Can We Hope for Holy Bishops?

I'm a regular reader of Fr. Gordon MacRae's website, Beyond These Stone Walls. For those
unfamiliar with Fr. MacRae, he was caught up in the sex abuse frenzy, was falsely accused, refused to plea deal down to a two-year sentence by admitting guilt for what he did not do, and has spent decades falsely imprisoned. Today, Father posted the forward to a book, Hope Springs Eternal in the Priestly Breast, by Australian priest, Fr. James Valladeres. The book includes many details of Fr. MacRae's Gethsemane experience. The plan is to publish the book chapter by chapter as occasional posts on Father MacRae's website.

Some things are worth repeating. May we all love the truth and always speak it in charity!

I'm on a silent, Ignatian retreat this week and scheduled a few posts before I left since I will be completely off the internet and my phone: nothing but silence, the conferences of the priest, the rosary and hours, Confession, and sitting with Jesus in the chapel. What a blessing to have that quiet time. I thought this post from 2023 is timely since many are suffering for the truth today. So I'm resurrecting it and hope you find it helpful. Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Fr. Hardon. He was a tremendous warrior for the Lord. I heard him speak a number of times and had the blessing of attending the last retreat he offered before his death in 2000. Please pray for me as I will for you during my retreat.

Our Duty: To Suffer for the Truth!

Every now and then a theme crops up everywhere I look and demands attention. Over and over the echoes roll over me like a tidal wave: on social media, in news feeds I follow, in magazines I read, etc. Often it has a lot to do with what's happening in my life at the moment. "Pay attention!" my guardian angel reminds me, "This is important!"

Accused Priests? Many Are Not Guilty!

I've been reflecting for the past few days on the accusations against the rector of the diocesan cathedral, Fr. Patrick Posey. An accuser has come forth claiming abuse over thirty years ago. I don't know Fr. Posey personally, but his reputation from friends who do know him is praiseworthy. So here we have someone come forth with thirty-year-old accusations. No matter how this resolves, Fr. Posey will always be under a cloud. How do you disprove something that supposedly happened thirty years ago, especially in an era of the lie?  And what's the quote about a lie traveling around the world before the truth gets out of bed?

Meditation on the Feast of the Annunciation by Fr. Gordon MacRae

March 25 

- Written By Fr. Gordon J. MacRae

March 25, Solemnity of the Annunciation

The Gospel of Saint Luke opens with a news flash from the Archangel Gabriel for Zechariah the priest, and Mary — Theotokos — the new Ark of the Covenant. On the 25th day of March, the Church remembers the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary marking a pivotal event in Salvation History. The account is conveyed to us in the first chapter of the Gospel According to Saint Luke, a Gentile physician and a companion of the Apostle Paul. Several of the Fathers of the Early Church attribute the Third Gospel to Saint Luke and affirm his authorship of it. I once wrote of this unique Gospel in “Saint Luke the Evangelist, Dear and Glorious PhysicianThis Gospel reveals many facets of the life and mission of Jesus, but foremost among them is its universal message of Salvation. Luke, despite being a Gentile, anchors his Gospel in the traditions of the earlier Covenant, the Old Testament, portraying Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer of God’s Old Covenant people. He thus presents Jesus in history as one foretold by the Prophets (Isaiah 11:10-12, 49:6, and Ezekiel 39:25-29). Luke thus depicts Jesus as the Royal Messiah in the line and legacy of King David to reunite the scattered tribes of Israel and gather them into one nation. Given that he is the only Gentile Evangelist, that is an amazing feat through which Luke has prepared an artistic and spiritual masterpiece.                             [Read the rest at Beyond These Stone Walls.]

Cognitive Dissonance Is Engulfing our Beloved Church

We are becoming the Church of cognitive dissonance. Let's begin by defining that psychological term:

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, or when their behavior conflicts with their beliefs. This discomfort motivates people to change their beliefs, justify their actions, or avoid new information to reduce the inconsistency.

Think about that. What happens when the actions of our pope and bishops show diametrically opposed philosophies. How do you reconcile two mutually exclusive propositions? You can't! Jesus called Himself "The way, the truth and the life."  Embracing truth means one has to choose. Which of two things is true, or are both untrue and is the truth elsewhere altogether.

Look Up And See! And Then Give Thanks.

Writing an "I'm thankful" message on the holiday tablecloth.

Thanksgiving approaches. For many it's just a day of gluttony: food for the belly and football for the eyes -- two f words. Throw in a third -- no not that one -- fun. For many that's the meaning of life. Find all the fun you can in food, frolicking and you know what.

There's a Just Judge Who Will Right All Wrongs!

Not long ago I wrote a post titled, Who's Telling the Truth? about the case of Fr. Gordon MacRae. I wrote the post after several comments from an anonymous reader insisting on Father's guilt based primarily on the New Hampshire AG report, a tainted source if there ever was one.

One of the points my reader stressed over and over was that Father pleaded guilty to several charges. I decided to reread Dorothy Rabinowitz's article, The Trials of Fr. MacRae, which contained this paragraph about the "guilty pleas.":

Still, the jury trial would end with a conviction in September 1994, and a sentence equivalent to a life term handed down by Judge Arthur Brennan. That would not be all. The state threatened a new prosecution on additional charges unless the priest pleaded guilty to those, in exchange for no added prison time. Without funds and unable to hire a new lawyer, already facing a crushing sentence and certain, given the climate in which he would face a second trial, that he could only be convicted, Father MacRae accepted the deal.

Who's Telling the Truth?

A reader sent me several comments about Fr. Gordon MacRae's case (which I did not post) claiming I'm withholding information and I should let readers decide for themselves about his guilt or innocence. So I'm offering two pieces: the Attorney General's report from New Hampshire against Fr. MacRae and Fr. MacRae's description of the proceedings and the accusations against him. (Links below.) 

There are, in fact, hundreds of articles about the case. I've read a good many. I'll be completely transparent. I believe Fr. MacRae was railroaded, not only by prosecutors, but by psychologists, false witnesses, and even representatives of the church. Having said that, it's hard to know the truth of any allegation when there are no witnesses to the alleged crime and most of the evidence is "he said; she said". Who's telling the truth?

Justice Denied by Out-of-Control Judges Who Play God!

Judge Joseph Laplante

Another unelected federal judge has elevated himself to emperor of the United States. Judge Joseph Laplante recently overruled the Supreme Court Decision on birthright citizenship applying it to the whole country. We've seen this before but Laplante seems to be in a category by himself. It's not the first time his judicial arrogance manifested in a decision, but by this one he effectively gave the middle finger salute to SCOTUS!

The decision by the Supreme Court is somewhat ambiguous and the issue over birthright citizenship is still an open question. Nevertheless, Laplante's action was arrogant.

The article below is fascinating because, in addition to some brief comments by Fr. MacRae, the "author" was an AI generated response to a question:

QUERY

Faith and Science: There's no conflict for believers

Spiraling Whirlpool Galaxy taken by the Hubble Telescope M51. See more photos here. 

It always amazes me to hear people say that science proves God does not exist. What a silly idea! Science can only observe material things. It has nothing to say about non-material things: love, integrity, beauty, mercy. They can't be measured in the lab.

"Let There Be Light!"

I've always been fascinated by the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the universe and life itself. Can you imagine anything more fitting than the Word saying "Light" and the incredible explosion of creation? My brother was a physicist and he got hung up on the fact that the sun wasn't created until the fourth day. But really, the universe is filled with light; the sun wasn't the only heavenly body of fire. 

SNAP = Scurrilous, Nasty, Avaricious and Pernicious. They Advocate for Themselves

Latest target of SNAP, a crime syndicate masquerading as a victim advocacy group!

SNAP [Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests] claims to be a victim advocacy group. What they really are is a corrupt organization best personified by an octopus. Their tentacles reach out to attach sticky pads to often innocent victims and suck them dry to fill up the SNAP treasure chests. Groups like this do not help real victims. In fact, they use victims as cover to gird themselves in a faux legitimacy, using the faces and stories of victims to fill their coffers. Perhaps we need a network for those abused by SNAP!

Free Fr. Gordon MacRae: Justice is Long Overdue!

I've written about Fr. Gordon MacRae's bizarre sex abuse case a number of times on the blog. The injustice toward him shows the absolute corruption of a deep state when those in charge lack honesty and integrity and are willing to railroad the innocent to advance their careers or advance an agenda. 

Shining the Spotlight on the Media Where Liars Thrive and the Truth Suffers!

The mainstream drive-by media is, for the most part comatose and dying. The Pulitzer committee helped deliver assisted euthanasia in 2018 with its shared award to the Washington Post and New York Times for the 20-article scam-fantasy about Russiagate. Mostly based on anonymous sources, rumors, and innuendo from Trump-hating liberals, the articles lied and lied and lied again leaving wounded truth tellers in their wake like Michael Flynn. A 2022 article in the New York Post summarized the damage caused by the series:

Is Anyone Surprised that Nobody Trusts Journalists...

RINO Liz Cheney 

 ....or most of what comes from the Left? 

Fr. Gordon MacRae published another tour de force on January 6th updating an article from 2022 and briefly addressing Biden's recent disgraceful action of awarding Liz Cheney the medal of freedom. Biden also awarded the medal of freedom to George Soros, one of America's greatest enemies, who has used his money to subvert our justice system by buying prosecutors all over the country. Soros can be directly linked to the political persecution of Donald Trump and election interference. Here's a map showing how broad his influence in perverting our justice system extends. Consider how much damage to justice has been done through his bought and paid-for lackeys. 

Are You Afraid? Run to Our Lady!

Our Lady crushes the head of the serpent by her obedience and humility!

I'm treating myself today by reading the last few post by Fr. Gordon MacRae at Beyond These Stone Walls. My heart "leaps up" as I reflect on Father's thoughts and glorify God for what He can do even when his servants serve locked behind "stone walls." So many saints show us that truth firsthand: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Thomas More, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Edith Stein, St. Miguel Pro. And then there are the saints who voluntarily locked themselves behind the stone walls of monasteries and convents. We could fill a multi-story library with their biographies all of which illustrate the solution to overcome fear.

O Root of Jesse's Stem: A Heartwarming Story for Christmas from Fr. Gordon MacRae

 

Many people this time of year make the first ornaments to adorn the tree symbols of Jesus' family. Mary came from the house of David, as did the spouse chosen for her, St. Joseph, so King David is a prominent feature. Even before Jesus' birth, God emphasized the importance of family by calling Joseph to his ancestral village, Bethlehem. Symbols of the patriarchs beginning with Adam often go on the Christmas tree first. "O Root of Jesse's Stem," come and deliver us! 

The Queen of Advent, Our Lady of Guadalupe

What does Holy Mother Church give us halfway through Advent? The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of America. What a gift! 

Do you know the story? 

On December 9, 1531 which was then the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Mary appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City and asked him to take a message to the bishop to build her a shrine there. The bishop asked for sign. In response, Mary gathered roses and arranged them in Juan Diego's tilma and told him to take them to the bishop.

When Juan Diego opened it before the bishops, the roses fell to the floor revealing the miraculous image imprinted there by heaven's power. 

What a gift and reminder Mary's feast is in the middle of Advent. She calls us in this holy season to prayer and penance. "Am I not here?" Mary asks us and "Am I not your mother?" 

Of History and Record Keeping!

One of my readers took issue with my post about COVID following the one about 1 Corinthians 13: "Love does not keep a record of wrongs." He claimed they were contradictory. I didn't post his comment which was a dissertation that included a few insults which isn't untypical. (Thanks be to God, he's good for my humility and often gives me a laugh). At any rate, he obviously felt like he was scoring a big hit. Gotcha! You're keeping a record of wrongs against Fauci and company. (And Trump whom he always calls President Warp-Speed. We happen to agree on that particular criticism of Trump.) At any rate I shook my head and laughed over his latest nonsense. 

Give thanks for good and holy priests who are willing to suffer for the truth!

As I was reflecting on the things for which I'm thankful this year, the faces of good and holy priests passed through my mind like a slideshow of sanctity. Some of them are gone now to their heavenly reward: Fr. John Hardon, Fr. James Buckley, Fr. Robert Bradley, Fr. Hugh Monmonier I pray for them and to them. If they are in Purgatory they need my prayers and sacrifices. Whether they are in Purgatory or Heaven, I need their prayers. They were faithful spiritual guides here on earth. I need their continued guidance now more than ever.

One living priest who I pray for often is Fr. Gordon MacRae. I hope this Advent you will make him a companion on the journey by reading his blog and praying for him. I wrote this post last May. I repeat it here as a reminder that often adherence to the truth requires courageous suffering. Let us embrace sacrifices in Advent for the sake of our own souls and the conversion of our poor world.

Fr. Gordon MacRae and Beyond These Stone Walls