Rome Watch Summer 2007

ULSTER PROTESTANTS BETRAYED:D.U.P. SHARE POWER WITH THE ROMANISTS AND REPUBLICANS OF SINN FEIN

The whole St. Andrews Agreement has left true Ulster Protestants shocked, hurt and devastated. A faithful few councillors in Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Craigavon and Lisburn have had the courage to take a stand and resign from the Party. Sadly the majority have not. Many are gripped by a fear of challenging Dr. Paisley who his Revivalist magazine says is God’s anointed. He may well have once deserved that title – but Bible readers well recall that King Saul was once God’s anointed and we know how he ended up

You might also recall that in spite of claims to have defeated Sinn Fein their ministers who are also MP’s – still will not take their seats in the UK Parliament or swear the Oath of Allegiance to Britain and the Queen.

Having grown up in Northern Ireland and witnessed the handiwork of the IRA within my own family, it is thus grieving now to be told that there is nothing else to be done but reward these murderers with high office in government.

I thank God, however, that His Word shows us the path to a good government and it is not powersharing with murderers.

Can someone within the DUP explain to me how this new arrangement will be able to follow the Lord's example? In Psalms 9:12 we read:

Right-thinking people cannot imagine surely that Sinn Fein are going to hold an inquisition upon themselves!

Sadly, what we have today at the heart of these new arrangements is the concealing of the cry of innocent blood. This is not good government. It is a sham.

Also all who hail this present move as the gateway to a better future need to consider what we read in Proverbs 16:12:

Please note it is righteousness, not the appeasing of murderers that brings stable government; May it please God to open the ears of Ulster again to the alternative that the Bible has given. I speak as a Free Presbyterian opposed to power-sharing

On the BBC Nolan Live show, Ian Paisley said he wanted to step out of “the class of the coward into the class of the man who is prepared to sell himself and his reputation for the sake of this country”.

“We were told if we didn’t do this then it was going to be curtains for our country. How would I have faced my people if I had allowed this country to have the Union destroyed and the setting up of a joint government by the south of Ireland?”

The Ian Paisley of old, had such a threat been made to him, would have talked of organising resistance. He would have called their bluff. He would not have collapsed under pressure: isn’t that what he accused O’Neill, Chichester-Clarke, Faulkner, West, Molyneaux and Trimble of all allegedly doing?

In any event, the “threat” is implausible to say the least. The last thing Gordon Brown would want in the run-up to a close general election is any policy that would leave his government open to serious questions of judgment.

In addition, it is quite possible that there could soon be a hung parliament with a minority Tory government that wouldn’t want to alienate unionists.

But even an unlikely threat seems to have been enough to spook the DUP into doing a deal for which Ian Paisley, on this evidence, is unable to give any intrinsic merits.

It is all a far cry from the Ian Paisley of old, at the Independent Orange demonstration last Twelfth, when he thundered:

"No unionist who is a unionist will go into partnership with IRA/Sinn Fein. They are not fit to be in partnership with decent people. They are not fit to be in the government of Northern Ireland and it will be over our dead bodies if they ever get there.”

Mayor of Armagh City and District Council William Irwin hosted a recent reception in the Marketplace Theatre for
the US Pipe and Drum Band The Ancient Order of Hibernians from Manchester, New Hampshire. The band were
on a tour of Ireland. Mr Irwin was recently elected as D.U.P. Assembly member for Newry and Mourne.

WHAT REMAINS OF BALLYMENA D.U.P. FORM POWER-SHARING PACT WITH PREDOMINATELY RC S.D.L.P. TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE COUNCIL

DUP councillors in Ballymena are set to strike a historic pact with the SDLP in an attempt to head off a challenge from six
renegade former party members.

The make-up of the council has been transformed by the decision of six DUP councillors to resign from the party in the wake of Ian Paisley’s power-sharing agreement with Sinn Fein at Stormont. Traditionally a firm DUP stronghold, the party has now been forced to seek unlikely alliances to maintain control within council.

It is understood the DUP will offer the SDLP a deputy mayorship for a year and a committee chair position for three as part of a power-sharing deal with nationalists. With four SDLP members joining the remaining nine DUP councillors, the party will have a majority to push through the proposals in the 24-strong chamber at the meeting.

DUP deputy mayor Maurice Mills would not confirm whether a deal had been finalised but when asked whether a pact with the SDLP was an option his response did suggest a power-sharing deal was on the table. “That is one of a number of options still being considered,” he said. “Nothing has yet been solidified.”

SDLP councillor Declan O’Loan said he was confident some sort of power-sharing deal will be struck “I would like to think that before Monday's meeting a consensus will have been reached by the majority of councillors,” he said.

It is also feasible that the five Ulster unionist councillors could also benefit from a power-sharing pact. UUP member Robin Cherry said mathematics dictated that the DUP had to reach some accommodation with fellow councillors; “That looks like the way things are going,” he said. “Power sharing has to be considered.”

It is believed the council’s sole Sinn Fein representative Monica Digney has not been involved in coalition negotiations. The resignations have caused a bitter rift between the DUP and its six former members, who have formed a new grouping under the title Ulster Unionist Coalition. It had been suggested that the UUC might also seek allies in an attempt to exclude the DUP from office, but Davy Tweed, one of the coalition’s gang of six, rejected the idea of a rival pact.

“We would consider ourselves the only anti-(Good Friday) Agreement grouping within council,” he explained. “So we wouldn’t be entering into an agreement with pro-agreement members.” Mr Tweed said he hoped UUC members would not be excluded from offices in the coming term.

However, he indicated that, whatever the outcome of the meeting, his former DUP party colleagues should not expect an
easy ride from now on. “Since I resigned I have been very encouraged by the response I’ve received from many people who feel let down by the many broken promises of the DUP,” he said.

“I think a lot of DUP members would like to see the back of us in council, but we are not going to do that. We will not be lying down to DUP bullying within the council.”

FOR THOSE READERS WITH INTERNET ACCESS WE RECOMMEND: http://www.concernedfreepresbyterians.com

The Education Minister has entered the evolution versus creation debate by saying she has no plans to introduce an outlawed theory into science classes.

Some campaigners want equal time and legitimacy afforded to other interpretations of the age of the Earth and origins of life, including controversial ideas of "intelligent design".

But Caitriona Ruane dismissed the calls in an answer to an assembly question by Mervyn Storey of the DUP.

"Intelligent design" argues that certain features of the universe and living things can only be explained by an "intelligent cause" - the existence of God.

Proponents say it is a scientific theory that stands on at least an equal footing with those on the origin of life.

However, an overwhelming majority of the scientific community regard it as “junk science”.

It is banned in the US, after federal courts ruled as unconstitutional a public school district’s endorsement of it as an
alternative to evolution.

Mr Storey, an assembly education committee member, asked the minister if she would bring forward proposals “to ensure
that scientific explanations for origins, other than Darwinian evolution, are taught in schools as scientific explanations”.

In a written response, Ms Ruane said she had “no plans to bring forward such proposals”.

"The revised curriculum provides greater flexibility for schools to include teaching of alternative theories to evolution and in science there will be greater scope for pupils to explore other views about how the world came into existence,” she said.

"Intelligent design" was added to a GCSE biology syllabus produced by the OCR exam board last year.

The English-based board said the new syllabus intended to make pupils aware of scientific controversy.

The Sinn Feiner, Caitriona Ruane gained fame and noteriety when she spearheaded a campaign on behalf of the so-called "Columbia Three” IRA suspects arrested in South America. This shows the absolute futility of “Bible Believing Protestants” joining in government with their ancient foe.

Paisley Junior accompanied by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern views I.R.A. leader Michael Collins' bloodstained coat

Speakers at a south Armagh Easter commemoration service praised political leaders for the recent breakthroughs and pledged never to forget those who died in the republican struggle.

A commemoration service in Crossmaglen on the 91st anniversary of the Easter Rising attracted a large crowd but those in attendance felt numbers had dropped significantly from previous years.

The service, led by councillor for the area, Terry Hearty, paid tribute to south Armagh “volunteers who died during the armed struggle for a united Ireland”.

Representatives from victims’ families laid wreaths on the republican plot at St Patrick's Church before speaker Francie Malloy addressed the crowd.

Mr Malloy commended republicans in the area for their “strength throughout the dark times” and praised the visionary leadership of Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley.

"The large turn-out today shows the respect the people of south Armagh have for those who gave their lives in the armed struggle,” he said.

"The visionary leadership of today's politicians reflects the leadership of the 1916 martyrs.”

Mr Malloy’s comments were echoed by Mr Hearty who welcomed progress towards a reinstated Northern Ireland Assembly
and on behalf of the people of Crossmaglen wished for continued success in peace in the North.

Changed times indeed when Dr Paisley is praised for his “Leadership” at a Republican Easter Rising Rally

Dr.Paisley and Martin McGuinnesspose with Alex Salmond, the Scottish Nationalist Leader -

A Passionist priest who ministered in Belfast was made into a saint by the Pope recently. Blessed Charles of Mount Argus lived at the Holy Cross retreat in Ardoyne, north Belfast, for a short time.

The Dutch-born priest, who spent most of his priestly life in Ireland before his death in 1893, is regarded as having the gift of healing. Worshippers at Holy Cross still pray before a picture of Blessed Cross and bless themselves with a relic.

Holy Cross Rector Fr Aidan Troy said Blessed Charles was important to contemporary Ireland for two reasons. "His claim to greatness was in the area of healing,” Fr Troy said. “That is one of our greatest needs in Ireland today, across the divide.”

Your Bible says all true believers are Saints and forbids all praying to idols, icons or images of the dead.

WINDING up the debate in the Dail yesterday on the Anglo-Irish Agreement, Mr de Valera said:

"Partition has been isolated but until I die partition will be the first thing in my mind.”

"Partition was discussed first and last in the talks," he continued, "and to the extent that nothing was provided for it in the agreement, it was a poor document".

Speaking of the advantages which the ports in the hands of a friendly Ireland would give to Britain in the event of war, the taoiseach added: “They can have all that advantage with the whole of my heart if we had the whole of our country.”

There was a heated scene earlier during the resumed discussion on the motion to approve the agreement when Mr Martin Corry (Fianna Fail, East Cork) suggested that poison gas should be let loose over the Ulster border. This led to a lively scene with one of the Fine Gael deputies. Mr Corry had told the Dail:

“We may differ as to the methods of securing the independence of the 32 counties. I would be in favour of storing up sufficient poison gas, and when you get the wind in the right way, it can be let loose at the border.”

THE Pope launched his Easter servicesrecently by reminding priests "how much filth exists in our own lives".

Benedict XVI’s harsh words were seen as a clear reference to the child-sex scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years, but also to the struggle faced by some priests to live up to the strictures of the Bible.

Speaking at the start of a hectic four days leading up to Easter, his words were taken to cover failings such as alcoholism
and broken vows of celibacy.

"When we approach the liturgy to act in the person of Christ, we realise how far we are from Him and how much filth exists in our own lives," he said at a Mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. He said only Christ could offer clergymen the gift of total purity. "A person without love is darkness inside," he added.

Since becoming Pope, Benedict has reached out to dissidents, other faiths and countries long hostile to the Catholic Church, but commentators say he has now started drawing the line. With his 80th birthday and the second anniversary of his election approaching, he has rebuffed calls to let divorced Catholics who remarry participate fully in the Church. He has told Catholic politicians who must decide on such issues as abortion and euthanasia that Catholic values are ‘not negotiable’. And he has closed the door on any relaxation of the celibacy requirement for priests.

Small town political bosses were to meet on April 23 with representatives of 65 Christians they have threatened to expel in a show down that could influence religious rights throughout the region.

The rulers of Los Pozos near San Cristobal De Las Casas, in Chiapas state, Mexico, decided to drive 13 Christian families from their homes last December for refusing to help pay for alcohol drenched “traditionalist Catholic” festivals. State and federal officials intervened, and on February 28 the town bosses verbally agreed to a pact pledging they wouldn’t expel the evangelicals, whose water lines and electricity they have cut since January. But Christian leaders told Compass that the ruler have signalled that either they will not sign the ‘accord’ or will exact fines before signing, or will sign it with plans to
renege on it.

Leaders of both the evangelicals and the traditionalist Catholics, who practice a blend of Roman Catholicism and Tzotzil
Maya customs, view the showdown as their Waterloo.

More than five weeks after town bosses in Chiapas state, Mexico, signed an agreement to restore water lines cut off from Christians since January, the Protestants still rely on dirty, distant wells and puddles for washing and drinking. The April 23 agreement (BCN 11 May) calls for the autocratic rulers or caciques of Los Pozos, near San Cristobal de las Casas, to withdraw a threat to expel 65 Christians, cease forcing them to pay for “traditionalist Catholic” festivals and restore electricity and water services of several Protestant families.

Evangelical pastor and attorney Esdras Alonso Gonzalez told Compass that water lines cut since January 30 had not been restored. “Everyone in the municipality is respecting the agreement, except in the matter of water – it’s horrible,” Alonso said. “We don't know when they're going to restore the water; the brethren have not been able to get good information.”

April 2007 Benedict has reached out to dissidents, other faiths and countries long hostile to the Catholic Church, but commentators say he has now started drawing the line. With his 80th birthday and the second anniversary of his election approaching, he has rebuffed calls to let divorced Catholics who remarry participate fully in the Church. He has told Catholic politicians who must decide on such issues as abortion and euthanasia that Catholic values are ‘not negotiable’. And he has closed the door on any relaxation of the celibacy requirement for priests.

France should no longer be considered a Catholic country, according to a survey published by Le Monde des Religions.

The survey showed a steep decline in the number of French people identifying themselves as Catholics: from 80% just 18 years ago to just over one-half -- 51% -- today. Over the same period the number of professed atheists rose from 23 to 31%.

Among the respondents who did identify themselves as Catholics, only 10% attend church services regularly, the poll showed. More remarkable, only half of the self identified Catholics say that they believe in God. Some respondents indicated that for them, Catholicism involves a social or cultural identity rather than a religious commitment.

Catholics form the largest religious group in the new US Congress, the Reuters news service has reported. After the new members of Congress were sworn in on January 4, Reuters provided an analysis of the lawmakers’ religious affiliations.

Roman Catholics form by far the largest group: nearly double the size of the second-largest religious contingent, the Baptists. In addition to various Protestant groups, the new Congress includes 15 Mormons, Adventists, 2 Buddhists, and the first Muslim ever to serve in the US House of Representatives.

The results of a survey by Americans for Religious Liberty showed that largest religious blocks in Congress were Catholics (with 155 members), Baptists (67), Methodists (61), Presbyterians (44), and Jews (43).

The picture below and account from the ‘Scottish Catholic Observer’ prove that Rome has not changed.

The icon was commissioned by the Apostleship of the Sea, an organisation offering welfare, hospitality, and spiritual support to those working extended periods at sea.

It is painted in a neo-Coptic style by renowned iconographer Stephane Rene has since been taken to the churches of Our Lady of Aberdeen in Kincorth and St Joseph in Woodside, Aberdeen. From there it will be taken to Thurso, Invergordon, Inverness, Buckle, Fraserborough, Peterhead, and Ellon before returning to three more churches in the Granite City.

"Around the hundreds of miles of Scottish coastline, small ports welcome ships big and small - workaday freighters, sophisticated survey ships, comfortable cruise-liners. On all of them, multinational crews spend weeks, perhaps months, away from home. The Apostleship of the Sea meets those seafarers and offers them the love of God and a link with the Church. Around the parishes of Scotland, the Stella Maris icon reminds us of that work of mercy.”

In contrast to the gross Roman Catholic Idolatory and Superstition, the Bible teaches us:-

"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.” - (1st Timothy 2:5-6)

True Christianity knows nothing of any Mediatrix or Queen of Heaven. The origin of such doctrine lies not in the Bible but in Babylon.

It is not the aim or intention of Rome Watch to incite hatred of Roman Catholics but rather, by use of International Press reports already carried in newspapers, to show the religious and political advances of the Papacy in the light of Bible Prophecy, which foretells an end-time World Religion, Government and Economy.