John Henry Westen Challenges Cardinal Sarah on the SSPX Consecrations.

I was seriously disappointed by Cardinal Sarah's article criticizing the SSPX plan to consecrate bishops in July. The cardinal has been a beautiful voice of truth. His book, The Power of Silence, was a wonderful companion to me on one of my five-day, silent, Ignatian retreats. My great respect for Cardinal Sarah magnified my grief over his article. I simply had to shake my head as I read it, because so many points conflict with the reality of Rome's actions. You can read the complete letter, translated from the French, here. I will quote some excerpts that troubled me.

In the first and second paragraph we read this:

"Vestments soothe, but appointments alarm." John Henry Westen

When Pope Leo walked out on the balcony in Rome clothed in the traditional vestments, one hoped that the exterior matched the interior. Did we have a pope who would restore the faith of our fathers and set us back on the right track? Or would we soon be disillusioned and see that we had a man walking in the footsteps of Francis. 

Bishop Strickland's Heartfelt Plea to His Brothers in the Episcopate!

I suspect the Vatican had no idea what they were in for when they dropped the nuke on Bishop Strickland. He has become a voice of encouragement and hope for persecuted Catholics. At CPAC recently he had the courage to boldly address the evil of IVF and the terrible consequences for the millions of preborn infants abandoned in the deep freeze. How many bishops will treat that monstrous evil with the same silence they treated Humanae Vitae's condemnation of contraception? Where are the bishops with the courage of the apostles in whose footsteps they supposedly walk. Every bishop can trace his succession back to one of the apostles. Do they mirror their successor's courage and willingness to face martyrdom?

Then a few days ago Bishop Strickland released a letter to all the bishops of the world. John Henry Weston reads the letter in the video below, but I've also included the text below. Pray for Bishop Strickland and all his brothers. We need them to address the crisis in the Church and the world and prepare us for the increasing persecution. May Jesus Christ be praised.