A List of Articles with Tradicat's Quick Comments

JMJ

I've been saving these articles for the opportunity to make some form of comment (just to get it out of my head). There were more but I culled the list beforehand.

These are quick comments so if it causes someone pain - assume the best of me and move on :-).

P^3

BrainWashing

I haven't read all of these but had them on my list - I may review later but wanted to include them because brainwashing is different from teaching.
: Beyond ‘Indoctrination’ and ‘Brainwashing’: Understanding the Transmission of Extreme Beliefs - Leiden Security and Global Affairs Blog; Brainwashing - Wikipedia; Brainwash vs Indoctrinate - What's the difference? | WikiDiff; The Art of Brainwashing | Psychology Today Canada

Baptism

I was at a meeting where a Catholic Diocesan Priest claimed that the exorcisms remain in the modern ritual of baptism. A quick review of the current and previous rites makes it obvious that what is presented as an "exorcism", is actually just a narrative.

In 1964, the words were explicit and meant what was said. In the new liturgy, the word exorcism is a label but there is no content. It is bland.

So ... looking at the Rituale Romanum (1964) we read:

Depart from him (her), unclean spirit, and give place to the Holy Spirit, the Advocate.

God's creature, salt, I cast out the demon from you, in the name of God the Father almighty, in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the strength of the Holy Spirit. I purify you by the living God, the true God, the holy God, by God who created you to be a preservative for mankind, and ordered you to be sanctified by His ministers for the benefit of the people who are about to embrace the faith. In the name of the Blessed Trinity may you become a saving sign empowered to drive away the enemy. Therefore, we beg you, Lord, our God, to sanctify and to bless this creature, salt, thus providing a perfect remedy for all who receive it, one that will permeate their inmost being. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire.

I cast you out, unclean spirit, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Depart and stay far away from this servant (these servants) of God, N. (N. and N.). For it is the Lord Himself who commands you, accursed and doomed spirit, He who walked on the sea and reached out His hand to Peter as he was sinking. So then, foul fiend, recall the curse that decided your fate once for all. Indeed, pay homage to the living and true God, pay homage to Jesus Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Keep far from this servant (these servants) of God, N. (N. and N.), for Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, has freely called him (her) (them) to His holy grace and blessed way and to the waters of baptism.

Looking at the current rite as published in some Dioscesan websites we read:

--- Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing Before Baptism --- After the invocation, the celebrant says:Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her). We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
Just in case there is a concern that this isn't real - here's the text that I found in the "National Bulletin on Liturgy 1970"

PRAYER OF EXORCISM AND ANOINTING BEFORE BAPTISM 49. After the invocations, the celebrant says: (a) Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light.

RITE OF BAPTISM FOR SEVERAL CHILDREN All: We pray for these children: set them free from original sin, make them temples of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell within them. (We ask this) through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Another form of the prayer of exorcism: (b) Almighty God, All: you sent your only Son to rescue us from the slavery of sin, and to give us the freedom only your sons and daughters enjoy. We now pray for these children who will have to face the world with its temptations, and fight the devil in all his cunning. Your Son died and rose again to save us. By his victory over sin and death, bring these children out of the power of darkness. Strengthen them with the grace of Christ, and watch over them at every step in life's journey. (We ask this) through Christ our Lord.

The alternative version (#221) is:

III. ANOTHER FORM OF THE PRAYER OF EXORCISM 221. Almighty God, All: you sent your only Son to rescue us from the slavery of sin, and to give us the freedom only your sons and daughters enjoy. We now pray for these children who will have to face the world with its temptations,. and fight the devil in all his cunning. Your Son died and rose again to save us. By his victory over sin and death, bring these children out of the power of darkness. Strengthen them with the grace of Christ, and watch over them at every step in life's journey. (We ask this) through Christ our Lord .. Amen.
: New translation of absolution prayer - Arlington Catholic Herald; Catholic.sk - Rite of Baptism; The Old Rite of Baptism — Catholic Sacramentals; Baptisms in the Extraordinary Form; Should the Church Consider Reintroducing the Exorcism Prayers in the Rite of Baptism? - Community in Mission; Can Those Who Missed Out on Traditional Baptism Get the Exorcisms “Supplied”? - OnePeterFive; Minor exorcism in Christianity - Wikipedia; The Liturgy of Baptism - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah

SSPX

There is a lot of back and forth on the SSPX these days. I will say right up front that the priests of the SSPX are human, I've known some of the ones who have been expelled for what they did and how the SSPX handled the events is not for me to judge because I am not privy to the entire context.

SSPX and Salvation Outside the Church | America Magazine
Bishop Schneider: Pope Francis should grant SSPX the faculties to celebrate Mass - LifeSite
Pagliarani: Mass For Everyone - No Negotiations – gloria.tv
Letter from Father Pagliarani about the motu proprio “Traditionis custodes” - FSSPX.Actualités / FSSPX.News
Seemingly Schismatic Statements of Abp. Marcel Lefebvre

So this is the CMTV (we'll be seeing a few from them) and they really need to understand what constitutes a schismatic act and the context of what was said.
Ultimately, it comes do to how the SSPX understands the nature of the crisis of the Church and what they mean when they use the phrase "Conciliar Church": The crisis is a movement within the Church.

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) – Call For Convent Reform
ASK FATHER: Is it a sin to contribute for a side altar at an SSPX chapel? | Fr. Z's Blog
We Owe to Pius XII Important Clarifications on the Nature of the Episcopate - District of the USA
The Appalling Disorder of Moral Theology Today (1) - District of Canada
Can Cardinal Burke Say the Society of St. Pius X Is in Schism? - District of Canada
Catholic principles - District of the USA
Archbishop Lefebvre Never Celebrated the New Mass - District of the USA
Who Said It? Cardinal Burke or Archbishop Lefebvre? - District of the USA
ASK FATHER: What is the status of SSPX weddings when the local bishop denies permission, delegation? | Fr. Z's Blog
Ecclesia Dei, Summorum Pontificum, and the SSPX - Where Peter Is

The author summarized: In sum, it is clear that John Paul II’s Ecclesia Dei was primarily a response to the SSPX. And it’s impossible to deny that Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum was motivated significantly by a desire to reconcile with the SSPX. It is also clear that Summorum Pontificum was not successful in that regard. It also led to many problems that its well-intentioned author did not foresee. But that’s another story for another time.
I think that they missed a key point. Summorum Pontificum clearly stated that the Tridentine Mass was always licit. Yet for decades Priests who wanted to say it have been and continue to be persecuted.
Second point, the SSPX always wanted the Tridentine Mass to be made available to the entire Church. Their reason was that it would be for the good of the entire Church and it has made clear for many the issues within the Church. So I obviously disagree with the author.

"In the freaking Catechism!" - Where Peter Is

This is an interesting if long winded expose on - at the core - revolves around the authentic magisterium authority of the Church.
This is a bit of a bait and switch as he mixes in the infallible elements.
With respect to the authentic teaching authority - we have to ask if it is authentic to allow people to receive Holy Communion when living publicly in adultery? If that is the authentic teaching - then there is a problem with what constitutes 'authentic magisterium'. A notable example is Amoris Laetitiae.
Amoris Laetitiae Chapter 8 paragraph 296: Consequently, there is a need “to avoid judgements which do not take into account the complexity of various situations” and “to be attentive, by necessity, to how people experience distress because of their condition”. paragraph 305: A pastor cannot feel that it is enough simply to apply moral laws to those living in ‘irregular’ situations, as if they were stones to throw at people’s lives”
Does this mean that a person objectively living in adultery who feels distress should be allowed to receive communion? Do they not commit sacrilege by doing so? Does the priest who knowingly provides them communion not also partake in this sacrilege?
So the question for the author is whether or not Amoris Laetitia forms a part of Authentic Magisterium and what is really faithful to prior Magisterium.
https://sspx.ca/en/amoris-laetitia-sspx-puga
https://fsspx.org/en/SSPX-Official-Declaration-Amoris-laetitia
https://sspx.org/en/amoris-laetitia
https://sspx.ca/en/amoris-laetitia-sspx-gleize

Is the SSPX Doctrinally Sound? - Pints with Aquinas

The author has issues with how the SSPX approaches authentic Magisterium.
"... But they are still authoritatively taught by the Church and require our religious assent of intellect and will. ..."
The simplest way to explain the SSPX position is to go back to the doctrinal note of the Second Vatican Council. Anything that simply repeats prior infallible magisterium. - Accept. Anything that is ambiguous - accept with an interpretation that is inline with prior Magisterium. Anything that contradicts the prior magisterium is to be rejected.
The author claims that the SSPX rejects authentic magisterium. SO ... I would have loved for them to state which authentic magisterium (ie teachings) they reject. It would make it a much more cogent argument.
The author goes on to say that they 'undermine the authority of the Pope'. Citing the selection of bishops etc. I would have to say - really that's all you got? The accusation is so weak compared with the actual import of disobeying a direct order from a reigning Pontiff.
The SSPX doesn't say it has an 'extraordinary mission'. It is simply a canonically created order of the Catholic Church that refused to obey orders that undermined the Catholic Faith. Specifically as embodied in the New Mass.
It is obvious that the SSPX operates contrary to the will of many of the princes of the Catholic Church. Specifically, Cardinal Roche recently stated that the Theology of the Church has changed. The SSPX disagrees with this alleged 'change' as it contradicts something that cannot be contradicted by a mere opinion.
Reference; https://onepeterfive.com/cardinal-roche-vatican-ii-rupture/

Answering Six Objections from the SSPX – Catholic World Report

Ok so this article is messed up.
The first objection of the SSPX is that they are not schismatic. Mr. Bartel creates a strawmas (shuffling many electrons in the process) and states that their (SSPX) actions "demonstrate that the SSPX do indeed deny the pope his divine right to command"

The issue here is, aside from many other proofs to the contrary, is that when the 'authority' was asked if the SSPX was schismatic - the reply was 'not in full communion'. See links
https://tradicat.blogspot.com/2017/10/is-sspx-in-schism.html
https://tradicat.blogspot.com/2021/07/is-sspx-in-schism.html
The second objection is handled simply by the above.

Objection 3 revolves around the jurisdiction provided to the SSPX by Pope Francis to hear confessions. Andrew again launches off creating a false argument and seems to be based on an incomplete understanding of how jurisdiction works in the Church.

That the Pope has given the SSPX a world wide faculty to hear confession is a big deal because he can't extend a faculty to someone who isn't a part of the Church.

Andrew attempts to refute the fourth claim by stating: "... the contumacy of the SSPX’s schismatic actions (i.e., illicit Masses, ordinations, annulment courts, rejection of the new rite of Mass as evil, etc.) ..."

Ok - first we need to understand the word 'contumacy' that - albeit appropriate to a degree does not reinforce Andrew's argument
Contumacy: stubborn refusal to obey or comply with authority, especially a court order or summons.
In other words it is disobedience. I will grant right away that the SSPX is disobeying orders from the Sovereign Pontiff and would prefer that their consciences didn't oblige them to do so.
This does not constitute a schismatic act.

The fifth objection is a little bit silly. The fact that people in the correct positions of authority have stated that the SSPX is an internal matter of the Church should have ended any attempt to hold this position.

A simple rebuttal is the official answer that I received from Rome.

The sixth is a little more involved. "... On the contrary, there is never justification for schismatic actions and the fabrication of a schismatic movement...."

What schismatic act and movement? Perhaps he is referring to the Letter Ecclesia Dei.
Answered this one here: https://tradicat.blogspot.com/2021/09/is-sspx-in-schism.html

Refuting Schneider

So CMTV felt a need to agree and comment on an article by Andrew Bartel.
Nothing new here.

Salza Slams SSPX

It was only a matter of time that Salza would come out against the SSPX and take up arms against them. No surprise there.
Some fallacies is that he moves from how people going to mass feel about the other members of the Church vs the actual position of the SSPX.
He goes on but I want to get to the underlying point.
Salza takes what the Church officially states and then adds his own opinion:

What the Church has always said is: If a priest does not have the faculty to say Mass, that Mass is illicit. And in fact it's sacrilegious because he's misappropriating spiritual goods that belong to Christ, and Christ hasn't given him the mission to do so. Pius XII calls these acts criminal and sacrilegious.
The point here is the context - who is Pius XII talking about? Obviously not the SSPX. (https://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/we-owe-pius-xii-important-clarifications-nature-episcopate). Is it about the Mass or conferring of episcopal orders?
The issue is that Cardinals in positions of authority have stated that it was ok to go to Mass at the SSPX. I find it hard to believe that they would have done so if the SSPX Mass was sacrilegious.
Second, I think it would be good to read the context of what Pius XII was discussing and not take Salza's word for it. Hence - read the article and references linked below:
https://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/we-owe-pius-xii-important-clarifications-nature-episcopate
https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_29061943_mystici-corporis-christi.html
https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_07101954_ad-sinarum-gentem.html
https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_29061958_ad-apostolorum-principis.html
So Pius XII (link) is not talking about the Mass but the usurpation of order by the Communists in China.

Salza goes on to state that they are in schism ... when I know that they aren't.

'Obey God rather than man': An SSPX priest on the limits of obedience during a crisis in the Church - LifeSite
Why it is morally licit to attend Holy Mass celebrated by the Society of Saint Pius X - LifeSite
Anti-SSPX Critics do not Follow the Holy See - OnePeterFive
Is the SSPX Really a Refuge for Traditional Catholics? « Catholic Insight

I would reply that many traditional Catholics tried to 'stay' in their parishes but refused to compromise.
The result was persecution.
What we have today is simply a continuation of that persecution.
The key point is that the Mass is simply an expression of what is being taught. Following Cardinal Roche, if the 'theology' has changed - then it is not simply a matter of a greater or lesser liturgy. It is a matter of the Faith and that is what this has always been about.

Traditionalism

These articles are a sample of the crisis of the Church. I'm not going to comment on them when I post this article - but may do some updates later.

Vatican

There's a lot going on right now and apparently the Trads must accept the Second Vatican Council and the New Mass ... or else.

I"ve been there before.

Attached below are a number of articles of interest.

Church In The World

Some more articles of interest.

Examples of The Catholic Crisis

Some of these links are examples of the ok (Architecture), the bad and the ugly.

A Case for Diversity in the Design of Catholic Churches - JNKA Architects
Yes, the pluralism and the diversity of religions are willed by God - Where Peter Is

This article includes a weird quote from PSJP2: “The unity of all divided humanity is the will of God. For this reason he sent his Son, so that by dying and rising for us he might bestow on us the Spirit of love” (UUS 6).
I didn't think that was the reason - I thought it was to redeem us. Maybe if you look at it sideways you can make an excuse for how ecumenism is expressed in the writings of the Church. But the actions speak otherwise.

Indigenous traditions enrich Catholic faith
Indigenous spirituality a fit in Catholic Mass

Rome and the SSPX - Version 2026 Part 5b - How Did We Get Here??? ... A Continued Anlaysis using ChatGPT.

+ JMJ Part 5b How Did We Get Here??? So in the previous ChatGPT analysis the LLM ‘concluded’ that there was continuity in doctrine. So now we’re going to explore this element. There is some repetition but I don't have time right now to do a lot of editing. I think instead we'll have a Part 5c where I try to pull it all together with some old fashioned human sense making. At the end point, I think the LLM collects an interesting if somewhat skewed perspective: The SSPX mapping hinges on this claim: That Vatican II affirms (at least implicitly) propositions that the Syllabus of Errors explicitly condemned. The broader Church response is: The same propositions are still rejected—but Vatican II is addressing different categories (political, pastoral, anthropological) rather than reversing doctrine. While the summary of the SSPX position seems close, that of the broader Church seems to be either an outright AI hallucination or a consensus point from the literature that it used...

Tradicat

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