[Greek] φιμόω (phimoō), [Latin] mutescere, [Latin] tacere, [Latin] alligare, [Latin] imponere silentium, [French] amuir, [French] etablir, [French] brider, [French] edifier, [German] verbinden: to keep under control, to muzzle, to say nothing; Mt.22:12,34, Mk.1:25, Mk.4:39, Lk.4:35, 1Cor.9:9, 1Tim.5:18, 1Pet.2:15
Where are the the cardinals, bishops, and priests in support for Bishop Strickland? Are they afraid of speaking out for fear of reprisals and punishment from superiors? Or does their silence give consent (tacit support) for Pope Francis’ actions?
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to muzzle, to close, to seal up, to put to silence, to be mute, and to be silent.
Euripides’ Hippolytus 336: “I’m silent now. The word henceforth is yours.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus 9680: “For I will not be silent, when you have gone so far in impious speech.”
Euripides’ The Suppliants 298: “No. I will not hold my peace to blame myself afterwards for having kept silence to my shame.”
Aeschines’ On the Embassy 2.86: “How could the thing have been hushed up?”
Euripides’ Hippolytus 312: “I beg you by the gods to say nothing of this man again.”
Old Testament: This term means to muzzle and to stop up.
New Testament: This term means to muzzle, to silence, and speechless.
Mt.22:12: How is that you came in here without a wedding garment? But he was reduced to silence.
Mt.22:34: Jesus had silenced the Sadducees.
Mk.1:25: Jesus rebuked the demoniac and said, ‘Quiet! Come out of him!
Mk.4:39: Jesus woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ The wind ceased and there was great calm.
1Tim5:18: You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing: (pertaining to those who labor for the welfare of the Church)
Rules for presbyters (bishops): 1Tim.5:18-21
- Presbyters possess the responsibility of preaching and teaching.
- Presbyters are to be supported by the community.
- Their position is to be only subject to valid criticism.
- Do not accept and accusation unless it is supported by 2 or 3 witnesses.
- Reprimand those who do sin, so that the rest will be afraid.
- Keep these rules without prejudice and favoritism.
Christian slaves and Christian servants: 1Pet.2:15-21
- Slaves and servants are to show respect to their superiors.
- It is God’s will that by doing good one may silence the ignorance of foolish people.
- Ignorance and foolish can refer to intolerance, hatred, ignorance of Christian principles, political opposition, religious opposition, moral depravity, and fear.
- True Christian freedom comes from being servants of God and having reverence for God.
- Whenever anyone who patiently bears unjust suffering because of God’s will, that is a grace.
- For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving and example that you should follow.
Quotes:
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.” Archbishop Sheen
“The Church is dying because her pastors are afraid to speak in all truth and clarity. We are afraid of the media, afraid of public opinion, afraid of our own brethren. The good shepherd gives life for his sheep.” Cardinal Robert Sarah
“The Church is suffering; She is trampled on, and her enemies are within. Let us not abandon her.” Cardinal Robert Sarah
“The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church is the timidity or rather the cowardice of the faithful.” Pope Pius X
Etymology: The Latin verb muscere means to become silent. The Latin inponere silentium means to put upon silence. The Latin alligare means to bind and to detain. The Latin verb tacere means to be silent. Taciturn means non-talkative. Tacit means understood or implied without being stated. Alligation is the process of binding or tying. An alligator is a creature that ties or binds.
Conclusion:
Mute, impose silence, silent, allegation, tacit, mete, establish, edify, edification, attach, chain, bind, bridle
Mt.22:12: The man, with no wedding garment, had nothing to say for himself. This Christian who lacks the wedding garment of good deeds will suffer the same fate as those Jews who have rejected Jesus.
Mt.22:34: The Sadducees were attempting to trick Jesus about the state of marriage in heaven. Instead, Jesus reduced them to silence in stating that none marry nor or given to marriage in heaven.
Mk.1:25: Even the demons recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God.
Mk.4:39: Jesus rebukes the wind and subdues the turbulence of the sea by a mere word.
1Pet.2:15: One of the best way to respond to enemies is to just live a life of integrity.
1Pet.2:18: This scripture (at this time in history) was also written to provide encouragement to existing slaves.
Update: Unfortunately, there have been very few cardinals, bishops, and priests coming out in support of Bishop Strickland.
The laity has certainly not been silent in voicing their support for Bishop Strickland.
Bishop Strickland provides for us an example of one who suffers unjustly because of circumstances (God’s will). Yet you can clearly see the joy in his face in doing this for the Lord!
It is very important to remind everyone that Bishop Strickland was the only bishop to protest the Los Angeles Dodgers’ honoring the scandalous ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’. Why were many US cardinals, bishops, and the Vatican silent? Did they fear reprisals from Pope Francis’ outreach efforts to the LGBTQ lobby?
The Vatican had no other excuse to offer other than saying that Bishop Strickland was removed because he was not a “team player” in promoting Pope Francis’ Modernist agenda in the Church. (What a great badge of honor to have in upholding Catholic teachings!)
Next bishop to be cancelled: Monsignor Dominique Rey, bishop of Frejus-Toulon in Francis. Msgr. Rey was suspended in his ability in ordain priests by the Vatican because he welcomed traditionalist communities!
Even the Vatican ‘pope-splainers’ are unable to be on the “same page” in explaining Bishop Strickland’s removal. They are also attempting to mislead, to obfuscate, and to spin it that even Bishop Strickland was at fault. The faithful can clearly see through their schemes.
Many cardinals, bishops, and priests are perhaps very hesitant in voicing their support for Bishop Strickland. Many of us can probably imagine that Pope Francis and his inner circle are telling them: “Keep quiet!”
It has been reported that Bishop Strickland was warned about keeping quiet about the Deposit of Faith. Cardinal Pierre stated that “there is no deposit of faith”!
Like the disciples, we in the Church are clearly in stormy waters when Pope Francis and inner circle are seeking to transform Jesus’ Church into a worldly synodal Church (in the image of man). Yet the laity (and some clergy) are not keeping quiet in pointing out the harms and evils against the Church.
It is important to be reminded that Archbishop Fulton Sheen call us (the laity) to call out bishops and priests to act like bishops and priests! Most importantly, this includes: to speak out! Yet, we hear much silence from the cardinals, bishops, and priests
Bishop Strickland reminds each of us that we are called to be faithful to traditional Church teachings. Bishop Strickland is not going to let himself be muzzled despite facing opposition and persecution.
U.S. Catholic seminaries: catholic priests identifying as liberal or progressive have all but vanished from seminaries. I can imagine that this information is something the Vatican wants to keep quiet. It is very encouraging that THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ACTUALLY WORKING (QUIETLY BEHIND THE SCENES) IN BRINGING THE CHURCH BACK TO TRADITIONAL WAYS!
It is perhaps not surprising or even predictable that those who uphold Church teachings are often accused of being “right-wing” in this post-Christian secular world. Modernists and secular critics often attach these political labels to the Church. In other words, traditional equals right-wing.
We all must pray for that hopefully more clergy will have the freedom and courage to speak out in their support for Bishop Strickland.
Let me end with this important question in which you can reflect in silence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eebBRsm7Pxc