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Chapter 11
The Numbers Game
People tend to be impressed with size. "Bigger" and "better" often go together in advertising slogans. But is this how God sees things? Can we assume that the Roman Catholic Church must be right because it is so big? Goliath was huge, powerful, and a seasoned warrior. He was admired by the Philistines and feared by the Israelites. People were impressed with Goliath, but God wasn't. God used a shepherd named David to kill the giant. (1 Samuel 17:1-54)
When Gideon fought the Midianites, he started out with 32,000 men. That sounds like an impressive number until you read that the Midianite soldiers were a multitude which filled the valley like a plague of locusts. But God told Gideon that he had too many men, and he was to send home every man who was afraid. Two-thirds of his men left (22,000 out of 32,000). Then God disqualified all but 300 of the 10,000 men who remained. That left Gideon with one percent of his original soldiers. (Judges 7:1-9)
In God's eyes, which group were the true hearted soldiers through whom He could do miracles? The 31,700? Or the 300 who defeated the Midianites? If you read what happened, you will see that God was with the one percent. Could the difference be even greater than a hundred to one and still have God be with the minority? Well, what if the 31,700 had decided that because the 300 were different, they must be "heretics" and therefore they should be killed? Jesus spoke about a large crowd of people which goes the wrong way, to its destruction, and a small group of people who finds the right way, which leads to life. He said,
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
If you look at the context in which Jesus said this, He was speaking to the multitudes in Israel. These were not pagans who served horrible demon "gods". These were God's chosen people, in covenant with Him, the people who had the Scriptures, the people to whom God had sent the prophets. And Jesus warned them that there was a broad, popular way, which most people would choose, that would lead to destruction.
Jesus spoke of Godly people who would be despised, and false people who would be widely accepted. He said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26) Obviously, being part of a small minority that is spoken against does not necessarily make people right. David Koresh and Jim Jones were dead wrong. My point is that you cannot use numbers to decide whether or not people are right. We need to measure their teachings against Scripture. Our plumb line is the Bible, not the calculator.
Chapter 12
New Age Catholicism
The "New Age" is actually a resurgence of old paganism which has been "westernized" and dressed up in modern vocabulary. It denies foundational Christian doctrines and basic Christian morality. But in spite of this, there are Catholic priests and nuns who are openly promoting New Age beliefs and practices. I will give documented information about this from Catholic authors. One of them is a Catholic reporter who spent over twelve years getting first-hand, eye witness information. There are also on-line articles which you can read for yourself. (I give the addresses in the Notes.) As we will see, there are priests and nuns who promote pagan rituals, occult activities, Hindu religious practices, worship of "the goddess," witchcraft, and "channelling" (having "spirits" speak through you). They deny foundational Christian doctrines, such as the fact that Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins. And they renounce traditional Christian morality.
If you have difficulty with the following information, I understand. So do I. But the facts won't go away just because we don't like them. Randy England is Catholic. He wrote "The Unicorn in the Sanctuary: The Impact of the New Age on the Catholic Church". According to England, New Age concepts are taught at retreats, prayer workshops, and educational conferences. [Note 1 gives addresses of on-line summaries of the book.] The theology of Jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin opened the door for New Age concepts to come into the Catholic Church. ("Unicorn," pages 78-95) These led to "creation-centred spirituality" and Catholic feminism, which will be discussed later. (pages 118-134).
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk. He taught that every form of mystical experience is valid, no matter what its source. He praised Hinduism and Buddhism. Merton wanted to see the religions of the world become united. ( "Unicorn," pages 75-77)
Priests and nuns are teaching trusting Catholics to do Hindu meditation, to use visualization techniques, and to cultivate spirit guides. Randy England says that spirit guides are demons. ("Unicorn," pages 3 and 77)
Therefore, a person who cultivates spirit guides is actually invoking demons and inviting them to control his or her life. A Jesuit priest teaches priests, nuns and lay Catholics to do Eastern meditation, using spirit guides. Priests and nuns teach prayer techniques which are not prayer in the Christian sense at all. Rather, they result in altered states of consciousness, and susceptibility to demonic influence. A Franciscan priest teaches Catholics to "manipulate" reality with the assistance of "spirit beings" (i.e., demons).
He is especially influential with nuns. Catholics are taught that their "spirituality" will be improved by New Age techniques such as yoga, practices from Eastern religions, and occult meditation. Some Catholic schools no longer teach the Ten Commandments and foundational Christian doctrines like the Resurrection. Instead, they promote a non-Christian, one-world government. ("Unicorn," pages 6-9 and 135-146) Mitch Pacwa is a Jesuit priest who became involved in the New Age when he was in the seminary. He wrote "Catholics and the New Age". (If you search for the book at Amazon.com you can see nine pages on-line.) According to Pacwa, some Catholic parishes give workshops on astrology, channelling, and the enneagram (a New Age system of personality analysis). Pacwa had extensive personal experience with the enneagram. He became proficient, and taught it to other priests. [Note 2]
During the period between 1970 and 1980 (when I was still a Catholic), I ran into three New Age things which were promoted by Catholic priests. First, a Catholic priest recommended self-hypnosis and gave me cassette tapes for doing it. Fortunately I never listened to the tapes. I have since learned that any form of hypnosis is spiritually dangerous. Second, some Catholic friends enthusiastically recommended that I attend a Catholic workshop on "Centring Prayer" which was given by a priest. Fortunately, I was not able to attend the workshop. I bought the priest's book, but it seemed strange and I didn't read much of it. I've learned from Randy England's book that "Centring Prayer" is similar to Silva Meditation (also called Silva Mind Control). It involves altered states of consciousness and spirit guides. ("Unicorn," pages 143-146)
Third, I went on a Catholic retreat which was run by priests. Much to my surprise, the psychology of Carl Jung was taught throughout the retreat. In addition, the bookstore sold books which discussed spirituality in terms which didn't sound Christian. One of the books talked about finding "the goddess within". According to Randy England, Jung was an occultist who had spirit guides.
In each of these situations, I had a genuine desire to become closer to God. I went to Catholic priests, looking for training in how to pray, looking for things to strengthen my spiritual life. But instead of offering me life-giving Christian things, those Catholic priests offered me deadly New Age things.
In Matthew 7:9-10, Jesus said that if our children ask us for bread (nourishment), we don't give them a stone (something worthless). And if they ask us for fish (something nourishing), we don't give them a snake (something deadly). However, when I asked those Catholic priests for something nourishing, they offered me deadly things instead. According to Randy England, Donna Steichen, and Mitch Pacwa, my experience was not unusual. Similar things have happened to many Catholics.
CATHOLIC FEMINISTS
The following information about Catholic feminists comes from the book "Ungodly Rage". Some of this information is available in on-line articles about the book. [Note 3 gives their addresses.] If you search for the book at Amazon.com, you can see 25 pages on-line.
Donna Steichen (a Catholic journalist) wrote "Ungodly Rage: The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism". She spent twelve years getting first-hand information. Her book is based on things that she personally saw and heard, plus the writings of Catholic feminists. She is a good reporter, giving names, dates, quotations, and lots of nitty gritty details. Catholic feminist leaders teach that every form of sexual expression is good (even incest and sadomasochism). They give teachers strategies for getting rid of the sexual inhibitions of their students, so that the students will be free to express themselves sexually. They say that every act of "love" and pleasure is a ritual which honours the goddess. Their openly stated goal is to redefine sexuality and morality. Donna Steichen asked some feminist nuns about these teachings. The nuns enthusiastically agreed with the teachings, and with the moral system that it reflects. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 41-45, 150, and 176-177)
In 1985, Mrs. Steichen attended a Conference on Women and Spirituality. (The following information is from pages 29 to 63 of "Ungodly Rage".)
The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were deeply involved. Some of them gave workshops during the conference. Many SSND nuns attended the conference. They helped with preparations, and they allowed attendees to stay at their Good Counsel Educational Centre. Thus, the conference had a major impact on an entire community of teaching nuns. The Catholic priest who is the chaplain of St. Benedict's (a nearby Catholic school) announced the conference and arranged transportation for women who wanted to go. Faculty members and students attended. Donna Steichen interviewed the priest. He had studied the program and was aware of its nature. He approved of it.
The conference was an ecumenical event. Sixteen of the speakers were Catholics (nuns, former nuns, and laywomen). The majority of the women who attended were Catholics. They included nuns, teachers at parochial schools and Catholic colleges, staff members of Catholic counselling agencies, parish administrators, and laywomen. In other words, many attendees were women in positions of authority and influence.
The conference was also attended by professing witches and by avowed lesbians who claimed to be Christians. Speakers promoted goddess worship, and the exploration of "sacred" sexuality. A sense of victim mentality was fostered. The idea of sin was mocked. According to the speakers, the only sin is sexism. Most of the workshops included pagan rituals. Most speakers ignored Jesus altogether, but Rosemary Ruether said that some people might want to retain Him as a "symbol". Ruether openly stated that the objective of Catholic feminism is to take over the Catholic church. And in order to do this, it needs to maintain the appearance of legitimate Catholicism.
Ruether told women to establish covens or Women-Church groups to celebrate their own rituals. These groups would either replace traditional Christian churches, or else be places of refuge where women who retain church affiliation would be free to share their true feelings. She said that large groups should be subdivided into groups of 13 members, because 13 is the number for a coven. (The term "coven" is usually applied to groups of witches.) Steichen interviewed many of the attendees. None of the Catholic women saw any conflict between their Catholicism and their attendance at this conference. They even defended the worship of pagan gods and said that it does not conflict with Catholicism. Mrs. Steichen asked them if the early martyrs were wrong to face death because they refused to worship pagan gods. The women didn't get the point. They usually responded that things are different now.
Mrs. Steichen also interviewed some Protestant women who were disturbed by the conference. I believe that if the Catholic women had been well grounded in Scripture, they would have been less susceptible to deception. On Sunday morning, three feminist services were available for conference participants. One of them was a Wiccan ritual, which was attended by about half of the women (including Donna Steichen). As part of the ritual, the participants cast a spell. (Wicca is a religion based on witchcraft. It involves goddess worship, rituals and spells.) After the ritual was over, Donna Steichen asked one participant if she was a nun. The woman said that she wasn't, but she always sees a lot of nuns at these rituals.
The Catholic feminist movement grew in numbers and in influence. The next year (1986), a Women in the Church Conference was attended by 2,500 women, 85 percent of whom were nuns. (That is over two thousand nuns.) One speaker told the women to get rid of the "false god" of Christianity and create a "God-myth" to replace it. She said that women need to "reclaim their reality" by means of "holistic sexuality". Another speaker said that Scripture should be radically transformed in order to make it support the feminist agenda. An example of this is one speaker's interpretation of what happened in the Garden of Eden. She said that when God banished the snake, it was patriarchy banishing the goddess, and banishing Eve's freedom to express herself sexually. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 123-124 and 145-153)
About two hundred of the nuns who attended wore habits and veils. At first Donna Steichen thought they must not have realized the nature of the conference when they decided to come. However, when she interviewed them, every single one of them enjoyed the conference and agreed with it. One of them had been orthodox in her beliefs until she took a summer class at the University of Notre Dame a few months before the conference. As a result of that class, she became a radical feminist. ("Ungodly Rage," page 133)
Some Catholic clergymen support the radical Catholic feminists. This conference was given under the auspices of Catholic bishops and priests. Advisors for the conference included nearly 20 bishops and 15 priests. They did not want their names to be known, presumably because of the controversial nature of the event. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 152-153) In October 1987, A Women-Church conference was attended by 3,000 women. Most of them were Catholics. Many were nuns and former nuns who were involved in teaching, social service, or pastoral ministry. In other words, they were women in trusted positions of leadership, influence, and authority. ("Ungodly Rage," page 154)
Speakers identified sexuality with spirituality, and with a woman's identity. They said that "sexual empowerment" is the key to empowering women. They praised lesbianism and auto-eroticism, calling them good things which honour the goddess. One lesbian speaker said that her lesbianism is a form of goddess religion. Speakers promoted abortion. One speaker openly said that in order to promote their feminist religion, they need the institutional Catholic Church because it is a global power with far-reaching influence. Workshops included instruction in animism (worship of nature spirits), with rituals that were a combination of feminism and Native American practices. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 150-154 and 173-183) Mary Hunt said that in order for the Catholic feminist movement to survive, it must influence the next generation. Now this is a practical problem for a movement which is largely founded on nuns and lesbian laywomen, because they usually don't have children. Therefore, they have to influence other people's children. Mary Hunt spoke of the need to create places to influence children, including schools, retreat centres, think tanks, and centres for feminist theology. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 185-186)
Much of this was already in place when Donna Steichen wrote "Ungodly Rage" in 1991. The conference participants were primarily Catholic teachers, nuns from retreat centres, and women who work with youth. In other words, they were in positions that enable them to influence Catholic children and young people. Conference participants also included women who were administrators in chancery offices and parishes. This position enables them to influence what kinds of programs, retreats, and workshops are given in Catholic parishes.
One of the speakers was a Carmelite nun who founded the Association of Contemplative Sisters. She said that although these contemplative nuns started out being "God oriented," they later changed their focus to "mysticism and feminism". They incorporated pagan traditions into their worship and meditation. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 182-183) You can see a description of a Women-Church Conference on-line, complete with quotations and a description of the pagan ritual. [Note 4 gives the address.] This conference was held on April 20, 1996, at Emmanuel College (a Catholic college in Boston). Starhawk (a witch) led a pagan ritual dedicated to the goddess.
As we will see, entire religious communities have become infected with Catholic feminism. Joleene Unnerstall was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND). She left the convent to become a New Age "trance-formation list" (she uses trances and hypnosis). She developed a conference called "Women spirit Rising" which includes workshops on reincarnation, "the goddess within," the use of crystals, and channelling. Women spirit Rising was given at the SSND provincial motherhouse. Another SSND nun teaches Silva Mind Control, including giving classes on astral projection and "spirit messages". SSND nuns have also been heavily involved with the Catholic Coalition for Gay Civil Rights. ("Ungodly Rage," page 342)
The sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet run Fontbonne College. They invited the Women spirit Rising conference to their college twice in the same year. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 106-107) Catholic parents who sacrificed to send their children to this Catholic college probably did not expect to have them be trained in channelling and goddess worship. Two people who have had a significant influence on the Catholic feminist movement are Matthew Fox and Rosemary Ruether. Fox will be discussed later Reuther is a Catholic feminist theologian who is openly lesbian. She developed a liturgy for the "covenanting" of lesbian couples. Reuther's books include "Gaia & God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing" and "Religious Feminism and the Future of the Planet: A Christian-Buddhist Conversation".
MATTHEW FOX
The following information about Fox comes from chapter 6 of Randy England's book, "The Unicorn in the Sanctuary". It is entitled "Woman Church, Witchcraft, and the Goddess". This chapter is available on-line at a Catholic web site. [Note 5 gives the address.]
As a Dominican priest, Matthew Fox promoted Wicca, paganism, and goddess worship in the Catholic Church. For years he told trusting Catholic priests, nuns, and lay people that the Holy Spirit wants them to adopt these practices. The Institute for Culture and Creation Spirituality was founded by Fox. It is located at Holy Names College (a Catholic college run by nuns, the Sisters of the Holy Names Jesus and Mary). Staff members of the Institute included a practicing witch named Starhawk, a voodoo priestess, a shaman (an animist who worships nature spirits), and a Jungian psychologist. Starhawk is the high priestess of a witches' coven. The Institute has developed a Catholic liturgy which is based on Wiccan sources. Matthew Fox denies the existence of sin, except for one thing. He says that it is sinful to fail to embrace the New Age.
Fox preaches "sensual" spirituality, hedonism, and "ecstasy". He says that "intelligent use of drugs" is an aid to prayer. He openly and directly promotes witchcraft. The following information about Matthew Fox comes from an article by Catholic priest Mitchell Pacwa. It is entitled "Catholicism for the New Age: Matthew Fox and Creation-Centred Spirituality". This article is on-line. Information about Fox's organizations comes from web sites and phone conversations. [Note 6 gives addresses of Pacwa's article and related web sites. It also gives the address of a transcript of an interview with Fox which was done by a New Age group which is enthusiastic about him. This will enable you to see for yourself the kinds of things that Fox believes and the way that he expresses himself.]
Fox is the founder, president, and editor-in-chief of a magazine called "Creation." You can get some idea of what he believes by the art work in his magazine. The July/August, 1991 issue of "Creation" featured a picture of Jesus Christ, naked, seated in a lotus position, with antlers on his head. The May/June, 1992 issue featured a picture entitled "The Qetzalcoatl Christ". It showed the Aztec snake god with the face of Jesus Christ. Matthew Fox is a popular speaker with great influence. He endorses homosexuality. He denies original sin and redemption. He says that we need to "embark on a quest for the Cosmic Christ" and in order to do this, we need to stop seeking the "historical Jesus".
According to Fox, true spirituality is about Eros. He says that Holy Communion should be "intimate" and "erotic". He says that spirituality should be sensual, and he promotes "sensual sacraments and liturgies". Fox teaches that people of all religions should be united at "a mystical level". He openly promotes witchcraft, shamanism, astrology, and pagan religions. He praises the writings of the witch Starhawk, and her vision of a revival of goddess worship. Fox says that "personal Saviour" Christianity is "anthropocentric and antimystical". He teaches that Christians need to convert to a "Cosmic Christ" Christianity.
In 1991, Fox was ordered to leave his Institute for Culture and Creation Spirituality (in Oakland, California) and return to Chicago, or else be dismissed by his religious order. He refused, left the Catholic Church, and became an Anglican priest. He founded the University of Creation Spirituality (also located in Oakland) and is its president. Fox, Starhawk, and the voodoo priestess left the Institute for Culture and Creation Spirituality (at Holy Names College) in order to join the University of Creation Spirituality.
Although Fox has left, his Institute for Culture and Creation Spirituality is still at Holy Names College. However, its name has been changed. It is now called the Sophia Centre in Culture and Spirituality. It gives graduate degrees in Creation Spirituality. Judging by its courses and faculty, it is thoroughly New Age, with a strong influence of shamanism, African religions, and "eco-feminism". Several courses appear to be Wiccan.
Although he is no longer Catholic, Fox continues to have widespread influence among Catholics through priests and nuns who have been influenced by his teachings. His influence also continues through Catholics who are trained at the Sophia Centre in Culture and Spirituality at Holy Names College.
Fox's books are sold in both Catholic and New Age book stores. His books are featured at some Catholic retreat houses. They are used by nuns. This not only influences the nuns, it also influences Catholics who come under the influence of those nuns. (For example, other nuns, or students, or Catholics who attend retreats.)
One of Fox's books is entitled, "Whee! We, Wee All the Way Home: A Guide to a Sensual, Prophetic Spirituality". [Honest. I'm not kidding. You can check it out for yourself at Amazon.com.] Another is entitled, "On Becoming a Musical, Mystical Bear: Spirituality American Style". Other books include "One River Many Walls: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths" and "Exploring the Cosmic Christ Archetype".
Fox co-authored a book entitled "Coming Out Spiritually" with Christian de la Huerta, the founder of Q-Spirit. According to the cover, this book "supports the queer community as it awakens". [You can see the cover and some pages from the book at Amazon.com.]
Because of Fox's teachings, some nuns have incorporated Wiccan rituals into their worship. Some nuns are teaching Fox's "creation spirituality" to young children, and neglecting foundational doctrines such as sin and redemption. (Fox doesn't believe in these doctrines.)
CULTIVATING BITTERNESS
Leaders of the Catholic feminist movement exhort women to cultivate rage and anger against patriarchy. This is contrary to Scripture, which warns us to avoid bitterness. The Bible says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." (Hebrews 12:14-16)
"Strong's Concordance" defines the word "profane" as "heathenish, wicked". (Heathens are pagans.) The Bible connects bitterness with failure to respond to God's grace, defiling other people, sexual immorality, pagan behaviour, and forfeiting one's spiritual inheritance. The Catholic feminist movement encourages women to become bitter and remain bitter and to call it a virtue. And when nuns do things, they usually do them zealously and thoroughly. Donna Steichen says that feminist nuns can be "spiteful, irrational, unscrupulous and destructive". Most of them are committed to their "careers" and refuse to leave the Catholic Church even when they no longer believe its teachings. They stay in their positions for the purpose of destroying the Catholic Church as we know it, and creating a new feminist religion in its place. ("Ungodly Rage," page 26) As we will see, Catholic feminism has resulted in the defilement of many Catholics.
INVOLUNTARY NEW AGE INDOCTRINATION
Mother superiors and Catholic educators have been exposed to New Age rituals and indoctrination when they didn't expect it and therefore weren't prepared for it. This is of strategic importance for the Catholic feminist movement. If you indoctrinate a mother superior, then you influence all of the nuns in her convent. If you indoctrinate an educator, then you influence all of his or her students. If one of those students is a nun, then she is likely to influence other nuns in her convent. In addition, feminist educators can influence their colleagues, thus spreading the influence of feminism on the educational system.
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious has a National Assembly for mother superiors of convents. Its 1991 National Assembly featured feminist teachings and a daily ritual during which the nuns chanted "Come into the darkness" and invoked a spirit of death. This was attended by nine hundred mother superiors and their assistants, who then went back to their convents and influenced the nuns there. [Note 7]
There was more involved than the feminist teachings which were given by speakers and modelled during the ritual. Pagan rituals can result in demonic influence on the participants. Having been a nun, it gives me the creeps to even think about what it would be like to be under the authority of a mother superior who has come under demonic influence. Jean Houston was the director of the Foundation for Mind Research and past president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology, and she frequently speaks at New Age conferences. In 1982, 1984 and 1989, Jean Houston addressed Catholic educators at the convention of the National Catholic Education Association. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 242-245).
Between 1985 and 1988, the National Catholic Education Association had a "Catholic Education Futures Project". Twenty other Catholic educational organizations participated in it. This was billed as being preparation for future needs. However, in actuality it was a New Age indoctrination of leaders in Catholic education. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 244-245) Catholic feminist nuns teach New Age spirituality at parochial schools and Catholic colleges. This betrays the trust of the Catholic parents who send their children to these schools.
Mundelein is a Catholic women's college which is run by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is affiliated with Loyola University, which is run by Jesuit priests. In March 1985, a conference called "The Goddesses and the Wild Women" was held at Mundelein. This conference was repeated there in 1986. Also in 1986, a program was given at Mundelein entitled "Her Holiness: Maiden, Mother, Crone." The program honoured the "triple goddess" of witchcraft. It included a crooning ritual, which is a witchcraft initiation ritual. Mundelein's Department of Religion made the arrangements for this program. ("Ungodly Rage," pages 79-91)
Catholic parents who sent their daughters to Mundelein did not expect them to be taught goddess worship and witchcraft initiation rituals. They probably thought that they were protecting their daughters by sending them to a Catholic college run by nuns.
Heythrop College (in London) is run by Jesuit priests. In January 2002, the college hired a professed witch to teach psychology of religion. This was done with the approval of the Jesuit priest who is the president of the college. [Note 8 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
Catholic parents who sacrifice to send their children to Heythrop College do not expect to have them come under the influence of a teacher who is a practicing witch. Even though her subject matter is not witchcraft, her witchcraft beliefs and values will influence her view of both psychology and religion, and the way in which she presents them. In addition, teachers can have a personal influence on their students. [edit]RELATED ISSUES Matthew Fox is not the only Catholic priest who teaches New Age spirituality. There are others. One example is Jesuit priest George Maloney. He wrote "Mysticism and the New Age: Christic Consciousness in the New Creation". The following Catholic priests teach Fox's creation spirituality: Thomas Berry, Roland Murphy, Richard Rohr, Cletus Wessels, and Ken Butigan.
There is a Benedictine monastery which calls itself a "Christian Ashram". You can study mysticism, comparative religion, and Indian music there. Dom. Bede Griffiths is in charge of it. His books include "Cosmic Revelation: The Hindu Way to God" and "The Other Half of My Soul: Bede Griffiths and the Hindu-Christian Dialogue". Griffiths combines Catholicism with Hinduism. Another priest combines Catholicism with Buddhism. Dom. Aelred Graham wrote "Zen Catholicism" and "Conversations: Christian and Buddhist".
Catholic priest Edward Hays is an "expert" on prayer. He runs a Catholic-Hindu "house of prayer" complete with statues of Hindu gods. There is also a crucifix. Hays gives Jesus equal billing with the various Hindu gods. The "house of prayer" is popular, and usually filled to capacity. ("Unicorn in the Garden," pages 72-74) Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello gives workshops introducing Catholics to Eastern prayer and meditation techniques, including visualization and Transcendental Meditation. He wrote a book entitled, "Sadhana: A Way to God". The cover shows Jesus on the cross, and a person seated in the lotus position, meditating at the foot of the cross. ("Unicorn," pages 100-114)
Some Catholic theologians teach that it is "scandalous" to insist that Jesus Christ has a unique status in salvation. They say that it creates a stumbling block to unity with people of other religions, such as Buddhists and Hindus. A Catholic center for spirituality features readings from the "holy books" of many faiths, celebrates pagan festivals, and includes statues of Buddha and Vishnu in their chapel. In 1998, there was a retreat which was attended by both Catholics and Buddhists. In 1999, a Catholic Advent celebration included Buddhist monks and nuns. There is a web site which is devoted to facilitating "dialogue" between Catholics, Buddhists, and Hindus. [Note 9 gives the addresses of on-line articles.]
The Ursuline Sophia Centre (run by Ursuline nuns) features labyrinth walks, Reiki, and spiritual programs which are inspired by religions that are not Christian. (Reiki involves New Age manipulation of "energy" fields and the transfer of "energy" to other people.) Their store sells items for doing Reiki, Yoga, and T'ai Chi. They have classes for training people to do Reiki. [Note 10 gives addresses of on-line information.]
I know a man who went to seminary to become a Catholic priest. One of his seminary professors recommended some books written by Wiccan authors. He was influenced by those books. One thing led to another and he wound up becoming a Wiccan priest instead of a Catholic priest. (Eventually he became a born-again Christian and left Wicca.)
Some friends of mine used to be involved in a New Age organization. They attended workshops which included training in things such as shamanism, reincarnation, and Tarot cards. They told me that nuns participated in these workshops.
NEW AGE MORALS
Notre Dame is a well known Catholic university. It is run by Holy Cross priests. During Lent this year (2002), some Notre Dame students and faculty members are producing a verbally pornographic lesbian play. It's title is "V----- Monologues". ["V" is my euphemism for the word for female reproductive anatomy. This word, and its vulgar, slang counterpart, are prominently featured in the play.] [Note 11 gives the address of an on-line article at a Catholic web site.]
In the play, a 24-year-old woman gets a 13-year-old girl drunk and seduces her. (This is statutory rape.) There is a "chorus" which chants obscenities like a mantra. The play is obsessed with female reproductive anatomy. [I apologize. But if it's bad reading an understated summary of the play, what would it be like to have your children watch it? Or perform in it? At a Catholic school where you thought they were safe because it is run by Catholic priests.] This play is being performed with the blessing of Notre Dame's president, a Catholic priest named Edward Malloy. President Malloy has said that the Catholic Church needs to change its stand regarding "alternative forms of orgasmic behaviour." So this play promotes his beliefs.
The play was performed at Saint Mary's, a Catholic women's college near Notre Dame. Saint Mary's is run by Holy Cross nuns. One of the actresses was a Holy Cross nun, a faculty member of Saint Mary's. The nun wore a tee shirt which said, "Can you say V-----?" And she chanted obscenities. [Note 12 gives the address of an on-line article.] I cannot imagine what it would be like to watch a nun do that. A nun who is on the staff of your college. An authority figure. A nun you call "Sister". A nun who should be an example of religion and morality. A nun who is supposed to embody consecrated purity.
Last year this play was performed at Georgetown University, a prestigious Catholic university which is run by Jesuit priests. The editor-in-chief of the university's newspaper ("The Hoya") wrote an article about the play. He described the audience's rowdy enthusiasm during the raunchiest parts of the play, and he criticized Georgetown University's administration for allowing the play to be performed. He was fired and his article was never published. [Note 13 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
"V----- Monologues" was also performed at the following six Catholic universities and colleges. (The Notes all give addresses of on-line articles.)
The University of Detroit Mercy, run by Jesuit priests and Sisters of Mercy nuns (March 16, 2002). [Note 14]
Loyola University, run by Jesuit priests (February 14, 2001). [Note 15]
Villanova University, run by Augustinian priests (October 15, 2000). [Note 16]
Marist College, run by Marist Brothers (February 14, 2000). [Note 17]
Marquette University, run by Jesuit priests. [Note 18]
Fordham University, run by Jesuit priests. [Note 19]
This play is contrary to the moral standards of most Catholics, including Catholic parents who sacrificed to send their children to Notre Dame, Saint Mary's, Georgetown University, Detroit Mercy, Loyola, Villanova, Marist College, Marquette, and Fordham.
HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?
How could this happen? How could priests and nuns become so deeply deceived? And how could Catholic laymen and laywomen so easily accept New Age teaching from priests and nuns, when that teaching is clearly contradictory to traditional Catholic practice and doctrine?
It is easy to deceive people who are used to being told what to think. And, as we will see, the Catholic Church claims that it has the right to control how Catholics think. According to Canon Law (the official laws governing the Roman Catholic Church), Catholics are required to submit their minds and wills to any declaration concerning faith or morals which is made by the Pope or by a church council. [Note 20]
The Catholic Church teaches that only the Magisterium of the Church (the Pope and the bishops in communion with him) has the right to interpret Scripture. According to Catholic doctrine, people like us are not allowed to interpret Scripture for ourselves. Rather, we have to check it out with Church authorities. [Note 21]
In other words, Catholics are required to used authority figures in order to check out Scripture. This is the opposite of the Bible, which tells us that we should use Scripture in order to check out the teachings of authority figures. The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament. He went to the Third Heaven and was given revelations of things that he was not allowed to tell us about. He was given such great revelations that God sent him a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him humble. (2 Corinthians 12:2-7) Paul was so highly regarded by the Apostles that he was able to publicly rebuke Peter. (Galatians 2:11-21)
Paul was a great apostle, a martyr, and a hero of the faith. Much of our theology is based on his writings. Certainly the Apostle Paul had more authority than any pope or bishop. But does the Bible rebuke people who questioned Paul's teachings? Were people expected to submit their minds and wills to whatever the Apostle Paul taught them about faith and morals? Not at all.
On the contrary, the Bible commends the people of Berea because, when the Apostle Paul preached to them, they checked out what he said against Scripture. They "searched the Scriptures daily" in order to "see whether these things were so". (Acts 17:10-11
God wants His people to check things out for themselves, using Scripture as their yardstick. The Bible says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21). According to "Strong's Concordance," the word "prove" means "to test". We are supposed to test things, to check them out for ourselves, using the Bible for our plumb line. If we are faithful to do that, then it will help us become mature Christians who are not deceived by false doctrines. If we fail to do it, then we will be vulnerable to every "wind of doctrine" that comes along.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesians 4:14)
CATHOLICISM AND PAGANISM
Historically, Catholicism has been combined with paganism in various countries and cultures. This may be one reason why many Catholics (including priests and nuns) have been vulnerable to New Age beliefs and practices. Following are some modern examples of paganism being mixed with Catholicism.
Voodoo is practiced in Africa, South America, and the West Indies. It is also practiced in some areas of the United States. Haiti and New Orleans are famous for it. Voodoo is a mixture of Catholicism and West African religion. Practitioners invite "spirits" (i.e., demons) to "mount" them (possess them). People who practice Voodoo often practice regular Catholicism as well. For example, Marie Leveau, the most famous Voodoo Queen in New Orleans, went to Mass every day. Voodoo involves black magic, curses, and spells. People in New Orleans were afraid of Marie Leveau (the Voodoo Queen). But she considered herself to be a devout Catholic. [Note 22 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
In Cuba, there is an annual festival in honor of St. Lazarus which combines Catholic and Voodoo rituals. According to "Catholic World News," celebrations include Catholic Mass, offerings of rum and cigars, and pilgrims who carry crosses or drag heavy weights which are chained to their bodies. In 1996, Cardinal Jaime Ortega of Havana said the Mass. [Note 23 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
In South Africa, animals are sacrificed during Roman Catholic Mass. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Bloemfontein has actively promoted this practice. Archbishop George Daniel of Pretoria said that animal sacrifice is being done in parishes in his diocese. There is a video showing it. A Catholic priest blessed chickens and goats during Mass. The animals were slaughtered. Their blood was poured into a hole outside of the church. [Note 24 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
In Guatemala, Mayan rituals are combined with Roman Catholicism. In Chichicastenango, Guatemala, there is a Mayan-Catholic Mass. Mayan rituals are conducted inside the Catholic church while the Catholic priest says Mass. This is so popular that it is featured in Guatemalan tourist guides. In Mayan-Catholic churches, one half of the church has pews. The other half has a bare floor. This enables people to put candles and flowers and other things on the floor as part of their Mayan rituals. [Note 25 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead. This is a combination of Aztec religion and Roman Catholicism. In modern cities, it can be primarily just a festival. But in rural areas, it is a serious religious ritual. Some Catholic Mexicans actually worship the dead, even though their Catholic priests tell them not to. [Note 26 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
Brazil is the largest Catholic country in the world. It has 115 million Catholics, which is twelve percent of the Roman Catholic Church. In other words, one out of nine Catholics lives in Brazil. Ninety-three percent of Brazilians claim to be Catholic. However, at least sixty percent of Brazilians practice spiritism. In other words, more than half of Brazil's Catholics practice spiritism in addition to Catholicism. Brazilian Catholics are known for having "double affiliations" (being members of two or more different religions at the same time). Religions which are often practiced by Brazilian Catholics include Candomble, Umbanda, Macumba, and Kardecism. In addition, many Brazilians practice witchcraft or consult witches. [Note 27 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
Candomble, Umbanda, and Macumba are all mixtures of Roman Catholicism, various African religions, and the beliefs of Brazilian Indians. Religious practices include inviting "spirits" (i.e., demons) to possess the worshipers. Many Brazilians practice both traditional Roman Catholicism and Candomble. Macumba practitioners do black magic. Kardecism is a form of spiritism which includes belief in reincarnation. [Note 28 gives addresses of on-line articles.] Santeria is a Caribbean religion which combines Roman Catholicism with African religions. People who practice Santeria often practice regular Catholicism as well. Cities with large Hispanic populations usually have Santeria. [Note 29 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
In the Philippines, during Holy Week (the week preceding Easter), there are "folk rituals". These include "penitential processions" with hundreds of men who whip themselves until their backs are covered with blood. Some people are literally crucified at the end of a Passion Play on Good Friday (but they are only left on the cross for a short time). The crucifixions first began in 1961 with a "healer" who wanted to be crucified in order to acquire "sacred power" for "esoteric healing". Following his example, many other "healers" were also crucified. The practice spread and was no longer limited to "healers". Some people have come from foreign countries in order to be crucified. Women have been crucified. [Note 30 gives addresses of on-line articles.]
CONCLUSION
When people are used to being told what to believe, then what protection do they have against false teaching? Especially if it comes from authority figures like priests and nuns.
It is far more difficult to deceive people who have a real understanding of the Bible, and who habitually check things out against Scripture. Especially if they are also in the habit of humbly asking God to guide them and to correct them if they get off track.
The Bible gives us some beautiful examples of humble prayers for guidance, instruction, and correction. "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." (Psalm 19:12) "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments." (Psalm 119:10) "Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:4-5)
"Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." (Psalm 119:133) "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139: 23-24)