Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Some Latin Soteriology?
CWR: Pope Francis, the uniqueness of Christ, and the will of the Father by Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM., Cap.
Given the pluralism of world religions, many contemporary academics and pundits argue that Christianity can no longer claim itself to be the one true religion. Not only do those who profess other religious beliefs question [...]
Given the pluralism of world religions, many contemporary academics and pundits argue that Christianity can no longer claim itself to be the one true religion. Not only do those who profess other religious beliefs question [...]
Monday, June 03, 2019
Overstating the Case
The Case for Confucianism in America: How an Ancient Chinese Philosophical Tradition Could Save Our Fraying Democracy by Alexander Zubatov
Was Confucianism sufficient by itself to prevent the Chinese imperial government from turning it into a state ideology and using it to support the imperial system? Or, for that matter, is it preventing the Chinese Communists from attempting to do the same? Confucianism does not address the origin of political authority, nor the nature of the relationship between ruler and ruled, and whether equality between the two is possible. Confucianism, as it currently exists in the classics and whatever tradition of commentary, simply does not have the resources to support republicanism. Perhaps someone can develop the tradition in that direction, though it will be the case that such novelties will be contested by some as not being part of the original tradition, even if the additional premises can be shown to be in harmony with the principles found in the classical texts.
Was Confucianism sufficient by itself to prevent the Chinese imperial government from turning it into a state ideology and using it to support the imperial system? Or, for that matter, is it preventing the Chinese Communists from attempting to do the same? Confucianism does not address the origin of political authority, nor the nature of the relationship between ruler and ruled, and whether equality between the two is possible. Confucianism, as it currently exists in the classics and whatever tradition of commentary, simply does not have the resources to support republicanism. Perhaps someone can develop the tradition in that direction, though it will be the case that such novelties will be contested by some as not being part of the original tradition, even if the additional premises can be shown to be in harmony with the principles found in the classical texts.
Sunday, June 02, 2019
Saturday, June 01, 2019
Friday, May 31, 2019
Thursday, May 30, 2019
The Origin of Religious Freedom
First Things: Rethinking the History of Religious Freedom by Robert Louis Wilken
Any account of the rise of religious freedom must give a large place to the intellectual contributions of Christian thinkers.
Any account of the rise of religious freedom must give a large place to the intellectual contributions of Christian thinkers.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
A Summary, of Sorts, of Tierney
Crisis Magazine: The Medieval and Catholic Roots of American Democracy by Andrew Latham
Adam DeVille on the Ascension and Pentecost
CWR Dispatch: Ascension, Pentecost, and the excesses of an inefficient God by Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
God is not content with merely satisfying some soteriological “debt” as it were. He does not merely restore us to life on earth, but takes us from earth into heaven.
God is not content with merely satisfying some soteriological “debt” as it were. He does not merely restore us to life on earth, but takes us from earth into heaven.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
When will we have an investigation of the chain of communication?
Where is the transparency?
CNA: Pope Francis: ‘I knew nothing about McCarrick’
Dispatch: Correspondence confirms Benedict XVI placed restrictions on McCarrick in 2008
While confirming some elements of the allegations made last August by former Vatican nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Monsignor Figueiredo’s report does not answer key questions about what Pope Francis knew about McCarrick’s actions.
Related:
Former aide details how McCarrick ignored Benedict’s sanctions, met with Francis
CNA: Pope Francis: ‘I knew nothing about McCarrick’
Dispatch: Correspondence confirms Benedict XVI placed restrictions on McCarrick in 2008
While confirming some elements of the allegations made last August by former Vatican nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Monsignor Figueiredo’s report does not answer key questions about what Pope Francis knew about McCarrick’s actions.
Related:
Former aide details how McCarrick ignored Benedict’s sanctions, met with Francis
An Orthodox Exlanation of the Antichrist
Preachers Institute: The AntiChrist: An Orthodox Perspective from the Church Fathers by Fr. Andrew J. Anderson
Monday, May 27, 2019
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Text of Cardinal Sarah's Speech
CWR: A Light in the Darkness: Benedict XVI’s view of the Church in the midst of the crisis of the abuse of minors by Cardinal Robert Sarah
Editor’s note: The following address was given by H.E. Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in Rome at the Centre Saint-Louis (Institut Français), May 14, 2019, on the [...]
Editor’s note: The following address was given by H.E. Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in Rome at the Centre Saint-Louis (Institut Français), May 14, 2019, on the [...]
"Lifting Up of My Hands"
"The question when lay people stopped praying with lifted hands during the Liturgy remains unanswered yet."
In the Byzantine East, was it due to increased clericalism in the liturgy?
As for the West, because of Gothic influence and the replacement by folded hands as the gesture of prayer?
Ed Feser on Heresy
Ed Feser: Popes, heresy, and papal heresy
He links to an interview with John Rist regarding the "Letter."
Related:
Scholar defends letter accusing Pope of heresy: Church is facing ‘most serious crisis’ in history
He links to an interview with John Rist regarding the "Letter."
Related:
Scholar defends letter accusing Pope of heresy: Church is facing ‘most serious crisis’ in history
"Man Is a Liturgical Being"
OrthoChristian: Man is a Liturgical Being by Olga Orlova, Archimandrite Methodius (Markovich)
A Conversation with Archimandrite Methodius (Markovich), the Abbot of Hilandar Monastery
A Conversation with Archimandrite Methodius (Markovich), the Abbot of Hilandar Monastery
Saturday, May 25, 2019
De Mattei Remembers Prominent Traditionalists
Remnant: The Fidelity of the City of Rome to the Mass of the Ages Written by Roberto de Mattei
On the Beatification of Enrique Angelelli et al.
Remnant: JORGE'S HEROES: The Dirty War and a Dirty Beatification by Christopher A. Ferrara
Reclaim Your Patrimony
Vatican News
Shutterstock photos
epa
Related:
CNEWA: The Italo-Albanian Catholic Church
Vatican City Stamp: CENTENARY OF THE EPARCHY OF LUNGRO OF THE ITALO-ALBANIANS
Friday, May 24, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
A Crisis of Credibility
First Things: The Crisis Continues by Philip Lawler
If the testimony of Archbishop Viganò is accurate, then many Vatican officials knew of, and failed to act on, the charges against McCarrick. All those officials—including Pope Francis himself—would be subject to investigation under the terms of the new motu proprio. But if any such investigation has been made, we have not heard about it. So the crisis of credibility continues.
The New Roman Marriage Rite
1P5: The New Lectionary and the Catholic Wedding by Peter Kwasniewski
One of the topics most hotly disputed at the synods on marriage and the family, back in those halcyon years of 2014 and 2015, was the possibility of admitting to Holy Communion Catholics who are living in what are euphemistically …
One of the topics most hotly disputed at the synods on marriage and the family, back in those halcyon years of 2014 and 2015, was the possibility of admitting to Holy Communion Catholics who are living in what are euphemistically …
The Constantinian Church or the Frankish Church?
Where is the critical overview of Charlemagne's legacy for the evolution of the patriarchate of Rome?
Canticum Salomonis: Mysterium Mysteriorum: How the Ambrosian Rite Survived Charlemagne
Canticum Salomonis: Mysterium Mysteriorum: How the Ambrosian Rite Survived Charlemagne
1P5 Reviews Love for the Papacy and Filial Resistance to the Pope
De Mattei probably doesn't consider the resistance of the Chalcedonian Orthodox as being legitimate.
1P5: Roberto de Mattei on Resisting the Pope in the Modern Age by 1P5 Staff
Love for the Papacy and Filial Resistance to the Pope in the History of the Church Roberto de Mattei Angelico Press 232 pages $17.95 paper, $26.00 cloth For those seeking to navigate the turbulence in the life of the Church,
1P5: Roberto de Mattei on Resisting the Pope in the Modern Age by 1P5 Staff
Love for the Papacy and Filial Resistance to the Pope in the History of the Church Roberto de Mattei Angelico Press 232 pages $17.95 paper, $26.00 cloth For those seeking to navigate the turbulence in the life of the Church,
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Friday, May 17, 2019
Adam DeVille on the New Moto Proprio
CWR: Pope Francis denounces clericalism, but his new motu proprio enables it
What “Vos estis lux mundi” neglects to draw to our attention—for obvious reasons—is that there is nothing requiring episcopal governance in its current monopolistic form.
By Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
What “Vos estis lux mundi” neglects to draw to our attention—for obvious reasons—is that there is nothing requiring episcopal governance in its current monopolistic form.
By Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Authentic [Latin] Catholicism?
Rebuilding Authentic Catholicism upon the Ruins of the Conciliar Experiment by Peter Kwasniewski
Even if the OF in the vernacular is not the proper tool for cultivating a Christian spirituality rooted in the liturgy, will Latin traditionalists fare much better?
The solution to the mess into which we have fallen through a long series of bad decisions is simple and at the same time exceedingly hard: we have to make the opposite decisions, again and again. The Church needs to stop thinking about new strategies, new programs, new pastoral initiatives, or any statistical measure of success, and resolutely throw herself again into the proclamation of the full Gospel, including its “hard sayings”; the celebration of solemn and beautiful liturgy; the building of monasteries and religious communities on the foundation of the usus antiquior; the cultivation of an intellectually robust curriculum in seminaries and universities; an encouragement of large families, as in the old days, and the promotion of homeschooling. Only by taking a seriously countercultural path is there any long-term hope for Catholicism. As a believer, I am convinced that the Faith will survive and prosper again, but only where such things are being done, or to the degree that they are being done.
Even if the OF in the vernacular is not the proper tool for cultivating a Christian spirituality rooted in the liturgy, will Latin traditionalists fare much better?
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Interview with Fr. Wojciech Giertych, OP
CWR: Papal Household Theologian on sparking faith, returning to basics of Catholic life by Paul Senz
In the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, members of the Dominican Order tend to be particularly well-versed in philosophy, theology, scholasticism, and the great intellectual tradition of the Church. This is part of the reason [...]
In the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, members of the Dominican Order tend to be particularly well-versed in philosophy, theology, scholasticism, and the great intellectual tradition of the Church. This is part of the reason [...]
Monday, May 13, 2019
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Friday, May 10, 2019
Ecclesial Survival of the Fittest
From a comment by Fr. Augustine Thompson over at Fr. Z's blog:
I agree: liturgical reform should not be imposed by Rome, though Rome should provide an example to the other local Churches using the Roman rite. Liturgical reform must be handled properly through local action by bishops and presbyters. (Should bishops impose their vision on their collaborating presbyters? Probably not.) But what do we do if one bishop undoes the good work done by his predecessor? Hence we must have active laity and presbyters who will defend their "canonical rights." Even for liturgical reform to be handled well at the local level, there must be ecclesial reform that makes the institutional Church more accountable to the laity, and protection of presbyters from bishops who are opposed to orthodox reform. In other words, to protect orthodox reform (liturgical and otherwise) requires that reform include institutional practices of authority.
This is what is reasonable -- but I don't see what is reasonable happening -- what will happen is that there will be a competition between churches of different traditions for members, and those who are most responsive to the orthodox faithful will flourish, while those that are not will die out. Not only that but liturgical reform, while important, is only one part of the crisis in Christian spirituality and living that must be addressed. A feminized institutional Church that makes its liturgy better but does not address the reasons why men are not interested in "practicing religion" will still fail.
I lived through the 1960s and it was the rapid and authoritarian way the liturgical changes were imposed that drove people out—and they had been trained in a “culture of obedience”! The act of imposing a novel form of worship on them undercut the people’s faith, and so remotely lies behind the later long-term loss of practice and faith.
A similar imposition of mandated changes today would be met with an even greater exodus, especially if the changes were in the traditional direction. (It would be hard to think of further “liberalizing” changes as causing any great disruption, save for the small group of traditionalists who have already fled to traditional or traditionalist parishes / chaplaincies.) The idea that a top-down imposition of Pre-Vatican-II forms of worship will bring people back to the Church is disproved by this very article.
Mary Douglas, the great Catholic anthropologist, brilliantly analyzed the religiously destructive nature of massive changes in religious ritual and culture imposed by elitist authorities in her book Natural Symbols—which should be required reading for all involved with liturgy.
I agree: liturgical reform should not be imposed by Rome, though Rome should provide an example to the other local Churches using the Roman rite. Liturgical reform must be handled properly through local action by bishops and presbyters. (Should bishops impose their vision on their collaborating presbyters? Probably not.) But what do we do if one bishop undoes the good work done by his predecessor? Hence we must have active laity and presbyters who will defend their "canonical rights." Even for liturgical reform to be handled well at the local level, there must be ecclesial reform that makes the institutional Church more accountable to the laity, and protection of presbyters from bishops who are opposed to orthodox reform. In other words, to protect orthodox reform (liturgical and otherwise) requires that reform include institutional practices of authority.
This is what is reasonable -- but I don't see what is reasonable happening -- what will happen is that there will be a competition between churches of different traditions for members, and those who are most responsive to the orthodox faithful will flourish, while those that are not will die out. Not only that but liturgical reform, while important, is only one part of the crisis in Christian spirituality and living that must be addressed. A feminized institutional Church that makes its liturgy better but does not address the reasons why men are not interested in "practicing religion" will still fail.
A Right to Have a Child?
Even if it is understood through the Natural Law as a restriction upon political authority, can we say that such a right or freedom is absolute? (Or even any right or freedom?)
With respect to the right to have a child -- even if a political authority cannot directly prohibit one from exercising it, can one say that this means that the authority is obliged to ensure that it is fulfilled or exercised without difficulty, or that there will be no negative consequences? For example, if there is a people fleeing or migrating to a new land, a journey that will take some time, one might say that it is a reasonable thing to suggest that the members of that people not engage in sexual relations, lest they be burdened with a pregnant woman who will prevent the group from traveling. And if such a woman gets pregnant, in extreme circumstances or danger, the people may be justified in leaving her behind in order to save the others.
With respect to the right to have a child -- even if a political authority cannot directly prohibit one from exercising it, can one say that this means that the authority is obliged to ensure that it is fulfilled or exercised without difficulty, or that there will be no negative consequences? For example, if there is a people fleeing or migrating to a new land, a journey that will take some time, one might say that it is a reasonable thing to suggest that the members of that people not engage in sexual relations, lest they be burdened with a pregnant woman who will prevent the group from traveling. And if such a woman gets pregnant, in extreme circumstances or danger, the people may be justified in leaving her behind in order to save the others.
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Liturgical Piety and Emotion
From "What Became of the Spirit of the Liturgy? Implementation of Sacrosanctum Concilium 1963—1965" by Susan Benofy
However, Guardini also says, the liturgy is difficult to adapt to modern man, who often finds it artificial and too formal, and prefers other forms of prayer which seem to have the advantage “of contemporary, or, at any rate, of congenial origin.”[8] But to be appropriate as a prayer for all people, and any situation, the liturgy must be formal, and keep “emotion under the strictest control.”[9]
The direct expression of emotion in prayer is more appropriate in personal prayer or popular devotions. These are rightly intended to appeal to certain tastes and circumstances, and consequently retain more local characteristics and aim more at individual edification, but they must remain distinct from the liturgy. “There could be no greater mistake than that of discarding the valuable elements in the spiritual life of the people for the sake of the liturgy, or than the desire of assimilating them to it.”[10] The liturgy is celebrated by the whole body of the faithful, not simply the assembled congregation. It embraces “all the faithful on earth; simultaneously it reaches beyond the bounds of time.”[11]
Guardini notes that, since the liturgy doesn’t fit any personality type exactly, all must sacrifice some of their own inclinations to properly enter into it. And, though liturgy requires fellowship, this does not mean ordinary social interaction. “[T]he union of the members is not directly accomplished from man to man. It is accomplished by and in their joint aim, goal, and spiritual resting place—God—by their identical creed, sacrifice and sacraments.”[12] Guardini insists that liturgical prayer “must spring from the fullness of truth. It is only truth—or dogma, to give it its other name—which can make prayer efficacious.”[13]
Sacred Liturgy Conference
website
Good to see Bishop Daly sponsoring this at Gonzaga University. The speakers seemed to be slanted towards the traditionalist side -- is there anyone there to represent the "reform of the reform," or is that dead, having failed to gain any traction within the American Latin Churches? (No one to represent a Bouyerian reform, either.) Any no representation from the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter?
Good to see Bishop Daly sponsoring this at Gonzaga University. The speakers seemed to be slanted towards the traditionalist side -- is there anyone there to represent the "reform of the reform," or is that dead, having failed to gain any traction within the American Latin Churches? (No one to represent a Bouyerian reform, either.) Any no representation from the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter?
Fr. Thomas Joseph White on Freedom
CWR/CNA: Dominican scholar: Church crisis calls for renewal of Catholic teaching on freedom
I think most are more interested in proposals for changes to how the institution is run and how oversight of authority is possible, or accountability. If the relationship between the bishop and the Christian people of the local church needs to be re-examined, and our understanding of ecclesial authority needs to be refined and corrected, then maybe some of the solutions, those pertaining to the exercise of authority and accountability, may be new. If a bishop is a scandal to the faithful and an impediment to communion or the life of the Church, then if he doesn't resign, some other action must be possible to remedy this.
Ultimately, White thinks the solutions to today’s crisis in the Church will not be something new, and that the deep solutions needed “depend on grace and also the internal formation life and discipline life of the Church.”
He said it is true that the Church needs to make some prudential considerations about the formation, training, and vetting of priests and bishops, and that the laity have the right to expect and insist upon reform from bishops and priests.
I think most are more interested in proposals for changes to how the institution is run and how oversight of authority is possible, or accountability. If the relationship between the bishop and the Christian people of the local church needs to be re-examined, and our understanding of ecclesial authority needs to be refined and corrected, then maybe some of the solutions, those pertaining to the exercise of authority and accountability, may be new. If a bishop is a scandal to the faithful and an impediment to communion or the life of the Church, then if he doesn't resign, some other action must be possible to remedy this.
Newly Published!
Sandro Magister: Risen “According To the Scriptures.” A Freshly Published Easter Homily of Joseph Ratzinger
Fr. Weinandy Responds to "the Letter"
First Things: Is Pope Francis a Heretic? by Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M. Cap.
Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Is the Pre-1955 Roman Holy Triduum Really Better?
1P5: My First Experience of a Pre-1955 Holy Triduum by Peter Kwasniewski
Recently, I bumped into a friend who expressed her surprise that this year was the first time I had ever attended the pre-1955 (i.e., ancient or unreformed) Holy Week liturgies. She was under the impression that someone who travels, reads, …
See also: NLM: Compendium of the 1955 Holy Week Revisions of Pius XII
Recently, I bumped into a friend who expressed her surprise that this year was the first time I had ever attended the pre-1955 (i.e., ancient or unreformed) Holy Week liturgies. She was under the impression that someone who travels, reads, …
See also: NLM: Compendium of the 1955 Holy Week Revisions of Pius XII
Peter Kwasniewski on "the Letter"
1P5: When Creeping Normalcy Bias Protects a Chaotic Pope by Peter Kwasniewski
Reactions to the Open Letter accusing Pope Francis of holding seven heretical propositions — a letter that now bears the signatures of 81 clergy, religious, and scholars — have ranged from strong support (Zmirak, Coulombe, Verrecchio) to sympathetic critiques (Lawler, …
Related:
A Brief Update on the Open Letter on Papal Heresy by Steve Skojec
There have been a number of developments on the Open Letter accusing the pope of heresy since I first summarized it in this space on April 30. The first of these is that the number of scholars who have signed it …
Pope Francis, the Open Letter, and the Pesky Preface by Steven O'Reilly
Reactions to the Open Letter accusing Pope Francis of holding seven heretical propositions — a letter that now bears the signatures of 81 clergy, religious, and scholars — have ranged from strong support (Zmirak, Coulombe, Verrecchio) to sympathetic critiques (Lawler, …
Related:
A Brief Update on the Open Letter on Papal Heresy by Steve Skojec
There have been a number of developments on the Open Letter accusing the pope of heresy since I first summarized it in this space on April 30. The first of these is that the number of scholars who have signed it …
Pope Francis, the Open Letter, and the Pesky Preface by Steven O'Reilly
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