One of the prophecies of Our Lady of Akita* has come to fruition.  We now see Bishop against Bishop and Cardinal against Cardinal in the Catholic Church.  You do not have to be a canon lawyer to know that the church cannot sanction homosexual marriage.  And yet, that is exactly what some bishops in Europe and America have been asking for.  Thank goodness some brave bishops are calling them out.  For a priest, bishop, or Cardinal to publicly oppose the true teaching of the Catholic church by asking for the Church to change its millennial’s old teaching on homosexuality in order to be more inclusive, they are placing themselves and the souls entrusted to them at eternal risk.

The church has slowly been fragmenting itself for decades with modernists, traditionalists, and the “clueless.” (I do not use that word in a derogatory way but in a factual manner.) These separations go back over a century when Pope Pious X noted the modernists were infiltrating the church.  And a half-century ago, Pope Paul VI made the infamous statement that “the smoke of Satan has entered the Church” (shortly after Vatican 2).

The Pew-clueless are the Sunday faithful churchgoers who honestly do not realize there is a problem.  They are content with their priest, tithe, and frequent the sacraments.  They are “Good Catholics” by definition.  They have heard a questionable thing or two said by some of its leaders, stopped in bewilderment of what they thought they heard reported, but shake it off as “I must have misunderstood what was said…” and go about their day.

The modernists are a totally different breed.  Some do not realize they are modernists.  They think of themselves as progressive, open-minded people.  They think that the “old” Church is too “ridged.”  Some are more extreme and believe women should be ordained…Not going to happen, so they need to stop beating that dead horse.  If Jesus did not use women as priests, the church CAN NOT ordain them.  It is a touchy subject to some, and the debate is never-ending.  You only need to acknowledge the high esteem held for Mary, the mother of Christ, by the Catholic Church to know the Church does not think poorly of women.  Two of her many titles are: Queen of Heaven and Mother of God.  Throughout the New Testament (and 2,000 years of history), we see women as examples of faithfulness, devotion, and love for Christ.

Modernists are proud of their inclusiveness, tolerance, and diversity.  Inclusivity may work out well in the workplace, but in the Catholic Church, there are boundaries.  Of course, the church welcomes people of same-sex attraction.  But it adheres to Jesus’s way of “love the sinner, not the sin,” to totally accept someone’s lifestyle, whether it is a same-sex “marriage” or cohabitating heterosexuals, would be to sanction sin.  The Church cannot do that.  Jesus met them where they were but asked for change…Repent, Go, and sin no more.  Some people continue to live in sin, go to church, and ignore it as teaching.  We call them cafeteria Catholics, for they like to pick and choose their morals.

The Catholic Church is, however, very diverse.  Its diversity is found in the multitude of cultures around the world.  Cultural differences can be seen in the Mass, such as the use of different languages, songs, and worship styles or dress.  However, the priest’s consecration is the same at every Catholic Church, and it is only delivered in the language of each country.  The exception is the use of Latin, which can be said in any country as the universal language of the Church.

Many Catholics have suffered severe persecution to uphold the faith, even at this present time.  It is through those sufferings that many saints were created.  There is a reason for the saying, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.  “

Regarding martyrdom……How far would you go to defend Christ’s teaching?  There is red martyrdom, to die, to shed your blood for your faith, and there is white martyrdom.  White martyrdom is one we in the western part of the world are more likely to face.

Defending the faith can get you socially canceled. You may get sideways glances at dinner parties.  You may get a “timeout” on Facebook.  You may find yourself editing your conversations in public settings to avoid ruffling feathers.  You may lose friends.  You may find yourself out of a job or in prison by holding on to your beliefs and defending Christ’s teaching.

Traditionalists are sometimes labeled ridged for coherence to the old teachings of the Catholic Church.  (Pre-Vatican 2) They follow church teaching because the Church teaching originated from Christ and continued for 2,000 years.  The Roman Catholic Mass and its prayers developed over the first 6oo years with an eventual universal adherence to Latin.  This form of the Mass continued until the 1960s (Latin Mass) and is also known as the Pre-Vatican 2 period.  

Some Traditionalists will seek out a Latin Mass Church, traveling quite a distance to participate in a Pre-Vatican 2 Mass said in Latin.  Only the Bible readings and Homily are in English.  The Priest faces the altar and tabernacle and has his back to the people during the consecration of the Holy Eucharist.  He gives his attention totally to Christ.

Traditionalists are aware of some wolves in sheep’s clothing who are turning a blind eye to false teaching.  They may change churches if the priest is too progressive.  Jesus warned his people…” Behold I am sending you like sheep in the midst of the wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves” (Mt: 10:16)

Being a follower of Christ, a Christian, is not easy.  It is not enough to go to church on Sunday.  Living the teaching at home and especially in the workplace can be challenging.  I am fortunate enough to be my own boss by owning my own business.  But no one is holding me accountable, either, but myself.  We are called not only to keep ourselves in check but to be an example to others.  Letting our light shine.

Jesus sternly warns of what would happen if we fall short and mislead others by poor example.  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.  Woe to the world because of things that cause sin!  Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” Matthew. 18: 6-8

And all the while, the rift in the Church continues to grow.  Small tremors go unnoticed by most unless they make headline news.  A few Church leaders are making heretical statements, contrary to the orthodox teachings of the Church, the True deposit of faith.  Some stay silent.  Fortunately, for now, most leaders defend the Truth.  This division is not just a problem in the Catholic Church but in every Christian denomination.  And so, I pray for all Church leaders.

The universal call to holiness is to be Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and to become a saint.  “Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance, but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I (am) holy” 1 Peter 1:14-16