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Modernist as Reformer ht/PP

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JMJ

Pertinacious Papist has posted an excerpt that is bang-on for diagnosing the crisis of the Church.

The source: Pope St. Pius X (whom the Vatican website has finally canonized!), Pascendi - article 38.

The context: Exposing the methods and errors of the Modernists of his time which are not that far removed from those of our time - a mere hundred years later.

Modernist as reformer - Key Aspects and Aims


  1. Great and eager passion for innovation. 
  2. Reform philosophy, especially in the ecclesiastical seminaries. (FFI today)
  3. Relegate scholastic philosophy to the history of philosophy and to be classed among absolute (obsolete?) systems. (Since the Council and perhaps a little earlier based on Pope Emeritus Benedict XIV adminssions)
  4. Modern philosophy to be taught to young men as it alone is true and suited to the times in which we live. ( Since before the Second Vatican Council )
  5. Reform theology such it is to have modern philosophy for its foundation, and positive theology is to be founded on the history of dogma. ( Since the Second Vatican Council )
  6. History must be written and taught only according to their methods and modern principles. ( Example anyone? )
  7. Dogmas and their evolution, are to be harmonized with science and history. ( Ongoing )
  8. In the Catechism no dogmas are to be inserted except those that have been reformed and are within the capacity of the people. ( CCC? )
  9. In worship, the number of external devotions is to be reduced, and steps must be taken to prevent their further increase, ( Novus Ordo Missae )
    1. some of the admirers of symbolism are disposed to be more indulgent on this head. ( Pope Benedict XVI )
  10. Ecclesiastical government must be reformed in all its branches, but especially in its disciplinary and dogmatic departments (Since the Second Vatican Council )
    1. outwardly and inwardly it must be brought into harmony with the modern conscience which now wholly tends towards democracy; ( Collegiality)
    2. a share in ecclesiastical government should therefore be given to the lower ranks of the clergy and even to the laity  ( Collegiality and parish councils, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Lay People doing 'readings')
    3. Authority should be decentralized  ( Collegiality )
    4. Roman Congregations and especially the index and the Holy Office, must be likewise modified ( Check and double check! )
    5. The ecclesiastical authority must alter its line of conduct in the social and political world; while keeping outside political organizations it must adapt itself to them in order to penetrate them with its spirit. ( An ongoing work in progress )
  11. Adopting the principle of the Americanists, the active virtues are claimed to be more important than the passive, and are to be more encouraged in practice. ( Apparently the focus of the current Pontificate)
  12. Clergy should return to their primitive humility and poverty, ( This is definitely a focus of the current Pontificate)
    1. In their ideas and actions the clergy should admit the principles of Modernism; ( Done )
  13. Listening to the teaching of their Protestant masters, desire the suppression of the celibacy of the clergy. ( WIP - Work In Progress )
These words are as applicable today as in 1907

Source: Pascendi

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