The Sin of Apostasy - Fr. Stephen McKenna 10-13-13

SummaryFr. Stephen McKenna’s sermon—delivered on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima—is a stirring exhortation to heroic fidelity in the face of modern apostasy and moral collapse. He opens with the true story of Fr. Andreas Wouters, a disgraced priest in 16th-century Holland who had fallen into scandalous sin but ultimately repented and died a martyr rather than deny the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Fr. McKenna uses this powerful example to expose the spiritual rot of our own times, especially the treachery of modern clerics like Jorge Bergoglio (Francis) who mock evangelization, promote doctrinal error, and profane the Faith by allowing unrepentant public sinners to receive Communion.Contrasting the courage of martyrs with today’s cowardice and compromise, Fr. McKenna points to Our Lady of Fatima as the answer from Heaven: repentance, sacrifice, and above all, the Holy Rosary. He urges Catholics to accept their daily duties, humiliations, and sufferings as offerings to God in reparation for sin and for the conversion of sinners, warning that modern sins—especially those against purity and the family—are crying out to Heaven. In a world that seems hostile to truth, he reminds the faithful that someone once prayed and sacrificed for them, and now they must do the same for others.Key Quotes“Fornicator I was, heretic I never was.” – Fr. Wouters’ final words before martyrdom“Proselytizing is solemn nonsense.” – Jorge Bergoglio (Francis)“So many souls go to Hell because no one offers sacrifices for them.” – Our Lady of Fatima“What greater thing can we do than offer God Himself?” – Fr. McKenna on the Holy Mass“Through the rosary and scapular, she will save the world.” – Promise of Our LadyKey Points and Takeaways1. Heroic Martyrdom and RepentanceFr. Andreas Wouters was a sinful, suspended priest.He voluntarily joined his fellow priests in martyrdom.He endured torture and humiliation, refusing to deny the Real Presence.His final words displayed profound repentance and unshakable faith.2. Modern Cowardice and ApostasyOne priest who had lived faithfully apostatized under torture and died shortly after, showing that external observance without interior strength can fail.Today’s clergy compromise with the world and give Communion to pro-abortion politicians.Modern “Catholic” leaders embrace heresies and ridicule traditional practices.3. Bergoglio’s BlasphemiesCalls proselytizing “nonsense,” directly insulting martyrs and missionaries.Seeks ways to permit divorce and remarriage within the Church.Treats social issues (like unemployment and loneliness) as more important than moral and doctrinal corruption.4. Our Lady of Fatima’s PrescriptionHeaven demands penance, sacrifices, and prayer, especially the Rosary.Daily crosses—chores, humiliations, illness, missed devotions—are all opportunities to offer reparation.Public acts like Rosary processions and attending extra devotions are pleasing to God.5. Call to Action: Fight for SoulsEvery Catholic is called to become a soldier of Christ.We are here today because someone else sacrificed and prayed for us.Now we must do the same for others: offer up our daily sufferings and pray the Rosary faithfully, even when inconvenient or difficult.ConclusionFr. McKenna’s sermon is both a rebuke of the modern Catholic imposture and a call to arms for faithful Catholics. Through the unforgettable example of Fr. Wouters—who passed from disgrace to martyrdom—Fr. McKenna shows that true victory lies in fidelity to the Faith, not in reputation or comfort. In contrast, the so-called leaders of the Vatican II sect have betrayed the Gospel, scandalized the faithful, and embraced the errors of the world.The true Catholic must reject this counterfeit church, live lives of prayer and sacrifice, and cling to the weapons given by Our Lady: penance and the daily Rosary. The martyrs chose to suffer rather than compromise a single point of doctrine. So must we.“You are here because someone sacrificed for your soul. Now it is your turn.”Commentary from a Sedevacantist, Pre-Vatican II Catholic PerspectiveThis sermon by Fr. McKenna is a textbook defense of the traditional Catholic Faith and a withering condemnation of the Vatican II counterfeit religion.Upholding Catholic TruthFr. McKenna praises the heroism of Fr. Wouters, who died rather than deny one dogma—the Real Presence.This stands in contrast to today’s Vatican II clergy who deny dozens of dogmas by their actions, words, or omissions.His example illustrates that even grave sinners can be redeemed through repentance and martyrdom, a message of hope and accountability.Rejecting the Apostate SectJorge Bergoglio (Francis) is correctly identified as a heretic who mocks missionary work and promotes immorality.His statement that “proselytism is solemn nonsense” is a direct denial of the Great Commission.The post-conciliar acceptance of divorced-and-“remarried” couples, LGBT ideologies, and abortion-promoting politicians profanes the sacraments and scandalizes souls.The Church Militant Must RiseFr. McKenna exhorts Catholics to become active spiritual warriors, not passive attendees.He echoes the teaching of Pope St. Pius X, who warned that the enemies of the Church are no longer outside, but inside, seated at Her very bosom.The emphasis on penance, reparation, and the Rosary directly confronts the Novus Ordo’s comfortable, man-centered liturgies and feel-good religion.Martyrs or Cowards: A Binary ChoiceEither we follow the path of Fr. Wouters and the martyrs—faithful unto death—or we follow the path of human respect, like the apostate priest who died outside the Church.This stark contrast affirms the sedevacantist understanding: that truth is not flexible, and fidelity may cost us everything.Final ReflectionFr. McKenna speaks the language of the true Catholic Church—the Church of martyrs, missionaries, and penitent saints. His sermon is a challenge to every faithful soul: will we follow Our Lady’s orders to pray, sacrifice, and suffer for sinners? Or will we continue in comfort while the world—and the counterfeit church—falls deeper into apostasy?“Fornicator I was, heretic I never was.” This is the cry of the true Catholic in every age: better to die in disgrace than to live in heresy.