Fr. Martin, S.J. and the Catholic resistance to LGBTQ

“Homosexuals are not as a group able-bodied. 

They are known to carry extremely high rates of disease 

brought on because of the nature of their sexual practices 

and the promiscuity which is a hallmark of their lifestyle.”*

I should have said 'Christian resistance'.

Yesterday on Facebook I noticed a friend from high school posted some things VP Pence allegedly stated in the past against gays in the military and so on - all very homophobic.  The statements attributed to him may or may not be true - and some are definitely false, but I think it is safe to say Pence is not in favor of equal rights for LGBTQ persons in the sense activists hope for.  Which may be one more reason why James Martin felt called to write his book.

That said, if you take a screen-shot of a couple ultra conservative Catholic websites, you encounter links to posts and news articles focused on the subject of Catholic teaching and homosexuality.  The divide is huge.  The opponents targeting Pope Francis and 'Francis-bishops', along with the James-Martin-is-a-heretic faction are indeed taking on hostile characteristics similar to the Westboro Baptists. There is absolutely no denying that.  Disagree with me all you want, but that is my impression and experience of the phenomenon.

For the past three years, the emphasis of Pope Francis and those close to him has been on “respect” and “listening”, with little or no reference to holiness, chastity, or the objective truth about sexual morality.
[...]
Concerning homosexuality and homosexual acts and relationships, there are only two passages in Amoris. Neither refers to doctrine or moral theology. In a sort of sociological observation, Pope Francis says that “de facto or same-sex unions” are not “beneficial” to society. (52). As for “persons who experience same-sex attraction,” Francis holds that they “ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration, while ‘every sign of unjust discrimination’ [citing the Catechism]is to be carefully avoided.” (276). He goes on quote the “Synod Fathers” that homosexual unions “are not remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.” (251). - CWR

 Roughnecks or Brownshirts?

I'm not really going there, but the comparison has been made and if the shirt fits, so be it.  The growing hostility against the 'sodomites' is obvious - even among some of the Courage Catholics, and especially Catholics opposed to LGBTQ political pursuits.  They see it as an ideology to be destroyed.  One blogger proclaiming:

Sodomites are one of the extremes of the Left, and the Left has convinced itself that everything it does, no matter how heinous, no matter how evil, is good by definition.

There are no limits to the extremes, to the utter depravity to which people so convinced will sink. This movement must either be crushed, or they will crush us. - Anonymous Catholic blogger.

Left?  Right?  Alt-Left?  Alt-Right?  Political stuff entering the sanctuary.  That's what they accuse Pope Francis of doing, and so they make the Pope a leader of the Alt-Left.  They are immersed in ideological thinking.  They are siding with ideologues and ideology.

Some Catholics go after Voris - calling him a sodomite, because he defended statements from another sodomite Milos, because what he said was useful to him in condemning Fr. Martin.  On some level, it strikes me they are all part of the same axis working against Catholic bishops and priests in union with the Pope.   They use one another when it suits their purpose.  They rely on the same conspiracy theories, tweaking them here and there with excerpts from the right prophecy or even the right canonist or theologian, to boost their credibility.

I've upset enough of you at this point, but something is wrong here, and it is so not the Pope.  As the Holy Father stated the other day: "The Pharisees, doctors of the law are not people of the past, even today there are many of them."

Back on point.

Catholics may be fearful LGBTQ ideology will oppress the Church and freedom of religion, but I would be more concerned for gay persons interested in either returning to the sacraments or becoming Catholic.  Catholic or not, the emergence of the Alt-Right in the the United States and Europe seems to me far more dangerous - especially in its current assault on the Church, fomenting opposition to the Pope and Catholic teaching.  It's so much more than the 'Save the liturgy-Save the world' mind-games.  It seems to me quite probable, that 'even the elect - if that were possible - have been led astray.'

Everything wrong in the Church gets blamed upon 'gay mafia' or homosexuals in the Church and especially among the clergy.  (Are they good homos or bad homos?  Because there are both.)  The more the Church seems to reach out in a less offensive** manner, the more the reaction and hostility towards homosexuals in general increases.   It is clearly used to attack the Pope - who frustrates the hell out of his enemies because he has not taught anything contradictory to Catholic teaching, or promoted heresy.  This fact itself is being whipped up into a new conspiracy theory, a sort of 'development of doctrine' for those who rely on private revelation to substantiate claims of 'apostasy at the top'.  The political climate adapted by traditionalist Catholics and those who support Trump as a sort of savior and restorer of Christianity, seems rather foreboding.  Especially when suggestions of a 'final solution' to 'crush the (LGBT) movement' get circulated - a sentiment very close to a proposal of criminalizing homosexuality itself.  The Church is against that.

But traditional-alt-right style Remnant Catholics may not be against it - quite the opposite.  Some rad-trad Catholics hate homosexuals and will never trust those who say they are ex-homosexuals or Catholics with SSA, or simply Catholic penitents.  Just saying.

"They" say, "hate the sin, love the sinner" - but - as I like to remind everybody, many hate the sinner just as much as the sin.  Just as much.  I know this from experience.


Notes:

*This statement misattributed to Pence personally, stemmed from a 1993 journal article about homosexuals serving in the military. Mike Pence was in charge of the organization that published the journal, the the Indiana Policy Review Foundation (IPRF), but he did not himself pen the article in question. - Snopes

**causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry.
"the allegations made are deeply offensive to them"
    synonyms: insulting, insolent, derogatory, disrespectful, hurtful, wounding, abusive;

"Faith is a great companion of life 

when it allows us to experience the presence of a Father 

who never abandons his creatures, 

whatever their condition of their life."

- Pope Francis

These things look similar to me ...

I was looking for something on St. Francis and 'perfect joy' and the Canon 915 photo popped up, which reminded me of the Westboro Baptist photo. It's what some religious people feel called to do - and they call it 'truth in charity'.

I know the photos are different, and the Catholic one is (supposedly) expected to be 'remedial' - yet the tone/expectation is often the same among Catholic correctors.  

Last evening I watched a bit of Catholic TV, switching from Arroyo, I caught a video from Fr. Mike Schmitz on confession for adults.  I love that guy.  Afterword, Voris' Church Militant aired.  What a huge difference between the two.  As is typical, Voris slammed the Church of nice and went after Fr. James Martin, SJ.  Like I said, what a contrast.

That's all.

The Pharisees, doctors of the law are not people of the past, even today there are many of them.

The Good Samaritan

William Small (1843–1931)

What the Pope said. 

In my country, said the Pope, "I have heard several times of parish priests who did not baptize the children of the mothers because they were not born in canonical marriage. They closed the door, why? Because the heart of these parish priests had lost the key to knowledge.

Three months ago, in a country, in a city, a mother wanted to baptize her newly born son, but she was married civilly with a divorced man. The priest said, 'Yes, yes. Baptize the baby. But your husband is divorced. So he cannot be present at the ceremony. ' This is happening today. The Pharisees, doctors of the law are not people of the past, even today there are many of them. That is why we need prayers for us shepherds. To pray that we do not lose the key to knowledge and do not close the door to ourselves and the people who want to enter. " - Pope Francis

I was baptized and received the sacraments despite the fact my mother was divorced and remarried to my dad.  They did not go to church, but I was educated in Catholics school.  The priest who baptized me joked with my father and was incredibly kind to my parents - no scolding - nothing.  That was many years before Vatican II.

The Pope is Catholic.

S. Pedro de Alcantara

S. Pedro de Alcántara - Pedro de Mena

Ganswein stated he never said that.

(File photo)

Rumors of Benedict XVI being close to death circulated on social media following a quote attributed to Ganswein, which reads, “Pope Benedict is like a candle that fades slowly. He is serene, at peace with God, with himself and the world. He can no longer walk without help and can no longer celebrate Mass.”

He never said that.

Archbishop Ganswein called this quote “pure invention.”

“It is false and wrong! I would like to know who the author of this is,” he said, according to German media outlet kath.net.

“I have received in the last two days many messages that refer to this phrase, and people are worried,” he said.

Last week, Ratzinger’s brother was at the Vatican to visit, and he has now returned home, Ganswein confirmed, adding, “Both had a good time.” - CNA

“It is false and wrong! I would like to know who the author of this is."

I'll tell you Georg, Church Militant spread the rumor here.

Drama Queen ...

Cardinal Raymond Burke leaving the church of St. Dunstan's in Canterbury, England, 

after praying at the burial place of the relic of the head of St. Thomas More, Oct. 15, 2017.

Story here.

I think Cardinal Burke really likes drama.  He has a gift for theatrics.  Just an observation - not a criticism.

What?

Archbishop Georg Gänswein asks us to pray for Pope Benedict ...

A friend sent me this:

His Eminence, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Prefect of the Papal Household and personal secretary to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, asks the world to pray for the Holy Father. His Eminence states that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI “is like a candle which is slowly, serenely fading. He is serene, at peace with God, himself and the world. He is unable to walk without assistance and is no longer able to celebrate Mass.”

Sainte Marguerite-Marie Alacoque

« Ô très amoureux Coeur de mon unique amour Jésus, ne pouvant Vous aimer, honorer et glorifier selon l’étendue du désir que Vous m’en donnez, j’invite le ciel et la terre de le faire pour moi ; et je m’unis à ces ardents séraphins pour Vous aimer.

Ô Coeur tout brûlant d’amour, que n’enflammez-Vous le ciel et la terre de Vos plus pures flammes pour en consommer tout ce qu’ils enserrent, afin que toutes les créatures ne respirent que votre Amour !

Changez-moi tout en Coeur pour Vous aimer, en me consommant dans Vos plus vives ardeurs.

Ô Feu divin, ô Flammes toutes pures du Coeur de mon unique amour Jésus, brûlez-moi sans pitié, consommez-moi sans résistance !

Ô Amour du ciel et de la terre, venez, venez tout dans mon Coeur pour me réduire en cendres !

Ô Feu dévorant de la Divinité, venez, venez fondre sur moi !

Brûlez-moi, consommez-moi au milieu de Vos plus vives flammes, qui font vivre ceux qui y meurent.

Ainsi soit-il ! »  - Sainte Marguerite-Marie Alacoque (1647-1690)

A Letter of St. Margaret Mary 

Would that I could tell all I know about this lovable devotion and reveal to the whole world the treasures of graces which Jesus Christ keeps in his adorable Heart and wishes to shower with profusion on all those who will practise it ! Yes, I am certain that if people knew how pleasing this devotion is to Jesus Christ, there would not be a Christian with so little love for this lovable Saviour as not to practise it at once. It is perfectly clear that there is no one in the world who would not receive every kind of help from Heaven if he had a truly grateful love for Jesus Christ. It is such a love one shows by practising devotion to his Sacred Heart.  -  St. Margaret Mary, L. 141 to her Spiritual Director

Most amiable Jesus, 

You who let Yourself be crushed 

under the weight of the sins of the world, 

receive our love. 

I particularly adore the holy wound of your open side, 

your Transfixed Heart. 

Be our refuge; 

it is through your Holy Wounds 

that we are healed.

Blood and water, flowing forth from the side of Christ ...

Confession: manifestation of God's mercy "The soul also receives Baptism in another way, speaking in figurative terms, by special providence of my divine love. I was well aware of human fragility and weakness, that leads human beings to offend me. Persons are not constrained by this nor by any other thing to commit the fault, if they do not wish, but being weak they commit mortal sins, thus losing the grace they received in holy baptism by virtue of the Blood. For this reason it was necessary that Divine Love should make available a continual baptism of the Blood. This baptism comes about through a contrite heart and through confession of sins to a priest, when possible, for they have the keys of the Blood, the Blood the priest pours upon the soul when he absolves the person. If some one is unable to confess, contrition of heart is sufficient. Then my mercy bestows on you the fruit of this precious Blood, but if you can confess I want you to do so, and whoever being able does not confess, will remain deprived of the benefit of the Blood. However, it is true that whoever, at the moment of death wants to confess and is unable to do it, he likewise shall receive the fruit of the Blood. But let nobody be so foolish at life's end, hoping to set his soul in order, because it is not certain that I, due to his obstinacy, may say in consonance with my divine justice: "You did not remember me during your life, when you had time. I do not remember you now at the point of death!" Let no one procrastinate it, but even if there should be somebody who has wilfully done so, he ought not omit baptizing himself with hope in the Blood even if it were the last day. You see then how this baptism is continual and the soul must be baptized in it until life's end, as I have indicated. Through this baptism you can understand that the torment of the cross ended, but the fruit of this torment, which you received from me is infinite. This is due to my infinite divine nature, united to finite human nature. This human nature suffered in me, Word, clothed with your humanity. Since one nature is joined and kneaded with the other, the eternal divinity brought upon itself the torment which I bore with such ardent love. That is why this my action can be said to be infinite, not because the torment suffered bodily is infinite, nor the torment of my desire of accomplishing your redemption, which really finished and came to an end on the cross when the soul was separated from the body. But the fruit that sprang from that torment and the desire for your salvation are infinite. That is the reason why you can unsparingly receive this fruit. If it had not been infinite then humanity would not have been redeemed: people of the past, the present and the future. It would not have been possible for persons who sin to be purified from their sins, if this baptism of blood had not been offered without measure, because the fruit of the Blood is infinite. I showed you this in my open side, where you discover the secret of my heart: namely, that I love you much more than what I could show you with the finite torment. I have shown you that my love is infinite. In what way? With the baptism of the Blood, joined to the fire of my charity, that out of love was poured out; and through baptism, understood in the common sense, given to Christians, to whoever wishes to receive it, baptism of water joined to blood and to fire, in which the soul is kneaded with my blood. To show you all this I wanted blood and water to flow forth from my side. Now I have answered your request." - St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church: The Dialogue LXXV Prayer: Oh God, You showed St. Catherine the infinite love which burns in Your Heart for all Your human creatures. She generously shared this revelation and imitated its consequences to a heroic degree. Grant that we may follow her example, trusting in Your promises and increasing our faith in Your presence in every sacrament, especially in the sacrament of Your forgiveness. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord...... Amen.

Tres Beatos Niños de Tlaxcala, Cristóbal, Antonio y Juan, protomártires de América

"Soon we shall reach the wedding feast!" - Words of S. Catherine of Siena

to Niccolo di Tuldo moments before his execution.  The wedding garments of

the martyrs and the penitents are washed in the Blood of the Lamb...

Christ receives their "blood into his own blood."

So many martyrs canonized today.

The newly-declared saints include 30 so-called “Martyrs of Natal,” who were killed in 1645 in a wave of anti-Catholic persecution by Dutch Calvinists in Natal, Brazil.

Also from Latin America was a group of three indigenous martyrs from Mexico - Cristobal, Antonio and Juan - known as the “Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala.” Aged between 12 and 13, they were among the first indigenous Catholics of Mexico, murdered between 1527 and 1529 for refusing to renounce their faith and return to their ancient ‎traditions.‎ - Vatican Radio

This is a great sign.

The Pope is the Pope.  The Church is Catholic.  One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. 

Love is the only way to defeat evil

This is what love does, the Pope said, because this is the only way that evil is defeated.

And inviting us all to live in true love and “practice” love every day, Francis said “the Saints who were canonized today, and especially the many martyrs, point the way: They did not say a fleeting ‘yes’ to love; they said they ‘yes’ with their lives and to the very end”.

At Baptism, he concluded, we received a white robe, the wedding garment for God: Let us ask him, through the intercession of the saints, our brothers and sisters, for the grace to decide daily to put on this garment and to keep it spotless” by approaching the Lord fearlessly in order to receive his forgiveness”.

“This is the one step that counts, for entering into the wedding hall to celebrate with him the feast of love” he said. - VR

S. Teresa de Jesus

Aparición de Cristo crucificado a santa Teresa de Jesús 

y Aparición de Cristo Salvador a santa Teresa de Jesús

Alonso Cano (1601-1667)

Happy feast day to all Carmelites and those named Terry!

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