Countdown to the Kingdom

I hope so and can't wait..

 

Yes we must be careful with all these messages--easy to be deceived.

 

Thank you, Christy! I will circulate this to those who need to read it.

 

About time. Good bishop, who listened to souls who had many concerns re Fr Rodrique and did it within a year. A bishop of tuam diocese, who took years to make a decision on c Gallagher as it cost souls in terms of spiritual damage.

So a good bishop that he who spelt it very clearly in public and also decisive action as well.

Bishop letter revealed that fr Rodrique wasn't honest with him. Priests are supposed to be honest and truthful.

 

The bishop did not say that he judges it with the Church authority that it is false, just that he disagrees right? Although no one should spread the prophecies for the sake of obedience, he still not has condemned them using his apostolic power. This may seem like nitpicking, but I find it curious.

We already see the Vatican has approved a new missal in Italy where we ask God not to abandon us to temptation and claim to bless all men, not just men of good will. Until the bishop uses his apostolic authority, I remain to the possibility that the prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes.

 

God help and direct the Bishop and Father R.

Hopefully this decision will not make people sit back and become complacent with regard to their spiritual health and wellbeing. There are a whole lot of people out there warning us we are in a time of Testing, so we must continue to Pray, Hope and Not Worry. Keep Watch and Pray.

I certainly will keep Father Michael and his Bishop in my prayers, God keep them safely under His Mighty Wing.

 

Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes. Approved Church prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes.
And yes, pray.

 

Of far greater concern to me is what the Pope is planning to sign in Assisi 3rd October 2020. I wonder if the Roman Catholic Church is about to be signed over to another master not of the Catholic Faith.

A poor Priest sharing his belief that we could be facing a crisis in Faith by the end of this year can be ignored without detriment to our Faith as long as we aim to remain in the state of grace; but what the Vatican overlords decide could put us all in serious risk for our wellbeing and Redemption. IMHO

 

The full text. This sounds pretty authoritative to me, "total disavowal," "to warn fragile Christians," and "anguish rising among many."

An open letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Amos and to all those in search of the truth.

Amos, September 3, 2020
Subject: Disallowance of Father Michel Rodrigue‘s messages and prophecies

Brothers and sisters,
Father Michel Rodrigue arrived in the Diocese of Amos on August 1, 2011. We had met before, in May 2011, a month after I became Bishop of Amos. He had explained to me his plan to found, in our diocese, the Apostolic Fraternity of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre. It would have three branches and would be dedicated to the new evangelization in the hope of giving more life to small parishes. I welcomed it with confidence and hope. During the first five years, he was pastor of the two parishes of Amos and was also responsible for the formation and accompaniment of the members of the Fraternity: young men to become priests, female consecrated women and couples. At that time, we had frequent and very good exchanges.In 2016, at the request of Father Michel Rodrigue, I agreed to release him from the parish priest hood of Amos and entrusted him with three small parishes, including St–Dominique–du–Rosaire where the Fraternity had already bought land. From the beginning, in order to have a Sunday free and despite the distance to be covered, Father Rodrigue organized the programming of Sunday masses, on the same Sunday, for his three parishes. This allowed him to have about ten consecutive days to dedicate himself to the formation of the members of the Fraternity and to other activities, such as parish retreats and others. Beginning in 2017, on several occasions, Father Rodrigue went to the United States to preach retreats; in 2019, the frequency became greater.

On March 25, 2020, while we were on a Covid–19 break, the Countdown to the Kingdom website posted eight lectures given in California by Father Michel Rodrigue in November 2019. He is presented as the “Apostle of the End Times” and an official exorcist of the Church. I would like to make it clear that he was never appointed official exorcist of the Diocese of Amos.

In the presentation of Father Michel Rodrigue, on the aforementioned website, appeared this statement: “Fr. Michel Rodrigue receives the full support of his bishop, and all of his locutions and visions are submitted to his local ordinary for approval”. Indignant and shocked, I wrote this to Father Rodrigue on April 21, 2020:

450, Rue Principale Nord
Amos (Québec) Canada J9T 2M1 Tél. 819–732–6515 Poste 201 Téléc. 819–732–7994
eveque@diocese–amos.org

I am extremely shocked and I feel betrayed by these remarks, since I never approved of them. I therefore ask you to correct this falsehood on the aforementioned site. I also want to be informed how and when this will be done. I want to make it clear that I absolutely disagree with the prophecies of you on the aforementioned site (Ex. Warning, days of darkness, Era of peace, punishment, World War III (nuclear war in 2020), construction of shelters, etc.). This is what I intend to answer to the people who have asked me.

As I requested, corrections have been made on the aforementioned site. Unfortunately, the false statement is still present in Christine Watkins' book "The Warning: Testimonies and Prophecies of the Illumination of Conscience" (pages 278 and 280)

Today, September 3, 2020, more than four months later, I am making this statement public because I see that anguish is rising among many people who share Father Rodrigue‘s messages and prophecies. My Vicar General, Father Raymond Martel, devotes a lot of time to responding to e–mails from the four corners of the world, as well as phone calls from worried people.

To this total disavowal of Father Michel Rodrigue‘s messages and prophecies, I add that I withdraw my support and that of the Diocese of Amos from the Studium Saint–Joseph, founded in 2015 by Fathers Michel Rodrigue and Simon Dufour. This Studium, of which Father Rodrigue is the rector, had as its goal to give theological training in Abitibi, a region far from the major centers.

Finally, I would like to inform you that, since June 30, 2020, Father Michel Rodrigue‘s residence on our territory has become his only link with the Diocese of Amos. He has renounced his pastoral charge as pastor of the three parishes that I had entrusted to him. He also renounced his member ship in the Presbyteral Council and the College of consultors. He also retired as an active priest in the diocese. He remains an incardinated priest in the Diocese of Hearst–Moosonee, Ontario. At this time, postal mail is our only means of communication with him.

This is the light that must be shed to remove doubts and questions about the position of the Bishop of the Diocese of Amos and to warn fragile Christians. I invite you to reread the words of Jesus, quoted by Saint Luke: “Take heed that you not be deceived” (Lk 21:8; cf. Mt 24:4ff and Mk 13:32). Let us abandon ourselves to the divine Mercy of our God, from whom all comfort comes. May the Holy Spirit drive away from us all sickly fears and anxieties. May this prayer to Mary sustain and reassure us: “Under the shelter of your mercy, we take refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our prayers when we are in the trial, but from all dangers always deliver us, glorious and blessed Virgin.”

Trust and peace to all!

(SEAL) GILLES LEMAY EVEQUE DU DIOCESE D'AMOS

450, Rue Principale Nord
+ Gilles Lemay
Bishop of Amos
Amos (Québec) Canada J9T 2M1
Tél. 819–732–6515 Poste 201 Téléc. 819–732–7994
eveque@diocese-amos.org

 

I'd say this letter puts "paid" on Fr Roderigue's account so to speak. We are in a time of many suspect locutions and apparitions. They are proliferating at a great rate. Many designed perhaps to get us to ignore the real events when they occur. Thank God for a bishop who takes his shepherding seriously.

 

https://www.countdowntothekingdom.com/on-bishop-lemays-open-letter-of-september-3rd/

On Bishop Lemay’s Open Letter of September 3rd
On September 3rd, 2020, Bishop Lemay of the Diocese of Amos published an “open letter” related to Fr. Michel Rodrigue.

Unfortunately, Dr. Mark Miravalle’s “Mother of All Peoples” Apostolate has already misleadingly promoted this document with the headline: “BREAKING NEWS: Disallowance of Fr. Michel Rodrigue’s Messages and Prophecies From His Bishop.”

Within the space of this short headline, two errors are being promoted:1) that Fr. Michel’s messages have been “disallowed,” [1] and 2) That this “disallowance” (which appears nowhere within the body of the letter itself) comes from Fr. Michel’s Bishop.

In fact, the September 3rd open letter includes nothing new relevant to the status of Fr. Michel’s messages. Bishop Lemay already publicly made his complete disagreement with Fr. Michel’s messages clear months ago, and as with the earlier communications, the present letter does not constitute a constat de non supernaturalitate. That fact that Bishop Lemay has now used the word “disavow” instead of the phrase “do not support” in relation to Fr. Michel’s messages is not canonically significant, nor does this personal disavowal constitute a formal condemnation (which, if one were to be promulgated, we would immediately obey by removing Fr. Michel’s messages from this website). It should also be noted that the Fraternité Apostolique Saint Benoît-Joseph Labre (the Fraternity of St. Benedict Joseph Labre), founded by Fr. Michel (who serves as its superior general) remains in good standing with the Church.

As Daniel O’Connor alluded to in his response to Dr. Miravalle’s negative judgement of Fr. Michel — and as Bishop Lemay has now made public in this September 3rd letter — Bishop Lemay “absolutely” disagrees with prophecies of the Warning, the Three Days of Darkness, the Chastisements, and the Era of Peace. It is, therefore, unsurprising that an individual who disagrees with the reality of such things — events prophesied by countless approved revelations — would likewise disavow Fr. Michel’s messages.

Furthermore, the very letter now being promoted by Dr. Miravalle under the aforementioned misleading headline — claiming that Fr. Michel’s messages have been disallowed by “his” Bishop — contradicts this claim, as within it Bishop Lemay writes that, “Father Michel Rodrigue’s residence on our territory has become his only link with the Diocese of Amos. … He remains an incardinated priest in the Diocese of Hearst-Moosonee, Ontario.”

Therefore, while Fr. Michel was exercising public ministry within the Diocese of Amos from 2011 to June 2020, Bishop Lemay was indeed “Fr. Michel’s Bishop,” insofar as each Bishop’s jurisdiction extends to all that transpires within the borders of his diocese and he is responsible for governing the same. However, it appears that even within this time period, no excardination (i.e. official transfer) to the Diocese of Amos occurred in Fr. Michel’s case. Moreover, as of the recent cessation of Fr. Michel’s public ministry within the Diocese of Amos, it is no longer accurate to refer to Bishop Lemay singularly as “Fr. Michel’s Bishop.” Instead, the Bishop of the Diocese of Hearst-Moosonee — not Bishop Lemay — is currently to be considered the competent ecclesiastical authority in matters pertaining to Fr. Michel that are outside of the Diocese of Amos. And this bishop has certainly not, as of this writing, issued a formal condemnation of Fr. Michel’s messages.

The miscommunications regarding the two claims made — i.e.that Fr. Michel “enjoys the full support of his Bishop” and is an “official exorcist of the Church” are indeed unfortunate. However, it is not true — as Bishop Lemay states in his September 3rd letter — that the former claim still exists in Christine Watkins’ book, The Warning. The present edition of the book (which, incidentally, bears the Church’s Imprimatur) does not contain this claim. In Mrs. Watkins’ defense, such support certainly did seem apparent before its explicit public negation on April 23rd, 2020. Among other examples, we have the case of Bishop Lemay’s June 17, 2015 letter, in which he wrote that “Fr. Joseph-Simon Dufour as well as Fr. Michel Rodrigue, given their prior Seminary and theological Faculty professorial experience, have my support and complete trust…” The official document from Bishop Lemay that contains this claim in the original French may be found here.

Regarding the latter claim, it seems clear that Fr. Michel has performed exorcisms with the blessing of the Church. We are not yet certain where the misunderstanding arose in the origin of the claim that he operates as an “official” exorcist of the Church, even though we now know he apparently was not designated to this position within the Diocese of Amos during the last decade. Perhaps he was appointed to this position before arriving in Amos. Perhaps, even if he never was appointed an exorcist on a stable basis, he nevertheless was among the many priests often formally summoned for the task and given the appropriate Church mandate on a case-by-case basis (which, in fact, often occurs). As the Code of Canon Law does not presently require each diocese to have an official exorcist (and many dioceses do not have one), the need to perform an exorcism must be fulfilled, in such cases, by a priest given the mandate to do so while nevertheless not being an officially diocesan-appointed exorcist on a steady basis. (The new Rite of Exorcism, promulgated by the Church in 1999, expressly allows for this.)

It is still not clear how to properly understand the disconnect between Fr. Michel’s claim that he “shares everything [i.e. his messages] with his Bishop” and Bishop Lemay’s claim no such sharing occurred. No one should rashly judge, based on this disparity alone, that either priest is necessarily lying. Perhaps the messages were sent to Bishop Lemay, but never arrived. Perhaps, as often happens with the correspondence of those deluged with it, the messages became lost in the mix. Perhaps they were even intercepted. [2] In any event, while we do not have all the answers, we do not presently see any of the unfortunate uncertainty regarding the proper explanations for these conundrums as cause for even now outright rejecting Fr. Michel and his messages.

We conclude by reiterating our total obedience to the Church in accord with the Disclaimer that has been prominently posed on this website from its beginning. Total obedience to the Church, however, does not include the duty to passively submit to every Bishop’s opinion on all matters, nor does it mandate treating their personal negative opinions as formal condemnations. While we continue to discern Fr. Michel’s messages and take a “wait and see” approach to his prophecies — and invite our readers to do the same — we will be preserving them on Countdown to the Kingdom in the absence of compelling reasons to do otherwise. We are not persuaded that such compelling reasons have been given. There still has been no formal condemnation. Learned theologians have now put great effort into writing lengthy critiques of Fr. Michel’s messages in an attempt to undermine them from a theological standpoint, and have failed to produce anything convincing. Calumnious gossip and unfounded accusations have been widely circulating online without any objective serious moral fault or psychological instability on Fr. Michel’s part being conclusively demonstrated. While some people, sadly, are apparently finding themselves afraid due to the contents of Fr. Michel’s prophecies (as is the case even with the many fully approved prophetic revelations that speak of impending Chastisements), the utterly overwhelming majority of feedback from those touched by Fr. Michel and his message expresses abundant positive spiritual fruits in their lives; in particular conversions, vocations to religious life, renewed faith, hope, and joy. Prophetic warnings of future calamities exist within Our Lord’s own words in the Gospels, and have continued throughout Church history to this present day. A dire prophecy does not make it false; it merely suggests the gravity of sin at a particular period of time and the urgency for sincere conversion. It is not up to the seer to edit Heaven’s words based on the possibility of hurting other’s sensitivities, but upon the faithful to respond to such messages with faithful obedience and courage.

Will the details of what Fr. Michel prophesies for the coming times transpire? Time will tell. In the meantime, let us take Fr. Michel’s advice by praying the Rosary, going to Confession, and consecrating ourselves to the Holy Family.

References

1. ↑ Despite the Open Letter’s own subject line, the content of the letter itself contains no actual disallowance — i.e. no condemnation — of Fr. Michel’s messages.
2. ↑ It is worth noting that the same dynamic exists regarding the famous “Five Dubia” presented to Pope Francis. Cardinal Burke claims he delivered them directly to Pope Francis’ residence long before their being made public. Pope Francis claims he first learned of them on the news. It is not likely that either is lying. It is much more likely that they were intercepted by someone around Pope Francis.

 

I believe it is, however, I hope that Desmond Birch is correct.

 

I agree AED...
Many of us feel something is imminent, but we are warned against the onslaught of false prophets. Discernment is so important. I’m certainly capable of being fooled so I don’t criticize others. I think it may get increasingly harder to vet them because they can appear very holy. That is why we need everyone to share to good and the not so good facts. We all need to be objective. Very difficult sometimes....

 

Absolutely correct.

So, Julia, let me ask you, if I may, in regards to Fr. Rodrigue, he is still a priest, right? Just not a priest of the Diocese of Amos. He was retired. Except for the fact that he lives in the Bishop's diocese, presumably on the premises of his Lay Fraternity, there is no other connection, and Bishop Lemay is no longer responsible as Bishop for Father Rodrigue.

Also, from reading Bishop Lemay's letter, which was fairly much a recapitulation of his previous communications about Father Rodrigue, not much was new, other than expanding on his reasons for retiring Father Rodrigue, and sharing how he felt about the whole thing. Please correct me if I misunderstood. The Bishop, did not use his power as Bishop to officially condemn what Father Rodrigue's prophecies?

What a mess. I agree with those of you who say we must pray for Bishop Lemay, his decision must have been very difficult, and most especially for Father Rodrigue, he must be suffering a great deal.

 

Hello Thomas21, and welcome. In response to your question. From the letter, Bishop Lemay, did not say that he had used his authority as Bishop, when he was Bishop over Father Rodrigue, to say that Father's prophecies were false. He reiterated that he was not informed of these before reading it at the CTTK, and that he had not approved these prophecies, and that he did not believe in these. That is what we know right now. There may be more, later.

 

So, Booklady, when did Bishop Fellay get involved in this?!

Of course Bishop Lemay is speaking as bishop of the diocese of Amos in this letter, not as Giles Lemay. He is acting in an official capacity, reporting on action taken, instructing the faithful, and comforting the doubtful and the "fragile."

This is the light that must be shed to remove doubts and questions about the position of the Bishop of the Diocese of Amos and to warn fragile Christians. I invite you to reread the words of Jesus, quoted by Saint Luke: “Take heed that you not be deceived” (Lk 21:8; cf. Mt 24:4ff and Mk 13:32). Let us abandon ourselves to the divine Mercy of our God, from whom all comfort comes. May the Holy Spirit drive away from us all sickly fears and anxieties. May this prayer to Mary sustain and reassure us: “Under the shelter of your mercy, we take refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our prayers when we are in the trial, but from all dangers always deliver us, glorious and blessed Virgin.”

 

While still leaving open a lot of questions re: the basis for this rather exaggerated action taken by this Bishop of Amos, Bishop Lemay, the priest himself hasn't been able to communicate anything or correct anything. So the rumors still spread along with the confusion about "what really took place" in this decision.

What is clear though in this open letter (I agree w/ CTTK assessment that it doesn't really change any of the basics from earlier communication except that the poor, upset faithful the Bishop emphasizes as so very needy, must now also be pretty shocked by the drastic measures he's taken, unless many wanted just such punishment to be meted out) is that, while the Bishop keeps emphasizing his disagreement with the messages they appear to be the only thing he is centering his obviously strong reactive response on......no complaint about anything re: all of the very responsible positions that Fr. M held within the Diocese for years that included teaching and directing at a major level. And yet when does a Bishop's personal dislike of or disbelief in reported mystical experiences and messages constitute any required official study of same within the Church protocol for such grave decisions?

The Bishop doesn't hide the main excuse he gives for ending his association with Fr. M as being that (as has been the same in so many cases of private revelations when it comes to the reaction of the local bishop) there has been an overwhelming questioning about all of this being communicated to his chancery, taking away from the administrative duties of such.

I am making this statement public because I see that anguish is rising among many people who share Father Rodrigue‘s messages and prophecies. My Vicar General, Father Raymond Martel, devotes a lot of time to responding to e–mails from the four corners of the world, as well as phone calls from worried people.

Love this little bit from Daniel O'Conner's response listed in prior comment:
It is not up to the seer to edit Heaven’s words based on the possibility of hurting other’s sensitivities!!!!!!

Now upon whom should this public confusion or cause for "anguish" be placed? All of these experiences over the years appear to have been lived with...until.....a commenter on a blog, for heavens sake, put the Bishop on the spot when he wanted to know just how the Bishop was involved with this unusual priest, Fr. Miguel. Instead of what I would think would be the expected handling of such a matter with the priest under his authority, working things out appropriately, before giving a still to be resolved short reply to a commenter, he begins what has evolved into public division, more confusion, "excitement", and perhaps very unfair disparagement of a good priest. And the priest involved cannot even give his side of the situation? Has be been obedient to some order of silence? No one knows and it can only add more confusion to the actions taken.

So much is still unclear. How will Fr. M relate to his now new Bishop authority over him, being, it would seem, that he will remain at a distance from that diocese? Could this actually free him up while giving the Bishop of Amos what he wanted....that is, just to get the "headache" out of his jurisdiction so he won't be questioned any further about what he doesn't care for, mystical or eschatological communications about present and future time.....and throw it to another? Does the new Bishop know of any of this history....other than what Bishop Lemay might have reported to him? Actually though from what Fr. M has described about his life in the past, and all of what he has had to relate to that seems quite amazing for any human, I doubt if he even cares what people say or any of the over-reaction to him by those who have never even met him, as he knows whatever comes due to all of the alleged plans of heaven for him in these times, has a purpose and he will again suffer whatever comes. He seems to be the only one keeping quiet, and probably due to his continuing obedience.

 

Christy, when you use a straw man fallacy to carry your message, you need to take a breather and tone it down. No where did I state that Bishop Lemay was speaking in any way other than as Bishop of Amos. Peace, sister.

Did Bishop Lemay, in his official capacity as Bishop of Amos, say anything else other than what he had already said in both his earlier email, and now letter, that he did not believe in Father Rodrigue's prophecies? Did he say that he was formally condemning Father Rodrigue's prophecies?

My point to Thomas was that as far as we know, which we do not know all, Bishop did not do so as Bishop of Amos.

 

Christy1983, I don't have a dog in this fight....but you need to take it down a notch...your tone is not wonderful

 

Who REALLY needs to make a public statement at this point in the game and out of Charity for all people is Father Michel Rodrigue. His own statement without anyone as middleman. I see his responsibly as a grave one, considering the content of all his alleged prophecies. People are free to talk about this until the cows come home, but all we’ve really gotten out of all this is armchair speculation: “The bishop means this. Father Michel Rodrigue means that.” And on. And on. Says who? The buck needs to stop where it started. But what are we now told about Father? That he’s shut down most means of communication. ~AN