| Recent Featured Videos and Articles | Eastern “Orthodoxy” Refuted | How To Avoid Sin | The Antichrist Identified! | What Fake Christians Get Wrong About Ephesians | Why So Many Can't Believe | “Magicians” Prove A Spiritual World Exists | Amazing Evidence For God | News Links |
| Vatican II “Catholic” Church Exposed | Steps To Convert | Outside The Church There Is No Salvation | E-Exchanges | The Holy Rosary | Padre Pio | Traditional Catholic Issues And Groups | Help Save Souls: Donate |  |
Bro. Peter Dimond
Following the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, St. Paul returned to Antioch. While in Antioch he had the desire to visit various cities where the word of the Lord had been preached. St. Paul wanted to check on the new converts, to see how they were doing. He originally intended to make this trip with Barnabas, but they had a sharp dispute about whether to bring John Mark with them. Consequently, Paul and Barnabas split up and Paul traveled with Silas. During the trip Timothy joined them. In Acts 16:4-5 we read:
“As they [Paul, Silas and Timothy] went on their way through the cities, they were delivering them to keep the decrees [δόγματα] that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”
GREEK: ὡς δὲ διεπορεύοντο τὰς πόλεις παρεδίδουν αὐτοῖς φυλάσσειν τὰ δόγματα τὰ κεκριμένα ὑπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τῶν ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ. αἱ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησίαι ἐστερεοῦντο τῇ πίστει καὶ ἐπερίσσευον τῷ ἀριθμῷ καθ’ ἡμέραν.
This is very interesting for a number of reasons. First, the word frequently translated as “decrees” or “decisions” is, in Greek, δόγματα (dogmata). The English word “dogmas” is derived from it. As Paul, Silas and Timothy met with the communities of Christians, “they were entrusting/delivering them to guard/keep the dogmas decided/judged by the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem” (παρεδίδουν αὐτοῖς φυλάσσειν τὰ δόγματα τὰ κεκριμένα ὑπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ). This is a reference to the “δόγματα” (dogmata) proclaimed by the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15. However, since there were some disciplinary aspects to the decrees of the Council of Jerusalem, “decrees” or “decisions” is a better translation choice for this verse than “dogmas”.
Nevertheless, there were dogmatic aspects to the Council's decisions. Thus, in Paul's effort to have churches observe the δόγματα of the Council of Jerusalem we recognize the similarity to what true Catholics do today. True Catholics in our day likewise make sure that the dogmas (δόγματα) defined by popes at councils, etc. are guarded/kept. (It should also be noted that the same word for decrees or dogmas is used in Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14 about how the Old Law ceased after Christ’s passion.)
Second, notice the implications of Acts 16:4 for the false doctrine of sola scriptura. St. Paul made sure that the Christians kept what was decreed by the apostles at a council, not just what is in written in Scripture.
Third, this verse provides more powerful support for the view that the Epistle to the Galatians was written before the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, and consequently for our position that it was not St. Peter whom St. Paul rebuked (as recorded in Galatians 2:11-14). We discuss various aspects of the chronology in the video below. But, to put it simply: Acts 16:4 powerfully supports the position that Galatians was written before the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 because in Galatians St. Paul says nothing whatsoever about the “δόγματα” or “decisions” of the Council of Jerusalem, even though he was specifically writing about the topic of Judaizing and he could have used those “δόγματα” to his advantage when making his argument.
As Protestant scholar Douglas J. Moo notes:
“A second argument from silence is Paul’s failure to mention the Jerusalem decree anywhere in Galatians. In a letter that has at its heart an appeal to Gentile Christians not to undergo circumcision, we would expect Paul at least to mention the fact that the Jerusalem apostles themselves had agreed not to impose circumcision on Gentile converts. His silence about this decision only makes sense, it is argued, if that decision had not yet been reached.” (Douglas J. Moo, Galatians, Baker Academic, 2013, Introduction)
In Galatians St. Paul says nothing about the decisions of the Council of Jerusalem. Yet, in Acts 16:4 (quoted above), which is clearly after the Council of Jerusalem, we read that St. Paul had various communities of Christians guard/keep the decisions of the Council of Jerusalem. Ergo, St. Paul wrote Galatians before the Council of Jerusalem. That necessarily means that St. Paul's rebuke of Cephas (which is recorded in Gal. 2:11-14) happened before the Council of Jerusalem. Why is this so significant to demonstrating that the Cephas whom St. Paul rebuked (as recorded in Gal. 2:11) was not St. Peter? The reasons are explained in the video below, but here’s a small additional detail that was not mentioned in the video.
Concerning the decree of the Council of Jerusalem, we read this:
Acts 15:22-29- “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: ‘The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, to whom we did not give instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
The Council is sending this decision to Antioch because, as we argue, that's where the huge dispute during which St. Paul rebuked Cephas (Gal. 2:11-14) occurred before the Council.
Galatians 2:11-14- “But when Cephas had come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was blameworthy... But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If you, being a Judean, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as the Judeans do, how do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Judeans?”
In our view, the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) met in response to that incident at Antioch involving St. Paul, Cephas and others. This dispute in Antioch, which led to the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, is also alluded to in Acts 15:1-2, as our video covers.
Acts 15:1-2 “But some men came down from Judea [into Antioch] and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them [in Antioch], Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.”
As our video explains, we believe that Acts 15:1-2 refers to the same incident that is recorded in Gal. 2:11-14: i.e. St. Paul's rebuke of Cephas in Antioch, after which Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go to the apostles in Jerusalem to resolve the controversy. The controversy was then resolved at the Council in Jerusalem where St. Peter spoke first to end the debate. He was followed by Barnabas, Paul and James, and the Council issued its decree. Now, when issuing its decision to Antioch (Acts 15:22-29), the Council characterizes the troublemakers at Antioch, who caused the controversy during which Paul rebuked Cephas, as “some persons [who] have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, to whom we did not give instructions...”
Consider this carefully. The apostles (which includes St. Peter, who spoke first at the Council of Jerusalem to end the dispute) are describing the people who caused the problem at Antioch as men who were not instructed to do so by the apostles: “… to whom we [the apostles and elders] did not give instructions…” But if St. Peter himself was the one rebuked by St. Paul at Antioch, and thus heavily involved in the dispute which this decree was addressing and meant to resolve, it doesn’t make sense that the apostles would say "we did not give [them] instructions” about St. Peter (the chief apostle) or those allied with him or those who followed his example. That's another indication that it was not the Apostle Peter who was involved with the dispute in Antioch before the Council during which Paul rebuked Cephas (the very dispute that this decision of the Council was meant to resolve). For additional reasons why it was not St. Peter whom St. Paul rebuked, but a different person with the same Aramaic name, see the video below.
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 1.12.2, 4th century: “Clement [of Alexandria], in the fifth book of his Hypotyposes [circa AD 190], in which he also mentions Cephas, of whom Paul writes: ‘When he came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face’, says that one who happened to have the same name as Peter the Apostle was one of the Seventy.’”
On early Feb. 8, 2017, Bro. Michael Dimond and Bro. Peter Dimond appeared on Coast to Coast AM (the largest overnight radio program in North America). Bro. Michael and Bro. Peter were supposed to be on the program for two hours, from 3 to 5 AM; but George Noory decided that it had to end after one hour. Apparently he couldn’t handle hearing any more of the message.
Dear Brothers,
I have just discovered your website, and your words ring true in my heart.
In 1999, Pope John Paul II came to my city. I gathered with the crowds to see him pass by in his pope mobile near the Basilica. It seemed an historical day even though I was not Catholic. I was really the last person in line before his procession ended. As he came down the street and when he came in front of me, our eyes met. Immediately I heard in my heart a voice that said "Evil". I was horrified! I thought surely the word must have been referencing me, certainly not the Pope! I shrunk backwards, and was distraught for weeks. My prayer since has been that God would reveal to me the meaning of that horrible experience.
In the meantime my heart is being called to the Catholic Church (which has been so confusing to me after my experience). I'm currently in RCIA with an eager heart to learn, but the classes lack real substantial education and enthusiasm. Again I have assumed that the problem has been me and a wrong attitude.
Then I found your website! You have answered my question regarding the Pope, and perhaps even why RCIA seems so difficult as a post Vatican II church.
Your input would be so greatly appreciated. Should I try to find a Latin rite church instead? I think there are 1 or 2 in the city. I truly believe I am to become Catholic but my journey has been discouraging.
Thank you for your time, I look forward to your answer… I have already viewed the justification video as well as the 3rd secret of Fatima. Frightening and well done…
Vicki
Vicki,
That's an interesting story. We’re very glad that you came across the material and that you are looking at it. You prayed to find the truth about that experience, and you found our material. God led you to our website because it contains the truth about Antipope John Paul II and the traditional Catholic faith (the one true faith of Christ which is necessary for salvation). Antipope John Paul II was indeed evil and much more, as the material covers (see below). He was not a valid pope, but an antipope. It's crucial to make that distinction. The Catholic faith is the true faith, and it is necessary for salvation. However, to be a true Catholic one must be a traditional Catholic. The material explains exactly how to do that: Steps for those converting or coming from the Novus Ordo.
Before converting, one must be convinced on the issues. You should not remain in RCIA. RCIA is for initiation into the post-Vatican II sect, which is not the Catholic Church (even though it purports to be). We are in the prophesied Great Apostasy, as our material covers in detail. Also, you should not go to a 'Latin Rite' Church. You should stay at home on Sundays, learn the faith and the true positions from the material. The principles are covered in our 'where to receive sacraments' file. When you are convinced, you should follow the steps to convert; and then we can help you with how to receive baptism, a valid confession, etc.
Also, it's very important to pray the Rosary each day and the Hail Mary frequently. That will give you necessary graces to convert and embrace the truth. Eventually people should be praying 15 decades of the Rosary each day and the Hail Mary frequently. We hope you continue to look at the material, become fully convinced, and follow through with the conversion process.
Sincerely,
MHFM
Here are some important materials about Antipope John Paul II:
“Saint” John Paul II Exposed (video)
Babylon Has Fallen, Fallen!! (video)
The Antichrist Revealed: The Beast that Was, and Is Not, Has Returned
“Saint” John Paul II’s Heresies (video)
John Paul II (manifest heretic who claimed to be pope 1978-2005) [section]
A reader named Mary recently corresponded with Fr. Bernard Welp of the CMRI. She wrote:
I have talked with the priest in the following message about Baptism of Desire and gave him all of your excellent refutations on the subject which I fully support. This was his reply to my request for him to hear my confession:
"You are always welcome to Mass and sacraments as long as you agree not to discuss baptism of desire issue with any lay person. God bless you. Fr Bernard Welp"
Mary asked if she should receive sacraments from him. We informed her that she should not sacraments from him because he is asking her to not spread the Catholic faith. She agreed. (And of course no one may support their heretical group.) To expose the priest's heretical perversity, we suggested that she ask him if he agrees with the statements below. This question exposes heretics who attempt to hide their heterodox views on salvation. Mary asked Fr. Bernard Welp this question: Do you agree with the following statements by Fr. Denis Fahey and Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre?
FR. DENIS FAHEY TAUGHT THE HERESY THAT JEWS WHO REJECT CHRIST CAN BE IN THE STATE OF GRACE
Fr. Denis Fahey, The Kingship of Christ and the Conversion of the Jewish Nation (1953), p. 52: “The Jews, as a nation, are objectively aiming at giving society a direction which is in complete opposition to the order God wants. It is possible that a member of the Jewish Nation, who rejects Our Lord, may have the supernatural life which God wishes to see in every soul, and so be good with the goodness God wants, but objectively, the direction he is seeking to give to the world is opposed to God and to that life, and therefore is not good. If a Jew who rejects our Lord is good in the way God demands, it is in spite of the movement in which he and his nation are engaged.”
ARCHBISHOP MARCEL LEFEBVRE TAUGHT THAT SOULS CAN BE SAVED IN FALSE RELIGIONS
Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, Against the Heresies, p. 216: “Evidently, certain distinctions must be made. Souls can be saved in a religion other than the Catholic religion (Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.), but not by this religion. There may be souls who, not knowing Our Lord, have by the grace of the good Lord, good interior dispositions, who submit to God… But some of these persons make an act of love which implicitly is equivalent to baptism of desire. It is uniquely by this means that they are able to be saved.”
To the question, do you agree with the statements made by Fr. Denis Fahey and Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, Fr. Bernard Welp of the CMRI responded on Nov. 16, 2016, by writing:
"Certainly. As catholics we do not accept the false idea of universal salvation promoted at V II. Souls cannot be saved outside the church but those who seek God receive baptism (thus become part of the church) of desire IF: 1- ignorance is invincible 2 they have supernatural faith 3 Supernatural charity. I have answered your question..."
So, Welp readily confirms that he "certainly" agrees with the statement that a Jew who rejects Jesus Christ can be in the state of grace and that souls can be saved in false religions! That is, of course, totally heretical. It is another CLEAR confirmation that the CMRI (and the same is true of all 'traditionalist' priests who obstinately accept 'baptism of desire') are not Catholic. They are utter heretics. They don't profess the Catholic faith. Here's what true Catholics (i.e. not the members or supporters of the heretical CMRI) firmly believe and profess on whether Jews, etc. can be saved.
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, “Cantate Domino,” 1441, ex cathedra: “The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the Church before the end of their lives; that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is of such importance that only for those who abide in it do the Church’s sacraments contribute to salvation and do fasts, almsgiving and other works of piety and practices of the Christian militia produce eternal rewards; and that nobody can be saved, no matter how much he has given away in alms and even if he has shed blood in the name of Christ, unless he has persevered in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
As any honest person can see, groups like the CMRI do not believe and profess what is written above, but rather the opposite. They are not part of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church firmly believes, professes and teaches the opposite of the heretical CMRI. It professes that all who die as Jews, pagans, etc. are lost. That's why groups like the CMRI are a deception. They don't have the apostolic faith, they don't profess the Catholic faith, and they teach others heresies. They are on the road to Hell, and they lead others there. The CMRI also promotes the sinful birth control practice of NFP, and they don't require their adherents to reject the Vatican II antipopes. They are not part of the true Church.
It's also interesting that, after confirming his rejection of Catholic dogma and the necessity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the manifest heretic and disgraceful unbeliever Bernard Welp then lies, as all heretics do. He says that he doesn't believe souls can be saved outside the Church - what a sick joke.
So, Welp believes that 1) a Jew who rejects Jesus Christ can be saved, but 2) a Jew who rejects Jesus Christ is not outside the Church. Since all in the Church have the same faith (de fide definita - one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism), according to Welp Jews who reject Jesus Christ and adhere to Judaism have the same faith as Catholics who believe in Jesus Christ. What a heretical travesty! By the way, all of their nonsense on 'invincible ignorance', etc., which they bring up in a futile attempt to justify their condemned heresy and deceive their followers, is addressed and refuted in our book Outside the Catholic Church There is Absolutely No Salvation and related materials.
ONE MUST BE BORN AGAIN IN CHRIST TO BE SAVED - TRENT
Council of Trent, Session 6, Chap. 3 on Justification: “So unless they were born again in Christ they never would be justified...”
When one considers the defined dogma that one must be "born again in Christ" to be justified and saved, one should immediately recognize why the position of Welp and the CMRI is heresy. Since everyone must profess that it's necessary to be "born again in Christ" to even be justified, by holding that a Jew who rejects Christ can be justified, Welp holds that a person can be "born again in Christ" while rejecting Jesus Christ and being unbaptized! His heresy is the equivalent of the heresy of anonymous Christianity.
Also notice that the manifest heretic Welp claims to believe that 'supernatural faith' is necessary for salvation. As we pointed out in this article, The Revealing Heresies in Msgr. Van Noort’s Pre-Vatican II Dogmatic Theology Manual, heretics frequently try to obfuscate their denial of Catholic teaching on salvation by focusing on 'supernatural faith' and ignoring the defined dogma that one must have THE CATHOLIC FAITH to be saved.
THE ‘CATHOLIC FAITH’, NOT JUST A ‘SUPERNATURAL’ FAITH, IS REQUIRED FOR SALVATION
Pope Paul III, Council of Trent, Sess. 5, On Original Sin: “… our Catholic faith, without which it is impossible to please God…”
Pope Pius IX, Vatican Council I, Session 2, Profession of Faith, 1870: “This true Catholic faith, outside of which none can be saved, which I now freely profess and truly hold…”
The Church doesn’t merely declare that one must be inside the Church and have supernatural faith to be saved. It also declares that one must have the Catholic faith to be saved. The two truths are inseparable, of course, but examining each aspect of this dogma becomes important when refuting heretics. The supporters of BOD in our day ignore the dogma that one must have THE CATHOLIC FAITH to be saved simply because it’s impossible to twist their heretical view into language that comports with the dogma that no one is saved without the Catholic faith. After all, how can one who is a ‘pagan’ (who doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ and the Trinity) also have the Catholic faith? How can a pagan and a Catholic both be in the one Church? – the one Church, which, by definition, only has ONE FAITH AND ONE LORD? It doesn’t make any sense. So, the BOD heretics typically avoid the dogmatic pronouncements which declare that one must have the Catholic faith to be saved.
In short, their position on ‘supernatural’ faith denies the dogma that ‘Catholic’ faith is what’s absolutely necessary for salvation. They thus depart from the revelation of Jesus Christ and the dogmatic teaching of the Catholic Church on salvation. The Son of God became man in order to redeem the world and reveal the Catholic faith. The heretics of the CMRI (and one could say the same about the heretics Sanborn, Cekada, etc.) reject the Church's dogmatic teaching that Jesus Christ is the only name under Heaven in which men must be saved. They reject the Gospel.
John 8:24- "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
THE CHURCH'S DOGMATIC TEACHING THAT ONE MUST BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST TO BE SAVED, WHICH IS REJECTED BY THE CMRI AND SIMILAR GROUPS
John 17:3: “Now this is life everlasting, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
John 14:6: “Jesus saith to them: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”
Pope Paul III, Sublimus Dei, May 29, 1537: “The sublime God so loved the human race that He created man in such wise that he might participate, not only in the good that other creatures enjoy, but endowed him with capacity to attain to the inaccessible and invisible Supreme Good and behold it face to face; and since man, according to the testimony of the sacred scriptures, has been created to enjoy eternal life and happiness, which none may obtain save through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, it is necessary that he should possess the nature and faculties enabling him to receive that faith; and that whoever is thus endowed should be capable of receiving that same faith. Nor is it credible that any one should possess so little understanding as to desire the faith and yet be destitute of the most necessary faculty to enable him to receive it. Hence Christ, who is the Truth itself, that has never failed and can never fail, said to the preachers of the faith whom He chose for that office ‘Go ye and teach all nations.’ He said all, without exception, for all are capable of receiving the doctrines of the faith… By virtue of Our apostolic authority We define and declare by these present letters… that the said Indians and other peoples should be converted to the faith of Jesus Christ by preaching the word of God and by the example of good and holy living.”
Pope Pius VIII, Traditi humilitati (# 4), May 24, 1829: “Against these experienced sophists the people must be taught that the profession of the Catholic faith is uniquely true, as the apostle proclaims: one Lord, one faith, one baptism... Indeed, no other name than the name of Jesus is given to men by which they may be saved. He who believes shall be saved; he who does not believe shall be condemned.”
Pope Leo XII, Ubi Primum (# 14), May 5, 1824: “It is impossible for the most true God, who is Truth itself, the best, the wisest Provider, and the Rewarder of good men, to approve all sects which profess false teachings that are often inconsistent with one another and contradictory, and to confer eternal rewards on their members… by divine faith we hold one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and that no other name under heaven is given to men except the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in which we must be saved. This is why we profess that there is no salvation outside the Church.”
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, Sess. 8, Nov. 22, 1439, ex cathedra: “Whoever wishes to be saved, needs above all to hold the Catholic faith; unless each one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity. But the Catholic faith is this, that we worship one God in the Trinity, and the Trinity in unity; neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance; for there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit, their glory is equal, their majesty coeternal… and in this Trinity there is nothing first or later, nothing greater or less, but all three persons are coeternal and coequal with one another, so that in every respect, as has already been said above, both unity in Trinity, and Trinity in unity must be worshipped. Therefore let him who wishes to be saved, think thus concerning the Trinity. But it is necessary for eternal salvation that he faithfully believe also in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ… the Son of God is God and man…This is the Catholic faith; unless each one believes this faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved…”
The CMRI's false position on baptism and 'baptism of desire' is also totally refuted in our materials that deal with the baptism issue. The CMRI rejects the Church's dogmatic teaching on the necessity of the Catholic faith and that all who die as Jews, etc. are lost. They also reject the Church's dogmatic profession of faith on one baptism, John 3:5, that no one is saved without water baptism, etc.
Outside the Catholic Church There is Absolutely No Salvation (book)
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH'S DOGMATIC TEACHING ON BAPTISM
Pope Eugene IV, The Council of Florence, Exultate Deo, Nov. 22, 1439: “Holy baptism, which is the gateway to the spiritual life, holds the first place among all the sacraments; through it we are made members of Christ and of the body of the Church. And since death entered the universe through the first man, ‘unless we are born again of water and the Spirit, we cannot,’ as the Truth says, ‘enter into the kingdom of heaven’ [John 3:5]. The matter of this sacrament is real and natural water.”
Pope Paul III, The Council of Trent, Can. 5 on the Sacrament of Baptism, Sess. 7, 1547: “If anyone says that baptism [the sacrament] is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation: let him be anathema.”
Pope Clement V, The Council of Vienne, 1311-1312: “Besides, one baptism regenerating all who are baptized in Christ must be faithfully confessed by all just as ‘one God and one faith’ [Eph. 4:5], which celebrated in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we believe to be the perfect remedy for salvation for both adults and children.”
Pope Clement V, The Council of Vienne, 1311-1312: “But since one is the universal Church, of regulars and seculars, of prelates and subjects, of exempt and non-exempt, outside of which absolutely (omnino) no one (nullus) is saved (salvatur), one is the Lord, one is the Faith and one is the baptism of all.”
Pope St. Siricius, Decree to Himerius, A.D. 385: “Therefore just as we say that the holy paschal observance is in no way to be diminished, we also say that to infants who will not yet be able to speak on account of their age or to those who in any necessity will need the holy stream of baptism, we wish succor to be brought with all celerity, lest it should tend to the perdition of our souls if the saving font be denied to those desiring it and every single one of them exiting this world lose both the Kingdom and life. Whoever should fall into the peril of shipwreck, the incursion of an enemy, the uncertainty of a siege or the desperation of any bodily sickness, and should beg to be relieved by the unique help of faith, let them obtain the rewards of the much sought-after regeneration in the same moment of time in which they beg for it. Let the previous error in this matter be enough; [but] now let all priests maintain the aforesaid rule, who do not want to be torn from the solidity of the apostolic rock upon which Christ constructed His universal Church.”
The CMRI (and all the priests in our day who obstinately adhere to 'baptism of desire') are not true Catholics, but heretics and false shepherds. It's important for people to realize it. The CMRI is led by the wicked apostate Mark Pivarunas, who holds the same heresies and teaches gross errors. It was the faithlessness and false teaching of unbelievers like Pivarunas, Welp and the priests of the CMRI, in the years before Vatican II, which led to the Great Apostasy.
On Nov. 4, 2016, the SSPX inaugurated its brand new $40 million seminary in Dillwyn, Virginia. We discussed their massive new seminary, and why the SSPX is a heretical deception, in this article: The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to receive 40 million dollars for their heretical seminary project. We exposed the pathetic faithlessness of the SSPX’s apostate leader, Bishop Bernard Fellay, in this post: Pathetic and Heretical SSPX Leader, Bishop Bernard Fellay, Cowers In The Face of Anti-Christ Journalist. Our important video documentary, The Truth About The SSPX, The SSPX-MC, And Similar Groups, refutes and exposes Fellay and the positions of the heretical and schismatic SSPX in detail.
As we’ve pointed out many times, the SSPX is a deception. Yes they have externals, and it is through their externals that they convince many that they are of God, but they don’t have the true faith. They reject the Church’s dogmatic teaching on salvation, and they obstinately adhere to heretical, anti-papal, anti-magisterial positions. They simply don’t profess what the Catholic Church professes. They are not true Catholics. They are very similar to the Eastern ‘Orthodox’ and the ‘Old Catholics’. That’s why the vast majority of the SSPX’s followers aren’t interested in the magisterial teaching of councils, bulls, and encyclicals that contradicts their positions. They don’t care about that because they don’t believe in councils, bulls, and encyclicals. Rather, what they care about – their ‘rule of faith’ – is externals, rituals, and community. If they have externals, rituals, and community, that’s all they need. Quoting Catholic dogma to the vast majority of the SSPX’s followers is like quoting it to adherents of Eastern ‘Orthodoxy’. It won’t faze them. They don’t believe in it, so they don’t care that their position is incompatible with it.
The SSPX’s ongoing recognition of the notorious apostate Antipope Francis as a Catholic pope is just one clear example of the group’s rejection of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. The SSPX also explicitly teaches that souls can be saved in false religions – a blatant denial of the defined dogma Outside the Catholic Church There Is No Salvation. Bishop Fellay, for instance, has explicitly stated that Hindus can be saved.
Bishop Bernard Fellay, Conference in Denver, Co., Feb. 18, 2006: "Consider a Hindu in Tibet who has no knowledge of the Catholic Church. He lives according to his conscience and to the laws which God has put into his heart. He can be in the state of grace, and if he dies in this state of grace, he will go to heaven.” (The Angelus, “A Talk Heard Round the World,” April, 2006, p. 5.)
Lefebvre also taught that souls can be saved in false religions (Against the Heresies, pp. 216-218). The SSPX professes and teaches that souls can be saved in false religions, as our material documents. The Catholic Church professes the opposite. In this sermon, Fellay even stated that aborted infants can go to Heaven without baptism - another blatant heresy (11 to 12 min. mark: http://sspx.org/en/media/audio/bp-fellays-sermon-2016-dc-march-life-13572). The SSPX does not profess the true faith. Their priests are not true believers, but heretics. They have no faith whatsoever. That’s why their vocations and their numbers are a deception. Good fruits are, first and foremost, when people receive the true faith of Christ without which one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6). The SSPX doesn’t have the true faith. Their priests and seminarians don’t have the true faith, and they don’t spread it to others. Rather, they teach people heresy and schism, along with some Catholic truth. When you encounter or get to know obstinate adherents of the SSPX, and examine what they actually believe, you discover that the SSPX’s fruits are, in fact, rotten. The SSPX is like an apple that looks good and fresh on the outside, but is rotten on the inside. Even though the SSPX does some good things, and has been an avenue through which people have been led to the truth, on the whole their group constitutes a major deception.
FELLAY'S INJURY AT THE NEW SEMINARY
During the opening weekend of their huge new seminary, their apostate leader, Bishop Bernard Fellay, allegedly fell down the steps and broke his leg in two places. The SSPX has confirmed that during the inaugurating weekend of the seminary, Fellay “injured his foot quite badly”. They acknowledge:
“However, not all the news from Virginia was happy this weekend, as the Superior General, Bishop Fellay, injured his foot quite badly. We ask for your prayers that he recovers well, and completely.” (http://www.sspx.org/en/news-events/news/report-new-sspx-seminary-va)
When one considers that the SSPX is not truly Catholic, and that Fellay is a heretical false guide who leads people to Hell, the symbolism is, we must say, quite fitting. The SSPX’s new seminary represents the priestly formation of the SSPX. This massive $40 million structure is one of the biggest projects in the history of the SSPX, if not the biggest. They had announced months in advance when the seminary would be inaugurated and that Fellay would be there to bless it. Fellay and over 1000 supporters of the SSPX showed up. Falling and suffering a significant injury during the inaugurating weekend of the new seminary is not just a coincidence. It's a symbol of the false guidance of the SSPX, which leads people to destruction. That’s not to suggest, of course, that everyone who suffers an injury is evil or being punished by God. However, when you consider who fell, where he fell, and when he fell, it’s obvious that this was a merciful sign from God. God wants the followers of the SSPX to wake up and realize that Fellay and the SSPX should not be followed, a fact that Catholic truth makes quite clear.
It’s certain that Fellay suffered a significant injury at the new seminary, and it was serious enough for the SSPX to make a statement about it. The phrase “injured his foot quite badly” is probably the SSPX’s euphemistic way of reporting that Fellay fell down the steps and broke his leg. The latter obviously sounds much worse than the former.
The Society of St. Pius X [Link to Section]
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to receive 40 million dollars for their heretical seminary project
[Below is a comment made by someone about our video: ‘Born Again’ Refutes ‘Faith Alone’ & The Demonic Possession of James White, followed by our response.]
Subject: ‘Born Again’ Refutes ‘Faith Alone’ & The Demonic Possession of James White
You lost me at 23.35, when you claim Dr White is demon-possessed. Freezing a video frame the way you have can make anyone appear possessed. Look, I am a Catholic, a convert from the Episcopal Church, where I was a priest for 30 years. When I realized the error of 'sola fide', I began a 13 year search that ended in 'swimming the Tiber' four years ago. I appreciate the content of the few videos I've seen, but really, this seems to go too far. How do you KNOW that Dr White is possessed? You don't. He is deceived, yes. He is blind to the full-truth of the Gospel. But possessed? I honestly think you should cut the video at 23.00 and leave it at that. And honestly, in the spirit of Jesus, I think you should apologize to Dr White for this.
Westside Warrior
MHFM: We lost you when we got into the spiritual part of the video because you have no supernatural faith. One doesn’t need to freeze the video to see that White is manifesting clear signs of demonic possession. It’s visible at full speed. We saw what was happening at full speed. In our video we simply froze the clips (after playing them at full speed) to assist those who are less observant, less believing, etc. Part of White’s face is flying back unnaturally in one direction, while the rest of his face is travelling in a completely different direction or remaining where it is. It happens to him repeatedly, as our video shows. Here's just one example of his demonic facial movements at full/normal speed. Notice the upper-left side of his mouth.
That’s not normal. It's a clear sign of a foreign (i.e. demonic) presence in him, to those with eyes to see. The video covers a number of other examples. Further, the faces White makes with his unnatural movements are demonic.
Additionally, White frequently gives the devil’s horns. In one of the clips we showed in our video (at 24.03), White holds out a clear, unmistakable devil's horns hand-sign to his side in a prominent way for more than five full seconds, completely oblivious to what he’s doing. You can watch it here:
James White giving the devil's horns sign for more than five full seconds
That’s the demon in him, displaying its dominance over the man. That’s why White flashes the devil's horns not once or twice (in which case one might be able to say that his hands were caught in a bad position), but many times. The devil is manifesting, very quickly, dominance over him. Another good example where White’s hands are not simply caught in a bad position, but the Devil is definitely taking control of him to show a demonic presence/dominance right to the camera, comes at 23.46. You can watch it here:
Your faithlessness is further revealed when you act like it’s absurd to think that one of the most anti-Catholic figures out there – who has attacked the Blessed Virgin Mary, the sacraments, the Papacy, etc. for decades – is possessed. No, it would be absurd to think that he’s not possessed. Have you ever read Ephesians 2:1-2?
Ephesians 2:1-2- “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins, in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”
Evil spirits are at work in the sons of disobedience. Is James White a son of disobedience? Of course he is. He is one of the most anti-Catholic figures in internet history. Through his diabolical view that God predestines people to Hell and positively wills every single act of man that has ever occurred, White also promotes the demonic heresy that God is behind every lie, every sin, etc. in history. That is an unspeakably wicked heresy. It actually equates God with the devil. White thus leads heretics who follow him not only into typical Protestant heresies, but into a demonic view that attributes to the Almighty what comes from the father of lies.
Ephesians 6:12- “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in high places.”
A viewer of our video also made an interesting observation. The person noted:
“In the second half of the video, when the camera is directly in front of James White, you can see what look like horns starting from his eyebrows and going up to the sides of his head. You can see it the most when he's looking down. I think it really illustrates who's really guiding him, the devil.”
Notice that what appear to be horns can be seen on his head, just as the Devil is depicted
Notice again the head, which appears to have horns extending on both sides
We agree with the viewer: in this particular video White’s forehead looks like it has horns. We don’t believe that’s an accident. In fact, we believe that this is another manifestation and outline of the demonic presence in White. Here's how the devil is frequently depicted in art.
The devil is repeatedly depicted with horns
This might be scary or hard for some people who are lacking in faith to accept, but demons are real. Moreover, one must consider all of the other signs of demonic possession White is displaying, as well as the demonic things he teaches, believes, and promotes. Examples of how horns appear on his forehead (just like in the above images) are found at: 28.23, 28.26, 29.44, etc., and throughout the second half of the video, especially when he looks down.
Our video also showed (starting at 45.49) how White again flashes a clear devil’s horns sign precisely when speaking about the condemnation of the false professor! Instead of seeing the spiritual signs and God’s providence in this, you think it’s all just a coincidence. No, it’s the demon displaying its presence in him again, and it was compelled by God to do so precisely when the false professor was talking about how a false professor is condemned. James White identifies himself as a professor, and he is a false professor of Christianity.
This is James White as he gives the devil's horns again (discussed at 45.49 of our video), at the very time he's speaking about the condemnation of the 'false professor'
The truth is that you had no true faith for 30 years as an Episcopal ‘priest’. Your comments reveal that you still don’t have true faith. (Have you even yet accepted the fact that you weren’t a valid priest?) That’s why you can’t see the truth in these points about spiritual realities: you don't truly believe, and consequently you lack the insight that comes with faith. You need to stop resisting the truth, pray for faith, and embrace the traditional Catholic faith. Your comments suggest that you are part of the Vatican II sect, which is not the Catholic Church. See our material on that matter.
It’s also interesting that White, who promotes the heresy of faith alone (or salvation by faith without charity), appears in front of clanging cymbals in the video we expose.
Notice that White is in front of clanging cymbals
We don’t believe it’s just a coincidence that in this particular video, which figures prominently into our video which refutes his heresy of faith alone and publicly denounces him as a demonic false teacher, White appears in front of clanging cymbals. In 1 Cor. 13:1-2, St. Paul contradicts the heresy of faith alone by setting forth the apostolic truth that one must have faith and love to be saved. In that context (of refuting faith alone) he describes a person who lacks love as a ‘clanging cymbal’.
1 Corinthians 13:1-2- “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
HERE'S OUR FULL VIDEO ON THIS TOPIC
Here are more videos that refute Protestantism and the teaching of James White.
This Is The Section Of Our Website That Proves Catholicism Biblically and Refutes Protestantism
This is an important new video that exposes a leading false traditionalist spokesman, the heretic John Vennari, whose false views are reflected by many in the SSPX, FSSP, and similar groups. The video covers the heresies, contradictions, and dishonesty in his material – with a special emphasis on the diabolical way that false teachers and heretics like Vennari hide the truth and lie to the people. Among other ways, they do so by using euphemisms instead of the accurate Catholic descriptions and terms (such as 'heretic', 'heresy,' etc.) that are called for in light of the evidence they are presenting. The dishonesty of heretics like Vennari in this regard has a devastating effect on souls. It keeps people in the dark about the true nature of the crisis. It keeps people under the sway of heretics who lead multitudes to Hell, and it keeps people adhering to false positions that are inconsistent with a pure profession of faith. This is a video people should see, for it demonstrates that false traditionalist spokesmen like Vennari are truly dishonest and faithless tools of the Devil to keep people in heresy and false positions.
[THIS MAN POSTED A COMMENT ON OUR ARTICLE, Does God Create Homosexuals? BELOW IS OUR RESPONSE]
You are lying, that is not and never has been the teaching of Mother Church. I remember being different from other boys as far back as age 3...
I am a Catholic and I accept whole and undefiled the doctrines of the Church. I identify with the Resistance of Bishop Williamson. So you cannot claim I am a Modernist, I am simply saying you are not accepting the true Catholic teaching on same sex attraction. It is not because of my sins, but original sin and our fallen nature and race that I have the attractions I have. I remember as a child, saying so many times to God, that He needed to fix my broken sexuality, because I couldn't. No matter how much fasting, how many Rosaries, how many Confessions and Communions, no matter how much penance, nothing changed. I always was attracted to girls as well, but I always liked other boys as well. Christ gave this to me as a cross to take up daily.
The Holy Catholic Church was founded by Christ not as a prison of persecution, but a hospital for the broken men and women. Christ is our loving God and Saviour because we are not perfect, yet He loves us beyond the comprehension of man. It may condemn an action or heresy, but will never turn someone away who seeks Christ. His religion is the largest worldwide source of relief for the poor, the hungry, the sick, and repentant. It opens up the doors of unending compassion, for sinners of all kind, for single mothers, widows, orphans, married and divorced. For gay, for straight and for bi for the lonely and for sinners of all kind; her mission is the same. It is that of Our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, Eternal King of the Ages, as she is His Mystical Bride made up of the Mystical Body. Her mission is to save souls. The Church teaches that although it is not of the Natural order that one is homosexual it is not a sin in itself, for one cannot sin if he has not done anything wrong. We are called to a life of celibacy and to be holy, just as all Christians are called to be holy. That is okay, because in reality what people long for is not sex, but love - to love and to be loved, it whatever form. Sexual love is just one form of love, but agape, love love on God can give is so much greater.
I don't want to sound as if I'm not making Holy Mother Church's teachings clear that sexual actions outside of a true marriage between man and woman are sinful, but rather I am also professing that with the Holy Church has always believed. That all people are children of the living God and He loves us all for whoever He made us to be. And that we all will be happiest and holiest when serving Him in the lifestyle He has by Divine Wisdom called us to. Because the Church is not for the Saint but the sinner. Those that are gay, are no different that those who are straight, we are all called to chastity and sexual purity. We all must unite ourselves the Christ and His cross, like Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. St. Paul said in Scripture, I hath been crucified with Christ: now I liveth not, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loveth me, and gave Himself for me.” He is doing what all are called to do by Our Blessed Divine Lord, “Then Jesus saith unto his disciples: If any man wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.”
Joseph Isaiah
MHFM: Joseph, your letter is a prime example of why you remain afflicted with a perverted same-sex 'attraction'. You are lying to yourself and rejecting the truth. Our position is very clear: same-sex attraction is not natural. It is the result of sin and a rejection of God, as Romans 1 teaches (see below). You make reference to some alleged ‘Catholic teaching’ which you believe contradicts our position. You believe this ‘teaching’ declares that there is nothing perverted about men being attracted to men, and women being attracted to women, but you cite nothing of course. That's because no such teaching exists.
You also state: “I identify with the Resistance of Bishop Williamson. So you cannot claim I am a Modernist…” This is an example of how you are quite deceived. Identifying with the false resistance of Bishop Richard Williamson doesn’t prove you are not a modernist. On the contrary, it actually proves that your positions are heretical and schismatic, and that you are following a modernist. Richard Williamson is a modernist, a heretic, and a schismatic. He is not a true Catholic. You really need to watch this video: The Truth About The SSPX, The SSPX-MC, And Similar Groups (video). It proves that the 'Resistance' you are embracing is not Catholic.
You should also see this file on him: Williamson, Bishop Richard of the SSPX: a schismatic and a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Among other things, Richard Williamson holds that one may attend the invalid, non-Catholic New Mass. He declared that the notorious idolater and apostate Antipope John Paul II was a “good man”. He declared that the notorious apostate Benedict XVI is “in good faith”. He denies the dogma Outside the Church There Is No Salvation, as all priests ordained by the SSPX do. He, in fact, holds that Jews, Muslims, etc. can be saved without the Catholic faith, contrary to the dogmatic teaching of the Council of Florence. He therefore does not profess the Catholic Church's teaching on salvation. In addition to being heretical, his positions are TOTALLY SCHISMATIC and involve a rejection of papal infallibility. He does not have the true faith. His positions are a rejection of Catholic truth about the Papacy. The 'Resistance' is false and schismatic. Those who obstinately follow him or embrace his positions do not have the true faith. To obstinately embrace his positions, or those of the 'Resistance', is to be the equivalent of the schismatic ‘Old Catholics’ or the Eastern ‘Orthodox’. You need to reject his false positions and embrace the true Catholic faith, as covered in our material. Once you do that and get into the state of grace, then you can and will be delivered from your perverted inclinations.
You also profess heresy when you state that “all people are children of the living God”. No, all people are not children of God. It is only through the true faith of Jesus Christ that one becomes a child of God. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, to them he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12) Those outside the true Church aren’t children of God. Since you don’t have the true faith at this time, and you are deceiving yourself on these matters, you can’t see the truth about your spiritual situation.
Even though you don’t say it explicitly, you imply that you were ‘gay’ from your earliest years, even from the age of three. We doubt you have such memories from that age. Homosexuals deceive themselves and frequently lie. But even if one were, for the sake of argument, to accept your claim to have been a conscious homosexual from the age of three, we would respond thus: if you claim to have been conscious of such things from the age of three, that suggests that you reached the age of reason at the age of three. Well, as soon as one arrives at the age of reason, he can reject the truth. He can resist or reject God and sin mortally. Deliverance to unnatural attractions can be the result of such a rejection of God, even from an early age. Some people are just not of the truth. Some people just refuse to have God in their knowledge (Romans 1:28), and they make that decision early on. St. Thomas explains that as soon as a person reaches the age of reason, he can direct himself to the proper end or he can refuse to do so. If he chooses to do the latter, he sins mortally. Since you claim to have possessed such an understanding of yourself and your activity from the age of three, then you could have refused to have God in your knowledge and rejected the proper end at that age. That could be why you have same-sex ‘attraction’, and had it from a very early age. But it’s more likely that you rejected God and the truth a number of years later than you describe, and that resulted in your perverted inclinations.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Pt. I-II, Question 89, A.6: “Now the first thing that occurs to a man to think about then [when he reaches the age of reason] is to deliberate about himself... whereas if he does not then direct himself to the due end, and as far as he is capable of discretion at that particular age, he will sin mortally, for not doing that which is in his power to do.”
You were given over to homosexuality as a result of your resistance to the truth. You can be delivered from it when you actually become a real Catholic. Our material covers the true positions, and it explains how to become a true Catholic. But don’t expect to be delivered from your perverted inclinations while you are following a schismatic false resistance that denies papal infallibility, among other things. You will only be delivered if and when you embrace the true faith and get into the state of grace. We hope you embrace the true faith. When you do, the true power of God's grace will be available to you. Until then, your prayers (and the other acts you mention) won't be efficacious. It's necessary for your salvation to embrace the true faith.
Romans 1- “Because that, when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God, or given thanks; but became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened… who changed the truth of God into a lie; and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error… they who do such things, are worthy of death; and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them.”
Sister Lucia of Fatima To Fr. Fuentes, 1957: “Look, Father, the Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Holy Rosary. She has given this efficacy to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all, spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world, or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”
"In a February 8 interview with one of Italy’s most prominent dailies, Corriere Della Serra, Pope Francis praised Italy’s leading proponent of abortion – Emma Bonino -- as one of the nation’s 'forgotten greats,' comparing her to great historical figures such as Konrad Adenauer and Robert Schuman. Knowing that his praise of her may be controversial, the Pope said that she offered the best advice to Italy on learning about Africa, and admitted she thinks differently from us. 'True, but never mind,' he said. 'We have to look at people, at what they do.'
At 27, Bonino had an illegal abortion and then worked with the Information Centre on Sterilization and Abortion which boasted over 10,000 abortions. There are famous photos of Bonino performing illegal abortions using a homemade device operated by a bicycle pump. Arrested for the then-illegal activity she spent a few days in jail and was acquitted and entered politics.
When she was appointed Italy’s foreign minister in 2013 there was a general outcry from life and family leaders at the appalling situation.
Responding to the Pope’s praise of Bonino, pro-life leaders in Italy expressed disbelief. 'How can the pope praise a woman that is best known in Italy for practicing illegal abortion and promoting abortion?' commented Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro, who was until last year the head of the Rome office of Human Life International."
... Greetings. I am a nineteen year old student from Sheffield, North England, studying at the University of Sheffield. I am a practicing Catholic, having begun my conversion from unbelief about two and a half years ago. I began watching your videos not so long after having begun my conversion, while I was still at a Novus Ordo church. I began by watching, if I remember correctly, the video comparing Benedict XVI and Alexander VI, and found it shocking. I moved onto your videos concerning salvation, and the errors of Vatican II and scandals of the Vatican II sect. Thank you for your work: I have found it most compelling and edifying.
I do have a few vexing questions I'd like to ask, though, before I would feel comfortable in fully accepting your positions...
[For example]: the invalidity of the Novus Ordo 'priesthood' and the invalidity of the New Mass. I would reject ordinations in the New Rite utterly if there weren't any apparent 'Eucharistic miracles', as there reportedly have been in a number of New Masses. We have the examples of Salt Lake and Buenos Aires. What would be the explanation for such happenings?
That's all I have for now. I hope you can find the time to respond.
God bless,
Joseph S. Clarke
MHFM: We’re glad that you came across the material. People should be convinced of the positions we hold because they are based upon and proven by the teaching of the Church and the revelation of Jesus Christ. If you sincerely pray 15 decades of the Rosary each day and the Hail Mary frequently, and continue to look at the material, we believe you will become convinced of the positions.
To your question: With regard to so-called ‘Eucharist miracles’ at the New Mass, the answer is that there aren’t any. The few that have been reported are definitely false signs and wonders of the Devil or simply false reports. As an example of some of the false reports, a Novus Ordo publication stated:
Other recent reports of bleeding hosts have turned out to be false. For instance, last May, several blogs showed a photograph of a bleeding host at St. Patrick Church in Rochelle, Ill. At least one report even claimed the host had turned to flesh and blood. The pastor, Father Johnson Lopez, confirmed to the Register that it was only bacteria. “I truly believe in miracles, and an extraordinary miracle of the Eucharist would be a blessing for our community, but there was no miracle,” he said. (National Catholic Reporter)
Those that are not false reports are certainly false signs. Sacred Scripture specifically warns us that such false signs and wonders will happen in the final days. See 2 Thess. 2:9 and Matthew 24:24.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12: “Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying. That all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity.”
Matthew 24:24-25: “Then if any man shall say to you: Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it to you, beforehand. If therefore they shall say to you: Behold He is in the desert, go ye not out: Behold He is in the closets, believe it not.”
Moreover, our recent video on Magicians is very important to consider in this regard. It proves that the Devil is capable of working major false signs.
The Devil can only do what God permits him to do, but God sometimes allows him to perform lying wonders to deceive people. In fact, as the Magicians video shows, in many cases the signs worked by modern magicians are similar to those reported in the places you mention. Satan can’t turn bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, but he can make bread appear to bleed with regular blood as part of a false sign. We also learn this from the story of the Exodus.
Exodus 7:19-22- “And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord had commanded: and lifting up the rod, he struck the water of the river before Pharao and his servants: and it was turned into blood. And the fishes that were in the river died… And the magicians of the Egyptians with their enchantments did in like manner; and Pharao’s heart was hardened…”
That’s why one must always assess and judge these matters not by alleged signs and wonders, but by the teaching of Jesus Christ and His Church. The teaching of the Magisterium must always be our guide. It gives us the answer. According to the Church’s teaching, the New Mass is certainly a false and invalid service because it lacks a valid form. The New Rite of Ordination is also absolutely invalid based on Catholic teaching. The evidence against both is overwhelming and irrefutable. Moreover, the fruits of the New Mass are undeniably rotten and wicked. Even without considering the dogmatic evidence against the validity of the New Mass, when one thinks of all its rotten fruits and of all the souls being led into sin there, does it make any sense that God would work a miracle at the New Mass? No, it doesn’t.
God doesn’t work miracles to confirm people on a path to sin and Hell. Rather, in this time of apostasy God has allowed the Devil, as a punishment for sin and unbelief, to work numerous false signs that mislead those who receive not the love of the truth. Receiving not the love of the truth means resisting the true revelation of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Magisterium. It means not judging all things by that teaching and rule. People who are not guided by the Magisterium are inclined to strange voices, to false doctrines, and to lying signs. When they resist what God has revealed and His Church has taught, sometimes God will give them over, in a powerful way, to be convinced by (or subjected to) the aforementioned deceptions as a punishment for their dishonesty and unbelief.
Another example of lying signs would be the many false apparitions that have occurred all over the Vatican II sect (the end-times Counter Church) during this apocalyptic period. Some of those false apparitions contain blatant heresies. They have been used to defend or support absurd notions, such as that people who promote false ecumenism and idolatry are good and should be followed. They are deceptions from Satan, just like any claim that there is a miracle in the New ‘Mass’. The New Mass is a false and invalid service. It is actually an abomination, and it must be avoided under pain of grave sin.
MHFM Comment: Certainly, what's being imposed upon the 'Little Sisters of the Poor' is outrageous, evil, and unconstitutional (see the article below). However, true Catholics know that one must adhere to the Catholic faith over anything else. Without the true Catholic faith it's impossible to please God. That's the teaching of God and the Church.
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, Sess. 8, Nov. 22, 1439, ex cathedra: “Whoever wishes to be saved, needs before all else to hold the Catholic faith; unless each one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity.”
Yet, the 'Little Sisters' don't feel this way. According to them, they "can't choose" between "the faith" and the poor. Their response is heretical. It reveals, sadly, that they are not true Catholics. That shouldn't be a surprise, however, as the 'Little Sisters' adhere to the false Vatican II religion, in which religious indifferentism, humanism, and naturalism have replaced Catholic teaching.
The video above is also revealing. It explains that the 'Litter Sisters' welcome people "of any faith persuasion". Obviously that's because they don't believe the Catholic faith is necessary for salvation. They accept heresy, paganism, unbelief, etc. They even stress how they hold the hands of (and "comfort") the people they work with at their deaths. Of course, that would include people "of any faith persuasion". Do they tell those non-Catholics that, if they die without the true faith, they are headed for an eternal death? Do they charitably inform them that dying without the true faith and/or in mortal sin is infinitely worse than any suffering here on Earth? Obviously they don't. Since they don't manifest a concern for what's most important (the eternal salvation of the people they work with - see Mt. 16:26), they sadly serve as deceivers of the poor and the elderly rather than as their true friends.
Pope Pius X: “As a matter of fact, however, merely naturally good acts are only a counterfeit of virtue since they are neither permanent nor sufficient for salvation.” (Editae Saepe # 28, May 26, 1910)
The apostasy and indifferentism of the 'Little Sisters' is another tragic result of the false religion of Vatican II and the Vatican II sect's antipopes. It's also a consequence of the denial of Outside the Church There is No Salvation that began even before Vatican II.
The national debate over the Affordable Care Act appears nowhere near over, as the Little Sisters of the Poor — a Roman Catholic group of nuns who run nursing homes around the globe — continue their battle against the law’s contentious contraceptive mandate.
The Colorado-based religious order announced on Thursday that it will once again petition the Supreme Court for protection against the government’s requirement that contraceptives be made available to all employees free-of-charge through insurance plans.
“We perform this loving ministry because of our faith and simply cannot choose between our care for the elderly poor and our faith, and we shouldn’t have to,” Sister Loraine Marie Maguire said in a statement on Thursday. “We hope the Supreme Court will hear our case and ensure that people from diverse faiths can freely follow God’s calling in their lives.”
According to a press release from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a conservative legal firm, the Obama administration refuses to exempt the nuns from a “regulation that makes them choose between their faith — which prohibits them from providing contraceptives — and continuing to pursue their religious mission of serving the elderly poor.”
At the center of the battle is a government “accommodation” that was offered through the Department of Health and Human Services last year — a provision that allows closely held corporations as well as religious groups to sign EBSA Form 700, a document that passes the responsibility off to the government, which then finds a third-party to provide contraceptives, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
But the Little Sisters still object to the accommodation based on religious principle.
Daniel Blomberg, an attorney with the Becket Fund — the same firm that secured a win against the contraceptive mandate for Hobby Lobby, the popular craft stow chain — recently told TheBlaze that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit “got it wrong” when it ruled on July 14 that the Little Sisters of the Poor must comply with the mandate by using the accommodation’s opt-out form.
“The Tenth Circuit got it wrong again, just like it got it wrong the first time,” he said, saying that it is likely that yet another Obamacare battle could be heading back up to the Supreme Court. “The government has been too aggressive … it insists on setting up what really is a parasite plan that attaches to religious ministry plans.”
Blomberg said that the Little Sisters of the Poor, among other religious groups, will need to rely on the Supreme Court to try and remedy the ongoing dispute and potentially obtain permanent relief...
The Little Sisters could face fines of up to $2.5 million per year if they refuse to comply and are not granted a permanent relief from the rules...
Catholicnewsagency.com reports:
... Fr. Robert Barron will have a new responsibility: auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, one of the cultural capitals of the world.
“It was with enormous surprise that I heard the word of my appointment last week, but it is with a humble and joyful heart that I have accepted it,” said the Chicago-native in a July 21 statement.
“I am grateful to Pope Francis for his confidence in me and to Archbishop Gomez for his willingness to allow me to minister in this beautiful, richly diverse, and spiritually vibrant Church.”
A priest for the diocese of Chicago, the bishop-elect said he has visited California on various occasions for different speaking engagements.
“So although I cannot say that I know this Archdiocese well, I have indeed been able to taste and see some of its goodness.”... Since 2012, Fr. Barron has served as the rector and president of the Chicago Archdiocese's Mundelein seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake.
MHFM Comment: 'Fr.' Robert Barron is a well-known and influential heretic in the Vatican II sect. As the video below shows, he denies (among other things) that Adam and Eve actually existed and holds that no one may be in Hell. He is a total apostate. The fact that he is now an auxiliary 'Bishop' of Los Angeles, and that he previously was in charge of Chicago's Mundelein Seminary, reveals what a pack of apostates run the Vatican II sect. The quotes from Barron denying the existence of Adam, the first man (a dogmatic fact), come in the first few minutes of this video. Starting at the 27.30 minute mark, Barron says he doesn't know if anyone goes to Hell. That is a total denial of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and Catholic dogma. He is a wicked unbeliever.
News.yahoo.com reports:
... Francis says he wasn't offended by the "Communist crucifix" given to him by Bolivian President Evo Morales during his South American pilgrimage.
Morales surprised the pontiff with the unusual gift, a crucifix attached to a hammer and sickle, when Francis arrived in La Paz on Wednesday.
The crucifix was a replica of one designed by a Jesuit priest, the Rev. Luis Espinal, who was tortured and killed by Bolivian paramilitary squads in 1980. Francis prayed at the site of Espinal's assassination upon his arrival in Bolivia.
The modified crucifix immediately raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether Morales, whose socialist and anti-church rhetoric is well-known, was trying to score a questionable political point with a questionable, and possibly sacrilegious, melding of faith and ideology....
After taking into consideration the time in which he lived, Francis said: "I understand this work. For me it wasn't an offense."
Francis added that he brought the crucifix home with him.
Ibtimes.co.uk reports:
Pope Francis has received a rather unusual gift from Bolivia's first indigenous president Evo Morales during his visit to Latin America: a crucifix carved into a wooden hammer and sickle, the Communist symbol of the union of labour and peasants.
The 78-year-old pontiff drank the trimate – a tea of coca leaves, camomile and anise seeds – on the flight to Bolivia from Ecuador to alleviate altitude sickness. La Paz airport sits at 4,000m above sea level and for health reasons the Argentinian pope will be in the city for about four hours only. The pontiff lost part of one lung to disease when he was younger.
Pope Francis praised Bolivia for taking "important steps" in social security and to include the poor in the political and economic life of South American poorest country.
Morales, an anti-clerical champion of indigenous rights, has taken decisive steps to empower Bolivia's 36 native groups and embed their rights in the country's constitution. The president has also acted to change the constitution in 2009, making the Catholic nation a secular country and removed the bible and cross from the presidential palace when he took office in 2006...
MHFM Comment: There’s more shock and wonder as Antipope Francis just received a totally blasphemous Communist hammer and sickle ‘crucifix’ from the wicked President of Bolivia.
Apocalypse 17:8 Fulfilled (video)
While it’s certainly just to be outraged by such a thing and to comment on it (since the antipope did not - contrary to reports - rebuke the president, of course), it’s pathetic that so many false traditionalists and false conservatives get worked up about something like this yet they aren’t fazed basically at all by Antipope Francis’ blatant denial of Outside the Church There is No Salvation and numerous other defined dogmas. His denial of those dogmas more clearly proves that he’s a heretic and not the pope than something such as receiving the Communist crucifix. Yet, they hardly care about the former and go ballistic about the latter. It’s another example of how they value externals and impressions over substance. God rejects such people. A true Catholic, of course, recognizes the problem with both.
Billboard, Outreach
I really appreciate the new DVDs. If you buy them in bulk it is so easy to evangelize. You can just set them on people's doorstep and pretty soon many more people have been exposed to the information. It is important for people to hand out those DVDs.
Sincerely, William
… thank you for sending me a copy of the new DVD. I'm sure it will accomplish much good and I hope to purchase more copies to give away in the future. The amount of effort your monastery puts out to spread the True Faith puts all of the other 'traditionalist' groups out there to shame. What you have managed to accomplish in the way of evangelizing is more than these others have done COMBINED! That's a fact, and it says a lot when you consider the size of groups such as the SSPX and the amount of funds they receive from their supporters. And yet your monastery, though small in comparison, has been consistent in running ads, erecting billboards, distributing large amounts of material practically for free, creating videos on YouTube, etc. It shows that your priorities are definitely in the right place while the false traditionalists seem to really care less about their fellow man, just as long as they have chapels, vestments, etc. Of course, that's not a bad thing in itself, but when we live in times of such spiritual desolation of countless millions from the traditional Catholic faith, our main priority should be trying to truly convert people to it. All else is secondary. God bless you, Brothers.
L.
Thanks for the interest. Some people were very excited about the billboard we recently put up last summer in California (picture and description). Well, we were able to purchase that billboard for more than an entire month for only $3,500. That’s a tremendous deal when one considers that it’s on one of the most congested spots of one of the busiest highways in the country (the 405), where an estimated 723,000 people see the billboard each week. That deal (or one that’s essentially equivalent) might be available to us in the future as well. There are unsold remnant billboard spots available all over the country that can be purchased. It was the first time we ever ran a billboard. However, almost all of our outreach has been in other areas. Over the last around nine years we have run numerous national TV ads, national radio ads, internet ads, and direct mailings. Many people have found the true faith as a result of these and similar efforts. (In fact, many of the people reading this probably found our material as a result of one of those things.) We have also offered our material for extremely low prices so that people can easily give out free copies to others. For example, there are approximately 380,000 copies of the Padre Pio book in circulation. We only have about 20,000 copies left. We will need to do another large run of those books soon. We only have 5,000 copies left of the book on UFOs. That’s another book we will need to reprint.
We also want to thank those few true Catholics who have zeal to distribute our information and contribute in the most critical mission to help save souls. We continue (on a daily basis) to reach people with internet ads. In fact, millions have come to our website from our internet ads alone. We would like to run more national TV and radio ads, as well as billboards. Unfortunately, due to the amount of funding we receive (if something doesn't change this year), we will have to focus our advertising outreach only to certain areas. Therefore, the number of those who will find out about the crucial information we make available will be limited. Many people who have discovered our material are happy and satisfied that they have seen the truth. They like the information, but unfortunately they lack the zeal and the true charity to evangelize their family members, friends, people they run into, etc. Many of them don't distribute free DVDs (the 9 in 1 DVD is recommended for distribution to random individuals), give out the website or help us financially so that we could give others the opportunity to come to the knowledge of the truth. In other words, they use the information themselves but don't really do much or anything to help the cause. They are hearers of the word, not doers of the word (James 1:22). That's a primary reason that very few are saved (Matthew 7:13): i.e. they don’t really care about other people, but mainly about themselves. (Also, as we've mentioned numerous times in the past, if people are supporting any of the other groups which unfortunately embrace false positions or teach heresies - which is basically all of them - they will lose their souls.) So, we don't ask people who are struggling or in debt to help us, but people who have the financial ability and stability to do so. But if something doesn’t change dramatically in the very near future, we may be shutting down one of our 24 hour answering services. That's the answering service we have been using for our national TV and radio ads. If that happens, all possible future national TV and radio ads will end. And if that happens, we will most likely not be running any more billboards either.
Bro. Michael Dimond
Related: The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to receive 40 million dollars for their heretical seminary project
The following article is our personal opinion on this subject. If there is a decision by the Magisterium in the future on this issue, or one from the past we have overlooked, we subject ourselves to it. Based upon papal teachings that MHFM has researched, we are not aware of any magisterial teaching on whether any animals can go to Heaven. It is our opinion that, at the very least, certain animals do go to Heaven.
In Apocalypse 19, we are given a vision of Heaven. Jesus Christ is seen on a horse and the armies of the Word of God follow Christ on horses.
Apocalypse 19:11-17- “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and with justice doth he judge and fight. And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many diadems, and he had a name written, which no man knoweth but himself. And he was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood; and his name is called, THE WORD OF GOD. And the armies that are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean…. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that did fly through the midst of heaven: Come, gather yourselves together to the great supper of God.”
The word translated as “Heaven” in many passages of the New Testament, including Apoc. 19:11, is from the Greek word ouranos. It can refer to the sky or the region in which God dwells. The context of this chapter, which speaks of God sitting on His throne (Apoc. 19:4), makes it clear that “Heaven” in this passage refers to the region in which God dwells. St. John describes the opening of God’s region, as Christ comes to Earth. Animals are said to be there, with Christ and His armies riding on horses.
One might assert that the horses on which Christ and His armies ride are simply symbolic. But would God give us a symbolic picture of animals in Heaven, if the very concept of animals in the next world is repugnant to the ultimate reality? Moreover, the supposition that these descriptions are purely symbolic is no more definitive than the position that they provide us with an actual picture of what will occur.
The early Church father St. Irenaeus (2nd century) seemed to believe that the description of Apoc. 19 constitutes an actual representation of the future reality.
St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book IV, Chap. 20, #11, A.D. 180: “And again, he says, speaking of this very same Lamb: And behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True; and in righteousness does He judge and make war… And the armies of heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in pure white linen. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword… And He has upon His vesture and upon His thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-17). Thus does the Word of God always preserve the outlines, as it were, of things to come, and points out to men the various forms (species), as it were, of the dispensations of the Father, teaching us the things pertaining to God.”[1]
The Lord Jesus Christ stated: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6)
Apocalypse 5:13: “And every creature, which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them: I heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction, and honor, and glory, and power, for ever and ever.”
St. Francis Paola (1416-1507) was one of the greatest miracle workers in the history of the Catholic Church. He had a special interest in animals. He had a pet lamb and a pet fish. He raised his pet fish to life after it had been killed, cooked and smashed to pieces by another priest.
“Francis had a favorite trout that he called ‘Antonella.’ One day one of the priests, who provided religious services, saw the trout swimming about in his pool. To him it was just a delicious dish, so he caught it and took it home, tossing it into the frying pan. Francis missed ‘Antonella’ and realized what had happened. He asked one of his followers to go to the priest to get it back. The priest, annoyed by this great concern for a mere fish, threw the cooked trout on the ground, shattering it into several pieces. The hermit sent by Francis gathered up the broken pieces in his hands and brought them back to Francis. Francis placed the pieces back in the pool and, looking up to Heaven, praying, said: ‘Antonella, in the name of Charity, return to life.’ The trout immediately became whole and swam joyously around his pool as if nothing had happened. The friars and the workers who witnessed this miracle were deeply impressed at the saint’s amazing powers.”[2]
St. Francis also raised his pet lamb, Martinello, from the dead after it had been eaten by workmen.
“Being in need of food, the workmen caught and slaughtered Francis’ pet lamb, Martinello, roasting it in their lime kiln. They were eating when the Saint approached them, looking for his lamb. They told him they had eaten it, having no other food. He asked what they had done with the fleece and the bones. They told him they had thrown them into the furnace. Francis walked over to the furnace, looked into the fire and called ‘Martinello, come out!’ The lamb jumped out, completely untouched, bleating happily on seeing his master.”[3]
It’s noteworthy that St. Francis Paola called the animals by their names even after their lives had ended. He apparently believed they continued to exist after their deaths.
Blessed Martin De Porres (1579-1639) was a saintly brother of the Dominican Order. He was beatified in the 19th century. He also had a special interest in animals. After a dog had been uncharitably killed by its master, Martin raised the dog from the dead. He also spoke to the dog and instructed it not to return to its ungrateful master.
“The procurator of the convent had a dog that served him faithfully for eighteen years. But now, as the animal was old and loathsome, he ordered him to be cast out. However, the faithful beast always came back, looking for his master. Then orders were given that the dog be taken off some distance and killed. This was done, and Blessed Martin on discovering such ingratitude, as it seemed in his eyes, was moved to compassion and asked that the dead dog be carried to his cell. He then sought out the procurator and said to him: ‘My Father, why did you order them to kill that animal? Is that the reward you give him after he has served you for so many years?’ Then shutting himself up in the cell where the dead animal had been placed, Martin knelt for some time in prayer, begging God to restore life to the unfortunate animal if He so willed, and God did not turn a deaf ear to this humble petition. On the following day Martin’s brethren saw him leave his cell, accompanied by the faithful dog, alive and perfectly well. While feeding him in the kitchen, Martin was heard to utter these words of sober advice to the dog: ‘Now, be sure not to return to your ungrateful master’s service, for you have experienced only too clearly how little your long years of faithful service have been appreciated.’ It is said that the dog survived for many years, but that he always followed Martin’s warning, fleeing from his old master whenever he saw him approach.”[4]
In another case, rats were causing problems for a man Blessed Martin had assisted. The problem increased to the point that rats began to invade the sacristy. Martin thought the problem could be solved without killing the rats, but the man decided to set traps. After a rat was caught in one of the traps, Martin urged that it not be destroyed. Instead, Martin spoke to the rat. He told the rat that he and his companions should leave the monastery and go to the garden. To the amazement of many, the rats obeyed.
“When Martin saw the little prisoner, his heart was touched and he would not permit its destruction. Instead, he gave him [the rat] his liberty, saying: ‘Go along, little brother, and tell your companions not to do any more harm. Tell your whole tribe to vacate this holy monastery and to go back into the garden, where I will bring you food each day.’ To the astonishment of all, the mice and rats came flocking out of the convent, finding a refuge in an old shed; and there Martin saw to it that they were provided with daily sustenance.”[5]
The interactions of St. Francis of Assisi with animals are well-chronicled. One of the most famous stories concerns St. Francis and the wolf. A large wolf was terrifying the people of Gubbio. The wolf devoured people and animals. Despite warnings to avoid him, St. Francis decided to approach the wolf, as many watched from a distance.
“The wolf, seeing all this multitude, ran towards Saint Francis with his jaws wide open. As he approached, the saint, making the sign of the cross, cried out: “Come hither, brother wolf; I command thee, in the name of Christ, neither to harm me nor anybody else.” Marvelous to tell, no sooner had Saint Francis made the sign of the cross, than the terrible wolf, closing his jaws, stopped running, and coming up to Saint Francis, lay down at his feet as meekly as a lamb.
And the saint thus addressed him: “Brother wolf, thou hast done much evil in this land, destroying and killing the creatures of God without his permission; yea, not animals only hast thou destroyed, but thou hast even dared to devour men, made after the image of God; for which thing thou art worthy of being hanged like a robber and a murderer. All men cry out against thee, the dogs pursue thee, and all the inhabitants of this city are thy enemies; but I will make peace between them and thee, O brother wolf, if so be thou no more offend them, and they shall forgive thee all thy past offences, and neither men nor dogs shall pursue thee anymore.”
Having listened to these words, the wolf bowed his head, and, by the movements of his body, his tail, and his eyes, made signs that he agreed to what Saint Francis said.
On this Saint Francis added: “As thou art willing to make this peace, I promise thee that thou shalt be fed every day by the inhabitants of this land so long as thou shalt live among them; thou shalt no longer suffer hunger, as it is hunger which has made thee do so much evil; but if I obtain all this for thee, thou must promise, on thy side, never again to attack any animal or any human being; dost thou make this promise?” Then the wolf, bowing his head, made a sign that he consented.
Said Saint Francis again: “Brother wolf, wilt thou pledge thy faith that I may trust to this thy promise?” and putting out his hand he received the pledge of the wolf; for the latter lifted up his paw and placed it familiarly in the hand of Saint Francis, giving him thereby the only pledge which was in his power.
Then said Saint Francis, addressing him again: “Brother wolf, I command thee, in the name of Christ, to follow me immediately, without hesitation or doubting, that we may go together to ratify this peace which we have concluded in the name of God”; and the wolf, obeying him, walked by his side as meekly as a lamb, to the great astonishment of all the people.
Now, the news of this most wonderful miracle spreading quickly through the town, all the inhabitants, both men and women, small and great, young and old, flocked to the market-place to see Saint Francis and the wolf… Then all the people promised with one voice to feed the wolf to the end of his days… Then Saint Francis continued: “Brother wolf, as thou gavest me a pledge of this thy promise when we were outside the town, so now I will that thou renew it in the sight of all this people, and assure me that I have done well to promise in thy name”; and the wolf lifting up his paw placed it in the hand of Saint Francis.”[6]
A mysterious dog also played a role in the life of St. John Bosco.
“God gave to Saint John Bosco a mysterious dog that became the protector of this great saint for much of his life. Where the dog came from and where it went was of no consequence to the saint; he genuinely accepted the friendship of the dog as part of divine providence.
Saint John Bosco did so much good saving the young boys of his time that I am sure it was the influence of the devil that riled up people against him, sometimes to the point that jealousy and hatred led men to try to kill the saint on more than one occasion. It was in response to that danger that a huge gray dog appeared one day when Saint John Bosco was being threatened by murderers. The dog, fearsome to behold, was described as a German shepherd standing three feet tall. Grigio, as he was named by Saint John Bosco, would always appear where trouble waited for the saint. When these ne’er-do-wells finally stopped trying to hurt Saint John Bosco, the dog disappeared. He appeared only one other time, when the saint was lost, to lead him safely to a Salesian home.”[7]
St. Paul of the Cross (d. 1775) once rebuked a farmer who uttered blasphemies in frustration at his oxen. Upset by the admonition, the farmer pointed his gun at St. Paul. “More horrified at the blasphemies than he was at his present danger, the Saint held up the crucifix he always wore around his neck and announced fearlessly, ‘Since you will not respect this crucifix, these oxen will.’ As though they understood, the oxen immediately fell to their knees.”[8] Afterwards the farmer repented.
In the life of St. Anthony of Padua (d. 1231) we read that many heretics resided at Rimini. “But they, not only consenting not to his holy words, but even, like hardened and obstinate sinners, refusing to hearken unto him, the Saint one day, by divine inspiration, went forth to the banks of the river close beside the sea; and, standing thus upon the shore betwixt sea and stream, he began to speak in the guise of a sermon in the name of God unto the fishes. ‘Hear the word of God, ye fishes of the sea and of the stream, since heretics and infidels are loathe to listen to it.’ And having uttered these words, suddenly there came toward him so great a multitude of fishes – great, small, and middle-sized – as had never been seen in that sea or in that stream… all turned their heads out of the water, and all turned attentively toward the face of Anthony.”[9]
In the life of St. Anthony of Padua, we also learn that an Albigensian heretic challenged Catholic teaching on the Eucharist. As a test, the two men agreed to allow the heretic’s mule to choose between its typical food and the Eucharist. The mule was deprived of food for three days. After three days, in the presence of a great crowd, the heretic attempted to feed the mule oats and hay, while St. Anthony held the consecrated Host before the animal. The mule ignored the food, and fell to its knees before the Blessed Sacrament. As a result, the unbelievers were thrown into great confusion and some of them were converted.[10]
Consider the following story from the Old Testament Book of Numbers, Chapter 22:21-35:
“Balaam arose in the morning, and saddling his went with them. And God was angry. And an angel of the Lord stood in the way against Balaam, who sat on the , and had two servants with him. The seeing the angel standing in the way, with a drawn sword, turned herself out of the way, and went into the field. And when Balaam beat her, and had a mind to bring her again to the way, the angel stood in a narrow place between two walls, wherewith the vineyards were enclosed. And the seeing him, thrust herself close to the wall, and bruised the foot of the rider. But he beat her again: And nevertheless the angel going on to a narrow place, where there was no way to turn aside either to the right hand or to the left, stood to meet him. And when the saw the angel standing, she fell under the feet of the rider: who being angry beat her sides more vehemently with a staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the , and she said: What have I done to thee? Why strikest thou me, lo, now this third time? Balaam answered: Because thou hast deserved it, and hast served me ill: I would I had a sword that I might kill thee. The said: Am not I thy beast, on which thou hast been always accustomed to ride until this present day? Tell me if I ever did the like thing to thee. But he said: Never. Forthwith the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel standing in the way with a drawn sword, and he worshipped him falling flat on the ground. And the angel said to him: Why beatest thou thy these three times? I am come to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse, and contrary to me: And unless the had turned out of the way, giving place to me who stood against thee, I had slain thee, and she should have lived. Balaam said: I have sinned, not knowing that thou didst stand against me: and now if it displease thee that I go, I will return. The angel said: Go with these men, and see thou speak no other thing than what I shall command thee. He went therefore with the princes.”
This passage tells us that an animal could see an angel and was given the ability to speak. When the angel finally appeared to Balaam, he rebuked him for beating the animal. The angel also said that he almost killed Balaam and spared the animal. Balaam had to have his eyes opened in order to see the angel, but the animal did not.
It was based on the reasoning of St. Thomas Aquinas that many Catholics came to think that animals do not possess souls that exist after their deaths. While St. Thomas’ views are always worthy of consideration, they are not infallible or definitive. In some cases, his views have been rejected by the Magisterium. St. Thomas taught that the human embryo proceeded through three stages of soul. He believed that the embryo began with the vegetative soul (anima vegetabilis , which he believed plants possess), then proceeded to the sensitive soul (anima sensitiva, which he believed animals possess), and, after 40 or 80 days, God infused the rational or intellectual soul (anima intellectiva, the human soul).
As the 1907 Catholic Encyclopedia article on “Soul” explains:
“St. Thomas’s doctrine is … In the first stage of embryonic development, the vital principle has merely vegetative powers; then a sensitive soul comes into being, educed from the evolving potencies of the organism — later yet, this is replaced by the perfect rational soul, which is essentially immaterial and so postulates a special creative act. Many modern theologians have abandoned this last point of St. Thomas's teaching, and maintain that a fully rational soul is infused into the embryo at the first moment of its existence.”[11]
In other words, those who claim to adhere to St. Thomas’ view on animation and ensoulment must believe that an embryo begins with a plant soul; it is then replaced by an animal soul, which in turn is replaced by the infusion of the human (rational) soul 40 or 80 days after the initial formation of the embryo. St. Thomas also taught that the soul of Mary did incur the stain of original sin – an idea contradicted by later infallible teaching on the Immaculate Conception.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Pt. III, Q. 27, A. 2, Reply to Objection 2: “If the soul of the Blessed Virgin had never incurred the stain of original sin, this would be derogatory to the dignity of Christ, by reason of His being the universal Saviour of all. Consequently after Christ, who, as the universal Saviour of all, needed not to be saved, the purity of the Blessed Virgin holds the highest place.”[12]
As an aside, while we’ve mentioned St. Thomas’ erroneous view on the Immaculate Conception in the past (and this quote in particular), it’s remarkable that many in the traditional movement, including prominent individuals and priests, after being presented with this evidence still wrongly and dishonestly insist that St. Thomas did not contradict the Immaculate Conception! To put it simply, St. Thomas’ views on the soul are not infallible.
While we are not asserting that animals possess rational or intellectual souls (or that they can experience the Beatific Vision) – these are unique to human beings, who alone are created in the image of God – we do not agree with the assertion that the souls of all animals are necessarily mortal and cannot continue after death. We believe that, at least with some animals, they have souls/spirits that can experience Heaven in a manner proper to an animal.
Anyone who has been around certain animals knows that certain animals demonstrate individuality, an ability to learn and reason, and even personalities. Two animals of the same species will have different proclivities and interests. Their mode of operation is not completely instinctive or based purely on sensory response and reaction. For example, some cats are very curious, while others are not. Some dogs like a certain activity, while others do not. St. Gregory Nazianzen said the following about animals.
St. Gregory Nazianzen, Second Theological Oration (Oration 28), #’s 23-26, A.D. 381: “Shall I reckon up for you the differences of the other animals, both from us and from each other – differences of nature, and of production, and of region, and of temper, and as it were of social life? How is it that some are gregarious and others solitary, some herbivorous and others carnivorous, some fierce and others tame, some fond of man and domesticated, others untamable and free? And some we might call bordering on reason and power of learning, while others are altogether destitute of reason… some strong, others weak, some apt at self-defense, others timid and crafty… some attached to one spot, some amphibious; some delight in beauty and others are unadorned… Is this not the clearest proof of the majestic working of God?”[13]
In the original paradise (prior to the fall of Adam and Eve), God created the whales, the birds, and every moving creature on earth and in the sea. Having placed animals of all kinds in the original, uncursed and sinless paradise, “God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:25).
Before Adam and Eve’s capitulation to the serpent brought sin and death into the world, God brought all beasts of the Earth and the fowls of the air to Adam so that he could name them.
Genesis 2:19- “And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name.”
When God destroyed the Earth at the time of Noah, all things “wherein there is the breath of life” died (Gen. 7:22). The same word for the souls or breath of life of animals is used to describe the soul of man, even though man’s soul is very different from that of animals.
The flood of Noah’s day is described by St. Peter as the end of the original world: “And [God] spared not the original world” (2 Peter 2:5). Yet, when God warned Noah about what he must do to successfully transition from the original world, through the flood, to the new, God also told him to bring animals into the Ark.
Genesis 7:1-5- “And the Lord said to him: Go in thou and all thy house into the ark: for thee I have seen just before me in this generation. Of all clean beasts take seven and seven, the male and the female. But of the beasts that are unclean two and two, the male and the female. Of the fowls also of the air seven and seven, the male and the female: that seed may be saved upon the face of the whole earth. For yet a while, and after seven days, I will rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will destroy every substance that I have made, from the face of the earth. And Noe did all things which the Lord had commanded him… And of beasts clean and unclean, and of fowls, and of every thing that moveth upon the earth, two and two went in to Noe into the ark, male and female, as the Lord had commanded Noe. And after the seven days were passed, the waters of the flood overflowed the earth.”
God wanted the animals from “the original world” to be present in the next world, and He commanded Noah to go to extraordinary lengths to make it happen.
After the flood, God established His covenant with Noah and with all the animals/creatures on Earth.
Genesis 9:11-17- “I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood, neither shall there be from henceforth a flood to waste the earth. And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth. And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds: And I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh.
And the bow shall be in the clouds, and I shall see it, and shall remember the everlasting covenant, that was made between God and every living soul of all flesh which is upon the earth. And God said to Noe: This shall be the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh upon the earth.”
The Haydock commentary on Genesis 9:10 acknowledges that God made His covenant also with the animals.
God created animals for the original, spiritually pristine Earth. Is it unthinkable that He would have animals in the new Heaven and the new Earth at the end of time? In fact, the Apocalypse clearly portrays the Second Coming of Jesus Christ as the restoration of the original paradise on Earth.
The first Earth featured the “the tree of life… in the midst of paradise” (Genesis 2:9). The Apocalypse repeatedly tells us that Christ will restore the tree of life.
Apocalypse 22:2- “In the midst of the street thereof, and on both sides of the river, was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruits every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Doesn’t it seem consistent that as there were animals of various kinds in the original paradise, there will be animals in the new paradise – in the new Heaven and new Earth? In this regard we should consider a prophecy of Isaiah.
Isaiah 65 contains a prophecy about the new Heaven and the new Earth. While a similar prophecy made in Isaiah chapter 11:1-9 finds fulfillment in the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant Church, the passage in Isaiah 65 seems to have application to the end of time, the Second Coming of Christ and the Apocalypse. Numerous early Church fathers applied Isaiah 65 to the end of time, including St. Justin Martyr.
The prophecy of Isaiah 65 is relevant to this topic because it says that in the new Heaven and new Earth, “the wolves and the lambs feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent [shall eat] earth as bread. They shall not hurt or maltreat each other on the holy mountain…”
Here are the comments of St. Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165) on the prophecy of Isaiah 65.
St. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Chap. 81, 2nd century:
CHAPTER LXXXI -- HE ENDEAVOURS TO PROVE THIS OPINION FROM ISAIAH AND THE APOCALYPSE.
“For Isaiah spake thus concerning this space of a thousand years: 'For there shall be the new heaven and the new earth… For according to the days of the tree of life shall be the days of my people… Then shall the wolves and the lambs feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent [shall eat] earth as bread. They shall not hurt or maltreat each other on the holy mountain, i saith the Lord.' Now we have understood that the expression used among these words, 'According to the days of the tree [of life] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound' obscurely predicts a thousand years… And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place.’”[14]
We are told that in the new Heaven and the New Earth, the lion, the ox and other animals will live in harmony. Some might argue that this is a metaphor for how Christ’s elect will be comprised of people with different temperaments. Individuals of all types will have found conversion and peace with their incorporation into Christ. However, that is not certain. This passage could speak to the actual working of the future Heaven and Earth. The statement in Isaiah 65:19, that there will be no more “weeping” or “crying” in the new Heaven and Earth, closely parallels Apocalypse 21:4:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away.”
This strongly suggests that the prophecy of Isaiah 65, concerning the lion, ox, etc. has application to the new Heaven and the new Earth at the end of time. Other than the dogmas of divine revelation, which tell us how humans are to get to Heaven and which humans will be excluded, we know very little about what Heaven actually is or will be like.
1 Cor. 2:9- “But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him.”
In fact, in the original paradise, animals did not kill or eat each other. In God’s original design, the herbs and the trees which bear seed were the food or “meat” of both man and land creatures (Gen. 1:29-30). It was only after the sin of Adam, the changes in the Earth that resulted from the flood, the introduction of various seasons, and the consequent reduction of the tree and herb supply at various times of the year, that animals became carnivores. There is a fascinating lecture on this point by a professor of zoology. He explains that creatures we typically consider hunters and carnivores were not so from the beginning. He shows how their natural equipment is perfectly consistent with this conclusion and an original design as vegetarians.[15]
Therefore, if animals lived in peaceful harmony in the original paradise, it would make sense that they would do so in the new Heaven and the new Earth. The words of Isaiah, which foretell such a situation, would thus be consistent with a more literal understanding of the prophecy. But even if one grants that the description in Isaiah 65 is a symbol or a metaphor, one must ask once again why God would provide us with a symbol of animals in the new Heaven and new Earth if the concept is repugnant to reality.
Of course it needs to be affirmed that the worship of animals is an abominable heresy that plagued people in the Old Testament and still exists among some today. Animals are not God, and they are different from human beings. They do not possess rational souls. However, they have the special form of existence which God gave them; and it’s simply remarkable to consider the amazing abilities and characteristics they continually display. These abilities clearly disprove the assertion that animals are simply beings that function only on instinct and sensory response.
For example, there is an amazing YouTube video called, Hero Dog Tries to Help Wounded Dog – Chile.[16] It has been viewed almost two million times. In an attempt to cross a busy highway, a dog was hit by a car and left helpless in the midst of heavy oncoming traffic. A second dog some distance away spotted him. The second dog decided to venture into heavy traffic and save the wounded one. The second dog evaded oncoming cars, grabbed the wounded dog with its teeth and paws, and pulled it inch by inch to safety on the side of the road. The wounded dog survived. The footage is simply incredible. Stories of this type could be multiplied many times.
There is a fascinating three-part video series called Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution. This video series, which we sell on our online store, is an astounding documentary about the full capabilities of God’s creatures.
“There are animals that save human beings; animals that manifest extraordinary courage; animals that exhibit an uncanny ability to show emotion, and even to cry, animals that can communicate, some with hierarchical methods and some with sign language; animals that know when a tornado or an earthquake is coming; animals that can smell cancer, drugs, termites…”[17]
“John and Michele Helfrich of Justin, Texas, had a bovine longhorn calf named Beanie that watched John repair a water line that had sprung a leak. To repair the pipe he first had to dig a trench on both sides of the pipe. The heifer stood beside him the entire day, observing his actions. Then, to his amazement, when he started filling the trench back in, she would stand beside him and push the dirt in. Finally, he jumped in the trench, and when he did, Beanie jumped in with him and started stomping the dirt down. When he got back out to shove more dirt in, she would get out and push the dirt with her head.”[18]
“A young girl was abducted by a stranger in a van, driven about twelve miles away, and held captive in the van on a deserted road. It was later learned that the van did not stop once while traveling from the point of abduction to the deserted road twelve miles away.
Several hours after the abduction, the local authorities gave their bloodhound a piece of the child’s clothing for reference and put the dog on the trail. It took several more hours, but the dog led police on foot down the same twelve miles of highway transited by the van, off the same exit ramp, and down the same deserted road. The bloodhound led them right to the van and the victim was rescued unharmed.”[19]
“Mrs. Jensen stayed with the mare and her foal all day long. That evening, the baby horse simply stopped breathing. At that instant, the Jensen’s five other horses, which had over the past few hours gathered themselves as close to the barn as possible, reared up on their hind legs and gave several piercing screams. They could not have seen the foal because it was in the barn when it died – yet they knew. It was an experience Mrs. Jensen will never forget and, in this earthly life, she will never fully understand.”[20]
“A farmer in Australia who suffered serious head injuries after being struck by a falling tree branch was rescued by a partially blind kangaroo who was hailed as a hero. Lulu the kangaroo banged on the door of the family’s home in Morwell, Gippsland in southeast Australia after discovering the farmer lying unconscious in a field.”[21]
By playing music from a harp, animals have seen dramatic health benefits.[22] One music therapist decided to find out how other creatures might respond to music. “She decided to conduct an experiment at a small dairy farm in Sidney, Indiana, where forty-two Holsteins [cows] who had never been exposed to music were treated to measured doses of Classical, Hard Rock, and Country & Western over a thirteen-day period. The results suggested that cows are a sophisticated audience. Milk production rose almost six percent when classical music was being aired (Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in C Major) but fell by the same amount when the stereo played the rock band Kiss.”[23]
A Personal Story
We would like to share a personal story. For many years the monastery had a small dog. Around 2003 or 2004, the dog was suffering from old age and had cataracts in her eye. She was very weak and almost blind. The dog was clearly near the end of its life. We decided that it was best to have the dog put to sleep (something that’s morally permissible with animals but not with humans). On the very day we reached the decision, that the dog would sadly have to be put to sleep, we discovered that the dog was spending her time in the monastery’s chapel, on the floor, in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is accessible from one of the rooms. Prior to that day, the dog never slept at length in the chapel. We do not believe it’s an accident or merely a coincidence that, just before the dog’s life had ended, something drew her into the presence of the One who created her. In fact, when she was picked up to be taken away for the last time of her life, she was picked up from the chapel floor. Something motivated her, in her weakest hour and when she was near her end, to enter the presence of God.
Equally interesting is the fact that the same thing occurred with one of our cats. We currently have two cats. In the Spring of 2008, one of our cats became extremely ill with a stomach infection and would not stop vomiting for an extended period of time. We thought it was probable that the cat would die. As the cat was suffering and in clearly the worst hours of its life, the cat spent almost all day sleeping on the floor of the chapel, just as the dog had years before. When healthy, the cat would very rarely wander into the chapel for short periods of time; but the cat would not sleep there at length, and it certainly would not spend most or all of the day in the chapel. Yet, when it was about to die, the cat spent basically the entire day in the chapel, right near the Blessed Sacrament, for a period of several days. We do not believe it was an accident that in its extreme sickness, the cat entered into the presence of God. Thank God, the cat eventually recovered and is in excellent health today.
In closing, the message of the Gospel and God’s redemption is for human beings, not animals. All animals are innocent. God decided to be born around innocent animals instead of human beings. Animals were required in the Old Testament for a sacrifice covering sin because they are sinless creatures, as well as to destroy the Israelites’ evil propensity to worship animals.
It is our opinion that at least some animals continue to exist after their lives on Earth, as part of God’s design.
Job 12:10- “[The Lord] In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”
Hosea 2:18- “And in that day I will make a covenant with them, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of the air, and with the creeping things of the earth: and I will destroy the bow, and the sword, and war out of the land: and I will make them sleep secure.”
Colossians 1:17- “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Proverbs 12:10- “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 14-15- “All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven… I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue forever: we cannot add anything, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared. That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.”
© Copyright 2012: Most Holy Family Monastery.
NOTES:
[1] St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book IV, Chap. 20, #11, A.D. 180.
[2] Simi & Segreti, St. Francis of Paola, Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1977, p. 26.
[3] Simi & Segreti, St. Francis of Paola, p. 26.
[4] J.C. Kearns, O.P., The Life of Blessed Martin De Porres, New York, NY: P.J. Kennedy & Sons, 1937, pp. 113-114.
[5] J.C. Kearns, O.P., The Life of Blessed Martin De Porres, p. 111.
[6] The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapter XXI.
[7] Susi Pittman, Animals in Heaven?, Bloomington, IN: IUniverse, 2009, pp. 79-80.
[8] Joan Carroll Cruz, Mysteries, Marvels, Miracles in the Lives of the Saints, Tan Books, 1997, p. 480.
[9] Charles Warren Stoddard, St. Anthony – The Wonder Worker of Padua, Tan Books, 1971, pp. 61-62.
[10] Joan Carroll Cruz, Eucharistic Miracles, Tan Books, 1987, p. 207.
[11] Catholic Encyclopedia, “Soul,” 1907.
[12] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Pt. III, Q. 27, A. 2, Reply to Objection 2.
[13] St. Gregory Nazienzen, Second Theological Oration (Oration 28), #’s 23-26, A.D. 381.
[14] St. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Chap. 81, 2nd century.
[15] Walter J. Veith, The Genesis Conflict – Creation to Restoration, Amazing Discoveries, Blaine, WA (DVD).
[16] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofpYRITtLSg
[17] Susi Pittman, Animals in Heaven?, p. 5.
[18] Mary Buddenmeyer-Porter, Animals, Immortal Beings, Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2005, p. 36.
[19] Gary Kurz, Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates, New York, NY: Kensington Publishing Corp., 2008, p. 98.
[20] Mary Buddenmeyer-Porter, Will I See Fido in Heaven?, Manchester, MO: Eden Publications, LLC, 2006, p. 23.
[21] Niki Behrikis Shanahan, The Rainbow Bridge: Pet Loss is Heaven’s Gain, Tyngsborough, MA: Pete Publishing, 2007, p. 29.
[22] Susi Pittman, Animals in Heaven?, p. 5.
[23] Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals?, Novato, CA: New World Library, 1999,p. 56.
This video contains absolute proof that the votes are not being used.
This is an extremely interesting video about an ‘autistic savant’ named Daniel Tammet. (The video also contains a section on Kim Peek, the man whose life served as the basis for the film Rain Man.)
Among other things, Tammet can learn an entirely new language in a week and rapidly perform massive calculations in his head (including division out to more than 100 decimal places) without even consciously doing math. The answers come to him as images and pictures (more on this below). This story is fascinating for a number of reasons:
1) It’s an example of the amazing power and potential God has given to the mind (the intellect that belongs to the rational soul). However, God only allows men to access the powers of the mind to a greater or lesser degree, in accordance with His will. If God wanted to, He could allow a wider access to its abilities. It’s a testament to the amazing powers He has created. The story is thus a reminder of the unfathomable wisdom and knowledge God possesses.
The video is also a sobering reminder of how millions waste what God has bestowed upon them. Men were created to know, love and serve the all-wise and all-powerful God. Yet, countless men fritter away their lives on evil and foolishness, never arriving at a knowledge of the truth.
2) The existence of people like Tammet refutes evolution.
If evolution were true (and it’s not), why haven’t those who lack such abilities been phased out in the process of evolution? In the natural sense, it would obviously be advantageous for all men to possess some of Tammet’s abilities. For example, why can’t everyone remember things, perform mathematical calculations, and learn languages the way he can?
Despite his extraordinary abilities in the areas of math and languages, Tammet says (in a different interview) that he does not remember faces very well. Even though he is probably unique with some of his abilities in math and languages, there are others who are on his level in terms of all around memory. (He actually finished fourth in a world memory championship years ago.) He is also unable to drive a car safely because his mind acquires so much information during the process. But why do certain people so far surpass everyone else in certain areas or ways? Why is there such an incredible diversity and disparity among men and their abilities, at this point in man’s history? The answer is only found in the creative act of God. He gives human beings access to the powers of the intellect (and other gifts) in accordance with His design.
In fact, it’s very interesting that Tammet’s way of reasoning and doing math is unknown to almost all men. Tammet claims that since the age of four, he could do massive calculations and that he experienced numbers as images and shapes. When he multiplies or divides (and when he memorizes things), he sees the numbers as images that gradually crystallize. He then reads the answer to the problem as if he’s looking at a picture. That’s how he was able to memorize the nonrepeating number π (3.14159 etc.) out to 22,000 decimal places. (He could have gone further if he wanted to.) He said that he only had to look at it one time. Once he saw it, the image remained with him. When he recited the number π (3.14159 etc.) out to 22,000 decimal places, he was simply reading the picture.
His way of reasoning is akin to seeing things on a supernatural or preternatural level. This does ring true on a number of levels. As numbers appear in his mind as diverse images and shapes, the number he likes least is the number “6”. He says:
“6 is the number I find hardest to experience in any sort of meaningful visual way. It’s often the absence of anything. It’s like a hole, or a chasm, like a black hole.”
That’s very interesting because ‘6’ is the number in the Bible that represents incompletion. It’s one short of ‘7,’ the biblical number for completion or perfection. 666 is also the number of the Beast. If God has allowed Tammet, for one reason or another, to remember things and perform mathematical operations on a preternatural or supernatural level, it’s not a surprise that 6 would represent a black hole or an abyss (like Hell). Tammet also says (in a different interview) that 333 is a beautiful number.
It’s possible that Tammet was demonically possessed at a young age and sees things on a different dimension as a result. In fact, he claims to have received his abilities after a series of seizures at the age of four. Seizures can be associated with possession. Might Tammet have reached the age of reason in infancy, rebelled against God, and become possessed? His mother did say that he was constantly crying as a child. Was he given a choice, at a very young age, to rebel against God? Is that the reason for his amazing abilities? It’s possible, although there’s no need to attribute his abilities to demonic possession. The abilities of Tammet can simply be the result of God’s decision to unleash the power of the human mind in particular respects. They can be explained by the fact that God will sometimes create people with unique and extraordinary abilities and talents in order to diversify His creation and manifest His power. Whether they use them for good or evil is their choice.
Whether one attributes Tammet’s abilities to God’s natural gift or demonic possession, what he is able to do further refutes evolution. According to evolution, the brain began simply as a blob in one’s head. (It is actually the bodily instrument of the rational soul – the soul created out of nothing by God and infused into a human body at the moment of conception.) Tammet’s ability to use this “blob in one’s head” to acquire information in the way that he does proves the existence of a supernatural world governed by an infinite intelligence. That infinitely intelligent Creator bestows abilities on His creatures in various forms and to varying degrees.
Although it’s not mentioned in this documentary, Tammet is also a homosexual. That’s not a surprise either. For the powers of mind that he possesses, and the things he sees, point clearly to the existence of God and a supernatural world. If a person fails to use those powers of the mind to seek the truth, he not only sins mortally but might be given over to an unnatural attraction as a part of the punishment for having misused such profound natural abilities.
The documentary is very interesting and worth watching.
Bro. Peter Dimond
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) recently sent out a newsletter that came to our attention. The newsletter discusses the SSPX’s new seminary project in Virginia. It’s a striking example of the point we made in the recent post on Mel Gibson: i.e., the appalling and diabolical waste of money on heretical groups that is endemic among so-called ‘traditionalists’. The SSPX’s new seminary is being built in Dillwyn, Virginia. Just for the construction of the ‘outer shell’ of the seminary, the SSPX will need (and plans to receive) about seven million dollars! Here’s what they say:
“To reach this point [the completion of the outer shell] within this time frame is an ambitious undertaking, as it will require nearly $7,000,000 to finance, but to put the Seminary ‘under roof’ before the most inclement period of the year would greatly facilitate the project’s advance.” (Ad Orientem, Feb. 2014)
Their heretical and obstinately schismatic group will receive $7,000,000 just for one project (and that won’t even be the completion of the project). It’s amazing. Under their new $7,000,000 ‘outer shell’ – and they apparently plan to receive a total of $40 million to actually complete the building – the SSPX will be teaching their heretical seminarians the following:
That’s what the Society of St. Pius X obstinately believes and promotes. That’s what they teach their faithless seminarians. Their positions are heretical, schismatic, absurd and diabolical. However, since they offer the external feel and a sense of community, people nevertheless join them in large numbers and support them to an astounding degree. The waste is incalculable. The obstinate supporters of the SSPX (which is basically everyone who supports them at this point) don’t care about the content of the SSPX’s positions or whether they conform to Catholic teaching. No, they are just bad-willed, faithless club members who are more concerned with ‘feeling Catholic’ than actually being Catholic. Faith doesn’t matter to them at all. They are heretics. What they care about are externals, rituals, rite and community. As a result, they are propagating heresy and following heretical false traditionalist guides on the path to Hell. It’s a striking example of Our Lord’s prophetic indication that there will be hardly any actual faith when He returns (Luke 18:8). The bad will is remarkable. It’s also interesting to note that on April 26, 2014, Bishop Fellay of the SSPX will host a lunch at the seminary site. He will discuss and promote the SSPX’s heretical position on ‘the current situation in the Church’. That will no doubt include his presentation of a number of the aforementioned heretical positions. They will exult over their new ‘outer shell.’ But that’s all it is: a shell, under which resides nothing but the emptiness and darkness of heretical positions, false doctrines and lies; for on the very next day, their antipope (Francis) will ‘canonize’ John Paul II as just the latest (and perhaps the crowning) example of the falsity of their position. Below are some materials which carefully document, expose and refute in detail the heretical, anti-Catholic positions of the Society of St. Pius X. With the actions of Antipope Francis, and the availability of true information and arguments on the internet, the positions of the SSPX have never been more obviously ridiculous and absurd. Their positions are a theological joke. Yet, there are still enough heretical suckers and bad-willed people in the ‘traditional’ movement for the SSPX to take in millions upon millions of dollars and waste those funds promoting heresies, lies and false doctrines. The same could be said of many other groups. Be not deceived: the people who obstinately embrace the positions of such groups – or financially support them in any way – will lose their souls.
This video is an absolute must-see for anyone familiar with the SSPX.
Why Francis Must Not Be Considered The Pope
This video (Why Francis Must Not Be Considered the Pope) proves that the Society of St. Pius X professes that promoting false ecumenism, practicing Judaism, rejecting the conversion of non-Catholics, teaching that schismatics are in the Church, and more is the true faith.
What Francis Really Believes (3rd edition)
This video (What Francis Really Believes) covers the many astounding acts of heresy and apostasy committed by Francis – a man who, according to the SSPX's profession of faith, has the true faith.
The Society of St. Pius X [Link to Section]
This file contains many quotes, articles and facts exposing the heretical positions of the SSPX.
^
" />
" />
" />
" />
" />
