 |
| Patron of this blog: St Jude Thaddeus |
We stand on the verge of the redefinition of the institution of marriage by Her Majesty's Government. As Catholics, we know that the defeat of this proposal is extremely unlikely. We are praying for reason and sense to prevail and for the light of Faith to dawn once more in the hearts of our legislators.
I knew, in 2003, when this publication was written that I would one day be called upon to bear witness to the Catholic Faith in a particular way and at a particular time. The particular way is by means of the publication of the book entitled '33' that now appears at the top of this blog. The particular time is now.
This book, to me, is a frank exchange between my soul and my Creator and Redeemer, but to you it is simply something a man has written. It is entirely up to readers to make up their own mind what it is. I can make no objective claim upon it regarding authenticity. It has been seen by a few people with a mixed response over whether it is suitable for publication. I know, however, that the ultimate decision on publication falls upon me.
I am not under the illusion that this book can save marriage in the United Kingdom. The protection and rescuing of the institution of marriage is the responsibility that falls upon legislators and also the Monarch who will be asked to give Royal Assent to the bill if it is successful in the Houses of Parliament.
 |
| Pray for Her Majesty the Queen |
I understand and fully take responsibility for the fact that this book will not be universally greeted, nor universally welcomed. I am prepared to lose friendships over its publication, since I understand that not all can bear to read a man's interior struggles, sins and anxieties. I offer this humiliation and whatever sufferings I endure to the Lord and accept whatever He sends me for my salvation and the salvation of others.
I am, as readers know, no Apostle, but an epistle. I am Laurence England, of Brighton, East Sussex; a poor sinner, yet servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother; a humble servant of the Pope, Benedict XVI, who is Successor of St Peter; the Bishops, who are Successors to the Apostles and of the Clergy and consider myself to be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is not entirely impossible that the controversial nature of this publication, despite the fact that I make no claim over it other than what it means to me, personally, could bring me into some kind of official disrepute, since I presume not to forecast its reception. I endeavour to remain faithful, in spite of my sins, weaknesses and failings, to Our Lord Jesus Christ, since it is to Him that I must ultimately render an account of my life and, in particular, an account of whether I used the talents He has given me for His Eternal Glory.
I believe, too, that as long as we both shall live, I will have the understanding, love, loyalty and support of my fiancee from Acton, who will remain anonymous for obvious reasons, without whose love, companionship and support I am a ship-wreak to make St Paul wince. I pray for all who will read '33' and especially for those who fear the Church's teachings on human sexuality and marriage, that this small and humble offering may serve to alleviate their concerns, so that their entrance into the Ark of Truth and of Salvation may not be encumbered by fear.
I wondered for a deal of time whether this book would ever be published and especially whether it would be published after my death. I now understand, however, that the nature of the State in which all citizens of the United Kingdom live and that which, if trends continue, is to come calls for the publication of this rather odd book. With the redefinition of marriage around the corner and with all that this could entail, there is a very real danger that any book that examines the issue of homosexuality from a Catholic perspective could be branded offensive and dangerous. This is the logical outcome of the redefinition of marriage because of the new status that will be afforded to 'same-sex marriage', at the expense of true and natural marriage.
I submit this publication to readers and ask that if this publication contains any error or heresy whatsoever, to bring it to my attention. If there is a Bishop who would like to give this publication an Imprimatur, then I have just one question. Have you lost your mind, my Lord?
I await the response of readers with utter trepidation.
St Jude Thaddeus, pray for us.
Blessed Titus Brandsma, pray for us.
Blessed Titus Brandsma, pray for us.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
Defend the Holy Faith. Defend Marriage. Defend our Holy Mother the Church. Defend freedom. Fight the good fight, pray for our legislators, Queen Elizabeth II and for our dear country. Let us defend marriage and the Truth even unto the shedding of our blood for Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
30 comments:
I hope and pray that one day this book attains the place it truly deserves in our culture: propping up wonky tables, giving stoned students a royal laugh, and educating psychiatrists in the finer points of sexual psychopathy after you've gone postal and done a Brevik.
Sorry, just before I call the NHS; is this a joke? I sincerely hope for your sake it is (in which case, good one, but you probably should put less effort into your pranks in future!)
"The Bucket in the Well of Loneliness" might be a better title, dear. William Weber
Jason, it is online. It can't prop up anything.
J
It is not a joke, but if it makes you laugh...
Why are you calling the NHS?
I stopped taking antidepressants soon after it was finished.
Anyway, this document is 10 years old so I'm 'better' now.
Thanks for your concern.
Look, if it is serious, and if you are still serious, then there is no point in being mean, encouraging, critical, or positive (delete as the situation demands). If you are serious, there is no point in engaging with your ideas, because you will just come up with some ad hoc justification in which your place in the world is explained. As far as I can tell, writing pages and pages of an imagined dialogue with God (/Jesus, you're not even consistent with labeling your interlocutor) in which you say things like "ooh, I am horny Father", to which the Big Cheese replies "yes Lorry, you are a horny boy, but then everyone is a sinner remember".
I suspect you're not 'cured', as your prefatory text, published only yesterday, is more mental than anything in 33. Example:
"I wondered for a deal of time whether this book would ever be published [fat chance, it's too short, clumsily written, and deeply self-obsessed] and especially whether it would be published after my death [it won't. You're not Kafka I'm afraid]. I now understand, however, that the nature of the State in which all citizens of the United Kingdom live and that which, if trends continue, is to come calls for the publication of this rather odd book [Sorry, are you saying your self-indulgent gay-themed conversation with Our Lord and Saviour is politically dangerous? It's because the book is crap it won't get published, not because the State deems it too risky to allow!]."
"there is a very real danger that any book that examines the issue of homosexuality from a Catholic perspective could be branded offensive and dangerous." - the only group likely to be offended by a dialogue concerning sodomy, masturbation, gay lust, and self-obsession carried out between a man and God is Catholics themselves. Indeed, I suspect Stalin would have let this one slip past the sensors, containing as it does not a scrap of argument or evidence likely to persuade anyone and a lot of stuff likely to make Christians look like f****ing lunatics (thanks for that, by the way, we really needed someone to make us look unhinged)
Also, get away with ye if you think anyone's going to believe the outrageous lie that you decided to 'go public' due to fears over an encroaching police state. You decided to 'go public' because you want publicity, which is the sin you repent but cannot quit (hint, to stop this sin: stop self-publicising/airing all your dirty linens/endlessly imagining the world is out to stop you or prevent you from being famous. Take a writing class, relax, look at the world with loving eyes and write something worthwhile that exalts God, not a litany of filthy comments you imagined making to him)
I could go on and explain why you need prayer and honest self-improvement, not the meaningless consolation that 'everyone's a sinner' (which, of course, means you'll never try to change). But I won't. I won;t because you'll imagine I am an agent of the State, or a heretic, or the Devil. Anything so you can stay the course and confirm your selfish idiocy. I'm so upset that this is (repeatedly, it seems) what Catholicism comes to that I am, frankly, thinking of becoming a Quaker. At least they stay silent and try not to use religion for self-promotion. Ugh, you may have ruined religion for me (and God knows how many others) with this book.
You sound a little angry. Do you need a lay down?
By the way, I never said I was 'cured'.
OOOh isn't that Jason a bitch saying all those nasty things about dear old Bones and his nice new book? Rather common too, still with a name like Jason...........
"......confirm your selfish idiocy" says the furious Jason to Bones. Remember, cross little Jason, the words of our Blessed Lord "Whoever shall say 'Thou Fool' is in danger of hell fire". Bone's blog is extremely worth while and it's very unkind of you to be so horribly corrective and rude; silly, in fact. I think you owe the Bones an apology William Weber
Never mind the likes of Jason, Bones.
He may be right that 'airing all your dirty linens...is(repeatedly, it seems) what Catholicism comes to'. It's as old as St Augustine. That's pretty good company to be in.
I hope and pray we shall all be in his company one day. I should have done this on Oprah, really.
This frenetic personal attack is unacceptable. It is wholly uncalled for. If Mr England's behaviour affects your Faith, then your faith is not that of the Catholic Church. If you find nothing worthwhile on the blog or you find that Mr England's character disturbs you, then you ought not to read it.
I hope to read it at some point. Obviously, I won't read very much of it if I find it offensive or in conflict with the Faith and Morals. I think someone who is writing on the Faith and Morals in a public forum needs to have a good Spiritual Director, who would advise him on important matters. God bless.
Last comment before I break with this (blog/Church). The analogy with Augustine is false and you are all part of the problem with the sinking ship of faith that was once beautiful.
Augustine (who you are ripping off, not referencing) wrote (beautifully, a key distinction) as a pagan trying to reconcile his new faith with his intellectual world. Even then, he hardly saw fit to address God directly in such filthy terms. In his writings we learn of the majesty of God and the infinite shining through his doubt. In your writings we learn of a conversation concerning your lust with a suspiciously sympathetic God who repeatedly tells you not to worry and that everyone else is just as bad. This is hardly spiritually enlightening stuff. But perhaps more importantly, there is a difference in Augustine's age and our own: Mature Catholicism.
While Augustine writes in a pagan world that has to wonder about the nature of God, you write in a world with centuries of glorious Tradition in which moral issues like the one you struggle with have been worked out by Holy Mother Church and Her theologians. Thus, it is not for you to approach God directly with foul thoughts, but to refer to the Church so that you may be pure of heart when you approach Him. I understand this would not satisfy an author whose primary aim is not spiritual but to personal. A self-aggrandizing autobiography of, let's face it, a person who hasn't done enough to merit an autobiography, particularly one sold on the premise that 'I need to act quickly and publish this before Caesar's powers try to silence me' - which is not only insanely deluded about the worth of its contents but bordering on the heretical in its frequently implying that you are Christ - is actually everything that's wrong with the modern World and its culture of arrogant supremacy of the self, not a defence against it. As I say, the thing that used to be Catholicism would have spotted this and, while perhaps charity and forbearance should come in and restrain, would have prompted others to advise you to SHUT UP ABOUT YOURSELF and seek the solace of the divine. Instead, a group closes ranks like injured wildebeest and pretends heresy is spiritual succor. Hence, there is really no Church left, just people on the internet fighting for 15 religious minutes of fame. I will pray, but it feels meaningless in such a spiritually distant World as yours
Ignore the nastiness, Laurence. It's inevitable when someone makes himself vulnerable a few people will take the opportunity to stick the boot in. God bless you and your fiancee.
Laurence it's very important that you do not ignore what Jason said - because you need to confront these lies head-on, recognise them and exorcise them - and stop them potentially invading your psyche and compromising/jeopardising the reality of what you wrote. Being personal does NOT mean you were either narcissistic or self-indulgent. I know this is no vanity exercise because anyone who's met you will recognise the heart you wear on your sleeve, the overwhelming sincerity and even your awkward way of addressing the very crux of an issue with a nonchalant incisive epithet. You prove that it isn't enough to love - but one has to let others know they are loved - your inexhaustive work with the disenfranchised vindicates that you live the corporal works of mercy - your friends and any blog-reader will realise you make every attempt to exemplify the spiritual works of mercy. You are a good 'un - don't forget it - if you've sinned you've repented and made every attempt at restitution with a firm desire of amendment - DON'T BELIEVE the lie that you are wallowing...so take everything Jason says on board and systematically force it to work the plank for the insidious mendacity it is....
"The thing that used to be Catholicism" says cross little Jason. Now THAT is heresy. I think we've all had quite enough of Jason's crashingly bitter vulgarity. Go, if you like, little Jason, and become a Quaker; they'll soon politely distance themselves from you, and you'll end up flouncing out of that organisation too. No-one admires such cruel, damaging and unattractive comments.
People reading all this: please be assured the Jasons of this world are not representative of the Catholic faith (which, by the way, little Jason, is the same today as it was when Our Lord founded it nearly 2000 years ago). I repeat that you owe Laurence England a whackingly big apology. And more importantly you owe God an apology too for being so vile: off to Confession you go.
Ch 11-12:
L: Not really, Lord. My tummy hurts still.
G: I wish you’d just relieve yourself, you poor thing.
LOL My name is Mockery of the Sacraments. I usually post on the "Catholic & Loving it" blog but I read some of this '33' & felt the need to comment. To be clear to your readers, I deny Christ. I am an acolyte of the Culture of Death.
I think Laurence England, that you may wish to consult your Priest about whether or not you ought to be putting this sort of material out into the world.
You are making yourself an easy target here. I hope that you're not seen to be "letting the side down" by your fellow Catholics.
Yes Jason was mean but I do think all the self- revelation and openness is more a secular virtue than a Christian one. I'm really not sure publishing this was prudent. Sorry (and I'm sure you are a gud ''un as OTSOA said.)
I agree with you that this is heretical.
But as I said, I make no objective claim on the veracity of this book.
It seems like a very unlikely thing for Our Lord to say.
Thank you for your comment.
It's the light frothy scum of Big Brother self-indulgence filtered through a theological pair of tights, it should not be presented as Catholic self-analysis.
I haven't presented it as anything. It is entirely up to a reader as to what it is.
Tonia, agreed it is not prudent, but Heaven only knows whether one or two souls may see in it something that draws their interest more to the Church.
Laurence please...don't you start!
If there is one despicable modern phenomena it's contemporary Catholic commentators' abuse of the virtue of Prudence - replacing it with 'it's a matter for [conscientious] prudential judgment' which is a euphemism for 'I can think and say what I want [and vice-versa] as the Church hasn't officially commented of this specific issue' [even though it invariably has in multiple ways over the centuries - and expects Catholics to advocate, support, promote and defend it]
Prudence requires a grounding in Faith,Hope and Charity but is nurtured by knowledge, understanding and wisdom - but it is NOT cowardly faux-appeals to discretionary silence/reticence/withdrawal...
There are three more moral virtues and a virtually ignored gift of the Holy Spirit - does Justice demand you speak? Is Temperance complemented by your words? But what's more important is Fortitude...are you doing the right thing in the right way irrespective of the potential cost to you - because it is the right thing?
Prudence aids an informed conscience and far from pulling the reins on an action - it's prudence which advises a martyr become a martyr - that the silenced speak out - that those in jeopardy ask 'what price my soul' and respond in Truth - the Person of Christ...
So when someone says 'it might not have been prudent' make damned bloody well sure that you are not being dismissed/warned for making a potentially self-harmful decision and they only say it out of concern for your safety/security.
Prudence [in all deference to Tonia whom I truly believe has your best interests in mind] has bugger all to do with being safe...
I think this is for you Laurence (courtesy of Mark Shea's blog):
http://www.angelicwarfareconfraternity.org/
That's a very interesting website.
I finished reading the book. It will be a blessing to all the gay men out there who have lost their hearts to a woman!
Well Lawrence, what can I say except I always knew you were a mega-tosser and now your ''book'' confirms it. I laughed so hard, I wet myself!
Somebody seems to be enjoying themselves at your expense Laurence, to the extent of impersonation [the surname is actually savrimootoo [with four 'o's]] and I'm sure a real person could spell their name correctly. Pray for those who persecute you. I notice the BBC's being as impartial as ever re the SSM issue - Women's Hour has 'Tales from the City" as its book of the week - and today's episode has the Mouse speech on the wonder of future same sex marriage.
I don't see why everyone is bein so nasty. It's a pussonal statement, and it was quite brave to pubblish it. Not my sort of fing, but it means a lot to de authour.
Post a Comment