Tradicat

+ JMJ Always remember to show mercy, so that you may also be shown mercy. I found the text below on "Musings ..."? There are several plenary indulgences available for the first week in November, beginning tomorrow, November 1st, All Saints Day. They are the following: 29 For the faithful departed   § 1. A plenary indulgence, applied exclusively to the souls in Purgatory, is granted to the Christian faithful who: 1° on each single day, from the first to the eighth day in November, devoutly visit a cemetery and, even if only mentally, pray for the faithful departed; [Note: one plenary indulgence for each day, if the usual conditions are met] 2° on the day of Commemoration of All Faithful Departed [November 2] (or, according to the Ordinary, on the preceding or subsequent Sunday, or on the day of the solemnity of All Saints) piously visit a church or oratory and there recite the  Pater  and the  Credo .  Source:Musings of a ...

+ JMJ While he has been silent for a while, I'd like to highlight an assertion made by Fr. Greiger: Unfortunately, it is not only the progressives who have adopted this individualistic spirit.   Even in the name of Tradition, some today speak of a pre- and post-conciliar Church, thus creating a rupture between the past and the present.   In this way, they submit everything the magisterium has to say to a test that ultimately sets the Church against itself.   ( source ) In this assertion Father is laying the responsibility for the 'rupture' at the feet of Traditionalists. I think it is safe to assume that he is including the SSPX in that classification. I've already discussed and exposed how the SSPX understands the phrase ' conciliar Church ', so we can lay that accusation to rest. As noted in part 2 , as well as in Dr. Lamont's review , the SSPX bases its position on an understanding of the pre-conciliar magisterium that is not its own crea...

+ JMJ Interesting distinction being made by the Cardinal. As a priest, bishop and finally a cardinal, I have only ever sought to serve Our Lord's Church in humble obedience to the Magisterium and to the Holy Father. Needless confusion regarding my motives does not help me in this service, especially when substantial questions of principle are at stake.  I very strongly believe that one also serves loyally by expressing a contrary judgment, in accord with the pursuit of the truth, and that one only serves faithfully when one has dutifully and clearly spoken, in obedience to one's conscience. I did not state that Pope Francis has harmed the Church.  Rather, as the now published verbatim interview reveals, I was perfectly clear that it was a lack of clarity about where the Holy Father stands on issues related to marriage and Holy Communion that had caused the harm.  It is precisely for this reason that I subsequently said that only a statement from the Holy Father hi...

+ JMJ I said in an earlier post that the history of the relations between Rome and the SSPX appear to be repeating themselves. Last Time: Good Cop: Private people in high places contacting Bishop Fellay Bad Cop: Cardinal Levada This year's version ... Good Cop: Archbishop Pozzo Bad Cop:  Bp. Semeraro I post Rorate's translation below.  This seems to give weight to Mr. Verrecchio's "Reports of openness to SSPX greatly exaggerated" . So what we have is an official notification from Cardinal Mueller (sp) and an unofficial communication that indicates a compromise on the part of Rome. Then we have the "schismatic" accusation being trotted out ... yet again (see below and Rorate for some astute commentary). Now some will automatically accuse the Pope of being two-faced. I offer a slightly different though equally possible explanation (even if it isn't as plausible).

+ JMJ History has a habit of repeating itself. Normally, you need to wait a number of years before this becomes manifest. However Archbishop Pozzo has made a statement that the SSPX won't have to capitulate on Religous Liberty or Ecumenism. As quoted by Catholic Culture: Archbishop Pozzo went on to say that while a few documents of Vatican II involve doctrinal statements, others are “authoritative and binding to a different and lesser degree.” The conciliar statements on ecumenism and on religious freedom, which have been most heavily criticized by the SSPX, are in the latter category, he said. So now that leaves just  Collegiality and Subsist ... as well as the six conditions . Of course, this is just Archbishop Pozzo speaking in an interview - which is an unofficial chain of communication. The question now is whether or not there is an official shift from the 'Accept the Council of New Mass' mantra. La Stampa Catholic Culture P^3

+ JMJ As I noted earlier, the Synod has resulted in a number of Catholics to question how this could happen. In this trying time it is important to understand the principles of the Catholic Faith, especially concerning the Infallibility of the Pope and the Church. P^3 Courtesy of Dr. Shaw - LMS Chairman

+ JMJ Well the Synod is, thankfully, over. However, at this point, instead of providing my own commentary, I will provide some by Mr. Steve Wood. I received this email from him this morning, and I can only guess at the trauma that this is causing him as a fervent convert to the Catholic Church.  He does great work and provides a much needed apostolate for the family. Pray for him and those like him to be strong in the faith and not lose heart in this combat. If you read between the lines, this really is what this fight is all about. P^3