Synod Pre-Game Show VI: The Buckler of Patience

JMJ

I suspect that the Synod will be an occasion for scandal amongst the faithful. Many will perhaps suspect that Pope Francis really isn't Pope after all.

Outlined in the list below are the various sedevacantist opinions that I have encountered over the past decades. Opposed to each is the doctrine that they contradict and fallacies embedded within them.

For more detailed analysis and articles, please see the sedevacantist, heresy and infallibility articles.

Sedevacantist Conclusion (See of Peter is vacant)

Post-Conciliar Popes were heretics before election, heretics cannot be elected to the See of Peter

Contradicts doctrine of dogmatic fact: art1, art2, art3
Cum Ex Apostolis no longer in force - see cum ex apostolatus and loss of office

Pope fell into heresy after election

There are a number of problems with this 'conclusion'. The first of which is the understanding of heresy. The second is the provision of a verifiable act of heresy that is incontrovertible (explicity). The third is that the Authority of the Church has declared / acknowledged that the Pope has defected from the Faith.

Second Vatican Council explicitly taught heresy. Therefore the Pope who approved it cannot have been valid

Contradicts the indefectibility of the Church: Ott pg296
Generally the understanding of 'heresy' is incorrect: Heresy plain and not so simple

The Novus Ordo Missae is heretical, therefore the Pope who ...

Contradicts the indefectibility of the Church: Catholic Principles, Doctrine, and Dogma - Anchors for a Church Caught in a Tempest
Infallibility of the Church extends to disciplinary law, but not in the same manner: Does Churchs Infallibility extend to disciplinary law?
Contradicts indefectibility: Ott pg296
While ambiguous, the promulgated rite does not contain anything explicitly heretical.

The Conciliar Church is not the Catholic Church

If by the 'Conciliar Church' it is meant that the Church under the present pontiff (Francis at this writing) is not the Catholic Church - where is the organization with the Four Marks? Otherwise it contradicts indefectibility: Ott pg296
Article on the Four Marks drawing on the Catechism of the Council of Trent and Ott.

These are definitely trying times (ie the last 50+ years) for faithful Catholics.

However, it is crucial to use Catholic principles as a guide in making decisions centred on responding to the scandalous actions of the hierarchy and other Catholics.

Otherwise, we may become that which we strive against.

P^3

Prayer

Penance

Patience

Comments

Benefit of the Doubt

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What's Hot News?

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Whispers of God: Divine Providence and the Practice of The Presence of God

+ JMJ Years (ok decades) ago I received the book The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence ( wiki ) as a gift. When I finally did read the book (it is not long), it did affect my spiritual life and with the recent turmoil over the SSPX consecrations, I concluded that I should look into it once more by recounting events and decisions in my life that are linked to the book. The Conversation First, is the interiour conversation with God. Prayer is part of this, but it becomes something less structured and habitual in the Presence of God. In fact, when visiting a neighbour and he mentioned something about his past, I 'heard' a repeated - almost shouting - voice telling me to ask the question that popped into my mind. Once I thought, "Ok I will", the pleading stopped. In a gap in the discussion I asked the question and, instead of being offended it led to a deep conversation about their past. So listening is part of the practice, one which I need to work on...

Unhinged Catholics ... are they on the right path? How would you know? (Updated 2x with Response to Comments)

+ JMJ (Originally Published Sept 7, 2019, Updated July 30, 2022, Updated August 13, 2022) Based on Pope Francis' latest selections for Cardinals, the Church appears to be in deep winter. Just to be clear, I don't mean a Florida winter, I mean a Canadian winter. In the last 35+ years as a Trad, I've seen my fair share of Catholics suffering from, and dying of, mental and spiritual hypothermia. When a Catholic pours themselves into the 'fight', neglects their spiritual life, doesn't deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith, then there is a good chance that they will become embittered, frustrated, and angry. With their narrowed perspectives they risk being blindsided and smacked in the head with a metaphorical 2x4. Just look at the headlines on canon212 for some examples. Here's some others: "Diabolically Disoriented" Michael Matt Reveals His True Colors as a Pied Piper Leading "Traditionalists" (i.e., real Cat...

A Reply to Martin Blackshaw’s FLAWED Remnant article titled: FLAWED: SSPX Advice on Abortion-tainted Vaccines

+ JMJ An article has appeared in the Remnant (link to article) and I am afraid that there are a number of flaws in it that need to be addressed. The author, Martin Blackshaw, believes that both the Church and the SSPX are misapplying the principle of Moral Theology called 'Cooperation In Evil'. Unfortunately, Mr. Blackshaw rests most of his arguments on citing authors that support his position, without considering the possibility that they are wrong. This highlights a key factor in this crisis: ignorance of the faith and its application . I don't am not singling out Mr. Blackshaw for this criticism, I have observed that it applies to laity and religious, superior and subject a like. No one seems immune in this enduring crisis, myself included. I further believe that this ignorance is why so many Catholics, both traditional and non, rely on their gut feeling or "Catholic conscience" for charting their way through this crisis of the faith. While...

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