When "John" the web-master of "Ecclesia Militans"[1] web-site attempted to dominate the "Fidei Catholicae" list[2] (a site that was/is faithful to the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church), but, in the course of doing so, by stating that of the "Novus Ordo Missae" (the new rite of Mass) "it is invalid", "sinful to attend it", and it "is an aid to the heresy of ecumenism" - he simply progressed along his chosen path towards (at least) proximate heresy. In effect, he accuses the post-Conciliar popes of heretically imposing a form of liturgy which was totally useless for the faithful - in fact, idolatrous; for, according to him, present day Catholics who attended the new Mass were committing sacrilege and simply partaking of common bread and wine, not the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. "Oh What A Web They Weave..."
That he does not hold the same Faith as Catholics who are faithful to the magisterium is further evidenced in his editorial statement in "Ecclesia Militans" that:
"This site is dedicated to spreading, and defending, the One True Religion founded by Christ. Our ministry will deal mainly with the Conciliarists, in an attempt to bring them back into the Fold of Christ, outside of which there is no salvation."For the benefit of those who are unaware - when he refers to "Conciliarists" who, he declares, are NOT now in the Fold of Christ - he refers precisely to those Catholics who are faithful to the magisterium, that is, to the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. And, for "John", those who ARE now "inside the Fold of Christ and who are defending the One True Religion" founded by Christ are "Traditionalists". To precisely which sect of the self-styled "Traditionalists" he subscribes is uncertain, for he does not have the courage to identify his sect, simply claiming to be "Catholic". He may be an adherent to any one of the SSPX, SSPV, CMRI, OSJ, St Benedict Center-ites, Duarte Costa-ites, Thuc-ites, followers of the several anti-popes such as Pius XIII, etc., Old Catholics, or a variety of "Independent" priests of valid or uncertain validity. We are asked to entrust our souls to HIS judgement. My "gut-feeling" is that he is an "OSJ/Wathenite"; a resident of the USA should be able easily to establish the truth of the matter. [3]
When I accused this "John" (who was on the Forum under the name "TradCath") of duplicity and evasion he fiercely claimed that he was being slandered with lies. The initial and main problem that I had with him was that I intensely dislike dealing with people who misrepresent or lie - who hide behind anonymity and who, in truth, appear to despise their own name to the point where they will not only hide behind a pseudonym but will actually deny their own name. What chutzpah! Furthermore, from this anonymous base they feel free to slander the Pope, bishops in union with him, the liturgy, and the laity in union with them. From around 10,000 miles away in Australia I have since established, among other things, that his name is John Brindle (he may even be John Paul Brindle)[4]. When I disclosed this fact he was so rattled that he called me a jerk, an idiot, asked me if I had graduated from kindergarten, etc. After being chided for his evasion, what did he do? He briefly edited the ownership of "Ecclesia Militans" from "John" to "John Newman"! - and then quickly (but not quickly enough) changed it back to "John". Fortunately, I kept a copy of the "John Newman" page.
I joined the "Sacred Heart" list[5] as an observer. Membership entitled me to peruse the Members List; it was there that I discovered that John Brindle (email address militantis@hotmail.com) had obtained recent active membership of the list on Oct. 3, 1999 (although Mike Malone later advised that John Brindle initially took membership about two years ago.) The list was moderated by Mike Malone.[6] Many of his files are listed on John Brindle's web-site and, some on David Brindle's "In Hoc Signo Vinces."[7]
The "Sacred Heart" list mainly consists of a mixture so-called "Feeneyites"[9] who have reconciled with the Church and those who have not yet done so, for example, the "St Benedict Center" at Richmond, New Hampshire.[10] There appears to be fraternization between the people, but not the religious.
It has to be a given that John Brindle did NOT attempt to deceive the "Sacred Heart" list moderator, Mike Malone in his application to join that List; after all, Mike Malone KNEW John Brindle personally. [9] It then has to be a given that he DID attempt to deceive when he altered his website ownership name on "Ecclesia Militans" from "John" to "John Newman".[11]
Further information was obtained from a person associated with the "St Benedict Center" (who knows and has met the Brindles at two CFN conferences). This person states that the "correct name" of the owner of "Ecclesia Militans" is "John Paul Brindle, son of Robert Brindle and brother of David. John Paul is an outstanding young man (only 17 or 18)..."[12] That still has to be confirmed, but whichever way you go, John Brindle has attempted deception with either the "Sacred Heart" list or his own web-site and the "Fidei Catholicae" List. All I was looking for was a bit of truthfulness.
During the course of my "discussions" with "John"/"TradCath", I mentioned the web-site "In Hoc Signo Vinces" which is operated by David Brindle. David describes himself on his web-site as follows:
Note the similarity of expression regarding having been a "Conciliar 'Catholic'" - that is (according to him) those who are NOT members of the "True Catholic Faith", and who are among the subjects of David's missionary activity of "converting 'catholics' TO the Catholic Faith." Heady stuff! Note that "David" also does the "no-name act" in NOT disclosing his surname. Wonder why?
- "David was born on August 18, 1976, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and his family started out a little on the liberal side (i.e., Conciliar 'Catholics'), but as the years went by and God's grace strengthened, they were finally brought over to the True Catholic Faith, without which it is impossible to please God (Council of Trent)."
He continues: "His hobbies include apologetics and evangelization, converting Protestants to the Catholic Faith, converting 'catholics' to the Catholic Faith, and amateur computer graphics."[13] (The quote marks round 'catholics' is as in the original!!!)
Note also the similarity in expression on the "Ecclesia Militans" site:
This is a declaration that so-called "Conciliarists" (by which he means Roman Catholics faithful to the Pope in Rome and the Bishops who are in union with him, and the laity faithful to the Pope and their bishops) are NOT within the "Fold of Christ".
- "This site is dedicated to spreading, and defending, the One True Religion founded by Christ. Our ministry will deal mainly with the Conciliarists, in an attempt to bring them back into the Fold of Christ, outside of which there is no salvation."
Pursuant to that declared ambition, he recommends "Traditio"[14] - which includes a Mass Directory published by Fr. M.E. Morrison, a man who is claimed by Terry Boyle[15] to have been ordained in a Lutheran Church by a man who claimed to have been consecrated a bishop in the Old Catholic sect.
Another source states: "Greetings! This is to inform you of Fr. Morrison's apostolic succession. He was ordained by one Bishop Sebastian of the Society of Christ the King (SSCR) in California. He was ordained and consecrated by Bishop John Simmons, who was ordained and consecrated by Harold Norwood, who was ordained and consecrated by Castillo-Mendez. Mendez was a Roman Catholic priest who was illicitly consecrated a bishop by Bishop Costa of Brazil, a Roman Catholic bishop. Costa was a modernist who was excommunicated by Pius XII! He consecrated Castillo-Mendez to help found a schismatic Brazilian church, which has spread to several other countries. This is the glorious line Fr. Morrison can boast of! His own bishop, Bishop Sebastian, "made a formal abjuration of error and heresy, profession of faith and the oath against modernism" on 16 April 1999. He claims to have returned the line to the Church by this. He explicitly admitted that Simmons was a schismatic, hence the abjuration. Fr. Morrison is, without a doubt, a real priest."[16] [17][18]
In a nutshell, "Traditio"'s orientation is opposed to the orientation of the Pope, the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and those who are in communion with them, and the liturgy of the Church.
David Brindle recommends: "Directory of Traditional Latin Masses for U.S. & Canada [external link] Here is the most comprehensive listing of Traditional Masses available. Perfect for those trying to find a Traditional Mass near where they live, as well as for the intrepid traveler. All known Masses, including SSPX, Indult, SSPV, CMRI, Independent, etc."[19] Apart from the Indult Mass, all the rest are celebrated by either dissidents, "independents", schismatics or excommunicants. Furthermore, this recommendation is a de facto incitement to schism.
David writes on one of his favorite topics - EENS (Outside The Church There IS No Salvation): but it is the rigorist interpretation of the Dogma that is not in line with the Catholic Church's teaching, which is specifically dealt with in the Catechism of the Catholic Church under "Outside The Church There Is No Salvation" in #846-8. This same rigorist position is maintained by the "St Benedict Center" at Richmond, New Hampshire, by Fr. James Wathen, OSJ, and by other fringe dissidents. My "Sacred Heart" list contact states that:
- "As far as Fr. Wathen, OSJ is concerned, I do not know him, but only of him. I read 'Who Shall Ascend?' and only had a problem with a couple of statements in the book. For example: no one who attends the Novus Ordo can save their soul. I know that he refuses Communion to you if you attend an Indult Mass or the New Rite."
On September 27, 1999, Mr Matthew McSorley, Director of Communications, Diocese of Manchester described the status of the "St Benedict Center" at Richmond, New Hampshire as "canonically 'irregular'", citing the reason as being their operation "in the diocese without the permission of the bishop and are running ministries without the permission of the bishop and because they have no legitimate authority who has oversight over them and to whom they are responsible."[20]
As mentioned in footnote 8 below, he quoted one of the points from "(now Auxiliary Bishop) Francis J. Christian's" 1995 letter as "They continue to refuse to accept the understanding of the formula, 'No Salvation Outside the Church.'"
Of Fr.Wathen, Franciscan Bro. Alexis Bugnolo (who is a true "traditionalist" faithful to the magisterium) wrote:
David explained the "Doctrinal Position of IHSV [external link] Many people have asked me 'what is the position of IHSV on Baptism of Desire?' We answer thus: 'about two paces to the right of Father Feeney.' Here is the complete doctrinal position of IHSV, brought to you through the courtesy of "St. Benedict Center" - THE Catholic Crusade."
- "It should be known that Fr. Wathen, though once a Roman Catholic priest, is no longer. The Order he claims to belong to was supressed nearly 200 years ago, and the branch to which Fr. Wathen belongs was sustained by laymen belonging to Protestant organizations and Russian Orthodox laymen. It is entirely bogus and fraudulent. Fr. Wathen therefore has no faculties to hear confession or confect any sacrament. Any confession he hears is therefore invalid, as are his marriages. All the masses he says are sacrileges, offered as they are without episcopal mandate. Likewise are all the sacraments he confesses. "The Great Sacrilege" is therefore not the Novus Ordo Mass--though it does have its problems--but rather the author of the book by that title."[21]
Note added April 7, 2006
Further to representations made by "J.C." HERE I acknowledge that Bro. Bugnolo is incorrect if he implies that Fr. Wathen no longer possesses the "character" of the priesthood. It is my personal opinion that the phrase "no longer in full communion with Rome" is more appropriate. F.J.L.
Then, by way of further interest, David (who at no time discloses his own surname) complains about someone, who he declares to be a heretic and a dishonest person, who he arbitrarily calls "Hello":
- "A Challenge of Faith - A Challenge Accepted IHSV goes to war in defense of the dogma of Exclusive Salvation. In late November 1996, a heretic known only as 'Hello' posted an evil piece of literature to the IHSV Guestbook, a most dishonest thing to do as it disallows any response. However, in order to correct this problem we transferred the entirety of 'Hello's' posting to our website for a thorough examination of his claims. This item that he (she?) posted was a collection of statements from fathers, saints, etc., that were intended to 'disprove' the defined dogma NO SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. After careful examination, we uncover a web of deception, lies and trickery." [22]
Here, of course, we have a case of the kettle calling the pot black! Neither David Brindle, John Brindle or Charles Hammer Goldstein (more later) EVER disclose their surnames on their web-sites! Not only that, but "David" lied: the posting by "Hello" was not an attempt to 'disprove' the defined dogma NO SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. Rather it was obviously an attempt to disprove the warped conception of that dogma espoused by "David" and company.
He further pits himself against the declaration of Pope John Paul II that Archbishop Lefebvre and the bishops consecrated by him, and those who adhere to the SSPX schism are excommunicated - and therefore outside the full communion with the Church and, of course, subject to the defined EENS Dogma - no salvation! He writes:
- "Questions and Answers on the Society of Saint Pius X Is the Society of Saint Pius X in schism (pronounced SIZ-um, not SKIZ-um)?[23] Here is Bishop Williamson's December, 1995 letter to the SSPX. It is a series of Q's and A's that people ask about the Society. Bishop Richard Williamson does a superlative job in answering these (admittedly very good) questions. Does the SSPX recognize John Paul II as Pope? What about the "excommunication?" etc."[24]
For David, the excommunicated schismatic SSPX Bishop Williamson is a better theologian and authority than Pope John Paul II!
So, I think that I have been quite correct in contending that the Brindles have been deceptive and evasive. But, there is more! Another example emerges. On Jan. 22, 2000, a posting was made to the "Fidei Catholicae" list from "Sherry"[25] who coyly writes of the "Our Lady's Heavenly Treasures" web-site:
- "Has anyone seen this website?
Posted by Sherry on January 23, 2000 at 19:59:31:
I surfed onto this page I thought it was neat. Here is the web address:
http://www3.50megs.com/olht/ Our Lady's Heavenly Treasures "
And, the pictures are, indeed, lovely! The web-site offers the facility to view "WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO?" Upon clicking on the option we find the following ambiguous advice:
- Unfortunately, in today's society, it is very hard, and in some places impossible, to obtain quality Catholic pictures at affordable prices. We are a Catholic organization, whose apostolate is to promote devotion to Our Lord, the Angels, and the Saints by filling this need."
Does THAT enlighten YOU as to who is behind this commercial site? All that is given as to "Who are we?" is the claim that "We are a Catholic organization..." - a claim that is made by countless organizations throughout the world - organizations which may NOT be in communion with the Pope in Rome. All that is positively known is that orders and the payment thereof are to be sent to:
"Our Lady's Heavenly Treasures, 1396 Barnes Road, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004."
Hang on!!! That is the home address of Robert V. Brindle Jr, his wife and most of his children, including David. Sherry L. Brindle, who lived at this address is now listed at 117 Honeysuckle Ln, Bardstown, Ky.
Who would like to lay odds that Sherry, who was just "surfing the net", and Sherry Brindle are not one and the same person? In fact Mike, the "Fidei Catholicae" web-master advised that "TradCath", "TCA", "Sherry" and "Sam" all had the same Internet Service Provider (the last number being a variable.)
Why do people make these outrageous claims? Well, haven't they always? To-day, in Australia, we have similar gnostics and claimants to un-orthodoxy, like "The Magnificat Meal Movement", and "The Little Pebble" a.k.a. William Kamm, who claimed to have been blessed by Pope John Paul II (and produces a picture of himself very proximate to the Pope) - but which "proves" nothing. He also claims to be Peter Romanus, Pope-in-waiting, blessed by Our Lady. I think it is prudent to remain skeptical - and in union with one's pastor, bishop and pope!.[26]
Lastly, we come to a raving posting by a person with the e-mail name "TCA".[27]
One of the first postings of "TCA" to the "Fidei Catholicae" list was on December 31, 1999 at 17:12:58: He rapturously promoted: "a fantastic WebSite for Catholics!!!", and listed the hyperlink to - TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS - his own web-site!
Right on cue, it seems, an unsolicited congratulatory message was posted by TradCath (John Brindle) on December 31, 1999 at 18:47:52: saying "Great site!", and also inserting a hyperlink to HIS own web-site "Ecclesia Militans: The Church Militant Website!"
It almost appeared that "TradCath"/John Brindle had just discovered Hammer's web-site!
A visit to "TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS" discloses the following facts:
Hammer gives a big rap to "THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM, A TRULY CATHOLIC ORDER WITH A FANATIC HISTORY" - an order that Bro. Alexis Bugnolo declared to be bogus and fraudulent - that is, not in communion with the Pope.
He also recommends the usual demonstrably anti-Catholic files and sites, such as Fr. Morrison's "Traditio", "Problems With The New Mass", "Why The New Mass Is Deadly" by Brother Michael Dimond, O.S.B, St Benedict Center files on the "Jews" (e.g. "The Church And The Jews", by Br. Thomas Mary, M.I.C.M.), the Campos Declaration and other matters, files contrary to the Church's teaching on EENS, etc. But there is something else! Here and there he rants about
- "These enemies of Christ's truth do not always lay outside Holy Mother Church but also within. It is these heretics within the church that pose the GREATEST threat to the souls."
and "3) Debates (With Heretics and Protestants): IN THIS SECTION WE PROVIDE SOME OF OUR ON LINE DEBATES WITH HERETICS AND PROTESTANTS."
Precisely WHO are the Heretics and Protestants to be debated? He list two:
"Debates
(With Heretics and Protestants)
The live time Debate between the heretic "Catholic" Matt 16:18[28] and the traditional Roman Catholic apologist Charles the Hammer, on the legitimacy of baptism of desire.
The live time Debate between the heretic "Catholic" webmaster Jim Vogel[29] and the traditional Roman Catholic apologist Romanist (Otherwise known as David), on the Theory of baptism of desire and its legitimacy."
Note: "David" is none other than David Brindle, and Charles Hammer classifies himself as "the traditional Roman Catholic", but his opponents are only "heretic 'Catholic' "!
In another file (STEVERAY.TXT) he denounces as a heretic Steve Ray,[30] Moderator of the Catholic Converts Board for the non-acceptance of his (the Hammer's) view on EENS.
Again, in that self-congratulatory manner, Hammer writes:
- "Is Baptism of Desire Salvific?
Matt1618 vs The Hammer
THE HAMMER STRIKES HOME
In this debate Matt 1618 proved himself incompetent and unequal to challenge of establishing his belief in Salvation through baptism of desire as truth. While The Hammer did a fantastic job of defending the Defined Dogmas of Holy Mother Church on the necessity of water baptism."
No modesty visible here but the most interesting part of the debate is the end where it shows that the debates are under the auspices of:
Traditional Catholic Apologetics Webpage
Well, let me issue a challenge. If any of these three Webmasters, whose favorite pastime appears to be calling other people heretics, can get any American Bishop who is in union with Rome to endorse any one of the sites - then I will take up eating pumpkin!
Ecclesia Militans Webpage
In Hoc Signo Vinces Webpage.
Matt 1618 (who is faithful to the magisterium of the Catholic Church) gave me the following advice regarding "TradCath"/John of "Ecclesia Militans":
- "This fellow was part of the Feenyite crowd that overwhelmed the Catholic Converts board about a year ago, challenging me to a debate on the issue of No Salvation Outside the Church. They talked so much how they wanted to cream me, and 'expose my errors', etc. They wanted a live IRC, chat debate. I wanted a more formal structured debate, with written opening statements, rebuttals, etc. I said I would go into a chat debate only if they would agree to go to the more structured one. I debated a fellow named 'Hammer', an associate of 'Trad', on that condition. Then, after the first debate, 'Trad' (i.e. "TradCath") wanted to negotiate the conditions for the structured debate. After an exchange of emails, I never heard from 'Trad' again. We exchanged emails in negotiation of the terms of the debate, and then after a few, 'Trad' never responded again. So this debate is off. I sent him several unanswered emails. This debate thing is off, and I will never deal with those folks again. They never kept to their promise."
To which, I add my Amen.
There are two interesting side issues here: 1. every boy has a daddy, and 2. anti-semitism
Mr Robert V. Brindle, Jnr is the father of David and Sherry Brindle and, possibly, of John or John Paul Brindle, and others.
He is the Principal of "Our Lady of the Rosary Homeschool" in Bardstown. Ky.
On 3 Sept 1999 I e-mailed Mr Brindle, asking what was his ecclesiastical orientation; under the diocesan system; SSPX; Duarte-Costa; Thuc?
He replied: "We do not fall into any of the categories you proposed..obedient to the Pope...not with a diocesan system." "We have an Apostolic Blessing...(and) ecclesiastical approval of His Eminence Eduard Cardinal Gagnon...not attached to the SSPX, FSSP, or any other Society for that matter."
I asked to view the Apostolic Blessing and ecclesiastical approval on Sept 5, 1999, and whether the school was under the approbation of the local ordinary, and "what order of priests are associated with the school?"[31]
No reply. (But, see how "Apostolic Blessings" are purchaseable, with your wording as desired!)
On 27 Jan 2000 I rang Fr. Bill Medley, Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church, Bardstown. "David" tells us that he was a Homeschool "Class of 95 graduate." But Fr. Medley does not know the Brindles nor of the Homeschool at Bardstown.[32]
Furthermore, following his enquiries to Archbishop Thomas Cajetan Kelly, O.P., Archbishop of Louisville, he wrote 18 Feb. 2000:
- "I have spoken with Archbishop Kelly regarding Our Lady of the Rosary School. He confirmed what I assumed: the organization of Our Lady of the Rosary School has not sought any approbation from our local ordinary nor is he aware of any approbation from the Holy See."
I believe that these two boys and the girl may very well be the product of the "Our Lady of the Rosary Homeschool", and if so, then I certainly would not recommend that Homeschool to any Catholic desiring to remain in union with the Pope.
Mr Charles "the hammer" Goldstein - I assume that Charles did not lie to the CARM List about his biography - see his entry at #15 HERE.
Even now (May 20, 2006) he is representing himself as "Charles M. Hammer" at Catholic Apologetics Info - Who We Are - e-mail: hammer@catholicapologetics.net
I make a guess: Charles Goldstein may be a grand-son or grand-nephew of the original Mr David Goldstein, LL.D. of the Freedman/Goldstein letter of 10 Oct. 1954.
In any event, it is remarkable that Charles Goldstein should take up the cause of those who associate with anti-semites. I refer to those St Benedict Center/OSJ/Feeneyites who are demonstrably anti-semitic.
For a period the "Sacred Heart" list was a hive of anti-semitism - initiated by Thomas Sparkes, who simply quoted from Mike Malone's "Apostolic Digest" and other sources. As mentioned, a very large quantity of that material was sent to the Archbishop of Melbourne for his information.
David Brindle, John Brindle and Charles "The Hammer" Goldstein have on their web-sites a link to one of the most vilest hate page one could stumble across. Oh sure! It has a couple of very good graphics on the Crucifixion - but delve deeper! The site? "Alfred Olsen's Website" - otherwise known as "Holywar".[33]
What strikes so many people as being odd is the number of people or groups calling themselves "catholics" who attack the Roman Catholic Church headed on earth by Pope John Paul II. It is not really "odd", but it really IS "sad" that it always has been so; even Our Lord was deserted by some of the "catholics' of His time - those disciples and followers who left Him when He said that it would be necessary for them to eat His flesh and drink His blood for them to possess eternal life. So it has been over time. A practical way to see the effect of these schisms is to see an incomplete record of independent (that is, independent of Rome) Churches which contain "catholic" or "roman catholic" in their title. You may view that list of:
SOME CHURCHES NOT IN UNION WITH ROME
WHICH USE "CATHOLIC" OR "ROMAN CATHOLIC"
IN THEIR NAME, and
SOME SEDEVANANTISTS and
CATHOLICS NOT IN OBEDIENCE TO POPE JOHN PAUL II
Now, this is not a general condemnation of "Wathenites", "OSJites", "Feeneyites" - I know and respect many of the former, and freely acknowledge that many of them are in full communion with the Catholic Church, and that they have fine intellectual minds. No. It is a protest against the "false prophets" who see themselves possessing finer minds (intellectually, morally and spiritually) than the post conciliar popes, the bishops in union with them - the magisterium of the Church. In effect, these people are Jeremiahs - believing that the gates of hell HAVE prevailed against the Church instituted by Jesus Christ and that THEY possess a gnosis and ARE the "True Church". In fact, they are just modern-day "protest"-ants! May Almighty God have mercy on them and grant them a happy return to their mother. Amen.
Footnotes
- Ecclesia Militans; URL http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/6480/ now stagnating.
Nota Bene as at 31 January 2001 - the Ecclesia Militans website became "unviewable".
Further note 5 March 2001: Brindle's website is still "down", BUT as at this date one CAN still view one of his directories HERE and view the relevant files listed below at Footnote 6. Don't worry, John, a snapshot HAS been taken of the Directory and its files.
Webmaster: "John", "John Newton", then "John"
Nick-name:"TradCath"
Name provided for Sacred Heart Forum membership: "John Brindle"
e-mail addresses used by "John"/"John Brindle"/"Tradcath"/"John Newton": militantis@hotmail.com and mititantis@mailcity.com
e-mail address, name and home-town provided to "Amazon Books" for review of Fr. J. Wathen's "The Great Sacrilege": "John (militantis@hotmail.com Bardstown, Kentucky"
Note added May 4, 2006: The original entry has been de-personalized. See: HERE
ISP - as advised by moderator Fidei Catholicae Forum: 209.215.181.X (the "X" variables being 86, 87, 107, 108)
- Quote from John Brindle 12 Jan 2000 Fidei Catholicae list in response to questions:"
"...I reject the Novus Ordo for several reasons, among which are the following:
1. Because it is invalid.
2. Because it is sinful to attend it.
3. Because it is not conducive to piety and the honor and glory of God.
4. Because it was built upon, and is an aid to, the heresy of ecumenism."
"Q.2...what is one thing makes it invalid?
A. The new Consecration formula (i.e. 'For all') makes the Novus Ordo invalid."
What makes the above all the more curious is that it is an apparent 180 degree "advance" from a position held and publicized in 1997 - but offering none of the 1997 "reasons":
- From his "PROFESSION OF FAITH" (Copyright 1997):
"...- we reject:
The New Mass, not because it is invalid, but because it is unfitting to the honor due Christ: whether in Latin or in the vernacular, since "it represents, both as a whole and in its details, a striking departure from the Catholic theology of the Holy mass as it was formulated in Session XXIII of the Council of Trent" (Letter of Cardinals Ottaviani and Bacci to Paul VI, 5/10/69). In fact the new Order of Mass obscures the expressions intended to underline the Eucharistic dogmas, bringing the Mass close to the Protestant supper and not accentuating the clear profession of the Catholic Faith. The New Moral Theology - subjective, opportunistic, contaminated by permissive liberalism, in little or nothing constitutes a sin." Profession of Faith
- The Fidei Catholicae URL was http://www.catholicae.org/board1/?noframes This site ultimately closed down, but has recently re-emerged with the URL http://www.catholicae.org/
- Q. "Do you attend the Traditional Mass that was approved by JPII in 1988 or one that is not approved by the Church?" (FC question from "Fogel")
Note the half answer - he replies only to the first part of the question:
A. "No, I do not attend an Indult Mass." (Posted by TradCath on January 12, 2000 at 20:27:03;)
Q. "Are you an adherent to the ideas of Fr. James Wathen, OSJ and do you attend Mass at one of the centers operated by that body?" (FC question from John Loughnan.)
A. "Insofar as attending Mass at one of the mass canters of the OSJ goes, that's really none of your business. As far as my being an 'adherent to the ideas of Fr. James Wathen,' many of the doctrines/beliefs which Father Wathen believes in are true, hence I agree with many of them. Not because they are the opinions of Father Wathen, but because they are the truth." (Posted by TradCath on January 13, 2000 at 12:24:47;)
Hence, John Brindle has posted on his "Ecclesia Militans" site only those files relative to the OSJ/Fr. James Wathen with which he agrees?
- I received information from a member of the Sacred Heart list that "the 'Ecclesia Militans' webmaster is a young man, John Paul Brindle, and that he is the son of Robert V. Brindle and brother of David Brindle." I have not yet been able to verify that allegation. My informant claims to know and have met the Brindles at CFN conferences.
- Sacred Heart List - An egroups list:
e-mail: sacred-heart@egroups.com
URL: http://www.egroups.com/list/sacred-heart (Members can read and post messages here.)
Founding Moderator: Michael (Mike) Malone (R.I.P.)
One of the stated aims of the group is:
"We adhere to the teachings of the Holy Father the Pope when teaching ex cathedra (emphasis added) and to the magisterium of the Church. We accept and believe all Roman Catholic dogma including Extra Ecclesiam, Nulla Salus (there is no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church) and champion those who do likewise especially Father Feeney, now deceased."
Mr Malone rejected the rigorist "Feeneyite" interpretation, but many of his members do not! - they reject the concepts of baptisn of Blood and Desire!
Furthermore, at John Brindle's website [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/6480/catholics/onlybegottenchp1.html], we found the following:
"The Only Begotten
"'baptism' of desire? Say no more! In this work Mr. Michael Malone completely devastates this theory. The result of over thirty years of research and work on the part of Mr. Malone on the subject of 'baptism' of desire, this tremendous book proves beyond a doubt that the Sacrament of Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation. With over 4,000 citations and 455 pages worth of material, this is by far the largest addition to our site yet. And as such, we have made it available for download as a .zip file, in .rtf format. 661k. We highly recommend that our readers purchase the book in its paper-back format from Catholic Treasures, this is by far one of the greatest additions that any Catholic can make to his library."
Unfortunately, the file has become "losted" in cyberspace, but the link to the article can be seen HERE the third article.
I think it fair to say that this group is basically anti-semitic. In a period of two days, one of the members, Thomas Sparks, was allowed to post grossly anti-semitic material which I have saved in a file of some 247,109 bytes, and which was onforwarded to the Archbishop of Melbourne, George Pell.
Thomas Sparks has indicated his intended URL will be http://www.geocities.com/thomassparks/eens.html
His e-mail address is: sparksthomas@hotmail.com and tommythelesser@mailcity.com
Addendum: Jan. 1, 2002On Dec. 31, 2001 l received an e-mail message from MrThomasSparks@aol.com as follows:
"Loughton, please remove my email address, tommythelesser@mailcity.com from the following page, as it can be gathered by SPAM robots there:
Oh What a Web They Weave
I would also ask you to remove your heretical Judeo-centric lies about me. Thomas"
I comment:
Is that the end of the Thomas Sparks story? I hope not! On Jan. 1, 1950, Bishop Fulton Sheen gave and Address on "The Catholic Hour". His first address was "Love One Another". One of the subjects was about "Bigots". Here are some extracts:
- Thomas illustrates his deplorable ignorance in misspelling my name "Loughton" in lieu of "Loughnan". It required little effort to spell it correctly, particularly when he had it in front of his eyes when he typed my e-mail address, jloughnan@hotmail.com.
- He asks for the removal of his email address from my web-page. I guess there is no harm in asking - just as there is no harm in refusing?
- He then, without even the hint of a smile, asks for the removal of what he describes as "your heretical Judaeo-centric lies about me."
- Firstly he gives me no clue as to precisely what might actually BE
a) "heretical", and b) "Judaeo-centric lies about" him
- Secondly, the only thing I have said about him on the page quoted is:
"In a period of two days, one of the members, Thomas Sparks, was allowed to post grossly anti-semitic material which I have saved in a file of some 247,109 bytes, and which was onforwarded to the Archbishop of Melbourne, George Pell."
Well, I'm flummoxed! I wonder what he considers to be "heretical Judaeo-centric lies"? Is it
1. That the period of time was shorter or longer than 2 days?
2. That the member of the Sacred Heart Forum was NOT Thomas Sparks?
3. That Thomas Sparks did NOT post grossly anti-semetic material to that group?
4. That the size of the file was NOT 247,109 bytes?
5. That I did NOT forward that file to my then Archbishop of Melbourne?, or,
6. That Gearge Pell is NOT the Archbishop of Melbourne? - Or is it:
7. That he is NOT a former Mormon?
8. That he is NOT rabidly anti-semitic?
9. That he considers ANY criticism of his racist position automatically to be "Judaeo-centric lies"?
Well, I have to "fess up" to the truth. While he was at the time of writing this file, Archbishop George Pell is NOT now the Archbishop of Melbourne - he is NOW the Archbishop of Sydney. However, this fact HAS been displayed on my site ever since Archbishop Denis Hart was elected Archbishop of Melbourne.
- If there is any error of fact on my site then, while I am not prepared to play guessing games, I am most happy to be provided with appropriate evidence, and am prepared to correct any error. In fact, ANY page, and even the WHOLE web-site I have pledged to delete if so requested by my Archbishop or anyone superior to him.
- Thomas Sparks may take his grievance to my Archbishop - even to his own Archbishop or Bishop who is in communion with Pope John Paul II. I think I am pretty safe in suspecting that he has no such superior?
- Was I wrong in stating the maliciousness of Thomas Sparks postings? Perhaps a smaller and later compilation from the so-called "Catholic White Knights" forum may now be produced as evidence!!!
Click on "Extracts from Yahoo Groups 'Catholic White Knights" and Thomas Sparks"
Is Thomas Sparks a "racist and religious bigot"? I think this should be a Q.E.D.?
"...Many of them are well-intentioned and say evil things against our Lord's Mystical Body only out of ignorance. Should we expect to be immune from lies, when Our Lord Himself was accused of polotically perverting the nation? At least there is this consolation; they have to think about Christ's Mystical Body in order to attack. They do not write or preach against Mars, because they do not think about Mars. Psychology teaches us that such a hatred is born out of fear of loving. Maybe the reason they want to talk so much about the Mystical Body is because for the moment they are afraid to hear about it. But give them time. They are really fighting a love of it, as Paul did..."
"They really do not hate it; they only hate what they mistakenly believe to be the Body of Christ. It is of course a pity that those men who profess to serve the cause of Christ and who wear the vesture of religion, should spread hatred and lies about their neighbors in other faiths who are also trying to serve Him. There is already too much hate, envy, jealousy and slander in our world. How much better it would be, if those who say they speak in the Name of God, would only try to make everyone love God..."
"It is not for us to judge these people. They must be left to God. They have passion and fire, and God can do something with them which He cannot do with the tepid. The latter, He said, he would vomit from His Mouth. If Our Lord did not love them, He would never have chosen Paul, who was one of the greatest of the bigots!...
"Regardless of what they say against Christ's Mystical Body, love them, pray for them, be kind to them, that you may be children of your Father Who is in Heaven."
- Michael (Mike) Malone, founding moderator of Sacred-Heart list.
URL http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2591/index.htm
Some of Malone's writings to be found on John Brindles - Ecclesia Militans" site include:
"Apostolic Digest", Sacred Heart Press, 1987,
"The Once Chosen People Are Now The Accursed Race."
"Credo. Foundations Of Faith Part I and II"
"The Errors Of The Laisneyites"
- "Some Explicit Errors of Vatican Council II", Sacred Heart Press
Evolution"
"The Case Concerning Catholic Contraception"
"The Only Begotten" - now a dead link.
I think that is "no less than than 5"?
- David Brindle URL http://www.ihsv.com
After a 3 year hiatus, he declares: "I'm back"!
"In Obedience to the decrees of Pope Urban VIII and other Pontiffs, we declare that we submit the entire contents of this website without reserve to the judgement of the Apostolic See of the Holy Roman Catholic Church." Obviously, he is less keen for the judgement of his local Bishop who, as a legitimate successor of the Apostles, has the right and duty in this matter! Are there any prizes for guessing why?
- The name "Feeneyite" is considered to be a perjorative term by some, but a badge of honor by others.
- St Benedict Center, New Hampshire http://www.catholicism.org
The SBC, New Hampshire claims to being in communion with Rome, stating: "We are in communion with the Holy Father because we are baptized Catholics who hold the Catholic faith.", and more. (cf. Saint Benedict Center's Status in the Catholic Church)
On the other hand, just as the letter from The Holy Office, 8 August 1949 wrote:
"That is why it is inexplicable that the St Benedict Center should claim to be a Catholic group and desire to be considered as such whilst not conforming to the prescripts of canons 1381 and 1382 of the Code of Canon Law and continuing to be a cause of discord and of rebellion against the ecclesiastical authority and of disturbance for many consciences."
- so, too has the appropriate authority, the Archdiocese of Manchester stated in a letter of 29 September 1999:
"The St Benedict Center is located in Richmond, NH, and is therefore within the boundaries of the Diocese of Manchester. However, the Center is in a canonically 'irregular' status with the Bishop of Manchester. Basically, the Center refuses to operate within the authority of the bishop and, therefore, operates outside the legitimate authority of the church. There are two reasons for this, outlined in a 1995 letter written by then Msgr. (now Auxiliary Bishop) Francis J. Christian:
1. They continue to refuse to accept the understanding of the formula, 'No Salvation Outside The Church.'
2. They are canonically irregular in regard to the church because they are present in the diocese without permission of the bishop and are running ministries without the permission of the bishop and because they have no legitimate authority who has oversight over them and to whom they are responsible."
Thus it is that, groups like the New Hampshire St Benedict Center and the OSJ, and individuals of like mind, like John and David Brindle, CLAIM to be Catholic, claim to be in union with the "popes" or "eternal Rome" (or other such formula) but attack and disparage the the post conciliar popes - including the CURRENT ruling pope - and the liturgy of the Church. They claim to be "traditional" Catholics!
- Exerpts from e-mail responses from Mike Malone to John Loughnan:
29 Jan 2000: "When John (a good friend, who hosts almost all my written works on his website) unsubscribed, he told me that it was only temporary."
30 Jan 2000: "John's been a member of my List for at least two years."
I then provided to Mike Malone instances of John Brindle's style of denial and evasion:
FJL) "To complete the Feeneyite link, TradCath has in his Book Section no less than 5 contributions from Mike Malone, Moderator of the Feeneyite Sacred-Heart list."
Brindle)"Yet again you are lying and attempting to slander my name, John. And yet again I invite everyone on this message board and to see for themselves precisely how many times Mike Malone visited my site, and signed my guestbook. Mike Malone signed my guestbook once, as did his son 'Marty Malone' (who also signed my guestbook once). John... I'm starting to think that you have a reading comprehension problem or something."
FJL)"AND, he has two contributions from Fr. James Wathen, OSJ."
Brindle)"If you are referring to my guestbook, then I most certainly do not. I have two signatures from a "Rev. Fr. Kenneth P. Vinsel," who is the situated in Denver Colorado. But I most certainly have never had a signature on my guestbook from Father Wathen."
FJL)"He also has a complete page dedicated to Fr. Wathen's OSJ."
Brindle)"'Fr. Wathen's OSJ'? If you had enough brains to actually look into the matter, then you'd see that Father Wathen does not run the Order of St. John. In fact, the Order is run by someone else entirely. Try doing a little research next time John."
There we see the classic attempt to not reply to the actual point. I refer to files contained in his Book Section - he attempts to suggest that I am referring to his Guest Book. The facts are that the files did and do exist on his web-site!
And in another place on the TRADCATH list, he replies to John Clay:
Brindle)"+++ You're trying real hard John, but language is language. And furthermore, I object to your unfair classing of myself as a 'Feeneyite.' I am neither a member of Father Feeney's Order, nor do I take my doctrines from him. Therefore, I think that an apology is in order. A more proper term would be Catholic, or, if you want to get down to brass tacks, you could call me a Traditional Catholic, or even a follower of St. Pius X, who said 'We must understand doctrine in the sense that it was written.'"
Now, THAT is a classic "BRINDLE" defense; to state that he is not a "MEMBER." That may be technically true, but it avoids what may be the REAL truth - that he adheres to the philosophy of the organization which is in opposition to the Organization and Authority of the local priest and bishop and, therefore, is NOT in communion with the ruling Pope and the See of Rome. One may be a supporter of a football team without being a MEMBER. It is the old salesman's tactic - give a "good" reason, but not the "real" reason.
Incidently, the web-page which contained "no less than 5 contributions from Mike Malone" is "Ecclesia Militans: Catholics" at URL http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/6480/catholics.html
In fact, inspection of John Brindle's Directory shows approx. 36 files commencing with "apostolic" which are from Mike Malone! Howzzzatt?
And, the "complete page dedicated to Fr. Wathen's OSJ" - or to the OSJ to which Fr. Wathen belongs - is titled "Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem", and is located at URL http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/6480/masslocations.html
- Copy available.
- e-mail Wed. 26 Jan 2000 07:18:21 EST
- In Hoc Signo Vinces http://www.ihsv.com/aboutus.html
- Traditio URL http://www.traditio.com
- Terry Boyle URL http://www.tboyle.net/Catholicism/Cath_Links_Priest_Groups.html
e-mail to TRADCATH list: Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999
- e-mail Edmond Micucci to Stephen Hand July 27, 2000.
- From memory, I believe that the "abjuration" was made to a schismatic Thuc-line bishop - so it isn't worth a cracker!!!
- Subsequent research on Bishop Sebastian: SSCR.org HOME reveals that the "abjuration" was made on 16 April, 1999 and "accepted by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop Oliver Oravec. This took place in Canada, in the presence of the Reverend Fathers James Kosek and Kevin Vaillancourt." - sedevacantists all! This page is blocked to "robots". However, see also HERE
Bishop Oravec is a Thuc-liner; Archbishop Thuc consecrated Guerard des Lauriers, O.P., who consecrated Robert McKenna, O.P., who consecrated Oliver Oravec and others. Bishop Oravec was ordained in the underground of Czechosovakia in 1968.
Fr. Kevin Vaillancourt of the "Catholic Research Center" was also moderator of the [ http://www.fred.net/jmcnally/sedelist.htm "SEDE" list ("sede" being short for "sede-vacantist".)
- IHSV URL http://www.ihsv.com/mass.html
- Posted to TRADCATH [go through the processes to READ] list 29 Sep 1999.
See also Cherishing an Older Catholicism
- Articles: "Bro. Bugnolo's Comments on Fr. Wathen's Reply (in blue text)
URL http://web.archive.org/web/20000612210250/home.ici.net/~panther/francis/bugnol1.html
Updated link March 22, 2006
- IHSV - "A Challenge of Faith, A Challenge Accepted"
- Thank's for the English lesson, David. That will be of interest to the Oxford Dictionary people who claim that either pronounciation is acceptable. (cf. The Concise Oxford Dictionary, © Oxford University Press, 1964, 1976)
- IHSVIHSV - Questions and Answers on the Society of St Pius X
- http://www3.50megs.com/olht/ Sherry L. Brindle promoter of Our Lady's Heavenly Treasures - now changed to http://olht.www3.50megs.com - Our Lady of Heavenly Treasures (Noted Dec. 22, 2001)
Another coincidence that David Brindle and John Brindle also promote that site?
- The Little Pebble - Pope Peter Romanus [in waiting]
- Variously known as: Charles Hammer, Charles The Hammer, Charles C Hammer, Charles M Hammer, Hammer, and TCA.
Charles Hammer and Traditional Catholic Apologetics
(His new URL is http://www.catholicapologetics.net )
e-mail addresses tradcat@centralky.com and h_the@hotmail.com
Real name: Charles Goldstein. His bio on CARM list states his name, nick-name, age 31, married, education 4th year of college.
ISP provider while on the Fidei Catholicae list: 209.215.181.X (varies 81, 103, etc).
Like his associates, "Hammer" linked to the Grady/Wathen "OSJ" (see HERE , click on the second box "To the Catholic Page" box), and to the violently racist and bigoted "Alfred Olsen's Holy War" site (see HERE , click on "To the Traditional Catholic Links Page" box.)
In addition to all the St Benedict Center/OSJ-Wathenite material, there is more:
for example, several files from David Goldstein, LL.D., who "Hammer" describes as "a ex-Jew"!
As a matter of coincidence(?) I happen to possess a copy of Benjamin H. Freedman's letter to David Goldstein, LL.D, entitled "Facts Are Facts - The Truth About Khazars", dated October 10, 1954. It would too coincidental, I think, to believe that the two Davids are the same person. It might be in the ballpark to conjecture on a relationship between David Goldstein and Charles Goldstein? Mr Freedman lamented that
- "My solitary attempts to date 'to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow' may prove no more successful with you now than they have in so many other instances where I have failed during the past thirty years. In your case I feel rather optomistic at the moment."
If there is a relationship - how sad must Benjamin Freedman and David Goldstein feel today at the schismatic displays?
- Matts Catholic Apologetics
- Jim Vogel, then webmaster of the pro-SSPX list.
- Steve Ray's Catholic Convert Message Board URL http://www.catholic-convert.com
- From the "Our Lady Of The Rosary" Frequently Asked Questions page: - now a dead link, following "re-structuring". The original is, however, "on file"!!!
"...In response to this dilemma, a group of concerned Catholic priests...came together...to establish a program for the welfare of the children and the Church...They established Our Lady of the Rosary School in 1993...governed by a board of directors..." Is it not in the interests of an enquirer who are the priests behind an educational establishment which operates outside the diocesan system?
- e-mail message to me on Jan. 17, 2000.
,- Holywar.org or Holywar
F. John Loughnan
Dec. 24, 2000
Updated May 6, 2006 - dead links repaired.
For Brickbats on this file, view: Brickbats From An "Order of St. John" (O.S.J.) Director
The Jews and Anti-semitism
Sean Ó Lachtnáin's Home Page