Fr. Z's Blog

Retired Belgian Godfried Cardinal Danneels – who protected a child abuser priest – was invited to the last Synod on the Family despite the fact that he was over 80. HERE That was a surprise, both because of the scandal Danneels was involved in and because of his age. Because of his age because the Cardinal Bishop of Hong Kong (who is standing up to homosexualists), younger than Danneels, was told that he was too old to participate.  Double standard?  You decide.

Danneels was also apparently involved in a group that – contrary to the rules that John Paul II established for conclaves and which Danneels and the others swore oaths to obey – conspired with a group to influence the election.  HERE

Now Danneels is in the spotlight again, for these comments. From Catholic World News:

‘Steer clear’ of triumphalism, [condescending] Belgian cardinal tells African bishops

In an interview with La Stampa’s Vatican Insider, Cardinal Godfried Danneels directed pointed words to bishops in Africa.

Advising “everyone to steer clear of all forms of triumphalism and claims to self-sufficiency,” the retired archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels said:

Some African bishops tell us: you are pagans. You wiped everything out. [And they are right and right to say so!] But I remember Belgium being full of vocations, there were huge seminaries and novitiates being built up until the 60s. Christian families did everything they could to give their children a sense of belonging in the Church. [That was then.  How are things in Belgium now?]

But we started seeing the faith dwindling in boys and girls aged 17-20. This wounded them it caused great suffering. Is it right to say it was their fault and that the parents were not good Christians? No, that’s not the case. [I blame YOU and your predecessor and men like you.  That’s who’s to blame.  You didn’t, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, hand on what was given to you.  The failed pastors of Belgium are to blame.] The act of becoming Christians and persevering in the faith remains a mystery and is not the result of some educational or sociological mechanism. [Oooo!  It’s a mystery!  It’s sooo haaard!  You didn’t preach the faith as Paul wrote to Timothy: “Praedica verbum insta oportune inportune argue obsecra increpa in omni patientia et doctrina!” What else does Paul say? “Erit enim tempus cum sanam doctrinam non sustinebunt sed ad sua desideria coacervabunt sibi magistros prurientes auribus et a veritate quidem auditum avertent ad fabulas autem convertentur. Tu vero vigila in omnibus labora opus fac evangelistae ministerium tuum imple.”] It seems to me that all the talk about “robust” Churches that should save the rest of Catholicism, is for the purpose of ecclesiastical politics. The abstractness of it is striking. [There’s nothing abstract about it, unless you haven’t a clue about your role in the disaster that is the Church in Europe.  That’s the sort of obtuse view that got Europe into this mess in the first place.  Everything is “abstract” instead of concrete.  It isn’t rocket science!]

Cardian Danneels added:

European Churches have been overrun by the effects of secularization that have also led to rising individualism. [And where were the pastors that were supposed to defend the flocks?] But this very individualism could reach Africa sooner or later: that phenomenon that sees people thinking of themselves as individuals rather than as members of a group, a community, or a mass. [Yes, with greater prosperity some of this will come to Africa.  In the meantime, they are acting like men instead of squeaky little gerbils.] It is possible that the crisis we have had will spread there too, with all that this entails. Africans may also experience a situation similar to ours. Then they might call us up to see how we dealt with it. To get some useful tips.  [USEFUL TIPS?  About what?  How to lie down and die as the enemy runs you over?  How to cave in to the world?]

BAH!

It seems to me that the only advice Card. Danneels should give is “Don’t do what we did.”  No… wait… no advice at all.  Just… be retired, please.

Thank God for men and priests of God like Cardinal Sarah.

Click!

He’s the real deal.

Comment moderation is definitely ON for this.

BAH!