“In the face of such barbs, how can I convince my Protestant and non-Christian allies that our Catholic teachings are not hypocrisy?”

Posted on 30 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There is an important article at the National Catholic Register written by a Chinese priest under a pseudonym.

The plight of Catholics and the complicity – both active and passive – on the part of Rome are palpable.

[…]

And sometimes, the burden has even been increased by fellow Catholics. Consider: In September 2018, Pope Francis lifted the excommunication of seven illegitimate bishops of the state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, and forced underground bishops to vacate their sees for them. (Later, seven underground priests, along with their bishop and 10 seminarians, were arrested.)

In August 2022, when cardinals from around the world gathered at a consistory in Rome, Cardinal Gerhard Müller noted that no mention was made of Cardinal Zen’s persecution, and no public prayers were offered for his upcoming trial.

In September 2022, Pope Francis told journalists that China’s government should not be “classified” as anti-democratic, because “it is such a complex country with its rhythms.”

The Vatican has been mostly silent on China’s daily human rights disasters, the encroachment of Hong Kong, Uyghur genocide, Tibetan monk self-immolation and other human rights violations.

In the face of such barbs, how can I convince my Protestant and non-Christian allies that our Catholic teachings are not hypocrisy? What makes my dialogue with them possible is our common focus on moral unity over doctrinal debate. Pastor Wang’s Calvinist community may not understand the Catholic Church as an institution but they deeply respect Cardinal Zen and even include him in their official prayers. They know Cardinal Zen is the one who dares to pray on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre, as they do, and who dares to follow John Paul’s fighting strategies: memory battle, cultural resistance, conscience revolution.

[…]

 

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Daily Rome Shot 778 –

Posted on 30 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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White to move and win (attain a winning position).  Not all that tough, but it has a good tactic which should be a regular arrow in our quivver.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

How good is Magnus?   This is crazy. Carlsen arrives late for a 3 minute blitz game, with only 30 seconds on his clock. Announcing ends up being as fast as a hockey game.

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Here’s a position from OTB yesterday. I managed to get myself into a pickle after my opponent’s super aggressive pawn rush in a QGD. I’m now dedicated to punishing this strategy severely in the future.  A while back I forced exchanges to simplify and cut down on white’s attacking firepower.

But for now, here is the position and black to move.

27. Kh7…

What would you do?  

It’s a little hard to see but black has a light square bishop on e6.  It looks like a pawn from this angle.

Obviously there is a space differential on the queen side. Those pawns aren’t going anywhere.  All the pawns are still on the board at move 27!  There is a lot of tension in this closed position.  The action is on the king side, for sure.  Black’s rooks are good.  I put this into an engine, and to my shock, the assessment is -0.95!

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29 Aug ’23: Francis Card Arinze – Anniversary of episcopal consecration – 58 years as a bishop!

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Ad MULTOS annos!

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Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession – in SPANISH

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Many years ago I posted Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession

If you are nervous about making a confession, or perhaps afraid, use these tips. I hope they will be helpful.

I was recently contacted by a priest in Texas who wanted to print these 20 Tips in their parish bulletin. He later wrote that more copies of the bulletin were taken than usual.

He also said that they had the 20 Tips translated into Spanish. Very Cool. I am reminded of how my old “Internet Prayer” has been translated into a couple dozen languages. (I’m still hoping for more languages and recordings from native speakers, though the Klingon version might be a long wait.)

Anyway, here are the 20 Tips in Spanish. They didn’t send a Spanish title. Perhaps 20 Consejos Para Hacer Una Buena Confesión?
20 Consejos Para Confesarse Bien? Okay, I’ll stop.

Deberíamos…

1) …examinar nuestras conciencias regularmente y profundamente;
2) …esperar pacientemente nuestro turno en la fila;
3) …venir a la hora programada para las confesiones, no unos minutos antes de que terminen;
4) …hablar claramente, pero nunca tan fuerte como para que nos escuchen los de afuera;
5) …confesar nuestros pecados claramente y brevemente sin rodeos;
6) …confesar todos los pecados mortales en número y especie;
7) …escuchar atentamente a los consejos que dé el sacerdote;
8) …confesar nuestros propios pecados y no los ajenos;
9) …escuchar atentamente, recordar nuestra penitencia, y asegurarnos de haberla entendido;
10) …usar una fórmula regular para la confesión para que sea conocida y cómoda;
11) …nunca debemos temer el de decir algo “vergonzoso” …solo debemos decirlo;
12) …nunca debemos de preocuparnos que el sacerdote piense que somos unos grandes pecadores…. suele estar impresionado por nuestro valor;
13) …nunca debemos temer que el sacerdote no guarde nuestra confesión en secreto… él está atado por el Sello;
14) …nunca debemos de confesar “tendencias” o “dificultades” … sólo pecados;
15) …nunca debemos salir del confesionario antes de que el sacerdote haya terminado de dar la absolución;
16) …memorizarnos un Acto de Contrición;
17) …responder brevemente a las preguntas del sacerdote si pide una clarificación;
18) …hacer preguntas si no entendemos lo que quiere decir cuando nos dice algo;
19) …tener en cuenta que a veces los sacerdotes pueden tener días malos como nosotros;
20) …recordar que los sacerdotes también deben de confesarse… ellos saben por lo que estamos pasando.

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Just Too Cool | Tagged , , , ,
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DOWN WITH THE FOUR OLDS!

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Remember my New catholic Red Guards trope?

This one ticks several boxes.  Fr. Z kudos.

Meanwhile,

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Daily Rome Shot 777

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Welcome new registrants:

GhostofMrToad
KC7ON

The traditional Benedictines of Norcia make three kinds of beer.  It’s great!

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In Chess News, Hans Niemann, Magnus Carlsen and Chess.com have settled their differences and released statements to that effect. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next. Magnus isn’t playing much classical right now and that is about all Hans has done… and his rating has dropped.

Meanwhile, white to move and mate in two.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

In Düsseldorf, the World Team Rapid wrapped. Pragg was amazing, winning four wins in a row for WR Chess which clinched in the penultimate round! Pragg over all 6.5/7. How do you beat a team like this?  Wesley So, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Hou Yifan, Alexandra Kosteniuk undefeated (4.5/6), Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Vincent Keymer.

This is fun.

MegaChess Giant Oversized Premium Complete Set of Chess Pieces with 25 Inch Tall King – Black and White

How about a game of blitz with this? Gotta put the clock at a bit of a distance.

$450. And the entry says “50+ bought in past month”.  HERE

FIFTY in the last month?  Tell me there is no real interest in chess these days.

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Like the little pieces of a mosaic…

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Sometimes pieces, tid-bits of news, fall together in such a way that they seem to reveal a larger picture or presaging something not yet seen on the horizon.

For example, in an exchange of texts today with a notable Catholic figure, I was sent a link to something that happened in Lisbon during the WYD thing (which I tried to ignore).

There is a story at CNA that Francis called for greater Eucharistic adoration.  No, really.

“Curiously, the prayer of adoration — we have lost it. We have lost it, and everyone — priests, bishops, consecrated men and women, laypeople — have to recover it. It’s to be in silence, before the Lord,” Francis urged.

This took me by surprise, since I don’t recall that Francis has put a great deal of effort into emphasizing the Blessed Sacrament.  His changes to customary practices in Rome for the Feast of Corpus Christi is a case in point.

In any event, I take this as a win.

Also, in Lisbon, Francis invoked the example of a young Jesuit saint from Lisbon, St. John Britto, a martyr.  I happen to have a relic of St. John Britto.

On the issue of Eucharistic adoration, tonight I saw some of a video interview at LifeSite with Bp. Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, very much in the spotlight… or crosshairs, depending on your point of view.  In the lead up to the interview itself, we learned that at the cathedral Bp. Strickland daily spends 90 minutes, from about 5:15 AM, in front of the Blessed Sacrament before celebrating Mass.   When he says Mass at the chancery at Noon, he is beforehand with the Blessed Sacrament for at least an hour.

This is surely a reason why Bp. Strickland “gets it”, so to speak.

In any event, Bp. Strickland is surely exemplifying what Francis called for in Lisbon about Eucharistic adoration.

(Just watch… some will suggest that that’s too much time and he should be out doing something for the poor.)

Don’t ask me what, but something is up.   It’s a spidey-sense thing, maybe.

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Hard-Identity Catholicism, The future and our choices | Tagged
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Because Scott Hahn has recently been attacked by a fanatic, I recommend…

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Because Scott Hahn has recently been attacked by a fanatic, I recommend that you get one of Scott’s books and also a book from the publishing concern connected to the St. Paul Center, Emmaus Press.

A good choice for the first is

Holy Is His Name: The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Scripture

It has a forward by Peter Kreeft.  That’s a really good sign in itself.     The book explores what “holiness” is.  We often talk about holiness.  But what is it?

If you already have that book, try It Is Right and Just: Why the Future of Civilization Depends on True Religion. 

I was so pleased to see in it an emphasis on the virtue of Religion, which for years I have been writing and talking about in terms of the renewal of our sacred liturgical worship.

Next, an important book.  This book is the nightmare of libs and the yammering papalatrous like the fanatic who is attacking Scott.

The Faith Once For All Delivered: Doctrinal Authority in Catholic Theology

US HERE – UK HERE

This is a daring selection of essays by prominent orthodox Catholic scholars recently published by Emmaus Academic Press.

The book includes a Foreword and Introduction written by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, and an Afterword authored by Robert Cardinal Sarah. It is edited by Father Kevin Flannery, SJ and one other person who remained anonymous.

Every bishop should be tied to a chair and required to follow the text while someone reads aloud the essay by Robert Dodaro on sensus and consensus fidelium, what the terms really mean contrary to the notion of popular polling, etc.

Lastly go to Crisis and listen, perhaps more than once, to the podcast interview by editor Eric Sammons with Scott Hahn.

HERE

These are hard and dark times and I suspect we feel their weight.   I found this podcast super uplifting, positive, optimistic while remaining timely and realistic.  By the time you get a few minutes into it you might even be doing fist pumps in the air and sending the link to your friends. Kudos to Eric Sammons for not interrupting Scott.

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Daily Rome Shot 776

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Terrific NEWish restaurant very high on my list of favorites, near Ss. Trinità.

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Meanwhile, black to move and quickly force mate.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

On my desk I have small statues of St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Philip Neri. I know St. Teresa played chess. Did St. Pippo? In a search on the interwebs I found something that mentioned chess and St. Philip in something called Curiosities of London published in 1855. There is a note that the Oratory of St. Philip Neri moved to a new place in Brompton. On that same page was a description of the The Cigar Divan, at No. 100 Strand where the “leading Chess publications are accessible to visitors, and where as many as twenty Chess-boards may often be seen in requisition at the same time.”

People wrote with style back then.

I looked up the Cigar Divan on the Strand.    This is a fascinating place!

At this site, there was the Fountain Tavern, home of the Kit-Cat Club (a political and  literary club and not a strip joint, for sure, HERE . A modern American version might be the Algonquin Round Table but more political by far. Whigs.).

 

In 1828 the Grand Cigar Divan opened here: coffee, cigars, journals, and chess while sitting on divans.  Sounds like pre-Heaven.  Regulars paid 1 guinea (21 shillings = 1 pound + 1 shilling) annually for the use of the facilities and for coffee. In 1828, £1 = £139 today so 1 guinea would be about £146 today).  Not bad.  The daily entrance fee for non-members was sixpence (6d = 2.5 new pence) or a shilling and sixpence (1/6d = 7.5 new pence) with coffee and a cigar.  There were, I think, 20 shillings/pound and 1 shilling was 12 pence, so 240 pence in a pound.  So the daily entrance fee for the Cigar Divan was about £7.73 in today’s money.  So next time you go to the Cigar Divan in 1828 and want coffee and a smoke and just plop down your 3 tanners and, Job’s a good’un, you’re in. And the GCD will be hoppin’ during your visit.  There are lots of matches, often between different coffee houses, and runners with white hats scurried around announcing the moves.

In 1948 the proprieter Samuel Reiss was joined by a caterer John Simpson, and they expanded and called the place Simpson’s Grand Cigar Divan.  It became hugely popular with its great silver trolleys of meat f

or carving at the table… which is still going on today! Simpson’s-in-the-Strand Grand Divan Tavern. is still around.  One of the last times I was in London, I met a friend there, Rev. Stephen Morgan, for lunch.  He’s now in Macao at the Catholic University.

The “Immortal Game” of Adolf Anderssen v. Lionel Kieseritzky was played at Simpson’s.  Kieseritzky usually played at the Cafe de la Regence in Paris.  Kieseritzky sent the moves to Paris via telegraph (which means Morse!) and it was published.  The game started with the King’s Gambit and involved dramatic sacs.

There’s a video explaining The Immortal Game by Sam Copeland, but this is shorter.

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Once upon a time, Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short wound up with a key position from this famous battle.

Chess ceased at Simpson’s in 1903, alas. One of the original Simpson (incomplete) chess sets is displayed in the elegant Bishop’s Room.

You can purchase for me… er um… for yourselves a replica HERE.  Hmmm. Here’s what they look like.  A video about the pieces HERE

Nice.  I do like the Staunton better for everyday play.

So, this is the sort of place I’d like to open in Rome.

Welllll… maybe not quite as large.

BTW… does anyone out there have a copy of Steinitz in London?  If so, could you get in touch?

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From “The Private Diary of Bishop F. Atticus McButterpants” – 23-08-28 – A visit to a Hispanic parish for food (and Fr. Luis)

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

August 28, 2023

Dear Diary,

It was Fr. Luis’s “homecoming” this weekend, back to the parish he went to when he immigrated here, got involved and decided to pursue priesthood. Thank heaven he’s now over at Christ the King, though! Ultra-wasp for more English language immersion. I can’t tell if that’s working.  He doesn’t talk much around me.  Usually I get complaints.  “I can’t understand what he says!”

So I went over to our huge west side parish for Luis’s special return, to concelebrate the main Sunday Mass with him and Fr. Ernesto and stay afterwards for a major case of heartburn, just like every time to go there. I can’t help myself. The food is out of this world. This time, along will all the great stuff as usual, they had fahitas with a real kick and these cheese things called poo-poo-zas. ? Dunno.  The people are so warm and friendly, but it was good to get back for a ‘siesta’ and elka seltzer – I wonder how you say that in Mexican?

I even wore that Our Lady of Guadalupe detachable panel on the back of my cape that Mr. Domenico made for me for the two baptisms after Mass. Olay¡¡

I’ve learned enough of the lingo for some of the Mass.  Sr. Randi and Fr. Ernesto taught me how to do the “Señor” with the squiggle, “ten piedad!” Then I’m thinking, “eleven piedad, twelve piedad…” but I don’t say it.  They’re happy people but they have a serious side too, I think.  So I try say “pee-ay-dad” right but if it has the word “pie” in it … as a native of Pie Town I get distracted.  But the people really, really appreciate my being there, I can tell!  Gosh I love Hispanic ministry.

NOTE: Didn’t ask Gilbert but I’ll get Tommy to look up “las-tee-ma”.  If it wasn’t a dish there, I’m guessing it probably means ‘great’ or ‘cool’?  I heard it alot after Mass so maybe it is a dish I missed.  Too tired to use my phone. And spelling… well, not tonight.

Posted in Diary of Bp. McButterpants, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged
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