Are you Really Ready for the Prospect of Two Churches?
Is this post-Synod scenario completely out of the question?
A man and a woman, both divorced, wish to remarry. One of them is a Catholic. They go to see one priest at a Church and the parish priest says, "According to my conscience, informed by the Word of God, you cannot be remarried in the Catholic Church unless your previous marriage is annulled." The couple go to see another priest at another Church nearby and he says, "According to the Pope and the Synod on the Family, you can be remarried here."
Thinking the unthinkable
Now I know that the Synod is not about 'remarriage in the Church for the divorced'. Yet, the question raised by the Synod, thanks to Cardinal Walter Kasper, is whether the divorced and remarried can receive Holy Communion opens the Church up to a raft of hideous inconsistencies that result in schism. But let's think about that scenario.
If the divorced and remarried can receive Holy Communion, why should they not be permitted to remarry in a Catholic Church? This is about 'access to the Sacraments', right? So if they can receive the Eucharist, the Church could, having thrown off all respect for Canon Law, permit them to marry in a Catholic Church as well. Both are Sacraments of the Church so why give one and refuse the other? Because Jesus said X, Y, Z? Well, 'who is He to judge' in the new, humble, merciful Church? Jesus doesn't judge anything anymore, right? Not in 2015.
You might well argue, well if what Jesus said no longer applies then why should the Church encourage or even insist on marriage in the first place, but, of course, that's the real outcome, isn't it? The weakening of marriage and the disregarding of the sacredness of marriage as a Sacrament. What could the Church of 2020 or 2040 look like? It could look like something a bit like I have described above because, remember, to the 'great reformers' nothing is really sacred or fixed, nothing is holy or immovable. No doctrine, however important it was, is too important now not to be reconsidered. All laws and customs and doctrines are in the way of modern man's personal fulfillment. Even the words of Jesus just 'get in the way'.
Thinking the thinkable
Now we've considered the unthinkable with clear 'blue-sky thinking', let's consider the thinkable. A couple go to one priest and make their situation known to him. They cannot remarry in a Catholic Church but they have remarried civilly, having been unable to regularise their situation with the Church because of a previous marriage. According to the law of the Church they are living in adultery.
The woman, who is Catholic, while the man is not, would like to receive Holy Communion. Unsure, they approach one parish priest. He says, "According to the words of Jesus Christ, I cannot in conscience give you Holy Communion because of your remarriage contracted civilly. I urge you, in all charity, to consider your situation and strive to live as the Church requires in order to be in full communion with Jesus Christ and His Church."
The Synod under Pope Francis has been ambiguous in its application of doctrine and has essentially given to Dioceses in individual countries a devolved Magisterium that applies a pastoral solution to marital situations that are irregular or sinful. She and her new husband, according to civil law, approach a parish priest down the road at another nearby Catholic Church and ask him the same question. The parish priest replies that because of the merciful and pastoral approach adopted by the Synod and Pope Francis, "there is no question as to whether she can receive Holy Communion, because God is merciful. All are welcome."
Thus there are two Churches within the Bride of Christ. A real schism that has taken place, not just within the Episcopate with Bishop disagreeing with Bishop, but priest disagreeing with priest. Is this situation tenable or workable? What happens to the 'unmerciful priest' when the Bishop hears of the dispute? Whose side does he take? This is the most divisive and destructive thing to have happened in the history of the Catholic Church. Is the 'unmerciful priest' sacked? Can he be a priest in this new twin-Church?
Twin Churches
We have seen, with the liturgy, a bizarre and widening rift in Catholic worship, not just since the release of Summorum Pontificum, but also within the Novus Ordo itself. You can attend one Novus Ordo Mass wherein guitars, drums and other musical instruments play catchy folksy hymns while the priest ad-libs parts of the Mass, encourages hand-holding at the Our Father, preaches an easy going social Gospel and all kinds of strange innovations take place.
Down the road, you can go to another Novus Ordo Mass with reverent liturgy, perhaps the priest facing Ad Orientem, with Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion overlooked in favour of the priest alone distributing the Blessed Sacrament, perhaps the correct Gregorian Chant selected to be sung by a choir, Communion is received kneeling and on the tongue, the priest saying the black and doing the red according to the rubrics. These are, essentially two different Churches with the same, but vastly differently celebrated, Mass, with the same Body and Blood of Christ in the hands of the priest.
Essentially, we already have twin Churches in the liturgy. The risk embraced by the Synod on the Family is that of creating a twin Church in doctrine and how it is applied.
Not only priests, but lay-people will no longer know which Church is the true Church, the true Faith, the one in which Christ's words are upheld, or the one fostered, nurtured and born from the Synod on the Family under Pope Francis, which dispenses with all law and hands doctrinal application into the hands of Bishops, some of whom go along with it, and others of whom cannot. Read: total and utter anarchy and a Church that cannot teach the truth because it has been dispensed with and overlooked as unimportant.
Can Twin Churches Exist and still be part of One True Church?
A house divided cannot stand. I cannot see how these twin churches can co-exist without rancour and total division - we can forget about unity within the Church, because this would be an earthquake, a rending apart of the Body of Christ, a rupture of biblical proportions within the Bride of Christ, all because a Pope went AWOL on doctrine and couldn't bring himself to side with the Word of God. This would be a real wound within the Body of Christ on the ground, not just in Rome. This is all hypothetical, but we are not dealing with a theory, but reality. Cardinal Raymond Burke said this is hypothetical, but someone in Rome - preferably the Pope - needs to think this through and needs to see the obvious reasons why a top-down change, any change, even pastorally-speaking, in the Church's approach to the divorced and remarried with regard to the Sacraments, cannot happen without engendering a schism never before witnessed in the Church's history.
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"Terrorists!" |
Totalitarian liberalism
We have seen, under Pope Francis, that traditional bishops are sidelined or even cast aside, 'sacked' if you will. We have seen an entire Order destroyed by the whim of the Pope who simply doesn't like their traditional outlook and worship. What happens to 'traditional priests' who 'conservative' in their belief, actually believe in conserving and proclaiming what Jesus teaches, rather than teaching, not a half-truth, but a lie concerning marriage?
Sadly, I think they are priests forever, but not for long in the institution of the Catholic Church on Earth. They might not need to go into hiding, but they might want to start looking at rightmove.co.uk for a new place to live. 'Unmerciful priests' won't be in their Presbytery for long if they, like faithful Bishops, are discovered to be a vulnerable minority. That is why not just a few Bishops and Cardinals, but all Bishops and Cardinals must oppose, for the unity of the Church and the salvation of souls, any dilution or alteration to the Church's teachings, on paper and in reality, because the reality if it goes unopposed, will be a living nightmare. The Body of Christ would be torn asunder, torn into pieces.
Are you looking for the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? If this Synod goes any other way than remaining faithful to the words of Jesus Christ, you'll need to look incredibly hard to find it. It is so easy for Cardinal Marx to call the 'little ones' who hold to Jesus Christ's teaching "terrorists", isn't it? Of course, we all know that Governments can do what terrorists do ten, a hundred times over and say, 'We are justified, we are beyond reproach'. Why? Because they are the ones in power. What he isn't telling you is that the real Reign of Terror has only just begun. Not for the first time in history, the Marxists won't go unopposed. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Your banner is liberty, equality and fraternity. We will fight under the banner, 'the Word of God'. Victory, honour, power and glory and salvation belong to Him. I know liberals don't trust Scripture but why fight, Your Eminence, for the losing 'Team'? As Bob Dylan sang in his 'Masters of War', "All the money in the world, won't buy back your soul".
Comments
Does the scenario I wrote about support the Catholic definition of what the Church actually is?
There is truth.
There are lies.
We cannot endorse moral relativism.
There can never be a dichotomy between doxy and praxis.
In this hypothetical situation, which could well come to play, one would have to stand up for Jesus and the Truth, one's Divine Duty has priority to obedience to the Pope/Bishops.
Also, your scenario is unlikely to happen. After Humanae Vitae (that great upholder of Church doctrine) priests in U.S. were called together at parish level and told by senior pastor that "all had to be on same page" in the confessional, i.e. some priests couldn't say habitual use of artificial b.c. was a sin that prevented receiving communion while other priests said it was a matter of individual conscience. So that they would all be 'on the same page', all priests were told to say it was a matter of individual conscience -- this is the de facto state in AmChurch (sounds like in Argentina, Germany etc.) in most dioceses. After Bergoglio it will become state in all dioceses.
These are the kind of things going on in AmChurch parishes where public gay married & cohabitators (not to mention planned parenthood fundraisers) are being buried:
http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=david-christopher-peshek&pid=173810882&
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=173638763
Of course, burials and sacraments for the pro-aborts and divorced and remarried started w/the rich and famous:
Brennan (notice how RoeVWade 1973 abortion vote ain't mentioned)
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/30/us/with-gentle-humor-brennan-is-buried.html
What we can call traditional Catholicism and the new brand of Relativised Catholicism being pushed by the Kasper factions, are incompatible. There is no other way of putting it.
The present “silent “ schism will almost certainly slide into an open schism, a new reformation, unless the Magisterium is clearly re-confirmed.
Also there is a mentality developing on the part of the Relativists. The word ”fascism” comes perhaps too easily to mind. Nevertheless, a fascist mindset, in the sense of imposing their ideas in an authoritarian and intolerant way, is undoubtedly emerging on the part of the Kasper/Relativist factions, and Catholics in Continuity must stand up to this clearly, fearlessly and publicly.
The second session of the Family will largely decide whether this schism comes about.
A position that many parish priests already take, very sadly.
Robert - you are rather confused on a number of counts I'm afraid.
http://www.christorchaos.com/AsNewDogandPonyShowsComeToTownpart3.html
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5DVX88J
Have you rec'd your monkey survey yet?
http://throwthebumsoutin2010.blogspot.com/2015/02/did-you-receive-pope-francis-democratic.html
The "Orthodox" allow remarriage because they are heretics. They rejected Christ's teaching in order to conform to the world during the reign of the emperor Justinian.
They are proof that an ancient liturgy alone is not sufficient in and of itself to have the fullness of the catholic faith, and they are certainly no example for the Church of God to follow.
For whatever reason Pope Francis has veered off along a different path, which has seen, if you like, the cracks which the last two Popes had covered over, exposed to daylight. After the 2014 Synod we can see very clearly that there are great divisions in the Church and bishops in particular are having to take a stand. While it is a very difficult period I think it is one that was always going to have to be gone through as Truth and relativism confronted each other.
While I wish we had a better Pope (and this one certainly needs respectful correction of the sort that Cardinals Burke & Muller have provided) I think it is premature to talk of schism & separation. Unless he is totally stupid he will have taken note of the opposition Kasper's thesis has met. I thought it significant that the man who wants only to be bishop of Rome suddenly rediscovered the role and authority of the papacy when his views were challenged- he may yet start to be a proper Pope.
Yes people find themselves in very difficult circumstances and one can sympathise with them but at least do not deceive them as to the truth of their situation.
They have been allowed, by Divine Providence, to flourish; they have received divine protection and favor in the face of persecution and hatred; they have been vilified and calumniated by those leading the flock away from the Divine Shepherd. I once regarded them as dangerous and crazy...I now regard them differently, and am taking a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th look.
They may in fact turn out to be Pella.
"...and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished..."
"...that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time."
Department of Christian Responsibility & Citizenship
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has just sent out an email requesting a response from the laity in preparation for the October Synod. I am reading it at the moment.
My initial take is that they quote a lot from Pope Francis and those quotes seem to be supportive of the status quo. However even if his words that they quote are orthodox it is his actions that seem to be undermining of that orthodoxy.
We must consider all this carefully and respond forcibly and convincingly. Into battle!!!
I think you should both lead it. I'm getting a bit arthriticky for pilgrimages other than to the pub.
But before you do, remember what happened to the leaders of the First Pilgrimage of Grace, hanging, beheading, drawing and quartering, even burnt at the stake.
Not that they would go that far nowadays probably, but you never know.
I mean a lot of things we would never have dreamt possible, have come about in the last fifty years?
This one quote from this interview shows the unprecedented evil of the current situation:
"During the Synod there had been moments of obvious manipulation on the part of some clerics who held key positions in the editorial and governing structure of the Synod. The interim report (Relatio post disceptationem) was clearly a prefabricated text with no reference to the actual statements of the Synod fathers. In the sections on homosexuality, sexuality and “divorced and remarried” with their admittance to the sacraments the text represents a radical neo-pagan ideology. This is the first time in Church history that such a heterodox text was actually published as a document of an official meeting of Catholic bishops under the guidance of a pope, even though the text only had a preliminary character."
That is to say, two "churches" already exist. The Synod is to a very real degree - at least if it concludes as most expect it to at this point, with some pastoral language bandage over a gaping doctrinal wound - simply a formal codification of that fact.
And should this formal recognition come to pass, I fear very greatly what will happen to the remaining orthodox priests, bishops, religious orders, etc. The experience of the past 50 years - especially the early years of that period and now in its re-enactment decades later - is not good. It says they will be marginalized and quite possibly crushed, as we have seen with the FI's.
Does the orthodox Church then go underground? What if they are told they are being disobedient to authority? How many will stand, then? Would such a claim of disobedience be reasonable under the circumstances?
What I fear - and I pray Christ's promise to His Church makes this fear impossible - is that we will be forced to choose between being in "full communion" and holding the Faith as it has always been believed and practiced. Is that going too far?
I don't see how it is, that is simply the logical conclusion of the very real schism that has already infected and inflicted the Church.
In the interim, I had better pray a lot more than I have been. And I've been praying quite a bit.
Dissenters have for long been teaching and preaching heresy and many so-called catholics have been living according with those doctrines.
They have been "resisting" the Popes at least since 1968.
The difference is these "dissenters" stayed formally inside the Church and have been strong enough to instill fear (and/or sympathy) in the weak hearts of our pastors while the bones of the "new resisters" will be crushed with the blessing and assistance of our Holy Father.
Only 67? Just a youngster!
Mark you martyrdom does sound a good idea. I expect to have to do quite some time and have always had a certain reservation towards Indulgences. Some intuition I've inherited from the Protestant side of the family I suspect.
My favourite is Blessed Margaret Pole, an ancestor of a friend of mine. She strode around the platform lecturing the crowd on their iniquity in giving up the One True Faith, the Executioner pleading with her to behave herself and kneel down so he could do his job. He eventually just swiped her head off while she was in full cry.
Will think about martyrdom over my whisky tonight!
However, the authentic One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church continues unadulterated, simply in 'domestic and individual' proportions as Cardinal Pie predicted, and which Bishop Schnieder is now also alluding to:
"We must create groups of true Catholics, scholars, families, and clergy who will spread courageously the full Catholic truth, especially on the Church’s teachings on the family, on nature, and the commandments of God.
"We should also create a movement of Catholic families, of “domestic churches”, to witness, defend and spread the integral faith and the teaching on family, marriage, and the order of nature.
"We must, at this dangerous time, be courageous in illuminating the truly Gnostic and revolutionary character of the “Kasper agenda,” demonstrating the continuity of the Divine doctrine on marriage and its practice throughout the two thousand years of the history of our Church…"
The Martyrs of Nicomedia: Emperor Diocletian (some sources say he was the 666 beast due to the Greek abbreviation of his title on coins adding up) set up an altar with incense to be burned to a false god whilst having surrounded Christian worshipper at their church on Christmas Day with fire. The Martyrs of Nicomedia chose the flames rather than to obey Caesar, no matter what authority he claimed, they knew their faith. They held to It.
Here's a comparison of True Faith and "Diocletian's" portion:
http://mostholytrinityseminary.org/Triple%20Column%20Ecclesiology.pdf
We have, unadulterated, the Works and Teachings of the True Popes on earth and their intercession in Heaven (however much the false-popes and their false doctrines, disciplines and worship are trying very hard to blot out all memory of Truth). The chair is empty, the Novus Ordo Religion is a Pharisaic and parasitic usurper.