The Difference That Just One Word Can Make! Why Romanian Doctor's Synod Talk Was "The Best"

Dianne N. Irving
copyright © October 22, 2015
Reproduced with Permission

Amazing the difference that just one word can make! Dr. Anca-Maria Cernea, head of the Association of Catholic Doctors in Romania, who knows better than most what it's like to live under a brutal regime, recently bravely tried to cut through the fog of politics at the current meeting of the Synod at the Vatican in her presentation. Note the following direct quote from Dr. Cernea's address (in the excellent article copied in full at the end) -- ["Letter #45, 2015: The Best Talk at the Synod", at: http://insidethevatican.com/news/newsflash/letter-45-2015-the-best-talk-at-the-synod ]:

"Now the revolution goes deeper; it pretends to redefine family, sexual identity and human nature. This ideology calls itself progressive. But it is nothing else than the ancient serpent's offer, for man to take control, to replace God, to arrange salvation here, in this world. It's an error of religious nature, it's Gnosticism . It's the task of the shepherds to recognize it, and warn the flock against this danger. " (emphases added)

Note her clear articulation of what is behind not only Marxism, but the ideology apparently blooming at the Synod -- GNOSTICISM . Yet some reports leave out the term "Gnosticism" when quoting the exact same section of Dr. Cernea's talk quoted above [e.g., https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/video-romanian-doctor-at-synod-says-leninist-minority-are-hijacking-it-with ]. But if you don't really acknowledge what is really causing such heterodoxy and what is really behind it -- i.e., GNOSTICISM -- then how can you really analyze or evaluate what is really going on?

It is not just "Marxism" -- BECAUSE Marxism itself is grounded in Gnosticism. See Dr. Cernea's explicit use of the term "Gnosticism" in her address to the Synod, half-way down in the article copied at the end. Simply attempting to call the spade "Marxism" is not really calling a spade a spade. Those who purposefully leave out the term "Gnosticism" when supposedly directly quoting from Dr. Cernea's Synod presentation might have some explaining to do. Are they afraid to use the term "Gnosticism" -- even though it is expressly used in the very transcript they are supposedly quoting directly???? If so, why?

Note also Dr. Cernea's reference to St. Irenaeus at the very end of her presentation. St. Irenaeus ' major fame was his historic and heroic work against the many Gnostic heresies so prevalent in the Church at the time. Originally titled Against the Gnostics, his books are still available at Amazon.com as Against the Heresies , at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1475100604?keywords=%26%2334%3BSt.%20Ireneaus%26%2334%3B&qid=1445541639&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1

To help readers better understand what is at stake here, did you know that there really is a " Gnostic Catholic Church " that is alive and well today and to which Dr. Cernea is trying to direct the attention of the Synod? In fact, we have long had a " Gnostic Mass " -- as well as a "Gnostic" rendition of every other religion as well. In brief, the problem with Gnosticism is that it is pantheistic (only one "thing" in reality, no individuals, no free will, etc.), polytheistic (multiple gods and goddesses who are mostly androgynous), paganistic (based on ancient pagan myths), a-cosmic ( ultimately requires the destruction of the material world), and the ancient source of anti-Semitism, population control, eugenics, deconstruction of the natural sciences, androgyny ("transgender"), etc. -- and Marxism!

To better appreciate what Gnosticism is, its agenda, consequences, and historic/recent connections , see, e.g. three of my articles: "Tangled Webs and History: Bioethics, Hastings Center, Eugenics, Gates, GMO's, Transhumanism" (Oct. 14, 2014), at: http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/irv/irv_225tangledwebsandhistory.html . See "GNOSTICISM, the Heretical Gnostic Writings, and 'Judas'" (April 9, 2006), at: http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/irv/irv_121gnosticism1.html -- quoting the entire article by world-renown expert scholar on Gnosticism, Hans Jonas from his Encyclopedia of Philosophy article "Gnosticism" . This article gives excellent common characteristics of any kind of Gnosticism; however, does not address the ancient Gnostic myths that are so prevalent today. Also see my article identifying the Gnostic source of current genetic engineering and related research , "Historic roots of human genetic engineering: REASON, Duke, and parahuman reproduction - 1972" (July 11, 2004), at: http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/irvi/irvi_34winstonduke.html .

See also the very excellent series of articles on Gnosticism:

The following current websites re " Catholic " Gnosticism, as well as their own "links" at CatholicGnostics.com (historically affiliated with the Masons) can be found here: http://catholicgnostics.com ; The Gnostic Mass: http://hermetic.com/sabazius/gnostic_mass.htm ; and US Grand Lodge, Ordo Templi Orientis: http://oto-usa.org/wordpress/ .

Oddly enough the Vatican issued their document re "New Age" Gnosticism (which is one form of post-Christian Gnosticism) in which Gnosticism is rejected as heretical can be found here: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html#3 .

Additionally, here are four good books for starters : John Saward, trans., The Scandal of the Incarnation: Irenaeus Against the Heresies (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1990) -- Irenaeus' arguments against the early Christian Gnostic heresies; Hans Jonas, The Gnostic Religion , 2nd ed. (Boston: Beacon Press, 1963 (explains many of the "symbols" used from Gnostic myths to communicate with each other); Eric Voegelin, Science, Gnosticism and Politics (Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1993) -- a good explanation of how Gnosticism reemerged in contemporary philosophy and politics; and, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Catholics and the New Age: How Good People Are Being Drawn into Jungian Psychology, the Enneagram, and the Age of Aquarius (Servant Publicants, 1992) -- includes how Gnosticism infiltrated the seminaries, etc.

Oh, and BTW, some of the current "labels" used by some of the Gnostics are "transhumanism", "futurism", "posthumanism" and "technoprogressivism" -- even if some of their "followers" are oblivious to this (although they often find out later if they are accepted into the higher orders.)

Which raises the question to the Synod as to why the Church is still trying to advance the works of French Jesuit theologian/archeologist Teilhard de Chardin ?

As even explained in Wiki [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Teilhard_de_Chardin ], because De Chardin's Omega Point is so similar to the Transhumanists' "The Singularity" (what we merge or fuse into in 2045 when we transfer our brains into computers to become one with Universal Consciousness), de Chardin 's works are featured in many transhumanist articles and organizations world-wide, e.g., the Designer Babies [ http://www.designerchildren.com/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/ ], on the website of the transhumanist/futurist/posthumanist IEET (Institute for "Ethics" and Emerging Technologies) , e.g.: http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/print/6620 , etc. See also one of the websites at Georgetown University for de Chardin: http://teilhard.com .

Yet the Pontifical Academy of Sciences recently hosted a Vatican conference on de Chardin, "The Emergence of the Human Being" , on April 19-21, 2013: http://teilhard.com/tag/pontifical-academy-of-sciences/ ; also, http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2013/human-evolution-science-faith-explore-the-mysterious-emergence-of-man.cfm ; also, http://www.dioceseofjuneau.org/core/files/dioceseofjuneau/uploads/files/May%20SEAC%20final%20low%20res.pdf (pg. 12); also, "Science and Religious Belief - NASA Astrophysic Data System", http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1999arse.conf....3C ; also on de Chardin's website: http://teilhard.com/2013/04/26/vatican-conference-on-the-emergence-of-the-human-being/

Apparently de Chardin's Omega Point is still highly regarded by some in the Vatican : http://teilhard.com/2013/05/28/orthodoxy-of-teilhard-de-chardin-part-v-resurrection-evolution-and-the-omega-point/ . Most Jesuitical colleges and universities still teach de Chardin, as well as many secular universities, e.g., the University of Arizona 's science department involving their current research into synthetic biology , as well as in various other departments: : http://www.arizona.edu/search/google/%22de%20Chardin%22?query=%22de%20Chardin%22&cx=017488205189097806253%3Ah_j_lbd-nb0&cof=FORID%3A11&sitesearch= ; see also their Center for Consciousness Studies : http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu/abstracts.htm . Note too that it is usually the attribute of "consciousness" that is used by those who are arguing for the "personhood" of non-human animals, robots, cyborgs, Artificial Intelligences, zombies, etc.

Alas, Teilhard de Chardin was world-renown as one of the archeologists who discovered the ancient bones of the early "Piltdown Man". This "discovery" was later proven to be one of the greatest frauds of all time : http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/piltdownstory.htm .

All of the above needs to be directly asked about -- in public -- of the Synod. I wonder what their answers would be?


http://insidethevatican.com/news/newsflash/letter-45-2015-the-best-talk-at-the-synod

Inside the Vatican
October 19, 2015

Letter #45, 2015: The Best Talk at the Synod

BY ROBERT MOYNIHAN

Dr. Robert Moynihan is founder and editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican magazine. He is an American journalist with a knowledge of five languages and a seasoned Vatican analyst. He earned his B.A. in English, magna cum laude from Harvard and a M.A and Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from Yale. Robert's thesis was The Influence of Joachim of Fiore on the Early Franciscans: A Study of the Commentary Super Hieremiam . Other research fields included: History of Christianity, Later Roman Empire and The Age of Chaucer. Moynihan also received a Diploma in Latin Letters from Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

"My father was a Christian political leader, who was imprisoned by the communists for 17 years. My parents were engaged to marry, but their wedding took place 17 years later. My mother waited all those years for my father, although she didn't even know if he was still alive…" - from an address given at the Bishops' Synod on the Family on Friday, October 16, by a Catholic woman doctor from Romania, Dr. Anca-Maria Cernea, head of the Association of Catholic Doctors in Romania. Her talk is being called by many "the best talk at the Synod"

"Not only us, the Catholic laity, but also many Christian Orthodox are anxiously praying for this Synod. Because, as they say, if the Catholic Church gives in to the spirit of this world, it is going to be very difficult for all the other Christians to resist it." - The concluding lines of the address given on October 16 by Dr. Cernea. Her words make clear the ecumenical importance of the work of this present Synod, especially in the Orthodox world.

"Classical Marxism pretended to redesign society, through violent take-over of property. Now the revolution goes deeper; it pretends to redefine family, sexual identity and human nature. This ideology calls itself progressive. But it is nothing else than the ancient serpent's offer, for man to take control, to replace God, to arrange salvation here, in this world." - Ibid .

"The entire body of the faithful, anointed as they are by the Holy One, cannot err in matters of belief. They manifest this special property by means of the whole people's supernatural discernment in matters of faith when 'from the Bishops down to the last of the lay faithful' they show universal agreement in matters of faith and morals. That discernment in matters of faith is aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth. It is exercised under the guidance of the sacred teaching authority, in faithful and respectful obedience to which the people of God accepts that which is not just the word of men but truly the word of God." - The Second Vatican Council document on the Church, Lumen Gentium, Chapter 12. The passage is a definition of the term "sensus fidelium," the "sense of the faithful," that divinely-inspired knowledge of, and belief in, the truths of the faith that Catholics believe is infallible, that is, incapable of falling into error, as paragraph 92 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The whole body of the faithful… cannot err in matters of belief. This characteristic is shown in the supernatural appreciation of faith (sensus fidei) on the part of the whole people, when, from the bishops to the last of the faithful, they manifest a universal consent in matters of faith and morals."

The Best Presentation at the Synod

I just received this email from a friend with an attached text: "THIS IS THE BEST PRESENTATION AT THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY!" I read the text, was moved by it, and decided to send out the text in this letter.

There have been hundreds of presentations at the Synod, which is now entering its third and final week.

Most of the presentations have been by bishops, and many have been excellent.

However, this text is not by a bishop.

It is by a lay person.

It is not by a man.

It is by a woman.

She is not from that part of the Church which is (for the moment) rich and influential (for example, Germany or the United States) but from a country in Eastern Europe, from Romania.

She experienced life behind the "Iron Curtain" under Soviet rule.

We might say, then, that her faith was "tested" by the sufferings of life.

She is not a theologian or canonist.

Rather, she is a physician, a doctor, someone trained in medicine to heal and to help people in their earthly, physical lives.

In this sense, she is familiar with ordinary life, with - to use a phrase of the Pope - the "smell of the sheep," with sickness, with childbirth, with disease and death, with marital joys and sorrows, with all that threatens human beings living in this world.

And yet, despite this focus on human health and the overcoming of disease, she is persuaded that the great battle we face is not a physical one, but a spiritual one.

She writes: "Now we need Rome to tell the world: 'Repent of your sins and turn to God for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.'"

( Dr. Anca-Maria Cernea of Bucharest, Romania. Her professional accomplishments have led her to be chosen as the head the Association of Catholic Doctors in Romania )

Though brief, her talk is comprehensive, profound, and eloquent.

It deserves to be read, reflected upon, and shared widely.

In my view, the many warnings that Pope Francis has made during his two and a half years as Pope about the profound danger of a sort of "ideological colonization" in our time are quite coherent with the warnings expressed in Dr. Cernea's brief intervention.

Dr. Cernea, a woman on the "front lines" of the battle for life, and for the faith, gives us in her talk the considered opinion of a modern Catholic woman who is highly trained and a leader in her community.

As such, her words express that " sensus fidelium ," that "sense of the faithful," which is informed by, and adheres to, the Catholic faith of all time.

A Romanian Woman Doctor Makes a Powerful Plea to Pope and Bishops in Her Synod Talk

By Dr Anca-Maria Cernea

Doctor at the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment-Victor Babes

President of the Association of Catholic Doctors of Bucharest (Romania)

Presentation to Pope Francis and the Synod bishops

Friday, 16th October 2015

Your Holiness, Synod Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, I represent the Association of Catholic Doctors from Bucharest.

I am from the Romanian Greek Catholic Church.

My father was a Christian political leader, who was imprisoned by the communists for 17 years. My parents were engaged to marry, but their wedding took place 17 years later.

My mother waited all those years for my father, although she didn't even know if he was still alive. They have been heroically faithful to God and to their engagement.

Their example shows that God's grace can overcame terrible social circumstances and material poverty.

We, as Catholic doctors, defending life and family, can see this is, first of all, a spiritual battle.

Material poverty and consumerism are not the primary cause of the family crisis.

The primary cause of the sexual and cultural revolution is ideological.

Our Lady of Fatima has said that Russia's errors would spread all over the world.

It was first done under a violent form, classical Marxism, by killing tens of millions.

Now it's being done mostly by cultural Marxism. There is continuity from Lenin's sexual revolution, through Gramsci and the Frankfurt school, to the current-day gay-rights and gender ideology.

Classical Marxism pretended to redesign society, through violent take-over of property.

Now the revolution goes deeper; it pretends to redefine family, sexual identity and human nature.

This ideology calls itself progressive. But it is nothing else than the ancient serpent's offer, for man to take control, to replace God, to arrange salvation here, in this world.

It's an error of religious nature, it's Gnosticism.

It's the task of the shepherds to recognize it, and warn the flock against this danger.

"Seek ye therefore first the Kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you."

The Church's mission is to save souls. Evil, in this world, comes from sin. Not from income disparity or "climate change".

The solution is: Evangelization. Conversion.

Not an ever increasing government control. Not a world government. These are nowadays the main agents imposing cultural Marxism to our nations, under the form of population control, reproductive health, gay rights, gender education, and so on.

What the world needs nowadays is not limitation of freedom, but real freedom, liberation from sin. Salvation.

Our Church was suppressed by the Soviet occupation. But none of our 12 bishops betrayed their communion with the Holy Father. Our Church survived thanks to our bishops' determination and example in resisting prisons and terror.

Our bishops asked the community not to follow the world. Not to cooperate with the communists.

Now we need Rome to tell the world: "Repent of your sins and turn to God for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."

Not only us, the Catholic laity, but also many Christian Orthodox are anxiously praying for this Synod. Because, as they say, if the Catholic Church gives in to the spirit of this world, it is going to be very difficult for all the other Christians to resist it.

What is the glory of God?

"The glory of God is man alive; but the life of man is the vision of God." - St. Irenaeus of Lyons, in the territory of France, in his great work Against All Heresies, written c. 180 A.D.

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