Church Under Attack

Monday, August 28, 2006

Footballer Cautioned For Blessing Himself

A ROMAN Catholic footballer who blessed himself during a match has been cautioned by police after it was decided his behaviour had been provocative and had led to crowd trouble.

Fans complained after Artur Boruc, the Polish goalkeeper for Glasgow Celtic, crossed himself during a derby with arch-rivals Rangers at Ibrox stadium, Rangers’ home ground, in February.

The teams have strong religious associations, Celtic seen as Catholic and Rangers as Protestant. As crossing oneself is a Catholic tradition, it might be seen as provocative by some Rangers fans. Boruc is a practising Catholic and says he has always made such gestures while playing.

After an investigation by the procurator fiscal — the Scottish crown prosecutor — it was decided that Boruc’s behaviour provoked alarm and crowd trouble and constituted a breach of the peace, but not one serious enough to warrant court action. (click to read the whole story.)

I have known one or two Scottish folks in my time, and always liked them (still do) and considered them all to be sensible, level headed people. A few years back, I worked for a local discount department store, and became acquainted with a gentleman who was the sales representative for General Electric’s Electronics’ Division, whom everyone called, appropriately enough, Scottie. Scottie had lived in this country for the previous 25 years or so, and had never gotten his citizenship here, but, kept his citizenship in Scotland. Scottie was a fine fellow, and all of us who worked for this store thought very highly of him. One day, we were all at the store snack bar taking a break, and Scottie had joined us. One of my co-workers and I were discussing some current event that escapes me now, and I made some comment about America being free. Scottie tapped me on the shoulder, and in that wonderful Scottish brogue of his said, “America is not free…Scotland is free!” The tone of voice in which he said it, and the manners of the man kept me from taking offense, and we laughed, and continued our conversation. After reading the story I just read on The Sunday Times, I am afraid that today I would have to ask Scottie, when did the Scottish folks decide to start trampling on freedom?

Monday, August 07, 2006

Mad-Donna Blasphemous Again

More From the Hopelessly Stupid Corner

It seems that Mad-Donna (I refuse to call this heretic and apostate Madonna) is bound and determined to blaspheme, and especially this Sunday in Rome, the heart of the Catholic faith. According to published news reports, on her concert tour “she performs a mock-crucifixion - will play to a 75,000 sell-out audience in Rome this Sunday.” They also report “Vatican leaders are furious at the image of Madonna descending on a suspended, mirrored, disco balltype cross while wearing a fake crown of thorns during her song Live To Tell.”

Church officials close to the Vatican have called for her excommunication since the 47 year old star was brought up Catholic. Cardinal Ersilio Tonino, speaking with the approval of the Holy Father, said: "This time the limits have really been pushed too far. It's a blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross. She should be excommunicated." Another official from the Vatican, Bishop Velasio De Paolis, pointed out that Satanists have used religious objects in black masses. He also said her show represents the “rotten fruit of secularism and the absurdity of evil.”

Now, Mad-Donna, just couldn't stand to be charitable, and consider the wishes of the Holy Father, the Vatican and other religious leaders in Rome. No, she has the unmitigated gall to invite Pope Benedict XVI to her tour, which is called the Confessions Tour. Her spokesperson told the New York Daily News that she thought that Pope Benedict XVI would enjoy the show ( I am not making this up) and applaud Mad-Donna's performance. She also said he had an open invitation to see the show and see “ the eloquence and beauty” that Mad-Donna “expresses for humanity” while performing her song Live to Tell.

Who does this woman think she is kidding? Mad-Donna eloquent? Expressive of humanity? Since when? I have not been in a coma or incoherent in my entire life, and I know fully well if there had ever been a time that Mad-Donna expressed anything for humanity, that was eloquent or beautiful in any of her performances, I'd have heard about it. Heck, someone would have heard about it. Can anyone else use the words Mad-Donna, humanity, beauty, and eloquence in the same sentence and keep a straight face?

Read the article at the web site of Scotland's The Daily Record, and pay close attention to how Mad-Donna talked NBC into not removing the crucifixion mockery out of the to be televised in November special of her tour. “Kevin Reilly, an executive at NBC network which will air the show, said: 'She felt that was a cornerstone of the show. We viewed it and didn't see it as being inappropriate'.”

Didn't see it as being “inappropriate”. The fact that there are millions of Christians who do see it as inappropriate means nothing to you at NBC Kevin? Apparently not. After all, this is the same network that tried to force on us a series “The Book of Daniel”, which made a mockery of Christianity. That one didn't fly, yet, NBC apparently still does not get it. So, maybe if NBC doesn't get it, the sponsors of NBC programming will. I think that none of us should purchase any products, goods, or services from any company or corporation that would have any ad on this airing of her tour. In fact, since the parent company of NBC is General Electric (GE), I think we should begin by boycotting all products made by GE. What do you think?

ADDENDUM 08/07/2006: The following was on the UPI entertainment news in regard to Mad-Donna's performance in Rome on Sunday:

"There was also another controversial part of the show in which a video clip was shown where Pope Benedict XVI and former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi were alongside Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein."

The more she goes, the more she lives down to the gutter level she relishes.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Foot In Mouth Disease Strikes Again

Or.... Stupid Is As Stupid Does

“Ignatius Press, one of the world's largest Roman Catholic publishing houses, has boycotted any work by Charlotte Church, and is pulling all the CDs, cassette tapes, DVDs and VHS tapes featuring her off its racks after the singer called German-born Pope Benedict XVI a 'Nazi'.

Also raising the hackles of the US-based publishing house the pilot of Church's forthcoming eight-part Channel 4 television chat show where she is seen not only dressed up as a nun pretending to hallucinate while eating communion wafers imprinted with Ecstasy smiling faces, but also smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary to reveal a can of cider inside.”

Well, here we have another example of a celebrity determined to take themselves into the gutter. Take a look at her picture if you go to read the whole story as posted on the website of The Daily Mail. Charlotte Church's picture is there as you will see. A very pretty young woman. Which just goes to prove an old saying here as true. “Beauty is only skin deep, but, ugly is to the bone”. Ugly. That is exactly what your words and actions have made you, Charlotte. Ugly to the bone? Nah. In your case, this goes to the soul. Didn't just stop at the bone.

One wonders, what happens to make these celebrities do and say the things they do, particularly against God and the Church. Do they get so caught up in their own perception of their popularity they think they can say or do whatever they want? Is their career taking a downward spiral and they do and say the things they do to try to resurrect that career? Or is it just a matter of not caring what anyone thinks of them, not even God? Maybe, it's all of the above.

Anyway, one has to shake their head and wonder about such statements, and all the “whys” that goes along with them. We can only hope and pray that they will see the error they have made before it's too late for them. Which makes me think of a true story.

Back around 1968 or 1969, I was in junior high school in the 8^th grade at the ripe old age of 13 or somewhere thereabouts. There were lots of people getting publicity back then, who kept insisting that God was dead. There was a young girl in my class. A beautiful girl with long red hair and big blue eyes. She was complaining about some event in her life, I don't recall exactly what it was now, and another girl in our class suggested she pray about it. Her reply was, “oh there is no God. God is dead.” Now, it's one thing to hear people repeating this on the news, but, it was a shock to hear someone say that in a small southern city in 1968 or so. The girl who had suggested she pray said to her, “oh Susie (not her real name), I'd be scared to death to think that, let alone say it.” “Susie” wasn't fazed one bit, and repeated her statement. Five or six years later, “Susie” was an expectant young mother who had just been married a few short months, when her husband lost control of their car one night, and she was killed. He walked away unhurt.

Coincidence? Maybe. Punishment? I don't know, because I can't pretend to be able to speak for God. I do know, that this young woman never set foot inside a Church until the day of her funeral.

All I can say is, one should not take God lightly. No matter who they are, or what their station in life.

I am also proud to say, that Aquinas and More Catholic Goods, the company who's products we promote on our blogs, is also dropping items from Charlotte Church.

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Thursday, June 29, 2006

Wolves Within

Photo Title: Religion Overthrows Heresy And Hate

It seems that there are Catholics here in the United States, as well as in Canada, Europe, Australia, and throughout the world who have come to their own conclusion about Catholicism. Yes, conclusion in the singular. Because in reality, it is one singular belief that many are following, and that is, that anything they think the Church should be holds clout, and anything that is taught by the Church is up for debate, or perhaps more truthfully, up for total dismissal.

We are constantly reading stories in the press about individuals or groups that are in total opposition to one or more of Church teaching's or doctrine. Once again, they fall into the incorrect supposition that the Church is a democracy, and even believe, that they are more Catholic than the Church! These people and groups of people are Catholic in name only, what I call CINO (pronounced as see-no). You might be surprised to find out just who these CINO's are, and what they believe...or don't believe for that matter. Every parish, every diocese, every nation where Catholic's live and practice their faith have CINO's within.

Take for instance the group of women (a Swiss woman and three American women) who were recently “ordained” as Roman Catholic “priests” by “one of three Catholic women bishops”, Dr. Patricia Fresen (who is called a nun in the story on All Africa.com, who obtained a doctorate in liberation theology). There is a word for these women. That word is heretics. In every sense of the word. In regard to the Swiss woman we are told in a story on NZZ: “Monika Wyss, a divorced mother of four, feels she has the right to become a priest even though she will probably be excommunicated”. As well she should be excommunicated, along with the “bishop” who “ordained” these women. When asked about the possibility of excommunication Ms. Wyss stated "I will still be a Roman Catholic, but I will no longer be accepted by the Church," she said. "I have no chance of getting a job within the Church with my ideas, so in real terms, it makes no difference for me." Definitely a bunch of CINO's there, and although she calls herself Roman Catholic, she isn't.

Then we have a story related to us from Australia, in regards to the prayer of a Catholic priest there. It seems that a few years ago, when Pope John Paul II was still living and his health was beginning to get worse, there was a priest leading a retreat. This priest in his prayer, prayed for the death of the Holy Father, and that the new Holy Father would allow women in the priesthood. My only regret in sharing this story with all of you is that I don't know what the priest's name is, or where his parish is, so that the whole world could know. I don't understand how anyone who calls themselves Christian could pray for the death of another, especially one who is a priest who would pray for the death of the Holy Father. Another CINO no less. Complete with habit and collar! That priest is best described in this passage from the gospel according to Matthew 7:15--Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. He may call himself a Catholic priest, but, there are two things he is not. He is neither Catholic or a priest. He has betrayed both.

So, why do these people do these things? Why, because nothing in the world is as important to themselves as themselves. They are the epitome of the “me generation”. The teachings of the Church, the teachings and Traditions of the Apostles means absolutely nothing to them. Now, take Ms.Wyss for instance. Just how many divorced Catholic priests do you know? It seems that the alleged “priest” and the alleged “bishop” don't fool around when they throw out Church Tradition and Holy Scripture. No sir (or should I say no ma'am?), when they dismiss it, they dismiss it all. Forget Saint Paul's instruction that a bishop, priest and deacon be sober, chaste and the husband of only one wife. Do they think that doesn't count either? In scripture it says in 1 Timothy 3:2-- It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher, 3 Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity. 5 But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Maybe they think it doesn't count since Ms. Wyss never had a wife, but, had a husband instead. All Catholics know that matrimony itself is a Sacrament and is a vocation. If Ms.Wyss couldn't fulfill the requirements of that vocation and that Sacrament, what make her think herself capable of being a priest? The fact that she is a woman was already one indication she isn't capable. The fact that she is divorced removes all doubt of her being capable. This proves that absolutely nothing in the Magisterium, nothing in the Traditions of the Church, nothing within all of Christianity is sacred, holy or hallowed by this “priest” the “bishop” or the other woman “priests”. All are proven CINO's. Their's is not a struggle for equality, no for them the priesthood is a seen as a source of power, and not one of service. This is for them, for “self” and to get them, to get “self” noticed.

So, these are just a couple of examples of the CINO's who are scattered throughout the world. Others are those who call themselves Catholic and support such things as abortion, euthanasia, and same sex marriage just to name a few things that are close to the hearts of CINO's. These people are the anti-Catholics of today. They point their fingers at the Church and those of us who follow the Church, and call us “intolerant”. They are under the mistaken impression that because what they believe is outside of Church teaching, that therefore God changes because they do, and then they call us “unchristian” when we point out the truth that God and His law never changes.

They think that the world will still see them as Catholic. They are not. The day they turned their back on the Magisterium, the day they turned their back on the Church, the day they began to think themselves more Catholic than the Church, is the day when they ceased being Catholic. And please, don't bother adding comments to this post proclaiming these heretics as Catholic, because if you consider yourself Catholic, and you see these blatant heretics as Catholic then you also have thrown your faith away. You have turned your back on Christ's Church, and you have joined the CINO's. As if being CINO is something anyone should desire to be.

2 Timothy 4:3 For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears: 4 And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.

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