tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post2717933166111081054..comments2024-03-28T20:30:10.681-04:00Comments on southern orders: IS IT HEALTHY OR UNHEALTHY FOR CATHOLICS TO BE CRITICAL OF THE POPE OR A PAPACY?Fr. Allan J. McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16986575955114152639noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-16252566028605122332019-01-13T16:51:15.108-05:002019-01-13T16:51:15.108-05:00People of Faith need to be careful where they cont...People of Faith need to be careful where they contribute their money. I no longer will give a dime to the Archdiocese of Chicago, while Cupich is in power, and I make it very clear that HE is the reason. Sadly, money is probably the only language these lefties understand. TJMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-87660171237424524242019-01-13T06:11:09.816-05:002019-01-13T06:11:09.816-05:00The attacks on Benedict XVI and John Paul II by Pr...The attacks on Benedict XVI and John Paul II by Praytell and like elements were inspired by revolutionary sentiments among those wishing to deconstruct biblical teachings and 2000+ years of traditions. On the other hand, criticism aimed at Pope Francis is inspired by defenders of the Faith. From time to time, the critique in this cased too may be somewhat sharp but it it is hardly undeserved. I hope there is no false equivalency implied. We should aim to be charitable if possible. Unfortunately, the behaviors by members of some in the hierarchy today provoke condemnation that seems to be well justified even when it is aimed at the Holy Father.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-70898757596000887662019-01-12T17:30:53.755-05:002019-01-12T17:30:53.755-05:00Fr. Allan J. McDonald said... "I feel sad for...Fr. Allan J. McDonald said... <i>"I feel sad for the Church but have hope that God will pull us through as there have been worse times in the past, especially in the early Church."</i><br /><br />Father, these times are far worse than any in the past, and it can be demonstrated with one word: abortion.<br /><br />Never in the history of the Church have so many baptized Catholics... and we're talking in the millions and millions... participated in, had, agreed with, advocated for, or performed, abortions in such outrageous numbers. Never.<br /><br />This is something totally new in the Church. <br /><br />Add to that the open rejection, by multitudes of self proclaimed Catholics, including many clergy and religious, of Christ's teaching regarding birth control, chastity, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, and these times easily qualify for the worst times ever for the Catholic Church.<br /><br />And never in the history of the Church did Catholics have such things as "puppet Masses," "polka Masses," "LGBT Masses," et cetera.<br /><br />The Arian crisis did not include such things, nor the Protestant reformation, nor any other time of upheaval. Our era stands apart for that.<br /><br />On a side note, AP headlines: McCarrick accuser cooperates with NYC prosecutors on abuse.<br /><br />https://apnews.com/14b8b1bec8f34ec89d240ece2cd1ca28DJRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18028761850444888285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-78500016204304847052019-01-12T15:03:40.298-05:002019-01-12T15:03:40.298-05:00OR an authentic restoration. I still believe that ...OR an authentic restoration. I still believe that having two popes of polar extremes living at this particular time to be some foretelling of future outcomes. Fr. Allan J. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986575955114152639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-38636955529825422692019-01-12T15:02:46.974-05:002019-01-12T15:02:46.974-05:00back to the question posed in the original post: H...back to the question posed in the original post: Harping and whining are bad for the soul because they can tempt one to loss of Faith and several other sins, some mortal. On the other hand we owe it to each other to make fraternal correction. I may be Pope Francis' brother in Christ, but am no where near his peer in the hierarchy. So folks like Bishop Schneider can do that, and should. He might not listen to them. This goes to the other question Henry addresses. as time has gone by alternatives to the Church that claim to be Christian have proliferated. So walking out and remaining Christian is at least possible in the minds of some. <br /><br />My greatest concern is that we move to think that the Church is, in some way, a democratic institution. This must NOT be allowed and would be a true victory for evil.<br /><br />(Left out the key word) (Face palm)rcghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00661998350597126663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-22449368257018823832019-01-12T15:01:42.431-05:002019-01-12T15:01:42.431-05:00I wonder if anyone has had the guts, apart from Ca...I wonder if anyone has had the guts, apart from Cardinal Burke, to confront the pope. Yes, a peer has to do it and the dubia cardinals did but to what avail. Archbishop Vigano did and to what avail?<br /><br />When Archbishop Vigano called Cardinal Wuerl a "shameless liar" I thought to myself that such hyperbole, such rhetoric from one bishop to another would simply place a fraternal spat in the public domain. <br /><br />What we have lost in our common Catholic culture is righteous anger with Vigano expressed although a bit too emotionally in his first launch. <br /><br />It is very sad that we're dealing with such a major scandal in the Church that has opened the eyes of Catholics to the putrid smell of actual corruption in the hierarchy and Catholic's misplaced trust in the bishops and priests who are called to be good shepherds. <br /><br />I think we could have dealt with this scandal, the reality of the facade, the hoax that has been foisted upon the Church by such corruption if we had the solid truths of the Catholic Faith with a solid liturgy to back it up.<br /><br />But Vatican II, its spirit, a recovery of the 1970's in the last six years and now a failed papacy have created the perfect storm that is either preparing us for the collaspe of the Catholic Church or the Second Coming. Fr. Allan J. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986575955114152639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-48621862873497179252019-01-12T14:47:48.127-05:002019-01-12T14:47:48.127-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.rcghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00661998350597126663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-34497054787432099242019-01-12T14:08:16.184-05:002019-01-12T14:08:16.184-05:00You need to read the article in its entirety. Reno...You need to read the article in its entirety. Reno is an outstanding example of a conservative American commentator - well-informed, restrained, yet hard-hitting, and gifted with a memorable turn of phrase. Many who have studied the Bergoglio pontificate have reached similar conclusions; few have expressed them with such cogency and eloquence.<br /><br />In short, a tour de force. John Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027156691859606002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-61698187055103805742019-01-12T13:52:01.559-05:002019-01-12T13:52:01.559-05:00"there have been worse times in the past, esp..."there have been worse times in the past, especially in the early Church."<br /><br />My reading of the early heresies does not suggest that they were as deep and pervasive as the present smog of heresy and unbelief--the "smoke of Satan"--that had descended on the Church from top to bottom and a seeming majority of parishes and dioceses, even before the disasters of the current "failed papacy".Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12780755069760197497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-33265891496543399682019-01-12T13:44:07.282-05:002019-01-12T13:44:07.282-05:00The significance of this article stems from the fa...The significance of this article stems from the fact that First Things is almost as far from traditionalism as Praytell. Though in a quite different direction, given First Things' status as the so-called neo-conservative (Novus Ordo) establishment journal of loyal opinion. Its referencing a "failed papacy" might be tantamount to the K of C doing so, except that this will never ever happen.Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12780755069760197497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-27169315779378644722019-01-12T11:58:37.786-05:002019-01-12T11:58:37.786-05:00FR. Fox, McCarrick and Wuerl are major turning poi...FR. Fox, McCarrick and Wuerl are major turning points. I feel sad for the Church but have hope that God will pull us through as there have been worse times in the past, especially in the early Church.Fr. Allan J. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986575955114152639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-54110486109868690382019-01-12T11:22:01.215-05:002019-01-12T11:22:01.215-05:00I would say it is unhealthy to abide in a state of...I would say it is unhealthy to abide in a state of cognitive dissonance caused by knowing what the Catholic Church has always taught and what is currently being promoted by Francis and friends.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01504517769804159508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-38500902831655897942019-01-12T11:01:00.676-05:002019-01-12T11:01:00.676-05:00I was offended when one very traditional blog atta...I was offended when one very traditional blog attacked Pope Francis, as you say, on the very night of his election. In my judgment, they had no basis. <br /><br />Over the term of his papacy, I have become concerned about many developments, but I believe it is fitting for a priest to be judicious in any criticism of his bishop and of the pope. It's not that a pope or bishop is above criticism; not so. But I want to set a good example, and not feed the wrong sort of approach. We must always have charity and filial devotion, even if we find fault. Charity means trying to interpret actions in the most favorable way, subject to reason. This has been my policy to this point.<br /><br />After all, I do not flatter myself to think that the world is waiting with bated breath to hear my pronouncements. So that raises another consideration. Is there <i>necessity</i> for me to offer criticism.<br /><br />In my mind, recent events have changed that calculus. All of us, all the world, has reason to be shocked and angry about the way many, many (too many) of our bishops have conducted the Church's business. What changed? In a word, McCarrick. This fiasco not only implicates an uncertain portion of bishops, but it implicates the Vatican (note, I did not specify Francis). So now, I think there is certainly a necessity for me to speak out. The faithful -- everyone -- needs to know that they aren't crazy in the things they see and conclude. They are right that something is very wrong; and my speaking out can serve to reassure them.<br /><br />Plus, to be very candid, at some point it occurred to me: what must people think of <i>me?</i> Do they think I operate this way? Maybe it is a little self-serving to speak out, then; but more than that, people want to believe in their priests. I am a sinner, but I want to be someone they can believe in. I think speaking up serves their interests, too, even when it helps my own credibility (if indeed it does).<br /><br />Father, you posted the other day about the rumored Protestant-Catholic intercommunion. I've thought about that. If that were to happen, the criticism and conflict that will be unleashed will be nothing like you have described. I am praying that the Holy Father won't give it a thought; but if he does, I hope sensible people around him will warn him of the terrible consequences.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.com