The Church's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a catastrophe in fast motion which I believe 20/20 hindsight will show.
In effect, by denying the Sacraments to the laity, even in an emergency situation where a Catholic is dying, we are defaulting to the Protestant theology that the ordained priesthood isn't necessary when push comes to shove.
Thus the Protestant theology of simply praying for a person, close-up or far away, is sufficient. But also the fierce individualism of Protestants, that their personal relationship to Jesus, their decision to invite Him into their heart, does not need the Church whatsoever, except as a support to their personal faith. Thus evangelical Protestants will say, accept Jesus first and then go and find a Bible-believing church that will help you in your Christian walk.
We know that only 12% (in some places lower) to 30% of Catholics actually attend Mass regularly. And of that percentage, a relatively high percent have a flimsy, superficial understanding of Catholicism.
Thus when all Catholics are dispensed from the Sacraments, told to make an act of perfect contrition in lieu of an auricular Sacramental Confession and to receive our Lord in Holy Communion not in a psychical way, but a spiritual way, what will the Catholics of flimsy faith make of this going forward?
All the the post-Vatican II theology about the sacraments have collapsed like a house of cards. So too has Pope Francis' emphasis by use of metaphors of the Church being a "field hospital" where those who are marginalized by sin or poverty or sickness, or suffering or rejection are accompanied by the Church and her ministries.
This pope's emphasis on climate change and a conversion to ecology as well as dialogue with the world to include paganism seems irrelevant now considering the dire situation of a pandemic in which the Church has been made irrelevant not only by secular governments and celebrities, but by her leaders themselves.
What will the Church and her parochial experiences be like once we have enough distance from this pandemic, if that occurs?
13 comments:
"...we are defaulting to the Protestant theology that the ordained priesthood isn't necessary when push comes to shove."
There is no such Protestant theology.
There is also no "Protestant theology." There are a variety of theologies followed and espoused by a variety of Protestants.
"Thus when all Catholics are dispensed from the Sacraments...
Catholics have not been "dispensed from the Sacraments." Baptism is still celebrated, as are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The public celebration of these sacraments is temporarily suspended in some places do to a temporary pandemic.
"All the the post-Vatican II theology about the sacraments have collapsed like a house of cards."
I don't know what source you are getting this from, but it is malarkey. It is nothing - nothing - but the hyperbolic spleen venting.
"What will the Church and her parochial experiences be like once we have enough distance from this pandemic, if that occurs?"
We will return to the status we had pre-pandemic.
Ah, the Francis effect.
I have a grim prediction to make and it does not make me happy, at all, since I was born and raised when the Catholic Church was once a great, international Church.
It is very evident to me, that in the US, hardly any Catholic born after 1980 goes to Mass anymore, except perhaps for Christmas and Easter. This will translate into mass closings of parishes in the next 10-20 years. Instead of a priest shortage, our remaining priests will be like the Maytag repairman commercials, sitting around waiting for someone to call.
Yet, we have j-ck-ss bishops, like Bishop "Pete" of Idaho trying to suppress any sprouts of traditional Catholic practice taking hold, lest the left-wing liturgical agenda be exposed for the fraud that it is.
Anonymous K said:"We will return to the status we had pre-pandemic."
Doing unscientific things like holding hands and drinking from the common cup? Got it.
In reality, we are going to return to the failing status quo ante, shedding more members as loons like Bishop "Pete" try to crush young priests who are trying to revive the Catholic Faith.
Once again, I find myself agreeing with Fr. Kavanaugh, for the most part. Although, he is correct that there are many Protestant doctrinal differences, the common Protestant doctrine among the mainstream churches is Calvinism in some form or other. Don't get bogged down in the stupid argument about predestination, double predestination, etc. That is a complete waste of time. At the most basic level, Calvin is saying that all human history is Salvation History...human history is bracketed on both ends by God's creative and redemptive acts. No corner of creation, no corner of our lives, and no corner of human history is closed to His Presence; no shadow can avoid the Light of His love and mercy.
Bishops like 'Pete" are not stupid. Anyone who studies the stats can see that the only steadily growing sector of the Church and the only source of steady vocations is the Traditionalist "division" (I know--we're not supposed to be divisive).
Bishop Pete knows this. Every bishop who attended the last USCCB meeting at the luxurious Omni Shoreham Hotel in D.C. (on OUR dime) knows this.
THEY DON'T CARE.
Oh, maybe a few do--the few who are marginalized by the "in" crowd. But most of them still view Tradition as dead (and intend to keep it dead at all costs) and view Traditionalists as flaky nutcases who must be labeled and ostracized as "outsiders".
So, two things to consider: 1). They know what works. 2). They refuse to do it.
That should scare the hell out of us.
Is it really true that Catholics are being denied Viaticum and the anointing of the sick? If so, by whom? Is by civil government, health care administration, the bishops, or the Pope? I will agree that at least since the 1970’s Catholics have been on a mission to catch-up with the Protestants. That philosophy created the n o n e s. The n o n e s and the secularist might be the reason for the new traditionalists, traditionalists being those who actively and enthusiastically practice their faith, and embrace uniquely Catholic tradition. I am uncertain about the harm Eucharistic abstinence might cause. I recall Pope Benedict saying that sometimes it is a good practice because it renews a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Regarding the Popes comments on the environment and field hospitals and such, it brings about dialogue from both sides. It is opinion and thinking out loud, not formal dogma.
Father McDonald said...This pope's emphasis on climate change and a conversion to ecology as well as dialogue with the world to include paganism seems irrelevant now considering the dire situation of a pandemic in which the Church has been made irrelevant not only by secular governments and celebrities, but by her leaders themselves."
1. The Church is not irrelevant.
2. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that climate change was real. Same with Pope Saint John Paul II.
3. Pope Benedict XVI insisted that our treatment of the environment was of such importance that world peace depended upon said treatment.
If Pope Francis' promotion of the above-Papal teachings on our care for God's earth is irrelevant, then the same applies to Pope Benedict XVI, as well as Pope Saint John Paul II.
Should Popes Francis, Benedict XVI, and Saint John Paul II have remained silent in regard to man's trashing of earth?
======================================================================================
Pope Benedict XVI, January 1, 2010 A.D.
http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20091208_xliii-world-day-peace.html
IF YOU WANT TO CULTIVATE PEACE, PROTECT CREATION
4. "Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions?
"Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of “environmental refugees”, people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it – and often their possessions as well – in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement?
"Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?
"All these are issues with a profound impact on the exercise of human rights, such as the right to life, food, health and development."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Henry Miller said..."Anyone who studies the stats can see that the only steadily growing sector of the Church and the only source of steady vocations is the Traditionalist "division"..."
No.
The "Novus Ordo" Church throughout Africa and Asia is blessed with a great amount of vocations.
There are Western Church "Novus Ordo" dioceses blessed with vocations.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
The divine physician of souls and bodies will likely have fewer field hospitals to staff in the coming years = particularly here in the U.S. And then, with few patients and fewer visitors.
I've been surfing the RC weekly mass videos online since the quarantining started. I'm mostly appalled at what I see. Maybe appalled is too strong, greatly disappointed. Only a few times have I seen anything that was a delightful surprise liturgically. I mostly feel grateful that the uninviting almost child-like environment provided by many of the church structures is not my spiritual home week-to-week.
Conversely, the live streamed liturgies within our eparchy have generated viewership well in excess of our small attendance for a small Church of the aggregate Catholic communion. Whether or not it translates into people in the pews when the new normal begins remains to be seen but, what is clear to me is that people are hungry for tradition.....not the felt banner brigade.
"The Novus Ordo Church throughout Africa and Asia is blessed with a great amount of vocations."
Certainly, the number of vocations in some of these countries are better than the west. Which begs the question: WHY? Perhaps it is poverty and persecution. The Church thrives under those conditions when combined just the right way. Just about every denomination that claims to be Christian is doing great in Africa and Asia. Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are doing great in Africa and Asia. Heck, JIMMY SWAGGART is doing great in Africa and Asia.
Poland too has no shortage nor did it have a shortage under the Communist regimes.
But what of the decadent west? If the Novus Ordo is such a resounding success--why are we STILL waiting for the "New Springtime" in the west, where Summorum Pontificum is tolerated, not encouraged, Humanae Vitae (is and always was) ignored, where priests and nuns left in droves after that "wonderful" council (and especially after the imposition of the Novus Ordo) and where Catholic schools continue to close?
Marcel Lefebvre ALSO did quite well in Africa. But somehow his tried and true method resounds EVERYWHERE. "No shortage" of vocations is one thing. The FSSPX and FSSP have been enjoying an EXPLOSION of vocations that virtually every western Novus Ordo diocese would envy since their inceptions.
Yeah, maybe the Novus Ordo is great--if you're willing to throw the west under the bus.
Anonymous at 4:44,
You realize MT is the Baghdad Bob of this website so facts really don’t matter to him - he lives in his own reality
TJM:
Agreed, he is a troll not worth feeding. I just wanted to pose a couple of rhetorical thoughts for the other readers.
Father McDonald, the Church is not irrelevant as God is not irrelevant.
In turn, Father McDonald, even with the Church's doors closed seemingly, you, with tens upon thousands of God's holy priests, continue to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ via the Internet...via events held in the parking lots of parishes that are packed with cars filled with God's Faithful.
Via television, radio, internet and print, His Holiness Pope Francis, with our bishops, continue to preach the Good News to the Church and world.
Even in the midst of the virus, Holy Mother Church has remained relevant.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
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