"The greatest asset of the evilly disposed is the cowardice and weakness of Catholics..."

Writing for Spero News, Martin Barillas notes: "A group of Catholic students in Belgium remains in opposition to Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp. Spero reported on January 4 that the Flemish Catholic Students Association of Antwerp issued an open letter to Bishop Johan Bonny denouncing his statements on homosexual marriage. “Monsignor Bonny, as a successor of the apostles, wishes to alter the form in which the faith has revealed it (marriage).

As a Catholic association headquartered in Antwerp, the Association of Flemish Catholic Students of Antwerp KVHV (Vlaams Katholiek Hoogstudentenverbod) raises its voice to say clearly: ‘No, Monsignor. What you are proposing is not Catholic.”

In an email response to Spero, Michael Hoffmann  - a spokesman for the student group – said that his fellow students do not current plan any demonstrations against the bishop. However, he said that a broader group known as ‘Pro-Familia’ can be expected to mount a public demonstration against the bishop. In addition, Hoffmann said that his group is taking other action, “We have written and translated a letter that we are sending to the Pope and the Archbishop (Leonard)”.

Hoffmann said that his group does have support, albeit so far very quietly, from numerous priests and bishops, saying “… we have received a bunch of positive e-mails and messages.” Hoffmann would not identify the clerics who support the group.

The Young Socialists of Antwerp have denounced what they called the "downright frightening views" held by the Flemish Catholic students. Their views qualify as "homophobia," said the Socialists who have since issued a complaint to the Belgian the Centre for Equal Opportunity." See full article here.

I wrote about Bishop Bonny's insanity here.

As I've warned so many times before at this Blog, the same radical homosexual activists who continually cry for more "tolerance" are anything but tolerant. This is a spiritual war. The homosexual movement is not a civil rights movement. It is an attempt at moral revolution. An attempt to change people's view of homosexuality. Writing in the Chicago Free Press, even homosexual activist Paul Varnell admitted this. He wrote, "The fundamental controverted issue about homosexuality is not discrimination, hate crimes or domestic partnerships, but the morality of homosexuality. Even if gays obtain non-discrimination laws, hate crimes law and domestic partnership benefits, those can do little to counter the underlying moral condemnation which will continue to fester beneath the law and generate hostility, fuel hate crimes, support conversion therapies, encourage gay youth suicide and inhibit the full social acceptance that is our goal. On the other hand, if we convince people that homosexuality is fully moral, then all their inclination to discriminate, engage in gay-bashing or oppose gay marriage disappears. Gay youths and adults could readily accept themselves. So the gay movement, whether we acknowledge it or not, is not a civil rights movement, not even a sexual liberation movement, but a moral revolution aimed at changing people's view of homosexuality." (Paul Varnell, "Defending Our Morality," Chicago Free Press, Aug 16, 2000).

At the Beatification of Joan of Arc on December 13, 1908, Pope St. Pius X said that: "..the greatest asset of the evilly disposed is the cowardice and weakness of Catholics.  Oh!  If I might ask the divine Redeemer, as the prophet Zachary did in spirit: 'What are those wounds in the midst of your hands?' the answer would not be doubtful.  'With these I was wounded in the house of those who did nothing to defend me and who, on every occasion, made themselves the accomplices of my adversaries.'  And this reproach can be levelled at the weak and timid Catholics of all countries."

Yes, even certain priests, Bishops and Cardinals.

Fr. Vincent Miceli, S.J., my mentor, once said, "Fortitude is that virtue which enduringly resists difficulties of mind and body while persistently seeking, defending and spreading the truth and holiness of the Gospel.  St. Thomas reminds us that fortitude is especially concerned with overcoming the fear of performing difficult deeds for the glory of God.  This virtue prevents a soldier of Christ, and above all officers in Christ's army such as bishops and priests, from fleeing the field of battle, from betraying the brethren when real or imaginary obstacles present themselves.  The great fault of the pusillanimous is that they succumb easily to irrational fears and leave the field of battle to enemy forces.  This moral deformity reveals a lack of faith in the cause of Christ and a distrust of the assurance he gave his followers when he said to his Apostles: 'Have confidence, I have overcome the world.'  The defect of irrational fear weakens virtue and renders Christians cowards.  All the Apostles except Judas overcame this fear when they received the gift of Fortitude from the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.  And priests should pray daily for this gift which the Holy Spirit will never deny them."

I can attest to that.  As a Catholic layman named after two heroic preachers (St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles who endured every measure of hardship and persecution and St. Anthony de Padua, popularly known as the Hammer of the Heretics), and who took the Confirmation name Michael (after the glorious Archangel St. Michael who, by the power of God, cast the Devil out of Heaven), I pray every day for the Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude as well as the three other Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice and Temperance.  Not to mention the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me - Omnia possum in eo, qui me confortat (Phil 4:13).

This apostolate has been attacked more times than I can remember.  I have more enemies than you can shake a stick at - and, thank God, even more friends!

I have received death threats. One from a homosexual activist threatening to execute me with a high-powered rifle. Stormfront has vilified me as the "village communist." This even though I have railed against Communism and it's slower twin Socialism.

Priests of Almighty God: What are you afraid of? The same God who parted  the Red Sea and incinerated the five cities of the plain will guide and protect you.

Remember the words of Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J., when fear enters.  Standing before a firing squad, which is much more terrifying than the ridicule of functional idiots in the public square, this heroic priest said, "Viva Christo Rey."  Long live Christ the King.

Amen!