Vatican spin on the Amazon synod statue. Who represents life? Christ. We are alive only insofar as we live in him. The Theotokos is the "Mother of all the living," those who live in Christ. So why not an icon of our Lord or the Theotokos?
Does anyone there think like a Christian? Instead we get people who think like the world with respect to interior decorating for meetings.
Related:
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Reception by the Faithful and All That
CWR Dispatch: John Henry Newman in Full by Bishop Robert Barron
Buffeting from both sides made almost the whole of Newman’s life difficult, and it is not hard to see why he saw much of his career as a Sisyphean exercise in futility.
Newman was not of the "left" or "liberal" -- he merely sought to reclaim the Latin churches from clericalism, a problem which still infects the patriarchate of Rome now. That some did not understand this and could only put it in political terms of the age shows how blind they were to the problem and their slavish adherence to their notion of hierarchy.
Buffeting from both sides made almost the whole of Newman’s life difficult, and it is not hard to see why he saw much of his career as a Sisyphean exercise in futility.
Newman was not of the "left" or "liberal" -- he merely sought to reclaim the Latin churches from clericalism, a problem which still infects the patriarchate of Rome now. That some did not understand this and could only put it in political terms of the age shows how blind they were to the problem and their slavish adherence to their notion of hierarchy.
Letters from the Amazon Synod Part 5
First Things: Letters From the Synod–2019: #5 Edited by Xavier Rynne II
Reports and Commentary, from Rome and Elsewhere, on the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region: “New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology”
Reports and Commentary, from Rome and Elsewhere, on the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region: “New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology”
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Much Ado About...
Latin traditionalists may bemoan the fact that Pope Francis has done away with the reform by Benedict XVI of the rite canonization, using a simpler formula and omitting the petitions before the formula. (See, for example, Fr. Hunwicke.)
Some remarks:
1. Regarding the pope's response to the third petition in the Benedictine reform: "Let us, then, invoke the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life, that he may enlighten our minds and that Christ the Lord may not permit his Church to err in a matter of such importance."
One can invoke God's help, but if the act exceeds the authority given by God, is there any point?
The second petition itself was rather presumptuous:
"Most Holy Father, Holy Church, trusting in the Lord's promise to send upon her the Spirit of Truth, who in every age keeps the Supreme Magisterium free from error, most earnestly beseeches Your Holiness to enroll these, her elect, among the saints."
The Church Universal? No. A few members and representatives of the patriarchate of Rome and maybe representatives of those non-Latin particular Churches which have been Latinized to one degree or another and are still under the captive sway of Rome in their mindset.
2. It is inferred that the papal decree of canonization is an infallible act because it is supposedly an act regarding the Church Universal, and not the way around (e.g. the act must be proper to the pope because it is or needs to be infallible, and only the pope, representing the whole Church is infallible.)
But if it is not properly an act regarding the whole Church, despite what the decrees may say, but regarding only his patriarchate, the urgency of determining whether such an act is infallible is mitigated.
3. Even if the Benedictine reform is "better" at emphasizing certain aspects of the Latin conception of the authority of the bishop of Rome than the simpler formula now being used by Francis, the simpler formula nonetheless in its essence still reflects that same Latin conception, maximalist as it is.
See the document of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, "NEW PROCEDURES IN THE RITE OF BEATIFICATION":
Historical evidence that non-Latin particular Churches were agitating for this? And just because a pope decrees it doesn't make it a universal law.
Some remarks:
1. Regarding the pope's response to the third petition in the Benedictine reform: "Let us, then, invoke the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life, that he may enlighten our minds and that Christ the Lord may not permit his Church to err in a matter of such importance."
One can invoke God's help, but if the act exceeds the authority given by God, is there any point?
The second petition itself was rather presumptuous:
"Most Holy Father, Holy Church, trusting in the Lord's promise to send upon her the Spirit of Truth, who in every age keeps the Supreme Magisterium free from error, most earnestly beseeches Your Holiness to enroll these, her elect, among the saints."
The Church Universal? No. A few members and representatives of the patriarchate of Rome and maybe representatives of those non-Latin particular Churches which have been Latinized to one degree or another and are still under the captive sway of Rome in their mindset.
2. It is inferred that the papal decree of canonization is an infallible act because it is supposedly an act regarding the Church Universal, and not the way around (e.g. the act must be proper to the pope because it is or needs to be infallible, and only the pope, representing the whole Church is infallible.)
But if it is not properly an act regarding the whole Church, despite what the decrees may say, but regarding only his patriarchate, the urgency of determining whether such an act is infallible is mitigated.
3. Even if the Benedictine reform is "better" at emphasizing certain aspects of the Latin conception of the authority of the bishop of Rome than the simpler formula now being used by Francis, the simpler formula nonetheless in its essence still reflects that same Latin conception, maximalist as it is.
See the document of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, "NEW PROCEDURES IN THE RITE OF BEATIFICATION":
In the 11th century, the principle that as universal Pastor of the Church the Roman Pontiff alone has the authority to prescribe a public devotion began to gain ground, both in the particular Churches and the universal Church. With a Letter to the King and Bishops of Sweden, Alexander III asserted the Pope's authority to confer the title of Saint and the relevant public cult. This norm became a universal law with Gregory IX in 1234.
Historical evidence that non-Latin particular Churches were agitating for this? And just because a pope decrees it doesn't make it a universal law.
Canonization is the supreme glorification by the Church of a Servant of God raised to the honours of the altar with a decree declared definitive and preceptive for the whole Church, involving the solemn Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff.And there it is.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Letters from the Amazon Synod Part 4
First Things: Letters From the Synod–2019: #4 by Xavier Rynne II
We honor the memory of John Henry Newman, this newest of God’s saints, by imitating his courage, and the conviction that underwrote it.
We honor the memory of John Henry Newman, this newest of God’s saints, by imitating his courage, and the conviction that underwrote it.
Perhaps It Is Too Late to Implement
CWR: St. Newman’s Idea of a Catholic University: An Alma Mater, not a foundry, mint, or treadmill by Tracey Rowland
As we celebrate the canonization of John Henry Newman this week and re-read his publications on this subject, the gulf between his vision of Catholic education and what we currently have is stark.
As we celebrate the canonization of John Henry Newman this week and re-read his publications on this subject, the gulf between his vision of Catholic education and what we currently have is stark.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Today's Canonizations in Rome
I bet María Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan was not canonized separately by the Syro-Malabar hiearchy, who will not act to have a liturgical memorial for her now that Rome has issued its decree. More evidence of Latinization here:
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Actually, for now just to the patriarchate of Rome.
But you can bet the decree of canonization will maintain Roman pretensions.
Friday, October 11, 2019
ROMAN ENCOUNTERS by Gerhard Müller
EWTN Publications
Is the cardinal responsible for the English subtitle: The Unity of the Faith and the Holy See's Responsibility for the Universal Church? Perhaps not, but I do think that the book is probably ultramontane in leaning, conflating the patriarchate of Rome with the Universal Church.
Is the cardinal responsible for the English subtitle: The Unity of the Faith and the Holy See's Responsibility for the Universal Church? Perhaps not, but I do think that the book is probably ultramontane in leaning, conflating the patriarchate of Rome with the Universal Church.
Letters from the Amazon Synod, Part 3
First Things: Letters From the Synod–2019: #3
October 11, 2019 / by Xavier Rynne II
The “neo-colonialism” of dumbed-down expectations compounded by the imposition of First World preoccupations on Third World societies has been evident at Synod-2019.
October 11, 2019 / by Xavier Rynne II
The “neo-colonialism” of dumbed-down expectations compounded by the imposition of First World preoccupations on Third World societies has been evident at Synod-2019.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Adam DeVille Has Some Practical Considerations for Latin Reformers on Clerical Celibacy
But will they listen, even if they were aware of him and his writing?
CWR Dispatch: The realities and challenges of the married priesthood: An Eastern Catholic perspective
Seven points of caution for those who support or hope for possible alterations to the requirement of clerical celibacy in the Latin Church.
CWR Dispatch: The realities and challenges of the married priesthood: An Eastern Catholic perspective
Seven points of caution for those who support or hope for possible alterations to the requirement of clerical celibacy in the Latin Church.
Wednesday, October 09, 2019
Letters from the Amazon Synod Part 2
First Things: Letters From the Synod–2019: #2
Edited by Xavier Rynne II
Catholics are growing dispirited by a Church that increasingly presents itself as a global NGO whose primary concerns are political rather than spiritual.
Edited by Xavier Rynne II
Catholics are growing dispirited by a Church that increasingly presents itself as a global NGO whose primary concerns are political rather than spiritual.
Tuesday, October 08, 2019
Substantial Unities
If a Dominican defends transubstantiation to the point of re-affirming that bread is one substance (even though it isn't), is he being a good follower of Thomas, a good Tridentine Latin, or both?
Rhetorical question.
Rhetorical question.
Monday, October 07, 2019
A New Series Edited by Xavier Rynne II
First Things: Letters From the Synod-2019: #1 Edited by Xavier Rynne II
Reports and Commentary, from Rome and Elsewhere, on the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region: “New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology”
Reports and Commentary, from Rome and Elsewhere, on the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region: “New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology”
Sunday, October 06, 2019
Another Latin Defense
CWR: Celibacy: A brilliant jewel, a pearl of a great price by Conor Dugan
Fr. Carter Griffin offers a beautiful and compelling apologetic for celibacy and why the Latin Church should maintain her teaching and practice of the celibate priesthood.
Fr. Carter Griffin offers a beautiful and compelling apologetic for celibacy and why the Latin Church should maintain her teaching and practice of the celibate priesthood.
Saturday, October 05, 2019
The New Cardinals
They actually believe this is proper representation for the patriarchate, when they should be rethinking the patriarchate. Institutional inertia.
Who wrote this address?
Related:
Friday, October 04, 2019
Fallacy by Association
Active participation is bad because it was an ideal promoted by Bugnini and others after Vatican 2!
It doesn't matter what different Latin proponents of the 20th century liturgical movement may have thought. (Not all thought that everything had to be in the "vernacular" and even a few did not even consider translating the liturgy into another language.)
Are there any instances of good active participation involving a version of the vernacular, hieratic or not? One does not expect comparative liturgy from a Latin traditionalist.
1P5: ‘Virtually Impossible with an All-Latin Liturgy’: A Brief History of Active Participation by Sharon Kabel
It doesn't matter what different Latin proponents of the 20th century liturgical movement may have thought. (Not all thought that everything had to be in the "vernacular" and even a few did not even consider translating the liturgy into another language.)
Are there any instances of good active participation involving a version of the vernacular, hieratic or not? One does not expect comparative liturgy from a Latin traditionalist.
1P5: ‘Virtually Impossible with an All-Latin Liturgy’: A Brief History of Active Participation by Sharon Kabel
Thursday, October 03, 2019
What Justification for This?
Ecumenism? Fraternity? While some Lutherans may be close to apostolic Christianity, is this true of the state church of Sweden? And how can one be face to face with a female fake bishop without some sort of correction? I never understood that part of being "diplomatic."
Wednesday, October 02, 2019
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Monday, September 30, 2019
The Eucharist and the Real Presence
Is the same old catechesis coupled with more second millennium Latin (paraliturgical) Eucharistic devotions the answer?
Latin traditionalists might say yes, it is a partial solution. (A return to the EF would be an additional part.) I suppose the Latin bishops in the U.S. have a few years to try before they are overwhelmed by other developments.
Freskenzyklus mit Szenen aus dem Leben des Hl. Martin von Tours, Kapelle in Unterkirche San Francesco in Assisi, Szene: Die wundersame Messe des Hl. Martin
Master of the Rio Frio. Altarpiece of St. Martin (Spanish; c. 1500). Musée de Cluny, Paris.
Oxford. Bodleian Library. Psalter.
I think it is the typical representation of the Mass, choosing the elevation of the Host during the Consecration as the key or representative moment, and this is undoubtedly linked to the Latin notion of sacrifice as it is applied to the redemptive work of Christ, focused primarily (though probably not exclusively) on Christ's death on the cross. Even if the elevation was originally modified to a greater height for the purpose of affirming the Real Presence and showing the Gifts to the people so that they may adore Christ, in response to heresies denying the Real Presence of Christ in the Gifts, I think in the "traditional" popular Latin understanding of the Mass offering/"sacrifice" has impacted how the elevation is understood. We can see this mentality present in the association of the elevation (both before and after the reform of Eudes de Sully?) with the elevation of Christ in the cross in allegorical explanations of the Mass. Or in the theological explanation (one seemingly warranted by the liturgical texts themselves) that the Church offers Christ to the Father.
See the "Mass of St. Gregory":
End of 15th century
1490
Diego Huanitzin
The new offertory prayer in the Pauline/Bugninian reform was probably invented and not recovered from the Roman liturgical tradition, but it does seem to be more in accord with the Eucharist being a development and perfection of Jewish Thanksgiving/korban. Who was responsible for its creation? I am not sure if Bouyer addressed that part of the reform specifically.
If sacrifice were understood instead as Thanksgiving for the gifts we receive from the Father (and ultimately the Thanksgiving of the Son to the Father), what would be the best pictorial representation of the Eucharist? The presbyteros at the altar united with the Christian people in prayer (and all facing East)? (How would this be distinguished from some other prayer service, except by inclusion of the Holy Vessels and Holy Gifts in the picture?) The reception of the Holy Gifts by the people?
See for example, this image from the 15th-century Calderini Pontifical:
The elevation could be understood as an affirmation of the Real Presence in this particular Holy Mystery (Sacrament), and one necessary component of the Son's Thanksgiving, the Son Himself, who desires that we share in His life by receiving Him in the Holy Gifts, which have been given to us by the Father. This is the core of the (Christian) Mystery, the Gospel, but I think a new catechetical explanation of the Eucharist would be required for Latins to modify their understanding.
I am curious as to how old the offertory prayer is in the DL of St. John Chrysostom, and if there are analogues in the other rites and how far back they date.
Can someone really render thanks to God if he does not respect or have holy fear of God? How many have received a counterfeit Gospel and heresy instead of the authentic Saving Message Who is Christ?
Sunday, September 29, 2019
“Recent Challenges of the Ordained Ministry in the Church”
Prof. Dr. Christoph Ohly told the symposium that it was a “gift” for priests to be able to conform their lives to Christ in such a way.
“The gift of the priest’s conformation to Christ consequently becomes his mission, in his style of life, his personal attitudes, his life of prayer as well as in the duties assigned to him.”
In her comments to the symposium, Dr. Marianne Schlosser also noted that the priesthood is not a functional role but a vocation of “personal identification with Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
A celibate life seems to follow as part of this vocation, she added, because it was “Christ’s own way of life, who gave his life for humanity, even unto death.”
“Celibacy is a telling witness of the faithful person’s hope for eternal life. By renouncing marriage and the founding of a family, celibacy wants to foster a generous love for the entire (family of Christ) as well as a personal bond with the Lord,” she added.
But all Christians are personally identified with Christ; why shouldn't they be called to celibacy as well?
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Fr. Z's Opinion on Deacons
ASK FATHER: Are permanent deacons necessary?
An excerpt, but the whole is worth considering.
An excerpt, but the whole is worth considering.
With the shortage of priests in these USA at least, one can see how having deacons who can help with Communion calls and so forth, sacramental prep, service at the altar for solemn worship is desirable. Frankly, I wish I had a couple of permanent deacons around whom I could train up for Solemn Masses. That would make my life a lot easier.
It seem to me that, while priests are existentially necessary for the life of the Church (e.g. Mass, confessions, anointing), and permanent deacons are not in the same way necessary (e.g. they do none of those), having them in service depends a great deal on both the urgency of the need and the quality of formation. That isn’t very definite, I know. First, every cleric ought to be well-formed.
We can’t do without priests, and so we can get on with priests who aren’t so sharp. But we can get along very well without deacons who aren’t so sharp.
Are they necessary? Well… it depends. It depends on if you want to work priests into their early graves and it depends on the level of formation.
Lastly, reception of Holy Orders means that there was a vocation from God to be ordained. We humans can and do get in the middle of that through formation programs, etc. However, God’s involvement means that if permanent deacons are necessary, then they are going, somehow, to be ordained, just as a flower finds purchase and manages to spring up in the crack of a sidewalk. I cannot pass any sort of judgment on God’s role in this matter of the permanent diaconate.
One of the first things that the Apostles did was choose men for the diaconate. That tells us something.
If the same conditions pertain in our day, deacons will be necessary for us just as for the Apostles. Circumstances play a role, and we can discern something of God’s will in the circumstances, as the Apostles did.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Thursday, September 26, 2019
A Latin Defense of Transubstantiation
1P5: Substance and Accidents: A Beginner’s Guide to Defending the Eucharist
Both the application of substance and substance/accident as applied to bread must first be corrected, and then we can see if verbally, the theologoumenon that is transubstantiation can still be maintained. Regardless, a naive application of Aristotelian-Thomistic metaphysics is no longer viable given how sophisticated received opinion on material reality has become.
Both the application of substance and substance/accident as applied to bread must first be corrected, and then we can see if verbally, the theologoumenon that is transubstantiation can still be maintained. Regardless, a naive application of Aristotelian-Thomistic metaphysics is no longer viable given how sophisticated received opinion on material reality has become.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Unanimity
An ultramontanist streak? Or just "filial devotion"?
Catholic Herald: Nigerian bishops criticise attacks from ‘higher levels of the Church’ against Pope by Peter Ajayi Dada
Catholic Herald: Nigerian bishops criticise attacks from ‘higher levels of the Church’ against Pope by Peter Ajayi Dada
Monday, September 23, 2019
Action Versus Contemplation: Why An Ancient Debate Still Matters
Blakey Vermeule (Stanford University), Jennifer Summit (San Francisco State University), Lisa Ruddick (University of Chicago), and Fr. Peter Funk, OSB (Monastery of the Holy Cross), on Vermeule and Summit's book Action Versus Contemplation: Why An Ancient Debate Still Matters (University of Chicago Press, 2018)
Fr. Rutler and the John Paul II Institute
Crisis: How to Write Your Own Encyclical by Fr. George W. Rutler
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Saturday, September 21, 2019
The Latin Traditionalists Are Picking Up On This
Sandro Magister: Everyone To the School of the Antichrist. But One Cardinal Rebels
Crux News: Pope to launch global educational pact next year by Inés San Martín
Human Fraternity Meeting
Crux News: Pope to launch global educational pact next year by Inés San Martín
“...however noble such aims as ‘human fraternity’ and ‘world peace’ may be, they cannot be promoted at the cost of relativizing the truth of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and His Church.” —Bishop Athanasius Schneider https://t.co/hDl7vUYANl
— Natalie Rosamund (@autumnspright) September 15, 2019
JUST IN from @HolySeePress : ‘The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity announced the inclusion of Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation’; Zenit’s @DeborahLubov & @RosaDieAlcolea spoke to Cardinal-elect Guixot, Vatican’s top interreligious official pic.twitter.com/gD7Tv9FpiP
— Zenit English (@zenitenglish) September 18, 2019
At the New York Public Library with prominent world interfaith leaders celebrating a historic new document on Human Fraternity & a bold new project linking a mosque, church & synagogue in Abu Dhabi to foster understanding, education, respect & peace. #humanfraternity #interfaith pic.twitter.com/6LSgKewN2s
— Eric Greenberg (@EricJGreenberg1) September 20, 2019
#WCC Programme Executive Rev. Douglas Leonard attended the New York event on the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living together" signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, in Abu Dhabi. Here with Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot. #peace pic.twitter.com/Az8FHt7Rfh
— World Council of Churches (WCC) (@Oikoumene) September 21, 2019
The first public event hosted by the Higher Committee implementing the Document on #HumanFraternity takes place at the #NewYorkCity Public Library on Friday, bringing together hundreds of people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. https://t.co/oSwYSu6ogy
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) September 21, 2019
Human Fraternity Meeting
The UAE Higher Committee of Human Fraternity has raised the number of members to 8, with the recent addition to the board of Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig. https://t.co/tQxxFisRRz
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) September 18, 2019
The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity welcomes a Rabbi member https://t.co/VljidMbCrO pic.twitter.com/2UTesfJBIL
— The Leader Assumpta (@Assumptaleader) September 21, 2019
The first meeting of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity was recently hosted by Pope Francis at the Vatican, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church https://t.co/w9aN2nn0WI pic.twitter.com/nGGUhOG8aG
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 16, 2019
INTERVIEW: Cardinal Guixot Discusses Fruits of Pope & Grand Imam’s Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity
— Deborah Castellano Lubov (@DeborahLubov) September 19, 2019
Reveals Project Being Launched in Abu Dhabi Soon to Be Presented in New York, While Speaking to ZENIT in #Madrid2019 @santegidionews #pazsinfronterashttps://t.co/XL2kEvPZP6
H.E Obaid Salem Al Zaabi : "The document on #Human_Fraternity involves
— UAE MISSION GENEVA (@UAEMISSIONGENF) September 17, 2019
Governments, UN institutions, Academic and Research Centers and Civil Society
Organizations with the aim to incorporate the values of tolerance and
coexistence in their policies, decisions, legislative texts" pic.twitter.com/7goZVnnCcH
“Ramana Maharshi, one of greatest Indian saints in modern times, was asked: ‘How should we treat others?’ His reply: ‘THERE ARE NO OTHERS.’ This is the true definition of Human Fraternity.”
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) September 17, 2019
I spoke today at an inter-faith meet for world peace in #Madrid Spain.@santegidionews pic.twitter.com/dl8pCTpC92
Committee implementing goals in Document on Human Fraternity meet for first time - Vatican News https://t.co/wYCPgUbgmG
— John M. Martinez, Ph.d. (@JohnMMartinezP1) September 12, 2019
Skorka says the Abu Dhabi doc on human fraternity co-signed by Francis and the Grand Imam of Egypt in Feb could do for Xn-Muslim relations what Nostra Aetate did for Xn-Jewish dialogue. https://t.co/TE5ydK4K5p
— Austen Ivereigh (@austeni) September 14, 2019
The Document on Human Fraternity, which I signed today in Abu Dhabi with my brother the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, invites all persons who have faith in God and faith in human fraternity to unite and work together. https://t.co/74Ig3XOPzw
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 4, 2019
Friday, September 20, 2019
Part 2 of Trabbic's Series
CWR: Thomism and Political Liberalism, Part 2
The Natural Law
And then something on happiness...
The Natural Law
So, the natures of things determine what’s good and bad for them, what they should pursue and avoid and, again, that is true for us too. Our nature, in this sense, is the “law” that we should live by. When Thomas talks about the “law of nature” (lex naturalis) or “natural law” this is partly what he has in mind. In part our nature is this law, but our reason, insofar as it grasps what is naturally good for us, and directs us to pursue it, belongs to natural law too.
Thomas’s account of natural law, however, does not stop there. For Thomas, our nature and our reason are created by God. Hence, he teaches that the natural law ultimately comes from God. By following the natural law – which is nothing more than living in conformity with our nature – we are following God’s will. When we act against it, we are acting against God. Thomas calls the “plan” for creation as it exists in God’s “mind” the “eternal law.” This plan not only includes our nature and purpose but the nature and purpose of everything else too. To say that the natural law comes from God is the same as saying that it is derived from the eternal law. What Thomas calls the “divine law” (lex divina) is likewise derived from the eternal law. I will come back to that in a moment.
And then something on happiness...
The “knowing” of God that we are talking about in both the natural and supernatural cases is an act of contemplatio or “contemplation.” For Thomists, Jordan Aumann explains, contemplation is “a type of knowledge accompanied by delight and a certain degree of reason’s wonder before the object contemplated.”4 Contemplation can be pretty pedestrian, as when I appreciate the dark gold color of the scotch in my glass, or more exalted, as when I marvel at the starry sky. But the beauty of creation can and should be a ladder we ascend to the divine.
Our lives as human persons and as Christians should have divine contemplation at their center. This is what we are ultimately ordered to by nature and by grace. That doesn’t mean that we should all pack up and move to a monastery. Most basically in means a way of life faithful Catholics already live: one of regular prayer and participation in the Church’s liturgy marked in general by an appreciative and celebratory attitude toward reality, including the reality of other people.5 As Thomas uses the term, vita contemplativa or “contemplative life” does not necessarily refer to the life of cloistered religious. As Aumann points out, it is something that we all practice – laypeople, religious, and priests – inasmuch as we engage in contemplative acts.6
Divine Sovereignty
Fr. Stephen Freeman: The Sacrament of the Soul
In point of fact – there is no such thing as “secular.” All things are created by God, and exist only because they are sustained by His good will. Everything points towards God and participates in God who is the “Only Truly Existing One.” When the Orthodox speak of the world as a “sacrament,” it is simply stating this fact.
But Unity in What Form?
Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops: Executive Committee of the Assembly of Bishops Recommits to Orthodox Unity in the USA
When Papal Positivism Replaces Tradition
Is it linked to the Jesuits, and what St. Ignatius of Loyola recommended in his Spiritual Exercises? "We should always be prepared so as never to err to believe that what I see as white is black, if the hierarchical Church defines it thus."
Robert Fastiggi:
Again, Fastiggi does not realize that he undermines his own case if his claim that capital punishment is a defined [Roman Catholic] dogma is true. If it isn't, then it isn't part of Tradition and any claim pertaining to its moral goodness or evil or permissibility must be a conclusion of moral theology and evaluated in accordance with the logic of sound reasoning. Justifying a claim based on an appeal to the person who said it or his authority (in this case, Pope Francis) would be an appeal to authority, as his authority does not extend to competence with respect to matters of moral theology per se. Perhaps Fastiggi is too attached to his own Latin opinions regarding the role of the pope to realize this.
Regardless of where they stand on various issues, Latins, traditionalists, "conservatives," or "progressives" will not let go of their belief in the [exaggerated] authority of the pope.
Robert Fastiggi:
7. Feser’s rejection of the new teaching of the Church on the death penalty is in direct violation of what Lumen Gentium, 25 teaches about the need to adhere to teachings of the ordinary papal Magisterium “with religious submission of mind and will.” His rejection also violates canon 752 of the 1983 CIC and no. 892 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Feser and his followers do not seem to understand the “argument from authority” that applies to teachings of the ordinary papal magisterium and judgments of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Catholics who support the new formulation of CCC 2267 are being faithful Catholics. Prof. Feser’s attempt to put such faithful Catholics and the Pope on the defensive suggests that he believes he has more authority than the Roman Pontiff. If he has difficulty accepting the Church’s new teaching on the death penalty he should, in a spirit of humility, make every effort to understand the teaching “with an evangelical spirit and with a profound desire to resolve his difficulties” (CDF, Donum, Vertiatis, 30). I have no difficulty with the new teaching. I hope and pray that Prof. Feser and his followers will overcome their difficulties.
Again, Fastiggi does not realize that he undermines his own case if his claim that capital punishment is a defined [Roman Catholic] dogma is true. If it isn't, then it isn't part of Tradition and any claim pertaining to its moral goodness or evil or permissibility must be a conclusion of moral theology and evaluated in accordance with the logic of sound reasoning. Justifying a claim based on an appeal to the person who said it or his authority (in this case, Pope Francis) would be an appeal to authority, as his authority does not extend to competence with respect to matters of moral theology per se. Perhaps Fastiggi is too attached to his own Latin opinions regarding the role of the pope to realize this.
Regardless of where they stand on various issues, Latins, traditionalists, "conservatives," or "progressives" will not let go of their belief in the [exaggerated] authority of the pope.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Did Eastern Catholics Really Need the Pope to Tell Them This?
If so, what does it say about how they perceive themselves? If they didn't, could he have handled this better?
Pope to Eastern Catholic Churches: love heals divisions
Pope urges unity among Eastern Churches of Europe by Claire Lesegretain
In times of conflict, religious should set an example and promote reconciliation, Francis tells bishops
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO EASTERN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF EUROPE
And then there is the Code of Canons of Eastern Churches, whose own legitimacy is doubtful given that they were promulgated from Rome and approved by Rome, and there is one code issued to all non-Latin Churches, as if they could be grouped together solely for being non-Latin, even if only for the sake of "convenience."
Pope Francis: 'Canon law is essential for ecumenical dialogue'
Intratext
Pope to Eastern Catholic Churches: love heals divisions
Pope urges unity among Eastern Churches of Europe by Claire Lesegretain
In times of conflict, religious should set an example and promote reconciliation, Francis tells bishops
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO EASTERN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF EUROPE
And then there is the Code of Canons of Eastern Churches, whose own legitimacy is doubtful given that they were promulgated from Rome and approved by Rome, and there is one code issued to all non-Latin Churches, as if they could be grouped together solely for being non-Latin, even if only for the sake of "convenience."
Pope Francis: 'Canon law is essential for ecumenical dialogue'
Intratext
If He's No Theologian
is he a historian or a sociologist? Maybe it isn't so easy as he thinks it is.
Body, Soul, and Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Hebrews 4:12
David Clayton poses a question:
NLM
Someone points to Rosmini as having some things to say.
NLM
Does Scheeben discuss this as well?
What is the correlation between the spirit of man and the Holy Spirit?
OCA: Orthodox Spirituality
Forming the Soul -- Spirit, Soul, and Body
"The unity of the human person: The body-soul relationship in Orthodox Theology? by Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia
A Thomist perspective: Do we have spirit, soul, and body or just soul and body? by Dr Taylor Marshall
Hebrews 4:12
David Clayton poses a question:
NLM
Someone points to Rosmini as having some things to say.
NLM
Does Scheeben discuss this as well?
What is the correlation between the spirit of man and the Holy Spirit?
OCA: Orthodox Spirituality
Forming the Soul -- Spirit, Soul, and Body
"The unity of the human person: The body-soul relationship in Orthodox Theology? by Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia
A Thomist perspective: Do we have spirit, soul, and body or just soul and body? by Dr Taylor Marshall
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Eastern Christian Books: The Very Long History of Vatican II
Eastern Christian Books: The Very Long History of Vatican II
The Synod of Pistoia and Vatican II: Jansenism and the Struggle for Catholic Reform by Shaun Blanchard
When Bishops Meet: An Essay Comparing Trent, Vatican I, and Vatican II Hardcover by John W. O'Malley
The Synod of Pistoia and Vatican II: Jansenism and the Struggle for Catholic Reform by Shaun Blanchard
When Bishops Meet: An Essay Comparing Trent, Vatican I, and Vatican II Hardcover by John W. O'Malley
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Bishop Robert Barron on Henri de Lubac
CWR Dispatch: Cardinal Etchegaray, Henri de Lubac, and Vatican II by Bishop Robert Barron
What is still very much the needful thing today is the de Lubac attitude.
Often because of the post hoc fallacy, Ressourcement theology is being ignored by Latin traditionalists. Others merely are committed to their version of Thomism, and critique Ressourcement theology accordingly. Another approach taken by some contemporary Thomists is to take what was good in the return of the sources and employ it in Thomism, hence Ressourcement Thomism. Do Latins have what is necessary to reset their ecclesial tradition and teaching? Arguably that is what the best of Ressourcement theology was trying to do, though whether they were able to do so is questionable, as those who were orthodox had to stay within the bounds of second millenium Latin "dogma," rather than question whether those teachings by Latin councils were actually definitive.
What is still very much the needful thing today is the de Lubac attitude.
Are both left-wing and right-wing rejections of Vatican II on display today? Just go on the Catholic new media space and you’ll find the question readily answered. What is still very much the needful thing is the de Lubac attitude: deep commitment to the texts of Vatican II, openness to ecumenical conversation, a willingness to dialogue with the culture (without caving in to it), reverence for the tradition without a stifling traditionalism.
Often because of the post hoc fallacy, Ressourcement theology is being ignored by Latin traditionalists. Others merely are committed to their version of Thomism, and critique Ressourcement theology accordingly. Another approach taken by some contemporary Thomists is to take what was good in the return of the sources and employ it in Thomism, hence Ressourcement Thomism. Do Latins have what is necessary to reset their ecclesial tradition and teaching? Arguably that is what the best of Ressourcement theology was trying to do, though whether they were able to do so is questionable, as those who were orthodox had to stay within the bounds of second millenium Latin "dogma," rather than question whether those teachings by Latin councils were actually definitive.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Three Questions for Feser's Critics on the Question of Capital Punishment
CWR: Three questions for Catholic opponents of capital punishment by Dr. Edward Feser
When one reads Pope Francis’s statements about the death penalty carefully, it turns out to be difficult to interpret them in a way that would make assent to them binding on Catholics.
When one reads Pope Francis’s statements about the death penalty carefully, it turns out to be difficult to interpret them in a way that would make assent to them binding on Catholics.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Chalcedonian Orthodox...
Triumphalism? Stubbornness?
The “Smoking Gun” of Non-Chalcedonian Christianity by Fr. Alexander Webster
Has it been established that certain Coptic authorities are monothelites? Or are they being misunderstood, just as their miaphysitism is misunderstood as monophysitism?
Instead of engaging in long-distance polemics, would it not be better to seek face-to-face dialogue with others, or if that is not possible, to abstain from commenting on the ongoing dialogue and wait until the duly-appointed representatives of the various churches have done their work? After all, other Orthodox do recognize that the Oriental, or non-Chalcedonian Orthodox, are not heretical. Should we at least not talk to them and ask them their reasons why, rather than engaging in a hermeneutics of suspicion?
And then there is the so-called "heresy" of ecumenism... when it is the same as relativism or indifference to truth then it should be condemned as such, rather than as "ecumenism." What are we doing to live in accord with Christ's prayer that "they may be one"?
Dyothelitism
Monergism and Monothelitism
Monophysitism Reconsidered
The “Smoking Gun” of Non-Chalcedonian Christianity by Fr. Alexander Webster
Has it been established that certain Coptic authorities are monothelites? Or are they being misunderstood, just as their miaphysitism is misunderstood as monophysitism?
Instead of engaging in long-distance polemics, would it not be better to seek face-to-face dialogue with others, or if that is not possible, to abstain from commenting on the ongoing dialogue and wait until the duly-appointed representatives of the various churches have done their work? After all, other Orthodox do recognize that the Oriental, or non-Chalcedonian Orthodox, are not heretical. Should we at least not talk to them and ask them their reasons why, rather than engaging in a hermeneutics of suspicion?
And then there is the so-called "heresy" of ecumenism... when it is the same as relativism or indifference to truth then it should be condemned as such, rather than as "ecumenism." What are we doing to live in accord with Christ's prayer that "they may be one"?
Dyothelitism
Monergism and Monothelitism
Monophysitism Reconsidered
Saturday, September 14, 2019
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