Your prayers, please, for John Vennari

Dear Catholic friends, in your prayers today, please remember John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News, a beloved husband, a father and dear friend. He was told by his doctors yesterday that he is now in the "active stages of dying," and may not live to see his birthday tomorrow.

John wishes everyone to know that he's not in pain. He wishes us all to know that "either we believe in Divine Providence or we don't. I believe in it, and I know that God has known for all eternity that I would be here in this hospital today, ready to die."

John also believes in miracles, as do I. Anything is possible with God. He wants us all to know that he's ready, that he loves God, and that his faith is so much stronger than his body just now. He wants our prayers.

Please pray also for his dear wife, Susan, seen here with his children and some Catholic friends at the Vigil of Our Lady of Fatima, in Portugal in 2006. And please pray for John's beloved young daughters, Elizabeth and Philomena, and for his loyal son, Benedict, but especially for their dad who they love and cherish and respect deeply.

Thank you, John, for everything. God is with you, Mary is at your side and thousands of your brothers and sisters in Christ are with you right now, every step of the way, united with you in prayer. You are not alone, and your unshakable faith shines like a beacon for us all. Pray for us, John. God bless you, and Mary keep. St. Philomena and Our Lady of Fatima—please pray for our brother John.

PS from Walt: This text has been adapted from an e-mail received from Michael Matt, editor of The Remnant. Thank you, Michael, for passing this along.

VIDEO: "Scary Catholic right-winger" gives Pope Francis a FAIL

John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News, has been identified by RawStory as one of "5 scary ultra-right wing Catholics who are outraged by the cool Pope".

Seems like Mr. Vennari doesn't agree with the Party Pope's off-the-cuff "pronouncements" which have delighted liberal Catholics, secular humanists and "progressive thinkers" in the world at large. In Catholic Family News, Mr. Vennari has written "[Pope Francis] seems to have a good heart and some good Catholic instincts, but theologically he is a train wreck -- remarkably sloppy." [Walt's emphasis] He goes on to say, "Though this might shock some readers, I must say that I would never allow Pope Francis to teach religion to my children."

John told us, in a recent e-mail, that he's pleased to find himself in good company! The other four "scary Catholic right-wingers" named in the RawStory article are Raymond Cardinal Burke (now in exile in Malta), American pundit Pat Buchanan, Father Dwight Longenecker, and Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia.

Good company indeed! To make his views more accessible, in this age where people would rather watch a video than read, John Vennari recently launched "CFN Media", a series of short videos (10 minutes or so) in which he comments on recent developments in the Catholic Church and what passes for Catholic theology.

Here's the second in the series, published late in January, in which Mr. Vennari contrasts Pope St. Pius X's understanding of Papal duty as opposed to that of Pope Francis. What should Catholics understand from the words and actions of Pope Bergoglio? What should they do? How should they respond? Watch and learn.

Who will defend the Church? New York Catholic leaders fail to respond to Cuomo attack - Radio interview with John Vennari

A month ago, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo -- a pro-abortion, LGBT-loving, womaniser who dares to call himself a Catholic -- declared, in his "state of the state" address, that New York is not big enough for those who want to defend the sanctity of human life against his abortion-expansion plans. See "Pro-Life? Now Welcome in Andrew Cuomo's New York", by Kathryn Jean Lopez in the National Review Online.

That's what Mr. Cuomo said. Here's the exact quote, only slightly edited by Walt: "Who are [the Republican candidates running aginst the SAFE Act]? Are they extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are...they have no place in the state of New York."

"They" would presumably include all good Catholics who accept the teaching of the Church that abortion is murder -- a mortal sin that cries to Heaven for vengeance. Another such sin is sodomy. Source: "Crying to Heaven for Vengeance", by Dr. Jeff Mirus in Catholic Culture.

Yet, a month later, the response of the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in New York has been virtually inaudible. Why? Where are the Bishop Hubbards, the Cardinal Dolans, and others who should be defending the Faith with all their might? John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News, discussed this in the context of the diabolical disorientation following Vatican II in a recent interview on Voice of Catholic Radio. Here it is -- audio only, running time 47:19.

Pope Francis worries about children of divorced and gay couples

If you feel a little light-headed today, it could be because the world is turning upside down. What was normal is now abnormal, and vice versa. And I do mean vice.

Last week the husband of an Ontario politician died. The politician was a great friend of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, the proud lesbian, and a former member of the province's too-Liberal government. His [sic]name is George Smitherman. Walt doesn't know whether to call him "Mr" or "Ms". What do you call the, errr, "female" half of a homosexual "marriage"? How do you even tell which is which? Maybe it depends who's on top.

What about the children? Curious George and his late "husband" had kids, albeit from a previous "straight" marriage entered into by one of them before he decided he was gay. [How come we call them "gay", rather than "homosexual"? Is "homosexual" the new n-word. Ed.] But under Ontario's progressive family laws, they could have adopted a child, a nice little boy perhaps.

Shouldn't society as a whole, and the Church in particular, be doing something special for the children of gay couples? According to Agence France Presse, that's the concern that's at the top of the mind [forgive the overstatement. Ed.] of Francis the Party Pope.

The Holy Father has called for a rethink in the way the Church deals with the children of gay couples and divorced-and-remarried parents, lest they feel rejected because the Church considers there might be something wrong with their parents' relationship. (Whether this is still Church teaching is debatable, thanks to the confusion caused by Francis' quasi-magisterial interviews.)

In a speech to the Catholic Union of Superiors-General, published on Saturday, the Pope said, "On an educational level, gay unions raise challenges for us today which for us are sometimes difficult to understand." No arguing with that. But, he added, family make-ups are also changing. "I remember a case in which a sad little girl confessed to her teacher, 'My mother’s girlfriend doesn’t love me.'" Cazart! How awful! The poor kid has only one mommy instead of two!

The pontiff told the educational leaders "We must be careful not to administer a vaccine against faith" to the children of gay and divorced couples. Walt thinks it a pity that there's no vaccine against sexual depravity...or stupidity.

Pope Francis, the darling of "progressive thinkers" and the LGBT crowd for his willingness to "embrace diversity" -- "Who am I to judge?" -- has also called an extraordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops next year to discuss the Church’s position with regard to the family. The gathering is expected to address inter alia the "problem" of divorced Catholics remarrying and of the children of divorced parents.

Comment from John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News:

With the extensive rot crumbling the Church? Heterodox theologians in positions of influence? "Catholic" universities where our children’s faith is destroyed rather than buttressed, lunatic and scandalous liturgies, tens of thousands of parents who have to homeschool at great personal sacrifice because we can’t trust the curriculum our own bishops give us, "Catholic" politicians who support contraception, abortion and homosexuality and remain Catholics “in good standing”, catastrophic worldwide doctrinal confusion among the faithful... this is what is important to Francis?

This is delirium straight from the sickbed! He is truly a "Martini" pope, as this is the type of thing that was important to the radical Martini, all in the name of "compassion".

Today's Salvation Army

Remember how the men and women of the Salvation Army used to stand on the sidewalk around this time of year, ringing their little bells and blessing you for putting something in their red kettles to help the down and out? Well, they're still doing it -- and Walt encourages you to give something next time you see one -- but the style has changed.



This video was shot in New York City yesterday by John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News. Thanks for sharing, John, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

SSPX leader finally gets off the fence, gives up on reconciling with Rome

Just over a month ago, Walt had an eyeball-to-eyeball chat with John Vennari, the editor of Catholic Family News, one of a handful of newspapers and magazines that are still Catholic in more than name only. John mentioned that he would be at the Angelus Press Conference in Kansas City this past weekend, and was looking forward to hearing talks by Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X. I don't know if John expected to hear the strong views expressed by the bishop.

You see, Bishop Fellay has for some months now been accused by "radical traditional" Catholics of being "soft on Vatican II and soft on Rome", in a push to reach an agreement with the Vatican that would see the SSPX brought back into communion with Rome and end the break which occurred in 1988.

It has been suggested by some that Bishop Fellay's motives for desiring the "regularization" of the SSPX were more personal than spiritual, since he would presumably be the head of any new "personal prelature" that might be set up by the Vatican. One group, led by Bishop Richard Williamson, has left to form the "Society of St. Pius X of the Strict Observance". Their stated reason for breaking away is that they absolutely refuse to accept Vatican II and any sort of accommodation with the mainstream Church.

Many in the audience at Kansas City were shocked to hear Bishop Fellay -- after months of dithering -- clearly denounce Vatican II. He described the Novus Ordo (New) Mass imposed by the Council as "evil", and said he is grateful that the SSPX never reached the mooted accommodation with the Holy See.

John Vennari has written a lengthy summary of Bishop Fallay's talks, well worth reading in full: "Bishop Fellay on Pope Francis: 'We have in front of us a genuine Modernist!'" Here are the highlights.

The clear statement that so many traditionalists have waited for for so long was this: "It is has never been our intention to pretend either that the Council would be considered as good, or the New Mass would be 'legitimate'. Bishop Fellay explained that although the Novus Ordo Mass may be valid, "The New Mass is bad, it is evil."

The SSPX leader said that talks with the Vatican collapsed last June because the Vatican insisted on acceptance of the teachings of Vatican II. He flatly rejected the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI that the statements of Vatican II should be read in the light of consistent Catholic teaching. "The Council is not in continuity with tradition," he said. You couldn't ask for a much clearer pronouncement than "It is not."

However, the bishop said, while the "hermeneutic of continuity" preached by Benedict was unrealistic, he acknowledged that the former pope was at least somewhat sympathetic to the concerns of traditionalists. But Pope Francis, he said, the gap between the SSPX and the Holy See is widening. "When we see what is happening now," Bishop Fellay said, "we thank God -— we thank God! -— we have been preserved from any kind of agreement" with the Vatican.

Bishop Fellay noted that we cannot simply obey the present popes without question, because then we would endanger our Faith and so destroy ourselves. He warned also that we may be entering into the time of Antichrist, although we cannot know when, or how far off in the future this may be. Be sure to read: "The 'liquid' message of Pope Francis; will he be the last supreme pontiff?"

Fatima Rosary Rally, Toronto Airport Sheraton, April 20th

Yesterday I told a reader in Uzbekistan -- no kidding -- that, now that the conclave is over, I probably wouldn't be writing too much about the affairs of the Church, unless the Holy Father drops some kind of bombshell on us. Such as a return to Traditional Catholicism.

Not much chance of that. I note with dismay that Pope Francis is to be "installed", not consecrated or crowned as tradition demands. Nor could he be anything other than "installed", since he, like Benedict XVI, was never consecrated as a bishop, merely "installed" according to the Protestant-style "New Ordinal" of 1969.

I note with even more dismay that, for the new Pope's first Mass, the Protestant picnic table was returned to its place of dishonour in the Sistine Chapel, concealing the beauty of Michelangelo's inspired art. And the message of his "homily" was hardly even Christian. What Francis told the Cardinals was that the Church should not -- repeat, not -- try to impose its message on a modern society that doesn't want to hear it. The Church needs to be "one with the people". In other words, the Faith should be made to conform to popular sentiment, rather than ask the faithful to conform to the Truth revealed by God.

So... going by first impressions, I'd say the outlook for a revival of the Faith of our Fathers is pretty gloomy. But we can hope. And we can pray! Good Catholics in the Toronto area -- and let's not forget Buffalo! -- are encouraged to attend a Fatima Rosary Rally, sponsored by the Fatima Center, to be held at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre on Saturday, April 20th, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The Miraculous Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima -- blessed by Pope Paul VI -- will be present. Father Nicholas Gruner, "the Fatima Priest", will speak, as will Walt's old friend John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News.

You will have an opportunity to be enrolled -- with your family members if you wish -- in the Brown Scapular, Our Lady's protection in these dangerous times. Sacramentals and literature on the Message of Fatima will be available. Admission is free, and the benefits and graces to be obtained many.

For more information or directions to the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, call the Fatima Center, toll-free, 1-800-845-3047. Tell them  you read about the rally in Walt Whiteman's World!

Pope again endorses "Spirit of Assisi" heresy of relativism

Pope Benedict XVI has sent his greetings to this year's Inter-religious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace, held at Mount Hiel, in Japan. The Pontiff noted that the meeting evokes "the spirit of the 1986 historic meeting in Assisi" convened by Pope John Paul II.

The Pope expressed confidence that the meeting would produce positive results for "inter-religious amity", which is a Vatican code-phrase for the false ecumenism condemned by Archbishop Lefebvre and others who hold to the traditional Catholic Faith. Properly understood, the "spirit of Assisi" is an expression of relativism -- the heretical notion that one religion is as good as another, because all roads lead to God.

Relativism (or indifferentism) is a form or subset of the heresy of modernism, condemned in 1907 in the syllabus Lamentabili sane exitu, which distinguished sixty-five propositions as modernist heresies. In the same year Pope Saint Pius X promulgated the encyclical Pascendi Dominici gregis. This was followed in 1910 by the introduction of an anti-Modernist oath to be taken by all Catholic bishops, priests and academic teachers of religion. Presumably Pope Ratzinger took this oath, but perhaps he has forgotten it.

Writing in Catholic Family News, John Vennari comments:
The new ecumenical orientation, such as manifested in the "Spirit of Assisi" threatens the salvation of countless souls, as it effectively tells non-Catholics to remain in the darkness of their false religions. It also threatens to bring with it a great chastisement.

In the early 20th Century, the eminent European churchman Cardinal Mercier, citing the consistent teaching of the Popes, stated that the Great War was actually a punishment for the crime of nations placing the one True Religion on the same level as false creeds, as does the "Spirit of Assisi".

Cardinal Mercier said in his 1918 Pastoral titled "The Lesson of Events":
"In the name of the Gospel, and in the light of the Encyclicals of the last four Popes..., I do not hesitate to affirm that this indifference to religions which puts on the same level the religion of divine origin and the religions invented by men in order to include them in the same scepticism is the blasphemy which calls down chastisement on society far more than the sins of individuals and families."

The "Spirit of Assisi" also gives visual expression to the central error of our time: that any religion is good enough for salvation. [My emphasis. Walt.] The world sees the Pope of the Catholic Church, as well as Catholic bishops and clergy, placing the one true Church established by Christ on the same base level as counterfeit religions. This cannot help but foster the religious indifferentism vigorously condemned by the Popes prior to Vatican II. In the face of this affront to the true Faith, Catholics must not be complacent, but must publicly and ceaselessly resist.

Worth reading: "Relativism - A Central Heresy of our Culture", on the Christian Medical Fellowship website.

SSPX says Vatican II "reforms...tainted with errors"

Non-Catholic readers may wish to skip this somewhat lengthy post, but Catholics who doubt that the modern mainstream Church is being led into error should read this carefully. What follows is the Common Statement sent to the Vatican by the General Chapter of the Society of St. Pius X, as published today by DICI. Emphasis, where added, is mine. Walt

At the conclusion of the General Chapter of the Society of St. Pius X, gathered together at the tomb of its venerated founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and united with its Superior General, the participants, bishops, superiors, and most senior members of the Society elevate to Heaven our heartfelt thanksgiving, grateful for the 42 years of marvelous Divine protection over our work, amidst a Church in crisis and a world which distances itself farther from God and His law with each passing day.

We wish to express our gratitude to each and every member of our Society: priests, brothers, sisters, third order members; to the religious communities close to us and also to our dear faithful, for their constant dedication and for their fervent prayers on the occasion of this Chapter, marked by frank exchanges of views and by a very fruitful common work. Every sacrifice and pain accepted with generosity has contributed to overcome the difficulties which the Society has encountered in recent times.

We have recovered our profound unity in its essential mission: to preserve and defend the Catholic Faith, to form good priests, and to strive towards the restoration of Christendom. We have determined and approved the necessary conditions for an eventual canonical normalization. We have decided that, in that case, an extraordinary Chapter with deliberative vote will be convened beforehand.

We must never forget that the sanctification of the souls always starts within ourselves. It is the fruit of a faith which becomes vivifying and operating by the work of charity, according to the words of St. Paul: “For we can do nothing against the truth: but for the truth” (cf. II Cor., XIII, 8), and “as Christ also loved the church and delivered himself up for it… that it should be holy and without blemish” (cf. Eph. V, 25 s.).

The Chapter believes that the paramount duty of the Society, in the service which it intends to offer to the Church, is to continue, with God’s help, to profess the Catholic Faith in all its purity and integrity, with a determination matching the intensity of the constant attacks to which this very Faith is subjected nowadays.

For this reason it seems opportune that we reaffirm our faith in the Roman Catholic Church, the unique Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, outside of which there is no salvation nor possibility to find the means leading to salvation; our faith in its monarchical constitution, desired by Our Lord himself, by which the supreme power of government over the universal Church belongs only to the Pope, Vicar of Christ on earth; our faith in the universal Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of both the natural and the supernatural orders, to Whom every man and every society must submit.

The Society continues to uphold the declarations and the teachings of the constant Magisterium of the Church in regard to all the novelties of the Second Vatican Council which remain tainted with errors, and also in regard to the reforms issued from it. We find our sure guide in this uninterrupted Magisterium which, by its teaching authority, transmits the revealed Deposit of Faith in perfect harmony with the truths that the entire Church has professed, always and everywhere.

The Society finds its guide as well in the constant Tradition of the Church, which transmits and will transmit until the end of times the teachings required to preserve the Faith and the salvation of souls, while waiting for the day when an open and serious debate will be possible which may allow the return to Tradition of the ecclesiastical authorities

We wish to unite ourselves to the others Christians persecuted in different countries of the world who are now suffering for the Catholic Faith, some even to the extent of martyrdom. Their blood, shed in union with the Victim of our altars, is the pledge for a true renewal of the Church in capite et membris, according to the old saying sanguis martyrum semen christianorum.

"Finally, we turn our eyes to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is also jealous of the privileges of Her Divine Son, jealous of His glory, of His Kingdom on earth as in Heaven. How often has She intervened for the defence, even the armed defence, of Christendom against the enemies of the Kingdom of Our Lord!

"We entreat Her to intervene today to chase the enemies out from inside the Church who are trying to destroy it more radically than its enemies from outside. May She deign to keep in the integrity of the Faith, in the love of the Church, in devotion to the Successor of Peter, all the members of the Society of St. Pius X and all the priests and faithful who labour alongside the Society, in order that She may both keep us from schism and preserve us from heresy.

"May St. Michael the Archangel inspire us with his zeal for the glory of God and with his strength to fight the devil.
"May St. Pius X share with us a part of his wisdom, of his learning, of his sanctity, to discern the true from the false and the good from the evil in these times of confusion and lies."
(Prayer of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre: Albano, 19 October 1983)

Given at Écône, on the 14th of July of the Year of the Lord 2012.

Postscript: John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News, has posted a reasoned (and brief) commentary on the General Chapter Statement. Click here to read his take on what he calls the SSPX's "diplomatic 'no'" to the Vatican.

Obama's "federal family": feel the change, feel the hope

We rarely lift an entire article from a newpaper website or other source. But this one, from the Palm Beach Post, deserves to be read in its entirety.

FEMA'S use of term "federal family" for government expands under Obama

Don’t think of it as the federal government but as your "federal family."

In a Category 4 torrent of official communications during the approach and aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has repeatedly used the phrase "federal family" when describing the Obama administration’s response to the storm.

The Obama administration didn’t invent the phrase but has taken it to new heights. "Under the direction of President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano, the entire federal family is leaning forward to support our state, tribal and territorial partners along the East Coast," a FEMA news release declared Friday as Irene churned toward landfall.

The G-word — "government" — has been nearly banished, with FEMA instead referring to federal, state and local "partners" as well as "offices" and "personnel".

"'Government' is such a dirty word right now," says Florida State University communication professor Davis Houck. "Part of what the federal government does and any elected official does is change the terms of the language game into terms that are favorable to them."

"Family" can evoke favorable thoughts of motherhood and security. But it can also conjure images of Big Brother and organized crime.

The phrase “federal family” has been used in connection with FEMA at least as far back as 1999. Under President George W. Bush, FEMA officials sprinkled the alliterative euphemism into congressional testimony and statements. When former FEMA Director Michael Brown promised help to hurricane-battered Floridians in 2004, he vowed that "the federal family is dedicated to staying for as long as it takes."

During the Clinton administration, Vice President Al Gore responded to 1999 flooding in Iowa by pledging that "the federal family is committed to providing the necessary resources to comfort every person and family devastated by this disaster and to help them return to their normal way of living as fast as possible."

A Google search shows the phrase appearing 10 times on FEMA’s website during the Bush years. Since Obama took office, "federal family" has turned up 118 times on fema.gov, including 50 Irene-related references. Among them: statements that the Obama administration "is committed to bringing all of the resources of the federal family to bear" for storm assistance and that "the entire federal family continues to lean forward to support the states in their ongoing response efforts."

Houck doubts all the "family" references will give the public a warm and fuzzy view of FEMA and the federal government. "That one is so blatantly obvious that I think people’s rhetorical radar is going to go off," Houck says.

On the other hand, Houck says, "If FEMA can come in and really do a great job, maybe that 'federal family' thing would stick with the people on the ground."

FEMA did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Palm Beach Post researcher Niels Heimeriks contributed to this story. Thanks to John Vennari at Catholic Family News for passing it along.

Reform of the reform? Whatever for?

Our man in Rome [the other man! Ed.] weighs in with some comments on Pope Benedict XVI's plan to somehow merge the traditional Latin Tridentine Mass with the Novus Ordo "new mass", which the Holy Father himself called a "fabricated, banal, on-the-spot product".

John Vennari, editor of Catholic Family News, makes the excellent point that what is urgently needed in today's Catholic Church is not a "reform of the reform", but a return to the Mass of All Time, which by decree of Pope St. Pius V could not and cannot be changed.

In an e-mail to Agent 3, Mr. Vennari called Kurt Cardinal Koch’s announcement that the Pope's Motu Proprio is part of a long-term plan to merge both the old and new Mass "lunacy"!

On May 15th, John was privileged to attend a Pontifical High Mass celebrated at St. Peter's according to the "extraordinary" (Tridentine) rite. He made a short (six-minute) video which you can see on here.



Why anyone but a Protestant would feel moved to replace the beauty of the Latin Mass and sacred music with the dumbed-down guitar-picking "kumbayas" of the modern era is beyond me.

Thanksgiving madness: sign of a lost society

This disturbing -- make that frightening -- video was sent by John Vennari at Catholic Family News to a mutual friend.

John writes:
This is a secular viewpoint. And though the tone may appear a bit sensational, I think the basic points in the video are valid.

Walt agrees. We cannot be blind and deaf to the sickness we see and hear around us every day...especially on "happy holidays".



Click here to visit the Catholic Family News website.