In the Wake of Vatican II: Is the Conciliar Church still Roman Catholic?

JPII Beatification Gets Green-Light

2011-01-16T08:43:00.003-06:00

By: Rocco Palmo
Whispers in the Loggia
January 12, 2011

(SVILUPPO: The miracle decree formally accepted by Pope Benedict on 14 January, John Paul II will be beatified on May 1st.) As expected, the decree for the beatification of Venerable John Paul II has been published as of Friday January 14, 2011.

In a development that promises to spark intense reactions across the ecclesial spectrum, Italian reports this morning declare that, nearly six years since his last hospitalization began, Pope John Paul II's path to beatification has cleared its final hurdle.

Under the headline, "The cardinals OK the miracle, Wojtyla will be beatified," the most reliable of vaticanisti -- Andrea Tornielli of Il Giornale -- revealed that the cardinal-members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted yesterday to affirm the finding of the dicastery's medical board that no natural explanation could be found for the healing of a French nun from Parkinson's disease, the same condition which ravaged the Polish Pope in the final act of his monumental 27-year reign. (editor's NOTE: I personally would like to evaluate the Medical evidence that was submitted in support of the miraculous healing of the French nun. In addition to the reservations expressed below, I note that John Paul II was unable to cast out the demon(s) from the allegedly possessed woman whom he encountered while he still lived. In light of his many heterodox teachings and blatently non-Roman Catholic actions it is virtually impossible to believe that he could ever be raised to legitimate sainthood).

With the miracle approved, all that remains is for Pope Benedict to accept the conclusion -- something which would normally take place in a routine private audience with the prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal Angelo Amato, which could occur within days. Preparations would then begin in earnest for what will inevitably end up being the Vatican's biggest gathering since the late pontiff's 2005 funeral, which drew 5 million people to Rome; according to Tornielli, the formal beatification rites could take place in the fall, with 16 October -- the anniversary of John Paul's 1978 election (and, conveniently, a Sunday this year) -- cited as the most likely date.

Thanks in part to the waiving of the traditional "five-year rule" to open the cause on the part of the then newly-elected Benedict XVI, the process bringing the church's greatest saintmaker in history to the penultimate step to sainthood in his own right has reached the milestone with a speed matched by but one other figure: Mother Teresa of Calcutta -- of course, celebrated in life as a saint -- who was raised to the altars by John Paul six years after her 1997 death, but whose required miracle for canonization remains pending.

As other high-profile processes go, it took the cause of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina -- a figure whose devotion among Italians has been measured as surpassing that of Jesus Himself -- 32 years to reach his 2000 beatification; the founder of Opus Dei, now St Jose Maria Escriva, was beatified 17 years after his 1997 death. In earlier times, two exceedingly-popular, eventually-canonized figures of the first half of the 20th century, the Italian virgin-martyr Maria Goretti and the French Carmelite mystic Therese of Lisieux (the beloved "Little Flower") were respectively beatified 45 and 27 years after they died.

All that said, indications over the last month that the medical examination of the Wojtyla miracle had cleared the scrutiny of the sainthood office -- a probe that comes complete with the traditional "Devil's Advocate" -- have, in some quarters, seen a renewed focus on controversial aspects of John Paul's pontificate.

Albeit dwarfed by his enduring worldwide cult, exponents of a protest have focused on what the late Pope knew about matters ranging from the Vatican Bank's handling of the 1982 Banco Ambrosiano scandal to the sexual abuse crisis that erupted over the course of his three decades as the 264th Roman pontiff. In particular, the latter thread has drawn an outcry in light of John Paul's prominent favor for the late founder of the Legionaries of Christ, Mexican Fr Marcial Maciel Degollado, a serial abuser who was removed from ministry after an investigation opened by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in the months before John Paul's death. Under Benedict XVI, Maciel's extensive history of sexual and financial misconduct -- which included his fathering of at least one child and, in the Holy See's posthumous judgment, "at times constitute[d] real crimes" -- saw the Legion placed under an Apostolic Visitation and then given a papally-appointed overseer with broad powers, who recently ordered all traces of the disgraced founder to be purged from the community's public life.

While the miracle phase completes the beatification process, any overpowering concerns about John Paul's biography would have seen the cause halted at the point of the positio -- the extensive study of a candidate's life conducted by the postulator. B16's declaration of his predecessor's heroic virtue in December 2009 (alongside that of Pope Pius XII) signaled the current pontiff's acceptance of the report's conclusion that Karol Wojtyla had emitted the "odor of sanctity" in life, laying any questions to rest and allowing the process to continue on to the investigation of the reported cure.

One question that does remain open is the matter of selecting a feast day for the reported Blessed-in-waiting. As the 2 April anniversary of John Paul's death often falls within Holy Week or the Octave of Easter -- and, as such, would see the feast frequently wiped off the calendar -- it's more than likely that a different date would at least be considered, much as Blessed John XXIII is commemorated on 11 October (the opening-date of Vatican II) and Blessed John Henry Newman is now celebrated two days earlier, on the anniversary of his 1845 reception into the Catholic fold.

Even for a Pope, however, it's important to recall that -- at least, according to the classic ecclesial understanding of things -- beatification designates a figure for veneration solely in their local church, a devotion which is only supposed to extend to the wider communion on the blessed's elevation to sainthood.

Then again, having broken the rules as a matter of habit in life, perhaps John Paul's defying convention anew might just be the most fitting thing of all.

“Why do we need a new translation?”

2011-01-16T08:20:00.003-06:00

Texas Catholic Herald, 12/21/10:
Hutton Gibson.com
Hutton Gibson's editorial comments are [bracketed].

The most common questions regarding the new translation of the Roman Missal are: “Why do we need a new translation?” and “What is wrong with what we have?”

We could easily forget both questions; we could bring back the Mass that we had for nineteen centuries, and needed no modification or correction, nor even translation. So we don’t need a translation. And the answer to the second question is too long to fit in these eight pages.

“The Council,” writes David Wood, “called for a vernacular translation as expediently as possible to allow the faithful to enter more fully and fruitfully into the mystery of God’s love and grace made present … through the liturgy.” This is why attendance has fallen off disastrously. But this, says Wood, was a translation of a paraphrase. Of course!

ICEL mandate? Let’s consult and select from Wikipedia.

Bishops from English-speaking countries in Rome for the Second Vatican Council set up the Commission in 1963 in view of intention to implement the Council’s authorization to use more extensively the vernacular language, instead of Latin, in the liturgy.

Ref.: (Vat. II, Liturgy: 36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites).

2. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.

[This would seem to imply limitation!]

On 15 September 2003, it was formally established as a mixed commission of several bishops conferences in accordance with the Instruction Liturgiam autenticam [After forty years of paraphrase, it now has authority?]

Liturgical books that ICEL has translated include:

Liturgy of the Mass: Roman Missal as a whole, but also, before work on the whole of the Missal was completed, the Order of Mass and the Roman Calendar, the Lectionary for Mass, and supplementary publications such as the Simple Gradual, Eucharistic Prayers for Masses of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children.

Roman Ritual: the rites for each of the sacraments whose administration is not reserved for bishops, funerals, religious profession, etc.

Roman Pontifical: the rites of confirmation and ordination, blessing of a church and altar, consecration to a life of virginity, etc.

Liturgy of the Hours.

Ceremonial of Bishops.

Roman Martyrology(!).

The first translation of the Roman Missal that ICEL produced appeared in 1973, less than four years after the Latin original had appeared. It sought less a literal correspondence with the original as a dynamic equivalence and avoided technical terms. The result was criticized as unfaithful [Is that all?] to the original and as banal.

[Wikipedia omits that the new missal omitted the three obligatory parts of the Mass, and introduced the old heresies, Arianism and Apocatastasis.]

On 28 March 2001, the Holy See issued the Instruction Liturgiam autenticam, which included the requirement that, in translations of the liturgical texts from the official Latin originals, "the original text, insofar as possible, must be translated integrally and in the most exact manner, without omissions or additions in terms of their content, and without paraphrases or glosses. Any adaptation to the characteristics or the nature of the various vernacular languages is to be sober and discreet." In the following year, the third typical edition of the revised Roman Missal in Latin was released. These two texts made clear the need for a new official English translation of the Roman Missal, particularly because the previous one was at some points an adaptation rather than strictly a translation. … Accordingly, ICEL prepared a new English translation of the Roman Missal, the completed form of which received the approval of the Holy See in April 2010.

In most English-speaking countries, the national episcopal conference decided to put the new translation into use from the first Sunday of Advent (27 November) 2011.

[Please note that this is a new translation of the new invalid novus ordo missae of 1969 -- not of the Catholic Mass. Some day, after all validly ordained priests have died, Rome may return the real Mass.]

Wood: “Armed with several decades of [mis]translation experience and greater awareness of liturgical and Scriptural roots of the Missal texts and facing the [dire] need to make a new translation of the 2000 Missal, a new instruction … was issued in 2001 … which called for a different approach … ‘formal equivalence.’ While not being slavishly literal, each word and phrase in the original Latin is to be accounted for.” So they’ll miss the boat again!

Michael Voris on Real Catholic TV: Archbishop Raymond Burke and Catholic Orthodoxy

2010-12-16T09:15:00.002-06:00

JP2 Canonized? Hardly Playing Devil’s Advocate

2010-09-18T17:17:00.003-05:00

The following article (minimally edited) was submitted last June to The New Oxford Review, in reply to an article which NOR deigned to print.

by Steven Speray
HuttonGibson.com

John Paul II mostly likely will be canonized by Benedict XVI. And why not? Tom Bethell’s article “Playing Devil’s Advocate” gives possible reasons why this canonization should perhaps be put on hold, but hardly plays devil’s advocate as to why this process should never take place. In the end, Bethell dismisses his entire advocate thesis with, “Obviously, John Paul was a man of personal holiness” and “should proceed without haste in formally discerning his sanctity.”

Bethell states, “only the Church can declare someone a saint,” but great Catholic saints were recognized by the faithful though never canonized by the Church. St. Patrick is a prime example!

John Paul II, like St. Patrick, is recognized by many as a saint. But is John Paul II really, like Patrick, a great Catholic leader filled with personal holiness?

To question John Paul’s personal holiness among Vatican 2 “Catholics” is like asking Muslims whether Mohammed was a true prophet. It cannot be done without greatly upsetting their devoted followers.

However, truth doesn’t man-please and truth is what matters.
What makes John Paul II a man of holiness or unholiness?

Like St. Patrick, John Paul II seemed a deeply prayerful man. But what price orthodoxy? Who canonizes heretics but subsequent heretics?

Was John Paul orthodox in his teaching? Did he knowingly believe and teach any kind of heresy by way of word or action that would be contrary to the faith, keeping men in or leading men into heresy and apostasy?

In Ireland, St. Patrick wasted no time condemning the Druid religion as Devil-worship. He went about the countryside declaring the Gospel while denouncing druid paganism. He welcomed no druids to pray to their gods for peace. He went not inside their pagan temples nor prayed with them, and he certainly never received as a bishop the blessings from leaders of this pagan religion. He actually broke their laws in public and prayed incessantly that his life be spared from death by the druid hand.

St. Patrick was concerned of the Druid spells and poisons precisely because he knew the evils of false religion with its black laws of heathenism, false laws of heresy, and the deceits of idolatry.

The result of Patrick’s witness to Christ in Ireland was the complete conversion of the entire country to Catholicism which, in turn, saved civilization as the Scriptures (as well as many other great works) were preserved by his monks.

How does this contrast with John Paul II?

In 1985, John Paul II prayed “with” African Animists known as “witch doctors.” (L’Osservatore Romano, August 26, 1985, p. 9.)

On February 5, 1986, in the city of Chennai (Madras for the Zoroastrians) India, John Paul II, alongside Dr. Meher Master Moos, actively participated in a Zoroastrian ceremony by lighting a candle while wearing a pagan stole with the symbols of the pagan religion.

The following year, “During his visit to Phoenix in 1987, John Paul II received a ritual ‘blessing’ from the Pima Indian shaman Emmet White using an eagle’s feather. John Paul said that the act had ‘enriched the Church.’”

In 1986 and 2002, John Paul II invited all the world’s religious leaders to Assisi, Italy to pray and offer sacrifices to each his own god for world peace. Leaders from Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Tenrikyo, Shintoism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and Voodoo attended with prayers, and even with animal sacrifices from the Voodooists, all in the name of peace.

John Paul II also promoted Islamic culture when he stated in his message to “Grand Sheikh Mohammed,” Feb. 24, 2000: “Islam is a religion. Christianity is a religion. Islam has become a culture. Christianity has become also a culture… I thank your university, the biggest center of Islamic culture. I thank those who are developing Islamic culture…” (L’Osservatore Romano, March 1, 2000, p. 5.)

This is a culture that blasphemes the Most Holy Trinity while misleading literally a billion people away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Later, John Paul II, on March 21, 2000, prayed: “May Saint John the Baptist protect Islam and all the people of Jordan…” (L’ Osservatore Romano, March 29, 2000, p. 2.)

In his Feb. 4, 1993, address to the Voodoo representative of Benin at Cononou, John Paul II actually promoted the African religion of Voodooism implying that man may be saved in Voodoo.

Voodoo priests saw John Paul’s “Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa” as an endorsement of their religion. In a paper by N. Adu Kwabena-Essem entitled “Pope’s Apology to Africans,” the Voodooist said, “African religions had their biggest boost two years ago when Pope John Paul II, on a visit to Benin, apologized for centuries of ridiculing African cultural beliefs by the Western world. Benin is the home of Voodoo…The crucial question is whether the Pope’s ‘penance’ will force others to start respecting African cultures, in particular the belief in African religions.”

In 1993, the L’Osservatore Romano estimated the adherents of Voodoo in Benin to comprise a mere 25 percent of its population and dying. What was the result of John Paul’s visit?

Voodoo grew a staggering 60 percent in that same country, according to a January 1996 Associated Press report. Now, Benin celebrates the rebirth of voodoo as an officially recognized religion.

Many more examples of John Paul II mixing religions and taking part in non-Christian religious services, not to mention his recognizing Protestant sects as holy, righteous, and worthy of papal blessings, could be given but these suffice.

Unlike St. Patrick, John Paul knowingly and freely taught, by way of word and action, complete and total apostasy from true Catholicism.

Unlike St. Patrick who converted millions to the true Catholic Faith, John Paul kept and led millions in or into the darkness of false religion including his own subversion of Christianity, as Our Lady of Good Success, La Salette, and Fatima warned, and he did so in the name of Catholicism as one dedicated to Our Lady. His totus tuus was a cover, as was the papal throne which he obviously never truly possessed.

Benedict XVI most likely will canonize John Paul II; why should he not?
John Paul II is the saint of the new religion of Rome masquerading as Catholicism.

Vatican II: The Best Council the Protestants Ever Had

2010-09-09T12:10:00.005-05:00

Vennari Says:

"The Second Vatican Council has been a failure and its Ecumenism a Disaster"

Glen Beck's Teaching and Freemasonry Incompatible with Traditional Roman Catholicism

2010-09-09T10:13:00.003-05:00

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

Recently, Fox News personality Glen Beck called together a large gathering on the Washington Mall purportedly in celebration of the anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream Speech." He was roundly criticized by African American Civil Rights leaders and leading Christians who adhere to the social justice teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a matter of public record that Beck has evinced little if any concern for the least among us arguing for example that Americans who have been receiving extended unemployment benefits are simply lazy and undeserving of assistance. He is unwilling to recognize that many unjust societal structures still exist in the United States which to a significant extent are responsible for the plight of the millions of unemployed citizens and those who have lost their homes.

Beck as Mormon Convert from Catholicism:

Beck was raised a Roman Catholic and at some point apparently converted to Mormonism. He quite frequently discusses religion on his TV show. Beck speaks as though he is knowledgeable about Christian theology, implying that he personally is a Christian despite the fact that as a practicing Mormon he is a member of an anti-Christian cult meaning, whatever he is, it would be incorrect to call himself a Traditional (orthodox) Christian. Not surprisingly perhaps, Glen Beck has been extremely critical of Barack Obama claiming that the President is a racist and practitioner of a bizarre form of Christianity. Of all the President's faults, being a racist is not one of them although Beck's own publicized statements strongly suggest that he personally is a bigot (bigotry is antithetical to Christianity of course).

Beck's Misunderstanding of Social Justice as Liberation Theology:

One of Glen Beck's recent claims is that President Obama embraces a form of "liberation theology" the nature of which is characterized by an overwhelming concern for social justice which he purports is incompatible with Christianity. Beck argues that there is no place in Christianity for the pursuit of social justice. Obviously, he has no knowledge of the many papal encyclicals of multiple Popes written during the 19th and 20th centuries on the topic of social justice, e.g. Rerum Novarum, Quadragesimo Anno etc. Perennial Roman Catholic teaching stresses not only the individual and societal need for the Christian/Theological virtue of Charity (love) but the personal pursuit of justice and the establishing of social structures which further rather than impede the attainment of justice--that is the pursuit of social justice.

Glen Beck while being an admittedly engaging entertainer promulgates false teachings which he alleges are compatible with Christianity. These false teachings are very dangerous for persons attempting to preserve their Traditional Roman Catholic Christianity. They in no way should be embraced by persons or groups who claim to accept the fullness of the teachings of Roman Catholicism. In this sense Glen Beck and his false religious teachings should be eshewed as strongly as the Roman Catholic Church of record has repudiated Freemasonry.

Traditional Roman Catholics should be willing/capable of correcting the false teachings of Glen Beck when confronted with them. This is a minimal apologetic duty, I Peter 3: 15 "Always be prepared always to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence."

God made pre-humans into people, Vatican newspaper says

2010-09-05T08:52:00.002-05:00

By Carol Glatz
L'Osservatore Romano, May 5-6, 2008
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While apes evolved naturally into pre-human creatures, it was the will and desire of God that turned them into humans, an article in the Vatican newspaper said.

"The formation of human beings necessitated a particular contribution by God, though it remains that their emergence was brought about by natural causes" of evolution, it said.

The article, published in the May 5-6 edition of L'Osservatore Romano, was written by Italian evolutionary biologist Fiorenzo Facchini.

The article said that, "when the biological conditions necessary for supporting a being capable of reflective thought were attained, the will of God, the creator, freely desired it, and man came to be."

The article posed the question: Does this mean that humans evolved from chimpanzees?

"No, it might be better to say that at some point God willed a spark of intelligence to light up in the mind of a nonhuman hominid and thus came into existence the human as a being, as a subject capable of thought and the ability to decide freely," it said.

So rather than picturing it as humans descending from the apes, it said, humans ascended or rose up from the animal kingdom to a higher level, thanks to the hand of God.

As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in 1968 when he was Father Joseph Ratzinger, God wanted to create a being that could know him and be able to turn to him, the article said.

The emergence of the human is neither a casual or accidental event, nor is it something that was "strictly necessary," demanded by God or the evolutionary process, it said.

Evolution could have ended at the pre-human stage, it said, but thanks to "the free choice of God," humans emerged from their pre-human ancestors.

This divine intervention "does not represent an unwarranted intrusion (of theology) in the field of science -- as is the case with intelligent design -- but is called for in order to explain the presence of man's spirit" which cannot come from or evolve out of the material world, the article said.

The movement from being a creature of the animal and physical world to also the spiritual was a gift from God "even if it came at the end of a natural process of evolution," it said.

____________

Evolution and First Humans: A rebuttal

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

The article which appeared in L'Osservatore Romano May 5-6, 2008 edition is yet another example of the post-Conciliar confusion which is now apparent in contradistinction to perennial pre-Vatican II Catholic teaching on the special creation of Human Beings. If only the situation was as simple as alleged by evolutionary biologist Fiorenzo Facchini. There are multiple theological problems--primarily the constant teaching of Sacred Tradition re: the special creation of the first human couple--with his assertions not simply biological ones.

Prior to Vatican II, Catholic teaching--as documented in Sacred Tradition for almost 2 millennia--was that God specially created (formed) the first human being (Adam) body and soul from the "slime of the earth" meaning from non-living but pre-existent matter. See Humani generis of Pope Pius XII, 1950 no.’s 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 for example:

35. It remains for Us now to speak about those questions which, although they pertain to the positive sciences, are nevertheless more or less connected with the truths of the Christian faith. In fact, not a few insistently demand that the Catholic religion take these sciences into account as much as possible. This certainly would be praiseworthy in the case of clearly proved facts; but caution must be used when there is rather question of hypotheses, having some sort of scientific foundation, in which the doctrine contained in Sacred Scripture or in Tradition is involved. If such conjectural opinions are directly or indirectly opposed to the doctrine revealed by God, then the demand that they be recognized can in no way be admitted.

36. For these reasons the Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God. However, this must be done in such a way that the reasons for both opinions, that is, those favorable and those unfavorable to evolution, be weighed and judged with the necessary seriousness, moderation and measure, and provided that all are prepared to submit to the judgment of the Church, to whom Christ has given the mission of interpreting authentically the Sacred Scriptures and of defending the dogmas of faith.[11] Some however, rashly transgress this liberty of discussion, when they act as if the origin of the human body from pre-existing and living matter were already completely certain and proved by the facts which have been discovered up to now and by reasoning on those facts, and as if there were nothing in the sources of divine revelation which demands the greatest moderation and caution in this question.

37. When, however, there is question of another conjectural opinion, namely polygenism, the children of the Church by no means enjoy such liberty. For the faithful cannot embrace that opinion which maintains that either after Adam there existed on this earth true men who did not take their origin through natural generation from him as from the first parent of all, or that Adam represents a certain number of first parents. Now it is no no way apparent how such an opinion can be reconciled with that which the sources of revealed truth and the documents of the Teaching Authority of the Church propose with regard to original sin, which proceeds from a sin actually committed by an individual Adam and which, through generation, is passed on to all and is in everyone as his own.[12] (my emphasis added)

38. Just as in the biological and anthropological sciences, so also in the historical sciences there are those who boldly transgress the limits and safeguards established by the Church. In a particular way must be deplored a certain too free interpretation of the historical books of the Old Testament. Those who favor this system, in order to defend their cause, wrongly refer to the Letter which was sent not long ago to the Archbishop of Paris by the Pontifical Commission on Biblical Studies.[13] This letter, in fact, clearly points out that the first eleven chapters of Genesis, although properly speaking not conforming to the historical method used by the best Greek and Latin writers or by competent authors of our time, do nevertheless pertain to history in a true sense, which however must be further studied and determined by exegetes; the same chapters, (the Letter points out), in simple and metaphorical language adapted to the mentality of a people but little cultured, both state the principal truths which are fundamental for our salvation, and also give a popular description of the origin of the human race and the chosen people. If, however, the ancient sacred writers have taken anything from popular narrations (and this may be conceded), it must never be forgotten that they did so with the help of divine inspiration, through which they were rendered immune from any error in selecting and evaluating those documents.

39. Therefore, whatever of the popular narrations have been inserted into the Sacred Scriptures must in no way be considered on a par with myths or other such things, which are more the product of an extravagant imagination than of that striving for truth and simplicity which in the Sacred Books, also of the Old Testament, is so apparent that our ancient sacred writers must be admitted to be clearly superior to the ancient profane writers.

Thus, it should be readily apparent that Adam would have had no parents human or animal even of the bi-pedal primate variety. Moreover, the first woman Eve appeared through an act of God's special creation in which physical material was taken from Adam in some way and formed into the first female. The salient point here is that the first woman was directly formed by God from part of the first man. Wo-man means “out of man.”

Thus the first sexually complimentary human couple (Adam and Eve) was created by God with preternatural gifts including a direct relationship with God and both physical and spiritual eternal life.

After failing the test of obedience which God imposed upon them, Adam and Eve lost their direct relationship with God and physical death became a permanent reality for the human race thereafter.

Perennial Catholic teaching demands that all human beings who have ever lived emanate from Adam and Eve by direct physical propagation. There is no way to accept polygenism (multiple first parents or groups of first humans) of any kind and remain faithful to Sacred Tradition (Humani generis no. 37). The sin of disobedience that Adam and Eve committed must be personally attributable to them and them alone in order for original sin to be "passable" to all other human beings except Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

If Adam and Eve were not literally the first human parents specially created by God, the “creation” tenet of Christianity no longer exists. Once that is destroyed, the second tenet (fall from grace) can no longer be imputed to the entire human race and the third tenet (redemption through Christ’s salvific work on the Cross becomes unnecessary and likewise falls. If the tripartite “Creation, Fall, Redemption” is abandoned the entire Creed upon which the Traditional Roman Catholic Faith is based likewise falls of its own weight. Therein we have a completely different religion—another Gospel!

That is precisely what is at risk if it is true that Vatican II adopted the New Theology of Teilhard de Chardin as Atilla Sinke Guimaraes, Wolfgang Smith and others maintain. This is a very profound problem for the so-called New-Theology which eminated from Vatican II. To date it has not been adequately adressed by the current Magisterium.

A Catholic Speaks at the Glenn Beck Rally

2010-09-04T12:40:00.001-05:00

Editor's Note:

This speech by Philosopher Patrick Lee is outstanding and is completely faithful to Traditional Catholic teaching on the matters adressed.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

By Patrick Lee
Catholic Advocate HERE...
9/1/10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the life of good deeds that God has prepared in advance . . .”

There is a struggle in our culture today between two visions of the world and our place within the world. On one side of the struggle, many people—especially many in the mainstream media, and in the elite places of government and academia—believe that the supreme good is autonomy or choice, and emphasize this to such an extent that they tend to deny any objective meaning and value in the world.

Each of the speakers tonight selected a text to comment on. I selected Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the life of good deeds that God has prepared in advance, that we should walk in them.” This text challenges us to rededicate ourselves to basic truths about God and our place in the world.

These people believe—or tend toward believing—that each of us has the right to fashion for himself what will be meaningful and valuable. On this view, there is no inherent meaning and value that we must adhere to. And so, on this view, it is a matter of choice who is and who is not worthy of respect and protection of our laws. It is a matter of choice that we can use or dispose of some human beings for the benefit or convenience of others.

On this view too, it is simply a matter of choice what marriage will be—whether it is between a man and a woman, whether it is between two or three, five or seven—because on this view marriage does not have an objective nature.

And on this view, since autonomy is more important than anything else, and public expressions of religion make some people uncomfortable, we have no actual duty to express gratitude in a public manner to a transcendent Creator.

But there is another vision of the world—and that is the vision that we are here tonight to represent and forthrightly proclaim. This is the vision expressed in the text from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the life of good deeds that God has prepared in advance, that we should walk in them.”

This text clearly affirms three things: First, God has created the world, we are not the creators—God is the Creator. Second, God has a plan for this world, and so we should try to conform our mind and conduct to God’s plan. And third, God has endowed this world with an objective meaning and value that is inherent within it. Autonomy is a good—but it is good only as a means, it is not the supreme good. (Editor's bold emphasis) We are not the creators of what is truly worthwhile, rather we discover and respond to the objective meaning and value that God has created in the world.

This basic truth is also affirmed in our founding document, the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights . . ."

Therefore, since it is God, not us, who is the Creator of meaning and value in the world, we owe to God thanks and reverence for the great blessings he has given to us. And this is true of us not only as individuals but also as a country. This country has been truly blessed in countless ways. Truly, as the song says, America is beautiful, and God has shed his grace on her.

And therefore we have a solemn duty as a community to thank God publicly for his many blessings. Every chance we have we should be able to express publicly and clearly a prayer along the lines of the one that used to be said in public schools at the beginning of each day: "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.” This is not the establishment of religion or of any particular religion—it is simply an acknowledgment of a real communal debt.

Likewise, what marriage is, is not up to our choice—what marriage is, is not up to our whims, preferences or desires. Rather, marriage has an objective nature, and we as a community must respect the true nature of marriage. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman, the sharing of lives bodily as well as emotionally and spiritually, in the kind of union that would be naturally fulfilled by having and raising children together. It is not within the prerogative of our autonomy, of our choice—and it is not within the prerogative of judicial fiat—to attempt to change the objective nature of marriage.

Concerning life: We as a nation, we as a community, must recognize the fundamental and equal inherent dignity possessed by every human being, simply in virtue of being a human being.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights"—all human beings—not just those whose lives are convenient or non-burdensome to us—are endowed by their Creator with equal and inherent dignity and rights.

We must not place choice and autonomy above God-given unalienable rights. The culture that emphasizes autonomy to the exclusion of truth is a denial of the most basic principle upon which our country is founded, namely, all human beings possess an equal and inherent fundamental dignity, and no class of human beings can with justice enslave, use, experiment on, or deliberately kill, other innocent human beings for their own purposes.

This was the principle at stake in the 19th century with the issue of slavery and in the 20th century and is also at stake with the civil rights movement. This is the same principle that is at stake, in the central debates of our times about abortion and euthanasia. Just as all human beings, no matter what the color of their skin, deserve equal protection of the law, in the same way, all human beings, no matter what their age or degree of development, deserve equal protection of the law.

Thus, public gratitude to the Creator, the real nature of marriage, and the real basis of the equal dignity of all human beings—these are truths, not choices, these are truths, not optional creations by us. For we are God’s handiwork, and God is the Creator, and it is his plan that we are called on to live out.

Finally, Our Lord tells us that at the end of the world he will ask us what we did for the least of his brethren. Did we stand up for children who are being indoctrinated to think that religion is a mere private matter, and almost always hateful and bigoted?

Did we stand up for women and children who are gravely imperiled by the profound confusion concerning the true nature of marriage? And did we stand up for the defenseless unborn human beings who are being discarded in garbage cans or ripped to shreds in the name of autonomy?

So, let us resolve, with God’s grace, to respond with courage and urgency, to these profound injustices. May we, with God’s grace, and with the fellowship of each other, walk in the life of good deeds that God has prepared in advance.

Dr. Lee was invited by Glenn Beck and David as the Catholic speaker at the America’s Divine Destiny event held at the Kennedy Center on August 27 the day before the massive rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. In addition to Beck and Barton, head of Wallbuilders, other speakers included Rabbi Daniel Lapin, founder of Toward Tradition, and Rev. Miles MacPherson, pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego. A sold-out crowd of 2,500 attended the Kennedy center event, which can be viewed here.

Dr. Patrick Lee is John N. and Jamie D. McAleer Professor of Bioethics and Director of the Institute of Bioethics at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is nationally known as a pro-life speaker and debater.

Having taught at Franciscan University since 1984, Lee is the author of numerous articles and reviews as well as several books, including, with Robert P. George, Body-Self Dualism in Contemporary Ethics and Politics, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008 and Abortion and Unborn Human Life, Washington, DC: Catholic University of America, 1996.

What should we think of the Sedevacantists?

2010-09-03T10:44:00.003-05:00

SSPX.org HERE...

QUESTION 15
What should we think of the Sedevacantists? NB: Some of the examples are in reference to the late Pope John Paul II

In the face of the scandal of a pope who can sign Dignitatis humanae, radically change the liturgy of the Mass, codify a new ecclesiology, or make himself the protagonist for an aberrant ecumenism, etc., some have concluded that the last popes cannot have been true popes, or else that they have lost the pontificate because of such scandals. They refer to the discussions of the great counter-Reformation theologians on the loss of the pontificate (through abdication, insanity, heresy, etc.) and argue thus:

he who is not a member of the Church can’t be its head.

but a heretic is not a member of the Church,

now, Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II and Benedict XVI are heretics,

therefore, they are neither members nor head of the Church,

and so all their acts are to be completely ignored.

But then again, the argument continues, the same scandals are true of all the world’s diocesan bishops, who are also consequently non-members without authority; and the Catholic Church must be identified only with those who have not compromised the Faith and who refuse communion with these “popes” or “bishops.” A minority of these will elect their own “pope” (e.g. the communities at Palmar de Troya, Spain, or Saint Jovite, Canada).

The argument’s strength is in the real scandal of the Conciliar authorities’ impetus given to the Church’s “new direction”; its weakness is in not being able to prove that any of these authorities are formal heretics. (Editor's NOTE: or in positing a solution which does not demand Divine miraculous intervention)

You are a “material” heretic without knowing it if you objectively contradict what God has said but through no fault of your own;

you are a “formal” heretic if you do pertinaciously contradict what God has said, i.e., knowing that you’re denying what God has said and wanting to do this anyway.

Now, the ordinary way for the Church to ascertain pertinacity and enforce the consequences of one’s heresy by either excommunication and/or loss of office, is through authoritative monitions* to the delinquent which he spurns (1983 Code of Canon Law, canon 2314, §1). But nobody can authoritatively admonish the pope (canon 1556), and the bishops can only be admonished by their superior, the pope (canon 1557), who has not done so.

* To have canonical force, they must come from one's superior (cf., canon 2233). The point is not only the crime but also its imputability must be notorious (canon 2195; 2197).

Therefore, pertinacity, and so formal heresy, cannot be proven. (Editor's NOTE: Some Traditional Catholics argue that the Pope, Cardinal or Bishop who knowingly advocates or promulgates heresy or apostacy or should by virtue of rank and education know better is, ipso-facto removed from office)

But could pertinacity not be presumed from the insistence of these popes on the new ways, and this in the face of all tradition and its present-day witnesses? Perhaps; but not socially i.e., as regards loss of office, etc., which must not be presumed but proven, otherwise societies would collapse. (Editor's NOTE: while perhaps true, this reason cannot be a sufficient answer for why such a prelate does not in fact lose office since it rests only upon the disastrous consequences not the truth of the prelates condition before Jesus Christ who knows all. Admittedly, this is a troublesome and it would appear debatable issue)

The argument does not prove its point, and becomes less probable when you consider that there are other explanations for the “material heretic” pope [see section a below], and it becomes quite improbable when you consider its dangers [b] or consequences [c].

The liberal mind-set of a Pope Paul VI or a Pope John Paul II can be an explanation of their wanting to be Catholics and their simultaneous betrayal in practice of Catholicism. They accept contradictions; with a subjective and evolutive mentality, this is to be expected.* But such a frame of mind can be convinced of heresy only by way of authority....

* A little example: "At the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church committed herself irrevocably to following the path of the ecumenical venture (Editor's NOTE: this is putting the cart before the horse. Nothing in Traditional Catholicism supported the notion of ecumenism, rather, the non-Catholic sects were encouraged to return to the fold of the one true church), thus heeding the Spirit of the Lord, who teaches people to interpret carefully the 'signs of the times'" (Ut Unum Sint, §3). If it is because of the "signs of the times" that the Conciliar Church has launched herself into ecumenism, how are we to know that the venture will be irrevocable? What does a Pope John Paul II mean by such absolute terms?

The Church is indefectible (PRINCIPLE 3) not only in her faith and means of sanctification, but also in her monarchical constitution (PRINCIPLE 4), comprising governing power i.e., jurisdiction, hence Vatican I’s profession that Peter will have perpetual successors.

Now, we can understand a break in the line of popes from the death of one to the election of the next, and that it may drag on.

But is indefectibility preserved if there is no pope since 1962 or if there is no one with ordinary jurisdiction whom the sedevacantists can point out as such? (Editor's NOTE: this is a very disturbing problem which would appear to have no answer in the natural realm)

The Church is visible (PRINCIPLE 3) and not just a society composed of those who are joined by interior bonds (state of grace, same faith,...). A society is recognized and maintained as such by its authority (its efficient cause).

If the Church has not had a pope since the days of Vatican II, then there are no more cardinals legitimately created. But then how is the Church to get a pope again, as the current discipline grants only to cardinals the power to elect a pope?

The Church could have ordained that non-Cardinal “electors of the pope” be capable of doing it, but we cannot go by any other way than the current discipline which ordains that cardinals elect him.

A few sedevacantists hold that he has been or will be directly designated by private revelation from heaven.

There are spiritual consequences of sedevacantism:

sedevacantism is a theological opinion, and not a certitude. To treat it as a certitude leads to condemning with temerity traditional Catholics who disagree;

and invariably it leads to one’s recognizing no spiritual superiors on earth. Each becomes, in practice, his own little “pope,” the rule of faith and orthodoxy, the judge of the validity of sacraments.*

*Consider the arguments from "Bishop" Vezelis, the Schuckardt movement, etc.: It is said that Cardinal Lienart, who ordained Archbishop Lefebvre a priest and consecrated him a bishop, was Freemason, and so all his ordinations were invalid; and so we must consider invalid all the sacraments of those he ordained, and of those they ordained... In fact, whereas that Lienart was a Freemason is only an unproven allegation of one writer; and Church teaching is that we must accept as valid his sacraments anyway, if he used the correct external rite (unless he revealed a contrary internal intention, which he did not). Moreover, Archbishop Lefebvre was consecrated by three bishops in 1947, which sacrament was surely therefore valid. Cf. ON RUMORS AND THEIR SOURCE for more information on this matter.

This being so, we ought not to associate with, or, receive the sacraments from them, most especially if they set up sedevacantism as a certitude which all have to accept.

The Post-Conciliar Church . . .

2010-09-03T10:20:00.003-05:00

A New Religion

A CATHOLIC FAQs ARTICLE

SSPX.orgHERE...

Featured in the Q&A section of the April 2003 issue of The Angelus,
this answer was long enough to warrant itself as an article

Is it possible to say that the post-Conciliar Church is a new religion, and if so, how can it be considered as Catholic?

The answer to this question is found in the final declaration of the International Symposium of Theology organized by the Society of St. Pius X and attended by 62 traditional Catholic theologians in Paris in October 2002. The purpose of the statement was to put together a synthesis of the teaching of Vatican II, and to clarify the main principles upon which it differs from the teaching of the Magisterium. These broad lines can be helpful for us in interpreting the documents of the post-Conciliar Church, and refuting its errors. They demonstrate beyond all doubt that Archbishop Lefebvre was right when he affirmed that the spirit of Vatican II is not just an abuse of some liberal theologians and bishops, but that it is contained in the very texts of the Council itself. If the liberals continually refer to the texts of Vatican II, it is because from these texts themselves emanates, under the sweet appearance of kindness and dialogue, the stench of naturalism, of the corruption of the Faith.

The theologians affirmed that there are eight main, fundamental attitudes that underlie all the post-Conciliar changes, which eight philosophical principles masquerading as religion make of Vatican II the introduction of a new religion, all within the exterior structure, hierarchy, language and ceremonies of the Catholic Church. Allow me to list them for you.

1) Novelty

There is no attempt to hide the desire for newness, that is of a new and different religion, despite the assertion that the Faith has not changed. A transformation is required "too on the religious level," following the "real social and cultural transformation" of our "new age of history" (Gaudium et Spes, §4). Hence the need for an aggiornamento, bringing religion up to date with our times. One of the great means for bringing about this novelty, whilst appearing to profess the same doctrines, is the teaching "that in Catholic doctrine there exists an order or ‘hierarchy’ of truths" (Unitatis Redintegratio, §11). It is consequently possible, they say, to hold on to only the most fundamental truths, discarding or putting the others aside. This is the basis of the novelty of ecumenism and dialogue, which is truly a new religion, for it requires Catholics to accept the beliefs of other believers. MORE...

Church blasts gay priests leading 'double life'

2010-07-28T07:30:00.002-05:00

By NICOLE WINFIELD
The Associated Press
July 23, 2010, 1:37PM

ROME — The Catholic Church in Italy, still reeling from the clerical sex abuse scandal, lashed out Friday at gay priests who are leading a double life, urging them to come out of the closet and leave the priesthood.

The Diocese of Rome issued the strongly worded statement after the conservative Panorama newsweekly said in a cover story and accompanying video that it had interviewed three gay priests in Rome and accompanied them to gay clubs and bars and to sexual encounters with strangers, including one in a church building.

One of the priests, a Frenchman identified only as Paul, celebrated Mass in the morning before driving the two escorts he had hired to attend a party the night before to the airport, Panorama said.

In a statement Friday, the Rome diocese denounced those priests who were leading a "double life," said they shouldn't have been ordained and promised that the church would rigorously pursue anyone who is behaving in a way that wasn't dignified for a priest.

It insisted that the vast majority of Rome's 1,300 priests were truthful to their vocations and were "models of morality for all."

Those who aren't faithful to their vows "know that no one is forcing them to remain priests, taking advantage of only the benefits," the diocese said. "Coherency would demand that they come forward. We don't wish any ill-will against them, but we cannot accept that because of their behavior the honor of all the others is sullied."

No one knows the exact number of gays in the priesthood. Estimates of the number of gays in U.S. seminaries and the priesthood range from 25 percent to 50 percent, according to a review of research by the Rev. Donald Cozzens, an author of "The Changing Face of the Priesthood."

Church teaching holds that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered," and the Vatican has recently cracked down on gays in the priesthood.

In his first major policy statement as pope, Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 issued an instruction barring actively gay priests from seminaries. The Instruction said men "who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'" cannot be admitted to seminaries. The only exception would be for those with a "transitory problem" that had been overcome for at least three years.

The fact that the document was being worked on came to light in 2002 at the height of the clergy sex abuse scandal in the United States. A study commissioned by U.S. bishops found that most abuse victims since 1950 were adolescent boys.

Experts on sex offenders say homosexuals are no more likely than heterosexuals to molest young people, but that hasn't stifled questions about gay seminarians.

The Rome diocese appeared to link the two, quoting Benedict in denouncing the sins of priests in reference to the Panorama article. The pontiff had used those words to deplore pedophile priests, not gay priests.

One Catholic commentator noted that the problem wasn't that there were "three priests running wild in gay Rome."

"There are plenty of priests — straight and gay — who misbehave sexually with other adults," said Bryan Cones, managing editor of the liberal U.S. Catholic Magazine.

"The problem is that only these gay priests are the news, not all the other gay priests who labor faithfully, honoring their commitments along with their straight brothers as best they can. We don't hear their stories because they can't tell them for fear of expulsion. And that isn't right."

The arrest of a popular Connecticut priest who frequented male escorts and strip bars made international headlines earlier this month after he was arrested and charged with first-degree larceny, accused of stealing $1.3 million over seven years from the church to finance his lavish lifestyle.

New York Times Publishes Piece by "Traditionalist" Roman Catholic

2009-11-30T13:35:00.005-06:00

Latin Mass Appeal

By KENNETH J. WOLFE
The New York Times
November 28, 2009

WALKING into church 40 years ago on this first Sunday of Advent, many Roman Catholics might have wondered where they were. The priest not only spoke English rather than Latin, but he faced the congregation instead of the tabernacle; laymen took on duties previously reserved for priests; folk music filled the air. The great changes of Vatican II had hit home.

All this was a radical break from the traditional Latin Mass, codified in the 16th century at the Council of Trent. For centuries, that Mass served as a structured sacrifice with directives, called “rubrics,” that were not optional. This is how it is done, said the book. As recently as 1947, Pope Pius XII had issued an encyclical on liturgy that scoffed at modernization; he said that the idea of changes to the traditional Latin Mass “pained” him “grievously.”

Paradoxically, however, it was Pius himself who was largely responsible for the momentous changes of 1969. It was he who appointed the chief architect of the new Mass, Annibale Bugnini, to the Vatican’s liturgical commission in 1948.

Bugnini was born in 1912 and ordained a Vincentian priest in 1936. Though Bugnini had barely a decade of parish work, Pius XII made him secretary to the Commission for Liturgical Reform. In the 1950s, Bugnini led a major revision of the liturgies of Holy Week. As a result, on Good Friday of 1955, congregations for the first time joined the priest in reciting the Pater Noster, and the priest faced the congregation for some of the liturgy.

The next pope, John XXIII, named Bugnini secretary to the Preparatory Commission for the Liturgy of Vatican II, in which position he worked with Catholic clergymen and, surprisingly, some Protestant ministers on liturgical reforms. In 1962 he wrote what would eventually become the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the document that gave the form of the new Mass.

Many of Bugnini’s reforms were aimed at appeasing non-Catholics, and changes emulating Protestant services were made, including placing altars to face the people instead of a sacrifice toward the liturgical east. As he put it, “We must strip from our ... Catholic liturgy everything which can be the shadow of a stumbling block for our separated brethren, that is, for the Protestants.” (Paradoxically, the Anglicans who will join the Catholic Church as a result of the current pope’s outreach will use a liturgy that often features the priest facing in the same direction as the congregation.)

How was Bugnini able to make such sweeping changes? In part because none of the popes he served were liturgists. Bugnini changed so many things that John’s successor, Paul VI, sometimes did not know the latest directives. The pope once questioned the vestments set out for him by his staff, saying they were the wrong color, only to be told he had eliminated the week-long celebration of Pentecost and could not wear the corresponding red garments for Mass. The pope’s master of ceremonies then witnessed Paul VI break down in tears.

Bugnini fell from grace in the 1970s. Rumors spread in the Italian press that he was a Freemason, which if true would have merited excommunication. The Vatican never denied the claims, and in 1976 Bugnini, by then an archbishop, was exiled to a ceremonial post in Iran. He died, largely forgotten, in 1982.

But his legacy lived on. Pope John Paul II continued the liberalizations of Mass, allowing females to serve in place of altar boys and to permit unordained men and women to distribute communion in the hands of standing recipients. Even conservative organizations like Opus Dei adopted the liberal liturgical reforms.

But Bugnini may have finally met his match in Benedict XVI, a noted liturgist himself who is no fan of the past 40 years of change (Editor's NOTE: Benedict XVI is complicit in the changes of the past 40 years). Chanting Latin, wearing antique vestments and distributing communion only on the tongues (rather than into the hands) of kneeling Catholics, Benedict has slowly reversed the innovations of his predecessors (Editor's NOTE: Nowhere near enough of them but hope springs eternal). And the Latin Mass is back, at least on a limited basis, in places like Arlington, Va., where one in five parishes offer the old liturgy (Editor's NOTE: The Latin Mass of Pope St. Pius V which was never to be abrogated per the Council of Trent has not been allowed and instead Benedict has ordered that the Latin Mass of John XXIII [1962] be used).

Benedict understands that his younger priests and seminarians — most born after Vatican II — are helping lead a counterrevolution. They value the beauty of the solemn high Mass and its accompanying chant, incense and ceremony. Priests in cassocks and sisters in habits are again common; traditionalist societies like the Institute of Christ the King are expanding.

At the beginning of this decade, Benedict (then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) wrote: “The turning of the priest toward the people has turned the community into a self-enclosed circle. In its outward form, it no longer opens out on what lies ahead and above, but is closed in on itself.” He was right: 40 years of the new Mass have brought chaos and banality into the most visible and outward sign of the church. Benedict XVI wants a return to order and meaning. So, it seems, does the next generation of Catholics.

Child Molestation by Homosexuals and Heterosexuals

2009-11-29T09:21:00.008-06:00

Many homosexual leaders have admitted that there is a natural link between a homosexual orientation and child sexual abuse.

By: Brian W. Clowes and David L. Sonnier
Homiletic and Pastoral Review

The Church has always had a small number of priests and other religious who have taken
advantage of their positions of authority and influence in order to gain sexual favors or to take advantage of the helpless. The problem of clerical child sexual molestation, particularly in the United States, has been widely exposed and publicized over the last several years. The numerous recent revelations have exposed the problem as much deeper and more widespread than most would have previously believed.

During the current crisis, homosexual activists within and outside the Catholic Church have done everything they could to divert attention away from even the possibility that there may be a higher percentage of homosexuals among the priesthood than in the general public, and that this may be the root of the problem of child sexual molestation within the Church. It is particularly the link between homosexuality and child molestation that they seek to deny.

For example, Dignity USA kicked off its “Stop Blaming Gay Priests” campaign during the meeting of the United States Catholic Bishops Conference in Washington, D.C., November 10-13, 2002. The group said, “DigntyUSA [sic] is calling on the U.S. Catholic bishops to stop blaming gay priests for the clergy sexual abuse scandal. All credible evidence discounts any link between the molestation of children and homosexuality.”[1] The situation has become so charged that anyone who even suggests that there may be a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia is instantly and reflexively labeled a “homophobe” and a “gay basher.”

The powerful homosexual lobby reacts instinctively to negative publicity and information by, as researcher Laird Wilcox calls it, “ritually defaming” those who dare raise their voices.[2] Organized homosexual groups first attempt to completely ignore the evidence, or, if it simply cannot be ignored, they smear and discredit those who produced it.

Such casual dismissal of documented facts, and the accompanying refusal to even discuss the possibility of a link between an active homosexual lifestyle and child sexual abuse, is a grave disservice not only to the victims, but also to society at large. Obviously, a proven link between homosexual orientation and child sexual molestation would badly damage the carefully crafted public relations image of the homosexual rights movement. Therefore, instead of calmly and rationally discussing the issues, homosexual rights leaders subscribe to the axiom “the best defense is a good [and loud] offense,” and remain in a permanent attack mode.

The only way to solve the problem of priestly child molestation is to proceed methodically: establish the facts, objectively study all facts relating to the situation, and finally, but most importantly, have the courage and faith to respond by taking appropriate steps. If all of this is not done, any such effort, no matter how well intentioned or vigorously pursued, will be utterly squandered. Certainly we owe it to the victims—and to the Catholic Faith itself—to determine the truth behind this volatile topic.

Studies on the frequency of homosexual child molestation

Dignity USA and other homosexual groups strenuously deny any connection whatever between a homosexual orientation and child sexual molestation. They repeatedly claim, as Dignity USA does, that “All credible evidence discounts any link between the molestation of children and homosexuality.”[3]

Yet these groups never cite any of this “credible evidence,” nor do they quote any studies to buttress their claims that there is no such connection. In fact, a number of studies performed over a period spanning more than half a century— many of which were performed by homosexuals or their sympathizers—have shown that an extremely large percentage of sexually active homosexuals also participate in child sexual molestation.

This is not “homophobia” or “hatred,” this is simple scientific fact. MORE...

Is the Church Militant Back?

2009-11-29T08:50:00.004-06:00

by: Patrick J. Buchanan
Human Events.com
11/27/2009

With the House debate on health care at its hottest, the U.S. Catholic bishops issued a stunning ultimatum: Impose an absolute ban on tax funds for abortions, or we call for defeat of the Pelosi bill.

Message received. The Stupak Amendment, named for Bart Stupak of Michigan, was promptly passed, to the delight of pro-life Catholics and the astonished outrage of pro-abortion Democrats.

No member was more upset than Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, son of Edward Kennedy, who proceeded to bash the Church for imperiling the greatest advance for human rights in a generation.

Rhode Island Bishop Thomas Tobin responded, accusing Kennedy of an unprovoked attack and demanding an apology. Kennedy retorted that Tobin had told him not to receive communion at Mass and ordered his diocesan priests not to give him communion.

False! The bishop fired back.

He had sent Kennedy a private letter in February 2007 saying that he ought not receive communion, as he was scandalizing the Church. But he had not told diocesan priests to deny him communion (Editor's emphasis).

As Rhode Island is our most Catholic state, Kennedy went silent and got this parting shot from Tobin: "Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church."

The clash was naturally national news. But Tobin's public chastisement of a Catholic who carries the most famous name in U.S. and Catholic politics is made more significant because it seems to reflect a new militancy in the hierarchy that has been absent for decades (Editor's note: unfortunately, when given the opportunity to defend himself on "Hard Ball" with Chris Matthews, Bishop Tobin appeared ill-prepared for the spiritual battle he should have known was coming. For more see THIS...

Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., just informed the city council that, rather than recognize homosexual marriages and provide gays the rights and benefits of married couples, he will shut down all Catholic social institutions and let the city take them over. Civil disobedience may be in order here.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York sent an op-ed to The New York Times charging the paper with anti-Catholic bigotry and using a moral double standard when judging the Church.

During the "horrible" scandal of priest abuse of children, wrote the archbishop, the Times demanded the "release of names of abusers, rollback of the statute of limitations, external investigations, release of all records and total transparency."

But when the Times "exposed the sad extent of child sexual abuses in Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish Community ... 40 cases of such abuses in this tiny community last year alone," wrote the archbishop, the district attorney swept the scandal under the rug, and the Times held up the carpet.

Dolan singled out a "scurrilous ... diatribe" by Maureen Dowd "that rightly never would have passed muster with the editors had it so criticized an Islamic, Jewish or African-American" faith.

Dowd, wrote Dolan, "digs deep into the nativist handbook to use every Catholic caricature possible, from the Inquisition to the Holocaust, condoms, obsession with sex, pedophile priests and oppression of women, all the while slashing Pope Benedict XVI for his shoes, his forced conscription ... into the German army, his outreach to former Catholics and his recent welcome to Anglicans."

Dowd, said Dolan, reads like something out of the Menace, the anti-Catholic Know Nothing newspaper of the 1850s.

The Times' refusal to publish the op-ed underscores the archbishop's point.

Nor are these the only signals of a new Church Militant.

The Vatican has reaffirmed that Catholics in interfaith dialogues have a moral right if not a duty to convert Jews, and reaffirmed the doctrine that Christ's covenant with his church canceled out and supersedes the Old Testament covenant with the Jews (Editor's note: despite the conciliar Church having issued on behalf of the Vatican dicastery in charge of ecumenical relations a statement indicating that the Jews need not convert to Catholicism to be saved creating nothing but confusion on a key dogma of the Roman Catholic Faith).

When Abe Foxman, screech owl of the Anti-Defamation League, railed that this marks a Catholic return to such "odious concepts as 'supercessionism,'" he was politely ignored. (Editor's note: he should have been directly refuted not ignored).

The new spirit was first manifest last spring, when scores of bishops denounced Notre Dame for inviting Barack Obama, a NARAL icon, to give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree (Editor's note: the majority of US Catholic Bishops remained silent and President Obama appeared at Notre Dame anyway).

Among the motives behind the new militancy is surely the wilding attack on Pope Benedict for reconciling with the Society of St. Pius X, one of whose bishops had questioned the Holocaust. The pope was unaware of this, and the bishop apologized. To no avail. Rising in viciousness, the attacks went on for weeks. Having turned the other cheek, the church got it smacked (Editor's note: the conciliar church caved to political correctness over the Bishop Williamson affair and missed the opportunity to clarify and defend Catholic orthodoxy instead allowing the Judaizer's to win the battle over terminology through their use of terms such as "Holocaust Denier's").

In his May address to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke said, "In a culture which embraces an agenda of death, Catholics and Catholic institutions are necessarily counter-cultural."

Exactly. Catholicism is necessarily an adversary faith and culture in an America where a triumphant secularism has captured the heights, from Hollywood to the media, the arts and the academy, and relishes nothing more than insults to and blasphemous mockery of the Church of Rome (Editor's note: no, they mock the Traditional Roman Catholic Church and its perennial teachings, while actually supporting the conciliar church without recognizing it).

Our new battling bishops may be surprised to find they have a large cheering section among a heretofore silent and sullen faithful who have been desperate to find a few clerical champions (Editor's note: Pat Buchanan is correct to point out the encouraging actions of a few traditional US Roman Catholic Bishops but totally misses the fact that the current conciliar church is almost completely heterodox in faith and praxis.)

Latest CDC H1N1 Flu Update

2009-11-22T09:05:00.003-06:00

Key Flu Indicators

November 20, 2009, 2:30 PM
Centers for Disease Control

Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView.* During the week of November 8-14, 2009, influenza activity decreased across all key indicators, but overall remained very high for this time of year. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

* Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased again this week over last week. This is the third consecutive week of national decreases in ILI after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. (All regions showed declines in ILI.) While ILI declined overall nationally, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain high.

* Influenza hospitalization rates are beginning to decline but remain higher than expected for this time of year. Hospitalization rates continue to be highest in younger populations with the highest hospitalization rate reported in children 0-4 years old.

* The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report decreased slightly but is still higher than what is expected for this time of year and has remained elevated for seven weeks now. In addition, 21 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week: 15 of these deaths were associated with laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1; 6 were influenza A viruses, but were not subtyped. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 171 laboratory-confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths, one influenza B death, and another 28 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined. (Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has provided estimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths.

* Forty-three states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time; a decline of three states from last week. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

* Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

*All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
More on th

How do you explain the Moslem conquest, Orthodox schism, and Protestant revolt?

2009-11-22T08:54:00.003-06:00

By: Hutton Gibson
Defending the Faith of our Fathers, HERE...

Argument Corner

Objection—I think Bellarmine must be correct that a heretic ipso facto vanishes into his heresy, but this (ontological) fact is not manifest and notorious until the Church declares it a sorry fact. Bellarmine, while correct, likely did not foresee the consequences of his judgment. Suarez and Cajetan did, though they did not fully grasp Bellarmine’s truth. Thus a heretical Pope remains pope in the juridic sense (though he cannot bind us to error) and Christ supplies for the means of grace (Yes, even for the 1970 missal; only a hireling abandons the flock when the wolf comes) until either the clergy / people of Rome or a Council declares a Pope no longer Catholic. Only in this way is the stability, visibility, and means of grace of the Church maintained, even as we call the heretic back to the Faith a la the Abbe de Nantes, et al.... The Good Shepherd never abandons HIS flock to the wolves but supplies the means of grace during any deviation (Avignon), apostasy, or interregnum.

Reply—How do you explain the Moslem conquest, Orthodox schism, and Protestant revolt?

Can you ignore St. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, chapter 2?

It lies in the nature of a hostile takeover from the top that no effective group is left to defend religious doctrine or worship, though without these there can be no true Church. There should have been immediate revolt against change, but few, even of the clergy, realized what was happening (though a hundred thousand resigned). Those who protested applied for redress to those who had deliberately imposed change with the deliberate intention of killing the Church. The innovators ignored all protest. They stood on their “authority” and painted the few who kept tradition insane. They drove wedges between us and encouraged the “loyal opposition” with occasional crumbs that persuaded most that they would eventually return what they had stolen. But mostly they conveyed the notion that they had the right to improve on Jesus Christ, because only one fifth of the world was Catholic.

If we pin our hopes to the people or clergy of Rome, we appeal to those who have blindly accepted massive innovation. We should logically rather seek a declaration from the millions who have refused innovation, who are disgusted with weird worship and wall-to-wall heresy, and who boycott the remaining churches.

Pope Innocent III preceded Bellarmine by three and a half centuries in declaring that a heretic ipso facto vanishes into heresy. Pope Paul IV formulated this into law (Cum ex Apostolatus Officio) when Bellarmine was seventeen years of age.

Even if you were correct that instructed Catholics cannot assess a heresy, the innovators have publicly embraced condemned heresies galore, and this alone establishes that they are condemned heretics, which should be public enough for anyone.

It is impossible that the Catholic Church of Jesus Christ has no defense against a hostile takeover, from the top or from the bottom. When taken over from the top there is no possibility of an official statement condemning the takeover, because the entire top is involved in the takeover and will simply not condemn its own actions.

We therefore turn to right reason, and find all the authority we need in the Laws of the Church, specifically Cum ex Apostolatus Officio and the Canon Laws in which it is synthesized, #2314 & #188. These all state with authority that apostates and heretics can hold no office in the Church to which they cannot belong on account of their heresy and/or apostasy. The penalty immediately, automatically, and necessarily follows the fact itself of heresy or apostasy, and requires no declaration from any official source, as the law itself provides. We are all bound by these laws, and by Quo Primum Tempore which standardized our worship against the Protestant revolt, and must refuse recognition to “authorities” which violate them and saddle us with more recent idolatries.

The proof lies in recognition of the fact that the postconciliar “Church” has replaced almost the entire religion in its laws, doctrines, sacraments, and worship. It tries to speak with the authority which it has almost stamped out. It pretends to the authority which Christ conferred on His Church for propagation, which it has criminally discontinued.

"And there Hearts will Grow Cold"

2009-11-22T07:42:00.003-06:00

November 16, 2009
Missing 5-year-old Shaniya found dead
Posted: 05:06 PM ET

"...and because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold." (Matt. 24: 12)

A missing 5-year-old whose mother was accused of offering her for sex was found dead off a heavily wooded road in a rural area Monday, ending a weeklong search.

Searchers found Shaniya Davis' body in central North Carolina but, police will not say how she died. Two people have been charged in her disappearance. Her mother, Antoinette Davis, had been charged with human trafficking and felony child abuse and Mario Andrette McNeill has been charged with first degree kidnapping. Little Shaniya was seen on surveillance being carried through an area hotel by McNeill earlier last week. Three days later, he turned himself in. However, it wasn’t until today that police finally concluded their search for the missing toddler. Unfortunately, she was not found alive as everyone had hoped.

Bradley Lockhart, Shaniya’s father, raised the little girl for years and it wasn’t until recently that he allowed the girl’s mom to take Shaniya to her home. He said that Shaniya’s mom was getting her life on track and he thought he would give her a chance to help at raising Shaniya. He now regrets that decision. Lockhart was hopeful that someone would return his daughter safely. That hope has now passed.

The only question remaining is who is responsible for killing the little girl? That’s what police are looking to find out. It is the next step in resolving this case.

2009 H1N1 Flu: Situation Update

2009-11-07T07:46:00.006-06:00

November 6, 2009,
U.S. Situation Update
Centers for Disease Control

Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView.* During the week of October 25-31, 2009, a review of the key indicators found that influenza activity remained high in the United States. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

* Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased very slightly this week over last week after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. While ILI declined slightly, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain at much higher levels than what is expected for this time of the year and parts of the country continue to see sharp increases in activity. It’s possible that nationwide ILI could rise again. ILI continues to be higher than what is seen during the peak of most regular flu seasons.

* Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year. Hospitalization rates continue to be highest is younger populations with the highest hospitalization rate reported in children 0-4 years old.

* The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report continues to increase and has been higher for five weeks now than what is expected at this time of year. In addition, 18 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week; 15 of these deaths were confirmed 2009 H1N1, and three were influenza A viruses, but were not sub-typed. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 129 laboratory-confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths and another 15 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but where the flu virus subtype was not determined. (Editor's Note: It is reasonable to assume that the total number of Pediatric deaths due to Swine Flu [to date] is 144)

* Forty-eight states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time; a decline of one state over last week. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This many reports of widespread activity at this time of year are unprecedented during seasonal flu.

* Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs Oseltamivir and Zanamivir with rare exception

2009 H1N1 Flu ("Swine Flu") and You

2009-11-05T14:10:00.007-06:00

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
November 3, 2009 11:45 AM ET

In The News

2009 H1N1 Hospitalizations in People with Asthma

What does CDC know about hospitalizations among people with asthma who get 2009 H1N1 flu? (November 3, 2009)

People with asthma are at higher risk for serious complications from influenza (flu), including 2009 H1N1 flu. This can place people with asthma at higher risk of hospitalization when they have 2009 H1N1 flu. CDC monitors 2009-H1N1 related hospitalizations, including among people with asthma, through the Emerging Infections Program (EIP).

What is the Emerging Infections Program (EIP)? (November 3, 2009)

The EIP Influenza Project conducts surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza (flu) related hospitalizations in children (persons younger than 18 years) and adults in 62 counties covering 13 metropolitan areas of 10 states (for more information see the overview of influenza surveillance in the United States). Cases are identified by reviewing hospital laboratory and admission databases and infection control logs for children and adults with a documented positive influenza test* conducted as a part of routine patient care. EIP estimated hospitalization rates are reported every week during the flu season.

*Tests used by EIP to confirm influenza infection include viral culture, direct/indirect fluorescent antibody assay (DFA/IFA), real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), or a commercial rapid antigen test.

What percentage of people hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 flu have asthma? (November 3, 2009)

According to Emerging Infections Program (EIP) data collected from April 15 through October 27, 2009, 32% of people hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 had asthma. Among adults hospitalized with 2009 H1N1, 30% had asthma, whereas 35% of hospitalized children with 2009 H1N1 had asthma.

What percentage of people hospitalized with asthma and 2009 H1N1 are admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)? (November 3, 2009)

According to Emerging Infections Program (EIP) data collected from April 15 - October 27, 2009, 21% of hospitalized adults with asthma and a 2009 H1N1 infection and 18% of hospitalized children with asthma and a 2009 H1N1 infection were admitted to an ICU. No significant differences in the number of ICU admissions were noted between 2009 H1N1 infected people hospitalized with or without asthma.

What percentage of hospitalizations for 2009 H1N1 flu occur in different age groups in the United States? October 20

The percentage of hospitalizations for 2009 H1N1 flu in the United States varies by age group. From August 30, 2009 through October 10, 2009, states reported 4,958 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 hospitalizations to CDC. The percentage of 2009 H1N1 related hospitalizations that occurred among those 0 to 4 years old was 19%; among those 5 years to 18 years was 25%; among people 19 years to 24 years was 9%; among those 25 years to 49 years was 24%; among people 50 to 64 years was 15%; and among people 65 years and older was 7%. For a graphical representation of this data, please see the chart below.

What percentage of deaths for 2009 H1N1 flu occur in different age groups in the United States? October 20

The percentage of deaths for 2009 H1N1 flu in the United States varies by age group. From August 30, 2009 through October 10, 2009, states reported 292 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 deaths to CDC. The percentage of 2009 H1N1 related deaths that occurred among people 0 years to 4 years was 3%; among those 5 years to 18 years was 14%; among people 19 to 24 years was 7%; among people 25 to 49 years was 33%; among people 50-64 years was 32%; and among people 65 years and older was 12%. For a graphical representation of this data, please see the chart below.

2009 H1N1 Flu

What is 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)?

2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization External Web Site Icon (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.

Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortment" virus.

2009 H1N1 Flu in Humans

Are there human infections with 2009 H1N1 virus in the U.S.?

Yes. Human infections with 2009 H1N1 are ongoing in the United States. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.
CDC routinely works with states to collect, compile and analyze information about influenza, and has done the same for the new H1N1 virus since the beginning of the outbreak. This information is presented in a weekly report, called FluView.

Is 2009 H1N1 virus contagious?

The 2009 H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

How does 2009 H1N1 virus spread?

Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Photo of nurse and child

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and deaths have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How severe is illness associated with 2009 H1N1 flu virus?

Illness with 2009 H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

Young children are also at high risk of serious complications from 2009 H1N1, just as they are from seasonal flu. And while people 65 and older are the least likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 flu, if they get sick, they are also at “high risk” of developing serious complications from their illness. See People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications for more information about who is more likely to get flu complications that result in being hospitalized and occasionally result in death.

CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against 2009 H1N1 flu by any existing antibody.

How does 2009 H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?

With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.

When the 2009 H1N1 outbreak was first detected in mid-April 2009, CDC began working with states to collect, compile and analyze information regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, including the numbers of confirmed and probable cases and the ages of these people. The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are relatively fewer cases and deaths reported in people 65 years and older, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

Prevention & Treatment

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Oct 8

This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection. For information about the 2009 H1N1 vaccines, visit H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources. For information about seasonal influenza vaccines, visit Preventing Seasonal Flu With Vaccination.

There are also everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the flu.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

* Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions that you can take are:

* Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
* Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs * (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

If I have a family member at home who is sick with 2009 H1N1 flu, should I go to work?

Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including covering their coughs and sneezes and washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub.* If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs. For more information please see General Business and Workplace Guidance for the Prevention of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Flu in Workers.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.* You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

For information about what to do if you get sick with flu-like symptoms this season, see What To Do If You Get Sick: 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu. A downloadable flyer Adobe PDF file containing this information also is available HERE...

What are “emergency warning signs” that should signal anyone to seek medical care urgently?

In children:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

In adults:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1 infection?

Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 called “antiviral drugs.” These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. This flu season, antiviral drugs are being used mainly to treat people who are very sick, such as people who need to be hospitalized, and to treat sick people who are more likely to get serious flu complications. Your health care provider will decide whether antiviral drugs are needed to treat your illness. Remember, most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu.

What is CDC’s recommendation regarding "swine flu parties"?

"Swine flu parties" are gatherings during which people have close contact with a person who has 2009 H1N1 flu in order to become infected with the virus. The intent of these parties is for a person to become infected with what for many people has been a mild disease, in the hope of having natural immunity 2009 H1N1 flu virus that might circulate later and cause more severe disease.

CDC does not recommend "swine flu parties" as a way to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu in the future. While the disease seen in the current 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak has been mild for many people, it has been severe and even fatal for others. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an individual or, equally important, for others to whom the intentionally infected person may spread the virus.

CDC recommends that people with 2009 H1N1 flu avoid contact with others as much as possible. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Contamination & Cleaning

How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?

Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What kills influenza virus?

Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time.

*What if soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed in my facility? Updated on Sept 14

If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?

To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?

To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?

Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid "hugging" laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

Exposures Not Thought to Spread 2009 H1N1 Flu

Can I get infected with 2009 H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?

No. 2009 H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Is there a risk from drinking water?

Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of 2009 H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as 2009 H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.

Can 2009 H1N1 flu virus be spread through water in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues?

Influenza viruses infect the human upper respiratory tract. There has never been a documented case of influenza virus infection associated with water exposure. Recreational water that has been treated at CDC recommended disinfectant levels does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus to chlorine and other disinfectants used in swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational venues. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels recommended by CDC (1–3 parts per million [ppm or mg/L] for pools and 2–5 ppm for spas) are adequate to disinfect avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as 2009 H1N1 virus would also be similarly disinfected by chlorine.

Can 2009 H1N1 influenza virus be spread at recreational water venues outside of the water?

Yes, recreational water venues are no different than any other group setting. The spread of this 2009 H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Note: Much of the information in this document is based on studies and past experience with seasonal (human) influenza. CDC believes the information applies to 2009 H1N1 (swine) viruses as well, but studies on this virus are ongoing to learn more about its characteristics. This document will be updated as new information becomes available.

US rushing swine flu vaccine clinical trials

2009-11-01T08:17:00.004-06:00

Editor's NOTE:

This piece is included in way of background to help demonstrate that the timing of the initial "Swine Flu" presentation last year demanded an expedited vaccine development phase and an accelerated vaccine clinical trial phase.

As mentioned in my "Primer" HERE... the data from these clinical trials is incomplete to date and must be carefully monitored. Nevertheless, members of high-risk groups should strongly consider getting the vaccine when it is made available as to date the reported complication rate appears to be acceptably low.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

By: Deborah Shlian
July 28, 2009
Miami Health Care Examiner

As the swine flu continues to rapidly move across the globe, the World Health Organization has stopped asking governments to report new cases, claiming the effort is too great now that the disease has become so widespread. Instead, the focus is on developing strategies for preventing what some experts fear will be a new, more serious outbreak of swine flu in the fall and winter months just when seasonal flu arrives.

Pharamceutical companies are rushing to develop a vaccine by early fall. Clinical trials have already started in Australia. Canadian trials will begin by September or early October. Federal health officials announced that the first US clinical trials will begin in August and will be conducted in what Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease described as “a two month compressed time frame” in which about 2400 volunteers will be tested. The initial tests will be of vaccines made by Sanofi-Pasteur, a European company, and CLS Biotherapies, an Australian company that has supplied seasonal flu shots in the US for years. A third company, Novartis, is conducting separate trials for FDA licensing.

Adult volunteers for the clinical trials will be recruited at 8 separate sites including Emory University in Atlanta, the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, the University Iowa in Iowa City, and St. Louis University.

Initial studies will determine whether one or two 15-microgram doses of A/H1N1 swine flu vaccine are needed to produce an immune response in healthy adult volunteers (18 to 64 years) and elderly people (65 years and older).

The doses will be given 21 days apart. If there are early indications that the vaccines are safe, similar trials in healthy children (six months to 17 years) will begin. According to Fauci, later tests may include pregnant women, who are at higher risk for swine flu complications.

Vaccines will be given to different sets of volunteers before, after or at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine. Every volunteer will be monitored for negative side effects including allergic reactions to the chicken eggs that the vaccines are grown in.

Researchers will also look out for Guillain-Barré syndrome , a rare reaction to any vaccine which can cause fever, serious nerve damage and muscle weakness. The 1976 vaccination of 40 million people after a swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, N. J., was halted after some people developed the syndrome. However, the vaccine was never proved to be the cause. According to a 2009 worldwide literature review, approximately one person in 100,000 develops Guillain-Barré syndrome for unknown reasons. Unfortunately because the US vaccine trials are so small, it is unlikely to pick up such a rare side effect. “You’d have to vaccinate several hundred thousand or millions of people to do that,” Fauci said.

In addition to checking for adverse reactions, volunteers will have their blood tested about three weeks after the shot to see if antibodies to the virus have developed. Those with high levels of antibodies to the specific strain should be immune to the infection or at the very worst, get only a mild case of the flu if exposed to it.

Once these trials are completed and the vaccine is determined to be safe and effective, health officials can then make specific recommendations as to how to conduct a vaccination program and who should be vaccinated. (Editor's emphasis throughout)

Assuming things go according to schedule, the hope is to have as many as 160 million doses ready in the US by mid October and then 80 million doses a month later. Depending on how much vaccine is available and assuming most individuals will require two shots, it could take until March to vaccinate the full U.S. population of 300 million people.

None of the first trials will test a vaccine containing an adjuvant, which is an additive -generally an oil-water emulsion- that stimulates the immune system to react more strongly and helps to stretch the number of doses of vaccine needed. Adjuvants are common in veterinary vaccines and tend to cause more side effects. They are not now used in flu shots in the United States. But they are “not off the board,” Fauci said. “We’ve developed a mix-and-match protocol for them, but we want to see the data on vaccine safety first.” According to a report from Reuters, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department has contracted for 120 million doses of adjuvant which they might use if the flu mutates into a more dangerous form and the demand for more shots than are available results.

Federal advisers plan a meeting tomorrow to discuss who should receive the vaccination.

World Health Organization says one swine flu shot is enough for everyone but kids

2009-10-31T10:33:00.005-05:00

By: Thomas H. Maugh II
October 30, 2009 | 9:50 am
Los Angeles Times

One dose of the vaccine against pandemic H1N1 influenza should be enough for everyone except children under the age of 10, and the vaccine is proving to be safe, the World Health Organization said this morning. Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, the agency's vaccines chief, told a telephone news conference that data from clinical trials that have already been conducted indicate that one dose of vaccine is sufficient to provoke a strong immune response against the swine flu virus. The United States and some other countries have already concluded that one dose is sufficient, but others have questioned the conclusion. The European Medicines Agency said last week that the swine flu vaccines it had licensed should be given in two doses at least three weeks apart because the current data were "too limited" to allow it to recommend only one dose.

Experts had initially feared that two doses of the vaccine would be required for everyone because preliminary experiments hinted that the virus did not provoke a strong immune reaction. The conclusion that only one dose is necessary effectively doubles the amount of vaccine available -- a crucial result for those developing countries which are having problems obtaining the vaccines. The WHO said earlier this week that it would begin distributing 200 million doses to such countries.

The sole exception to the new recommendation is young children, who should continue to receive two doses. That recommendation is not surprising, because a similar requirement is in place for seasonal flu shots. Researchers have found in the past that some residual immunity from previous vaccinations boosts the body's response to a flu vaccine, which is why adults need only one dose. But children who have not previously been exposed to a flu vaccine need two shots to get the proper protection.

Kieny also said that the new swine flu vaccine appears to be safe, as authorities have been saying all along. "All the reports received to date following vaccination -- either in clinical trials or in mass vaccination campaigns -- have shown that the safety profile of these pandemic vaccines is good and is very similar to the one which is known for seasonal flu vaccine," she said. "Nothing special in terms of adverse events has been noted."

Kieny said that it was safe to vaccinate against both seasonal and swine flu simultaneously, as long as at least one of the vaccines is the injectable form. That follows U.S. guidelines, which say that two doses of the intranasal FluMist vaccines should not be given at the same time.

In other flu news:

-- At a Philadelphia meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, officials of the group strengthened their recommendation that shots against both types of flu should be mandatory for healthcare workers and that unvaccinated doctors and nurses should either wear masks or not deal with patients. "All of us and all our colleagues who work in direct patient care should be immunized," said Dr. Ann Gershon of the Columbia University Medical Center, the group's president. "We owe it to our patients." The group said voluntary educational programs have failed to raise the vaccination rate above 70%, putting patients at risk.

-- Intravenous antiviral drugs are proving useful in severe illness caused by swine flu infections, experts told physicians Thursday in a conference call for physicians sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Food and Drug Administration last week approved emergency use of the intravenous antiviral Peramivir and a related drug, Zanamivir, even though clinical trials of the drugs have not been completed. Dr. Stacene Maroushek, an infectious-disease specialist at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, described the case of a 17-year-old boy who became sick at the Minnesota State Fair and who was failing rapidly and was expected to die, even though he was receiving Tamiflu through a nasogastric tube. Physicians gave him IV Peramivir for five days, and he began improving on the second day of treatment. Although he is still weak, he is improving with therapy and rehabilitation and is now at home, she said. The 25-day hospitalization cost about $300,000.

Dr. Aditya Gaur of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis described the case of a 10-year-old girl who was immunocompromised because she was undergoing treatment for leukemia. She was initially treated with Tamiflu and discharged, but 12 days later was rehospitalized with pneumonia. Tests showed her strain of the swine flu was resistant to Tamiflu. She was given IV Zanamivir and her symptoms have improved substantially, Gaur said. Experts said that it is crucial that the IV drugs be continued for at least 10 days to make sure the virus is eradicated.

NOTE:

The above 2 case reports indicate that some resistance has developed to Tamiflu to date but so far not to Zanamivir. This is consistent with other medical data on Swine Flu resistance to Tamiflu. While most cases of Swine Flu will respond to Tamiflu some will not. Zanamivir has had no resistance problem to date.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Pestilence

2009-10-26T18:40:00.047-05:00

New Disease: "Swine Flu" a Primer

Over the past several months the increasing incidence of "Swine Flu" in humans has become apparent. In the United States, the Obama administration has declared the 2009 Swine Flu a pandemic and formally instituted a state of Federal Emergency by which to deal with it more effectively.

"Swine Flu" is an influenza which was originally thought to have originated in pigs that for some unknown reason managed to cross the trans-species barrier to humans. However, according to the CDC:

"This virus was originally referred to as 'swine flu' because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a 'quadruple reassortmant' virus."

"The virion is pleomorphic, the envelope can occur in spherical and filamentous forms. In general the virus's morphology is spherical with particles 50 to 120 nm in diameter, or filamentous virions 20 nm in diameter and 200 to 300 (-3000) nm long. There are some 500 distinct spike-like surface projections of the envelope each projecting 10 to 14 nm from the surface with some types (i.e. hemagglutinin esterase (HEF)) densely dispersed over the surface, and with others (i.e. hemagglutinin (HA)) spaced widely apart. The major glycoprotein (HA) is interposed irregularly by clusters of neuraminidase (NA), with a ratio of HA to NA of about 4-5 to 1.

Influenza viruses contain 7 to 8 segments of linear negative-sense single stranded RNA. The total genome length is 12000-15000 nucleotides which encode for 11 proteins (HA, NA, NP, M1, M2, NS1, NEP, PA, PB1, PB1-F2, PB2). The best-characterised of these viral proteins are hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, two large glycoproteins found on the outside of the viral particles. Neuraminidase is an enzyme involved in the release of progeny virus from infected cells, by cleaving sugars that bind the mature viral particles. By contrast, hemagglutinin is a lectin that mediates binding of the virus to target cells and entry of the viral genome into the target cell. The hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins are targets for antiviral drugs. These proteins are also recognised by antibodies, i.e. they are antigens. The responses of antibodies to these proteins are used to classify the different serotypes of influenza A viruses, hence the H and N in H5N1." For more see THIS...

"Swine Flu" now known as 2009 H1N1 Influenza, causes disease in human beings. It is spread through person to person contact--primarily as a result of contamination from the oral/nasal secretions of infected individuals. The most common symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting.

"Swine Flu" or 2009 H1N1 Influenza (also referred to as Novel H1N1 Influenza) is a subtype of Type A influenza as is type-ordinaire seasonal flu. To date 2009 H1N1 Flu appears to be slightly more virulent than seasonal flu but can usually be treated successfully with antiviral medications in patients who become extremely ill. A definitive health statement on the ultimate severity/significance of this new type of flu would be premature at this time due to lack of intermediate and long-range follow-up data.

A vaccine which is purportedly specific for this virus has been developed in an "accelerated fashion" given the sudden appearance of this "quadruple reassortmant" virus in humans. While it is said by federal health officials to be safe, there is very little clinical follow-up data so far in patients to whom it has been administered. At present (October 26, 2009) there is a limited supply (less than 30 million doses) of this vaccine nation-wide and the CDC has instituted a recommended protocol for initial administration until additional doses become available. For more information on flu vaccines see THIS...

It is possible to test for the presence of "Swine Flu" (2009 H1N1 Flu) utilizing laboratory investigation. A number of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT's) [rapid antigen testing] with variable degrees of sensitivity and specificity are currently available (at present they are unable to differentiate between subtypes of influenza and are associated with a significant false negative rate) as well as more sophisticated tests involving viral cultures, immunofluorescence assays, and polymerase chain reaction analysis based on nucleic acid sequencing. Sophisticated laboratory tests for influenza allow characterization by viral subtype but require several days to complete. The RDT's generally are available within the hour.

Currently, questions remain with respect to the ratio of the prevalence of 2009 H1N1 flu vs seasonal flu in the US population. According to the CDC however:

"As of September 2009, more than 99% of circulating influenza viruses in the United States are 2009 H1N1. Therefore, at this time, if your health care provider determines that you have the flu, you most likely have 2009 H1N1." (Editor's note: This assumes that there has been no pre-selection of patients subjected to detailed laboratory testing. In one instance some 60% of those tested have been found to have no flu at all. It is possible that due to CDC recommendations, only the higher-risk patients have been tested utilizing sophisticated assays capable of differentiating between the sub-types of influenza. The effect would be to artificially raise the incidence of “swine flu.” This issue needs to be more carefully detailed in the literature and the results widely circulated.)

Previous vaccination(s) for seasonal flu are not likely to be effective against Swine flu due to the different RNA sequences involved. The antibody production after vaccination for seasonal flu is different from that which is produced in response to vaccination for "Swine Flu."

To date (October 17, 2009) 411 patients with laboratory confirmed cases of "Swine Flu" have died in the United States. In the absence of pre-selection of the higher risk patients for sophisticated laboratory testing, this would seem to represent a higher mortality rate for documented cases of 2009 H1N1 Influenza as compared with seasonal flu. It is unclear however whether this represents an artificially elevated rate due to pre-selection of higher-risk patients for detailed laboratory testing. In other words, we simply do not know the value of the denominator (the total number of patients who have contracted 2009 H1N1 Flu).

According to the CDC:

“The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report has increased and has been higher than what is expected at this time of year for two weeks. In addition, 11 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week; 9 of these deaths were confirmed 2009 H1N1, and two were influenza A viruses, but were not sub-typed. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 95 laboratory-confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths and another 7 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but where the flu virus subtype was not determined.” For more see THIS…

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends vaccination against Swine Flu for high-risk patients including pregnant women, children up to 18, the debilitated, immunocompromised, those with other serious systemic illness(s) and health care professionals only. For more information see THIS...It should be noted however that response to vaccination in general is quite variable and dependent upon multiple factors enumerated in the appendix below. At this early stage of the pandemic the efficacy of the new "Swine Flu" vaccine is unknown. The CDC has indicated that no serious complications/side-effects have arisen in patients who have received the new vaccine thus far.

Anyone strongly suspected of having Swine Flu and who is a member of any of the high-risk groups of patients delineated above should be considered for the early administration of antiviral medication such as Zanamivir which to date lacks any evidence of viral resistance. The CDC generally recommends treatment with Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) although some minimal resistance to it has developed. Unfortunately, 2009 H1N1 Flu is resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. The CDC has also indicated that antiviral treatment regimens may change in the future according to new antiviral resistance or viral surveillance information.

Due to the unavoidable delay in obtaining sophisticated laboratory confirmation of "Swine Flu" it is unnecessary to confirm the diagnosis prior to instituting anti-viral drug therapy but it would be wise for all such patients to have viral cultures, immunofluorescence assays, or polymerase chain reaction analysis done in order to successfully document that the patient has "Swine Flu" rather than seasonal flu. This will assist health care professionals in determining the prevalence, severity and therapeutic response in patients with 2009 H1N1 Flu. For the latest Flu update from the CDC see THIS...

Suggestions:

1.) Minimize unnecessary close personal contact particularly in large groups.

2.) Always practice good hygiene including frequent washing of hands with antiseptic soap and water. Avoid touching the mouth and nose with hands. Do not drink or eat from articles used by others. Do not share food or drink with others once it has been dispensed. Always cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing preferably with a disposable tissue.

3.) Anyone who is ill with symptoms and signs suggesting influenza should remain at home until at least 24 hours after the cessation of fever.

4.) Individuals at high risk (especially children) for developing complications from 2009 H1N1 Flu or otherwise concerned persons should seek medical attention as early as possible to allow their physician the option of initiating antiviral therapy at a time when it is most likely to be effective.

5.) Consider being vaccinated against type-ordinaire seasonal flu as the benefit/risk ratio favors being vaccinated.

6.) Carefully monitor further developments with regard to the prevalence and severity of 2009 H1N1 Flu including the potential toxicity and efficacy of vaccines (incompletely known at this time). As further data and the national supply of vaccines become more widely available, consider being vaccinated if the benefit/risk ratio is acceptably established, especially in the Pediatric age-group which at present is at greater risk of severe "Swine-Flu" related illness and death.

*Appendix: How effective is the inactivated influenza vaccine?

"Overall, in years when the vaccine and circulating viruses are well-matched, influenza vaccines can be expected to reduce laboratory-confirmed influenza by approximately 70% to 90% in healthy adults <65 years of age. Several studies have also found reductions in febrile illness, influenza-related work absenteeism, antibiotic use, and doctor visits.

In years when the vaccine strains are not well matched to circulating strains, vaccine effectiveness can be variably reduced. For example, in a study among persons 50-64 years during the 2003-04 season, when the vaccine strains were not optimally matched, inactivated influenza vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza was 60% among persons without high-risk conditions, and 48% among those with high risk conditions, but it was 90% against laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization (Herrera, et al Vaccine 2006). A study in children during the same year found vaccine effectiveness of about 50% against medically diagnosed influenza and pneumonia without laboratory confirmation (Ritzwoller, Pediatrics 2005). However, in some years when vaccine and circulating strains were not well-matched, no vaccine effectiveness can be demonstrated in some studies, even in healthy adults (Bridges, JAMA 2000). It is not possible in advance of the influenza season to predict how well the vaccine and circulating strains will be matched, and how that match may affect the degree of vaccine effectiveness." For more from the CDC on this issue see THIS...

Incompletely Answered Questions:

1. How widespread will the pandemic become (prevalence)?
2. How ill (virulence) will patients with “Swine Flu” become?
3. How effective (efficacy) will the new “Swine Flu” vaccine be?
4. What if any side-effects/complications will occur after mass “Swine Flu” vaccine administration and how frequently (vaccine complication rate) will they occur? (Preliminary data available only)
5. What percentage of patients who have laboratory documented “Swine Flu” experience serious illness or death (Morbidity/Mortality) and is their a predilection for certain age groups? (Preliminary data strongly suggest an increased incidence and severity in small children under age 2.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Vatican Bidding to Get Anglicans to Join Its Fold

2009-10-22T15:48:00.005-05:00

By RACHEL DONADIO and LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: October 20, 2009
The New York Times

VATICAN CITY — In an extraordinary bid to lure traditionalist Anglicans en masse, the Vatican said Tuesday that it would make it easier for Anglicans uncomfortable with their church’s acceptance of female priests and openly gay bishops to join the Roman Catholic Church while retaining many of their traditions.

Anglicans would be able “to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony,” Cardinal William J. Levada, the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said at a news conference here.

It was unclear why the Vatican made the announcement now. But it seemed a rare opportunity, audaciously executed, to capitalize on deep divisions within the Anglican Church to attract new members at a time when the Catholic Church has been trying to reinvigorate itself in Europe.

The issue has long been close to the heart of Pope Benedict XVI, who for years has worked to build ties to those Anglicans who, like conservative Catholics, spurn the idea of female and gay priests.

Catholic and Anglican leaders sought on Tuesday to present the move as a joint effort to aid those seeking conversion. But it appeared that the Vatican had engineered it on its own, presenting it as a fait accompli to the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, only in recent weeks. Some Anglican and Catholic leaders expressed surprise, even shock, at the news.

The move could have the deepest impact in England, where large numbers of traditionalist Anglicans have protested the Church of England’s embrace of liberal theological reforms like consecrating female bishops. Experts say these Anglicans, and others in places like Australia, might be attracted to the Roman Catholic fold because they have had nowhere else to go.

If entire parishes or even dioceses leave the Church of England for the Catholic Church, experts and church officials speculated, it could set off battles over ownership of church buildings and land.

Pope Benedict has said that he will travel to Britain in 2010.

In the United States, traditionalist leaders said they would be less inclined than their British counterparts to join the Catholic Church, because they have already broken away from the Episcopal Church and formed their own conservative Anglican structures (though some do allow women to be priests).

The Vatican’s announcement signals a significant moment in relations between two churches that first parted in the Reformation of the 16th century over theological issues and the primacy of the pope.

In recent decades, the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church have sought to heal the centuries of division. Some feared that the Vatican’s move might jeopardize decades of dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans by implying that the aim was conversion.

The Very Rev. David Richardson, the archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Vatican, said he was taken aback.

“I don’t see it as an affront to the Anglican Church, but I’m puzzled by what it means and by the timing of it,” he said. “I think some Anglicans will feel affronted.”

The decision creates a formal universal structure to streamline conversions that had previously been evaluated case by case. The Vatican said that it would release details in the coming weeks, but that generally, former Anglican prelates chosen by the Catholic Church would oversee Anglicans, including entire parishes or even dioceses, seeking to convert.

Under the new arrangement, the Catholic practice that has allowed married Anglican priests to convert and become Catholic priests would continue. (There have been very few such priests). But only unmarried Anglican bishops or priests could become Catholic bishops.

Cardinal Levada acknowledged that accepting large numbers of married Anglican priests while forbidding Catholic priests to marry could pose problems for some Catholics. But he argued that the circumstances differed.

Under the new structure, former Anglicans who become Catholic could preserve some elements of Anglican worship, including hymns and other “intangible” elements, Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, the Vatican’s deputy chief liturgical officer, said at the news conference.

Cardinal Levada said that the Vatican had acted in response to many requests from Anglicans since the Church of England ordained women in the 1990s, and, more recently, when it faced what he called “a very difficult question” — the ordination of openly gay clergy and the celebration of homosexual unions.

He said that 20 to 30 bishops and hundreds of other people had petitioned the Vatican on the matter in recent years.

In the United States, disaffected conservatives in the Episcopal Church, the American branch of Anglicanism, announced in 2008 that they were reorganizing as the Anglican Church in North America.

Bishop Martyn Minns, a leader of that group, welcomed the pope’s decision. “It demonstrates his conviction that the divisions in the Anglican Communion are very serious and these are not things that are going to get papered over,” he said.

However, both Bishop Minns and Archbishop Robert Duncan, primate of the Anglican Church in North America, said that they did not expect many conservative Anglicans to accept the offer because the theological differences were too great.

“I don’t want to be a Roman Catholic,” said Bishop Minns. “There was a Reformation, you remember.”

In Britain, the Rev. Rod Thomas, the chairman of Reform, a traditionalist Anglican group, said, “I think it will be a trickle of people, not a flood.”

But he said that a flood could in fact develop if the Church of England did not allow traditionalists to opt out of a recent church decision that women could be consecrated as bishops.

Some said the move would probably not win over traditionalist Anglicans in Africa.

“Why should any conservative break away from a church where the moral conservatives represent the overwhelming mass of opinion, such as in Nigeria?” said Philip Jenkins, a professor at Pennsylvania State University and an expert in the Catholic Church’s history in Africa and Asia.

The plan was announced at simultaneous news conferences at the Vatican and in London.

The Vatican’s archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, and Archbishop Williams of the Anglican Church issued a joint statement in which they said that the new structure “brings to an end a period of uncertainty for such groups who have nurtured hopes of new ways of embracing unity with the Catholic Church.”

In London, Archbishop Williams minimized the impact of the announcement on relations between the two churches. “It would not occur to me to see this as an act of aggression or a statement of no confidence, precisely because the routine relationships that we enjoy as churches will continue,” he said.

NOTE:

Oddly enough, in the wake of Vatican II there is very little difference between the Conciliar Church and any of the Anglican groups under discussion in any case. Barring Divine Intervention those who convert en-masse may find that the Conciliar church adopts the practices for which they left the Anglican "church."

The problem is lack of Roman Catholic orthodoxy and the Novus Ordo Missae, not the lack of "union" among the various sects including the Conciliar Vatican. The Traditional Latin Mass of Pope Pius V should be reinstituted, the Novus Ordo completely cast aside and the traditional (orthodox) Roman Catholic Church teachings restored. It is the only way to cure what ails the world.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Stephen Hand of Traditional Catholic Reflections and Reports on Apostasy

2009-10-18T10:18:00.005-05:00

The Great Apostasy

St. Francis de Sales: "The revolt and separation must come…the Sacrifice shall cease and…the Son of Man shall hardly find faith on earth…All these passages are understood of the affliction which Antichrist shall cause in the Church…But the Church… shall not fail, and shall be fed and preserved amidst the deserts and solitudes to which She shall retire, as the Scripture says, (Apoc. Ch. 12),” ---The Catholic Controversy

St. Alphonsus Ligouri: “It is true [the Mass] will cease on earth at the time of Antichrist: the Sacrifice of the Mass is to be suspended…according to the prophecy of Daniel, (Dan. 12:11).” St. Alphonsus comforts Christ's scattered flock: “the Son of God, Eternal Priest, will always continue to offer Himself to God, the Father, in Heaven as an Eternal Sacrifice.” ---The Holy Eucharist

Cardinal Manning: “The Holy Fathers who have written upon the subject of Antichrist and the prophecies of Daniel — all of them unanimously — say that in the latter end of the world, during the reign of Antichrist, the Holy Sacrifice of the altar will cease.”--- The Present Crisis of the Holy See

St. Bernard: "We have seen 'the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place,’ (Matt. 34:15)…He has seated himself in the Chair of Peter. The holy place he covets, not for its holiness, but for its height. He has, I say, got possession of the holy place [but] not through the merit of his life. The election whereof he boasts is but a cloak for his malice. To call it an election at all is an impudent lie.” --Rev. Albert J. Luddy, The Life and Teachings of St. Bernard.

St. Jerome: "The abomination of desolation can be taken to mean as well every perverted doctrine. When we see such a thing stand in the holy place, that is in the Church and pretend it is God, we must flee…” --Breviary Lesson for the 24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost

Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich: "I had another vision of the great tribulation. It seems to me that a concession was demanded from the clergy which could not be granted. I saw many older priests, especially one, who wept bitterly. A few younger ones were also weeping. But others, and the lukewarm among them, readily did what was demanded. It was as if people were splitting into two camps."

"I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great, strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was to be admitted in it in order to be united and have equal rights: Protestants, Catholics, sects of every description. Such was to be the new Church ... But God had other designs."

"I saw again the strange big church that was being built there in Rome. There was nothing holy in it...I saw again the new and odd-looking church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it ... People were kneading bread in the crypt below ... but it would not rise, nor did they receive the body of our Lord, but only bread. Those who were in error, through no fault of their own, and who piously and ardently longed for the Body of Jesus were spiritually consoled, but not by their communion."---The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich, by Very Rev. Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R, Vol. ii, pages, pages 292-29

“The 'abomination of desolation' has been wrought in many Catholic churches by heretics and apostates who have broken altars, scattered relics of martyrs and desecrated the Blessed Sacrament. At the time of the French Revolution a lewd woman was seated upon the altar of the cathedral in Paris and worshiped as the goddess of reason. Such things but faintly foreshadow the abominations that will desecrate churches in those sorrowful days when Antichrist will seat himself at the altar to be adored as God,” (Rev. E.S. Berry, “The Apocalypse of St. John,” 1906)

To say the events HERE... are sad is to say the very least. One could think much more.

When the apostasy is universal, only the universal pastor can confront it and cleanse Christ's Church. If he does not, but allows heresies to flourish, well...and the Church in consequence shatters into remnants of believers holding to sacred tradition and scripture, changing nothing, as St. Vincent of Lerins admonished. Only the Church of Christ can know this pain and universal an apostasy, foretold long ago.

--Stephen Hand

Thoughts on the Universal Apostasy by Catholic Writers/Mystics

2009-10-16T14:54:00.006-05:00

"The apostasy of the city of Rome from the vicar of Christ and its destruction by Antichrist may be thoughts so new to many Catholics, that I think it well to recite the text of theologians of greatest repute. First Malvenda, who writes expressly on the subject, states as the opinion of Ribera, Gaspar Melus, Biegas, Suarrez, Bellarmine and Bosius that Rome shall apostatise from the faith, drive away the Vicar of Christ and return to its ancient paganism. ...Then the Church shall be scattered, driven into the wilderness, and shall be for a time, as it was in the beginning, invisible hidden in catacombs, in dens, in mountains, in lurking places; for a time it shall be swept, as it were from the face of the earth. Such is the universal testimony of the Fathers of the early Church."---Henry Edward Cardinal Manning, The Pope and the Antichrist: The Present Crisis of the Holy See Tested by Prophecy, (Saint Croix du Mont, France: Tradibooks, 2007), p. 18--see recommended resource section of this site for further details.

Prophecy of Restorer Pope One Day?

A prophecy of Bl. Anna Maria Taigi:

"All the enemies of the Church, secret as well as known, will perish during the [three days of chastising] darkness, with the exception of some whom God shall soon after convert. The air shall be infected by demons, who will appear under all sorts of hideous forms.

Blessed candles will preserve from death, as well as prayers to the Blessed Virgin and the holy angels. After the darkness, St. Peter and St. Paul shall descend to preach throughout the earth.

A great light emanating from them shall rest upon him whom God has chosen for the future Pope (the Lumen in Coelo of St. Malachi's well-known prophecy).

St. Michael, appearing on earth, shall chain up Satan until the times of the preaching of Antichrist.

Religion will everywhere extend its empire. Russia will be converted, as will also England and China ; and all nations will rejoice in contemplating this splendid triumph of the Church. Then will he accomplished the prophecy of our Lord: ' There shall be one fold and one shepherd.'

P. Calixte observes that the Blessed Joseph Labre had made a similar prediction, and had also said that it would be transferred before the end of the world to France."

Student Stabs Resource Officer at School: Officer Kills Student

2009-10-16T10:46:00.002-05:00

Student dead, officer stabbed at Carolina Forest High School
Tonya Root - troot@thesunnews.com
Friday, October 16, 2009

A 16-year-old male student was fatally shot this morning after an altercation with a resource officer at Carolina Forest High School, according to school officials.

The 11th-grade student, whose name was not released, died as a result of the incident, said Horry County Coroner Robert Edge.

The resource officer is being treated at Conway Hospital and is listed in good condition, said Julie Rajotte, spokeswoman for Conway Medical Center.

The student came to the school at 8:20 a.m. and asked to talk to the school's resource officer, Britton said.

The student was armed with a knife and got in a ''tussle'' with the resource officer, Britton said.

The student was shot and stabbed during the altercation and the officer was also injured, Britton said.

''Everything is under control at this point,'' Kegler said at 9:30 a.m. ''Nobody is in danger.''

The incident occurred at the F House area of the school.

On May 18, 2006, Natalia Holmes, an 18-year-old Carolina Forest student, was stabbed to death by her boyfriend as he was dropping her off at school. Edwin Cornelius was sentenced to life in prison after being pleading guilty of a murder charge last year.

More Indonesian Earthquakes

2009-10-16T10:29:00.005-05:00

Another Indonesian earthquake occurred this am which measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. The larger quake of roughly a week ago is thought to have resulted in over 1000 deaths and tens of thousands of damaged buildings. It has required a major humanitarian effort. It is not clear whether the earthquake from this morning has caused any significant death or destruction.

See THIS... for more.

Indonesia will face a far more devastating earthquake, seismologists warn
'We don't think this was the big one,' says a scientist in the region. In Padang, rescue workers give up the search for more survivors and concentrate on recovering bodies and clearing rubble.

Los Angeles Times World
By Charles McDermid
October 6, 2009

Reporting from Padang, Indonesia - Expect a far more powerful earthquake than last week's magnitude 7.6 temblor to hit Indonesia's devastated Padang area in the next few decades.

That's the word from a team of leading seismologists, who said the worst is yet to come, although they cautioned that predicting the timing of earthquakes is an inexact science at best.

After a three-day review of seismic evidence using global-positioning equipment, scientists with the Earth Observatory of Singapore, or EOS, found that the earthquake that hit the Indonesian city of Padang did little to relieve the stored tension at the juncture of two tectonic plates.

The EOS team believes that the eventual energy release could result in an earthquake close to the scale of the magnitude 9 monster that triggered the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, killing more than 200,000 in a dozen countries.

"We don't think this was the big one," said Paramesh Banerjee, technical director of EOS, a $700-million government-funded institute for the study of tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes and climate. "It can happen any time -- now, in 20 years or more."

On Monday, rescue workers ended their search for life beneath the rubble, shifting their focus instead to helping survivors in the area around Padang, a port city of 900,000 on Sumatra island. But their efforts were hampered by torrential rain.

The government's official death toll stood at 603, although the United Nations said 1,100 people died and other disaster specialists said the number will probably climb to several thousand after more corpses are unearthed.

Gagah Prakoso, a spokesman for the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency, told reporters that chances of anyone surviving this long without food and water were slim, prompting the decision to concentrate on finding bodies and cleaning up the rubble.

Indonesia faces a huge rebuilding task. More than 88,000 houses and 285 schools were destroyed in 10 districts, according to the U.N. and Indonesia's Disaster Management Agency, with an additional 100,000 public buildings and 20 miles of road damaged.

Seismologists said the earthquake occurred in the collision zone where the Indo-Australian Plate dives beneath the Sunda Plate, which is below Padang and the Indonesian province of Aceh, which was battered by the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.

"When one plate goes beneath another it's called 'subduction,' " Banerjee said. "But it doesn't go smoothly. It gets stuck and then it slips. This slip is an earthquake."

According to Richard Briggs of the U.S. Geological Survey, these plates converge, colliding at a few inches a year, with the stress stored for decades or centuries before being released suddenly as large, damaging earthquakes. The magnitude of the earthquake depends on the size of the fault and how much the fault slips during a sudden rupture.

In the case of the Sunda megathrust fault, which parallels the west coast of Sumatra, the 850-mile northern portion slipped as much as 100 feet in 2004, triggering the tsunami. In 2005, a 210-mile portion directly to the south slipped more than 40 feet during the magnitude 8.7 earthquake that devastated the Nias, Banyak and Simeulue islands.

The portion of the fault next in line, offshore Padang, has yet to slip despite the most recent quake, according to the EOS.

The idea that a mammoth earthquake is coming to Padang is nothing new to paleoseismologist and EOS director Kerry Sieh, who has been studying the regions' tectonics for the last 18 years. Sieh's team has identified the sequence of Padang-area earthquakes using GPS data, historical records and the growth patterns of coral based on its uranium content.

Since the December 2004 tsunami, the scientists have produced papers and statements and spoken to local officials about the risk. With partial financing from the California Institute of Technology, where he had been a professor, Sieh printed posters in English and Indonesian and took them to outlying islands to discuss with village elders and fishermen what he believed was an inevitable earthquake and subsequent tsunami. "They were interested, but we weren't taken seriously," he said.

The city of Padang has tried to foster earthquake and tsunami preparedness by providing public service announcements, seminars and evacuation routes. Still, Wednesday's quake brought a high toll in lives and buildings -- a fact exacerbated by the area's relative poverty and questionable construction standards.

Vice Gov. H. Marlis Rahman acknowledged that the area needs to prepare for the next earthquake. But experts warn that apathy and human nature often take their course.

"The problem is we're too busy with laundry, taking kids to school, catching fish to feed your family to worry about low-probability, low-risk hazards," Sieh said. But, he added, the risk of not preparing for the inevitable is great.

"The people in charge of Padang have had lots of things going on," he said, "but they've got a lot more now."

Eschatological Vision of Anne Catherine Emmerich: Battle Within the Church

2009-10-15T06:39:00.007-05:00

From friend of this site, Stephen Hand, HERE...
Why Catholics resist...

"I had another vision of the great tribulation. It seems to me that a concession was demanded from the clergy which could not be granted. I saw many older priests, especially one, who wept bitterly. A few younger ones were also weeping. But others, and the lukewarm among them, readily did what was demanded. It was as if people were splitting into two camps."

"I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great, strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was to be admitted in it in order to be united and have equal rights: Protestants, Catholics, sects of every description. Such was to be the new Church ... But God had other designs."

"I saw again the strange big church that was being built there in Rome. There was nothing holy in it. I saw this just as I saw a movement led by Ecclesiastics to which contributed angels, saints, and other Christians. But there in the strange big church all the work was being done mechanically according to set rules and formulae. Everything was being done according to human reason ...I saw all sorts of people, things, doctrines, and opinions. There was something proud, presumptuous, and violent about it, and they seemed very successful. I did not see a single Angel nor a single saint helping in the work. But far away in the background, I saw the seat of the cruel people armed with spears, and I saw a laughing figure which said: 'Do build it as solid as you can; we will pull it to the ground.'"

The Bread Would Not Rise

"I saw again the new and odd-looking church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it ... People were kneading bread in the crypt below ... but it would not rise, nor did they receive the body of our Lord, but only bread. Those who were in error, through no fault of their own, and who piously and ardently longed for the Body of Jesus were spiritually consoled, but not by their communion."

"Then my Guide (Jesus) said: 'This is Babel.'"

"I saw deplorable things: they were gambling, drinking, and talking in church; they were also courting women. All sorts of abominations were perpetrated there. Priests allowed everything and said Mass with much irreverence. I saw that few of them were still godly... All these things caused me much distress."

"I was in such distress that I cried out to Jesus with all my might, imploring His mercy... He said, among other things, that this translation of the church from one place to another meant that she would seem to be in complete decline. But she would rise again; even if there remained but one Catholic, the church would conquer again because she does not rest on human counsels and intelligence..."

Apron, trowel

"I saw St. Peter's. A great crowd of men was trying to pull it down whilst others constantly built it up again. Lines connected these men one with another and with others throughout the whole world. I was amazed at their perfect understanding."

"The demolishers, mostly apostates and members of different sects, broke off whole pieces and worked according to rules and instructions. They wore white aprons bound with blue riband. In them were pockets and they had trowels stuck in their belts. The costumes of the others were various."

"There were among the demolishers distinguished men wearing uniforms and crosses. They did not work themselves but they marked out on the wall with a trowel where and how it should be torn down. To my horror, I saw among them Catholic Priests. Whenever the workmen did not know how to go on, they went to a certain one in their party. He had a large book which seemed to contain the whole plan of the building and the way to destroy it."

"They marked out exactly with a trowel the parts to be attacked, and they soon came down. They worked quietly and confidently, but slyly, furtively and warily. I saw the Pope praying, surrounded by false friends who often did the very opposite to what he had ordered..." (The awakened restoring pope to come)

---from The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich by Rev. Carl E. Schmoeger, C.SS.R; maranatha. The venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774 - 1824) was a German Augustinian nun, stigmatist (bore the wounds of Christ), and miracle-worker

The Victim Soul (Venerable Anne-Catherine Emmerich) Prophetically Spoke of a Pope in Exile

"I see the Holy Father in great distress. He lives in another palace and receives only a few in his presence. If the wicked party know their own great strength, they would even now have made an attack. I fear the Holy Father will suffer many tribulations before his death, for I see the black counterfeit church gaining ground, I see its fatal influence on the public. The distress of the Holy Father and of the Church is really so great that one ought to pray to God day and night. I have been told to pray much for the Church and the Pope...The people must pray earnestly for the extirpation (Rooting out, destruction) of the dark church." -Prophetic Vision of Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824 A.D.) Augustinian Nun, Stigmatist from the book, The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich, by Very Rev. Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R, Vol. ii, pages (Ibid, pages 292-293)

Kids arrested after teen is set on fire

2009-10-14T08:14:00.003-05:00

By: Mike Aquilia

Deerfield Beach, Florida - As 15-year-old Michael Brewer lies sedated in a hospital bed with burns over 65 percent of his body, Broward Sheriff's deputies say they've arrested three juveniles who intentionally set him on fire.

Brewer's mother, Valerie says, "We just don't understand why anyone would do this."

The attack happened outside the Lime Tree Village Apartments, 429 SE 13 Ct., in Deerfield Beach around 3:15 p.m. on Monday afternoon. A witness said she saw a group of boys running in the complex so she went outside to investigate.

"Somebody threw something at (Michael)," Providencia Maldonado said. "I don't know if it was gas or alcohol or something and the next thing you know the kid is on fire."

After the attack, Michael ripped off his burning T-shirt and ran to a nearby pool. A neighbor also grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

Neighbor Jennifer Nielsen, a former lifeguard, heard screaming and ran outside to help. She said she comforted Michael as he screamed in agony.

"I was like who did this to you? What happened?" she said. "He said someone threw something on me. He couldn't even say liquid. He said someone threw something on me, so it was a surprise attack."

Nielsen said Brewer's top layer of skin was peeling off, his eyebrows were gone as was the hair on the right side of his head.

"I'm still shaken up," she said. "But I'm happy I was there for that child. I just want that child to be OK."

Brewer was meeting some friends at the apartment complex when deputies say someone doused him with an accelerant and burned him.

His sister believes this dates back to an argument that began Sunday when a teenager tried to steal a bike belonging to Michael's father at the family's home.

"I told the 14 year old kid, 'Please leave the premises, you're not welcome here.' He then turned around and started threatening me and my children," Durkee said.

Durkee said Michael, who loves skateboarding and video games, is a good kid who needs his family more than ever.

"I believe he will be able to make it if everybody just prays for him," Durkee said.

The teen had been airlifted to Broward General Medical Center, but it was determined he should be taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The pain of the burns was so intense that he had to be placed on a medically induced coma.

Michael's mother said her son will need numerous skin grafts and will likely spend months in the hospital recovering.

Four Teens Accused Of Stabbing Kimberly Cates To Death

October 8, 2009
by Morbid

MONT VERNON, New Hampshire – Residents of the small, hilly town of Mont Vernon are in a state of shock after four teens entered a home to rob it, and attacked a 41-year-old mother and her 11-year-old daughter. Using a machete and a knife, Kimberly Cates was attacked while she lay in her bed and killed by multiple sharp injuries to the head, torso, left arm, and left leg. Her daughter survived the attack although she suffered severe stabbing injuries and spent hours in surgery. The attack was a completely random one, Cate’s home chosen simply because it was isolated. “They picked the house at random because it was in an isolated area,” prosecutor N. William Delker said today during the teens’ arraignments in Milford District Court. “Before they entered the home, all four defendants were aware that the intent was to kill the occupants.”

At around 4 a.m. Sunday, Steven Spader, 17; Christopher Gribble, 19; William Marks, 18; and Quinn Glover, 17 have all been arrested for their part in the crimes. Spader and Gribble were charged with first degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. Marks and Glover were charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and armed robbery – although prosecutors claim that Glover and Marks were both armed with a deadly weapon, and Glover was fully aware that the occupants of the home would be killed.

Cate’s husband was away on business but flew back to be with his daughter in the hospital. She is expected to survive, but she will obviously have some major issues because of this. What a pity that these idiots could not have broken into a tweaker couple’s house or something. By all reports, Kimberly was an awesome lady. John Quinlan, a Mont Vernon selectman, and friend of the Cates family for five years described 42-year-old mother and nurse Kimberly Cates as an unusually friendly, happy woman devoted to her daughter.

“She was very much the extrovert,” Quinlan said. “The mother and daughter were inseparable. They were almost best friends as well. That’s what I think makes this worse because you can’t imagine anyone having a bad thought about her or a gripe with her.”

Some information on the teens have come to light as friends all report the same thing. Four kids who all fell into a downward spiral over recent years. Spader was a longtime Boy Scout who in recent months grew increasingly distant and depressed. He has a lengthy criminal record including threatening teens with a tire iron after ramming their car, charges of possessing stolen stereo equipment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and marijuana possession charges. Most of these within recent months.

Gribble was a home-schooled Mormon who was planning to become a church missionary. Like a lot of kids raised in that environment (not all, people) he ended up rebelling X10 becoming a dark and brooding figure itching to lash out and become very fond of knives. It is reported that Marks is insecure and angst-ridden teen, and took a turn for the worse after meeting Spader. The same goes for Glover, a musician who performed in coffee shops, sang in the chorus, and starred in a school production of Cabaret (Cabaret reviews).

While New Hampshire does have a death penalty, these boys are not eligible for it. According to the New Hampshire attorney general’s office, the crime does not fit within the state’s definition of a capital murder. The death penalty is only on the table when a law enforcement or judicial officer is killed in the line of duty, in the case of murder-for-hire, if the accused is currently serving a life sentence or when the murder occurs in connection with a kidnapping, drug crime or sexual assault.

Whatever. I am sure that this case will continue to get more heinous as some of these teens turn on each other (my bet is on Marks) and the details on exactly what transpired in that home is revealed. To be able to attack a defenseless woman in her home while she slept in her bed is one thing, but to be able to do the same to an 11-year-old girl? Seriously, fuck ‘em. Fuck their childhoods.

"...and because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold." (Matt. 24: 12)

Over 270 killed in India floods

2009-10-11T20:15:00.002-05:00

October 5, 2009
CNN

By Harmeet Shah Singh

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- The number of dead in devastating floods triggered by torrential rains in India has risen to at least 271, and about a million people have fled their homes, officials said Monday.

At least 192 people have died in the southern state of Karnataka, its disaster-management secretary H.V. Parshwanath told CNN.

More than 450,000 people there have been housed in 1,330 relief camps as authorities completed rescue operations in most of the flooded zones in the state, he said.

"The focus is now mainly on relief," Parshwanath said, adding that rains have now eased in Karnataka.

In neighboring Andhra Pradesh, authorities put the death toll at 51. Some 531,000 people have been evacuated to safety, with more half of them now sheltering in relief camps, said Dinesh Kumar, the commissioner of the state's disaster-monitoring department.

India has deployed the military to help with relief and rescue in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

More than a dozen teams of naval divers have been sent to the two flood-hit states, the country's defense ministry said.

Air force planes and helicopters have also been dropping food packets in the submerged regions.

The military has been able to rescue 1,336 people so far, it added.

Flood waters were now receding in two of the five worst hit districts of Andhra Pradesh, disaster official Kumar said.

But floodwaters from a local river might submerge the remaining three, he warned.

Flooding also killed at least 25 people in Maharashtra state, officials said. Three others died because of lightning strikes, said S.C. Mohanty, director of Maharashtra's disaster-management department.

About 3,000 people have been displaced because of flooding, he told CNN. Thousands of people die each year in India during seasonal monsoon rains.

More than 1,100 had been killed in monsoon-triggered flooding in different parts of the country as of last month, according to the disaster-management division of the federal home ministry.

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world." (Luke 21: 25-26)

"War, Rumors of Wars"

2009-10-11T20:05:00.004-05:00

Obama and the Nobel Prize: When War becomes Peace, When the Lie becomes the Truth
By Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research,
October 11, 2009

...The diabolical nature of this military project was outlined in the 2000 Project for a New American Century (PNAC)....War against the Truth

This is a war against the truth. When war becomes peace, the world is turned upside down. Conceptualization is no longer possible. An inquisitorial social system emerges.

An understanding of fundamental social and political events is replaced by a World of sheer fantasy, where "evil folks" are lurking. The objective of the "Global War on Terrorism" which has been fully endorsed by Obama administration has been to galvanize public support for a Worldwide campaign against heresy.

MORE...

NOTE:

The description given above by the author is chillingly similar to biblical warnings which predict that a time will come when right is called wrong and wrong is said to be right. In many ways, the time has arrived.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Sumatra earthquake rescue operation scaled back

2009-10-04T10:12:00.003-05:00

Rescue workers have started scaling down their efforts in the Indonesian port city of Padang as hopes of finding any more survivors from last week's earthquake faded.

Padang Alai four days after the earthquake

Telegraph UK
By Peter Foster in Padang
Published: 1:42PM BST 04 Oct 2009

Indonesia's health minister estimated the death toll from the 7.6 magnitude quake would reach 3,000 when those listed as 'missing' were included among the dead. The confirmed total now stands at 1,300.

As relief efforts began to concentrate on delivering food, medicine and shelter to survivors, many of whom are living outside in remote villages in the Sumatran jungle, heavy machinery was moved in to clear fallen buildings in the city. MORE...

Five Die in Philippines Typhoon

2009-10-04T10:01:00.003-05:00

Sunday, October 4, 2009, 08:20

Reuters

A powerful typhoon moved out to sea this morning after slamming into the remote northeastern Philippines and killing five people, but damage and flooding, while extensive, was less than feared.

Typhoon Parma, the strongest typhoon to hit the country since 2006, was north of the main Luzon island and moving northwest at 9 km per hour (6 mph), the weather bureau said.

It had weakened, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gusts of up to 150 kph, but authorities in Taiwan have issued a warning to sailors as Parma was likely to enter its southern waters in the next day or two.

"The destruction in our infrastructure and agriculture is huge," said Alvaro Antonio, the governor of the northern Cagayan province that bore the brunt of the storm. "Wide areas are still under water, including ricelands about to be harvested."

The system brought rain across Luzon on Saturday but not as heavily as feared, especially along the densely populated west coast where floods in and around Manila from Typhoon Ketsana eight days ago killed nearly 300 people.

Officials had feared rain would spark fresh floods in Manila since reservoirs and dams around the capital are full and the sewage system is inundated with mud and rubbish brought by last week's deluge.

Fallen trees and floods cut off roads in Cagayan and neighbouring Isabela province. Soldiers, in rubber boats and armed with chain saws, started to clear roads and rescue marooned communities, officials said.

Mr Antonio said many areas remained inaccessible due to power outages and disruption in communications. "Winds are still strong, but no more rains. Our relief works are ongoing," he said.

About 5,000 people remained in temporary shelter areas. More than 130,000 people in the country's eastern seaboard had fled their homes ahead of typhoon Parma.

At least three people were killed in Isabela and two in the central Bicol region, where Parma had swept through earlier in the week.

Local government officials reported more than 100 million pesos ($2.1 million) in crop damage, particularly in rice and corn farms in Isabela and Cagayan.

Arroyo declared a nationwide calamity on Friday to allow local governments to access emergency funds and cap the prices of essential goods. She also ordered troops to evacuate more than 100,000 people from areas at risk from the typhoon.

Why some conservative Catholics want to stop Pope John Paul II being made a saint

2009-10-02T07:21:00.008-05:00

By Damian Thompson
UK Telegraph
August 18th, 2009

For a long time now, some conservative Catholics – most of them hard-line traditionalists – have been discreetly slagging off the late Pope John Paul II. One priest I know grimaces every time his name is mentioned. “Oh, you mean, ‘John Paul the Great’,” he says,” rolling his eyes. He does not want him to be made a saint – not because he thinks he was a bad man, but because he thinks that, despite his heroic witness against Communism, he damaged the Church.

The charge sheet against JPII goes something like this:

1. He allowed truly terrible appointments to be made in Rome and to diocesan sees around the world. England and Wales was bad enough, but some bishops in Germany and France are what you might call “Vatican II protestants”. These bishops are now intent on wrecking the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

2. As a result of bad appointments, especially in America, the scandal of clerical sex abuse gathered pace, and for one reason or another – perhaps because he was so busy traveling – John Paul II failed to act swiftly (or at all, in the early days). He allowed guilty priests to be moved to parishes where they carried on abusing minors.

3. He tried to improve the liturgy, but in practice allowed bishops and priests to do their own thing, turning the sanctuary into a sort of talent show for women “eucharistic ministers”. And the papal MC, Archbishop Piero Marini, set a terrible example by dressing the Pope in Star Trek outfits and adding a touch of Butlins to international jamborees.

4. John Paul’s attempts to reach out to other faiths effectively celebrated and validated non-Christian religions. Conservative Catholics still feel outrage at the memory of the Pope praying with the Dalai Lama et al at Assisi, and kissing the Koran on a visit to Syria (see photo above).

Until now, most anti-JPII sentiment has been expressed privately. But take a look at this post on the website RenewAmerica, from Eric Giunta, a conservative law student.

Once again, the Catholic world has been rocked by yet more allegations of sexual impropriety by Legionnaires of Christ founder, the late Fr. Marcial Maciel. It seems the now-disgraced founder-cum-pervert fathered more children than previously suspected; the latest claimants to his paternity purport to have evidence that the late Pope John Paul II knew of Maciel’s sexual dalliances, and turned a blind eye to them …

The allegations highlight what for all too many Catholics is the elephant-in-the-room when discussing the ills which beset the modern Church: the extent to which the late Pope John Paul II was an enabler of these perversions, from sexual and liturgical abuse to theological dissent and the scandal of Catholic politicians who support the most immoral of social policies with the tacit or express blessings of their Church.

One does not need to deny or disparage the personal sanctity, thoughtful conservatism, or religious orthodoxy of the late Pontiff in order to acknowledge that his Pontificate, by all accounts, was a glorious failure. Yes, he aided in the fall of Eastern European Communism, but the Pope of Rome is not primarily a mover and shaker of state politics, but a Christian pastor whose mission it is to save souls, convert the lost, and govern his church in such a way that it resembles, as best as possible, the city on a hill, the light of the world …

Giunta does not want to see the feast day of Pope St John Paul II added the calendar:

Though Catholics and others are loathe to admit it of an otherwise beloved Pope, John Paul II oversaw a church which deteriorated in both its inner and outer life. His callous indifference toward the victims of priestly sexual abuse in refusing to meet personally with a single one of them, and his stubborn refusal to compel the resignation from office of any of the bishops who aided, abetted, and covered-up the abuse, are testamentary to his utter failure: not as a Catholic or a theologian, but as a Pope.

And this is precisely why he should not be canonized. For in the Catholic (and popular) understanding, canonization is not simply a technical decree indicating one’s everlasting abode in Paradise; it is, in addition, the Church’s solemn endorsement of a Christian’s heroic virtue. The question the Catholic Church must ask herself is: Was John Paul II a model of “heroic” papal virtue?

Contrary to leftist media reportage, the late Pope was not an authoritarian despot, bent on enforcing Catholic orthodoxy on an unwilling church. Quite the contrary: theological liberals and dissenters flourished in all of the Church’s structures, from lay politics and Catholic universities, to the ranks of priests and bishops. Not a single pro-abortion Catholic politician has been excommunicated from the church; only a handful of openly heretical priests were asked to stop teaching theology, but were otherwise permitted to exercise their priestly ministry unhindered. The Church in Austria openly dissents from orthodox Catholicism with papal impunity. Fr. Richard McBrien, Sr. Joan Chittiser, Roger Cardinal Mahoney of Los Angeles, Hans Kung, Charles Curran, Notre Dame University, dissenters galore: the overwhelming majority of prominent far-leftist, theologically modernist Catholic organizations, speakers, and theologians are Catholics in good standing with their church, and are frequently given an official platform at church-sponsored institutions and events. To give just two more examples, several Catholic parishes and universities flaunt themselves as “gay-friendly” in a directory published by the Conference of Catholic Lesbians. These speakers and institutions are in just as good standing with the Church as so-called “orthodox” Catholic pundits and writers.

I don’t endorse these views: in fact, it seems perfectly obvious that the reign of John Paul II was one of slowly growing orthodoxy in the Church, nurtured by his Catechism and a series of magnificent encyclicals. And those Catholics who want to draw a sharp distinction between the agendas of John Paul and Benedict are overlooking the fact that the theological direction of the last pontificate owed an enormous amount to the current Holy Father, who would be horrified by Giunta’s article.

Yet this debate is clearly gathering pace. JPII loyalists are also on the warpath. (George Weigel is using the Maciel scandal as a stick with which to beat this administration, not the last one.) So I’d be interested in your views.

Editor's NOTE:

The current "Holy Father" and John Paul II are in large part responsible for the deplorable condition of the Roman Catholic Church. Contrary to the claims of Damian Thompson, there is no evidence whatsoever that "the reign of John Paul II was one of slowly growing orthodoxy in the Church." Quite the opposite is actually the case. In virtually every quantifiable category, the Church deteriorated markedly during the "reign" of John Paul II. He was singularly guilty of a most reprehensible degree of malfeasance. Without question, he neglected to "protect the sheep from ravenous wolves" failing Christ's threefold interrogatory to St. Peter: "DO YOU LOVE ME"?

A few encyclicals--which in certain admittedly orthodox areas e.g. his largely Thomistic teaching on moral philosophy in Veritatis splendor--are not enough to excuse his complete failure to protect the faith and shield the faithful from Heretics and Apostates. Millions of souls were no doubt lost due to his unwillingness or inability to uphold the orthodox Roman Catholic faith in its entirety--in the fashion of a Pope St. Pius V or Pope St. Pius X. The fact that we have had four heterodox (neo-Modernist) Popes since Pope Pius XII no doubt makes it difficult to appreciate just how great some of the Popes were throughout the latter part of the nineteenth and first part of the twentieth centuries.

These highly critical remarks regarding the notoriously poor governance of the Roman Catholic Church which John Paul II oversaw are not meant in any way to cast aspersions on him as a man or as a presumably dedicated Christian. Only God knows of course what was truly in his heart and soul. Nevertheless, it remains inexplicable to this writer how he could have failed so miserably as Pope if he was devoutly committed to Christianity as is alleged of him.

In any case, there is no role on earth which is equivalent to serving as the Vicar of Christ. Few men apparently possess the personal piety, intellectual and spiritual capacity including the will/moral courage to discharge the position wisely and effectively. John Paul II clearly lacked the willpower necessary to be a great Pope even if one grants that he possessed the personal piety, the intellect and the spirituality. That being the case, it would be a tragedy if he were to be canonized a Saint in the Catholic Church. The Church Militant suffered horrendously under his watch and continues to do so--"By their fruits you shall know them." That alone should be enough to disqualify him.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Somoans Tell of Indescribable Waves

2009-10-01T09:40:00.003-05:00

Somoan's who survived the Tsunami there tell of wave which reached the top of power poles. Everything in the path of the wave has been destroyed.

"Hundreds are feared dead as at least 15 quakes hit two areas along the 'Pacific ring of fire' in three days." MORE...

More Natural Disasters as Second Powerful Earthquake Rocks Indonesia

2009-10-01T09:01:00.005-05:00

...Thousands of people are trapped under the rubble in Padang, a city of 900,000, a senior Indonesian health ministry official said.

Rustam Pakaya, the head of the health ministry's disaster centre, said via a telephone text message that a hospital in Padang in the area near the epicentre of the quake had also collapsed.

'Jamil hospital collapsed and thousands of people are trapped in the rubble of buildings,' Pakaya said.

A resident called Adi told Indonesia's Metro Television there was devastation around him. 'For now I can't see dead bodies, just collapsed houses. Some half destroyed, others completely. People are standing around too scared to go back inside. They fear a tsunami.

'No help has arrived yet. I can see small children standing around carrying blankets. Some people are looking for relatives but all the lights have gone out completely.'

In Samoa, signs of devastation from the tsunami were everywhere, with a giant boat washed ashore lying on the edge of a highway and flood waters swallowing up cars and homes.

It struck about 120 miles (190 kilometres) from neighbouring American Samoa, a U.S. territory that is home to 65,000 people.The waves reached as far as Japan, although Hawaii and Australia were spared any severe damage.

In Washington, President Barack Obama declared a disaster for American Samoa. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was deploying teams to provide support and assess damage.

Samoan Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi looked shaken today on board a flight from Auckland, New Zealand, to the Samoan capital of Apia.

'So much has gone. So many people are gone,' he told reporters on board. 'I'm so shocked, so saddened by all the loss.'

Malielegaoi said his own village of Lepa was destroyed. President Thomas Lapua, who lives in the Western Samoan capital of Apia, said: 'These are places that exist because people depend on the sea to fish - now the sea is threatening their lives. It may be some time before we find out the full extent of this.'

The quake hit at 6:48 am local time (17:48 GMT) midway between the two island groups. At least one entire village in American Samoa was reported to have been flattened by the tsunami, later reports said, but confirmation of the destruction was difficult because communications were cut to many areas.

A Samoan resident, Mr Keni Lesa was preparing to take his family to higher ground as the tsunami warning went out. 'We've done a lot of training for this, but it still a shock when it actually happens and you hear the warnings going out on the radio.'

'There are a considerable number of people who've been swept out to sea and are unaccounted for,' New Zealand's acting Prime Minister Bill English said.

New earthquake rattles Sumatra, Indonesia again
BBC, CNN, Reuters
Posted by: Sean Ecker on 1 October 2009 at 9:27

A second earthquake in under 24 hours, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, shook southern Sumatra in Indonesia Thursday morning 1 October. Sumatrans were still recovering from the earlier, stronger earthquake in the port of Padang which has left at least 400 dead and many people trapped under collapsed buildings. The death toll could climb into the thousands, officials fear.

The earthquakes come days after a strong tremor shook the Pacific islands of Samoa, leaving many villages flattened and over 100 people dead. Experts say that the earthquakes are all on the edge of the Australian tectonic plate where it comes into contact with the Eurasian plate, in the case of the Sumatra earthquakes, and where it bumps up against the Pacific plate in the case of the Samoan earthquake.

Death Toll Mounts as Second Earthquake Strikes Indonesia

Quakes Wreak Destruction in Indonesia, the Samoas
Hundreds of people were killed in a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that originated in the sea off Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The day before, a tsunami hit islands in the South Pacific after a morning quake, leaving more than 150 people dead or missing.

By Andrew Higgins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 1, 2009; 9:19 AM

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 1 -- A major earthquake that killed hundreds and possibly thousands of people on the Indonesian island of Sumatra follows an unusual period of seismic turmoil that scientists say likely heralds a catastrophic quake on a scale not seen in the area for more than 150 years.

A 7.6 magnitude quake Wednesday leveled hundreds of buildings, including hospitals, in Padang, a boisterous port city of 900,000 people on the west coast of Sumatra. It also shook buildings in Singapore and Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. A second, less severe quake hit another part of Sumatra Thursday.

Officials put the death toll in Padang at more than 500 but noted that the figure will likely rise. They said many residents remain trapped in the rubble.

Kerry Sieh, an American seismologist at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said Sumatra's current seismic spasms began in 2000 and have since produced about 30 quakes. Far worse is yet to come, he said, though not immediately.

"If you have a time-lapse picture of the Challenger space shuttle disaster, the first thing you see is a little flame, a tear, and then the whole thing blows apart," said Sieh, an authority on the area's geology and director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. "This is what is happening in Sumatra but in slow motion. The biggest explosion is yet to happen."

As rescue workers scrambled Thursday to dig survivors out of wrecked buildings in Padang, power cuts and heavy rain hampered their efforts. Severed phone lines made communication with Padang difficult. Indonesia's health minister said thousands may have been killed but cautioned that information is still scant.

The Sumatra quakes do not appear to be directly connected to an earthquake roughly 6,000 miles away that triggered a tsunami Wednesday on the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, scientists said. But Sumatra and the Pacific islands all lie within the so-called "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic turbulence noted for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Along a fault line that stretches from Burma to Australia, two tectonic plates meet and grind against each other. A rupture along this line caused the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, in which around 230,000 people perished, many of them in the northern Sumatra region of Aceh.

Earthquakes in and around Sumatra are "becoming more frequent and of higher intensity," said Haryadi Permana, a geologist at the Indonesia Science and Technology Agency. A massive quake will likely occur in coming decades, he said, but "it is impossible to predict when." He said scientists have long warned that Padang and other towns were under threat, but "the government never cared about that."

Some buildings in the city were reinforced before this week's disaster, but many still crumpled. Fearing more tremors, residents left their homes and prepared to sleep outside. Some hospitals have moved patients onto streets. Outside Padang's partially collapsed Jamil Hospital, at least 40 corpses were lying on the ground, Reuters news agency reported.

Before flying to Padang Thursday from Jakarta, Indonesia's health minister, Siti Fadilah Supari, said that thousands had probably died, but she added, "We don't really know yet."

Sumatra is the center of Indonesia's oil and gas industry and home to endangered animals such as the Sumatran tiger and wild orangutan. Their habitat has been steadily reduced by illegal logging and the growth of Indonesia's powerful pulp and paper combines. Building regulations are often ignored, and Indonesia's relatively vibrant economy has left Padang and other towns on Sumatra scattered with flimsy, hastily built structures.

Sieh, the American expert in Singapore, said Wednesday's Padang quake occurred along the Mentawai patch, a 435-mile section of what is known as the Sunda megathrust, a 3,400-mile fault line that cuts across Southeast Asia. The megathrust runs south from Bangladesh, curves around the western and southern flanks of Sumatra, Java, Bali and eastern Indonesia and stretches to northwestern Australia.

Over the centuries, he said, this section has had long periods of calm followed by several decades of intense and dangerous activity. By using coral to measure changes in sealevel and other factors, he and fellow scientists have identified three distinct periods of activity, each roughly 200 years apart, since the early 14th century.

Sumatra's current seismic turmoil, he said, marks the fourth such episode and, like previous ones, will likely end with a massive quake. The last one was in 1833.

"There is no place in the world that has more wake-up calls than Padang," Sieh said. But getting governments to focus on catastrophes out of immediate view is difficult. "When it comes to things that only happen every few hundreds years . . . we are not geared to think about it."

Washington, Sieh said, has far more experts who worry about political conflict in Kashmir than "about a fault line [in Kashmir] that could kill all of them."

"There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21: 11)

Another Massive Natural Disaster:

2009-09-30T08:38:00.008-05:00

Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Near Samoa
AFP

Sept. 29, 2009 -- A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of up to 8.3 struck off the South Pacific island nation of Samoa on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami as coastal residents fled to higher ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves 1.57 meters (five feet) tall hit American Samoa, while 0.7 meter waves were recorded in Samoa.

The center had earlier issued a tsunami warning for a large swathe of the South Pacific including Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga after the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 7.9 magnitude quake.

The center later said an 8.3 magnitude quake had been recorded at a depth of 33 kilometers (21 miles). It was not immediately clear if this was the same quake and the USGS's website did not provide exact details of its location.

"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," said a statement from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

"It may have been destructive along coasts neat the earthquake epicenter and could alo be a threat to more distant coasts. Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility."

Samoa resident Keni Lesa told AFP in the capital Apia that people were moving inland.

"I'm taking my family to a safe place. Everyone's getting out of coastal areas," he said.

But Lesa said there was no panic as "we have done a lot of training for this," living on a low lying island in an earthquake prone area.

There were no immediate reports of damage from the earthquake, apart from a few landslips.

In its preliminary earthquake report, the USGS put the epicenter 204 kilometers (126.8 miles) south-southwest of Samoa's capital Apia and at a depth of 85 kilometers (52.8 miles).

The tsunami warning was also in effect for American Samoa, Samoa, Niue Island, the Wallis and Futuna Islands, the Tokelau atolls, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Kermadec Islands, the Baker and Howland Islands, Jarvis Island, French Polynesia and the Palmyra Islands.

A tsunami watch was issued for Vanuatu, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Kosrae Island, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Pohnpei in Micronesia, the Wake Islands, Pitcairn and the Midway Islands.

The USGS said the region was struck by a 5.6 magnitude quake around 20 minutes after the first.

Tsunami Wipes Out Villages in South Pacific
Disaster Highlights Challenge of Establishing Effective Warning Systems

Wallstreet Journal
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, 9:52 A.M. ET
By PATRICK BARTA

Victims of the tsunami that swept across the South Pacific had only minutes to escape the deadly waves and in some cases didn't receive alerts of danger, despite years of work to upgrade early-warning systems across the region.

At least 99 people were killed and dozens left missing by the tsunami, which inundated tourist resorts and local villages after a massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Samoa early Tuesday morning local time. Disaster authorities warned the death toll could rise significantly over the next few days as the full scale of the disaster – much of which occurred in remote areas – is assessed.

A boat from Malaloa Marina is seen on the edge of the main highway in the village of Fagatogo in American Samoa.

Reporting from Wellington, New Zealand, Dow Jones Newswires' Simon Louisson tells The News Hub at least one village in Samoa was wiped out by a tsunami wave. The wave followed a massive earthquake that struck close to the Pacific Island group.

Fears of further waves generally abated late in the day as relief workers set about treating victims and recovering bodies that were washing up along the shores. Although small waves were measured as far away as Japan, that country withdrew its tsunami warnings by afternoon and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, which monitors possible tsunami threats in the region and issued its own temporary warnings earlier, didn't raise fresh alerts.

The warnings appeared to help prevent injury in some areas. Residents in the Samoan capital of Apia said emergency officials fanned out across the city to warn of the Tsunami Warning Center's first alerts, while staff at Aggie Grey's, a historic hotel along the waterfront, said they quickly moved guests to upper levels to escape danger.

"There were sirens and emergency workers all over the place, pestering people to walk up the hill," said Cherelle Jackson, a resident. But much of the worst danger "was on the other side of the island," she said, and informing residents in those areas, which are less densely populated, was much harder. In some places, she and others said, the messages didn't get through.MORE...

NOTE:

The Tsunami wave was measured at up to 20 feet high. The latest death toll has risen to over 100. After-shocks continue to be a problem. This event comes very closely on the heals of the catastrophic flooding in the Philippines.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

"There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21: 11)

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world." (Luke 21: 25-26)

Wars, Rumors of Wars

2009-09-29T10:39:00.004-05:00

U.S., NATO Poised For Most Massive War In Afghanistan's History

By Rick Rozoff
Global Research,
September 24, 2009

Over the past week U.S. newspapers and television networks have been abuzz with reports that Washington and its NATO allies are planning an unprecedented increase of troops for the war in Afghanistan, even in addition to the 17,000 new American and several thousand NATO forces that have been committed to the war so far this year.

The number, based on as yet unsubstantiated reports of what U.S. and NATO commander Stanley McChrystal and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen have demanded of the White House, range from 10,000 to 45,000.

Fox News has cited figures as high as 45,000 more American soldiers and ABC News as many as 40,000. On September 15 the Christian Science Monitor wrote of "perhaps as many as 45,000."

The similarity of the estimates indicate that a number has been agreed upon and America's obedient media is preparing domestic audiences for the possibility of the largest escalation of foreign armed forces in Afghanistan's history. Only seven years ago the United States had 5,000 troops in the country, but was scheduled to have 68,000 by December even before the reports of new deployments surfaced.

An additional 45,000 troops would bring the U.S. total to 113,000. There are also 35,000 troops from some 50 other nations serving under NATO's International Security Assistance Force in the nation, which would raise combined troop strength under McChrystal's command to 148,000 if the larger number of rumored increases materializes. MORE...

Editor's Comment:

It has become painfully obvious that despite the election of Barack Obama who was billed as a "peace (albeit weak) candidate", there is no evidence that the United States intends to end its empire any time soon. Despite a massive national debt, record breaking budget deficit, shrinking middle class, and almost non-existent manufacturing base, the elites who control foreign and domestic policy are currently positioning the country for a full-scale conflagration in the Middle East and Eurasia.

This is extremely dangerous especially in light of the Obama administration's reaction to the latest disclosure that Iran has proceeded with the development of another nuclear facility. While Iran's nuclear capabilities in no way threaten the American continent now or any time soon, it is clear that Iran has become the new threat by which an increasingly belligerent military posture will be justified. In addition to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the possibility of military action against Iran grows ever larger by the day.

This is an exceedingly dangerous time. Pakistan has functional nuclear weapons which could be detonated even if by mistake given the instability which now exists as a result of US bombing in that country. For Roman Catholics who are aware that Our Lady of Fatima predicted the annihilation of many nations if Russia was not consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart (which has yet to be done), all of these developments are indeed sobering.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; See that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet." (Matt. 24: 6)

6-year-old Beaten to Death in Roseland

2009-09-28T13:09:00.005-05:00

September 25, 2009 11:23 PM
Chicago Tribune

The Agape Community Center in Roseland has long been a sanctuary, a refuge for students who want to finish their homework, take Bible study courses or simply escape the chaotic streets in their Far South Side community.

But this place of refuge became the scene of a deadly melee Thursday when dozens of teenage boys converged in a vacant lot next to the community center, beating one another with fists, feet and 2-by-4s.

When it was all over, 16-year-old Derrion Albert lay on the gravel, his body dented and damaged from the pummeling. A youth worker at the center dragged Derrion's slight frame into the center, but it was too late. He died a short time later.

Witnesses and police said Friday that the Fenger High School junior was not a target but simply passed by the community center and was swept into the violent altercation. Walking from school, he fell victim to the violence plaguing some of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods.

The honor roll student known for his love of computers became the third Chicago teenager killed this month. At least seven more have been shot.

Police and witnesses say the melee was a culmination of a simmering rivalry between two groups of Fenger students, one that lived near the school and the other from the Altgeld Gardens housing development. Neighbors said the feud has been building since August, spilling across Roseland streets and, some say, into Fenger.

Shots were fired in front of Fenger earlier Thursday. No one was injured. Police said the two incidents don't appear to be related, but they were still looking for suspects in Derrion's slaying.

"This gang violence is escalating beyond control," said T'Awannda Piper, the youth worker who pulled Derrion into the building. "He was caught in it. The kids directly involved walked away healthy, and this kid didn't walk away at all."

The Fenger school principal declined to comment.

As friends propped teddy bears at the site of the beating -- creating the sort of street-side memorial that has become commonplace on the city's West and South Sides -- Derrion's family began planning a funeral for a young man who had dreams of going to college.

Derrion was small, only 5-foot-7. He was a "ladies' man" and a homebody, family members said.

Derrion's grandfather Joseph Walker sat in his living room, tearfully recounting his grandson's life. Displayed on the table in front of him was the honor roll report card and certificate for outstanding attendance.

"Derrion put his key in that door every day at 3:15," said Walker, who was taking care of the teenager. "He would get something to eat and get on the computer, where he would stay most of the night."

Walker said his grandson asked if he could hang out with some friends Thursday after school. Walker said OK, but insisted Derrion be back by 7 p.m.

He never made it. Witnesses said Derrion was near the community center, 342 W. 111th St., when a group of teenagers walking east met up with a group coming from the west. The fight began, they said, with about 10 teenagers. By the time it was finished, witnesses and police said, more than 50 youths were involved.

Milton Massie, executive director of Agape, said video from a surveillance camera atop the community center shows Derrion being struck in the back of the head and moving away from the crowd.

He fell to the gravel, next door to Agape, a Greek word for love.

Derrion's community of Roseland has been one of the city's most treacherous areas since the late 1980s, when the economic decline of the area led to urban decay and gang violence. In the mid-1990s, it gained notoriety as the stamping ground of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, the 11-year old who was executed by fellow gang members.

These days, too many of the community's youngsters end up in the police blotter or obituaries.

Diane Latiker has become so incensed by the violence in her community, and what she views as the city's seeming "indifference" to it, that she turned her Roseland home into an after-school community center for teenagers.

On Friday afternoon, dozens of area teens gathered there to cry about the death of a schoolmate and voice concerns that they might be next.

But after an hour, they went about their business of planning a Thanksgiving dinner for hungry families in the Roseland area.

"First they cry," she said. "But then they shake their heads and continue with their day, because it's become so commonplace to them. It's like, 'Oh well, another bump on the road.' They go on because it's the only way they can deal with it."

Now, Latiker wonders how she can possibly make room for Derrion's headstone. Latiker created a memorial two years ago to honor the young people killed in Chicago. Each time a child is shot, stabbed or beaten to death, she adds a stone to the memorial wall.

"We have 163 stones right now, but we are 20, now 21, behind," she said. "I thought, well, I hoped, I dreamed that there'd be more space on the wall than kids being killed."

Tribune reporters Annie Sweeney, Carlos Sadovi, Liam Ford and William Lee contributed to this report.

"...and because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold." (Matt. 24: 12)

Phillipines Flood: Homeless Count Exceeds 150,000

2009-09-28T12:44:00.008-05:00

Philippine Floods Test Rescuers

10:33 GMT, Monday, 28 September 2009 11:33 UK
BBC NEWS

Many people have been left with nothing but what they are wearing

Rescue workers are being overwhelmed by the scale of floods in the Philippines that are estimated to have killed at least 140 people, officials say.

The head of the National Disaster Co-ordinating Council, Anthony Golez, said resources were being spread too thinly.

Torrential rains from Tropical Storm Ketsana flooded the capital, Manila, and 25 nearby provinces on Saturday.

Some 80% of Manila was submerged, displacing 450,000 people. More than 115,000 are now in makeshift shelters. MORE...

"There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21: 11)

More Natural Disasters

2009-09-28T10:21:00.006-05:00

Philippines flood death toll rises to 140
Last Updated: Monday, September 28, 2009 | 9:12 AM ET
CBC News

People swim through flood water Sunday in suburban Pasig City, east of Manila, after a tropical storm tore through the northern Philippines. (Rey Bruna/Philippine Air Force/Associated Press)

The death toll in the massive flooding that swept the Philippine capital of Manila and nearby provinces has reached 140, officials said Monday.

Army troops, police and civilian volunteers backed by U.S. troops continue the search and rescue effort in the country, according to Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

He said 32 villagers remain missing following the flooding, which was set off after tropical storm Ketsana hit the northern portion of the country on Saturday.

Teodoro said welfare agencies have begun to provide food, shelter and medicine to more than 115,000 people since the storm hit.

The government has declared a "state of calamity" in 25 provinces and in metropolitan Manila, which has a population of about 20 million.

It's estimated that more than 430,000 people were affected by the storm.

Flood waters were fast receding, but many areas of the capital remained under water, particularly in the eastern suburbs of Manila.

The 42.4 centimetres of rain that swamped metropolitan Manila in just 12 hours on Saturday exceeded the 39.2-centimetre average for all of September, chief government weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz said.

Teodoro said government forecasters are concerned more bad weather might be on its way. They have been monitoring a low pressure area over the Pacific Ocean that could develop into a storm, possibly hitting the country later this week.

The Devil's Final Battle: How the Current Rejection of the Message of Fatima Causes the Present Crisis in the Church and the World

2009-09-27T08:53:00.012-05:00

BOOK REVIEW:

I have just finished reading The Devil's Final Battle: How the Current Rejection of the Message of Fatima Causes the Present Crisis in the Church and the World edited and compiled by Father Paul Kramer. It is an excellent resource on the subject of the Fatima Apparitions and the history of intrigue which has surrounded them. I wholeheartedly recommend that readers obtain copies of this book and study everything which is contained therein very carefully. The book's major conclusions can be cross-checked with other published sources especially those which are listed in the "Recommended Works" section of this site which refer to prophecy and Apostasy in the Catholic Church.

I found it quite remarkable that there is a real consistency to all of the "Recommended Works" in which it is predicted that a universal Apostasy will be experienced in the Church which shall begin at the top. Vatican II and its tragic aftermath have certainly been a disaster from the perspective of liturgy, theology and practice, one which was predicted in advance in multiple prophesies as well as in Sacred Scripture e.g. (Matt 24: 4-5, 11). [It seems apparent that until the Roman Catholic Church returns to the Traditional faith and praxis including the Tridentine Latin Mass of St. Pius V, the problems in the Church and the World will not abate]. I was literally amazed that Pope Pius XII made a statement (prior to his becoming Pope while still serving as Vatican Secretary of State and before Sister Lucy had committed the third secret to paper) that is almost identical in its description of a situation we currently find ourselves in. In the book the following quote from Pope Pius XII appears:

"I am worried by the Blessed Virgin's messages to Lucy of Fatima. The persistence of Mary about the dangers which menace the Church is a divine warning against the suicide of altering the Faith, in Her liturgy, Her theology and her soul....I hear all around me innovators who wish to dismantle the Sacred Chapel destroy the universal flame of the Church, reject Her ornaments and make Her feel remorse for Her historical past."

"A day will come when the civilized world will deny its God, when the Church will doubt as Peter doubted. She will be tempted to believe that man has become God. In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp where god awaits them. Like Mary Magdalene, weeping before the empty tomb, they will ask, 'Where have they taken Him?'" (The Devil's Final Battle, Kramer p. 34)

Kramer and others convincingly establish that the most tragic developments which have befallen Our Lady's Fatima Messages have occurred since the death of Pope Pius XII after which Sister Lucy (the last remaining living Fatima seer) was effectively gagged by the Vatican hierarchies of multiple conciliar popes. This began under John XXIII who did so almost immediately upon assuming the Papacy. After reading the third secret (which after having been written on a single sheet of paper and inserted into a sealed envelope by Sister Lucy in 1944, was hand-carried to the Vatican in 1957 and placed in the Papal apartment of Pope Pius XII) John XXIII refused to disclose the message; maintaining that it did not refer to his pontificate. This was despite the fact that Our Lady specifically directed Sister Lucy to reveal the message no later than 1960 when its contents would become more clear. Note, John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council in 1959 and that it did not actually begin until late 1962. Had he done as directed by Our Lady, the Council might never have occurred and the trouble of the past 50 years might have been avoided.

Another extremely interesting fact of which I was not aware is that in 1967 Paul VI (who followed John XXIII) directed a known free-mason (Cardinal Jean Villot) to radically alter the structure and function of the Roman Curia so as to lessen the power of the Pope while placing the administration of the Curia under the control of the Vatican Secretary of State. The re-organization included placing the CDF (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, [the former Holy Office] which in the past had been reportable to the Pope alone)--under the direct control of the Secretary of State while also giving the CDF it own Cardinal Prefect.

In a highly controversial decision, the Second Vatican Council decided not to confront communism directly--in exchange for Moscow agreeing to send Orthodox prelates to the Council. This arrangement was at the behest of John XXIII. Almost immediately after the Curial re-organization of 1967, a drastic change was made in policy whereby the Vatican began to engage in dialogue with Communist dictator's/nations rather than continuing to oppose them as they had in the past. This was per order of the Vatican Secretary of State who had assumed a level of power which exceeded that of the Pope. In addition, the Fatima message was from that time on either suppressed or falsified. The new Vatican Ostpolitik in force from that point on found the Fatima message which called for the consecration of Russia to be politically unpalatable.

Since the inception of the Second Vatican Council the conciliar Vatican has evinced no intention of abiding by the wishes of Our Lady of Fatima which included a Papal consecration of Russia specifically (not the entire world which has been done on more than one occassion) to her Immaculate Heart in conjunction with all the Bishops of the world on the same day. This has never been done despite the fact that the Holy See claims that it has. Moreover, the messages of Fatima are completely orthodox, verified by the "Miracle of the Sun" and accepted by multiple Popes as genuine while many of the teachings of Vatican II are heterodox including its failure to forcefully oppose Communism.

As of June 26, 2000, the Conciliar Vatican in a special Communiqué announced that it was finally disclosing the remaining information on the Third Secret of Fatima--stating that the secret referred only to the attempted assassination of John Paul II (in the Fatima vision however, the Pope was actually murdered by soldiers) and that everything in the Fatima Apparitions belonged to the past (that which was not the figment of Sister Lucy's imagination according to Cardinal Ratzinger).

The figures who appeared prominently in the falsification of June 2000 Communiqué were then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Prefect of the CDF (now Benedict XVI), Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Archbishop Bertone (Secretary of the CDF) and Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy. Their disclosures contradicted virtually everything that Sister Lucy has said in the past about the Messages of Fatima including the allegation that the consecration of Russia was accomplished in 1984 which prior to June 2000 she had always denied.

Cardinal Bertone apparently had a 2 hour closed meeting with Sister Lucy prior to the Communiqué for which no tape recording or other written record apparently exists. He failed to ask--if such a meeting occurred at all--any of the pertinent questions which continued to be outstanding at the time. The entire circumstances are highly suspect. The Cardinal claimed that Sister Lucy as of the year 2000 in a complete reversal of all prior statements agreed that heaven had accepted the Consecration of the World in 1984 rather than the specific consecration of Russia which was requested by Our Lady. This idea is patently ridiculous since Russia was never mentioned by name and the world's Bishops did not participate in the consecration of 1984.

Unfortunately, it has become apparent that Cardinal Bertone and the others involved have attempted to foist a lie upon the Catholic faithful. If the consecration really occurred in 1984 the conversion of Russia to Catholicism has not occurred as would have been expected. Furthermore, there has been nothing but war ever since, not the period of peace which Our Lady promised would follow the Consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart.

There are many other interesting and persuasive pieces of information which can be gleaned from reading this book which shed light on the current crisis in the Church and the world. Please consider buying a copy.

Dr. J. P. Hubert

Cable News Talking Heads: Why Such Horrendous Crimes?

2009-09-22T10:33:00.014-05:00

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

I noticed that the former Headline News "HLN" a sister network to CNN has reformatted its content recently. The latest iteration is called "HLN News and Issues." At night the network presents 2 similar shows in succession, hosted by 2 women respectively each of whom have hour long programs.

The first is Jane Velez Mitchell a self-professed recovering alcoholic attorney and former Celebrity Justice personality who spends most evenings railing against the unending parade of domestic violence and murder cases which she showcases each night. She is routinely assisted by a panel of guests including lawyers, mental health professionals and law enforcement officers. Understandably, Velez-Mitchell is particularly bothered by all of the violence which is currently being perpetrated against women and children. There seems to be a very feminist bias to her commentary however.

The second woman is Nancy Grace, a former Prosecutor turned talk-show host who nightly delivers a steady diet of murder, violence and kidnapping cases which usually follow the current news quite closely. Grace also employs a panel of experts heavily represented by Prosecuting and Defense attorneys and other Law Enforcement and Mental Health Professionals. In many ways the programs are similar in content and topics although Grace seems to be a bit more theatrical and caustic to her own guests and experts. Velez-Mitchell who is more polite to guests is quite dramatic in expressing her outrage over the horrendous nature of much of what she covers.

The interesting thing to me has been the fact that both women especially Velez-Mitchell seem truly perplexed about how to explain what appears to be a marked increase in terrible crimes especially those involving spouses, children and families. The various psychological/psychiatric experts all attempt to offer explanations but none to date have tumbled to what is decidedly a spiritual aspect or component of the rising crime problem they are witnessing. Rather, they look completely to naturalistic/secular explanations for what is transpiring. Not once to my knowledge have either of the hosts included a religious "expert" among their panelists.

Traditional Roman Catholics have no difficulty understanding the likely cause of the steadily increasing and horrendous family violence problem which is occurring. It is part of the overall process of an almost total falling away (Apostasy) from the True Faith (Traditional Roman Catholicism) which has since the close of the Second Vatican Council been increasing at an impressive rate. This must be added to the Apostasy which was already underway due to the Protestant Reformation, the loss of much of Christendom to Islam and the rise of Atheism in the wake of the French and Russian Revolutions. As I have written elsewhere all of these have contributed to the progressive loss of the social Kingship of Christ. The result of losing

"the social Kingship of Christ--and with it Christendom's hindering effect over evil--has been the creation of a plethora of civil laws throughout the formerly Christian world which are antithetical to the Divine Law of Christ (abortion, contraception, in-vitro fertilization, surrogate pregnancy, physician assisted suicide, destructive embryo research, legalized sodomy, gay 'marriage' etc). Is it any wonder then that there exists almost complete moral anarchy where once there was the great Judeo-Christian ethic? Unfortunately, the conciliar popes through their embrace of neo-modernism have facilitated rather than help retard the emergence of global evil and the eventual appearance of Antichrist."
MORE...

Some readers may be outraged to hear that the conciliar popes and Vatican hierarchy have (whether purposely or through malfeasance) helped bring about increasing amounts of global evil. As I have written elsewhere the conclusion seems unavoidable that the traditional restraining or hindering effect of the Roman Catholic Church over evil has largely been removed.

Man Allegedly Murders Wife and 5 Children: Flees to Haiti

2009-09-22T09:49:00.005-05:00

"In No Uncertain Terms this is the Most Horrific and Violent Event this Community has ever Experienced"

CHRISTINE ARMARIO, Associated Press Writer

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) -- The husband of a woman found dead in a Florida apartment along with her five young children boarded a flight for Haiti, and police said Sunday the couple had a history of domestic violence calls to their homes over the past decade.

Mesac Damas, 33, who has family in Haiti, left Miami International Airport on Friday, said Collier County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Michelle Batten. Sheriff's officials said they want to talk to Damas, who is a person of interest. They were not calling him a suspect.

The victims found Saturday were Guerline Damas, 32, and her children: Michzach, 9; Marven, 6; Maven, 5; Megan, 3; and 11-month-old Morgan. Batten would not say how they died.

Family members contacted authorities Friday saying they hadn't heard from the mother. A deputy went to the home and knocked on the front door, but got no answer, said Capt. Chris Roberts of the sheriff's special investigations division.

He did not look through any of the apartment's windows.

"With the information the deputy had, I think what he did was reasonable," Roberts said.

A missing person report was filed Saturday, and the sheriff's office later entered the home in a gated community in Naples in southwest Florida and found the bodies, Batten said.

"In no uncertain terms, this is the most horrific and violent event this community has ever experienced," Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said.

Roberts said the couple had been married two years but together for about 10. Police had been called a handful of times to their homes since 2000 for domestic disturbances, he said.

"...and because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold." Matt. 24: 12

More Natural Disasters: Catastrophic Flooding in Georgia

2009-09-22T09:37:00.006-05:00

Southeast Floods Block Highways; Death Toll Rises To 8
Southeast Creeks Turning Into Rivers

KATE BRUMBACK, Associated Press Writer

Posted: 5:46 am EDT September 22, 2009 Updated: 9:26 am EDT September 22, 2009

AUSTELL, Ga. -- Washed-out roads and flooded interstate highways around Atlanta added to the misery Tuesday after days of torrential rain in the Southeast that claimed at least eight lives, including a 15-year-old boy whose body was found in the Chattooga River.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency also reported a new death in Douglas County west of Atlanta, bringing the toll in that county to four people. No more details were immediately available.

The victims included a toddler swept away from his family when a swollen creek ripped apart their trailer home in west Georgia on Monday. Many others were drivers whose vehicles were pushed off roads by rapidly rising waters. One man in Chattanooga, Tenn., was missing two days after betting onlookers he could swim across a flooded ditch next to his house.

Authorities urged people who don't need to drive to stay home, a day after Gov. Sonny Purdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties.

"It's going to be a long morning. We're asking people to be patient," DOT spokeswoman Crystal Paulk-Buchanan said.

The good news was that the rain was tapering off in many areas. The National Weather Service said there was more rain to come, but the likelihood and severity will decline in the coming days.

Days of downpours and thunderstorms saturated the ground from Alabama through Georgia into eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, just months after an epic two-year drought in the region ended after winter rains.

As Tuesday rush-hour began in the Atlanta area, Interstate 20 west of the city was closed in two spots by water spilling over the major artery for commuter traffic from the sprawling western suburbs. Portions of at least two other interstates in the metro area were also closed, as was I-75 in Houston County in central Georgia.

Hundreds of roads and bridges were under water or washed out in the Atlanta area and other parts of the state, including 17 bridges on state and interstate highways.

Dozens of roads remained closed in western North Carolina and several small landslides were reported. Officials said the flooding there was the worst since remnants of hurricanes Frances and Ivan came through in 2004.

As much as a foot of rain fell over parts of the Atlanta area Monday. The town of Dallas northwest of Atlanta had 16 inches in a 48-hour period, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said.

Aerial shots showed schools, football fields, used car lots and even entire neighborhoods submerged by the deluge, sending some unlucky residents scurrying for higher ground.

"It's a mess all over," said Lisa Janak of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

As the storm front rumbled through west Georgia, it turned a normally sleepy creek into a surging headwater that tore apart 2-year-old Preston Slade Crawford's mobile home around 2 a.m. Monday. The body of the drowned boy nicknamed "Scooter" wasn't found until hours later. His parents had been rescued from the raging waters as another son, Cooper, age 1, clung to his mother's arms in Carroll County, west of Atlanta.

Pat Crawford, the boy's grandmother, watched helplessly as the family's mobile home was whisked away.

"Y'all gotta help us! Y'all gotta save us!" Crawford remembers Bridgett Lawrence and Craig Crawford shouting above the roaring water. She said she was on higher ground, but couldn't get to them because the current was so bad.

About 12,000 Georgia Power customers were without power late Monday.

Crews in the tiny Georgia town of Trion worked to shore up a levee breached by the Chattooga River and in danger of failing. The town evacuated more than 1,500 residents, and Red Cross workers set up an emergency shelter.

Emergency officials were often forced to improvise to rescue dozens of people stranded in their homes and cars.

"We're using everything we can get our hands on," Douglas County spokesman Wes Tallon said. "Everything from boats to Jet Skis to ropes to ladders."

Other southeastern states were hit less severely.

In Kentucky, rescue crews went on more than a dozen runs to help stranded people after 4 inches of rain fell on parts of Louisville on Sunday, said city fire department spokesman Sgt. Salvador Melendez.

Water rose as high as window-level on some houses in North Carolina's Polk County, forcing emergency officials to evacuate homes along a seven-mile stretch of road. Flooding in more than 20 counties in western North Carolina closed roads, delayed school and forced evacuations.

___

Will the "Third Rome" Reunite With the "First Rome"?

2009-09-22T08:42:00.007-05:00

Editor's NOTE:

This Zenit article if true would represent the exact opposite of what Our Lady called for at Fatima in which she indicated that if Russia were consecrated to her Immaculate Heart by the Pope and all of the Bishops of the world on the same day, Russia would be converted to Roman Catholicism and would cease perpetrating its errors throughout the world--the worst of which is atheism.

There is no evidence that Benedict XVI intends to consecrate Russia according to the wishes of Our Lady. Moreover, there is evidence that he has participated in falsifying and de-legitimizing the Fatima apparitions. It is extremely unlikely barring a complete change of mind and heart that Benedict would push the Russian Orthodox (Moscow) Patriarch (Kirill) to return the Orthodox church to the one True Faith of Roman Catholicism, accept the Filioque clause of the Nicene Creed and accept the papal primacy of the Bishop of Rome.

What is being described here is a false ecumenism the same as what the conciliar church has advocated since the close of the Second Vatican Council. Russian Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev is certainly correct about the Novus Ordo liturgy being Protestant. It would be completely ridiculous for the Russian Orthodox to reject their liturgy in favor of the conciliar Novus Ordo Missae. It is much closer to the Traditional Roman Catholic Latin Liturgy which must be reinstated (by order of Quo Primum it has never been abrogated) than it is to the Novus Ordo which should be promptly discarded.

Until the current Vatican hierarchy is willing to reinstate the Tridentine Latin Mass as the one and only Latin rite and until it is willing to either radically correct or totally reject the Second Vatican Council, the Russian Orthodox should have nothing to do with the conciliar church based in Rome.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Will the "Third Rome" Reunite With the "First Rome"?
Recent Meeting Could Mark Turning Point

By Robert Moynihan

WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 21, 2009 (Zenit.org)- Sometimes there are no fireworks. Turning points can pass in silence, almost unobserved.

It may be that way with the "Great Schism," the most serious division in the history of the Church. The end of the schism may come more quickly and more unexpectedly than most imagine.

On Sept. 18, inside Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer palace about 30 miles outside Rome, a Russian Orthodox Archbishop named Hilarion Alfeyev, 43 (a scholar, theologian, expert on the liturgy, composer and lover of music), met with Benedict XVI, 82 (also a scholar, theologian, expert on the liturgy and lover of music), for almost two hours, according to informed sources. (There are as yet no "official" sources about this meeting -- the Holy See has still not released an official communiqué about the meeting.)

The silence suggests that what transpired was important -- perhaps so important that the Holy See thinks it isn't yet prudent to reveal publicly what was discussed.

But there are numerous "signs" that the meeting was remarkably harmonious.

If so, this Sept. 18 meeting may have marked a turning point in relations between the "Third Rome" (Moscow) and the "First Rome" (Rome) -- divided since 1054.

Archbishop Hilarion was in Rome for five days last week as the representative of the new Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

One key person Archbishop Hilarion met with was Cardinal Walter Kasper. On Sept. 17, the cardinal told Vatican Radio that he and Archbishop Hilarion had a "very calm conversation."

Cardinal Kasper also revealed something astonishing: that he had suggested to the archbishop that the Orthodox Churches form some kind of "bishops' conference at the European level" that would constitute a "direct partner of cooperation" in future meetings.

This would be a revolutionary step in the organization of the Orthodox Churches.

Papal-Patriarch encounter?

Cardinal Kasper said a Pope-Patriarch meeting was not on the immediate agenda, and would probably not take place in Moscow or Rome, but in some "neutral" place (Hungary, Austria and Belarus are possibilities).

Archbishop Hilarion himself revealed much about how his Rome visit was proceeding when he met on the evening of Sept. 17 (before his meeting with the Pope) with the Community of Sant'Egidio, an Italian Catholic group known for its work with the poor in Rome.

"We live in a de-Christianized world, in a time that some define -- mistakenly -- as post-Christian," Archbishop Hilarion said. "Contemporary society, with its practical materialism and moral relativism, is a challenge to us all. The future of humanity depends on our response… More than ever before, we Christians must stand together."

A report from Interfax, the news service of the Moscow Patriarchate, on Sept. 18 revealed that Archbishop Hilarion spoke to the Pope about "cooperation between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in the area of moral values and of culture" -- in particular during the "Days of Russian Spiritual Culture," a type of exhibit with lectures scheduled for spring 2010 in Rome. (One might imagine that the Pope himself could attend such an exhibition).

In memory of the visit, Archbishop Hilarion gave the Pope a pectoral cross, made in workshops of Russian Orthodox Church, the report said, Interfax reported.

Today, an Interfax report supplied details of Hilarion's remarks this morning in the catacombs of St. Callixtus.

"Denied by the world, far from human eyes, deep under ground in caves, the first Roman Christians performed the feat of prayer," Hilarion said. "Their life brought the fruit of holiness and martyr heroism. The Holy Church was built on their blood shed for Christ."

Then the Church came out of the catacombs, but Christian unity was lost, the archbishop said.

Archbishop Hilarion said that human sin is the cause of all divisions, while Christian unity can be restored only in the way of sanctity.

"Each of us, conscientiously fulfilling a task the Church has given him or her, is called to personally contribute to the treasury of Christian sanctity and work to achieve God-commanded Christian unity," the archbishop said.

A second Interfax report today added further information about the meeting with the Pope.

Growing influence

"During a talk with Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk pointed out the status of Orthodox believers in Western Ukraine where three Orthodox dioceses had been almost eliminated as a result of coercive actions of Greek Catholics in late 1980s and early 1990s," Interfax reported.

Archbishop Hilarion "stated the need to take practical steps to improve the situation in Western Ukraine," within the territories of Lvov, Ternopol and Invano-Frankovsk Dioceses, the report said.

Meanwhile, in Russia itself, the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by Patriarch Kirill, seems to be growing, though not without opposition.

The rise in Russia of Kirill and his increasing influence in legislative matters seems to be arousing opposition from the "siloviki," forces connected with the old KGB.

In an article in the current issue of Argumenty Nedeli, Andrey Uglanov says that Kirill's extraordinary activity has attracted attention from some who do not like to have their positions questioned, let alone challenged. And that has become Kirill's "big problem."

These "siloviki," Uglanov says, have been offended by Kirill's "anti-Stalinist and anti-Bolshevik actions," including his appearance at the Solovetsky stone in Moscow's Lubyanka Square on the very Day of the Memory of the Victims of Political Repression.

In this context, Hilarion's visit to Rome takes on even more importance.

The Russian Orthodox Church is a power in Russia, but it faces opposition and needs allies.

What is occurring in Hilarion's visit to Rome, then, may have ramifications not only for the overcoming of the "Great Schism," but also for the cultural, religious and political future of Russia, and of Europe as a whole.

It is especially significant, in this context, that Hilarion, Kirill's "Foreign Minister," has some of the same deep interests as Benedict XVI: the liturgy, and music.

"As a 15-year-old boy I first entered the sanctuary of the Lord, the Holy of Holies of the Orthodox Church,” Hilarion once wrote about the Orthodox liturgy. “But it was only after my entrance into the altar that the 'theourgia,' the mystery, and 'feast of faith' began, which continues to this very day.

"After my ordination, I saw my destiny and main calling in serving the Divine Liturgy. Indeed, everything else, such as sermons, pastoral care and theological scholarship were centered around the main focal point of my life -- the liturgy."

Liturgy

These words seem to echo the feelings and experiences of Benedict XVI, who has written that the liturgies of Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday in Bavaria when he was a child were formative for his entire being, and that his writing on the liturgy (one of his books is entitled "Feast of Faith") is the most important to him of all his scholarly endeavors.

"Orthodox divine services are a priceless treasure that we must carefully guard," Hilarion has written. "I have had the opportunity to be present at both Protestant and Catholic services, which were, with rare exceptions, quite disappointing… Since the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, services in some Catholic churches have become little different from Protestant ones."

Again, these words of Hilarion seem to echo Benedict XVI's own concerns. The Pope has made it clear that he wishes to reform the Catholic Church's liturgy, and preserve what was contained in the old liturgy and now risks being lost.

Hilarion has cited the Orthodox St. John of Kronstadt approvingly. St. John of Kronstadt wrote: "The Church and its divine services are an embodiment and realization of everything in Christianity... It is the divine wisdom, accessible to simple, loving hearts."

These words echo words written by Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, who often said that the liturgy is a "school" for the simple Christian, imparting the deep truths of the faith even to the unlearned through its prayers, gestures and hymns.

Hilarion in recent years has become known for his musical compositions, especially for Christmas and for Good Friday, celebrating the birth and the Passion of Jesus Christ. These works have been performed in Moscow and in the West, in Rome in March 2007 and in Washington DC in December 2007.

Closer relations between Rome and Moscow, then, could have profound implications also for the cultural and liturgical life of the Church in the West. There could be a renewal of Christian art and culture, as well as of faith.

All of this was at stake in the quiet meeting between Archbishop Hilarion and Benedict XVI on Friday afternoon, in the castle overlooking Lake Albano.

Roman Curia Redesigned in 1967 by Paul VI: Changes helped Conciliar Church Deviate from Traditional Catholic Faith

2009-09-21T14:36:00.018-05:00

Few people are aware that in the wake of the second Vatican Council Paul VI asked an individual who is now known to have been a Free Mason (Cardinal Jean Villot) to engineer an overhaul of the Roman Curia (administration). Prior to that time the Pope was not only supreme head of the Church but of the entire Roman Curia as well.

In addition to heading up the Roman Curia, the Pope was also the ultimate authority (Prefect) over the Holy Office (which insured Catholic orthodoxy) the foremost among the Roman Congregations. Prior to the Papacy of Paul VI, the primary papal duty had been eternal vigilance concerning the preservation of Catholic orthodoxy--in response to any and all attacks against the faith.

As a result of the radical changes in the Roman Curia the Holy Office became the CDF (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) which was given its own supreme authority in the form of a Cardinal Prefect separate and apart from the Pope. Moreover, the Vatican Secretary of State was promoted to the new and powerful position of ruling over the entire Roman Curia allowing political considerations to gain primacy over those of faith and morals. In a sense, the result was to render the Pope a kind of conciliar figure-head devoid of power consistent with the new collegiality of the second Vatican Council.

The new Curial arrangement quickly resulted in a diplomatic change from the Traditional Catholic opposition to Communism--to the new Vatican Ostpolitik which called for a constructive engagement through dialogue with the Communist nations of both the USSR and China. Recall, by mutual agreement between John XXIII and the Moscow Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow would send representatives to Rome if in exchange the Second Vatican Council refrained from mentioning Communism in a negative light. Prior to 1958 such an arrangement would have been inconceivable!

In the view of the contributors to The Devil's Final Battle compiled by Fr. Paul Kramer, the dramatic changes which were made to the Roman Curia had a negative effect on the acceptance of the Fatima apparitions (including the call for the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the publication of the Third Secret which was to have occurred no later than 1960 by order of Our Lady). Recall that it was John XXIII who refused to reveal the third secret after becoming Pope in 1958 alleging that the message had no relevance to his Papacy.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State according to Fr. Kramer in The Devil’s Final Battle was allegedly heavily involved in the attempts to de-legitimize the Fatima apparitions as was the Cardinal Prefect of the CDF (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI) and the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos. This and the infamous press conference of June 26, 2000 have contributed to the doubts which still exist regarding whether or not the complete text of the Third Secret has been revealed. Note that Sr. Lucy (the last remaining living Fatima seer) consistently maintained up until her death that the consecration of Russia to Our Lady had not been properly accomplished. (The Blessed Virgin Mary stated clearly at Fatima her intention that Russia specifically was to be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart by the Pope in concert with all the Bishops of the world on the same day. This has not been done). It is important to note that all of the Fatima content is completely orthodox in contradistinction to much of the teaching of Vatican II, the post-Vatican conciliar church and the Novus Ordo Missae which are heterodox.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

"The Secret" Warned Against Vatican Council II and the New Mass

2009-09-21T14:24:00.004-05:00

An Exclusive Fatima Crusader Interview with Fr. Paul Kramer

For a short piece which provides some background information about the Third Secret of Fatima and its relationship to the Second Vatican Council and the Novus Ordo Missae
See THIS...

Edward Henry Cardinal Manning: Christendom Hinders the Appearance of Antichrist

2009-09-19T13:01:00.009-05:00

In his book The Pope and the Antichrist: The Present Crisis of the Holy See Tested by Prophecy, (2007), Cardinal Manning teaches that it is the Pope and the remnants of Christendom through the power of the Holy Spirit which together hinder the appearance of Antichrist in the world, (pp.37-56). Writing in 1861 he could already see that the once great artifice which was Christendom had begun to disintegrate.

Manning notes that by the 7th century the Gospel ruled not only the spiritual powers on earth but the civil temporal powers as well--bringing the entire created realm under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The idea that not only individuals but ethnic groups and nations must submit to the Divine Law is known as the social/political Kingship of Christ. This is what Christ meant when he said:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew, 28: 18-20)

Since the Masonically motivated French Revolution of 1789, the social Kingship of Christ has been progressively denied such that at present the temporal powers have usurped the role of Jesus Christ in ruling the nations through their embracing of various Enlightenment philosophies e.g "radical individual autonomy" which has replaced a concern for the "common good" and "the separation of church and state." Through a wide application of the latter, the Divine Law of Christ is being abrogated. If observed at all, it has been limited to individuals only--as the civil law increasingly deviates from the message and principles of the Gospel.

The result of losing the social Kingship of Christ--and with it Christendom's hindering effect over evil--has been the creation of a plethora of civil laws throughout the formerly Christian world which are antithetical to the Divine Law of Christ (abortion, contraception, in-vitro fertilization, surrogate pregnancy, physician assisted suicide, destructive embryo research, legalized sodomy, gay "marriage" etc). Is it any wonder then that there exists almost complete moral anarchy where once there was the great Judeo-Christian ethic? Unfortunately, the conciliar popes through their embrace of neo-modernism have facilitated rather than help retard the emergence of global evil and the eventual appearance of Antichrist.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Signs of the Antichristic Abound

2009-09-19T08:50:00.009-05:00

Missing Infant, Toddler Found in Trash Bin
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Baby Found in Sewer Dies
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Man Slays entire Family Then Calls 911
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Man Who Maliciously Strangled Wife and Kids Worked for Televangelist Joyce Meyer
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Famous Rampage Killings of 15 or More People during the Past Century
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Man Murders 10 People in Alabama Killing Rampage
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"...and because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold." Matt. 24: 12

Reading Update

2009-09-19T07:57:00.007-05:00

I have finished reading Ives DuPont's book Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement 1973, Henry Edward Cardinal Manning's book The Pope and the Antichrist: The Present Crisis of the Holy See Tested by Prophecy, 2007 and am currently studying Fr. Paul Kramer's book The Devil's Final Battle: How the Current Rejection of the Message of Fatima Causes the Present Crisis in the Church and the World, 2002, all of which provide interesting insights into the now 45+ year Crisis in the Roman Catholic Church. Readers will find more details including contact information in the "Recommended Works" section on the right-hand side of the site by scrolling roughly half-way down the page.

These works primarily refer to private revelation many details of which are not technically part of General Revelation or the Deposit of the Faith. However none of the contents of these books are incompatible with it either. In general they provide more detailed information about what is already known from General Revelation or a compelling explanation for the events through which the Catholic faithful have lived since the death of Pope Pius XII.

For example, The Devil's Final Battle documents how since 1960 certain forces within the Vatican hierarchy have sought to marginalize the Fatima message and prevent the third secret of Our Lady of Fatima from being known to the public. Had the information contained in the third secret been properly revealed, the disastrous consequences--resultant from the Second Vatican Council in which many Traditional Roman Catholic dogmas/doctrines were either contradicted or ignored--might have prevented. Moreover, the tragic and negative changes which were made in the liturgy of the Mass would likely never have occurred.

I personally recommend all "3" of the above mentioned books.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

ELCA Lutherans Join Episcopalians in Perfidy: Fr. Richard Mc Brien Denounces Eucharistic Adoration

2009-09-16T10:29:00.023-05:00

The largest Lutheran denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) through its “Churchwide Assembly,” last month, adopted multiple resolutions which; affirmed the moral goodness of stable same-sex relationships, validated cohabitation as an acceptable Christian lifestyle and removed any impediments for homosexual persons in same-sex relationships in order that they might freely exercise the pastoral ministry within the ELCA. As many readers are aware the Protestant Episcopal Church has already appointed an openly homosexual (one who lives with another man as a homosexual couple) male Bishop.

These Protestant heretical sects continue to devolve further away from the one True Faith of Jesus Christ at an ever increasing rate of speed. Unfortunately, the conciliar church has many adherents who are actively pushing in the same direction not a small number of whom advocate normalizing homosexual relationships/unions, non-marital heterosexual activity/unions and in so-doing demonstrate their utter contempt for Traditional Catholic moral precepts.

It is clear that Christianity is in deep trouble particularly Protestant "Christianity" but not exclusively so. The conciliar church in many ways has apostatized from the true faith. For a recent example of the kinds of heresies which are openly tolerated by the conciliar Vatican, Fr. Richard Mc Brien now claims that Eucharistic Devotion is anachronistic:

"...Notwithstanding Pope Benedict XVI's personal endorsement of eucharistic adoration and the sporadic restoration of the practice in the archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere, it is difficult to speak favorably about the devotion today.

Now that most Catholics are literate and even well-educated, the Mass is in the language of the people (i.e, the vernacular), and its rituals are relatively easy to understand and follow, there is little or no need for extraneous eucharistic devotions. The Mass itself provides all that a Catholic needs sacramentally and spiritually.

Eucharistic adoration, perpetual or not, is a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward, not forward."

----National Catholic Reporter, "Perpetual eucharistic adoration" by Richard McBrien, Sep. 08, 2009. available HERE...

Better if he had said that Eucharistic Adoration is idolatrous so his true intentions might be readily appreciated--it would have been intellectually more honest.

In typical conciliar fashion, Fr. Mc Brien makes either contradictory or ambiguous statements. For example,

"Now that most Catholics are literate and even well-educated, the Mass is in the language of the people (i.e, the vernacular), and its rituals are relatively easy to understand and follow, there is little or no need for extraneous eucharistic devotions."

Without explaining exactly what he means by "extraneous" Eucharistic devotions he implies that non-extraneous Eucharistic devotions may be acceptable, whatever they might be. Moreover he strongly suggests that the reason for the popularity of Eucharistic devotion in the past was primarily due to the illiteracy of the people including their lack of education and inability to understand the Latin language of the Mass. This is absolutely preposterous.

Prior to Vatican II, virtually all Catholics believed in the "real presence of Christ" in the Eucharist--the Traditional Catholic Dogma, now when people are supposedly so well-educated and literate, well less than 50% do. If the difference is a matter of education, literacy and or the vernacular "mass", please let us return to the Latin Mass before no one is left in the conciliar church who believes in the "real presence." The main reason for Eucharistic devotion of course is because Christ is actually present there in a way which is not the case anywhere else in this world. Faithful Catholics who wish to adore Him can do so in no more efficacious way. For Fr. Mc Brien to allege that Eucharistic devotion was a pious anachronism practiced by the uneducated and illiterate who could not understand the Latin Mass is not only false but extremely insulting to the generations of faithful Catholics and Saints who embraced the devotion.

Perhaps the most egregious statement made by Fr. Mc Brien is his assertion that Eucharistic devotion "perpetual or not is a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward, not forward." This demonstrates as clearly as anything else his utter disgust for the idea that Christ is substantially present; body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Anyone who believed what the Church has always taught on this crucial doctrine could not possibly make such a statement. In the days of Pope Pius V and Pope Pius X when Pontiff's protected the flock from ravenous wolves, Fr. Mc Brien would have been accused of heresy forthwith for writing what he did. Not now.

Moreover, nowhere in his article which also discusses the nature of Eucharistic consecration does Fr. Mc Brien utilize the actual wording which the Roman Catholic Church taught for centuries--that the bread and wine become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in substance, while the accidents of bread and wine remain in form. The term transubstantiation is the word which describes the fact that the substance of bread and the substance of wine are transformed into the substance of our Lord Jesus Christ's body and blood. This is the classical Thomistic formulation which the Church has taught for almost 1000 years, was codified at the Council of Trent and held sway until Vatican II. In it's wake, St. Thomas Aquinas who had been the most celebrated Doctor of the Church was relegated to the dustbin of Church History by the conciliar church. It is therefore not surprising that Fr. Mc Brien who is an enthusiastic supporter of all things heterodox would fail to use the Traditional Catholic terminology.

It is actually a Protestant belief which states that in consecrating the bread and wine there is a "sacramental" change or "union" only; rather than a "substantial" change hence the term--consubstantiation by which many Lutheran's mean the presence of the bread, the wine and sacramentally, but not substantially the body and blood of Christ all together The Lutheran doctrine specifically rejects a physical presence of Christ's body and blood in order presumably to avoid the charge of cannibalism. For that reason in fact some Lutheran's object to the term consubstantiation which according to one definition technically refers to a physical presence of Christ's body and blood along with the bread and wine.

In any case, all Lutherans appear to accept the terms "sacramental union" which they see as a theological rather than philosophical explanation. This helps explain why Protestants believe it is sacrilegious to adore the consecrated host as in perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. In the above referenced article Fr. Mc Brien utilizing the Protestant formulation states that in the Catholic Eucharistic consecration a "sacramental change" occurs and not a physical change. He is correct that no physical change occurs but a substantial change occurs nonetheless according to Traditional Catholic teaching, a term which he judiciously avoided.

These are the kinds of statements ("Eucharistic adoration, perpetual or not is a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward, not forward") which are currently left unchallenged by the conciliar Vatican. They are not uncommon. To the contrary, they occur frequently without a proper response from Rome. Fr. Mc Brien is a full professor of Theology at a "Catholic" University and despite a plethora of heretical pronouncements over the years continues to teach Theology there. He has never been formally disciplined by the Church.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

5 Characteristics of Antichrist

2009-09-16T09:11:00.005-05:00

From: Henry Edward Cardinal Manning, The Pope and the Antichrist, (Saint Croix du Mont France: Tradibooks, 2007), first published in 1861 under the title of: The Current Crisis of the Holy See Tested by Prophecy.

The Antichrist who will make an appearance at the end of time will have the following 5 characteristics:

1.) The Antichrist will be an individual male.

2.) The Antichrist will be a Jew.

3.) The Antichrist will deny the Incarnation of Christ, the whole Christian Faith and the Church. He will not simply be an antagonist but the substitute or supplanter of the true Messiah in every way.

4.) The Antichrist will perform false "miracles." His coming is "according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish." (2 Thess. 2: 9,10)

5.) The Antichrist will claim to be Divine. St. Paul describes him as "the man of sin the son of perdition, who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God showing himself as if he were God." (2 Thess. 2: 4) Cardinal Manning taught that the Church Fathers were in agreement that the Antichrist as here described by St. Paul will "call himself God" (St. Jerome) "will affirm himself to be God" (St. Ambrose) and "profess himself to be the God of all" (St. John Chrysostom). He will demand to be worshiped as God.

For those readers who have become concerned that the appearance of the Antichrist is immanent, it is useful to review these criteria provided by Cardinal Manning who nicely summarized the statements from Sacred Scripture and from the Church Fathers with regard to the characteristics of Antichrist. Obviously no such individual is currently on the world stage. Whether he could be alive is of course not knowable at this time.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Vatican-Pius X Society Talks Set for October: Reveals Names of Holy See Delegation

2009-09-16T06:31:00.007-05:00

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See will hold talks with the Society of St. Pius X in October, according to a Vatican spokesman, and not "in a few days," as earlier reported by an Austrian cardinal.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed today that the meeting will take place during the last two weeks of October.

He also revealed the three Vatican representatives: Dominican Father Charles Morerod, secretary-general of the International Theological Commission, Jesuit Josef Becker, and the vicar general of Opus Dei, Father Ocariz Brana.

The archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, told the Passauer Neue Presse on Saturday that the talks would begin this week.

He also said "the SSPX will be told very clearly what is not negotiable for the Holy See. This includes such fundamental conclusions of the Second Vatican Council as its positions on Judaism, other non-Christian religions, other Christian churches and on religious freedom as a basic human right."

In July, Benedict XVI restructured the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, uniting it more closely to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The commission was formed in 1988 for those communities and persons who, coming from the Society of St. Pius X or from similar groups, wish to return to full communion with the Successor of Peter.

The president of the commission is the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, currently Cardinal William Levada. The Holy Father appointed as secretary Monsignor Guido Pozzo, who is currently assistant secretary of the International Theological Commission and official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In March, Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of four Lefebvrite bishops who were excommunicated in 1988 when they received episcopal ordination illicitly at the hands of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who ordained them without papal permission.

The decree to lift the excommunications was made public days after one of the four -- Bishop Richard Williamson -- appeared on Swedish television in a previously taped interview in which he refuted the extent of Holocaust. A furor ensued which led Vatican-Jewish relations to the breaking point.

In a March letter to the world's bishops, explaining why he had lifted the excommunications, Benedict XVI announced his intention to place the commission under the guidance of the doctrinal congregation.

He said it "will make it clear that the problems now to be addressed are essentially doctrinal in nature and concern primarily the acceptance of the Second Vatican Council and the post-conciliar magisterium of the popes."

NOTE:

This is very problematic. Just when Benedict started to make some moves in the direction of orthodoxy, we have this statement from Cardinal Schönborn who explicitly states that "3" of the most troublesome doctrinal heresies of the Second Vatican Council will be non-negotiable when the Vatican meets with representatives of the SSPX. The conciliar and post-conciliar teaching on "religious liberty" contradicts all prior Catholic teaching on the subject as do the pronouncements on Judaism and other non-Christian religions. This alone should serve to establish that Benedict has no intention of radically correcting or rejecting Vatican II or the post-Conciliar teaching which is incompatible with the Deposit of the Faith. What is given with one hand is taken away by the other.

The current Vatican continues to insist through its advocacy of HISTORICISM that Catholics suspend all rational belief including the existence of "first principles of being" specifically, the law of non-contradiction. According to St. Thomas the soul is composed of the intellect and the will. The conciliar Vatican asks that Catholics adulterate their intellect by accepting contradictions as if they were compatible. This is to make the soul the captive of an unguided will and an improperly formed conscience which is the very definition of heresy. Virtually any aberrant and outlandish idea or practice can be foisted upon one who lacks the intellect to properly discipline their will.

The hierarchy of the conciliar church demands that Catholics accept patent falsehoods. This means that anyone who is capable of recognizing them is automatically excluded from their company. How is it possible that faith and reason complement each other--as traditionally taught by the Church--if reason must be discarded in order to accept the conciliar churches pronouncements?

The real question is who has departed from the Traditional Faith, the conciliar church or those Catholics who have tried to maintain the faith of the Apostles, Church Father's, Martyrs, and Saints?

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Cardinal Says Pope Isn't "Undoing" Vatican II

2009-09-15T08:20:00.007-05:00

Denies Media Rumors About Reversal Documents

VATICAN CITY, AUG. 28, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's closest collaborator is denying media rumors that the Pontiff is working to gradually "undo" the changes implemented after the Second Vatican Council.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope's secretary of state, stated this in an interview with L'Osservatore Romano published Thursday.

He addressed the debate surrounding false rumors in the Italian media about supposed documents that would reverse changes in the Church since Vatican II, especially regarding the liturgy.MORE...

NOTE:

Recently there have been some developments which suggest that a move toward orthodox Tradition is underway in the Vatican. Benedict XVI seems to have admitted that Vatican II and its subsequent implementation (in retrospect) represented to some extent a rupture with the Traditional Roman Catholic Church See THIS.... He also reversed the excommunications of certain SSPX clergy and through his Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum July 2007, made the Latin Mass of John XXIII available without indult, correctly stating that the Latin Mass has never been juridically abrogated.

Unfortunately, in the same document he upheld the conciliar and post conciliar liturgical changes as the norm while labeling the Latin Mass an extraordinary form ("the missal published by Paul VI and then republished in two subsequent editions by John Paul II obviously is and continues to be the normal form -- the 'forma ordinaria' -- of the Eucharistic liturgy... As for the use of the 1962 'missale' as a 'forma extraordinaria' of the liturgy of the Mass, I would like to draw attention to the fact that this missal was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted.")

It is certainly possible that all of these movements in the direction of Tradition are genuine attempts on the part of Benedict XVI to move the Church back to pre-Vatican II orthodoxy. However, they could also be nothing but head-fakes designed to pacify conservative Catholic's who while preferring the Latin Mass are willing to accept the Novus Ordo Missae and the conciliar New Theology. The preponderance of the evidence to date from my perspective is that Benedict has not made the monumental decision to either radically correct the conciliar church and or to reinstate the Tridentine Latin Mass of Pope St. Pius V both of which are required if there is to be a return to Traditional orthodox Roman Catholicism--the True Faith of Jesus Christ.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

Male Suspect Raped Wheelchair-Bound Man

2009-09-13T10:47:00.005-05:00

TREDYFFRIN, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
Sep 11, 2009

A suspect is in police custody after the indecent assault of a handicapped man in a Paoli restroom in August.

Investigators in Chester County say they apprehended a suspect who allegedly raped a wheelchair-bound man in a supermarket bathroom.

Investigators said they arrested suspect Brian Parks Thursday evening at a Center City homeless shelter in connection to the August 8 incident.

According to investigators, the 54-year-old Parks stands accused of raping a man who was confined to a wheelchair inside the bathroom of a Paoli ACME.

"We feel totally comfortable that this is the individual who is responsible for the heinous crime at the ACME," Sgt. Jack Bailey of the Tredyffrin Police Department explained.

Investigators said Parks allegedly locked his victim in a bathroom stall during the assault.

According to an arrest warrant, Parks "pulled his wheelchair backwards … forcefully remove the victim … and throw him to the floor."

While being led into a police cruiser with a sweatshirt over his head, Parks said to reporters: "Find yourself some real crime to deal with."

Investigators said Parks has an arrest record that spans through several states.

He is being at the Chester County Prison in lieu of $225,000 bail.

"...and because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold." Matt. 24: 12

Signs of the "Birth Pains" of Matthew 24: 8

2009-09-13T07:24:00.019-05:00

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

In my previous post in which I discussed the increasing incidence of earthquakes HERE..., I suggested that the other signs (based on Sacred Scripture alone) which must precede the appearance of Antichrist are present as well. I also indicated that depending on how one interprets the severity of the required "signs" and those of the current age, it is possible to derive varying conclusions. In that regard it is noteworthy that Yves DuPont in his Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement, (Rockford Ill. Tan Books and Publishers Inc.: 1973) came to a different conclusion than mine regarding the eschatological sequence. His interpretation was arrived at after a detailed analysis of the many statements on this topic made by Catholic "seers'" throughout history (note however that Catholics are not required to accept any of these as they are private revelations and not part of General Revelation and the Deposit of the Faith).

In any case, DuPont's view is that there will be 2 stages (the first less severe than the last which brings about the final consummation of the world) involved in the final sequence of events discussed in Matt. 24: 4-44. The first stage will begin after the preaching of the gospel throughout the world (although imperfectly) and with a universal Apostasy (world-wide but incomplete) also involving wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, tidal waves, astronomical events, epidemics etc. including a 3-day darkness covering the whole earth which will constitute a minor (serious but less severe than the Great Tribulation) Chastisement of the Earth as a punishment for its Apostasy, (DuPont, 1973, pp. 89-91). He asserts that these events will be followed by the appearance of a final saintly Pope (whose reign could last decades) and a great ruler/king of Europe who will together re-establish the Catholic Church along Traditional orthodox lines. This will apparently be followed by a "reign of peace" in which many Protestants, Jews, Muslims and non-believer's will convert to Catholicism. At that time the whole world will presumably be Catholic which is to constitute the final "sign" or fulfillment of Christ's words in scripture: "this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testament to all nations..." (Matt. 24: 14) the occurrence of which serves as (the first sign) of the second stage of the final eschatological sequence.

According to DuPont, toward the end of the great ruler's reign, there will again be a severe (final) Apostasy (the second sign) after which (the third sign) the destruction of the reconstituted Holy Roman Empire will usher in the appearance of Antichrist (the fourth sign). After that point Enoch and Elias will appear to battle the Antichrist (the fifth sign), the Jews will convert returning to Palestine (the sixth sign) and many new severe disturbances will take place (the seventh, eight, and ninth signs) culminating finally in the glorious return of Jesus Christ in glory.

The latter set of "signs" starting with the appearance of Antichrist begins the worst of the Great Tribulation (Major Chastisement). In many respects this outline is compatible with Sacred Scripture except perhaps for the extended "period of peace" (e.g. the "age of peace" is not mentioned in Mathew 24 or Mark 13 both of which appear to describe in some detail what must occur before the appearance of Antichrist) after what DuPont describes as the more minor chastisement of the first stage. DuPont further asserts that the Antichrist will not appear until the last saintly Pope and the final good ruler/king of the Holy Roman Empire have restored the faith and until a "period of peace" occurs. For a slightly different view with respect to the "period of peace" and the necessary occurrences prior to the appearance of Antichrist see Desmond A Birch, Trial, Tribulation and Triumph: Before, During and After Antichrist, (Goleta, Calif.: Queenship Publishing, 1996).

The major difference between what I have suggested and what DuPont described is that based on my reading of scripture (admittedly limited) I have not been able detect a division of the signs in Matt. 24: 4-44 into 2 separate stages as he has done. I am unaware of whether or not the Church Father's specifically did this either, although many referred to the universal Apostasy which must precede the appearance of Antichrist. At least one, St. Ephraem, the Syrian Father and Doctor of the Church apparently predicted that in the future before the appearance of Antichrist:

"The Lord from his glorious heaven shall set up his peace . . . and (after that) coming forth from perdition, the man of iniquity shall be revealed upon the earth, the Seducer of men, and the Disturber of the whole earth" (Birch,1996, p.547).

Presumably, DuPont's opinion that a "period of peace" would precede the advent of Antichrist was largely a result of relying on the testimonies of many private Catholic seer's rather than on Sacred Scripture and the Traditional teachings of the Church Father's.

DuPont's point is that these private prophesies are extremely consistent about the prolonged period of peace between the first stage of the final eschatological sequence and the appearance of Antichrist. In this he specifically appeals to the Blessed Virgin Mary's words to the children of Fatima along with other private prophecies. For support regarding the details of the first Apostasy he refers to Sr. Anne Catherine Emmerick (DuPont pp. 60-72) and others who provided a large number of details about the lack of faith especially with regard to the episcopacy and Priests.

In 1970 according to DuPont, we had just entered the period of the first stage in which an Apostasy had appeared in the Roman Catholic Church related to Vatican II (note that [Birch, 1996 p. LIX] argued that the post-Vatican II Apostasy had not been geographically universal enough to constitute the eschatological Apostasy). Now almost 40 years after DuPont wrote, we would presumably be well into and perhaps nearing the end of the first stage and yet the good Pope who purportedly would restore the Traditional Catholic faith and the good European ruler have not yet appeared. Under DuPont's scheme these further signs are necessary (including further cosmic and natural disasters) before the Antichrist arrives. One can hope and pray that he is correct. If so, the world is yet to experience the extended "period of peace." Unfortunately, the private prophesies of those who DuPont quotes are not strictly speaking part of the Deposit of the Faith. Each one must make their own decision about the current circumstances and proceed accordingly.

Whether DuPont's view is correct or whether the current signs are more suggestive of the imminent appearance of Antichrist--based as they are on Sacred Scripture not private revelation and admittedly less detailed--is anyone's guess. What DuPont has outlined is not incompatible with scripture however since it is consistent with it where the same topics are addressed and more detailed where scripture is silent.

The "take-away" here would seem to be that we are currently living in a unique era which could well represent the unfolding of the eschatological sequence. For those who are extremely confused by the crisis in the Roman Catholic Church and the situation in the world which appears to be moving toward a "one-world" government, it may be of some consolation to know that these events have been predicted by Jesus Christ himself and that no matter what is in store for the immediate future, the final result is victory for those who remain completely faithful to the True (orthodox) Catholic Faith. Doing so of course has become extremely challenging but not impossible. Readers will find links on this site to the Catechism of the Council of Trent, the Challoner Edition of the Douay-Rheims Bible and the Dogmas of the faith for easy access to orthodox Catholic teaching.

Increasing Evidence of Severe Earthquakes

2009-09-11T12:11:00.012-05:00

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

Apropos my suspicion that we are currently living in the era of the Great (Universal) Apostasy and that most if not all of the elements are now in place which must occur prior to the appearance of the Antichrist, I provide some additional information. Find HERE... a link to data on severe Earthquakes throughout history beginning with the August 24, 79 A.D. eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy which buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum that is thought to have killed many thousands of people.

The fascinating albeit disconcerting thing is that prior to 1960 there were roughly 35 severe earthquakes in the period from 79 A.D. through the 1950's. Since then in a period of less than 50 years there have been 50 severe earthquakes (roughly 1 per year) and 26 in the past 10 years alone (roughly 2.5 per year). In 2007 and 2008 there were 6 earthquakes per year representing a marked increase.

These data demonstrate that the incidence of severe earthquakes is steadily increasing particularly in the past decade but markedly so in the past 2 years. There have been a total of just 85 severe earthquakes in 1930 years. Roughly 2/3 of all earthquakes in that period of time have occurred in the past 50 years. This is highly significant and would not be expected on the basis of chance alone.

For those earthquakes which were evaluated since the development of the Richter scale, the minimum value necessary for inclusion in the "severe" category seems quite consistent at greater than 7.0. One caveat which must be mentioned however is that prior to 1900 and the development of the Richter scale technology, these data were not available. However, for the pre-1900 cohort only those in which a large number of deaths resulted were included which would seem to constitute a roughly equivalent measure of severity.

Given what we know from Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition these data strongly suggest that the so-called "birth pains" of Matt. 24: 5-8 have begun especially when combined with the other signs which are now present including; "the gospel has been preached throughout the known world, wars, rumors of wars, famines, other severe climate changes, the love of many (horrendous crime and abuse even among families) has grown cold, universal Apostasy and new serious disease manifestations." Obviously, I may have misinterpreted the severity or significance of any of these "signs" which would mean that the birth pains have not yet begun. That is, since no one knows how precisely to interpret the signs a large degree of variability is possible that would result in very different conclusions with respect to the timing involved.

In any case, given the uncertainty involved it seems necessary now more than ever to end the Novus Ordo Missae, reinstitute the Tridentine Latin Mass of Pius V and to either radically correct or totally reject the Second Vatican Council and the conciliar church which has grown out of it.

More Natural Disasters

2009-09-11T11:23:00.002-05:00

Devastating Floods Kill Dozens in Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- Two days of torrential rains triggered flash floods in northwestern Turkey, sweeping cars into the sea and sending gushing water into homes and businesses. MORE...

Rhine Group and Sympathiser's Must be Neutralized

2009-09-10T11:18:00.011-05:00

The Rhine Group especially the German Bishops and Periti quite easily took control of the Second Vatican Council and virtually had their way. As time went by it became increasingly apparent that the R.G. espoused theological concepts which are incompatible with Traditional Catholicism. Their absolute control continued in the post-Conciliar period as the implementation phase was carried out e.g. the Concilium. The negative Conciliar fruit which has been forthcoming over the past 40+ years is the direct result of the Rhine Group et al. accomplishing their agenda.

If the disastrous effects which now afflict the Catholic Church are to be reversed it appears that the Neo-Modern heresies sponsored by the Rhine Group must be recognized for what they are and definitively rejected. The Rhine Group and all who support their heterodox teachings must be identified and eliminated from the Church lest they infect even the small remnant of Traditional Catholic believers who still exist ("But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!", Gal. 1:8). The Rhine Group and their followers do not profess/possess the True Faith of Jesus Christ as handed down from the Apostles, the Church Fathers, the martyrs and the saints. It is past time for an orthodox Bishop to come forward and level multiple charges of heresy against the post-Conciliar Vatican and to demand that it defend itself against the charge of heresy/apostasy. The eternal salvation of souls is at stake.

--Dr. J. P. Hubert

The Rhine Group and Loss of the Faith, in Europe

2009-09-09T08:46:00.008-05:00

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

In a recent post HERE...I discussed the fact that Bishops and Theological experts from the Rhine Valley countries effectively hijacked Vatican II. The preceding article documents that over the past several decades radical changes have taken place in Europe including the almost complete loss of Catholic Christianity and in its place the widespread adoption of atheistic secular humanism and most recently the Islamization of Europe through unprecedented in-migration of Muslims who continue to experience much higher birth rates than native Europeans. This has caused an obvious demographic "crisis" from the perspective of the non-Muslim population of Europe.

It is more than a bit ironic that the Rhine Group of European Bishops and their Periti-- who were most responsible for pushing the Second Vatican Council in the direction of Neo-Modernism--represented the very same countries where today Catholic Christianity has virtually ceased to exist. In its place two heterodox belief systems have appeared; atheistic secular humanism and Islam. These developments appear to be related in a cause/effect manner.

The same pattern has appeared throughout much of the devolved West although to a slightly lesser extent. For example, in the United States, Canada and Australia there has since the close of the Council been a very obvious secularization of society while Traditional Catholicism has experienced a severe denouement.

It is noteworthy that the Bishops of Canada and the USA were less aggressive than were the Rhine group Bishops in advocating for and embracing Neo-Modernism and rejecting orthodoxy. While Islamization has occurred in these nations it has been to a lesser extent than that which has transpired in Europe. What seems intuitively obvious and over time virtually incontestable is; the degree to which nations reject the Traditional Catholic Faith in exchange for accepting Neo-Modernist heresies is directly proportional to the amount of secularization and Islamization they experience. The underlying concept here is that "nature hates a vacuum."

Neo-Modernist Theological precepts are really anti-philosophies or contra-Traditional Catholic teachings which undermine the True Faith. As Catholic orthodoxy declines, other systems of thought are allowed to flourish. As Traditional Catholicism in Europe was replaced by a kind of pan-ecumenical least common denominator Protestantism which flowed directly from the Council, the landscape was being prepared for the growth of atheistic secular humanism and Islam. Both of these have more committed adherents than either the adulterated main-stream Protestant sects or the conciliar catholic church.

Some may recall that Benedict XVI decried the fact that the European Union refused in its founding documents to acknowledge its Christian roots. This is tragically comical in that Vatican II--at which he was a Theological expert--did more to insure a radically secularized Europe than virtually anything else. Surely the irony cannot be overlooked by the Neo-Modernist Joseph Ratzinger--now Benedict XVI.

Rape of Europe

2009-09-09T08:09:00.004-05:00

From the desk of Paul Belien on Wed, 2006-10-25
The Brussels Journal

The German author Henryk M. Broder recently told the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant (12 October) that young Europeans who love freedom, better emigrate. Europe as we know it will no longer exist 20 years from now. Whilst sitting on a terrace in Berlin, Broder pointed to the other customers and the passers-by and said melancholically: “We are watching the world of yesterday.”

Europe is turning Muslim. As Broder is sixty years old he is not going to emigrate himself. “I am too old,” he said. However, he urged young people to get out and “move to Australia or New Zealand. That is the only option they have if they want to avoid the plagues that will turn the old continent uninhabitable.”

Many Germans and Dutch, apparently, did not wait for Broder’s advice. The number of emigrants leaving the Netherlands and Germany has already surpassed the number of immigrants moving in. One does not have to be prophetic to predict, like Henryk Broder, that Europe is becoming Islamic. Just consider the demographics. The number of Muslims in contemporary Europe is estimated to be 50 million. It is expected to double in twenty years. By 2025, one third of all European children will be born to Muslim families. Today Mohammed is already the most popular name for new-born boys in Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other major European cities.

Broder is convinced that the Europeans are not willing to oppose islamization. “The dominant ethos,” he told De Volkskrant, “is perfectly voiced by the stupid blonde woman author with whom I recently debated. She said that it is sometimes better to let yourself be raped than to risk serious injuries while resisting. She said it is sometimes better to avoid fighting than run the risk of death.”

In a recent op-ed piece in the Brussels newspaper De Standaard (23 October) the Dutch (gay and self-declared “humanist”) author Oscar Van den Boogaard refers to Broder’s interview. Van den Boogaard says that to him coping with the islamization of Europe is like “a process of mourning.” He is overwhelmed by a “feeling of sadness.” “I am not a warrior,” he says, “but who is? I have never learned to fight for my freedom. I was only good at enjoying it.”

As Tom Bethell wrote in this month’s American Spectator: “Just at the most basic level of demography the secular-humanist option is not working.” But there is more to it than the fact that non-religious people tend not to have as many children as religious people, because many of them prefer to “enjoy” freedom rather than renounce it for the sake of children. Secularists, it seems to me, are also less keen on fighting. Since they do not believe in an afterlife, this life is the only thing they have to lose. Hence they will rather accept submission than fight. Like the German feminist Broder referred to, they prefer to be raped than to resist.

“If faith collapses, civilization goes with it,” says Bethell. That is the real cause of the closing of civilization in Europe. Islamization is simply the consequence. The very word Islam means “submission” and the secularists have submitted already. Many Europeans have already become Muslims, though they do not realize it or do not want to admit it. (Editor's emphasis throughout)

Some of the people I meet in the U.S. are particularly worried about the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. They are correct when they fear that anti-Semitism is also on the rise among non-immigrant Europeans. The latter hate people with a fighting spirit. Contemporary anti-Semitism in Europe (at least when coming from native Europeans) is related to anti-Americanism. People who are not prepared to resist and are eager to submit, hate others who do not want to submit and are prepared to fight. They hate them because they are afraid that the latter will endanger their lives as well. In their view everyone must submit.

This is why they have come to hate Israel and America so much, and the small band of European “islamophobes” who dare to talk about what they see happening around them. West Europeans have to choose between submission (Islam) or death. I fear, like Broder, that they have chosen submission – just like in former days when they preferred to be red rather than dead.

Rhine Group Controlled Vatican II

2009-09-08T12:35:00.013-05:00

By: Dr. J. P. Hubert

In reading Fr. Ralph Wiltgen's book The Rhine Flows into the Tiber: A History of Vatican II, I have become increasingly convinced that the Second Vatican Council was hijacked by the Bishops, Theologians and Periti (theological experts) of the Rhine River Valley countries. The most powerful members seem to have been Germany, Austria and the Netherlands although Belgium, Switzerland and France were an influential part of the central European powerhouse that rode roughshod over the council almost from the start but certainly by the beginning of the second session when Paul VI liberalized many of the rules which had been instituted by John XXIII. A similar scenario was suggested by Romano Amerio in his book Iota Unum: A Study of Changes in the Catholic Church in the Twentieth Century.

The one overriding characteristic which unified the Rhine group was their theological liberalism. Important liberal (read Neo-Modernist or heterodox) theologians who served as Periti and advised the Rhine Bishops were Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, Fr. Edward Schillibeeckx, Fr. Aloys Grillmeier, Fr. Otto Semmelroth, Fr. Karl Rahner and Fr. Hans Kung. These men all espoused ideas which were part of the Modernism that was called the "synthesis of all heresies" by Pope St. Pius X.

The tragedy of the Second Vatican Council was that the Rhine group almost singularly came prepared to advance their radical agenda which aimed to theologically liberalize the Catholic Church. The more orthodox members of the episcopacy were for some reason caught flat-footed. They were entirely ill-prepared for what transpired. It seems odd that they never apprehended the "spirit of rebellion" that was clearly present and growing ever since Pius X wrote his encyclical Pascendi Dominici gregis on the errors of the Modernists. Inexplicably, the Church behaved as if it had no enemies with which to contend, nor threats from Modernists to defend against and to protect the faithful from. It is difficult not to see a demonic imprint in what transpired.

Demonic Influence on Rise in Conciliar Church

2009-09-08T10:55:00.008-05:00

Catholic exorcist: Demonic influence is strong in today's world

By John Thavis
8/29/2006
Catholic News Service (www.catholicnews.com)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – An Italian exorcist said demonic influence is strong in today's world, affecting individuals and sometimes entire societies.

While it is very rare for a person to be possessed by a demon, history reveals some likely examples – including Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, said Pauline Father Gabriele Amorth.

Father Amorth, who works as an exorcist in the Diocese of Rome, made the comments in an interview with Vatican Radio Aug. 27.

Father Amorth said every culture in history has shown an awareness of the existence of evil spirits. With the Bible, he said, these spirits were identified as rebellious angels who "tempt man to evil out of hatred for God."

"The devil can possess not only individuals but also entire groups and populations. For example, I am convinced that the Nazis were all possessed by the devil," he said.

"If one thinks of what was committed by people like Stalin or Hitler, certainly they were possessed by the devil. This is seen in their actions, in their behavior and in the horrors they committed," he said.

"Therefore, society also needs to be defended against the devil," he said.

Father Amorth said he thought one reason why the devil's influence was high today is that Christian faith has weakened, replaced in many cases by superstition and an interest in the occult, which he said "open the way to demonic influences."

He said the church teaches that the devil is a pure spirit; he is not seen, but his effects can be seen, he said.

Exorcism, he said, is a prayer made in the name of the church to liberate people stricken by the devil or by his evil influences.

Father Amorth gained notoriety in 2000 when he revealed that Pope John Paul II had performed an impromptu exorcism on a young woman who flew into an apparent rage at the end of a general audience at the Vatican.

In 1999, the Vatican issued a revised Rite of Exorcism, cautioning that cases of actual possession by devils were probably very rare. The church also has emphasized that before an exorcism is performed, it is important to make certain one is dealing with the devil and not a psychological or other illness.

Exorcisms On the Rise

Paul Burnell. National Catholic Register (June 4-10, 2000).

In a world where Satanists appear on prime-time TV, neo-pagan religions gather vast followings and tarot card readings are available in the newspapers, experts say it's no surprise that the number of exorcisms worldwide is rising.

Father James LeBar, exorcist for the Archdiocese of New York, said he has seen a "large explosion" in cases since 1990.

"Ten years ago I had no cases and now I have 300," said Father James LeBar, an exorcist for the Archdiocese of New York.

Most of his cases, he said, don't need an exorcist. They have "unusual things happening — things moving around the house or people claiming to have seen or heard the evil one. Some people suffer the phenomena without actually being possessed. An exorcism is primarily used for people who are possessed by the devil, whose wills have been overtaken by Satan." Father John Hampsch, a psychologist, has also seen more reports of demonic interference.

"I have seen a dramatic rise in cases. In the past three hours before you phoned me, I have had three cases of people suffering serious contamination with the forces of evil. I am dealing with 10 to 15 cases a week."

A popular author and speaker on many areas of faith and spirituality, the Claretian Missionary Father says the demonic takes up much of his time.

"A large amount do not require formal exorcism — they are not cases of possession. They are cases of demonic oppression, obsession, depression infestation ... very painful and very distressing."

Father Hampsch told the Register that today's culture has many "gateways" to the demonic world that usually stop short of full-scale "possession."

"The most obvious way we let Satan into our lives is through sin. Serious and habitual sin can be a gateway. An innocent person can be affected by hexes or curses but I would say most cases of possession needing serious deliverance come about through involvement in the occult, with practices such as Ouija board or tarot cards or some kind of New Age practice. The other form is through some kind of sin addiction such as alcohol, drugs or pornography. A case I was dealing with recently was addicted to pornography and he suffered from demonic manifestations."

THE OUIJA BOARD

For one victim, Dermot (not his real name), a Ouija board caused problems that culminated three years ago.

The father of two in his mid-50s told the Register that when he came to Britain from Galway, Ireland, to work on a building site as a young man, he joined in a group session with the popular board game for a laugh.

Afterward, he used the board again and again, and felt the after-effects for years. "I had all kinds of troubles down the years and I could never understand the terrible blasphemous thoughts that came into my head."

Three years ago, he found himself having to be held down by four priests while a prayer for deliverance was said over his struggling, screaming body.

"I don't know where [that] strength came from as it happened but I do know I felt a new man afterwards" he told the Register.

Cases like his have become much more common in England over the past decade.

Father Jeremy Davies, exorcist for London's Westminster Archdiocese, granted a rare interview to the London-based Catholic Herald April 28 to warn about the dangers of dabbling in the occult.

"There have been more exorcisms, undoubtedly. There are more people in need and the Church is dealing with the problem more effectively," he was quoted saying.

Father Davies, 65, is a former medical doctor and one of six priests who founded the International Association of Exorcists seven years ago. The association now has 200 members.

He stressed that the Church urges great caution in matters involving exorcism.

The 1984 document Ab Aliquot Annis (On The Current Norms Governing Exorcisms), by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, cites canon law, which states: "no one may licitly perform exorcisms on those who are possessed unless he has obtained particular and express permission from the local ordinary, and it decrees that this permission is to be granted by the ordinary only to priests who are outstanding in piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life. Bishops are therefore strongly urged to enforce the observance of these prescriptions" (Canon 1172).

Cardinal Ratizinger wrote: "It follows also from these same prescriptions that Christ's faithful may not employ the formula of exorcism against Satan and the fallen angels which is excerpted from that formula made official by order of the Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII, and certainly may not use the entire text of that exorcism. Let all bishops take care to admonish the faithful about this matter whenever such instruction is required."

"Finally, for the same reasons, bishops are asked to guard lest those who lack the required power attempt to lead assemblies in which prayers are employed to obtain liberation from demons, and in the course of which the demons are directly disturbed and an attempt is made to determine their identity. This applies even to cases which, although they do not involve true diabolical possession, nevertheless are seen in some way to manifest diabolical influence" (No. 2-3).

In the conclusion of the brief document, Cardinal Ratzinger wrote, "Of course, the enunciation of these norms should not stop the faithful of Christ from praying, as Jesus taught us, that they may be freed from evil. Moreover, pastors should take this opportunity to remember what the tradition of the Church teaches about the function properly assigned to the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles and the saints, even in the spiritual battle of Christians against the evil spirits. "

Mother Nadine Brown said her Omaha, Neb., charismatic community Intercessors Of The Lamb confronts the demonic influence through approved prayers. She warned of the dangers of New Age spirituality and the occult but said she also sees the new interest in spirituality as an opportunity for evangelization, especially among the youth.

"They are looking for a mystical dimension to life. The Church can give it to them, and this is the challenge . ... The Church of the 21st century [must] be mystical," she said. Father Hampsch was also upbeat. "We have seen grace super-abounding ... with a whole series of divine interventions and miracles around the world."

The growth of Eucharistic adoration is a great grace. Indeed the Holy Father has said this year should be intensely Eucharistic. We have even seen an increase in Eucharistic miracles. It is certainly a case of where sin abounds, grace super-abounds.

BEATING THE DEVIL

Revised Rite of Exorcism Coming

After a 20-year process ended on Jan. 26, 1999, the Vatican has produced an updated rite of exorcism, according to the International Association of Exorcists. Translations from the Latin are currently being prepared for the world's bishops' conferences.

"We know there are Catholics who have not received good formation and doubt the existence of the devil, but this is an article of faith and part of the doctrine of the Catholic Church," said Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, in announcing the revisions. "Whoever says the devil does not exist is no longer a believer."

The new text was described as an outgrowth of the old, with more sober language and giving the priest greater flexibility in the choice of prayers to use.

Written in 1614, the previous ritual combined prayers and gestures in keeping with the Middle Ages. Certain aspects of the ritual were more dramatic than liturgical, said the association.

Although the theology of the Church on exorcism remains unaltered, what is new is the simplification of external aspects and the presentation of the texts, written in light of Biblical texts. The premises have also been revised: Specific canonical norms are established to respond to any eventual abuses.

SIGNS OF THE DEVIL

Vatican guidelines say that some signs that a person may be possessed — when all medical explanations have been ruled out — include: "speaking in unknown languages, revealing things that are far away or hidden (or) demonstrating a physical strength not conforming to one's age or health status." At the same time, it cautioned that "these signs are only an indication" and may not be the work of the devil.

"Other manifestations, frequently of a moral and spiritual order" are often present and may include aversion to God, to the name of Jesus, of Mary and of the saints, to the Scripture, to sacramental rites and sacred images, the guidelines said.

Before using the Rite of Exorcisms, the priest must have "moral certainty" that the person involved is truly possessed or obsessed and not suffering from a psychological or physical illness.

The rite is performed in the name of Jesus and calls on the power he gave to his disciples and their successors to cast out evil spirits.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority, which Jesus entrusted to his Church."

In the ritual, the evil spirit is commanded in the name of God and of the Church to depart. The ritual also includes a sprinkling with holy water, the recitation of a litany of the saints, the Lord's Prayer and a creed, a Gospel reading and the Sign of the Cross.

A simple form of exorcism, not changed by the new ritual, is part of the Catholic Church's baptism rites; in it, the Church prays that the one about to be baptized will be protected from evil and from Satan's temptation.

In a series of 1986 audience talks about angels and the devil, Pope John Paul II said Satan has been defeated by Christ's death and resurrection, but he continues to try to win over people.

"It cannot be excluded that in certain cases the Evil Spirit tries to exercise his influence not only on material things, but also on the human body, for which one speaks of diabolical possession:" the Pope said during an audience talk. "It is not always easy to discern that which happens preternaturally in these cases, nor does the Church easily yield to or support the tendency to attribute many occurrences to the intervention of the demon," he said. At the same time, the Pope said, "one cannot deny that in his desire to harm and to lead toward evil, Satan can reach this extreme manifestation" of his power.

Feb. 26, 2008
Exorcisms May Be On The Rise
Mark Phillips Examines The Evidence

(CBS) The Catholic Church has always believed in the idea of demonic possession -- of the fight, within the individual, between good and evil, says CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips.

The ancient ritual of trying to drive evil spirits from tortured souls was dramatically portrayed by Hollywood in "The Exorcist."

The Church, Phillips points out, would rather such graphic religious experiences took place privately.

When one Archbishop, Emanuel Malingo, began holding increasingly popular public exorcisms, the Vatican made him stop. The exorcism scenes weren't pretty, Phillips observes.

There is evidence, though, that the practice of exorcism is experiencing a revival, according to the Washington Post.

Particularly, says Phillips, among the faithful in Poland, so many of whom came to Rome to mourn the death of Pope John Paul II. Demand for exorcism has apparently risen so high, 70 priests now perform the rite there, double the number of five years ago. And the Church is planning a dedicated exorcism center.

Some blame the demand on the residue of the communist years. Father Jerome Hall, of the Washington Theological Union, says, "Once the oppressive regime falls, there's still a residue of pain, of betrayal, of anxiety, of evil. ... Some people who grew up in Eastern Europe would say, 'That's no wonder.' "

But numbers are said to be up elsewhere, as well, reports Phillips. In Italy, 350 trained exorcists are now working. There were only 20 ten years ago.

Italian exorcist Father Gabriele Nanni says, "For the sinners, who want to conquer entities or the devil himself, for them, the situation is very dangerous."

Even in the United States, Phillips notes, one-in-ten Catholics, according to a recent survey, now says they've either submitted to or witnessed an exorcism.

For many, it seems, the ancient battle between good and evil continues today, Phillips concludes.

What's behind the apparent rise in exorcisms?

Father Thomas Williams, Dean of Theology at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome and a CBS News religion consultant, told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez on The Early Show Tuesday, "There may be two reasons. One is that there's increased interest in the occult, even in Satanism. Where I live in Italy, Satanic worship is actually on the rise. And this is true in a lot of places in Europe. And the second reason I think is because people are less careful. Honestly, they maybe pray less. They play around with things they shouldn't play with, and then they get into trouble. ... Anyone can be possessed, but I think you really have to open yourself up to it. You have to be un-careful. And I think the spiritual demons, or bad angels, do exist, and I think it's an extreme thing, but it happens sometimes."

How do you know that the person is possessed, and you're not just dealing with a psychological problem?

"Well," Williams responded, "that's the biggest challenge we have. Because obviously, many things that in the past that were considered demonic possession or demonic influence were really just diseases or psychological problems. So, priests work closely with psychologists to try to ascertain the real nature of the pathology or of the problem before performing an exorcism. But prayer never hurts. So if you're just praying for a person, you're not gonna do them any damage."

There are specific signs that a person is possessed, Williams continued; "Three typical signs are speaking strange languages, a language a person's never had any access to whatsoever, and they just become fluent in it. And often accompanied by a change of voice that doesn't even sound like the person. Another is knowledge of secret things. For example, saying things that the person has no way of knowing. And a third is superhuman strength, the ability to lift objects and move things."

What's the process of exorcism like? Is it similar to what the movie portrayed?

"Well, it's similar," Williams replied. "It's mostly based on prayer and reading of sacred scripture, but there are other things used like holy water, a crucifix, etc. It's a long process. It begins with simply praying over the person and asking the person to pray with you. Often, they won't; if there really is some sort of demonic presence there, they will not do that. It's a lot of prayer until there's some sort of manifestation on the part of the demon, if there is one."