What is your position on Feeneyism?
I completely disagree with the Feeneyites. I believe in Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood as taught by the Council of Trent. God is free and is not limited to His ordinary means. But I think the endless discussions of EENS, implicit faith, membership in the Church, etc. are all wastes of time.
I consider the Dimond Brothers and other extremists to be schismatic, since they take a chainsaw to the Mystical Body of Christ by excommunicating all and sundry.I was in the Dimond camp for a long time, and it's this that drove me away from them and made me realise they're nuts. Imagine a 60 year old man when Vatican II was in session. He had been a faithful Catholic all his life, going to Mass every Sunday and trying his best to live a virtuous life, and going to Confession whenever he faltered. Vatican II comes and goes and he's a bit surprised and confused about the Mass being in English now, but the Church does what the Church does and he has no reason to question it. This was before the internet, a random working man somewhere might never have even heard of the SSPX when it came around, let alone that the new Sacrament of Ordination is somehow invalid due to a change in the prayers said. That's far too deep and esoteric for a random layman to know about, especially when he has no internet. So he continues on, living his life well and devout, until one day the local parish Priest changes and the new one is a young man who was recently ordained under the new Rite. The man keeps going to Mass and continues going to Confession under this new Priest. And eventually a years later the man gets ill and passes on as all men eventually do, and receives his Last Rites(but under the new form).
Thanks Matthew. It was very interesting and uplifting to read of your background. After reading it I was somewhat surprised, however, that you as a tradCat would say that your life philosophy is "renaissance man." I certainly don't think Pius X or Marcel Lefebvre would have ever wanted to associate that philosophy with themselves, but perhaps I'm missing something here. In any event, I thought you might want to at least change the wording for a different expression in so much as the Renaissance is generally thought of as the start of the demise of Christendom.Renaissance man means polymath
Thanks Matthew. It was very interesting and uplifting to read of your background. After reading it I was somewhat surprised, however, that you as a tradCat would say that your life philosophy is "renaissance man." I certainly don't think Pius X or Marcel Lefebvre would have ever wanted to associate that philosophy with themselves, but perhaps I'm missing something here. In any event, I thought you might want to at least change the wording for a different expression in so much as the Renaissance is generally thought of as the start of the demise of Christendom.A "renaissance man" is a specific thing. I thought this was a popular term.
Question: why the beard?
:popcorn:
Just wondering.Societal views on beards change constantly, but our Lord had a beard so you can't go too far wrong with one.
The Marines view clean-shaven as a virtue.
And tactical.
Question: why the beard?Umm. He's a man.
:popcorn:
Bp. Williamson confirmed you in a firehouse hall a few years ago, right?
I heard Matthew prefers margarine to real butter. Say it ain’t so!!
So to me the whole thing is academic, like arguing about how many angels can fit on the head of a pin.
Question: why the beard?A man has a beard by nature and therefore needs a reason to shave. One cannot question why a man has a beard, you can only question why he shaves.
:popcorn:
I'm not going to get into the BoD question per se, but no, no, no ... EENS, implicit faith, and membership in the Church are NOT "wastes of time". As Bishop Williamson tried to hammer into us, ideas matter. Those ideas regarding implicit faith and looser criteria for membership in the Church are the theological foundations for all the Vatican II errors. If we don't understand those points and come to a Catholic understanding of them, we cannot and do not justify our Resistance to Vatican II. I've never spent five minutes of my time arguing BoD with someone UNLESS they also happened to inject these modern/modernist ecclesiological errors along with them..
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I thought it was an interesting interview, even if done facing a mirror, but that one paragraph on "Feeneyism" is a real blemish.
I have been around the block a few times; I know this is the kind of discussion that can completely derail a thread. Not gonna happen.
My favorite awakening was the "beard."
I can handle machinery (chainsaw, weedwhacker, tractor, riding mower), use various tools (axe, shovel, lopper, saw, hoe), pour concrete, light a fire (with no liquid accelerant), and other down-to-earth activities but I can also bake, cook, write a sonnet, mend clothing, or sing all kinds of music. I know how to make an old sink or toilet look as good as new.
Reads very much like a "singles" ad for any eligible ladies in Texas (where these skills are most important for a man). :laugh1: Don't forget that you're also adept at dispatching venomous snakes (a must for Texas). Mrs. Matthew had better be on the lookout.
I didn't mean to sound like a singles' ad ...
Tell me a bit about yourself personally.A most interesting glimpse into he who watches over this sight. :)
My life philosophy is "renaissance man" or polymath, and I apply this to my career as well. By that I mean I wear dozens of different hats. I can handle machinery (chainsaw, weedwhacker, tractor, riding mower), use various tools (axe, shovel, lopper, saw, hoe), pour concrete, light a fire (with no liquid accelerant), and other down-to-earth activities but I can also bake, cook, write a sonnet, mend clothing, or sing all kinds of music. I know how to make an old sink or toilet look as good as new. I'm a "jack of all trades, master of few".
I know. I was just having some fun with you.This ole bear is 51, so respect your elders! :P (cough cough hack wheeze) I feel ancient. ???
We do have a lot in common.
I'm a bit older, 50.
former STAS seminarian
6 kids (2 boys and 4 girls) -- most Trads look down on me for having too few, but I was 32 and my wife 29 when we got married
Computer Programmer by trade
I DID get a college degree, but was basically self-taught in programming (as my degrees are in Greek and Latin ... so no bearing on my current profession)
I agree with your overall philosophy of how you run the board, even if I don't see eye to eye on all the individual issues.
I think that margarine was invented by the devil (butter all the way).
... but I greatly dislike cats (much prefer dogs). Only thing I like about cats is that, in Buddhism, the cat was said to be the only animal to refuse to bow down to Buddha. So I'll give it credit for that at least.
6 kids (2 boys and 4 girls) -- most Trads look down on me for having too few, but I was 32 and my wife 29 when we got marriedI know, and I am extremely critical of such poor excuses for Trads. Some Trads need to learn how to MYOB (Mind Your Own Business).
My profession is Software Developer.Do you work from home?
I know, and I am extremely critical of such poor excuses for Trads. Some Trads need to learn how to MYOB (Mind Your Own Business).
Being open to life, avoiding birth control and NFP, and having 9+ children are NOT synonymous.
In fact, being open to life and having as many children as physically possible are also not synonymous. The Duggars are an example of the latter. Mrs. Duggar didn't do much breastfeeding, since that negatively affects a woman's fertility. Some women are completely infertile while they full-time breastfeed. And yet, breastfeeding is natural, designed by God, and therefore what's best for the baby. I would even say that breastfeeding your baby is God's will in most cases.
Since cats have been mentioned, I mistyped Cathinfo, leaving out a character (not having actually hit that key when reaching for it) ... and ended up here --Is that called a con-cat-ination? :P
https://catinfo.org/
Yeah, it's funny that I routinely get derided by people in the world for having 6, but then looked down on by Traditional Catholics for having 6. There's one woman at our local chapel here who pops a child out every 9 months. Having gotten married practically the day she turned 18, she's on pace to have 25-30. She too doesn't breastfeed (IMO on purpose) because it's like some contest she has going on with her sister (who's trying to do the same thing). I'm just waiting for her to get induced at 7 months going forward. And, yes, breastfeeding does tend to space children out about 2 years apart.I think if God meant for the average family to have double-digit children, then polygamy would still be a thing (that is, a permissible thing, like in Old Testament times).
Yeah, it's funny that I routinely get derided by people in the world for having 6, but then looked down on by Traditional Catholics for having 6. There's one woman at our local chapel here who pops a child out every 9 months. Having gotten married practically the day she turned 18, she's on pace to have 25-30. She too doesn't breastfeed (IMO on purpose) because it's like some contest she has going on with her sister (who's trying to do the same thing). I'm just waiting for her to get induced at 7 months going forward. And, yes, breastfeeding does tend to space children out about 2 years apart.Breast-feeding is actually crucial for a child's long term health and development, it's a shame that even many Trad mothers are skipping it.
I think if God meant for the average family to have double-digit children, then polygamy would still be a thing (that is, a permissible thing, like in Old Testament times).Agreed, I don't think double-digit families were EVER the norm. They certainly existed, but even long before birth control had ever been invented, most families didn't have that many kids.
Those children DO need to be raised as well. Educating children is a lot of work for 2 parents. Hooray for not artificially limiting family size, but do they have to go to the opposite extreme? They almost make a mockery of Traditional Catholics when they do that.
Nature is a foundation that grace builds upon.But our nature needs grace just to return back to normalcy, even before we can do things beyond nature's ability.
How will the children understand how much Jesus loved His mother, when they aren't as bonded to their own mother, due to skipping breastfeeding which is known to create a strong bond between mother and child?Right. I know there are circuмstances where a mother can't breastfeed, but it seems like it should be the normal way. I mean "infant formula" is a modern invention of the 1950s. In the past, if a mother's couldn't feed (for whatever reason), they had a 'wet nurse' or some other alternative.
My favorite part is where I thank myself for my time. :laugh1:
What kind of Catholics do you want on CathInfo?
All Traditional Catholics are welcome. All who can rationally discuss with other Traditional Catholics are welcome. However, they need to be able to get along with those who disagree with them on disputed points. Lay-popes, or those who act as judges or arbiters of truth and attempt to put down "the final, definitive word" on centuries-long theological debates, are not welcome and won't last long here. If you are not the Pope, please do not pass off your opinion as a "Papal Bull". Since you are not the Pope, it is not Papal. So we are left with "Bull".
If anyone has any other good questions, please let me know. The "interviewer" isn't far away, and I know him pretty well.
I know, and I am extremely critical of such poor excuses for Trads. Some Trads need to learn how to MYOB (Mind Your Own Business).I snipped out the parts about family size because the comments above are right on in a general sense, not just about that topic.
(snip)
Anyhow, these Pharisaical Trads also need to learn basic manners and what is socially acceptable behavior: because, frankly, some atheists and pagans have them beat.
The phrase "socially retarded" comes to mind.
Some Trads embrace the Trad package because it means being contrarian, so they can rub it in the world's face. They actually enjoy being a sign of contradiction to the Modern World. That can be a good starting point for spiritual growth, but it can also be a starting point for narcissism and pride. (snip)
Why did you require that one has to have "Trad heroes"?
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Only thing I like about cats is that, in Buddhism, the cat was said to be the only animal to refuse to bow down to Buddha.
So I'll give it credit for that at least.
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A man of varied talents which means you can likely whistle Dixie as you clean your muzzleloader. :cowboy:
Since cats have been mentioned, I mistyped Cathinfo, leaving out a character (not having actually hit that key when reaching for it) ... and ended up here --.
https://catinfo.org/
Why did you require that one has to have "Trad heroes"? Catholics have as heroes the Lord and his virgin mother Mary, apostles, popes, fathers, saints etc. My special heros are all the fathers of the Vatican Council and of the Council of Trent, St. Pius V. with respect to the mass, and St. Pius X. with respect to modernism. Also I am not a Trad (and they are Catholics). I am a Catholic (and they are the conciliar sect, as Lefebvre appropriately called them)..
It's simple.
It borders on blasphemy to sit there claiming the Trad movement hasn't begun, or that God hasn't sent anyone to help us during this time in the desert.
That isn't how God has worked in the past. There have always been heroes or prophets sent by God to help His people through trying times. Why wouldn't he do this in the New Testament, for Catholics who are in a special way part of Jesus Christ Himself (via the Mystical Body)? God always gives help, especially to those of good will and those with eyes to see and ears to hear. The Trad movement fits this modus operandi perfectly. It's difficult enough, but still within reach of virtually everyone WHO WANTS IT.
If God sent Moses and Joshua to lead the Chosen People through the desert, why would He leave the faithful Catholics, part of the Mystical Body, COMPLETELY FLOUNDERING with no help or guidance for 50+ years?
That's not the God I know, love, and serve.
See what I'm saying? This isn't about suffering or trials. God has always tried those He loved like gold in the furnace. However, in those trials there was always a path, a certain amount of guidance, and a way to deal with it.
This is why I have zero respect, and nothing but criticism, for those who would throw the entire Traditional Movement into the rubbish bin or stay aloof from it.
All throughout history God has provided contemporary living saints for the current generation, whenever it was.
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We are not left on our own quasi-Deist-like where everything was set in motion long ago and God is at a vast distance.
Although I never met him myself, I met several others who had known Padre Pio firsthand.
A great saint has a way of rubbing off on others, their spirit is contagious; this is a very important feature of a living faith.
There's only so much you can glean from reading books --- it takes real one-to-one interaction with living people.
Struthio said:
I don't see any living saint.
My favorite part is where I thank myself for my time. :laugh1:LOL
How far does your vision reach?
Is it necessary for a saint to be a public or well-known figure, and so to be visible?
How many faithful are being persecuted, tortured for their faith in lands outside America?
By the way St Pio was never an Novus Ordo priest, and he is not a Novus Ordo saint either, regardless of who canonised him.
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A living saint (in the sense of living in this world) is one who cannot yet possibly have the stamp of approval by the Church as a saint. That doesn’t mean one cannot recognise one. I myself, I have no doubt, have experienced living with two saints. There are others who are hidden from us.
All who can rationally discuss with other Traditional Catholics are welcome.I couldn't agree more. Especially the key word "rationally". I really can't deal with a bunch of zealous, irrational nutters.
Question for Matthew:
Asked this on another thread, but maybe you missed it.
You said you grew up with Bp. Slupski.
If you consider him to be a legitimate bishop, wouldn't you then also consider Bp. Trinh to be legitimate?
Now that I know what Matthew looks like, I must say that it doesn't match up with what I imagined him to look like. I imagined him looking like the guy in the red shirt in the picture I am posting.A while back ago, Matthew put up a thread for all who wanted to participate put up their picture, he assured us he would delete the thread after a bit, it was just there so we can see what each of us looked like. It was fun and surprising since as you say, most of the time no one looked as they were imagined. Maybe that is the way life is, others see us differently than we really are, not only in looks but personality too.
I enjoyed your interview, Matthew, and it makes me feel hopeful about being a member of this forum.
I have a question:
Are you familiar with the works of Maria Valtorta, and do you have an opinion?
I'm completely neutral on the book myself. It's not my position to censor controversial works, however. This is NOT cut and dried, like a work tainted with Modernism (the works of a Vatican II theologian, for example). Just like I'm not going to try to prevent every sin from being committed on CathInfo. I can't control everyone's Free Will. All I can do is encourage virtue, discourage vice and bad behavior, encourage love of truth, and leave everyone free (as God does) to pass the test of life -- or not.
When I see a filthy lie, I remove it. When I see flagrant uncharitable behavior, I chastise/moderate/ban. But do I miss some venial sins against charity committed right here on this forum? Of course. But God lets us all live despite committing sin. "The just man falls seven times a day." Apparently the good we do outweighs the evil, or the world would end today.
Wondering now, after three years, and so much has happened. Have your perspectives changed since the interview, either for the positive or even the negative. Example your attitude about margarine, BOD, sedevacantism, Dimond bros. R&R or even Bergolio, do you grace him with the Title of Pope?When I get some time later, I might add a few questions to it.
Do you regret having left the seminary or choices you make in your career?
Bump! I couldn't find this thread in Google or CathInfo search. Very annoying.
I know, and I am extremely critical of such poor excuses for Trads. Some Trads need to learn how to MYOB (Mind Your Own Business).
Being open to life, avoiding birth control and NFP, and having 9+ children are NOT synonymous.
In fact, being open to life and having as many children as physically possible are also not synonymous. The Duggars are an example of the latter. Mrs. Duggar didn't do much breastfeeding, since that negatively affects a woman's fertility. Some women are completely infertile while they full-time breastfeed. And yet, breastfeeding is natural, designed by God, and therefore what's best for the baby. I would even say that breastfeeding your baby is God's will in most cases.
Anyhow, these Pharisaical Trads also need to learn basic manners and what is socially acceptable behavior: because, frankly, some atheists and pagans have them beat.
The phrase "socially retarded" comes to mind.
Some Trads embrace the Trad package because it means being contrarian, so they can rub it in the world's face. They actually enjoy being a sign of contradiction to the Modern World. That can be a good starting point for spiritual growth, but it can also be a starting point for narcissism and pride. Hint: when you compare the size of your family to others, as though it's a contest, you're not on the right path.
Question: what is Matthew's opinion on fr. Hesse?
Just found this thread too and I'd have to say I agree with Matthew on this matter. I've seen such 'competition' myself and it's absolutely disgusting to see such things happening in Trad chapels.
My favorite part is where I thank myself for my time. :laugh1:I still laugh at it lol