United Methodist Church

Watchdog Alert: The Pope, Episcopal Politics, And Church Homeless Camp

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Update on Pope Francis

My wife and I just watched the award-winning movie ‘Conclave’ which portrays the political machinations and processes involved in how the Catholic Bishops choose a new Pope when necessary. Very good movie, highly recommended.

The Vatican has been providing regular updates on Pope Francis’ health. The Pope is currently receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and has undergone bronchoscopies to address his respiratory issues. His prognosis remains guarded, and he continues to receive respiratory physiotherapy. – More at Catholic News Agency

Episcopal churches offer ‘Ashes To Go’ for Ash Wednesday

As I have pointed out previously, the Episcopal Church is becoming a woke, politically far left-leaning organization which is trying to push the gospel of Jesus Christ and his coming Kingdom as a modern social justice message. Reading the headlines and items from the ENS, linked below, is like reading a political agenda statement.

“Episcopal congregations churchwide will begin Lent by offering Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday, March 5, as a convenience for people unable to attend worship services in the middle of the week.” – More at Episcopal News Service

Montrose judge denies city emergency request to potentially clear church camp for unhoused

We went through the very same issue with a United Methodist Church in my hometown, Great Falls MT, a couple of years ago. We eventually were able to clear the ‘homeless’ camp on the churches parking lot because of the drugs, violence, public defecation, and even prostitution disrupting the homes and businesses surrounding the church.

We didn’t need a court order because our citizens spoke up and the church poobahs gave in and posted trespass notices so that law enforcement could intervene and stop the crimes being committed. The ‘homeless’ folks dispersed soon thereafter.

Yes, we’re to love our neighbors and take care of the less fortunate. But that doesn’t mean we allow our community to be destroyed by irresponsible, many times criminal, people who don’t want to live by the same rules the rest of us have to live by.

“At a hearing in Montrose, on Wednesday, Municipal Court Judge Erin Maxwell rejected a city request for an emergency abatement on a camp of unhoused residents sitting on Montrose United Methodist Church grounds. The abatement would have permitted city authorities to go onto private property to potentially clear the camp, which has drawn controversy in recent weeks.” – More at CPR News

Churchianity’s Abuse And Division

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Methodist Violence Over LGBTQ Schism

A headline from the Associated Press last month reads, ‘Deadly violence in Nigeria linked to breakup of United Methodist Church over LGBTQ policies’.

The article goes on to say, “A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service. The news service said the reported violence on Sunday stemmed from a schism in the worldwide United Methodist Church over its decision to repeal LGBTQ bans — and the ensuing formation of the new Global Methodist Church by breakaway conservative churches.”

Catholic Movement Dissolved Over Abuses

Also from the AP, Dissolution of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae: Pope Francis has dissolved the Peru-based conservative Catholic movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, following a comprehensive investigation that uncovered extensive sexual, financial, and spiritual abuses by its founder and leaders. This action reflects the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to address and rectify abuses within Church-affiliated organizations.

Across The Pond: Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns in Wake of Abuse Scandal

From The Times – It is right that Justin Welby resigned after the publication of the Makin review into the Church of England’s most prolific abuser, John Smyth. If the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, had acted with more resolution when they were made aware of the scale of Smyth’s offending then some boys he victimized might have been spared.

What’s Going On?

Do you notice a pattern in these three stories? I do – abuse and division. No wonder folks are fleeing religion in droves.

The words of Jesus come to mind.
Abuse: “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2
Division: “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25

And no wonder the chief enemies of Jesus were the religious leaders of the time. He exposed them.

What are we as followers of Jesus doing to expose the ‘whited sepulchers’ of our day and time?