These People are NUTS!

From The Dawn Patrol

...a friend who is an RC member told me about an informal get-together of a few longtime nonconsecrated members of the movement that took place following the news about Maciel's having a daughter. Believing Maciel was innocent of wrongdoing, the members, who are highly educated, discussed how he could possibly have fathered the girl. Some of them wished to believe that Maciel, during one of many hospital visits that he made during a period of time for an unspecified condition, fell victim to someone who took semen from him while he was unaware and used it to impregnate the girl's mother. The friend who shared this information with me did so out of dismay that intelligent, well-educated RC members could be so in denial as to invent such a preposterous story.

Yes, there can be cults in the Church

by Juan Manuel Escovedo

In his article "Are there cults in the Catholic Church?", published in the January 2003 issue of This Rock Magazine, Jay Dunlap argues that "Church Approved" groups are not and cannot be called "cults". His argument seems to be essentially a self-defense of the group he is part of. I will not deal with the particular groups mentioned in this article but prove that in principle it is possible for a church-approved group to be a cult.

Peter Vere, J.C.L. M.C.L., canon lawyer, previous writer for Envoy Magazine, as well as Catholic Answers' very own "This Rock" magazine wrote an article entitled "Sifting the Wheat from the Tares: 20 Signs of Trouble in a New Religious Group" for the International Cultic Studies Association's E-Newsletter in June of 2005, which outlines warning signs to look for in a Church-approved group that is or possibly turning into a cult.

Peter Vere's article is written based on the experience of Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, a professor of Canon Law at Saint Paul University and a former consultant to the Congregation for Religious. Surely if anyone were an expert on new groups in the Church it would be someone who worked directly for the Congregation for Religious, the Vatican office that oversees all of the Catholic religious orders in the world. Surely Fr. Morrissey has had experience with a wide range of new groups in diverse countries of the world, not just ones that are popular in the English-speaking world. Those who are convinced that Church approved groups cannot be cults, would do themselves some good to read Peter Vere's very objective article.

Mr. Dunlap's arguments do not touch upon how complex and subtle a "Church-approved" cult may really be. Hence, aside from the eloquent article written by Peter Vere which already addresses much of the issue, my refutation article is needed to make some necessary distinctions.


Read the rest here.

Extremists?

In answer to a blogger question:

Ryan said,
January 1, 2009 @ 4:19
am
You can find extremist and reasonable people in any religion or belief Extremist is not an adjective related to the religion "per se" nor a to a specific religion (excluding may be some extreme sects). It is more often related to single believers or groups of believers who are integrists and believe that not only they represent the hypothetical "only truth" but also that they need to impose it to others or tho destroy them. The extremist will never have doubts nor will accept the existence of different beliefs..In this you have typical examples in Christian history and many contemporary ones (just read some "Christian" messages in this thread of YA) Evangelical russians in Sacramento like the one who killed a man because he was gay, are Christian extremists. Watchman on the Wall, KKK, Lambs of Christ, Christian Patriots, Arian Nations are Christian extremist at least, probably Christian terrorists. Christian Identity, Pineas Priests, CSA of the Lord, are for sure extremists.Pastor Fischer of Jesus camps, the British "Evangelical Alliance", the Italian and South American Legion of Christ, Pat Robertson, Christian Broadcasting Network, The American Center of Law and Justice are other examples. Hinduism extremism has reinforced in the last few years, up to reach almost a majority in Indian Parliament. Hindu extremist movements are united in the so called Sangh Parivar. Islamic extremism, like Christian extremism, may vary from violent forms and terrorism (Islamic Jihad, Al Qaida and many others) to non violent mysticism (Sufi, M'zhab). You forgot many other main religions (there are extremists in anyone of them)

How to Start Your Own Cult.

Thanks for the tip, KT.

These guys....!

Legionaries of Christ Visitor Comments

"It is all true! The legion is deceptive, manipulative, secretive and militant in their execution. I lived it for FIVE years. I was a consecrated member in the Regnum Christi female section, "3GF" otherwise known as "el tercer grado." After leaving I felt used and guilty, but another ex-member visited me and said she felt the same. I have recently started talking about my experience with a psychologist and have come to terms with the church.My life is on track again and so I am very happy."

"I spent nine years with the Legion and was treated well until the final year. Then I was given 24 hours to pack my bags. Not a word of thanks or a hand shake. I've heard nothing, but bad news. The Legion seems to be a whole different organization from the outside. Good luck in your work."

"Thank you for the information on your site regarding the Legionaries of Christ [LOC]. One of my daughters is now in the 'movement.' She and my younger daughter were both targeted and recruited while at college. They were attending 'retreats' for Catholic students and very friendly recruiters encouraged them to join. They were given a 'spiritual director' (lay person), which is not in accordance with church general policy. My elder daughter was very out going, friendly and the light of our family, but idealistic and vulnerable. After becoming involved with LOC though, she became secretive, non communicative, filled with negative self images and very driven toward religiosity. She then had to see if she 'had a vocation' and spent three years with this 'spiritual direction' while at college and later two years of indoctrination with the group. Against all pleas she eventually left the country to continue with the group and now does not visit home, though I can send letters. I worry about her mental and spiritual health."

From Rick Ross' site.

Radical and Violent in Catalunya?

¿ Per què , els Legionaris de Crist i l’Opus Dei (entre d’altres), estant brandint les seves espases, radicalitzant-se fins a posicions violentes, en temes socials com: avortament, divorci, SIDA, homosexualitat, educació, política anti-terrorista, una sola nació a Espanya, etz…

Read the rest here.