With the Government preparing to launch a consultation which could see civil marriage for gay couples legalised before the next General Election, the Right Reverend Mark Davies has branded the proposals “a seismic shift in the foundations of our society”.
“By attempting to redefine marriage for society, politicians will find they have not only undermined the institution of marriage but obscured its identity for generations to come,” he says. Read more
And in case you are wondering about the headline for this discussion, consider the following report, dated 17 February 2012 …
“Anyone challenging the homosexualist agenda in public in Sweden can be sent to prison, and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that this does not constitute any violation of rights. In 2004, the Swedish government charged a group of pamphleteers with “agitation against a national or ethnic group,” a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.” Read the rest of this shocking report and then read what happened to an Anglican leader when he spoke out in defence of marriage.
Now, tell us what you think – if you dare (and while it’s still legal to do so…)
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Please note: a reader in England emailed me news of a dreadful article in a local paper entitled the Shropshire Chronicle but I could not find a link to the article concerned, which is dated 16 February and has the following typically emotional and utterly daft headline:
love is… not governed by any set of rules
by David Burrows(tell that to a wife whose husband abandoned her for a younger model)
It may be that some of you bright sparks will find it online but I’ve given up trying.
In any case, we’re asked to write or email to support Bishop Davies who, predictably, is being savaged for daring to challenge the homosexual campaign to redefine marriage. There’s a Contact Form on the diocesan website or you can write to the following address:
Rt Rev Mark Davies
Bishop of Shrewsbury
Curial Offices
2 Park Road South
Prenton
CH43 4UX -
What I think is that I’m fed up of the gay community calling the shots. I’ve heard that Bishop Mark Davies is very good and even sympathetic to the traditional Latin Mass.
It is dreadful to think he could end up like the Anglican bishop being persecuted and that even to include jail. So much for the court of Human Rights in Europe – more like the court of popular opinion. The sooner we get out of that union the better.
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“Russia will spread her errors” Communism has changed tactics. Instead of overtly promoting their diabolical doctrines, the Marxists have adopted psychopolitics an insidious form which achieves the aims of Socialist Fabianism, incremental steps to destabalise the former Christian mindset using false philosophy which they inculcate in the education system, the legislature, and reinforce in the general public through the maor organs of the mass media. Jail sentences will be used against those who speak out in protest. We shall be put to the test, relying solely on God’s grace to help us cope with the onslought. But, Our Lady shall be victorious for Christ. They are being allowed their time, and shall pay dearly for challenging God. St. Paul understood the enemy’s methods, and his writings fill us with hope and courage.
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+Davies a bishop prepared to stand outside the collegiality of the Conference – were but there were more like him!
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I agree that it is good that Bishop Davies has spoken out but if it’s anything like when Bishop Devine spoke out here, and Cardinal O’Brien quickly spoke out to contradict him over gays teaching in Catholic schools, then he’ll soon be put in his place by Archbishop Vincent Nichols even though he has no authority over the bishop. Neither did O’Brien have any over + Devine but that doesn’t stop them letting the world know they disapprove of such “homophobia”.
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editor,
It seems like you, I too, was unable to find the article in the Shropshire Chronicle. However I did find this article in the Shropshire Star.
There is also this article in the Telegraph of Bishop Davies asking Members of Parliament to rebel over gay marriage.
The problem is that the State wants to keep the separation between it and Chrisitianity as wide as possible. It is no wonder that the Catholic Church is being accused of having homophobic ideas. We are probably in for a dictatorship next.
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Thanks gloria – I’d seen those articles, but it’s useful to have them posted here. Shows the coverage and the hostility to Bishop Davies. That’s the trouble – there are so many counterfeit Catholics who don’t ruffle feathers – bishops included – that when a real one comes along they go crazy.
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Makes such a change to hear of a bishop who has the courage to speak and use his episcopal authority. Usually it’s the spokesperson of the Bishops’ Conference making a bland statement that doesn’t say very much.
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I checked online to see if I could find the original article sent to me by the English reader but still no sign of it. I did find another article by the same hapless journalist, David Burrows, and couldn’t resist firing off a comment underneath which has gone to moderation – doubt very much if it will be published, so here is the link and my comment for your interest, folks.
As you will see, Burrows “remembers” that Jesus’s teachings were all about love and tolerance… My comment follows:
Well, Dave Burrows, you remember wrong. Jesus was not all about “love and tolerance” – he was totally intolerant of sin, and he said “if you love Me, you will keep my Commandments.” He also handed His own authority to teach to His Church: “He that hears you, hears Me… and the One who sent Me.” Not to mention: “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church…”
I can’t find your other article online, the one with the crazy headline along the lines that “love has no rules” (tell that to the woman whose husband runs off with a younger model) but from what I’ve read so far of your writings, you’re not in the right job, darling.
Luv (with no rules) n’ stuff…
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Well, I’m not so sure about him having “courage”. I think it has been pointed out on this blog and in the newsletter at times that bishops do speak out on prolife/marriage issues from time to time, but what about the rest of the stuff? Will Bishop Davies be making sure that the Tablet isn’t sold in his churches, for example, as they are the prime offenders in pushing the gay lifestyle, contraception etc.
Also, in defending marriage, I haven’t seen any of these bishops condemning contraception. Why not? I think they need to go the whole hog and not just pop up every now and then on a topical subject.
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I found this link about today’s saint, but although he is famous for speaking out against homosexuality, they don’t say that in this article. They just say “immorality” among the clergy. Why so shy of telling the truth?
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/monk-reformer-st.-peter-damian-celebrated-feb.-21 -
Margaret Mary,
That’s a really interesting point. I didn’t know that about St Peter Damian. It doesn’t surprise me. Everything has to be sweet and nice and completely PC.
I once went to a paish mission (on Catholic Truth business) and heard the lay person leading the mission say that Our Lady asked for the consecration of the world. Obviously it was politically incorrect to tell the truth and say “Russia”.
Isn’t it awful tht members of the Church play down the virtue of a great saint so they don’t offend sinners??
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Off-topic but please read
There has been mention on various threads in the blog of attempts to obtain publication of letters to the newspapers, usually reporting rejection.
Daphne McCleod has been told that The Catholic Herald will publish on March 2nd an article she has written entitled: “Will your grandchildren be Catholic?”. We all know how important it is that our children are taught the Faith in our Catholic schools – they are our seed corn for tomorrow.
Daphne requests that we write to The Catholic Herald with comments on her article so that the question of the teaching of the Faith in our schools gets highlighted and comes under the spotlight and might even get discussed.
The contact details are:
Editor Luke Coppen
The Catholic Herald
15 Lamb’s Passage
Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8TQe-mail: Luke@CatholicHerald.co.uk
Please make a note of this appeal for action on or after March 2nd.
Thank you and God Bless,
Leprechaun.
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Margaret Mary,
I have Feb. 23 as St. Peter’s feast day – which calendar are you using? Today is St. Severian’s feast day. BTW, here is a good source for the calendar of saints:
http://traditionalcatholic.net/ (see box upper RH corner)
(Didn’t mean to be critical, you are right about the PC modern Church. But think about it: the Missal of Paul VI is itself a prototype of political correctness, since it’s stated purpose is to avoid offending heretics. If the new liturgy bows to human respect instead of to Our Lord, then the rest of the Church will do likewise.)
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I agree with you totally Petrus, that it is nothing short of disgraceful that any Catholic would play down the importance of a saint especially given the way homosexuality is rampant in our society and that is also disgraceful about the consecration being played down. It’s all so unbelievable.
Torkay, I didn’t look at the calendar, i just came across that article on the Catholic News Agency website when I was looking for something else. That’s when I saw their article about St Peter Damian – I didn’t even know he was a Doctor of the Church. He’s obviously been kept quiet about, since he spoke out very strongly against homosexuality in his day. It’s terrible to think that was a problem even then. Thanks for that link to a reliable calender for the saints.
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leprechaun,
Thank you for telling us about Daphne McLeod’s forthcoming article in the Catholic Herald. I’ve taken note.
And if, as I think they do with all articles, they make Daphne’s article a blog, I’ll not only contribute to that discussion but also link it here.
Thanks for alerting us
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Margaret Mary
I think you have hit upon the foundation of the entire disorientation of the Church. It rests on a psychological aspect, namely, that the traditional Catholic religion was no longer effective in the modern world, and therefore had to be re-shaped.
This re-shaping required the Church and the faithful to divest themselves of their Catholic identity and principles, in their place substituting new ideas and ideals that were “broader” and more in keeping with the needs of modern man, and which demonstrated a clearer understanding of him.
Any attempt, therefore, to return to the old Catholic ways is not only seen as embarrassing, but as bad for the Church, and even disobedient.
None of this, of course, is the slightest bit rational or intelligent, neither is it sustained by any facts, but as we know, most everyone has certainly bought into it, because IT IS EASIER TO UNDERSTAND than the supernatural mysteries of our true Faith. The internal enemies of the Church knew this, and that is why they succeeded in their satanic project.
Hilaire Belloc point this out in “The Great Heresies” – they are all based on something easier to understand than the Catholic Faith.
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A reader in Glasgow sent me the following link about a 14 year old girl who received death threats following her comments about traditional marriage…
I then found coverage on a “gay” website, where they make smart alec comments about “prejudice” and homeschooling (Sarah is home-schooled so lacks the usual peer pressure to go along with every politically correct piece of nonsense out there) so I left a comment to point out their double standards: Peter Tatchell, the “gay” activist to out ALL “gay” activistics, campaigns for the lowering of the age of consent to (at least) 14 – if the youngsters are so easily influenced, shouldn’t he be leaving them in peace to mature, to make sure they make their own decisions and are not groomed by homosexuals or bi-sexuals or transgenders or whatever?
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/02/02/maryland-girl-for-my-birthday-ban-gay-marriage/
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I should have added, not only is the new crypto-Catholic Church easier to understand, it also requires a lot less of us. Go to Mass? Hey, whenever I’ve got the time! Go to Confession? Why – isn’t there an absolution during Mass? Fasting and abstinence – I gave up chocolate bars for Lent, what’s your problem? Penance? Mortification? Humility? Pray the Rosary? What are you, my grandmother?
Nope, those crypto-Catholics, they’re lucky, they don’t have much to do for God at all….
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Torkay, you’re a scream.
Here’s another link from the same man in Glasgow, this time that notorious nun from the USA promoting SS marriage.
http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/what-we-do/news-and-updates/nun-promotes-same-sex-marriage-misleads-catholics-in-maryland.html -
NOTICE
I’ve decided to have a spring clean and have decided to sell some books I have duplicate copies of. To prevent this thread from being hijacked, if anyone is interested please email me at peadarsgirl@yahoo.co.uk.
Marcel Lefebvre by Bishop Tissier de Mallerais – £10
Holy Bible – Douay Rheims – pocket size – £10
The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin (baronius) -£10
I Accuse The Council – Archbishop Lefebvre – £5I will post items, but will add postage and packaging.
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Despite Bishop Mark Davies preaching in defence of traditional marriage, those who talk of “gay rights” are certainly not going away. I found this comment in todays issue of Telegraph.
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I agree, gloria, the gay rights movement is here to stay, at least until God intervenes directly. I can’t see anything less making them repent.
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I had not planned to post anything about the death of Paul McBride QC, the top Scots lawyer whose sudden death in Pakistan has been all over the news here this week, until after his funeral.
However, today, I received an email from a “wellwisher” suggesting we may want to discuss the topic now. If you have any comments on this “wellwisher” email and link, then feel free to comment here.
I would remind everyone, however, that Mr McBride’s family is grieving his loss, so I suggest that comments be restricted to generalised comments about the need for us all to pray for a provided (not sudden) death – to which end I urge everyone to make the First Nine Fridays if you have not already done so. The news, too, that Mr Bride had a “partner” named “Gary” will come as a surprise to many. We should all pray very hard for the repose of Paul McBride’s soul, that, somehow, he was touched by the grace of genuine repentance that we would all wish for ourselves at the moment of death.
Email received today, with an introductory remark to the effect that we may wish to discuss the following news report on our blog…
Interesting that he died “Fortified by the rites of the Holy Church….”. Suddenly, alone (?), in a locked hotel room, in a Muslim country? END
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Yes, the news of the sudden death of Paul McBride QC did make me think again about the awful reality that death can come at the most unexpected moment. “Like a thief in the night” suddenly became very real when I read that he had passed away in his sleep.
It is a wonder that he was in a gay partnership yet I don’t remember ever hearing about that. I once heard him interviewed on the radio and him talking about being an former pupil of St Aloysius, but I can’t recall any mention of his partner.
We should all pray for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace.
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It is a sobering thought, isn’t it? We really should keep death not very far from our thoughts. It’s a good opportunity to consider regular Confession. Confession regularly should help us prepare for a holy death. How awful it must be to pass away without the Sacraments. God forbid!
I’m sure how poor Paul McBride could be “Fortified by the Rites” if he was found dead in a hotel room. It must be said, it was very charitable of the Muslim lawyer Aemar Anwar to arrange for a priest to attend to Mr McBride’s body. I don’t think this can count as being “Fortified” though.
It is strange that not much has been said about his “partner”. I hope there’s no mentioned of him during the Requiem!
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I don’t think it is likely that the Muslim lawyer sent for a priest – my guess is that they just put that into death notices automatically “fortified by rites of Holy Church”. I don’t think a Muslim would even know about the need to send for a priest.
Yes, it is a really sobering thought that we can die at any minute, so I agree, regular confessions and the First Nine Fridays should be top of every Catholic’s agenda.
I agree we should also pray for the soul of Paul McBride – if he was living in a gay relationship and receiving the Eucharist (I’m assuming he was a Mass-going Catholic) then he was in spiritual danger. As someone else said, we should pray that he had the privilege of special grace to save him.
Our Lady, help of Christians, pray for him. May he rest in peace.
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