Heroes and Villains of Traditional Catholicism

Heroes and Villains of Traditional Catholicism - Part A

JMJ

Introduction

I am wondering, why do Traditional Catholics need heroes? Over the years I have seen a number of people emerge and be hailed as heroes only to later turn into villains. At least, people that seem to betray the very principles for which they were originally admired.

This created a new question: What makes them heroes and then what makes them villains?

In this series, I'm going to relate my reflections on this topic based on my 35+ years as a Traditional Catholic.

Seeds of Heroes

For decades, Traditional Catholics have been persecuted. They believe that they are right, but in varying degress they are conflicted about the actions of the leaders of the Catholic Church and their personal beliefs about the Catholic Church (see cognitive dissonance).

This conflict is painful and begets a maze of decisions. People like things to be black and white. They like complex things to be simple, hence all the conspiracy theories about 911, COVID-19 etc.

More importantly, persecuted people NEED confirmation that they are 'right'. They NEED someone to reinforce their beliefs and anyone who does so will be seen favorably (see confirmation bias). Hence those who expose scandal, pontificate on various opinions and positions are regarded as heroes.

But there's a caveat. Just like social media influencers, they are only heroes if their opinion resonates with that of their followers. The transformation into a villain starts when the hero deviates from the beliefs of their followers.

The followers make a personal investment in these heroes, they trust them and this leads to the followers assimilating their heroes beliefs. The farther they follow their hero, the more committed and invested they become, it seems especially true if it involves moral danger. There is an excitement in fighting for something or someone you believe in, to be seen taking a courageous stand against injustice. Having new meaning and purpose added to their life can be intoxicating.

Looking at the steady stream of Traditional Catholic Heroes and Villains, it seems to me that some Traditional Catholics search for heroes who give purpose to their suffering, heroes who fight the way they would want to fight in this war.

What Makes a Hero?

So what makes one person a hero and another a villain? If a person does an act without witnesses,no one will ever think of them as a hero. I have come to think that we 'make' someone a hero.

Definitions

Hero: a person admired for achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage. (Merriam-Webster)
Villain: a character in a story or play who opposes the hero; a deliberate scoundrel or criminal; one blamed for a particular evil or difficulty.

Looking at these definitions, it appears that I wasn't too far off. In human terms we decide when a person is a hero and a villain is defined by those who oppose him (or her). I sometimes wonder if it is possible to be a 'hero' without a villain.The key lesson is that whether a person is a hero and villain is subjective. We admire a hero for their achievements and qualities. We admire them because they inspire us and they say what we want to have said and think what we want to be thought.

A hero is a reflection of their followers and an influencer as well. People become followers because of a basic resonance with their biases, prejudices, emotions, culture and principles.

That is the seed of a hero, the beliefs of their followers.

Something to consider, who are your heroes, people you look up? Why do you look up to them? What does this tell you about yourself?

P^3

Is it sinful to attend the Novus Ordo (New Mass) - Is it Sinful to Not Attend the Novus Ordo on Sunday?

+ JMJ A non-SSPX Catholic is upset over the SSPX statements on not attending the Novus Ordo Missae. Ladies and gentlemen, what the SSPX, or at least its website editor, is advocating is a mortal sin against the Third Commandment. Unless the priest deviates from the language of the Sacramentary, the consecration, and thus the rest of Mass is to be considered valid. No one may elect not to attend Mass simply because abuses are occurring therein. Might I suggest that such absenteeism is its own abuse? The Third Commandment binds under mortal sin. Father So-And-So from the SSPX has no authority whatsoever to excuse attendance at Mass, be that Mass ever so unpalatable. Source:Restore DC Catholicism Well, this is interesting. First why does the SSPX issue this statement? Because it is sinful to put your faith in danger by attending a protestant service. It is likewise dangerous to put your faith in danger by attending a protestantized mass (ie the Novus Ordo Missae

Auctorem Fidei

Can the SSPX be right about the Novus Ordo? Revision: Feb 11, 2013 On another web forum, I was engaged in a rather heated discussion about the documents of Vatican II.

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.

War: SSPX

+ JMJ We seem to be in transition from the persecution of the SSPX and other faithful Catholics to a civil war within the Catholic Church i.e. a true schism. Several Bishops, Priests and Dioceses have rejected outright Fiducia Supplicans (link) . This, in my opinion (IMO), is a new inflection point on the way to what will amount to an civil war within the Catholic Church. Pope Francis had spent the past ten years putting the final touches on the fault-lines within the Church and this may be the final blow that actually awakens Our Lord sleeping in the bow of the Barque of St. Peter. That is something that we need to remember, Our Lord is with his Church, even on its way to Calvary. So, what is about to happen is that, IMO, faithful Catholics will find themselves in the same situation as the SSPX. Persecuted and fighting for the heart of the Catholic Church. The history of the SSPX provides a microcosm of what we might expect to happen in the Catholic Church during a 'civil war&#

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

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