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The FBI infiltrated Catholic churches looking for violent extremists. What are your thoughts? Share in the comments.

From The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Today, Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) revealed that the FBI relied on information derived from at least one undercover employee and sought to use local religious organizations as “new avenues for tripwire and source development.” This proposed outreach plan included contacting so-called “mainline Catholic parishes” and the local “diocesan leadership.” The documents reveal that the FBI also expressed an interest in “leverag[ing] existing sources and/or initiat[ing] Type 5 Assessments to develop new sources with the placement and access” to report on suspicious activity. In light of this information and the serious consequences for the free exercise of Americans’ First Amendment rights, Chairman Jordan issued a subpoena today to FBI Director Wray for all documents related to the FBI’s actions.

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BACKGROUND: 

On February 16, 2023, Chairman Jordan and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) sought information from the FBI relating to a January 23, 2023 “domain perspective” document generated by the Richmond Field Office entitled “Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities.” After receiving no response, the Committee reiterated its request in a subsequent letter dated March 20, 2023. On March 23, 2023, the FBI produced a substandard and partial response consisting of only 18 pages—many with significant redactions of “personally identifiable information” or “specific non-public information about [FBI] investigations, sources, and methods” that prevents the Committee from fully assessing the content and context of the documents and obtaining information requested from the Bureau.

NEW INFORMATION: 

From this limited production, it is apparent that the FBI, relying on information derived from at least one undercover employee, sought to use local religious organizations as “new avenues for tripwire and source development.” For example, in a section of a January 23, 2023, domain perspective document entitled “Opportunities,” the FBI wrote:

“In addition to [redaction], engage in outreach to the leadership of other [Society of Saint Pius X] chapels in the FBI Richmond [area of responsibility] to sensitize these congregations to the warning signs of radicalization and to enlist their assistance to serve as suspicious activity tripwires.

The FBI similarly noted two other opportunities to engage in outreach with religious institutions in the Richmond area, citing a desire “to sensitize the congregation to the warning signs of radicalization and enlist their assistance to serve as suspicious activity tripwires.” This outreach plan even included contacting so-called “mainline Catholic parishes” and the local “diocesan leadership.” The FBI also expressed an interest in “leverag[ing] existing sources and/or initiat[ing] Type 5 Assessments to develop new sources with the placement and access” to report on suspicious activity.

The document itself shows that its contents, including its proposal to develop sources in Catholic churches, were reviewed and approved by two senior intelligence analysts and even the local Chief Division Counsel. Whistleblowers have advised that the FBI distributed this document to field offices across the country.

This information is outrageous and reinforces the Committee’s need for all FBI records about the domain perspective document. Accordingly, and because Director Wray has not fully responded to the Committee’s earlier voluntary requests, Chairman Jordan is issuing a subpoena to the FBI for all records about the FBI’s January 23 domain perspective document.

Read the subpoena cover letter to Director Wray here.

From Fox News. Sen. Josh Hawley on Tuesday accused Attorney General Merrick Garland of providing false testimony to the Senate last month when he said his department is not developing sources inside Catholic churches and other houses of worship, and demanded to know how many “undercover informants or other agents” are aiding the department from these religious sites.

“Let’s be clear: your Department has decided to turn Catholic congregations into front organizations for the FBI, and when asked about it, you’ve decided to fudge the truth before Congress,” Hawley, R-Mo., wrote in a letter to Garland on Tuesday morning. …

“I went on to ask you whether the Department was ‘cultivating sources and spies in Latin mass parishes and other Catholic parishes around the country.’ And again, your response could not have been clearer: ‘No, the Justice Department does not do that. It does not do investigations based on religion,’” Hawley wrote.

“Finally, I asked you ‘how many informants do you have in Catholic churches across America?’ You denied the claim a third time: ‘I don’t know, and I don’t believe we have any informants aimed at Catholic churches.’ All of this was false, as recent investigative findings by the House Judiciary Committee show,” Hawley wrote.

Hawley called on Garland to provide answers “immediately” on how many agents DOJ would “work with or otherwise employ” at both Catholic parishes and “in religious organizations more broadly.” …

What do you think of the FBI’s actions? Share this article to keep people informed.

(Press release from The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: Canva)

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Susan S.
April 12, 2023

They should bring lawsuits against the DOJ. Appeal them all the way to the Supreme Court. Calling Catholics radical and extremists does not seem to me to be a winning strategy in front of a majority Catholic Supreme Court.

2
Kathy Warrington
April 12, 2023

All Hell has unleashed its forces to stop the will and plan of God for His massive end-time harvest. I believe the end-time church will look like the start of the church in the Book of Acts. Empowered and emboldened to preach the Gospel with signs and wonders following. Persecution causes the church to grow stronger and fearless. The Church in America has had it so easy that we have become weak and ineffective for the most part. We have left our first love. God will “shake what can be shaken so that what cannot be shaken might remain.”

10
    Dominique
    April 12, 2023

    May our omnipotent God and Savior’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Glory be His name!

    7
Joy Molina
April 12, 2023

Praying 🙏🙏🙏

4
Jeanne Reiderer
April 12, 2023

Christians must be able to keep our freedoms to worship!!! We worship the one true God who is peace and love! We will never give up our rights to pray and worship Him!!!!

9
Joseph Dunn
April 12, 2023

I asked an AI chat bot,
If the US justice department repeatedly weaponizes is authority against a socio-economic group such as the opponents of those in power, and those in power don’t act to correct the abuse, what recourse does a citizen have to correct that abuse?

The chatbot answered,
If the US Justice Department repeatedly weaponizes its authority against a socio-economic group, and those in power don’t act to correct the abuse, citizens have several options to seek recourse:

1. Legal action: Citizens can seek legal action against the Justice Department for violating their rights. They can file a lawsuit against the department for its actions, seeking monetary damages or injunctive relief. Citizens can also file a complaint with the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility or the Inspector General.

2. Grassroots organizing: Citizens can organize themselves and take action against the abuse. They can form advocacy groups, organize protests, and bring public attention to the issue. By doing so, they can create public pressure that can force the government to take action.

3. Voting: Citizens can vote out politicians who are in power and replace them with those who are committed to correcting the abuse. They can also put pressure on their elected officials to take action on the issue.

4. Media attention: Citizens can contact journalists and other media outlets to bring attention to the issue. The media can help bring awareness to the problem, putting pressure on those in power to take corrective action.

It’s important to note that these options may not always be effective, and they may require significant effort and resources. However, citizens have a right to hold their government accountable for its actions, and they should take whatever steps they can to seek justice and fairness.

9
    Susan S.
    April 12, 2023

    According to number one, lawsuits can be filed. However, they should be sued only in the most conservative counties in red states with a republican governor.

    4
    Kathy Warrington
    April 12, 2023

    Our voting system is so corrupt! I pray for all that is hidden to be brought into the light so that our votes will count! I am thankful For Katherine Engelbrecht, True the Vote, and other citizen groups that have been called to stand and push back against the establishment that has forgotten it has been designed to be ‘Of the people, by the people, and for the people!

    8

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