Crackpots online promoting Bayside.

Claiming the Blessed Virgin warned us.

How did I miss this? Crackpots online are associating the Synod with dire prophesies issued in the so-called Bayside apparitions - which are absolutely false, BTW.  No matter how promoters try to convince readers they have yet to be approved.  They are preposterous.

I came across the following from David Martin on Eponymous Flower blog:

"While the Marian apparitions of *Bayside still await formal ecclesiastical sanction, it behooves Christian patriots to reflect on the Bayside message since it prophesied everything we see happening in the Church at this time."

Martin appears to be a promoter of Bayside.

Bayside was condemned by the local ordinary at the time:

"The Bayside apparition (“Our Lady of the Roses”) is totally and completely false. A Catholic should ignore it and have nothing to do with it or its literature. The supposed seer, the late Veronica Leuken, issued bizarre revelations and false prophesies that have not come to pass, such as the claim that “the Warning spoken of through the ages will occur in the year 1997.” This Warning—not to be confused with the Three Days of Darkness or the Chastisement that some speak of—”is the worldwide cataclysm predicted by little Jacinta Marto, the youngest of the three child-seers at Fatima.”

She also said Mary told her that test-tube babies do not have souls, a philosophically and theologically impossible proposition, since all living human beings have souls.

Furthermore, the late bishop of the diocese in which Veronica Leuken resided (Bishop John Mugavero) had repeatedly condemned the apparition as a fake. The condemnation remains in force. The full text of Mugavero’s 1986 declaration concerning the “Bayside Movement” can be found at www.ewtn.com." - Catholic Answers

I can't believe people would follow some crackpot, private revelation and use the 'messages' to reject the Pope. Bayside is a cult. Jacinta Marto didn't predict a worldwide cataclysm - Veronica claimed she did - but these fake messages are not part of the actual Fatima message. Bayside is absolutely ridiculous. What follows is an excerpt from the wacky messages concerning Jacinta:

"Jacinta of Fatima...
Veronica — Oh! Now by Our Lady there’s a great...oh, there’s a great light. And there...oh, oh, it’s Jacinta! I know her... now, and she’s pointing over to the trees. And she’s holding up one finger. She says:
Jacinta — "All has come true as I gave to you from Our Lady of the Roses, but Our Father still plans to bring you back. Everyone has so much in many things upon your earth, but yet they all look so unhappy. They are rich, and yet they are so poor.
"I have come to tell you of the poor Holy Father. I cried much for him. We love him, but man will destroy him now.
"Many little children are being destroyed on your earth. Our Father sends the angels to you, but you send them back to Us. It is only because Satan does not want a large army upon earth of Our Father’s children. Those that will be left will bring much grief and misery to the world, for they will be taken by Satan and used.
"I gave you the picture. I wrote on your picture. I did not know how to write much on earth, but I wrote. Our Father showed me how to write. Won’t you give everyone my picture? I want them to remember what I tried to tell them."
Veronica — Our Lady has now come over to Jacinta, and She’s placed Her arm about her. And there’s a little boy standing next to Jacinta. I know he’s Francisco. He has his hat off now. He’s standing with his hat, like a long cap, in his hand. And he’s smiling. (2-1-73)"

The 20th century is filled with stories of apparitions and private revelations, most are unapproved, many condemned, and those which are approved are usually simply designated as 'worthy of belief'.  Fatima is the exception, it's message archived by the Holy See, the official interpretation communicated there.

Several unknown, yet at the time popular sites of alleged apparitions, occurred after the Fatima events.  I like to remind readers of an alleged series of apparitions in 1931 which took place not far from San Sebastian, a city in Northern Spain near Garabandal. The visionary was Ramona Olazábal and her visions began on the feast of Mt. Carmel, July 16, 1931 at Ezkioga, Spain. The visions became popular and attracted crowds, but it was said they became corrupted by opportunistic Freemasons and were subsequently politicized. The apparitions were later condemned. You can read about them here.

The popular support of Ezkioga was also linked to anti-clerical factions, used in an effort to discredit the bishops. Not unlike today when we see the bishops and even the pope opposed in response to restrictions imposed upon claims of apparitions or private revelations.  Although now, we see Bayside and Garabandal used to discredit the Pope and recent Synods.  Catholics beware.

On a lighter note ... More Crackpot Headlines:

"Catholic Exchange calls communist crank Dorothy Day 'holy,' compares her to Catherine of Siena"

I saw it on Canon212.

I dunno.  It made me laugh.

Actually, I always thought Dorothy Day was more like St. Catherine of Genoa, but I can see a kinship with Catherine of Siena as well.

I think Steve Skojec is going after Frank Walker now, a good sign that Skojec is distancing himself from the extremists.

Some priests really do follow Ann Barnhardt ...

She should maybe teach Canon Law, she's so brilliant.

Even those who know Latin.

Barnhardt writes for The Remnant, 1P5, and has a Catholic following bigger than any fake-mystic-locutionist alive.  Or so it seems.  She claims her essays are translated into Polish and German as well.  Guess what - Fr. Z is a friend and likely secret-follower.

I have notes from people asking about something that my friend Ann Barnhardt wrote about the Latin text of the address Benedict XVI gave when he announced that he was going to abdicate. Ann contended that the Latin, as written and pronounced, indicated that Benedict did not truly resign. - Z

What is especially curious about subjunctive musings such as these is that Fr. Z gets himself tangled in Barnhardt's fish-nets.  For one, he agrees with her that "priests not knowing Latin" is a problem:

Yes, friends, this is a problem. I think that Latin Rite priests – in their copious free time – would do well to work on Latin, the language of their Rite. - Z

Not that there is anything wrong with that particular agreement.  However, his having read Barnhardt's update, does he agree with her  that 'Bergolio' is an 'Antipope'?  How much does he buy into her insane rants about the Church and the bishops?  Some days there does seem to be at least a semblance of agreement.  Barnhardt is a fringe conspiracy-monger, is that how the slavish-Latinist wants to be regarded?  Why wouldn't he comment on her crazed rants against the pope and bishops, calling them Sodomites?  Yet he will correct a grammatical error with great fervor, and praise her for correcting it.  Strange allies.

One needs to beware false mystics and locutionists as much as those who sow division and hatred in and through their conspiracy theories and speculations against the Pope and Magisterium.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, 

But the companion of fools will suffer harm. - Proverbs

Here it comes ... USCCB released the following statement regarding Catholic alt-right social media groups.

No matter how bad things got, Mean Gene Okerlund was 

always a gentleman when he conducted his interviews.

Warning Catholic to use extreme caution.

In response to repeated requests for comment from NBC News, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released the following response from their spokesman Bishop Christopher Coyne of Burlington, Vermont: 

“The promotion and defense of the faith should invite an encounter with the merciful love of Christ and contribute to a more civil and peaceful dialogue in our church and society,” he said. “I urge my brothers and sisters to exercise extreme caution before giving credence to anyone who instigates shameful, digital stoning as a way to defend the Church. Catholic participation in the public square should be marked by both fidelity to the Gospel and to charity toward all our fellow citizens.” - Source

Works for me.

I'd say it's about time as well - I wish they were more specific and name the sites.  Has anyone seen the video of Michael Voris chasing down Bishop Malone?  Michael is chasing him while pulling his luggage and holding onto his shopping bag, trying to get the bishop to respond to his questions.  I never turned the sound on, but it was funny.

Vortex-TMZ style ambush interviews.

Holy crap! Barnhardt has finally lost it.

Mad Meg

Accusing Cardinal Tobin of having an affair with an Italian actor.

George Neumayr has discovered who Tobin’s “baby” is. It is the Italian actor Francesco Castiglione, who – get this – is LIVING IN TOBIN’S RECTORY...

Neumayr is the guy Bishop Morlino said to beware of.   No need to wonder why, with this salacious gossip.  Barnhardt's writing is vulgar and contemptuous, and indecen, she begins the article: 'The filthy faggot Cardinal of Newark, New Jersey.'

The very idea of Tobin having an affair with the Italian actor is laughable.  This is exactly the same level of calumny passing as investigative journalism on which Vigano probably based many of his own conclusions.

Aside from the disturbing scandal-ridden, so-called journalism, what I find troubling is that many people follow Neumayr online, and to my surprise, some very solid people link to him, friend him on FB, and share his stories.  I don't really know who he is and never read him unless someone sends me a link.  Barnhardt shows up on one news aggregate and so I'll sometimes click to read her outlandish commentary.  Again, I'm surprised she has people - even priests - who read and actually support her.  Former online 'friends' continue to do so as well and actually believe what she writes.

I won't link to these people of course, I'm just noting that much of the scandal is fed by this type of crack-pottery online.  As Ouellet wrote to Vigano, "I cannot understand how could you have allowed yourself to be convinced of this monstrous and unsubstantiated accusation."

Beware Neumayr and Barnhardt.

Ed. Note: I neglected to note Castiglione is reportedly a house guest at Tobin's residence while he studies at Seton Hall. Interpreting that to mean he is having an affair/sex with Tobin is a monstrous, unsubstantiated accusation.  It's wicked and slanderous gossip.  This is why bishop's and diocesan spokesmen refuse to talk to so-called journalists like Neumayr or Voris.

PSA for Superstitious Catholics... That ain't no 'Stang'

Nope - not a 'Stang'!

So the Pope carried a 'Stang'? Crazy, superstitious Catholics seem to think so.

Forked crosses have been with us and used in the Roman Catholic Church for centuries - as early as the 13th century. The forked cross represents the Tree of Knowledge and follows pious-mystical tradition Christ was crucified on the same wood as the Tree in the Garden of Eden.

Many fork crosses are found in places run by 

the Dominican and Franciscan orders, especially in Italy. 

Dominican example.

Robber's cross of Schächerkreuz - later the

Latin cross was used or a straight bar was added

to differentiate Christ's cross from the

robber's cross.

(I've since discovered Deacon Kandra posted on the subject in much greater detail here.) 

Catholics need to 'Man Up' I guess.

A beard is a beard is a beard.

Buck up their swords and polish their shields.*

I didn't realize Fr. Longenecker does Catholic Man conferences.  In his latest article he has some decent advice - and not just for men I guess.  I know, it's just his handle, like his pop-Catholic advice.  One dumb idea after another - he blamed Brother Sun, Sister Moon for effete seminarians and priests last week.  I'm glad I'm not the only crackpot online.  Anyway, his latest is just so, so - though somewhat dismissive - I suppose it fits the Catholic man-talk strategy.

I say respond, react to the scandals any way you like - just let the hierarchy know you want straight answers and that you want to see reform.  In the meantime amuse yourselves, talk among yourselves, and enjoy the drama.

It's a great time to be Catholic, so long as one is content with a sufficiency and not worried about cashing in.

*Wait - I think I read that book.

Remember When? Taki Theodoracopulos claimed Prince Albert of Monaco kidnapped and drugged the woman he supposedly forced into marriage.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco 

and H.H. Pope Francis of Rome

Talk about conspiracy theories and fake news and, and, and ...

Today the Prince and Princess remain happily married, but in 2011 a story went around claiming Albert was pretty much a current day Marquis De Sade, who 'kidnapped, drugged, and then forced fiancee Charlene Wittstock, to abide by the agreement she had signed with the Principality of Monaco.'  Oh, her dad was supposedly held hostage at the time as well.  (Story here.)

I posted about the story after it was posted on a blog by someone I lost track of.  It's amazing how little things have changed online, in fact, how much worse things have become.  People skirmishing about the same issues, though the principals may have changed - yet conservative conspiracy enthusiasts still fall for every sensationalist rumor that pops up in their feed.  I wrote the following at the time the story broke:

I came across a post on Prince Albert of Monaco claiming the Prince kidnapped and drugged the woman he supposedly forced into marriage. (Grounds for annulment!) Taki Theodoracopulos, a Greek socialite - or former playboy-sportsman turned conservative pundit/journalist, thus making himself appealing to the 'always right' wing, who supposedly makes a living denouncing vulgarity among the rich and famous, claims to have intimate knowledge on what goes on in the Court of Monaco. Maybe he does, since he appears to suggest the Prince is some sort of latter day Marquis De Sade with rumors that he plays around - quite roughly - with male and female sex partners - in groups. How very French. So how is it that such a story isn't red hot news all over the MSM/Hollywood gossip circuit? He drugged his wife and forced her to marry him in a ceremony broadcast on TV? C'mon! That's a Dynasty script.

Maybe the reason no one takes the story seriously is because few people care or follow anything Greek in these days of economic collapse, and maybe because what goes on in the Las Vegas-style Principality of Monaco stays in Monaco. - Court Gossip

It's a good reminder to 'document' the fake news cycle and rumor mongering - to some degree - in order to replay it to remind people that a great deal one reads online is made up and scandal inducing, to distract people from the truth.  I think it's safe to say much of the court gossip in the Vatican is just as unverifiable as the Prince Albert and Princess Charlene story.  Unless she's still drugged...  Just remember, there are sources online deliberately manipulating opinion with fake news and rumors to divide and anger people.  Especially those Catholics who never quite graduated from debate class and view everything through an academic/post-graduate-degree lens, as if they are writing and revising some sort of perpetual  dissertation.  (I think there is a priest who has been doing that for well over a decade now.)

They look very happy to me.

What's the deal with Catholics claiming other Catholics are out for the blood of Cardinal Sarah?

I've just about had it.  What?

What's with all the ideological rhetoric?  Like Fr. Z calling these people the Red Menace?

He keeps posting about the 'New catholic Red Guard'.

Fr. Z is into branding - that's most likely because he can market it on mugs and bumper stickers.  It's amazing how his entrepreneurial ambition sometimes just adds to the craziness and confusion of Catholic information online.  Some days it is difficult to sort through the nutcases online when Fr. Z chimes in with this stuff.  He can come off just as much a crackpot as an Ann Barnhardt for instance, or even Skojec at 1P5 and a few others who make the headlines at Canon 212 - maybe add in Raymundo Arroyo and his World-Over-Celebrity-Interview-Showcase onto that list as well. 

When Fr. Z starts trumpeting this type of click-bait, he once again demonstrates why it is highly unlikely he will ever be named a 'domestic prelate'.  It may even indicate a serious lack of balance - a problem which certainly seems obvious with Barnhardt and Skojec. 

The 'New catholic Red Guard' - indeed.  Benedict and Sarah 'haters'.  Really?  C'mon.  Call out errors in teaching and dogma but stop with the mixed metaphor editorializing - it just adds to the confusion.

You are making things worse instead of better.

You call someone a Nazi 

and they turn around and call you

a Communist.  Where are the Catholics?

I thought this was about faith and morals?

What's ideology got to do with it?

Locutions to the Internet

Did heaven warn about floods in China?

So many mystics are out and about since Harvey and the floods in Texas, and now that the coming chastisement when the stars align on September 23, 1917 is less than a month away, many dire warnings concern the United States should be emerging.  Likewise, old locutions will be republished showing how accurate they are, now that events are unfolding.  The Great American Eclipse pretty much guarantees it.  BTW - Charlie Johnston is back online, and Jim Baker continues to offer refuge for the apocalypse, and the Fatima secret is unfolding as I write this.  What?

So yeah.  In July China had some really bad flooding.

The 2017 China floods began in early June 2017. More than 14.9017 million people in 10 provinces and municipalities and regions were affected. Hunan was the hardest hit. A total of 18,100 houses were destroyed, and more than 9,821-square-metre (105,710 sq ft) of crops were inundated. - Source

It didn't happen here in the USA, and the people weren't Catholic.  Which may explain why it wasn't included in the locutionary pipeline.

I'm being facetious of course.

Crazy Catholic stuff online ...

"Don't you dare try to tell me..."

I've been fascinated with devout Catholic crackpots all of my life.

I really have.  Like the Fatima group organizer from Boston in the early 1970's - a big redhead woman named Barbara - she practically did a background check on anyone who was asked to lead the rosary during the monthly all-night vigil.  She was a big mouth who sounded a lot like some of the whistle-blower types currently harassing the Boston Archdiocese today.  Not that anything is wrong with that.

 
To be fair, she was right about a lot of things that were wrong, but she was just so arrogant and self-righteous - even fanatic in the way she exploded in the listener's face - especially about Fatima:   "Don't you dare try to tell me...".  It was rather off-putting to ordinary Catholics and parish priests especially, and the behavior carried over into all of her relationships.  Mention her name and parish priests rolled their eyes.

“Portuguese, a very complicated language, darling. Four thousand irregular verbs.”

Barnhardt thinks one of the Soros boys could be the Antichrist.

George Soros is the largest single landowner in Argentina, 

owning over 1.2 million acres, and over 150,000 head of cattle. 

 Yore also reports that Soros has massive financial holdings in Argentina as well. 

 Given this, it would be naive to think that Soros and Bergoglio’s 

relationship began in March of ARSH 2013.

These days the very, very pious fishwives are online. Every parish has always had such devout meddlers - not always women either. They read a lot and know all the rubrics and instruct the pastor and new assistants how to do stuff.  Like the mayor in the film Chocolat did.

Mayor of Lansquenet instructing the parish priest on his homily.

As one commenter noted in another post of mine:

"Maybe these lay bloggers missed their vocation to the priesthood?Maybe there should be a synod on married priest so that all these lay bloggers can be the priests that they always wanted to be. After all these lay bloggers are more catholic than Pope Benedict."

He has a point.  A little bit of knowledge/experience can be as dangerous as a lot of knowledge without pastoral practice - you can begin to believe you know more than the Church.  This happens with people who tried their vocations in religious or priestly formation, and or studied theology and maybe even got a degree or two.  I will appropriate a few thoughts from Pope Francis to help explain what I think happens:

“When a person feels a a bit more experienced in the spiritual life or religious 'practice', he begins to appropriate faculties which are not his own, but which are the Lord’s. The original awe seems to fade, and this is the basis for a sort of lay-clericalism - in thought and action for those convinced of their righteousness.  What then prevails is a formal adherence to rules and to mental schemes, which seem to them to impart a certain authority - as if they were arbiter of what is right or wrong.  When we see what appears unorthodox or too permissive or lax in religious observance or catechetical instruction, we think we can set things right, that we are the protagonists. And if that person is faithful and devout, he ends up believing that he is separate from ordinary Catholics, that he owns the doctrine, that he not only owns power - but is obliged to wield it." (My edit)

"What new deviltry" is this?

Vox, please say this is not true. Please.

   I speak from experience.  

"They" have now finally turned against Pope Benedict XVI ...

Talk about trolls.

I'm not really surprised.  Catholics against Pope Francis have now condemned Pope Benedict for resigning, based upon excerpts from a new interview and book to be released at the end of August.  In part, Benedict said his retirement was because he was exhausted and couldn't face another grueling trip.  Some sources say that was his sole reason.  Fact is, Pope Benedict felt a need to clarify his reason(s) for retirement to dispel rumors he was forced to do so in the first place.  Read an honest report of what Benedict said he did and why he did it here.  His critics are commenting on pull quotes - even before the book is released.

It's amazing.  One know-it-all asks 'is this the Joseph Ratzinger we know'?  An understanding person with the most minute degree of compassion and insight may have anticipated such a move by Pope Benedict.  Several times he wished to retire as Cardinal Prefect of the CDF, yet stayed on because of Pope John Paul II's example and the Holy Father's desire that he keep working.  Benedict is an old man who has worked extremely hard all of his life, and his frailty became more and more evident as Pope.

Who are these people to condemn him or mock him in retirement?  Calling his interview 'vacuous' and suggesting it is full of lies inspired by the Franciscan pontificate.  Suggesting  'a donkey is wearing a lion's coat.'  While calling the interview and book 'deviltry'.  Benedict's critics now say he is no longer worthy of respect, that he is a disgrace.  They have pompously declared: Benedict XVI betrayed us. He was a coward who fled.

How do these people get that far out?

Crackpots Online: Here's something ...

What's in a logo?

You know the saying, "You can't make this stuff up." But people do - they really do make this stuff up, or at least they believe the crap other people make up.

Chris Moore sees something synergistically sinister in the Jubilee logo ...

The work explicitly takes the Good Shepherd iconography and perverts it into this merging of man and God. Second, the logo displays several uses of an almond shape, also known as the mandorla, or vesica piscis. We know this not only because our eyes tell us so, but because the Pontifical Council does as well. In their words, “[t]he scene is captured within the so called mandorla (the shape of an almond), a figure quite important in early and medieval iconography, for it calls to mind the two natures of Christ, divine and human.”

Without a doubt, orthodox Christian iconography is replete with this shape. The Virgin of Guadalupe stands in the midst of a mandorla, and many depictions of Christ throughout the millennia do as well. In this way, the logo does make use of Christian tradition, but it has clearly done so in an odd way. The fact that the image is surrounded by a mandorla is not, to my eye at least, especially noteworthy in any negative way, but coupled with the merging bodies and with the third eye, which is also almond-shaped, the entire piece takes on an occult feeling. - Read more at 1P5

Reading too much into things.

Obviously, the readers of 1P5 agree with the author and go so far as to expand the conspiracy, claiming it is also homoerotic ...

The image's Freemason teasing is so tickling obvious it acts as a distraction. With that, the image - regardless of the artist's intent - is no stealth surfacing signaling Illuminati plans and conspiracies. The Illuminati wickedly attained power shortly before the French Revolution, ran its course, and is now historical debris. Something other (other wicked things have taken its place. I do not give Satan honors of successfully running an "apostolic succession". With the Devil it's hit and miss: of course, hitting and missing with horrific destruction or great sizzle. Let's face it for him; the guy has been defeated, if not yet chained, tossed, and dungeon door slammed. 

The point being, evil's (and the Evil One's) present presence and current ways and means is what matters, which should arrest our own eyeballing the world about us.
Which brings me to this - and I'll say it, since few are - the image is homoerotic.

I'm not a big fan of logos myself - but these people are reading far too much into the design/composition of Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik.*  His work is outstanding and 'orthodox' and it should stand in testimony and proof of his 'Catholicity'.  A logo is a graphic design-symbol to encapsulate the essence of what it is supposed to represent - in this case the Jubilee or Holy Year of Mercy.  Logos are used to brand a product or in this case identify and summarize the meaning of mercy - to be merciful like the Father.

Christ goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep;  he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.  He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains,  he who is God, and Adam's son. -From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

Aside from the Pontifical Council's official description, it seems obvious to me at least, that the image is Christocentric - the so-called X cross the Christ figure stands upon is taken from the Resurrection icons of the Descent Into Hell, Christ tramples the gate of hell and redeems Adam - as Son of Man, Son of Adam - the Son of God is united with the fallen Adam - and he lifts him like the Good Shepherd upon his shoulders.  The symbolism is profound and steeped in Christian tradition - the Good Shepherd, the Descent into Hell, freeing the souls detained, rescuing the sinner like the Good Shepherd or the Good Samaritan: Christ the God-man - Son of God-Son of Man, the Divine Mercy, exhibiting the stigmata of the Holy Wounds, Christ the Image of the Father reconciling man to Himself.

A Freemason around every crackpot.

It is so simple and straight forward, yet crackpots with filthy minds and homoerotic memories are reading filth into an otherwise simple graphic depiction for a logo to be used on pamphlets, letterheads and cards in commemoration as well as to identify events and information connected to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

This conspiracy theory is nearly as crazy as the one promoted by Michael Calace in his documentary titled, Rape of the Soul. Calace billed himself as one of the world's few experts on embedded imagery in art - specifically Roman Catholic religious art.  I wrote about his stuff here.

Some people see the Virgin Mary on a piece of toast, others see demons and Freemasons around every corner and in graphic designs which are often not even presented as objects of devotion or veneration - although Calace obviously sees penises in venerable iconography such as the San Damiano Crucifix of Assisi.

Filth may be in the eye of the beholder ... and that log may not be what you think it is.

Song for this post here.

+ + +

*NB: Fr. Rupnik's work can be seen in the Vatican Redemptoris Mater Chapel, and other major churches in the world, including Fatima.  The article from 1P5 is absurd.

The Redemptoris Mater Chapel

It is a masterpiece.

Anti-papist to anti-pope: We can't know it yet?

First Anti-Pope Clement VII

1P5 editor Steve Skojec weighs in on Barnhardt's claim Francis is an anti-pope.

At least he disagrees - to an extent.  He declares that Barnhardt -

... is NOT a sedevacantist, as she makes clear. She just thinks we still have the same pope we had in February, 2013. Is she right? Not my call. Does it matter? On an objective level, of course it does. To know the true pope from the false one is better than not to know it. But we can’t know that with the certitude of an ecclesiastical judgment. Not yet. - 1P5

Not yet?

The discussion is ludicrous, albeit it fascinating to read how these people seem to have gone from anti-papist to practically judging a validly elected Pope to be an anti-pope.  On some level it means they believe Benedict XVI to have been forced into retirement-resignation, and Francis covertly made pope.  Even after statements from Benedict refuting these and so many other conspiracy theories.  It's as crazy as the impostor pope stories about Paul VI and Sr. Lucia.  It fits with the sedevacantist theories about the suppressed election of Cardinal Siri as Gregory XVII in favor of John XXIII.  Theories pretty much based on the active imaginations of Euro-trad-monarchists, as well as the dubious revelations of Bl. Anna Katherine Emmerick and the prophecies of a handful of other mystics.

If there is anything worthwhile in Skojec's essay, it is his refutation of Barnhardt's selection of private revelations and prophecy to support her claims.  Anyone familiar with the promotion of conspiracy theories on the apparition of Fatima and the so-called third secret will spot the same old fake messages immediately.  It's Bayside-Necedah revisited.  It is amazing how embedded in Catholic culture these false prophecies have become.  I can't help thinking of the extended secrets of LaSalette, repeated so frequently since Vatican II.  But I digress.

Skojec helps his readers out by pointing to the errors of the works of prophecy Barnhardt depends upon:

I’m not going to devote the time and research necessary to write a deeply substantive critique of Ann’s theory. Briefly, though, I do want to address some issues I have with her argument.

To begin with, three of the five prophecies she cites are of questionable provenance. The St. Francis of Assisi prophecy is the most significant of these, since to read it one feels as though it is meant for our present time. - Read the rest here.

I don't know, but there is something rather likable about Skojec, he's a good writer, seems like a great guy with a good sense of humor, a good Catholic - why he goes off on this stuff I'm not sure.  Like I said, he does a good job sourcing and discrediting - or at least judging unreliable the prophecies Barnhardt sites.  In addition to the St. Francis false prophecy, he locates the source of the fake Fatima message, and gives some good background information.  However, he seems to leave the door open to the possibility these 'could be' true.

Reading private revelations literally, and forming private opinion about what is related therein, while attempting to configure it with current events, is a sure way to end up with the sedevacantists and schismatics who have alienated themselves from the Church.  At least Skojec has the good sense to recognize all of these issues mean nothing without an ecclesiastical judgment, that is, an authoritative judgment from the Church... aka the Pope and the Magisterium - the bishops in communion with him.

Skojec concludes his essay directing readers to seek the clear, authentic teaching of the Church and to disseminate that - and not to worry about who is the true or false pope.  Not bad advice - yet he still leaves that Barnhardt foot in the door - Francis might be an anti-pope - we just can't know it yet.

And the Resignationism theory spins on, along with the  'bad council, bad Mass' trope.

The men shall wear white berets and the women shall wear blue.

I want you to wear something borrowed,

like that pretty chapel veil with your blue jumper...

Oh.  And tell all the people Paul VI has been replaced with an impostor.

The Fatima cult seems to have evolved beyond true devotion.

The world is suffering under a 'diabolical disorientation'.

Misinformation and sensationalism has corrupted the message ...

Sr Lucia stated more than once that the essential part of the message for the faithful to know had been revealed early on.

Today the clamor over the so called Third Secret has taken on the occult dimensions of Bayside-Necedah followers.  Outrageous claims and conspiracy theories discrediting the Pope and Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

The essential part of the secret, which has not been observed entails, penance, prayer, and true devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

As Our Lady insisted at Fatima: "Men must amend their lives, and ask pardon for their sins. . . . They must no longer offend Our Lord, Who is already so much offended." The Fatima message is a call for men to give up sinful practices which grieve God and draw down His chastisements on the world, and to make reparation for them.

Has THAT happened?

When Our Lady asked for the devotion of the First Saturdays, one translation reads that Our Lady said to Sr. Lucia, "You at least try to make reparation ..."  "Try?"  Sr. Lucia's entire life - her vocation was to do that, as well as to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart.  That was her purpose in remaining on earth.  And Our Lady simply said, 'you at least try'.

Have you tried?  Have you kept trying?  You who cause the Holy Father to suffer by your false accusations, rumors and gossip mongering?

Commenting on Our Lady's request for penance, Sr. Lucia wrote: "The part of the last apparition which has remained most deeply imprinted on my heart is the prayer of our heavenly Mother begging us not to offend any more Almighty God, Who is already so much offended."

Our Lord explained to her: "The sacrifice required of every person is the fulfillment of his duties in life and the observance of My law. This is the penance that I now seek and require."

Is it your duty in life to spread doubt and error regarding the messages of Our Lady, to accuse the Pope and bishops of lying and cover up?  Is that why priests abandon ministry, religious leave religious life?  Is that why the 'devout' hanker after false teachings, locutions, revelations and apparitions and traditionalist conspiracy theorists which repeat the script formalized by the Fatima Crusader cult?  I'm talking about many of the followers of the late Fr. Gruner:

In addition to Fátima Crusader, Fr. Gruner owns and publishes the Catholic Family News, which he acquired several years ago. Like the Remnant and several other small Catholic papers, Catholic Family News takes a critical view of the post-conciliar changes in the Church, especially in matters of the liturgy. With respect to the Tridentine Mass, it is not only preferred but the current Rite, while acknowledged as valid, is considered a complete innovation, departure from tradition and a disaster for the Church. - source

The amendment of life, prayer, and penance - as well as devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Eucharist is the essential aspect of the message of Fatima.  It is 'our' response - it is what Our Lady asks of us even today.

Besides a call to penance Fatima is in a special way a call for the Rosary. So central is the Rosary to the Fatima message that Our Lady chose to identify herself as "The Lady of the Rosary." In each of the six apparitions she asked for the daily Rosary, and especially as an instrument of world peace. As she revealed in the third apparition: "You must recite the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war for only she can obtain this."

The most important part of Our Lady's message, the most important part of the secret for all to know is perhaps this:

"Sacrifice yourselves for sinners; and say often when you make some sacrifice, 'My Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'"

After showing the children a vision of hell, Our Lady said to them: "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish throughout the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If people do as I shall ask many souls will be saved, and there will be peace.... But if people do not cease offending God... another and more terrible war will begin. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign that God gives that the chastisement of the world for its many transgressions is at hand through war, famine, persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father."

"To prevent this, I shall come to ask the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and Communions of reparation on the first Saturdays. If my requests are heard, Russia will be converted and there will be peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, fomenting wars and persecution of the Church. The good will suffer martyrdom; the Holy Father will suffer much; different nations will be annihilated. But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, which will be converted, and some time of peace will be granted to humanity. 

"NOTE: From the above, we must not think of the Five First Saturdays merely in terms of personal salvation, of receiving "at the hour of death the graces necessary for salvation;" but also in terms of world peace, of avoiding the terrible social consequences mentioned above by Our Lady. - source

 What Sr. Lucia stated very clearly:

The third part of the secret is a symbolic revelation, referring to this part of the Message, conditioned by whether we accept or not what the Message itself asks of us: ‘If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, etc.'.

Since we did not heed this appeal of the Message, we see that it has been fulfilled, Russia has invaded the world with her errors. And if we have not yet seen the complete fulfilment of the final part of this prophecy, we are going towards it little by little with great strides. If we do not reject the path of sin, hatred, revenge, injustice, violations of the rights of the human person, immorality and violence, etc.

And let us not say that it is God who is punishing us in this way; on the contrary it is people themselves who are preparing their own punishment. In his kindness God warns us and calls us to the right path, while respecting the freedom he has given us; hence people are responsible”. - Message of Fatima

As for the request made by Our Lady for the consecration of Russia, Sr. Lucia stated that is was finally fulfilled by Pope John Paul II in union with the bishops of the world in 1984.  (Albeit late, as Our Lord foretold to Sr. Lucia.)

I come to answer your question, "If the consecration made by Pope John Paul II on March 25, 1984 in union with all the bishops of the world, accomplished the conditions for the consecration of Russia according to the request of Our Lady in Tuy on June 13 of 1929?" Yes, it was accomplished, and since then I have said that it was made. - Sr. Lucia

Everything else is speculation and invention - conspiracy theories feeding off of sensationalized interpretations of so-called secrets (occult) given to visionaries since the La Salette apparitions, so many variations of which make it difficult to ascertain credibility.  A perfect seed bed for conspiracy theories to grow, as well as to influence dubious visionaries and locutionists, not to mention the crack-pot Anna Katherine Emmerich prophecy hunters... whenever you read, 'bad council, bad Mass' - you know where they got that one from.  Another excellent sign that these critics are misled is their lack of docility, meekness and humility - and most especially, charity.  It is easily recognized in the com boxes of their websites.  Even when the author offers placating caveats such as 'with all due respect', 'with filial respect and love for the Pope', and so on.

Always, always keep the following in mind when promoting private revelations and apparitions, from St. Annibale Maria de Francia:

“Being taught by the teachings of several mystics, I have always deemed that the teachings and locutions of even holy persons, especially women may contain deceptions. Poulain attributes errors even to saints the Church venerates on the altars. How many contradictions we see between Saint Brigid, D’Agreda, Emmerich, etc. We cannot consider the revelations and the Locutions as words of Scripture. Some of them must be omitted, and others explained in a right, prudent meaning.” - Source

 It is the Church, the Pope and the Magisterium who is responsible for teaching and interpreting these things. As the Catechism clearly teaches:

85 "The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ."47 This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome. 

86 "Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith."48 

87 Mindful of Christ's words to his apostles: "He who hears you, hears me",49 the faithful receive with docility the teachings and directives that their pastors give them in different forms. - CCC

These are things priests and Catholic apologists online and off should be teaching the faithful - not novelties and conspiracy theories adapted from private revelations which Catholics are not even required  to believe.  Our Lady came to Fatima as catechist, reaffirming the Gospel message, 'reform your lives, believe in the Gospel, turn to God, pray and do penance.'

She is being ignored and her message sensationalized by so-called good Catholics - in some cases, for profit.

I told you so ... Pope Benedict never told Dollinger or anyone else that the revelation of the Third Secret of Fatima was incomplete.

I got an idea - let's make up a new conspiracy:

Pope Benedict cried when he realized 

the Octave of Pentecost was cancelled?

Or. When he read the Third Secret?

Or. When he was forced to resign and forced to say 

whatever the Vatican lavender mafia told him to say?

Vatican News issued the Communique today:

“ Several articles have appeared recently, including declarations attributed to Professor Ingo Dollinger according to which Cardinal Ratzinger, after the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima (which took place in June 2000), had confided to him that the publication was not complete,” – the Communiqué reads – “In this regard, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI declares ‘never to have spoken with Professor Dollinger about Fatima’, clearly affirming that the remarks attributed to Professor Dollinger on the matter ‘are pure inventions, absolutely untrue’, and he confirms decisively that ‘the publication of the Third Secret of Fatima is complete’.” - Vatican Radio

I'm certain I wasn't the only one praying Pope Benedict would say something.  I thank God for prayers answered.

These stories are inventions.  Sheer inventions.  Visionaries and wanna be prophets and Catholics who want to retract Vatican II, the liturgical reforms, as well as every utterance made by Pope Francis - they want everything retracted.  The pope doesn't condemn this or that at every turn, he doesn't say what they want him to say - then he's a bad pope.  These people are the ones who sow confusion.  Consciously and deliberately.

I recall how Mother Angelica - God love her, God rest her soul, and all of that, once said "I for one do not think the entire things has been revealed."  So what?  Except all of her fans picked up on that and ran with it and they ran right smack into the Remnant and rad-trad-Fatimists who not only insist the popes and bishops are lying heretics, they throw into the mix a cocktail of other private revelations, insisting the Fatima secret said the great apostasy has arrived and there's a bad pope and a bad Mass and on and on.

Pundits online feed on this tabloid crap and vomit it back to their crack-pot-Catholic-militants - albeit all dressed up in nice looking websites operated by unemployed stay at home dads reaping in donations, while sowing confusion among faithful Catholics stupid enough to read their crap.  Today, Fr. Z posted the communique and ends his post, "Take it for what it's worth."  (Just a hint that he thinks it's a PR stunt, huh?)  I'm so sick of his bullshit - feeding his adoring fans and contributors with his b.s. - he's the master of open ended statement and innuendo, quoting his prestigious salon buddies to spread the contagion of doubt without actually tarnishing his reputation.  The priest commentators, canonists and bishops and cardinals 'in union with' Fr. Z spin their crap - and they, along with media seem to me to be the ones creating confusion, which they in turn blame Pope Francis for.

Pope Francis gave an interview to La Croix - no one was able go into outrage mode because he said nothing contrary to Catholic teaching - or should I say - say something his critics could spin to sound as if he was 'bending the rules'.  Hell - he's come out in defense of marriage - and against gay marriage.  He's come out in defense of life.  There are so many examples, I don't want to waste time.

The Fatima sensationalism is very interesting - quite similar to the superstition surrounding the Millennium - Y2K.  The Centenary is upon us and everyone is fast predicting this and that - false visionaries and mystics listening to their own imaginary voices - pious and lovely as they may be.  People are in the market to be deceived.  Just remember - Christ foretold, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible."

The last group of people who declared Rome was in apostasy, and the pope was a heretic and/or the Whore of Babylon were the Protestant reformers and their followers.  Now it is traditional Roman Catholics who reject Vatican II, the Ordinary Form of Mass, and the papacy of Pope Francis.

What the Novus Ordo watchmen are really telling you.

This is totally nuts: Homosexuals In Washington DC Kidnap Random Man And Force Him Into A Van, They Then Take Turns Raping Him*. The Homosexuals Are Raping Tens Of Thousands Of Innocent People, The Homosexual Agenda ...

Tens of thousands are being raped by Sodomites...

The Homosexuals Are Raping Tens Of Thousands Of Innocent People, The Homosexual Agenda Must Be Destroyed.

Really?

Tens of thousands?

Somehow I get Disqus comments from a guy who is a frequent commenter on Crisis and Lifesite articles exposing gays and other queer things.  His comments are usually interesting for their sometimes insightful character, albeit contemptuous tone.  Evidently the author is very familiar with homosexuality and at times he notes he frequents a tavern in rural California, or something to that effect - obviously not a gay bar.  He's also an artist.  He clearly does not like me, and therefore has to be included in that great crowd of witnesses who know far more than I do about the immediate threats against civilization and the end of the age.

That said - sometimes he, and the Shoebat authors he reads, really come up with some crazy stuff ... as noted above.  The following visionary comment is equally as nuts as the article he replies to:

The boundary between homosexuality and cannibalism is more than thin, it is porous. . The readers here need to know why. It is more than the simple observation that Satan is the progenitor of both...  - CadaveraVeroInnumero

Homosexuals in the US military are raping and molesting

tens of thousands of American soldiers. - Mass rape in the military.

Get Barnhardt on the phone

and tell her to get down here, 

and bring her gun.

*Ed. note: Pentagon: APA gay rape story retracted.

The Washington DC abduction/rape story so happens to be true, read more here.

“It represents a change in what's going on out here on the streets that we have a group of people who are specifically looking to target, kidnap and sexually assault men. That is a very, very profound event and it’s a change in what we're used to investigating,” said Delroy Burton, President of the D.C. Police Union.


That said, two abduction/rape incidents have been reported so far in Washington involving civilians - not military men.  Two men.  Not thousands or hundreds of thousands.  Just saying.

Can you criticize the Pope?

At Fatima Our Lady urged the faithful

to pray for the Holy Father,

she never mentioned criticizing him.

Of course you can - you have free will.

The pope doesn't speak ex cathedra with every utterance.  Does he deserve our respect?  Absolutely.

Steve Skojec has a very good post discussing the issue.  It's well reasoned and is written in a very respectful tone.  Many people get upset with media reports and Vatican press releases, as well as the daily homilies or comments reportedly from the pope.  The pope himself can come off as pretty critical of all of us - no matter where we stand on the Catholic spectrum - traditionalist to progressive.  I think he is often misrepresented however, and his name taken in vain, as it were, by those who seek to promote an agenda or defend themselves.

My biggest objection to criticism is that it often involves scoffing and ridicule, treating the pope as we might a presidential candidate we disagree with, or some public figure we despise.  Sometimes the critics themselves seem to have serious issues wherein the crackpot blogger title is more than appropriate.  I have no time for Emmerich prophesies or Malachi Martin insights, or drunken rants on blogs, but a frank discussion, respectful and considerate is not a problem - if one feels the need to discuss publicly what the pope really said.

Skojec notes: "It has become an increasingly common problem in the Catholic world these days to find ourselves in the unenviable position of being afraid to say what we really think. This is both institutional — imposed as policy (whether written or unwritten) on those who work for Catholic organizations — and personal — through the various mechanisms of self-doubt. If we notice patterns, problems, and consistent deviations from the mien of previous pontificates, who are we to raise such questions? To borrow a phrase, 'Who are we to judge?'” - 1Peter5

I'm not sure it is our place to judge.  Likewise, those who take sides on any issue jump down the throats of those who disagree with them - therefore sometimes it is best to be silent - unless you want to get into a fight just for ego satisfaction, or you're Irish.

We live in confusing times and we aren't privy to what goes on behind closed doors.  We may not even have a need to know.

I've written before that people have to be careful what they read, especially by people who claim special spiritual insight, discernment of spirits, and sensitivity to the 'signs of the times'. As Fr. Angelo Mary Geiger writes:

[T]he autonomous personal conscience sometimes lays claim to a false discernment when it sets private revelation and presumed personal graces against the magisterium. The desire for union with God sometimes leads individuals to attach themselves to extraordinary manifestations of the “spirit,” but in such a way that weakens their attachment to the Church. Thus, Catholics continue to embrace New Age spirituality, or some dubious private revelation, or a personal insight even though they know that their conviction runs contrary to Church teaching or discipline. 

The discernment of spirits is so important today because there are many voices competing for our attention, and it is all so easy to assume that that what we hear, or even what we think and say comes from God. - Fr. Geiger

I think sometimes we have to step back and pray more and ponder in our hearts the things which confuse us - placing all of our trust in God alone.  As St. John of the Cross taught his novices: "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."

"Keep yourself in peace and thousands around you will be saved." - St, Seraphim of Sarov