NEW WEBSITE: www.ephesians-511.net OCTOBER 2005/SEP 2007/AUGUST 2009/JULY/OCT 2012

CONTINUED FROM

NEW AGE:FR.JOE PEREIRA,KRIPA FOUNDATION,

HEADQUARTERS: MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH, BANDRA, BOMBAY CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE.

IMPORTANT SUB-CENTRES: VASAI DIOCESE AND [ANJUNA AND MAPUSA] GOA CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE

ALSO OPERATING IN BAREILLY, BARODA, DARJEELING, KOHIMA, MANGALORE AND PUNE CATHOLIC DIOCESES,

AND IN CALCUTTA, DELHI, GUWAHATI, IMPHAL, RANCHI AND SHILLONG CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESES

And more INSTITUTIONALISED NEW AGE: The WCCM,

THE WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

NOTE: SEE INDEX [LIST OF CONTENTS] ON PAGE NUMBERED AS 106*

INTRODUCTION: This report on KRIPA Foundation and Fr. Joe Pereira was prepared in three stages. At first, it was the last ten pages in the ninety-six page New Age in the Catholic Ashrams report published in October 2005.

The report is at
http://ephesians-511.net/articles_doc/CATHOLIC%20ASHRAMS.doc

I have completed two intensively researched reports of around 100 pages each that show conclusively that yoga is a Hindu religious practice and there can be no “Christian yoga”. See:
http://www.ephesians-511.net/documents/YOGA.doc and http://www.ephesians-511.net/documents/SURYA NAMASKAR AND YOGA.doc.

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 18, 2008 (Zenit.org) A British Benedictine monk has taken World Youth Day into a women’s prison in Sydney, leading inmates in an ancient form of Christian meditation.

The World Youth Day cross previously paid a visit to Silverwater Women’s Correctional Center, and Thursday, Benedictine Father Laurence Freeman led the inmates in meditating.

The women have been using this style of prayer for six years.

“The chaplain who teaches them meditation says the prison guards and authorities all remark that these women who are meditating are showing real improvement in their behavior and general state of well being,” Father Freeman said. “It often takes a bit of prodding, as many prisoners have been traumatized or abused, but after a few meditation sessions it produces what St. Paul calls the fruits of the spirit — love, peace, patience, self-control — they all become interior experiences, rather than something they can only see externally.”

Father Freeman said the inmates are “receiving real care and attention and spiritual guidance, and it’s in that context that meditation becomes meaningful to them.”

The Benedictine suggested that as World Youth Day engulfed the rest of Sydney, the inmates should have the chance to experience the same workings of the Spirit.

“We wanted to ensure they were in touch with [World Youth Day],” he said. “As we sat there in meditation with them, we felt we were at the heart of the Church, which isn’t always necessarily where the Pope and cardinals are — it’s also where the poor, suffering, forgotten people are.”

Meditation sessions led by the same Benedictine spirituality are also available for the young pilgrims.

“The basic Christian understanding of meditation is that the Holy Spirit is alive in the center of our being, our heart, and to be empowered by it is not just something that happens on the outside but awakens on the inside,” Father Freeman said. “Hopefully both [World Youth Day] pilgrims and the inmates can experience that.”

The Christian meditation community hosted sessions at Paddington Uniting Church on Oxford Street.

Following Benedict XVI’s lead in encouraging time for quiet reflection during the hype and noise of the youth event, Cardinal George Pell of Sydney said the Christian meditation center might be just what pilgrims need.

“There will be many graces touching your life during these days,” the cardinal told pilgrims in a statement to the meditation group. “I pray that the graces of contemplative prayer will also touch your hearts and enrich you for the rest of your lives.

“Time spent in quiet at the Christian meditation center may be the moment for that grace to find you.”

Father Freeman said Christian meditation is making a comeback and the practice is being reclaimed from the common perception that it is a Buddhist tradition.

MY COMMENT: Fr. Freeman is lying.

We have seen enough evidence that his “Christian” is not Christian, but Buddhist, and NEW AGE.

BELOW is an occult book that Centering Prayer [CP] propagators Fathers Thomas Keating and Basil Pennington have endorsed. The author of this posthumously published esoteric work is anonymous! A study of the website is very revealing. From a Christian perspective, it is self-condemnatory, and is probably the best example of the danger of Centering Prayer [see separate report on CP]. My comments follow the article.

Meditations on the Tarot – A Journey into Christian Hermeticism*** Last update: Dec. 29, 2003

http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm

This site is offered as a service to the worldwide community of friends, known and unknown, whose prayer, thinking and living are being formed by the book “Meditations on the Tarot”. Its author says of these friends:

“There is a community of Hermeticists, known and unknown, but the majority of whose members are anonymous. And it is only a small part of this community which is composed of those who know one another and meet one another face to face in the full daylight of the world of the senses. Another part — still less numerous — is composed of those who know each other and meet each other face to face in vision. But it is inspiration which unites all members of the community of Hermeticists — without regard to whether they are near to one another or far apart, whether they know each other or not, or whether they are living or deceased.” [page 397]

Many students of the book are geographically isolated, and the intention of this site is to offer them a means to exchange questions, thoughts and encouragement. The following resources are available; you are invited to add to them. Just send an e-mail to david.m.carter@ntlworld.com.

What is the book about?

From the back cover of the 1993 Element edition: “This remarkable book is no mere study of occultism*. It is a profound Christian meditation, a journey of discovery into the mysteries of Hermeticism.

“First published in 1987, it has rapidly established itself as a classic of Esoteric** Christian teaching.

“The twenty-two Major Arcana of the Tarot are invaluable aids to meditation and spiritual study. Using them as a starting point, the anonymous author links together the wisdom of the Bible, the Upanishads and the Cabbala, as well as the insights of individual thinkers who have profoundly influenced Western thought — including Plato, Origen, John of the Cross, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Bergson and Jung. 107.

“As we approach the 21st century, this unique book shows how study of the Major Arcana not only revives a millennial-old tradition, but immerses us in the ever-flowing current of Hermetic thought*** and revelation.”

*The words imply that it IS occultism, AND MORE.

**esotericism = hidden, is another word for occultism.

***Hermeticism
http://www.jwmt.org/v1n0/glossary2.html:
Named after Hermes Trismestigus, the supposed author of the Corpus Hermetica and the Emerald Tablet, and equated with the Egyptian God Thoth. Hermeticism is a kind of Alexandrian Gnosticism or Neoplatonism. The rediscovery of the Corpus Hermetica in the middle ages directly inspired Alchemy. “Hermetic” means “pertaining to Alchemy”: or, in modern terms, “using Ritual Magic in way that is based on Spiritual Alchemy.”

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism:

It is the study and practice of occult
philosophy and magic. The name comes from the fact that the first books about Hermeticism are said to have been written by the god
Hermes Trismegistus (“Thrice-Greatest Hermes”), who combines aspects of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Hermeticism is also connected with astrology and alchemy. These beliefs were strong in Europe during the Renaissance. The Hermetic Corpus was translated by Marsilio Ficino in 1463 and published in 1471. At this time, the Hermetic Corpus was thought to be older than both Plato and Pythagoras.

In 1614, Isaac Causabon showed that the texts were actually written sometime between 200 and 300 AD. This view was based on careful study of the way language was used in the original writings.

Hermeticism was revived in the 19th century in Western Europe. The most famous group involved in this revival was the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Reviews of the book
http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/links.htm
[ONE EXAMPLE SELECTED- Michael]

Review at Tarotpedia, EXTRACT:
written in French by a Russian ex-patriot living in London, 1967. This book, when not long out of print, fetched up to $200 on the second-hand market — such is its desirability. For all serious Tarot enthusiasts, and for all aspirants walking the Occidental Spiritual paths, I would recommend it without reservation.

This work ranks amongst the classics of mysticism, gnosis and magic – the three pathways into Hermeticism. In my opinion, it is the most masterful book which utilizes the trumps of the Tarot as tools to enter spiritual dimensions.

Who is the author?
http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/#author

That question will not be answered here, although some information on his life is contained in Robert Powell’s article.

The author of Meditations explains his reasons for anonymity as follows in the Foreword:

“These meditations on the Major Arcana of the Tarot are Letters addressed to the Unknown Friend. The addressee in this instance is anyone who will read all of them and who thereby acquires definite knowledge, through the experience of meditative reading, about Christian Hermeticism. He will know also that the author of these Letters has said more about himself in these Letters than he would have been able to in any other way. No matter what other source he might have, he will know the author better through the Letters themselves.” (p xii)

Thus it is not at all necessary to know the author’s identity in order to benefit fully from studying the book. In accordance with his posthumous wishes, this site will not identify him.

“Your friend greets you, dear Unknown Friend, from beyond the grave.” (Foreword, p xii).

An article by Michael McConville on the author’s anonymity can be found here.

Can I learn the Tarot from this book?
http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/#learntarot

Can I benefit from this book even if I’m wary of the Tarot?
http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/#wary

You might also like to look at an article on Tarot for Christians, or at Basil Pennington‘s comments.

Some representative comments on the book [A FEW EXAMPLES SELECTED- Michael] http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/comments.htm:

1. Abbot Thomas
Keating, the main developer and teacher of the practice of Centering Prayer, says, “This may be regarded as one of the great spiritual classics of this century. In the hands of this author of immense erudition and deep contemplation, the Tarot cards of ancient Egypt reveal their universal, archetypal, symbolic nature and become a school of objective insight.

108.

The author gathers us into his own spiritual journey to the authentic Source of all true knowledge and compassion. This book, in my view, is the greatest contribution to date toward the rediscovery and renewal of the Christian contemplative tradition of the Fathers of the Church and the High Middle Ages. With its firm grasp of tradition, its balance, wisdom, profundity, openness to truth, and comprehensive approach to reality , it deserves to be the basis of a course in spirituality in every Christian institution of higher learning, and what would be even better, the point of departure and unifying vision of the whole curriculum.”

2. His colleague Basil Pennington, OCSO, says that it is

“Without doubt the most extraordinary book I have ever read”.

He adds, “It is such a rich collection of wisdom drawn from such a staggering number of diverse sources that it leaves the mind almost reeling. Besides the Bible we find the Upanishads, the Cabbala, the Hermeticists, and men as diverse as Origen and Chardin, Plato and Bergson, Jung and John of the Cross, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.”

3. Father Bede Griffiths,
founder of the Saccidananda Ashram [Shantivanam] in Southern India wrote:

“It is simply astonishing. I have never read such a comprehensive account of the ‘perennial philosophy’. There is hardly a line without some profound significance. To me it is the last word in wisdom. The book was written by a remarkable convert, an experienced occultist. By means of twenty two meditations in the form of ‘Letters to an Unknown Friend,’ the anonymous author attempts to assimilate his vast store of esoteric knowledge within the orthodox Catholic vision.”

4. Benedictine Brother Wayne Teasdale:

“It is impossible to do justice to the author of this truly inspired work. It is my conviction that he is a genuine mystical philosopher, one who has something rare to contribute to the living tradition of the Church.”

[Brother Wayne Teasdale is a member of the Benedictine Priory of Montreal, having completed his doctoral studies at Fordham University on Dom Bede Griffiths, Cam. O.S.B. This work has now been published under the title “Toward a Christian Vedanta: The Encounter of Hinduism and Christianity according to Bede Griffiths” (Asian Trading Corporation, Bangalore,, 1987).]

5. Gerhard Wehr, author of books on Boehme, Jung and Steiner:

“The author of the twenty-two meditations on the Major Arcana of the Tarot draws upon many different sources: the Gospels, ancient hermetic philosophy, gnosis, mysticism, alchemy and magic, also Rudolf Steiner and C.G. Jung, who he often quotes positively, always with the intention of penetrating ever deeper into the Mysteries of Christianity, in order to communicate these fruits further to his readers.”

6. Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar describes the book as follows in his foreword:

“A thinking, praying Christian of unmistakable purity reveals to us the symbols of Christian Hermeticism in its various levels of mysticism, gnosis and magic, taking in also … certain elements of astrology and alchemy … By way of the major Arcana the author seeks to lead meditatively into the deeper, all-embracing wisdom of the Catholic mystery.”

Pope John Paul II was presented with a copy of the two-volume German third edition by the Cardinal, see: http://www.medtarot.freeserve.co.uk/pictures.htm

LINKS:

A. Contemplative Prayer

The two best-known modern pathways to Christian contemplation:

1. Centering Prayer : http://www.centeringprayer.com/

2. Christian Meditation : http://www.wccm.org/ and http://www.wccm.org/home.asp?pagestyle=home

B.
The Ecumenical Catholic Church, also known as Christ Catholic Church International. A progressive community within the Old Catholic tradition. Their site mentions Meditations as “of inestimable value”.

C.
Gnosis Magazine. A journal of Western Inner Traditions, sadly defunct. The “Hidden Wisdom” book referred to on their site looks good, and there are lots of back articles.

D.
In Search of the Miraculous. An article on “new age” approaches to the miraculous, at a New Age Catholic web site, covering both Meditations and the Course in Miracles.

E. Christian and Rosicrucian Kabbalah. An introductory essay.

Centering Prayer is New Age, see my report http://ephesians-511.net/documents/CENTERING%20PRAYER.doc.

The book is highly recommended by Wayne Teasdale. Who was Wayne Teasdale? He was a disciple of Keating and Bede Grifiths. http://www.wayoflife.org/files/6ec9e9ab5d8e43e56219af2264116f36-128.html reports: [see page 100]

Also, Wayne Teasdale conducted a Mystic Heart seminar series with
[New Ager Ken] Wilber. In the first seminar in this series
Teasdale said, “You are God; I am God; they are God; it is God” (“The Mystic Heart: The Supreme Identity,” http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7652038071112490301&q=ken+Wilber).

From the Camaldoli Benedictine website which is New Age: In the Ultimate
Wayne Teasdale
Reference Guide by J. Whitford, Bede Griffiths: An Introduction to his Interspiritual Thought
by Bede Griffiths (Foreword), “Wayne Teasdale explains the key terms that form the basis for Bede Griffiths essential theology.”

Advertised on the Camaldoli Benedictine website:
A Monk in the World: Cultivating a Spiritual Life
by
Wayne Teasdale; New Ager Ken Wilber wrote the Foreword.

The Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World’s Religions
by
Wayne Teasdale
is another book advertised on the site.

Teasdale
was Bede’s disciple and the one who started the Indian Express debate. In a letter which was published in the IE of June 1, 1987, he praised Fr. Bede Griffiths for the latter’s study of “the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Gita as well as other texts sacred to the Hindu tradition.”

See
http://ephesians-511.net/articles_doc/CATHOLIC%20ASHRAMS.doc

Rosicrucianism, Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, etc. are all occult groups. See my article on Homoeopathy at http://ephesians-511.net/documents/HOMOEOPATHY_%20A%20DETAILED%20STUDY%20OF%20AN%20UNSCIENTIFIC%20NEW%20AGE%20FRAUD.doc

The other link under the subtitle “Contemplative Prayer” is to the website of the World Community for Christian Meditation [WCCM]. The WCCM website FAQ admits that there is an “essential harmony” between Centering Prayer and their “Christian Meditation” [http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=faqs33&pagestyle=default]. This report also established the connection of the WCCM with the Catholic Ashrams movement. These organizations are quite clearly interconnected under the New Age umbrella.

From:
Christian Meditation
christian.meditation@gmail.com
Date: Aug 8, 2009 5:55 PM
To: Angela Mendonza angelamariemendonza@gmail.com
Subject: Christian Meditation.
Dear Angela,
I have with some hesitation decided to write to you, lest I keep pressurising you in any way. Even so, I thought it useful to share this with you. Fr. Laurence Freeman was here in Bombay en route London after a visit to Malaysia. He had an half hour meeting with Cardinal Oswald Gracias. They were both very happy at the outcome. Fr. Laurence categorically stated when asked about the Yoga connection, that the practice of YOGA IS NOT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PRACTICE OF THE DAILY DISCIPLINE OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION. As someone else pointed out, it seems that only in India, (perhaps only in Mumbai) has the practice been unfortunately linked with Yoga.  As regards other forms of meditation, there may be ‘resonances” but Christian Meditation does not borrow from other religions in this respect. It is just that the resonances appear in the common / universal practices used to get in touch with God at the centre of our being.It is part of what we as human beings share in common.  I attach a copy of what he presented to the Cardinal*. It is only for your “personal information”.
We are having a day of silence on Sunday 16th August at St. Joseph’s Primary School Hall, Bandra (ground floor). If you feel inclined to come, please do so. (Cost Rs. 100/- payable at the venue). There will be a Eucharist. KInd regards Christopher

*An Introduction to The World Community for Christian Meditation for Bishops, leaders and pastors

By Laurence Freeman OSB

The World Community for Christian Meditation was formed in 1991 at the John Main Seminar of that year. It continues the work begun in 1975 by Dom John Main OSB when he founded the first Christian Meditation Centre at his monastery of Ealing Abbey in London. At the invitation of the Archbishop of Montreal he went to that city to establish a Benedictine Priory that was grounded in the traditional Benedictine life as well as regular times of meditation in common and devoted specifically to the teaching of this tradition of Christian contemplative prayer.

When John Main died in 1982 he was succeeded by Dom Laurence Freeman OSB who is now a monk of the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto. He is also now Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation and from his base in his Benedictine community, he travels extensively writes, and gives retreats and talks. 110.

In 2007 The World Community received canonical recognition. This recognition also includes the Benedictine Oblate Community that has been growing in fruitful ways for 30 years and attracts many young people to this spiritual path in the Christian tradition.

The World Community is an ecumenical contemplative community now present in more than a hundred countries. Its mission is to communicate the tradition of contemplative prayer in the church as an essential and central dimension of all Christian spirituality. It also nurtures the gradual development of the community that flows from this experience of silence in faith especially through the growth of small meditation groups that meet in parishes, homes, hospitals, schools, prison, universities and places of work.

Three of the major international events annually are the John Main Seminar, The Way of Peace and the international silent retreat at Monte Oliveto Maggiore. A quarterly spiritual letter, books, cds and films also nurture the community and its work. The ‘School’ is a program to help ordinary people develop their gifts for sharing this tradition of prayer in the church with others.

There is also an inter-faith dialogue dimension to the Community as well as outreach in education, business and health institutions. The John Main centre for Meditation and Inter-Religious Dialogue has been established at Georgetown University. Many other Centres serve the work of the Community around the world.

An important new development is the teaching of Christian meditation in schools, which was pioneered in the Catholic Diocese of Townsville in Australia.

At World Youth Day 2008 Cardinal George Pell of Sydney invited the World Community to establish a contemplative space for the pilgrims where they could be introduced to meditation.

Patrons of the World Community include Cardinal Walter Kasper, Cardinal Jean Margeot, Archbishop Rowan Williams, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, Bishop Michael Putney (Bishop of Townsville and Member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) and Fr William Johnston SJ.

The website of the Commmunity is www.wccm.org.

Some major works by John Main include: Word into Silence (Canterbury Press), Word Made Flesh (Canterbury Press). By Laurence Freeman: Jesus: The Teacher Within (Continuum,), Christian Meditation: Your Daily Practice (Novalis). Many of these and other works are published in other languages.

The Community has been invited to teach meditation in many dioceses and works with many Orders, communities and Catholic institutions around the world. Our belief is that in recovering the contemplative dimension of prayer all forms of prayer and Church life are deepened and strengthened and that the union of Martha and Mary enhances the active ministry of the Church.

The approach of the Community to this work respects the cooperation of clergy and laypeople in the work of the Gospel and life of the Church; it is contemplative by nature, which also means seeing that the development of this work is essentially gentle, gradual and collaborative.

Laurence Freeman OSB Director

From:
angelamariemendonza@gmail.com
To:
christian.meditation@gmail.com
Cc:
cjwm1943@gmail.com

Subject: Fwd: Christian Meditation. Date: Aug 11, 2009 8:34 PM
Dear Christopher,

I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the Bandra programme on the 16^th of August. My birthday happens to be on the 18^th and our family is celebrating it on the 16^th, its being a Sunday when all are at home.

I am sorry that I am late in replying to you as I had to check the WCCM site etc. to get the points that I needed to write back to you.

I am surprised at Fr Laurence’s statement to our Cardinal that yoga is not an integral part of the WCCM programmes.

The WCCM website FAQ states that they hold joint seminars and workshops with personalities who use “Iyengar yoga,” and Fr Laurence says there that theirs is an “ecumenical” meditation.

I learned that he opened the November 1992 Manila First Asian Conference on Contemplative Christianity which “included workshops on … yoga.” And the site adds, “A physical practice like yoga can help greatly with both posture and breathing.”

In 2006, Fr Pereira, who is the head of the WCCM in India wrote “We also use this (yogic practice) for the WCCM, World community for Christian Meditation”. For your Christian Meditation programmes, Fr. Pereira/Kripa are often the contacts for registration. The “Examiner” magazine reported that at the John Main seminar in Montreal “the day began with a practice of Yoga led by Fr. Joe Pereira”. And Fr Pereira is listed on your WCCM web site.

So what I understood from your letter is that in the WCCM programmes that come under your management in Bombay there is no yoga but the WCCM meditation practice in India got linked with yoga only because of Fr Pereira.

Still, as I have shown you, WCCM does link up with yoga outside India, would you not agree with me?

God bless and thanks again for writing to me. It was not a bother but most welcome. Angela. 111.

From:
Christopher Mendonca
cjwm1943@gmail.com
To: Angela Mendonza angelamariemendonza@gmail.com
Date: Aug 12, 2009 10:27 AM Subject: Christian Meditation.
Dear Angela,
Thank you for being open and for stating your reservations. I need to clarify few things however. In my email I have stated that Fr. Laurence said that YOGA IS NOT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PRACTICE OF THE DAILY DISCIPLINE OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION. The physical discipline of Yoga breathing and exercise is sometimes offered to those who want it (It is always optional) at Seminars and programmes. I know this for a fact as I have been part of retreats at Monte Oliveto in Italy, conference of National Coordinators in Florence, participant in the Retreat for Benedictine Oblates of the WCCM held in Rome. I am in close contact with the International Community.  Many in the west do these exercises which though originating in Yoga are scientifically validated exercises that are practiced independent of any affiliation to Yoga Philosphy. Some people use Tai Chi exercises to relax their bodies before sitting down to meditate. Others use the Alexander technique or biofeedback exercises. Yoga is not an essential part of the discipline and teaching of Christian Meditation.
One does not need to do Yoga in order to meditate. The discipline is very simple, but that does not mean it is easy. It is well documented as a christian practice especially through works like the Cloud of the Unknowing, the Jesus prayer, the Hesychastic Tradition and practices in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. The Rosary / chanting of the divine office are variations of this repetitive type of prayer. .
There are many differnt types of Yoga and one must be careful about blanket statements. Given our sometimes “uneducated” and uncritical approach to things, it may be prudent to avoid using the term “Yoga”. The Yoga Institute at Santa Cruz offers Yoga in a non-religious context that is specifically holistic. It is the oldest institution in the World for Yoga Teaching and Practice.
I once was given a good definition of Yoga practice: Preparing the body to receive the spirit; disposing the body to be open to the spirt. Keeping oneself in good health though proper exercise and diet does help us to pray better. A relaxed body prays better. A holistic approach is preferable in this regard. We cannot ignore our bodies / posture etc when we pray.The body must not become an obstacle to the spirit.
The Christian way of prayer is modelled on the prayer of Christ and in that sense is qualitatively different from others. But this does not prevent us from accepting others and walking alongside them whenever we share what is common to our human condition.
If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you get hold of a copy of “Christian Meditation” – Your daily practice- by Laurence Freeman (Rs. 20/-) and / or Moment of Christ by John Main (Rs. 80/- both available at St. Paul’s.
This was not intended to be an apologia for Christian Meditation. I only thought of replying to you since I have felt a special resonance with you ever since you first began asking about Christian Meditation. For someone else, I might have just let the matter rest long ago. Christopher.

MORE CORRESPONDENCE WITH CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS [see pages 23-27]

From:
name withheld
To:
abpossie@gmail.com, abpossie@sancharnet.in, abpossie@rediffmail.com

Cc:
diocesebombay@gmail.com
Date: Aug 12, 2009 9:43 AM
Subject: The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM)
SUBJECT:
An Introduction to The World Community for Christian Meditation for Bishops, leaders and pastors by Laurence Freeman OSB

Your Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias,

I understand that you had granted an audience to Fr Laurence Freeman of the WCCM when he was in Bombay, recently, and he presented you with a copy of a paper prepared by him with the above title.

I also understand that during his meeting with you, he said that “the practice of YOGA IS NOT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PRACTICE OF THE DAILY DISCIPLINE OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION.”

This is simply not true as I will demonstrate briefly [I have dozens of pages of such information] further below.

Whatever the aims of its Founder, Fr John Main, my enquiries reveal that today the WCCM — under the present Director — is New Age. Their meditation is not “Christian” as is claimed.

I admit that eminent Cardinals and Bishops have encouraged the WCCM but they may have done so without being aware of information that is easily available to internet users:

A.

-Theirs is really an “ecumenical” meditation, Fr Freeman himself admits on the WCCM web site.

-The WCCM web site FAQ admits that there is an “essential harmony” between Centering Prayer and their “Christian Meditation”. Centering Prayer is New Age according to eminent Catholic priests and ministries including EWTN.

-The WCCM web site records that they hold joint seminars and workshops with New Age personalities who use “tai chi, chi gung and Iyengar yoga”.

– The April 21-28, 1990, retreat “CHRISTIANS AND BUDDHISTS FROM FIVE CONTINENTS MEDITATE TOGETHER” was organized by Benedictine Father Lawrence Freeman

(http://www.ucanews.com/search/show.php?q=yoga&page=archives/english/1990/05/w4/tue/th0291.txt)

-Fr Freeman opened the November 1992 Manila First Asian Conference on Contemplative Christianity which “included workshops on… Zen… and yoga.” (http://www.ucanews.com/search/show.php?q=yoga&page=archives/english/1992/11/w2/mon/as6062.txt)

-Theirs is really a “Buddhist” meditation according to many eminent Catholic web sites. 112.

-John Main, the Founder of “Christian Meditation” was influenced by an Indian yogi. Quote: “Fr. John Main, the inventor of “Christian Meditation”, a Benedictine monk, believed that he had not been successful with the “Ignatian method of meditation” and confided this to a Hindu Swami named Satyananda who taught him how to truly meditate”. Unquote

-The WCCM web site promotes the practice of yoga. Examples:

i) …the extraordinary research that shows practices such as meditation, tai chi and yoga are not only effective at eliciting spiritual growth… (http://www.wccm.org/newslist.asp?pagestyle=newslist&sqltype=current)

ii) A physical practice like yoga can help greatly with both posture and breathing. (http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=faqs05&pagestyle=default)

-The site itself and its links give plenty of evidence of their direct connection and active association with New Age groups.

B.

-Fr Joe Pereira of your Bombay Archdiocese is recognized as the leader of the WCCM in India. (http://www.wccm.org/newslist.asp?pagestyle=newslist&sqltype=current etc.).

-He wrote to us in 2006: “We also use this [yogic practice] for the WCCM, World community for Christian Meditation.”

-He and his Kripa Foundation — which promote the use of ‘Iyengar yoga’ (Iyengar also teaches kundalini yoga) — are officially recognized by the Archdiocese of Bombay and other dioceses in India; and they are the contacts for registration for “Christian Meditation” programmes conducted at Catholic institutions in the city of Mumbai.

The Examiner magazine reported that at the John Main seminar of the WCCM in Montreal “the day began with a practice of Yoga led by Fr. Joe Pereira”.

Dear Cardinal Gracias,

I think that the above is more than sufficient to show that Fr Laurence Freeman has misled you as he has misled many other eminent Church leaders all over the world.

I have several pages of neatly documented information that I can send you if you are interested in this issue which concerns the spiritual welfare of your people.

Many organizations appear to be Catholic, using Catholic terminology, incorporating Taize prayer and Lectio Divina, and even the Holy Mass, but they are not. THAT IS THE ERROR OF NEW AGE.

I thought that you should be aware of my findings.

I am writing this to you also because you head the Board of Trustees of Kripa Foundation. name withheld

NO RESPONSE FROM THE CARDINAL

SOME RESPONSES TO THE ABOVE

From:
prabhu
To:
Michael Prabhu
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:17 AM

Subject: LETTER TO CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS: WCCM/KRIPA FOUNDATION

From:
PRIEST, BOMBAY
To:
michael Prabhu
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 11:12 AM

Subject: RE: LETTER TO CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS: WCCM/KRIPA FOUNDATION

My Dear Michael, I agree with you that the techniques of Yoga, Zen and other eastern tchniques of meditation have found their way into our Catholic meditation… I hope that Cardinal Oswald takes note of your observations. Greetings to Angela.

Blessings and Prayers

From:
Daphne McLeod
To:
michael Prabhu
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 3:50 PM

Subject: RE: LETTER TO CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS: WCCM/KRIPA FOUNDATION

What a very good letter from Angela, Michael.  I am glad you have another voice showing leaders of the Church these dangerous errors.  Keep up your excellent work. With love and prayers, Daphne. www.proecclesia.com
LONDON

From:
Derrick D’Costa
To:
prabhu
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:32 PM Subject: Re: RECEIVED THE BOOK…

Dear Michael I saw you letter to cardinal gracias i hope he responds and that he does realise his responsibility towards his own people and also the judgement which the book of Wisdom 6:6 warns against and you know that scripture does not make use of false weights: “Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule. – horrende et cito apparebit vobis quoniam iudicium durissimum in his qui præsunt fiet” God bless Derrick BAHRAIN

From:
PRIEST, BOMBAY
To:
prabhu
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 1:40 AM Subject: Re: FOCOLARE

Dear Mike, Regarding your statement that Bombay Archdiocese leads by great lengths in institutionalized New Age error,

I believe in this. I came to this realisation when i was in the seminary and how the seminary had programmes of formation for rectors of major seminaries and minor seminaries boasted about its formation programmes as being the best, boasting about garbage!!!!!!!!! Besides, this I believe that the Jesuits have been the worst offenders as far as religious congregations are concerned. They still show a strong marxist, relativistic and new age tilt.

From:
PRIEST, BOMBAY
To:
prabhu
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 1:52 AM

Subject: Re: LETTER TO CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS: WCCM/KRIPA FOUNDATION

Wow! this is a greatly researched letter… hope they see the viciousness of indulging in Eastern spiritualites… the practitioners of such spirituality have no qualms of conscience. thanks 113.

From:
PRIEST, FRANCE To:
‘prabhu’
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 12:30 PM Subject: Hello from France

Dear Michael, Thank you for all your messages. It is a long time since I have not written to you.

I just finished preaching a rereat in England to some 25 lay people and then another one in Belgium for 25 Sisters of Mother Teresa’s Congregation.

I already planned my coming to India for 2009… I will be in Chennai on the 24th September… I hope to have the opportunity to meet you in Chennai if God wills.

Take care of yourself and let us keep praying for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Once again thank you for your contribution to the defense of the Faith and of the Church!

Greetings to your wife Angela and your children. Yours sincerely in Jesus and Mary 

From:
BISHOP
To:
prabhu
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 6:19 PM

Subject: Re: LINKS TO 22 OUT OF 42 NEW ARTICLES AND REPORTS RECENTLY RELEASED BY THIS MINISTRY

Dear Prabhu, Thank you for the dfetails about the New Age and errors etc. let us hope and pray that things get straightened and all minds clear. Love

EUCHARIST vs. MEDITATION: see information on pages 10, 16, 47-48, 102-103, etc.

Latin-rite bishops to promote vocations, renew priests spiritually

http://www.ucanews.com/2009/07/03/latin-rite-bishops-to-promote-vocations-renew-priests-spiritually/ July 3, 2009
MANGALORE, India (UCAN) — India’s Latin rite bishops are planning special programs for the Year for Priests to attract more men to the priesthood. EXTRACT:
“If there are no priests, there is no Eucharist. If there is no Eucharist, there is no Church,” reads a poster designed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops in India (CCBI) that will be distributed across the country.

A LETTER TO ME FROM A SUPPORTER OF BRO. JOHNSON SEQUEIRA, AND MY RESPONSE

From:
prabhu
To:
Gerad Stewart ; gerad@jeevan.info ; Filiberto Chavez
Cc:
lenatabaabel@yahoo.com ; ogoniman@yahoo.com ; delrymon@yahoo.co.uk ; rosedanesewich@hotmail.com ; Joe Pereira ; pastornorth@hotmail.com

Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 7:58 AM Subject: Re: Prayer Request

Dear Filiberto Chavez, I thought that I had asked you exactly two months ago to please unsubscribe me from your list!?! See my earlier email below.

How come you are connected with as diverse a group as Fr Joe Pereira, a priest who is yoga practitioner and disciple of BKS Iyengar
[jpst_1995@yahoo.co.uk], Sri Lankan preacher Dr. Delryne Wanigaratne [delrymon@yahoo.co.uk], a pastor [pastornorth@hotmail.com], AND Gerad, one of the key persons of Johnson Sequeira’s team [stegerad@yahoo.co.in; gerad@jeevan.info]?

I am certainly in the company of variety, but I would like to be excluded please. Regards, Michael Prabhu

KRIPA FOUNDATION _WCCM_LETTERS TO THE BISHOPS

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/KRIPA%20FOUNDATION%20_WCCM_LETTERS%20TO%20THE%20BISHOPS.doc

KRIPA FOUNDATION_WCCM

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/KRIPA%20FOUNDATION_WCCM.doc

www.ephesians-511.net

BRO. JOHNSON SEQUEIRA’S ‘WORD FAITH’ THEOLOGY AND ‘PROSPERITY’ GOSPEL

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/BRO_JOHNSON%20SEQUEIRA_S_WORD%20FAITH_THEOLOGY%20AND_PROSPERITY_%20GOSPEL.doc

PS. When I copied and pasted your mail of today into my archives, all the words “Satan” and “Demons” alone automatically switched from font size 10 to size 12!!!!! Michael Prabhu

NO REPLY FROM GERAD, BUT A RESPONSE FROM FR. JOE PEREIRA!

From:
jpst_1995@yahoo.co.uk
To:
prabhu (Mathur-film) ; Gerad Stewart ; gerad@jeevan.info ; Filiberto Chavez

Cc:
lenatabaabel@yahoo.com ; ogoniman@yahoo.com ; delrymon@yahoo.co.uk ; rosedanesewich@hotmail.com ; pastornorth@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:46 PM Subject: Re: Bless you Michael Prabhu

Thank god for the Catholic Church that has the space for people like me and Michael Prabhu.

In this age of ecumenism and Interfaith fellowship, may Jesus keep us from judging one another.
Michael, Pl rest assured that I pray for you and all the receipients of your mails that we all may have the compassion of the Lord. Just Love and Compassion.

How not to talk about God: An interview with Karen Armstrong

http://www.uscatholic.org/node/5076

U.S. CATHOLIC Tuesday, December 15, 2009 U.S. Catholic interview, Karen Armstrong… author of more than 20 books

This interview appeared in the January 2010 issue of U.S. Catholic (Vol. 75. No. 1, pp. 24-28).

I was with the Dalai Lama at an interfaith conference once when he told a woman that converting from Christianity to Buddhism was a complete waste of her time…
and as for the highest states of meditation, he said, don’t even go there.
114.

A FORWARD CONCERNING KRIPA FOUNDATION

From:
anndsouzain@yahoo.co.in
Date: Feb 21, 2010 9:07 AM Subject:
To:
olvic@rediffmail.com, maria_dcruz@hotmail.com, margedesilva@yahoo.com, daphnesobrinho@hotmail.com, veera_nazareth@rediffmail.com, josephine.dsouza@gmail.com
Cc:
goabruno_apache@yahoo.com, patlovesjesus@gmail.com, pdc327@sympatico.ca, carole.gonsalves@reliance.ada.com, joseph.gonsalves@yahoo.co.in, nornunesm@yahoo.com, valentino731@hotmail.com
The magic carpet is missing!! Is this the Catholic faith?

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.com/

From:
prabhu
To:
Michael Prabhu
Cc:
valentino731@hotmail.com; carole.gonsalves@reliance.ada.com; josephine.dsouza@gmail.com; margedesilva@yahoo.com; olvic@rediffmail.com; patlovesjesus@gmail.com; joseph.gonsalves@yahoo.co.in; maria_dcruz@hotmail.com; daphnesobrinho@hotmail.com; veera_nazareth@rediffmail.com; pdc327@sympatico.ca; nornunesm@yahoo.com; goabruno_apache@yahoo.com; anndsouzain@yahoo.co.in

Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 5:48 PM

Dear Joachim, Carole, Helen, Margaret, Olive, Patrick, Joseph, Maria, Daphne, Veera, Patricia, Norman, Bruno, and Ann

Regarding: http://kripafoundation.blogspot.com/ The magic carpet is missing!! Is this the Catholic faith?

NO! It is certainly not the Catholic faith. Kripa is the aberration of one priest, Fr. Joe Pereira. It is possible that this priest has the nod or support of some Bishops, either by complicity or by silence. So they are all in error. That does not make them “the Catholic faith”. Jesus Himself said, “Do what they tell you* but not do what they do.”

*What they tell us or teach us is what Rome teaches about what the Bible says. In that they simply CANNOT err. Even if they try.

Since 8.333% of Jesus’ apostles were in error [one out of twelve], did one chuck out the early New Testament Church?

DOCTRINALLY, the Catholic Church has not made a single error or reversal of major teaching in 2,000 years.

Scores of Protestant pastors, now Catholic apologists, can testify to this after critically studying Church history from the Early Church Fathers into the Reformation and through Vatican Council II.

The prophets of Israel did not leave the Jewish nation and join the Philistines in the enemy camp. They condemned the sins of their anointed kings, judges and priests, suffered with them, went into exile with them.

Let us emulate Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and the other prophets.

I myself have exposed and condemned the works of Fr Joe Pereira, see

KRIPA FOUNDATION_WCCM

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/KRIPA%20FOUNDATION_WCCM.doc

KRIPA FOUNDATION _WCCM_LETTERS TO THE BISHOPS

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/KRIPA%20FOUNDATION%20_WCCM_LETTERS%20TO%20THE%20BISHOPS.doc

and the anti-Christian works of other priests and bishops like him, see my reports and articles at http://www.ephesians-511.net.

God bless you all, Michael Prabhu

From:
daphne sobrinho
To:
michaelprabhu@vsnl.net
Cc: ALL ABOVE Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:15 PM

Subject: RE: The magic carpet is missing!! Is this the Catholic faith?

Condeming the GOOD being done by others is not Catholic either.

A Catholic and a lotus-seater by Ashley D’Mello February 20, 2010

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/A-Catholic-and-a-lotus-seater-/articleshow/5594846.cms

Madonna swears by it. So do Geri Halliwell and Sting. That’s just the celeb brigade. Now, it’s the turn of the Catholic church to mix prayers and pranayams.
Kripa, a de-addiction centre at Bandra in Mumbai, is proof of yoga’s growing popularity with the clergy. Here, inmates practise their asanas every morning and leading the class is Father Joe Pereira, a Catholic priest and Kripa founder who is a firm believer in yoga’s ability to combat alcohol and drug addiction.
He isn’t the only one who finds this 5,000-year-old system of exercise beneficial. From schools in Agra to institutions in Kerala, yoga is putting many Christians on the mat. In fact, several Catholic seminaries in
India
have started using yoga in their meditation classes to help candidates prepare for priesthood.
Yoga instructors across the country have always attracted their fair share of Catholics over the years but that’s been purely for fitness reasons. Now, seminaries are showing they’re not averse to its spiritual side.
So why the acceptance? After all, the discomfort with yoga’s associations with Hinduism goes back a long way. Islamic
countries like
Malaysia
and
Indonesia
have even seen fatwas being issued against yoga.

Father Julian Saldhana*, who teaches theology at the St Pious** College, an institution where Catholic priests are trained, traces the winds of change to the Second Vatican Council held in the mid-1960 s.” Local cultures and languages began to be given greater importance. Before Vatican II, there were individual attempts by priests to practise yoga; some also wrote about their experiences but this did not have any major impact,” he says.

*Author of “Inculturation” **Pius X Seminary, Goregaon, Mumbai
Despite the easing up of restrictions, many were still wary. When Father Joe Pereira began teaching yoga at the Fort Convent Hall in Colaba in 1974, there was a section of Catholics who complained to the then Cardinal Valerian Gracias that ”yoga was satanic and against the tenets of Christianity”. But the Cardinal supported him.” They were unaware that yoga could be taught in a manner which could appeal to people of all faiths. I was teaching Iyengar Yoga which was a combination of asanas, pranayama and prayers to the god of your own understanding. There was no prayer to a Hindu God.” 115.

In Kerala, which has a Christian tradition going back 2,000 years, yoga is very much in demand. Fr Paul Telecatt*****, editor of a Catholic paper Satyadevam and spokesperson for the Ernakulam diocese, says many priests have mastered the art. *****Fr. Paul Thelekat
But while some are bending over backwards to embrace yoga, there are voices of dissent. Gee Varghese Dionisious******, Syro Maolankara******* rite bishop of Bathery in
Malabar
in Kerala, points out that yoga in its entirety isn’t in keeping with the Church’s teaching. ”In the final stages of yoga, the yogi becomes one with God and this is where we differ from yoga. Any Christian has to keep this in mind when he does yoga.”

There are different kinds of yoga and these shouldn’t be lumped together, explains Fr Joe Pereira. ”The BKS Iyengar school which I teach caters to the mind and the body. As for the spirit, he leaves us free to choose the God we understand .But there are other schools of yoga that restrict the practice within a particular faith bias.” He cites Bhakti yoga which has a lot of singing of hymns to Hindu deities and is difficult for people from other religions to follow.
”In the 1950s, I used to use a chain around my thigh for penance. This went out of practice in the Church, but through yoga I can understand self denial, penance and mortification,” says Father Joe who runs over 25 de-addiction centres.

******Geevarghese Mar Divannasios *******Syro-Malankara
NOT FIT FOR EVERYONE

Some denominations of the Church are wary of yoga though they have not come out against it openly. Mainstream Protestant groups have not taken to it like the Catholic Church. Pentocalist******** Christians are not fans either. Shekhar Kallianpur, an international speaker with the New Life Fellowship International Church which is a large grouping in the Pentecostalist******** fold, says they do not promote yoga. ”We ask our followers to meditate on God’s word. If they want to keep fit there are regular exercises which can be followed. You have to look at the root of yoga before you begin to follow it,” he says. ********Pentecostal

COMMENTS ON THE TIMES OF INDIA ARTICLE

Michelle (Mumbai) 20/02/2010 at 09:38 pm
Yoga is strictly Hinduism
Susan (USA)
21/02/2010 at 12:06 am
Religion or faith is a medium between humanbeing and God. Yoga enhances one’s ability of self control of mind and body. It is a welcome gesture that chatholics encourage yoga.
Truthi (Mumbai, India)
30/04/2010 at 03:52 pm
Yoga is way of life just like Faith is. It’s great that Fr.Joe has the spirituality and wisdom to absorb these 2 great tenets and bring them together to heal people. The world needs more people like him.

MY COMMENTS

It took me more than 30 minutes to correct the punctuation errors in Ashley D’Mello’s story. I have also corrected SOME of the factual errors. It is apparent that Ashley knows little of his own faith or the Church.

The TOI article was posted in the MangaloreanCatholics digest no.
1910 dated March 5, 2010

Posted by: “Bombay Catholic Sabha, Kalina” MangaloreanCatholics@gmail.com

From:
prabhu
To:
MangaloreanCatholics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 5:39 PM

Subject: Re: A Catholic and a lotus-seater

OUR COMMENTS.

UNABLE TO POST AGAINST THE TOI ARTICLE ON FEBRUARY 21, 2010 AS WELL AS MARCH 5, 2010 DUE TO SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE TOI PAGE:

116.

1. Excellent play of words in the title, but too many spelling errors in the names of key places and persons cited.

Fr Joe had better put back that chain on his thigh, both of them for good measure, and TIGHT.

Yoga is a no-no for Catholics says Rome in TWO Documents.

Michael Prabhu, Chennai

2. If the Vatican says yoga is a no-no for Catholics and if Bishop Geevarghese Mar Divannasios [now retired] says so too, who’s gotta be wrong? They, or Father Joe?

Check out YOGA at www.ephesians-511.net for the answer.

Angela Prabhu, Chennai

Our comments were posted in
MC digest no. 1911 dated March 6, 2010.

WCCM MEDITATION PROMOTED BY CATHNEWS, A PREMIER CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

Video – Meditation guru’s monastery without walls May 11, 2010 http://www.cathnewsasia.com/?p=14098*

This Eureka Street interview with Laurence Freeman, Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM), concludes the series recorded at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne in December 2009. It is sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Australian Catholic University. *See page 118

This video was uploaded to YouTube in April 2010.

FULL STORY Meditation guru’s monastery without walls (YouTube/Eureka Street)

http://www.kripafoundation.org/Home.html

NEW WCCM INDIA WEB SITE: KRIPA AND WCCM ARE ONE AND THE SAME

From: “Christian Meditation Mumbai, India” wccm2010@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 12:14:31 +0530

Subject: WCCM India website. To:
“Fr. Joe Pereira”
jpst_1995@yahoo.co.uk

Cc: “Kripa / Francis.” kripamtmary@yahoo.co.uk

Dear meditators,

We are happy to announce the new WCCM, India website. Visit www.wccm-india.org <http://www.wccm-india.org/&gt;

It is the work of Bosco D’Souza of Kripa Foundation and is a simple yet effective beginning of what I hope will draw people to the fountain of Christian Meditation Practice.

Christopher.

From: “Christian Meditation Mumbai, India” wccm2010@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:48:06 +0530

Subject: New “Meditatio” project of WCCM. To:
“Fr. Joe Pereira”
jpst_1995@yahoo.co.uk

Cc: “Kripa / Francis.” kripamtmary@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Meditators,

The WCCM has a new project called “Meditatio” which is the outreach and sharing of the fruits of meditation with the wider world and with the problems and crises of our time”. Copied below is Fr. Joe’s email

*Dear Meditators of Mumbai,

please send your contribution for the Meditatio Project requested by Laurence Freeman

I have collected our contributions of groups all over India and that of the foundation group of Mt. Carmel’s

Kindly send me your contribution so as to send the amount before Christmas

fr. joe

National Co-ordinator

India* 117.

Please contact Fr. Joe directly if you wish to do so.

Christopher [Mendonca]

WCCM Coordinator, Mumbai.

From: “Christian Meditation Mumbai, India” wccm2010@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:12:39 +0530

Subject: Bere Island Retreat with Fr. Laurence. To: Bernadette Pimenta bernadette.pimenta8@gmail.com

Cc: “Kripa / Francis.” kripamtmary@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Meditators,

Bere Island is a beautiful, place with a few hundred local inhabitants and the location for a Holy Week Retreat, each year by Fr. Laurence. Meditators from all over the world go there to participate in this experience of silence and stillness that that is so natural to the region. This year, thanks to the initiative of Adriano, who manages the WCCM International Website, we can participate in this retreat via the internet. We have just received the email below from Pauline Peters. We do hope those of you who are able to, can take this opportunity to participate in the Retreat, even if only for a little while.

The Coordinating Team.

WCCM, Mumbai.

Meditation helps me cope with life: Lee Kuan Yew September 15, 2010

http://www.cathnewsasia.com/2010/09/15/meditation-helps-me-cope-with-life-lee-kuan-yew/*

Q: Tell me about meditation? (Seth Mydans, New York Times/International Herald Tribune)

Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew: Well, I started it about two, three years ago when Ng Kok Song, the Chief Investment Officer of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, I knew he was doing meditation. His wife had died but he was completely serene. So, I said, how do you achieve this? He said I meditate everyday and so did my wife and when she was dying of cancer, she was totally serene because she meditated everyday and he gave me a video of her in her last few weeks completely composed completely relaxed and she and him had been meditating for years. Well, I said to him, you teach me. He is a devout Christian. He was taught by a man called Laurence Freeman, a Catholic. His guru was John Main a devout Catholic. When I was in London, Ng Kok Song introduced me to Laurence Freeman. In fact, he is coming on Saturday to visit Singapore, and we will do a meditation session. The problem is to keep the monkey mind from running off into all kinds of thoughts. It is most difficult to stay focused on the mantra. The discipline is to have a mantra which you keep repeating in your innermost heart, no need to voice it over and over again throughout the whole period of meditation. The mantra they recommended was a religious one. Ma Ra Na Ta, four syllables. Come To Me Oh Lord Jesus. So I said Okay, I am not a Catholic but I will try. He said you can take any other mantra, Buddhist Om Mi Tuo Fo, and keep repeating it. To me Ma Ran Na Ta is more soothing. So I used Ma Ra Na Ta. You must be disciplined. I find it helps me go to sleep after that. A certain tranquility settles over you. The day’s pressures and worries are pushed out. Then there’s less problem sleeping. I miss it sometimes when I am tired, or have gone out to a dinner and had wine. Then I cannot concentrate. Otherwise I stick to it.

Q: So…

Mr Lee: … for a good meditator will do it for half-an-hour. I do it for 20 minutes.

Q: So, would you say like your friend who taught you, would you say you are serene?

Mr Lee: Well, not as serene as he is. He has done it for many years and he is a devout Catholic. That makes a difference. He believes in Jesus. He believes in the teachings of the Bible. He has lost his wife, a great calamity. But the wife was serene. He gave me this video to show how meditation helped her in her last few months. I do not think I can achieve his level of serenity. But I do achieve some composure.

FULL TRANSCRIPT http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/09/transcripts-new-york-timesiht-interview-lee-kuan-yew/

FULL STORY Days of Reflection for Man Who Defined Singapore (New York Times/IHT)

See page 123: http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/07/fr-joe-with-mr-lee-kwan-yew-in.html

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FR_PRASHANT_OLALEKAR_INTERPLAY_AND_LIFE_POSITIVE.doc

“MEDITATION-THE YOGIC PRIEST” By Luis S. R. Vas

http://www.lifepositive.com/Spirit/Meditation/The_Yogic_Priest102008.asp

Father Joe Pereira is a priest, a student of BKS Iyengar, and a teacher of yoga to addicts to help them cope better with rehabilitation therapy

In his early days as a priest, people knew Father Joe Pereira from Mumbai as the singing priest. His deep bass voice and love for music, led him to attend a performance in Mumbai of the internationally renowned violin virtuoso, Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin’s own interest in Eastern arts, led him to play with sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, and to write the foreword to the BKS Iyengar classic, Light on Yoga. At the performance, Menuhin’s introduction of Iyengar as “my next violin instructor,” piqued the young priest’s interest. He soon began taking weekly classes from Iyengar near his Mumbai parish. That was in 1968. By 1971, Father Joe was teaching yoga. In 1975, he became a certified Iyengar instructor. He incorporated hatha yoga and meditation into his pastoral duties, and eventually added a ministry for alcoholics to the parish’s services. 118.

Initially, the church did not favour his teaching yoga for any purpose. “My vicar-general was very concerned about my yoga,” Father Joe recalls. “One day he had to go to a doctor for surgery to remove his varicose veins. The doctor told him, ‘If you go to this priest I know, who teaches yoga, you won’t need surgery.’ Mother Teresa, too, did not seem too happy with the situation. She asked him, “What is this yoga that you are teaching to my nuns?” Father Joe explained that the nuns worked so hard that they fell asleep during their prayers. Yoga helped them cope better with their tiredness, and stay alert. He introduced them to simple yogic breathing, and Benedictine mantras.
Father Joe adds, “Today I get a lot of support from the church. I must acknowledge that it is a conversion of sorts.” He attributes his ability to be unconventional, to his mother. She was one of the first graduates in the country, while his father was not, and was four years younger.
Father Joe is far more than just a healthy and fit Bombay priest, who does not look his 50-odd years. His story and his presence are one of those unique products of India, innately spiritual, and embracing the fluidity that moves between traditions, while staying true to one main path. He ambles easily between cultures verbally. He quotes a Sanskrit phrase of meditation, refers to a speech at a Cambridge University conference on the use of yoga for drug rehabilitation, and shares his love of Mother Teresa. Beyond the story of a priest teaching yoga, there is a deeper more compelling one of healing the poor, and being open to those most in need.
His yoga practice has taken him on a personal healing journey, as well as a charitable one. “I had two serious accidents and needed surgery three times on my legs. Now I can sit in full lotus position and do all my exercises. I do not have any memory of them.” In 1997, 17 years after those perations, Father Joe needed remedial work on his spine. He was fortunate to be able to meet Iyengar personally every two to three weeks.
Iyengar devised a special programme for him of 26 exercises, “each more painful than the last”. After a year and a half of the exercises, there is no pain. “That is Iyengar. You trust the process.”
In 1971, Father Joe approached Mother Teresa. He was having a crisis of faith. After the seminary years, well protected from temptations of the world, he fell in love. As part of the generation of priests after the Vatican Council, he was frustrated with the progress of change. “I was in a hurry to change the church.” He approached Mother Teresa and asked her to pray for him. “I do not pray for priests, I pray with them”, she said and together they prayed, Father Joe crying like a child. “Don’t quit,” she said, “the Lord has work for you.” She added that it might take 10 years or more.
Ten years later in 1981, he and one of the recovering alcoholics he had brought into the parish programme founded the Kripa (“Grace”) Foundation. It focused on serving addicts through a unique recovery programme, combining the “12 steps” of Alcoholics Anonymous with instruction in yoga and meditation taught by Father Joe. Eventually, he added western psychological models, such as dyads and gestalt therapy, and Christian Meditation launched by Irish Benedictine Fr. John Main. Christian Meditation consists of repeating the mantra Maranatha (Come, Lord) for half an hour, twice a day.
From its humble origins in the annex of the parish church in Mumbai, the programme has grown. It includes more than 30 counselling, detoxification, and rehabilitation centres throughout India, and offices in Germany and Canada. The recovery rate of the programme is an astonishing 65 per cent.
For Father Joe, this work was perhaps the most fitting byproduct of his own spiritual journey. He struggled with alcohol abuse himself as a young man. “I have all the qualities of an addict,” he says. “I am not exempt from the self-destructive behaviour patterns people come here to be healed of.” Father Joe’s collegial relationship with Iyengar (he returns to the latter’s institute in Pune every July for intensive studies in yoga therapy), led him to ask Iyengar to devise practice techniques and sequences (of asana and pranayama), specifically, to help people cope with addictive traits and residues.
Eventually this led him to taking drug addicts from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. As a result, he was offered the Boys Town on Diamond Harbour Road in Kolkata. Instead of three addicts, he was attending to 250 a year. “Mother was thrilled,” that such a thing was possible. As addicts recovered, they went back to their own states and new centres were set up. Soon there were centres in Delhi, Goa and all seven of the North Eastern states, totalling 31. Now he wishes to work in the largest slum in SE Asia, Dharavi in Bombay. Before that, he had been invited to work in the North East of India, in the states known as the ‘seven sisters’. “We started helping those with HIV+ and Aids. Ten years ago, they were thrown in jail for having Aids, and food was thrown through the bars, to avoid contact”.
Now he wishes to build Aids hospices, and more drug rehabilitation clinics, in India. Forty per cent of his funds are from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
He helped 150 drug pushers find other jobs and gave 50 sewing machines to their wives to offer alternative employment recently. He continues to practise, and preach mainly through the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa inaugurated his centres in Mumbai and Kolkata. She had asked him to give a talk at retreats for her nuns. It seems like the mantle from Mother Teresa has fallen to a degree on his shoulders. As he said to his superiors when he first applied to set up his rehabilitation centres, “We cannot let Mother Teresa have a monopoly on this work!”
So how can one deepen one’s faith and spiritual practice? He quotes Iyengar saying, “Holiness is wholeness”. “Sometimes this leads to your being out of control. You really go through a period where you can see two levels of existence. Finally, one comes to live by faith alone. The more you learn to let go, the more you are in tune with the present. The struggle comes when you forget this, and try to control life, which brings stress.”
Sometimes he has encountered problems with fundamentalists within the Church. “Oh those fundamentalists, they are always seeing the devil on my shoulder,” he jokes. In his mind, “Jesus is the supreme Yogi because he said the Father and I are one, and yoga means yug = union = one.”

He says, “For all those interested in inculcating the values of this special field, and practising and teaching yoga therapy to addicts, I present an outline of the yoga workout thatis programmed within the Kripa Model of Recovery. I present the first two phases of practice. Phase I is at the primary care level and Phase II is practised at the after-care level of treatment. 119.

“Phase I consists of postures that are called ‘restorative’ and are done with the help of a bolster. The purpose of such a prop is to induce the patient to honour and affirm the body. During the active days of addiction, it is the body which has been badly abused. This initial phase helps to reverse the process by ‘loving the body into life’. The patient eventually recognises the body as the very temple of God. This set of postures, reduces the need of dependence on medications and conditions the person to set himself on the path of wholeness and holiness.
“Phase II leads the person to ‘communicate’ with the various systems of the body thus ‘rejuvenating’ them. This calls for ‘tapas’, austerity brought about by a structured time management at the Kripa Rehabilitation Centres. It is necessary that the one who leads the group is a practising Iyengar Yoga Instructor, and that he/she is quite transparent in upholding the spirit of dedication and commitment to this special work of God.”
Luis SR Vas has authored a score of books during a decade-long career in feature writing, publishing, and corporate communications. Contact: vasluis@hotmail.com.

We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at editor@lifepositive.net.

MY COMMENTS

1. Fr Joe Pereira is a notorious name-dropper, exaggerator and consummate liar.

2. Luis SR Vas
is probably the leading Indian “Catholic” author of occult and New Age books. Most of them are published and sold by St. Pauls’ Better Yourself Books. It comes as no surprise that Luis SR Vas writes the article on Fr Joe Pereira in Life Positive.

Luis SR Vas
is the subject of a detailed study which is under preparation by this ministry.

3. Gestalt therapy is New Age.

4. Mother Teresa is notorious for her naivete. Recently, a Brazilian visitor to my home who has close associations with Propaganda Fide, Rome lamented her statement that one should let a Hindu be a good Hindu… etc., as that flies in the face of the spirit of the Vatican document Ecclesia in Asia. He also promised to send me a picture of Mother Teresa paying obeisance to an icon of Buddha. He didn’t, but I sourced it.

KRIPA FOUNDATION’S PEARL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED AT CATHOLIC INSTIUTION

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/08/announcement-of-kripa-nite-2011.html

On August 15, 2011 at St Andrew’s auditorium, Bandra, Mumbai

PICTURES OF FR JOE PEREIRA’S SQUATTING INDIAN-RITE MASS

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/to-sir-with-lovehappy-birthday.html
July 28, 2011

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira conducting an Interfaith Program on Christian Meditation and Kripa Foundation Iyengar Yoga at St. Jacob’s Church, Zurich

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/fr-joe-conducting-interfaith-program-on.html
July 19, 2011

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira teaching Kripa Foundation Iyengar Yoga at Twam Asi Trust, Bergalingen, Germany

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/fr-joe-teaching-kripafoundation-iyengar.html

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/fr-joe-teaching-kripfoundation-iyengar.html
July 18, 2011

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira teaching yoga at the Yoga Institute, Vilarett, Switzerland

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/fr-joe-teaching-at-yoga-institute.html
July 18, 2011

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira teaching yoga at Pastoral Centre, Old Goa

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/fr-joe-teaching-at-pastoral-centre-old.html

FR JOE PEREIRA’S SWAY OVER THE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL ASOCIATION OF INDIA [CMAI]

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira with CMAI delegates

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/cmai-delegates-meet-fr-joe.html
July 7, 2011

Dr. Ronald and Dr. Rebecca representatives of CMAI (Christian Medical Association of India) in a meeting to discuss the logistics to hold the next CASCAN conference in India.

See
http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/12/article-of-kripa-female-rehab-of-pune.html and http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/10/cmai-team-at-kripa-pune.html

FR JOE PEREIRA RECEIVES EURO 7,000 FROM A CATHOLIC PARISH IN GERMANY

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/06/thank-you-star-singers-oflingen-germany.html
June 29, 2011

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira teaching yoga at the monastery of St. Peter in the Black Forest, Germany

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/06/fr-joe-at-old-barock-monastry-of-st.html
June 22, 2011

120.

A LETTER OF FELICITATION TO FR JOE PEREIRA FROM
BISHOP AGNELO GRACIAS
OF BOMBAY

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/05/thank-you-his-lorship-bishop-agnelo.html
May 6, 2011

AN EXAMPLE OF HINDU YOGA INFLUENCE IN THE CHURCH THROUGH KRIPA FOUNDATION

Kripafoundation Iyengar Yoga at Yogashraya

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011_02_01_archive.html February 28, 2011

Fr. Joe was the Guest Speaker at the Iyengar Yogashraya, Mumbai. The topic of the lecture was “Addiction Recovery & Iyengar Yoga”.
Yogashaya is the official Iyengar Centre of the Light on Yoga Trust (LOYT), Mumbai. The audience consisted of Iyengar Instructors and Students for the past four decades. Fr. Joe thanked the President of (LOYT) Mr. Javahar Bangera for the constant support of all Iyengar Yoga Instructors to Kripa and the recovery addicts.

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira teaching yoga at the JDV seminary, Pune

Kripafoundation Iyengar Yoga Intensive at Pune

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/02/kripafoundation-iyengar-yoga-intensive.html February 26, 2011

Kripafoundation Iyengar yoga Intensive workshop with the students of the Bandra Iyengar Yoga community was held at Pune. A visit to Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar was the highlight of the workshop. The beautiful new premises of the post graduate wing of JDV (Papal Athenaeum) offered an opportunity to try out standing Bhismasana too. The most Indian Chapel with the centre figure of a Dancing Jesus was ideal for including the Mass within the workshop. The daily programme consisted of three hours of Asanas, two hours of Pranayama and two hours of Meditation. The compus of the JDV also offered the early risers to have their morning walk. A blessed experience of understanding Iyengar Yoga within the Kripa Model of Recovery to live with Addiction and Immunofeciency ailments. The participants were Teachers of Kripafoundation Iyengar yoga and patients of special health needs.

MORE BISHOPS FELICITATE FR JOE PEREIRA

Happy Anniversary Kripa Kolkata

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/02/happy-anniversary-kripa-kolkata.html
February 14, 2011

A function was held at Boys town, Gangarampur. Bishop Salvadore Lobo, Bishop of Baruipur was the chief guest. Fr Joe along with Mrs. Jhoba Guha inaugurated the program by reading messages of greetings from Sister Prema, Archbishop of Kolkata and Emeritus Archbishop Henry D’Souza.

Pictures of Fr. Joe Pereira with yoga gurus

Fr. Joe with Baba Ramdev, at Patanjali Yogpeeth

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/01/fr-joe-with-baba-ramdev-at-patanjali.html January 7, 2011

Fr. Joe was invited as a guest speaker and as a internationally renowned Yogic, to deliver a presentation on “Yoga and Society” and “Addiction and Yoga” for the “Practice of Christian Meditation’ at the First International Conference on Yoga for Health and Social Transformation, January 2-5, 2011. Haridwar, India. Present at ths conference were Mahashri’s, Guru’s and Yogics from the Himalayas to Harvard Medical School and delegates from all over the world. His presentation at the conference was well applauded and many extended an invitaion to him to visit their centres. This conference was organised by Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar and The University of Patanjali, Haridwar (Divisions of Patanjali Yogpeeth).
121.

ARCHBISHOP FELIX MACHADO OF VASAI FELICITATES FR JOE PEREIRA

Orphan Christmas Night at Kripa Vasai

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/12/orphan-party-at-kripa-vasai.html December 31, 2010

The Children’s party for kids from orphanages situated in and around the Vasai region was held on 27th December 2010. The event began with the celebration of Holy Mass led by Fr. Joe Pereira. His Grace Archbishop Felix Machado graced the occasion with his presence. A total of 762 children and more than 150 guests and well-wishers attended the program. Archbishop Felix Machado addressed the children and commended the work that Fr. Joe was doing through Kripa Foundation.

SEE THE BLASPHEMOUS PICTURE OF “JESUS, THE YOGI” IN THE BACKGROUND

Release of Audio CDs of Meditation by Fr Joe

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/11/release-of-audio-cds-of-meditation-by.html
November 21, 2010

Kripa Foundation announces the release of two of Fr. Joe’s audio CD’s titled “The “Whole Person in Prayer” and “Learning to Sit in Meditation”. The “Learning to Sit in Meditation” includes a handybook in English, which is a transcript of Fr. Joe’s recorded teaching on different ways of sitting in Meditation. In the audio CD “Whole Person in Prayer” Fr. Joe teaches us a simple way to bring our usually distracted body and mind to attention at the time of Prayer.

ARCHBISHOP STANISLAUS FERNANDES OF GANDHINAGAR FELICITATES FR JOE PEREIRA

Kripa inaugrates it’s New Centre in Gandhi Nagar- Gujarat

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/10/kripa-inaugrates-its-60th-centre-in.html
October 28, 2010

Kripa Foundation inaugrated it’s new centre at Mother Teresa Ashram, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. This is Kripa’s 62nd facilty in the country. The Centre was blessed by His Grace Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes with a prayer service. The Archbishop in his speech appreciated the efforts of Kripa. .

KRIPA FOUNDATION CELEBRATES THE HINDU FESTIVAL OF NAVRATRI

Navratri celebrated at VRACS -Kripa Vasai

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/10/navratri-celebrated-at-vracs-kripa.html October 18, 2010

There was a pooja…

MY COMMENTS

“Every year during the months of September and October, we celebrate the descent of the Goddess to the Earth plane. Navaratri or the Nine Nights/Moons of the Goddess is an important time period wherein the Supreme Goddess
in the forms of Durga, the Warrior Goddess, Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth and Saraswati the Goddess of Wisdom, jointly destroy the demons.” Source: http://www.astroved.com/festival/navratripooja/

FR JOE PEREIRA AND THE CATHOLIC ASHRAMS MOVEMENT

Lecture by Fr Joe at St.Mary’s University – Calgary

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/10/lecture-by-fr-joe-at-stmarys-university.html October 6, 2010

The Church in India came into it’s own after the Second Vatican council published the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non Christian Religions, encouraging mutual understanding and dialogue between faiths.

Fr Joe illustrated through his presentation and lecture how Bede Griffiths pioneered this spirit which made the Church fully at home in India’s culture and ethos… Fr Joe highlighted how Bede Griffiths fostered genuine interfaith dialogue and shared his own personal encounters with people from different faiths. 122.

MY COMMENTS

The seditious Catholic Ashrams movement is thoroughly New Age. Bede Griffiths, a New Age Benedictine, was one of its main promoters. See CATHOLIC ASHRAMS

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/CATHOLIC%20ASHRAMS.doc.

FR JOE PEREIRA’S YOGA WORKSHOPS ARE THOROUGHLY HINDU

A Journey to the centre- By Fr Joe

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/10/journey-to-centre-by-fr-joe.html October 6, 2010

The much awaited Yoga workshop of Fr Joe, at YOGA STUDIO SOUTH for Iyengar yoga students was a grand success.

Those students who made it to the oversold event were thrilled and soaked with the wisdom of Fr Joe’s ability to combine asana instructions, with anecdotes about BKS Iyengar, and to hear him connect the relevance of chakras, vayus, the five elements, koshas, yoga philosophy and his Christian Faith to his teaching.

Fr Joe with Mr. Lee Kwan Yew in Singapore

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/07/fr-joe-with-mr-lee-kwan-yew-in.html
July 15, 2010

Singapore Prime minister Lee Kuan Yew consults Fr Joe Pereira for Yoga and Meditaton

MY COMMENTS

See page 119: Meditation helps me cope with life: Lee Kuan Yew

MORE NEW AGE FROM FR JOE PEREIRA

FR JOE AT CELEBRATE BANDRA-WE CAN HEAL THE WORLD

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2009/11/fr-joe-at-celebrate-bandra-we-can-heal.html November 28, 2009

Father Joe shares with us the purpose of this yoga workshop and says, “I think the people of Bandra really need this particular form of yoga. I have trained with Guruji B K S Iyengar and the workshop I conduct is divided into two parts. The first is therapeutic angle which addresses common problems that spring from non-activation of the different systems in the body. It helps with ailments that come up due to lack of proper immunity and spine activity. Then the energy of life and intelligence is seen to.” […]
Meditation can help on a global level
Father Joe also strongly believes that if each of us an individuals got together to mediate we could heal the city, after the 26/11 attacks. He explains, “I believe in the teachings of the veda… ‘As it is for me on my cellular conscious level, so it is on the global level.’ Let me tell you a story. I belong to the WCCM (World Community for Christian Meditation), which include the Dalai Lama, the Benedictine and Tibetan monks. During Bush’s reign the monks got together at Union Park and meditated the Mahatma Gandhi. They wanted to send out a message of change, they wanted to show that there was another way. I truly believe that Obama is a product of that consciousness. And I also believe that if we all got together, we can heal the Mumbai, heal India and heal the planet.”

BISHOP ANTHONY FERNANDES OF BAREILLY FELICITATES FR JOE PEREIRA

KRIPA TURNS GOLD AND BEYOND

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2009/04/kripa-turns-gold-and-beyond.html April 26, 2009

The 50th centre for Kripa Foundation was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Fernandes on the 16th of April 2009, In the presence of Fr Joe Pereira, Founder Managing Trustee of Kripa Foundation. With this 50th centre, Kripa is now able to reach out to those suffering in the central and eastern region of India. This centre has all the facilities from Counselling, De-addiction & rehabilitation for treatment of Chemical dependency and HIV/AIDS counselling, which is being headed by Fr Joseph Topno.

123.

IS THERE ANY ORTHODOXY LEFT IN THE INDIAN CHURCH?

THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS’ CONFERENCE OF INDIA HONOURS “GREAT YOGA GURU” FR JOE PEREIRA

From:
pro pro
To:
undisclosed recipients:
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 7:28 PM EXTRACT

Subject: Fr. Anand Muttungal Received National Excellence Award

Fr. Anand Muttungal Received National Excellence Award

Bhopal: 1/12/2011: Fr. Anand Muttungal receives National Excellence Award from Catholic Priests’ Conference of India in a function organized in Trichur, Kerala. This is the highest award given to a Catholic Priest for the exceptional services rendered to the society. This award is given by the Catholic Priests’ Conference of India; it is the oldest Catholic Priests’ organization in the Country. This award is given once in five years…

The others are Fr. Davis Chirammel of the Archdiocese of Trichur, for his creative contributions for health care, especially for organizing kidney donations and the Accident Care Transport Services, besides his social development efforts for the emancipation of the poor, Fr. Ivan Madtha of the diocese of Mangalore for the creative use of the art of magic for the promotion of the Kingdom values and for his great resilient enthusiasm in his mission even after losing one of his hands in a train accident; Fr. P.J. Jacob of the diocese of Belgaum, for his struggle to defend human rights of ordinary people.

Fr. Joe Pereira of the Archdiocese of Mumbai, recipient of Padmashri Award, a great Yoga Guru and also for his contribution to de-addiction works all over India.

Roy John Thatta Secretary Public Relations Office Catholic Church, M.P 09425636129

WHAT PASSES AS INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE IS A SCANDAL TO OTHERS. EXAMPLE: THE WCCM

A SECOND PAGAN INVASION INTO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

From the Fundamentalist Baptist publishing ministry of David Cloud; included for academic reasons only.

http://www.wayoflife.org/files/d7a9b5c88f9d24dce14197125be6b482-149.html August 28, 2008 EXTRACT

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church has been experiencing a fresh invasion of paganism. This Council declared:
“The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself.
“The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men” (Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Oct. 28, 1965).
This statement says that there are things true and holy in pagan religions. In fact, it appears to say that God has already reconciled them to himself through Christ. Catholics are thus encouraged to dialogue with, collaborate with, and to “preserve and promote the good things … found among these men.”
This opened the door for the current interfaith dialogue that has resulted not in the Catholicization of paganism but in the further paganization of Catholicism.
The call for interfaith dialogue has been repeated forcefully by every pope since Paul VI.
In 1985 Pope John Paul II said:
“[I wish] to do everything possible to cooperate with other believers in preserving all that is good in their religions and culture. … The church of Jesus Christ in this age experiences a profound need to enter into contact and dialogue with all these religions. … All Christians must, therefore, be committed to dialogue with the believers of all religions, so that mutual understanding and collaboration may grow, so that moral values may be strengthened, so that God may be praised in all creation” (John Paul II, quoted by Bob Spencer, “The Challenge of Contextualization,” Faith for the Family, May-June 1985, p. 11).
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI, speaking to representatives of the Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue (FIIRD), said:
“I repeat with insistence, research and interreligious and intercultural dialogue are not an option but a vital necessity for our time. … The people of today expect from us a message of concord and serenity. … They have the right to expect from us a strong sign of a renewed understanding and reinforced cooperation” (Zenit, February 1, 2007).

CATHOLIC CONTEMPLATION A BRIDGE TO PAGANISM
One of the segments of the Roman Catholic Church that has responded in a big way to the call for interfaith dialogue is the Catholic monastic orders (Trappist, Benedictine, Franciscan, etc.). Since the 1970s they have developed intimate ties with their counterparts in pagan religions, and they have discovered that contemplative mysticism is an effective bridge for interfaith unity.
Tilden Edwards observed that mysticism is “THE WESTERN BRIDGE TO FAR EASTERN SPIRITUALITY” (Spiritual Friend, 1980, pp. 18, 19).
The MONASTIC INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE (MID) is sponsored by the Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries of North America. Founded in 1977, it is “committed to fostering interreligious and intermonastic dialogue AT THE LEVEL OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE.” 124.

This means that they are using contemplative practices, yoga, Zen, and Sufism to promote interfaith unity and to help create a new world. The MID works in association with the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Consider one of the objectives of the MID:
“The methods of concentration used in other religious traditions can be useful for removing obstacles to a deep contact with God. They can give a better understanding of the oneness of Christ as expressed in the various traditions and CONTRIBUTE TO THE FORMATION OF A NEW WORLD RELIGIOUS CULTURE. They can also be helpful in the development of certain potencies in the individual, for THERE ARE SOME ZEN-HINDU-SUFI-ETC. DIMENSIONS IN EACH HEART” (Mary L. O’Hara, “Report on Monastic Meeting at Petersham,” MID Bulletin 1, October 1977).
In January 2008 the MID web site featured Paulist priest Thomas Ryan’s book Interreligious Prayer: A Christian Guide. It contains “resources from eight religions that might be used in varying kinds of interreligious services.” The religions are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha’i, and Native American. A review of the book at the MID web site says:
“It is as one human family … that we are called to live in harmony and to bring about justice and peace in our one world; and, as the author points out, FINDING ONE ANOTHER IN GOD IN PRAYER ‘is the shortest way between humans'” (Katherine Howard, “Book Review: Can We Pray Together,” MID Bulletin 80, January 2008).
The Monastic Interreligious Dialogue is associated with the NORTH AMERICAN BOARD FOR EAST-WEST DIALOGUE (NABEWD). At its first meeting in January 1978 at a monastery in Clyde, Missouri, Robert Muller, a New Age leader at the United Nations, was selected as the organization’s advisor (Pascaline Coff*, “Bridging Millennia through Dialogue,” MID Bulletin 71, Sept. 2003). Muller believes in the divinity of all men. *See page 71
Beginning in 1982 the NABEWD has sponsored exchanges between Catholic and Buddhist monks and nuns. The Buddhists visit Catholic monasteries in North America, while the Catholics visit Buddhist monasteries in Asia. This was done with the approval of the Dalai Lama, who was approached in 1981 while he was participating in a Buddhist-Catholic interfaith symposium at the Naropa Buddhist Institute in Boulder, Colorado. When the Catholics asked the Dalai Lama if he and his monks would be willing to participate, he replied, “Yes, but I have no money” (Pascaline Coff, Ibid.). The Catholics volunteered to pay the expenses, and the exchanges began the following year.
Consider ST. JOSEPH’S ABBEY in Spencer, Massachusetts. Thomas Keating was elected abbot in 1961, and the centering prayer movement began there a decade later. Trappist monk William Meninger found a “dusty copy” of The Cloud of Unknowing, which teaches thoughtless meditation, and he and Keating and Basil Pennington began developing a system of contemplation based on that as well as the writings of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
Observing that this type of Catholic contemplation is very similar to that of Buddhist and Hindu mystics, they invited pagan meditation masters, including Zen Buddhist Roshi Sasaki, to teach at some of the retreats.
By 2004, St. Joseph’s had become a full fledged Zen center. This was the fruit of interfaith contemplative dialogue. In April of that year Jesuit Robert Kennedy installed Trappist monk Kevin Hunt as the first American Trappist instructor of Zen (National Catholic Reporter, July 16, 2004).
“Under the ‘protection’ of a Buddha statue and filing in to the cadence of a Japanese drum, the procession reached the Abbey’s Chapter Room. There the installment was made: after the imposition of hands whereby Kennedy made Hunt his successor, the latter received the ‘Robe of Liberation’ — a black Japanese kimono — and his teaching staff.
Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, General Superior of the Jesuits, wrote a letter praising Hunt’s achievement as ‘one that we can all celebrate in thanksgiving to God.’ According to Kolvenbach, it is through Zen meditation that Catholics can become aware of the loving presence of God. HUNT PREDICTS THAT BUDDHISM WILL CHANGE CATHOLICISM” (Source: http://www.traditioninaction.org/RevolutionPhotos/A082rcTrapistZen.htm).
Consider THE SNOWMASS CONFERENCE at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado. This organization, led by Trappist priest Thomas Keating, sponsored contemplative interfaith conferences for 20 years. They met “to meditate together in silence and to share our personal spiritual journeys.” At the conclusion of the dialogues they published a book entitled The Common Heart as an expression of their conviction that the things that unite them are greater than the things that divide. Contributors included Keating, Roshi Bernie Glassman (Zen), Swimi Atmarupananda (Hindu), Ibrahim Gamard (Islam), Pema Chodron (Buddhism), Netanel Miles-Yepes (Sufi), and Rabbi Henoch Dov Hoffman (Judaisim). The foreword to the book was written by New Ager Ken Wilber.
Keating and the Snowmass Conference published eight “Guidelines for Interreligious Understanding,” including the following.
* The world religions bear witness to the experience of Ultimate reality to which they give various names: Brahman, Allah, Absolute, God, Great Spirit.
* Ultimate Reality cannot be limited to any name or concept.
* The potential for human wholeness–or in other frames of reference, enlightenment, salvation, transformation, blessedness, nirvana–is present in every human person.
This is blatant universalism, and it is fruit of contemplative spirituality and interfaith dialogue.

ROMAN CATHOLICS BECOMING HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS
In recent decades many Catholic priests have become Hindus and Buddhists, while remaining Catholics.
On one of our trips to Rome we met a priest named Patrick at the Santa Maria Minerva Church. In a video recorded interview Brian Snider asked him, “Do you have to be Roman Catholic to go to heaven?” To this, Patrick, who is from India, answered: “I can remain a Hindu and go to heaven. I AM ALSO A HINDU. You can be a Hindu living a good life and go to heaven and a Christian living a good life and go to heaven and a Muslim living a good life and go to heaven.” 125.

The very influential Trappist monk THOMAS MERTON was “a strong builder of bridges between East and West” (Twentieth-Century Mystics, p. 39). He was a student of Zen master Daisetsu Suzuki and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. In fact, Merton claimed to be both a Buddhist and a Christian. The titles of his books include Zen and the Birds of the Appetite and Mystics and the Zen Masters. He said: “I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity. The future of Zen is in the West. I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can” (David Steindl-Rast, “Recollection of Thomas Merton’s Last Days in the West,” Monastic Studies, 7:10, 1969, source: http://www.gratefulness.org/readings/dsr_merton_recol2.htm).
JULES MONCHANIN and HENRI LE SAUX, Benedictine priests, founded a Hindu-Christian ashram in India called Shantivanam (Forest of Peace). They took the names of Hindu holy men, with le Saux calling himself Swami Abhishiktananda (bliss of the anointed one). He stayed in Hindu ashrams and learned from Hindu gurus, going barefoot, wearing an orange robe, and practicing vegetarianism. In 1968 le Saux became a hermit in the Himalayas, living there until his death in 1973. The Shantivanam Ashram was subsequently led by ALAN BEDE GRIFFITHS (1906-93). He called himself Swami Dayananda (bliss of compassion). Through his books and lecture tours Griffiths had a large influence in promoting the interfaith philosophy in Roman Catholic monasteries in America, England, Australia, and Germany. He eventually came to believe in the reality of goddess worship.
WAYNE TEASDALE (1945-2004) was a Roman Catholic lay monk. As a student in a Catholic college in Massachusetts, he began visiting St. Joseph’s Abbey near Spencer and came under the direction of Thomas Keating. This led him into an intimate association with pagan religions and the adoption of Hinduism. Teasdale visited Shantivanam Ashram and lived in a nearby Hindu ashram for two years, following in Bede Griffiths’ footsteps. In 1989 he became a “Christian” sanyassa or a Hindu monk. Teasdale was deeply involved in interfaith activities, believing that what the religions hold in common can be the basis for creating a new world, which he called the “Interspiritual Age” — a “global culture based on common spiritual values.” He believed that mystics of all religions are in touch with the same God. He helped found the Interspiritual Dialogue in Action (ISDnA), one of the many New Age organizations affiliated with the United Nations. (Its NGO sponsor is the National Service Conference of the American Ethical Union.) It is committed “to actively serve in the evolution of human consciousness and global transformation.”
WILLIGIS JAGER, a well-known German Benedictine priest who has published contemplative books in German and English, spent six years studying Zen Buddhism under Yamada Koun Roshi. (Roshi is the title of a Zen master.) In 1981 he was authorized as a Zen teacher and took the name Ko-un Roshi. He moved back to Germany and began teaching Zen at the Munsterschwarzach Abbey, drawing as many as 150 people a day.
Benedictine monk JOHN MAIN, who is a pioneer in the field of contemplative spirituality, studied under a Hindu guru. Main combined Catholic contemplative practices with yoga and in 1975 began founding meditation groups in Catholic monasteries on this principle. These spread outside of the Catholic Church and grew into an ecumenical network called the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM).
ANTHONY DE MELLO, an Indian Jesuit priest, readily admitted to borrowing from Buddhist Zen masters and Hindu gurus. He suggested chanting the Hindu word “om” (p. 49) and even instructed his students to communicate with inanimate objects: “Choose some object that you use frequently: a pen, a cup … Now gently place the object in front of you or on your lap and speak to it. Begin by asking it questions about itself, its life, its origins, its future. And listen while it unfolds to you the secret of its being and of its destiny. Listen while it explains to you what existence means to it. Your object has some hidden wisdom to reveal to you about yourself. Ask for this and listen to what it has to say. There is something that you can give this object. What is it? What does it want from you?” (p. 55).
Paulist priest THOMAS RYAN took a sabbatical in India in 1991 and was initiated in yoga and Buddhist meditation. Today he is a certified teacher of Kripalu yoga. In his book Prayer of Heart and
Body: Meditation and Yoga as Christian Spiritual Practice
(1995)
and his DVD Yoga Prayer (2004) he combines Catholic contemplative practices with Hindu yoga.

MISCELLANEOUS OTHER EXAMPLES
In 2003 Loyola University, a Jesuit school, invited Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh to instruct its students on the practice of meditation. He spoke to a capacity crowd of 5,000 at the university stadium as well as to the annual freshman convocation. “The Buddhist encouraged his rapt audiences to the daily practice of meditation and breathing exercises as a means to eliminate all passionate emotions and thus achieve peace and compassion. He received standing ovations at both events” (“Practicing Peace,” National Catholic Reporter, September 12, 2003).
In May 2003 a group of nuns held a retreat at the His Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. The altar for the Mass was set up in front of a Buddha idol.
Catholic priest Saju George of India performs Hindu dances called Bharatanatyam, which are usually performed in Hindu temples as an offering to idols (National Catholic Reporter, March 29, 2005).
In October 1975, at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa and her nuns prayed before a Buddha (La Contre Reforme Catholique, November 2003, http://www.traditioninaction.org/RevolutionPhotos/A067rcMadreTeresaBudha.htm).

[See http://ephesians-511.net/docs/MOTHER_TERESA_AT_PRAYER_IN_A_BUDDHIST_TEMPLE.doc]

Sister Nirmala, who took over as head of the Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa, prays to Hindu gods. The following is from The Deccan Herald, an Indian newspaper:
“Sister Nirmala was today elected to succeed Mother Teresa. … A former Hindu, Sister Nirmala (63) was baptised in 1958. … A calm and composed Sister Nirmala said ‘it is a big responsibility. Looking at myself I feel afraid whether I will be able to bear the responsibility but looking at god I think I can.’ … 126.

Sister Nirmala’s parents, high-caste Hindu Brahmins, did not oppose her joining the Missionaries of Charity. The relatives said that during trips to Kathmandu Sister Nirmala often visited Lord Pashupatinath temple, a sacred Hindu shrine which non-Hindus are not allowed to enter. She would offer prayers from the gate of the temple. ‘She told us that all gods were equal and worshipped them equally,’ said Ms Nina Joshi, Sister Nirmala’s niece” (The Deccan Herald, March 14, 1997, cited from News from the Front Newsletter, Take Heed Ministries, Belfast, N. Ireland, October 1997).
Pope John Paul II received a Hindu tika (tilaka) when he arrived to say Mass in New Delhi, India (L’Osservatore Romano, Feb. 2, 1986).
St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York, has a stained glass window that celebrates the Second Vatican Council. It depicts pagan deities (Horus the son of Isis, the Hindu god Shiva, and Buddha) together with Moses and Jesus and Mohammed.
In 1997 the Catholic Archbishop of Mumbai, India, lit a lamp in front of the Hindu idol Ganesh at the inauguration of an international seminar on Hindu-Christian cosmology and anthropology (The Indian Express, Bangalore, Oct. 6, 1997).
[See http://ephesians-511.net/docs/CARDINAL_IVAN_DIAS_LIGHTS_A_LAMP_FOR_THE_HINDU_DEITY_GANESHA.doc]
In May 2004 a Hindu ritual was performed at Fatima. The Hindus placed flowers before the statue of Mary inside the Chapel of the Apparitions, danced and chanted, and a Hindu priest said a prayer. The Hindus placed a shawl covered with verses from the Bhagavad Gita on both the Rector of Fatima and the Bishop of Fatima (Frontpage, Portugal’s Weekend Newspaper in English, May 22, 2004).

From:
jim pope
To:
prabhu
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 5:35 PM Subject: Re: CATHOLIC WEB SITE: SEVERAL NEW SECTIONS, OVER 200 NEW ARTICLES, REPORTS AND EXPOSES, TESTIMONIES AND COMPILATIONS

Without prejudice. Michael Prabhu et al

Remove my name from your mailing list. You do not, nor have you ever, received my permission to communicate with me. It appears you have obtained my name and address unethically, perhaps illegally.

Cease and desist forthwith, or I will move to protect my rights as an individual, doing under the protection of such laws and statutes as enacted and passed into law by the Parliament of Canada.

From: “JOE H. PEREIRA” <frjoe.kripafoundation@gmail.com> To: “jim pope” <jpope@sympatico.ca> Cc: “prabhu” <michaelprabhu@vsnl.net> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 12:09 PM

Subject: Re: CATHOLIC WEB SITE: SEVERAL NEW SECTIONS, OVER 200 NEW ARTICLES, REPORTS AND EXPOSES, TESTIMONIES AND COMPILATIONS

ALL THE BISHOPS AND HEADS OF CHURCHES INCLUDING THE HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE HAS ASKED MICHAEL TO STOP THIS CAMPAIGN OF SELF-RIGHTEOUS FUNDAMENTALISTIC TIRADE AGAINST THE CHURCH THAT EMBRACES PEOPLE OF ALL FAITH AND IS WORKING TOWARDS ECUMENISM AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE.
MICHAEL IS PERSISTING LIKE A PSYCHOTIC AND SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ANY MORE ATTENTION.
AFTER FAILING WITH THE MAINLINE CHURCHES, HE IS NOW REACHING OUT TO THE GLOBAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BUT YOU VERY WELL KNOW THAT THIS IS A PATHOLOGICAL CASE.
My invitation to him is come before me face to face and participate in the Eucharist and experience the oneness of the true Catholic Faith. Fr. Joe

127.

FR JOE PEREIRA’S HOMILY ON THE BHAGAWAD GITA

Captain Mervin John Lobo of St. Michael’s parish church, Mahim, Mumbai wrote to his Archbishop, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, a snail mail two-page letter dated March 5, 2012 titled “Desecration of the Holy Eucharist.” It deals mainly with liturguical abuses and desecration of the Holy Eucharist at Holy masses in his parish.

I am in possession of a copy of this letter. It contains a paragraph related to Fr Joe Pereira, which I reproduce here

“Hindu deities:

On the 8th September 2011 at Mount Mary’s Church (Bandra) the Birthday of Our Lady at the 7.00 am Mass which we attended, the main celebrant Fr. Joe Pereira (Yoga master) gives a homily on the Bhagwad Gita/Lord Rama/Krishna instead of emphasizing on Our Blessed Mother.

Jesus clearly said: “I am the Way, the Truth and The Life, No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And not through Hindu deities.”

Copies of this letter were sent to the Holy Father and the Apostolic Nuncio among others.

I understand that the Cardinal replied to Capt. Lobo, but his reply did not touch on the issue of Fr Joe Pereira.

ANOTHER FAMILY CHEATED BY FR. JOE PEREIRA [See the story of Raymond Lobo, pages 82-85]

From:
Neil C. Dias
To:
raymondlobo43@yahoo.com
Cc:
prabhu
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 11:55 AM Subject: Hello

Dear Mr. Lobo, 

I happened to read about your predicament with ‘Kripa Foundation’ on brother Michael Prabhu’s website. Very sad to see what is happening in the Catholic Church.

My family members too have been a victim to the many frauds / goondaism acts by Kripa Foundation at our family home in Bandra. I have photos / video recordings / letters of all goondaism acts done by Fr. Joe & his addicts at our family home. Sadly no Police took down our statement due to influence / bribery in the background by Fr. Joe.

Please do give me a call on +91 90xxxxxxxx and I would like to understand from you as well as share my experiences with you about Kripa Foundation.

Aside to Michael: brother I too have written to Card. Oswald about Kripa but no action taken till date. If you ever are in town in Bandra, please do give me a call. 
Regards, Neil Dias

From:
raymondlobo43@yahoo.com
To:
Neil C. Dias
Cc:
prabhu
Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 3:15 AM

Subject: Re: Hello

I am sorry for the delay in responsing your email. It is verymuch hurting what is happening to our religious priest and authorities as they dont act when they involved in problem in protecting catholic faithful people.

As my wife and myself also not well I delayed and sorry for the delay.

You can share with me on my land line 022 xxxxxxxx as I am in Bombay till this wek end then we will be going to Mlore. I am sorry about it and it is high time to keep in within his religious authority to act and carry his missing and not  like this as no action was taken by Cardinal. I had taken up up to Vatican and nothing happend as we to bear only when authorities make mistake and hurts on christian people.

If anything you need help we can share our mutual concern.

Have a nice day.

Really Micheal Prabhu dealt very nicely and my problem was solved but I believe Fr. Joe still not been investigated from religious authorities.and this way discouraged us.

I always thank Mr. Micheal Prabhu in putting his afforts and contribution in our religious matters to streamline and protect our community. May God bless him and his fly to continue his mission with his dedication.

Regards, Raymond Lobo

From:
Neil C. Dias
To:
R.Lobo
Cc:
prabhu
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 10:23 AM Subject: Re: Hello

Dear Raymond, 

It was a pleasure talking to you this morning. It is sure sad to see a Catholic priest running a mafia in the Church, much supported by the higher ups in the Archdiocese of Mumbai and the Vatican. I will surely explore the good advice you have given me post discussion internally with my family members. 

However I truly believe in the words the Holy Father shared in his sermon last on the feast of St. Peter and Paul in Rome – “The Church is not a community of the perfect, but a community of sinners, obliged to recognize their need for God’s love, their need to be purified through the Cross of Jesus Christ”.

At the end of the day Raymond, it is our faith that keeps us close to God and it is between him and us and not our priests that make us good human beings in the eyes of God.

Aside to Brother Michael: I will call you one of these days and share with you my experiences (slightly complex). Do you have a mobile number that I can call you on directly?

Prayerful good wishes to self and all at home.

Affectionate Regards, Neil Dias

128.

OCTOBER 2012 UPDATE

My correspondence with Catholic apologist Anette Ignatowicz, London

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
michaelprabhu@vsnl.net
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 3:14 PM

Subject: Question regarding CP and WCCM spreading that type of prayer worldwide

Dear Father Michael, 

I am so happy to come across your website that speaks so thoroughly about the dangers of the New Age.

It’s the subject I have been researching for past year. I am devoted Catholic of Polish origin but since two 2 years based in London. 

I wanted to ask you for your advice. It’s regards the Centering Prayer and the Catholic groups spreading that type of prayer.

In the UK one of the most active groups in CP is The World Community for Christian Meditation (www.wccm.org) …
I am not sure how much you know about them but they are very active worldwide.
I wrote a post on the blog of one of my friends describing that community and type “christian meditation” they are proposing.

http://catholic-lovevolution.blogspot.com/2011/04/wccm-christian-meditation-and-centering.html*

I sent letters to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales as well as to His Excellency Cardinal Prefect W. J. Levada** of The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. **See pages 131,132

I have received the answer from the Bishops Conference*** that WCCM received canonical recognition from the Holy See as an Ecumenical Contemplative Community. It’s all very alarming.  ***See pages 132,133

Father, do you know WCCM community?  What is your perspective on that matter?

I would be so grateful.

*WCCM, Christian Meditation and Centering prayer – a spiritual mishmash for Catholics

http://catholic-lovevolution.blogspot.in/2011/04/wccm-christian-meditation-and-centering.html

April 5, 2011

Guest post by NETI
My Parish in London (Our Lady of Victories) initiated a “Lenten Talk” run this year by the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM). Having recently read an awful lot about the New Age Movement I became worried. I went to the first talk done by Fr Laurence Freeman titled “Letting go” and the one done by Kim Nataraja**** “Is meditation Christian”.

****Director of the School of Meditation – World Community for Christian Meditation and Spiritual Director, London

Here are my reflections.
The subject is vast and much can be said about what is happening in the Catholic Church nowadays. I guess the right basis for any discussions are two documents issued by the Vatican:

1) Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life, a must-read for any Catholic in the current world of confusion and

2) The Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of Christian Meditation.
C.S. Lewis once gave a speech to an assembly of Anglican ministers and youth leaders asking them to respect the boundary line: ‘I think it is your duty to fix the lines clearly in your own minds: and if you wish to go beyond them you must change your profession. This is your duty not specially as Christian or as priest but as honest men.’
I would be really grateful if those priests changed their professions as C.S. Lewis says, not only out of respect to our Holy Mother Church but also as honest men (or women in some cases). But above all I pray for their conversion to the true spirituality. Sometimes I wonder if they think they are much smarter than Our Lady who encourages us, the sinners, to pray the Rosary, read the Bible, go to Confession and receive the Eucharist. Not navel-gazing!
And the list of the “enlightened” fathers is long (of those that I know):

—Cistercian monks (O.C.S.O) Fr Thomas Keating, Fr William Meninger, Fr Basil Pennington and Fr Thomas Merton;

—Benedictine monks (O.S.B.) Fr John Main, Fr Laurence Freeman, Fr Bede Griffiths

—Franciscan friar (O.F.M.) Fr Richard Rohr

—Benedictine sisters (OSB) Sr. Teresa Ann Harrington

It was interesting to discover that most of them use the
Rule of St Benedict – St Benedict incorporated many principles of John Cassian and recommended his monks read the works of Cassian.
Okay, so who was this John Cassian so widely quoted by many propagators of so called “Christian Mediation” or Centering prayer (Kim Nataraja when asked by me what the difference between those two types of prayer is replied that they were like brothers, very similar).
JOHN CASSIAN
John Cassian wrote two major spiritual works, the Institutions and the Conferences. In these, he codified and transmitted the wisdom of the Desert Fathers of Egypt. The Institutions (Latin: De institutis coenobiorum) deal with the external organization of monastic communities, while the Conferences (Latin: Collationes patrum in scetica eremo) deal with “the training of the inner man and the perfection of the heart.” John Cassian is generally considered to be an early proponent of the view that later became known as Semi-pelagianism. This emphasized the role of free will in that the first steps of salvation are in the power of the individual, without the need for divine grace. His thought has been described as a “middle way” between Pelagianism, which taught that the will alone was sufficient to live a sinless life, and the view of Augustine of Hippo, that emphasizes original sin and the absolute need for grace.
129.

The second reference widely used by our “Meditating MishMash Fathers” is the mysterious book called: The Cloud of Unknowing.
The story goes that in 1974, Father William Meninger, a Trappist monk and retreat master at St. Josephs Abbey in Spencer, Mass. apparently found a dusty little book in the abbey library, The Cloud of Unknowing. As he read it he was delighted to discover that this anonymous 14th century book presented contemplative meditation as a teachable, spiritual process enabling the ordinary person to enter and receive a direct experience of union with God. This form of meditation is recently known as ‘Centering Prayer’ (from a text of Thomas Merton). He quickly began teaching contemplative prayer according to The Cloud of Unknowing at the Abbey Retreat House. One year later his workshop was taken up by his Abbot, Thomas Keating, and Basil Pennington, both of whom had been looking for a teachable form of Christian contemplative meditation to offset the movement of young Catholics toward Eastern meditation techniques.  Father Meninger now teaches the Centering Prayer along with workshops on Forgiveness, the Enneagram, Sacred Scriptures, and Prayer all around the world – now, have a look at the Vatican document and you will find that the Enneagram is classified as a New Age Practice. That is what I call spiritual mishmash – a bit of Scripture, a bit of New Age and a bit of prayer.
The Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of Christian Meditation says: Christian prayer is not an exercise in (…) stillness and self-emptying, but a dialogue of love, one which “implies an attitude of conversion, a flight from ‘self’ to the ‘You’ of God”.
It leads to an increasingly complete surrender to God’s will, whereby we are invited to a deep, genuine solidarity with our brothers and sisters.”
Fr Freeman (WCCM) told us in his introduction that Meditation is the way of self knowledge, prayer in silence, letting go (I think he mentioned that world at least 50 times, almost like a mantra on its own). Prayer is not about getting benefits from God but becoming like god. Capacity of letting go (here we go again) everything, receiving, humbly and simply. Not to acquire but to let go (déjà vu). All forms of prayer converge in the hub of a wheel of prayer. In the center of prayer we enter into the prayer of Jesus (Christ prays in you).

The inspiration for his enlightened talk can be discovered by reading from “Centering Prayer” by Fr Basil Pennington (pp. 25-37): The desert tradition out of which this teaching on prayer of John Cassian, The Cloud of Unknowing, and Centering Prayer evolved is the same as that from which the Jesus Prayer issued. However, while Abba Isaac gave St. John a word from the Psalms: “0 God, come to my assistance; 0 Lord, make haste to help me,” the Eastern current derived its source from two passages of the New Testament – that of the blind Bartimeus and that of the publican – to form the well-known prayer: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” In time, especially under the long domination of the Moslems, the Eastern Christian tradition was enriched or modified by other influences from the East. Thus today the expression “The Jesus Prayer” is a blanket covering a variety of methods.
Also remember that although the early Fathers (including Cassian) sought union with God in solitude and peace, this was always in the third stage of spiritual development, after undergoing both the Purgatio and Illuminatio. For us to assume that we can jump directly to the stage of Unitio without the first two stages is dangerous and not in keeping with Catholic teaching. Also, for us to attempt to achieve mystical experiences through certain practices is against our Faith as these mystical experiences are graces giving to the mystics as a great gift from God and it is Him alone who decides who shall receive them. As the Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of Christian Meditation from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith states in paragraph 23: “Genuine Christian mysticism has nothing to do with technique: it is always a gift of God, and the one who benefits from it knows himself to be unworthy (cf St. Teresa of Jesus, Castillo Interior IV)”. St Teresa of Avila also tells us in The Interior Castle that more harm than good can from trying to stop the mind, but we should rather without any effort or noise, strive to cut down the rambling of the intellect – but not suspend either it or the mind; it is good to be aware that one is in God’s presence and of who God is when in prayer. 
Also, you can’t use technique as a substitute for spiritual growth to suddenly arrive at “contemplation” or Unitio. You may “blank” your mind or use a mantra to some how hypnotise yourself, but this will bring an empty calmness more akin to transcendtal mediation than any true contemplation. Let us not forget what the Great Pope John Paul II taught us in his homily during the celebrations of the 4th Centenary of St Teresa of Avila’s death. He reminded us that St Teresa opposed the books of her day which presented  contemplation as thinking about nothing or an assimilation into some vague divinity.
What most of the above Fathers are proposing is mishmash of Eastern religions (Zen Buddhism and Hinduism) mixed with the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and true mystics. It is not easy to make up your mind while going through that mishmash of good and less good intentions. The rich heritage of Christian Meditation is not to be found in other religions. It is found in the methods of St Theresa of Avila, St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis de Sales. It is also most prominently found in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. As Pope Benedict points out in Verbum Domini: “The Word of God is at the basis of all authentic Christian spirituality.” (Para 86, where Origen is also quoted). The basis of Christian meditation is the Word of God (in the person of Jesus and the Scriptures), not an emptying of the mind, but approaching the dialogue with God where God reveals himself through his Word (cf. Verbum Domini).
I would fully encourage you to read some of the following sources for a better understanding of centering prayer and what the dangers for any Catholic practicing them are:

—THE DANGER OF CENTERING PRAYER: Catholic Answers

—LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON SOME ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

—NEW AGE AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (8 Part Series) : Colorado Catholic Herald

—A CALL TO VIGILANCE (Pastoral Instruction on New Age) : Archbishop Norberto Rivera Carrera

—CENTERING PRAYER MEETS THE VATICAN : Catholic Culture

—THE HERESY OF QUIETISM
: Catholic Answers

—A CLOSER LOOK AT CENTERING PRAYER : Catholic Culture

—Centering Prayer and Enneagram Are Pagan: Catholic Media Coalition

—Fr Richard Rohr joins conversations on Evolutionary Christianity. An analysis of Evolutionary Christianity: Catholic Media Coalition

—Clare Merkle – What’s Wrong with Centering Prayer: Catholic Fidelity

3. For full details: http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/Events.html

4. For all information: http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/Meditatio.html

The Holy Face of Jesus 136 Chatsworth Court W8 6DN London United Kingdome info@holyface.eu London, May 3rd. 2011

*** Response to Anette from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

132.

133.

From:
prabhu
To:
Anette Ignatowicz
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 3:19 PM

Subject: Re: Question regarding CP and WCCM spreading that type of prayer worldwide

Dear Anette,

It is so nice to hear from you all the way from London. It is even more wonderful to note your love for the Truth and your concern for the Church that urges you to write to the hierarchy in Rome and in the U.K. I too do the same on some issues. Most Catholics do nothing about such errors and leave it to others to take up the fight. God bless you for what you do.

By the way, I am a married lay person and not a priest.

If you have written anything against New Age which you would like me to host on my web site, please send it across to me. This month I am uploading about 100 new articles and reports.

Now, to come to the main concerns of your letter:

Centering prayer and the WCCM’s “Christian Meditation” are two completely different things.

Centering Prayer is in my web site in the section titled “ARTICLES” http://www.ephesians-511.net/article.htm.

I have complied information from various reliable sources and you can read it at:

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/CENTERING_PRAYER.doc

As for WCCM and their so-called “Christian Meditation”, please see

FR JOE PEREIRA-KRIPA FOUNDATION-WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FR_JOE_PEREIRA-KRIPA_FOUNDATION-WORLD_COMMUNITY_FOR_CHRISTIAN_MEDITATION.doc

FR JOE PEREIRA-KRIPA FOUNDATION-WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION-LETTERS TO THE BISHOPS AND THEIR RESPONSES

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FR_JOE_PEREIRA-KRIPA_FOUNDATION-WORLD_COMMUNITY_FOR_CHRISTIAN_MEDITATION-LETTERS_TO_THE_BISHOPS_AND_THEIR_RESPONSES.doc

which are in the “REPORTS” section http://www.ephesians-511.net/reports.htm.

You are free to use the information from my web site at your discretion.

Please do keep in touch. At you service in Jesus’ Name, Michael

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
prabhu
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 6:26 PM Subject: Cp and WCCM

Great, thank you Michael for your prompt reply!

Yes, will be happy to send you some stuff … and will read yours…

Quickly for WCCM and centering prayer … I went to the talks organized in my parish by Laurence Freeman (WCCM director worldwide) and Kim Nataraja and when I asked them about the difference of their so called christian meditation and centering prayer they told me ” they are like brothers” … I have it recorded 

They are not exactly the same thing but the way they are explained here in the UK (which is the HQ for WCCM) they resemble each other very much … maybe in India is different. 

There is lots of worrying elements, I will combine all that I have and send it to you… 

Great job, I was thinking myself to create a website about NAM dangers but you have got lots of good stuff to promote.

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
prabhu
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 6:58 PM Subject: WCCM

Hi Michael, it’s me again! 

Please firnd attached (FYI only) the letter I sent to the Vatican and Bishops Conference in the UK (explains a bit a problem we have got here).

Vatican hasnt replied yet but the Secretary of Bishops conference did. He says in the letter that WCCM “received a canonical recognition from the Holy See as an Ecumenical Contemplative Community”…

Have you got any idea how to check it with the Vatican as to where does that “canonical recognition” comes from and what does it specifically mean??? 

From:
prabhu
To:
Anette Ignatowicz
Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2011 11:08 AM Subject: Re: Cp and WCCM

Dear Anette,

Yes, they said that CP and their CM are like brothers, but that does not mean that they are the same. Their origins and backgrounds are different. They must always be discussed separately, not as one. No Christian writer combines the themes, but as they and even I explained in my reports, there are some linkages.

The CDF might reply later; then again they might not. Your letters to them are very well written indeed.

Regarding the response you got from your Fr. Stock, it does not mean much. There is great ignorance and deception in the hierarchy about much of New Age. No one studies it. CP is not even mentioned in the 2003 Vatican Document on New Age.

It was upto that priest to furnish you proof of the supposed “canonical recognition” of CM. He did not. You must ask him for it. It is his duty to do so, as representing your Bishops’ Conference. I really don’t know anything about that approval.

Different departments of the Holy See contradict each other on some of these New Age issues. L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper sometimes writes rubbish. The latest last week was their glowing approval of Harry Potter despite Card. Ratzinger’s earlier condemnation of it. The same with rock music.

You keep up the good fight. I really appreciate what you are doing. Such efforts DO ultimately bear fruit even though we may not see it. We are in this to save other souls and the futures and faith of our children and grandchildren.

Love and God bless, Michael

PS. I am sending a copy of this letter to a prominent Catholic speaker on New Age in the US to find out if she can tell us about that “canonical recognition”.

134.

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
prabhu
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 5:45 PM Subject: Re: Cp and WCCM

Dear Michael, appologies for a bit of delay. Thank you for your explanation, I don’t have a profound understanding of the origins of both of them, but I will keep digging.

Thanks for asking the Catholic speaker in the US about that, I pressume it’s Sharon Lee Giganti, right?

I will write a letter again to Fr Stock as well as to the Nunciature here in the UK.

One worrying thing is the Root and Branch (whatever it means) Committee – it may be like a Steering Committee:

http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/Root&Branch.html.

Have a look at the well-placed lay people … I dont want to suggest anything … but that’s a bit weird … I always wondered where do they get money for all that active outreach. Given my business background, you check their financial statements and you learn more about them than reading their literature.

From:
prabhu
To:
Anette Ignatowicz
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 9:12 AM Subject: Re: Cp and WCCM

Dear Anette,

I don’t think that you have yet read my two articles [CP and especially WCCM]. If you do so, you should be able to understand.

Yes, you are absolutely right. I did write to Sharon Lee, but surprisingly she has not yet responded. Let’s keep in touch on developments if she or Fr Stock replies.

I went through the ridiculous “Root and Branch” {Outreach of The World Community for Christian Meditation} link. Powerful pseudo-Catholics who know not their faith, or the Eucharist or the power of our God… so they go after these “prayer” techniques.

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
prabhu
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 10:22 PM

Subject: Re: MORE ON THE EMERGENT CHURCH/THE SHACK

Re: WCCM, just mailed couple of letters to Vatican, OSB Abbot Primate and Father Marcus again (in the meantime I have received a confirmation from the Vatican {see below} that WCCM has never been granted a recognition by the Pontifical Laity Commission … maybe by another one but not that one) … still digging…

From:
Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti
To:
Anette Ignatowicz
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: Information / decree about the canonical recognition for WCCM

Dear Anette Ignatowicz,
Our Dicastery never accord the canonical erection by the Holy See to the WCCM as International Associations of the Faithful.
Thank you very much for your interest and consultation.
Your in Christ,
Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti
Pontifical Council for the Laity

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
michaelprabhu@vsnl.net
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 12:46 AM

Subject: WCCM and Fr. Laurence Freeman

Dear Michael,
Have a look below, very interesting … if he is no longer a Benedictine monk but uses OSB with his name, what does it mean?
Thank you for your kind information.
Since you have written to Cardinal Levada I think this will be handled by him or his Congregtation.
Fr. Freeman is no longer in the catalogue of Benedictine monks whereas in 2005 he still was. This means that he is no longer a Benedictine monk.
Because if he would be still a member of a Bnedictine community you would have to address their superior. The abbot primate is not a superior general as with the Jesuits and Franciscans. He is only a primus inter pares and by law has no authority on other monasteries or monks. He cannot interfere in any case.
With every good wish and a special blessing,
+notker osb
Dr. Notker Wolf OSB
Abate Primate
Badia Primaziale S. Anselmo
Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, 5 I-00153 Roma, Italia Tel: + 39-06-5 79 1 – 319 Fax: +39-06-5 79 1 – 374

From:
michaelprabhu@vsnl.net
To:
Anette Ignatowicz
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 9:28 AM

Subject: Re: WCCM and Fr. Laurence Freeman

Dear Anette, Thank you very much for this.
Which is the LATEST [datewise] place on the internet where he Laurence Freeman uses OSB? Could you rush it to me?

135.

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
Michael Ephesians 511
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 3:32 PM Subject: WCCM

Dear Michael,

So for time being we have got two things:

1) He seems not to be OSB any more but he uses OSB: I have a poster anouncing the talks where it says OSB, plus example on the website http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/Root&Branch.html

2) He was not given a canonical recognition from the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
He might have been given by the other Discastery but I havent received any answer from them so far.

I will put it on my blog and spread around … pls do the same.

Anette Ignatowicz New Age Mess http://newagemess.blogspot.com/

Da: (POLSKA Life UK) <Anette Ignatowicz>
Data: 28/lug/2011 16.34.55 Oggetto: Information / decree about the canonical recognition for WCCM
A: Pontificium Consilium pro Laicis info@laici.va

Dear all, 

I am looking for the information regarding the ‘canonical recognition’ for the WCCM (World Community for Christian Meditation).

I was informed by the Secretary of Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Fr Marcus Stock, that the above community was given a ‘canonical recognition’ as a Ecumenical Contemplative Outreach. 

I am not sure if this is with your responsibility but given the fact that most of the WCCM members are lay people I decided to write to you.

Would you please send me a link or a copy to the decree that gives a ‘canonical recognition’ to the above community?

I had a look at the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful but couldnt find them.  

However, if that is not with your jurisdiction would you advise please where should I write to obtain the research information?

God bless you for your help.

Anette Ignatowicz

From:
Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 8:26 AM To: (POLSKA Life UK)

Subject: Re: Information / decree about the canonical recognition for WCCM

Dear Anette Ignatowicz, 

I was away on vacation, so forgive me for replying so late.

You can contact the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to the following email address:

dialogo@interrel.va tel number 0039 06 69884321 fax number 0039 06 69884494.

Yours in Christ

Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti

Pontifical Council for the Laity

—– Original Message —– From: (POLSKA Life UK) To:
Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 1:42 PM

Subject: Information / decree about the canonical recognition for WCCM

Dear Stefano de Pasquale Ceratti, 

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. 

Would they be then recognized by The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue?

Would you have any email contact to them?

Thank you so much in advance,

God bless you.

Anette Ignatowicz

From:
prabhu
To: (POLSKA Life UK); Anette Ignatowicz
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 4:41 PM

Subject: Re: Information / decree about the canonical recognition for WCCM

Thanks so very much Anette. I am preparing my letter/report. I have just today downloaded some New Age info from your blogs to put up on my web site in an article under your name*. Michael

*NEW AGE-ANETTE IGNATOWICZ

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/NEW_AGE-ANETTE_IGNATOWICZ.doc

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
michaelprabhu@vsnl.net
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 5:29 PM

Subject: Re: WCCM and Fr. Laurence Freeman

Hi Michael,
I have just received a letter from the Secretary of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Funnily enough, they came across my post on the blog and it made them react, lol! God bless new media. So, he sent me a letter and a document (pls find attached).
This is getting even stranger as WCCM has received a recognition as a private association of the faithful with juridic personality by the Bishop of Brescia (I guess the next one to write to) I have no idea what that means but will check it with a friend who is a canonical lawyer. For your info, pls find it attached, maybe you will have an idea.
PS. I also wrote to Father Nother, OSB to check again if Fr Lawrence Freeman is in the Benedictine Year Book 2012. 136.

From:
Anette Ignatowicz
To:
prabhu
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:55 PM

Subject: Re: WCCM and Fr. Laurence Freeman

Dear Michael, pls find them attached.

One of the priests I know checked the letter from the Bishop of Brescia and told me that its all in line with the Canonical Law – meaning a bishop can approve an laity association… its a tricky one because they can use it as a Church approval in terms of a ‘canonical recognition’ (according to the canonical law) and act worldwide on that basis. I think the next step is to write to the Bishop of Brescia that’s where the ‘source’ of the problem is.

137.

Plenty of information on the support by the Indian Church for KRIPA and its Yoga Foundation, from Fr Joe Pereira’s blogspot http://kripafoundation.blogspot.com/

Fr. Joe receives CPCI National Excellence Award to Priest

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/12/fr-joe-receives-cpci-national.html

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Catholic Priests’ Conference of India, a voluntary association of diocesan priests in India, bestowed upon Fr. Joe H Pereira and 4 other priests from different dioceses of India the “National Excellence Award” at their Colloquium on “Good Governance, Corruption and Citizenry” headed by Justice N Satosh Hegde on 30th November 2011 at Platinum Jubilee Hall Dolours’ Basilica (Puthenpali), Thrissur.

Due to Fr Joe’s prior engagements in Singapore, Fr. Jacob received the award on his behalf. 138.

Fr. Joe … Teaches at the Nagpur Seminary [Nagpur archdiocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/07/fr-joe-spreads-message-of-aa-and.html

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Fr. Joe teaching at Pastoral Centre – Old Goa

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/07/fr-joe-teaching-at-pastoral-centre-old.html

Monday, July 18, 2011

Thank You His Lorship Bishop Agnelo Gracias – A letter of appreciation [Bombay archdiocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/05/thank-you-his-lorship-bishop-agnelo.html

Friday, May 6, 2011 139.

KRIPA TURNS GOLD AND BEYOND [Bareilly diocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2009/04/kripa-turns-gold-and-beyond.html

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Rt. Rev Bishop Anthony Fernandes & Fr Joe H Pereira inaugrating Kripa Bareilly

The 50th centre for Kripa Foundation was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Fernandes on the 16th of April 2009, In the presence of Fr Joe Pereira, Founder Managing Trustee of Kripa Foundation. This centre has all the facilities from Counselling, De-addiction & rehabilitation for treatment of Chemical dependency and HIV/AIDS counselling, which is being headed by Fr Joseph Topno.

His Grace Most Rev. Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes visit kripa Bandra [Gandhinagar archdiocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/07/his-grace-most-rev-archbishop.html

Friday, July 6, 2012

140.

His Grace Archbishop Most Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes of Gandhinagar visited Fr. Joe on a stop over journey to Rome. Fr. Joe had a meeting with the Kripa team and discussed Kripa Gandhinagar. Fr. William Athaide the parish priest of Mount Carmel Church, Bandra also paid a courtesy visit to His Grace.

Fr. Joe speaks to St. Pius X seminarians on their visit Kripa Bandra [Bombay archdiocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/03/fr-joe-speaks-to-st-pius-x-seminarians.html

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

East meets West- Fr Joe teaches yoga to exchange students from Germany [Bombay archdiocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/02/fr-joe-teaches-yoga-to-exchange.html

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

141.

A group of students who had come on an exchange program on the invitation of the Archdiocese of Mumbai visited Kripa Foundation, Mumbai. Fr. Joe interacted with them and taught them to meditate and basics of Kripafoundation Iyengar Yoga. The group was accompanied by Fr. Anthony Fermandes Director of Vocation and Youth Archdiocese of Bombay.

Fr Joe at [St. Pius X Pastoral Institute] Old Goa

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011_01_01_archive.html

Monday, January 31, 2011

Fr. Joe teaching at the Pastoral Centre- Old Goa [Goa archdiocese]

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/02/fr-joe-teaching-at-pastoral-centre-old.html

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Fr Joe Pereira consorts with yoga gurus at yogashrams

Fr. Joe with Baba Ramdev, at Patanjali Yogpeeth

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2011/01/fr-joe-with-baba-ramdev-at-patanjali.html

Friday, January 7, 2011

142.

Fr. Joe was invited as a guest speaker and an internationally renowned Yogic, to deliver a presentation on “Yoga and Society”, Yoga and “Addiction and Yoga” for the “Practice of Christian Meditation’ at the First International Conference on Yoga for Health and Social Transformation, January 2-5, 2011. Haridwar, India.

Present at this conference were Mahashris, Gurus and Yogics from the Himalayas to Harvard Medical School and delegates from all over the world. His presentation at the conference was well applauded and many extended an invitaion to him to visit their centres.

This conference was organised by Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar & The University of Patanjali, Haridwar (Divisions of Patanjali Yogpeeth).

A report by Ms Krishna Iyer, Kripa Developement Manager

Fr Joe Pereira leads Catholics in the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga though a pooja

Navratri celebrated at VRACS -Kripa Vasai

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/10/navratri-celebrated-at-vracs-kripa.html

Monday, October 18, 2010

There was a pooja followed by the traditional Garba dance…

What is Navratri?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri

Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or “Dussehra.” Navratri is a very important and major festival in the western state of Gujarat and Mumbai, during which the traditional dance of Gujarat called ‘Garba’ is widely performed.

Fr Joe Pereira leads Catholics in the worship of the Hindu elephant-god Ganesha

Awareness on Visarjan day in Vasai

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/10/awareness-on-visarjan-day-in-vasai.html

Friday, October 12, 2012

On 29^th September 2012, Kripa Vasai commemorated the ‘Visarjan’,
immersions of the Elephant God by setting up at Awareness stall near the Vasai Highway.

Awareness along the route on the final day of emersion [sic] of Ganapati by Kripa Dharavi

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/10/awreness-along-route-on-final-day-of.html

Monday, November 8, 2012

143.

On 29^th September 2012, Kripa Dharavi set up an Awareness Stall at Dharavi on the route of Ganapati’s being taken for immersion.

Awareness Programme during the festival of Ganapati in Vasai

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/10/awareness-programme-during-festival-of.html

Monday, November 8, 2012

The “OM” symbol, not the crucifix is honoured by Fr Joe Pereira

Fr. Joe conducts a Multi-Faith prayer meeting for boat disaster victims-Assam

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/05/fr-joe-conducts-multi-faith-prayer.html

Monday, May 21, 2012

WCCM website Launched

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2010/05/wccm-website-launched.html

Monday, May 10, 2010

Letter from Fr Joe to Fr Laurence and the world community

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2008/11/letter-from-fr-joe-to-fr-laurence-and.html

Friday, November 28, 2008

Dear Father Laurence and all the World Community,
I can feel the strength of the Spirit each morning and evening as we meditate during this unprecedented crisis in the city of Mumbai (Bombay).The encounters with the Terrorists are still on. Many have lost their lives. The city has never been so quiet! There has been much sadness and gloom.
But in my Eucharist I kept on asking people to sit in silence with our Mantra, Maranatha, and we are seeing so many deeply life transforming miracles taking place. Truly our God does bring good even out of evil. There are such touching stories of how the Staff of the Hotels, especially the Taj, went about rescuing their guests, many foreigners even though it cost them their lives. The general Manager lost his own wife and child while he was rescuing others at the same time! Fourteen dedicated Police lost their lives, but they got a hero’s cremation with people of all communities coming for it. Slogans all over the city say, “We are Indians first and no Terrorist can divide us though we belong to different Faiths.” The highlight of this miraculous spirit of Unity was that, for the first time, the Opposition Leader (a diehard Hindu Fundamentalist) agreed to come together with the Prime Minister Manmohan Sing and Sonia Gandhi to the place of the happening.
The whole world, especially many significant Nations, especially President Elect Barack Obama, have pledged to stand by India and give every assistance. The FBI team has flown in for help .There is such a sense of Unity amidst this attempt to divide. May I invite all the WCCM to be with us. Many of us have felt fear replaced by Love deep within us.
All of us in the meditation groups, especially the one at Mt.Carmel that has a multireligious participation, feel strong in the silence of the Spirit.
Thank you, Father Laurence, for helping to build this beautiful community of Love through Contemplation. Indeed, John Main was absolutely right: Meditation does create community.
Love, Fr Joe Periera

Announcement: Fr. Joe leading a Meditatio workshop in UK to be held by THE WORLD COMMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION -WCCM

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/09/announcement-fr-joe-leading-meditatio.html

Thursday, September 27, 2012

145.

NEW AGE!

Fr. Joe organises a tele-training with Jungian Dr. Ashok Bedi, Milwaukee, for KRIPA India

http://kripafoundation.blogspot.in/2012/09/fr-joe-organises-tele-training-with.html

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Kripa staff undergo Jungian training for better skills

Kripa Foundation, on September 18, 2012, achieved a landmark when several of its centers spread across India participated on the online Jungian Clinical Training Program by video-conferencing, conducted by Dr Ashok Bedi, a Jungian psychoanalyst from Milwaukee, US. The event was organized by the Mumbai Jung Center, a division of the CG Jung Institute of Chicago. 

The Reverend Father Joseph H. Pereira, Founder of Kripa, participated in the online ‘Very Basic Jung Volume-3’ training from Canada, despite his busy schedule, signifying his commitment to the welfare of all clients undergoing rehabilitation for substance addiction at the various Kripa centers. Participants included Dr Snehal Mehta, Medical Director (Psychiatry) at Kripa and the foundation’s centers located in Kohima, Guwahati, Bandra (West), Vasai, Goa, Kolkata and Shillong. Due to lower Internet bandwidth at the centers located in India’s north-east region, they participated through audio chat only.

The Clinical Training Program (CTP) in Analytical Psychotherapy is a unique clinically oriented training program offered by the C G Jung Institute of Chicago. Its focus is to provide health, mental health, and social service professionals an opportunity to enrich and deepen their work through didactic and experiential learning in Analytical Psychotherapy. The CTP accepts psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, physicians, and nurses. The mission of the Institute is to advance Analytical Psychology – the theoretical foundation of Jungian psychoanalysis – as a practice that speaks to the basic human need for psychological growth and consciousness. Kripa is utilizing the Jungian concept to empower it’s counselors in enhancing their skills to assist substance use addicts and those living with HIV/ AIDS.

Dr. Bedi is a Diplomat Jungian psychoanalyst and a board certified psychiatrist, a member of the Royal College of psychiatrists of Great Britain, a diplomat in Psychological Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, a faculty member at the Analyst Training Program at the Carl G. Jung Institute of Chicago and a Psychiatrist at the aurora Psychiatric Hospital and the Aurora Health Care Network. He has been a psychiatric consultant to several agencies in Metro Milwaukee.

Earlier, this training was available to the Mumbai center of Kripa only. However, due to efforts exerted by Fr. Joe and demand from the various Kripa centers across India, the program was extended to cover a large part of the Kripa network. Fr. Joe personally called upon staff at all centers to participate in this unique training, held with the objective of honing skills of Kripa personnel to accord better care to patients. The tele-conference lasted around 90 minutes and imparted vital knowledge to Kripa staff.
TO VIEW THE TRAINING PROGRAM VIDEO ONLINE CLICK THE LINK BELOW

http://jungchicago.adobeconnect.com/p35455qazqq/

146.

Capt. Mervin John Lobo’s letter to the Bombay Cardinal concerning Fr. Joe Pereira

Captain Mervin John Lobo of Mahim, Mumbai, has sent a letter to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay dated March 5, 2012 on the “Desecration of the Holy Eucharist.” I reproduce a portion of it:

“Hindu deities:

On the 8th September 2011 at Mount Mary’s Church (Bandra) the Birthday of Our Lady, at the 7.00 am Mass which we attended, the main celebrant Fr. Joe Pereira (Yoga master) gives a homily on the Bhagwad Gita/Lord Rama/Krishna instead of emphasizing on Our Blessed Mother. Jesus clearly said: “I am the Way, the Truth and The Life, No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And not through Hindu deities.”

I’M ON FR. JOE PEREIRA’S MAILING LIST

From:
Fr. Joe Pereira
To:
prabhu (Mathur-film)*
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 3:36 AM

Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

From Fr. Joe Pereira

Managing Trustee at Archdiocese of Bombay

Mumbai Area, India

prabhu, I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. – Fr. Joe

*prabhu (Mathur-film) refers to film makers Rita and Vishnu Mathur of Toronto, Canada who produced the documentary The Lotus and the Cross in which Fr. Joe Pereira figures in connection with the Hinduisation of the Catholic Church in India. The priest is evidently up-todate with this ministry’s exposés.

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/LOTUS_AND_THE_CROSS-THE_HINDUISATION_OF_THE_CATHOLIC_CHURCH_IN_INDIA.doc

INDEX OF CONTENTS continued from page 106 [UPDATE OF OCTOBER 2012]:

WCCM: My correspondence with Catholic apologist Anette Ignatowicz (129-138)

KRIPA: Fr Joe Pereira’s blogspot

Categories: Eastern Meditation, Hinduisation of the Catholic Church in India, new age