continue at Arch WashingtonIt is rare that a respected segment of American life would become vilified and hated overnight. The usual transformation from respect to vilification goes in stages which grow in intensity. And hereby the Church, once a respected aspect of American life, along with the Protestant denominations has become increasingly marginalized and hated by many. It may help us to review these stages of persecution since it would seem that things are going to get more difficult for the Church in the years ahead. Generally there are distinguished five basic stages of persecution.
By way of giving due credit I want to say that these stages were recalled to me by Johnette Benkovic, of Women of Grace EWTN. She spoke at a recent fundraiser here in DC for WMET 1160 AM, Our Catholic Radio Station in the Guadalupe Radio Network. She gave a wonderful talk and a summons to courage. And among the things she set forth was a sober vision of how we have come to this current place where the culture is increasingly hostile to Christians and to Catholics particularly. The stages are from her talk, the commentary is my own.
Here then are the Five stages:
I. Stereotyping the targeted group -
II. Vilifying the targeted Group for alleged crimes or misconduct
III. Marginalizing the targeted group’s role in society
IV. Criminalizing the targeted group or its works – Can someone say HHS mandate?
V. Persecuting the targeted group outright
The donkey has bucked and killed its rider.
2 comments:
@Badger, you comment was almost too clever, or maybe I'm just slow today. the first visit to the page I thought it was a shot at Msgr Pope, but I finally figured it out.
I've spent the last few years trying to convince people, esp Catholics, how quickly societal shifts can occur, esp. regarding persecution. I'm glad to see this coming on a blog that people may finally listen to.
Instead of in terms of a decade, people should think in terms of a few yrs or less. It just takes a justifying event to really turn the tide. Even a manufactured event.
There's a new accusation out there now against Pro-lifers. See the article on lifesitenews. A black commentator accused pro-lifers of being racist and trying to stop abortions to "build up the white race." Lifesitenews points out the irony of the accusation.
Hmm, yes, the donkey being the democrat party. I don't usually proofread so I'm sure it comes out wrong sometimes, lol.
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