![o{]:¬)](http://www.wdtprs.com/blog/wp-images/topimage.JPG)
Let this be a warning to you all
Those of you who are regular reades know that I am not much for the via media approach to things unless it is in reference to the principle in medio stat virtus.
Nevertheless, I also hold fast to the old phrase of the late Msgr. Richard Schuler, who was wont to say, "You can go into the ditch on either side of the road, right or left, but either way you are still in the ditch."
With that in mind, consider these following videos.
First, I drag back into view, much like a decaying badger than needs closer examination, the closing "liturgy" of the Left Coast Call To Action folks. This is pretty wacky… and tasteless! An unbeatable combination, that. As I mentioned elsewhere, I wouldn’t rule out alien life being involved with this. just think, they got a retired bishop into enneagrams to do this, with big puppets, even.
If you have seen this already, just skip ahead.
Creepy.
In the meantime, let’s play dress up!
Over in the other ditch, we find the liturgical hijinx of anti-pope Gregory XVII.
Yes, friends, we still have anti-Popes.
This video, from 2001, shows the Spaniard, known for taxt purposes as Clemente Domínguez y Gómez aka "Gregory XVII", who proclaimed himself Pope back in 1978. He is head of the Palmarian Catholic Church
He has visions! But without liturgical dancers or puppets… unless you count those dupes who are around him,
Biretta tip to Hallowed Ground for the video… o{]:¬)
You will be pleased to know that His Anti-Holiness was succeeded in 2005 by Manuel Alonso Corral who omniously took the name of Peter II. Ooooo…
We can find groups to fit our every ecclesiological fantasy. And some of them have their own Popes!
For example, you can be a follower of Pius XIII, who probably has to pay state taxes in Montana as Lucian Pulvermacher. He even had some white smoke to signal his election from his cottage’s chimney.
So it isn’t the Sistine Chapel… but hey! Traditions are cool!
It is very important to stay in union with the Vicar of Christ, folks. It is important to follow faithfully the liturgical books and stick to the Church’s teachings and laws.
There is no precise "middle of the road" for Catholics… and the road is fairly wide. And you can go off the road into the ditch. Frankly, I think the right side of the road is the fastest, smoothest and safest lane to get to heaven.
But pay attention there, too!
and at 2:34, the “cardinal” on the left checks his watch!
Comment by Tiny — 14 May 2008 @ 12:11 pmAlthough the video clip calls the visions of the Palmarian anti-Pope to be a hoax, I think it would be better to say that the origins of the Palmarian spiritual phenomena is diabolical rather than fanciful, i.e., the visions and levitations are preternatural in origin rather than natural—and certainly not supernatural!
Comment by Wm. Christopher Hoag — 14 May 2008 @ 12:13 pmThis charade has nothing to do with the “right,” if by that is meant close adherence to orthodoxy. These guys are simply hucksters at best, perhaps diabolically influenced, but really much, much closer to the puppeteers of Call to Action than they are to say, the SSPX.
The only difference between the Puppeteers and the Palmarians is that the Palmarians appear to favor fancy vestmensts and trappings instead of potato head puppets. Other than that, are they really different?
Comment by Tom — 14 May 2008 @ 12:26 pmI especially liked Pulvermacher’s “Coronation” photo. I don’t know if it is still on their site, but the 4×4 chicken wire in the background lent a rustic feel to the whole production.
Comment by Andy Lucy — 14 May 2008 @ 12:31 pmThis clownish stuff is nothing to do with the “right,” if by that term is meant a close adherence to orthodoxy. These dress-up lovers have more in common with the Potato head folks than with say, the SSPX. They just prefer fancy vestments and trappings over Potato heads… other than those incidentals, are the two groups essentially different?
The truth is not a Hegelian synthesis between the Palmarian thesis and the Potato Head antithesis.
Comment by Tom — 14 May 2008 @ 12:31 pmWm.: Well.. it could be that the guy is just crazy and really likes to dress up.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 14 May 2008 @ 12:32 pmSorry for the duplicate… thought the first one didn’t make it.
Comment by Tom — 14 May 2008 @ 12:34 pmAndy: You know, there may come a day when some Bishop of Rome will have to be elected in circumstances such as those.
But not yet!
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 14 May 2008 @ 12:45 pmFr Z: Well.. it could be that the guy is just crazy and really likes to dress up.
Hell, I’m crazy and like to bander about in fancy dress, but I do not claim to be Pope of my own religion nor experience paranormal phenonomena.
No. The late Clemente Domínguez y Gómez was under the influence of fallen angels, perhaps unknowingly but still their human tool.
Comment by Wm. Christopher Hoag — 14 May 2008 @ 12:48 pmAs I write this, I am watching an EWTN televised broadcast of Abundant Life, with johnette Benkovic and Fr. Ed Silvia. The program is on charismatic renewal, and they are going on and on about how wonderful it is to be blessed with the gift of tongues. This is all craziness, isn’t it? I have to confess that I had been absent from the Church for several decades. This charismatic stuff is one of the reasons I was driven away…..too many people claiming gifts of the spirit, and doing their own thing. I saw how it took over a community of monks, and chaos resulted. It’s so antithetical to the idea of a community under an abbot. In my opinion, it’s antithetical to the very idea of the Church. I had heard that Mother A. had spoken positively of this movement in the past. I think JPII did as well. I listen to Benkovic and Silvia on the radio on occasion. They have been strong, speaking against the New Age movement. I’m shocked to see them talking about this. Can someone comment on this? Father? Anyone??
Comment by Michael — 14 May 2008 @ 12:50 pmThat clip with the anti-pope was extraordinary. I’ve never heard of them happily but see that they do have a congregation. Some of the tallest mitres ever seen too and colourful vestments. One question came to mind – how does the anti-pope keep his mitre on his head while he is doing a fair imitation of limbo dancing?
I cannot help wondering whether this sect came into being as a direct result of the simplification of the vestments during the 60s and 70s – almost a protest against the ‘polyester ponchos’ and ‘bedouin birthing tents’ we are so familiar with today. The poor chap does seem to be of a certain age, and not too agile after his strenuous ‘visions.’
What with that and Mr Potatomen I shall look forward to attending a ‘normal’ Mass this Sunday celebrated by a priest who I am sure would never dream of imposing such horrors on his congregation.
Comment by elizabeth mckernan — 14 May 2008 @ 12:54 pmWm: Then you are privy to information I don’t have access to.
I suggest you pray for him.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 14 May 2008 @ 12:58 pmI suppose that the second video demonstrates that there really is a place for blue liturgical vestments after all.
Comment by mbd — 14 May 2008 @ 1:16 pmWhat is kind of amusing is that the Palmarian Church has its own sedevacantists.
When Clemente Dominguez published his personally revised version of the Bible some of his clergy accused him of heresy. But they didn’t proceed to the obvious conclusion that he was just a fake from the get-go, no, they insist that Jesus Christ personally transfered the see of Peter to Palmar de Troya and made Clemente pope, but he later lost the papacy due to his heresy.
As they explain:
Comment by B. — 14 May 2008 @ 1:17 pm36. Is it not true that there are similarities between what is happening now in the Palmarian Church and what happened in Rome in the seventies? Yes! Satan, like at that time, is trying to dissolve the Church from within and destroy the Faith of the Palmarians!
What is kind of amusing is that the Palmarian Church has its own sedevacantists.
When Clemente Dominguez published his personally revised version of the Bible some of his clergy accused him of heresy. But they didn’t proceed to the obvious conclusion that he was just a fake from the get-go, no, they insist that Jesus Christ personally transfered the see of Peter to Palmar de Troya and made Clemente pope, but he later lost the papacy due to his heresy.
As they explain on their website:
Comment by B. — 14 May 2008 @ 1:20 pm36. Is it not true that there are similarities between what is happening now in the Palmarian Church and what happened in Rome in the seventies? Yes! Satan, like at that time, is trying to dissolve the Church from within and destroy the Faith of the Palmarians!
Don’t forget about poor old “Leo XIV”, who has had to remove his Papal Court to the fair burg of Hyder, Alaska (pop. 100 humans, 1000 grizzlies and a handful of creatures of indeterminate origin). His “bush mitre” consists of a Husqvarna Chainsaw ball cap.
He hasn’t been heard from in quite a while, but given the frequency with which certain residents of Hyder regain consciousness, one shouldn’t presume his demise.
Comment by Neil Mulholland — 14 May 2008 @ 1:32 pmI suppose that the second video demonstrates that there really is a place for blue liturgical vestments after all.
Yes, off in the ditch, one side or the other.
Comment by Henry Edwards — 14 May 2008 @ 1:40 pmThis is my very favorite anti-pope, Pope Michael:
http://www.vaticaninexile.com/People/PopeMichael/DavidBawden.html
Comment by Patrick — 14 May 2008 @ 1:41 pmThe wikipedia article on the Palmarians was an interesting read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmarian_Catholic_Church
Apparently, they have valid orders.
Comment by LCB — 14 May 2008 @ 1:45 pmThere is an indult in certain nations such as Spain for blue vestments on certain Marian feasts. (Certainly not in lieu of violet for advent or lent) But outside of that you are in the ditch.
Good advice… always stay to the right, unless in the UK or Australia!
Anyhow, wiki provides the necessary info: “Blue, a colour associated with the Virgin Mary, is allowed for the feast of the Immaculate Conception in some dioceses in Spain, Portugal, Mexico and South America. In the Philippines it is authorized for all feasts of the Virgin Mary, a practice followed in some other places without official authorization.”
I looked into it since a Miles Christi pamphlet clearly shows Blue Vestments. It obviously would be from one of their locations in South America.
Comment by andrew — 14 May 2008 @ 1:57 pmThat video took five minutes of my life and I want them back! ;-)
Comment by Geoffrey — 14 May 2008 @ 1:58 pmPatrick mentions the anti-pope Michael. I remember reading about him somewhere on the web that he had two followers – himself and his mother! I’m tempted to look up how many others there are.
Comment by elizabeth mckernan — 14 May 2008 @ 2:03 pmI bet other English readers did not know there is a Pope Linus II living in Hertfordshire!
Comment by elizabeth mckernan — 14 May 2008 @ 2:19 pmandrew: There is an indult in certain nations such as Spain for blue vestments on certain Marian feasts.
I doubt it. There certainly was one, but I wonder if it is still in force today. Maybe by custom, but this is still iffy, in my book.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 14 May 2008 @ 2:46 pmAck! I hereby petition the (benevolent) dictator Father Zuhlsdorf for the permanent ban of the Call to Action Mass from further posts.
It hurts to watch, on so many levels….
Comment by Jacob M. — 14 May 2008 @ 3:07 pmI am thinking back to Mons Ronald Knox’s book Enthusiasm, which I haven’t read in 20 years: as I recall, it did not end up being quite the magnum opus he had envisioned but certainly it’s a fascinating glimpse into the heretical mind.
Comment by Marc in Cape Coral — 14 May 2008 @ 3:16 pmI am thinking back to Mons Ronald Knox’s book Enthusiasm, which I haven’t read in 20 years: as I recall, it did not end up being quite the magnum opus he had envisioned but certainly it’s a fascinating glimpse into the heretical mind.
Comment by