Padraig, Below is a quote from supermagnate, David Rockefeller, made in 1994: This present window of opportunity, during which a truly peaceful and interdependent world order might be built, will not be open for too long - We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order. The grasp for power is always satanic in nature. Though Jesus thwarted JoeJerk's attempt to entice him in the desert, many the fool has fallen through the centuries. After all, Satan's ultimate goal now is to destroy the Church. He needs a worldwide kingdom to try and vanquish the universal Church. It makes sense, then, to believe there is a conspiracy manipulating world events in the background. Fortunately, such a project is beyond the ability of my mind to grasp. Therefore, I take great comfort in Psalm 131: O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty. I busy not myself with great things, nor things too sublime for me. Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. When I pray that psalm, I can picture one of my children asleep on Geralyn's breast, sated and at peace without a care in the world. May Jesus' general, Our Lady, crush the serpent's head soon! Where will all those power seekers go, then? Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Yes Terry the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart is at hand. Jesus won the Victory on Calvary..the rest is only a mopping up operation!! As my Spiritual Director used to say!! Though I often wish they'd mop up a hell bit quicker!! :wink: :lol: :lol:
Conspiracy afoot? Padraig, I revisited your question concerning conspiracy when I read this article from the supposedly non-fringe ABC News. It relates what Senator Joe Biden, the Democratic V-P candidate shared this past Sunday. What does Joe Biden and Co. know that we don't? Wierd! :shock: ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions. "Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." "I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. "And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right." Not only will the next administration have to deal with foreign affairs issues, Biden warned, but also with the current economic crisis. "Gird your loins," Biden told the crowd. "We're gonna win with your help, God willing, we're gonna win, but this is not gonna be an easy ride. This president, the next president, is gonna be left with the most significant task. It's like cleaning the Augean stables, man. This is more than just, this is more than – think about it, literally, think about it – this is more than just a capital crisis, this is more than just markets. This is a systemic problem we have with this economy." The Delaware lawmaker managed to rake in an estimated $1 million total from his two money hauls at the downtown Sheraton, the same hotel where four years ago Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., clinched the Democratic nomination. Despite warning about the difficulties the next administration will face, Biden said the Democratic ticket is equipped to meet the challenges head on. "I've forgotten more about foreign policy than most of my colleagues know, so I'm not being falsely humble with you. I think I can be value added, but this guy has it," the Senate Foreign Relations chairman said of Obama. "This guy has it. But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my G__, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us." "There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision'," Biden continued. "Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made, which I believe you will when they're made, they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound." Lord have mercy! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
That is strange Terry. I would grow more and more distrustful of folks in high places who do not evidence a living faith. I think as you have suggested ,we are not at the start of all this but at the very beginning, a depression is the least of things...
I see the world economy is still collapsing, so badly that even the Chinese Super Giants are becoming scared. I cannot recall any specific prophesies from the saints or visionaries on the econmy and I was wondering if any body knows any? I am always a bit suspicious of very specific prophesies that give dates and precise locations. I notice Our Lady does not do this at her apparition sites. The reason for this I think is so that we should not be running of after prophetic fire works but stay focused on our Spirtual Path, to pray the rosary, fast and attend the sacraments. For if we do this all will be well with us, but if we fail to do this nothing can ever be well. Thats why Our Lady refers to the 'Secrets' but does not disclose them, for if we knew them they would simply be a distraction. There is always Christs own words , Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from wise and intelligent people and have revealed them to infants. I think this is a great characteristic of someone who has a Marian spirituality, this childlikeness and innocence. i don't mean as in childish, but a real openess to the spiritual, to the Kingdom of God within. On the other hand even within the Catholic Church there are many who are 'rich' and powerful, who are already filled and who do not have the truth revealed to them because there are too grand and important to see it, they are not children. I think the truths that Our Lady comes to remind us off are the Eternal Truths, foremost of which is the need to pray, that God's Kingdom is not of this world, that the real answers to our problems are not political, or social, or scientific , or psychological, or whatever, that first we must seek the Kingdom of God, then ,as Jesus promised these other things will be granted unto us. But I think as we have wandered far from Gods grace, since the time of mercy has passed and we move into the time of God's Justice what is happening in the economy will be seen in all fields of human endeavour and nature. More and more droughts and greater and greater natural disasters, plagues wars, social chaos, evil coming right into the open schism and persecution of the Church, everything generally turning to dust in our hands. but there will be more and more great good things happening too. More and more conversions to the Church, not only of individuals bit entire Churches and religions. Very,very great miracle working saints. Incredible martyrs with huge courage. A real renewal of the Catholic faith. A turning from material to spiritual values. Of in other words material values failing and spiritual truths being reproclamed. I think we shall know the tide is turned when a great Marian Pope proclaims the last three Marian Dogma's, then we shall know that the Triumph of Mary is at hand. May it come soon. [web]http://revver.com/video/1121714/marycast-olan-6-the-last-marian-dogma/[/web]
Padraig, It is a wet and dreary evening here in Central New York and so I have a moment to respond. There are a few seers who give specifics regarding economic issues, but since I question their validity, I won't record the prophecies here. I do believe that economic woes are a regular consequence of God's judgment that almost always accompany prophecies concerning war and the like. Three examples: 1) Amos' warnings directed toward the Northern Kingdom's destruction by the Assyrians was accompanied by economic collapse. 2) The Book of Revelation includes famine and an enforced system of buying and selling which parallel the rise of the AntiChrist. 3) Our Lady foretold a more terrible war than WWI if peoples failed to repent. Between the two great wars was the worldwide Depression. In fact, the dire conditions in Germany precipitated Hitler's rise to power. It is my belief that failing economies are a corollary to judgment which actually strengthens my conviction that we are entering the time of God's Justice, as you say. Thank the Lord for the comfort of both his Spirit and his Mother!
Yes, you're right Terry. I think both the Vatican and the Bishops warned about all this several times. The consequences of greed. I didn't know that about Amos. I know some historians put the Fall of the Roman Empire down to economic causes. http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/10/0 ... ealth.html
Since Our Lady asked us to read the Signs of the Times I thought of turning back to the financial crisis and ask if anyone had anymore insight into this. Particularly Terry who wrote about this back in September? I'll say a little of what I think, for what its worth. I have the strongest sense that we are being strongly manipulated in all this. Its true that we can put it down as secondary causes to greed and dishonesty from lots of sources. But when this corruption takes place in such a wide scale it could only through the knowledge and support of those in the very highest places. In other words I don't think all that is happening is an accident but a result of evil and malign influences. I think then you have to ask the question which is who has to gain most from such economic breakdown and disaster. Who could possibly gain. Well the only folks who have to gain are those who attend to assume the authority which independent Governments such as the USA and Ireland will loose if we move closer and closer to a Global Financial system .For the only way a Global Financial System can be implemented is through a World Government. The greatest enemy of such a system being implaced is the Catholic Church which will kick like a mule at some of the morality of the decisions of such a New World Order. I know this seems very far fetched , but I have been noticing how many 'World Meetings' of Governments heads and 'econmists' are taking place. Again and again they are stressing how important it is that Governments 'Act as one', 'Act in unity' , 'Keep in step'. ect. It also seems to me frankly we are being lied to and misled over and over about how bad things are and how bad they are going to get. It seems to me that no one who has not been reading the Signs of the Times or is not part of some conspiracy behind this can ever know just how bad things can get. In any case it wouldn't surprose me to see some huge incident a kind of Pearl Harbour on a collossal scale moving things falling towards chaos and fear. In addition I think the people behind this are encouraging and hoping for this. So that in the end they will come in with the great miracle of a world economic/political system. A system that will indeed bring in a 'Order' but one at a terrible price. Or in other words the exact thing Our Lady has been warning us about.. Things seem to be accelerating very fast. But at the same time I know its important to keep my feet on the ground and not be rushing off imagining things and jumping to conclusions. On thing I do wish, though. I wish the Holy Father was speaking more about all these things..and our Cardinals and Bishops. I have heard nothing , nothing at all from our Irish Cardinal of Bishops since all this started. Just dead silence.I'd love to hear one way or the other...just something. Anyhow I'd love to hear any insights any of you have..... I'm not panicking, I'm at peace about it all, God is our Stronghold. But its something I've been praying over a lot . I think I can see the hand of the devil behind a lot of this.... :?
Padraig, One area of apparent manipulation is the gold market. Though physical gold is now difficult to acquire, or at least the wait is unusually long to do so, the price of gold has slipped over the last few months. In the current, perilious economic times we are experiencing, one would think the price would be escalating. COMEX, which is the exchange for paper gold and silver, has somehow kept the price of precious metals low in spite of the physical gold and silver being taken off market. I smell something fishy! Anyway, this is an indication to me that the powers-that-be are at work behind the scenes. I am sure that the elites are in full pursuit of a global governance model. I cring to think that representative government no longer represents me, but I increasingly believe this is so. But like you I am at peace. From Ps 62: Only in God be at rest my soul, for from Him comes my hope. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, I shall not be disturbed. With God is my safety and my glory: He is the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O my people: pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge!
Rome Looks at the Meltdown The world financial system is in crisis. The entire financial architecture underlying “modernity” seems to be tottering on the edge of an abyss. What does the Vatican think about the situation? We asked Angelo Caloia, the man in charge of what is commonly called the “Vatican bank” (the Institute for Religious Works) by Vladimiro Redzioch Opening papal quotation about the control of credit: “In the first place, then, it is patent that in our days, not wealth alone is accumulated, but immense power and despotic economic domination are concentrated in the hands of the few, who for the most part are not the owners but only the trustees and directors of invested funds, which they administer at their own good pleasure…This domination is most powerfully exercised by those who, because they hold and control money, also govern credit and determine its allotment, for that reason supplying, so to speak, the life blood of the entire economic body, and grasping in their hands, as it were, the very soul of production, so that no one can breath against their will...” —Pope Pius XI Just inside St. Anne’s Gate, one of the main entrances through the walls into Vatican City, one notices a massive, round tower called the Tower of Nicholas V. Built in the 1400s, it was part of the Vatican walls which protected the tomb of the Apostle Peter and the residence of his successors, the Popes of Rome. A few decades later, the new Apostolic Palace, where the Pope lives today, was constructed just beyond it, even more massive and impressive — the Palace of Sixtus V. Inside the round tower of Nicholas V is the headquarters of the Istituto per le Opere di Religione, or “Institute for the Works of Religion” (known for short as the IOR). The purpose of the IOR is to “provide for the care and administration of the funds and real estate transferred or entrusted to the Institute to carry out works of religion or of charity.” The IOR is often erroneously called the “Vatican Bank.” It is more like a philanthropic foundation than a bank, investing its assets and using its funds to support religious works around the world. It should be distinguished from another major Vatican economic entity, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (APSA), which has oversight over the many properties in Italy owned by the Vatican. The IOR is adminsitered by three organs: (1) Commission of Cardinals named by the Pope; (2) Supervising Council, made up of leading international bankers; and (3) General Direction, staff attending to the day-to-day activity of the Institute. The head of the cardinals’ commission is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State and the right-hand man of Pope Benedict XVI. The other four commission members are Cardinal Attilio Nicora, Italian, who is the President of APSA; Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, French, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue; Cardinal Telesforo Toppo, Indian, the Archbishop of Ranchi; and Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Brazilian, Archbishop of San Paulo, Brazil. I went to the medieval Tower of Nicholas V to meet Professor Caloia. In this historic place, I did not want to speak with him about history, but about our own time: the profound financial crisis that, in various ways, has affected, and will affect, all of us... The present crisis is so serious and widespread that it is being compared to the Great Depression that followed the crash of 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s. How are these two crises similar, and different? Professor Angelo Caloia: No financial crisis has ever been the same as previous ones. This fact is still more valid when it concerns financial crises of enormous scope like those of the 1930s and this present one. There are precise differences between these two crises. They may be summarized as follows: (1) The geographic aspect. The current financial crisis directly concerns every country in the world, industrialized and not, developing countires, countries in transition, etc., because of the phenomenon of “contagion” that, in the 1930s, was limited instead to a few advanced countires and to the colonies (or semi-colonies) which received only indirect effects. (2) Financial tools and intermediaries. Today, the tools at the disposal of finance are multiple and extraordinarily sophisticated, like the institutions that employ them. Under these conditions, effective regulation becomes quite difficult, in contrast to the 1930s when the tools were rudimentary and the number of banks relatively few. (3) Intervention of government powers. Today the political parties, the social forces, public opinion and economic experts are all favorable to the intervention of national and international authorities, above all to stabilize the present situation and then to reorganize the world financial system. In the 1930s, up until the intervention of Roosevelt (1933), autonomous private activity was privileged at all costs and there was complete faith in the mechanisms of the market. (4) Number of countries participating in the process of recovery. In the 1930s, agreement was easier, at least under the technical aspect, as it involved industrialized countries of the same cultural matrix and comparable financial systems. Today, when the great powers are more numerous and have very diverse interests and quite differing productive characteristics, agreements are more difficult and complex. Keeping these differences in mind, it is nevertheless possible to see analogies. In both cases, we find grave distortions in the markets for primary materials (then it was the grain market). In both situations, the world was coming from a period in which the US had followed an expansive monetary policy that, even with differing mechanisms, opened the way for degenerative processes. The first signal of the crisis was the same: lack of liquidity in the banking system, finding itself unexpectedly facing a situation of inability to pay down debts in the agricultural and housing sectors. In both cases, this was the first link in a chain which led inexorably to a crisis of the entire economy, with possible anologies in the consequences and in the impact on civil society. The modern rise of derivative contracts has gone far beyond the useful task of better managing the risks of real economic and financial activity. The banks abdicated the task of distributing credit in a prudent fashion, losing ethical and economic legitimacy in the process. Before the crisis, the banks sought gains under the illusion of diminishing risks by packaging risky loans together, and they have paid the consequences. In 1933, the new American president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, implemented a reform program called the “New Deal” to overcome the crisis. What were these measures, and could they be adopted today? Caloia: The reforms of Roosevelt, president from 1933 to 1945, were far-reaching and effective, thanks to the help offered by an exceptional team of experts whom he gathered around himself to combat the great crisis of the 1930s. This “New Deal” unfolded in two great phases: (1) The phase of 100 days in 1933, which included reinforcing healthier banks and closing weaker ones; the devaluation of the dollar; prohibition on exporting gold and foreign currency; support for agriculture and for homeowners. There were three major measures passed to help agriculture, industry and infrastructure: the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the National Insutrial Act and the Tennessse Valley Authority; (2) In the second phase, beginning in 1935, measures were taken against unemployment and public works projects were launched. The National Labor Relations Act, to regulate the relations beteen employers and employees, and the Scoial Security Act, to help the unemployed, the sick and the old, were passed. Roosevelt’s economic policy can be summed up this way: since the private sector was not able to find the necessary strength to interrupt the vicious cycle set in motion by the rise in unemployment and the reduction of demand, the task had to be taken over by the State. Thus he opened the way to a series of public works, able to absorb many laborers and to support demand, and so favoring the recovery of the private sector. The structure of American society (fluid, little inclined to class distintions) and the coming of the Second World War, favored the definitive end of the depression, even if it is difficult to say whether this outcome was due to the actions of the American government after 1933, and, still more, if those actions are relevant in the modern economic context. Italy’s Minister of Finance, and others, have called for a new Bretton Woods agreement. What was the Bretton Woods agreement, and why is it no longer working? Angelo Caloia: The Bretton Woods Accords of 1944, elaborated by the main Allied powers (including the Soviets) in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, while the Second World War was still on, aimed in essence at the reorganization of the world’s monetary and financial system. The accords were the basis of the creation of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (today the World Bank) and of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The accords produced an international monetary system based on gold and the dollar, with exchange rates relatively fixed and with loans to finance temporary balance of payment deficits. The convertibility of the dollar into gold guaranteed the American currency an intrinsic value, while the regulation of the oscillations in exchange rates limited the phenomenon of competitive devaluation. The decline of government intervention in private economic activity, dissatisfaction with the pre-emince of the US (which began to export inflation impoverishing the global economic system) and the difficulty of the US to maintain its position, led President Nixon in 1971 to announce the abandonment of the convertibility of the dollar into gold and thus to end the model of organization agreed upon 27 years earlier at Bretton Woods. In your view, is there a need for a new accord, and who should participate in the discussions, since the countries which met in 1944 represented 80% of the world’s wealth, but only 50% of the world’s wealth today? Angelo Caloia: A repeat of the Bretton Woods conference today is a fascinating hypothesis. The present crisis is forcing the states to once again assume an active role in the economy. It would represent an attempt to find a global solution to the present crisis. There should not be too many countries participating at such a new Bretton Woods. The so-called “global players” should all be present: the European Union, the US, Japan, Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa, and a few others. The restriction on the number of particpants is required by the technical complexity of the task, by the need to conclude something quickly, and by the need to leave aside particular requests, even if they are legitimate. The talks would have to be held in such a way that the countries participating could fairly represent the intersts of the whole world and thus also of those countries, like many from Africa and Latin America, which would not be present. There are many points to place on the agenda. But one that must be discussed is a new way to control the financial intermediaries at a global level, since the actions, the tools, the institutions of this sector, are completely globalized. Another important aspect is new design for the world monetary system, since the system of flexible exchange rates has not worked. A system of “target zones” seems more acceptable, once a minimum level of trust in the behavior of the central banks has been assured. A third interesting aspect (which already exists at a regional level) is a more strict cooperation in macroeconomic policy. The Arab oil-producing countries have earned $1 trillion in the past few years; China, “the workshop of the world,” $2 trillion, the fruit of its extraordinary wave of exports; Russia too, with half a trillion dollars due to the sale of oil and gas, has grown wealthier. The world’s wealth has shifted from the West to the East, to countries which are either non-democratic or only partially democratic. How do you view this economic shift? Caloia: The shift of the wealth of the world’s older industrialized economies (the US, Europe and Japan) to these newer countries started to occur at the end of the 1970s with the first and second “oil shocks,” when oil prices rose sharply. A greater shift has occurred since 1995, with the specialization of some large developing countries in some manufactures, and further oil shocks. The colossal sums earned have gone into what are called “sovereign wealth funds,” which are directed by public officials who have strategic objectives in their investments. But so far, despite these enormous transfers of wealth, the rising countries are unable to replace, or live without, the American economy, which still seems to be the engine for the world economy. Russia and China are suffering greatly in recent weeks from the financial difficulties of the mature economies. China in particular faces an explosive social situation. If Chinese exports slacken, and factories close, and workers have no jobs, the Chinese government faces an explosion. Let’s go back to the present crisis. In recent years, the earnings of financial companies have represented more than a third of all corporate profits. Did financial companies get out of control in their speculations? Caloia: Finance in recent years has without a doubt had excesses. These excesses were, with due distinctions made, the same as those which characterized the financial world in the months leading up to the crisis of 1929. The social system and human nature lead financial operators to seek unlimited profits and the capitalist system, left to itself, allows excesses. But there were supposed to be controls within the system. The debt rating agencies, like Moody’s, Standard and Poors, Fitch, etc., rated many securities as “AAA” which turned out to be very risky and worthless. How could they have made such mistakes? Caloia: There are many reasons why the rating agencies are not relibale and cannot foresee crisis situations looming over the companies they evaluate. Many of these instruments were of enormous complexity and very limited clarity. And then there is possible collusion, conflicts of interest and hidden interests linking the rating agencies and the companies. The present financial crisis has caused many to raise ethical questions about the financial system. Some of these relate to Catholic social teaching. For example, the $1 billion that George Soros earned, sepculating against the British pound; or the $500 million that US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson earned in stock options at Goldman Sachs. People are asking: are such earnings excessive? Caloia: There is always a certain unease when one hears of such amounts of earnings. Among other things, — and this is the case with stock options — such options can cause the manager to focus on near-term results and sacrifice longer-term strategies that might render the company more solid and likely to endure. The real question, however, concerns the role of finance in human society. In a capitalist system, every good has a price, which is what someone will pay, and this is true also for human capital. Stock-holders are disposed to pay a great deal for their managers because they think the persons chosen have an interest in creating value also for them. The problem, therefore, resides in the capitalist structure which, in itself, without adequate mechanisms of control, justifies excesses. And it is only in a different perspective that we can conceive of a different way. This different perspective is that of social economy of the market where ethics is not something exogenous, but something internalized into all economic activity. In such a perspective, companies have a responsibility, not only to stock-holders, but also to the environment and to those who are affected by their activity: workers, creditors, civil society in general. We need to think of a system capable of ethical discernment, a system able to reward financial activity in a way proportionate to the real effects that it produces. The solution is not the abandonment, but the maturation in the ethical and social sense of the present economic system. What contribution can the Church’s social doctrine make in the solution of the present crisis and the creation of a more just and solid economic system? Caloia: In the economy, the decline of discipline, of a discipline based on a solid ethical order, can cause the very laws of the market to collapse. The Church, for her part, has always been vigilant about idols. At the beginning of the recent Synod on the Scriptures, Pope Benedict XVI recalled that whoever builds his life on material things, on success, builds on sand. Above all, Benedict XVI has always said that, to act rightly, the reason must be purified, because its ethical blindness, which comes when self-interest and power prevail, is always a tragedy. How has the IOR done during this economic crisis? Caloia: The IOR, also because of the role it plays in the Catholic Church, have never sought to maximize its financial results, but rather to effectively carry out services on behalf of the ecclesial community spread throughout the world, especially in the poorest and most distant areas. It has done this through an investment policy characterized by prudence and conservation of capital. This approach has historically been realized through the use of simple instruments and these choices are helping us in this difficult moment to avoid being dragged under by this crisis. You have been head of the so-called Vatican bank, the IOR, for 20 years. Prior to you, Archbishop Paul Marcinkus was the head of the bank. A “black legend” has been created around him. What should people know about the Vatican bank? Caloia: First of all, that it is not a bank. We never make loans. We never have. And this is why today we are able to confront the disater that is occurring. Many religious orders and dioceses from all over the world entrust their money to us. By prudent investment, avoiding speculative operations, we have always been able to guarantee the preservation of capital and its immediate liquidity, as well a a small but dignified increase. As for the “black legend” you mentioned, it survives, but in a ever more attenuated form, among those circles which do not know the true service rendered by the IOR to the most needy and marginalized everywhere in the world. Angelo Caloia (photo ), Italian, professor opf Political Economy in the law faculty of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan, is the president of the Supervising Council. Paolo Cipriani occupies the post of Director General of IOR. Inside the Vatican is published by Urbi et Orbi Communications, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We welcome all donations to help us continue in our work.
Here is Pastor David Wilkerson's prophecy [of Cross & Switchblade fame], from a Protestant perspective but interesting. Sorry it is rather long [and I couldn't find a date although I know he has been stating from the 70's about an economic meltdown] Amrica's Golden Calf is coming down For some time I have prophesied that America is about to be stricken with an economic holocaust. Now, lately, I've become convinced that one of two scenarios could take place: There could be a sudden "warning blowout"—perhaps a 1,000- or more point drop in the stock market. After a brief period of alarm, the market may rebound. When it does, investors will convince themselves it has made a correction. And once again the general outlook will be, "The sky's the limit!" Tragically, this attitude will lead to a kind of euphoria never before seen in America. There could be wild economic speculating —and it could shoot the market into the stratosphere. On the other hand, the stock market or bond markets may dive overnight with no rebound at all. If so, we would see a daily retreat among investors—because everyone will recognize America has been hit with a full-blown market crash. At that point, total panic will set in. And we'11 know our nation has entered a period of divine judgment—because we'll take a precipitous, sudden slide into chaos. What is the reason for this judgment? It will come as God's wrath upon a nation that has shed rivers of innocent blood! In the Old Testament, the prophets warned the nation of Judah that judgment would come because of just such blood-shedding. "Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; and also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the Lord would not pardon" (2 Kings 24:3-4). Manasseh's blood-shedding was only a tiny rivulet compared to the ocean of blood shed by abortionists in America. Add to that the blood of thousands of innocent people killed by drunk drivers, gunfire, murder. Then add the blood of children killed by other children—innocent lives cut down by those who have no sense of right or wrong. The Bible makes it clear: God will not pardon the shedding of innocent blood. He will send judgment! The Lord Is Shaking the World All Around Us! Right now, a divine shaking is taking place around the globe: Indonesia's economy has crumbled. When that nation's leader, Suharto, resigned under pressure, the rupiah collapsed, sending the 13,700-island empire into a depression. In just six months, Indonesia went from unprecedented prosperity to utter ruin and chaos. South Korea is slipping even deeper into a depression. And Japan is sinking further into its deep financial hole. At last count, eight of that nation's highest-ranking financial leaders had committed suicide. And now a shaking has begun in Thailand. Russia is about to default on its international loans. Multitudes of workers haven't been paid in months. And now, as the depression spreads, a revolution is brewing. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico all are in deep financial trouble. Mexico is experiencing a severe drought, which has contributed to that nation's raging forest fires. The clouds of smoke have covered the skies of Texas and other western states. Please hear me—this is not all just doomsday talk from a disconsolate preacher. These are facts. You can read about them in any newspaper from the past several months. God is shaking the world all around us—and soon he's going to shake America worse than he's shaken these nations. Why? We have shed more innocent blood! I've brought up this scenario before, but it bears repeating here: One day soon, when the crash strikes suddenly and fear spreads across the nation, the President will stand silently in the Oval Office, staring out the window. He'll be panic-stricken—at a complete loss for words—because of the economic upheaval. Finally, he'll turn to his gathering of advisers—the leaders of our nation, including the chairman of the Federal Reserve—and he'll ask: "What happened? How did it all come crashing down? And what can we do now?" His questions will be met with stony silence. No one will be able to explain what caused the panic. Instead, everyone will wonder aloud, "The indicators were all positive. Inflation was under control. The economy was on track. It just doesn't make sense." Beloved, America is facing God’s Judgment—and we will never be the same! In the days to come, literally hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose their homes. Why? They've leveraged them with equity loans, so they could play the stock market and try to strike it rich! Right now, 43 million Americans are deeply invested in the market, with $1 1/2 to 2 trillion committed by individual investors. Thousands of these investors have actually quit their jobs so they can stay at home and play the market on their computers. I tell you, the stock market has become America's golden calf! People see it as a financial savior, and they worship it daily —trusting in it, depending on it, giving it all their energy and attention. But it's going to fall suddenly—and none of the small, individual investors will be spared. They'll suffer the most, losing their homes, their cars—everything! In the wake of the crash, we're going to see a wave of "assisted suicides." The masses who were driven by money and success won't be able to endure the failure and poverty they face. Many will opt for suicide—including corporate leaders. Yet the coming judgment won't mean the end of American society. It will, however, mean a severe humbling of our nation, through a long, terrifying period of chaotic conditions—including rioting, looting and burning in our major cities. I must ask you: Are you prepared for what is coming? If not, are you acting now to get ready? When I speak of being ready, where do your thoughts take you? Do you think immediately of investments, bank accounts, survival plans, safety for your family? In the past months, our ministry's offices have been inundated with newsletters and prophetic warnings suggesting how Christians can prepare for dark times. However, most of these messages concern personal safety and survival. They advise, "Stockpile dried foods, long-burning candles, kerosene lanterns, warm clothes, blankets, medical supplies, a battery-powered radio..." I don't have a problem with anyone who chooses to do these things. After all, scripture tells us the prudent person prepares for a time of crisis. I think of the patriarch Joseph, who wisely spent seven years preparing for a prophesied famine. But there is a problem underlying such approaches to the coming chaos. Indeed, if there is one thing God despises, it is when his children face the future with fear. It angers him to see believers panicking, stockpiling, hoarding, hiding—in fear and distrust of our heavenly father's care. Of course, God often hides his people in times of chaos. Jesus himself warned the citizens of Jerusalem to flee when they saw the Chaldeans approaching. And God has been faithful to hide persecuted Christians throughout history. In this century, he hid many Jews during Hitler's awful purges, often using Christians to do so. The Hiding Place is a wonderful, modern-day story of God's keeping power in this regard. Yet I believe it is much more important today for American Christians to focus on spiritual preparation—or, spiritual "hiding"—before the coming storm hits. Let me tell you why. The Coming Chaos Is Going To Open to the Church Ministry Opportunities Beyond Any We've Ever Seen! If you've studied the history of revivals in America, you may know about the "laymen's revival" of the 1850s. It began in a church in downtown New York City. A lay Christian started a noon prayer meeting at the church, and right away the sanctuary was filled. Moreover, the meetings were marked by fervent praying and weeping. Why did these meetings draw great crowds in such a short time? It was because most of those in attendance were the suddenly unemployed — panic-stricken workers and businessmen who'd lost their jobs overnight because of a stock-market crash. At that time, there was no societal safety net in place — no Social Security, no unemployment checks, no insurance. These out-of-work men were afraid — so they turned to prayer. Most churches in New York City at the time had abandoned any prayer meetings. But soon they had to open their doors again, due to the many requests from troubled people who had no one to turn to. Likewise, in the chaotic days ahead, multitudes of Americans will be driven to prayer out of sheer desperation. Here at Times Square Church, we're preparing to hold prayer meetings every day of the week. I believe that when the coming storm hits with full fury, and the nation is reeling with panic and fear, people will flee all false gospels and feel-good churches. Christians will forget about gospel entertainment and Christian TV, and they'll start demanding hard truth. They'll flock to hear godly pastors, demanding the true word of God. Their cry will be, "Who will preach to us a prophetic, life-changing word?" I've been asked many times, "Do you believe we'll see a great revival in these last days—especially during the hard times you say are coming?" Yes, you can be sure a great revival is coming. But it won't be what we think of as revival today. No one will be laughing or making animal noises in that fierce day of reckoning. No, the only kind of revival that will meet the needs of this society—shaken to its core with fear and terror—will be a revival of Holy Ghost-sent truth! God's Answer to Every Apostasy, Crisis, Turmoil and Chaotic Time Is Always This: A Fresh Revelation of the Risen Christ! When the Holy Ghost moves in, what will be the manifestations of his work? Jesus identified the ministry of the Holy Spirit as follows: "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." (16:13). Jesus says the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth—and he bears witness only to truth. He won't bear witness to any erroneous gospel or fleshly manifestation. He is wedded to the cross—to the gospel of grace that teaches us to forsake iniquity. And he will bear witness to the truth that emanates from Christ's work on the cross. Sadly, many charismatic Christians today talk much about being Spirit-filled—but they are totally bankrupt of truth. They're not intimate with Christ—and so they don't know how to draw on his strength in truth. They don't tremble at the truth of his word. They don't know how to walk in his resurrection power or live wholly dependent on him. Instead, they twist, manipulate and misinterpret his word to accommodate their flesh. Jesus said we are not to tremble in fear at the awful things coming upon our nation. But we are to tremble in holy reverence for God's word: "...to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isaiah 66:2). Samson Represents Ministries And Ministers Who Revel in The Holy Spirit's Power—But Who Lightly Esteem the Spirit of Truth! Samson was a man wholly unprepared for the crisis his generation suffered. He misused his gifts and squandered the power the Holy Spirit gave him. And I believe his failure and fall are a lesson meant especially for the church in these last days. When Samson was born, Israel was poverty-stricken, in bondage and deep affliction, because "the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..." (Judges 3:7). But God raised up Samson to be a deliverer in this time of ruin and despair. Scripture tells us, "The Spirit of the Lord began to move him..." (13:25) at a young age. The Hebrew word for "move" here means "a regular stirring." In other words, God's Spirit stirred Samson continually. Indeed, Samson was called from birth to be a Nazarite. The word "Nazarite" means "to separate, consecrate, abstain." In short, Samson was appointed to lead a holy, separated life—never cutting his hair, never drinking wine or any intoxicating beverage, never going near a dead body, even if it was that of a close relative. He was being set apart for use by the Holy Spirit, and therefore he was to be a totally consecrated vessel. We know the Holy Spirit moved on Samson long before he began his ministry to Israel. Yet how did the Spirit manifest himself in Samson? Peter tells us, "...holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter I:21). Whatever physical manifestations occurred in the Old Testament, they were always accompanied by God's Spirit speaking in and through people. As the Holy Ghost moved on Samson, the Spirit surely confirmed to him the word he was taught in childhood. And the Spirit's stirrings constantly reminded Samson that the secret to his power lay in his total dependency on the Lord. Only through the Holy Ghost would he be able to remain separated and to keep his eyes on his calling. The fact is, God would never send out a man to do a needed work of power without first teaching him the manner in which the Spirit would work upon him. So Samson knew full well he had to stay under the covering of the Spirit of truth—remaining consecrated and abstaining from wickedness—in order to minister the Spirit's power. Yet we know from Samson's life he had a driving lust—an overwhelming passion for "strange" women. He first had a relationship with a forbidden Canaanite, then with a harlot in Gaza and finally with the prostitute Delilah. Simply put, Samson had a terrible sexual addiction. Of course, the Holy Ghost was fully aware of Samson's propensity to lust. And as the Spirit stirred Samson, he would have made known to him the truth Paul would express in the New Testament: "...if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Romans 8:13). God's Spirit always speaks to people troubled by sin, urging them, "Trust in me! I'll show you the way to overcoming victory." Samson had access to all the power of the Holy Spirit to lead a holy life. But he ignored the Spirit's voice. And he made this his first mission: "Samson...saw a woman in Timnath...and told his father and his mother...get her for me..." (Judaes 14:1-2). Samson Dared to Use the Power of the Holy Ghost Without Submission to the Spirit of Truth—and the Result Was Mere Theatrics! Like Satan, Samson "...abode not in the truth..." (John 8:44). And anyone who dares to use the Holy Ghost's power apart from his truth will end up performing only theatrics. When Samson visited the harlot in Gaza, the Gazites fenced him in and waited to capture him. Then something supernatural happened: "Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron," (Judges 16:3). What a feat of strength! Samson's act was without doubt a demonstration of supernatural power. Yet, in truth, it amounted to nothing more than theatrics. It was played out before a sleeping city of unconcerned heathen—with no victory won, no bondages broken, no deliverance wrought. As I read the passage, I wonder, "What was that all about? What was the purpose?" Likewise today, many so-called revivals are played out before a world that remains untouched and unaffected by such demonstrations. You see, whenever the Spirit of truth does not receive preeminence, all displays of supernatural power—signs, wonders, manifestations—end up being empty theatrics. You may ask, "But, Brother Dave—don't you believe in manifestations by the Spirit?" I surely do. But if any manifestation is not founded on the Spirit of truth, its power is to no avail. Only the truth sets souls free! Think of how little Samson accomplished in his ministry by all his demonstrations of power to no real purpose: He killed a lion with his bare hands. He trapped 300 foxes and tied their tails together. He burned down some fields and fruit trees. Yet no one was delivered by any of these acts. The tragic fact of Samson's life is clear: He totally failed in his mission. After twenty years of his ministry, Israel was in as great a bondage as when Samson started. Saul is another example of this. He was "slain by the Spirit," lay prostrate before God and prophesied. But in the end, it was all theatrics. Why? Saul had no change of heart. All those manifestations were wasted, because Saul wouldn't subject himself to the Spirit of truth. To use Paul's phrase, Saul was "destitute of the truth" (1 Timothy 6:5). Beloved, the power of the Holy Ghost rests in God's word — indeed, in his cross: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). Many pastors and evangelists today have no interest in seeking the Spirit of truth. They think they can call on the Holy Ghost at any time to come down and sweep away all the powers of hell. But these people won't be prepared for the dark times that are coming! The only manifestations we'll see when the storm hits will be men and women falling to their knees in awe and fear of God's word. They'll be slain by the piercing, convicting, soul-cleansing preaching that comes from the Spirit of truth! God Knows What Is Coming—And He Knows the Exact Hour When America's Chastening Will Begin! The Lord already knows how people will react to the coming storm. They'll be panic-stricken and full of fear. After all, Jesus warned that a time would come that's so frightening, people's hearts would fail due to the fear and stress. Yet even in exercising his judgment, God always extends his tender mercy. He works far ahead of time, making plans for his people and stirring his true shepherds. Indeed, today—while most of America focuses on its prosperity—God is waking a holy remnant in the church. These saints are on their faces, seeking him with all their strength and crying out for a true word from the Spirit of truth. And I believe the Spirit is revealing Christ to them with a glory beyond that of any past generation! In recent months, our ministry has received hundreds of letters from pastors and believers who are repulsed by most of what they see in the church: hype, foolishness, entertainment, shallow preaching. They're crying out, "Enough! We're tired of seeing our pastors go to conventions and return only to introduce some new gimmick. We're sick of seeing the flesh accommodated. We're hungry for truth! We want to hear preaching that convicts us and challenges us to holiness and prayer." Believer, you can rest assured—in the coming days of calamity, the true revival won't come through showboating, big-time preachers or TV evangelists. It won't come through prosperity teachings or other doctrines of false security. No—God's revival will come through a hidden company of pastors and lay people who have been in the school of Christ, learning his ways and trusting in him. These will lead a revival of truth! I believe we're already seeing signs of the Spirit's work as he breaks up the fallow ground in America in preparation for this revival. The Op Ed page of the New York Times, May 24, 1998, featured an article titled "Coming—the Most Religious Century." The article reported the following: Norman Mailer, the renowned pagan and liberal writer, has declared, "Religion, to me, is now the last frontier." Vaclav Havel, the famous Czech writer and leader, calls America "the most atheistic society in the history of the world." Yet both he and Mailer agree that our nation is on the brink of the most religious period in its history. Most amazing of all, Mailer and Havel are predicting a return not just to any religion, but specifically to Judaism and Christianity. They predict even scientists will yearn for faith. Of course, they're right—the age of reason and science has failed to satisfy humanity's need for peace. Socialism has failed...communism has failed...politics has failed...the new age has failed. And now even the most successful people in our society are crying out, "There has to be more to life than this!" Yet not everyone is going to want truth. Many will turn to unbridled lust. Indeed, our society could see Sodom replayed a hundred times over. But as our nation poises on the brink of chaos, many Americans will begin to seek truth, answers, life. As for me, I want to face the coming times as "...a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). I believe that's the way we're to prepare for the days ahead—by girding our loins with truth (see Ephesians 6:14). I urge you: Ask the Lord to prepare you—his way—for the day America's golden calf comes down. Seek his Spirit of truth in your secret closet. Learn to recognize his voice above all the worldly clamor going on in his church. Then you'll truly be prepared to face the coming storm!
Much truth in this prophecy, especially the aspect of spiritual preparation. The Lord loves all his children and will prepare them according to their ability to hear. Though being Catholic doesn't guarantee a lstening ear, it does provide one with the greatest arsenal of spiritual tools and weapons. For that I am eternally grateful. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us!
I loved David's books. Its true as Sean says that the key is spiritual rather than physical preparation. http://www.cgmusic.com/cghymnal/others/ ... efirst.htm
Padraig, Have you read Wilkerson's 1973 book 'The Vision'? I found a brief synopsis on the internet - it looks interesting reading. It appears he was given a vision of future society: ‘The Vision’ [1973] In 1973, Wilkerson published a book called The Vision that detailed his prophetic visions regarding the future of the United States. Wilkerson believed that God had revealed to him a great calamity which was going to befall America due to increase in sins such as homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, and greed. Some of the details of this 1973 vision were: There is a coming worldwide economic confusion. It will strike Europe, Japan and the US, then all other nations. There are lean years ahead. There will be a move toward a worldwide, unified monetary system. (This was years before the Euro -- every European nation had its own system). Floods, hurricanes and tornadoes will increase in frequency. There will be a fall in moral conduct. Topless women will appear on television, followed by full nudity (something that had never been done in 1973) Adult, X rated movies will be shown on cable television. There will be an acceptance of homosexuality, and the church will even say that it is a God-given gift. (Homosexuality was still studied under "abnormal psychology" by psychologists of 1973). There will be a new drug that will be popular with teenagers that will break down resistance and will encourage sexual activity. Homosexual and lesbian ministers will be ordained and this will be heralded as a new breed of pioneer. There will be a spiritual awakening behind the Iron and Bamboo Curtains. He also predicted a nuclear bomb going off in New York City.
To be honest, Garabandal I find it hard to read Protestant prophesy. He is a very good holy man, but its so hard to even sort out the wheat from the chaff even in Catholic prophesy. The best thing about Catholic prophesy is that we have the Church to help us distinguish whats what. But he certainly seemed right here. Its funny you hear New York mentioned again and again and again.
There is no doubt that the extremist Muslims hate New York. They don't like the Vatican/Rome either so we should pray for both cities.
Waterford going out of business? I don't know why but when I saw that Waterford was threatened and was going out of business it shocked me. It's been an established, cherished business for centuries. When I visited I met some of the people who worked there and my heart breaks for what is happening. This fragile situation scares me for the rest of Ireland's economy. http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news ... -waterford
Waterford Crystal is only really the tip of the iceberg. As the weeks progress, I have a feeling that many more large industries will go into administration. Dell, in Limerick, which employs well over 2,000 jobs, is also on its last legs.
Seems like prices are going down. In December, gas was hovering about $1.50 per gallon, as compared to the $4.00 range earlier in 2008. It's still below the $2.00 mark. Oil companies are drastically cutting production. Gas, cars, houses, electronic goods, clothing . . . seems like many prices are taking huge tumbles . . . companies are clearing out their inventories. Car companies are doing temporary shutting downs, stopping production for weeks at a time. Some, of course, or shutting down for good. The goal is to cut production. Once the warehouses emptied . . . the price of everything will go up, and I'm thinking we'll see inflation like we've never seen before. It will be such that families who are already suffering huge wage losses won't will barely be able to afford basic food, transportation and housing. Scary, scary, stuff.
