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.

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

 

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

ASK FATHER: Glass chalices.... again?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 , ,
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A few things of interest: TLM pilgrimage opp, new book, against pendulums, and Warhol the hack

Posted on 20 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A couple of notes…

First, this sounds good.  Someday I too would like to visit Poland.

A pilgrimage to Lithuania and Poland, with daily celebration of the TLM, is being planned from May 4-16, 2020, under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Neil J. Roy, STL, PhD. Highlights include visits to Vilnius, Gdansk, Torun, Warsaw, Czestochowa, Cracow (the Divine Mercy Shrine and the Convent of St. Faustina), and Wadowice (birthplace of St. John Paul II) among other sites. The cost, including taxes and tips, is CAN 3,640 – 3,420, the lower price contingent on enrolling more than 30 participants. The pilgrimage begins and concludes in Toronto. The deadline for registration is February 4. At least 25 participants are needed by then to make the pilgrimage work. Contact the tour coordinator, Pearl Tam (pearltam@rogers.com) for information.

This looks interesting.

New, from the excellent Sophia Press.

A Year With Fr. Rutler

A few things of interest: TLM pilgrimage opp, new book, against pendulums, and Warhol the hack

US HERE – UK HERE

Also, have a glance at Brad Miner’s column today at The Catholic Thing entitled “The Other End Of Nowhere”.  It grabs you from the start.

One of the traps that libs seem constantly to fall into is that human beings are constantly evolving as a race.  In the Church this takes the form of particular liturgical abuses and patent arrogance, especially in regard to the Blessed Sacrament.  Mr. Miner gets into the weeds of NYC politics (what a mess that is) and into the circus that is the presidential election cycle.  However, his point from the onset is good: “The Enlightenment gave us various forms of Progressivism, which amount, in sum, to the patent idiocy that things are always getting better. They’re not. I may be one of the few who doesn’t believe in pendulum swings.”

Give it a read.

Also, at the always valuable Crisis, Michael Warren Davis has a piece about Andy Warhol.  A really interesting figure, not well understood.   And his work is seriously over rated.  I just don’t get why people think it is art at all.  This line is a good indication of where he goes: “He may have been a Christian—but so, too, were the Vandals and the Goths.”

 

Posted in SESSIUNCULA, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged ,
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Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 2nd Sunday – 2020

Posted on 19 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Your Sunday Sermon Notes – 2nd Sunday – 2020Was there a good point made in the sermon you heard at the Mass that fulfilled your Sunday Obligation? What was it?

There are a lot of people who don’t get many good points in the sermons they must endure.

I did not have a parish Mass today.

If I had, what might I have said?

Today the Lord changes water to wine, intervening at a wedding at the request of His Mother.  It is the Lord’s first public miracle.  It underscores the Lord’s identity at the Bridegroom, for it was the responsibility of the groom to provide wine.

It also foreshadows that He is going to die, given his reference to “His hour” in the context of a banquet in which there will be superabundant wine.

It also points to the role that Mary has in Christ’s ongoing ministry: the Mother of the King is a powerful intercessor.

The Church has associated three moments as revelations of Christ’s divinity, the changing of water to wine goes with the voice from heaven at His baptism and also the adoration of the Magi.  These are all clumped around Epiphany.

Ancient Jewish brides used to wear crowns that looked like the city walls of Jerusalem and the groom dressed in garments like a priest’s vestments. I might have then circled back to the nuptial imagery, and spoken about the mystery of unveiling and perhaps also the role of the worshiper at Mass at one who participates, yes, in the Sacrifice, but also in the wedding of the Bridegroom, Christ, with the New Jerusalem:celebration.  This has implications for our participation at every Holy Mass.

A couple thoughts off the top of my head.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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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

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

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?

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

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

Remember #UniteTheClans ? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

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.

Remember #UniteTheClans ? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

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.

Remember #UniteTheClans ? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

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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URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS – #padresfight

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS - #padresfightI have sad news.

Fr.  Dana Christensen, a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, who comments here frequently, has been diagnosed to be in the initial stages of  amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”.   There is no cure for this degenerative disease that affects motor neurons which control voluntary muscles.

Fr. Christensen wrote to ask me about practicalities of saying Mass when it will eventually become hard to swallow, speak, and use his arms and hands.   My Jesus, mercy!

He wrote to me:

I am personally at peace with this, although I have my moments.  I am convinced that this is a mysterious gift from God through the hands of Our Lady of Fatima to bring me to salvation and entrust me with the mission to live my priesthood in a new way.  The way of the cross that Jesus is inviting me to walk will not be easy, but He and His holy Mother Mary will uphold me.  I continue to do my best to surrender myself to Jesus knowing that He will take care of everything.

I ask all of you to pray for a miraculous healing through the intercession of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen using the following prayer.

Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession (mention your request here – [the swift, complete and lasting healing of Fr. Christensen’s ALS]).  I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Dear readers, Fr. Christensen has asked that you pray for miraculous healing through the intercession of Fulton Sheen.

What inevitably happens next is that people, well-meaning of course, then post comments like: “I’ll pray for you especially to St. Ugthred and St. Wilibrod, my favorite saints.”  To which I respond, “Thanks!  But would you please pray to Fulton Sheen, like Fr. C asked?”  And then get back, “Okay! And St. Joan the Astonishing, too!”   Which brings the next volley: “Please just ask Fulton Sheen?”  Which results in, “Okay, and Jesus and Mary and all the Saints!”

At which point I pound my head against the desk.

For a miracle to be useful for a cause, there must be a way to substantiate that prayers for intercession were raised that THAT PARTICULAR Venerable or Blessed.   If the cause hears that virtually everyone is being evoked, it becomes less likely that the miracle will be helpful for the cause.

Get it?

Fulton Sheen.

Finally, have a look

HERE. 

He has a goal posted of 500.  Be sure to look at the back when you go there.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS - #padresfight

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS - #padresfight

UPDATE Jan 4:

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS - #padresfight

UPDATE Jan 5:

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS - #padresfight

UPDATE Jan 7:

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST for a young priest diagnosed with ALS - #padresfight

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, PRAYER REQUEST, Urgent Prayer Requests | Tagged , , ,
37 Comments

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

Card. Sarah has met with Benedict XVI as the haters stir "incessant, nauseating, dishonest controversy" #BOOKGATEThe 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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