Halloween Treat

A special Halloween entry and boy, have I got an exclusive for you. I've recently come across some compelling footage taken in Highgate Cemetery a few years ago. The 29 second clip also happens to be the most convincing evidence of supernatural phenomena there, that I've seen so far.

Before you play it, just a few pointers. You'll need to turn the volume on your speakers, as the sound quality's not all that great. Wait for the video to load and pay close attention or you'll blink and miss it. When you see it, though, you'll know exactly what I'm referring to. It's pretty trippy stuff.

How to Visit Highgate Cemetery...Legally

Just a brief note. I've come across a site that gives instructions on how to visit Highgate Cemetery without stepping on any toes. So, yes, it's quite unlike this approach.


Naturally, the keepers of Highgate Cemetery aren't all that thrilled with the vampire stories and the publicity-seekers who tried to profiteer off them. Why? Not only do they detract from its famous, uh, residents, but the stories also helped trigger off spates of vandalism back in the '70s, leading to a few arrests (click on the pic for more).

Of course, this hasn't stopped contemporary attempts at drumming up interest in the vampire. There've even been further alleged sightings there, notable for the paucity of witness names, descriptions of what exactly they saw, etc. Anyhoo, if you wanna visit the Cemetery, yourself, here's a handy guide. But, please, don't mention the "v" word!

Bishop Plagiarises Bishop

When will he learn? Despite the occasional cries of "copyright violation!" regaring his own material, the Bishop has no qualms in plagiarising others. This time, he's cribbed a sizable chunk of one of his blog entries from a fellow man-of-the-cloth.

It's a shame that hapless readers still tune into his blog, Bishop † Seán † Manchester Answers Questions, for spiritual queries, counsel, advice or even requesting the Bishop's opinion on political personages. It'd be just as easy to obtain his "answers" by Googling them yourself. Or shaking a Magic Eight Ball.

Take one of his latest posts, "Demonic Influence on World Events". It was written as a direct response to reader, Abby Murray's following query:

As a historian, I am curious about your thoughts on any vampire or supernatural involvement in major wars, from ancient to modern times, and if there is any involvement, specific examples. Are vampires and other supernatural beings conscious enough to involve themselves with world events, or do they mostly keep to themselves?

At that point, Manchester might as well've given her a link to Bishop Donald W. Montrose's "Spiritual Warfare: The Occult Has Demonic Influence". But, rather than show this courtesy, he regurgitated large chunks of Montrose's sermon, passing them off as his own. For instance, here's what Montrose says about Satan's kingdom:

Satan's kingdom is a lie. He wants to be like God. But in the very first of the Ten Commandments, God told Moses: "I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods that are proposed to us in the kingdom of darkness. " St. Paul tells us to be on our guard: "The Spirit says clearly that some men will abandon their faith in later times. They will obey lying spirits and follow the teaching of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1). Let us hold fast to our faith in the Lord Jesus and his Church. Our salvation is brought about by Jesus Christ alone, through prayer, by reading and studying the Word of God in the Bible, and through the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in our tabernacles.

When the Israelites were about to come into the promised land, the Lord God gave them many commandments that had to do with the true worship that He desired, and the false worship that He hated. These same commandments hold for us today.

And here's Manchester's "rendering":

Satan's kingdom is a lie. He wants to be like God, but in the first of the Ten Commandments, God told Moses: "I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods that are proposed to us in the kingdom of darkness." St Paul tells us to be on our guard: "The Spirit says clearly that some men will abandon their faith in later times. They will obey lying spirits and follow the teaching of demons" (1 Timothy 4: 1). When the Israelites were about to come into the promised land, God gave them many commandments that had to do with the true worship that He desired, and the false worship that He hated. These same commandments hold true for us today.

Over to Montrose again:

Therefore, in Satan's kingdom he wants everything that is in the Kingdom of God. But his kingdom is a lie; it is false. In the kingdom of darkness, there is false worship and adoration; there is evil prayer. He offers us false happiness and peace. He holds out to us dark wisdom and knowledge. This is how he tempted Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:5). Satan said: "No, God knows well that the moment you eat it (the forbidden fruit) your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad." In his kingdom, Satan also offers us a health that is unto death, and a protection that is false. Just as we picture the angels of heaven singing and worshipping God, there is also a special music that is evil in the kingdom of darkness.

Back to Manchester:

In Satan's kingdom, the Devil wants everything that is in the Kingdom of God, but his kingdom is counterfeit. In the kingdom of darkness there is false worship, adoration and evil prayer. He offers us phoney happiness and peace. He holds out to us dark wisdom and knowledge. This is how he tempted Adam and Eve (Genesis 3: 5). Satan said: "No, God knows well that the moment you eat it [the forbidden fruit] your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad."

In his kingdom, Satan also offers us a health that is unto death, and a protection that is false. Just as we picture the angels of heaven singing and worshipping God, there is also a depraved sound which is the musical din of the kingdom of darkness.

And with that, we've already covered about half of Manchester's blog entry. Montrose isn't even mentioned, let alone cited. This conveniently erases a paper trail. But only if you think pasting a few lines into Google involves too much "detective work".

So, kids, next time Manchester (or his cronies) spring "copyright violation!" on you, simply point out his own nefarious practices. That should shut him up. At worst, you could be painted as an anti-Catholic homosexual. But the laughs at the expense of his blatant hypocrisy would be worth it.