2003
Advent PastoralDearly Beloved in Christ"
"For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." (Matt: 24, 24.) These words linger haltingly today, even more so than they seem to linger ordinarily -- perhaps because of the even greater apostasies in the Church, which we see emanating from Fatima. It does not matter that what we are hearing is not the "official position" of the Holy See. And I must be quick to add that the silence on the matter coming from the Eternal City is indeed deafening! The fact that cardinals and bishops and other persons of repute are making such statements constitutes unspeakable heresy and apostasy from the Church.
Plainly, in God's own words, "Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me." Every single form of religious expression that does not come from the mouth of Jesus Christ is FALSE! There is not, there cannot be any "compromise." There is no such thing as compromising one's faith. As devout children of God we must get over the notion -- if some of us have it -- that we must be ever sparing of pain and embarrassment to those whose faith, morals, and conduct differ from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
We cannot, on the one hand, say we reject abortion -- BECAUSE GOD FORBIDS IT; but on the other hand say, "I will not interfere with your 'right' to have an abortion. We cannot, on the one hand, say that we want no "second class citizens in this land -- BECAUSE WE HAVE STATED AS A NATION THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL; but, on the other hand justify "marriage" for persons of the same sex. We cannot, on the one hand, insist that we are moral Christians -- BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT CHRIST EXPECTS OF US; while on the other hand sanctioning a Christian denomination's "consecration to the episcopate" of one mired in a life of blatant homosexuality. We cannot, on the one hand, speak of "death with dignity" -- BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT CHRIST INTENDS FOR ALL OF US; while, on the other hand, snuffing out the life of one whose normal means of sustenance is provided through a tube inserted into her body. We cannot, on the one hand, speak of one of the greatest shrines on the face of this earth as a "Marian Shrine of great Catholic faith and devotion -- BECAUSE THIS IS THE WILL OF OUR LADY; while on the other hand, attempting to phase into existence a so called "interfaith shrine." In each one of these instances we are creating an affront to Almighty God. In each one of these instances, we are not expounding the teachings of the Church, or the hierarchy, or the Fathers of the Church, or the great theologians of all time. Those who accept these contradictions are attempting to thwart the very WILL of God Himself. That is precisely what God forbids in His Commandments, the same that at least one court in this land has so boldly stated are not above the laws of the state.
Those of us who call ourselves Catholics had better a good hard look at ourselves, and we had best take a good hard look at our neighbors who behave in a manner at odds with the will of God. And, contrary to what "they" are teaching at Fatima and the other sacred places within the Church, our job as faithful children of God is to convert our "separated brethren," to bring them to the one God, and to preach the words of repentance uttered by the Baptist and by Jesus Christ Himself.
"I have learned that all the works which God hath made continue forever; we cannot add anything, nor take away from those things which God hath made, that He may be feared." (Eccles: 3, 14.) Let us live by what we believe and act accordingly -- toward God, our nation and our neighbor.
With every good wish and prayerful blessing. I am devotedly yours in Christ.
+ John J. Humphreys
The Most Reverend John J. Humphreys, Archbishop
