One of the things we have seen over the last few years is that there is a manifest division in the Church and that it is getting bigger. For a long time we’ve seen that parishes within the same diocese are seriously different from each other in doctrine and in worship (the same thing). Now we see sharp divisions between dioceses and even conferences of bishops. For example, since Amoris you can step from one country into another country, like Poland into Germany, and find entirely different policies from bishops conferences on whether or note unrepentant adulterers can be admitted to Holy Communion.
Here is an example of neighboring dioceses in these USA having a sharp difference.
From CNSNews:
Chicago Cardinal Cupich: ‘Not Our Policy’ to Deny Communion to People in Same-Sex Marriages
[…]
During an interview on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight, host Phil Ponce raised the topic of Springfield, Illinois Bishop Thomas Paprocki, who had issued a decree in June 2017 on “Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ and Related Pastoral Issues.”
[…]
On the other hand, Chicago’s neighbor, Springfield has a different approach.
[…]
In his decree, citing scripture and the Canon Law that governs the Catholic Church, Bishop Paprocki said that homosexual “marriage” marked “a reversal of millennia of legal and judicial recognition of the marital union as possible only between on man and one woman.” He also said he had a “responsibility as diocesan bishop to guide the people of God entrusted to me with charity but without compromising the truth.”
[…]
The divisions are growing.
We know the truth.
We know who is consonant with the teaching of and the perennial practice of the Catholic Church.
The divisions grow in no small part because the heterodox clergy are continually promoted to positions of power where they can sow their discontents to even more souls.
Now that we know of the existence of a predatory homosexual network and gay lobby within the worldwide clergy, we should not be surprised at all to hear the homosexual abetters like Cupich show their colors and receive the triumphs of the world.
Heretics & apostates also exist in the 21st century. Future generations will know their names but they will not be thought of kindly.
One of the most overlooked teachings of the Faith is that God’s words (Jesus is God) have the effect that is indicated by those words.
This may require a brief explanation: if a father says to his offspring, “your curfew is midnight. If you arrive later than midnight, you will be grounded for 5 months.” Those words will have their effect – the father will ground the offspring if the offspring arrives home later than midnight.
Similarly, Jesus’ (God’s) words will have their effect. Jesus said, “he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:9) And, after being asked how many people get to heaven, Jesus said, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24)
Luke 13:24 and following clearly indicate that “many” people think they are going to heaven but will in fact be “thrust out” of the Kingdom of Heaven.
And, those who deny Jesus before men will also be condemned to hell. Liberals, Leftist politicians and their voters are a prime example of those who deny Jesus before men.
Now, Jesus’ words will have their effect.
Cardinal Cupich et. al. apparently think are going to heaven. But it is clear that they are denying Jesus before men. Allowing those likely in mortal sin to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is a denial of Jesus before men.
Cardinal Cupich et. al. are on their way to hell, and he is taking “many” with him. There is no other way to write what Cardinal Cupich et. al. are doing.
He and others are a prime example of the story that many have told which basically goes like this: “You don’t believe people go to hell? Well you will believe it when you get there.” That is indeed theologically possible because the denial of hell, or the denial that people go to hell is one of the sins against the Holy Spirit which results in the death/blindness of the conscience.
I can’t improve on St. Paul (Romans 16:17, Galatians 1:8–9). How hard is this to understand?
It’s hard not to see that we are currently being divided into sheep and goats.
Absurd. If same-sex-“married” folks don’t fall under canon 915-916, I don’t know who would.
It is true, they are leaving God’s Church. A relief at seeing their backs arises from an anger that is justified. But then we should call them to turn back to the fold and watch from a long distance to see their teary faces. We must not lose a horror of schism.
What worries me more than the division itself, is that seemingly the vast majority of the people on the “liberal” side of the division do not think the division to be relevant or worthy of discussion and some even seem to deny that there is division.
For example the issue mentioned of communion to same-sex “married” in neighboring dioceses.
If such persons live in Chicago, regularly going to mass there holding hands and are unaware about Springfield being different; what happens then, when they make a Sunday trip to Springfield and on the fly decide to go to mass there?
That is perfectly ok for catholics to go to mass on Sunday, where they happen to be.
But if these two no enter a Church there holding hands and the priest notices this?
He is required by order of the bishop not to allow them to communion; but when he would indicate to these two the problem, they would feel offended and not understand the issue and there might be scandal both in catholic sense as in the sense of media.
And if he does not comment, he is disobedient to his bishop.
And yet, Cardinal Cupich does not seem to think that this is a matter worth any discussion. As if the division was completely irrelevant, although just one minute thinking and simple logic shows, that it isn’t.
We attend Mass in the Extraordinary form whenever possible; I don’t donate to the two “Catholic” universities, “Catholic” high school or “Catholic” grammar school I graduated from; we were lucky enough to have access to very good public grammar and HSs so we did not send our son to “Catholic” schools; when we attend a NO we just put a couple of bucks in the basket.
We donate as much as we can to a traditional Monastery and a traditional Order.
This battle is also manifested by adherence or lack thereof to liturgical rubrics.
One parish INSISTS on everyone to remain standing after the Angus Dei and after they receive communion. One parish made 2 separate announcements during Mass to enforce this lunacy.
At my home parish, our great priest has to tell folks NOT to hold hands or act like a priest during the
Pater Noster.
It’s a constant tug of war.
When I quoted this verse to my liberal friend and her mom, their response was to roll their eyes and say, “Ugh! Paul!” In their view, if Jesus didn’t say it, it doesn’t count.
At some point, is it a sin to pray for this schism to come out into the open and be made official? It seems like it would rather be a act of justice for there to be a recognition of the realities of our differences.
I can’t square Cdl. Cupich’s “policy” with the remarks of Pope Francis on this subject, who described it as “an attempt to destroy God’s plan” and “a ‘move’ of the father of lies”, and who said that “marriage is between a man and a woman, we cannot change that”.
I wonder how the Cardinal squares it?
Guess ‘Murica is the canary in the coal mine. What is happening politically is happening in our Church. Certain bishops and cardinals with their terroristic approach to orthodox priests are the Antifa of Catholicism. Can’t fight this one at the ballot box—-I don’t get a vote—-but I have a pocketbook, Rosary, and prayer.
Bibi,
I’m guessing that your liberal friends have to block out much of what Our Lord says also.
Next thing you know Pope Nancy, the great biblical scholar, will force diocese’s to give communion to everyone.
Interesting.
The differences between these two Illinois bishops raises a random thought.
In a Canticle-for-Liebowitz world, where the few survivors are huddled around a campfire gnawing with their remaining teeth on wild boar, they probably would prefer a priest who cites Scripture and Canon Law over one who cites “policy” and tattered copies of the Fishwrap.
While we’re at it, may the tribes and libraries of the Abbot of Clear Creek and the Abbess of Gower increase.