In a misplaced attempt to honor the 500th sorrowful anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Bishop David Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids presided over “Common Prayer for the Ecumenical Commemoration of the Reformation.” Joining Walkowiak was Craig Satterlee, a “bishop” of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Here is the official description of the event:

On October 31, 2016, Pope Francis gathered with leaders of the Lutheran World Federation to observe the 499th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, with a service of Common Prayer shared at the Lund Cathedral in Sweden. Luther’s act is remembered as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. On Reformation Sunday, October 29, 2017, the Grand Rapids area community will share that same Common Prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Andrew with Catholic Bishop David John Walkowiak joined by Lutheran Bishop Craig Alan Satterlee in an ecumenical observance of all that binds us as 21st century people of faith. The Diocesan Choir will be joined by choir members from Grand Rapids area Lutheran churches and others in a shared worship observance that will include homilies offered by both bishops. The greater Grand Rapids area community is welcome to share in this historical worship gathering.”

Witness to the Truth



In response to this scandalous event, some 30 parishioners from the Society of Saint Pius X’s chapel, St. Margaret Mary Church in Allendale, MI (a rural town just outside Grand Rapids), gathered outside the diocesan cathedral of St. Andrew to pray 15 decades of the Rosary in order to protest the event, stand firm for the truth, and offer reparation to Our Lord. The faithful gathered on public property just outside of the cathedral’s entrance, drawing the attention of hundreds of attendees. While one person in particular expressed open displeasure at the demonstration, the gathering continued on peacefully. Indeed, a homeless man who had been born Catholic before converting to Protestantism later in life, took time to stand to pray the Rosary with those attending the protest.

Although it is disheartening that more Catholics from around the diocese did not show up to peacefully and charitably express their displease at this ecumenical gathering, it is important to remember that even modest stances against error can have a profound effect. Who knows how many entering the cathedral that day were compelled to stop and think twice about their participation in a service intended to sow confusion. Perhaps the prayers of those gathered outside the church will be enough to move the heart of an attendee, a priest, or, God willing, the local ordinary of Grand Rapids to consider the great scandal caused by Catholic-sponsored events intended to honor open revolt against Holy Mother Church.

A History of Standing Firm for the Faith



This is not the first time St. Margaret Mary has answered the call to stand firm for the Faith. In February 2004, the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids planned to host Buddhist monks performing a concert inside the church.

In response, the faithful of St. Margaret Mary and other Society of Saint Pius X chapels in Michigan gathered in the basilica to intone the Credo, pray the Rosary, and remove Buddhist paraphernalia from the sanctuary. Despite the police being called to stop this prayerful protest, the monks eventually left the church without carrying forth their concert.

The event, which was later dubbed the “Battle for the Basilica,” has remained an important example for traditional Catholics all over the United States on how to firmly, but prudently, address the spread of error and sacrilege.