Tradicat

+ JMJ A good sense of humour  (among other things) is essential to surviving this crisis! I suggest reading the article which provides some perspective. P^3 Courtesy of The Remnant

+ JMJ Lex orandi / Lex Credendi As you pray, so you believe. When confronted with the Novus Ordo Missae said in the vernacular, is a child engaged by more than the words? Communication is more than just words, it includes tone, posture, gestures. In the liturgy, it has been said that the New Mass is a: R atzinger on the Liturgical Reformers Creating a ‘Fabrication, Banal Product’ The liturgical reform, in its concrete realization, has distanced itself even more from its origin. The result has not been a reanimation, but devastation. In place of the liturgy, fruit of a continual development, they have placed a fabricated liturgy. They have deserted a vital process of growth and becoming in order to substitute a fabrication. They did not want to continue the development, the organic maturing of something living through the centuries, and they replaced it, in the manner of technical production, by a fabrication, a banal product of the moment. (Ratzinger in  Revue Theolog...

March 19, 2016 – Cardinal Schönborn’s Presentation of Amoris Laetitia: …In the sense of this “via caritatis” (AL 306), the Pope affirms, in a humble and simple manner, in a note (351) that the help of the sacraments may also be given “in certain cases”. But for this purpose he does not offer us case studies or recipes, but instead simply reminds us of two of his famous phrases: “I want to remind priests that the confessional should not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy” (EG 44), and the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak” (EG 47). https://zenit.org/articles/cardinal-schonborns-intervention-at-presentation-of-amoris-laetitia/ Q – (Diane Montagna, Aleteia) Just to clarify, I think everyone wants to know, paragraph 84 of "Familiaris Consortio": has anything in the entirety of those paragraphs changed? Does everything in "Familiaris Consortio" number 84 still stand as-...

October 5, 2015 - Cardinal Erdo’s Synod Introductory Report: ...Regarding the divorced-and-civilly-remarried, a merciful, pastoral accompaniment is only right – an accompaniment, however, which leaves no doubt about the truth of the indissolubility of marriage taught by Jesus Christ himself. The mercy of God offers to sinners pardon, but demands conversion. The sin in this case does not lie first and foremost in whatever comportment which may have led to the breakup of the first marriage. With regard to that failure it is possible that both parties were equally culpable, although very often both are to some extent responsible. It is therefore not the failure of the first marriage, but cohabiting in the second relationship that impedes access to the Eucharist. “Many parties request that the attention to and the accompaniment of persons who are divorced and civilly remarried take into account the diversity of situations and be geared towards a greater integration of them into the life...

May 26, 2014 - Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from the Holy Land: Q. You have become a spiritual leader, and also a political leader, and you are raising many expectations, both within the Church and in the international community. Within the Church, for example, what is going to happen with communion to the divorced and remarried, and in the international community, this mediation with which you surprised the world, for which this meeting will take place in the Vatican… My question is whether you are afraid of failure, after having raised so many expectations. Aren’t you afraid of somehow failing? Thank you. Pope Francis: ...thank you for your question about the divorced. The Synod will be on the family, the problem of the family, the treasures of the family, the present situation of the family. The preliminary talk which Cardinal Kasper gave had five chapters: four of them were on the family, the beauty of the family, its theological foundations, and problems facing fami...

January 24, 1997 - Pope St. John Paul II’s Address to the Pontifical Council of the Family: 1. … The Church, Mother and Teacher, seeks the welfare and happiness of the home and when it is broken for whatever reason, she suffers and seeks to provide a remedy, offering these persons pastoral guidance in complete fidelity to Christ’s teachings... 2. ...pastoral help presupposes that the Church’s doctrine be recognized as it is clearly expressed in the Catechism: “The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom” (n. 1640). However, let these men and women know that the Church loves them, that she is not far from them and suffers because of their situation. The divorced and remarried are and remain her members, because they have received Baptism and retain their Christian faith. Of course, a new union after divorce is a moral disorder, which is opposed to precise requirements deriving from the faith, but this must not preclude a commitment to prayer...

February 10, 1880 - Pope Leo XIII’s Encyclical Arcanum: 29. Truly, it is hardly possible to describe how great are the evils that flow from divorce. Matrimonial contracts are by it made variable; mutual kindness is weakened; deplorable inducements to unfaithfulness are supplied; harm is done to the education and training of children; occasion is afforded for the breaking up of homes; the seeds of dissension are sown among families; the dignity of womanhood is lessened and brought low, and women run the risk of being deserted after having ministered to the pleasures of men. Since, then, nothing has such power to lay waste families and destroy the mainstay of kingdoms as the corruption of morals, it is easily seen that divorces are in the highest degree hostile to the prosperity of families and States, springing as they do from the depraved morals of the people, and, as experience shows us, opening out a way to every kind of evil-doing in public and in private life.

Denzinger Timeline of the Controversy over Communion for the Divorced and Civilly “Remarried” in Adultery in Church History and the Pontificate of Pope Francis Compiled by Andrew Guernsey Comments or Additions? Email aguernz@gmail.com Last Updated: December 28, 2016 The Creation of Man in the Book of Genesis So God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it…

+ JMJ I believe that context is critical to understanding what may be the apex of the post-conciliar crisis. The timeline provided by Andrew Guernsey provides the context in all its damning glory. I will be breaking the post down into a series of posts to make it easier to access! P^3 Source: Rorate-Caeli

+ JMJ Another proxy for the 'no canonical regularization ...' mantra is the following quote from the 1991 interview given by Archbishop Lefebvre. However, one day they will be obliged to recognize that the Society represents a spiritual force and a strength of the Faith which is irreplaceable and which they will have, I hope, the joy and the satisfaction to make use of, but when they have come back to their Traditional Faith. The underlined section is also a favorite proof text of the 'Resistors' and I suspect their fall-back position to my last post on this topic .

+ JMJ I haven't written about the 'Resistance' for sometime as ... well frankly ... I'm 'retired' and sometimes you just need to have a face-to-face discussion in order to make any headway in evaluating the various positions that the 'Resistors' take. But I have some time ... so ...

+ JMJ I suspect that the Pope won't like the response of the Order of Malta to his attempt to impose a 'commissionaire' type of restructuring. The Grand Magistry of the Sovereign Order of Malta has learnt of the decision made by the Holy See to appoint a group of five persons to shed light on the replacement of the former Grand Chancellor. The replacement of the former Grand Chancellor is an act of internal governmental administration of the Sovereign Order of Malta and consequently falls solely within its competence. The aforementioned appointment is the result of a misunderstanding by the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. The Grand Master respectfully clarified the situation yesterday evening in a letter to the Supreme Pontiff, laying out the reasons why the suggestions made by the Secretariat of State were unacceptable. He assured the Holy Father of his filial devotion and asked the Pontiff for the Apostolic Blessing, both for him and for the Sovereign Or...

+ JMJ Another source - the Catholic Encyclopedia P^3 Source: Catholic Encyclopedia

+ JMJ

+ JMJ What would be a doctrinal exposé on Justification without a reference to St. Thomas? Sad. So be happy, here t'is! P^3 Source: DHS Priory

+ JMJ There are a lot of anniversaries in 2017. Fatima, Masons, etc. Now here's some reason to believe that perhaps something else is going to happen. The Blood of San Gennaro failed to liquefy this week. Normally this heralds something bad. Now I read that: a volcano is giving signals of awakening in Naples. The Pope recently stated that he may go down as the Pope that split the Church. They opened the Tomb of OLJC Mysteries of the Tomb Things are changing and like a volcano that erupts to release pressure - the Church is ready to erupt. Either way - keep praying and doing your duty of state!!! P^3 Church Militant Business Insider Catholic Herald

+ JMJ A couple of articles that seem relevant to the state of the Church! Pope Francis’ Reported Words: “I Might Go Down in History for Having Split the Church” In a War for Souls, No Christmas Truce P^3

+ JMJ I have posted this for my own reference! P^3 Source: Adoremus

+ JMJ Pope Francis' true character makes itself known in fits and starts - depending on to whom he is addressing himself. To the media he started presents himself as Pope Francis the merciful, friend of the downtrodden. To the members of the Church (irrespective of 'rank') he presents himself as Pope Francis the object of 'unconditioned obedience'. I've already discussed the framework for Catholic Obedience. What the Pope is calling for is submission to the Tyranny of modernism. Funny how the modernists preach dialogue, freedom of conscience and intellectual freedom - until they're in charge.  Then it becomes: All this is to say that the reform of the Curia is a delicate process that has to take place in fidelity to essentials, with constant discernment, evangelical courage and ecclesial wisdom, careful listening, persevering action, positive silence and firm decisions. It requires much prayer, profound humility, farsightedness, concrete ste...

+ JMJ Dr. Ott has a section in the Fundamentals devoted to Justification. If Doctrine be the food of the Soul - play on! Instead of wasting time cutting, pasting and then editing , I'm going to post the pages here as images. I hope to find one more doctrinal source prior to pulling together a summary of the doctrine. P^3

+ JMJ I found that in their conferences both Steve Wood and Tim Staples mention the general ignorance of Catholics on the Church Teaching on Justification. Typically, when challenged, Catholics they would encounter (before their own conversion) would claim that they are saved by doing good works etc.  In essence, this reinforced Steve and Tim's belief that the Catholic Church teaches a 'works' doctrine. Now they know that they are wrong - but do you know? I have to admit that I wasn't well versed in this area of Church Teaching, so I thought that I would write this series in my dotage (retirement) as to spur on my studies. So, what does the Church Teach about Justification? Well, the following are the teachings from the Council of Trent.  Let's be certain to understand that these are unreformable teachins of the Catholic Church. No 'declaration' of Cardinals can change these teachings. Learn them and do the opposite of weep as here is the...

+ JMJ Some links of interest concerning the dubia etc. Lifesite News Catholic Herald Remnant National Catholic Register Lifesite New (again!) OnePeterFive P^3

+ JMJ Dr. Edward Peters (Canon Lawyer extraordinaire) has posted something that I believe is important in dealing with this situation.  How Church Law addresses the current situation. P^3 Source: Canonlaw Blog

+ JMJ Clarity and a Catholic perspective are, I have said time again, critical to good decision making in this crisis. Think and Pray for the Pope! P^3 Source: Rorate Caeli

+ JMJ We are not in an unprecedented time - the Arian Crisis was just as bad - they just didn't have the internet, blogs, and facebook. Keep a good perspective! P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

+ JMJ Pope Francis definitely has Catholics and non-Catholics alike shaking their heads.  One can pick just about any statement to find some more mind-bending modernism. I've noticed bloggers who are normally calm are ... for lack of a better word ... exploding with anger and frustration at the antics of the current occupant of the See of Peter.

+ JMJ Mr. Pentin, by all appearances, is a man of integrity. Here's an interview in which he provided some insight. P^3 Source: Regina

+ JMJ Finally, after 50 years we've reached a line beyond which Catholics will react. This leads us to what is probably the first stirrings of the Church emerging from the crisis. P^3 Source: FirstThings Booklet version of letter

+ JMJ In dealing with an erring Pontiff, the proper distinctions need to be made in order avoid compounding the crisis with further errors - as  do the sedevacantists and "Conservatives". The meme is quite appropriate because the error of excess is exceedingly easy to effect! Dr. Lamont has outlined on Rorate some of the key distinctions that need to be made in order to navigate this particular epoch in the life of the Church. P^3 Courtesy of Rorate Caeli

+JMJ + Something to remember that we must fly to the cross not flee it! P^3

+JMJ + There's a lot of fud being spread concerning the latest eruption in the crisis of the Church. The problem is that when given incorrect information people will almost certainly make bad decisions. This leads back to the absolute necessity of maintaining a strong spiritual life. With this it is possible to maintain perspective. OF SEEKING PEACE OF MIND AND OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESS We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, and things which concern not ourselves. How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself with other men's matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the self within? Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall have abundance of peace. So, first we have to take care of our souls before engaging in the warfare of the soul. I am concerned for Louie verrechio as there appears (to me) a lot of anger and nor enough peace of soul emanatin...

+ JMJ For decades the SSPX has been 'going it alone' in the trench war that engulfed the Church shortly before the Second Vatican Council. The Pope's we've had since Pope St. Pius X have, in general, been Popes we deserved. That may sound a little strange as the Popes before John XXIII are generally revered. But stick with me ... The Church didn't just wake up Arian - it happened over time.  In the same manner this crisis has been growing over successive pontificates.  It could be that this started with Pius IX or Leo XIII. One thing for certain is that it isn't over yet and when it is over the next crisis will already be nascent. So ... P^3

+ JMJ In the wake of another Luther/Catholic scandal - here's some clarity from a Catholic theologian: Dr. Malloy. P^3 Source: Theological Flint Luther and Catholic Faith in Contradiction? December 3, 2016 Commentary ,  Ecumenism ,  Luther / Lutheranism Nowadays, nearly all are aware of numerous claims on sin and justification shared by Luther and Catholics. Some Common Teachings on Sin and Justification We cannot justify ourselves: neither cause ourselves to be just (efficiently) nor merit that we be justified God is the author of justification, the efficient cause That we be justified is merited by the labor of Christ, who suffered died and rose This merit of Christ must be applied to the individual in order that the individual be justified. Just because Christ died, the human race is  not  thereby justified. Individuals are, one at a time. It is good to imitate Christ Sanctification begins, with justification, in this life In heaven, ...

+ JMJ In order to get to know someone my grandfather used to ask about their family - as this was a better way of understanding the person who is in front of him. Today Pope Francis is in front of us, promoting the 'teachings' of Amoris Laetitia. To the list of his supporters we can now add Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. That's right a schismatic. Here's a key point that popped out at me: For too long, he said, people were "suffocated and blocked" from reaching out to God for forgiveness and strength by the notion of a "heavenly Father who in some way dictated human conduct." Ok - so I would have to ask what does the Orthodox use instead of the Ten Commandments and the New Testament as a 'guide' for assessing human conduct? Really, truth is stranger than fiction! P^3 PS.  Here's a link to Rorate's article which was posted yesterday. Here's the full text: Patriarch Barthol...

+ JMJ An epithet launched at the SSPX (and trads in general) is that they are more 'Catholic than the Pope'. Unfortunately, anyone who uses this attack is demonstrating their ignorance. One isn't 'more or less' Catholic - one either IS or IS NOT Catholic. Is the SSPX Catholic? Well we know that they aren't schismatic etc as they are labelled as 'not in full communion'.  Which frankly is a post-conciliar invention.  So let's face it, the SSPX has received jurisdiction from the Pope to hear confessions - so the SSPX is Catholic!!! Is Pope Francis Catholic? This is the question that a lot of people seem to be asking themselves now, but they need to be patient because we won't authoritatively know the answer until the Church tells us. If the Church decides that the Pope isn't Catholic - then the formula can be expressed mathematically: SSPX = Catholic = 1 Pope Francis  ≠  Catholic = 0 So, is the SSPX more Catholic than Pope ...

+ JMJ The standard answer is: Because Archbishop Lefebvre always went to Rome when asked - except from one time - right before the consecrations. However, there is another reason why the SSPX should continue to work out what would be an acceptable canonical structure. Because the chair of St. Peter won't always be occupied by a person who has a will to destroy the Catholic Church. Eventually, Pope Francis will either: convert (ala Pius IX), die, or be "deposed" as a heretic. (Note: Nuances need to be understood in this deposition of a reigning Pontiff - please see:  ThePope ) When one of these three events happens (not if - when) a new Pope will be elected and if this one will concretely favor the return to Sacred Tradition etc, then a structure to support the SSPX's work in restoring Catholicism will be ready. P^3

+ JMJ Something interesting happened to the FSSP priests who caused their chapter elections to be overturned in 2000. Within a few years, they left. Now we have this report from Gloria.TV that Fr. Angelo M. Geiger has left the FFI and joined a regular Franciscan order. Oh well - some much for his excuses. Frankly, if some members of the FFI were indeed 'Crypto-Lefebvrists', then what was Fr. Geiger, a 'Crypto-Modernist'??? Riposte Catholique has an article (robo translation below). I believe that the events of the FFI have a special importance for the SSPX. In 2000, the FSSP underwent their convulsion, just as relations between Rome and the SSPX were rekindled, providing the SSPX with material to question the intentions of the Roman authorities Flash forward to 2012, the FFI (thanks to Fr. Geiger et al), are placed under investigation by Rome and their crime?  Crypto-Lefebvrism. Very telling for the SSPX! P^3

+ JMJ While faithful Catholics now have the distinction of being called names by a rogue Pope (ie Pope Francis) we have to remember something: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after  justice : for they shall have their fill. ( Verse 6 ) So just remember, no matter what names Pope Francis and his minions call us, we just have to turn around and, politely ask: ... and what are you??? For those faithful Catholics who don't support the SSPX but find themselves the object of derision - welcome to the club!!! 😄 Beatitudes P^3

+ JMJ In 1974, Archbishop Lefebvre issued a declaration  that could be considered the beginning of the confrontation with Rome. There are reports that something positive may happen tomorrow in the relations between Rome and the SSPX. Continue praying! P^3

+ JMJ The spectacle of a Pope calling Faithful Catholics names is bound to make an impression. In considering the core fault of modernists, I would venture to say that it is pride. ... not too surprising all else considered. However, something to keep in mind is that all the artful constructs of man shall come to naught when the light of God's Truth shines forth. What we need to do as faithful Catholics is perform our duty of state with heroic virtue. This means: Know your faith, pray and foster a strong spiritual life. Just because the Pope and a good number of Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, et al don't do their duty of states is not and excuse for us! Hear the words of God and consider them with care! P^3

+ JMJ Pope Francis has done it again - preaching another Gospel and then ... You told me some time ago that the precept, “Love your neighbour as thyself” had to change, given the dark times that we are going through, and become “more than thyself.” So you yearn for a society where equality dominates. This, as you know, is the programme of Marxist socialism and then of communism. Are you therefore thinking of a Marxist type of society? “It it has been said many times and my response has always been that, if anything, it is the communists who think like Christians. Christ spoke of a society where the poor, the weak and the marginalized have the right to decide. Not demagogues, not Barabbas, but the people, the poor, whether they have faith in a transcendent God or not. It is they who must help to achieve equality and freedom”. One Peter Five Aside from praising the communists - he should be merciful and pray for them.

+ JMJ I apply Catholic principles in my evaluation of any regularization of the SSPX.  This is simple and clear. A Future Canonical Regularization of the SSPX If there is only a remote occasion of sin, then the SSPX would be obliged to obey and submit to a canonical regularization of their situation within the Church. Here's a refresher on Proximate and Remote occasions of sin: Proximate occasion  (De poenit. disp. 14, n. 149) as one in which men of like caliber for the most part fall into mortal sin, or one in which experience points to the same result from the special weakness of a particular person. Remote occasion  lacks these elements.  Tradicat Article In the case of a regularization what constitutes a 'proximate' occasion of sin?

+ JMJ SSPX Conflict with Rome (1974) The SSPX conflict with Rome has its roots in the events of 1974 with the visitation and the Declaration . The key phrase may be: It is impossible to modify profoundly the lex orandi without modifying the lex credendi. To the Novus Ordo Missae correspond a new catechism, a new priesthood, new seminaries, a charismatic Pentecostal Church—all things opposed to orthodoxy and the perennial teaching of the Church. This Reformation, born of Liberalism and Modernism, is poisoned through and through; it derives from heresy and ends in heresy, even if all its acts are not formally heretical. It is therefore impossible for any conscientious and faithful Catholic to espouse this Reformation or to submit to it in any way whatsoever. This seems to be the root of the mantra that the SSPX accept the council and the new mass. Now with 42 years of hindsight we can asked the key question: Was Archbishop Lefebvre correct? Has the change in le...

+ JMJ Amoris Laetitia The second example is more delicate as it deals with the recent manifestation of the Pope's desire in Amoris Laetitia to allow those Catholics to receive Holy Communion who have abandoned their spouses and are living in an objective state of cohabitation with another man or woman. Here are the objective teachings of the Catholic Church: A Catholic who obtains a civil divorce, is still considered married to their spouse in the eye of God and His Church. Until such time as the Church, after investigating the facts, concludes that the formation of the Catholic marriage was frustrated. To have marital relations outside of marriage is a mortal sin. To knowingly receive the Holy Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is the sin of sacrilege. To enable the sin of sacrilege is in itself sinful. Following Catholic Teaching, carrying out an order (tacit or explicit) to provide communion to Catholics who purport to be remarried civilly is obj...

+ JMJ Principles in Practice Unfortunately, many examples of sinful obedience and disobedience are readily available since the end of the Second World War. I've selected two recent events in the life of the Church as examples: Summorum Pontificum and Amoris Laetitia. Summorum Pontificum In 2007, Pope Benedict issued the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. In the Motu Proprio we find the following statement: Art. 5. § 1 In parishes, where there is a stable group of faithful who adhere to the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should willingly accept their requests to celebrate the Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962, and ensure that the welfare of these faithful harmonizes with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under the guidance of the bishop in accordance with canon 392, avoiding discord and favoring the unity of the whole Church. (Summorum Pontificum) For context we find that Canon 392 requires the bishop of a diocese ...

+ JMJ The Obedience of the Jesuits There is one religious order that is usually put forward as the paragon of obedience: The Jesuits. While according to Fr. Harvanek SJ, the Jesuit practice of obedience changed after the Second Vatican Council, we are primarily concerned with how St. Ignatius understood obedience and its ideal practice within the Jesuits. A letter to the Portuguese Jesuit, penned by St. Ignatius in 1553, describes in detail the ideal of perfect obedience. In this letter, St. Ignastius exhorts the Portuguese Jesuits to a very high degree of obedience and as the word cloud of the top 100 words shows how the words superior and obedience dominate the letter. This theme of obedience to the superior is reinforced throughout the letter, with little or no distinctions concerning the content of the command. The Jesuits are exhorted to humble themselves by obeying the least command of their superiors, to internalize this humilty and to desire inter...