Battling a Modernist and heretical Priest

[Apocalypse_12]

In the spirit of encyclicals Lamentabili Sane and Pascendi Dominici Gregis and the Anti-Modernist Oath authored by Pope St. Pius X, I ask this question.

First, to point out, that according to PASCENDI, anyone who says the doctrine or dogma evolves and changes is a modernist and is guilty of heresy.

That being said, let me give a background to my situation.

I attend a private Catholic university. One of its core requirements for graduation is that you take 6 credits of Religion classes.

One of those Religion classes, I’m taking this semester. It is a Catholic Traditions class, and it is taught by a Jesuit priest.

Much of his teaching is very opinionated and has strayed very far from the Course Description. I would say that most of the class is the students read the material, and the Priest gives us his opinion on the material rather than what Church teaching states on the issues in the material.

The fact is, he is propagating heretical statements in class, and he has no authority to do that, both as a priest and as a university professor.

For example, he has stated that “Personally, I do not believe in Satan.” This opinion kept to himself is one thing, but promoting it in class even though it’s against Church teaching is another.

Also, he has said that “serious modifications were made to the Council of Trent by the Second Vatican Council.”

And this is not true. To modify means to partially change. And since, according to St. Pius X, dogma does not evolve or change and infallible teachings are immutable, the priest is guilty of heresy because he is saying that Vatican 2 “changed things.”

I can go on and on about all the heretical statements he’s made, but the point is that he is making them.

Since he is guilty of heresy, and publicly holds these beliefs, he is automatically excommunicated.

I’m tired of the rampant liberalism and modernism at my school, because it calls itself a Catholic university, and feel that it is my duty as a Catholic to report these incidents not only to the school but to Church authorities.

I want to end this charade, but I do not know how. What would be my first step to battle the blatant heterodoxy from this priest?

ps-emailing him telling him to stop doesn’t work. I’ve done that already and he only replies “Thank you for your comments” each time.

 

[Dempsey1919]

I want to end this charade, but I do not know how. What would be my first step to battle the blatant heterodoxy from this priest?

You must have compassion for this priest. He seems to have lost his way and is in great need of your prayers. Do not look upon this as a “battle” because you are not fighting this priest, you are helping him. You are doing your best to show him the truth in a charitable manner.

The first thing you must do is speak up during his classes. If he states that he doesn’t believe in Satan, ask him to prove his belief using Scripture. Then proceed to show him the truth by using a combination of Scripture and Church documents. Do not let his unorthodox views go unchallenged. However, I caution you to undertake this in the spirit of friendly debate; do not treat this as an attack.

Secondly, I encourage you to keep a record of all his unorthodox statements. First, I suggest that you refute all of these statements using valid sources; perhaps you could challenge him and disprove his points. After this, I would ask him to cease teaching heterodox doctrine. If he persists, I would report him to the appropriate authorities and provide them with evidence to support your claims. You are not doing this to hurt the priest. You are doing this so that the faith of your classmates is not endangered.

Could you list a few of the things he has taught? I would like to know what sort of false doctrine you are dealing with. Perhaps I can help you to defend the faith.

 

[Danuska]

Well, you have said nothing that proves that he is indeed heretical.
Modernist - I do not know how you define the term…

But think about this part:
"This very day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.’

1 Samuel, 24,10

And yes, you have taken so much time and effort to write this ‘charade’, but have you taken any time to pray for him? And if you think that his condition is so bad, have you thought about taking fasting for him?

 

[Dempsey1919]

Well, you have said nothing that proves that he is indeed heretical.
Modernist - I do not know how you define the term…

Disbelief in the reality of the Evil One is cause for concern. Stating that the Council of Trent was modified by Vatican II is wrong; the decrees of the Council of Trent still stand. Let us not forget that Vatican II did not change or develop any doctrine; the Council simply expressed the faith in a manner that is relevant to modern man.

The OP uses the writings of Pope St. Pius X to define the term “Modernist.” It is a valid and correct theological term. *However, I caution the OP not to label the priest using these names because it is both unkind and uncharitable. It is enough to recognize that he has certain unorthodox theological opinions. Do not use this as an excuse to be uncharitable. *

"This very day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.’

Nobody is attacking this priest. The OP is certainly not raising his hand against the priest. This quote simply has no relevance whatsoever to this conversation.

Furthermore, this priest is not infallable. He has a duty to teach the Catholic faith; he should not be teaching false doctrines in the name of the Church. He has an obligation to teach his students the truth. He should not use his position to contradict the Sacred Deposit of Faith; he should not express theological opinions which are contrary to the Catholic faith. By doing this, the priest may cause his students to doubt their faith. He should not be espousing heretical views. The OP wants to defend the faith and there is nothing wrong in this as long as he does so in a kind and compassionate manner.

 

[elts1956]

You must have compassion for this priest. He seems to have lost his way and is in great need of your prayers. Do not look upon this as a “battle” because you are not fighting this priest, you are helping him. You are doing your best to show him the truth in a charitable manner.

The first thing you must do is speak up during his classes. If he states that he doesn’t believe in Satan, ask him to prove his belief using Scripture. Then proceed to show him the truth by using a combination of Scripture and Church documents. Do not let his unorthodox views go unchallenged. However, I caution you to undertake this in the spirit of friendly debate; do not treat this as an attack.

Secondly, I encourage you to keep a record of all his unorthodox statements. First, I suggest that you refute all of these statements using valid sources; perhaps you could challenge him and disprove his points. After this, I would ask him to cease teaching heterodox doctrine. If he persists, I would report him to the appropriate authorities and provide them with evidence to support your claims. You are not doing this to hurt the priest. You are doing this so that the faith of your classmates is not endangered.

Could you list a few of the things he has taught? I would like to know what sort of false doctrine you are dealing with. Perhaps I can help you to defend the faith.

I would agree with Dempsey. But you will have to do a little play acting. Be sure to look at this instructor with a sincere expression, and say, “Gee, I didn’t know that. Could you explain it further?” Keep him on the defensive, but do it nicely. Since you are depending on him for a grade and hope to graduate, I wouldn’t antagonize him by the questions, or voice. Just as Dempsey also said, look up valid refutations, but do refute him in a student to instructor way.

 

[mdgspencer]

I have worked at a “Catholic University” for more than 30 years and I have seen many things of the sort.
I admire you for your courage, because many such professors would punish you with a poor grade for calling them out.
I have made complaints too, though all it has done, if anything, is to cause the university to try to keep anyone off-campus from knowing about about the university-approved gay organization on campus.
One of the most effective possiblities is to complain to the bishop (providing evidence for what you say). Several years ago the bishop of my diocese called the theology professors at my university to a meeting and spoke to them about following Church teaching. The professor, a dissentor from Church doctrine herself, who I heard complain about the meeting made it clear that she thought it an imposition and out-of-line for the bishop, and nothing changed, unfortunately. But at least the bishop was trying to do something forceful.
Keep up the good work.
God can see you defending the faith.

 

[Dempsey1919]

I admire you for your courage, because many such professors would punish you with a poor grade for calling them out.

This is discrimination. A teacher cannot fail a student because he does not like the pupil. All work should be analysed objectively and any grades awarded should be based solely on the merits of the assignment or essay.

I would bare this in mind when you debate this priest, and be on your guard for anything that looks or sounds like discrimination. You should not be punished for defending Church teaching in a theology class.

Furthermore, these heterodox theologians should not be allowed to bully all objectors into silence. If this priest has a strong faith, he should be able to handle any criticism.

 

[Lisa44]

That is troubling indeed. I agree with Dempsey.

Are you allowed to record his lectures on cassette tapes? Then you could hand them over to someone if they want to review the material he is covering.

“it is the greatest art of the devil to convince us he doesn’t exist.” Charles Baudelaire

 

[Katholish]

Since he is guilty of heresy, and publicly holds these beliefs, he is automatically excommunicated.

I simpathize, but the above is a statement that you simply cannot make based on the information you provided. There is a difference between material and formal heresy. Clearly this priest is a material heretic at the very least, however, the fact that he is teaching publically does not mean he is fully culpable for his error. It is often difficult to know if a person is guilty of formal heresy, and until they are judged so by the Church, it is generally safer to assume material heresy only.

 

[Apocalypse_12]

Could you list a few of the things he has taught? I would like to know what sort of false doctrine you are dealing with. Perhaps I can help you to defend the faith.

In addition to his disbelief in Satan and his belief that Vatican 2 “modified” the Council of Trent he has also publicly stated that:

1. he believes in the ordination of women and that the Church should maybe change their stance on the issue because, according to him, women who can’t be priests are discriminated against because “of that thing between their legs.”
2. he does not believe in the traditional doctrine of Original Sin. Rather, he has said that original sin is not inherited from birth; we teach each other to sin.

From the responses, which I appreciate, I should do the following:
1)debate him in a charitable and friendly manner
and
2) if he continues to propagate heresy in a Catholic Tradition class, I should inform the bishop of the diocese.

However, may I ask for further opinions because I have already tried debating him in a friendly manner. We’ve even had lunch together to discuss the topics that he’s brought up and my objections to them. He will not concede. I quote Church doctrines and documents, but he does not like my “quoting authorities” and said that I should do some critical thinking.

So, in effect, I would say, charitable debating will not change his mind. I’ve already told him to stop, but he will not. Like I said, he only responds to my emails with “Thank you for your comments.”

Thank you for your responses as they give me an idea as to what first step I should take to end this heterodoxy.

 

[Dempsey1919]

1. he does not believe in the traditional doctrine of Original Sin. Rather, he has said that original sin is not inherited from birth; we teach each other to sin.

Original Sin is a key doctrine of the faith. Without Original Sin, man has no need of a Redeemer. Christ came to heal the wounds created by Original Sin. Furthermore, if children do not inherit the state, or wounded nature of Original Sin, what is the purpose of infant baptism? Ask your priest were concupscience comes from?

Also, if this priest does not believe in the devil, does he believe in the Angels?

To be honest, I have no idea as to how you are going to be able to debate this priest. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[buffalo]

Let your Bishop know. If he does not respond send info to the Vatican.

 

[Dempsey1919]

If he does not respond send info to the Vatican.

Don’t you think it would be better for the OP to try to resolve this issue personally with the priest before taking such drastic measures?

 

[buffalo]

Don’t you think it would be better for the OP to try to resolve this issue personally with the priest before taking such drastic measures?

I think it is good to notify the Bishop so he knows what is going on in his diocese. How effective do you think a student is going to be in mending his ways?

Perhaps in this class the challenge will be made, but what about next semester and those students.

If a prof is teaching heresy he should be reported.

 

[a_cermak]

If it’s a Jesuit school, I don’t believe the Bishop has any authority. I’m pretty sure the Jesuits are autonomous. You might take it up with his Jesuit superior.

 

[a_cermak]

Another thing, is doesn’t it depend on how this is being taught.

If he says, the Church believes that women cannot be ordained.

However, I personally, think it’s discriminatory…

Or the Church believes in Original Sin being a stain that a baby is born with; however, I believe Original Sin is a tendency to sin and we teach our children to sin…

Isn’t that OK? I mean, in that case, he’s clearly distinguishing between his opinion and what the Church actually teaches. And he’s probably giving a better coverage of what actual Catholics believe because the Catholic faith as it is lived by the laity does have these distinctions, not everyone believes everything in the Catechism in the exact same way.

 

[buffalo]

If it’s a Jesuit school, I don’t believe the Bishop has any authority. I’m pretty sure the Jesuits are autonomous. You might take it up with his Jesuit superior.

In any case the Bishop should know. This is sowing seeds of confusion in his diocese. Small wonder people are confused.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

In the spirit of encyclicals Lamentabili Sane and Pascendi Dominici Gregis and the Anti-Modernist Oath authored by Pope St. Pius X, I ask this question.

First, to point out, that according to PASCENDI, anyone who says the doctrine or dogma evolves and changes is a modernist and is guilty of heresy.

That being said, let me give a background to my situation.

I attend a private Catholic university. One of its core requirements for graduation is that you take 6 credits of Religion classes.

One of those Religion classes, I’m taking this semester. It is a Catholic Traditions class, and it is taught by a Jesuit priest.

Much of his teaching is very opinionated and has strayed very far from the Course Description. I would say that most of the class is the students read the material, and the Priest gives us his opinion on the material rather than what Church teaching states on the issues in the material.

The fact is, he is propagating heretical statements in class, and he has no authority to do that, both as a priest and as a university professor.

For example, he has stated that “Personally, I do not believe in Satan.” This opinion kept to himself is one thing, but promoting it in class even though it’s against Church teaching is another.

Also, he has said that “serious modifications were made to the Council of Trent by the Second Vatican Council.”

And this is not true. To modify means to partially change. And since, according to St. Pius X, dogma does not evolve or change and infallible teachings are immutable, the priest is guilty of heresy because he is saying that Vatican 2 “changed things.”

**I can go on and on about all the heretical statements he’s made, but the point is that he is making them.

Since he is guilty of heresy, and publicly holds these beliefs, he is automatically excommunicated.

I’m tired of the rampant liberalism and modernism at my school, because it calls itself a Catholic university, and feel that it is my duty as a Catholic to report these incidents not only to the school but to Church authorities.
**
I want to end this charade, but I do not know how. What would be my first step to battle the blatant heterodoxy from this priest?

ps-emailing him telling him to stop doesn’t work. I’ve done that already and he only replies “Thank you for your comments” each time.

Have you ever thought of your time in University as a time to grow and explore? You should know that the Jesuit order is known for broad open thinking. What I see this professor doing is challenging his students. This is not a bad thing, much less anything with “heterodoxy” or should he be “excommunicated” you are really harsh on him. In real life, the Church does change, like your professor says, it has never been and never been rigid.

You appear to want a rote Catechism approach, which this class is not. It is expected for you to think outside the box, out of your comfort zone. There is nothing to fear with looking and analyzing different ideas. As you will learn as you go through life that life is not black and white, but infinite shades of grey.

I put this challenge to you, listen to what the professor is saying with this class. Challenge yourself and do not fear the differences in opinion. You will learn much through the experience and this will follow you as you grow through life. University is a time of exploration of different ideas, it is why you came to get (I hope), so embrace this approach.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

This is discrimination. A teacher cannot fail a student because he does not like the pupil. All work should be analysed objectively and any grades awarded should be based solely on the merits of the assignment or essay.

I would bare this in mind when you debate this priest, and be on your guard for anything that looks or sounds like discrimination. You should not be punished for defending Church teaching in a theology class.

Furthermore, these heterodox theologians should not be allowed to bully all objectors into silence. If this priest has a strong faith, he should be able to handle any criticism.

This is University.

University is supposed to be a time of exploring new ideas and to be challenged at times. All accredited institutions of higher learning has a broad liberal arts base to grow ideas in students.

 

[Apocalypse_12]

If it’s a Jesuit school, I don’t believe the Bishop has any authority. I’m pretty sure the Jesuits are autonomous. You might take it up with his Jesuit superior.

It’s a Benedictine school.