Friday, November 20, 2015

Cardinal Sarah’s Synod: Who was Pope when Athanasius was Bishop?

The recent Synod on the Family will eventually be recognized as an event of supreme importance. The Synod revealed fault lines between Bishops faithful to Jesus Christ, and those whose faith has become distorted through a prism of ideology. That ideology is a heresy of the dying West. It primarily, though not exclusively, infects certain bishops and cardinals from Europe and the Americas.

For a Synod on the Family, the focus of these clergy on divorce (not to mention homosexuality) is both odd and suggestive. I’ll suggest that their concern about divorce is a case of psychological projection: the infected bishops are projecting their unconscious, not-even-to-be-considered fear that they, leaders of the Church, the bride of Christ, have already divorced their bridegroom.

They are masking their feelings of guilt at dumping Jesus Christ by professing concern for laity who have divorced their spouses. Their putative effort to bring these members of the laity “back into the church” indicates a suppressed, un-faceable desire to bring themselves back into communion. But to clearly articulate this reality would bring it into conscious awareness, and would be too painful. Hence the incoherence of focusing on divorce in a Synod on the Family.

The Synod included another event of supreme importance that has been noted by many—the emergence of the sub-Saharan African Church. There is a stark contrast between the incoherence of the infected bishops and the simple and assured clarity of the African bishops. A number of examples could be given, but one will suffice for this article: the masterful Intervention of Cardinal Robert Sarah.

First, Cardinal Sarah noted the infection had reached the highest levels of the Church. Excerpt:

“I say frankly that in the previous Synod, on various issues one sensed the temptation to yield to the mentality of the secularized world and individualistic West. Recognizing the so-called ‘realities of life’ as a locus theologicus means giving up hope in the transforming power of faith and the Gospel. The Gospel that once transformed cultures is now in danger of being transformed by them. Furthermore, some of the procedures used did not seem aimed at enriching discussion and communion as much as they did to promote a way of seeing typical of certain fringe groups of the wealthiest churches. This is contrary to a poor Church, a joyously evangelical and prophetic sign of contradiction to worldliness.”

His Eminence also insisted on a ‘Discernment of History and Spirits.’ He then discerned: 

“A second hope: that the Synod honor its historic mission and not limit itself to speaking only about certain pastoral issues (such as the possible communion for divorced and remarried) but help the Holy Father to enunciate clearly truths and real guidance on a global level. For there are new challenges with respect to the synod celebrated in 1980. A theological discernment enables us to see in our time two unexpected threats (almost like two “apocalyptic beasts”) located on opposite poles: on the one hand, the idolatry of Western freedom; on the other, Islamic fundamentalism: atheistic secularism versus religious fanaticism. To use a slogan, we find ourselves between “gender ideology and ISIS”. Islamic massacres and libertarian demands regularly contend for the front page of the newspapers. (Let us remember what happened last June 26!). From these two radicalizations arise the two major threats to the family: its subjectivist disintegration in the secularized West through quick and easy divorce, abortion, homosexual unions, euthanasia etc. (cf. Gender theory, the ‘Femen’, the LGBT lobby, IPPF …). On the other hand, the pseudo-family of ideologized Islam which legitimizes polygamy, female subservience, sexual slavery, child marriage etc.

Several clues enable us to intuit the same demonic origin of these two movements. Unlike the Spirit of Truth that promotes communion in the distinction (perichoresis), these encourage confusion (homo-gamy) or subordination (poly-gamy). Furthermore, they demand a universal and totalitarian rule, are violently intolerant, destroyers of families, society and the Church, and are openly Christianophobic.”


Cardinal Sarah then insisted that the duty of the Church is first and always fidelity to her bridegroom, Jesus Christ, which in the context of a Synod on the Family means not to make room for divorce, about which Christ has already uttered the last word, but rather to “Proclaim and serve the beauty of Monogamy and the Family’:

“Faced with these two deadly and unprecedented challenges (‘homo-gamy’ and ‘poly-gamy’) the Church must promote a true ‘epiphany of the Family.’ To this both the Pope (as spokesman of the Church) may contribute, and individual Bishops and Pastors of the Christian flock: that is, ‘the Church of God, which he has obtained with his own blood’ (Acts: 20:28).

We must proclaim the truth without fear, i.e. the Plan of God, which is monogamy in conjugal love open to life. Bearing in mind the historical situation just recalled, it is urgent that the Church, at its summit, definitively declare the will of the Creator for marriage. How many people of good will and common sense would join in this luminous act of courage carried out by the Church!

Together with a strong and clear Word of the Supreme Magisterium, Pastors have the mission of helping our contemporaries to discover the beauty of the Christian family. To do this, it must first promote all that represents a true Christian Initiation of adults, for the marriage crisis is essentially a crisis of God, but also a crisis of faith, and this is an infantile Christian initiation. Then we must discern those realities that the Holy Spirit is already raising up to reveal the Truth of the Family as an intimate communion in diversity (man and woman) that is generous in the gift of life. We bishops have the urgent duty to recognize and promote the charisms, movements, and ecclesial realities in which the Family is truly revealed, this prodigy of harmony, love of life and hope in Eternity, this cradle of faith and school charity…”

On October 15, 2014, Zenit published an interview in which Cardinal Walter Kasper, the leader of the divorced faction, who said that the African Cardinals “should not tell us too much what we have to do” and questioned whether they were listened to outside of Africa. It turns out His Eminence was expressing more a wish than an observation. 

The First Council of Nicaea, in 325 AD, was another Church event of supreme importance. Yet who, outside of a church historian, can even recall the name of the Pope at the time of the Nicaea? The pivotal figure at Nicaea was not the then-Pope, but Bishop Athanasius. And any Catholic with even a slight knowledge of the faith, not to mention people outside the faith, knows of Athanasius. Hos Holiness Pope Francis called the Synod on the Family. But a thousand years from now it may well be remembered as Cardinal Sarah’s Synod.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

"The Gospel that once transformed cultures is now in danger of being transformed by them"


Here is the Intervention of Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacraments, in the ongoing Synod on the Family.

This is so important, so lucid, and so obviously inspired by and faithful to the Holy Spirit, and to Jesus Christ, we reproduce it in full. This is the voice of the Church!





Your Holiness, Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, participants of the Synod,

I propose these three thoughts:

1. More transparency and respect among us

I feel a strong need to invoke the Spirit of Truth and Love, the source of parrhesia in speaking and humility in listening, who alone is capable of creating true harmony in plurality.

I say frankly that in the previous Synod, on various issues one sensed the temptation to yield to the mentality of the secularized world and individualistic West. Recognizing the so-called “realities of life” as a locus theologicus means giving up hope in the transforming power of faith and the Gospel. The Gospel that once transformed cultures is now in danger of being transformed by them. Furthermore, some of the procedures used did not seem aimed at enriching discussion and communion as much as they did to promote a way of seeing typical of certain fringe groups of the wealthiest churches. This is contrary to a poor Church, a joyously evangelical and prophetic sign of contradiction to worldliness. Nor does one understand why some statements that are not shared by the qualified majority of the last Synod still ended up in the Relatio and then in the Lineamenta and the Instrumentum laboris when other pressing and very current issues (such as gender ideology) are instead ignored.

The first hope is therefore that, in our work, there by more freedom, transparency and objectivity. For this, it would be beneficial to publish the summaries of the interventions, to facilitate discussion and avoid any prejudice or discrimination in accepting the pronouncements of the synod Fathers.

2. Discernment of history and of spirits

A second hope: that the Synod honor its historic mission and not limit itself to speaking only about certain pastoral issues (such as the possible communion for divorced and remarried) but help the Holy Father to enunciate clearly truths and real guidance on a global level. For there are new challenges with respect to the synod celebrated in 1980. A theological discernment enables us to see in our time two unexpected threats (almost like two “apocalyptic beasts”) located on opposite poles: on the one hand, the idolatry of Western freedom; on the other, Islamic fundamentalism: atheistic secularism versus religious fanaticism. To use a slogan, we find ourselves between “gender ideology and ISIS”. Islamic massacres and libertarian demands regularly contend for the front page of the newspapers. (Let us remember what happened last June 26!). From these two radicalizations arise the two major threats to the family: its subjectivist disintegration in the secularized West through quick and easy divorce, abortion, homosexual unions, euthanasia etc. (cf. Gender theory, the ‘Femen’, the LGBT lobby, IPPF …). On the other hand, the pseudo-family of ideologized Islam which legitimizes polygamy, female subservience, sexual slavery, child marriage etc. (cf. Al Qaeda, Isis, Boko Haram …)

Several clues enable us to intuit the same demonic origin of these two movements. Unlike the Spirit of Truth that promotes communion in the distinction (perichoresis), these encourage confusion (homo-gamy) or subordination (poly-gamy). Furthermore, they demand a universal and totalitarian rule, are violently intolerant, destroyers of families, society and the Church, and are openly Christianophobic.

“We are not contending against creatures of flesh and blood ….” We need to be inclusive and welcoming to all that is human; but what comes from the Enemy cannot and must not be assimilated. You can not join Christ and Belial! What Nazi-Fascism and Communism were in the 20th century, Western homosexual and abortion Ideologies and Islamic Fanaticism are today.

3. Proclaim and serve the beauty of Monogamy and the Family

Faced with these two deadly and unprecedented challenges (“homo-gamy” and “poly-gamy”) the Church must promote a true “epiphany of the Family.” To this both the Pope (as spokesman of the Church) may contribute, and individual Bishops and Pastors of the Christian flock: that is, “the Church of God, which he has obtained with his own blood” (Acts: 20:28).

We must proclaim the truth without fear, i.e. the Plan of God, which is monogamy in conjugal love open to life. Bearing in mind the historical situation just recalled, it is urgent that the Church, at its summit, definitively declare the will of the Creator for marriage. How many people of good will and common sense would join in this luminous act of courage carried out by the Church!

Together with a strong and clear Word of the Supreme Magisterium, Pastors have the mission of helping our contemporaries to discover the beauty of the Christian family. To do this, it must first promote all that represents a true Christian Initiation of adults, for the marriage crisis is essentially a crisis of God, but also a crisis of faith, and this is an infantile Christian initiation. Then we must discern those realities that the Holy Spirit is already raising up to reveal the Truth of the Family as an intimate communion in diversity (man and woman) that is generous in the gift of life. We bishops have the urgent duty to recognize and promote the charisms, movements, and ecclesial realities in which the Family is truly revealed, this prodigy of harmony, love of life and hope in Eternity, this cradle of faith and school charity. And there are so many realities offered by Providence, together with the Second Vatican Council, in which this miracle is offered.

Translation from Italian by Diane Montagna.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

¡La Super Estrella de Música Latina, Emmanuel, se unira a la Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste del 2016!

Wow! Mexican music superstar Emmanuel will be a speaker at January 23's Walk for Life West Coast. I'm not too wired into the Latino popular music scene, but those who are tell me he is gigantic. Here's the Walk's press release annoucing the exciting news (English version follows).

¡La Super Estrella de Música Latina, Emmanuel, se unira a la
Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste del 2016!

Los organizadores del evento están encantados con la presencia del legendario cantante pro-vida mexicano el 23 de enero

San Francisco, 29 de septiembre del 2015 - La Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste tiene el honor de anunciar que Emmanuel (nacido en la Ciudad de México como Jesús Emmanuel Acha Martínez) se unirá a la doceava Caminata anual por la Vida de la Costa Oeste en San Francisco el 23 de enero del 2016.

"Esto es tan emocionante-Emmanuel es conocido en todo el mundo de habla hispana por sus hermosas baladas!", Dijo Eva Muntean, co-fundadora de la Caminata. "Pero a pesar de que nos encanta su extraordinaria música,  su voluntad de poner su fama en la línea a favor de la vida, en defensa de los más pequeños entre nosotros, eso es lo que más admiramos!"

Muntean continuo diciendo, "Emmanuel tiene una larga historia de estar del lado de la vida. Ha utilizado su talento y fama para ayudar a los necesitados, uniéndose en el recaudo de fondos y para crear conciencia a otras estrellas del mundo de habla hispana como el actor Eduardo Verástegui , la actriz Verónica Castro y Karyme Lozano. Él comparte nuestra convicción de que el aborto daña a las mujeres, y, ¡estamos encantados y honrados de que se una a nosotros el 23 de enero del 2016!

Emmanuel entró a la escena musical en México en la década de los 70. Por la década de los 80 fue sin duda la estrella más grande del país. Su cuarto álbum Íntimamente  tuvo siete canciones de éxito por si solas.

La Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste del 2016 dará inicio a las 12:30 de la tarde, con un manifestación en la Plaza del Centro Cívico de la ciudad. Tras la manifestación, en la que hablaran Emmanuel y otros, los caminantes marcharán por la calle Market.


Fundada en el 2005 por un grupo de residentes del área de la bahía de San Francisco, la misión de la Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste es cambiar las percepciones de una sociedad que piensa que el aborto es una respuesta. Se esperan participantes de toda el área de la bahía y de todo Estados Unidos y Canadá.

Para más detalles y para ver un poderoso video promocional para la Caminata y que se puede compartir en las redes sociales, por favor visite: www.walkforlifewc.com

Para realizar una entrevista con cualquiera de los oradores u organizadores de la Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste, por favor póngase en contacto con:
Rose Trabbic, Publicista, Camina Pro Vida de la Costa Oeste,
media@walkforlifewc.com o (239)867-4180

________________________________

Latino Music Superstar Emmanuel to join
2016 Walk for Life West Coast!
Organizers delighted with presence of Mexico’s legendary pro-life singer at January 23 event


San Francisco, September 21, 2015 – The Walk for Life West Coast is honored to announce that Emmanuel (born Jesús Emmanuel Acha Martinez in Mexico City) will be joining the 12th Annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco on January 23, 2016.

 “This is so exciting—Emmanuel is known throughout the entire Spanish-speaking world for his beautiful ballads!” said Eva Muntean, a co-founder of the Walk.  “But while we love his extraordinary music, it is his willingness to put his fame on the line for life, in defense of the littlest among us, that we admire the most!”

Muntean continues, “Emmanuel has a long history of standing for life. He has used his talent and fame to help those in need, joining other stars from the Spanish-speaking world such as actor Eduardo Verastegui and actress Veronica Castro Lozano Karyme in raising both funds and awareness. He shares our conviction that abortion hurts women, and we are delighted and honored to have him join us on January 23, 2016!”

Emmanuel came on the music scene in Mexico in the 1970’s. By the 1980’s he was arguably the country’s biggest star. His fourth album Íntimamente (Intimately) had seven separate hit songs.

The 2016 Walk for Life West Coast will begin at 12:30 PM with a rally in the city’s Civic Center Plaza. Following the rally, where Emmanuel and others will be speaking, walkers will march down Market Street.

Founded in 2005 by a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents, the Walk for Life West Coast’s mission is to change the perceptions of a society that thinks abortion is an answer. Walk participants are expected from throughout the Bay Area and across the United States and Canada.

For more details, and to view a powerful promo video for the walk that can be shared on social media, please visit: www.walkforlifewc.com




Friday, October 2, 2015

October 10: AB Cordileone to lead SF Eucharistic Procession and Rosary Rally!!

Be there, Bay Area Catholics!

From September 30's California Catholic Daily:


On Saturday, October 10, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will once again lead his flock as he bears the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of San Francisco at the Fifth Annual San Francisco Rosary Rally. The rally will be held in the city’s United Nations Plaza at 12 noon.

The San Francisco Rosary Rally was reborn in 2011 as an effort of the SF Senatus of the Legion of Mary. Other groups quickly joined the effort: Immaculate Heart Radio, The Knights of Columbus, Ignatius Press, Cruzada Guadalupana Arquidiócesana, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the Archdiocesan Ministry for Spanish Speaking. The 2011 rally marked the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Patrick Peyton’s 1961 Rosary Crusade, held in the City’s Golden Gate Park. That event drew over 550,000 people—still the largest crowd ever assembled in San Francisco.

On August 7, San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone sent a letter to all pastors of the Archdiocese, urging them to lead their flocks to the Rally: “Since our first rally five years ago, the event has drawn an ever-growing number of priests, religious and faithful onto our streets to pray. These faithful come from San Francisco and beyond. Their intention is very simple: to pray for the needs of our great City and nation. I believe the presence of so many people in prayer is a great witness to those with whom we share our City. It is a sign too that God is truly with us and the Faith is alive…I invite you and your parishioners to join me in this celebration of our Catholic spirituality and tradition.”

The day begins with a 10:00 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, concelebrated by Father Arturo Albano, the rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and other priests. Following Mass, the Archbishop will lead the Eucharistic Procession from the Cathedral to United Nations Plaza, where the Rosary rally will begin at 12:00 noon. When the Eucharistic procession arrives they will be greeted by a second group of Catholics, already at the plaza, praying the rosary.

Archbishop Cordileone will serve as keynote speaker and Father Albano will address the faithful in both Spanish and Tagalog. The rally will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction, and priests will be on hand to hear confessions.

This year’s special guest speaker will be Deacon Robert F. Ellis, the National Coordinator of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA. As a special blessing, the National Pilgrim Statue of the World Apostolate of Fatima will be present. Deacon Ellis wrote recently: “St. Pope John Paul II considered Fatima more important today than it was in 1917. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI cautioned that ‘we would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.’ Pope Francis’ request for the consecration of his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, which was honored on May 13, 2013, the entrustment of WYD 2013 to her, and his consecration of the world to her on October 13, 2013 – all occurring within the first year of his papacy – make his disposition toward the importance of Fatima crystal clear.” -‘How can a world gone mad be saved from itself.’

For more information, go here: http://www.rosaryrallysf.com/

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

‘Ready to lay down our lives in service for humanity’: Young Priest, Deacon Shine at St. Patrick Seminary Gala

A shorter version of this post appeared in last week's California Catholic Daily.

On the evening of Saturday, September 19, more than 550 people gathered on the outdoor grounds of St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. The evening was warm and clear. The occasion was St. Patrick’s Eighth ‘Four Pillars’ Gala, the seminary’s annual fundraiser in support of their mission: forming men for the priesthood of God. Founded in 1898, St. Patrick’s is currently forming 72 men from the dioceses of Fresno (3), Honolulu (5), Monterey (3), Oakland (11), Orange (6), Reno (2), Salt Lake City (2), Sacramento (9), San Francisco (16), San Jose (10), Santa Rosa (1), and Stockton (4). The ‘four pillars’ of the seminary are human formation, spiritual formation, intellectual formation, and pastoral formation. The evening’s program describes each pillar as necessary to the final mission “Through human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral development (the seminary) enables Christ-centered men to grow and excel as collaborative, culturally-aware pastoral leaders committed to Jesus and His Church.”

The evening began with Vespers in the seminary chapel.  This was followed by appetizers and cocktails on the lawn, where guests could also bid on items at a silent auction to support the seminary. Those who desired could join a guided tour of the campus, led by seminarians.

As dinner was about to begin,the invocation was given by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. His Excellency was joined by most of the other Bishops whose diocese are served by the seminary.  Bishop Thomas Daly, former Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and currently Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, served as master of ceremonies. Interspersed between his introduction of speakers,  the witty bishop, a San Francisco native, forcefully encouraged the faithful  to bid on auction items and purchase raffle tickets. His encouragement was rewarded:  a silent auction item for a trip to Ireland including a round of golf at one of that countries famous courses went from $0 to over $7,000 in five minutes. The winner of the raffle’s grand prize—a car valued at $35,000 or $25,000 in cash, chose the  money, and returned half as a gift to the seminary.

The special honorees at the event were the members of the  Serra Clubs of the Greater Bay Area (San Francisco, San José and West Contra Costa County). The mission statement of the Serra Clubs is simple and direct: ‘to fostering and affirming vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”

The highlights of the evening, affirming both the mission of the seminary and the impressive quality of the young men being formed, were two addresses to the crowd, the first by the recently ordained Fr. Pat Summerhays, and the second by transitional Deacon Andrew J. Pacheco.

Fr. Summerhays described how each of the ‘four pillars’ contributed to his formation as a priest. His description of spiritual formation was especially powerful:  “Spiritual formation, of course, begins by St. Patrick’s Seminary being a Eucharistic community.  Each day begins with Morning Prayer that leads the seminarians right into the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  It is there that we contemplate Jesus the High Priest who emptied himself completely, laying down his life for all of humanity, allowing us to receive him body, blood, soul and divinity.  It is in this spirit or sacrifice and communion that we are later meant to rise each day in rectories, ready to lay down our lives in service for humanity.  The daily Eucharist Adoration, Days of Recollection, Annual Retreats, and Spiritual Direction allow seminarians to learn how to rest in Christ, learning how to say along with St. Paul: ‘[I]n  any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.  I can do all things in him who strengthens me.’” 

Deacon Pacheco eloquently described a new project certain to enrich the formation experience of the future priests: the construction of large-scale outdoor Stations of the Cross on the seminary grounds. The seminary hopes to raise at least $10,000 for each Station, and each Station will be accompanied by a bench that will bear the name of the donor. A portion of the cost was pledged at the dinner.

The evening closed with the all seminarians gathering on the broad steps of the school, where they led the guest in singing the Salve Regina. The beautiful masculine voices of the seminarians, rising to heaven in praise of Our Blessed Mother, especially following their impressive speeches could not help but remind one of Jesus’ promise that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church.

To help St. Patrick’s Seminary form men for the priesthood, go here:

www.stpatricksseminary.org/ and select the “Donate” tab.

To see a video of seminarians walking the proposed route of the outdoor Stations of the Cross, go here:

https://vimeo.com/139617081 The password to open the video is SPSU.

Pope Francis tells Kim Davis "Stay strong!"

Bless his heart! The Holy Father stands with marriage and the brave Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who went to jail rather than support counterfeit marriage.

Bless both their hearts!

From Reuters:

The Davis couple traveled to Washington and met the pope at the Vatican embassy last Thursday, ABC News and CBS News reported.

"It was really very humbling to even think that he would want to, you know, meet me or know me," Davis told ABC. "I put my hand out, and he grabbed it, and I hugged him, and he hugged me and he said, 'Thank you for your courage'."

"He told me before he left, he said, 'Stay strong.' That was a great encouragement," Davis said.
Davis said knowing that the pope agreed with what she was doing "kind of validates everything."
ABC said the pope gave Davis a rosary, which she plans to give to her Catholic parents.

The pope, speaking to reporters as he returned home from his 10-day trip to the United States and Cuba on Monday, said government officials had a "human right" to refuse to discharge a duty if they felt it violated their conscience.

Davis was jailed for five days in September for refusing to comply with a judge's order to issue the licenses in line with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Archbishop Cordileone Leads SF Protest Against Planned Parenthood!

That's where a good shepherd should be. Bless him!

Today pro-lifers in San Francisco joined people of conscience all over the country in protesting the murderous organization. Archbishop Cordileone led his flock in prayer and witness against the legal murder of the defenseless.

Photos are from Kelly Connelly, Valerie Schmalz, and SF News Feed.