Over at the National Catholic Register, I speak to my fellow concerned Catholic. These are my thoughts about we should proceed during these times of uncertainty.
The main thing is, Stay Catholic.
I would appreciate it if you gave me a read and your thoughts. Thanks.
May 2, 2014 at 11:33 am
You're arguing this the wrong way. Don't get pulled into using the terms and framing that they set. It's not an issue that the group are "kooks." The laws in NC do *not* ban clerg (or any individuals) from officiating at a "gay marriage." No authority in NC is going to stop Jim and Phil from heading down to the local unitarian hall to have their special day.It's just that the state of NC will not recognize that union as a legal marriage. That's all.
May 2, 2014 at 2:38 pm
"SSPX were right in so many of the things they said and their retention of Catholic tradition was praiseworthy. But once they separated themselves"
That's what the modernists WANT you to think…"Jus pleeze don' throw me in no…" Piux X Patch!
"The situation of the members of this
Society [SSPX] is an internal matter of the Catholic Church.
The Society is not another Church or Ecclesial Community in the
meaning used in the Directory. Of course, the Mass and Sacraments administered by the priests of the Society are valid. "
— Letter from the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity
Cardinal Edward Cassidy, President (3 May,1994)
“This fact was confirmed again
just last year, when the Diocese of Richmond was forced to
retract its own previous statement that the SSPX was in schism.”
Chris Jackson
| Remnant Columnist Feb. 2014"
Stop being afraid to fight for the Whole Truth!! It is our Inheritance.
SACERDOS
(“They have abandoned the Fort, those
who should have defended it.” (St. John Fisher)
Who held the Fort
Till the Calvary came
Fighting for all
In His Holy Name?
Who fed the sheep
As the pastures burned dry
A few Good Shepherds
Heeding their cry?
Who led the charge
‘Gainst heresy’s Huns
Defending the degreed
To His lowliest ones?
Who battened down
The hatch of the barque
To warm cold souls
From shivering-seas dark?
“Who?” mocks Satan
Delighting in doubt
Fills you with questions,
Never lets you find out.
“Hoc est enum
Corpus meum…
and for many…” who kept
The dead words – Te Deum!
May 2, 2014 at 5:21 pm
I'm not sure if my earlier comment was moderated out or disappeared thanks to internet gremlins, but here goes. If it's a repeat, I apologize. "Stay Catholic" is good advice, but how does one do that if, as many rightfully fear, the end result of the upcoming October Synod is nothing short of apostacy? Does one remain with the apostates, listening to their teachings, discounting the bad ones and accepting the good ones (a stopped clock being right twice a day, etc)? Can you count on being able to tell the difference, particularly when the stakes are the eternal destiny of your soul? Yes, staying on the barque of Peter is always to be desired, but when many of the officers seem intent on throwing as many passengers overboard if not scuttling the ship, a lifeboat like the SSPX, is a perfectly reasonable, non-protestant choice. Particularly when they recognize their place as a lifeboat and not the ship itself, as they do.
May 2, 2014 at 5:29 pm
The most ironic thing about those who continue to mock and speak ill of anyone who has concerns with the communication style of the Pope is how they routinely proclaim that they “get Francis” and how much “they love that guy.” It’s quite clear that they don’t “get Francis” at all. Because of they did, their style would change dramatically.
But there is also something else to consider when considering this crowd.Their negative reaction is also a demonstration of some concern and in some cases it is perhaps indicative of their own insecurities regarding the style of the Pope and wanting to shut down any possible criticism of him as a means of denial.
Indeed, stay Catholic. The Church is bigger than any one person and quite honestly, the Pope is a “faithful son of the Church.” His tactics might cause some concern but he is…Catholic.
May 2, 2014 at 5:30 pm
"Gates of Hell shall not prevail."
Stay within the Church and focus on your soul and that of your family. God will sort the higher level stuff out. We can help with prayer and fasting.
May 2, 2014 at 6:44 pm
So are the SSPX in communion or not?
I hear both yes and no.
May 2, 2014 at 7:50 pm
I think they are in a "limbo" if you will.
It's like a boat that came undone at the pier and is drifting out to see. It is not longer tied up and secure, yet we can still see it float out there near us all but ever so slightly moving away.
May 2, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Stu took my "gates of hell" comment.
May 2, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Ain't. Going. Anywhere.
Never.
I am watching and praying, too. Asking the same questions. Oh, yeah.
Take this to be a call from Heaven to get holier. And holier.
And then, holier.
And honestly, I'll be keeping an eye on the skies – for angels with flaming swords to come flyin' outa the clouds.
I'm not kidding.
May 3, 2014 at 3:32 am
Of course the gates of hell will not prevail. I know this. That doesn't mean untold numbers won't be lost en route. Focusing on my own soul is exactly what I'm talking about. In the guidance of my soul I would trust bishop Fellay long before Cardinal Kasper.And we can also fast and pray while receiving guidance from the SSPX. Not an either-or situation.
May 3, 2014 at 5:43 am
You bet times are a changing!
We are at the point of a spear!
More than any time in history, wholesale persecution of Christains, domestic and abroad, are at an all time high. It amounts to culturally sanctioned murder!
I don't know what marching orders from heaven were given to others, but mine were "not" to be intimidated! Not to sit down, roll over, shut up or cower in a corner when confronted with evil! There will be a time, very soon, when free speech will no longer be tolerated. It is here, now. As with any action, there are consequences and repercussions. I have asked myself, am I ready to die for Christ at a moments notice? We all have been singularly called to faith and to participate in a mission.
And of course, you when you have been effective in enemy territory (spiritual warfare), when you will experience uncomfortable "blowback"!
Thank You, Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, for the courage to live each day for you!
May 3, 2014 at 1:15 pm
I would choose neither of those two at this point and fortunately they aren't the only choices that God gives us.
May 3, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Stu said:
"Gates of Hell shall not prevail."
…but the "GAYS" of Hell sure are! Yes, pray & fast BUT DO SOMETHING! Start supporting the true Catholic Priests training our sons & daughters in the One, Holy Catholic Faith!! Stop listening to those old heretics telling you "Oh, those guys aren't in "full" communion" God's sake, you men!!!
AN
UNCOMMON
PLACE
This is a fearful place
This is an awesome place
A Christian ground
To bear our race.
Tabernacle
House of Gold
Hidden Jesus
Boys behold.
Outside Chapel
Men enrage
Cloistered minds
In truth engage.
This is a fearful place
This is an awesome place
A Christian fort
The enemy, face.
Before a game
Before a class
Rosary said
On beads of brass.
Before Confession
They examine
Gorge on grace
Gainst sin-fed famine.
This is a fearful place
This is an awesome place
A tower of ivory
Their garrison, base.
And upon the pitch
“Push back the age
As hard as it pushes against you”
Rage!
This Christian ground
This fort, this tower
Fearful, awesome…
It’s now your hour!!
See now, the future…
http://tinyurl.com/l93r35u
May 4, 2014 at 3:39 am
I fear that after October, those essentially will be the only choices. You can "stay catholic" with the those having the outward appearance of Christ's Church, or you can "stay Catholic" with those technically on the outside looking in, but holding to the faith of the saints and martyrs. If it comes to that, how will you choose?
May 4, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I deny that such will be the choice.
Stay within the Church and be obedient to the leadership. If they do something wrong in teaching, that is on their hands, not yours. Remain faithful to the teachings and focus on your own soul as that in turn will enable you to help others spiritually as well. But you don't go off on your own or join a bunch who are waling away from Saint Peter (even if very slowly).
May 4, 2014 at 2:23 pm
We disagree on the likelihood of such a choice. I believe the writing is on the wall. "If they do something wrong in teaching, that is on their hands, not yours." I disagree entirely. It may also be on their hands as well, but we will not escape responsibility for those wrongs we do, despite knowing they are wrong. "I was just following orders" is never a good a excuse for sin.
May 4, 2014 at 8:22 pm
LS,
I do support TRUE Catholic Priests. Here's the thing. I can't control what the leadership does. Sure, I can't make my voice known and I do. But ultimately, that's there charge in life and they will be held accountable accordingly for both the good and bad. I'll stay on the Barque of Saint Peter and in my obedience to that, God will take care of me. Of that, I have faith.
As traditionalists, we always seem to like to talk of people like Padre Pio or other Saints who suffered persecution at the hands of the Church. I wish all traditionalists would reflect upon what that really means. That last thing we need is more Catholics going their own way.
May 4, 2014 at 8:24 pm
So you think the Church is about to teach moral error? Really?
Didn't we start this with the "Gates of Hell shall not prevail"? What does that mean to you?
And nobody has suggested "I was just following orders" as any kind of excuse.
Buck up man. Have some faith. Now isn't the time to scatter into the woods at the first signs of apparent trouble.
May 4, 2014 at 9:09 pm
Yes, I'm familiar with the notion of the SSPX being the savior of the Catholic Church.
I'm banking on Jesus Christ instead.
While I am sympathetic and share MANY of their concerns, the whole "go it alone" approach is reminiscent of other "reformers."
I didn't get on the Barque of Saint Peter to simply case myself adrift at the first sign of trouble.
May 5, 2014 at 12:52 am
It's not going away. The documentary airs Monday night. My take:
http://subcreators.com/blog/2014/05/03/distortions-are-abundant-in-the-jesus-wife-documentary/