Posted on 02/19/2016 8:56:40 PM PST by ebb tide
"There are times that lay Catholics have to step forward to say what we as priests cannot."
These were the words spoken to me during a time in my life that I felt called as a Catholic to defend my Catholic Church from an assault from within.
That time has come again this week. To do so is never easy.
For nearly three years now Catholics have defended Pope Francis as being "taken out of context" or "misunderstood" by the media. We have watched and cringed at what has come out of the Vatican, been ignored by the Vatican, and been arranged by the Vatican all under the watchful eye of Pope Francis.
This line of defense has worn itself out.
This week was the straw that broke this faithful Catholic's silence.
Aboard the Papal plane in an interview reported by the Associated Press (2/18/16) we read:
Abortion "is an evil in and of itself, but it is not a religious evil at its root, no? It's a human evil," Francis told reporters. "On the other hand, avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil. In certain cases, as in this one (Zika), such as the one I mentioned of Blessed Paul VI, it was clear."
No, Holy Father, it is not clear.
You are not clear.
What is clear, however are the doctrines of Holy Mother Church which have stood the test of time, survived liberal and false popes alike, war, famine, scandal, and repeated attempts at confusion and heresy from within and outside the Church.
And confusion, as we know, is not from God.
In Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI stated, "[W]e must once again declare that the direct interruption of the generative process already begun, and, above all, directly willed and procured abortion, even if for therapeutic reasons, are to be absolutely excluded as licit means of regulating birth. Equally to be excluded, as the teaching authority of the Church has frequently declared, is direct sterilization, whether perpetual or temporary, whether of the man or of the woman. Similarly excluded is every action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" (HV 14).
This was reiterated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "[E]very action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil" (CCC 2370). An excellent background and history of Catholic Church teaching can be found here.[1]
Use of contraception to avoid pregnancy is an absolute evil. The teaching on Contraception cannot be changed by an interview on a Papal airplane. However, the effects of such a statement being reported around the globe or heard in a one sentence news soundbite can be devastating and catastrophic. (It is important to note that in grave circumstances there are natural and effective ways to avoid pregnancy that obey and honor the teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.)
Pope Francis continues to apologize to everyone for everything we are as Catholics yet fails to recognize those who are the most offended by his actions and misrepresentations: the lovers of Truth and defenders of our One, Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church. The Catholic Church and Her teachings were handed down from Jesus Christ, Himself, who hung on the Cross and saw every second of time from the first created second to the final moment yet to come. Yes, including the Zika crisis at hand.
I appeal to Pope Francis to please retract his statement on contraception, stop the ongoing confusing statements in matters of faith, morals, and social teaching and return to clarity rooted in the timeless doctrine of the One True Church. I appeal to readers to intensify your prayers for this Pope.
We as Catholics are instructed and confirmed at an early age to prepare to suffer when in life we are called upon to defend our Catholic Faith. I know I will face many who do not approve of this writing. Some may say it is wrong to criticize the Holy Father. But human criticism is not what I fear the most. There are far greater ramifications here.
We as parents are entrusted with the souls of our children to raise them up to live a life that will lead them (and God willing, their children) to eternal happiness in Heaven. We teach them that they can always, always trust the teachings of the Church and we urge them to cling to "the Rock" in their most challenging times. Therefore it is very difficult for them to understand the difference between doctrinal Church teaching that can never be changed and a potentially heretical statement of Pope Francis which is clearly influenced by the liberals that surround and advise him.
This type of statement on contraception disguised as compassion can mislead souls into the grave sin of practicing birth control risking their eternal salvation.
That is what this mother of nine fears the most.
And so I cannot remain silent.
Well said.
My Catholic brothers and sisters, now it the time to renew your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There are Victors (over comers) in every one of the Seven types of Churches. Right now the Pope seems hell bent on taking the Catholic Church to Laodicea. Please, don’t go with him, it ends badly for those who do.
Revelation 2
7 “’”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God.”’
- - - - -
11 “’”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The victor shall not be harmed by the second death.”’
17 “’”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet upon which
is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.”’
- - - - -
24 But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not uphold this teaching and
know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan: on you I will place no further burden,
25 except that you must hold fast to what you have until I come.
26 “’”To the victor, who keeps to my ways until the end, I will give authority over the nations.
27 He will rule them with an iron rod. Like clay vessels will they be smashed,
28 just as I received authority from my Father. And to him I will give the morning star.
29 “’”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
- - - - -
Revelation 3
4 However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments;
they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.
5 “’”The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name
from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my
Father and of his angels.
6 “’”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
- - - - -
20 “’”Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.
21 I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself
first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne.
22 “’”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”
- - - - -
* [2:7] Victor: referring to any Christian individual who holds fast to the faith
and does God’s will in the face of persecution. The tree of life that is in the
garden of God: this is a reference to the tree in the primeval paradise (Gn 2:9);
cf. Rev 22:2, 14, 19. The decree excluding humanity from the tree of life has
been revoked by Christ.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/2
http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/3
Between contraception, abortion, women giving up childbearing for a career, promotion of alternative lifestyles and flooding this countries with illegals - the West has taken a massive hit. I’m not sure we can come back from this. A major shakeup would need to occur.
“Personally, I don’t see how “flooding this countries with illegals” (sic) fits in with the others, as a great many of the Hispanic families who came across are - well — families, espousing and living more traditional family values than many U.S citizens, including lower use of artificial contraceptives.
Obviously you’ve never visited California
In addition to the 42 percent rate for Hispanic immigrants, the illegitimacy rate is now 39 percent for black immigrants, 11 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 12 percent for white immigrants.
A 42% illegitimacy rate is not a "family."
Illegitimacy also can be measured by the share of unmarried women who give birth. One out of every 12 unmarried immigrant women had a baby in 2003; for natives it was one out of 25. For Hispanic immigrants it was one in seven.
Sound like "traditional values?" Really?
Another reason to think illegitimacy is more related to culture than legal status is that college-educated Hispanic immigrants, only a small share of whom are illegal, still have triple the rate of illegitimacy as college educated natives.
Just because they’re nominally “Catholic” doesn’t mean they have anything remotely resembling “traditional family values.”
The “Devil” is alive and well and living amongst us. This may be his finest hour.
Great article. Kudos to Mrs. Giroux!
Uh oh,...mother of nine. Rabbit-like breeder!
Ping!
Amen and well said. I think we need another Papal retirement
Good article
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