The destruction of the Sodomites ...

Editor's note: I posted this yesterday because I was struck by the story of a desecration of a sanctuary in Ireland, gay sex on the altar, and the irony of a story of a Belgian Cardinal suggesting that Catholic teaching needs to change regarding same sex couples and sexual activity in stable relationships.  Yesterday was First Friday and it seemed to me the desecration needed reparation.  It also reminded me of the French Revolution when a prostitute was celebrated upon the altar in Notre Dame.  I found it rather disturbing and even foreboding.

The statement by the Cardinal, if accurate, directly contradicted Catholic teaching which clearly states homosexual acts can never be approved.  Letters to the bishops from the CDF have gone to great lengths to explain all of that in minute detail.  Pope Francis himself does not approve of gay marriage - he's been quite clear on that.  The Belgian Cardinal is not suggesting gay marriage of course, but he is open to the possibility homosexual acts can be approved between same sex couples.  That can never happen.

The juxtaposition of that news coupled with the homosexual acts on the altar and before the tabernacle, is not without significance, BTW.  It seems clear to me that those who desecrated the sanctuary did so to symbolize the intent of gay activists demanding the approval of homosexual acts.  It is a sacrilege similar the the ACT-UP desecration of the Eucharist at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan several years ago.

The following is my original post with Church Militant links removed.*

The destruction of the Sodomites ... Not in the sense one might imagine.

I just read a piece on FB about a parish in Ireland called St. Bartholomew's wherein young men filmed themselves engaged in sex with a man dressed as a priest.  They were on the altar in front of the tabernacle.  Earlier today I read that Cardinal De Kesel of Belgium, believes the Church needs to change her teaching on homosexuality and that gay sex could be permissible between committed same sex couples. 

"Take Lot's wife as an example, because she was troubled at the destruction of the Sodomites and turned her head to watch what was happening, God punished her by converting her into a pillar of salt. You are thus to understand God's will: that even though you live among devils you should not turn the head of your thoughts to their affairs, but forget these things entirely and strive to keep your soul occupied purely and entirely in God, and not let the thought of this thing or that hinder you from doing so." - St. John of the Cross

*Nota bene:  I'm not a follower or supporter of Church Militant and I disagree with their editorial policies of criticizing and condemning bishops and priests who they label dissident.  I also disagree with some of their journalistic tactics.  Nevertheless, on occasion they provide a service and the revelations by Michael Voris of his past difficulties with sexuality is an important contribution to the conversion stories of gay men who hope to live a chaste and celibate life in accord with Catholic teaching.

I came across a decent presentation by Voris on the subject of homosexuality, and there were points I agreed with in it.  The episode was titled "The Gay Mind".  I disliked the bishop/priest bashing, but Voris made some decent remarks about the genesis of homo-ness.  It occurred to me that he and I might have had similar experiences in that area, and that, to be honest is why I think what he says is helpful for others seeking reconciliation with the Church.  Anyway, this is what I wrote on my FB share of Voris' video:

Works for me. All except for the bishops are evil bit. Oh, and the gay priests bit. We know that many have been ordained who have never acted out or even encouraged the behaviors associated with being gay. We know that some men never really experienced homosexual attraction until well into adulthood - after ordination.  We know that bishops and cardinals still ordain men who are gay - or identify as SSA - in or out of Courage. We know all cannot accept Voris' explanation of the genesis of homosexuality - but his personal testimony works for me - or coincides with my own experience. That said, Catholic teaching works exceptionally well for me. Not everyone can be convinced of it however. - Me

I simply propose and wouldn't think of imposing or demanding anyone agree with me.  I don't preach - I live my life.  Since being online I have met people that do preach and impose, some fruitcakes and some who work in ministry, often proposing Courage as the only Catholic way.  The 'can't say 'gay' bullshit' is a stupid hoop that makes gay Catholics look and sound completely nuts to non-Catholics.  There is so much misinformation swirling online about homosexuality and queer people that it is almost impossible to post about it without writing a lengthy treatise.  It is an extremely divisive subject which gets complicated by little-old-lady, celibate-consecrated-virgins, and former ssa religious directors and family council members who seek to impose strict guidelines on how other people are supposed to live.

The upshot is some of the very unstable individuals leave the Catholic Church for the Episcopalians, others double down in strict pious exercises after every fling into porn, binging and anonymous sex, until the 'juices' start flowing again and they fall off the wagon only to sober back up and make application to some monastery or abbey because they think that will save them.  In other words, gay-Catholics and their 'rule writers' tend to make the Church and and ordinary life impossible for many otherwise good people.  They are like dry drunks and busy-bodies measuring the orthodoxy of one another and this or that priest.  I think it is why hard-line Traditionalists Conservative politics is so attractive to them.

Nothing personal to anyone who reads me, but this is what I mean when I say I am tired of gay people and their bullshit - Catholic or not.  No one is forcing anyone to be gay or Catholic.  If you're gay - so what?  If you are Catholic - be devout, frequent the sacraments, pray, and mind your own business.  And quit looking for affirmation and praise and people to congratulate you.

Works for me.

What?

Voice of the Voiceless and the Freedom March and ex-Gays.

I did not know about these organizations.

Freedom March has made Pulse Nightclub survivor Luis Ruiz sort of a poster-boy for the ex-Gay movement.  Mr. Ruiz experienced a conversion experience after the terrorist shooting at the Pulse nightclub, and says he is no longer gay.

Ruiz shared this revelation just ahead of the Freedom March, to be held May 5 in Washington. The event bills itself as a “celebration of freedom from homosexuality and transgenderism. The event's organizers have partnered with Voice of the Voiceless, a religious group whose mission is “to defend the rights of former homosexuals, individuals with unwanted same-sex attraction, and their families,” according to its website. - NBC

Works for me - and I will tell you why.

The man can choose not to act out on homosexual attraction.  He can make that choice.  He needs to prepare himself for trials, nonetheless.  As we all must, when we choose to follow Christ and live according to the Gospel.

The protests against Ruiz and those who identify as ex-gay is interpreted by gay people as a threat to their identity, their rights and the social acceptance they have attained.  They view conversion therapy as a threat and a dangerous procedure, especially when imposed by parents or institutions upon minors or individuals against their will, as was done in Franco's Spain or the Soviet Union and the UK.  I think modern 'conversion therapy' may be helpful to adults who are willing and financially able to engage in it, but it can never be mandated or considered as rehab.  I'm sure it works for some highly motivated people, but I often wonder if perhaps they were not all that gay to begin with.  I don't know.

Freedom March and movements such as Voice of the Voiceless strike me as a bit reactionary.  (As a political movement it is acceptable - but mixing politics and religious belief and psychology is a difficult mix to sell.) I know ex-gay stuff is highly criticized and 'conversion therapy' is controversial and lobbied against, as well as outlawed for minors - in California I think.  Again, I see the concern to outlaw it for minors, since it could screw kids up even more, but passing a law against it is likewise reactionary.  Just my opinion.  When it's a free-speech, freedom of religion issue, then it needs to be addressed, but it's going to be a big fight due to the fact the LGBTQ movement has struggled for decades to achieve the equality they have today.  Especially since  LGBTQ equality is pretty much part of the curriculum in public schools. 

“I survived because I believe God still had a purpose for me,” Ruiz said.

God bless Luis Ruiz, and prayers for his healing from the Pulse terror, as well as his perseverance in Christ.  All sorts of comments are popping up on Facebook against him and the group which adopted him.  They are against saying anything bad gay life, or even describing it as a lifestyle, and so on.  The very idea of renouncing gay social life, same-sex sexual behavior and romance, is as I said threatening to gay people, especially the young, who just came out or have begun to live independently on their own.  They are 'happy' - which is all anyone wants for their kids and their friends anyway.  Why make problems to fix something that is no longer considered something to fix?  Just saying - that's the popular mindset - I'm just trying to explain why the backlash against people who say they are no longer gay.

Yet no one is stopping anyone from following Christ and the Gospel/Catholic-teaching.  No one is stopping a man or woman from identifying themselves an ex-gay or celibate person who was at one time same-sex attracted.  Repentance for sins committed and conversion of manners is what Christ calls us to.  Everyone faces trials and resistance from the world, the flesh and the Devil when we do that.  Scripture warns us, prepare yourselves for trials.

Christopher Doyle, co-founder of Voice of the Voiceless, told NBC News this weekend's event is "about celebrating our lives and not hating the LGBTQ movement."

"We made a conscious choice to leave homosexuality, and we should be able to do that without being mocked," Doyle wrote in an email. - NBCNews

Yeah, well.  Good luck with that.  Just saying.

What is it with religious people who don't expect to be mocked and scorned, rejected and persecuted?  Preaching about the transformative power of Jesus Christ is wonderful and true.  Not everyone can or will accept it.

The world will mock you.
The flesh will tempt you.
The Devil will deceive you

-and try to convince you you are a saint. 

It's also important to remember, at least for Catholics, something Pope Benedict once said:

"I feel it is helpful to reaffirm that the Church does not impose but rather freely proposes the Catholic faith ..." - Pope Benedict XVI

In conclusion.

When a man changes his life or renounces a former way of life for love of Christ, this is often part of his decision making...

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" - Mark 8:36

For "life is so short, the path leading to eternal life so narrow, and I know the just man is scarcely saved, while the things of the world are vain and deceitful, and all comes to an end and fails like falling water. The time is uncertain, the accounting strict, perdition very easy and salvation most difficult... My life has vanished, I know well I must render an account of everything - from the beginning of my life as well as this later part - unto the last penny, when God will search Jerusalem with lighted candles, and it is already late - the day far spent - to remedy so much evil and harm..." - St. John of the Cross

Even if ... even when ...

Love knows how to safeguard the little flame 

in the midst of a dark night.

- Pope Francis

Pray the rosary ...

Pope Francis leads the rosary

at the shrine Madonna del Divino Amore.

St. Joseph the Worker

S. Joseph - Pietro Annigoni

This is good.

What did the Pope really say about, you know, all of that?

Mark Mallet created a rather good reference page on what the Holy Father has said about key issues which critics have made claims he desires to change Catholic teaching on.  Again, I believe the reformers of the reform along with many other Tradsters, who were hoping that Pope Benedict would be the one to restore the kingdom of pre-Vatican II papal grandeur and liturgical rites, are actually the ones creating the most confusion.  But I digress.  (My opinion means nothing of course, uneducated and steeped in sin since birth as I am.  Vatican groupies, professional students and radio commentators, who follow elderly, traditionalist prelates and would-be royal-pretenders, obviously know much more than I do.)

I'm not a subscriber or follower of Mark Mallet but for a charismatic prophecy type of guy, he seems very balanced and faithful.  Anyway, check out Mallet's 'reference page' on the Holy Father's statements, which demonstrates that he truly is a faithful son of the Church - and the Pope,

Mark Mallet: Pope Francis on ...