Mark P. Shea's Blog, page 1362

Medugorje: The Red Flags Keep Flying

Reader Diane writes:

I just want to point you to something very interesting.

Louis Bélanger has offer a thought provoking-post on the very public life of the visionaries of Medjugorje. Louis is not only sitting on a lot of solid information and data on the subject, but has a gift for weaving it all together along with statements made by the Popes and other references.

In this latest post, he shares with us something I had not seen before. It is the closing statement on a report signed by 3 medical doctors and 3 psychiatrists - an international team of professionals who looked at the case of Medjugorje.

It was written in 1986 and recommends very clearly, and for good reasons, that the visionaries have their visions in the presence of responsible priests, and out of the public limelight. They followup with a simple, and reasonable explanation: "....This is, not only to render the spiritual atmosphere more adequate, but also to eliminate any reinforcement of a suggestive type."

I hope in the future that such a recommendation will become the norm for bishops for anyone claiming to have visions or private revelations. Medjugorje shows, imho, how such a thing can rapidly get away from the Church if safeguards are not put into place. No where, in any of diocese of the former Yugoslavia, are the visionaries permitted to have public events. Yet, we see bishops and cardinals giving them a platform in other countries. This is a radical departure with how such things were traditionally handled. Hopefully, some day, there will be a collective examination of conscience among some members of the hierarchy as to how they could permit things in their dioceses, and in their cathedrals, that are prohibited in the diocese, country, and former country of the phenomena's origin.

Go read Louis' post:

Medjugorje, "reality-tele-visions" and the cruel absence of pastoral care.

I think this will only end in tears. Medjugorje just crawls with dodginess the longer I look at it.

Catholic Lane Has the Scoop on the Pope's New Book

Mary Kochan writes:

Friends, this is to let you know Catholic Lane has published this morning the only three sections of Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week that have been authorized for pre-release. The official worldwide release event for the entire book will be March 10 at the Vatican. Meanwhile, please let your friends and blog readers know that they can read right now, the following excerpts on Catholic Lane.

Chapter 3, Section 4: "The Mystery of the Betrayer"

Chapter 5, Section 1: "The Dating of the Last Supper"

Chapter 7, Section 3: "Jesus Before Pilate"

These make great reads for preparation for Lent -- or anytime. Love to have your comments about them on Catholic Lane.

The Associated Press is treating the Pope's book with the MSM's customary complete theological illiteracy, announcing "Pope exonerates Jews for Jesus' death in new book" as though this is some startling new development and not the teaching of both Nostra Aetate and the Catechism (though the story does eventually get around to noting this).

This is, of course, more bad news for the congenitally anti-semitic Reactionary Dissent wing but, well, I don't much care. Jew hatred is a sickness long overdue for euthanasia.

Personally, I'm interested in how the Holy Father handles the interesting problem of the date of the Last Supper. Scott Hahn's commentary on the question seems to me to be pretty sensible, so it will be interesting to see if he and Benedict are on the same page. Also, I am very interested in his treatment of the mysterious tragedy of Judas.

The man writes like an angel. Clear as a bell!

The Creed: The Holy Spirit

In which we continue to look at the implications of the Creed for our lives.

Yup

A reader writes:

A pro-life group is having an unborn child testify in favor of an anti- abortion bill in Ohio by showing an ultrasound in the legislature (not sure if it is a live one being performed for them). As always, simply showing the truth always works best.

Speaking of which, I just love the squealy panic in Francis Kissling's voice, don't you?

You are looking at the face of another Christian martyr to Islam

He was just murdered by yet another Bronze Age votary of this backward and barbaric cult for daing to criticize its backward and barbaric intolerance.

May his blood and the blood of so many martyrs mingle with the blood of Christ and, through the prayers of Our Lady of Fatima, one day bring about the conversion of the Islamic world.

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. - Tertullian

Since I am so universally beloved and agreed with...

...I thought I would post this.

Prayer Request

A reader writes:

I'd like to ask for prayers for my wife who was laid off today. We're in a decent position, but just as we were getting ready to look for a house we're having it delayed yet another year. We know everything is in God's hands and for our good. Still we'd appreciate the prayers so that we can deal with the stress of the unknown. May Our Lord grant that she will find a job that she loves and is where Our Lord wants here.

Father, hear our prayer through Christ our Lord! Mother Mary and St. Joseph, pray for them!

Brussels Journal...

...frets that Christianity is fast becoming a non-Western Faith and wonders if anybody notices.

Um, Sherry Weddell has been noticing and commenting on it for years.

I suspect the day will come when the burnt out ruins of the apostate West will be rebuilt for the glory of the Blessed Trinity by Catholic missionaries from China and Africa.

Jesus goes where he is welcome.

Adopt a Priestette

Larry D from the Acts of the Apostasy blog scribbleth:

Good afternoon, Dark Lord!

I've launched a new project at Acts of the Apostasy, called "Adopt-A-Priestess" Project, inspired by Norma Jean Coon's recent renunciation of the RCWP and her alleged ordination. I believe that if individuals could 'adopt' other women "priests" and actively pray for their conversion and return in full communion to the Church, this would help strengthen the body of Christ and heal the wounds caused by this terrible movement.

Here's the link to my project.

If you think this is a project worthy of your support, a shout out from your Dark Lord Lair would be much appreciated.

Thank you, and may God continue to bless you and your family.

This sounds worthy. Also, I'm frankly astounded that almost a week has passed and nobody has Youtubed some parody of "Goodbye Norma Jean" in honor of the occasion. This seems to cry out for some marriage of the mad skilz of Erin Manning and Nick Alexander. Aux armes, citoyens!

Prayer Request

A reader writes:

I hoped to unleash the power of the Blog to pray for someone I know who is suffering from mental illness.

Father, hear our prayer for healing in body, soul, mind, and spirit for this person and for the gift of grace, strength, and consolation for all those who love this person. Grant also the grace of wisdom and skill to this person's caregiver. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Mother Mary and St. Dymphna, pray for them!