Category Archives: Heretic’s Pulpit

Musings on the crises of the Church and world

No De-Baptism for You!

Escape while you can

NPR reported this weekend about Rene LeBouvier, an elderly Frenchman (71) who wants to leave the Catholic Church by having his baptism nullified. A noble effort in which he is far from alone: apparently over a thousand of his countrymen ask every year for the same thing, and twice that number want out in neighboring Belgium. The reasons the article cites are: exposure to free thought, the pedophile scandals, and the pope’s stand against condoms to prevent AIDS, which LeBouvier called “criminal”. So he demanded to be struck from the parish register, and was told by the priest, “No can … More…

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Sanchez is Gone But Questions Linger

Home at last

The tenth Archbishop of Santa Fe, the Most Reverend Robert Fortune Sanchez, who resigned in disgrace for gross mishandling of clergy abuse among his priests while taking sexual advantage of a number of young women, has died. And so, we are led to believe, ends the crisis here. The crisis, maybe, but not the mystery. One of his close associates, Fr. Arthur J. Perrault, a notorious perpetrator that Sanchez covered up for and gave repeated “second chances” to, fled just before being publicly accused and his location is still unknown. Sanchez’ own 760-page deposition under oath, taken over four days, … More…

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The Cult of Survivors

OBEY

  The Catholic Church has often been described as a cult by critics. In fact, most of the cult checklists out there seem directly targeted at Rome, even if aimed at Mormons, Scientologists, or Heaven’s Gate. But there is another group that exhibits many of the same disturbingly cult-like features of the Catholic Church, even though (or perhaps because) it is supposedly run by and for victims and survivors of Catholic clergy sexual abuse. Does this resemble any group claiming to represent victims that you know? Consider the following traits (emphasis added), and the answer is below: The group has … More…

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Fighting the New Propaganda

If you know what's good for you.

The Catholic Church sure didn’t invent propaganda, but they are responsible for the word. It was long enshrined in the Vatican in the very name of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, the Church’s missionary arm (now called the “Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples” doubtless because the previous title sounded like they wanted to take over the world. Lesson 1: Not good propaganda to admit what your intention really is!) “Propaganda” means communications designed to influence members of a community. And of course the Catholic Church are masters of the craft, and have been since the apostles. … More…

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A Caganer Squatting in the Christmas Crib Adds Relief

Ahhhh!

It’s those little traditions of Christmas that make it such a perfect holiday, even for grumps. There’s the gorgeous tree covered with ornaments, lights, and tinsel. An irresistible cat toy and the loveliest fire hazard at home; the Christmas tree represents the return of life in the midst of darkness and cold even as it slowly, inevitably dies before one’s eyes. What could be more hope-nurturing than that? Then there’s all those lovingly wrapped gifts whose appreciation will last about along as the glittering paper, but the payments for which will remind one constantly all the way to next year’s … More…

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Crystal Cathedrals and Falling Bricks

Meet the new boss...

This news just in. The Crystal Cathedral, preacher Rev. Robert E. Schuller‘s glorious glass palace, will become the actual cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County. The steel and glass monument to liberal Protestantism and positive thinking, designed by Philip Johnson, was the longtime home of the famous “Hour of Power” broadcasts. It featured casual upbeat services, talky inspirational presenters with lots of choral and organ music. Now the site will doubtlessly host bland liturgies with bad congregational singing and spiritless sermons in the traditional Catholic manner. Somehow perky happy thoughts didn’t cut it through the gloom of … More…

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Guy Fawkes and the Failures of November

November from Les Très Riches Heures de Duc du Berry

Ah, the many failed feasts of fall! This month’s calendar is a litany of despair, with the anniversaries of many historic bungles, downfalls, flops, false starts, and total fiascos. Is it because this is the season when life itself falters against the lengthening night, when the last leaves fall from the trees, the air turns chill, and the very light grows dim? Does hope die too? And why does this November in particular especially feel more like everything is falling apart everywhere than any I can remember? Partly it’s personal as right around Thanksgiving was my father’s passing and my … More…

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