Skip to main content

Is There Such A Thing As Toxic Traditional Catholicism?(2ed)

Image
By

 +

JMJ


Introduction

During my first forays into the cyber worlds of Forums and Blogs in 2012, I encountered a varied sampling of variety of humanity.  One thing I noticed was that people seem far less inhibited online and I wondered which person (online or virtual) is the real one.  Since then,  I've been wondering if Toxic Traditional Catholicism is really a thing?

First, what is meant by a 'Toxic' anything?  

The obvious answer is any thing, person or group that is poisonous. Meaning poisonous in the frame of biology, or relationships.  

Deep breath - what follows are my immediate, partially researched and in some cases experienced realities ...

In the case of ...

Biology, it is simple. Certain animals excrete various fluids that are toxic / poisonous to others.  This is claimed to be a defense mechanism - but I won't go into the evolutionary gobbly gook about that.

People, it is about whether or not the relationship has an adverse effect on one or both parties in the relationship.  Classically, I suppose this would mean does it elevate them to greater virtue or drag them down into vice?  Does it expand their perspective and understanding or restrict it - reinforcing confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance? (For more info please read: A Word About Catholic Forums and Collection: Cognitive Dissonance)

Groups, same as people, except now we are looking at group behavioural norms elevated towards virtue or act like cement pulling a number of persons into a mental and spiritual death spiral.

Discussion

As discussed, since I started exploring and writing on the internet,  I've "met" a broad spectrum of people, Traditional Catholic and otherwise. 

One phenom is the 'Toxic' Traditionalists and they do exist (following the above definitions).

If I was to try and describe this class of people, it would be Traditional Catholics who have been immersed in the cess pits of humanity and those that caused the most recent crisis of the Catholic Church ... and lost their way.

Metaphorically, they are or have drowned their Faith in the crisis. Their response is typically anger and to make really bad decisions (think Sede-Vacantists and Voris).

Today's case in point is Canon212 and its editor.  

First, Canon212 is an aggregator website that some call "Catholic Aggravator" and styled after the "Drudge Report". 

What I find is that, no matter what happens, nothing is ever good enough for the editor(s?). The whole page is similar in tone and approach.

What I find is that they tear down and don't construct. All they do is dig the hole deeper and don't even provide a ladder as a way to climb out.

I feel that same about the Sede-Vacantists. 

Both cases are dead ends, they destroy not build, they constrain peoples minds to narrow avenues that only suit their perspective on the Church.

Not by any stretch of the imagination is this limited to Traditional Catholics?  I've seen similar behaviour in protestants and Modern Catholics.  In both cases, this despair leads to the same behaviour, decisions and conclusion.

Conclusion

Toxic Traditional Catholicism exists and isn't unique to Traditional Catholics. This toxicity is a dead-end and a trap for all.  The path out is that of virtue.

References

https://studiomatters.com/canon-212-aggiornamento-recidivus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drudge_Report

https://www.ncronline.org/news/new-catholic-website-pillar-operates-shaky-journalistic-foundation












Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law- Part II: Dr. John Lamont

By
+ JMJ This is the second article from Dr. Lamont from his lecture given in May 2014. P^3 Source Part A: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny Source Part B: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny 8 May2014 The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law- Part II By John Lamont To understand how the Jesuit conception of obedience departed from earlier conceptions, it is helpful to compare it with the teaching of St. Thomas on obedience. The fundamental difference between the two is that St. Thomas considers the proper object of obedience to be the precept of the superior (2a2ae q. 104 a. 2 co., ad 3). Obedience that seeks to forestall the expressed will of the superior does not bear on what the superior wants or thinks in general, but only on what the superior intends to command. St. Ignatius’s lowest degree of obedience, which he does not consider to be virtuous, is thus what St. Thomas considers to be the only form of obedience. St. Thomas holds that St. Ignatius’s alleged higher forms of o...
Post a Comment
Read more

News Roundup: June 13, 2026

By
 + JMJ So the world continues to spin and break apart - metaphorically. One item that I think I forgot to mention was that the Catholic Family News ceased publication (link) . I met John Vennari at the seminary in Winona where after some discussion he gave me permission to repost articles.  That CFN carried on for eight years after his passing is a testimony to the need for good reporting and articles. I still have over a dozen of his CDs and his ability to see the crisis for what it was and yet be grateful was an example worth following. Along this line of thinking, you'll notice a few links from articles posted on Unam Catholicam. This blog / website is run by an Philip Campbell and provides clear thinking on many topics. I respect his thoughts on the SSPX - even though I don't necessarily agree with many - I can respect his opinions on the matter. NB: This roundup contains some articles that are against Traditionalism and the SSPX. It is always good to have an idea of what...
Post a Comment
Read more

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

By
+ 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
Post a Comment
Read more

Open Letter to Cardinal Gantin - July 6, 1988

By
There has been some discussion (read lots) about the term 'Conciliar Church'. I have posted this letter written by the Superior General and District Superiors of the SSPX after the 1988 Consecrations. Of particular interest is that the 'Conciliar Church' being referred to as a system. My paraphrase would be that the SSPX regards the 'conciliar Church' as an error within the Church. Source Open Letter to Cardinal Gantin Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops
Post a Comment
Read more

Comparison of the Tridentine, Cranmer and Novus Ordo Masses

By
+ JMJ I downloaded the comparison that was linked in the previous article on the mass (here) . ... a very good reference! P^3 From: Whispers of Restoration (available at this link) . CHARTING LITURGICAL CHANGE Comparing the 1962 Ordinary of the Roman Mass to changes made during the Anglican Schism; Compared in turn to changes adopted in the creation of Pope Paul VI’s Mass in 1969 The chart on the reverse is a concise comparison of certain ritual differences between three historical rites for the celebration of the Catholic Mass Vetus Ordo: “Old Order,” the Roman Rite of Mass as contained in the 1962 Missal, often referred to as the “Traditional Latin Mass.”The Ordinary of this Mass is that of Pope St. Pius V (1570) following the Council of Trent (1545-63), hence the occasional moniker “Tridentine Mass.” However, Trent only consolidated and codified the Roman Rite already in use at that time; its essential form dates to Pope St. Gregory the Great (+604), in whose time the R...
Post a Comment
Read more