Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The Vigano Backlash




The Neo-Savonarola Movement

It didn't start with Archbishop Vigano, he just shed light on the problem after the McCarrick scandal became public.  What's the problem?  Catholic teaching and homosexuality - some want it changed, others simply want it 'enforced'..  In a way, Fr. James Martin, S.J. started the fire with his Building A Bridge 'campaign'.  Reaction was almost immediate.

Aside from groups like New Ways Ministry and other gay acceptance groups dissenting from Catholic teaching, the existence of homosexuals in the clergy has been denied by most in the hierarchy - until Vigano.  Of course there was Michael Voris at Church Militant and others who have devoted their journalistic talents to exposing the homo-network, but they were pretty much considered to be part of the right-wing-nut-fringe.  Now Archbishop Vigano seems to have unleashed a revolt, and it's almost beginning to look like the Westboro Baptist protest - see the photo above, TFP folks protesting Fr. Martin.

Monsignor Pope reflects upon the letters of Archbishop Vigano, particularly the third letter, which I too found compelling because the Archbishop's message is a sober reminder of of sin, Hell and judgment.  Monsignor quotes the Archbishop:

In this letter Archbishop Viganò writes as if he never got the memo to obfuscate and speak in cloaked and guarded ways; to speak in such hazy terms that no one really has any idea what you are saying.  Instead the Archbishop comes right out and says,
[T]his very grave crisis cannot be properly addressed and resolved unless and until we call things by their true names. This is a crisis due to the scourge of homosexuality, in its agents, in its motives, in its resistance to reform. It is no exaggeration to say that homosexuality has become a plague in the clergy, and it can only be eradicated with spiritual weapons. It is an enormous hypocrisy to condemn the abuse, claim to weep for the victims, and yet refuse to denounce the root cause of so much sexual abuse: homosexuality. It is hypocrisy to refuse to acknowledge that this scourge is due to a serious crisis in the spiritual life of the clergy and to fail to take the steps necessary to remedy it.… the evidence for homosexual collusion, with its deep roots that are so difficult to eradicate, is overwhelming. …To claim the crisis itself to be clericalism is pure sophistry. - Pope

I see nothing abusive in the way Monsignor Pope reflects on Vigano's letter.  I personally dislike any suggestion the Holy Father is being deceitful - which is what I get from the Archbishop, however it is his affair to answer for.  Personally, I have great respect for Monsignor Pope and I am not at all criticizing him here - though I can't endorse Archbishop Vigano's allegations against the Holy Father.



There is a growing backlash which seems to me to be getting out of hand.  There is a direct confrontation between LGBTQ/Gay Catholics/SSA Catholics and normal/straight/hetero/chaste-celibate/married Catholics.  (Sorry, I have no other terms.  LOL!)  It's one extreme against another in many cases.

Rather than take time to write or review, here are a few links illustrating what I mean:

Michael Voris:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B1iJCS-6Yk&t=117s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTTxqLqp2tQ

Then of course, the infamous Barnhardt whose diatribes make Randy Engels sound like Mother Teresa:
We are at war with sodomites, whether we like it or not, because sodomites are at war with us. We are in a war with execrable faggots like James Martin, Ethh Jay, and really all unrepentant sodomites. Given that sexual perversion is a derivative of Diabolical Narcissism,sodomites, exactly like the demons they emulate, prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. They want to drag as many people as possible down into hell with them, and it all begins with the hell-on-earth that they wallow in.
The above writers are among the extreme, following closely are writers for The Remnant, 1P5, LifeSite and a few other bloggers.  Things are heating up, as witnessed in the resignation of a San Diego parish worker.
In an Oct. 19 email to friends and associates, Aaron Bianco, who submitted his resignation to Bishop Robert McElroy, said he had "endured physical and emotional violence from groups like Church Militant and LifeSite News for the past year and a half." The harassment included slashed tires, death threats, attacks outside Mass, and "hundreds of letters, phone calls and emails." - NCR
Bishop McElroy is accused of being gay by some pundits online, as well, so there's a 'witch-hunt' mentality going around as well.

In one article, Randy Engels casts doubt about Fr. Harvey and Courage Apostolate, questioning his spiritual direction allowing for priests with SSA in active ministry.  

Which leads me to a little more balanced critique, albeit rather provocative, written by Deacon Russell for Crisis:
Homosexuality is “normal”—the psychological professionals tell us so. 
Until it comes to what happened in the Catholic Church. Here is what I mean: the landscape of life in the Church and particularly at the parish level is and was absolutely easy for a homosexual priest to just slightly modify in order to achieve a dynamic very similar to that which I describe above, straight out of the history of homosexuality’s “coming out.” The despicable “grooming mentality” was employed in both landscapes. A priest who hides his homosexuality can enter a Catholic universe in which he had at one time unmitigated access to adolescent teen boys who, through immaturity, their own sexual confusion, or perhaps in some cases “consensual” (ones never reported as abuse), find themselves sexually compromised by the priest’s willingness to “do” the acts that are associated with “being” homosexual. - Crisis
That's a tough read, to be sure.  In his closing remarks Deacon Russell concludes:
Tragically, young people everywhere are now urged to “come out” as an act of liberation, when in truth it is a participation in a now-venerable form of subjugation, oppression, and even possible victimization.
And our twisted mob culture wants us all to take “pride” in this? - ibid
Ironically, some of the more virulent critics of homosexuals endorse their own venerable version of subjugation, oppression and victimization, while endorsing a sort of mob-culture of their own.

From Barnhardt to Fr. Z there is a great deal of fear mongering, especially when they write about Sodomites as the most dangerous and evil people alive:

They are some of the most evil and dangerous people alive. It would be completely irrational to NOT fear a person who is so incredibly warped and depraved. “Phobia” has nothing to do with it, and the term “homophobia” should never be permitted. - Barnhardt

Fr. Z echoes Barnhardt when he wrote this in one of his recent posts:
"Again, Viganò has uncovered the root of The Present Crisis: homosexuals and homosexual predation – with the sodoclericalism that results. 
I think we have to make a distinction between clericalism and sodoclericalism.
Do make regular prayer for Archbp. Viganò part of your daily routine. When he issued his first piece, he went into hiding. Some might think that that is a little melodramatic. However, I know for a fact that homosexuals and mafiosi and all manner of dangerous actors run together, for their interests overlap. In Vatican circles, people can turn up dead. HERE It also happens far out of Vatican circles but within the Church when it comes to unmasking the powerful and their homosexual depredations. HERE When it came to McCarrick, one person was afraid of winding up at the bottom of the Potomac. HERE Archbp. Viganò has good reason to be afraid. Homosexual crime is among the most brutal that law enforcement and medical responders see." - Fr. Z
The paragraph in italics demonstrates the extremist positions feeding into the crisis in the Church.  Barnhardt especially is downright hate filled, condemning both Pope Francis and now St. Paul VI, whom she viciously calumniates and slanders in a manner too scandalous to repeat.  I know people say she has no credibility but many of my readers, former blogger friends, and even priests read her and praise her for her honesty, while several 'news' sites print her rantings.

Beware the anti-papists and religious zealots.




21 comments:

  1. Read the article and find those who are engaged "against the sodomites" to be too full of self-righteousness, judgmental condemnation and severely lacking in charity towards their neighbors.

    They should be very careful because as hard as they might try pulling the planks from the eyes of those whom they condemn, well, they just might end up re-logging them into their own.

    Meh! Doesn't make much sense but I get it ... with life being what it is with its ups and downs all of this is too tedious to read about let alone care.

    I will devote that energy to living and prayers and work and play.

    A blessed week to all!

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  2. The italicized paragraph from Zuhlsdrof’s post is still on his blog, so I don’t know what you are alluding to.

    For what it’s worth (and my opinion really isn’t worth anything), I basically disagree with your post, Terry. There is a definite war in the Church, and Viganò has drawn the battle lines. Anyone who is on the side of Viganò is not standing with the Chair of Peter, and if you are not with Peter, you are not with Christ or His Church. You can’t be supporting Viganò and supporting Pope Francis at the same time, And that includes priests such as Zuhlsdorf and Msgr, Charles Pope. As far as I am concerned, they are enemies of Pope Francis.

    And I am tired of hearing how “courageous” Viganò” is. He doesn’t even have the guts to show his face. He takes hits at the Holy Father and then runs and hides. He is a coward.

    Terry, do you believe Pope Francis is guilty of the accusations made against him by Viganò? Do you believe his tirades are spiritual masterpieces as Msgr Pope does?

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    1. "And I am tired of hearing how “courageous” Viganò” is. He doesn’t even have the guts to show his face. He takes hits at the Holy Father and then runs and hides. He is a coward."

      My sentiments exactly. Like I have already said, he's lost all credibility where I am concerned because of this very behavior.

      A life of "lash out then dash out."

      I hope that he will eventually consider Cardinal Ouellet's invitation to "come out of hiding and repent and reconcile with the Holy Father." He can disagree with Pope Francis but do it in a much more charitable and mature manner worthy of his position if he truly is sincere.

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    2. I was sure he took it down - so I'll correct that.

      Again you misread my thoughts I think - or I failed to make them clear. I liked Monsignor's conciliatory tone but I still find offense in Vigano's suggestion or implication that Pope Francis is lying or failing in some way. His letter - 3rd one - seems full of conciliatory reflection until he indicts the Holy Father. I was trying to carefully phrase my thoughts so as not to offend but I think I did.

      But no - I do not believe the Holy Father is guilty of the accusations made against him, but I did like his reflections on the 'last things' as his motivation, which for me made him so convincing in the first place. BUT! His accusations against the Pope negates his testimony for me.

      I used the Monsignor's post as a sort of soft example of the Vigano backlash, leading up to the other examples I posted. My writing/composition isn't what it used to be and I'm often interrupted - so that may be why I'm missing stuff or confuse the reader.

      My big thing is the intolerance and contempt hurled at persons whose state of soul we do not know. Particularly those who identify as gay Catholic. These poor people have been condemned by these writers, saying they are dangerous and evil - the worst among criminals, and so on. It's a very dangerous movement fueled by the writers I mentioned. I hope that clears it up for you. I stand with Pope Francis and the magisterium.

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    3. Yaya - I trust what Ouellet said concerning Vigano. We think alike.

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    4. Alright Mary - I edited for clarity - thanks for calling it to my attention again. :)

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    5. I know you do Terry. You are much more charitable than I can ever be. I want to understand the "Catholic rage" but I just can't since I am unable to reconcile calling myself a "faithful traditional Catholic" while spewing hate and ugliness of words towards Papa Francis and those who support him.

      How can one hate so much yet claim to pray, frequent the sacraments, smear and spread lies about our Holy Father? Where is the authentic witness to life in Christ? I know for a fact that it ain't with these folks! If anything, they are a really big wounded turn off!
      No wonder many are turning away not only because of the abuse crisis but because of these folks too.

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    6. Yaya I wonder about that too. How can anyone go to communion in a state like that? God is indeed rich in mercy.

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    7. Why do people keep using Catherine of Siena as an example to oppose Popes? Catherine of Siena called for the Holy Father to return to Rome. And she did it with the utmost respect. She never hinted that he was a heretic trying to destroy the Church. She never said he was the worst pope in history.

      Pope Francis is a flawed human being, as we all are. He made a big mistake with the abuse victims of Chile. But once he realized his mistake, he corrected it. He has become very strong in acting against abusive priests. Viganò attacks him about McCarrick, but Francis is not the one who promoted McCarrick. Francis is the only pope who has taken real, decisive action against McCarrick. St John Paul II made McCarrick a Cardinal. Even the most holy among can make mistakes when it comes to judging character.

      Pope Francis prays 3 rosaries every day, spends two hours in prayer every morning, spends one hour in adoration at night. He makes himself more accessible to people than any pope in memory has ever done. He has preached about the dangers of the devil and hell constantly. He promotes confession more than any pope in my life time. He even publicly went to confession as an example to the whole world.

      These attacks against Francis are not for “personal moral failings,” They are demonic attacks intended to destroy the papacy. And the Church cannot exist without the papacy.

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    8. "It's complicated to be sure"

      I'll say it is, for how can one explain Vigano's rage against the Holy Father and his so-called disgust regarding McCarrick and his actions when there are videos/speeches to give the impression that what Vigano says and what he does about McCarrick are two different things?

      McCarrick appeared at numerous public events, under the noses of both Benedict and Viganò, with Viganò even caught on camera praising McCarrick and kissing him on the cheek. What was it Vigano said, "First of all, His Eminence Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - “he is an ambassador” for quite some time already, as a priest, a bishop, as archbishop and cardinal and very much loved from us all…” It happened on 2 May 2012, during Ratzinger’s pontificate, at the World Mission Dinner of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, which was held in a hotel in Manhattan.
      He also continued to travel, make public appearances, ordain priests for religious orders, and attend USCCB meetings while Viganò seemingly failed to "enforce" these sanctions he claims were in place.

      So, yeah ... things are a bit complicated.

      I stand with our Holy Father Papa Francis. He is innocent until proven guilty with CONCRETE FACTS and not smear tactics.

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    9. Catholic in Brooklyn - I too am dismayed by the Fr. Z crap, but I have a hard time believing Francis has fully “learned his lesson” as long as he remains close to people like Cardinal Danneels and Ezzatti, and as long as Maradiaga and Errazuriz, both victim-blaming clericalists, remain on the Council of Cardinals. When he finally acts to distance himself from men like this. I’ll have more confidence in his having learned. As it is though, I find he’s too willing to overlook serious issues when the prelates in question happen to be personal friends.

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  3. I feel prophetic. A few years back I predicted this issue would lead to a schism in our Church right here on your blog Terry. Lo and behold we see the beginnings playing out before us. American society has more or less accepted these sexual variances as within normal behavior. We all know someone among family or friends who have come out as a result. So, as we exclude these people the number of RC active members will decrease. Then the divorced, the liberals, woman seeking a larger role and God knows who will be next. The ironic thing is they have always been among us; just closested. There will be the gay church, the divorced and remarried church, the modern church, the church with woman priests, the traditional church in our communities. As for Vigano, I still believe he is a pawn being used quite effectively by the Church Militant group and American alt right politicians who have their own agenda. So, the Church shrinks in numbers and the Gospel message becomes rigid and judgemental. I still want all of the American hierarchy to resign as a penance. I understand most, the innocent, would be reinstated and the pool for replacement will be from the same bent but what choice do we have? When will the excommunications and Inquisition begin?

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    1. I think Vigano stepped too far in his indictment of the Holy Father, a bit like Savonarolla - yet those following suit are worse, more divisive and 'schismatic' if you will. The backlash against 'Sodomites' has the potential for real violence. The parish offices in San Diego were vandalized and the way some online are speaking, it wouldn't surprise me if people who have been dehumanized and demonized are victims of violence at the hands of 'faithful' Christians.

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    2. Schism in the American Church? A big maybe but I look elsewhere for inspiration nowadays. I see hope, renewal, affirmation of the faith in the Middle East and other Christian communities who are persecuted. They pray, they endure, they persevere and all while radiating joy in Christ as their eternal hope.

      They do not have the luxury of sitting on their gluteus maximus while online to critique, pontificate,, condemn nor speculate in prophecy unlike us many spoiled Catholic Americans.
      Yet despite all of this, there are many hidden ~little ones of Christ~ who cannot be bothered with all the drama as they strive to belong only to Christ and His Church. I know some of them and they are on fire for the Lord and His Church. They radiate joy and hope and have yet to engage in any negative talk despite them being well aware of what goes on.

      I can only hope to imitate my brothers and sisters in such a faith as theirs.

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  4. Dear Yaya it has already begun! I doubt it can be turned back. Those of not not directly effected are all choosing to put our attention elsewhere. What else can we do? Prayer is the only option for most of us. Meanwhile, at least in my community, parish are hemeroging members and money. Downsizing is now not just the lack of priests to staff. This is not going away. At some point we will all have to chose a side or just stay home!

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    1. If it has so be it. I am not worried as I only hope to fulfill my daily duty until the end. I am not going to waste time nor energy looking elsewhere while there is so much to do and to pray for.

      I take to heart St. Paul's words regardless of the naysayers ...

      "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer"

      In the grand scheme of things that's all that matters.

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    2. You are of course right Yaya. Good advice and that is what will get us through these dark days.

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  5. Anonymous9:54 PM

    I live in a diocese where our Bishop is currently being investigated by the feds for enabling moral degenerates, including one phony priest who dragged a young boy off the street and mouth raped him, throwing him back out in the street covered in dna.
    You people are living in lala land, and are a part of the evil.

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    1. Would you care to elaborate? I do not think anyone here is in denial, just struggling with how to move forward. Any constructive suggestions?

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    2. "You people are living in lala land, and are a part of the evil"

      Wow ... someone who reads the hearts of men and women appears on Terry's blog. Knows where we live (in lala land supposedly) and because many of us support our Holy Father and do not engage in "group think" are part of the evil.

      If those of us who stand with our Holy Father, who is Christ's Vicar on earth in prayer, in unity and in support are dismissed as "part of the evil" I stand ever more firmly since I know I am in good company.

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  6. Kudos to you Yaya. If ever I need an advocate you will be the one I go to. You make me laugh. PS: I loved LaLa Land-the movie!

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