THE LAVENDER MAFIA: MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER

Consequences unreported by most Catholic media

A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates and says, “We’re happy to have you, but before you settle in, I’d like to give you a tour.” They walk about heaven, passing various groups of people. They pass a group singing loudly, and St. Peter says, “Those are the Baptists.” They walk further, and another group is discussing theology, and St. Peter whispers, “Those are the Methodists.” They keep going, passing many different denominations. Finally, they reach a very high, white wall. St. Peter puts his finger to his lips and says, “Now, you have to be very quiet when we pass this group.” The man whispers back, “Why? Who are they?” St. Peter whispers, “That’s the Catholics. They think they’re the only ones here.”

Some Catholic priests and laity take exception to this joke, arguing that Catholicism is superior to other religions because its teachings represent the “fullness of the truth.” Is this not why many Protestant ministers converted to Catholicism and were reordained Catholic priests? These clergymen did not want to work for gay or lesbian bishops; they questioned the ordination of women; and they agreed with the Catholic Church’s official moral teachings on abortion and homosexuality. Today, however, many of these former Protestant ministers find themselves working for closeted homosexual bishops in a Church that:

• Blesses same-sex unions as authorized by Fiducia Supplicans;

• Fails to discipline priests, like Father Marko Rupnick, accused of raping over twenty nuns;

• Covers up for alleged predator priests like Omaha Father Dennis Hanneman, accused in a police report of inserting consecrated hosts into the vaginas of little girls;

• Gives holy communion to pro-abortion politicians who support and promote legislation that has resulted in the deaths of millions of innocent unborn children;

• Allows universities (Notre Dame, DePaul, Georgetown, Villanova, etc.) to be identified as “Catholic” that employ staff and support organizations that promote the LGBTQ agenda that would have Catholic students accept homosexual behavior as normal and moral as the life-giving love shared between a married man and woman.

As a priest with a degree in Dogmatic Theology who is licensed to teach in any pontifical university in the world, I find that many Catholics have stopped practicing their faith, or they search for parishes pastored by priests who do not compromise the official moral and dogmatic teachings of the Church. In areas where such parishes are not within driving distance, many of these Catholics either become “Nones,” the largest single religious group today in the U.S., or they join other faith groups, like the Missouri Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS), whose members believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and whose beliefs are identical to the official teachings of the Catholic Church with repect to homosexuality and abortion.

It upsets me when I hear or read Catholics who accuse all Protestants in general of being “heretics.” Certainly, while many mainline Protestants may not believe in the Real Presence and may accept homosexual behavior and abortion, there are other Christians who believe in the Real Presence of Christ even more than many so-called “Catholics.” A 2019 Pew Research Center study found only one-third (31%) of Catholics today believe in the Real Presence. In contrast, one cannot receive communion in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church if one does not believe in the Real Presence or is not in the state of grace.

Many Catholics are confused when they read how Cardinal Robert Sarah “blasts Vatican advisor [Jesuit Father James Martin] for opposing Church on homosexuality, while at the same time they read how Pope Leo approved the beatification process for Alejandro Labaka Ugarte, a “bishop who allowed indigenous youths to touch his private parts,” and who praised an Italian priest, Don Lorenzo Milani, who “fantasized about pedophilia.” These contradictions exemplify serious theological and moral differences between heterosexually and homosexually oriented Church leaders.

Catholics who belittle devout Christians of other faith groups and who refuse to acknowledge problems caused by Pope Leo who has yet to discipline even one of over 160 bishops credibly accused of abusing children and vulnerable adults, need to read Mark 9:38-40 and Luke 9:50. In these Gospel passages, one learns of Jesus’s response to his disciples who tried to stop someone from driving out demons in his name because the person was not part of their immediate group. Jesus advised, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us”.

During my military career, I had the privilege of serving under some very inspiring leaders who were both exemplary officers and dedicated, loving husbands and fathers. My first commanding officer, Anthony C. Zinni, who retired as the Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), is a very devout Catholic. My second commanding officer. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., who retired as the 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and my U.S. Sixth Fleet Commander, Frank B. Kelso II, who retired as the Navy’s 24th Chief of Naval Operations, were both devout Methodists.

Admiral Kelso told me a story about growing up in Fayetteville, Tennessee, where there were very few Catholics. As a young boy, when he was out and about with his father, he recounted how he joked about the way Catholic nuns looked in their habits, only to be corrected by his father. His dad said that he never wanted his son to make fun of people of other religions and that he should respect Catholic religious women who dedicate their lives to serving Jesus Christ. Before Admiral Kelso died, he said that he was concerned for how Catholic nuns were supported in their retirement after having served Christ and the Church, often for 50, 60, or 70 years.

When the United States was settled, many Catholic pioneers ventured into parts of the country where there were no Catholic priests. Many of them who came from Ireland became Baptists and Methodists, whose married clergy greatly outnumbered Catholic celibate clergy. An excellent treatment of how Protestants became a majority among Irish Americans is found in How the Irish Became Protestant in America by Michael P. Carroll.

Interestingly, in an effort today to escape poor preaching and scandalous behavior on the part of closeted homosexual Catholic clergy, many Catholics have joined Eastern Rite Catholic Churches or the Orthodox Church, which do not suffer from an ephebophile sex abuse problem because most of their clergy are straight and married. Unfortunately, when a straight priest attempts to escape working for a homosexual bishop or pastor, his request to change rites, which has to be approved by Rome, is often denied. Lest the laity learn how straight priests are often victims of clerical heterophobia, homosexual bishops will often get straight priests to request laicization instead of allowing them to change rites or, in some cases, join a religious order known not to accept homosexuals into its ranks.

As the percentage of Catholic clergy in the Vatican and in the world who are homosexuals is probably higher today than at any time in the history of the Catholic Church; as their sexual orientation is seriously impacting their watered-down moral teachings; and as their inclusive LGBTQ ministry is causing many Catholics to lose their faith, how many Catholics will become “Nones” or join other faith groups that support their strongly-held pro-family, pro-life beliefs?

The appointment and promotion of complicit bishops that have been made while Robert Prevost was the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (e.g., Robert McElroy, Edward Weisenburger), and now that he is Pope Leo XIV (e.g., Ronald Hicks, James Checchio), will only serve to widen the gap between official Catholic Church teaching and pastoral practice exemplified in the blessing of gay couples, the confirmation of sexually active homosexuals, and restrictions placed on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM).

Even though there are some traditional clergy in the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) who were removed for homosexual predation, the majority of priests who celebrate the TLM tend to be straight, pro-family, pro-life, and truly celibate like Father James Altman and Father David Nix. Many priests like Fathers Altman and Nix, perceived as threats by members of the Lavender Mafia, are not afraid to criticize Church leaders who are silent when it comes to official Church teachings on issues like illegal immigration, sex trafficking, homosexuality, sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), and abortion.

The “bottom line” is that most of the Church’s moral, dogmatic, and financial problems stem from the fact that the Lavender Mafia under the leadership of Pope Leo, Cardinal Blase Cupich, outed homosexual Cardinal Víctor Manuel “Tucho” Fernández, and others, is stronger than ever. As long as they remain in control, financially supported by “paying, praying, and obeying Catholics” who are kept in the dark by most complicit Catholic media outlets (e.g., Crux, CNA, National Catholic Reporter, America, etc.), one can expect fewer straight vocations, more Church closures, and an ongoing hemorrhage of Catholic faithful.

If you appreciate my research and writings, please contribute to the “Save Our Seminarians” Fund that will help safeguard young men from becoming victims of homosexual predation in U.S. Catholic seminaries.

Gene Thomas Gomulka is a sexual abuse victims’ advocate, investigative reporter, author, and screenwriter. A former Navy (O6) Captain/Chaplain, seminary instructor, and diocesan Respect Life Director, Gomulka was ordained a priest for the Altoona-Johnstown diocese and later made a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by St. John Paul II. Email him at msgr.investigations@gmail.com.