This is true David, but we all know it's not just a problem in the press. How many clergy and faithful also bash prophets and speak or write things against them when they don't have a single clue as to what is in the messages. They jump on the bandwagon because others have spoken or written negatively without doing their own discernment. It is one thing not to believe, which is a choice and not something demanded by our Church, but quite another one to actively hound or speak against a prophet without substantial grounds out of what I can only think is the ultimate sin for many, the one for which there is no forgiveness. Where I live, Vassula filled churches 20 years ago when she came. Then some spoke out, including a Cardinal. Groups formed to track and hound her every move, and most faithful dropped her like a hot potato. She can no longer speak in churches, which has meant renting halls that cost a fortune. This has prevented her from speaking in big cities where rental costs are exorbitant. How many people have been converted by seeing the face of our Lord Jesus Christ on this woman and she is prevented from going into Churches! It is so insane. I can only pray that these events on unity, which are monumental and so, so joyful will shake the clergy up and get them to look at the world with their spiritual eyes. They need more prayers to wake up because if they speak positively, it can do a tremendous amount for the faithful.
That is a brilliant post MS, thank you for posting it. This is so true: " Instead, the Church became less disciplined (among other things) and lost its sense of reverence and awe, watered down the truths of the faith in most areas of the world and went about destroying our Catholic culture which upholds truth and compels us to be willing to die for that truth. (which we are given at baptism). There are consequences of appeasement and capitulations: Relativism, Communism, Atheism, naturalism, consumerism, fundamentalism, pluralism, Marxism liberationism, materialism and so many more –ism’s that TAKE US INTO A SPIRITUAL DEATH!"
Michael Brown has an interesting post on this likeness of Padre Pio in the photo of the Pope and Patriarch. I think his conclusion is accurate. Perhaps there is a "natural" explanation to this, but it does seem that most in the secular world, and even those within the Church, always go to a natural answer and never allow themselves to be open to a Mytical or supernatural explanation, which is a shame. http://www.spiritdaily.com/Piopope.htm
I'm sorry if this has been previously posted. It is the Joint Declaration in full: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/201..._of_pope_francis_and_patriarch_kirill/1208117 Praise God! Safe in the Unity of the Holy Spirit!
Marti, In the eyes of the world these small steps seem as nothing, but in the spiritual realm they are earthquakes, bringing down divisions and preparing our hearts and minds for unity! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
“After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death.” - Padre Pio http://padrepiodevotions.org/a-short-biography/
