If Vatican II had published a Document on the Devil, this is how it would read…

Parody of Vatican II declaration ‘Nostra Aetate’…

If Vatican II had published a Document on the Devil, this is how it would read…

Probably the most shocking of all the 16 documents of the bogus Second Vatican Council (1962-65) is its “Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions”. Taken from the first words of the original Latin text, it bears the title Nostra Aetate, which basically means “in our age” or “in our time”.

Although the declaration is uncharacteristically short, it contains frightful errors and ambiguities evidently at odds with the pre-conciliar Catholic magisterium. Among them is the claim that “in Hinduism, men contemplate the divine mystery and express it through an inexhaustible abundance of myths and through searching philosophical inquiry. They seek freedom from the anguish of our human condition either through ascetical practices or profound meditation or a flight to God with love and trust” (Nostra Aetate, n. 2).

Another egregious howler is the declaration’s insistence that “the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures” (n. 4), when that is of course precisely what follows from Scripture (see Mt 21:43; 27:25; Rom 11; 2 Tim 2:12; 1 Jn 4:3; 2 Jn 7).

Nostra Aetate even has the audacity to affirm: “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these [non-Christian] religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men” (n. 2).

How diabolical and absurd the errors of Vatican II are with regard to the Catholic Church’s relationship to other religions, is perhaps best illustrated by a satirical piece that was composed many years ago by an unknown author. Entitled “Nostra Aetate Part 2: Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Satan”, the text is an exceptionally well-done parody of Nostra Aetate and in fact of the diction and style of Vatican II in general.

The text of the parody, which we have modified and expanded somewhat, can be found below, along with a link to the original.

Chicago based researchers uncover previously unreleased portion of Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II document on interfaith relations

Mr. Hugh Moore, Executive Director of the St. Laphadis Foundation in Chicago announced today at a press conference the discovery of a previously unreleased version of Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II declaration on inter-faith relations. In Germany, an ecumenical Cardinal who preferred to go unnamed gave ghostly praise to the newly-discovered document, calling it “a breakthrough in the Catholic Church’s journey toward fully reconciling herself with the many gifts that those who reject Christ bring to our cultural heritage.”

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NOSTRA AETATE (Part II): Declaration on the Relation of the Church to the Devil

In this age of ours, when men are are drawing ever more closely together and the bonds of friendship between different peoples are being strengthened, the Church examines with still greater care the relation which she has with Satan, formerly named Lucifer.

When God created the angels, He appointed Lucifer, whose name means “bearer of light”, the “anointed Cherub” over paradise (Ezek 28:14). Since “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29), it follows that, by virtue of his original office, the devil shall forever enjoy a special place and dignity before God, wherefore men ought to show respect towards him at all times. Indeed, not even the Archangel Michael dared accuse him of wrongdoing (see Jude 8-9).

The Apostle James reminds us that the devil still possesses faith, something that not even all men possess (see James 2:19; cf. 2 Thess 3:2). In fact, it was not Peter or any of the Apostles who first recognized and confessed Jesus’ identity, it was the devil and his demons who testified to it (see Mt 4:1ff.; 8:29; Mk 1:24). Satan has therefore retained a deep religious sense, which is manifested also in his efforts to establish religious institutions all around the world.

Sounding the depths of the mystery which is the Church, this sacred council is also mindful of the spiritual ties which link the People of God to the devil. This link is most poignantly observed in the devil’s angelic nature. The Church of Christ acknowledges that in God’s plan of salvation the beginning of her faith and election is to be found in the angels who were the first of all God’s rational creatures (cf. Job 38:7). She also professes that in the resurrection all Christ’s faithful shall become “as the angels” (Mt 22:30).

Many of the early Fathers, including Origen, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Maximus the Confessor, Didymus the Blind, and Evagrius Ponticus, speculated that the devil would one day be restored to his original place in Heaven.

Ought the Church not to share in this hope? Does it not at least strike a resonant chord deep within the human spirit, experienced by all people of good will, however dispersed throughout the world they might be?

The Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy about the devil. She has high regard for his nature, office, faith, and dignity. Although she differs with him on many points of doctrine, nevertheless he often reflects a ray of that truth which enlightens all God’s creatures. Indeed, still today he “transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14), thereby reflecting the inherent goodness of the primordial creation (cf. Gen 1:3-4).

All Christians, therefore, cannot refrain from acknowledging, preserving, and encouraging the spiritual and moral truths found in the person of the devil, while nevertheless joyfully witnessing to their own faith and way of life.

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[Adapted from original at http://catholiccitizens.org/press/pressview.asp?c=13591]

Image source: composite with elements from shutterstock.com (PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek) and alamy.com (Cory Thoman / Alamy Stock Vector)
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