"A Smaller Church" by Pope Benedict XVI

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Don’t forget those “protestant” Charismatic Catholics!
And anyone who doesn’t support their views on LGBT people, more than anyone else.

Some people just get a lot of pleasure out of anathemizing others.
 
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That goes both ways. And its unfair to the people that respectfully disagree.
 
That’s a bit vague.Concrete examples would be more helpful. And some people have different standards of what constitutes disrespectful and whatnot.
 
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This is absolutely beautiful. I always liked Pope Benedict; he was underrated; he was not his best advocate, not good in the public eye, completely stymied by the Vatican powers that be. This is the voice of a saint to my ears. The Catholic Church is very far adrift; I hope his prediction is true for the sake of the faith, with God’s grace it will be. This will become clearer and clearer.
 
I agree with most everything you say there.

There are a lot of quotes of saints and popes to backup those who strive to remain orthodox Catholics. And a lot of these Catholics do indeed splinter off and wind up seeking to practice Catholicism via SSPX, sede, and independent communities.

There are three such chapels within driving distance of where I live. I’ve been to Mass at two of the three.

One is SSPX. One is an independent Chapel where the priest is an ex SSPX priest. The other is a " resistance " chapel staffed by ex SSPX priests. That is the one I have not been to.

The SSPX and the independent chapels Mass was fine. Solid sermons on Doctrine. No bashing of the Pope or Rome.

After Mass was a different experience though. Mingling with the faithful after Mass at both chapels revealed something I wanted no part of. I prefer not to elaborate.

At my diocese parish EF, there is nothing to be uncomfortable about. We have two priests and both are orthodox Catholics. Solid sermons at both the EF and OF Masses.

In addition we have regular devotional events. A Perpetual Adoration Chapel, The Alliance of the Two Hearts the first Friday of every month, which is a combined first Friday- first Saturday devotion.

There are more I could list but my point is, my parish simply offers a safe haven for those who simply want to practice Catholicism in an orthodox manner. Why would I want to be a member of a community who chooses to separate itself from Rome because of various doctrinal issues and the current rise in dissident sentiments within the Church,
rather than remain within Her and do what they can to promote the orthodox practice of Catholicism ?

There are many ways to do this. An example would be to start a Holy Name Society chapter in their parish.

Trad clergy who are now not in communion with Rome would seem to offer much if they were to reconcile and work within a diocesen parish. Solid catechesis from the pulpit is one way they could work for the Salvation of Souls. After all that is the banner they wave when they explain why they have separated themselves from Rome.

The traditionalist forums all have one thing in common. The overwhelming majority of members of these forms have turned against Bishop Fellay of the SSPX. They claim he is a sell-out for daring to discuss reconciliation with Rome. I cannot read what is in his heart but perhaps he feels that the Society can do much good in communion with the Church rather than remain outside of Her.

Trad clergy are fond of claiming that the Church has been infiltrated by dissidents, sodomists, masons, communists, and others. And evidently it has. These clergy, arguably schismatic to some degree are still orthodox Catholics. It would seem to me that it would be wise for them to realize that the Church would profit with their return to full communion and in a way infiltrate the church themselves with a good dose of solid catechesis from the pulpit and reverence in the Liturgy.

jmo
 
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It wasn’t about Centering Prayer, the author of the article is grasping at straws.

Here’s what Fr Keating wrote on that letter;
In response to then Cardinal Ratzinger’s 1989 “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation.” This was written by Thomas Keating in response to questions about that letter and Centering Prayer.

Not Directed to Centering Prayer

https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/faq-item/response-then-cardinal-ratzinger’s-1989-“letter-bishops-catholic-church-some-aspects-christ
Jim
 
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