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BISHOPS SUPPORTING INVESTIGATION OF VIGANO'S ALLEGATIONS

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/list-of-bishops-cardinals-who-support-investigating-viganos-claims-live-upd

Here is a current list of Catholic cardinals and bishops who support an investigation into Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò's allegations that included a call for the resignation of the pope.

Archbishop Viganò

Compiled by LifeSite News: 

Bishop Joseph Strickland, Diocese of Tyler, Texas: August 26, 2018 – “Let us be clear that they are still allegations but as your shepherd I find them to be credible. Using this standard the response must be a thorough investigation.”

Bishop David Konderla, Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma: August 26, 2018 ​– “I count myself blessed that it was Archbishop Viganò who called me to tell me that I was appointed fourth bishop of Tulsa. The allegations he details mark a good place to begin the investigations that must happen in order for us to restore holiness and accountability to the leadership of the Church.”

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Astana, Kazakhstan: August 27, 2018 – “There is...no reasonable and plausible cause to doubt the truth content of the document of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.” “Ruthlessness and transparency in detecting and in confessing the evils in the life of the Church will help to initiate an efficient process of spiritual and moral purification and renewal.”

Cardinal Raymond Burke: August 27, 2018 – “The declarations made by a prelate of the authority of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò must be totally taken to heart by those responsible in the Church...Each declaration must be subject to investigation, according to the Church’s time-tried procedural law.”

Bishop Robert Morlino, Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin: August 27, 2018 – “During his tenure as our Apostolic Nuncio, I came to know Archbishop Viganò both professionally and personally...I remain deeply convinced of his honesty, loyalty to and love for the Church, and impeccable integrity.” “The criteria for credible allegations are more than fulfilled, and an investigation, according to proper canonical procedures, is certainly in order.”

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas: August 27, 2018 – “On August 1st, I promised that USCCB would exercise the full extent of its authority, and would advocate before those with greater authority, to pursue the many questions surrounding Archbishop McCarrick….The recent letter of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò brings particular focus and urgency to this examination. The questions raised deserve answers that are conclusive and based on evidence.”

Archbishop Allen Vigneron, Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan: August 27, 2018 – "We have nothing to fear in facing squarely the allegations made by Archbishop Viganò. I join with the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Detroit in praying for the triumph of truth and transparency – and praying that it comes quickly. Whether the Archbishop’s claims are confirmed or proved to be unfounded, the truth which comes to light will show us the sure path to the purification and reform of the Church."

Bishop Jaime Soto, Diocese of Sacramento, California: August 27, 2018 - “The concerns raised by the former nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, are serious and call for an honest, transparent response.”

Bishop Larry Silva, Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii: August 27, 2018 –  “I pray that the investigation he calls for will go forward with all honesty to reveal the truth, so that we can all be healed of this terrible cancer that has infected the life of our Church. Please redouble your prayers and sacrifices so that the Holy Spirit will lead us to all truth.“

Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron, Archdiocese of Los Angeles: August 27, 2018 — “Some things seemed very driven by emotion. But other things seemed far more substantive and specific and — at least he claims — tied to documentation. Is it worth looking at? Yes. You bet. This is not some minor player. This is the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. When I was at my first meeting after first becoming a bishop, it was Archbishop Viganò who rose to speak to us on behalf of the Pope. So this is not an insubstantial figure, and he's making some serious claims. I'd say look into them. Let's take an honest, objective look at what's being claimed here.”

Bishop Thomas Daly, Diocese of Spokane, Washington: August 27, 2018— “The U.S. Bishops Conference is pursuing plans to be decided on in our next meeting in November for a response to this present crisis that will include crucial lay involvement — a proposal that I support.” “In regards to Archbishop Viganò's letter, Bishop Daly concurs with the statement of Cardinal DiNardo, President of the US Bishops Conference.”

Bishop Robert Deeley, Diocese of Portland, Maine: August 27, 2018 — “I am profoundly disheartened by the reports that have emerged in recent weeks regarding Archbishop McCarrick and the grand jury report in Pennsylvania.” “I am encouraged that Cardinal DiNardo, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, made an announcement today concerning the way in which we, as bishops, will respond to this crisis.”

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona: August 28, 2018 – “Although I have no knowledge of the information that he reveals in his written testimony of August 22, 2018, so I cannot personally verify its truthfulness, I have always known and respected him as a man of truthfulness, faith and integrity.” “I ask that Archbishop Viganò’s testimony be taken seriously by all, and that every claim that he makes be investigated thoroughly.” “Whoever has covered up these shameful acts must be brought to the light of day.”

Bishop Donald J. Hying, Diocese of Gary, Indiana: August 28, 2018 –“These are grave charges. Clearly, these assertions must be investigted and shown either true of false.”

Archbishop Leonard Blair, Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut: August 28, 2018 – “The recent very troubling statement of Archbishop Vigano...brings, in the words of the President of our U.S. Conference of Bishops, 'particular forcus and urgency' to the 'examination into how the grave moral failings of a brother bishop could have been tolerated for so long and proven no impediment to his advancement.' This is a profound concern that we all share and the truth has to be told.” “I pledge to do my part as a Bishop to unmask whatever has led to our present anguish.”

Bishop Thomas Paprocki, Diocese of Springfield, Illinois: August 28, 2018– “Given the gravity of the content and implications of the former Nuncio’s statement, it is important for all the facts of this situation to be fully reviewed, vetted, and carefully considered. Toward that end, Pope Francis, Vatican officials and the current Apostolic Nuncio should make public the pertinent files indicating who knew what and when about Archbishop (formerly Cardinal) McCarrick and provide the accountability that the Holy Father has promised.” Speaking of Pope Francis' no comment, Bishp Paprocki said: “Frankly, but with all due respect, that response is not adequate.”

Archbishop Paul Coakley, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: August 28, 2018 – “I have the deepest respect for Archbishop Viganó and his personal integrity.” “This document merits, indeed it demands deeper examination and verification of each of its claims.” “I am deeply troubled by the assertions contained in this unprecedented document.”

Bishop Carl Kemme, Diocese of Wichita: August 29, 2018 – “In the brief time that my service here as bishop and his service as papal nuncio coincided, I always thought highly of his leadership and regarded him as someone whom the Church could be proud of in her service.” “The allegations of such a respected bishop in the Church and one charged with such great responsibility as the papal nuncio to the United States demands...an investigation.”

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Archdiocese of San Francisco: August 29, 2018 –  “I can attest that he is a man who served his mission with selfless dedication, who fulfilled well the Petrine mission entrusted to him by the Holy Father to ‘strengthen his brothers in the faith’.” Viganó’s revelations “must be taken seriously.” “I join my voice to that of other bishops in calling for such an investigation and for taking any corrective action that may be necessary in light of its findings,”

Bishop Kevin Vann, Diocese of Orange, California: August 29, 2018  – “Given the grave accusations leveled by the former apostolic nuncio, I believe that it is necessary for the Holy Father to ensure that a competent investigation be undertaken swiftly. The truth of each accusation having been established, just penalties should be imposed upon those found guilty with the goal of repairing scandal and restoring justice.” “I would add that I see Archbishop Viganò as a man of integrity, having known him for many years.”

Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Freyer, Diocese of Orange, California: August 29, 2018 – Added his name to Bishop Kevin Vann’s letter

Auxiliary Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen, Diocese of Orange, California: August 29, 2018 – Added his name to Bishop Kevin Vann’s letter

Archbishop Samuel Aquila, Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado: August 30, 2018 – “In my interactions with Archbishop Vigano I have found him to be a man of deep faith and integrity. I join Cardinal DiNardo and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Executive Committee in calling for the Holy See to conduct a thorough investigation that includes granting authority to a lay commission to examine the many questions that surround Archbishop McCarrick, such as who was involved in covering-up his gravely immoral behavior or failed to act to stop it.”

Bishop Emeritus Edward Slattery, Diocese of Tulsa and Eatern Oklahoma, Oklahoma: August 30, 2018 – “If there is corruption surrounding the Chair of Peter, then instead of being the Church's visible source and foundation of her unity (as Christ intended) the office of Peter's successor becomes a source of mistrust, division and scandal. The time has come for His Holiness, Pope Francis, to initiate an immediate, full and exhaustive inquiry into the allegations surrounding his office and his relations with the highest ranking members of the American Hierarchy.” “I want to join my name publicly to his and to those other bishops in calling for this initiative so that by this investigation, the Church may fearlessly identify the corruption within, and by prayer and penance root it out.”

Archbishop Dennis Schnurr, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio: August 30, 2018 - “It seems to me the only way to really get to the bottom of the entire situation is to open the McCarrick file. There’s got to be files, you know, both in Washington D.C. and at the Vatican on all of this correspondence. As you say, Archbishop Vigano mentions quite a few of the documents. But again, his testimony is based upon his recollection. Others are saying this is not our recollection. Well, the only way to get to the facts is to look at the file. And I hope and pray that the file is opened. I see no other way to get out of this very painful, this very sad, situation.”

Bishop Michael Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington, Virginia: August 30, 2018 –  “We need to review (this) letter carefully, comprehensively, thoroughly and evidence needs to be given.” “But the bottom line is, we need to know the truth. All the faithful need to hear the answers to the questions. Cardinal DiNardo is asking the Holy Father to assist in putting into place the support we need to get those answers.” “Let’s have due process. We need clarity but allow that to take place. There’s no need to discredit or make judgments at this point.  Let’s follow that process.”

Bishop Thomas Tobin, Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island: August 30, 2018 – “The allegations lodged by Archbishop Viganò involving Pope Francis are substantive, and need to be investigated in a prompt and just manner.” The “present impasse in the Church, unfolding on an international level, has caused confusion and division among the faithful, even locally.” “Only Pope Francis can resolve the serious crisis in which the Church now finds herself, and I respectfully urge His Holiness to address this matter as soon as possible. The future direction of the Church, its spiritual welfare, and the faith of God’s people, are at stake.”

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas: August 31, 2018 – “In my experience of Archbishop Vigano during his tenure as apostolic nuncio, he was a man of integrity. There are also respected sources that are contesting elements of Archbishop Vigano’s statement.  This development makes it even more imperative that we embrace Cardinal DiNardo’s commitment to pursue the truth of why McCarrick was allowed to continue to exercise public ministry and continue in the College of Cardinals, when his sexual misconduct and abuse of power were already known. We must do all that we can to ascertain the truth and then allow the chips to fall where they may.”

Bishop Daniel Thomas, Diocese of Toledo, Ohio: August 31, 2018 – “I stand united with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Executive Committee in calling the Holy See to conduct a prompt and thorough examination.” “It is not only a critical, but a moral obligation, to get to the truth surrounding who in the Church knew of Archbishop McCarrick’s behavior and whether there was a concerted effort to protect him.  Personally, this situation is made all the more gut-wrenching as I struggle to reconcile my knowledge of Archbishop Viganó, for whom I have a high regard, with my deepest love and respect for the office of the Holy Father.”

Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone, Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina: August 31, 2018 – “It is imperative that the Holy See take a leadership role in investigating the rise of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick​.” “It is absolutely necessary for all of us to know how and why this happened. Action must occur immediately and publicly. I, too, strongly support an investigation by the Holy See along with a national lay commission with its own authority to seek the truth about the statements made by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano.”

Bishop Robert Gruss, Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota: August 31, 2018– “Further questions have arisen in the released testimony from the former Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, in which he makes serious allegations about the Archbishop McCarrick abuse case. I join my voice with Cardinal DiNardo and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Executive Committee in calling for the Holy See to conduct a thorough investigation that includes granting authority to a lay commission to examine the many questions that surround the case of Archbishop McCarrick.”

Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt, Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska: September 4, 2018 – “Because Archbishop Viganò held a unique and important position of leadership serving the Church in our country, the questions raised in his statement must be taken seriously.” “I want to add my voice in support of (Cardinal DiNardo's) call for a prompt and thorough examination of this entire crisis in leadership.”

Auxiliary Bishop Marian Eleganti, Diocese of Chur, Switzerland: September 5, 2018 – Bishop Eleganti has called for an independent “objective commission" since the “institution (of the Church) should not investigate itself.” “The (homosexual) networks have to be investigated...all of us have to face and endure this truth.” A “great purification” is needed, he also said. Bishop Eleganti welcomes this “inner shake-up,” saying, “rather let things come out now, and a purification takes place.” “With all respect toward people with a homosexual inclination who do not commit any sexual assaults, it does not help to close the eyes in front of the facts when dealing with sexual assaults. Without full transparency and truthfulness, there will be no credible investigation, nor any effective prevention.”

Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa: September 6, 2018 - “I support and echo Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in his statement of Aug. 27.” “I believe Archbishop Viganó and, at the same time, we need more information. In the matter of transparency in disciplining bishops, no one is above the law; and no bishop, regardless of diocese or rank or standing, may hope to evade...the canonical laws of the church in the exercise of our duties. Therefore, let the harsh light of truth come, with its healing and freeing power.”

Bishop David Walkowiak, Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan: September 10, 2018 – “The 11-page testimony released by Archbishop Viganò needs to be investigated to the fullest extent. We need to arrive at the truth. Only a thorough investigation will determine whether the claims made by the Archbishop are true. If they are true, action needs to be taken promptly to fix these failures.”

DO NOT GO SILENT!

I AM SORRY

An Open Letter To Catholics

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I am noticing something missing in the USCCB response to the current Catholic sex scandal and bishops cover-ups. Perhaps they are not connecting the dots the same way I am.  Few are saying this is a homosexual predation problem (certainly, most of the bishops are not). And it is true: about 80% of the incidents were men abusing young men. But, many are saying that the problem is demonic. And indeed, when crucifixes, crosses and Christian images are used as part of the gruesome, blasphemous abuse by priests, this goes way beyond men needing selfish, gratuitous sexual stimulation. What we are seeing played out is Satan using God's innocent children to striking out at Him. Satan's calculated, merciless enmity with God is seen in this infinite and absolute malevolence.

Now, we are left with good priests and bishops stammering with shock as they discuss policies to prevent the impossible: stopping Satan from waging war with Christ's Church.

Yet, there is no policy, no canon law, (no matter how effective) that will slow down Satan's juggernaut of hatred for all that is good and innocent and pure. This is a spiritual battle that must be met with serious spiritual strategy.  And though the Catholic hierarchy must put in place policies that will expose and deal with abuse, their is literally no more the USCCB can do to force priests and bishops to love Christ.

Ground zero in this spiritual Armageddon is the rejection of the Holy Spirit. It is the sacraments vs. temptation and for some people temptation wins. So, how does a Church begin to go about stopping people from falling to temptation? Even the divine sacraments—where the priests daily live and breathe and become the Alter Christus during the mass—have failed to prevent some priests' fall to temptation. Of course priests would be ground zero for the spiritual war by Satan. Get to God through His Bride, the Church and its Alter Christus priests.

Just why in the last few decades priests and bishops especially fall prey to the Devil is beyond the scope of this letter. However, if we know who our enemy is, we can fight him. And it is of cosmic importance that we, Catholic laity, take responsibility for fighting for the church now.

Why?

Because Catholics need to clearly understand that this sin is much bigger than even the Catholic Church. And from what I have seen, even the clergy don't seem to grasp the bigger picture. (Perhaps they are in the first stages of denial.)

So what is the big picture?

It is our teaching that there is no such thing as a private sin. Scriptures tells us we all share in the sins of the Body of Christ, therefore we must all share in the shame and repentance.

Love of GodFirst and most importantly, the leadership's failure has led the entire Church into sin against God! We must be reconciled as a Body of Christ back to Christ.

Love of Neighbor

We are to be the light of the world! My God! Christ entrusted the gospel to us! He gave us the great saving commission of taking the good news to the world and this scandal has placed a massive gulf of distrust between the Catholic church and the Cross. As the Mother Church, our sins are being seen as fulfilling the New Testament prophecy of the Whore of Babylon! This scandal will effect the souls of Protestants and potential believers who will be kept from the life-giving sacraments.

We must become Church Militant and battle to prevent souls from being lost. The eternal casualties will come not only from Catholics leaving but our Protestants Brothers and Sisters in Christ! We cannot wait for the clergy to do it. We laity must lead and form the spiritual warriors. And I know, having come from among the most anti-Catholic Protestants, that there is hope. Protestants will see our love for Christ and their hearts will be softened against us when they see our public outcry and humble repentance. But they must see it.

And remember that it is not only for the Christians around the world at the moment, but this for Christians in the future! History will be watching us—2018 United States of America Catholics. Christians centuries from now will have a label for this time in history just as they have named other Church moments: Arianism. Donatism. Crusades. The Western Schism. Inquisition. Reformation.

Interestingly, last year was the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In 2518 the world will be remembering us as? Will it be the 500th anniversary of "The Catholic Sexual Predation" or will it be more like "Viva Cristo Rey"  This moment will go down in history as the worst scandal and shame of all Christian history when saints and heroes stepped up and stormed the gates of hell and prevailed.

What is our battle plan?

Serious prayer and fasting for the church. And serious, dedicated penance in behalf of our leaders. And for our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ—to  heal the wound we have given them? Some of it must be public.

Let this be the year that Catholics all over the United States show our love and our sorrow and not just our anger. The media needs to cover us as we do medieval penitential processions.

Don't wait for your priest to lead this. The laity can do it. It doesn't matter if one person is kneeling and praying in public or ten thousand. The numbers may attract more attention (which is good) but the two-cents of almsgiving of one sincere person doing penance can be worth a hundred people coming and praying without sincerity.

This is a time of the Crucifixion of our Church. And we must accept our Cross and return it with love. We need to ask our Protestant neighbors, friends and family to forgive our church. And if necessary allow them to heap their anger upon us—responding with humble love. The surprise at our love for them may be just what we need for Christian unity.

So it is really our moment—you and I.  What are we going to do to make certain that in the following centuries this moment will not be recalled with the same horror as the word "Inquisition" but rather with the thoughts of great and heroic Catholic saints. Please, be the holy saints.

HOW CAN YOU STILL BE CATHOLIC?

That is a great question.

Right now, all over the internet Protestants are calling for Catholics to "Come out of her, my people" claiming the clergy sex scandal proves that the Catholic Church is and has always been the Whore of Babylon. And frankly, who doesn't think that we deserve such a label right now? At the very least people are curious about why we would stay faithful to a church who has such wicked clergy.

The responses I read and hear from Catholics are deficient. They defend the Church with, "Catholic clergy have less sexual predation than other churches and way, way less than public schools!" It is true that our sexual predation is no more than other religious groups and it is a lot worse in other institutions. However, "but mom, everybody does it," is a childish excuse.

Bad men take advantage of powerful authority. The structure of the Catholic clergy gives cover to their lust. It is a place where greed can feed. But it is an absolute abomination that this has happened and more—that it is not dealt with and it is covered-up. Satan will come with false Shepherds, that is forewarned. But when shepherds cover it up and allow these devils to freely prey on the innocent sheep…. that is an abomination of desolation. Scripture records that when God's messengers encounter men, the first thing they command is for them to have courage. And this horror happens when good men's courage fails.

[TAKE NOTE OTHER CHURCHES: The Catholic Church's great crisis serves as a warning to you. Do not protect Your Church when they are covering up evil. Deal with internal problems instead of covering them up!]

Now, to answer the question: Why would we continue to remain faithful to a church where Satan seems to have enthroned himself? Why don't we leave?

For a superficial response, I could say, "Why would you watch any media when some of it is fake? Why would you see any movie out of Hollywood when there are Harvey Weinsteins in it? Or why would you continue to be an American when Trump is president? The short answer is: a few bad people do not define the group.

To give a fuller explanation, I will have to return to my Protestant roots.
To a Protestant, you are Protestant like you are Republican or Democrat. You can switch sides if you no longer believe what your group stands for. Protestants are united in truth, or what each person believes is the truth. They agree on the doctrines and teachings of their church. Even if you are raised in a particular denomination, it is eventually a connection made by assent. At some point in your life you stay in the denomination by a decision of your will. And you can leave your Protestant church like you can leave a job.

Protestants can fire a bad pastor. Priests can't be fired anymore than a father can be fired by his children.

Catholics have a fundamental perception of the Church that is vastly different from Protestants. We do not see the church as an organization. We see it as a family. Catholics have always believed that Christ founded a community, a church that would be filled with His family. We are genetically made into the family of God—not symbolically, not united simply by our agreement of doctrines. As important as truth is, Catholics believe that truth flows from the family of God. Truth is the outcome of being united with Christ. The Bible and the truth is sourced in the House of God—the Church. Converts to Catholicism are drawn to the family of God who Christ said is the foundation and bulwark of the truth. This is a vital distinction from Protestants.

Therefore, it is similar to this situation: If a father is found to have been a mass murderer, his children cannot erase their connection to him. Even if they can physically placed themselves in a different geographic location they are eternally genetically connected to their father. That is the Catholic connection to their Church. Catholics can even apostate and call themselves Protestant but the Church will never recognize that they are not fundamentally Catholic. We can no more say that a Catholic is a Protestant anymore than we can say a biological male is a biological female. We still consider Martin Luther a Catholic priest. Even in hell, Catholics will forever bear the indelible mark of being a Christian (Catholic/Christians—same thing in a Catholics' mind). Because when you are Catholic it is a genetic connection.

How is this possible?

Unlike the doctrinal/truth connection of Protestants, Catholics have the Eucharist. We partake of the Body and Blood of Christ at each mass. Each time we commune with God through His Presence in the manna/bread of life/Eucharist, we are physically becoming part of the Body of Christ.

Catholics are Biblical literalists in ways Protestants are not. For two thousand years, Christians/Catholics have taken these passages literally:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My Body.” Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26: 26-28

Catholics do not daily go to church in order to be inspired by a sermon or even simply to hear the Word of God. Christians can stay home and listen to a sermon online and read scripture. I want to be clear though. At mass, absolutely, we hear the Word of God spoken and we are exhorted by a sermon. But that is not the summit and point of mass. It something far, far greater—we go in order to receive Christ literally into our bodies. When Christ said, "This is My Body. This is My Blood," we know those are supernatural Divine mysteries that make us—Christ's Bride—one with Him.

We take this passage Christ spoke literally (and please go and read all of John 6, I am only recording a few phrases here):

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.…So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' ” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe…. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world….Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

When Catholics participate in the Eucharist, ("Give us this day, our daily bread") we are partaking of the mystical bread of heaven spoken about in the above passages. By our regularly doing this "in remembrance" of Him, we are being restored to the original Adam before the fall. We are becoming as He made us "in His image and likeness." This is not symbolic and Catholics have no human words to adequately describe it, anymore than we can describe the Trinity. It is something we grasp by faith.

And when we become embroiled in such an abomination—this horrific evil of predatory homosexual priests—faithful Catholics are devastated because these fathers are part of God's genetic family and we can't escape the scandal even if we were to distance ourselves geographically from them.

Jesus told us that these things would happen. Judas betrayed the Son of Man also. And when the Shepherd was struck by Satan, the sheep scattered. Satan is again striking the shepherds by infiltration of a group of very powerful false shepherds. Scripture foretold of Antichrists coming, Prophets and saints wrote to warn us that in the last days, there will descend upon the church an abomination of desolation that will shake the church to its foundation. Yet, we are never to lose our faith, because Christ promised to His Church, "Lo, I will be with you to the end of the age," and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against you."

Because of this catastrophic wickedness that have come from the leaders, we can assume the Apocalypse has come and it seems as if the very gates of hell have been opened wide and the destroyer has been unleashed. The man of perdition is in the Holy place and for those who are paying attention to the spiritual realm, it is a terrifying time. And Catholics must throw ourselves at the feet of God in humble prostration, many of us are verging on despair begging Him to explain what is going on and to help us!

Finally I want to end with the next passage of John 6.

And lately we continually ask Christ when we hear these things, "On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. (From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.) “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asks us today. [And faithful Catholic must answer Him in the words of Peter]: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” See John 6:60-68.

We are Catholic because there is no where else to go. We cannot escape our baptism and our anointing anymore than Jonah could run from his duty. And if we try to, we shouldn't be surprised if we are swallowed by a whale. We are family and that means this crisis is our own personal family crisis. The war has come to our door and we must now spiritually fight or spiritually die.

IS THE BLESSED MOTHER RELEVANT? (Interview with Mgr. John Armitage)

Adventists Are Catholic

Note: Though this is based on an actual conversation, I will elaborate a bit —improving it for clarity.)

Years ago an Adventist asked me how I could become Catholic, when that church was so incredibly wrong that an entire Protestant movement had to be miraculously birthed by God to break the bonds of the people of God under such a tyrant as the pope. The Adventist  brought up all the usual suspects…."They changed the Sabbath to Sunday" as proof.

I had already had this conversation many times with others and it always went the same way—no matter how many facts and texts you brought up, the SDA seemed to understand nothing of other Christian's perspective. They would always bring it back to the mantra, "But the fourth commandment…."

This time, I took a different approach.

"If I am to remain a Christian, I have no choice but to be a Catholic."

The Adventist didn't flinch at that statement but remained silent. I continued, "You should not be trapped into this one concern about the Catholic Church changing the Sabbath. The SDA church doesn't ask a much more obvious question. They accuse us of having changed the Sabbath but in reality according to the Protestant perspective we changed something much, much more important. We changed the very nature of God." The Adventist looked at me skeptically.

"It is true. If you look at the God of the Old Testament, He looks different than that of the New Testament. The Old Testament—the Hebrew scriptures—shows us only one entity of the Godhead. The New Covenant reveals the Trinity."

"You see," I continued, "way before they 'changed the sabbath' (we didn't— but for argument's sake I repeated their accusation) Catholics revealed the triune God of three separate persons, and all that entails— but only one God. That was a revolutionary revelation to the world by the Catholic Church. It was so controversial that this teaching caused blood to be shed. Eventually, all Christians accepted this and no one today would call themselves Christian and say they don't believe in the Trinity. If they did say it, the vast majority of historic Christianity—Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants would claim they were no longer a Christian. The Trinity doctrine is the first definition of Christianity.

Indeed today the Muslim world sees us as polytheistic heretics because they think we rejected monotheism. The early Adventists rejected the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, repeating what all people who reject the Trinity say. They said that the Trinity is a Catholic construct that is not found in scripture. And indeed, you cannot find a clear 'thus saith the Lord' that says there is a three-person Godhead, all co-equal. The Trinity can be constructed through a Catholic reading of scripture, but the Catholic church does not go to scripture for its doctrine of the Trinity. They go straight to the teachings of the Apostles—some of which wrote down nothing. It was a doctrine that was preached, not written down at the time, nor recorded in scripture—it is part of oral tradition."

I pointed out that if Adventists believe Protestants are giving homage to the Catholic Church and refusing to believe the Bible about Sabbath, how much MORE are the Protestants—including Adventists—giving homage to the Catholic Church by believing the Trinity dogma when it is way, way less clear in scripture than the Sabbath. By accepting the Trinity doctrine, Adventists are really Catholic and they just don't know it.

I then told the Adventist that there is something else in which he is more Catholic than he realizes. If he accepts the New Testament as the Word of God, he is a Catholic. Because:

"Think about it: there are no original manuscripts of the New Testament. The Catholic Church burnt the original manuscripts out of respect. (That was protocol back then.) Today, no one has any proof of what those original gospels and letters had written in them. We don't even know for sure that they existed because the originals don't exist! We have no early complete copies of the New Testament until almost three hundred years after Christ's death. The earliest complete Biblical codices are: Vaticanus: AD 325, Sinaiticus, c. AD 350, Alexandrinus c. AD 400-440). There are small papyri fragments of earlier copies that date back to the first century, but they include so few words that they could not be used as evidence to expose any later tampering.

"There were three hundred years of copying, disseminating, translating the story of Jesus and His Apostles without the New Testament being put together in one organized Christian Bible. That is equivalent to the timeframe of a century before the establishment of the United States till today. That is a long time to have the gospels and teachings of the Apostles being circulated without being put together into the Bible.

"The Catholic Church had complete charge of the New Testament we have today—copying, translating, disseminating, and interpreting. The Catholics will vehemently deny that any part of the Word of God was changed, but they can only use insider Catholic testimony to prove this. The Catholic's evidence is of Catholic saints and bishops and teachers who will attest to the Church's vigilant guard over the scriptures. And that proof will never satisfy an Adventist because they believe that the Catholic Church had become the Whore of Babylon by the time the first complete Bible was developed and produced.

"Yet, Adventist have to trust the Catholic Church who originally taught that the New Testament was the Word of God. No Protestant would have ever heard of the New Testament nor it being the Word of God if it weren't for the Catholic Church. God placed today's Adventists in a situation where they must trust the Catholic Church—at least for the first thousand years—to have preserved God's written word."

"But God, not the Catholic Church, protected His holy Word." The SDA protested.

"Can anyone prove that?" I inquired.

"Well, there is no proof, but I know it." He argued, "The book inspires me every time I read it. I just know it in my heart because the Holy Spirit tells me."

I explained to him that Muslims think the same of the Koran, as do Eastern religions of their sacred books. There is no empirical proof that the Bible is the Word of God except for what the Catholics originally taught. "So if you believe the New Testament is God's Word, you are a Catholic and don't know it."

My SDA friend at this point became more quiet than I had ever witnessed from him. I don't think his silence indicated that he could not come up with an argument against me, I truly think he was non-plussed because he thought I had gone crazy. And I was about to make it worse.

"I have to be Catholic," I stated, "because I believe that Jesus really lived, died, was raised from the dead and was God—the actual only begotten Son of God."

"You don't have to be Catholic to believe that," he broke his silence.

"Yes, you do." I responded with emphasis, "Putting aside for the moment our previous argument that the New Testament is a Catholic book—the only way one can know the story of Christ-as-God's-Son is through the New Testament."

I knew that most Christians had never realized that outside of the gospels, there is now very little extant evidence of Christ ever having lived. There are few controversial references by people who had not witnessed Jesus—only heard about Him from His disciples. There are two documents written in AD 93 (sixty years after Jesus died) by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus that mention a man named Jesus. But one of those writings is considered by Jewish scholars to be corrupted by Christian scribes. The other one simply mentions a man named James, the brother of “Jesus, the so-called Christ.” Josephus does not say that Jesus was the son of God, nor does he say that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead.

Around AD 110, Roman politicians, Pliny and Tacitus, may have mentioned Jesus. Tacitus wrote that a man named Jesus was executed during the time of Pontius Pilate. But keep in mind that Jesus was a common name and hundreds of people were executed. 
And he did record that he knew there were Christians, but that they held to a dangerous superstition. So that is not proof positive. Pliny wrote that there were pig-headed, obstinate people in northern Turkey that worshipped Christ as a god.

"See that is evidence!" He cried.

"But that is only evidence that there was an historical figure named Jesus. It says very little about his life and death and says nothing about His miracles, His being God's Son and being raised from the dead."

I pointed out that all proof of Christ outside of those somewhat contemporary references comes directly from the Catholic Church. It has the shroud of Turin. It gave us the gospels and Apostles' letters. They had complete control over the information that claims Jesus did miracles, Jesus died for the sins of mankind, was raised, ascended into heaven and was the Son of God.

"If the Catholic Church's records and traditions were erased today, there would be no Bible, no shroud of Turin, no Jesus Christ, Son of God. The story of Jesus was given solely to the Catholic Church to bring to the world." I paused to let that sink in.

"But if the Catholics didn't do it, then someone else would have!" My SDA friend announced with confidence.

"Yes, God could have done it differently, but He didn't. And that does not change the facts. It remains that the Catholic Church had complete control over the story of Christ as it is given today. They had complete access and control over the translations, copies and interpretation of New Testament for almost a thousand years after the death of Christ. It was the Catholic Church who said the Bible was the Word of God and it was the Catholic Church who gave us the Trinity dogma." I reasoned as my friend became quiet once more.

"So in the end," I explained, "I am left with only one church. One church. And if Catholicism isn't God's church, then the Bible isn't God's Bible and the Trinity isn't God. If I am not Catholic, I then have no where but to go back one more step into Judaism and Christianity is nothing but a made-up story by the Catholics." I looked at my friends intently as our conversation took a few more twists and turns till I made a refrain.

"Forget the Sabbath issue," I ended with, "Adventists have bigger fish to fry first. If you think you are rejecting Catholicism by worshipping on Sabbath, you are wrong. If you accept the Trinity doctrine, if you think the New Testament tells a true story of Christ, then you are giving homage to the Catholic Church. Adventists are Catholic, they just don't know it."

My friend is still SDA, but since that discussion, he is okay with me being Catholic.

Lessons In Joy by Teresa Beem

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, 

the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, 

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12: 2

Scripture tells us that there is a time and season for everything, Eccl. 3:1. And now is the time and season for joy!

This is the Easter Season and for the next few weeks we are not to be downhearted but look up and experience the rich mercy of God.

We just spent forty days in Lent pondering our mortality. We began by putting ashes on our foreheads to remind ourselves that we will one day cast off this mortal flesh and we will stand before our Lord for our final judgement. We fasted and prayed and confessed our sins. The Bride, God's Church, gives us this Lenten season that we may experience what it means to be mortal. We had to courageously examine our lives so that we renounce the dark grip of death Satan has on us. We had to break free from the enslavement of sin the Devil has so deceived us into loving! We were taken by the Church Triumphant through the process of dying to sin and being reconciled to our fellow man and to God.

For God teaches us that it is only through Lent we can experience the eternal bliss of eternity with God and the supernatural joy of Easter tide. 

A Wonderful and Strange Season

I know that most of us are facing real sufferings right now. How can we just turn off our worries, turn off our hard circumstances, turn off our loneliness and fear and troubles? How can we do that Lord? How can you even ask us to do something utterly impossible?

What a strange thing for God to command that His people cultivate joy this season! Because God asks of us the impossible. But He also promises that all things through Christ Jesus are possible. He has provided a way of Joy, in fact a season of Joy that He is calling us to enter in faith. 

Jesus knows what He is asking of His people, for even through the agonies of the Garden of Gethsemane when He cried out to God to let this Cross pass from Him, when He sweat blood and was beaten to the point of death by barbaric soldiers, when he was mocked and betrayed then murdered on a Cross by the very humans He created—through all that Jesus said that He felt Joy. 

For the joy set before Him He endured the cross... 

While God, at times, surprises us with joy, if you find you are without joy, you can ask God for it. The normal way to joy is to ask. And if in this season of Easter, you want the supernatural gift of peace and joy that will rise above all the sufferings and pain and heartache we experience on earth, pray for it. God desires that we ask and He will supply abundantly. 

And if you ask and do not receive it, perhaps it is because you are clinging to some selfishness or pride, some addiction or sin that you don't want to let go of, or you feel you cannot let go of. There is a reason there is forty days of Lent before the season of Joy. It is because God knows that the grace of joy cannot be received without human hearts being reconciled with others and with God. Sin holds us down. It must be released. 

And some sorrows are beyond our control. There is such suffering on earth. But despair is not inevitable. This is the season to let fear, anxiety and pain go. Give it to our gracious Lord.

Like Christ, we too can experience joy no matter how terrible our circumstances. St. Paul described this:

…in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. 2 Cor. 7:4

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Cor. 8: 2

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. I Thess. 1: 6

Joy is not something we can experience without God's grace. Joy is not a mortal experience that we can whip up with food, alcohol, drugs or entertainment. Joy cannot be mustered up with positive thinking or by inspirational speakers. Because joy is not a feeling. It is not an experience of pleasure. Joy is beyond that. Joy is when God elevates you so far above the darkness of this earth that you can glimpse heaven.

Lent can be a struggle because we contemplate the end of our own earthly, physical story, so that our eternal story may be changed!  During Lent our eyes are on the horizon but we make a sudden change at Easter and our eyes turn to the sky and we look vertically making a Cross with those two seasons! 

Lent makes possible Easter's divine ending because we have been reconciled to God through Christ's Cross and for those who accept His gift, we are told to look up and see that it is a very, very happy ending. The morality of Lent bursts forth in the immortality of the Cross at Easter. 

God tells us that we are in the season of Easter… a season of supernatural joy. God asks us to allow Him to fill us with this. I pray that each one of us reaches out for this joy and be filled. 

Jesus Christ is risen to day Hallelujah!! 

THE KINGDOM by Arthur and Teresa Beem

The Kingdom: How God Led Us From Protestantism into the Catholic Truth

For the Tenth Anniversary of Our Conversion into the Catholic Faith

for $.99 at Amazon.com

Why the Catholic Church requires us to go to church on Sundays:

You have a child infected with a deadly necrotic disease. There are two ways to cure the disease--have it run its course, infecting hundreds of other people, causing the child (and those around your child) to to lose the function of their body and they will have to be hooked up to machines, but the worse part is that it takes many years to recover--like seventy. Life will be hell for your child and all others--but eventually the disease will be cured-- but your child will never fully get rid of the symptoms and will have to remain on life support. 

OR the child can go to the doctor's home once a week to receive a shot and not only will the child NOT get worse (and thus be much less likely to infect others), the child will slowly and eventually be cured. 

If you are the mother of such a child, would you not REQUIRE the child (because they are immature) to go to the doctor's once a week for the shot? Would you not urge your child that is a matter of life and death for not only him but everyone he might infect?
_________________________________________________

THAT is why the Catholic Church requires us to go to Church on Sunday. It is a great act of mercy. ENORMOUS mercy.

You see, we are so immature, we do not understand the horror of sin and how it makes us stupid and ugly and filthy and miserable. Sin is the cause of our suffering. Our sin affects our family and friends. We can actually, even unknowingly cause our brothers and sisters to sin! Sin leads to sin and we eventually so habituate ourselves in sin that we need a miraculous intervention of Christ to save us. But by that time, we are so wounded and deformed, so far off the path of righteousness that we spend many decades relearning how to think and behave and love and have faith. 

When we allow sin to reign in our lives, we sink so deep that it takes a lifetime of suffering and sorrows, regret and heartache to get back onto the path. 

But Christ had a better way. Baptize your children into the faith. Begin them early

confessing their sins aloud and understanding reconcilliation with Christ. Go to church with them each week so they understand that weekly mass is meeting with the Great Physician so that He can HEAL us! 

The sacraments are not there to interrupt our fun time. They are there so that we don't have to suffer for sin. There is a hard way--learning through great agonies and hardships. Then there is the way God provided for us--the sacraments--the easiest possible way to prevent us from making terrible choices and living in a tsunami of misery. Sacraments kill the sin in us through God's unfathomable mercy. 

The requirement to attend mass is not a burden. Our eyes are so weakened with entertainment and business and fatigue that we do not see that mass is WHERE we will find the joy and peace and restoration from sin we so desperately need. 

God's Church knows what she is doing. Mother Church knows that the truth will set us free... and where there is sin, there is no freedom.