[Greek] πορνεία (porneia), [Latin] fornicatio, [Latin] prostitutio: unchastity, dishonoring, profaning, immorality, whoredom, idolatry; 26 scriptures
St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) already saw the problems with sexual immorality, homosexual predatory behavior, laxity, moral relativity, and silence within the clergy. (Sound familiar?) St. Peter Damian is essentially asking, “IS IT TOO MUCH TO HOPE FOR TO HAVE GOOD PRIESTS?”
Background information:
New Testament: This term means unlawful marriage, unchastity, homosexuality, and immorality. Immorality can include fornication, evil, harlotry, and licentiousness.
Unlawful marriage: Mt.5:32, Mt.19:9, Acts 21:25
- Involves serious sexual sin, incest, adultery, and annulment grounds.
- Marriages involving Mosaic law violations and sanctions.
- Jesus’ admonitions apply only to valid marriages.
- Paul asks Gentiles to abstain from unlawful marriages.
Immorality: Mt.15:19, Cor.5:1, 1Cor.6:13,18, 1Cor.7:2, 2Cor.12:21, Col.3:5, 1Thess.4:3
- Evil thoughts and deeds, coming inside from the heart, defile the person.
- There is a need for separation from the unholy.
- Sexual satisfaction becomes as commonplace as food.
- The immoral person sins against his own body.
- One must have an understanding of one’s own limitations.
- You [Corinth] have not repented of your impurity, immorality, and licentiousness.
- Put away parts of you that are earthly (worldly).
- God wills that you refrain from immorality.
Born of fornication: Jn.8:41
- If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.
- You are trying to kill me [Jesus] who has told you the truth.
- You are doing the works of your father [the devil].
- Your father is the father of lies.
- You do not belong to God (priests and laity prostituting themselves to other idols).
Prostitution in Corinth:
- Corinth was considered the “Amsterdam of the ancient world”.
- Aphrodite was the patron goddess of Corinth.
- Women slaves, prostitutes, and courtesans were sold into prostitution.
- [Paul]: any woman unveiled brings shame upon her.
- Adulterous women’s hair was cut short (so others may see their shame).
- Prostitutes and lesbians were thought to have to short hair.
Church in Pergamum: (Jesus hated the works of the Nicolaitans [Rev.2:6])
- The Nicolaitans practiced a mixture of Christianity, paganism, and the occult (which becomes a mockery of their faith).
- The Nicolaitans had a shallow “dumbed down” faith.
- The Nicolaitans practiced eating of meat sacrificed to idols.
- The Nicolaitans practiced free sexual intercourse.
- The Nicolaitans followed the doctrine of the cult of Balaam (abortion).
- The Nicolaitans valued tolerance and compromise.
The Harlot of Rome (Babylon):
- The greatest seducer of nations and their kings.
- The kings of the earth have syncretic “intercourse” with this harlot. (exchanging worldly values and sin with the Church).
- This harlot is the center of paganism and apostasy from God.
- This harlot mixed idolatry, lusts, religion, worldly ways, and philosophies
- Babylon is filled with fornication and pleasures.
- Babylon is contrasted with the pure community of God.
Scripture:
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon, the great that made all nations drink the wine of her licentious passion (fornication).” Rev.14:8
This harlot seduces and intoxicates the nations (and leaders) with idolatry, paganism, superstition, worldly ways (human traditions), fornication, and lusts.
“The kings of the earth have intercourse with her, and the inhabitants of the earth became drunk on the wine of her harlotry.” Rev.17:2
The kings of the earth commit spiritual adultery with this harlot. The great harlot seduces them with unfaithfulness, idolatry, passions, and corruption.
Homosexuality (fornication) in the Church:
Who was St. Peter Damian (1007-1072)? He was an Italian cardinal and Doctor of the Church. He had shed a spotlight on the sexual immorality, laxity, clerical homosexuality, and moral relativity among the clergy.
What does St. Peter Damian say about homosexuality in the clergy?
- Homosexuality is incompatible with the dignity of the priest.
- There is a correlation between liturgical abuse and an indifference to the moral demands of the gospel.
- Fundamental disorientation regarding the natural complementarity of the sexes.
- Devastating psychological and spiritual effects of homosexuality.
- This can lead to a continuum of sins that depart from the nature of the sexual act.
- The tendency to recruit others into their lifestyle.
Quotes by St. Peter Damian:
“Sodomy raging like a cruel beast within the sheepfold of Christ” (Peter Damian observed homosexuality rapidly spreading within the clergy.)
“Why do you seek after the height of ecclesiastical dignity with burning passion?” (Peter Damian observed self-seeking promotion of this deviant lifestyle within the clergy.)
“Undoubtedly, those who turn a blind eye to the sins of their subjects that they are obliged to correct.” (Peter Damian observed the secrecy, silence, and lax disclosure of homosexuality within the clergy.)
“If such a priest is barely permitted to enter the church pray, how is it that he can approach the altar to intercede for others” (Peter Damian states homosexuality is deeply related to the dignity of the priest.) Questionable behavior==> questionable priesthood
“What do you seek in a man, that you are unable to find yourself, you seek in vain in another body?” (Peter Damian sees that the priest has a disorientation about the natural complimentarity of the sexes.)
Conclusion:
Prostitution, prostitute, fornication, fornicate, porn, pornographic
It is important to note that the New Testament makes references to unchastity, unfaithfulness, and unlawful marriage.
In the New Testament, it can be inferred that an unlawful marriage is in contrast to God’s laws for marriage and procreation (man and woman).
Jesus overrules the Old Testament’s allowances for divorce. Jesus reaffirms God’s original designs for marriage (man and woman become one flesh).
The New Testament reaffirms that immorality comes from within (the heart).
It is significant to note that fornication, immorality, disobedience, pride, and the devil are all tied together. Really not surprising, since the devil also seeks to undermine, upend, and destroy God’s laws and creation. “We are not illegitimate (born of fornication)” Jn.8:41
The Nicolaitans had overcome the culture the Christian culture by its introduction of paganism, occult, and “tolerance”. Jesus HATED their lukewarm mockery of the Christian faith.
How did Pope Leo IX respond to homosexuality in the priesthood? He approved a canon decreeing excommunication for those guilty of sodomy.
Update: It seems like the Nicolaitans and Modernists have much in common: allowing watered-down faith and teachings, tolerance, compromise, and human traditions, and adapting to the world.
The German bishops continue to doctrinally go off the rails into heresy and schism. Homosexuality is a big component of this. The German bishops now affirm that homosexuality is normal!! Yet, Pope Francis and his inner circle continue to follow after them in “piece-meal” fashion.
Pope Francis and inner circle, in their outreach to the LGBTQ community are seeking to destigmatize and normalize homosexuality. These Church leaders are “prostituting themselves in spiritual harlotry” in order to gain acceptance from the LGBTQ community.
The Vatican, and Pope Francis and his inner circle are also engaging in “syncretic intercourse” with the world in incorporating (and mixing) worldly philosophies, practices, paganism, and cultures into the Mass and faith practices. Examples: Panchamama fertility idols and Mexican indigenous liturgical ‘adaptations’, etc.)
More syncretic intercourse: Pope Francis and his inner circle have changed their view toward sin (Jn.8:11) with a new spirit of the age. They now stress false compassion, “mercy above all else”, tolerance, and “inclusion” rather than acknowledgement of sin, true compassion, repentance, and conversion.
In spite of existing vetting and psychological screening of seminary candidates, Pope Francis encourages these such people (who have homosexual inclinations) to pursue their priestly vocation. It seems that Pope Francis is tacitly approving of this. We also must not forget the Pope Francis continues to support Fr. James Martin’s efforts. Very disturbing!
Yet, Pope Francis has just said that there is “air of faggotry in the Vatican”. Pope Francis is often continually “two-sided” on a given issue. Pope Francis is a true Peronist! Pope Francis can both praise and criticize at the same time!
Unfortunately, there seems to be a current trend of self-absorbed clergy “coming out” with their homosexuality. A noble priest, if so inclined, would secretly carry this cross for the sake of the kingdom. So much for expecting higher standards!
The Church has reached a pivotal “millstone movement” as a result of Fiducia Supplicans’ caving in to the homosexual movement. This has now created an inflection point in the Church: Do we want a Church that blesses sin and evil?
Jesuit priest Rupnik, credibly accused of sexually abusing nuns, remains in ministry. Why is he being protected by the Vatican??
And yet, the German bishops say that homosexuality is not a problem! Then what caused the Church’s sexual abuse scandal?? After all this time, St. Peter Damian was right all along! The question again is, “IS IT TOO MUCH TO HOPE FOR TO HAVE GOOD PRIESTS?”
“Someone who lived practicing the vice of sodomy will suffer more pains in hell than anyone else, because this is the worst sin that there is.” St. Bernadine of Siena