Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger {now of course Pope Benedict} wen head of the Holy Office} once described our present time as a, 'Marian Age' because of reports of Marian Apparitions flooding in from all round the world. As head of the Holy Office which had the function of investigating these alleged apparitions and acting as a clearing house in their regard the Pope probably has a better understanding of the import of not only the messages but the 'secrets' regarding the future than anyone else in the world. For it is inconcievable that the Church and the Holy Father has not had moree access to these secrets than anyone else in the world. In this understanding Pope Benedict comes in a long line of Pontiffs who have been able to read the present signs of the times, as Our Lady of Medugorje has encouraged us all to do: Pope John Paul II, as Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, spoke these words during a visit to the United States in 1976: We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has gone through. I do not think that wide circles of the American society or wide circles of the Christian community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel versus the anti-Gospel. This confrontation lies within the plans of Divine Providence . . . It is a . . . test of 2,000 years of culture and Christian civilization with all of its consequences for human dignity, individual rights, human rights and the rights of nations.1 John Paul II is talking about Truth in Christ versus lies in Satan, the Father of Lies (Jn.8:44). He elaborates further in his encyclical letter The Splendor of Truth: . . . there is a tendency to grant to the individual conscience the prerogative of independently determining the criteria of good and evil and then acting accordingly . . . this individualism leads to a denial of the very idea of human nature.2 The Pope spells out the consequences of this behavior in his encyclical letter The Gospel of Life: . . . when the sense of God is lost, there is also a tendency to lose the sense of Man, of his dignity and his life; in turn, the systematic violation of the moral law, especially in the serious matter of respect for human life and its dignity, produces a kind of progressive darkening of the capacity to discern God’s living and saving presence. But how can we , as a Church prepare for the future?? For the shock of the Tribulation that is upon us?? I think these are several things that come to mind, you may have a few ideas yourself. Firstly it is important that the Church decentralise as much as possible, not only to individual countries but right down to parish level. The Vatican will dissappear as central force and cease to exist. So it is important to spread out power to local churchs. Think of the lion, if you shoot it it dies. Think though of the lowly worm if you cut it in half it lives as two. SO with the Church. It is important it desposes of its art patrimony and wealth. These are going to be taken from it anyway, however by selling it off now it could realise huge wealth which could be used to finance preparations for whats coming. The Chrch should dismantle its beauracratic structure now for it will happen anyway, getting rid of the diplomatic service for instance and leaving these in the hands of local bishops. It should encourage the growth of local Catholic, self sufficient communities a s our presnt Parish system will also cease to function. It should invest heavily in communication systems that will bypass censorship , particularly in the internet. It should try to leave guidelines for a new centre for the Pope if the Vatican is destroyed or closed down. It should invest in understanding ways to circumvent IT and surveillance technologies. It should begin to teach the young again a spirituality of martrydom so that the young realise the great prize r is, so they may be prepared to shed their blood........................................
I'm on the run, but... Padraig, Are these your thoughts/comments on what steps the Church should take for the future or are they from another source? In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Yes Terry, I have been thinking about these things a while now, trying to figure out how the Church might survive the Great Persecution to come. I am arguing about it on another forum at the minute, I hope I don't get booted off again!! http://www.medjugorje-online.com/forum/ ... php?t=5656
Padraig, Fr Gruner of Fatima Crusade was in our town recently. He continues to say that the fatima message has not been fully released. I dont know know what to think of him. have you an opinion on him? I find things very confusing at times. Mary
Mary, I think that Father Gruner is a little off the mark. He focuses mainly on this issue of the Third Secret, and is disrespectful to proper church authority. He has been disobedient to his bishop and has had some of his priestly duties stripped. He rants and raves with downright malice against the papacy at times. My advice is to steer clear.
Padraig, I've shortened your quote and numbered some statements in red for discussion purposes: (1) This is a novel idea for dealing with a crisis scenario and, on the surface, appeals to me. It actually complements a Catholic position known as subsidiarity. Subsidiarity holds that all social functions should be carried out by the most local unit possible, as opposed to the dehumanizing alternative whereby distant bureaucratic structures are routinely and unthinkingly entrusted with more and more responsibilities for human well-being. However, there is a necessary human entity known as the Curia, which will struggle heroically for survival. In the USA, it would be akin to resurrecting states' rights which has been comatose for over 100 years. In other words, fat chance. Also, your hypothesis would only be necessitated by either the nuking of Rome or the conquering of Europe by the Islamists. I doubt such is on the short-term radar screen of anyone in the Vatican, the Pope included. Personally, I perceive an Islamic assault without the nuking of Rome as more probable than Ron's roadmap. Economic and social breakdown would cause the rapid isolation you speak of, and I do see that on the horizon. Addressing (3), given the state of the Church in the USA, I don't believe the bonds within most parish families will be sufficiently strong to rally around. Smaller groups of Catholics, especially those involved in ecclesial movements, will form. Certainly, there are some rural parishes that will hold together, however, I don't believe urban ones will suffice. Priests may become itinerant preachers, offering the Holy Sacrifice when able. If (4) becomes a reality, then (2) won't. In summary, given human nature, no pre-emptive organizational changes will occur from the top-down. We best, now as individuals, begin to build the type of relationships needed for the future. Nothing against Ireland, but it would be nice to have you this side of the Atlantic! Do you shovel snow? :lol: In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Follow-up. Padraig, Looks like you've weathered your first storm on the other forum. I'm sure your testimony will bless their socks off! This Medjugorje/Marian lover won't make the transition: forum overload! Enjoy yourself! In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Just before the Communist take over of Czeckeslovakia by the Comunists the Papl Nucio raced about making simliar changes to make the Church self sufficient, including the power to let Bishops ordain priests and consecrate other Bishops without reference to Rome. The Church survived there as it does in places like China. But it might be better not to leave things to the last minute this time. I hope Terry as the times go closer ordinary Catholic lay people might get a rocket lit under them. I hope so.
