Cardinal Rules

I've always believed that when God decides to be heard on our little issues, He'll do it in a decisive manner. No hints, no recommendations, and certainly no beating around the burning bush.

Philippine Star May 1, 2008

PDI, May 2, 2008

So there you have it.

Considering that a part of Frank Padilla's original accusations against the IC had to do with "disobediences" to the Bishops' recommendations, I wonder how he'll react to this, a direct order. I'm sure he wouldn't want to look like he's doing exactly what he's accused the IC of, in this case against an even higher authority.

It seems however, that Frank had heard of this ad before it was even released. He's already blasted an email to everyone in the FFL yesterday.

Excerpts:

Last year, the Lord brought us to Lamentations, to teach us a stern lesson, that we would lose it all if we are unfaithful to our covenant, just as what happened to His people Israel. I took command responsibility for our collective guilt, and made a spiritual offering of resignation from the Intl Council. That should have brought us back to Gods grace, if we all repented and turned back from unfaithfulness to our covenant and veering away from our calling. But that did not happen, as there was disrespect and disobedience to our bishops, and there was maligning and attacks against those who wanted to restore CFC to its authentic charism.

We all allowed the enemy (the devil, our common enemy) to enter our gates, with the result that CFC plunged into deep crisis and then split.

More:

Since many bishops have recognized CFC-FFL, and since the Holy See, through the Pontifical Council for the Laity, has recognized the errors committed by CFC, so now it is the hierarchical Church herself that is under attack. This is where we see that indeed we are into more intense spiritual warfare. The devil rages against the Church and her authentic work. The conflict is not just about us in CFC, but about the whole Church.

But the intro in particular kinda jumped out at me:

Events have moved quickly since an article entitled Vatican admonishes CFC over GK appeared on ABS-CBN online news last April 16 (note: we had nothing to do with that article, and the writer is unknown to me/us). Then the letter of Cardinal Rylko of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (Vatican) to Joe Tale dated March 11 surfaced on the Net (note: this did not come from us as we had no copy, but came from them as they tried to downplay the ABS-CBN news item).

I'd have to call LIE on this statement. The letters were being distributed in the FFL community three days before the first ABS-CBN article, probably longer. I find it hard to believe that Lachie wouldn't tell Frank that he's received a copy of the letters in his email a full three days before the ABS-CBN article came out.

Well, I guess I should have expected his view on this. I do wonder who he refers to as the devil and the enemy.

What is most striking to me though, is why Frank appears to be changing tactics. I had an entry that was posted a few days back that I took down. I felt it said too much about Frank's character and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Now it seems he's sending out mixed signals. First telling his leaders to write the Vatican, and now calling all the FFL members to prayer.

I remember my father telling me a long time ago, that when someone is losing an argument, he will try to involve as many people as he can to make his side appear stronger. Frank is saying that the Church is under attack, but the Vatican has given an order. Who will be attacking the Church when he tries to disobey that order?


Mga kapatid, I'd like to remind you all to please refrain from disrespecting each other and especially our brothers and sisters in the FFL. Remember that above defending CFC, we are defenders of Christ, His teachings, and His ways. Thank you.