Big Pulpit

Why Francis Must Speak

. . .the fact that Pope Francis refused to answer questions about Viganò’s charges on the flight back from the World Meeting of Families in Ireland is telling.  How likely is it that an innocent man would let these multiple serious charges of malfeasance remain unanswered?  Certainly possible, but highly unlikely. . .

by Father Gerald E. Murray, J.C.D.,

of First Things

The Sneering Contempt of Pope Francis – Matthew Walther, The Week
Why Did B16 Resign? McCarrick, Viganò & Vat. Bank Scandals Explained – T Marshall PhD
Whistleblower Fr. Boniface Ramsey Reacts to Viganò’s Letter – J.F. Desmond, NCRegister
This Isn’t the 1970’s Neomodernist Prelates – Brian Williams, Liturgy Guy
Francis’s Refusal to Admit or Deny the Allegations is So Troubling – P.J. Smith, Smdplx
Aldo Maria Valli: How Viganò Gave Me His Testimony; Why I Published It – Fr. Z’s Blog
The Bombshell – P.J. Smith, Semiduplex
Hold Fast – Sam Guzman, The Catholic Gentleman
Bishop McElroy Accuses Viganò of ‘Distorting’ the Truth – Catholic Herald
Bishop Morlino on Viganò: Criteria for Credible Allegations are More Than Fulfilled – Z
Archbishop Vigneron’s Response to the Viganò Statement – Archdiocese of Detroit
A Drastic Problem Needs a Drastic Solution – Fr. Stanley Smolenski S.P.M.A., NC Register
Marco Tosatti Says He Helped Pen Bombshell – Nicole Winfield, Associated Press via Crux
How the White House Could Help the Catholic Church – Austin Ruse, The Stream
Pope: ‘I Will Not Say a Single Word’ on Vigano’s Allegations of a Cover-up – The CWR
DiNardo Calls for Conclusive Answers to Questions Raised by Viganò – The CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Why Did So Many Gay Men Enter the Priesthood in the 20th Century?

. . .In a little known passage from the Gospels, Jesus contrasts his saintly second-cousin John the Baptist to the filthy Herod who would one day kill the Baptist.  St. Matthew writes: “As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  What then did you go out to see?  A man dressed in soft clothing?  Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.  What then did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I tell you, & more than a prophet.’”—Mt 11:7-8 ESV. . .

. . .That word translated above “soft” in Greek is μαλακοῖς, & Jesus is saying that John the Baptist would never be caught in soft garments like rich kings.  But the adjective μαλακοῖς (pronounced malakois) which is indeed accurately translated as “soft,” also has a very telling etymology.  μαλακοῖς comes from the noun μαλακός (pronounced malakos) & my Greek-English dictionary defines it as this: “μαλακός—soft, soft to the touch, metaph. in a bad sense, effeminate, of a catamite, of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male prostitute”. . .

by Father David Nix,

of Pilgrim Priest

Understanding the Demographics of the Predatory Priest Problem – Anne Hendershott
Abp. Cordileone’s Letter to People of San Francisco Archd., Kudos, Mini-Rant – Fr. Z
“Gay” Boys to “Gay” Men – Rod Dreher, The American. . .
Letters of Bishops Compared, Quite a Contrast – Fr. Z’s Blog
Mouths Washed Out With Holy Water? Dishonest Report Exposed – TheMediaReport.com
NPD may be the Hidden Psychological Problem Behind the Scandals – G. Bottaro Psy.D.
Why is the Secular Media Not Investigating the McCarrick Scandal? – Julia Duin, Get Rlgn
Why Priests Won’t Protest Violations of Clerical Celibacy – Fr. A. Fornwalt F.H.S., Crisis
Proposal to all the Bishops of these USA for your November 2018 Meeting – Fr. Z’s Blog
Bishop Paul Sirba of Duluth Addresses the Present Crisis, Fr. Z Assesses – Fr. Z’s Blog
Quæritur: Lethal Force Against Homosexual Aggression in Seminary? – Fr. Z’s Blog
George Neumayr Interview: Don’t Let Abuse Investigation be Rigged – Fr. R. Heilmann
Cover-up of Clerical Abuse Points to Dead Consciences Among the Hierarchy – Fr J Kirby
Bishop Burbidge: Abuse Crisis Not about Policies but Priests Committing Evil – L Bourne
American Bishops Should Ditch the Lawyers – Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith, Catholic Herald
Seton Hall Announces ‘Independent Review’ of Seminary Accusations – NC Register
English Bishop Requests Extraordinary Synod on Life, Ministry of Clergy – Cthlc Herald
Archdiocese of St. Louis Invites Attorney General to Review Files – CNA via NC Register
Strengthening Faith in a Time of Crisis – R. Jared Staudt, Crisis Magazine
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time