Brisbane, Australia: St.Mary's still defiant: despite church saying it is not in communion with it

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Catholic Culture 05/01/2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Archbishop of Brisbane, Australia: John Bathersby: has warned that "Saint Mary's" Parish, in Southern Brisbane: is not in communion with the Universal Catholic church. This is at least a month since the issue started, he said that action would likely take place in late the time period between January, and early February, when he could adequately explain his action. Up to 900 people still attend the schismatic parish.

Ireland, EU, Europe : Two Irish Prelates encourage diocese where child abuse was mishandled: obey the church's's regulations, and recommendations of autonomous group set up; which was already demanded before, as church regulations in the area have also been ignored

(Social Justice South Africa; Catholic Culture (Catholic; High Fidelity; American) 05/12/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Cardinal Sean Brady of the Archdiocese of Armagh, and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of the Archdiocese of Dublin, have both in separate ways: called for child protection regulations, and recommendations to be followed throughout Ireland: Bishop John Magee of the diocese of Cloyne being caught in a scandal: around mismanagement of these cases.

The Archbishop of Dublin, has stated, that it is the choice of Bishop John Magee, of Cloyne, whether or not to resign. On masse, it appears, the people believe him to have lost the moral authority to lead.

N Ireland Europe: Government to force church representatives to sign they will protect rights of children: due to repeated failure by church officials

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; BBC World News (Secular; Government; British)02/Jan/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The structures of the Catholic church, while often well meaning: and possibly better prepared than other forms of hierarchy: are notoriously known for their lack of ability involving insuring accountability. The amount of times, one comes across abuse of human, or religious rights: by church structures: is frightening, at times: due to the same method of treating the church as a family, rather than a government, which is still employed, largely throughout much of the world. In Northern Ireland, even church regulations have not been listened to, by those involved in matters involving child protection: resulting in state authorities resorting to getting every church representative: from bishop to priest: to sign that they will adhere to Irish laws on the matter. A bishop implicated in such, has refused, at our last check to resign: against calls from the general public in the region.

While weaknesses in accountability in Catholic church structures: have repeatedly resulted in child abuse: and other, sometimes extremely serious abuses: in local churches throughout the world: the Vatican itself: has implemented screening for predators: of late, and unlike many of those actually involved: the Catholic Pope Benedict XVI: has openly apologized for a collective guilt he felt: resulting in many bishops conferences finally changing policies.

While abuses by clergy in the Catholic church: are markedly below that of other Christian religions: which do not demand celibacy: nor prevent priests from marrying: incompetence: and a lack of accountability; and abuse of authority within local church structures: has resulted in the comparatively lower rates of offense within the church: being mishandled: causing not only scandal, and embarrassment: but along with it: these attitudes which have allowed abuse: have also allowed for many other abuses: resulting largely in schisms such as SSPX, or the leaving of many Catholics from the church.

Further: while the percentage of Catholic priests who abuse minors: is perhaps one of the lowest of any groups, and according to statistics I heard, shortly after the scandal broke: perhaps less than half the percentage of Protestant pastors involved in such: those involved in offenses: were often simply moved around and never prosecuted. Perhaps: a good sign: is that often: the church is advising the contacting of civil authorities due to abuses: and I have since seen at least one letter: claiming that a priest had had his rights to practice as a priest: permanently revoked: and another of other harsh punishment being meted out: as should have been years ago.

What the SSPX, names as the result of Vatican II, or as a result of large abandoning of Latin: can largely be accounted to a lack of accountability in many local churches: as demonstrated by the manner in which the church: in countries where Catholic ethics are adhered to: has grown phenomenally.

As the cover-ups, and abuses are inherently, and utterly apposed to Catholic Ethics, teachings, and morality: it is safe to say: that these come not from the Catholic religion, which is considered, like the Papal line: to be a creation of God: but rather: from those groupings collectively, and individuals individually: who within it, have deviated from such: and from those others, who have allowed this deviation to go unpunished: in small and great.

Nor, can the religion's followers, or all structures themselves be blamed: many are champions of human rights: and the Catholic religion was created by a man: who himself triumphed human rights: including rights of those abused at the hands of an authority: also considered by Jesus: to have been created by God: but to also be fallible in everyday decisions: as the Catholic church also considers itself to be.

The Irish church has taken a great step, in releasing statistics on this issue, and the American church: has also begun to recover: however: the South African church's continued choice: not to implement canon law: as regards more minor offenses: such as heresy; or, and this one falls into the extremely serious category: the promotion of abortion (which is excommunicable, according to Canon law): in literature sold at churches, in such a manner: that priests advertise it: and the mass of Catholic faithful: believe this literature to be the voice of the local bishops : means that; while we have heard little, if any information on such other issues here: the structures: seem fully unprepared to deal with any such thing.

The fact, that we have such a reply, seemingly from Cardinal Napier: on the fact, he has no desire to act on the Southern Cross: issue; makes one wonder what should happen if such a scandal as sexual abuse of minors were to spread widely in South Africa.

Heresy watch- how to spot bad doctrine- even from bishops, and why sometimes the heirachi errs!

(Scripturelink Catholic Watchdog South Africa)Now, we know that the magisterium of the church speaks from God- but that the individual bishops do not divinely preach the faith- but rather are trained to be good judges of heresy.

Unfortunately- many bishops- the heirs of Arius, and Eusebus- choose to front ideas not from inside the church- but from their culture and society.

Politics makes this worse- people are told to attend protestant churches, or not to put their moral code on others- or not to judge in any circumstance- or to forgive without justice or repentance-

So, how do we attempt to save our beloved church from such-

from an environment where Orthodoxy is often punished,
and separatist groups sometimes grow faster than the church?

The answer firstly is to focus on yourself!


If the litergy is abused- make sure this is in no way your sin.
If you read something from a church authority- judge it according to what you are accustomed to hearing from a bishop, and try to find what the source of this information is.

Is it the infallible Magisterium, or a bishop's personal opinion.

Opinion is oft unfortunately disguised as dogma- books like the "Modern Catholic Encyclopedia", carrying imprimatur often attack the teachings of the magisterium- this particular book's one author attacks the divinity of Christ.

Another popular book to be sold by Catholic bookstores is "a concise history of the church", it claims to be more conserative- but its statements about confession fall under the anathemas of Trent, and it often misrepresents information.

Other heirachical structures say that all religions are equal- and we must not judge or preach to those of other faiths- or must keep away from making laws in accordance with our morality.

Simply put- those things which come from the Traditions we are told in the bible to always hold to, those who hold to what we heard in the start- are those who are not pruned off of the vine, which is Christ.

When listening to a priest, confessor, bishop, diocesan official-

Be realistic- they are as likely to fall into heresy as any person here-
They are better trained at times, though often Seminary can be the source of their problems- rather - look into the backing of what they say- see where in the magisterium and tradition their words corrolate-

If you cannot find a correlation, but only a rough meaning they wrongly believe to be the "spirit" of works, like the spirit of a crowd, then discount their statement, and look into what the truth is- further- try to aid your fellows in this truth.

Unfortunately two things often occur- firstly, the best of speakers are misquoted, or misunderstood- or speak in a specific context.

Secondly- some bishops and priests and deacons and laymen believe they have a grasp of Catholicism, but without the true Reality of it within- and so front what their culture tells them to, or what that more radical teacher at seminary said.

With both- discussion of your scandal (harm caused by another's sin on a fellow) at this- may either clarify the issue, or save your fellows from the heresy of but one small section of the church- acting in isolation from truth.

Now- a small amount of good in an evil organization has an evil effect- in justifying and maintaining the evil, but a small amount of evil in a good organization- while it should be cleaved off- does not always affect the working of the whole- and it is God who works in the Divine Magisterium, and in the Sacraments- the mortal state of the worker of these- is not needed to be safe for them to work.

As even the Early church said- the feet are not to be the head of the church-
yet, the bishops will have to answer for how they pruned the flock of God.

It is those guilty of sin, or who are silent about this- who partake fully in it.

Admittadly the Church, in western society- has in some places a deadly cancer-

But organizations like Opus Dei, and like internet apolostates, and the Vatican website- are there- but we must not rely on others solely to grow us- we must ourselves research the truth, even as the inspiring Catechism of Baltemore- tells us to!

-Marc Aupiais