Since June 2025 I have reopened this blog

FIRST IMPRESSION ON THE NEW PONTIFICATE

Jerusalem, June 4th, 2025

Only a few weeks have passed since Leo XVI assumed the Petrine ministry. However, it is important that, from the outset, we observe with a spirit of discernment what has been revealed in this brief period. To do so, we must take into account a precondition: under Francis, the Church had to endure a devastating pontificate, marked by numerous deviations from the faith and morals of the Church. In my own publications, as well as in those of other authors, one can find sufficient explanations documenting these apostatic deviations from the faith of the Church. All of this would have to be publicly corrected by an orthodox pope.

The hopes and prayers of the faithful, who experienced the last pontificate as a "poisoned nightmare," centered on the arrival of an orthodox pope after Francis who would steer the Church's ship back on the right course.

It is now necessary to examine whether Pope Leo XVI’s speeches and appointments to date are indications of a genuine change of course. This could only be demonstrated with concrete facts; otherwise, one would be moving on the shaky foundation of sentimental assumptions and hopes, which have no substance. A gentler tone and better manners, a more Catholic atmosphere, greater openness to Latin, and more frequent reference to certain aspects of the faith from a more Catholic perspective are not enough. The recent pontificate has made the faithful feel greatly relieved when they hear Catholic statements from Pope Leo, which is naturally expected of a pope. However, a partial return to "Catholic normality" is not yet an indication of the substantial change that would be necessary for the Church to free itself from the erroneous course on which it has been led.

Below, I will mention only a few points to determine whether a substantial change is truly beginning to emerge. It should be noted that I do not intend to dwell on the Catholic declarations being heard, as this should be the norm, and the Church's leadership is precisely there for that purpose. Nor is it my intention to seek out errors or focus on personal weaknesses. Rather, this is the existential question of whether the Church, under Leo XIV’s leadership, will once again conform to the Gospel and its own Tradition, or whether the anti-Christian spirit that has infiltrated it will continue to manifest itself.

In my daily meditations from May 29-31 of this year, I spoke about the crisis of mission in the Church. (https://en.elijamission.net)

In the May 31st address, I referred to Leo XIV’s speech to the ecumenical and interreligious delegations, and in that context I made the following observation:

“It is striking that, from the beginning of his pontificate, Leo XIV repeatedly refers to his predecessor, Francis. This should not only be understood as a gesture of courtesy and respect, but also demonstrates that he will continue the path that Francis had undertaken with the Church. Until now, in the frequent mentions and praise of Francis, there is not even the slightest critical distance from his pontificate and its misdeeds, and the emphasis on the synodal nature of the Church breathes the spirit of his predecessor.”

Another aspect to consider when identifying Pope Leo XIV’s leadership is his appointments:

• Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro, who for years served as chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life and holds a liberal stance on Bioethics, has been appointed director of the same institute. This appointment consolidates Francis’ legacy regarding the ambivalence of Vatican Bioethics. Pegoraro stated that artificial contraception, although intrinsically evil according to Catholic doctrine, could be permitted in certain cases. "The letter of the law" could be changed "to deepen its meaning and promote the values ​​in question," he stated. Furthermore, Pegoraro argues that, in certain cases, euthanasia may be the lesser evil.

Father Beat Grögli, parish priest of the Cathedral of St. Gallen (Switzerland) and defender of the female priesthood, was confirmed by Leo XIV as the new bishop of that diocese. In a press conference following his appointment, Grögli stated: "The female priesthood will come." He has also expressed support for homosexual "blessings" and demanded that the Church adapt its doctrine on marriage, sexual morality, and contraception.

• Sister Tiziana Merletti was appointed by Leo XIV as secretary of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life. In this way, the new pope continues the personnel policies of his predecessor, Francis, who had already appointed a woman as prefect of the same dicastery, ignoring canon law, since such positions are reserved for bishops who have received special ordination for their ministry in the Church. Sister Tiziana Merletti has repeatedly warned against "entrenched models," spoken in favor of "synodal processes," and, in an interview, declared that she wants to "break the established framework."

CONCLUSION: 

No substantial change in the direction of the new pontificate is yet in sight. Rather, what has happened so far clearly reflects the same direction as that of his predecessor. If this is confirmed in the coming weeks and months, then we will not only have a continuation of the previous evil, but a worsening of the situation, because it would be a confirmation of Francis's course, which could spread even further like a lethal poison throughout the Church.

Therefore, at this point, there is no reason to consider the emergency situation over and leave the "desert."

From the "Ecclesia in deserto" in Jerusalem,

Brother Elija

Since June 2025 I have reopened this blog

REASON FOR EXPANDING THE NAME OF THE BALTA-LELIJA CHANNEL

Dear friends of Balta-Lelija,

The reason I have expanded the name of this channel is because "Balta-Lelija" and "Ecclesia in Deserto" now go together.

Balta-Lelija (which means "white lily" in Lithuanian) was founded in 2008 as a spiritual resistance movement against the global anti-Christian threat.

Throughout the previous Pontificate, it became clear that the anti-Christian spirit had infiltrated even the ecclesiastical hierarchy and sought to exploit the Petrine ministry to advance an anti-Christian agenda in the Church. As a result, the Church has been deeply weakened and has progressively lost its prophetic power to confront the threats of hostile powers with the authority given to it by God. Therefore, Balta-Lelija's spiritual resistance also had to be directed against this "different spirit" (cf. 2 Cor 11:4) that began to dominate within the Church. I have published several articles on this topic. https://en.elijamission.net/blog/

As a result of this anti-Christian influence in the Petrine office, with its devastating effects on the entire Church, we have reached a state of grave emergency. Therefore, I believe that those faithful who wish to firmly cling to the Gospel and the authentic doctrine of the Church must retreat for a time to the desert. This is what I mean when I speak of the "Church in the desert," "Ecclesia in deserto" in Latin

The election of Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, awakened in many faithful Catholics hope for a change for the better and for a Pontificate of right faith, one that would correct the errors of his predecessor. However, so far, no change of course can be recognized, other than a more intense Catholic atmosphere. I will address this topic in more detail in the next post.

Balta-Lelija's spiritual resistance will now be included in my pronouncements, which I will continue to publish under the name "Ecclesia in deserto" as long as the emergency situation persists. This is why I have expanded the name.

Blessings from Jerusalem,

Brother Elias

GLOBAL EDUCATION PACT

I cannot hide the fact that one of the greatest concerns for me in relation to this Pontificate is that the door of the Church is being opened wide so that the anti-Christian spirit can operate in it. In this sense and from this perspective, I try to discern and reflect on certain activities and decisions of the present Pontificate.

In such a task, the great difficulty is related to the fact that we, as Catholics, are used to placing our trust in the Pope. Honestly, we find it difficult to believe that he, who is the guarantor and rock of our faith, could represent a danger to the Church's way.

However, we cannot close our eyes, when we identify wrong decisions by the Pope and the present hierarchy, or when, at least we have the impression that the direction taken might not be the right one.

Today's topic must be approached with caution, since it is the Pope's plan for the near future, and we cannot yet see concrete results. However, it is necessary to examine the spirit of such projects already beforehand, since this spirit already manifests itself in other previous actions of this Pontificate, as I have explained in the former publications of this Blog[1].

Pachamama cult in the Catholic Church

During the Amazon Synod in October, acts were carried out that were described by Catholic believers as idolatry and considered as a violation of the First Commandment. 

First of all, a description of the facts, according to Auxiliary Bishop Schneider from Kazakhstan, as he writes in an open letter [1]: 

"On October 4, 2019, on the eve of the Amazon Synod, a religious ceremony was held in the Vatican Gardens, in the presence of Pope Francis and of several bishops and cardinals, which was led partly by shamans and in which symbolic objects were used; namely, a wooden sculpture of an unclothed pregnant woman. These representations are known and belong to indigenous rituals of Amazonian tribes, and specifically to the worship of the so-called Mother Earth, the Pachamama. In the following days the wooden naked female figures were also venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica in front of the Tomb of St. Peter. Pope Francis also greeted two bishops carrying the Pachamama object on their shoulders processing it into the Synod Hall where it was set in a place of honor. Pachamama statues were also put on display in the church of Santa Maria in Traspontina." 

The Abu Dhabi Declaration - a serious crooked attacks attack on the Church's missionary mandate

On February 4, 2019, there was a joint declaration by Pope Francis and the Muslim Grand Imam Ahmad Mohammad Al-Tayyeb, which caused some concern among the faithful. One passage in particular was emphasized that needs clarification!

The theme to be addressed is important for understanding the announcement of the Gospel, which is part of the Church's primary mission. Therefore, clarification is needed so that the zeal to proclaim the sacred message to people at all times is not weakened!

Modification of the catechism in relation to the death penalty

Unnoticed by many, Pope Francis changed the catechism, concerning the subject of the death penalty, which the Pope now wants to have presented as "inadmissible".

To say it right at the outset. There are probably few people - especially among Christians - who would plead for the death penalty. Apart from the fact that there can be terrible misjudgments and that people can deeply repent from their deeds and convert, it is a cruel punishment that should be avoided if possible. This is especially true because today there are far better ways to prevent a perpetrator from repeating such grave crimes.

Amoris Laetitia - a difficult issue (Part III)

Staying on the proven path

The pastoral intention of the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia in relation to our theme is to give access to a fuller life in the Church to those people who live in conditions which are not in accordance with the commandments of God.

The intention to turn lovingly towards these people, to understand their situation more precisely and to give them appropriate assistance is to be welcomed. Any form of unjust and unloving treatment of the persons concerned is by itself unacceptable, if we remember that Jesus had fellowship with sinners and called them to Himself. To condemn hardheartedly people who live in disordered and sinful relationships is not the Lord's way. Jesus is ready to forgive, and he calls for conversion. A telling example is Jesus' encounter with the sinful woman who was accused of adultery. The Lord does not condemn her, but shows her mercy and exhorts her to sin no more (cf. Jn 8:1-11). 

Every form of self-righteousness in which one feels morally superior to other people is made absurd by the Lord with the simple word of this passage: "Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone!" Jesus came to call the sinners, not the righteous (cf. Mk 2:17).