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Traditional Catholic Faith => Crisis in the Church => Topic started by: Traditionalmom on September 28, 2012, 02:00:41 PM

Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Traditionalmom on September 28, 2012, 02:00:41 PM
I'm posting this here (and not on fisheaters-but I'm sure the local snitch over there may take me to task publically for it) I admit I tried to take the "can't we all just get along" place at fisheaters. I admit I publically castigated several SSPX'er folks for their views calling them "elitist and arrogant"-for that I am sorry please forgive me. I've been reading up on the SSPX and I was buying into the NO has to be OK because the Pope said so stuff but after reading several articles on SSPX.org I have to say I'd be pretty ticked off too to look at things the way they used to be and then after VII voila! it's all different.

Some of you Cathinfo people may know me from fisheaters I've also been to CAF as under a different user name. I don't like to go there anymore because I'm "abusive" for lovingly discipling my children with spanking and I think sodomy/sodomites-(currently a word that is pretty much off limits on fisheaters for fear of the RSS feed) is disgusting and vile.-I don't see those that are into sodomy as "victims".  

Anyway a little background first then the questions/issues.

I currently attend a Cont. Anglican Church (one of the alphabet soup Anglican churches) I would like to convert to the Catholic Church but my husband has made it clear divorce is in the future if that is what occurs. I've been married for 9 years and have 4 children 9, 3, 2, and 9 mo. I've talked to a couple priests one of which was the head of the local Dominican Priory and he told me to preserve my marriage and my children's homelife I might have to wait till they are grown till I convert (so dealing with the divorce will be easier for them). I've watched basically all of the Dimonds vids. I think that some of what they say is logical but it seems hopeless to me if they are right. I prefer to have hope.

Now for the questions/concerns/issues...

When is the Pope speaking infallibly? (encyclicals, CCC, Councils, Papal Bulls??) Is VII a "pastoral council"-(proof please) or a binding infallible council-(again proof please) I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes. On subjects like the Jews, Islam, heretics/schismatics etc. The pre-Vatican II pronouncements seem pretty cut and dried, black and white but since VII they seem not "gray" or "unclear" but quite frankly the opposite of pre-VII Popes. Now I can understand the sedevacantist view, I don't quite get the SSPX view. He's the Pope, he's infallible, but he's been making seemingly heretical comments that don't jive with previous Popes.

I know I sound like a stupid female idiot and I am. I would like someone to explain these things to me in layman's terms not with a bunch of .50 cent words. Feel free to post proof with Papal docuмents and I'll try to understand them with help of a dictionary in some points.  :scratchchin:

After seeing what I've personally seen in the NO and watched online other NO Masses I can definately say I won't attend one of those. What about attending a TLM by those that were ordained under the new revised Paul VI rite? Are they validly ordained?

Please help. (no joke I came here for answers) I've noticed the progression. If you go on CAF you get modernist liberal answers, example: "when the ccc says muslims have the same God they mean that there really is only one God and he's monotheistic" c'mon I wasn't born yesterday how do you reconcile that with fact they deny the Trinity and their "holy book" says God has no Son? If you go on fisheaters you get the same but just a slight difference.

Not to completely burn FE I've had some good conversations on there but yeah to question anything deeply is to be treated like a traitor and yeah the priest over there is one of them.  
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: ServusSpiritusSancti on September 28, 2012, 02:47:39 PM
Welcome, Traditionalmom. I'll answer your questions the best I can.

Quote
I currently attend a Cont. Anglican Church (one of the alphabet soup Anglican churches) I would like to convert to the Catholic Church but my husband has made it clear divorce is in the future if that is what occurs. I've been married for 9 years and have 4 children 9, 3, 2, and 9 mo. I've talked to a couple priests one of which was the head of the local Dominican Priory and he told me to preserve my marriage and my children's homelife I might have to wait till they are grown till I convert (so dealing with the divorce will be easier for them).


I know that divorce is never easy on children, but you really need to divorce your husband now. Your soul and the souls of your children are more important. You can't put off conversion until your kids are grown just to please your husband. What if something happens to you before then? You're going to wish you had converted. A Traditional Catholic priest would tell you to convert and divorce him, for the good of both your soul and the souls of your children.

Quote
When is the Pope speaking infallibly?


http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm

Quote
Is VII a "pastoral council"-(proof please) or a binding infallible council-(again proof please) I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes.


The modernists behind the council insisted that it was "pastoral", but you don't start a Church council, then turn around and say "Oh, but you're not required to believe it". So, we should simply reject Vatican II and say that it was not a true council of the Church.

Quote
What about attending a TLM by those that were ordained under the new revised Paul VI rite? Are they validly ordained?


Only God knows for sure, but it's often advised not only by sedevacantists but even the SSPX not to attend TLMs celebrated by priests in the New Rite. It is doubtful at best.

As far as "Catholic" Answers, I know what you mean. I would stay away from that place, you won't find true Catholicism there.

I hope my answers have helped you.

God Bless.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Telesphorus on September 28, 2012, 03:00:29 PM
Conversion is necessary SS, but just because someone threatens divorce means they will follow through.

You're out of your depth to give advice like that SS.

I do believe the Dominican who said not to convert was definitely wrong, showing religious indifferentism.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: ServusSpiritusSancti on September 28, 2012, 03:30:59 PM
Quote from: Telesphorus
You're out of your depth to give advice like that SS.


Ok, that wasn't correct. I should have said that if her husband is indeed serious about divorcing her if she converts, go ahead and let him divorce her. THAT is what I should have said, my apologies.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Sunbeam on September 28, 2012, 03:57:16 PM
Traditionalmom,

Hello. I think most people posting on this Forum would wish you welcome.

Quote from: You
I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes.


You are spot on.

I say so from the point of view of someone who came from protestantism (Anglicanism and then Methodism) and entered the Catholic Church before Vatican II. During and soon after that Council, it appeared to me that the Catholic Church was slowly going back to where I had just come from, but as a newbie I dismissed the idea, thinking that it showed a lack of trust on my part in our legitimate pastors. Nevertheless, it was upsetting to have my high expectations of the Catholic Church so soon disappointed, but I hung on because, theologically, there was nowhere else to go.

It took me the next forty years before I came to accept that my early assessment had been closer to the truth than I had realized: there was something seriously wrong with Vatican II, and since, without the approval of the Roman Pontiff the decisions of a general council are a dead letter, it follows that the ultimate responsibility for the errors of Vatican II rests upon the person purported at the time to be the Pope, viz: Paul VI.

That realization was something of a shock but it opened the path to rediscovering the Catholic Church of my early expectations, albeit in a much deprived state. Classify me as a sedevacantist, if you like, but do not make the mistake of identifying my position with that of the Dimonds. I am most at home with what can be found on the CMRI website, and rather than me reinventing the wheel in order to answer your questions, I would direct you there in the first instance, with the recommendation that you plead with the Blessed Mother of God to assist you by Her prayers.

The domestic situation that you describe is an added burden for you, and not something for public discussion via the Internet. For pastoral advice about it, I would suggest that you make contact with a CMRI priest: I think you will be treated kindly and you will not be put under pressure to convert in undue haste.

I may not have answered any of the questions that you have in mind but I hope the above remarks will give you some encouragement to press on with your enquiry, remembering that our Blessed Lord advised:  "Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you." [Matt.7:7]
 
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Capt McQuigg on September 28, 2012, 05:13:09 PM
Sorry to hear that your husband has taken such a hardline, obstinate stance.  At this point, browbeating him and nagging him would probably be counterproductive.  You must work on your interior prayer life, strictly limit your reading to Traditional Catholic books (prayer books, Church doctrine, history, etc.).  I want to throw in a quick recommendation to pick up St. Francis de Sales' "Introduction to the Devout Life" published by Tan Book Co.

Say a lot of prayers for the conversion of your husband.  Buy a green scapular, have it blessed by a traditional priest and place it underneath the mattress on his side of the bed.  If you already pray the rosary, start off your rosary with intentions and have the main intention for the conversion of your husband.  If you don't pray the rosary, visit a traditional Catholic Church and ask one of the other ladies there to give you a quick instruction.  

Engage your husband in conversation.  What are the key faith issues that divide the two of you?  Gently explain the history of the Anglican church and how it's really just a counterfiet church to begin with - although I think you already know this and it probably wouldn't be best to start off with this issue.  Share those Dimond brother videos with him.  Sit down together and watch "What we have lost and the road to restoration".  Read the same books together and discuss what appealed to each of you.  Ask him why are not only the vast majority of anglicans pro-abortion but why are even the clergy pro-abortion?  Surely morality matters to him, right?

Ask him why remaining in the Anglican church is so important to him.    

If he's staunchly anti-Catholic, then you will eventually reach a crucial crossroads and you will be forced to choose correctly.  SpiritusSancti is right that your soul and the souls of your children are at stake here.  

The other posters here will provide you with numerous excellent references, this website is loaded top to bottom with a bunch of really knowledgeable people who are more than willing to help you out.

 :pray:---->for his conversion

 :pray:---->for your strength to see this through successfully!
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Traditionalmom on September 28, 2012, 06:25:51 PM
Thank you for all of your advice. I would like to talk to a traditional priest. I know where there is an SSPX church with priests on staff. Believe me my salvation and that of my children is foremost on my mind. The "he who loves father, mother, etc. etc. more than me isn't worthy of me" is something I think about often. I have St. Frances de Sales book I will read it a friend gave it to me for my birthday.

Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: TKGS on September 28, 2012, 07:10:40 PM
I would recommend that you not use the Dimond brothers as a yard stick to measure the Catholic faith.  While much of what they present is good, they also present false teachings.  They are dangerous if you do not really know the faith.

Many answers to questions, in addition to Daily Catholic which was earlier suggested, would be the Aquinas Catholic Site which can be found at:

http://sedevacantist.com/

There is also a forum there from which you can learn a lot, though it is not really meant for most people who like to post on forums.  However, the content of the forums can provide a lot of understanding concerning the Catholic faith.

I would also suggest viewing the website of the CMRI at:

http://www.cmri.org/

Irregardless, you should speak to a good traditional priest.  An SSPX priest would be good; a CMRI priest would be better (in my opinion).  Under no circuмstances should you speak with a priest who is connected to the "official" church.  After reading the sites above, you will understand why I say this.  

I can't advise you on your present situation other that to note that you must do what is best concerning your soul.  Ultimately, if you always follow where the truth leads, you will find salvation especially if it requires carrying the cross God has appointed to you.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Sigismund on September 28, 2012, 09:22:46 PM
Whatever you do, please avoid the Dimond Brothers as you would a poisonous snake.  

Best wishes and prayers.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Stubborn on September 29, 2012, 04:32:24 AM
Quote from: Traditionalmom

When is the Pope speaking infallibly? (encyclicals, CCC, Councils, Papal Bulls??) Is VII a "pastoral council"-(proof please) or a binding infallible council-(again proof please) I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes. On subjects like the Jews, Islam, heretics/schismatics etc. The pre-Vatican II pronouncements seem pretty cut and dried, black and white but since VII they seem not "gray" or "unclear" but quite frankly the opposite of pre-VII Popes. Now I can understand the sedevacantist view, I don't quite get the SSPX view. He's the Pope, he's infallible, but he's been making seemingly heretical comments that don't jive with previous Popes.



These are some excellent questions you bring up, thanks for that.

"The pope speaks infallibly" actually means that when the pope is defining or teaching  some doctrine of faith which all Catholics are bound to believe under pain of mortal sin, the Holy Ghost safeguards this teaching from error.

The pope himself is a mere human capable of all the infirmities, afflictions and corruptions we all are capable of - the only difference between you and him is his position of authority as supreme ruler and Christ's Vicar on earth. You can sin, he can sin. You can make mistakes, he can make mistakes. You can go out drinking and partying with friends, he can do the same - and on and on. He is perfectly capable of lying as you are unless he is defining doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.

As supreme ruler, he is also the supreme law maker and is perfectly capable of making both good and bad laws -which if they are bad, we are not bound to follow.

As supreme ruler, he is in charge of defending the faith from the "gates of hell", whose relentless efforts to penetrate undetected into the Church will continue non-stop till the end of time. But he is perfectly capable of dropping all defenses, perfectly capable of choosing to not do his job if he so chooses. Before he is pope, he is human.

For example aka Man for All Seasons, if the pope were to declare the world is flat, would that make the world flat? Same goes for speaking ex cathedra (infallibly). He can only define and repeat those things which had already been revealed to the Apostles at Pentecost for the good of the faith - this very brief and incomplete definition is what is called "the deposit of faith".

Most Catholics believe that everything the pope does is infallible because of his authority, but in reality, he can do very little infallibly because it is usually (not always) limited to repeating that  which has already been taught or previously defined.  I say "not always" because God can directly reveal (Divine Revelation) something not previously defined, such was the case with the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

The First Vatican Council was infallible and it was about papal infallibility - reading it might help to clear up some things for you: Vatican I (http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Councils/ecuм20.htm) declares:
For the holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter
    not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine,
    but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles.


I don't want to derail this thread so will only reply in regards to the position of the SSPX with what is often called "recognize and resist". IOW, recognize that the pope is the pope but disobey him when his laws are not good. I am no spokesman for the SSPX but can say they are following Church teaching in that regards as per  cuм ex Apostolatus Officio (http://sedevacantist.com/encyclicals/Paul04/cuмex.html) This Constitution teaches: the Roman Pontiff,who is the representative upon earth of God and our God and Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the fulness of power over peoples and kingdoms, who may judge all and be judged by none in this world, may nonetheless be contradicted if he be found to have deviated from the Faith...........

This teaches that the pope can indeed deviate from the faith. It teaches if and when this occurs that we are not to follow him, it teaches us that we are to contradict him in his error. I think this is a perfect reference that supports the "recognize and resist" position that the SSPX have held since it's beginning.

Additionally, they must have known that the pope can completely deviate from the faith as  they continue on:
..........Remembering also that, where danger is greater, it must more fully and more diligently be counteracted

I think this is enough support for the SSPX's recognize and resist stance. I know others will disagree, but for me, this is enough to entirely and accurately explain why the SSPX remain loyal subjects of the pope yet condemn ("counteract") his NO.

Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Traditionalmom on September 29, 2012, 10:58:49 AM
Thank you stubborn that was a very good explanation. I will look into reading the rest of the docuмent. "man for all seasons"-is that a reference to St. Thomas More?
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: PenitentWoman on September 29, 2012, 11:13:35 AM
Traditionalmom,

I just want to offer my prayers.  I'm so sorry for the situation with your husband... his extreme reaction is unfortunate. Just keep praying for him and have faith that in time, his eyes will be opened.

I'm new to tradition as well.  I think you'll find this forum to be an excellent resource.

God Bless your beautiful family.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Conspiracy_Factist on September 29, 2012, 12:27:14 PM
Quote from: Sigismund
Whatever you do, please avoid the Dimond Brothers as you would a poisonous snake.  

Best wishes and prayers.

can you give me the biggest disagreement you have with the Dimond brohers, I read on another post that they disagreed with their stance thatMary is not co-redeemer..can you give me your biggest gripe with them.. are you  implying they are of bad will?
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Stubborn on September 29, 2012, 01:21:37 PM
Your welcome and Man for all seasons is a movie about St. Thomas More.
http://www.amazon.com/Man-All-Seasons-Paul-Scofield/dp/6305252564

It is an absolutely fantastic movie about St. Thomas More - watch it if at all possible.

I would like to offer another suggestion for you to do in your situation.

Nothing, not even marriage should stand in the way of raising your children in the true faith, but as other have suggested, best to speak to a trad priest about that situation.

In the mean time, learn how to pray to get the help you need. The help you seek really is only a few prayers away once you figure out how to get what you pray for - you'll see as I saw once I figured it out. Read the snip below, slowly and over a few times if necessary -  and take it to heart - absolutely and literally. Please keep us informed, and God bless you.



From: Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence (http://olrl.org/snt_docs/trustful/)
(Wow, what a fantastic little book)

Nothing happens in the universe without God willing and allowing it. This statement must he taken absolutely of everything with the exception of sin. 'Nothing occurs by chance in the whole course of our lives' is the unanimous teaching of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, 'and God intervenes everywhere.'

From Part 2:
We do not ask enough

It is clear then that we do not receive anything because we do not ask enough. God could not give us little, He could not restrict His liberality to small things without doing us grave harm. Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that we offend God if we ask for temporal benefits or to be freed from misfortune. Obviously prayers of this kind can rightly be addressed to Him by making the condition that they are not contrary to His glory or our eternal salvation. But as it is hardly likely that it would redound to His glory for Him to answer them, or to our advantage to have them answered if our wishes end there, it must be repeated that as long as we are content with little we run the risk of obtaining nothing.

Let me show you a good way to ask for happiness even in this world. It is a way that will oblige God to listen to you. Say to him earnestly:  Either give me so much money that my heart will be satisfied, or inspire me with such contempt for it that I no longer want it.

Either free me from poverty, or make it so pleasant for me that I would not exchange it for all the wealth in the world. Either take away my suffering, or -- which would be to your greater glory -- change it into delight for me, and instead of causing me affliction, let it become a source of joy. You can take away the burden of my cross, or you can leave it with me without my feeling its weight. You can extinguish the fire that burns me, or you can let it burn in such a way that it refreshes me as it did the three youths in the fiery furnace. I ask you for either one thing or the other. What does it matter in what way I am happy? If I am happy through the possession of worldly goods, it is you I have to thank. If I am happy when deprived of them, it gives you greater glory and my thanks are all the greater.

This is the kind of prayer worthy of being offered to God by a true Christian. When you pray in this way, do you know what the effect of your prayers will be? First, you will be satisfied whatever happens; and what else do those who most desire this world's goods want except to be satisfied? Secondly, you will not only obtain without fail one of the two things you have asked for but, as a rule, you will obtain both of them. God will give you the enjoyment of wealth, and so that you may possess it without the danger of becoming attached to it, He will inspire you at the same time with contempt for it. He will put an end to your sufferings and even more He will leave you with a desire for them which will give you all the merit of patience without having to suffer. In a word He will make you happy here and now, and lest your happiness should do you harm, He will let you know and feel the emptiness of it. Can one ask for anything better? But if such a great blessing is well worth being asked for, remember that still more is it worth being asked for with insistence. For the reason why we obtain little is not only because we ask for little but still more because, whether we ask a little or we ask a lot, we do not ask often enough.

Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Hobbledehoy on September 29, 2012, 07:11:56 PM
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Sacred%20Miscellany/Ecclesia1.jpg)



Hello Traditionalmom!


In the Library subforum, I have uploaded the treatise de Ecclesia Christi from the tome A Compendium of Theology: Comprising of the Essential Doctrinal Points of Both Dogmatic and Moral Theology, Together with the More Important Notions of Canon Law, Liturgy, Pastoral and Mystical Theology, and Christian Philosophy by the Very Rev. Fr. J. Berthier (vol. I.; trans. Rev. Fr. Sidney A. Raemers; St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co., 1931).

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/A-Compendium-of-Theology

Here are some pages you may find useful (Nos. 128-161):






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Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Hobbledehoy on September 29, 2012, 07:32:13 PM
The sedevacantist stance has been explained enough on this forum, essentially being based on the premise that the modernists of the Johannine-Pauline council proposed and structurally implemented a novel economy of salvation that contradicts and repudiates the deposit of the holy faith entrusted unto Holy Mother Church, and that John XXIII, Paul VI, &c., lapsed into formal heresy by officially and formally adopting this synthesis of modernism which they systematically imposed and thereby cut themselves off from the Mystical Body of Christ and therefore cannot be said to be Vicars of Christ upon earth, ruling His Mystical Body with supreme primacy and infallible magisterium (as explained above).

Those faithful of the SSPX believe that the so-called "promulgation" of the modernists' new economy of salvation at "Vatican II" does not necessarily entail the vacancy or usurpation of the Holy See, for, they contend, this has yet to be demonstrated apodictically in a scientific and systematic manner by the sedevacantist apologists, whilst answering satisfactorily  all the problematic questions inherent the vacancy or usurpation of the Apostolic See as they have interpreted it.
 
Whether we agree or disagree on these matters, we are all striving to be loyal sons and daughters of Holy Mother Church. What concerns me is not whether other Catholics agree with whatever my personal opinions may be, but that they may have access to information from approved sources so that they may arrive at informed and orthodox conclusions, guided by prayer and holy grace.

Ultimately we indeed disagree to only agree because we all want the same thing: the freedom and exaltation of Holy Mother Church.

Whatever position one takes, it is worthless and even noxious unless one leads a better interior life because of it: giving oneself over to works of piety, charity and penance; perseveringly practicing interior and exterior mortification; frequenting the holy Sacraments and seeking the spiritual direction of a devout and learned Priest; and abandoning oneself with filial confidence unto the designs of Divine Providence, whilst consecrating completely all that one is and has to Mary Most Holy, so that she may jealously preserve us by her benign tutelage and maternal patronage as Mediatress of All Graces.

Msgr. Charles Journet, in fact, in his work The Church of the Word Incarnate: An Essay of Speculative Theology (trans. A.H.C. Downes; London: Sheed and Ward, 1954) discusses prayer as the remedy for a bad Pope, which, I believe, summarizes what is ultimately the position of the such faithful as those of the SSPX.




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Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Sede Catholic on September 30, 2012, 02:31:24 AM
Dear Traditionalmom,

I strongly advise you to continue posting on CathInfo.

On many other websites such as CAF or FE, a large number of the posters are heretics, there is a widespread ignorance of the Faith, and the true Catholic view is suppressed.

Here, on CathInfo, there are many knowledgeable Catholics.
We have the true traditional Catholic Faith.
Here you have the opportunity to encounter many generous souls who will give you the advice that you need.
Also, many people are at different levels here.
There are many who are still looking for the truth. So you will feel at home with them.
There are also others who are further ahead, and can therefore hopefully answer your questions.

Perhaps we will be able to give you some advice about your unfortunate family situation as well.
I hope that you stay here.  
I think that it will be good for your soul.
It could also help the souls of your children and your husband.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: nadieimportante on October 01, 2012, 12:28:47 PM
Quote from: Stubborn
Quote from: Traditionalmom

When is the Pope speaking infallibly? (encyclicals, CCC, Councils, Papal Bulls??) Is VII a "pastoral council"-(proof please) or a binding infallible council-(again proof please) I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes. On subjects like the Jews, Islam, heretics/schismatics etc. The pre-Vatican II pronouncements seem pretty cut and dried, black and white but since VII they seem not "gray" or "unclear" but quite frankly the opposite of pre-VII Popes. Now I can understand the sedevacantist view, I don't quite get the SSPX view. He's the Pope, he's infallible, but he's been making seemingly heretical comments that don't jive with previous Popes.



These are some excellent questions you bring up, thanks for that.

"The pope speaks infallibly" actually means that when the pope is defining or teaching  some doctrine of faith which all Catholics are bound to believe under pain of mortal sin, the Holy Ghost safeguards this teaching from error.

The pope himself is a mere human capable of all the infirmities, afflictions and corruptions we all are capable of - the only difference between you and him is his position of authority as supreme ruler and Christ's Vicar on earth. You can sin, he can sin. You can make mistakes, he can make mistakes. You can go out drinking and partying with friends, he can do the same - and on and on. He is perfectly capable of lying as you are unless he is defining doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.

As supreme ruler, he is also the supreme law maker and is perfectly capable of making both good and bad laws -which if they are bad, we are not bound to follow.

As supreme ruler, he is in charge of defending the faith from the "gates of hell", whose relentless efforts to penetrate undetected into the Church will continue non-stop till the end of time. But he is perfectly capable of dropping all defenses, perfectly capable of choosing to not do his job if he so chooses. Before he is pope, he is human.

For example aka Man for All Seasons, if the pope were to declare the world is flat, would that make the world flat? Same goes for speaking ex cathedra (infallibly). He can only define and repeat those things which had already been revealed to the Apostles at Pentecost for the good of the faith - this very brief and incomplete definition is what is called "the deposit of faith".

Most Catholics believe that everything the pope does is infallible because of his authority, but in reality, he can do very little infallibly because it is usually (not always) limited to repeating that  which has already been taught or previously defined.  I say "not always" because God can directly reveal (Divine Revelation) something not previously defined, such was the case with the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

The First Vatican Council was infallible and it was about papal infallibility - reading it might help to clear up some things for you: Vatican I (http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Councils/ecuм20.htm) declares:
For the holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter
    not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine,
    but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles.


I don't want to derail this thread so will only reply in regards to the position of the SSPX with what is often called "recognize and resist". IOW, recognize that the pope is the pope but disobey him when his laws are not good. I am no spokesman for the SSPX but can say they are following Church teaching in that regards as per  cuм ex Apostolatus Officio (http://sedevacantist.com/encyclicals/Paul04/cuмex.html) This Constitution teaches: the Roman Pontiff,who is the representative upon earth of God and our God and Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the fulness of power over peoples and kingdoms, who may judge all and be judged by none in this world, may nonetheless be contradicted if he be found to have deviated from the Faith...........

This teaches that the pope can indeed deviate from the faith. It teaches if and when this occurs that we are not to follow him, it teaches us that we are to contradict him in his error. I think this is a perfect reference that supports the "recognize and resist" position that the SSPX have held since it's beginning.

Additionally, they must have known that the pope can completely deviate from the faith as  they continue on:
..........Remembering also that, where danger is greater, it must more fully and more diligently be counteracted

I think this is enough support for the SSPX's recognize and resist stance. I know others will disagree, but for me, this is enough to entirely and accurately explain why the SSPX remain loyal subjects of the pope yet condemn ("counteract") his NO.



Copied for future pasting.

Thanks
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: TraditionalistThomas on October 01, 2012, 01:17:20 PM
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus

The modernists behind the council insisted that it was "pastoral", but you don't start a Church council, then turn around and say "Oh, but you're not required to believe it". So, we should simply reject Vatican II and say that it was not a true council of the Church.


I hate to break it to you, but you do realise that if you do accept Pope Paul VI as having been a true Pope, rejecting Vatican Council II as "not a true council" puts you in objective schism with the Church?

Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: ServusSpiritusSancti on October 01, 2012, 01:50:49 PM
Quote from: TraditionalistThomas
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus

The modernists behind the council insisted that it was "pastoral", but you don't start a Church council, then turn around and say "Oh, but you're not required to believe it". So, we should simply reject Vatican II and say that it was not a true council of the Church.


I hate to break it to you, but you do realise that if you do accept Pope Paul VI as having been a true Pope, rejecting Vatican Council II as "not a true council" puts you in objective schism with the Church?


I hate to break it to you, but you don't seem to know what the definition of schism is. And what you wrote is off-topic, this thread isn't about whether or not Paul VI was a true Pope. No one said anything about that.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: TraditionalistThomas on October 01, 2012, 01:58:16 PM
Quote from: Traditionalmom
I'm posting this here (and not on fisheaters-but I'm sure the local snitch over there may take me to task publically for it) I admit I tried to take the "can't we all just get along" place at fisheaters. I admit I publically castigated several SSPX'er folks for their views calling them "elitist and arrogant"-for that I am sorry please forgive me. I've been reading up on the SSPX and I was buying into the NO has to be OK because the Pope said so stuff but after reading several articles on SSPX.org I have to say I'd be pretty ticked off too to look at things the way they used to be and then after VII voila! it's all different.


Hi! I thought I recognised the name!

Yes indeed. Problems exist with the Novus Ordo Missae.

Quote from: Traditionalmom
Some of you Cathinfo people may know me from fisheaters I've also been to CAF as under a different user name. I don't like to go there anymore because I'm "abusive" for lovingly discipling my children with spanking and I think sodomy/sodomites-(currently a word that is pretty much off limits on fisheaters for fear of the RSS feed) is disgusting and vile.-I don't see those that are into sodomy as "victims".


There may be gems of info concerning the faith every now and then on the Catholic Answers Forum, but I suggest to not go there. Heresy is rampant there and is left unchecked for the most part. Even on issues not really concerning the faith, such as raising children, they're Novus Ordo and are going to be very liberal. Stick to the traditional stuff.

Quote from: Traditionalmom

Anyway a little background first then the questions/issues.

I currently attend a Cont. Anglican Church (one of the alphabet soup Anglican churches) I would like to convert to the Catholic Church but my husband has made it clear divorce is in the future if that is what occurs. I've been married for 9 years and have 4 children 9, 3, 2, and 9 mo. I've talked to a couple priests one of which was the head of the local Dominican Priory and he told me to preserve my marriage and my children's homelife I might have to wait till they are grown till I convert (so dealing with the divorce will be easier for them). I've watched basically all of the Dimonds vids. I think that some of what they say is logical but it seems hopeless to me if they are right. I prefer to have hope.


I suggest to talk to a traditional priest. Try and find a SSPX, or an FSSP priest that you can talk to, even on the phone if necessary. Look at their respective websites to get contact information.

Concerning the Diamonds vids, avoid them like the plague. Study the faith from the various catechisms and grow in the faith. That is what matters at the moment. You can find the various catechisms (Roman Catechism, Catechism of St. Pius X, Baltimore Catechisms) on the internet to read, if you don't have the money to buy them.

Quote from: Traditionalmom

Now for the questions/concerns/issues...

When is the Pope speaking infallibly? (encyclicals, CCC, Councils, Papal Bulls??) Is VII a "pastoral council"-(proof please) or a binding infallible council-(again proof please) I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes. On subjects like the Jews, Islam, heretics/schismatics etc. The pre-Vatican II pronouncements seem pretty cut and dried, black and white but since VII they seem not "gray" or "unclear" but quite frankly the opposite of pre-VII Popes. Now I can understand the sedevacantist view, I don't quite get the SSPX view. He's the Pope, he's infallible, but he's been making seemingly heretical comments that don't jive with previous Popes.


This is a problem. You're jumping to very serious theological positions in Catholicism before you even know the basic dogmas of the faith. Learn the faith first. As I said, go to the catechisms. Grow in faith and in your prayer life. Don't concern yourself with issues such as sedevacantism. There are clearly bigger obstacles that you have to tackle.

Concerning infalliblity:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm

Concerning Vatican II:
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/vatican2/vatican.htm
http://www.sspx.org/sspx_faqs/q6_vatican_ii.htm

Concerning Traditionalism:
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/vatican2/deftrd.htm

Concerning the present crisis in the Church:
http://www.sspx.org/miscellaneous/how_catholics_respond_present_crisis.htm

Quote from: Traditionalmom

I know I sound like a stupid female idiot and I am. I would like someone to explain these things to me in layman's terms not with a bunch of .50 cent words. Feel free to post proof with Papal docuмents and I'll try to understand them with help of a dictionary in some points.  :scratchchin:


No, you're not a "stupid female idiot". You're learning. Here, I'll link you to some catechisms, going from simple to complicated:

Baltimore:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/balt/balt02.htm

St. Pius X:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/catechsm/piusxcat.htm

Catechism of the Council of Trent:
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/thechurch/catechism/trentc.htm

Quote from: Traditionalmom

After seeing what I've personally seen in the NO and watched online other NO Masses I can definately say I won't attend one of those. What about attending a TLM by those that were ordained under the new revised Paul VI rite? Are they validly ordained?

Yes. Just find an SSPX Mass centre nearby if you can.

Quote from: Traditionalmom

Please help. (no joke I came here for answers) I've noticed the progression. If you go on CAF you get modernist liberal answers, example: "when the ccc says muslims have the same God they mean that there really is only one God and he's monotheistic" c'mon I wasn't born yesterday how do you reconcile that with fact they deny the Trinity and their "holy book" says God has no Son? If you go on fisheaters you get the same but just a slight difference.


It's better for you to get answers for the faith in the catechisms, because they don't contain any error. Just avoid the modern catechisms (post 1965). When you can't find an answer in the catechisms then rely on internet forums.

Quote from: Traditionalmom

Not to completely burn FE I've had some good conversations on there but yeah to question anything deeply is to be treated like a traitor and yeah the priest over there is one of them.  


That's a bit of a wild assertion. I don't really get what you're referring to.

God bless, and good luck!

In Christ,

Thomas
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Belloc on October 01, 2012, 02:00:06 PM
Quote from: Traditionalmom
I'm posting this here (and not on fisheaters-but I'm sure the local snitch over there may take me to task publically for it) I admit I tried to take the "can't we all just get along" place at fisheaters. I admit I publically castigated several SSPX'er folks for their views calling them "elitist and arrogant"-for that I am sorry please forgive me. I've been reading up on the SSPX and I was buying into the NO has to be OK because the Pope said so stuff but after reading several articles on SSPX.org I have to say I'd be pretty ticked off too to look at things the way they used to be and then after VII voila! it's all different.

Some of you Cathinfo people may know me from fisheaters I've also been to CAF as under a different user name. I don't like to go there anymore because I'm "abusive" for lovingly discipling my children with spanking and I think sodomy/sodomites-(currently a word that is pretty much off limits on fisheaters for fear of the RSS feed) is disgusting and vile.-I don't see those that are into sodomy as "victims".  

Anyway a little background first then the questions/issues.

I currently attend a Cont. Anglican Church (one of the alphabet soup Anglican churches) I would like to convert to the Catholic Church but my husband has made it clear divorce is in the future if that is what occurs. I've been married for 9 years and have 4 children 9, 3, 2, and 9 mo. I've talked to a couple priests one of which was the head of the local Dominican Priory and he told me to preserve my marriage and my children's homelife I might have to wait till they are grown till I convert (so dealing with the divorce will be easier for them). I've watched basically all of the Dimonds vids. I think that some of what they say is logical but it seems hopeless to me if they are right. I prefer to have hope.

Now for the questions/concerns/issues...

When is the Pope speaking infallibly? (encyclicals, CCC, Councils, Papal Bulls??) Is VII a "pastoral council"-(proof please) or a binding infallible council-(again proof please) I just don't see how one can reconcile the CCC teaching/current teaching by Pope Benedict XVI and all with the pre-VII encyclicals etc. by past Popes. On subjects like the Jews, Islam, heretics/schismatics etc. The pre-Vatican II pronouncements seem pretty cut and dried, black and white but since VII they seem not "gray" or "unclear" but quite frankly the opposite of pre-VII Popes. Now I can understand the sedevacantist view, I don't quite get the SSPX view. He's the Pope, he's infallible, but he's been making seemingly heretical comments that don't jive with previous Popes.

I know I sound like a stupid female idiot and I am. I would like someone to explain these things to me in layman's terms not with a bunch of .50 cent words. Feel free to post proof with Papal docuмents and I'll try to understand them with help of a dictionary in some points.  :scratchchin:

After seeing what I've personally seen in the NO and watched online other NO Masses I can definately say I won't attend one of those. What about attending a TLM by those that were ordained under the new revised Paul VI rite? Are they validly ordained?

Please help. (no joke I came here for answers) I've noticed the progression. If you go on CAF you get modernist liberal answers, example: "when the ccc says muslims have the same God they mean that there really is only one God and he's monotheistic" c'mon I wasn't born yesterday how do you reconcile that with fact they deny the Trinity and their "holy book" says God has no Son? If you go on fisheaters you get the same but just a slight difference.

Not to completely burn FE I've had some good conversations on there but yeah to question anything deeply is to be treated like a traitor and yeah the priest over there is one of them.  


To cut to the chase, avoid at all costs anything that the Dimonds have, no matter how good or true on something, entertaining them at all, in any manner, invites sin and  :devil2:. John Salza, r. Sungenis, Matatitics-several have made good reasons why.

Two, Anglicans allow almost anything to fly, so, why would your spouse divorce you? Catholcis to rigid for him???? he is willing to throw away your family and children over it?

Find a good, traditional priest to talk to for guidance, whether FSSP, SSPX, Diocesan(some risks there).....at this point, stay away from the SV only because that would add a lot of info and discussion you are not ready for yet, plus some more interested in playing the "whose the pope or not" and would likely not be helpful in the main issues-your conversion and ramifications w/family.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Belloc on October 01, 2012, 02:01:48 PM
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus
Quote from: Telesphorus
You're out of your depth to give advice like that SS.


Ok, that wasn't correct. I should have said that if her husband is indeed serious about divorcing her if she converts, go ahead and let him divorce her. THAT is what I should have said, my apologies.


I started to get hackles up, but thanks for clarifying! Whew...true, he might divorce, if so, then screw him and let him do whatever he is going to do via Cesar......Mother Seton was disowned by her family and was heart broken, but persisted with the Fide......
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Capt McQuigg on October 01, 2012, 04:55:12 PM
Traditionalmom,

Do you ever attend Anglican services together with your husband?
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Conspiracy_Factist on October 01, 2012, 08:04:34 PM
[

I currently attend a Cont. Anglican Church (one of the alphabet soup Anglican churches) I would like to convert to the Catholic Church but my husband has made it clear divorce is in the future if that is what occurs. I've been married for 9 years and have 4 children 9, 3, 2, and 9 mo. I've talked to a couple priests one of which was the head of the local Dominican Priory and he told me to preserve my marriage and my children's homelife I might have to wait till they are grown till I convert (so dealing with the divorce will be easier for them). I've watched basically all of the Dimonds vids. I think that some of what they say is logical but it seems hopeless to me if they are right. I prefer to have hope. [/quote]

I suggest to talk to a traditional priest. Try and find a SSPX, or an FSSP priest that you can talk to, even on the phone if necessary. Look at their respective websites to get contact information.

Concerning the Diamonds vids, avoid them like the plague.



what's with the avoid the Dimonds like the plague nonsense, I have yet to hear 1 good reason to "avoid" the Dimonds....I'd like to know are ther e many priests in the SSPX that have not been traditionally ordained? I was under the impression they were
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: ServusSpiritusSancti on October 01, 2012, 09:53:28 PM
Quote from: gooch
what's with the avoid the Dimonds like the plague nonsense, I have yet to hear 1 good reason to "avoid" the Dimonds....I'd like to know are ther e many priests in the SSPX that have not been traditionally ordained? I was under the impression they were


Actually, Thomas is correct, the Dimonds should be avoided like the plague. They are your tpyical armchair theologians who condemn practically everyone (and for pretty ridiculous reasons), and they also spout heresy about the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are right about some things (most notably Fatima and the nєω ωσrℓ∂ σr∂єr), but overall, they are extremists and liars.

As far as the ordinations of priests in the SSPX, a vast majority of them have been ordained in the Old Rite, NOT the New. There is a lot of falsehood going around about the validity of SSPX priests - even the validity of Archbishop Lefebvre's Ordination - but none of it is true. There have reportedly been a very small number of priests in the Society ordained in the New Rite, but assuming this is even true, it is very rare. It may become less rare, however, as the liberalization of the SSPX continues.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Belloc on October 02, 2012, 07:51:15 AM
Gooch, many of us have told you why or, referred you to people that have written on the Dimonds and have had interactions with them.....obviously, too much time here at CI and not enough research on your own, a plague for Catholics, who wantto sit and wait for that silver plated package of info-usually, then to reject it outright anyway.......

They are decievers, hypocrites and cultics.....
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Belloc on October 02, 2012, 07:53:19 AM
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus
Quote from: TraditionalistThomas
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus

The modernists behind the council insisted that it was "pastoral", but you don't start a Church council, then turn around and say "Oh, but you're not required to believe it". So, we should simply reject Vatican II and say that it was not a true council of the Church.


I hate to break it to you, but you do realise that if you do accept Pope Paul VI as having been a true Pope, rejecting Vatican Council II as "not a true council" puts you in objective schism with the Church?


I hate to break it to you, but you don't seem to know what the definition of schism is. And what you wrote is off-topic, this thread isn't about whether or not Paul VI was a true Pope. No one said anything about that.


He knows, too many SV have obsession with that thesis, no other topic can be discussed w/o bringing that up like some parrot JW......talk about the weather? somehow the "whose your Pope or not" comes into the discussion..over and over and over and over.........
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Belloc on October 02, 2012, 07:54:27 AM
Quote from: gooch
Quote from: Sigismund
Whatever you do, please avoid the Dimond Brothers as you would a poisonous snake.  

Best wishes and prayers.

can you give me the biggest disagreement you have with the Dimond brohers, I read on another post that they disagreed with their stance thatMary is not co-redeemer..can you give me your biggest gripe with them.. are you  implying they are of bad will?


asked and answered many, many times........stop a new thread on the Demons....er Deimonds if you want, lets not confuse "newbie"
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Conspiracy_Factist on October 02, 2012, 10:10:18 PM
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus
Quote from: gooch
what's with the avoid the Dimonds like the plague nonsense, I have yet to hear 1 good reason to "avoid" the Dimonds....I'd like to know are ther e many priests in the SSPX that have not been traditionally ordained? I was under the impression they were


Actually, Thomas is correct, the Dimonds should be avoided like the plague. They are your tpyical armchair theologians who condemn practically everyone (and for pretty ridiculous reasons), and they also spout heresy about the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are right about some things (most notably Fatima and the nєω ωσrℓ∂ σr∂єr), but overall, they are extremists and liars.

As far as the ordinations of priests in the SSPX, a vast majority of them have been ordained in the Old Rite, NOT the New. There is a lot of falsehood going around about the validity of SSPX priests - even the validity of Archbishop Lefebvre's Ordination - but none of it is true. There have reportedly been a very small number of priests in the Society ordained in the New Rite, but assuming this is even true, it is very rare. It may become less rare, however, as the liberalization of the SSPX continues.


what is the heresy about the blessed Virgin Mary? what have they lied about, this is  a big accusation to make toward someone
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Conspiracy_Factist on October 02, 2012, 10:16:23 PM
Quote from: Belloc
Quote from: gooch
Quote from: Sigismund
Whatever you do, please avoid the Dimond Brothers as you would a poisonous snake.  

Best wishes and prayers.

can you give me the biggest disagreement you have with the Dimond brohers, I read on another post that they disagreed with their stance thatMary is not co-redeemer..can you give me your biggest gripe with them.. are you  implying they are of bad will?


asked and answered many, many times........stop a new thread on the Demons....er Deimonds if you want, lets not confuse "newbie"

answered many times??? the only specific example given was about Mary co-redeemer, I don't want to be spoon fed anything, you give out names like Sungensis and others and this is supposed to prove the Dimonds are liars?? are u serious..
that would be like someone in this forum who says stay away from you because there are 10 critics of you
it's quite simple,you are making a serious allegation that someone is a liar...is it not reasonable i ask for specifics, once I know what the subject of contention is believe me I won't rely on you or anyone to get to the bottom of the truth......start a new thread, ok I agree..will do
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: stevusmagnus on October 02, 2012, 11:37:01 PM
Hobble,

The text you posted on page 4 (thank you for doing so) refers to a possibility of refusing the bad acts of a pope. This seems to be the SSPX position. But it only does so in one small line. Of course, prayer is necessary also. However the article seems to stress prayer as the only remedy. I wish he would have elaborated on practical suggestions in the meantime.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Hobbledehoy on October 03, 2012, 12:16:26 AM
Quote from: stevusmagnus
Hobble,

The text you posted on page 4 (thank you for doing so) refers to a possibility of refusing the bad acts of a pope. This seems to be the SSPX position. But it only does so in one small line. Of course, prayer is necessary also. However the article seems to stress prayer as the only remedy. I wish he would have elaborated on practical suggestions in the meantime.


Hello StevusMagnus! Long time no, uh, write(?)!

Msgr. Journet treated the question as a tangential point in his treatise, and the ultimate remedy is prayer indeed. However, he (nor did any other theologian) ever imagine that the Roman Pontiff could ever actively abet and systematically implement a "new economy" of salvation devised by the modernists who sought to undermine the depositum fidei entrusted to the Church of Christ.

The sedevacantists endeavor to explain that by positing that the leaders of the Johannine-Pauline structure have lapsed into formal heresy properly so-called and have lost legitimate claim to the primacy.

However, different sedevacantists interpret what exactly that entails in different and sundry ways. Amongst them, there have been some who have expressed themselves in such wise so as to promote theological errors in an attempt to answer the anti-sedevacantists' objections.

One recent example is found in those sedevacantists who would make their clerici acephali and epicopi vagantes as the duly appointed hierarchy of the Church of Christ, as if ordinary jurisdiction and formal Apostolcity can be claimed without the Roman Pontiff in the equation. This is an attempt to address the serious objection that sedevacantism subverts the perpetuity of the visible structure of the Church as Christ Himself has established it.

In order for the sedevacantists to logically posit their self-appointed clergy as constituting the Ecclesia docens, they must first demonstrate and prove:

(1) precisely how, when and why the occupants of the Johannine-Pauline structures cannot claim to constitute the Ecclesia docens;

(2) precisely how, when and why the occupants of the Johannine-Pauline structures lapsed away from the Catholic and divine faith into formal heresy, properly so-called;

(3) what precisely in the docuмents of the Johannine-Pauline council can be said to constitute the "Œconomia nova" of the modernists, by identifying the heresies and errors thereof and demonstrating what theological label is to designate these propositions (according to the methodology of the eminent theologians whom Holy Mother Church has proposed to us as our teachers and guides in these matters);

(4) they must demonstrate the theological, moral and Canonical ramifications of the deliberate and contumacious adherence of these propositions of the Johannine-Pauline council, both as regards to the Bishops of the time and to the laity and clergy who remain materially adhered to the structures that were brought forth by the Johannine-Pauline council and its modernist proponents;

(5) how exactly are we to contextualize these occurrences to the doctrines of Holy Mother Church as set forth in the Encyclical letters of the Roman Pontiffs, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the approved theologians of the illustrious schools; and

(6) why does it necessitate positing the conglomerate and acephalous clerics of the anti-modernist resistance as constituting the Ecclesia docens, and what are the criteria whereby the faithful may readily identify who exactly amongst these same clerics to be ascribed the "hierarchical claim" and how these clerics are to "exercise" such a claim (for example, what prevents one from ascribing such "hierarchical claim" to Bp. Pivarunas, but denying it to Bp. Slupski, or how can the faithful determine who are the charlatans and frauds, such as Ryan "St. Anne" Scott?).

Numbers one through five have been done by individual apologists (whether clerical or lay), or groups thereof, but not in a systematic manner, much less according to the strict scholastic methods of inquiry as seen in how theologians such as Franzelin, Van Noort, Scheeben, Garrigou-Lagrange, Tanquerey, Fenton, &c., present sacred doctrine in their manuals and commentaries. As one sedevacantist has written:

Quote
There is no "complete" published sedevacantist theory except the Guerardian one (and even that has not been published in any language than French, and even in French it was not put into a systematic form and published in a volume, but rather it appeared scattered throughout issues of a journal). Yet non-sedevacantists are attacked for failing to adopt "sedevacantism". This only needs to be stated for its absurdity to be immediately apparent. Can any reasonable and just man condemn another for refusing to accept a theory which, as far as he can see, involves the denial that the Church has a hierarchy? Can anybody really be condemned for not adopting a theory which nobody has even bothered to present in a professional and complete form?


Number six essentially constitutes the controversy in question, and it has become a public controversy now because of the contumacy of certain polemicists who have made novel theories in prejudice to sound theology.

In order for such sedevacantists as the aforementioned polemicists to evade the censure of theological error or of being "rash," they have to methodically and systematically present the predicament of the Church in the present day according to the teachings and methods of Thomistic philosophy and theology. They cannot just pretend the Johannine-Pauline structures do not exist or have relevance, because millions of Catholics adhere to them in good faith, and immune from danger of formal heresy according to the promise of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima in the third portion of the great "Secret."

For to posit that the conglomerate of acephalous and vagrant clergy in the anti-modernist resistance is to be identified as the Ecclesia docens is equivalent to stating categorically and unequivocally that the "traditionalist movement" is the Church (not just a portion thereof), and that the Johannine-Pauline structures necessarily impute the guilt of formal heresy unto those who adhere to them, without due consideration of the great obfuscation of the present age whereby millions of Catholics yet remain deluded and led astray without guilt of their own.

Furthermore, positing that the the conglomerate of acephalous and vagrant clergy in the anti-modernist resistance is to be identified as the Ecclesia docens would indeed invest them with "executive responsibility" for what has been happening with the Church for the past decades: including everything from the Johannine-Pauline council, to the sex abuse scandals and the conspiracy to conceal these crimes, to the immorality rampant and encouraged at such events as the "Youth Days" or whatever they are called, &c.

For, if these clerics have been "sent" by some sort of missio extraordinaria, and have been endowed with the necessary power and jurisdiction: why would Christ make this hierarchy (sic) of His Church so powerless, divided, and enfeebled so as to allow the damnation of millions upon millions of Catholics who have defected into modernism or lapsed away from the faith in the Johannine-Pauline structures?

Or is the responsibility of these clerics limited to the faithful who attend their chapels and give them stipends? If so, how can their missio be universal and pertain to the entirety of the Church of Christ (both the Latin Occident and the Churches of the Orient)? How can these sedevacantists say that their interpretation of things does not lead to a cult?

This is how problematic the so-called "hierarchical claim" of the traditionalist clerics truly is. It is not helping the anti-modernist resistance, nor does it vindicate sedevacantism in any way. On the contrary, it is inherently subversive not only to sedevacantism, but to the entire resistance against the Johannine-Pauline structures.

For in positing these ecclesiological errors, sedevacantists such as the aforementioned polemicists incur the censure of Cajetan as cited by Msgr. Journet

Quote from: Msgr. Charles Journet, in fact, in his work [i
The Church of the Word Incarnate: An Essay of Speculative Theology[/i] (trans. A.H.C. Downes; London: Sheed and Ward, 1954), pg. 411n]During a vacancy of the Apostolic See, says Cajetan, the universal Church is in an imperfect state; she is like an amputated body, not an integral body. "The Church is acephalous, deprived of her highest part and power. Whoever contests that falls into the error of John Hus―who denied the need of a visible ruler for the Church―condemned in advance by St. Thomas, then by Martin V at the Council of Constance. And to say that the Church in this state holds her power immediately from Christ and that the General Council represents her, is to err intolerably" (De Comparatione etc., cap. vi., 74). Here are the seventh and the twenty-seventh propositions of John Hus condemned at the Council of Constance: "Peter neither is nor ever was the head of the Holy Catholic Church"; "There is nothing whatsoever to show that the spiritual order demands a head who shall continue to live and endure with the Church Militant" (Denz. 633 and 653).


The anti-sedevacantists could make the argument that such polemicists as those in question expose "sedevacantism" as theologically untenable by subscribing to the condemned twenty-seventh proposition of John Hus.

Moreover, the twenty-eighth proposition seems to be blueprint of the so-called "Apostolic Church" that these sedevacantists have devised: "Christ through His true disciples scattered through the world would rule His Church better without such monstrous heads," Christus sine talibus monstruosis capitibus per suos veraces discipulos sparsos per orbem terrarum melius suam Ecclesiam regularet" (Denz., no. 654). And there have been sedevacantists who have lamented the dogmatic definition of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff by the Vatican Council (Session IV, 18 July 1870) in the Constitution Pastor aeternus as the "preparation" for the present day ecclesiastical crisis; ironically echoing the Jansenists and Gallicanists that preceded them.

Ultimately, this renders such sedevacantists' opinion the very "sedevacantism" (to speak anachronistically) that John Hus himself professed, as his twentieth proposition seems to show: "If the Pope is wicked and especially if he is foreknown, then as Judas, the Apostle, he is of the devil, a thief, and a son of perdition, and he is not the head of the holy militant Church, since he is not a member of it," "Si Papa est malus et praesetim, si est praescitus, tunc ut Iudas apostolus est diaboli, fur, et filius perditionis, et non est caput sanctae militantis Ecclesiae, cuм nec sit membrum eius" (Denz., no. 646). For if these so-called apologists of the sedevacantist camp adopt an ecclesiology that hearkens to the errors of John Hus, there may be a legitimate objection that posits the possibility that "sedevacantism" as interpreted by these polemicists is ultimately a revival of the Hussite heresies.

In making the acephalous and vagrant clergy the Ecclesia docens, such theorists are devising an "Œconomia nova" of their own, wherein this sort of "sedevacantism" brings forth a new abominatio in desolationem (cf. Dan. cap. xi., 31, cap. xii., 11), or, rather, a new abominatio desolationis (cf. Dan. cap. ix., 27, S. Matt. cap. xxiv., 15, S. Marc. cap. xiii., 14): not only a Church without a Pope, but a Church that has no need of a Pope to have a hierarchy that can claim Apostolic succession formaliter and ordinary jurisdiction. A new and vile form of fideicide that brings about scandal and error in a manner analogous to the Hegelian historicist "dogmatics" of the modernists and their Johannine-Pauline structures.

The sickening and heart-rending irony of the tragic errors of such sedevacantists as those who Missal-sift (whilst condemning the SSPX for "Pope-sifting") is that they, in their endeavors to expose the Johannine-Pauline anti-liturgy as ushering in the "abomination of desolation," have themselves ushered in another "abomination of desolation" - a Church that not only is bereft of a Pope, but has no need of one to function.

The explanation of the crisis presently assailing Holy Mother Church, commonly known as "sedevacantism" in the discourse of traditional Catholics of the day, is a very complex, polymorphous thing. I, however, refuse to avail myself of theological error and even heresy in resisting the Johannine-Pauline novelties.

To be frank, I myself have been in a sort of "suspended animation" on account of the problematic and labyrinthine ramifications and implications of sedevacantism, and have been in the process of critically reviewing the ecclesiological orientation that informs certain interpretations of sedevacantism.

After much prayer, study and discussion, I can definitively state:


               I  

                 still  
 
                       don't  

                               know

                                        all

                                            the  

                                                  answers.
                                                                                                                         

If I would be compelled to give a name to the stance to which I subscribe - though I am loathe to be compartmentalized by a label - I reckon that it would have to be docta ignorantia (thanks, Nicholas of Cusa!).

In light of the liturgical abuses of certain acephalous and vagrant clerics of the sedevacantist persuasion, and beholding the principles pertaining to the Sacred Canons, the notes of the Church, ecclesiastical jurisdiction, &c., woefully misunderstood and abused by the lay followers of these clerics, I cannot identify myself with the sedevacantist persuasion in the same manner as hitherto.

So, some things have changed since we last met here, Stevus.

Time has a way of doing that...
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: stevusmagnus on October 03, 2012, 01:06:37 AM
Hobble,

Thank you for that very thoughtful and thorough response.

As John Venarri once said, "Sedevacantism seems to ask more questions than it answers."

I like your quote by Cajetan regarding the state of the Church in between popes.

Quote
the universal Church is in an imperfect state; she is like an amputated body, not an integral body. "The Church is acephalous, deprived of her highest part and power.


Even if one says BXVI is the pope it seems as if the current Church is functioning as if it had no head.
Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: Hobbledehoy on October 03, 2012, 01:39:54 AM
Quote from: stevusmagnus
Even if one says BXVI is the pope it seems as if the current Church is functioning as if it had no head.


That's right: the forces of anti-Christ are working in such a manner so that both options (whether to accept Benedict XVI as the Roman Pontiff or not) are exceedingly problematic, to the point of demanding a heroic perseverance in the profession and practice of the holy Catholic faith.

The modernist novelty of "collegiality" whereby the aggregate of bishops has audaciously usurped the authority of the Supreme Pontiff in the Johannine-Pauline structures (as seen in the hypocritical protests whereby the bishops attempted to levy their political influence against the SSPX or anything else proximate to Catholicism, whilst hiding criminal perverts and propagandizing heresy), has also ushered an ecclesiological "abominatio desolationis" by marginalizing the office of the Roman Pontiff as a mere figurehead. Again, a Church that can ostensibly be either horrendously acephalous or monstrously bicephalous (according to the notion of "collegiality") and has no use for a Pope.

This is why the "talks with Rome" were destined for failure, because the Johannine-Pauline structure cannot be understood by Catholic ecclesiology: it is a mysterium iniquitatis. One may say that divine Providence allowed the talks between the SSPX and the Vatican machine in order to prove all the more clearly that it is modernism that is sacred to the political regime of the elitists of the "new economy" of the N. O.

Prayer is the most efficient and sole remedy now more than ever, and I think all the anti-modernist camps can agree: and this was why I posted those pages from the pen of Msgr. Journet.

It seems the office of the Roman Pontiff is the most attacked and abused of all the teachings of the Church, after the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: it is truly the Passion of Our Lord renewed in His Mystical Body (to speak by analogy) by the fideicide (faith-killing) of the present day. And yet it is to be expected, because the reality of the beautiful dogma of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff (as defined by the Vatican Council) and the dread Mysteries of the sacred Altar (as defined by the sacred Council of Trent, amongst many other sources of Catholic dogma) have their same source in the Word Incarnate, Our Lord the Eternal High Priest, whose Divinity is being denied by heretics, schismatics, Jews, Mohammedans, etc.

The Church, the Roman Primacy, the sacred Altars: all suffer the violent attacks upon the divine Person of Our Lord Himself.

Title: Please explain this to a newbie idiot like myself
Post by: stevusmagnus on October 03, 2012, 06:49:48 AM
Yes. As Peter denied our Lord three times before his crucifixion so the modern popes deny Him before the crucifixion of His Mystical Body. They in practice deny the primacy of their own office, the primacy of the one true Faith, and the primacy of Christ in the social order. Except where Peter acted out of human weakness and repented bitterly, the popes of today justify their betrayal as affirming Christ! The Devil's finest hour. In reality they affirm a false anti-Christ of their own making: an idol. I am convinced they are so disoriented they truly believe this idol to be Christ. Thus the insane inconsistency in their words and thus the dangerousness of their sincerity mixed with the trappings of the true Faith. Deluded shepards leading their sheep to the wolf, all the while thinking they are serving them. In any other time Catholics en masse would have recognized this modernism for the insanity that it is. The devil had to work 2,000 years on civilization before coming upon a time where men were so deluded that they no longer even recognize the disease much less the cure.