An Open Letter to Defend Faithful Priest in Washington D.C.

Edit in an atmosphere like this, the last thing those in authority should do is give credence to the frivolous and unjust demands of minority groups.

Here's a call to arms, to address the Cardinal respectfully in an attempt to address the issue in the way it deserves.  His office's behavior with respect to this good priest were unjust.

His Excellency Carlo Maria Vigano 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Your Excellency: Your Excellency is undoubtedly aware of a recent unbelievably scandalous situation that has surfaced in the past several days in the Diocese of His Eminence Cardinal Wuerl. I am referring, of course, to the denying of Holy Communion to a woman living proudly in a state of mortal sin by a priest during the funeral mass of this person’s mother. Incredibly, the Diocese has apologized to the mortal sinner, a woman engaged in the unnatural vice of lesbianism. Your Excellency, enough is enough.
We suffering Catholics, hanging on to the Faith by a thread, are sick and tired of our Bishops knifing us in the back whenever they are confronted by a hostile media or the homosexual mafia. We are sick and tired of their cowardice, their weakness, their refusal to speak the truth boldly. Things have come to such a sorry pass in America, things have sunk so low that we are now confronted by the spectacle of a Bishop apologizing to a practicing homosexual and what’s worse, reprimanding a dutiful priest for doing his job. This, Your Excellency, is the legacy of Americanism, condemned by Pope Leo XIII in Testem Benevolentiae. But now the time has come to end this attitude.

As more facts about this case surface it is now clear that this wretched woman paraded her perversion to the priest prior to the Mass, whereupon he politely informed her privately to refrain from approaching the Sacrament. When she did anyway, he did what a priest should do. And for that he is humiliated by his own Chancery. The Chancery has just handed the Church’s enemies another club with which to beat us.

Our Bishops are now rightly concerned with the evils coming from Washington (at long last) but if they are going to be obsequious to homosexuals of all people then their chances of turning public opinion around in their favor will be nil. If these Bishops continue (like His Eminence Cardinal Dolan, sadly) to tolerate homosexuals by not shutting down these atrocious “gay masses” in their respective dioceses they will not have a leg to stand on when militant, arrogant homosexuals start getting really aggressive.

Your Excellency, this must stop now. I am asking you to instruct His Eminence the Cardinal and the Bishop who wrote the letter of apology to this lesbian harridan to publicly and unequivocally re-state the Catholic position on the heinousness of the mortal sin that homosexuality is. We want no more weasel words like “sexual orientation” used to cloud the issue; we want clear, undiluted teaching.

I further put this next point as a demand, that Your Excellency demand that the Chancery apologize to the priest in question, and to protect him from the viciousness of these drooling homosexual jackals who are calling for his head.

Enough is enough, Your Excellency. The Church’s policy, dating back to at least Pius XII, of taking the kindly, “pastoral” approach has not worked. It is a failed policy. This policy of being “nice”, of not confronting our non-Catholic friends with the truths of the Faith, of gentle persuasion, indeed of Americanism, has been an unqualified disaster. This policy has produced two generations of Mass-going Protestants. It has paved the way for easy divorce, contraception, abortion and now acceptance of homosexuality. It is long past time that Rome abandons this policy and begins to govern with a gentle but firm hand. And here now is a case presented to the Church to institute this better kind of policy.

The world is watching to see what the Church will do now, Your Excellency. Let the world see justice, strength, courage and holiness – not vacillating and weakness. I urge Your Excellency not to let this matter grind through the usual slow Roman channels. Swift action is now required. Souls are at stake. How are souls at stake? Your Excellency knows well that the Chancery’s apology to an avowed lesbian will harden her in her disordered lifestyle and should she die in such a tragic state, she will suffer the torments of Hell.

I urge Your Excellency to deal with this matter without further delay.

With every good wish,

Editor,
www.theeye-witness.blogspot.com

http://www.theeye-witness.blogspot.com/2012/03/open-letter-to-apostolic-nuncio.html

Hideous Art in Innsbruck Followed by Dissident Theologian's Lecture

 At the Innsbruck Basilica of Wilten there are concerns about an offensive sculpture for the agitation of the faithful -- accompanying this is a course by Roman Siebenrock, a signator of the anti-Roman Theological Memorandum.


Innsbruck (kath.net)  After the outrage surrounding the photo exhibition in the Innsbruck Cathedral, the Faithful are reporting now another noteworthy scuplture in the Basilica of Wilten,  which has aroused the displeasure of some of the faithful.  The exhibition "Ecce homo" by the south Tirol artist Lois Anvidalfarei was displayed at the beginning of Lent in the Wiltener Basilica.  Accompanying the sculpture is a religion course taught by theologian Roman Siebenrock. Siebenrock received his doctorate studying under Peter Hunermann in the Theological Faculty of Tübingen and is a signator of the anti-Roman Theological Memorandum.

Link to video...

Vienna's Cathedral Pastor Says Watching Porn Isn't a Serious Sin

"I Fall in Love a Lot"

Wherever the heart is full, the mouth overflows. The Viennese Cathedral Pastor, Anton Faber, has vomitted in a women's gossip magazine.

(kreuz.net, Vienna) Of him he says he would "ever and anon be addressed about his circumstances".

The Viennese scanadal priest, Father Anton Faber,  was interviewed by the Austrian women's gossip magaizine 'woman'.

The best stories from the Confessional

Fr. Faber  chatted about the most interesting confessions ever to come his way which he'd heard -- allegedly a former whore.

She had been abused by her own father and sold by her mother.  From the milieu of prostitution she fell into drugs.

Just before she was about to kill herself, she put her counsel in the hands of Father Faber.

[Edit: it sounds remarkably like the film "Into Temptation'.]



I've never been touched by a man like that before

The clergyman "listened to her for a long time, layed his hands on her forehead and prayed for her"

At the end the former whore said, that she is supposed to have been "never been touched by a man like that before".

She was clearly not talking about being touched by grace.

The words of sin and forgiveness did not arise in the description of Father Faber's confession either.

Still haven't become weak

In an interview Fr. Faber gloated about how, in the course of time  there was "not just one" immoral of made to him.

But he "still never became weak" as a priest --   he said with pride in the Virgin and the Martyrs.

His is -- on the contrary -- "painfully touched", when "men and women engage in sexual practices as if they were just shaking hands."

Watching Pornography Films is "Probably not a Serious Sin"

As tot he question, if priests are allowed to consume pornography, Fr. Faber denied Catholic moral teaching.

He avered for the feminine readership, that gawking at pornographic films is "probably not a serious sin".

The Evil are Other

The clergyman left not question desired unanswered: it happened to him that he was in love, "not just once".

Actually, he quickly redirected himself and insulted "supposedly pure ascetic priests, whom women avoid like the devil avoids holy water."

These clergymen supposes the supposedly tolerant Cathedral Pastor, are "so nasty to others and also themselves, mostly",  that they couldn't possibly love.

Women used and then left behind

True to heart, Fr. Faber is supposed to have commited many youthful sins with "many girlfriends".

If he had been a "good lover", you'd have to ask his partners in depravity, whom he reduced to prostitution.

He had moved like a "fish in many waters" in his youth.

A problem of a point in time?

The interview became especially bawdy during the question of the "first time".

He had fallen in "too early" with an accomplice -- wept the penitent Faber.

He describes this today as "not to be strictly recomended".

In that wazy, he way he must have surely "also wounded many".

He says he didn't want to marry any of them.

Thankfully he chose the priesthood

The Cathedral rector became a priest out of a false motivation.

As an 18 year old he was threatened by kidney failure.

He was so thankful for his life that he he supposedly committed himself to God.

It's still a white lie

Fr. Faber found a heaven for everyone.

Those who are gone have passed, "to a higher place of rest".

There they will have found the happiness that they "only partially could have enjoyed on earth".

In heaven one may "is spared all of the earthly crap" and is "simply super for it and completely fulfilled".

Link to kreuz.net....

Ireland's Heart Has Been Stolen

Edit this Saint died in the 12th century in Normandy.   His heart has rested undisturbed in Dublin Cathedral  for  seven centuries until now where it was the site of many miracles and the edification of droves of Ireland's faithful.

[RTE] The Cathedral was opened at 9.30am, to no alarm activation and no sign of any break-in. 

The heart was believed to be stolen between last night and noon today. 

The Heart of St Laurence O'Toole was kept in a wooden heart shaped container sealed within a small iron barred box.

Link to original..RTE.

H/t: BA

Kneelers and Communion Rail Ripped From Conciliar Church of Trent

(Trent) The church in which part of the Council of Trent (1545-1563) met, was reopened after extensive archeological excavations in (2007-2010) and renovations.  It surrounds the Marian Church, St. Maria Maggiore of the north Italian city of Trent.  In the course of excavations and rennovations even the pews, kneelers and communion rail was removed from the church, as the Trent internet site Libertà e Pensiero.

In the first Christian centuries, the church was a Bishop's church in the Diocese of Trent.  The Bishop of Trent was from 10-27-1803 also a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire (The German Nation)  and Ecclesial Principality.   Since the 20th century of the previous century, the Diocese was raised to an Archdiocese.  In Saint Maria Maggiore the Council took place in its third period from 1582-1563.  In this church there were various conclusions made, which after the Protestant Revolt and schism led to a phase of renewal and a new blooming.

"The excuse, to remove the kneelers and communion rail is doubly astonishing,  since this after all happens to be a church, in which the Council met, which strengthened the pious knee in the Holy Liturgy and opposed the human conception of the Reformation [Protestant Revolt]," says Libertá e Pensiero..

It reads in the General Instruction to the Missale Romanum of 1975:


Movements And Postures

20. The uniformity in standing, kneeling, or sitting to be observed by all taking part is a sign of the community and the unity of the assembly; it both expresses and fosters the spiritual attitude of those taking part.[28]

21. For the sake of uniformity in movement and posture, the people should follow the directions given during the celebration by the deacon, the priest, or another minister. Unless other provision is made, at every Mass the people should stand from the beginning of the entrance song or when the priest enters until the end of the opening prayer or collect; for the singing of the Alleluia before the gospel; while the gospel is proclaimed; during the profession of faith and the general intercessions; from the prayer over the gifts to the end of the Mass, except at the places indicated later in this paragraph. They should sit during the readings before the gospel and during the responsorial psalm, for the homily and the presentation of the gifts, and, if this seems helpful, during the period of silence after communion. They should kneel at the consecration unless prevented by the lack of space, the number of people present, or some other good reason.

But it is up to the conference of bishops to adapt the actions and postures described in the Order of the Roman Mass to the customs of the people.[29] But the conference must make sure that such adaptations correspond to the meaning and character of each part of the celebration.

Edit: It's not like anyone reads the rules, though.

Translated from, katholisches, which got the story from an Italian site...

Father Jolie says Dissidents are not Catholic

Edit:  He heads the German "Netork of Catholic Priests" and promotes the old Mass while  residing in one of the worst Diocese in Germany.


It is absurd to describe normal priests as conservative. It's like insulting someone who stops for a red light while others keep going, with the term right-wing radical.

 (kreuz.net) The German dialog process is the attempt to cover the substantial fracture in the German Church with the motto "we can discuss anything".

Pastor Hendrick Jolie of Mühltal in the Diocese of Mainz said on the 22nd of February for the Old Liberal Cologne 'Domradio'. [Cathedral Radio]

Fear of the word "Schism"

Things were discussed that weren't just describing physical location.

The clergyman stressed that no one wants to knowingly promote a schism.

But still there is increasing polarization.

Wheelchair Reformers Roll Offside


The one man show, 'Pastors' Initiative' of Fr. Helmut Schüller, which promotes women's ordination in Austria, isn't in the the Church any longer, according to Father Jolie.

In this case it is not the dialog about the means, rather a theological clarification, about what is Catholic.

Fr. Schüller is right to say, however, per Fr. Jolie, that "Communion for all" has long been a practice in most communities.

At the same time Fr. Jolie remarked: whoever stands against such grievances and defends the Faith, will find himself in serious difficulties.  Fr. Jolie didn't say from whom -- but it's the Old Liberal Bishops.

The request of "Network of Catholic Priests' to the Bishops, is for them to step forth as defenders of the Faith, is described by Father Jolie as a "call for help".

That's going to fall to the helpless.  

The Society of Saint Pius X is certainly not Heretical


As to the question if there is the possibility of splits like the Priestly Society of St. Piux X, Father Jolie said:

"Because  you can only say where the extremes meet"

There is danger "on both extreme sides",  which can lead at least de facto from the authority of the Pope.

Whoever leaves the ground of common Faith, creates their own church.

The Moderates are in the Middle? 

Fr. Jolie calls for the Priest Network, to stand "in the middle".

His reasoning:  "We say, we're not doing anything extreme, nothing strident, but we want to be Catholic priests."

It is absurd to be regarded as conservative or rightist.

That is, like "when you stop for a red light, and everyone else goes thorugh, and you are regarded as a  >>radical rightist<<."

As necessary reform measures Fr. Jolie named the promotion of the Old Mass, or a the interpretation of the Pastoral Council in the light of Tradition.

Link to original kreuz.net....

CDF Favorite: Hostile to Tradition, Doctrine and Advocates Liberation Theology

Edit: in addition to other issues with this Bishop who is hostile to Tradition, are his sympathies to Liberation Theology. We've been following this for the last few months as it's been coming from Germany. John Allen was trying to spin his conservative reputation at the Distorter.

In 2008, he accepted an honorary doctorate from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, which is widely seen as a bastion of the progressive wing of the Peruvian church. On the occasion, he praised Guttierez and defended his theology.

“The theology of Gustavo Gutiérrez, independently of how you look at it, is orthodox because it is orthopractic,” he said. “It teaches us the correct way of acting in a Christian fashion since it comes from true faith.”

In the same speech, Müller described "neo-liberal capitalism" as the "infamy of our age."

All that suggests the church might be in for some surprises should Müller indeed inherit the Vatican’s top doctrinal job.

Saint Louis Diocese Backs its School Administration Firing Homosexual Teacher

Edit: This is an interesting contrast to what Cardinal Wuerl is doing in Washington D.C.. A Saint Louis School is firing its music teacher, since the administration became aware of his intention to "marry". You might as what Al Fisher is doing in the school in the first place, but at least they're getting rid of him. More should follow and once the canons are faced, more in positions of responsibility will be courageous enough to resist this perpetual media assault on the Church and Her institutions.

Some may point out that both Diocese are following protocol agreed upon by both parties, but actually, only one of the parties is concerned about defending Catholic moral teaching against its enemies and seems largely unmoved by media pressure.

Archbishop Carlson of St. Louis once threatened to close down Catholic social services when he was Bishop of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He will not be moved by the distortions such as are frequently available at Huffington Post.

This school teacher signed a document agreeing he wouldn't publicly challenge the Church's teachings. He's done.

[stltoday.com] The Rev. Bill Kempf, St. Ann's pastor, said in an emailed statement that the parish was "recently informed by one of its teachers of his plan to unite in marriage with an individual of the same sex. With full respect of this individual's basic human dignity, this same-sex union opposes Roman Catholic teaching as it cannot realize the full potential a marital relationship is meant to express. As a violation of the Christian Witness Statement that all Catholic educators in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are obliged to uphold, we relieved this teacher of his duties."

The Christian Witness Statement, which educators sign when applying for Archdiocese work, says all who serve in Catholic education should, among other requirements, "not take a public position contrary to the Catholic Church" and "demonstrate a public life consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church."

The Roman Catholic Church does not condemn homosexuals who remain "chaste," but it takes a strong stance against same-sex marriage and homosexual acts.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/catholic-school-fires-gay-teacher-planning-wedding/article_c65612c2-c939-55e2-b379-acfffcd594ed.html#ixzz1ns43t7Ye

Wurzburg: Blasphemy on Display Reveals the Modernism

The Conciliarism leads to this: it attempts to lead the world to believe, that our Savior Jesus Christ has no place in it.

© Markus Hauck (POW)

(kreuz.net) The Diocese of Wurzburg is displaying in its Cathedral museum  a mockery of the Last Super on a permanent basis.

The Diocese of Wurzburg reported that today,

The abomination was born of the Munich painter and stage builder, Henning von Gierke (64).

Faces from the Familiar

The faces on the figures of the Last Supper mockery have been borrowed from his immediate surroundings.

So it is that on this picture his wife, both of his children and his mother are depicted.

Christ is Absent

The male and female pictures of the Last Supper parody are partly clothed and partly unclothed.

A naked man lies under the table.

The place of Christ in the Last Supper mockery is empty.

In the mean time a projector will play the face of the current visitor, even as he sits on the bench before the abomination.

Ivory Tower Bloviating

The art director of the Diocese of Wurzburg, Jurgen Lenssen, dutifully praised the representation.

They present existential questions -- he blundered on.

The naked figures were allegedly meant to represent "the woundedness of people".

Whoever steps into the room will be drawn into the "stage of life" and must find a place there:

"The Last  Super to me, everything, where the celebration of life happens" --  Lennssen dissolves the core even of Christianity into nothing.

Kreuznet...

Conservative Linz Pastor Called to Rome: New Auxiliary for Linz?

I know nothing! Bishop Schwarz
© Pressefoto Bistum Linz

Something is Going on Behind the Scenes in the Scandal Diocese of Linz, Austria

It will not be simple for the Vatican to name a new Bishop for Linz.  Because in the meantime, Catholics are in the balance.


(kreuz.net) Linz diocesan insiders are estimating that there is going to be another attempt by Pope Benedict XVI., to name an Auxiliary Bishop for the scandal Diocese of Linz.


Previously it is being aired that this could be the case by Easter.


In the meantime most are of the opinion that the appointment won't happen till the summer.



An Episcopal Denial Means Nothing


On Sunday the Old Lieral Bishop Ludwig Schwarz of Linz spoke to the Viennese boulevard magazine, 'Krone'.

He denied that there is an impending appointment of an Auxiliary Bishop.


Actually, that doesn't mean much.


Nothing is known about the Content


Recently, the rejected Linz Auxiliary Bishop, Pastor Gerhard Maria Wagner of Windischgarsten has been called to Rome.


He may have become aware of this date himself.


There is nothing available surrounding the content of the discussion.

Link to original...

Russian Morality Bill Meets With Disbelief and Threats

Edit: This English language Russian news source bemoans the upcoming passing of this legislation and threatens tourism to St. Petersburg.  Actually, it sounds like a great place to spend the Spring, visiting the famous Hermitage Museum and Imperial Palace.


Perhaps the UN will invoke sanctions for these just laws prescribing vice and protecting Russia's youth as they tried to do when  Lithuania passed a similar law?

[St. Petersberg Times] An anti-gay bill looked likely to pass during its third reading in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, after Friday’s hearing at the Legislative Assembly degraded into a farce, gay rights activists say. But the passing of the bill, which will outlaw “the promotion of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism” might have surprise negative effects for the authorities, they warn.

According to a press release issued by LGBT rights organization Coming Out, United Russia deputy Vitaly Milonov, the author of the bill, brought a group of aggressive supporters to the hearing, who insulted and threatened gay rights activists and the experts they had brought with them.

Milonov himself sat next to a man who was wearing a T-shirt reading “Orthodoxy or Death,” while the crowd chanted “You are not people,” Coming Out said, describing the hearing as a “triumph of militant ignorance.”

Link to original...

+Wuerl Chancery Issues Cowardly Apology in Face of Media Frenzy

Edit:  the days when the American Church could be counted upon to withstand public opinion seem far away.  Many prelates will use public opinion to their advantage, but when it really comes to defending the Sanctity of the things they're sworn to defend, they cower like hirelings before the baying of the wolves that are threatening the flock.

Here's how it's going to play itself out, more or less: the next step will be to summon Father Guanizo for a meeting where he will be expected to apologize, and he'll be expected to undergo counselling as well while the Diocese considers his suitability for future ministry.

“You brought your politics, not your God into that Church yesterday, and you will pay dearly on the day of judgment for judging me,” she wrote in a letter to Guarnizo. “I will pray for your soul, but first I will do everything in my power to see that you are removed from parish life so that you will not be permitted to harm any more families.”

Late Tuesday, Johnson received a letter of apology from the Rev. Barry Knestout, one of the archdiocese’s highest-ranking administrators, who said the lack of “kindness” she and her family received “is a cause of great concern and personal regret to me.”

“I am sorry that what should have been a celebration of your mother’s life, in light of her faith in Jesus Christ, was overshadowed by a lack of pastoral sensitivity,” Knestout wrote. “I hope that healing and reconciliation with the Church might be possible for you and any others who were affected by this experience. In the meantime, I will offer Mass for the happy repose of your mother’s soul. May God bring you and your family comfort in your grief and hope in the Resurrection.”

Johnson called the letter “comforting” and said she greatly appreciates the apology. But, she added, “I will not be satisfied” until Guarnizo is removed.

The priest’s action has also triggered an uproar among gay rights activists and enlivened some religious conservatives. It came just days after the Maryland Senateapproved legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in the state; Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) is expected to sign it this week.

Link to D.C....

H/t Religion News Roundup....

German Catholicism -- the Old Liberals of Yesteryear

The object is derived from the same pattern:  One talks about "reform" -- and really wants to ditch religion.  The end result is dissolution.

Silesian Apostasy-Priest and Nationalist
Johannes Ronge (+1887)

(kreuznet)  German Catholicism was a phenomenon of the 19th century.  It was also called the German Catholic movement.

Since the middle of the 1840s the movement was active in the German Federation.

"Rigid and Reactionary"
"

The German Catholics did not want to follow the faith of the Church any longer.

They considered these to be "rigid and reactionary".

The initial event of their rise was a protest against the display of the Holy Robe by Bishop Wilhelm Arnoldi (+1864) in Trier.

This happened in 1844.

Nationalism Instead of Religion

The German Catholic Movement was affected by the ideology of Social Liberalism and German Nationalism.

After the collapse of the nationalistic March Revolution in 1848/49, they were initially thrown in the crate by the anti-nationalistic Principalities.

German Catholicism formed itself together with the originally protestant Lichtfreunden [Friends of Light] in a "Free Religion Movement".  This finally disintegrated.

The Back Ground

After the coronation of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. (+1861) in Prussia, the Kulturkamp [cultural war against Catholicism] and the persecution of Catholics ceased.

The most visible expression of this was the allowance of Trier's pilgrimage to the "Holy Robe".

It was an indescribable success.

Within fifty days, half a million pilgrims drew near the reliquary.

A Luther too Late

The Silesian apostasy-priest and Nationalist, Johannes Ronge (+1887), protested with a public outcry against this "charade".

That was an opportunity for him to turn against the allegedly "tyrannical power of the Roman hierarchy."

Ronge fell into the role of a second Martin Luther in the eyes of Catholics.  He found, none the less, an echo chamber in the anti-Church media.

Modern to the Death

The movement initiated by Ronge contrived to make the overwrought Protestantism new.

It subjected Biblical exegesis to a rationalist ideology, which it asserted absolutistically as the only norm.

He rejected the Catholic Magisterium and Papal Primacy.

Naturally he disparaged the language of the Church, the veneration of Saints, Penance [Confession], and above all, celibacy and the traditional form of the Liturgy.

It was merely baptism and the "Meal" which he recognized as Sacraments.

He also opposed the Church's practice regarding mixed marriages.

A New Morality

Under Ronges' leadership the last German Catholic Council too place in Leipzig in 1845.

It was organized  by the soon to be hung Nationalist, Robert Blum (+1848) from Vienna.

Blum was a media boss and a skirt chaser, who impregnated many women and left them in the lurch.

And then the Spirit Left

The center of German Catholicism were the industrial regions in Silesia and Saxony as well as in Rhineland.

In 1847 there were around 250 communities with about 60,000 members, a quarter of whom were former protestants.

The German Catholic Movement was not religiously oriented, rather it was a religious breakaway movement.  It would only last for a few years.

Link to original...

Will Cardinal Wuerl Suspend Courageous Priest?

Update: the Diocese has apologized to this woman who attempted to commit an act of sacrilege and has publicly thrown its priest to the wolves in one sense.  Disciplinary actions are sure to follow since the perpetrator now wants to inflict harm on the man just doing his job.  Hey, if you don't agree with the Church's teaching, don't believe it and don't expect its ministers to act in a way that aids and abets your errors.

Here's the pathetic response from ++Wuerl's anemic chancery:

Late Tuesday, Johnson received a letter of apology from the Rev. Barry Knestout, one of the archdiocese’s highest-ranking administrators, who said the lack of “kindness” she and her family received “is a cause of great concern and personal regret to me.”

“I am sorry that what should have been a celebration of your mother’s life, in light of her faith in Jesus Christ, was overshadowed by a lack of pastoral sensitivity,” Knestout wrote. “I hope that healing and reconciliation with the Church might be possible for you and any others who were affected by this experience. In the meantime, I will offer Mass for the happy repose of your mother’s soul. May God bring you and your family comfort in your grief and hope in the Resurrection.”

Edit: This is about denying communion to those who cause scandal. It's the right of a priest and an obligation to do it. It's what Cardinal Wuerl has been urged to do.

Well, another priest who is presenting the authentic but non-PC teaching on the sin that cries out will in all likelihood be punished. You'll remember the great Father Gomez who was recently suspended for telling it like it is, or the Linz Pastor, Father Skoblicki, who was hounded from his post just for being offensive to a few people who rarely went to church and the Austrian media.

 Not surprisingly, this particular priest may find himself punished in turn.  He is of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C..  The See of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who may be overseeing disciplinary action against him for being culturally insensitive to a scandalous woman whom the priest had the courage to publicly chastise.

Cardinal Wuerl has himself been a scandal in the past, and seems eager to add further wounds to the body of Christ by giving tacit approval to behavior well outside of Catholic moral teaching.

Why is the priest allowing "lay eulogies" anyway? And why would he be suspended for doing the job many Bishops have been refusing to do for more than half a century with respect to pro-abort and Liberal politicians? Surely, this priest should be able to find a home in a Diocese that's not so hostile to the practice of the Catholic Faith in the event that the ensuing media storm extracts action from Cardinal Wuerl to act on behalf of the Zeitgest?

The following excerpt of an article from USCatholic underscores the confusion.  The public scandal caused by a homosexual couple living in sin certainly does constitute scandal.  Not sure how a priest doing his job causes scandal, but USCatholic thinks so.  On the other hand, where does this writer's expertise lie, save perhaps in suffering from a disordered state himself?

Predictably, the anti-Catholic and inaptly named USCatholic is "shocked" by such "callous" behavior.

We're still shocked they're still allowed to describe themselves as Catholic. Isn't that false advertising?

From the category of "you cannot be serious": A priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, Rev. Marcel Guarnizo, has,according to the Washington Post, denied communion to woman at her mother's funeral because she is a lesbian and living with a woman. He informed her of that in the communion line. He also left the altar when she delivered the post-communion eulogy for her mother.

What? Now Catholic women who are lesbian cannot even be heard in church? So far the best the archdiocese has done is restate its policy that denying someone communion should be explained in a private, pastoral setting. What it doesn't say is that it is up to the conscience of the communicant whether to present herself for communion and, as a general rule, the minister offering communion is not to question that judgment, except in cases of scandal. I hardly think that a daughter wanting to receive communion at her mother's funeral--not even at a regular Sunday Mass--would cause such a scandal. Nor does living with a woman rise to "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin," in the proper understanding of canon 915. (Ask any canonist.) This priest's behavior, on the other hand, has scandalized Catholics the world over.

What we are witnessing can only be described as the small-minded behavior of people that don't even understand Catholic history or tradition, the intricacies of canon law--including and especially canon 915 (and the linked commentator doesn't get it either)--and the rights of the faithful, or even the demands of charity. The fact that a man who could so callously display his disdain for one of the baptized daughters of the church is even ordained is breathtaking.

Link to USCatholic...

Swiss Bishop Creates Two Traditional Parishes

Bishop Vitus Huonder

Both Mass centers have existed since the 70s. They are the only blooms on the Diocese of Chur's withering tree.

(kreuz.net) Since Monday morning it's official. On the 22nd February, Bishop Vitus Huonder of Chur erected two traditional personal parishes.

The Diocese published this information in a broadcast.

The Bishop described the two parishes as "two living centers for pastoral care." The various modern parishes of the Diocese of Church which have been ruined by Old Liberals are without exception, clinically dead.

The Old Mass has Been Celebrated Here for 35 Years


The first traditional personal parish is located at the Immaculata-Marienkapelle in the 1600 population vicinity of Oberarth in central Switzerland.

Oberarth belongs to the 11,000 population community of Arth, fifty kilometers southerly of Zurich.

The Bishop of Church had already allowed the celebration of the Old Mass in the eyar 1977. Since 1999 it has been offered daily.

A Living Community


On Sunday in Oberarth there are two Holy Masses celebrated.


Additionally, there are confession times and spiritual counselling, which are in high demand.

For pastoral activity, there is also Catechism for school children, devotions, baptisms, sick calls, burials, pilgrimages and spiritual exercises.

The new parish is called Maria Immmaculata.

The first Pastor is the Chur Canon Martin Burgi. [He has some say in who the Bishop will be]

First Beginnings in 1971 

The second perosnal parish is located in an area of the city of Zurich.

Since 1971 there was an old Mass in Herz Jesus Parish Church in Zurich-Oerlikon celebrated every Sunday evening.

The organizers of the liturgy was the Lay Organization 'Una Voce'. They requested various priests for pastoral services.

Society of St. Peter Takes Over

In April 1998 a pastoral center was taken over by the traditional Society of St. Peter.

Till 2005, workday Masses have been taking place in an improvised chapel in a nearby store.

This place was given up, when the possibility presented itself, to celebrate two workday Masses in the church of St. Josef in Zurich.

No Certain Church 

Once in a each month, in the 8,000 population community of Egg -- forty kilometers south of Zurich -- one workday Mass takes place in the old Rite.

Since 2002, the church in the Zurich suburban communities Birmensdorf and Uitikon have been available for the celebration of Holy Week.

The Christmas has been celebrated for several years in the crypt of the Church of St. Gallus in the Zurich-Schwamendingen.

Peter Martin Ramm is the Pastor 

The personal parish has been consecrated as St. Maximilan Kolbe. The first Pastor is FSSP Priest Martin Ramm.[Asked for by the Bishop himself]

The location of the new personal parish is in the Zurich suburb of Thalwil.

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter have their branch there.

The "Sects in the Church" are the Old Liberals 

The Bishop stressed that it is "an act of righteousness", "that the faithful no longer left in a canonically unclear provisorium.

Msgr Huonder confessed, to "understand well" some of the obstacles against the erection of these personal parishes.

This fear has been cultivated above all by the Old Liberals, who have operated within the Church of Christ for years like a sect.

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Photo: © Pressebild

Flawed YouCat Youth Catechism by Flawed Cardinal Selling Well

Edit: The Catechism published by the German Bishops' pornography distributor, Weltbild, seems to be enjoying a great deal of popularity despite questions about its truthfulness to Catholic teaching. It is the brainchild of Cardinal Schoenborn.

Best selling Catholic book worldwide?

New Youth Catechism

The following comes from a February 23 story by the Catholic News Agency 

The co-creator of the Church’s catechism for young people has revealed that it's now the top selling Catholic book in the world. 

“The latest figures show that Youcat has sold 1.7 million copies worldwide. It’s been a great success in nearly every country where it has been published,” said German publisher Bernard Meuser in a Feb. 23 interview with the Catholic News Agency. 

“For example, it is number one in Spain, number one in America, and number one in Germany along with the Pope’s latest book.” 

Link to article...

H/t: Stella Borealis....

Bishop Schneider Pontifical High Mass in the Immemorial Rite

Edit: Like heaven on earth.  No abuses, no irreverence.  This is quite literally, the school of virtue.  You could never mistake this for a Calvinist Liturgy.

Mel Gibson's Upcoming "Berserker" and "Maccabees" Will be Catholic Films

Saint Olaf II, Martyr

Edit: There's an old platitude that to know history is to be Catholic, and so Mel Gibson is taking on two historical projects guaranteed to treat Christian themes.

On the one hand, you're bound to see the heroic resistance of the Christians as the terrible Vikings come down and destroy their world.  Perhaps we will hear of the brave resistance of Alfred the Great and how he magnanimously introduced the Vikings he conquered into his household?

Perhaps he'll tell the story of the conversion of St. Olaf who went down fighting gloriously at the Battle of Skittelstad on July 29th 1030 and accomplished more as a martyred Saint, than a great but merely heroic epitome of valor, to win over his battle hearty people to the true religion of peace.

Our speculations aside, it's clear that the Viking film is going to be made, it's going to be called "Berserker" [Literally, bare shirt fighter].  He looks determined to make it.

Despite his efforts to make a film about the scirptural story of Maccabees , there are many who look in askance at the effort.  They view it cynically as an attempt to coddle Jewish sensibilities in the wake of his "tirade".  In reality, Maccabees is a Catholic story which should cause modern Jews, and not a few Catholics,  to reconsider what they believe.  It is a story of how God used a small band of Jews to liberate Palestine in one of the most amazing upsets in history.

Don't look for it in a protestant Bible, unless it says "apocrypha" included.  Also, it's not really Apocrypha, it's part of the Biblical Canon and the reservations of a few biblical scholars and Protestants should not stop you from meditating on how it points to Catholic teachings like purgatory.

"2 Maccabees 12:46: "Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from sin."


If you're a Catholic, you should expect to see a lot of Catholic references in both films.  Mel's trying to make up for his failings by doing good works, like helping Whitney Houston with her addictions, which earned him some admiration and gratitude from the family who invited him to her funeral in Newark, New Jersey.

Whatever he decides to do with these complimentary and beautiful subjects, they will be two things:  great stories,  Catholic stories.

The following is an interview and it was well done:

Los Angeles Times] Reserved and reflective, Mel Gibson came to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to celebrate the legacy of his “Mad Max” films but, of course, the 56-year-old star’s recent career calamities were the silent passenger that accompanied him during the trip down memory lane.
Thirty-three years have passed since ”Mad Max” exploded on the scene with a high concept and a low budget (about $400,000) and began the minting of an international movie star. Sitting in the dark with the time-capsule moment, Gibson found it hard to recognize his 21-year-old self up on the screen. “I thought,” he said, “it was one of my kids.”
Above, you can watch the full video from the American Cinematheque event where I interviewed Gibson about the career-launching franchise and you’ll hear that the conversation veered off at times to his filmmaking future, the TMZ era and the emotional wear and tear of recent seasons. There was also a lot of applause — and two standing ovations — from the sell-out crowd. And, for that, the two-time Oscar winner seemed truly thankful.

Watch video, here....

Elvis' Old Friend Returns to Holywood a Witness of Religious Life

Edit:  She looks terribly refined in that garment, a sign of contradiction.   The secret is that there is an entire universe in the cloister, a beautiful halo of stars about the house at night and incredible wonders in a life lived with childlike purity.


Perhaps sister will inspire more young women to evaluate their course in life and embark on an adventure most men would be too timorous to undertake themselves.

Of course, the habit works on a lot of different levels, there's a level of wonder and a reflection on what it means, it's a prayer.
If you plan to watch the Oscars this Sunday, keep your eye out for Dolores Hart, the 1960s starlet who starred opposite Montgomery Clift, Robert Wagner, and Elvis Presley — twice.
She’ll be easy to spot: just look for the cheerful-looking woman in the nun’s habit. That’s because Hart, who famously shared one of Presley's first on-screen kisses, is now Mother Prioress Dolores, Benedictine nun. Her unusual life story, from the glitz of Tinseltown to a cloistered convent in Connecticut, where she now lives, is the topic of a new HBO documentary, “God Is The Bigger Elvis.”
 Hart, now 73, grew up in Chicago and got her start in acting at the age of 19 locking lips with Elvis as one of his love interests in the 1957 movie, "Loving You." She went on to star in a series of high-profile movies and Broadway productions, and was nominated for a Tony Award in in 1959. She also got engaged to Don Robinson, a Los Angeles architect.

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Photo:

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The Future of the Church -- The 25 Youngest Cardinals of the Catholic Church

(Vatican) [Katholisches] By this weekend the fourth Consistorium of the Pontificate of Benedict XVI will have taken place.  The Pope raised then  22 Church representatives to the position of Cardinal.  18 of the Cardinals created on 18 February 2012 have still not reached their 80th year and would be able to belong to a Conclave to elect the next Pope.


The Spanish Vaticanist Francisco Jose Fernandez de la Cigona posted a list of the 20 youngest Cardinals in the Church Senate,  it was here widened to include 25 of the youngest Cardinals and with corrections and above all some completion.  Among the 25 bearers of the purple, there are two Italians, but three US- Americans, two Poles, two Brazilians and four Cardinals from the German speaking areas (two of the Bundesrepublic of Germany, one Austrian and a Swiss).  The two from Germany are at the same time the youngest Cardinals of the Holy College.  The Viennese Archbishop Cardinal Christoph von Schönborn is the only one who belongs to an order. [Dominican]

Parenthesis will appear at the end of each short biography of the church-political considerations of Fernández de la Cigoña , which for various reasons are not his own.   My own observations will follow in parenthesis.  [Ours will follow in brackets in red: Tancred]

1.  The "Benjamin" of the College of Cardinals is the German Rainer Maria Woelki  (55) , Archbishop of Berlin, born 1956,  ordained on 1985 as a priest of the Archdiocese of Cologne, in 2003 was made the titualar Bishop of Scampa and Auxiliary Bishop of Cologne by John Paul II,  by Pope Benedict XVI. he was named in Juli 2011 to the Archdiocese of Berlin, in February 2012 was raised to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI. (conservative) [neo-conservative]

2. Also the second youngest Cardinal is Reinhard Marx a German (58),  Archbisop of Munich and Freising, ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Paderborn, 1996 by Pope John Paul II, as the titular Bishop of Petina and Auxiliary Bishop of Paderborn, called  by John Paul II as Bishop of Trier  and in 2007 to be the Archbishop of Munich and Freising, in November 2010 by Benedict XVI as Cardinal. 9conservative) [Old Liberal]

3. The third youngest in the Sacred College is the Hollander, Willem Jacobus Eijk (55), Archbishop of Utrecht, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Roermond in 1985, 1999 by Pope John Paul II as Bishop of Groningen, by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2007 as Archbishop of Utrecht, in February 2012 called to the College of Cardinals by Benedict XVI. (conservative)

4. Peter Erdo (59), Hungary, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest,  ordained a priest in 1975 for the Archdiocese of Estergom-Budapest, named in 1999 by John Paul II as titular bishop of Puppi and Auxiliary Bishop of Zekesfehevar, by John Paul II in 2002 to Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and in OCtobert 2003, elevated to Cardinal.  He was an elector at the Conclave of 2005 at which Pope Benedcit XVI was elected. (conservative)

5. Philippe Xavier Ignace Barbarin (61), French, Archbishop of Lyon, in 1977  ordained a priest of the Diocese of Creteil, in 1998 he was made Bishop of Moulins by Pope John Paul II, in 2002 he was Archbishop of Lyon and in 2003 was raised to Cardinal.  He was an elector in the Conclave of 005 at which Pope Benedict XVI was elected  (weakly conservative)

6. Kurt Koch (61)  Swiss, Curial Cardinal, ordained in 1982 as a priest for the Diocese of Basel, in 1995 he was made Bishop of Basel by John Paul II, in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI as President of the Papal Council for the Promotion of Unity among Christians in the Roman Curia, in 2010 he was promoted to the rank of Curial Bishop and in November 2010 to Cardinal (conservative)

7. Timothy Micheal Dolan (62) US-American, Archbishop of New York, ordained to the priesthood in 1976 in the Archdiocese of St. Louis (Missouri), in 2001 Pope John Paul II, named him titular bishop of Natchesium and Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of St. Louis (Missouri), in 2002 he was made Archbishop of Milwaukee (Wisconsin), in February 2009 Pope Benedict XVI made him Archbishop of New York and in February 2012 he was made Cardinal (conservative)

8.  Kazimierz Nycz (62) Pole, Archbishop of Warsaw, in 1973 he was made a priest of the Archdiocese of Krakow, in 1988 made titular Bishop of Villa Regis and Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow by Pope John Paull II, then in 2004 was made Bishop of von Koeslin-Kolberg, in March 2007 he was made Archbishop of Warsaw by Pope Benedict XVI. and in November 2010 raised to Cardinal. (conservative0

9. Odilo Scherer (62), Brazilian, Archbishop of Sao Paulo,  in 1976 he was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Todedo (Parana), in 2001 he was made titular Bishop of Novi and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo, in March 2007, Pope Benedict XVI eleved him to to be Archbishop of Sao Paulo and in November 2007 raised him to Cardinal.

10.  Daniel Nicholas Di Nardo (62), US American, Archbishop of Galveston , in 1977 he was ordained priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) and in 1997 made Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Sioux City (Iowa), in 1998 there Diocesan Bishop, in 2004 was made Bishop Coadjutor of the Archdiocese of  Galveston-Houston (Texas),  in 2006 Pope Benedict made him the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and in November 2007 made him a Cardinal.  (Conservative)

11. Josip Bozanic (62), Croatian, Archbishop of Zagreb, in 1975 he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Krk, in 1989 Pope John Paul II named him Bishop  coadjutor of the Diocese of Krk, in the same year he became the Diocesan Bishop,  in 1997 he was called to be Archishop of Zagreb and raised to Cardinal in 2003.   Cardinal Bozanic was a Papal elector in the Concclave of 2005, where Pope Benedict XVI. was elected.


12. José Francisco Robles Ortega,  Mexican, Archbishop of Guadalajara, in 1976 he was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Autlan, in 1991 he was made titular Bishop of Bosse and Auxiliary of Touluca, in 1996 was named Bishop of Toluca and in 2003 named as Archbishop of Monterrey (Neuvo Leon), in November of 2007 Pope Benedict XVI raised him to Cardinal and in February 2011 was named Archbishop of Guadalajara. (Conservative)

13.  Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (63), Ghanese, Curial Cardinal, in 1975 he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, in 1992 Pope John Paul II named him the Archbishop of Cape Coast and in 2003 he was raised to Cardinal, in 2009 Pope Benedict XVI made him President of the Papal Council for Justice and Peace in the Roman Curia.  Cardinal Turkson was a Papal elector in the Conclave of 2005 at which Pope Benedict VI was elected. (no opinion)

14.  Raymond Leo Burke (63) US-American, ordained a priest in 1975 for the  Diocese of La Crosse (Wisconsin), named Bishop of Lacrosse by Pope John Paul II of LLacrosse and in 2003 called to be Archbishop of St. Louis (Missouri), in November 2008 Pope Benedict XVI called him to become Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura in the Roman Curia, and in November 2010 he was raised to Cardinal. (conservative) traditionally inclined.

15. Albert Malcom Ranjith Patabendige Don (64) Singhalese, in 1975  was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Colombo, in 1991 was named titular Bishop of Cabarsussi and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo by Pope John Paul II, in 1995 he was named Bishop of Ratnapura and 001 as Official for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Roman Curia, in 2004 made Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and to East Timor, in December 2005 Pope Benedict XVI named him as Secretary for the Congregation of Rites and the Sacraments in the Roman Curia, in June of 2009 he was named Archbishop of Colombo and in November 2010 raised to Cardinal. (Conservative) traditionally inclined.

16.  Joao Braz de Aviz (64) Brazilian, Curial Cardinal, in 1972 was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Apucarana (Panama), in 1994 was made titular Bishop of Flenculeta and Auxiliary Bishop of The Archdiocese of Vitoria (Espirito Santo), in 1998 he was named the Bishop of Ponta Grossa (Parana< in 2002 as Archbishop of Maringa (Parana) and 2004 as Archbishop of Brasilia, in Jannuary 2011 as Prefect of the Congregation for the Institute of Consecrated Life and for the Society of Apostolic Life in the Roman Curia by Pope Benedict and was elevated to Cardinal in 2012. (no opinion)

17.  Giuseppe Betori (64),  Italian, Archbishop of Florence, ordained a priest in 1970 in the Diocese of Foligno, then as Secretary of the Italian Bishop Conference by Pope John Paul II.  Then in 2001 aas titular Bishop of Falerone, he was then named as Archbishop of Florence by Pope Benedict XVI and in February elevated to the rank of Cardinal. (conservative)

18.  Thomas Christopher Collins (65) Canadian, Archbishop of Toronto,  ordained in 1973 to the priesthood for the Diocese of Hamilton (Ontario), in 1997 he was made Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of St. Paul in Alberta by John Paul II, then in 1997 he was made Diocesan Bishop there, in 1999 was made Coadjutor of Edmonton (Alberta), in the same year was made Archbishop, in December 2006, he was  named Archbishop of Toronto and in February 2012 was raised to Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.. (no opinion)

19.  Fernando Filoni (65), Italian, Curial Cardinal, 1970 ordained as a priest for the Diocesee of Nardo, in 2001 was made titular Bishop of Voltumum and Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq and in Jordanian by John Paul II,  he was then named as Nuncio to the Philippines by Pope Benedict XVI, and in June 2007 as substitute of the Secretary of State in the Roman Curia, in May 2011 as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples he was named and in February 2012 raised to Cardinal. (no opinion)

20. Antonio Canizares Llovera (65), Spaniard, Curial Cardinal, in 1970 he was ordained to the preisthood in the Archdiocese of Valencia, in 1992 was ordained the Bishop of  Avila by Pope John Paul II, in 1996 he was named Archbishop of Granada and in 2002 as Archbishop of Toledo, in March of 2006 Pope Benedict XVI raised him to the rank of Cardinal and in December 2008 he became Prefect for the Congregation of Divine Rites and Sacraments in the Roman Curia. (Conservative)

21. Vinko Puljic (66) Croatian,  Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo), ordained a priestst in 1970 for the Diocese of Banjaluka, in 1990 was made Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo) and in 1994 na raised to Cardinal.  Cardinal Puljic was an elector in the Conclave of 2006 where Pope Bnenedict XVI was elected.

22. Stanislaw Rylko (66), Pole, Curial Cardinal, in 1969 he was ordained a priest in theArchbiocese of Krakow in Poland, in 1995 Pope John Paul II made him titular Bishop of Novica and he was named as Secretary to the Papal Council for the Laity to the Roman Curia, in 2003 he was named to be President of the Papal Council for Laity, in November 2007 Pope Benedict made him Cardinal.

23. Robert Sarah (66) Guinea, Curial Cardinal, in 1969 was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Conarky, in 1979 named at Archbishop of Conarky by Pope John Paul II, in 2001 as Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Roman Curia, in October 2010 as the President of the Papal Council Cor Unum by Pope Benedict XVI, and in 2010 was raised to Cardinal.

24. George Alencherry (66) Indian Indian, Senior Archbishop of Emakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar Church, he was ordained a priest in 1972 in the syro-malabar Archbdiocese of Changanacherry, in 1996 Pope John Paul II named him to the syro-Malabar Dioceser of Thuchalay, in May 22011 was elected the Senior Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and confirmed by Pope Bnenedict XVI, and in February 2012 was raised to Cardinal.

25. Christoph Graf Schönborn OP (67), Austrian, in 1970 was ordained to the priesthood in the Dominican Order, in 1991 was made titular Bishop of Sutrium and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Vienna,  in 1995 he was made Archbishop Coadjutor of Vienna, in the same year he was then made Archbishop, in 1998 he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal.  Cardinal Schönborn was an elector at the Conclave of 2005 at which Pope Benedict XVI had been elected.

Text: Ciguena-torre/Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Vatican Insider


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