Bergoglio breaks the Semi-Trads: Is the Fence-Sitting coming to an End?
Good news, everyone: It seems more and more semi-traditionalists are finally at the breaking point with Jorge Bergoglio. His recent apology tour for indigenous Canadians seems to have put some people over the edge. During this trip, the man otherwise known by his stage name, “Pope Francis”, did not just unload heaps of the expected ideological blather, he also participated in a pagan smudge ceremony petitioning the “western grandmother” for “access to the sacred circle of spirits”.
On those ‘Spiritual Dangers’ of Sedevacantism:
A Reply to Eric Sammons
“Sedeva-whaat?!”
It is evident that, as of late, Sedevacantism has been on the minds of many “semi-traditionalists” (our moniker for those who take a “recognize-the-Pope-as-valid-but-resist-his-bad-teachings-and-laws” approach to the current situation), and it is easy to see why. Sedevacantism is the elephant in the room that is staring everyone in the face, while the “Francis papacy” forces the old recognize-and-resist narrative to collapse like a house of cards under the weight of its own ever more obvious absurdity.
Thus it is not surprising that we have recently seen a truckload of anti-sedevacantist material being pumped out on various semi-trad web sites, among which is an article by Eric Sammons that warns readers to beware of the “spiritual dangers” that are supposedly found in Sedevacantism:
Frequent readers of this blog may remember that we have vehemently criticized Sammons in the past, taking him to task for his truly appalling theology:
No Jekyll-and-Hyde Magisterium: Against the Theological Sophistry of Peter Kwasniewski
On May 26, 2022, One Peter Five published another article by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, the retired philosophy professor who is currently “rethinking the Papacy” in an effort to fit the square peg of Jorge Bergoglio (“Pope Francis”) into the round hole of the Petrine primacy:
The article’s chief contention is that the nature and role of the Church’s magisterium, specifically that of the Pope, has been unduly exaggerated by some to the detriment of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.… READ MORE
In 1910 he was ordained a priest in Rome at the young age of 22 after Pope St. Pius X had granted him a special dispensation. Pope Benedict XV appointed him bishop of Toledo, Ohio, and named him a Domestic Prelate of His Holiness in 1921. Bp. Stritch became Archbishop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1930, and was appointed Archbishop of Chicago nine years later. Pope Pius XII elevated him to the status of cardinal in 1946.… READ MORE
“Rethinking” the Papacy?
A New Narrative for the Semi-Trads
One gets the feeling that the recognize-and-resist traditionalists over at One Peter Five cannot contain their enthusiasm. They have latched onto a novel concept they think can vindicate their traditionalism vis-à-vis “Pope” Francis and yet also preserve them from the oh-so detested Sedevacantism. They are now openly floating the idea of rethinking the Papacy.
Just the other day One Peter Fiveissued a call for article submissions. As in, “This is the position we’re going to be taking, and now we need people to provide the argumentation to back it up.”… READ MORE
Critical review of “The Catholic Response to Corrupt Cardinals”
Not Just Wicked Shepherds but a Heretical Church:
A Sedevacantist Reply to Joshua Charles
On May 31, 2022, an article appeared on One Peter Five entitled “The Catholic Response to Corrupt Cardinals”. Its author is Joshua Charles, who, according to his biographical note, is a convert from Protestantism.
Given that it is published on a web site that is well-known for its firm adherence to and promotion of the recognize-and-resist position — Eric Sammons, Kennedy Hall, and Peter Kwasniewski are contributing editors at One Peter Five, and T. S.… READ MORE
Pope Pius IX’s Syllabus of LEFEBVRIST Errors (1873)
On January 6, 1873, the magnificent Pope Pius IX published the encyclical letter Quartus Supra. It is addressed to “Our Venerable Brothers Anthony Peter IX, Patriarch of Cilicia, and the Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy and Laity, Our Beloved Children of the Armenian Rite Who are in Loving Communion with the Apostolic See.”
This beautiful magisterial text concerns the threat of an emerging schism in the Armenian church and refutes the specious argumentation brought forward by those trying to justify their disobedience while still claiming to be loyal subjects of the Pope.… READ MORE
In case you missed our initial announcement on Apr. 28: We have published another full-length episode of our popular TRADCAST podcast program. As always, it is loaded with real traditional Catholicism, insightful commentary, hard-hitting refutations of various errors, and razor-sharp analysis. Our content is typically challenging but is always delivered in an accessible way with a relieving touch of humor, so necessary in our chaotic and bizarre times.
TRADCAST 032 discusses sundry different topics:
In view of the increasing popularity of the idea that Benedict XVI is “still” the Pope (and Francis’ election was invalid), the first segment begins with a look at the Modernism of Joseph Ratzinger, illustrated by his strange ideas on original sin, which are not compatible with the perennial Catholic doctrine on the matter.… READ MORE
Distinguished Pre-Vatican II Theologian:
A Heretical Pope is Impossible
The Jesuit Fr. Felix Cappello (1879-1962) was an outstanding theologian of the Catholic Church. He held doctorates in Sacred Theology, philosophy, and canon law. He taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University from 1920 to 1959 and served as a Vatican advisor.
In 1911/12, Fr. Cappello’s 2-volume work De Curia Romana (“On the Roman Curia”) was published. Volume 2 deals specifically with the Roman Curia during a time when there is no Pope, the state of sede vacante. It contains a treatment of the question of the “heretical Pope” (Papa haereticus) and whether the Church has the power to depose him.… READ MORE
Segment 1: Is Benedict XVI the “real” Pope? The Modernism of Joseph Ratzinger / No essential difference between Francis’ and Benedict’s theology / Francis’ lack of concern for the supernatural life in souls illustrated: his belief that “good” atheists are saved; his reassurance of a homosexual atheist / Francis’ one-sidedness illustrated: Is receiving forgiveness only a matter of asking for it? His condemnation of the destruction of the environment while facilitating the destruction of Faith in souls / Indifferentism and the False Gospel of Humanitarianism / miscellaneous: thank-you to donors and volunteers; two podcast interviews with Novus Ordo Watch; delayed correspondence
Segment 2: Kennedy Hall misrepresents Sedevacantism as doubting the Papacy / Rev.
Why some Catholics hold to the ‘Material-Formal Thesis’…
Apostolic Succession after Pope Pius XII:
Where is the Catholic Hierarchy?
In recent weeks there has been a considerable amount of online controversy among sedevacantists about the so-called “Material/Formal Theory” regarding the status of the Novus Ordo hierarchy, especially its so-called “popes”. Some cling adamantly to this thesis because they believe it to be significantly helpful or even essential to a proper understanding of the situation in the Catholic Church today, whereas others repudiate it because they judge it to be misleading or even a danger to the Faith. There are also those “in the middle” who do or don’t subscribe to the thesis but simply consider it a possible theological option, one that it would not be prudent to spend much time fighting over.… READ MORE
“Rome will be without a Shepherd”:
Virgin Mary to holy Abbess Maria Steiner in 1840s
It behooves Catholics to beware of private revelations — certainly of those that have not been approved by the Church, which must be avoided, but even of those that have been approved. Although the latter are judged by the Church to be free from error in Faith or morals and therefore safe to familiarize oneself with, it is important not to get attached to this kind of revelation because it is not necessary for our salvation and is given only to specific people, at a specific point in time, for a specific purpose.… READ MORE
O texto foi levemente alterado pelo autor e otimizado para publicação impressa. As notas finais seguem o texto principal. De acordo com a permissão do autor, todas as citações bíblicas são da tradução da Bíblia Sagrada de Pe Matos Soares, 6ª edição, 1956.… READ MORE
This script has been slightly revised by the author and optimized for print publication. All scriptural quotations are from the Douay-Rheims translation, unless otherwise noted.
When our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ founded the Roman Catholic Church, He did so not merely as an institution that would teach His doctrine throughout the world and confer His grace through the sacraments.… READ MORE
Address of His Holiness Pope Pius XII to Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops on the Catholic Church and her Powers of Sanctifying and Ruling, Nov. 2, 1954
“Magnify the Lord with me; together let us extoll His name” (Ps. 33,4), for by a new favor from Heaven has Our desire been fulfilled, and at the same time We rejoice at the sight of you, beloved sons and venerable brothers, gathered before Us in such large numbers. And the consideration of the new liturgical feast of Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven and Earth, which We just recently solemnly proclaimed, swells Our holy joy; for it is only fitting for her children to rejoice when they see an increase of honor accorded their mother.… READ MORE
Back in 2014, when Francis had a golden opportunity to 'proclaim the Gospel' to the needy, to those in darkness, to the oppressed who were Muslims migrants -- but he didn't. Instead he told them to read their Koran -- that would help them to move forward:
The man at the top of a church which refuses to have a mission to the Jews says "the Word [of God] is a gift addressed to everyone; therefore we can never restrict its field of action..." - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2023/documents/20230122-domenicadella-paroladidio.html Different audiences get to hear a different gospel! #PopeFrancis
They are trying so hard but it is of no avail: You cannot have it both ways: have Francis be Pope AND do your own thing in religion. As long as you recognize him as Pope, he wins. And an opinion of Fr. Henri LeFloch does not trump papal teaching. #catholic
Kennedy Hall admits he doesn't adhere to Vatican II ecclesiology - Keep that in mind for next time one of his co-religionists asks you, "But what doctrine of Vatican II do we actually reject?" #catholictwitter #catholic
@tonylarosa9 <<< Meanwhile, the possibility of heresy in a papal teaching, even if not ruled out by the logic of non-infallibility, IS ruled out by the Church's teaching on the Papacy. If the Pope could teach something that denies the Faith, he would no longer be a safe guide to salvation.
The abominable Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi is now open for worship - Religious egalitarianism breeds indifferentism and syncretism. This is apostasy! #catholictwitter #catholic #vatican #popefrancis