Church Militant To Shut Down - Vortex Has Spun Its Course

Church Militant shutting down: A victory for truth and justice

Church Militant, a notorious far-right Catholic media outlet, has announced that it will shut down by the end of April 2024, following a $500,000 defamation lawsuit brought by a priest from New Hampshire. This is a welcome development for all those who value truth, justice and civility in the Catholic Church and society. However, it is sad news for those on the far-right who enjoy controversies, conspiracy theories and airing out the dirty laundry of others, so to speak. 

The lawsuit was filed by Father Georges de Laire, the judicial vicar of the Diocese of Manchester, who was falsely accused by Church Militant of changing dogma into heresy in an article published in January 2019. The article, written by canon lawyer Marc Balestrieri, claimed to have anonymous sources who made negative comments about Father de Laire's personal and professional conduct. However, neither Balestrieri nor Church Militant could produce any evidence to back up their allegations, and they failed to properly vet the article before publishing it.  Balestrieri never showed up to defend himself in the case nor for the disposition.  

The article was part of a campaign to discredit Father de Laire and the Diocese of Manchester, who were involved in a canonical dispute with the Saint Benedict Center, a radical group that adheres to the heretical doctrine of "no salvation outside the Church". Balestrieri was representing the Saint Benedict Center in the dispute, and he used his article to raise funds for his legal work. The Diocese of Manchester had warned the Saint Benedict Center that their position was contrary to Vatican teaching and had forbidden them from calling themselves Catholic or participating in Catholic activities.

Father de Laire sued Balestrieri and Church Militant for defamation, and after a lengthy legal process, he won the case. Church Militant agreed to pay $500,000 and apologize to Father de Laire for their part in causing him distress and damage. They also announced that they will cease all operations of Church Militant by the end of April 2024.

This is not the first time that Church Militant has been involved in controversy or scandal. The media outlet, founded by Michael Voris in 2006, has been known for its aggressive and divisive coverage of Catholic issues, often attacking bishops, priests, religious orders, lay movements and other Catholics who do not share their extreme views. They have also been accused of promoting conspiracy theories, spreading misinformation, fostering hatred and inciting violence.

In November 2021, Voris resigned from his position as CEO of St. Michael's Media, the parent company of Church Militant, after admitting that he had violated their morality clause by sending shirtless photos of himself to staff and associates. The photos were discovered on the outlet's cloud-storage account and caused outrage among Church Militant's supporters (see: Sacerdotus: Michael Voris Caught in Vortex Spin).

The closure of Church Militant is a victory for truth and justice, as well as for the dignity and reputation of Father de Laire and other Catholics who have been slandered or harassed by them. It is also an opportunity for healing and reconciliation within the Church, which needs more dialogue and respect among its members, especially in these challenging times. We hope that this case will serve as a lesson for other media outlets and individuals who may be tempted to use their platforms to spread lies, hatred or division.

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References:

- Church Militant to shut down following $500,000 defamation lawsuit brought by priest | Catholic News Agency

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256981/church-militant-to-shut-down-following-500-dollars-000-cents-defamation-penalty-against-new-hampshire-priest

- Church Militant plans to cease publication in April - Religion News Service

https://religionnews.com/2024/03/01/report-church-militant-loses-defamation-suit/

- Baltimore reaches proposed settlement with Church Militant over protest permit

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/03/01/baltimore-church-militant-settlement/

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256981/church-militant-to-shut-down-following-500-dollars-000-cents-defamation-penalty-against-new-hampshire-priest

https://www.ncronline.org/news/right-wing-catholic-outlet-church-militant-close-april

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/03/01/baltimore-church-militant-settlement/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/02/24/michael-voris-church-militant-shirtless-selfies/

https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/smm-apology-to-fr-georges-de-laire

Michael Voris Caught in Vortex Spin

There is a huge vortex going on at Church Militant that has brought some to spin out of the organization. According to the X account of Church Militant, Michael Voris resigned as its head. Michael Voris in response released a video statement where he seems embarrassed, confused, humbled, broken, and defeated. The cocky and articulate armchair anchorman is seen in this video struggling to find words and emotional at times. Church Militant issued a statement on their X account stating a violation of a "morality clause" on the part of Voris but fell short of revealing exactly what this means. Despite claiming to be transparent, they are not telling us all the details. Voris also was mute on the reasoning but alluded to it being related to "his past." Many of us who have followed Michael Voris throughout the years know that he has been very open about struggling with homosexuality. This is most likely what led to his fall. Here is the statement from Church Militant and video statements from Voris and Christine Niles.

pic.twitter.com/KQ5a9KEEmr

— Church Militant (@Church_Militant) November 21, 2023

God Love You pic.twitter.com/SBRFDP9vKD

— Michael Voris (@Michael_Voris) November 21, 2023

Church Militant is a self-professed Catholic news apostolate that began with Voris giving catechism lectures. At first, it was a popular source for Catholic information but when Voris began making claims that were strange such as endorsing a monarchy for the United States, people began to suspect it as a ploy for grifting. Eventually, Church Militant grew into St. Michael's media. Voris purchased videography studio equipment and a building that would serve as a studio. Church Militant then took a turn as a conspiratorial outlet making claims regarding political and ecclesial figures. At times, some of its content was outright defamatory and gossip. Voris who has a bachelor's degree in theology has indirectly presented himself as a theologian or expert of "true Catholicism." He was joined by Christine Nile who has also left Church Militant. She too posted a video statement where she looks disgusted and upset and claims that Voris changed over the last few years. She claims that he did not pray with the team as they are required to and his behavior changed overall. She too did not go into details as to what Voris actually did, but clearly looked upset. Judging is above our pay grade here at Sacerdotus, so we will offer none. We will pray for Michael and hope that he overcomes whatever demons are plaguing him. No one is perfect. We all have our shortcomings. This is why we should never throw stones while residing in a glass house. God love Michael Voris, may Our Lady help him and St. Michael remove the demons. 

Michael Voris seemed to have had good intentions but like many Catholics who take on a social media celebrity status, they fall from grace. The signs are typical. We saw John Corapi engage in grifting and then dying his beard and resorting to leather clothing. Some may dismiss this as a midlife crisis, but there is something much deeper. We notice Michael Voris dye his hair blonde and begin to sell books seeking monetary gain from his Catholic faith. These are the signs. Dr. Marshall Taylor is another one who has exhibited the use of his Catholic faith to earn money. As Niles stated, the lack of prayer is key. Prayer is necessary in ministry. When one sees a clergy member, religious or lay person lag on their prayer life, this is a huge sign of spiritual decay. Some are claiming that Voris was married to another male and was flirting with men at Starbucks:  The Church Militant site has not posted anything related to this scandal. 

Michael Voris was “married” to John F Mola, engaged in fraudulent home refinancing schemes with him, but obviously cheating on his “husband” hitting on guys at Starbucks. https://t.co/DkxwAsCLOT

— ℜ𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔉𝔞𝔦𝔱𝔥 (RTC) (@rtf_media) November 19, 2023

Dude tried to pick me up outside a DC Starbucks around 20 years back. I assumed he was a methed up homeless at the time. Imagine my surprise 15 years later seeing him on a catholic webcast

— michael (@woolfmg) November 19, 2023

We will update this post as we learn more on this Breaking News!

UPDATE: March 2024, Michael Voris alledgedly sent racy shirtless pictures to males at Church Militant. Church Militant is also set to shut down by the end of April 2024, see: Sacerdotus: Church Militant To Shut Down - Vortex Has Spun Its Course.

Michael Voris' 'Church Militant' Site Hacked

Shortly after a video claiming that the gays are taking over the Church was posted (https://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/vortex-told-you-so1), the site Church Militant was hacked and taken offline.

Church Militant is a site run by Michael Voris. Voris has been a controversial figure in the Church. His videos and content have an ultra conservative and pre-Vatican II nostalgic slant and are always critical of bishops and Pope Francis. Voris has been banned from speaking in many dioceses and the World Youth Day due to his controversial messages, heretical statements and promotion of Catholic Triumphalism. He has been compared by some as the Catholic Alex Jones of InfoWars.  Voris' take on Catholicism is often out of touch, judgmental and pharisaic.  In one video, Voris endorses the idea of a Catholic monarchy ruling the United States of America.

In a broadcast on Periscope and Facebook, Voris did not offer much details as to who hacked his site, but claimed that the payment system and user passwords were not compromised; clearly, concerned about scaring away those who donate to him.  Some of his followers, who are often engaged in conspiracy theories, believe that Voris was hacked for investigating the "Gay Mafia."  Voris himself does not know why his site was attacked and stated that his technicians will be investigating the source while at the same time installing safeguards so that such an attack does not happen again.   

For the first time in our 12 year history, our apostolate has been hacked.

— Church Militant (@Church_Militant) July 11, 2017

There will be a live streamed announcement at 4 pm ET on Facebook and YouTube. Tune in. https://t.co/5xycWBhRH8https://t.co/vl9q5fFBR3

— Church Militant (@Church_Militant) July 11, 2017

Yes. We were hacked. We will be going LIVE on Facebook to give an update at 4 pm ET.

— Church Militant (@Church_Militant) July 11, 2017

@Michael_Voris @Church_Militant website update. CM is back up. The attack has been thwarted and diagnosis performed. No details at this time

— Michael Voris (@Michael_Voris) July 11, 2017

WEBSITE UPDATE https://t.co/9ovUngBILx

— Michael Voris (@Michael_Voris) July 11, 2017

#BREAKING Michael Voris' Church Militant site was hacked. #catholic

— Sacerdotus (@Sacerdotus) July 12, 2017

I will update this post as I learn more.

Michael Coren Leaves Catholic Church

Popular Catholic apologist Michael Coren has left the Catholic Church and joined the Protestant Anglican community. Last month, there were rumors that he had converted.  The Catholic blogosphere was buzzing on the topic.  I first learned of it here:

https://catholicintelligenceblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/michael-coren-crypto-anglican-becomes-anglican/

http://catholicsacristan.blogspot.com/2015/04/why-catholics-are-wrong-michael-coren.html


He is also mentioned on the Toronto's Anglican community Facebook and parish bulletin, see:

https://www.facebook.com/torontoanglican/photos/pb.115072368533937.-2207520000.1430155693./895263353848164/?type=3&theater

http://www.stjamescathedral.on.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jqIq7L3MfcE%3D&tabid=98

After reading those posts, I decided not to post on it until I heard it "from the horse's" mouth, so to speak.  Well, that time has come.  Michael Coren in an interview on the National Post, a Canadian online publication, Coren confirmed that he did, in fact, leave the Catholic Church for Anglicanism.  His reason was same-sex marriage.  He claims that it bothered him that same-sex couples could not be allowed to love.  He claims to have felt like a "hypocrite.  Apparently, while still giving talks at Catholic conferences, he was attending Anglican liturgies.

Immediately after learning of his conversion, his schedule speeches and an appearance on EWTN were cancelled.  EWTN has even pulled his books off of their Religious Catalogue site.  He even tweeted on it:

I was booked to apear on @EWTN tomorrow to discuss persecuted Christians but because I'm now Anglo-Catholic I've been cancelled. Priorities.

— Michael Coren (@michaelcoren) April 28, 2015

Church Militant TV host Michael Voris took to his vlog to criticize Michael Coren's decision.  See:
http://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/the-vortex-michael-coren
http://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/michael-coren-leaves-the-church

I agree with most of what Voris said, but he was a bit harsh and facetious in my opinion. Nevertheless, Coren believes that the Anglican community has a valid Eucharist and this is not so. As Voris stated, this denomination was founded on sin.  Henry VIII ironically wrote a book defending Catholicism just like Coren did, but the late king of England changed his mind when it became personal.  His desire for divorce forced him to create his own parody of the Catholic Church.  Since its creation, this denomination has set aside the Bible and Tradition in favor of modern errors, especially relativism.  It boggles the mind as to why this educated man would leave the one true Church.  However, I think I can relate to what he is feeling.

Coming from an atheist background, I held ideas that were obviously contrary to Catholicism.  As a Catholic, some things still bother a bit or make me feel uncomfortable in regards to the Church's teachings and/or attitude and how it relates to others.  What I mean by this is that because I have gay friends it is sometimes hard to reconcile my beliefs now with their lifestyle while at the same time trying not to offend them.  This is, of course, a natural human response. However, it is not about me or my feelings.  It is not about me offending anyone, but about the truth in Jesus Christ.  So while my beliefs may bother my friends and I do not want to lose that status with them, my priority is Christ. That being said, I will not forsake Christ and the Church's teachings based on my natural human response.

Instead of attacking Michael Coren, we need to understand where he is coming from and pray for him.  He clearly is falling into misguided compassion.  His natural human response of misguided compassion is not allowing him to see the truth clearly.  This is similar to former priest Alberto Cutie who left the Catholic Church for the Episcopal denomination simply because he could not keep his celibacy promise. Again, he let his natural human response (finding a mate) get the best of him and cloud his judgment. The same happen to the popular preacher, John Corapi.  See more here: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2011/12/wolves-in-shepherds-clothing.html

We must keep these fallen Catholics in our prayers.  Only God can convert them.  Our emotional responses (often negative) to their abandonment of the faith will not help them.        







Source:

https://catholicintelligenceblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/michael-coren-crypto-anglican-becomes-anglican/

http://catholicsacristan.blogspot.com/2015/04/why-catholics-are-wrong-michael-coren.html

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/religion/i-felt-a-hypocrite-author-michael-coren-on-why-he-left-the-catholic-church-for-anglicanism

http://www.catholic-convert.com/blog/2015/04/28/michael-corin-flops-again-this-time-joining-the-anglican-church-what-group-will-he-join-next/

https://www.facebook.com/torontoanglican/photos/pb.115072368533937.-2207520000.1430155693./895263353848164/?type=3&theater

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/06/27/i-was-wrong

http://www.stjamescathedral.on.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jqIq7L3MfcE%3D&tabid=98