Carnival Madness Masses

Archbishop speaks out

RORATE EXCLUSIVE: Open letter by Archbishop on the crisis in the Church

Full text also on their site.  (they say it can be posted or linked to , so I am given the devastating contents)

'It is difficult to believe that Pope Benedict XVI freely renounced his ministry as successor of Peter.'

'I am forced to resort to this public means of expression because I fear that any other method would be greeted by a brick wall of silence and disregard.'

'... increasingly evident that the Vatican through the Secretariat of State has taken the course of political correctness.'

Rorate Caeli has obtained an exclusive copy of the English version of a rare open letter from an Archbishop on the crisis of the Church. 

The letter, written by His Excellency Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, hopefully will serve as a much-needed wake-up call to Catholics who have buried their heads in the sand for far too long.

Let us pray more of his brother bishops will have the faith -- and the backbone -- to stand up and be heard before there's nothing left to defend. 

Reflections on some current problems of the crisis of the Catholic Church

I had the experience of living with priests who were in Stalinist prisons and camps and who nevertheless remained faithful to the Church. During the time of persecution they fulfilled with love their priestly duty in preaching Catholic doctrine thereby leading a dignified life in the imitation of Christ, their heavenly Master.

I completed my priestly studies in an underground Seminary in the Soviet Union. I was ordained a priest secretly during the night by a pious bishop who himself suffered for the sake of the faith. In the first year of my priesthood I had the experience of being expelled from Tadzhikistan by the KGB.

Subsequently, during my thirty-year stay in Kazakhstan, I served 10 years as priest, caring for faithful people in 81 localities. Then I served 20 years as bishop, initially as bishop of five states in Central Asia with a total area of around four million square kilometers.

In my ministry as a bishop I had contact with Pope Saint John Paul II, with many bishops, priests and faithful in different countries and under different circumstances. I was member of some assemblies of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican which covered themes such as “Asia” and “The Eucharist”.

This experience as well as others give me the basis to express my opinion on the current crisis of the Catholic Church. These are my convictions and they are dictated by my love of the Church and by the desire for her authentic renewal in Christ. I am forced to resort to this public means of expression because I fear that any other method would be greeted by a brick wall of silence and disregard. 

I am aware of possible reactions to my open letter. But at the same time the voice of my conscience will not allow me to remain silent, while the work of God is being slandered. Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church and showed us in word and deed how one should fulfill the will of God. The apostles to whom He bestowed authority in the Church, fulfilled with zeal the duty entrusted to them, suffering for the sake of the truth which had to be preached, since they “obeyed God rather than men”.

Unfortunately in our days it is increasingly evident that the Vatican through the Secretariat of State has taken the course of political correctness. Some Nuncios have become propagators of liberalism and modernism. They have acquired expertise in the principle “sub secreto Pontificio”, by which one manipulates and silences the mouths of the bishops. And that what the Nuncio tells them appears as it would be almost certainly the wish of the Pope. With such methods one separates the bishops from one another to the effect that the bishops of a country can no longer speak with one voice in the spirit of Christ and His Church in defending faith and morals. This means that, in order not to fall into disfavour with the Nuncio some bishops accept their recommendations, which are sometimes based on nothing other than on their own words. Instead of zealously spreading the faith, courageously preaching the doctrine of Christ, standing firm in the defense of truth and of morals, the meetings of the Bishops’ Conferences often deal with issues which are foreign to the nature of the duties of the successors of the apostles.

One can observe at all levels of the Church an obvious decrease of the “sacrum”. The “spirit of the world” feeds the shepherds. The sinners give the Church the instructions for how she has to serve them. In their embarrassment the Pastors are silent on the current problems and abandon the sheep while they are feeding themselves. The world is tempted by the devil and opposes the doctrine of Christ. Nevertheless the Pastors are obliged to teach the whole truth about God and men “in season and out”.

However, during the reign of the last holy Popes one could observe in the Church the greatest disorder concerning the purity of the doctrine and the sacredness of the liturgy, in which Jesus Christ is not paid the visible honour which he is due. In not a few Bishop’s Conferences the best bishops are “persona non grata”. Where are apologists of our days, who would announce to men in a clear and comprehensible manner the threat of the risk of loss of faith and salvation?

In our days the voice of the majority of the bishops rather resembles the silence of the lambs in the face of furious wolves, the faithful are left like defenseless sheep. Christ was recognized by men as one who spoke and worked, as one, who had power and this power He bestowed upon His apostles. In today’s world the bishops must liberate themselves from all worldly bonds and – after they have done penance – convert to Christ so that strengthened by the Holy Spirit they may announce Christ as the one and only Saviour. Ultimately one must give account to God for all that was done and for all what wasn't done.

In my opinion the weak voice of many bishops is a consequence of the fact, that in the process of the appointment of new bishops the candidates are insufficiently examined with regard to their doubtless steadfastness and fearlessness in the defense of the faith, with regard to their fidelity to the centuries-old traditions of the Church and their personal piety. In the issue of the appointment of new bishops and even cardinals it is becoming increasingly apparent that sometimes preference is given to those who share a particular ideology or to some groupings which are alien to the Church and which have commissioned the appointment of a particular candidate. Furthermore it appears that sometimes consideration is given also to the favour of the mass media which usually makes a mockery of holy candidates painting a negative picture of them, whereas the candidates who in a lesser degree own the spirit of Christ are praised as open and modern. On the other side the candidates who excel in apostolic zeal, have courage in proclaiming the doctrine of Christ and show love for all that is holy and sacred, are deliberately eliminated.

A Nuncio once told me: “It’s a pity that the Pope [John Paul II] does not participate personally in the appointment of the bishops. The Pope tried to change something in the Roman Curia, however he has not succeeded. He becomes older and things resume their usual former course”.

At the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, I wrote a letter to him in which I begged him to appoint holy bishops. I reported to him the story of a German layman who in the face of the degradation of the Church in his country after the Second Vatican Council, remained faithful to Christ and gathered young people for adoration and prayer. This man had been close to death and when he learned about the election of the new Pope he said: “When Pope Benedict will use his pontificate solely for the purpose to appoint worthy, good and faithful bishops, he will have fulfilled his task”.

Unfortunately, it is obvious that, Pope Benedict XVI has often not succeeded in this issue. It is difficult to believe that Pope Benedict XVI freely renounced his ministry as successor of Peter. Pope Benedict XVI was the head of the Church, his entourage however has barely translated his teachings into life, bypassed them often in silence or has rather obstructed his initiatives for an authentic reform of the Church, of the liturgy, of the manner to administer Holy Communion. In view of a great secrecy in the Vatican for many bishops it was realistically impossible to help the Pope in his duty as head and governor of the whole Church.

It will not be superfluous to remind my brothers in the episcopacy of an affirmation made by an Italian masonic lodge from the year 1820: “Our work is a work of a hundred years. Let us leave the elder people and let us go to the youth. The seminarians will become priests with our liberal ideas. We shall not flatter ourselves with false hopes. We will not make the Pope a Freemason. However liberal bishops, who will work in the entourage of the Pope, will propose to him in the task of governing the Church such thoughts and ideas which are advantageous for us and the Pope will implement them into life”. This intention of the Freemasons is being implemented more and more openly, not only thanks to the declared enemies of the Church but with the connivance of false witnesses who occupy some high hierarchical office in the Church. It is not without reason that Blessed Paul VI said: “The spirit of Satan penetrated through a crack inside the Church”. I think that this crack has become in our days quite wide and the devil uses all forces in order to subvert the Church of Christ. To avoid this, it is necessary to return to the precise and clear proclamation of the Gospel on all levels of ecclesiastical ministry, for the Church possesses all power and grace which Christ gave to her: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, and teach all nations. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and I am with you always unto the end of the world” (Mt 28, 18-20), “the truth will set you free” (John 8, 32) and “let your word be Yes, yes; No, no: for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil” (Mt 5, 37). The Church cannot adapt herself to the spirit of this world, but must transform the world to the spirit of Christ.

It is obvious that in the Vatican there is a tendency to give in more and more to the noise of the mass media. It is not infrequent that in the name of an incomprehensible quiet and calm the best sons and servants are sacrificed in order to appease the mass media. The enemies of the Church however don’t hand over their faithful servants even when their actions are evidently bad. 

When we wish to remain faithful to Christ in word and deed, He Himself will find the means to transform the hearts and souls of men and the world as well will be changed at the appropriate time.

In times of the crisis of the Church God has often used for her true renewal the sacrifices, the tears and the prayers of those children and servants of the Church who in the eyes of the world and of the ecclesiastical bureaucracy were considered insignificant or were persecuted and marginalized because of their fidelity to Christ. I believe that in our difficult time this law of Christ is being realized and that the Church will renew herself thanks to the faithful inner renewal of each of us.

January 1st  2015, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God 

+ Jan Pawel Lenga

Cardinal hits young traditionalists who want to ‘be clear in their positions’: calls it ‘the beginning of terrorism’

"One of Pope Francis’ closest advisors, and the leader of one of the most “liberal” Catholic hierarchies in the world, has denounced “traditional” young people for wanting “to be clear in their positions,” warning that it is a path to “terrorism.” In a related interview with the Jesuit magazine America, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the head of the German Bishops’ conference, applauded people in homosexual partnerships who want a “lifelong” relationship.

"


Whole story

Cardinal questions, "Islam belongs to Germany"

Cardinal Karl Lehmann has taken up to a critical position on the formulation used by former Federal President Christian Wulff and more recently Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) "Islam belongs to Germany" (Cathcon- could also be “is a part of”- to avoid the idea of ownership which is present).



 In an article published on Tuesday for the newspaper of his Diocese of Mainz, "Faith and Life”, the Bishop speaks of a "slogan" that was "much too vague".
With good will one could discover what was meant by this "shortened phase," said the Cardinal who belongs to the liberal wing of the Catholic Church. Namely that Islam is among the major religions in Germany, "we meet all its members with respect and we have respect for its followers in the context of religious freedom."



At the same time, the Cardinal pointed out that Europe was deeply marked and sustained by "Judaism-Christianity in many spiritual and social entities. In this respect, a simple equation of the association of Islam is historically and in view of the current intellectual and social situation inadequate "and even wrong".
However, this is not an impediment to "a national right of Muslims in Germany and of the existence and activities of Islam with us already offered by the religious freedom ".



Expressly Lehmann warns, the slogan "Islam is
part of Germany" should never be used to construct a concept of an enemy.
Instead, this phase must encourage us to get to know each other better. "This
is lacking," said the Cardinal," not only for Muslims but also for us
Germans and Europeans." Enlightenment is an urgent necessity, even if it
alone will not bring healing.






 


Source

Those who oppose the Pope

Cardinal Burke enters the resistance

The American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke does not give into
the changes in the Vatican since the advent of Pope Francis. Dismissed at the
end of 2013 from the Congregation for Bishops, the equivalent of a ministry in
the Catholic Church, Cardinal Burke has not departed from a holy zeal.

Raymond Burke has lost much on the day in February 2013 when
Benedict XVI decided to give up his office. It must be said that this canon
lawyer owes much to him in his ascent to the highest offices of the Roman
Catholic Church. But more importantly, the two prelates were on the same line
of conservative thought. "This is a teacher of the faith," the
Cardinal likes to say in French, who today resembles a bit an orphan.

The advent of Pope Francis in March 2013 for Cardinal Burke
sounded the end of an era of certainty and defence of an institution which
suffers from a transparency deficit. Francis' positions on the family,
homosexuals, careerism of the "princes of the Church," the Vatican
bank's practices, agitate therefore all that the Vatican count as ultraconservatives
who see it as a threat to doctrine. .

Against nature

Dismissed in the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal
Burke loses a decisive power: the power to appoint bishops who are in line with
his conception of the Church. In his place, the Pope appointed a bishop, an American
like him, but much more moderate. Francis thus indicated his willingness to
favour the priests who are “close to the people” rather than “ambitious”, was
not an announcement made just for effect.

Since the Pope did not slow his march toward change,
the more conservative cardinals have become organized. In an interview
broadcast this Feb. 8 by France 2, Cardinal Burke states frankly all that is
upsetting them. "I do not accept that we give Communion to unmarried
couples before the Church. Because their irregular union is adultery, "he
says."As for homosexuals, he says, they have nothing to do with marriage.
It's a pain to be attracted to someone of the same sex. It is against nature,
"Cardinal digs in.

His comments come in response to those of the Pope, who when
speaking of homosexuals, said: "If a person is gay, they sought the Lord
and they are of good will, who am I to judge?". The interview was filmed
in the library of Cardinal, who for the occasion, is dressed in a fashion that
cannot be more traditional-  black
cassock, black cape trimmed in purple cap and red taffeta silk sash, a large
gold cross hanging from a chain,.

The forces of evil

When the France 2 reporter asks what he will do if the Pope
continues in this direction, the Cardinal unapologetically and Italian replied:
"I will resist. I cannot do anything else. Then he resumed, "there is
a malaise that is unmistakable." "It is painful, it is
worrying," the prelate continues. "But I have to get used to the new
Pope, ' he says in conclusion.

Someone that was until 2014 the head (governor) of the
Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the largest jurisdiction of the
Holy See, masters better than anyone the art of dialectic. Thus, when asked if
he thinks the Church is threatened as an institution, Raymond Burke looks down
and replies: "The Lord has assured us, as he assured to St. Peter in the
Gospel that the forces of evil will not win." Obviously no one will know
who these forces of evil are and who embodies them...

1The camera then shifts to a statue of Christ before landing
on a portrait of Pope Francis before which stands the cardinal who checks his
pocket watch. "Is the Pope still your friend?," the journalist then worries.
 A solicitude which starts a smile from
Raymond Burke: "I do not want him to become my enemy," he said in a
half smile, while indicating that the interview is over.

Source:



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