NEW AGE CATHOLICISM
The following excerpted from a white paper entitled, The Spirit of Roman Catholicism: What Lies Behind the Modern Public Image? submitted electronically to us by former Roman Catholic nun, Mary Ann Collins. This was received years ago (preface indicates it was published in 2002). I saw a book that basically lampooned John Paul II (The Power and the Glory: Inside the Dark Heart of John Paul II's Vatican by David Yallop (2007)--for instance, the last picture in the inserts has a picture of an obviously frail and sickly looking John Paul II with the caption, "The great communicator is finally silenced." The book includes an open admission of the Vatican's guilt in Croatia (pages 360-366) and I've wondered why so much "top secret"--type information is coming out in broad daylight.
Has "Christianity" worn out its usefulness for Rome? Are the Jesuits and their "spiritual excercise" going to lead the way into "New Age Catholicism"? Is Rome transforming and metamorphasizing away from popes and "Christianity"? Will the Jesuits become more visible? Are the popes now becoming the fall guys to show how "Christianity" does not work? Will "Christianity" (as defined by the past activities of Rome) be blamed for all of the world's ills?
It was in 2002 that Ms. Collins wrote the section on "New Age Catholicism" which describes the startling things that were happening back then, over ten years ago (only part of chapter 12 is below, worse portions not here). That was many years ago. It is now 2013 and church people are participating in contemplative prayer/meditation. A look around reveals that there are mystical traditions all over the world. What used to be secret is coming out of the dark corners and into the mainstream, even in a health care brochure in a local drugstore. In ecumenical meditation meetings--Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, church people, witches, etc. are coming together in agreement.
Different groups have "mystical traditions". The book Revelation talks about the spirit of Sodom and Egypt, so we should look for these things that this time. Concerning mystical traditions, there is an Egyptian yoga.
Many groups have adherents that engage in mystical traditions unique to their group. The main groups do not always agree with the mystical aspects--Egypt (Egyptian Kemetic meditation, Kemetic mysticism, Kemetic yoga based on Egyptian Book of the Dead); Roman Catholic mysticism; Roman Catholic Jesuit spiritual exercises; Greek Orthodox Hesychast; Sikhism and whirling Dervishes (Islam); Kabbalah (Judaism); Hinduism; Buddhism; magic cults; new age; witchcraft, etc.... and, contemplative prayer in fallen visible church (the visible church's chanting to the devil shows that this time period is very much near the end of the line.
I have see mention of the "Noahide Laws" and printed out a U.S. Congressional Resolution concerning the same (issued in the 1970s, as I recall). I looked up "Noahide laws" and "Kabbalah" and got a hit but did not investigate it. Also of note is the role of Dionysus/Bacchus. When I first learned of this devil god a few years ago I felt that it was the god of many Americans (god of wine and revelry and debauchery). I have since seen it referenced by those who play the world's music--there are those that know that they are conjuring up that spirit and one I read actually spoke of how todays Dionysian riots are tamer than those engaged in in older days. I have also since read an horrible quote about that god; the quote was attributed to Jung. With that god debauchery is a key word. People do not have to know that they worshipping devils to do so.
New Age Catholicism
The "New Age" is actually a resurgence of old paganism which has been "westernized" and dressed up in modern vocabulary. It denies foundational Christian doctrines and basic Christian morality. But in spite of this, there are Catholic priests and nuns who are openly promoting New Age beliefs and practices.
I will give documented information about this from Catholic authors. One of them is a Catholic reporter who spent over twelve years getting first-hand, eye witness information. There are also on-line articles which you can read for yourself. (I give the addresses in the Notes.)
As we will see, there are priests and nuns who promote pagan rituals, occult activities, Hindu religious practices, worship of "the goddess," witchcraft, and "channeling" (having "spirits" speak through you). They deny foundational Christian doctrines, such as the fact that Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins. And they renounce traditional Christian morality.
If you have difficulty with the following information, I understand. So do I. But the facts won't go away just because we don't like them.
Randy England is Catholic. He wrote "The Unicorn in the Sanctuary: The Impact of the New Age on the Catholic Church". According to England, New Age concepts are taught at retreats, prayer workshops, and educational conferences. [Note 1 gives addresses of on-line summaries of the book.]
The theology of Jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin opened the door for New Age concepts to come into the Catholic Church. ("Unicorn," pages 78-95) These led to "creation-centered spirituality" and Catholic feminism, which will be discussed later. (pages 118-134).
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk. He taught that every form of mystical experience is valid, no matter what its source. He praised Hinduism and Buddhism. Merton wanted to see the religions of the world become united. ( "Unicorn," pages 75-77)
Priests and nuns are teaching trusting Catholics to do Hindu meditation, to use visualization techniques, and to cultivate spirit guides. Randy England says that spirit guides are demons. ("Unicorn," pages 3 and 77) Therefore, a person who cultivates spirit guides is actually invoking demons and inviting them to control his or her life.
A Jesuit priest teaches priests, nuns and lay Catholics to do Eastern meditation, using spirit guides. Priests and nuns teach prayer techniques which are not prayer in the Christian sense at all. Rather, they result in altered states of consciousness, and susceptibility to demonic influence. A Franciscan priest teaches Catholics to "manipulate" reality with the assistance of "spirit beings" (i.e., demons). He is especially influential with nuns. Catholics are taught that their "spirituality" will be improved by New Age techniques such as yoga, practices from Eastern religions, and occult meditation. Some Catholic schools no longer teach the Ten Commandments and foundational Christian doctrines like the Resurrection. Instead, they promote a non-Christian, one-world government. ("Unicorn," pages 6-9 and 135-146)
Mitch Pacwa is a Jesuit priest who became involved in the New Age when he was in the seminary. He wrote "Catholics and the New Age". (If you search for the book at Amazon.com you can see nine pages on-line.)
According to Pacwa, some Catholic parishes give workshops on astrology, channeling, and the enneagram (a New Age system of personality analysis). Pacwa had extensive personal experience with the enneagram. He became proficient, and taught it to other priests. [Note 2]
During the period between 1970 and 1980 (when I was still a Catholic), I ran into three New Age things which were promoted by Catholic priests. First, a Catholic priest recommended self-hypnosis and gave me cassette tapes for doing it. Fortunately I never listened to the tapes. I have since learned that any form of hypnosis is spiritually dangerous.
Second, some Catholic friends enthusiastically recommended that I attend a Catholic workshop on "Centering Prayer" which was given by a priest. Fortunately, I was not able to attend the workshop. I bought the priest's book, but it seemed strange and I didn't read much of it. I've learned from Randy England's book that "Centering Prayer" is similar to Silva Meditation (also called Silva Mind Control). It involves altered states of consciousness and spirit guides. ("Unicorn," pages 143-146)
Third, I went on a Catholic retreat which was run by priests. Much to my surprise, the psychology of Carl Jung was taught throughout the retreat. In addition, the bookstore sold books which discussed spirituality in terms which didn't sound Christian. One of the books talked about finding "the goddess within". According to Randy England, Jung was an occultist who had spirit guides.
In each of these situations, I had a genuine desire to become closer to God. I went to Catholic priests, looking for training in how to pray, looking for things to strengthen my spiritual life. But instead of offering me life-giving Christian things, those Catholic priests offered me deadly New Age things.
In Matthew 7:9-10, Jesus said that if our children ask us for bread (nourishment), we don't give them a stone (something worthless). And if they ask us for fish (something nourishing), we don't give them a snake (something deadly). However, when I asked those Catholic priests for something nourishing, they offered me deadly things instead. According to Randy England, Donna Steichen, and Mitch Pacwa, my experience was not unusual. Similar things have happened to many Catholics.
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