With all the bishops and cardinals at the Vatican for the summit on the youth and a real concern from some quarters of these bishops that Pope Francis wants to make liquid (water down) the Catholic Faith to keep the young engaged, especially those with same sex attraction disorders, two strikingly ultra orthodox things have come from Pope Francis' Vatican in two days.
Whatever you want to say about "Vigano" as Cardinal Ouelett calls him (I wonder if Vigano will be defrocked) he does articulate some of the righteous anger and rage that many in the Vatican feel toward Pope Francis who has so polarized the Church in the last 5 years with His Holiness' "spirit of the Vatican, part II, the 1970's revisited". So maybe the Holy Father is fearful of a hitman himself?
The first was what I reported yesterday which certainly had to be approved by Pope Francis:
Rome has effectively fired, that is refused the nihil obstat for another term, the Rector of the German Jesuit theological college of Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt.
Fr Ansgar Wucherpfennig SJ (together with the Dean of Frankfurt, Father Johannes Count von und zu Eltz) had publicly defended homosexual relationships as something "to be valued" and even performed blessings of such couples. The Congregation for Catholic Education in conjunction with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has now withheld the nihil obstat for his new term as Rector, to which he had been elected by academic committee.
The second was the Holy Father's very judgemental words about those who secure abortions. This is what His Holiness said:
29 comments:
Jack here...
The Holy Father, IMHO, considers all his divergent viewpoints consistent with a pro-life stance from his progressive perspective. He does not seem to ever think through or care about the confusion he causes. He is “at peace” with himself and confident of his power base. To think that we can change him or the power broker bishops he has appointed is, to put it colloquially and bluntly, like “peeing in the wind”. His “accompaniment” agenda overrides all and he is very proud of himself for it.
I am reminded of and agree with Hilaire Belloc: "The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine — but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight."
Pray, pray, pray...
Jack,
Does PF's approach include "accompaniment" to Hell?
"His “accompaniment” agenda overrides all and he is very proud of himself for it."
It is an agenda as it was the agenda of Jesus and of his Father.
Jesus accompanied the Woman Caught in Adultery, the Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus, Zacchaeus, and others.
God accompanied Israel in the exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. God accompanied his people in their wars and their celebrations of peace. God "pitched His tent" with Israel and promised never to abandon her.
"Accompaniment" is not some notion foreign to Catholic theology. It has been a part of our understanding of our relationship with God since he said, "I will be your God and you will be My people."
For too many it is easy to abandon accompaniment and adopt the posture of the Pharisee, pointing at those who are "sinners" and demanding, from a safe distance, that they abandon their ways . . .
I think it is ridiculous to accuse Catholic priests and laity of not accompanying sinners. Since Vatican II, the lines at confessions have been down compared to what it was prior (the same with Mass attendance). One of the primary ways we accompany sinners and saints is through the Mass, the other Sacraments and in particular Confession. How can we accompany sinners who don't come to Church, won't go to Confession and not only declare themselves "nones" but now "dones"?
Pope Francis, IMMHO, enables sin and thus why would anyone want to go to church and celebrate their forgiveness, let alone go to confession.
Does accompaniment include allowing individuals in a public state of sin and/or scandal to receive Holy Communion, Fr. Kavanaugh?
One of the first things some... well, progressive/liberal Catholics are wont to say is something like, "Jesus ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners - all should be able to receive Holy Communion. He was accompanying them at the time. Why can't we follow His model today?"
God bless you.
Well, I have never heard the pope speak in "liberal terms" on abortion, so the latest from him is welcome. Most abortions of course are a result of the "hooking up" culture (in other words, only a small percentage of married women have abortions), and as I have said, you never hear the pro-choice side condemn that reality---why, it would interfere with their provisions of birth control and abortion.
The best pro-life forces can hope for is a "checkerboard"---the issue sent back to the states, where some might totally allow it, some might take a mixed approach and some might ban or nearly ban it. A constitutional amendment to ban abortion would never get through Congress (LOL getting two-thirds of both chambers to agree on that when nearly every Democratic politician up there is pro-abortion), and even if it could, LOL getting 38 states to agree. Thus, the state by state approach...
Bee here:
Bait and switch...
God bless,
Bee
This isn't looking good for Santita:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/source-vatican-cardinal-was-at-drug-fueled-homosexual-party-and-pope-knows?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.co
Is PF accompanying this Cardinal?
the writer of this:
Jesus accompanied the Woman Caught in Adultery, the Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus, Zacchaeus, and others.
left out an important fact. Our Lord told the woman to go, and sin no more. Is PF saying that or has he just caved into the zeitgeist of today?
Bee here:
Accompaniment?????
What?????
What I believe is happening here is that the clergy who are promoting these kind of ideas in the Church are substituting psychology for doctrine.
I think psychology in the 20th century promised insight into the human condition that would make it easier to see the "problem" and "heal" it. The "progressives" of the Church jumped on this promise, and have adopted the philosophy and ideology of psychology rather than that of systematic theology. Psychological terminology is based not on natural law, but on a humanist philosophy, and practices a pretense of scientific objectivity, attempting to simply define and describe someone's "condition" without moral judgement, and often "supports" them in that condition. I think the conversion of these clerics from Christianity to psychology is downright diabolical. They don't even notice how they've been conned.
Instead of looking at mankind through Revelation; Scriptures and Tradition, and drawing conclusions as to the meaning of human life and requirements for salvation, these progressive clerics look at the Scriptures and Tradition through the lens of psychology, and twist and turn them to come up with, rather than a call to conversion, "accompaniment."
Pretty clever. Very deadly.
No. Thank. You.
God bless.
Bee
Does accompaniment include allowing individuals in a public state of sin and/or scandal to receive Holy Communion, Fr. Kavanaugh?
Kev, You are asking about the application of Canon 915, right? The USCCB notes, "Given the wide range of circumstances involved in arriving at a prudential judgment on a matter of this seriousness, we recognize that such decisions rest with the individual bishop in accord with the established canonical and pastoral principles. Bishops can legitimately make different judgments on the most prudent course of pastoral action."
Something to keep in mind: "1983 CIC 18. Laws which establish a penalty, restrict the free exercise of rights, or contain an exception from the law are subject to strict interpretation."
"One of the first things some... well, progressive/liberal Catholics are wont to say is something like, "Jesus ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners - all should be able to receive Holy Communion. He was accompanying them at the time. Why can't we follow His model today?"
Sure, there are some Catholics, priests included, who think that "all should be able to receive communion" regardless of their particular circumstances. I am not one of them.
Pope Francis has frequently called us to repent of our sins.
"Vatican City, Sep 12, 2018 / 04:12 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Attachment to sin and vice is a form of interior slavery which inhibit the ability to love, but true freedom is always found in God’s mercy, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday." 12 September 2018
"Reflecting on today’s first reading, which describes Lot hesitating before fleeing Sodom, he [Pope Francis] said: “It’s so hard to cut ties with a sinful situation. It is hard! Even in a temptation it’s hard! But the voice of God tells us this word: ‘Escape! You cannot fight there, because the fire, the sulphur will kill you. Escape!" 2 July 2013
"Catholics have no reason to fear death, because Christ the Lord has power over death; instead, they should fear sin, which hardens and kills the soul, Pope Francis said Sunday." 1 July 2018
"Today Pope Francis said the “true enemy” that prevents us from being interiorly free is “sin.” But, he stressed, we can be “freed from the chains of evil” through the Sacrament of Reconciliation." 29 July 2017
Yes Bee, this is the damnable 1970’s pop psychology masquerading as theology and it the I am okay, you are okay mentality.
"Accompaniment" is hardly a modern notion, nor is it a concept derived from 20th century psychology.
For a better understanding of accompaniment (and Pope Francis) try "How God Accompanied Ignatius: A Paradign for Us in 'Helping Souls'" by Simon Decloux, SJ
The section headings are:
"The Starting Point for Accompaniment: The Human Reality of Each One"
"Receptivity Toward God and His Conditions"
"The Importance of Prayer, of Prolonged Prayer Being Written Into a Formal Programme"
"The Dynamic Desire of the Role of Discernment"
"Penance and Attachment to Jesus"
"Scruples and Absolute Trust in God"
"Determination to 'Help Souls'"
"The Role of Ecclesiastical Mediations"
"True Openness to God Verified in the Concrete Reality of Life"
It's all pretty standard, traditional stuff...
http://www.sjweb.info/documents/cis/pdfenglish/200510802en.pdf
Bee here:
Well, Fr. Kavanaugh, I think an article in Crises magazine, "What 'Accompaniment' Really Means" by Rev. James V. Schall, S.J. offers a valuable critique to "accompaniment" as you are using it. In part he says,
"We see the word “accompany” used mostly when things that were once clearly thought of as sins or serious faults are now judged to be “rights” by the public even though the Church and reason do not. The question many ask now comes down to whether the Church will, through the subtle use of the notion of accompaniment, in practice or in theory, allow the line between good and evil to be crossed in the name of mercy and compassion. In other words, is the subjective conscience now always right? There is no place where any objective order can in practice be affirmed as binding."
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2018/meaning-of-accompaniment
Again, no. thank. you.
God bless.
Bee
Bee, where do you get the idea that, as Pope Francis uses the term accompaniment, it does not include conversion from sin?
Dear Fr. Kavanaugh,
Thank you for that detailed reply. :^) Kind of you.
I was thinking more along the lines of when a person who presents themselves for Holy Communion and they are dressed in... say, an all rainbow outfit. Then you recognize this person as an out and proud same-se* advocate. (they've been in the papers, on t.v., etc.)
Obviously this person should not be receiving. What do you do in that situation? Does the theology of "accompaniment" trump the warning St. Paul gives in 1 Cor. 11:27-29?
Thank you much Father and God bless you.
Bee,
Quite right. "Accompaniment" is just a term to obfuscate the truth and avoid dealing with the substance, e.g. sin.
Kind of like the new buzzwords in the secular world: white privilege, toxic masculinity, etc.
When I hear terms like these, I just tune the speaker out because I know I am dealing with an empty suit (or empty skirt, as the case may be).
I am starting to think the Catholic Church has a death wish, particularly when heretics like Cupich are in positions of power
It is easy to understand how a person who has, one would suspect, enjoyed white privilege throughout his life and has exhibited here many examples of toxic masculinity would close his ears to the very challenges presented to his existence by the terms.
Does the theology of "accompaniment" trump the warning St. Paul gives in 1 Cor. 11:27-29?
If, by "theology of accompaniment" you meant what Pope Francis and the Jesuit tradition mean, no. Accompaniment includes the notion of turning away from sin.
I don't think St Paul's reference to eating the bread and drinking the cup unworthily refers, in general, to anyone who is a sinner and, therefore, is unworthy of the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ. We all fall into that category, yet we receive communion
If a person has not grasped the meaning for him/her of Jesus' death for them, that is it a true sacrifice offered for the remission of sin, that it (redemption) is a universal gift not reserved to just a few well, that's another story. The Corinthians got a bit carried away with themselves. There was factionalism, some Gnosticism, there was overindulgence in drink and overemphasis on the ecstatic gifts of the Spirit to the detriment of works of charity. There is, it seems to me, the unworthiness Paul refers to.
Anonymous Kavanaugh at 10:43
B as in B
S as in S
Keep voting for the Abortion Party, that's your ticket to "Heaven."
The blood of Jesus, not anyone's vote, is his/her "ticket" to heaven. At least, that's what Catholics believe.
The BS comment is yet more toxic, vulgar masculinity.
Bee here:
Fr. Kavanaugh on October 10, 2018 at 7:39 PM said,
"Bee, where do you get the idea that, as Pope Francis uses the term accompaniment, it does not include conversion from sin?"
Well, from YOU Father!
Because on October 10, 2018 at 1:33 PM you said,
"For too many it is easy to abandon accompaniment and adopt the posture of the Pharisee, pointing at those who are "sinners" and demanding, from a safe distance, that they abandon their ways . . . "
I would guess by the term "abandon their ways...." you mean conversion. And you seem to have a negative view of those who would "demand" such a thing. (Or I guess the fault is to do so from a "safe distance(!!!)").
You are a trip, man.
God bless.
Bee
Anonymous Kavanaugh,
Beg to differ, Jesus would not think kindly of people who vote for empowering baby killers. At least that's what REAL Catholics believe.
We need more masculinity and far less limp-wristed surrender monkeys to the popular zeitgeist like you.
Accompaniment is best left to the pianoforte. Otherwise it becomes another word to fight over, and we've got enough of those already.
No, Bee, I did not say that accompaniment excludes the call to conversion. And actually I asked,"...where do you get the idea that, as Pope Francis uses the term accompaniment, it does not include conversion from sin?"
Two of the Biblical passages I cited - the Woman Caught in Adultery and the Zacchaeus story - are examples of accompaniment that includes the call to conversion.
The article I cited by Decloux which, I suspect, you did not read, includes the following: "It is clear that from the period of Loyola, recognizing that God is active in his life, Ignatius becomes aware without delay that his own life has not corresponded to the expectations of the lord." (page 13)
It also includes, "Every 'convert is invited to recall past errors so as to find the path to follow; one must correct former bad habits and overcome what brought them about.'" (page 14)
Accompaniment as I use it and as Pope Francis uses it most certainly includes the recognition of sin in one's life and the acceptance of the call and the grace to turn away from that sin.
Unfortunately the animus to bear toward Pope Francis and your inadequate understanding of the Jesuit notion of accompaniment lead you to false conclusions.
TJM - How's that petition to the IRS regarding the Jesuits coming along? Did you get their tax exempt status pulled yet?
Anonymous Kavanaugh,
Actually, I am working on that along with your parish since you are more a politico than a priest, imperiling your immortal soul and those of your flock for voting for the evil, corrupt, Abortion Party.
So, you've done nothing about the IRS and the Jesuits.
Artful Dodger you are not.
Speaking of “toxic masculinity” ( the simpletons on the left’s newest obsession) would our Lord’s driving the money changers from the temple qualify?
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