First, because of its potential relevance to our times, let’s recall Our Lady’s of Akita’s prophecy about “cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops.” Our Lady’s prophecy of October 13, 1973 can be viewed not only as a prediction of events yet to come but also as a prophetic witness of events already in motion. Here is an excerpt from her prophecy:
“The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres…churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.”
Of course, it’s shocking to think that “the devil will infiltrate even into the Church.” Yet, in her prophetic voice, Our Lady points to priests of faith and to priests pressed by the demon. In 1973, she could already see the priests who would scorn and oppose their faithful brother priests. Those priests under the influence of the demon would sack the churches and the altars and “leave the service of the Lord.”
Who are the Cardinals and Priests of the Prophecy?
There is division in the Church. There are “cardinals opposing cardinals” and “bishops against bishops” throughout the world. And the point we’re trying to make is quite simple – the cardinals and priests of the prophecy include every member of the clergy, every priest and bishop you know. They are the good priests and the not so good priests, the good bishops and the not so good bishops, the good cardinals and the not so good cardinals. And, the Pope is a part of the prophecy as well.
Here are news articles from the last few weeks to illustrate the point. (Yes, this is a reading assignment.) Don’t trust me. Do your own research. The first four articles are from the National Catholic Reporter:
Papal connected authors condemn Catholic, fundamentalist ecumenism of hate
Thousands of faith leaders ask Congress to protect Johnson Amendment
Nigerian cardinal says pressure to change Communion rules is unfortunate
British bishops tackle anti-LGBT bullying in Catholic schools
and the next four are from LifeSiteNews.com.
Spanish cardinal: ‘Never in history’ has Church faced such ‘severe test’ as today
Cardinal: No Communion, funeral for Catholic politicians who support abortion
Cardinal Sarah: ‘We are called today to witness, which means martyrdom’
Vatican liturgy chief calls for ‘revolt’ to defend traditional family values
The final article deserves special note because it deals with questions of singular importance.
Cardinal Burke: Here’s what the formal correction of Pope Francis will look like
Some say this particular controversy could lead to schism. Cardinal Burke
Cardinal Burke said that faithful Catholics who are frustrated with Pope Francis’ leadership of the Church must not entertain any notion of “schism.”
“People talk about a de facto schism. I am absolutely in opposition to any kind of formal schism — a schism can never be correct,” he said.
“People can, however, be living in a schismatic situation if the teaching of Christ has been abandoned. The more appropriate word would be the one Our Lady used in her Message of Fatima: apostasy. There can be apostasy within the Church and this, in fact, is what is going on. In connection with the apostasy, Our Lady also referred to the failure of pastors to bring the Church to unity,” he added.
And where we began with Our Lady of Akita, Cardinal Burke ends with Our Lady of Fatima. So, pray to Our Lady, pray the Rosary, pray, pray, pray …. pray that our pastors and our Pastor will bring the Church to unity.
Our Lady of Akita, pray for us!
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre’s sake, but voluntarily: Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5: 1-4
The Sheep of Kephas 