Precisely because the gates of hell cannot prevail do we have to conclude that these impostors are not the hierarchy.

You've used the term 'gates of Hell', but do you know what it means?

The gates fo Hell are defined as the "death-dealing tongues of heretics" or "the disputations of heretics".

If the Church were led by the notorious heretics leading the fake Novus Ordo Church, then that would mean the gates of Hell have prevailed.

But since that's impossible, the only possible conclusion is that they're not true popes and bishops of the Catholic Church.

With regard to the confusion, it's in line with the maxim "strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered". It's just more evidence of the shepherd being missing.

Regarding your idea that God wouldn't allow this to happen, that's just your feeling, and as they say, facts don't care about your feelings.

Father Edmund James O'Reilly, The Relations of the Church to Society - Theological Essays, 1882, Page 287-288: "The great schism of the West suggests to me a reflection which I take the liberty of expressing here. If this schism had not occurred, the hypothesis of such a thing happening would appear to many chimerical. They would say it could not be; God would not permit the Church to come into so unhappy a situation.Heresies might spring up and spread and last painfully long, through the fault and to the perdition of their authors and abettors, to the great distress too of the faithful, increased by actual persecution in many places where the heretics were dominant. But that Catholics should be divided on the question of who was Pontiff, that the true Church should remain between thirty and forty years without a thoroughly ascertained Head, and representative of Christ on earth, this would not be. Yet it has been and we have no guarantee that it will not be again, though we may fervently hope other wise. What I would infer is, that we must not be too ready to pronounce on what God may permit. We know with absolute certainty that He will fulfil His promises; that He will not allow anything to occur at variance with them; that He will sustain His Church and enable her to triumph over all enemies and difficulties ; [...] But we, or our successors in future generations of Christians, shall perhaps see stranger evils than have yet been experienced, even before the immediate approach of that great winding up of all things on earth that will precede the day of judgment. I am not setting up for a prophet, nor pretending to see unhappy wonders, of which I have no knowledge whatever. All I mean to convey is that contingencies regarding the Church, not excluded by the Divine promises, cannot be regarded as practically impossible, because they would be terrible and distressing in a very high degree."

Unfortunately these days truth is hard to come by and discern. The proof is everywhere as we see so many people with very divided opinions, all thinking they have the truth and their way is right. If Athiests and Protestants were easy to convert to Christianity and Catholicism, there would hardly be any. Most people don't really try to seek the truth. They aren't on the same page on how to go about seeking the truth. Both sides deserve a fair shake. You have nothing to lose (except perhaps eternity, but God is the judge of that) but only truth to gain by investigating this matter honestly, thoroughly, and prayerfully. The SSPX's arguments as held by its deceased founder are quite solid, and the post conciliar church's arguments are relatively weak. Carefully test and prove the truth with prayer and much patience. I have had many reasons to lose the faith, but by first proving myself faithful and holding to the faith, with prayer and patience the clear answers eventually come. Some answers which are not strictly necessary still elude me, such as the validity of the Pope, but that is not important considering the circuмstances. It is prudent to consider him the true valid pope, but act accordingly if he teaches false doctrine. Don't let the odd opinions and frequent disagreements here on this forum turn you away. We have the answers here to the core issues.


I just found this video a few minutes ago by chance. It seems somewhat relevant with regards to finding truth.

That is odd especially after a year or more.  I have to wonder whether the two of you are suited for marriage (even if your first marriage was invalid).

As for living with her (as long as you don't commit any acts), I'm pretty sure a traditional Catholic priest would tell you that you should move out. I think your NO priest did not give you good advice, but it's pretty typical of the Novus Ordo presbyters.

After learning more about what is going on in your situation, I suspect that your struggles after baptism is God warning you that you need to remove yourself from this living arrangement (at the very least).  Although we should expect difficulties after our conversion/baptism, I think it's odd that it happened right out of the gate for you.

Let's just say our sex drives are six feet under.

What fornication?? There was no SEX involved so please yall...for goodness sake!

I understood what you were saying, but MF is correct in stating that your living situation is scandalous.

And I'm willing to bet that your struggles with prayer will end when you fix it.

Q:  If you aren't attracted "that way", then why do you want to marry anyway?  Companionship?  It seems to me that you two could remain close friends without marrying and without living together.