May I say before introducing these notes that we can do no better presently. I explained earlier on another thread that Fr. Pluger's presentation was disjointed, often vague and sometimes incoherent. So these notes below are going to reflect the quality of his delivery. My wife, who is an excellelnt note taker, prepared them. There are a few added editing items in parentheses, just to help clear up uncertain meanings. Particularly important or interesting statements are put in bold letters.
Fr. Pfluger may not be a well man. He as lost all of his hair, and I hear from someone quite knowledgeable about him in the past that Father suffers from a stress disorder. The poor man is, I'm thinking, Bp. F's appointed lackey to go about cleaning up messes made by the SG, striving to improve his boss's sagging ratings throughout the sspx world, and doing his best to cover +Fellay's backside The first assistant is not liable to grow his hair back in the near future, I'm afraid, especially if he spends much time online.
4/10/13 Father Pfluger (1st Assistant to Bishop Fellay)
My last visit here was 5 years ago – Been traveling various places in the States.
Pass on to you greetings from BF – many items to discuss. A little bit about 3 points – The crisis, our relationship w/Rome, the duty of the Society at this time.
1. Too early to judge the new Pope – he was very much a surprise- a challenge, so unusual. We must pray for him to rise to the crisis in the Church - can he heal the situation or will there be "death"? The first thing needed is reform in doctrine and action. He must give true spiritual food. Francis' true charity needs to be the saving of the soul - seek 1st the Kingdom of God - follow Francis of Assisi.
Our situation with Rome - We have reached an impasse, but continue our fight. We must teach the Faith - if they will be honest we can continue. Back to where ABLF started. To explain the faith is not only to expose the errors of the Council.
Historical outline - 70s - powerful resistance to all the changes, reforms, New Mass - They say, "Why do we need conversions, why do we need sacrifices?" The only way to resist was to keep the faith -ABLF said this over and over. He founded the Society to save the Priesthood. He had a dream and saw what he had to do -,i.e. to pass on the beautiful priesthood. Bear testimony - doctrine, faith, Creed important. Save souls, missionary charity. Mass centers, parishes, Seminary - resistance grew to the novelties - a fight(?).
80s - SSPX missions spread all over the world. We got the1984 Moto Propio (Indult ?), but modernism was firmly established. ABLF spoke of a new strategy by Rome, " You accept the New Mass, and you can have the Old Mass " - Benedict tried to normalize the Society's position in the Church. The Society didn't trust Rome. A Policy/agenda was established - not a change or compromise, but something practical - 3 steps - 2 signs of good will from Rome would be to free the Old Mass and the lifting of the excommunications. Doctrinal discussions were started. These were very important. No agreements can be reached without discussions. It is not for SSPX to understand the Council, (they said?) The New Church was proud - abandoning the Middle Ages, everything old. Benedict said the Council was misunderstood. We need to try to understand it correctly. He said that theCouncil is a continuity of tradition.
The 2009 interview with BW was a real blow for the Pope . He said we all had different ideas about doctrine. There was a need to discuss on both sides, and we did so for 2 years. There were Different propositions from Rome. It's a long story. The Society was coming from the Old Magisterium. Rome spoke from the viewpoint of the New Council . April 2011 was the end of the talks. The Society was offered the Preamble to sign. This was odious to BF. He was asked to accept their definition of the Council. The Society sent 2 texts explaining why we can't accept what they are offering. All texts and news sent over Internet caused trouble in the Society.
There was a meeting with Bishop Levada who said you must sign or you will not be Catholic. Much discussion - what to do? - what is prudent? Should we change their text or write our own? Pope said they must accept his text. He was forcing the Society to sign or be excommunicated. The Preamble was odious to BF - He insisted on 2 important conditions 1) Continue our work 2) Independence from Bishops. He told Levada we couldn't sign - said they wanted to wait for the Chapter meeting. Crisis goes on. The Council tries to harmonize itself with the world, no longer to save the world - silent apostasy - they say we all need to save the true council- save the true reforms. They speak of continuity between the Council and Tradition. They tell us that there can't be problems because they are operating by the Holy Spirit (?). (They say that there are )some abuses here or there, but no real problems. We must continue our fight - We must continue with a twofold reproach (sic) toward compromise and liberalism. Those who spend time on the Internet get a different vision of what we are trying to do. What can we do to overcome the crisis?
1990 - a letter was sent to ABLF at Christmastime. All asking what can we possibly do? He responds - the faithful who are privileged to have a lively faith and missionary charity. We have to live the faith- faith w/o charity - forget it. We need to denounce errors, but have a (charitable) missionary spirit at the same time. Keep giving the Priesthood to the Church - Continue with the mass, sacraments, doctrine (preach, sanctify, teach). Now it is a matter of prudence. The matter of faith is foremost - stay with the Creed, not necessarily always pointing out the errors of the Council. We must consider and recognize the circuмstances - the whole world is liberal. We are a minority. We can be dramatic and say "such a catastrophe, so modernist, so corrupt - all is lost" - or we can help Rome to come back to the faith. This is the origin of the blockade with a few priests and BW, They are pessimistic with no hope. ABLF said the crisis will take a long time to straighten out. These priests I am speaking of really have no authority and are not assigned to any work. ABLF had 10 priests who left because of the 1962 Missil (the only issue mentioned) It is similar to the situation we have now. ABLF said we are agreed in doctrine, theology, but look at the situation of the Church differently - Those who leave go slowly into schism. What is the first principle? St. Thomas Aquinas tells us it must not be my choice, my personal desire - When can we refuse the authority of the Church? Only when the faith is in question. Only to preserve our faith and no other motive. "I have been too lenient, too kind to my brothers. Things have gotten worse with time - we need priests, but not those who are disobedient. I am still fighting - not abandoning the fight". ( Did ABLF, BF or both say the foregoing? Not sure)Now Rome is offering the Old Mass if we accept the New Mass. This is a step in the right direction. They never offered the Old Mass before. ABLF offered to reform the Novus Ordo Missal - said he wanted to work for the salvation of souls under the successor of Peter.
Many of those who have left since 1983 and following have become hard. ABLF told the seminarians that "I am firm with doctrine, but easier with people. However you can only stay in the Society if you are of the same mentality". We are not Sedevacantists - pray for the Pope's return to Catholic tradition. We must follow the principles of tradition of the Church and obey the Pope when it is not a matter of compromising the faith. BF still has the idea of winning the Church back to tradition. We have a responsibility toward the Church - continue until God helps us. We have the duty to win souls. Don't panic, but continue. It's time to rediscover first concerns (and earlier) enthusiasm. We need to be challenged. There are many students (in Society schools), but few vocations. Is our faith and example winning our children to give their lives for the Church? Continue in the sacred fire- challenged to do all we can. The world and the devil are strong, but we have a stronger man - ABLF spoke of how the Spirit changed things in pagan Africa. Children have to see the truth in their parents and teachers. (No mention of priests) Consecration to St. Joseph is a good sign. Our work is to be alive in Christ. Ignore the Internet, the foolishness, the "fight" against the Society. They are cantankerous and they see things differently. We can't work together. Believe in the Lord; live a good Catholic life.
Question #1: BW did so much for the Society and was in leadership for years. Why doesn't he see things the way you are explaining now?
Fr. P: BW's hermaneutic regarding the Society is different from the leaders. Why didn't he (Bp. W.) publish the docuмents earlier? (What docuмents he refers to are uncertain) He sees with dark glasses, he has another view. It is dangerous, or stubborn, to judge BF regarding the future. Superior General and his counselors are responsible to lead, not the soldiers. Soldiers can't refuse to follow the leadership.
Question #2 :Will the new Pope move toward the Society (tradition)?
Fr. P: We don't know, we can hope. Some things happened with Benedict that were surprising. God has surprises. We need a reform (conversion) through poverty and simplicity.
Question #3 The ArchBishop sent letters to priests - what was that about?
Fr. P: He tried to overcome the problems and dead ends by contacting all priests, even Society. Some are reaching out. This new Pope is original and so different - will have to wait and see. (we are not sure what Question #3 is all about)
Question #4 The Preamble speaks of accepting the New Mass under certain conditions and accepting the new Code of Canon Law. (Could you speak to that, Father?)
Fr. P: ABLF signed a similar paper. This did not contain our total ideas. It was done just to allow us to continue talking with Rome. To examine all these papers is a bad (liberal) spirit. Going back to past papers (online) is a waste of time. Go from now, use common sense. Don't always talk about the current problems; save souls; preach the truth. By reading internet papers you could think that the biggest enemy of the Church is BF. Forget spending so much of your time against Free-Masons, Jєωs, liberals - become a Saint.
We're woking on some audio and hope to get it up soon.
Topic: Fr. Pfluger notes from Post Falls visit 41013 (Read 1562 times)