This article encapsulates so much about what is wrong with the contemporary Catholic Church and the imperative of “interfaith dialogue,” and illustrates the apparently impenetrable confusion people have today between criticizing ideas and discriminating against human beings.
The Rev. Nick VanDenBroeke apologized “for saying in a sermon that Islam was ‘the greatest threat in the world’ to the United States and Christianity.”
There have been over 36,000 jihad attacks around the world since 9/11, each committed in the name of Islam and in accord with its teachings. Jihad groups routinely call for jihad massacres in the United States and of Americans. As for Christianity, in 2019, Christians faced “extreme, very high or high levels of persecution” in 73 countries, affecting 245 million Christians. In the Middle East, the Christian share of the population has shrunk to about 5 percent (if that), down from more than 20 percent at the turn of the last century. The decline attests to a century of ruthless persecution — bookended by the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocides committed by Turkey a century ago and the recent one attempted by ISIS. The ten worst countries in the world today for Christians, with the worst ranked first, are North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan, Eritrea, Libya, Iraq, Yemen and Iran — eight Muslim countries, one with nearly fifty percent Muslim population, and North Korea.
So is Islam a threat to the United States and Christianity? That is obvious. But when VanDenBroeke noted this, Hamas-linked CAIR complained, and no one involved seems to have pointed out that CAIR has ties to Hamas, and has opposed virtually every counterterror initiative that has ever been proposed or implemented. Instead, Roman Catholic leaders immediately compelled VanDenBroeke to apologize, and note the statement of Archbishop Bernard Hebda: he “quoted Pope Benedict XVI as saying that the church looks with esteem to Muslims, who worship God through prayer, fasting and the giving of alms,” and said: “If all of us who believe in God desire to promote reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism,” Hebda said. “He added that Pope Francis also has stressed the importance of dialogue between Catholics and Muslims and has urged all Christians and Muslims to be ‘true promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.’”
All right. But none of what Hebda said actually speaks to the point VanDenBroeke was making. To note that Islam is a threat does not mean that one does not esteem Muslims as human beings. This point is constantly confused nowadays, often by people who want to discredit those who raise awareness of the jihad threat by claiming that they hate Muslims as people. In reality, however, to criticize an ideology is not to hate anyone. To note that Nazism was a threat did not mean that one hated Germans, or did not esteem them as human beings.
Nor did VanDenBroeke promote any form of “discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism.” He simply noted a threat, which is a real threat. He said: “I believe it is essential to consider the religion and worldview of the immigrants or refugees.” Well, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be reckless not to do so?
One thing is certain: VanDenBroeke is right, at least regarding today’s Catholic Church, when he said: “I realize that my comments were not fully reflective of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Islam.” All too many Catholic hierarchs behave as if it really is a dogma of the Church that Islam is not and cannot be a threat. They are, of course, ignorant of their Church’s own history, as The History of Jihad demonstrates in detail.
“Leave them; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14).
“Minnesota Priest Apologizes For Calling Muslims A ‘Threat,’” Associated Press, January 30, 2020 (thanks t0 David):
LONSDALE, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota Roman Catholic priest apologized Wednesday for saying in a sermon that Islam was “the greatest threat in the world” to the United States and Christianity.
The Rev. Nick VanDenBroeke apologized in a statement issued by the St. Paul-Minnesota Catholic archdiocese. He had made the comments in a Jan. 5 sermon at the Lonsdale, Minnesota, church where he serves as pastor.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, had called earlier Wednesday on Minnesota’s Roman Catholic church leaders to repudiate the sermon. CAIR’s request came after the newspaper City Pages published an article Wednesday about the sermon.
In his statement Wednesday, VanDenBroeke said his homily “contained words that were hurtful to Muslims. I’m sorry for this. I realize that my comments were not fully reflective of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Islam.”
In the statement from the archdiocese, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said that the church’s teaching is clear, and he quoted Pope Benedict XVI as saying that the church looks with esteem to Muslims, who worship God through prayer, fasting and the giving of alms.
“If all of us who believe in God desire to promote reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism,” Hebda said. He added that Pope Francis also has stressed the importance of dialogue between Catholics and Muslims and has urged all Christians and Muslims to be “true promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.”
The homily was recorded and posted on the church’s website. In it, VanDenBroeke said parishioners must remember that immigrants are humans deserving of compassion. But he added that sovereign nations have the right and responsibility to control their borders to protect their citizens and lands.
“Both as Americans and as Christians, we do not need to pretend that everyone who seeks to enter America needs to be treated the same,” he said. “I believe it is essential to consider the religion and worldview of the immigrants or refugees.
“More specifically, we should not be allowing large numbers of Muslims (seeking) asylum or immigration into our country. Islam is the greatest threat in the world both to Christianity and to America,” he said….
Jaladhi says
Nobody wants to hear the truth about himself – no wonder Muslim always complain but their whining always works out in their favor due to the gutless non-Muslims!
gravenimage says
Muslims are not ashamed of being a violent threat–they just don’t want the ‘filthy Infidels’ to be free to say this out loud.
toomanyhobbies says
TERRORIST linked CAIR wines and priest is pressured into apologizing for telling the TRUTH!
Tony Naim says
I am a Maronite Catholic immigrant from Lebanon.
I support all that father VanDenBroeke said in his sermon and I regret the position of Archbishop Hebda.
Over the past 45 years, one million Christians were forced to leave Lebanon because of 3 consecutive Radical Islamic movements that swept the country from neighboring Syria:
1- Sunni under the leadership of Yasser Arafat and the PLO
2- Alaouite under the Assad dictator of Syria who is responsible for killing 1/2 million of his own citizens
3- Shi’a under the leadership of Hizballa and Iran.
In a political sense, the only Christians who are left in Lebanon are those who have accepted their roles as DHIMMIS. Those who refused ( and stayed) were killed.
Muslims are coming to America seeking economic opportunity and a better life. At the same time, they carry with them the teachings of the Koran which
Contains a lot of contradictions, especially vis a vis
Christians and Jews. Some Teachings call for discrimination and violence against these 2 groups.
Someone has to have the courage to speak the truth. CAIR is a very dangerous organization that is trying to conceal the truth from the American public.
I pray the God that voice of Robert Spencer will never be silenced.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Tony.
Giacomo Latta says
If there is one thing that the MSM will make sure never sees the light of day even more than the fact that the rise of anti-Semitism is due to imported Islamic culture, it is stories like this. Their camp could never allow a factual report that some people in the Middle East reject Islam, that they are not Muslim and that no law of nature forces them to be so. And that the result is a superior human being that respects and abides our laws and, yes, culture.
Patriotliz says
Tony,
I’m a Roman Catholic ISO (in search of) an Eastern Catholic Church that doesn’t conform to the rules of this Pope and Vatican and doesn’t enforce Sharia Blasphemy Laws on its priests. What is the relationship of the Maronites to the globalist communist, islamopandering Pope Francis?
Timothy Jordan says
Where are you?
tedh754 says
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell
Wellington says
The Roman Catholic Church taken in the aggregate has become a monumental institution of deceit. The origins for this is Vatican II (1962-1965) and thus the present Pope, much of the Church hierarchy, many ordinary priests and not a small amount of the Catholic laity function far more as symptoms than causes.
Right now, the Roman Catholic Church is letting down mankind. Big time. I know this is harsh but it is to the best of my reckoning quite true.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
As a Catholic “in recovery”, I agree with your post.
The fact that the Roman Catholic Church is letting down mankind is tragic beyond tragic…
Wellington says
I want the old, pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church back, James. Very unlikely to happen though and this is one of the great tragedies of our time, perhaps of any time. As Roman Catholicism goes, arguably so does Western Civilization or at least much of it.
Walter Sieruk says
More over , Rich Warren , to make room for another “Christian cleric ‘ who has caved in and collapsed to the in influence of the powers of Islam since Rev. Nick VanDenBroeke apologized “for saying in a sermon that Islam was ‘the greatest threat in the world’ to the United States and Christianity.”
In spite of those weak “Christian ” leaders the reality of the truth should be made known about the actual essence of Islam and Islamic terrorism.
The Truth is what is called “Radical Islamic Terrorism” , is very much based on religion. The religion of Islam For Islam’s “holy book” the Qur ‘an [the Koran] instructs on the use of violence and killing for the advancement of Islam. As found in ,for example 2:191. 4:89. 5:33. 9:5,111,123. 47:4.
Furthermore, it may be illustrated that if Islam is represented as a tree then the fruits then the fruits of that tree are the many brutal, violent and deadly jihad terror entities. Such as ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, al Shabaab , Hamas, Hezbollah, P.I.J. etc. With this statement, the Wisdom of the teachings of Jesus may, very much, apply to this subject. For Jesus taught “Ye do know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” After saying this Jesus told them what He told them when He said “By their fruit ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:16, 17, 18,.20. [K.J.V.]
In conclusion, Islam is a corrupt tree and also a false religion, Proverbs 14:12. John 14:6. First John 2:22,23. 4:14,15. 5:12,13,20.
nancy kontos says
Do you remember when the Ice cream place had a sing, No Muslim’s welcome??? and it got the stink eye from the Star and Cycle and Gov Dayton the loser had his picture taken with CAIR and the sign??? What the Hell is wrong in Lonsdale? They are evil people and we need to get them out of our Government!! They are going to ram in as many as they can in 2020! Start reading a real news paper!!!
Michael Copeland says
Archbishop Hebda says:
“…we must work together to banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism”.
His sentiments are not reciprocated by Islamic leaders.
“You must love the muslims and hate the Kuffaar” – muslimsagainstvoting
“So we will be merciful to each other. And we will be violent to the kuffar.” – Erdogan
“My religion doesn’t tolerate other religion. It doesn’t tolerate” – Abu Bakr, Australia.
“Christianity should be destroyed and wiped from the face of the earth” – Sheik Farook al-Mohammedi
Learning Curve Needed.
gravenimage says
Good post, Michael.
Michael Copeland says
Church of the Immaculate Conception
202 Alabama Street SE
Lonsdale, MN 55046
Email: office@icchurch.cc
Messages of support can be sent to Father VanDenBroeke.
He was right in his homily.
The Roman Catholic Church in USA has a Learning Curve to climb.
Father VanDenBroeke is ahead of his superiors on it.
GreekEmpress says
I read of this earlier and phoned the church to support Father VanDenBroeke. Probably due to the publicity, his phone goes to voicemail, so I left a message to let him know he did NOTHING wrong.
Thank you Michael Copeland for the email address. I’ll send an email also.
I’m Eastern Rite Catholic and there are lots of us that do not agree with the Pope and some of his bishops regarding Christian/Muslim relations.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Michael. And good for you, GreekEmpress.
Rufolino says
I wonder what this priest is thinking and feeling as a result of this.
It looks like he has been forced to compromise his integrity, which must be hard for anyone to live with.
Naram-Sin says
The second greatest threat on the world is people who deny Islam is the “greatest threat in the world.”
Wellington says
Directly on point. Would be deuce difficult to be more accurate than what you wrote.
gravenimage says
+1
libertylover10 says
The priest did not apologize ““for saying in a sermon that Islam was ‘the greatest threat in the world’ to the United States and Christianity.”” Here is his apology in full: “My homily on immigration contained words that were hurtful to Muslims. I’m sorry for this. I realize now that my comments were not fully reflective of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Islam.” It is important to see the difference. I feel like we are throwing him under the bus.
gravenimage says
He should not have apologized at all. But yes–I’m sure the pressure he was under was extreme.
somehistory says
“my comments were not fully reflective of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Islam.”
Truer words have not been spoken…and he has been made to pay a heavy price for saying them. Currently, it seems that the “teaching on islam” is to allow moslims to steal, rape and murder with impunity, and for the victims of the theft, rape and murder to respond to these with open arms and pocketbooks.
The fool said: “banish every form of discrimination, intolerance and religious fundamentalism,”
“Every form of discrimination”…that means one cannot “discriminate” against rape and murder…one must not have “discriminating tastes” …it used to be a sign of character to be one with “discriminating tastes.”
“…of intolerance”…Yes, yes, of course, one must now “tolerate” every thing done by anyone”…even when it is rape and murder…one must not be critical and intolerant of those things.
“…religious fundamentalism.” Of course, one must now ***leave*** the “fundamental teachings of Christ Jesus” in order to fully accept the demonic teachings of satan the devil…because the **church** has done this…esp as regards the pope and his henchmen.
The Truth about islam always ***hurts*** the evil sensibilities of moslims…and cair must jump on whomever speaks the Truth.
But, as Jesus Christ said, the Truth always comes out.
Spiro says
Another surrender
Oh I know (well no not really he’s just being polite)
You don’t confess me before men I will not confess you before the father
When you see the truth of Islam them backtrack.from it what is that
gravenimage says
Minnesota: Hamas-linked CAIR complains, Catholic priest apologizes for saying Islam “greatest threat in the world”
…………………………
The Reverend VanDenBroeke was *quite right* in what he said. Notice that CAIR never actually said that the reverend was incorrect.
James Lincoln says
So the Associated Press states:
“The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group…”
There you have it, the Associated Press considers CAIR to be a “civil rights group”.
Truly FAKE NEWS, and they should be publicly called out on this.
somehistory says
There does not seem to be a member of main stream media that tells the truth about cair…calling them, as they call themselves, “civil rights org” is just a big fat lie.
And, what is more, they don’t point out their ties to the mb, hamas, nor the fact of the legal matter in 2008 in Dallas. cair should not remain “an unindicted co-conspiritor”…but should be charged with funding terror and taken to court under RICO.
Liz says
+1
sheliak says
If the Catholic Church was acting as a true shepherd of spiritual and intellectual truth for its flock, the good Father’s words would be stated from every pulpit in every church every week. Instead we have a craven and cowardly US Catholic leadership totally committed to ‘sacred’ earthly causes like mass immigration and accommodating the ‘modern’ world. A pox on them and this current pope whose hatred of the ‘yankee’ West knows no bounds.
Larry says
These weaklings think that by recanting and apologizing, for something which is provable, will placate the Islamists, but what it is really telling the Islamists is, you got us to submit to Islam, a victory. Ignorance of Islam (Koran and hadiths) is our worst enemy.
Larry says
Wellington, the problem is many of them have aligned themselves with leftist political policy of Progressivism. Yes, I am Catholic. Not all Catholics are leftist, however. And yes, the don’t like us, In fact, my experience is that they hate us. Not very Catholic of them.
MINAS says
Little guy just caved in and sold his soul didn’t he. Islam is the greatest threat to the world today. It’s the greatest evil in the world today and make no mistake about it, it is the religion of the Antichrist.
FYI says
The priest has NOTHING to apologize for.
The RCC authorities on the other hand,have EVERYTHING to apologize for:scandalizing the catholic flock,emptying the churches,introducing watered-down liturgy,protecting pederasts{see Cardinals Law,Sodano..},the catastrophe of Vatican 2,ignoring the mass murders of catholics by muslims in African/Asian countries etc,the novus ordo{!} “mass”.
You wouldn’t believe what is now going on in the vatican with the Bergoglio circus:he has appointed his own morally dubious hench men to more senior positions,introduced errors into catholicism,faithful catholics who have complained about his heresies have even been excommunicated{Scottish Hermits recently}:the vatican is now a political center and Mr Bergolio,the smiley showman and politician seems to be getting worse and more authoritarian.
francis and his henchmen are pro-islam and pro-globalist so of course they clamp down on any priests who don’t subcribe to the Bergoglio dictatorship.
Don’t be surprised if a SCHISM happens.
Given that the koran DENIES Jesus Christ {k4:157,k4:171}CURSES Christians for believing in Jesus{koran 9:30} ,DENIES the Holy Spirit *{k5:116},it is logically and theologically impossible that the Arab muslim idiot of a god al lah{“The CHAMPION deceiver” k3:54} could be the SAME as the Christian God.
And yet francis the jesuit tells everybody allah is the same as the Biblical God which he must know to be false.
*In allah’s misunderstanding of the Trinity he has allah,Jesus and ..MARY in it but notice how the Holy Spirit{=the source of authentic scripture,prophecy,God’s shared wisdom] is MISSING and that explains why the “perfect” koran is so full of errors.
Also missing:the Golden Rule,the concept of “love thy neighbor”{lev19:18} the 2nd Chief commandment …Christians should study the koran…and muslims too as the holy men of islam are not telling them the truth..
E T says
CAIR is the Muslim Brotherhood hoods. CAIR uses death threats and law suits against anyone who exposes the truth about Islam. The brutal global struggle for Islam is ongoing. Two fast growing groups in the West are Sunni Muslim Brotherhood hoods and Iranian Shi’a Khomeneists.
Rev. Nick VanDenBroeke is David vs. Goliath
Jeremiah 23:1
Woe to the Shepard’s who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,says the lord.
Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the Shepard’s who shephard my people:
you have scattered my people and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but, I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
Old Fat Bald Socially Inept Ron says
The onetime CRUSADERS are now COWARDS
RIP Catholicism
Patriotliz says
This priest obviously didn’t get the memo from the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy that we Catholics are supposed to pander to Islam. Pope Benedict XVI had to step down as Pope because he didn’t realize with his Regensburg address in 2006 which contained an unflattering historical quote about Islam, that it would cause a major controversy and security threat for the Catholic Church. He subsequently walked it back but, the message was clear to all Catholics: They must adhere to Sharia Blasphemy Law. It didn’t matter because Catholics are persecuted anyhow on a regular basis by Muslims—always have been and always will be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y39dKQ4npd8&feature=
dsr says
Hamas top dog writes to all Islamic heads of state, urging them to reject Trump peace plan
E T says
Dr. A. M. A. Fahmy of the International Islamic Forum:
“ Though jihad may be a part of the answer to the problems of the ummah, it is an extremely important part. jihad is to offer ourselves to Allah for his cause. indeed, every person should according to Islam prepare himself/herself for jihad and every person should eagerly and patiently wait for the day when Allah will call them to show their willingness to SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES. we should all ask ourselves if there is a quicker way to Heaven?”
“My brothers! the ummah that knows how to die a noble and honourable death is granted an exhaled life in this world and eternal felicity in the next. Degradation and dishonourable death are the results of the love of this world and fear of death.
Therefore, prepare for jihad and be LOVERS Of DEATH. Llife itself shall come searching after you.”
“You should yearn for an honourable death and you will gain perfect happiness. May Allah grant may self and yours the honour of martyrdom in His way!”
“Sovereignty: In a democracy, man is the sovereign legislator, so laws are legislated based exclusively on the will of the people. IN ISLAM, ON THE OTHER HAND, ALLAH IS THE SOVEREIGN LEGISLATOR , so laws are legislated based exclusively on the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah; the people have NO RIGHT or capability to make Halal into Haram, or Haram into Halal, no matter how many people VOTE IN FAVOUR OF IT.”
“Islam and democracy are contradictory and ABSOLUTELY INCAPABLE , because Islam forbids mankind from legislating laws in the place of the Creator, even if the overwhelming majority of the people vote in favour of it. THE RIGHT TO LEGISLATE BELONGS EXCLUSIVELY to Allah.
“We should stop chasing this old, outdated, failed Greek system that has led us to the suffering of the majority of the world under its oppression today, and we should summit ourselves to the guidance of our Creator that has no flaws or gaps, or loopholes, and leads to justice and balance. The Khilafah system of government designed by Allah and no amount of misuse of it by bloodthirsty militias will change that fact. WE SHOULD CALL FOR IT, AND WORK TOWARD RE-ESTABLISING IT-AND ITS RETURN IS A PROMISE FROM ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER.”
paul budrunas says
Correct…Islam is tied for the greatest threat along with global nuclear war and possibly the coronavirus! Damn shame he chose to apologize for offering his opinion!
gravenimage says
Paul, Islam has killed a lot more people than the coronavirus has.
Battle says
Good video Patriotliz. The CAIR claimed to be the victim of a “threat.” The CAIR of hate falsely accusing the priest.
Firefox says
The priest was right to apologize!
Islam isn’t the greatest threat to the world.
The idiot progressives are the greatest threat for letting Islam into the free world.
Progressives: more money and corruption than brains.
Battle says
CAIR’s goal is to destroy the Catholic Church.
Battle says
Moslems killed the priest in northern France.
A Moslem shot dead the priest leaving Burkina Faso.
A Moslem stabbed in the back killed the sister in Sudan.
somehistory says
Somehow I missed this article by Daniel Greenfield. It’s worth a good read, even now.
https://thewashingtonstandard.com/is-taxpayer-money-going-to-an-islamic-terror-refugee-resettlement-charity/
Even some moslim countries recognized the danger in this group…much like cair, it is joined at the hip to the mb, hamas, and presents a great threat to freedom.
DazzleMe says
We owe muslims NOTHING—leave our country!!