The culture has “evolved” (read: degraded) to accept as normal much behavior overtly violating the Ten Commandments. But authentic Church teaching, rooted in the Gospel and all of Scripture, is usually out of step with the culture. It certainly is today, in numerous ways.
Nevertheless, prominent Catholic churchmen at the highest levels willfully blur the distinction between sinful inclinations and sinful behavior in attempts to ingratiate themselves with the latest aggrieved perceived minority.
The “Word Substitute Game” helps us identify the moral absurdities of their positions.
There are limits to behavioral absurdities. For example, most of the culture views alcoholism as a problem in need of treatment; saying that alcoholism is a good thing would be quickly and rightly denounced by nearly everyone. Most don’t disdain alcoholics, but hope for their recovery and pass laws that protect us from drunken driving on the roads. Many alcoholics, sober and after a good Confession, are Catholics in good standing. (A good confessor wisely considers the pathological physical and psychological factors that modern studies reveal.)
But as the culture becomes detached from Christianity, certain behavioral abnormalities become acceptable. Unlike alcoholism, homosexuality has taken on metaphysical characteristics. To disapprove of the behavior is viewed by most as disapproval of the person. The culture – and, again, many senior Catholic churchmen – do not distinguish between same-sex sinful inclination and acting out. As cultural and ecclesial propagandists, their refusal to separate the sin from the sinner allows them to disparage authentic Church teaching as failing to honor the modern moral precepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The “Word Substitute Game” rules are simple: Identify a news article with a mass cultural appeal that violates traditional Catholic teaching by intrinsically evil behavior. Substitute the word(s) with a word disdained by society – at least for the moment. There should be moral equivalence, of course. We must substitute an intrinsically evil act for another evil act widely accepted by society to highlight the absurdities.
Consider this news item: “Cardinal Hollerich: Church blessings for same-sex unions not a settled matter“.
Begin the “Word Substitute Game” substituting “POLYAMOROUS UNIONS” and “POLYAMOROUS ATTRACTIONS” for variations of “same sex-unions”:
In an interview with Vatican media, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., said he believes Church blessings for POLYAMOROUS UNIONS, which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has ruled against, is not a settled matter. The cardinal’s answer came in response to an interview question about the decision last month by Belgium’s Catholic bishops to support the possibility of blessings for unions of POLYAMOROUS people — in defiance of the Vatican.
“I would be more interested in discussing other aspects of the problem,” he continued. “For example: what is the conspicuous growth of POLYAMOROUS ATTRACTIONS in society driven by? Or why is the percentage of POLYAMOROUS GROUPS in ecclesial institutions higher than in civil society?”
“Then, so many of our brothers and sisters tell us that, whatever the origin and cause of their sexual orientation, they certainly did not choose it. They are not ‘bad apples.’ They are also fruits of creation.”
“[What] I constantly see is that young people stop considering the Gospel, if they have the impression that we are discriminating,” he said, recalling a recent encounter with a woman in her 20s who said she wanted to leave the Church because it does not welcome POLYAMOROUS PREDELICTATIONS.
“I asked her ‘do you feel discriminated against because you have a POLYAMOROUS INCLINATION?’ and she said ‘No, no! I am not POLYAMOROUS, but my closest friend is. I know her suffering, and I don’t intend to be part of those who judge her.’ That made me think a lot,” Hollerich said.
“Everyone is called. No one is excluded: even the divorced and remarried, even POLYAMOROUS ADVOCATES, everyone. The kingdom of God is not an exclusive club. It opens its doors to everyone, without discrimination,” the cardinal said.
“Sometimes in the Church the accessibility of these groups to the kingdom of God is discussed. And this creates the perception of exclusion in a part of the people of God. They feel excluded and this is not just! Here it is not a question of theological subtleties or ethical dissertations: here it is simply a matter of affirming that the message of Christ is for everyone!”
THE END, at least until the culture realizes that POLYAMOROUS ADVOCATES are also prophets of diversity, equity, and inclusion. A search for “acceptance of polyamory” indicates that this particular “Word Substitute Game” could run its course very quickly. In which case, PEDOPHILIA might well be the next word up.
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The lbgt, “Word Substitute Game”, is actually going to end up destroying American Laws which protect minorities against racial discrimination. Let us suppose that, in court, a black man accuses a white man of racial discrimination. All the white man has to do now is to, linguistically claim that he sees himself as a black man. The court will have to now throw out the ‘discrimination’ case, because both men are claiming to be black.
The lbgt “Word Substitute Game”, is like the male born athlete who claims he is a woman so that he can, dominate and discriminate, over women in women’s sports competitions. The lbgt “Word Substitute Game”, is like the motorcycle rider who now sees himself as a bicyclist racer. The motorcycle rider, who is now is world winning bicycle racier, is obviously dominating and discriminating against human powered bicyclists.
Motorcyclist Who Identifies As Bicyclist Sets Cycling World Record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipvesqJP1e4
Fr. Pokorsky may be a little late to the party, as the Pontifical Institute for Life is now talking about polygamous marriages. Pedophilia is definitely on the list of upcoming attractions.
Shoutout to Gavin Ashenden on Catholic Unscripted.
Said Cardinal Hollerich, “That made me think a lot.” But, not enough…Consider the same thought-default now so much part of campus life: “to question a person’s ideas is to attack the person!” Another thinking person might notice the contradiction at work in the German synodal way…
On the one hand, (Luxembourg’s) Hollerich erases the crucial difference between an inclination (concupiscence) and an action. On the other hand, the Lutheran thing—so much in evidence in the sin-nod way—erased actions (“works”) so completely that inclinations themselves are such a debasement that only grace alone (without works) is all that can retrieve a person from such already and totally sinful (!) corruption through and through. Attributed to Luther: even the saved are still as “dung covered with snow.”
In the Catholic/Lutheran “Joint Declaration on Justification” (1999), the Catholic co-signer insisted on adding an Annex—noting that two very different definitions of “concupiscence” are still apparent in the Declaration. The Annex explains that concupiscence apart from actions is NOT a sin (the Catholic teaching), while the same word IS “sin” under Lutheran theology. A Preface requires that the Declaration and the Annex must be read as one.
So, under the Hollerich Oracle, which is it? Is the compromised soul totally depraved except for grace alone, or now is sinful action so confused with the different concupiscence that both words disappear in the fog of accompaniment/accommodation? The document “On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons” (1986) offers compassionate and accurate clarity, and guidance on this matter.
As part of his “think[ing] a lot,” it is respectfully proposed that Hollerich take a look.
Now hold on Peter. You’re challenging the morally challenged, who befittingly follow the sibylline oracles of Pope Francis. Francis, who announced just last year that guarding dead traditions is dangerous for the Church’s life.
Another name for Satan is ‘the Father of Confusion.’ Purposeful obfuscation is a sin because its intent is to lure others to do evil.
Well said, dear Fr Jerry J. Pokorsky & Steven & Gilberta & Peter & Deacon Edward.
Today’s chaos in Catholic conceptualization stems from decades of neglect of sound teaching and catechetics. We are reaping what we sowed . . .
Thank God, in my early years deeply Catholic Marist sisters taught me compassionately and authentically. The foundations they set in place survived my own foolish sins, many attempts by the devil to destroy my faith, and some sickening examples of clerical malfeasance.
Our Lord Jesus Christ and the women and men who faithfully followed Him built on the rock of OBEDIENCE to God’s commands. Off THIS rock we will fall . . .
The Semitic Ten Commandments reflected cleanness of the right hand (the first five) and uncleanness of the left hand (the second five). Tough if you were born left-handed! That bit we CAN set aside . . .
Today, we could be true to the original and yet collate these commandments with a positive, personal, ecumenical, and egalitarian hermeneutics, informed by the New Testament and accessible to 21st Century people. For example:
HAND ONE, Thumb: With all my heart, mind, body and soul I will worship the one God revealed by Jesus Christ: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
Index Finger: I will have no other god nor any idol; I will not swear oaths, for my ‘yes’ is yes and my ‘no’ is no.
Middle Finger: I will not use God’s name profanely.
Ring Finger: I will keep the Sabbath Day holy, in the way Jesus taught us.
Little Finger: I will honour my mum and dad.
HAND TWO, Thumb: I will love every person and not hurt or kill anyone, nor think evil of them, nor hate or take revenge.
Index Finger: I will maintain sexual purity and faithfulness in thought, word and deed.
Middle Finger: I will not steal; I will not rob others of their reputation.
Ring Finger: I will not tell lies, deceive, nor cheat.
Little finger: I will not covet for God in Christ is providing all I need.
A common resolve by Church leaders at all levels, to get us back to the basics would surely attract the Holy Spirit to help us transform the world, instead of the world progressively corrupting us. What don’t we understand in: “If you love Me; obey My commands.”
Keep safe everyone. Stay well.
Ever in the love of The Lamb; blessings from marty
It sounds so wonderfully simple when you put it this way.
Thanks, dear Shelly.
Am remembering Jesus told us His yoke is easy and His burden is light and in obediently taking them on we will find rest for our souls.
If only the whole Church would meditate on: Matthew 11:28-30.
Take care; keep well.
Always in the love of The Lamb; blessings from marty
If our thoughts and motives are guided by godly precepts, we will have the courage to speak the truth in love.
Jesus gave His life to rescue us from the power of sin, not that sin would increase. God’s word is precious, guiding us aright, giving us salvation and a correct sense of purpose. We all error in one way or another, yet God’s word, prayer and confession leads us back to the pathway of life.
We pray for the misguided, that they would submit their eternal souls to Jesus Christ, the lover of our souls.
Ezekiel 44:10 But the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment.
1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Psalm 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
Jeremiah 50:6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.
Amen, Brian.
Thankyou for your Truth spoken in love.
Well said, Brother Brian.
Yours is a prophetic voice to the Church, proclaiming eternal, God-given wisdom. Let’s pray that our Church leaders LISTEN, for this is not a matter of take-it-or-leave-it conversational discussion but of Divine ordinance. The Apostolic witness against those who defy God and lead many astray is very clear and uncompromisingly severe.
“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the deepest darkness has been reserved. For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. Since, if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state for them has become worse than the first.” 2 Peter 2:17-20 NRSV.
Immersed in the world, they are blinded to their situation, and become proud of what they should be ashamed of. Sadly, we see even clergy at all levels who fit this.
Brother, keep prophesying God’s commands to them, in the hope of saving some.
Always in the grace & mercy of King Jesus Christ; love & blessings from marty
Dear Dr Marty:
Blessings, for you understand the Catholic Church is worth fighting for. It appears to too many that Papa is fighting against the church!
For faithful priests, we need to bear them up in prayer and to thank God for them. CWR is a place where we can unburden our hearts, encourage one another and rejoice in our Saviour. Let us remember Carl O and his team in prayer!
God bless you as you and others enrich the Catholic Church,
Brian
Yes, indeed, Brother Brian Young, you are right.
We are all much indebted to faithful priests and other faithful clergy and faithful lay leaders like Carl Olson. Praise God for the CWR team.
May God continue to richly bless them, increase them, and raise up many other Christ-faithful servants. The Church has always, since the start, depended on individuals of uncompromising integrity and servanthood, in the image of Jesus.
Apostle John, the Beloved tells us the children of our most blessed mother Mary are recognized in: (1) their obedience to God’s commands; (2) their brave witnessing to the Gospel of her Son, Jesus Christ; and (3) that they are opposed & persecuted by the devil. (Revelation 12:17)
What to say about ‘catholics’ (including some clergy) who willfully disobey God’s commandments; diminish & disparage the Gospel of Christ; & cosey-up to the prince of this world . . ?
One thing is certain: God is fully aware of the fraught situation and asks us to persevere in good times and bad. God guarantees that righteous will finally prevail. God always has the last word and I’m ever so glad about that!
Always in the love of Christ Jesus; blessings from marty
Word substitution is called “euphemism” or sweet words which hide a harsh reality, which is soft lying, but still lying. This Cardinal has very well learned and adapted from Putin’s current “special military operation” (war) or G.W. Bush’s post-911 war on terrorism’s “enhanced interrogation” (torture); “collateral damage” (civilian casualties); or Trump’s war on illegal immigration’s “tender age shelters” (prison for migrant children separated from parents).
The Cardinal, and any other cleric supporting the garbage he is spouting, should be disciplined and removed from active ministry. I have no hope the current Pope will do so . However i pray his successor will have the sense and courage to understand the damage these “ anything goes” liberals are doing, and put a stop to it.