Pope Francis Papacy Timeline 2015

Mercy and compassion are used to
justify undermining God's truth and justice.

To see previous years go here.

The beat goes on in 2015 as Pope Francis continues undermining the faith. This will be an important year particularly because of the document Laudato Si on the environment and the second synod on the family which will be used as references to support heterodox interpretations later, particularly in preparation for the Amazon Synod.

January 12 - 19: Apostolic Visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The press conference on the way home from this papal visit was, to say the least, interesting. It gave the pope one more opportunity to put his foot in his mouth when he said Christians didn't need to act like rabbits. He talked about "responsible parenthood" in a way that implied small families. He also said some good things. Unfortunately, we're used to him saying some good things while he acts in a way that undermines his words. See more here.

What Would a "Synodal Church" Look Like? Another Protestant Revolution!

I fear it would not be pretty! And Fr. Z seems to feel the same way.

Pope Francis wants a transformation of the papacy and a synodal Church

Note that the pope wants to weaken the curia and talks about "decentralization." How would things be if the pope were just one among equals? If Peter were no longer "the rock" but a pebble among pebbles? Wouldn't the Church then be built on sand instead of rock?

Catholic Family News (CFN) has an interesting and worrisome article on the decentralization and "regionalism" of the Church. Here's the beginning of the article:

Put First Things First: Do You Know What a Synod Is?

THE BUCK STOPS HERE!

There's been a lot of concern over the synod as well there should be. It is putting the Church and the faith front and center before the world. No matter what comes out of the synod, many will use the confusion and heresy promoted by some of the bishops to spin a dissenting version of the faith, scandalize the weak, and lead many into sin. Sometimes the perception about a thing has more power than the reality as we learned from the "spirit" of Vatican II and the dissent from Humanae Vitae which have had such a devastating impact on the faith.

Today, I decided to take a look at what Canon Law says about a synod. It's covered in Canons 342-348. Lest people misunderstand what's going on in Rome, here is the definition of a synod and what it can and cannot do:

From the Synod Road Show -- Fr. Lombardi: "I don’t have to tell you anything I don't want to."

These comments deserve emphasis:

Another Bad Sign from the Synod: the Hobnailed Boot for Reporter Priest!

Priest has Press Credentials Pulled for Challenging Archbishop

Remember all the talk about openness and transparency? That's what it amounts to --- just talk. Fr. Nicholas Gregoris got the hobnailed boot for daring to defend the faith against an Archbishop who made remarks that undermine doctrine on the indissolubility of marriage. Here's a bit of what LifeSiteNews reported about what happened next:

On October 7, when Father Gregoris returned to the Sala Stampa for the press briefing at 1:00 p.m., he was stopped and told he must hand over his press badge. “They said I’m no longer welcome in the Sala Stampa and I had to leave,” Father Gregoris related.

Analyzing the "Worst Case Scenario" from the Synod

If it happens, the people (and clergy) must resist!

Fr. Brian Harrison's analysis at Renew America seems spot on to me! But perhaps you think Fr. Harrison's view is too cynical? Take a look at this article:

Crisis for Pope Francis as top-level cardinals tell him: your synod could lead to the collapse of the church

The pope wasn't joking when he told everybody to "make a mess." and apparently he is the biggest mess-maker of all. Keep praying for the Synod!

Sunday Meditation: Is this a warning from St. John Paul II to the Dissenters at the Synod?

Dissenters, pay close attention to Pope St. John Paul II's message from Veritatis Splendor. I know you don't care about the splendor of truth when it conflicts with your perverse desires, but, guess what --- it applies to you anyway. Get ready for the big challenge about it on Judgment Day! (My comments are in red.)

Today, however, it seems necessary to reflect on the whole of the Church's moral teaching, with the precise goal of recalling certain fundamental truths of Catholic doctrine which, in the present circumstances, risk being distorted or denied. Cardinal Kasper, you have a call from heaven.

Bad News from the Synod on the Family: The Only Time They Invoke Unity is When It's Unity of Dissent!

CARDINAL WHO SUPPORTS LGBT RADICALS IS MODERATOR OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING SYNOD GROUP

The moderator has extensive influence on the direction of the discussion and thus on the content of the final report of the small group. Uh-oh! 

Gay Press Conferences and Fr. Rosica's False Presentations to the Press

It Begins: Synod on the Family Opens in Rome

Today is a big day. First of all, my husband and I celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary. What an adventure rearing five children in a world of confusion (in the "spirit" of Vatican II and the dissent over Humanae Vitae)  and a growing culture of death. When Roe v. Wade came down in 1973, we had two little ones and I hugged them tighter as I mourned the untimely deaths of their spiritual brothers and sisters murdered silently amidst the cheers of the raging feminists. And then, with the support of my husband, I put on the armor of God and began fighting against abortion for the sake of our family and all the little endangered ones. The faithful Catholic family is the greatest bulwark against the relentless culture of death.

October 4, 1969

Ostensibly, the Synod is supposed to strengthen, renew, sanctify, and increase the number of faithful Catholic families. That, at least, should be its goal. But we all know from last year's Extraordinary Synod and machinations of the "progressive bishops" that many do not share that vision. Rather than build up the nuclear family, they want to transform the definition of "faithful Catholic family" to include adulterous unions and same-sex partnerships.

Was it an accident that the Synod opens on the day we hear readings from Genesis and St. Mark that affirm the family? Certainly not in God's providence. Genesis reminds us that "a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh." One man and one woman -- not a series of men or women like musical chairs and not two men or two women playing house together. It is the sacred union of Adam and Eve that God blesses when he gives them dominion over all creation, tells them to multiply and fill the earth, and looks at all he has made and finds it "very good."

Will the Ordinary Synod be Manipulated Like the Extraordinary Synod?

I'm reading Edward Pentin's book about Rigging the Synod. Wow! If you want a lesson in Church politics read the book. Thank God we know the Holy Spirit protects the Church, because the number of Judases among the hierarchy appears to be legion. The Synod will never change the doctrine, but the wicked bishops can make it APPEAR that doctrine has changed and that's all they care about. Why do so many Catholic reject Church teaching on contraception? Because of the lies and manipulation after Humanae Vitae. How many people have suffered serious problems as a result. You cannot lie with your body telling your spouse you give everything when you hold back your greatest gift, the capacity to give life. How the demons laugh when people buy the lie.

The progressives don't care about substance, only form. If the Church keeps the substance of the doctrine of marital indissolubility that's fine, as long as sheep in the pew get the idea that the "pastoral" approach allows them to make their own decisions about whether they can receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord while they continue to live in sin. Poor Jesus. So many Catholics today approach Communion unworthily and commit the grave sin of sacrilege. Many are led into this sin by false shepherds who tickle their ears. God help them on Judgment Day.

I hope you are praying the novena to Our Lady of Victory for the Synod. Today is day three. Let's ask St. Therese on her feast day to join us in praying for the family.

Join the Novena to Our Lady of Victory for the Synod. It Starts Today

A novena to Our Lady of Victory for the Synod on the Family that starts next week begins today on the feast of the archangels. Lepanto Institute is urging all Catholics to join. Please pass this on to all your Catholic family and friends. This could not be more important in light of the attempts at "Rigging a Vatican Synod." Please don't ignore this plea. God used devotion to the Blessed Mother and the rosary to defeat the Turks at the battle of Lepanto on October 7th in 1571. Love for Our Lady always touches the heart of Christ. This spiritual battle is every bit as important as that physical naval battle. We are threatened by a new Protestant Revolt coming from the highest level of the Church. If you love your family, join the crusade to defend it. And ask the holy archangels whose feast is today and all the guardian angels of your family members to pray with you.  As all holy things begin we start by making...the Sign of the Cross.

Bombshell Bio of Cardinal Danneels: Did the Cardinals' "Mafia" Get Bergoglio Elected Pope?

Cardinal Danneels admits being part of clerical ‘Mafia’ that plotted Francis’ election

If this is true, we are in bigger trouble than I thought. Read more about Danneels here. He favors abortion, same-sex marriage, and the Belgian Church did less than nothing to put impediments in the government's actions to advance assisted suicide and other legislation against life. The group is insisting now that they were NOT a lobby group. Cardinals may not "lobby" for a pope during a conclave. Apparently, it is not unusual before the conclave begins. 

Here's some interesting stuff from Edward Pentin's article:

Is the Deck Stacked in Favor of the "Progressives" at the Ordinary Synod on the Family?

Sure looks like it.

Here's an article with Bishop Rene Gracida's take on the appointments.

A Few Clues to the October Synod

One thing should encourage us, however. Catholic Culture points out that the Gospel reading for the start of the Synod (October 7th, the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time) contains this:

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.

Please, Archbishop Chaput, Don't Kill the Messengers

Philly archbishop labels two Catholic groups 'destructive'

What's more "destructive?" Filling the Organization for the World Meeting of Families with pro-aborts...or exposing the scandal.

It was demoralizing to read this article.

And You Thought Politics Played no Part in Faith?

Of course that's a joke. Politics has influenced Christianity since the Pharisees conspired to bring down Jesus and bribed Judas to betray Him. So the article below is no surprise. It is absolutely predictable that liberals are meeting to strategize how to put forth their agenda at the October Ordinary Synod. Let us pray that the orthodox are seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to foil their plans. 

Remember the Scripture passage about the dishonest steward in Luke chapter 8? Jesus commends him for his shrewdness. He wasn't praising his evil acts, but the steward was cunning and planned ahead. Too many Christians think sitting on their hands and letting God do everything is a virtue. But we would do well to remember that quietism, the belief in complete passivity in moral matters, annihilating the will and leaving all to God, is a heresy. 

We are called to be as shrewd as serpents and as gentle as doves. So preparing with a zeal equal to those who are undermining the faith is a moral responsibility. Pray for those preparing for the synod who love God with their whole heart, mind, soul and strength, that God will give them all they need to defend Holy Mother Church against her internal enemies. God knows there are plenty of them! 

Liberal European Bishops Plan Synod Strategy

Battle Cry for the Ordinary Synod: Defend the Family

The latest issue of The Truth, the newsletter of Les Femmes, is not online at our website yet, but I thought I would post the lead article with footnotes for those concerned about the upcoming Ordinary Synod on the Family. Catholics need to prepare to fight the attempts to attack the indissolubility of marriage. It's clear that many of the enemies of marriage are inside the Church. And so, Church Militant, you need to prepare to fight.  

A Battle Cry for the Ordinary Synod: Defend the Family

By Mary Ann Kreitzer

The Ordianary Synod on the Family is scheduled next October 4th – 25th in Rome. It continues the efforts begun at the Extraordinary Synod last Fall. The original meeting revealed a sharp divide between “progressives” and “traditionalists;”[1] among the bishops and, since the close of the synod, battle lines are drawn and grenades flying. On one side progressives like Cardinals Walter Kasper, Reinhold Marx, Donald Wuerl, Archbishop Bruno Forte, and Fr. Thomas Rosica (English language spokesman for the Vatican) insist that development of doctrine permits pastoral changes that can allow divorced and remarried Catholics in individual circumstances (without annulment) to return to the sacraments. The other major issue progressives are pushing is a pastoral approach affirming the good of homosexuality. 

Vatican Prep for Next Year's Synod

Synod council urges further discussion, preparation before October 2015 meeting

Vatican prep for next year's Ordinary Synod

Those of us who love the Bride of Christ must also be preparing for the Synod by daily prayer for the participating bishops and for all the activities going on, especially by dissent groups agitating for change. We are in a crucial time for the Church and many of our clerical leaders have a questionable agenda. 

It would be fruitful to read about Church politics and intrigue in the 13th century when Catherine of Siena was so busy trying to bring peace and unity to the Church. I just listened to Sigrid Undset's biography of the great saint and Doctor of the Church on tape. It is considered the best modern biography of St. Catherine. 

Many of Catherine's experiences and battles for the Church reminded me of our own time. She was a fearless defender of the faith who spoke the truth to power. Of course she first engaged in heroic prayer and fasting in preparation for her "bridegroom's" instructions to her. 

I heartily recommend the book and urge you to pray for the Synod through St. Catherine's intercession. 

Put on Your Red Shoes - Pope Francis is Coming in 2015

It's official -- the pope is coming!

Philadelphia is hosting the 8th World Meeting of Families from September 22-25, 2015. A papal Mass is scheduled for September 26th with the expectation of a million Catholics attending. The pope's U.S. visit takes place shortly before the Ordinary Synod on the Family scheduled in Rome for October 2015.

And speaking of the Ordinary Synod, at their recent meeting in Baltimore the U.S. bishops chose their delegates. They include Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., president of the U.S. bishops’ conference; Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, conference vice president; Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, host of the 2015 World Meeting of Families; and Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles. The two alternates are Archbishop Blase Cupich to be installed tomorrow as ordinary of Chicago and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.