BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Disinformation

Posted on 15 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The other day I recommended Disinformation: Former Spy Chief Reveals Secret Strategies for Undermining Freedom, Attacking Religion, and Promoting Terrorism by Ronald Rychlak and Lt. Gen. Ion Mihai Pacepa.

Now I want to recommend it warmly.  (UK link HERE)

Rychlak has written about the smearing of Pius XII (e.g., Hitler, the War, and the Pope).  He is a law professor who teaches about evidence.  In this book he teamed up with the guy who ran intelligence for Romanian despot and Soviet thug Nicolae Ceaucescu. Pacepa fled to the West when he was asked to start killing people. He is an expert on the Soviet technique of framing, disinformation, creating false narratives and history. The book exposes the Communist background of seemingly-benign organizations and explains the treatment received by Cardinals Stepinak, Mindszenty and Wysznski and, of course, Pius XII.

As I write, I have finished the section on the way the KGB and Communist agents worked to make sure that the disinformation play to smear Pius XII, The Deputy, was staged on Broadway.

There was a fascinating description of the involvement of the once-Catholic and future-Communist publication Ramparts.  I quote:

While it no longer claimed a Catholic identity, until at least 1969 Ramparts devoted special attention to the Catholic Church. According to former communist and onetime Ramparts editor Peter Collier, Hinckle encouraged articles on “the new spirit of dissent within the Catholic Church being.” Articles from this era opposed Church teaching on sexuality (especially Pope Paul VI’s teaching on birth control in Humanae Vitae), complained about abuse of authority by the Catholic hierarchy, and promoted leftist “liberation” theology. Ramparts religion editor James F. Colaianni identified priestly celibacy, authoritarianism, suppression of socially aware priests, lack of communication, absence of grievance procedures, and summary disciplinary actions as some of the greatest structural problems with the Church. (pp. 145-146 Kindle).

Sound familiar?

This book is a real eye-opener.  The deep connections of one well-known name and publication and organization after another with the KGB and other Communist block intelligence agencies are amazing.  Their methods of infiltration and distortion of truth are astonishing.

You can see how the Left has worked for decades, and how the catholic Left has been influenced.

Need a Kindle?

CLICK ME!

UK HERE

 

Posted in REVIEWS, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , , ,
10 Comments

“If one person smiles at me on the way, I will not jump.” JOY and YOU.

Posted on 15 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I saw this at ITS TACTICAL but I think it comes from the always interesting The Art of Manliness:

It’s the 1970s. A 30-something man makes his way across the Golden Gate Bridge. He’s passed by pedestrians and cyclists, and steps around tourists taking pictures of Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the channel of water below that runs between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. He gazes up at the reddish-orange towers soaring above, and then climbs over the bridge’s four-foot safety railing. He steps out onto a 32-inch wide beam known as “the chord,” pauses, takes one last long look out at the bay, and then jumps. His body plummets 220 feet and violently hits the water at 75 mph. The impact breaks his ribs, snaps his vertebrae, and pulverizes his internal organs and brain. The Coast Guard soon arrives to recover his limp, lifeless body.

When the medical examiner later located and searched the jumper’s sparse apartment, he found a note the man had written and left on his bureau. It read:

“I’m going to walk to the bridge. If one person smiles at me on the way, I will not jump.”

[…]

Food for thought, folks.

I am reminded that Joy – Gaudium or Chara – is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t think we have to walk around grinning like idiots.  After all, risus abundant in ore stultorum, and that goes for grins, too, and not just laughter.  You just don’t know what may be the impact of small gestures of basic human kindness.

There is a lot more in that entry, which you can read there.   And while you are there, check out the previous entry which shows you how to Samurai armor knots – Agemaki or Dragonfly knots – on your own MOLLE plate carrier!  Step by step instructions with video.  Rather cool.

I wonder if I could get a cassock with MOLLE … hmmmm…. maybe a black plate carrier over the cassock?  MOLLE biretta?  No… not practical.  Still…

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , , , ,
16 Comments

ACTION ITEM! Religious Freedom under attack in the US Senate – URGENT

Posted on 15 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Since the Supreme Court ruled on the Hobby Lobby case, some members of Congress are trying an end around to undermine our religious freedom.

YOU need to get involved with this one.  YOU need to pick up your phone and call your senators or write an email.  Concrete helpful info and links, below.

Here is the USCCB’s explanation:

Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop Lori To Senate: Oppose Bill That Attacks Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON—In a letter sent July 14 to all U.S. Senators, Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore stated their “strong opposition to the misnamed ‘Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014’ (S. 2578).” Cardinal O’Malley and Archbishop Lori chair the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, respectively.

“Though cast as a response to the Supreme Court’s narrow decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the bill ranges far beyond that decision, potentially attacking all existing federal protections of conscience and religious freedom regarding health coverage mandates,” they wrote.

The two bishops identified several areas of concern with the bill, including its unprecedented curtailment of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993; its potential for overriding other federal conscience protections, including the Hyde-Weldon amendment on abortion; its application to coverage mandates beyond the HHS contraceptive mandate; its application to employers beyond for-profit businesses; and its denial of religious freedom for employees and their minor dependents, not just employers.

“In short, the bill does not befit a nation committed to religious liberty. Indeed, if it were to pass, it would call that commitment into question. Nor does it show a genuine commitment to expanded health coverage, as it would pressure many Americans of faith to stop providing or purchasing health coverage altogether. We oppose the bill and urge you to reject it,” they wrote.

Full text of the letter is available online HERE.

More HERE.

WHAT TO DO?

Recommended Actions:

  • Send e-mails through NCHLA’s Action Center. Click HERE.
  • Contact your Senators by phone. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call Senators’ local offices. Full contact info is on Senators’ web sites at: www.senate.gov.

Suggested Message: “Please vote against the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act (S. 2578). This misnamed measure would revoke conscience rights now guaranteed by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and other federal laws. In the future it could empower federal officials to mandate abortion or any other item in all health plans, forcing Americans to violate their deeply held religious and moral beliefs on respect for human life.”

When: The Senate may vote as early as the week of July 14. Please contact your Senators today!

 

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
30 Comments

Traditional young Catholics’ groups are spreading quickly

Posted on 14 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I saw at Aleteia a story about the great traditional young people’s group Juventutem (which has that unfortunate “J”).  The undersigned is mentioned, but that is not the important issue.  What is important is the growth of chapters of this fine group.

What On Earth Is Juventutem and Why Is it Spreading So Fast?
While one foiled Black Mass at Harvard grabs all the headlines, young Catholics at Harvard (and in Chicago, Miami, DC, Michigan and beyond) have been busy introducing thousands to the Traditional Latin Mass.

They are a young organization of young people and growing super-fast. The first American chapter of Juventutem began in Michigan in 2012, and since then 11 additional chapters have been formed all over the United States.

A big highlight in their short history so far has been a Solemn High Mass in Boston in the Spring of 2013, celebrated by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf. Over 200 people attended this first “TLM” in decades, illuminated by the artistry of the Choir of St. Paul—boys from the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School—and a professional male schola, which sang beautiful Renaissance polyphony by Victoria and Palestrina.

If Juventutem has their way, such beauty is just the harbinger of things to come. Recently, four members—three Harvard students and one alum—sat down with Regina Magazine to tell us about Juventutem in the United States. Jim McGlone is a History major from New Jersey. Evan O’Dorney is studying mathematics; he’s originally from the San Francisco Bay area. Eileen Macron is a freshman from Staten Island, New York. Finally, Paul Schultz is a Harvard alum and a lawyer who is the Group Coordinator of the Michigan chapter of Juventutem and the Secretary of the Fœderatio Internationalis Juventutem.

[…]

Read the rest there.

As an aside, I know of Knights of Columbus councils which are either going wholly traditional for their Masses or which are being formed with tradition in mind.

Brick by brick.

Posted in Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Drill | Tagged , ,
23 Comments

The Wrong Stuff: Anglicans on the course of self-destruction.

Posted on 14 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

One of our frequent commentators here sent me this (appetite spoiling) photo with this:

The Right Stuff? (Remember the scene with the 7 astronauts in space suits?

Get a load of these photos of “clergy” arriving for vote on wymen bishops:

From the Daily Mail:

BISHOP WARNS OVER VOTE ON WOMEN

A senior Church of England bishop has appealed to traditionalists not to defy the overwhelming majority of ordinary churchgoers by voting down legislation to introduce women bishops, as a key meeting of the General Synod got under way.
Bishop of Rochester the Rt Rev James Langstaff warned the governing body of the consequences for the morale of the Church of England if a plan to introduce women bishops is defeated for the second time.
“The Church of England has spoken very clearly through the voting of the diocesan synods and we today have, I believe, a responsibility to show that we have listened,” he said.

“Wherever each of us stands on the spectrum of views, I want to suggest today that we have a responsibility to be guided, yes, by what we ourselves think, but also by what we assess to be the settled view of the great majority within the Church of England.”  [Go ahead and go with the majority view!  Sounds like the perfect place for the Fishwrap, The Pill, the LCWR…]
In his address at York University, Bishop Langstaff said he respected the views of opponents of women bishops who felt they had no option but to vote against the legislation. But he hoped other opponents might choose to abstain from the vote.
His remarks were made as the Church of England faced a knife-edge vote on giving final approval for the legislation, which requires a two-thirds majority in each of the houses of bishops, clergy and laity. [As soon as they start with the women, they ought also to issue their document Romanorum coetibus.]
The plan collapsed in November 2012 after it was derailed by just six votes cast by lay members, causing shock and bitter recriminations within the Church of England and prompting threats of an intervention by Parliament.

Remember: The Church of England is tied to the state.  Therefore, it cannot not follow social trends.  The CofE is on a leash.

My response to their move for women bishops?

My CofE friends, don’t forget Anglicanorum coetibus.

They are self-destructing over there, which is fine by me.  I hope that all the more tradition-leaning Anglicans will swiftly enter the Catholic Church.  Yes, I’ll say it: I am hopeful that they will convert.

Finally, former-Father Greg Reynolds is still excommunicated and Benedict XVI is still the Pope of Christian Unity.

Posted in Dogs and Fleas, Liberals, Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged , , , ,
57 Comments

Another German Abdication?

Posted on 13 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The best thing to come out of World Cup/Pope humor, from the often amusing Eye Of The Tiber:

Germany Abdicates World Cup Championship; Argentina To Assume Title

BRAZIL––The German National Team today stunned soccer fans across the globe with their announcement that they would abdicate the World Cup title, effective today. UEFA, the administrative body for association football in Europe and part of Asia, said today it has voted the largely unknown Argentinian National Team to assume the title of champions of the soccer world.

In a statement issued today, the German National Team wrote: “…in today’s game, subject to so many rapid changes on the pitch and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the beautiful game, in order to govern the bark of the World Cup and proclaim the goodness for beautiful game, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few quarters of play, has deteriorated in us to the extent that we have had to recognize our incapacity to adequately fulfill the duties necessary to being World Cup champions.”

The Argentinean Nation Team takes over title as UEFA is embroiled in a storm of controversy after accepting Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup. Moments after news broke that Argentina would be taking over as World Cup champions, soccer fans from the across the globe were enthusiastic about the news. One American soccer fan, Timothy Clark, told EOTT that it was a time for a change.

“The old champions were not a good fit for today’s game. They didn’t allow soccer to evolve to today’s game. It seemed like they wanted to take game back to the early days of soccer. But the Argentinian team appears to be a champion for the people. They seem open to changes in the game. I really think they will open the door to female players in the near future.”

At press time, the Argentinian National team has told the press that “If a player wants to slap another player on the butt after a goal, who are we to judge.”

 

Posted in Lighter fare |
20 Comments

Your Sunday Sermon Notes

Posted on 13 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Was there a good point in the sermon you heard for your Sunday Mass?

Let us know.

This extends to priests as well.  What did you talk about?

One of the things I spoke of was the Valley of Gehenna (Hell) and the Lord’s warning about ways to wind up there: being externally squared away but being out of joint interiorly.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
28 Comments

Card. Rodriguez speaks to Fishwrap about Curial Reform

Posted on 13 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Over at the Fishwrap, Jesuit Thomas Reese interviewed Oscar Card. Rodriguez Maradiaga about reform of the Roman Curia.

What could go wrong?

Make some popcorn and then click HERE.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
22 Comments

Another Francis interview… with Scalfari… again. Hey LOOK! There’s a pony!

Posted on 13 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the Holy See Presss office via ZENIT:

Vatican City, July 13, 2014

The Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, issued the following statement this morning in relation to an article on Pope Francis published today in the Italian daily, La Repubblica:

***

“In the Sunday edition of “La Repubblica” an article by Eugenio Scalfari [The aging atheist who doesn’t take notes.] was prominently featured relating a recent conversation that took place with Pope Francis. The conversation was very cordial and most interesting and touched principally upon the themes of the plague of sexual abuse of minors and the Church’s attitude toward the mafia.

However, as it happened in a previous, similar circumstance, it is important to notice that that words that Mr. Scalfari attributes to the Pope, “in quotations” come from the expert journalist Scalfari’s own memory of what the Pope said and is not an exact transcription of a recording nor a review of such a transcript by the Pope himself to whom the words are attributed.

We should not or must not speak in any way, shape or form of an interview in the normal use of the word, as if there had been a series of questions and answers that faithfully and exactly reflect the precise thoughts of the one being interviewed.

It is safe to say, however that the overall theme of the article captures the spirit of the conversation [Like the spirit of Vatican II?] between the Holy Father and Mr. Scalfari while at the same time strongly restating what was said about the previous “interview” that appeared in La Repubblica: the individual expressions that were used and the manner in which they have been reported, cannot be attributed to the Pope.

Let me state two particular examples. We must take into consideration two affirmations that have drawn much attention and that are not attributed to the Pope. The first is that among pedophiles are also “some cardinals”; and the second regarding celibacy: “I will find solutions.”

In the article published in La Repubblica, these two affirmations are clearly attributed to the Pope but curiously, the quotations were opened at the beginning but were not closed at the end. We must ask ourselves why the the final quotations are not present: is this an omission or explicit recognition that this is an attempt to manipulate some naïve readers?

***

La Repubblica article: HERE

Posted in Francis | Tagged ,
28 Comments

Small efforts, unknown consequences

Posted on 13 July 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Where I regularly say Mass on Sundays I will add as part of announcements before the sermon that people should be inviting.  Invite people to come to Mass or confession.  Offer to drive, etc.  You never know what such a small gesture will result in.  Never underestimate the power of an invitation: a small gesture that can have momentous results, even if you don’t know what they are.

Here is a connected tangent in an email I received.

This story is confirmed in Elmer Bendiner’s book, The Fall of Fortresses.

Sometimes, it’s not really just luck.

Elmer Bendiner was a navigator in a B-17 during WW II. He tells this story of a World War II bombing run over Kassel , Germany , and the unexpected result of a direct hit on their gas tanks. “Our B-17, the Tondelayo, was barraged by flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. That was not unusual, but on this particular occasion our gas tanks were hit.

Later, as I reflected on the miracle of a 20 millimeter shell piercing the fuel tank without touching off an explosion, our pilot, Bohn Fawkes, told me it was not quite that simple. “On the morning following the raid, Bohn had gone down to ask our crew chief for that shell as a souvenir of unbelievable luck.

The crew chief told Bohn that not just one shell but 11 had been found in the gas tanks. 11 unexploded shells where only one was sufficient to blast us out of the sky. It was as if the sea had been parted for us. A near-miracle, I thought.

Even after 35 years, so awesome an event leaves me shaken, especially after I heard the rest of the story from Bohn.

“He was told that the shells had been sent to the armorers to be defused. The armorers told him that Intelligence had picked them up. They could not say why at the time, but Bohn eventually sought out the answer. “Apparently when the armorers opened each of those shells, they found no explosive charge. They were as clean as a whistle and just as harmless.

Empty? Not all of them!

One contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it was a scrawl in Czech. The Intelligence people scoured our base for a man who could read Czech. Eventually they found one to decipher the note. It set us marveling.

Translated, the note read: “This is all we can do for you now…”

Using Jewish slave labor is never a good idea.

Small gestures can have unforeseen, unknown consequences.  You might not learn of the effects of your invitations and small gestures until you are before the Lord in the General Judgment.

Imagine the joy of meeting up in heaven with those whose lives intertwined with yours even in a tangent, but efficacious, way.

Posted in Just Too Cool | Tagged ,
18 Comments