Lavender Mafia

A recently report came out stating that Pope Francis has acknowledge the existence of a "Gay lobby" in the Vatican. 

Even before Pope Francis was elected, Pope Benedict XVI's resignation was surrounded by stories regarding this homosexual scandal.  There were reports in Rome claiming that Cardinals in the curia were blackmailed.  Shortly afterwards, Cardinal O' Brien was removed from his post after reports surfaced that he was sexually harassing priests and seminarians.

The story of homosexuals in the Church is not new.  For decades, it has been known that homosexuals have infiltrated the Catholic Church in all levels in an attempt to push for change and an acceptance to their lifestyle.  The book "Goodbye! Good Men: How Catholic Seminaries Turned Away Two Generations of Vocations From the Priesthood," by Michael S. Rose is an excellent source regarding this.  In the book, Rose writes on how seminarians were turned away from seminaries for being Catholic.  They were harassed for using clericals (cassock/collar shirt/habits), sacramentals, following canon law and adhering to Catholic teachings.  They were even encouraged to date, explore themselves sexually and use porn and other means of sexual diversion.

Even disgraced ex-Catholic priest, Alberto Cutie gives account in his book about homosexuality in the archdiocese of Miami.  Archbishop emeritus Favalora, is rumored to be a homosexual who lived a double life while archbishop of Miami.  It is rumored that he partially owned a company that provided aphrodisiac drinks and enjoyed the company of good looking young males.  Archbishop Rembert Weakland was also in scandal after news surfaced that he paid off a male in order to prevent a lawsuit.  This male was supposedly a male lover of the archbishop's.  He stepped down and archbishop Dolan took his place before being assigned to New York and elevated a Cardinal.    September 11 priest-hero, Mychal Judge is also said to be a known homosexual priest.

This news is of no surprise, but is nonetheless disturbing.  The Catholic priesthood is serious ministry.  A priest acts in the person of Christ by administering the Sacraments and giving blessings to the people of God in the Catholic Church.  Homosexuality is not compatible with this ministry nor with the Christian way of life.  The Vatican is clear that homosexuals cannot be priests.  This is not because homosexuals are somehow inferior or what not.  They are not inferior.  This is because of the simple fact that if a male is attracted to other men, it will be extremely difficult to work in an all male environment.  The candidate would only be presenting himself  in a situation that will make him fall into sin.

As usual, God protects His Church.  Despite this infiltration of homosexuals, the Catholic Church is still thriving.  God will clean the Church out of this filth and will restore her.  The Holy Spirit will renew the Church into the bride that she is.

We must pray for our priests and seminarians.  We must pray that God will give us holy men to join the priesthood.  Not only should we pray for seminarians, but also women joining the religious life.  Many times, men and women join seminary or the religious life in order to "control" their homosexuality.  In some cases, this may make it worse.  Homosexual tendencies are something that are extremely powerful and in a sense, addictive.

May God give Pope Francis the grace, strength and wisdom so that he can rid the Church of this infiltration of homosexuality.

     

Source:

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=18120
http://the-american-catholic.com/2013/03/04/cardinal-o-brien-and-the-lavender-mafia/
http://the-american-catholic.com/2013/02/26/rembert-weakland-and-the-lavender-mafia/
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/catholic-expert-details-39huge-homosexual-underground-in-the-church39/

Thomas Williams

As if the Legionaries of Christ did not have enough trouble they now have Thomas Williams, a priest of the order who has fathered children.   Williams is a well known priest who is often invited to speak on media networks regarding Catholicism or other moral issues.  He like the founder of the order, Maciel, were living double lives.  One of celibacy and one of lust.  

This is unfortunate indeed and can be disheartening.  We expect much of our priests but sometimes forget that they are human and are not free from temptation.  The seal of Holy Orders does not shield any man from temptations.  In reality, it may make it worse because Satan goes after priests in order to stop them from spreading the Good News.   Nevertheless, we can't blame Satan or anyone else.  Williams just like any other priest has free will, a conscience, intellect and reason.

Before ordination, a man must know what he is getting himself into.  This is not a career or something easy to make a living off of.  This is a ministry that envelops a man's entire identity.  A man must be mature, not only intellectually, but also emotionally and spiritually.  The priesthood is not for the weak man.

A man must be truly called by God and must be truly committed to that call.  He must be serious about it.  Unfortunately some join seminary with other motives.   Disgraced former priest Alberto Cutie is an example of this.  He was living 2 lives.  His judgment was obviously so clouded that he was not aware that being on a beach with a woman would get him into trouble.

To add to the drama, he then through the media and a book trashed the Catholic Church which helped him make a name for himself.  Prior to the Catholic Church, he was an unknown DJ.  Furthermore, he joined the Episcopal sect showing that he was never interested in serving Christ in His One True Church.  He even attempted to restart his tv career by having a talk show which was an epic fail.  

Helllooooo...  No one likes hypocrites!   What was he thinking?  Does he think he can go on tv with a collar and all is well - people would now trust his moral judgment?  

See my other blog for more on these Wolves in Shepherd's Clothing (http://sacerdotvs.blogspot.com/2011/12/wolves-in-shepherds-clothing.html)

We will continue to hear about scandals within the Church until Christ returns.  Man is weak.  However, no one should lose faith over the lack of judgement on the part of clergy, religious or other lay faithful.

The Legionaries of Christ should be suppressed in my opinion.  This order needs to be disassembled and put back together correctly by the Vatican.  There is obviously something very wrong with their formation and spirituality.  

As. St. John Chrysostom said:
"The road to hell is paved with the skulls of erring priests, with bishops as their signposts." ~ St. John Chrysostom (347-407)

     


Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/legion-of-christ-scandal_n_1535387.html?ref=religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/16/prominent-legion-priest-a_0_n_1518729.html

Wolves in Shepherd's Clothing

I really don't like to comment on individual priests who have fallen from grace; however, many have asked my take on it.  After reading fallen Catholic priest, Alberto Cutie's blog on the Huffington Post, (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/father-alberto-cutie/missing-gone-or-just-elim_b_968201.html)

I decided to write something here since my comment on the Huffington Post was never posted.

The Priest is a man who is supposed to be "another Christ."  This of course is in a Sacramental sense.  The man does not become Jesus literally.  He just participates in the priesthood of Christ.  Jesus is the priest.

It is like someone buying a franchise in the McDonalds corporation.  The purchaser did not create the brand or owns it, he or she merely pays to use the brand to make money.  The Priesthood is almost the same in that the powers of the Priest do not belong to the ordained man, they are Christ's and the ordained man merely participates in that power or office acting in Jesus' place.

In the blog, Mr. Cutie lists some priests who have been involved in scandals.  He insinuates that they "disappeared" after their respective scandals broke out.

He goes on bashing the Catholic Church and basically points a finger at its leaders and the way the Church operates.




He includes Fr. Frank Pavone which is strange because he is a priest in good standing.  His Bishop called him back to function as a priest in the Diocese of Amarillo.  He was never accused of any wrong doing.

This is not the first time Fr. Pavone has had disputes with his bishop.  In New York, he was at odds with Cardinal Egan's request to put him back in parish work.  Fr. Pavone feels called to solely dedicate his priesthood ministry to the preach the Gospel of Life in the Pro-life cause.    

UPDATE: December 17, 2022 - Frank Pavone was defrocked and laicized by the Vatican.  Pope Francis himself removed Pavone from the priesthood. Frank Pavone is now a layman and cannot function as a priest.  



John Corapi and the facts of his story are still not complete so it is hard to make a conclusion regarding him. Supposed texts were found and what not, but we have not seen them.  His order claims he was living the high life with women, but no real proof was shown, just a statement of this.

In any case, it is suspicious that he left the priesthood and remained in the complex he build which is worth millions and generates millions.  It is also strange that after the statement by the SOTL order, he seemed to have quieted down his defensive stance.  Only God knows what is really going on with him. UPDATE 1/26/2024 here: https://www.sacerdotus.com/2024/01/no-evidence-john-corapi-returned-to.html


Ironically, Cutie does not include himself in the blog: surprise surprise.  This is a case of the "pot calling kettle," so to speak.  Cutie as we all know was photographed on a beach with a woman.  Now this seems harmless right?  Well yes and no.  There is nothing wrong with a man having a woman for company.  She might be a relative, friend or even co-worker.  However, when that man is an ordained Catholic priest and is kissing that women, then there is a problem.

Priests make promises to live a celibate life.  Religious priests take vows to live in chastity and celibacy.  Now these promises and vows are made to God through His Church.  Any priest who breaks them offends God and the Church.  They have value in that they are directed towards God.  

No man should even consider the priesthood if he cannot handle it.  It is not an easy life.  This life is only for the Spiritually, Emotionally and Intellectually mature- and not in any specific order, each must be present equally.  This is why discernment is important. Unfortunately some vocation directors are quick to accept any guy who smiles and seems nice.  That cannot be done.  Many do this to get as many in as possible.

It must be quality over quantity.  An inquirer must be 100% sure he wants to enter the priesthood and can live up to its high standards.  Vocation directors must be keen on spotting the real inquirer from the "wishy washy" one.  Men with homosexual tendencies should not even be on the table for discussion.  This is not an attack or discrimination against homosexual men, but a reflection of reality.  A homosexual man is expected to live with other men.  Is he strong enough to control his tendencies?  A Diocese or Religious order cannot wait till a scandal breaks out to find out.  The same applies to heterosexual men.

Cutie was a DJ, so I read.  He was young when he entered and quickly rose to fame as a priest in the media.  Now, had I been director of vocations in Miami, I would have questioned his sincerity.  Having a career as a DJ is not a bad thing, but comes off as juvenile.  It is a job for those who like to party and enjoy musical atmospheres which is characteristic of the youth.  To a vocations director, this can demonstrate that the candidate is still immature.

Mr. Cutie himself said that he was young and changed a lot which eventually lead to his abandonment of Christ's Church.  He said, "I am not the same man I was when I entered the seminary 22 years ago." (http://archivo.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=1941584)   In that same interview he says a very male chauvinistic thing: "under the cassock there are pants" implying masculinity is based on wearing pants.  He is making the priesthood out to be about the ordained man and his gender, not Christ.

He was labeled "Father Oprah" by the media in a sublime attempt to mock the priesthood and Cutie himself.  Fame can corrupt people.  We hear of the many celebrities who do crazy things after gaining it.  It is also a cash cow.  It was not a surprise that Mr. Cutie would write a book about his life after the scandals.  His intention became obvious that he was using the Catholic Church to make a name for himself and money.  Now he bashes the Church in a memoir and in interviews.  He recently attempted a new Talk show which flopped in ratings and was cancelled faster than one can flip a switch.

People despise hypocrisy.  People know he is using the image of the priest to make money.  A priest needs to be real with God, himself and the people. He needs to be authentic.  Cutie, Corapi and others have failed in doing this.  They were at war within themselves living double lives.

In Physics, anti matter and matter when coming in contact will annihilated one another.  The same of spirituality and anti spirituality.  As Jesus said, "One cannot serve two masters, either he will hate one or love one.  One cannot serve God and money." - Matthew 6:24    

Unfortunately the priesthood being spiritually based is susceptible to those who are opportunistic, ambitious and perverted.  This is not what the priesthood is about.  It is not about the man, but Christ.

A man lays down before the altar showing he is laying his life down.  He rises up, gets his hands anointed and the imposition of hands showing that he no longer lives but Christ like St. Paul says, "It is not I who live, but Christ living in me." -Galatians 2:20  Once ordained it is all about Christ and His Church.

It is sad to hear of the scandals priests get involved in whether sexual, adulterous, homosexual, pedophile, ephebophile, financial, theft, drugs, even murder.

This is what happens when a man leaves Christ out of his life.  When the priesthood is used to obtain power, fame and glory.  When the priesthood becomes a mere job -a mere career - and not a way of life in Christ, then anything can happen.

I wasn't surprised to learn about Mr. Cutie's fall.  I met him briefly at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City after the funeral Mass of Latin singer Celia Cruz.  I won't share my impressions of him nor what other priests and seminarians told me, but needless to say they were troubling to hear.

When he gave Holy Communion to a Presbyterian minister in Florida, his colors began to show.  I even emailed the Diocese complaining about this.  A Holy Bishop I worked for and am friends with who is with the Lord now in Heaven told me that one can tell the holiness of a priest by the reverence he gives the Holy Eucharist.  The Holy Eucharist shows unity, the Eucharist is the heart of the Church.  By giving the Holy Eucharist to a separated brother, it shows that he did not understand nor valued this Sacrament.   Therein was his inner dissent.  It was only a matter of time until this dissent fully came out and he would drown in the wave of sin, liberalism and heresy.

To see him dressed in a alb in an Episcopal church was embarrassing.  Here we have an ordained priest who has legitimate Apostolic succession wearing a lay man's server alb awaiting "ordination" from a mere lay man - Leo Frade- who has no Apostolic succession whatsoever.  It was ridiculous and sad.

If Leo Frade is a bishop, then I can wear a white cassock and be Pope as well.  I can even wear a Yankee uniform and say I am a New York Yankee!  Pope Leo XIII wrote in Apostolicae Curae that the Anglican orders are void and null. 

That being said, Is this how Christ wanted His Church?  A free for all?   Anyone can buy a collar shirt, miter, crosier and call him/herself a bishop?  This is a mockery of Christ and His Church.

Obviously he did not have the will power to control his attractions towards women.  This is why maturity is important.  We all get urges and have desires, but that does not mean we have to jump and act.  That is why God gave us reason and conscience.  Temperance is important.

Cutie says he's a man and was only doing what he is naturally inclined towards.  The natural part is true, but we all have the natural instinct to feed.  Does that mean we all should eat at the sight of food even when not hungry?  If we do, then we become addicted to food and eventually destroy our bodies.  Self-control is needed.  It prevents self-destruction.


St. Paul puts it well regarding celibacy:

"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.  


But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided."  - 1 Cor. 7: 32-33  


I am not attacking anyone in this blog.  I suffer with them and for them.  We all sin, we all make mistakes and we all deserve forgiveness from one another just like God forgives us.

We must pray for all priests, active and inactive; in good standing and suspended.  For those who committed crimes.  We must pray for those who have fallen from grace, and for those who left the ministry for whatever reason whether good or bad.

They are men, they are weak.  All men who feel called to the Priesthood must have a strong spiritual life.  There is no way around this.  The Priesthood is not a job.

I myself am an Academic and former Atheist. I love to study and learn, but I cannot skip praying to read a journal on Neutrinos or String Theory.  These studies enrich my prayer life and faith, they do not replace them.

My prayer life comes first if I am to be a good priest in the future.  Yes I am a male, I didn't shut down my attraction towards women.  However, I channel those feelings to God.  Yes woman is beautiful and made in God's image.  Yes, she shares in God's creative power by bearing children.

I praise God for woman instead of praising my sexuality and its urges.  Whatever love I would have given a woman had I married, I now spread it to all with a smile, by making them laugh when they are sad, by showing concerning, praying for them, helping in any way I can and am allowed to.

We must be aware of the Wolves in Shepherd's clothing.  Priests must not give in to temptation.  As 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."