Pope Benedict XVI to Have “Ecumenical” USA Trip

Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict XVI

Zenit.org reported yesterday:

Pope’s US Trip Not Just for Catholics

Bishops’ Aide Notes Ecumenical and Interreligious Priority

By Kathleen Naab

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 4, 2008 (Zenit.org).- When Benedict XVI travels to the United States this month, ecumenical and interreligious relations are a priority on his agenda, according to an aide of the nation’s conference of bishops.

Father James Massa, executive director of the U.S episcopal conference’s Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, said this is because “the Pope is convinced that there will be no peace in the world until there is peace among the religions. That is why he comes to the table of dialogue here in the U.S. and in Rome, with hope and abiding conviction.”

Father Massa told ZENIT that this Holy Father “brings an amazing theological depth to ecumenical and interreligious relations.”

The Pontiff’s schedule during his five-day U.S. trip includes four stops dedicated to building these relationships. On April 17, the Pope will meet with 200 interfaith leaders at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C…

Father Massa contended that ecumenism and interreligious dialogue is a priority for Benedict XVI, not just since being elected Pope, but ever since his days as an advisor at the Second Vatican Council. http://www.zenit.org/article-22196?l=english

Two things about the Pope’s trip.

The first is that I believe Ronald Weinland will falsely point to the pontiff’s visit to Washington, D.C. on April 17 as the first trumpet or something like that as the start of the 1260 days of the Great Tribulation. But, of course, he will be wrong (as he also will be wrong on other matters and was wrong about the 1290 days which he said began March 18, 2008–see Ronald Weinland: Nothing Happened March 18th Because What Happened Was Spiritual?; see also Ronald Weinland: Nuclear Attack May be Mid-April 2008).

The second is more important. Since most Protestants had no knowledge of Catholic prophecies, they do not grasp the danger of the “ecumenical” plans of the Roman Church. Because after all is said and done, the prophecy from concerning the one we in the Living Church of God would consider to be the ten-horned Beast (also known as 666 and the King of the North), will, according to Catholic prophecy, eliminate Protestantism:

Father Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775): “After the rule of Napoleon a time will come when the people will become poor and the world will be punished in three ways: wars, famines, and pestilences. At a time when the whole world seems doomed, God will intervene. With His aide a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease and the Turkish empire will end. This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd.” (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 37).

Notice what some Catholics have written:

“The Pope calls an Ecumenical Council which will be viewed as the greatest in the history of the Church. The world is spiritually and materially prosperous as never before and many Jews, Mohammedans, heathens and heretics will enter the Church”. (DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, p.555)

The Anti-Pope will be recognized as the legitimate Pope of the “church,” and the legitimate head of the Vatican State. That “church” will be united with all the false religions. They will be united together under the universality of the Masonic umbrella. In that motley ecumenical union will be the established religion of the so-called civilized world. This is how we will get into the time of great persecution such as the world has never seen. [p. 40] (Priest Kramer. As cited by Mario Derksen’s article The Blind Leading the Blind Memo to Chris Ferrara, Father Nicholas Gruner and Father Paul Kramer: Please, please take off the blindfolds! in TRADITIONAL INSIGHTS October 7, 2005Volume 16, no. 250; http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/05Oct/oct7mdi.htm 10/10/07).

Hence some Catholics are looking to a time that an ecumenical pontiff will appear. Some (like the first quotation above) are looking forward to that, while others (like the second quotation above) consider that this will be a sign of an Anti-pope.

I strongly believe that the current pontiff is paving the way for the more “ecumenical” pontiff to come.

For more information, please see the articles:

Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist. This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.