The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Religion & Fascism:
Examination of Conscience in a Time of Advent 11/29/2023 |
In yesterday’s DM, I referred to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s contribution to the authoritarianism afoot in current American politics. |
The Conference recently declared that their number one priority this upcoming presidential election year will be: Abortion. Not the destruction of democracy and rule of law; and not even Climate Change, the subject of not one but two encyclicals by Pope Francis. |
The largest, loudest and longest demonstration outside the annual meeting of Catholic bishops was led by Joseph Strickland, dismissed from his Texas bishopric by the pope on November 11. WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore |
In the most recent, Laudate Deum, the pope calls out the United States in particular for its lifestyle that uses seven times the amount of fossil fuel energy per person than persons of the Global South. Did that touch the moral conscience of American Catholic bishops? Religion contributed mightily to the selling of fascism in the 1930s via Fr. Coughlin’s antisemitic radio program which reached 30 million listeners in a population of about 150 million. |
David Kertzer, author of “The Pope At War: The Secret History of Pope Pius XII, Mussolini, and Hitler,” and Amna Nawaz discuss new revelations on the relationship between Pope Pius XII and Adolf Hitler in the early days of
WWII. PBS NewsHour | Mussolini, Franco and Hitler used the church in their reigns of terror just as many white evangelicals back today’s version. The papacies of JP II and Benedict XVI made it their priority to destroy liberation theology in |
Latin America in cahoots with the then Opus-Dei driven CIA. And to appoint young hierarchy in their own image, many of whom are still operating today. The outsized role that Opus Dei and its philosophy carries with the current Supreme Court is clear. Leo Leonardo is their poster boy. Opus Dei is the brain child of the most corrupt, misogynist and fastest-declared-“saint” in history, Jose Escriva, a fascist Spanish priest whose followers were on the cabinet of Spanish fascist dictator Franco for years. |
Fascism with its extreme homophobia and misogynist anti-abortion politics seem to hold a special appeal to some Roman Catholic hierarchy in America today. Consider Joseph Strickland, Cardinal Burke, his buddy Steve Bannon and the Opus Dei archbishop of Los Angeles, for starters, the latter having led |
“Women are worth more than our wombs” Protest for Roe v Wade at the U.S. Supreme Court, May 2022. Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash |
the National Conference of Bishops for several years, including canonizing Junipero Serra. Let the season of Advent be a fitting time for collective examination of conscience
regarding religion’s role in the history of American fascism. |
Adapted
from Matthew Fox, The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can be Saved, pp. 106-144
And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society.
Banner Image: Bible Baptist Church sign: “We Need to Reinforce God and Patriotism.” Photo by Gilbert Mercier on Flickr |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you think abortion should be religion’s number one priority in the upcoming presidential year? If not, what would be your number one priority? |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and
scroll down to the Comments field. |
The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved
The Pope’s War offers a provocative
look at three decades of corruption in the Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The
Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.” — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II |
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Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author
Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the
awesome, fantastical, cosmic picture! In this full-color, beautifully illustrated book, world- renowned theologian Matthew Fox weaves together modern science and classic spirituality in a whimsical, entertaining format to illustrate important truths to readers aged 4 and up. With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our
planet.
Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout.
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_____________________________________________________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14,
2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest ” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat.Thursday, January 18, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he lectures on “What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying “ at the Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, “Emerging Spiritualities: Death and Bereavement Across the Spiritual Spectrum,” Saturday, January 20, 9:00am – 5:00pm
PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Hunger for Wholeness: What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio and theologian
Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.
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