OLDIE PODCAzT 127: The Eve of St. Agnes and a Bleak Midwinter

Posted on 20 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As a favor to a friend, I’ll repost this old podcast.  It is the Eve of the Feast of St. Agnes, which of course reminds us of the famous poem by Keats.

I, fan of poetry that I am, read out Keat’s poem, 42 Spencerian stanzas.  It is torrid and lush, with marvelous moments and imagery, imbued with the revival of romantic, courtly love which was coming back into vogue in the early 19th century.

The poem takes inspiration from a superstition, which I explain in an introduction.

The Eve of St Agnes would inspire the Pre-Raphaelites, as a matter of fact.

Speaking of Pre-Raphaelites, one of their circle, was Christina Rossetti, a poet in her own right.

Christina Rossetti wrote a poem which later was made into a Christmas carol: In the Bleak Midwinter.  We are still within the Christmas cycle until Candlemas.

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Posted in Linking Back, PODCAzT, Poetry | Tagged ,
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A diocese smells the coffee: starts planning for decline of the Novus Ordo and growth of the TLM

Posted on 20 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A sink hole.

That’s the image I use most frequently right now for what is going to happen to the Church in the near future.

A demographic sink hole is about to open up under the Church in these USA and elsewhere.   Younger people are in large part “nones”, that is, professing no religion.  They will inevitably stop even pretending to identify with the religion of their parents.  As senior, seasoned Catholics pass to their reward, their monetary contributions will be lost.  The children who will inherit or who are building their own fortunes are not going to contribute.  We are faced also with the sink hole opening up beneath the priesthood, too.

The numbers are going to drop big time, both at the altar and in the pews.

What are we going to do with our churches and other buildings?

Some dioceses are starting to think inside the box labelled “T”.

However, a group that is steadily growing are those who want Tradition.   The TLM is growing.

A friend of mine used to say provocatively that one day the Novus Ordo would disappear and only the TLM would remain.  I didn’t buy that at the time.  These days, I’m not so sure.

Frankly, as I have written before, I think that when the sink hole opens two groups will remain strong and vibrant: evangelical converts and charismatics and, on the other hand, traditionalists.   Eventually these two groups will move closer and closer together and start to cross pollinate.  As a matter of fact, I think that it is already happening.

There will be some tentions in that contact, but the results will prove to be amazing.  I might see them in my life, but… who knows?  Motus in finem velocior.

So, I – who am President of the Tridentine Mass Society of the Diocese of Madison – am pretty chuffed by a Tweet I spotted today in my feed.  Take a look.

In some places churches are being entrusted to traditional groups.  Those churches are being saved from closure and loss.

Traditional sacred worship and traditional preaching with strong dedication to works of mercy.

Watch what happens!

We have to think inside the box again.

This merits some discussion and ideas.

 

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
32 Comments

ASK FATHER: Glass chalices…. again?

Posted on 20 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I read about a parish using invalid hosts made from several varieties of grain. I have been to a mass recently where a glass chalice was used (as a matter of fact, with a simple blessing, the new chalice was “inaugurated”).
I always thought and what I found in internet was that the chalice must be made from noble materials and of course may not absorb the wine. Glass does not react or absorb. But is it considered a noble material?

Thanks for the question.

Various opinion might be given about the “nobility” of glass.  Certainly glass can be beautiful.  Also, materials that are called “glass” can be really really tough, such that even if dropped they would not shatter, whereas a metal chalice might dent.

That’s all beside the point.

The document Redemptionis Sacramentum clearly states that glass is not to be used.

3. Sacred Vessels

[117.] Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books. [Cf. Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, nn. 327-333.] The Bishops’ Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region, [Cf. ibidem, n. 332] so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate. [Cf. ibidem, n. 332; Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments,, Instruction, Inaestimabile donum, n. 16: AAS 72 (1980) p. 338.]

A key word here is reprobated.  This is a technical term meaning that it is abolished, or forbidden in such a complete way that no one can appeal to custom (‘but I’ve been doing this for years now!”) nor can anyone try to establish a custom by violating the law over a long period of time.

In other words…. NO GLASS CHALICES.

But WAIT!  There’s MORE!

It seem that the USCCB (the Conference, mentioned above) has allowed that other materials can be used, provided that they do not break easily and that the material is suitable for sacred use.

Firstly, it seems to me that the sacred “idiom” should be protected.  What do I mean?

For example, in music, when you hear a pipe organ, you generally think of church. Gregorian chant does the same, whereas a brass band does not.  Once upon a time the early trombone was used in sacred music.  Only later was it employed in secular music.    The same goes for architecture.  Although this escapes a lot of people today, churches look one way, and municipal airports another.  Things used for sacred worship have a certain appearance while things for daily use have another.  That, I think, applies to chalices for Mass.  We should avoid chalices that look like they are meant for drinking beer or sipping brandy.

So, once again, we are in a situation where in the post-Conciliar context we lack clarity about what can be done and what can’t.

Finally, however, it seems to me that, while a metal chalice will dent, it won’t shatter or crack into pieces.  Unless the glass is actually as tough as that stuff 600 times stronger than stainless steel made from superheated powdered iron and sintered with a spark-plasma process and subjected to electric current under 1000 atmospheres of pressure, or maybe even the amazing “Prince Rupert’s Drops” or Scotty’s transparent aluminum, we shouldn’t even think for a nanosecond about using it.

Are those noble materials?  They are impressive, for sure.  They’re not noble.

Reprobated.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
17 Comments

Wherein Fr. Z is moved to pray to martyred nuns, newly discovered, about something that happened today. – UPDATED

Posted on 18 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 20 Jan 2020

I received this nice note today:

I cannot tell you why you were drawn to our martyred sisters, but I can tell you this: The order suddenly has an influx of vocations and discerners particularly in Ghana, Poland, the Philippines, and the USA. One of them is me. [Hurray!] At least two of us in our pre-novitiate formation (stateside) have found ourselves here to our own great surprise, feeling sure that the call of Christ led us to this order, but not knowing why.

I read your post on our sisters, and immediately went to the chapel where we have a little reliquary for Bl. M. Stella and Comps. I particularly brought prayers for you and your intentions both to the martyrs and our foundress.

Pray for us. I pray for you.
Bl. M. Stella and Comps., pray for us
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, protect us.

Do hear an “Amen!”?

Perhaps on a future visit to Chicago, I’ll stop and visit that chapel, if permitted.

___ Originally Published on: Jan 18, 2020

I am moved to post this.

It is as if I was dragged for some reason back to my keyboard tonight, after having tried to turn in. A couple of clicks – you know how one thing leads to another – and suddenly I was staring at exactly what I knew I was supposed to be looking at, something I had not know about.

A striking image of nuns being martyred at the hands of soldiers by an open grave.

Blessed M. Stella and her Ten Companions, the The Martyrs of Nowogrodek, in Nazi occupied Poland in 1943.  Now Belarus.  They were beatified by St. Pope John Paul II in 2000.  They were Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Their story is powerful. Wiki HERE, more HERE. These sisters had heard that Jews in the village had been taken to be killed. They prayed and offered themselves to God in exchange. The Jews were sent to work camps. The Gestapo then went for the local priest. Again the sisters prayed, saying, “There is a greater need for a priest on this earth than for us. We pray that God will take us in his place, if sacrifice of life is needed.”

Their prayers were answered.

How very small I felt as I read that.

One of the sisters survived, at the command of her superior, in lay guise.   She found her sister’s grave and marked a tree.  Years later she was free to tell her story.    HERE

I just learned that there is a house of those sisters not too far to the south of me, in Des Plaines, IL (Chicago).  They look at bit modernized, alas.   Alas, they are LCWR members.  I hope that they will be blessed with some young vocations who have traditional religious aspirations and longevity.

Why, I wonder, was I dragged to learn of these beautiful martyrs tonight, of all nights, the Martyrs of Nowogrodek?

I will, tonight at least, ask these blessed sisters to intercede before God for that #UniteTheClans idea that Michael Matt had some time ago, and which I fully endorsed and desire, even as I see an attack on myself on Twitter from one of the very people I pray will relent.

My day began by writing on that initiative.  So, I suppose I should round out my day with that same thought, but hand it over, for tonight, to the Eleven Martyred Sisters of Nowogrodek.  I am minded of the Sixteen Carmelites of Compiègne martyred in 1794.  “Mother, permission to die?”  The Terror ended right after their martyrdom.

During his sermon for the beatification of the Eleven, John Paul II said: “Where did these women find the strength to give themselves in exchange for the lives of imprisoned residents of Nowogródek? From where did they draw the courage to accept calmly the death sentence that was so cruel and unjust?” HERE

Our battle for the Church in these troubled time, The Present Crisis, has to be fought on many levels.

What might not be wrought through the intercession of these Eleven Sisters?

The artwork for the Beatification image painted by Jerzy Kumala (1998).

Posted in Modern Martyrs, Saints: Stories & Symbols, Women Religious | Tagged , ,
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A note of thanks. Mass for Benefactors.

Posted on 18 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today I received a very much needed item from my wish list. There was no slip in it to indicate who sent it!  Therefore, I will send out a public note of thanks.

Also, because tomorrow I don’t have a Mass at the parish, I will say Mass for my benefactors, which includes all of you who have donated and all of you who have sent items from my wish list.

It is an honor and duty to pray for benefactors and to remember also their own intentions when they are indicated.

Another note of thanks is due to those who belong to the Seven Sisters Apostolate who have prayed for me as well.  I can’t tell you what it means to me.

Please consider, if this blog is useful to you, signing up to send a monthly donation.  I could use a boost in this matter, given the last year.   In any event, please remember me in your prayers.


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Remember #UniteTheClans ? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Posted on 18 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE:

From a friend:

My German friend who attended today told me that De Mattei wanted it kept quiet as he was afraid Marx would step in and shut it down. Apparently the state and Marx work closely together.

It seems to me that that in itself would have been newsworthy.

____ Originally Published on: Jan 18, 2020

This morning my phone starts ringing from a German number.

An old friend had heard that there was going to be a protest in Munich with recitation of the Rosary against the German bishops and their nutty synodal process.  Rather like what was done in Rome before the rigged October Pachamama Synod (“walking together”).  That was Acies Ordinata.

My friend would have gladly gone to Munich to participate but he had no advance warning that it was going to take place.  He heard also that there would be a presser afterwards. He was willing and eager to go to it, even if he missed the protest.

I reached out to get some information for him, BUT, I as learned, it was sort of a secret demonstration.

A secret demonstration?

A press conference afterwards?  By whom and for whom?

I’m afraid it was merely for each other, for the people who were on the inside, in the know.

Just as I write, I see that Ed Pentin is posting on Twitter about the protest at presser.  Archbp. Viganò showed up in his FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE in a long time. 

Pentin also wrote at the National Catholic Register after the fact.

Gee whiz.  I would have liked to be there for that, to lend support.

What I am afraid that we have here, my friends, on the traditional side of things, is a self-licking ice cream cone.

And not even a well packed ice cream cone.

While looking for information on the protest in Munich by Acies Ordinata I found this.

I love that… 18 Gennaio and January 28… and it’s “It’s time for clarity and coherence!”

Problem: not only is the date screwed up, but nowhere on that single page site do you find the PLACE and the TIME of the protest.

What were they worried about?  Thugs from the German Bishops Conference?

Was it secret because Archbp. Viganò was going to be there and they were worried that someone from the Holy See might try to stick him with a radioactive needle.

Actually, that’s not outside the realm of possibility.

I now see, just now, as I refresh that screen, that the banner has been changed to a photo from that protest in front of the Theatinerkirche.

I see John Henry Weston of LifeSite.  No advance news of this on LifeSite.

I see Robert de Mattei.  Nothing on the Lepanto site.

I see the young Austrian idol thrower, Alexander Tschugguel.  Nothing at his Boniface Institute page.

I see Michael Matt.  There is a post, posted today, the day of the protest, at The Remnant.  It says…

 Representatives of the many different Catholic action groups around the world will unite in Munich, Germany today in a peaceful demonstration of silent but prayerful protest against the German Bishops’ Conference “synodal way”.

Oh really?   Many different action groups?  Who would they be?  Do they have some sort of secret handshake or decoder ring so that only they know what’s going to happen, lest anyone who doesn’t share the code might participate?  Is there a “black list”?  Are they using encrypted comms so that word doesn’t get out?  Is there some sort of purity pedigree you have to pass?

It seems to me that if you want real action, you don’t do things on the sly.

Look, I think all these people are terrific. They are dedicated Catholics.  They see that things aren’t going well.  They want to do something.

I don’t think that the self-licking ice cream cone approach is the most effective.

Things are obviously not going well in the Church.  Because our Lord underwent His Passion, the Church also must undergo her own time of torment and upheaval.  I maintain that God, who disposes all things, gave us a magnificent honor to live in these troubled times.

Because of that great gift from Our Lord, to be called into existence at this time in the history of salvation, we have to roll up our sleeves and do our part even as God showers graces on us.  The harder the times, the greater the graces.  What an honor.

Think of the honor God gave to the Jews who, with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other, worked together under Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  And their enemies were not as spiritually dangerous as our are today.

May I return to a theme I’ve punched at for years?

What is it about traditional and conservative Catholics that makes them atomize themselves into small groups that won’t cooperate with each other?  We obviously see some cooperation among this little group of groups in Munich.

A few months ago, the same Michael Matt of The Remnant put out a call to UNITE THE CLANS.   A great idea then.  A better ideal now.   However, it’s ironic that his post at The Remnant was called also Mission Impossible.

When Michael Matt called to Unite The Clans I was right there.  HERE

In that post, Michael wrote:

What we’ve got here are two old war horses who’ve not always seen eye-to-eye on everything over the past 25 years, but who nevertheless know Devils when we see them. Unite the clans with Father Z? You bet!  I’m proud to stand together with him against the demons attempting to destroy our beloved Church.

So when not even I have a clue something is going on, I wonder how committed they really are.

The last time that the hashtag #UniteTheClans was used on Twitter was 24 November of last year.

Meanwhile, catholic libs set aside small differences, create fronts, and roll over everyone in their path.

Why don’t Catholics work together?

It seems to me that many on our side of the spectrum are so dedicated to protecting their little wrinkle of turf that they are afraid of the success of others.

Someone is going to have to emerge as a good leader with a good vision and leadership skill to do some uniting.  It’ll have to be a layperson, I think.  As Fulton Sheen said:

“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”

Let’s think of this in terms of strategy.

  • What are the threats to the Church?  Concretely?
  • What the enemies’ centers of gravity?
  • What are the measures we have to take to overcome?
  • How do we destroy, neutralize or coopt their centers of gravity?

None of that is going to happen without united action and concrete work.

Realistically… ask yourself…

  • What are we going to do if they actually start ordaining married men or women as deacons?
  • How far is too far to be pushed?  How much nonsense is enough?

Hence…

  • Who are the people who will lead in the future?
  • What do I, personally, have to give up in order to make the mission work?
  • What do certain organizations have to give up in order to cooperate with others?
  • How can I help?
  • Am I complacent in what I now have?
  • Is my ego in the way of our collective success?

It tears at my heart daily to see what is going on in the Church.

Once again, I ask that people on the more conservative and traditional side of things do an examination of conscience, set aside smaller differences, and start repairing the walls together.

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged
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Card. Sarah has met with Benedict XVI as the haters stir “incessant, nauseating, dishonest controversy” #BOOKGATE

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The new book, From The Depths Of Our Hearts, has really freaked out some people on the left, including the papalotrous.

US Pre-Order Soon HERE for 12 March 2020 release! – FRENCH HERE

On my flight home the other day, I wrote:

I suspect the reaction of the papalotrous is partly due to their opposition not only to celibacy for priests but their opposition to any sort of sexual control. I can’t shake the suspicion that they think that if priestly celibacy isn’t taken down, then it will be much harder to force a change to the CCC on homosexuality. They have to break the nuptial connection of priest and Church in order to weaken the ends of marriage between one man and one woman. Communion for unrepentant adulterers was a step in the right direction when it comes to the nuptial character of Christ and the Church and the Eucharist. Now they have to bust the priesthood down too.

Meanwhile…

Here is something that had to happen.

Rendering of the three tweets together:

Because of the incessant, nauseating and dishonest controversies that haven’t stopped since the beginning of the week concerning the book ‘From The Depths Of Our Hearts’, this evening I met with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

With Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI we have been able to certify how there is no misunderstanding between us. I came out very happy, full of peace and of courage from this beautiful meeting.

I call upon you to read and to meditate on “From The Depths Of Our Hearts”. I warmly thank my editor, Nicolas Diat, as well as the publisher Fayard, for the precision, probity, seriousness, and professionalism which they have shown. Have a really good read!

So, Card. Sarah met with Benedict.  It seems that Benedict wasn’t deceived.

However, those who hate the content of this book, such as the papalotrous Austen Ivereigh wrote today.

And ultra-lefty partisan for RNS, David Gibson, writes:

Okay. Gibson is supposed to be a journalist and not merely a commentator. If he is going to get legalistic, I wonder if he did any research into the question of whether or not it is a violation of the laws of the Vatican City State to slap someone.

In most places that could be assault. I suppose charges could be set aside in true cases of self-defense, of course. That’s a question worth asking. Did I miss coverage of that question?

There is soooo much speculation from these haters of the content of the Sarah/Benedict book, we may as well join them in wild speculation.

Posted in Benedict XVI, Liberals, Si vis pacem para bellum! | Tagged , ,
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UPDATE! ASK FATHER: Use of a Catholic church for the “ordination” of woman Episcopalian “bishop”

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 17 Jan 2020:

There is a development.   CNA reports:

Catholic parish will not host Episcopalian consecration

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia will no longer hold an episcopal consecration and ordination at a Catholic parish in Williamsburg, following an internet petition signed by over 3,000 people objecting to the event.

“It is with great sadness that I have received a letter from Bishop-Elect Susan Haynes stating that, due to the controversy of the proposed use of St. Bede Catholic Church for her consecration of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, she has decided to find another location for the ceremony to take place,” said a statement from Bishop Barry Knestout of the Catholic Richmond diocese on Friday, Jan. 17. St. Bede Catholic Church is located within the diocese.

A statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia said that the consecration will now take place at Williamsburg Community Chapel. The Williamsburg Community Chapel’s website states that it is home to an “interdenominational family of faith.”

[…]

That story says that they had had a “contract” to use the Catholic parish. Interesting.

In any event, it seems that this chapter is now closing.

___ Originally Published on: Jan 16, 2020

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I am a parishioner at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in Williamsburg, VA. I and many others are outraged at the fact that the Bishop of Richmond (Barry Knestout) has given permission for the consecration of a woman episcopal bishop to take place in our church.

Please see the attached link.

Is this allowed??? What if anything can we do about it? I’d like your thoughts please. Thank you

Story HERE

Bishop Knestout of Richmond issued a statement about this.  HERE

Church Militant has a piece about it.  HERE

The short answer is: Yes, this is allowed.

The longer answer involves whether or not it should be allowed.

There is a petition against the event which calls on the bishop to cancel it.  HERE  I suspect that even if a million people sign it, the local bishop won’t change his mind.

The 1993 Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms on Ecumenism make provision for other Christian denominations to use our churches:

137. Catholic churches are consecrated or blessed buildings which have an important theological and liturgical significance for the Catholic community. They are therefore generally reserved for Catholic worship. However, if priests, ministers or communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church do not have a place or the liturgical objects necessary for celebrating worthily their religious ceremonies, the diocesan Bishop may allow them the use of a church or a Catholic building and also lend them what may be necessary for their services. Under similar circumstances, permission may be given to them for interment or for the celebration of services at Catholic cemeteries.”

Note that the diocesan bishop gets to make these decisions.  Pastors cannot make this decision on their own.  I understand from what I have read that this was arranged without the knowledge of the parishioners.

Let’s be clear: There is no such thing as a female bishop, properly understood, in any denomination.  It is ontologically impossible for a woman to be a real bishop.  Denominations can call a woman whom they appoint as leader a “bishop”, but calling doesn’t make it so.  The ministers of Christian denominations without valid apostolic succession are mere functionaries.  As a matter of fact, this is something that is explained well in the new book by Card. Sarah and Benedict XVI.  Moreover, the Church teaches that Anglican/Episcopalian orders are null and void.  They do not have properly consecrated bishops.  Hence they can’t consecrate anyone, much less a woman.   They can go through whatever ceremonies they want, but at the end, when every walks out they are still what they were when they walked in, ontologically speaking.

So, these Protestants want to have a ceremony to “ordain” for themselves a woman.  Whatever.  Because they want to do it in a church, instead of a hall or auditorium of some kind (as sometimes Catholics have to do because the churches are too small) the Bishop of Richmond is going to let them use a Catholic church.

What is going to happen in there is pretty much a nothing burger.  Also, it might or might not be the case that the church in question was consecrated – many are not consecrated, you know.  So, there is a disconnect between the nature of the building as a sacred place and the nature of the ceremony to be enacted.

However, the Bishop is within his right to let that building be used.  He can permit it, regardless of the sensibilities of Catholics who may be offended.

What recourse do offended Catholics have?  Not much.

In the aftermath, they will have to decide if they want to contribute to that parish and to the diocesan fundraisers, or have anything to do with their projects.  That’s up to them.

Choices have consequences.

Were I a diocesan bishop, I think I would gently deflect the original request to use the church for such an event.  On the other hand, were there to be a case of a true emergency, I might help them out.  Say they had a fire at their own cathedral the day before the event was scheduled.  Then I might help them out.   But this event isn’t an emergency.

I have a hard time getting really worked up about this.  This from a guy who is forever railing on and on about the sacrum.

We do other things in our churches than only sacred liturgical rites.   Talks can be given.  That’s not liturgy.  Concerts can be given.  That’s not liturgy.   If there were a horrible disaster, a church could be used to shelter and succor the wounded.  That’s not liturgy.  So, churches can be used for more than just liturgy.

Moreover, I have in my mind’s eye the fact that after the church of the Institute of Christ the King in Chicago burned down, the Presbyterians across the way welcomed Catholics regularly to use their gymnasium for their traditional Catholic Mass.  Consider the theological origins of Presbyterianism.  For Luther, Mass was ‘der größeste und schrecklichste Gräuel… he greatest and most shocking abomination” and a “Drachenschwanz… dragon’s tail”.  Calvin viciously attacked the Mass and transubstantiation as forged by the Devil.  He called it impious blasphemy and compared it to mumbling incantations and idol worship (like bowing down to Pachamama, perhaps).

The use of that Catholic church by these Episcopalians is clearly going to offend a lot of Catholics.  A diocesan bishop ought to see to his own before seeing to others, if you get my drift.  However, the use of that church by that group for this dopey (to us – important to them) ceremony is not going to violate the sacrality of the church.

Lemme back up: given the state of any Protestant group that would choose to “ordain” a woman, who knows what goofy liturgical things they will perpetrate, so they might violate the sacrality of the building.  I hope that the bishop knows what they are going to do in their ceremonies.  I don’t think they will be sacrificing chickens or doing something as bad as bowing down and worshiping wooden Pachamama idols or placing pagan worship bowls on the altar.  They will engage in a kind of idolatry by referring to what is still a piece of bread as “God”, but – hey – we know that Protestants do that.

In short, within the guidelines of ecumenism in force today, we don’t expect that what they will do will be so contrary to everything holy that the building will have to be reconsecrated.  So we hope.

If you want to see me get really irritated about something, the flip side of this thing in Richmond is far far more serious.

That is, some fake catholic group for wynym’s ordination going to a Protestant church for their sacrilegious acts of simulated ordination.

THAT is a serious problem and ecumenical insult of the highest degree.  That is a huge “eff you” finger to the whole Catholic Church.  That is a violation of our most sacred rites.    They mock and trample on the priesthood and the Eucharist, on our whole identity as Catholics.

When any Protestant group allows that sort of horror show in one of their churches, the local diocesan bishop should act swiftly to inform them of the consequences for relations between their groups.  As I have written in the past …

Upon hearing the news that this ceremony is going to take place (or has taken place), the local Catholic bishop must call the pastor of that Protestant parish and say,

“I’m the Catholic Bishop.  Do not allow this sacrilege to be committed in your church. You wouldn’t do this for a group of dissident Jews wanting to ordain rabbis, but we are Catholics so you don’t care what offense you give us.  Until an apology is issued, don’t look for us to dialogue with you again.”

Then that Catholic bishop should call the head of the denomination and convey the same message.

Then that Catholic Bishop should send an informative note to the USCCB’s ecumenical office and to the CDF and to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity to let them know the facts of the sacrileges that took place and who helped them.

Then that Catholic bishop should call the press and give them his view about the offense the Protestants gave and the damage they inflicted on ecumenical dialogue.

True ecumenism does not consist in lying down and letting some other church kick you and define what Mass is for you, or say who can be ordained, or stick their finger in your face by hosting these sacrilegious fakers.

That’s the sort of thing that get’s me worked up far more than letting a bunch of Protestants have their little thing in one of our churches.

That said, it seems to me that the diocesan bishop there, while entirely within his rights to allow the use of that church for this Protestant thing, would do well to provide good pastoral care to those who believe that our churches are sacred places, set apart for true sacred liturgical worship and things that are consistent with our Catholic Faith.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: I discovered that the hosts used are from flour of a variety of grains. What to do?

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I recently discovered that the priests at a chapel I had been attending have been using bread made of flour from a variety of grains, so it’s clearly invalid. The chapel is run by religious order priests. (You can probably guess the order.)

I think I need to report this, but I don’t really know how to do that.

Do I write a letter? To the bishop himself or to a particular office?

To the superior of the religious order? What do I say in the letter?

Should I include a litany of all the liturgical abuses I observed, or keep it to the more serious ones? What should I expect after the letter is received? etc.

If you’re willing, I’m also interested in the broader question: What is my duty as a lay person in such circumstances? I honestly don’t expect that anything will change, but I owe my due diligence. What is my due diligence?

This is serious issue.

If the bread used for the Mass was invalid substance, because it was not from wheat flour, then Masses using that bread weren’t Mases at all.  Furthermore, that means that the Precious Blood was consecrated outside of Mass.

Moreover, that means that all those stipends and Mass intentions were not, in justice, fulfilled!   How many Masses?!?

If you have some sort of proof that the hosts were not of wheat bread make your concern immediately known in a BRIEF letter – including the evidence – posted to the local person in charge, with a copy to the local bishop and to the Apostolic Nuncio in Washington DC and/or the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.   There are stipend/intentions issues involved that they must solve.

If you have strong suspicion of the same, then write the letter to the local person in charge, with a copy to the local bishop, asking for clarification about the hosts.

What are your responsibilities in this matter?

I refer you to the important CDW document Redemptionis Sacramentum.

6. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters

[183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.

[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.  It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

You have the right and duty to make your concerns known in this important matter.  You always have the right to immediate recourse to the Holy See.  However, you can, and should, inform the local bishop.

Try to get things solved at the lowest level possible and work your way up.

Keep all your communications brief and respectful, on one side of sheet of paper if possible.  Include proofs, evidence, not guesses.   In the case that something is not 100% sure, ask for clarifications.

Read this about writing to ecclesial authorities.

Tips for writing to the Vatican, bishops and priests

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
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“Let the Jesuits come to me. With hands in the air and without algorithms.” Fr. Z says: Let the Jesuits GO TO CHINA.

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

When I was a little kid I used to look forward to morning cartoons. Even as an adult I always turned to find The Far Side before the box scores.

Now we must content ourselves with jokers like this.

In La Verità we find a piece by Gustavo Bialetti in his column Caffé Corretto (excellent name) about – I am not making this up – the evangelization of robots and artificial intelligence. Avvenire (the official organ of the Italian Bishops Conference) ran some stuff from Antonio “2+2-5” Spadaro, SJ.

2+2 is quoted saying, “We can read the challenge of what we can define as ‘evangelization of AI’ as being like one of a combination of the recommendation of Pope Francis to protect the world of the periphery [i.e., the poor in a world dominated by AI] and the experience of the Jesuits of the 16th century.”

Crickets.

Self-referential, much?

I just had a flash of an ordained T800 Terminator morphing the colors of vestments form violet to white for upcoming Candlemas.

Bialetti concludes:

Said with the greatest respect, citing the role of the Jesuits in the 16th century creates a little bit of anxiety. Today, probably, Jesus would say, “Let the Jesuits come to me. With hands in the air and without algorithms.”

Here’s something for Jesuits. 

There is a REAL periphery out there and it’s called: CHINA.

Since the Holy See seems to have left Chinese Catholics to be devoured, things have been going very badly.

At Asia News, I read this.

Mindong’s Msgr. Guo evicted from the curia: he will sleep on the street. Several priests and elderly also made homeless (Video)

At least five parishes have been closed, with electricity and water supplies cut off. These include Fuan, Saiqi and Suanfeng. “Fire safety” measures given as a justification, an excuse for persecution. Some priests have been kicked out. A home for the elderly kept by the nuns is also closed. Of the thirty guests, some are hosted by relatives, others are homeless. Official bishop Zhan Silu bypassed by the United Front. Some priests speak of Holy See’s having “too lightly” signed to the agreement.

Rome (AsiaNews) – Msgr. Vincenzo Guo Xijin, former ordinary bishop of Mindong (Fujian) is now homeless and sleeping on the doorstep of his curia and clergy house in Luojiang, following the arrival yesterday of an eviction order for him and for the priests who work and live with him.

To speed up his eviction, all electricity and water supplies were cut from the building yesterday (see photo 1). Officially, the eviction is dictated for security reasons. A sign placed in front of the curia explains that the building – built with all permits over 10 years ago – does not respect the fire regulations and must therefore be closed. In reality, the police operation is a sign of official annoyance and an attempt to pressure the bishop and his priests who refuse to sign up to an “independent” Church.

Msgr. Guo Xijin is one of the “victims” of the Sino-Vatican agreement, which has transformed the diocese of Mindong into a kind of “pilot project” for the implementation of the accord. [What does the accord really say?]

Following the agreement and the lifting of the excommunication from the official bishop Vincenzo Zhan Silu, at the request of Pope Francis, Msgr. Guo agreed to be demoted to auxiliary bishop to leave the ordinary seat to Msgr. Zhan.

However, Msgr. Guo, never signed up for membership in the independent Church and thus has not been recognized by the government with the result that he has now been downgraded to the status of homeless and migrant.

The exact same fate has befallen many priests who refuse to sign up. In recent days at least five parishes have also been closed for reasons of “fire safety standards”. These would include two large parishes: Fuan, with over 10 thousand faithful and Saiqi, with approximately 3 thousand faithful (photo 2).

Fuan parish priest, Fr. Liu Guangpin, 71, is among those who rebuilt the life of the Church after the Maoist persecutions. Now he has been evicted and has no place to celebrate, but remains in Fuan. Instead, Saiqi parish priest, Fr. Huang Jintong, 50, was kicked out and sent away from the city.

[…]

There is a lot more to that piece.  May I suggest that you read the whole thing and pray pray pray for your Chinese brothers and sisters, and perhaps fast for them?

Today is a Friday.  It’s penance day.  I will give up a meal.

Frankly, I am convinced that JESUITS were in part behind the China-Holy See agreement.

It’s hard to say, since not even Chinese Card. Zen can get clarity about what that document really says.

So 2+2 is interested in the peripheries.   Great.  Go to China.

I recall that in the Screwtape Letters (US HERE – UK HERE) the senior demon tells the junior tempter to get the “patient” interested in vague notions about concern for the needy (rather like modern democrats) rather than doing something concrete for the needy in front of him here and now.

So, let’s talk more about the evangelization of robots and AI!

 

Posted in Jesuits, Lighter fare, Modern Martyrs, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, What are they REALLY saying? | Tagged , ,
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