Lefebvre Group Attacks Pope's Ecumenical Vision

Zenit News Agency ^ | February 2, 2004

[NYer]

ROME, FEB. 2, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Society of St. Pius X founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre claims the Church is in "crisis" because of the ecumenical dialogue promoted after the Second Vatican Council.

The priestly fraternity made that point in a letter dated Jan. 6 and sent to several cardinals. Signed by Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the fraternity, and by four other bishops of the group, the letter was presented today during a press conference in Rome.

The letter presents a 47-page document entitled "From Ecumenism to Silent Apostasy: 25 Years of Pontificate" ("De l’oecuménisme à l’apostasie silencieuse, 25 ans de pontificat").

Even though John Paul II is keeping daily public engagements, the letter's signatories explain that "because of the aggravated state of health of the Holy Father, we have not written to him directly."

The document interprets the position of John Paul II and other Church figures on ecumenism as a sign of the loss of the Catholic Church's own identity by putting it on the same level with Christian denominations of other confessions.

No mention is made of the 2000 declaration "Dominus Iesus" on "The Uniqueness and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church," or of John Paul II's repeated rejection of this faulty view of ecumenism.

In a letter sent to Bishop Fellay on April 5, 2002, by Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy and president of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei," following contacts to overcome the fraternity's rupture with Rome, the cardinal referred to the "frontal attack" implied in the accusation addressed to the Pope of "having abandoned Tradition."

"It constitutes, in fact, a dangerous presumption to also judge the Supreme Authority" and, quoting Vatican Council I, the cardinal added that in these types of questions "we believe that no one can arrogate to himself the right to judge the Holy See."

In his 1988 apostolic letter "Ecclesia Dei," John Paul II stressed the "unlawful" ordination of bishops within the fraternity on the part of Archbishop Lefebvre, which constituted "a schismatic act." The archbishop died in 1991.

[Salvation]

**Even though John Paul II is keeping daily public engagements, the letter's signatories explain that "because of the aggravated state of health of the Holy Father, we have not written to him directly."**

Huh? When I was sick, I could still read. I'm not understanding this statement. Seems like non-thinking to me.

Example, even though I may have the flu -- I can still function as a human if I must.

[dangus]

>>read Zenit weekly youll see this>>

The Catholic Press can be just agendized as the secular press. I heard Catholic World News, desperately anti-war, make an Iraqi Archbishop pleading with the US to rescue them sound like he was denouncing the war.

He said something like, "War is Evil, but it is far more evil to do nothing while innocents are subjected to constant horror. We must not allow atrocities to take place."

They edited his speech so it came out: "War is evil... we Must not allow atrocities to take place."

[dangus]

>>According to a survey posted in The Latin Mass magazine, he was in the top 5.>>

That just means he's famous

[sinkspur]

According to a survey posted in The Latin Mass magazine, he was in the top 5.

Because such a survey would serve The Latin Mass magazine's purposes.

Likely a bogus survey, since Cardinals are not in the habit of voting for Pope while the current Pontiff is still breathing.

[Victoria68]

I am not a Catholic, want to make that clear. I am an ex-Catholic and one reason for that is I do not agree with the Catholic church's view of other religions.

I do find religious relativism in much of the Popes Words and actions. Sponsering prayers to pagan gods at Assisi is just the start of it. Preaching that Allah (Islam's god) equals God is part of this. (look up Nostra Aetate) There has been a big push for interfaithism in the Catholic church. The Vatican with its spokesmen Martino and Sodano promote the agendas of the United Nations at every turn. I am not suprised by what is happening at Fatima with Dupuis and Guerra lining up to promote a "a cosmic Christ" for all religions. The double-speak reaches new heights when they say the Fatima shrine will remain Catholic but be opened to all religions. I dont see any mosques opening their doors to Christians.

Just because some religions may teach some same ethical truths does not give their false gods or beliefs any standing! Don't let the interfaith double-speak fool you.

[NYer]

It makes one wonder whether the SSPX faction that would like to fall into outright sedevacantism is gaining leverage.

I thought the following was most telling ...

Dear Faithful,

Unfortunately I have sad news to end the year. Some of you may have seen it on the Internet. Indeed Father Aulagnier, one of Archbishop Lefebvre's first and closest companion in the resistance, assistant to the Superior General, founding district superior of the French district had to be expelled from the Society.

SSPX - Fr. Violette's Letter to the Faithful

[Fifthmark]

I would recommend you read the actual letter (the link to which is found on this post) before launching into an unfounded attack. The "silent apostasy" in the title refers to a quote from the Pope's encyclical "Ecclesia in Europa":

"At the root of this loss of hope is an attempt to promote a vision of man apart from God and apart from Christ. This sort of thinking has led to man being considered as 'the absolute centre of reality, a view which makes him occupy – falsely – the place of God and which forgets that it is not man who creates God, but rather God who creates man. Forgetfulness of God led to the abandonment of man'. It is therefore 'no wonder that in this context a vast field has opened for the unrestrained development of nihilism in philosophy, of relativism in values and morality, and of pragmatism – and even a cynical hedonism – in daily life'. European culture gives the impression of 'silent apostasy' on the part of people who have all that they need and who live as if God does not exist."

Bishop Fellay's letter attempts to lay the blame for this "silent apostasy" on the false ecumenism now rampant in the Church as a result of Vatican II - he doesn't assert that the Pope is an "apostate," as you caluminously infer. Perhaps before you accuse others of "total and malicious mischaracterization," you should note the beam in your own eye.

[ninenot]

Actually, in the case of Kasper, it's "infamous."

[american colleen]

Thanks, NYer - I hadn't seen the "Dear Faithful" letter written by Fr. Violette to explain the expulsion of Fr. Aulagnier from the SSPX.

Here is something interesting from the letter "The problem was not that he [Fr. Aulagnier] had contrary opinions but that he was airing them in public and trying to undermine the Superior General and the Society. This state of affairs had lasted long enough."

I am confused because really, the bottom line is that in this case the SSPX is guilty of the exact thing they accuse Fr. Aulagnier of, or am I reading this wrong?

[Unam Sanctam]

The implication of the letter is clearly to attack the Pope as an "apostate". The title is called "From Ecumenism to Silent Apostasy: 25 "ears of Pontificate". The introduction states that "The ecumenism is not a stranger to this situation [i.e., the "silent apostasy" referred to in Ecclesia in Europa"]. This analysis of the thought of John Paul II (First Part) will show us that, not without a profound sadness, the ecumenical practices come from a no-catholic thought ()Second Part) and lead to apostasy )Third Part). The entire letter is filled with citations of John Paul II's writing. It is thus a direct attack on the Holy Father and falsely accusing him of apostasy. It completely misrepresents the true intentions of ecumenism, falsely describes the teaching of the Church, and deliberately does not mention Dominus Iesus Christus and the condemnations of religious relativism or syncretism. It is simply not an objective study, but rather an anti-Papal diatribe written in bad faith.

[Victoria68]

"However, since you are intent on defaming the Holy Father and the Catholic faith with erroneous statements and misrepresentations, we orthodox Catholics must defend the faith and the Holy Father against those that challenge them, as Catholics have been doing for millenia. This is not "spitting hatred"."

So whats your explanation for the Pope sponsering prayers to false gods at Assisi?

That happened. I can post links and news if needbe.

[dangus]

touche'

[Bellarmine]

The letter does make one direct accusation of apostasy, against Cardinal Kasper.

[Fifthmark]

1. What is ecumenism?
2. How is ecumenism strengthening the One True Church in face of the "silent apostasy" that is occuring in Europe and elsewhere?
3. What is the ultimate end of ecumenism and how will we know if it is successful?

[NYer]

since you are intent on defaming the Holy Father and the Catholic faith with erroneous statements and misrepresentations, we orthodox Catholics must defend the faith and the Holy Father against those that challenge them, as Catholics have been doing for millenia.

I find the timing on the delivery of this letter most curious. Why do you suppose they would do so on the very day that the pope was celebrating 'Candlemas' - the Presentation of our Lord? Do you suppose that by dismissing Fr. Aulagnier, the last link to Bishop Lefebvre, they now feel emboldened to proceed with their agenda?

Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II prays in front of a candle as he leads the traditional Feast of presentation of the Lord, better knows as Procession of the Candles in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican (news - web sites) February 2, 2004. Swiss born Bishop Bernard Fellay, leader of the world's breakaway traditionalist Catholics, said on Monday Pope John Paul's papacy will leave a sad legacy cause his openness to other religions has left the church like a ship with a hole in it.