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Pope Francis v. St. Thomas More: Pope to Express Gifts of Protetant Revolt and Ask Forgiveness
The Remnant Newspaper ^ | June 3, 2016 | Michael Matt

Posted on 06/03/2016 4:50:00 PM PDT by ebb tide

This just in from NCR: "Pope Francis’ visit to Lund, Sweden, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation will comprise “two parts” beginning with a “common prayer” service in Lund's Lutheran cathedral and continuing with a public event at Malmö Arena that will be open to wider participation, Vatican and Lutheran leaders have announced.

"In a joint statement issued today by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, they reiterated that the Oct. 31 event will be centered on the themes of “thanksgiving, repentance and commitment to common witness".

It also said the overall aim of the ecumenical event “is to express the gifts of the Reformation and ask forgiveness for division perpetuated by Christians from the two traditions.” READ ARTICLE HERE

REMNANT COMMENT: Ah, yes, the 'gifts of the Reformation' -- such as the tearing in half of holy Christendom. The beginning of the end of the Holy Roman Empire. The destruction of the Catholic state. The loss of millions of souls who fell victim to the vile heresies of Martin Luther.

And let's not forget to ask forgiveness for the great saints who gave their lives in defense of Holy Mother Church under vicious assault of Protestant 'reformers.' Thomas More, for example, used the Greek term “anarchos” to describe the Protestant Revolt. He believed that the “whole great change of European consciousness in the sixteenth century was due to the hatred that they [Protestants] bear to all good order and the great hunger they have to make [everything] disordered.”

You see, poor Thomas More didn't think 'making a mess' was a particularly good idea. He regarded Lutherans as “daemonun satellites” (“agents of demons”), in fact, who had to be stopped before they brought civilized society to ruin.

In his book, The Life of Thomas More, Peter Akroyd explains: "This was no longer a time for questioning, or innovation, or uncertainty of any kind. He [More] blamed Luther for the Peasants’ Revolt in Germany, and maintained that all its havoc and destruction were the direct result of Luther’s challenge to the authority of the church; under the pretext of “libertas” Luther preached “licentia,” which had in turn led to rape, sacrilege, bloodshed, fire and ruin."

And why not? Of the Mass of his own priestly ordination, beloved liturgy of his fathers and forefathers, saints and martyrs, for a thousand years, Luther hisses: "I declare that all the brothels…all the manslaughters, murders, thefts and adulteries have wrought less abomination than the popish Mass."

This from one who, by his own admission, was “inspired”—while on his toilet, no less—with the certainty that the Church was the great Whore of Babylon, that four of her seven Sacraments were abominations, as were her priesthood, celibacy, papacy and monastic life. On his toilet, Luther figured it out—all that’s needed is Faith alone…and the laws of Christianity be damned!

“Be a sinner and sin on bravely,” said Luther, “but have stronger faith and rejoice in Christ, who is the victory of sin, death, and the world. Do not for a moment imagine that this life is the abiding place of justice: sin must be committed… sin cannot tear you away from Him, even though you commit adultery a hundred times a day and commit as many murders.”

Compare these words to similar ones written by the Satanist Aleister Crowley: "Are we walking in eternal fear lest some 'sin' should cut us off from 'grace'? By no means…Live as the kings and princes, crowned and uncrowned, of this world, have always lived, as masters always live… make your self-indulgence your religion…When you drink and dance and take delight, you are not being 'immoral,' you are not 'risking your immortal soul'; you are fulfilling the precepts of our holy religion [Satanism]…Is not this better than [to] go oppressed by consciousness of 'sin,' wearily seeking or simulating wearisome and tedious 'virtues'?"

Protestantism, Satanism, Freemasonry—these were but brothers-in-arms in the ancient war against the holy Church, a war fomented by agents of disorder. Even some of Luther’s friends readily admitted that the “Reformation” was anarchistic.

For example, the ex-priest Martin Bucer, who’d benefited from Luther’s moral dispensations where an ex-nun and his vows were concerned, nevertheless admits: "The whole Reformation was one grand indulgence for libertinism. The greater part of the people seems only to have embraced the gospel in order to shake off the yoke of discipline and the obligation of fasting and penance, which rested upon them in popery, and that they may live according to their own pleasure, enjoying their lusts and lawless appetites without control. That was the reason they lent a willing ear to the teaching of justification by faith alone and not by good works, for the latter of which they had no relish."

It is no wonder that Erasmus (who also advocated reform) would write: “Lutheranism has but two objects at heart—money and women.”

And now Pope Francis is heading off to Sweden to commemorate what Martin Bucer called 'one grand indulgence for libertinism" and St. Thomas More condemned as the demonic project of the Antichrist himself -- the Protestant Revolt.

God help us, what is the matter with this man!


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Mainline Protestant
KEYWORDS: francischurch; martinluther; thomasmore
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To: ealgeone

I thought according to everything I’m reading Luther was wonderful and had nothing to repent of? After all, according to some Protestants he saved Christianity.

But you are right and I stand corrected. I have no way of knowing if he repented of his sins before death. I hope he did. I wouldn’t want him or anyone else to go to hell.


61 posted on 06/04/2016 2:42:21 PM PDT by Lil Flower (American by birth. Southern by the Grace of God. ROLL TIDE!!)
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To: Lil Flower
I thought according to everything I’m reading Luther was wonderful and had nothing to repent of? After all, according to some Protestants he saved Christianity.

I don't think anyone has ever said that nor implied that.

But you are right and I stand corrected. I have no way of knowing if he repented of his sins before death. I hope he did. I wouldn’t want him or anyone else to go to hell.

Your last sentence is well understood. Good on you to say that.

62 posted on 06/04/2016 3:16:12 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: piusv; ebb tide
God help us, what is the matter with this man! Mr. Matt, I think you know very well what is wrong with this man. You just don't want to admit to it...at least not publically. He's an apostate, a public heretic, a non-Catholic and therefore can not possibly be your pope.

Yet he IS the Pope of the Roman Catholic church and you are to be in submission to him according to your OWN magisterium. Unam Sanctum says:

Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff. (http://legacy.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/B8-unam.asp)

By what right do you proclaim that this Pope isn't "your" Pope when he was validly selected by your magisterium in a legal process? Then, how do you criticize and castigate Protestants who broke off from the corrupted Papacy of the middle ages with its corrupted and perverted gospel? It's hypocrisy.

63 posted on 06/04/2016 4:24:55 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: Lil Flower; aMorePerfectUnion
Excuse me but comparing David or any of the Old Testament prophets is absurd. Show me where any of them advocating sinning as much as possible. Blessed Father Luther? I think not.

Only that wasn't what Luther was doing. Are you familiar with the term "hyperbole"? It was and still is a way to use exaggeration to make a rhetorical point. You may have used it from time to time, even (i.e.; I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.) That was the context of Luther's talking about sin. This from http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/search?q=sin+boldly:

    The "sin boldly" comment comes from a letter fragment. It has no address, salutation, or signature. Scholars speculate it was written to Melanchthon. It was a private letter, not a written exhortation to the masses to "sin boldly." In actuality, Luther consistently taught that a living faith necessarily produces good works. This letter fragment has been seized by people looking to paint Luther as a gross antinomian.

    Luther was prone to strong hyperbole. It's his style, and this statement is a perfect example. The first thing to recognize is that the sentence is a statement of comparison. Luther's point is not to go out and commit multiple amounts of gleeful sin everyday, but rather to believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly despite the sin in our lives. Christians have a real savior. No amount of sin is too much to be atoned for by a perfect savior whose righteousness is imputed to the sinner who reaches out in faith.

    See: Luther: Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong And: A Look at Justification By Faith Alone and Good Works in Luther’s Theology. For an anthology of statements from Luther on a living faith producing works, see: Quotations From Luther on Faith And Works. "Faith," said Luther, "is a living,restless thing. It cannot be inoperative. We are not saved by works; but if there be no works, there must be something amiss with faith."


64 posted on 06/04/2016 5:03:44 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: Arthur McGowan

“I don’t see any analogy between my comment and the prayer of the Pharisee.”

And neither did the Pharisee.


65 posted on 06/04/2016 7:21:11 PM PDT by mrobisr ( so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow)
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To: ealgeone

***I thought according to everything I’m reading Luther was wonderful and had nothing to repent of? After all, according to some Protestants he saved Christianity.***

Oh plenty have implied it. Out and out said it. But it’s ok with me I’m not about bashing anyone.

I have a different view than most. I have no problem with Luther speaking out against wrongs being committed by the Church. I do it all the time. My problem was with him leaving instead of trying to fix it. I’m not leaving. Let the heretics leave. I’m staying.


66 posted on 06/04/2016 8:09:21 PM PDT by Lil Flower (American by birth. Southern by the Grace of God. ROLL TIDE!!)
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To: Wyrd bið ful aræd

Nothing personal against Germans, but considering all this and the heretical Bishops we have there now nothing good seems to come from the German church.


67 posted on 06/04/2016 8:11:05 PM PDT by Lil Flower (American by birth. Southern by the Grace of God. ROLL TIDE!!)
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To: boatbums

Nice try. I’m not buying and you wouldn’t be either if that was coming out of Francis’ mouth.


68 posted on 06/04/2016 8:13:23 PM PDT by Lil Flower (American by birth. Southern by the Grace of God. ROLL TIDE!!)
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To: ebb tide

Bookmark


69 posted on 06/04/2016 8:14:52 PM PDT by SunLakesJeff (Thank you, St. Thomas More.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

He is getting old, must admit. Perhaps for a greater purpose/intention?
70 posted on 06/04/2016 8:17:01 PM PDT by SunLakesJeff (Thank you, St. Thomas More.)
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To: Arthur McGowan


The incidence of sexual abuse among Catholic priests is LOWER than among other professions, including non-Catholic clergy.

The accusation itself is supposed to silence the room. Who cares about queers who get married, etc.?
71 posted on 06/04/2016 8:21:55 PM PDT by SunLakesJeff (Thank you, St. Thomas More.)
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To: Lil Flower
What is it you think I'm "buying"? That Luther was NOT advising anyone to go out and sin all they wanted since they were still going to heaven? He wasn't doing that and if you read his actual works instead of the Catholic polemists' perversions of what they claim he said you would know that.

No one claims Martin Luther was a perfect man - NO ONE is except Jesus - and Luther would have readily admitted it. But he was a godly man who sincerely tried to remedy the many abuses and corruptions he saw in the Catholic church and rather than implement the necessary changes, the powers that be excommunicated him and would have had him executed. Even Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the deplorable shape the Roman Catholic church was in during the Reformation times.

Luther stood for the truth of the gospel which is salvation by grace through faith apart from works. That some Catholics continue to condemn the man 500 years later is really silly especially since those that do have such little knowledge of him and what he preached. I recommend this site should you ever want to read the truth about the man instead of the propaganda and lies.

72 posted on 06/04/2016 8:38:54 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: mrobisr

You can’t argue the real point, so you seize on the irrelevant fact that I used the phrase “I don’t see...”

There is, in fact, no analogy between praying for the death of a destructive person (who can be removed from office no other way), and the pseudo-prayer of the Pharisee.


73 posted on 06/05/2016 6:29:34 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: Arthur McGowan

Jesus has your answer.
Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:27-28
John 13:34
Romans 12:20

Pay special attention to V.17.
Romans 12:14-21 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
14 Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.
16 Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men.
19 Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink. For, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.


74 posted on 06/07/2016 10:13:37 AM PDT by mrobisr ( so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow)
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To: mrobisr

If I advocated doing violence to the Pope, I would be going against the words of Jesus. Asking God to do something to stop the damage the Pope is doing is not violence. Neither is it “cursing” the Pope.


75 posted on 06/07/2016 12:47:31 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: Arthur McGowan

You are to pray for a change of heart not their death. Love does no harm and praying for his death is hate which is not of God, but of Satan. You can twist it all you want, but you have again proven that you are just like the pharisee I mentioned earlier and are spiritually blind.


76 posted on 06/08/2016 2:13:36 PM PDT by mrobisr ( so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow)
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To: Arthur McGowan

Maybe this pope is just what prophecy has called for. At some point your religion has to get into the bed of sickness and suffering and this very well might be the beginning.
Revelation 2:22


77 posted on 06/08/2016 2:22:46 PM PDT by mrobisr ( so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow)
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