Author Topic: Profound question (Read 2138 times)

Matthew · « **on:** February 11, 2010, 09:18:19 PM »

Jack is a layman. He has thoughts and questions about various topics, including the Crisis in the Church and the status of the current Pope.

He asks his traditional priest about the Pope, etc., who gives him an answer to his question. However, the question doesn't satisfy him, humanly speaking.

A voice inside him says, "That doesn't answer the question." The voice also says, "I seem to understand the situation better than this priest does."

Question: Who is that voice? The voice of his Catholic sense just bursting to get out, or...

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2010, 09:20:16 PM »

I think the voice is the devil.

Because we, as laymen, are not called to enter into profound matters of theology.

To enter into such matters properly, with minimal chance of error -- being led astray by pride, desire to sleep in on Sunday, etc. -- , we would have to STUDY theology, not just read a book or two. That would take 3 years minimum, which is what priests spend. Even that is considered a START. Priests whose office is to teach, etc. will study a lot more than 3 years.

If Jack simply followed his priest, trusting that the priest knew best, God would not hold him accountable. If Jack were objectively right, the PRIEST might be held accountable...

That is where some sedevacantists get things wrong.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2010, 08:36:25 PM »

Which priest? You could go to ten different priests today and get ten different answers. That's precisely the problem.

Nor are laymen prohibited from using their intellects. I'm sorry to say this, but half of the Traditional priests I know couldn't theologize their way out of a wet paper bag.

Are laymen to be reduced to the state of unthinking drooling morons?

That sounds a lot like the drivel I heard while I was at the seminary, which was also extended to how women should not think at all but should be told what to think by their husbands. There's something less than completely human and, frankly, very cultlike and troubling about those kinds of attitudes.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2010, 08:38:19 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

That is where some sedevacantists get things wrong.

How do you know that you're not getting it wrong, since you too are an unqualified layman? You should go ask Father Cekada what he thinks about sedevacantism and submit your intellect and will to his judgment.

Caminus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2010, 08:41:40 PM »

Because "sedevacantism" is an contingent, particular "opinion" about a singular fact and as such goes well beyond what the Catholic faith teaches and demands we practice.