Pope Francis is removing the head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, one of the Church’s most senior cardinals, who has taken an orthodox stand from the beginning of the pontificate.
LifeSite has confirmed with a source in Rome that Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, is to be removed from his office on July 2, the end of his five-year mandate in the position.
In recent years, the mandate for the office has been extended until the normal retirement age of 75. In the case of Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, it was extended beyond, until his election to the pontificate at age 78.
But Cardinal Muller, 69, has been steadfast in his opposition to the liberal interpretation of Amoris Laetitia favored by Pope Francis.
In terms of vocal conservatives in the hierarchy of the Vatican only Cardinal Robert Sarah remains. Cardinal Burke was removed by Pope Francis and demoted to patron of the Order of Malta. Australian Cardinal George Pell, as reported yesterday, is now off to his home country to defend himself against media-hyped charges of sexual abuse.
Cardinal Muller, according to sources, seems set to take over as the Patron of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, replacing Cardinal Edwin O’Brien who at 78 is three years past retirement age.
The head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was at one time second in power only to the Pope.
Full story at LifeSiteNews.
Monsignor Luis Ladaria Ferrer will replace Mueller
In a short statement, the Vatican said Francis thanked Cardinal Gerhard Müller for his service. Müller’s five-year term ends this weekend and he turns 70 in December. The normal retirement age for bishops is 75.
Francis could have kept him on, but declined to do so. The two have clashed over the pope’s openness to allowing civilly remarried Catholics to receive communion. Müller has insisted they cannot, given church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage.
The Jesuit pope tapped the No. 2 in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Jesuit Monsignor Luis Ladaria Ferrer, to succeed Müller.
Full story at The New York Times.
After the election of President Obama, I began to pray that the Lord would strengthen his church. I think I now need to ramp-up those prayers and add a fasting element.
What did the election of President Obama have to do with the state of our world wide Church?
President Obama was at first balanced by Benedict VI. With Pope Francis the centers of power went to Left. The Vatican is very powerful because it has Nuncios (ambassadors) in all the world. When the United Nations needed the Globalist Paris Climate Agreement they turned to the Vatican and Pope Francis obliged with Laudato Sii. Now the worm has turned again.
WOW. “The Vatican is very powerful because it has ambassadors in all the world”.
So does Russia, my friend, so does Russia.
C&H,
I was worried primarily about the Church in America. And even though I’ve had serious concern over the past 9 years, it was only in the first year of the Obama administration that my concern was very grave.
Steve Seitz– very interesting perception! Many Catholics, unfortunately, voted for Obama! And Obama was pro-abortion, contraception, gay “marriage,” and a student of subversive, dangerous Saul Alinsky social activism — quite anti-Christian, and suppressive of rightful American religious freedoms! The Catholics who voted mistakenly for Obama, need to be taught their Faith and Morals! And basically, all America needs to be re-evangelized, re-Christianized! A very precarious situation– highly subversive to religious freedoms, which all Christians should rightfully have, in America!
It is good to hear that Catholics are fasting and praying, for our Church! Also interesting, the post of Gratias– yes, the balance of world powers today, is to the political left, and immoral, anti-Christian beliefs so often preval! We all must fast and pray!
Sorry to say that I do not trust this pope. He plays fast and loose with orthodoxy, preferring yes men to faithful traditionalists. It is a sad thing to think the Holy Father is more Protestant than Catholic.
The man chosen by Pope Francis to be the new prefect of the CDF was chosen by Pope Benedict XVI to be the congregation’s secretary. Do you trust Benedict?
Habla Español?
You do realize Ladaria Ferrera is a ‘universal salvationist.’
Anonymous, if this is true, it would be helpful for you to explain it! Pope Benedict himself, issued a famous document, to re-affirm the teaching of the Church, that we believe that Christ is the Son of God, Who died for our sins, and is our only True Salvation!
Not a matter of trusting Benedict.
“Not a matter of trusting Benedict” – why, because you don’t consider Benedict to have been a valid Pope, and thereffore you never trusted him about anything?
That’s quite a leap, Anonymous. No, it’s not a matter of trusting Benedict. It’s a matter of trusting God and looking to the particulars of the man in the office and his performance and positions. “By their fruits you shall know them.”
Curious that you would jump to such a conclusion.
Anonymous, all Popes can make mistakes, even without realizing it, when they have very good intentions– you never know what people will do, in whom you place your trust! Pope Benedict XVI emeritis, always tried his best, I think, to do what is right! He had very good intentions! Many Cardinals who elected Pope Francis, also may have had a big surprise — you never know what someone you place your faith in, may do!
Right now, we no longer have a truly Catholic Church, nor a truly Catholic Pope, to lead it. A sad joke! But God will have the final word! The false “Church” will die! But Christ’s true teachings are eternal, from Heaven, and will be there forever, for His true followers!
This is a time of such terrible trial! It looks like the Catholic Church is following the footsteps of the collapsed Anglican/Episcopal churches. But our Church is the authentic, true Church, established by Christ. I think that God will have the final say, and eventually, things will get fixed. I believe the prophecies of Our Lady of Fatima.
Linda Maria, it isn’t helpful for any of us, me included, to make overly generalized statements like this. If you don’t think the Pope is “not a truly Catholic Pope, you should give us examples of how he is not a true Catholic. What has he written, what has he said that goes against the teachings of the Church. What is a false “Church’? How is the Church false? Give examples. What makes one a “true follower?” I ask, because I have not heard one thing or read one thing this Pope has said or written that is not true to the Catholic faith. Let us also keep in mind that the Cardinals, listening to the Holy Spirit, elected this man Pope with an encouragement to clean out the Vatican bureaucracy. He is what God wanted, I presume.
Bob One, you should carefully read a post, before jumping to conclusions! Try to guess what the writer is saying, and how they might feel! None of us are professional writers! In this case– remember how the Pope got rid of many good, faithful Catholic cardinals, such as Cardina Burke, and suddenly revised the Pontifical Academy of Life totally— getting rid of good, faithful, PRO-LIFE Catholic leaders, and replacing them all, even with PRO-ABORTIONISTS, non-Catholics, and atheists?? Plus, he seems to “despise Church rules” on the Sacrament of Marriage– favoring the divorced/remarried without annulments, to receive Communion!! Very SUBVERSIVE to Catholic teaching!
So now, Bob One– can you see how the Pope has upset millions of Catholics, worldwide– and made them feel as though they have NO LEADER AT ALL, in the Vatican?? Can you not see how upset I feel? YES– where is our TRUE CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP?? And who will replace Cardinal Muller– Cardinal Marx? A Cardinal who does not believe in our Church’s true teachings, and who UNDERMINES Catholic teaching?? A Cardinal who preaches abortion, contraception, gay “marriage,” and Communion for “married” gays, and for cohabitating, and divorced/remarried Catholics without annulments— as in Germany?? Very disturbing, Bob One!
“We no longer have a truly Catholic Church nor a truly Catholic Pope”. Says Ms. Heresy herself Linda maria.
Good grief. Ms. Heresy? Really?
Your Fellow Catholic, if you say you are a “fellow Catholic,” then why not behave like one? You always look for ways to snipe at other Catholics, for no good reason! Why not instead, MAKE FRIENDS with all your “fellow Catholics?” And seek Christ, together with them? Many Catholics worldwide, feel that our present Pope and many Church leaders– fail to uphold our true Catholic Faith! You should be PROUD to follow the Catholic Faith, no matter if you suffer from SSA, or any other problem!! No one should know that! Be proud of yourself, and proclaim your Faith in Christ!
Franciscus P.P. I only speaks Spanish, this is a big problem for the Church.
He is not Pope Francis I. There will probably never be another pope who chooses the name “Francis” because Francis has been such a disaster and disappointment; no successor to the papal throne will want to tie his pontificate to Francis’ botched papacy, so Pope Francis will probably always just be Francis.
Would that the next pope chooses the name Pius XIII.
FYI, if you are speaking of P Francis, he speaks, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, of course German (he studied at the Sahnkt Georgen Jesuit Theology there for some years), and Ukrainian. That is according to vatican.com. He is not unknowledgeable in [at least] Romance languages. He does not claim to speak English well.
Gratias, you realize, don’t you, that Francis speaks many more languages than Spanish? Not that it matters, at all, but since you seem to want to use the idea that Spanish speakers are to be despised as an epithet, you ought to get your facts right. Or are you all about alternative facts?
I didn’t get the impression that anyone classifying speaking Spanish as an epithet.
If you don’t want alternative facts, you may not want to indulge in proposing your own. Even conjecture.
Oh my gosh, the sky is falling!
“Playing God” with the the Church. Destructive.
Be not shocked by this, most of us here new what this man was all about the moment he stepped foot on the Loggia the day of his election. Argentine, Jesuit, Liberal, detests the TLM, cannot stand Cardinal Burke need I go on about this Pope?? All we can do is wait this out and pray to the Holy Ghost to send us a savior to take the seat of Peter and restore the TLM to all of our altars.
So we get a non-European as Pope and the world is going to H*** in the proverbial handbasket. As I understand it most of the growth in the Church is in non-European parts of the world. Any chance the hand of the Spirit might be involved here?
The Church will survive this change and the tenure of Pope Francis…just as it survived Pope Pius XII, John Paul II and Benedict XVI…and just as our country will survive the Trump presidency. The road of life is not always smooth and easy. Think of all of the poor and starving in the world. This does not change their lot!
Be not shocked by this, most ofr us here knew what this man was all about the moment he stepped foot on the balcony the night of his election. We saw a man who asked the throngs to pray for him. We saw a man who preferred the simple cassock rather than bejeweled robes. We saw a man, the world saw a man, that would change the world, rid the church of clericalism and bring peace and joy to all he met. We knew we were in for a new window of hope for the church. We just felt, in that moment, that he would bring the graces of Vatican II to the church and its people. We are not disappointed! The Holy Spirit is speaking to us..
Francis supports clericalism of a different form, Bob One. What you describe is a person who has imbibed a studied PR campaign. What the Church needs is God’s grace, not the grace of a demonstrably flawed council. Even if that flaw is nothing worse than practiced ambiguity.
Discerning spirits is what scripture calls us to do.
And the CCC #675 speaks to us quite clearly in black and white.
Ann,
The Second Vatican Council is not flawed. But if you think it is, could you please cite the flaws?
Steve,
The council incorporated imprecise language that has resulted in confusion. If you desire particulars and not just he said/ she said scenario, take a look at readily available analysis on the internet.
Try focusing on the whole of what I said. Precisely, “even if that flaw is nothing worse than practiced ambiguity.”
But the plan of salvation ( propositum salutis ) also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place ( in primis ) among these there are the Moslems, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind ( qui fidem Abrahae se tenere profitentes, nobiscum Deum adorant unicum, etc. ).
The above is taken from Lumen Gentium. Do Muslims truly, in reality, worship the One True God? No, Steve, they do not. They may seek to worship the One True God but have been diverted in that intention by error and the elevation of falsehood.
Ann,
Thank you for referencing Lumen Gentium. Since it’s been awhile since I’ve read this document, could you please cite the section number so that I can find your quote?
Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.
To go against the Vicar of Christ is to go against Christ Himself, AM. Even the writers of the dubia wrote it out of love and affection for the Holy Father. However, your words betray contempt and even hatred for the person whom the Holy Spirit has chosen to be Shepherd of God’s Church. Repent.
jon continuing with his magisterial idolatry.
Your words betray contempt and an eagerness to misconstrue, jon. Why, I cannot say. Your supposition of hatred is similarly overstated — as ususal. As is your denigration of the dubia composers. (i.e. “Even” the writers of the dubia…)
The writers of the dubia are doing their job. Their choice of words is a necessary element of their position.
My plain speak is that which is required for mine. As such I could accuse you of elevating a council and indeed the Holy Father above Christ Himself for my comment was that we need God’s grace. And that is plainly true.
To AMalley and Sawyer: Me? Elevate Vatican II and the Holy Father above Christ? Why, didn’t you both read in Luke 10:16 when Our Lord said to His Apostles into whose office the popes and the bishops have succeeded: “He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.” It is Christ Himself Who has elevated the ministry of the Magisterium: that they speak for Him, for Christ.
Now, if Sawyer and AMalley continues to dispute this, then I say that the modernist heresy of “americanism” is alive and well in these com-boxes as defined by Pope Leo XIII in “Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae”.
There goes jon, misconstruing Americanism to cover his own focus on a particular council as superseding God’s grace. Not everything that issued forth from Vatican II is a binding doctrine. The Muslims, for example, do not now worship the Trinity because Nostra Aetate floated a confusing bubble.
Teachings must be clear for their teaching to bear good fruit, jon. So while Our Lord did put those in charge where they are there is also the admonishment to beware of blind guides. Lest you forget, Our Lord chose Judas, too.
jon, you jump to preposterous conclusions! Ann Malley only quoted a famous Biblical prophecy, relevant to the turbulent times in which we are currently living! A good post! Can you not make friends with Ann Malley? You should learn how to be a really good follower of Jesus– not spend your life, jumping down people’s throats all the time, who happen to be good Catholic posters!!
Disobedience to the Magisterium is not a sign of a “good Catholic”.
Blind obedience to that which is not binding is not the sign of a good Catholic, jon. Good Catholics are to be wary of blind guides. That being said, how do you account for CCC 675? If all those in positions of clerical authority are good then you must be preparing to apostatize from the truth so that you can receive a religious solution.
Or are you disputing the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
No “disobedience” here, jon! Do you understand what REAL “disobedience” is?? It is like Satan, arrogantly stating to the Lord– “Non serviam!” Why do you never criticize REAL disobedience, in dissident Jesuits, (such as Fr. James Martin), and dissident prelates such as Cardinal Marx, and other dissident German and Maltese prelates?? Recently, there has been a big uproar in Italy and Malta, over DISOBEDIENT prelates SUSPENDING obedient, faithful priests, for refusing their recent command, to give Communion to gays with partners, the divorced/remarried without annulments, etc.– as per “Amoris Laetitia.”
Recently, it was announced in the Archdiocese, that Fr. James Martin would be gving a big lecture on homosexuaity, and how our Church is “wrong” on this issue– inviting all Catholics to go, especially young people! Good subject for jon, to write an essay on the topic of TRUE DISOBEDIENCE!!
Ann Malley, I see you have reappeared after an absense. I pray you are well.
Unfortunately, you have returned with your continued disobedience to the faith, as shown by your disdain for the Second Solemn Ecumenical Council held at the Vatican itself.
Wow: a sodomite who flaunts his gay life and views lecturing someone else about obedience to the faith. Who would have thought?
Incredible. Vainglory in full display.
I am very well, thank you, YFC. Perhaps you are unwell. We are told to judge something by its fruit right in Scripture. And as Vatican II has shown its choice of format – being pastoral and not doctrinal – has left myriad open doors of confusion, well, the fruit speaks for itself.
Disobedience to the faith is evidenced by a dispassionate view of reality. To draw the emotion of disdain into the mix is to get off track, YFC.
Ann,
Your assertion that the Council bore bad fruit because it’s length makes it subject to interpretation is without merit.
First: How do you know that it was the Council and not the culture which is the cause?
Second: Your words condemn the Holy Scriptures which also are long and subject to interpretation and, as such, have borne “bad fruit.” What do you suggest we do with the bible?
Steve,
Where did I say that Vatican II’s length was at issue?
Sorry, but you’ll have to take credit for this preposterous notion that the length of Vatican II documents is any issue at all. Same thing when it comes to you deriding scripture.
Should I now cry foul, citing your derogation of frog jumping in Calaveras County? If that confuses you, good. Grasping at straws and tossing nonsense when you have nothing legitimate to say about another’s post is disingenuous at best.
Ann,
It looks like I read some things into your post that you’re denying. I apologize. Therefore, let me rephrase:
Your assertion that the Council bore bad fruit because it has confusing passages is without merit.
First: How do you know that it was the Council and not the culture which is the cause of all this bad fruit?
Second: Your words condemn the Holy Scriptures which also appear confusing and, as such, have borne “bad fruit.” What do you suggest we do with the bible?
The purpose of a Church council is to clarify not obfuscate, Steve.
Ann,
Vatican II clarified a great many things. If it didn’t have perfect clarity in ALL things, this would be due to the nature of human beings. All of the ecumenical councils have been gifts from God, but not all of the councils have been equally effective. For example, the impotence of some of the Lateran councils didn’t condemn their work: it only meant that they [and the Church] needed to be more effective.
If you think Vatican II is unclear in areas, would it be possible to mention the section number in Lumen Gentium that is problematic so that I may review it.
Steve Seitz– it is well-known by all, that the Council was pastoral, not doctrinal— and yes, the documents contained obscure, confusing parts– this is very well-known, and has been talked about, and complained about– for the past fifty-plus years!
Steve Seitz, if you know your Faith really well, and start to read through all of the documents of Vatican II– you will, at times, find sudden surprises- contradictions to traditional Catholic doctrine! Also, you will wonder about the strange focus on ecumenism, as well as on humanism, and religious freedom– and is the Salvation of Christ only possible through our Church?? Just what does our Church really stand for– what is the truth?? Well… I know the Church Fathers meant well… Try reading, tell us all what you think!
Steve Seitz– I prefer for my religion– the Catholic Faith– to always courageously stand up for what she believes and teaches, as true– and be friendly, and extend Christ’s love, to all who do not agree! I also believe, that to be a good Catholic priest or prelate, or a good, practicing Catholic layman, one has a big responsibility, to stand up for the Faith you say you believe in– not proclaim silly “religious liberty,” and do as you please! As for humanism– Catholics should recognize the humanity of Christ, and our own humanity, and practice our religion, following Our Lord’s example– worldly “humanism” is unnecessary!
Today, in news of the Archdiocese– I saw yet another ad, inviting everyone, especially young people, to come to the lecture of Fr. James Martin, S.J., in which he will talk about all about his (dissident) beliefs– on homosexuality! (And how “wrong” our big, bad Church is!) This is an example of “bad fruit” of Vatican I!! Very stupid– the big, well-respected, worldwide Catholic Church, to openly allow, and advertise, such GARBAGE!! “Religious freedom,” for CORRUPT, IMMORAL imbeciles, who have NO LOVE, NOR COMMITMENT, to Christ!! IRRESPONSIBLE!! ROTTEN FRUIT of Vatican II– there you go!! Ha, ha!!
Linda Maria,
Until I started reading the comments section of this website, I never heard anyone say that Vatican II was confusing and/or conflicted. My own read many years ago of the documents (the major ones and a few minor ones) revealed no conflict or confusion. A systematic reading of the documents is on my reading list but won’t occur for several years. Until that time, though, people need to cite the conciliar document reference numbers to support their allegations. Ann, to her credit, began to cite specific text but never provided the section markers for this text.
Steve Seitz, in regards to my July 10th post, of 1:48 a.m.– I really think the way in which our Church has approached ecumenism, since the days of the Council– has been a big mistake! I believe it is right to extend the love of Christ to all, including those who disagree with us. However, beyond that– I do not think the Church should try to modify our beliefs, religious practices, or the Mass– to try to be closer to other beliefs– we should always stand up for our own true Church!
Something that the Council did, that was surprising– is that in favor of ecumenism, it diminished the traditional devotion to Our Blessed Mother — no longer emphasizing her unique, high place, in Catholic spiritual life, and religious devotions. Many other distinctive Catholic traditions and devotions, as well as unique Catholic spiritual disciplines (such as Friday abstinence) were diminished, or done away with– for the sake of either “modernization,” ecumenism — or both.
Linda Maria,
Ecumenism is a favorite topic of mine. The conciliar documents don’t say that we must change our views to accommodate other religions. This is a liberal view that is not rooted in the Council. Rather, the documents say that we must reach out, investigate, and attempt to reach understanding.
In this regard, we have made many important inroads including agreement with the Lutherans in the faith/works controversy. The Church did not change its teaching on faith/works. Repairing these schisms is important work.
Steve Seitz, regarding your post of July 10, at 10:31 a.m.– of course, the Vatican II documents also have Catholic teachings, all the way through! I am not interested in picking anything like that, to pieces, nor in scholarly research. What is most important to me, is the practical end of Catholicism– simply to know my Faith, and try to daily practice it, for love of Christ! That’s all! I just meant, in my above posts — that many people, Catholics and non-Catholics– have remarked since the Council, on the weird ambiguities, found in the Council and its documents– and weird ambiguities of Catholicism, ever since.
Linda Maria,
I very much appreciate your concern since everything that the Church does should lead us to Christ and, by extension, show us how to lead our lives. I think the reason why many bishops and priests fail in this regard is that they, themselves, have succumbed to temptation and have become lost.
Of course, while the laity have access to the conciliar documents, the documents weren’t actually written for them: they were primarily written for the leaders of the Church.
Steve Seitz, many Catholic clergy and laymen do not like the ambiguities regarding Vatican II, and do not agree with the irresponsible abandonment of Church governance, too, ince the Council. However, I also agree with you, that the documents were primarily for Church leaders. I also agree with faithful, orthodox priests, who say, not to worry about all of this, just be a good, practicing Catholic, seek peace of soul, and the goal of Heaven– and that is the most important thing! The world will always have its problems! LOVE the parable of the Five Wise Virgins!
Steve Seitz– in my above post, at the end– I meant to say, that I love the parable of the TEN Virgins– in which FIVE were Wise Virgins– and the other five were Foolish Virgins!!
Bob One, the man you describe is not recognizable to many of us. While the introduction of a new pontiff is an exciting and hope filled moment, what many saw was a man who entered the balcony and glared at the gathered throng of people with a look that sent shivers of apprehension. Now having watched this pontificate unfold, those emotions have been validated by his words and deeds. It is a sorry thing indeed.
It is Sunday morning, a time when Catholics go to holy Mass. We all see the evil, filthy post of “roberto,” above.
We unfortunately do not have control of Facebook comments that are posted to this page. However, I’ve disabled the Facebook plugin for this story so the comment, which does not abide by our comments policy, is removed.
Thank you. Assaults and attacks of vile, filthy, profanity– “hate speech” — on all Catholics, must end! Especially on Sunday, the Lord’s Day! This is also a brutal, unspeakably vile assault — on Christ Himself, and His Most Holy Virgin Mother!! Those who commit such Satanic evils should be banned!
Bob One: yes! You are very perceptive and I agree with your analysis.
Cardinal Muller may be our next pope. Stay tuned!
This Pope is more Jesuit than CAtholic. The Jesuits are a major scandal. Most embrace secular Marxist dogma.
The graces of Vatican II? Correction the disaster called Vatican II.
Bob One, Fred; Take off your rose colored glasses and get some help! Vatican II is the trojan horse trying to make the Catholic Church another heretical protestant church.
Thanks for the advice Ron. I have some very lovely glasses, thanks. Vatican II deniers are quite simply heretics. It’s just that simple.
BO, you need to get your ‘facts’ right: Pope Paul VI made it clear in a public audience of January 12th, 1966 that the decrees of Vatican II were never stamped with the note of infallibility as he openly declared: “There are those who ask what authority, what theological qualification, the Council intended to give to its teachings, knowing that it avoided issuing solemn dogmatic definitions backed by the Church’s infallible teaching authority. The answer is known by those who remember the conciliar declaration of March 6, 1964, repeated on November 16, 1964. In view of the pastoral nature of the Council, it avoided proclaiming in an extraordinary manner any dogmas carrying the mark of infallibility.” (General Audience, December 1, 1966,…
Vatican II deniers? Good grief. What’s clear is that you don’t know what heresy is.
It will interest Vatican II-deniers to know that Cardinal Muller apparently had written a letter to Fellay outlining the conditions to be met in order to regain full communion into the one true Catholic Church. As reported by the French website “Medias-Presse.Info”, Muller apparently wrote that they must “declare in an explicit manner their acceptance of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and those of the post-conciliar period, by granting to said doctrinal affirmations the degree of adhesion which is due to them.” Moreover, according to Muller, “The members of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X must recognize not only the validity, but also the legitimacy of the Rite of the Holy Mass and of the Sacraments, according to…
the liturgical books promulgated after the Second Vatican Council.”
Denying Vatican II is not recommended, AM. Be warned.
“…the degree of adhesion which is due to them.” That says it all, jon. Ambiguity deserves no adhesion. So those portions of VII that stick to defined doctrine – excellent, no problem – but pretending that the confusion isn’t in the documents and giving some pan agreement that would ambiguously assert that all is binding, no.
Denying Vatican II is not recommended. But taking Vatican II for what it is – a pastoral council that sought to define NO NEW DOCTRINE – that’s where it’s at. No need to warn. The rotten fruit of confusion is all around to see, smell, and–by God’s grace–step over.
Ann Malley: Your protestation that “ambiguity deserves no adhesion” does not jive with the actions of Lefebvre himself, nor is it realistic. Firstly, the historical truth remains that your beloved Lefebvre himself SIGNED OFF on EVERY SINGLE DOCUMENT of the Second Vatican Council: every single one of them, INCLUDING The Declaration on Religious Liberty! This proves that at least initially your beloved Lefebvre saw that were ways to read the documents that were acceptable to him, otherwise he wouldn’t have signed. Secondly, “ambiguity” (if indeed so) HARDLY warrants and justifies the actions of dissent, disobedience, or even schism. AMBIGUITY IS NOT THE SAME AS HERESY! The proportionate response to finding “ambiguity” in…
anything is to seek clarification (and as the decades continue to roll after the Council, certain concepts are indeed being clarified by the Holy See); however dissent, disobedience, and repudiating the entire Council ARE NOT PROPORTIONATE nor JUST responses to mere “ambiguity.” Indeed, AMalley, your position is untenable, unrealistic, and contrived.
Tonight on TV, I saw a tragic news story, of all the thousands of Christians who have fled ISIS– and all the evils that ISIS has done– with NO MORAL CONSCIENCE AT ALL!! What kind of God does an overly-aggressive man worship, who spends his life constantly attacking others theologically, or even killing them?? ISIS followers cannot even stand other fellow Muslims! Let each Christian worship in their own chosen church– Catholic, Protestant, Mormons, Orthodox, SSPX– whatever! Our Church extends brotherly love to all– and wants unity with the SSPX, and all other interested churches! If no unity– let’s still be friends!
We might want give him a chance. Check out this article:
https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/kind-and-reliable-jesuit-named-vaticans-top-doctrinal-post
Ron: please remove your frosted lens glasses. You can see nothing with those on.
never trust a man with two first names
This is what happens when you remove orthodoxy:
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/07/06/vatican-police-raid-drug-infused-gay-orgy-at-home-of-cardinals-aide/
I don’t know enough about the Cardinal to be too judgmental. But, the Pope has indicated that he plans to not renew the five year terms of the Prefects in the Curia. I hope he really means that. It will remove some of the clericalism and careerism in the Church. Get appointed to the job, work hard for five years, and then go on to something else, like Archbishop of a diocese. That process will also ensure that we have new blood leading us into the future. Personnel is policy!