1. It's not just one or two people that say that "Feeneyites deny BoD, BoB" -- it's pretty much everyone. I'll admit it's the short version, and probably a highly simplified version. I'll also admit that I'm no expert on the intricate details of Feeneyism or the controversy that surrounds the group.
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So when a crowd of conspirators rise up to promote a denunciation of one man or one group it becomes a matter of fact? You know there are a lot of voices attacking President Trump, even claiming that he should be impeached: does that make it true? You say "it's pretty much everyone" but that's just your own perception. Everyone is the appearance of the critics of Trump, too, if you only watch the MSM. I'm glad to see you're aware you're not an "expert on the intricate details." That's at least a start.
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2. Are you saying that Feeneyites accept the doctrines of Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood?
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The teachings of BoD and BoB are entirely a matter of theological speculation. They in no way rise to the level of dogma by any stretch of the imagination, and
they hardly constitute a doctrine, since to different people they mean VASTLY different things, and it may well nigh be impossible to define them in the strict sense of the word. What Fr. Feeney managed to do was to see the inconsistency and how it was being used by Modernists to dismantle the missionary spirit in the Church, so he pointed out the inconsistency in defense of the Church to protect the missionary spirit and the purity of doctrine. Is that some kind of crime? Of course, to Modernists, defending the purity of doctrine is a crime, no question. Whose side do you want to be on? That's the question.
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3. Why do Feeneyites have such a bad reputation in the Trad world, to the point that everyone strongly dislikes them, they aren't welcome on most Traditional Catholic fora, they are often banned from Trad chapels, etc. Are you suggesting there's some kind of evil Illuminati-level conspiracy throughout the Trad world (across the board, in every group, even though most Trad groups completely oppose each other) to denigrate the reputation of a group of integral Catholics whose only fault is being seriously apostolic? Are you saying everyone hates you because you're holy and good, or because everyone is just jealous? Sorry, I don't buy that. You have a long way to go if you hope to convince me.
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Who says "Feeneyites" have a bad reputation? Their enemies? Who are these enemies? I know of one conspicuous figure, one Fr. Martin Stepanich (d. 2012), who dared to violate the principle of common decency by writing hit-pieces containing blatant lies and detraction against Fr. Feeney the very year he died, which were published by Michael Matt, the two-faced, in his wimpy Remnant newspaper, 1974. Is that what you're referring to? Or is it his otherwise uninformed readers? Are you aware at the time the Novus Ordo Newmass was the new kid in town and there was a lot of controversy over the Mass. You'd think that a Catholic priest who was wont to protect the TLM would be at least objective and charitable toward another priest who has the same outlook toward the Mass. But apparently it was too much to ask of Stepanich. What I am suggesting is that the devil is a whole lot more intelligent and scheming than man or even mankind, and it is the work of the devil to divide and conquer. Any tiny chink in the armor of Christendom is a prime target for the devil's attacks and especially among the defenders of the TLM.
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I don't expect to convince you. But so long as you refuse to physically go to let's say the St. Benedict Center at Richmond, NH, yourself and see first hand what you've been all up-in-arms about, it's your choice to continue in your ignorance.
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4. Yes, insofar as it's possible, St. Dominic's Chapel would like to see the conversion of America. Now personally I don't see this small Resistance chapel having much of an influence beyond a 1.5 hour driving radius, especially with no resident priest, but you brought it up...
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Are you willing to tell everyone who has any contact with St. Dominic's Chapel that
your crusade is the conversion of America?Do you know of ANYONE ELSE who says that?
Obviously, if you're going to go around saying that, you have to be
ready for questions."What are you doing to convert America?" and things like that.
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5. I had never heard of St. Benedict Centers nor did I know what they were about. I guess there isn't one anywhere near my hometown (same as TAN Books) nor my current stomping grounds (San Antonio area). And if there is, I can only conclude they must be doing a lousy job of putting themselves out there, being apostolic, garnering good publicity, etc.
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They don't advertise in the newspapers. They don't hold protest rallies in public parks like the TFP does. If you want to know what events they're going to be present at you need to go to their website or join their mailing list or at least their e-mail list. It's free. But you have to want to know. Or you can remain in ignorance. Perhaps invincibly.
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6. If the nearest St. Benedict Center is more than 45 min. away, I certainly won't be visiting. Not from any apathy towards the truth, but because my duties of state don't allow it. Sorry.
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Okay, so you can't make the trip to NH. Whatever. You can get on their e-mail list and read the regular articles that Brother Andre-Marie publishes. That's no big commitment, maybe 15 minutes twice a month or so. You can pay attention at least every now and then to someone OTHER than their enemies, which by the way includes various elements of the SSPX that you're so eager to oppose, like Fr. Laisney, if not for different reasons. Is the enemy of your enemy sometimes your friend, or not? Perhaps the perpetuation of animosity is the work of the devil -- no, it most certainly IS. The Franciscans against the Dominicans was a
delightful scenario from the devil's perspective!
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7. You should be grateful that CathInfo is the ONE Traditional Catholic forum (with a membership greater than 50) that allows Feeneyites to join or speak at all. I'm not exaggerating here. Most forums exclude Feeneyites in their official rules/charter. Yes, I place the Feeneyite group/controversy in a ghetto so as not to annoy the rest of the membership, but if there is indeed a global conspiracy to slander the group as you claim, then I am doing more than 99.9% of people to help rectify that. I am giving you a platform to defend yourselves and make your case -- to put the "truth" out there, if indeed the truth is different than the common belief about Feeneyites.
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I wouldn't be spending so much time here if I didn't appreciate your generosity. I don't come in hammering away at every hint of
anti-Feeneyism that crops up. But every now and then someone has to say something. I thank you for your level-headedness, even if it is due to German ancestry. I can make the identical claim, as well as the Irish contingent (which has other attributes).
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I'm not afraid of the Truth.
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Then go to
www.catholicism.org and sign up for e-mail newsletters. You won't get any spam. I promise.
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But you will get notification of when let's say, Brother Andre, will be within your convenient traveling distance so you can meet him.
You would be most pleasantly surprised: Another promise.