Is it permissible to sell relics?

Some say it is ok to sell or "make a donation" for the third class relics.

Says who?

Well, let's ask the law of the Church.

Can. 1190 §1 It is absolutely wrong to sell sacred relics. 

  

So, why the donation?

P30 for a small card with a small cloth?  I don't like the sound of that

So unless anyone here comes out with a clear definitive statement from the Church that 3rd class relics can be "bought" as long as it is a "donation" and not a "sale", better stop that practice.

The Church law is clear.  Relics are relics. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class, they are all relics.

And the law is clear.

Relics are not to be sold.

 

The Bishop who bans the Extraordinary Form abuses the Ordinary Form

Canon Law 932 § 2: The Eucharistic sacrifice must be carried out in a suitable table (if) outside a sacred place, always with a cloth and a corporal.

Canon Law 1239 § 2: A body is not to be buried beneath an altar; otherwise, it is not permitted to celebrate Mass on that altar.

Relic scammer alert part II

Not only is he committing the Sin of Simony,  he is also committing a Sin with Simon!

What else can be found inside the closet?

Just look at the labels.

Relic scammer alert!

More warnings for a relic collector who is scamming people!

Be warned!

emm sir Pedro, something else you should know about MP....besides sa pagtatago ng relics. Em, he has been "promoting" the canonization of Blessed Ma. Teresa of St.Joseph, by "veneration" and distributing holy cards and information about her (take note the holy cards have relics in them and he recieved the materials from the Sisters in the Netherlands without cost at all), however...recently there have been complaints sent to the Sisters in the Netherlands saying M___ P___ has been charging people for veneration of relics, and for the holy cards of Blessed Mother Teresa, he charged 200 pesos for each card. 

He tried to sell a relic card of Blessed James Alberione to a patient in San Juan de Dios Hospital.   For 100-300

Do we have an idea why this guy caused so much a controversy in the Church?  Why he taught of making a a new religion while constipating in his toilet?

Postulators of these blesseds must be warned.

The name of this scammer must be sent immediately to the Archdiocese of Manila who has jurisdiction over MP.  And his parish priest must be warned.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to email the postulators of all those who he contacted?

This guy doesn't know that he is committing a terrible sin of SIMONY.

The cardinal prefect for the Causes of Saints already spoke up against it.

And I have blogged about it too.

BRAZEN THEFT OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT!!!

Nah. His name is not Robby Okol.

Here is the transcript of the video

***

It was a brazen, and blasphemous crime. A Catholic community in northern New Mexico is beside itself after a man burst into the adoration chapel at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, and stole something very precious to them.

The priest at Sacred Heart told News 13 this is the highest form of desecration he's seen. He made a plea to the burglar Tuesday afternoon before police arrested the suspect.

It's meant for prayer, a place of peace, open 24/7. So, when a man walked into the adoration chapel at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Española on Monday afternoon, the two people in there praying couldn't believe what he did.

"There is something so precious to us as Catholics that he has taken, and that is the Eucharist," explained Father Vitus Ezeiruaku, of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The suspect police later identified as Isaac Morfin, made a b-line for the monstrance, which holds the Eucharist, then ran out the door, dropping part of it in the parking lot.

"We believe that Jesus is holy and entire in humanity and divinity, present in the holy Eucharist," explained Father Ezeiruaku. "So it means everything to us."

Detective  Solomon Romero of the Española Police Department said, ""We do believe that this individual may have been inside the chapel the day before, maybe looking at it or coming up with some sort of plan."

One worshiper followed the suspect around the corner, but the suspect got away.

Parishioners have had a hard time dealing with the crime.

"It is not just the Catholic Church alone, but this entire community, not just the parish alone, but the entire community, who see this as a place of refuge," explained Father Ezeiruaku.

"It's a small community, it's predominantly Catholic, it's extremely upsetting," added Detective Romero.

On Tuesday afternoon, police conducted a search warrant, and arrested 39-year-old Morfin for burglary and larceny.

"What he did is more than what he thinks, because he has touched the center of our belief, the center of our worship," said Ezeiruaku.

Before the arrest, the priest made a plea to the burglar.

"If he can find it in his heart to consider this community in pain and bring back what he has taken, I believe God's mercy follows him, and he will know the peace of God that he gives to those who say, Lord I am sorry."

Española police told News 13 late Tuesday afternoon the stolen monstrance and the Eucharist were recovered at Morfin's home. The monstrance suffered minor damage.
   
It's still unclear what the motive was for stealing it. Online court records show Morfin has a criminal record dating back more than a decade. The church had mass at 4 p.m. and a mass of atonement at 5:30 Tuesday. [That is done after a desecration had been done.  Before the liturgical revolt, public penance and atonement was REALLLY an act of penance and atonement for the entire parish.  But now.  Well....kumbaya!]

The Eucharist will be put back and the adoration chapel is still open.

***

See the wisdom why there were communion rails before?

And even though Vatican II did not mandate the destruction or removal of altar rails, they were removed for no apparent reason at all!  All in the name of modernity and the alleged spirit of Vatican II!

Again...contributing to the loss of the sense of the sacred.

I hope the church does something drastic to prevent this theft, life putting the monstrance behind iron grates or glass doors, etc.  This has been done here in some adoration chapels in the Philippines.

If this guy is a Catholic, then he must make to face a church tribunal for his crime.

But......will the OTHER guy who took home the Eucharist be disciplined by the Church?

Still waiting.

GULP Alert Update: What did they do after seeing the post?

Remember this?

Of course, our dear friends Robby Okol read about this and so did the two priests mentioned in the blog, Frs. Jek and Gener.

Everybody in the Archdiocese of Manila knows who those two priests are.

How did they react?

According to our deep penetrating GULP agents,  DEADMA.

Yup.  The two priests couldn't care less.  Why you ask?  Either they fully agreed with what Okol did and gave their permission to the staff of Fr. Diwa to take home the Blessed Sacrament for his own private exposition and adoration, or these two priests are just playing it by ear until someone files a petition against them either in the Archdiocese or in the Holy See.

As for Robby.

What is he doing?

Cleaning up his friends list in Facebook.

So that is now the protocol when you are caught doing some illegal and possible sacrilegious thing to the Blessed Sacrament.

Play possum and Unfriending.

They must have this guy as their adviser.

PS:  Which has the higher probability for the Blessed Sacrament to be snatched away like this for "private adoration"?

                a.  Communion in the Mouth
                b.  Communion in the Hand


Don't strain your brain.  You might look like Patrick Starr.

GULP Alert: WHY COMMUNION IN THE HAND MUST BE STOPPED!

This is a grave liturgical abuse!

In fact it is sacrilegious!

I'll let his status updates speak for themselves.

My bishop/priest friends who regularly read the blog would need to comment on this...badly!

For Non-English speakers, here is the gist...

1. He took home a consecrated host after being reminded of the two priest to take "Jesus home" using a white cloth presumably either a corporal or purificator.
2.  He kept it overnight at his home for his own vigil.
3.  No one knows what he did to Him afterwards.

Redemptionis Sacramentum states:

[132.] No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law. It should also be borne in mind that removing or retaining the consecrated species for a sacrilegious purpose or casting them away are graviora delicta, the absolution of which is reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Code of Canon Law:

Can.  935 No one is permitted to keep the Eucharist on one’s person or to carry it around, unless pastoral necessity urges it and the prescripts of the diocesan bishop are observed.

Can. 1367 A person who throws away the consecrated species or takes or retains them for a sacrilegious purpose incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; moreover, a cleric can be punished with another penalty, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state.

Did he take the Host for sacrilegious purposes?  We don't know.  But this we do.  HE TOOK HIM HOME!

This is against Church law as I have stated here and he must be made aware of what he has done.

I advise him to go see the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila, if he really lives within the territorial jurisdiction of the Archdiocese.

Whoever Fr. Jek and Fr. Gener are...you two are also in a lot of trouble!

And you, Fr. Diwa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the perfect example why we need to STOP COMMUNION IN THE HAND!!!

It has created more problems and scandal for the Church!

If you are pastorally sensitive as you always put it in your documents Fr. Diwa, then in God's name, you are bound by the duties and responsibilities of the Sacrament of Holy Orders conferred upon you, to act against this sacrilege!

STOP COMMUNION IN THE HAND!

Unconfirmed reports say John Paul II miracle for canonization approved!

Vatican City, June 18 - The process of declaring former pope John Paul II a saint took a major step forward Tuesday, when the board of theologians of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved his second miracle. Now, the proclamation of his sainthood needs only the approval of the commission of cardinals and bishops and the final signature of Pope Francis, Vatican sources have told ANSA. It seems likely that John Paul II - who was beatified on May 1, 2011 - will be proclaimed a saint on October 20, approximately the 35th anniversary of his election as pope. The first miracle attribute to John Paul was an "inexplicable cure" - the first of two steps on the path to sainthood. The pontiff's successor Pope Benedict XVI, who abdicated earlier this year, sanctioned the beatification after a Vatican commission officially attributed as a miracle the inexplicable recovery of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, from Parkinson's Disease. The Vatican ruled that that came through the intervention of John Paul II. The second miracle that will be attributed to him remains a closely guarded secret but sources say it will "amaze the world". The Catholic Church has been keenly awaiting the canonisation of the charismatic John Paul II, one of the most popular popes in history, since he died in 2005 aged 84.

***

If this happens, as in the canonization of John Paul II, he will be beatified faster than St. Pius X!

Stay tuned!


PS: That photo of John Paul was never criticized for being too triumphalistic and too pre-Vatican II.  But when it comes to the Benedict XVI wearing the papal mozetta and stole, it's a different thing.

Seems even some Catholic bloggers are very choosy, no?

Tabernacle Placement: Why is He there?

Notice this photo in my blog post yesterday?

See that wooden box near the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace?

Yup. That is the tabernacle.

Which brings me to a perpetual rant of mine.

Why is the tabernacle being placed on the side???

Sacrosanctum Concilium decreed that (emphasis and comment mine, of course, Z Style!

128. Along with the revision of the liturgical books, as laid down in Art. 25, there is to be an early revision of the canons and ecclesiastical statutes which govern the provision of material things involved in sacred worship. These laws refer especially to the worthy and well planned construction of sacred buildings, the shape and construction of altars, the nobility, placing, and safety of the Eucharistic tabernacle, the dignity and suitability of the baptistery, [if your church still has a baptistry!] the proper ordering of sacred images, embellishments, and vestments. Laws which seem less suited to the reformed liturgy are to be brought into harmony with it, or else abolished; and any which are helpful are to be retained if already in use, or introduced where they are lacking.

 In a letter after the Council, the Cardinal Prefect of the Concilium wrote:

Whatever the solution chosen .... the greatest care should be devoted to the dignity of the tabernacle. If the local Ordinary agrees to its location away from the altar, the place should be truly worthy and prominent, so that the tabernacle is readily visible and is not hidden by the priest during the celebration of the Mass. In a word, the location should make it possible for the tabernacle to serve unmistakably as a sign and to give a sense of the Savior's presence in the midst of his people. (Letter of Cardinal Lecaro to the Bishops, 30 June 1965, Concilium for Implementing the Decree on the Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council)

 Take note of the words nobility, used for a King, dignity, truly worthy and prominent have been used to describe the place where the tabernacle should be since the altar, after the liturgical reform, was made freestanding and the tabernacle was separated from the altar.

Reminder was also given so as not to place the tabernacle that it would be covered by the priest during Mass.  So, it means that the tabernacle should be at the center!

The Code of Canon Law specifically addressed and codified these issues  in 1983.

    Canon 938
    º1. The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved regularly in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.

    º2. The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

Take note.  It should be prominent, conspicuous...

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that:

    1183   The tabernacle is to be situated "in churches in a most worthy place with the greatest honor." The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Common denominator?

PROMINENT.

NOBLE.

GREATEST HONOR.

Now, here is the killer question.

Why is the tabernacle placed on the side like that on the photo?

Is the side altar or side of the main sanctuary the place of greatest honor, prominence, dignity in the entire church or chapel?

This is the Throne of Room of the British Monarch.

The throne is not at the side!

This is the throne room of Monaco.  Same thing!

The president of the United States when addressing Congress speaks at the center podium.  Hmmm...because it is the place of honor and prominence!  Imagine if presidents speak from the side like he is addressing a town meeting or conference!

Well, even the anti-Catholic Masons know that the place of honor is at the center!  Look where the Grand Master of the Lodge is seated!

Now, let us go back to the first photo above.

Why is the tabernacle on the side while the crucifix is at the center???

WHY?!

Is the presence of Christ in the crucifix the same as that in the tabernacle???

NO!!!!

The whole Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist.

His presence in the Blessed Sacrament cannot be compared or even equaled to His presence in His images or even in the Bible!

Then, pray tell, WHY IS THE TABERNACLE WHERE THE LORD IS HIDING IN THE SIDE?

Is that the place of honor nowadays?

I invite you dear TPC readers....

Send photos of churches or chapels with tabernacles either on the side or at the center of the sanctuary and let us all commend priests who give the Lord His place of honor in the church or chapel, and call the attention of priests who seem to care more about getting the place of honor rather than giving it to the Lord.

BREAKING NEWS: Blessed John Paul II closer to getting canonized!

From Andrea Tornielli

***

"A saint now!" The canonisation of Wojtyla is getting closer quickly and it could be celebrated next October. In fact, in the past few days, the medical council of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has recognized as inexplicable one healing attributed to the blessed John Paul II. [This is the crucial stage as the medical council is the one to advise the council of theologians and cardinals whether there is scientific explanation to a purported miracle.  Something which "healing priests" at "healing" Masses don't have.....Well...........Moving on!]  A supposed "miracle" that, if it is also approved by theologians and the cardinals (as it is very likely), will bring the Polish Pope, who died in 2005, the halo of sainthood in record time, just eight years after his death.

It all happened in great secrecy, with maximum confidentiality. In January, the postulator of the cause, Mgr. Slawomir Oder, submitted a presumed miraculous healing to the Vatican Congregation for the Saints for a preliminary opinion. As it is known, after the approval of a miracle for the proclamation of a blessed, the canonical procedures include the recognition of a second miracle that must have occurred after the beatification ceremony.

Two doctors of the Vatican council had previously examined this new case, and both gave a favourable opinion. The dossier with the medical records and the testimonies was then officially presented to the Congregation, which immediately included the examination in its agenda. In the past few days it was discussed by a committee of seven doctors, the council (presided over by Dr. Patrick Polisca, Pope John Paul II's cardiologist), Pope Benedict XVI's personal physicians and now Pope Francis's. The medical council also gave a favourable opinion, the first official go-ahead by the Vatican, by defining as inexplicable the healing attributed to the intercession of the blessed Karol Wojtyla.

This is the overcoming of the first fundamental hurdle, given that the alleged miracle must now be approved by theologians and then by the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation, before being subjected to the Pope for the definitive "yes". In any case, the approval of the council is considered the most important step; in fact, neither the theologians nor the cardinals are involved in the clinical evaluations concerning the case.  [What the cardinals and the theologians will do is a canonical procedure.  The opinion of the medical experts count.]

From the steps taken, the desire of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to work quickly is evident, as it had already happened for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, celebrated by his successor Benedict XVI the 1st of May, 2011. This fast lane that continues to be open for Wojtyla indicates that even Pope Francis is in favour of the canonisation of the Polish Pope.

It is still premature to talk about dates for the canonization, but the rapidity with which the examination of the miracle process is happening still leaves open the possibility of celebrating it on Sunday October 20th, very close to the liturgical holiday assigned to the blessed Wojtyla, which is on October 22nd.

***

Anti John Paul II peeps will not like this, like uhmmm.....the SSP.......X?

But they did acknowledge him as pope, right?

They did include him in the Canon of the Mass when he was pope, right?

But some in the SSPX think nobody was sitting on the Chair of Peter during his time as pope and EVEN way back....after the death of Pius XII.

Hmmmm....

May the lost sheep heed the call of the Good Shepherd who gave Peter the mission to "feed my sheep, feed my lamb."

Santo subito!

Up next.....I hope.

Kids "playing" Mass?

I am glad Fr. Z made a post about this after a reader asked a question if kids are committing a sin for simulating Mass.

In fact, that is a very valid question.  In Canon Law, it is very specific what will happen to a person who simulates doing the Mass.

Let us see the entry in the Canon.

Can. 1378 §1. A priest who acts against the prescript of ⇒ can. 977 incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.

§2. The following incur a latae sententiae penalty of interdict or, if a cleric, a latae sententiae penalty of suspension:

1/ a person who attempts the liturgical action of the Eucharistic sacrifice though not promoted to the sacerdotal order; 

A person under interdict forbids that person to celebrate or receive any of the sacraments, including the Eucharist, or to celebrate the sacramentals. One who is under interdict is also forbidden to take any ministerial part (e.g., as a Lector or Acolyte if a layperson or as a deacon or priest if a clergyman) in the celebration of the Eucharist or of any other ceremony of public worship.

These penalties apply to those person who have incurred, as mentioned by the canon, a laetae sententiae interdict or an automatic interdict committed at the time of the offense.

This type of interdict applies to ALL CATHOLICS WHO JOIN FORBIDDEN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE MASONIC LODGE!

Catholics who are Masons are also forbidden to stand, as the Canon stipulates, as godfather to baptisms, confirmations and weddings!

But getting back...

Kids "playing" Mass, sinning?!

Fr. Z, was right!

They do not!

Why?

Simple!

Kids do not do that with MALICE!

Adults are in the age of reason, and they KNOW that it is wrong to do that, especially if it is not during a stage play!

Kids do it not for fun.  Kids do it because they EMULATE what they see.

See it as more like when we were kids we fool around doing what the Three Stooges do to each other.

Kids playing Mass?  A quick way to foster priestly vocation!

Let me share this video from a good friend of his only son, playing Mass.



PS: If my daughter would do this, she'd be grounded. No more TV! :)

I'd rather buy her a complete set of what Mother Angelica and her nuns are wearing. :)

Pope Benedict resign!!!

First it was a text.  I thought it was a bad joke. The another, and another then a phone call.

I had to stop my dinner and go online and then BOOM!

The news hit hard.

First thing that came to mind.  "What now???"


***


Pope Benedict XVI announced today that he will resign from his duties as Pope on February 28th, 2013.

The full text of the Pope's announcement follows.

A press conference will be held in minutes at the Vatican press office.

Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is. Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican,
10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

***

I never thought I'd ever witness this one.  It happened several times in the Church's history.  Pope Celestine was one of them who was later canonized a saint.

Pope Benedict visited his relics after the deadly earthquake and left his "omphorion-type" pallium.

Papal resignations are covered by canon law.

This illness is very serious.  Pray for the Holy Father.

Other popes who had serious illness opted to stay in office until their deaths.

Pope Benedict chose not to.

May the Lord bless and heal him.

Sacrilege!!!

To none speakers of Tagalog, the video below is about the theft of the monstrance containing our Blessed Lord in the Parish of St. Peter in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

I do not want to imagine what they did with Him.

The Parish, which is weirdly called, St. Peter Parish - Shrine of Leaders  [WHA?!?]  is frequented by a lot of the faithful.  I find it weird that the parish does not even have a security guard on duty to watch at the Adoration Chapel.

The monstrance, the report says, is gold plated and was bought at Rome.

What I hope to learn is if the parish even would schedule a Mass of Reparation for the committed sacrilege.

If the parish or the diocese even knows about such things need to be done after such a hideous crime against the Lord in the Eucharist is committed.







Please pray this after watching the video, please pray this:

Act of Reparation to the Most Blessed Sacrament

With that most profound respect which divine Faith inspires,

O my God and Saviour Jesus Christ, true God and true man,

I adore Thee, and with my whole heart I love Thee,

hidden in the most august Sacrament of the Altar,

in reparation of all the irreverences, profanations, and sacrileges, that I,

to my shame, may have until now committed, as also for all those

that have been committed against Thee,

or that may be ever committed for the time to come.

I offer to Thee, therefore, O my God,

my humble adoration, not indeed, such as Thou art worthy of,

nor such as I owe Thee, but such, at least,

as I am capable of offerings; and I wish that I could love Thee

with the most perfect love of which rational creatures are capable.

In the meantime, I desire to adore Thee now and always,

not only for those Catholics who do not adore or love Thee,

but also so supply the defect, and for the conversion of all heretics,

schismatics, libertines, atheists, blasphemers, 

sorcerers, Mahomedans, Jews, and idolaters. 

Ah! yes, my Jesus, mayest Thou be known,

adored, and loved by all and may thanks be continually given to Thee

in the most holy and august Sacrament!

Katie Holmes comes back to the Catholic Church

Yehey..........Wha?!?!

Read below why I was surprised.

From this website.

***

Following the quick and unexpected settlement of her divorce proceedings, Katie Holmes has been doing a bit of house-cleaning in her personal life, part of which includes her return to the Catholic faith, five years after leaving it in favor of soon-to-be ex-husband Tom Cruise’s Scientology. [that is such great news isn't it?]

Holmes’ return to Catholicism is evident due to her registration as a parishioner at the Church of St. Francis Xavier in New York City. “Everyone is thrilled to have Katie join us,” a member of the church’s choir told the Huffington Post. “She has not yet attended a service, but when she does she will be welcomed with open arms.” The church is known for its open-mindedness, particularly its welcoming of gay and lesbian couples. [WHAT?!?!? Is this really a Catholic Church? Well, I guess it is.....by name!] The parish’s mission statement says that the church “strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst.” According to its website, St. Francis Xavier offers a respectful community, “where seekers and their questions are welcomed, where injustice is challenged, where the poor, the alienated and marginalized find a home, and where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed.” [Such a ton of double speak there! No wonder there is such an impression that homosexuals think this is a safe haven for them. Or maybe the priest really is in support of such heresy.]

The warmth extended to Holmes from the Catholic Church contrasts Scientology’s reaction to the divorce. Part of the divorce settlement precludes the couple’s daughter, Suri, from being exposed to Scientology at all. “Under terms of the settlement, Suri isn’t permitted to be exposed to anything Scientology related and this includes going to any Scientology churches, parties, etc. Katie made sure that this was ironclad in the agreement,” a source told RadarOnline.

Despite the media scrutiny surrounding the implosion of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ marriage, the former couple have remained as private as they possibly can. “We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other’s commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other’s roles as parents,” said their joint statement.

Holmes’ new church has also played host to other celebrities in the past, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. [the voodoo priestess of abortion who calls herself a Catholic which Cardinal Donald Wuerl would not dare deny Holy Communion even if this woman publicly promotes abortion!]

***

Running a check on the Internet, here is what I found about the new parish of the soon-to-be former Mrs. Tom Cruise.

Getting out of Scientology, excellent!


Getting to a Catholic parish church which teaches Zen meditation?  Ugh!

Nothing wrong with a parish ministering to homosexuals, but we ought to ask if it is within what the Church's teachings.  Maybe those ministering to these men and women are teaching them that they "can" marry and have a "healthy active homosexual life while still remaining a good Catholic".  Oh yes, that is being taught dear friends. Thank God I have not heard any yet in a Filipino parish, but in seminaries and convents, oh yes!

So, I guess those close to Ms. Holmes should give her a better alternative for a Catholic Church to go to in New York.  I know the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have a house there.  Maybe Fr. Andrew Apostoli can talk some sense into her.

And another question, how was she received back into the Church?  There are canonical matters she has to go through you know?  One is that she must have a public declaration of the Catholic Faith and in some instance I think, not much sure cause my canon law is a bit rusty, she might need to profess and sign her profession in front of the bishop.

But I guess, a parish that has regular sessions of Zen meditation would even care about all of these "canonical matters"

Bah-humbug!

Stupid me.

This is one of the times you miss the presence of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

UPDATE: Australian priest who married a Filipina

Well, he might actually fooled the poor Filipina.

He did not tell her that he is a priest in active ministry.

And he was not removed from the ministry.

He kicked his own behind, well....figuratively.

And here is the bishop of the diocese, Most. Rev. Anthony Fisher, OP of Parramatta, explaining the truth about the case of Fr. Kevin Lee case.  Well, we expect that he'll be removed from his laicized or defrocked as well.

Many thanks to Fr. Tom.

"Married" Catholic priest comes out!

Troubling news from Australia....

And it involves a Filipina!

Ugh!

***

F(f)ather Kevin Lee

A priest who yesterday ‘outed’ himself as a married man said he wanted to highlight the need to change celibacy laws and the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church with regard to the treatment of sex offenders.  [He admitted to living with a woman, who I am pretty sure is not married according to the laws of the Church, while still remaining in his active priestly ministry, came out to admit his sinful and scandalous relationship because he wants to "highlight" the need for the Church to stop Her "hypocrisy.  Ain't he the clean one, eh?]

Speaking with Neil Mitchell, Father Kevin Lee from the Padre Pio Parish in Glenmore Park, Sydney said he had already been excommunicated from the Church.  [Wow!  That was fast!  But.....I didn't know that being a priest and getting married will get you automatic excommunication.  If he wants to, well, he can do it himself, but his act did not and will not merit an excommunication.  Wait!  Is this drumming up the media drama so the anti-Catholic MSM will go to the rescue of the bullied little priest who just wants to tell the whole world how he loves his little wife and how the big bad bully called the Vatican is getting in their "happily-ever-after" life?]

”I think it was basically expected that they'd be shocked, but I didn't expect to be turfed out as quickly as I was,” Father Lee told Neil Mitchell. 

”I think they try to put a very bad spin on it that I'm the bad person because I've breached their trust in terms of being married secretly."  [It's not bad?!]

Father Lee said he had received support from fellow priests who were themselves in relationships, but didn’t have the courage to ‘out’ themselves.

Father Lee said he had worked as a chaplain for fifteen with the New South Wales police and was appalled by the ‘stonewalling’ committed by the Catholic Church during investigations into sex offences committed by priests.  [Did he go to the police?]

"When a priest has committed some serious sex offence, he's more likely to be re-accommodated somewhere else where he's not known and given back his ministry and his faculties.”  [Dan Brown!  Some material here!]

Father Lee said his to-be wife was unaware he was a priest when they first met, and their friendship blossomed to love.  [*belch*]

"You don't choose to fall in love. You meet somebody and the relationship blossoms, and it became a situation where I felt I should solemnise this union to make it official,” he said.

Father Lee said he was fearful that his Filipino wife would be ostracised within her strongly Catholic community for marrying a priest.

***

What this priest is basically saying is this:

I can't follow the rules, so let us just change the rule!

And it happens all the time.

In the Liturgy, a Do-as-You-Please-Mass, dancing, clapping, creativities, no vestments...

In the Teachings of the Church, Catholics co-habitating, contracepting, actively homosexual sex life, philandering, stealing from government coffers,  so-called Catholic businessmen who don't pay their workers their just wages....

It goes on and on.

Once you make up your own rules, you become your own Master and Lord.

No wonder that is the reason why the first Commandment IS the First Commandment.

That is what IDOLATRY means folks!

BREAKING: Fr. Guarnizo breaks his silence, and I rant!

The priest who withheld Communion to a lesbian who is actively living out her lifestyle with a "lover" and who is a practicing Buddhist, therefore an apostate, was the subject of an "investigation" and "suspension" from active ministry by the Archdiocese of Washington, led a lame-duck, always politically correct, and who forgot his job description as a Catholic archbishop who surprisingly received the red hat after repeated calls for him to refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians....

Yes, I am ranting.

Those who do their jobs get persecuted.

And those who love photo-ops and live TV coverage, and "spit and urinate" on what we believe in get away with their crimes!

After the hoopla that some canonists keep on second guessing about the whole incident, here comes the priest who denies everything and defends himself in public for what he sees is a persecution from the Archdiocese of Washington, for doing what is right in the reception of Holy Communion!

Here is Fr. Guarnizo's response to the suspension courtesy of Catholic News Agency.

***

Fr. Marcel Guarnizo’s Response to the Eucharistic Incident

I would like to begin by once again sending my condolences to the Johnson family on the death of Mrs. Loetta Johnson.

I also feel obliged to answer questions from my parishioners, as well as from the public, about the incident on February 25th.

Here are the facts: On Saturday February 25th I showed up to officiate at a funeral Mass for Mrs. Loetta Johnson. The arrangements for the Mass were also not my own. I wish to clarify that Ms. Barbara Johnson (the woman who has since complained to the press), has never been a parishioner of mine. [Because Johnson is a lesbian, ultra-right wing Buddhist!] In fact I had never met her or her family until that morning.

The funeral celebration was to commence at 10:30a.m. From 9:30 to 10:20, I was assigned to hear confessions for the parish and anyone in the funeral party who would have chosen to receive the sacrament.

A few minutes before the Mass began, Ms. Johnson came into the sacristy with another woman whom she announced as her “lover”. Her revelation was completely unsolicited. As I attempted to follow Ms.Johnson, her lover stood in our narrow sacristy physically blocking my pathway to the door. I politely asked her to move and she refused.  [She must be big!]

I understand and agree it is the policy of the Archdiocese to assume good faith when a Catholic presents himself for communion; like most priests I am not at all eager to withhold communion. But the ideal cannot always be achieved in life. [Boom!!!  The exception cannot be the rule!  Homosexual sex is not normal!  Homosexual co-habitation is not normal! No matter how you put it, it is not the NORM and it is UNNATURAL!  Nature itself will perish if the exception becomes the rule!]

In the past ten days, many Catholics have referenced canon 915 in regard to this specific circumstance. There are other reasons for denying communion which neither meet the threshold of canon 915 or have any explicit connection to the discipline stated in that canon.

If a Quaker, a Lutheran or a Buddhist, desiring communion had introduced himself as such, before Mass, a priest would be obligated to withhold communion. If someone had shown up in my sacristy drunk, or high on drugs, no communion would have been possible either. If a Catholic, divorced and remarried (without an annulment) would make that known in my sacristy, they too according to Catholic doctrine, would be impeded from receiving communion. This has nothing to do with canon 915. Ms. Johnson’s circumstances are precisely one of those relations which impede her access to communion according to Catholic teaching. Ms. Johnson was a guest in our parish, not the arbitrer of how sacraments are dispensed in the Catholic Church. [Well, the bishop of the archdiocese think Johnson is.]

In all of the above circumstances, I would have been placed in a similar uncomfortable position. Under these circumstances, I quietly withheld communion, so quietly that even the Eucharistic Minister standing four feet from me was not aware I had done so. (In fact Ms. Johnson promptly chose to go to the Eucharistic minister to receive communion and did so.) There was no scandal, no “public reprimand” and no small lecture as some have reported.  [This is what these rabid anti-Catholics do:  create a scene.  Remember Carlita Celdran?  She just need to do that in the Manila Cathedral to boost her pathetic walking tour.  Is she issuing receipts?  Is she paying her taxes?   I DON'T THINK SO!  Mayor Lim, that's a tip for you there.]

Details matter. Ms. Johnson was not kneeling when she approached for communion, she did not receive the cup as the press has reported she has stated. [Lying is so natural to her, eh?] It is the policy of St. John Neumann parish never to distribute under both species during funerals.

During the two eulogies (nearly 25 minutes long), I quietly slipped for some minutes into the sacristy lavatory to recover from the migraine that was coming on. I never walked out on Mrs. Loetta Johnson’s funeral and the liturgy was carried out with the same reverence and care that I celebrate every Mass. I finished the Mass and accompanied the body of the deceased in formal procession to the hearse, which was headed to the cemetery. I am subject to occasional severe migraines, and because the pain at that point was becoming disabling, I communicated to our funeral director that I was incapacitated and he arranged one of my brother priests to be present at the cemetery to preside over the rite of burial. [They are even lucky to have available priests for funeral rites in the cemetery!  You rarely have it here in Metro Manila!  In Mindanao, the EMHCs bless the tomb!!!]  Furthermore as the testimony of the priest that was at the cemetery conveys, he was present when the Johnson family arrived, and in fact mentioned that being called to cover the burial rite is quite normal, as many priests for reasons much less significant than mine (rush hour traffic for example) do not make the voyage to the cemetery. He routinely covers for them. This change in plans, was also invisible to the rest of the entourage. Regrets and information about my incapacitating migraine were duly conveyed to the Johnson family.  [The lesbian was "hurt" so she did not hear this.]

I have thanked the funeral director and the priest at the burial site, for their assistance that day. Mrs. Loetta Johnson was properly buried with every witness and ceremony a Catholic funeral can offer. I did not and would not refuse to accompany Barbara Johnson and her mother to the cemetery because she is gay or lives with a woman. I did not in any way seek to dishonor Mrs. Johnson's memory, and my homily at the funeral should have made that quite evident to all in the pews, including the Johnson family.

I would like to extend again to Ms. Johnson and her family, my sincerest condolences on her mother’s death. I would never intentionally want or seek to embarrass anyone publicly or increase anyone’s emotional distress during such a difficult time. I did not seek or contrive these circumstances.

But I am going to defend my conduct in these instances, because what happened I believe contains a warning to the church. Such circumstances can and will be repeated multiple times over if the local church does not make clear to all Catholics that openly confessing sin is something one does to a priest in the confessional, not minutes before the Mass in which the Holy Eucharist is given.  [Because most of our bishops AROUND THE WORLD are not doing their jobs!  Because most of our priests and deacons AROUND THE WORLD are not doing their jobs!  Heck, even "Catholic Philippines" is a witness to this!  Pro-contraception Miriam Santiago was accorded the honor to celebrate her wedding anniversary in the primatial church in the Philippines!  Yeah, I know.  This is not of the same gravity as that of Johnson's  but still, you see the signs of slackers on the job!]

I am confident that my own view, that I did the only thing a faithful Catholic priest could do in such an awkward situation, quietly, with no intention to hurt or embarrass, will be upheld.  [I guess Cardinal Wuerl and his auxiliary bishop would not have done the same.  Even if they had been informed that this lesbian is active in her lifestyle, they would have "lovingly" and "pastorally sensitively" given Ms. Johnson Holy Communion and willingly and consciously defiled the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!]

Otherwise any priest could-and many will-face the cruelest crisis of conscience that can be imposed. It seems to me, the lack of clarity on this most basic issue puts at risk other priests who wish to serve the Catholic Church in Washington D.C. [And around the world!]

As to the latest allegations, I feel obliged to alleviate unnecessary suffering for the faithful at St. John Neumann and others who are following the case.

I wish to state that in conversation with Bishop Barry Knestout [ugh!] on the morning of March 13, he made it very clear that the whole of the case regarding the allegations of “intimidation” are circumscribed to two conversations; one with the funeral director and the other with a parish staff member present at the funeral. These conversations took place on March 7th and 8th, one day before the archdiocese’s latest decision to withdraw faculties (not suspend, since Cardinal Wuerl is not my bishop) on the 9th of March. I am fully aware of both meetings. And indeed contrary to the statement read on Sunday March 11th during all Masses at St. John Neumann, both instances have everything to do with the Eucharistic incident. There is no hidden other sin or “intimidation” allegations that they are working on, outside of these two meetings. The meetings in question, occurred in our effort to document from people at the funeral Mass in written form a few facts about the nature of the incident. We have collected more than a few testimonies and affidavits, testifying to what really took place during the funeral liturgy.  [Yet he was hurriedly suspended without getting all the facts straight first!  Heck, there are priests who are known to be living in a state not worthy of their vocation, and they still are active in the ministry!  Double-standard?  Hell yeah!]

My personal conversation with both parties in question were in my view civil, professional and in no way hostile. I respect both individuals in question and really do not know the nature of their grievance.  [They are supporters of the homosexual lifestyle Father!  And maybe they hate you for being a faithful Catholic priest and not politically correct!]

On March 13, I asked Bishop Knestout about detail on this matter but he stated that he was not at liberty to discuss the matter. [Because Cardinal Wuerl said so?]  I would only add for the record, that the letter removing me from pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Washington, was already signed and sealed and on the table when I met with Bishop Knestout on March 9, even before he asked me the first question about the alleged clash.  [Because Cardinal Wuerl wants to!  Remember, he'd dine and wine with pro-abortion Catholics and even give them Holy Communion no matter what!]

In the days to come I look forward to addressing any confusion about the above conversations if the Archdiocese or the persons involved wish to talk about it publicly or privately.

I am grateful for all the good wishes and prayers I have received. And sincerely, having lost my own mother not long ago, I again extend my condolences to the Johnson family. I finally wish for the good of the Universal Church, the archdiocese, my parish and the peace of friends and strangers around the world, that the archdiocese would cease resolving what they call internal personnel matters of which they cannot speak, through the public media.

I remain my bishop’s [Not Cardinal Wuerl, take note.  :)))]  and my Church’s, and above all Christ Jesus’obedient servant,

Very truly yours,

Father Marcel Guarnizo.

***

Now you know why the motto and inspiration of this blog is from a quote from Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Some die-hard fans of some of these priests would throw at you quotes from saints about disrespecting bishops and priests.

Oh yeah. Don't get me wrong. I would NEVER CALL OUT a priest or anyone without reason.

But most of the time, there are times you need to.

Remember the narcissistic priest who cannot leave his TV Masses at a Mall?

Remember how he publicly ridiculed the Traditional Latin Mass?

How an archbishop who is a padawan of a notorious world-renowned liturgist would publicly support the spread of traditional liturgy when in fact in his old diocese, he supported, whole-heartedly, the training of new dissident theologians and liturgists who hold Wiccan Masses?!?

Even a priest who is a known apologete, defender of the Church, actually has a very bad temper and foul mouth and uses Tupperware as a ciborium for Holy Mass?

The list goes on and on...

If the fans of bishop A reads my comments against Father B, they would not mind. They'd comment and support your views.

But when you comment something against Bishop A......Boy, Hell hath no fury than a die-hard fan being scorned!

Where is the Truth then?

Personality-based? Political correctness?

This is the case with the Communion controversy at Washington Archdiocese.

We just don't know what is right and wrong anymore.

As long as you don't hurt feelings, that is ok.

Is it?

Will Jesus do the same thing?

Remember how he publicly cursed the Pharisees and scribes.

The persecution of the Church will intensify, remember that. We are living the vision St. John Bosco.

And the persecution will come not only from the outside, but also from the inside. And for this case, IT IS A CARDINAL!!!

Pray!

We only have the Eucharist and our Lady to save and support us!

Not excommunicated anymore?

PHOENIX (CNS) -- A Mercy sister who was automatically excommunicated because of her role on the ethics committee that allowed an abortion to be performed at a Catholic hospital in Phoenix in 2009 is back in good standing in the Catholic Church.

In May 2010, officials at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center publicly acknowledged that an abortion had occurred at the hospital in late 2009. Officials said the woman was 11 weeks pregnant and suffered from pulmonary hypertension, a condition that the hospital said carried a near-certain risk of death for the mother if the pregnancy continued.  [In effect, the "Catholic" hospital chose the life of the mother over the unborn child.  But who are we to choose who is to live and who is to die?  That my friends is the kind of Catholic morality this hospital has.]

It also was revealed at the time that Mercy Sister Margaret McBride had incurred automatic excommunication because of her role on the ethics committee that sanctioned the abortion. On Dec. 21, 2010, Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted announced that the hospital could no longer identify itself as a Catholic hospital.

In a Dec. 8 statement, the hospital said Sister Margaret has since "met the requirements for reinstatement with the church and she is no longer excommunicated. She continues to be a member in good standing with the Sisters of Mercy and is a valued member of the St. Joseph's executive team."  [Why was there no statement from the bishop?  Hmmm...]

The statement, emailed to Catholic News Service in response to a query about her status, provided no more details and the hospital had no further comment.  [Fishy...]

Sister Margaret is currently the medical center's vice president for organizational outreach.

Last year when Bishop Olmsted issued his decree revoking the 116-year-old hospital's affiliation with the Catholic Church, he wrote that he could not verify that the hospital provides health care consistent with "authentic Catholic moral teaching."  [Can this be applied to schools as well?  I think so.  Bishop Nes Ongtioco, how about MST and Ateneo?]

After he learned about the abortion, Bishop Olmsted said at the time, he had met with hospital officials to learn more about the particular case.

"It became clear that, in their decision to abort, the equal dignity of mother and her baby were not both upheld," he said. The baby "was directly killed," which is a violation of the ethical and religious directives.  [Killing an unborn human is simply inhuman.]

Throughout the process, St. Joseph's Hospital and its parent organization, San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West, maintained that the intention was to save "the only life that could be saved," the mother's, according to the hospital.  [tell it to the marines!]

"We continue to stand by the decision, which was made in collaboration with the patient, her family, her caregivers and our ethics committee," she added. "Morally, ethically and legally we simply cannot stand by and let someone die whose life we might be able to save."  [You save a life by killing another?  Hope St. Gianna talks to this family.]

Bishop Olmsted said it was his duty to strip St. Joseph's Hospital of its Catholic identity because its leadership, as well as that of its parent organization, San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West, is not committed to "following the teachings of the Catholic Church."

"I really want to have Catholic health care," he said. "We should be working together, not against each other."


To demonstrate that the hospital was no longer Catholic, Bishop Olmsted prohibited the celebration of Mass on the hospital's campus and had the Blessed Sacrament removed from the hospital's chapel.

***

I heard a hospital run by a Protestant church here in Manila is the haven for celebrities wanting to have an abortion. Hmmm...

Not the Roman Catholic Bishop's turf but expect the CBCP to speak against this once it gets out.

Thank God we still have someone like Bishop Olmsted doing what a bishop ought to do.

See...The most effective bishops are most of the time NOT on TV.

Can't help myself with that one.

Ha!

Relics for Sale on the Web

I found this on the Web and PLEASEEEEE, don't ask me for the URL.

Vatican silver reliquary 2nd class relic Jesus Christ vestment purple cloak

Authentic official Vatican real second class relic “ex indumentis”, [from the clothing.] a small piece of the vestment of our Lord Jesus of Nazareth, in a stunning silver reliquary completely handmade in 1700s, an actual museum piece. The relic is part of the holy purple cloak worn by Jesus Christ during the passion, covered by an ancient glass [How would you know that it is...uhm...ancient?]  and with the original wax seal that assures the integrity of the relic. The silver reliquary showing the signs of old age, but the relic and the wax seal are perfect. Inside the reliquary some gilded paper decorations handwritten in Latin with the words “De Purpurae D.N.”. [ What?!?!  "from the PURPLE of Our Lord?]  Rare and unique item and available only to Vatican, lifetime guaranteed. ______ policy prohibits the sale of human remains and requires a disclosure of what the relics are: these relics are a piece of cloth, which are allowed by ______ policy. They are sacred and devotional relics of the Church.

The item will be shipped from Vatican City by Vatican Post Service. Standard registered airmail shipping is 8 USD. [Someone is sneaking something out of the Vatican?!?!  SISTER!!!]

US $3,600.00

If this is REALLY the cloak the Lord was wrapped around during the Passion, then it DEFINITELY must have His Blood, Sweat and Tears on it.

But......................

Has anyone really saved a first class relic of the Lord, other than the True Cross, which unfortunately has reportedly fakes going around and was even sold indiscriminately, along with other purported relics of other saints, during the time that Martin Luther threw a nutty?  This is one of the abuses that Luther "protested" (thus the term Protestant) and that the Council of Trent addressed appropriately.  But I digress.

An exorcist once told me that he has a relic of the True Cross with him. To test it's authenticity, he used it in one of the exorcism rites he performed and the possessed reacted violently when the relic was presented to it. Okay, it is true. :)

But this!

Geez!  Cloak of the Lord that was wrapped on Him during the Passion?!

Note to everyone!  Sale of relics is prohibited according to the Code of Canon Law!

Not of fake ones though, which obviously this one is.

So, wanna buy, Joe?

San Francisco needs a new Archbishop

San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer's resignation has been accepted by the Holy Father!


Remember that the archbishop was the one who gave Holy Communion to gay activists who attended a Mass which he led.


The reason for his resignation is because he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 and for health reasons as well.


Pray for the archbishop's health.  And pray that San Francisco be given a more an archbishop who thinks and acts like Pope Benedict XVI!.


You can read more here.