Recently a doctor asked me about a page he read in Internet and caused him and his wife great worry. I'm giving you the page:

Malachi Martin and the “Enemy Within” Satanic Plots and the Fall of the Catholic Church A knowledgeable novelist alleged evil cabals within the Vatican; but just how much was fiction?

Your comments on this topic will be grealty appreciated.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002

Answers

-@-

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

Jmj

Hello, Enrique.
I recommend that everyone steer clear of the late Malachi Martin and most of his works. I once attended a pro-life conference at which he was the main speaker at a banquet. What he was saying was so ridiculous that I got up and walked out in disgust.

Here is part of what an orthodox Catholic theologian working for the Eternal Word Television Network has written about Martin:

"[Note: Although Mr. Martin died in 1999 the following comments are still useful, given the continuing interest in his writings and positions.]
"... Malachi Martin state[d], and the Holy See will confirm if asked, that 'In 1965, Mr. Martin received a dispensation from all privileges and obligations deriving from his vows as a Jesuit and from priestly ordination.' [Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, 25 June 1997, Prot. N. 04300/65]. ...
"Concerning the allegations about churchmen found in [Martin's book] 'Windswept House' under the guise of fiction, they would certainly be sad if true, and other sources have suggested the basic factualness of some of the accounts. However, even if they were based on fact the Church is in no more danger of being overcome by the gates of hell today than it was during any of the other crises of history. Jesus had his Judas and history shows that His Mystical Body has had its share, as well. To deny the past and present Judases within the Church would be wrong. However, to act as if it made any difference to our obligations of obedience would be to take scandal (called passive scandal) from those who are giving scandal. Jesus warns us about those who would give scandal to his little ones (Mt. 18:6) and thereby sought by that warning to provide an antidote for passive scandal, as well. ...
"So even if the crimes alleged in 'Windswept House' actually occurred, they do no more than confirm what the Catholic striving to be perfect should already know, human beings, even priests and bishops, are potentially capable of the most heinous acts of insubordination to God. This knowledge, as we conclude from St. Thomas' teaching, must not change our own unswerving fidelity to ecclesiastical authority in matters that fall under the competence of that authority.
"Concerning Malachi Martin's own theological tack it should be noted than on his former web page (now closed) he accepted as his own the Profession of Faith of Campos. Campos is the Brazilian diocese where for many years the bishop, Antonio de Castro Mayer, refused to implement the liturgical decisions of Pope Paul VI, just as Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (the founder of the Society of St. Pius X) had done. In June 1989 when Archbishop Lefebvre ordained 4 bishops, contrary to the explicit will of Pope John Paul II, then retired bishop Castro Mayer assisted at the ordination and was excommunicated along with Archbishop Lefebvre and the four ordinands [canon 1382, Ecclesia dei]. The Profession of Faith of Campos clearly manifests the same spirit of self-judgment concerning Tradition, its extent, its interpretation and its application which brought about this schism. And while this text professes an admirable adherence to Tradition, it undercuts this profession by opposing the actual decisions of the only one capable of authentically interpreting Tradition. Sadly, based on his web site it seems evident that Malachi Martin, who on many occasions ... defended the Church in public discourse, share[d] these positions."

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

It is well known to be true. Some want to hide their heads in the sand and pretend it isn't 85% true (As Martin said it was with others added in and often events combined for the novel). Remember this was the exorcist of Rome and he had more connections that a Q&A person, even a priest at EWTN.

-- Paco Eltaco (paco@catholic.org), February 15, 2003.

I know John isn't here to defend his position, but I wish he was and hope he comes back to the forum soon.

At any rate, I am a fan of Malachi Martin. I would personally recommend that anyone who believes their faith to be strong enough, not to steer clear of Malachi Martin's works because there is nothing to fear there.

The theologian from EWTN, imho, offers a load of nothing as condemnation of Malachi. The poor faithful priest is deceased anyways; let him rest in peace.

So much fear and doubt over something so little.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), February 15, 2003.

I just read yesterday, that Malachi Martin, (whom I listened to on the Art Bell show), did indeed say that there were "black masses", in the Vatican, while he was there. I also read that he was made a bishop, by a Polish bishop,and re-ordained 150 priests in the old rite. He was totally disollusioned, by Vatican 2.

-- Ed Richards (loztra@yahoo.com), February 15, 2003.