Rome / SSPX - ++Pozzo and The Catholic Church and the Conversion of Jews

Rome / SSPX - ++Pozzo and The Catholic Church and the Conversion of Jews - Dr. Lamont

JMJ

Well there is certainly a lot to write about since I 'retired' from blogging.

The first is obviously the latest from Archbishop Pozzo.

It has created a bit of a stir on either side of the SSPX divide (Sede, Resistance, Liberals, Modernists).

Of key note in the interview is not what he says (NB: La Stampa is not unbiased in regards to the SSPX) about the Personal Prelature (we've known about this since 2001 in various versions), but about the resistance to a regularization that does not require acceptance of Nostra Aetate:

Two main issues seem to be at stake. One is Pope Francis’ ardent desire for pastoral unity within the Catholic Church together with the healing of theological rifts. The second concerns the serious implications for the future of key documents in Vatican II such as 1) “Nostra Aetate”- widely celebrated all over the world last year on the 50th anniversary of its publication - which refers to the nature of the Catholic Church’s relations with the Jewish People, with Muslims and with other non-Christian world religions; and 2) Dignitatis Humanae – the Declaration on Religious Freedom. ...

“The Fraternity finds difficulties with several aspects of Nostra Aetate, regarding interreligious dialogue, the Unitatis Redintegratio decree regarding Ecumenism, and the Dignitatis humanae Declaration on Religious Freedom, or with questions regarding the relationship of Christianity to modernity” he said. ...

Archbishop Pozzo explained that different documents of Vatican II bear different doctrinal weight. “However these are not doctrines regarding belief”, he specified, “nor are they definitive statements. Rather, they are suggestions, instructions, or orientational guidelines for pastoral practice. These pastoral aspects can be discussed for further clarification after the canonical recognition.”

Here is a snippet of the reaction to the interview:

“The international Islamic community is attentively following the developments in this process of rapprochement with the Fraternity of St. Pius X towards reintegration in the Catholic Church. … In the interview with Archbishop Pozzo published by “Christ und Welt” yesterday (July 28), sensitivity for seeking coherence in the pastoral implications of the fruits of the Council and the ‘Nostra Aetate’ document emerge. While Pope Francis and the Catholic Church together celebrate the spiritual authority of many religious confessions and the prophetic value of this Council which providentially launched the historic cycle of 50 intense years of interreligious dialogue and ecumenism, the Fraternity of St. Pius X seems to be downsizing the importance of this process and this orientation, in order to preserve a traditionalist interpretation which in reality denies the spiritual opportunity for respect and brotherhood with believers of other faiths, in the One God. At this dramatic moment of international crises when the manipulation of religion seems to be in the hands of a few fundamentalist groups who aim to legitimize a ‘justicialist’ violence against Muslims, Christians and Jews, it is troubling to find the anachronism and insensitivity of certain movements who insist on wanting to impose on society and even teach the Church a different hierarchy of values than those which the Council, the Saints and Popes foresee.”

Questioned on this subject, Rabbi David Rosen, AJC’s International Drector for Interreligious Relations, replied: “ I trust the statement of Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, that the acceptance of Nostra Aetate as binding would have to be a requirement for the Society of Saint Pius X before its members could be formally embraced by Holy See; and I find it impossible to believe that Pope Francis would expect anything less.

However in addition to accepting the Magisterium’s teaching regarding the Jewish People and Judaism, I would hope that the Holy See would insist on a repudiation of the Antisemitism that has been part of the culture of the Society of Saint Pius X. It was not just Bishop Williamson and one or two others, but the websites of the organization in the past have been replete with anti-Jewish rhetoric. I would hope that there would be some formal acknowledgement of Pope Francis’ statement, in keeping with those of his predecessors, that it is impossible to be a true Christian and hold anti-Semitic views.”

It is always interesting to see who is opposed to a no-compromise regularization.

In addition, Dr. Lamont has published an interesting paper on 1 Peter 5 and I heartily recommend that you give it a good slow read and take notes while doing so. I am confident that it will challenge some beliefs that people have concerning the topic of conversion of the Jews and the history of the relations with the Jewish people and the Church.

Keep in mind that it is not about what you believe to be true, but what is true.

P^3

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

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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...

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church. The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.

Tradicat

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