Australians Petition Against Mass Closures

As they enter their winter period, Australians have been faced with closures that they have largely avoided thus far.

Apart from the basket case State of Victoria, most of the country has enjoyed relative normality for the past 18 months compared to Europe, yet now outbreaks have caused a shut down of public Mass in New South Wales.

Australian Catholic outlet Fullstop Catholic told Catholic Arena:

Dear Archbishop Fisher OP,

While general retail is considered "essential" under the current NSW COVID restrictions, our churches are closed and the faithful are being denied the Sacraments.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)

We pray that our shepherds are not lukewarm, and that they will stand up in the face of a government who deems the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as "unessential", while Kmart, Dan Murphy's, Bunnings, and Uber are allowed to operate.

Archbishop Fisher, we plead with you to tell the NSW government that "As long as Kmart has their doors open, we will not close ours".

We ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael the Archangel, St Joseph, St Thomas Becket and all of the martyrs who died because they refused to stop celebrating the Mass.

Our petition has received over 1,000 signatures in less than two days. This should demonstrate to Archbishop Fisher that Sydney Catholics take their faith seriously! We do not want our shepherds bending their knees to the wolves. We want the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! We want Confession! The Sacraments are much more essential than shopping malls and liquor stores.

Most of all, we want to say to the Archbishop: Take courage in the face of injustice, because Jesus Christ, Our Lord, is with you."

Jeremiah 42:11 "Fear not because of the king of Babylon, of whom you are greatly afraid: fear him not, saith the Lord: for I am with you, to save you, and to deliver you from his hand."

Considering the anti clerical nature of those in positions of power in Australia, including Sydney, it would be remiss of the church there to make the mistake of Irish Catholics in complying with every regulation only to find themselves punished severely with extended lockdowns imposed out of spite.

You can sign the petition by clicking on the link below.

Petition · Archbishop Fisher: Open Our Churches! · Change.org

Follow Fullstop Catholic on Twitter.

What Did People Before Profit Mean By This Facebook Post?

In a bizarre Facebook post last night, Far Left Irish political party People Before Profit wrote:

Seven Catholic Churches burned in Canada as outrage for abuses of Native children escalates.

Ireland although some years ahead with their discovered abuse allows the same church own the majority of it's schools.

It hasn't begun to introduce Non Denominational education.

With the background involved this is truly worrying.

#SeparateChurchandState

Firstly, it is remarkable to see a group that lacks adequate comprehension of apostrophes demanding control of the education system (you don’t need an apostrophe when indicating ownership by an ‘it’).

Secondly, we could mention the wealthy background of the leaders of this party, attending Ireland’s wealthiest schools, but the tone in this transcends whatever would be implied by that.

It is hard to know what the post is actually trying to convey.

Any ideas?

Stunning Video Shows Beauty of Irish Mass Rocks

There has been little in the way of public events for Irish Catholics to be enthusiastic about in the past decade, with even events like the Eucharistic Congress and the Papal Visit overshadowed by unfavourable comparisons between the church of today and that of the past.

Yet, there are some shoots of positivity emerging.

Rather than going to stadiums and rock music venues to recapture our sense of faith, a new video shows the power of instead going to the most humble and sincere of locations, the Mass Rock. These rocks were the sites of countless clandestine Masses for centuries, when the Penal Laws outlawed the public worship of the Catholic faith. The video ‘Ireland’s Mass Rocks’ by Aid to the Church in Need shows the power of these sacred places. In a year where public Mass has been heavily restricted, there is an added poignancy to a new audience, embodied by the video which shows Mass being offered in each diocese in Ireland.

The locations are beautiful, so too is the intention, which is for ‘renewal of the Faith in Ireland through the intercession of the Irish Martyrs’.

You can watch the video below, hopefully this will help to increase people’s appreciation for the rich cultural history of Catholicism in Ireland, and its deep connection to not just the Irish people, but to the landscape also.

You can read more about the initiative here: Ireland's Mass Rocks | Aid to the Church in Need Ireland | ACN Ireland

Pope Leo XIII on Christopher Columbus

QUARTO ABEUNTE SAECULO
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
THE COLUMBUS QUADRICENTENNIAL

To Our Venerable Brethren, the Archbishops and
Bishops of Spain, Italy, and the two Americas.

Now that four centuries have sped since a Ligurian first, under God's guidance, touched shores unknown beyond the Atlantic, the whole world is eager to celebrate the memory of the event, and glorify its author. Nor could a worthier reason be found where through zeal should be kindled. For the exploit is in itself the highest and grandest which any age has ever seen accomplished by man; and he who achieved it, for the greatness of his mind and heart, can be compared to but few in the history of humanity. By his toil another world emerged from the unsearched bosom of the ocean: hundreds of thousands of mortals have, from a state of blindness, been raised to the common level of the human race, reclaimed from savagery to gentleness and humanity; and, greatest of all, by the acquisition of those blessings of which Jesus Christ is the author, they have been recalled from destruction to eternal life. Europe, indeed, overpowered at the time by the novelty and strangeness of the discovery, presently came to recognize what was due to Columbus, when, through the numerous colonies shipped to America, through the constant intercourse and interchange of business and the ocean-trade, an incredible addition was made to our knowledge of nature, and to the commonwealth; whilst at the same time the prestige of the European name was marvellously increased. Therefore, amidst so lavish a display of honour, so unanimous a tribute of congratulations, it is fitting that the Church should not be altogether silent; since she, by custom and precedent, willingly approves and endeavours to forward whatsoever she see, and wherever she see it, that is honourable and praiseworthy. It is true she reserves her special and greatest honours for virtues that most signally proclaim a high morality, for these are directly associated with the salvation of souls; but she does not, therefore, despise or lightly estimate virtues of other kinds. On the contrary, she has ever highly favoured and held in honour those who have deserved well of men in civil society, and have thus attained a lasting name among posterity. For God, indeed, is especially wonderful in his Saints - mirabilis in Sanctis suis; but the impress of His Divine virtue also appears in those who shine with excellent power of mind and spirit, since high intellect and greatness of spirit can be the property of men only through their parent and creator, God.

2. But there is, besides, another reason, a unique one, why We consider that this immortal achievement should be recalled by Us with memorial words. For Columbus is ours; since if a little consideration be given to the particular reason of his design in exploring the mare tenebrosum, and also the manner in which he endeavoured to execute the design, it is indubitable that the Catholic faith was the strongest motive for the inception and prosecution of the design; so that for this reason also the whole human race owes not a little to the Church.

3. For we have the record of not a few brave and experienced men, both before and after Christopher Columbus, who with stubbornness and zeal explored unknown lands and seas yet more unknown. And the memory of these, man, mindful of benefits, rightly holds, and will hold in honour; because they advanced the ends of knowledge and humanity, and increased the common prosperity of the race, not by light labour, but by supreme exertion, often accompanied by great dangers. But there is, nevertheless, between these and him of whom we speak, a generous difference. He was distinguished by this unique note, that in his work of traversing and retraversing immense tracts of ocean, he looked for a something greater and higher than did these others. We say not that he was unmoved by perfectly honourable aspirations after knowledge, and deserving well of human society; nor did he despise glory, which is a most engrossing ideal to great souls; nor did he altogether scorn a hope of advantages to himself; but to him far before all these human considerations was the consideration of his ancient faith, which questionless dowered him with strength of mind and will, and often strengthened and consoled him in the midst of the greatest difficulties. This view and aim is known to have possessed his mind above all; namely, to open a way for the Gospel over new lands and seas.

4. This, indeed, may seem of small likelihood to such as confine their whole thought and care to the evidence of the senses, and refuse to look for anything higher. But great intellects, on the contrary, are usually wont to cherish higher ideals; for they, of all men, are most excellently fitted to receive the intuitions and breathings of Divine faith. Columbus certainly had joined to the study of nature the study of religion, and had trained his mind on the teachings that well up from the most intimate depths of the Catholic faith. For this reason, when he learned from the lessons of astronomy and the record of the ancients, that there were great tracts of land lying towards the West, beyond the limits of the known world, lands hitherto explored by no man, he saw in spirit a mighty multitude, cloaked in miserable darkness, given over to evil rites, and the superstitious worship of vain gods. Miserable it is to live in a barbarous state and with savage manners: but more miserable to lack the knowledge of that which is highest, and to dwell in ignorance of the one true God. Considering these things, therefore, in his mind, he sought first of all to extend the Christian name and the benefits of Christian charity to the West, as is abundantly proved by the history of the whole undertaking. For when he first petitioned Ferdinand and Isabella, the Sovereigns of Spain, for fear lest they should be reluctant to encourage the undertaking, he clearly explained its object: "That their glory would grow to immortality, if they resolved to carry the name and doctrine of Jesus Christ into regions so distant." And in no long time having obtained his desires, he bears witness: "That he implores of God that, through His Divine aid and grace, the Sovereigns may continue steadfast in their desire to fill these new missionary shores with the truths of the Gospel." He hastens to seek missionaries from Pope Alexander VI, through a letter in which this sentence occurs: "I trust that, by God's help, I may spread the Holy Name and Gospel of Jesus Christ as widely as may be." He was carried away, as we think, with joy, when on his first return from the Indies he wrote to Raphael Sanchez: "That to God should be rendered immortal thanks, Who had brought his labours such prosperous issues; that Jesus Christ rejoices and triumphs on earth no less than in Heaven, at the approaching salvation of nations innumerable, who were before hastening to destruction." And if he moved Ferdinand and Isabella to decree that only Catholic Christians should be suffered to approach the New World and trade with the natives, he brought forward as reason, "that he sought nothing from his enterprise and endeavour but the increase and glory of the Christian religion." And this was well known to Isabella, who better than any had understood the great man's mind; indeed it is evident that it had been clearly laid before that most pious, masculine-minded, and great-souled woman. For she had declared of Columbus that he would boldly thrust himself upon the vast ocean, "to achieve a most signal thing, for the sake of the Divine glory." And to Columbus himself, on his second return, she writes: "That the expenses she had incurred, and was about to incur, for the Indian expeditions, had been well bestowed; for thence would ensure a spreading of Catholicism,"

5. In truth, except for a Divine cause, whence was he to draw constancy and strength of mind to bear those sufferings which to the last he was obliged to endure? We allude to the adverse opinions of the learned, the rebuffs of the great, the storms of a raging ocean, and those assiduous vigils by which he more than once lost the use of his sight. Then in addition were fights with savages, the infidelity of friends and companions, criminal conspiracies, the perfidy of the envious, and the calumnies of detractors. He must needs have succumbed under labours so vast and overwhelming if he had not been sustained by the consciousness of a nobler aim, which he knew would bring much glory to the Christian name, and salvation to an infinite multitude. And in contrast with his achievement the circumstances of the time show with wonderful effect. Columbus threw open America at the time when a great storm was about to break over the Church. As far, therefore, as it is lawful for man to divine from events the ways of Divine Providence, he seemed to have truly been born, by a singular provision of God, to remedy those losses which were awaiting the Catholic Church on the side of Europe.

6. To persuade the Indian people to Christianity was, indeed, the duty and work of the Church, and upon that duty she entered from the beginning, and continued, and still continues, to pursue in continuous charity, reaching finally the furthest limits of Patagonia. Columbus resolved to go before and prepare the ways for the Gospel, and, deeply absorbed in this idea, gave all his energies to it, attempting hardly anything without religion for his guide and piety for his companion. We mention what is indeed well known, but is also characteristic of the man's mind and soul. For being compelled by the Portuguese and Genoese to leave his object unachieved, when he had reached Spain, within the wall of a Religious house he matured his great design of meditated exploration, having for confidant and adviser a Religious-a disciple of Francis of Assisi. Being at length about to depart for the sea, he attended to all that which concerned the welfare of his soul on the eve of his enterprise. He implored the Queen of Heaven to assist his efforts and direct his course; and he ordered that no sail should be hoisted until the name of the Trinity had been invoked. When he had put out to sea, and the waves were now growing tempestuous, and the sailors were filled with terror, he kept a tranquil constancy of mind, relying on God. The very names he gave to the newly discovered islands tell the purposes of the man. At each disembarkation he offered up prayers to Almighty God, nor did he take possession save "in the Name of Jesus Christ." Upon whatsoever shores he might be driven, his first act was to set upon the shore the standard of the holy Cross: and the name of the Divine Redeemer, which he had so often sung on the open sea to the sound of the murmuring waves, he conferred upon the new islands. Thus at Hispaniola he began to build from the ruins of the temple, and all popular celebrations were preceded by the most sacred ceremonies.

7. This, then, was the object, this the end Columbus had in view in traversing such a vast extent of land and water to discover those countries hitherto uncultivated and inaccessible, but which, afterwards, as we have seen, have made such rapid strides in civilization and wealth and fame. And in truth the magnitude of the undertaking, as well as the importance and variety of the benefits that arose from it, call for some fitting and honourable commemoration of it among men. And, above all, it is fitting that we should confess and celebrate in an especial manner the will and designs of the Eternal Wisdom, under whose guidance the discoverer of the New World placed himself with a devotion so touching.

8. In order, therefore, that the commemoration of Columbus may be worthily observed, religion must give her assistance to the secular ceremonies. And as at the time of the first news of the discovery public thanksgiving was offered by the command of the Sovereign Pontiff to Almighty God, so now we have resolved to act in like manner in celebrating the anniversary of this auspicious event.

9. We decree, therefore, that on October 12, or on the following Sunday, if the Ordinary should prefer it, in all the Cathedral churches and convent chapels throughout Spain, Italy, and the two Americas, after the office of the day there shall be celebrated a Solemn Mass of the Most Holy Trinity. Moreover, besides the abovementioned countries, We feel assured that the other nations, prompted to it by the counsel of their bishops will likewise join in the celebration, since it is fitting that an event from which all have derived benefit should be piously and gratefully commemorated by all.

10. Meanwhile, as a pledge of heavenly favours and of Our own paternal goodwill, we lovingly bestow the Apostolic Benediction in Our Lord upon you, Venerable Brethren, and upon your clergy and people.

Given at Rome, from St. Peter's, on the 16th day of July, 1892, in the fifteenth year of Our Pontificate.

LEO XIII

Pope Benedict XVI on Doubting Thomas

July 3rd is the date when St. Thomas the Apostle was martyred.

These are Pope Benedict XVI’s words from September 2006 on the importance of his life.

Continuing our encounters with the Twelve Apostles chosen directly by Jesus, today we will focus our attention on Thomas. Ever present in the four lists compiled by the New Testament, in the first three Gospels he is placed next to Matthew (cf. Mt 10: 3; Mk 3: 18; Lk 6: 15), whereas in Acts, he is found after Philip (cf. Acts 1: 13).

His name derives from a Hebrew root, ta'am, which means "paired, twin". In fact, John's Gospel several times calls him "Dydimus" (cf. Jn 11: 16; 20: 24; 21: 2), a Greek nickname for, precisely, "twin". The reason for this nickname is unclear.

It is above all the Fourth Gospel that gives us information that outlines some important traits of his personality.

The first concerns his exhortation to the other Apostles when Jesus, at a critical moment in his life, decided to go to Bethany to raise Lazarus, thus coming dangerously close to Jerusalem (Mk 10: 32).

On that occasion Thomas said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (Jn 11: 16). His determination to follow his Master is truly exemplary and offers us a valuable lesson:  it reveals his total readiness to stand by Jesus, to the point of identifying his own destiny with that of Jesus and of desiring to share with him the supreme trial of death.

In fact, the most important thing is never to distance oneself from Jesus.

Moreover, when the Gospels use the verb "to follow", it means that where he goes, his disciple must also go.

Thus, Christian life is defined as a life with Jesus Christ, a life to spend together with him. St Paul writes something similar when he assures the Christians of Corinth:  "You are in our hearts, to die together and to live together" (II Cor 7: 3). What takes place between the Apostle and his Christians must obviously apply first of all to the relationship between Christians and Jesus himself:  dying together, living together, being in his Heart as he is in ours.

A second intervention by Thomas is recorded at the Last Supper. On that occasion, predicting his own imminent departure, Jesus announced that he was going to prepare a place for his disciples so that they could be where he is found; and he explains to them:  "Where [I] am going you know the way" (Jn 14: 4). It is then that Thomas intervenes, saying:  "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" (Jn 14: 5).

In fact, with this remark he places himself at a rather low level of understanding; but his words provide Jesus with the opportunity to pronounce his famous definition:  "I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life" (Jn 14: 6).

Thus, it is primarily to Thomas that he makes this revelation, but it is valid for all of us and for every age. Every time we hear or read these words, we can stand beside Thomas in spirit and imagine that the Lord is also speaking to us, just as he spoke to him.

At the same time, his question also confers upon us the right, so to speak, to ask Jesus for explanations. We often do not understand him. Let us be brave enough to say:  "I do not understand you, Lord; listen to me, help me to understand". In such a way, with this frankness which is the true way of praying, of speaking to Jesus, we express our meagre capacity to understand and at the same time place ourselves in the trusting attitude of someone who expects light and strength from the One able to provide them.

Then, the proverbial scene of the doubting Thomas that occurred eight days after Easter is very well known. At first he did not believe that Jesus had appeared in his absence and said:  "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe" (Jn 20: 25).

Basically, from these words emerges the conviction that Jesus can now be recognized by his wounds rather than by his face. Thomas holds that the signs that confirm Jesus' identity are now above all his wounds, in which he reveals to us how much he loved us. In this the Apostle is not mistaken.

As we know, Jesus reappeared among his disciples eight days later and this time Thomas was present. Jesus summons him:  "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing" (Jn 20: 27).

Thomas reacts with the most splendid profession of faith in the whole of the New Testament:  "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20: 28). St Augustine comments on this:  Thomas "saw and touched the man, and acknowledged the God whom he neither saw nor touched; but by the means of what he saw and touched, he now put far away from him every doubt, and believed the other" (In ev. Jo. 121, 5).

The Evangelist continues with Jesus' last words to Thomas:  "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (Jn 20: 29). This sentence can also be put into the present:  "Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe".

In any case, here Jesus spells out a fundamental principle for Christians who will come after Thomas, hence, for all of us.

It is interesting to note that another Thomas, the great Medieval theologian of Aquinas, juxtaposed this formula of blessedness with the apparently opposite one recorded by Luke:  "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see!" (Lk 10: 23). However, Aquinas comments:  "Those who believe without seeing are more meritorious than those who, seeing, believe" (In Johann. XX lectio VI 2566).

In fact, the Letter to the Hebrews, recalling the whole series of the ancient biblical Patriarchs who believed in God without seeing the fulfilment of his promises, defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb 11: 1).

The Apostle Thomas' case is important to us for at least three reasons:  first, because it comforts us in our insecurity; second, because it shows us that every doubt can lead to an outcome brighter than any uncertainty; and, lastly, because the words that Jesus addressed to him remind us of the true meaning of mature faith and encourage us to persevere, despite the difficulty, along our journey of adhesion to him.

A final point concerning Thomas is preserved for us in the Fourth Gospel, which presents him as a witness of the Risen One in the subsequent event of the miraculous catch in the Sea of Tiberias (cf. Jn 21: 2ff.).

On that occasion, Thomas is even mentioned immediately after Simon Peter: an evident sign of the considerable importance that he enjoyed in the context of the early Christian communities.

Indeed, the Acts and the Gospel of Thomas, both apocryphal works but in any case important for the study of Christian origins, were written in his name.

Lastly, let us remember that an ancient tradition claims that Thomas first evangelized Syria and Persia (mentioned by Origen, according to Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History 3, 1) then went on to Western India (cf. Acts of Thomas 1-2 and 17ff.), from where also he finally reached Southern India.

Let us end our reflection in this missionary perspective, expressing the hope that Thomas' example will never fail to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Our God.

Former Occultist Discusses Conversion to Catholicism

Stevie Rojas is a Catholic writer. You can follow him on Twitter at Stevie Rojas and follow his blog at stevierojas.com

I am what’s called a revert: someone who was already a Catholic and left the faith in the middle of their life, but returned later on by the grace of God. Before I made my way back to the Church, God permitted me to wander through the desert of my own fallible will. I made choices for myself in terms of my outlook in life and in spiritual matters which caused me a great deal of stress and pain. But if God hadn’t let me go on my own to wander, I never would have seen how He was slowly and gently orchestrating events in my life in order for me to get to know Him,  His purpose for me, and lead me back to the Truth, which was right in front of me all along.

            The Catholic Church is a very precious gift by Spain to the Philippines and it is very much integrated with the identity and culture of the country. It’s very common for people to go to mass on Sundays, and almost everyone attended a Catholic school. Me and my family was one of the many and common. We would regularly go to mass on Sundays, and we all went to the same Catholic School. It’s one of the oldest Catholic schools in the country, so it has its fair share of history and a legacy to live up to.

            It was obvious that the Church was present in my life, but I sadly never really paid any attention to her. I was numb and desensitized to the Church and her teachings because I was part of a culturally Catholic society which was also numb and desensitized to the faith. This is one of the harshest truths about Catholic Countries: The Church and the practice of the faith is so common that it is prone to being taken for granted and losing its genuineness.

            When I was in high school, I began to notice how so many people around me called themselves Catholic, but practiced the faith half-heartedly, or even blindly. I could see how they weren’t sincere in their faith because their words and actions did not fit with what I was learning from Catholic School. This then made me think Catholicism was fake and superficial. I began questioning everything I was learning about the faith because it seemed pointless if  “Catholics” around me were behaving in very un-Catholic ways. This sparked in me a desire to go on search for the truth and something I’d believe to be absolutely real. Because of this desire, I left Catholicism behind thinking I’d find answers elsewhere. This is where my spiritual desert exile begins, though I didn’t know it was a desert, yet.

            “Father, I don’t think being a Catholic fits me anymore.”

            “Care to explain?” the priest asked, with a gentle and caring look on his face.

            “I’ve been having questions and I started looking elsewhere,” I answered nervously.

            “Like where?” he asked with a genuine look of curiosity and concern.

            “Like in Buddhism especially, and many others.” I said nervously.

            To my surprise and comfort, the priest answers “Good. Keep looking, and God will lead you to Him.”

            Since I attended a Catholic High School, confession was mandatory. I believe that this was the moment I walked away from the Church because it was like this priest was letting me do so. So I began to dabble with different spiritual beliefs and systems, which I now realize were my desert illusions or mirages. These would range from Buddhism to Taoism, From Gaudiya Vaishnavism (The Hindu religion of the Hare Krishnas) to Gnosticism, even from the very darkest pit of Satanism and Occultism. I was a pagan, trying to mix and match different beliefs to what I thought would be beneficial and applicable to my life.

            From Buddhist meditations, to Taoist Qi Gong.

            From chanting Hare Krishna, to reading and researching “Lost Gospels” that weren’t included in the bible.

            From spell casting and divination, to actually worshipping Satan.

            Not just a symbol or idea of Satan, but actually Satan himself.

            I was becoming an enemy of God.

            When I look back at this stage in my life, I see how this was the subtle beginning of a pessimistic view of life for me. Everything was starting to look bleak and it was like life had no meaning. I would also find out that because of my dealings with the Devil, I would be followed by negative forces that would still haunt me to this day.

            After dabbling into these various spiritual systems, I began to feel drained. By the time I reached college, all the thinking and exploring into spirituality made me so exhausted that I just decided to drop everything and just label myself an Agnostic. I already definitely knew that I had belief in a certain god or “supreme being” and it’s existence, but I just didn’t know him, and didn’t know if I’d ever get to know him. At the very least, I felt how Atheism was never going to be an option for me because I already believed in a first-cause or first mover, and that existence wasn’t just by chance.

            As an Agnostic, I lived a very secular life with little to no care about spirituality, which is actually how most people live these days. I was very worldly as I was focused on my own comfort and pleasure. I became a lover of money and fame, as my work was slowly creeping it’s way into my identity and self-worth. During this time, I was hit by an existential crisis that I would mark as my spiritual rock bottom. A simple thought crept its way to my head and it shook me to my core: “What is the point of everything I’m doing if I’m just going to die someday?”

            What’s the point of working?

            What’s the point of leisure?

            What’s the point of spending time with friends?

            What’s the point of drinking coffee?

            What’s the point of love?

            What’s the point of life?

            I was troubled for weeks. Sleepless nights ensued wherein I’d sometimes cry myself to sleep. My girlfriend, who is now my wife, was on the receiving end of my rants and ramblings about the point of life and she was naturally worried about me, and even questioned my sanity. I felt like I was drowning in a deep dark pit of hopeless despair.

            Then, God reached out His hand to me through a friend.      

            This friend of mine contacted me and wanted to meet up for lunch since he lived far away and we haven’t seen each other since our college days. I was excited to see him, so we decided to have lunch together. On the day of our meeting, while enjoying lunch and after casual discussions about work and life, he shared with me that he started taking Jesus and the Bible seriously. With the initial skepticism, but with a lot of curiosity, I asked him how and why. He told me he left Catholicism behind and joined a local Evangelical Church. He then invited me to attend one of their services, and I thought “Well, I haven’t given Christianity a try, so I guess I’ll check it out!” It’s funny because I was born into Christianity but NEVER even knew it. It was right under my nose, but I never even bothered to take a look at it. At this time I decided to pick up Christianity as if it were something completely new to me.

            I got to know Jesus a lot more thanks to the Protestants. It was during my time with them that I convinced myself of the truth of Jesus, His teachings, and His divinity. I was delving into reformed theology, and was in awe of God’s majesty and sovereignty. As I was becoming so invested in Christianity, I was also becoming very rigid to the point of being hostile towards friends and family. I didn’t like the division it was causing in my life, and so I left Protestantism behind, and went on my way with much more knowledge of Jesus and a great appreciation of the Bible.

            As I fell away from Christianity, I began to pick up on my dabbling with various spiritual systems again, but it was at this point that I knew for a fact that Jesus Christ was someone very important in my spiritual life, but going back to Catholicism or a Protestantism was the last thing I wanted to do. The only thing left for me this time was Gnosticism and the Occult. These two can be easily related with one another because they both had their own subjective opinions on the words of Jesus Christ. They are two of the most deceitful of all the illusions, for the simple reason of how it is masked as Christianity, but it is really a deception of the Devil himself. They seek to restructure God’s words, to the tune of the serpent in the book of Genesis.  As a Gnostic/Occultist, I was practicing spell casting and divination, and was under the wrong impression that these skills were the works of God.

            I was living a very Pagan life, I got engaged to my girlfriend. Since we live in a Catholic country, it’s an automatic and unquestionable that marriage meant marriage in the Catholic Church. As we were fixing requirements for marriage, we learned that my fiancee hasn’t been a confirmed Catholic yet. We had to fix that, so we went to her parish, which is the Shrine of Mt. Carmel so that she could attend a one-day seminar and interview before her confirmation. I was allowed to attend with her, and so I did, and I was listening intently because any topic on Jesus Christ was interesting to me at this point, and it didn’t matter who was talking about Jesus.

            What I noticed was that I was internally answering questions thrown at her that were in line with the truths of the faith. There were questions about Catholic doctrine such as purgatory, praying to the saints, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and many more. At that moment, inside that shrine, I suddenly asked my self “What the are you doing? Isn’t this where you ought to be?”

            As I looked back at my life of spiritual seeking, I started to realize how everything I was doing was in fact a search for God. I saw the spiritual desert God was leading me through, and more importantly, I saw and felt God with me all along. I was blind to Him! I then saw the road pointing me back towards Rome: Towards the Catholic Church, and this was when I began to study the Catholic Faith like how I would any other belief system - with true curiosity and passion! The longer I studied the Church, its history and its timeless teachings, the more I felt like I discovered a treasure chest which contained all of my heart’s desires. The Church Fathers, Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Irenaeus, and Papal Encyclicals, I gobbled them all up! When I saw everything at my disposal, which Jesus Christ through Church FREELY GAVE to humanity, I couldn’t believe what I so angrily walked away from.

            As my inquiries and studies piled up, I began to learn the most interesting things.

            I was starting to see how Buddhist meditation was preparing me for contemplation.

            The Taoist mindset of Wu Wei or “doing without doing” was preparing me for                   Abandonment to Divine Providence.

            My repeated chanting of “Hare Krishna” was preparing me for appreciating the beauty of the Rosary and the Jesus Prayer.

            My stint with Protestants made me appreciate Scripture and Jesus.

            My interests in Occultic rituals was preparing me to appreciate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

            I was starting to see how the Fullness of Truth was in fact in the Catholic Church!

            The moment I saw that, I immediately went to confession to ask God for forgiveness, and to let Him know that I wanted to come back home. What scared me the most was having to confess devil worship but I was already convinced that I had to do it. When I mustered up the courage to let it out, I was surprised to hear the priest thank God for another repentant soul. When I heard the words of Absolution, I felt the heaviest weight lifted off my mind and shoulders and I began to live the Catholic faith authentically and not culturally.

            This is why I owe my life to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and choose to wear the Brown Scapular without fail. Because it was at her shrine that I realized how I left home, only to find my way back into it by God’s grace. I am also an Opus Dei Cooperator, since they provide me with some much needed companionship and spiritual direction as I walk with God and His Church.

            Today, I still continue to study the faith with the same passion and fervor that I had for other belief systems. The difference now is that I am not on a wide road that leads to a dead end, but on a narrow road that leads God Himself. I also have a dream of getting a Ph.D on Catholic Theology in the hopes of being able to teach it one day, because I believe Catholic Schools could really use more teachers that are truly passionate and sincere about God and their faith.

            I end my story with a nod to that priest who told me to go ahead and search for God. He was right after all! I sought, and I found. And what I found, has been right in front of me all along.

            “God is at home. It’s we who have gone out for a walk.” - Meister Eckhart

Rally for Life 2021

2021’s Rally for Life will take place both online and in person.

There are a number of events spread across the weekend, the first one is the Vigil for Life.

The Vigil for Life venues on Friday 2nd July:

• St. Mary’s in Cork City

• Jordanstown Church, Enfield at 7.30pm

• St. Saviours Dominican Church in Dominick Street at 8pm

• Dominican Sisters Limerick 7pm for a pro-life hour

On Sunday 4th of July, RallyforLife.Net will host a virtual rally.

On Saturday, 3rd of July the following venues will host the Rally for Life

• Carlow: Carlow Town Fountain @ 2pm

• Clare; Ennistymon 8- 8:30, Lisdoonvarna 9-9:30, Ballyvaghna 10-10:30, Crusheen 11-11:30 Tulla 12-12:30, Killalloo 1-1:30, Newmarket on Fergus 2-2:30 Kilrush 3-3:30 Milton Malbay 4-4:30 Inagh 5-5:30 Ennis 6-7pm

• Cork; Cork City @ 12 noon, Midleton Court house @ 12 noon, Macroom @ 12 noon, Mallow Plaza @ 11am

• Donegal; Letterkenny @ 12 noon, Buncrana @ Buncrana @ 1:30 @ Credit union onto Market Square

• Dublin; Castleknock, Phoenix Park @ 12 noon

• Dublin; GPO Island at 2pm City Centre

• Galway; Eyre Square @ 11am

• Kerry; Tralee @ 2pm

• Kildare; Outside Naas at the N7 Ball @ 12 noon

• Kilkenny; High street @ 2pm

• Laois; Portlaoise @ 2pm

• Leitrim: Carrick On Shannon @ 3pm

• Limerick; Limerick City @ 12noon

• Longford

• Offaly: Shannon Bridge @ 4pm, Clonmacnoise @ 6pm

• Mayo; Castlebar @ 1pm

• Meath; Trim @ 11am, Navan, Kennedy Plaza @ 11am

• Roscommon; Roscommon Town @ 11 am at Casey’s roundabout

• Sligo; Sligo Town, Wine Street Car Park @ 12 noon

• Waterford; John Roberts Square @ 12 noon (Friday), Dungarvan @ 11am (Sat)

• Westmeath; Mullingar @ 11am, Athlone @ 3pm

• Wexford; Wexford Town @ 12 noon, Enniscorthy @ 12 noon, New Ross @ 12 noon, Bunclody @ 12 noon

NORTHERN IRELAND

ANTRIM; meeting at the roundabout beside St. Comgalls Church @ 2pm

• ARMAGH; Junction at the bottom of Scotch Street @ 2pm

• BELFAST; City Hall @ 2pm

• BALLYMEMA; The Bandstand Broadway @ 2pm

• BANGOR; Main Street @ 2pm

• COLERAINE; Coleraine Marina @ 2pm

• DERRY; The Quays opposite Mama Masala @ 2pm

• DOWNPATRICK; Market Street, beside Danske Bank @ 2pm

• DUNGANNON; The Square Dungannon @ 2pm

• DUNGIVEN; meeting on Main Street in Chapel carpark @ 2pm

• ENNISKILLEN; meeting in front of Enniskillen Technical College, opposite Dunnes @ 2pm

• KEADY; The Monument @ 2pm

• LURGAN; The Plaza beside War Memorial @ 2pm

• NEWRY; Fiveways roundabout @ 2pm

• OMAGH; meeting at Danske Bank on Market Street @ 2pm

• MAGHERA; meeting at the leisure centre, Coleraine Road @ 2pm

• CARNLOUGH; meeting at the Harbour @ 2pm

Anger at Reports That Communion Ban was NOT Medical Advice

At the end of a press conference on Monday, Taoiseach in Waiting Leo Varadkar (who will resume his former post when Micheal Martin’s run comes to an end soon) uttered ‘They’re off’, when asked about Communions and Confirmations that some families had been waiting a year for. The evident insensitivity towards Catholic families was reflected in a bizarre follow up interview the morning after, when Varadkar told State Media that cinemas were safe, but that Communions and Confirmations were ‘linked to superspreader events’. This is completely untrue, as not a single outbreak has been linked to a Catholic church in Ireland. If the argument is that people might have parties afterwards, then what next? Cancel coverage of the Euros on tv? Cancel birthdays? Weddings are proceeding lest we forget.

Leo Varadkar today falsely connected Communions and Confirmations to 'superspreader' events, after he himself partied without a mask at Pride in Dublin this past weekend.@CatholicBishops @frmichaeltoomey pic.twitter.com/xZfZV05qbw

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 30, 2021

Getting away from focusing on Varadkar too closely, the Irish government appears to be in complete chaos.

Remarkably, despite the picketing of a Catholic church by members of his party in Ballyfermot last week, it was Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould who spoke first, saying:

I want to take this opportunity to raise a particular issue. In the Taoiseach's report, he discussed the Covid-19 crisis. In the scale of things, the following might not be a big issue but I have been contacted by many people last night and today who are very upset. They are the parents of children, and they are very angry and frustrated about how the cancellation of confirmations and communions was communicated. An off-the-cuff remark by the Tánaiste at the end of a press conference is not good enough. People have spent the year calling for clarity and clear communication. When announcements such as that made yesterday are being made it is important these communications are made clearly and correctly in order that we do not have people not knowing what is happening. Events have been organised for schools in Cork on Monday and Tuesday and parents have contacted me, as have parish priests. They are going ahead and no one has given them clarity. It is unfair and disrespectful to people who are following all the public health guidelines and the Government's timeline. There needs to be clarity on this.

Peter Fitzpatrick then said:

Another upsetting aspect is the fact that first holy communions and confirmations are not permitted to go ahead. This beggars belief. I have been inundated with calls from angry clergy, school principals and parents all week as a result of this ridiculous situation. I know families that have cancelled holidays and got everything ready so that their loved ones could make their first holy communion or confirmation. It is a ridiculous situation when there are large churches around the country that could take 1,000 or 1,500 people. I heard the Tánaiste this morning mention that he loved going to the cinema and that there would be four or five seats between people, yet he will not let children have their first holy communions and confirmations. It is a disgrace.

Government TD Jim O’Callaghan implored the government to find a solution.

I would like to deal with a specific issue raised with me repeatedly by constituents who have sent me emails yesterday and today, which concerns the cancellation or postponement of confirmations and communions. They had already been postponed on a number of occasions. I was speaking with one grandmother today who told me her granddaughter had to have clothes bought again for her since she had grown out of the clothes that had been bought for the previous planned communion. I would ask that the Government could look at this. There must be creative ways by which this matter can be resolved in order that we can facilitate such communions and confirmations. We are all aware of what we are told is the risk in respect of statistics and modelling by NPHET but it is the responsibility of the Government to come up with solutions for issues such as this. These are very important social development issues for people in our society and we must be seen to try to facilitate them

Others such as Mattie McGrath also spoke out.

One priest claimed that he would not comply with Varadkar’s ‘off the cuff remarks’, if his bishop allowed him.

Priest says he will defy Leo Varadkar’s ‘off the cuff’ postponement of Communions and Confirmations https://t.co/UdGRUUven1 @frmichaeltoomey #Communions #Confirmations #COVID19

— Sarah R Mac Donald (@SarahRMacDonald) June 29, 2021

Bishops are now currently releasing statements advising priests and parishioners that events are postponed.

This was the document released by the Bishop of Meath:

As you will be aware, Government has, once again, decreed that the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion should not proceed at this time. The decision was, according to the Tanaiste, based on the recommendation of NPHET. However, today’s newspapers report that Dr. Tony Houlihan informed members of Dail Eireann yesterday that he never requested that Confirmations and First Holy Communions be postponed. That has added to the sense of confusion and anger amongst callers to the Diocesan Office.

This decision by Government is a source of much disappointment to the young people who have been preparing for and looking forward to the various ceremonies. It is a source of disappointment to their parents, teachers and clergy too who have been involved in preparing them for an important moment in their faith. The proximity of the cancellation to the actual ceremony, which was based on previous Government advice, means that parents have days off planned and other expenses have been incurred.

It is of some surprise that while Government officials have indicated that churches are safe, their concern is what happens afterwards in relation to domestic and other settings. I am confident that, at this juncture, parents know what is safe, will not want to put their families at risk and should be trusted in relation to what happens in their own home.

The Church is in a difficult position in this regard. While there is a temptation to ignore Government on religious worship and the celebration of the sacraments, and many have encouraged such a course of action, that would cause concern to some parents too and would politicise the Sacraments, something which, I believe, should be avoided at all costs.

Once again, despite having a schedule devised for Confirmation in the Diocese starting next week, I find myself in the troubling and regrettable position of having to cancel.

This is a political decision that was made without consultation with Church authorities. I remain troubled that any Government or Government minister can cancel the celebration of religious worship or the Sacraments while, crucially, saying at the same time that what happens within a church is safe. This goes to the heart of freedom of worship.

All religious authorities have worked hard to ensure that whatever happens in places of worship is safe. The parishes of this diocese, through the voluntary work of parishioners, have responded generously, courageously and at some cost to ensure that all ceremonies are conducted in accordance with safety measures for the protection of public health.

This is the right, necessary and prudent thing to do. It is unreasonable to ban Sacraments for everyone on the basis of what might happen in some cases afterwards. Such measures have not been applied across any other sector of society. Other places have either been closed or can open based on what happens within those places. The Church seeks no more and no less.

Many people have been contacting this office and the various parishes expressing concern and seeking information. In the light of Dr. Houlihan’s clarification, I would suggest that such calls are directed towards the politicians who made this decision. In the meantime, be assured that the important Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation will be celebrated as soon as possible in the Diocese. The celebration of Baptism will proceed in this diocese subject to the pastoral judgement of the local clergy, minimum numbers and public health precautions.

The document references the interesting thing about all of this, that the National Public Health Emergency Team are now apparently claiming that they did not advise the government to postpone Communions and Confirmations.

Equally interesting, is the fact that the government appears to have updated its document on public health measures yesterday to include Communions and Confirmations after they had been absent from the original message.

gov.ie - Public health measures that will come into place from 5 July (www.gov.ie)

The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, said that the communication of these changes was ‘disrespectful’ and a ‘complete reversal’ of earlier promises.

It is worth noting, that Irish society at large has accepted the strictest and least productive lockdown measures in Europe without any real resistance. Those who are angry at the bishops are missing this fact, there is much public disgruntlement but very little genuine appetite for ending restrictions.

It is also worth noting, that the spiritual element of the sacraments has long since been lost in celebrations.

Robert Nugent’s video, discussing how 80% of kids who get First Holy Communion don’t return the next week, is food for thought and perhaps a reminder that sometimes God permits such things to be withheld for a time for our own good.

My thoughts pic.twitter.com/2HgbORwcFw

— Robert Nugent (@robertjnugent) June 29, 2021

The Story of How St. Oliver's Head Ended up in Drogheda

St. Oliver Plunkett was found guilty of treason in 1681, before being hanged, drawn and quartered.

At Tyburn, his body was torched by the bloodthirsty Reformers in an act of depraved zealousness.

Painting of St. Oliver’s death in St. Peter’s Parish Church in Drogheda

His head was eventually recovered from the fire and Dom Maurus Corker had it smuggled to the Benedictine Monastery in Lamspringe, Germany. Within the next few years, it was passed on to Cardinal Philip Howard OP at Rome, a friend of St. Oliver, who had helped the Archbishop of Armagh to return to Ireland safely after his ordination as Archbishop. From him, it passed to Oliver’s successor, Archbishop of Armagh Hugh McMahon, who returned the head to its rightful place in Ireland. McMahon brought the head to the Dominican Nuns at Siena, the prioress at the time being Sister Catherin Plunkett, St. Oliver’s grand niece.

As this came during the penal laws, when it was illegal to be a Catholic, much less a member of a religious order, the order and the relic both had to survive together in secret. Having originally started out in a mud cabin, the sisters moved to other parts of Drogheda over the years, always maintaining the veneer of being a boarding house for women rather than a convent.

When Pope Benedict XV declared Plunkett a martyr for the faith on St. Patrick’s Day in 1918, it was inevitable that his head eventually would have to be moved (incidentally it has been claimed that Benedict XV also blessed plans for the Easter Rising when Count Plunkett brought documents written by his son Joseph Mary Plunkett, apparently a distant relative of St. Oliver). Count Plunkett was in the audience on the day that Oliver was beatified.

The sisters had kept the head in good condition for 200 years at this point, with a shrine surrounding the relic at their convent.

Cardinal Michael Logue then requested that the sisters transfer his head to the St. Peter’s Parish Church in Drogheda, which fulfilled an agreement made initially by the sisters when they promised to return it to a successor of McMahon. The head had not been entirely hidden away however before this, in 1881 thousands had flocked to the convent to venerate St. Oliver on the 200 anniversary of his death.

In 1920, which the War of Independence raging, St. Oliver was beatified and his head transferred to the parish church in Drogheda with Eucharistic processions in celebration.

Pope Paul VI visited the shrine on a number of occasions in order to venerate it, eventually lifting Oliver to sainthood during his pontificate, in 1975.

The Canonisation of St. Oliver Plunkett celebrated at his shrine in Drogheda in 1975. pic.twitter.com/zhUeTeOWIe

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 20, 2021

The canonisation of St. Oliver Plunkett in Rome

1975

Today is the Feast of the Irish Martyrs pic.twitter.com/4R8ZwaVaxF

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 20, 2021

Pope John Paul II visited Drogheda in 1979 and venerated the shrine also.

Most of the information in this article is sourced from Tommy Burns’s book ‘St. Oliver Plunkett: Two Centenaries 1921-2021’

Another Canadian Church Burns as Propaganda Prevails

In a now forgotten 2014 article, The Irish Times, wrote the headline ‘The Trouble with the Septic Tank Story’. The article brilliantly outlined some of the problems with the Tuam story, which had morphed from a tale regarding children without proper records, into an urban myth that involved the public imagining 800 babies being ‘dumped’ in a ‘septic tank’ on site.

That story begins with:

‘I never used that word ‘dumped’,” Catherine Corless, a local historian in Co Galway, tells The Irish Times. “I never said to anyone that 800 bodies were dumped in a septic tank. That did not come from me at any point. They are not my words.”

The story that emerged from her work was reported this week in dramatic headlines around the world.

“Tell us the truth about the children dumped in Galway’s mass graves” – The Guardian.

“Bodies of 800 babies, long-dead, found in septic tank at former Irish home for unwed mothers” – The Washington Post.

“Nearly 800 dead babies found in septic tank in Ireland” – Al Jazeera.

It proceeds:

The children’s names, ages, places of birth and causes of death were recorded. The average number of deaths over the 36-year period was just over 22 a year. The information recorded on these State- issued certificates has been seen by The Irish Times; the children are marked as having died variously of tuberculosis, convulsions, measles, whooping cough, influenza, bronchitis and meningitis, among other illnesses.

The deaths of these 796 children are not in doubt. Their numbers are a stark reflection of a period in Ireland when infant mortality in general was very much higher than today, particularly in institutions, where infection spread rapidly. At times during those 36 years the Tuam home housed more than 200 children and 100 mothers, plus those who worked there, according to records Corless has found.

What has upset, confused and dismayed her in recent days is the speculative nature of much of the reporting around the story, particularly about what happened to the children after they died. “I never used that word ‘dumped’,” she says again, with distress. “I just wanted those children to be remembered and for their names to go up on a plaque. That was why I did this project, and now it has taken [on] a life of its own.”

We are not going to focus too much on the contents, but you get the drift, the initial claim took on a life of its own. You can read the full article here: Tuam mother and baby home: the trouble with the septic tank story (irishtimes.com)

Another story has now taken on a life of its own, the Canadian Residential School story.

The initial claim of finding children buried in a mass grave at a home run over the course of a century has now morphed into an ever evolving urban myth where the Catholic Church ran a house of horrors where children were intentionally murdered and then dumped into a mass grave.

Never mind that the British established the Mother and Baby system in Ireland and that Anglicans, not Catholics, established the residential system in Canada for natives, the media is now determined to deliberately try to provoke violence against churches. This is a very serious situation and timidity is not the solution.

The Canadian bishops must hire historians, open their records and deal with this situation head on and immediately. Churches cannot be allowed to burn like this.

Another Catholic Church in Edmonton set on fire because of Anglo Protestant media propaganda.

If these natives were sincere, assuming it is natives starting the fires, they'd turn their ire on the Commonwealth, not the church who tried to help lift those people in subjugation. pic.twitter.com/PFIpQeOT39

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 30, 2021

'They're Off!' Varadkar Cruelly Calls off Communions and Confirmations

The Irish State are once again under criticism for their broken promises regarding lockdown.

Some are upset about indoor dining being delayed, some with the potential for extended lockdowns heading into winter once more, some with the hospitality sector. The most cruel of all of these however, was the nasty and dismissive manner with which he informed families that they would not be permitted to have their children’s First Holy Communion or Confirmation in July.

Varadkar’s insensitive remarks came at the end of an hour long press conference, when a reporter asked them about the restrictions. Varadkar and Martin looked at one another as Martin fumbled with a mask. Varadkar then shrugged ‘Yeah…they’re off’, when pressed for clarification, he shrugged again ‘they’re off’, before leaving the stage.

Varadkar’s comments were particularly galling considering his behaviour at the weekend, openly cavorting alongside tens of thousands on Dublin’s streets as he attended Pride events.

Catholics parents, children and clergy must remember, they simply do not matter as much to him or to his government as Pride does.

Saturday:Leo Varadkar partied alongside thousands of others for Pride,no mask, alcohol everywhere

Today:Casually dismissed thousands of Catholic parents & children who have been waiting for Communions & Confirmations, ending an hour long press conference with 'yeah, they're off' pic.twitter.com/sZmA0Pm6QJ

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 29, 2021

Ireland's Abortion Rate Increases (Again)

At this stage, everyone admits that the removal of the right of unborn babies to be born without the threat of murder was done so on dishonest grounds in 2018, yet it is still worth repeating.

Some of the lies that were told were that the legislation would only be necessary for cases where the woman’s life was in danger, that the abortion rate would not increase and that babies would not be born alive and left to die (some have speculated that this is in order to harvest their organs for sale to pharmaceutical companies).

Last year, many were shocked that the number had skyrocketed to 6,666. The number this year is at 6,577, which as Angelo Bottone has pointed out, that when the numbers who aborted babies on British soil are also included, this amounts to an increase in the rate of abortions, due to the fall in the number of births. In total, there were 6,771 abortions of Irish babies in Ireland and in the UK. This went up from 117 per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 123.3 in 2020.

This table shows that a total of 25, or 0.38% of abortions were Risk to life or Health or Risk or Life to Health in an Emergency.

A total of 97, or 1.47% of abortions were in cases for ‘Condition likely to lead to death of foetus’.

The following table shows how many abortions occurred in each month, with abortion doctors still performing destructions on fetuses even during lockdown.

Lastly, the data included stated each county by numbers of abortion. Leitrim had the lowest at 28. Louth, despite having a population of only 128,884, had 220 abortions. The Irish abortion stats are completely inadequate compared to their British counterparts, yet this one is telling in other ways for comparison. In the UK, 81% of abortions last year were to women who had a marital status as ‘single’. Louth’s exceptionally high abortion rate coincides with the fact that it has the highest rate of births outside of marriage/civil partnerships.

The UK stats also offer such information as the number of repeat abortions, the number of abortions that were paid for by taxpayers (my taxes my choice?) and nationality and ethnicity rather than simply ‘residency’. Although these haven’t made much difference in the general scheme of things, since the abortion rate there is increasing each year, it nonetheless offers a more clear picture of what is happening.

This weekend will see the Rally for Life taking place across Ireland. It is important to demonstrate publicly against these laws but there is no doubt that their implementation has been a massive success for the government during these past 3 years, with very little effective resistance of note. Those who have kept on the fight deserve much credit, especially those who have helped women in crisis pregnancies with financial, spiritual and material assistance. There are those who have lobbed criticism from the sidelines while doing nothing themselves, particularly towards Catholic prolife activists, they need to be simply ignored.

The first step nonetheless will be to try to get more visible political representation. Abortion is rarely raised as a topic in the Dail, mostly when it is, it is by pro abortion TDs. Prolife TDs need to be reminded of why we vote for them, lest they take the vote for granted. Prolife issues should be raised at least once a week in the Dail or Seanad. Ireland’s birth rate is completely freefalling, with a 25% decline in a decade thanks to the austerity imposed by Fine Gael, Labour , Green Party and Fianna Fail. Even abolishing USC for families should be the kind of prolife issue that politicians are in pursuit of.

Above all, pray for mothers, the unborn and for our country.

Seosamh O’Caoimh

Ireland’s abortion rate increased last year | The Iona Institute

Will the Government Fly the Prolife Flag?

The following letter was written by prolife group Deise for Life and published in the Sunday Independent on 27/06/21. It is republished here with permission from Deise for Life.

Sir — It will not be known to most of your readers, as it is not the sort of thingthat our national media are likely to report, but the international pro-life movement is currently in the process of designing its own flag.

Now here’s the thing.That particular flag will likely never be displayed on a public building in Ireland. No matter that 720,000 citizens voted in 2018 to retain the Eighth Amendment, most of them still alive and most of them taxpayers.

The media would not like it, you see, and in consequence neither would the politicians. Unborn babies do not matter in these quarters, and neither do the adults who cherish them. That pro-life flag will not fly for a day on public buildings, never mind a whole month.

Deise for Life

French Catholics Demonstrate After Latin Mass Order Moved

Hundreds of Traditionalist French Catholics staged a rally today at the office of the Archbishop in Dijon, after his controversial decision to remove the FSSP from the diocese after over two decades of presence there.

The move made headlines around the world recently, with many concerned that the events at the Basilica of St. Bernard in Fontaine-lès-Dijon would be a foretaste of wider restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass. At the demonstration at the Rue du Petit-Potet, the French Catholics carried signs that expressed their unhappiness at what had transpired, with diocesan priests set to take the places of the FSSP ones.

French Catholics loyal to the Latin Mass and the FSSP prayed outside the bishop's house today in Dijon after he instructed the order to leave their parish. pic.twitter.com/z4p5XaHH7Z

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 26, 2021

According to Bishop Roland Minnerath, at the heart of the row was the refusal of the FSSP to partake in concelebration.

The Archbishop left his gate during the event today, speaking to the crowd as they prayed and sang. Although they did not come to any agreement, nonetheless they accepted his blessing upon them before it ended. In a touching moment, the crowd kneeled in front of the Archbishop.

Beautiful moment

After 30 minutes of public debate, the Archbishop of Dijon was asked to bless Traditional Catholics, he duly complied as they knelt in front of him pic.twitter.com/R94kVxsKXA

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 26, 2021

Prior to the event, the Basilica’s page had posted the following:

My lord,

Since you still don't want to receive us, we continue to remind you through tracts, rosaries etc.

The genesis of this story should therefore be remembered:

- You sent two letters in mid-May, one to the senior of the FSSP, the other to the Abbé de Dijon, requiring them to leave after 24 years of good and loyal services.

- No explanation or reason were mentioned.

- For 10 days, the devotees, kept asking you individually for appointment, no response. (quid of art 212 of barrel law).

You even refuse to receive the FSSP superior Abbé Paul-Joseph (dialogue is broken, say to yourself... strange way of seeing things when the breakup is desired by yourself).

Only representatives of the Basilica friends association were received.

What could we do....??

- So a Facebook page was created by the devotees and it allowed us to have some exchanges via press releases...

- A few days after your thank you mail, we are unofficially learning that reason would be a matter of concelebration at the Chrismal Mass.

Once again you sow disorder in the flock while concelebration cannot be a serious or valid motive for such revocation.

We remind you that the FSSP abbots are present at this mass.

This point is a personal decision of every priest and cannot in any case be a means of blackmail.

Since the FSSP has responded to you in a detailed way, enough is enough.

In your second and last internet statement, you say several things to try to argue:

′′ Another party (of the faithful) does not admit ordinary mass and rejects what they call "." the conciliary church "."

(have we read correctly?? stunned! ))

′′ I believe in the Church, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic."

We are IN the Church and we recognize the validity of the ordinary mass, it is unquestionable.

We are victims of this early judgement, we are victims of your aprioris, we are victims of your baseless allegations, we are victims of your way of exercising power, we are victims of your will to consistency, which is not unity.

- On Wednesday, June 16, some devotees spoke with you in the parking lot of the diocesan house, an unexpected (and amazing) conversation:

You said that decision wasn't ′′ a lubie ′′ and that you were ′′ several who have the same discernment on the issue, it's going to be universal, you'll see!!" you've started.

.... that is??

While they pointed out that you were creating a split voluntarily you replied:

′′ They don't concede, they don't recognize that our mass is a true mass ".

Incredible note from a bishop... it leaves thinking!

Accusing the FSSP, belonging to the Church since 1988, and the faithful of not recognizing the ordinary form and the ′′ true mass ′′ is gravity and false!

The feeling of many faithful and non-faithful, is that you seek any excuse to justify the unjustifiable in a diocese that has lost 18 practicing priests in the space of 6 years (between 2014 and 2020).

It is heartwarming for us to receive many messages of support from priests of the Diocese, local non-faithful who also do not understand this decision.

They are shocked by your refusal to dialog but also your very personal opinion about some of your wounds attending the mass in extraordinary form...

By your decision, you also punish and despise many of those, who benefit from the wide apostolate of our abbots, you disappoint those who believe in the diversity and unity of the Church.

In your Sunday school ′′ The Catholic Church seeks to realize the unity of Christians through dialogue, prayer and conversion of hearts ".

So we will be gathered this Saturday, June 26th from 10 am to 12 pm, at the gates of the bishopric, asking you to review your decision, to show our commitment to the FSSP and to the unity of Christians.

Euthanasia: A False Promise of Autonomy

The push for Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide is a phenomenon which seems limited to developed nations — some might call it an anomaly.

Autonomy / self-determination is the main argument for the legalization of Voluntary Euthanasia [VE] and Assisted Suicide [AS]. In Oregon, ‘losing autonomy’ is the prime reason cited for requesting AS. (Cumulative figures for 1998-2019 in the far-right column = 90.2%.)  

The First Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, 2019 must use different definitions or data points because “autonomy” is tabulated with “loss of control” and “independence” and is listed at a mere 4.1%. The most common reason given by Canadians is “loss of ability to engage in meaningful life activities” at 82.1%.

Dr. Kevin Yuill, from the University of Sunderland (UK) wrote an excellent article: “Why we mustn’t legalise Assisted Dying” published May 7th in Spiked Online. His poignant comments on autonomy deserve further exploration. *

“Rather than self-determination – which would imply suicide – people want to be killed. If it was about autonomy, we would expect, in areas where assisted suicide and euthanasia were both legal, for assisted suicide to dominate. But it is the opposite. Only 3.5 per cent of Dutch assisted deaths are assisted suicide. In Canada, only 7 of 5,361 assisted deaths were self-administered. People wish to be killed rather than take on the moral burden of killing themselves. They want the doctor’s blessing. They are outsourcing huge moral decisions.”

Dr. Yuill’s observation is that when people have a choice between Assisted Suicide (‘Take this poison and you will die’) and Voluntary Euthanasia (‘I will kill you with this injection of toxic medication’) they strongly gravitate towards Euthanasia. He contends that if a person truly wanted self-determination, they would choose Assisted Suicide over Euthanasia. People clearly prefer the deed to be performed by a third party — a doctor or Nurse Practitioner, etc.

Euthanasia is faster (intravenous v. oral), very effective, ‘cleaner’ (because governments legislate doctors and nurses to provide the ‘service’) and is unlikely to have a complication which cannot be handled immediately. Providers are probably encouraging the use of the IV option. From a recipient point of view, Euthanasia takes away the psychological hurdle of “committing suicide.”

It seems reasonable to compare Oregon (USA) to Alberta (Canada) because they have similar populations & demographics. Oregon only provides Assisted Suicide whereas Canada provides both Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia, without any legislative emphasis on either route.

Oregon provides regular, well-tabulated reports on their Assisted Suicide Program (euphemistically termed “Death with Dignity.”) The last was published in 2019. At that time, the population of Oregon was 4.2 million people, yet less than 300 people received a fatal prescription. So far there has only been one Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada which is also for 2019. (Unfortunately the Canadian data is presented quite poorly in comparison to the report from Oregon.)

In 2016, the overall demographics of Oregonians included: “…76% identified as white, 13% Latina(o), 5% Asian and Pacific Islander, 2% African American, 1% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 3% two or more races.” 

Quick correlation with the Dying with Dignity report shows that that the demand for Assisted Suicide in Oregon comes primarily from Whites / Caucasians. (There is another deficiency in the Canadian reporting because AS/VE is not separated by race.) Demographics in Alberta show very few Latina(o), a higher percentage of Asians with 4.4% Filipino & 4.4% South Asian and 5% First Nations & 2.9% Métis.

One can guess at some of the causes for Caucasian’s affinity to AS/VE. Profound individualism; a lack of an extended family network; attacks on the nuclear family; health-care costs; diminished belief in an after-life; diminished belief in our Right to Life (shown by the tolerance for late-term abortion & infanticide.) Then there is the routine portrayal of recipients as being “brave” which may induce suicide contagion: the Werther Syndrome.

To this we must add the ‘religion’ of the new World Order — Climate Crisis! — which tells us that we must atone for our ‘original sin’ of infesting this world through the ‘penance’ of curtailing — or eliminating — humanity. **

Dr. Yuill also noted:

“…rather than extending autonomy, legalisation of assisted dying grants the doctor the final decision. Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, identifies freedom as the basis of the campaign: ‘The ability to choose how, where and when we die is a fundamental freedom, which cuts across party political and ideological lines...’

Copson’s statement: “The ability to choose how, where and when we die is a fundamental freedom” sounds reasonable — till we look at the exact meaning of his words. Copson ingeniously says “Fundamental freedom.” This implies that it holds the same moral value as a Human Right. Yes, everyone has the freedom to kill themselves — that is a part of free will. Human beings are free to choose things which are legally / ethically / socially / morally right or wrong — but that does not validate the end choice. (In simplistic terms, I can commit murder, though I am not allowed to do so legally.)

The Supreme Court of Canada made a similar misinterpretation between our Freedoms and Rights. Now certain Canadians have the legal ‘right’ to kill themselves. Things are advancing so fast that if we keep on our current trajectory, Canada will have the disaster of Suicide-on-Demand, for all, in the near future. 

The Autonomy to choose AS/VE will bring enormous damage to society, much of which is yet to be enumerated. This includes psychological damage to family members, especially the children. (I expect there will be many more second-generation AS/VE/MAiD requests.) Then there is the damage to friends, community, cultural norms and societal values. (Discussed in more detail in my article “Putting the Euthanasia Genie Back in the Bottle.”)

Damage which has been shown clearly is the vast increase in regular suicides in many of the countries which have legalized Assisted Suicide / Voluntary Euthanasia. Over the past 20 years the suicide rate in the Netherlands has increased by ~30% (excluding AS/VE.) Also “the suicide rates in the Netherlands are the fastest growing when compared to surrounding European countries, most of which lack the option of euthanasia.”

In Oregon:

“It must not be dismissed as mere coincidence that the new rise in suicides correlates to the implementation of the first physician-assisted suicide law in Oregon. A 2012 report on suicide trends and risk factors for the Oregon Health Authority found the state's overall suicide rate had risen 41 percent higher than the national rate (Associated Press 2013). This is the “regular” suicide rate. Physician-assisted suicides are not included.  [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499219/]

Curiously, Canadian suicide rates 2016-2019 have not changed, though AS/VE is only legal for the past 5 years.

Such increases in suicide are a poor trade for the small increase in personal autonomy which allows some to choose the time, place and manner of their death. Of course, Canada has the perfect solution to this dilemma: in 2023 doctors & Nurse Practitioners will be allowed to kill people suffering from mental illnesses alone.

Aurelia Brouwers by Ronald Hissink/De Stentor

Eventually, some depressed young Canadian — with their life ahead of them — will be euthanized, legally. Of course, people will shout: “this can never happen!” Sadly, it can and it has. Please read the tragic story of 29-year-old Aurelia Brouwers from the Netherlands who was given Assisted Suicide on account of her psychiatric illness.

Dr. Kevin Hay.

Kevin is a UCD grad and a Family Doctor in rural Alberta, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @kevinhay77.

Please read more about Euthanasia in Catholic Arena, including: “Hard Cases make Bad Law” & “DOCTORS IN IRELAND — BEWARE! A warning about Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.”

** Ed: An early reference to Original Sin and Climate Change is found in the Wall Street Journal in 2005. The Theology of Global Warming - WSJ More recently, the likes of National Catholic Reporter have adopted the entertained the same idea. On climate change, we must put the apple down | Earthbeat | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)

* Readers can find another article by Dr. Yuill in Science Direct on-line: “The unfreedom of assisted suicide: How the right to die undermines autonomy” (pay-walled) or buy his book “Assisted Suicide: The Liberal, Humanist Case Against Legalization.”  

Spanish Government Attempts to Stop Prolife Progress with Vigil Ban

José Rodríguez Cuadrado is a Councilor for Childhood and Family and VOX party spokesperson in the Majadahonda Town Hall. He writes here on the the Socialist Spanish Government’s efforts to ban prolife vigils and counselling from taking place near abortion clinics.

You can follow him on Twitter José Rodríguez Cuadrado (@JRCuadradoV) / Twitter

The current Spanish government, led by the socialists, has worked in favour of the culture of death since their arrival into power. Euthanasia was legalised last year and the decision of ending someone’s life will be taken by doctors or other people in some cases, not just by relatives.

Moreover, the Socialist Party has now presented in Congress a new law to ask for up to 12 months of imprisonment for those who ‘bully’ women in front of abortion clinics. The law has not been voted yet but it will probably pass.

Spain is well known for attacks against Catholics, not only in our Civil War ninety years ago but also in recent experiences. We remember the anti-Catholic demonstrations in the World Youth day in 2011.

“Lo que necesita el cristianismo cuando es odiado por el mundo, no son palabras persuasivas, sino grandeza de alma”

San Ignacio de Antioquia pic.twitter.com/pYE1yqxbER

— Patxi Bronchalo ن (@PatxiBronchalo) June 7, 2021

As we all know, the international media is mainly in favour of abortion and Spain is no different. Especially because the government has subsidised the media here with more than €100 million plus tax exemptions since COVID-19 started.

The bad news does not stop here. The existing government wants to return to the law that allows 16-year-old girls to abort without informing their parents. It was the only change Partido Popular made while they were in office, even though they had originally promised that they would not change the law.

However, there is still hope in Spain to battle in favour of life.

Not only because there in now one political party pro-life in Congress, VOX, which will speak up against this change in law, but also, because many young people are meeting to pray near abortion clinics and they will not stop. Further good news is that a few months ago it was published that in Soria, one of Spain’s provinces, there are now no abortions due to doctors’ conscientious objections. Therefore, 113 women had to travel to a different province to abort their child.

Everyday there are more people defending life publicly in Spain. Social media is also now a place where a prolife activists are speaking up. A few months ago, a journalist with 130k followers complained about young people who were praying near a clinic. The tweet went viral and he received 3K likes. A mother of those young people replied. She has only 2K followers but she reached almost 10K likes.

Something is changing.

Hola, dos de ellos son mis hijos, no les veo acosar a nadie sino rezar, y en los últimos días podéis haberles visto repartiendo comida a los sin techo y ayudando a madres solteras sin recursos. https://t.co/U0sXcN6Cq2

— Leonor Tamayo (@TamayoLeonor) January 3, 2021

Removing the Three-Day Reflection from Abortion Legislation Will Cost Lives

The following is written by Deise4Life group, Dungarvan, Co Waterford

The 2018 abortion legislation is up for review by the Dáil this year. There have been calls recently, including from the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), for the removal from the existing legislation of the requirement for a 3-day reflection period before an abortion can take place.

 Eighteen European countries have a mandatory reflection period, in ten of them this period is 3 days.

There is nothing remarkable, it should be said at the outset, about Ireland’s current 3-day reflection period.

•  Eighteen European countries have a mandatory reflection period, and in ten of them (including Ireland) this period is 3 days.

•  In Italy the reflection period currently is 7 days, it is 6 days in Belgium and 5 days in the Netherlands.

In this article we explain that, even with an illogical and unfair payment system, and with no state support whatever for organisations assisting mothers who choose life, the 3-day reflection period still saved close to 1000 babies’ lives here in 2019.

1.  What has the legislation achieved as it stands?

Abortion providers are paid per visit by the HSE, and so the number of women who change their minds about abortion can be gauged from the official figures for payment per visit. At the time of writing, this information is available only for the year 2019. In that year, according to the reply given by the HSE to a parliamentary question from Carol Nolan TD:

The 3-day reflection period saved 900-1000 babies’ lives in 2019. 

•  There were 7536 payments to early abortion providers for initial abortion consultations

As there were 6666 abortions here in 2019, according to the official report, this suggests that, at a minimum:

•  870 women (7536-6666) changed their minds about having an abortion here in 2019.

In fact, if we use the official figure of 6542 early abortions in 2019 (omitting the 124 abortions that were performed in our hospitals on health grounds for the mother or disability grounds for the baby) then that yields a figure of possibly 994 lives saved in the first year (=7536-6542), attributable to the 3-day reflection period. This figure of 994 may be a slight exaggeration as it is possible that a small number of women, after an initial consultation with the GP, may have been referred on to a hospital for an abortion.  950 lives saved certainly seems a reasonable, indeed cautious, estimate. 

That is about 1 in 7 women changing their minds in the course of the 3-day reflection period. The Irish Family Planning Association report for 2019 has a figure of 1 in 8 of a sample of their clients changing their minds in 2019.

2.  How many lives could be saved by tweaking the existing legislation?

The legislation and regime put in place in 2018 had literally no other measures to support a change of mind on the part of the woman. Under the current regulations:

•  Generous financial assistance is given to abortion providers, averaging €450 per abortion for GP’s (and adding up to a total of €20m in the two years 2019-2020, according to the reply to a parliamentary question from Peadar Tóibín TD)

Payment per visit to a GP is about €110 for abortion provision, but only about €25 for managing a pregnancy.

•   Much less is paid to GPs who care for mother and baby through all 9 months of pregnancy. Average payment here is €250.

•  Payment per visit to a GP is about €110 for abortion provision, but only about €25 for managing a pregnancy.

•   A GP who does not provide abortions is required under the current system to refer the woman to an abortion provider, but the reverse is not true – there is no requirement on the abortion provider to provide a mother-to-be with information on alternatives to abortion, nor to refer her to these services.

•  Finally, there is no financial support whatever from the state for organisations like Gianna Care and Every Life Counts.

If all of these manifest contradictions were removed from the existing regime, could more lives be saved? We collect no information in Ireland about reasons for abortion, but from other countries we know that, very often, the woman feels that she has no choice because of her economic circumstances. Financial assistance and moral support for the women would surely lead to many more lives being saved. 

Equitable treatment of GP’s by the state should also help. The current system seems to heavily favour abortion-providing GP’s, and that is quite bizarre.

3.  What happens if we get rid of the 3-day reflection period?

If we do as the NWCI suggests, and get rid of the reflection period entirely, what will be the consequences?

Clearly, the immediate consequence will be a jump of close to 1000 in the abortion numbers per year, which is the same thing as a decline in the number of annual births by a further 1000. This seems inevitable, because what is proposed here means that the woman will take the abortion pill on, or very soon after, the occasion of first contact with the abortion provider, leaving no time to reflect.

There will also likely be long-term consequences, for women’s mental health. A recent American study following up on nearly 4000 women, over a period of 10 years or more [Sullins 2019, Medicina], concluded that women aborting wanted pregnancies (which would include women likely to change their minds, given an opportunity) were significantly more likely to develop subsequent mental disorders (such as depression or suicidality) than other women.

The current system seems to heavily favour abortion-providing GP’s, and that is quite bizarre.

Conclusion

This is a deeply flawed proposal from NWCI, which will cause abortions to increase, women’s mental health to be adversely affected, and our declining birth rates to decline further.

It needs to be vehemently opposed by all pro-life organisations and all pro-life politicians. These groups and individuals need to organise resistance to the NWCI  proposal, and to embark collectively upon a programme to raise public awareness of its implications.

It would be a tragedy beyond words if the NWCI proposal were to be accepted by the government because the pro-life movement did not mount a successful campaign of opposition to it. We should campaign for the sensible reforms outlined at Section 2 above, but whatever else is achieved, it is crucially important that the 3-day reflection period in the legislation is retained.

UEFA Rejects German Efforts to Bully Hungarians with Stadium Stunt

Germany has played a significant role in destroying not only its own culture, but the other traditional cultures of Europe also in recent years.

Its cruelty towards Ireland in forcing it to accept psychotic terms for repaying its bailout from the banks was sadistic, paving the way for emigration, homelessness and crushing the Irish spirit so as to usher in an era of bank led liberalism.

In the past year, German media has also put significant pressure on Poland to allow its women to abort Polish babies, most of whom are currently aborted in Germany.

Now, it is the turn of the Hungarians to feel the aggression of the Germans.

Like the United States, the German State seems to lack self awareness in its conviction that it is the harbinger of freedom, seeing no contradiction in bullying smaller countries to follow its way of life. With their game against Hungary taking at Euro 2021 place tonight, thuggish imperalists in Germany have tried to use the game as political tool, by lighting up the Allianz Arena in Rainbow colours to mock Hungarians. UEFA have told them that they are not allowed, sparking a temper tantrum from the German media.

There are two interesting things about this.

The first of course is that large corporations are never too far away, Allianz being the world’s largest insurance provider.

Secondly, there is the hint of jealousy. Germany has traditionally one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. In 2015, Angela Merkel decided to artificially inflate the numbers by importing one million migrants. Recent comments from The Business Standard on this issue are very telling:

In 2015, nearly everyone in the media—German, European, international—referred to the millions of desperate people trying to get into Europe as an “immigration crisis.” They should have given it a different label: the immigration solution to the continent’s demographic crisis. Germany wisely chose to take advantage of this opportunity, while the countries of Eastern Europe by and large have embraced demographic suicide.

Hungary has not imported migrants, but has brought in prolife policies to encourage families to have children, allowing them tax breaks, home ownership and the ability to survive on one income. It is easy to see why the large corporations are so eager to get revenge!

As for the Rainbow Flag? It is merely a prop to insult Hungary, they’ll have something else the next day.

Germany and Hungary’s birth rates are now almost identical, with Hungary set to pass out Germany soon after the latter’s short term solution plateaued.

With the EU meeting today to enshrine the ‘right’ to abortion into EU Law, there is a clear line dividing between those who want a culture of death and those who want a culture of life.

Ken Moore

Saints in the Pits of Hell: Newark Reparation Rally

On June 16, 2021, under a beautiful blue sky, over 150 faith filled Catholics converged in a lush green park across from the French Gothic Revival architectural masterpiece known as Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark New Jersey.

The reason for the gathering was a reparation rally. Speakers and listeners were there to pray, invoke saints, our Blessed Mother and our Lord Jesus Christ to not only put an end to the blasphemous, satanic music being aired by the Seton Hall University radio station WSOU but to call for the absolute shutdown and eradication of this station. This Catholic institution is under the ultimate control of Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Apostolic successor and the sixth Archbishop of Newark. The station itself has been in existence since April 14, 1948. However, the format and programming suddenly turned very dark soon after Theodore McCarrick became Archbishop in 1986. WSOU began playing satanic, literal devil worshiping, vile, disgusting, sadistic, pit of Hell music and lyrics. 

Faithful Catholics have reached out, in vain, for years to have someone (anyone!) from the Seton Hall administration to the Archdiocese Chancery offices to put a stop to this but to no avail. They were met with walls of silence, willful ignorance and clerics wearing spiritual blinders. McCarrick did nothing, his successor Archbishop John Meyers did nothing and the incumbent Cardinal Joseph Tobin allows this demon inspired, soul destroying travesty to continue affecting the lives of thousands of impressionable young people.

Praying the Angelus with Father Altman at Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark this past Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/2KKLy6Cyjv

— Fred Simon (@FredSim69351984) June 20, 2021

Into this battlefield stepped up spiritual warriors bringing the light of Christ to expose the evil darkness. The roster of powerful speakers for this event included Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute, Jesse Romero (author and evangelist) of Virgin Most Powerful Radio and Father James Altman, pastor of Saint James the Less parish in Lacrosse Wisconsin. He is also known as the world famous viral homilist currently being canceled by his own bishop.

They spoke with clarity of voice, vision and message. There was no ambiguity, no confusing doublespeak and no homage to the cult of political correctness. Mr. Hichborn relayed the history and his own investigation into WSOU. His findings made him literally “sick to his stomach.” He has been on this case for years and noted the correlation between the culture of death and the occult.

Jesse Romero, the self proclaimed “nobody” for the Lord, spoke with true evangelic fervor invoking the intercession of our Blessed Mother and saints to exorcise the evil within this institution. He said he loves Cardinal Tobin and prays for him. He offered a nine day novena for his eminence prior to speaking this day. He encouraged all of us present to pray for the Cardinal.

Father James Altman spoke of the need for true spiritual shepherds to guide the flocks entrusted to them by our Lord. He said priests and bishops are fathers to the laity and their sole purpose is to provide us the sacraments and graces to save our eternal souls. He emphasized that nothing else matters than our eternal salvation. He also lamented the fact that churches in New Jersey were closed, sacraments forbidden and laity turned away from God’s graces during the pandemic.

After the remarks by these inspired orators we processed around the basilica directly across from the chancery. Leading the way were altar boys followed by a statue of Our Lady of Fatima carried by four men. A first class relic of Saint Pope John Paul II followed the statue. The Saint was last here, at this fifth largest cathedral in the United States, on October 4,1995 when he designated it a minor basilica. Father Altman led us in praying the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary. We concluded with the Angelus at noon right under Cardinal Tobin’s window. No, the Cardinal did not come out to join us, bless us or address us. In fact no priest from the Newark Archdiocese was present. All the participants at this gathering were acutely aware that a priest, from a small parish, across the country had to fly to Newark to minister to Catholics in one of the largest, wealthiest and vocation rich Archdioceses in the United States. 

It is our hope and prayer that this sordid chapter of the Newark Archdiocese be exorcised along with the scandal ridden radio station WSOU. We encourage every reader to pray for this intention and also pray for Cardinal Tobin.

Fred Simon

You can follow Fred on Twitter (2) Fred Simon (@FredSim69351984) / Twitter

Irish Nun Celebrates 100th Birthday

A nun who has given over 40 years teaching service to her adopted town was recently honoured on the occasion of her 100th birthday.       

Sister Stanislaus Kent, a member of the Presentation Order, arrived in the Cork seaside resort of Youghal in the year of 1939 and has remained there every since. Sr Stan, as she is affectionally known, is originally from Mitchelstown and recalled with an amazing clarity her young days growing up in Ballinamona, just outside the town.

Born in the turbulent year of 1921, Sr Stan explained that during her secondary school years a nun with the same name she would later take made a prophetic statement: “I was told to go in to see Sr Stanislaus, my namesake, and she said to me ‘I want you to continue your studies because I have a little cell for you down in Youghal’”. 

Teaching in the Presentation Primary School – where later she became Principal – Sr Stan recalled the big classes of that era. “I remember 50 pupils in sixth class one time; they were so close together I couldn’t get around the desks, so that was a challenge. But Youghal children were great, I loved the teaching and I always got great satisfaction teaching children who had any difficulties.”

Asked if she had received the ‘big cheque’ from President Higgins, she replied “sure I couldn’t use it anyway, as I have a vow of poverty, but I suppose it will go to the convent.”

Sr Placida, the Community Leader in the sisters’ house with its breathtaking views overlooking Youghal Bay, said the birthday celebrations went on for the best part of a week. “Our neighbours here also organised a party and the Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean, celebrated a special Mass in Sr Stan’s honour.”

After the Mass, Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork and a native of Youghal and former pupil, made a presentation to this remarkable centenarian.

“I have happy memories of Presentation Convent and as the County Mayor I’m honoured to be here but I’m more honoured to be here as Mary Linenhan, the girl that started in the Presentation back those 50 years ago.

“You thought me well, and all the fun we had will always stay with me. So happy birthday Sister from all the people in the area and thank you so, so much for your service throughout the years.” 

John Walshe

Sr Stanislaus Kent (front) pictured on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Also included are Canon Tom Browne (Youghal), Sr Grace (Provincial), Sr Thaddeus, Sr Carmel, Sr Mary John, Sr Placida, Sr Margaret Mary.