the Boston Common and the state house. Same difference, though, as they're both cut from the same bolt of cloth.

I have fantasies that, one day, the archbishop of Boston will say the same words to these clowns that one of his predecessors, Cardinal O'Connell, is reported to have said to a religious order that displeased him: "Get out of my diocese, and take your dead with you!"

[Barney Gumble]

I live in Houston, not Iowa. What is "EMHC"

[trisham]

Hurry up, Benedict. Please get on with it!

****************

Pope Benedict will have his hands full cleaning up the Church, not just in Boston, but here in the US. I believe he is up to it, although prayers can never hurt.

[NYer]

I live in Houston, not Iowa.

Copied you in on the response to the other freeper. Have you considered attending an Eastern Catholic Church ? (Same faith; different flavor).

What is "EMHC"

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

[warsaw44]

That was a great Saturday, wasn't it? I so enjoyed the day. The men there were obviously thirsting for the message that Father Corapi and others had to say.
I think the men in our part of the world need to start saying something to the priests in their parish when a problem arises. When the sermon or practices are counter to the teachings of Christ and the practices of The Church - say something. Or walk out! I've done it. I walked out of a total abomination of a service just a month or so ago.
If we just sit there docile, cap in hand, the abuses will continue.

[Barney Gumble]

I hadn't ever really thought about a Eastern church.

What's wrong with Eucharistic minsiters?

[NYer]

There is a Byzantine Catholic church in Davenport, and I told my wife that she might like it there. When my in laws come to town, I might be able to convince them to go to that.

Why wait? For years, attending Mass on Sunday turned into a gut wrenching penance. Familiar with the GIRM, I could not help but notice the subtle changes introduced by the pastor to this parish. For example, there was no Crucifix in the Sanctuary, a mandatory condition for a valid Mass. When I drew this to his attention, he assured me there was a crucifix on the altar ... ???? ... laying down. The GIRM is explicit - "There is to be a cross with a corpus on or near the altar and visible to the entire congregation." After citing the GIRM, he suggested that one of the Stations qualified. Can you imagine pleading with a priest to have the acolyte carry the processional cross in order that it might fulfill the requirements for a valid Mass!!

There were other 'small' changes, like words left out of prayers, wearing the wrong color vestments, etc. What sent me packing was watching a EMHC drop a consecrated host on the ground.

Unless Davenport is so far away as to be a day's outing, my recommendation is to attend their Divine Liturgy at least 3 times. The first visit is disorienting. The comfort level rises on the 2nd visit when you recognize certain prayers, or hymns. By the 3rd visit, you are sufficiently relaxed to begin following the liturgy.

It is the practice in ALL Eastern Catholic Churches to remain after liturgy (the term liturgy is used in place of Mass which is a Latin term) for refreshments. Father will want to introduce himself and answer any questions you may have.

I have freeped two other Roman Catholics who now attend a Byzantine Catholic Church. You may want to ask them about their experience and any comments or suggestions. In the meantime, you can learn more about that rite at:

Byzantine Catholic Church in America

[NYer]

I hadn't ever really thought about a Eastern church.

Most catholics in this country have not. Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:

"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).

Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.

To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).

To locate an Eastern Catholic Church in your community, follow the following link:

Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.

A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his of her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaldeans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.

Please freepmail me if you would like more information on the Eastern Catholic Churches.

What's wrong with Eucharistic minsiters?

The proper term is Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Only the priest is a Eucharistic minister.

There is nothing wrong with them if they have been properly formed and are educated in their responsibilities, according to the GIRM. In the example I cited above, the EMHC dropped a consecrated host and, unsure of what to do, turned towards the priest for guidance. He met her gaze then averted his, leaving the decision up to her. She picked up the errant host and redeposited it in her Pyrex glass communion cup. That host contains the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord. Up until VCII, there were no EMHCs. Only the priest could distribute communion. Should a host fall to the Sanctuary floor, the Mass was halted while the host was reverently disposed of, according to the proper norms.

[magisterium]

What's wrong with Eucharistic minsiters?

Well, there's nothing "wrong" with them, in one sense, after all, they are allowed. What's wrong is that they are massively overused and seldom properly trained. They are actually called "extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist," and this is for a reason.

Especially these days, with attendance way down in so many areas, seldom is the congregation large enough to have the use of EM's kick-in. They are to be used when either the congregation is so large that the priest(s) or deacon(s) cannot distrubute the Eucharist in a reasonably timely manner, or when the "ordinary" minister - the priest - is too ill or feeble to be able to handle distribution and the other ordinary ministers (deacon, ordained acolyte) are not present. That's about it for legitimate scenarios for the employment of EM's.

When these scenarios are not present, the use of EM's really constitutes an abuse. This abuse is institutionalized and compounded in this country and elsewhere when EM's are "scheduled" weeks or months in advance, are poorly trained for the task, or - especially! - when they are used and the *priest* sits down while they distribute without him!

Like allowing for communion in the hand, the rise of EM's originated in an abuse, which became so widespread that the Vatican had to allow it as a sort of "damage control." Rome's authority would simply be flouted, and they knew it, so it was blessed off as a practice. But the norms attached have been flouted in the meantime, so I wonder at the initial cave-in sometimes.

Anyway, in a typical parish these days, there isn't one Mass in a hundred where the use of EM's could "even sort" of be justified. They may be on the official books, but they are almost intrinsically an embodied abuse in nearly every case. Besides, they don't really speed things up much anyway, and why can't we have the extra two or three minutes they might save to commune silently with our Lord?

[Palladin]

We have a Russian Orthodox Church in our town. Is that the "same faith"? I've attended a couple of services there, and I like it very much. Very traditional, very conservative, and a very holy atmosphere.

[stop_fascism]

Seems to think like him as well. Afterall, BTK was just growing into the freedom he was born.

[NYer]

We have a Russian Orthodox Church in our town. Is that the "same faith"?

No. The Orthodox Church does not recognize the pope. But both are working towards reconciliation.

I've attended a couple of services there, and I like it very much. Very traditional, very conservative, and a very holy atmosphere.

Not surprised! The Orthodox have retained reverence in their liturgy.

Don't know where you live but you may want to check this link to see if there are any Easern Catholic Churches nearby. You will find the same level of reverence and respect and these churches are in full communion with the Magisterium.

Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.

[NYer]

"Get out of my diocese, and take your dead with you!"

Lol .... never heard this before. Did they leave on their own or did O'Connell send in reinforcements to help them with their baggage?

[magisterium]

Wel, the quote is sort of apocryphal, and I've forgotten all of the details, but the gist of it is along these lines:

When Archbishop William (Gangplank Bill) O'Connell first took over the Archdiocese of Boston (some time before he became Cardinal O'Connell), there was a religious order here that highly displeased him for some reason. They had apparently buried their dead on the grounds of the seminary. Soooo...after informing them of his displeasure, the archbishop ended his fulminations against this order by saying "Get out of my diocese, and take your dead with you!"

To this day, there is a large, sunken-in area of the seminary grounds; this is supposed to be the spot where the order's former members were laid to (unpermanent) rest.

Is it true? I dunno. I've heard from true believers, and I've heard from others who say the whole thing is hogwash based on his rather brusque personality. Excellent line though! One the current occupant of the office of archbishop may want to dust-off for real-life use, when it comes to several "Catholic" orders around here...

Why, if he'd do that, and rescind his order to close my church, we'd be on the best of terms indeed!...

[warsaw44]

NYer,
What exactly is the GIRM? The more I think about the issue of the Sanctuary Crucifix, the more I can not recall if it exists in my church.

[warsaw44]

By the way, did you notice the numbers of men receiving Communion on the tongue at the Boston Men's conference? It was really nice to see. One fellow I was speaking to brought up the subject during a break. He said there was a movement within the church to do away with communion taken in the hands. I had not heard that but it sure was nice to talk to someone who agreed with me about the subject.