EXCLUSIVE - The Marxist Revolutionary: New Jesuit Superior-General revealed by those who knew him in Venezuela

Hours after Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope, Rorate was the first to bring you inside information from Argentina on what to expect (The Horror: A Buenos Aires Journalist describes Bergoglio).

Now, Rorate, surrounded by friends around the globe, has been contacted by a Venezuelan source, eager to tell the world what exactly to expect of the new Superior-General of the Society of Jesus (the Pope's own religious society), Fr. Arturo Sosa Abascal, based on his experience in his native land, now wrecked by the Socialism brought on, in great measure, by Marxist "Catholics".

In reality, the current situation in Venezuela, of widespread hunger and desperation, is exactly what Liberation Theology looks in practice. And Sosa was a big part of this.

Now to our guest-piece.

A brief note on Father Arturo Sosa

Antonio Francés (nom-de-plume)

Dear friend,

I have known Father Arturo Sosa Abascal for a long time. Unfortunately, what I have seen in him is not in line with the teaching of Christ.

Has the Church surrendered to Fidel Castro?

As widely reported on secular media Pope Francis met yesterday (Sunday, September 20) with the retired ex-dictator of Cuba, Fidel Castro. It is reported on good authority that it was Francis, not Mr. Castro, who sought this meeting; it was not on the official calendar of the visit. Francis had expressed his "sentiments of particular respect and consideration" specifically for Fidel Castro during his first speech in Cuba on Saturday evening and their actual meeting was, in Fr. Federico Lombardi's words, "'familiar and informal," with the two speaking about "protecting the environment and the great problems of the contemporary world." Lombardi also notes that Francis and Castro's exchange was "more of a conversation" (in other words, more relaxed and cordial) compared to the 2012 meeting between Castro and Pope Benedict XVI, when the former had peppered the latter with questions. 

For the record: Pope Francis personally clarifies that he was not offended by Hammer-and-Sickle "crucifix", explicitly acknowledges the Marxism of its Jesuit originator -- and praises him.

As expected, Pope Francis held an in-flight press conference on his way back to Rome this Monday. As widely reported by secular media, he made use of this opportunity to personally clarify his thoughts about the Hammer and Sickle "crucifix" (and the medallion, the "Order of Fr. Espinal" featuring a smaller version of the same) that were presented to him by President Evo Morales of Bolivia. Catholic News Agency has, thankfully, published a translation of the entire press conference (Full text of Pope Francis' in-flight interview from Paraguay to Rome.) The relevant portion is reproduced below (followed by our commentary):

Socci: COCA AND “HAMMER AND SICKLE”: FRANCIS' TRIP

COCA, “HAMMER AND SICKLE”: BERGOGLIO’S TRIP

Antonio Socci

Libero Quotidiano

July 10, 2015

Pope Bergoglio seems to be quite at his ease immersed in the carnival babel of the plazas and regimes of South America. His character is more understandable in that atmosphere.

There are those who sustain that Morales was out of place and placed the Pope in difficulty, but it seems actually, that this is not how things were at all. In the first place, it seems obvious to suppose that the ceremonies were arranged beforehand, so I doubt that that “gift” took the Vatican by surprise (and if there hadn’t been the precautionary agreement, there would be something more to worry about as it would mean that the Pope is exposed to the affront of any demagogue at hand).

In the second place, it is significant that a Head of State, even of surreal socialism, like Morales, considered giving such a horror to Pope Bergoglio and nobody, on the other hand, ever thought of giving it to John Paul II or Benedict XVI (for example during the trips to Cuba). Evidently, they must have thought that the object – (which might perfectly well symbolize Liberation Theology and every latitude of “Catholic-communism” with Christ crucified as “a metaphor” for the poor”) – would have been welcomed and appreciated by the Argentinian Pope.

SHAME

Morales, in fact, didn’t have the attitude of a “provoker”, but as an admirer of Bergoglio, whom he praised continuously as the “Pope of the poor”.

The Father of Liberation Theology's full rehabilitation:A perfect example of ecclesiastical amnesia at work

The stages of Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez's rehabilitation and ascent to favor have been well-documented on this blog and elsewhere, beginning with the appointment of Gerhard Cardinal Müller as Prefect of the CDF in 2012, and accelerating with the election in 2013 of Pope Francis, who received Gutierrez in private audience later that year. In February 2014, he was present in the Vatican for the launch of Cardinal Müller's book Poor for the Poor: The Mission of the Church; two of the book's chapters were written by Gutierrez, and the preface was written by ... Pope Francis. 

Today, Fr. Gutierrez -- without any clerical collar or insignia, let alone any sign of his Dominican habit -- was the star speaker at the Vatican press conference for the General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis, alongside Caritas' outgoing President and the Coordinator of the C9, Oscar Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga. Praising the "change in atmosphere" in the Vatican,  Gutierrez also stressed that the Vatican had never condemned his work, commenting that he was not being "rehabilitated" because he never needed it in the first place. 

In reality the lack of a condemnation does not mean anything; the postconciliar Vatican's desire to punish dissident theologians has always been greatly exaggerated. A very long list can be compiled of glaringly dissident and prominent "theologians" who massively wreaked havoc in Catholic institutions during the past 35 years without getting so much as a "bad book review" from the CDF. 

There could be also other reasons for the lack of a condemnation: foot-dragging by the relevant episcopal authorities, for instance...

Helder Câmara: a lifetime of working against the Church from the inside. - And they want to beatify him?...

Who was Dom Helder Câmara?

Corrispondenza Romana

April 7, 2015

There has been a lot of talk recently about Dom Helder Camara, whose process for beatification has been recently approved by the Vatican.  For the average Italian, the figure of Monsignor Helder Pessoa Camara (1909 – 1999) , auxiliary Bishop of Rio de Janiero and subsequently Metropolitan Archbishop of Olinda and Recife is practically unknown.

Who was Dom Helder?

Propaganda bordering on the  ridiculous

"I must confess I was wrong about Pope Francis"

Alfredo Rostgaard
Christ guerrilla
1969

I confess my mistakes about Pope Francis

Breno Altman
Opera Mundi /Carta Maior [Brazil]

Dec. 24, 2014

I come from a Jewish family hardwired to Socialist ideas and to atheism for four generations.

The last one in my lineage to believe in God must have died in the beginning of the last century.

Christmas is to me a date with no special significance, even though I have learned to respect those who celebrate the birth of Jesus.

But I wish to take the opportunity of this Christmas Eve to make a confession.

A year and a half ago, I wrote for Opera Mundi one of the most flawed articles of my journalistic career. The title says it all ... : "Pope Francis is the modern counter-revolution."

Socci - "DARKNESS IN ROME: Liberation Theology Triumphant as Work of John Paul II & Benedict XVI is Completely Wiped Out."

The Last Supper, with Marx, Lenin, Mao, Castro, and others outside a Caracas school (2007)

THE “D’ESCOTO CASE” AND THOSE WHO WANT TO WIPE OUT THE WORK DONE BY JOHN PAUL II AND BENEDICT XVI

Antonio Socci

Libero

 September 7, 2014

In the era of Bergoglio, the Vatican has practically rehabilitated Liberation Theology, which came into existence in the 1960s and has caused untold disasters, mainly in Latin America, by fostering the Church’s subordination to Marxist thought.

In New Declarations, Priest Pardoned by Pope Francis Says, "The Holy Spirit Sends Us Jesus' Message through Fidel Castro."

The Light-Bearing Star !

No, the Maryknoll Sandinista priest Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, 81, who had his suspension a divinis -- first decreed by Pope John Paul II -- removed by Pope Francis in the past few weeks did not leave his absurd statements and government positions behind, as one might gather from various news reports of the past couple of days that repeated his statements from many years ago. 

He repeated such statements yesterday on Nicaraguan television, and now on a whole new unheard-of level.

For those who are unaware of its real meaning in practice and behind the theological fog, this is Liberation Theology. This is it:

MANAGUA - EFE - The priest and former Nicaraguan foreign secretary Miguel d´Escoto Brockmann said today [Tuesday] that Cuban leader Fidel Castro is a chosen man of God to convey the message of the Holy Spirit in Latin America.

"The Vatican may silence everyone, then God will make the stones speak, and may the stones spread his message, but He didn't do this, He chose the greatest Latin-American of all time: Fidel Castro," the religious, 81 years old, declared today to Channel 4 in the local [Nicaraguan] television.

Socci: Ratzinger is the true target of the New Inquisitors The Self-Demolition of the Church bemoaned by Paul VI begins anew

THE NEW INQUISITORS AGAINST RATZINGER

The Self- Demolition of the Church recommences

Antonio Socci

January 26, 2014

There have been some great popes whose pontificates have been practically discarded by the errors of the clerics in their entourage. This risk is also present for the pontificate of Pope Francis.

In fact, there have been episodes, decisions and “bizarre outbursts” by some prelates that have been quite disturbing. I am thinking of Cardinal Maradiaga and Cardinal Braz de Aviz, who feel they are so powerful in the Vatican that they can ‘use the club’ on both the Prefect of the former Holy Office, Müller, as well as on the ‘Franciscans of the Immaculate.’

AGAINST BENEDICT

The targets of their “club-beatings” (given obviously in the name of mercy) are those who, for different reasons, have been targeted as paladins of Catholic orthodoxy and have had dealings with Pope Benedict XVI.

The real target in fact, appears actually to be him: “guilty” of so many things: from his historical condemnation of Liberation Theology and the defense of correct doctrine, to the Motu Proprio on the liturgy.

CDF Prefect Müller: "Lefebvrians are de facto schismatic", Liberation Theology founder "has always been orthodox"

From the interview granted by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and President of the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei', Abp. Gerhard Müller, to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, published this Sunday:

With the failure of discussions, what is the position of the Lefebvrians?

"The canonical excommunication due to the illicit [episcopal] ordination was lifted from the bishops, but the sacramental one remains, de facto, for the schism; because they have removed themselves away from communion with the Church. That being said, we do not close the door, ever, and we invite them to reconcile. But they also must change their approach and accept the conditions of the Catholic Church, and the Supreme Pontiff as the ultimate criterion of membership."

What can you say about the meeting between Francis and [Fr. Gustavo] Gutiérrez on September 11?

"Theological currents go through difficult moments, things are debated and clarified. But Gutiérrez has always been orthodox. We Europeans must get over the notion of being the center, without, on the other hand, underestimating ourselves. To broaden the horizons, to find a balance: I have learned this from him. Opening up to a concrete experience: seeing povery and also the joy of the people. A Latin American Pope has been a heavenly sign. Gustavo was overwhelmed. I was as well. And also Francis."

(Source, in Italian; tip: Il Blog di Raffaella)

Francis on Liberation Theology: "That's what Müller thinks!"

Unreported by Vatican Radio or L'Osservatore Romano regarding the Pope's partly closed-door meeting with a part of the Roman clergy yesterday was the following, mentioned by Sandro Magister in his Italian blog:

Abp. Müller and Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez

While making one of the five questions presented to the Pope and speaking of the centrality of the poor in pastoral [action], a priest made a reference, in positive fashion, to Liberation Theology and to the understanding positions, regarding this theology, of Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

But when he heard the name of the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Francis did not let him end his question, and said: "That is what Müller thinks, that is what he thinks."

For the record: Pope Francis to meet with "founder" of Liberation Theology

From RNS:

A progressive theological current that emphasizes the Catholic Church’s closeness to the poor and the marginalized but was subject to decades of hostility and censure is now finding increasing favor in the Vatican under Pope Francis.

Francis, who has called for “a poor church for the poor,” will meet in the next few days with the Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian theologian and scholar who is considered the founder of liberation theology.

¡Ay, qué lindo! - The end of the Wojtyla-Ratzinger "conservative" gap: On Liberation Theology, and everything else, Church rolls back to 1978

Now that the "reactionaries" are gone, we are at last free to move back to where we were just 35 short years ago: it's morning again in the Vatican.

(The Last Supper, Liberation-Theology-style)

"The Latin American ecclesial and theological movement known as 'Liberation Theology', which spread to other parts of the world after the Second Vatican Council, should in my opinion be included among the most important currents in 20th century Catholic theology." This authoritative and glorifying historical evaluation of Liberation Theology did not just come from some ancient South American theologian who is out of touch wit the times. The above statement was made by Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which Ratzinger headed in the 1980’s, after John Paul I appointed him to the post. [Source: Vatican Insider; tip: several readers.]

Now, strictly for argumentative purposes (that is, assuming as such that it could be placed within the limits of orthodoxy), we are willing to understand the actual influence of Liberation Theology. The evidence seems strong that, regardless of its many intrinsic problems, Liberation Theology "politicized" Catholicism in Latin America at the exact moment in which it needed to be more "spiritual" and liturgical than ever - and the new Liberationist Church was abandoned in droves in favor of those groups (particularly Pentecostal communities) that offered the faithful the spiritual solace they wanted. On the other hand, those who wished to be "political" just abandoned the Church in favor of real political groups. The result was the collapse of Catholicism throughout the region. The strong attempt to resurrect Liberation Theology in recent years begs the question of how on earth this could do any good to the Church in Latin America in its current situation when it only led to disaster in the past. On the resurrection of Liberation Theology, the question is cui bono?...

Considering our broad and strong readership in Latin America, we would like to ask our friends in the region or from the region: did Liberation Theology achieve a true strengthening of the Church in Latin America, or in your country in particular, following the Council? In other words, did its deep influence in the region, in particular following the Medellín Conference, increase the Church's ability to reach souls and save them? Please, feel free to articulate your thoughts in Spanish or Portuguese if you so prefer. 

Bergoglio's practical attitude towards Liberation Theology - and a note

Provincial Sup. Bergoglio and
novice Mom Debussy

Miguel Ignacio Mom Debussy is an Argentine citizen - it is unclear what he does for a living now, but he is a descendant of the most powerful landowning family (the Pueyrredon family) in a historically agrarian country. What he is famous for, however, is for what he was: a Jesuit for 14 years, and a priest for a couple of years, and very close to Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio during most of that time, apparently even working as a kind of secretary/driver. He left the priesthood, and the Society, officially in 1990, and now says he is "agnostic" - and obviously does not like his former friend.

He granted an extensive interview to Italian website Linkiesta - wanting to be clearly critical, but providing instead precious and good information on the new pope. The main focus of the interview is on how Fr. Bergoglio acted during the last Argentine dictatorship, mostly in the line of "he could/should have done more".*** Mom Debussy mentions many aspects that indicate a general distrust of Bergoglio in the Society in Argentina. But one of his most relevant answers is the following:

What was the position Bergoglio had then regarding Liberation Theology?

Completely against it. In fact, as Theology students, we had never studied a single book by, for instance, Gustavo Gutiérrez, one of the founders of Liberation Theology, of by [Leonardo] Boff, or by Paulo Freire, with his studies on an education that is not a cultural "dependency" [of the "imperialistic powers"]. In Philosophy, we had read little, very little, of Heidegger and Kierkegaard, one single chapter of Thus Spoke Zarathustra... Not to mention Marx, Engels, Sartre, Foucault, the Post-Moderns, etc. Nothing that could contradict Catholic doctrine or dogmas. All that under strict orders of Jorge Bergoglio.

***Rorate note: Right in the middle of the upheaval that agitated Argentina in the 1960s and 1970s, with great violence from both sides - initiated first by Communist and Liberation-theology-inspired terrorist organizations-, a Church that had once been deeply traditional but was now battered by the winds of Vatican II and the Medellín Conference was apparently falling apart. Very few managed to keep their calm, and that certainly seems to have been the case of the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in 1973-1979, Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, though it was not the case of many of his colleagues in the Society of Jesus, who still criticize him for never having "criticized or opposed the government" (see). He did not, and that is actually to his great merit.

The German Church

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has named Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Bishop of Regensburg, new Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (as well as the related positions of President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and President of the International Theological Commission), upon accepting the resignation of Cardinal Levada, who reached the age limit.

Bishop (now Archbishop) Müller was born in Mainz, by the Rhine. Our previous posts on Prefect Müller: 

- CDF Succession Watch: a Gutiérrez disciple? 

- In charge of the henhouse? (The fox, we mean. Müller's most remarkable theological opinions.)

- Müller, as the local bishop of the area in which the seminary of the Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX) is located in Bavaria, also threatened those involved in the 2009 ordinations with harsh words, that never really materialized. (Several posts, including this and this.)

Bishop Müller chatting with his friend Fr. Gutiérrez

Update: According to Rodari, Müller's nomination is also meant as a sign of a positive reevaluation of Liberation Theology, of which Müller is an enthusiast, in the Vatican - signaled by an article by Müller himself highlighting "positive" aspects of this dreadful movement published last December in L'Osservatore Romano. Which considering last week's news on the collapse of the Church in Brazil, the one most ravaged by Liberation Theology, probably means people in the Vatican simply cannot understand numbers... Or do they want those numbers?