UPDATED Nov 18, 2009 @10:50pm (scroll down - the "apparition" is about to start spinning it's head)
UPDATED Nov 18, 2009 @11:00pm (scroll down - purity of water and the meltdown)
Talk about fruits....
Last week I shared the decree issued on November 11th, 2009 by Bishop Lennon of Cleveland in which the alleged apparitions associated with "Holy Love Ministries" was condemned. The bishop stated that the Holy See had directed him to make a definitive decision. The Holy See does not get involved with these things, unless for example - events transcend diocesan boundaries, as it has with Medjugorje. Holy Mother Church drives decision making down to the lowest level - the local Ordinary. The local bishop's decision, becomes the decision of the Church.
I was curious as to how the "apparition" itself would respond to being condemned as "not supernatural" (constat de non supernaturalitate), but figured I would wait a few days. Sure enough - the "apparition" associated with Holy Love is having a major spasm. Here is the "message" from November 13th:
'Jesus is here with His Heart exposed. He says: 'I am your Jesus, born Incarnate. My brothers and sisters, tonight confusion may have entered your hearts concerning certain statements from the diocese. I have come to ask you some questions to help you to think like citizens of Heaven, not of earth. Does it not say in Scripture, 'You should not stifle the Spirit' (1Thess 5:19). Did I not state in Scripture, 'Where two or more are gathered in prayer, there I am in their midst (Mt 18:20). My brothers and sisters, you must not place OFFICE and AUTHORITY and TITLE above the TRUTH. Tonight I am blessing you with My Blessing of Divine Love.''Run! Run very fast if you are involved with this, in the other direction.
Matt C. Abbott just wrote on this. He quotes excerpts from some of the hate-email received by Wendy Cukierski (after she informed readers at her website of the decree). Needless to say, they came bearing their fruits (we'll color it for the occasion):
'You disgust me and you are sick people. Jesus is Holy love. It's about love.'
'You'll be sorry.'
'Get your facts straight. The bishop doesn't know everything.'
'Take me off your mailing list because you are not the kind of people who are loving to print things like that.'
'We will no longer continue to visit your apostolate since you chose to point out the bishop's decree. Obedience to God before the bishop!'One woman wrote a comment which I promptly rejected in which she defended Holy Love by asking what was so wrong about praying a Rosary. Well, there is nothing wrong with praying a Rosary, and the bishop is not telling people not to pray a Rosary. Rather, he is admonishing people not to pray their Rosary at Holy Love Ministries. I would ask those who insist on disobeying him, why they would not want to pray their Rosary in Church, before the Blessed Sacrament. Now there is a Miracle! Our Lady is always pleased when we are led to her Son through our prayers.
People wonder why the Church doesn't just leave these apparition sites alone, even if they are not authentic. After all, people pray Rosaries there, they convert, they head to confession, and go to Mass (all the while crediting their life's changes to the "apparition" rather than to the Sacraments).
Here's the simple answer. You are seeing the consequence of it in the aftermath of the condemnation of the apparitions associated with Holy Love. In a word: Schism. That's right. People become their own pope and their own magisterium. It's based not on faith and reason, but on feelings and experiences. Instead of giving their fiat, they are in essentially saying, "non serviam".
He who hears you hears Me (Luke 10:16). That's what Our Lord told the apostles. The Bishop of Cleveland is an apostolic successor, whose lineage can be traced all the way back to the first Apostles. Unfortunately, supporters of Holy Love who reject the Bishop's decree hear only themselves.
This is why Holy Mother Church exhorts us to use caution when it comes to any private revelation not approved. There is a real danger of getting attached to it, so much so, that if a negative decision comes down, it is too difficult to give up. This is precisely why the Angel of Darkness will appear as an "angel of light" (2 Cor 11:14). Why would he show himself as the monster that he is when it would drive people to run the other way? Rather, it is to his benefit to appear beautiful (all the while flawed in some way as he can never be perfect). He likes people to convert and go to confession, and use the Sacraments if he knows that he has those people in his pocket when the Church condemns the associated events.
This is not to say that the alleged apparitions of Holy Love are demonic. The bishop does not tell us whether they are believed to be of demonic origin or a fraud. However, engaging in fraud, and associating with fraud, especially while rejecting a decree by the bishop, and thumbing one's nose at him is a good way to open the door to satanic influence.
I strongly believe we are going to see a chain of definitive decisions coming forth from many dioceses in the coming months and years to bring about closure. It's time for, "Apparitions Anonymous"
Please pray for those who have rejected the decree, and for those currently assessing their position. May God grace them with humility and obedience - the virtues exemplified in Our Lady.
UPDATE November 18, 2009 @10:00pm:
Here is the message for November 14th, 2009 which again attacks the bishop all the while trying to lure followers away from Church (my emphases in bold; comments bracketed in red - and I don't have time to take each sentence apart, as I should):
I see a great Flame [I'll bet] - that I have come to know as the Heart of the Father - rise up behind the Eucharist. God the Father says: "I Am the Eternal Now." As He speaks, the Flame seems to pulsate.
"I have come to issue forth this Decree of Truth [Bishop issues a decree condemning the "apparition" as not supernatural and the "apparition" issues it's own decree]. The Holy Spirit is alive and well here at this apparition site. Indeed, Heaven and, I Myself, have taken possession of this property [like I said, run quickly away from this place]. No one can prove otherwise no matter his distinction in the world." [That was a jab at the bishop. In other words -a pretty clear, "non serviam"].
"My Beloved Son, His Immaculate Mother and a multitude of angels and saints appear here and give witness to the Truth. Do not despise the Spirit of Truth that heals hearts and opens the way to salvation and personal holiness through these Messages [and "we don't want to lose the cash from our operations, so please don't go away now that the bishop has condemned it"]. Do not deny the Truth out of envy or pride [and Truth is with the Church, not outside of it]. To do so is to place your soul in jeopardy." [by following condemned "apparitions" which cause you to break communion with your bishop - the apostolic successor of your diocese].
"Just as I, The Eternal Father, have inspired this Mission, so through the Spirit of Truth, I inspire souls to continue in their prayer effort here. Let no one discourage you [jab at the bishop again] or tell you in falsehood you are not allowed to come here." [now it accuses the bishop of lying]
"I, your Eternal Father, call you here. * This Mission stands for the truth of the gospel message of love. The error is in hearts that oppose the gospel and the graces which support it here." [opposing the bishop on a matter in which he has jurisdiction is opposing the gospel (Luke 10:16)]
"Just as I made the tongues of all those who detract against this Ministry [I suppose the manufacturer of this message - the one who is worried about lost income, is speaking about folks like me, along with the bishop], I also created the tongues, the souls and spirits, of those who come here to pray despite man's dictates and opposition [oh, whichever "spirit" this is talking, didn't create any tongues, but it may indeed be moving the tongues of those creating this bunk]. Listen to Me. I need every prayer." [you need every prayer alright]
UPDATE November 18 2009 @ 10:50pm
Here we go, the "apparition" should start spinning it's head any time now....here is today's "message". Now it suggests that the bishop is Satan.
St. Catherine of Siena says: "Praise be to Jesus."
"Please realize that Satan is actively opposing this Ministry [actually, it's beginning to look like Satan is driving this bus, however - with some forms of fraud, Satan can ride comfortably in the bench seat at the back]. He is trying to transform belief in the truth of these Messages into a forbidden act of disobedience [He who hears you, hears me (Luke 10:16 - again)]. Do not be tricked, but realize that Heaven is offering abundant graces and [poisonous & forbidden] fruits here to those who will open their hearts."
This is not harmless stuff people. It opens the doors to the demonic, if it hasn't already.
Edit November 18th, 2009 @11:00pm:
That's it. I can't take anymore. With his decree of condemnation, the bishop has essentially poured pure water over something evil and we are witnessing a meltdown.
Further reading:
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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!