Pope is Defiant in His Coronation of Mary

The following article is by Mike Gendron, from the February 2018 email Proclaiming the Gospel news:

One of the purposes of this ministry is to expose any religious doctrines, practices, or traditions that oppose or nullify the Word of God, so that people can discern truth from error and not be deceived. We seek to be obedient to the apostle Paul's exhortation: "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them" (Eph. 5:11). That being said, we must expose the ongoing idolatry that takes place within Roman Catholicism.

The "infallible" head of the apostate church of Rome has taken another defiant step in his rebellion against God and His Word. Ignoring the commandments of God, Pope Francis placed a golden crown on the head of a statue of Mary during his visit to Chile last month. The commandment is clearly stated, "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:4-5). 

The coronation took place during the sacrifice of a Eucharistic Christ in Santiago, where tens of thousands watched. The pope placed a crown on the head of the Christ child, and then also on the head of Mary. The statue is known as "Our Lady of Mount Carmel," and the patron saint and Queen of Chile. In his address, the pope called Mary the true mother of all the living who intercedes for all men as an advocate of grace and queen of mercy, Then he prayed, "Lord, look kindly upon these your servants, who by adorning with a visible crown the image of the mother of Your Son, recognize Your Son as King of the universe and invoke the virgin as queen."  The pope "blessed" the crowns and then stood before the statue, swinging a smoking censer of incense. Watch the video here.

The Roman Catholic leader also spoke to Chilean youth telling them that the "Our Lady of Carmel waits for you and welcomes you with an open heart."

Prior to his departure from Italy, the pope visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed before the image of Maria Salus Populi Romani to entrust his endeavor to Mary. Vatican News reports that he additionally placed a bouquet of flowers on the altar below the icon. Francis had also observed the annual feast day called "The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God" on Jan. 1, claiming that "devotion to Mary is not spiritual etiquette; it is a requirement of the Christian life." 

When asked by the Christian News Network to comment on the pope's latest acts of idolatry and blasphemy, I responded with the following observations to warn people of this grave deception:

Catholics place an inordinate amount of emphasis on Mary, and wrongly ascribe attributes to her that only belong to God.

The pope's crowning of the statue of Mary continues Roman Catholicism's fascination with 'another' Mary that has been given the title Queen of Heaven. The only reference to the "Queen of Heaven" in the Bible occurred when the Jews were offering sacrifices to a pagan goddess and, in doing so, mocked the goodness of God (Jeremiah 44:15-23).The pope crowned a statue of Mary because she is said to be the queen over all things. Mary holds a very exalted position in the Roman Catholic Church, so much so that she is venerated as a goddess. This is blasphemy because the Catholic Mary has been given divine attributes that only God possesses. The emphasis on Mary by Catholics not only robs Christ of His glory, honor and praise but diverts them from worshipping God in truth.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Mary is 'the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God' (CCC, 721), the 'Queen over all things' (CCC, 966), our 'Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix' (CCC, 969), who is 'full of grace' (CCC, 722), the 'Mother of God and our mother' (CCC, 2677), the 'new Eve' (CCC, 726), and the 'seat of wisdom' (CCC, 721). Catholic doctrine also teaches that Mary "had no original sin (CCC, 508), and never committed sin (CCC, 493). She is second only to her Son (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, par. 66) and sits 'on the right hand of the majesty on high' (Pope Pius X, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum, 14). In fact, 'no man can go to Christ but by His Mother' (Pope Leo 13th, Octobri Mense). The Catechism also teaches that Mary "delivers our souls from death" (CCC, 966) and "continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation" (CCC, 969) through her intercession.

It is no wonder Catholics exalt Mary so highly based on their religious tradition. It is my prayer that Catholics will submit to the supreme authority of the Bible and test every teaching and tradition with God's Word. The Bible exhorts all of us 'not to exceed what is written" (1 Cor. 4:6). Read the complete interview here.