I have recommended that the original image be tracked down. If no such hard copy can be produced, then it is clear that this photograph should not be considered as evidence for the Bishop's claims.
I will continue to scour through the docuмents tomorrow. Even if one image is Photoshopped, this does not disprove the Bishop's claims. More information and evidence is needed.
NO, it is not that simple.
He is basically saying "If this photo turns out to be fake, then I'll just have to keep looking for the good proof; no problem"
NO. That is not how it works.
An honest, non-con-artist does not just "happen to have" a doctored photo in his photo collection. I have thousands of pictures of myself and my family, and NONE of them are doctored, because I didn't see any need to doctor them! I wasn't trying to
scam anyone that I was something I wasn't.
The presence of EVEN ONE forged signature, forged docuмent, or doctored photo PROVES THAT AMBROSE IS A FRAUD and must be kicked to the curb. At that point, everything else he says or does is suspect! If he's a fraud, he is probably lying about his whole clerical state, just to make money (survive, make a living, whatever).
Say you hire me for a job at your company. I need to pay you $30 for a uniform. I hand you a check, and you discover that it's one of your own checks -- and that your wallet is missing! What if I said, "Oops -- I have your wallet right here. Sorry about that!" and get out my own checkbook and write a $30 check and hand it to you. Do you forget or overlook what just happened -- something out of a comedy skit? I just picked your pocket and tried to write a check from your account! Would you still want me as an employee? Unless you're hiring me as a thief or pickpocket, the answer is a resounding NO!
In any conceivable realm of REAL LIFE, when someone tries to lie/scam/steal from you, he's DONE. PERIOD. You don't give him a "second chance". There are plenty of other painters/employees/mechanics/programmers/contractors/etc. and, long story short, YOU'RE NOT THAT DESPERATE to have to give a known scammer a second chance.
There are plenty of fishes in the sea.And yes, Fr. Pfeiffer, that goes for a Trad Bishop as well. God will provide. If it's His will, He will provide you a REAL Bishop. In fact, He did provide you with TWO trad bishops and you rejected both of them (+Williamson and +Faure). Needing a bishop because you are too disobedient and headstrong doesn't mean you REALLY need a bishop. You just need to humble yourself and beg +Williamson forgiveness. If Joe Smith willfully and sinfully runs away from his wife and family, can he expect God to answer a prayer like this? "I'm lonely; I need a companion, but I can't get married again in the Church until my wife dies. So please, God, take my wife out of this world so I can get married again." Don't you think God's will in this matter is already quite clear? Isn't the solution in Joe's own hands already? He simply needs to go back to his wife and be reconciled, go to confession, and go on from there. How can he expect God to work some kind of miracle to back up his own erratic, sinful behavior?
The analogy to Fr. Pfeiffer's situation should be obvious. If he can't manage to get along with Bishop Williamson or Bishop Faure, there's something wrong with HIM, and not "the situation" needing God's help and intervention. Every other Resistance priest manages to be on good terms with these bishops. No other Resistance priest -- not even one other -- is desperately bringing in con artists, Orthodox bishops, Old Catholic bishops, Thuc line bishops, etc. They are all getting confirmations from +Williamson and/or +Faure, no problem. All the other Resistance priests worldwide are on speaking terms with both bishops.
If I were a betting man, I'd bet that Manuel will be disappointed in his quest for the "original version" of that doctored photo. Now he MIGHT find an original version of Bp. Slipyj leaving St. Sophia (with no person added in), but that would just prove the fraud.