The Patron Saint of Dixieland

Catholics make up a sizeable portion of the
modern Dixieland Nationalist Movement.

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Those who read this blog know I am a Southern Nationalist, a Son of Dixie, and unreconstructed to the core. Those who regularly read this blog also know I am descended from Cherokee Natives who fought for the South during Lincoln's War, as well as white men who lived in the South and fought for the South, and white men who lived in the North and refused to fight for the North. (They moved West instead.)  Yes, I have good historical reason to be a Southern Nationalist, but heritage is not the sole reason. You see I was raised in California, before moving back to the Ozarks as an adult, and my Arkansan mother never instilled a deep love in me for the Confederacy. To her the South is just Dixie, and she never really was one for politics. My father, the Yankee in the family, privately tells me he too believes the South was right during the war, which is why his ancestors moved West, but he also tells me not to tell my mother or she'll never let him hear the end of it. I figure if he passes before she does, I'll probably tell her some years afterwards, just to watch her jaw drop. She'll swear I'm lying.

All that anecdotal stuff aside, I am not so much a Southern Nationalist because of my heritage, though that is part of it, but rather because of choice. I could go through a dozen reasons why the South was right during Lincoln's War that robbed her of her short-lived independence, but that is not the purpose of this blog entry. If you want to read my apologetic for Dixieland, just mash on the "Dixie" category below and read to your heart's content. This article is not about the past. It's about the future, and I've chosen today, the Feast of St. Andrew, to release this essay to the public.

The Martyrdom of St. Andrew
Brother of St. Peter
First Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ

St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter, both fisherman, but it was Andrew who was the first disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Andrew immediately recognised Jesus as the promised Messiah, and introduced him to his brother Peter as such. After the death and resurrection of Christ, the Church historian Eusebius quoted Origen as saying Andrew preached in Asia Minor and in Scythia, along the Black Sea as far as the Volga, Kiev and Novgorod. Hence he became a patron saint of Ukraine, Romania and Russia. According to tradition, he founded the See of Byzantium in AD 38. St. Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras in Achaea (Greece), on the northern coast of the Peloponnese. He was crucified on an 'X' shape cross, in which he was tied as opposed to nailed. This 'X' shaped cross is called a 'saltire' or 'Cross of St. Andrew.' It is said that he preached the gospel for two days on this cross until his death by dehydration. His feast day is today, November 30, and he is the patron saint of Russia, Ukraine, Romania.

Flag of Scotland

Some time passed after his death, and a monk named Regulus was charged with watching over the remains of St. Andrew.  He had a vision of an angel who told him to take the relics to the far west.  Obeying the command, Regulus set sail for the west coast of Europe when he came to be shipwrecked on the shores of Scotland.  He then evangelised the people there and named the city founded on the place of his shipwreck after St. Andrew.  As a result St. Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland.  Centuries later, the Scots would settle much of the American south-eastern states in what has since come to be known as Dixie or Dixieland.  He is now the unofficial patron saint of Dixieland, and his saltire cross became the symbol of many Southern states and the old Confederacy.

Alabama State Flag

After all is said and done. After all the Civil War re-enactment canons are silenced. After all the real history comes out, in spite of Yankee revisionism, and the South is finally vindicated. It really doesn't mean a whole lot until you look at the future. Dixie is an occupied nation. It has been occupied for 145 years now, and like the Hebrews after the Babylonian exile, we have been occupied for so long that most of us have forgotten who we are. Not all of us have forgotten though, and thanks to the advent of the Internet, we are beginning to remember. Long gone are those terrible days of institutionalised slavery and segregation. Dixie has emerged as a free land for people of all races, colours and ethnicity. Even the modern secessionist movements, such as the 'League of the South' for example, have officially condemned racism in a public policy statement (see here), calling upon its members to act with Christian charity toward all men regardless of race, colour and ethnicity. Now when Southern secessionists are calling for racial harmony, in a Christian context, you know something has changed for the better!

Florida State Flag

Dixie is occupied by a federal regime that the states consent to, but only for one reason really -- THEY FEAR IT!  That's right, I dare say that the ONLY reason why the Southern states of the former Confederacy remain within the United States of America is because they honestly FEAR what the federal government will do to them should they ever try to regain their independence. For if Washington DC ever issued a declaration, stating that democratic secession is perfectly legal, and states that want to secede may do so without fear of military attack from the federal government, than I guarantee the Southern states would peal off one by one, and likely reinstate the old Confederacy, or some modern variation of it.

Mississippi State Flag

Why wouldn't they? They certainly have good reason. When we look at the federal government's war against God in public schools and other public places, it only makes sense that a deeply Christian people would reject that. When we look at the federal government's war against babies, by mandating abortion-on-demand in all fifty states, it only makes sense that a deeply moral people would reject that. When we look at the federal government's current attempt to make homosexuality 'accepted' and 'normal,' it only makes sense that the family-centred South would reject it. When we look at the federal government's ungodly wars against Arabs and Muslims, it only makes sense that a deeply Christian people, who themselves were once conquered by the same government, would object to it. When we look at this unimaginable debt the federal government has amassed over the years, equalling approximately $200,000 per American family, it only makes since that such a fiscally conservative people would reject it. Sadly, it doesn't matter what the people of the South think about these things, for Washington DC has made it crystal clear that it doesn't care.

Originally the Confederate Naval Jack
This flag has become the symbol
of Dixieland Culture and Identity

There are those who say 'the South will rise again,' but I say it won't have to. You see, while I am a Southern nationalist, I am not a secessionist.  Secession has been tried once already, with disastrous results.  The U.S. Constitution makes no provision for secession, though the nation itself was founded on it in the Declaration of Independence.  Besides, the character of Washington DC has already revealed itself.  The U.S. federal government is an EMPIRE and it proved this in Lincoln's War.  It has continued to prove this more and more with each passing decade.  It is more of an empire than the British Empire ever was.  It demands absolute allegiance, and will accept nothing less than total submission.  Children are trained in public schools to revere former American presidents almost to the point of idolatry.  The greatest of all these gods (er, I mean 'presidents'), so the children are taught, is none other than Abraham Lincoln himself -- America's first Caesar -- the man who suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the North, and waged war against what he deemed to be his own citizens in the South.  For fifty years (1892-1942), America's school children were taught to salute the American flag in stiff-arm fascist style, (eventually imitated by the Nazis), as they pledged their allegiance to the government as an 'indivisible nation.'  It was a direct assault on the concept of state secession.  Yes, we the people of Dixie, are an occupied nation, like ancient Israel or modern day Scotland.  We are the 'Bavaria' of North America.  We are very much in America, but not necessarily of it.  Nobody can deny that the character of the South is different from the rest of the Union.

Old St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Charleston, South Carolina
Antebellum Chapel Still Standing Today

Besides all that, the federal government has made its point clear, if not by law, than with the end of a bayonet, that secession is illegal in the United States of America.  Even though these United States were founded on secession, it does not matter, because the federal government will not allow the same right to anyone else within U.S. territory.   The federal government has become everything the British Empire once was, but worse, and just as that empire fell, so this one will too.  History demands it.  So that being said, Christians are called to obey the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.  'My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.' - John 18:36.  Jesus instructed his disciples to obey the Roman authorities, even though they occupied the Holy Land in the most cruel and corrupt way.  As bad as Washington DC is, the Romans were far worse.  If the early Christians were compelled by Christ to obey the Romans, than we too must be compelled by Christ to obey the U.S. federal government -- for as long as it lasts -- until it is gone (or defunct) and the way is made clear to rebuild as an independent Christian nation!  Until then all we need do is rebuild our Southern culture, and refine our Southern language, because this is what will define our borders when the day of our independence finally comes.  The word 'culture' is based on the Latin word cultus meaning 'religion.'  It means what we define as 'culture' is the way in which a religion interacts with certain people in a particular region.  It is the character of these people, defined by religion, and expressed by their religious experience in their environment.  To revive a 'culture,' one must look back to the religion of the Old South which was dominated by high-church Episcopalianism (Anglicanism), especially in the inner cities of the Confederacy.  Both President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee were high-church Episcopalians.  Today, this type of religious tradition is best preserved in Protestantism among the more traditional Anglican jurisdictions.  On the Catholic side it is best preserved by Anglo-Catholics both within and outside the Catholic Church's U.S. Ordinariate for Anglicans. 

St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Orange, Virginia
On November 22,1863 General Robert E.Lee
and President Jefferson Davis attended mass here.

There will be no need to take up arms and fight Washington DC ever again. Because in time, perhaps after a brief period of open dictatorship, culminating in the outright persecution of Christians (even high ranking Vatican officials see this coming), Washington DC just won't put up a fight any more. It will collapse under the weight of its own colossal size and crushing national debt. Can there be any doubt that our federal government has incurred the wrath of God? How many babies does it have to kill before God says enough? How many children's prayers does it have to silence before God says enough? How many homosexual marriages have to be performed before God says enough? How many third-world nations do we have to destroy before God says enough? How much debt has to be amassed before God says enough? How many family-owned businesses have to be run into bankruptcy before God says enough?  How many fomerly independent families have to be put into poverty before God says enough?  How many Catholic charities have to be shut down, over gay adoptions, before God says enough?  History is not on America's side. Nations such as ours have always fallen -- and fallen hard -- there is no reason to believe the same won't be true for us. The United States federal government will fall -- eventually -- and when it does, the Confederate States of Dixie will only need to pick up the pieces and start over where she left off in 1865.  Secession is unnecessary and a waste of valuable resources, when we should be saving our energies to rebuild Dixie as an independent nation after the federal government collapses.  And yes, it will collapse, just as sure as there will be a tomorrow, this federal government has signed its own death certificate.  No government in the history of the world has done what ours has done, and lasted long enough to write its own history thereafter.  I am convinced that some other world power will be writing America's history within several decades. 

So what should a future Confederate States of Dixieland (CSD) look like?

1. The CSD should honour the place of Jesus Christ in our nation's culture and people's history.
2. The CSD should allow prayer in public schools and all public facilities.
3. The CSD should have no "Department of Education" and allow states to run their own education systems as they see fit, respecting of course the parental right to homeschool or use private and parochial education. State voucher programs should not be challenged by the CSD.
4. The CSD should allow states to outlaw abortion, and set their own regulatory statutes on matters related to birth control.
5. The CSD should not recognise homosexual marriages, and honour state constitutional amendments forbidding them.
6. The CSD should pursue a foreign policy of armed neutrality in all international conflicts not involving a direct confrontation with the CSD.
7. The CSD should require a balanced budget for the Confederate government by constitutional law.
8. The CSD should structure laws to favour small family-owned businesses and cooperative ownership of large businesses.  

Well that certainly seems like a much more 'Catholic' and 'Christian' nation than what we currently have. You've got to admit, it's something to think about for the future.  In the mean time let us look to the example of St. Andrew, who boldly and tirelessly preached the gospel from the saltire cross for two agonizing days.  His is our example of patience and long suffering.  His is our example of how to deal with the tyranny our people have faced for a century and a half.  Our brothers and sisters in Scotland (and Northern Ireland) understand our plight.  Our day of independence will come.  Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.  Saint Andrew -- Ora Pro Nobis.

Happy St. Andrew's Day!
Deo Vindice.

Vatican Official Sees Persecution of Christians In America's Future

Cardinal Raymond Burke

(LifeSiteNews.com) – One of the highest ranking cardinals in the Vatican has said that the United States is “well on the way” to the persecution of Christians.

Cardinal Raymond Burke, former Archbishop of St. Louis and now the head of the Vatican’s highest court, told Catholic News Agency that he could envision a time when the Catholic Church in the U.S., “even by announcing her own teaching,” is accused of “engaging in illegal activity, for instance, in its teaching on human sexuality.”

Asked if the cardinal could even see American Catholics being arrested for their faith he replied, “I can see it happening, yes.”...

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Why should this surprise us? The United States is already working to crush Christianity in the Middle East. Why not here at home too? We all know however, that the form of persecution the U.S. Federal government (and some state governments) will level against American Christians will be subtle and insidious. It works its way in the form of moral relativism and institutionalised political correctness. This is particularly evident in the debate over 'gay rights,' wherein churches are forced to change their teaching and policies to accommodate the state-sponsored homosexual orthodoxy. Already this has forced Catholic charities to shut down in three U.S. states -- California, Massachusetts and Illinois. This is just the beginning and the tip of the iceberg. The warnings of Cardinal Burke should not be taken lightly. He is a very wise and powerful man within the Vatican -- one of the Catholic Church's highest ranking officers, and potential candidate to the Chair of Peter (the papal throne). He has been right about many other things before. There is no reason to doubt him now.

In all likelihood, the rising economic and social crisis in the United States will eventually result in an 'unofficial' form of dictatorship, in which the president will eventually be given extraordinary powers to quell some unrest or perceived national security matter. Already the United States Congress is doing this very thing with the latest defence spending bill...

(CBS News) - The Senate on Tuesday voted to keep a controversial provision regarding military detainees in a Defense spending bill, setting up a showdown with President Obama.

The controversial language in question would require the military to detain terrorist suspects, including U.S. citizens, allowing for their indefinite detention....

read full story here

The legislation is designed to combat radical Islamic terrorists found in the U.S., however, we all know that the word 'radical' is a relative thing, and one doesn't have to be Islamic to be considered a 'terrorist.' The measure gives the president unprecedented powers not seen since the Civil War. (No president since Lincoln has suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus on U.S. soil.)   It also allows the president to use the military against U.S. citizens. (We haven't seen that since the Civil War either.) The potential for abuse of this legislation is phenomenal. To his credit, President Obama has promised to veto it. Hopefully he keeps his word on this.

We have seen now what this Republican Congress is willing to do to our civil liberties and the U.S. Bill of Rights. These are the defenders of Christian America? These are the candidates produced by the TEA Party? My God! Something has run terribly amok!

This however is just the beginning, as we will see similar efforts by future congresses to do the exact same thing, and one of these days, the president (whoever the next one may be) will take them up on it. Such powers lead to dictatorship, and such dictatorship leads to absolute tyranny. This is the future that awaits the American Empire. This is the final product of the Civil War. The shadows of Lincoln are resurfacing in the most terrifying way. Combine these proposed extraordinary powers of the president with today's politically-correct orthodoxy, and you have the perfect storm, a combination for a catastrophe in civil rights, pure government persecution of any Christians that cling to orthodoxy. Yes my readers, Cardinal Burke is right, persecution is coming.

Now that I've scared the pee out of you, let me balance this article with the good news. Nations rise and nations fall. Empires have come and gone. In all of this, the Catholic Church remains. We will survive this time of trial and tribulation. We will endure. We will overcome. If not us, than certainly our children, but I predict our time of American tyranny will be short-lived, because the United States no longer has the resources to foot the bill of a dictator for very long. The end result will be the collapse of our federal government, sometime after it has been exposed for the anti-Christian tyranny that it has become. When that happens, we will likely see the breakup of the USA into multiple smaller nation-states. As Our Lady of Fatima warned 'entire nations will be annihilated,' but in the end her 'immaculate heart will prevail.' This last prediction forecasts not only the restoration of the natural law and a time of peace, but also the triumph of the Catholic Church within the Christian faith, for no other Church honours her Immaculate Heart more than the one head-quartered in Rome.

The Christmas Plan

Written by Etienne Figueroa

With the change in liturgy and with the growing commercialism of Christmas, it's time for an official plan of attack. Follow these steps to win our Christmas back:

1. Take responsibility.

This may come off as a little unusual for a first step, but think about it for a moment: the only reason why stores put their Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving (and in growing numbers, before Halloween) is because they think it will make them more money. If we give them money for it, we are enabling their behavior. Before we can ask others to change, we must change ourselves.

2. Follow your family's old traditions.

If you don't know them, learn about them. Even if you don't understand them at first, there's most likely a reason why they have existed as long as they have.

3. Don't put your decorations up until the start of Advent.

Do I really need to explain this one?

4. Don't buy anything the day after Thanksgiving.

If emergencies happen or you want to pay off a bill, then okay, but nothing retail related. Buying on Black Friday will only breed crass consumerism, greed and un-Christian behavior. So, don't buy anything--it just encourages them.

5. Observe all of Advent.

One of the smartest things I've ever read about Advent and Christmas came from an article on AmericanCatholic.org (which was part of the inspiration for this list). In the article, it compared the season to a buffet, with Advent as the main course and Christmas as the dessert. It further stated that too often stores want us to skip the dinner and go right to desert, and as we all know, too much desert makes someone sick.

Advent is supposed to be a time of preparation for Christmas, and Christmas is not supposed to be for just one day. It is supposed to last from Christmas Day until the Epiphany (aka Baptism of the Lord).

So put up not just the lights and the tree, but also the Advent Wreath and Nativity Scene.

6. Attend Mass on at least ALL the Holy Days of Obligation.

This means Dec 8th, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany but can also include Dec 6th (St Nicholas Day) as well as Dec. 12 (Our Lady of Guadalupe). If you want to attend more often, you are greatly encouraged to do so.

7. If you are going to buy gifts, be sure said gifts are made in America or make something yourself.

This isn't so much Christmas related but it is a a way to bring jobs and revenue back to America. Economists say if we just buy 1% more American goods, we can create 200,000 jobs right here at home. And who knows? Perhaps if you make something yourself, you might discover a talent you didn't know you had.

8. For home cooks out there, consider making your goods with produce from a co-op and with Fair Trade ingredients.

This goes especially for any recipe that calls for chocolate and/or coffee. More information on Fair Trade can be found with this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_h99DDa39E

9. Arm yourself.

Tired of not hearing "Merry Christmas" at a store? Frustrated over the fact you can't find any religious themed Christmas cards? This can help you out with that.

Catholic Daughter's Court #2554 sells online little buttons that say "It's Okay to Say Merry Christmas to Me." ChristisChristmas.com sells paper Christmas cards or if you prefer online greetings, sign up for e-cards at catholicgreetings.org. And of course, it's easy to find car magnets for the Knights of Columbus "Keep Christ in Christmas" campaign.

10. Join Advent Conspiracy.

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

The New English Paradigm

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I received this note from a friend this morning by email...

Personally I think the new English translation of the mass is wonderful, but I have already heard some people complain about it. If you don't like it you can always worship at an Anglo-Ordinariate parish in Old English instead. I mean it's not like you're stuck with just one English translation of the mass. You do have a choice you know.

I happen to like the new English translation too, but I hadn't given this full consideration until reading this note. It seems that along with Advent 2011 comes the beginning of a new English paradigm in Catholic liturgy. The old 1970s English translation is gone, but English-speaking Catholics are not locked into one single English version of the mass. There are two! There is the new English translation of the Novus Ordo mass, and there is the classical English mass according to the Book of Divine Worship. Both are equally valid and approved by Rome. If some Catholics are terribly displeased with the new English translation of the Novus Ordo, or they are displeased with some other aspect of the general English celebration, there is always the Anglo-Ordinariate liturgy. All a regular Roman Catholic would need do is simply show up to an ordinariate parish for mass, as regular Roman Catholics can receive communion freely in any ordinariate parish. Such ordinariate parishes can be found at this website (here) in the United Kingdom, and at this website in the United States (link will be posted when available), or by simply using this map below. In the United States, all the parishes and groups in this map should be in full-communion with Rome sometime after the first of the new year (January 2012). You should call the local priest in advance for complete information. There is still no word yet on the Canadian ordinariate, however, one should call the pastors of these parishes anyway for complete information. I have heard rumour that some of these Canadian parishes may enter the U.S. ordinariate until the Canadian ordinariate is created. If this is true, it would bring them into full communion with Rome much sooner, simultaneously with the Americans...


View Emerging Anglo Catholic Ordinariates Worldwide in a larger map

ALLELUIA !!! The New English Mass Is Here !!!

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The countdown is over, the new English mass is here!!! By now the last mass of the old "defective" English translation has been said in the United States, and it is permenantly suppressed -- gone forever! Tomorrow morning, we awake for mass with the new English translation, a better translation, one more faithful to the original Latin text. For the FIRST TIME in the United States, the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) mass will be said in English PROPERLY, according to how it was intended to be said, way back when it was first released in 1970. For the FIRST TIME EVER, Catholic Americans will hear the REAL WORDS of the mass -- properly translated. An entire generation has passed -- literally -- and for the FIRST TIME EVER the post-conciliar youth (everyone under the age of 45) will hear the English mass as it was intended to be heard. This is an historic day indeed. Enjoy it!

I cannot begin to stress enough the momentous occasion this is. It marks the beginning. By that I mean the beginning of the end for bland Modernist innovation. I also mean the beginning of the beginning for the restoration of tradition. Yes, it's going to be a long road to reform ahead, but from now on we will see nothing but progress toward that end, sometimes a little progress, sometimes a lot, but always progress. The Modernist experiment has failed, resulting in the loss of souls and the gutting of the Church. Those days are now beginning to die out. The new English translation of the mass is here. The U.S. Anglican ordinariate is soon coming (in just 34 days from today). The Extraordinary Form (Tridentine) mass is here to stay. The generation of the 1970s priesthood officially begins its retirement in this decade. The Vatican is to start a new commission on sacred music, art and architecture with the authority to enforce their directives. The whole Modernist house of cards is all beginning to fall. The historic Catholic Church is beginning to rise. THIS IS IT!   IT HAS BEGUN !!!   We will be the first to witness the reforms of Vatican II as they were originally intended! 

That's not to say there won't be setbacks, scandals, and delays in the future. There will be. Overall however, the movement is in the direction of progress toward the traditional Church. As I said, the progress may be slow at times, and fast at other times, but always progress, always toward tradition.

It's over my readers! It's finally over. No the fight isn't over, but the unfair advantage is. I'm speaking of the unfair advantage the Modernists had over English-speaking parishes and dioceses, up until this evening. Now it's over. They are crippled now. What gave them the flexibility to innovate was the poor English translation of the Novus Ordo mass. That flexibility is gone now. Anything they do against the new translation, or the rubrics of the mass, will be seen as a gross violation and DISOBEDIENCE to the POPE !!! That's not to say it won't happen. (It probably will.) But their cover is blown. They no longer have anything to hide behind. It's the beginning of the end for them -- unless of course they reform their ways.  If they reform, even reluctantly, than they come over to our side, and we gain new allies.  Those who won't reform would do well to retire at the earliest opportunity.

From this night forward, the only place the old English translation of the mass can be heard is in a protestant or schismatic sect.  My understanding is that some Protestants are quite fond of it.

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has now given the English-speaking Church everything we need to reform ourselves. In time we will. This is inevitable. That however, doesn't mean he's finished. There is more reform coming, but I do not know when. Eventually, the Novus Ordo mass itself will be rewritten, so the second half of the liturgy will look more like the Tridentine mass, but you're guess is as good as mine as to when. For now expect big changes at your local parish unlike anything you've seen in 40 years! Slowly but surely, with relentless incrementalism, the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI) is turning this great ship around.  This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!!!  DEO GRATIAS.

650 Women Pledge to Veil For Mass

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: About a year ago a poll was placed on this blog asking if women would consider wearing a veil to mass once the new liturgy starts in Advent of 2011. The reasons for this are spelled out HERE. Since then 650 women have pledged to do just that. Nearly 400 men pledged their support, and a couple hundred women said they would consider it. Great job ladies!!! If y'all are faithful in this, it will be more than enough to start a new trend.

Vatican Takes Control of Liturgical Art, Music and Architecture

The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California

(Vatican Insider) - A team has been set up, to put a stop to garage style churches, boldly shaped structures that risk denaturing modern places for Catholic worship. Its task is also to promote singing that really helps the celebration of mass. The “Liturgical art and sacred music commission” will be established by the Congregation for Divine Worship over the coming weeks. This will not be just any office, but a true and proper team, whose task will be to collaborate with the commissions in charge of evaluating construction projects for churches of various dioceses. The team will also be responsible for the further study of music and singing that accompany the celebration of mass.

Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Benedict XVI, consider this work as “very urgent”. The reality is staring everyone in the eyes: in recent decades, churches have been substituted by buildings that resemble multi purpose halls. Too often, architects, even the more famous ones, do not use the Catholic liturgy as a starting point and thus end up producing avant-garde constructions that look like anything but a church. These buildings composed of cement cubes, glass boxes, crazy shapes and confused spaces, remind people of anything but the mystery and sacredness of a church. Tabernacles are semi hidden, leading faithful on a real treasure hunt and sacred images are almost inexistent. The new commission’s regulations will be written up over the next few days and will give precise instructions to dioceses. It will only be responsible for liturgical art, not for sacred art in general; and this also goes for liturgical music and singing too. The judicial powers of the Congregation for Divine Worship will have the power to act....

read full story here

St. Annes Catholic Church
London

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The most important line in this article was the last one in the above quote: "The judicial powers of the Congregation for Divine Worship will have the power to act." Based on this, it doesn't look like this is going to be a typical Vatican commission only making recomendations, but an actual department with some teeth. It comes not a moment too soon. In fact, I dare say it's a couple decades too late, but better late than never I suppose.

Catholic Chapel, Ronchamp France

This comes on the heels of the massive purchase of the Crystal Cathedral by the Diocese of Orange. For a worship space, it's even bland by Protestant standards. Oh sure the exterior is impressive, looking something like a glass spaceship from another planet. The interior stairs and gathering spaces are also somewhat interesting. The worship space however is too spacious, empty and distracting. How they will rearrange it to make it suitable for Catholic worship is beyond me. I have no idea.

The Los Angeles Cathedral

It isn't just the purchase of Protestant chapels that is problematic. I have to say the Crystal Cathedral is somewhat conservative compared to the monstrosity of a cathedral in Los Angeles. Here we have a case where the former cardinal archbishop of Los Angeles actually raised money for years to have that thing built. It so bad it almost makes the Crystal Cathedral look like a proper church! It isn't just the West Coast that is the problem. If it were we could excuse it for those nutty Californians and their crazy eccentricities. No, this is a problem that extends from coast to coast in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. It is what some have called the 'heresy of formlessness.' In almost every American city, with a population greater than a hundred-thousand, you will see them. Strange and bizarre structures, mimicking something out of a bad science-fiction novel, passing as a place of Catholic worship. Go inside one of these flightless spaceships and the interior is usually not much better. Sit through a mass there, and you are likely to hear everything from folk music to pop songs used in liturgy. The problem is widespread.

Catholic Chapel, Gore New Zealand

We can get nasty about it all we want, and play the blame game if we like, but in all likelihood such ridiculous nonsense in art, music and architecture is not the result of some evil conspiracy to rob the Church of her heritage. Rather, it is usually the result of poor spiritual formation coupled with the embrace of modernity. Most of the time, these things are done in ignorance. However, there comes a time when somebody has to say 'enough is enough!' Let us hope the Vatican has finally come to the realisation that such a time is now.  My only question is this.  Once the Vatican finally has a hold on standardising all new architecture, what will become of the old stuff, which is so obviously out of step with the Vatican?  Might I suggest they eventually be sold?  Surly there are some Modernistic Protestant sects out there that would love to get their hands on facilities such as these.  If not them, than perhaps they would do well as mosques or Buddhist temples.  Sooner or later however, with the exception of the large cathedrals, these Catholic parishes will eventually outgrow their 'chapels.'  When that happens it would be the perfect opportunity to either sell or demolish and rebuild.

A Second Look At Ron Paul

Barack Obama v. Ron Paul

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  This is not an endorsement.  However, I am going to urge my readers in the United States to take a second look at Ron Paul.  No, he's not perfect, but in comparison to the other GOP candidates, he may just be the least of all evils.  In fact, he might just actually be a good.

Now my readers know I am a Distributist, and I certainly don't agree with Ron Paul's fiscal solutions across the board.  However, when we consider just how badly this Union has been wrecked economically, his solutions may be a step in the right direction -- albeit just a step.  I don't know if Congressman Paul has the capacity to understand that in order for small business to thrive, big business must be regulated.  I don't know if he has the capacity to understand that healthcare is a right, and nobody should be forced into poverty to receive the medical care that God has mandated we provide to our neighbour.  (Remember the Good Samaritan?)   But Congressman Paul is a medical doctor, so I shouldn't put it past him.   He has saved lives, and cared for the helpless, so anything is possible. 

Ron Paul was born and raised a Lutheran, and at some point he became an Episcopalian.  All of his five children were baptised Episcopalian.  Congressman Paul eventually left the Episcopal Church, as did all his children.  He now attends a Baptist church.  When asked why, he cited it was a matter of principle.  There were moral positions he took issue with in the Episcopal Church, and so he left, based on principle.

That's what it really comes down to doesn't it?  Principle.  You know, my father was the manager of a large department within a fairly important corporation that worked for the federal government.  He had about 200 people working under him.  Growing up, he always told me that when he had to choose between an honest worker who was less skilled, and a dishonest one who was more skilled, he always picked the honest worker.  Why?  Because he could train that honest worker to do anything he wanted, and get him up to the skill level he needed.  But he couldn't train somebody to be honest.

Honesty.  It's something I haven't seen in American politics for a very long time.  Actually, I can't remember ever seeing it.  Integrity?  What's that!?!  I don't think I've ever seen that in American politics.  So it seems that every presidential candidate who might actually be a fairly honest man is crushed in the primaries.  It looks like we might have another possibility here, but I really don't know if the Republican Party will even let him win.  He challenges everything the American empire has represented for 150 years.  I wouldn't be surprised if the GOP establishment would sabotage the election to let Obama win another four years, rather then let somebody like Ron Paul get into the Whitehouse. 

It is Ron Paul's foreign policy that is of particular interest to me.  I like it.  It's very 'Catholic' if you don't mind me saying.  He truly is a consistent man of peace.  I can't say that for any other candidate on the GOP side.  I also like his idea of ending the Federal Reserve, the money cartel that has allowed our congress and the president to bring this Union into bankruptcy.  There are a lot of ideas he has that I like, far more than I dislike.  I'm not into political idolatry.  I don't worship at the altar of any candidate.  I know Ron Paul cannot save this nation, any more than New Gingrich, Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry or Barack Obama for that matter.  I'm not looking for a Messiah, just a man who won't take us to war with the Iranians at the behest of oil companies and zionists.   

I'm not going to make an endorsement here.  I did that in the last election cycle and probably jinxed my candidate.  So there will be no endorsements from The Catholic Knight in the 2012 election.  I'm just saying this candidate is worth a second look.  As I went through his positions, I found them to be more in line with Catholic social teaching than any of the other GOP candidates.  Granted, he is far from perfect or ideal, but it would seem he is better than most.  As for his skill level and political shrewdness, I suppose he is lacking, but these things can be trained into a man.  What cannot be trained is honesty, integrity and principle.  These are three things Congressman Ron Paul seems to have already, and that puts him in a class of his own.  You can't train a man in those things.  Either he has them or he does not.  I'll leave the rest up to my readers to decide.

Ron Paul's positions can be found from a fairly non-biased and neutral source here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Ron_Paul

Please review his candidacy and make your own decision. 

The Pledge of Allegiance

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Long before the Knights of Columbus added the venerable phrase "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance, there was another curious element to the Pledge's recitation that has been conveniently (and quite intentionally) scrubbed from the history books.

Francis Bellamy (1855–1931), a socialist, was hired by a flag company in 1892 to write a 'pledge' to the American flag, which was to be used as part of a marketing campaign to sell more flags to America's public schools. The Pledge of Allegiance, as it came to be called, was accompanied by a peculiar salute, called the Bellamy salute, in which children were encouraged to raise their hands in a military salute style and then extend them outward at the phrase "to the flag" in a straight line toward the flag as the photos below demonstrate.  Remember, these are AMERICAN school children saluting the AMERICAN flag.  This practice was widespread and virtually universal in America's public school systems for fifty years...

Before the Nazis, and before the Italian fascists, American school children were performing this salute every weekday morning in classrooms all across America. In fact, it was imitated by many countries shortly thereafter, including our neighbour to the south -- Mexico -- which they still use today.  European fascists also imitated Americans in the Bellamy salute, desiring to add to the pomp and pageantry of their nationalistic displays. It wasn't until 1942, after America's entry into World War II, that Congress retired the Bellamy salute by officially amending the US flag code to include the hand-over-heart gesture during the full recitation of the pledge. Keep in mind, this gesture demanded by the flag code was designed to get rid of something -- the Bellamy Salute -- which had become an embarrassment to the United States after its entry into World War II.  The Bellamy Salute was then buried in history, omitted from official reference, and practically banned from the history books. The fact remains however, Americans invented the very gesture that later came to be strictly associated with 20th century European fascism. Of course when Americans did it, it did not carry the same meaning as with European fascists, but it was nevertheless a method used to indoctrinate American school children in the common practice of saluting a flag in a very militaristic way, which of course was designed to unify American school children after the horrors of the Civil War and Reconstruction.  When it comes to Nazi-style gestures, we Americans have a distinct bragging right -- we did it first!  Now you know THE REST of the story.

Now that I've shocked you a bit, I would like to change gears and talk about the Pledge of Allegiance itself. I'm not against pledges per se', as a pledge is nothing more than a promise based on honour. They are not the same as oaths as nothing is sworn. I took pledges when I joined the Knights of Columbus, and in every case it was just a promise based on my honour as a practical Catholic gentleman and nothing more. So the whole concept of a pledge doesn't bother me at all and that's not what I'm objecting to.

What I object to is not the pledge, but rather WHAT is being pledged, and TO WHAT OR WHOM it is being pledged. When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, we are pledging just that -- our allegiance. We are pledging it to a flag, a system of government (the federal republic) and to the indivisibility of a political union. In a sense, we are promising to serve our flag and our government, in all things, to preserve its absolute unity without question. Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?

The problem that I see here is that the Pledge of Allegiance is at its very core un-American.  Think about it for a moment.  What was the United States of America founded on?  Rather than summarize, I'll let the founders speak for themselves.  Let's take a look at what America's founders said America was founded on...

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. - Declaration of Independence, Adopted in Congress, July 4, 1776

As you can see, America's founders made it very clear. The United States of America was founded on secession, the God-given right of any group of people to declare themselves independent and free when they have demonstrated they are capable of governing themselves and their larger imperial government no longer governs them fairly. It's a radical idea! but it is nevertheless the foundation of America, for if the founders were wrong, and established state governments do not have the right to declare themselves free, than we should fold this 'great experiment' and return our land to the Queen of England.

You see there is nothing more 'American' than asserting one's freedom as a people.  For example, when the Southern states seceded from the United States federal government in 1860-1861, they were exercising their freedom as AMERICANS, because this was the very right the United States was founded on to begin with.  The actions of the Federal government in response to this were reprehensible, and in every way a tyranny far worse than King George in 1776.  The United States federal government had effectively become the very thing it hated -- the very thing the founders originally seceded from the British Empire over.  It was probably the most tragic time in American history, but the miracle is that some 150 years later, many Americans still believe in the idea outline above in the Declaration of Independence.

So let me clarify this on a personal level.  As an American I believe in the Declaration of Independence, and because I believe in the Declaration of Independence, I also believe established well-governed states have the God-given RIGHT to secede from larger imperial/federal governments.  Therefore, I believe my home state of Missouri certainly has the right to secede from the United States of America, if indeed that is what the people want, and they demonstrate their ability to govern themselves reasonably.  Since the State of Missouri has indeed demonstrated this for over 100 years now, I believe it most certainly can leave the United States at any time, depending entirely on the will of the people of Missouri.  Yes, I believe that Missouri has the right to become its own country!  That is probably the most 'American' thing I could ever say, and as an 'American' I stand by it, and assert it as nothing less than pure American patriotism!

Now that I've explained myself, let's revisit the Pledge of Allegiance.  The text as it currently exists is as follows...

I pledge allegiance to the Flag

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands:

one Nation under God, indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice for all.

I have underlined the parts I find objectionable.  The United States federal government is indeed a republic, but it doesn't have to be, and Americans can be just as "free," with their civil rights protected, under some other form of Union governance.  A republic is not synonymous with freedom and civil rights.  Just ask our good friends over in the United KINGDOM, who still live under a queen in a parliamentary monarchy.  Contrary to popular opinion, the queen is not just a figurehead.  She actually does have some power, but like a good monarch, she exercises it very discretely, allowing the people to essentially govern themselves through a parliamentary system.   There are also smaller forms of government that operate just as well as a republic if not better.  There is of course the direct democracy system of town halls and caucuses.  Who is to say that someday a new and better form of government might be created.  I have a real problem pledging my allegiance to a particular system of government, which has not only proved to be unstable, but even tyrannical at times, when in fact there is nothing about being an 'American' that requires me to do so.  As a Catholic Christian, the only system of government that I pledge my allegiance to is the absolute monarchy of Christ the King.  Because of that, I submit to the federal republic, by obeying its laws, but only because my King tells me too.  Indeed, if my King ever said otherwise, I would rebel, and become just as much an enemy of the republic as there ever was.  Thankfully for all of us, the King of kings tells us to submit to the ruling authorities, and so I do.  Does this make me un-American?  I don't think so.

It is also erroneous to refer to the United States as 'one nation.'  We are not.  Let's go through some definitions here.  A state is a local government.  It can be a country when independent, or a province when under the authority of a higher government.  In the case of America, there are 50 states.  Each one has the potential to be an independent country, if indeed that is what the people therein want.  (I couldn't be more 'American' in saying this.)  Then you have the word 'nation' which is actually a much more abstract term.  It refers to a large group of people (millions) who are united by language and culture.  In the United States, there are in fact about nine to ten such groups of nations.  In my home state of Missouri, I happen to live where two such nations intersect, the Heartland of the American Midwest, and Dixieland of the American Southeast.  Both peoples are defined by language accent and culture, and they have many similarities, but they are not the same.  I also used to live in the American Southwest, where I can attest to a very different nation of people, who are united by a different language (Spanglish) and culture (Mex-American).  Now that in itself is not enough to separate our political ties, and we all remain under one political authority, but we are certainly NOT one nation.  We are multiple nations of peoples, united under the one political authority of the United States federal government.  This leads me to the final definition.  What is this political authority that unites us called?  It is called a UNION.  That is what the United States is.  It is a political and economic UNION, similar to the European Union, but much older and more defined.  Every year the President of the United States delivers a 'State of the Union' address, not a 'State of the Nation' address, as the bungling nitwits in the mainstream media have frequently called it.  If the words of the Pledge were changed to say "one union under God," instead of "one nation under God," I would have no objection to that line.  This is because it would be factually correct and simultaneously respect our national divisions based on language and culture.  Believe me, if it's un-American for me to say this, than the America I once knew, and grew up in, no longer exists.

The last word I have a problem with in the Pledge is of course 'indivisible' because this is nothing short of political propaganda designed to crush the will of any child who would dare dream of political independence.  If the United States is truly 'indivisible' than indeed the Declaration of Independence is dead.  The portion I cited above is worthless, and America has simply joined the league of other world empires that keeps its people prisoner by force.  If this is the case, than I don't care if you call me 'un-American' because the word 'American' really doesn't mean anything any more.

Perhaps if the Pledge of Allegiance were re-written as follows, I might be able to recite it again...

I pledge allegiance to the Flag

of the United States of America,

one Union under God,

With Liberty and Justice for all.

I have no technical or moral issues with this version of the Pledge, but until it is rewritten as so, I am compelled to keep my lips still and my voice silent.  I will stand for the American flag, and I will place my hand over my heart to show my affection and respect, but I can no longer say the words of the Pledge. Indeed I haven't said them in a very long time. My conscience forbids me from doing so, and I think it is reprehensible that our public schools still compel our children to recite this Pledge at all, especially in its current form.

LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS TO THE NEW MASS TRANSLATION

DEO GRATIAS !!!!

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A Catholic Take On Ron Paul

REPOSTED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2011...

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: In the 2008 presidential election I made the mistake of actively supporting certain presidential candidates on this blog.  I don't regret having done that, as the cause was just considering what happened on election day.  However, I wish to take a completely different direction with this blog for the 2012 presidential election.  Rather than actively endorsing particular candidates, I will instead do reviews of candidates from a traditional Catholic perspective.  In the end I will probably reveal who my personal vote will go to, but I will try not to tell my readers what to do.

In the 2008 presidential election Congressman Ron Paul surfaced as an iconic darkhorse candidate, defying all odds and stealing a sizable percentage of both Republican and Democratic voters in the primary season.  All signs seem to indicate he will make another bid for the Whitehouse in the 2012 election.  With that in mind, Catholics should know a thing or two about him.

CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL

Religion - Baptist
Party - Republican / Libertarian / Republican
Profession - Medical Doctor / Politician

POSITIONS:

• Pro-Life
• Pro-Traditional Marriage
• Pro-States Rights (Subsidiarity)
• Anti-Socialist (pro-free market)
• Anti-Big Government
• Anti-Globalism
• Anti-Zionist

The details of Ron Paul's positions and voting record can be seen OnTheIssues.Org.  At first glance his voting record is curious, almost appearing to contradict himself at times.  However, when one understands his militant position on State's Rights (federalism or subsidiarity) it starts to make sense.  Paul believes the overwhelming majority of social and moral issues must be handled on the state level where the government is closer to the people, and the people can assert more control over it.  The intrusive power grabs of big government in Washington D.C. have exacerbated America's moral problems turning them into a full blown crisis.  The problem with trying to fix these moral problems at a federal level is twofold.  First, because Washington D.C. is so far removed from the American people it is out of touch with them, and virtually unaccountable to them.  So trying to solve these problems at the federal level will result in no progress whatsoever.  Second, concentrating power in Washington D.C. is what turned our moral problems into a crisis in the first place.  Two wrongs don't make a right and the federal government is incapable (let alone incompetent) to even address them.  Only the states can adequately deal with the moral and social issues before us.  Granted some states will make the wrong choices, and they will learn their lessons the hard way, but they must be allowed to make these choices in the first place so they have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.  Other states will make the right choices, and they should be free to, so they can reap the rewards thereof.

The single issue that has given Evangelicals the greatest pause for concern over Ron Paul is the same issue that should give Catholics more enthusiasm for him.  Ron Paul is an Anti-Zionist.  By that I mean he does not support the notion of absolute Israeli supremacy over the Palestinians and does not believe Israel should get unconditional financial and military support from the United States.  This does not mean he is anti-Israel per se.'  Indeed, Ron Paul has supported Israel's right to defend itself from legitimate threats to it's safety.  What distinguishes him from traditional Republican candidates is his assertion that Israel must follow the same moral code we would expect from all of our allies, and we need not support all of Israel's policies, especially when they are unjust toward Palestinian Christians and Muslims.

Overall, Congressman Ron Paul is an acceptable choice for President of the United States.  He is far from perfect, and some of his views are less than ideal.  I certainly don't agree with them all.  Nevertheless, his libertarian ideology (while not ideal) does create a sound counterbalance to the authoritarian trajectory of our current federal government thanks to the actions of previous presidents.  In a race between Ron Paul and Barrack Obama, Ron Paul gets my Catholic vote hands down.

How America Killed Christianity In the Middle East

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  When the United States government attacked Iraq, we were told it was to make the world safe for democracy.  Whether or not that is true remains to be seen, but it certainly hasn't made the Middle East safe for Christianity.  As bad as Saddam Hussein was, there was relative peace in Iraq, and while I certainly will not defend that monster, I will say that after he was gone the plight of Christians in Iraq got exponentially worse.  You cannot convince me that the Pentagon didn't know this would happen.  You cannot convince me that President G.W. Bush wasn't informed.  They knew this would likely happen, but the truth is, they didn't care.  They had bigger fish to fry in their opinion, and the health and safety of Christians in the Middle East was of little concern to them.

While all this was going on in Iraq, the Bush administration was instructing the CIA to orchestrate the violent uprisings of radical Muslims all over the Middle East, to overthrow the regimes of dictators that had become no longer useful.  After Bush was gone, President Barack Obama continued this operation.  Under his administration we saw these plots come to fruition first in Egypt, then in Yemen, then in Saudi Arabia, and finally in Libya.  The uprisings were successful in Egypt, replacing the dictator regime with radical Muslim groups.  In Libya, not so successful, as the dictator fought back.  In response, the United States (via NATO) launched a military bombing campaign to aid radical Muslims as they overthrew the Libyan dictator.  This brought success, and now radical Muslims control Libya too.  Again, the CIA is likely operating in Syria to effect the same type of revolution, and now the federal government (along with their agents in the national media) are beginning to beat the war drums against Iran again.  Iran is the final domino to fall.  It's the big one our government has been salivating over for a decade now.  The United States of America has been orchestrating a decade long campaign against the players in the Middle East, and as a result, Christians are suffering and dying.  What does our government have to say about this?  Of course actions against Christians are condemned.  These are the words of the U.S. government, but the actions say something completely different.  In word the United States government finds this regrettable, in action these Christians are clearly expendable. Actions speak louder than words. 

Why?  Why would the United States government do this?  That seems to be the mystery that nobody can get their heads fully around.  The official story comes from the G.W. Bush administration goes something like this:  In the past, the United States sought a policy of stability in the Middle East at the expense of liberty for those who live there.  As a result we ended up with neither.  So now the policy of the United States is to work toward liberty for those who live in the Middle East, in the hope that we might achieve some eventual stability. 

Well, that sounds like a noble plan on the surface, and it certainly sells to a large audience of Americans.  But is it true?  Is this really the one and only reason why the United States would commit trillions of dollars and American lives to military campaigns in the Middle East?  Or is there something more?  Secondly, even if it is true, and we have no other motive than to bring "liberty" to Middle Eastern Arabs, is that really how Americans want their tax dollars spent?  Is it really our "responsibility" in the world to ensure that every corner of the planet gets a crack at democracy?  Is that what our Founding Fathers believed?  Is that the purpose of the United States of America?

A review of the book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism tells a different story. Another book entitled Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage helps to put everything into better focus.  It would appear the United States of America is trying to strategically position itself for a coming worldwide oil shortage that is going to plunge the entire industrialised world into the greatest economic depression ever.  The intent, so it would seem, is to negotiate oil contracts with ALL the Arab nations possible, to deplete their oil supply first, as much as possible, so that when the "peak oil" economy hits, and production can no longer match consumption, and the price of gasoline shoots up to $10/gallon, the United States will be in perfect position to start extracting oil shale at a competitive price to the rest of the world market, thus putting us on course to become the "Saudi Arabia" of the 21st century.  Right now, oil shale is too expensive to extract, but in a peak oil economy, the price will finally be competitive.  In the process however, we need to have people in the Middle East who are so indebted to us, they will likely negotiate oil contracts with us, or with Europe at the very least.  That's where the Shock Doctrine comes in.  Certain large corporations in the United States have learned how to profit off disasters.  Whether natural or man-made, these disasters bring in big money to these corporations and that helps the American economy.  So to appease these big campaign donors, politicians are more than willing to assure that the need for a man-made disaster (war) is always present and ready to be executed at a moment's notice.  Their accomplices in the national news media are more than willing to help them by selling a propaganda snow job to the American people.  Whether it's the threat of WMD's, "liberating" people from an "evil dictator," or the threat of terrorism; the United States stands ready to jump into action.  When it comes to the Middle East, the result will be big money for those companies that help rebuild, and even bigger profits later when oil contracts are negotiated with the new ruling party we helped to install.  All of this setting us up for an eventual peak oil economy that will again make big money for American oil corporations. 

What's that about Christians in the Middle East you say?  "Ah yes, them, well they will be an unfortunate but necessary sacrifice."  So it would seem, as far is the U.S. government is concerned.

Dixieland Heritage from a Southern Black Perspective

See H.K. Edgerton's Website Here
THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: There is always more than one side to a story. This is the story seldom told. I challenge every single Catholic to watch this video with an open mind. There are many blacks in the South who feel this way, certainly not all of them, but many of them. There is more to this than meets the eye, and yes, Americans have been victims of government propaganda on this. Some of my international readers have been snookered by American propaganda too. I've said this before, and I'll say it again. If the U.S. Federal government did today, what it did in 1861, than it would be condemned in the United Nations as an aggressor, and the president would be indicted on war crimes. It's time people learn the other side of the story.

Sons of Confederate Veterans

I will take it a step further. The Cross of St. Andrew is more than just historical. It is more than just heritage. It's about CULTURE. The word 'culture' is based on the Latin word 'cultus' which means 'religion.' That's what this is about when you really get down to it. You see, Dixieland is built on the culture of Southern agrarianism which is categorically different from Northern or Western agrarian culture. This is because the dominant religion in the Antebellum South was high-church Episcopalian (Anglican or 'Anglo-Catholicism'), which shared a lot of common features with Roman Catholicism, particularly in the area of family-run small business and limited government based on Subsidiarity. In fact, the Episcopalian culture of the Antebellum South was so close to Roman Catholics that many Southern Episcopalian parents sent their children to Catholic schools. By the time of the War of Southern Independence (1861 - 1865), both the South's president (Jefferson Davis) and supreme general (Robert E. Lee) were Episcopalians. Both had strong ties to Southern Catholics, and one (the president) was actually raised in a Catholic school. It wasn't until after the War, during and after the period of Reconstruction, that the religious demographic of the South moved toward the Baptists and Pentecostals. Nevertheless, that shell of an Episcopalian/Catholic culture still exists in the courtliness and mannerism of Southerners today.

The Dixie flag (Cross of St. Andrew) must be put forward as a symbol of culture, over and above everything else. It has become the symbol of a people, both white and black, united by faith and virtues, language and manners. It's more than history. It's more than heritage. It's more than states rights. It's so much more than politics. It is our symbol as a people. It is who we are.

Southern Black Civil War Veteran,
photo taken in reunion decades later.

It must also be put forward as a symbol of solidarity as well, between whites and blacks, in spite of those who have abused it over the last century. (Incidentally, those same abusers have done far worse with the American flag, but nobody holds the American flag responsible for this.) As H.K. Edgerton said in the video above; "the key to the room, where the table of brotherhood sits, is this flag!" So long as the American flag (and not Dixie's flag) has dominated the Southland, there has always been racial division, strife and tension. The only time in Southern history when whites and blacks worked together in total solidarity was during the War of Southern Independence. Dixie's "battle flag" was first stitched together during this time, when whites and blacks had to work together to survive, and indeed they did just that, and they fought together under this same banner. (In contrast, Northern Union armies racially segregated their soldiers, Southern armies did not.) Dixie's "battle flag" was a symbol of solidarity between whites and blacks during the War and after, even though it was repressed by the U.S. government during the Reconstruction period. It wasn't until the middle 20th century that some people started using it for racist purposes, and those very same people did far worse with the American flag.

The good news is we are actually winning! With each passing year, more and more people are learning the untold story of the South and her symbols. The propaganda of the U.S. Federal government is being exposed for the lie it is. Let's keep moving forward on this.

Please forward this blog entry to as many people as possible, around the world, especially to Catholics, many of whom are aware of the anti-Catholic history of the U.S. government, and are thus more likely to understand why such propaganda would be used against Southern people today. Please share this article using the 'share' icons below.

Relentless Incrementalism and Defiant Optimism

Southern heritage defenders smile and wave to passers-by in Richmond, Virginia.

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  I wish to apologise to my readers.  I am human and I do sometimes make mistakes.  While I believe the information I gave was 100% accurate, and my logical prognosis is essentially correct, I must admit that I have in recent months lost sight of a core value that made this blog what it is today.  I lost sight of my view that this culture war will be won by relentless incrementalism and defiant optimism.

In some recent posts I lamented the loss of the Pro-Life 'Personhood Amendment' in Mississippi.  I said this would result in the fall of America.  I was right about that, and I stand by that prediction, but that is not necessarily a bad thing and it's not the end of the world.  I said I had doubts about the Southern states ever being able to rise again because of it.  Again, those doubts remain, but that doesn't mean it can't happen, and it doesn't mean Dixieland hasn't overcome larger challenges in the past.  In another post I predicted the complete implosion of Western Civilization, and the need for Catholics to move closer to their parishes and monastic communities.  Again, I stand by that, and I think we may see the wisdom in that sooner rather than later, as gas prices soar to record levels in the coming years due to emerging conflicts in the Middle East.  Nevertheless, that is no reason to despair.  Why?  Because of this...

1. God is on our side.  It doesn't matter what happens to our nation, or our civilisation, because in the end, he is going to preserve his people, and his people will eventually prosper no matter what.  The fall of the Roman Empire demonstrated this beyond the shadow of a doubt.
2. Our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, is interceding for us.  She has visited her people, the Church, and has given us a message of victory, that in the end her Immaculate Heart will prevail -- no matter what!
3. The Catholic Church is radically different today than what it was just five years ago.  Since then we have seen the revival of the Traditional Latin Mass (Summorum Pontificum), the emergence of Anglo Catholicism (Anglicanorum Coetibus), and we are about to witness the complete revision (vast improvement) of the English translation of the Roman Missal.  While it may not feel like it sometimes, all the ingredients are present for a massive liturgical renewal of the U.S. Catholic Church.  All we need is TIME to reach the critical mass necessary.  This pope has done some amazing work steering this massive ship (called the worldwide Catholic Church) between the two great pillars.  Though the winds and the waves may buffet us, we are well on our way in that direction.
4. While the entire Western World finds itself in the midsts of economic and social upheaval, it is nothing short of a vindication.  Deo Vindice! or 'God will vindicate!'  It is a vindication not only of our Southern agrarian historical culture, and not only of our Southern political subsidiarity, but of the teachings of the Catholic Church as well, particularly in the area of economic Distributism.  With every failure of our government, our economy, and our society, WE (Southern Catholics) are winning in the realm of ideas!  As I've said in previous entries, many of the movers and shakers in today's Southern Movement are Catholics, and even those who are not Catholic share many of our views on economic Distributism.  The rise of the South should not be viewed as a political movement (not yet anyway) but more as a cultural movement.  So long as it is viewed that way, we will never be disappointed, because if it is cultural (not political yet) than there is no way their anti-heritage laws will be able to stick.  Cultural movements almost always grow, and as they do, the prevailing government persecution is forced to subside.  The flag of my government may be the Stars and Stripes, but the flag of my people is the St. Andrew's Cross of Dixie.  As the smiling faces in the picture above depict, this is who we are.  We are proud of it, we should be, there is nothing wrong with that, and we are growing.  Deo Vindice!  The trick for Catholics (particularly in the South) is to elevate the use of our Southern symbols above and beyond what is typically seen on pickup trucks and bumper stickers.  Our symbols deserve better treatment than that.  It's time to raise them on flag polls where they belong.  We are Catholics, and this is the Christian Cross of St. Andrew, brother of St. Peter, and first disciple of our Lord.  I've got half a mind to fly both the St. Andrew's Cross and the Vatican Flag outside my house, just to make a point.  This is who I am.  Now cope.  
5. The rest of the United States (outside of Dixie) should not be for want of optimism either.  For there is a strong hope in the TEA Party movement IF it can shed the influence of the Republican Party.  The TEA Party began as a protest against the first federal bailout package put forward by the Republican G.W. Bush administration!  Never forget that.  "Don't Tread On Me!" was the motto of this movement, and now new flags have been created modelled after the Betsy Ross flag with the Roman numeral "II" in the centre.  The message of that should be clear.  We need to get back to the small government and limited corporations of our American forefathers.  It is possible that the United States can be rebuilt on the ashes of a full collapse, even after a Southern secession, but to do it will require a firm understanding of where we came from and what we need to get back to.  Not only was government limited in the early American Republic, but so where corporations, and by doing this, the Founding Fathers were able to keep a balance for some time, before the Civil War that changed everything.  If the TEA Parties will go back to protesting the big corporations, along with the big government, they can shed the Republican influence and reclaim their identity.

Yes, as Americans and as Southerners, there can be found strong points of defiant optimism to cling to, especially if we stick to a cultural strategy of relentless incrementalism. There is no group however, that has more reason to be defiantly optimistic than faithful and traditionally-minded Catholics.  Thanks to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, we have been given everything we need to transform the U.S. Catholic Church into something far more beautiful and influential than its ever been.  We are growing too, especially in Dixieland, so let's keep growing and bringing people into the full knowledge of the Christian faith.  In the mean time, let's also work to reclaim the Southern Cross of St. Andrew as just as much a Catholic symbol as it ever was Protestant, military or political.  It was never intended to be a racist symbol, and let those who would use it as such default to something else.  (Perhaps the Nazi Swastika is more appropriate for them.)  The Southern cross is the symbol of who we are as a people, both white and black.  We didn't choose slavery, it chose us, and we certainly didn't invent it either.  The Christian Cross of St. Andrew, however, was invented during a time when blacks and whites came together in the South, and worked together, to fight a foreign aggressor.  It is a symbol of our alliance, not our division, even if people have misused it as such.  It is cultural, and it is very VERY Christian.  Yes, I will fly it, and I will do it with a smile on my face.  Those who don't like it can just learn to cope.  Our ideas are winning, and our movement is growing, and that makes be very VERY happy, and it gives me HOPE !!!!