Father Thomas Weinandy: Threat of Church Division ‘Growing in Intensity’

National Catholic Register ^ | Oct. 8, 2019 | Edward Pentin

[Mrs. Don-o]

The Catholic Church is heading toward an “internal papal schism” whereby Pope Francis effectively leads two opposing factions, Capuchin theologian Father Thomas Weinandy has warned.

These are divided, he said, into one loyal to the papacy yet critical of this pontificate, and the other supportive of him due to his tolerance of ambiguous teaching and pastoral practice.

“This is the real schism,” observed Father Weinandy, a former chief of staff for the U.S. bishops' doctrinal committee, in a commentary published today in The Catholic Thing.

It is a situation “ever growing in intensity,” he added.

A member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission, Father Weinandy began by clarifying that he believes when the Pope refers to contemporary schismatics in the Church, he means his American critics.

But he pointed out that the “overwhelming majority” of those critics “would never initiate a schism” as they wish to remain faithful to the Pope, even if that means being critical of him.

‘Internal Papal Schism’

“As he is in control, he would, I fear, welcome [schism], for he sees the schismatic element as the new ‘paradigm’ for the future Church,” he said.

Father Weinandy called on the faithful to pray “in fear and trembling” that Jesus might “deliver us from this trial,” but added that the Lord may want us to endure it, because only perhaps then may the Church “be freed from all the sin and corruption that now lies within her, and be made holy and pure.”

He ended on a “hopeful note,” saying it will be up to the laity to “bring about the needed purification” and, in particular, “faithful and courageous Catholic women” whom he called “the living icons of the Church.”

[Mrs. Don-o]

Capuchin Father Thomas Weinandy

Father Weinandy calls on the Catholic faithful to pray “in fear and trembling” that Jesus might “deliver us from this trial.”

In my opinion, Fr. Weinandy's is the most just and measured assessment of what's happening in "Amazonia" and Rome.

I was required to excerpt the article by cutting more than half of it away. What I wanted to add is that Father Weinandy has been one of the frankest critics of this pontificate.

In 2017, he wrote an open letter to Pope Francis saying he was causing “chronic confusion,” committing “calumny” against some of its critics, and risked “sinning against the Holy Spirit” because of his “seemingly intentional lack of clarity.”

Last year, Father Weinandy gave a speech in Australia calling on the faithful to recognize that the Church’s “unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity” were under attack by the Church’s current leadership.

There's much more, read the whole thing.

[PeterPrinciple]

Why is division always feared?

Jesus came to divide:

Luk_12:51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!

Paul thought division was ok:

1Co 11:19 But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!

[ebb tide]

After Fr. Weinandy's open letter, the apostate, socialist USSCB promptly asked him to resign:

Fr. Weinandy: “The USCCB strongly encouraged me to resign.”

[headstamp 2]

Commie vs. Traditional.

[bboop]

Why doesn’t the Commie Pope take his Commie Ways to the Anglican Church where there is more wiggle room? He doesn’t care for the Catholic Church of 2000 years/ he should take his toys and go home.

[bantam]

This Pope is pushing me from my Church, but NOT my faith!!
This apostate pope should have never been appointed in the first place!!
lifelong Catholic, even graduated Catholic HS and I’m disgusted by this Pope!!
The libs have taken over even the Church!

[cayuga]

This Pope is pushing me from my Church, but NOT my faith!!

Thank you for that.

[Salvation]

Everyone,
Pray the Holy Rosary so that this Amazon and other synods to not succeed.
Stick with the basic Church, in other words.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++And I repeat:

Pray the Rosary daily for the demise of the Amazon and other synods.
If praying the Rosary kept the Moslems out of Europe, it should work here, too.

[Marchmain]

Phrases like “purifying the church” are sure bandied around alot. Wonder what it really means?

[ealgeone]

Based on what is posted here on FR there is already a schism within Roman Catholicism.

Some of your fellow RCs don't recognize the current pope as a legitimate pope.

Some of your fellow RCs don't recognize any pope after Vatican 2.

Some of your fellow RCs ignore dogmatic statements regarding the pope.

Your denomination has a whole host of problems.

[ealgeone]

If praying the Rosary kept the Moslems out of Europe, it should work here, too.

The Battle of Tours (732) disagrees with your view of history as the Rosary did not come into being until (1214).

[stonehouse01]

https://dynamiccatholic.com/5-million-rosaries/history-of-the-rosary/

http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/history_of_the_rosary.htm

The primitive rosary started with the desert monks - it became a shortened version of the psalter.

http://www.symeon-anthony.info/PrayerRope/prayerRope.htm

St. Anthony the great used the prayer rope as an aid to pray without ceasing” as we are instructed in scripture to do. (I Thessalonians”

[stonehouse01]

oops meant to add - desert months, 3rd century or earlier.

See St.Pachomius born C. 290 http://www.saintjonah.org/services/stpachomius.htm

[ealgeone]

From the first linked article you provided.

It is widely believed that in 1214 St. Dominic had a vision of Mary. She is said to have presented him with the rosary, both the beads and the prayers to be prayed.

******

This would contradict your statement the "primitive rosary" started with the desert monks.

The rosary is a false prayer which mainly focuses prayer to Mary.

St. Anthony the great used the prayer rope as an aid to pray without ceasing” as we are instructed in scripture to do. (I Thessalonians”

And in all those cases in the NT, prayer is directed to God our Creator....not the created.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Here comes Captain Obvious saying the Catholic Church has a whole host of problems: as if we haven't been uncovering it, documenting it and bleeding over it in these FR pages almost since the beginning of this lamentable Bergoglio pontificate for the last 6 1/2 years.

I really ought to have caucused this thread. I'd have liked a more on-point discussion of the duties incumbent upon faithful Catholics at this juncture. (Note the key adjective "faithful." It would preclude the "cut and run" or "split and wreck" options.)

I would say the list begins with (1) live a more consciously faithful Catholic life in every way, relying on Our Lord and his faithfulness (2)Pray and fast, and (3) Put your money into the many vibrant faithful independent Catholic ministries that are out there, and out of the parish-diocese-USCCB-Vatican pipeline.)

An additionto that last one might be, using your Catholic charitable dollars up shore up the good guys: faithful men and women like Bishop Joseph Strickland, Bishop of Tyler TX and Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God, OSB ("Heart to Heart").

We find our fellow Christians suffering with us, since they realize the catastrophic implications as they reverberate around the whole world, Catholic or not. Blessed are those who mourn.; and those who hope.

[ealgeone]

Here comes Captain Obvious saying the Catholic Church has a whole host of problems:

Yet you posted the article highlighting the problems with your denomination.....so who is "Captain Obvious"????

Or is this just another stir the pot article posted by Roman Catholics against their denomination and pope?

I really see no difference between what the Reformers were doing with what modern day Roman Catholics are doing.

Ya'll are all but begging for a split within your denomination.

[Biggirl]

But Did not the same Jesus prayed to the Father in Heaven that His followers be one as per John Chapter 17?

[Biggirl]

The Church sadly is in a “cold schism”.

[Biggirl]

As aids for direct prayers to God.

[CodeToad]

The church voted in the pope. They should deal with him.