Replies

I would like to thank you for your kind compassion. As for the how, two words: trust and obedience. We trusted our leaders when they said that these things were mandated. We forget that before the internet it was often difficult to get reliable information. It was in latter years when I started to study the documents that it became clear that we were lied to. Take just one example: how ofter were we told that Vatican II mandated Mass in the vernacular? Yet the truth is that Vatican II explicitly said that "the Latin language is to be preserved." It was often with reluctance that we accepted what has now become clear were utter falsehoods.

Even today there is a refusal by the bishops to acknowledge the truth. Not long ago I had a year long correspondence with my bishop about what was actually called for within the Novus Ordo. Although I showed him many documents from Rome to back up my position they made no impact on him, and he is considered one of the conservative bishops. I even wrote to the Congregation of Worship but never received a reply. When I had the opportunity to speak privately with Cardinal Arinze he said straight out that they had no intention of ever replying to my letter. His major concern, he told me, was that he did not want to get involved in a dispute between a bishop and his priests! Thus, despite what may be found in the Code of Canon Law, there is no way to address the disobedience of the American bishops.

And yet, with the election of Pope Benedict, and I am filled with hope! Yes, things are going a lot slower than I would like but I have confidence that in time there will be the Reform of the Reform that we are all waiting for.

By the way, I never thought that the Orthodox were damned, just that when you are greeted by our Lord you would be surprised when he says: "Venite, benedicti Patris mei; possidete paratum vobis regnum a constititione mundi." :)