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The life and death of King Hussein: Lessons to be learned from ancient history

      In today's editorial we remember King Hussein and his legacy and look back at the history of the mideast region to see how this peacemaker has kept the frail threads together in this land of the bible where it could become unraveled at any time, especially now that Hussein is gone, but not forgotten. We trace the origins of this man who was the direct opposite of his early ancestor - the founder of Islam for he exhibited the traits more of a Samaritan than a Saracen. With one Hussein dead, the delicate balance he provided could now be tipped where all hell could spill forth unless we pray and learn from history's lessons. For today's commentary entitled History has a way of repeating itself!, click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT.

History has a way of repeating itself!

      While one leader struts like a peacock in the oval office as he is confidently assured he won't be impeached and will once again "get away with it scot free," another is laid to rest. While one leader taunts and teases western powers with a "cat and mouse" game of the "pea under the pod," another is eulogized as one who never wavered. As we all know, the wrong Hussein passed away Sunday. One - Jordan's King Hussein was loved by his people and enjoyed a trust with other nations that few leaders can claim; the other Saddam Hussein is feared and loathed by his people and trust is an anomaly in Iraq. Yet, when we study history and the proud heritage of these biblical lands of Jordan and Iraq, there has to be sadness at the depths these countries have fallen to today. The Arab infusion in both countries has overshadowed their rich roots for it was at Ur near what is today Nasiriyah, Iraq where the "Father of Faith" was born. We are speaking, of course, of Abraham who migrated south from Babylonia and, as they say, the rest is history.

      It was the region of Moab, now southern Jordan, where the Israelites, after wandering so long in the desert, first got an inkling of the "Promised Land." During the time of Christ Jordan was part of Judea on both sides of the Dead Sea, the River Jordan and the Sea of Galilee, though the Romans segmented the area as Decapolis and the Tetrarchy of Philip. Yet it was largely known as Judea with the southern portion comprising Arabia. Iraq was part of Mesopotamia and later the great Persian empire before being incorporated as part of the Ottoman Turkish empire and then British occupation until the Kurdish revolts against Assyrian Christians. This was followed by a major tribal uprising in the Euphrates basin which allowed the Arab regime to take over and the eventual rise of Saddam with his masterminding the attempted assassination of General Kassem in 1959 and his thorough involvement in the Revolutionary Command Council in 1969 and ten years later his take over of the country in 1979. It was unfortunate that he was so coddled by the United States. Yet, in retrospect, we can see the reasoning for America had just lost their great ally the Shah of Iran via the overthrow of his regime by the nasty Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at the same time Saddam came to power.

      Meanwhile, further south in what had been called Trans Jordan, another Hussein , the Hashemite sherif of the Hejaz in eastern Arabia, proclaimed himself king of the Arabs in 1916 and began the great war made famous in the film "Lawrence of Arabia". Though this Hussein was forced to abdicate his throne in 1924, two of his sons ruled in Iraq and Trans Jordan at that time. The late King Hussein, whose lineage could be traced to Hashem, the great-grandfather of the seventh century prophet Mohammed, came into power in 1952. His forty-seven year reign was a fitting reparation of the damage done by his ancestors in which millions upon millions have been killed over the centuries in the name of religion. He was more like the "Good Samaritan" of the Scriptures who would distribute kindness and care while the other nine nations refused. Samaria, by the way, borders both Israel and Jordan with its capitol remaining Jericho. We all know what happened to the walls of Jericho. Hussein was well aware of these religious roots. He took over Trans Jordan three years after Israel became a state in 1949 when she returned to this sacred soil after nearly two millenniums of wandering in the desert of anonymity. To this day Israel still laments the fall of Jerusalem towards the end of the first century as her clerics pound their heads at the wailing wall.

      During King Hussein's regime mideast nations fell and were founded, great men came and went; men like David Ben Gurion, Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin. Like Switzerland, Hussein remained neutral through it all, buoyed by the oil rush of the mideast region that enriched the coffers of these Arab nations. But the riches have not been evenly distributed and therein lies the problems of the mideast where history and resentments stem from ancient times. As much as many of these nations resent the "great satan of the west" - the United States - they have become carbon copies of America in that the rich get richer and the poor poorer. We only hope the transition of the throne to his little-known son Abdullah Hussein will be as smooth as his regime was. If not, look for bigger problems in these areas where Abraham and Christ once walked the earth.

      It is no coincidence that these nations have become so prominent in these end times of the second millennium for this, indeed, is the stage on which Sacred Scripture says the great final act will be played out and where the purification of the earth as God has promised will begin and end. The political climate in this mideast region has been sensitive to say the least over the past twenty years and grows more unsteady with each passing day. Though Jordan had not been an announced ally of Israel, Hussein was not her enemy. Now, with the changing of the guard, we cannot be so sure. There will be undue pressure placed on him by other Arab allies who will threaten, cajole and persuade Abdullah to embrace the Arab anthem of oneness against the Jews. If Abdullah would take a harder stance toward the state of Israel, then Israel will indeed become an isolated island in a sea of Arab foes gnawing at the bit to devour the Jewish people, much the same as in biblical times.

      As in those times, the Jews would be wise to heed God's warnings and treat others in the manner of the "Golden Rule." First of all, don't rock the boat and don't upset the rest of the world with demands and conditions that are not feasible if they are not willing to give in return. In the spirit of Christ's words in Luke 6: 28, "Forgive, and you shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they pour into your lap. For with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you." This includes affording the Palestinian Christians the freedom to worship and live in peace along the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It would also help better pave the way for the Holy Father to make his much-anticipated pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 2000. But the climate remains very volatile and only sane, wise leaders can keep things steady. Sadly, with the passing of King Hussein, there are few sane, wise leaders left in this region of the world; ironic in a land that gave us the great King Solomon. One way for both Jew and Arab to increase in wisdom is to learn from the Word of God and history, for, as we all know because God allows it, history has a way of repeating itself!

Michael Cain, editor

The Council of Constance offers up Pope Gregory XII as the sacrificial lamb for the sake of saving the Church of the Lamb of God

     It was hoped that when Pope Gregory XII was chosen to succeed the rascal Pope Innocent VII that the schism would finally come to an end, but there were trials and tribulations to come before this would become a reality at the end of his reign. First of all, rather than eliminating the antipope, another antipope was also elected making three men vying for the legitimate chair of Peter. What was a council to do? Due to political pressure and influence of the German kings, the Council of Constance was convened. In their 14th session and 361 years before America celebrated its independence, the Church celebrated its own freedom on the Fourth of July in 1415, thus effectively ending the Great Schism of the West, but not without consequences. For the ninety-second installment titled Pope Gregory XII: The beginning of the end of the schism , click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH.

Pope Gregory XII: The beginning of the end of the schism

      Pope Innocent VII's was not mourned in the least for the people of Italy were fed up with his double standards and lack of pastoral presence in a Church that was badly in need of some ecclesial guidance. Thus, when the cardinals met in conclave to elect his successor they all made a vow that, by God, this time would be upheld. That was that whoever would be selected would agree to abdicate the papacy if the antipope Benedict XIII would do the same. It was the only way to end the Great Schism of the West. With this agreed, the College of Cardinals unanimously elected Cardinal Angelo Correr as the 205th successor of Peter on November 30, 1406. He chose the name Pope Gregory XII and immediately announced to the Christian world his intentions to renounce his title as the Vicar of Christ if Benedict would agree as well. He sent his nephew with a papal legate to Marseilles, France where Benedict was to iron out arrangements as to where they should meet. Finally they hammered out the destination - the city of Savona in Italy which owed its allegiance to Avignon. However, when word reached Gregory he was upset that his nephew, inexperienced in diplomatic matters, had conceded too much. Further he feared what might happen to the Church for his legates had failed to get a commitment of cooperation from various rulers. He greatly feared retaliation and a takeover which would be worse than what happened to his predecessors, thus not only prolonging the schism but widening the gap even further. Add to this that one of his counselors was King Ladislas of Naples who, for political expediency, saw the meeting of the two popes as detrimental to his agenda. Therefore he planted many seeds of doubts in the mind of Gregory. This further exasperated Benedict who had been led around on the proverbial leash by Gregory's predecessors. Truth be known, Benedict's outward frustrations were all show for he had no intention of stepping down. As the negotiations stretched into weeks and then months, his cardinals became openly antagonistic that Gregory was not being sincere in his pre-conclave vow and this paranoia played on Gregory as well. On May 4, 1408 Gregory created four new cardinals with two of them being his nephews. This nepotism did not play well with the rest of the conclave nor the populace who saw it as too much in the footsteps of Innocent VII. This caused all but three of the entire College to abandon him, fleeing to Pisa where they published a letter that, in essence, went over his head and appealed to Jesus Christ Himself in calling for a general council to settle the schism. They sent out letters to all the European princes assuring them of the cardinals' dedication to unity. They were also able to infiltrate Benedict's ranks and persuade four of his cardinals to join them at a council at Pisa in March 1409. Both Benedict and Gregory were invited; both declined. Regardless, the council went on and finally, during the 15th session on June 5, 1409 the Council voted to depose both Popes, declaring them both heretics. Despite attempted mediation by the German monarch King Rupert, the Council cardinals elected a new Pontiff three weeks later on June 26, 1409.

      They selected Alexander V, formerly Cardinal Pietro Philarghi, a Greek prelate from northern Crete. He had been one of the cardinals who had broken ranks with Gregory and collaborated against the Pope with Cardinal Baldassare Cossa, who would become the antipope John XXIII on the former's death. Since Alexander had not been elected by the College of Cardinals but rather by the council that was not recognized by Gregory nor many rulers throughout Europe, they claimed Alexander could not lay claim to the Holy See. Thus, rather than clearing up the schism, it had only multiplied with two antipopes now in the mix along with Gregory. If before two were company, then now three were a crowd. While Gregory had initially agreed to abdicate, he was not prepared to be labeled a heretic. This not only infuriated him but Kings Rupert and Ladislas as well. They accompanied Gregory to the Aquilea region where the Pope convened his own council. There the Council, small in number, excommunicated both Benedict (again) and Alexander. There are reports that the Archbishop of Aquilea was so upset with Gregory's action that he threatened the Pontiff's life. Gregory was forced to flee in disguise to Gaeta under the protection of Ladislas. From there he ruled the Church while Ladislas reconquered the Papal States of Umbria and Rome. This didn't sit well with Alexander who, in turn, excommunicated Ladislas and invested the kingdom to Louis II of Anjou sending him against Ladislas in a military battle to be played out in Rome. Alexander also dispatched Cardinal Baldassare Cossa as one of his commanders to assist Louis' army.

      Meanwhile, Benedict was doing his own railing and excommunicating but his support had waned greatly. No longer at Avignon because France had fallen out of favor, he was forced to move to Barcelona where Spain was still behind Benedict. Save for Portugal and Scotland, no one else threw their support to him. While all this was underway Alexander did do something right, condemning the writings and teachings of the reformist John Wycliffe, but because the papacy was so fragmented, it did little to alarm the people to what was to come a century later. Alexander was a good man, a devoted Franciscan, who meant well but was merely a pawn in the plans of Baldassare who, some suspect, poisoned him on May 3, 1410 after returning from battle and weary. In all fairness, Alexander should not be termed an "antipope" but rather, as many historians so note, a "council pope."

      With Alexander's death Baldassare was the logical successor and he manipulated it to make that a reality by being elected John XXIII by the Pisan cardinals at Bologna on May 17, 1410. Many believe he was rubberstamped in through the intimidation tactics of Louis II of Anjou who had tied his fate to Baldassare. He was as different from Alexander as night and day. While Alexander was a pious, austere man, John XXIII was a philanderer and adulterer. [It must be noted here that this John XXIII should not be confused with Pope John XXIII who became the legitimate 261st successor of Peter on October 28, 1959.] Because Gregory had lost much support and his chief supporter was embroiled in battle, France, England and several Italian and German states threw their support behind the slick John XXIII who portrayed a papal presence that persuaded many. In fact John was so persuasive that he even convinced Ladislas to forsake Gregory after Louis II had failed in his attempts to defeat the King of Naples. Gregory was crestfallen at this falling out. But it didn't take long for Ladislas to realize the error of his ways and the forked-tongue ways of John. He retaliated against the latter and John fled for his life from Rome, seeking refuge in Florence. He appealed to the German King Sigismund who had replaced King Rupert. Sigismund could see the inherent problems and thus called for a council - the Council of Constance to determine, once and for all, a solution to this schism. Having painted himself into a corner, John had no choice but to agree to Sigismund's terms and thus, on December 9, 1413, issued a bull announcing the Council. Before the Council could be convened Ladislas died on August 6, 1414 and John entertained ambitions of winning back the papal states, but he had committed himself to the course of council and thus was prevented from militarily taking action.

      The Council of Constance resembled a political convention with lobbying on all sides. Benedict again refused to attend or to abdicate, holing himself up in Peniscola on the Valencia coast and claiming that there was the seat of the Church which he referred to as the "Ark of Noah." Few paid attention and Spain disavowed any loyalty to this "mad man." After numerous sessions John XXIII tried an end run by disguising himself and fled the city disguised as a bridegroom hoping that it would disrupt the council and they would disband. Rather it prompted the council to dig in. They brought him back as a prisoner and proclaimed that the Council was superior to the Pope in matters such as these, a sticky wicket that would gum up the works for years to come. But the Council did decree that all who laid claim to the papacy - Gregory, Benedict and John must be suspended. While Benedict stubbornly refulsed, both Gregory and John had no choice but to agree to the terms. Both renounced the papacy and Gregory issued a landmark papal bull on July 4, 1415 in what could be rightly referred to as the "first independence day" for finally the schism was over. John retired to Germany to live out his life there in the custody of Ludwig III of Bavaria until he was able to ransom his freedom and travel to Rome where he publicly offered homage to the new Pope before dying on November 22, 1419.

      As for Gregory XII, it was not easy but he was obedient to the Council's actions. In obedience he was appointed Cardinal-bishop of Porto and a lifetime legate to Ancona while being declared ineligible from ever being considered again for the papacy. Yet, in loyalty to him, he was assured of ranking next in priority to the new Pope who was a while in being elected due to the Council and the reforms of elective process that continued for over 18 months. It would be over two years later when Pope Martin V would be chosen on November 11, 1417. Three weeks prior to that Gregory, obedient and repentive and exuding holiness, died at Recanati, Italy

Next issue: Pope Martin V: The struggle to start anew

In giving, it's the thought that counts!

      They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"Giving is really a divinely appointed way of acknowledging the mercies of God. We have indeed nothing to offer anyway that we have not received, and yet He is pleased to accept our offerings as tokens of our gratitude."

      Our Savior Jesus Christ pulls no punches in warning His children of the impending doom for all those who refuse His Mercy, who turn their back on His teachings and His True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. He offers His Mercy freely and yet laments that so few take advantage as He conveys in Message 386 on August 9, 1993 to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart. He is saddened by America's embrace of the culture of death and runnaway immorality through abortion, euthanasia, adultery and homosexuality that cry out to God for vengeance. His Blessed Mother prefaces her Divine Son's words in Message 387 three days prior on the Feast of the Transfiguration by pleading with all her little ones to shed the shackles of the world and come aboard the ship of salvation as she helps guide the way as the "New Ark." For these two important Messages, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages Three Hundred-Eighty-five and Three Hundred-Eighty-six

      Beloved Hidden Flower, peace to you and all your family. Say now to all of my children: O! I love you with God's Infinite Love, but you remain cold and dead to True Love.

      I beseech you! Open the eyes of your soul. There is but one source of Power, Strength, Truth and Justice. The Triune Divinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit look upon all creation and seek only to call all mankind home. Home is Heaven, where your immortal soul, created by God, is re-united to the Creator. But you, my children, have denied God. You have stripped my Divine Son of His Divinity and His Redemptive Act. You have misunderstood Sacred Scripture. You have altered its sacred meaning by your manipulation of its language. You have become godless people headed for perdition. All that is happening in your world comes upon you as a warning from God that most refuse to see or acknowledge. You cannot control the power of nature. You cannot hold back God's Divine Justice by your continued pride, arrogance and lack of obedience.

      Therefore, I call you anew to take off the world. Cast it aside. Each of you must do this through constant prayer, mortification of your flesh and sacrifice. Unless you become spirit-filled people living as the first Christians lived, you shall not withstand the antichrist's reign. You shall not recognize the true evil until it is too late.

      Therefore, I solemnly tell you that soon I, your Heavenly Mother, the Immaculate Conception, shall no longer be among you. I have come as the New Ark to implore all the world to be reconciled with God, to have great faith and absolute trust in your Heavenly Father. This is the sure path. You must be and continue to be a reverent, holy, devout Eucharistic people who, on bended knee, come before my Divine Son in the Blessed Sacrament and acknowledge Him as King of Kings.

      Woe to all shepherds who lead their flock astray, who refuse to believe and deny my children the right of absolute reverence. Triple woe to all who, having authority over the little ones, deny the movement of the Holy Spirit.

      Now is the time for all whose hearts are opened to seek physical refuge, forming Eucharistic communities that shall be their source of all good. If you believe and persevere you shall hasten the Triumph of my Immaculate Heart and mitigate God's Justice.

      The time draws nigh! Therefore, I beseech you to pray and offer yourself as a living prayer to my Divine Son in His Passion. Join your prayers to mine and you shall see the marvelous work of God.

      Know I am truly your Mother, the Mother of God. Know I always intercede for you and love you.

      Please, dear children, heed my words. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      My Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, be at peace. I am always with you. I am with all of My children. I search ceaselessly, calling all of My lost, little ones.

      Now I ask of you, My Hidden Flower, to tell My children how grievously offended I am because even in the midst of My countless signs there are so many cold, hardened hearts. O! How My Sacred Heart is pierced by all who cry out to Me with their lips, but not because they love and reverence Me! Because they want their earthly security restored. O! Foolish children. How satan seduces you, who are made in the image and likeness of God.

      Therefore, hear Me, your Lord and Savior. The signs of warning, of chastisement shall continue. I, the Son of God, Savior of the world, do solemnly tell you that your own country shall suffer grievously, for you are a proud, arrogant, godless nation who has made of Me a mockery. You blaspheme Me in the Holy Eucharist. You dismiss My Sacred Passion as being long ago, and not the Infinite Sacrifice it is, being daily offered in the True Sacrifice of the Mass. You have allowed your pride to become god, permitting the sin of grievous murder through abortion and euthanasia. You refute God's Perfect law by condoning, encouraging homosexuality, and abuses of every kind against the flesh, which houses your immortal soul and is to be as a temple - pure and spotless.

      O! Woe to all who, having heard My Word, reject It. They shall not receive Mercy which I offer, but rather shall suffer the Father's Perfect Justice.

      Come unto Me, your God. Be as a humble, obedient child and you shall drink freely from the chalice of Divine Mercy.

      Be strong My children. The Hour of Justice is prepared. Heed My Words, be attentive to My warnings which are Mercy. Soon My Mother shall not be among you in the extraordinary way I have allowed her to be. You must stand firm in the full Truth and defend Me, even unto death.

      Therefore, pray and surrender your will to the Divine Will, and all shall be given unto you.

      Know I love with Infinite Love. I bless you. Prepare and be watchful, for the Hour is about to come.

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February 9, 1999 volume 10, no. 27   DAILY CATHOLIC