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Inside: Month of Mary… Fatima Conference… The Alpha Course… Catholic Funerals…

We’ve just got to accept gay I agree. And the pockets of marriage & adoption, Divorce resistance to Vatican II must and remarriage, end of celibacy, be stamped out, starting with and women’s ordination. Then the SSPX. Those bishops need there’s contraception and to be disciplined once and for abortion, Holy Communion for all. The sheer cheek of them to Richard Dawkins & Co, and cause such unrest in the General absolution… We really church! the Pope needs to must move with the times. We silence them, put an end to all can’t reverse Vatican II… this dissent!

The Pope has appointed Bishop Fellay SSPX to head the Congregation for the Correction of faith -abuse by catholic clergy. Thousands of disaffected Catholics are rumoured to be planning to convert to anglicanism where an Extra-Ordinariate will be set up to cater for the influx. The new converts will be allowed to keep their liturgy of word & bottled water.

Newsflash!

1 at ourselves?” Contents Page I viewed The Crucifixion on YouTube for the purpose of seeing if Mr McKenna had Scottish Catholic Observer Celebrates “Catholics” in Scottish life… a point. He hadn’t. Billy Connolly’s The Editor 2 Crucifixion is not about Catholics. It’s an Fatima, Fr Paul Kramer & The Case of the Poison Pen Letters outright blasphemous mockery of Christ. I Editor 3 wasn’t “offended” by it, it’s not about me, but I’m in no doubt that is is highly offensive Glasgow: Masonic Links In High Places? to God. There is a difference. Veritas 6 Another “Catholic celebrity” on the Reports from Glasgow and Ireland McKenna list is Fr Willy Slavin, who, as Editor 7 Parish Priest of St Simon’s, Glasgow hosts Letters 8 the Quest1 Masses for “gays” and their Education 10 partners, with refreshments afterwards in the Cafe Simon, the parish social centre. The Month of Mary: Our Lady is… We’ve carried reports on Fr Slavin in the Reflection 11 newsletter, both for his support of these Westminster “Gay” Masses “gay” Masses and for his editorship and Dr D.J. Lightfoot… 14 writings in the dissident journal Open House. Kevin McKenna considers Fr Evolution: Feature Letter Dr David Roemer 15 Slavin to be a “saint” because “he is hated by those dreadful zealots at Catholic Truth”. The Truth about Alpha That, McKenna insists, “makes him a saint Gillian Van Der Lande 16 in my book.” It’s the old Communist dictum: Separation of Church and State: those who oppose the revolution must be A False and Pernicious Doctrine – Part II demonised. John Ingram 18 I’ve emailed a response to the SCO, asking Gay” Marriage: Scots Bishops Speak With Forked Tongues for evidence to substantiate this libellous Editor 19 allegation. We hate no-one, and if reporting and commenting on public scandals is On The Danger Of Returning To Our Pagan Past synonymous with “hatred” then the National Bishop Mark Davies 20 Union of Journalists better start talking Catholic Funerals & Canon Law “redundancy packages” to its members Editor 21 immediately, if not sooner. An Inspiring True Story Professor John Haldane (see Beware Kathy Sinnott 22 Pharisaism, Idolatory2 and Vainglory, Issue 71, March 2012) is also highly rated by Mr Dumb & Dumber McKenna who describes him as “a quiet Cartoon 23 and rational evangelist for the Christian Editorial 24 faith and is one of our largely undiscovered diamonds.” Given that Pope Benedict XVI re-appointed him as Consultor to the Scottish Catholic Observer Celebrates “Catholics” in Scottish life… Pontifical Council for Culture on 10th December, 2011, I can’t see how he’s Denounces Catholic Truth as “dreadful zealots” “undiscovered”. Mr McKenna needs to get out more. Certainly, his choice of “top” Catholics is revealing. He admits up-front that “not all of those on the list will be pious and Some years ago, when he was Deputy to us in his SCO column entitled upstanding pillars of the Faith, but they are Editor of The Herald, one of Scotland’s two ‘Celebrating Catholics in Scottish life’ (SCO mighty nevertheless.” That he ranks Billy broadsheet newspapers, Kevin McKenna 20/4/12) Connolly as “one of the greatest living gave instructions to the Letters Editor not The Catholics he chose to kick-start his Glaswegians” makes me afraid to ask for to publish anything from Catholic Truth. “top 20 Tims” list included serial-adulterer the identities of the rest. Not me, that’s for Letters from us were to be sent “upstairs” Neil Lennon, Manager of Celtic Football sure. Or any of my team - I mean, how do (i.e. to him.) How do we know this? Well, Club, pallbearer at the funeral of Paul you make celebrities out of dull old fuddy Andrew Hood, the Herald Letters Editor at McBride: “Lennon, 40, and partner Irene duddy, fully believing, practising Catholics? the time told us; then Kevin McKenna often had dinner with McBride, 48, and his himself admitted as much in a telephone partner Gary Murphy.” (The Scottish Sun, call to our then Media Officer. A highly 9/3/12 - see also Catholic Funerals & Canon Law, polished brass neck. p.21). 1 “Quest is a group for lesbian, gay and bisexual Billy Connolly is also on the list. His crude Catholics” http://questgaycatholic.org.uk/ See, Having been Deputy Editor of the Herald, ‘Glasgow “gay” Mass in city church’ - report by and Executive Editor of the Daily Mail in humour, replete with impurities, appeals, sadly, to Catholics just as much as it has two members of the Catholic Truth team, Scotland, he’s now reduced to writing a Catholic Truth, Issue No. 48, September 2007, column in the Guardian and another one in Protestants and Humanists alike rolling in p.2 the aisles. McKenna’s view of Connelly’s the Scottish Catholic Observer (SCO). 2 Apologies for the misspelling of “idolatry” in the 1970s sketch The Crucifixion is indulgent: Hardly the envy of Fleet Street. Since his title of John Haldane’s article, March 2012 issue. key objective at the Herald was to suppress “… it can be regarded as merely a very It was not picked up by any of our proofreaders, all mention of Catholic Truth, it came as funny satire. In no way can it be regarded which means a pay cut for them. Truth to tell, something of a surprise when he referred as offensive to Catholics. Can we not laugh I’ve only noticed it myself just now! Apologies.

2 Fatima, Fr Paul Kramer & The Case of the Poison Pen Letters… Editor… Father Paul Kramer, by Pope John Paul II and that we are who are dedicated to promoting the (pictured) well known now enjoying her promised period of truth about Fatima. Fatima priest, prolific world peace. Crackers.” The Conference organiser, Greg author and Fatima Clovis had also received two letters of scholar, a regular complaint. I asked him for the names and popular speaker By “conservative of the two correspondents who wrote at conferences on to him to blacken the character of Fr the subject of the Catholic” logic, no Kramer, but he did not reply. However, Fatima apparitions, was invited to Sherlock McHolmes to the rescue, we address a Family Life International cardinal (especially have now read correspondence in (FLI) conference in London on April 28, one who later becomes which Greg Clovis admits that he venue, St George’s Cathedral in received two letters from “close London. First big mistake. If you want pope!) should be friends”, at least one of whom, he to organise a conference to tell the acknowledges, is basing her judgment truth about Fatima (or the truth about accused of lying, whatever the on hearsay: “I don’t think she has read anything else in the crisis-ridden any of (Fr Kramer’s) books.” Not Catholic Church in the UK), book a available evidence, but it’s ok to call exactly candidates for the next Richard hotel or other non-Catholic premises Dawkins’ Reason Rally. after forewarning them that Our Lady a liar. troublemakers may try to feed them His lady-complainant: “(Fr Kramer) lies to stop the event. That’s what writes and preaches passionately Canon O’Toole replied: Catholic Truth does when we organise against the Holy Father. His main conferences and it works a treat. book, which is promoted very widely “The Hall booking for this Conference on the Internet, focuses on the work of Greg Clovis, well known pro-life worker was accepted some time ago in good the then Cardinal Ratzinger - now who played a leading role in organising faith. I was unaware of any problems Pope Benedict - and says that he is a the Conference, soon found himself in until I received correspondence liar and a deciever (sic). Fr Kramer the unhappy position of having to expressing concerns about Fr Kramer names Cardinal Ratzinger, Archbishop un-invite Father Kramer after the man taking part in the Conference. I shared Bertone, Cardinal Sodano and who has taken it on himself to police these concerns with my colleagues Cardinal Castrillos Hoyo and says ‘The Father got to work again. Robert Ian and with the Conference Organiser – evidence shows that the accused have Williams wrote to “a Jewish and my own concerns grew that Fr perpetrated at least eleven distinct lies. publication” (probably the Jewish Kramer would prove to be a source of These lies have already caused great Chronicle, to whom he’s fed lies in the some controversy. As I felt it unwise harm to the Church and mankind at past about Father Kramer, falsely for the Amigo Hall to be linked with a large, and they imminently threaten accusing him of anti-Semitism), and to controversial speaker, I again spoke even graver harm to every man. the cathedral authorities. Without with the Conference Organiser and told woman and child…’ and ‘It is they who checking out the allegations by him that I thought it would be pastorally have specialized, as it were, in the contacting Father Kramer and giving prudent to invite an alternative speaker demolition of Fatima. Thus they him the right to reply, Canon O’Toole, instead – both for the good of the deserve to be identified as the Dean of the Cathedral delivered an Conference itself and for the good of principals of the crime we allege ultimatum: either a replacement Fatima the diocese. It was agreed that, given here.’(Chapter 10, The Devil's Final Battle)” speaker be found or the organisers the circumstances, this was how we would have to find a new venue. should proceed. She adds solemnly: “It is a very serious Charmingly done, of course, but an thing to make a public accusation of I realise that you may well disagree ultimatum just the same (See text of email lying in this way - especially when the from Canon O’Toole to me, in column 2) with the decision that was made. person you are accusing is now the However, I can assure you that it was Pope. It is not a small thing to call a I wrote to Canon O’Toole to ask him not taken lightly and only after much for an explanation of his connivance Cardinal - who at the time was Prefect thought, discussion and prayer.” (Email of the Congregation for the Doctrine of with the poison pen letter writer: I wrote from Canon John O’Toole, 5/4/12) of his “apparently cowardly concession the Faith - a principal in crime. Fr Don’t fall for this fashion of blaming to the bullies who think nothing of lying Kramer repeats the accusation several alleged “prayer” - God does not inspire about Father Kramer – a priest in good times in the course of a lengthy book, wrong thinking. Hence, I replied to the standing, whose talk at the last Fatima with the message that Joseph effect that I didn’t agree and provided Conference in Rome which I attended, Ratzinger is a dangerous and some hard facts about his mischievous was warmly praised by a top Vatican dishonest man who is at the heart of a correspondent whom we had by then cardinal, who asked for copies of the serious crime involving untruths on a unmasked as the same nut who talks he’d heard that day, including big scale. brought down the Faith of our Fathers Father Kramer’s which he singled out There would be real scandal caused if Conference in June 2011, namely for particular praise.” Adding that “The Fr Kramer were to speak at a Robert Williams who NEVER writes to bullies and liars appear determined to conference organised by Catholics - complain about dissident priests. blacken Father Kramer’s name and all people would attend in good faith and Williams doesn’t care about dissenters. because they are convinced that Our then discover that they were listening His ire is reserved for sound priests Lady’s request for the Consecration of to some one making the most terrible Russia has been obediently completed allegations against the Holy Father.”

Continued on p.4 3 Fatima, Fr Paul Kramer & the Case of the Poison Pen Letters by Editor- continued from page 3 The stage is now set for the classic this newsletter. She’s on public record too much for the gaffe: this poor, uninformed soul as siding with the enemies of the truth Liturgical Ladies recommends replacing Father Kramer about Fatima. For example, here’s Who Lunch… with a speaker from the World what she wrote in an online column in “There would be real Apostolate of Fatima - an outfit which February 2012: scandal caused if Fr Kramer were to speak at peddles the lie that Our Lady’s request “If you search "Fatima" on the Internet, for the Pope to Consecrate Russia to a conference organised you will get a whole lot of links to by Catholics - people her Immaculate Heart has been websites and blogs with conspiracy would attend in good obeyed. Are they saying that Our Lady theories, chiefly centred on the rumour faith and then discover that they were listening lied when she promised a period of that Pope John Paul and Pope peace in the world, post-Consecration? to some one making the Benedict have lied to us, that "the true most terrible allegations against the Holy Father.” That is what those who claim that the Third Secret has never been revealed", (Email from anonymous complainant to Greg Clovis, Family Life International) Consecration is achieved are, in effect, that it had all sorts of lurid prophesies saying. As we go to press, the US is and so on. Because conspiracy Catholics properly educated in the ratcheting up the pressure against Iran theories and doom-mongers attract Faith understand the difference by imposing sanctions on any country followers and funds, they are able to between papal infallibility and that buys Iranian oil, Russia & China run conferences and newsletters and jurisdiction, and impeccability (sinless, are aligned with Iran, and Russia is gain a great deal of attention. The real perfect popes). They don’t scandalise allied with Syria. The battle lines of a message of the apparitions of Our Lady easily - maybe when a pope strays third World War are being drawn up: at Fatima, which is of prayer and from Catholic doctrine even if “only” in no more danger of world war? A period penance, seems tame by comparison. his personal writings (e.g. Pope Benedict: of peace in the world? Truly, those Why pray and confess sins and live in "There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male whom the gods would destroy, they charity and service, when you could be first make mad. prostitute uses a condom, where this can be writing up another lurid speculation or a first step in the direction of a By “conservative Catholic” logic, then, hurrying to a rally to relish it with moralization…” - later extended to include all others?” prostitutes in a Vatican “clarification”. The no cardinal (especially one who later Light of the World, by Peter Seewald). becomes pope!) should be accused of Joanna Bogle, Fatima and Conspiracy Theories: lying, whatever the available evidence, Fr Andrew Apostoli’s book, ‘Fatima for Today’, But, un-edifying though it be, the truly presents an urgent and needed message of hope Catholic faithful do not think that the but it’s OK to call Our Lady a liar. - Catholic World Report, 23 February, 2012 Russia has been consecrated but the end is nigh because cardinals (even world remains in a state of unrest (to You see it, don’t you? We’ve pointed those destined for the papacy) can be put it mildly) with wars breaking out it out in this newsletter ad nauseam - less than candid. faster than an epidemic of measles in the Modernist trick of creating false dichotomies, as if those who are However, “keeping up appearances” is a nursery school, so we’ve got to the key policy of the “neo- presume, either that Our Lady made a concerned at the failure of the Vatican to reveal the entirety of the truth about conservatives”, with Joanna Bogle the mistake or that she lied. I wish I could ecclesiastical equivalent of the find a more expressive way of saying Fatima and to consecrate Russia as Our Lady requested, are not also tragicomic “Mrs Bucket”1, so defending “idiots” but I’m not sure how to spell the indefensible papal scandals such “numbskulls”. concerned to promote that part of Our Lady’s message urging prayer and as the Assisi events or the condoms for Back now to the Sherlock McHolmes penance. Fr Kramer - unlike Joanna prostitutes remark is par for the course. file: we know that Robert Williams is and the rest of the Bogle Brigade - is So par for the course is it, that you don’t behind at least one of the poison pen concerned to publish the whole truth criticise the Vatican even for letters - the one sent to the cathedral about Fatima not just one part of it, disobeying Our Lady and suppressing authorities and the Jewish publication. however important. To say: “Why pray the whole truth about Fatima! But who wrote to Greg Cloves? Who and confess sins and live in charity and So, what does Fr Kramer think of it all? are the “two close friends”? I’m reliably service, when you could be writing up informed that he is good friends with another lurid speculation or hurrying to He agreed to permit me to publish his the Catholic Times columnist Joanna a rally to relish it with others?” is a thoughts here: Bogle, a known promoter of the lies particularly nasty remark, calculated to “I suspected that Greg Clovis hastily about Fatima. It so happens that Mrs insult a priest like Fr Kramer who - reached a guilty verdict merely on the Bogle is also certainly acquainted with despite his poor health - is devoting his basis that I stated that Cardinal Robert Williams, if not a close friend. retirement to promoting the whole truth Ratzinger had been caught red handed You see where McHolmes is going with about Fatima. He’s clearly not a self- being less than candid and this? serving publicist, which is more than "economical with the truth". Joanna Bogle writes much about how might be said for Mrs Bogle who has Continued on p.5 to bake cakes for saints’ days and her own Wikipedia page. When you 1 mince pies for Christmas; she is, as Google “Fr Paul Kramer Wikipedia” Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom you’ll find a Wikipedia page for Our broadcast on BBC TV. Centred on the life of already noted, a columnist with the eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket Catholic Times, her conscience clearly Lady of Fatima. You get my drift? (who insists that her surname is pronounced untroubled at taking her thirty pieces of The problem for Joanna and her Band Bouquet), the sitcom portrays a social hierarchy- silver from the same source as the ruled British society. It jokes about a small of Hope is that while Our Lord and His obsessive world where a determined snobbish dissenting Monsignor Basil Loftus of mother were sinless, the rest of us are middle-class woman desperately and continually the Real Presence isn’t really real at not: we’re all sinners and that includes looks for opportunities to climb the social ladder, all, and Jesus didn’t really rise from the priests, bishops, cardinals and, guess despite being wedged between a working class dead, fame, as reported many times in background and upper class aspirations. what, even popes. This, however, is (Source: Wikepedia)

4 Fatima, Fr Paul Kramer & the Case of the Poison Pen Letters by Editor- continued from page 4 “For papolotors it is considered a reactions, and Greg Clovis is like the Cardinal Ratzinger admitted criminal act to even suggest such a man who heard a joke and started to thing. Dr. Ingo Dollinger related to me laugh 20 minutes later. At present he to his long time personal that he had "confronted him (Cardinal still doesn't get it. Fr Paul Kramer friend, Dollinger (a priest of Ratzinger) to his face," because what And that’s the whole problem. The more than 50 years and a Ratzinger stated on June 26, 2000 “conservatives” (liberals-lite) don’t get about the content of the Third Secret it. They speak of the Pope and the personal acquaintance of St. stood in stark contradiction to what Vatican as if we are living in normal Pio of Pietrelcina) that there Ratzinger had told him nearly ten years times, prior to the crisis in the Church earlier. Ratzinger's public statement on is really more to the Secret th or about June 26, 2000 maintained that - a crisis foretold as far back as the 17 than what had been published the entire secret had been revealed but century when Our Lady made what he had revealed some specific details Joanna Bogle would dismiss as “lurid on June 26, 2000. to Dollinger in 1991 that were nowhere prophecies” about the 20th century to be found in the published portion of Church. Yet, these “lurid prophecies” (But) …In order to deflect the Secret. Finding himself cornered, have received the approval of Cardinal attention away from these Ratzinger blurted out, "Wirklich giebt Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, who es da noch etwas" (“Truly there is more said that the prophecies of Quito, facts (some) people focus to it".) Cardinal Ratzinger admitted to “confirm Fatima”. their attention on me instead his long time personal friend, Dollinger In Quito, Ecuador, Our Lady told and desperately try to (a priest of more than 50 years and a Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres (1563- personal acquaintance of St. Pio of discredit me with their 1635) that in the 20th century heresies Pietrelcina) that there is really more to malicious and defamatory the Secret than what had been would abound, the corruption of published on June 26, 2000. (Not only manners and customs would be almost outbursts that label me as one was I present but Joseph Cain who complete and the light of the Faith who "calls the pope a liar" recorded my conversation with Dr. would be nearly extinguished. To atone Dollinger was also there.) for the many blasphemies and abuses and the totally slanderous lie - which Our Lady so “luridly” that I "preach passionately In order to deflect attention away from prophesied - and to hasten the day of these facts, people like Williams focus the triumphant restoration of the Faith, against the pope." their attention on me instead and this 17th-century nun was asked to Fr Paul Kramer desperately try to discredit me with become an expiatory victim for our their malicious and defamatory times. Thus, Mother’s sufferings and outbursts that label me as one who personal trials would be offered up to "calls the pope a liar" and the totally win grace for souls in our period of slanderous lie that I "preach history; that is, during the current crisis passionately against the pope." of Catholic Faith. What people like Greg Clovis and Chillingly, at Quito, Our Lady issued Canon O'Toole have not yet noticed is her most terrifying of all warnings: that the political wind originating from the Apostolic Palace is undergoing a “In this supreme moment of need of the change of direction and that direction Church, those who should speak will is contrary to what has been fall silent.” emanating from Bertone's Secretariat A real dilemma for the Bogle Brigade - of State. Our Lady warning that, in the 20th Reports from inside the Vatican Wall century, those who should be speaking are saying that relations between the out, which surely includes the Church Pope and Cardinal are becoming authorities, popes even, would “fall strained. People like Clovis and silent”. Oh dear. Why didn’t Our Lady maintain a discreet silence? Still, no O'Toole will soon find themselves Our Lady of Good Success holding positions that align themselves need to spread the word. Thus, Mrs with Bertone and at variance with Bogle’s writings are studiedly “positive” Quito, Ecuador those of Pope Benedict and a good and “upbeat”. Crisis? What crisis? number of his cardinals if they continue One of our Scots readers, horrified at Recommended to fail to perceive the shift that is at the treatment meted out to Fr Kramer present in progress in the mind of the yet again, contacted the Conference Reading… Pope. I am in a position to say this Organiser to express himself willing to Our Lady of Good Success - Prophecies For because I have met with and have had make the trip to attend the Family Life Our Times - £7.95 + p & p candid discussions with several International Conference in London if There are other books on the subject Cardinals appointed by Pope Benedict. he would be permitted to say a few available from Carmel Books, with 10% Unfortunately the mood in the local words to ensure that the truth about the discount for Catholic Truth readers. Church in London is oblivious to the Consecration of Russia was heard. Telephone presently developing situation in Rome Deal or no deal? Greg Clovis agreed, 01635 255340 / email and those in positions of authority and for that, at least, we are grateful. [email protected] remain addicted to cowardly knee-jerk

5 Glasgow: Masonic Links In High Places? Three Masonic chairs replace the Blessed Sacrament in some Catholic Churches By Veritas

St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow

Many years ago I was on pilgrimage to St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow has were over-ruled by the archdiocesan Lough Derg with Deirdre Manifold, an also been recently re-ordered and the offices. The tabernacle has been expert on Freemasonry, Communism, high altar has been replaced with the relegated to the side of the main altar. and the New World Order. She was three chairs especially the cathedra; This position does not encourage horrified on seeing the new re-ordered this was high-lighted by Archbishop adoration to Our Divine Lord in the holy sanctuary. The Golden Tabernacle Conti while he conducted a tour of the Eucharist. had been removed and replaced by newly re-furbished cathedral for The Masonic “god” Jabulon comprises three ugly stone chairs. A new journalists. He emphasized the place three separate “beings”: Jah, (taken modernistic bronze tabernacle was of honour given to the cathedra. He from Yahweh, God’s Name as revealed placed to the side of the sanctuary. A said that the glass doors leading into in the Old Testament), Ba-al the pagan beautiful mosaic of the Sacred Heart the Church and main aisle led straight god denounced in the Hebrew Bible and St Margaret Mary had been to the cathedra, stressing the and On the fertility god of the Egyptians. removed. She exclaimed “They have importance of this as the main focal turned this holy place into a Masonic point of the Church. The tabernacle is I have been thinking, do we have active Temple.” now situated in a side altar, Freemasons in control in high places overshadowed by a monstrosity of a in the Church or in the words of Lenin Recently, I have painting of St John Ogilvie by the too many “useful idiots”? been reminded of infamous artist Peter Howson. these words while Is this part of Satan’s plan for the end reading Now is the A few weeks ago I attended a funeral times from which Our Blessed Lady of Dawning of the New in St Mary’s Church, Calton, Glasgow Fatima tried to protect us? Age New World and noted that the high altar was Order by Denis obscured by three chairs. The Blessed Laurence Cuddy, Sacrament had been relegated to a Ph.D. This book side altar tabernacle. Until April 2011, gives us the history this church had been designated as of Freemasonry. the pro-cathedral while the re-ordering ‘Veritas’ is a pseudonym for a He compares the re-ordered sanctuary of St Andrew’s Cathedral took place. layman of the Archdiocese of of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Glasgow. We are withholding Raleigh, North Carolina to a Masonic Blessed John Duns Scotus church in his identity for professional Temple, noting the close similarities. Glasgow was recently rebuilt after reasons. The tabernacle has been replaced by severe fire damage. The architect had three chairs. designed a centre altar and tabernacle below a crucifix. The Franciscan Friars requested a central tabernacle but they

6 Glasgow & (the absence of) Missionary Zeal… Editor… At the Assembly of Clergy 23/2/12, Well, I ditched confirmations brief shot of early morning Mass, a Archbishop Conti encouraged the so surely my priests can ditch few words with a smiling chaplain priests of the Archdiocese of Glasgow daily Mass? sundays are (no complaints - we are grateful for to consider not offering Mass every different - the show must go on. small mercies; at least the chaplain day and to use is a priest!) and some crucifixes. the time instead Religion lessons did not feature to evangelise the although we discovered later, on our young. blog, from alleged former students, His justification: that prayers are said daily over the the daily parish tannoy, which some schools do in Mass is attended Reality TV Show Stars by people who order to overcome the problem of are already firm Glasgow Catholic School… teachers who object to leading in the Faith. The More ‘Hollywood” than “Holyrood” prayers. All in all, there’s still a young are much vacancy. Wanted: a full-blown more in need. Holyrood High, featured in a 3-part Catholic school to be show-cased Therefore: forget daily Mass and use BBC TV documentary in March, was on TV - but hold your rosary beads the time for a better purpose. presented as a very successful rather than your breath. It won’t be school. There was, however, no anytime soon. emphasis laid on its Catholicity; a The result of this action from the reason his definitions are rightly said Vatican has been one of shock with to be irreformable by their very nature Vatican silences threats of a Catholic uprising. The and not by reason of the assent of the Vatican is accused of going “too far” in Church, in as much as they were made Irish rebel sending Fr Flannery to a monastery on with the assistance of the Holy Spirit retreat. promised to him in the person of Editor… http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Catholic-Spring-uprising- blessed Peter himself; and as a priests… prediction-for-Ireland-over-dissenting-priest-Father- Flannery-147131755.html consequence they are in no way in need of the approval of others, and do We have reported on the dissenting Immediately, the ACP got to work to not admit of appeal to any other Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) survey around 1,000 Catholics who, tribunal. For, in such a case the Roman in Ireland in previous editions of this surprise, surprise, want married and Pontiff does not utter a pronouncement newsletter and there is a link to their women priests and a complete as a private person, but rather does he objectives on our website. They want overhaul of Catholic sexual morality. expound and defend the teaching of married and women priests and a And that’s just for starters. the Catholic faith as the supreme complete overhaul of Catholic sexual teacher of the universal Church, in morality. And that’s just for starters. Then came the second shock for the “liberals”: the silencing of another whom the Church’s charism of At last a little good news. Fr Tony dissenter, Marist, Fr Sean Fagan, who, infallibility is present in a singular way. Flannery, founder of the ACP has been incidentally, has a history of writing (Lumen Gentium # 25) silenced by the Vatican and ordered to letters in defence of our own home- When did you ever hear THAT take a six-weeks retreat in a grown dissident Mgr Basil Loftus in the passage quoted in a “course” on monastery, to pray and reflect on his UK-based Catholic Times - something Vatican II? Or at an ACP meeting? position. of a metaphorical slap in the mouth for As we go to press, not a single Irish Predictably, the Irish media have the editor of that publication, Kevin Bishop has spoken out in support of responded savagely. Here’s a typical Flaherty, who is an adjectival cross the Vatican’s silencing of these two remark of “sound-bite” quality: between hapless and useless. dissenters. “No comment” has been “He was silenced by the church, whose These dissenters do not accept the the response of Ireland’s episcopate, rapid actions on this issue contrast supremacy of the Pope - that is clear - for the obvious reason that they agree, sharply with the foot dragging because, for all their blether about not with the Vatican intervention, but everywhere over the horrific abuse implementing Vatican II, the following with the heresies propounded by the scandals which continue to bedevil the crystal clear words in the Dogmatic dissenters. Catholic Truth has long church.” Constitution on the Church, Lumen said that Bishops do not “tolerate” http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Father-Tony-Flannerys- Gentium, asserting papal supremacy dissenters: the dissenters speak for silencing-by-Vatican-causes-new-damage-to-Catholic- Church-147023365.html#ixzz1rv2Sb2Tk are persistently ignored by them: the Bishops. Time for the Vatican to send them off to a monastery to reflect “The Roman Pontiff, head of the Clearly, such commentators fail to see on their position, with an exhortation college of bishops, enjoys this the connection between loss of along the lines: believe and repent - or infallibility in virtue of his office, when, Catholic faith and the rise in immorality. hand back your mitre. as supreme pastor and teacher of all Fully believing priests do not abuse the faithful - who confirms his brethren children. It’s the dissenters, those who in the faith (cf Luke 22:32) - he proclaims favour immoralities such as in an absolute decision a doctrine contraception, divorce and remarriage pertaining to faith or morals. For that and “gay” rights who are the threat to children.

7 Open House. Your Letters Your article on the 50th Eucharistic Congress (in Ireland) was very revealing, as was the letter of Father I read your report of Father Michael brethren, so naturally this authority Nicholas Mary which was refused Smith S.J.’s talk with no little surprise. continues today. This would save him publication in 2004 (in the Universe). He speaks with great disparagement trying to introduce a form of Collegiality about the years before the Second which was never intended by Vatican So, once again, thanks very much for Vatican Council, but I wonder where II or anyone else. a terrific newsletter. Patrick Hughes, Coatbridge was he living then? It could not have Finally, Father should always remind been in any British Diocese as official his audience that Pope John XXIII Re March edition - I was interested in statistics show the Church in all of made it quite clear in this opening the letter about John Smart because them had steadily growing numbers at address to the Council that it was he stayed not far from me. I used to Mass and plenty of priestly vocations. “predominantly pastoral” and that Pope see him at the bus stop in Duddingston Also, how can he say that there was a Paul VI repeated this in his address on Crescent although I never knew his name until the trial reports, along with lack of Scripture when we all learnt so September 6th 1963. He quoted Pope his photo, appeared in the papers. I much about the Bible in our excellent John and went on to stress the pastoral don't know about his guilt or innocence, Catholic schools then. I recall learning nature of this Council. Both Popes only he and God know that, but I was stories from the Bible when young and emphasised that this Council was not surprised that he read Catholic Truth studying the Bible itself in Senior Dogmatic, being called to confirm (or indeed anything Catholic) as I was school. For instance, we spent the teaching already given. As our lead to believe he was very anti- year in Form Four on St Matthew’s esteemed Editor has already pointed Catholic. Gospel, following up the Old out, Pope Benedict XVI has since Testament references. In those days echoed these sentiments. He was part of the Free Church Catholic schools taught Doctrine every Continuing and I was told by a Church Daphne McLeod. Chairman, Pro day and Scripture once a week. What of Scotland lady that he is very bigoted. Ecclesia et Pontifice, Surrey, schools did Father attend before I have heard that he took part in Ian England Vatican II? Paisley's demonstration on the day the My parents’ generation studied the I would like to thank you for the Pope visited Edinburgh. Bible even more fully. My mother and wonderful March newsletter. I read it I was wondering how he came over to her classmates all learnt the whole of immediately it arrived. Your reply to you when you met him. Perhaps he St Mark’s Gospel off by heart and this Professor John Haldane was spot on, has had a St. Paul experience with a stayed with them until the end of their rightly quoting Canon Law 813, also conversion on the road to days. I wish Catholic schools today did reminding us that the Church is not a Duddingston… Name Withheld as well. debating society; it is not a matter of Ed: John Smart came across as a kind Catholic Action for adults was always hostilities but truth. I am sure person, very interested in the conversation connected to the Bible. For instance Professor John Haldane is a sincere we had about Tradition and Scripture. in the Westminster Catholic Evidence Catholic so he should join us at “Bigotry” remember arises out of not Catholic Truth instead of writing in knowing the truth. We found him receptive Guild in the fifties we read all the New to what we were saying - a great deal more Testament every year with lectures so than most modern Catholics! I have and a written exam every month. The N O T I C E also visited John in prison and we have Gospels and Acts took from January exchanged letters. I think we should all to June, then after a summer break we Our sincere gratitude to everyone who remember him in our prayers and studied the Epistles in sections before donated to our funds following the commend him to the special protection of March 2012 edition. beginning again in January. We also Our Lady. had lectures on the Old Testament, To save postage, we no longer write Catholic Truth stay well! Catholic sometimes from our Protestant letters to acknowledge individual Truth is solid medicine that ensures converts who knew it so well. donations although if that we, too, stay well! Blessings and you include an email Surely Father must remember that, in address, Editor will prayers, always. Fr LP, U.S.A. the fifties, the saintly Pope Pius XII thank you personally. Ed: Father, thank you for your annual letter gave a special Indulgence to all Email addresses are and generous support - much appreciated. Catholics who spent twenty minutes a included with all PayPal day reading the Bible. This was to donations. A special word of thanks to our regular Standing encourage adult Catholics to keep up Order donors: these regular donations The Editor their Bible studies and of course it still help our planning immensely. God Catholic Truth, stands. bless you, each one. 10 Sandyford Place Perhaps if Father spent more time Please note: we are unable to accept Glasgow, G3 7NB reading the Bible himself he would see correspondence which is under-stamped. These will be returned to sender in due Tel: 0797 90 53666 that Our Blessed Lord gave his first course by the Post Office. Email: Pope, St Peter, authority over his Miss McMoneypenny. [email protected] The UK & Irish Bishops plus the Pope and Prefects of every Vatican Congregation, receive this newsletter. If it contradicts Catholic teaching, we invite the Hierarchy to correct us in accordance with their duty under Canon Law # 823 Letters continued on p.9 8 Your Letters Continued from page 8

I refer to Jim Dowson’s “Right to connections. First they were in denial, paid, when and how much they paid. Reply” piece in the March edition. I which turned to sadness, then a Now that he’s decided to dispense with was a wholehearted supporter of UK feeling of having been betrayed it (yet another decision he’s made Lifeleague – Jim was our hero – then and ‘suckered’. So, now that without any consultation with his the bombshell dropped. We heard via the BNP balloon has gone up, supporters), let him refund them all the grapevine that Jim was deeply what do he and Marion their money. Give people their money embroiled with the BNP, which was Thomas expect? Sympathy? back, if you can’t provide the goods! confirmed on TV on Panorama. Or to be welcomed back to the pro-life Sorry, Jim. You can cry ‘clean hands’, Instead of working full time against fold, with open arms? you can rant, rave and deny until the cows come home. But there are too abortion, Jim was raising money for How many other pies does he have his many things that just don’t add up. the vitriolic far right. Every emotion fingers in? The BNP was by no means crept in at this betrayal: hurt, grief, the only matter he’d kept us in the dark I don’t intend to engage in protracted anger, frustration – and the key about. Step forward, adlorries.com. and pointless correspondence. As far question: where did our donations go? The so-called ‘truth truck’ was bought as I’m concerned the matter is now Now, Jim is working for a new political with funds raised by UKLL and Pro- closed. Patrick McKay, England group, Britain First, based in Swanley, LifeCare supporters, who were led to Kent, as Administration and Call believe it would be an ongoing Ed: this correspondence is now closed. Centre Manager, a fact Jim omitted concern, led to believe that the aborted from his Catholic Truth article. How baby posters it displayed would Whatever happened to integrity? I can he justify being pro-life when, eventually be witnessed up and down came into the Church in 1958 and at surely, black and Asian and mixed the country. This truck wasn’t the time there were a few high-profile race births are not welcomed or Dowson’s property, but the property of defections: the one I remember most encouraged by far right zealots? his supporters. Why was there any clearly was Fr Charles Davis SJ. But Would they mourn these children’s need to establish a limited company when these people realised that their deaths by abortion, or applaud them? (adlorries.com) – and why all the views could not be reconciled with the Jim, it is time for you to truthfully tell secrecy about this? Why was the ‘FOR Catholic Faith, what did they do? They us suckers what happened to our HIRE’ logo with a contact telephone got out, of course! At least they had donations. Valerie Stockwell, number displayed on the truck? Why integrity. Herefordshire were Marion Thomas and Jennifer Then we got “filial disobedience” (I’m Like it or not we are, all of us, judged Matthys (Nick Griffin’s daughter, no not sure but I think a Scottish priest less) ever appointed as adlorries.com by the company we keep. ‘Sleep with started that! (Ed: wouldn’t be surprised!) But the dogs – and rise with the fleas’…. company directors? Why the decision we English are not in any position to an old saying. The BNP’s reputation to dissolve adlorries.com last year? throw stones.) Why the need to form two ‘separate’ had, for a long time, gone before them. Your Open House people are an Dowson must have been as aware of pro-life organisations, with different mailing addresses, yet managed by the outstanding example of “filial this as anyone when he elected to start disobedience” and then some. But the doing business with them back in same people? Why were no income/expenditure accounts ever dissenters have done their job well. Is 2007. Had the supporters of his pro-life it too far-fetched to state that the organisations known about his BNP made known to their supporters? Why the lack of transparency about so many majority of Catholics - at least in our involvements right from the outset, islands - share their views - perhaps most (if not all) would immediately issues? As Christ Himself said…’no- one lights a lamp to place it under a not actively, but, at the very least, have ceased contributing. This is why passively? he and his camp deliberately kept tub’….. Matthew 5:14. them in the dark about it. It took some It seems there are always more Sadly, I would place Professor three years for the news to finally questions than answers, with anything Haldane among them. He seems to break, three years during which his concerning the Dowson camp. This is advocate a reductionist Christianity. loyal and generous pro-life supporters the trouble with the volatile Dowson – Sure, we must hold to certain basic continued to back him, even though he demands the right to do exactly as tenets (who decides those - and is the they wondered why he’d become so he pleases and thinks nobody should Divinity of Christ one of them?) But all inactive on the pro-life front (apart from ever dare challenge or question him! the rest - the Marian dogmas, for the begging letters, that is). Clearly, he gets really annoyed with instance - may or may not be “helpful”. If my arithmetic is correct, this means anyone who turns out not to be as And liturgy must be “modest” - will a that the lady I know who scrimped from green as their cabbage looks….. Protestant communion service do? her disability benefits in order to pay Perhaps this explains his phenomenal Professor Haldane seems to have little £20.00 a month into UK LifeLeague’s turnover of staff, many of his volunteer idea of the traditional Catholic and accounts would have kept a much- helpers over the years having either Eastern Orthodox view of Liturgy. needed £720.00 to herself. She would walked or been pushed. I personally But, whatever: if you can’t take what not now be wondering how much of heard him dismiss some of them as the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church her money might have ended up in the ‘nutters’. traditionally teaches - not what some BNP’s coffers, while the Dowson camp As for those who contributed towards manufactured ersatz copy demands - was ‘wearing two hats’. Well-meaning the ‘truth truck’ all those years ago, as then do what integrity demands. people like her were absolutely gutted the astute businessman, no doubt Thomas William Jones, Herts. when they found out about his BNP Dowson kept strict accounts of who Letters continued on p.12

9 Thinking Through Catholic Truth “I have come to Scotland to unteach heresy and to save souls”

Our Lady & Intercessory Prayer … St John Ogilvie SJ taken from Feast: 10 March Mary - The Second Eve from the writings of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman…

It would be preposterous to pray for those who are already in glory; but at least The sun is shining brightly, they can pray for us, and we can ask their prayers, and in the Apocalypse at the trees are clothed with green; least Angels are introduced both sending us their blessing and presenting our prayers before the Divine Presence. We read there of a angel who “came and A beauteous bloom of flowers on stood before the altar, having a golden censer”; and “there was given to every side is seen; him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon The trees are gold and emerald, the golden altar which is before the Throne of God”. On this occasion, and all the world is gay * surely, the Angel (Michael, as the prayer in Mass considers him) performed the part of a great Intercessor or Mediator above for the children of the Church For ‘tis the month of Mary Militant below. Again, in the beginning of the same book, the sacred writer goes the lovely month of May… so far as to speak of “grace and peace” being sent to us, not only from the Almighty, but “from the seven Spirits that are before His throne”, thus Chorus: associating the Eternal with the ministers of His mercies; and this carries us on to the remarkable passage of St Justin, one of the earliest Fathers, who, in his Mary, dear mother, we sing a Apology says, “To Him (God) and His Son who came from Him, and taught hymn to thee… us these things, and the host of the other good Angels who follow and resemble Him, and the Prophetic Spirit, we pay veneration and homage.” Thou art the Further, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, St Paul introduces, not only Angels, but Queen of “the spirits of the just” into the sacred communion: “Ye have come to Mount Heaven, thou, Sion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to myriads of angels, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the just made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of too, our Queen the New Testament.” What can be meant by having “come to the spirits of shall be; the just”, unless in someway or other they do us good, whether by blessing or by aiding us? That is, in a word, by praying for us? For it is by prayer alone O rule us and than the creature above can bless or aid the creature below. guide us, unto Intercession thus being the first principle of the Church’s life, next it is certain eternity… again, that the vital principle of that intercession, as an availing power, is, according to the will of God, sanctity. This seems to be suggested by a passage of St Paul, in which the Supreme Intercessor is said to be “the Spirit”: “the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us; He maketh intercession for the saints according to God.” (In the Bible) we read of “Jeremias, Moses and Samuel”; and of “Noe, Daniel There’s music in the heavens, and Job”, as being great mediators between God and His people. One instance the birds are singing there; is given us, which testifies the continuance of so high an office beyond this life. And nature’s songs and praises, Lazarus, in the parable, is seen in Abraham’s bosom. It is usual to pass over are sounding through the air; this striking passage with the remark that it is a Jewish expression; whereas, Jewish belief or not, it is recognised and sanctioned by Our Lord Himself. And we with hearts, rejoicing, What do we teach about the Blessed Virgin more wonderful than this? Let us with joy we sing today, suppose, that, at the hour of death, the faithful are committed to her arms; but For ‘tis the month of Mary if Abraham, not yet ascended on high, had charge of Lazarus, what offence is it to affirm the like of her, who was not merely “the friend”, but the very “Mother the lovely month of May… of God”? Chorus I consider it impossible then, for those who believe the Church to be one vast body in heaven and on earth, in which every holy creature of God has his place * “gay” is used here, of course, in its original meaning - lively/bright/merry etc. and of which prayer is the life, when once they recognise the sanctity and See e.g. Chambers Dictionary. greatness of the Blessed Virgin, not to perceive immediately, that her office above is one of perpetual intercession for the faithful militant, and that our very relation to her must be that of a client to a patron, and that, in the eternal enmity which exists between the woman and the serpent, while the serpent’s strength is that of being the Tempter, the weapon of the Second Eve and Mother of God is prayer. As then these ideas of her sanctity and greatness gradually penetrated the mind of Christendom, so did that of her intercessory power …

10 The Month of Mary: Our Lady is… Hymn to Our Lady of Fatima Turris Davidica, The Tower of David O come to the throne of grace, O come to the heart most pure! The Tower of David is an ancient citadel located near the To Mary, our hope of life, Jaffa Gate entrance to the old city of Jerusalem, rebuilt during In whom salvation is sure. the 2nd century AD. It contains important archaeological finds Chorus dating back 2,700 years, and is called the "Tower of David" O Lady of Fatima, hail! because early Christians believed the site to have housed the Immaculate Mother of grace; palace of King David. O, pray for us, help us today, Thou hope of the human race! A tower in its simplest idea is a fabric to remain in that state and if you hope for defence against enemies. David, to grow in humility. For never will Immaculate Heart! we kneel King of Israel, built for this purpose a anyone who says the Rosary every day To consecrate all to thee: notable tower; and as he is a figure or become a formal heretic or be led The present, its pain and joy, type of Our Lord, so is his tower a astray by the devil. This is a statement The future, all it may be. figure denoting Our Lord's Virgin that I would gladly sign with my blood." O Lady of Fatima, hail! Mother. St. Louis de Montfort Immaculate Mother of grace; O, pray for us, help us today, She is called the Tower of David …Queen of Peace Thou hope of the human race! because She had so signally fulfilled the office of defending Her Divine Son Almighty God tells us in Holy Scripture The sun at thy royal word from the assaults of His foes. It is that the Blessed Virgin will defeat the Spun round like a splendid toy; customary with those who are not devil, his followers and plots: "I will put The rose petals showering down Catholics to fancy that the honours we enmities between thee and the Proclaimed thee cause of our joy. pay to Her interfere with the supreme Woman, and thy seed and Her seed: worship which we pay to Him; that in She shall crush thy head and thou O Lady of Fatima, hail! Catholic teaching She eclipses Him. shalt lie in wait for Her heel." (Gen. 3:15). Immaculate Mother of grace; But this is the very reverse of the truth. In Her appearances at Fatima, the O, pray for us, help us today, For if Mary's glory is so very great, how Mother of God solemnly promised us Thou hope of the human race! cannot His be greater still who is the final victory over the forces of evil in The Rosary, white and gold, Lord and God of Mary? He is infinitely our own time. "In We take from thy Virgin hand; above His Mother; and all that grace the end, My A pledge of the power of God which filled Her is but the overflowings Immaculate Heart To heal and strengthen our land. and the superfluities of His will triumph," She incomprehensible Sanctity. And history told us, "the Holy O Lady of Fatima, hail! teaches us the same lesson. Look at Father will Immaculate Mother of grace; the Protestant countries which threw consecrate Russia O, pray for us, help us today, off all devotion to Her three centuries to Me. Russia will Thou hope of the human race! ago, under the notion that to put Her be converted and a O Mother of Sorrows, hail! from their thoughts would be exalting period of peace We mourn for our evil done; the praises of Her Son. Has that shall be given to O soften our selfish hearts, consequence really followed from their mankind." Message And lead us back to thy Son. profane conduct towards Her? Just the of Our Lady of Fatima - www.fatima.org reverse - the countries of Germany, Feast of Our Lady of Fatima O Lady of Fatima, hail! Switzerland, England, which so acted, Immaculate Mother of grace; have in great measure ceased to May 13… O, pray for us, help us today, worship Him, and have given up their Thou hope of the human race! th th belief in His Divinity; while the Catholic May 13 , 2012 marks the 95 anniversary of the Church, wherever she is to be found, first apparition of Our Lady to the three shepherd O Mother of all mankind, adores Christ as true God and true children at Fatima, Portugal. On this day, back Lead Russia back home again, That over a peaceful world Man, as firmly as ever She did; and in 1981, a Turkish mercenary, shot the Pope Thy heart may graciously reign strange indeed would it be, if it ever (John Paul II) in Saint happened otherwise. Thus Mary is the Peter's Square in a O Lady of Fatima, hail! "Tower of David". (Blessed) John Immaculate Mother of grace; Henry Cardinal Newman failed assassination O, pray for us, help us today, attempt. …Queen of Thou hope of the human race! May 13th is now the the Most Holy Rosary Feast of Our Lady of "If, by the grace of God, Fatima. This Feast you have already was added to the reached a high level of Roman Missal by prayer, keep up the practice of saying the Pope John Paul II in Holy Rosary if you wish 2002.

11 Your Letters Continued from page 9…

A copy of the January issue of Catholic that the Catholic story is a factual one there is also anger for the hierarchy Truth was passed to me by Mrs Kate - that our Church is God's only one on and clergy who have allowed this to Dillon, Cheshire. I am very impressed earth, instituted by Him and guided by happen. and heartened by discovering that His presence therein throughout the On his other charge of being idolatrous, such a publication and apostolic work ages and for all time. In its essential is he saying what I think he is saying, still continues. Your courteous but Catholicism, this Church would that our devotion to Our Lady is straight talking is so refreshing and be instantly recognisable and familiar in idolatry? This is one of the oldest honest in these days of political any past time were we able to go back chestnuts levelled at the Catholic correctness - may your pen remain there. We need only read an old prayer, Church by the Protestants since John mighty! or a hymn of the 3rd century and its Knox was a boy! If the Professor or I have placed myself under the Catholicism jumps out at us. We would anyone else has a problem with Our protection of the SSPX for many years also experience this at a Mass or Lady, they have only to sit before a now and have, in earlier times, tried to other sacramental occasion or devotion picture of the Crucifixion of Our Lord help in anyway possible. At present I in earlier times, even where some and meditate on His words to us am going through a spell of poor health externals and procedures might be “Behold your Mother” and ask for the and am not physically very active but I different. It's found in the pages of the grace to understand these words and still do what I can. lives of all the saints, in their words and take them to heart. I am sure you are aware of a (TV) actions - however otherwise different programme starting on BBC 4 on the times in which they lived, their It also disturbed me that he alleges that Thursday 23 February. I enclose the individual lifestyles and characters. Catholic Truth has caused scandal to Radio Times description and Helena Throughout this story of the Church, in the Catholic Church. I know that Kennedy’s opinion (Day of Reckoning: Catholic countries this essence of pre-Vatican II Catholics were brought The Catholic Church needs women Catholicism would also be clearly up with a truly apostolic mind. This priests - point of view by Helena manifest in so much of the general life means that we do everything we can Kennedy). Heaven preserve us from of the age. John Haldane doesn't seem to bring people to the Catholic Church these feminists. I feel I must steel to see things in that way, and could, as this is the sure way for the salvation myself to watch in case it is too presumably, only find, at best, some of every soul. This surely is real outrageous and needs challenging. common humanity in that great charity, wanting everyone to be saved. (Ed: THAT is the truly Catholic spirit. Where Catholic family of the past. Ellen Ward, Glasgow. have you been all my life?) I… would ask you to please add me to (Incidentally),I couldn't agree more with What can we do about Alpha? Is there your mailing list (and) please send a you on your opinion of Mgr Loftus, anything we can do to educate people copy also to the names enclosed, two whose bit in The Catholic Times I about this course? Attaching parish friends to whom I have enthused about simply have to skip over to keep some bulletin. Kathleen McQuaid, Northern your publication. equanimity. Francis Reilly, Orpington Ireland. Thank you. God bless you and your Ed: the parish bulletin reads: The Alpha work. Hilary McDonald, England When I read Professor Haldane’s programme which is starting in this parish article in Catholic Truth, I veered from on Monday 12th March is not only I have been enthused by your very rage to sympathy. I thought what encouraged by the Catholic Church but is good and comprehensive reply to the cheek that he should insinuate that we highly recommended by none other than article by John Haldane. contributors and supporters of Catholic Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, leading Truth were either Pharisees, idolaters theologian and preacher to the Pope. He There's probably something usefully or vainglorious. On reading further I says in his endorsement of Alpha: “Alpha corrective in a little of what he says, is a way which leads people to Jesus… one began to feel sympathy for him. He may but I find it difficult to respond to that of the advantages of the Alpha Course is have a degree in Philosophy but he is sort of writing which wanders that it focuses on the Kerygma - the surely lacking in simple basic Catholic widely, selecting from Church history, proclamation of the good news.” faith and devotion to Our Blessed Lady. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has also dogma, documents, liturgical practices, I have no degrees after my name but I remarked, “our culture and especially our and so on. You have to go checking am extremely grateful for the young people need to know Jesus Christ. up on so many things to find the truth uncomplicated Catholic education and I commend the Alpha Course as one and context. example I received in the fifties from pathway whereby people can come to a Most of what Professor Haldane writes the teachers and priests in St Teresa’s knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ today.” Many people who have is rather a swipe at the Church of which parish, Possilpark, Glasgow. participated in Alpha said it had improved he purports to be a member. He is He suggests that we “traditionalists” set their participation in the celebration of the clearly not comfortable with Our Lady ourselves above the ordinary Catholics. Eucharist. To register to attend, email or in her roles within the Church, always I would not agree with this statement phone (the parish)* …. a certain sign of a whole syndrome of but I think that we, ordinary Catholics, * the name of the parish is irrelevant since this dissension. We need more devotion to course is widely available in parishes just about have been shunted aside by the Mary, more rosaries, and more everywhere. In my own parish (when I lived in progressives as they trampled over our England) there was a banner across the door prayers for her intercession - Catholics pearls of great price. They have lost which proclaimed: “Alpha is here” - I asked the are not Mariolatrous and are well so much in doing so that they have pass-keeper (rather drily, I thought) whether, aware of Our Lady's position in the given the Real Presence of Jesus in the hardly any of the true Faith left. But Church. Tabernacle, the sign should read: “Christ is contrary to what Professor Haldane here”. He looked puzzled. My definition of a Traditional Catholic discerns there is no insecurity in what The Truth About Alpha, p.16 is simply of a person who truly believes we feel just immense sadness. At times

Continued on p.13 12 Your Letters Continued from page 12…

I must answer the article by Professor nothing of priestly dress. I've just been informed of something shocking. John Haldane in the current (March) If Professor Haldane does not take edition of Catholic Truth. cognizance of these things he is not Today (26 March) Saint Mary's Your defence of traditional Catholicism being honest about the state of the Primary, Saint Blane's Primary - both is admirable and I congratulate for your New Church. I rest my case. Glasgow schools - and the local non- reply to his criticisms. In his article, the Donald Carter, Norwich denominational primaries took part in Professor urges us to “beware an ecumenical service in St Blane's Being unaware and not informed or Pharisaism, Idolatry and Vainglory”, with Fr Jim Lawlor and 3 Protestant consulted, it seems, we have been which, of course, we must all be careful ministers! duped into accepting to pay to aid and to do, but I detect in his article these abet and permit Catholic children and Two priests, a Permanent Deacon, a very grave faults. adults to be told and taught lies and minister from the local Church of However, my main criticism of his false beliefs and indoctrinated that the Scotland and a youth minister article is simply burying his head in the Bible and Catechism (contain) errors, presided. The theme was "peace". sand about the New Church. Surely he and cannot be relied on or trusted They sang hymns. Concerned must agree that “by their fruits you where it touches on history and Teacher, Glasgow shall know them.” science. So, it seems, those being Ed: I contacted both head-teachers (Michelle Stewart, St Blanes; Mrs Madeleine McGeachie, The fruits of the New Church since the taught or accepting this are falling St Mary’s) to ask for their comment, given that - Second Vatican Council are frightening away in droves. Check it out for apart from the “ecumenical” scandal, one of the to contemplate. Let me list just a few: yourself via Google box type in [Fact priests in attendance, Fr Jim Lawlor, hit the vs Faith/Textbooks]. Join us now to headlines in 2007 over a “sex incident” http://scottishchristian.com/priest-resigns-after- 1) Since the Novus Ordo (Mass) came form an Evolution protest/counter claims-of-sex-incident/ into use, millions of Catholics have left group. Not many Catholics seem to Given the emphasis on child protection these the Church. know that 'simul et ex nihilo' is the days - for, very sadly, good reason following Catholic doctrine of Creation and to sex-abuse by some clergy - we would have been interested to discover why, in the judgment of 2) Many, many priests no longer accept or teach Evolution[including believe in the Real Presence, as I have these two headteachers, Fr Lawlor was deemed Theistic Evolution] as fact is forbidden suitable to work with and hold influence over, the personal evidence. I will give just one to Catholics - see www.kolbecenter.org pupils in these schools. There was no other example. at Features section and second article. person involved in the reported “sex incident” so we do not mean to suggest that he is a danger In the seventies and eighties I was For further information on 'simul et ex to children. We do not suggest that at all. on the management committee of a nihilo' = Catholic doctrine of Creation However, in the present climate, it seems to us Catholic children’s home in East = in the beginning, out of nothing God that this would be a case for erring on the side Anglia, run by nuns. The mother created everything (Catechism # 327) of caution, since the police were involved in the incident reported in July 2007. We were unable superior, a holy woman, arranged a For further info email me. to contact Fr Lawlor for his comment, because retreat for the convent, given by a James Winrow-Campbell although he is listed among the clergy on the Archdiocesan website, assigned to St Peter’s Jesuit. When he arrived she showed [email protected] him round the convent. In the chapel Partick, he is not listed among the clergy in that parish and I received no reply to my email of she noticed that he did not genuflect Ed: see p. 15 for Feature Letter on the subject enquiry for his contact details. He is guaranteed to the Tabernacle. She pointed this out of evolution, from scientist Dr David Roemer. the right to reply to anything here, should he to him, to which he replied: “There is choose to respond to this letter/editorial nothing to genuflect to.” Thanks for Peter Mackin’s article on comment. To her everlasting glory, she Opus Dei, Issue 71, which was an The newsletter is amazing, although ordered him to leave the house eye-opener. They’re really quite a sometimes dispiriting. Still we continue immediately and the retreat was disappointment. Name Withheld to pray, hope and leave the worrying cancelled. to God. I believe you knew Margaret 3) The lapse rate from senior “Catholic” God bless you all for all you are doing Dalton from Middlesbrough, ex- schools is over 90% leaving the for Our Lord and His Church. With teacher. She died on 3/4/12… A Church by the age of 14 years. I know much gratitude. wonderful disciple of the Catholic of young Catholics in Norwich, here, Mr R. J. Pevec, Herts, England Faith. Pauline McAllister, Darlington who have given up the practice of their Ed: Thank you. Yes, we were sad to hear of faith completely. Margaret’s death; see RIP notice, below. An excellent issue for March! I enclose 4) The behaviour of congregations at a copy of my email to Archbishop N O T I C E - R I P . . . the new Mass is unbelievable. Children Vincent Nichols (Westminster) on the A loyal supporter of Catholic Truth from its run up and down the aisles, they shout subject of the Soho Masses. Dr D.J. earliest days, Scots-born Mrs Margaret Dalton, and scream, mobile phones are used Lightfood, Lincolnshire who has lived in England for many years, died during Mass, adults chat in the aisles on Tuesday, 3 April 2012, aged 91. Margaret Ed: see p.14, column 1 on their way to Communion (how this passed away in the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, in the north-east compares with the reverent behaviour of England. at SSPX Masses is commentary We have expressed our condolences to the enough!) family and arranged for a Traditional Latin Mass 5) Seminary training does not give to be offered for the repose of Margaret’s soul. modern priests a true priestly Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let foundation for their future role, to say perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace. Amen.

13 Westminster: “Gay” Masses By Dr D.J. Lightfoot… May it please Your Grace, but disagreed with everything in it (2008) Dial E and again (2010) for the purpose of I have just read (in Catholic Truth) your for Emergency pointing out a minor error statement concerning the now by one of our columnists on a matter of secondary commonly termed “gay” Masses said importance. So, know at Our Lady and St Gregory in Soho. Malcolm Sinclair, Glasgow, rang on what? I don’t quite like receipt of Issue 71, the March edition, the image of a reader I have written to you before about announcing that he seldom agreed with scouring through this these “particular” Masses anything in the newsletter but he was newsletter for the express ringing now to but received no reply (Ed: join purpose of finding mistakes in it. That’s express his shock the club.) I am, nevertheless, why we employ proof-readers at top horror at a “grievous salaries and with excellent terms and trying again to ask you to error” in the March explain to me what is the conditions (two proof-readers pictured edition. “Grievous, below holding current payslip…) liturgical (and indeed grievous error…” Hence, after due consideration at one of theological) justification for Over and over a Mass being offered for a particular our top level Board Room meetings, we’ve again, he solemnly decided to remove Mr group of Catholics. Are we also to have repeated his shock Masses for alcoholics, Masses for Sinclair from the mailing that there was such list. He’ll receive this drug-addicts, Masses for embezzlers, a “grievous error” in edition but not future Masses for co-habitants, and so on? the newsletter, but my frantic attempts to editions, unless this remember what the dickens I’d written that sentence is overturned Our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Word of could be so serious, proved to be futile. on appeal. With postage God, gave the Jews the Law. He “Grievous, grievous error; Oh dear, such a costs rising we are no Himself said that He had not come to grievous error ...” Remembering that this longer willing to carry “conversation” was on his phone bill, not abolish the Law but to fulfil it. The Law mischief-makers. mine, I relaxed to enjoy the show. refers to homosexual acts as an Likewise, anyone else abomination to the Lord. Jesus said Eventually, the horrendous, most “grievous who is reading this that fornication was one of the things error” was revealed. Drum roll. Turns out newsletter for any other reason than to that my assertion that St John Ogilvie was that came out of (as opposed to going become better informed about the crisis in “hanged and disembowelled” (p.24) was into) a man that defiled him. Saint Paul the Church with a view to doing something “a grievous error” because, according to Mr about it, is invited to remove themselves (especially and “particularly”) Sinclair, while that was the sentence appointed by Our Lord as Apostle to from our mailing list. Hesitate not: we are passed, in John Ogilvie’s case, there was here, at your service, and we’ll have all the Gentiles, makes the Christian no “disembowelling”. Is that it? I asked… time-wasters off our database quicker than objection to homosexual behaviour Still, although some accounts do claim that you can say St John Ogilvie SJ was even more explicit. The Penny St John Ogilvie was disembowelled, I hanged but possibly not disembowelled! Catechism lists sodomy as one of the decided to allow Mr Sinclair the benefit of four sins crying to Heaven for any doubt and apologised as profusely as if I’d kidnapped his granny, begging his vengeance. forgiveness for this “grievous error”. How did we arrive, therefore, at the I then asked if he wished to make any grotesque and scandalous spectacle comment on anything else in the 24 pages Please note of these Soho Masses? What would of the March edition. What, I queried, for that the next Saint Paul, what would Our Lady and example, did he think of Jesuit, Fr Michael Smith’s Vatican II “course”? He replied that newsletter will Saint Gregory say if they had to since he hadn’t been present at the course, be published witness them? he couldn’t pass judgment. I pointed out that he’d not been present when the in September. You, Your Grace, are responsible for Westminster Members of Parliament had what is happening and can put an end fiddled their expense accounts but, like the to it. Please follow the example of rest of us, he had undoubtedly expressed Cardinal O’Brien* and give us his opinion on the matter. (He hadn’t been bewildered traditional Catholics some present at John Ogilvie’s execution either, reason to feel pride in our Church so it was really his word against mine in the leaders. matter of the disembowelling, but let that pass…) I pray the Rosary every day and from Interestingly, when I suggested to Mr now on (while) this delusional impiety Sinclair that, since he was emphatic that he persists I shall devote one (sorrowful) didn’t agree with the majority of the newsletter contents, which he’s been decade in reparation, and another for Catholic receiving for years, his name ought to be Truth team you. Email from Dr D.J. Lightfoot, removed from the mailing list, his response off on Lincolnshire was immediate: “oh no!” He wanted to world tour continue to receive the newsletter. Curious. Ed: see ‘Gay Marriage’: Scots Hierarchy speak with forked tongues … p.19 However, later, when I checked our database, I was reminded of a couple of previous communications from Mr Sinclair, the first to tell us that he liked the newsletter

Feature Letter p. 15 14 Evolution: Feature Letter from Dr David Roemer

American scientist, Dr David Roemer is model for the protein, there being The other absurdity in approximately 20 letters in the alphabet. the article is the idea that in dispute with the American Journal of Calculations of the probability of getting an energy from the sun can Physics about an article on evolution. English sonnet in 3 billion years by the decrease the entropy of Dr Roemer’s letter below describes the random selection of letters and words puts a system. The entropy of controversy… American spellings prevail. a limit on the explanatory power of natural a system increases selection. It means that natural selection when you add heat to it. explains only why giraffes have long necks For example, you make In a book published in 2009, Richard (adaptation). Natural selection doesn’t ice from water by Dawkins said: explain how giraffes evolved from bacteria extracting heat from the “When creationists say, as they frequently (common descent). This is the real water. The entropy of the do, that the theory of evolution contradicts connection between evolution and the ice is less because there Dr David Roemer the Second Law of Thermodynamics, they second law of thermodynamics: biologists is more knowledge about are telling us no more than that they don’t and physicists both do probability the speed and location of the water understand the Second Law (we already calculations (Marc Kirschner and John molecules. There is more order or knew that they don’t understand evolution). Gerhart, The Plausibility of Life: Resolving complexity in ice than in water. You are There is no contraction, because of the sun! Darwin’s Dilemma, pages 32 and 247). going from high entropy to low entropy. This does not violate the second law “…energy from the sun powers life, to coax Thermodynamics begins with the variables because the water-ice system is not and stretch the laws of physics and or functions of temperature, volume, and isolated. chemistry to evolve prodigious feats of pressure. Temperature is measured in complexity, diversity, beauty, and an degrees, volume is measured in meters, The article may have been written in good uncanny illusion of statistical improbability and pressure is measured in pounds per faith. However, I have pointed out the and deliberate design…Natural selection square inch. These variables give rise to errors to the current editor of the American is an improbability pump: a process that the variables of heat and work, which are Journal of Physics and the entire executive generates the statistically improbable. It measured in joules. Heat and work give board of the American Association of systematically seizes the minority of rise to the variable called entropy, which is Physics Teachers. No one is taking random changes that have what it takes to measured in joules per degree. responsibility. survive, and accumulates them, step by Statistical mechanics gives an equation You can read my correspondence with the tiny step over unimaginable timescales, between the temperature of a gas and the American Journal of Physics at until evolution eventually climbs mountains average kinetic energy of the molecules in http://newevangelist.me/2012/02/23/american- of improbability and diversity, peaks whose the gas, KE = 3/2 (kT), where k is the association-of-physics-teachers/ and visit the height and range seem to know no limit, Boltzmann constant and has an website of the American Journal of Physics the metaphorical mountain that I have experimentally determined value. There is at http://ajp.aapt.org/ called ‘Mount Improbable’…Life evolves a similar equation connecting entropy with The authors thanks the peer-reviewers for greater complexity only because natural what is called “thermodynamic probability,” selection drives it locally away from the helping him write the article. It is not also using the Boltzmann constant. When unusual for anonymous peer reviewers to statistically probable towards the a gas fills the entire container uniformly, the improbable.” (Richard Dawkins, The Greatest do this, but in an article attacking religion thermodynamic probability is at a maximum this helps explain why the article was Show on Earth: Evidence for Evolution, and the entropy high. When the molecules p. 415) published. in a gas are clustered in one part of the Dawkins presumably got this drivel from a container, the thermodynamic probability The other strange thing is the reaction of peer-reviewed article published by the is low and the entropy is low. The second scientists when I tell them about the article American Association of Physics Teachers law of thermodynamics is that the entropy and explain the errors. They behave (Am. J. Phys., Vol. 76, No. 11, November of an isolated system never decreases. dishonestly and uncharitably. 2008, “Entropy and evolution”). The article To me the interesting story, the one that quotes creationists, says the same thing The AJP article calculates the decrease in may make headline news, is that the AJP Dawkins says about the sun and evolution, the entropy of the biosphere using the published a ridiculous article about and contains thermodynamic equations Boltzmann constant and an estimate of the evolution. showing that evolution does not violate the thermodynamic probabilities. This is absurd second law of thermodynamics. because a biological system, whether it is The way I found out about the article is that the whole biosphere growing from a I was ridiculing Dawkins for making the According to the second law of bacterium to a giraffe or a seed in the statement I quoted. Glenn Branch, who is thermodynamics, a collection of non- ground growing into a tree, does not have the deputy director of the National Center interacting molecules (a gas) will fill up an entropy variable. A biological system for Science Education, cited the AJP uniformly the container it is in. This is the does not have an entropy variable because articles to squelch me. most probable distribution of molecules, it does not have a temperature. You can and physicists prove it in statistical only measure the temperature of different What I am hoping for is that (others realise) mechanics by labeling each molecule No. parts in the biological system. how stupid and ignorant people can be 1, No. 2, No. 3, etc. and performing when it comes to evolution and religion. probability calculations. In other words, When you take a new deck of cards out of physicists use as a model for a gas a deck its wrapper, the cards are all arranged in Ed: this is indeed headline news, that the AJP of playing cards. You can have shuffled order. The “thermodynamic probability” of will go to almost any lengths, it seems, to prove and un-shuffled decks of playing cards, just this, I suppose, is 1 in 52 x 51 x 50…= 52! Oscar Wilde right: “Man is a rational animal who as you can have probable and improbable It is absurd to calculate the entropy of a always loses his temper when he is called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.” distributions of molecules in a container. deck of cards in units of joules/degree using the Boltzmann constant. The deck of Oscar Wilde The primary structure of a protein is a chain cards does not have an entropy because of hundreds of amino acids, of which there it doesn’t have a temperature. What has a David Roemer graduated from New York are 20. Each amino acid must be in exactly temperature is the plastic the cards are University in 1971 with a Ph.D. in physics. After the right location on the chain. In trying to made of. It is just as irrational to calculate a career in business and teaching he began understand the evolution of a protein, the entropy of a deck of cards as it is to writing articles on science and religion. biologists use an English sonnet as a calculate the entropy of a biological system.

15 by Gillian Van Der Lande The Truth About Alpha… teaches the necessity of a unity of Faith. Nicky Gumbel's vision confines As a Catholic who has participated in the Magisterium of the Church in a itself to a unity of spirit based on belief full in an ALPHA Course in a Catholic reciprocity which means that none of in Christ alone. parish and who has viewed, read and the three can survive without the It must be remembered that ALPHA is studied the ALPHA Course materials, others" [Faith and Reason 55]. copyrighted. Alpha for Catholics my short answer to the question ALPHA's understanding of "church" is reminds us of this when it states: Should Alpha be used in a Catholic reduced to "simply a gathering of "Catholic ALPHA uses the ALPHA Context is an unequivocal "No." Christians who get together to worship course as it stands..." [p. 6]. The I attended a day of adult catechesis in God, to hear what God is saying to underlining is as printed. Therefore it my diocese. ALPHA was heavily them, to encourage one another and has to be used in its integrity. Indeed promoted in one of the talks given by to make friends. It should be a very two of the priest speakers at the a Catholic priest. He praised in an exciting place to be!" [Why Jesus, Catholic ALPHA Conference, although unequivocal way this evangelizing Nicky Gumbel, p. 21]. they recognised that the course had its process initiated by the Evangelical weaknesses from the Catholic Thus, ALPHA's understanding of perspective, still chose to advocate wing of the Church of England and "Universal Church" is of an from Holy Trinity Brompton. He placed that ALPHA be used in its integrity in amalgamation, a sum total, of all who Catholic parishes. a strong and sensational emphasis on believe in Christ that consists of all the weekend or day away which those worldwide who profess the name Alpha for Catholics continues to do the covered the Person and work of the of Christ" [Questions of Life, N. same. It recognises its deficiencies yet Holy Spirit and focused in particular on Gumbel, p. 221]. still continues to advocate its use. It the surprise turns that it could take. states: "On the question of This caused me some disquiet which I Sacraments, ALPHA is seriously "No-one cares anymore what voiced at the time. deficient from a Catholic point of view. Thus, when I learnt that we were to denominations we are, because we There is only recognition of Baptism and the Eucharist explicitly" [p. 7]. It have ALPHA in a local parish I decided are one in Christ. Nobody cares to take part in the Course in full. I felt recognises also that ALPHA's teaching it necessary to do some thorough tuppence. All that matters is that we on these two Sacraments is based on the lowest common denominator background reading on the key ALPHA know and love Christ, we are Course literature Questions of Life by approach of what will be found the Rev. Nicky Gumbel, the ALPHA Christians. There is a unity of the acceptable by the majority of major Christian denominations and traditions. presenter. The Course is based on this Spirit. What matters is our book and participants at the ALPHA It quotes Nicky Gumbel: "Teaching on Conferences laid on by the Catholic relationship with God. Our unity in the sacraments is limited, in the sense that we only teach on ALPHA what all Charismatic Renewal were Spirit." Nicky Gumbel encouraged to read it as pre- the major denominations and traditions are agreed about," aware "that some conference preparation. Not one of the Quite understandably, as ALPHA is an denominations would want to add leaders or helpers of ALPHA in this Evangelical programme, the Catholic more" [pp. 17-8]. This results in no parish had read the book prior to the Church is referred to as one of many clear understanding being given of the start of the Course, some appeared to Christian denominations. However, the nature of a sacrament in the first place, have no knowledge of it, and this context in which it is referred to, along as being instituted by Christ and as included the parish priest. I lent them with other named denominations, communicating grace. The key book copies of the same after the first implies that to link an understanding Questions of Life by Nicky Gumbel is ALPHA session. I also viewed the of the term "Church" to any one recommended as course reading. It ALPHA leaders Training video and particular denominational church is contains all these errors and many read other Course books. understandable but an image that more written in a plausible and should be buried [Questions of Life, p. The Catholic Gazette calls ALPHA a readable style. This unqualified 220] and that "many Christians are "pre-catechetical course" but this is just recommendation, in itself, reinforces seeking to bury ... as it is wholly not true. ALPHA goes beyond the this Protestant teaching as being inadequate when compared to the basic proclamation of who Jesus Christ acceptable. is and basic doctrine. It proposes an picture of the church in the New ecclesiology and sacramental theology Testament" (ibid). Nicky Gumbel Unless error is corrected at the time that are contrary to the Church's drives this message home in a strong when ALPHA is used in a Catholic teaching on a variety of fundamental way, and thus promotes his idea of a context, the error stands and, doctrinal truths. "universal church", when he says in inevitably, is absorbed by some his video presentation How can I be present. That then becomes the For example ALPHA teaches that filled with the Spirit?: "No-one cares launching pad for that person. That, in Revelation is based on the Bible alone. anymore what denominations we are, my experience, is what happened on As the Holy Father states: because we are one in Christ. Nobody the ALPHA Course I attended. The "Scripture... is not the Church's sole cares tuppence. All that matters is that errors were left to stand and the point of reference. The 'supreme rule we know and love Christ, we are methodology laid down in the Team of her faith' derives from the unity Christians. There is a unity of the Training Manual for the leaders and which the spirit has created between Spirit. What matters is our relationship helpers of the small groups ensured Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and with God. Our unity in Spirit." The that they did. The method of discussion Catholic Church, on the contrary, used was based on subjective criteria.

Continued on p.17 16 The Truth about Alpha by Gillian Van Der Lande continued from p.16 Two basic questions - 'What do you to Christ and hands are laid on them, In short, ALPHA is not Catholic. As a think?' and 'What do you feel?' - by committed Christians, ALPHA Catholic I am stunned that it can be formatted and controlled the way the leaders, lay or clerical, to invoke the promoted for use in Catholic parishes discussions went in such a way as to coming down of the Holy Spirit. in such a way in leaflet handouts and preclude objective discussion from the There is a strong emphasis placed on advertisements in the Catholic press, criterion of the Church's teachings. My speaking in tongues. People are told to as to give the impression that there is experience was of received hostility to pray and ask for this gift according to nothing in it that is contrary to the any form of clarification and defence of a certain format. "Open your mouth and Church's teaching. I am still more the Church's teaching in relation to the start to praise God in any language but surprised that the Catholic ALPHA teaching proposed by Nicky Gumbel, English or any other language known Office can promote its use in its a teaching that was not Catholic. Such to you" and "Believe that what you integrity in Catholic parishes and a clarification and defence was labelled receive is from God. Don't let anyone recommend its literature when it "negative". This would seem to deny tell you that you made it up" [ibid, p. recognises publicly, in print, that it is the principle of religious freedom 147]. The leaders on the ALPHA deficient - at least as regards upheld by the Church. It is of great weekends are asked to pray for people sacramental theology - from a Catholic concern that ALPHA should introduce to receive the gift of tongues "not perspective. such methodology into any parish, let because it is the most important gift but Those who in good faith come to a alone a Catholic parish. because the ALPHA course is a Catholic parish to gain a deeper To return to the catechetical content of beginner's course and the gift of understanding of the Catholic faith via ALPHA: "Local Church" is understood tongues is (considered a) beginner's a basic understanding of Christ will be in three ways, in terms of 'celebration' gift... Both in the Bible and in sadly short-changed, albeit that they - large gathering of Christians, experience it is often the first obviously may receive a warm welcome and 'congregation'- medium sized supernatural gift of the Spirit which have an enjoyable evening and a good gathering and 'cell' - small group, BUT people receive" [Telling Others, N. supper. One wonders whether NOT, as in Catholic teaching, as a Gumbel, p. 129]. participants are fully aware of the segment of the Church under a overall purpose underlying the ALPHA Bishop's authority [Questions Of Life, ALPHA is not Catholic. method, and whether they would be so p. 222]. keen to participate if they did. The ALPHA recognises only one As a Catholic I am stunned that it overall purpose of the small group priesthood, "The priesthood of all discussion, according to the ALPHA believers" [ibid, p. 230]. The priest is can be promoted for use Team Training Manual is "to bring understood merely as an "elder", "a people into a relationship with Jesus leader in the church" but one who "is in Catholic parishes Christ" [p. 1] through friendship with not a sacrificing priest". Thus, it follows, Christians. This is considered "the that the 'Eucharist' is understood solely main reason why people stay in the as 'the Lord's Supper' when "we I attended the Course 'ALPHA Day in church" [p. 6]. The purpose of the small remember his sacrifice with the Spirit'. After the three video groups is to help newcomers to thanksgiving and partake of its sessions, lunch and two small group experience Christian community and benefits" but not as a holy sacrifice as discussion sessions we were invited to absorb the beginning of "a community in Catholic teaching. The explanation be prayed over by the ALPHA leaders orientation" [videotape 3a]. and helpers. I am afraid I sought of this thinking is that "now Jesus, our It is a fact that ALPHA's teachings are great high priest (hiereus), has made sanctuary in the church at that point, so sickened was I at the sight of lay to a great degree contrary to the the supreme sacrifice of his own life on teachings of the Church in our behalf. No further sacrifices are leaders advancing to pray over others, rub their backs and cradle their heads. fundamental respects and that necessary and no further priests are ALPHA's methodology silences the necessary" [ibid, p. 229]. This, of I do not know therefore if anyone received the gift of speaking in tongues truths of the Catholic Church. As a course, is contrary in essence to the Catholic one is thus forced to ask Church's teaching. and whether this was facilitated by the leaders or not. I returned to find questions (including) Is it not a serious As regards the Sacrament of Baptism, another fugitive who was a convert matter that Catholics are unable to it is regarded as being a visible mark from a Pentecostal Church in America. freely uphold the teachings of the of being "a member of the Church" and She was sickened too, having left that Church in their own Catholic parishes? "a visible sign of what it means to be a form of Church to join the Catholic Christian" in that "it signifies cleansing Church. She did not return to complete from sin, dying and rising with Christ to the ALPHA Course. The above is an edited version of an a new life and the living water which article entitled: the Holy Spirit brings to our lives" That day of the Holy Spirit did not begin with Mass even though the parish Should Alpha be [Questions of life, p. 221]. ALPHA used in a teaching understands Baptism in terms priest was a helper. It did not even Catholic Context of a Church membership ritual alone include a visit to the church of the by Gillian Van that does not confer but rather confirms venue, a shrine dedicated to Our Lady. Der Lande, first something that has already taken We did not even pray the Hail Mary, published in Christian Order, place. I say this in that ALPHA but of course Our Lady is not part of January, 1999, and reprinted here with understands that the Holy Spirit is ALPHA and there is implicit rejection in ALPHA of the Immaculate kind permission. There is a link to the received prior to Baptism when a entire article on our website. person commits him or herself publicly Conception of Our Lady.

17 The Separation of Church and State: A False and Pernicious Doctrine – Part II (Continued from March 2012 edition)

John Ingram

When considering the false doctrine of Popes, including Pius IX (Quanta cura, anniversary of the French law of the “separation of church and state,” it is 1864; Syllabus, Prop. 55, 1864), Leo separation of Church and State, Pope important to remember the motivation XIII (Cum multa, 1884; Humanum John Paul II lamented the passage of behind this doctrine, which is the same genus, 1884; Immortale Dei, 1885; this law, which, he noted, “relegated as Martin Luther’s. Luther’s purpose Libertas, 1888), St. Pius X the religious factor to the private was to deprive the Catholic Church of (Vehementer, 1906; Gravissimo officii, sphere and failed to acknowledge the all spiritual authority over the 1906; Jamdudum, 1911). place of religious life and the Church individual, by denying her teaching institution in society.” However, he then authority, her theology, her tradition, Predictably, however, in alignment with goes on to state that “Correctly most of her sacraments, her the surrender of both the Faith and the understood, the principle of laïcité priesthood, her liturgy, and even her pre-eminence of the Church prepared (secularity), to which your Country is Scripture. The motivation of by Vatican II, the post-Conciliar Popes deeply attached, is also part of the Freemasonry in first promoting, then have, de facto, reversed course and social teaching of the Church. It recalls enforcing the separation of church and supported secularist thinking. the need for a clear division of powers.” state is identical, in the communal The Pope thus passes over, and even sphere: to deny the Catholic Church Item: In September 2008, Pope legitimizes, the true nature of the spiritual authority over the state, Benedict XVI, after a visit to France, secularist principle which drove such thereby denying her role in guiding the publicly referred to “the healthy a powerful wedge between church and state and, in turn, being protected by distinction between the political and state at the French Revolution. the state as the only religion revealed religious spheres” within the “current by God. institutional framework” that France As we traditionalists are all too painfully had developed. aware, there was no such equivocation Having thus founded the state on a and surrender from the pre-Conciliar false new principle, Freemasonry has Item: In May 2010, at an official Popes. They clearly recognized the set the state free to not only violate reception at Lisbon’s Portela Airport, danger, and predicted the fatal Christian morality with impunity, but to Pope Benedict XVI said this: “By outcome, of this separation. With them, eventually paint the Church into a legal separating Church and State, the we can confidently state: separation of corner from which (so the theory goes) Republican revolution which took place church and state? No, separation of she may not emerge. Leo XIII’s 100 years ago in Portugal, opened up man from God. penetrating analysis has never been a new area of freedom for the Church, surpassed: to which the two concordats of 1940 John Ingram is a grant- writer living in and 2004 would give shape, in cultural Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He is a regular “…it has become the practice and settings and ecclesial perspectives contributor to the Catholic Truth determination [of the state] either to forbid profoundly marked by rapid change.” newsletter and plays a leading role on the action of the Church altogether, or to 1 our blog. keep her in check and bondage to the State. Public enactments are in great Item: Pope Paul VI, in his Address to measure framed with this design. The Recommended drawing up of laws, the administration of the United Nations of October 1965, State affairs, the godless education of not only misrepresented and Reading… youth, the spoliation and suppression of weakened the nature and status of the religious orders, the overthrow of the Church by his slavish pleadings to this The Reign of Christ The King, temporal power of the Roman Pontiff, all Masonic global body, he endorsed its by Michael Davies. alike aim to this one end – to paralyze the militant secularism as “the last hope of action of Christian institutions, to cramp to concord and peace,” thus placing the the utmost the freedom of the Catholic Available from Carmel Church in an utterly false, inferior Books, £2.50p + p&p Church, and to curtail her every single position - not to a state, but to a super- prerogative.” -Leo XIII, state. Immortale Dei, 1885. Item: In a letter to the Bishops of Telephone: In other words, the denial of spiritual France of February 20052, on the 100th 01635 255340 or email authority is but the first step toward the [email protected] 1 denial of temporal authority – and http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/s authority refers not only to jurisdiction, peeches/2010/may/documents/hf_ben- xvi_spe_20100511_accoglienza-ufficiale_en.html but also to the setting of moral Also available from standards. 2 Tan Books USA Before Vatican II, “separation of church http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/le tters/2005/documents/hf_jp- and state” was condemned by many ii_let_20050211_french-bishops_en.html

18 ‘Gay Marriage’: Scots Bishops Speak With Forked Tongues - that is, those who speak out at all… Throughout the blaze of publicity (“working girls” to Fr Monaghan and happened to me for years," he claimed. across the UK, on the subject of the his politically correct listeners.) "He only acted to take Lynagh out of moves by Governments (both The Cardinal’s support for this priest pastoral work. Three years later I saw Westminster and Scottish) to legalise (now rumoured to have left the Lynagh had been appointed director of same-sex marriage, commentators are ministry, although we’ve been unable a retreat centre.” agreed on one thing; the Scots bishops to confirm this) sits uncomfortably with Michael X was paid £42,000 are “conservative” and toe the Vatican his sudden zeal to oppose “gay” compensation by the then Archbishop line on this, as on everything else, and marriage. O'Brien, who has since acknowledged Cardinal O’Brien is the most outspoken the truth of his claims of abuse. The prelate in the UK - all of which is Similarly, his public support for partnered “gays” teaching in Catholic man was abused by Fr Lynagh as a testament to the fact that you can 15-year-old pupil at Blairs College near certainly fool some of the people a lot schools, again reported in this newsletter several times: “If there Aberdeen. (Victim of sex crime blasts of the time… Cardinal, The Scotsman, 3/4/10) happens to be a gay teacher and he Let’s take a walk down memory lane does happen to be living with a partner, Clearly, we support the Bishops in their to see just how wrong the media - both that’s their personal, private life, I don’t attempts to defend marriage in the secular and “Catholic” - is in assessing see it as a problem.” (O’Brien insists gay current battle over “gay” marriage. But the quality of the Scots’ bishop teachers will not be banned from Catholic their own double-speak on “gay rights” “opposition” to same-sex marriage. schools, The Scotsman 28/3/05) is a major scandal. Cardinal O’Brien’s appointment was welcomed by the Archbishop Conti permits a “gay” The unthinking rush to blame “gay” community remember, who Mass in St Simon’s Church for “secularism” for the loss of Catholic described him as “a liberal who sees members of Quest, an organisation faith and the decline in morals, no problem with gay priests and dedicated to “seek ways of reconciling evidenced by the support of Catholics believes the Church needs to ratchet the full practice of (members’) Catholic for “gay” marriage, fails to take account down its opposition to same-sex faith with the full expression of their of the bishops’ own double-standards. unions…” (Gay Scotland, Issue 146, homosexual natures in loving Christian And it’s not just those of us at Catholic October, 2003) relationships”. Truth who notice these things. One victim of abuse was so incensed at the Members of the Catholic Truth team leaked contents of Cardinal O’Brien’s attended one of these Masses and Easter message in 2010, that he went Archbishop Mario Conti, heard the priest (Fr Gordon Brown, public with his shocking story: Glasgow Edinburgh, retired but still engaged in supply work) conclude his homily by A SCOT sexually abused by a Catholic exhorting his “gay” congregation to “Go clergyman has accused Cardinal Keith out and spread Quest” - and, in the O'Brien of "rank hypocrisy" over his absence of information to the contrary, apology to victims today and has called we have no reason to believe that on him to resign. Bishop Joseph Devine, Motherwell these Masses are no longer Michael X – who has kept his celebrated. anonymity following a court case – was abused by Fr Desmond Lynagh while Bishop Joseph Devine permits studying at the Catholic seminary Blair Cardinal Keith known “gay” activist priest, Fr John College in the 1970s. Breslin, to work in parishes as a supply Patrick O’Brien, Edinburgh priest. We’ve reported on the very Now in his forties, he claims that the public activities of this priest in Cardinal – who will speak of the previous editions including his role in Church's "shame" over abuse during setting up the Paedophile Information his Easter Sunday message today – Bishop Philip Tartaglia of Paisley Exchange in 1974. (See Issue No. 57, failed to act properly over his own case has spoken out against the proposal September 2009). by not reporting the abuse to the police. for same-sex marriage. His Pastoral Cardinal O'Brien will say today that Letter on the subject, published on the Cardinal O’Brien has consistently cases where Catholics knew of sexual diocesan website, is excellent. Both defended (and even promoted) the abuse crimes but did not report them Cardinal O’Brien and dissident Edinburgh priest, Father bring "shame on us all". Archbishop Conti have Andrew Monaghan who, in his role as also spoken out against But, speaking for the first time since the Agony Uncle on a late-night Saturday re-defining marriage. through to Sunday morning Scots content of Cardinal O'Brien's message Radio Phone-in show, promoted emerged last week, Michael X said: I could find no mention abortion, co-habitation, “gay” rights "The Cardinal is saying that 'any of the issue on the and whatever else the bandwagon Catholics who were aware of such websites of the other turned up, as we discovered when they crimes and did not act to report them, Scottish dioceses - launched a campaign in Edinburgh for bring shame on us all'. Well, as Aberdeen, Galloway, what are effectively “prostitutes’ rights” Archbishop of St Andrews and Argyll & the Isles, Dunkeld, Motherwell. Edinburgh at the time, he knew what

19 Bishop Mark Davies … Monitor… Catholic Press Watch… On The Danger Of Unfortunately, the reader who agreed to write a “Monitor” column to Returning To Our Pagan comment, anonymously, on the Catholic press, has changed his mind, after only one contribution. I Bishop Mark Davies of Past… really must do something about the pay Shrewbury Readers in England have contacted us to praise scales. So, folks, you’re stuck with li’l ole me, editor, at your service… for one time the new Bishop of Shrewsbury, who is the first UK bishop to fully only! implement Summorum Pontificum. Indeed, he has entrusted the Shrine Monsignor Basil Loftus has had his Church of Ss Peter and Paul and St Philomena in New Brighton, Wirral, contributions to the Scottish Catholic to the Institute of Christ the King which has sent the “liberals” into Observer reduced, I believe, to a monthly, frenzies of rant about the dangers of pre-Vatican II vestments and the instead of a weekly, article, may the saints unravelling of the reforms of Vatican II. You have to laugh. Below, you be praised, but he continues apace in the misnamed Catholic Times, where, in his can read some extracts from the Bishop’s Easter 2012 Pastoral Letter. column Law as the Spirit of the living God Commentators south of the Scots border see in the Bishop’s remarks, (18/3/12) he gushes over the writings of a rebuke to David Cameron’s support for homosexual “marriage”. the retired Cardinal Carlo-Maria Martini. In the Cardinal’s latest book Faith and Understanding he writes of his opposition (T)oday we are becoming increasingly Yet his analysis of recent history is to Catholic moral teaching on the subject aware that there are those in leading clearer than that of many of the leaders of same-sex marriages: “I disagree with positions within our society who wish of opinion in our society. the positions of those in the Church, that to see history somehow reversed, who It has, indeed, been the experience of take issue with civil unions… It is not bad, instead of casual sex between men, that wish the very light which Christianity this past century (that) the most brought to these islands would recede. two people have a certain stability… (the) poisonous ideologies have arisen …state could recognize them...” And while This is often done under the plausible within the Christian nations of Europe. intention of “modernizing” yet it is in agreeing with the concept of traditional Thus Nazism or Communism marriage, Cardinal Martini goes on to say reality an attempt to turn the clock attempted to discard the Christian it is “not right to express any discrimination back: as if the Gospel had never inheritance of faith and morality as if it on other types of unions.” arrived in this land, never shaped its had never existed. They sought either laws and culture and never formed the Mgr Loftus did not mention this book. He to return to the pagan past or to “re- praised another of the Cardinal’s books a basis of our civilization. They are create” and “redeem” humanity by tome on St Paul In the Thick of the Ministry sometimes called “anti Christian” as political will and ideology with terrible which, we may deduce from the rest of the Christians do indeed suffer as a consequences. If Christianity is no Loftus column, is equally rebellious. consequence of new laws and longer to form the basis and the Here’s what Joanna Bogle’s Catholic regulations. But in fact the mentality is bedrock of our society then we are, Times colleague thinks about what life “pre-Christian.” They see progress only should be like in the fast (Vatican II) indeed, left at the mercy of passing Church lane: in terms of moving this nation away political projects and perhaps even the from its Christian inheritance, from the most sinister of ideologies. “… Surely the time has come for many very roots of its laws, its culture, its life. legal questions in the Church to be In the words of the Psalm today they To read this Pastoral Letter in full, visit thought through again in the light of http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/news/latest- Vatican II’s insights, so that they may be wish to discard “the corner stone” news/easter-homily-of-bishop-davies-the-full-text (Psalm 117) on which so much good in observed in the Spirit. Not just general our society has been built. absolution, but Eucharistic provision for those millions throughout the world who Pope Benedict repeatedly points out, are denied it. This means looking again at as he did to the German Parliament I was married by a the training of priests and the conditions recently, that it is from faith in God our judge. I should have for their ordination, the re-validation of Creator that the very idea of human asked for a jury those priests who left the active ministry rights and of equality before the law and married as well as the needs of those who are divorced and remarried.” arose, and that the inviolable dignity of every human person came to be In short, tear up the Gospels and start recognized (Address to the German again. Without Peter, of course. Parliament, 22nd September 2011). Above the Loftus column is the Francis Otherwise, without such a foundation Davis contribution. Davis is a layman we would become subject to any whose nasty, less than subtle, anti- passing ideology. Dr. John Sentamu, Catholic rant concludes: “Let us rebuild a the Anglican Archbishop of York, was pure, more prayerful Church. A Church accused of “exaggerating” when he which can defend itself at all costs and so spoke of the Government’s proposals maintain its hierarchy and its assets. Just as we did when Hitler came looking for the to re-define the identity of marriage as Jews, the socialists, the Protestants, and linked to a totalitarian mentality (The the gypsies.” (Catholic Times, 18/3/12) Daily Telegraph 31st January 2012). You forgot the Catholics, Mr Davis. Hitler Groucho Marx… came looking for the Catholics, too.

20 Catholic Funerals & Canon Law… The Editor… Hundreds of people from politics, the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland. said (unfortunately not always) of what they did. law and sport attended the funeral of Mr McBride, who apparently "had a The choice of Scripture readings and one of Scotland's most prominent and contact book better than Simon hymns should always reflect the Christian respected Catholic lawyers. Cowell's", was a "master negotiator" understanding of death and our hope of resurrection, and unsuitable secular music Paul McBride QC died in his sleep because he was able to see every should not be part of our Funeral Masses. while on a business trip in Lahore, argument from his opponent's side. Mr Pakistan, on 4 March. He was 47. Mulholland said: "He was one of the Spoken Tributes at Funeral Masses: finest lawyers of his generation and A Requiem Mass was held on Monday one of the most able leaders of his Sometimes a family member or a friend of morning at St Aloysius in Glasgow. generation." the deceased wishes to say a few words Used to seeing Mr McBride on TV, about them – after the Post-Communion Mr McBride's close friend Tony Prayer and before the Prayers of hearing him interviewed on radio, Graham, who was one of the best men Commendation would seem to be an always as a well known, top Catholic at the lawyer's commitment ceremony appropriate time to do this. It should always lawyer, we were all shocked to hear of to partner Gary, said: "Glasgow High be well prepared and short – in fact it his sudden death. But a lot of us were Court will forever be a quieter place should be written out beforehand and even more shocked to learn something without you.” shown to the priest conducting the funeral. that had been kept very quiet about Mr Such tributes can be well done and be very McBride. That he was a homosexual, Stop All The Clocks, a poem by WH appropriate, but sometimes they can be too living with a partner, having sealed his Auden which featured in the film Four long and some things expressed would be relationship in a civil union. Weddings And A Funeral, was read out better not said in the setting of a funeral. In before Mr McBride's body was the Catholic Church we must always be Now we were to witness the scandal committed for burial. aware that the Rites celebrated, and the of a very public Requiem Mass, where words used, belong to the Church, and we the deceased’s “partner” - Gary - was As the procession left the church, At don´t make them up ourselves. We draw mentioned in the same breath as the Last by the late Etta James was played great comfort from them, and it is not good priest mentioned his parents, over the speakers. to allow too many other words to distract from their power and the Church´s prayer according to one of our readers who for our loved one. attended the Mass. Our reader remarked that Alex Salmond, Scottish Rites & Wrongs: Sometimes the person who has died may National Party (SNP) leader and First have distinguished themselves in a special Minister of Scotland, was sitting in front way and more than one person may wish of him and he must surely have been Scots Bishop on to recognize this and pay tribute to them. thinking that the Catholic Church was At such funerals perhaps some time could no threat to his plans for same-sex Catholic Funerals be made before Mass begins for these marriage. Despite the public more formal tributes, so that the Funeral Extract from Pastoral Letter From Liturgy is not broken up too much by what protestations from Archbishop Conti in Bishop Joseph Toal, Argyle & the Isles, we want to say. We are there first and the pages of the Scottish newspapers, 21/3/12 foremost to listen to God´s Word and pray here he was permitting funeral rites for for his mercy, for the living and the dead. a leading Catholic layman, who had Honouring the Catholic + Joseph Toal formalised his homosexual partnership Understanding of Funeral Rites: in a registry office ceremony. Was he Ed: Bishop Toal’s attempt to eradicate the required to do this? No. Quite the It is important that we uphold our Catholic worst practices that have grown up, like weeds, faith when we pray and celebrate the in Catholic funeral rites is laudable. It is a pity, reverse. funeral rites for our dead. This is particularly however, that he did not explain that personal Canon Law does not allow Church true of the Funeral Mass (or the Requiem tributes are totally out of place in a Catholic funerals in the following instances: Mass as it is also known). Although there church: “The homily in particular must ‘avoid is an element of thanksgiving for the life of the literary genre of funeral eulogy’…” 1 the deceased person the primary purpose (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1688). notorious apostates, heretics and of the Mass is to pray that their sins be That’s what the “wake” is for - gathering at the schismatics; forgiven and that, purified by the Lord´s home of the deceased in the days leading up to Death and Resurrection, they may come to the funeral to comfort the family over tea and 2 share eternal life with him in heaven. sandwiches, pray the rosary, reminisce about those who for anti-Christian motives Certainly the prayers of the Funeral Mass the dearly departed etc. That’s the correct time chose that their bodies be cremated; and the Rites of Burial tell us exactly what and place to praise, recount stories, recall happy 3 we are praying for, but sometimes memories of the deceased. The funeral is to pray for his soul. Priests should explain this other manifest sinners to whom a expression such as “A Mass of Thanksgiving for the Life of…..” can take and acquaint the family with beautiful Church funeral could not be granted away from the Catholic emphasis when liturgically-appropriate music when, tactfully, without public scandal to the faithful; burying our dead. When preparing funerals they refuse permission for the kind of secular (Code of Canon Law 1184 # 1) with families priests should explain this well readings and music that are now routinely and encourage an understanding of the requested by families in the “spirit of Vatican During the Mass, typically of modern need to pray for the eternal happiness of II” which has led to a DIY liturgy, especially funerals, tributes were paid to the the deceased, while remembering their time at funerals. Roll in the day when we can all say: deceased. here on earth and the good memories “Vatican II - Rest in peace!”

21 True Story that God didn’t expect this of her. They could. At one point her daughter Meg even warned her that she would have asked her to pray for someone called by Kathy Sinnott a breakdown. She did not stop. One by Tom Kelly. Aunt Ann with eyes closed one in the years that followed, often in slowly responded, "Kelly, Kelly, unusual ways, her children not only Kelly…yes but first I must tell you By email from Ireland … came back to the faith but embraced it something. When Blessed Mother An Inspiring True Story about her fully. For example, one daughter got a was here she said to tell you that you aunt, recounted by Kathy Sinnott, a new job in Chicago; she was the only must pray to the Guardian Angel of disability rights campaigner, formerly Catholic in an office of Catholic bash- America. That with the angel's help, Member of European Parliament ers. Even though she no longer went America can still be turned around" (MEP) from 2004 to 2009. Published here to Mass, she found herself defending with kind permission. the Church to defend herself. As the I am passing on this recommendation. attacks became more sophisticated, Pray to the Guardian Angel of Ameri- she to answer them and gather am- ca. But please don't stop there.... In Last year my Aunt Ann munition began reading about her faith this same spirit, Pray to the Guardian died after a long life of and the history of the Church and of Angel of Ireland. faith and years of cancer course fell in love with it. From this she and other illness. started to attend Fr John Hardon SJ’s From St Patrick's story we know that monthly RE class in Chicago and her- the Angel of Ireland is called Victor About 35 years ago, my self became a apostolic woman of and we know of some of the miracles aunt, a mother of 10 chil- Kathy Sinnott great faith. God worked through him. dren was a very busy Think of the part that the Angel of American mom. She was taken up With Our Lady’s rosary, devotion to Portugal played in preparing the chil- with the usual activities of housework, the Merciful Jesus, novenas to St dren of Fatima for Our Lady's visit and shopping, chauffeuring as well as Joseph, etc she not only brought 9 of in overthrowing communism in that dealing with serious ongoing marital her 10 children to a strong faith but all country in the decades after. problems. of her many grandchildren are since being raised in committed Catholic St Patrick in his Confessions speaks One day she woke up to the fact that families. Even her husband after years of Victor's help. Patrick relates that her teenagers and young adult chil- of distance, became after a heart at- after much fasting and prayer he wres- dren were no longer Catholic. TV, peer tack, a devoted husband and a practic- tling with Victor and was then shown influence, the example of their non ing Catholic. She had only the all those who would be saved through practicing father, coupled with fuzzy youngest left to convert and it was her the centuries from St Patrick's mis- catechesis in "Catholiic" school meant final years of constant suffering and sion. Surely we should pray to Victor that they had one by one succumbed prayer that brought him to the faith that for the Church in Ireland, for protection to the culture. She tried the usual he till then had disregarded. of life and the family and that Patrick's things, talking, giving them things to mission continues. St Fiacc records read, they just laughed at her efforts At her funeral, her oldest daughter that when St Patrick was called to as they had seen their father do. brought out a box of well used and leave his servitude he paid the price of marked prayer books, leaflets, prayer his freedom to his master with gold She became increasingly desperate to cards medals, rosaries, chaplets... her that Patrick dug up at Victor's instruc- bring her children back to the Church arsenal and divided them among her tion after which Victor guided his es- and to stop the spread of disbelief and siblings and any cousins who would cape. This story shows us that we can indifference to the younger children of give an absolute commitment to con- also ask Victor to help us out of the the family. She decided to throw them tinue the particular devotion so that economic bondage we find ourselves a lifeline. Our Lady’s lifeline. She had among the quite sizable group of peo- in.http://celticchristianity.org/library/patrick.html ten children. She started saying ten ple the daily prayers, monthly devo- Please pray to the Angel Of Ireland… decades of the rosary everyday. When tions and yearly novenas that this one and America. And spread the word. she saw no results, Aunt Ann gradual- woman prayed would be continued. ly upped the dose. In 1978 when I met her on a visit to America, she was I tell you this not just because it is an saying a full rosary for each child and The existence of angels - the spiritual, inspiring story but because Aunt Ann non-corporeal beings that Sacred her husband everyday. She said the relayed a message shortly before she Scripture usually rosary while cooking dinner and while died that I think is very important to calls ‘angels’- is a serving and eating it too. Her lips and pass on. In the weeks before she died, truth of faith. The the beads were always moving wheth- Aunt Ann, despite considerable pain, witness of Scripture er she was gardening, driving, even was often and for extended periods in is as clear as the when she was talking to me. a serene state of contemplation in unanimity of Tradition. which she was sometime heard They are servants and She would not allow herself to touch speaking to Our Lady, my mother who messengers of God. her bed at night until she had thrown Christ is at the centre of was her sister and shared her deep the angelic world: ‘When out the lifeline to each one. This often faith and had died 4 years ago and the Son of man comes in meant that by the time she closed her others. Many people were asking for His glory, and all the angels eyes it was almost time to start again. my aunt's prayers and her children with Him…” (Mt 25:31) Her friends, even very religious ones, who were attending her would pass Extract from Catechism of the Catholic Church # 328 ff worried about her, told her to ease up, these requests on to her when they

22 Dumb and Dumber

WOW, nine out of ten Irish Catholics want married priests, women priests, and gay marriage! And that’s just the friends of the Association of Catholic Priests! I’ll need to sharpen up my homilies - we wouldn’t want UK Catholics to fall behind… Now, where did I put my copy of the Life of martin Luther ?

Yes, and I also think Isn’t it great that that gay marriage Archbishop Conti will will be legalised now let his priests bury us cos the First gays even if he won’t Minister was at the let them marry us yet? requiem mass for the gay man in glasgow. He knows what’s what, wink, wink…

Well folks, if you want to be able to explain your Catholic Faith in a way that attracts Protestants, you need to attend the Alpha course, It’s on Tuesday nights instead of Rosary and Benediction. Oh, and there’ll be no more daily Mass because the archbishop wants me to run a Youth club instead. Finally, the Fatima Conference has been cancelled because the priest who was to talk is a known dissenter. He thinks the Pope should obey Our Lady and not the other way round. Unbelievable!

Phew! Am I glad to be almost finished reading Catholic Truth. So much going on in the Church! Still, thanks heavens for the Catholic Truth blog. There’s always somebody on there saying not to worry, God is in charge, God doesn’t need us to do a darned thing, just pray and do penance. Thank heavens for that. Heather! Where’s the biscuit tin? Are we out of cream cakes?

23 From the editor... For the zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up… Psalm 68:10 Some distance, one might say, from the thought of it before - like, for example, any Dear Reader ... kind of fervour and zeal exhibited in the one of the martyrs who died to protect and lives of the great Catholic saints and defend the Mass down the centuries. martyrs. Thankfully, another correspondent What’s that noise? Oh, I know. It’s Martin Novelist, Malcolm Bradbury once said: If pointed out that, in her youth, crucifixes Luther laughing from beyond the grave… God had been a liberal, we wouldn't have were standard wear for First Communicants had the Ten Commandments - we'd have I think it’s fair to say that few, if any of us, and - ecumenism go hang - she quoted her the Ten Suggestions. could be accused of being “eaten up” with parish priest who said: “the difference zeal for the house of God between a cross and a crucifix is Christ.” (Psalm 68:10); indeed, the Liberals, as we know in Scotland, are fond (SCO, letters, 20/4/12) of making “suggestions”. When Cardinal breathtaking fervour of Keith O’Brien of St Andrew’s & Edinburgh “I feel as if I were called to be a fighter, the prayer of St Thérèse recently suggested that all a priest, an apostle, a doctor, a martyr; quoted opposite should Christians should wear a as if I could never satisfy the needs of my fill each one of us with cross the faithful were heartfelt shame at the ecstatic: nature without performing, for Your lukewarmness of our “... Sometimes a simple sake, every kind of heroic action at once. faith. The fact remains, suggestion can be so I feel as if I'd got the courage to be a however, that in His plan empowering that it is a Crusader, a Pontifical Zouave, dying on of salvation, God has wonder no-one has thought the battlefield in defence of the Church. allotted a unique role and to mention it before. This And at the same time I want to responsibility to priests: struck me when hearing be a priest; how lovingly I'd "Without the priest, the passion and death Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s carry You in my hands when of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the appeal this Easter for you came down from priest who continues the work of Christians to wear a Cross heaven at my call; how redemption here on earth… What use and give public witnesses would be a house filled with to their Faith. It took away the horrible lovingly I'd bestow You on men's souls! And yet, with gold, were there no one to open sense of powerlessness - the ‘what can I its door? The priest holds the all this desire to be a priest, I've nothing do’ sensation - when faced with what first key to the treasures of heaven: appears to be insurmountable challenges but admiration and envy for the humility it is he who opens the door: he to the Faith today.” (Letters, Scottish Catholic of St. Francis; I'd willingly imitate him is the steward of the good Lord; Observer, 13/4/12) in refusing the honour of the priesthood." the administrator of His goods… A second correspondent wrote: “…(the St Thérèse of Lisieux The Story of a Soul… Leave a parish for twenty years Cardinal’s call to wear a cross) made me without a priest and they will hope that, as Communion and Confirmation Silly feminists quote, selectively, from the end by worshipping the beasts seasons approach, that a simple Cross and above words of St Thérèse to argue for there… The priest is not a priest for himself, chain or lapel badge once again become women priests. An intelligent reading of the he is a priest for you.” St John Vianney, Cure the ‘hot gifts’ for Catholic boys and girls.” passage soon shows, however, that St D’Ars (ibid) Thérèse did not hanker after ordination any It goes without saying that we should pray more than she desired, in fact, to be a How long - if ever - has it been since these for priests and bishops. Prayer and Crusader in battle. She no more intended two characters heard a sermon about penance are an integral part of Catholic life, her words to be taken literally than did Our as Our Lady reminded us at Fatima. But we 1 sacramentals? They write as if the Lord when He suggested cutting off our must also zealously equip ourselves to do Cardinal’s suggestion - widely reported in hands or tearing out our eyes (Matthew 5) more. Certainly we must keep the Faith; the secular media - is something brand rather than commit sin. Poets down the “Hold firmly that our faith is identical with new, never thought of before, divine centuries have spoken figuratively, that of the ancients. Deny this, and you revelation, whereas until the Age of Un- exaggerating to make a point. Thus did St dissolve the unity of the Church.” St. Thomas Enlightenment was thrust upon us fifty Thérèse, Doctor of the Church, use this Aquinas. years ago it was commonplace to see linguistic device to express her love for God We must also, however, do all we can to Catholics wearing religious objects, usually and her zeal for souls. a miraculous medal or a crucifix. Cardinal spread and defend the Faith when it is O’Brien’s next observation is revealing: “I attacked, not least in this time of crisis when Is there a priest or bishop in Scotland who it is undermined by those who, in the words know that many of you do wear a cross…” is half as zealous? Can you, for example, he says, but “not in any ostentatious way, of the English Reformation bishop and imagine the patron saint of priests, St John martyr, John Fisher “should have defended not in a way that might harm you at your Vianney, ditching daily Mass to use the work or recreation but a simple indication it.” Catholics should feel a certain anger at time “for a better purpose”? (See Glasgow & the episcopal betrayal of Catholic faith and that you value the role of Jesus Christ in (the absence of) Missionary Zeal, p.7) practice reported on this page alone. For the history of the world, that you are trying "All the good works in the world are not those who shrug it off (“nothing to do with to live by Christ’s standards in your own equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass me”) St John Chrysostom, Bishop and daily life.” because they are the works of men; but the Doctor of the Church, has strong words: Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is “…the person who does not become irate 1 Sacramentals are sacred signs which bear a nothing in comparison, for it is but the when he has cause to be, sins. For an resemblance to the sacraments. They signify sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the unreasonable patience is the hotbed of effects, particularly of a spiritual nature obtained sacrifice of God for man." St John Vianney, many vices: it fosters negligence, and through the intercession of the Church… e.g. Cure D’Ars. stimulates not only the wicked, but above Blessings. (Also) the religious sense of the Christian people Yet, Archbishop Conti of Glasgow suggests all the good, to do wrong.” (Homily XI super Matheum, 1c, nt.7) has always found expression in various forms of to his assembled clergy on 23 February piety surrounding the Church’s sacramental life, that they forget about daily Mass, and use As Confirmed Soldiers of Christ we cannot such as the veneration of relics, visits to the time to better purpose, with a view to settle for praying that God will sort out the sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions…the evangelising the young - an idea so crisis in the Church. We need to play our rosary, medals.” Catechism of the Catholic Church “simple” that it’s a wonder nobody ever part, in whatever way we can. Now! #1667/1674

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