This is not the first time a Muslim leader has thanked Pope Francis for being so very useful to the global jihad. Last September, the Pope met in the Vatican with Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, the secretary general of the Muslim World League (MWL), a group that has been linked to the financing of jihad terror. During the meeting, al-Issa thanked the Pope for his “fair positions” on what he called the “false claims that link extremism and violence to Islam.” Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Cairo’s al-Azhar, has also thanked Francis for his “defense of Islam against the accusation of violence and terrorism.”
Pope Francis has proclaimed that “authentic Islam and the proper understanding of the Koran reject every form of violence,” doing his bit to ensure that as many Christians as possible would remain ignorant and complacent about the jihad threat that his precious “dialogue” does nothing to mitigate.
And now this. Pope Francis is a disgrace to the Church, to Judeo-Christian civilization, and to the free world.
“Leave them; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14)
“Jerusalem to dominate Erdoğan’s meeting with Pope Francis,” Daily Sabah, February 2, 2018:
The United States’ controversial recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is expected to dominate talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pope Francis on the president’s first trip to the Vatican on Sunday.
According to presidential sources, Erdoğan will thank Pope Francis for his stance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision and his efforts to protect the status quo in the holy city.
The Turkish president previously expressed his appreciation to Pope Francis who strongly opposed the bitterly-contested move announced by Trump at the end of last year. The two leaders held several phone calls regarding the issue and voiced their determination to follow developments regarding Jerusalem.
The current humanitarian crisis in Syria, regional developments, terror, cooperation against Islamophobia and xenophobia are also among the topics which the two leaders are set to discuss during their meeting.
The Argentine pope met Erdoğan during his trip to Turkey in November 2014 as the first world leader to visit the Turkish presidential complex in Ankara. The return visit will be the first by a Turkish president since 1959.
Francis has repeatedly praised Turkey’s efforts to welcome Syrian refugees and has said the country could be a “great peacemaker.”…
D Austin says
The Antichrist and False Prophet are finally getting together!
mortimer says
BIBLE STUDY FOR TODAY: “JERUSALEM & ISRAEL IN THE BIBLE”
YOUR HOLINESS, see how many questions you can answer correctly…
How many times does Israel occur in New Testament?
A: The words ‘Israel’ and ‘Israelite’ occur 77 times in the New Testament.
How many times does Jerusalem occur in the New Testament?
A:Jerusalem occurs 146 times in the New Testament and its synonym Zion occurs 7 times.
How many times does Israel occur in the Old Testament
A: Jerusalem (and its alternative Hebrew names “Zion”, City of David, City of the Great King, Salem) appear 850 times in the Old Testament. Jerusalem is of supreme importance as the homeland of the Israelites.
Moreover, the phrase ‘from Dan to Beersheba’… which refers to the territories contained in Israel … occurs 9 times in the Old Testament.
Jerusalem is mentioned by name 52 times in the complete Bible.
How many times is Jerusalem mentioned in the Koran?
A:Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran. The Koran has no concern whatsoever about Israel. The focus of the Koran is Forbidden Mosque and its location is not named. The Umayyads tried (unsuccessfully) to change the religious center from Mecca/Medina to Jerusalem.
How many times is ‘Israel’ mentioned in the Koran?
A: The name Israel is mentioned 46 times in the Koran.’The Children of Israel’ are mentioned 20 times in the Quran. In other words, in every instance in the Quran in which the word “Israel” occurs, it is in only in this specific context, proving that Islam deems Israel the indigenous territory of the Jewish people—their rightful inheritance and property, sacrosanct. The name Palestine zero times. Food for thought for those fighting to create Palestine when the perfect book of Allah only mentions Israel. Not only that Allah specifically bestows the land to Moses and his people only. Koran 5:20–25. And remember Allah makes no mistakes or omissions.
How many times is Palestine mentioned in the Koran.
A: Palestine is not mentioned once in the Koran. The author of the Koran seems only refers to ‘Israel’.
Did the qibla (direction of prayer) ever face towards Jerusalem?
A: No, never. All the early mosques face towards PETRA in southern Jordan and never towards Jerusalem. The idea that Mohammed prayed towards Jerusalem is not confirmed by any external evidence. It is clear that Arabs prayed towards their pagan holy city of Petra where there were kept the idols of Dhu Shara (the war god) and of Allat (the Arabian mother goddess). Mohammed’s tribe worshipped ‘ALLAT’ (Kora=Arabic for ‘maiden’). The Koraysh tried was named for the GODDESS it worshipped at Petra, NOT JERUSALEM.
When did Jerusalem take on any importance to Muslims?
A:Jerusalem only took on interest to Muslims when the infamous Nazi Mufti Mohammed Amin al-Husseini promoted the genocidal 1920s myth that “Jews are destroying Al Aqsa”, thus taking it away the shadows of irrelevance it had for centuries. The Mufti was a friend of Hitler, Himmler and Adolf Eichmann and encouraged their genocidal extermination of Jews.
Conclusion: Pope Frank is using the ‘GUIDO SARDUCCI VERSION’ of the Bible.
mortimer says
small correction: Kora=Greek for ‘maiden’. ‘Kora’ is the etymology of Arabic ‘Koraysh’, the name of Mohammed’s tribe which was deoted to ‘THE GODDESS’. As a young man, Mohammed offered sacrifices to ALLAT … mentioned in the hadiths.
mortimer says
POPE FRANK STUDIED AT GUIDO’S FIVE MINUTE UNIVERSITY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO8x8eoU3L4
gravenimage says
Interesting, Mortimer. Do you have more information on the etymology of the name Quraysh?
JMB says
Thank you Mortimer for saying what I wanted to say, and saying it so well. Perhaps we can also look at it this way; Visit Rome and you will lots of historic church buildings, but visit Israel & Jerusalem and you will be visiting the very foundations of Judaism and Christianity. A history that was well established before the Vatican came into being and long before Islam was invented. Why can’t the Pope realise this?
jule says
Loving your enemy while they crucify you will not go over today. It is not even what the statement means. You would think a Pope would get it. Maybe Rome still wants to take over Israel? That’s what I think. And they mistakenly think handle being around Islam. Arrogant, Naïve, unwise….very disappointing.
Granddaddy says
Excellent! I’ve read about Petra, but I never knew why. As for Pope Francis, he is a shameful fraud and deserves no recognition of authority.
Charles says
D Austin : Interesting that the Turkish mouth-piece calls Frankie Bergoglio “the Argentine pope” as opposed to “the Catholic pope”… which, in fact, describes quite well our jihadi “holy” father.
FYI says
I’m sure francis will get down on his knees and wash Erdogan’s feet as a sign of his great love for islam(at least as long as there is a photographer to record his artificially generated PUBLIC displays of piety)
Say what you like about francis(that he’s a heretic, a betrayer of Catholics,a dhimmwit NWO idiot..)but let’s be fair to the man{sarc}:he does give a most excellent foot wash(provided of course that it is noticed by the media so he can can continue to surround himself with a well-publicized screen of PUBLIC good works in order to deflect from his catastrophic failure as a pope)
As for Jerusalem being the rightful capital of Israel and God’s gift to the Jews as THEIR holy city,Mr Bergoglio would not dispute that if he ever bothered to read the Bible(Joel chapter 3):but then francis doesn’t seem to know or follow the New Testament either(especially Christ’s condemnation of hypocrites in Matthew 6 v 1-4 who love to boast about their great love of the poor..in PUBLIC…like francis does,while he sits in a fabulous mansion with enormous wealth which,(if francis loved the poor so much) would be given to the poor,wouldn’t it?)
francis: a heretic and an old hypocrite!
Peter says
Your comments bring to mind (somewhat twisted) the Billy Batts scene in the movie Goodfellas after Batt’s fateful comment, “Go home and get your shine box”.
Maybe very twisted is more apt.
Carolyne says
I don’t believe that a God gave away bits of real estate to various favored people, but I do believe that a country has the right to designate which city will be their capital and Israel has designated Jerusalem. So Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Kay says
There was no good reason for the Pope to be the first world leader to visit Erdogan. Why did his advisers push for or allow it?
If the Pope would look at no other than the priests and nuns killed or brutalized and the Catholic schools taken over by Mohammedens and the churches attacked: that is to say only the direct anti-Christian violence and not all of it, there is no way he could make a statement that Islam is peaceful. It is complete nonsense.
Aaron says
Because they are largely active homosexual who unconsciously hate the Church and secretly wish to destroy her.
Jerry Zavage says
Pope Francis’ conversion to Islam still shocks me.
JawsV says
The dumbest Pope on record.
gravenimage says
I think he’s more a dhimmi than a convert to Islam. Dangerous either way, though.
Aaron says
Yes, Pope Francis is the first Baha’i Pope.
KateM says
And hopefully the last.
WorkingClassPost says
When Erdoggy enters the Vatican he will probably be it’s most covetous visitor, ever.
I can just see his hollow eyed, hateful face as he looks around, thinking “What a great mosk this would make, better even than Hagia Sophia”.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Oh yes, i’m sure he’ll be sizing up the dome for it’s crescent.
gravenimage says
Very true, WorkingClassPost and LeftisruiningCanada.
Stacy Girl says
As a Catholic I find it gratifying to be under constant attack by the water carriers of Pope Francis. I do pray for this man: that he see the light, that he defend his flock, that he be replaced by a true disciple. The braying synchophants of Francis, who never gave a damn about the disappearance of Christians from the ME, are the new phony foot soldiers of peace and love. By their fruits we know them.
D Austin says
As a non-Catholic watching from the sidelines, the hidden inner-circle could not have done a better job of splintering the largest Christian organization in the world than they are now doing from the inside! Don’t take your eyes off from the ball, you wouldn’t want to miss a thing as they bring the Antichrist to power.
As the real St Francis stated:
“The devils will have unusual power, the immaculate purity of our Order, and of others, will be so much obscured that there will be very few Christians who will obey the true Sovereign Pontiff [cf, Benedict XVI] and the Roman Church with loyal hearts and perfect charity. At the time of this tribulation a man, not canonically elected, will be raised to the Pontificate, who, by his cunning, will endeavor to draw many into error and death.
“Then scandals will be multiplied, our Order will be divided, and many others will be entirely destroyed, because they will consent to error instead of opposing it.
“Then scandals will be multiplied, our Order will be divided, and many others will be entirely destroyed, because they will consent to error instead of opposing it.
“There will be such diversity of opinions and schisms among the people, the religious and the clergy, that, except those days were shortened, according to the words of the Gospel, even the elect would be led into error, were they not specially guided, amid such great confusion, by the immense mercy of God.
…
“Some preachers will keep silence about the truth, and others will trample it under foot and deny it. Sanctity of life will be held in derision even by those who outwardly profess it, for in those days Jesus Christ will send them not a true pastor, but a destroyer.”
Stacy Girl says
D Austin, thanks for your post. St Francis Remains a gem. Proud to be part of the remnant. Pope Francis is the stuff of warnings and prophecies.
gravenimage says
St. Francis also understood the savagery of Islam and its threat.
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
“the true Sovereign Pontiff [cf, Benedict XVI]”
I never thought of it that way, but you are absolutely correct. That is a very good point. No new pontiff has ever been elected until the previous one has pass on. (with the exception of the time there was a second pontiff in Avignon) This is the first time a pontiff has ‘retired’ (to the best of my knowledge). So the true pontiff is imprisoned in the Vatican while a pretender rules.
StellaSaidSo says
Benedict was removed thru the machinations of the globalists, and replaced with the malleable Marxist Bergoglio, who is in agreement with their ‘one world’ agenda.
Aaron says
It is not so much that the Pope Emeritus is the true sovereign and Pope Francis is not (by canon law even an apostate can be validly elected as the bishop of Rome), but more like the very unusual and, indeed, unprecedented step that Pope Benedict XVI took was very prescient. We have two Popes, one active–who really is no Pope at all since he never speaks by virtue of his office as the Pope but rather casually and informally as the man who just happens to be the Pope (i.e. the personal theological opinions of the man who is the Pope) are no more or less primary than any other Catholic)–and the one who is retired–as in literally retired in prayer for us.
Thank God for the Pope Emeritus who is retired in prayer for us while Pope Francis goes around damaging the Church.
Carolyne says
Benedict has been lucky to get away with his life. Some other Popes have not. There is a silver hammer in the Vatican just for this purpose.
esther says
sorry catholics——IMO—–Francis has got lots of FUTURE blood on his hands——and he all but
SPIT in the face of MARY whom he cited simply because she is lauded for VIRGINITY in the Koran.
Poor mary——if she took a walk in a Turkish village——-she would be most likely to LOSE that
virginity
wm1 says
Biblical prophecy unfolding before our very eyes…Maranatha!
Champ says
+1
Exactly!
LeftisruiningCanada says
+1
Carolyne says
Isn’t Maranantha that church which has its congregants bleating like sheep as a show that they have no will of their own? I am aware of the Aramaic root of MaraNantha.
Roland says
If the Church could remove Pope Benedict XVI, then they can remove Francis I. Why don’t they? Is the Church so corrupt?
Carolyne says
In response to Roland: Yes.
John Hawk says
Erdogan, being a cold-blooded Islamist and erstwhile enabler of the Islamic State, must marvel at the willingness of Pope Dopey the Dhimmi to capitulate completely. Erdogan will have him kissing the rug in no time.
Infidel says
God .. I just dislike Endrogan with a passion.. but then the enabler Pope is more disgusting..
Gjallarhornet says
The only hope is that this weak pope is acting out a plot. During his meeting with Erdogan he suddenly show his true colours and does what he had planned in secret all along. Broadcast live on television, stunned viewers can watch his holiness pull out a gun. Pointing the gun at the terrified Erdogan, the pope demands that Konstantinopel be returned to Christendom. Now!
Yeah. That would be something. But alas
gravenimage says
Nope.
Carolyne says
GJallarhornet, That is not a hope, that is a good story line for a comic book. A lot of people do not seem to understand that the Pope is”One of them.” I.E. a Muslim in a dress (I have read that Mohammed cross-dressed on occasion.) He has said many times that Islam is a religion of peace and a “Proper reading” of the Koran proves it. He has not explained what a “Proper reading” would be but one can assume that it means reading it with Muslim eyes. Erdogan has destroyed the liberal Republic left Turkey by Ataturk and is aiming for a return of the Caliphate, with himself as Caliph. He has said as much. The Pope seems to be one of his henchmen.
Gjallarhornet says
Well, it was not intended to be a serious comment. What i describes is not a got way of trying to achieve anything. It’s a humorous image, nothing more.
However, it is prudent to wish for a stronger and less deluded pope. With the passing of time, many of us have learned that old pope Benny was the right man in the chair. He stood up to islam for one thing, and had no problems voicing unpopular opinions. In other words: backbone
Gjallarhornet says
Pardon the typos, you just can’t edit around here.
*i, first line should be *it
*got should be *good
MFritz says
And not a peep from the pope on Erdogan’s support for ISIS etc. in Syria…
Infidel says
Seriously, something is wrong with this Pope,.. What a shame!!!
MFritz says
The catholic church and the vatican state are a “business” with the pope being the “boss”. And this pope hopes his “business” with the globalists will improve if he furthers their cause. And panders to murderers, terrorists and dictators.
StellaSaidSo says
+1
Aaron says
The Catholic Church is the means of salvation because she provides one access to the sacraments. Human beings have free will, but the purity of the Church and her mission are backed by Christ’s guarantee. This can never be corrupted no matter how many priests/bishops choose hell for themselves. The condescending grace of Christ is so great that even when a priest has given his life over to sin still capable of providing you the only means to your own sanctification.
MFritz says
You don’t need the – or any – church to be a Christian.
Thomaspj Poovathinkal says
Pope John Paul II was open and good with Muslims; so also is Pope Francis. Jesus The Lord does not want us to hate and fight anybody. The LORD wants us to love and pray for even our enemies.
Carolyne says
And you most certainly do not need a go-between to plead your case to some God up in the sky–an old man with a beard waiting for one misstep from you to send you to a non-existent hell. It amazes me that grown-ups believe this stuff.
I am amused at those who think they have an inside track on what Jesus wants or doesn’t want. Their word is exactly what it costs–nothing.
Rob says
Did Frankie tell Erdogan to get the hell out of Cyprus which he’s occupied for 30+ years?
gravenimage says
That would be “Islamophobic”…
Carolyne says
I happened to be in Istanbul when they invaded Cyprus. Black-outs, airport closed, etc. When they closed the casino, that was one too many, so I and a bunch of Europeans chartered a bus and got out of there through Bulgaria. Interesting experience.
The Turkish side was that they had once owned Cypress and it was theirs. That’s one of the most dangerous tenets of Islam. Once they own a country it remains theirs forever so they lay claim to much of Europe under that pretense.
Gjallarhornet says
How would muslims like, then, if all territory who once belonged to the roman empire at once be re-christened and handed over to Europe? Morocco, North Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and a lot of other countries would have to be handed over. Naturally, the world dosent work like that. The thought is silly.
Problem is, we get that – they don’t.
The islamic logic on this matter is faulty and very dangerous. Nevertheless, it’s very true – they do think like that. The loss of al andaluz, present day Spain (most of if) is THE current great theme running through arab poetry, and explains the racket they cause around the cathedral in Cordoba. The list goes on and on. THe loss of South Sudan and East Timor to the non muslim world will not be forgotten. A perpetual source of violence is it to think like that.
Champ says
Photo op of two very loathsome creatures …one’s the false prophet and the other’s an anti-christ contender. I would say that the pope is supporting the wrong side but he *is* the wrong side in-the-flesh!
Ibrahim itace muhammed says
mr Spencer, pope is guided by humaneness in his heart unlike other wicked christians supporting fascist evil zionist state of Israel in its totalitarian agenda to continue slaughtering palestinians like rams. Pope is like those Catholic christians of Najran Who had alliance with prophet muhammad. Quran described them as humane and they were not arrogants.
CRUSADER says
Mr Irritates demonstrates that he too is blind.
Januk36 says
Hey Ibrahim: In case you forgot – Catholicism hat proven superior to Islam many times. Bye the way – you are a Christian anyway, no matter what your beduin book by Mohammed says. It’s not your fault for being brainwashed…
LeftisruiningCanada says
Yes, we know all about ‘alliances’ and ‘treaties” with mohammad.
gravenimage says
Ibrahim itace muhammed is characterizing any resistance to Jihad as agression. But then, he has said before that no one has the right to defend against Jihad.
As for his reference to the Christians of Najran–which was in Arabia–even if you take this at face value, these Christians were long since enslaved and slaughtered. None remain today.
And look what he considers “humane and …not arrogants”–standing by while Muslims wipe out Israel.
Ibrahim itace muhammed himself has said that he looks forward to taking part inthe genocide of the Jews. *Ugh*.
Ibrahim itace muhammed says
Satan (holy spirit) worshiper Gravenimage, you lied. who killed those Catholic christians from Najran ? simply because their descendants are no more christians it means they were all killed.
don vito says
-35
Champ says
LOL!!! …good one! 😀
Champ says
Bravo President Trump!!
✡ I STAND WITH ISRAEL!! ✡
gravenimage says
Hear, hear, Champ!
Andy says
+1
StellaSaidSo says
+1
CRUSADER says
“Leave them; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
(Matthew 15:14)
Not so sure it is a good idea to leave two blind guides to bide time with themselves since others follow these blind guides, and much havoc and mayhem can transpire, before they all fall into the pit…..
Januk36 says
Not my Pope. Still I feel like banging my head against the wall and probably should stop reading JW. I wonder whether he really is that ignorant or just a hardcore cynic.
Stacy Girl says
I once thought he was pretending to be innocent like a child. But his actions, like those of Barack Obama, present the entire world with grave consequences. These two men had the benefit of education which few receive. Not an accident. Woe to those who call good evil and evil good.
Ren says
Pope Francis is one ignorant pope. Ignorance is not suited for such a position in the Church.
JawsV says
About Islam the Pope is ignorance personified.
dapto says
Jesuits were kicked out of the faith before, isn’t it time to kick them out again
gravenimage says
When were the Jesuits ever kicked out of Catholicism?
By the way, not all Jesuits are like this dhimmi pope.
StellaSaidSo says
Widespread suppression of the Jesuits occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries in, eg, the Venetian Republic, France, Malta, the Portuguese and Spanish empires, Austria, Lithuania-Poland, and the Two Sicilies. The order was banned in Quebec following the British victory in 1759, and in Switzerland in 1847.
StellaSaidSo says
It was via the instrument ‘Dominus ac Redemptor’, in 1773, that Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Jesuits. They were restored by Pope Pius VII in 1814.
LeftisruiningCanada says
When one such as erdogan starts thanking you and describing you as ‘fair’, you’d hope that it would be enough to get you questioning yourself.
The Left has never been very good at that.
“more of the same, only harder” is the usual solution.
Indiana Tom says
According to presidential sources, Erdoğan will thank Pope Francis for his stance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision and his efforts to protect the status quo in the holy city.
In Revekation 13:2b, John adds a very important note: “And the dragon gave 17 him his power and his throne and great authority.”
Indiana Tom says
Revekation should be Revelation. Fat finger.
gravenimage says
Turkey’s Erdogan to meet with Pope, thank him for opposing Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
…………………….
If Pope Francis has any sense or decency, he would take a look at who is supporting his positions, and reconsider. I won’t be holding my breath, though.
Mockingjay says
– The leader of the Catholic Faith shaking hands with the muslim brotherhood.
– Does pope Francis even know that the turkish president belongs to this terrorist organization that wants to conquer Europe and DESTROY the Christian faith ?
Or does he simply not care? Either way, his ignorance and/or his INDIFFERENCE are INEXCUSABLE.
Sam says
Pope is not a Christian but a Christianity hating liberal. How stupid a person can get? Pope or not.
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
He’ll shake the hand of the caliph of the second ottoman empire but he won’t answer the questions posed to him by his own cardinals, theologians and his flock. What a piece of work this guy is!
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
https://www.rt.com/news/417832-turkey-target-us-troops-kurds/
brane pilot says
If someone wrote a novel ten years ago where the Pope sided with an Islamist dictator of Turkey against the USA, it would have been laughed out of the marketplace.
The reality we now inhabit is something sane people could not make up.
Eric jones says
Francis the ex bouncer and Erdogan the Islamist. A perfect couple. They would make great cell mates.
Eric
StellaSaidSo says
+1
Thomaspj Poovathinkal says
Pope Francis is trying to protect his SHEEP everywhere.
StellaSaidSo says
Nonsense. He is herding his own to the slaughter.
Carolyne says
I’ve always resented a religion which regards me as no more than a sheep to be herded here and there at the whim of some man in a dress in Italy.
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
https://www.rt.com/news/417939-erdogan-pope-vatican-protests/
Marie says
Both of these guys are Satanists.
Ewanda says
What is it about Pope Francis? He just sided with China and demanded that the bishops of the underground Catholic Churches (who have been keeping Christianity alive in secret since the 1940’s), resign their authority to the Chinese overseers.
I find his decisions in leading Christians and preserving the faith very troubling indeed. He can’t be thinking this stuff up of his own accord. Who is advising him? …. and to what end?
Where is Pope John Paul ll? I bet when he would learn that it was Islam that came up with concentration camps to enact the Jewish solution, he would have been more decisive about courting equality with the Islamists. He had a backbone even though he was kind because he had been in a concentration camp himself and witnessed the cruelty first hand. I bet though he had no idea about Hitler and the Grand Mufti.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Only trust in Jesus Christ.
He only will preserve us.
Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant. Whatever.
Only trust in Him. It can’t be long now.
Jacqueleen says
The so-called Catholic Pope Francis is a huge embarrassment…..He should be defrocked immediately…He does not represent Christ. Christ did not tolerate the Pharisees and their pride why would Jesus tolerate the violence and injustices in Islam that assume the judgements of God as if they are God themselves? FIRST COMMANDMENT…DO NOT PUT FALSE GODS BEFORE ME. JORGE BERGOGLIO, call a spade a spade…Islam is a political cult and not a religion, not even a cult of peace… STEP DOWN AND OUT! We Catholics have had enough of you distorting, disrupting, deceiving the faithful and the clergy.