Posted on 06/20/2004 10:01:11 AM PDT by AskStPhilomena
One controversy—caused by the suggestions that the role of saints is similar to that of revered ancestors in African cultures—had barely subsided among the Catholics of South Africa. Now a new dispute began, involving suggestions that African culture could be incorporated into Catholic liturgy through animal bloodletting during the Mass.
On the controversy over the status of ancestors, Archbishop Buti Tihagale of Bloemfontein drew a clear distinction, concluding that while respect for one’s ancestors is both natural and laudable, “ancestors are no substitute for saints.” But the Pretoria News implicated the same archbishop with the supporters of a proposal to include elements of animal sacrifice in the Catholic liturgy.
Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, a Catholic priest who is also the deputy minister of education in the South African government, was the first prominent figure to come out in support of the calls—first introduced by some black priests—for the incorporation of animal sacrifices into the liturgy. These calls must be seen against the background of the debate over reverence for ancestors, since the practice of animal sacrifice is used to honor ancestors in traditional African religions. Opponents of the practice have raised the objection that these sacrifices are elements of pagan worship, which have no place in Christian practice.
In response to press inquiries, Father Mkhatshwa said that he supported the calls by some African clerics to incorporate some form of animal bloodletting into the Mass. (The Pretoria News suggested that Archbishop Tihagale was among those calling for such a step.) On a practical note, he admitted that the architecture of Catholic church buildings might have to be “reviewed” in order to accommodate the requirements of animal sacrifice.
Father Mkhatshwa has already shown his willingness to depart from orthodox Catholic teaching, voting in 1996 to support a proposal for legalized abortion on demand. His support for animal sacrifice is not likely to sway the opinions of Church leaders. Nevertheless, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reacted with “disbelief” to the proposal, and has already written to the South African bishops, seeking a clarification.
Here's another account of the same sacrilege which appeared in an earlier thread:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/115/46.0.html
"The libation of the blood of a slaughtered animal could be introduced into funeral rites at the home of the deceased, at the start of the night vigil, or the evening before a marriage, he said. "This should be linked to the word of the Gospel so that the ceremony clearly has a Christian stamp on it."
"If used at Mass, its best position would be before the offertory [an early stage in the Mass], because the libation is a gift to the ancestors, not to God." "
This is an old story but I raise it now because the same Archbishop Buti Thlagale, still an ardent advocate of animal sacrifice has recently been promoted to head the largest see in Southern Africa.
This is obvious blasphemy and sacralidge lurks under the convenient label of "inculturation". As typical of post V2 ambiguity, this is another example of misleading the faithful into sin. And we thought so called "liturgical dance" was bad! The church in Africa is indeed a rich harvest of souls. This is why it is being attacked: by false doctrine and practices, by murderous armies sponsored by the UN, the USA, or both - with purpose of decimating/controlling the growing catholic poulation. Ditto with the staged political uprisings, muslim insugencies, forced sterilization, abortion, etc. The whole purpose is to thwart the spread of the Catholic church.
I also mentioned that this same archbishop serves on the board of Lovelife, a baby-killing, pornography promoting organization aligned with Planned Parenthood.
http://www.lovelife.org.za/corporate/news/article.php?uid=214
"Launched in September 1999, loveLife combines high profile media with adolescent friendly services in government clinics, outreach and support programs for youth across South Africa. loveLife is implemented by a consortium of leading South African public health organizations---the Health Systems Trust, the Reproductive Health Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand and the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa—in coalition with more than 100 community-based organizations."
What I forget to mention is that he was part of the organizing committee for the "parliament of the world's religions" held in Cape Town, South Africa in 1999.
http://www.christianaction.org.za/GDL/Newletters/1999-sept_oct.htm
I also forgot to mention that this same archbishop also slammed Mel Gibson's movie as "anti-semitic" in a joint statement with the local "chief rabbi".
http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/2004/03/25/news/n26_25032004.htm
This is an excerpt containing the pertinent points:
"In a joint statement the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Johannesburg, Buti Joseph Tlhagale, and Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris, representing the Catholic and Jewish communities of South Africa, noted that the film’s depiction of Jews and their purported role in the death of Jesus was negative and could undermine the strong Jewish-Catholic working relationships in South Africa and fuel anti-Semitism.
They warned that such depictions served to divide rather than unite people, and represented a regression to a time when acts of violence committed in bygone years were used to inflame people’s passions, instead of serving as vehicles for introspection and understanding between those who shared the same values, and served the same God.
A religious leader quoted by a Cape Town newspaper reportedly described the movie as “historically inaccurate as it exonerates the Romans and blames the Jews”.
He believed the film would “add a spark” to anti-Jewish sentiment."
"This is an old story but I raise it now because the same Archbishop Buti Thlagale, still an ardent advocate of animal sacrifice has recently been promoted to head the largest see in Southern Africa."
The way this guy's going, he could be promoted to cardinal in the very near future - although he probably hasn't yet participated in enough sacrilege to warrant promotion.
Give him a few years though - and he might earn a spot in the sacred college alongside Kasper, Lehmann, Mahony etc. etc.
That the African bishops are buddy-buddy with the Jewish rabbis makes sense. The desire to perform animal sacrifice is not only pagan, but an action blaspheming Christ's death on the Cross which replaced the OT Judaic practice once and for all. Blasphemy is too kind a word. An animal sacrifice would be an outright denial of Christ's salvatory act.
But thank goodness the Church is safe from Williamson! My goodness, imagine if he was the bishop instead. < /s >
This is ridiculous! This out of hand "inculturation" is leading large sectors of the Church into occultism, paganism and atheism. It has got to stop. These Conciliar Churchman love "modern man" so much that they have to mix the Catholic Religion with whatever unwholesome (ie. Rockmusic )and downright demonic aspects of whatsover culture they want to jump on board with the Catholic faith. They are not converting anyone to the Catholic Church but to a hybrid psydo Church which mocks the Catholic Church- its really New Age. They encourage people to join in sycratistic congresses of various false religions like the World Council of Churchs and URI which were condemned by Pius XI in Mortalium Animus.
The prospective joiners (wherever they may be Africa or else where) are being told- go ahead and keep your old false religion and mix it up with our Catholic religion because in the New Church Masonic view- "all religions are more or less good and praiseworthy" but this is not what Christ said that you can only get to the father through him not false pagan rites. Christians do not sacrifice animals to their ancestors plain and simple. Good post and how anyone could compare this mixed up Bishop to Bishop Williamson is beyond me. And I have never stepped foot in an SSPX chapel but let me tell you Williamson has the Catholic Faith- the other Bishop well he is from La La land not the City of God.
Is anti-semitism part of the Catholic Faith?
Is animal sacrifice part of the Catholic faith? How about pagan temples in Los Angeles, goddess ceremonies at the altar and systemic coverup of mortal sin and criminal acts? The sins of the post VII Church are far more offensive than harsh words towards people who deny Christ. When will you go after the heretics and apostates with the same fervor you have towards Williamson?
South Afrika certainly has its problems. It also is the home of a queer bishop named Cawcutt of St.Sabastian's Angels fame. Last I heard he was still in "good standing" with the church and recently assigned as a pastor.
South Afrika certainly has its problems. It also is the home of a queer bishop named Cawcutt of St.Sabastian's Angels fame. Last I heard he was still in "good standing" with the church and recently assigned as a pastor.
Christ offered a new paradigm. Now nobody civilized - Christian or not - sacrifices animals anymore. Whether or not they took Him as their Messiah, they followed His civilizing ways.
We must keep in mind that in the ancient Middle East animals were considered wealth. It was truly a "sacrifice" to give such a portion of your wealth to God as a show of love and reverence. I would liken it to withdrawing a large sum of cash from one's bank account, lighting it on fire and saying "Here God, this is for you".
It wasn't some witchy pagan mysticism. It was a true act of trust, faith and sacrifice.
"South Afrika certainly has its problems. It also is the home of a queer bishop named Cawcutt of St.Sabastian's Angels fame. Last I heard he was still in "good standing" with the church and recently assigned as a pastor."
You're correct about Cawcutt.
For those who've never heard about "Reg" (as Cawcutt prefers to be called), here's a bit of background:
http://rcf.org/cawcutt/rcbackground.htm
What you may not realize is that long after his involvement in St. Sebastian's angels became public, Cawcutt remained the official spokesman of the Southern African Bishops Conference.
Even after his resignation was finally accepted by the Vatican (initially having been declined)http://rcf.org/docs/cawcutt_resigns.htm
he continued to function as bishop - ordaining (sodomite) priests and confirming "young bastards" (as he often referred to confirmants).
It was only after parents started withdrawing children from confirmations at which he was officiating (and taking their grievances to the press) that he finally decided to take leave of the chancery - and move to one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese, where he is now pastor.
Of course, the many sodomites he attracted to the priesthood remain - and so do the scandals.
It therefore came as no surprise to the faithful of Cape Town when a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart was the venue for a "gay-pride" interfaith service (with the local bishop's approval of course)
http://rcf.org/friends/CALL.htm
"South Afrika certainly has its problems."
In case some think that Thlagale and Cawcutt are the worst of the South African bishops, it should be stated that their misdemeanors pale into insignificance compared with Archbishop Denis (the menace) Hurley (who mercifully went to his eternal reward a couple of months ago).
Digging up dirt on Hurley (the founding father of ICEL) isn't hard, but would take days to do justice here.
Of course, while on the subject of deviant Southern African bishops, we shouldn't forget Bishop Kevin Dowling:
http://www.massiveeffort.org/showstory.asp?id=2305
"Is anti-semitism part of the Catholic Faith?"
No, neither is adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, etc. Genuine Catholics commit all kinds of sins. Whoever taught you theology? If Williamson is anti-Semitic, he is a sinner--but even then he would still be more of a Catholic than most of the red hats presently inhabiting Rome's palaces.
Bishop Reginald Cawcutt appointed as Parish Priest of St. Patrick's
I haven't run across many genuine Catholic PUBLIC Jew haters.
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