He That Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear (Matthew 11:15)

Torch of The Faith News on Friday 20 May 2016 - 19:22:00 | by admin

Good News from Lourdes in this article!

 

Trying to Avoid Reality

It was hard to even think of writing anything here yesterday in light of Pope Francis' latest interview with the French La Croix newspaper.

For it is abundantly clear from this interview that Pope Francis does not at all hold with the traditional teachings of the Magisterium on the secular state in relation to the Universal Kingship of Jesus Christ, which are so clearly expressed in - to name but two examples - Pope St. Pius X's Vehementer Nos and Pope Pius XI's Quas Primas. Of course, a media interview holds no weight in comparison to such authorative teaching documents, but even so...

If all of that were not depressing enough, then the fact that Pope Francis uses an expression which comes dangerously close to conflating Christ's Great Commission at the end of St. Matthew's Gospel with the idea of conquest - which he admits to be ''inherent in the soul of Islam'' - is a positive crucifixion to an orthodox Catholic believer.

Grim Reality

I noticed again last night that even commentators at secular sites are becoming increasingly concerned about the trajectory of this papacy. For example, the British correspondent Paul Joseph Watson has written an article about this matter for InfoWars entitled: Pope Betrays Christianity. In this article, which alas includes an inappropriately-titled video clip, Mr. Watson asks what many of the Catholic faithful have been asking since at least February 2014: ''When will the Pope actually behave like a Christian by defending Christianity instead of constantly undermining it?'' 

That such undermining is present in the words and actions of Pope Francis is also apparent from his approach in the La Croix interview to the Catholic - he says ''Christian'' - roots of Europe. Pope Francis admits that he sometimes dreads the tone, ''which can seem triumphalist or even vengeful. It then takes on colonialist tones.''

In relation to this, it is very important that Catholic commentators, from the Pope down to the ordinary man in the pew, soon recover the historical truth that the Crusades were not so much about conquests for Europe as they were about the defence of Christendom. That such a defence was so urgently needed in the Middle Ages is again evident from the style of Islamic ''conquest'' presently being visited on Christians, and various other groups in the Middle East today, by the likes of ISIS.

While we are facing up to some of these things, we might as well quickly turn to last week's news of a commission to look into the ''question'' of female deacons. I have to say that, in light of the masculinely attired (Sr.) Carmen Sammut's admission that the question about women deacons had been written long before the papal audience, and that the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) had, in fact, been the ones to propose the formation of a commission to look at women deacons, that I was surprised to see some folk trying to pass the thing off as no big deal, ''because it just can't happen as the matter is already settled''.

After all, wasn't there a similar formula employed to usher in the confusion over the already settled matter of Holy Communion for the divorced/re-''married''? And might it not also be at work in the whole Hans Kung/Papal Infallibility issue? Might it not be possible, even likely, that we will see a lengthy ''synodal-type'' discussion, the subsequent production of a lengthy post-commission document, and the employment of some gravely ambiguous footnotes to allow local dioceses to decide their own application of matters discussed?

Exactly...

Facing up to reality

As a little jovial aside before moving through to our happier conclusions, I thought I would mention a spinal phenomenon known to many of our parents' generation here in the UK.

When the gifted engineer Sir Alec Issigonis designed the diminutive cultural icon known to history as the Austin Mini, the impact of that little car's primitive seats and bouncy ride on the veterbral columns of its owners was perhaps not fully realized. It is said that long-term owners later developed a condition nick-named ''Issigonis Back''.

Having risked developing ''Issigonis Back'' myself by running a sprightly Austin Mini Mayfair with a natty sports-steering wheel as my first ever car, from my 18th-birthday in 1990 until 1993, I think that I am now also in danger of permanently developing ''Bergoglio Face'' - seen here engraved on the features of the good Father Gerald Murray! I have certainly been experiencing the progressive stages of this condition since Synods '14-'15 and the advent of Amoris Laetitia!

Raymond Arroyo and Fr. Gerald Murray displaying two of the progressive stages of ''Bergoglio Face''. Ah, Evangelii Gaudium!

Listening to Reality

As a curative to the onset of ''Bergoglio Face'' we will conclude by summarizing three intriguing events that seem to have been less noticed than one might have hoped.

1. Maike Hickson's telephone conversation with Fr. Ingo Dollinger.

Although it has raised as many questions as it at first appeared to answer, it does seem important that news of Maike Hickson's telephone conversation with Fr. Ingo Dollinger occurred and was reported at 1 Peter 5 on Pentecost Sunday.

To those who are asking ''If this news is true, then how could, (the then), Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger have suggested that the whole of the Third Secret of Fatima had been released in full?'' I would urge you to read Christopher Ferrara's meticulous research in the book The Secret Still Hidden. I read this book six years ago and have never seen anyone successfully refute the evidence gathered nor the arguments drawn from it by Mr. Ferrara.

Whatever else Maike Hickson's article has done, it has allowed countless people to experience renewed hope and to begin to look deeper at this whole issue. Another book which we read on this subject six years ago was Antonio Socci's The Fourth Secret of Fatima. It is also well worth studying.

2. A New Miracle of the Sun at Fatima?

The Eponymous Flower has reported about a possible new Miracle of the Sun in the parish of Vila Nova de Ourem on the 4th May.

Local Portuguese television stations have reported on the fact that around 100 people, who had been taking part in an overnight prayer vigil with a pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the church at Ourem, witnessed a 15-minute solar miracle during the Marian Procession from Ourem towards Caxarias at 8 am on the 4th May.

One or two observers have noticed that, not only did this happen 9 days before the 99th anniversary of Our Lady's first visit to the little Fatima seers, but that it was also the birthday of the late Fr. Nicholas Gruner, who did so much to spread the Fatima message during his embattled lifetime.

3. Little girl healed of deafness at Lourdes.

The Eponymous Flower also reports that on the 11th May, a little deaf girl removed her prosthesis during a pilgrimage to Lourdes and told her family that she no longer needed it because she could now hear.

The child had been born prematurely on Christmas Day in 2009. Although the doctors had managed to save her life, it seems that the drugs they had administered had damaged her hearing organs.

When the little girl removed her hearing prosthesis in her family's hotel room, after the Eucharistic Procession, they were amazed that she could not only hear them in the same room, but could even hear them clearly when they called her softly from the next room. Indeed, she even speaks very clearly, very differently than before the healing took place.

A Story Within the Story

Naturally, the Catholic Church takes great care to investigate such phenomena before they can officially be accepted among the scores of officially documented healings at Lourdes.

To this effect, the pilgrim conductor desired to take the girl to the Bureau des Constationes Medicales as soon as possible to begin the process.

In front of the Crowned Statue of Our Lady in the Domain, the little girl announced: ''I thank you dear Mother, for what you have done for me.''

The ''story within the story'' relates to an incident in the waiting room of the Bureau des Constationes Medicales. Whilst the little girl and the pilgrim conductor were waiting, she spotted a stylized representation of Our Lady and said: ''This is ugly.'' However, when she entered the doctor's room and noticed a picture of the Crowned Virgin, she said with satisfaction: ''This is the Madonna.''

Whilst the doctors at the Bureau have carried out initial medical tests, it has been noticed that, not only can the little girl now hear, but that she has changed from being closed and introverted to being wholly different.

Conclusion

We sense that even, and perhaps especially, in the midst of such dark times of trial for the Church, Our Lady is teaching something for those who can hear.

Taken together, these three occurrences show us that the message of Our Lady of Fatima remains extremely important for our times, that the approach of the 100th anniversary seems to be a decisive time, and that Our Lady remains with those who are spiritually little enough to hear Her and to recognise Her. The incident wherein this little girl is first healed and then able to distinguish between the beauty of the true images of Our Lady and the ugliness of Modernism is particularly instructive.

As Our Lord Jesus Christ taught in St. Matthew's Gospel (11:15): ''He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.''

Our Lady of Fatima and Lourdes - Pray for us!  

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Liverpool's Catholics Want Answers!

Torch of The Faith News on Wednesday 18 May 2016 - 10:17:43 | by admin

Sad to relate: Sr. Mary Rose Fitzsimmons has publicly dishonoured her religious vows by signing up to Beattie's letter supporting ''early, safe and legal abortion''. Please pray for her conversion. 

It is now two and a half weeks since we reported that Sr. Mary Rose Fitzsimmons HHS had signed up to Tina Beattie's letter, which called for the fallacy of ''early, safe and legal abortion''.

In our earlier article, we had pointed out that Sr. Fitzsimmons described herself in that letter as a ''Spiritual Director and Pastoral Worker'' in Liverpool. We also noted that Claire Ball, a ''religious education teacher'' in Liverpool, had also signed Beattie's letter. Claire Ball is the publicly named ''parish contact'' for the radically dissenting group A Call to Action (ACTA) in the parish of St. Agnes in Huyton.

In our previous article, we noted that it would be necessary for Archbishop Malcolm McMahon to act in order to defend the lives of the preborn, call these public dissenters to repentance and protect local Catholics and other observers from further grave scandal. We also noted that these dissenters must be forbidden to receive Holy Communion or to teach in any official capacity until they had publicly repented of this sinful scandal of calling for a law which would enable the destruction of human babies in the womb.

After two and a half weeks the silence from the Archbishop, auxiliary-bishops, priests, teachers and the majority of laity in the Archdiocese has sadly been lamentable.

The above-pictured Sr. Mary Rose Fitzsimmons also happens to be the Vice President on the Executive Committee of the Conference of Religious for England and Wales.

This official group will be meeting today at Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, for their AGM.

The Conference's own website suggests that it seeks to be a dynamic and proactive presence ''of Church'' with those on the margins of society.

As there could not be anyone more on the margins of society than a vulnerable and threatened preborn baby, one must wonder what steps the Conference of Religious for England and Wales will take in regard to Sr. Mary Rose Fitzsimmons' public call for a pro-abortion law.

After so much regrettable silence from the hierarchy, and on this day of the Conference of Religious' AGM, Liverpool's Catholics want answers!    

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Blasts from the Past at March for Life UK!

Torch of The Faith News on Tuesday 17 May 2016 - 12:30:25 | by admin

Fr. Simon Firth from Salford Diocese meets with Precious Life during Saturday's March for Life UK.

It sounds as though this year's March for Life UK was a great success with thousands in attendance and an address given by the mother who kept her baby after seeing last year's event.

Looking through some of the joyful pictures on-line it was also encouraging to recognize a few faces from the past.

Ushaw Seminary 1998: (L-R) Simon Firth, Mike Williams (R.I.P.), Fr. Tim Swinglehurst, Me and Tim Walker.

1.

Fr. Simon Firth was definitely on the side of the angels when I knew him as a fellow seminarian at Ushaw Seminary in the late 1990's. In those days he was simply known to the lads as ''Firthy''.

I remember him as a very caring and deeply spiritual young man, who was orthodox in his theology and deeply devoted to Our Blessed Lord, Our Lady, little St. Therese of Lisieux and to the holy Church. His sensitivity to spiritual things allowed him to weep openly at the bullying and sacrilegious behaviour around us. At the same time Simon's warm heart, gregarious personality and riotous sense of fun contributed to his huge capacity for friendship and a rare ability to forgive, and even to love, his enemies.

I last saw Fr. Simon during the visit of the relic of St. John Vianney's heart to England in 2012. It helped me a lot when he spotted Angie and I praying in one of the pews before the relic in St. Michael and All Angels, in Woodchurch, on the Wirral peninsula. Although I hadn't seen him for nearly eight years, Fr. Simon came over to us very naturally, traced a firm sign of the cross on my forehead with his thumb and grinned, ''How are yer?''

A visitor to Ushaw once suggested to us that the seminarian is the father of the priest. If that be true, then Fr. Simon must be a smashing father to his flock.

2.

Sr. Felicitas and Sr. Valentina are Nigerian members of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ (IHM).

Sr. Felicitas, Sr. Valentina and others in their Congregation witnessing to life during the March for Life UK on Saturday.

The IHM Congregation was founded in Nigeria by Archbishop Charles Heerey (1890 - 1967), who first travelled to Nigeria in November 1922 as a Holy Ghost missionary priest. He was created bishop in 1927 and raised to the status of Archbishop in 1950. The IHM Congregation attracts many vocations and serves in a wide variety of apostolates in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, America, England and Italy.

We worked with Sr. Felicitas and Sr. Valentina during the times we were involved with the catechetical work of the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham. Sr. Valentina often encouraged us with her laughter and sense of fun. Sr. Felicitas reminded me of the importance of integrating prayer into the activity of work: through her good example I tried to begin the working day by praying the Prayer of St. Joseph the Worker with her each morning; and by joining her in the Angelus at mid-day.

When I was going through a rough patch, Sr. Felicitas also gave me a set of the long red and white ''Thank You Jesus'' chaplet beads, which Our Blessed Lord Jesus had made known to the late Archbishop Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka of Jos, Nigeria.

This chaplet enables the one praying it to say ''Thank You'' to Jesus 1,000 times each day for all that He suffered for us in His Sacred Passion.

It is a powerful prayer, which pleases Jesus and often brings miraculous fruits. The basic theme of this chaplet is to cease asking God for things and to praise and thank Him instead.

For example, instead of asking God to solve a particular problem, the person praying is encouraged to thank God for already having solved that problem!

There are many testimonies as to how this chaplet of thanking Jesus has helped people. Examples include: falsely accused people swiftly receiving justice; infertile couples receiving children; imprisoned people getting released; lost people being found; alcoholics giving up the drink; broken homes being restored to peace; and even a person who had not received their pension for a long time, receiving up to 3 years worth of money within 2 weeks of starting the chaplet!

Archbishop Ganaka said that Jesus had told him that those who pray this ''Rosary of Thanks'' are healing the wounds in Christ's Heart; and in turn He heals their wounds for them.

It was good for us to see these cheerful images from the March for Life UK and to be reminded of all these happy things. Please do keep Fr. Simon, Sr. Felicitas and Sr. Valentina, and each of their apostolates, in your prayers.    

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For the Prince of This World Cometh...

Torch of The Faith News on Monday 16 May 2016 - 18:50:06 | by admin

Something called the ''Sun Puppet'' progresses its synthetic flames along Hope Street during yesterday's ''Pentecost Pageant'' in Liverpool.

Some Background

I don't know about you, but we had a pretty quiet celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost in our family yesterday. You know the kind of thing: Traditional Low Mass, the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, final prayers of the Novena to the Holy Ghost and a glass or two of good red wine with some chocolate to celebrate.

During our serene celebrations, it was instructive to hear the closing words of yesterday's Gospel from chapter 14 of St. John's Gospel, where Our Lord announces: ''I will not now speak many things with you; for the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not anything. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I.'' These are always sobering words to reflect on.

The leaders of the Archdiocese of Liverpool marked the Solemnity of Pentecost by participating in the somewhat more boisterous Pentecost Pageant along Hope Street.

For 34 years, some local Catholics and Anglicans have taken part in a bi-annual Pentecost walk between the city's two cathedrals at either end of Liverpool's famous Hope Street. Although the ideal of uniting Christians for walks of witness may seem laudable - and a friend of ours has spoken very positively to us about the public witness to Christ Crucified which is given by the annual ecumenical Good Friday walk - I have always felt it a little incongruous to hold such an event on the day of Pentecost Sunday. After all, at the first Pentecost, the Holy Ghost brought about the birth of One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Catholic Church, founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Ghost, alone has the fullness of truth and unity in Her very essence. It therefore follows, both logically and theologically, that genuine and lasting Christian unity can only be attained by joining that same Catholic Church today. 

For, as the Traditional Missal explains, in its introduction to Whit Sunday, the Feast of Pentecost: ''The Church today worships in a special way the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth and holiness, Who endows the true Church of Christ with infallibility in preaching and efficacy in sanctifying.''

And Now for Something Completely Different!

Still, by bringing together the Catholic Church and Anglican ecclesial community with a wide variety of non-Christians in the city, this year's Pentecost Pageant appeared to go beyond even the, I would say flawed, ecumenical model and thus mark a step towards something altogether new and different - a kind of Christian/Post-Christian/Post-Ecumenical Pentecost.

More artificial flames: The identically attired male and female characters Flaming Nora and Hot Rod gesticulate along Hope Street.

We first heard about the Pentecost Pageant towards the end of last week and began to do a little research. It did not take too long for us to begin to realize that this year's event - in which Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, local Catholic clergy and various lay people would participate with senior Anglicans and their followers - might prove uniquely hazardous from an orthodox Catholic perspective.

In light of the true meaning of Pentecost explained above, the success, indeed the authenticity, of any public act of ''witness'' can be measured in terms of its faithfulness to God and its ability to both express and convey the foundational meaning of the Solemnity being celebrated.

This year, the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral had joined up with Liverpool City Council, Visit Hope Street Community Interest Company, the Liverpool Lantern Company, Unity Theatre and several others to host the newly developed event. Clearly, only two of these could be said to represent an official Christian witness in a given event.

In the promotional materials that were released prior to the pageant, it was announced that Matthew Linley, the CEO/Artistic Director of Unity Theatre had been hired as Creative Director for the Pageant. The materials explained that there would be choirs, samba bands and actors providing music, dance and colour all along the procession route.

The route itself would this year include five dedicated performance spaces, where ''dramas would allow the crowds to reflect on momentous moments in people's lives, such as marriage and birth.'' Already, this seems to be moving the agenda away from the concept of a simple Christian witness related to the coming of the Holy Ghost and Christian unity.

Given that Unity Theatre will next month be hosting an ''LGBT drama'' and a play called ''Preggers'' (in which, according to the promotional materials, ''Amy's gay best friend tells us how it felt to be asked to start a family with her''), we were understandably worried about the enormous possibility for ideologies at odds with Catholic Truth on marriage and procreation to be presented at an event attended by the Archbishop and his entourage; and this at a pageant ostensibly arranged to celebrate the solemn feast of Pentecost.

It is clear from the Archdiocesan website that His Grace was either harbouring no such concerns; or else he was keeping very quiet about them.

In an article entitled Two Cathedrals Service with a Difference, the Archbishop introduced the post-ecumenical event without any sense of irony whatsoever: ''The Feast of Pentecost is recognized as the birthday of the Church so it is fitting that so many from our city and region can come together to celebrate with music and worship... Our celebrations take place in our Cathedrals joined by a street called Hope, what better symbol of unity for our chuches and for those who will rejoice with us.''

Those Who Will Rejoice With Us...

Men in white suits with fluffy white wings attached are described at the Pentecost Pageant as ''The Guardian Angels''.

As we did not go anywhere near the Pentecost Pageant we have, at this stage, no idea whether or not our concerns about the promotion of LGBT ideology in the dramas occurred or not. 

Nevertheless, a number of troubling things can be gleaned from on-line images and reportage. Catholics who love and worship the Holy Ghost as the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity could not fail to be disturbed by the fact that the Holy Spirit's tongues of fire at the first Pentecost had led to the inclusion of a flame-covered, giant ''Sun Puppet'' or the identically attired and be-flamed characters ''Flaming Nora'' and ''Hot Rod''. Neither could they fail to be concerned by the representation of Guardian Angels by a couple of blokes wearing fluffy white wings.

Though blasphemy and irreverence were perhaps not intended by those involved in these examples, one must certainly look askance at the decision to include in the event a theatre company which is known for producing a hideously blasphemous play called Resurrection Half Price.

The website of Teatro Pomodoro theatre company includes an overview of this disgraceful production, which features an immodest and mocking depiction of the Pieta and the following explanation: ''Combining bouffon, clown and intriguing imagery, this weird comedy transports the audience to a strange new world. What if Mary and Jesus had been born again today... and they had lost themselves in consumerism? Was it really worth sacrificing yourself if this is how humanity evolved?'' This is total blasphemy!

And Archbishop Malcolm McMahon considers these a suitable group ''to rejoice with us'' at Pentecost?

Another drama group that took part in the Pentecost Pageant was the Fool Size Theatre. Although their act on Sunday appears to have been comparatively inoffensive, this group are notorious due to their hideously named play about - and please do forgive the inclusion of this sensitive material here - female masturbation.

The promotional material for another of their dramas, The Fig Leaf Wars, also includes grotesquely impure images of the team fooling about on Crosby Beach, whilst dressed up as giant male and female genitalia.

The Liverpool Echo has provided a report on the Pentecost Pageant complete with photographs of Archbishop Malcolm McMahon and auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams processing with the Anglican ministers and four giant representations of the Beatles. Other images include the giant ''Sun Puppet'' meeting the Anglican choristers near the Catholic Cathedral steps, ''Flaming Nora and Hot Rod'' posing along the route, and the ''Guardian Angels'' standing with the Catholic Cathedral behind them.

The Echo explains how the live music, street performers and the ''Sun Puppet'' transformed the ''iconic street'' into a festival of colour and music. The report then states: ''the event culminated with a major act of worship from the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral.'' The paper's story concludes with a quote from Liverpool's Director of Culture, Claire McColgan, who suggested that the event had helped to achieve the city's commitment to support events showcasing different sides of the city. She added: ''Pentecost achieves just that - a street of hope which is book-ended by two inspirational cathedrals creates a magnificent canvas on which a truly international story of hope can unfold.''

Conclusion

As Catholics, we must ask whether this Pentecost Pageant in Liverpool was truly faithful to God, to Catholic Truth and to expressing and conveying the real meaning of Pentecost. Also, were any of the aforementioned participants publicly called to conversion and repentance for their public promotion of blasphemy or impurity? 

Two years ago at Pentecost, Pope Francis broke with Sacred Tradition by praying-in a new kind of ''Pentecost'' with various Jews and Muslims in the Vatican Gardens. This year in Liverpool, Catholic prelates stood alongside Anglican ministers, people in fancy dress, four giant Beatles and a gigantic Sun Puppet to take part in a ''major act of worship'' with countless Protestants, agnostics, atheists, public promoters of impurity and even public blasphemers.

From all that we have described here, it appears that a syncretic attempt is being made to bring a synthesis between the Catholic Church, the various Protestant denominations and the secular zeitgeist. If so, it all seems emblematic of the worst fantasies of  the One World Religion.

If we are right, then we had all better pay heed to Our Lord's words in the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday; for it does indeed seem that the Prince of this World cometh... 

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Pentecost Sunday 2016

Torch of The Faith News on Sunday 15 May 2016 - 11:48:17 | by admin

To celebrate this holy feast of Pentecost Sunday, we're posting up that part of St. Thomas Aquinas' teaching on the eight article of the Credo which highlights some of the fruits of the Holy Ghost.

St. Thomas Aquinas

We derive many fruits from the Holy Ghost.

a). The first is that He cleanses us from our sins. The reason for this is that a thing is repaired by the same one as made it. Now the soul is created by the Holy Ghost, since by Him God makes all things: in as much as it is through loving His own goodness that God is the cause of all: Thou lovest all the things that are, and hatest none of the things that Thou hast made (Wisdom 11:25), in which sense Dionysius (Div. Nom., iv) says: God's love did not allow Him to be barren. Consequently, the human heart which is ruined by sin must needs be restored by the Holy Ghost: Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth (Psalm 103:30). Nor need we wonder that the Spirit cleanses, seeing that all sins are forgiven through love: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much (Luke 7:47). Charity covereth all sins (Prov 10:12). Charity covereth a multitude of sins (1 Pet 4:8).

b). Secondly, the Holy Ghost enlightens our mind, because whatsoever we know, it is through the Holy Ghost that we know it: But the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, whom the Father will send in my name, will himself teach you all things and will bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you (John xiv, 26). His unction teacheth you of all things (1 John 2:27).

c). The Holy Ghost helps us, and to a certain extent compels us, to keep the Commandments. Because none can keep the Commandments unless He loves God: If any man love me, he will keep my word (John 14:23). Now the Holy Ghost makes us love God; therefore He helps us to keep the Commandments: I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in the midst of you; and I will cause you to walk in my Commandments and to keep my judgements and do them (Ezek: 36:26, 27).

d). He strengthens our hope of eternal life, in as much as He is a kind of surety that we shall inherit it; hence the Apostle says: You were signed with the Holy Spirit of promise who is the pledge of our inheritance (Eph 1:13): for He is, as it were, a token of eternal life. The reason is that eternal life is due to a man, in as much as he is made a son of God: and this is effected through his becoming like unto Christ: and a man becomes like unto Christ through having the Spirit of Christ, and this is the Holy Ghost: For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons whereby we cry: Abba (Father). For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit that we are the Sons of God (Romans 8:15, 16). And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying: Abba Father (Gal 4:6).

e). He counsels us when we are doubtful, and teaches us what is God's will: He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches (Rev 2:17). That I may hear him as a master (Isa 50:4).

We pray that the Church and all of our readers will experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Ghost this Pentecost to strengthen, guide and protect them in Christ's Truth from this day and into a peaceful eternity with Him.

A Blessed, Holy and Fruitful Pentecost to all who read this!

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13th May - Our Lady of Fatima

Torch of The Faith News on Friday 13 May 2016 - 13:32:10 | by admin

Our Lady of Fatima promised: In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.

May none of us ever forget this great promise of Our Lady of Fatima! (It is well worth printing this promise out and placing it somewhere prominent in the home as a daily reminder). 

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Solemn Procession with Our Lady of Fatima - Sunday 15th May 2016

Torch of The Faith News on Friday 13 May 2016 - 11:35:53 | by admin

There will be a Solemn Procession with Our Lady of Fatima this coming Sunday 15th May at the ICKSP Shrine Church of Ss Peter, Paul and Philomena in New Brighton. The address is 7 Atherton Street, New Brighton, Wallasey, CH45 9LT.

The programme for the day is as follows:-

10.30 am - Traditional Sung Mass

12 noon - Procession around the Shrine

1:15 pm - Free Hot Lunch

2:30 pm - Marian Talk by Canon Montjean

3:15pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (with the great Monstrance), Rosary, Adoration and Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

5:30 pm - Traditional Vespers

All are welcome!

We encourage readers to please pray for the success of this day and attend if possible.

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March for Life UK - Saturday 14th May 2016

Torch of The Faith News on Thursday 12 May 2016 - 13:14:07 | by admin

The third annual March for Life UK will take place this Saturday in Birmingham. The event aims to raise awareness of the hurt and damage that abortion causes, to unite all the pro-life groups that are working in the UK so that they can become a stronger voice and, ultimately, to help bring to an end the greatest violation of human rights in history.

Last year around 1,200 people took part in the joy-filled march and, happily, the powerful witness led to a baby being saved.

This year's event is endorsed by many pro-life organizations, including: Abort 67, Alliance of Pro-Life Students, Cardiff Students for Life, 40-Days for Life, Good Counsel Network, Helpers of God's Precious Infants (UK), Oxford Pro-Life Witness, Precious Life (Ireland), Life Fertility Care, Oxford Students for Life, Rachel's Vineyard (UK) and SPUC.

The itinerary for this year's event on Saturday is as follows:-

9.00 am - Devotions to Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham.

9.30 am - Optional Traditional High Mass (Missa Cantata) at the Birmingham Oratory.

10.00 am - Optional Mass at St. Chad's Cathedral.

11:45 am - Victoria Square (city centre) - Pro-Life market stalls showcasing the work that is going on around the UK by different groups. There will also be face painting, a crepes and ice cream caravan, merchandise stall, Mercy Bus (providing opportunity for Confession/Spiritual Advice from Catholic priests), Cross of Life (to allow people to place prayer petitions at the foot of the cross).

12.00 am - Welcome from MC's and Live Music from the Soli youth team.

13.00 - Welcome from Birmingham's Auxiliary Bishop David McGough

13.05 - Address by Bishop Ade Badejo from the Diocese of Oyo in Nigeria. His Lordship is aware that UK abortion providers are trying to penetrate his country and he wishes to march with brother bishops, priests and lay faithful to stand up for life and say a big ''NO!'' to those pushing a culture of death on Africa.

13.15 - Ryan Bomberger, director of the Radiance Foundation, will speak about his story. His natural mother was sadly raped and courageously kept the baby in her womb. She gave Ryan for adoption as a baby to a multi-racial Christian family of 15; ten of whom were also adopted.

13.45 - Live Music

14.05 - Victory Parade - the March for Life begins to go through Birmingham and circle back to Victoria Square.

15.15 - Stephanie Gray, authour of Love Unleashes Life: Abortion and the Art of Communicating Truth, will address the crowd.

15.45 - Vigil led by Bishop Patrick

16.00 - Close 

The March for Life UK motto is ''Life from Conception - No Exception!''

We highly recommend this growing annual event and encourage readers to attend if possible, to pray for the success of the day and to pray for the work of all involved in building a Culture of Life.

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Pray for us!

St. Chad - Pray for us!

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Christifideles Laici and the Age of the Laity

Torch of The Faith News on Tuesday 10 May 2016 - 17:13:15 | by admin

John Smeaton, Chief Executive of SPUC and Co-Founder of Voice of the Family, addressing the Rome Life Forum on Saturday.

Voice of the Family has released a transcript of an address entitled Building a Catholic Resistance Movement, which was delivered on Saturday in Rome by John Smeaton, Chief Executive of SPUC and Co-founder of Voice of the Family.

John Smeaton used his address to call for a Catholic resistance movement to respond to ''the crisis of truth and the crisis of leadership within Catholic Church structures'' which poses a serious threat to children and the family. John Smeaton concluded his talk by reading out a letter that he intends to send to Pope Francis, calling on him ''to recognize grave errors'' in the recently published Amoris Laetitia, ''in particular those sections which will lead to the desecration of the Holy Eucharist and to the harming of our children, and to withdraw the Apostolic Exhortation with immediate effect.''

In recent months we have been becoming increasingly distressed and perplexed by the utter silence from bishops and priests in the face of the grave public sacrileges and scandals that we have been drawing attention to. This state of affairs has reached something of a crescendo with the publication of Amoris Laetitia, the total silence of all but a few cautious responses from the hierarchy and, indeed, the totally positive and unnaunced welcome given to the document even by seemingly orthodox bishops and priests.

John Smeaton has had the courage to say what no prelate has said up to today. It seems to us that the particular genius of his letter to Pope Francis, is the way that it demonstrates that allowing adulterous acts to seem justifiable in fact shows a lack of mercy.

We must pray that John Smeaton's example will encourage others to decide whether or not they are actually Catholics and to then step up to the plate to be counted in defending Christ's Real Presence, His Teaching, His Church and His faithful ones. In light of Archbishop Bruno Forte's recent revelations and Hans Kung's claims, one really must ask: What are the orthodox prelates waiting for?

What follows is a reproduction of John Smeaton's letter to Pope Francis.

Your Holiness,

With reverence and with attention to common advantage and the dignity of persons, and as a husband and father, I consider that the section of Amoris Laetitia entitled ''The Need for Sex Education'' seriously fails parents at a time when parental rights regarding sex education are are under serious and sustained attack in many nations of the world, and at the international institutions. This section spans more than five pages without making even one reference to parents, albeit parental rights are mentioned earlier in another context. On the other hand there is reference to ''educational institutions''. Yet sex education is ''a basic right and duty of parents'' which ''must always be carried out under their attentive guidance, whether at home or in educational centres chosen and controlled by them'' as your predecessor, Pope John Paul II, taught the faithful in Familiaris Consortio, Number, 37.

Your Holiness, Catholic Bishops' Conferences around the world, including in Britain, are collaborating with our anti-life opponents in the birth control and sex education lobbies, in helping to impose corrupting sex education programmes on primary and secondary schoolchidlren. Such programmes, including in Catholic schools, involve providing our children with access to abortion and contraception. Thus, Holy Father, the Bishops' Christ-given authority, which we the faithful hold in such reverence, is being instrumentalised to scandalise and cause terrible harm to our children. Amoris Laetitia will serve to make this terrible situation even worse.

Holy Father, I believe, as all Catholics believe, that the Pope is Peter, the Rock Christ chose on which to build His Church. The Pope serves the unchangeable truth of Christ's teaching. However, Your Holiness, the Pope is not the master but the servant of the truth.

Your Holiness, once again, with reverence and with attention to common advantage and the dignity of persons, as well as with my authority as a husband and father, I note that there are references to public adultery in the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia which fail to point out the intrinsic evil of adultery. I consider that such references will result in scandalizing little ones in the way contained in Jesus Christ's warning in verse 92, chapter 9, of the Gospel of St. Mark.

Even worse, Holy Father, Amoris Laetitia, the Apostolic Exhortation, at the very least, raises the possibility that adulterous sexual acts may be justifiable. This shows a lack of mercy because it denies Catholics the truth about right and wrong. It denies Catholics the knowledge they need to exercise true freedom, freedom from sin. It also shows a lack of mercy because it sends children the false message that marriage is not indissoluble. Arguably, Your Holiness, the most effective way of destroying children is to destroy marriage as an indissoluble lifetime union of a man and a woman.

Holy Father, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that certain actions are ''intrinsically evil'' such things as adultery.

I believe, Your Holiness, as all Catholics believe, because Jesus Christ Himself taught, that marriage is indissoluble and, Jesus taught, if someone divorces or puts away their spouse and marries another, he or she commits adultery - which is considered a mortal sin, the kind of serious sin by which one cuts oneself off from God's love (Matthew, 19).

I believe, as all Catholics believe, because Jesus Christ Himself taught, that in going to Holy Communion we receive the Body of Jesus Christ, God Himself: we receive life and the promise of eternal life (John, 6:54).

Finally, Holy Father, I believe, as all Catholics believe the teaching of St. Paul that if a person eats and drinks the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ unworthily, we don't receive life or grace, we eat and drink judgement to ourselves ''not discerning the body of the Lord (Corinthians:1,11.29).

Holy Father, I know lots of ordinary Catholics both in my family life and through my work. I know women and men who've been deserted by their spouse for another person and either left alone with children or left alone without their children. If that deserted spouse were then to see their wife or husband with a new partner, receiving the Body of Christ in Communion, that sends the message to everyone, including the children, that marriage is not indissoluble after all. This is destructive of the truth about marriage. It's also damaging psychologically and spiritually, not least for the children.

Holy Father, with reverence and with attention to common advantage and the dignity of persons, I appeal to you to recognise the grave errors in the recently published Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, in particular those sections which will lead to the desecration of the Holy Eucharist and to the harming of our children, and to withdraw the Apostolic Exhortation with immediate effect.

Yours sincerely in Christ.

It has been reported by LifeSiteNews that over 100 pro-life and pro-family leaders leapt to their feet in applause when they heard John Smeaton call for Pope Francis to withdraw his controversial exhortation Amoris Laetitia on Saturday.

As we say in Liverpool, John Smeaton has certainly ''got a lot of bottle'' to take this courageous stand. Do keep him in your prayers.   

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Better News from Rome

Torch of The Faith News on Tuesday 10 May 2016 - 12:29:42 | by admin

All pictures in this article are taken from Marcia Nazionale Per La Vita It.

The 6th annual National March for Life took place in Rome on Sunday. The march gradually progressed from the Bocca della Verita to St. Peter's Square in time to hear Pope Francis' Regina Coeli address from the balcony. At the end of his address, Pope Francis greeted the large pro-life crowd, which had gathered from at least two dozen countries.

The size of the crowd has been estimated from anywhere between 6,000 and 30,000. The organizers have confirmed that more than 100 pro-life/pro-family groups participated. Although the annual march is not sponsored or organized by the Catholic Church per se, a large proportion of the crowd came from among the Catholic faithful.

It was good to see that a good number of priests and religious were present in their clerical cassocks and habits. Once again, Cardinal Raymond Burke was the only cardinal to walk in this year's march. His Eminence was joined this time by Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhstan, who had been participating with the cardinal in the excellent Voice of the Family - Rome Life Forum conference in the Holy City. It was also heartening to hear that Archbishop Luigi Negri of Ferrara joined these prelates. By doing do, His Grace became the first and only Italian bishop to participate in the annual march thus far. Life Site News reported that Australia's Cardinal George Pell also took part with Cardinal Raymond Burke in a special prayer-vigil on the Saturday night before the march. 

It is especially encouraging for the faithful to see these good men leading from the front like this during such a dark time for the Church and society. We must pray much for these men and their witness.

Ed Pentin at the National Catholic Register has quoted Cardinal Burke's comments on the importance of the event. His Eminence remarked: ''I believe many see the importance of this demonstration as a world expression of support for human life. It's also a wonderful thing to see here Archbishop Negri of Ferrara, Bishop Schneider, and also a good number of clergy. What I see every year is that the number is greater. Another thing, too, to note is the many, many young people. It's a sign that they are deeply concerned and want to be a part of the transformation of our society.''

Catholic News Service (CNA) reports that marchers carried signs urging not only an end to abortion, but also urging Italian lawmakers to reject proposed legislation allowing euthanasia and a bill that would recognize civil unions of unmarried heterosexual and homosexual pairings.

It is great to see that there were so many young religious sisters on the march.

Perhaps Dr. Thomas Ward, the founder and former president of the UK's National Association of Catholic Families (NACF) said it best: ''It's of enormous importance that here, at the See of Peter, particularly at this moment of unparalleled crisis, we give witness to the life of the unborn. We are not talking of a euphemism of abortion, we're talking of crushing babies' skulls, were talking of eviscerating babies and dismembering them. The silence that we're seeing all around in the Church is the greatest determinant of this.''

It is great to see that this joy-filled annual event is continuing to grow and flourish, even in such grave times for the Church. Readers in the UK will have an opportunity to take part in this country's own growing March for Life UK this coming weekend. More details will follow in our next article.  

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