Sacred Heart Cathedral 1/21/05 - While decimating the Tradition, a new religion emerges.

The all important babbling brook baptismal font as seen from the atrium now named the narthex by king Matthew H. Clark. It is noisy while it babbles and bubbles to keep the water running. Holy water fonts no longer exist at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

ITEM: A NEW ATTACK ON A SANCTUARY IS DEVELOPING IN HORNELL, N.Y.

SOME CALL HIM THE "OMAR OF HORNELL". HOWEVER, HE IS ALSO NOTED FOR GREAT CHARM. PASTOR PATRICK VAN DURME OF St. Ann Church IS CURRENTLY WHINING ABOUT 'THE TABERNACLE AT MY BACK' . THIS IS ALWAYS THE FIRST SIGN OF "THE RENOVATION MANIPULATION" WORKING ITS WAY TOWARDS WRECKOVATION OF A SANCTUARY.

Although not named, THIS PARTICULAR PASTOR WAS A "STAR" IN THE BOOK: "GOODBYE GOOD MEN" BY MICHAEL S. ROSE. VAN DURME IS THE 'WANNA BE' ATTEMPTED SEDUCER OF JOSEPH KELLENYI IN THE CHAPTER TITLED "THE GAY SUBCULTURE" (page 54) of the book titled "Goodbye Good Men."
THIS DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY AT LOUVAIN SEMINARY CAN BE OBTAINED AT WWW.CRUXNEWS.COM (book still in print) - - -

FR. JOSEPH MARCOUX, THE RECENT POSTER BOY FOR VOCATIONS IN ROCHESTER'S HIGH SCHOOLS IS A GREAT FRIEND OF PASTOR VAN DURME.
MOST ROCHESTER CANDIDATES GO TO LOUVAIN FOR SEMINARY. WHERE VAN DURME HAD A "CRUSH" ON JOSEPH KELLENYI. THE EXPOSE STARTS ON PAGE 74 OF "GOODBYE GOOD MEN" by Michael Rose.

WE DID NOT KNOW OF THE VAN DURME/MARCOUX connection till PAROCHIAL VICAR MARCOUX OF SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL AND PASTOR VAN DURME OF HORNELL STARTED THROWING ROCKS AT MICHAEL ROSE"s DOCUMENTATION in 2002. In fact, THAT WAS THE POINT IN TIME WHEN WE FOUND OUT THAT PASTOR PATRICK VAN DURME WAS THE MAN CONVINCED HE WAS IN LOVE WITH JOSEPH KELLENYI as documented in "Goodbye Good Men." (Van Durme is not stated in the book) The victim, Joseph KELLENYI left a $300,000.00 job with Paine Weber to pursue vocation as priest. Lavender Mafia in Mundelein and Louvain seminaries made sure he lost his vocation. This appears to be an example of how God's Will can be thwarted.

Note the Van Durme/Marcoux connection at http://www.newoxfordreview.com/2002/dec02/michaelsrose.html

WARNING: CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN SHOULD NOT ENTER OMAR (bishop) CLARK'S WORLD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING BY SEEKING THE PRIESTHOOD IN THIS DIOCESE. YOUR REPUTATION IS QUESTIONED AND YOUR SOUL WILL BE IN PERIL. FIND A MORE AUTHENTIC DIOCESE.

Sacred Heart Cathedral sanctuary as it appeared on this website in 2002 before the jack-hammers. Note the beautiful baldacin (canopy) over spanish marble high altar & statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus

As viewed from Archbishop Fulton Sheen's pulpit, which has been cut in half, remodled, and centered in front of the stage which had been this sanctuary. All of the spanish marble was destroyed. The marble floor has been replaced with tile.
All this when the Vatican clearly told us:
"There exists no mandate, as a command or order to move the tabernacle from the high altar to another position in the church. Inter Oecumenici (1964) which implements Sacrosanctum Concilium (Vatican II), states quite clearly that the Blessed Sacrament be reserved on the high altar...also by Eucharisticum Mysterium (1967), para 54...a great number of churches have been rearranged since the Second Vatican Council: such changes however CANNOT be said to have been required by the legislation of the Church." JOSEPH CARDINAL RATZINGER, on the question of SANCTUARY RENOVATIONS, published in October 1998 by Bernard Caesar.

In addition, the architectural plans for the renovation of Sacred Heart Cathedral had been judged by the Vatican as CONTRARY to liturgical law and canon law by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The spin from Rochester diocesan representatives that they are following Vatican II guidelines "are regrettable instances of statements.., which are inaccurate in asserting that several of the changes have been required by the liturgical law." In addition "the incongruity of the proposed floor plan" is the destruction of a "preestablished architectural style."
We note that repetition of the Milwaukee "vosko inspired" architectural syndrome is identical in this renovation, which creates the non-existant sanctuary. see General Instruction Roman MIssal 2000 no. 295

The death of a Sanctuary replaced by a stage. 1/21/05

Archbishop Sheen's pulpit is now cut in half and directly in line with the small raised granite altar and the batismal font (babbling sauna) which is further up the middle aisle. The cavernous, empty, gray walls of this building promote a stark environment. Particularly when this edifice is empty of people, there is a surly or surreal atmosphere. Phantom of the Opera would dramatize well here.

Liturgical dancers promenade with incense bowls

.Bishop Clark's liturgy always includes liturgical dancers when re-opening a reckovated church. Dressed like ballerinas, the innocents gleefully promenade through the church. Frankly, the women who control Rochester liturgy are very culpable.

Vicar General of Rochester gave false testimony at the Rochester Planning Commission Hearing on the landmark status of Sacred Heart Cathedral at Rochester City Hall . . .

DOCUMENTED with transcript, we accuse Fr. Joseph Hart gave false witness of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.. His ambitious motives are more important than decency or accuracy. Hart's testimony also manipulated the author Thomas Reeves and his biography of Archbishop Sheen.

BACKGROUND is as follows: The following had been delivered as testimony to all seven Rochester Planning Commissioners, and published in the local
Northwest Times. In addition, this letter had been noted by an earlier speaker at the City Hall Hearing before Father Joe Hart's outrageous public testimony.

BISHOP FULTON SHEEN BIOGRAPHER OPPOSES SACRED HEART RENOVATION -

"I am the author of America's Bishop, The Life and Times of Fulton J. Sheen, which was published last year (2002). In recent years, there has been a great revival of interest in this legendary,world-renowned archbishop, who is now considered by many to be the most influential Catholic leader in America during the 20th Century.

The Archbishop was a best-selling author of over 60 books and prolific speaker who won an Emmy Award for his famous television show in the 1950's, Life is Worth Living. He was also a well-known humanitarian who raised millions of dollars for the poor in third-world countries.

Perhaps it is providential that just prior to this landmark hearing, the Vatican opened a case to determine whether Arhbishop Sheen should be designated a saint. The people of Rochester should be honored to have Sacred Heart Cathedral in their midst. It is historically significant beause it is the only cathedral to which the potential saint was ever assigned.

What a tragedy it will be if the radical renovation plans for Sacred Heart are carried out, destroying Sheen's famous pulpit, altar, confessional and chair, not to mention the beautiful interior of the cathedral itself? This would obviously be a loss, not just locally, but one which would impact our American heritage and culture.

I recently witnessed the results of a similar renovation here in Milwaukee, at St. John's Cathedral. The stunning interior of this classic cathedral was needlessly ripped out and essentially destroyed forever. If landmark status is not granted to Sacred Heart, the same will happen in Rochester at Archbishop Sheen's only cathedral.

I hope and pray that you will respect and preserve the Archbishop's cathedral for America and all her future generations."

THOMAS C. REEVES
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
(April-2003)

[TRANSCRIPT of Rochester Vicar General's testimony at Rochester City Hall follows these relevant photos]

Archive photo from 2002 of Sacred Heart Cathedral

Seven stories of scaffolding needed for this temporary structure to reach lowest end of cathedral ceiling. There is close to ten feet between each platform. Schmidt decorators of Milwaukee worked on "sampling" in Dec. 02.

Bishop Matthew H. Clark with his 54" square altar

The reasoning given for the small granite altar was to insure that "only one priest can 'celebrate' Mass, and they needed to make sure con-celebrants were not on the altar." Perhaps they are trying to make sure an invalid liturgy stays invalid.

"Judgemental" JOSEPH HART, PROVOCATEUR AND HATCHET MAN Copies of entire video of all testimony and deliberations of 6/23/03 Planning Commission Hearing are available by contacting mfb7@webtv.net - (a secure site) We videotaped to insure accuracy and express First Amendment Rights. The video includes Most Rev. Matthew Clark's testimony that Sacred Heart was not liturgically functional for current Liturgy, and had to be "renovated" to correctly express Catholic liturgical worship, which was just one more falsehood among so many. June 23, 2003 Planning Commission Hearing [testimony was given on question of Sacred Heart Cathedral HISTORICAL AND LANDMARK Status in front of seven commissioners and witnessed by 200 citizens] City Hall City of Rochester, New York [The following was stated at 10:17PM on 6/23/03 as documented on video tape with timeline] "I am Father Joseph Hart, the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia or in layman's terms, the Chief Operating Officer of Rochester. I wish to speak tonight about the negative economic impact of designating Sacred Heart a landmark. First, I need to clear up some myths - In my opinion, Sacred Heart Cathedral will never become a pilgrimage site to honor Archbishop Sheen, the 6th Bishop of Rochester - for several reasons. First, he is not buried there, but lies in a crypt in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. He had little connection with Sacred Heart in the two and a half years he was in Rochester. He never lived in a rectory. He never used one of the confessionals. He never sat in the present cathedra or bishops chair. He never celebrated Mass at either altar in their present configuration. While he was a good man, he will not stand the Vatican's stringent test of sainthood. True, his birthplace-the diocese of Peoria Illinois, has petitioned the Vatican to begin the process of canonizing the late Archbishop. While even this step is a great honor; in my opinion - it, like most such processes, will come to nothing. His case was not helped by the recent and well respected biographer THOMAS REEVES, who noted in this biography (raises Reeves' book) that Archbishop Sheen invented one of his graduate degrees, spent lavish amounts of money on homes and clothes, struggled with vanity all his life and could be pesky and petulant in his dealings with others. Thus, he will not measure up to the standard of heroic virtue, which is required by the Vatican......." Comment: Rev Joseph Hart, who traveled in Nov/2004 with Bishop Clark on his ad-limina visit to the Pope is rumored to be favored by Clark to succeed him as bishop, continued his testimony by threatening that "Plan B" would be implemented if the diocese did not suceed in opposing landmark status, and a new cathedral would be built outside the city. Note there are those alive who went to Confession to Archbishop Sheen at Sacred Heart. We have photos of (at that time the entire sanctuary was identical to before 2003/04 jackhammer reckovation) Bishop Sheen during celebration of Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, and the diocesan historian stated and wrote in the Catholic Courier all of this including that Archbishop Sheen enjoyed greeting parishioners after Mass at Sacred Heart. Children of that era remember their First Communion and Confirmation at Sacred Heart presided by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. In addition Archbishop Sheen slept at the downtown CYO in Rochester to live out "the option to the poor." Many young priests billeted at the Catholic Youth Organization [similar to YMCA] in the Rochester of forty years ago. Joey Hart knew these facts. Joey Hart also conveniently forgets that Archbishop Sheen publicly confessed to his shortcomings of vanity, as many saints worth his/her salt have often admitted their particular weakness throughout the milleniums. For a cleric to throw stones at "The Great Man" is below contempt. Also note that Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Servant of God, was proclaimed eligible for beatification when he passed the "virtues and vices" test in early 2004. In addition, Archbishop Sheen wore clerical clothes at all times, and the rents in New York City (where he dwelled for many years) are high in the smallest of apartments. Transcript of video tape (with time-line) and comments by Michael F. Brennan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ National Review Boards Report coupled with the John Jay Report on cover-up tactics by bishops reveals disturbing realities and speaks to the "elephant in the closit" and why the great ones like Sheen are hated for their authentic Catholicism. The Lavender Mob will create their own downfall, but we all suffer from their dirty deeds of subterfuge, calumny, blackmail and distortion. http://thewandererpress.com/b3-11-2004.htm [photos of the destruction of Archbishop Sheen's only cathedral follow here]

Liturgical Dancers enter Sacred Heart Cathedral to assist in blessing the baptismal font.

There were a total of 12 liturgical dancers from Nazareth High School who promenaded throughout the church with incense, oils, etc. They were central to this re-dedication extravaganza. One parishioner was heard saying: "My God, it looks like the vestal virgins in a 1950's "B" movie about Greek mythology."

The Ordinary of Rochester places incense in liturgical dancer's bowl on 1/21/05. This diocese is dedicated to the martyr/Bishop St. John Fisher of Rochester, England who was the only Catholic bishop in England to refuse Henry VIII's command to sign/seal the King as pope of the catholic church in England. Somebody heard Bishop John Fisher say: 'The Apostolic Church is in my bones, I can not turn away. I will take the executioner's blade.' - Matthew Clark is no John Fisher. He turned to a different drummer, while working to de-construct the Apostolic Church in Rochester, the Region and the Nation.

OPEN LETTER addressed to:

Bishop Matthew H. Clark
President, Catholic Courier
1136 Buffalo Road
PO BOX 24379
Rochester, NY 14624
 
January 15, 2005
 
Your Excellency,
 
The recent editorial you penned Along The Way/January 2005 in the Catholic Courier addressed your concerns about attendance to an ecumenical service on Jan 22nd "at our beautiful, newly renovated Sacred Heart Cathedral."  Reading the article reminded me of a homily you gave at Sacred Heart in 1995 at a 12:10PM  week-day Mass. (which was recently eliminated because the three priests at the rectory can not find the time.)
 
Your message concerned the Gospel reading for that day, and in the middle of the homily, you stated: "after all Jesus had to learn who he was."  The implications of such a statement coming from a practicing Catholic Christian were alarming to me.  Frankly, I remain convinced that God always knew who He was.
 
On page 80 of the book titled "The Ratzinger Report", the Cardinal informs us:  "In an evolutionist hypothesis of the world (which corresponds to a certain 'Teilhardism' in theology),  there is obviously no place for an 'original sin'...Acceptance of this view signifies, however, turning the structure of Christianity on its head. Christ is displaced from the past to the future...Man is but a product who has not yet been fully perfected by time..." 
 
Bishop, I fear this 'Teilhardism theology' is a connection to your "after all, Jesus had to learn who he was."
 
Cardinal Ratzinger, who as a brilliant young theologian at Vatican II and a founding member of the progressive and prestigious Concilium group of theologians, claims it was not he who 'moved' but his fellow progressive theologians. 

By 1973, he stopped  going to the Concilium meetings because many of his peers decided that the documents of Vatican II did not go far enough, while thinking and acting as if they were the fathers of "Vatican III".  Hence these theologians started refering to "the spirit of Vatican II."  Unchecked, these theologians multiplied becoming their own magisterium, and a rupture in the Church was and is the result. As you should know, there can only be one Magisterium.  To think otherwise is similar to saying there is more than one Supreme Court in the U.S. Federal Judiciary. 
 
However Bishop Clark, your goals and actions in this diocese appear to be the work of a king devoid of checks and balances or one with power who cleverly manipulates ways and means to by-pass those checks and balances. 
 
The attached Declaration was confirmed and ratified by His Holiness, John Paul II on 6/18/2000.  It is presented for your remembrance as you "ecumenise" in your $20,000,000 renovated cathedral. The crux of the matter is Article VI [nos. 20,21,22], but the reasoning behind it is included for your remembrance.
 
 
 
Michael F. Brennan
Diocese of Rochester News and Views
PO BOX 15743
Rochester, New York 14615
200 Seth Green Rd.
Rochester New York 14621
(585) 467-1745
mfb7@webtv.net

ATTACHMENT:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-jesus_en.html
Dominus Iesus is Latin for Jesus is Lord or Lord Jesus http://www.cin.org/docs/dominus-iesus.html (alternate url)


 CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
 
DECLARATION
"DOMINUS IESUS"
ON THE UNICITY AND SALVIFIC UNIVERSALITY
OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
1.  The Lord Jesus, before ascending into heaven, commanded his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world and to baptize all nations: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk 16:15-16); "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world" (Mt 28:18-20; cf. Lk 24:46-48; Jn 17:18,20,21; Acts 1:8).
 
The Church's universal mission is born from the command of Jesus Christ and is fulfilled in the course of the centuries in the proclamation of the mystery of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the mystery of the incarnation of the Son, as saving event for all humanity. The fundamental contents of the profession of the Christian faith are expressed thus: "I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternal.....
 
......16... The Catholic faithful are required to profess that there is an historical continuity — rooted in the APOSTOLIC succession53 — between the Church founded by Christ and the Catholic Church: "This is the SINGLE Church of Christ... which our Saviour, after his resurrection, entrusted to Peter's pastoral care (cf. Jn 21:17), commissioning him and the other Apostles to extend and rule her (cf. Mt 28:18ff.), erected for all ages as 'the pillar and mainstay of the truth' (1 Tim 3:15). This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in [subsistit in] the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in COMMUNION with him".54  With the expression SUBSISTIT in, the Second Vatican Council sought to harmonize two doctrinal statements: on the one hand, that the Church of Christ, despite the divisions which exist among Christians, continues to exist fully ONLY in the Catholic Church, and on the other hand, that "outside of her structure, MANY elements can be found of sanctification and truth",55 that is, in those Churches and ecclesial communities which are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church.56 But with respect to these, it needs to be stated that "they derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church".57
 
17.  Therefore, there exists a single Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him.58 The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches.59 Therefore, the Church of Christ is present and operative also in these Churches, even though they lack full communion with the Catholic Church, since they do not accept the Catholic doctrine of the Primacy, which, according to the will of God, the Bishop of Rome objectively has and exercises over the entire Church.60
 
On the other hand, the ecclesial communities which have NOT preserved the valid Episcopate and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery,61 are not Churches in the proper sense; however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church.62 Baptism in fact tends per se toward the full development of life in Christ, through the integral profession of faith, the Eucharist, and full communion in the Church.63
 
"The Christian faithful are therefore NOT permitted to imagine that the Church of Christ is nothing more than a collection — divided, yet in some way one — of Churches and ecclesial communities; nor are they free to hold that today the Church of Christ nowhere really exists, and must be considered only as a goal which all Churches and ecclesial communities must strive to reach".64 In fact, "the elements of this already-given Church exist, joined together in their fullness in the Catholic Church and, without this fullness, in the other communities".65 "Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such, though we believe they suffer from defects, have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church".66
 
The lack of unity among Christians is certainly a wound for the Church; not in the sense that she is deprived of her unity, but "in that it hinders the complete fulfilment of her universality in history".67 .......................
 
............V. THE CHURCH: KINGDOM OF GOD
AND KINGDOM OF CHRIST
 
18.  The mission of the Church is "to proclaim and establish among all peoples the kingdom of Christ and of God, and she is on earth, the seed and the beginning of that kingdom".68 On the one hand, the Church is "a sacrament — that is, sign and instrument of intimate union with God and of unity of the entire human race".69 .......
 
19.  To state the inseparable relationship between Christ and the kingdom is not to overlook the fact that the kingdom of God — even if considered in its historical phase — is not identified with the Church in her visible and social reality.  In fact, "the action of Christ and the Spirit outside the Church's visible boundaries" must not be excluded.74 Therefore, one must also bear in mind that "the kingdom is the concern of everyone: individuals, society and the world. Working for the kingdom means acknowledging and promoting God's activity, which is present in human history and transforms it. ................................... 
VI. THE CHURCH AND THE OTHER RELIGIONS
IN RELATION TO SALVATION
 
20.  From what has been stated above, some points follow that are necessary for theological reflection as it explores the relationship of the Church and the other religions to salvation.
 
Above all else, it must be firmly believed that "the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism (cf. Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism as through a door".77 This doctrine must not be set against the universal salvific will of God (cf. 1 Tim 2:4); "it is necessary to keep these two truths together, namely, the real possibility of salvation in Christ for all mankind and the necessity of the Church for this salvation".78
 
The Church is the "universal sacrament of salvation",79 since, united always in a mysterious way to the Saviour Jesus Christ, her Head, and subordinated to him, she has, in God's plan, an indispensable relationship with the salvation of every human being.80  For those who are not formally and visibly members of the Church, "salvation in Christ is accessible by virtue of a grace which, while having a mysterious relationship to the Church, does not make them formally part of the Church, but enlightens them in a way which is accommodated to their spiritual and material situation. This grace comes from Christ; it is the result of his sacrifice and is communicated by the Holy Spirit";81 it has a relationship with the Church, which "according to the plan of the Father, has her origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit".82
 
21.  With respect to the way in which the salvific grace of God — which is always given by means of Christ in the Spirit and has a mysterious relationship to the Church — comes to individual non-Christians, the Second Vatican Council limited itself to the statement that God bestows it "in ways known to himself".83  Theologians are seeking to understand this question more fully.  Their work is to be encouraged, since it is certainly useful for understanding better God's salvific plan and the ways in which it is accomplished. However, from what has been stated above about the mediation of Jesus Christ and the "unique and special relationship"84 which the Church has with the kingdom of God among men — which in substance is the universal kingdom of Christ the Saviour — it is clear that it would be contrary to the faith to consider the Church as one way of salvation alongside those constituted by the other religions, seen as complementary to the Church or substantially equivalent to her, even if these are said to be converging with the Church toward the eschatological kingdom of God.
 
Certainly, the various religious traditions contain and offer religious elements which come from God,85 and which are part of what "the Spirit brings about in human hearts and in the history of peoples, in cultures, and religions".86 Indeed, some prayers and rituals of the other religions may assume a role of preparation for the Gospel, in that they are occasions or pedagogical helps in which the human heart is prompted to be open to the action of God.87 One cannot attribute to these, however, a divine origin or an ex opere operato salvific efficacy, which is proper to the Christian sacraments.88 Furthermore, it cannot be overlooked that other rituals, insofar as they depend on superstitions or other errors (cf. 1 Cor 10:20-21), constitute an obstacle to salvation.89
 
22.  With the coming of the Saviour Jesus Christ, God has willed that the Church founded by him be the instrument for the salvation of all humanity (cf. Acts 17:30-31).90 This truth of faith does not lessen the sincere respect which the Church has for the religions of the world, but at the same time, it rules out, in a radical way, that mentality of indifferentism "characterized by a religious relativism which leads to the belief that 'one religion is as good as another'".91 If it is true that the followers of other religions can receive divine grace, it is also certain that objectively speaking they are in a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who, in the Church, have the fullness of the means of salvation.92  However, "all the children of the Church should nevertheless remember that their exalted condition results, not from their own merits, but from the grace of Christ. If they fail to respond in thought, word, and deed to that grace, not only shall they not be saved, but they shall be more severely judged".93 One understands then that, following the Lord's command (cf. Mt 28:19-20) and as a requirement of her love for all people, the Church "proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail, Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6). In him, in whom God reconciled all things to himself (cf. 2 Cor 5:18-19), men find the fullness of their religious life".94
 
In inter-religious dialogue as well, the mission ad gentes "today as always retains its full force and necessity".95  "Indeed, God 'desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth' (1 Tim 2:4); that is, God wills the salvation of everyone through the knowledge of the truth. Salvation is found in the truth. Those who obey the promptings of the Spirit of truth are already on the way of salvation. But the Church, to whom this truth has been entrusted, must go out to meet their desire, so as to bring them the truth. Because she believes in God's universal plan of salvation, the Church must be missionary".96 Inter-religious dialogue, therefore, as part of her evangelizing mission, is just one of the actions of the Church in her mission ad gentes.97 Equality, which is a presupposition of inter-religious dialogue, refers to the equal personal dignity of the parties in dialogue, not to doctrinal content, nor even less to the position of Jesus Christ — who is God himself made man — in relation to the founders of the other religions. Indeed, the Church, guided by charity and respect for freedom,98 must be primarily committed to proclaiming to all people the truth definitively revealed by the Lord, and to announcing the necessity of conversion to Jesus Christ and of adherence to the Church through Baptism and the other sacraments, in order to participate fully in communion with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thus, the certainty of the universal salvific will of God does not diminish, but rather increases the duty and urgency of the proclamation of salvation and of conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
 
CONCLUSION
 
23.  The intention of the present Declaration, in reiterating and clarifying certain truths of the faith, has been to follow the example of the Apostle Paul, who wrote to the faithful of Corinth: "I handed on to you as of first importance what I myself received" (1 Cor 15:3). Faced with certain problematic and even erroneous propositions, theological reflection is called to reconfirm the Church's faith and to give reasons for her hope in a way that is convincing and effective.
 
In treating the question of the true religion, the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught: "We believe that this one true religion continues to exist in the Catholic and Apostolic Church, to which the Lord Jesus entrusted the task of spreading it among all people. Thus, he said to the Apostles: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you' (Mt 28: 19-20). Especially in those things that concern God and his Church, all persons are required to seek the truth, and when they come to know it, to embrace it and hold fast to it".99
 
The revelation of Christ will continue to be "the true lodestar" 100 in history for all humanity: "The truth, which is Christ, imposes itself as an all-embracing authority". 101 The Christian mystery, in fact, overcomes all barriers of time and space, and accomplishes the unity of the human family: "From their different locations and traditions all are called in Christ to share in the unity of the family of God's children... Jesus destroys the walls of division and creates unity in a new and unsurpassed way through our sharing in his mystery. This unity is so deep that the Church can say with Saint Paul: 'You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are saints and members of the household of God' (Eph 2:19)". 102
 
The Sovereign Pontiff John Paul II, at the Audience of June 16, 2000, granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with sure knowledge and by his apostolic authority, ratified and confirmed this Declaration, adopted in Plenary Session and ordered its publication.
 
Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, August 6, 2000, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
 
 
  Joseph Card. Ratzinger
Prefect
 
  Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B.
Archbishop Emeritus of Vercelli
Secretary
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
(1) First Council of Constantinople, Symbolum Constantinopolitanum: DS 150.
 
(2) Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptoris missio, 1: AAS 83 (1991), 249-340.
 
(3) Cf. Second Vatican Council, Decree Ad gentes and Declaration Nostra aetate; cf. also Paul VI Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi: AAS 68 (1976), 5-76; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptoris missio.
 
(4) Second Vatican Council, Declaration Nostra aetate, 2.
 
(5) Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Instruction Dialogue and Proclamation, 29: AAS 84 (1992), 424; cf. Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, 22.
 
(6) Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptoris missio, 55: AAS 83 (1991), 302-304.
 
(7) Cf. Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Instruction Dialogue and Proclamation, 9: AAS 84 (1992), 417ff.

----------------------------------------------------------
complete text with the 101 footnotes, which are an awesome historical document by itself: http://www.cin.org/docs/dominus-iesus.ht

Cardinal Egan - Metropolitan from NYC led the regional conference of bishops

Cardinal Egan and approximately seven Catholic laity kneeled at the Eucharstic Consecration. The pews with their kneelers had been auctioned away in 2003, and the current chairs have unattached kneelers that are not operable for kneeling in the mostly cramped spaces. "Kneeling and standing will be standardized" stated the Sunday Bulletin.
The Cardinal left directly after Communion.
However, as can be understood from Marketta Gregory's Democrat and Chronicle religion report below titled "Sacred Heart Glows, a church reborn Emerges", Cardinal Egan stated postive comments to all Rochester media. In addition, Cardinal Egan stated to TV reporter; "I HAVE CATHEDRAL ENVY." The local TV reporter stated Cardinl Egan may go back to NYC and do a "Rochester" on St. Patrick's Cathedral. One priest and three parishioners saw the report on TV. It is accurate if hard to fathom.

Sacred Heart Cathedral - 2003

During the Winter of our discontent, we also face a connecting enclosed atrium and multiple connecting buildings to the exterior of this classic English-Gothic Cathedral obscuring her identity.

Baldachino dismantled or destroyed?

The height of this baldachino (canopy) was 30 ft, supported by marble columns This work of Italian artisans (with the inclusion of the high quality bronze Sacred Heart statue of Jesus) was encased and surrounded above the high altar of Spanish/Italian red marble. The canopy section was ten feet across and extended out over the sanctuary close to 15 feet.
The Spanish/Italian red marble floor was jack-hammered and grey 4" square tiles are currently installed. Rows of elevated gym seats for the choir are now in the apse and former sanctuary. The bronze Sacred Heart statue has been installed outside on the front of the Atrium to survive the greenish effects of Rochester winters.

The Host is raised and Deacon raises the Cup

Sanctuary of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester, NY prior to reckovation

The floor and all other elements have been removed or demolished. The new 54"' square altar is currently in the nave (middle aisle) of the cathedral. The Spanish/Italian marble floor was jackhammered and replaced with 4" square tile on a completely flat surface. The aesthetic beauty destroyed to embark on this "Transformation", as Bishop Clark calls it, makes you question their sanity. It is truly a 'taliban' mentality we face. By definition, the sanctuary no longer exists, but has been replaced with a stage for bad actors. City Councilman Stephenson admitted to 13 million dollers, but the environmenal demoition of neighborhood housing and attached buildings, reckovation, etc. cost 20 million plus.

Only Cardinal Egan kneeled at Eucharistic Prayer

We witnessed that perhaps seven laity knelt in total. Note that the modernist claim (voskospeak) of "increased visibility" is a ruse. Eye witnesses state that the Protestant and other non-Catholic clergy stayed in their seats, but Mayor Johnson of Rochester went forward and received Holy Communion. Perhaps he had so much politically invested in this project that he was determined to receive recognition for his efforts.

These ladies, returning from Communion reception, have been identified as members of Sacred Heart Preservation Committee

These ladies are members of Sacred Heart Preservation Committee and their names are public knowledge in the Democrat and Chronicle article about that committee which directly follows. After you have read and are better informed you can view the infamous Howard Hubbard, con man & cross-dresser. below,

SOME of the PROTESTERS from Sacred Heart Preservation Committee are identified in the following news story. The Faithful oppose Rochester Diocesan Leadership under king Matthew H. Clark. There are NO CHECKS AND BALANCES . THE VATICAN BLINKED WHILE ABDICATING HER SACRED TRUST to protect the Faithful from Schism and Apostasy - forcing our public opposition. The wreckovation of Sacred Heart portends a new/old religion. Genesis 3:6 "you will be like gods" re-emerges. Cardinal Egan and the NYS Regional Bishops Conference were expecting no one to notice. --------------------------------------------------------- http://www.democratandchroncle.com Photo byHEATHER CHARLES staff photographer The Sacred Heart of Jesus statue that stood at the north end of Sacred Heart Cathedral above the altar has been relocated atop the entrance of the new narthex as part of the renovation. CATHEDRAL PROTESTERS GLAD THEY TRIED Time, money spent opposing changes worthwhile, they say. MARKETTA GREGORY Staff writer - Religion/Spirituality Reporter (January 20, 2005) — They have called news conferences, hired attorneys, held protest signs and spent Saturday after Saturday passing around petitions — all to oppose what they call the "wreckovation" of Sacred Heart Cathedral. But members of the Sacred Heart Preservation Committee say it has been worth the effort and expense, even though it didn't stop changes at the church. "What are my kids going to remember? That their mother protested changes at a church she loved," said Mary Giorgi, whose parents helped pay for the altar that stood at the front of the cathedral before the renovation. Removing the ornate altar with its Spanish and Italian marble is just one of a long list of things displeasing to Giorgi and others in her group. The tabernacle, where the bread and wine for Communion are kept, are now to the side. Roman Catholics believe that the consecrated hosts — bread and wine — are literally the body of Jesus, so the group sees this move as one that takes the focus off Jesus' sacrifice. The group understands the need to repaint and repair, to update the church so that it is wheelchair-accessible. But it's the changes such as the tabernacle, the altar and rearranging the seating (and thus the focus, they say) that have kept Giorgi awake at night and prompted Michael F. Brennan to spend $2,000 to $3,000 a year on legal fees and other expenses. Only a handful of people are usually seen protesting or at news conferences. But they say their numbers are larger. Most people don't want to be identified or seen protesting, Brennan said, adding that one of the behind-the-scenes people has contributed up to $10,000. Newspaper ads protesting the changes have been purchased on a weekly basis for a year, at a total cost exceeding $3,000. "It had to be fought," Brennan said. Add to the cost the countless hours of work, especially when the group was researching and circulating a petition to get the cathedral declared a landmark. Margaret Nolan of Spencerport spent almost every Saturday at places such as Eastman Kodak Co., the Rochester Public Market, craft sales, anywhere there were people. And Sacred Heart isn't her home parish. "They are trying to make it friendly," Nolan said. Some of the chairs face each other, and there's more room in the entryway for gathering. "The focus should be on our Lord. You can talk to friends after Mass." A few of their friends became distant when they started protesting, but Giorgi and Nolan also gained a few new friends from the preservation group. As for Brennan, "People didn't like me before," he said. "I can't say anything has changed." He and some of the others have tickets to attend Friday's dedication Mass. No protests or disruptions are planned inside, Brennan said. But they will be protesting outside. "We don't want to disappoint the bishop." MGREGORY@DemocratandChronicle.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Letter to the Editor published in Democrat and Chronicle on Sunday, 1/30/05 reflects on news stories that follow: MASS FOLLOWED BY JAZZ AND SPORTS? Hats off to the Sacred Heart Preservation Committee! For three years, they valiantly fought to save Rochester's historic cathedral's interior from being dismantled. Your Jan 22 photos tragically showed what was once a majestic Gothic maserpiece now looking more like "Sacred Heart Arena." How about this for a new schedlue: Mass at 10 a.m., jazz concert at 2 p.m. and volleyball at 4 p.m.? JOHN HASTINGS Rochester Copywright 2005 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle ---------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Cardinal Egan to Preside - Bishop Clark-Presiding Celebrant http://www.democratandchronicle.com  On the Web DemocratandChronicle.com will provide a look inside the newly renovated Sacred Heart Cathedral beginning at 4 p.m. Friday. Log on for an audio tour and coverage describing the project and the cathedral's history. CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL TO REOPEN AFTER CHANGES by MARKETTA GREGORY Staff writer - Religion/Spirituality Reporter - (January 20, 2005) — After being closed for more than a year's worth of renovation, Sacred Heart Cathedral will reopen its doors Friday. Those who were fast enough to get tickets to the 4 p.m. dedication Mass will be joined by about 100 priests, seven bishops from around the state and Cardinal Edward Egan of the New York Archdiocese. Many in the total assemblage of 900 people will get their first glimpse of the repainted ceiling, the new lighting and an entryway that now links the church to the rectory on Flower City Parkway. Some of the biggest changes are the addition of a wheelchair ramp, padded chairs with kneelers instead of pews and a new, large baptismal font at the rear of the church. Two of the changes that have drawn the most criticism are placing the altar closer to parishioners and putting the tabernacle, where the consecrated bread and wine for Communion are held, to the side in its own chapel area. The $11 million project has been in the works since early 2001. Construction began in 2003. And even though it has been a long time coming and has had its share of controversy, Rochester's Roman Catholic bishop is pleased. "It's one thing to discuss what the altar will look like," Bishop Matthew Clark said, adding that he has trouble visualizing such things. "But to see the reality is better. To see these things is quite a thrill." In the Roman Catholic tradition, cathedrals are considered the church of the local bishop. That's why the bishop's chair, called a cathedra, sits in Sacred Heart. Historically, as churches began to spread and create new congregations they were sent forth from the cathedral, or mother church, of the diocese. The priests of the Rochester diocese last year gave Clark a new chair, made of sleek two-toned wood, to mark his 25th anniversary as bishop of the diocese's 350,000 Catholics. It is one of many changes visitors will notice Friday when the lights go on inside the cathedral. Friday's two-hour Mass will begin with the church in dim light. Clark, standing outside the main entrance, will be handed the blueprints of the building. The Rev. John Mulligan, priest at the cathedral, will be given the key to unlock the doors, and Clark will lead the congregation into the church. When the lights come on, they will reveal brighter walls, vibrant gilding and stained glass windows that were taken apart and cleaned. "I've done this (a dedication Mass) a number of times," Clark said. "It's always very memorable for those who participate, and it's so rich in symbolism." The Mass includes a blessing of the baptismal font and the anointing of the altar and walls with oil. The steel substructure for the heavy stone altar was made by three brothers, said the Rev. Joe Marcoux, one of the priests who serve Sacred Heart, Most Precious Blood and Holy Rosary parishes. "The three brothers are named John, Luke and Mark, and they made it for Matthew (Clark)," Marcoux said. MGREGORY@DemocratandChronicle.com ---------------------------------------------------------- 2nd Letter to Editor published in 1/30/05 of Democrat and Chronicle FIND THE TABERNACLE AT SACRED HEART Regarding the Jan. 22 article "Sacred Heart Glows": Michael F. Brennan of the cathedral preservation committee mentions that his main concern regarding the Sacred Heart Cathedral renovation is the removal of the former altar and shift of the tabernacle to the side. I totally agree with his concern over this particular aspect of the cathedral's renovation. Part of the renovation included a new cathedra, or bishop's chair, for Bishop Clark. Also, the tabernacle was relocated to a new Eucharistic chapel to the side and out of the view of parishioners. The tabernacle should have been the main focus in the renovation, not hidden away on the side. It is inconceivable to have relocated the new bishop's chair to the side (but in front) of the church as part of the renovation. Then one has to question why has the tabernacle been relocated to an obscure area of the cathedral? DIANNA R. IVES IRONDEQUOIT Copyright 2005 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. ---------------------------------------------------------------- News article follows on "re-dedication" liturgy of Sacred Heart Cathedral http://www.democratandchronicle.com  CARLOS ORTIZ staff photographer Bishop Matthew Clark anoints the altar with oil during Mass unveiling the $11 million renovation at Sacred Heart on Friday. Sacred Heart Cathdedral reopens doors Open house Tours of Sacred Heart Cathedral, 287 Flower City Park, will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today. An ecumenical service will be at 7 tonight. Mass will be celebrated at 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. Daily Mass is at 6:30 a.m. SHAWN DOWD staff photographer SACRED HEART GLOWS People stream across Flower City Parkway on Friday toward the renovated Sacred Heart Cathedral, which has been closed since June 2003. About 800 people attended the Mass reopening it. Sacred Heart glows A Church Reborn Emerges by Marketta Gregory | Staff Writer - Religion/Spirituality Reporter (January 22, 2005) — Again and again those who were gathered were reminded that the church — which includes them — is the light of the world. "God is alive in the people," Bishop Matthew Clark told the 800 or so who came Friday to dedicate Sacred Heart Cathedral after a year's worth of renovations. They sat in dim light for most of the ceremony, watching Clark bless a new baptismal font and then roll up his sleeve and anoint the new granite altar with oil. Then, just before Communion, the colors in the stained-glass windows began to darken as night overtook day. "Light of Christ, shine forth in the church and bring all nations to the fullness of truth," he said. First came candlelight. Then came stronger electrical lighting so that the cathedral became the light in darkness. And then applause, and more applause. "Lord, accept the gifts of a rejoicing church," Clark prayed as a bishops from around New York stood behind him at the altar. "This church is the image on Earth of your heavenly city." Long lines of people streamed forward for Communion, the first offered at the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester since June 2003, when the doors were sealed and the $11 million renovation began. On Friday, the faithful walked on new tile flooring and looked at stone walls that had changed, thanks to paint, from gray to a warm beige. Chandeliers were removed and more lighting was added along the high ceiling, which also was repainted. A different tabernacle, one that a priest and a nun died trying to save from a fire at the former St. Philip Neri Church in Rochester in 1967, was brought in to hold the bread and wine for Communion. Instead of a bowl for baptisms, the font — large enough to immerse adults — was added. The font has almost a ripple-free surface that trickles quietly over its edge to a basin beneath. Sometimes, if he stands at just the right angle, Clark said he can see the crucifix from the front of the church reflected in the waters of the font — a reminder that those who are baptized are linked to Jesus on the cross and to his resurrection. New sound system, too Besides the baptismal font, a new sound system was added, and Clark chose to highlight that right away. "Can you hear me in the gallery?" he asked. Hands waved in response. "Thanks be to God." The bishop said he had been advised to make sure the sound was right. "I hope you agree that we got a lot of other things right, too," he said. Apparently they did. Cameras flashed throughout the 2½-hour ceremony. Two girls who were a little taller than the new chairs stood in the main aisle so they could watch as Clark blessed the baptismal font. And at times the music had people clapping, from the choir in the front to the gallery in the back. "It's so good to be back, so good to gather with community," Clark said. Delaine Cook-Greene isn't part of the Sacred Heart community but attended Friday as part of the larger Roman Catholic community. "It looks like a little piece of Rome," said Cook-Greene, a St. Bridget Church parishioner. "If you can't go to Rome, you bring Rome to Rochester." The baptismal font, her favorite change, reminded her of her cultural background. Many African-American churches baptize by immersion. And she loved the chairs, which are easier on her bad back, and the new seating arrangement that has all seats facing the altar, which has been moved out among the people. "It makes people feel closer to home. It feels like family." Not all won over But the font and chairs didn't win over Michael F. Brennan, an outspoken critic of the renovation project. Brennan's main concern is the removal of the former altar and shift of the tabernacle to the side. Roman Catholics believe that the consecrated hosts — bread and wine — are literally the body of Jesus, so Brennan sees this move as one that takes the focus off Jesus' sacrifice. "It looks like an opera house," he said, adding that he couldn't see the tabernacle. That tension is natural, said CARDINAL EDWARD EGAN of New York City, who participated in the dedication Mass. "ANY INSTITUTION HAS A TUG BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW," he told reporters who toured the cathedral earlier Friday. "STRUGGLE IS A SIGN OF HEALTH AND LIFE." Egan had to leave before the Mass ended but about 100 diocesan priests were there, along with deacons and representatives of the American Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations. As Clark concluded the Mass and took his first step down the aisle, applause competed with the music. Ten minutes later, he still had not made it to the door but was hugging and being hugged in the aisle. MGREGORY@DemocratandChronicle.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Webmaster comment: EMPHASIS added above to Cardinal Egan's statement. We very much appreciate Ms. Gregory's reference to the Catholic Doctrine (East and West) of The Real Presence. Yet it must be noted there is no references to the Liturgical Dancers in her article. The dancing girls were 12-15 years old from Nazareth Academy and were used thrice (three) to move throughout the edifice dancing with incense and oils, etc. It looked like the "vestal virgins" from a grade "B" 1950's movie about pagan Rome or a Greek temple. One must contemplate the meaning of the entire New York State Regional Conference of Bishops in attendance with Cardinal Egan. That is a frightening imprimatur. In addition, the diocese tells various news outlets different costs for project. However 8 million to 11 million to 13 mllion is inaccurate. The project required 20 million to complete. Demolition and clean-up of environmentally dangerous properties coupled with extensive new construction of building additions and the transformation of the cathedral itself were monies that could have saved Catholic schools. Frs. Marcoux and Pastor Mulligan stated two years ago: "As long as there is a cathedral, there will be a Sacred Heart School." However they did not spend a dime on the school during the renovation and announced this Fall that Sacred Heart School was closing. Premeditated misinformation and manipulation is the con man's game. Michael F. Brennan Diocese of Rochester News and Views

The entire New York State Conference of Bishops (8) listening to Bishop Matthow H. Clark of Rochester, New York. Cardinal Egan to right wearing the red..

Procession to 'Reservation Chapel'

The only location where the tabernacle is visible from is the stage which used to be the sanctuary. The current "Reservation Chapel" can not be seen from any door upon entry to this place. Frankly, my visit to the edifice on 2/9/05 confirmed that the building is sterile and the presence of Jesus Christ was absent. The font babbled noisily void of prayer, and the sterile sense one receives in Episcopal houses of worship is present. The Sacramental Presence of Jesus Christ is not here anymore. The Feb 6, 2005 Sacred Heart Sunday Bulletin states: "we'll be standardizing the standing and kneeling procedures during Mass and baptisms."

----------------------------------Cardinal Egan had left at the time of photo below - so bishop motherhubble, the senior bishop (shown below) leads. This notorious protector of sexual abusive priests (who victimized teen-age boys) was identified in Malachi Martin's book "Windswept House" as bishop motherhubble of northern New York State. The other bishop was identified as Rochefort of upstate New York, which pointed directly at Rochester. This writer was in communication with Malachi Martin before his untimely death which was attributed to "a fall."

king Howard Hubbard of Albany
leads the final procession of regional conference of bishops as they exit into the old narthex at the back of the church.
Note this CATHOLIC ONLINE article of April/2004
4/18/2004 - 6:18 AM PST
by Matt Abbott
.... A pathetic situation in Albany
The Diocese of Albany, New York, has had its share of scandal in the last couple of months, with allegations of a ring of homosexual priests operating in the Diocese, Bishop Howard Hubbard being accused of protecting that ring and engaging in his own sexual shenanigans, and the recent bizarre suicide of a long-time critic of Hubbard, Father John Minkler.
(For a detailed background of this situation, click on the following link: www.cruxnews.com/rose/rose-27feb04.html In an April 15 story on the website of Albany's Capital News 9 (www.capitalnews9.com), Jessica Schneider wrote that, "Outspoken attorney John Aretakis continued to press the Albany Diocese on Bishop Howard Hubbard's alleged homosexual relations and is now saying the note left by Father John Minkler before his suicide lashed out at the Bishop. "'I have been told by people who are aware of the letter. That it does address Bishop Hubbard's homosexuality and the rampant homosexuality and sexual misconduct of many Albany Diocesan priests, including Bishop Hubbard,' Aretakis said.
"Aretakis stood by several alleged victims of clergy abuse, all who said Bishop Hubbard's homosexual lifestyle was well known around the community. And they also said Hubbard did everything in his power to shelter his fellow gay priests.
"David Leonard, alleged clergy sex abuse victim said, 'Priests in Bishop Hubbard's Diocese have gotten away with their own private sexual activities for years -- like Father Minkler told us, because Bishop Hubbard so brazenly and arrogantly denied being gay. Now all priests and the Bishop are called on as great big liars. Again, where is the polygraph?..."
Well, few informed faithful (and even a few unfaithful) Catholics would deny that there is, and has been, a clerical homosexual underbelly operating in the American Catholic Church.
Father Alfred Kunz, a canon lawyer and priest of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, whose 1998 murder remains unsolved, was quite familiar with this underbelly. In fact, a priest who was in contact with Father Kunz prior to his murder – and who himself stated "the [homosexuals] have many contracts on me" – when asked by Yours truly if he thought Father Kunz's murder was Church-related, stated (via e-mail), "Oh yes…[Fr. Kunz] knew too much!"
Scary.
Cardinal Egan's pro-life position?
Helen Westover, founder and director of Mid-Hudson Stop Planned Parenthood in Poughkeepsie, New York, gave this account of a talk by Edward Cardinal Egan:
"On June 12, 2001, Cardinal Egan spoke at St. Joseph's Church in Kingston, hosted by the Ulster County vicariate. I work as music director at St. Joe's in New Paltz, so I was invited to attend, along with my Pastor, Father Maurice Moreau, several members of our choir, and others who have an official capacity in the parish. I had heard some things Egan was purported to have said about politicians having a 'right' as Americans to be pro-choice. I will return to that later. "As a pro-life activist, I was determined to question him on his commitment to the issue. I notified Father Maurice, and several of the others that I would be doing this. When he began to speak, however, he seemed so dynamic, so passionate, that my defenses went down, and I was sure that I had been wrong about him!
So when I asked the questions, it was with affection and respect. The narrative went as such:
"'Your Eminence, what are your plans to continue and foster the pro-life effort in the Archdiocese?'
"He immediately came back with, 'Well, I never use a religious approach.'
"He also addressed the priests, prior to the statement, and said, "Now some of you will get mad at me for this!" But, he said: "'Apart from the Faith, there is much controversy over when life begins. Science cannot tell us for sure. Is it a human life at six weeks? At six months? Science cannot tell us.'
"He continued that he uses the 'Deer in the Forest' analogy, i.e., a hunter is not sure if what is moving in the bushes is a person or a deer, therefore 'He may not kill it.' And this is what he said over and over, Rod. If we 'are not sure, we must not kill it!' "I stood up again and responded, 'Your Eminence, with all due respect, science does know when life begins. I use science and fetology all the time, and have never lost a debate. The only time there is 'doubt' is when we are talking about abortion.'
I also said, that in vitro fertilization has settled the argument: the scientists involved certainly can tell us 'when human life begins.' Then he changed his approach.
"'The problem with the abortion issue is you pro-lifers. You are disorganized, work at cross-purposes, and are therefore ineffective.' "I stood up and said, 'Respectfully, that is not true, Your Eminence. We all have the same goal, but work in different facets of the issue; my group (STOPP) targets [Planned Parenthood], others attend to crisis pregnancy, others more in the political field, but we are not working against one another….'
"Over two hundred people, including my own pastor, witnessed this exchange. The meeting's organizer, as well as five people I had spoken with at the time, including the Vicariate's lay contact, Tom Conway, has more recently corroborated my report of my brief dialogue with Cardinal Egan.
"My subsequent research has revealed that Egan constantly uses the 'deer in the forest' argument, primarily for his relations with non-Christian groups. Tom Droleskey has quoted him (and notes from the ex-employee of Catholic New York, John Burger, concur) to the effect that he gives pro-abort 'Catholics' like ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Governor George Pataki a pass, saying that their 'pro-choice' stands are their 'rights as American Citizens'…."
Hmm. Thoughts and/or additional information, anyone? A personal note
Two fine young, faithful Catholics – Renee Everson and Carl McIlheran – will be joined in Holy Matrimony on June 12 of this year. I wish them the very best.
Until next time…
Contact:Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org  IL, US
Matt Abbott - Author, 661-869-1000
Email:mattcabbott@hotmail.comKeywords:Catholic, Church, Op/Ed, Editorial FEATURED TODAYOn Church Opposition to Eugenics and Anti-SemitismEmbracing Lent as a FamilyFrom a Hospital, on Italy's Pro-Life DayCatholics and this American MomentGuidelines for Nations to Get AlongGod and CapitalismCanada Braces for a Social TsunamiNo Place for Family in Film Festivals
 

Bishop Moynihan of Syracuse

Regional Conference of Bishops proceeds out of Church

the man at left foreground has "fire marshall" on the back of his jacket. Also 15 policemen were taken from their citizen security duties to enforce Mayor Johnson's concerns that he look powerful and ready to serve the leftist clerics of Diocese of Rcohester.

Regional Conference of Bishops continues

Last visitor from the Regional Bishops Conference

The following is A DEFINITIVE INSTRUCTION/JUDGMENT. . Perhaps a good priest could help Cardinal Egan keep this instruction in a state of remembance as he governs St. Patrick's Cathedral and stands over the tomb of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Original URL: http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul01/cathsid03070201a.asp Letter Details Response of Vatican to Renovations From the Journal Sentinel Last Updated: July 2, 2001 Journal Sentinel Editor's note: This is the text of the letter on the renovation of St. John Cathedral. It's from Cardinal Jorge Medina in the Vatican to Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee. Your Excellency: This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has now completed its attentive study of the planned renovation of the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, which was occasioned by doubts that the project would conform to the relevant canonical and liturgical norms for the ordering of Catholic churches and, in particular, cathedrals, and with this letter it wishes to communicate its conclusions. In reaching this decision, this Dicastery has been most sensitive to Your Excellency's concern that all unnecessary delays to the project be avoided. The first serious obstacle to approving the planned renovation of the Cathedral is the INCONGRUITY of the proposed floor plan with the architectural structure of the church, that is to say, the general layout of the church with its nave, apse, and natural presbyterium is evidently pre-established by the architectural style. Perhaps in the case of a new church construction there could be more latitude for decisions about the layout of the church, but this becomes much more restricted in an existing church like the Cathedral. Moving to the particular points in law, having clarified the doubts concerning the conformity of this project with the relevant canonical and liturgical norms, it is the judgment of this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments that: 1. Contrary to the norms of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, 1975, nos. 257-258, 262 (cf. also Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, 2000, nos. 294-295, 299), the presbyterium, in accord with the proposed reordering, would LOSE its internal coherence, as well as a position where attention is naturally focused in the Cathedral. The proposed configuration, in placing a new and visually imposing organ in what is the clear natural focal point of the Cathedral, that is, the apse, and in placing the altar, in effect, in the MIDST OF THE CENTRAL NAVE, fails adequately to respect the hierarchical structure of the Church of God that the Cathedral by its scheme is to reflect and likewise diminishes the necessary distinctiveness of the presbyterium with respect to the rest of the Cathedral. This difficulty has already been recognized and the proposed addition to the plan of a corona over the altar is an attempt to find a remedy by diverting attention from the organ. However, it is the opinion of this Dicastery that this provision fails sufficiently to address the grave problem introduced by the organ's placement in the apse. 2. The proposed relocation of the tabernacle in what is presently the Baptistry in order to create a Blessed Sacrament Chapel does not, in contravention of can. 938. (section) 2, offer to the people of God a placement in which is truly CONSPICUA, since only with some investigation might the chapel be found. Furthermore, it has been determined that this chapel, as a result of its modest dimensions (estimated at 15 ft. x 20 ft., i.e., approximately 28 sq. m.), does not satisfy the requirement that the chapel be ad privatam fidelium adorationem et precationem idoneo (Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, 2000, no. 315) since it would restrict to so few the number of the faithful who might actually take advantage of opportunities for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. 3. According to the requirement of can. 964, (section) 3, and in light of the recent authentic interpretation of can. 964, (section) 2 (cf. Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, Responsum ad propositum dubium, approved by His Holiness, July 7, 1998, Communicationes 30 [1998] 27), except for a just reason to the contrary, the confessions of the faithful are to be heard in confessionals. Consequently, the proposed reduction of the number of confessionals from four to two, seems to be insufficient to meet the needs of the faithful, especially in light of Your Excellency's testimony as to the large number of the faithful that not infrequently participate in ceremonies at the Cathedral. 4. It is not consonant with the requirement of can. 1187, nor the established tradition, that in or immediately adjacent to the Cathedral images of persons be incorporated whose cult has not received the necessary approval and extension in law by the Holy See. As a further point, it would seem to this Congregation that the ancient and venerable HIGH ALTAR together with its baldacchino should be retained, given also that it is a most SUITABLE location for the reservation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Not unrelated to the foregoing are regrettable instances of statements in the fund raising pamphlet entitled The Cathedral Project which are INACCURATE in asserting that several of the changes have been required by the liturgical law (cf. pp. 16, 20-21). In light of the foregoing, this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments hereby remands the plan for the interior renovation of the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist to the renewed consideration of Your Excellency, bearing in mind the need for the project to be revised in accord with the above-cited canonical and liturgical requirements. This Dicastery awaits Your Excellency's considered response in this matter. With every good wish and kind regard, I am, Sincerely yours in Christ, Jorge A. Card. Medina Estvez Prefect Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 3, 2001 © Copyright 2005, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. COMMENT BY NEWS AND VIEWS: This instruction and remand judgment details the response of the Vatican to domus ecclesia [house of the people of God] renovations vs. Domus Dei [House of God] architectural norms for a cathedral that is "evidently pre-established in its architectural style". Unfortunately, Rome blinked and would not press obedience of bishops to this document. Over 7,000 Rochester Catholics signed the petition in opposition to the local reckovation plan, which is an identical configuration to Abp Weakland/Fr. Vosko plan for Milwaukee's cathedral. We accuse local clerical authority of foistering a "helter-skelter" disfiguration of Sacred Heart Cathedral as 'voskospeak' attempts its "in their midst" configuration, which creates a planned loss to the church building's internal coherence, while a new organ (2008) becomes the center of attention. Their claim that they are following Vatican II guidelines are immaginary manifestations of a very real rebellion in progress. Bishop Clark's deceptive use of the pastoral document Ceremonial of Bishops is more smoke and mirrors. GLOSSARY OF TERMS to Cardinal Medina's brilliant and concise remand order. 1. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani is Latin for General Instruction Roman Missal, and is the premier universal Liturgical Law. Any other liturgical document is superseded by this GIRM, which is its acronym. Amendments to the GIRM by U.S. Bishops Conference must be approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. [text of sited liturgical and canon law are included as FOOTNOTES at end of this instruction.] The 1984 pastoral document Ceremonial of Bishops is not Liturgical Law, but does state that the cathedral should be designed so that other parishes can conform and be in agreement with the General Instruction Roman MIssal [GIRM 2000] - Bishop Clark with the help of Dr. Richard Vosko turned that document on its head. Note Cardinal Medina sources canon law and liturgical law, saying nothing of the 1984 pastoral document Ceremonial of Bishops, which Rochester diocese pulled out of its "vosko hat" in 2004. (see Rochester Catholic Courier supplement of Feb. 2005) 2. The NAVE is the location designed for the congregation of the faithful, who are normally in pews facing the altar, which is inside the sanctuary {presbyterium}. BTW, that is the proper "focal point on which the attention of the whole congregation centers naturally." (Ceremonial of Bishops #48) Focal does not mean "in the midst" or middle, as the Rochester diocese would disinform you. 3. The APSE is the architecturaly planned extension of most Roman Catholic church buildings where the high altar with tabernacle and baldacchino are in place. Rochester made the apse part of a stage where the sanctuary was. 4. The PRESBYTERIUM or SANCTUARY "is the place where the altar stands, the word of God is proclaimed, and the priest, deacon and other ministers exercise their offices. It should be clearly marked off from the body of the church..." GIRM no. 295. 5. The ALTAR - "At the altar, the sacrifice of the cross is made present under sacramental signs..." GIRM no. 296 6. CORONA-designed crown-like appendage set above a structure. 7. THE CATHEDRAL PAMPHLET-as noted by Cardinal Medna - distorts Vatican II, liturgical law and canon law. Local Rochester "experts" continue these verbal and written "regrettable instances of inaccurate statements". Documentation is available for inspection. [church bulletins, Catholic Courier, renovation committee statements, video, newspaper and TV coverage.] 8. NOT CONSONANT-not harmonious or corresponding to, not of the same mind. {Webster's Approved Dictionary} [DOR News&Views offers: The renovation was in contradiction to universal Liturgical Law 40 years ago and is still in contradiction in 2005. [Dislocation and confusion are the central problems, especially when radically changing a pre-established architectural style.] 2. The proposed relocation of the tabernacle in what is presently the Baptistry in order to create a Blessed Sacrament Chapel does not, in CONTRAVENTION of can. 938* (section) 2, offer to the people of God a placement in which is truly conspicuous, since only with some investigation might the chapel be found. Furthermore, it has been determined that this chapel, as a result of its modest dimensions (estimated at 15 ft. x 20 ft., i.e., approximately 28 sq. m.), does not satisfy the REQUIREMENT that the chapel be ad privatam fidelium adorationem et precationem idoneo (Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, 2000, no. 315****) since it would restrict to so few the number of the faithful who might actually take advantage of opportunities for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 3. According to the REQUIREMENT of can. 964,** (section) 3, and in light of the recent authentic interpretation of can. 964,** (section) 2 (cf. Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, Responsum ad propositum dubium, approved by His Holiness, July 7, 1998, Communicationes 30 [1998] 27), except for a just reason to the contrary, the confessions of the faithful are to be heard in confessionals. Consequently, the reduction of the number of confessionals from four to two, seems to be insufficient to meet the needs of the faithful, especially in light of Your Excellency's testimony as to the large number of the faithful that not infrequently participate in ceremonies at the Cathedral. 4. It is not CONSONANT with the requirement of can. 1187,*** nor the established tradition, that in or immediately adjacent to the Cathedral images of persons be incorporated whose cult has not received the necessary approval and extension in law by the Holy See As a further point, it would seem to this Congregation that the ANCIENT and VENERABLE HIGH ALTAR together with its Baldacchino should be retained, given also that it is a most suitable location for the RESERVATION of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Not unrelated to the foregoing are regrettable instances of statements in the fund raising pamphlet entitled The Cathedral Project which are INACCURATE in asserting that several of the changes have been required by the liturgical law (cf. pp. 16, 20-21). In light of the foregoing, this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments hereby REMANDS THE PLAN for the interior renovation of the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist to the renewed consideration of Your Excellency, bearing in mind the need for the project to be REVISED in ACCORD with the above-cited CANONICAL and LITURGICAL REQUIREMENTS. This Dicastery awaits Your Excellency's considered RESPONSE in this matter. With every good wish and kind regard, I am, Sincerely yours in Christ, Jorge A. Card. Medina Estvez Prefect Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 3, 2001. [DOR News&Views Commentary on subsequent events: Archbishop Weakland stone-walled and ignored these directives and eventually was brought down in disgrace by a blackmailing gigolo, who received close to $500,000.00 of church monies from Archbishop Weakland with the approval of diocesan attorney and financial personnel.] The following FOOTNOTES with quotes of sited canon law and universal liturgical law are provided here by DOR News&Views: FYI: The congregation of the faithful is "The space within the church building for the faithful OTHER THAN the priest celebrant and the ministers and is sometimes called the NAVE." (pg 21 of USCCB Art, Architecture and Worship, Built of Living Stones) *GIRM 2000, no. 294 [acronym for General Instruction Roman Missal 2000, no. 294] - "The people of God assembled at Mass possess an organic and hierarchical structure, expresssed by the various ministries and actions for each part of the celebration. The general plan of the sacred building should be such that in some way it conveys the image of the gathered assembly. Thus it should also allow the participants to take the place most appropriate to them and assist all to carry out their individual functions properly...Even though all these elements must express a hierarchical arrangement and the diversity of functions, they should at the same time form a deep and organic unity, clearly expressive of the unity of the entire holy people. The character and beauty of the place and all its appointments should foster devotion and show the holiness of the mysteries celebrated there." {page 21, USCCB Art, Architecture and Worship} **GIRM 2000, no. 295 states - "The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, the word of God is proclaimed, and the priest, deacon and other ministers exercise their offices. It should CLEARLY BE MARKED OFF FROM THE BODY OF THE CHURCH either by being somewhat elevated or by its distinctive design and appointments. It should be large enough to allow for the proper celebration of the Eucharist which should be easily seen." {page 22, USCCB Art, Architecture and Worship} ***GIRM 2000 no. 299 states - "In every church there should ordinarily be a fixed, dedicated altar, which should be free-standing to allow the ministers to walk around it easily, and Mass to be celebrated facing the people, which is desirable whenever possible. The altar should occupy its place so that it is truly the focus in which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally focuses. As a rule, the altar is fixed and dedicated." {page 23, USCCB Art, Architecture and Worship} ****GIRM 2000 no. 315 states -"It is more in keeping with its meaning as a sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Blessed Sacrament is reserved not be on the altar on which Mass is celebrated. Moreover, the tabernacle should be placed according to the judgment of the diocesan Bishop: (a) either in the SANCTUARY, apart from the altar of celebration, in the most suitable form and place, not excluding on AN OLD ALTAR which is no longer used for celebration or (b) EVEN in another chapel SUITABLE for adoration and the private prayer of the faithful, and which is integrally connected with the church and is CONSPICUOUS to the faithful." {USCCB Art, Architecture and Worship, page 29} [News&Views comment: note the recommended priority of (a) before (b)] *CANON LAW 938 (2, 1 & 3): "The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is to be situated in some part of the church or oratory which is CONSPICUOUS, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer...The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved habitually in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory...The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved habitually is to be immovable, made of solid and opaque material, and locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is avoided as much as possible." **CANON LAW 964 as interpreted and approved by Pope John Paul II: .."except for a just reason to the contrary, the confessions of the faithful should be heard in confessionals." Art, Architecture and Worship, Built of Living Stones states : "The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB] in accord with the prescriptions of canon 964...In the sacrament of penance, God forgives and restores broken relationships through the ministry of the Church...The Code of Canon Law designates a church or an oratory as "the proper place for the sacrament of Penance," and requires a screen or fixed grille between penitent and confessor to ensure the anonymity of those who wish it..." {page 37} ***Please Note that CANON Law 1187 is the Church law and liturgical reference that insures that Christ, symbolic images of the Trinity, Mary, Queen of Saints and the Communion of Saints continue to comfort the memories of the Faithful in our Domus Dei [House of God]. This is necessary because "New Age" modernist mentalities continue to inflict us with pagan and secular symbols such as labyrinths, and other offenses. For example, Fr. Richard Vosko recommended demolition of Sacred Heart's confessionals, and instaling new shrines of "holocaust memorial statuary" and other secular politically correct manifestations. [this writer has the videotapes and the transcripts] The Sacred Heart reckovation plan eliminated our confessionals. Michael F. Brennan Diocese of Rochester News and Views mfb7@webtv.net crproc@webtv.net AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF CONNECTING TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE OR THE NEXT PAGE.