I I Think all of us fall prey to such horror and disgust sometimes we shoot from the hip and say very strong things that later after reflection and prayer we walk back. I've certainly done it myself. We are all a work in progress and God is still sculpting us. Padraig is zealous for God's truth and God's honor. He has in his life suffered for the faith. The Church is our Mother. When she is being savaged an honorable man rises up in wrath to protect and defend her. His passion reminds me of the words from scripture: zeal for your house consumes me. More Athanasius and Nicholas in Padraig I think than in many of us. We are all proceeding as best we can. Prayer for each other is a wonderful charitable thing. I depend on the prayers here and I pray for everyone here every day. One thing we know--we will all laugh about this when we get to heaven. No more looking through the glass darkly. But we shall see clearly then.
I would think it is legitimate to vent frustration about confusion and apparent error. Otherwise, by remaining quiet about it, one might encourage people to accept error. Likewise, I think it entirely fair to condemn in the strongest terms deeds that are scandalous. There have been recent events, for example, to which one could apply no other interpretation. You are correct, if I am reading you correctly, in that we may condemn the errant words and deeds of another, but not judge his person. I do not believe, however, that we are bound to like any particular person. Nobody can know for sure, bar God, the inner character of a person, perhaps not even the person himself. Nevertheless, I for one, am only human, and I at least know that this forum is one that can absorb the venting of frustration through the collective wisdom of its members and can set my reasoning straight if it's in danger of going askew. This applies to us all, and it is comforting to know that there are so many on this forum that can keep me from going astray. Personally, I keep my opinions to myself with my family and most I meet in my daily life because I believe that they are not in a position to handle this stuff. I wouldn't be myself without the help of all on here. Let us keep on guiding one another in the darkness. Some of us will stumble from time to time, it would be incredible if this didn't happen.
In these matters I look to the example of Pope Benedict when head of the CDF. If someone produced a paper that was erroneous, the then Cardinal would point out the error, it's roots and the harm it would do. He however would not bring the authors name in to doubt he would not be rash in his judgments of the person. We must at all cost defend the truth for the church and for souls but do so with prudence and charity.
I will defend Padraig if he says he received something. Time alone will tell. I’m not sure all this judgment against it floating around on this thread is well placed. Imho
I think it a nerve for many here. I personally had a hard time with the post referring to Padraig A &B. Praying to the Holy Spirit for everyone here on this forum.
A meeting I had with my Associate Priest today brought the recommendation, if any of your research bring confusion of any kind or a disquiet heart, put.it.down. Pray and focus elsewhere for the time being. If your fruits are increased prayer and peace, that's GREAT. Yes, I showed him a small selection of my research. He was very pleased when I told him what inspired me to start it and where it has taken me, increased prayer, praying far more for this Pope than any other, etc. He also said he hoped I was praying for HIM too. I assured him I am praying not only for him (my priest) but all priests. At that point we chatted very briefly of the local priest who ended up in secular hot water. All our priests greatly need our prayers for courage in being a current John the Baptist! The priest I heard yesterday encouraged us all to be John the Baptist. Yup, throughout his Homily it occurred to me to include him in my litany.
Our hearts are restless oh God, until they rest in you. We have only entered the first fruits of the war of good vs evil. There is no doubt, God's current pope is confusing on many things, least of which is pandering with globalists, communists and abortionists. We pray, for he is God's pope for the times. It is human nature to critique and criticize every move made by our spiritual leaders, which is not in line with absolute truth. Yet, no one wrote more on relativism and it being the greatest heresy of our times, than did Pope Benedict. So we who are faithful to what holy mother church has always taught are loosing our peace easily. Our antenna's are up, ready to throw stones in which ever direction to try an appease our frustrations. The church is going through its passion and we are only in the garden of Gethsemane where we know the cross is to follow. I don't have all the answers, but one thing I do know is, I will not loose the peace of heart that God desires through it all. We can only carry our cross with love as Jesus did. The apostles split and hid when the founder of the church was arrested. Let's keep that at heart, because we have not even entered the scourging that's coming. Be at peace, as we know who wins. Enter into the garden where we will be shown the way. I am not in position to cut anyone's ear off at this moment. It is night time and we don't see with clarity what God is doing. Much of our journey forward will have to imitate Mary's disposition. Her favorite title is Mother of Sorrows. We have many sorrows coming, as we watch our Lord's beloved church enter its passion, cross, purification before her victory. How many will end up standing with Mary and John at the foot of the cross? We must keep our eyes on the era of peace, like the Israelites had to do to enter their promised land. If we look back, we will fall. Only two who left Egypt for the promised land were allowed to enter: Joshua and Caleb. Over 600,000 started the journey and only two of them entered in. This is our lesson. Keep our eye's not on the past, as the past is fading away. The second Pentecost is at hand. The Holy Spirit will renew that face of God's earth. It's coming!
My priest told me he offered in his Homily yesterday, would that this be the LAST Advent. Meaning we can only HOPE this is the last Advent. I couldn't believe it, after showing him my small sample of info on the Warning, when every knee will bend. Many of us are in communion.
The most extreme cases never make the best examples. Whatever we might think about him, Pope Francis is not a Hitler or Stalin. And it is true...no man alive has the authority to categorically declare that even Joseph Stalin is in Hell. The odds mightn't be great for his cause in Paddy Power's, but we don't have the right to claim certainty, as far as I know.
I remember the nuns when I was a child--preVII--solemnly declaring that the only person we can be sure is in hell besides the fallen Angel's is Judas and even there we have to allow for God's mercy. Fr Leo from EWTN said in one of his little talks "I have seen many actions. I have never seen the motives. We just dont know a person's motives. Only God does." I think we must call out bad actions but be grateful it is God who judges us. Not men.
