Has anyone else run across this new website? https://wherepeteris.com/ Blurb This site was conceived by a group of faithful Catholics who have become increasingly concerned about the attacks from within the Church on Pope Francis and his teachings. Over the entirety of his pontificate, he has been accused by radical traditionalists and dogmatic rigorists of deliberately spreading confusion, teaching error, and even being a heretic. While the group challenging Francis’ pontificate is relatively small, their ranks include prominent laypeople, priests, bishops, and even cardinals. Many of Francis’ fiercest critics have strong voices in the media: in print, on television, and on the web. In many cases, these critics have anointed themselves as the arbiters of orthodoxy, and have accused those who continue to stand with the pope of holding views that dissent from the teaching of the Church. Because Francis’s critics are such a small faction, many of their accusations and assertions have gone unchecked. They complain that their concerns are serious, but they are dismissed and their points are not addressed by those who support the pope. The authors at this site have decided to take up their challenge, both by providing links to resources from other sites and by providing original essays that argue in favor of the orthodoxy and faithfulness of the Holy Father. Additionally, we’ll write about the major themes and important topics that surround the Church, especially in light of the pontificate of Pope Francis. Where Peter is, there is the Church. From the outside looking in it is a rather strange because if you were going to defend Pope Francis why would you not attach your name to the above introduction? There are articles from named people but who has set this website up? Then there is a strange section entitled recognising and preventing spiritual abuse in the Catholic Church by someone called Paul Fahy. https://wherepeteris.com/resources/the-place-where-you-stand-is-holy-ground/#_Toc112936568
Here is an example quoted of spiritual abuse from the that strange website -- One more example of abuse of conscience is from a married woman. She had been Catholic her entire life and strived to follow all of the Church’s teachings, in particular the Church’s moral teachings about sexuality. For years, the priests, apologists, and theologians who helped form her conscience taught a sexual moral code that went well beyond what was actually written in the Catechism or other papal texts. However, these stringent moral rules were presented to her as if it were the Church’s teaching. Even beyond that, she was taught that any violation of these rules was mortally sinful, that one infraction would cut her off from God, prevent her from receiving Communion, and that not confessing this very personal matter in the Sacrament of Reconciliation would damn her. Like in the other example, the abuse here came from a Catholic culture more than from one abuser. But again, the damage was still severe. The internal dissonance caused by not being able to trust her own conscience, alongside the threat of hell if she did not follow the overly stringent moral code, provoked psychological distress and depression symptoms. The threat of separation from God prevented her from being able to break out of her cognitive dissonance. This experience was described as feeling like she was imprisoned by her own beliefs, beliefs she did not want and was not even sure were true. Paul Fahy
Endorsements “Paul Fahey has written a clear, well-researched, and illuminating essay on the reality of spiritual abuse in the Catholic Church. As Fahey shows, spiritual abuse occurs when there is manipulation through guilt or some other form of psychological control. Some religious leaders have unrecognized narcissistic tendencies, and they give people the impression that their voice is the voice of God. Fahey provides examples of vulnerable people who have been harmed by spiritual abuse (while respecting confidentiality). This essay should be read by religious leaders, seminarians, and priests who need to be attentive to the reality of spiritual abuse.” Dr. Robert Fastiggi Ph.D. Bishop Kevin M. Britt Chair of Dogmatic Theology and Christology Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit MI “Because of the deception that is part and parcel of spiritual abuse, it can be difficult to identify. This article gives us both a lens to see and tools to respond to spiritual abuse. With this article ministry leaders will now be equipped to cultivate a more safe, healthy, and effective ministry.” Dr. Timothy Hogan Psy.D. Author, “The Gift of Cultural Hurricanes: Tools to Rebuild Authentic Spirituality” Part-time faculty at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit MI About the Author Paul Fahey B.A. is a catechist and retreat leader. He is currently seeking a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Paul lives in Michigan with his wife, Kristina, and their four kids. He is a contributor for wherepeteris.com and writes and podcasts at popefrancisgeneration.com. He can be contacted at: fahey.paul@gmail.com. Strange people. I wonder what they would make of Padre Pio in the confessional, the priest who could read souls?
Ahh, the plot thickens - this tells us more So it is for dissident Catholics who are using the Pope Francis agenda to further their own agendas -- I hope he doesn't read this - he might consider it spiritual abuse to confront his wooly, woke ideals. Sorry, to tell you woke crowd - Hell is real!!! And our Blessed Mother showed hell to three young shepherd children! This lot would say that was spiritual abuse!
The Pope of mercy theme - church doctrine too strict https://www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/pencil-preaching/johns-vision-francis-dream This article is clearly protestant.
How convenient to believe that Hell isn't real. If we orthodox are such a small faction, why are they going to all this trouble?
Garabandal, I only took a quick look at their website except for reading the followinghttps://wherepeteris.com/cardinal-muller-and-the-destruction-of-the-church/ The author does not mention that orthodox Catholics were blocked from this synodal process, well that is what I have heard. In addition, she repeats multiple times that the gates of hell… but Our Lord also asks whether he will find one person of Faith when he returns. Our Lord also states that so long as one person does have Faith the Church prevails. Or no? I also don’t think that the author doesn’t realize how these things are done, it all starts with a small change imho. Although we have been told to expect a paradigm shift for quite some time now so how can a person not wonder? I have a question that you and/or DeGaulle probably know the answer to, what ended the Arian crisis? I can look this up but I guess I’m being lazy. Thank you.
It's a few years since I read St John Henry Newman's account, but from what I remember, it was the ongoing refusal of most of the laity to accept Arianism, with the support of a minority of the bishops, most notably St Athanasius, that wore down the Arian heretics, but I understand it took quite a long time. There seems a parallel with the present crisis, in that it is again the Church 'elites' who are pushing heresy, opposed by a sadly small number of bishops and cardinals, most notably Cardinal Mueller. Hopefully, the laity will again stick it out, perhaps most effectively by keeping their hands in their pockets, but we might have to wait a very long time before the tide turns. Sorry, I can't be much more help.
