Replies

Colleen .... Pius IV??? or Pius VI!

RobbyS .... A decade later, refusing to accept Humanae Vitae, Cogley became an Episcopalian. At least Cogley was one of the honest ones; most of his ilk have stayed in the Church.

You are so right! Those who don't like the teachings of the church should just leave! However, remember this, when Paul VI issued the encyclical "Humanae Vitae", it was generally anticipated that the catholic church would now "get with modern times" and follow the example set by its protestant brethren. There were stunned reactions; some women actually felt betrayed by yet another 'man' in the 'male' dominated society. They clung to their hopes then as now, that one day the catholic church would accept contraception, abortion, and the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Paul VI was prophetic in taking the hardened stance that he did! Looking back on that moment in time, today, I can see how the Holy Spirit guides the church. How easy it would have been to go along with the crowd. That encyclical stands as testimony to our Lord's promise that He would be with us all days.

Recommended reading from another freeper:

DIVINI REDEMPTORIS (On Atheistic Communism) Pope Pius XI - Encyclical promulgated on 19 March 1937

(read especially item #71)

71. To all Our children, finally, of every social rank and every nation, to every religious and lay organization in the Church, We make another and more urgent appeal for union. Many times Our paternal heart has been saddened by the divergencies—often idle in their causes, always tragic in their consequences—which array in opposing camps the sons of the same Mother Church. Thus it is that the radicals, who are not so very numerous, profiting by this discord are able to make it more acute, and end by pitting Catholics one against the other. In view of the events of the past few months, Our warning must seem superfluous. We repeat it nevertheless once more, for those who have not understood, or perhaps do not desire to understand. Those who make a practice of spreading dissension among Catholics assume a terrible responsibility before God and the Church.**

I have a kind of different take on the John F.Kennedy story. I think his worst mistake was compromising and/or lying about his commitment to Catholicism. I believe he did that to get to the Presidency in order to curb the tide,engulfing the world.

Rereading Divini Redemptoris,reminds me of the wordview of ordinary devout Catholics in the fifties. Communism was the true and real enemy of the Church.By then the Church had already been infiltrated by communists but the Church was pursuing a steady course,and making converts in the process. This was dismaying to those who thought WWII would strike the death blow to Christianity.

Many in the Catholic education system sold out to the enemy for the almighty dollars that came to those who provided research that affirmed the "desired" conclusions of the "powers that were".These were the churchmen who went to Vatican II and upended it.

Kennedy was permitted to win the election only because he convinced them,he was a new breed of Catholic,in other words not committed.He was surrounded by "academia",who later lionized him which then allowed for debunking him.I know this sounds confusing but his assasination caused me to do a good deal of reading,thinking and praying at the time it occurred.I was convinced that he was murdered because when his "masters" pulled his strings,he did not respond as expected.

I watched Charles Keating do somewhat the same thing as the Kennedy's did,i.e.,joining the "game" that was being played by the big boys and once in,trying to influence the prevailing "zeitgeist". He only went to prison for his transgressions but his family was ruined in the process.

I also am convinced that Reagen was not supposed to live but at least was suffiently scared into a somewhat immobilized position. Ditto,Pope John PaulII,who just became more careful in his proclamations.

If anyone has read Taylor Caldwell's "Captains and Kings",i'd be interested in your take on it. Thanks.