[quote:9d8nbbk7]Catholic end times prophecy? [/quote:9d8nbbk7]

In every generation there have been these prophets and prophecies. Most have ended up in spinning off into various heretical sects, or fizzing out when the prophets or pseudo prophecies have ended up not happening. Happily the Church has always taught that each of us must live as if today is our last day, and try to remain in a state of sanctifying grace.

While some of what these prophets may or may not come true, being grounded in the Faith, living a life faithful to Christ and the teachings of His Church is the most important thing. In all of the approved private revalations there are criteria that the Church looks for that speak of the authenticity. If it says nothing that contradicts the faith. If it promotes holiness and adherence to the Magesterium and the authentic teachings of the Church, and submits (or the seer) submits to the Church.

St. Padre Pio was forced into silence for decades, not allowed to preach or hear confessions while the Church investigated the phenomina. He was obedient to the will of his superiors because they never ordered him to do anything that was sinful, nor did they order him to do anything that contradicted Christ or the teachings of the Church. He was obedient to his lawful superiors and did not place himself above them. There is a story that Abp. Lefebvre visited Padre Pio, and that Padre Pio told the Abp. that a day would come when he would have to make a choice to either be obedient to his lawful superiors or by his disobedience would cause much confusion and cause a schism in the Church. Abp. Lefebvre asked Padre Pio for his blessing, and Padre Pio replied that as a simple monk it is he who should ask the Abp. to bless him. He kissed the ring of Abp. Lefebvre and recieved his blessing. I met Abp. Lefebvre a few times, and I do believe that he was a holy man who tried his best, and that (according to a few priests I know who knew him personally) he was misinformed by those around him in his later years, and duped by them into disobedience. I can’t judge his soul, only God knows just what his real intentions where, (his sermons and writings seem at times to contradict themselves and he seems very troubled by what was going on among his fellow prelates) But what is true is that there was much confusion caused by him and his religious society.

Theresa Newman (who still has a large following in Germany, despite the Church closing her case and finding that there is no reason to persue it any further) on the other hand (and she may have been a very sincere person, who tried to do the will of God as she understood it) refused parts of investigations by the local ordinary, accepted a Hindu Guru into her house and allegedly proclaimed him to be a holy man of God. Would sometimes (if the stories are correct) comment about secret sins of others as she passed by their houses. Would ask for the priest to give her communion, and after he prepaired the Church and removed the reserved Sacrament from the Tabernacle refuse communion stating that an angel had brought the Sacrament to her.

So in my personal opinion, end time prophecies are of little use if one is not founded in the Faith, and does not avail oneself to the Graces Christ give us through the means we have, ie proper access to the Sacraments, and use of sacramentals within the guidelines set down by the Church for their use.

[quote:3tvejgt0]Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.

“Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (Cf. 1 Thess. 5:19-21) (n.b. This is not a recommendation;;.. but a directive.).[/quote:3tvejgt0]

The Sacred Scriptures are true, but private interpretations of the Scriptures, without the guidance of the Church ends up with multiple interpretations, most false. A perfect example of this is Ronald, who distorts the text to fit his personal points of view. Same Bible, same texts, but when interpreted by someone who is unwilling to submit himself to the authority of the magisterium one is places oneself in grave danger.

Now my point above was not to diminish, or deny that the end will come some day, nor that we may be living in “end times”. What I did point out is that in every generation there have been those who have focused on looking for signs and omens, rather than on living their lives striving for Christian perfection. As a case in point, there was a man who went to a local Traditional Latin Mass site who used to pull aside all of the new people who showed up there. He would pull a pyx out of his pants pocket and show anyone who would look at it a host with what looked like red ink on it. He would tell them that some fellow had a private revelation that only those who had these hosts, “consecrated” by God the Father, and distributed for a donation of $7,777.77 which the seer continued to sell until one day he moved on (after the date that the world was going to end). There have been others who have claimed “the Church has not condemned this or that prophet or seer. When either the Church either has not opened the case, has not approved (sometimes disclaimed with yet) or has condemned it at the local level, which means that it will not go further.

Then there are “approved” apparitions. I personally believe that our Lady did in fact appear at Lourdes, and at Fatima. The Church has approved of the apparitions, and in doing so She has stated that there is nothing in the messages that contradicts the Faith. But the Church does not hold De Fide that we must believe that the apparitions actually took place in order to remain a Catholic. So how should we look at seers and messages that have yet to be approved? I would say, 1. Discuss the issue with our confessor or spiritual director. 2. Compare what is said with what the Church has always taught. 3. If the message is that there is something secret or essential to this particular message that the Church has not in the past 2000 year promulgated or approved wait until the Church has made a final decision on it before we propagate the message. 4. Investigate the issue very carefully through “normal” channels. Fr. Gruner may seemingly be a very holy man, but look at the way he attacks his religious superiors, and refuses to submit to any legitimate authority in the Church, his case is one that the Church can judge, I can only stand back and ask myself, is this an example of obedience, or is it an example of anarchy?

What I am saying is be careful to not replace the Faith with Prophecies that don’t support what has always and everywhere been taught. The Rosary, Scapulars, Novenas and other devotions are not a subsitute for the Faith, when used properly they do advance the Faith, so too belief in the end of the world is Catholic, but obsession with it to the abandonment of the Faith can lead one away from God rather than to Him.

In conclusion (for now at least) I say this without claiming to be anyone on this board’s Religious Superior, and without claiming to have any Authority (Ecclesiastical or otherwise). Nor do I intend to imply that anyone who brings these topics up for discussion is outside of the realm of the Church or is wrong for holding to them as a personal opinion. Only that private revelation is that, private, and until the Church approves or disapproves it (unless it is blatantly contrary to the teachings of the Church) is just that, a private revelation.