It is being
suggested that Cardinal Schonborn is to take over the CDF (see here). I cannot feel comfortable with that, for although Cardinal Schonborn took part in
the drawing up of the Catechism, he appears to display more of a loyalty to the
person of the Pope rather than the Papacy itself (and its duty to defend
Doctrine). I say this because Cardinal Schonborn was loyal to the Catechism when
St. John-Paul II and Benedict XVI occupied the See of Peter, but appears to have become pro-homosexual under Pope Francis. We do not want someone who blows
with the wind of whoever occupies the See of Peter, but someone who recognises that the role of the CDF -and of the
Pope- is to protect the Deposit of Faith committed to the Church by
Our Lord, not alter it, and that Deposit is under threat from many today.
We need only look
to see that even some of our Bishops and priests have supported the (actually impossible) civil ‘union’ of homosexual
persons in recent years to detect the threats to the Faith. I do not so much fear the
Popes, Bishops and priests who abandon their role of defending The Faith; rather,
I fear for the souls of such Popes, Bishops and priests -and the souls of their
sheep. The Church is being persecuted by secular society for holding to her Doctrinal
Deposit (it is now very difficult to wear a crucifix at work
without risking dismissal; difficult to refuse to register a civil union etc), and we need solid shepherds to guide us. Sadly, the Church is not replete with such
shepherds.
Sadly, for many of
today’s shepherds, pastoral care means ignoring the Truth and refusing to apply
the Truth so that offence is not given and emotions are not hurt. In the
process, however, they are not simply hurting souls, but killing souls -and
if they cannot see that then they have lost the faith, swapping it for belief in
a Triune God to whom Truth means nothing, and who came to earth to conquer social
sin while ignoring personal (individual sin). In this they can be seen to have
lost all belief in a personal God (who is not interested in individual persons
but societies) and as such, they cannot lead the people into a personal
relationship with God.
We need to pray for our shepherds; we need to pray that they will love Truth and have the courage to proclaim it in the face of a hostile world (Jn.15v18; 17v14). It is not enough that their hearts are good and in the right place; they also have to love and promote Truth -Who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb.13v8).
Thank you, Father. Your comments are a consolation to me, who sometimes feels abandoned by the Church
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Terry Middleton
Thank you.
DeleteYou are not alone in feeling abandoned by the Church's shepherds, but in that the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ you are never truly abandoned, and indeed, are not suffering alone.
God Bless.
Father, you often say not to criticise people but ideas and positions. haven't you criticised Cardinal Schonborn quite specifically here? How sad.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Thank you john.
DeleteIf yo read the post again you will see I have not criticised the Cardinal per se, only noted that he seems to follow whoever sits in the Seat of Peter, which is a devotion to persons rather than the office.
The CDF requires more than devotion to the person of the Pope.
God Bless.
Schonborn does seem to come in to the category of “ all things to all men” on occasions.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to active homosexuality, whatever view Schonborn takes or implies he takes, it is a grievous and unnatural sin which, lets face it most of us, that is 99+ % of people, including some who are so inclined but have chosen heroic chastity instead, view, should we ever care to do do so, with some disgust.
Few however dare say so, such is the power of the active-homosexually-inclined lobbies who now dominate TV and Press, - and possibly some aspects of the Church??
Thank you Jacobi.
DeleteIndeed, homosexual activity is contrary to our biological nature and to reason. There are men and women who live heroically chaste lives in order not to fold under such disordered (misplaced) attractions. "All things to all men" as used by St Paul in 1 Cor.9v22 was about saving men and women from themselves, not 'accompanying them' in their sinful lifestyles -which it seems to have become for many in the Church today. Such Church-folk are living the Christian life by 'catchphrases' (such as 'accompanying people') rather than by The Faith, it seems.
I choose 'blowing with the wind' rather than 'all things...' because the former suggests an absence of bad will; becoming 'all things to all men' implies a choice and therefore true moral responsibility for accompanying rather than challenging.
God Bless.
Thank you Father for this straightforward post. Balm to my spirit. I keep you and other orthodox priests in my prayers. I hope your health improves.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Thank you, geneticallycatholic.
DeleteGod Bless you and yours.
I wholeheartedly agree with your article Father. I think a saying attributed to st ignatius is true here.
ReplyDelete"Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you"
But what can we do in conjunction with prayer to help solve the situation?
Thank you David.
DeleteWe can, in gentle and peaceful manner, challenge those who make mistakes, while seeking our own holiness of life. I feel a post coming on...
God Bless.
Love your posts Father. So filled with truth, love and goodness. You are such a good shepherd of souls.
ReplyDeleteHope the ol' COPD is in check and you are breathing easy. May Our Lady keep you safe.
Thank you, sandpiper.
DeleteThe Word shepherds souls in the right direction, we are all mere instruments who try -and sometimes fail- to live as we speak.
COPD continues on its own merry way...
God Bless.