Posted on 07/31/2004 3:18:06 PM PDT by Patrick Madrid
Catholic canon lawyer Peter Vere and I have co-authored a new book critiquing the claims and controversies of extreme traditionalism that will come out in September, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing.
Written in a popular and accessible style, More Catholic Than the Pope provides a detailed analysis of and response to common arguments raised by extreme traditionalist Catholics (in particular, adherents of the Society of St. Pius X) against the Second Vatican Council, Pope John Paul II, the fact that the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre committed a schismatic act by illicitly ordaining four bishops in 1988, and more. Chapters include a history of the SSPX, a background on the controversy between the SSPX and the so-called "Conciliar Church," and answers to several standard canon-law and historical arguments often raised by extreme traditionalists.
Our hope is that, by God's grace, the evidence presented in this new 224-page book will inform, encourage, and strengthen Catholics who have been shaken or confused by the misguided arguments raised against the Catholic Church by some extreme traditionalists and, with regard to those who have adopted a schismatic mindset, that this book will help them recognize the errors of extreme traditionalist groups, help them to see why they should abandon those errors, and help them come home to the Catholic Church.
Additional details on More Catholic Than the Pope will be available soon at Envoy Encore weblog.
If you look at the exchanges in the past and most recently, you will see there is no difference. The SSPX bishops have been unfailingly polite--and so have the cardinals and archbishops they have dealt with. But Rome adamantly refuses to discuss principles. So the issues remain stuck.
Prior to 2000 there was a visible difference.
I beg to differ. I've read the letters exchanged. They do not differ in tone in any way. It was a dialogue of the deaf--just as on this site. Neither side hears what the other side is saying--just as John Paul couldn't hear what his Archbishop was saying.
Your post was most thoughful. But I honestly think that a major stumbling block has been both Vatican II and the liturgical free-for-all/disaster that has been left in its wake. Not to mention the tremendous philosophical and theological confusion that goes with it.
Despite any true sincerity in the rapproachment, if I were an Orthodox with my beautiful church with the Iconostasis, the liturgy bedecked with much insence, candles, chanting in very ancient languages, beautiful vestment, and litutgical appointments......would I really want to join forces with the proponants of "liturgy in the worship space"?
I would be afraid........very afraid!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. Next thing we should all expect to see is that you will partner up with Michael Moore to film your anti-Catholic, anti-papal drivel, with a nice, classical music background. You two will make a nice team.
Tell you what: when the SSPX returns to full communion, please, don't come back, unless it is on your knees and dressed in sackloth, and with your heart filled with remorse and repentance, because that's the only way you'll be healed and made whole.
-Theo
P.S.
In Spanish, "Cristo" is spelled without an "h."
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