Editor’s Note: Those “conservatives” in the West who repeated Russian Federation propaganda during the last 20 years, might be shocked to discover that one of the frequent mouth-pieces for that propaganda was just “retired” for having another man in a personal relationship which is unnatural, to put it mildly.

Bishop Hilarion was for nearly 20 years the go to man, whenever the some “conservative” wanted some criticism of Western decadence and demonstration of Russian moral superiority. No need to say that today’s news is “egg on the face” of the entire Russian Propaganda Ministry effort in that regard.

But for those who read behind the news stories and pay attention, this should come as no surprise, as even Vladimir Putin publicly admitted that sodomy is one of the traditional values of the Russian Culture.

 The moral of this story for Catholics should be to remember that virtue is a gift of God and therefore never believe the claim, that a State which violates the laws of Jesus Christ has it.

Over at Canon212.com (which should be called GOP.com), Frank Walker who has never missed an opportunity to republish Bishop Hilarion’s talking points is attempting to spin this news by implying that at least the Russian Orthodox Church is taking action in removing an immoral man from office, whereas the Catholic Church is not, in regarding to pope Francis.

His criticism is partly true but mostly false. Mostly false, because, even Pope Francis has removed clergy for reasons of sexual immorality. In fact, he has in this continued the work begin in earnest by Pope Francis, both when a Cardinal and after as Roman Pontiff.

But his criticism is party true, because the Sutri Initiative is the only canonical way to remove an unworthy man from office of Roman Pontiff; though this cannot be done for reasons of sexual immorality, only because a man was never qualified to hold the office. Yet, a provincial council can be called to rebuke a pope for sexual immorality.

Frank Walker has never called for such action until now, however.

Many others have also believed Russian Propaganda, notably Archbishop Viganò, who even met with Bishop Hilarion some years ago, before publishing his endorsement of the “International Movement of Russophiles”. He has also not yet called for a provincial council nor even repudiated his contacts with Hilarion.