“Open your eyes, didn’t you see what happened recently in Paris?” No, they didn’t see it. They didn’t want to see it.
Archbishop Jeanbart is not the first to say this. “Why, we ask the western world, why not raise one’s voice over so much ferocity and injustice?” asked Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the head of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI). Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III Younan appealed to the West “not to forget the Christians in the Middle East.” The Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregory III has also said: “I do not understand why the world does not raise its voice against such acts of brutality.”
But the Patriarch should have understood, since he is a major part of the problem. After all, he recently said: “No one defends Islam like Arab Christians.” It is to defend Islam that Western clerics do not raise their voice against such acts of brutality. It is to pursue a fruitless and chimerical “dialogue” that bishops in the U.S. and Europe keep silent about Muslim persecution of Christians, and enforce that silence upon others. Robert McManus, Roman Catholic Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts, said it on February 8, 2013 as he was suppressing a planned talk at a Catholic conference on that persecution: “Talk about extreme, militant Islamists and the atrocities that they have perpetrated globally might undercut the positive achievements that we Catholics have attained in our inter-religious dialogue with devout Muslims.”
That’s right, it’s all for the sake of the spurious and self-defeating “dialogue.” For all too many of Archbishop Jeanbart’s colleagues, including his boss, Patriarch Gregory, and especially the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to speak out about this persecution renders one a continuing danger to the Church and someone they believe has stepped beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse.
Jeanbart should ask his colleagues in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops about why their eyes are so resolutely closed. He should ask bishops like McManus, Kevin Farrell, Jaime Soto and others why they move actively to silence and demonize voices that tell the truth about this persecution. He should ask them why they are so convinced that Islam, at its core, teaches peace, despite the superabundance of evidence to the contrary in Islamic texts and the actions of Muslims who read them. He should ask why the U.S. Catholic bishops tolerated dissent from so many core Catholic dogmas for decades, but move as ruthlessly as any Grand Inquisitor to suppress dissent from the idea that Islam is a Religion of Peace, which isn’t even a dogma of the Church. He should ask them why they are abandoning their Middle Eastern brethren and keeping their own people ignorant and complacent about the jihad threat.
Cowards, time-servers, trimmers and self-deluded wishful thinkers dominate the Church hierarchy today, among both bishops and priests, and all too many Catholics believe that to say so makes one disloyal to the Church. Nonsense. Calling these people to account for the damage they have done and are doing is the highest form of loyalty to the Church. But they are completely in control, and don’t even deign to engage those who oppose what they are doing. Well, they have the Church they want now, and as the years go by, it will become clear to everyone what they have done, and what unimaginable damage and destruction they have enabled.
“The last Christians in Aleppo,” Gallia Watch, February 5, 2016 (thanks to Tom):
Of all the horrors we’ve witnessed from our comfortable homes over the past year nothing hurts more than the attempted annihilation of Christians of the Near East, along with buildings, churches, sacred ruins, precious relics of the past that have been utterly destroyed by the ISIS conquerors. The suffering these people have endured and are enduring is recorded at numerous websites but the world has remained deaf, dumb and blind until recently when with one eye open it had no choice but to acknowledge the specific targeting of Christians. By that time it was too late. Carnage, decapitations, torture, eradication of an entire civilization – who cared so long as Muslims weren’t offended?…
Charlotte d’Ornellas, a reporter for Boulevard Voltaire, reports an interview given by the Melkite Greek Catholic archbishop of Aleppo, Jean-Clément Jeanbart, whose heart was heavy from the suffering of Christians but also from the indifference of the Western media….
“The European media have not ceased to suppress the daily news of those who are suffering in Syria and they have even justified what is happening in our country by using information without taking the trouble to verify it,” he hurled at them, condemning notably the press agencies created during the war, controlled by the opposition army, such as the Syrian Observatory of human rights, a major source for western media.
“You must understand that between the Islamic State and the Syrian government, our choice is obvious. You can condemn the regime for certain things, but you have never tried to be objective,” he accused.
When asked if he had been able to explain his position to the French authorities, bishop Jeanbart said he had tried, and was told he had to be “less critical”.
For him, the West has not ceased to cover up the misdeeds of the opposition army, all the while condemning the Syrian government and its president.
“Bashar al-Assad has many defects, but you have to realize he has many good points as well,” he explained. “Schools are free, hospitals too, mosques and churches pay no taxes, what government in the region does things like that, be honest? Remember too that if we prefer today to support the government, it’s because we fear the installation of a sunni theocracy that would deprive us of the right to live on our own lands.”
“Yes, I tried to say all that to the French authorities, but what can you expect from a Laurent Fabius who thinks he’s God the Father by deciding who deserves to live on this Earth or not?” he finally answered, visibly weary. (Laurent Fabius had declared that Bashar al-Assad “did not deserve to be on the Earth”.)
“Is it possible that France – that I love and that educated me thanks to the religious communities established in Syria – has changed so much? Is it possible that its interests and its love of money have prevailed over the values it once defended?” declared the archbishop bitterly.
Asked about the position of French bishops, the Pakistani bishop who was also present did not want to respond. So bishop Jeanbart took the mike again.
“The conference of French bishops should have trusted us, it would have been better informed. Why are your bishops silent on a threat that is yours today as well? Because the bishops are like you, raised in political correctness. But Jesus was never politically correct, he was politically just!”
“The responsibility of a bishop is to teach, to use his influence to transmit truth. Why are your bishops afraid of speaking? Of course they would be criticized, but that would give them a chance to defend themselves, and to defend this truth. You must remember that silence often means consent.”The archbishop also criticized the migration policies of the Western countries.
“The egoism and the interests slavishly defended by your governments will in the end kill you as well. Open your eyes, didn’t you see what happened recently in Paris?“…

A Fool says
i guess some of our Bishops are too scared to be rejected by men, but not scared enought to be rejected by God!
Spot On says
Just look at US election candidates. See how they steer clear of calling out Muslims for who and what they are. US bishops don’t want tomatoes thrown at them either. So far, only one political candidate has dared to call Muslims out. The MSM has thrown everything including the kitchen sink at him and he is still standing tall. Lets hope he keeps standing and the political climate in the West get more oriented toward common sense.
Common sense will either prevail or we will have war. Europe is now heading straight for a war and we are not far behind.
Bamaguje says
The pusillanimous West can’t do anything to spoil the politically correct Islam-is-peace narrative. Even in the West, Christianity is under sustained attack by Leftists. Why would they then give a damn about Middle east Christians?
Like European women and girls at the mercy of Muslim invaders posing as “refugees”, Middle east Christians are expendable for the Leftist agenda to take down the Judeo-Christian West.
Obama is much more concerned about anti-Muslim graffiti and bad looks, than about the slaughter of Middle east Christians. He even tried to deport some Iraqi Christians fleeing the Jihadist mayhem created by his disastrous pro-Islamist Middle east policy.
Bob says
Like the western governments, including that of the UK, the bishops, like Pontius Pilate,’re afraid of Moslem riots in the streets, with possible resultant bloodshed, so they cringe & bend over to appease them!
Ginger says
Moral cowardice has infected the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church everywhere in the West, with the easy photo-op obsessed Pope in the vanguard.
Christianblood says
(…Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop to West: “Why are your bishops silent on a threat that is yours today as well?”…)
Dear Archbishop Jeanbart, not only Western Christian and political “leaders” are silent over the plight of Christians in the islamic world but Western governments, ‘churches’ and political leaders are openly and directly backing and arming genocidal barbaric islamic jihadists all across the world, dismantling traditional Christian morality and symbols in the West and facilitating and enabling a complete islamic take over of the Western world. US and other Western traitorous leaders are allied with genocidal islamic Turks and barbaric Saudis and with multitudes of islamic jihadists groups and they won’t rest until islamic Sharee’a laws are implemented all across the world. The only glimmer of hope for America and others is if Donald Trump is elected to the Presidency.
Christianblood says
This Arch Bishop should come to America, endorse Donald Trump and give exactly the same speech
at a Donald Trump rally.
Spot On says
I agree.
mortimer says
Archbishop Jeanbart and Patriarch Gregory III have good reason to ask: “I do not understand why the world does not raise its voice against such acts of brutality.”
Why is Pope Francis not listening to his clergy and why does he not invite them to explain Islam to him? They are surely experts. There are many well-informed clergy who have studied Islam in depth who can thoroughly prepare the Pontiff to speak out about Islamic terrorism.
Why does he not use them, but rather make statements about Islam that sound like uninformed GUESSES?
Without having read the foundational texts of Islam, how can clergy speak knowledgably?
wildjew says
“Why is Pope Francis not listening to his clergy and why does he not invite them to explain Islam to him? They are surely experts….”
I doubt they are either experts or unbiased in favor of Islam, most of them. The only Catholic I know who is an expert on the religion of Islam is Robert Spencer and he is a lay person. Maybe there are a couple of others out there. I am not familiar with them.
Spot On says
I read a book on Islam written by a priest and he was on the same page as Robert Spencer regarding Islam. This priest is a rare bird. For most Catholic clergy, it is all PC more or less. They are all scared of MSM.
wildjew says
I keep coming to the “guy at the top,” the pope. He is supposed to be “God’s viceroy on earth.” In other words he is supposed to speak for God or Jesus I’m not sure if there is a difference according to the church. Can you imagine Jesus being scared of the MSM? Why is the pope scared?
Kepha says
There are probably some Islam-critical articles run by the Trinity Review (Trinity Foundation of Unicoi, TN) by Robert L,. Reymond, a recently deceased Presbyterian Church in America theologian.
wildjew says
A big part of the problem. It’s coming from the top; from the Vatican, the pope.
Spot On says
Pope Francis seems to be more interested in Marxism than religion. He is a Jesuit who some call a Peronist. Peronism is a form of Marxism and based on the popular “Liberation Theology” common in S.A. The “Social Justice” movement here is much the same. Bernie Sanders and Pope Francis (and Obama) are all on the same page.
wildjew says
This is what I do not understand. The Pope should be one of the most religiously learned, historically literate and moral men on the face of the earth.
This is the second most evil time we are entering within less than a century from the last one. I am talking about the terrible and costly mistakes that led to the second world war the loss of some 50-60 million souls, the Holocaust, etc., when “darkness fell over Europe.”
I know some of my Catholic friends and neighbors disagree with me. I believe the Pope and the Vatican, like many world leaders, made some terrible misjudgments back then in the nineteen thirties, early nineteen forties. Should we not learn from our mistakes? Shouldn’t we internalize the harsh lessons from history?
Tracy says
All the Catholics I know do not like Pope Francis, consider him not just weak, but positively dangerous. Then again, I’m a traditional Catholic (see http://.www.fisheaters.com). But the number of “trad Catholics” is not negligible, and that number is growing.
In addition to “trads,” more and more neo-conservative Catholics are beginning to have their eyes opened, praise God.
For a 1-page description of traditional Catholicism, see this page: http://www.fisheaters.com/traditionalcatholicism.html
Mazo says
Peronism is marxism?
What kind of drugs are you smoking? Peron admired Fascism.
wildjew says
A big part of the problem here in the U.S. It’s coming from the top; from the White House, the president.
Leith Wood says
” Silence in the face of evil is evil itself: God will not hold us guiltless.Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Rich says
Arguably Robert’s most cogent statement to date of the problem with the Catholic hierarchy defending Islam as a “religion of peace” and silencing anyone who would dare to say otherwise.
Exquisite final paragraph and brilliant overall.
Well done man.
Suzanne Broussard says
It must be known that Francis and his followers are not Catholic. The Catholic religion is not something that can be changed ever for any reason. Anyone who changes simply ceases to be Catholic, therefore real Catholics take the stance that Francis and his followers are a Post-Vatican II protestant sect who illegally occupy the Catholic Church buildings. The true Catholics are few and far between, but we remain firm in the 2000 year tradition that was handed to us. It is the Pope’s job to protect that tradition. The pope is still Benedict, wherever that poor man is, who knows.
Barbara says
politically correct stooges
revereridesagain says
I would ask all the Religious what mystical, magical promise of “salvation” in an eternal ethereal Paradise is worth doing this to your civilization, your country, your friends, your family, your children and grandchildren? To join in solidarity with a religion of hate, violence, and tyranny to protect both your “sacred” realms? No gods will call you to account for this betrayal. But those upon whom you are unleashing the hell of Islam, will.
But no doubt you believe that by then you will be winging about in your Paradise, and none of it will matter to you. After all, it wouldn’t be Heaven if it did, now would it?
Angemon says
Sounds like someone Pope Francis would love, if you catch my drift…
E Ward says
The Catholic church. along with Germany’s Angela Merkel both suffer from guilt incurred by past atrocities. They are attempting to atone for past sins by allowing the crucifixion of innocent masses. Let us know when you feel better, K?
PROF STANLY says
IN INDIA cbci /kcbc christn politicos//christn media all support jihadees for gulf funds and muslim vote –CRISLAM fools
Truth Seeker says
Unfortunately, now, Westerners have gone away from Lord God. Obviously they will chose the path of Destruction. that is going on. Terror Jihadis came with the Mask of jihadis, are treated as Masters and applaud all their vicious activities are right and being encouraged such as Rape, Killing of Christians etc. them’. End Times.
Chuck Lewis says
The sad part of this is that the Pope is of the same ilk. I suppose he thinks he’s going to convert the Moslems. He really has me perplexed about his timidly or foolishness.