CG I don't want to start up that whole debate on the infallibility of Vat II again, but you must agree that the "dialectical" approach has been exploited mercilessly during the Post-Conciliar period, with respect to the interpretation (or misinterpretation) of the Council's documents.
<> I do agree that in the West, especially in America, that voices opposed to the authentic teachings of the Council have drowned out the competent authorities.The opposition comes from the McBrien left and the Lefevbre right. They are fraternal twins opposed to their Father in Rome.<>
I have often heard liberals boasting about the divisions among conservative and traditional Catholics, as being one of the main reasons for their success. John Allen of the NCR is a recent case that comes to mind.
<> Yeah, I think that empty boast is true. They really haven't had success; but I get his point.<>
Lets face it - if you were the devil and you wanted to destroy the Church, where would you attack?
<> I'd attack Unity. That is what Satan has done, and done very well. Right in the text of the NT we see instances of schisms, very early on. Satan knows he can't destroy the Mass or the Catholic Church. He does know he can peel folks away through schisms and heresies. Satan sets before the intellect of those susceptible to Pride the thought "I am the one that will "save" the Church from thus and such.."
From Cerinthus, to Montanus,to Luther, to Lefebvre, there have always been folks willing to "save" the Church from her "errors."
. Satan has an excellent success rate in this area; and, there appear to be an ever-growing number of folks willing to enlist on his side to "save" the Church. "If I don't do it, all is lost," is both Pride and Pleasure; falsehood and flattery; what an intoxicating cocktail..."<>
-the priesthood? -the Mass? -inflaming conflict between those who love the Mass (of whatever rite)? I still say Unity. That is what Jesus prayed for. He knows how susceptible we are to flattery and the frippery of "faithful to eternal Rome" festooning the intellectual fatuousness of the fraternal fanatics of extremism we hear from incessantly.<>
Gnostics, Protestants, Modernists - they have always sought to destroy the Mass first - and the priesthood along with it. It is a certain sign of who they truly serve and they take great delight when the believers fight amongst one another!
<> I think it the case they attacked Unity prior to the Mass. Coached and coaxed by Satan, (He knew the quickest way to sow enmity and confusion was to appeal to our Pride) they, with all good intentions, tried to "save" the Catholic Church from herself by "defending truth."<>