Perhaps there will be some reverberations and "waking up" in the New Age circles too with the recent revelation that Deepak Chopra was closely involved with Epstein. In one of the emails he apparently said that "God is a concept but cute girls are real". It's beyond sad that influential "spiritual" teachers use their image and power to commit all kinds of abuses. I was reminded that the reason I joined the forum (rather than just visiting) was to comment when it came out that Jean Vanier had a shadow side too. I was aware that there had been cases in the so called New Age sphere, who weren't all they seemed - Sogyal Rinpoche, Chogram Trungpa, Bikram (of Hot Yoga fame) and others but the Vanier revelation hit hard, as I had considered him to be one of the "good ones" in the Catholic world and was also associated with Marthe Robin (who not long ago had some question marks raised by one of the Priests who had been investigating her cause for beatification.) It was a sobering lesson and made me very wary of "spiritual" stars of any hue.
Another thing with Epstein is that he made big donations to various Catholic charities and even got an audience with Pope St John Paul. I am afraid to even go there. Who knows? http News What the Epstein emails said about the Vatican Bank Recent releases of data files related to Jeffrey Epstein have revealed his correspondence concerning the Vatican Bank (Institute for Works of Religion or IOR). In a 2013 email to Larry Summers, Epstein suggested that leadership changes at the IOR were more significant than Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. Epstein noted that the Vatican's sovereign status exempts the IOR from transparency rules in Italy and the European Union, allowing elite clients to evade scrutiny. The email referenced the firing of Vatican Bank President Ettore Gotti Tedeschi following an investigation into a bribery scheme. Magisterium AI 4 days ago Summary Epstein's Claims in Newly Released Emails Recent U.S. Department of Justice releases from the Jeffrey Epstein files include a 2013 email where Epstein told economist Larry Summers that a leadership change at the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), known as the Vatican Bank, was more significant than Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.1 Epstein highlighted the Vatican's exemption from Italian and EU transparency rules, enabling elite clients to avoid scrutiny in money transfers.1 He referenced the firing of IOR President Ettore Gotti Tedeschi amid Italian bribery investigations, 47 dossiers on "internal enemies," and Tedeschi's fears of assassination due to knowing Vatican secrets.1 s://www.magisterium.com/pt/catholic-news/what-epstein-emails-bLytqm
I think it is wisdom to maintain detachment from spiritual stars. We are so hungry for God and the supernatural we can fall prey to these superstars. When we put unquestioning faith in these, we are doomed to disappointment. I remember reading Jean Vanier many years ago. Several devout friends were so impressed. I wasn't though I cant tell you why. However I was a huge fan of Father Corapi and what a fall that was. According to Jesse Romero he came back repented and spends all his time in prayer and reparation in a hidden life. Rock star priests are not a good idea. And mystics til proven by the Church are not a good idea either. I think a healthy detachment is very much in order.
Yes. The rabbit hole goes deep. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a short story called Young Goodman Brown about a young man in Salem who went out to the woods out of curiosity to meet " the man in black" who proceeded to tell him about all his servitors---the pastor and the Sunday school teacher and even Brown's own father and all the people of Salem. Brown witnessed their initiation rite and to his horror he saw his own wife Faith in the crowd. He fainted from the horror. When he woke up it was a wet cold morning. When he returned to Salem and saw all the old familiar smiling faces he cringed in horror. Hawthorne says if it was a dream or if it was real did not matter. He never again trusted any of them and died an embittered old man. So either way the devil won. The evil caused Brown to lose his faith exemplified by his wife Faith. A chilling story. I fear this is what the epstrin files are doing to us. To doubt everyone we formerly respected. A terrible misery. Fortunately faith in Christ means we are not surprised but are rather to be ever more vigilant to our own journey and to strive to enter by the narrow gate. At least that's how I see it.
I have a brother who attends a Traditional Church and does a lot of work for them and is friends with them all. But I had to warn him to be a but careful that even traditional priests can sometimes be problematical. I went to one of the priests there for confession and because I had been away camping I had not been to confession for six weeks. When I told him my sins he became outraged and asked me if I thought I was some kind of saint for having so few sins in this time. He was really angry. It was the worst experience in confession I ever had in my life. He turned really nasty and refused me absolution and chased me off..
Well it certainly troubled me! However looking back on it I can see the funny side of it. I went back to him a couple of weeks later and just outside the Church I had an argument with a driver outside when I was parking my car in which I used bad language. I ended up relieved as I had finally something juicy to tell this priest and get him of my back. It did but I never went back to him again.
Agnes, that is strange, I didn't realise it was the anniversary of her death today. I remember reading about a book that was published posthumously by the community of the Priest when they found his manuscript. I had a quick search and found this excellent article from the time it was published in 2020. https://crc-internet.org/further-in...raud-and-rome-s-methodical-heinous-crime.html
It wasn't so much from reading his work (though I did that too) but an impression I had of him from a young age. My uncle was a member of the Brothers of Charity, whose main area of care was for people with intellectual disability. I remember him showing us a photo of some of the Brothers with Jean Vanier, when he visited one of their houses in Galway back in the 70s. They all looked like they were enjoying meeting him and my uncle spoke well of him.
I just finished reading this. Every word. It is so disturbing on so many levels but I am impressed with Father Conrad De Meester's courage in pursuing the truth in the face of so much ecclesiastical pressure in the other direction. It is heartening that the masks do come off. That truth is revealed.
I had a quick search and found this excellent article from the time it was published in 2020. https://crc-internet.org/further-in...raud-and-rome-s-methodical-heinous-crime.html[/QUOTE] It is strange...I only know the date because I was searching for special meanings of the day my daughter died and I saw her on the site Mystics of the Church. I will check it out. Thanks.
Yes, I re-read it after posting the link. I'd forgotten how disturbing it is but it's obvious that Fr. De Meester was very thorough in his investigation. He was originally in favour of Marthe Robin. I didn't read this book but have another of his on St. Therese of Lisieux, called With Empty Hands, which is very good.
[/QUOTE] It is strange...I only know the date because I was searching for special meanings of the day my daughter died and I saw her on the site Mystics of the Church. I will check it out. Thanks.[/QUOTE] Agnes, May your daughter Rest in Peace.
It is strange...I only know the date because I was searching for special meanings of the day my daughter died and I saw her on the site Mystics of the Church. I will check it out. Thanks.[/QUOTE] Agnes, May your daughter Rest in Peace.[/QUOTE] Thank you Dave!!
