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PUBLIC STATEMENT August 8, 2005 from Fr. Joseph
Francis I am writing this to show my support for the Little Pebble, God's Prophet and Founder of the Order of St. Charbel, and give witness of his innocence. Why do I feel he is innocent? Because I know of dozens of faithful and zealous Catholics, whole families as well as individuals, who would have continued their lives as lukewarm (mainstream) Christians but for the example and messages from Heaven given to the Little Pebble. By his fruits, you shall know him. Some of these fruits in our Bethlehem Community of the Order of St. Charbel are as follows:
On the other hand, the fallibility of the legal process is well-known. In Canada over the last few years, the courts have confessed to having convicted a number of innocent people of serious crimes and, consequently, have ordered them released after serving years in prison. Other situations, where court procedures are motivated by issues related to money and/or malice, are harder to prove but nonetheless even more likely. In Canada, we are aware of the guilty verdict against the Pebble in his recent trial and aware as well of the more or less constant barrage of negative publicity directed against him in Australia. A court case in the midst of this type of publicity is a recipe for a miscarriage of justice. Given his consistently negative public (media-contrived) image, what jury would agree that he was innocent -- even if jury members felt the evidence did not warrant his being found guilty? Consider for a moment (as hard as it is), a very different world -- where local Catholic Church leaders respected Messages from the Blessed Mother given to the Little Pebble -- following Her requests. You would see in the Parishes, the faithful dressed modestly; they would show reverence to Our Lord in the Tabernacle and in the Holy Eucharist. The fall into Modernism and apostasy would be reversed: the faithful would receive clear instruction about their religious and moral duties; the behaviour of political and religious leaders would give an unambiguous witness of obedience to these norms; and, dissent being absent, worship would be informed by a spirit of prayer, penance and respect for the teaching of the Pope and the Magisterium. Obviously, in such a world, the Little Pebble would be treated very differently from how he is now. Proof of innocence by ordeal is what the Little Pebble is willingly undergoing at this time in the Australian Justice System (along with the corresponding publicity). We are impressed by his courage, patience and charity. Given his impressive witness, there is no way I can withhold this poor written witness. In Canada, supporters of the Little Pebble are not the brunt of media attacks. In our more peaceful situation, we have a quiet confidence that, even though God is testing our faith, He will reward his patience and faithfulness with the grace to fulfil his Mission as the Prophet of the Three-fold Covenant. Sincerely, and in Christ, Fr. Joseph Francis |
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