Friday, February 12, 2021

Patriarchate, Affiliated Organisations Continue to Serve in Pandemic Humanitarian Crisis

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 12 February 2021 (NRom)

From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anglican Patriarchate, Stato Pontificio (Pontifical States) was there to help those in need. The Patriarchate was already on the cutting edge of technology use as a force multiplier in the ministry, and other jurisdictions quickly followed. Meanwhile our chaplains continued to provide spiritual help and sacraments even as governments were cracking down on the rights of the Church and many churches were timidly giving in to pressure. Clergy and officials traveled to where they were needed. Even ordinations took place as scheduled. 

As governments locked down their nations, plunging their people into chaos, poverty, and despair, the Pontifical States (Anglican Patriarchate), secular heir to St. Peter the Apostle, remained a beacon of light and hope for the world. As governments and many institutions opted to let the virus and the prevention of that virus dictate policy and rule their lives, the Church continued firm in the wisdom of the faith of Christ.  

The members of our humanitarian wing, the Walsingham Guard, and other affiliated organizations around the world were at the forefront of pandemic service. That includes medical service and support, COVID testing, humanitarian aid, policy work, advocacy for the poor and vulnerable, and more. Those efforts are ongoing as the economic, social, and broad health fallout from the pandemic and government responses to the pandemic continue to rage on. 

And, as the pandemic has resulted in religious leaders caving in to modern social trends and the socialist oligarchs threatening the world with a new Marxism through their "Great Reset," the Patriarchate continues to promote traditional Catholicism as unwavering guardians of the faith. The Stato Pontificio (Pontifical States) have over 1000 years of history dedicated to service to God, the Holy Church, and all humanity. Following the words of Christ Ut unum sint (that they may all be one), it is not only the historic representative of over 400 million people globally, but is one of the most authentically diverse organizations in the modern world. The dedicated work of each and every cleric, lay official, and member around the world follows the example of Christ in humble, servant leadership to those in need. 

www.statopontificio.org

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

USCCB Bishops Take Pandemic Funds -- Archfather Comments

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 9 February 2021 (NRom)

Recent reports have shown that Bishops of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have taken U.S. pandemic relief funds despite substantial financial endowments, thereby taking cash for closing their church doors to those in need. His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather made the following statement earlier today. 

___________________________

Throughout the COVID-19 humanitarian crisis, We have consistently admonished governments against policies that select winners and losers. We have also admonished corporations that are financially well-endowed against seeking or receiving windfall gains and/or public relief support when so many are losing their businesses and livelihoods. However, We never would have expected that this would include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. According to credible reports, many dioceses of the Roman Communion within the United States took pandemic small business stimulus money due to lost money from closed churches, despite significant financial endowments. Church sovereignty was sold for cash. This is most troubling. 

     Indeed, governments around the world have a moral responsibility to make whole those who are harmed by their pandemic reponse policies. Even a parish or a diocese that is financially precarious and vulnerable can reasonably receive aid. Yet, those who are able to take care of themselves and are even profiting (as in the case of certain corporations) should not seek such funds. We, the Anglican Patriarchate, have neither sought nor taken such funds, instead preferring that they go to help those who are the most vulnerable and most impacted. 

     My brother Catholic Bishops in the United States would have been well-advised not to close their churches during the pandemic. That does not mean that they should not have taken appropriate precautions, but rather that Church sovereignty should have been maintained against the civil government, sacraments should have been entirely accessible by the faithful during this time of great need and suffering, and the clergy should have been completely available. That is our legacy as Catholic clergy. In this case, it was entirely abdicated – and not just abdicated, but abdicated in favour of cash. 

     Therefore, We call upon the Catholic dioceses of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to show in detail what they are doing with the money they have received. They must show how it is being used to benefit the poor, the vulnerable, and the less fortunate.