Posted on 09/18/2015 12:24:46 PM PDT by HomerBohn
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” -Matthew 7:16
Rotten Fruit #1: culture war within church hierarchy
His papacy is only 2½ years old, and already Pope Francis has provoked a raging culture war within the Catholic Church.
Anthony Faiola reports for The Washington Post, Sept. 7, 2015, that rather than stake out clear stances, Francis is more subtly, often implicitly, backing liberal church leaders who are pressing for radical change, while dramatically opening the parameters of the debate over how far reforms can go. Since then, liberals have tested the boundaries of their new freedom, with one Belgian bishop going as far as calling for the Catholic Church to formally recognize same-sex couples.
In more than a dozen interviews, including with seven senior church officials, insiders say the change wrought by Francis “has left the hierarchy more polarized over the direction of the church than at any point since the great papal reformers of the 1960s.”
There is “a growing sense of alarm” about Francis among the Catholic Church’s conservative clergy, who have launched “a conservative backlash” against “the liberal momentum building inside the church.”
The conservative rebellion is taking on many guises — in public comments; in the rising popularity of conservative Catholic Web sites promoting Francis dissenters; books and promotional materials backed by conservative clerics seeking to counter the liberal trend; and leaks to the news media, aimed at Vatican reformers.
While criticism of a sitting pope is not unusual — liberal bishops on occasion challenged Francis’s predecessor, Benedict XVI — what shocks many is just how public the criticism of Francis has become. Here are some examples:
◾Wisconsin-born Cardinal Raymond Burke who, in November 2014, was demoted by Francis from his position as Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, recently told a French news crew that he would “resist” liberal changes, and called the church under Francis “a ship without a rudder.” Burke also seemed to caution Francis about the limits of his authority, saying, “One must be very attentive regarding the power of the pope. Papal power is not absolute. The pope does not have the power to change teaching [or] doctrine.”
◾A senior Vatican official said on the condition of anonymity that conservatives have been thrust unfairly into a position in which “defending the real teachings of the church makes you look like an enemy of the pope. We have a serious issue right now, a very alarming situation where Catholic priests and bishops are saying and doing things that are against what the church teaches, talking about same-sex unions, about Communion for those who are living in adultery. And yet the pope does nothing to silence them. So the inference is that this is what the pope wants.”
◾In an open letter to his diocese, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, R.I., wrote: “In trying to accommodate the needs of the age, as Pope Francis suggests, the Church risks the danger of losing its courageous, countercultural, prophetic voice, one that the world needs to hear.” Commenting on Francis’ call for dramatic action and a supranational new global authority on climate change, Pell told the Financial Times in July, “The church has got no mandate from the Lord to pronounce on scientific matters.”
◾In conservative circles, the word “confusion” also has become a euphemism for censuring the papacy without mentioning the pope. 500 Catholic priests in Britain drafted an open letter this year that cited “much confusion” in “Catholic moral teaching” following the bishops’ conference on the family last year in which Francis threw open the floodgates of debate, resulting in proposed language offering a new stance for divorced or gay Catholics. Although that language ultimately was watered down, it set up another showdown for next month, when senior church leaders will meet in a follow-up synod that observers predict will turn into another theological slugfest. Francis will have the final word on any changes next year.
◾Last year, five senior leaders, including Burke and Cardinal Carlo Caffarra of Bologna, Italy, drafted a “manifesto” against a possible policy change that would grant divorced and remarried Catholics the right to take Communion at Mass. In July, a DVD distributed to hundreds of dioceses in Europe and Australia, and backed by conservative Catholic clergy members, made the same point.
ROTTEN FRUIT #2: LEFT-WING GERMAN BISHOPS LEADING CHURCH TO A SCHISM
The Culture War within the church hierarchy may lead to a rupture.
Maike Hickson reports for LifeSiteNews, Sept. 8, 2015, that Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, the head of the Catholic Church’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), said German bishops are leading the Church to a schism.
According to the German newspaper Die Tagespost, Mueller criticized “a climate of the German claim to leadership for the Universal Church.” Many German bishops have declared that “life realities” must be taken into account as part of Church teaching and salvation. However, Mueller said the goal should not be “about adapting the Revelation to the world, but … about gaining the world for God.”
Mueller said that he is frequently asked why German bishops claim to be leaders of the Catholic Church — while flouting teachings on marriage and sexuality — despite overseeing dramatic reductions in church attendance, shrinking numbers of seminarians, and a drop in vocations to religious orders.
Mueller specifically identified allowing “remarried” Catholics to receive the Eucharist, as well as accepting a redefinition of marriage, as challenges to overcome. “We may not deceive the people, when it comes to the sacramentality of marriage, its indissolubility, its openness toward the child, and the fundamental complementarity of the two sexes,” he firmly stated. “Pastoral case has to keep in view the eternal salvation,” as opposed to a desire to be popular or accepted in the world.
Rotten Fruit #3: Vatican approves of iran deal
Jordan Schachtel reports for Breitbart that on Sept. 15, 2015, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s chief diplomat, released a statement officially welcoming the nuclear agreement between the P5+1 world powers (U.S., UK, China, France, Russia, Germany) and Iran, stating that the Holy See believes Tehran will reduce its nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Moreover, in calling for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons, the Vatican also appeared to target Israel, given that it is the lone nuclear power in the region.
H/t Fr. Michael T. Barry, who had this comment about the Vatican’s approval of the Iran deal: “What? LSD in Vatican water supply?”
Francis will arrive in Washington, D.C., on September 22.
On Sept. 23, he will be welcomed to the White House by Obama, who, in a supreme “F-you” gesture to the Church, has invited to the meeting with Francis a freak-show of opponents of traditional Catholic teachings, including a pro-abortion nun, a transgender woman transvestite, the first openly-homosexual Episcopal bishop, and two “Catholic” homosexual activists.
The two disciples of Satan are giving the middle finger to Christianity.
As our now pitiful nation sinks into the pit it is joined by the ruined Roman Catholic Church.
An evil man who will do to Christ’s Church what Barack has done to America.
He’s Obama2 in Church robes.
Scarlet and purple.
It would be so wonderful for Pope Francis to tell Obama’s welcoming committee of “freak show stars” .... to...
“go and sin no more!”
Sad news—”Liberation Theology” a Communist construct is set to wreck the Roman Catholic Church. This may well be the last pope.
The Church has, for many years, allowed divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion.
By running them through the Annulment Scam.
I oppose this Pope on most things, but if we are going to accept ANY remarried Catholics let’s make the process honest and straightforward. Not a revenue-generating boondoggle that ends up having Catholics swear to, and Clergy affirm, things that, in reality, were never true.
And if we won’t accept ANY we should prepare to become a radically smaller Church.
My Father makes the cassocks the priests wear and has been a Taylor for over 50 years.
I love the Church its where my Faith was born. Its the Faith of its Parishioners that attracts me. However, I loved John Paul so much. How could we go from that to this in such a short time?? What does God want us to see? What would Jesus do with this Pope??? (Get out of my Father's house!)
Even though things may look totally Dark, I Still Believe in the words of our Lord!
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18(rsv)
I believe we are at those times... But... Hell will Not Prevail!
I also worry about Pope Francis for I do believe he is borderline on working against the Holy Spirit with some of what he is about to do. If he does it - or better wording he starts to do it, it will not bear well for him and his Soul see below...
Transubstantiation the Center point of the Catholic Mass and Faith...
Story of Anani’as and Sapphi’ra, Lie against the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:1-15(rsv)
“But a man named Anani’as with his wife Sapphi’ra sold a piece of property,
and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But Peter said, “Anani’as, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
When Anani’as heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Hark, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things.
Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.
None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor.
And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women,
so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.”
How much more would a Pope face if he were to Work Against the Holy Spirit...
I Pray for His Soul and All those whom may also hold onto the Darkness!
God Bless
We’re just nearing the end of the Age.
Finally something the radical Pope and his ultra-traditionalist opponents can agree on! You know, since they blame everything on the "Jewish conspiracy" and believe the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion is 100% for real.
This phony is not borderline. He is doing the work of Satan. Christ’s Church on earth is gasping for its very life....as is our pitiful nation.
Both the Church and our state are being assassinated.
It all began with Vatican II.
Chicken Littles are all around screaming like Pharisees of old.
Jesus, I trust in You. Nuf Sed!
People of little faith and much loathing...like the Pharisees were of Christ.
Invincible Ignorance and no faith in His Bride, His Church!
There is no doubt that politically, Pope Francis and I have very little in common. I don’t know whether he will end up being an effective pope or an ineffective pope. What I do know, is that he IS the one whom God chose to lead His church in these times.
I also know there is a growing schismatic movement in place right now, and it will succeed in driving many good people from the protection of His church. The evil one is encouraging devout Catholics who are also politically conservative to judge Pope Francis by his leanings on things like “global warming” and “extreme capitalism” (whatever that is). On the most damaging issues from the left, abortion, homosexuality, spiritual relativism, he is rock-ribbed and steadfast.
He has done nothing to change church doctrine, nor will he, nor can he.
Matthew 16: 18“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
To say Pope Francis is the beast, is to say the institution Jesus called His church has been overpowered by the gates of Hades. Surely you’re not saying Jesus was wrong about that, are you?
Pope Francis not the one progressing the coming schism. Those who are too lazy, too ignorant or too proud to differentiate between politics and the eternal battle for human souls are.
For the sake of all you who are advancing this bilge, I pray these posts don’t lead to the loss of even one soul to our Heavenly Father — even if it is unintentional.
Put down your Dan Brown novel and pick up a bible.
Zero Hedge: Pope Francis Calls For A New Global Political Authority To Save Humanity
You make two assumptions. One, that only the Catholic church is the only and one true church of Jesus Christ, and two, that God's plan revolves around Jorge being a force for good.
Both are false.
Just who is Jesus speaking of in these verses?
"These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Revelation 3: 15-19
God also has allowed Hitler, Pol Pot, and Nero into power. God is sovereign. But He also uses what is evil to be good for His ultimate purposes. He also puts in place kings and rulers, and sends them to destruction. He also allows Satan his short time to rule. Right now, the "Prince of the air" is wandering the earth, and causing much evil. Even Jesus was tempted by Satan's earthly power (temporal as it is):
" "And the Devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him: All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them, for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him: Get thee behind me, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Luke 4: 5-8
I also know there is a growing schismatic movement in place right now, and it will succeed in driving many good people from the protection of His church.
There you go again with a previous error.
The evil one is encouraging devout Catholics who are also politically conservative to judge Pope Francis by his leanings on things like “global warming” and “extreme capitalism” (whatever that is).
If you cannot discern evil from good, then you don't have the Holy Spirit.
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
On the most damaging issues from the left, abortion, homosexuality, spiritual relativism, he is rock-ribbed and steadfast.
Wow. Just wow. Do you even read the news?
He has done nothing to change church doctrine, nor will he, nor can he.
Watch what he does with his Encyclical and Synods coming up, and get back to me.
Catholic "Doctrine" is also not based on the rock of Scripture, but whatever the Vatican says it is. There are so many examples of this that if I listed them all, I would be typing all night, and I don't have time to do your homework for you.
To say Pope Francis is the beast, is to say the institution Jesus called His church has been overpowered by the gates of Hades. Surely you’re not saying Jesus was wrong about that, are you?
Wrong assumptions, again, based on fundamental errors in your thinking. One, the true church of Christ is never defeated, but it is bruised and persecuted. Open your eyes. Millions of Christians are persecuted every day, and tens of thousands are raped, mutilated, imprisoned, tortured, and martyred each year (and those numbers are increasing). I don't think Jorge is the Antichrist, I think he may be the False Prophet of Revelation. And again, you make the error that the Catholic church is the "one true" church - and it isn't. You also falsely believe the lie that Matthew 16: 18 gives the Roman popes succession of sole authority, and that is not what the Scriptures say.
http://www.graceway.com/articles/article_017.html
To say Pope Francis is the beast, is to say the institution Jesus called His church has been overpowered by the gates of Hades. Surely you’re not saying Jesus was wrong about that, are you?
See above.
For the sake of all you who are advancing this bilge, I pray these posts don’t lead to the loss of even one soul to our Heavenly Father — even if it is unintentional.
I pray that people stop being deceived. But it is happening. We are in the period the Bible warns about as the Last Days, and deception is widespread and rampant.
"Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons."
1 Timothy 4:1
Put down your Dan Brown novel and pick up a bible.
I have never read any of that trash, or watched any of those films, but I did pick up my Bible (see above). I urge you to take your own advice.
Further, Jorge and Obama are about to declare war on Israel, the Jews, and side with Pali Muslims and the world. Jorge already has recognized "Palestine" and is working to divide God's land (look up those Scriptures Osama Obama). There will be war against God's people. You and your posts help bring on that evil.
In cases of financial distress, there is no charge for an annulment.
If you are really poor, it costs nothing. If you have limited means, you pay as much of the fee as you can. If you have means, you pay the full tribunal fee which ranges from $500 to $1,000 depending on the complexity of the case, how much documentary or testimentary evidence you have to amass, how many hearing you have to have, that is, the complexity of the case (especially contested cases.)
E.g. if they have to collect documents or depositions from people in another country or have them translated from a different language that costs more.
Catholic marriage tribunals in the U.S. ended up $14,000,000 in the red in the last year for which statistics are available (2013). It is not now and never was a money-making proposition. Tribunal fees are minimal compared to civil divorce fees.
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