All those people in that top photograph are only missing pitch forks and torches. It is an incredible self-delusion that possesses them to the effect that this inconceivably complex universe has been put here merely for the purposes of their having a 'good time'. What they think is freedom is nothing more than slavery to their biological drives.
It is Satanic. The worship of the Ancient God Moloch/ Saturn to whom folks sacrificed children and babies
In further pondering over this issue, I think God allowed this in spite of all the prayers, penance etc in order to build up the faith of perhaps people and priests who may have very weak faith and not know it. I realise own faith could do with a boost. My local priest celebrated mass on the referendum day and never mentioned a word about it, not even in the prayers of the faithful, nor had I heard him at anytime previously. In discussion with some of the yessers on the doorsteps, some of them were very angry and when one got into a real discussion it almost always emerged it was to do with the control of the Catholic Church over the years and all the scandals, and all the hurt it has caused and understandably so. Even though I did my best on the doorsteps and elsewhere, I had a niggling feeling we would lose. On the other hand, if we had won, I could see our Churches being attacked and burned (Sorry to hear about yours Josephite, you are in my prayers). I don't think Irish mass goers are ready for this level of hatred yet, I think our own faith needs to develop a little more first, to be able to withstand such an onslaught. I would say all of us have family members who are now in real spiritual danger, so we do need to up our game and make serious reparation for our country. As a person with a disability I have always looked for the shortcut in doing things in life and Our Lady has always been very gracious to me in this regard. She introduced me into living in the Divine Will, and one of the promises Jesus gives if we pray the Hours of the Passion, is that he will give us a soul for each word! And untold graces also. As I mentioned earlier, only a couple of people showed up for adoration last night, whereas in the previous weeks one would struggle to get a seat. And I could feel the sadness of Jesus looking at the empty seats. An image came to me at the time of a beautiful woman and her uncertainty of being loved for who she was, or only for her looks and what others could get from her. Perhaps people were tired etc but this was in a very large town and most people there would be local except for me. Maybe I am being a little hard on people but I did feel broken hearted last night for poor Jesus
They will not tolerate us even when they "win". There is no room for any opposition. http://tapwires.com/2018/05/26/anti...o-urges-thugs-use-same-force-as-at-nazi-rally Antifa Website Calls for Violence Against Upcoming Pro-Life Demo, Urges Thugs Use 'Same Force as at Nazi Rally' Jake Baker · May 26, 2018 · Featured, Elections, Constitution, Left Wing Ideology, Leftist Bullies, Pro-Life Abortion, U.S. News, Crime and justice, Culture, Corrupt Courts By: Cassandra Fairbanks Antifa is calling for violence against a pro-life rally outside Planned Parenthood in Washington next month, urging that peaceful demonstrators should be "met with the same force as a nazi rally or a white power gathering." The group Patriot Prayer has called for a peaceful demonstration outside the Planned Parenthood in Kent on June 9. The group has several speakers lined up to discuss why they believe the organization should be defunded. The organizers have specifically called for those who attend not to harass any women who are going in or out. "We are not there to harass any women coming or going, it is important to remain positive and to spread a good message," the event page reads. Planned Parenthood has a policy which asks that supporters do not stage counter demonstrations, However, arguably the largest Antifa website, It's Going Down, has put out a call to action to treat the rally attendees as if they are Nazis or white supremacists. Those of us who have been watching Antifa counter protests over the past few years know that means violent assaults, vandalism, intimidation, and general chaos. In their call to action , the anonymous Antifa author acknowledged Planned Parenthood's policy of avoiding counter protests, but stated that as anarchists - they do not need to pay attention to that. " Planned Parenthood has a policy in place for supporters to ignore protesters at their sites. As anarchists, we know this is impossible and 'avoidance politics' is a particular brand of leftist cowardice," the call to action states. The website goes on to call on their readers to "crew up" and use force against the peaceful demonstration. "This is a call to crew up, roll tight and organize to obstruct yet another targeted attack by Joey Gibson and his rabble of misogynist frat-boys. If we are to continue to call ourselves anti-fascists, these kinds of gendered attacks must be met with the same force as a nazi rally or a white power gathering." The post goes on to mock the more moderate liberals who oppose political violence and to team up with people who support it. "Anarchists and anti-fascists in the Pacific Northwest have learned over the last year that the broader coalition of liberals and socialists who tend to show up to oppose public gathering of the Right are not friendly to tactics of direct action that stray out of the confines of 'non-violence.' They will provide no safe space or harbor for those of us willing to carry out direct action against this mob of pond scum, so it is imperative that anarchists and anti-fascists alike organize to keep ourselves safe and protected," the website suggests. The founder of Patriot Prayer, Joey Gibson, told the Gateway Pundit that Antifa always calls for violence against their rallies - but that he hasn't actually seen them back it up since August when several thousand people gathered on for a "Rally Against Hate" in response to one of their events. The event was canceled after the city refused to issue a permit, but a handful of bold Trump supporters still showed up. Footage from the scene captured shocking amounts of violence, including a Trump supporter being beaten with pipes and sticks. Gibson explained that Antifa seem to be losing their effectiveness. Members of Patriot Prayer also now open carry. "We will always be prepared, but we will never stand down," Gibson said.
Well said. It starts with us. The big temptation I find is toward bitterness. Not at God but at blinded savage sinful mankind. But then that is me too. I was just such a one until God rescued me. And that came from the prayers of my mother. So the answer is prayer. Prayer with Jesus from the cross:"Father forgive them --they don't know what they do." If my heart is sore I can only imagine the hearts of all faithful Irish Catholics this day. I truly ache for all of you and plead with Our Lady to bring you comfort and strength.
This is so beautifully said BC. Thankyou. I know exactly what you mean about the sadness of Jesus. Once long ago in they heyday of the Charismatic Movement everyone in our parish was hyped and excited praying in tongues and laying on hands and just exulting in the Holy Spirit. I was pondering all of this in my kitchen no less one morning because I had no charisms it seemed. I was looking at the picture of the Sacred Heart over my stove and I heard as clear as anything in a somber sad voice: "how many want My gifts. How few want My Cross." I resolved then and there to try to keep Jesus company with my cross United to His. I have failed in this over and over but I keep trying. I think you are right that we all need more muscular faith for what lies ahead and we are being prepared for it.
It is indeed. And where Moloch is invited in a great satanic stronghold takes over. We have felt this most miserably since 1973. Poor poor Ireland.
garabandal, I hold all of my Irish brethren close to my heart. Here in the USA, there has been a steady erosion of faith that has continued since our embracing contraception and then Roe vs. Wade in 1973. Acceleration has increased since 2001 when we failed to truly repent after the events of 9/11. But for Ireland, though signs were present, it must feel like Ireland has jumped off a cliff into the Sea of Apostasy in such short order, first same-sex unions, and now abortion. Certainly, the priestly scandal facilitated this collapse, but it has taken the form of an earthquake rather than that of steady erosion. I take this as a sign that Our Lady's Triumph is not far off. If one would compare the increasing trials to that of a woman in labor, I believe we have entered the time of a woman's transition: she is fully dilated and with those truly painful contractions, she is about to begin pushing! Remember, the birth means Triumph and the Era of Peace! Lord have mercy! Safe Under Mary's Mantle!
"The worshippers of Moloch weren’t...primitive. They were members of a...civilization, abounding in luxuries. Moloch wasn’t a myth; or...his meal was not a myth. They met...to invoke blessings on their empire by throwing hundreds of their infants into a large furnace.” —GKC
Yes it is important post Irish referendum not to fall into feelings of bitterness or self righteousness because the truth is we are all sinners and all of us without exception fall short of the glory of God. I imagine a good many factors influenced the vote in favour of repeal. For all it’s outward appearances to the contrary, the faith in Ireland was very shallow and not deep. Religious practice had a lot to do with social conformity given the Church’s place in Irish National life. When the question of social conformity loosened, many stopped practicing. Add to this the failure of many Irish priests and bishops to practice what they preached thus exposing the Church to accusations of hypocrisy and robbing it of credibility. There was also a large measure of complacency, a feeling of being able to rest on one’s laurels as the idea seemed to be that Catholicism would always be strong in Ireland. People grew lax. The sheep are being separated from the goats. It is a time of sifting world wide. The apostasy is heartbreaking but not unexpected as Jesus clearly talks of a sifting or separation in scripture. We are in this process. It is painful. The weeds and tires are being exposed causing disruption and discomfort. None of us can afford to be complacent. We may be wheat today, but what of tomorrow? Frank Duff, a great Irish hero of the faith predicted the Irish apostasy as far back as the 1960s. He described a kind of cultural Catholicism at the time. The Church was built on sand not rock. Because when the winds blew, those of television, modern communications, secularism, globalisation, greater access to education etc the house collapsed. Only faith founded on true rock can truly withstand these pressures. Despite its outward appearances of devoutness the practice of the faith in Ireland lacked depth. Perhaps when material poverty, foreign occupation and oppression and widespread suffering people clung to the Church for comfort and a feeling of national tribal identity rather than a deep conviction of Catholic truths. Now that mass poverty and foreign occupation SEEM to have disappeared, people have thrown away the faith, confident that the world can and will give them what they want and feel they need. An entire book could be written I believe on why we are where we are today.
Profound David. Especially "today we are wheat but what of tomorrow?" This is my constant concern in my prayers. To stay faithful. To persevere to the end because I know through sad experience how easy it is to trip and lose the path. America too is awash in cultural Catholicism and apostasy. I suspect the numbers here might fall into that same arc as the vote on Friday. One third of US Catholics take the faith as a deadly serious commitment to the true magisterium. Maybe I am wrong and am willing to be corrected but it sounds about right from what I've seen and read.
In the Old Testament God offered His people a choice. They could choose between blessings or curses. God respects the choice despite not approving of it. The same when the people demanded a king to rule over them. God told them what would happen if they got their wish. The people complained so much God gave them what they wanted. If the people adamantly rejects blessings God will not force them to accept them. The people have drawn down a curse upon themselves. In rejecting God, Ireland and Europe have rejected the blessings and have chosen the curse. The people have rejected life and chosen sterility. God will let them have their way. Life without God ends ultimately in Hell. The people will experience chastisement. The one they have engineered and invented and voted for themselves. And also the one from God. In His unfathomable mercy God’s chastisement will be less painful than the one the people have demanded by their selfishness. The Israelites were led into captivity and held for decades in Egypt and Babylon following their apostasy. What awaits Ireland and the West?
I suddenly , to my surprise tears running down my cheeks as I prayed before mass. I wasn't even thinking about abortion and Ireland. I suppose our hearts have their own quiet thoughts.
...I've said my prayers but not followed this particular thread. So, if I'm ignorant of the facts, forgive me. But.........where was Pope Francis and The Vatican in all of this? I keep up with the news, several times a day, and don't recall hearing anything in terms of The Vatican attempting to sway voters to stay true to their faith. Maybe I'm wrong. I just know that my mom always told me that in 1973 (I was only 8), the church was largely silent in the U.S., when the decision that was Roe V Wade came down the pike.
Article on Sky News about abortion in the UK 98% are for a mental health issue but that doctors allow the abortions and only tick the box for a mental health issue. This is basically abortion on demand. Ireland's voters fell for hook line and sinker. http://news.sky.com/story/why-the-chances-of-change-in-ni-abortion-law-remain-slim-11386927
David, I feel your post is unfair, harsh and shallow. I expect you are like the rest of us reeling from the horror of seeing the signs of the times in the destruction of the 8th Amendment. And maybe you are trying to find a rational view of how it all could have happened, Ireland is not the only country to have lost the faith. Ireland has joined the global apostasy, and really is simply the same as the rest of the world. Your view would indicate the rest of the world built their faith on sand as well, so I don't buy it. Your posts are normally excellent; I think this post must be a senior moment. It is true, we could be seeing a separation of the goats from the sheep. But Ireland deserves respect for the amazing track record she holds for missionary work, and living Jesus request to go out and spread the Good News. India, Africa, Asia, you name it, the Irish went and we see from these countries here in the UK Catholics today whose parents, grandparents were instructed in the faith by Irish Missionaries, and they are still bearing fruit today. Do you know, even Polish people have said to me they historically owe their Catholic Faith to Irish Missionaries. That surprised me (pleasantly). I don't call that building on sand.
