The following comes from a December 19 Catholic Culture article by Phil Lawler:
John Allen, an honest and seasoned reporter who always tries to present a balanced perspective on Vatican affairs, is true to form in his column, Thoughts on turning down the heat in the ‘Amoris’ debate. There’s no reason to doubt his sincerity as he searches for a way to moderate an increasingly rancorous debate. His suggestion is that all Catholics should presume that others—including especially those who disagree with them—are acting in good faith. Excellent advice, that.
Then, applying that general advice to the controversy at hand, Allen makes more specific suggestions:
If conservatives troubled by some aspects of Amoris Laetitia and other aspects of the present papacy could at least concede that, in the main, those on the other side are not enemies of the faith, and that their positions are not a blatant rupture with Catholic tradition, that might be a powerful confidence-building measure.
Likewise, if supporters of Amoris Laetitia could stop insisting that everyone who raises legitimate questions, either about its content or its binding force, are therefore obstructionists suffering from assorted forms of psychological dysfunction, that would help too—as would acknowledging that there are various readings of Vatican II, and that not everyone who doesn’t quite share theirs is necessarily “rejecting the council.”
In each paragraph, Allen begins by suggesting an end to name-calling. Catholic prelates and pundits should not be rushing to categorize each other as enemies of the faith or as psychologically unfit. Fair enough. But then, again in each paragraph, he goes on to suggest that we drop the crucial point of the argument. For those of us troubled by Amoris Laetitia, the only important argument is whether the document can be read in a way compatible with the Catholic tradition. And for all Catholics, surely including those who are on the opposite side of this argument, the proper interpretation of Vatican II is—and has been for several decades now—a matter of critical importance.
In fact one could argue that the debate over Amoris Laetitia is just the latest in a long series of contentious disputes over whether Vatican II caused a break in the continuity of Church teaching—indeed, whether there can ever be a break in the continuity of Church teaching. We have been battling over that question for 50 years, without reaching a resolution, and the debate has led to dangerous divisions within the Church. Now the issue comes into focus anew with Amoris Laetitia.
Allen is right to say that the debate should be charitable. But it must also be honest. We can’t wish away the disagreement; we can’t dodge the debate. The early Church saw fiery debates on dogmatic issues, particularly Christological questions. Those questions had to be settled, and the truths of Christian doctrine firmly established, for the sake of Church unity. Today we face a similar crisis: not just the dispute over Amoris Laetitia, but the broader dispute about the authority of Catholic moral teaching. We won’t have true unity within the Church until that debate is finally resolved.
Discussions of the crucial issues are needed which result in a clear and deeper understanding and practice of the faith. I think Pope Francis is leading the efforts in this regard. Let’s keep him and the entire Church in our prayers.
The time for words is over. The time for action is now: Cardinal Burke has indicated that he will issue the formal act of correction.
While the pope fiddles with Amoris, on the real battle front, good news from Milano today:
A quick-thinking Italian metro train station cop in Milan early this morning (3am) encountered Anis Amri, the Tunisian mass-murderer (the Berlin Christmas market attack Friday) exiting a train, and soon dispatched him with a non-stop ticket to his appointment with the 72 virgins.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2466083/berlin-attack-suspect-shot-dead-in-shootout-with-police-in-milan/
Developing intelligence, including actual photos of Amri (see the link) confirm that Amri came to Europe from Tunis via the “boat-refugees”, landing at Lampedusa and then entering Italy. P Francis went to Lampedusa to encourage more mass migration in…
..in July, 2013. We have been warning about this for years. Where is the accountability of leadership?
Excellent posts, Justin K!!
The idiots who are advocating the admission of moslems into Europe and the U.S. bear responsibility for the murderous attacks that have killed so many. We have taken vipers to our bosom and we will pay the price. Both Obama and Frances have played a part in this infiltration of terror into our society.
As an ordained permanent deacon, I would appreciate a clarification of the some of the main issues with Amoris Laetitia. I have begun annulment proceedings in the past and doubt if I would be involved with bypassing the annulment process so that a couple could receive communion. These are mostly pastoral concerns regarding what exactly would be the reasons that an annulment is not necessary. With recent revisions by Pope Francis, the annulment process is more efficient and timely. I see no reason that hundreds of years of sacred tradition should be swept aside because of emotional concerns. Deacon Vince
Deacon Kelch, this is an insult to Christ, and to His holy priests, deacons, nuns, catechists, and others, who are in charge of carrying out Christ’s holy Teachings! Irresponsible Pope! That’s all! I would say, to stand up for Christ, like Cardinal Burke– and like Sts.Thomas More and John Fisher, too! That is all one can do, and pray for the IRRESPONSIBLE Pope! And also pray strongly, asking Christ’s help, to get through this difficult historical period, with the current Pope! Bless you!
Traditions are a lot like poker hands — you have to know when to hold and when to fold. Centuries old traditions are good but not absolute. If Americans blindly followed tradition, we would still be British subjects.
mikem–Traditions are indeed SACRED!! Don’t trivialize them! Christmas is one of them– and our Nation desperately needs Christ– and Christmas! Being a British subject, in a colony of Britain– America– is NOT a Tradition– it is a political situation, that became oppressive! HUGE difference!!
mikem— What is in issue here are not “traditions” [such as, we spend every Thanksgiving at grandma’s] but
Tradition. Tradition is the content of Divine Law handed down coherently and consistently thru the ages by competent teaching authority. You treat the two terms interchangeably. They are not. So the example in your last sentence misses the point. True, “all analogies limp”, but yours needs help from the March of Dimes!
mikem— What is at issue here is the preservation of “Tradition”, not “traditions”. The first deals with the handing down thru the ages, in a coherent and consistent manner and by competent authority, of the truths of the faith. The second thing deals with observances such as always going to grandma’s house for Christmas dinner. The two concepts are NOT interchangeable; and treating them as such renders irrelevant the analogy you make in the last sentence of your post. True, “all analogies limp”, but yours needs help from the March of Dimes!
Indeed Justin K. great news from the Italy and bless the brave Italian police officer who took this MUSLIM MURDERER out! What has happened to the German men? Have they all been that castrated to the point where they can’t even function? Yes, I understand Germans are scared to death of being called Nazis the war still plays an integral part in German society even after so many decades. But when you have a nation such as Germany and the rest of Europe who has abandoned the Roman Catholic and Lutheran faith, one has nothing to fight for, culture, family, church, has no meaning, therefore the Germans and Europeans will not fight back against the Islamic onslaught.
You have the pope last night at Midnight Mass telling us Jesus was a “migrant” and politicizing Christmas by calling Jesus a MIGRANT! Enough of this pope and his Leftist ideology how much longer must we put up with this man and his Leftist-Social Justice non-sense? Just like we have a REAL President of the United States how about a REAL Pope who loves the Holy Roman Catholic Church and returns the TLM to us as well!
I agree! The Holy Family were not “migrants”– political baloney! They were good Jews, enduring mistreatment, during the Roman occupation of the Holy Land! The Pope, and many leftists of the 1960s, are just babies, who feel “helpless,” “belittled,” and “without grown-up rights and dignity!” They actually REFUSE ADULT RESPONSIBILITY– it brings self-discipline, enduring hardships, and getting into the battles of life, which can leave painful battle scars– or worse– you might get martyred! Jesus Christ was a fully-grown man, the Son of God! He never flinched at shouldering adult responsibility, and carrying out His Fathers Will! We must do the same– God will help us! Pope Francis needs to do likewise!!
Christ’s Teachings may be hard, but He also gives us the grace to follow them! That is what our Holy Father must tell his flocks, worldwide! Our ancestors, who were just common Christians, did as Our Lord asked them to do, without babyish complaints. Men join sports teams, and endure painful accidents and injuries, such as concussions, when playing football. But even life-threatening injuries will never stop them! How about the practice of Christianity– is that not worth something to them?? Must the Pope make it “dumbed-down” to a babyish level, for them all? I think not!
The evil King Henry VIII was immature! He did not want to ask God’s guidance, and humbly follow it, with his situation; instead, he wanted to “play God.” He wanted to tell God what to do! We must not walk in his footsteps– yet, that seems to be exactly where the current Pope is headed!
Many today do not want to follow Christ’s teachings, on the Sacrament of Marriage. King Henry VIII was a famous example of this! Best to always follow Christ’s teachings, even if they are hard– and God will give you the grace to do it! All will then be well!
What does anything in your last two posts have to do with the subject matter of the article?
So you don’t believe that the Holy Family fled into Egypt to escape the persecution of the first born? That makes them both migrants AND refugees.
True, Your Fellow Catholic– except Christ’s birth took place in Bethlehem, in Judea, occupied by the Romans. The Flight into Egypt took place later.
Remember wherever MUSLIMS are the minority they ask for minority rights for them always, however where they are the majority they NEVER give the minority any rights. As I have always stated ISLAM is ISLAM there is no such thing as radical or moderate ISLAM, mosque and state go together hand and hand, please read the Quran it tells you EXACTLY what they want to do us and ALL unbelievers its there in black and white folks. Remember they throw homosexuals from the tops of buildings to their death, keep women in black sheets, have “honor” killings, hate dogs, pigs, music, movies the arts, happiness, and of course they HATE Christianity first and foremost, don’t fall for the religions are all the same rubbish, they are not!!
Same question as my last post. Stick to the point.
We notice “roberto” is once again mindlessly seeking “little-kid”-type attention, with his petty, stupid remarks, hurled like stones, at other posters! Instead, he should try to contribute something worthwhile, for the sake of our Catholic Faith, like a grown-up! Where is “roberto’s” grown-up worries and concerns, regarding the extremely dangerous violence of ISIS?? Or regarding other extremely important issues?? Any grown-up worries and concerns at all?? Many, many Catholics who are grown-up, married, and have a family– have deep concerns about “Amoris Laetitia!”