Wikileaks docs suggest Cdl. Burke followed Pope’s directives in Knights of Malta condom scandal

February 1, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – Recent documents published at Wikileaks have rekindled the intrigues within the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMoM). Much attention is being given to the Dec. 1, 2016 letter from Pope Francis to Cdl. Raymond Burke regarding the Pope’s concerns with Knights’ "memberships in associations, movements and organizations which are contrary to the Catholic faith or of a relativist nature," and with the possible distribution of contraception by the Order’s charitable organization, Malteser International. The letter from the Pope to Cardinal Burke, however, was already available since April 2017 when an anonymous source dumped a host of confidential Knights of Malta internal documents online that confirm the extent to which the Pope involved himself in the affairs of the Order.

The Knights of Malta scandal centers around one of its senior members, Albrecht von Boeselager, who was in charge of Malteser International — the order's charitable arm — at the time it was caught distributing contraception. A meeting took place at which Boeselager refused to resign his post as Grand Chancellor and was subsequently suspended from the Order. Von Boeselager then took his case to Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, who then appointed a commission to investigate the matter. What is interesting about this is that Cdl. Parolin stated in his letter to Fra’ Matthew Festing, then Grand Knight of the SMoM: ''regarding the use and dissemination of methods and means contrary to the moral law, His Holiness asked that dialogue be the approach used to address and resolve potential problems. He never mentioned, conversely, expelling anyone. [emphasis original] Cdl. Parolin suggests that Pope Francis was saying that the supreme authority of the SMoM should only talk to Boeselager and nothing more. This is untrue. In the letter to Cdl. Burke, Pope Francis said regarding this particular matter: ''Furthermore, the Order must ensure that methods and means it uses in its initiatives and healthcare works are not contrary to moral law. If in the past there has been a problem of this nature, I hope that it can be completely resolved. I would be very disappointed if- as you told me- some of the high Officers were aware of practices such as the distribution of any type of contraceptives and have not intervened to end such things. I have no doubts that by following the principle of Paul and "speaking the truth in love," (Ephesians 4, 15), the matter can be discussed with these Officers and the necessary rectification obtained. [emphasis added] In that last line, Pope Francis spoke of both discussing the matter with those involved and obtaining “necessary rectification.” The rectification imposed by Grand Knight Festing was to request Boeselager’s resignation from his post. When that was refused, in accordance with the laws of the Order, Boeselager was suspended.

At issue was the fact that Boeselager denied knowing about the distribution of condoms by Malteser International … a denial that the Sovereign Council found to be untruthful. The German court also found Boeselager’s denial to be untruthful as well when it sided with Kath.net in a case over this very issue. Page 19 of the Commission of Inquiry document published at Wikileaks mentioned a testimony given by a priest who witnessed Boeselager state the necessity of providing contraceptives to women. While no details of this testimony are provided in this particular document, the Lepanto Institute has obtained a copy of the testimony and is providing a portion here.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/wikileaks-docs-suggest-cdl.-burke-followed-popes-directives-in-knights-of-m

Open Letter to Pope Francis:

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/knights-of-malta-members-petition-pope-for-reasonable-explanation-for-meddl

Dec. 12 Letter of Cardinal Parolin to SMOM Grand Master

https://www.scribd.com/document/335808323/Dec-12-Letter-of-Cardinal-Parolin-to-SMOM-Grand-Master

Email Exchange:

http://www.lepantoinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/emails.pdf

Trump to Offer Optimistic Vision in State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON—In his second State of the Union address, President Donald Trump will hit on several major bipartisan topics, but a focus on border security will likely outweigh them all. The theme of the Feb. 5 speech is “choosing greatness,” according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters at the White House on Feb. 1. “In his address, the president will cast an inspiring vision of American greatness,” the official said. “He will outline a policy agenda that both parties can rally behind to achieve this vision. The president will express confidence in this hopeful future and encourage Congress to reject the politics of resistance and retribution, and, instead, adopt a spirit of cooperation and compromise so we can achieve it.”

The official outlined five key areas of the speech, including immigration, protecting American workers, infrastructure, lowering health care costs, and national security. Tightening border security and decreasing illegal immigration have become a hot-button issues that culminated in the longest government shutdown in history, with another one looming. “The president will reaffirm the determination to stop illegal immigration, human trafficking, the flow of drugs and crime,” the official said.

Trump intends to update Congress on the trading relationship with China, as well as urge the chambers to pass both the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Reciprocal Trade Act. High-level U.S.–China trade talks concluded on Jan. 31, with progress made toward a trade deal and a Chinese commitment to buy more U.S. soybeans. The White House has said that if both sides fail to reach a satisfactory outcome by March 1, the United States will increase tariffs on Chinese goods. “The president will also talk broadly about rebuilding America,” the senior administration official said. “He’ll ask Congress to produce an infrastructure package that delivers substantial investments in vital national infrastructure projects.” Trump will also tout last year’s success in lowering drug prices and call on Congress to support the administration’s efforts to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs.

Finally, the president will update Congress on his “diplomatic and military efforts around the world and reaffirm his determination to protect American interest and bring to an end our endless foreign wars,” the official said. The official said Trump will address the political turmoil in Venezuela, but declined to name other countries included in the speech. When asked whether Trump will weigh in on the recent furor over late-term abortions and infanticide, the official said “the president will talk about the fundamental importance of respecting human life.” The official reiterated the broad, bipartisan support for the main topics.

“Democrats have talked for years about lowering the cost of drugs and the cost of health care,” he said. “They’ve talked about the need for infrastructure. They’ve talked about protecting American workers and they’ve talked about putting an end to America’s foreign engagements. And frankly, they’ve also talked about the need to have a safe and secure border. So there is very broad agreement.” The official said the tone of the State of the Union speech is optimistic, visionary, and will likely run a little short of last year’s 81 minutes. Trump will make references to gallery guests, as he did last year with the parents of children killed by illegal aliens, a North Korean defector, guests related to the opioid crisis, law enforcement, and business and trade.

The official provided an excerpt from the speech as prepared for delivery: “Together, we can break decades of political stalemate, we can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. The decision is ours to make.” Democrats have chosen former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams to deliver their response to the State of the Union.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-to-offer-optimistic-vision-in-state-of-the-union-address_2789072.html