Actually we do not celebrate the death of any one. We celebrate the preservation of king and parliament. At our celebration we even pause for a moment to consider the bravery of the plotters. (we try to suit every interest-most of those in attendance are catholics.) The plot was not just a plot of English Citizens It was a part of the Counter Reformation -a political movement on the part of a political pope to dominate England. Fortunately by 1605 English Nationalism was sufficiently developed to be able to reject foreign domination. The rising in the midlands which was the centerpiece of the entire plot failed miserably rejected by the ordinary people.

Actually we do not celebrate the persecution of Irish catholics or any other. We celebrate the fact that english catholics and representatives of the pope failed to torture maim and kill english citizens and bring down the government in favor of a catholic state. Let us be clear here who the persecutors were- they were clearly all catholic.

The separation of church and state and freedom from dominance by foreign powers is at the center of the celebration.
This is a problem that we have today with some of the "religious"

Father Henry Garnet chief jesuit of england at the time knew all about the plot. As an english citizen his first obligation was to save life and limb and turn in the plotters. He did not do this. Instead he deferred to the opinion of the pope.

The same is true today. We in the USA have seen the Catholic "religious" fail to act lawfully as citizens of the USA. Those knowing about the sex crimes did not do their duty and turn the offenders in or remove them from service. Clearly catholic "religious" still think they are above the law of our country. This is the disturbing aspect of the recent scandals. Much more disturbing than the crimes themselves. Even recently the catholic administrators, bishops and cardinals when coming up with a plan to bring sex offenders to justice could not simply follow the law and implement it. Quite the contrary- they first had to get the ok of the pope. One should not have to have the permission of any other party to be a law abiding citizen.

We must continue to remember what happened in 1605.
Nations have recently seen their governments brought down by the pope.
While I would agree with that action (vs. east block) I do not think it is legitimate or permissable for a religious leader to bring down any state. We are just lucky that the pope did not target us!

As we can see clearly the us bishops would have a hard time deciding wether to support church or country.

Our Web Page resources are here for anyone interested in learning of the history of the plot and celebration.

http://www.bcpl.net/%7Ecbladey/guy/html/mainz.html

all are welcome to our celebration near Baltimore on Nov.9 Saturday
starting at 4:30 PM

Many will also be interested in our new book:

Bonfire Prayers Customs Recipes Songs and Chants for Guy Fawkes Day
isbn 0970238665
Hutman Productions
PO 268
Linthicum Md. 21090

$4.50 including us postage
for out of country postage please inquire
cbladey@bcpl.net

Available soon via amazon but the price there is much higher.

Remember, Remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder Treason and Plot

I see NO reason that gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.

THOSE WHO DO NOT REMEMBER THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT

Conrad