Return of the Russian Bear

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  The Cold War may be over, but the threat of communist Russia has not changed, and the United States has been out maneuvered by one of the oldest tricks in the book - the Trojan Horse.

When the USSR was dismantled in 1991 it was not the end of communism.  Then General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev assured the Communist Party that Karl Marx's dream had not died.  It was simply changing.  The old state was being dismantled because it was bureaucratically unsustainable.  In order for communism to advance, it must be liberated from the Soviet state to freely spread throughout the world as "Socialism."  Russia was economically broke, and needed time to recover by carefully adopting some capitalist models within a general socialist mindset.  It was generally assured that Communism would return to Russia, after a brief absence, under the banner of Socialism.  This was nothing new you see, for the USSR always regarded itself not really as "communist," but as the "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."

The election of Russian President Boris Yeltsin gave the West hope.  It was believed that in spite of Gorbachev's pro-communist (pro-socialist) rhetoric, Russia would fully embrace a capitalist economy once the people had a taste of freedom.  That didn't happen.  In fact, after several years of recession (bordering economic depression) the people began to clamor for the return of communism.  Thus Gorbachev's prediction came true with the election of former KGB agent Vladimir Putin...

Vladimir Putin is the embodiment
of the Russian Bear

During the Putin presidency, Russia experienced an economic recovery and has since become considerably wealthy thanks to petroleum production. Putin has since demonstrated zero tolerance for Western freedoms and has aggressively pursued actions to consolidate it's oil supremacy in the region, even to the point of invading a small budding democracy in one of the former satellite states of the old Soviet Union.  Russia's attack on the Republic of Georgia was couched in the context of "human rights violations" against Russian citizens in the region.  This was a direct slap at NATO which used the same bogus charge to justify the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.  It just turns out however, that the only area Russia was interested in taking over was the small swath of land in Georgia's most northern province which just coincidentally happened to have the regions largest oil pipeline going through it.  Now Russia has 100% control of this pipeline.

Regardless of what you think about Senator John McCain, you must concede that this Cold War veteran has significant knowledge of international affairs, especially as they relate to the institutes of the former Soviet Union...




Vladimir Putin stepped out of the presidency in 2008 due to a Russian law that term limits presidents to no more than two consecutive terms.  Unlike the American law that term limits the U.S. president, the Russian president may return to office  after sitting out one term.  Now it looks like Putin is preparing to throw his hat back in the ring for the 2012 Russian election...

(Reuters) - Russia's paramount leader, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, hinted on Monday he would return to the presidency in 2012 for six more years and said democracy protesters marching without permission deserved to be beaten.

Asked by the Kommersant daily newspaper in an interview whether Russia's 2012 presidential election did not worry him because he had already decided it, Putin replied:
"No, it interests me like...I wanted to say like everyone, but in fact more than everyone else. But I don't want to make a fetish out of it."

Putin ruled as president from 2000 to 2008 before handing the presidency to his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev, in order to observe a law banning a third consecutive term.

However Putin will be free to run again in 2012 for a newly extended term of six years...

read full story here

Regardless of what happens in the future, we can be sure of a few things.  First, Putin will continue to lead Russia further into Communist Socialism.  Putin himself is a dictator in the making, a fairly popular one, as he's led the Russian people into economic stability they've not known in decades.  He's done this primarily through oil supply and demand.  Second, the United States will soon slide from economic recession into depression as the Socialist Trojan Horse we've ingested soon gets the best of us.  As a result of this, the West will be increasingly unable to respond to Russian military advances.  As John McCain prophetically warned - "watch Ukraine next."

In the long run we know what the final result will be.  The Russian Orthodox Church does act as a force for good within Russia, but it does not have control of the state.  As a result it is politically helpless.  Concerning the beginning of the Great Chastisement promised to come upon the whole world by many Catholic seers and mystics, I will leave you with these predictions...

Russia will march upon all the nations of Europe, particularly Italy, and will raise her flag over the dome of St. Peter's.  Italy will be severely tried by a great revolution, and Rome will be purified in blood for it's many sins, especially those of impurity.  The flock is about to be dispersed and the pope will suffer greatly.

-- Sister Elena Aiello, 1954

Father, tell everyone that our Lady has, frequently, announced to me that many nations will disappear off the face of the earth.  Russia is the scourge chosen by God to punish mankind, if we, through prayer and the sacraments do not obtain the grace of their conversion.  Tell them, Father, tell them that the devil has begun a decisive battle against our Lady, because what most afflicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the fall of souls of religious and priests.

--- Sister Lucia dos Santos, Fatima Seer, 1961

The Late Great United States

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Readers of this blog know the only reason why I include the predictions of Gerald Celente is because of his remarkable track record of accuracy.

This is it. This year will likely be the last good year the United States will see for decades, and we've only got a few months left. The collapse of the United States begins within the next few months. It starts with a complete and total collapse of the stock market, followed by the collapse of what's left of the economy, a greater rise in unemployment, and the complete meltdown of the dollar. After that, your guess is as good as mine.

Right now a lot of people are getting into survivalist mode. They're stocking up on food, water and ammunition. While having an emergency stash of necessities, and the means to defend it, is always a good idea, no matter what the circumstances, I do not believe the survivalist mentality will be sufficient enough to get people through this crisis.

The way to survival lies in community not survivalism. The way to recovery lies in making connections, and forming small communities of people you can trust, for the purpose of trade and charity. The place to start this is in our local parishes (churches). For Catholics the time has come for small groups to pull together and figure out how we're going to help each other out. Of course, it would be advisable for everybody to stock up on some things, but there are very few of us who can stock up on everything. That's why we need each other. That's why the time for networking is now. PASTORS TAKE NOTE - THIS MEANS YOU!!! It is your job to care for the spiritual well being of your parishioners. You know as well as I do that spiritual well being and physical well being are often interconnected. This impending crisis is a GRAND OPPORTUNITY for you as a spiritual leader to "kill two birds with one stone," by getting your congregation networked into small groups of parishioners who live in relative close proximity to each other. By doing this you create a tight knit community, of people who spiritually and materially depend on each other. The potential to create a strong community has never been higher. ACT NOW or you'll regret it later when the "stuff hits the fan" and you're having to play catch up.

HOW?

1. Start organizing weekly small groups in volunteers' homes.  The home owner is the "leader" of the small group per se' but that leadership only involves hosting activities.  Of course every member continues to go to mass at the local parish just as he normally would.
2. No teaching or catechesis activities will take place in this setting.  That is solely the responsibility of the pastor.  Instead, participants will do either the rosary or evening prayer from the office.
3. This will be followed by a pot-luck for building relationships and talking.
4. The pastor charges each group with coming up with a long term survival plan in the event of a national or local emergency.
5. The "leaders" of each group report to the parish pastor in one meeting every month, to compare notes and determine how best to coordinate between groups -- subsidiarity.

Slouching Toward Objectivism

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: It's called "Objectivism" and Ayn Rand is considered it's founder. It is in today's world what Karl Marx's "Socialism" was to the world of the late 19th century. Today it is nothing more than an ideal, a dream if you will, which the movers and shakers of tomorrow salivate over with anticipation. The Socialist Revolution of the early 20th century (in Russia, America and Europe) gave birth to the bloodiest epic in human history - World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Will the 21st century see the birth of Socialism's nemesis - Objectivism?  If so, what carnage will that bring?

To understand the question we must first look at the players in today's world. I first learned of Rand's "Objectivism" while listening to the Rush Limbaugh radio show back in the early 1990s. Limbaugh, one of the godfathers of modern political conservatism, was pushing Rand's book on his radio show, singing the praises of Rand and her ideology. Of course I immediately went out and bought the book "Atlas Shrugged" and found it to be a disappointing bore. I thought perhaps if I purchased the audiobook I might get something more out of it. Again, I was unimpressed. That's just me though. Other conservative radio talk show hosts seem to get a lot more out of it. Over and over again, I heard Rand's books pushed by one conservative talk show host after another, the latest of which is Glenn Beck.

The irony of the modern Conservative movement in American politics is it's seeming willingness to embrace the philosophy of Rand and somehow ignore it's ultimately conclusion - Atheism! Why is that? Do they believe they can play with fire and not get burned? Or is there something more sinister afoot here? Have they already been burned, but would like you to believe they haven't?

In recent days we've seen a paradigm shift in both the Republican Party and the Conservative movement in general. In the wake of the most radical Socialist Congress and Whitehouse in American history, Conservative leaders have pushed to the sidelines moral issues, like abortion and gay-marriage, in favor of a pure economic focus. Many Conservative media icons (including Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh) have actually come out in favor of legally embracing sodomy through gay-marriage and civil unions. This of course came to the shock and dismay of many of their Christian supporters throughout the United States. Again, we won't find such behavior backed by Ayn Rand, who disliked homosexuality, but it does become a logical conclusion to the philosophy of Objectivism she championed.  The influence of Objectivism over the Conservative leaders of our time is starting to rear it's ugly head.

Pluralism is the idea that religious truth is different for different people.  At it's core it is Objectivist and Existential.  This is the religion of the Freemasons and it is the religion upon which the American Republic was founded.  Under Pluralism, all religions are "equal," there is no objective truth outside of reason, and in the political ideal, all religions are embraced.  Secularism in contrast, is the idea that religion should be completely separated from all public life, including business and society, but most especially in government.  Religion becomes a purely private matter.  While modern Democrats and Liberals have embraced both Socialism and Secularism, rooted in Karl Marx, it would appear the modern Republicans and Conservatives are in the process of embracing unbridled Capitalism and Pluralism - both Objectivist at heart and rooted in Ayn Rand.

As Catholics, this should be particularly disturbing to us.  While we will inevitably find some points of common alliance with the Modern Conservative (a.k.a. "Neoconservative") struggle against Socialist Marxism, we're going to eventually clash with it in a very serious way.

BREAKING: Glenn Beck Hits Nail On Head - America's Problem Is Spiritual

(AP) - Beck put a heavy religious cast on nearly all his remarks, sounding at times like an evangelical preacher.

"Something beyond imagination is happening," he said. "America today begins to turn back to God."

Beck exhorted the crowd to "recognize your place to the creator. Realize that he is our king. He is the one who guides and directs our life and protects us." He asked his audience to pray more. "I ask, not only if you would pray on your knees, but pray on your knees but with your door open for your children to see," he said....

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  The tone of this rally was significantly different than the TEA Parties forming across America.  This rally had a much more "spiritual" tone to it.  The typical home made protest signs were left at home.  Crowds cheered instead of jeered.  Overall the rally was a success, as somewhere between 300,000 to a million people showed up.  As usual everything was peaceful and tidy, as participants cleaned up after themselves before leaving the mall.  Generally, it was a good witness to the character of God-fearing (non-Socialist) Americas.

Now as a Catholic I would have preferred a more Christ centered message.  I also would have preferred a more Church centered message.  In typical fashion, Glenn Beck kept the tone of the message very general, almost Deist in nature.  "Something beyond imagination is happening... America today begins to turn back to God" said the 46 year-old Mormon.  I only wish I could share his enthusiasm.  I do hope he's right though.  I do hope the man has his finger on the pulse of America and his prediction comes true.  I don't agree with Beck's religious views, and based on his speech today, I don't think he expects any of us to.  However, he did do one thing right today.  If this event should be remembered for anything it should be this.  Today, in our nation's capitol, below the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and in the shadow of the Washington monument, nearly one-million Americans admitted that the cause of all our nation's woes is because we have been "wandering in darkness" and have lost our faith in God.  Oh, if only Beck and his audience knew just how profound of an admission that was.  Where do I begin?

The Second American Revolution

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: International readers take note. If you want to fight against the Socialist tyranny in your country, this is how it's done....

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...

US Declaration of Independence

July 4th, 1776

Anglican Use Ordinariates Become Refuge For Roman Catholics Seeking Renewal

.....

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: For all the talk of the new English translation of the Roman Missal, many US Catholics will still be faced with some daunting liturgical problems even after the vernacular reform is put into place in Advent of 2011.

Above we have a side-by-side comparison.  Sadly, YouTube did not have a complete Anglican Use mass on file so I was forced to provide two different formats.  Hopefully, they will both show up on your computer and you can run them side by side.  If not, I'm sorry.  Formatting problems leave me just as helpless as you.

As you can see the video on the left comes from an Anglican Use mass, while the video on the right is of a more typical Roman Rite mass according to the ordinary form.  Which one do you think a growing number of Catholics are interested in?

Roman Catholics, of the general Roman Rite, will likely be free to join Anglican Use ordinariate parishes without being under the ordinary bishop.  They can maintain their diocesan status, under the diocesan bishop, but actively participate as a member in the Anglican ordinariate parish.  My guess is, the way things are being run in the US Catholic Church, a whole lot of them will.

New Mass Translation - Why?

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: This day has been a long time coming. The new English translation of the Roman Missal has been approved by the Vatican and will OFFICIALLY begin in every English-speaking Catholic parish on November 27, 2011. THANK GOD!

All across the United States, Catholics are wondering why? Why do we need yet another new mass? What was wrong with the old mass? Why do they keep changing things? I'll be happy to answer those questions.

First and foremost, the mass is NOT changing. The mass will remain the same. The missal we will be using will be the same one promulgated in 1969. So the mass isn't changing. What's changing is our ENGLISH TRANSLATION of the mass. Remember, Rome promulgated the new 1969 missal originally in Latin. That new missal was subsequently translated into English, and this is the mass we are all familiar with today. However, during the pontificate of John Paul II, the Holy Father noticed something as he made his travels to English-speaking nations. He noticed that the English translation of the new missal was different depending on what English-speaking nation he was in. In the UK they translated the new missal one way. In Canada they translated it another, and still yet in the United States a different translation, and so on. Furthermore, some of these translations were considerably bad - very poor expressions of the original Latin text. So Pope John Paul II gave the order to create a universal English translation of the Roman Missal, which would properly translate the Latin text, and do so in a way that was beautiful and dignified. This has been a monumental work in progress for nearly twenty years!

Politics entered into the scene as well, because many English-speaking bishops did not want to change the translations they were currently using. This was especially the case in the United States which became somewhat of a "squeaky wheel" that needed a considerable amount of extra oil to keep the process going. Eventually, in 2001, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) officially requested a dispensation from the Vatican to be excused from the project entirely and continue using their own American English translation indefinitely.  Of course that was particularly problematic since the United States English translation was probably one of the worst ones out there.  In many ways, it was more of a paraphrase of the original Latin text, rather than a translation of it.  The reason cited by the USCCB for requesting to be excused from the project was because it might be "too hard" for US Catholics to adjust.   Years later the Vatican responded - officially - with a forceful "NO"!  In fact, the response stated that the American English translation was "defective" and the US bishops no longer had permission to use it.  Some bishops apparently didn't get the message and tried to vote down various portions of the new translation, but in the end their efforts failed, and the new translation was eventually passed by the USCCB and approved by the Vatican.  There are of course some bishops and priests who are still uptight about it, but regardless of their inhibitions, the new translation will take effect on November 27th 2011.  If these bishops and priests haven't dealt with their issues by then, they are free to say the mass in Latin, because the old English translation will no longer be permitted.

The new English translation has been hailed by English scholars around the world as a literary masterpiece unparalleled in modern history.  It is 100% true to the original Latin text, and yet beautifully rendered in both a practical and poetic way.  A quick comparison with the old English translation will reveal just how poorly translated the previous version was.  Here in the United States, we have two generations of Catholics who have never really and truly celebrated the liturgy of the mass as Rome intended back in 1969.  Instead what we've been celebrating is a watered-down paraphrased version of the liturgy.  It's caused a few problems.  The first and most noticeable problem is boredom at mass.  The English used for the old translation was written at a fourth grade level.  It is neither challenging nor inspiring.  The second problem it's created is innovations.  To combat the boredom at mass, some parishes have initiated creative liturgical innovations that some would describe as "liturgical abuse."   The third problem it's caused is backlash.  Some Catholics, who can no longer stand the poor translation, and the liturgical innovations that often accompany it, have given up on the New Roman Missal entirely, rejecting the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, and returning to the Old Roman Missal, the Missal of St. Pius V, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass.

Now the current Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is sympathetic toward those who prefer the Old Roman Missal.  He has made full provision for them in the form of Summorum Pontificum, the papal decree that has given them total liberty to continue to celebrate according to the Old Roman Missal throughout the entire Church with virtually no limitations on them whatsoever.  Simultaneously, the current Holy Father has actively worked toward finishing the new English translation started under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.  That work is now done, approved and ready to be implemented.

As Catholics, the best thing we can do is embrace the new English translation of the Roman Missal with a spirit of humility and gratefulness.  It is a gift of unity to the English-speaking world.  Furthermore, as Catholics we should use the implementation of this new translation as an opportunity to implement in our personal worship some of the other things the Holy Father has recommended to us.  For starters, we should begin kneeling for communion and receiving in the mouth.  Did you know the Holy Father has recommended this to all Catholics, and commanded that local priests always make accommodation for you to do this?  Nobody can be denied communion for kneeling and receiving on the tongue.  The way to do it is simple.  When you go down the line to receive, and when it's your turn, simply kneel and open you mouth.  The priest will do the rest.  Catholic women should also take this opportunity to return to the time-honored sacramental of veiling to receive the graces associated with that.  Lastly, parish liturgy coordinators and parish boards should take this opportunity to restore some time-honored traditional Catholic customs, such as using incense and bells in mass, as well as finding ways to bring back some of the beauty and majesty that was once American Catholicism.

To learn more about the new English translation - click here.

Toward A Modern Christocracy

"I have been alternately called an aristocrat and a democrat. I am now neither. I am a Christocrat. I believe all power... will always fail of producing order and hapiness in the hands of man. HE alone who created and redeemed man is qualified to govern."

- Benjamin Rush, Signer of the U.S. Constitution

----------------------------------------------

(WND) - When was the last time you heard a "conservative" leader with a high media profile speak out against what can only be described as the pervasive glorification of the homosexual culture in our schools, media, entertainment industry, Madison Avenue and, of course, government in all of its forms?

There are a few, to be sure – Pat Buchanan and Michael Savage come to mind. Any others?

Meanwhile, the oldest and most prestigious "conservative" weekly in the nation is owned by a corporation run by an activist homosexual.

Ann Coulter is gleeful about speaking to a group called GOProud, which bills itself as a "conservative" Republican homosexual organization that supports same-sex marriage and open homosexual service in the military.

GOProud was accepted as a sponsor of the last annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Maybe she was persuaded to speak to that group by "conservative" leader Grover Norquist who sits on the board of GOProud.

"Conservative" icon Glenn Beck, in a conversation with Bill O'Reilly, said basically he doesn't care about the attack on traditional marriage. Asked if the California ruling will harm the country in any way, he responded: "No I don't. Will the gays come and get us? I believe that Thomas Jefferson said: 'If it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket what difference is it to me?'"

Rush Limbaugh, the iconic leader of American conservatism, hired the noted homosexual singer Elton John to perform at his wedding. He has not aired one of his bitingly satirical "gay community updates" in years.

"Conservatives," it seems, are on the verge of not only accepting homosexuality's domination of the culture, but embracing it.

Not me – another reason I would prefer not to be considered or labeled as a "conservative."

Personally, I can't even imagine a world in which same-sex marriage becomes accepted, either by judicial force, or routine, through society's capitulation to pressure. It simply won't be the same world we have known throughout our lives. The natural order of things will be irrevocably altered and broken.

I can't even count how many times I've written in books and columns about why I am not a "conservative."

No matter how many times I do, I am still saddled with the label by friends and adversaries alike.

It seems everyone must be a conservative or a liberal in America today.

Today I write with a new reason: "Conservatives" don't recognize sin when they see it. Nearly the entire "conservative" establishment, such as it is, fears even mentioning this word or acknowledging its existence. And, I'm afraid, without that recognition, this is a movement that is hopelessly lost.

Let's take the issue of homosexuality.

In the Judeo-Christian biblical worldview, there can be no doubt that homosexual behavior is a sin – even a particularly grave sin in God's eyes, one He characterizes as "an abomination." God's Word is unequivocal on that point – New Testament or Old.

"Speechless: Silencing the Christians," by Don Wildmon, lays out determined strategy of coalition of liberal secularists, homosexual activists and Fortune 500 companies

Yet, increasingly it seems, American "conservatives" are shy about calling this sin what it is. They also seem oblivious to the societal costs of affirming homosexual behavior as acceptable, normal and morally and legally equivalent to heterosexual behavior – sexually transmitted diseases, gender confusion among children, the breakdown of traditional marriage and the family unit, child molestations, military cohesiveness, the spread of moral relativism and, as history has shown, cultural decay.

When was the last time you heard a "conservative" leader with a high media profile speak out against what can only be described as the pervasive glorification of the homosexual culture in our schools, media, entertainment industry, Madison Avenue and, of course, government in all of its forms?

There are a few, to be sure – Pat Buchanan and Michael Savage come to mind. Any others?

Meanwhile, the oldest and most prestigious "conservative" weekly in the nation is owned by a corporation run by an activist homosexual.

Ann Coulter is gleeful about speaking to a group called GOProud, which bills itself as a "conservative" Republican homosexual organization that supports same-sex marriage and open homosexual service in the military.

GOProud was accepted as a sponsor of the last annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Maybe she was persuaded to speak to that group by "conservative" leader Grover Norquist who sits on the board of GOProud.

"Conservative" icon Glenn Beck, in a conversation with Bill O'Reilly, said basically he doesn't care about the attack on traditional marriage. Asked if the California ruling will harm the country in any way, he responded: "No I don't. Will the gays come and get us? I believe that Thomas Jefferson said: 'If it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket what difference is it to me?'"

Rush Limbaugh, the iconic leader of American conservatism, hired the noted homosexual singer Elton John to perform at his wedding. He has not aired one of his bitingly satirical "gay community updates" in years.

"Conservatives," it seems, are on the verge of not only accepting homosexuality's domination of the culture, but embracing it.

Not me – another reason I would prefer not to be considered or labeled as a "conservative."

Personally, I can't even imagine a world in which same-sex marriage becomes accepted, either by judicial force, or routine, through society's capitulation to pressure. It simply won't be the same world we have known throughout our lives. The natural order of things will be irrevocably altered and broken.

It's a very big deal, and, sadly, "conservatives" are letting it happen. They aren't fighting. They are capitulating. They are compromising. They are becoming part of the problem, not the solution. Their standards are being destroyed.

Just exactly what is it that "conservatives" are trying to "conserve"? Free enterprise? Why? Because it works? So does traditional marriage. It's been proven for 5,000 years. It's the building block of any self-governing society. Without it we have chaos – sexual anarchy. I like free enterprise, too. But I know it's best because private property is affirmed by the Bible. So is marriage between one man and one woman. That's my standard....

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: This recent column by Joseph Farah is timely. It comes at the cusp of an electoral revolution this November when "Conservatives" and Christians will turn out to the polls in record number. Presumably, the Republican Party will be the big winner that day, with perhaps some moderate local victories for up and coming Constitution Party candidates. It's an encouraging sign, but will it be enough? Not likely. As Mr. Farah points out in his article, the so-called "Conservatives" are caving in all around us. All of the icons we've come to know and trust over the last two decades are falling, one by one, to the seductive allure of sexual relativism. It's becoming painfully obvious that what primarily drives these "Conservative" personalities is economics. For them it has little to do with the moral collapse that is eroding the very foundation of our society, culture and civilization. All of the "Conservative" economics in the world won't save us if our moral compass is spinning wildly out of control.

As of the date of this writing, less than three months out from that fateful election, Christians in this nation are left with a startling realization. American "Conservatism" is not the type of Conservatism we thought it was! Of course, some of us (yours truly included) have known that for a while. Now however, the bomb has been dropped, and simultaneously so have the jaws of the rest of you out there. American "Conservatism" has really nothing to do with Biblical Christianity at all now does it.

That is one reason why I'm a card carrying member of the Constitution Party. In the narrow political sense I guess you could call me a "Constitutionist," but a quick glance at the platform of the Constitution Party will reveal a lot more than just an adherence to a strict constructionist ideology. There is more, much more. The platform reveals a strong traditional Christian approach to good government that would be most appealing to any traditional Catholic or conservative Evangelical. Why? Because it relies on the basic Christian moral standard of the last 2,000 years. In a broader sense, the platform of the Constitution Party is not only constructionist, but also very Christ centered. It embodies what Benjamin Rush called the marriage of Christianity and Democracy - a "Christocracy" if you will - in which he labeled himself a "Christocrat." I wonder of this is the term Joseph Farah is looking for? Perhaps.

The idea of Christocracy does have a strong undercurrent on the Internet, and various movements do appear to be coming to a convergence. Creating a "Christocratic Party" would be very foolish at this point in history - probably a miserable failure too. Far better it would be to go along with what the Constitution Party has done, creating a platform based on strict constructionist and Christocratic ideals, but at the same time leaving the identity of the party open enough to attract non-Christians as well.

So in a broader sense, I am more than a Constitutionist. I am also a Christocrat, and the general term "Conservative" really has no meaning to me anymore. For the Conservatives of today are little more than the Liberals of yesteryear.

BREAKING: Obama Admits He Is A Muslim !!!

(Israel Today) - "The American President told me in confidence that he is a Muslim," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Nile TV.

read full story here

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THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Is President Barack Hussein Obama a Muslim? I don't know. Weigh the evidence, and then you decide.

Ghost Of Reagan Returns To Haunt Democrats

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  The ghost of Ronald Reagan has returned to haunt the Socialists Democrats (what's the difference?), and this particular election in November will determine if Americans are still Americans, or if we've totally succumbed to the influence of Karl Marx.  While The Catholic Knight is not a Republican (I'm actually a Constitutionist and member of the Constitution Party), there are various elements of Reagan's philosophy that are appealing to me, as well they should be to any American who loves America.




As pointed out in a previous blog entry, the new Democrats are Socialists, plain and simple, and there is no debate on that. THEY'VE ADMITTED IT!!! (see proof here) Our Lady of Fatima warned us about these people. Those serving in Congress and the Whitehouse as of right now (August 2010) are of the very ilk that Our Lord's mother, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, warned us about nearly 100 years ago. Socialism IS Communism - the philosophy is identical - the only difference is in how strongly the Socialism is enforced, and all it comes down to the philosophy of Karl Marx and his cohorts. If you're a Catholic, and you're buying into this Socialist nonsense spouted by the Democratic Party (DNC) then you're falling for the very grave errors Our Lady warned the three shepherd children about nearly a century ago.




How do I explain to my readers what is going on? How do I open your eyes? Let me put it this way. Fascism and Communism are two sides to the same coin - Socialism - and Socialism is Marxism. It's all the same thing. No nation in the history of the world ever described itself as "communist." That's right, not even the old Soviet Union considered itself "communist." It referred to itself as the "Union of Soviet SOCIALIST Republics" (USSR). The word NAZI was an abbreviation for "National SOCIALISM" (NAZI). Socialism itself is the brainchild of Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels who co-authored the Communist Manifesto in 1848. That's why Socialism is sometimes referred to as "Marxism." (It just sounds a lot better than "Marxist-Engelism.") It's all the same thing, and this is what it's about. Socialism tells people that they really don't need God, Christianity or the Church to bring a better society to planet earth. All they need, according to Socialism, is government - BIG government. All the people need to do is turn over their rights and freedoms to the government, and in turn the government will "insure" their necessities (food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, etc.) so they don't have to worry about them anymore. Who needs God? Who needs Christian charity? With BIG government we can do without those things - so says the Socialist mindset. These are the "errors of Russia" Our Lady of Fatima warned us about. They're not based on logic or reason. They're based entirely on passions, and they appeal to the root instincts of human nature. Human beings want to feel secure. They want to not have to worry about things. They want to be able to live their lives without fear. Both Catholic Christianity and Marxist Socialism offer relief from these things but in two totally different ways. Christianity offers it through personal freedom and trust in God. Socialism offers it through personal surrender and trust in government.

The legacy of Marx and Engels has brought us to this point in history. The whole world has embraced Socialism, in one way or another, some more than others, but after all is said and done, it all comes down to control. Ever since the end of World War II a fundamental conflict has emerged between the Socialists of the East (led by Russia) and the Socialists in the West (led by the United States). Just as Vladimir Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917, so Franklin Roosevelt led the New Deal in 1933. The fundamental difference between these two revolutionaries was their method of implementation. Lenin imposed Socialism on the people by force, Roosevelt gave it to the people after they clamored for it. Of course, Roosevelt was prevented by the U.S. Supreme Court from implementing his entire Socialist agenda in the United States, thus the progression of Socialism in America has been much slower than in other Western nations. Over the last fifty years or so, the gradual Socialist takeover of both major political parties (Republican and Democrat) has taken place - though more prominently in the Democratic Party (DNC). Likewise the slow implementation on a government level has also taken place.

As of right now, August 2010, the United States of America is at a crossroads. This is it. We stand at the threshold of finally passing the point of no return. The election in November of this year will determine our fate. Should the Socialists in Washington DC be not utterly defeated in Congress during this election cycle, there will be no turning back. America will lead the world into full Western Socialism, and that will set off a chain of events that will be unstoppable.

The emerging conflict of tomorrow is no different than that of yesterday (the Cold War). What will emerge will be the final clash of the Socialists - East verses West. Russia will not stand idly by and watch the United States lead the world into global Socialism. That is why she is aligning herself with America's enemies and countering America's every move in a global game of chess. Do not be deceived, the Orthodox Church in Russia is a force for good, but it does not control the country itself.  The secular powers of Russia are still controlled by Socialists left over from the old Soviet Union.   If this sounds an awful lot like the Cold War it's because it is another Cold War. Call it Cold War 2 if you like, but I suspect it won't stay "cold" for very long. A massive confrontation between the Eastern Socialists led by Russia, and the Western Socialists led by America, is inevitable and will be devastating.

There is only one way out of this mess, and Our Lady of Fatima has pointed it out to us. First and foremost, Catholics need to start being CATHOLICS again! Stop falling for the "errors of Russia" - SOCIALISM! They need to start visiting the sacrament of penance, and make reconciliation with Christ and his Church. Then thank Our Lord and Lady for warning us against the great peril that now threatens the whole world by honoring Mary's Immaculate Heart - a full recognition of Christ's gift to his Mother and the world. Finally, Catholics must divorce themselves from anything and everything that has to do with Socialism. For Catholics in America, this means a complete divorce from the Democratic Party (DNC). It has become nothing more than a front organization for American Socialism. Likewise, the Republican Party (RNC or GOP) has succumbed to Socialism as well, as manifested recently in the two Bush administrations (1989-1993 and 2001-2009). Granted, there is a strain of an anti-Socialist movement within the Republican Party, as manifested recently in the Reagan administration (1981-1989) and the Republican Congressional Revolution (1995-1997) but both of these were short lived. There are those who think a complete anti-Socialist takeover is possible in the Republican Party, but personally, The Catholic Knight is not going to believe that until he sees it. There are worthy Independent candidates who run for office in the United States, and there is the growing hope of the Constitution Party, which any good Catholic can join in good conscience. It remains to be seen what will become of the United States, but one thing is certain. So long as we continue down the Socialist road started by Roosevelt, we are destined for God's retribution and ultimate destruction.

Why Catholics Can No Longer Be Democrats

From the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property...

Ten Reasons to Reject Socialism

Why we must protect the family,
private property and America from
the dangers of socialism

1. Socialism and communism are the same ideology

Communism is but an extreme form of socialism. From the ideological standpoint, there is no substantial difference between the two. In fact, the communist Soviet Union called itself the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922-1991) and communist China, Cuba and Vietnam define themselves as socialist nations.

2. Socialism violates personal freedom

Socialism seeks to eliminate “injustice” by transferring rights and responsibilities from individuals and families to the State. In the process, socialism actually creates injustice. It destroys true liberty: the freedom to decide all matters that lie within our own competence and to follow the course shown by our reason, within the laws of morality, including the dictates of justice and charity.

3. Socialism violates human nature

Socialism is anti-natural. It destroys personal initiative – a fruit of our intellect and free will – and replaces it with State control. It tends to totalitarianism, with its government and police repression, wherever it is implemented.

4. Socialism violates private property

Socialism calls for “redistributing the wealth” by taking from the “rich” to give to the poor. It imposes taxes that punish those who have been able to take greater advantage of their productive talents, capacity to work or thrift. It uses taxation to promote economic and social egalitarianism, a goal that will be fully achieved, according to The Communist Manifesto, with the “abolition of private property."

5. Socialism opposes traditional marriage

Socialism sees no moral reason for people to restrict sex to marriage, that is, to an indissoluble union between a man and a woman. Furthermore, socialism undermines private property, which Friedrich Engels, founder of modern socialism and communism along with Karl Marx, saw as the foundation of traditional marriage.

6. Socialism opposes parental rights in education

Socialism has the State, and not parents, control the education of children. Almost from birth, children are to be handed over to public institutions, where they will be taught what the State wants, regardless of parental views. Evolution must be taught. School prayer must be forbidden.

7. Socialism promotes radical equality

A supposed absolute equality among men is the fundamental assumption of socialism. Therefore, it sees any inequality as unjust in itself. Private employers are quickly portrayed as “exploiters” whose profits really belong to their employees. As a consequence, they rule out the system of wage earning.

8. Socialism promotes atheism

Belief in God, who unlike us is infinite, omnipotent and omniscient, clashes head-on with the principle of absolute equality. Socialism therefore rejects the spiritual, claiming that only matter exists. God, the soul, and the next life are illusions according to socialism.

9. Socialism promotes relativism

For socialism there are no absolute truths or revealed morals that establish standards of conduct that apply to everyone, everywhere, and always. Everything evolves, including right and wrong, good and evil. There is no place for the Ten Commandments, neither in the private mind nor in the public square.

10. Socialism mocks religion

According to Karl Marx, religion is "the opium of the people." Lenin, founder of the Soviet Union, agreed: "Religion is opium for the people. Religion is a sort of spiritual booze in which the slaves of capital drown their human image, their demand for a life more or less worthy of man."

May God protect America from socialism.

--------------------

From WorldNetDaily...

In October 2009, the Democratic Socialists of America released in its newsletter a list of 70 members of the U.S. Congress who are members of the organization:

Co-Chairs

Hon. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07)
Hon. Lynn Woolsey (CA-06)

Vice Chairs

Hon. Diane Watson (CA-33)
Hon. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18)
Hon. Mazie Hirono (HI-02)
Hon. Dennis Kucinich (OH-10)

Senate Members

Hon. Bernie Sanders (VT)

House Members

Hon. Neil Abercrombie (HI-01)
Hon. Tammy Baldwin (WI-02)
Hon. Xavier Becerra (CA-31)
Hon. Madeleine Bordallo (GU-AL)
Hon. Robert Brady (PA-01)
Hon. Corrine Brown (FL-03)
Hon. Michael Capuano (MA-08)
Hon. André Carson (IN-07)
Hon. Donna Christensen (VI-AL)
Hon. Yvette Clarke (NY-11)
Hon. William "Lacy" Clay (MO-01)
Hon. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)
Hon. Steve Cohen (TN-09)
Hon. John Conyers (MI-14)
Hon. Elijah Cummings (MD-07)
Hon. Danny Davis (IL-07)
Hon. Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Hon. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)
Rep. Donna F. Edwards (MD-04)
Hon. Keith Ellison (MN-05)
Hon. Sam Farr (CA-17)
Hon. Chaka Fattah (PA-02)
Hon. Bob Filner (CA-51)
Hon. Barney Frank (MA-04)
Hon. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11)
Hon. Alan Grayson (FL-08)
Hon. Luis Gutierrez (IL-04)
Hon. John Hall (NY-19)
Hon. Phil Hare (IL-17)
Hon. Maurice Hinchey (NY-22)
Hon. Michael Honda (CA-15)
Hon. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-02)
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)
Hon. Hank Johnson (GA-04)
Hon. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Hon. Carolyn Kilpatrick (MI-13)
Hon. Barbara Lee (CA-09)
Hon. John Lewis (GA-05)
Hon. David Loebsack (IA-02)
Hon. Ben R. Lujan (NM-3)
Hon. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14)
Hon. Ed Markey (MA-07)
Hon. Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Hon. James McGovern (MA-03)
Hon. George Miller (CA-07)
Hon. Gwen Moore (WI-04)
Hon. Jerrold Nadler (NY-08)
Hon. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC-AL)
Hon. John Olver (MA-01)
Hon. Ed Pastor (AZ-04)
Hon. Donald Payne (NJ-10)
Hon. Chellie Pingree (ME-01)
Hon. Charles Rangel (NY-15)
Hon. Laura Richardson (CA-37)
Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34)
Hon. Bobby Rush (IL-01)
Hon. Linda Sánchez (CA-47)
Hon. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09)
Hon. José Serrano (NY-16)
Hon. Louise Slaughter (NY-28)
Hon. Pete Stark (CA-13)
Hon. Bennie Thompson (MS-02)
Hon. John Tierney (MA-06)
Hon. Nydia Velazquez (NY-12)
Hon. Maxine Waters (CA-35)
Hon. Mel Watt (NC-12)
Hon. Henry Waxman (CA-30)
Hon. Peter Welch (VT-AL)
Hon. Robert Wexler (FL-19)

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: As far as I can tell, virtually every name on that list is a Democrat - a member of the DNC.  The Democratic Party in the United States has become nothing more than a front organization for American socialism. Liberalism itself is nothing more than a weak mindset that ultimately leads to socialism and all the anti-life consequences the socialist gospel entails. It is for this reason why in 2008 a high ranking Vatican official, Archbishop Raymond Burke, referred to the U.S. Democratic Party as the "Party of Death." He made this remark as the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest judicial office in the Vatican. The pope was made aware of Burke's comments and made no attempt to correct him. Apparently, the pope holds to a similar view.

The time has come to stop mincing words.  The U.S. Democratic Party (DNC) is a radical socialist front group, hell bent on electing socialists to public office, and establishing their version of a socialist "utopia" in the United States.  Socialism is an ideology that is diametrically opposed to Catholic Christianity on every front.  It is an EVIL counterfeit, that masquerades as compassion for the poor, when it reality it only seeks to dominate them.  Socialists will cite the words of Jesus to support their positions, but then undermine everything Jesus stood for with their very actions.  As the Holy Scriptures say of them "They have a form of godliness but deny it's power." - (2nd Timothy 3:5)  They speak love and compassion for the poor, but rather than call upon the charity of Christians to help them, they advocate the use of government force to replace the work of the Church.  They replace the true and proper worship of God, which is to care for the disadvantaged (James 1:27), with the "Cult of the Omnipotent State!"  They play the role of the pious, but then deny men the opportunity to act in charity, forcing them to give to the government instead of the poor.  Let me say this with ABSOLUTE CLARITY.

No Catholic in good standing with the Church can be a Democrat anymore! 

The Democratic Party, under the leadership of President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has moved so far to the Socialist Left that it can no longer represent the interests of Roman Catholics or any other Christians for that matter.

To be a Democrat in America now is to be a Socialist.  That may not be the philosophy you personally subscribe to, but it is the philosophy you are supporting (perhaps unwittingly) so long as you remain a member of this party and continue to vote for it's candidates.  So you say you cannot stomach the Republicans?  Fine!  Don't vote for them either.  Vote independent.  Vote third party.  Do something, but STOP voting for the Socialist Democrats!  Stop sending them money, and for heaven's sake, stop associating with their party!  For every day you remain a Democrat is another day you attack and undermine the Catholic Church, standing as an affront to everything the Church represents.

Lastly, if you want to help undo the damage of Socialism in America, than forward this blog entry to every Catholic you know.  Send it to non-Catholics too.  Copy it!  (You have my permission.)  Republish it on other blogs and Internet forums.  Get the message out.  Here's the link:
http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-catholics-can-no-longer-be.html

As Islam Advances In West - It Retreats Everywhere Else

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Watch these two curious videos below. I can only come to one conclusion. As Islam advances in the Western World (Europe, North America, etc.), thanks to artificial birth control, it is apparently retreating in the Third World, where it is being walloped by massive conversions to Christianity. Watch the videos! What do you think?

Environmentalists Are Like Watermelons - Green on Outside and Red on Inside

 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A row has erupted after Cardinal George Pell of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia criticized the Green Party, which supports abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex "marriage," as "sweet camouflaged poison" that represents an "anti-Christian" point of view. The archdiocese stood strongly by the comments after Green leader Robert Brown implied that Pell lied about the party's position, and claimed to be more in touch with Catholic and Christian sentiment than the Cardinal.

When asked by young adults about how to vote in the upcoming elections, Pell recounted in a column Sunday that he did not endorse a specific party but encouraged his audience "to examine the policies of the Greens on their website and judge for themselves how thoroughly anti-Christian they are.....

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Cardinal Pell just hit the nail on the head, and it's something The Catholic Knight has been saying for a very long time. The Greens are red! Red as in communist red. The problem centers NOT in their love for the environment, but in their proposed solutions to environmental problems. Sadly, most environmentalist propose solutions that involve bigger government, more government control, and less individual freedom. They almost NEVER take a free market approach to solving environmental problems, and often see big government socialism as the "best" solution to everything. This is in spite of the fact that every example of big government socialism (communism) has the worst environmental record in history.

To make matters worse, many environmentalists advocate draconian solutions to health and social issues. These include abortion on demand and euthanasia. They are often advocates of forced sterilization as well, putting them on the forefront of what Pope John Paul II called the "culture of death."

It is truly sad that most environmentalists fall into this category. Perhaps a few reading this might take it upon themselves to adopt a more pro-life and pro-freedom approach someday. Until then I think it's safe to say "The Greens Are Red!"

Help Bring Catholicism To the South (Dixie)

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Besides great media organizations like EWTN and Real Catholic Radio, there are special Catholic missionaries dedicated to bringing Catholicism to America's Southeast and Southern Midwest - otherwise known as Old Dixie.  (click here to learn more)  Please consider supporting them.

The Culture War Is Lost - Now Prepare For Martyrdom

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Once sodomite (ahem, I mean "gay") marriage is legalized in all 50 states, and it soon will be my friends by the United States Supreme Court, the tables will have completely turned in the culture war. No longer will the Church be on the offense trying to turn back the tide of abortion on demand and sodomite ("gay") marriage. Now it will be on the defense, trying to hold back the tide of legal attacks against the teachings of the Church as "hate speech" and the existence of the Church as a tax-exempt organization.

What has brought this upon us is ourselves. Our own Church leaders have failed us. When it was time for our bishops to excommunicate pro-abortion "Catholic" politicians and public figures, they did nothing. When it was time for the priests to rail against the evils of society from the pulpit, they were silent. The time has now passed. The window of opportunity has now closed. Priests and bishops still need to DO THEIR JOBS for the sake of saving souls, but they shouldn't expect to have any cultural impact anymore. The culture is lost! It cannot be regained! It's over.

Western Civilization WILL FALL, it's guaranteed 100%. The end of our world (the Western industrialized world) is upon us. Before it does however, it will follow the pattern of every other culture and civilization throughout history that has failed to heed the warnings of the Church. It will lash out against Christians, persecuting them in every way possible within the scope of it's power. The governments of the West will be used against Christians, in one way or another, and this will be Western Civilization's dying gasp as it goes the way of ancient Rome.

The time has come for all good Catholics to come to the aid of their Church. We cannot save our society, but we can salvage what's left of the City of God. In the tabs above, you will notice one labeled "Report Heresy, Scandal and Liturgical Abuse." Follow the instructions there to work on fixing this mess within our own ranks. Get involved in your local parish, and/or diocese, in some way. Get on the parish board if you can, and start insisting the pastor make things more traditional again, and assure him he can speak freely against sin from the pulpit and the board will support him. (It's so sad that we have so many cowards as priests these days, that we have to do this to get them to do their jobs!) This is the reality we now live in. The same goes for our families. We must rally them for the fight, and talk about what is going on. THIS IS IT FOLKS! This is the final battle we will ever face in our culture. On the societal front we WILL lose, but on the spiritual front we can win, if we are faithful and zealous for our Lord Jesus Christ!

Forget the Protestants! Save the Heathens!

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: While I'm a firm believer that we should always be ready to give an answer for our faith, especially to Protestant objectors, our real targets of evangelism should be the growing number of faithless and unchurched young adults sprouting up all around us in the Western world.

Most Protestants, especially those who still practice, have a built in resistance toward anything Catholic. They're difficult to reach at best, and in most cases downright impossible. It's as if they've been fitted with blinders for the time being that makes it extremely difficult for them to understand or appreciate the Catholic faith.

What do you think? Should we forget the Protestants and stop trying to actively reach them? Should we totally refocus our evangelistic efforts toward the rising Heathen population? If so, how?

This Present Darkness and Future Hope - Catholic Prophecy

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Readers of this blog know I have an interest in Catholic prophecy, and they know I'm a firm believer in it. Recently, I've read two books on the subject which I think summarize things quite well. The first is called The Secrets, Chastisement, and Triumph of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary written by Kelly Bowring, the narrator in the videos above.  It's an excellent book and does bear an Imprimatur.  The real selling point for this book is the overall message pointed out on the second video above.  Mr. Bowring does an excellent job succinctly relating the overall message of all Catholic prophecy and the Bible together.  He delivers a real message of hope in this present age of darkness, supplying a tangible "battle plan" for the Catholic home and family.  My only gripe about the book is Mr. Bowring's strict chronology of events. 

While Mr. Bowring nails the impending Great Chastisement coming soon upon the world, he tends to follow some private revelations so strictly that he leaves little room for flexibility, thus getting the events of the Great Tribulation of Antichrist mixed in with the Great Chastisement.  In fact, it would appear Mr. Bowring sees no real distinction between the Great Chastisement and the Great Tribulation of Antichrist, and that I think is the book's only major flaw.  Many prophecies of approved private revelation are conditional, meaning there is room for flexibility.  Because of this, I tend to favor Desmond Birch's book Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before, During, and After Antichrist.  Mr. Birch's book does not bear an Imprimatur, but it does carry some heavy endorsements from Fr. Michael O'Carroll, professor of theology at Black College in Ireland, and Fr. William Most, professor of theology and scripture at Notre Dame.  The book itself is a heavy hitter at 580 pages.

Basically, the whole controversy centers around the period of peace which is to follow the Great Chastisement and precede the Rise of Antichrist.  Mr. Bowring, following a strict interpretation of the private prophecies of Our Lady of La Salette sees the interim peace as lasting no more than 25 years.  Thus, the period of Great Chastisement and Great Tribulation of Antichrist practically run into each other, giving survivors of the Great Chastisement only a quarter century to catch their breath before the whole thing starts up again with the next apocalyptic phase.  In contrast, Mr. Birch interprets such prophecies more loosely, allowing for at least a couple centuries between the Great Chastisement and the Great Tribulation of Antichrist.  He too acknowledges the 25 year span prophesied at La Salette, however, he more loosely interprets this as meaning a 25 year period of absolute peace wherein the Great Monarch rules unquestionably and the world population appreciates what God has done.  He also cites other Church approved prophets and mystics that back this interpretation.  (The whole book is a much more thorough and exhaustive work on the subject of private revelation.)  After this 25 year period, the world starts it's downward decline again.  However, Birch recognizes that it may take a couple centuries for the depravity of man to reach the point where the final Antichrist makes his public appearance.

Both books correctly recognize the Jewish identity of the final Antichrist, (whenever that period of Antichrist is supposed to come), and the nature of the final apostasy that will lead to the Great Tribulation that concludes the Book of Revelation and sets the stage for the physical return of Jesus Christ.  The final apostasy of course is the rejection of Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah, in favor of a new Jewish "king" that will present himself as the "real Messiah."  Both books recognize that a future anti-pope will likely aid in this deception.  They just disagree on the timing .  Bowring thinks it happens strictly 25 years after the Great Chastisement, while Birch allows room for it to happen much later.

In my personal opinion, when we consider the magnitude of the Great Chastisement, and what this will ultimately do to the human race, it seems ridiculous to me that humanity would turn it's back on Christ totally within just 25 years.  I suppose it's possible when we consider the fallen state of mankind and what we're capable of.  Nevertheless, we're talking about a majority of the world's population being wiped out in the Great Chastisement.  We're talking about events so horrendous and catastrophic, indeed so "Biblical" in proportions, that it's sure to leave a scar on the survivor's memory so deep that falling totally back into depravity is unlikely.  There is one thing about the 25 year mark that makes logical sense, which is why I tend to agree more with Birch's interpretation of the period of peace.  Twenty-five years is exactly how long it takes for a new generation to be born and raised that has no personal memory of the Great Chastisement.  If anybody is going to start doubting, it's going to be this generation.  However, it is all together likely that the doubt, and subsequent slide back into depravity, will not occur overnight.  The generation that remembers the Great Chastisement is still around, and will likely still be around for another sixty or seventy years.  It is only after this generation is completely gone that the threat of doubt becomes a substantial danger.

So in review, I like the spiritual message of Mr. Bowring's book (The Secrets, Chastisement, and Triumph of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary), but find his chronology of events a little too strict.  I'm more inclined to the flexible chronology of Mr. Birch's book (Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before, During, and After Antichrist).  Both are excellent reads.  Go to Mr. Bowring for the overall spiritual message and then go to Mr. Birch for more details, which will give you more flexibility in the chronology of events.

Gay Marriage - The Game Has Just Changed!!!

(CNA) - The federal ruling which overturned California’s Proposition 8 cites a document by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, as evidence for the claim that religious beliefs about the sinfulness of homosexual relationships “harm gays and lesbians.” The claim is listed under a legal “finding of fact” and could win deference from higher courts.

Also cited as evidence of “harm” are other religions’ documents on the sinfulness of homosexuality and the wrongness of recognizing same-sex relationships.

The ruling, issued Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, overturned Prop. 8, the California measure which passed in November 2008 to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The legal decision listed as its 77th “finding of fact”: “Religious beliefs that gay and lesbian relationships are sinful or inferior to heterosexual relationships harm gays and lesbians....

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The game has just changed. What this blog, and many others, have been warning about for years has just become reality. The Church is no longer on the offense. Now we're on the defense. From now on the issue will no longer be about whether or not gays should marry. From now on the legal issue will be whether the Biblical teaching that homosexuality is a sin should remain protected because it allegedly "harms" homosexuals.

This is now a 1st amendment battle and we are on the defensive. It's time to reformulate our argument. The homosexualists now have the legal system almost completely on their side. The U.S. Supreme Court WILL rule that state constitutional bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional. This is called the "full faith and credit clause." Google it! Within a very short time gay marriage will become the law of the land, from sea to shining sea, in all 50 states! Yes, even the so-called "conservative" supreme court justices will rule for this, and it will be their strict constructionist "conservatism" that will drive them to it.

It was a valiant effort, but in the end, we will lose. Gay marriage will become an American tradition in a very short time. Then the tables will turn, and our Church's own teachings will soon be on trial.

The Prophecies of Fatima - It's Not Over Yet!

Sixty-five years ago today...




THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT remains convinced that there is yet something more to the last secret of Fatima, and I believe it has something to do with the clerical sex-abuse scandals, the current pope, and a coming Modernist rebellion within the Church.  Your thoughts?

Mighty MO Sends A Blow To O'

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Speaking from the mighty state of Missouri, and as a citizen of this fine land, you're welcome! It was our pleasure (and honor) to fire the first salvo against the Obamanation that is Obamacare. Happy Birthday Mr. President!!! I haven't had that much fun wielding a pen at the polling station in years.

(The Catholic Key) - So, with little publicity and virtually no prodding, 7 out of 10 Missourians who voted yesterday sent an unmistakable rebuke to Obamacare. You can call that symbolic. You can say the federal courts will overturn it anyhow. And you might be right on both counts. But politicians who dismiss it are gonna have a heck of a time in November.

read full story here

Solar Storms On The Rise - 2013 Marks Height of Danger

(Telegraph) - On 1 August, almost the entire side of the Sun that faces the Earth erupted in a blaze of activity known as a "coronal mass ejection". These storms throw up to 10 billion tons of plasma - superheated gas - off the surface of the star and hurtling into space at around a million miles an hour. It covered the 93 million mile journey from the Sun to the Earth in just three and a half days...

...The flare which caused the eruption was relatively small, described as a class C3 by astronomers. Other flares, known as X or M class, are much larger, and capable of doing damage on Earth. C-class flares rarely have much effect on Earth beyond auroras - the glowing displays towards the poles, like the Northern (and Southern) Lights...

...While no damage seems to have been done by this flare, Nasa astronomers have previously warned that a much larger solar storm could cause havoc with electrical systems on Earth. In 2013, the Sun is expected to reach a stage in its roughly 11-year cycle when large storms are more likely.

In 1859, one huge flare burned out telegraph wires across Europe and the USA. The so-called "Carrington flare", named after its discoverer, “smothered two-thirds of the Earth’s skies in a blood-red aurora a night later, and crippled all global navigation and global communication, such as it was at that time. Compasses spun uselessly and the telegraph network went down as phantom electricity surged through the wire,” according to Dr Stuart Clark, author of The Sun Kings...

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THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  It's not a matter of IF this happens, it's a matter of WHEN this happens.  It will happen eventually, someday, no matter what.  It is inevitable because it is the normal cycle of the sun.  It's happened perhaps thousands of times in human history, and it's certain to happen again within the next century.  The only question is when?  The latest solar cycle just began last year and will reach it's height in 2013.  While solar ejections can happen anytime during a solar cycle, it is believed the height of these cycles produce the largest and most dangerous effects.  What makes this solar cycle particularly dangerous is the especially long solar-low period we just passed through with no sunspots.  It was the longest in recorded history.  The fear of some scientists is that such an unusually long solar-low period may be the calm before the storm - a BIG storm.

Here is the good news.  These solar ejections, no matter how large, are virtually harmless to biological life on earth.  Thanks to earth's magnetic field, God has provided a shield of protection that is guaranteed to protect humans, animals and plants.  Here's the bad news, God did not include electrical grids and electronic equipment in that plan.  So when the great solar storm happens we can look forward to a disaster that will cripple the whole industrialized world and throw us back to a technology level comparable to the 1800s.  (Time to get out the old horse and buggy!)  Sadly, this transition will not go smoothly.  The industrialized world is highly dependent on technology.  The sudden loss of this, especially the electrical power grid, will be catastrophic.  Not even backup emergency generators and automobiles will last long.  Once the power grid goes, the ability to pump gasoline will disappear.  Whatever is left in your tank is all you'll have until it's gone, with no way to get more.  The food distribution system will be nonexistent.  Supermarkets will be emptied within hours.  Riots will erupts for food.  The entire industrialized world will be plunged into darkness, from which there is no escape, resulting in a massive loss of world population to violence, starvation and disease.  World war will inevitably erupt, if it hasn't already, as nations fight with what little resources they have left to gain more.  Eventually the jets and tanks will run out of fuel, leaving many soldiers to fight conventional style until all the bullets are gone.  Then they resort to old fashioned hand-to-hand combat with swords and bayonets. 

Our reliance on technology will become our final undoing. When the world emerges from this nightmare, it will be a simpler way of life, hearkening back to the 19th century.  Those that survive will have learned how to live in simplicity, without technology, and undoubtedly most people will never trust it again.  The Age of Technology will have come to a grinding halt. 

In the decades to follow the world will utilize technology again, but in a more guarded way.  Electrical grids will become a thing of the past, as power generation technology will become more localized for safety sake, in the event of another solar storm.  Most people won't need as much electricity anymore, as they will have learned to live without it.  A simple windmill or solar panel will provide enough electricity to run a refrigerator and a few power outlets.  That's all anybody will likely use it for.  Perhaps wireless communication will make a comeback eventually as well.  Who knows what becomes of the Internet.  There will be less of a need for long-distance travel, and it will be expensive anyway.  World powers will have been shaken, and the distribution of world strength will be considerably different after the solar event.  In every sense it will be a whole new world, emerging from this holocaust of unimaginable proportions.

Will this happen in 2013?  The Catholic Knight makes no predictions as there is no way I can know.  However, it is likely to happen this century, and it would seem the predictions of Catholic prophets throughout the ages have predicted just such a thing.  You can read the predictions of these Church approved prophets in Desmond Birch's book Trial, Tribulation & Triumph.

Is there any way to prepare for this event?  A lot of it depends on how dependent on technology you are.  I imagine if you're reading this, you are likely pretty dependent.  Probably the people who will do the best are the Amish, Mennonite and Plain Catholic communities.  As for the rest of us, we would probably do well getting some camping equipment and a pantry full of nonperishable foods.  This will hold us over for a week or two, which may give us some time to think about what to do next.  Beyond that, unless you plan to radically simplify your life in advance, probably the only thing left to do is pray and make good connections within your parish community.

Why I Support The Constitution Party - And You Should Too!

Signing of the U.S. Constitution

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  The founding fathers of the United States did not believe the Constitution was sacrosanct, and neither do I.  In fact, they were somewhat divided on the Constitution, some opposing it entirely, wishing instead to keep the United States under the original Articles of Confederation.  Nevertheless, when the Constitution was signed and eventually ratified by the states, it was viewed not as a sacred document, but rather as a working rule for good government.  The Bill of Rights were immediately added, and among them was the Tenth Amendment guaranteeing states' rights.

The purpose of the Constitution was twofold.  One, to specifically enumerate the powers delegated to the federal government by the states, because you see, according to America's founding fathers, all sovereignty and power resides in the states to begin with, and all federal powers are merely on loan from the states.  Two, to streamline those enumerated loaned powers and also restrain them.  Remember, the founding fathers of the United States had just successfully fought a war to secede from the British Empire.  They were especially sensitive to the problems associated with centralized power run amok.  The last thing they wanted to do was create a federal government that would do the exact same thing.

Unfortunately that's exactly what happened briefly during the Civil War and then more permanently during the 20th century.  In both cases, the problem laid in the failure of federal politicians to respect the restraints imposed on them by the Constitution.  We could go through a list of presidents for example, starting with Abraham Lincoln, then Andrew Johnson, to Woodrow Wilson, to Franklin Roosevelt, to Lyndon Johnson, etc.  Only a partial list of Senators and Congressmen would fill this page.  So the question begs to be asked, "is it even possible for a representative republic to avoid tyranny?"

Regular readers of this blog already know the answer.  No.  It's not possible.  Republics are inherently weak forms of government, and democracies are worse.  Some of the world's worst dictators, such as Adolph Hitler for example, came to power using democratic republicanism in a perfectly legal and legitimate way.  Tyranny is sadly, an unavoidable circumstance of the human condition.  It is possible, however, to get brief reprieves from tyranny, sometimes lasting a hundred years or more, if the right conditions apply.  Sadly, we've not yet seen this in the United States of America.

That may seem like a shocking statement, but it is true.  The English colonists originally suffered the tyranny of King George.  They fought a bloody revolution to escape his tyranny, and shockingly it actually worked!  They got a reprieve from tyranny for exactly eighty-five years, from 1776 to 1861 when Abraham Lincoln repeated the actions of King George and attacked his own people for asserting their right to independence.  After the Civil War, most of the American people (with the exception of Southerners for some time) got another reprieve from tyranny, this time lasting fifty-one years from 1865 to 1916.  That's when the income tax was started via the 16th amendment, and the state legislators were deprived of their right to appoint and recall U.S. senators via the 17th amendment.  In both of these cases, the states did it to themselves, by ratifying amendments to the constitution that ultimately deprived them of liberty.  In other words, they shot themselves in the foot.  This tyranny was more subtle and started very mildly, increasing throughout the decades, until it has now reached a point unbearable by the general American population.

It is possible to gain another reprieve from tyranny, and it's even possible to make it last quite a bit longer than a mere half century.  How?  Well, there are two ways.  The first way is to have another constitutional convention, cross our fingers and hope for the best.  That's a long shot, and one that will probably result in the nation fracturing into multiple countries.  For some that outcome may not be so bad, for others it could be a nightmare.  The second way is a less radical solution.  We simply go back to the original constitution, modify it just a little to bring it more in line with what the founding fathers originally intended, and then force our politicians to start following it.  Granted, that sounds easy enough, but getting it done will be a challenge.  It is nevertheless our best shot at getting another reprieve from tyranny and keeping our republic intact for a little while longer.

This is how it's done...

1. Support the nationwide TEA Party demonstrations.  These are merely demonstrations.  The TEA Party is not an organized political party, and it has no membership rolls.  You support it by simply showing up to a rally or demonstration.  That's all.  It's just a way of peacefully demonstrating our outrage to the federal government, and encouraging state governments to stand up and do something.  The more people who show up to TEA Parties, the faster we can get this reformation of our government underway.
2. Support state politicians who uphold states rights.  I'm talking about state politicians here, not federal politicians.  This means your governors and state legislators.  The federal government is never going to concede power back to the states on it's own.  It will never happen - ever!  The only way for the states to assert their sovereignty and get their power back is for them to just TAKE IT BACK.  They can do it.  It is recognized in the U.S. Constitution.  It's called the 10th amendment.  To make this happen, we must support the TEA Parties first, and then look to elect state politicians who also support state's rights.
3. Support the Constitution Party.  Part of the reason why the United States has gotten into this mess is because of the two-party system.  Both the Democrats AND Republicans are complicit in robbing Americans of their life, liberty and property.  They frequently work together, and neither one has a particularly good record at fixing America's problems.  Both have given us a bigger federal government, they just disagree on how much bigger and how fast it should grow.  In his presidential campaign of 1992, then candidate William Jefferson Clinton candidly told his supporters that the same people are controlling BOTH political parties.  He demonstrated this fact after becoming president by getting congressional Democrats to go along and ratify NAFTA, a Republican sponsored treaty drafted by the previous Republican administration, and later signed by his own hand.  If there is any doubt that the same people are controlling both parties then one need look no further than the financial bailouts started under the Bush administration and continued under the Obama administration.  The Constitution Party is the ONLY viable political party in the United States that is serious about radically reducing the size and power of the federal government and returning power to the states.  Neither the Democrats nor Republicans will do that. 

Now as a practicing Catholic who takes the social teachings of the Church seriously, I want to expressly state here that of the four viable options in American politics (Democrat, Republican, Constitution and Libertarian) the Constitution Party is the ONLY one most aligned with them.  I base this on the Church's primary social teachings of (1) Life, (2) Family and (3) Subsidiarity.

On the issue of Life, the Constitution Party is the ONLY viable political party in the United States that is 100% Pro-Life.  What does that mean?  It means it is against abortion 100% of the time.  It means it is against euthanasia 100% of the time.  It means it is against human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research 100% of the time.  See the party platform on the Sanctity of Life here.  You absolutely WILL NOT find that kind of commitment in any other political party in the United States -  not even the Republican Party which has recently reached out to pro-abortion politicians via it's "big tent" strategy.  Furthermore, the Republicans have historically used the "Pro-Life" banner as a means of getting their candidates elected, when in fact the Republican Party has had multiple opportunities to end Roe v. Wade while they had control of both the Congress and the Whitehouse.  Simple congressional legislation, signed by the president, could easily remove the jurisdiction of federal courts to hear any cases involving abortion.  That would effectively make Roe v. Wade a paper tiger, unenforceable and impotent, leaving the states free to legislate however they want.  The Republicans have known about this for decades, and yet they have done NOTHING.  Why?  Because removing the problem eliminates a key issue they've been using to garner political votes.  Without it, they may lose some elections.  

On the issue of Family, the Constitution Party is the ONLY viable political party that opposes homosexual marriage and civil unions across the board 100% of the time.  Furthermore, the Constitution Party opposes homosexual adoptions, and special laws giving special rights to homosexual persons.  See party platform on Family here.  Furthermore, the Constitution Party supports the traditional family 100%, affirming the rights of parents to raise their children without government interference.  In addition, the Constitution Party has pledged to protect families against pornography, against gambling, against narcotics, and against Marxist socialism in all it's forms.  No other political party in the United States has made this pledge - not a single one.  The Constitution Party is 100% Pro-Family, and you simply will not find another party as committed to the traditional family. 

On the issue of Subsidiarity, the Constitution Party is unquestionably the most seriously committed to this cause.  The Catholic social doctrine on Subsidiarity simply states that it is IMMORAL for larger governing institutions to interfere in the internal life of smaller governing institutions (see catechism).  In the American sense, this is most clearly represented in Federalism (or Anti-Federalism) in which the sovereignty and rights of the states are affirmed ABOVE that of the federal government.  This is a principle that nether the Democrats nor Republicans subscribe to.  It would seem the Republicans have given lip service to it, especially after the Reagan administration, but have done very little to support it in any real substantive way.  Meanwhile, the Democrats don't seem to know what Federalism is anymore, let alone Anti-Federalism.  Of course the entire Platform of the Constitution Party could be considered a lesson in Federalism and Subsidiarity, but it's one single plank on State Sovereignty sums it up nicely.

No other viable political party in America so clearly takes it's stand with the core of Catholic social teaching and the warnings of Our Lady of Fatima against social immorality and Marxist socialism.  No other viable political party in America so clearly represents the vision of our founding fathers and the hopes and dreams of hard working Americans today.  No other viable political party in America so clearly identifies with Christian values and the Biblical worldview.  No other political party in America is more aligned with a well formed Catholic conscience based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  No other viable political party in America so clearly represents our core Catholic values than the Constitution Party.

On a personal note, I have written to the leaders of the Constitution Party and expressed my faith as a practicing Catholic to them.  They have communicated to me their unwavering support of our faith and our Church as their ally in this war against big oppressive government.  Their commitment to our religious freedom is unmistakable and rock solid.  While Evangelicals once made up the core of the Constitution Party's base, that has already changed, and the party has seen a large influx of conservative Lutherans and traditional Roman Catholics.  They have assured me that they welcome all Christians of good faith, as well as people of other faiths who respect our Christian heritage and adhere to our Christian moral values. High profile Roman Catholics around the nation are already supporting the Constitution Party, and the party itself consistently runs solid Roman Catholics for political office.  It's a party any Roman Catholic can be proud to be a member of.  

As a practicing Catholic I unreservedly support the Constitution Party, and I firmly believe you should too.  The Constitution Party is a viable party.  It is the third largest party in American politics.  It's larger than all other third parties,  It has gained permanent ballot access in seventeen states and is rapidly gaining access in others.  It's closest rival is the Libertarian Party, which it has outpaced in growth significantly even though the Libertarian Party had a two-decade head start.  At it's current rate of growth it will surpass the Libertarian Party in ballot access before the 2016 election.  The Constitution Party is a REAL political party with a REAL chance at making a significant impact in the near future.  It needs our support, and that's why I'm encouraging you to join the party and actively support it both morally and financially, but especially with your prayers.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CONSTITUTION PARTY NATIONAL WEBSITE