Interview Kath.net: SSPX German Superior Says Hermeneutic Must Go Farther [Part I]

Edit: This is truly one of the most respectful interviews we've ever seen. Doctor Schibach is almost sympathetic to Father Schmidberger, who gets to state his position and gets a good hearing. The interesting thing is Doctor Schwibach's mention of the unifying quality of the truth, and Father Schmidberger's citation of the measure of the truths of the Faith, "everywhere, always and by everyone". N.B. kath.net customarily drops the title of Father after the first mention.

Kath.net -- exclusive interview with the German District Superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X.  Father Franz Schmidberger FSSPX:  The previous teaching office must be the criterium for the expressions of Vatican II.  by Armin Schiwbach

Rome (kath.net/as) In a thorough interview the District Superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X. explains the essential points and contents of the efforts to reach full unity with the Holy See.
 
kath.net: With the arrival of a "Doctrinal Preamble" on the 14th of September 2011, the over one year long doctrinal discussion between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X (FSSPX) reached its formal conclusion. As the Secretary of the Papal Commission "Ecclesia Dei', Prelate Guido Pozzo, had established a point in time, the text of fthe Preamble had been considered, that the Superior of the FSSPX after an in depth analysis could come to aa principally positive and agreeable answer. There is the possibility of seeking further precision and clarity and integrating the text. It is however conclusive that the substance of the Preamble will undergo changes.

In his Sermon on the 2nd of February 2012 at "St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary" in Winona (Minnesota USA) Bishop Bernard Fellay explained, he had been somewhat constrained, to say no to the Preamble: "We will not sing it. We quite agree with the principles, but we also find that the conclusion is the opposite."

How can there be a principle agreement to contradictory conclusions and what are these?


Schmidberger: This occurs when everything in the world, with desire instead of understanding, that one sees that Vatican II is in full harmony with the previous teaching office. And for that one has found a magical expression: "Hermeneutic of Continuity". I will give and example of this:

In "Lumen Gentium" it says in § 1, that the Church is a Sacrament of the unity of mankind. But where in Holy Scripture, by which Church Father, in which Papal utterance and in which Council has there anything like this to be read? The Church is therefore disposed to build the mystical Body of Christ and to grant to souls the supernatural Faith and life of Grace, but not also to an inner-worldly human brotherhood.

Or you might take "Lumen Gentium" Nr. 16: Since when do we pray with Muslims to the one true God? These honor Allah, we, the All Holy Trinity -- that is not the same!

In Nr 8. of the same document it says, the Church of Christ subsistere -- is realized, is embodied in the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII taught expressly in full communion with the teaching office until Vatican II: The Church of Christ is the Catholic Church.

In "GAudium et Spes", the famous Pastoral Constitution, it says in Nr 12, that the goal and the focus of all things on earth is man. In my old Catechism, I read, that the goal and focus of all things on earth is God. Even this is not the same.

In the Decree on Ecumenism it says in § 3, that the Holy Ghost esteems other creeds, as instruments of sanctification. If that's right, then Protestants don't need to convert and no Orthodox need accept Papal Primacy.

In the explanation of Religious Freedom it says in § 2 that man is supposed to have such a right, which is rooted in his worth, therefore also represented in the natural law. This conception is expressly rejected going back to Pope Pius XII. You only need to look at "Quanta Cura" of December *, 1864, where Pius IX castigates such views.

The hermeneutic has to propagate continuity far better, in order to see things brought to their proper light.

kath.net: Catchword: Tradition -- Teaching Office. Pope Benedict XVI identified the living tradition together with the Holy Scriptures as the "highest guide to Faith" 9see. Post Synodal Apostolic Writing "Verbum Domini", 18, see. Dogmatic Constitution "Dei Verbum", 21)

How do we define the relationship between Tradition, the extraordinary Teaching Offfice and the ordinary Teacching Office with respect to the reality of the Second Vatican Council? What and how is "the Tradition" for you?


Schmidberger: The extraordinary Teaching Office is the solemn declaration of an article of Faith, it is through the Pope alone, it is through a General Council under the direction of the Pope.

The ordinary Teaching Office [Magisterium] is the daily prouncement of the faith which is dispersed [verstreuen: implication that there aren't many Bishops out there in union with Rome...] Bishops in unity with the Pope. The Second Vaticum falls in its entirety neither in the former, nor in the latter category, because it did not want to state doctrinal positions, nor to condemn errors; it attempted to bring the past deposit of Faith to modern people and to speak to the modern world in ordinary language. Thus, is every part of infallibility covered, which will be resumed in the infallible declarations, but not innovations at all, as they have been previously shown to be.

Still a word must be said about "living Magisterium": Surely the bearer is living, but public revelation is closed with the death of the last Apostle. Fundamental novelties may not come to pass; there is only a homogeneous development.

kath.net: In a discussion with kath.net the Italian historian and author, Roberto de Mattei explained the book, "The Second Vatican Council. A Story Untold Till Now". (Verlag Kirchliche Umschau 2011):

"The Tradition, which is the "living Magisterium" considered in its Universality and continuity, is itself infallible, while the so-called 'living' Magisterium -- understood as the actual promulgation of the Church's hierarchy -- this is only so under certain qualifications. The Tradition is placed, to wit always, under the divine assistance; for the Magisterium only employs this when it expresses itself extraordinarily or when it teaches in an ordinary form, the doctrinal continuity in a particular time -- or moral reality."

Is it possible for you, in the foundation of these present upheavals to take up a productive "struggle" for a new affirmation of the truth?



Schmidberger: This would in fact seem to be exactly the way in which one can become united; we have proposed nothing else as a foundation for the doctrinal discussions with the Holy see: The past teaching office must be the criterium for the concepts of Vatican II. The reversed approach, that would make Vatican II a criterium for earlier declarations, is putting the horse before the cart and leads to contradiction and confusion.

Perhaps one should go at this point to St. Vinent of Lerins with his "Commonitorium".   What he says is this: "What will a Catholic Christian do, (...) if some new contagion didn't just affect a small part, rather that it looked to infect at the same time the entire Church? Then  he would take care even so on this, to hold fast to the ancient Faith, which may never be misled by deceptive novelty." Thus he realizes his Catholic Faith, "quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus, creditum est". -- what was everywhere, what was always, what was believed by everyone.

To be Continued...kath.net...

Egypt: Salafists Riot and Attack Coptic Church

Edit: if someone in the government told you that they "couldn't guarantee your safety" as the Egyptian Parliament told a Coptic family near Alexandria, it sure would look like a threat.  Considering he heavy handed treatment of Copts in Egypt before and since the Arab Spring, it looks like this treatment will continue.

Riot in the village of Meet Bashar, northeast of Cairo is inflamed in a conflict over conversion. 

Cairo (kath.net/KAP)  2,000 Salafists have attached the Coptic Church of the Egyptian Village of Meet BAshar and burned down the rectory.  Also the residences and autos of Coptic Christians from the village, some 50 km northeasterly of Cairo were destroyed.  The peace was only brought back with a massive police presence;  otherwise the functionarites from the inspirational Party "Justice and Freedom" came to the village and persuaded the Salafists that it ould be better if they disappear from Meet Bashar.

The Salafist riots began on Sunday, 12 February.  The cause -- as so often in similar cases -- a conflict surrounding conversion.  In Meet Bashar it involved 14 year old Rania Khalil.  Her Coptic father was converted some days earlier to Mohamedism.  On the 12th of February, the girl disappeared.  Salfaisten have come to insist that the Christians had abducted the girl from the village, in order to prevent her conversion to Mohamedism.  Rania Khalil has been discovered in the mean time and is presently being questioned by the authorities.

Link to original kath.net...

Lutherans Fade into the Sunset of the West

They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat. -Saint King David

Edit: As Lutheranism becomes increasingly irrelevant, struggling to maintain its numbers while it reaches out to minority populations while it further derationates its "principles", it becomes indistinguishable from everything that goes on outside of it.

As Lutheran "leaders" usher in Buddhist gurus and Yoga prayer groups, all that remains behind are aging congregants and elderly spiritual vagrants from 68" Here's a story about how they're casting a vote that would have made Martin Luther regret he took the destructive steps he made so long ago.

[Star Tribune] Minneapolis-area Lutherans on Friday went on record against changing the state Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Their vote made them one of the largest faith groups yet to formally oppose the amendment that will go before voters Nov. 6, which would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Close to 700 Lutherans, representing congregations in the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, voted on a resolution opposing the amendment at the group's annual assembly at a Prior Lake church. When the vote was called, those in favor of the resolution flashed green cards with the word "yes." Those against it waved red cards that said "no." The greens overwhelmed the reds, and no formal tally was called for by synod leaders.

Link to Tribune...

Fr. Schmidberger Calls on Germany's Priests to Stop Liturgical Abuses and Quotes Vatican II

(Berlin) In the past years there have been celebrations of so-called "Faschings Liturgies" [Mardigras]  in various areas in the German speaking areas.

The Society of St. Pius X in Germany is appealing "with insistence" to "all priests" on Sunday before Ash Wednesday to forbid  "Faschings Liturgies".   The critics from the Society are concerned about "blatant abuses" , which have "slithered" into parishes.  "With the intention of offering church visitors diversions, many priests have begun to introduce Faschings elements into the Liturgy" and enter dressed as clowns at the altar.  "In many places there are Mardigras bands in the churches, where people link arms and sway back and forth, where Mardi Gras songs are sung and the sermon is a fool's speech," so says the German District of the Society.


The District Superior, Father Franz Schmidberger, stressed in his broadcast that he wasn't criticizing Carvinal, which bears a special expression of Catholicism.  The Carnival must in any case by separate from the Catholic Liturgy.  "Don't you have anything at home to eat and drink?",  cites the Society the Apostle Paul's 1st Letter to the Cornithians (11,22), in order to ask, if there are not community centers or party halls, in order to celebrate, to sway and give fool's speeches?


"The Mass is not some community celebration, rather it is the most mysterious, most holy presence of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, made present by the Flesh and Blood of the Son of God on the Altar.  It's not the place for informal greetings, confetti and false noses!"


The Superior of the Society of St. Pius X in Germany recalled then, that "Faschings Liturgies" are as much against the "liturgical order of Tradition", as they are also "against the prescriptions of the Second Vatican Council".  In the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium of the Second Vatican Council, it says further: "The Holy Liturgy is above all a prayer to God" (SC 33) and:  "The regulation of the Liturgy only in accordance with the authority of the Church; and  indeed the Holy see in accordance with the law and the Bishop."  (SC 22 § 1)

The SSPX calls upon the priests in Germany, "to finish the disgrace of Carvinal Liturgies" and asks "the Bishops to defend the sanctity of the Sacrifice of the Mass again." Text: Giuseppe Nardi Image: Church Circle Paderborn.de Link to katholisches....

Egypt: Leadership Change in Coptic-Catholic Church -- Patriarch Naguib is Seriously Ill

Patriarch Naguib with Pope Benedict

(Cairo)  The Synod of the Coptic-Catholic Church of Egypt elected a representative in the past few days with complete authority to decide for Coptic Catholics. The decision became necessary as a result of the serious illness suffered by the Superior of the Egyptian Church, Antonios Cardinal Naguib, the Patriarch of Alexandria.  The Catholic-Coptic Church in union with Rome belongs to the most important eastern Church and stands particularly in the lamplight owing to how it stood throughout the Islamicization in Egypt.  Patriarch Naguib was ever a decisive voice for the Christians on the Nile,  till recently just before the outbreak of the "Arab Revolution", which he then greeted, but because of the advances of radical and extremist Islamist groups began to observe with increasing skepticism.

The Coptic-Catholic Church Bishops decided, to appoint a vicar in the place of the Patriarch, who is to support him in his work. This is so that the Church leadership can be maintained, despite the illness of the Cardinal. As a representative, the Bishop Kyrillos Kamal William Samaan, Bishop of Assiut was appointed. The 65 year old Church leader belongs to the Franciscan Order.

Bishop Samaan is to undertake the leadership complete breadth of the Church leadership for the Coptic-Catholic Church in accordance with canon law, if not also the title. Canon 132 of Canon Law for the East hand over to the Vicar complete rights and duties, even if it doesn't confer the title of a Patriarch.

The serious illness of Patriarch Naguib represents for Egypt's Christians a serious blow. The Coptic Catholics are in comparison to the numerous and much larger Coptic Orthodox, only a tiny community, about 0.25 percent [About 163,630 according to Wiki] of the Egyptian population. On the international level they are in any case an important voice for all of Egypt's Coptic Egyptians. Through the universality of the Catholic Church, they can also provide for the almost 10 million Orthodox Coptic members.

The Copts of Egypt, who are the actual descendants of the antique Egyptians and had lived in Egypt centuries before when Christians had made it bloom, are experiencing in recent times yet again a strong anti-Christian persecution by today's dominant Islam.

In his first address Bishop Samaan called upon the Copts, to pray for a speedy recovery of Cardinal Naguib and continue on the path prepared by the Patriarch to seek "dialog for our beloved Egypt". "We are ready to dialog", said the new Vicar of the Patriarch in the direction of the other religious and political powers of Egypt.

Bishop Samaan was born in Shanaynah in the vicinity of Assiut. He studied in the beginning of the 80s at a Papal University in Rome. In 1990 he was consecrated Bishop, and took an active part in the Christian-Islamic dialog. Since November 011 he belonged to the Council of Eastern Churches.

Patriarch Naguib can not, because of his stricken health, take part in the Consistorium, that Pope Benedict XVI. had called for this weekend. The Egyptian Cardinal is valued as a highly esteemed member of the "Senate of the Church", whose voice has especial weight on matters of the Oriental Christians. The 77 year old Cardinal was elected as the Patriarch of Alexandria in a 2010 Synod of Coptic Bishops. In October 2010 he was the General Commentator on the Synod for the Near East. Shortly after, Pope Benedict XVI raised him to the rank of Cardinal on the 20th of November 2010, where he is at present the only representative in Rome of Oriental uniate Churches.

Link to katholisches...

The Patriarchate's Website in Arabic

Ultra-Liberal Cardinal Ricard Rejects SSPX: What Will Pope Say?

Edit: A very Liberal French Cardinal Ricard is making irresponsible statements for the French Press about the incompatibility of the SSPX with Rome. Of course, he refers to the Society with a haughtiness which puts his objectivity and judiciousness in doubt. In any event, it was understood that the CDF had already rejected the SSPX response and forwarded it on to the Holy Father anyway, some people just can't help themselves. The last weeks have also seen Vaticanistas and others in the European press attempting to poison the well with respect to this decisions. Whatever Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard says, it's not his decision, it's the Holy Father's to make.

After reading Cardinal Ricard's remarks complaining that the Society doesn't accept "evolution", I have to ask which Council it is that he was discussing while on the panel with his Episcopal colleagues, +Müller, +Koch, +Kasper and +Schönborn. Vatican II said far less on evolution than it did on "respect for other denominations and religions". It brings to mind a familiar question, "Just which Vatican Council do you wish us to adhere, my Lord?"

We picked up the following from the blog Chiesa e post concilia via Messa in Latino, and this is a google x-late with some brushing up:

Cardinal Ricard confirms the disagreement of Rome with the "integristes".

The French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, Friday, February 17, said: is there an "acknowledgment" of the disagreement between the Catholic Church and the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, because they insist on rejecting "big statements" of the council Vatican II. 

 "We are in a situation where there is an 'acknowledgment' of the disagreement, not only sull'interpetazione [ambiguous] passages of text on the council but the council itself and the Magisterium (....) Popes on a number of "large claims Council": This was the opinion expressed by the Bishop of Bordeaux, present in Rome for the Consistory in which they will have created 22 new Cardinals. In September, the Holy See had made ​​a gesture to the Priestly Fraternity, separated from Rome since 1988. The proposed acceptance as part of a "preamble" of "principles" ahead of his return into communion with the Catholic Church. But since then, the Fraternity founded by Mons. Marcel Lefebvre did not accept the offer, by providing many documents in the Vatican last January, while his superior, Mgr. Bernard Fellay, and other officials publicly expressed their strong dissatisfaction. [Actually, it was quite mild and docile, certainly not like many French Bishops who steadfastly refuse to obey the Holy Father in their own right.]

 Bishop Fellay, after February, had insisted that a reintegration might take effect only if their resolute rejection of the Council had been accepted by Rome. The Second Vatican Council has recognized religious freedom, respect for other Christian denominations and other religions, and evolution which is catastrophic in the eyes of Lefebvrians. This waste "is not acceptable," he insisitito Mgr. Ricard, who attended the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, in charge of examining the integralist dossier.  "THE POPE AND 'COME TO THE FULLEST" "The Pope has attempted at the most, has done much to get closer, to accept a number of preconditions . But now is the time when he can not refuse to accept, that not just the Council but which becomes apparent rejection of the teaching of successive popes from John XXIII to Benedict XVI, the Catechism of the Church and the Code of Canon Law . Because this code and this Catechism "is the implementation of the right teaching and catechesis of the Council," he said, "Rome will say to them, the door remains open, but this time it is you need to take a step forward and riprendiate contacts," said the French cardinal.

Egypt: Parliament Considers the Expulsion of the Copts

A Parliamentary committee desires to attempt the expulsion of eight Coptic Families from their home village Sharbat near Alexandria.

Frankfurt-Cairo (kath.net/KAP) The Egyptian Parliament has, according to reports by the human rights organization IGFM, a fact finding committee is prepared to expel Coptic Christians. AS the International Community for Human Rights explained on Thursday, the Parliamentary Committee has proposed the explusion of eight Coptic families from their home village Sharbat near Alexandria. The families have received the notice that they will be forced to leave their homes by the police and the village elders, since their safety can longer be guaranteed anymore.

For months encroachments against the Christian minority have increased in this Muslim land. According to IGMF, the proposed investigation has particular importance, because it anticipates also the future Parliament's conduct in its orientation regarding conflicts between religions.
Link to kath.net...

Leftist Plan to Disrupt Peaceful Pro-Life Demonstration in Münster

Edit: a similar demonstration featured what appeared to be thousands of leftist whistling and throwing various objects at the German pro-lifers in Berlin, and even taking their crosses and throwing them in the river. These "Antifa" demonstrators are a good argument in themselves for the justice of the Church's position on abortion.

Radical Leftists plan a massive disruption of the 1000-Cross Action in Münster on the 10th of March

"fundamentalist opponents of abortionist stumble on 1000 crosses" -- under this motto the left radicals are planning to disrupt the 1000-Cross March on the 10th of March.


The organizations are the "Emacipatory Antifas of Münster", "Against 1000 Crosses" and the "Münster Association". At 2:00 about a half an hour before the start, the chaotists will enter the Aegidiikirche square. After that, around 7pm there will be a "Queerfeminist Concert with concluding party against 1000 Crosses" at the Münster armory.

In their call to arms, the leftist radicals aren't mincing any words: "For years there has been a so-called 1000-Cross March in Münster. At the same time, dozens march through the streets with white wooden crosses in order to protest for an end to abortion.  Even this year they want to march in the same week as the Nazi march at 10:30 to 2:30 meeting on the Aegidikirche.


These radical leftists are attempting in their declarations against peaceful pro-lifers to portay them as capable of violence.



It goes like this:  "The attempt to force women, to put their bodies in the service of "saving life"
fetus, is an expression of a violent association, which promise to degrade women to baby machines and deny them their conscience, convictions and self-determination. No one came up with the idea to portray people who refuse to donate blood or organs as murderers, which in this case would be a decision over what they do with their body as a fundamental human right.... Every cross of the 1000-Cross march symbolizes the the ostensibly the "sorrow" of the fetus and stigmatizes the woman at the same time, who has broken off her pregnancy, as a "murderer". The shaming on the part of Christian fundamentalists go then so far as comparing women who decide to terminate their pregnancies with SS-Extermination Teams in concentration camps... In the argumentation the self-described "Life defenders" show themselves in their demand, to rigorously deny women their self-determination over their bodies and their continuing life and to place them in the service of a society infused with force."


Without actually meeting such people, it would be easy to take such expressions as a joke.Actually one recognizes here, that they  actually take this grotesque ideology seriously.  It is naturally less an ideology, than the verbalization of an inner moral state, which is made up of hate and contempt, even against self.


We must not allow ourselves to be afraid, and must, despite these threats resolutely go  to the streets and step forward for the right to life of the unborn.
 

Link to Kultur and Medien...
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Vatican Consistory: A Conservative German Jesuit is in Good Health and a Cardinal?

Edit: The government subsidized media personalities like Sylvia Poggioli can barely conceal their venom when they cover these events. There's a lot of talk about the leaks and the apparent power struggle going on beneath the surface.

They don't mention who seems to be winning, however. Take note as to the German Jesuit we told you about a few weeks ago who was supposedly too infirm to be present. As you can see, Father Karl Becker SJ was present, one of the most conservative figures in the Vatican today.


Among the Cardinals is Berlin's Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki and Cologne's Jesuit Karl Josef Becker.  Canonization of Anna Schäffer.

Vatican City (kath.net/KNA) Pope Benedict XVI has introduced 22 personalities of the Catholic Church into the Cardinal College this Saturday afternoon in St. Peter's Basilica with a Solemn Consistory. Among them is Berlin Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki (55) and Cologne's Jesuit Karl Josef Becker (83).

In conclusion of the Consistorium the announcement of the Cardinals created by Poppe Benedict, the Canonization of seven Saints on 21st of October 2012. Among the new Saints is the Mindelstette (Diocese of Regensburg) born Anna Schäffer (18. Februar 1882 - 5. Oktober 1925).

Among the new wearers of the purple there are 16 Europeans, four Americans and two Asians. Besides the ten leaders of the Vatican Curial Administration, the Pope created eight Bishops of the important Diocese of New York, Prague, Utrecht, Florence and Hong Kong as well.

One of the purposes of the Cardinals is their participation for a Papal election in Conclave. Only the purple bearers can participate who have still not reached their 80th birthday.

With this the fourth Consistorium in the current Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, the number of Cardinals has been increased to 213, among them 125 are potential electors of the Pope. Among these 67 come from Europe, of which 30 are Italians, as well as 22 from Latin and 15 from North America. Numbered among the >>Senate<< of the Church are eleven Africans, nine Asians and one Australian.

The Consitostium was preceeded on Friday by a Papal convened >>Day of Reflection and Prayer<< of the College of Cardinals. It was held under the theme of the New Evaneglization. Besides that there is the >>Year of Faith<<, which begins on the 11th of October, exactly 50 years after the opening of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

Cardinal Woelki

Link to kath.net...

When Heads of State Placed Cardinals' Birettas

Till 1969 some bearers of the purple receive their insignia from a worldly hand. by Ulrich Nersinger

Cardinal Roncalli Receives Socialist Biretta

Rome (kath.net/im) In France, Spain, Portugal and earlier also in other Catholic countries until half a century ago, the respective head of state had the privilege to place the Biretta the newly appointed cardinals of his country, and also the Nuncio - if this was confirmed by the Senate and The Church. This is how Monsignor Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, later Pope John XXIII, received the office of Apostolic Nuncio in France, along with the the Cardinal's insignia in the rooms of the Elysee Palace from the hands of the socialist President Vincent Auriol(photo). However, this is also where the recipient had the obligation, according to Canon 234 of the old Church law books which solemnly and binding declare, that he would in the course of that year, come to Rome for the red hat which he could only receive from the Pope himself.

As the new Cardinals were made known as of May 29th 1967, it was arranged by a decision of the Apostolic Nuncio in Portugal, for Msgr Maximilian von Fürstenberg. A relative of the Cardinal, Micheal von Fürstenberg, described in tiny script ("Report on the celebration on the event of the placing of the red biretta on Archbishop Maximilian Fürstenberg, Eggeringhausen 1967"), as the Prelate had the red Biretta placed on his head by the Portuguese Minister President Thomaz. Already some days before from this date, Maximilian von Fürstenberg received the red Pileolus (skullcap)from the Noble Guard Venceslao Valentini, who had been sent by the Papal Secretary of State to from Rome.

"The invited guests (Frock, Religious, Ladies) and the entire diplomatic Corps, whose dean is always the Papal Nuncio, gathered on the morning of the 3rd of July 1967 at the Royal Palace of Lisbon, the magnificent Palacio da Ajuda'. Meanwhile, the then Pro-Nuncio was picked up by the Chief of Protocal in the Nunciature and went, escorted by a squadron of the Republican Guard, to the Ajuda Palace. At 10:55, the train arrived at the courtyard of the Palace, where an honor guard of the Republican Guard was deployed, and a band playing the papal and Portuguese national anthems. During the meeting between the government and followers of the Pro-Nuncio, then entered the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Cerejeira, followed by several bishops of the chapel while he took his place opposite the position of the President. He was followed by the government led by Prime Minister Prof. Salazar. At 11 o'clock the Pro-Nuncio appeared, followed by the Papal Sub-legate, Monsignor Rotoli, the courier of the Vatican Secretariat of State, Venceslao dei Conti Valentini in the uniform of the Pontifical Noble Guard and the Secretary of the Pro-Nuncio, Father Antonio Becchetti SCI.

"The Pro-Nuncio took his place on a seat at the Epistle side, the red biretta and the Sub-legate put the papal brief in a credenza at the Gospel side and took a seat there. Then entered the President, followed by his civil and military suite. For him, there was a high seat on the Gospel side As he took his place, the Portuguese clergyman Manuel Coehlo Lopez celebrated a Holy Mass... following Holy Mass Monsignor Rotoli gave a short Portuguese address... At that point he placed the Papal Brief naming the Cardinal, that was passed on to Father Antonio Becchetti, who read it with a loud voice.

"Atter the reading of the Brief, the Pro-Nuncio, who attends to the Zucchetto (another name for Pileolus, the skullcap) are dressed in Bishops' purple, goes to the front seat of the president, kneeling there. With a great gesture, the President places the red Biretta on him. Cardinal Maximilian von Fürstenberg rose, exchanged a few words with the president and returned to his seat. After a "Te Deum Laudamus" (alternative with Gregorian chant and polyphonic choral singing), he gave his first blessing from the altar as a Cardinal of Holy Church.

"The Liturgical celebration sounded out with a many voices singing the "Jubilate Deo omnis terra". While now decked in Cardinal's robes, the guests in the hall Joa V were met by a little Sala de Musica to the President, Minister Salazar, President of the National Assembly and the ministers and their ladies presient. After the performance had reached the most magnificent and probably largest hall in the palace, the throne room, there was Maximilian von Furstenberg, now all in red, addressed to the President."

On the occasion of the Consistory of 28 April 1969, the Governments of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain delivered by then, accredited nuncios a communique in which the Holy See announced that the privilege, which the respective heads of state conceded the right, in their country, to be styled in purple and set up with the red biretta, will no longer exist. The decision was made since the 19th century where efforts were pursued to eliminate the influence of secular authority (Crown Cardinals, veto power in the conclave, etc.) but was probably also influenced by current political considerations. In 1965, the Bishop of Malaga, Angelo Herrera y Oria, received the red Biretta from General Franco, the Spanish head of state, which had led to violent protests.

For more information on the theme "Cardinal" and much more:

Ulrich Nersinger, Liturgien und Zeremonien am Päpstlichen Hof (Band II), nova&vetera, Bonn 2011, ISBN 978-3-936741-75-9

Link to original...

Romanian Patriarchate Meets with Nuncio

A Group Of Ambassadors At The Romanian Patriarchate

The Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate, inform us:

On 13 February 2012, a working session took place at the Patriarchal Palace, between the Preparatory Commission of the Romanian Orthodox Church for dialogue with the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic, made up of His Eminence Laurentiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania, His Eminence Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and Maramures, His Grace Ciprian Campineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, and a group of ambassadors accredited in Bucharest made up of Their Excellencies Mark Gitenstein, Ambassador of the United States, Mario Cospito, Ambassador of Italy, Estanislao de Grandes Pascual, Ambassador of Sapin, Michael Schwarzinger, Ambassador of Austria,Philipp Brauline, Ambassador of Canada and Jose Antonio Arrospide del Busto, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru. Monseigneur Baudouin Muankembe, representative of the Apostolic Nuncio in Romania was also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, after the discussions on various aspects of the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic, the participants reached the conclusion that the resumption of the dialogue as soon as possible remains the best way of solving the disagreements between the two Romanian Churches.

To end with, the participants presented the conclusions of the meeting to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who underlined the fact that the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has had the initiative to resume the dialogue with the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic, ever since July 2010. At the same time, the Patriarch of Romania reiterated the proposal that the agenda of the Joint Commission for Dialogue should include topical themes of the pastoral-social activity of the two Churches (phenomenon of immigration, activity with the youth, looking after the sick etc.).

Link to original...

Diminishing Liturgical Latin Invariably Leads to Schism and Separation from Mother Church

Linguistic Nationalism Was the Beginning of the End

The Old Liberal Council Fathers laughed at his sensible voice: "Quickly one leaves the safe >>old way<< -- but the new ideas may tear open before us an abyss."

(kreuz.net) The sensible Bishop Giovanni Battista Peruzzo (1963+) of Agrigento in Sicily gave a remarkable speech at the Second Vatican Council.

Actually, the Old Liberal faction sent him off with laughter.

Historian Roberto Mattei (63) wrote this in his book "The Second Vatican Council. A story untold till now".

The prize winning work appeared in December in German in the 'Edition Kirchlich Umschau'.

The anti-Liturgical Movement



Msgr Pruzzo argues historically in his assertions. He recalled the anti-Liturgical movement, which arose at the end of the 15th Century and the beginning of the 16th century.

It appeared in the circles of a heathen humanism.

The first Italian anti-Liturgists were "true and actual heathens" -- maintains the Bishop

The leadership of the movement was undertaken by humanist Erasmus von Rotterdam (+ 1536).

All anti-Liturgists showed themselves in their erratic faith: "They followed each other as brothers in competition, who would later separate themselves from the Catholic Church" -- explained the Bishop.

Finally, we arrived at the Modernists.

They had no Saints on their side.

Bishop Peruzzo insists that there is not a single sainted Bishop who promoted this movement. On the contrary, they would have bound everything to Latin tradition.

He named St. Charles Borromeo (+1584), St. Antonio Maria Claret (+1870), St. Francis de Sales (+1622) or St. Alfonsus de Ligroui (+1787).

Bishop Preuzzo stressed caution:

"One quickly leaves the >>old way<<, which is secure; but the new ideas, what abysses they loom and make ready for us."

A Prophetic Judgement

Msgr. Peruzzo cited the anti-Liturgical theories of the fallen priest Erasmus of Rotterdam.

This one found it "inopportune and comical, when the simple people and women murmured and repeated their Sunday prayers and Psalms like parrots, while they didn't understand their meaning."

The Parisian University condemned Ersasmus' theses as "Godless, erroneous and encouraging of new errors".

Bishop Peruzzo indicated these incisive condemnations as "excessive". Yet still: "They were prophetic."

Everyone, who promotes a reduction of Latin in the Liturgy, always brings the same argument -- he stated.

It is supposed that the people will "be better instructed, inspired to a greater love of God and be more faithful."

The abandonment of latin after the Pastoral Council should have fundamentally refuted this argument.

The Struggle Against Latin Leads to an Abyss

Msgr Peruzzo asserted that the Germanization of the Liturgy thorugh the Reformers was "the first act of separation from Holy Mother the Church".

He cited the famous Abbot Prosper-Louis-Geueranger (+1875) from the Benedictine Cloister of Solesmes.

He admonished, that the separation of the Liturgical language has in the past, "even if a Papal dispensation is granted, led to schism and complete separation from the Catholic Church".

  Link to kreuz.net original...

Part of a Series:

Cool Headed Council Fathers Warned

Modernists Masked Themselves as the Middle Position

A Prophetic Voice at the Vatican Council

50 Theologians Petition Holy Father

Legioniares of Christ: New General Vicar Father Sylvester Heereman

Editor: perhaps it might be thought that Germans are just better at running the Church?

Drumbeat: The papal deligate has named a new General Vicar and a new member of the General Council of the Legion of Christ.

Rome (kath.net/LC/red)Drum beats for the Legion of Christ: Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the Papal Delegate for the Legion of Christ, has named the 37-year old Father Sylvester Heeremann LC as the new General Vicar of the Congregation of the General Congregation and the Apostolic Movement Movement Regnum Christi on Thursday. On the same day Father Deomar De Guedes LC as another member of the General Council of the Congregation. The both replace P. Luis Garza LC and P. Francisco Mateos LC had submitted their resignations. Sylvester Heereman was the territorial director for the Legionare's of Christ in German speaking areas.
Link to kath.net....

The Ancient Rite Reappears in Lourdes

Edit: we were the first English language organization to report on good news abroad in various cases, because we're just cool like that. We already reported about the new Patriarch of Venice, a disciple of Cardinal Siri. We also reported about the appointment of the new Bishop of Lourdes who is a Traditionalist. Now we're pleased to report what can only be a positive effect of that appointment, which is the restoration of the Ancient Rite there for the edification of the pilgrims.

[Chiesa] VATICAN CITY, February 17, 2012 – Following the "personal" appointment of Bishop Francis Moraglia as patriarch of Venice, Benedict XVI has hit a similar shot with the Church of France. He did so last Saturday, February 11, the feast of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, when he appointed the new bishop of the diocese in which the famous Marian shrine stands, that of Tarbes and Lourdes. Pope Joseph Ratzinger has called to this post Nicolas Brouwet, who will turn 50 next August 31, since April of 2008 the auxiliary bishop of Nanterre, the diocese in which he was born and was ordained a priest in 1992. The appointment came earlier than expected, since Brouwet's predecessor, Bishop Jacques Perrier, in office since 1997, passed the retirement age of 75 last December 4, and has therefore had just a couple of months of "prorogatio."

Here's some further cautionary analysis about +Brouwet by Chiesa. One must consider that +Brouwet is a member of a religious organization founded by the late Cardinal von Balthazar SJ.

Bishop Brouwet, however, although he is young, is recognized as having a liturgical sensibility that is particularly faithful to tradition. Last December 25, he celebrated Christmas Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite, according to the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum." He has also participated in the traditionalist pilgrimages from Paris to Chartres on Pentecost. His stance on moral issues is also in keeping with tradition. This does not mean that Brouwet is a traditionalist tout court; it is enough to see his official photos in clerical dress to understand this. He belongs instead to that generation of young priests who, like pope Ratzinger, consider the traditionalist world – very lively in France even in its non-Lefebvrist component – more as a resource than as a problem, unlike the progressive old guard of the episcopate, less and less influential, but also the "Lustigerian" generation that now embodies its leadership, through figures like the cardinal of Paris, André Vingt-Trois, or the archbishop of Rennes, Pierre d'Ornellas. Lourdes is not a cardinal diocese, but with its famous Marian shrine it is like the spiritual heart of France. It is there, in fact, that the plenary assembly of French bishops regularly meets. Not to mention the international dimension of the diocese. Faithful, seminarians, priests, bishops and cardinals from around the world arrive there. Some problems of an administrative nature that have been seen recently in the diocese have been monitored with special attention by the Holy See as well.

Vatican: The Leakers Are Discovered

'Promotions and reassignments':  two high ranking monsigniori are preparing themselves for a 'ONe-Way-Ticket-Trip" to the far East and Africa.  by Armin Schiwbach

Rome (kath.net/as) The scandal of confidential documents, which have flown from various 'leaks" in high positions of the Vatican State Secretariat, appear to have come for the time being to a conclusion.  The ones who have disseminated the documents, will in the near future probably find themselves in an office on Nuncio in a land of the far East and Africa,  "very far from Rome, where they can't do any more damage", says a "source" of the Italian news portal "affanitaliani.it".  Punishment in fthe form of a "promotion and relocation" corresponds to the classical Vatican style of "promotion for the purpose of elimination":  anything that doesn't change can be handled by a heave-ho.

"Vaticanleaks" and its end: and the announcements in the  upcoming appointments to "Vatican Information Service" will be will be interesting in the next coming weeks should contain those guilty of news leaks.  There will be at least two Monsignors who once offered their services to State Secretariat.


That those "promoted and reassigned" by the nomination to nuncios, that is, of ambassadors of the Holy See, are already selected to leave, as the source says of "affariitaliani.it," suggests that the acts of these disloyal Monsigniori were not those of lower employees (or flunkies) act, but very high-ranking employees in the immediate vicinity of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The Vatican's security services have been used extensively with a high-priority job, in finding the  "source". "Finding the chatterboxes out quickly in order to plug news leaks," Cardinal Bertone "lost his patience" this time. The Pope had been informed that the anti-mole-operation may have to take their beginning, with the result: "Exile and the possible end of promising careers." As far as those guilty of a breach of trust, it had been to monsignors that had been very critical of Cardinal Bertone and had begun to spread confidential documents to harm him, "It was an attack that came from inside. This time there was no mandate," said "affariitaliani.it ".

Link to kath.net...

Curial Opus Dei Bishop Ordains Deacons in Old Rite

(Wigratzbad) Curial Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrierta ochoa de Chinchetru, the Secretary of the Papal Advisory for Legislative Texts, dispensed the lower orders and the subdiaconate on the 11th of February at the Seminary of the Society of St. Peter in Wigratzbad in the Immemorial Rite of the Mass of the Catholic Church. The Spanish msgr. Arrieta belongs to the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei. The Titular Bishop of Sao Paulo di Civitate in Apulia is the 260th Bishop of the Catholic Church and the ninth Spanish Bishop, who has celebrated or participated in a Tridentine Rite of the Mass, since Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

Msgr. Arrieta

Curial Bishop Arrieta, who has been in the Secretariat of the Papal Advisory for Legislative Texts, blessed seven Sudeacons. There are more than 80 Seminarians studying at the seminary of Allgau for the Society of St. Peter. Text: Giuseppe Nardi Bilder: FSSP

Ukraine: 'Catholic-Orthodox Relations Have Never Been so Good as Today'

The Grand Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church: In a time of insecurity the Christian churches have been brought toward greater trust.

Kiev (kath.net/KIN) The Superior of the Ukrianian Greek Catholic Church, Grand Archbishop Swjatoslaw Schewtschuk, has descried the relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches as "excellent" . During a visit to the international center of the Catholic agency "Kirche in Not" he stressed, relations have not been so good since today. The friendly and brotherly contact and concern lays close to him especially in the heart, explained Schewtschuk.

The Ukraine has over 45 million inhabitants, around 75 percent belong to the orthodox church, and most of them are of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is an autonomous part of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1991 there was conflict for legitimacy and primacy in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kievian Patriarchate. The third Orthodox Church of the land is the Ukrainian Autocephalus Church.

In 1596 the uniate Ukrianian Greek-Catholic Church arose, which has around 5.5 million faithful. Roman Catholics are about 1.1 million (which are mostly Poles and Germans). The conflict between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church has been cited as an obstruction to ecumenism by the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Ukraine looks back on more than a thousand years of Christendom, explained Grand Archbishop Swjatoslaw. In the past century they have lived yet through another hundred years of aggressive atheism. The special mission of the Christian Churches lay in, "these Christian roots to rediscover and find new ways, to be present in society as Christians," said Schwetschuk.

"In a time of insecurity, in which there are processes at work in society, from which many have gotten the feeling that they aren't controllable any longer, the Christian Church will bring back great trust," exclaimed the Grand Archbishop. "The results of polls show that more people trust me than the president."

That since the Church is not dependent on the state, may "tell the truth and play an important role in society". Christendom has an essential role for the national unity of Ukraine. 'We are neutral, as far as politics goes, but we teach Christian Social teaching, promote the Gospel and defend the defenseless", explained Schewtschuk. In this authentic sense to be able to work, is one of the priorities for the Church of well formed priests.

The Superior of the these uniates of the Ukrianian Greek-Catholic Church thank "Kirche in Not" for the help, which they have made possible in the Ukraine for decades. He especially honored the founder of "Kirche in Not", Father Werenfrieds van Straaten in 2003. He himself is "a fruit of the work and the activity of Father Werenfrieds", there he received a stipend from "Kirche in Not" after the collapse of the Soviet Union from "Kirche in Not" where he received his Doctorate in Theology and returned back to his home. There he also was able to rebuild the priest seminary in Lemberg with help from "Kirche in Not". "Kirche in Not" still supports the Church in Ukraine today.

Link to kath.net....

Cardinal Kasper Criticizes the "bad style" in the Curia

Vatican City, 13.02.2012 (kath.net/KAP) as "bad style" and "irresponsible", the German Cardinal Walter Kasper, the leaks in the Roman Curia and the Vatican published secret documents referred to. "I do not know if a power struggle behind it," or if someone wanted to harm the Cardinal Secretary of State, he said in an interview with the daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera" (Monday edition). In any case, it would harm the reputation of the church and pins confusion among the faithful, said Kasper, who was 2001-2010 president of the unit responsible for Ecumenical Vatican Council questions. The operation of a lack of awareness of ecclesial witness.

Whoever is dissatisfied or feels mistreated, ought to inform directly to the person concerned. One can criticize others when they have arguments. "But not so," when information comes anonymously to the media.

In recent days, several confidential documents had surfaced in the Italian media in which the Vatican representative to the Vatican complained about nepotism or talking about an alleged murder plot against the pope.

"I'm very sorry about this for the Pope. It must be sad to see how they try to destroy what he built," said Kasper. He tried in his time in office to do its work and had taken care not to cliques in the Curia, said the cardinal. Similarly, Joseph Ratzinger as Prefect of the Congregation made its service to the Church, and meddled not internal disputes. This is a question of dignity, "said Kasper.
Link to kathnet....

Liberal Pax Christi Bishop Spreads Speculation Pope is to Resign

Edit:  the way we figure it, things are pretty good when such open 68ers spread rumors like this.  When's Pax Christi going to be formally condemned.  Isn't that an upcoming event?



A north Italian Bishop had suggested the possibility of retirement for Benedict XVI.

Vatican City (kath.net/KNA) Vatican speaker Federico Lombardi has rejected speculations about the possibility of abdication for Pope Benedict XVI. At present the theme is not pressing, explained Lombardi on Tuesday. The north Italian Bishop Luigi Bettazzi (88), who was superior of Ivrea till 1999 and the long time President of the Catholic Peace Organization Pax Christi, had discussed the possibility of Pope Benedict's resignation in an interview.

As to a recent murder plot against the Pope Bettazzi had said: "I just can't imagine that", Benedict XVI. is a pure and spiritual man. He could imagine a resignation, however.

Lombardi then recalled that the Pope himself in his interview ook with publicist Peter Seewald had discussed this theme. There Benedict XVI. explained: "When the Pope comes to the awareness that he psychically, physically and spiritually can not manage his office any longer, then he has the right, indeed is understood to be duty bound to step down," In any case the Pope may not, in cases of difficulties or dangers "run from them", rather he must be firm in the face of difficult situations.

Link to kath.net...

Patriarch Kyrill Describes Putin as "Wonder" for Orthodoxy

(Moscow) He did not do it, in order to meet Western observers, nor to meet together in a discussion with his promoters about the office of the State President of the Russian Federation. But he took some time on the 8th of February to take some "time off" of the business of government to meet with the religious leaders of Russia. As Vladimir Putin's press speaker said, the religious leaders support his candidacy.

The meeting took place officially on the invitation of the Russian Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow, in the DAnilow Monaster, which is the seat of the Patriarch of Moscow. Patriarch Kyrill described the era of Putin as a "wonder". In the Monastery there were gathered with Putin in the congress, the members of the "traditional religions" of Russia, who were held to be the Orthodox, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, as also the "non-Traditional Religions", which consisted of the Catholics, Armenians and various Christian denominations.

Patriarch Kyrill "blessed" the political ambitions of the Russian Prime Minister. Putin is "the candidate, with the greatest view, to translate the office of state through his candidature," said Kyrill.

The Moscow Patriarch supported the 2011 demonstrations against election fraud during the parliamentary elections. He is since of the opinion that Putin is the most qualified man on to be at the head of Russia, in order to lead the land, who had been during the last twelve years for the Orthodox Church in Russia, "a wonder". Vladimir Putin was State President from 2000-2008 and has occupied since then the office of Prime Minister.

Also Russians Chief Rabbi Berel Lazr supported a third term of office for Putin, as he had opposed the anti-government protests of the last two months. He was quoted as saying; "The fact that the demonstrations always happen on Saturday shows that it has nothing to do with Jewish issues."

At the same time support comes from the Muslims from the mouth of the President of the Mufti's Council, Ravil Gainutdin, who said of Putin, "The Muslims know him and trust him. They wish him success."

The meeting in Danilow Monstery was critiized by the opposition.
Text: Asianews/Giuseppe Nardi Bild: Asianews

Jesuit Periodical Celebrates 25 Years Since Warhol's Death

München/Munich (kath.net/KAP) Andy Warhol was "despite his deep, albeit ever hidden persistent piety" too peculiar, while his work was stamped by his "rootedness in the Byzantine-Catholic Church". That's how the German Jesuit periodical "Stimmen der Zeit" took note of the 25th anniversary of the death of the famous Pop-Art-Artist. Warhol's portraits of famous stars take on the Iconography of the Eastern Church, its style of repetition recalls Orthodox Liturgy, it says in an article "Modern Icons" by art historian Ruth Langenberg.

Andy Warhol was born on August 6, 1928 in the Ruthenian quarter of Pittsburgh (USA) as Andrew Warhola, who was raised in a strict immigrant family. The Warholas came from the north east of modern Slovakia, recalls Langebach. The participation in  religious life had been understandably important in Andy Warhol's youth in the community of St. John Chrysostom -- which belongs to the Latin Church and is at the same time bound to the Byzantine-Slavic Rite. This influence was not broken by his move to New York and he lived in a home "full of religious objects."

The Pop Art, to which Warhol was inclined and to which he was one of the most famous participants, is considered to be "profane art in any case", says Langenberg. In the early 1960s a few young artists in Great Britain and the USA made the banal everyday, the consumerist world, the formal language of consumerism and comics the elements and formal objects of their art.

If Andy Warhol, for example, originated the face of Marilyn Monroe, by way of a series shortly after her death -- represented in diverse repetitions, he made said "Stimmen der Zeit" on the one conscious of the side of mass media "abrasiveness" through repetition, and on the other side also the quasi "reverential" object. "The principle of repetition, which is the characteristic of Warhol's Pop Art, is in many respects natural for Icon painting", explained Langenberg in his article. "An Icon repeats always a basic image with the least possible variation."

In the picture "Gold Marilyn Monroe" of 1962 even the profane significance of the coincided with the sacred in the "Icon". The portrait of the film star stood like an Orthodox holy painting in an iconostasis in the midst of a golden plaque: "Marilyn appeared almost as Maria."

More and More Religious Themes
From the 1970s Warhol set apart with diverse variations with the death's head as the traditional "memento mori" - motif of Christian painting, says Langenberg. His last five years of life were occupied explicitly with Christian themes -- above all the cross, but also with "Icons of art history" like Raffaels Sixtine Madonna or Leonardo da Vincis Last Supper.

The large sized work "The Last Supper (Christ 112 Times)" of 1986 gives a view of the Leonardo Fresco with the accentuated head of Christ 28-times in four rows. Langenberg evaluated Warhol's work consequently as a "desacralization" of the famous painting, yet at the same time it consisted in the extreme oblique format and the coloration "as a thoroughly valuable, near to sacral radiation, which wasn't preoccupied with the Pop-attitude of other works." And the principle of repetition an explicit summoning of Jesus, to review the last supper, a "sacral connotation".

Andy Warhol died on the 22nd February 1987 following a gall bladder operation and was buried in the city of his birth, Pittsburgh at the Byzantine-Catholic cemetery. At his funeral Mass, Priest John Richardson warned then against taking the artist's apparent superficiality too literally: The knowledge of his secret piety altered the perception of the artist, "who led the world by the nose, till it understood that its only obsessions were gold, fame and glamour (...) the unobtrusive observer was fundamentally a chronicling angel."

Link to original..kath.net...

Yankee Bishop Continues to Oppress Arkansas Traditionalists

I speak Spanish fluently

Edit: Pictures of the Bishop of Little Rock Arkansas are available for twenty bucks or so.  Perhaps someone should investigate whether the Bishop can continue in ministry effectively being as he's so out of touch with and hostile to the religious needs of his flock?  Earlier in his reign, he took Catholics to task for their reverence for Robert E. Lee.  But his words do find actions, even if they take place under the meanest and barest of pretexts in the service of injustice an indifference to the spiritual needs of his community.

A recent article in the Remnant went to some lengths to describe the Bishops hostility to the Traditional community in Arkansas which has long been a problem.  He removed a successful and intelligent man from a  blossoming community over what really looks like a pretext.

As far as we know now, there have been no efforts to replace Father Demets on the part of the Bishop.  He's been busy looking for pretexts to fire his traditional parish priests and leave the people in limbo as to a replacement for as long as possible.

This looks like nothing else besides malice combined with effeminate tittering.  He's too busy with his Spanish Masses.

Bishop Anthony Taylor was appointed in the Spring of 2008, after having made a name for himself in Oklahoma City as a champion of illegal immigrants.  He credits Martin Luther King, Jr. for having inspired his vocation, he’s proud (to the point of being annoying) about his ability to speak Spanish, and he’s been known to attempt to convince people that he’s not ideological.  Within a few weeks of his arrival, the community in Berryville was discontinued and Father Thomas Arackal was reassigned with no provision for the Mass to continue.  Shortly thereafter he was sent back to his native country.  A few months later, Father Bradley Barber was accused of some wrongdoing, and with no preliminary investigation he was removed from his position as pastor of St. Josephs in Fayetteville while some very disturbing accusations against him were broadcast to the entire world by the Diocese of Little Rock. The accusations were so unrealistic that they do not deserve to be repeated, unlike the ridiculous and greatly exaggerated accusation against Father Demets at the beginning of this article.  Father Barber was quickly cleared, but to this date his faculties have not been restored. 

The following is yet another verbose and cumbersome letter attempting to justify his unjust treatment of Father Demets and no provision to provide a replacement to the growing Traditional community in Arkansas.  Never mind obeying Summorum Pontificum, Bishop Taylor has his own agenda.

DIOCESE OF LITTLE ROCK
Office of The Bishop
2500 North Tyler Street * P.O. Box7565 * Little Rock, Arkansas 72217 * (501) 664-0340 Fax (501) 664-6304
January 31, 2012
To the priests and people of the Diocese of Little Rock,
As bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock, I take seriously my responsibility to shepherd and protect the flock entrusted to my care. One of my obligations upon receiving credible allegations of misconduct on the part of Church employees and volunteers is to comply with the requirements of Church law and the laws of the state of Arkansas regarding how these cases should be handled.
The reporting mandate of Arkansas law for suspected mistreatment of minors requires us to report not only cases of sexual abuse, but also cases of physical mistreatment--such as incidents in which a child is believed to have been hit or slapped by an adult. The civil investigation to substantiate such cases depends in part on the willingness of the alleged victim and any witnesses to cooperate. Church law requires that the diocese conduct its own investigation of credibly alleged incidents, following the procedures specified in our policy for handling such cases, including:
1. Automatic temporary suspension of the subject of an allegation from Church ministry pending the outcome of the civil and ecclesiastical investigations,
2. Public announcement that an allegation has been received, naming the subject of the allegation and the nature of the incident, asking any who have information to come forward--including other possible victims, if there are any.
In cases where the allegation is not sustained, this fact should be announced and steps be taken to repair the damage inflicted by this process. In the event that the civil and ecclesiastical investigations reach differing conclusions due to the higher standards of conduct demanded of Church employees and volunteers, this too should be noted--hence this letter.
On November 7, 2011 a credible allegation of having slapped a child, was lodged against Reverend Laurent Demets, F.S.S.P regarding an incident alleged to have occurred at St. Michael Catholic Church in Cherokee Village. At that time we complied with the reporting requirements of the state of Arkansas and implemented the procedures ofthe Diocese of Little Rock for handling such allegations. On November 9, 2011 I suspended Fr. Demets' faculties to function as a priest pending completion of the civil and ecclesiastical investigations. I also made the required announcement regarding these allegations in a memo to the priests of the Diocese of Little Rock, which was also published in the Arkansas Catholic and announced in the parishes Where Fr. Demets had been serving.
1. Substantiated in Church law. According to the safe environment policies of the Diocese of Little Rock, striking a child is never permitted, even when not inflicted in anger--for instance, corporal punishment is not permitted in Catholic schools. On November 9, 2011 Fr. Demets admitted that he had indeed slapped the child in question. So the allegation must be considered "substantiated" for purposes of Church law.
2. Unsubstantiated in civil law. On December 13, 2011 the Arkansas Department of Human Services concluded its investigation and informed Fr. Demets that "because the allegations were not supported by a preponderance of evidence, the allegation has been determined unsubstantiated" for purposes of civil law and they assured him that his name would not be placed in the Child Mistreatment Central Registry of Arkansas.
Fr. Demets' community has decided that whatever the outcome of the investigations, they do not intend to re¬assign him to serve in Arkansas, so the issue of under what conditions I might restore to him the faculties of the Diocese of Little Rock does not arise.
Outside entities inquiring about Fr. Demets suitability for ministry will be provided with the information contained in this letter. I apologize for the delay in disseminating this information. I was out of state from January 2-18 and the report of the Arkansas DHS was only received by my office on January 4, 2012.
Sincerely in Christ,
+Anthony B. Taylor
Bishop of Little Rock

67 Percent of Austrians Say No to Buddhist Temple

On Sunday a vote took place over a contentious Buddhist structure in the community of lower Austria. The vote was a debacle for the supporters of the Buddhist proposal.

St. Pölten (kath.net) The inhabitants of the lower Austrian community Gföhl have voted on a contentious Buddhist structure in the woodland community on Sunday in a poll with 67 of the votes cast decisively against. Because of voter's participation of over 50 percent, the outcome is binding. The structure was previously supported by ÖVP mayor Karl Simlinger. Many Catholics and also the St. Pöltner Bishop Klaus Küng viewed the proposal critically. In a "Kurier" interview a few weeks ago, +Küng criticized that the public were informed that the Stupa would be a world peace monument, while its subsequent information, however, pointed to it being a religious center for Korean monks. Link to kath.net...

Belgian Bishops' Feeble Response to "Call to Disobedience"

Edit: Rorate reported on this recently and included the statement from Mark de Vries,  Considering the pernicious nature of the event, we don't know why it deserves anything other than a rebuke, but here is the current response forthcoming from the Belgian Bishops.


Although these "Call to Action" types are disobedient, and after Cardinal Schonborn's eye, even he was forced to suggest the possibility of stern measures, including excommunication be used against them.


One dimension of this which is not often covered in the press is that these mostly elderly dissident pressure groups get more positive attention from the media than they deserve.  Certainly, a conservative group in Austria called, "Call to Obedience" which has around two hundred priests signing in, isn't getting much attention.

Exiled Loyal Polish Priest Returns to St. Pölten!

Edit: he had been untreated by the old scandal Diocese of Linz, and despite having the entire board of the Parish behind him, was asked to leave on the say so of the Austrian media and a few disgruntled parishioners who rarely went to Church and demonstrated even less knowledge of the Catholic faith than they did actual charity from the indeterminate and baseless accusations made against the priest.

The well-known Polish priest is active right now in the Diocese of St. Pölten in the Parish of Neuhofen on the river Ybbs in the Deanery Amstetten and thus is nearer to Linz than before when he was serving at Kopfing.

St.Pölten-Linz (kath.net)The famous Polish Priest Andreas Skoblicki, who is also loved by many, is returning back to Austria and is this weekend at the Diocese of St. Pölten in the Parish of Newhofen on the Ybbs in the Deanery of Amstette as a priest. Interesting detail: Skoblicki is with that, has been moved closer to Linz. The distance to Kopfing from the Diocesan Bishop's residence is 68 kilometers, while the distance to the Parish of Neuhofen to Linz is only 63 kilometers, according to Routenplaner.

After a month of bullying in December, on the part of Linz Diocesan circles, the Polish Priest finally left the Diocese of Linz. From previous letter to KATH.NET by the priest, it was revealed that he was "forced into this decision".

A statement by the Diocese of St. Pölten said the following: "The Diocese of St. Pölten offers Herr Magister Andreas Skoblicki the possibility for a new beginning under another situation. Skoblicki will be employed as a pastoral chaplain in the Parish of Neuhofen on the Ybbs in the Deanery of Amstetten. He is thus subject to the Pastor and Episcopal Vicar Dr. Helmut Prader."

We are happy for all, who work in the kingdom of God," said the press agent of the Diocese of St. Pölten, Markus Riccabona. "We invite all to give Father Skoblicki a fair chance and judge him according to his ministry in the parish."

Link to original kath.net...