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Now that I have your attention

Louie,

I appreciate all of the responses to the Gore-Tex video.  They’ve been overwhelming, really. Now that I have your attention, I hope you will permit me to encourage some introspection.

With Lent just a few days away, I think this would be a perfect time for all of us, me first and foremost, to take a look in the mirror.

This work of shining the light of tradition on all things, even those papal statements and actions that might otherwise confuse and mislead others, is a delicate balancing act. In the process, it’s important to make every effort to lift up the whole truth for everyone to see, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, that there may be no confusion whatsoever, and one of those truths concerns the honor and respect that we owe to the Petrine Office and the person of the pope. As I said, delicate.

With that in mind, I’m not afraid to admit that the CMTV Manifesto, in spite of its flaws, did at least serve one good purpose; it reminded me of how important it is in this effort to attack offenses without belittling the offender. Not easy! I’m certain that I’ve failed in the past and will fail again in the future, but I do hope to do better going forward and would ask that you please join me in thinking along those same lines as well.

On another note, I’m sure John Vennari, Christopher Ferrara and Michael Matt appreciate the encouragement you’ve expressed as well. That said, I’m also sure they’d appreciate it even more if you would consider subscribing to their print publications too.

Making a go of it financially in traditional Catholic media isn’t easy, believe me. So think about subscribing to Catholic Family News or the Remnant or both. If you do already, then you already know that they make great gifts. Just saying…

Lastly, some folks responded to the “Gore-Tex” video by saying of CMTV in so many words, “They’re dead to me.” I’m not on board with that, to be very honest.

I really do believe what I said; people all over the world now recognize “lies and falsehoods” dressed up in Catholic clothing, even when they flow out of Rome, thanks to the work CMTV does.

I was at the CMTV studio in May and can report firsthand that their day starts in the chapel with the Divine Office, and it ends in that same space with Holy Mass. The Enemy hates these people. Believe me. That entire staff is comprised of hardworking, dedicated people who are in it for all the right reasons, and that starts with Michael Voris.

This is a dust-up; serious enough, but it’s not a divorce. Let’s not go overboard. Some mistakes were made. Like I said, we’re still family and we’ll live to fight another day, hopefully side-by-side and hopefully soon.

Thanks again for all of your kind responses.

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Comments (34)

  1. I cannot support Church Militant TV as long as they are attempting to put out of business those who are fighting the same fight for the same reasons: even if they don’t agree on tactics.

    There is a Simon Rafe at work there who was at leisure to respond to me: they are not backing off their statement! Which comes down to: The Remnant and Catholic Family News should not be published.

    As to Noah, the Bible says that a wife’s nakedness is her husbands (and vice versa): my understanding of the account is that they misinterpreted it in addition to grossly misapplying it.

    Great article, Louie, and yes we all need to look in the mirror…constantly… These are disorienting times: hard to keep one’s balance, but it must be done.

  2. Louie: well said and balanced from a true Christian perspective. But please do not forget, this is exactly what Bergoglio and company want: infighting between Traditionalists over the Throne of Peter. it is a brilliant strategy because if we go to far in attacking the heresies and blasphemies that pour out of that dethroned Throne, we certainly seem to have no charity nor mercy. No one, however, can ever accuse you of that, nor could we ask for more courage when, as people like you, are face the difficult public backlashes Traditionalists seem to encounter every day. In this, we all, including the Church itself, are following in the Footsteps of our King as Tradition and Truth are left to die on the Cross. But in the end, Her Immaculate Heart will Triumph as promised … .

  3. I think a lot of people would like to subscribe to these publications, but the cost is a bit high. One catholic publication (I enjoy) is a little less prohibitive for those that are students, unemployed, or retired. Just saying…

  5. TT

    So many are whistling past the sede graveyard, as you aptly put it, because Francis has only been around for a year. Give this man another 4-5 years on the Throne and there will be a lot less “whistling” going on as more and more people will begin to see the writing on the wall;right now Francis is just warming up. You can only deny exactly how much harm this man is doing for so long before coming to the conclusion that he will be responsible for leading souls to hell. These are harsh words that a lot of good men and women can not yet contemplate….but they will eventually.

  6. Here’s another question that – frankly – I will be surprised if Louie answers. Mass and Divine Office at CMTV: traditional or post-Vatican II?

  7. It’s so true… the reason I recognize the “lies and falsehoods” is because I’ve watched CMTV for years and may not have made it through the discouragement I went through after reverting back to the faith, were it not for them. And I think the enemy does love to divide anyone he can, but especially brothers and sisters seeking tradition, truth and holiness.
    Your call for Lenten humility and an introspective self look into the mirror, is a good thing…which I will gladly adopt as well as prayers for all concerned.
    Blessings always +

  8. I subscribe to both papers and also give many as gifts, however another magazine that is super and NEVER denigrates the pope but tells it like it truly is. That magazine is The Angelus. Voris is not even in the same ball park with any three. He appeals to those who have forgotten how to read, unfortunately there are many. I will leave him for those who choose the easy, much shallow way. Yes, to each his own! Heard an awesome sermon today on St. Paul’s epistle on Charity. The priest said even the devil knows tradition and he can use that to get any one of us to do his mischief. Reminds me of “The Screwtape Letters”. Yes, we must be careful in this mess that Voris has started and caused. I know we need charity but we don’t become stupid in the process. I wish everyone a holy Lent and I’ll see all after the celebration of the glorious Resurrection of Our Lord!

  9. I’m sticking with Church Militant TV and look forward to the day Mr. Voris gently corrects the errors coming explicitly from the Bishop of Rome.

  10. Redfeather

    In the time it takes for Voris to come to that inevitable conclusion (that the Pope is out to lunch) and admit it, how much more harm to weak-minded Catholics will have been done by the Pope’s nonsensical ramblings?

    Personally, I think a man in Voris’ position has an obligation to speak the entire truth, not just most of it. He is doing no favors by sugar-coating anything.

  11. Bubbles you did it again………my thinking is same.
    “The Screwtape Letters”……… very clever!

  14. Has anyone listened to the Video Sancto sermon, “Spiritual Contraception”? This really takes a different point of view. It speaks about Divine Providence. He is allowing this papacy. God will chastise with bad leaders in the government and in the Church.

  15. My real worry about CMTV, and I ignored it before, is that they will report Francis when they agree with him – or skew it so they can agree, and ignore him when they don’t. The thing with this approach is you cannot have it both ways – to praise the same Francis that called Catholics ‘creed reciting parrots’, and the True Faith (which of course the Traditional Mass is) a ‘fashion’, is to support those same appalling teachings. There was a link to an article on the Remnant site(http://veneremurcernui.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/so-i-shouldnt-have-converted-then/) in which a convert, like myself, states very clearly how difficult the path to conversion is – and to have a Bishop of Rome dismissing that is wrong. It’s just wrong. It would be better if CMTVs policy was NEVER to report on Francis – you cannot in good conscience always have it the sunny side up without slipping into the Church of Nice, everything’s fine, and Fr Barron was really right about hell – because after all Francis can’t really believe in hell if he is anti-creed and anti-conversion – and thinks Faith is a ‘fashion’. If someone asked me if Bishop Bergoglio believed in an afterlife, I really and honestly would have to say…I don’t know.

  16. p.s. CMTV people, ecclesiastical/spiritual ‘porn’ – do you really think painting an untrue picture of Bergoglio isn’t? Anyone at CMTV who has children – would you honestly let Bergoglio catechise them? What I see is lies rising to the level of acceptable.

  17. If there is a battle between Voris and those who rightly question the statements and actions of Pope Francis—-remember it was Voris who fired the first shot! Pope Francis is promoting a “one size fits all” church. I don’t think this is why Our Lord suffered His passion and death on the Cross! Who needs Voris–we have Verrecchio!

  18. Interesting. Louie trumpets that CMTV begins and ends each day with the Divine Office and/or Mass, but nobody has answered my question whether it is the TLM or the NOM. More neo-trad R&R whistling?

  19. “… but nobody has answered my question whether it is the TLM or the NOM. More neo-trad R&R whistling?”

    I guess I really shouldn’t feed the troll – but hey TT – the answer is out there – go have a look google is your friend.

    Don’t expect us to fetch for you.

    P^3

  21. This is how upside down some faithful are becoming:

    “And when great multitudes stood about Him, so that they trod one upon another, He began to say to His disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. lk.12.2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known. lk.12.3 For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops.”
    –
    we are now being taught to reverse this teaching – whatever is preached on the housetops and whatever shall be published in the light, must be spoken in darkness and whispered in the ear in chambers.
    –
    really?

  22. They called The Remnant, CFNews, Michael Matt, Christopher Ferrara, and John Vennari just about the worst thing they could be called: “spiritual pornographers.”

    Strange that this has been glossed over.

  23. Torquemada, the CMTV chapel has an altar fixed to the wall, built that way on purpose, so I don’t think they have too many Novus Ordo masses there, if any at all.

  24. Dear Jcd, ” Divine Justice provides shepherds according to the just desserts of the faithful,” “God is not allowing the crisis, but wills it”. I listen to Video Sancto all the time and I missed this one, thank you!” Would you happen to know the name of the priest who does most of the sermons.
    Dear Louie, I absolutely love what you write and the way you write. I know the material is serious, but you are a very funny guy.

  25. JCD on divine providence: As I was learned on my lonesome, God has an ordained will (His unimpeachable, so to speak, Will) and a permissive will = our free will, usually idiotic and sinful, getting to have it’s own way, within limits. Blimey, first spiritual porn, now spiritual contraception. I wonder what spiritual abortion is.

  27. Louie, I love, adore, and respect your work and assertive, public witness. Thank goodness you are here saying the things that need to be said about the crisis in the Church.

    With that, I’m afraid, I must respectfully disagree with you on this one. It’s one thing for CMTV to choose to pursue different tactics, however poor they are, as saluto has aptly outlined here.

    However, Mr. Voris has chosen to make a public spectacle of these differences, to the extent of labeling traditionalist publishers and writers as traffickers in ecclesial porn, and to state that their publications and public writings should, in effect, essentially, not exist.

    That’s pretty serious, where I stand. Think about this, everyone:

    Ecclesial. Porn.

    Frankly, what kind of demented mind even thinks up such a phrase, much less chooses to publicly level it against some of the most faithful and brave upholders and defenders of Tradition in an age where Tradition is besieged?

    I can understand if there are personal ties involved that folks, even Michael Matt, may seek to downplay this. But I cannot look past the egregious slander that CMTV has chosen to peddle, with the apparent full approval of its head.

    With friends like this….

    Let him apologize, retract, and repent. Then we can all fight side-by-side again.

  28. Torquemada Tequila,

    Not quite sure what you’re after here, but, OK, I’ll bite. Here goes:

    Pope Francis is pope. Pope Benedict XVI used to be pope. Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Pope Benedict XVI is no longer pope. And 1 + 1 = 2.

    I’d happily answer your CMTV Mass question, but the fact is that I genuinely do not know the answer as to how they conduct worship in their chapel. And if it is Novus Ordo?

  30. The ecclesiastical porn accusation did it for me. I never cared for Vorris before. I found the whole sound bite cheesy production style dumb-downed and distasteful – a type of Catholic Rush Limbaugh but I could see there was some value for, as someone else said,non-readers, or I’m sorry to say the easily persuaded who go in for theatrics and cults of personality…But to accuse Catholic Family News or The Remnant of something as horrific sounding as ecclesiastical porn is simply evil. There is no better word for it. The manifesto simply confirmed my gut instincts about CMTV. Nothing shirt of a formal apology and retraction will do.

  31. Once Voris endorsed Opus Dei way back when, I knew he was False Opposition (a.k.a. Controlled or Loyal Opposition). Naive’ trads needs to understand the movement has been infiltrated by the enemy. Just as the communists and sodomites infiltrated the seminaries, so to have neo-Khan Catholics infiltrated the traditional movement. Any Church Militant who is not promoting Catholic Action — as explained by Pope St. Pius the X, not Pius XI — should be considered suspect. If we don’t get involved in the political arena, the vacuum will be filled by the enemies of the Church. CON-servatives are legion.

  32. And I appreciate this. Very helpful. Thank you for the last three or four of your articles as well.

  33. I agree that CMTV does good work, and that we shouldn’t go overboard. I like Louie’s approach. Since he doesn’t believe in personal attacks (rather he attacks what a person says or does), I think that he’s more likely to be payed attention to by those who disagree with him. It’s an unusual approach for a traditionalist to take, but it may work. The sense of humor helps, too!

    Michael Voris made a mistake, but I wouldn’t write him off. As has been stated, he may just be tired. He’s in a difficult battle. A vacation may be in order.

  34. Sty close to Peter and don’t let yourself get too caught up in the various online personalities.

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