Criticizing John Paul II

Daily Standard ^ | April 6, 2005 | Hugh Hewitt

[Kaslin]

Yet another thing the mainstream press doesn't understand about the Catholic Church.

ON THE EVE of the funeral of one of history's greatest popes, the American media is struggling to absorb the immensity of John Paul II's pontificate. Around every turn is another story, another dramatic trip, another chapter from his prolific writings. The ingrained impulse among much our media elites, however, is always to diminish.

The new media has assured that these growls haven't gone unanswered, and most viewers long ago learned to turn off Christiane Amanpour when she begins to prattle on. But there's a second journalistic sin at work in the agenda-driven commentary about the Pope's "failure" to modernize the Church on issues of celibacy, contraception, and the ordination of women. Simply put, most of the American media is simply ignorant of the Pope's critics on the right. There is a valid case to be made that whatever disenchantment existed with John Paul II came more from those Catholics still unreconciled to Vatican II, and deeply distressed about John Paul II's refusal to steer back into the pre-1960 Church.

The most obvious of these conservative dissidents is The Society of Pius X, which carries on the critique of Rome begun by the Society's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre; but this is hardly the only outpost of conservative criticism of John Paul II. The National Catholic Register is another source for occasional conservative critiques of Vatican policies and enthusiasts for the Latin Mass and the rise of Opus Dei (described in this article from America--a Jesuit

magazine) underscore that the Roman Catholic Church generally, and the American branch of it specifically, have vibrant, conservative circles within them--circles to the right of John Paul II.

But you wouldn't know it from mainstream media coverage. This blind spot probably results from simple ignorance. Reporters and pundits caught up in the conventional wisdom on John Paul II--wonderful guy, charismatic, but stubborn and reactionary--cannot begin to imagine that the great man was flanked on right and left, and in fact hewed a center-right course through his long pontificate. Some commentators must be aware of the conservative critique of John Paul II but leave it aside because it complicates the narrative and undermines the agenda. But my guess is that most are unaware and the specialists trucked in aren't in any hurry to throw attention, and perhaps credibility, on the right flank of the Church.

Non-Catholics are best advised to keep silent on matters of doctrine within the Church. It is, after all, no more the business of a non-Catholic what the Church commands on the celibacy of its priests than it is a non-Muslim to opine on the proper keeping of Ramadan.

But if the job of a journalist is to educate his or her audience on the drama unfolding within the coming conclave, perhaps they ought to google "Lefebvre" and "Tridentine Mass." I can assure you that there are far more Catholics worldwide pushing for the return of the latter than there are for a Vatican endorsement of abortion rights.

Not that you'd know if from watching the media.

[Kaslin]

Please replace Dayly Standard with Daily Standard

[Piquaboy]

The Pope was too conservative for our great MSM and now they are hoping for one that will agree with their views.

[goldstategop]

The internal affairs of Catholics are none of my business. The Church has the right to conduct its affairs as it sees fit. Hugh Hewitt though, I think, is onto a very good point, in observing there are more Catholics who want a return to pre-Vatican II ritual than there are Catholics who favor abortion rights. Media liberals miss this, since in their reporting and commentary on religious affairs, they hold the liberal position is the default one. And this colors their view of the Church and its teachings - which for the record, is none of their business any more than as I have just stated, that it isn't mine.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[tiredoflaundry]

This is one Catholic who wouldn't mind going back to some of the Pre-Vatican 2 rituals.

[Sybeck1]

What would some of those rituals be? I'm not Catholic, but just curious.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Some commentators must be aware of the conservative critique of John Paul II but leave it aside because it complicates the narrative and undermines the agenda. But my guess is that most are unaware and the specialists trucked in aren't in any hurry to throw attention, and perhaps credibility, on the right flank of the Church."

Yes, and yes again. The mainstream media compliments itself on its "nuance," but it really can't handle any sort of complexity.

[SAMS]

There is a very good book called, "What went wrong with Vatican II" that explains in pretty good detail how the (liberal) American Church mucked it all up (for lack of a better word).

I think the big problem with the MSM media is that they seem to think that the Catholic church is run like a democracy....they just don't get it.

[Kaslin]

Thanks for correcting my typo

[tiredoflaundry]

You hit the nail on the head.!

[Kaslin]

You have to remember for instance that AP conducted a poll by catholics and non-catholics alike what the next pope should do

[Kaslin]

You have to remember for instance that AP conducted a poll by catholics and non-catholics alike what the next pope should do

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

JPII was, without any doubt whatsoever, a most liberal and dangerous Pope. His "theology" goes beyond the kumbayah craziness of Vatican II, almost into New Age crystal divination. To characterize him as "conservative" is ludicrous. Thank God that someone in the media has had the courage to at least acknowledge the elephant in the room. I hope that Catholics can get beyond their idolatry of his rock star image and see the damage he inflicted to the Church.

[blu]

Mass in Latin
Altar boys, not girls
No Eucharistic ministers
kneeling for communion
Ladies dress like ladies, no shorts, pants, head must be covered
A respectful congregation
Less circus atmosphere, more quiet, dignified congregation

In short, getting rid of the notion that the congregation is equal to the priest is equal to God.

[lnbchip]

Once upon a time.....

- Priests faced away from the audience during the Mass.
- The Mass was said in Latin.
- Catholics were not allowed to receive The Eucharist in their hands - only on their tongues.
- There was an alter rail where Catholics would kneel and receive Communion.
- No female alter servers or ministers to distribute Communion.

Vatican II was a push for the Church to assist the average Catholic in having a personal relationship with Christ through his Church.

There is a group that happily call themselves the "RAD-TRADS" or Radical Traditionalists. These guys refuse to accept the changes of Vatican II. The only problem here is that while demanding that the Church adhere to former tradition, they are ignoring the longest standing tradition of all - the authority of the Church itself. Submission to the spiritual guidance of Holy Mother Church is critical in living a Catholic life. We don't have the answers as individuals. If we try to get all the answers, we end up with a convoluted theology that has no coherent voice. Look at the number of Christian denominations today. See what happens when there is no single voice that can keep the traditions and teachings of the Church headed down the right road. The Rad Trad's in their dissent have themselve abandoned the very Authority handed down from Christ to Peter to John Paul II and onward. They are claiming to be defending the very Authority that they are working so hard to tear down - I don't get it.

[blu]

Oh, and I blame the US Bishops for most of the decline in the American Catholic Church (which, it seems, wants to be a seperate entity)

[Steve_Seattle]

Pre-Vatican II Catholic rituals or practices:

The Latin Mass

Novenas (Prayers said for a specified number of days for a particular purpose, often requesting the intercession of a saint associated with specific needs.)

First Friday Mass - special "high" (longer, with extra prayers, more music, incense, etc) Mass said on the first Friday of every month.

Abstinence from meat on Friday.

Fasting.

Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament (Prayers said in the presence of a consecrated communion wafer displayed in an elaborate vessel called a monstrance. (A monstrance usually resembles a kind of golden sun - round, with ray-like appendages, with a large host displayed in a central glass chamber.)

Regular personal confession of sins.

Various rituals (processions, litanies, etc.) honoring Mary the mother of Jesus. A litany is a series of short prayers or acclamations, recited by the priest and congregation, focusing on a particular theme.

And so forth . . . I'm sure I've left out some.

[ladtx]

Ladies dress like ladies, no shorts, pants, head must be covered
A respectful congregation
Less circus atmosphere, more quiet, dignified congregation

I agree. We got to mass late for Easter and had to sit in folding chairs in the back. I never realized there was so much traipsing back and forth, up and down etc. I felt like yelling, "Hey this ain't a ballgame, there's no concession stand!!". Irritating to the max.

[lnbchip]

I don't know about where you are but most of the items you listed are celebrated here in Louisiana and everywhere else that I have friends (Georgia, New York, etc.).

I don't think there has ever been an end to Novenas. Actually, the nine days of mourning coincide with the Novena for the Pope. We always have First Friday and Saturday Mases here in our town. Actually, there is still a requirement to abstain from meat on Fridays all throughout the year. However, a Catholic can do some other spiritual exercise or penance in lieu of abstaining. And, we have a number of churches nearby that have Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (24-hours somebody's on duty). Regular confession is advised - monthly is best. And all liturgical celebrations are still in tact as far as I can see.

[Steve_Seattle]

Here in Seattle you have to look around to find a church that has all those things.