Christ promised his Church a perpetual succession of divinely protected teachers and rulers. Our current situation has led some to reimagine what this promise really means.
Good morning, thank you for the thoughtfulness & clarity you consistently deliver in your posts. I am inclined accept these and other conclusions you've drawn in recent months concerning the office of the Papacy and the novus ordo (and the validity of its sacraments in particular). However these conclusions are not ends in themselves, but are necessarily premises for other far more important conclusions that explain the root of the crisis afflicting (and eclipsing) Holy Mother Church. It seems a few such conclusions follow: the novus ordo religion is not the Catholic Church, its clergy are neither Catholic nor do they possess valid Orders, and it/they have absolutely no jurisdiction (whether real, imagined, or putative - because objective reality is what matters). And it seems the remedy is far beyond human means, but requires direct Divine intervention. In which case it is impossible to envisage what would take place, in concrete terms, but thanks to the apparitions of Our Lady (in particular at Fatima) we know that the present crisis will end with the triumph of Her Immaculate Heart. If we are awaiting such a monumental, essential, and definitive event, why then should Catholics continue to focus time & attention on the goings-on in Rome? Certainly it is overrun by the enemy and will become the seat of anti-christ - it is lost for the moment - along with every historical See and Ordinary jurisdiction. It is claimed that we should do so "... for the sake of warning others..." but the proof set is well-established and obvious for anyone of goodwill. I long for contemporary resources that assist Catholics to adjust to this exile, accept the reality of it, foster bonds of charity with other Catholics (rather than simply approaching our Mass centers as refueling stations), and progressing in authentic holiness with joyful expectation of what has been promised. And to be clear I'm not advocating some banal "unite the clans" agenda; Catholics today desperately need to seek consolation in truth or risk falling away when confronted with the kind of martyrdom that demands more than minor inconveniences, bruised egos, and hurt feelings.
I have to agree; we are basically powerless to end this crisis in the Church; we can only hope to do all that we can to save our souls; to support our traditionalist clergy and Mass centers, and when the opportunity arrives, to help pull other poor souls out of the "Conciliar Church".
Thanks for this Richard. While the proof might be sufficient and obvious in itself, we're all human, and people apprehend the truth in different ways and at different speeds.
This article is very thorough and deals comprehensively with the argument advanced by those of the R&R camp, that 1. There always has to be somebody sitting on the chair of Peter, even if they are public heretics. 2. That the promises of our Lord to St. Peter are somehow fulfilled by such a "Pope". Excellent job per usual.
Well explained and all in accord with right reason, something which is sorely lacking in the R&R camp. As things unfold before their eyes it must be getting more and more difficult for them to argue against what you say here and in the other posts you have made. The bottom line has to be those very promises made by Christ (Who is Truth Itseif) to His Church. I would sooner believe that a thousand papal usurpers in succession should grab the chair of Peter than believe that those promises of Christ could fail. There really isn't any other alternative. Either these vat2 claiments are true popes and Christ has abandoned His bride or, these clowns are frauds and have abandoned the Church.
Good morning, thank you for the thoughtfulness & clarity you consistently deliver in your posts. I am inclined accept these and other conclusions you've drawn in recent months concerning the office of the Papacy and the novus ordo (and the validity of its sacraments in particular). However these conclusions are not ends in themselves, but are necessarily premises for other far more important conclusions that explain the root of the crisis afflicting (and eclipsing) Holy Mother Church. It seems a few such conclusions follow: the novus ordo religion is not the Catholic Church, its clergy are neither Catholic nor do they possess valid Orders, and it/they have absolutely no jurisdiction (whether real, imagined, or putative - because objective reality is what matters). And it seems the remedy is far beyond human means, but requires direct Divine intervention. In which case it is impossible to envisage what would take place, in concrete terms, but thanks to the apparitions of Our Lady (in particular at Fatima) we know that the present crisis will end with the triumph of Her Immaculate Heart. If we are awaiting such a monumental, essential, and definitive event, why then should Catholics continue to focus time & attention on the goings-on in Rome? Certainly it is overrun by the enemy and will become the seat of anti-christ - it is lost for the moment - along with every historical See and Ordinary jurisdiction. It is claimed that we should do so "... for the sake of warning others..." but the proof set is well-established and obvious for anyone of goodwill. I long for contemporary resources that assist Catholics to adjust to this exile, accept the reality of it, foster bonds of charity with other Catholics (rather than simply approaching our Mass centers as refueling stations), and progressing in authentic holiness with joyful expectation of what has been promised. And to be clear I'm not advocating some banal "unite the clans" agenda; Catholics today desperately need to seek consolation in truth or risk falling away when confronted with the kind of martyrdom that demands more than minor inconveniences, bruised egos, and hurt feelings.
I have to agree; we are basically powerless to end this crisis in the Church; we can only hope to do all that we can to save our souls; to support our traditionalist clergy and Mass centers, and when the opportunity arrives, to help pull other poor souls out of the "Conciliar Church".
That's right. When people demand a solution... it's simply not our place to provide one.
Thanks for this Richard. While the proof might be sufficient and obvious in itself, we're all human, and people apprehend the truth in different ways and at different speeds.
This article is very thorough and deals comprehensively with the argument advanced by those of the R&R camp, that 1. There always has to be somebody sitting on the chair of Peter, even if they are public heretics. 2. That the promises of our Lord to St. Peter are somehow fulfilled by such a "Pope". Excellent job per usual.
Many thanks Michael!
Well explained and all in accord with right reason, something which is sorely lacking in the R&R camp. As things unfold before their eyes it must be getting more and more difficult for them to argue against what you say here and in the other posts you have made. The bottom line has to be those very promises made by Christ (Who is Truth Itseif) to His Church. I would sooner believe that a thousand papal usurpers in succession should grab the chair of Peter than believe that those promises of Christ could fail. There really isn't any other alternative. Either these vat2 claiments are true popes and Christ has abandoned His bride or, these clowns are frauds and have abandoned the Church.
Thanks Martin. That's the right attitude. Those who don't have it, don't have faith.
Came for the headline stayed for the ride. Quite the education here. Well done.
Merci monsieur !
Another great article. I'd like to see a clown nose on the totem pole.