A dramatic encounter that saved the life of Pope John Paul II. Click Here The liberal and destructive policies of Pierre Elliott-Trudeau. Click Here Back to Homepage. Click Here Back to Blog. Click Here Dr. Alice von Hildebrand read Mr. LeBlanc's book entitled "Feeding the Lord's Flock" - A Contemporary Understanding of Pascendi and the Errors of Modernism", and without delay she telephoned Mr. LeBlanc to offer an endorsement for his book and to tell him that he does "Very, very fine work". Dr. von Hildebrand is a staunch advocate of orthodoxy in the Catholic Church and her endosement of this book is representative of the orthodoxy that is also found in Mr. LeBlanc's book Series entitled "Catholicism on Trial Series." Credentials of Dr. von Hildebrand: Born Alice Jourdain, Brussels, Belgium, Dr. von Hildebrand is a world renowned Catholic philosopher and theologian and a former professor. She came to the U.S. in 1940 and began teaching at Hunter College in New York City in 1947. She was married to the famous philosopher and theologian Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889-1977), meeting him at Fordham University in New York where she was a student and he was a professor. She remained married to him until his death. She retired in 1984. Alice von Hildebrand lives in the United States and is a lecturer and an author, whose works include: The Privilege of Being a Woman (2002) and The Soul of a Lion: The Life of Dietrich von Hildebrand (2000), a biography of her late husband. She also hosted a Series on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) often running a Series with Fr. Benedict Groeschel and others. Some of the great churchmen of the twentieth century have held Dietrich von Hildebrand in high regard. Pope Pius XII called Dietrich von Hildebrand a "twentieth century Doctor of the Church," but equally impressive are the words of our current Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who wrote of von Hildebrand: "I am personally convinced that, when, at some time in the future, the intellectual history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is written, the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand will be most prominent among the figures of our time." Mr. LeBlanc wishes to extend his thanks and gratitude to Dr. Alice von Hildebrand for her endorsement which follows: "Homer is new and fresh this morning, while there is nothing perhaps, as old and tired as today's newspaper". (Charles Peguy). I wish to apply these words to Pius X's magnificent Encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis. Written l02 years ago, it is not only "new and fresh", but gives us a message whose importance and urgency increased since it was written. We are very indebted to Mr. LeBlanc for having made it accesible to a large public. Papal Encyclicals are not always easy reading. While totally faithful to its message, he made it a must reading for every Catholic who realizes how his faith is threatened by the cancer of modernism. "Tolle, lege (Take it and read)" (St. Augustine's Confessions, VIII ) - Alice von Hildebrand

About the Author Mr. LeBlanc is a Pontifically Certified Catechist of the Vatican and is authorized by the Congregation of the Clergy in Rome to teach, even though though he is not ordained to the Priesthood. To email Mr. LeBlanc - Click Here. The Reasons for the "Trial Format" in this Series: "Relativism", which is the denial that absolute truths exist in reason, morals, and religion, is widespread in our day. And it has produced a thriving cult of "self and ego", so it should come as no surprise that "litigation" has risen dramatically. But what is it that really drives this new fascination with litigation? Have people become more judgmental of each other because they have turned away from God? Whatever the reasons, this is where society finds itself today, making this Trial Series perfectly suited to our times. It is gripping, thorough, and at times explosive as we examine the source of division in Christianity and where ultimate religious authority is to be found. In this Series, non-Catholic Christians, and others, take the Catholic Church to trial using the 'Bible Alone' concept as their sole authority to contest the Authority of the Papacy and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. But they are stunned to find themselves thoroughly silenced by Catholic Representatives who use Scripture itself as their primary source of refutation. 5 Point Approach 1. Litigious Society - People take a strong interest in litigation as "theater" - its drama accounts for the success of numerous movies and television shows based on litigation, one of the more recent being "Judge Judy." Additionally, Pope Benedict XVI has called upon Catholics to develop new ways to educate and evangelize making this Series perfectly suited to the times in which we live. This Series is a powerful tool for Catholics who wish to respond to the proselytism of various Christian sects who use litigation tactics to draw Catholics away from the Church. The Holy Father has expressed deep concern about this problem, lamenting the loss of Catholics to other denominations not only here in the US, but in South America, the Philippines, and other nations. On February 8, 2008, the Holy Father said to the Costa Rican Bishops, and to the Faithful: "You have before you the task of seeking new ways to announce Christ in situations of rapid and often profound transformation. The people of Costa Rica must constantly revitalize their profound Christian roots, their vigorous religiosity, and their deep Marian devotion; may these bring the fruits of a life worthy of the disciples of Jesus. The risks of lethargic and superficial faith when it has to face such snares as the proselytism of sects and pseudo-religious groups, the multiple promises of easy and immediate well-being, but which end in disillusion and disappointment, or the spread of ideologies which, while claiming to exalt human beings, actually debase them." 2. Summa Method - Objections and Replies -- Objections come from the Plaintiff with replies from Catholic Representatives for the Defense. 3. Personalized - Like radio, the reader gets to form their own image of witnesses and attorneys. This contributes to a much greater retention than the Q & A format. 4. Non-Catholic Christians - Many non-Catholics believe that the Catholic Church cannot support - from a Scriptural perspective - either its doctrine or her claim of being founded by Jesus Christ. The series responds in a very substantial and effective manner to their objections. The Objections used in the Series are frank and cover the spectrum of real world objections to Catholicism. 5. Church On Trial - Many people have the Church "on trial" in their minds in our day. The Series meets them where they are by virtue of the title, and thus engaged removes barriers allowing for an open, but factual, discussion on Scripture in the setting of a secular court where only facts matter - when raised, proved and marshaled effectively by advocates. There is a crisis of authority that is directly related to the problem of relativism. This Series effectively deals with 'Religious Relativism'. In fact, the Holy Father named "Relativism" as the problem which created a crisis over where ultimate moral and religious authority rests. At the Pre-Conclave Mass on the evening before His election to the Papacy, the Holy Father said: "We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as definitive and has as its highest value one's own ego and one's own desires." Sadly, such relativist epistemology and pedagogy continues to be utilized and promoted by forces and institutions of dictatorship for the sole, devious purpose to weaken its victims, so that their institutions can supplant the Church with a totalitarianism that strips their captives of all personal liberty! In light of this and St. Paul's counsel to meet people where they are, both personally and institutionally, the "Catholicism on Trial Series" is perfectly suited to meet the problem of religious relativism found rampant, today, in Catholic institutions, and in Christianity at large. The Series provides a path back to objectivity where ultimate moral and religious authority rests. This Series serves as a solid tool for evangelization and education by calling Christians to unite with Rome. The "Catholicism on Trial Series" is faithful to all the teachings of the Catholic Church. It will serve to educate Catholics who take a renewed interest in their faith, and it would serve to assist the Clergy and CCD and RCIA Teacher Trainers and Educators in their task of instructing, respectively, young people and those who seek entrance into the Catholic Church. And, if used as a Vatican Council II-emphasized, but long-ignored, "priority" -- in Adult Education, it would be beneficial for families as well.