Tuesday, March 19, AD 2024 1:26am

The Construct of Rebellion

In 2010 the Catholic Church in particular and Christianity in general are under attack because age old truths are being abandoned for the Dictatorship of Relativism. One might ask; how did we get here? It didn’t happen overnight; as a matter of fact many of those doing the rebelling actually think they are doing us all a favor.  Centuries and millennium evolved into a construct of rebellion where self appointed leaders who thought knew better than the Church and society itself tried to change all that was sacred and holy into something, they but most importantly their friends in the intelligentsia, could accept. Too many cooks in the kitchen can be bad for your acquired culinary tastes, but when truth is watered down it is something entirely different and far more serious. In this instance, we are talking about souls, not taste buds.  If this is so then how could the thesis of my book, The Tide is Turning Toward Catholicism be true? The answer is simple because the world is getting closer and closer to the precipice. Some may chose to jump but thankfully more will chose to come back from ledge into the world of reality and when they do they will see the many positive developments happening in the Church. One’s own mortality has a way of causing self preservation.

When did this construct of rebellion begin? One could say the Garden of Eden or even further back to Lucifer who tried to overthrow God. Theologians tell us the “light bearer” tried to overthrow God because of the Almighty’s love and mercy. God allowed Lucifer to look in the future and see the Incarnation. God’s mercy and love was too much for the evil one and he along with one third of the angels tried to violently take over heaven. God’s holy angels with St Michael the Archangel leading the charge tossed the rebellious angels out of heaven into hell where they reign to this day hoping to deprive earthly souls of their heavenly inheritance

Sadly as the march of history continued so did the Construct of Rebellion. In ancient Israel try as they might the Old Testament prophets always seemed to be fighting a losing battle with the general population.  After Christ’s death, resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, the rebellion continued on in the form of heresy, often denying keep points of Christian doctrine such as the Scriptures, Trinity or the Eucharist.  In the Early Church, these miscreants were often exiled to the Arabian Peninsula. Historians tell us that a young Muhammad traveled the Arabian peninsula with is uncle, a skilled tradesman. We are told that these two heard many of these apocryphal stories surrounding Christ. Eventually, these stories made it into the Koran.

The Protestant Reformation started as a religious movement but quickly turned political.  Martin Luther’s ego thought that those dissenting with the Church would follow him en masse, but later many did not. All the tension and anger came flowing out at the Marburg Colloquy in 1529 when Luther realized that key doctrinal issues where not going to be followed by some leaders of his movement. When the Eucharist (John 6:22-69, Luke 22:14-23, Luke 24:30-35.) and other sacraments were shelved, Luther stormed out and exchanged unpleasantries with some of the attendees never to meet with them again. Luther later lamented that some of the Protestant movement ceased to be Christian when they disregarded Christ’ command concerning the Eucharist. We now have 40,000+ denominations and independent churches in the United States even though Christ exhorted us to be One (John 10:16.)

In the modern political world, one can trace this construct of rebellion back to the French Revolution. Though Voltaire and his minions fancied themselves as intellectuals their rebellion against God (pretending He didn’t exist) became child’s play. Much like children sometimes exclude a child they don’t understand or wish to play with from their midst, so do the modern atheists. Because they can’t understand God’s vastness, they simply pretend He isn’t there. Adults generally don’t reward their children when they exclude others, but sadly the intelligentsia of the modern world (liberal religious included) often hangs on to the militant secularists every word.

The 1960s became the incubator of the modern day rebellion seekers. (Point of personal privilege, there are two sets of liberals; utopians who are by their very nature good hearted optimists but hopelessly lacking in reality, and elitist control seekers who use the misfortune of the suffering to gain, consolidate and hold power. The crux of references to liberals in this and most of my writings revolves around the elitists and not the utopians.)  The Western Cultural Revolution of the 1960s sought to diminish and then to liquidate religion.  The flaming barricades of Paris sent shockwaves to the likes of Pope Paul VI and a future pontiff then Theology Professor, Father Josef Ratzinger. The Pontiff and the future pontiff had hoped 1960s societal change would bring about positive changes for the Church and world.

Sadly, they realized this Cultural Revolution shared more with that in China then what they had in mind. In 1968 when Pope Paul VI announced Humanae Vitae and some four years later spoke of the “Smoke of Satan” entering the Vatican, the cultural elites cheered on the likes of dissident priest Father Hans Kung as he tooled about the German University town of Tubingen behind the wheel of his trendy Porsche. Yet, they snickered at the old school Father Ratzinger as he peddled through the same town on his bicycle.  Shortly before the French Revolution Voltaire thought that since the indefatigable Jesuits had been thrown out of the country, the Church would collapse once the Revolution and the guillotine swung into action. He was very mistaken. So it was with the 1960s elites who thought the Church of Father Ratzinger would be gone in 40 years.

Yet, forty years later the bicycling Father Ratzinger would become Pope Benedict XVI and the Porsche driving, ascot in the breeze, Father Kung would become but an asterisk of past dissidents who disappeared into the mists of history. The tortoise of truth had passed the hare of relativism.  The Smoke of Satan was being wafted out from whence it came by the likes of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

This seems to be lost on those both inside and outside the Church who scoff at Church orthodoxy and traditional societal views of the world. Modern day blue blooded jihadists who are more familiar with Monaco and Paris than they are with Gaza and Peshwar are still somehow labeled as “have not’s” by the elites and media gatekeepers who could have easily bumped into these jet setting jihadists at the latest Cannes premier or Sundance Film Festival. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when government officials travel the world to apologize for American and western values and at the same time view near terrorists successes on airlines as “the system worked.”

These same gullible folks have by and large bought into the man made global warming argument when a simple review of European weather records which go back 1,000 years shows ebbs and flows long before the Industrial Revolution was launched. For example in the first couple of decades of the 13th century crops were being grown well into Scotland. Yet a few decades later, winters saw the Thames frozen so solid, that one could walk and skate across it. Congressman Al Gore came to Washington from rural Tennessee a conservative, pro life Democrat. Yet, he came under the spell of the intelligentsia and ended up being the defacto leader of the manmade global warming movement. If this wasn’t ludicrous enough, he somehow came under the delusion that he invented the internet. In days gone by, such souls would be pitied. Sadly, today some of the best and brightest believes he is one of them.

Just like past failed attempts at Big Government, liberal Christianity has failed and many are seeing the writing on the wall and subsequently are crossing the Tiber as fast as humanly possible. Yet one would think from mainstream media reports that it is Christian liberalism on the ascendency and not Christian orthodoxy.

As I noted before, all of this is made manifest in ordination numbers.  64 to 6 and 14 to 4 stand out. What does this mean? In 2006 when writing my book, The Tide is Turning Toward Catholicism, I noted that even though the Diocese of Rochester had more Catholics than the dioceses of Lincoln and Omaha combined, Rochester had 6 men studying for the priesthood while Lincoln and Omaha had 64. That same year of 2006 Denver had 14 young men ordained to the priesthood (eleven in May and three earlier in the academic year) while Los Angeles had four; a staggering statistic when one considers that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has 4,300,000 Catholic residents compared to 385,000 Catholics for the Archdiocese of Denver. Los Angeles and Rochester are led by two of the most liberal prelates in the Church, while Omaha, Lincoln and Denver are led by three of the more conservative bishops in the US, a revelatory statistic to say the least.

Younger liberals might be forgiven if they mistakenly believed the canard told by their elder comrades that 1950s Catholic leaders and especially bishops were all right wing conservatives who had no patience for the ideas of liberals but possessed the patience of Job for fellow conservatives. In his memoirs published shortly after his death, the late Senator Edward Kennedy wrote that his famous father the former Ambassador to England Joseph P Kennedy would often socialize with Richard Cardinal Cushing of Boston.  Senator Kennedy wrote that his father always called the famous prelate by his first name.

In a revealing account the late Senator spoke of an incident in which brother Bobby, the future Senator from New York, heard a controversial conservative priest at a Boston lecture whose views about Protestant salvation were deemed very conservative. After Bobby’s father made a phone call to “Richard” the priest was promptly booted from the Archdiocese. Senator Edward Kennedy surmises that because of this incident, his brother Bobby unwittingly played a part in bringing about Vatican II. As one can clearly see from this example, the right wing Catholic hierarchy may not have existed as vividly as it did in some liberal’s imagination.

However, the pull of being accepted by world is tough even for self professed orthodox minded Catholics. For example the secular scholarly world rolls its eyes and snickers at modern day miracles and apparitions. One of the most popular Catholic websites Spirit Daily is one such site that makes mention of both. However mention you read this site and you are bound to be looked at with suspicion even in the world of orthodox minded Catholicism. The site is run by author Michael Brown whose book; The Last Secret is one of the most thoroughly researched books on the History of Marian Apparitions. The Pulitzer Prize nominated Brown (who was nominated for the prestigious prize in the late 1970s while writing for a newspaper  detailing the toxic waste dumped in upstate New York’s Love Canal) spent a great deal of time researching The Last Secret. He used libraries around the world, including the largest collection of works on Marian Apparitions housed at the Marianist, University of Dayton. Though a Pulitzer Prize nominee for the scholarship displayed in researching the Love Canal tragedy, his book The Last Secret, using the same methodology, received scant attention in the Catholic intelligentsia.

It would seem that for some the fear of being lumped in with those who see the Blessed Mother in every scrap of burnt toast or every dilapidated barn door holds far more sway than believing that the Blessed Mother has appeared in human history to bring attention to her Son, the Savior of us all. Sadly, the construct of rebellion is prevalent in all areas, even among some faithful Catholics.

There comes a point when human beings have to trust their senses and well formed consciences. The elites, especially within the Church often speak of “conscience.” Yet the Church teaches that conscience has to be well formed. Many jihadists claim they are at peace with their conscience, as are hedonistic types who troll the world for the latest chemical and sexual stimulus. However, conscience is much like a pizza without the proper ingredients and trial by fire, it will not resemble anything called a pizza but rather a sad spectacle of what might have been.

With all of our institutions of higher learning, seminaries and free time to read and develop our minds (as compared to our recent and most especially distant ancestors) it is more than a little disconcerting to note how far off the rails some of us have traveled. In the field of athletics and the world of stage and screen, the lingo is “what could have been” or “he could have been a contender.” Many of us will recall the famous commercial entitled; “A Mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Our world is doing just that by buying into the construct of rebellion. Just in case you need further evidence of the Construct of Rebellion keep this in mind. Most radical activists, including many in influential political circles, read and absorb everything that famous radical activist Saul Alinksy has said or written. In his landmark book, Rules for Radicals, Alinsky dedicates the book to a litany of rebels, including Lucifer. Do you see the importance of the first few paragraphs with my thesis on The Construct of Rebellion?

The question seems to be will we follow ourselves at the expense of all that we know is true, or will we chose the path traveled by our faithful ancestors? With all of their limited opportunities they made the best of a difficult situation. Yet, at this very moment they are most likely praying that we travel the same path that the faithful have been doing for over 2,000 years. Which road will we travel?

Dave Hartline

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Pax Christi of Bakersfield, CA
Pax Christi of Bakersfield, CA
Tuesday, January 12, AD 2010 1:19am

Well said, Dave. Thank God for Mary’s heel crushing the head of the serpent that is rebellion, or the whole place would have turned into one boring, childish, real-life version of “Wayne’s World.” It’s no wonder so many folks despise her as she has done what they ought to be doing.

Ximenes
Ximenes
Tuesday, January 12, AD 2010 6:32am

What is the evidence for The Porsche?

Fr. Tim Moyle
Tuesday, January 12, AD 2010 8:47am

My compliments for a well argued post. I am unaware of the O’Brien site or books, but I cannot disagree with any of your assessment nor your conclusions. I have been making a similar argument via my Canadian blog (http://www.frtimmoyle.blogspot.com) trying to point out the logical contradiction of modern day relativism – a contradiction that exists because moderns no longer possess a knowledge or sense of the role of the church in times past. I offer the following taken from one of my posts written when the European court ordered the removal of the crucifix from Italian classrooms:


Where I freely admit that the governing authority of any school should be able to either choose or not to present this symbol of Christian/Catholic faith, it is entirely another thing to deny the right to express their faith/convictions/belief in the public square. The principle that is expressed as “separation of church and state” also implicitly includes the freedom to express those values that we believe are the path which leads to the betterment of all humanity.??Read the story, and ask yourself whether the secular argument that leads to this European suppression of the freedom of speech of believers is any different from the agenda that marks the direction of North American society today.??This story is proof positive of the price of failing to argue in defence of the principles which are the accumulated human reasoning that stretches back to the earliest days of recorded history. Whether the moral principles of our modern civilization evolved as the refinement of simply human wisdom, or whether it is a still imperfect vision of God’s will, they have brought Western civilization to the point where we are today. The “rights” that are now so suddenly being tossed aside in the last twenty-five years are the foundations upon which the right itself is rooted. The poisoned fruit of the civilizational tree now endangers the root from which it sprang. ??Freedom of expression of faith in the public square must be respected; it is the essential corollary of the freedoms of thought and speech. I pray that leaders of our faith, our Bishops, would look to the European (or Québécois for that matter) social experiment and heed the need to “teach”, in every forum possible, the wisdom and teaching of our Church: to educate those raised in the “sex, drugs and rock and roll” generation (the first generation of essentially uncatechized “C & E” Catholics (i.e., “Christmas and Easter”) who now have moved into society’s corridors of power) of the wisdom of these first principles before they use the levers of power to shape the debate. ??Freedom of life… Freedom of belief… Freedom of speech: these are the Bishops’ menu of first principles to defend in full. Let’s pray that they fashion sumptuous salad of arguments, no matter how appealing the dessert table secularism seems to offer. ??Society needs strong bones to grow and prosper. We eat of the poisoned fruit at our own peril.

Fr. Tim

Pax Christi of Bakersfield, CA
Pax Christi of Bakersfield, CA
Tuesday, January 12, AD 2010 12:53pm

Excellent commentary, Fr. Tim, which very much reflects why us California voters are now being put on trial for having the temerity to vote for changing the Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman.

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Tuesday, January 12, AD 2010 4:43pm

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Gabriel Austin
Gabriel Austin
Wednesday, January 13, AD 2010 5:34pm

Lest one begin to think that this is all new, I quote St. Basil to the western bishops in the 4th Century:

“The dogmas of the Fathers are despised; apostolic traditions are set to nought; the discoveries of innovators hold sway in the churches; men have learned to be speculatists instead of theologians… The aged sorrow comparing what is with what was; more pitiable the young as not knowing what they are deprived of”. [Ep.90]

afl
afl
Friday, January 15, AD 2010 5:00am

Thank you Dave for letting history teach us, at least some will repeat the errors and call for a “king” to rule and guide or other idols instead of our Lord and Savior. Your recent Times article was excellent also.

Pax Christi of Bakersfield, CA
Pax Christi of Bakersfield, CA
Monday, January 18, AD 2010 4:56pm

Dave, you’ll be thrilled to know that Spirit Daily posted this today in its second most prominent spot.

Diane
Diane
Monday, January 18, AD 2010 6:39pm

Thank you for writing this. Thank you for mentioning the Blessed Mother crushing the devils head.I attend morning mass and pray the daily rosary for conversions and repentence(for many years) and within the last month have had 3 people say they want to come back to the church and I have been taking them to Sunday mass with me. One has already talked with the priest.The other I am taking to a Catholic healing service. The 3rd is actually an unchurched person who accepts what I am teaching him and wants to talk to the parish priest. When the Blessed Mother said she will give graces of conversion and repentance when you say the rosary, she means it. Thank you.

Anita
Anita
Monday, January 18, AD 2010 8:48pm

Great article !! Truer words were never spoken. We need to hear more of the truth to stir all Catholics
into reality and into standing up for the Church and our rights.

charlene
charlene
Monday, January 18, AD 2010 9:37pm

There are 3 essentials ingredients in the Church that keep any soul on the correct road. The Eucharist. Confession and the Rosary. Stay faithful to these and you and your household will be saved. The world is passing away and we are passing through it to something that we can not even begin to understand. Show mercy to all those who are in darkness.

Marie Jalsevac
Marie Jalsevac
Monday, January 18, AD 2010 9:53pm

As a simple un-educated mother of seven I read the whole article Construct of Rebellion, and thought it was most informative and full of truth.
However, what it was lacking was the matter of placing some blame on the church itself for the departing of so many Catholics from their true faith during the 2000 years of excistance.
I asked should the church not have been more alert and listened to the complaints from the faithful on some liturgical customs and for the lack of education in the full deep meaning of scripture and the bible, also the lack of explaination the dogmatic reasons for truth?
Even the fathers of the church were weak at times and had to also endure the evil one.
Now we have at least been assured through the workings of the wonderful Popes we have had with John Paul and Benedict that the church will always remain. Both of them have used the media and every other medium to prove that the Catholic church is the only true one to embrace all of the world’s people.

Laity Bro. Peter Ananias Paul Adam
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 5:18am

as one person commented I echo: Confession, Mass, the Eelfucharist….and let the world blow its up and fall into hell…..or let it REPENT FAST.

sanctuaryhouse.tumblr.com…….. CALL IT UP…

Roger Vaste
Roger Vaste
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 7:13am

In Worcester, Massachusetts, a Diocese is coming unglued because it embraced dissent and New Age occultism. Visit: http://lasalettejourney.blogspot.com

martha
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 9:31am

I am wondering which diocese in Worcester Roger is talking about.Eileen George gives monthly

martha
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 9:35am

teachings there and she is veryorthodox andoutstanding catholic

peter santos
peter santos
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 9:45am

The same diocese which hosts a “Commission for Women” which has New Age links. The same diocese where numerous children have been sexually abused. The same diocese where a Holy Cross professor (and ex priest) promotes homosexuality and is “married” to another man. I could go on but you wouldn’t accept the facts.

michael cole
michael cole
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 10:45am

How does Eileen George feel about the College of the Holy Cross sponsoring Planned Parenthood on its campus? How about the Newman Center at Fitchburg State College promoting homosexuality as a simple variant of normal sexuality as well as homosexual “marriage”? Is she concerned that the Diocesan Commission for Women has links to Joyce Rupp? Read what Donna Steichen and other orthodox Catholics have had to say about Rupp.

With all due respect for Eileen George, the Diocese of Worcester is losing many of the faithful (75 of 120 parishes are in economic crisis by the Diocese’s own admission) for a reason.

John Ansley
John Ansley
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 1:23pm

Holy Cross has engaged in homosexual agitprop:
http://hccns.org/articles/news/081115_homosexual-promotion.htm

Sorry Martha, Eileen George’s presence in the Worcester Diocese doesn’t justify that.

Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 1:46pm

While I agree with your basic outline, there are two things that bother me with what you wrote: 1) The many grammatical and typing errors. Sorry, but when people have a good idea and they’re trying to communicate it, it helps to do so with correct punctuation and without typos.

2) Whether or not people believe what Michael Brown wrote in his book or posts on his site is no indication of their adherence to the truth or lack thereof and no one should take it as such. Mr. Brown may be a Pulitzer-nominated journalist, but that doesn’t mean everything he writes is of the same quality as his work on Love Canal. Mr. Brown is not the sum total of the Catholic Faith. That comes to us from the apostles and their successors.

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Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 3:58pm

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Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 5:15pm

“Sadly, the construct of rebellion is prevalent in all areas, even among some faithful Catholics.” A construct of rebellion implies that there’s something authoritative against which one can rebel. One cannot rebel against one who does not have authority and Michael Brown does not have authority.

John Ansley
John Ansley
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 7:21pm

“…self appointed leaders who thought [they] knew better than the Church…” It’s the authority of the Church that’s being rebelled against. Not Michael Brown.

Thomas, are you simply here in an attempt to wear down the author of this article?

Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 7:35pm

No, John, I’m not. I made two observations about what I consider to be an otherwise well-constructed argument – grammar and saying that not liking Michael Brown’s book is part of the construct of rebellion.

John Ansley
John Ansley
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 9:18pm

No Thomas, you wrote: “A construct of rebellion implies that there’s something authoritative against which one can rebel. One cannot rebel against one who does not have authority and Michael Brown does not have authority.”

No one said that Michael Brown is the authority being rebelled against. Instead, the author of the article wrote about, “..self appointed leaders who thought [they] knew better than the Church..” That’s the Church. Not Michael Brown.

You are engaging in dishonesty.

Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Tuesday, January 19, AD 2010 11:15pm

On the contrary, John. The author writes (with my edits): “However, the pull of being accepted by the world is tough even for self-professed, orthodox-minded Catholics. For example, the secular scholarly world rolls its eyes and snickers at modern day miracles and apparitions. One of the most popular Catholic websites, Spirit Daily, is one such site that makes mention of both. However, mention you read this site and you are bound to be looked at with suspicion even in the world of orthodox-minded Catholicism…It would seem that for some, the fear of being lumped in with those who see the Blessed Mother in every scrap of burnt toast or every dilapidated barn door holds far more sway than believing that the Blessed Mother has appeared in human history to bring attention to her Son, the Savior of us all. Sadly, the construct of rebellion is prevalent in all areas, even among some faithful Catholics.”

Hence my statement that in order to rebel, one must have something authoritative against which to rebel. Just because people don’t like what Michael Brown writes — no matter how well researched it is — doesn’t mean they’re part of the construct of rebellion. I certainly accept that Mary appears in the world and that God works miracles. I don’t necessarily like Michael Brown’s approach.

Mary Ludwig
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 4:07am

This kind of dialogue appears to be feeding the egos of the individuals. Are we working for our own glory or God’s. I think the best road to travel is the one of Humilty and Love. Why not focus on ourselves individually and see where we are on the road of repentance and reconciliation.

Better still why don’t we focus on Christian Unity and do positive things, – let us do the will of the Father and not our own, let us take this opportunity to love one another and at least celebrate Easter on the same date every year. At least the rest of the world will see that we are united on the essence of our faith; the death and resurection of Jesus Christ.
It is only through unity that we will have :
Peace, Love and Reconciliation
Mary Joanne
onedate.org

John Ansley
John Ansley
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 7:53am

I don’t appreciate your unfair criticism Mary. I was merely attempting to defend what the author wrote. Hiw words are being twisted. There is no peace without truth Mary. It is the truth which sets us free (John 8:32), not falsehood.

John Ansley
John Ansley
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 8:00am

The author wrote, “…It would seem that for some, the fear of being lumped in with those who see the Blessed Mother in every scrap of burnt toast or every dilapidated barn door holds far more sway than believing that the Blessed Mother has appeared in human history to bring attention to her Son, the Savior of us all. Sadly, the construct of rebellion is prevalent in all areas, even among some faithful Catholics…”

What the author is saying is that because some rebel against the Church’s authority, they even reject or disregard Our Lady’s appearances to mankind. Our Lady always leads people to Jesus her Son and His Church. The author is not saying. or suggesting in any way, that Michael Brown is some sort of ersatz Magisterium of the Church or Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

To suggest otherwise is to engage in dishonesty.

Stuart
Stuart
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 8:14am

Thomas, you are demonstrating the pedantic nature of the “lawyerly” arguments for Relativism. Argue all the brush strokes away and soon the painting itself will no longer exist for you.

Elizabeth S.
Elizabeth S.
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 9:42am

“Just because people don’t like what Michael Brown writes — no matter how well researched it is — doesn’t mean they’re part of the construct of rebellion. I certainly accept that Mary appears in the world and that God works miracles. I don’t necessarily like Michael Brown’s approach.”

I agree. I read Spirit Daily, probably more than I should, and I always come away from the site with confusion, not peace.

What has always bothered me about Michael Brown is his very heavy reliance on non-Church approved apparitions, particularly the “1990 prophecy”. It’s clear to me that he believes all of them, even those which have not received Church approval. I certainly believe Mary has and still does appear in the world, but there are so many alleged apparitions, and many of them contradict each other.

I certainly don’t believe they should all be thrown out, but they need to be examined. Michael Brown is always going on about today’s Church “throwing out the mystical”, but I don’t believe that’s a fair claim. Why is it so “bad” to discern these apparitions, and if something about one doesn’t make sense, discard it? Why did God give us intellects if He doesn’t want us to use them?

Michael Brown may be well-intentioned, but the net result of reading his site is confusion.

peter santos
peter santos
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 2:22pm

Elizabeth writes “What has always bothered me about Michael Brown is his very heavy reliance on non-Church approved apparitions, particularly the “1990 prophecy”. It’s clear to me that he believes all of them, even those which have not received Church approval.”

Elizabeth, calumny is a sin. I would refer you to what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say in that regard. Mr. Brown has said – repeatedly – that we MUST accept the Church’s final decision on ANY apparition site. And this includes Medjugorje. For you to imply that Mr. Brown is someow failing to discern the authenticity of an apparition site or that he does not accept the Church’s ultimate authority is preposterous.

Gaudium et Spes (specifically No. 28) forbids judging a person’s interior dispositions. I suggest you meditate very carefully on that teaching.

John Ansley
John Ansley
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 3:31pm

In Fides et Ratio, No. 16, Pope John Paul II teaches us that, “The world and all that happens within it, including history and the fate of peoples, are realities to be observed, analysed and assessed with all the resources of reason, but without faith ever being foreign to the process. Faith intervenes not to abolish reason’s autonomy nor to reduce its scope for action, but solely to bring the human being to understand that in these events it is the God of Israel who acts. Thus the world and the events of history cannot be understood in depth without professing faith in the God who is at work in them. Faith sharpens the inner eye, opening the mind to discover in the flux of events the workings of Providence. Here the words of the Book of Proverbs are pertinent: “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps” (16:9). This is to say that with the light of reason human beings can know which path to take, but they can follow that path to its end, quickly and unhindered, only if with a rightly tuned spirit they search for it within the horizon of faith. Therefore, reason and faith cannot be separated without diminishing the capacity of men and women to know themselves, the world and God in an appropriate way.”

Faith and reason are described by His Holiness in this important Encyclical Letter as two lungs. Imagine how difficult it is to breathe properly with only one lung!

Michael Brown is all for discernment of private revelation. But, along with St. Paul, he believes that we shouldn’t despise prophecy. Understand the difference?

PT
PT
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 8:21pm

peter santos: You accuse Elizabeth of sin because she expresses concerns about a Catholic writer and speaker. You accuse her of “judging a person’s interior dispositions”, and then lecture her on how she should meditate on Church documents.

Elizabeth states that, in her opinion, Michael Brown relies heavily on non-Church approved apparitions, particularly the “1990 prophecy”. This is not judging Mr. Brown’s “interior dispositions”, but simply stating fact. On Spirit Daily, Mr. Brown mentions the “1990 prophecy” VERY frequently, and is quick to defend Medjugorje. Yes, he does state clearly that we should accept the final decisions of the Church on these matters. But, that does not negate what Elizabeth wrote.

It seems to me that because you disagree with Elizabeth YOU assume evil motives on HER part. She says nothing in her post that would constitute the “sin” you claim she has committed. YOU are the one who has accused someone of sin because of a post. Elizabeth makes no such accusation.

As an aside, I follow Spirit Daily and have for about 4 years now. I enjoy reading both the links and Mr. Brown’s own articles. Much discernment is needed in digesting these writings, clearly, as Mr. Brown’s opinions do not constitute official Church teaching. Stating that plain fact is NOT a sin, Peter.

peter santos
peter santos
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 9:03pm

For Elizabeth to assert that Michael Brown believes all apparitions or private revelation, “even those which have not received Church approval,” is calumnious. It’s a lie. He has written against certain private revelations which were obviously false. The rest he commends to the Church.

Calumny is, objectively speaking, sinful. It may even constitute grave sin. It offends against both charity and truth. It is a violation of justice.

peter santos
peter santos
Wednesday, January 20, AD 2010 9:10pm

For Elizabeth (and anyone else who falsely accuses Michael Brown of accepting all apparitions), I submit the following words of Mr. Brown himself from 2005:

Discerning Apparitions A Difficult Process

[Q & A by Michael H. Brown]

In the past twenty years there has been an explosion of alleged apparitions, locutions, stigmatics, and healers. Which are real and which are not?

I would never attempt such a list, because I don’t have the authority to do so. We simply go by what the Church has decided, unless there is not yet a decision, in which case we try to exercise discernment.

How do you tell if an apparition is real?

This is one of the hardest questions in the world to answer. The process of what we call “discernment” is intensely complex. It’s also very personal. There is no formula. Some apparitions miss certain criteria and yet bear signs of authenticity while others seem to fill most standards but have problems at their very root. In the end, only through prayer and fasting can we get a true inkling. It is the spirit — not the mind — that discerns.

You mean a “gut feeling”?

No. I mean a feeling in the depths of the spirit after a period of fasting. When we fast, we are more sensitive to evil. We are more likely to know if it is present. This is very important.

But aren’t there some tips to discernment?

In the Bible it says that “by their fruits you will know them,” and so this is certainly one major facet. But we have to be careful about what we consider “fruits.” I have seen many cases in which people adhering to what turned out to be a deceptive circumstance had a great first impression, or even found the visit a major step in their return to the faith, to their conversion. God can take good from evil. He can draw with crooked lines. It is for that reason that we must be careful in speaking negatively about a circumstance, even if there are indications of problems; we don’t want to discourage those who have had good experiences.

Are there often problems?

Most claims of apparitions, visions, or locutions are a mix — in other words, there are parts that seem inspired, parts that come from the person’s subconscious, and parts that may be from a source that is deceptive or demonic. All of us are in touch with God and those who feel they have a special “line” of communication may in some cases have such a special gift, although too frequently this leads to ego, and ego leads to a person putting his or her own spin on what they think they have been “told.” This is very common, and why so many predictions do not materialize: The prophecy was not a direct communication but filtered through the ideas, preconceptions, and feelings of a person. It is the demonic component that of course concerns us the most. A demonic influence can cause not only spiritual trickery but also deep discouragement, division, and illness.

Is divisiveness a standard of discernment?

Certainly, it’s one. Now, remember that even with the authentic apparitions like Fatima or Lourdes or Medjugorje, which the Pope discerned as worthy of devotion (in recently publicized private letters), there is resistance. There is spiritual warfare. And that can lead to division. There will be some division. But that division usually is far outweighed by good fruits such as conversion. If division is the main effect, or if there is constant, lasting rancor, and a lack of peace, then there is a problem with the apparitions. We can also say to watch out for pride among the seers, attempts at self-promotion, and the spawning of a cult-like following. Cults in the bad sense of that term are a bad fruit (there are also holy cults, when proclaimed as such by Rome). Those who begin to exclude others because they don’t believe in a certain apparition are not in tune with the Holy Spirit, Who tells us through the Church that we don’t have to accept a private revelation. Meanwhile, we must watch for prophecies that are too gloomy and dark, that give messages of tremendous specificity, that ramble on at great length, and that contain messages threatening people who don’t believe in the particular revelation. There are some messages that have denounced anyone who won’t help purvey a private revelation. As soon as I see that, I know there is deception.

What about those that mention the anti-christ?

We have to weigh these with special caution. In my discernment there is truth to the coming of a personage of evil, and certainly major events, but we have to be cautious about believing that the coming scenario will exactly fit the scenarios spawned by those who have speculated on specific end-times schedules. Are we in the end times? We are at the end of an era. It is a very, very important time. It is not the end of the world. What is about to happen will fit the general prophetic pulse we have heard now for nearly 25 years (since the onset of Medjugorje, which caused an explosion in private revelation), but it will occur in ways we don’t specifically anticipate and that make sense (the feeling of, “oh, yeah, of course”) only in retrospect.

What percent of seers are authentic?

It’s impossible to say. What we can say is that very, very few are corporeal apparitions at the level of a Lourdes or Fatima. “Corporeal” is to see the Blessed Mother as a full-bodied, multi-dimensional apparition similar to the way we see another person: with eyes wide open. Some who claim this are imagining it, are projecting a “vision,” and a vision can be authentic, but it is not at the level of an apparition.

How prevalent is actual demonism in alleged revelations?

It is not uncommon. That is one way to put it. This is the fast lane of mysticism, which is one reason the Church is cautious. I might add that I am always perplexed by why a local bishop usually uses the term, “no evidence of the supernatural,” to dismiss a troublesome apparition. Often, there is plenty of evidence of the supernatural, but it’s supernaturality that is coming from the wrong source. At the same time, and overall, private revelation is of great benefit and as in Jesus’ time, among the Pharisees and Sadducees, it is sorely neglected by the official Church.

Is the U.S. Church more closed and skeptical toward apparitions and phenomena like weeping statues than other nations?

Yes, due to our scientific bent, much more skeptical.

Why do you believe in Medjugorje?

I have been there I think seven times, and I didn’t believe in it the first few hours I was there. I thought it was collective hysteria. Then I started to see phenomena myself — a lot of it — and tremendous, tremendous fruit, whereby virtually everyone who was going there was experiencing a deepening of faith or outright conversion unlike any other religious encounter with which I was familiar, just really profound and in most cases lasting. I had never seen people touched on such a massive scale. Dozens of millions have been affected in a way that can be compared only with older sites such as Lourdes or with trips to the Holy Land. Medjugorje leaves a feeling of peace and well-being and conversion.

Whereas a false apparition?

Another way of discerning a false apparition or a false anything is that it tends to drain you. It takes your energy. This is a hidden means of discernment: it takes more than it gives. It is temporary. This is often a good way to evaluate any situation, although like everything else in this field, there are exceptions (no foolproof means of discernment). We are very open to mysticism — it is crucial to our time and to any time — but we urge folks not to become involved in new such claims unless they are fasting and staying close to the New Testament. Daily reading of the Bible puts us in the correct frame of mind and is probably the best way to discern an apparition.

06/27/05

As for his acceptance of Medjugorje, there is nothing against faith there. A decision has not been made regarding that alleged apparition site. Mr. Brown has already said that he will ACCEPT THE CHURCH’S DECISION.

Elizabeth is engaging in calumny. She should make this right.

Elizabeth S.
Elizabeth S.
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 11:38am

I don’t understand where you’re coming from. How can you be so bold as to assume I’m in a state of mortal sin? Isn’t that up to God to judge? Not you?

What exactly IS the “1990 prophecy”? Has it undergone Church scrutiny? Has it been submitted to any Church authorities for discernment and/or approval? I have been reading Spirit Daily for about 5 or 6 years. This is what I meant by an unapproved private revelation. There is no source and no mention of it ever being submitted to the Church.

Medjugorje is different. It hasn’t been formally approved by the Church, but the Church is more than aware of it, so to speak. Not so with the 1990 prophecy.

There is good on his site (his articles on Maria Esperanza, but much that leaves me, and others I’m sure, scratching their heads. There is a lot of stuff from his “mailbag” that makes me wonder. How much of this is real, and how much of it is coming from people’s overwrought imaginations? He needs to be more careful when presenting these viewpoints and some sites he links to. It’s all very confusing and doesn’t help the average person on their spiritual journey. That is all.

peter santos
peter santos
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 12:38pm

Elizabeth, Peter never said you are in “a state of mortal sin.” Your dishonesty is showing again. He wrote, “Calumny is, objectively speaking, sinful. It may even constitute grave sin. It offends against both charity and truth. It is a violation of justice.”

You falsely accused Mr. Brown of accepting ALL private revelation, “even those which have not received Church approval.” This is – objectively speaking – calumnious. But rather than acknowledging that your post was false and unjust, you now assume a defensive posture and accuse Peter of judging your soul.

When will your dishonesty cease? You are behaving very poorly.

peter santos
peter santos
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 12:40pm

I know what I wrote. I don’t appreciate Elizabeth’s false accusation against me.

Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 12:52pm

This is the time I will ever read or visit this site. I’ve been accused of being a poor reader, of trying to wear down an author after a mere two posts, being dishonest, being egotistical, twisting words which were clearly written, and of being a relativist. Elizabeth comes along and gives her opinion that Michael Brown relies too heavily on Marian apparitions and personal revelation and she’s accused of calumny. There is no engagement of ideas here, only personal animus. The impression one is left with is that if one does not agree with everything written at this site, then that one is necessarily part of the construct of rebellion. Not exactly the best impression to leave with anyone.

Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 12:53pm

Sorry, meant to say “This is the last time I will ever read or visit this site.”

Rick Jennings
Rick Jennings
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 1:08pm

Thomas, you’re not here to participate in a “dialogue.” Like Elizabeth, you’re here to level false accusations. Read Peter’s post of Michael Brown’s article from 2005. He does not accept all private revelation uncritically. Nor has anyone (including himself) held up Mr. Brown as “the authority” on all private revelation.

As Christians, let us refrain from such falsehoods.

Fr. Tim Moyle
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 3:34pm

I will never cease to be amazed how the internet has the capacity to take a solid, well formed argument for the faith, and transform it into this demonstration of the classic “my father can beat up your father” form of analysis (or in this case, “my Mary can beat up your Mary” such as this thread has morphed into.

Will wonders ever cease.

Yes indeed, a great illustration of how the the internet is a wonderful tool for the faith… or is it that the internet is the place to witness the faith of tools?

peter santos
peter santos
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 4:33pm

Apparently Fr. Moyle has no problem with calumny. Maybe he should brush up on his Catechism. If this thread has “morphed” into something unproductive, it is because of unfair allegations and misinterpretations.

Asinine comment Father. With all due respect for your priestly office. Asinine.

peter santos
peter santos
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 4:37pm

“Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2479).

I would exhort those who visit this thread to read Michael Brown’s 2005 article on discerning private revelation and hold Elizabeth’s false accusations up to the light of truth.

Roger R.
Roger R.
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 4:54pm

I agree with you Peter. Where was Father Tim when Elizabeth was leveling a false accusation against Michael Brown? He chides you for exposing Elizabeth’s false accusation against Michael Brown and showing it for what it is and describes it as a “my father can beat up your father form of analysis.”

Father is a disappointment.

Tito Edwards
Thursday, January 21, AD 2010 4:56pm

I am closing this thread.

In the future please stay on the topic at hand.

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