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CONCLAVE
BOUND?
It is
now absolutely certain that, for certain persons, preparations
for the next Conclave have already been under way for quite
a while; and have now taken on a sense of urgency since Pope
John Paul II' s hospitalisation, last summer, at the Gemelli
Polyclinic.
On several
occasions, independent journals have revealed that in the
very heart of the Vatican, there presently exists a secret
power group - in the form of a true organization, made
up of the press, information services as well as minions strategically
placed in the internal structure of the Church (Apostolic
Nunciatures, Offices of the Holy See, different Commissions,
in dioceses, Episcopal Universities and Conferences, etc.),
or having connections with other power groups outside the
Church (cf. Impact Suisse February/March/April 1981;
cf. Il Settimanale May 5, 1981; cf. si si no no
November 15,1985 and May 31,1987).
As far
as a Power Group is concerned, the Conclave is not to be organized
after the death of the pope - but much sooner than that. Their
goal is to make sure that they control "a third of the
votes, plus one" at the next Conclave. By thus controlling
the electorate, they can reject undesirable candidates and
elect a pope who fits their requirements.
N.B.
"a third of the voters, plus one" - a majority
of two thirds is required to elect any candidate as pope.
Therefore a group that can count on a third of the votes plus
one more vote can thus effectively prevent the election of
any candidate they might consider undesirable.
Thus
we can appreciate the importance of consistories, wherein
new cardinals are appointed - especially those appointments
of the immediate future. The prime objective of this power
group is the appointment of their friends as cardinals or
their appointment to any key position that can act as a springboard
to attaining the post of cardinal.
Since
a papal election is of the greatest importance for the good
of the Church, we have deemed it more opportune than ever
to take up once again and update that which in the past has
already been published concerning the above-mentioned pressure
group. We shall also examine and consider its present strategy
in view of the next Conclave.
A
MISLEADING QUESTION
As recently
as May 10,1992, the presence of a well organized, Freemasonic,
mafiosa-type clan ("cosa nostra") in the
Vatican itself was denounced by the journal Il Borghese:
"The
old suspicions have resurfaced, of many truly "cunning"
(as they used to say) ’Monsignori’ being associated with Freemasonry.
Not that we can actually speak of them being in Lodges as
such, but still nevertheless, a "secret society "
organized in, let us say, "the Roman manner" - in
order to help one another in their respective careers - as
was admitted by one of their naive, affiliated members. "
It is
often asked if there are Freemasons within the Vatican and
if this can be proved. This is a misleading question, since
Freemasonry is a secret society and consequently it is not
possible to give everybody concrete, conclusive proof of the
identity of their agents.
So let
us put the question another way. Does Freemasonry exist in
the Vatican? This question is more easily answered, since
there does exist, within the Vatican, an organized power group
which 'plays the Masonic game.' Whether or not the members
of this power group are actually ‘card-carrying' members of
a Masonic Lodge - this question we leave to others.
What
we find interesting is the fact that, in practice, they do
act as if they were registered members of Freemasonry; sharing,
as they do, its ideology and supporting its plans; plans,
moreover, well-known by ecclesiastical experts (cf. Leo XIII,
Humanum genus; Pierre Virion, Mystere d'iniquite;
si si no no Year I, #5 and ff.).
It is
a well-known fact, that each time someone tries to remedy,
in one way or another, some of the current abuses in the Church,
the files pertaining to these abuses mysteriously disappear
and all initiatives are paralysed - either by the power group
or by their friends. So it is, that the Church is affected
by more and more serious problems, which can easily be seen
to have their roots in Freemasonry.
A few
examples will suffice:
(a)
It is estimated (El Mercurio 7/9/1992) that every day
in Latin America, 8,000 souls leave the Catholic Church to
go over to the various sects; whose expansion American Freemasonry
desires and furthers by providing these sects with an abundance
of funds.
(b)
False ecumenism, which breeds religious indifferentism, has
been very much desired and planned by Freemasonry. The large
ecumenical meetings are held with the collaboration of the
New Age movement, which is nothing but a "pure fruit"
of Freemasonry.
(c)
Heresies, which today are spread around "by the armful"
(John Paul II, quoted by L 'Osservatore Romano)
by the priests themselves, are the result of a Masonic infiltration
of the clergy - which has been going on since the last century.
(d)
The secularization of both States and clergy is something
that Freemasonry has long since desired and worked towards.
(e)
Today, birth control is taught to Catholics under the label
of "responsible maternity," encouraging so-called
"natural methods" in flagrant opposition to Catholic
doctrine - which on the contrary urges and blesses large families.
This has long since been the design and the program of Freemasonry,
aided and abetted by the international organizations it controls,
such as the O.N.U., the F.A.O., etc., who periodically whip
up false fears of world over-population (cf. Courier de
Rome June 1991; also the article of Piero Gheddo in Il
Giornale 12/9/1992 entitled "La variante 'catholique'
de la contraception").
Hence,
the presence of such an organized power group, striking at
the Church from its very interior and paralyzing its vital
organs, is something so grave that, anyone being aware of
it is duty-bound to denounce it publicly, if they seriously
take to heart the good of the Church.
In fact,
the main aim of this group is not the "good of the Church,"
but rather the interests of the group itself and its associates.
This clique does not serve the Church, but uses it for its
own ends. It has no hesitation in subjugating the Church to
a foreign "boss," to an enemy who seeks only to
use it, modify it and transform into a mere "holding,"
a mere associate of some higher power - in other words: the
New World Order or One World Government.
THE
SUMMIT
As is
always the case in circles of this kind, the lower ranks are
made up of men who are, for the most part, ambitious self-seekers
and careerists or simply weak men, easily black-mailed; whereas
the topmost echelons, or summit, is controlled by distinguished
men, who are well-organized, able and cunning.
All of
this is no incentive to a young cleric who wishes nothing
more than to humbly serve the Church - for it is obvious that
persons outside of, or in disagreement with the pressure group,
soon find themselves edged out of any influential position.
GREAT
HOPES DASHED
At one
time, a series of personnel changes had raised hopes that
the granite-like power group was perhaps beginning to crumble.
Firstly,
there was the departure of His Excellency Achille Silvestrini
in June 1988. This was followed by the departure of Mgsr.
Giovanni Coppa to take up the nunciature in Prague,
Czechoslovakia (though he disliked this nomination and hoped
to return to Rome).
Then
there came Casaroli's calculated resignation from his
post of Secretary of State, whereby he hoped to leave without
actually leaving - a plan that backfired when an "outsider"
ousted Casaroli's protégé and personal nomination for the
post.
Finally,
there was the retirement of Cardinal Ugo Poletti from
the Roman Curacy. Yet despite all this, the glimmer of hope
grew weaker and weaker as prospects for meaningful reform
faded in the distance. For not only do we see a return of
the "old guard," but rather, a reinforced old guard.
THE
RETURN
The Italian
journal Avvenire, was right in calling Silvestrini's
nomination as Prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern
Churches as "the return." Some may consider this
Congregation as being of little importance, but such is not
the case. In importance, it is second only to that of the
Holy Office.
In fact,
Catholics of the Eastern Rite are scattered all over the world
and their communities often have their own bishops. It is,
therefore, an error to think that this Congregation's power
is limited to the mere geographic limitations of the East
- its power is actually felt, not only in the Middle East,
but from the ex-U.S.S.R. to the U.S.A., from India to Canada.
Thus it has the power of nominating bishops throughout the
entire world.
The Congregation
for the Eastern Churches can also be said to be powerful because
of the considerable economic resources it has at its disposal,
coming from donations, various profits and other forms of
incoming aid - especially from the former French protectorates.
TIMES
HAVE CHANGED – BUT WHAT ABOUT MEN?
How can
one possibly have confidence in Silvestrini in view
of his record? That man who, over a period of many years,
played into the hands of Communism - which he now describes
as being "anti-human and anti-religious."
This same man who, for years, preferred listening and "being
open" to the heads of a schismatic Church, sold-out to
the secret police (K.G.B.) - while having nothing but scorn
for the true priests and faithful who had remained faithful
to Rome.
How can
we have confidence in a man who was ready and willing to have
recourse to injustice, under the pretext of obtaining religious
liberty in an anti-religious system (something
that is absurd!); and has not hesitated in employing agents
in the Vatican who were closely connected with the K.G.B.
- to the point where even the Italian Secret Service grew
concerned? (Cf. La Repubblica March 15/16, 1992,
article entitled "Spia del K.G.B. in Vaticano" ("K.G.B.
spies in the Vatican "); also cf. si si no no
May 31, 1987).
Today,
this very same Silvestrini, writing about the collapse
of Communism, states that "the last eleven
years of history ...have changed the world, and hopefully,
have buried once and for all, an anti-human and anti-religious
structure, which seemed granite-like, unassailable, as well
as shielded behind a gigantic arsenal of nuclear weapons."
(Achille Silvestrini's preface to the book, The U.S.S.R-An
Empire In Shreds)
What
value can now be ascribed to such words? It is 10 or 20 years
ago that we would have wished to hear this same judgment passed
upon Communism from the man who, by his manoeuvring, subjugated
the Church to this regime in the countries of the East. Today,
these utterances simply serve to illustrate his haste to place
himself on the "right side" of the fence.
Shrewdly,
and with much "bowing and scraping," Silvestrini
uses the same preface to publicize the pope's role in the
collapse of Soviet power. In doing so, he smoothly turns his
back on his Ostpolitik Master-Casaroli, who, as we
shall presently see, cannot resign himself to the new world
situation.
OSTPOLITIK
- ITS FRUITS AT THE RECENT EUROPEAN SYNOD
During
the last European Synod, certain leaders of the Orthodox Church
(formerly agents of the K.G.B. and still retaining some influence)
not only refused to come to Rome, but took advantage of the
situation to publicly insult the Catholic Church. How can
we otherwise explain this, unless during those long, dark
years, those same men had readily agreed with Silvestrini's
Ostpolitik?
According
to the requirements of Casaroli's utopia, wherein Communism
would perpetually exist, Casaroli and Silvestrini
surrended to the dictates of Communist regimes; consequently,
accepting shameful nominations of (unworthy) bishops, as well
as appointing ignominious leaders to the various local churches.
It suffices to recall the words of Father Ulysse Floridi,
SJ. In his book Moscow and the Vatican: "After
many attempts and negotiations, Archbishop Casaroli
finally succeeded in 1973, in personally consecrating four
Czechoslovakian bishops; one of them, Bishop Joseph Vrana
de Olomouc, was the president of the movement known as
‘Pacem in terris,’ formerly called 'Priests for Peace’ backed
and supported by the [communist] government. "
In exchange,
Casaroli only asked him for the bare minimum: to resign
from "Pacem in terris," but many had doubts as to
the sincerity or value of his gesture. In fact, Ernest Milcent
says in his book, East of the Vatican (1980): "Mgsr.
Vrana failed to keep his promise...and continues to
direct the pro-governmental movement Pacem in terris.'"
Furthermore,
in order to be highly regarded by the communist regime, Casaroli
and Silvestrini shamefully agreed not only to dialogue,
but even went so far as to give their favour to powerful Orthodox
bishops affiliated with the K.G.B.
Now that
the regime has crumbled, these same prelates still pretend
and intend to remain the privileged representatives of Rome.
Yet they do not wish to see the Catholic Church on an equal
footing with the Orthodox Church, even less do they want to
see Roman authorities grant the Catholic Church any privileges
in relation to the Orthodox. Thus the behaviour of the leaders
of the Orthodox Church, on the occasion of the European Synod,
is nothing but the consequence of that old and evil Ostpolitik.
SILVESTRINI
HAS THE UNIATES IN HIS HANDS
At the
present time, the congregation for Eastern Churches finds
itself at the centre of major ecclesiastical problems, such
as that of the Uniates - i.e., Eastern Rite Catholics who
have heroically resisted all attempts to incorporate them,
as a matter of course, into the schismatic Orthodox Church.
Those
poor souls! What can they hope for when, for all these past
years, the politics of the Holy See - or rather Casaroli's
and Silvestrini's Ostpolitik - has considered
them the major obstacle to ecumenical dialogue with the schismatic
Muscovite Church and dialogue with the "politics"
of Bolshevik Russia?
They
have suffered much at the hands of the Communists, yet today's
persecution is much more painful, since it comes from the
very men of Rome to which they had remained so heroically
faithful; yet who, for ecumenical reasons, no longer treat
the Orthodox Muscovite Church as schismatic, nor do they accuse
it of unjustly dispossessing the Uniates of what was rightfully
theirs.
The Secretary
of State's clear intervention on behalf of Catholics in Russia,
during this latest Synod, has been quickly forgotten - whereas
it should have been a starting point for settling relations
between the Vatican and Russia, Catholics and Orthodox. Nothing
lasting or serious will ever be achieved without justice or
historical truth.
In reality,
a new and even more dreadful Calvary is dawning for Catholics
in Russia. Following the collapse of both the Iron Curtain
and the Communist Regime, they might have at least hoped to
obtain that long-awaited freedom of worship, religious education,
freedom of apostolate, etc. Yet now, on the contrary, with
Silvestrini's appointment to the Congregation for Eastern
Churches, they find themselves in the hands of the accomplices
of their former persecutors.
In fact,
we must not forget that both Silvestrini and Casaroli
did everything they possibly could to silence, or even chase
out of their own countries, all the great cardinals of the
East: Wyszinski, Slypji, Mindszenty, Beran. These great princes
of the Church were both heroes and martyrs - not only at the
hands of their Communist persecutors, but even more so through
the persecution and betrayal of those responsible for that
Ostpolitik.
LEBANON
IN SILVESTRINI’S HANDS
Today,
by the shameful silence of the Church and the complicity of
Vatican officials, we are witnessing the sell out of Lebanon
to Syria. In this particular instance, Silvestrini
shoulders a grave responsibility. He is the one who personally
negotiated [with Syria] the appointment of the present Maronite
Patriarch-Sfeir, after having rejected the more worthy
Archbishop of Tyr, Mgsr. Khaury. At that time, Silvestrini
rarely used to leave the Vatican - yet on this occasion he
left the Vatican with this very object in mind (cf. Courrier
de Rome, April 1990).
From
now on, what can the Christian Lebanese hope to get from Silvestrini,
seeing that he was mainly responsible for the defeat of their
country? Little or nothing at all! In the wake of Silvestrini's
disastrous policies, the situation over there is just about
irreparable. That is why today, we see an ever-increasing
number of Lebanese Christians leaving their homeland. Nowhere
in the East is Christianity as powerful as in Lebanon, and
should the Catholic Church be driven out of that country,
then Christianity will disappear completely from the Near
East. We already see this happening in Israel, where the number
of Christians continues to drop day by day.
SILVESTRINI
AND ISRAEL
One of
the latest initiatives of Silvestrini is the setting
up of a permanent bilateral work commission between Israel
and the Holy See (L'Osservatore Romano July 31, 1992).
Who do we find in this commission, but all the friends of
Silvestrini: Claudio Celli, Andrea Cordero de Montezemolo,
Marco Broggi, Luigi Gatti. It is easy to foresee that
this will all end, as it did in the case of the Concordat
with Italy, by treachery and disaster.
OFFICIAL
POWER AND REAL POWER
Silvestrini's
influence goes beyond the powers he officially received as
Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches. He is also
the pivot of the power group that we described earlier. Therefore
to fully understand the significance of his "return,"
we must also take into consideration the far-reaching extension
of Silvestrini's hidden, but nevertheless real power
(cf. previously quoted press sources).
CASAROLI
RETIRED?
If Silvestrini
was able to celebrate his return, Casaroli did not
even consider himself to be retired. At this point, let us
digress for a moment.
For years,
without the slightest concern or consideration for others
Casaroli and Silvestrini appointed, replaced
and dismissed numerous prelates - all in the name of holy
obedience to the Church. Yet today, both of them stand guilty
of an inordinate attachment to their former posts!
Despite
being promoted to the Prefecture of the Apostolic Signature,
Silvestrini became so downcast at having to leave the
post of Secretary of State, that John Paul II had to dine
at Silvestrini's place in order to try to console him
through this "painful passage" of his ecclesiastical
career! Moreover, against all former practice, Silvestrini
managed to hold on to the apartment he used as Secretary of
State Relations, in order to dull the "pain" of
this "trauma"!
As regards
Casaroli, two years have passed since his retirement,
yet he still "hangs on" to the Secretary of State's
apartment while awaiting the availability of a worthy apartment
within Vatican City. After having tried, in vain, to expel
the Abyssinians from the seminary given to them by Pius XI
- Casaroli has had an apartment built for himself on
the terrace of Palazzo San Carlo.
Even
though he bemoans the fact that he is no longer consulted
or invited out, practically being forgotten - he still continues
to play a far from edifying role.
On the
occasion of the 75th anniversary of Fatima, Casaroli
sought to take over the presidency of both the festivities
and the International Congress, having the theme of "Fatima
and Peace." This made the pope, at the last minute; send
Cardinal Sordano as Cardinal Legate - in order to minimize
the self-appointed role of the ex-Secretary of State.
On this
occasion, Casaroli was surrounded by his friends, such
as the notorious "red" Bishop Don Helder Camara
and the famous Belgian Marxist "liberationist" Joseph
Comblin, who now lives in Chile and Brazil.
His unedifying
role continued on July 6,1991 with the consecration of Mgsr.
Felix del Blanco Prieto, his personal secretary,
as bishop - in spite of well-motivated opposition from the
Spanish Episcopate. Then flying with his new bishop to Guatemala,
a country wherein he evidently enjoys special privileges,
to inaugurate a home for retired priests - a home dedicated
to none other than His Most Eminent Cardinal Agostino Casaroli!
"Striving
to understand the reasons for which his name was chosen"
(writes L'Osservatore Romano July 11, 1991)
“for this commendable work on behalf of aged priests, Cardinal
Casaroli gave this explanation: ‘I do not know
to what I owe this honour. . . unless it be to pay tribute
to the pope, with whom my name, although unworthy, has been
linked for many years as a collaborator. Yet utterly faithful
and willing to serve him to the best of my abilities, for
the good of the Church and for the good of humanity, particularly
in the cause of peace amongst peoples; as well as international
cooperation for the progress of every man and of all mankind'"
A speech more worthy of a Trilateral member or a Freemason,
than of a cardinal of the Holy Roman Church!
Finally
Casaroli is known to travel without cease, as he goes
about giving his conferences. March 17th of last year found
him in Lavarone and Sienna - the theme of his conference:
his personal experience as creator of Ostpolitik.
VIRGILIO
NOE - "PROMOVEATUR, SED NON AMOVEATUR"
Under
Paul VI, word went round in the Curia to the effect that wherever
the Pope was, altar, office or private quarters, he was always
surrounded by the so-called three "brothers of the same
parish" - Villot, Macchi and Noe.
We know
that Cardinal Villot's father and grandfather were
both Freemasons and that Villot had personal friends
belonging to Freemasonry.
The name
of Mgsr. Macchi showed up on the famous list of Church
officials accused of affiliation to Masonry. Also, people
within the Vatican were stunned by the speed with which Macchi,
on the very night of Pope Paul VI's death, made off with the
personal effects of the deceased Pope.
As regards
Mgsr. Noe, who regards himself as the true heir to
Paul VI, on August 3,1975 the Italian newspaper L'Espresso
called Noe: "The most deceitful of Bugnini's
former collaborators...for many years, that ‘dolled-up’
master of ceremonies has been following Paul VI like a shadow
at each of his public ceremonies" (quoted by 30
Giorni May 1992) - and everyone knows the reason why Bugnini
was banished from Rome: "the accusation of belonging
to Freemasonry" (cf. 30 Giorno May and
June 1992).
Be that
as it may, we are justified in wondering about the true causes
behind Noe’s rapid rise to power. A few years ago,
the Holy See sought to remove him from Rome by appointing
him bishop in Northern Italy - but determined to remain at
the Vatican, he refused to go. It is hard to imagine what
could have merited his promotion as cardinal, since he was
often obnoxious to both bishops and cardinals who would come
to the Congregation of Divine Liturgy.
Over
the years, many wondered how it was that so much power had
been given this man - to the point where John Paul II, in
reply to those questioning him on liturgical matters, used
to say: "See Virgilio Noe about that"
as if to say - I am not the one who has the power to settle
questions in this domain.
Besides
being Cardinal Archpriest of St. Peter's and Vicar General
of His Holiness for Vatican City, Noe has laid his
hands on all other Offices within his grasp: Presidency for
the Fabric of St. Peter and its administrative committee;
and Presidency of the Permanent Commission for the Supervision
and Protection of Historical and Artistic Monuments of the
Holy See (whose secretary is Mgsr. Marchisano – well
known for his role in the destruction of seminaries, when
he was Under Secretary for Catholic Education).
How can
someone with such an unworthy record be given so much power
and responsibility in the liturgical domain? At least in his
case his "promoveatur" (promotion), was not
an "amoveatur" (removal) from the Vatican.
PIO
LAGHI - THE PROTECTOR
Pio
Laghi, another pre-eminent member of the Brisighella
(Faenza) group, was born on May 21,1922 and was ordained
in 1946. His intense diplomatic career began in Nicaragua,
led to Washington and finally India. Consecrated bishop in
1969, he was sent to Jerusalem as Apostolic Delegate. He has
successively been appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Cyprus, Greece
and Argentina.
While
in Buenos Aires, he was already longing for the Nunciature
in the U.S.A., and that is why he mostly left to Cardinal
Primatesta the role of appointing bishops. However he did
take it upon himself to promote to the episcopacy some friends
of Raoul Alfonsin, the liberal, anti-clerical leader
of the Argentine Radical Party.
Amongst
these new bishops we note the name of his well-known friend
Mgsr. Justo Oscar Laguno, Bishop of Moron; also,
Mgsr. Alcides Jorge Pedro Casaretto, Bishop of San
Isidro; and Mgsr. Emilio Bianchi di Cascano, Bishop
of Azul. Helped by his Brisighella backers and Mgsr.
Giovanni Coppa, Pio Laghi finally won the very much-coveted
Washington Nunciature following a titanic struggle - after
which he became the "prudent" yet efficacious protector
of bishops wishing to destroy the Church in America. Each
time Rome asked Pio Laghi to resolve some thorny problems,
the inquiry inevitably ended up "dead and buried."
This
is exactly what happened in the case of Mgsr. R. George
Weakland, former Abbot-General of the Benedictine Order,
who was named Archbishop of Milwaukee in 1977 - thanks to
Virgilio Noe and the support of his friends,
Baggio, Marchisano and Macchi. It is to be noted
that Noe and Weakland had both taught at Sant'
Anselmo. Their continued good relations are proved by the
fact that Noe spent his holidays with Weakland
in Milwaukee.
Mgsr.
Weakland officially supports movements favouring abortion
and is convinced that "today, sexuality is
a meeting ground for the Church, just as science used to be
in past centuries."
Priestly
ordination for women; entry into the Church for homosexuals,
divorcees or people living together; women fighting in favour
of abortion and contraception: this is the "Via Crucis"
(Way of the Cross) that this Benedictine monk, now Archbishop,
says he encounters every time he steps out of his office.
This leads him to lament: "The pope should listen
to us. Yet whenever we get a rare chance to see him,
he just gives us His blessing and back home we go!"
(cf. Il Corriere della Sera March 30, 1992).
In the
New Yorker magazine, he [Weakland] openly confessed:
"I have been in love many times!" and in
the Corriere della Sera he explains: "It is
true: I said I had been in love. Celibacy does not transform
us into sexless beings [what a discovery!]. True celibacy
— and so many young priests would be saved if they
could only understand this - is one way of affirming our human
nature, not repressing it. True chastity means falling in
love, being careful while in love and renewing one's oath
of celibacy." (Sic.) Yet Laghi and Noe
are his [Weakland's] friends and know how to protect
this scandalous pastor (cf si si no no September 30,
1987).
Letters
were repeatedly sent to the Nuncio, Pio Laghi, informing
him of the scandalous conduct of Joseph Ferrario, Bishop
of Honolulu. What action did he take? Absolutely none!
Eugene
Marino is the former Archbishop of Atlanta, who abandoned
everything for the sake of a woman. The newspaper La Repubblica
wrote: "Mgsr Laghi knows the former Archbishop
of Atlanta very well. It was he [Laghi), in the capacity
of diplomat and personal representative of the pope in the
U.S.A., who informed the head of the Diocese of Atlanta [Marino]
of his recall. 'I do not know' explains Laghi, ‘if
this adventure was born of love, but when one is vulnerable
and in the face of certain situations which can also open
up the road to eroticism, it is difficult to turn back. This
is one of the dangers confronting pastors, when in the exercise
of their mission helping those in need; they must make contact,
listen to and establish relations with many people. But when
the heart enters the sphere of vulnerability, everything becomes
more difficult - even, for bishops. It is only human.
(cf. La Repubblica August 28, 1990)'"
Thus
do we see everything and everyone shamefully and publicly
excused by Pio Laghi, who heaps up scandal upon scandal.
Another
famous case is that of His Exc. Mgsr. Raymond Gearhardt
Hunthausen, Archbishop of Seattle until August 21, 1991.
In his official capacity as Archbishop, he advocated the "Mass
for homosexuals." The Holy See, in dealing
with his case, sent him an auxiliary in the person of Mgsr.
Donald William Wuerl - but Hunthausen dug in his heels
and Laghi, the Nuncio, dismissed and sent . . . the
new auxiliary back to his own diocese (cf si si no no,
September 30, 1987).
Another
one of Laghi's protégés is His Exc. Mgsr. Kenneth
Edward Untener, Rector of Detroit Seminary, where he entertained
his seminarians with pornographic films. He holds that the
pope is not the Vicar of Christ, but simply St. Peter's successor
- a primus inter pares. For all these "merits,"
Mgsr. Untener is now Bishop of Saginaw.
After
10 years as Nuncio in the United States, Laghi began
to conduct an electoral campaign in Rome. He practically announced
that he was now ready to take on important responsibilities
in the Roman Curia - and was supported in this by "Casarolian"and
"Bellerian" followers in the Vatican.
All this,
however, turned out badly for him: Casaroli's long awaited
and yearned-for post went up in smoke and today, Laghi
is reluctantly Prefect of Seminaries.
THE
NETWORK
To
the names of Silvestrini, Casaroli, Noe and Laghi,
other important names have to be added - names to which we
have alluded to here and there, as well as names forming a
network of friends. These names and the extension of the network
will now be briefly examined.
1.
AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SIDE
The current
Secretary of State, Cardinal Sodano, has as his personal secretary,
Silvestrini's ex-secretary - Mgsr. Ricardo Fontana.
This means that there is no audience, no telephone call, no
important file, even of the most confidential nature, which
does not pass through the hands of Silvestrini's former
secretary.
2.
WITHIN THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE
His Exc.
Mgsr. Jean-Louis Tauran, Secretary for State Relations
(a known collaborator of Silvestrini) has two other
intimate friends of Silvestrini as his colleagues -
Claudio Maria Celli, Under-Secretary for State Relations
and Alain Lebeaupin.
Celli
obtained the consecration and nomination as Apostolic Nuncio
to Angola of Casaroli's private secretary, Mgsr. Felix
del Blanco Prieto - an appointment to which the episcopacy
of Spain had been justly opposed.
3.
WITHIN THE NUNCIATURE IN ROME
Casaroli
and Silvestrini had a very faithful friend in the Nuncio
to the Italian State, His Exc. Mgsr. Luigi Poggi. He
would help them in appointing bishops of their own ilk in
Italy. We need only think of the current Bishop of Vincenza,
Pietro Nonis, who periodically came to Rome to meet
Silvestrini. Even though Silvestrini rarely left Rome
for any reason whatsoever, he made an exception in order to
assist at the episcopal consecration of Pietro Nonis.
The same
thing occurred in the case of the Vicar-General of Ivrea,
Arrigo Miglio - who is at least the third man,
from the ranks of the "Red" Bishop Bettazi,
to be raised to the episcopacy.
Poggi,
with his appointment as Prefect of the Apostolic Library and
Vatican Archives, is well on his way to becoming a cardinal
- and therefore future elector at the next Conclave.
His successor
at the Italian Nunciature is Carlo Furno, one of Silvestrini's
ex-colleagues at the Apollinario, who after having
brought ruin to Peru for many years, ruin to the Lebanon throughout
7 years and Brazil for 10 years - has now arrived in Rome
and will proceed to do the same to Italy!
4.
WITHIN THE VATICAN
In the
Vatican itself, we find all the old friends.
Dino
Monduzzi de Brisighella, who set many tongues wagging
(cf. si si no no; Nov.15, 1985; Dec. 31,1986; Feb. 15, 198'7),
and is still Prefect of the Papal Residence and Prefect of
Papal Audiences. Consequently he is always at John Paul II's
side during audiences, and at his Private Secretary's side
during ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica.
However,
the most significant fact is that all requests for a papal
audience are passed through the Monduzzi "filter."
Since he is responsible for the smooth running and orderliness
of these audiences, it is up to him to "screen"
candidates wishing to speak to the pope at special or private
audiences. During public audiences he also monitors the pope's
movements amongst the crowds - and also over those wishing
to approach the pope.
Then
there is Belleri (whose name appears in the University
of Lateran yearbook). Mgsr. Gino Belleri is
the proprietor and director of the Leonine Library, whilst
also running the University of Lateran Library. He is implicated
through his coordination of the clergy, the media and power
group members.
The Leonine
Library, which is in the very shadow of the Vatican, is situated
in premises belonging to the Holy See. Apart from the fact
that it sells the latest secular publications, the Library
also doubles as a press conference room, a meeting place and
a source of "reliable information" (cf. si si no
no May 31, 1987).
Mgsr.
Renato Dardozzi de Biella, described as an "engineer"
in the Pontifical yearbook, continues his ascent to power.
His present positions embrace that of Vice-Postulator for
the cause of beatification of Pius IX; member of the Pontifical
Council on Culture; member of the Administrative Council of
the Vatican Library, the Vatican Television Centre and finally,
Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
Mgsr.
Antonio Macculi, from Apulia, is a retired member of
the Curia. Unfortunately, he busies himself with important
Latin-American files. A long-standing colleague of Baggio's,
he is extremely well-informed and is "specialized"
in delaying or forgetting about questions or files requiring
immediate attention!
Mgsr.
Piero Marini, Master of Ceremonies; lifelong friend
of Virgilio Noe; pupil of Balthasar Fischer at the
disastrous Liturgical Institute of Trier in Germany, is now
considered the power group's candidate to succeed Monduzzi
as Prefect of the Papal Residence.
Mgsr.
Vito Gemiti, friend of Piero Marini, in charge
of ceremonies with the possibility of succession (even though
this possibility wanes as he approaches retirement age).
Mgsr.
Gianni Sonda, Secretary to Cardinal Baggio when he
was Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops (and who still
keeps him posted and up to date regarding this Congregation's
affairs).
5.
OUTSIDE THE VATICAN
Above
all - friends first!
His Exc.
Mgsr. Martino of Salerno - Apostolic Nuncio; observer
at the U.N.; envoy to the United Nations Food for Drug Abuse
Control (U.N.F.D.A.C). He has links with Silvestrini
and Laghi. A mysterious robbery that took place in
his Salerno apartment raised alarm in Vatican circles; for
it seems that the thieves made off with several top-secret
documents. This is very puzzling - for why would an American
group (as is supposed) come all the way to Salerno in search
of particular documents? Moreover, how can Martino explain
the existence of such highly important documents in his own
apartment? (cf. Il Giornale April 8, 1990).
Mgsr.
Arrigo Miglio studied at the Capranica, under the rectorship
of Mgsr. Gualdrini who was also from Brisighella,
and is presently Bishop of Terni. Miglio enjoyed the
rector's fullest confidence and it is said that he participated
in a crypto-Communist group at this college, described by
Il Borghese (July26, 1975) as "a factory for producing
Red priests."
He was
presented and accepted at the Pontifical Academy of Noble
Ecclesiastics – from which he was later expelled. Following
this misadventure, he sought refuge with the "Red Bishop"
of Ivrea, Mgsr. Bettazzi, a friend of Mgsr. Gualdrini.
Bettazzi
appointed Miglio as Vicar-General, in contempt of the
local clergy who were hoping for Don Gigi Roy (also an alumnus
of Capranica). Today, Miglio is the Bishop of Iglesias.
During his stay in Rome, he was frequently seen around the
parish of San Fulgenzio, where he had the opportunity of meeting
Silvestrini.
Mgsr.
Attilio Nicora, currently Bishop of Verona and formerly
President of the C.E.I. (Italian Episcopal Conference) for
problems concerning associations and ecclesiastical goods;
also President of Charitable Services and the Caritas Italiana.
He came to Verona thanks to the influence of Silvestrini,
who was indebted to Nicora for his work on the revision
of the Italian Concordat, with the handing over of all the
various hospital aid and care services to the Regions.
Mgsr.
Pietro Nonis, Bishop of Vincenza and friend of Silvestrini,
is supported by Cardinal Baggio, who "has never
denied his sympathy for the former pro-rector of Padua University.
He [Baggio] declared: Nonis going to Rome? I've heard
nothing of that; but it is very likely, because he has all
the necessary credentials for that. This appointment would
give me much pleasure. (Il Mattino December
15, 1991)"
Nonis
is currently a member of the C.E.I. (Italian Episcopal Conference)
and President of the Commission for Catholic Education, Culture,
Schools and Universities. He is certainly wanted in Rome,
and everything is being done to prepare a place for him. The
above-mentioned article of Il Mattino is quite dear
on this score. As for him, he never misses an opportunity
to stand out - for example; his front-page article in Avvenire
(May 17, 1992) showers much praise on John Paul II.
His Exc.
Mgsr. Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo has a rather
long and thick curriculum vitae. Together with
Mgsr. Renato Martino, he headed a Commission under
Paul VI, which would have approved priestly ordination of
women - had it not been for the timely intervention of the
Master of Sacred Palaces, Cardinal Ciappi.
In his
capacity as Under-Secretary to Justitia et Pax (Justice
and Peace), Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo organized
and co-presided over Sodepax, a joint commission with
the participation of the ecumenical council of the Churches
of Geneva. This Commission favoured and supported radically
revolutionary movements in Latin America, Africa, Indonesia
and the Philippines. However, the resulting disasters for
the Church suggested that the Commission be suppressed.
Next,
thanks to his friends Casaroli and Silvestrini,
Lanza di Montezemolo was appointed Nuncio to Nicaragua,
where he established relations and agreements with the Sandinistas
and Marxist priests against the local Catholic Church,
going so far as to persecute the [local] bishop, Mgsr. Obando
Bravo.
He is
now Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and head of the Holy See's
delegation working in the Vatican-Israeli Bilateral Commission.
What calamities is he now preparing that will bring incalculable
harm to the Church?
So much
so for the friends within the Vatican. However, Silvestrini
strives to make his influence extend by making new friends
outside its walls, even including cardinals holding views
opposed to his own. Thus, for several years now, we see him
seizing every opportunity of meeting Cardinal Biffi whether
in Rome or at the latter's episcopal see in Bologna.
Adista
(January 29, 1992) wrote: "On January 29, [1992]
Cardinal Biffi Archbishop of Bologna, con-celebrated
Mass with Cardinal Silvestrini... after this
ceremony, a private dinner was held for Cardinal Biffi
and a 'select' group in Cardinal Silvestrini’s apartment."
LAGHI’S
ANGLO-AMERICAN CONNECTIONS
Finally,
Cardinal Pio Laghi is able to count on a solid group
of English-speaking "friends" in Rome, who are linked
with Cardinal Hume (himself a friend of Noe's).
Mgsr. Michael Sharkey of Birmingham, from the Congregation
for Catholic Education. He is Cardinal Hume's trusted
man in Rome. He serves as a link between Hume and Laghi,
besides giving courses on Newman at the Gregorian university.
Philip
Rosato, SJ., an American professor at the Gregorian University,
giving courses on the Eucharist and the Priesthood. Clever
and shrewd in his written publications, he does not believe
in transubstantiation - preferring to teach "transcreation."
He also holds that priestly celibacy, instituted by the Church,
has now become a stumbling block for the Church. He favours
the ordination of women priests. He has taken such extreme
viewpoints that even his students stand and protest against
them during the course of his lectures.
Mgsr.
Kevin McDonald from Birmingham is a member of the Pontifical
Council for the Unity of Christians.
Mgsr.
Bryan Chestle from the diocese of Arundel and Brighton
is an administrative clerk in the Secretariat of State and
discreet protector of the English-speaking group.
Father
Mark Butlin from England, is a professor at Sant' Anselmo.
He has the support of Mgsr. Sharkey in Rome, and is
a very close friend of Cardinal Hume. He wears the
cassock and dreams of one day being the Spiritual Director
of all the English-speaking colleges. Yet, he is greatly annoyed
to discover that the English-speaking seminarians are still
too conservative.
Mgsr.
John Garin Dolan from Albany, auxiliary to the Military
Ordinariate of the U.S.A. and member of the Catholic Near
East Association
Mgsr.
Giovanni Tonucci, Apostolic Nuncio to Bolivia and Silvestrini's
ex-secretary in the Council for Public Affairs, as well as
being Laghi's former secretary in Washington.
PREPARING
FOR THE NEXT CONCLAVE
During
the last Synod, a secret meeting was held on the Via Aurelia
with regard to the next Conclave. After the Synod, the
power group is in a state of hurried agitation - as if something
was going to happen very soon!
This
is probably why Silvestrini is acting without much discretion
and is now busy making as many friends as possible, even with
cardinals holding holding views contrary to his own!
So we
see him trying to win Cardinal Biffi's friendship, while using
the same strategy on other cardinals as well. Never missing
an opportunity of improving his own image, he uses all means:
congresses, meetings, Masses, etc., etc. Always guided by
his old principle: use the right- wingers to carry out
left-wing policies.
With
the Conclave in his sights, Silvestrini is currently
using a double-edged strategy: he seeks to weaken the pope's
power and authority, while monopolizing all the key positions.
One need only read what the "power group Vaticanists"
are saying in the Italian Press about a possible resignation
by John Paul II and the likely candidates to replace him as
pope.
Another
[power group] manoeuvre consists in monopolizing all the appointments
to the post of cardinal - as was pointed out at the beginning
of this article - with the aim of guaranteeing the necessary
quorum (or number of votes) at the Conclave, in order
to elect or reject any candidate as future pope.
The power
group is, in reality, founded on an alliance of diverse groups,
as well as on a nucleus of "distinguished" individuals
holding key posts as regards episcopal nominations.
This
is proved when we look at some of the members [holding these
key positions] in the Congregation for Bishops: Silvestrini,
Casaroli, Laghi, Poletti, Martino and Giordano.
These are all experts who know how to use their influence
in order to secure a desired nomination for the candidates
of their choice.
Besides,
they can count on various friends working in the very same
Congregation for Bishops: Gemiti and Gianni Sonda,
Baggio's former secretary - both of them department heads
in the Congregation. They can also rely on Furno, the
new Nuncio to Italy.
Worse
still is the fact that two prestigious Cardinal Sees will
be vacant within a few months - and that, the appointment
of those future cardinals wiII be in the hands of the above-mentioned
men. Under such conditions we may weII fear for the
Church in Italy as it faces a very sombre future indeed! Worldwide
the future for the Catholic Church looks equally grim - since
the ultimate goal of all these manoeuvres is nothing else
than St. Peter's Throne itself!
E.
M.
Translated
from Courrier de Rome December 1992.
Courtesy of the Angelus
Press, Kansas City, MO 64109
translated from the Italian
Fr. Du Chalard
Via Madonna degli Angeli, 14
Italia 00049 Velletri (Roma)
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