THE CHURCH MILITANT (Not an Official Organ), THE POPE, ERRANT CLERGY, TRUMP & BEER!

I still believe that I am a Catholic and hope to remain one for as long as I live. I must confess that it has been a torture continuing to follow the shrill commentary of Michael Voris and his merry band. It has been hard enough dealing with the constant Anti-Pope stance that has remained a regular staple on these pages. One would easily imagine that somehow the editors at St Michael Media see themselves among the College of Cardinals to select a replacement for Pope Francis. Of course this will not happen. Those of us belonging to the old generations surely find some of the statements attributed to Francis cringe-worthy. However it seems as if Voris and Co have not benefited from church history and exhibit absolutely no faith in Christ himself.

The Lord had pledged to be with his Church through thick and thin, with the Holy Spirit in control. The gates of hell will never prevail against the Church. Doesn't anyone believe this promise any more? I am beginning to wonder if indeed I belong to the same church with you guys. Meanwhile don't get me wrong on these other matters. I also agonize over the poor quality of catechesis and faith formation these days. Similarly I too am astounded by the revelations over pedophilia, straight sex and gay sex in the clergy. Unlike you I recognize a downward trend in these evil tendencies. I also recognize that these occurrences show probabilities comparable with the US national average. I say this not as justification.

Finally let me repeat an observation that I made on these pages about a year ago. Going by the editorial position of The Church Militant, The St Michael Media and Voris himself, a visitor from another planet would rightly assume that The Catholic Church in America is the praying arm of the Republican Party. This is atrocious. The Evangelicals have lost God and got Trump as replacement. (See The Financial Times of London.) If we go down the path charted by the Church Militant, the Catholic Church SHOULD follow suit. God forbid! . So as not to complicate matters, I will refrain from expressing any opinion on the contentious confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. As a parting shot, I must say that your above comments about (what must have been) excessive consumption of beer among teens and adults alike to have been flippant and downright unserious.