THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Americans, you have been brainwashed. I say this as a fellow American. Our CIA began orchestrating this "Arab Spring" years ago under the Bush administration, and now the Obama administration is seeing it through. Look what it has accomplished so far! In Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood (a radical Islamist sect) is taking over. In Libya, the whole country is now governed by radical Shariah Law. Everywhere the uprisings flourish, radical Islam follows, and yes our CIA is behind it. The United States federal government is fighting a proxy war against anyone who stands in the way of plundering the Middle East for oil reserves and Israeli supremacy. The collateral damage is Middle Eastern Christians, whom our government view as expendable. The Chinese and the Russians have just vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling President Assad to step down. To which I can only say THANK GOD! Our government is out of control...
(FoxNews) - Russia and China vetoed a United Nations resolution Saturday calling on Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite fresh appeals by President Obama and other world leaders following the deadly assault by Syrian forces on the city of Homs.
Activists say Syrian forces killed more than 200 people in what may be the bloodiest confrontation of the uprising against Assad's regime. Leading up to the U.N. Security Council meeting, Obama condemned the "unspeakable assault" and called on other nations to support the Arab League-backed resolution.
read full story here
28 comments; post here:
Sir Knight,
AMEN AMEN AMEN for the mostpart, these regimes, for good or ill, have been far more lenient toward ME Christians than the Islamist backed rebel groups that have toppled, and are systematically toppling them throughout the region. There are Marounites in Syria (as well as the other Eastern Catholic rites and orthodox groups. They and the Marounite disapera (including we the Anglo converts who have made our Catholic Christian home beneath the Cedar Tree as lay and even ministers - e.g. anglo convert Marounite priests in the US) are gravely concerned to say the least, for with supposed 'democratic' reform and overturn of existing powers, they suffer, they are suffering, and they will suffer. next to lebanon, Syria has one of the strongest indigenous Christian presences in the ME. AMERICA YOU MUST LOOK AFTER IT AND CHERRISH IT!!!!!! the only 'Ocracy' that is in store for Syria once Assad is shoved out will be one of 'Theo' and I'm not speaking of a Catholic Confessional state here, kiddos!!
My fellow Australians will attest that nowhere in the news, even on the ABC (or especially on the ABC) has the plight of Christian Syria been addressed!! ALL REPORTS ignore it!! It is as though the MSM have an intentional blind spot to indigenous ME Christianity; it is also apparent that the US govt. US defence Dept. and the UN also have an intentional blindspot toward indigenous ME Christianity, and the US evangelical Church goes one step further and considers them papist heretics and no Christians at all!!
God help them!!
St. Maroun, pray for them,
St. Charbel, pray for them.
Bl. Rafka, pray for them,
St. George, Pray for them.
And St. Maroun and St. Charbel, petition our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Just Judge, to visit the requisite results upon all who refuse to support and recognize indigenous ME Christianity!!
Blessings,
A Supremely mad Marounite!!
The Christians of the Middle-East are our brothers and sisters in Christ and therefore we should be standing with them. Our governments (US, European and Australian), bent on regime change throughout the Middle East, won't listen to us but God will!
We petition our governments for this and that important cause and know that the more signatures we gain the more likely they are to accede to our wishes, although not in this case. We can petition Heaven though through prayer and as usual, the more petitioners the more effective.
After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Rosary is the most powerful prayer we have. We can't all get to Mass every day, some of us are ill etc, but we are all capable of praying the daily Rosary for peace as requested by God through His Blessed Mother at Fatima. Some have been doing so for years but many, many more petitioners are needed.
After all, Americans, Europeans and Australians are responsible to some degree for the harm our governments do in the Middle-East since we the people voted these persons in as our representatives. We therefore OWE the Christians of the Middle-East our spiritual help to remedy the actions of our politicians.
Sooner or later we will be forced to flee to God anyhow for our own protection as persecution mounts in western nations. We may as well start early and help our Christian Syrian brethren in their need now.
What do you say?
Syria is the jewel of the Middle-East.
Our Lady and Our Lord have appeared to Myrna Nazour, stigmatist, at Soufanieh, Damascus (Church Approved). The last message was from Our Lord in 2004. That message is below (that which appears in brackets are my additions):
"Each one of you (pilgrims?), return back home, however, hold the East in your hearts. From here a light emerged anew. You are its radiance in a world seduced by materialism, sensuality and fame, so much as to have almost lost its values. As for you (native Christians?), hold on to your Eastern identity. Do not allow your will, your freedom and your faith in this Orient to be taken away from you."
I find it strange that places like Britain allow muslim extremists into their country while there are christians being persecuted like this. Perhaps these christians just don't want to leave though? I guess all we can do is pray, for now.
Antaine,
You said, "I find it strange that places like Britain allow Muslim extremists into their country while there are Christians being persecuted like this." I, too, find this strange. As far as I can glean, the Australian government allows more Muslims than Christians from the Middle-East to settle here.
You wondered, "Perhaps these Christians just don't want to leave though?" There are a huge number of Catholic refugees from Iraq waiting in Syria for years now to be allowed into a western "Christian" country such as the US and Australia. I haven't heard of any wanting to go to the British Isles but I guess there must be.
I personally know of a Chaldean Christian family (husband, wife and about 5 children) from Mosul, Iraq, who found temporary refuge in Syria about 7 years ago and are still there as far as I know, waiting for the Australian government to let them join their two older children in Sydney. They get as far as processing in Amman, Jordan, and than are turned back. How hopeless their situation must feel.
The Middle-East has been hemorrhaging Christians since the invasion of Iraq by the US, Britain and Australia in 2003; nine years now. Most don't want to leave until it becomes impossible to stay and they shouldn't have to at all. It is their ancestral homeland and theirs are the oldest Christian communities in the world.
Interestingly, more unplaced Christian refugees from Iraq are in Syria than in any other Middle-Eastern country - there are thousands there, and Muslim refugees as well. Syria has been so generous. Their infrastructure and economy have presumably been under stress for years because of this. Perhaps this is contributing to the present problems there; it certainly couldn't help.
One might say that Syria, a largely Muslim land where Christians - citizens and refugees - have lived in peace until now, is the jewel of the Middle-East. Paradoxically, the Assad government has shown more "Christian charity" toward the flood of refugees than western, supposedly Christian nations who caused the refugee problem in the first place. And now the indigenous Christians of Syria are in danger... it's madness, but not strange in a post-Christian world.
It seems to me that the world is fast nearing a crisis point ... and if Christianity fails, the world will fail.
Sir Knight,
Anonymous/ASMM is correct, as far as my observations go (I don't watch much TV), when he says that television reporting in Australia is not addressing the plight of Christians in Syria.
Thank you for your comments on the anti-God imperialism of the United States! Catholics are effectively split in this country along either anti-abortion or anti-war lines and even a devout Catholic like Rick Santorum doesn't get it. I don't understand why they can't see that we are spreading corporate fascism and secularism in these countries we go to war with. And this, even though the Vatican is very vocal against these wars of aggression in the middle east! I pray that God has mercy on our country and am pleasantly surprised to find a fellow Catholic who is both orthodox and can see the bigger picture of the evils of American imperialism.
(SYRIA) The Problem of Fate…Big-IT Government, Big-IT Business
Is it the fate of Man to be brought into the slavery of global governance or is it Man exercising his freewill to be so?
http://k2globalcommunicationsllc.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/the-problem-of-fate-big-it-government-big-it-business/
Isn't one of the reasons that muslims are preferred over Christians in Europe is because the left-wing leadership uses them as an active social agent in eradicating Christianity?
Neither is American TV, Ann.
To be a Catholic and a Christian in the Federal organisation known as the USA, is almost akin to being an enemy of the state, with current healthcare regulation announcements made in previous weeks. I daresay that the anti-Christian policies the Western governments have been executing towards the ME are now being focused on it's own people. In time there will be violence on our own continents regarding these policies, and it will not be started by those of us who will not stand for it, but by the (some) illegal governments that control these western nations.
We must stand firm now. This HHS edict has fortified and united many Catholics in the USA, something that has not happened in almost 100 years. Liberal and conservative Catholics have ironically been forced together with this illegal legislation, but where will it take us?
In the meantime...my heart is bleeding for our brethren in the ME. I admit I was a Zionist in regards to being a supporter of Israel, but many things I've read and heard about (just last week our parish was visited by Bethlehem Catholics) and I cannot even imagine how critical this situation is! What can be done? Are there ANY prominent organisations out there (other than our individual parishes) that are informing the public, AND sending or providing help? Are there lobby groups in the capitals of the western countries and in the (illegal) UN petitioning for the rights of our people? Does ANYONE know?
If no, why not US?
Deo Vindice - a saying for the occupied Confederacy...can also be applied for the Christians in the ME!!
I encourage newcomers to this blog to read CK's article, to from the left side of the page titled, "THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ISRAEL" You will look at the world events with a new vision.
For the preservation of our Southern People...and Catholics in the ME...Deo Vindice!
CP
Isn't one of the reasons that muslims are preferred over Christians in Europe is because the left-wing leadership uses them as an active social agent in eradicating Christianity?
Yes, and Mr Knight has written previously and well about the Marxist-Muslim alliance in Europe.
Constance Cumbey has also stated that the New Age's strategy has long been to pit the three monotheistic faiths against each other, to allow them to do the dirty work of weakening and destroying each other, so to speak.
Luciana
I am including below a very eloquent and succinct comment I copied a while back from a reader at Constance Cumbey's named Bella:
The reason to destroy the three monotheistic faiths is because they believe in a God that judges man and do not believe in the idea man is God. This doctrine is the primary doctrine of the new age. It is clear today that what Alice Bailey said they intended to do they are doing. They turn all of the monotheistic faiths against each other all the time and then point and say see we do not need religions they cause all the evil in the world!
I see the world boiling down to two points of view. Those that believe in a God that judges them and that they should submit there will to or those that worship themselves as Gods.
I agree with Constance and her research on this topic for I have researched it for over 25 years and have came to the same independent conclusion of the Big plan of the adversary.
Divide and concur all that believe in a one God that judges man is the best way to destroy whatever faith is the right one. If Christianity is the only way through Jesus Christ then we should be very afraid of the destruction and the battle wage between all the monotheistic faiths for that game will destroy us too. All you have to do is look at the Alliance for Civilizations to see that is the plan. Book after book state the same thing. It is not just Alice Bailey said it is what is happening today.
Bella
Luciana
Ann,
Your story annoys me a bit. I hate that ever since the awkward tension left over from 9/11 and beyond, western leaders have felt the need to appease muslims seeking to enter a country. There seems to be a disgusting mentality that just because these innocent christians are part of a major religion, they aren't allowed the same special treatment as muslims.
I had no idea Syria had been looking after so many christian refugees. That is truly interesting. Unfortunately I don't think any western tv stations are too concerned about the plight of christians in the ME. All I can say is that if anything happens in Syria and leaders in the West are responsible, they better do something to help the minorities in the country. I highly doubt the West will do anything to help minorities left to the mercy of muslims though.
I wrote an article about this, highlighting the role of the media cover up of the anti-Christian ethnic cleansing, based on the report by the same name:
Persecuted and Forgotten
http://religionnewsblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/persecuted-and-forgotten-why-silence.html
Justin,
I went to your blog. Your research and analysis is very helpful.
Luciana and Catholic Knight,
Luciana, if I understand correctly, your view is that Muslims are not the cause of attacks on Christians but are being used (radicalised?) to carry out such attacks. This line of reasoning receives some support from Emanuel III Delly, leader of the Chaldean Church in Iraq (an oriental church in union with the pope). He has first hand experience with the situation in the Middle East and does not consider Muslims at the root of attacks on Christians either. He said to an Italian journalist:
"If Muslims are good and follow the principles of the Koran and not those of fanaticism, and if Christians are good and follow the principles of the Gospel, then there are no problems about living together ... A fanatic is neither a Christian nor a Muslim. He is a fanatic and that's all." (interview with an Italian reporter at http://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_2318_l3.htm?id=2318)
I think his differentiation of Muslim and fanatic is very important. To see the two as one is unjust and breeds more misunderstanding. As His Beatitude explained: "For almost 1,400 years we Iraqi Christians have lived peacefully with our Muslim brothers." Such peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon and Syria has also been noted on this blog and and in the comments section.
Sir Knight, what I thought you might find interesting is that His Beatitude also stated that, "the greater number of fanatics present in Iraq came from outside. And they have come after the liberation, after the occupation of Iraq." This fits with your analysis of an outside agency provoking violence in the Middle-East. I cannot comment if that agency is the CIA or not as I am not an American and therefore lack your knowledge of American institutions.
Luciana, if I understand correctly, your view is that Muslims are not the cause of attacks on Christians but are being used (radicalised?) to carry out such attacks. This line of reasoning receives some support from Emanuel III Delly, leader of the Chaldean Church in Iraq (an oriental church in union with the pope).
Ann,
Your comment is a very interesting one. I am not knowledgeable about the politics of the Middle East or the situation for Christians apart from the fact that it is bad (and in fact have a learned a great deal about the latter on this very thread). I know however from having done some study about the New Age movement (mainly from Constance Cumbey's excellent blog and her book "Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow" - which is available for free online) that the plan of the New Age has always been to pit the three monotheistic groups against each other as described in the quote above from Bella. Then, the new One World Religion will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of all this destruction. This tactic (pitting the three groups against each other) was used by the Nazis, who were of course following a New Age blueprint.
One thing I noticed a lot on the Cumbey blog was a split amongst those who study the New Age - whether Muslims worship the same God as Christians, and whether they are the enemy. I don't know that much about Islam. Ive perused both Robert Spencer's jihadwatch (he is Catholic) and Pamela Geller's site, Atlas Shrugged (she is Jewish). I've also read a number of articles by Phyllis Chesler who is I believe a secular Jew and does not view through a lens of religion, but whose perceptions are razor-sharp. All three are harsh critics of Islam and in my eyes have intellectual integrity.
With all this said, I tend to suspect that the ugly and threatening aspects of Islam that we see today are a perversion of Islam. I say this knowing how easily Catholicism has been corrupted over the centuries by heresies, and how much apostasy we still see in its ranks at even its highest levels. Not a perfect analogy but a useful one nonetheless.
I have learned a lot from the information you have provided on this thread, and wish to thank you for it.
Luciana
Luciana,
I thank you too for your information.
I have not researched the New Age Movement as you have and appreciate your insights.
Luciana,
Concerning the 'God and Allah' question, attend any Marounite Mass in Arabic and god is always called Allah, as He is in any Arabic translation of the Bible. The West's unease over this is so much froth and bubble; avail yourselves of Arabic Marounite masses, each one of you, if at all possible (you'll have an Arabic/English Marounite Missal availabl either in book form or data projection. As the mass grows close to the central point - the Eucharist, Aramaeic is spoken, then back to Arabic (or English if at an English mass) when breaking through the amazing ;Singularity' of receiving Christ.
Additionally, we don't have the palaba over 'ordinary form, or extraordinary form in the Marounite rite ; its Arabic or English (in English speaking nations). Both are the same, exactly the same. both use Aramaeic and the Greek Kyrie at identical points. for instance, we have five masses on Sundays; three in Arabic/Aramaeic and two in English/Aramaeic; they're both identical save for language. Their rheubrics and forms are identical; same posture and gesture, same incense, same reading, same chant, same everything, same confession before all masses (we've kept our confessionals)
We have a different liturgical calendar (very similar from what I can glean to the pre-consilliar calendar) and we are in 'pre-lent now. We had the commemoration for the departed just and Righteous this Sunday past, Candlemass upon the previous thursday, our Holy days are on the days themselves not Sundays...and all this is normal, not radical traditionalism. So much of what we see as 'normal' is seen as radical traditionalism in the Roman rite; one of the reasons I'm a Marounite; the focus is on Christ the light, not on the god of boomer and builder Western narcissism.
Blessings,
ASSM.
ASSM,
The Marounite liturgies sound amazing. Unfortunately there is no Eastern Catholic Church presence where I live. Were there one I would be there like a shot. I am very drawn to the reverence and rich, cohesive ancient Christian culture expressed in these liturgies, which we have nearly lost in the Roman Rite.
When I am lucky enough to be in Italy (which is not often enough) I attend mass always in one of the many beautiful Renaissance, Romanesque, or Baroque churches. Rarely are there altar servers, and attendence is small. There is never music but only a capella singing, usually of Marian hymns of course in Italian and led by the priest (who almost inevitably will have a beautiful voice). One could say the liturgies are very austere, but somehow they always feel to me very, very reverent. Perhaps its the art and architecture and the acoustics of these buildings, which draws one away from one's self and immediately up to God. Perhaps it is that Italy is so secularized that those who are loyal to the Faith in that land that produced so many great saints and such incomparable art to honor the Lord, have a deeper sense of its true value than in some other places.
I would love some time to hear your story about how you found your way to Mauronite Catholicism.
Finally, I love this statement:
So much of what we see as 'normal' is seen as radical traditionalism in the Roman rite
You will appreciate then that when I am asked what religion I am, I say "traditionalist Roman Catholic" NOT "Catholic!"
Luciana
Sir Knight,
There is no need to put this comment in the comments section, as it is aimed at you. I've noticed recently that sometimes people's comments don't seem to go through. Is this a strange error, or are you preventing them from going public for some reason? I'm assuming the latter, but I'm wondering if you can state why.
Antaine. There is always a delay in comments being posted due to moderation. And while I do occasionally delete some comments (very rarely actually) I have noticed that blogger has been having some glitches recently and some have had their comments 'eaten' by the system.
Sir Knight,
Thank you for clarifying. For a while I thought perhaps I was saying something you thought might be too risky. Thanks.
the situation in syria is not black and white as the americans want to placate it.
listen to Christian patriarch in Syria , the country is divided. people are afraid of islamists
Luciana and readers,
My entrance into Marounite Catholic Christianity was largely prompted by a series of participatory observations I undertook during a Sacraments unit of my B.theol back in 2010. I had been reading TCK's blog for some time, plus one or two other traditional yet balanced Catholic Christian blogs alongside. As early as 2009 the first chinks in my protestant (former SDA and Evangelical Anglican) armour had appeared - largely due to actually reading the constitutions of VII plus encyclicals such as Laborem Exercens and Sacramentum Caritatis - all assiduously referenced to Holy Scripture. As far back as my Adventist days, I used to peak into the SQPN website on 'Sabbath' and read for hours about countless Catholic Christian saints down through the ages, across the world. Since my teen years, I have adored Plainchant and the rich deposit of sacred music from early Medieval to Renaissance, Baroque, right through to stunning 20th century sacred works by Britton and Rutter. In my youth, I became acquainted with the music of Marie Kourous (sp), a Marounite woman religious with an incredible musical ministry spanning over 20 years now.
Upon attending my first Marounite mass, I left in tears. After the second, same. i battled for six months against God calling me forth. God won!! The bishop gave me permission to come into the fold in November 2010 and my catechesis began last year culminating in my confirmation on 8 Oct 2011.
Here is what we enjoy!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9C9gHECDQo
though this is a US english marounite Mass, it is the same as our English mass (and Arabic only differs with instrumentation and language) here in sydney!!
I appologise for the poor sound quality, but enjoy nonetheless.
Everything in this mass is seen as normal to us, not antiquated or traditionalist hard-core; it is normal and natural, not trying to prove anything, for who can prove anything man-centred in front of Christ the Light?
There are increasing numbers of Anglos and non ME coming into this rite, same for converts entering into the Priesthood. We're small in numbers, but growing.
Oh, and correction; Syriac, not Aramaeic; though I have always been told Aramaeic here, but there is no difference between this mass and mine. The youth 7pm mass is also the same, but with a beautiful violinist accompanying; it is always full and communion lines are very long (if not early enough, one misses out). I never forget how blessed I am. Re your italian experience, it sounds as if it is a beautiful exercise in Divine simplicity; clean, minimal man-centredness, maximum God-centredness that is timeless - Sublime!
I hope this helps.
Blessings from Australia.
How does the Arab Spring help Israeli supremacy?
Disputationist, it gives the Iraelis the excuse they need to crush the Palestinians and attack Iran. Such action will inevitably draw America into the conflict and that is exactly what the Zionists and Capitalists want, because they know the outcome of World War III will likely result in absolute control of the Middle East by the West. However, I personally don't believe Washington cares about Israel as much as they would like everyone to believe. I think Washington and Wall Street view Israel as a useful idiot for the time being, a stooge in the Middle East to be used for a purpose. That purpose is to turn the Arabs against the West, so the West can then attack and plunder their land. Whatever happens to Israel is incidental in their eyes. Meanwhile, I think Israel views the West (particularly America) as their useful idiot, attempting to draw us into the Middle East deeper to fight their conflicts for them. In the end game, I think everyone is in it for themselves, friend and foe be dammed.
Sir Knight,
According to the reports I am now reading, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch has raised the matter of Christian repression in the Middle-East and Southern Asia with Putin. Putin is said to have responded with an assurance that he would make it his business to relieve the plight of those in such situations but that the churches would also have to work together on it.
Perhaps Putin's statement might prod the US government and its allies into offering something similar so as not to be outdone. One can only hope.
AAB,
You recommend we 'listen to Christian patriarch in Syria'. I don't know which patriarch you mean but I have found the following:
'... the Catholic bishops signed a joint message, released to the faithful and all Syrian citizens.
... The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Syriac Orthodox Archbishopric in Damascus, chaired by Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III, with the participation of Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Yusuf III and Mgr Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria.
..."Among the topics that concern the most excellent Fathers, the main and most important one is what is happening in our beloved Syria, namely the events unleashed nine months ago,” the press release said
"... The Fathers reject all foreign intervention of any kind and from any origin,” the statement says. “They call for an end to the sanctions imposed on Syria, whatever the pretext. Equally, they reject any recourse to violence ... They have encouraged the reforms and the steps undertaken by the government, demanding respect for the principles of justice, freedom, human dignity, social justice and the rights of citizens.”
“... they call on everyone to pray incessantly so that fear may not take hold, and that hair may not fall from our heads unless it is the will of God, our celestial Father, as Christ the Lord taught us.” '
(AsiaNews.it 12/16/2011)
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