04/05/2022

The English Martyrs refused to put the commands of  Caesar above the commands of God. They maintained their Faith as a minority with very little support throughout this country. There were in fact not many of them. Most English Bishops and priests regardless of the responsibilities to feed the sheep of the Lord, followed the trend and kept their land, lives and livelihoods. 

The ones who truly believed in the Lord suffered unimaginable pain from torture and execution and the Church continued under constant oppression until the lifting of the Penal Laws.When I read of the latest scandal in our Church, I cannot help but think "Did my martyred forebearers suffer and die for this?" 

At the time of the enquiry into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in England I saw our leaders squirm under cross-examination. Jesus told us that the words to answer the Sanhedrin would be given to us as they were given to St Stephen and to St John Fisher. Why did our Cardinal and Bishops perform so poorly? Would Jesus, "suffer little children to come unto me" want to support those who  had connived for years in a despicable immorality. 

For our priests and prelates their Institutiion has become more important than their Faith and we are left as sheep without a shepherd and are forced to pray alone. Alone but Known for Father, Son and Holy Spirit are always with us to guard and guide us against sinful corruption.

Dear Lord send your Spirit into the Church founded to support your people in their quest for your promised Eternal Life and encourage the holy men to force out the dross for whom dressing up is about the limit of their Christianity. How much pain must we cause for Mary and your saints in heaven?  Let Mary and your saints continue to support me a sinner and the innocents who are in need of the pure Sacramental grace that flowed with your blood on Calvary.