More government lies...

Tucker on the government lies following the FBI raid on Trump's home here.

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ....Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of another." (Ephesians 4: 15, 25).

When communicating with others, we all have certain responsibilities.  For example, we all have a responsibility to submit ourselves to truth when communicating.  Dr. Germain Grisez explains that, “As creatures, human persons are utterly dependent on God.  Their freedom and action presuppose realities whose meaning and value cannot be changed.  Therefore, human fulfillment requires knowing and conforming to the truth, and especially to the truth about what is good.  But since genuine community is cooperation in seeking common fulfillment, it depends on submission to truth. Consequently, since all parties to communication should be open to genuine community, they should submit themselves to truth.  The alternative is pursuing what they want regardless of truth, caring about no common good beyond themselves, and so, while using means of communication, failing to promote genuine community.”

The Eighth Commandment does not say, "You shall not bear false witness unless you have a really good reason."  Rather, the Commandment calls on us to be honest because, as God's children, we are called to imitate our Father who can neither deceive nor be deceived (Job 12: 16).  The Lord hates lying lips (Proverbs 12: 22); He hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6: 17); He destroys those who speak falsehood (Psalm 5: 6).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that, "The eighth commandment forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others.  This moral prescription flows from the vocation of the holy people to bear witness to their God who is the truth and wills the truth.  Offenses against the truth express by word or deed a refusal to commit oneself to moral uprightness: they are fundamental infidelities to God and, in this sense, they undermine the foundations of the covenant." (2464).  And again: "Christ's disciples have "put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."274 By "putting away falsehood," they are to "put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander." (2475)

How serious is a lie when it is made under oath?

"False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused. They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions." (2476). 

In 2477 the Catechism explains that:  "Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty....of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them."

Calumny is a lie told about someone, accusing him of something of which he is not guilty.  It is a sin against charity and justice.  It is more or less serious depending on the importance of the object of the slanderous lie and also on the evils caused to the victim."

The lying media, propaganda servant of the Deep State (read the Democratic Party), isn't interested in respecting the demands of truth.  Those who serve the Father of Lies imitate his example with their lies,  with their calumnies. 

Douglas Pochini and calumny

'Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ....Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of another." (Ephesians 4: 15, 25).



When communicating with others, we all have certain responsibilities.  For example, we all have a responsibility to submit ourselves to truth when communicating.  Dr. Germain Grisez explains that, “As creatures, human persons are utterly dependent on God.  Their freedom and action presuppose realities whose meaning and value cannot be changed.  Therefore, human fulfillment requires knowing and conforming to the truth, and especially to the truth about what is good.  But since genuine community is cooperation in seeking common fulfillment, it depends on submission to truth. Consequently, since all parties to communication should be open to genuine community, they should submit themselves to truth.  The alternative is pursuing what they want regardless of truth, caring about no common good beyond themselves, and so, while using means of communication, failing to promote genuine community.”

The Eighth Commandment does not say, "You shall not bear false witness unless you have a really good reason."  Rather, the Commandment calls on us to be honest because, as God's children, we are called to imitate our Father who can neither deceive nor be deceived (Job 12: 16).  The Lord hates lying lips (Proverbs 12: 22); He hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6: 17); He destroys those who speak falsehood (Psalm 5: 6).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that, "The eighth commandment forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others.  This moral prescription flows from the vocation of the holy people to bear witness to their God who is the truth and wills the truth.  Offenses against the truth express by word or deed a refusal to commit oneself to moral uprightness: they are fundamental infidelities to God and, in this sense, they undermine the foundations of the covenant." (2464).  And again: "Christ's disciples have "put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."²⁷⁴ By "putting away falsehood," they are to "put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander." (2475)

How serious is a lie when it is made under oath?


"False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused. They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions." (2476). 

In 2477 the Catechism explains that:  "Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty....of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them."

Calumny is a lie told about someone, accusing him of something of which he is not guilty.  It is a sin against charity and justice.  It is more or less serious depending on the importance of the object of the slanderous lie and also on the evils caused to the victim.  In my last post, see here, I noted how Kaliko Estates, LLC, a landlord company, is seeking to evict my mother because of her legitimate complaints regarding maintenance issues as well as being billed for water and sewer services in violation of Massachusetts law.  The Property Manager has falsely accused my mother - under oath no less - of pounding on walls. 

As part of his response to her age discrimination complaint, Mr. Pochini asserted (under oath) that former tenants who lived next to my mother moved out because she was pounding on walls.  Unfortunately for Mr. Pochini, in another section of his response, he admits - without realizing the contradiction in his testimony - that he received a phone call that these tenants were moving out, that he had no advance knowledge of this fact, and that they were behind in their rent.  In other words, they were attempting to flee their unit because they were behind in their rent!

It should be noted that these tenants never called the police to complain about noise nor did they contact this property manager.

Later in his response, he asserts that, "In April of 2013 Kaliko Estates LLC proceeded to lease Unit 10 to a single woman, living alone, and occasionally having her children and grand-children over to visit.  The 'Wall Pounding' became worse....Shortly after her move in, I received a call from our new tenant that she could no longer live under this stress and wanted to move out and break her lease.."

Again, this woman has never called the police.  In fact, she invited my mother to a party last September!  A strange thing for someone to do if they have complained about incessant noise and are so stressed that they want to break their lease!  Later last year, at Christmas, the tenant in Unit 10 sent my mother a Christmas card (actually including my name as well) and presented her with a gift (see attached photos).


Those of us who haven't lost our faith and who battle it out in the trenches know full well that all is not well.  "Erit enim tempus, cum sanam doctrinam non sustinebunt, sed ad sua desideria coacervabunt sibi magistros, prurientes auribus. Et a veritate quidem auditum avertent, ad fabulas autem convertentur." (2 Timothy 4: 3-4).

And that time is now. New Age philosophies are spreading throughout the Church. Homosexuality and lesbianism are celebrated. Even in some Catholic parishes. Intoxicated with their own knowledge and learning, those who have succumbed to friendship with the world tell us that we must leave behind the "old complexes" and reject 'backward thinking' so that we may evolve into more "civilized" beings who may then build an earthly paradise. These misguided souls are not interested in knowledge for the sake of truth, but for power and possession.

We live in a society that is turned on its head; A society in which good becomes evil and evil becomes good.  Abortion, the killing of innocents, is extolled as a good.  Homosexuality, a sin which cries to Heaven for vengeance, is called "gay," merely an "alternative lifestyle."  Catholics who stand with the Magisterium are deemed to be harmful to the community while those who dissent from Church teaching are praised and given top posts within the Church. 

The words of Isaiah condemn our sin-sick society:

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness into light, and light into darkness, who change bitter into sweet, and sweet into bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own sight, and prudent in their own esteem!" (Isaiah 5: 20, 21).

The man who started Kaliko Estates believed that "To whom much is given, much will be required." (Luke 12: 48).  See here.  I wonder if those who now run the company he started also believe this? 

Update: The retaliatory eviction failed.  The landlord agreed to waive use and occupancy for the summer.  It was revealed during the May 9th hearing that Kaliko Estates had been violating Massachusetts security deposit law for three and a half years.

Kaliko Estates Unit 10

 

Terence Weldon attempts to justify his calumny against Pope Benedict XVI

Recently, radical homosexual activist Terence Weldon wrote an ugly Blog post suggesting that Pope Benedict XVI has a homosexual inclination.  In this offensive post, Mr. Weldon wrote: "‘The question has been often asked,and sometimes answered by way of speculation amounting to not much more than guesswork or innuendo based largely on observations on the devoted, ever present and attentive gorgeous Georg or the expensive Prada red shoes, or the personalized celebrity fragrance.


Does it matter? Richard Sipe, noting that Benedict has has been the author [of] seriously nasty Vatican documents seeking to bar gay men from the priesthood, and labelling our orientation as 'disordered,' and has delivered speeches condemning gay marriage a 'threat to humanity', writes in a recent post that yes, it does matter. After speaking to people on the ground in Rome, both clerics and journalists, he has produced the strongest evidence that I have yet seen that Benedict is indeed 'gay' – in the limited sense of having an orientation to the same – sex. (He is careful to stress that this does not imply any actual sexual activity, and we may safely assume that he is not engaging in the so-called 'gay lifestyle' in Rome’s gay bars, clubs and saunas – although many of his priest[s] do."

Now Mr. Weldon is feeling the heat.  Many within the Church, like Deacon Nick Donnelly, have expressed their outrage.  In a pathetic attempt to justify his calumny, this bitter propagandist who wants to homosexualize the Church [while serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist], writes: "Even in terms of the Catholic Catechism, a simple same- sex orientation is morally neutral – only same-sex genital acts are condemned. I was very careful to make clear that I was not suggesting that Benedict engages in any such acts...Simply to say that someone is gay is no more a slander or accusation that to say that he is left-handed. To deduce any insult from that, is to betray the accuser as someone who, in spite of all scientific evidence and the clear teaching of the Catechism, as someone who sees gay people as intrinsically morally reprehensible. They display their prejudice openly, for all the world to see." (See here).

Wrong Mr. Weldon. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, “Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.  He becomes guilty of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.” ( CCC, 2477).  You have falsely accused Pope Benedict XVI of having a homosexual inclination which, although not a sin in itself, “..is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, No. 3).

Calumny is a lie told about someone, accusing him of something of which he is not guilty.  It is a sin against charity and justice.  It is more or less serious depending on the importance of the object of the slanderous lie and also on the evils caused to the victim.  You have falsely accused the Vicar of Christ of having a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil.  And you are implying that the Pope is a hypocrite since he has described the homosexual inclination as “intrinsically disordered” and, in fact, signed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s letter cited above.

Mr. Weldon promotes  homosexuality and same-sex "marriage" at his website. He has engaged in blasphemy, asserting that Our Lord Jesus had a homosexual inclination.  And now he has engaged in calumny against Pope Benedict XVI. The question is: why hasn’t Archbishop Nichols called in an exorcist?

Rainbow Sash Movement embraces contempt for the Church

As I explained in a previous post, "Pope Saint Pius X, in his 1910 Catechism, teaches us that sodomy ranks second in gravity to voluntary homicide, among the sins that 'cry out to God for vengeance.' According to this Catechism, these sins 'are said to cry out to God because the Holy Spirit says so and because their iniquity is so grave and manifest that it provokes God to punish with more severe chastisements.'

The Catechism of the Catholic Church published by the Vatican in 1994 teaches clearly that homosexuality is contrary to nature and that homosexual acts are among the 'sins gravely contrary to chastity.' (CCC, 2396). This Catechism teaches that homosexual acts are 'intrinsically disordered,' 'contrary to the natural law,' and that 'under no circumstances can they be approved.' (CCC, 2357)....Now while it is true that everything must be done to help sinners, this cannot include helping them to sin or to remain in sin. Because of human frailty, every sinner deserves both pity and compassion. However, vice and sin must be excluded from this compassion. This because sin can never be the proper object of compassion. (Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 30, a.1, ad 1).

It is a false compassion which supplies the sinner with the means to remain attached to sin. Such 'compassion' provides an assistance (whether material or moral) which actually enables the sinner to remain firmly attached to his evil ways. By contrast, true compassion leads the sinner away from vice and back to virtue. As Thomas Aquinas explains:

"We love sinners out of charity, not so as to will what they will, or to rejoice in what gives them joy, but so as to make them will what we will, and rejoice in what rejoices us. Hence it is written: 'They shall be turned to thee, and thou shalt not be turned to them.'" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 25, a.6, ad 4, citing Jeremiah 15:19).

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us that the sentiment of compassion only becomes a virtue when it is guided by reason, since "it is essential to human virtue that the movements of the soul should be regulated by reason." (Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 30, c.3). Without such regulation, compassion is merely a passion. A false compassion is a compassion not regulated and tempered by reason and is, therefore, a potentially dangerous inclination. This because it is subject to favoring not only that which is good but also that which is evil (Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 30, a.1, ad 3).

An authentic compassion always stems from charity. True compassion is an effect of charity (Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 30, a.3, ad 3). But it must be remembered that the object of this virtue is God, whose love extends to His creatures. (Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 25, a.3). Therefore, the virtue of compassion seeks to bring God to the one who suffers so that he may thereby participate in the infinite love of God. As St. Augustine explains:

"'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Now, you love yourself suitably when you love God better than yourself. What, then, you aim at in yourself you must aim at in your neighbor, namely, that he may love God with a perfect affection." (St. Augustine, Of the Morals of the Catholic Church, No. 49, which may be found here.

The Rainbow Sash Movement, part of the broader Homosexual Hate Movement, has failed to understand this teaching. Which is why the organization has accused the Catholic Church of advancing a "Theology of Contempt." See here. This charge is particularly ironic since the Rainbow Sash Movement (in the same article) calumniates Pope Benedict XVI, accusing the Holy Father of having "a Nazi past" and the organization has announced its plans to violate federal law and to show contempt for the celebration of the Holy Mass across the United States on Pentecost Sunday. Contempt (or deliberate hatred), as the Catechism teaches: "..is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm.."(2303). And what is calumny but a remark which is contrary to the truth which harms the reputation of another and which gives occasion for false judgments concerning that person (CCC, 2477).

If anyone has shown contempt it is the Rainbow Sash Movement. Sadly, the misguided souls who comprise this disturbing movement intend to show the Catholic Church more contempt on Pentecost Sunday. And in so doing, they will be demonstrating their contempt for Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

Former Newsweek editor slams New York Times for creating its "own version of the scandal."

Kenneth Woodward, Newsweek's former religion editor, said that the New York Times has not been fair in its recent attempts to link the Pope with Church sex abuse cover up. See here. That's really putting it mildly. The New York Times is guilty of calumny. So too is Father James Scahill*. And it is time for Father Scahill to issue an apology to our Holy Father for this calumny and to the entire Church for his blasphemous assertion that the Catholic Church - the Mystical Body of Christ Jesus - is "insidiously evil."

Throughout all of this ugly hate campaign directed against Pope Benedict XVI, our Holy Father has been [ and this doesn't surprise me in the least] a shining example of humility and grace. It was the great Saint Francis de Sales who advised, "If you are falsely accused, excuse yourself meekly, denying your guilt, for so much you owe to truth and the edification of your neighbor. But if, after your true and honest excuse, your accusers persist, give yourself no further trouble, and do not persevere in your defense, for having paid tribute to truth, now pay tribute to humility."


* See here.

Related reading: Will VOTF, the anti-Catholic dissent group, apologize for its calumny?

Parishioners stand behind dissident priest Father James Scahill who calumniated Pope Benedict XVI

WWLP 22News is reporting that parishioners at Saint Michael's Parish in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts gave dissident priest Father James Scahill a standing ovation after he gave his homily yesterday, the first since he called upon Pope Benedict XVI to step down. Even though Fr. Scahill has calumniated the Holy Father, even though he has referred to the Mystical Body of Christ as "insidiously evil," even though he knew about Father Richard Lavigne molesting childen and didn't act on it, he has his supporters.

This should not come as a surprise. Even within the Catholic Church, charismatic individuals can inspire a cult-following. Religious communities (and a parish is a religious community) can fall victim to the cult phenomenon. In his book "Cults, Sects, and the New Age," Father James LeBar, who has served as a Consultant on Cults for the Archdiocese of New York, notes, "...to be sure,..cultic behavior is possible at any time in any place. It has also been demonstrated that some legitimate actions of Catholic Church groups can be carried to excess, so that the cult label is applied....Church leaders must be vigilant to make sure that cultic practices do not creep into otherwise legitimate groups." (p. 99).

As I noted in a previous post, the Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. This is the authentic and authoritative teaching of Vatican II: "The head of this body is Christ. He is the image of the invisible God and in him all things came into being. He is before all creatures and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body which is the Church." (Lumen Gentium, No. 7). But Father Scahill has referred to Christ's Body as "insidiously evil." This statement constitutes heresy* as it is a clear statement accusing Christ Jesus Himself of being "evil." Heresy is the post-baptismal denial or doubt by a Catholic of any truth that must be believed as part of Divine Revelation (See Canon 751 of the Code of Canon Law). Heresy, if formal, is the deliberate resistance to God's authority, punishable by automatic excommunication (See Canon 1364).

Competent ecclesiastical authorities need to initiate an investigation into the ministry of Father James Scahill and the parish he serves. Let's all pray that this matter will be treated with the seriousness it deserves. It is not enough to call Father Scahill's remarks "unfortunate." They are more than that. They are heretical.


* "The Church...is held, as a matter of faith, to be unfailingly holy. This is because Christ, the Son of God, who with the Father and the Spirit is hailed as 'alone holy,' loved the Church as his Bride, giving himself up for her so as to sanctify her; he joined her to himself as his body and endowed her with the gift of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God. The Church, then, is 'the holy People of God,' and her members are called 'saints.'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 823).

VOTF continues its calumny against Pope Benedict XVI...

VOTF, the anti-Catholic dissent group which imparted its "Priest of Integrity" award to Father James Scahill, the out-of-control cleric who referred to Jesus as "insidiously evil," and calumniated Pope Benedict XVI on Divine Mercy Sunday, continues to calumniate the Holy Father and the Church's hierarchy. See here.

The time has come for the U.S. Bishops to denounce this organization as a body. VOTF is not a Catholic organization and the group fails to live up to the demands of the Catholic apostolate which were laid out extensively at Vatican II. For example, in its Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem), Vatican II had this to say:

"Whether the lay apostolate is exercised by the faithful as individuals or as members of organizations, it should be incorporated into the apostolate of the whole Church according to a right system of relationships. Indeed, union with those whom the Holy Spirit has assigned to rule His Church (cf. Acts 20:28) is an essential element of the Christian apostolate. No less necessary is cooperation among various projects of the apostolate which must be suitably directed by the hierarchy.

Indeed, the spirit of unity should be promoted in order that fraternal charity may be resplendent in the whole apostolate of the Church, common goals may be attained, and destructive rivalries avoided. For this there is need for mutual esteem among all the forms of the apostolate in the Church and, with due respect for the particular character of each organization, proper coordination. This is most fitting since a particular activity in the Church requires harmony and apostolic cooperation on the part of both branches of the clergy, the Religious, and the laity." (No. 23).

VOTF has violated these principles of the Catholic apostolate. The organization actively encourages opposition to Church teaching and is now engaged in a calumny which, objectively speaking, constitutes a mortal sin since it is calculated to to serious harm to the reputations of certain members of the Church's hierarchy and most especially the Holy Father.

Canon Law defines the obligations and rights of the Christian faithful. Canon 212 states clearly that, "In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."

VOTF has failed to show "due regard for the integrity of faith and morals" and "reverence toward their pastors." Calumny directed against the Church's Pastors does not constitute reverence. Nor has VOTF shown anything but contempt for the common good. VOTF is not sreving the good of the Church. The organization has betrayed the Church and has shown itself willing to engage in hateful calumny as it sows destructive rivalries within the Mystical Body of Christ.

Let's hope the U.S. Bishops will take action and soon.


Related reading here and here.


What did Fr. Scahill know about abuse and when?

Mary Alexander: Does she even understand what calumny is?

A friend of mine forwarded a Blog post link from last June and written by a woman named Mary Alexander who authors a Blog entitled "Against all Heresies." In this bizarre post, Ms. Alexander writes (in part): "Hi Anonymous and Brett (aka Paul Anthony Melanson)..Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake...Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that calumniate you...Keep the comments coming. I'm just building up treasure in heaven. Cheers, Mary." (Full Blog post with comment here).

Now, I am not "Brett." But I suspect there is a motive for Ms. Alexander's false accusation. You see, Ms. Alexander has defended the late Father Leonard Feeney. And I am, of course, on record as opposing Father Feeney's interpretation of the dogma "Outside the Church there is no salvation." This wouldn't be the first time Ms. Alexander has demonstrated some sort of problem with me or an animosity. In the comments section of a previous post here at La Salette Journey, Ms. Alexander left a comment implying that the Church's 1980 Instruction on Euthanasia was somehow "out-of-date." She was immediately corrected by others who reminded her that the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites this document as authoritative (see here).

And this wouldn't be the first time that Ms. Alexander has engaged in uncharitable rhetoric. In her Blog post defending Father Leonard Feeney, whose interpretation of the dogma "Outside the Church there is no salvation" was condemned by Pope Pius XII, she had some rather unkind words for the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, a very-well respected priest who was loyal to the Church and her teaching. Ms. Alexander referred to this heroic priest and solid-Catholic thinker as being simple-minded and naive (see here).

I submit that Ms. Alexander would benefit from visiting this link to read up on calumny. This excellent entry says (in part): "..the calumniator is bound to adequate reparation for the injury perpetrated by the blackening of another's good name. He is obliged to retract his false statements."

Ms. Alexander is right about one thing though. We all need to pray for those who calumniate us. I will get right on that.

Related reading here.