Author Topic: A Letter to Bp. Faure (Read 18074 times)

Croixalist · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2015, 03:38:46 PM »

Beware the Pied Pfeiffer!

Matthew · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2015, 03:54:43 PM »

Quote from: obscurus

What an embarrassing letter. If this is any indication of the "Pfeifferian" branch of the "Resistance" then they are headed for disaster. Does that sound too alarmist? Perhaps. However, what I think might happen is that they are soon going to paint themselves in a corner by ostracizing everyone who doesn't exactly tow their party line. I ain't no prophet but this does not look good at all. Of course they would argue that only THEY are the one's holding to Archbishop Lefebvre's position.

The letter lacked nuance and theological principles. In many respects it was a poorly written piece that proved to me that the basis of Fr. Pfeiffer's stance is perhaps based more on emotion than a rigorous theological approach to the problems besetting the SSPX.

I must agree with this.

I think Hollingsworth goes too far with this "the mere thought of whom we dread and deplore". I don't hate Fr. Pfeiffer, and neither should anyone. It's sad that he has been placed in a situation where he is out of his element. It's like a widow forced to earn a living for her 3 young children. She might rise to the occasion, but she's still not as good as a male worker doing the same job, it's a crying shame she has to thus enter the workforce, and the situation is quite sad.

Likewise, this recent Crisis in the SSPX has left many priests to their own tendencies, to their own devices, to try to determine the right path on their own. They are trying to do the right thing, at least many of them are. Many will rely on rational thought, but with fallen human nature, we are all prone to err (where obedience ENDS, for example). Others will be more emotional. It all depends on the individual priest.

Pax Vobis · « **Reply #27 on:** August 27, 2015, 08:46:32 PM »

I agree with a lot of the letter - there are valid questions - but I don't like when it states that Bishop F should "take control" of the Resistance. That kind of "divide and conquer" approach doesn't work when you're trying to build something worthwhile. We need agreement, not turmoil.

But, as much as I like Bishop W, I think his approach to this whole situation is too passive. It makes me wonder: if had he spoken out about the "issues" in the society a long time ago, would he have been able to change things, so he wouldn't have been kicked out to begin with? I mean, with all the public comments coming from Fellay and the district "superiors" for SO MANY months (before Bishop W was kicked out) why did the 3 bishops respond in a PRIVATE letter? They should have responded PUBLICLY, to attack Fellay's PUBLIC errors. And had they not waited until the last minute, it could've turned out better. At least that's my perspective; I could be wrong, of course.

But maybe Bishop W's personality is more re-active, than pro-active?

Certainly, Fr Pfieffer had/has the "american spirit", "let's go!" attitude that is different from the English/European way, while Bishop W was preaching "patience" when the resistance first started out. But going on now 2-3 years, I don't see that "patience" has turned into any kind of plan and this disturbs me.

It doesn't seem right that a Bishop is publicly preaching no-organization, no-action, no-plans for the future. And then, he publicly states that one must use "their own judgement" to decide on going to the N.O. mass. Uhhhh, ok? If you're not really against the N.O., then why are we doing what we're doing? That's a whole other topic, but doesn't make sense to me.

On the positive side, he did consecrate another Bishop, but he's also pretty old. How many years to both of them have left? If the sspx makes an agreement in the next few months (which is highly probable), what position will the "holdovers" be in? I mean, a Bishop's job is to teach, preach and govern. If not him, then he should delegate.

Just my 2 cents.

hollingsworth · « **Reply #28 on:** August 27, 2015, 09:26:33 PM »

hollingsworth:

Quote

certainly never under the leadership of a priest, the very thought of whom, a number of us have come to dread and deplore.

matthew:

Quote

I think Hollingsworth goes too far with this "the mere thought of whom we dread and deplore".

(bold added)

Perhaps, Matt, I go too far. I'll not argue it. However, if you're going to put my words, or anyone else's between quotation marks, I would ask that you state the original phrase word for word as it was written. Otherwise, it is not a quote, but, at best, a paraphrase. I purposely did not use "we," as in "we dread and deplore." I wrote instead, "a number of us," realizing full well that not all of you would go as far as I had in expressing your antipathy.
I'm not sure the "widow" imagery holds up that well either, when applied to Fr. P. He was not separated from a spouse by death. Rather, he separated himself from a still living 'spouse,' i.e. the sspx, as it were. He made a prudential decision and deliberately left his 'mate,' who is still very much alive. Many, including myself, will agree that that was a good decision.
But if Fr. P is now like a 'widow forced to earn a living for (his) 3 young children,' does that mean we are now compelled to justify or rationalize the manner, presently, in which this bereaved "widow" earns that living?

JPaul · « **Reply #29 on:** August 27, 2015, 10:12:36 PM »

All one can say is that if these sects generate this cultish type of loyalty and my guy is the good guy mentality which is devoid of reason and Catholic interaction then the red flags should begin to appear on your HUDs.
Laymen and priests chastising Bishops and other priests who are not included in the my guy roster is a spirit of rebellion against good behavior and kindness. It bodes ill for such groups ever transcending the personality based model of the SSPX. How undignified and crass.

This kind of undisciplined surrender to the passions will bring no good to souls and will only serve to steal their Holy peace from them.

The enemy continues to operate freely among the divided and ever dividing remnant of Tradition. Perhaps the next generation will raise up a warrior Saint from the rubble of this one.

By the love and goodness of God and our beloved Mother we pray.............