Fr. Z's Blog | Formerly entitled: "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" – Clear, straight commentary on Catholic issues, liturgy and life by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬)

[heavy sigh] Archbp. Marini’s “nostalgia” for the “spirit of the council”

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Does anything about the following strike you as supremely ironic?

From CNS:

Vatican II continues to mark ecclesial life today, says archbishop

BY MARY SOLBERG
Catholic News Service

ERIE, Pa. (CNS) — Archbishop Piero Marini, a Vatican official, recalls watching bishops day after day pour out of the Vatican hall where they gathered 50 years ago to formulate the constitutions, decrees and declarations that brought historic change to the Catholic Church.

A young priest at the time, Archbishop Marini arrived in Rome in September 1965, only a few months before the close of the Second Vatican Council.

Bishops and theologians began gathering in 1962 for the first of four three-month sessions to address more than a dozen aspects of church life, ranging from interfaith relations to greater lay participation in the liturgy, from social communication to relations between the church and the modern world.

“Fifty years later, I feel a great nostalgia and a desire to understand more fully and to experience anew the spirit of the council,” said Archbishop Marini, who is president of the Pontifical Commission for International Eucharistic Congresses.

He addressed the nearly 200 people gathered in Erie for the annual national meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.

[…]

Archbp. Marini and the FDLC in Erie. The movie The Perfect Storm just came to mind. (Okay… I’ll admit that that’s not entirely fair.)

But…

“Nostalgia”? For “the spirit of the Council” Is that right.

Please. Some one tell me: have we seen anything else truly dominate the Church for the last few decades? Really?

You can bet along with me that the “spirit of the Council” he is nostalgic for ain’t the same spirit that Benedict XVI tried to guide us to.

I don’t have the text of the whole talk. But from this story I find it ironic that Marini laments to these people about his “nostalgia”.

Liberals have thrown “nostalgia” in the teeth of those who have had, as enshrined in both the magisterium and a juridical document, their own “legitimate aspirations” which are NOT actually stemming from nostalgia at all!

But we are supposed to coo and smile when he speaks of his nostalgia when he and his crowd poured and pour bile on the legitimate aspirations of the more traditionally-minded.

Marini’s is precisely the “spirit” rooted in discontinuity and rupture. I am reminded of what we read in the book that came out with his name on it, A Challenging Reform, in which he expatiates on the marvelous work of the Consilium of Lercaro and Bugnini. Get this. Context: The Consilium has just just taken a major step in moving from an informally meeting group to an officially and formally established body. They have their first plenary session.

“They met in public to begin one of the greatest liturgical reforms in the history of the Western church. Unlike the reform after Trent, it was all the greater because it also dealt with doctrine.” (p. 46)

They succeeded. The work of the Consilium, in revising the Missale Romanum, did indeed change the Church’s doctrine. Change they way you pray and you change what you believe… and vice versa.

Color me less than enthusiastic about Archbp. Marini’s nostalgia about the “spirit of the Council”.

And, no, I’ll believe he will be appointed to the CDW when it actually happens. (Read: don’t think it is going to happen!)

Posted in Benedict XVI, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, Vatican II | Tagged Archbp. Marini, Benedict XVI, nostalgia, Spirit of Vatican II
39 Comments

Card. Burke, Bp. Pozzo leave conference during Magister’s criticism of Pope Francis

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I has just left Rome, I think, or I would have been at this event, to be sure.

(Rome) to a scandal occurred in Rome during the presentation of the conference proceedings on the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum on the 10th of October at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) during proceedings of the presentation of collected papers of the Third Conference on Summorum Pontificum, which had taken place in 2011. Raymond Cardinal Burke, Professor Giovanni Turco and the Vaticanist Sandro Magister three speakers were present.

[…]

Finally, Sandro Magister gave his contribution as a lecture on which Katholisches.info already reported (see separate report Pope Francis and the Liturgy – “Pure Functional Access” Reservations to Tradition, weakness in the knees before the Lord ). Master analyzed in a critical manner, the previous decisions of Pope Francis in the Liturgy: The ban for celebration in the old rite by the Franciscans of the Immaculate, the dismissal of all five consultants for the Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, who were close to the liturgical understanding of Benedict XVI., the refusal to genuflect in the Holy Mass at the words of consecration, although from papal Mass to papal Mass always newly master of ceremonies Guido Marini always included the two relevant points and finally the halting by CDF, that they no longer check the bizarre special forms in the Mass of the Neocatechumenal Way, as Benedict XVI. had ordered. Magister has also expressed the opinion that the Pope is “friendly” to everyone, “except with the traditionalists.”

“Scandal Currently The Dominant Characteristic of Climate in Rome”

The lecture finally came to a scandal. Magister so openly expressed his criticism of Pope Francis, that Cardinal Burke and Archbishop Pozzo had to leave the room. “The response of Cardinal Burke and Archbishop Pozzo is indicative of the currently prevailing climate in Rome,” the website Chiesa e Postconcilio (Church and Post-Conciliar). “Was it because of the time for both of them or was it simply a precaution, because of the polite but harsh criticism by Magister of Pope Francis? The withdrawal of a Cardinal during a major event is something glaring. All interpretations are allowed, “said the Spanish Catholic blogger Francisco de la Cigoña.

Okay! I am on the road, and so I can’t get too far into this.

I don’t vouch for the translation or the facts of the evening. However, I thought I should bring it to your attention. You can read the rest there.

Remember, friends. Those of you who uphold the traditional ways had better tread lightly, and with a smile. It is still possible to lose everything.

Posted in SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged Bp. Pozzo, Card. Burke, Sandro Magister
69 Comments

Day 9: Of saints and black pasta

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today began with Mass in the crypt of San Marco! We were at the altar where the tomb of St. Mark was for hundreds of years before it was moved upstairs.

On the way over the basilica we had some water gurgling up into the piazza.

BTW…. I have come to the conclusion that I do NOT like the way Mac handles importing photos. As a matter of fact, I detest it.

That said… I’ll post more later if I can figure the dopey system out.

A couple more shots, lest I post too little for a good taste.

In this church, S. Zacaria, you will find the tombs of St. Zachary, father of St. John the Baptist, and of St. Athanasius.

Remember that Venice pretty much sacked Byzantium when it had the chance.

A typical and evocative view.

Lunch involved my beloved squid ink again.

I will try to post more, but, honestly, Mac (I am on my laptop) has a system of importation of photos from different sources that is clunky to the point of being purposely resistant to common sense.

UPDATE:

I didn’t post my second course for lunch!

Liver, in the Venetian style.

And then there was the view from the balcony this evening.

Here are the tombs of Zachary and of Athanasius. One above the other!

Posted in On the road, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged liver, squid, Venice
9 Comments

Your Good News

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Do you have some good news for the readers?

Today is the last day of the pilgrimage I have been with. Everyone seems to have benefited and we are, to my knowledge, all the better for it. Now I pray everyone will make it home or to their next destination safely.

Tomorrow I head back to Rome for a few days. I will probably sleep for the first 24 hours.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
13 Comments

SSPX funeral for Nazi war criminal

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The SSPX has a house near Rome at Albano.

I can’t confirm this story, but it’s out there.

HERE

I am working from my phone today. Surely some of you can dig into this.

It is a work of mercy to pray for the dead but this is … strange.

Posted in SSPX |
99 Comments

Day 8: From lilies to lions

Posted on 15 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today we had Mass, early, and then journeyed by train (farewell little buses) from storied Florence to fabled Venice.

Some shots.

Panorama shots are distorted but interesting.

We went pretty much straight to lunch from the hotel. I started with sardine in saor

… and I went on to spaghetti al nero di seppia.

Yum.

I really enjoy the name of this place.

As you go through the calle e callette you will see a corner partially filled in. This was both to keep people using it as a latrine and also to eliminate a great ambush site.

Some glass bugs, including spiders, for someone back home.

Inside the desecrated San Lorenzo, which may have held the tomb of Marco Polo.

It is used for exhibits now.

Here is a “musical” instrument which embodies everything the Church seems not to be in an appropriate location. Lots of super tight piano wires, strung with some magnets that make them resonate according to the signals from the box with the dials and lights. In the center is a glass resonance chamber. It just does its mindless, but interesting, thing.

Dr. Who meets … I dunno what.

A few members of the group (some were exhausted and went home after lunch) out with a guide, a Venetian, who is a professional photographer and really knows the place.

More later.

UPDATE:

Some shots from supper and a view from my window.

Then calle e callette to the place where we are staying. And…

Posted in On the road, SESSIUNCULA, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged Venice
18 Comments

Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and (thriving) Benedict XVI sighting

Posted on 15 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As you know the statue of Our Lady of Fatima came to Rome and returned to Fatima. I was in Rome the last time she arrived. Alas, because I am with a pilgrimage I just missed her this time.

However, it seems Benedict XVI had the opportunity to pay his respects.

In watching this, I am with the (irascible) Damian Thompson who put it well:

I know there aren’t two popes, but to see Benedict up close (and apparently thriving) is disorientating as well as delightful, don’t you think?

Posted in Benedict XVI, I'm just askin'..., Just Too Cool | Tagged Benedict XVI, Damian Thompson, Our Lady of Fatima
19 Comments

SSPX seems poised to confirm a formal schism

Posted on 15 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I read at Rorate about a strong speech given by SSPX Bp. Bernard Fellay which is effectively a denunciation of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict and – yawn – you know the rest.

Here is a sample:

“The situation of the Church is a real disaster, and the present Pope is making it 10,000 times worse.”

[Bp. Bernard Fellay] said this in an address at the Angelus Press Conference, the weekend of Oct 11-13 in Kansas City. …

Bishop Fellay alluded to the SSPX/Vatican drama of 2012: “When we see what is happening now we thank God, we thank God, we have been preserved from any kind of Agreement from last year. And we may say that one of the fruits of the [Rosary] Crusade we did is that we have been preserved from such a misfortune. Thank God. It is not that we don’t want to be Catholics, of course we want to be Catholics and we are Catholics, and we have a right to be recognized as Catholics. But we are not going to jeopardize our treasures for that. Of course not.”
He continued, “To imagine that some people continue to pretend we are decided to get an Agreement with Rome. Poor people. I really challenge them to prove [what] they mean. They pretend that I think something else from what I do. They are not in my head.”

As for the discussions with Rome: “Any kind of direction for recognition ended when they gave me the document to sign on June 13, 2012. That very day I told them, ‘this document I cannot accept.’ I told them from the start in September the previous year that we cannot accept this ‘hermeneutic of continuity’ because it is not true, it is not real. It is against the reality. So we do not accept it. The Council is not in continuity with Tradition. It’s not. So when Pope Benedict requested that we accept that the Second Vatican Council is an integral part of Tradition, we say, ‘sorry, that’s not the reality, so we’re not going to sign it. We’re not going to recognize that’.”

“The same for the Mass. The want us to recognize not only that the [New] Mass is valid provided it is celebrated correctly, etc., but that it is licit. I told them: we don’t use that word. It’s a bit messy, our faithful have enough [confusion] regarding the validity, so we tell them, ‘The New Mass is bad, it is evil’ and they understand that. Period!’” Of course the Roman authorities “were not very happy with that.

He continues, “It has never been our intention to pretend either that the Council would be considered as good, or the New Mass would be ‘legitimate’”.

Imagine! Some people will dictate to the Supreme Pontiff the terms by which they will be Catholic.

I’m sure we will hear more about this.

Posted in Benedict XVI, Cri de Coeur, Francis, Our Catholic Identity, SSPX, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, Vatican II | Tagged Bp. Fellay, schism, SSPX
162 Comments

Pope Francis disappoints feminists, LCWR once again

Posted on 15 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

His Holiness Pope Francis has again disappointed the proponents of female machismo everywhere.

At News.va read about his address to the Women’s Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on the 25th anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem.

The LCWR types have been waiting for Pope Francis to get with the program and start learning from all the great theology of women they have been working on like little wasps for decades now. Instead, Francis just keeps circling back to old ideas about differences between the sexes, the model and role of Mary. He’s … what?… medieval, or something!

A sample from the report:

“What does this ‘special entrusting’…of the human being to woman signify? It seems evident to me that my predecessor is referring to maternity,” said Pope Francis.
“Many things can change and have changed in our cultural and social evolution, but the fact remains that it is the woman who conceives, carries in her womb and gives birth to the children of men,” the Pope continued. “And this is not simply a biological matter, but carries a wealth of implications for the woman herself, for her way of being, for her relationships, for the way in which we lend respect to human life and to life in general. Calling a woman to maternity, God entrusted the human being to her in an altogether special manner.”
The Pope warned that there are two dangers always present when speaking about this topic, calling them “two extreme opposites that destroy woman and her vocation.”
“The first is to reduce maternity to a social role, to a task, albeit noble, but which in fact sets the woman aside with her potential and does not value her fully in the building of community. This is both in the civil sphere and in the ecclesial sphere,” explained the Holy Father. “And, in reaction to this, there is the other danger in the opposite direction, that of promoting a type of emancipation which, in order to occupy spaces taken away from the masculine, abandons the feminine with the precious traits that characterize it.”
Pope Francis also spoke about the special gifts given to women in the Church.
“ I would like to underline how the woman has a particular sensitivity for the ‘things of God’, above all in helping us to understand the mercy, tenderness and love that God has for us,” he said. “ And it pleases me to think that the Church is not ‘il Chiesa’ [‘the Church’, masculine]: it is ‘la Chiesa’ [feminine]. The Church is a woman! The Church is a mother! And that’s beautiful, eh? We have to think deeply about this.”

Posted in Francis, Liberals, Magisterium of Nuns | Tagged feminists, LCWR, Mulieris dignitatem, Pope Francis
9 Comments

Fighting the Obama Administration’s program of pain and dependence

Posted on 14 October 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I like this. A lot.

From WND:

Thousands of Americans have taken the government shutdown into their own hands, literally, as they stormed into the nation’s capital, tearing down barricades blocking off the World War II Memorial on the National Mall Sunday morning.

“Barrycades are down,” tweeted Sherry Lucas, a reference to President Barack Obama’s childhood nickname of Barry.

Many of the barricades were then hand-carried by the protesters and dumped in front of the White House.

And then there is this from CP Politics:

Experts: ‘Chicago-Style Thuggery’ Used to Oppress Religious Liberties in Military

WASHINGTON – Legal and military experts at the social conservative Values Voter Summit, sponsored by the Family Research Council, proclaimed that religious freedom faces dire threats in today’s U.S. military, and called on Christians to denounce the Obama administration and the alleged secularization of American society.

“This is Chicago-style thuggery at its worst, manifesting itself through the military,” Ken Klukowski, director for FRC’s Center for Religious Liberty, told The Christian Post in an interview on Saturday. “It’s almost as if President Obama’s Organizing for America people are advising the Obama-Hagel Pentagon on how you bully and intimidate Christians and people of faith to stay quiet when you’re trampling on their religious liberty rights,” Klukowski declared.

[…]

I’m sensing a pattern.

Are you ready for the coming storm?