ANTI-POPE FRANCIS?

Prophets have issued warning that so-called Pope Francis is an anti-pope. From persistent miracles of the sun to levitation and various visions, Catholic prophets have named "Pope" Francis an anti-pope. Speaking with Vatican insiders, including Pope Benedict XVI, "Pope" Francis has been identified as having taught various heresies, including:

1. Communion to divorce and remarried (a violation of Church Teaching about the immorality of sex outside of marriage & a sacrilige against the Eucharist) This is back by Cardinal Gerhard Müller's article in the L'Osservatore Romano.
2. Pacifism (Teaching against Just War Doctrine a doctrine endorsed by Jesus himself (Luke 22:38)
3. Universalism (in regard to Pentecostals: “You know you don’t need, you don’t need to be in the church, you are part of the church, you don’t physically need to be in it, inside it you know to be part of God’s family like”)

Some have stated that the tally for the election of Francis was not close enough to the majority to even elect him. One tally was:

33 Bertone

32 Arinze

26 Bergolio (Francis)

This tally should mean that Bertone should have been elected. However, there is one more wrinkle in this plan: Pope Benedict XVI is still the patriarch of Rome. No pope has ever been partriach of Rome without being pope. 

Another factor is that Pope Benedict is still the bishop of Rome. The pope is, de facto, the bishop of Rome. So much so that anyone elected and installed as bishop of Rome is treated and named pope.

This leaves me to wonder, with the attack on the Sacrament of Marriage during the so-called synod on the Family, whether Francis is pope or not. In fact, all the cardinals and bishops in attendance rebelled against  Francis and the Synod agenda of allowing Communion for the divorced and remarried (without annulments). 

One wonders when the so-called papal administration will admit his lack of election or not.

FACTS

There have been several anti-popes in the past, including three anti-popes opposing one pope at one period in history.

Gregory XII's Antipope Opponents:

1. Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417), antipope
2. Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), antipope
3. Pietro Philarghi ("Alexander V")(1409-1410), antipope

As a final note, no pope has ever been found guilt of heresy except several antipopes, including Pedro de Luna.

Pope Francis

I love the papacy, and the Church which that office shepards. I love the Church, her unity and infallibility. I want to say this before I get into details. As a matter of respect, I will keep this blog short.

This blog is about a person I have little positive to say about. I say this because Pope Francis has been a total disappoint for me. While I am no schismatic (seperater), Saint Pius the Tenth Society Mass attender or Sede Vacante (a schismatic who thinks there is no valid pope), I find Pope Francis totally uninspiring.

Having served in the military for 12 years, I was trained in security protocols. I even trained in martial arts with a military police officer (M.P.) and was in a men's fellowship with another M.P. I know that someone under police protection should not unnecessarily put his protection at risk as Pope Francis does regularly. Now, his excursions are common news. How he likes to drive around on his own in well known. What about the security detail that serves him. Should he not think about their lives?

I have studied Theology and Spirituality for years. I belonged to a secular order, and have recently taken vows. I have most of the great doctors of the Church. So I know false humility when I see it. Pope Francis seems to be a poster child for false humility. He does not seem to consider anyone (security detail included) except his enthusiasm for people. True humility considers others. True humility listens to security personnel when they speak about security protocols. Did Pope Francis? I have to wonder. Of course, I am sensitive to this issue being a veteran, and I understand that. However, when is pope Francis thinking about those who surround him, in the second most important way he can (after their souls) - their lives.

Rant over. I always pray for Pope Francis, but I remember Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. What great orthodox days those where!

My Love of the Novus Ordo Mass

I cannot get enough of the old Novus Ordo Mass (English Mass). By and large I think the recent changes in the Mass are not positive. In the old Novus Ordo Mass they used to say "[Christ] will come again in glory." In the new Novus Ordo it says the flat "Christ will come again." Really, how will he come, my heart cries. Is he taking a Greyhound or will he come with the angels?

Peace Be With You....And With Your Spirit
This also leaves me flat. So you do not care about my body? Only my spirit matters to you? Well that is contrary to the Catholic Faith about the image of God being secondarily in the body? We do not need to relegate that truth.

Singing the Lamb of God in Latin
I do not think about myself in this, because I understand the Latin. However, many people do not. The Mass is a tool of evangelism, not just for Catholics. Again, you are cutting people off from the meaning, because the Mass is a public event, not a private one. It is for all those who wish to attend. There have been several converts who just sat at the mass and learned about the faith that way. Many of them later converted, but it took time.

In Praise of the (Old) Novus Ordo
With the subtlety and mystical orientation of the old Novus Ordo, it is more conducive to me to contemplation than the new Norvus Ordo. What a beautiful time we had with the old Novus Ordo. I miss it dearly.

Gun Control

The recent gun control controversy has cause a bit of a stir among Conservative Catholics. The threat of a Tyranny taking over this Country was foremost in the founder's minds:

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence …" George Washington

But the question remains, what would the Church teach on such matters?

2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. "The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not."

So it seems the Church supports the natural right of the person to defend himself or herself. What about small arms? If they are used in the defense of a person to defend himself against an unjust aggressor, they are legitimate.

Abuses of Government in Recent History
Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and many other countries have abused their authority to kill civilians. In the case of Sudan, the military did not have firearms. When the President gave firearms to the army, the majority muslim army started killing civilians, Christians, and people of different tribes who were not armed. To date, 320,000 deaths on the average of a population of 34 million. For Sudan, the death toll would have been 3 million proportionally based on our population.

In Rwanda, the death toll of 750,000 out of a population of 10 million.  If Rwanda was committed in the United States, the death toll would have been 21 million, xompared proportionally to the United States population.

This is just to show how the abuse of power can be a very bloody thing. What is the citizens in Sudan were armed? The army would have thought twice about attacking the population.

Very Serious Times
Gun control can seem like the right thing to do in the situation of the Sandy Hook Elementary. But what about a Rwanda or Sudan happening? The values of our Country are changing. The Tuskegee airmen were experimented on by being injected with syphilis without their consent. Government can abuse power. Guns are a final defense against such abuse.

Medjugorje Likely To Be Condemned

Word is Medjugorje, the controversial apparitions the former Yugoslavia, is going to be condemned. In case you did not know, Medjugorje has a notorious reputation among theologians. The immoral actions of the followers and apparitionists is part of the discernment of the Church. They have not been obedient to the Magisterium.

Discernment of Spirits
The highest discernment is found in the dogma of the Moral Law, which includes the Ten Commandments. Violations of these Commandments is indicative of not having a valid vision or apparition. Many theologians have given the various signs of discernment of spirits in regard to extraordinary experiences, like visions,. locutions (voices) and purported miracles.

Certain fruits like peace, humility, certitude (strange hope), persistence of the experience, increase in virtue and other characteristics of the experience are part of the discernment. Also, the person who experiences such a phenomena should wait at least 30 days until he accepts the phenomena as valid. Of course, all the characteristics should be present during this time.

Detachment
No more important characteristic the detachment regarding the experience. If an adherent or visionary is detached and open to being wrong about the experience, they have a good chance of having had a valid experience.

Submission to the Magisterium (Church)
If the purported visionary is submissive to the judgment of the Church, this indicates another good fruit of the phenomena. In the case of Medjugorje, the visions told them to obey their local bishop. This is a problem because it is a dogma of the Church that the local bishop has authority over his flock administratively.

That is, when he issues a decree, it should be obeyed. This is an issue about policy, not doctrine, so the reader should not get confused. Individual bishops only have doctrinal authority when they are in union with the Holy Father and their fellow bishops. A bishop by himself has no doctrinal authority, but does have administrative authority (power of making policy and day-to-day decisions).

A Lesson for Us All
It is easy to Catholics to go astray. Christ gave doctrinal authority to the bishops (Luke 10:14, Lumen Gentium 14) Not to the faithful. The pope has the final say, and can act with the bishops to make a decision. Also the various papal congregations have a limited authority as well.

We should strive to be detached from any such experience and open it up to discernment by others, especially a qualified spiritual director or the Church. In this way, we hold ourselves accountable to that institution that Christ founded with his divine authority of infallibility - The Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

The more humble you are, the more likely your experience is authentic. If you are improperly attached, it is not likely you experienced something from God. If you are in submission to the Church, you cannot go astray, if you remain faithful to her doctrine and directives.

May the Blessed Trinity bless you abundantly and Christ's Holy Mother's prayers always intercede for you that your discerment and life always be true. +

The Father Guarnizo Affair

I want to revisit the Father Guarnizo affair. This was a case in which the Archdiocese of Washington suspended the faculties of Father Marcel Guarnizo after he refused communion to lesbian activist, Barbara Johnson.The immediate reaction of the diocese, seems to have been one of immediate suspension of Father Guarnizo, without due consideration of the facts of the case.

The Archdiocese did not explain the circumstances of the case. Neither, did they chastise Barbara Johnson for receiving communion when she made a point making her manifest grave sin known to a priest, as if she wanted to flaunt it in Father Guarnizo's face. 

Barbara was at a funeral for her mother, and made known, according to Father Guarnizo, that she was a lesbian and that the woman with her was her "partner." Father Guarnizo had a right to be morally offended, as any Christian of good conscience should have been.

Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law states that a person who "obstinately persist[s] in manifest grave sin" is to be refused communion. Alot of commentary from canon lawyers insued, in which they said Father Guarnizo had to be aware of the circumstances of a person's life in order to judge that. I find that funny, because the facts of the case, on the face, are that she was a manifest grave sinner being in a lesbian relationship which is "intrinsically disordered" according to paragraph 2357 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Objectively, Barbara Johnson should have not been admitted to holy communion. Because, objectively, she was a manifest grave sinner. Father Guarnizo had a right to act on this knowledge when it was presented to him. Father Guarnizo later states that he did it based on "one of those relations which impede her access to communion according to Catholic teaching ," which does not help his case. Because it was on the part of Barbara to withhold herself from holy communion.

Objectively, however, Father Guarnizo was correct, regardless of his reason for doing it. Simply based on the facts, Father Guarnizo intuited the refusal of holy communion correctly, but for the wrong reasons. So, based on the facts again, Father Guarnizo should not have been suspended if it was based on his refusal.

The Archdiocese later said that he was suspended for reasons unrelated to this case. This has a giggle factor and is very suspicious given the timing of the announcement. While we do not have all the facts in our possession, the suspension was too suspicious for my taste.

Currently, the case of Father Guarnizo is in my rosary. I ask that all of you place it in yours. If he is innocent, let our Blessed Mother's prayers free him. If Bishop Knestout is guilty, let our Lord chastise him and he repent. If there has been a grave injustice here, let it be repaired and a good priest be returned to his ministry.
If all of this is true, may the Archdiocese of Washington make public restitution and repair his good name.

Here is a canonical defense of Father Guarnizo's actions. Here is a canonical criticism.

Alan Keyes

Alan Keyes is a former presidential candidate. This is where I encountered him first. Later he had a radio show, in which he gave his conservative, Catholic insights. I was always impressed by Alan.  

As a former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, Alan has worked in Washington and can give solid insight on the workings of national politics

His tough stance on pro-life issues, uncompromising loyalty to the Pro-Life movement and fascinating intellect made him a must-listen talk show host for me. Secretary Keyes has not been afraid to put himself on the line for the unborn, as was demonstrated in his arrest at Notre Dame when President Barrack Obama gave the commencement address. Barrack being awarded with an honorary doctorate was the straw that broke the camel's back for me, and former Secretary Keyes was there fighting against it when I could not.

Alan has a sharp intellect that does not let fallacious arguments go. He, like myself at times, is a pit bull for the Lord on matters of faith and values. He has debated atheists, liberal politicians and many others in trying to bring justice to the public square.

Alan would make a great addition to your speaking engagement. Be warned, however, he will not pull punches, and has a direct speaking style. However, the value of his insights are worthy of any Catholic event. (Hint: Get him to speak on Pro-life issues, his tender side will come out.)

To Mr. Keyes, I thank you for your many years of service to Holy Mother Church. Your tireless work for the Lord will never be forgotten by Him. Speak on, Mr. Keyes, speak on!

The Myth of a Thick Skin

No one has a "thick skin." I studied this in Psychology for years. You would not believe the victims of verbal sexual and verbal emotional abuse that counselors treat in their daily work. I have many Psychologist and therapist friends who talk about it daily.

When I hear this term I just shake my head and ignore most of what the person says after that. Speech Communication theory has studied cussing extensively. What is not surprising is that cussing is universally offensive, even to the person doing the cussing. Anyone heard of self-abuse?

Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is often caused by verbal abuse.  Calling someone stupid or an idiot is not something a person can brush off if the person doing the abusing is their family member.  These persons are close to you, they have a deep effect on your life. If you are called dumb as a child these attacks often become "tapes" that replay in the victim's mind over and over again throughout your life, until the tapes are dealt with in a healthy way.

People are sending messages all the time. If someone is sexually abused, the message that is sent is "you are worthless"  and "a sexual object to be used." The abuser does not have to say a thing.  It is communicated by the action of the abuse. If you were worthwhile in their mind, they would not abuse you.

Final Thoughts
Get rid of the "thick skin" analogy, research disproves it. In apologetics and evangelization I often encounter people who cuss or call names. I ask them to stop. If they continue, I cut off communication. When they can calmly talk about a subject, I am with them. When they want to abuse, I am gone.

What happens over time, and many people have told me this. is that they learn to be respectful. It is part of the evangelization. Otherwise, they are gone.

If a evangelee has a different opinion on something, I can deal with that. If another person wants to attack, there is the door. Come back when you are respectful. I can put up with some slips, but intentional attacking is off-limits. Learn to respect yourself and others will begin to respect you.

The LCWR: It's About Time

If you did not know, the Leadership Conference for Religious Women (LCWR) has been dressed down by the Vatican. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) found grave and serious doctrine problems in the LCWR. For those Catholics who know their faith, this is no surprise.

The Root of the Problem
The doctrinal problems are at the root of the LCWR's problems. They are like any of the many theologians who have seperated themselves from the Church by their dissent. The Catholic Faith has one united teaching, not many.  Her dogma does not change, however the LCWR seems to think it does.

As the Congregration for the Doctrine of the Faith says:

The Cardinal noted a prevalence of certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith in some of the programs and presentations sponsored by the LCWR, including theological interpretations that risk distorting faith in Jesus and his loving Father who sent his Son for the salvation of the world.

The LCWR also dissents against the Vatican, a remarkable hubris. We are all dependent on the guidance of the Magisterium, men and women alike. This is not a gender thing, it is an authority issue. The Protestants headed down this road, and look where it got them; dissent, heresy, schism and dissolution:

The Cardinal spoke of this issue in reference to letters the CDF received from “Leadership Teams” of various Congregations, among them LCWR Officers, protesting the Holy See’s actions regarding the question of women’s ordination and of a correct pastoral approach to ministry to homosexual persons, e.g. letters about New Ways Ministry’s conferences.

Even Jesus does not find reverence in this organization. They think they can move beyond the infinite God and Man:

The Cardinal offered as an example specific passages of Sr. Laurie Brink’s address about some Religious “moving beyond the Church” or even beyond Jesus.

We are all subject to error. We all need the voice of Christ through his apostolic teachers (Luke 10:16). Thank God for the guidance of the Church and its compassion that is drawing his flock back to himself.

Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus

One of my favorite devotions is to the Holy Face of Christ. This devotion was started long ago with several holy persons and Saints devoted to it. Saint Therese of Lisieux (of the Holy Face), Sister Marie of St Peter,  Sister Maria Pierina De Micheli, St. Gertrude, St. Mechtilde, and St. Veronica are all major proponents of this devotion. 

There is an Association dedicated to the devotion. Adoration of the Holy Face takes several forms.

The Sacred Image of the Shroud of Turin
This Remarkable image has so much depth to it. How someone could have manufactured this image with 14th Century technology is constantly questioned. Many persons believe that it is truly Jesus image, created at his Resurrection. Many Holy face images from the shroud of Turin are all over the Internet. How can a person look at this image and not imagine what Jesus, the Faultless One, went through to save mankind?

Eucharistic Adoration
By adoring the Holy Face in the Eucharist, many promises have been given by Our Lord, including: "I will grant them contrition so perfect that their very sins will be turned into jewels of precious gold." I can speak from experience to say that it is a beautiful experience to have perfect contrition. There are several live Eucharistic Adoration websites as well.

The several promises for devotion to the Holy Face are found all over the Internet, including those approved by Pope Pius XII. This is a venerable traditional devotion that seems lost to many in the Catholic Church in these days.

Remember Our Lord through this devotion. Remember his suffering that was endured to save you from your sins. Remember, His gaze is always upon you calling you back to Him. Become more his image in devotion to the Holy Face.

The North Carolina Marriage Amendment

What a great day this is. With all the States passing homosexual marriage laws or civil unions, we have a State that stands for what is right!

For those of you who do not know, North Carolina passed a Marriage Amendment to the State Constitution. The reason they did it is because the Courts can override a law, or declare it unconstitutional. However, when the Constitution has a definition of marriage, there is nothing the Courts can do.

The proponents of the Amendment said it would last twenty years.  However, that is twenty years to turn around peoples attitudes and make some good Catholic Converts. It is time for the Holy Spirit to saturate souls and make saints to convert hardened souls.

The Problem
Urban areas are often more heterodox in their beliefs. They are exposed to many alternatives lifestyles and come to normalize such lifestyles as merely alternative and not immoral. This is the "go along, to get along" attitude. It is totally contrary to moral law and the examples of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist.  We have to speak up "whether convenient or inconvenient" (2 Tim 4:6).

Certainly, there are appropriate times to speak about the revered truths of God. It is not always the time to preach with fire. However, a gentle and continual reinforcement is always appropriate. Sometimes confrontational and mostly teaching, reminding and reinforcing.

Marriage
Marriage is a sacred Covenant between a man and a woman. Marriage has a fruit, which is children. homosexual marriage, starkly speaking, has no fruit. This points to the design of marriage by God, to bring about a good for Society --- which is children and the love of the couple.

Are Those Who Deny Lesbians Communion Now Wrong?

In case you did not know, Father Marcel Garnizo, of the Archdiocese of Washington, denied holy communion to a woman who was cohabitating with another woman. Since lesbianism is grave sin, she was to be denied communion according to Canon Law:

Can.  915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

A complaint was lodged against Father Garnizo, which was addressed by Most Rev. Barry Knestout, who threw Father Garnizo under the bus. A complaint that it was at a funeral, which does not change the standard, was lodged by the prospective communicant. The bishop, Most Rev. Barry Knestout, seems to have erred in this matter, embarrassing Father Garnizo. I think Father Garnizo should appeal this decision to the Congregation for the Clergy, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Holy Father himself if need be.

A Disturbing Trend
The bishops seemed to have a habit of throwing priests overboard.  With the new norms for clergy abuse, priests have found themselves being left by their bishops to the sharks. Several innocent priests have died due to the stress of trial after trial, even though some have been found innocent. The pendulum has swung too far.

Father Garnizo acted appropriately given a lesbian was presenting herself to communion. Perhaps the bishops should think about their faithful, instead of abandoning them to pander to a manifest grave sinner.

A Proper Balance
Much of this article was written to swing the pendulum back. Throwing priests under the bus is not the standard, neither is siding with them at all times and in all matters. Rather, a due consideration of both the rights of priests and of the faithful. It is a not an either/or situation, but rather a both/and. Both the needs of the accused and of the accuser need to be considered, not an all or nothing approach which fears the possible fall-out of civil authorities:

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).

The Bishops Are Democrats?

One has to wonder about the American Bishops. They were misinformed or hoodwinked by one nun, Sister Carol Keehan , who according to reports, assured them that Obama would not force contraception or abortion on them. Now, through services and medication, he as done both.

Doctors and Nurses
This is no surprise. Obama overturned previous conscience exemptions, which effected all healthcare providers, including doctors and nurses.  Nurses were put in a position where they are supposed to assist in abortions, which they are now suing to prevent from happening in the future. One nurse was coerced to assist in an abortion and is suing because of that.

Pharmacists
Pharmacists were forced to make a choice about their jobs. During the Bush Administration, they were given a conscience exemption, which they did not have to proscribe contraceptives. Now, they may loose their jobs.

The Future
There is an old saw in Psychology, "the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."  Based on Obama's past performance, this gives us little hope he will change his stance in the future.

I have my own version, watch what a Candidate does, do not believe to what he says. Romney says he is pro-life, but his past support of contraceptives and abortion in Massachusetts, show a different story. He talks a good game, however, many in business do not mind lying it is gets them what they want, power. We have two candidates who has consistently stood for life. Neither of them is Romney.

Mormons have the dogma doctrinal evolution, which means their doctrine can change.  Such is the case with polygamy. I guess they think God is not all-knowing and therefore cannot get it correct this first time, every time.

Romney, who is a Mormon bishop, believes his so-called Church's doctrine. I wonder if his policies will evolve as well. Wait, he used the term evolve regarding his abortion stance. Hmm.

I wonder, if we have a Romney presidency, will he try to force polygamy on others? Will he relativize our moral framework, which is already quickly eroding?

The Bishops
Are they Democrats? Is they why they were so willing to believe Sister Carol Keehan. Are they members of the Old Democract's club? Why are they so willing to believe Sister Keehan, and unwilling to look at Obama's past behavior as a predictor? Or are they just poor judges of people?

"Be as clever as serpents, yet as innocent as doves" (Matt 10:16).

Where is the cleverness?  Perhaps it is time for the laity to step and do our mission, as well. We need to inform the bishops of the real deception that is going on in Society and the bounds that the power-hungry and Church-hating will go to in order to win an election.  The bishops seem clueless. Maybe it is time for them to be informed by those who are given a mission of ordering the World to the Gospel:

"It is not permissible for anyone to remain idle...But in particular the lay faithful are called to restore to creation all its original value. In ordering creation to the authentic well-being of humanity in an activity governed by the life of grace, they share in the exercise of the power with which the Risen Christ draws all things to himself and subjects them along with himself to the Father, so that God might be everything to everyone" (Christfidelis Laici, 3, 14).


We need to tell the bishops how the World functions, how those who hunger for power have no limits to their deception and how we need to be clever as serpents, with a proven liar and religious persecutor named Barrack Obama. Maybe next time, with our input and import, they will be ahead of the game.

The Authority of Papal Congregations

This is a heady posting. It delves into the Ordinary Magisterium, which is the day to day teaching of the Church. The Ordinary Magisterium has possibly fallible teachings which are also possibly infallible. In short, we do not know their nature unless we do an exhaustive theological survey, the college of bishops and the pope, or the pope alone states so, possibly by his "manner of speaking" (Lumen Gentium, 25, 1).

There are two general levels of teaching:

1. Infallible Magisterium: These are infallible teachings and contain two general levels, the Universal Ordinary Magisterium (the pope and bishops throughout the world teaching together) and the Extraordinary Magisterium (Church Councils, Papal Definitions).
2. Ordinary Magisterium: These are day to day teachings, which have the possibility of being infallible, however, could be fallible (contain error).

This article is not intended to be exhaustive, but to speak in general terms. I will try to boil these concepts to some main points.

Main Points
A great article on the authority of Ordinary Magisterial Teachings (possibly fallible) including Papal Congregations is found here. In it you will find a quote of what Blessed Pope Pius the IX, a great pope according to many accounts and his encyclicals, said about Papal congregations in an apostolic letter, which I have extended below:

"it is not sufficient for learned Catholics to accept and revere the aforesaid dogmas of the Church...it is also necessary to subject themselves to the decisions pertaining to doctrine which are issued by the Pontifical congregations..." (Pius IX, Tuas Libenter, Enchiridion Symbolorum).

It is assumed by some that Pontifical Congregations are to be ignored. However, Pius IX has explicitly taught otherwise, as quoted above. Pius the IX also goes on to speak of theological truths being binding (called sense of the faithful), but I will not address that here.

This seems to suggest that the teachings of Congregations belong to the Ordinary Magisterium, which is still binding on Catholics in various degrees. This is probably because they have the consent of the pope to engage in their activities, it is from him that they derive their authority.

Correction
The article above, states that such teachings are not infallible, however, that is an incorrect statement.  Just because a teaching is not infallibly defined or proposed does not mean it is not infallible, just that it has not been infallibly proposed, spoken or defined. We should reserve judgement on whether it is infallible or not, because the pope could later state it is so, or a theological survey and statement by the pope could reveal it is.

The Bottom Line
We are to treat Congregational Documents (especially from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) as being part of the Ordinary Magisterium, which requires at least religious assent.  You cannot marginalize this teaching because it does not agree with your training or opinion.

Please leave comments, requests for articles, or questions below!

Journalistic Responsibility

For those of you who do not know, John King confronted Newt Gingrich during the January 19th debate in South Carolina about what his former wife said about an "open marriage." John is a divorced man, according to reports, with a hostile relationship with his ex-wife. Perhaps we should trot out his ex-wife and see what she has to say?

I do not point this out the eviscerate John King, but to point out Journalistic responsibility according to John Paul II:

"In the communications media the Church finds a precious aid for spreading the Gospel and religious values, for promoting dialogue, ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation, and also for defending those solid principles which are indispensable for building a society which respects the dignity of the human person and is attentive to the common good" (John Paul II, The Rapid Development of Those Responsible for Social Communications).

I am a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and have done job interviews regularly. One thing we do not ask is someone's marital status. In fact, this is illegal discrimination according to law. I do not care about what a candidates ex-wives say. Many divorcees are bitter about the divorce. We accept that.

Apart from an employment contract, all a human resources professional is supposed to care about is: "Are you qualified for the position to which you are applying?" Nothing else. Not your religion, race, marital status, hateful comments by your ex-wife or anything else. The Presidential Race is a big job interview.

Maybe our criteria, being a people of repentance, should be the Sacrament of Reconciliation and attempts to live a holy life. Too often, our Jerry Springer culture takes over and we forget the image of God in our fellow human beings.  Let us pray for everyone, and give them the respect they are due, even to Barrack Obama, or a repentant candidate who is doing the best he can:

Thus sin makes men accomplices of one another and causes concupiscence, violence, and injustice to reign among them. Sins give rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. "Structures of sin" are the expression and effect of personal sins. They lead their victims to do evil in their turn. In an analogous sense, they constitute a "social sin" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1869).

However, there is hope:

The redemption won by Christ consists in this, that he came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28), that is, he "loved his own to the end" (Jn 13:1), so that they might be "ransomed from the futile ways inherited from their fathers" (1 Pt 1:18). (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 622)

Let us choose the best candidate for the job, not give credence to salacious comments by a possibly embittered ex-wife. May Christ Reign!

Persecution By Homosexuals

If you did not know Cardinal Francis George apologized for saying that homosexuals might act like KKK members if the Catholic Church had too public an image during a Gay Parade.

This is an example of abandoning your flock. Catholics need to be told the truth about the homosexual agenda, so they can fight back against it. Homosexuals have attacked a church in San Francisco, banging on the doors. This was popularized by many Christian commentators including Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family.

Abandoning the Flock
This seems to be a case of an archbishop abandoning the flock. Catholics need to hear the unvarnished truth about what homosexuals are doing in Society. They are a very aggressive force that does not mind violating Church property rights and throwing glitter all over people. Keep in mind, Gingrich has no idea what is in that glitter. Letters have contained Anthrax and Gingrich has no idea what is being thrown over him.

Gay Adoptions
Obama has been so aggressive with his gay adoption policy, that he has forced Catholic Adoption agencies to shut their doors due their funds being cut off. The homosexual marriages in New York State and New Hampshire have caused backlashes which has created movements to overturn those laws.

Stand Firm
Catholic's need firm leaders. Who in every thought, word and deed, stand for the truth, like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a leader who unabashedly stands for the truth, if with a bit of grace.

Please leaders, do not abandon the truth and in doing so abandon your flock. Stand firm and resolute. If the Homosexual Movement has acted like terrorists, let it be so. If they have attacked Catholics, say it is so. Do not let the flock suffer for the wolves.

Christian Bale Civic Hero

Recently, Christian Bale tried to visit the home and pro-life activist, Chen Guangcheng. Chen has been jailed for his efforts to document forced abortions of women in China. He was released, however he is under house arrest. Some reports state some of the charges may be trumped up.


Christian was roughed up by Chinese security guards who hold Chen under lockdown. Christian was inspired by Chen, and wanted to "shake his hand." Christian could not understand why the Chinese security guards would prevent him from seeing Chen, however, it is clear from China's human rights abuses why they would not allow such a thing.


This should be no surprise to anyone who follows China, that they have little respect for the human person. They have their own version of Gulags, and frequently lock up "dissidents" like Catholic bishops.


His Visit Will Not Go Unheard
Frequently the person under house arrest will hear of the attempted visit, and will take heart from it. Isolation is a big problem for the persecuted.  To think that no one knows your plight can cause depression.  This was the case with Nelson Mandela, who was allowed visitors only once every six months (Nelson Mandela, Memoirs).


For trying to visit a pro-life activist, Christian Bale showed civic heroism, though he has denied this. China is not your friendly neighborhood. It is far from it. So despite his protests, he demonstrated civic virtue in his visit, even if he may have been a bit impatient at times...but so have many.

Latin Mass Onliers

A schismatic tendency in Latin Mass Onliers has been a denigration of the Vernacular Mass. They present this argument as if it is objectively true that the Latin Mass is superior to the Novus Ordo. They get snarky, as one canon lawyer contemplated about himself, about the Latin Mass, as if it is obviously better.

This is fundamental disobedience. As the canon lawyer in this link, stated, as quoted by Fr. Z., the bishop can issue a decree forbidding the Latin Mass. However, even though he has recourse to the Congregation for Divine Worship, he has to stop the Mass (my comment). If he wins his recourse, he can continue it. This shows the Latin Mass is not objectively superior, since they Church would never stop such a good.

Moral Law
Unlike Canon Law, which in most part can be changed, Moral Law cannot. We are always obligated to follow the Moral Law (including the Ten Commandments) even should our death be the result. If this were true about the Latin Mass, we would be obliged to always attend it regardless of the circumstances or a bishops' decree.

As attributed, this Canonist says:

Perhaps at 3:00 p.m. [sic] in the afternoon, in a sidel chapel, after the heat in the church ahs been turned off, and while a janitor is cleaning the rest of the church with a loud buffer. (a bit too snarky?) [sic]

Yes, very snarky. Yet, a Bishop's Conference is obliged to consider:

The pastoral care of the faithful requires from every bishops' conference that their physical health is also taken into account (Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care Migrants and Intinerant Peoples).

The canonist above would not care for their physical health. What about the elderly? So Fr. Z. and the canonist would have the elderly suffering during Mass, possibly get pneumonia, since they want to attend the  Mass in English. This, of course would be a violation of papal teaching against the fourth commandment (i.e. doing harm).

Extremism
Of course, these are extreme examples of disobedience of Vatican Norms. However, they are very present, and people are being unduly influenced by them.

If this is the disobedience that the Latin Mass brings about in people, perhaps we should be done with it [ficetiously said]. We should abandon the Latin Mass because it causes disobedience [more facetiousness].

Or perhaps, we should respect the laity's desire to hear the Mass in their own language. Jesus did with his first Mass.

The Case of Schismatic Apologists

In case you did not know, several apologists seem to have stepped on the line of schism over the years. Some seemed to have stepped over. Gerry Matatics (see below) comes to mind, a fervent Catholic apologist who defended the faith, yet fell into schismatic traditionalism.

Schismatic Apologists Online
There are several schismatics (calling themselves Catholics) who perform apologetics online. This blog is not intended to be a laundry list of them, but to generally examine a couple of their positions.

Dimond Brothers
Michael and Peter Dimond have taken to debating with the Vatican, taking to attacking Vatican II, Current and past Post-Vatican II popes and other unpopular positions (to Sedes) such as the Novus Ordo (Post-Vatican II Mass).

Robert Sungenis
Currently Robert disagrees with the beatification of Pope John Paul II. He points to errors of judgement in his pontificate, saying they had to separate his pontificate from his cause for the first time in history.

Gerry Matatics
Gerry Matatics states that he believes in no salvation outside the Church. A strict position of "No Salvation Outside the Church" has been condemned by the Holy Office in condeming Fr. Feeney, who said Catholics cannot be saved:

“These things are clearly taught [in the Encyclical on the Mystical Body], in it the Supreme Pontiff clearly distinguishes between those who actually are incorporated into the Church as members, and those who adhere to the Church only by way of votum (will)...” (The Holy Office).

Sede Vacantism
I have address the Issue of Sede Vacantism in another blog. I will not get into it here.

I know Better
Sola Scriptura (using Scripture alone to interpret) and Sola Traditio (interpreting Tradition by personal judgement) cause these errors. In reading pontifical and papal-approved conciliar documents, we are not privately interpret them. We are rather to refer to other papal documents in interpreting such documents. This is because we individually have not been given infallibility, but it has been given to the pope, the bishops in union with the pope, or the Catholic Faithful as a whole.

No one knows better. Even the pope in his personal judgement does not know better. Rather, in view of his office as the successor of Peter, do we have a reliable interpretation.

The Beauty of the Norvus Ordo

Much ado has been made by Traditionalists about the words of the Mass; "...and be with your Spirit," "It will be shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins…”


These are more accurate and precise meanings, the traditionalists say. Some infer, that the changes in the Mass led to the corruption of souls.


Much Ado About Nothing?
While it is true that a more precise translation it useful, there is another problem. The Traditionalists argue a more exact translation will make Catholics more Orthodox in their belief. Some even argue they will be more faithful Catholics. However, the statistics do not really bear this out. Mass attendance was at about 45%, in the United States, before Vatican II. Currently it is about 45% (after going above 60% after Vatican II).


In other Countries, Mass attendance has risen, including in Brazil. These Countries have the Novus Ordo (Mass in their native languages).


And Be With Your Spirit
While the new changes say "be with your spirit" the priest himself says "the Lord by with you."  What is the point of "be with your spirit?" Is it to emphasize the primacy of the soul in Salvation?  If this is the case, fine.


Are we also saying to the minister that we do not care about the welfare of his body? This is not fine. I will not belabor this point, however.


For Many
The phrase "will be shed for many, in the Greek ("sozo") can also mean "some" or "all." So the Greek language does not make a big deal about the translation.


It is a more faithful translation to the Latin, but the Greek, in which language we have the New Testament written, makes no such distinction. This seems a bit of a moot point to me.


Sure, be faithful to the Latin. However, know the Greek does not support scrupulosity.


The Beauty of the Novus Ordo
Several major apologists and theologians have been converted by the Novus Ordo Mass, including Scott Hahn. Scott attended a Novus Ordo Mass and saw (through the use of the English language) how the Mass is Scripture from beginning to end. If the Mass was in Latin, this would not have been possible unless Scott was fluent in Latin.


The First Mass
The first mass was in a common language of the Jewish people - Hebrew. First Century Jews in Palestine, celebrated Jewish ceremonies in Hebrew. Thus it is most likely that the first Mass was spoken in Hebrew.  Hebrew was the English of its day in Israel, it was a common tongue.


Now, some traditionalists think that there is a magical power to Latin. I do not say this facetiously, however. They have attributed to Latin almost god-like powers. They say things such as: Ending the latin Mass caused the corruption of the Church, The Church was not ready for the changes, the changes were not natural, etc.


So the changes are now natural?  After 40 years of the Novus Ordo we are to revert back to Latin?


I am sure this is what the traditionalists want.


Disobedience, Disobedience, Disobedience
I have talked to many people, including relatives, who would not attend Mass in the 90s because it was not in latin. Many people have been away from the Catholic Church for decades because of this.  Mel Gibson is a person who is a Latin Mass onlier. As if the words in Latin alone, will save anyone.


This is, in large part, why we have the indult Latin Mass. Because Catholics have their affectations they may put before Christ. It seems sometimes Latin is their God, not the Hebrew-ceremony-performing Christ.


Obedience, Obedience, Obedience
Regardless of the translation, obedience to the current form of the Mass is paramount. Your heart is tested by your obedience. You desire what is good, when you have holiness within you. You desire what is bad, when you have sin dwelling within. Are you obedient, regardless?


Questions for Consideration:

1. Do I put the Latin or English Mass before obedience to the Church and Christ?
2. Do I insist on attending only a Latin Mass and will not attend an English Mass and vice-versa?
3. Do I speak my mind about such things are Canon Law commands? 
4. Can I name five good things about the Novus Ordo (English Mass)?
5. Can I name five good things about the Latin Mass?
6. Can I resign myself to the will of God as manifested in the good of all peoples, before my preferences?
7. Is Christ and his Church first, before all things in my life?

+Blessed by the Lord, in his angels, Novus Ordo Mass, Latin Mass and his Saints.