First Things: LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD-2018: #4
October 8, 2018 / by Xavier Rynne II
The fourth in a series of reports on Synod-2018.

Interview with Archbishop Sample

Posting this more on his reflections about prayer and reverence in liturgical praxis than his apologia for the EF in Latin or his theology of Holy Orders (as I disagree with both). Young Latin Catholics have been deprived of much, but who is going to provide them with what they need?

Maybe the Anglican Ordinariates.

Not a Promising Future

Disappointing

I expected more from Cardinal Ouellet.

CNA: Cardinal Ouellet: Vigano in ‘open and scandalous rebellion’ against Pope Francis

Edward Pentin

CWR: Cardinal Ouellet’s letter forceful, but does not provide substantial refutation by Christopher R. Altieri

Will the Review Be Credible and Trustworthy?

CNA: Pope Francis orders review of Vatican McCarrick files

CWR: Analysis: Pope’s ‘thorough study’ of McCarrick files unlikely to satisfy by Christopher R. Altieri
This “thorough study” could be a very little step in the right direction — certainly too little and arguably too late.

Some News on Archimandrite Gabriel

From July: Schema-Archimandrite Gabriel Bunge meets with Orthodox Theologians from Munich

Something with Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev

Monastery of St. Nicholas

Bl. Theodore Romzha Seminary

Related:

Serafino M. Lanzetta on the Root of Today's Crisis

The Church’s Disease Is Called Post-modernism. The Diagnosis of a Theologian

First Things: LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD-2018: #3 Edited by Xavier Rynne II
REPORTS AND COMMENTARY, FROM ROME AND ELSEWHERE, ON THE XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS

First Things: LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD-2018: #2 REPORTS AND COMMENTARY, FROM ROME AND ELSEWHERE, ON THE XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS Edited by Xavier Rynne II

James Kalb on the Papacy

Crisis Magazine: The Pope as Supreme Being by JAMES KALB

A Series from First Things

LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD-2018
NUMBER ONE: REPORTS AND COMMENTARY, FROM ROME AND ELSEWHERE, ON THE XV ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
Edited by Xavier Rynne II

Blessing of the New FSVF Church

The Sacra Doctrina Project

Now running Thomistica.net

website
FB

Shameless

CNA: Pope invites bishops to be open to new opinions during synod

Will it be around for 100?

NCReg: Holiness for Everyone: Opus Dei Marks Its 90th Birthday by Sabrina Arena Ferrisi
The community St. Josemaría Escrivá founded to emphasize sanctity amid ordinary life continues to impact souls.

Related:
St. Josemaría Escrivá Had a Special Love for England by K.V. Turley
Oct. 2, 2018, is the 90th anniversary of the beginning of Opus Dei. This summer marks the 60th anniversary of St. Josemaría’s first visit to England.

Always Pushing the Line

CNA: Pope Francis calls for a youth synod 'anointed by hope'

Let's make the synod a mini Vatican Council!

Interview with Bishop Schneider

Rorate Caeli: Wide-ranging and hard-hitting interview with Bishop Schneider now available for free download

The Icon of the Last Judgment

About That Synod...

Crisis Magazine: An Open Letter to Archbishop Chaput Supporting His Call to Cancel the Youth Synod by JULIA MELONI

A Reminder

Is Francis showing his hand?

Pope approves new constitution for Synod of Bishops

Consecration of a New Temple

A Bit Like Gaudium et Spes?

Perhaps I am doing Gaudium et Spes a discredit.

CWR: The 2018 Synod: Key themes, deep tensions, and many questions by Thomas R. Ascik
The working document is an interminable and exhausting assembly of ideas and popular notions about the situation of youth in today’s world. Its predominant tone is not spiritual, moral, or sacramental.

A Failure in Progress?

Is there an agenda already at work?

CNA: Five bishops who could move the youth synod

Choosing Christ

Was reading some books about the history of Confirmation in the Patriarchate of Rome. Not it would follow that if children were to not be given the sacraments of initiation as infants, that the number of Catholics who fall-away later in life would decrease, as the total number of Catholics would decrease, and the only neophytes would be of adult age, or close to it.

Still, if it is necessary, as Baptists claim(?), for people to make a deliberate decision to become Christian before being initiated, then is there a case to be made, in light of the number of Catholics who fall away from the practice of the faith in their adolescence and young adulthood, that Catholics (and Apostolic Christians in general) should refrain from initiating their children until they've attained the age of reason or after? Or are we merely seeing the effects of generations of poorly-catechized Catholics who've never been properly introduced to the practice of prayer and Christian spirituality and made them their own just doing with their own children what their parents did?

Eastern Christian Books: A Century of Ukrainian Struggles for Unity: Nicholas Denysenko on His Superb New Book

Eastern Christian Books: A Century of Ukrainian Struggles for Unity: Nicholas Denysenko on His Superb New Book

The Historicity of the Old Testament

In particular, the book of Genesis.

Some have tried to nuance their interpretation of Genesis (in an attempt to reconcile it with "science," especially evolution) -- but if Christianity and Christian faith is grounded in a historical narrative, salvation history, i.e. what God has done for mankind, then how can one "mythologize" certain books without undermining Christian faith? Contrary to what some Roman Catholics think (perhaps subconsciously under the influence of some exaggerated form of scholasticism), Christianity is not a set of abstract theological propositions which do not need the background of a historical narrative; rather our knowledge of God is through His actions, especially those directed to mankind.

Breitbart: World View: University of N. Florida and Pentagon Cut Ties with China’s Confucius Institutes

Asia News: Yerevan, Katolikos Karekin II resigns by Vladimir Rozanskij

Asia News: Pope calls for strengthening relations with charismatics and Pentecostals

Two Chinese Bishops to Go to the Synod?

Sandro Magister, In the Match with the Vatican, China Calls the Shots

Sandro Magister Links to the Second Viganò Letter

Sandro Magister, Viganò, Act Two. While Francis Stays Silent, Or Speaks in Code

International Orthodox Theological Association

Purgatory

If the "fire" or "heat" of purgatory is God's love purifying those who live in Christ from all remaining perfection, then why might hell not be that same love experienced as a form of torture by those who have rejected God?

(The glory of God, the light of those who have been perfectly transformed or deified is in contrast pleasant.)

CWR: Abp. Vigano’s new testimony has “special appeal” to Card. Ouellet, more criticism of Pope Francis by Carl E. Olson
The strongest words of Viganò’s new testimony are found in the conclusion, where he asks, “Has Christ perhaps become invisible to his vicar?”

A New Letter from Archbishop Viganò

CNA: Archbishop Vigano issues new letter on Pope Francis and McCarrick

Scott Hahn's Latest Book

CWR: How one Protestant's pursuit of the Fourth Cup led him to the Catholic Church

De Mattei Criticizes One Form of Ultramontanism

Rorate Caeli: De Mattei: The Disfigured Roman Primacy by the Successor of Peter Francesca Romana at RORATE CÆLI - Roberto de Mattei Correspondenza Romana September 26, 2018 The impressive rapidity with which events are unfolding one after the other in the Church makes one think that this is due not only to the dynamics of historical acceleration, but a deliberate choice by the agents of chaos to increase disorientation and paralyze the forces that are seeking to resist the rush of the tide.

A Sad Closing

Rorate Caeli: Dying Italian Dominicans Leave Behind Fra Angelico

Bishop Milan

Consecration of Bishop Mariana Andreja

A Polemic by St. John?

Or a fair characterization?

OrthoChristian: THE DECLINE OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
An overview written in 1938
St. John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco

The moral authority of the Patriarchs of Constantinople has likewise fallen very low in view of their extreme instability in ecclesiastical matters.

St Elisabeth Convent Choir, Minsk visiting St John of Shanghai, Belfast

Kyrie Eleison

OrthoChristian: ON ENVY AND LOVE OF POWER IN THE HISTORY OF BYZANTIUM AND RUS’
Protodeacon Vladimir Vasilik

Are catastrophic events connected with envy characteristic only of Byzantium? Alas, no.

Metropolitan Hilarion on the Future of Christianity in Europe

Pravmir: Address by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk on the Future of Christianity in Europe

On 18 September 2018, in Lisbon, A Junção do Bem Foundation organized a reception in honour of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, who is currently on a visit to Portugal. After the reception Metropolitan Hilarion delivered an address on the Future of Christianity in Europe.

original: MosPat

A Theologian Comments on the IL for the Upcoming Latin Synod

First Things: THOUGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS by Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

The Latest Vatican-China Development

Vatican Press Office announces a ‘Provisional Agreement’ between China and the Holy See, the beginning of a process, says Greg Burke
The Provisional Agreement concerns the appointment of bishops. The Global Times today cited China’s Foreign Ministry, which denied the presence in Beijing of a Vatican delegation. China’s leadership appears divided on the matter. The goal of this “accord is not political but pastoral”.

The excommunication of seven illegitimate bishops lifted, the new Diocese of Chengde established for Mgr Guo Jincai

Card Parolin on the importance of the agreement between China and the Holy See on the appointment of bishops

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unaware of any visiting Vatican delegation by Wang Zhicheng

Card Pietro Parolin also appears to have distanced himself from any imminent agreement on episcopal appointments. Mgr Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, praises China, calling it an influential power that respects human dignity and the planet. For him, the critics of the Sino-Vatican agreement are "a little minority", loud “but there are not very many of them.”


Card Zen on the China-Vatican agreement: Saying nothing in many words by Card. Joseph Zen Ze-kiun

Cdl. Zen calls for Vatican secretary of state Parolin to ‘resign’ over ‘betrayal’ in China deal

Provisional agreement between China and Holy See raises many questions, highlights tensions by Christopher R. Altieri
The central question is whether the Church can trust this Chinese government, and whether Chinese Catholics can trust this Papal administration not to give away the store.

Bound to Disappoint Some of the Latin Conspiracy Theorists

NCReg: Benedict XVI Discusses His Resignation in Newly Published Letters Edward Pentin

Portland is Fortunate

NCReg: Archbishop Sample Emphasizes ‘Liturgy According to the Mind, Heart of the Church’ by Joseph Pronechen

The Portland Archdiocese issues a liturgical handbook to ensure greater reverence for the Eucharist and the Mass.

The Mind of the Ukrainian Catholic Patriarch is Revealed

Does he endorse the use of violence to bring the break-away parts of Ukraine back under the political control of Ukraine? If so, how does he justify this? Does he deny that there is a right to secession and self-determination?

CWR: Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk discusses solidarity, patriotism, power for a free Ukraine by Deborah Castellano Lubov

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk says that a free Ukraine is strengthened by solidarity and patriotism, while noting that “patriotic feelings are neutral” and “they must be evangelized.” His Beatitude recalls the so-called revolution of dignity [...]

Dr. Henry Sire

Sandro Magister Comments on Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option

Sandro Magister: "Quaerere Deum." Twelve Years Ago On the Dot, the September 12 of the Church of Benedict

And Rod Dreher responds.

CWR: Cardinal Müller: “Corruption of doctrine always brings with it the corruption of morals” by CWR Staff

“The root of this evil is not clericalism, whatever that might be, but rejection of the truth and moral licentiousness.” Homily at the priestly ordination […]

Come Holy Spirit

or the prayer to the Holy Spirit:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

If the first part of the petition is addressed to the Holy Spirit, does it make sense to ask the Holy Spirit to send forth His Spirit? The second part is addressed to God the Father, so wouldn't it make more sense to include this part:

"Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth."

after that?

As that is taken from Psalm 104, verse 30, can it be argued that it is actually addressing Christ (and the Father)?

Introduction to Christianity at 50

A conference at Notre Dame.

A Dossier for the Devil's Advocate

If there had been one. Thanks to Pray Tell: Paul VI on liturgical reform Part 6

Veni Creator Spiritus

Given that it was supposedly written by Rabanus Maurus (c. 8th ce), one shouldn't be surprised that the hymn reflects a Latin Pneumatology (with one of its sourcesbeing St. Augustine?).

An attempt to increase the authority of the next synod. For what purpose?

cna: Pope approves new constitution for synod of bishops

Edward Pentin

Adam DeVille's Review of John O'Malley's Book on Vatican I

Vatican I, Pius IX and the Problem of Ultramontanism

America Article on Bishop Milan

Fr. Dominic Legge on the Holy Trinity

The Prayer of Jesus, Unveiling the Mystery of the Holy Trinity

Who Is Being Papist?

Asia News: A fortress-like Vatican for the Russian Orthodox Church

Marco Tossati

1P5: On the Pope and Abuse, Who Are the Real 'Falsifiers of the Word'

Related:
Henry Sire, Cardinal Bergoglio of Buenos Aires: Some More Unanswered Questions

Business as Usual for Francis

CNA: Cupich, Tobin appointed by Pope Francis to October synod on young people

St. John of Kronstadt on Icons

Dr. Robert Louis Wilken on Religious Liberty

"The Religious Roots of Religious Liberty": player.fm and soundcloud

CWR: Why the Church needs philosophy: On the 20th anniversary of Fides et ratio by Joseph G. Trabbic

The philosophical currents that troubled John Paul II two decades ago and moved him to write Fides et ratio haven’t disappeared. […]

Lord, Have Mercy

We need to pray, with everything that is going on between Constantinople and Moscow, with Ukraine in the middle.



Related:

Rorate Caeli: Benediction of the Conventual Church - Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer by New Catholic

The new conventual church of the wonderful Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer (an order of Priests and Brothers dedicated exclusively to the Traditional Dominican rite and customs), in Chéméré-le-Roi, in Mayenne, France, will be dedicated with a Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, Abp. Guido Pozzo, on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Sep.

Sandro Magister: Francis, a Pope Who Says One Thing and the Opposite

Rorate Caeli: De Mattei: The Church and the Men of the Church

The courageous denunciation of ecclesiastical scandals made by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has generated the consensus of many, but also the displeasure of others, convinced that everything discrediting the representatives of the Church should be covered up by silence. This desire to safeguard the Church is understandable...

If he is serious, he will resign.

CWR: Is Pope Francis serious about addressing abuse crisis and its causes? by Christopher R. Altieri
Francis apparently believes that airing bishops’ dirty laundry is not the right thing to do—and that is a large part of the attitude that got us to this point in the first place.

Sandro Magister: Figments. If Instead of Bergoglio They Had Elected Cardinal Scola Pope

How will this play out?

More smoke from the bishop of Rome: Pope Francis: Bishops must pray to overcome “the Great Accuser”

Related:
Pope’s cardinal advisors say Vatican will soon respond to Viganò allegations
Cardinal DiNardo and USCCB officials to meet with Pope Francis
Wuerl to meet with Pope Francis to discuss resignation

Human Dignity?

Crisis: What Version of Human Dignity Should Catholics Defend? BY JAMES KALB

Dignitatis Humanae, the Vatican II declaration on religious liberty, appeals to what it says is a growing awareness of human dignity. More recent Vatican pronouncements, including the new language in [...]

The College of Cardinals

Fr. Keenan needs to get over his Latincentricism. The college of Cardinals should reverted into the special form of the local synod of the Church of Rome, concerned only with matters of the Church of Rome. It should have no role to play in the Church Universal.

CWR: Should the Church have women cardinals? As we speak about power in the Church, we must ask: is this not simply a form of clericalism, a phenomenon much decried by Pope Francis? by Nicholas Senz

The Best BC Has to Offer?

Fr. Z: Popcorn Moment! James Keenan, SJ, and his 8 women cardinals!

The Issue at Hand

Taking The Gay Priest Issue Seriously by Rod Dreher
The cognitive dissonance within the Catholic Church around homosexuality has reached a breaking point

Greater Use of Traditional Iconography Will Save the Church?

CWR Dispatch: Iconography workshop emphasizes beauty of sacred art, Eastern liturgies by Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille

The “Beauty Will Save theWorld” summer camp is an iconography workshop that includes discussions about beauty and vocations, all held together by sung liturgical prayer.

CNA: Letter acknowledges Vatican receipt of allegations against McCarrick in 2000

26th International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality

Living Faith

Pan-Orthodox Cemes

A paper by Fr. Paul Gavrilyuk

The 2017 Conference

CSM Article on the Old Believers

Symposium of Orthodox Spirituality

University of Chicago site of Symposium of Orthodox Spirituality September 15

The Only Growth Latins Can Get

And hence the USCCB loves immigration... there is no guarantee that the children of the immigrants will stay in the Church, but the USCCB is not willing to deal with the institutional causes of failure.

CNA: Six new churches in five years: Portland’s growing Catholic community

More New Books and Reprints

Resigning the Episcopal Office

CWR: Now it is not the time to “turn down the temperature” by Edward N. Peters
Sometimes even allies offer advice that is ill-conceived, and I think that applies to some of what Fr. Raymond de Souza wrote recently for the National Catholic Register.

(original)

Synaxis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople

Byz TX: Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne

Archbishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA gives a report.

Archbishop Viganò Comments on Videos

NCReg

Fr. Z: Why was Archbp. Viganò publicly polite to disgraced ex-Card McCarrick? Answered.

De Mattei on Archbishop Viganò

Rorate caeli: De Mattei: Archbishop Viganò - punished for telling the truth?

Probably Won't Be Negative on the Current Pontificate

Fr. Z: New book by Jesuit @antoniospadaro about Francis

Dr. Rao Comments on the Crisis

Rorate Caeli: Op-Ed: "The City of Light under the Regime of Darkness: Historical Meditation on Current Events" (by John C. Rao)

The City of Light and the Regime of Darkness: Historical Meditation on Current Events by Dr. John C. Rao Monday, August 28th, the Feast of St. Augustine, followed hard upon the Sunday statement of Archbishop Viganò regarding papal delinquency in the chastisement of episcopal evildoers. Mulling over the possibility of some providential connection of the annual commemoration of the

Homily of Bishop Stephen Lopes for August 19

Catholic Herald

Something Rotten in...

Being Frank about Francis by Dr. Douglas Farrow

The McCarrick scandal, let us all admit, is just one powerful gust in the swirling tempest that now surrounds Francis and threatens to capsize both […]

Dreher's Viganò Coverage

Viganò Vindicated Again
Yet pontiff calls him a liar in today’s homily. It’s time for Viganò to release all documents

When The Pope Met Kim Davis
Archbishop Vigano gives his side of the story

Pope Francis’s Best Friends
Claim: Post-Vigano, media going soft on pontiff to protect his gay rights agenda


Archbishop Vigano Bright Sadness
Answering Vigano's Critics
Catholic Cold War Turns Into Civil War
Pope Francis McCarrick Gay Mafia Bombshell

Related:
Pope Francis says response to division should be silence, prayer
Pope Francis: Let the Word of God take root in your heart

CNA Update

Catholic News Agency: Benedict, Viganò, Francis, and McCarrick: Where things stand on nuncio’s allegations

Rorate Caeli: Op-Ed: If Homosexual Militancy can even dictate the agenda in the Church

The Theory of Evolution and the Question of Death

Something to ponder after reading the following...

Russian Priest: Most Holy Men Denounced Evolution and So Should We “I’m not ashamed to be a daughter of the Heavenly Father. Let those whose ancestors are apes[1] be ashamed” by Fr. Valery Dukhanin (OrthoChristian)

Bishop Eleganti Interview

CWR: Bishop Eleganti: “The Pope’s silence is a classic non-denial!” by CWR Staff

“The attempts to rewrite the traditional doctrine that regards homosexual acts as disordered in themselves,” says the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Chur, Switzerland, “and […]