Pope Francis Is Not a Marxist...

"Do not abandon My Son any longer by rejecting His Church. Do not judge My Son's Church by man. The foundation is My Son, Jesus. And though the walls may develop cracks, the foundation is solid. Will you not remain and patch these cracks, My children? We do not wish that you break apart into small groups of discord. No schisms must take place in My Son's Church. For all who are baptized a Roman Catholic must die Roman Catholics to enter Heaven. A rejection of the papacy, a rejection of the Faith because of human reasoning shall not be accepted by the Eternal Father in Heaven. Remain faithful and true forever unto the end.” – Our Lady of the Roses, November 20, 1979

The Matt Walsh Blog reported on December 16, 2013:

The Pope is not a Marxist.

I can’t believe I even need to write that sentence.

Of course the Pope is not a Marxist.

It is a sad indictment of our society that he even had to clarify that point this weekend.

Into what sort of twisted and bizarre alternate dimension have we stumbled? The Pope — the most prominent, religious, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage figure on the planet — must defend himself against the ignorant attacks of… conservatives? The Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, the leader of Progressive Secularism’s most hated institution. The Pope, the man who recently released an Apostolic Exhortation in which he proclaimed abortion to be an atrocity that “cries out in vengeance to God.”

The Pope, the guy who, in the same document, also said this:

“..This defence of unborn life is closely linked to the defence of each and every other human right. It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development… Once this conviction disappears, so do solid and lasting foundations for the defence of human rights, which would always be subject to the passing whims of the powers that be.”

In other words, he not only condemned abortion, but he condemned it in stronger and more eloquent terms than any American conservative media figure or politician could possibly muster. Yet, this same Pope finds himself in the rhetorical cross hairs of certain elements in the American right wing.

And for what?

Because he criticized capitalism.

And, yes, he did criticize capitalism.

And, no, that doesn’t make him a Marxist.

Of course that doesn’t make him a Marxist.

I am a capitalist. I love the idea of the Free Market, although I’ve never actually encountered such a thing. But capitalism is not my religion. I know that it is an economic system created by men; I know that it is not perfect. It can be criticized, and Catholicism has a long history — and a recent history — of doing just that.

He doesn’t say anything that Chesterton and Belloc didn’t already say a century ago. He doesn’t break any papal ground that hasn’t already been thoroughly tread by his predecessors — notably, John Paul II and Leo XIII. Most important: he doesn’t say anything that isn’t entirely in line with Christ’s teachings.

If you aren’t familiar, this whole “controversy” stems from an exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, which was released by Pope Francis a few weeks ago. The entire thing is only about 200 pages, and it’s worth reading. In fact, if you are going to publicly use it as proof of the Pope’s “Marxism” — a dramatic and startling claim, to be sure — then you have a responsibility to read the full context of his remarks.

A woman messaged me on Facebook last week to inform me that the Pope’s “horrible comments” prove that he is not only a liberal, but quite possibly the anti-Christ. She assured me that the end is nigh, and I will likely burn in Hell if I do not denounce him. I asked her if she’d actually read the entire context of any of these comments.

“No,” she responded, “I don’t have time.”

Ah, I see. You read a few sentences cherry picked by American media outlets, immediately formed your “this guy is the anti-Christ” hypothesis, and didn’t even take the time to verify it? If I thought someone was the harbinger of annihilation, I’d at least carve out a few hours to investigate the matter.

But this is America, and this is how we operate. Too lazy to inform ourselves, too arrogant to keep our mouths shut when we are completely ignorant of the subject at hand.

For my part, I did read it. I read the whole thing. I found not a single instance of Marxism. Interestingly, I also found not a single instance of the Pope actually using the word “capitalism.” But he did mention consumerism:

“Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving? This is a case of inequality. Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape…”

“One cause of this situation is found in our relationship with money, since we calmly accept its dominion over ourselves and our societies. The current financial crisis can make us overlook the fact that it originated in a profound human crisis: the denial of the primacy of the human person! We have created new idols. The worship of the ancient golden calf (cf. Ex 32:1-35) has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose. The worldwide crisis affecting finance and the economy lays bare their imbalances and, above all, their lack of real concern for human beings; man is reduced to one of his needs alone: consumption.”

“Money must serve, not rule! The Pope loves everyone, rich and poor alike, but he is obliged in the name of Christ to remind all that the rich must help, respect and promote the poor. I exhort you to generous solidarity and to the return of economics and finance to an ethical approach which favours human beings.”

Marxism? This is Marxism?

No, this is Christianity.

Here is the similarity between what Pope Francis said and what Karl Marx said: they both criticized certain elements of capitalism.

The end. That’s it.

To say that the Pope is automatically a Marxist because he condemned obscene wealth is like saying I am automatically a vegan because I didn’t have a Big Mac for lunch last Tuesday. It’s absurd.

The following is NOT the definition of Marxism: “Anything that isn’t capitalism.”

Karl Marx was a godless materialist; Pope Francis is an obedient and humble servant of Jesus. I doubt very much that Mr. Marx would have said this:

“For just as some people want a purely spiritual Christ, without flesh and without the cross, they also want their interpersonal relationships provided by sophisticated equipment, by screens and systems which can be turned on and off on command. Meanwhile, the Gospel tells us constantly to run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others, with their physical presence which challenges us, with their pain and their pleas, with their joy which infects us in our close and continuous interaction. True faith in the incarnate Son of God is inseparable from self-giving, from membership in the community, from service, from reconciliation with others. The Son of God, by becoming flesh, summoned us to the revolution of tenderness.”

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Karl Marx wanted to create a philosophy that calls us to “true faith in the Incarnate Son of God.”

Not only is that excerpt — also from the Pope’s “Marxist” manifesto — very true, it’s likewise incredibly profound. If we were a deep and thoughtful people, we would stop screaming “Marxist” at everything that moves, and instead ponder and discuss the words I quoted above.

Conservatives fulfill every conceivable negative stereotype when they castigate a man for simply urging us to give to the poor. This is like something out of a political cartoon in the New York Times. It’s befuddling and embarrassing.

The Pope is not a Marxist. He probably wouldn’t refer to himself as a capitalist, either. I don’t think he’s too concerned about the labels we place on him, but I’m guessing, if anything, he’d probably identify closest with Distributism.

Distributism is a third-way economic philosophy, developed by guys like Chesterton and Belloc, which places the emphasis on property ownership. A Distributist would say that property ownership is fundamental to human dignity, and the means of production ought to be spread widely among many people. Distributism rests on the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity — principles I also hold. Personally, I do not think a Distributist “system” can be established on a national scale, but it does hold promise on the hyper local level; among families and small communities.

In any event, Distributism is not Marxism. Distributism is rooted in Catholic social teaching; Marxism is rooted in materialism and godlessness.

We can debate the Pope’s words on the economy, but I refuse to debate anyone who hasn’t taken the time to read them first. In the end, you might find that you still disagree with some of his opinions. As a Christian, I can’t fathom how you’d fundamentally oppose the overall crux of his message — that we should serve the poor and stop idolizing money — but you might differ on the nuances of his argument. We can have this discussion, but only if it’s an honest discussion.

In the end, regardless of economic theory, Pope Francis is an extraordinary man, and he is accomplishing extraordinary things. He is a lesson to all of us, particularly yours truly. Despite what American media outlets might claim, he has not compromised on the tough “social issues.” He hasn’t given up even one inch in that regard. He is an eloquent and unapologetic defender of life and truth, yet he is embraced by many who would normally despise the people who hold such beliefs.

Why?

Well, some of them might have been taken in by the propaganda campaign of left wing journalists; a campaign that has clearly succeeded in fooling more than a few conservatives as well. But I think there’s even more to it. I think people see this Pope, a man of such power, and they notice his genuine humility and compassion. They can’t help but be moved by it. They see the images of him wading into crowds to hug and kiss the sick and the deformed. They see him doing little things, like driving a used car, or paying his own hotel bill, and they realize that even nameless, insignificant congressmen in this country aren’t nearly so unassuming and down-to-earth. They hear the stories about him, and they know that his love for the downtrodden and the impoverished is real. It’s not an act. Pope Francis is a powerful man and a good man, and this is a combination we so rarely see anymore.

Because of this, the Pope is loved. He isn’t loved because he compromises on the Truth, or kowtows to modern trends; he’s loved because he loves. And for that, this Pope ought to be hoisted up as a model for all of us.

Either the Pope is not a Marxist, or Marxism has been vastly misunderstood by everyone, including Karl Marx.

MUST BE ACCEPTED, FOLLOWED
"Peter was My first Pope and your first Pope, and as all others who followed him, they must be accepted. Be they weak or noble, be they with sanctity or unholiness, they must be accepted and followed....
"I ask you not to judge another. You may counsel, you may give your viewpoints, but no violence must be used. And I do not want schism. I do not want any interference from separated brethren in My Church. They must be brought back. Convert the unbeliever! You must remain united with Rome.
"The gates of hell shall not prevail against My Church, for a cleansing will come about and all that is rotten will fall! And My Church shall be restored to its former glory!" - Jesus, June 9, 1979

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Our Lady of the Roses Awesome Bayside Prophecies... https://www.tldm.org/../Bayside/
These prophecies came from Jesus, Mary, and the saints to Veronica Lueken at Bayside, NY, from 1968 to 1995.

CAPTURED HIERARCHY DOING SATAN’S BIDDING
"But, My children, as I said in the past, I repeat again, that satan and his agents, the band of 666, has entered into the highest places of the hierarchy; and therefore he has captured some of Our formerly noble hierarchy to do his bidding." - Our Lady, June 1, 1978

MAINTAIN THE PAPACY
"I ask you again not to abandon your parish churches. You will maintain the papacy in Rome. I tell you anew that 666 now is in Rome. Do not judge My Son's Church by His pastors. In their human nature they can err; however, as legitimate legally-ordained Roman Catholic priests they will bring My Son to you if you come seeking Him at the tabernacles of the world. The Mass is valid, I say unto you!
"My Son is waiting for you at the tabernacles of His Church. My children, do not abandon Him in these days of deep spiritual darkness. You must all keep a constant vigilance of prayer going throughout your country, the United States, and Canada, and all of the countries throughout your world.” – Our Lady, June 10, 1978

YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE TRIALS
“You cannot understand the trials the Holy Father, Pope Paul VI, has endured in his papacy. My Mother explained to you the plan for the takeover of the Seat of Peter by a select group. In 1975 a message of truth was given to mankind of the great length the evil ones will go to capture the Seat of Peter. There is working throughout your world a group We have called ‘the octopus’, a web of evil consisting of principalities, powers, all seeking to destroy Christianity and to bring your country and all of the nations of the world under the rule of one-world religionists.” - Jesus, June 18, 1978

SEPARATED BRETHREN
"Your separated brethren-yes, My children, We wish that they return to the fold, but you will not change yourselves and meet them on their road. You must bring them back to the narrow road.
"My Son set His House upon earth. All who left, left in rebellion, in protest. Are you to join them? Shall you compromise your Faith? No! All who sell out the houses of My Son shall receive a recompense of eternal damnation." - Our Lady of the Roses, August 21, 1974

SEPARATED BRETHREN
"O My children, pray much! We do not want to see a division in My Son's House. The Roman Catholic Church must remain one! But this does not mean, as the church of man states, that you will bring all manner of heretics and separated brethren in. No, My children, that is an error, a delusion from satan. You cannot change My Son's House and bring them in and change for them! They must change and come back to the original rule given by My Son and those who were with Him in the building of the foundation.
   "I repeat, My child and My children: separated brethren must change. They have protested in the past; they have taken themselves away from the truth and the one true Church. They must reject the errors they have made in the past and come back and start again. They cannot bring their errors into My Son's House.
   "You are opening the doors now for all manner of heretics, separated brethren. They do not come to unite in good spirit and heart; they come to take over. They seek to change you, O pastors, who are being deluded. And what do I see in My Son's House but separated brethren upon His pulpit! Even from the temples, the synagogues of satan, upon His pulpit! And for what?
   "And who are My pastors now that have joined in this plan of destruction? Who ordained some of them? Not legitimate hands. They come to destroy. They come in like rats, burrowing, undermining My Son's Church! Do you think you are not watched? Are you above your Creator that you think you can deceive the world permanently? No, I say unto you! You are being given your time, for you who have given yourselves to satan are now exposing your true nature to the world." - Our Lady, March 18, 1977

LISTEN TO YOUR VICAR
"My children, those who in vocation have dedicated themselves to the priesthood, I ask you as your God to cast away your pride. Admit there has been error. Listen to your Vicar who stated that the smoke of satan had entered My Church. Did he have pride when he brought this knowledge to you? No! He asked for help. And what did you do? You turned away and widened the door for satan to enter!
"You are blinded, My hierarchy. You seek to bring all into My Church, but this must be by conversion. You are allowing all manner of heretics and the antichrist forces to enter among you. You are being deceived. Awaken from your slumber.
"A great battle is taking place now within My Church and in all corners of the earth and countries. If the evil accelerates farther, it will be necessary for divine intervention. Is this what you want, My children?” - Jesus, September 28, 1978

OUR LADY IN FUNERAL ATTIRE
Veronica - Our Lady now is going over to our left side—that’s Her right side of the sky. I don’t see the child any longer, that She was holding; but now She has in Her right hand the Rosary, the beautiful Rosary. She looks very sad, and I tell you, the black mantle She’s wearing makes Her look almost like She’s been to a funeral* or something. Very sad. – August 5, 1978

* Pope Paul VI died the very next day, August 6, 1978.

POPE PAUL “WAS SACRIFICED FOR YOU”
"My children, Our Vicar, your Holy Father upon earth, was sacrificed for you. I cannot describe to you with your limited knowledge of the supernatural, the manner of his sacrifice. Be it enough that I say unto you that in the days ahead there will be many martyrs, there will be many latter-day saints coming out of the conflagration.” – Jesus, August 14, 1978

AS A HOLY POPE ONCE TOLD YOU
“The previous messages about this carnage to the Holy See and the Holy Father has been taken with a manner of laughter. Too late will they laugh and refer to My visitation in New York as being absurd. My child and My children, that is satan. And as a holy Pope once told you before he died, he knew that the smoke of satan had entered into Rome and the Vatican. Well did he understand My visit to him, My child. The world has never known how close I was to your Vicar at that time, Pope Paul VI. Yes, My child, he was removed from the earth, also, with his impostor." – Our Lady, September 14, 1985

A MESSAGE FOR YOUR VICAR
"My child and My children, do not cast aside this message, for it is most urgent. The War, the great War, will soon come upon you, taking many from the earth.
"I have given to you, My child, a message for your Vicar, and he must act upon it. Should he proceed by following the ways of man, using humanism and modernism to the destruction of souls and My Son's Church, I cannot then any longer hold back the heavy hand of punishment from mankind." - Our Lady, December 7, 1978

CHASTISEMENT SORELY DUE FOR DISOBEDIENCE TO VICAR
"Your world, My child and My children, has not progressed back to the Eternal Father. Should you receive now one chastisement so sorely due to you for your disobedience to Our Vicar? Do you as a nation, do you, all nations of the world, deserve the continuance of the struggle of Our Vicar for your salvation, or shall you, through your own actions, force the hand of the Eternal Father upon you by abandoning you to your sin? Your nation, the United States, and all nations of the earth--none shall escape the fires.” – Our Lady, May 30, 1981

UNITED
"We do not want division within the Church. That will solve nothing. You cannot separate yourself from the Holy Father in Rome!" - Our Lady, September 27, 1986

YOU ACT IN DISOBEDIENCE
"Mankind will go about with their heads in clouds, with itching ears, accepting false doctrines from false teachers. Novelty, experimentation, modernism, humanism! Because you sin and lose the light, you now fall prey to these creations of satan. Have you not been warned before from the Seat of Peter? Oh, no! You cast aside the direction of your Holy Father in the Eternal City of Rome! Evil men of the cross, you act in disobedience to your Vicar.” – Our Lady, February 10, 1977

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Evil is accelerating and the Anti-Christ forces are gaining power in the world. When the persecution starts, all Christian web sites on the internet will be forced to close. Be sure to have in your possession all the following items: the Bayside Prophecy books, Bayside Medals, Douay-Rheims Bibles, the Protection Packets, Candles, Sacramentals, and Religious Books. Purchase these items now while they are still available! You will urgently need them in the days ahead. Also, you can print out all PDF files for the Directives from Heaven and all of the Bayside Prophecies. Copy Our Lady's messages and the Directives from Heaven now while they are still available! Pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance on how to prepare now and for the days ahead when the Antichrist is revealed. Viva Cristo Rey!

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Your names have been written in Heaven… "It is not by accident that you are called by My Mother, for your names have been written in Heaven.... But with this great grace you have great responsibility to send this Message from Heaven throughout the world, for if you are able to recover just one more for Heaven, an additional star shall be placed in your crown." - Jesus, August 5, 1975

A great obligation to go forward... "It is not by accident that you are called by My Mother, for it is by merit and the prayers that have risen to Heaven for your salvation. For those who have received the grace to hear the Message from Heaven, you have a great obligation to go forward and bring this Message to your brothers and sisters. Do not expect a rest upon your earth, for you will have eternal rest very soon." - Jesus, June 12, 1976

The sin of omission... "The sin of omission shall condemn many to hell, be they layman or Hierarchy. I repeat: not the sin of commission, but the sin of omission will commit many to hell." Our Lady of the Roses, October 6, 1980

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