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Priest Under Fire
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George Brenner
MRyan
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Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus Forum (No Salvation Outside the Church Forum) :: Other topics :: Crisis in the Church
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Priest Under Fire
Priest Under Fire
An Interview of Father Michael Rodriguez
An Interview of Father Michael Rodriguez
http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/Archives/2011-1015-mjm-father-rodriguez.htm
Excellent.
MRyan- Posts : 2314
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Priest Under Fire
Mike,
He is truly a modern day "Man for all Seasons". Saint Thomas More is proud of him. Everyone who cares should read his stance and convictions as a defender of Our Catholic Faith.
I know that you mention the sound of crickets from time to time; when I strain by ears ever so slightly I can hear at least one of them playing a brass instrument.
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
He is truly a modern day "Man for all Seasons". Saint Thomas More is proud of him. Everyone who cares should read his stance and convictions as a defender of Our Catholic Faith.
I know that you mention the sound of crickets from time to time; when I strain by ears ever so slightly I can hear at least one of them playing a brass instrument.
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
May God bless this fine priest, Fr. Rodriguez. I pray God will use him as the spark to set ablaze courage in our priests (bishops, laity) in our country and around the world.
I am posting the footage of his testimony(?) in front of the City Council in case anyone had not seen it, or was interested in viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAX8UZ9zoc
Also, I watched The Vortex latest video on this earlier... Voris was speaking about how the Bishop moved him 250 miles away to "Shafter, TX" (I'd say) and "coincidentally" there is a small chapel there that is working quite nicely for him to offer the TLM (an answer to many years of prayers of a dedicated group of elderly ladies who had prayed for the Latin Mass to be brought to them).
I am posting the footage of his testimony(?) in front of the City Council in case anyone had not seen it, or was interested in viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAX8UZ9zoc
Also, I watched The Vortex latest video on this earlier... Voris was speaking about how the Bishop moved him 250 miles away to "Shafter, TX" (I'd say) and "coincidentally" there is a small chapel there that is working quite nicely for him to offer the TLM (an answer to many years of prayers of a dedicated group of elderly ladies who had prayed for the Latin Mass to be brought to them).
Allie- Posts : 100
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Join date : 2010-12-20
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Priest Under Fire
God Bless you Allie,
I think that is great that you will posting the pleas from Father Michael Rodriquez in front of the City Council Building.
The last three days I have attempted to contact Father Michael. I have had discussions with four people who sounded like parish receptionist, secretaries or the like; but would not identify. I did talk to the Priest at Our Lady of Peace in Shafter Texas and He told me He did not know how I could get a hold of Father Michael but said he is in Presidio , Texas. I have called different parishes or missions in the El Paso, Presidio and Shafter Texas areas to contact Father. I believe that the number 432- 229-3235 in Presidio is probably the right number but someone will need to call that speaks spanish. I wanted to chat with Father and tell him how much he is loved and that there is much support for him. Above all that he is in our prayers.
I can not imagine that after all the attempts that I have made that no one can help me with a simple contact number or then again I am not suprised.
JMJ,
George
I think that is great that you will posting the pleas from Father Michael Rodriquez in front of the City Council Building.
The last three days I have attempted to contact Father Michael. I have had discussions with four people who sounded like parish receptionist, secretaries or the like; but would not identify. I did talk to the Priest at Our Lady of Peace in Shafter Texas and He told me He did not know how I could get a hold of Father Michael but said he is in Presidio , Texas. I have called different parishes or missions in the El Paso, Presidio and Shafter Texas areas to contact Father. I believe that the number 432- 229-3235 in Presidio is probably the right number but someone will need to call that speaks spanish. I wanted to chat with Father and tell him how much he is loved and that there is much support for him. Above all that he is in our prayers.
I can not imagine that after all the attempts that I have made that no one can help me with a simple contact number or then again I am not suprised.
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Thank you, George.
I hope that you succeed in being able to speak with the humble priest; however, I am sure that with all of the national attention he is receiving he is going to be difficult to speak with. I will join you in praying for him and being grateful for his being faithful to his responsibility as a shepherd of souls.
Were you able to view the youtube link I posted above? I think he presented the teaching very humbly, yet boldly. His response to the (baptized Catholic) councilman was also very loving and much more humble and effective than I would have been in that situation.
God bless you, George, and have a blessed weekend.
Allie
I hope that you succeed in being able to speak with the humble priest; however, I am sure that with all of the national attention he is receiving he is going to be difficult to speak with. I will join you in praying for him and being grateful for his being faithful to his responsibility as a shepherd of souls.
Were you able to view the youtube link I posted above? I think he presented the teaching very humbly, yet boldly. His response to the (baptized Catholic) councilman was also very loving and much more humble and effective than I would have been in that situation.
God bless you, George, and have a blessed weekend.
Allie
Allie- Posts : 100
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Here you go, George- I think you will like this!
He is at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shafter, TX. It appears some of those from his old parish are going to begin making the trek out to Shafter for the Mass every month. This video shows their first trip out there and the Mass they attended.
This little chapel is beautiful (out in the middle of a ghost town).
Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCcqsEG96g
God bless you, George!
He is at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shafter, TX. It appears some of those from his old parish are going to begin making the trek out to Shafter for the Mass every month. This video shows their first trip out there and the Mass they attended.
This little chapel is beautiful (out in the middle of a ghost town).
Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCcqsEG96g
God bless you, George!
Allie- Posts : 100
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Priest Under Fire
Allie, God Bless you,
Thank you very much for the Link. I will definitely watch it. I did watch many You Tube videos about father Michael. Truly a man of God. He needs our prayers and support. If it were up to me and of course it is not, he would be saying Mass at one of the largest parishes in Texas.
I did get Father's location at Sacred Heart Mission in Shafter, Texas. Thus far I get bounced back and forth between 432 837 3304 and 432 229 3235. I will keep trying and write Father asap.
JMJ,
George
Thank you very much for the Link. I will definitely watch it. I did watch many You Tube videos about father Michael. Truly a man of God. He needs our prayers and support. If it were up to me and of course it is not, he would be saying Mass at one of the largest parishes in Texas.
I did get Father's location at Sacred Heart Mission in Shafter, Texas. Thus far I get bounced back and forth between 432 837 3304 and 432 229 3235. I will keep trying and write Father asap.
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Hi George,
I couldn't help but notice that the fracas surrounding the sudden removal of Fr Rodriguez by his bishop to another parish is like in microcosm what's happening in the wider Church.
Implicit in the support for the apparent injustice meted out to Fr Rodriguez is the non-support for his bishop's actions in removing him. Fr Rodriguez himself has never spoken against his bishop or showed any disagreement with what his bishop decided regarding him being moved. From what I've heard or read so far concerning this is that those few faithful who he now ministers to have been praying for many years for a traditional priest to be given them to provide the TLM in their parish. The fact that Father's previous flock are willing to sacrifice and make the 200 mile journey once per month to attend his Mass could be a source of much grace not only for them but for the wider Church.
No matter what the bishop's motives in moving Fr Rodriguez, it seems that the Lord has the whole thing under control and is bringing good from it.
My thoughts would be that as well as contacting Fr Rodriguez, it would be important to contact his bishop and complain about the replacement he has provided for Father's ex flock in the form of a liberal/heretic priest. Or. to contact the new priest and tell him that the faithful of his parish are entitled to the Mass they have grown to love and are also entitled to true Catholic teaching.
While supporting Fr Rodriguez, it's just as important to make one's legitimate concerns known to the bishop and priest. There is nothing wrong IMHO in supporting Fr Rodriguez and opposing the motives for the decission of his bishop, nor, is there anything wrong in challenging those actions and words even of a pope when they stand in contradiction to traditional Church teachings.
I couldn't help but notice that the fracas surrounding the sudden removal of Fr Rodriguez by his bishop to another parish is like in microcosm what's happening in the wider Church.
Implicit in the support for the apparent injustice meted out to Fr Rodriguez is the non-support for his bishop's actions in removing him. Fr Rodriguez himself has never spoken against his bishop or showed any disagreement with what his bishop decided regarding him being moved. From what I've heard or read so far concerning this is that those few faithful who he now ministers to have been praying for many years for a traditional priest to be given them to provide the TLM in their parish. The fact that Father's previous flock are willing to sacrifice and make the 200 mile journey once per month to attend his Mass could be a source of much grace not only for them but for the wider Church.
No matter what the bishop's motives in moving Fr Rodriguez, it seems that the Lord has the whole thing under control and is bringing good from it.
My thoughts would be that as well as contacting Fr Rodriguez, it would be important to contact his bishop and complain about the replacement he has provided for Father's ex flock in the form of a liberal/heretic priest. Or. to contact the new priest and tell him that the faithful of his parish are entitled to the Mass they have grown to love and are also entitled to true Catholic teaching.
While supporting Fr Rodriguez, it's just as important to make one's legitimate concerns known to the bishop and priest. There is nothing wrong IMHO in supporting Fr Rodriguez and opposing the motives for the decission of his bishop, nor, is there anything wrong in challenging those actions and words even of a pope when they stand in contradiction to traditional Church teachings.
columba- Posts : 979
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Priest Under Fire
Hi Columba,
Thanks very much for your imput. I did watch the most recent link sent to me by Allie on Father Michael Rodriguez Mass at Schafter, Texas. Great sermon! I am just formulating my thoughts before I send the letters. I always pray that I have the right words for truth through love and charity. I have been known to be blunt while at the same time being respectful. With the current crisis of Faith in the Church, silence and no backbone are not acceptable to me. I keep copies of the letters that I have sent and to this point as I have re re re-read them, I would not want a do over on any to date.
This is the basic press release:
EL PASO, Texas -- The Rev. Michael Rodriguez was transferred to a new parish because his stance on morality and the upcoming recall election "raised serious issues regarding whether his participation could be attributed to the Diocese of El Paso" and his parish, El Paso Catholic Bishop Armando X. Ochoa said.
Since 2010, Rodriguez had publicly condemned homosexuality during city council meetings and wrote several guest columns in the El Paso Times as a response to the city's decision to extend health insurance benefits to all its employees, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, which he called, "gravely harmful to the common good of our city."
Wednesday, he announced he had been reassigned away from San Juan Bautista Church, where he served.
"I was ordained to the Catholic priesthood to offer sacrifice and teach the only truth which brings salvation and happiness," Rodriguez said in a statement that was emailed to ABC-7. "The priesthood is my greatest joy. In the present circumstances, I intend to try even harder to be a good, holy priest. Obedience to my bishop is essential to the priesthood."
Rodriguez's most recent columns were featured in several quarter-page ads in the newspaper. According to the El Paso Times, a couple from Plano, Texas, paid for the advertisements.
In a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Bishop Armando X. Ochoa said Rodriguez was re-assigned to a new parish in West Texas in response to the pastoral needs of the diocese and its faithful. The statement made it clear that Rodriguez was the administrator of San Juan Bautista Parish, not its pastor.
"(Father) Rodriguez has recently challenged certain city officials to participate with him in a partisan debate on issues related to an upcoming election," said Ochoa. "This type of intervention in the political in the political process by religious organizations such as the Diocese of El Paso and San Juan Bautista Church is not permitted under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code."
Word of Life Church, headed by one of the leaders in the recall efforts, Pastor Tom Brown, has been reported to the IRS for suspicion of campaigning to recall El Paso Mayor John Cook and City Representatives Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega. Non-profits are prohibited from making donations or contributing to political campaigns. The Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Brown of using his church to advance the recall movement. Brown denies any wrongdoing.
In his statement Wednesday, Bishop Ochoa said the diocese had received "credible information and documents" showing Father Rodriguez had failed to comply with diocesan policies.In his columns, Rodriguez has said that all Catholics are "obligated to undo the wrong" and fight homosexuality.
One column was titled "Every Catholic Must Oppose Certain Things." In it, he wrote that, "Any Catholic who supports homosexual acts is, by definition, committing a mortal sin and placing himself/herself outside of communion with the Roman Catholic Church."
Rodriguez ended the column by calling homosexuality, "An unequivocal intrinsic moral evil," and "frighteningly, if the majority chooses to deny the objective moral order, then we will all suffer the pestiferous consequences. "
END OF QUOTE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
Thanks very much for your imput. I did watch the most recent link sent to me by Allie on Father Michael Rodriguez Mass at Schafter, Texas. Great sermon! I am just formulating my thoughts before I send the letters. I always pray that I have the right words for truth through love and charity. I have been known to be blunt while at the same time being respectful. With the current crisis of Faith in the Church, silence and no backbone are not acceptable to me. I keep copies of the letters that I have sent and to this point as I have re re re-read them, I would not want a do over on any to date.
This is the basic press release:
EL PASO, Texas -- The Rev. Michael Rodriguez was transferred to a new parish because his stance on morality and the upcoming recall election "raised serious issues regarding whether his participation could be attributed to the Diocese of El Paso" and his parish, El Paso Catholic Bishop Armando X. Ochoa said.
Since 2010, Rodriguez had publicly condemned homosexuality during city council meetings and wrote several guest columns in the El Paso Times as a response to the city's decision to extend health insurance benefits to all its employees, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, which he called, "gravely harmful to the common good of our city."
Wednesday, he announced he had been reassigned away from San Juan Bautista Church, where he served.
"I was ordained to the Catholic priesthood to offer sacrifice and teach the only truth which brings salvation and happiness," Rodriguez said in a statement that was emailed to ABC-7. "The priesthood is my greatest joy. In the present circumstances, I intend to try even harder to be a good, holy priest. Obedience to my bishop is essential to the priesthood."
Rodriguez's most recent columns were featured in several quarter-page ads in the newspaper. According to the El Paso Times, a couple from Plano, Texas, paid for the advertisements.
In a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Bishop Armando X. Ochoa said Rodriguez was re-assigned to a new parish in West Texas in response to the pastoral needs of the diocese and its faithful. The statement made it clear that Rodriguez was the administrator of San Juan Bautista Parish, not its pastor.
"(Father) Rodriguez has recently challenged certain city officials to participate with him in a partisan debate on issues related to an upcoming election," said Ochoa. "This type of intervention in the political in the political process by religious organizations such as the Diocese of El Paso and San Juan Bautista Church is not permitted under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code."
Word of Life Church, headed by one of the leaders in the recall efforts, Pastor Tom Brown, has been reported to the IRS for suspicion of campaigning to recall El Paso Mayor John Cook and City Representatives Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega. Non-profits are prohibited from making donations or contributing to political campaigns. The Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Brown of using his church to advance the recall movement. Brown denies any wrongdoing.
In his statement Wednesday, Bishop Ochoa said the diocese had received "credible information and documents" showing Father Rodriguez had failed to comply with diocesan policies.In his columns, Rodriguez has said that all Catholics are "obligated to undo the wrong" and fight homosexuality.
One column was titled "Every Catholic Must Oppose Certain Things." In it, he wrote that, "Any Catholic who supports homosexual acts is, by definition, committing a mortal sin and placing himself/herself outside of communion with the Roman Catholic Church."
Rodriguez ended the column by calling homosexuality, "An unequivocal intrinsic moral evil," and "frighteningly, if the majority chooses to deny the objective moral order, then we will all suffer the pestiferous consequences. "
END OF QUOTE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Priest Under Fire
The following was basically the content of a post that I was about to submit the day after this forum was temporarily closed.
To all Forum Members,
First let me say a heart felt welcome to the brand new members, Truth Seeker, Catholic Johnny and WhollyRoaminCatholic. It is great that we have you on this forum. I have only been a member for a little over two months and have found the posts very stimulating with some very faith enhancing for me. It is also great to hear from our forum founder, Pascendi. God Bless you for staring this forum. In fact as you know Pascendi, we do not just discuss just any subject for what we discuss here IS a matter of spiritual life and death. I have personally always felt that there is no way a person can attain Salvation without helping others. So on that note. I would like to send a letter to:
Office of the Bishop
Most Reverend Bishop Armando X. Ochoa
499 St. Matthews El Paso, TX 79907
(915) 872-8419
officeofthebishop@elpasodiocese.org
The subject matter would be the transfer of Father Michael Rodriquez from El Paso and the plight of many of the Catholics of the El Paso, Texas area that cry out for the loss of Father and the grave sinful teachings about our Catholic Faith as documented in links below. I wonder if with feedback from those on this forum that are interested that this could be a joint effort by two or more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-PB8wwmwaHU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TnUeKrv7HJE
JMJ,
George
To all Forum Members,
First let me say a heart felt welcome to the brand new members, Truth Seeker, Catholic Johnny and WhollyRoaminCatholic. It is great that we have you on this forum. I have only been a member for a little over two months and have found the posts very stimulating with some very faith enhancing for me. It is also great to hear from our forum founder, Pascendi. God Bless you for staring this forum. In fact as you know Pascendi, we do not just discuss just any subject for what we discuss here IS a matter of spiritual life and death. I have personally always felt that there is no way a person can attain Salvation without helping others. So on that note. I would like to send a letter to:
Office of the Bishop
Most Reverend Bishop Armando X. Ochoa
499 St. Matthews El Paso, TX 79907
(915) 872-8419
officeofthebishop@elpasodiocese.org
The subject matter would be the transfer of Father Michael Rodriquez from El Paso and the plight of many of the Catholics of the El Paso, Texas area that cry out for the loss of Father and the grave sinful teachings about our Catholic Faith as documented in links below. I wonder if with feedback from those on this forum that are interested that this could be a joint effort by two or more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-PB8wwmwaHU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TnUeKrv7HJE
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
George,
I believe I read that Bishop Ochoa was just transferred, or is about to be anyway, to somewhere in California.
I believe I read that Bishop Ochoa was just transferred, or is about to be anyway, to somewhere in California.
DeSelby- Posts : 211
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Priest Under Fire
Welcome back DeSelby,
Thanks for the update, I just now did read that the see of El Paso, Texas is currently vaccant and...
Press release reads:
Pope Names Bishop Ochoa Of El Paso, Texas To Fresno, California
December 1, 2011
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named 68-year-old Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso, Texas, as Bishop of Fresno, California. He succeeds Bishop John Steinbock, who died December 5, 2010.
The appointment was publicized in Washington, December 1, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Armando Ochoa was born April 9, 1943, in Oxnard, California. He studied at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1970.
Bishop Ochoa served in several Los Angeles parishes and was associate director of the Spanish-speaking permanent diaconate for the archdiocese. He was named an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles in 1986, and named bishop of El Paso in 1996.
At the national level, he has served on bishops’ committees on vocations, laity, permanent diaconate, Hispanic affairs and migration.
The Fresno Diocese has a Catholic population of 1,074,901 persons, which is 39 percent of a total population of 2,756,266.
Thanks for the update, I just now did read that the see of El Paso, Texas is currently vaccant and...
Press release reads:
Pope Names Bishop Ochoa Of El Paso, Texas To Fresno, California
December 1, 2011
WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named 68-year-old Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso, Texas, as Bishop of Fresno, California. He succeeds Bishop John Steinbock, who died December 5, 2010.
The appointment was publicized in Washington, December 1, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Armando Ochoa was born April 9, 1943, in Oxnard, California. He studied at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1970.
Bishop Ochoa served in several Los Angeles parishes and was associate director of the Spanish-speaking permanent diaconate for the archdiocese. He was named an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles in 1986, and named bishop of El Paso in 1996.
At the national level, he has served on bishops’ committees on vocations, laity, permanent diaconate, Hispanic affairs and migration.
The Fresno Diocese has a Catholic population of 1,074,901 persons, which is 39 percent of a total population of 2,756,266.
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Hi George,
I got the following in email yesterday. It's a rerquest for prayer from Fr Rodriguez.
I got the following in email yesterday. It's a rerquest for prayer from Fr Rodriguez.
[quote]
By: Father Michael Rodriguez
Bishop Armando Ochoa Has Been Transferred To The Diocese of Fresno, California by Pope Benedict.
In light of the recent momentous events in the Diocese of El Paso, TX, I would like to present a special plea to faithful Roman Catholics from around the nation. On December 1, 2011, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed Bishop Armando X. Ochoa as the new bishop of Fresno, California. Sursum corda! Now is the time to lift up our hearts to almighty God and beg Him to have mercy on us, poor sinners that we are. In order to protect and promote the precious Catholic religion, outside of which there is no salvation, it is imperative that all of us storm heaven with fervent prayers, especially the daily recitation of the Holy Rosary, begging God to send El Paso a holy, zealous, and fearless new shepherd.
Unfortunately, the Diocese of El Paso continues to be plagued by very serious problems and grave sins against God and the Faith. We desperately need a spiritual leader who will address these issues with honesty, determination, perseverance, and absolute fidelity to Jesus Christ and Holy Mother Church.
It is of utmost importance to draw attention to three areas in the life of the diocese that are particularly infested with the vermin of modernism: (1) the Liturgy, or worship of God, (2) Catholic doctrine, or the teaching of the truths of the Faith, and (3) the priesthood.
The Liturgy
The Diocese of El Paso needs a new bishop who will begin to take the necessary steps to correct the moral and spiritual disorder of liturgical abuses in the celebration of the Holy Sacraments of salvation, especially Mass and Confession. For example, it is commonplace in our parishes to find priests celebrating Mass and hearing Confessions carelessly and with no apparent faith, love, and devotion. The reckless and scandalous manner in which many priests and laity handle the precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is, objectively, not only sacrilegious, but diabolical.
In addition, I urge the faithful to implore the powerful aid of Sancta Dei Genetrix, the holy Mother of God, so that El Paso’s new bishop, obedient to the liturgical directives of Pope Benedict XVI, will be supportive of the 1962 Roman Liturgy, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass. Hundreds of Catholics in El Paso are, at present, petitioning for the establishment of a traditional Catholic parish dedicated exclusively to the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite.
Pope Benedict refers to the Roman Missal promulgated in 1962 as “a precious treasure to be preserved” (Universae Ecclesiae 8, April 30, 2011), and declares that it “must be given due honor for its venerable and ancient usage” (Summorum Pontificum, art.1, July 7, 2007). The Roman Pontiff instructs us further in regard to the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite, “what earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too” (Pope Benedict’s July 7, 2007 letter to the world’s bishops). As the glorious Ancient Rite spreads its divine aroma and becomes more available throughout our diocese, it will prove to be a heavenly “leaven,” more than capable of restoring beauty, dignity, reverence, sacredness, and truth to the celebration of all the sacraments.
Catholic Doctrine
El Paso needs a new bishop and Successor to the Apostles, who will begin to take the necessary steps to correct the moral and spiritual disorder of watered-down, partial, false, and even heretical presentations of Catholic doctrine at our Catholic schools, Tepeyac Institute, and parish catechetical programs. Grave sins against the Faith include belittling, ridiculing, or obstinately questioning the salvific teachings of Holy Mother Church, as well as intentionally ignoring or maintaining silence on certain doctrinal or moral truths. We are in urgent need of a wise bishop who will make it clear that any form of dissent from Church teaching is unacceptable and inexcusable. It is not “pastoral” or charitable to sidestep or veer away from proclaiming the truth. If “love and compassion” are not grounded in the one truth taught by Jesus Christ and His Church, then “love” is a lie and “compassion” an illusion.
Given the raging forces unleashed by our three spiritual enemies—the devil, the world, and the flesh—it should come as no surprise that the holy sacrament of Matrimony is under vicious attack. First, the sin of divorce, and the denial of the indissolubility of marriage. Next comes the sin of contraception, with its refusal to accept the procreation and education of children as the primary ends of marriage. Finally, we’re now facing hell’s ultimate assault on marriage: the detestable sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, where the natural, anthropological foundation of marriage is rejected and destroyed.
As in many other parts of the country, there is an ongoing effort in El Paso, on the part of city officials, to legitimize homosexual unions under the pretext of extending “health-care benefits” to “unmarried partners” of city employees. This is disgraceful, totally irresponsible (society has a fundamental duty to protect and foster marriage and the family), and gravely immoral. Rome has made it very clear that every single Catholic has the obligation to oppose any government attempt to legalize homosexual unions. The mayor of El Paso, John Cook, is purportedly “Catholic,” yet he is the driving force behind the city’s attempt to sanction sodomy. We must pray for a heroic bishop who, strengthened by apostolic grace, will stand tall and defend God’s holy Law. He will first have to work prudently and patiently to win over the minds and hearts of the city’s many “Catholic” politicians who are on the brink of moral and spiritual ruin. However, if the mayor and other government officials remain obstinate in their sin and persist in giving public scandal, our new bishop must exercise his apostolic authority for the good of souls and issue the necessary excommunications, always with the hope of the sinner’s eventual repentance and conversion.
The priesthood
The Diocese of El Paso needs a new bishop and spiritual father who will begin to take the necessary steps to correct the moral and spiritual disorder of rampant homosexuality within our presbyterate. The abomination of actively homosexual priests is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance and is crippling our diocese. El Paso needs a new shepherd who will demand of us priests what Christ demands: obedience, celibacy, a profound life of prayer, simplicity of life, a spirit of continual conversion, pastoral charity marked by kenosis (death to self), sacrifice, service, and true holiness in our public and private conduct. God willing, our new bishop will insist that we priests give priority to the spiritual dimension of our priestly life and ministry: offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily, administering the sacrament of Confession, guiding the parish’s life of prayer, and instructing the faithful according to the full and authentic doctrine of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Good, pious, holy, and masculine priests are a priceless gift to Mother Church and the surest guarantee of success in fostering future vocations to the priesthood.
Conclusion
In spite of the difficulties, obstacles, and sin which we currently face in El Paso, it is a great joy to be a priest of God. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the priesthood, and I love Holy Mother Church. There’s nothing sweeter. Let us never lose Christian joy and hope. We cannot allow ourselves to become bitter. With confidence and trust in God, we must continue laboring and praying, come what may, conscious that it is all done for the honor and glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Sursum corda! Let us lift up our hearts to the brilliant mystery of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and entrust our filial petition for a pure and saintly bishop to the sinless Mother of God. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
columba- Posts : 979
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Ps.. I should have included the link. Here it is.
http://www.courageouspriest.com/father-michael-rodriguez-storm-heaven-prayers-fearless-bishop-el-paso
http://www.courageouspriest.com/father-michael-rodriguez-storm-heaven-prayers-fearless-bishop-el-paso
columba- Posts : 979
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Priest Under Fire
Hello Columba,
I can not thank you enough for your last posting. I mention Father Michael Rodriquez in my earlier posting of an, Open Letter to God. Many on this forum with our prayers and actions can and must do what we can to defend our Faith. I feel that many events will happen now quickly in our fight against Satan.
I had a letter to the El Paso Bishop drafted to send and was asking for the help and input of those on this forum interested to restore and fight for what is right and sound Catholic teaching at the exact time the forum was closed. The power of prayer is incredible.
God Bless Father Michael and God Bless you, Columba
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
I can not thank you enough for your last posting. I mention Father Michael Rodriquez in my earlier posting of an, Open Letter to God. Many on this forum with our prayers and actions can and must do what we can to defend our Faith. I feel that many events will happen now quickly in our fight against Satan.
I had a letter to the El Paso Bishop drafted to send and was asking for the help and input of those on this forum interested to restore and fight for what is right and sound Catholic teaching at the exact time the forum was closed. The power of prayer is incredible.
God Bless Father Michael and God Bless you, Columba
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Priest Under Fire
I did mail a letter today to Father Michael Rodriquez. I hope this letter reaches him at Sacred Heart Mission in Shafter, Texas.
I told Father that many prayers and much support is with him in his battle against evil. Hopefully, Father might even post to our Forum from time to time.. The now fifty years of Vatican II must be cleansed and restored to the Glory of God. Way too much damage has been done and too many souls have been lost due to lack of courageous remedy from far too many in high authority in the Church that have caused, condoned , confused or been silent in the face of an almost near destruction of the Catholic Faith. The time is now not tomorrow ! I will continue to fight for sound doctrine from within and feel that this forum can be part of the cure. Rest assured the gates of hell will not prevail.
I told Father that many prayers and much support is with him in his battle against evil. Hopefully, Father might even post to our Forum from time to time.. The now fifty years of Vatican II must be cleansed and restored to the Glory of God. Way too much damage has been done and too many souls have been lost due to lack of courageous remedy from far too many in high authority in the Church that have caused, condoned , confused or been silent in the face of an almost near destruction of the Catholic Faith. The time is now not tomorrow ! I will continue to fight for sound doctrine from within and feel that this forum can be part of the cure. Rest assured the gates of hell will not prevail.
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
That email Columba posted from Fr. Rodriquez is powerful! What he says of the Diocese of El Paso can also apply to probably every diocese on earth, to a greater or lesser degree. Catholics who want sound doctrine have essentially been abandoned to be spiritual "latchkey kids."
Keep up the fight George.
Keep up the fight George.
DeSelby- Posts : 211
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Re: Priest Under Fire
George Brenner wrote:Hello Columba,
I can not thank you enough for your last posting. I mention Father Michael Rodriquez in my earlier posting of an, Open Letter to God. Many on this forum with our prayers and actions can and must do what we can to defend our Faith. I feel that many events will happen now quickly in our fight against Satan.
I had a letter to the El Paso Bishop drafted to send and was asking for the help and input of those on this forum interested to restore and fight for what is right and sound Catholic teaching at the exact time the forum was closed. The power of prayer is incredible.
God Bless Father Michael and God Bless you, Columba
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
Your most welcome.
I too pray for Fr Michael and all priests who remain faithful despite persecution.
God bless you too George.
columba- Posts : 979
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Priest Under Fire
Reply below to my letter I sent to Father Michael Rodriquez recently. This forum in 2012 can provide a great witness and defense of our faith by strongly supporting and standing with priests like Father Michael.
Dear George,
May the good Lord grant you a most blessed Christmas season. I was away visiting family for the past week, and I just received your letter in Shafter, TX. Thank you! Thank you for your prayers and support. Many of us are VERY GRATEFUL to God that Bishop Armando Ochoa has been transferred to Fresno, CA. I am convinced that this was nothing short of miraculous. Now we are doing our best to pray that God will send the Diocese of El Paso a holy, orthodox, and courageous bishop. Please keep this intention in your prayers and spread it to others. I will keep in contact. The truth is that the past few months have been very hectic and I haven't had a chance to return some phone calls and letters, perhaps yours was among them. The phone number at the parish in Presidio is 432-229-3235. This email is not my own, it's my brother's. I don't have an email, but if you email my brother, he will forward the information to me.
May God bless you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
Fr. Michael Rodríguez,
Presidio and Shafter, TX
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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After reading news story link below and other links associated, all I can say is this a very sad turn of events. It is too soon to comment on how this will end until the facts and truth is known.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_19729925
JMJ,
George
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_19729925
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Hmm, reading the article it seems that he really didn't use any of the money for himself, just put it in different accounts so as to be able to do projects that the diocese would have stopped anyway. Not saying it's the right nor the smart thing to do, but look...if I am a parishoner and want to give a donation to have an altar built for the traditional Mass, I give one, and then it gets built, do I really care what bank account the money is in?
If this is true he probably did it because the diocese would have been against all of those projects anyway. They don't usually like homeschooling because in their view that supposedly takes money away from the modernist schools.
Also putting things into context....the USCCB places and income tax on parishes with all these dumb collections and then funnels the money to pro-abortion organizations. Someone should sue over that.
My question is why the bishop would take this priest to a civil court. That's just diabolical. Is there not a canonical process for this? A bishop suing one of his priests? That is just disgusting.
If this is true he probably did it because the diocese would have been against all of those projects anyway. They don't usually like homeschooling because in their view that supposedly takes money away from the modernist schools.
Also putting things into context....the USCCB places and income tax on parishes with all these dumb collections and then funnels the money to pro-abortion organizations. Someone should sue over that.
My question is why the bishop would take this priest to a civil court. That's just diabolical. Is there not a canonical process for this? A bishop suing one of his priests? That is just disgusting.
Guest- Guest
Priest Under Fire
Yes, I am VERY upset too. I just want to pray and reflect on this, lest I post out of anger.
JMJ,
George
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Priest Under Fire
I am still reading the current legal briefs available on line but anticipate the I will post a proposed letter tomorrow for consideration to send and/or e mail to Bishop Armando Ochoa, Cardinal Daniel Dinardo and Father Michael Rodriquez.
For now please find below the press release from Father Michael
Press release from Father Michael Rodriquez as follows:
" On January 12, 2012, Most Rev. Armando Ochoa, Administrator of the Diocese of El Paso, filed a lawsuit against me. Once again, I want to reiterate that his action is dishonest and unjust. I pose the simple question: over the course of the past 9 ½ years, who is the one who has been laboring, struggling, sacrificing day and night, and caring for the spiritual and material well-being of San Juan Bautista Catholic Church? Has it been Fr. Michael Rodríguez or Most Rev. Armando Ochoa? Based on the factual record, which of the two has greater credibility when it comes to protecting and furthering the spiritual and material patrimony of San Juan Bautista?
SPIRITUAL GOODS
Over the course of my 9 ½ years as parish administrator of San Juan Bautista, by the grace and mercy of God, the following spiritual goods were “achieved”:
1) Restoration of the glorious Traditional Latin Mass
2) Gradual restoration of the Catholic Church's sacred language, Latin
3) Gradual restoration of Gregorian Chant and sacred music
4) Devout and worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist on the tongue and kneeling, accompanied by preparatory and thanksgiving prayers
5) Silence at Holy Mass and a real catholic sense of the sacred
6) Modest dress and reverent behavior at Holy Mass and inside church
7) Two daily Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Holy Hours with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at least four times per week
9) Regularly-scheduled Confessions at least five times per week; Confession available at any time, day or night, by appointment
10) Stations of the Cross every Friday in both English (12:30 p.m.) and Spanish (6:45 p.m.)
11) Parish Lenten Missions in both English and Spanish
12) Numerous vocations to the priesthood and religious life
13) Christ the King, Corpus Christi, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Processions through the neighborhood
14) In addition to the standard Catechism and Sacramental Preparation classes which most parishes have (at San Juan, these classes took place on Saturdays and Sundays), there were Classes in the Faith for the entire parish (in both English and Spanish) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I personally taught one class every Tuesday evening, and two on Thursday evenings
15) Promotion of many Marian devotions, e.g. parish novenas to Our Lady of Sorrows and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, First Saturday prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
16) Promotion of the Message of Our Lady of Fatima
17) Daily recitation of the Holy Rosary
18) First Friday devotions
19) First Saturday devotions. I personally led these every First Saturday of the month from 6:30-7:30 a.m.
20) I gave a monthly “mini-retreat” (in Spanish) on First Saturdays for the Guadalupanas and other interested parishioners from 8:45-11:30 am, consisting of the Holy Rosary and a workshop on prayer.
21) Special First Saturday of the month Mass at 1:00 a.m. to help the faithful fulfill the requirements of the First Five Saturdays.
22) Holy Rosary every Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. prior to Holy Mass
23) Holy Rosary every Saturday evening at 4:30 p.m. prior to Holy Mass
24) Different devotions and chaplets prayed after every weekend Mass
25) All-day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays
26) All-night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays
27) Devotion to the Precious Blood on Thursday nights at 11:00 p.m.
28) At least weekly, I personally took Holy Communion to the sick & homebound of the parish
29) A daily Procession through the neighborhood on the Rogation Days (the three days prior to Ascension Thursday)
30) Promotion of abstinence of meat on every Friday of the year and promotion of the penitential aspect of every Friday of the year
Tragically, since my removal from San Juan Bautista on Sept. 20, 2011, it is not an exaggeration to say that none of the above exists anymore at San Juan Bautista. It is absolutely shocking! Masses have been cancelled. Confessions and Holy Hours have been cancelled, etc. Can anyone, anyone, seriously think that the diocese is carrying out its “sacred duty” to safeguard the spiritual goods of San Juan Bautista anywhere close to what Fr. Michael Rodríguez was doing?
TEMPORAL GOODS
San Juan Bautista is a poor parish, and the weekly Sunday collection before my arrival in May 2002, was usually less than $1,000.00. Over the course of my 9 ½ years as parish administrator, by the grace and mercy of God, the following building projects were achieved:
1) A beautiful, new tabernacle
2) An initial renovation of the sanctuary including a new addition for the tabernacle, new statues, a new communion rail, and a new marble floor
3) The installation of two magnificent, new Church bells
4) Complete renovation of the parish kitchen, including a brand new tile floor and new cabinets
5) Renovation of the parish hall storage garage with new cabinets
6) A completely new tile floor for the parish hall
7) A new porch for the parish hall
A brand new roof for the Church
9) All the Church and parish hall air-conditioning units were replaced with new ones
10) Exterior renovation of the Church: two new side entry ramps to the Church with railing
11) Exterior renovation of the Church: a new side-porch to the Church
12) Completely new asphalt for the entire Church parking lot
13) New exterior lighting for the Church and parking lot
14) An entirely new storage building-complex behind the rectory
15) A beautiful new GROTTO to Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe with multiple shrines, a fountain, an altar, plaques, gardens [still in the process of being completed when I was transferred]
16) The renovation of the sanctuary and a new high altar according to the norms of the ancient form of the Roman Rite [still in its initial stages when I was transferred]
Can anyone, anyone, seriously think that the diocese is carrying out its “sacred duty” to safeguard the temporal goods of San Juan Bautista anywhere close to what Fr. Michael Rodríguez was doing?
Please continue to entrust me to loving protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Immaculate and Sorrowful Mother.
Fr. Michael Rodríguez
Parochial Vicar, Santa Teresa de Jesús Catholic Church
Presidio, TX "
For now please find below the press release from Father Michael
Press release from Father Michael Rodriquez as follows:
" On January 12, 2012, Most Rev. Armando Ochoa, Administrator of the Diocese of El Paso, filed a lawsuit against me. Once again, I want to reiterate that his action is dishonest and unjust. I pose the simple question: over the course of the past 9 ½ years, who is the one who has been laboring, struggling, sacrificing day and night, and caring for the spiritual and material well-being of San Juan Bautista Catholic Church? Has it been Fr. Michael Rodríguez or Most Rev. Armando Ochoa? Based on the factual record, which of the two has greater credibility when it comes to protecting and furthering the spiritual and material patrimony of San Juan Bautista?
SPIRITUAL GOODS
Over the course of my 9 ½ years as parish administrator of San Juan Bautista, by the grace and mercy of God, the following spiritual goods were “achieved”:
1) Restoration of the glorious Traditional Latin Mass
2) Gradual restoration of the Catholic Church's sacred language, Latin
3) Gradual restoration of Gregorian Chant and sacred music
4) Devout and worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist on the tongue and kneeling, accompanied by preparatory and thanksgiving prayers
5) Silence at Holy Mass and a real catholic sense of the sacred
6) Modest dress and reverent behavior at Holy Mass and inside church
7) Two daily Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Holy Hours with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at least four times per week
9) Regularly-scheduled Confessions at least five times per week; Confession available at any time, day or night, by appointment
10) Stations of the Cross every Friday in both English (12:30 p.m.) and Spanish (6:45 p.m.)
11) Parish Lenten Missions in both English and Spanish
12) Numerous vocations to the priesthood and religious life
13) Christ the King, Corpus Christi, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Processions through the neighborhood
14) In addition to the standard Catechism and Sacramental Preparation classes which most parishes have (at San Juan, these classes took place on Saturdays and Sundays), there were Classes in the Faith for the entire parish (in both English and Spanish) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I personally taught one class every Tuesday evening, and two on Thursday evenings
15) Promotion of many Marian devotions, e.g. parish novenas to Our Lady of Sorrows and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, First Saturday prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
16) Promotion of the Message of Our Lady of Fatima
17) Daily recitation of the Holy Rosary
18) First Friday devotions
19) First Saturday devotions. I personally led these every First Saturday of the month from 6:30-7:30 a.m.
20) I gave a monthly “mini-retreat” (in Spanish) on First Saturdays for the Guadalupanas and other interested parishioners from 8:45-11:30 am, consisting of the Holy Rosary and a workshop on prayer.
21) Special First Saturday of the month Mass at 1:00 a.m. to help the faithful fulfill the requirements of the First Five Saturdays.
22) Holy Rosary every Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. prior to Holy Mass
23) Holy Rosary every Saturday evening at 4:30 p.m. prior to Holy Mass
24) Different devotions and chaplets prayed after every weekend Mass
25) All-day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays
26) All-night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays
27) Devotion to the Precious Blood on Thursday nights at 11:00 p.m.
28) At least weekly, I personally took Holy Communion to the sick & homebound of the parish
29) A daily Procession through the neighborhood on the Rogation Days (the three days prior to Ascension Thursday)
30) Promotion of abstinence of meat on every Friday of the year and promotion of the penitential aspect of every Friday of the year
Tragically, since my removal from San Juan Bautista on Sept. 20, 2011, it is not an exaggeration to say that none of the above exists anymore at San Juan Bautista. It is absolutely shocking! Masses have been cancelled. Confessions and Holy Hours have been cancelled, etc. Can anyone, anyone, seriously think that the diocese is carrying out its “sacred duty” to safeguard the spiritual goods of San Juan Bautista anywhere close to what Fr. Michael Rodríguez was doing?
TEMPORAL GOODS
San Juan Bautista is a poor parish, and the weekly Sunday collection before my arrival in May 2002, was usually less than $1,000.00. Over the course of my 9 ½ years as parish administrator, by the grace and mercy of God, the following building projects were achieved:
1) A beautiful, new tabernacle
2) An initial renovation of the sanctuary including a new addition for the tabernacle, new statues, a new communion rail, and a new marble floor
3) The installation of two magnificent, new Church bells
4) Complete renovation of the parish kitchen, including a brand new tile floor and new cabinets
5) Renovation of the parish hall storage garage with new cabinets
6) A completely new tile floor for the parish hall
7) A new porch for the parish hall
A brand new roof for the Church
9) All the Church and parish hall air-conditioning units were replaced with new ones
10) Exterior renovation of the Church: two new side entry ramps to the Church with railing
11) Exterior renovation of the Church: a new side-porch to the Church
12) Completely new asphalt for the entire Church parking lot
13) New exterior lighting for the Church and parking lot
14) An entirely new storage building-complex behind the rectory
15) A beautiful new GROTTO to Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe with multiple shrines, a fountain, an altar, plaques, gardens [still in the process of being completed when I was transferred]
16) The renovation of the sanctuary and a new high altar according to the norms of the ancient form of the Roman Rite [still in its initial stages when I was transferred]
Can anyone, anyone, seriously think that the diocese is carrying out its “sacred duty” to safeguard the temporal goods of San Juan Bautista anywhere close to what Fr. Michael Rodríguez was doing?
Please continue to entrust me to loving protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Immaculate and Sorrowful Mother.
Fr. Michael Rodríguez
Parochial Vicar, Santa Teresa de Jesús Catholic Church
Presidio, TX "
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Priest Under Fire
Message sent as follows:
Dear Cardinal Daniel Dinardo,
My request is a very simple plea. I beg you to please stop the lawsuit filed by Bishop Armando Ochoa against Father Michael Rodriquez. This matter should be handled in private and does much harm to our Catholic faith. Please listen to the plight of so many of the Catholics of Texas who love their faith.
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
George Brenner
CC: Father Michael Rodriquez
Dear Cardinal Daniel Dinardo,
My request is a very simple plea. I beg you to please stop the lawsuit filed by Bishop Armando Ochoa against Father Michael Rodriquez. This matter should be handled in private and does much harm to our Catholic faith. Please listen to the plight of so many of the Catholics of Texas who love their faith.
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
George Brenner
CC: Father Michael Rodriquez
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Priest Under Fire
Today's article by Father Michael Rodriquez as as sent to me by his brother:
http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_19791002
http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_19791002
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Priest Under Fire
Response today from Father Michael Rodriquez,
Mike,(MRyan) 2012 will be a year in Church history, unlike many before it. Much will be expected of you Mike, but I know that you will up for the task.
May God safeguard Our Pope in the ensuing battle.
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
Dear George,
Christus apparuit nobis, veníte, adorémus. Every once in a while I use my brother's email as I am doing now.
Thank you VERY MUCH for your continued prayers and support. Obviously, keep up your excellent work defending
the great dogma of Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus. We're in a real battle here in the Diocese of El Paso, TX, and
it's a battle for the Catholic Faith. If blood must be shed, then so be it! Thanks again to you and all the
faithful who are linked to your website.
You will be in my prayers, especially at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
Fr. Michael Rodríguez
Mike,(MRyan) 2012 will be a year in Church history, unlike many before it. Much will be expected of you Mike, but I know that you will up for the task.
May God safeguard Our Pope in the ensuing battle.
JMJ,
Your friend,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
I'm sorry I didn't pay more attention to this before. God bless Father Michael. I sure wish his Church was within driving range of me.
I don't know if this was linked here, but there's a website with Father Michael's sermons, and some good talks by a "David" Rodriguez:
http://sanjuan.webhop.org/
I don't know if this was linked here, but there's a website with Father Michael's sermons, and some good talks by a "David" Rodriguez:
http://sanjuan.webhop.org/
tornpage- Posts : 953
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Hello Tornpage,
Thanks for the link on Father Michael. Here is the email if you would like to email Father Rodriquez....... dvrodrig@gmail.com. God Bless Father Michael and the many others who love their Catholic Faith.
I am thinking about asking the Holy Father to consider Father Michael as Bishop for El Paso. Any others interested in this plea?
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
E mail today from Father Michael's brother:
+JMJ+
St. Francis of Rome, pray for us!
Pax Christi All,
- Today is Day 9 of our Novena to St. Thomas Aquinas.
This is the final day of this novena. Tomorrow we begin the novena to St. Joseph. (attached)
Are next novena will be in honor of the Annunciation.
Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers. This Sunday, Fr. Rodríguez will offer holy Mass in El Paso, so many of us are grateful to our Lord for this opportunity. At present, there is no new news regarding his parish assignment, the civil case levied against him by El Paso's former bishop, or the status of the proceedings in the canonical case. So please do keep praying and we will send an update as soon as we have one. We also have not received any news regarding our next Bishop and we continue to persevere in earnest and fervent prayer that we will be sent a holy and courageous bishop.
Fr. Rodríguez is offering two parish missions this Lenten Season, but both will be in Spanish as the vast majority of his parishioners in Presidio speak understand Spanish better. But he will be trying to teach them more about tradition and the Latin Mass. We will have CD copies available of those later on.
There has been widespread interest regarding his recent sermon (which was expanded to an hour talk) regarding "The Enemy Within." Those can be viewed or heard on the internet through the website, but we also have CD and DVD copies available if anyone would like them. Various individuals have also requested the text to this talk, so we have put those transcripts up on the website as well under Father's articles. http://sanjuan.webhop.org
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
dvr
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Latest e mail from Father Michael Rodriquez:
And so we pray for this is ' Our time ' to be all that we can be in the eyes of God.
JMJ,
George
Just a few updates from our situation in El Paso:
- The Congregation for the Clergy in the Vatican has acknowledged reception of the information sent by Fr. Rodriguez's Canon Lawyer. In a nutshell the argument is made that Bishop Ochoa has not acted properly, gone outside the bounds of Canon Law, and not treated Fr. Rodriguez fairly. Please pray that they render a decision in favor of Fr. Rodriguez, soon.
- Ecclesia Dei (the Pontifical Commission responsible for the Latin Mass all over the world) has also acknowledged reception of our petition requesting a traditional parish and is looking into the matter. Please pray that they too render a favorable decision speedily.
- The Apostolic Nuncio also received our petition and information pleading for a holy, courageous and orthodox bishop. He indicated that he is looking into the matter.
While all these communications were brief and succinct, the mere fact that responses have been sent is something I consider very positive. Given what I have heard and personally experienced, these kinds of communications were regularly simply ignored in the past. Letters would be sent to Vatican officials and no response was ever received. Therefore I prefer to hope that all three of these responses point in a more favorable direction. It also indicates to me that it is ever more important to storm heaven with our prayers and penances.
- Also of note to some may be the political situation here. We had a successful effort to recall Mayor Cook last summer. However, he bogged the proceedings in courts and eventually on an appeal got the effort halted. That case is currently pending before the Texas Supreme Court, we are hoping they will hear it. However, back at the grass roots level, an individual on his own has decided to initiate a new effort to recall the Mayor. This has just begun and signatures are being collected so that hopefully we can still oust this man who has disdained the Law of God and the law of the land.
- Fr. Rodriguez will also be able to offer a Holy Mass here in El Paso this Sunday evening. We are looking forward to seeing him again, as he has not been here since well before Passiontide. Hopefully a number of his more recent sermons will also soon be up on the website (sometime this week).
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
dvr
And so we pray for this is ' Our time ' to be all that we can be in the eyes of God.
JMJ,
George
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Re: Priest Under Fire
From David and Father Michael Rodriquez:
St. Venantius, pray for us!
Pax Christi All,
- Today is DAY 1 of our novena to Pentecost Novena which is followed by our novena prayers to our Lady of Fatima.
(attached)
- We had a beautiful May Crowning and Holy Mass yesterday in honor of Our Lord, Our Lady, and the Twelve Apostles. Fr. Rodriguez also provided a stirring homily. The audio and video of these events will be forthcoming soon.
- I rarely forward information regarding videos on the internet, but today is an exception. This is one I hope we can share with many and that it can have an impact:
This is called "Test of Fire: Election 2012" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd=
- International News: A number of people have asked me questions regarding the developments between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X. Please continue to pray in a particular way for God's grace to guide these proceedings. For those more interested in the details, I believe the following reports are some of the most helpful.
* A letter written by the SSPX District Superior of the USA http://www.sspx.org/District_Superiors_Ltrs/2012_ds_ltrs/fr_rostand_special_announcement_5-15-2012.htm
* A brief video interview of Bishop Fellay and Catholic News Service http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2012/05/bishop-fellay-speaks-to-usccbs-catholic.html?m=1
It is also interesting to note that Cardinal Ranjith (Colombo, Sri Lanka) has stated that he would place SSPX priests in charge of his seminary. He was the secretary for the Congregation of Divine Worship for many years and recently Pope Benedict named him a Cardinal (2010). Fr. Rodriguez has actually had the opportunity to meet with him and speak with him in Rome and has always spoken very highly of him. Cardinal Ranjith has also mandated that in his diocese, the faithful are forbidden to receive Holy Communion in the hand, instead the universal norm of receiving on the tongue is now the only way permitted. He has also noted that all those able to should kneel to receive our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
One other interesting piece I read mentioned that the CDF is asking Cardinal Schonborn (Vienna, Austria) to offer an explanation of his actions, because he recently reversed the decision of a priest who did not permit a man who is very open and public regarding his sodomite lifestyle to be a member of the parish council. I had included the incident in an email and thought it important to provide this follow up development as well.
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
dvr
St. Venantius was born at Camerino in Italy (about 130 miles due north of Rome). At the young age of fifteen was seized as a Christian and carried before a judge. As it was found impossible to shake his constancy either by threats or promises, he was condemned to be scourged, but was miraculously saved by an angel. He was then burnt with torches and hung over a low fire that he might be suffocated by the smoke. The judge's secretary, admiring the steadfastness of the Saint, and seeing an angel robed in white, who trampled out the fire and again set free the youthful martyr, proclaimed his faith in Christ, was baptized with his whole family, and shortly after won the martyr's crown himself. Venantius was then carried before the governor, who, unable to make him renounce his faith, cast him into prison with an apostate, who vainly strove to tempt him. The governor then ordered his teeth and jaws to be broken, and had him thrown into a furnace, from which the angel once more delivered him. The Saint was again led before the judge, who at sight of him fell headlong from his seat and expired, crying, "The God of Venantius is the true God; let us destroy our idols." This circumstance being told to the governor, he ordered Venantius to be thrown to the lions; but these brutes, forgetting their natural ferocity, crouched at the feet of the Saint. Then, by order of the tyrant, the young martyr was dragged through a heap of brambles and thorns, but again God manifested the glory of His servant; the soldiers suffering from thirst, the Saint knelt on a rock and signed it with a cross, when immediately a jet of clear, cool water spurted up from the spot. This miracle converted many of those who beheld it, whereupon the governor had Venantius and his converts beheaded together in the year 250. The bodies of these martyrs are kept in the church at Camerino which bears the Saint's name. Pope Clement X (1670-76) had a particular strong devotion to this powerful young saint.
And so we must pray for the help of the Holy Ghost
St. Venantius, pray for us!
Pax Christi All,
- Today is DAY 1 of our novena to Pentecost Novena which is followed by our novena prayers to our Lady of Fatima.
(attached)
- We had a beautiful May Crowning and Holy Mass yesterday in honor of Our Lord, Our Lady, and the Twelve Apostles. Fr. Rodriguez also provided a stirring homily. The audio and video of these events will be forthcoming soon.
- I rarely forward information regarding videos on the internet, but today is an exception. This is one I hope we can share with many and that it can have an impact:
This is called "Test of Fire: Election 2012" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd=
- International News: A number of people have asked me questions regarding the developments between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X. Please continue to pray in a particular way for God's grace to guide these proceedings. For those more interested in the details, I believe the following reports are some of the most helpful.
* A letter written by the SSPX District Superior of the USA http://www.sspx.org/District_Superiors_Ltrs/2012_ds_ltrs/fr_rostand_special_announcement_5-15-2012.htm
* A brief video interview of Bishop Fellay and Catholic News Service http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2012/05/bishop-fellay-speaks-to-usccbs-catholic.html?m=1
It is also interesting to note that Cardinal Ranjith (Colombo, Sri Lanka) has stated that he would place SSPX priests in charge of his seminary. He was the secretary for the Congregation of Divine Worship for many years and recently Pope Benedict named him a Cardinal (2010). Fr. Rodriguez has actually had the opportunity to meet with him and speak with him in Rome and has always spoken very highly of him. Cardinal Ranjith has also mandated that in his diocese, the faithful are forbidden to receive Holy Communion in the hand, instead the universal norm of receiving on the tongue is now the only way permitted. He has also noted that all those able to should kneel to receive our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
One other interesting piece I read mentioned that the CDF is asking Cardinal Schonborn (Vienna, Austria) to offer an explanation of his actions, because he recently reversed the decision of a priest who did not permit a man who is very open and public regarding his sodomite lifestyle to be a member of the parish council. I had included the incident in an email and thought it important to provide this follow up development as well.
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
dvr
St. Venantius was born at Camerino in Italy (about 130 miles due north of Rome). At the young age of fifteen was seized as a Christian and carried before a judge. As it was found impossible to shake his constancy either by threats or promises, he was condemned to be scourged, but was miraculously saved by an angel. He was then burnt with torches and hung over a low fire that he might be suffocated by the smoke. The judge's secretary, admiring the steadfastness of the Saint, and seeing an angel robed in white, who trampled out the fire and again set free the youthful martyr, proclaimed his faith in Christ, was baptized with his whole family, and shortly after won the martyr's crown himself. Venantius was then carried before the governor, who, unable to make him renounce his faith, cast him into prison with an apostate, who vainly strove to tempt him. The governor then ordered his teeth and jaws to be broken, and had him thrown into a furnace, from which the angel once more delivered him. The Saint was again led before the judge, who at sight of him fell headlong from his seat and expired, crying, "The God of Venantius is the true God; let us destroy our idols." This circumstance being told to the governor, he ordered Venantius to be thrown to the lions; but these brutes, forgetting their natural ferocity, crouched at the feet of the Saint. Then, by order of the tyrant, the young martyr was dragged through a heap of brambles and thorns, but again God manifested the glory of His servant; the soldiers suffering from thirst, the Saint knelt on a rock and signed it with a cross, when immediately a jet of clear, cool water spurted up from the spot. This miracle converted many of those who beheld it, whereupon the governor had Venantius and his converts beheaded together in the year 250. The bodies of these martyrs are kept in the church at Camerino which bears the Saint's name. Pope Clement X (1670-76) had a particular strong devotion to this powerful young saint.
And so we must pray for the help of the Holy Ghost
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
A plea to Bishop's by Father Michael Rodriquez
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
From Father Michael Rodriquez:
The message versus today's Catholic world speaks for itself.
JMJ.
George
What is truly shocking is that Saint John Fisher was the ONLY English bishop who was willing to stand up to Henry VIII and he would not abandon Christ and the True Catholic Faith. St. Thomas More also gave up his life for this cause and both of them knew the king would separate their beloved country from the Church founded by Jesus Christ. Henry, who was once considered a Defender of Orthodoxy and the most Catholic king in all Europe, abandoned God and created his own religious sect. Five centuries later this great nation is financial broke, filled with atheism, overrun by infidels, seeped in degenerate morals, and on the brink of ruin. Imagine if the King had only remained faithful? Imagine if the all the bishops had opposed him? The details change, but history does continue to repeat itself.
Ad Iesum per Mariam,
dvr
The message versus today's Catholic world speaks for itself.
JMJ.
George
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Re: Priest Under Fire
An update from Father Michael Rodriquez; a true and Holy Priest
JMJ,
George
Brief Update - Petition for Traditional Latin Mass Parish in El Paso
Our petition for a Traditional Latin Mass parish in El Paso has now been sent to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. This is the highest court in the Church.Please pray for the intention that they will hear our plea and grant our request. Cardinal Burke is the head of the Supreme Tribunal and he is one of the most favorable members of the Curia towards the Latin Mass. Please also specifically pray that he will personally look into our case. For those of you who may not be too familiar with the Cardinal, this short 4min video will at least give you a bit of insight into this thought:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c62iZ4ufOY
The Brown Scapular
Hopefully all of you are familiar with Our Lady of Mount Carmel and her Brown Scapular. If not, I would strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with it and have a strong devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and wear her scapular. In nutshell, the most wonderful thing about this sacamental is the holy promise which our Lady attached to it and revealed to St. Simon Stock (1251 AD). She promised that "Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire." In 1322 AD, Our Lady also revealed to Pope John XXII, "I, the Mother of grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I shall free, so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting." This is known as the Sabbatine Privilege. Thus all of us should devotedly and with authentic faith wear the Brown Scapular all our life and remain committed to it. It is a very special promise from our Lady that we will not go to hell, and we in turn should respond faithfully. By wearing this scapular we show Mary that we love her, that we revere her as our loving Mother, and that we are her devoted children, consecrated and belonging to her. If you have not been invested by a priest with the Brown Scapular, then this coming week is the perfect opportunity and July 16 is naturally the most ideal day.
Those interested can learn more about the Brown Scapular by listening to the following sermon:
http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20100718-Stories-Of-The-Brown-Scapular.html
New Sermon
This weekend Father Rodriguez's sermon continued exhorting us in our devotion to the Precious Blood of Our Lord. In particular, he cites Fr. Frederick Faber and links the Precious Blood to the Sacraments and Mortification. You can listen to the sermon online at:
http://netmarkexpress.info/church/sermonsandaudiofiles/?sermon_id=578
JMJ,
George
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Re: Priest Under Fire
Father Michael,
I am so thankful about the news concerning Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. My prayers continue to be for you to be appointed local Bishop. I know, I know that would take a Miracle, but it is my prayer.
George Brenner
Hopeful News from Father Michael:
Rorate Caeli, a traditional website reports: "After several decades a worthy bishop for the City of St. Francis." Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has just named Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (formerly Bishop of Oakland) as the new Archbishop of San Francisco (July 27, 2012). This appointment should give us hope and spur us onto greater prayer. Of all the 'realistic' candidates available, Bishop Crodileone is in my opinion the best. I assert this in terms of his fidelity to Church teaching and his support for the Traditional Latin Mass. He has been one of the more outspoken bishops supporting the sanctity of marriage. He is also one of the few bishops in the country who has celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass, and he has done so numerous times. I know there may still be some naysayers out there who will point out certain deficiencies in the Bishop, and while he may not be St. Athanasius or St. Anthony Mary Claret, he is in all likelihood the best bishop in the entire state of California. We should pray for him, as he will have a very difficult time in San Francisco, because that archdiocese has been decimated in the past few decades, especially on account of the sin of sodom. He is definitely a step above the previous three bishops San Francisco had. Rumors state it took longer for this appointment because it was challenged and controversial within the halls of the Curia in the Vatican. God willing, he will begin to "clean things up" in San Francisco, perhaps beginning with Catholic politicians who scandalously oppose Church Teaching.
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Good news indeed.
It takes only one Bishop with the courage of a Fr. Michael to drive an Apostolic stake into the ground and to say "these are the lines that shall not be crossed, and here is where you will find the one true Church of Christ, and no where else", and the world (and the Church) will take notice.
May the good Bishop wield his Apostolic authority with the full fervor of the faith and with Apostolic zeal in order to bring wayward Catholics back into the fold.
May God grant him the wisdom of the saints and the courage of the martyrs as he tends to this modern day Sodom.
Pray for him.
It takes only one Bishop with the courage of a Fr. Michael to drive an Apostolic stake into the ground and to say "these are the lines that shall not be crossed, and here is where you will find the one true Church of Christ, and no where else", and the world (and the Church) will take notice.
May the good Bishop wield his Apostolic authority with the full fervor of the faith and with Apostolic zeal in order to bring wayward Catholics back into the fold.
May God grant him the wisdom of the saints and the courage of the martyrs as he tends to this modern day Sodom.
Pray for him.
MRyan- Posts : 2314
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Amen,
Brother Michael (MRyan)
........You should send your last post to Father Michael; you have a way that inspires many. Can you tell that I just got back from "Restoring Love" ?
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Re: Priest Under Fire
George, I'm not sure "inspires" is the right word ... the sede's would probably come up with a few other choice descriptions, "inspires" not being one of them.George Brenner wrote:
Amen,
Brother Michael (MRyan)
........You should send your last post to Father Michael; you have a way that inspires many.
I also "inspire" the dyed-in-the-wool Feeneyites to no end.
Yes, you are so ecumenical ... I can just see you at an “UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE” AND [Glenn Beck's] “RESTORING LOVE” rally!George Brenner wrote:
Can you tell that I just got back from "Restoring Love"?
"Drop the bombs in the name of LOVE!"
Hey, I went to "Protecting God's Children" last week. Not sure if the DRE knows what he's getting by turning me loose in a CCD class. I hope to get the older kids - the older the better. They're starving for the full truth and are probably tired of the watered down "feel good" pop psychology stuff they've been hearing since Kindergarten.
Should be fun - if he takes me. Perhaps I can entice Marian Librarian to come back and give me some helpful pointers, I'll bet she's very good in the classroom.
Is there anyone else on the forum who teaches CCD?
MRyan- Posts : 2314
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Re: Priest Under Fire
MRyan,
At CCD you will do great!
For most CCD has come to mean Catholic Church Diversity
Instead of Catholic Church Doctrine
Sig 'em Mike
JMJ,
George
At CCD you will do great!
For most CCD has come to mean Catholic Church Diversity
Instead of Catholic Church Doctrine
Sig 'em Mike
JMJ,
George
George Brenner- Posts : 604
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Join date : 2011-09-08
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