tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82764808913183477792024-03-05T16:52:07.890-08:00+ Stella Maris +Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.comBlogger684125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-41578488546508112912016-04-08T07:20:00.002-07:002016-04-08T07:30:53.206-07:00A Generous and Comprehensive acceptance of the Pope's Response to the Synods on the FamilyThe blog Rorate Caeli, famous for its, sometimes very strict, conservatism, has posted a very positive and well-written <a href="http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/04/summary-of-amoris-laetitia.html">review </a>of the Pope's response to the Synods on the Family. Go over there and read it.Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-86085023604849761932016-03-25T16:06:00.003-07:002016-03-25T16:06:33.353-07:00The Miracle of the Sacred ThornI have not heard of <a href="http://vultuschristi.org/index.php/2016/03/miracle-of-the-sacred-thorn/">this</a> before but it is very interesting. The other connection of Good Friday and the Annunciation is the martyrdom of St. Margaret Clitherow, one of my favourite saintsFr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-15948890157187728452016-03-18T08:51:00.001-07:002016-03-18T08:54:29.918-07:00Vassula Ryden and "True Life in God"; A Reminder, or, (for those who do not know) A Presentation of Some Important Facts.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Between 2001 and 2004, Vassula had an official dialogue with the CDF. This was requested by Cardinal Ratzinger and was facilitated by Rev (now Cardinal) Prospero Grech who had worked for the Congregation of The Faith. Following this successful dialogue, the Cardinal said that Vassula's answers were "a useful clarification" and insisted that her answers be printed in the books of her writings. </div>
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There are two things to be noted here. First of all, if it was his intention to advise Catholics not to read her writings it made no sense for him to insist (as he did) that her answers were to be found there. It is interesting that, to begin with, he insisted that they should FIRST be printed there and nowhere else! Now, of course, they have been made available in other places.</div>
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Secondly, logically, this means (and we know this was his intention) that the Notification needs to be read along with her responses to that statement. As the Cardinal said at the time, "the position has been modified"</div>
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The present situation with regard to the Catholic hierarchy is that, as with other such writings and groups, the decision to allow promotion in any diocese rests with the local ordinary. However, any truly just decision surely means that the local bishop is aware of BOTH the Notification and her answers. </div>
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The book, "True Life in God" has been granted a <i>Nihil Obstat </i>by Bishop Felix Toppo S.J. D.D. of Jamshedpur, and an <i>Imprimatur </i>by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa.</div>
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The letter below was given to Vassula to be shown to any bishop who queried the situation.</div>
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<h3>
TRANSLATION</h3>
CONGREGATIO PRO DOCTRINA FIDEI<br />
10 July 2004<br />
Prot N. 54/92-19631<br />
Eminence/Excellence,<br />
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As you know, this Congregation published a Notification in 1995 on the writings of Mrs. Vassula Rydén. Afterwards, and at her request, a thorough dialogue followed. At the conclusion of this dialogue, a letter of Mrs. Rydén dated 4 April 2002 was subsequently published in the latest volume of "True Life in God", in which Mrs. Rydén supplies useful clarifications regarding her marital situation, as well as some difficulties which in the aforesaid Notification were suggested towards her writings and her participation in the sacraments (cf. Attachment).</div>
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Since the aforementioned writings have enjoyed a certain diffusion in your country, this Congregation has deemed it useful to inform you of the above. Concerning the participation in the ecumenical prayer groups organised by Mrs. Rydén, the Catholic faithful should be called to follow the dispositions of the Diocesan Bishops.</div>
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In communicating to you the above, I use the occasion to assure you of my lasting and profound esteem.</div>
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Yours Emminence's/Excellency's</div>
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Most Devout</div>
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(Signed)</div>
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Joseph Card. Ratzinger<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Prefect</span></div>
Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-87043795878697917772016-03-15T08:27:00.000-07:002016-03-15T08:27:04.252-07:00New Parish I apologise to those who have been trying to follow this blog over the last year. I became so involved in Facebook that I forgot about the blog. I am now in a different parish, St. Anthony's in Clayton, Bradford, West Yorkshire. It is a great place to be. The people are very friendly and with a down-to-earth Yorkshire humour. The parish is interesting. The heart of it is an old Yorkshire village, and just 10 minutes drive away we have some excellent countryside. Here are some examples (actually the last one is Howarth, which is about 20 minutes away);<br />
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Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-43929995867666114482015-03-27T02:51:00.001-07:002015-03-27T02:56:58.597-07:00The Priests' letter and the Cardinal revisitedThinking further about the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster's response to the letter signed (in support of marriage and the family) by around 490 priests, I believe I understand the Cardinal's concern. Pope Francis is emphasising mercy, and rightly so. I think this has unsettled many in the Church because they don't understand what this means in practice - some believe that doctrines are going to be changed. I don't believe this, and never have. There is, to be sure, a balance needed here; we must uphold and teach the Truth, positively and confidently (which means not apologising for it) and we must also show compassion towards those who find themselves in situations which prevent them from receiving Holy Communion as well as those who are struggling through painful difficulties in their relationships at this time. In this I see no real difference between the approach of Pope Francis and that of Pope St. John Paul II (except the difference of personal style).<br />
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Against this background I think I can understand the Cardinal's dismay at that letter. I believe the Cardinal is a very caring and sincere man. I have met him on two occasions, once when he was a young priest, many years ago, when I was greatly impressed by him, and once when he was visiting a conference for exorcists as Archbishop of Westminster. I was equally impressed then. I believe he is concerned about many people who are suffering and would like to present the face of a caring, compassionate Church. This, I believe, is why he reacted as he did to that letter.<br />
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I am not at odds with either the Cardinal or my own bishop, but I do believe I was right to sign that letter. The Pope asked for a frank exchange of views, and we should not be afraid of expressing them. Those who know me will not need any assurance that I wish to show compassion and mercy to those in difficult situations with regard to the Church. Reading the statement in that letter again, I have to say that another sentence expressing our compassion might have helped, but we also have to be confident that speaking the truth is NOT against compassion or mercy, in fact to be truly merciful, truth is required, spoken in love for sure, but still spoken, and spoken clearly. For me there is no conflict between truth and mercy. If there are problems here at all, they have to do with our own human weakness and the question of how we put the message across. This is where personal "style" comes in, and this is where Pope Francis is, in my opinion, leading the way. I cannot say I am entirely happy with every apparent sound-bite that seems to come from the Holy Father, but I agree wholeheartedly with his emphasis on mercy. We need prayer, calmness and a sense of balance.Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-67409233487717767862015-03-26T07:13:00.002-07:002015-03-26T07:13:20.265-07:00A Sad Response from the Cardinal's office (to a letter signed by over 490 priests)I was distressed to see the response from Westminster (The Cardinal's Office) to the letter signed by over 490 priests - of which I am one (and the first in the list, alphabetically speaking). I had no intention of causing offence of any kind to any bishop - least of all my own, I am offended at what I consider to be a needless "slap". it is my understanding that the Holy Father was asking for a frank exchange of views, but it seems that in order to do this priests must first check with their bishop. Somehow, I don't believe this is what the Pope had envisaged. I'm sorry, but this response (from the Cardinal) smacks of annoyance or embarrassment where, certainly in my case, neither was intended. <br />
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When I think of the often heterodox views I have seen coming from other priests, in publications as well as in press letters, without any form of rebuke from the hierarchy, I have to be amazed that a statement that is actually official Church teaching should draw this kind of response from the Cardinal.<br />
Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-31000622177232394822015-02-24T13:09:00.002-08:002015-02-24T13:10:31.197-08:00Backing away-somewhat-from self-styled "Traditionalists"The post below, showing the difficulty of telling the truth in the Church (that is the truth told by Fr. Angelo of the Friars of The Immaculate) and the refusal of some to accept the truth (because they believe so strongly in their own myths) points to a worsening crisis in the Catholic world. It is not a new crisis; it was already there but has now become more visible since the election of Pope Francis. One of the phrases that springs to mind is from the play "I. Claudius" - "Let all the poisons that are lurking in the mud hatch out". Perhaps Pope Francis has disturbed the "water" and the mud is rising to the surface. This is for the good of the Church. Many so-called "Traditionalists" are now seen in their true colours.<br />
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Because I am often regarded as a "Traditionalist" and because I support the Pope 100%, I am more conscious of the need to distance myself from some people, some blogs and some web sites. I am, in fact, not a "Traditionalist" but a Catholic and, I hope, an orthodox one. I celebrate the 1962 Latin Mass twice a month, but I f I really thought that by doing that I was going to be forever linked with what I now regard as a "lunatic fringe" (sadly not so much a fringe), I would stop. The Liturgy is not a political tool and should not be the cause of, or be even connected to, bitterness, injustice, lies, insults and rash judgement. Those who surround the Liturgy with these things are, in my opinion, heading downwards.Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-71334640060566099302015-02-24T12:44:00.004-08:002015-02-24T12:44:56.950-08:00Are Catholic Blogs supposed to be honest or what?The Friars of The Immaculate and "Rorate Coeli" (Again!):<br />
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<a href="http://maryvictrix.com/2015/02/18/concerning-recent-reports-from-the-blogosphere-on-the-state-of-the-franciscan-friars-of-the-immaculate/">http://maryvictrix.com/2015/02/18/concerning-recent-reports-from-the-blogosphere-on-the-state-of-the-franciscan-friars-of-the-immaculate/</a>Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-50445141206166731482015-01-04T11:49:00.002-08:002015-01-04T11:55:11.082-08:00One of the New Cardinals and "True Life in God"<div style="text-align: center;">
<img class="rg_i" data-sz="f" name="4oNOnQIBF_q45M:" 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" 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Archbishop Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, CM Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa is one of the new cardinals.<br />
This is what he says about <u>True Life in God:</u><br />
“This book of messages is a great gift that God has given humanity. It
contains the Divine Dialogue of the Holy Trinity, Our Lady and the
Angels with Vassula Ryden (…) There is nothing in this book contrary to
the Church’s authentic teaching on faith and morals. I recommend this
book to everyone.”Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-35788281418195968852014-10-23T03:29:00.004-07:002014-10-23T03:29:56.838-07:00Dr. Taylor Marshall speaking sense, based on faith, about the recent Synod<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNRNLS-tSg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNRNLS-tSg</a>Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-53665468208872767862014-10-20T03:33:00.001-07:002014-10-20T03:33:56.338-07:00Brilliant Interview with Cardinal BurkeIn this interview with Raymond Arroyo Cardinal Burke explains why Cardinal Kasper's approach to the question of Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics is deeply flawed. he also defends the Catholic approach to annulment (and makes the point that there can be no true mercy without respect for truth);<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBCl5NLs81M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBCl5NLs81M</a>Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-73834980741425152642014-07-14T13:49:00.000-07:002014-07-14T13:49:01.029-07:00The Vote for Women BishopsEveryone knew this was coming. The suprise for me is the number of the Synod in favour. The numbers can be seen on Anglican Mainstream. Those Anglicans who still insist that they are trail-blazers and that Rome will eventually come round (presumably with the Orthodox following in another thousand years!) need to read <a href="http://jimmyakin.com/library/womens-ordination-its-infallible">this blog</a> (Jimmy Akin). The teaching regarding the ordination of male priests (only) was declared infallible under Pope John Paul 11 in so far as it is to be seen as part of the Deposit of Faith. The chances of this changing are as good as Elvis Presley becoming the King of England.<br />
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So, sadly, the plan of unity with the Chruch of England has finally been scuppered. What remains for those of us committed to unity is a realignment of Orthodox Christians. The only logical way forward is reconciliation under the leadership of the Pope. The Ordinariate is prophetic and hopefully it will now become even more of a reality. As for the relationship of Rome and the Orthodox, there is still much work to do. Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-56431450300449389662014-06-24T08:24:00.000-07:002014-06-24T08:33:05.422-07:00"The Crypto-Lefebvrism of Rorate Caeli"An interesting piece from the Friars of The Immaculate about "Rorate Caeli";<br />
http://maryvictrix.com/2014/06/24/the-crypto-lefebvrism-of-rorate-caeli/Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-61061336382013299092014-06-21T14:50:00.000-07:002014-06-21T14:50:25.265-07:00The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-28739891838514462952014-06-09T08:44:00.000-07:002014-06-09T08:44:02.845-07:00Pope Francis and the Date of EasterLet us hope that, at last, we can see some REAL movement in the direction of unity between Orthodox and Catholic, not just gestures (however important they may be) but some real agreement on something substantial - the date of Easter, for example;<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L52FCeWib-s&feature=shareFr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-62174231323807005242014-05-23T07:50:00.004-07:002014-05-23T07:53:25.608-07:00The Holy Father's meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew - how to follow itHere is the url for the new website reporting on the Pope's historic visit to the Holy land 2014;<br />
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http://www.cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=612&pagetypeID=1&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-65189153762222244312014-04-19T15:07:00.001-07:002014-04-19T15:07:55.769-07:00Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! (Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Easter. May God fill you with His abiding peace.</div>
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<br />Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-38028458116811889522014-04-06T04:02:00.000-07:002014-04-06T04:02:53.980-07:00Putin defends Christian Traditional values - and how!I believe this man has been seriously underestimated, misjudged and vilified (especially by the Western liberal Media). I believe he is honestly speaking from the heart in this speech. Why would he put his neck on the block (with the West holding the axe) unless he believed in these things? Some people are still arguing that the conversion of Russia has not happened. I disagree with them - it is a work in progress. Watch this space.<br />
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Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-7026063030390084592014-03-19T03:56:00.000-07:002014-03-19T03:56:09.447-07:00Happy St. Joseph's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-32803832515888035692014-03-17T06:21:00.000-07:002014-03-17T06:21:48.680-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-22898253277030763142014-03-03T16:01:00.000-08:002014-03-03T16:01:29.978-08:00Cardinal Prosper Grech and Vassula (et al)<a href="http://insidethevatican.com/author/cardinalprospergrech">This is a review of the book "Heaven is real, but so is Hell"</a> written by Vassula Ryden, by the theologian who helped her in her dialogue with the CDF <em>after</em> the Notification, following which Cardinal Ratzinger said that the position had "been modified". As has been said here and elsewhere, more than once, the Notification was not a condemnation (Cardinal Ratzinger's own words) and following the dialogue with the CDF he said that Vassula had responded well and that her answers were "useful clarifications". Again, as has been said already, all this is a matter of record. Unfortunately for reasons unknown Cardinal Levada chose to take a rather negative position about the prayer groups (whilst also making factual errors in his famous letter, suggesting a lack of knowledge or inaccurate advice). Cardinal Grech's comments are instructive. Vassula met Cardinal Bergoglio when she visited Argentina and he raised no objections to her speaking in his Archdiocese. After a final meeting with Cardinal Ratzinger Vassula was photographed with him. Until recently this photo was withheld by TLIG and Vassula to prevent any accusations of cheap publicity and out of respect for Pope Benedict. However so much nonsense is still being circulated by certain people about Vassula and because the statement of Cardinal Ratzinger (described above) has either been ignored or is unknown, this photo can now be seen.<br />
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Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-69568167287060520082014-01-30T04:49:00.002-08:002014-01-30T04:49:41.124-08:00Following Maria Divine Mercy ("The Warning" etc) leads to automatic excommunication?I pose the question and the answer is "yes", according to Canon Law, for the reasons given <a href="http://ronconte.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/the-automatic-excommunication-of-maria-divine-mercy-and-her-followers/">in this post</a>.Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-31464715046622781022014-01-23T14:46:00.000-08:002014-01-23T14:46:08.379-08:00Who wants Christian unity?I am committed to the cause of Christian unity. I mean real unity, not the continuation of ecumenism. An Old Catholic priest (a rather young Old catholic priest) once asked me what I thought of "Churches Together". My answer was "not much". He lives in an ecumenical community and believes that he is practising unity (in some ways this seems to be correct). He was there with his Abbot (of the community) who is a Methodist. They both laughed and said that they call them "Churches Not Together" which is accurate. As a "Roman" Catholic I cannot accept that community's version of unity. There is more to unity than that. But at least those men really want unity and are not content with meetings, "shared worship" (an ugly phrase if ever there was one) friendly chatter, tea and biscuits etc, etc.<br />
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I realise now, more clearly than ever, that the majority of Christians outside the Catholic Church do not want real unity (or they think they already have it, which is worse). The "unity" of international, multi-denominational mutual recognition is NOT real unity - it is a sham. The unity that Christ prayed for is much more than this. This lack of a real desire for genuine unity - a unity of faith as well of friendship (though it begins with and is sustained in friendship) makes Christian unity week something of a bore. Christian unity week (or more accurately octave) serves to display the lack of commitment to, desire for, real unity. It is not a papering over cracks, but a failure to see the seriousness of those cracks - not cracks but fissures. Pope Francis rightly says that division is a scandal, but for many non-Catholic Christians division is not a problem because their vision of the Church is of a world-wide, multi-denominational group of people who call themselves Christians. For them there is no establishment or institution except the kind you like or want to create. For them Christ did not found a Church that would develop any real structure but a mass of people who sometimes disagree on things that some regard as essential and others judge to be unimportant. Is this the unity that Christ wanted and wants? Those who genuinely ponder John 17 cannot possibly believe this. After so long since the first Octave of Prayer we are no closer to a unity of faith and worship. The friendship stops at the altar steps.Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-22464319611849460842014-01-23T03:18:00.002-08:002014-01-23T03:18:49.686-08:00A (necessary?) new book about Pope Francis<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Pope Francis Explained: Survey of Myths, Legends, and Catholic Defenses in Harmony with Tradition" src="http://static.lulu.com/browse/product_thumbnail.php?productId=21412711&resolution=320" /></div>
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Dave Armstrong is one of the best lay Catholic writers around. he knew the late Fr. Hardon S.J (perhaps a candidate for beatification) and was deeply inspired by him. He can be trusted. The book is available at;</div>
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http://www.lulu.com/shop/dave-armstrong/pope-francis-explained-survey-of-myths-legends-and-catholic-defenses-in-harmony-with-tradition/paperback/product-21412711.html;jsessionid=10EE8BBF31C9393CACBC40E3EC97984D</div>
Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-66199816216722010642014-01-22T08:58:00.004-08:002014-01-22T08:58:17.468-08:00Pope Francis for Dummies? (Not my title, but a good blog post)<a href="http://socrates58.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/pope-francis-for-dummies-helpful.html">Here is it</a>Fr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com0