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These Last Days News - September 16, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI Breaks Own Rule to Beatify Anglican Convert While in England...

Pope Benedict XVI will break his own rule this weekend when he beatifies Cardinal John Henry Newman, the renowned 19th Century Anglican convert who greatly influenced the Roman Catholic Church.

Newman remains a complicated figure within the Anglican church he abandoned, and the pope's glorification of him during a state visit to Britain could unleash new tensions between churches already divided over issues like the ordination of women and gay bishops.

Benedict will move Newman a step closer to possible sainthood when he presides over his beatification Sept. 19, the main reason for his four-day trip. It's the first time Benedict will celebrate a beatification; under his own rules popes don't beatify, only canonize.

For the German-born, by-the-book professor, such an exception to his own rule is significant. It's a calculated gesture that underscores Benedict's view that Newman is a crucial model for all Christians at a time when Christianity is on the wane in an increasingly secularized Europe.

"His personality and teachings could be a source of inspiration for ecumenism in our times from which all of us can draw," Benedict said on the eve of his trip. "It is my hope and prayer that more and more people will benefit from his gentle wisdom and be inspired by his example of integrity and holiness of life."

For many Anglicans, the sight of the pope traveling to Britain with the express aim of beatifying a figure who turned his back on their church will be a bitter one.

And Benedict has a history of causing offense while on foreign trips — notably outraging Muslims in a speech in Germany by appearing to suggest the prophet Muhammad spread a message of violence, or suggesting while traveling to Africa that condoms hindered the fight against AIDS.

Newman was one of the founders of the so-called Oxford Movement of the 1830s, which sought to revive certain Roman Catholic doctrines in the Church of England by looking back to the traditions of the earliest Christian church.

Anglicans split from Rome in 1534 when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment. In the centuries that followed, Catholics were fined, discriminated against and killed for their faith.

Newman gave up a brilliant academic career at Oxford University and the pulpit of the university church to convert to Catholicism in 1845, convinced that the truth that he had been searching for could no longer be found in the Church of England. The decision caused pain at a personal and institutional level.

"For him, becoming a Catholic was to become a pariah, to give up all his friends, all his jobs, possessions, and do something that was really difficult," said Jack Valero, the spokesman for Newman's beatification cause. "But he did that because he wanted to follow the truth."

For Benedict, Newman represents a model in that he fought against the same moral relativism — the idea that all religions are the same and that there's no objective truth — that Benedict has denounced during his papacy.

"Perhaps Benedict is thinking that Newman is the vehicle that he can use to push the evangelization of the old Europe," said Valero.

But the beatification is controversial, not least because Newman's defection still rankles in the Church of England, a betrayal that represents current and centuries-old fears about Rome.

The beatification comes at a difficult time for the Anglican Communion as a whole, torn over the ordination of women and openly gay men as bishops that have threatened to tear the 80 million strong communion apart.

Relations between the Anglican and Catholic churches that were already tense over these issues were further strained last year when Benedict unexpectedly issued an invitation to those opposed to the liberalizing bent of the Anglican church to convert.

Vatican officials insist the pope's beatification of Newman isn't another slap in the face to a church already hobbled by internal divisions, noting that the process began in 1958. They call Newman a bridge figure who foreshadowed the Second Vatican Council and could help heal the wounds of division.

Few Anglicans have come out to openly contest the beatification, but few are lining up to hail it either — an indication of the almost bittersweet sentiment Anglicans feel about him if they know about him at all.

"He seems to symbolize the view that the ecumenical journey leads Anglicans ultimately back to the Roman Catholic Church," said the Rev. William Franklin, an Anglican Newman scholar who has taught Newman at Rome's Pontifical Angelicum University.

While the Vatican hopes to hold Newman up as a bridge figure, his own experience with conversion suggests otherwise, said the Rev. Ephraim Radner, a professor of historical theology at Wycliffe College, an Anglican theological school at the University of Toronto.

"There are very sad things about what happened, that he himself and others acknowledge: the great parting of friends — it's something that's true today" when Roman Catholics or Anglicans switch sides, Radner said.

"He stands as a sign of what's broken of a bridge, it seems to me."

Newman's legacy is also complex for Anglicans and Catholics alike: Liberals like his emphasis on conscience, conservatives admire his submission to authority and his devotion to celibacy. Some gay activists have claimed him as one of their own, as Newman was buried in the same grave with the Rev. Ambrose St. John, his companion of more than 30 years.

Valero and others insist there is nothing in the record that shows Newman was gay, noting that double graves were common at the time and that Newman had many intense friendships with men and women yet remained chaste.

Canon David Richardson, the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See, acknowledged that Newman's beatification could be perceived by some as a triumphalist, "we won" provocation on the part of the Vatican. But he said he didn't think it would be seen as such, noting that few rank-and-file Anglicans even know very much about him.

"Christianity, because it's a historic religion, does rely a lot on memory, but its not at its best about picking over the scabs of the past," he said. "It's actually about bringing our past into our present and letting it shape our future. And Newman's contribution is a very positive contribution, even if at the time it was hurtful."

(Editor's note: This move by the Pope comes at an important time as the conservative member of the Anglican Communion are leaning towards joining the Roman Catholic Church.  The Vatican's recent publication of the Apostolic Constitution for Unity with the Anglicans has made it easier for Anglicans to join the Catholic Church without to make drastic changes.  Read the article below for more information.)

Stop the Press: Apostolic Constitution for Unity with the Anglicans

Conservative Anglican Priests Consider Offer to Join the Roman Catholic Church...  

"My child and My children, you are all My children.  I judge you not by color or race, and I do not judge you by your creed; however, should the knowledge of the One True Church be given to you, and the way to Heaven along the narrow road be given to you, you will follow it or you will be rejected." - Our Lady, August 21, 1985

From VOA By Jennifer Glasse London 09 November 2009

The Vatican has offered to allow conservative Anglican clergy to join a special section of the Catholic Church. They would be able to retain the Anglican liturgy and a married priesthood. Some Anglican clergymen feel alienated by changes in their church over the past few years. In Britain the schism is mostly over women priests and gay marriage.

Some of Britain's Anglican churches have always resembled Catholic ones, with high masses full of pomp and ceremony.  Recently, some Anglican clergy, unhappy with the Church of England, have been making overtures to Rome.

The Reverend John Broadhurst, the bishop of Fulham, is one of them. He says the Anglican Church is facing challenges. "Its very divided about women priests and women bishops, its very divided about homosexuality, its very divided over marriage and divorce," Reverend Broadhurst said.

Now, Pope Benedict has made an offer to Anglican clergy around the world. 

"If you want to be Anglican but in unity with Rome, you're welcome. That's the real change because in the past you had to become a Roman Catholic and therefore it's culturally rather different," Reverend Broadhurst says, "He's now saying Anglicans, provided they agree on doctrine, can come into unity with Rome."

Anglican clergymen accepting the offer would recognize the Pope as their leader, but still be able to keep parts of their faith, such as marriage. Anglican priests would be ordained as Catholics, but Anglican bishops would not.

"You have been given by your baptism entrance into the only true religion upon earth, the Roman Catholic Church under My Son, Jesus. Though man in his arrogance and pride has forgotten His role and His rule, you must carry it forward. Retain the Faith and the truth in the hearts of mankind." - Our Lady of the Roses, September 7, 1978

"I gave you a simple plan with the construction of My House, My Church, upon earth. But now you want to reform it, until you will split My House asunder with many denominations, many new denominations. I ask that My Church be universal, apostolic, and the saver of souls. However, there are rules to be followed, doctrines to remain unchanged." - Jesus, September 7, 1978

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.

ONLY  TRUE  RELIGION
"O My children, I will not go into a long discourse now with you about charity and love for your neighbor, but you must understand: you cannot judge your neighbor. You must pray for them. However, you cannot become weak and permissive. You must stand forth as bearers of the light, carriers of the truth. You have been given by your baptism entrance into the only true religion upon earth, the Roman Catholic Church under My Son, Jesus. Though man in his arrogance and pride has forgotten His role and His rule, you must carry it forward. Retain the Faith and the truth in the hearts of mankind." - Our Lady, September 7, 1978 

YOUR  BIRTHRIGHT
"As in the past, rejection has been the start of a fallen man. Sin has become a way of life with many. You live in a delusion if you believe that you can offend the Eternal Father and then gain eternal life in the Kingdom. No, I say to you: many are called, but few are chosen.
   "Ask and you shall receive, believe and you will be given the way. But you must merit the Kingdom. Your birthright was a start, but you must make your way to the Kingdom. Others may gain these graces for you by prayer and acts of sacrifice, but you will accept or reject the key." - Jesus, May 26, 1976 

ONE TRUE CHURCH
"My child and My children, you are all My children. I judge you not by color or race, and I do not judge you by your creed; however, should the knowledge of the One True Church be given to you, and the way to Heaven along the narrow road be given to you, you will follow it or you will be rejected." - Our Lady, August 21, 1985

RELIGION  OF  THE  CROSS
"There is only one religion that can save your country and all of the countries of the world: the religion of the cross and My Son's sacrifice upon that cross." - Our Lady, November 25, 1978 

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 

ESTABLISHED  BY  JESUS CHRIST
"There are many deceptions taking place among you, and one being the falsification of the manner of the salvation of souls. When I was upon earth, I established the rules and I gave you My Church, My House. However, now I watch as many have gone forward with itching ears and novelty, and they are setting upon the world a new religion." - Jesus, May 20, 1978 

WILL  STAND
"Do not be deluded, My children, by the agents of satan among you in human form who preach doctrines of devils. The truth has been given to mankind through the ages. The Holy Roman Catholic Church of My Son will stand. The members shall be reduced to few. Only a remnant, My child, shall carry the banner Faithful and True. But the gates of hell shall fight a heavy battle against My Son's Church, but they shall not succeed." - Our Lady, May 14, 1977 

ONLY  SANCTIFIED  HOUSE
"Your children are wandering into the web of satan, going farther from the House of My Son. The truth is being removed from their hearts. They are setting among themselves groups. They shall not remove from their lives vows of My Son. As the only sanctified House upon earth, their souls will be destroyed when they are not given the Bread of living life. This Bread will only be obtained in the sanctified House of My Son. Satan seeks to remove the tabernacle from among you." - Our Lady, August 5, 1973 

Directives from Heaven... https://www.tldm.org/directives/directives.htm

D85 - Tradition  PDF
D123 - Catholic Church, Part 1  PDF
D124 - Catholic Church, Part 2  PDF
D125 - Ecumenism   PDF

Articles...

Outside the Catholic Church ... no salvation
https://www.tldm.org/News6/Church2.htm

How old is your church?
https://www.tldm.org/News6/Church.htm

Redemption and its effects
https://www.tldm.org/lent/redemption.htm

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