[JMJ333]

Decades ago, Pope Paul VI warned that the 'smoke of satan' had entered the church, and that She was undergoing a mysterious process of self-destruction. Obviously, many Catholics did not take these warnings to heart. But again, I think you should also look to other denominations because everyone seems to becoming anesthetized by indifference and moral and intellectual relativism--which hasn't spared any institution.

It used to be that vocations were sublime and that the atmosphere in church was respectful and prayerful. Not so anymore. And the rules of beauty in church art and architecture have been replaced by sterile 'lecture hall' type buildings. There is no reverence paid to consecrated life anymore and modesty both in public and in church is all but gone.

In fact, everything that elevated souls and filled them with admiration and veneration for 'the spiritual' were targeted. This, in turn, has weakened in consciences the notions of good and evil, sin and grace, vice and virtue. Virtue has been replaced with a pathetic feel-good spirituality so that eventually we reached the point where we are today.

And how do the media [and even some 'catholics'] demand reform? By openly challenging supreme magisterium, demanding that the church abolish clerical celibacy, ordane women, accept divorce, contraception and abortion, and oddly enough, homosexuality. They are pushing for total relativism. I suggest that they are gunning for the entire country, but have targeted Catholics because of the unwaivering moral standard taught in the catechism. If they can get us to break, then the rest of the country is laid bare before them.

Pray hard!

[EODGUY]

You have synopsized the tragedy devout, traditional active members of the Holy Catholic Church are facing today in two posts.

I hope freepers and lurkers will take the time to truly absorb your comments.

God bless,

EODGUY