Archbishop Nienstedt Refuses Communion to Dissidents

At today's Noon Mass, a statement was read over the intercom prior to ommunion by the Archdiocese's Communication's Director one Dennis McGrath. This Sunday was Vocation Sunday and the Archdiocese has more students studying for the priesthood than it's had for thirty years, but Archbishop was not present.

The statement was to the effect that only baptised Catholics who are disposed to receive Communion and in agreement with the entirety Church's teaching may receive Communion, and specifically, that Rainbow Sashers may not receive Holy Communion, but they were invited to remove their sashes.

The approach he's taken to this situation matches the description of him given by the Star and Tribune as "cool and collected."...

More here

And another report here

Krebs Responds to Bozek's "Underground" Network

In a recent email newsletter, Frank Krebs, pastor of the 90-member Sts. Clare & Francis in Webster Groves, an ECC (Ecumenical "Catholic" Communion) church, a breakaway schismatic group similar to other protestant demoninations, responds to the August 10th article in the Post Dispatch, "Hero? Heretic? Parish divided" by Tim Townsend. The article (which was blogged here) states, in part:

Bozek also has spoken with the Rev. Frank Krebs — pastor of the 90-member Sts. Clare & Francis in Webster Groves, which is separate from the Vatican — about joining Bozek's "underground" network.

Krebs responds, in part:

I have been working very hard for a long time to keep the lines of communication open among Jessica, myself, Marek at St. Stan’s and the two women priests, Elsie McGrath and Ree Hudson, at the St. Therese Community. We have talked about how we might cooperate and collaborate. And hopefully we will continue to do so. I think it is very important to keep the lines of communication open among those of us who have somewhat similar visions. (By the way I had lunch a week or so ago with the pastor at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, a member of a group called the ECC+USA; he is a wonderful man. I intend to stay in touch with him too.) But I have not been invited by Marek into “Bozek’s underground network.”

We are good friends and discuss our views on a variety of topics all the time.
Marek, in my interpretation, has a view of the church that is heavily influenced by his experience in Poland when it was under Soviet control and he was a boy. At that time and place the Roman Catholic Church was underground. It was vibrant and resistant to authoritarian rule. It was bold, defiant, and very much alive. He sees, I believe, St. Stan’s to be like that in relation to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In scriptural terms he takes a very prophetic stance: bold and over-against the powers that be, but never thinking of himself as outside the group that is condemning him. He insists he is Roman Catholic....
[emphasis original]

Bozek rejects the Church and her teacings yet insists that he is Roman Catholic...Krebs seems to understand the absurdity of this claim, if I undertand his italicized "Roman" above...Krebs at least seems to have the cognizance to not make that claim. He still believes, hoever, that he is "Catholic" - just as so many others lay claim to the name.

Marek and I have a lot in common. We believe in an inclusive church. We both identify as Catholic and take that identity very seriously. We believe that if the people are the Church, they should certainly make decisions about how the Church should function. But I, and I believe I can speak for us at Sts. Clare & Francis and say “we,” see ourselves through a different lens. We are not underground because for us there is no need to be underground; there is no Soviet Union forcing us underground. We are in a church body (the ECC) where we can be Catholic and in full collaboration with our bishop and be just as inclusive and democratic as we want to be. We’re not fighting those kinds of battles. We’re putting our energy into building a Church we are proud of, not fighting one we are not proud of. So Marek and I have different perspectives, but we are still friends…and, to the extent we can be, collaborators.

Enough has been written about Marek Bozek - soon he will be laicized. Whether the members of St Stanislaus want access to valid or licit sacraments by a priest in communion with the Church founded by Our Lord remains to be seen.

Another observation is in order - Krebs and others who have left the Roman Catholic Church may not consider themselves part of an "underground" network but, in actuality, by working outside the Church and against the Church, some might rightfully consider that as part of an "underground" effort or network. Krebs, being a Catholic ex-priest, should understand that.

"He who is not with me is against me..." Matthew 12:30.

Please continue to pray for those blinded by their pride, passions and sins and pray for the disaffected members of St Stanislaus.

StL Review Denies Ad Placement from Catholic Action Network

And this action by the Review pleases Catholics throughout the Archdiocese!

Jim Rygelski, the editor of The St. Louis Review, met with four members [Megan Heeney, Marie Andrews, Seán Collins, and Bill Ramsey] of the Catholic Action Network for Social Justice (CAN) on Monday 28 July 2008 and discussed the advertisement they had brought to him for publication in the Review. The St. Louis Review is the official Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis....

"Rygelski's initial response was 'no' and his final response was 'no.' But in between was an hour-and-a-half of discussion on the beliefs, practices, polity, and history of the Catholic Church," said Bill Ramsey. "After saying his final answer was 'no,’ Rygelski said he would discuss it with Bishop Hermann."....

Frankly, I'm surprised that Rygelski met with this group of malcontents for such a long period of time. Is there something new that they could have said that has not been spewed forth from them or similar anti-Church groups?

Sean Collins, who, it appears, now works with this dissenting group after leaving St Cronan's, attributes Bishop Hermann's August 1 column in The Review on "Obedience" to CAN and themselves. A result of an over inflated ego?:

"I am increasingly impressed with the Roman hierarchs' mind-reading abilities....Bishop Hermann, like his predecessor Archbishop Burke, seems unfortunately comfortable ascribing motives and ideas to people with whom he refuses to meet."

It would seem that meeting with such a group of only lends them some "Catholic" legitimacy which they certainly do not possess.

Megan Heeney, one of the CAN members supportive of Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath's "liturgies," stated:

"A growing number of Catholics in St. Louis and across the globe are questioning the methods of the bishops...We wonder if they don't exhibit a fundamental detachment from the realities of the lives of Catholic Christians."

Rational people are forced to asked exactly who are those who exhibit a fundamental detachment from reality? It is not Archbishop Burke nor Bishop Hermann. Nor is it the Holy Father - all of these speak with clarity of thought and have the perennial teaching of the Church and the Holy Spirit to guide them, despite what some so-called Catholics may think.

And Sean Collins, who seems to become hypersensitive rather easily, reflects on what appears to be his own personal problems while projecting them to others:

"When Bishop Hermann writes, 'everything that my superiors asked me to do has brought me incredible satisfaction, peace, joy and fulfillment. It is more fun "to listen to the Word" than to rebel against it' one has to question the spiritual and psychological maturity that underlies that notion of obedience. Some in the Church continue to extol the virtues of infantilism, a perpetual child-like posture that "Father knows best" and our role, as Catholics, to pray, pay, and obey." [my emphasis]

Pride blinds people and leads them to conclude that others, particularly Church leaders, are at fault for reminding them that certain behaviors, such as homosexuality and sins against chastity, are sinful. And so is the scandal caused by open rebellion against Church teaching that women can never be ordained as priests. But this arrogant rebellion and public whining is not viewed by the spiritually and psychologically immature as a problem which afflicts them. For them, it's always someone else's fault. Such "spoiled children" view themselves as blameless.

"There are serious issues facing the Church globally and locally. It's time the bishops took seriously their responsibility to be ministers of unity," says Collins. "It's not enough for them to lay down the law and expect well-educated, well-meaning, well-equipped members of the Church to toe the line. Lay women and men are integral members of this Church, though they are effectively ignored in decision-making."

Does oil "unite" with water? Is truth compatible with error? What causes sowers of disunity to think that they can demand that Catholics unite with them when, in fact, they reject fundamental tenets of the faith? And who, being of sound mind, would even consider allowing one of these "well-educated, well-meaning, well-equipped members of the Church" (and that is debatable) to be involved in any decision making process? Do parents allow their young children to set the family budgets or menu?

Such people, consumed with disdain for lawful Church authority, prefer the darkness of rebellion and sin rather than the love of Christ, His Church, and the boundaries imposed or suggested for one's own safety and salvation.

In a follow-up e-mail to Megan Heeney dated August 1, Rygelski addressed the tension: "As editor of the Review, I've always striven to make it a real newspaper, but a newspaper that's always faithful to the teachings of the Church and does all it can to explain those beliefs to its readers."

Of course, there is his job to consider as well - he isn't working for The Tidings where such dissent is all too common. Had he allowed this display of public repudiation of the Church by "Catholic" Action Network, he would have set a dangerous precedent to accept similar claptrap from other rebellious and dissenting groups.

CAN should be grateful that he even gave them the time he did - most faithful Catholics probably would not have even met with them.

See the complete posting by CAN here.

St Stanislaus 'Pastor'- "Hero? Heretic? Parish Divided"

So the page 1 headline read in the early metro edition of the Sunday Post-Dispatch.

And seeing this, I paid the $1.50 for a hard copy version of the paper with the following picture of Marek Bozek by Emily Rasinski.

...For many St. Stanislaus parishioners whose ancestors had built the church just north of downtown, Bozek became a hero [Note: he became a 'hero' to the confused when he renounced his promise of obedience to his bishop and the Church and chose to be a "priest for hire."]

But more than two years later, Bozek has reshaped the church into a community that would be unrecognizable to those 19th-century founders....

The renegade priest supports women's "ordination" to the priesthood, allowing priests to marry and supports sodomy and sexual deviance [homosexual relationships]. Because of Bozek's apostasy - rejection of moral truths and the natural moral law, definitive teachings of the Church and disciplinary rules established by the Church, Bozek has attracted "hundreds of new St. Stanislaus parishioners who share the priest's reform-minded vision."

But this is nor reform, it's rebellion - not only against the Church but against God, Himself. Is there any wonder, then, why he attracts like-minded people to follow him in his attempt to take over a once proud Polish parish which appears to have lost control over its own destiny?

Bosek's "visions" of his church are not only antithetical to Catholicism, they are divisive even within the St Stanislaus parish.

... they have also divided the church, pitting newer members against traditional parishioners unhappy with how far the priest has gone in condemning the Roman Catholic church.

There have also been questions about the priest's trappings. He has negotiated a 143 percent salary hike, moved into a $157,000 Washington Avenue loft and leased a 2008 BMW for $450 per month.

Living at the rectory caused blood pressure problems - poor guy...

Some parishioners point to another sign that alarmed them: Bozek, while in Poland last year, bought a silver ring custom-made for a bishop there. When he returned, he showed the ring to his parish at a Sunday Mass and spoke about it from the pulpit.

Some are surprised that he hasn't formally declared himself pope yet, considering that he believes that his pontifications have more weight that the teachings of the Church.

St. Stanislaus "is now home to anyone who has a gripe with the (Catholic) church," said Stan Rozanksi, one of the men who vetted Bozek and a former board member.

This is precisely what happens when one collaborates in feeding the prideful inclinations and delusions of dissenters, heretics and schismatics. It can only get worse. Who treats the addict with more of the drugs to which he is addicted? Who continues to supply alcohol to the alcoholic? Only enablers do this! Bozek is surrounded by enablers who feed his ego, arrogance and rebellion.

This weekend, parishioners will vote to elect new board members. Bozek is confident that nearly all the candidates share his vision.

Hand picked, no doubt, from a the throngs of like-minded followers...

Bozek was supposed to be St. Stanislaus' savior. But for many longtime church members, it could be Archbishop Raymond Burke — the man they've been fighting for five years — who may save it.

A remarkably astute statement! For many, it seems that the devil always appears to be "The One" until they discover that things are not what they appeared.

As the membership has grown, so has tension among some parishioners, as Bozek continues to take stands that clash with Roman Catholic teaching. He has welcomed gays and divorced people into the church. In November 2006, he invited an openly gay pastor — the leader of a Catholic community separate from the Vatican — to celebrate Mass....

If it's separate from the Vatican, what makes it "Catholic"?

"The Roman Catholic family can be described today as dysfunctional, toxic or abusive," Bozek said. "For decades we have allowed the men who claim to be our shepherds to abuse us."

Reminds me of the speck and the mote...Bozek claims to be a shepherd yet he abuse the faithful with illicit and invalid sacraments and posits as truth erroneous teachings contrary to right reason and the moral law.

Richard Bach, who heads a group called the Concerned Parishioners of St. Stanislaus, said a large number of older members — about 100 families — had gradually come to oppose Bozek's leadership and the new members.

This is some of the best news I've heard since this St Stans fiasco has started. Readers of this blog know how many "conversations" were had with Mr. Bach and others over the actions being taken and the comments be made by the board and the spokesman. We should continue to pray for those involved in this matter.

"They're concerned about the path of the church and where he's leading them," Bach said. "A lot of the old parishioners don't consider the new ones parishioners at all."

They're not really parishioners - they've found a leader in their divisive and morally bankrupt causes - they're reinforcements for Bozek's complete takeover of St Stanislaus. Chances are they'll amend the bylaws even more to sever all ties with the Church and its proud Polish heritage, leaving the remaining true parishioners without a home...So very sad yet so predictable.

Bozek has already started making plans for his new parish:

In May, he said he'd been in talks with Married Priests Now! representatives. The organization is led by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, an excommunicated Zambian archbishop who is married. The group, funded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, promotes a married priesthood....

...he has been in discussions with Rose Marie Hudson and Elsie McGrath, the two women ordained as Roman Catholic Womenpriest clerics. They are co-pastors of a congregation of about 25 people called the Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Community in St. Louis.

Bozek also has spoken with the Rev. Frank Krebs — pastor of the 90-member Sts. Clare & Francis in Webster Groves, which is separate from the Vatican — about joining Bozek's "underground" network.

It's a sad commentary to see a once thriving Catholic community devolve into a this...No doubt, many of the Polish Catholic faithful must be having nightmares over this.

Bozek said that he had been offered a bishop's position in two independent Catholic denominations, but that he wasn't interested in other groups. He wants to continue leading St. Stanislaus — and perhaps a movement with St. Stanislaus at its center.

Is this what the founders of St Stanislaus envisioned? Were they alive today, I'm certain we would be seeing the traitors of the faith being tossed out on their ears.

Pray for these poor souls.

Women Bishops in the Catholic Church, Too? Some Are Trying

According to Church authorities, ordinations of women are invalid, and those who perform them are excommunicated. Meanwhile, fifty women have already received sacred orders. The latest sensational case is from Saint Louis. Countermeasures by the Vatican...
by Sandro Magister
__________

...the theater of the latest ordination of Roman Catholic Womenpriests was Saint Louis. On November 11, 2007, in the Central Reform Synagogue headed by Rabbi Susan Talve, the female bishop Patricia Fresen, a former Dominican sister who had studied at the Angelicum in Rome, ordained two women to the priesthood, Rose Marie Dunn Hudson and Elsie Hainz McGrath (see photo). The ceremony was attended by about six hundred people, including an active supporter of the ordination, Sister Louise Lears, a member of the pastoral council of the parish of Saint Cronan, and the coordinator of religious education in the archdiocese.

During the ritual, a dozen Protestant pastors also laid their hands on the two women being ordained, concelebrated the Mass, and received communion.

There is, finally, the suspicion that some of the bishops are assisting the operation. Patricia Fresen, the former sister who is one of the four bishops of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, affirms that she was ordained to the episcopate in 2005 by three Catholic bishops whose names she is keeping secret. The same is thought to be the case for the other three women bishops of the movement.

More from Chiesa here.

Protesters Demonstrate at Archbishop's Residence

Protesters from St Cronan's and beyond took to the streets this afternoon marching from, as we are told, from the St Cronan parish to the Archbishop's residence near the Cathedral Basilica to express their angst about the treatment Sister Louise Lears received from the Church - treatment that they refuse to admit was self-inflicted by Lears herself. One woman carried a sign stating that "She (herself) was there,too" at the sacrilegious "ordination" ceremony of Elsie McGrath and Rose Hudson last November...Something which any normal, thinking Catholic would be ashamed to admit, but then, these protesters are not "normal, thinking Catholics" - they're rebellious dissenters as evidenced by their actions.

It's been stated that this is to be a 24 hour protest - maybe I'll head down there about midnight and see if anyone is left to "carry the torch," so to speak. One thing I noticed in the video was that it seemed that many of the people didn't want to be taped - they turned their heads or looked down or away. Some, however, were vocal as the video shows.

One can only wonder how much better off the Church and the world would be if people like this, with evidently too much time on their hands, would expend that energy in support of the Church rather than in opposition to her.

Pictures coming tomorrow. In the meantime, KTVI News has video of these people and their "protest" here.

*** Updated ***
Two women were on the scene when I drove by at 8:30. One was Megan Heeney, a younger woman who has assisted at the "liturgies" of Hudson and McGrath as well as with other dissident groups. Apparently she provokes discord and dissent by coordinating the rebellious and heretical activities of Catholic Action Network - a group which usurps the name "Catholic" while rebelling against the Church.

The other woman I did not know...Heeney left shortly and was replaced by some middle-aged man. The sky was somewhat overcast and for some reason my pictures all had some strange bluish tint to them...The same signs used in the "protest march" were on hand as you might tell from the pictures. I apologise that I don't have more but it looked to be a worthless trip - and I had better things to do than to watch a bunch of malcontents.

One can only surmise that the pastor of St Cronan's had to be aware of this farce and one wonders what, if anything, he did to stop it? The ties between St Cronan parish and Catholic Action Network are too strong to admit otherwise it seems, since an email from Heeney states the following:

The theme of the vigil will be that of bread and stones, based on the gospel (Lk 11:11; Mt 7:9) accounts where Jesus asks, "Who among you would give your children stones when they ask for bread?"

Join us for the march, the service, or come and pray in silence (and by candlelight during the night) for an hour at any time between 6 PM on Friday to 4 PM on Saturday.

The Vigil will come to an end with a PROCESSION on SATURDAY THE 26th from the Archbishop's residence to St. Cronan's for the celebration of Mass at 5:00 PM.

And not only is this rebellion occurring, CAN has initiated a campaign to place an ad in the St Louis Review, called the "We Are One Petition"...

These lost souls need our prayers.

Rise Up! Walk on Water with Us!

Such are the ramblings brought on by the deadly sin of pride - so deadly, in fact, that it leads to eternal torment.

Bridget Mary Meehan (another priestette in attendance at the Jewish synagogue where the attempted "ordinations" of Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath took place) blogs the following in response to the allegation reported by NCR that the Archdiocese of St Louis videotaped the event:
This is a sad day when the hierarchy sends "spies" to the ordinations of womenpriests.

This is behavior unbecoming of a follower of Christ, let alone the leadership of a diocese.

The behavior of these women who have rejected Christ and His Church is what's really unbecoming. But then, they are not followers of Christ - they follow the foul winds of another spirit.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves why the hierarchy is so threatened by womenpriests that they are willing to try to intimidate the Catholic Community in this manner.

I doubt the Church feels "threatened" by the actions of a few loud-mouthed remnants from the 60's & 70's revolution against lawful authority.

Rise up, People of God, and walk on water with us.

As I've said numerous times before - delusional - it's one of the few words I find to adequately describe such behavior.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and let the Holy Spirit guide us as we renew our beloved church in grassroots communities everywhere.

If only that were so. Instead of keeping their eyes on Jesus, their eyes are fixated upon themselves in some sort of narcissistic disorder, brought about by the delicious poison of the evil one, pride. They are led by evil spirits and have shunned the grace God bestows on them to aid in their repentance.

A new day of Gospel equality has dawned for our church that gives hope to thousands, perhaps even millions who read about us or watch us on television!

It seems that the woman has imbibed too much of Satan's elixir. She appears obsessed with delusions of grandeur.

We the people are the church and God's holy people have nothing to fear!
Bridget Mary

Not quite, sister, I'm sorry to say.
Pray that she realizes her errors before it's too late.

Women's Ordination Conference Issues Absurd Statement Regarding Sr. Louise Lears

And, of course, those at the WOC must have failed to read the decree or - they were unable to comprehend it, since the "News Flash" incorrectly states:

Sister of Charity Wrongfully Penalized by Archbishop Recently Promoted to Vatican's Highest Court

Wrongfully penalized? Aisha Taylor, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, issued the following gibberish about the penalties imposed on Sister Louise Lears, SC by Archbishop Raymond Burke:

The penalties callously doled out to Sister Louise Lears – a woman who has dedicated her entire life to serve the Church – is a prime example of the way women are often wrongly treated by the Catholic hierarchy, where dangerous secrecy runs rampant and preserving power in the hands a few ordained men reigns supreme.

There is so much wrong with this one statement, it's amazing that anyone could be so far off base.
1. What makes Aisha think that the penalties were "callously" doled out? Lears had every opportunity to recant and repent of her public scandal but refused. She apparently invited the penalties.

2. How is it possible to "serve the Church" while at the same time refusing to believe or assent to what the Church proposes for our belief or discipline?

3. How can Aisha claim that the imposition of these just penalties is a "prime example of the way women are often wrongly treated by the Catholic hierarchy," when similar interdicts have been applied to "men"? Intellectual honesty demands that one's assertions be substantiated by truth, however, the claims made by Aisha Taylor are, at best, dishonest and deceptive.

4. She also asserts that the Catholic hierarchy engages in a "dangerous secrecy." One logically must then ask - If it's a secret, how then does she know about it?
If there is rampant "secrecy" among a few men in the Vatican, how much of a "secret" is it?
And if this "secrecy" is known by only a very few, how can she claim that it's "dangerous," since she would not know about it?

Taylor seems to say that the Catholic hierarchy conspires and schemes so that they can find news ways to keep women in their place, so to speak - they're trying to keep the woman down! Such an implication speaks volumes - it's delusional and it seems to demonstrate a unhealthy paranoia or some phobia or hatred of men.

A rational mind can only conclude that Taylor and her cohorts have a talent for combining insulting and accusatory words into calumniating ramblings. And we have only looked at the first sentence! Let's continue:

The Women's Ordination Conference supports Sister Louise in her life and ministry in the Church. We oppose these penalties as a way of dealing with differences. Such misuse of church discipline will not intimidate women into accepting marginal status within the Church. Sister Lears remains steadfast in her faith and loyalty to the Church, and she has the support of millions of Catholics who seek only the gospel promise of equality.

All Catholics should support their brothers and sisters in Christ, most especially when those children of God have strayed from the path of Christ as Lears has done. Having been given ample opportunity to reject her obstinancy and rebellion, she maintains her rejection of a doctrine de Fide tenendo.

The imposition of interdict is certainly not a misuse of Church discipline, but a necessary and just means of bringing the wayward soul to repentance for the delicts which he/she has committed and to reconciliation with the Catholic Church.

While one might claim to be steadfast in his faith and loyalty to the Church, it is impossible to do so if one openly and repeatedly rejects a truth of the faith. What wife would accept a statement from her philandering husband that he "remains steadfast in his love and loyalty" to his wife, when he continues to violate his vows by engaging in affairs with other women (or, given today's hedonistic culture, with homosexual men)? Only the naive or mentally diminished would believe such claims.

It is claimed that Lears has the "support of millions of Catholics who seek only the gospel promise of equality." One wonders how it is possible to ascertain that "millions" of faithful Catholics have voiced their support in such a short period of time for her. Again as we have witnessed numerous times before, we suspect that pride and arrogance has blinded those in this small priestette movement, and this has resulted in the grossly inflated figures. As a matter of fact, at the time of this post, the number of online petition signers supporting Lears was less than 300. Go figure!

The decree announcing the penalties states the reason for this action is due to Sister Louise's support of Rose Marie Hudson and Elsie McGrath, the two women who were ordained priests in a St. Louis synagogue on November 11, 2007....

Actually, this is not correct, but then we are dealing with those who reject the truth and reject the Church and all lawful authority. As the statement accompanying the Decree states, the reasons for the penalties are:

1) the obstinate rejection, after written admonition, of the truth of the faith that it is impossible for a woman to receive ordination to the Sacred Priesthood (cann.750, §2; and 1371, 1º);

2) the public incitement of the faithful to animosity or hatred toward the Apostolic See or an Ordinary because of an act of ecclesiastical power or ministry (can. 1373);

3) the grave external violation of Divine or Canon Law, with the urgent need to prevent and repair the scandal involved (can. 1399); and

4) prohibited participation in sacred rites (can. 1365).

Secondly, Hudson and McGrath were not "ordained" priests - they and their lost followers and supporters might consider them some sort of "priestettes" but they are not in any way, shape, or form, Catholic clergy.

Taylor continues:

...The Vatican’s stance on ordination is based on arguments that have been refuted time and again. In 1976, the Vatican’s own Pontifical Biblical Commission determined that there is no scriptural reason to prohibit women’s ordination. Jesus included women as full and equal partners in his ministry, and the hierarchy would do well to follow suit.

Frankly, does it make any difference to the faithful Catholic why the Church teaches what she teaches? It does to those who want to understand more deeply; it does to those who wish to be able to explain it to others. In other cases, some probe and search for loopholes and exceptions - all in an effort to reject a teaching, rather than humbly give one's assent.

These fallen away Catholics, belonging to a divisive and heretical group wish to afford the charism of infallibility to the Pontifical Biblical Commission while denying that gift to the Holy Father upon whom Christ Himself bestowed that power. Common sense would indicate that such a position borders on the insane.

Even more of a stretch is the less than persuasive "suggestion" that the Church should ordain women because Jesus "included women as full and equal partners in his ministry," even though He did not ordain any of those women Himself, nor did any of His Apostles. Well, as some might say, that dog don't hunt.

As usual, Taylor pleads her case that one's conscience, be it malformed or dead, is the highest authority - even after having been informed by the light of truth. This, too, is fallacious and erroneous.

She (and the group) denigrates Archbishop Burke for imposing these penalties because they are "insensitive and unnecessary" - another erroneous statement; and, because she claims that Archbishop Burke is "out of sync with most of his brother bishops." Faithful Catholics might be inclined to say that too many of his brother bishops are, in fact, out of sync with the Church.

Fidelity to Christ and His Church comes at a price - a price many are unwilling to pay. One can obtain that true peace of which of Lord speaks - only when we humble ourselves and follow Him and His Church - then, we experience the wonderful joy of being "free" - because the Truth (which is Christ) has set us free! Rebellion in the Church and against Jesus always causes pain and sorrow, slavery, sin and death. It is a path which leads to eternal separation from our Lord - in a word, damnation.

It should sadden all Catholics that such penalties should ever have to be imposed, but given the fallen nature of mankind, it is something which cannot be entirely avoided. Let us remember that His Excellency asks all of the faithful of the Archdiocese to pray for the reconciliation of Sister Louise Lears with the Church. May all faithful Catholics everywhere do likewise - and let us not forget those confused souls of heretical and schismatic groups like the "Women's Ordination Conference", deceived as they are by the devil himself - they, too, need our prayers.

Theft at Archbishop Nienstedt's Home Nets Catholic Treasures

An overnight burglary at the St. Paul residence of new Archbishop John Nienstedt netted the thief or thieves the gem- and precious-metal-laden rings and crosses worn by bishops throughout the 150-year-plus history of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, a church official said Monday.
"These things are historically and reverentially irreplaceable," said Dennis McGrath, spokesman for the archdiocese. "They're beyond value...."

Archbishop Nienstedt was in Rome to receive his pallium from Pope Benedict...Hopefully, the police will be able to quickly apprehend the culprit and return the items to the Archdiocese and to Archbishop Nienstedt.

Diogenes on "new blood! fresh ideas!"

Thousands of "leading Roman Catholics," says the UK Telegraph, are petitioning the Church to allow women and married men into the priesthood. How's that for thinking outside the box?

"We believe that the Holy Spirit may be telling us that we are not sufficiently open to the emergence of new forms of relevant ministries."

Right. Imagine how the life of the Church in the first world would be transformed if the petition were to succeed: instead of the typical monthly guitar Mass congregation consisting of the same two dozen 75-year-old liberals, you'd have a monthly guitar Mass congregation that included three or four 65-year-old liberals as well. Renewal!

Interestingly, when looking at the picture above, I noticed a couple of familar faces - ones which are almost impossible to purge from the mind. Look right behind the two men. There you will see St Louis' own infamous women priestettes, Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath, decked out in their usual Halloween costumes.

I suspect that this picture is from an event in St Louis but someone else might be able to clarify that...Diogenes is right on the money as usual - Ahh, renewal! We all know, though, that the spirit leading these lost ones is not the Holy Spirit...

Papal Visit Provokes Array of Protests

And this protest comes from those who refer to themselves as "thinking" Catholics. However, we have come to recognize them as those who like to think of themselves as Catholic while rejecting the authority of the Church and her doctrines...

The article is filled with the usual suspects - a 'who's who' of every major dissenting, heretical or schismatic group in the U.S. seeking media attention:

NEW YORK (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI may not see them or hear them, but aggrieved Roman Catholic activists hope his U.S. visit this week will help them draw attention to issues ranging from the ordination of women and gay rights to sex abuse by priests and the Vatican ban on contraception.

The groups have planned vigils, demonstrations and news conferences to press their causes as the pope visits Washington and New York. On Monday evening, the eve of his arrival, supporters of women's ordination will host what they are calling "an inclusive Mass" at a Methodist church in Washington, presided over by Catholic women — including two who were recently excommunicated...

Priestettes Elsie McGrath and Rose Hudson will be there worshipping the goddess they've created for themselves - how touching!

"We cannot welcome this pope until he begins to do away with the church's continuing violence of sexism," said Sister Donna Quinn, coordinator of the National Coalition of American Nuns.

Sounds like they've joined the goats on the left...

Gay Catholic activists, who plan to demonstrate Tuesday along the papal motorcade route in Washington, have compiled a list of statements by Benedict during his career which they consider hostile to gays and lesbians. These include forceful denunciations of gay marriage and of adoption rights for same-sex couples.

They'll not be satisfied - ever - because perversion and sin always results in pain and death. And they want everyone to accept deviant sexual behavior as normal and good.

Another divisive issue being raised this week is the Vatican's ban on contraception. Gay rights groups and others say the ban undermines programs promoting condom use to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Sexual perversion and hedonism is rampant - chastity and purity have been replaced by lust and pride.

"Catholics wonder why there's this huge disparity between what the hierarchy says we should do in regard to contraception and what Catholics on the ground actually do," said Catholics for Choice president Jon O'Brien.

Actually, faithful Catholics accept the Church's teaching on the intrinsic evil of artificial contraception. Those who claim to be Catholic while choosing Satan's path cannot find any joy in life - and they never will while they stray from Christ and His Church. They are blinded by sin, they are slaves to sin, and they are dying in their sins...

Voice of the Faithful, a Boston-based reform group which emerged from the scandal, placed a full-page ad last week in The New York Times, costing more than $50,000, to air its call for a transformation of the church.

Even with its financial troubles this group of 'unfaithful' still finds money to spread its views...What a waste...

Nevetheless, it is an opportunity to pray for these confused and lost souls and to offer reparations for their deadly spiritual illnesses and diseases. This is a week for more fervent prayer and sacrifice.

Full article here.

Looking for a "flock"?

A recent posting at the non-Catholic Action Network site again promotes the excommunicated "priestesses" Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath:

April 13th Mass at the Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Community

Celebrating the Gift of Women's Leadership in the Church

The Therese Community will be joining WOC (Women's Ordination Conference) and communities throughout the country who are gathering together during the Pope's visit to the United States(which is on the Pope's Birthday) and we are giving the gift of women's leadership to the Church.

5:00 pm at the Hope Chapel at First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman.

Here is the flyer for this event...my guess is that numbers have dwindled dramatically since the "ordination"...One wonders if they are still searching for others to follow them as they continue their journey away from our Lord?

More from the Post-Dispatch on the Excommunicated Womyn Priestesses

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke has declared two Roman Catholic women who live in the archdiocese, and another who lives in Germany, excommunicated.

The area women, Rose Marie Hudson and Elsie Hainz McGrath, were ordained as priests in an organization called Roman Catholic Womenpriests in November...

[...]

Bridget Mary Meehan, a spokeswoman for Roman Catholic Womenpriests, said there were 53 ordained North American members of the organization, which Burke, in the document sent to Hudson and McGrath, called "a new and separate sect."

[...]

Meehan said she didn't believe Burke had the authority to declare Fresen excommunicated because she did not live in the St. Louis archdiocese. "We think he's overreaching," she said.

Overreaching, she says???? Much like these malcontents overreaching in thinking that they can become "priests" in the Catholic Church?

Hudson, 68, of Festus, and McGrath, 69, of St. Louis, co-pastor a faith community and hold a worship service for about 35 people Sunday evenings at the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis in the Central West End.

They perform before a small group of likeminded dissenters...And it seems numbers are falling from the initial crowd of about 100 or so. Where, we wonder, is all the support previously demonstrated for these two sad and confused individuals? Numbers have dwindled from the 500-600 at their "ordination" to a mere 35 people today? Counterfeits never seem to last long, do they?

In a statement Thursday, Hudson and McGrath said that they "and all Roman Catholic Womenpriests, reject the penalties of excommunication, interdict, and any other punitive actions from church officials. We are loyal daughters of the church, and we stand in the prophetic tradition of holy (canonical) disobedience to an unjust man-made law that discriminates against women."

Clowns! All of them! Claiming to be "loyal" daughters of the Church...they're loyal daughters, alright, but not to Christ or His Church - they're loyal daughters of the Church of the evil one, walking hand in hand with him on the way to eternal damnation and trying to take as many souls as possible with them. Pathetic!

And just as repugnant as the statements these women make is the fact the Liguori Publications is still selling McGrath's booklets (click here)...Shame on them!

Fresen, Hudson & McGrath Excommunicated by Archbishop Burke

In part, the Decree reads:

Therefore, after having weighed all of the proofs and the arguments with the help of two assessors (d. can. 1720, 2°), with God alone before my eyes, I, by this my definitive sentence, consigned to writing, declare and pronounce, by reason of the lawful exercise of jurisdiction, and the quality and preponderance of the proofs extant in the acts of the case; and with moral certitude (cf. can. 1608, §1), that Patricia Fresen is guilty of having committed the canonical crimes of: 1) schism (cf. cann. 751; and 1364, §1); 2) the pertinacious rejection of the doctrine mentioned in can. 750, §2, coupled with the refusal to retract after having been admonished by the Ordinary (cf. can. 1371, 1°); and 3) simulation of the administration of a Sacrament, apart from the case mentioned in can. 1378 (d. can. 1379); and that Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath are guilty of having committed the delicts of: 1) schism (d. cann. 751; and 1364, §1); and 2) the pertinacious rejection of the doctrine mentioned in can. 750, §2, coupled with the refusal to retract after having been admonished by the Ordinary (cf. can. 1371, 1°); and

Furthermore, I declare that the same delicts are fully imputable to the aforementioned guilty parties by reason of malice (cf. can. 1321, §§1-2), without exempting or mitigating circumstances (d. cann. 1323-1324), within the time limits established by the Code of Canon Law, concerning both criminal (d. can. 1362, §§1-2) and penal (cf. cann. 1363, §§12; and 1720,3°) actions and, therefore, are fully punishable.

Wherefore, by the commission of the most grave delict of schism, all three of the guilty parties have lost membership in, good standing in, and full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, which bond each and every baptized Catholic is obliged to maintain, in accord with the norm of cann. 95; 205; 209, §§1 and 2; and 212, §1, of the Code of Canon Law;

Wherefore, in the most sincere hope and with the prayer that the application of the due canonical penalties will lead the guilty parties to seek the cure of their most grievous sins and canonical crimes, I declare and pronounce the following:

1) Patricia Fresen, Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath have incurred, latae sententiae, the censure of excommunication by reason of the crime of schism, as established by the Code of Canon Law (cf. cann. 1331; and 1364, §1);

2) Upon Patricia Fresen, Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath is imposed a ferendae sententiae censure of interdict for having pertinaciously rejected a definitive truth of the Faith after having been admonished by the Ordinary (d. can. 1371, r);

3) Upon Patricia Fresen is imposed a ferendae sententiae censure of excommunication by reason of the crime of simulation of the administration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders (cf. can. 1379).

And there is more, so that all Catholics in the Archdiocese might be properly notified and advised:

I hereby decree and pronounce, effective immediately upon the publication of this Declaration, the revocation of any license or permission, extended to Patricia Fresen, Rose Hudson or Elsie McGrath to enter upon the grounds of any property of any parish or other institution of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, until they have formally and publicly withdrawn from their contumacy (cf. cann. 1336, §1,2°; and 1347. §2);

...all three of the guilty are forbidden to have any ministerial part whatsoever in the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, or any other sacred rite of the Church; to celebrate and receive any Sacraments, or to celebrate any Sacramentals; and to hold any ecclesiastical office or ministry or function, or posit any act of governance (cf. can. 1331, §1);

...the entire Archdiocese of Saint Louis is notified that no ordinary or extraordinary minister may lawfully administer Holy Communion to any of the guilty parties, without the same minister, ordinary or extraordinary, committing a most grave sin;

...every priest serving in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis is notified that Patricia Fresen, Rose Hudson, and Elsie McGrath may not receive absolution from their sins as long as they have not repented, publicly retracted their rejection of a truth of Faith, made amends for their commission of the delict of schism (cf. can. 987), and had the censure of excommunication lifted from them; . . . .

Remember to keep these deluded and confused women in your prayers so that they might have the darkness of evil lifted from their eyes and they might be reconciled with the Church of Our Lord and Savior.

Remember also to pray for Archbishop Burke as he continues to perform his episcopal duties of teaching, governing and sanctifying the faithful. It cannot be an easy task to have to take such action.

The full Declaration of Excommunication can be read here.

Calling Hudson, McGrath, Lears, et al...

Vatican symposium to weigh women's role

Rome, Feb. 1, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Pontifical Council for the Laity has organized an international conference on the status of women, to take place in Rome next week, marking the 20th anniversary of the apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem by Pope John Paul II.

The conference, which will draw more than 250 from 49 countries for sessions February 7 through 9, will discuss the different but complementary aspects of motherhood and fatherhood, the balance between work and family life, and the increasing presence of women in prominent positions in society and in the Church...

Ooops, nevermind. Women priestesses doesn't appear on the agenda...my bad!

Majerus - Jesuit Educated, 'Nuff Said

And he's a perfect fit for a non-Catholic group...St Stanislaus is accepting new "parishioners." He would certainly be welcomed at the "priestettes" new cult.

Surprised by the reaction to his pro-choice, pro-embryonic stem cell research comments made Saturday night at a Hillary Clinton political rally, St. Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus spent part of Wednesday morning on the phone, trying to calm his elderly mother.
[...]
During an exclusive 90-minute conversation Wednesday, Majerus was civil and respectful in his comments made about Burke. But make no mistake: Majerus is unyielding, and defiant.

"I'm very respectful to the archbishop," Majerus said. "But I rely on my value judgments, thanks to my education at Marquette, which is a Jesuit institution, just like St. Louis. And that Jesuit education led me to believe that I can make a value judgment. And my value judgment happens to differ from the archbishop's."

Marquette University? Who could have imagined that?

Unfortunately, Majerus' "value judgements" are in error. His concept of right and wrong has been compromised by an insidious sense of pride in his own ability to determine what is thruth and what is means to be a Catholic. One need only read or listen to what he says to understand that his defiance and obstinacy are similar to the expressed views of the schimatic Marek Bozek, the board members of St Stanislaus, and the deluded women who pretend to be priestettes, Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath.

"I do not speak for the university or the Catholic Church. These are my personal views. And I'm not letting him change my mind. I think religion should be inclusive. I would hope that all people would feel welcome inside a church, and that the church would serve to bring people together, even if they happen to disagree on certain things."

While he may not speak for the university, he is a representative of that university and his actions and words are a source of public scandal. His personal views are no longer private - he has made his personal "value judgements" public - and he did so while being a representative of SLU.

And he thinks religion should be "inclusive"? What does that mean, exactly...? Is heaven inclusive? Apparently not, for then there would be no Hell. Is the Church any different? God calls all to come to the light of the truth and accept His commands and He has deigned that the Catholic Church should carry on this mission in the world. The Church accepts all who freely consent to the teachings of Christ and to her precepts. Those who do not accept these teachings really have no desire to be members of His Church. Majerus is either ignorant of what it means to be Catholic and a follower of Christ - or - he willfully rejects Christ and His Church.

"These beliefs are ingrained in me," Majerus said. "And my First Amendment right to free speech supersedes anything that the archbishop would order me to do. My dad fought on Okinawa in World War II. My uncle died in World War II. I had classmates die in Vietnam. And it was to preserve our way of life, so people like me could have an opinion."

No one is denying his right to an opinion. The Church, however, is well within her rights to deny him access to her most valued sacraments since he chooses to publicly embrace the murder of the innocent, thereby causing a very grave public scandal. The door swings both ways and he has chosen, by his denial of fundamental truths concerning life issues, to exit the doors of the Church.

"Hope is the essence of life; it's something we all cling to," Majerus said. "And stem cell research provides hope for all of the people who are afflicted with a myriad of deadly diseases. I owe it to my friend and those who are suffering to be an advocate if I can.

"I just feel like there could be a cure out there. And who knows where the cure lies? We need to keep searching. With stem cell research, to me you aren't destroying life. You're embracing life, embracing hope."

Apparently, setting records for low scores is something Majerus is well qualified for. His ignorance concerning embryonic stem cell research is appalling. What is that embryo, Mr. Majerus, if it is not a human being? At what stage does an embryo become human?

As for abortion, Majerus said his position is simple: A woman should have the freedom to choose.

The freedom to choose to do what? Murder an innocent human being? Complete the sentence, please...

Majerus said he would welcome a visit, or a conversation, with Burke.

"But in the end, it wouldn't make a difference," he said. "Because the archbishop would still believe in what he believes, and I would still stick with my beliefs."

The deadly sin of pride and arrogance. This man may have been baptized a Catholic but he has abandoned the faith in favor of intellectual dishonesty and rebellion.

It must be understood that no one is compelling the man from conforming to the teachings of the Church or to change his beliefs. His beliefs, being in direct opposition to the teachings of the Church however, place him outside the Church and he has chosen to jeopardize his eternal salvation. By defiantly speaking out about his heretical beliefs, he has caused, and continues to foment discord, disunity and scandal.

"The wisest thing probably is not to be involved in any of this," he said. "But I feel like, in my heart of hearts, that I should talk about what I believe in."

SLU has a mess on its hands. And so does the Archbishop. Majerus' antics should not be tolerated, his opinions are flawed, his thinking is defective, and his faith is lacking. He values, not life, but the culture of death and those who promote that demonic culture. He has not the wisdom to know when to keep his mouth shut - and when he does speak, he displays an attitude of arrogance befitting of far too many Jesuit-educated "Catholics."

"A lot of people like the safe harbor. And perhaps my comments will hurt my recruiting efforts, or damage the relationship I have with our (basketball) supporters. I hope not. But I can't divorce what I believe from who I am."

Well, at least we now know "who he is" and that he can't change what he believes...

Professed "Catholics" who are public advocates of abortion and embryonic stem cell research who fail to recant these evil positions should be denied Holy Communion until they do recant. Or until they have the guts and intellectual honesty to leave the Church and find a relgion which fits their sick "belief system."

Source: Post Dispatch

And there is this article, as well:
SLU trustee: Majerus entitled to opinion

Joe Adorjan, the board member who was formerly the board's chairman, said the board has not met to discuss the topic and that board members will likely send their views on the matter to the Rev. Lawrence Biondi, SLU's president.
[...]
Speaking for himself, Adorjan said he does not think Majerus should be punished for expressing his views.

"My personal view is that he is an employee of the university and the university is run by a lay board," he said. "I think that's the coach's personal opinion and he's totally entitled to his personal opinion as would be any employee of any other organization."

Yes, he is an employee of a nominally Catholic institution. And yes, he is entitled to his opinion...And he's also free to accept or reject the teachings of the Church. And as shepherd of Catholics in the Archdiocese of St Louis, Archbishop Burke Burke is free to invoke Canon 915, which seems highly probable considering Majerus' outspoken attitude and behavior.

Adorjan doesn't speak for the Church, and Archbishop Burke has not indicated in any way that he speaks for the University. If SLU wishes to ignore the issue, faithful St Louis Catholics would only be confirmed of their belief of SLU's questionable fidelity to the Church. I wonder if Joe Adorjan even cares about that - after all, SLU is run by a "lay board." Sound familiar?

Catholic Bishop Participates in the “seating” of California’s First Episcopal Woman Bishop

Bishop Patrick McGrath of San Jose was among those present for the official welcoming and seating on Saturday, Jan. 11 of Mary Gray-Reeves, the first woman Episcopal bishop in California. During the event, held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in San Jose, Bishop McGrath, dressed in red robes, was seated prominently behind the altar.

When California Catholic Daily asked the diocese about the appropriateness of Bishop McGrath’s participation in a non-Catholic ceremony, diocesan spokeswoman Roberta Ward downplayed McGrath’s role. “He was not a participant, and this wasn’t an ordination," said Ward. "This was an ecumenical gesture, much like when the pope does something with the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Sorry, it's not even close to being similar to the Holy Father's meetings with the Archbishop of Canterbury...Nice touch, though! Maybe some will buy that...

at Cal Catholic Daily

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: St Louis Ordinations

Someone has posted a short video of fake "ordinations" of Elsie McGrath and Rose Hudson last month...



Any guesses on the poster of this video?

St Cronan Advent Vespers Held Outside in the Rain...

*** Updated below***

...off church property.

First, as reported here, the Advent Vespers with Rabbi Susan Talve was scheduled for tonight, then later, as reported here, things seem to have changed - and change they did as reported on KTVI Fox 2 news this evening. Talve did in fact give a talk under a tent outside the church and presumably off church property...

Another site reports that Archbishop Burke asked that St Cronans parish "disinvite" Talve - something parish "leadership" evidently did not do...As an apparent hotbed of dissent, fidelity and obedience are qualities in short supply.

As Fox2 News reports:

KTVI - myFOXstl.com) -- The holidays are a time to come together and celebrate, but a strained relationship between the archdiocese and a local rabbi sends a holiday church service outside.

The report (video) indicated that some from St Cronans were willing to risk 'excommunication' to have Talve speak inside the church....While sad, there really can be no surprise in hearing such statements.

Video available at the Fox 2 Link above.
_________________
Update from the Post Dispatch!!!

On Tuesday night, St. Cronan's parishioners, and their guests — including [Rose] Hudson and [Elsie] McGrath — gathered on Swan Avenue in coats, hats and scarves to sing songs, hear readings from the prophet Isaiah and writer Annie Dillard, and listen to a sermon from Talve.

"What a holy place," said Talve, who joined the Catholic service on the last day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. "I've come to love Advent at St. Cronan's. What many didn't understand is that this isn't out of the ordinary. You've invited me before. We're just going on with tradition and custom"....

St. Cronan's pastor, the Rev. Gerald Kleba, did not attend the service. But Sister Louise Lears, a member of the church's pastoral team, said afterward that the event "was not a protest. It was not a demonstration. It was a prayer service."

And the pastor was not there...Who is in charge at this parish? "Sister" Louise? The "pastoral team"? ... no one?

It is claimed that this was not a "protest" - Sure...nevertheless, it certainly appears to be an outright endorsement of Talve's recent actions allowing the "priestesses" Hudson and McGrath to have their party in her synagogue...and an apparent approval of "women priestettes."

Source: Post Dispatch

Remember, first of all, pray for these people...

Updated 12/12/07 11:45am - From the blog, St Louis Catholic, we read, "It's Time to Do Something about St Cronan's"

Church Ladies Be Damned, Part 2

...so reads the headline of the latest RFT story of St Louis' feminine imitators of Laurel and Hardy...

The Riverfront Times (RFT) provides a followup to a November 7 article, "The Church Ladies" which discussed the recent sham "ordination" of Rose Marie "Ree" Hudson, of Festus, and Elsie McGrath, of south St. Louis by another fraudulent "cleric", Patricia Fresen, who falsely represents herself as a Roman Catholic "bishop."

The current RFT article by Kristen Hinman is really nothing more than a repeat of old news - a regurgitation of things already known to those who have been following the escapades and fantasies of the local 'priestess' imposters.

In a seemingly boorish attempt at ridicule, Hinman writes:

Rose Marie “Ree” Hudson and Elsie McGrath took another step toward eternal damnation this week by failing to show up for a hearing before St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke.

Hinman may not realize how truthful her words really are. And McGrath and Hudson, seemingly obsessed with starting their own church and religion as so many other heretics and schismatics have done. Faithful Catholics understand that this type of rebellious spirit does, in fact, lead to the eternal death of the soul if left unchecked and unrepented - and it stems from pride which commonly leads to disobedience.

Most people are already aware that:

Immediately after being ordained on November 11 as part of the Roman Catholic Womenpriest Program, Hudson and McGrath were greeted by a special process server in the lobby of the Central Reform Congregation...with a [summons] from the archbishop...

Now that would have been a sight to see, I think!

....the process server appeared with a letter from the archbishop stating that Hudson and McGrath were “summoned” to appear “personally before [him]” at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 3, in order to defend themselves against the charges of “schism” and “rejection of the definitive truth, de fide tenenda, infallibly set forth that women cannot validly receive the sacrament of ordination to the priesthood.”

Wait a second...hasn't Joe, our frequent disruptor, theologian, and canon law expert, already told us that this teaching was not infallible? Hmmm...contradictory statements - how do we resolve this dilemma? Who is right? Faithful Catholics will heed the Church...Friends and accomplices of the evil one will wilfully reject the teachings of the Church...

We are told that Hudson and McGrath did not show up for their meeting. Could it be that deep down inside they know that they are wrong? Or maybe they think Jesus was wrong? Maybe they prefer the lies of the devil rather than the truth of the Almighty?

McGrath says she and Hudson did not consider showing up for the hearing. “We would have had one of two options at the tribunal. One: to plead guilty to the charges of heresy and schism and recant, which is, of course, a lie. Or two: to prove that we’re right and they’re wrong, which is, of course, impossible.

Batting .500, they're "wrong" on the first point, but correct on the second. They are, by all appearances, guilty of heresy and schism. And there's no possible way them to prove that they are right. So why then do they persist if they know that they cannot 'prove' that they are correct?

"There’s another reason, too, for not going, and that is to demonstrate that a mere man who presumes to speak for God has no power over us. Were we to have attended the hearing, we would be granting him a position of authority, which is one of the very things we want to eradicate in our model of priestly ministry.”

Get it? They want to change what Jesus has instituted! What pride, what arrogance, what conceit, what narcissism! Those affected by such vanity and egoism can do nothing except lead others away from the King of kings and the Lord of lords...And it seems that over a hundred foolish "followers" are supporting these two in their delusional quest away from God...

As Archbishop Burke reminds us:

I urge you, therefore, to offer fervent prayers for the women involved, that they will repent and be reconciled with the Church. Please pray, too, for all who will be confused and led astray by their sinful action.

The RFT piece can be read here.