Responses to two different people, but iPad won't do "reply". Sorry for the confusion. Inform yourselves, brothers and sisters. Our Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests are letting us down, and this video really hurt me, as it was such a good example of how.
ANY murder committed in the name Of God is wrong, more wrong than regular murder, as a person is invoking the Creator to destroy one of his creations. My point here isn't to justify these crass terrorists, just to point out that it a much more multi faceted problem than the good priest makes it out to be, it is not cut and dried. I found this uneccumenical, and a seed of thought planted, that will grow into hatred. Not very Godly work.
@LightSpeedOne Friend, please provide the "nuance" that will justify the murder of innocent people praying in church, including the murder of a toddler. I guess I'm just too dim to pick up on the ecumenical subtleties at play.
My point is that men of God do not go about pandering to the lowest common denominator, and that with your educational background, you know better than to generalize about one faith or the other.The real attack today is not on any one faith, it is an attack on the sovereignty of God, in every faith. Beleivers must band together, not accepting that wedges be driven between us, by people who are unfit to lead us. Jesus bequeathed Peter a Church, not a kingdom.
@LightSpeedOne I'm engaging in no generalization at all, friend. You are. I'm simply commenting on some pretty egregious examples of anti-Christian persecution by extremists from all across the world.
To be frank, I was shocked to see an Educated Roman Catholic priest be so simplistic in dealing with terror from so called Islam. When a terrorist murders an innocent in the name of Islam, his actions are incompatible with the content of the Quo'ran. You know this. However, I can see why you wouldn't want to tread near so called religions, whose practice is incompatible with their professed scripture.
@LightSpeedOne You find one murder mass murder by one nation of greater weight than another? If that were an American or Chinese or Haitian child wound the murder be of greater or less importance? Shall we applaud the Islam as the best murderers? I don't think Jesus sees things in those terms.
Now I know where you practice your vocation, but as an intelligent clergyman like yourself knows, I was looking for the letters that come after your name, who educated you. With the slickness of your answer, I'm guessing Jesuit. I was educated by the Basilian Fathers.
Amen Father Barron! The story of that poor small boy asking those killers why they were doing this only to be killed himself is heart-wrenching! May God bless the souls of these faithful departed!
I have seen people suffer horrendous psychological abuse here in America for professing to be Christian. The abuse is ongoing, persistent, hateful, malicious, ad nauseum. It is ugly and does cause tremendous suffering to the person undergoing it. Martyrdom isn't always dying for Christ, sometimes it is living for Him on a day to day basis. Yet the blood of the martyrs mentioned in this video, plus many unmentioned, is that which strengthens the living faithful.
@EGMAG Blessed are those who believe, but have not seen. If there was solid concrete evidence I could throw you over the Internet, the whole earth would believe! Look up Marian apparitions though (: they are quite amazing.
All religions are in doubt because for thousands of years not ''one'' theism has shown clear concrete solid proof that there even is a God. Theists, no excuses, can you show real evidence of solid "proof", so that my believing can be turned to "certain absolute knowing"?
All religions are in doubt because for thousands of years not ''one'' theism has shown clear concrete solid proof that there ev en is a God. Theists, can you show real evidence, so that believing can be turned to "knowing"?
@EGMAG Read about Thomas Aquinas's Five proofs of the existence of God. Then ask yourself: what accords better with my experience or with logic: God, or an infinite regress of lesser agents which cannot cause their own existence? The proof is not something scientific, but something logical.
Actually I really did read it last night from the summa theologica, Aquainas. It was a contradictioned collection of nonsensical rhetoric. You should read it too; and very slowly as it is an unfair doctrine of unsubstantiated claims and confused exaggerations. After reading I still think there is a God; although not as explained by Aquainus summa theologica.
The only reason Catholicism is growing in some parts is because they haven't had the time to question it. Christianity is in a state of decline in the West because the West have more educated people who are exposed to liberal ideas.
@AurorInTraining Ah yes, the secularization thesis...which has been proven wrong over and over again. Friend, the most Christian nation in the world is (wait for it) The United States of America, a place where liberal ideas and modern education are fully on offer. Get past this early twentieth century prejudice and look at the reality on the ground.
@wordonfirevideo Father, I would like to ask you what book should I read regarding the Old Testament because I have heard many atheists say that the Jews barrowed from other religions gods and that the Old Testament was rewriten to fit the new elements. Thank you,
All religions are in doubt because for thousands of years not ''one'' theism has shown clear concrete solid proof that there even is a God. Theists, no excuses, can you show real evidence of solid "proof", so that my believing can be turned to "certain absolute knowing"?
@joetufano719 what i remember is reading something about shrinking church attendance somewhere. but if you are looking for unbiased statistics on religion visit pewtrusts(dot)org or religions(dot)pewforum(dot)org/reports i have not the time to read it due to technical problems with my laptop
Do you get the impression that monotheists have committed more religious violence than polytheists? Seems like most of the biblical bloodbaths were about killing people who worshipped the wrong gods (Old Testament) or killing people who worshipped the right God in the wrong way (New Testament). And I remember reading that polytheistic Mecca was a relatively peaceful neighborhood before Muhammad discovered monotheism.
@quantumystery Very interesting that you brought up polytheists, because few people realize, while rightly condemning the sexual abuse of children exposed in the Catholic church,that child slavery is actually a religious tenet of both Hinduism and Buddhism. Hindus enslave female children to be "temple prostitutes", & poor Tibetan Buddhist families unable to donate money are required to GIVE one of their sons to the temple when only 3 years old, each one eating & sleeping with one monk.
Let me say again how courageous Father Barron is, standing almost alone amongst Catholics, and even Christians, in boldly speaking up for those persecuted Christians around the world who have been so shockingly neglected by the world's media. He really is a hero, a true Christian warrior in the finest sense of the word.
You misquote and misrepresent without regard to the facts. Not once in the NCR article is the word "persecuted" or "victim" used and you claim she was selected because she was both? No, her work "aimed to find God's presence in our multidimensional, contemporary world" and was "well-received,... among teaching Catholic theologians", yet she was attacked from within her own faith by administrative authority unable to see it's potential to help heal exactly the kind of hatred you address here.
Excellent video. It's odd though, that I only remember a couple of times recently when the prayers during mass included prayers for martyrs, and for those suffering persecution.
Wouldn't it be something if the mainstream press got ahold of such a statistic. Watching TV I get the impression that Christians are the only group among thousands of isms, ists, and alities, that are never persecuted. huh.
@roryscanlon And yet Christians in North Korea have fled to China seeking asylum! Let's put it this way: how many Christians have been killed for their faith by communists in the past 5 years, compared to Christians killed for their faith by Muslims EVERY DAY?
"More people are killed by Islamists EACH YEAR than in all 350 years of the Spanish Inquisition combined."
@roryscanlon Actually, not many people realize that Vladimir Lenin himself recommended to his followers that they ally themselves with Muslim extremists, as a good way to destroy western civilization, because they both have the same goals: crushing all of humanity under the jackboot of a Totalitarian Global Government.
it was interesting and saddening to listen to a priest from Pakistan that came to our university to talk about the christian church in his homeland. He said that usually there's not a big problem for the christians, and alot of the christian schools are very good so alot of the muslims in the area go to them, but every time people in the west draw a picture of Muhammed and publish it or the american army bombs eg. civilians in iraq, some muslims take out their anger on the christians..
@woweixiaomiandui This priest was evidently bribed by Muslims to lie to you, painting a rosy picture and blaming the West, as usual. It's called "Taqiyya", deception of every kind sanctioned by the Koran. For a truer picture of what's happening there, please look at websites such as "Persecution of Christians in Pakistan" and "Islam: Making a True Difference in the World, One Body at a Time". One church was burnt down during services, and the Christians shot to death as they ran out the door.
@Pi10sco 1) As for the Pakistani "priest"/PublicRelationsMan who denied persecution, yes, good point, but the US students & their university have no way of knowing whether he was a genuine priest or not, and I hope you will read up a bit more on "Taqiyya" and "Kitman".
2) I, too, rejoiced at the fall of the Berlin Wall, but the Muslim/Marxist Alliance recommended by Lenin really has nothing to do with that, or Russia, but is far greater in scope---nothing less than world transformation.
Father Barron, im a baptist myself but i very much appreciate your videos. It seems to me that the attack on the Church has taken on two forms. In terms of the attack on the declining Church in the West it has taken shape in the form of Secularization, while in the emerging Churches of the Third World it has taken a more violent approach........
Father Barron, im a Baptist myself but i appreciate a lot of the videos that you have posted. In your video you spoke about the persecuted Church which i very much agree is feeling a lot of pressure. What it seems to me is that the attack on Christianity world wide is coming in 2 different forms. In the declining Church in the West it seems to be more subtle in the form of secularization while in the world wide church it is much more violent
Father Barron, im a Baptist myself but i appreciate a lot of the videos that you have posted. In your video you spoke about the persecuted Church which i very much agree is feeling a lot of pressure. What it seems to me is that the attack on Christianity world wide is coming in 2 different forms. In the declining Church in the West it seems to be more subtle in the form of secularization while in the world wide church it is much more violent
A somewhat bizzare video. You talk of heroes and sacrifice but seemingly only to criticize NCRs choice of Elizabeth Johnson as person of the year by offering an off the cuff dismissal of her situation.
I have to wonder if your agitation and motivation for this video is actually because she is approaching 'God through a new lens.'And that you are one of those for whom her 'precious feminine insights still threaten[ ].'
You might also want to provide your viewers a link to the NCR article.
@wordonfirevideo (cont'd), NOT earning a one of the MILLIONS of them "person of the year" by the NCR - THAT'S what should be grasped by comfortable Lefties (such as myself), in the dwindling West - amidst a burgeoning Global South. And I'm QUITE sure Sr. Johnson is WELL aware of their persecution, as evidenced by lectures I listen to from her.
@Sarusource Nothing at all complimentary to say about your co-religionists who are dying at the hand of their persecutors? You have to admit that the perils of Sr Johnson are small potatoes in comparison.
I found it odd that Sr Johnson should get the brunt for the NCR's decision. I wondered if it were more than a coincidence that a Catholic priest should condemn an award for neglecting more worthy Christians which at the same time has gone to a woman who is modernising the Catholic Church by identifying weaknesses in the patriarchal nature of the Church.
Of course, we can all take a moral high ground... a billion living on less than a dollar a day talk etc.
@Sarusource the brunt was not on Sr Johnson, but on NCR. Yes, Sr Johnson is doing her part but is she really person of the year? Really? When u have Catholics being shot dead for defending their faith in Pakistan, when Catholics and Christians are the most persecuted faith group out there, did NCR find no one out there worthy to be Person of the Year? Father was commenting more on on NCR's choice rather than the Sister herself
@savioblanc I don't know what the NCR criteria for person of the year. Like many organisations they may have a broader agenda when giving their awards. After all, the Catholic church is often criticised for its position on women. Since women make up over half the world population maybe they thought Sr Johnson should be recognised.
As for 'Christian persecution', don't you find this position a little odd. I mean Christian persecution pales in cimparison when compared to suffering in general.
@Sarusource Really? Maybe its just me never having really suffered in general and glad to have never been persecuted for my faith. I do not know if suffering in general pales in comparison to being persecuted for ure faith.
@savioblanc And as for the Church's position on women - the woman wrote a book, the bishops criticised it, she fought back....and that's it - that's persecution to you? The woman challenges Catholic orthodoxy, the "evil" bishops put out a statement saying her book is not reflective of Catholic teaching - her argument being that all-male words for God was patriachal, the bishops argued against it. This is a terrible persecution to u now? Seriously?
@savioblanc There is a poor Christian woman in prison in Pakistan now for over a year - charged falsely over blaspheming Muhammad. Two men who defended her publicly - one a devout Catholic - have been assassinated. The woman remains in prison. Is this person not worthy of NCR's Person of the Year? Does a Catholic feminist fighting bishops over all-male words for God trump a Catholic woman falsely accused of blaspheming and rotting away in prison? According to NCR - Yes, yes it does!
@Sarusource Really? o.O The issue clearly is not one of the nature of Elizabeth Johnson's work, but of the priorities of those people responsible for selecting 'person of the year.'
Gosh father I can't believe I just watched that... Thank you!!! we did need this commentary to come up to give us some strength in this tired Middle East.. "No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us." (Rom 8: 37)
How courageous Father Barron is to grasp the bull by the horns in this way, speaking up for the millions of persecuted Christians around the world, ALL persecuted by Muslims, let's be very clear about that. You don't get Hindus or Buddhists or Jewish people burning down churches or murdering Christians. Please see these websites for more information:
The situation is terribly obvious. Question: Why don't the Bishops go after the NCR instead of Michael Voris and his apostolate regarding use the name "Catholic"?
@stidd1 I agree Stidd1 - the Catholic and Evangelical blogs have been talking alot about that video. I would like Father to discuss it - yah hear that - its a million ears waiting to hear ure opinions on that video Father :D
We in the West do suffer - the difference is that we have psychologists and psychiatrists to deal with our depression and hand out pills to stop the depression....doesn't mean we stop being depressed but it does dull the pain, then it starts to dull life itself
Why doesn't everyone at the National Catholic Reporter get it over with and just convert to Protestantism?Such a joke.Everything wrong with the Church.All these relativists and moral totalitarians,they can keep persecuting Christ's people but they'll never win.
@DustyAndPistolPete u assume the Protestants want them....yuck!! Bad fish stinks up the place and the last thing they need is the NCR people...they have enough problems as it is
@DustyAndPistolPete amen. The "National Un-Catholic Dissenters" delight in sending the mixed messages and blurring the lines of what it means to be Catholic for their own twisted purposes. Pfleger, Keehan, Kmiec and Jenkins have done more to destroy Catholicism in America than the KKK, the Masons and those who will not be mentioned.
I believe the Christian world or the West have a biblical misunderstand to War. If you read Isaiah 37:1-38 you will see how God sends his angel to kill 185,000 soldiers in the Assyrian camp. Also Jesus talks about 12 legion of angels. I know Jesus said, "Whoever slaps you on your right cheek offer him your left cheek as well." But what does that mean? Does it mean, "Whoever rapes your sister offer him your mother as well." I don't thinks so! Through prayer and fasting wars can be warded off.
Something tells me Jesus Christ knows whom "to give the nod to" when this short ride is over! Even I, as an "every day mick", sitting back on my upsized backside can only marvel at those borthers and sisters in Christ found on this ages frontline. You do it tough now folks, but it's me that really needs your prayers - remember me please, for no-doubt yours is the Kingdom!
Martyrdom often nourishes the seeds of Christianity. Yet thinking about how vital Carthage, Constantinople, Nicaea, and Antioch were to the history of Christianity and the size of their Christian populations today - I can't help but think it has had a poor track record for well established Christian communities. I know I shouldn't think that way, God does work in mysterious ways after all.
@tonymandu I've been thinking the same thing to be honest - maybe the Roman Catholic Church has a better track record when it comes to takin back its lands cos Spain, Malta and Sicily were all once under Islamic rule for long periods of time and they were all taken back by the Church. I really don't know :(
@tonymandu it's cause and effect. When those communities needed help, the Roman Catholic nations were at their disposal. But it came down to politics; they thought they would get "a better deal" under the Sultan. But yes, we should never forget our Christian brothers and sisters WHEREVER they live, but especially among the Mohammedan.
Of course, that butchering will stop for a while and once they increase their taxes, it will start again. Also, the Islamists are going to eventually start their horrors in the West, not that they haven't already begun...but the more we think the Islamists can be reasoned with, the more this problem is going to get worse.
PERHAPS, this is a good time to remind the numnuts about why the Church had the Crusades in the first place - just saying
@savioblanc I'm not sure if the Western World could muster that kind of will anymore. There's such a stress on being tolerant and multicultural that it's largely a hate crime to simply criticize a group for being largely intolerant and unicultural.
@tonymandu I believe you are right. But look what happened in Mohammedan Bosnia and Kosovo; a minority cried out "genocide!" to the world, and now they are independent countries. Same in Kurdistan. So, if the Christians of those countries ever form a bloc and ask for intervention....this might be the way to go
@savioblanc Agree. The difference between Islam and Christianity is that under certain conditions the Quran gives Muslims the right to kill 'the infidel' (which unfortunately means Christians). However Jesus simply preached a message of peace, forgiveness and love. The Crucifixion (which is considered a hoax in Islam) shows Christians how to face death with forgiveness. Christians who kill are not followers of Christ and they know it!
@gwalj But Christians who kill are part of our saints. Heck, would u claim King Louis IX - who is also a Saint of the Church - NOT a follower of Christ? There is no doubt that Chrisians should not kill, but I think the Church has also known that at times the Church must spring into action and do what it must to defend itself. The attitude that Christians should not kill at all is why I belive the Churches of the East pretty mch dissapeared after the Islamic conquest - that n their utter disunity
@savioblanc Your attitude, and presumably the attitude of those currently eight people who have given you a thumbs up, is the reason why many non - religious people are afraid of your 'divine inspiration'.
@Sarusource it is only spine chilling to the numnuts. I was not calling for new crusades. I was saying that people should actually know the events that preceded the Crusades, know the history behind the numerous Islamic invasions of the West, the sacking of Rome and Vatican City by a Muslim army in the 9th century, the destruction of Christendom's holiest church building in the 11th century, the relenless attack on Byzantium by jihadis repeatedly.
@savioblanc - what I was trying to get at was that people think we are dealing with a militant Islam only recently and previously, Islam lived in peace and harmony with the Christian populace and it was the evil Crusaders that are responsible for all this mess. This lie has been around since the 19th century and is used sadly by anti-Catholic bigots - both outside and within the Church - over and over again!
The Crusades didn't just happen, they were a response to 500 years of Islamic terror!
@savioblanc Don't you think that previously it was militant Islam and militant Christianity? Possibly the main reason we don't have militant Christianity these days is because Christianity has been defanged by the 'separation of church and state' in modern democracies.
And by the way, I think the academic world is well aware that Islam has had its own crusading nature. As for enlightening the average punter, maybe you should give a balanced perspective on the horrors committed by both sides?
@Sarusource The objectives of the Crusades and Jihad were never the same. The Crusades focused on claiming Jerusalem, etc. and defending the borders of Europe. Jihad, in principle, has no limit to its range or force, but intends to conquer the world.
Of course some Christian wars were extremely unChristian: sacking Constantinople. But that doesn't smear the great difference between the two.
We are talking about very primitive armys that would pass through foreign countries taking advantage of those around them. From what I gather, they would have no problems with killing muslim civilians. If you can see this as something to be proud of, I am very confused by both you and your conception of Christianity.
The difference between the terms Jihad and the Crusades is a nonesense. They are both terms to describe primitive violent behaviour.
@Sarusource I don't gather that. But that they were often poorly organized and sometimes deceived; that non-standing armies are difficult to control, and that, later on, some better composed groups were corrupted. Not that they killed civilians.
It is a war, a war between societies. I'm not sure how you can be proud of refusing to defend Europe. Nor how you can dismiss those defending their civilization, primitives. We are no less primitive!
@roryscanlon All I am doing is looking at Wikipedia (if you have alternative sources please feel free to direct me) and when I see references to Crusader mobs massacring Jews and other Christian sects, as well as sieges (this obviously (?) is civilian assault) I can easily see it as 'primitive'.
I think saying we are less primitive is easy to do and sounds grandiose but not actually true. Dec' of Human Rights, Geneva convention..
I think maybe you are oversimplifying the defence of Europe too.
@Sarusource The Crusades were essentially a conflict between Christendom and Islam. To be specific, they were a conflict between Christian civilization and Islam as adopted by "the Turk," those savage, destructive Mongol tribes from Asia. After the terrible Christian defeat at Manzikert in Turkey (1071 A. D.), not only the ancient Christian civilization in the Holy Land, but Europe itself lay in mortal peril."
@roryscanlon So what you are doing is quoting a review from a website called aquinasandmore of the famous Catholic, Hilaire Belloc. You then go on to reference the Catholic Encylopedia.
You don't think your perception is perhaps a little narrow and possibly a little biased?
As for your 'huge defeat' I can only say that I don't know what your talking about. Your life is longer, safer, more free, more educated and healthier than those who lived in the earlier part of the millenium.
@Sarusource) Well its not more well-educated then last century, and I contest healthier. I may easily have been more free last century as well. Certainly my life is not happier, nor more meaningful, nor more intellectually and culturally vibrant, nor more politically empowered, etc.
I don't believe that those sources are not biased, but I do believe that the wikipedia source is also biased, and less reliable. I wouldn't call Hilaire Belloc narrow (biased certainly, like everybody).
@Sarusource 2) A very alternative source would be the Catholic Encyclopedia on the Crusades--the article is a bit much though. In essence early Crusades were a heroic attempt to save Civilization being attacked, and later ones, with political (national) infighting, and the strange trans-national rights of Crusaders (poor men!) became bloody abuse.
Its a miracle that a feudal society, as a whole, was able to defend itself at all. And I like that it was defended.
@Sarusource 3) We've definitely advanced on the middle ages in many respects: the Rights and Conventions, surely--living standards (i.e. comfort) which allows us to have such Conventions, science and technology, etc. But then there's the World Wars, Colonialism (its bad, trade, side), Marxism, and there's the Cultural Degradation of the present. We've actually lost a whole lot of ground on our advances! Just as Tony Morrison is a loss from Shakespeare! A huge defeat really.
1) No Muslim is guaranteed a place in Muslim "Paradise" unless he or she has KILLED A NON-MUSLIM, so your whingeing about "Muslim civilians" is just "Taqiyya"--- religiously sanctioned deception as a "means toward the end" of establishing the Global Caliphate.
2) It is the religious duty of EVERY MUSLIM to work towards establishing the Global Caliphate, using Jihad in all its forms, "Demographic Jihad", "Cultural Jihad" "Vehicular Jihad", "Food Jihad", etc.
@Sarusource - first u assume a militant Christianity. But the Crusades were a reaction to 500 years of Jihad. Remember that the Church did not exactly have a problem with Muslims ruling the Holy Land...the Arabs promised to protect the holy places of the Christians and the Christians in return accepted Arab rule. It was as the years passed, as pilgrims to the Holy Land kept being attacked by Turkish mercenaries, as St Peters Basilica in Rome got ransacked and plundered when things for tense!
@savioblanc Second, yes the academic world is well aware of Islam's crusading nature and that is the problem - they look at it from the viewpoint of a crusade. They should be looking at it from the viewpoint of a jihad. A crusade has a specific purpose, it is not world colonisation. A jihad is the exact opposite of a crusade. It is the creation of a worldwide ummah under Islam.
@savioblanc - Thirdly, why is it that anytime anyone has an opinion on jihad and Islam, one must always mention Christianity and the Crusades? This nonsense is something ive noticed over and over again. The jihads preceded the crusades by 500 years, yet for some reason, the Crusades are blamed for the wrongs of the Mideast.
@savioblanc Yes, "they" do. "They", the great seething hoard of identical fanatical androids. "They" are One. There are no distinctions. "They" have no redeeming qualities. "They" are all - every single one of them.
@savioblanc You appear to have a narrative trajectory and seem willing to support it in any way you can. 'the Crusades were a reaction against 500 years of Jihad.' Hmm? So it was the Christians who were fighting a 'just war'. It had nothing to do with the straightforward acquisition of power? And Christianity was not used to acquire land by various kings, queens and indeed popes?
As for your reflections on the semantic differences between jihad and crusade; very poor justification.
@Sarusource - This is precisely why is said we need to start talking about the Crusades and the crusading fervour for what they were and not what 19th century historians decided - looking of course through the prism of colonisation! The view that the Crusades were a power grab, that the kings and princes who went off on the first crusade were out to create some Mideast empire are exactly what the Crusades were not!
@savioblanc If anything, the reason y the Crusades were a failure was precisly becos Kingdoms and Empires was not the plan of the Crusaders. Many of them assumed they would be returning home once they'd played their part in allowing free passage to Christians in Jerusalem. This actually left the areas they'd conqured quite unstable. Perhaps I did go overboard with the whole "Well, the Muslims attacked first!" whining but to reduce the crusades to a power grab is pathetic!
@savioblanc - I'll end with a link I think u'll enjoy having a read through - it kinda attacks both our positions - mine that the Crusades were a response to Jihads and ure position that they were nothing other than a power grab by evil Catholic kings and a bastard of a Pope - type in Armarium Magnum - in the blog archive, go to 2010 May - click God's Battalions by Rodney Stark - it's a great read and I think we both could learn a thing or 2 about the Crusades :D
@savioblanc I am not quite sure what you are saying. Are you suggesting that modern historians have the wrong view of the Crusades? If so, would you like to say which historians in particular? And perhaps, what your sources are for holding this position?
@Sarusource - No, no, what I'm saying is that the view that is held at the moment - mind u not by well-informed historians but largely by the ill-informed public - is tat the Crusdes were nothing more than a power grab, they were the ealiest recorded example of colonisation, that Muslims and Christians lived in harmony and the Crusades shattered it all - those r the myths that need to be examined and dealt with in a world dat has forgotten y the Crusades happened.
@savioblanc I want the media to be brave enough to at least mention the atoricites that preceded the Crusades. The sad thiing is that we have such a pompous PC media and educational institutions, so not willing to offend Islam or Muslims, that they cannot even come to mention what preceded the Crusades, they cannot even think of mentioning the Jihads. All I'm asking is that they begin to show that. That's all.
@savioblanc The media has been taken over by the Marxist/Globalists, who are allied with the Muslims, following the recommendation of Vladimir Lenin, because both have the same goals: crushing the whole of humanity under the jackboot of a Totalitarian Global Government. And if anyone is interested in a splendid commentary about media bias, please see Paul Weston's article "Racism and Media Double Standards in Britain"
@TibbieT Woah there Tibbie....look I'm sorry but i'm not into generalisations and conspiracy theories. There is no doubt that the media has its biases against the Church but we do not help ourselves by coming up with conspiracy theories to understand why. The Church is about changing the heart and the mind, to open oneself to a higher power. All we can do is first and foremost, pray, perhaps first for ourselves and then to fight the lies by studying our own history and traditions
@savioblanc I think I will just have to admit to a limited knowledge on the subject. I have a vague hand - me down image of the Crusades which is not a positive one. A quick glance across Wikipedia does not really contradict this view either.
Looking at the reviews of your Rodney Stark book on Amazon, suggests that his position is probably contrary to historical concensus. I would hope that you are not basing your position on the narrative of a single book.
@savioblanc About Rodney Stark - I don't think u read my post correctly. The site I asked u to check actually rips apart his thesis quite soundly. The man is a great sociologist, but his history can be a bit sketchy. But while it does rip apart this thesis - the Crusades were a defensive war- the blogger also rips other such nonsensical thoughts prevalent among the public today - read the blog, not the Amazon reviews please.
@savioblanc I read the Tim O'Niell article (scanningly). Don't you think it strongly undermines your position? Although I may be wrong, your view of the Crusades as a 'just war' contrasted with 'jihad', as with Stark, after reading the Amazon reviews and the Stark review, does seem to be breaking with modern academic consensus. I will pay attention more when the Crusades come up in conversation. lol
@Sarusource Not really. O'Niell's argument was milenial piety was more a reason for the Crusades rather than anger for the invasions. What Stark was arguing was that the Crusades were a reply to years of invasions by Muslims - but the Crusades happen 200 yrs after the invasions. If u read the comments section, under history_lover, (dats me lol :) - i'm still waiting for him to answer my questions. But the reason I wanted u to have a read was, yes, it does seem to break the modern consensus
@Sarusource I'm a sucker for all things crusadey too...and I want the media to deal with the Crusades in a mture fashion.something I believe they don't have the balls to yet do. Dats all. I want them to actually really exlore why the Crusades happened, not look at it though the prism of Western colonisation and invasion, which they've been doing since the 19th century sadly :(
@savioblanc You are right, and Muslims like to hide the fact that they already had TWO Holy cities, Mecca & Medina, and just seized Jerusalem BECAUSE it was the Holy City of Christians and Jewish people. Jerusalem is NOT a Holy City of Muslims, just because they lay spurious claim to it and planted a mosque on top of it, like they're trying to plant a mosque at Ground Zero, as a symbol of victory over the infidel.
Muslims denied access to Jerusalem to Christians, provoking the Crusades.
Does Father believe that these Christians being persecuted in the Middle East, Africa and Asia should never pick up arms and defend themselves? Aren't their cases perfect for the Just War doctrine that the Church teaches?
The Islamists are not going to stop terrorising them until they are either all dead or all converted. They aren't even interested in them being dhimmified, though I'm sure that if the Christians begin paying the Islamists for protection, they will stop butchering them.
Do you know who deserves to be awarded Person of the Year 2011 - Pakistani Minister for Minorities, Clement Shahbaz Bhatti who was killed as a martyr of the faith on March 2, 2011.
That a tenured professor whose book was criticised by the Church elders, was chosen by the NCR as Person of the Year just shows you that the people at NCR live on Planet Head in the Clouds
@savioblanc I was going to bring this up, but I cannot agree more. Salman Taseer was the warning, and you saw everyone but him scurry for cover like roaches. He stood his ground fully knowing the risks.
Father, this is one of the most compelling and heart-wrenching videos I've ever seen from you. I am intimately and painfully aware of the Christian persecution, specifically at the hands of Mohammedans around the world. Christianity is indeed the fastest growing religion, but you cannot say this to a Mohammedan or there will be dire reprocussions. My only issue is that you mentioned the NCR by name; they are not worth dignifying with so much as a scowl. Once again, VERY well done here.
With respect, you Christians have killed millions in the name of your God, the God of love and peace. What about them? What about all the victims of Christianity, should we simply forget about them? This is the reason why I left the Church, because of the militant hypocrisy. I am sorry that these human beings had to suffer so much but, this is the price that we pay when we pray for peace, instead of using our minds to make the world a better place. Jesus would have been ashamed if he lived
@AtheistUK1 real Christians pray AND work for peace. Don't think for us it is an either or equation. And yes, there have been wars committed in the name of Christianity, and despots who called themselves Christian, but the did so CONTRARY to the teachings and faith of the church. There is no hypocrisy, just misunderstanding by the likes of you.
@AtheistUK1 People who were nominally Christians did in fact betray their own religion by committing millions of atrocities in the past. But this is 2012, friend. Being angry at Christianity now for what was committed in its name in the past is just about as fruitful in its effect as me condemning the Roman Empire and its stooge Pontius Pilate for crucifying Christ. Very satisfying emotionally but absolutely futile in helping people TODAY.
Thank you Fr. Barron for bringing us the light on this subject! There are many who suffer world wide for the Catholic Faith and so often we forget about what is happening!
@ladylejean215 Ah but Christians are only compelled to try to forgive, and try to love their enemy. It may well be the case that there are crimes so heinous only God can forgive them. In that forgiveness, God exhibits his omnipotence.
Man, at his pinnacle is a reflection of God, but many many things will always solely lie in the power of the Almighty.
Father Barron I always love your Honest Approach to the Faith. I really feal for our Brothers and Sisters in other Countries that are being Persecuted, The story of the 9 year old boy just broke my heart. I know they are in a better place.
This is a very interesting and touching topic.I've recently again been reading up on the Ukrainian Greek Catholic martyrs and am truly amazed at their perseverence in Faith, which they demonstrated while under persecution by the Communist regime in the UdSSR.The stories of these Ukrainian martyrs are heart-wrenching and what makes me sad, is that too many Catholics in the West (including theologians),don't even know that there's this other part of our Catholic Church,let alone its amazing story.
@gambleor The answer is simple (I've said it 2 times already!): the notion of martyrdom, which is a key aspect in this madness. When you use that concept, YOU are picturing them as some sort of soldiers in a holy war. You should speak of the barbarism and idiocy of people being killed for practicing their religion. Instead, what I see in this video is Fr. Barron (whom I usually respect) almost bragging about Christians being killed as a measurement of Christianity's grow in the world.
Responses to two different people, but iPad won't do "reply". Sorry for the confusion. Inform yourselves, brothers and sisters. Our Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests are letting us down, and this video really hurt me, as it was such a good example of how.
LightSpeedOne 1 day ago
ANY murder committed in the name Of God is wrong, more wrong than regular murder, as a person is invoking the Creator to destroy one of his creations. My point here isn't to justify these crass terrorists, just to point out that it a much more multi faceted problem than the good priest makes it out to be, it is not cut and dried. I found this uneccumenical, and a seed of thought planted, that will grow into hatred. Not very Godly work.
LightSpeedOne 1 day ago
@LightSpeedOne Friend, please provide the "nuance" that will justify the murder of innocent people praying in church, including the murder of a toddler. I guess I'm just too dim to pick up on the ecumenical subtleties at play.
wordonfirevideo 1 day ago
My point is that men of God do not go about pandering to the lowest common denominator, and that with your educational background, you know better than to generalize about one faith or the other.The real attack today is not on any one faith, it is an attack on the sovereignty of God, in every faith. Beleivers must band together, not accepting that wedges be driven between us, by people who are unfit to lead us. Jesus bequeathed Peter a Church, not a kingdom.
LightSpeedOne 1 day ago
@LightSpeedOne I'm engaging in no generalization at all, friend. You are. I'm simply commenting on some pretty egregious examples of anti-Christian persecution by extremists from all across the world.
wordonfirevideo 1 day ago
To be frank, I was shocked to see an Educated Roman Catholic priest be so simplistic in dealing with terror from so called Islam. When a terrorist murders an innocent in the name of Islam, his actions are incompatible with the content of the Quo'ran. You know this. However, I can see why you wouldn't want to tread near so called religions, whose practice is incompatible with their professed scripture.
LightSpeedOne 2 days ago
@LightSpeedOne Not sure what point you're trying to make here.
wordonfirevideo 2 days ago
@LightSpeedOne You find one murder mass murder by one nation of greater weight than another? If that were an American or Chinese or Haitian child wound the murder be of greater or less importance? Shall we applaud the Islam as the best murderers? I don't think Jesus sees things in those terms.
angelamariapreuss 2 days ago
Now I know where you practice your vocation, but as an intelligent clergyman like yourself knows, I was looking for the letters that come after your name, who educated you. With the slickness of your answer, I'm guessing Jesuit. I was educated by the Basilian Fathers.
LightSpeedOne 2 days ago
@LightSpeedOne Father Barron is a man of God. That is enough.
angelamariapreuss 2 days ago
Anyone know what Order this fellow belongs to?
LightSpeedOne 3 days ago
@LightSpeedOne I'm a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
wordonfirevideo 3 days ago
Amen Father Barron! The story of that poor small boy asking those killers why they were doing this only to be killed himself is heart-wrenching! May God bless the souls of these faithful departed!
jfrlkb 4 days ago
Honestly, this particular Christian would rather not be persecuted.
Pi10sco 6 days ago
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Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." mat 5:
broffaith 6 days ago
christians love being persecuted.
halflifeproductionz 1 week ago
I have seen people suffer horrendous psychological abuse here in America for professing to be Christian. The abuse is ongoing, persistent, hateful, malicious, ad nauseum. It is ugly and does cause tremendous suffering to the person undergoing it. Martyrdom isn't always dying for Christ, sometimes it is living for Him on a day to day basis. Yet the blood of the martyrs mentioned in this video, plus many unmentioned, is that which strengthens the living faithful.
TastetheTeardrops 2 weeks ago 5
@TastetheTeardrops Bravo! Thank you for your insightful review.
bheadh 6 days ago
@EGMAG Blessed are those who believe, but have not seen. If there was solid concrete evidence I could throw you over the Internet, the whole earth would believe! Look up Marian apparitions though (: they are quite amazing.
Ndftblwannabe1 3 weeks ago
I disagree with you on many things but no-one should be killed for their beliefs.
Mrmentalmadness123 3 weeks ago
Tell it like it is, Father!!!! God bless you!!!
yvettepalladino 4 weeks ago
@EGMAG If you did read Aquinas's Proof at least have the decency to spell the poor guy's name properly...:)
Pi10sco 1 month ago
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Father Barron <<
All religions are in doubt because for thousands of years not ''one'' theism has shown clear concrete solid proof that there even is a God. Theists, no excuses, can you show real evidence of solid "proof", so that my believing can be turned to "certain absolute knowing"?
EGMAG 1 month ago
Thank you for sharing Fr. Barron.
GOD bless you and your work.
stufado1 1 month ago
All religions are in doubt because for thousands of years not ''one'' theism has shown clear concrete solid proof that there ev en is a God. Theists, can you show real evidence, so that believing can be turned to "knowing"?
EGMAG 1 month ago
@EGMAG Prove to me there is no God.
1spoon1fork 1 month ago
@EGMAG Read about Thomas Aquinas's Five proofs of the existence of God. Then ask yourself: what accords better with my experience or with logic: God, or an infinite regress of lesser agents which cannot cause their own existence? The proof is not something scientific, but something logical.
Pi10sco 1 month ago
@Pi10sco Thomas Aquinas's <<
Actually I really did read it last night from the summa theologica, Aquainas. It was a contradictioned collection of nonsensical rhetoric. You should read it too; and very slowly as it is an unfair doctrine of unsubstantiated claims and confused exaggerations. After reading I still think there is a God; although not as explained by Aquainus summa theologica.
EGMAG 1 month ago
This is so heard braking, why must Muslims be so inhuman?
ArthurTheChristian 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
The only reason Catholicism is growing in some parts is because they haven't had the time to question it. Christianity is in a state of decline in the West because the West have more educated people who are exposed to liberal ideas.
AurorInTraining 1 month ago
@AurorInTraining Ah yes, the secularization thesis...which has been proven wrong over and over again. Friend, the most Christian nation in the world is (wait for it) The United States of America, a place where liberal ideas and modern education are fully on offer. Get past this early twentieth century prejudice and look at the reality on the ground.
wordonfirevideo 1 month ago 26
@AurorInTraining @wordonfirevideo do you (either of you) have a reference?
NinthNova 1 month ago
@wordonfirevideo Father, I would like to ask you what book should I read regarding the Old Testament because I have heard many atheists say that the Jews barrowed from other religions gods and that the Old Testament was rewriten to fit the new elements. Thank you,
TheAwesomeMaths 1 month ago
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@wordonfirevideo Fr. Barron piasano <<
All religions are in doubt because for thousands of years not ''one'' theism has shown clear concrete solid proof that there even is a God. Theists, no excuses, can you show real evidence of solid "proof", so that my believing can be turned to "certain absolute knowing"?
EGMAG 1 month ago
@AurorInTraining Who's your source? Dawkins? Harris? Or any media source that has a bias towards religion?
joetufano719 1 month ago
@joetufano719 what i remember is reading something about shrinking church attendance somewhere. but if you are looking for unbiased statistics on religion visit pewtrusts(dot)org or religions(dot)pewforum(dot)org/reports i have not the time to read it due to technical problems with my laptop
AurorInTraining 2 weeks ago
@AurorInTraining ....yawn...
jfbruno 4 days ago
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DoctorUniversalis 1 month ago
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pierresogol1 1 month ago
Do you get the impression that monotheists have committed more religious violence than polytheists? Seems like most of the biblical bloodbaths were about killing people who worshipped the wrong gods (Old Testament) or killing people who worshipped the right God in the wrong way (New Testament). And I remember reading that polytheistic Mecca was a relatively peaceful neighborhood before Muhammad discovered monotheism.
quantumystery 1 month ago
@quantumystery Very interesting that you brought up polytheists, because few people realize, while rightly condemning the sexual abuse of children exposed in the Catholic church,that child slavery is actually a religious tenet of both Hinduism and Buddhism. Hindus enslave female children to be "temple prostitutes", & poor Tibetan Buddhist families unable to donate money are required to GIVE one of their sons to the temple when only 3 years old, each one eating & sleeping with one monk.
TibbieT 1 month ago
It's just the peaceful religion of Islam doing what it has always done, according to Mohammad's teachings.
SunsetSix 1 month ago
Let me say again how courageous Father Barron is, standing almost alone amongst Catholics, and even Christians, in boldly speaking up for those persecuted Christians around the world who have been so shockingly neglected by the world's media. He really is a hero, a true Christian warrior in the finest sense of the word.
TibbieT 1 month ago
You misquote and misrepresent without regard to the facts. Not once in the NCR article is the word "persecuted" or "victim" used and you claim she was selected because she was both? No, her work "aimed to find God's presence in our multidimensional, contemporary world" and was "well-received,... among teaching Catholic theologians", yet she was attacked from within her own faith by administrative authority unable to see it's potential to help heal exactly the kind of hatred you address here.
itslifeisall 1 month ago
Excellent video. It's odd though, that I only remember a couple of times recently when the prayers during mass included prayers for martyrs, and for those suffering persecution.
skjelver4 1 month ago
Out of curiosity, how much of that growth in Christianity is from/due to catholicism?
DMCTrader 1 month ago
75% of all who die for their faith are christian.
wow.
Wouldn't it be something if the mainstream press got ahold of such a statistic. Watching TV I get the impression that Christians are the only group among thousands of isms, ists, and alities, that are never persecuted. huh.
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@roryscanlon Yes. 75% of all who die for their faith are Christian.
And 100% of all who murder them are Muslim.
TibbieT 1 month ago
@TibbieT Surely not.
Communists for instance.
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@roryscanlon For example?
TibbieT 1 month ago
@TibbieT The Communists of the People's Republic of China, or their government.
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@roryscanlon And yet Christians in North Korea have fled to China seeking asylum! Let's put it this way: how many Christians have been killed for their faith by communists in the past 5 years, compared to Christians killed for their faith by Muslims EVERY DAY?
"More people are killed by Islamists EACH YEAR than in all 350 years of the Spanish Inquisition combined."
TibbieT 1 month ago
@roryscanlon Actually, not many people realize that Vladimir Lenin himself recommended to his followers that they ally themselves with Muslim extremists, as a good way to destroy western civilization, because they both have the same goals: crushing all of humanity under the jackboot of a Totalitarian Global Government.
TibbieT 1 month ago
@TibbieT Didja notice that the Berlin Wall has vanished?
Pi10sco 1 month ago
it was interesting and saddening to listen to a priest from Pakistan that came to our university to talk about the christian church in his homeland. He said that usually there's not a big problem for the christians, and alot of the christian schools are very good so alot of the muslims in the area go to them, but every time people in the west draw a picture of Muhammed and publish it or the american army bombs eg. civilians in iraq, some muslims take out their anger on the christians..
woweixiaomiandui 1 month ago
@woweixiaomiandui This priest was evidently bribed by Muslims to lie to you, painting a rosy picture and blaming the West, as usual. It's called "Taqiyya", deception of every kind sanctioned by the Koran. For a truer picture of what's happening there, please look at websites such as "Persecution of Christians in Pakistan" and "Islam: Making a True Difference in the World, One Body at a Time". One church was burnt down during services, and the Christians shot to death as they ran out the door.
TibbieT 1 month ago
@TibbieT Isn't it more likely that the man was afraid to say anything too critical for fear of repercussions on returning home?
Pi10sco 1 month ago
@Pi10sco 1) As for the Pakistani "priest"/PublicRelationsMan who denied persecution, yes, good point, but the US students & their university have no way of knowing whether he was a genuine priest or not, and I hope you will read up a bit more on "Taqiyya" and "Kitman".
2) I, too, rejoiced at the fall of the Berlin Wall, but the Muslim/Marxist Alliance recommended by Lenin really has nothing to do with that, or Russia, but is far greater in scope---nothing less than world transformation.
TibbieT 1 month ago
The WOMAN and HER SEED[S] will CRUSH the crescent serpent.
The war began in Genesis 3:15.
The dramatic head-to-head battle was seen on Apocalypse 12:1-4.
Our Lady of Guadalupe [「Coatlaxopeuh」] gave the protoevangelium sign on December 12, 1531, at Tepeyac, Mexico.
[【MARIA is standing on the dark crescent moon.】]
TekkonShiro 1 month ago
Father Barron, im a baptist myself but i very much appreciate your videos. It seems to me that the attack on the Church has taken on two forms. In terms of the attack on the declining Church in the West it has taken shape in the form of Secularization, while in the emerging Churches of the Third World it has taken a more violent approach........
jamaicanification 1 month ago
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Father Barron, im a Baptist myself but i appreciate a lot of the videos that you have posted. In your video you spoke about the persecuted Church which i very much agree is feeling a lot of pressure. What it seems to me is that the attack on Christianity world wide is coming in 2 different forms. In the declining Church in the West it seems to be more subtle in the form of secularization while in the world wide church it is much more violent
jamaicanification 1 month ago
Father Barron, im a Baptist myself but i appreciate a lot of the videos that you have posted. In your video you spoke about the persecuted Church which i very much agree is feeling a lot of pressure. What it seems to me is that the attack on Christianity world wide is coming in 2 different forms. In the declining Church in the West it seems to be more subtle in the form of secularization while in the world wide church it is much more violent
jamaicanification 1 month ago
A somewhat bizzare video. You talk of heroes and sacrifice but seemingly only to criticize NCRs choice of Elizabeth Johnson as person of the year by offering an off the cuff dismissal of her situation.
I have to wonder if your agitation and motivation for this video is actually because she is approaching 'God through a new lens.'And that you are one of those for whom her 'precious feminine insights still threaten[ ].'
You might also want to provide your viewers a link to the NCR article.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource Oh brother... Trust me: I'm not threatened by Sr. Johnson's "lenses."
wordonfirevideo 1 month ago 20
@wordonfirevideo Good reply. lol
Sarusource 1 month ago
@wordonfirevideo (cont'd), NOT earning a one of the MILLIONS of them "person of the year" by the NCR - THAT'S what should be grasped by comfortable Lefties (such as myself), in the dwindling West - amidst a burgeoning Global South. And I'm QUITE sure Sr. Johnson is WELL aware of their persecution, as evidenced by lectures I listen to from her.
pierresogol1 1 month ago
@Sarusource Nothing at all complimentary to say about your co-religionists who are dying at the hand of their persecutors? You have to admit that the perils of Sr Johnson are small potatoes in comparison.
Pi10sco 1 month ago
@Pi10sco I am not a religionist.
I found it odd that Sr Johnson should get the brunt for the NCR's decision. I wondered if it were more than a coincidence that a Catholic priest should condemn an award for neglecting more worthy Christians which at the same time has gone to a woman who is modernising the Catholic Church by identifying weaknesses in the patriarchal nature of the Church.
Of course, we can all take a moral high ground... a billion living on less than a dollar a day talk etc.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource the brunt was not on Sr Johnson, but on NCR. Yes, Sr Johnson is doing her part but is she really person of the year? Really? When u have Catholics being shot dead for defending their faith in Pakistan, when Catholics and Christians are the most persecuted faith group out there, did NCR find no one out there worthy to be Person of the Year? Father was commenting more on on NCR's choice rather than the Sister herself
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc I don't know what the NCR criteria for person of the year. Like many organisations they may have a broader agenda when giving their awards. After all, the Catholic church is often criticised for its position on women. Since women make up over half the world population maybe they thought Sr Johnson should be recognised.
As for 'Christian persecution', don't you find this position a little odd. I mean Christian persecution pales in cimparison when compared to suffering in general.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource Really? Maybe its just me never having really suffered in general and glad to have never been persecuted for my faith. I do not know if suffering in general pales in comparison to being persecuted for ure faith.
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc And as for the Church's position on women - the woman wrote a book, the bishops criticised it, she fought back....and that's it - that's persecution to you? The woman challenges Catholic orthodoxy, the "evil" bishops put out a statement saying her book is not reflective of Catholic teaching - her argument being that all-male words for God was patriachal, the bishops argued against it. This is a terrible persecution to u now? Seriously?
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc There is a poor Christian woman in prison in Pakistan now for over a year - charged falsely over blaspheming Muhammad. Two men who defended her publicly - one a devout Catholic - have been assassinated. The woman remains in prison. Is this person not worthy of NCR's Person of the Year? Does a Catholic feminist fighting bishops over all-male words for God trump a Catholic woman falsely accused of blaspheming and rotting away in prison? According to NCR - Yes, yes it does!
savioblanc 1 month ago
@Sarusource What on earth is bizarre about it. I am very grateful to Fr. Barron for speaking about the persecution of the Church around the world.
Trinitylover 1 month ago
@Sarusource Really? o.O The issue clearly is not one of the nature of Elizabeth Johnson's work, but of the priorities of those people responsible for selecting 'person of the year.'
MrWildbill20056 1 month ago
Gosh father I can't believe I just watched that... Thank you!!! we did need this commentary to come up to give us some strength in this tired Middle East.. "No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us." (Rom 8: 37)
bobboulos 1 month ago
Excellent commentary! I'm glad you pointed this out. I'm going to spread this video as much as I can. Keep up the great work!
joezilla07 1 month ago
How courageous Father Barron is to grasp the bull by the horns in this way, speaking up for the millions of persecuted Christians around the world, ALL persecuted by Muslims, let's be very clear about that. You don't get Hindus or Buddhists or Jewish people burning down churches or murdering Christians. Please see these websites for more information:
crombouke.blogspot everything-you-need-to-know-about-islam
thereligionofpeace index dot Attacks
TibbieT 1 month ago
The situation is terribly obvious. Question: Why don't the Bishops go after the NCR instead of Michael Voris and his apostolate regarding use the name "Catholic"?
anthtan 1 month ago
In my opinion, there's seems to be a GROSS misunderstanding of christianity on some issues...
zztstenglish 1 month ago
My goodness, Fr. Barron, kudos to you on this video! You sound like a real person rather than a Catholic apologist here.
StormTrek 1 month ago
Fr. Robert,
Have you seen the video labeled "Why I hate Religion, But Love Jesus"?
Was curious about your opinion on it as it seems to be quite popular right now.
stidd1 1 month ago 8
@stidd1 I agree Stidd1 - the Catholic and Evangelical blogs have been talking alot about that video. I would like Father to discuss it - yah hear that - its a million ears waiting to hear ure opinions on that video Father :D
savioblanc 1 month ago
YouTube was made for these messages of peace, love and hope for a wounded world.
gwalj 1 month ago
Thank you for a thoughtful and sobering reflection for all Christians as we begin a new year, Fr. Barron.
CatholicGirl5 1 month ago
Well spoken. This video reminded me of Maximilian Kolbe, a true hero.
DemeterPictures 1 month ago
"we do not suffer enough anymore"
We in the West do suffer - the difference is that we have psychologists and psychiatrists to deal with our depression and hand out pills to stop the depression....doesn't mean we stop being depressed but it does dull the pain, then it starts to dull life itself
savioblanc 1 month ago
Why doesn't everyone at the National Catholic Reporter get it over with and just convert to Protestantism?Such a joke.Everything wrong with the Church.All these relativists and moral totalitarians,they can keep persecuting Christ's people but they'll never win.
DustyAndPistolPete 1 month ago
@DustyAndPistolPete u assume the Protestants want them....yuck!! Bad fish stinks up the place and the last thing they need is the NCR people...they have enough problems as it is
savioblanc 1 month ago
@DustyAndPistolPete amen. The "National Un-Catholic Dissenters" delight in sending the mixed messages and blurring the lines of what it means to be Catholic for their own twisted purposes. Pfleger, Keehan, Kmiec and Jenkins have done more to destroy Catholicism in America than the KKK, the Masons and those who will not be mentioned.
capone70 1 month ago
Very well said Father Barron!
xtrashed 1 month ago
I believe the Christian world or the West have a biblical misunderstand to War. If you read Isaiah 37:1-38 you will see how God sends his angel to kill 185,000 soldiers in the Assyrian camp. Also Jesus talks about 12 legion of angels. I know Jesus said, "Whoever slaps you on your right cheek offer him your left cheek as well." But what does that mean? Does it mean, "Whoever rapes your sister offer him your mother as well." I don't thinks so! Through prayer and fasting wars can be warded off.
Coredeemer 1 month ago
"Theology is unecessary"
~Stephen Hawking
Kalvin40 1 month ago
@Kalvin40 When did you meet Steve?
cliffandy 1 month ago
Something tells me Jesus Christ knows whom "to give the nod to" when this short ride is over! Even I, as an "every day mick", sitting back on my upsized backside can only marvel at those borthers and sisters in Christ found on this ages frontline. You do it tough now folks, but it's me that really needs your prayers - remember me please, for no-doubt yours is the Kingdom!
mmmail1969 1 month ago
Martyrdom often nourishes the seeds of Christianity. Yet thinking about how vital Carthage, Constantinople, Nicaea, and Antioch were to the history of Christianity and the size of their Christian populations today - I can't help but think it has had a poor track record for well established Christian communities. I know I shouldn't think that way, God does work in mysterious ways after all.
tonymandu 1 month ago
@tonymandu I've been thinking the same thing to be honest - maybe the Roman Catholic Church has a better track record when it comes to takin back its lands cos Spain, Malta and Sicily were all once under Islamic rule for long periods of time and they were all taken back by the Church. I really don't know :(
savioblanc 1 month ago
@tonymandu it's cause and effect. When those communities needed help, the Roman Catholic nations were at their disposal. But it came down to politics; they thought they would get "a better deal" under the Sultan. But yes, we should never forget our Christian brothers and sisters WHEREVER they live, but especially among the Mohammedan.
capone70 1 month ago
Of course, that butchering will stop for a while and once they increase their taxes, it will start again. Also, the Islamists are going to eventually start their horrors in the West, not that they haven't already begun...but the more we think the Islamists can be reasoned with, the more this problem is going to get worse.
PERHAPS, this is a good time to remind the numnuts about why the Church had the Crusades in the first place - just saying
savioblanc 1 month ago 10
@savioblanc I'm not sure if the Western World could muster that kind of will anymore. There's such a stress on being tolerant and multicultural that it's largely a hate crime to simply criticize a group for being largely intolerant and unicultural.
tonymandu 1 month ago 2
@tonymandu I believe you are right. But look what happened in Mohammedan Bosnia and Kosovo; a minority cried out "genocide!" to the world, and now they are independent countries. Same in Kurdistan. So, if the Christians of those countries ever form a bloc and ask for intervention....this might be the way to go
capone70 1 month ago
@savioblanc Agree. The difference between Islam and Christianity is that under certain conditions the Quran gives Muslims the right to kill 'the infidel' (which unfortunately means Christians). However Jesus simply preached a message of peace, forgiveness and love. The Crucifixion (which is considered a hoax in Islam) shows Christians how to face death with forgiveness. Christians who kill are not followers of Christ and they know it!
gwalj 1 month ago
@gwalj But Christians who kill are part of our saints. Heck, would u claim King Louis IX - who is also a Saint of the Church - NOT a follower of Christ? There is no doubt that Chrisians should not kill, but I think the Church has also known that at times the Church must spring into action and do what it must to defend itself. The attitude that Christians should not kill at all is why I belive the Churches of the East pretty mch dissapeared after the Islamic conquest - that n their utter disunity
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc Your attitude, and presumably the attitude of those currently eight people who have given you a thumbs up, is the reason why many non - religious people are afraid of your 'divine inspiration'.
Your talk of the Crusades is spine chilling.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource it is only spine chilling to the numnuts. I was not calling for new crusades. I was saying that people should actually know the events that preceded the Crusades, know the history behind the numerous Islamic invasions of the West, the sacking of Rome and Vatican City by a Muslim army in the 9th century, the destruction of Christendom's holiest church building in the 11th century, the relenless attack on Byzantium by jihadis repeatedly.
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc - what I was trying to get at was that people think we are dealing with a militant Islam only recently and previously, Islam lived in peace and harmony with the Christian populace and it was the evil Crusaders that are responsible for all this mess. This lie has been around since the 19th century and is used sadly by anti-Catholic bigots - both outside and within the Church - over and over again!
The Crusades didn't just happen, they were a response to 500 years of Islamic terror!
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc Don't you think that previously it was militant Islam and militant Christianity? Possibly the main reason we don't have militant Christianity these days is because Christianity has been defanged by the 'separation of church and state' in modern democracies.
And by the way, I think the academic world is well aware that Islam has had its own crusading nature. As for enlightening the average punter, maybe you should give a balanced perspective on the horrors committed by both sides?
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource The difference is that these "horrors" were stopped by Christians centuries ago, yet continued by Muslims to this very day and hour.
TibbieT 1 month ago
@Sarusource The objectives of the Crusades and Jihad were never the same. The Crusades focused on claiming Jerusalem, etc. and defending the borders of Europe. Jihad, in principle, has no limit to its range or force, but intends to conquer the world.
Of course some Christian wars were extremely unChristian: sacking Constantinople. But that doesn't smear the great difference between the two.
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@roryscanlon
We are talking about very primitive armys that would pass through foreign countries taking advantage of those around them. From what I gather, they would have no problems with killing muslim civilians. If you can see this as something to be proud of, I am very confused by both you and your conception of Christianity.
The difference between the terms Jihad and the Crusades is a nonesense. They are both terms to describe primitive violent behaviour.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource I don't gather that. But that they were often poorly organized and sometimes deceived; that non-standing armies are difficult to control, and that, later on, some better composed groups were corrupted. Not that they killed civilians.
It is a war, a war between societies. I'm not sure how you can be proud of refusing to defend Europe. Nor how you can dismiss those defending their civilization, primitives. We are no less primitive!
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@roryscanlon All I am doing is looking at Wikipedia (if you have alternative sources please feel free to direct me) and when I see references to Crusader mobs massacring Jews and other Christian sects, as well as sieges (this obviously (?) is civilian assault) I can easily see it as 'primitive'.
I think saying we are less primitive is easy to do and sounds grandiose but not actually true. Dec' of Human Rights, Geneva convention..
I think maybe you are oversimplifying the defence of Europe too.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource The Crusades were essentially a conflict between Christendom and Islam. To be specific, they were a conflict between Christian civilization and Islam as adopted by "the Turk," those savage, destructive Mongol tribes from Asia. After the terrible Christian defeat at Manzikert in Turkey (1071 A. D.), not only the ancient Christian civilization in the Holy Land, but Europe itself lay in mortal peril."
on Hilaire Belloc's "Crusades"
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@roryscanlon So what you are doing is quoting a review from a website called aquinasandmore of the famous Catholic, Hilaire Belloc. You then go on to reference the Catholic Encylopedia.
You don't think your perception is perhaps a little narrow and possibly a little biased?
As for your 'huge defeat' I can only say that I don't know what your talking about. Your life is longer, safer, more free, more educated and healthier than those who lived in the earlier part of the millenium.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource) Well its not more well-educated then last century, and I contest healthier. I may easily have been more free last century as well. Certainly my life is not happier, nor more meaningful, nor more intellectually and culturally vibrant, nor more politically empowered, etc.
I don't believe that those sources are not biased, but I do believe that the wikipedia source is also biased, and less reliable. I wouldn't call Hilaire Belloc narrow (biased certainly, like everybody).
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@Sarusource 2) A very alternative source would be the Catholic Encyclopedia on the Crusades--the article is a bit much though. In essence early Crusades were a heroic attempt to save Civilization being attacked, and later ones, with political (national) infighting, and the strange trans-national rights of Crusaders (poor men!) became bloody abuse.
Its a miracle that a feudal society, as a whole, was able to defend itself at all. And I like that it was defended.
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@Sarusource 3) We've definitely advanced on the middle ages in many respects: the Rights and Conventions, surely--living standards (i.e. comfort) which allows us to have such Conventions, science and technology, etc. But then there's the World Wars, Colonialism (its bad, trade, side), Marxism, and there's the Cultural Degradation of the present. We've actually lost a whole lot of ground on our advances! Just as Tony Morrison is a loss from Shakespeare! A huge defeat really.
roryscanlon 1 month ago
@Sarusource
1) No Muslim is guaranteed a place in Muslim "Paradise" unless he or she has KILLED A NON-MUSLIM, so your whingeing about "Muslim civilians" is just "Taqiyya"--- religiously sanctioned deception as a "means toward the end" of establishing the Global Caliphate.
2) It is the religious duty of EVERY MUSLIM to work towards establishing the Global Caliphate, using Jihad in all its forms, "Demographic Jihad", "Cultural Jihad" "Vehicular Jihad", "Food Jihad", etc.
TibbieT 1 month ago
@Sarusource - first u assume a militant Christianity. But the Crusades were a reaction to 500 years of Jihad. Remember that the Church did not exactly have a problem with Muslims ruling the Holy Land...the Arabs promised to protect the holy places of the Christians and the Christians in return accepted Arab rule. It was as the years passed, as pilgrims to the Holy Land kept being attacked by Turkish mercenaries, as St Peters Basilica in Rome got ransacked and plundered when things for tense!
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc Second, yes the academic world is well aware of Islam's crusading nature and that is the problem - they look at it from the viewpoint of a crusade. They should be looking at it from the viewpoint of a jihad. A crusade has a specific purpose, it is not world colonisation. A jihad is the exact opposite of a crusade. It is the creation of a worldwide ummah under Islam.
savioblanc 1 month ago 5
@savioblanc - Thirdly, why is it that anytime anyone has an opinion on jihad and Islam, one must always mention Christianity and the Crusades? This nonsense is something ive noticed over and over again. The jihads preceded the crusades by 500 years, yet for some reason, the Crusades are blamed for the wrongs of the Mideast.
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc Yes, "they" do. "They", the great seething hoard of identical fanatical androids. "They" are One. There are no distinctions. "They" have no redeeming qualities. "They" are all - every single one of them.
ludwigau1 1 month ago
@ludwigau1 :) sorry to say, but I've commented so many times on this page, I'm not sure what comment of mine ure replying too
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc Forget it.
ludwigau1 1 month ago
@savioblanc You appear to have a narrative trajectory and seem willing to support it in any way you can. 'the Crusades were a reaction against 500 years of Jihad.' Hmm? So it was the Christians who were fighting a 'just war'. It had nothing to do with the straightforward acquisition of power? And Christianity was not used to acquire land by various kings, queens and indeed popes?
As for your reflections on the semantic differences between jihad and crusade; very poor justification.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource - This is precisely why is said we need to start talking about the Crusades and the crusading fervour for what they were and not what 19th century historians decided - looking of course through the prism of colonisation! The view that the Crusades were a power grab, that the kings and princes who went off on the first crusade were out to create some Mideast empire are exactly what the Crusades were not!
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc If anything, the reason y the Crusades were a failure was precisly becos Kingdoms and Empires was not the plan of the Crusaders. Many of them assumed they would be returning home once they'd played their part in allowing free passage to Christians in Jerusalem. This actually left the areas they'd conqured quite unstable. Perhaps I did go overboard with the whole "Well, the Muslims attacked first!" whining but to reduce the crusades to a power grab is pathetic!
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc - I'll end with a link I think u'll enjoy having a read through - it kinda attacks both our positions - mine that the Crusades were a response to Jihads and ure position that they were nothing other than a power grab by evil Catholic kings and a bastard of a Pope - type in Armarium Magnum - in the blog archive, go to 2010 May - click God's Battalions by Rodney Stark - it's a great read and I think we both could learn a thing or 2 about the Crusades :D
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc I am not quite sure what you are saying. Are you suggesting that modern historians have the wrong view of the Crusades? If so, would you like to say which historians in particular? And perhaps, what your sources are for holding this position?
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource - No, no, what I'm saying is that the view that is held at the moment - mind u not by well-informed historians but largely by the ill-informed public - is tat the Crusdes were nothing more than a power grab, they were the ealiest recorded example of colonisation, that Muslims and Christians lived in harmony and the Crusades shattered it all - those r the myths that need to be examined and dealt with in a world dat has forgotten y the Crusades happened.
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc I want the media to be brave enough to at least mention the atoricites that preceded the Crusades. The sad thiing is that we have such a pompous PC media and educational institutions, so not willing to offend Islam or Muslims, that they cannot even come to mention what preceded the Crusades, they cannot even think of mentioning the Jihads. All I'm asking is that they begin to show that. That's all.
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc The media has been taken over by the Marxist/Globalists, who are allied with the Muslims, following the recommendation of Vladimir Lenin, because both have the same goals: crushing the whole of humanity under the jackboot of a Totalitarian Global Government. And if anyone is interested in a splendid commentary about media bias, please see Paul Weston's article "Racism and Media Double Standards in Britain"
gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2012/01/racism-and-media-double-standards
TibbieT 1 month ago
@TibbieT Woah there Tibbie....look I'm sorry but i'm not into generalisations and conspiracy theories. There is no doubt that the media has its biases against the Church but we do not help ourselves by coming up with conspiracy theories to understand why. The Church is about changing the heart and the mind, to open oneself to a higher power. All we can do is first and foremost, pray, perhaps first for ourselves and then to fight the lies by studying our own history and traditions
savioblanc 1 month ago
@TibbieT The bats in your belfry are showing.
Pi10sco 1 month ago
@savioblanc I think I will just have to admit to a limited knowledge on the subject. I have a vague hand - me down image of the Crusades which is not a positive one. A quick glance across Wikipedia does not really contradict this view either.
Looking at the reviews of your Rodney Stark book on Amazon, suggests that his position is probably contrary to historical concensus. I would hope that you are not basing your position on the narrative of a single book.
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource Thank u for admitting that! Wikipedia is an awesome site but u know what - it's still Wikipedia at the end of the day :)
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc About Rodney Stark - I don't think u read my post correctly. The site I asked u to check actually rips apart his thesis quite soundly. The man is a great sociologist, but his history can be a bit sketchy. But while it does rip apart this thesis - the Crusades were a defensive war- the blogger also rips other such nonsensical thoughts prevalent among the public today - read the blog, not the Amazon reviews please.
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc I read the Tim O'Niell article (scanningly). Don't you think it strongly undermines your position? Although I may be wrong, your view of the Crusades as a 'just war' contrasted with 'jihad', as with Stark, after reading the Amazon reviews and the Stark review, does seem to be breaking with modern academic consensus. I will pay attention more when the Crusades come up in conversation. lol
Sarusource 1 month ago
@Sarusource Not really. O'Niell's argument was milenial piety was more a reason for the Crusades rather than anger for the invasions. What Stark was arguing was that the Crusades were a reply to years of invasions by Muslims - but the Crusades happen 200 yrs after the invasions. If u read the comments section, under history_lover, (dats me lol :) - i'm still waiting for him to answer my questions. But the reason I wanted u to have a read was, yes, it does seem to break the modern consensus
savioblanc 1 month ago
@Sarusource I'm a sucker for all things crusadey too...and I want the media to deal with the Crusades in a mture fashion.something I believe they don't have the balls to yet do. Dats all. I want them to actually really exlore why the Crusades happened, not look at it though the prism of Western colonisation and invasion, which they've been doing since the 19th century sadly :(
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc You are right, and Muslims like to hide the fact that they already had TWO Holy cities, Mecca & Medina, and just seized Jerusalem BECAUSE it was the Holy City of Christians and Jewish people. Jerusalem is NOT a Holy City of Muslims, just because they lay spurious claim to it and planted a mosque on top of it, like they're trying to plant a mosque at Ground Zero, as a symbol of victory over the infidel.
Muslims denied access to Jerusalem to Christians, provoking the Crusades.
TibbieT 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@savioblanc
The WOMAN and HER SEED[S] will CRUSH the crescent serpent.
The war began in Genesis 3:15.
The dramatic head-to-head battle was seen on Apocalypse 12:1-4.
Our Lady of Guadalupe [「Coatlaxopeuh」] gave the protoevangelium sign on December 12, 1531, at Tepeyac, Mexico.
[【The Blessed Virgin MARIA is standing on the dark crescent moon.】]
TekkonShiro 1 month ago
Does Father believe that these Christians being persecuted in the Middle East, Africa and Asia should never pick up arms and defend themselves? Aren't their cases perfect for the Just War doctrine that the Church teaches?
The Islamists are not going to stop terrorising them until they are either all dead or all converted. They aren't even interested in them being dhimmified, though I'm sure that if the Christians begin paying the Islamists for protection, they will stop butchering them.
savioblanc 1 month ago
Do you know who deserves to be awarded Person of the Year 2011 - Pakistani Minister for Minorities, Clement Shahbaz Bhatti who was killed as a martyr of the faith on March 2, 2011.
That a tenured professor whose book was criticised by the Church elders, was chosen by the NCR as Person of the Year just shows you that the people at NCR live on Planet Head in the Clouds
savioblanc 1 month ago
@savioblanc I was going to bring this up, but I cannot agree more. Salman Taseer was the warning, and you saw everyone but him scurry for cover like roaches. He stood his ground fully knowing the risks.
lawwellsy 1 month ago
Father, this is one of the most compelling and heart-wrenching videos I've ever seen from you. I am intimately and painfully aware of the Christian persecution, specifically at the hands of Mohammedans around the world. Christianity is indeed the fastest growing religion, but you cannot say this to a Mohammedan or there will be dire reprocussions. My only issue is that you mentioned the NCR by name; they are not worth dignifying with so much as a scowl. Once again, VERY well done here.
capone70 1 month ago
Wait, I'm confused; what did Sister Elizabeth Johnson write about that she was persecuted by the USCCB?
LVCIVSTVLLIVSATELLVS 1 month ago
National Catholic Fishwrapper (Bringing You Biased Filth Since 1964)
victrolajake 1 month ago
With respect, you Christians have killed millions in the name of your God, the God of love and peace. What about them? What about all the victims of Christianity, should we simply forget about them? This is the reason why I left the Church, because of the militant hypocrisy. I am sorry that these human beings had to suffer so much but, this is the price that we pay when we pray for peace, instead of using our minds to make the world a better place. Jesus would have been ashamed if he lived
AtheistUK1 1 month ago
@AtheistUK1 real Christians pray AND work for peace. Don't think for us it is an either or equation. And yes, there have been wars committed in the name of Christianity, and despots who called themselves Christian, but the did so CONTRARY to the teachings and faith of the church. There is no hypocrisy, just misunderstanding by the likes of you.
capone70 1 month ago
@AtheistUK1 People who were nominally Christians did in fact betray their own religion by committing millions of atrocities in the past. But this is 2012, friend. Being angry at Christianity now for what was committed in its name in the past is just about as fruitful in its effect as me condemning the Roman Empire and its stooge Pontius Pilate for crucifying Christ. Very satisfying emotionally but absolutely futile in helping people TODAY.
Pi10sco 1 month ago
Thank you Fr. Barron for bringing us the light on this subject! There are many who suffer world wide for the Catholic Faith and so often we forget about what is happening!
Francisfaustina 1 month ago 3
Father, how can someone forgive a person who shoots and kills a child in cold blood?
ladylejean215 1 month ago
@ladylejean215 Ah but Christians are only compelled to try to forgive, and try to love their enemy. It may well be the case that there are crimes so heinous only God can forgive them. In that forgiveness, God exhibits his omnipotence.
Man, at his pinnacle is a reflection of God, but many many things will always solely lie in the power of the Almighty.
MrWildbill20056 1 month ago
Did I hear that right? 75% of the people killed for their religion are Christians? Wow.
ladylejean215 1 month ago
Guh. In the words of Fr. Z, "The National catholic Fishwrap."
AgentSAMa 1 month ago 14
Boo ya!
eskyguard 1 month ago
Well said!
GoodWhispers 1 month ago
Father Barron I always love your Honest Approach to the Faith. I really feal for our Brothers and Sisters in other Countries that are being Persecuted, The story of the 9 year old boy just broke my heart. I know they are in a better place.
jscott1026 1 month ago
sr elizabeth johnson is a femanist not a christian.
colinpostnz 1 month ago
This is a very interesting and touching topic.I've recently again been reading up on the Ukrainian Greek Catholic martyrs and am truly amazed at their perseverence in Faith, which they demonstrated while under persecution by the Communist regime in the UdSSR.The stories of these Ukrainian martyrs are heart-wrenching and what makes me sad, is that too many Catholics in the West (including theologians),don't even know that there's this other part of our Catholic Church,let alone its amazing story.
ChristoEtEcclesiae 1 month ago
@gambleor The answer is simple (I've said it 2 times already!): the notion of martyrdom, which is a key aspect in this madness. When you use that concept, YOU are picturing them as some sort of soldiers in a holy war. You should speak of the barbarism and idiocy of people being killed for practicing their religion. Instead, what I see in this video is Fr. Barron (whom I usually respect) almost bragging about Christians being killed as a measurement of Christianity's grow in the world.
cristianfcao 1 month ago
Fr. Barron, I believe you are correct on all points in this video; thank you. Als