Author Topic: Rama Coomaraswamy (Read 18400 times)

henry · « **on:** July 21, 2010, 03:46:44 PM »

I read some of his essays and a couple of his books when he had his website up years ago. I've heard, but haven't confirmed, that his family is attached to the Novus Ordo and didn't approve of some of his views, and so took down his website shortly after his death. His website can still be found in its last state a couple places on the web (http://www.the-pope.com/coomcawr.html). He was the personal physician of Mother Theresa for some some, but later had a falling out with her and published their correspondence on his website.

In the last couple years of his life I struck up an email exchange with him, mainly consisting of me throwing compliments his way and and him thanking me. I was entertaining the possibility that the Novus Ordo and "conservative" EWTN-style Catholicism is fraudulent around this time. It wasn't a very interesting exchange because I was out of my depth. I was not yet, and still am not, all that sure that what I was positively responding to in his writings had to do with Catholicism or perennialism. I think what particularly excited me about his writings were the broad statements and arguments against modernity; these same qualities I found in some perennialists like Guenon, less so in others.

He kept in close contact with perennialists all his life, his father Ananda being a leading figure in this group. And his revised edition of The Destruction of the Christian Tradition was published shortly before his death by the publisher World Wisdom, which specializes in perennialism. I asked him why he chose this publisher and he replied that no Catholic publisher would accept the book.

He was close to Fr. Malachi Martin, who has always made me uneasy. Also his relationship with perennialists makes me uneasy as well because of their heretical proposition that all the major religions share the same god. And many leading lights of perennialism disagree on which religions get to be included in the "Great Religions" pantheon.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2010, 03:54:42 PM »

He also attended the October Conference at Mount St. Michael every year, I met, him and talked to him about Mother Therese, he told her she was wrong.

He was later ordained a priest, I believe against the wishes of CMRI.

henry · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2010, 04:03:06 PM »

And I believe there is a photo circulating around of Fr. Martin being present at his ordination.

Did you ever pick up on anything problematic or heretical in his writings?

MyrnaM · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2010, 04:10:18 PM »

Never read his writings, just talked to him at the conference every year for a few moments. After he was ordained he stopped coming, if I remember correctly.

That is what is so nice about those conferences we meet Catholics from all over the world, and not all are SV either.

Guess what, if they are not SV, no one kicks them around either.

My favorite about the conferences are the question and answer period, anyone can ask a question, on paper, no need to sign your name unless you want to and submit it to the Bishop. I love that part.

One year I asked if we could attend SSPX if we were traveling and he said, yes.

henry · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2010, 04:24:04 PM »

I'm surprised Dale Alquist will be speaking at that event this year. He's not a sedevacantist, is he?

MyrnaM · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:20:29 PM »

You know what henry, this is what makes CMRI so unique, just like the Church prior to Vatican II. Way prior to Vatican II, just as Jesus Christ would listen, and dine with all people not only His followers.

CMRI is strict in the sense they would not have someone up there talking down the Catholic Church in general, but they know that there is a heck of a lot, more to being a Catholic, then just ..... Is the Pope Catholic?

henry · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:33:41 PM »

Yes, I'm somewhat surprised that CMRI would invite him to speak at this event. But I'm more surprised that he wants to speak at the event. This is assuming he doesn't accept the sede stance. He used to have a show on EWTN and at that time he was, I believe, conservative Novus Ordo.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:41:15 PM »

It wouldn't surprise me in the least that he is thinking our way, the sede way.

Who knows maybe that is why he is coming.

I think more people are thinking along those lines, more and more.

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:42:15 PM »

I heard that Malachi Martin actually ordained him, and that Malachi Martin was a bishop. I know someone that saw his episcopal robes among his personal effects after he had died. This priest has his missal as well.

henry · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:45:36 PM »

This is the first I've heard of Martin being a bishop. He looks to be assisting in this photo of Coomaraswamy's ordination:

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:53:45 PM »

That is an awesome picture. Yes he was a bishop, though.

henry · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2010, 06:13:17 PM »

Is it word of mouth that he was a bishop or has it been confirmed?

I take it the chubby man in the photo is José Ramon Lopez-Gaston (according to Wikipedia). What part of the ordination is he carrying out in the photo?

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2010, 06:18:11 PM »

There was a visiting priest at my church (I go to an independent chapel) when the priest here was having cancer surgery. He said that he physically was there at his home (apartment whatever it was) and saw HIS (Malachi's) episcopal robes. This priest has in his possession, his (Malachi's) missal. So word of mouth, but from a very good source.

Cristian · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2010, 08:26:04 PM »

Quote from: MyrnaM

One year I asked if we could attend SSPX if we were traveling and he said, yes.

Myrna, which is the official position of CRMI regarding assisting at SSPX? I mean whether you have no other option or you do.

Thanks.

Cristian

henry · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2010, 08:32:35 PM »

Quote from: parentsfortruth

There was a visiting priest at my church (I go to an independent chapel) when the priest here was having cancer surgery. He said that he physically was there at his home (apartment whatever it was) and saw HIS (Malachi's) episcopal robes. This priest has in his possession, his (Malachi's) missal. So word of mouth, but from a very good source.

Why would Fr. Martin keep that a secret? Any idea who ordained him a bishop?