"La Resistance" and monsters under the bed ...

JMJ

At this point in the lifecycle (really a type of death spiral) of the 'resistance', I think it is opportune to sit back, sip a little brandy and ponder what it is that is causing their irrational state of reasoning.

The first thing to acknowledge is that the alleged crisis within the SSPX exists between the ears of various former SSPX Bishop, Priests, associated religious and various laity.

The reality is this:

Since 2000, when Rome showed a renewed interest in the SSPX, there have been a small number who have been screaming dire warnings of "betrayal", "sellout" and "compromise". (Note that this is now a 15 year old conspiracy theory.)
The loose association of bishop and priests is largely made up of those who were either expelled in the course of the dozen years or left the Society during the intervening twelve years. The latest batch are just late comers.
No sellout or compromise has been made. The SSPX remains in a canonically irregular state because they want to be accepted "as they are".

What conclusion can we reach from this first point?

That their resistance is irrational and perhaps even delusional.

Among other aspects, I believe that one facet of this delusion is fear.

So what are the members of the 'resistance' afraid of?

I think some of them fear that the Church of Christ that they see (hint: the one united to the Successor of Peter) actually IS the Mystical Body of Christ.

So, like the Apostles in Gethsemane, when the traitor(s) approach and OLJC says to 'put up thy sword' (hint: God knows how He will solve this crisis), ... they flee.

Pray for them, because if they don't repent and swallow their pride, they will follow the example of Judas and commit spiritual suicide.

P^3

Comments

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...

The Vatican and SSPX – An Organizational Culture Perspective

Introduction The recent and continuing interactions between the Vatican and the SSPX have been a great opportunity for prayer and reflection. The basis for the disagreement is theological and not liturgical. As noted by Dr. Lamont (2012), the SSPX theological position on the four key controversial aspects of the Second Vatican Council are base on prior theological work that resulted from relevant magisterial pronouncements. So it is difficult to understand the apparent rejection of the theological position of the SSPX.

Rome and the SSPX - the latest

+ JMJ Bishop Fellay gave a conference late last month and provided some more insight into the situation with Rome. There are comments on Deus Ex Machina Blog and Hilary White has now entered the fray. What is one Catholic to think about all these opinions? What a Catholic is to think: With the Church! What does the Church think about obedience? Virtue as it is? If there is no proximate occasion of sin and the other conditions are met, then one cannot resist the command.

SSPX and the Resistance - A Comparison Of Ecclesiology

Shining the light of Church Teaching on the doctrinal positions of the SSPX and the Resistance. Principles are guides used to aid in decision making. It stands to reason that bad principles will lead to bad decisions. The recent interactions between Rome and the SSPX has challenged a number of closely held cultural assumptions of people in both sides of the disagreement. This has resulted in cultural skirmishes in both Rome and the SSPX. Since it is the smaller of the two, the skirmishes have been more evident within the SSPX. The cultural fault-line that Bishop Fellay crossed appears to be linked to two points of Catholic Doctrine: Ecclesiology and Obedience. The cultural difference of view points is strong enough that it has resulted in the expulsion of a number of members. It should also be noted that some other priests expelled since the beginning of the latest interactions (starting in 2000) held the same view points and have joined with the l...

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Tradicat

Search This Blog