Lettergate produces a casualty: Msgr. Viganò. Well… not quite.

Posted on 21 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Lettergate has produced a casualty… another casualty, the first being the Truth.

Or did it?

The Prefect of the Secretariate for Communications, Msgr. Dario Viganò  – who so botched the the handling of the pro-Francis booklet roll out by unscrupulously slicing and dicing Benedict XVI’s letter and then weaponizing it – has resigned.  The Bolletino has a declaration from the Holy See Press Office’s Greg Burke.  It includes links to Viganò’s letter and Pope Francis’ response.

Not content with writing just a resignation letter Viganò extends the agony with a missive of some 350 words including a review of human history, a summary of the pontificate, excerpts from Bible, a pie recipe, and a wedding toast.  Seriously, all he needed was, “Your Holiness, with the present letter I submit my resignation.  Thank you.”  But, no.

Not content with writing just “Resignation accepted”, His Holiness – who wouldn’t have been blamed for falling asleep as he read the above-mentioned – responded with 180+ of his own, in which, incredibly, he REHIRED Viganò as “Assessore” – a kind of second in command – of the same office he screwed up to the global embarrassment of the Holy See.  Apparently Francis wants  Viganò around so he can still “give his human and professional contribution to the new Prefect”.

Some people get unceremoniously sacked.  Some people get a little tap on the wrist.

Not even libs like Always-Wrong Mickens knows how Viganò got his step and with what credentials, but he must have some pretty impressive skills that are deemed indispensable.  Perhaps he’s a good… what?… editor?

These are the mysteries of mercy.

In any event, Lettergate seems to be slouching into its whimpering denouement.

Posted in Lighter fare, You must be joking! | Tagged , ,
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ROME – 7 April – Conference: “Catholic Church, Where Are You Going?”

Posted on 20 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I read at Sandro Magister’s page that there is going to be a conference in Rome on

“Chiesa cattolica, dove vai?”… “Catholic Church, Where Are You Going?”

This conference responds to the growing impression that the Church seems to be losing its way.

In a Church seen as being set adrift, the key question that the conference will confront will be precisely that of redefining the leadership roles of the “people of God,” the characteristics and limitations of the authority of the pope and the bishops, the forms of consultation of the faithful in matters of doctrine.

The conference, with no admission fee, will be held on Saturday 7 April beginning at 3 PM, in the afternoon, at the conference center “The Church Village” at 94 Via di Torre Rossa.

The massive lib machine is grinding away, with the usual suspect churning out one thing after another.  You are sometimes left with the impression of a juggernaut crushing everything in its path. Time to fight back.

Posted in The Campus Telephone Pole |
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UPDATE & ACTION ITEM for St. John Cantius in Chicago – @SJCantius

Posted on 20 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 20 March:

There is now a site Pray For Cantius: https://www.prayforcantius.com/

The intent is to start a round the clock Rosary for Fr Phillips and St. John Cantius. There is a signup form for additional activities such as fasting, holy hours, novenas or Masses.

UPDATE 18 March:

From a reader…

A dear friend who has been a parishioner of St. John Cantius for over 20 years was shocked to hear the recent news…being something of a social activist for causes like this, he suggested signups for a round-the-clock Rosary for Father Phillips, with the intention as you stated, for a swift resolution to this matter.

The signup is here: http://signup.com/go/SzQRgrW

There are time slots for every 20 minutes all day and all night at least through the end of May, and we can extend it if needed.

Thought you might like to let your readers know about this.

___ Originally Published on: Mar 17, 2018

REALLY BAD NEWS

Below is a statement from the Canons at St. John Cantius in Chicago.  HERE  But first some context and comments.

One thing you must be clear about from the get go.  

A letter from the Archbishop of Chicago was read at the Saturday evening Mass at St. John Cantius, so this information is now public.  In the letter that was read aloud it was clear that allegations against Fr. Phillips have nothing to do with minors!  According to my interlocutor, Fr. Phillips has not been accused of breaking any civil laws.  Instead, the allegation concerns an improper relationship with an adult male.

However, Fr. Phillips has been removed as pastor of the parish and Superior of the Canons.  He also had to leave the parish. An interim superior has been chosen from among the group itself.  Given that Phillips seems not to have broken any civil laws the move against him seems pretty sudden and draconian, but I guess that’s what they do around there.

I understand that the text from the Cardinal, which was read aloud at Mass on Saturday and which will be read at all the Masses on Sunday (as I write, tomorrow) will be released – or some statement will be released – by the Archdiocese in some form soon.  I’m guessing Monday.   Meanwhile, the Canons have posted their own statement on their website, below.

Please note two important items in the Canon’s statement below: “We hope and pray for a swift resolution to this matter….”

SWIFT!

Everyone who can do something in addition to praying should also prompt, move, push and plead that this be swiftly investigated and swiftly resolved.   In justice, this must not drag out, to the detriment of his good name and the good works which have multiplied over the years at the now world-famous St. John Cantius.

Also, because Fr. Phillips belongs to the Congregation of the Resurrection (Resurrectionists), they will be doing the investigation.

Now the statement from the Canons:

Statement from the Canons Regular regarding Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R.

This statement is in response to the letter of Cardinal Blaise J. Cupich read at all our Sunday Masses today which tells of Fr. Phillip’s removal as pastor of the parish and removal of superior due to complaints of inappropriate conduct. A statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago will be forthcoming.

Statement of the Canons Regular

STATEMENT OF THE CANONS REGULAR OF ST. JOHN CANTIUS
REGARDING FR. C. FRANK PHILLIPS, C.R.
Sunday, March 18, 2018

We know that the news of complaints of inappropriate conduct against Fr. Phillips, our founder, present a difficult time for the faithful in our parishes and friends of our community.

The Canons Regular will remain focused on our mission of “Restoring the Sacred” and will continue our vital work at our parishes and apostolates.

Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. our founder, has been pastor of St. John Cantius for 30 years and our superior for 20 years. As soon as Fr. Phillips became aware of the complaints he has been open and transparent with us, his community, and the Archdiocese of Chicago.

We ask for your patience and understanding while the Congregation of the Resurrection conducts an investigation into the complaints.

We hope and pray for a swift resolution to this matter and we ask that you keep the Canons Regular, Fr. Phillips, and any who are affected by this difficult situation in your prayers.

For my part, I hope for a swift resolution to this especially because I don’t believe the allegation.   I just don’t.

Fr. Phillips has a right to a good name and reputation.  That’s a compelling reason for this to be handled swiftly.

Please, at least say a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel to defend everyone involved from diabolical attacks, which must be underway right now with terrible fury.

St. Michael the Archangel….

St. John Cantius, pray for them.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, intercede for them.

Posted in ACTION ITEM! | Tagged ,
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“Not so fast!”, says the damned soul. “Amoris laetitia says,…”.

Posted on 20 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

So this morning my phone goes “ding”.  “What fresh hell is this!?”, quoth I, reaching.

Indeed, it was “fresh hell”!

At Messa in Latino a wag has posted a bit of Dantesque parody about an adulterous soul in Hell.

A soul has descended to the Inferno and goes before long-tailed Minos, who is the “sorting hat” of Hell.   Minos discerns the sins of the soul and then wraps his tail about himself as many times as the number of the circle to which the soul must be consigned for eternity.   There’s an image of Minos in Michaelangelo’s Last Judgment.

For you conoscitori del Poeta, you will find this to be a serious stitch.  I don’t have time this morning to translate it for you.

The essence is that just as Minos is about to assign the adulterous soul to its circle in Hell, the soul quotes Amoris laetitia and, channeling his inner Francis, calls Minos a “pharisee”.  “Each case has to be judged individually and in my case I’m not guilty… Who are you to judge? So, see’ya later, alligator!”

Dante introduces the scene to his 21st century readers.  He has reworked Hell a little to make it more merciful:

Illustrissimi homini dello XXI secolo, vi scrivo dallo beato regno in cui mi trovo, dacché Amoris laetitia aprimmi gli occhi, e compresi che troppo esagerai gittando nell’inferno sì tanti peccatori. Io credea allora nella famigerata morale oggettiva. Imperciocché decisi di metter mano al mio farisaico poema e di offrirne più misericordiosa versione. Istatemi bene.

Dante

Stavvi Minos e orribilmente ringhia:  [Inf 5.4]
essamina le colpe ne l’intrata;
giudica e manda secondo ch’avvinghia.

Dico che quando l’anima mal nata
li vien dinanzi, tutta si confessa;
e quel conoscitor de le peccata

vede qual loco d’inferno è da essa;
cignesi con la coda tante volte
quantunque gradi vuol che giù sia messa.

[…]

Ma a’tempi di Francesco giù discese
un peccator che pure andava in chiesa,
ma l’altrui moglie quale sposa prese.

E quando Mínos già la coda tesa
pronta avea per indicar quel loco
d’aspra vendetta per indegna presa,

l’adulter spirto “Aspetta un poco”
dicea a Minosse tanto sbalordito
“a ricacciarmi in quell’eterno foco”.

D’Amoris laetitia segnò di pronto dito,
all’incredul demon quella frasetta
che innocente fea ogni pervertito:

“demonio, o fariseo, tu mi da’ retta!
Che se consorte altrui ho tolta
nessuna pena in ver ora mi spetta!

Tu dei saper che a volta in volta,
caso e caso vedere è necessario,
per una situazion mia colpa è tolta.

E la moral diventa un mondo vario,
ognuno fa quel che giusto gli pare,
su senso di peccato ormai calò il sipario.

Ah ah, chi se’ Minós per giudicare?
Non rotear tua maledetta coda!
Or ti saluto, devo proprio andare!”

Quando i dannati udiron nuova moda
allora lacrimaron di gran fotta
che ai tempi lor morale non si froda.

“Ah di fortuna ebber gran botta
color che vissero in quegli anni,
ove empietà a misericordia è ricondotta!”

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UPDATE on ACTION ITEM! Pray for important pro-life SCOTUS case! Arguments on 20 March.

Posted on 19 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

UPDATE 20 March:

Link to the transcript of the oral arguments for the good guys.  HERE

___

Originally Published on: Mar 19, 2018

Can the government force Christian pro-life centers to advertise taxpayer-funded abortions?  California says they can.

That’s the essential question the US Supreme Court will consider in its oral argument phase tomorrow – Tuesday 20 March – in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra.

There is more on this case at PregnancyHelpNews.com which is powered by the wonderful pro-life group Heartbeat International.

In a nutshell, California’s – isn’t it always California these days? – Reproductive FACT Act, AB 775, forces pro-life pregnancy care centers to provide free advertising for big-business abortion.  The law forces licensed medical centers that offer free, pro-life help to pregnant women to post a disclosure – a notice – saying that California provides free or low-cost abortion and contraception services.

Lot’s more details HERE.

The notice, which the law specifies must either be posted as a public notice in “22-point type,” “distributed to all clients in no less than 14-point font” or distributed digitally “at the time of check-in or arrival,” applies to all pregnancy help medical clinics licensed by the state.

“California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women. To determine whether you qualify, contact the county social services office at [insert the telephone number].”

Meanwhile, pregnancy help centers that do not offer medical services will be required to post the following signage in two “clear and conspicuous” places—“in the entrance of the facility and at least one additional area where clients wait to receive services,” as well as in “any print and digital advertising materials including Internet Web sites”.

The font required is to be “in no less than 48-point type” and will read as follows:

“This facility is not licensed as a medical facility by the State of California and has no licensed medical provider who provides or directly supervises the provision of services.”

This seems to be a clear violation of the 1st Amendment.

What you can do?

Before David went to meet Goliath, he said, “this battle is the Lord’s.” (1 Samuel 17:47).

  • Pray, especially using the Rosary.
  • Go to church in the morning and offer your petition to God for divine assistance to the defenders of life and to the justices.
  • Spend time in morning before the Blessed Sacrament
Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Emanations from Penumbras | Tagged ,
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A charming 15th century view of St. Joseph

Posted on 19 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Originally Published on: Mar 20, 2017

Today is [was, last year in 2017] the transferred Feast of St. Joseph.  Yesterday, a Sunday in Lent, “outweighed” the feast.

St. Joseph has many titles in his beautiful litany.  We will sing them tonight after our Pontifical Mass at the Throne.  Joseph is the Foster-father of the Son of God, Protector of Holy Church, Glory of domestic life.

Speaking of “Glory of domestic life”, I recently saw at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC a marvelous French 15th century limestone relief with painting and gilding produced by the circle of Antoine Le Moiturier (+ c. 1497).

There are charming elements which reveal the devotion of the maker.

The star of the show must be Joseph, rendered in great detail.  All the perspectives and points of view favor him, the largest and closest figure.

IMG_4836

There are several area which deserve attention.   First, on earth, St. Joseph is on the right, warming the little Lord’s coverlet before the fire.

IMG_4838

Angels are lending a hand: they make the Infant Jesus’ bed.

Meanwhile, shepherds have scaled a nearby tree.  They peer in over the broken wall and crumbled woodwork.  They scrabble over each other for a good look.

IMG_4840

In the center, an angel has raised the Lord up to the loft or rooftop.

He seems to be changing Jesus, while He plays with the muzzle of a curious critter.

The other beast seems either to want to help or she is trying to eat the blanket.

IMG_4839

On the left, more angels enthusiastically watch.  One of them, perhaps our designated representative in the scene, prays, overwhelmed, as we should be.

IMG_4841

The Mother of God serenely gazes upward towards the domestically challenged angel and her Son.

IMG_4836

Simply superb.  There is a lot packed into this little scene, which is about a foot and a half wide.

Great love made this.

Posted in Just Too Cool | Tagged
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Author of “The Dictator Pope” revealed (officially) and book format now available

Posted on 19 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Some people were clued in a long time ago, but were asked to keep it under wraps.  Now it is out in the open.

The Dictator Pope (revised and updated) – now available in hard copy from Regnery for pre-order (23 April – US HERE – UK HERE) highly critical of Pope Francis and those around him, originally was published under the pen name of “Marcantonio Colonna”.

Previously, it was available only on Kindle.

Now his name has been revealed.  HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marcantonio Colonna is the pen name of Henry Sire (H. J. A. Sire), an author and historian. Sire was born in 1949 in Barcelona to a family of French ancestry. He was educated in England at the Jesuits’ centuries-old Stonyhurst College and at Exeter College, Oxford, where he gained an honors degree in Modern History. He is the author of six books on Catholic history and biography, including one on the famous English Jesuit, writer, and philosopher Father Martin D’Arcy, SJ. The Dictator Pope is the fruit of Henry Sire’s four-year residence in Rome from 2013 to 2017. During that time he became personally acquainted with many figures in the Vatican, including Cardinals and Curial officials, together with journalists specializing in Vatican affairs.

He is also the author of another book, which I’ve noted here in the past.

Phoenix from the Ashes: The Making, Unmaking, and Restoration of Catholic Tradition

US HERE – UK HERE

Posted in Francis, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: Absolution at jail through glass, phone in visitor’s room

Posted on 18 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest…

QUAERITUR: 

I’m a priest who occasionally gets asked to hear confessions in a jail where the only way to speak to a person is through glass and a telephone headset. Without using the phone, one can barely hear the other talking through the glass. It got me thinking about the validity of the sacrament. Is this valid, given the situation, to hear confession through the phone, with the person right there in front of me behind the glass?

Yes, it is valid. You don’t know who may be listening in… but it’s valid.

Absolution long-distance via technology is invalid.  Many years ago there was a response given to a question about absolution communicated via telegraph (which shows how long ago it was).  Such an absolution would be invalid.  Some time later, I don’t have the reference, there was a question about telephone.  The answer was the same.  Invalid.

In your case, however, even though a telephone was used, you were face to face.  You were both physically and morally present.  The phone was only a means to amplify your voices to each other across the glass barrier.   You weren’t sending your voices across town.

The principle, however, is important: you cannot give or receive absolution via skype or internet chat or video phone calls, etc. That includes text messages.  INVALID.

There is a possibility of contracting marriage long distance, or even via proxy, but not any other sacrament.  And that is another and more complicated question which we will not delve into here.

No confession by long-distance.  It must be a real, and personal meeting of penitent and confessor.

Of course there are situations where people who are physically present to the confessor may have to use some artificial means to speak, as in the case of the jail meeting.  Also, a priest could use a sound amplifier for a person who is present who is also hard of hearing.  That’s not a problem.  Many old confessionals had hearing/speaking devices like phones. It also could be that the person is not immediately close to the confessor, but is still within view or earshot.  In that case the person is still “morally” present and absolution is valid, even by bullhorn.

However, it a penitent is both physically and morally completely separated from the confessor, artificial means cannot be used validly to impart absolution.

So, all things being equal, your absolution at the jail is valid.  You don’t know who may be listening in… but it’s valid.

For the rest of you out there, don’t wait until you are in jail… again…

GO TO CONFESSION!

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , ,
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The fruits of dumbing everything down, down, ever down.

Posted on 18 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Over at my old stomping ground, The Wanderer, there is a good piece by Chris Montesano which uses as its springboard the shooting at the school in Florida.  Along the way he quoted Book IX of Plato’s Republic:

“The teacher fears and panders to his pupils, who in turn despise their teachers and attendants; and the young as a whole imitate their elders, argue with them and set themselves up against them, while their elders try to avoid the reputation of being disagreeable or strict by aping the young and mixing with them on terms of easy good fellowship.”

Doesn’t that sound like the modern and modernist church these days?  Substitute some terms.

The fruits of dumbing everything down, down, ever down.

Posted in The Drill, The future and our choices, The Olympian Middle | Tagged , ,
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Your Sunday Sermon Notes and Passion Sunday POLL: veils on images

Posted on 18 March 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Was there a good point made during the sermon you heard for your Mass of obligation this  5th Sunday of Lent (Novus Ordo).

From this Sunday, traditionally called 1st Sunday of the Passion, it is customary to veil images in churches.  In the Gospel in traditional Form of the Roman Rite we hear:

Tulérunt ergo lápides, ut iácerent in eum: Iesus autem abscóndit se, et exívit de templo.  … They therefore took up stones to cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out from the temple.

What is going on where you are?

This is a fine old tradition.  It has to do with deprivation of the senses and the liturgical dying of the Church in preparation for the Lord’s tomb and resurrection.  We do this to sense something of the humiliation of the Lord as he enters His Passion, something of His interior suffering.

We are also being pruned during Lent.  From Septuagesima onward we lose things bit by bit in the Church’s sacred liturgy until, at the Vigil, we are even deprived of light itself.  The Church is liturgically dying.

We are our rites.

Choose your best answer.  Anyone can vote, but only registered and approved users can comment.   Let us know what you saw!

At my Latin Rite church, for this 1st Passion Sunday (5th of Lent) - 2018 - I saw:

View Results

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, POLLS | Tagged , ,
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