Pope Francis, within hours of his election, laying flowers before the image of our Lady — Salus Populi Romani — thought to be painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist at Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
My past use of pen-names in dangerous situations
I confess that I myself had a pseudonym while hosting various blogs over the years. These false names are especially useful when participating in rather dangerous activities, or when you otherwise absolutely must stay under the radar.
For example, on one particular blog — shut down now for very many years — I made a hobby of baiting Islamicist terrorist types, you know, the puppets who collect money for them, and even some who knew something of their ongoing operations, and even some, it turns out, who are now spokesmen and information carriers on an international level for terrorist organizations, two gentlemen in particular.
I would do this by asking questions on Sura 37:100-113 of the Qur’an. Actually, I really was trying to get some reasoned commentary on this passage, but, of course, ran into the same difficulty noted by Benedict XVI in his spectacular Regensburg Address. You can’t reason with those who, as a religious principle, reject reason in any interreligious dialogue, holding this to be an insult against Allah. I sincerely thank those Muslims, particularly the Imams (one a known terrorist in Syria) who took a great deal of time to answer my questions from their perspective, on the one hand, and those such as Robert Spencer of the great http://www.jihadwatch.org, who also took a great deal of time personally to provide me with expert observations on the other hand. Even the Institute, that is, the Mossad, and students at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome and Al-Azhar University in Cairo pitched in.
My intent was converting Muslims to be Catholic, but whenever I would note some rather nefarious activities, baiting the terrorists to give some hint about themselves, I would turn this over to the intelligence communities. Those who had to know who I was did know this, so, not a real pseudonym.
What I noticed, however, is that it is rather a temptation when using a nom de plume to phrase things in a manner that might edge toward a lack of goodness and kindness. I didn’t like having that temptation right at hand. So much did I not like this that I not only stopped using a false name, but identified myself. I’m glad I did. I like to add my name to what I say. It’s all much better that way.
Use of pseudonyms to protect one’s privacy
It is commonplace to use a “handle” instead of one’s own name when making comments on the internet, and there are some few people who would benefit in their not being identified as Catholics lest, should they be found out, for instance, by an anti-Catholic employer, they lose their jobs, and so on. Some employers, on the other hand, even not being Catholic, might well respect someone who owns up to what they say.
Surely the vast majority of those who use a handle do so just to be clever with the names they come up with. Some are, in fact, hilarious, ironic, incisive, or describe the writer with very few letters indeed. Way cool, that! I think we can all understand that this is just a fad that people easily fall into. It can be funny and innocent. I’ve done that too! However, as I say, in the end, I really have to wonder if the disadvantages don’t outweigh the advantages. There is always a temptation, no matter how nice we think we are, to hide behind the nickname thing so as to say something that lacks in goodness and kindness.
Again, some people must absolutely protect their identities. I understand that. But that’s very few people indeed. I myself should have been taken out, as it were, a thousand times over for what I was doing with the terrorist hunt hobby, but nothing happened when I fessed up, did it?
Use of nicknames to attack others, including Pope Francis
It’s another thing altogether, of course, to hide behind pseudonyms so as to attack others all the more easily. Such attacks with false names are almost always gratuitous, self-congratulatory, full of unsubstantiated accusations and wild innuendos, selling the attractiveness of arrogant pride to those who want to participate in it themselves. The followers of such jaw-dropping cowardice are… I mean… what can said about followers of such rubbish, who also use nicknames to hide behind…?
Even worse than this is the use of pseudonyms to attack the very person of the Holy Father. This reeks of the diabolical, an unbearable stench of flatulent thoughts fanned upon the world and the Church. But note that Satan has the guts to accuse the saints day and night before the throne of God. Note that these are the saints he is accusing. And he does not hide. One cannot imagine the depths of hell to which some may well be assigned. Their pen-names may well be used to torture them forever and ever and ever. Is it worth it?
I challenge those attacking the Holy Father to go ahead and use their real names
When I came across priests over the years, those who were always spouting off their anti-Catholic stupidities to all and sundry, I challenged them to go ahead and write to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and to the Secretariat of State and to the Congregation for the Clergy or the Congregation for Religious, telling them of their disagreement with the doctrine and morality of the Church, and how they as priests go out of their way in their pastoral activities to teach people that which is not supported by the Catholic Church. I call them cowards and dishonest if they do not do this, mere sycophantic followers of political correctness of the lowest common denominator of scum, mere shells of men who are puppets for others, living worthless lives that do not help themselves or others, but lives which instead only seek the destruction of all that is good and holy, seeking the destruction of the Church.
I’ve had a rather spectacular convert to the faith in this way, a priest from a third-world country. I know because, after a week, he told me about it. This shook him to the core of his being. Perhaps I’ve had many more converts in this way. Many priests were dumbfounded that I would be so bold, and that they had no answer to provide. When I would meet them for weeks after that, the expressions of their faces were of profound sorrow and confusion. Good. That’s a great sign that one’s conscience has not died.
So, there it is. That’s my challenge. Fess up to who you are
Do it now. And, go ahead, write to Rome as well. Really! “But… but…” is what I know many are saying. Not a single “but” will be allowed by Christ Jesus for any of us, not for you, not for me, at the last judgment. We always have to be preparing for that last judgment right now. Today. Do it today. Change your ways. Know the goodness and kindness of Jesus.
As Pope Francis says, if we do not have a personal experience of the mercy of Jesus, we do not know him. If we do not preach about Jesus, we only speak on behalf of Satan.
Go to Confession.
And know that Jesus is good and that Jesus is kind. Really. He is.
Accompany me, Father George David Byers, S.S.L., S.T.D., as I begin life as a Catholic Priest-Hermit by choice. Holy Souls Hermitage is dedicated to the sanctification of my fellow priests, bishops, deacons & seminarians going through the purgatory of this life or the next. Prayer and sacrifice go up, of course, for both Benedict XVI and the next Successor of Saint Peter. 
Dear Fr. Byers,
I haven’t had a chance to read this latest post yet, but I will soon. In the meantime, though, I have a question.
It has been pointed out elsewhere on the web, that during his first mass in the Sistene Chapel, Pope Francis did not genuflect after he consecrated the host or the chalice, but rather bowed instead. Genuflecting is an absolute must, is it not? Even my very feeble and elderly Irish priest (with the bad knees) does that. Are priests free to just bow instead of genuflect?
I really love this Pope so far, and I am not one of those freaking out over at Rorate Caeli. But this does concern me. Please tell me what I’m missing. I know you can straighten me out on this Father.
Thank you for your wonderful blog and for your holy priesthood.
Hello Jenna, I’ll answer that in a new post with, I hope, an insightful, positive answer.
My name is Philippe Magnan, but then nobody cares about my name (I have no power whatsoever in this world!) Whereas the concept of katechon is glorious!!
I noticed you’re preaching against scandalization. And I have one question, slightly related to this post’s topic.
On Sunday, I go to the Latin Mass, but after I join a dear, dear friend at the church of his parish. And there, I’m often scandalized!! And I’m wondering what I could do to put an end to bad liturgical practices within a specific church (namely the Sanctuaire de la fraternité de Jerusalem in Montreal).
I’m a very lowly employee where I work, and I’m not scandalized at all by some humiliations. It brings me closer to Him as I remain myself that I’m working there to provide for my loved ones, and that they don’t know what they’re doing when they use earthly power to torment gracelessly. But the Church is different, obviously. What should one do when one is scandalized by liturgical aberration?
By the lack of reverence of the priests but above all by this : they allow the people to touch the consecrated vessels!
Isn’t prohibited by the Church? Aren’t only anointed hands allowed to touch the Chalice and this vessel (which proper name I ignore) contained the bread-soon-to- transubstantiated.
Father George, I have been following your blog with unbelief and shock at the comments coming into it. You have been fielding the trash and evilness with commendable bravery and graciousness.
People… we need to examine our hearts and actions. It gives high commendation to the holiness and goodness of Pope Francis when I see him so viciously attacked but horrifically so by his own!! The unbelievers and atheists don’t need to say anything because the holier than thou “Catholics” are doing a commendable job discrediting our faith, our beloved leader and Holy Father, our church, and making a mockery of the Sacrament of the Altar. Shame, Shame!
I am totally appalled at the mean spiritedness that this dear Pope’s presence is drawing. For goodness sakes people!… attacking him because they think he hasn’t allowed a certain celebration of the Mass?!…what are you thinking?! yes, reverent celebration is important but what’s more important is what is in your heart! .I don’t hear any love in a lot of these comments. I face my family, who aren’t Catholic, and I have to defend the actions of people in the Catholic Church and the Priesthood who on occasion fill me with shame.
It’s like when my deceased husband physically and emotionally abused me (bless his soul) and in my shame, I made excuses for him and tried to cover it up for years. I am once again ashamed and making excuses, only it’s not my husband this time but for the Catholic Church to which I am a member. I wouldn’t walk away from my abusive marriage because of my vows and so again, I won’t walk away from my Catholic faith because of my vows. In a abusive situation there is the abuser and there is the victim. In a simplied way, I see people who trash the pope and the church are abusers and those who don’t as the victims.
All I can say is stop and think what you are doing! Instead of spewing hatred and self-righteous nonsense, grab some prayer beads and pray very very hard. In the silence of your hearts pray for forgiveness and a change of heart. We are human beings made in God’s image, not a pack of wolves.
kateshon: You will greatly enjoy this:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html
Specifically, paragraph 184 !!!
Prayers and blessings.
Cathe: O.K. But! A distinction is in order. When there is any real threat in a marriage, you have to protect yourself and the children. I would insist on this because of the tendency not to protect oneself. Often the situation can get worse and serious injury and even death can result for the wife and/or kids. In my own family, there was a miraculous conversion, but this doesn’t happen in every situation!
Also, see the exchange in this post with kateshon.
Also, just to say! We have to be crucified with our Lord instead of leave the Church, so there is not quite a direct analogy!
Prayers and blessings!
Thank you Father George for the correction. However, no matter how justified these people who are saying hateful things may be, it does not excuse them for bringing dissension in the church. I still say shame on them for their behaviour.
Holy intrigue, The Devil and his minons are alive and well. But then this was all predicted. Prayer is and has always been the answer so dear brothers and sisters in Christ let us pray. For the Holy Father, All religious, the Church and those self disposed ignorant being who are guided by Satan plan to disrupt what is good and holy. We can talk forever but now is the time to put on the Armor of God and become Warriors for the Lord and his Most Blessed Mother.
Blessing, Prayers for all,
Gail Cathy Figueroa
What was most impressive in his visit to Mary was the half hour that he spent in prayer! His holy simplicity will be a spiritual magnet to all people of good will.
Cathy — you rock!
Cathe — I can appreciate your distress but please, please remember: the Church is composed of MANY. Those who are expressing anger or even hatred (I haven’t seen this but I do believe you and others have) are NOT the Church. It reminds me of the similar argument non-believers make when they saw: See! You have hypocrites in your midst so therefore your Church as a whole is hypocritical.
I have seen a great many Catholics celebrating Pope Francis’ election. Let us celebrate together, pray for ALL Catholics and not be afraid to be vocal in our support for our Church. Corragio!
Father, you are so real! Thank you for urging the rest of us to be, too.
We are a small group who follow Father Georges Blog but in essence we can make a change. We can support Father George and the Church by posting this to other sites. We can ask for and offer prayers. When a rock is thrown into a calm pool of water that pool is forever changed by that rock. Let us becomes the rocks of change, of prayer, of sacrafice. Even the name of Jesus can move mountains. We can use everything that happens to us and around us as lessions and become the role model of how to work thru a situation. We can become the rock that another leans on in a time of stress. We as Spiritual Warriors can lead others to The Lord. We must be proactive in our actions; we are either part of the problem or part of the solution.
With much love and respect to all,
yours in Christ,
Gail Cathy
We all know well when something is from God the devil never likes and therefore start the attack. This is how I see the election of our dear Holy Fathe Francesco. He is the man from God and those who knows him testify to this.
Let us never give up but pray hard for our dear Pope and the Church.