Pope is Defiant in His Coronation of Mary and Plans to Betray Chinese Bishops; Cardinal wants to bless homosexual unions

The ‘Mary’ in the Basilica of Mary Major That Pope Francis Prays Before (Photo by Joyce Thiel, June 2013)

Former Roman Catholic, and now Protestant, Mike Gendron has the following in his latest newsletter:

Pope is Defiant in His Coronation of Mary

One of the purposes of this ministry is to expose any religious doctrines, practices, or traditions that oppose or nullify the Word of God, so that people can discern truth from error and not be deceived. We seek to be obedient to the apostle Paul’s exhortation: “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Eph. 5:11). That being said, we must expose the ongoing idolatry that takes place within Roman Catholicism.

The “infallible” head of the apostate church of Rome has taken another defiant step in his rebellion against God and His Word. Ignoring the commandments of God, Pope Francis placed a golden crown on the head of a statue of Mary during his visit to Chile last month. The commandment is clearly stated, “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:4-5).

The coronation took place during the sacrifice of a Eucharistic Christ in Santiago, where tens of thousands watched. The pope placed a crown on the head of the Christ child, and then also on the head of Mary. The statue is known as “Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” and the patron saint and Queen of Chile. In his address, the pope called Mary the true mother of all the living who intercedes for all men as an advocate of grace and queen of mercy, Then he prayed, “Lord, look kindly upon these your servants, who by adorning with a visible crown the image of the mother of Your Son, recognize Your Son as King of the universe and invoke the virgin as queen.” The pope “blessed” the crowns and then stood before the statue, swinging a smoking censer of incense. Watch the video here.

The Roman Catholic leader also spoke to Chilean youth telling them that the “Our Lady of Carmel waits for you and welcomes you with an open heart.”

Prior to his departure from Italy, the pope visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed before the image of Maria Salus Populi Romani to entrust his endeavor to Mary. Vatican News reports that he additionally placed a bouquet of flowers on the altar below the icon. Francis had also observed the annual feast day called “The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God” on Jan. 1, claiming that “devotion to Mary is not spiritual etiquette; it is a requirement of the Christian life.”

When asked by the Christian News Network to comment on the pope’s latest acts of idolatry and blasphemy, I responded with the following observations to warn people of this grave deception:

Catholics place an inordinate amount of emphasis on Mary, and wrongly ascribe attributes to her that only belong to God.

The pope’s crowning of the statue of Mary continues Roman Catholicism’s fascination with ‘another’ Mary that has been given the title Queen of Heaven. The only reference to the “Queen of Heaven” in the Bible occurred when the Jews were offering sacrifices to a pagan goddess and, in doing so, mocked the goodness of God (Jeremiah 44:15-23).The pope crowned a statue of Mary because she is said to be the queen over all things. Mary holds a very exalted position in the Roman Catholic Church, so much so that she is venerated as a goddess. This is blasphemy because the Catholic Mary has been given divine attributes that only God possesses. The emphasis on Mary by Catholics not only robs Christ of His glory, honor and praise but diverts them from worshipping God in truth.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Mary is ‘the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God’ (CCC, 721), the ‘Queen over all things’ (CCC, 966), our ‘Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix’ (CCC, 969), who is ‘full of grace’ (CCC, 722), the ‘Mother of God and our mother’ (CCC, 2677), the ‘new Eve’ (CCC, 726), and the ‘seat of wisdom’ (CCC, 721). Catholic doctrine also teaches that Mary “had no original sin (CCC, 508), and never committed sin (CCC, 493). She is second only to her Son (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, par. 66) and sits ‘on the right hand of the majesty on high’ (Pope Pius X, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum, 14). In fact, ‘no man can go to Christ but by His Mother’ (Pope Leo 13th, Octobri Mense). The Catechism also teaches that Mary “delivers our souls from death” (CCC, 966) and “continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation” (CCC, 969) through her intercession.

It is no wonder Catholics exalt Mary so highly based on their religious tradition. It is my prayer that Catholics will submit to the supreme authority of the Bible and test every teaching and tradition with God’s Word. The Bible exhorts all of us ‘not to exceed what is written” (1 Cor. 4:6). Read the complete interview here.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Fatima statue, also did not originally have a crown either:

In 1920 an order was placed for a graven statue:

13.5.20: Gilberto Fernandes dos Santos from Torres Novas, orders a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which is made by José Thedim and delivered to Fatima. On 13.6.20 it is placed in the Capelinha …

It is made of wood, Brazilian cedar, and measures 1.10 meters…On 13th May 1946 it was solemnly crowed by Papal Legate, Cardinal Masella.

Although when the …{apparition originally} appeared to the children She was not wearing a crown … (Madigan L. A pilgrim’s handbook to Fatima. Gracewing Publishing, 2001, pp. 21,43)

The Fatima statue that many bow down and pray before does not even look like what the only three children who claimed to see the ‘Lady of Fatima’ said she looked like.

Notice the following:

Fatima Statue and Image of What the Children Saw

Many Vatican leaders, including the current pontiff, continue to tell people to turn to Mary for matters that the Bible says to turn to God for. They exalt ‘Mary’ the way that the pagans exalted goddesses like Diana. Actually, what was seen in Fatima in 1917 much more resembled the goddess Diana than the statue that Catholics venerate.

While many like that, Catholics often do not realize that Marian veneration was NOT part of the original apostolic faith (see also Origin of the Marian Dogmas).

Pope Francis is focused on his version of ‘Mary.’ A version of Mary that the Bible does not endorse.

Pope Francis hopes that Marian veneration will help his interfaith and ecumenical plans.

Do not be deceived.

In other ecumenical news involving Pope Francis, he has been making a deal with China.

He has essentially agreed to replace a couple of bishops loyal to the Vatican with bishops that the Chinese government has chosen and who pledged loyalty to that government above the Vatican:

4 February 2018

China and the Vatican are close to reaching a historic deal regarding the appointment of bishops, according to media reports. …

For Beijing, an agreement with the Vatican could allow them more control over the country’s underground churches. …

There are currently around 10 million Roman Catholics in China.

It’s not certain how such an agreement will affect the community, though some are sceptical.

Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong had on Wednesday criticised the Vaticanfor its attempts at diplomacy with China, accusing the Church of forcing bishops to retire in favour of replacements picked by Beijing.

“Do I think that the Vatican is selling out the Catholic Church in China?” he wrote on Facebook. “Yes, definitely.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-42914029

According to a Vatican source, a deal between the Holy See and Beijing on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China is ready, and could be signed by Pope Francis in the coming months. This news comes over a year after the Pope declared optimism on warming relations with China, which itself came months after reports on talks between Beijing and the Vatican to reach a deal involving the ordination of bishops in China. …

From The Wall Street Journal’s Francis X. Rocca and Eva Dou, who also note that the further thaw in relations comes as China is engaged in a crackdown on religious practice:

For years, the Vatican didn’t recognize the bishops’ ordinations, which were carried out in defiance of the pope and considered illicit, part of a long-running standoff between the Catholic Church and China’s officially atheist Communist Party.

The pope will lift the excommunications of the seven prelates and recognize them as the leaders of their dioceses, according to the person familiar with the situation. A Vatican spokesman declined to comment.

[…] The pope’s conciliatory approach stands out at a moment when China is tightening its grip on religious practice under the more assertive leadership of President Xi Jinping.

[…] The bishops approved by the Beijing-backed Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association are seen as more willing to toe the government’s line, or even to support a Chinese Catholic Church free of the Vatican’s influence. Several of the bishops are members of a government advisory body controlled by the Communist Party. […] [Source]

The Washington Post’s Simon Denyer reports on varied reactions to news of the upcoming deal:

“A lot of people like myself look to the Holy See as one of the strongest defenders of religious freedom and the Catholic faith,” said Kenneth Chan Ka-lok, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University and a pro-democracy activist. “To me, this is disturbing. I don’t think it sends the right message.”

[…] A senior Vatican official said that, under the deal, the Vatican would have a say in negotiations for the appointment of future bishops and described the situation as still “like a bird in a cage, but the cage will be bigger,” Reuters reported.

[…] In an interview with Vatican Insider published this week, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope’s secretary of state, argued that the dialogue was about “finding realistic pastoral solutions that allow Catholics to live their faith and continue together the work of evangelization in the specific Chinese context.”

[…] In China, a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the largest in the city of Tianjin and part of the state system, said believers would “of course” welcome the deal. “It is good for the country, the people and believers,” said the priest, who gave his name only as Zhang. He said it would give them an “international partner” and remove obstacles to the practice of their religion. […] [Source]

https://chinadigitaltimes.net/2018/02/pope-francis-likely-sign-deal-chinese-bishops/

The Vatican will soon sign a landmark accord with China, and agree to recognize bishops who were installed without papal approval, the Reuters news service reports.

The Reuters story confirms earlier reports that Vatican negotiators have moved to remove two “underground” bishops loyal to the Holy See, and replace them with prelates who were illicitly appointed. The AsiaNews service had revealed that the two Chinese bishops had been asked to retire, clearing the way for their replacement. https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=35305

Chinese Roman Catholics who resisted the government in favor of the Vatican now feel betrayed.

And they have been.

But China is a big country and Pope Francis is determined to push his political (cf. Revelation 17) ecumenical and interfaith agenda, irrespective of whom may get betrayed in the process. This is consistent with warnings in the Bible, but is also consistent with certain Catholic prophecies (see Asia in Prophecy and Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

Speaking of betrayal, the Catholic News Agency reported the following:

The president of the German Bishops’ Conference has declared that, in his view, Catholic priests can conduct blessing ceremonies for homosexual couples.

Cardinal Reinhard Marx told the Bavarian State Broadcasting’s radio service that “there can be no rules” about this question. Rather, the decision of whether a homosexual union should receive the Church’s blessing should be up to “a priest or pastoral worker” and made in each individual case, the German prelate stated.

Speaking on Feb. 3, on the occasion of his 10th anniversary as Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Cardinal Marx was asked why “the Church does not always move forward when it comes to demands from some Catholics about, for instance, the ordination of female deacons, the blessing of homosexual couples, or the abolition of compulsory [priestly] celibacy.”

Marx said that, for him, the important question to be asked regards how “the Church can meet the challenges posed by the new circumstances of life today – but also by new insights, of course,” particularly concerning pastoral care.

Describing this as a “fundamental orientation” emphasized by Pope Francis, Marx called for the Church to take “the situation of the individual, … their life-story, their biography, … their relationships” more seriously and accompany them, as individuals accordingly. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-marx-endorses-blessing-ceremonies-for-same-sex-couples-40772

Homosexuality is condemned by the Bible as unclean (Romans 1:24-27 and an abomination (see The Bible Condemns Homosexuality). Revelation 17 speaks of a harlot church, that sits on seven hills and is involved in sexual immorality with the political leaders of the world.

While even Roman Catholic scholars admit this is a reference to Rome, they like to claim that it only applies to ancient Rome (see What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History?).

But those who are willing to see the truth, realize that the latter chapters of Revelation were for our time. And the Church of Rome is repeatedly showing that it will compromise with politicians and morality to please the world.

The Apostle John was inspired to write:

¹⁵ Do not love the world or what is in the world. If anyone does love the world, the love of the Father finds no place in him,

¹⁶ because everything there is in the world — disordered bodily desires, disordered desires of the eyes, pride in possession — is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:15, New Jerusalem Bible)

Now, I intentionally used a Roman Catholic translation (NJB) above.

Supposedly based on statements from Pope Francis, Cardinal Reinhard Marx is saying that the Church of Rome will endorse “disordered bodily desires.” Notice the following written by the Apostle Paul from a Catholic and then a Protestant translation:

⁹ Do you not realise that people who do evil will never inherit the kingdom of God? Make no mistake — the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, the self-indulgent, sodomites,

¹⁰ thieves, misers, drunkards, slanderers and swindlers, none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NJB)

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NKJV)

Male homosexuals are sodomites. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that they will not inherit the Kingdom of God and hence are not believers. But the Church of Rome wants to not just count them as believers, but wants to bless their sinful lifestyle!

Rome, and its daughter churches, have continued to compromise and support the world’s agenda, instead of the Kingdom of God.

The Bible warns about such:

¹⁵ How can Christ come to an agreement with Beliar and what sharing can there be between a believer and an unbeliever?

¹⁶ The temple of God cannot compromise with false gods, and that is what we are — the temple of the living God. We have God’s word for it: I shall fix my home among them and live among them; I will be their God and they will be my people.

¹⁷ Get away from them, purify yourselves, says the Lord. Do not touch anything unclean, and then I shall welcome you. (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, NJB)

⁴ Come out, my people, away from her, so that you do not share in her crimes and have the same plagues to bear. (Revelation 18:4, NJB)

The Church of Rome, and various Protestant and Eastern Orthodox groups, are promoting that which is unclean. They do NOT hold to the original Christian faith!

Some items of related interest may include:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy. Here is a link to a sermon video: Why Learn About Fatima?
The ‘Lady’ of Guadalupe: Any Future Ramifications? It is claimed that a female apparition appeared near Mexico City on December 12, 1531. How has it affected the world? What might it suggest about the future? A video of related interest is titled: The ‘Lady of Guadalupe’ and Prophecy.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Did early Christians teach Mary had an immaculate conception and led a sinless life?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed?
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There are also three YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’ and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children and USA pushing gender confusion.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of a new 186 page book (in the print version). And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roma”? This 186 page book provides information and answers. This book is available for USD$9.98 in printed form The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Will You Be Deceived by Antichrist? 1964 article by David Jon Hill, originally published in the old Good News magazine.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! provides concerned Christians with enough Catholic-documented facts to effectively counter every false Marian argument. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church?