Reeva Steenkamp R.I.P.

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Reeva Steenkamp

19 August 1983 - 14 February 2013

R.I.P.

Lord our God, You are always faithful and quick to show mercy. Reeva was violently taken from us. Come swiftly to her aid, have mercy on her, and comfort her family and friends by the power and protection of the Cross. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Benedict XVI's Resignation

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Like folk all around the world, I was stunned by the news that Pope Benedict XVI would be resigning his office as the Bishop of Rome, and request that the people of our English Catholic jurisdiction join me in praying for the Holy Father in these last few weeks of his papacy. Hopefully he has been guided through prayer and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit without pressures and influences at work within the Vatican. I will always be grateful to Pope Benedict XVI for attempting to preserve tradition within the largest Catholic denomination in the world against a rising tide of destructive modernism and undoctrinal liberalism.

As we join together in prayerful support of the Holy Father, I am less confident than I would certainly like to be with regard to the eventual future direction of the Roman Catholic Church which nonetheless still holds fast to doctrine much of the remainder of western mainstream Christianity has now shamefully deposited on the dustheap of history in its suicidal rush to embrace secular popularism at every level. We thank the Lord for the gift of Pope Benedict XVI, who led traditionally and served his flock faithfully. Let us also pray for the cardinals as they convene in the weeks ahead to elect the future Roman Catholic Pontiff.

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Prayers for a Priest

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Your Excellency, I was a Priest, Archdeacon of the Diocese, and a Parochial School Headmaster here in the United States for several years. I also performed exorcisms with permission from my Ordinary. I encountered many distressing situations in my performance of exorcisms. I was priest ordained according the 1970 Roman Ordinal. My life became very difficult and experienced such spiritual warfare that I stepped away from the priesthood and went back to secular employment. Do you have any words of encouragement and may I solicit your prayers? Pax Christi, Ave Maria — Brent Keith.

I empathise with you and understand fully your predicament — especially why that ministry was found to be so distressing. You have probably made the best decision in the circumstances, but, as we both know, you remain for ever a priest. That should dwell in your heart no matter what else you do in life. Continue to bring a maximum of depth and supernatural efficacy to your spiritual life, as you continue in your secular life. Peace be with you †. 

Our prayers are with you.

 

+Seán Manchester

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