Tradicat

 + JMJ  A reader by the handle of Smith offered a solution to the discussion between Murrax and myself (link). Here is his first claim ... The dispute between you and Murrax lies in the fact that your Decision Tree leaves out an ESSENTIAL element of St. Thomas' doctrine on true obedience.He defines Human Positive Law as "an ordinance of reason, for the common good, promulgated by a legitimate authority". (I-II Q.90, a4).You have completely left out the REASON part. I believe that he is correct, I missed this. However, I don't think it means what he thinks it means as he assumes that 'ordinance of reason' means a rational order. Which is why he makes the following assertion. St. Thomas very clearly teaches that, if an authority, even legitimate, gives an order that is obviously irrational , it is NOT A REAL LAW, and need not be obeyed. This is firstly because irrationality itself takes a command outside of the definition of law, and secondly because obeying irr

 + 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 this is gen

 + JMJ  There is a lot of fake news and even more biased news being reported these days and, sadly, normally reliable sources are falling prey to the FuddMuckers. As many Tradicat readers know, I have an anaphylactic response to conspiracy theories and mis-information. It's only gotten stronger over the last few years. Have you every noticed how Bishop Williamson would put forward conspiracy theories as fact? He wouldn't even accept an invitation to go to Auschwitz to verify his claims.  Over course, he would probably put forward a conspiracy theory to defend his decision. Well, that's why it is soooo important to think critically about what we hear and read. Especially today when technology has advanced to the point where dead men can - technologically speak and be seen (read deep fakes). To put it bluntly, social media is a tool that is easily subverted as a tool for propaganda.  A good example would be Rebel Media, who purports to be seeking the truth but in reality it i

 + JMJ  There has been a lot of discussion on the morality of the COVID vaccines in cyber space. However, as my readers know, unprincipled arguments are generally FUD evoking.  When FUD works, people make BAD decisions. This takes on a new dimension when the decisions are potentially life altering.  So, having yet another rational confirmation of the morality of the vaccines is consoling. P^3 Courtesy of Rorate-Caeli [Translator's note: The following is a translation of a review by Veronica Rasponi that appeared on Corrispondenza Romana of Professor Roberto de Mattei’s just published book (in Italian)  called “On the Moral Liceity of the Vaccine”. As many Catholics who know and love the Catholic Tradition and the Traditional Mass know, Professor de Mattei is one of the most important leaders of the Traditional Movement not only in Italy but throughout Europe.  His conclusions are very important for those who are weighing a decision whether to receive one of the Covid-19 vac

 + JMJ  I would not normally copy an article from Notre Dame verbatim, however in the case of the danger and confusion that surrounds the pandemic I will make an exception.  If Notre-Dame requests I will take down this article. Now for commentary ... This article lays it out Church Teaching clearly and far better than anything I have done to date.   He drew the same conclusions that in some vaccines the cooperation in evil is even more remote, and therefore preferable compared with vaccines that have a closer relation to the evil. Article worthy of a careful read. P^3  Source: University of Notre Dame By Brett Salkeld h/t: A Priestly Friend   How to Vaccinate Like a Catholic: A Guide Through the Prickly COVID-19 Issues   by Brett Salkeld December 28, 2020   I n season 3 of The Good Place , the protagonists discover that no one has actually made it to the good place in roughly 500 years. Initially suspicious that the demons of the bad place have rigged the system

 + JMJ   The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has a website here (link) with four documents in PDF format that are relevant to the current situation. After a quick read of the pdfs (3 of which are reproduced below), I have happily concluded that they are consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. In spite of all that the Bishops of the Catholic Church have done in the name of the "Council" and "Ecumenism" - they remain the princes of the Catholic Church. Pray for them! P^3 CCCB Note on Ethical Concerns Related to Currently Approved COVID-19 Vaccines The decision to receive any COVID-19 vaccine is one of individual conscience in consultation with one’s physician or healthcare provider. Choosing to be vaccinated, particularly amid the current pandemic, can be an act of charity which recognizes the need to care for others.  The CCCB echoes the call of the Holy See,1 by reiterating its appeal to governments to “ensure that COVID-19 vaccines that become