We received a letter from one woman who had read about the “aarti” mark that Pope John Paul II had taken on his forehead. She was concerned that the answer archbishop Foley gave was deceptive. She sent us to the above web site to show us exactly what this “aarti” mark was. First however, we would like to refresh our readers on the question asked to Foley, and his reply:

“Q: Someone in the schismatic group the Society of St. Pius X told me that when the pope was in India he had his forehead anointed by a Hindu "priestess of Shiva" and that there is a photo to prove it. Is this true? A: There is a photo of the pope having his forehead anointed by an Indian woman, but she was a Catholic, not a Hindu priestess! She was giving the pope a traditional Indian form of greeting known as "Aarti," which has no more religious significance than a handshake in western culture or giving someone a wreath of flowers as a welcome in Hawaii.” [Evidently, Foley is not aware that the Hawaiian leis are dedicated to the various demon gods who are worshipped on the island.]

We would ask our readers to please visit the above site where they can see for themselves exactly what the “aarti” is. It is a prayer to the goddess Durga. So it seems that archbishop Foley is deceiving his readers! And to think Foley said that the “aarti“ mark was:

“No more the worship of a heathen deity than is the decoration of a Christmas tree by American Christians a return to the pagan rituals of Northern Europe” (Letter, by Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the pontifical council).

Tis the season to repent of Christmas trees! (See Ecumenical Feast of the Beast, by Rebecca A. Sexton, 12/97)