Being a traditional Catholic, not a Pharisee

[RyanML]

Make Holy Hours of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus if you wish to console Him!
Make sacrifices for poor sinners.Evangelize the ignorant;offer spiritual works of mercy.
Stop cursing the darkness…and be a light! St.John Vianney will intercede for us during this Jubilee Year for the sanctification of the priesthood-he transformed the spiritually desolate parish in Ars by his* profound* love and* personal* holiness-and so many souls were saved!

All of these are excellent points and suggestions, especially the Holy Hours of reparation.

I think the best way to teach others about reverence and respect, especially for the Most Blessed Sacrament, is to show by our example. Being a light, as you said. I don’t really think it does much good to come to these forums and constantly complain about problems we see in the Church but I understand that many people feel very much alone and on the margins and they find comfort in talking with other like minded Catholics. We just have to find that balance, always remembering our charity and humility.

 

[RyanML]

Sometimes I wonder whether it is possible to be a Catholic at all and not a Pharisee. Did Jesus have a code of Canon Law? Did Jesus have dogmatic ecumenical councils which wrote dogmatic documents? Did Jesus have Inquisitions? Did Jesus have religious orders? Did Jesus have infallible popes? Did Jesus have Cardinals? Did Jesus have Congregations of a Roman Curia? Did He impose certain fast days and Eucharistic fasts? Are we legalistic like the Pharisees???

Certainly the Church has developed, to say the least.

Well, let’s see. The Canon laws are simply rules and disciplines that guide the life of the Church but they are not set in stone and can change as necessary. So here we see that the laws of the Church are at the service of man and not the other way around. Remember, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for making the law an end in itself. And we already see in Sacred Scripture where the promised guidance of the Spirit led the Church to meet in Council and it seems logical that as the Spirit makes the truth more and more clear that the Church finds ways of expressing this in the best possible ways. And no, Jesus did not have inquisitions. The Church has the right to defend herself, but when the desire for power and the influence of politics gets involved, that’s when fallen man can be at his worst. The Church is not immune from corrupt members. Regarding infallible popes, it was Jesus himself who gave the apostles authority and promised the guidance of the Spirit. And then there are the “keys to the Kingdom” which he gave to Peter. And the Church does not ask us to fast or do penance just because it seems like a good idea. The laws of fast and abstinence are meant to serve us in the spiritual life, to help us become more detached from ourselves and from the world, and grow in deeper intimacy with the Most Holy Trinity.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

All of these are excellent points and suggestions, especially the Holy Hours of reparation.

I think the best way to teach others about reverence and respect, especially for the Most Blessed Sacrament, is to show by our example. Being a light, as you said. I don’t really think it does much good to come to these forums and constantly complain about problems we see in the Church but I understand that many people feel very much alone and on the margins and they find comfort in talking with other like minded Catholics. We just have to find that balance, always remembering our charity and humility.

Thank you for being so honest, humble and forthright in your response, dear brother in Christ!
I have a sincere desire, as you do-and all of us here-to see Our dear Lord held in the highest esteem! I have many friends who are traditionalists, who I respect very deeply, but I often have found that their criticisms of me and the way I raise my family, worship God and spend my time are rigid and lacking the love and mercy of our Tender Savior.
Thank you again for being open to receive a poor sinner’s observations for the “building up of the Body of Christ…” (St.Paul) God be with you.

 

[RyanML]

I’ve noticed that quite a bit here at Catholic Answers. It’s very unattractive and legalistic and makes the Catholic Church look like every stereotype that Protestants like to envision of us.

The Traditionalist is a step backwards in this regard. It seems to be motivated by many legalistic thinkers from my observations here;

Well, yes, if traditionalists think that they are better than their fellow Catholics that is a problem. But If we follow the traditions and customs of the Church as a way to give our best to God and to thank Him for all that He has done for us then I think that would be praise worthy. I don’t think that most traditional Catholics mean to condemn others when they criticize things like communion in the hand and EMHC, even if that’s how it comes across. Traditionalists usually see these types things as a part of the problem of irreverence and the dumbing down of the faith and believe that part of the solution to this problem is to get rid of these things. But it can be very easy for traditionalists to slip into gossip, slander, and calumny. I know because I’ve seen it and done it. Again, we always have to remember our charity and humility. With those two “weapons” we can work on the liberal Catholics and the Protestants all at the same time

 

[wisdomseeker]

Well, let’s see. The Canon laws are simply rules and disciplines that guide the life of the Church but they are not set in stone and can change as necessary. So here we see that the laws of the Church are at the service of man and not the other way around. Remember, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for making the law an end in itself. And we already see in Sacred Scripture where the promised guidance of the Spirit led the Church to meet in Council and it seems logical that as the Spirit makes the truth more and more clear that the Church finds ways of expressing this in the best possible ways. And no, Jesus did not have inquisitions. The Church has the right to defend herself, but when the desire for power and the influence of politics gets involved, that’s when fallen man can be at his worst. The Church is not immune from corrupt members. Regarding infallible popes, it was Jesus himself who gave the apostles authority and promised the guidance of the Spirit. And then there are the “keys to the Kingdom” which he gave to Peter. And the Church does not ask us to fast or do penance just because it seems like a good idea. The laws of fast and abstinence are meant to serve us in the spiritual life, to help us become more detached from ourselves and from the world, and grow in deeper intimacy with the Most Holy Trinity.

Jesus did not condemn the pharisees for following the laws, He condemn them because they put the laws above Him. for the laws were given to them by God. the pharisees did not believe in Christ and did not recognized Him.

we have very easy compared to the Jews. many now and days are trying to do away with what Jesus has commanded us to do due to outsiders influence. St Paul said very clear: " hold to the Traditions given to you either by letter or word of mouth. we must not follow hereticals ideas and despise the Traditions given to us by the Spirit of Truth.

in the a confused world we living in today, we must learn to discern the spirits since hereticals ideas are known to come out the Church anyway. one thing the world has succeeded is to divide the Mass. today, we have different types of Mass. it was not so in the past.

The Church is very important in keeping us in the right track since we have the tendency to be influenced by the world and follow our own ideas.

 

[SHW]

The phrase ‘fear and trembling’ is another one that I think we have to be careful in using. I think it can be misintepreted. Jesus, in the healing of Jarius’s daughter says ‘fear is useless, what is needed is trust (according one sermon I heard)’. I think there may be different kinds of fear - good fear, bad fear. I see my daughter gripped with fear about certain things and its not healthy. She has a fear that God will do something to her or take something from her if she doesn’t say all the names on her intention list individually - even though that list has grown to such a length. She fears that God will help the person. I’ve been trying to convince her that she can ask God to ‘take care of all the names on her intention list.’ I fear God - I fear offended Him and I don’t want to, I know I’m a speck, a creature and He is the Creator. I know I must live my life in accord with His Word - completely, fully and perfectly and I strive for that every day. I do believe that our actions have consequences and our lives at times seem to reflect the consequences of our behaviors.
But I just think that the ‘fear and trembling’ concept is sometimes results in driving people away or into despair and it doesn’t have the desired effect.

I agree that there are different types of fear. Fear of the Lord is a good fear when it helps us to enter through the narrow gate. It becomes unhealthy when it manifests in scrupulosity and despair. We should do our best, but we also should not agonize about it.

Every day we should say a fervent prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of active faith. St. Ignatius of Loyola: “We must work as if everything depends on us, but we must pray as if everything depends on God.” There has to be a balance between the two.

I used to be somewhat like your daughter. My “lists” became so long that I dreaded praying! Then, I learned that it is good to place each new intention on either my “usual intentions list” or my “special intentions list” and then keep these lists in my heart and ask Jesus to maintain them for me. So, when I get a request for prayer, I either put it on my Usual Intentions List which is the list for ongoing non-expiring requests or onto my Special Intentions List which is the list for intentions that need to be prayed about for a limited time only. I immediately say a prayer for each new intention/request as I mentally put it on one of my lists and then if this same intention is brought to my conscious mind at another time, I say an extra prayer for this specific intention. Otherwise, Jesus continually maintains my lists for me, and I do not ever worry about them anymore. Now, I just say, “Please remember my usual and special intentions” whenever I pray or offer up something to God. It was very liberating for me. God has a perfect memory, I don’t.

I also had a problem with saying the prayer for eternal rest to be granted to a person. Whenever I would say it, then another name would pop into my mind so then I would say a prayer for that person, and on and on and on.

But, now I say, “Eternal rest grant unto “name” O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon all the poor souls in purgatory, and may they all rest in peace.”

Scrupulosity is difficult to temper and/or overcome, but it can be done.

 

[SHW]

If you believe,as I do, that Christ guides His own Church as He promised, I’d say yeah He has all of the things you mentioned above.

As far as your last question goes…there are pharisees in every religion. And following the Law was not the problem of those who lived in Christ’s time. Considering themselves superior because they did so was the thing that made them offensive. They said their prayers in public, they wore sackcloth on the streets & made sure that people saw their almsgiving, etc., etc. They
refused to eat with the “infidels”. Their pride was not for Judaism, it was not for the fact that somehow God had chosen them to be part of the race & religion that Christ was born into, for that would have fostered humility within them.
Their were proud of** themselves** & the way they followed the law.

Good post!

Jesus gave “binding and loosing” powers to the Church and whatever the Church binds and looses on earth; these decisions are upheld in heaven. (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18, Luke 10:16) God also prevents His Church from teaching error regarding faith and morals. (John 16:13)

 

[SHW]

Well, let’s see. The Canon laws are simply rules and disciplines that guide the life of the Church but they are not set in stone and can change as necessary. So here we see that the laws of the Church are at the service of man and not the other way around. Remember, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for making the law an end in itself. And we already see in Sacred Scripture where the promised guidance of the Spirit led the Church to meet in Council and it seems logical that as the Spirit makes the truth more and more clear that the Church finds ways of expressing this in the best possible ways. And no, Jesus did not have inquisitions. The Church has the right to defend herself, but when the desire for power and the influence of politics gets involved, that’s when fallen man can be at his worst. The Church is not immune from corrupt members. Regarding infallible popes, it was Jesus himself who gave the apostles authority and promised the guidance of the Spirit. And then there are the “keys to the Kingdom” which he gave to Peter. And the Church does not ask us to fast or do penance just because it seems like a good idea. The laws of fast and abstinence are meant to serve us in the spiritual life, to help us become more detached from ourselves and from the world, and grow in deeper intimacy with the Most Holy Trinity.

An addition to your post: Jesus recognized the authority of the Scribes and Pharisees. He said to obey them, but to not imitate them because they were hypocrites. They did not practice what they preached and they also took advantage of the poor Jews who were under their (Scribes and Pharisees) authority for their own personal gain. (Matthew 23:1-3, Mark 12:38-40, Matthew 23:13-29)

 

[mkingdomlvr]

Offering deep respect to my brothers and sisters is condescending? Or was my addressing them as “traditionalist”, condescending? Likewise, I can’t help but sense tones of defensiveness and rudeness from my reverent brethren.
Love and Truth are inseparable (not to mention ancient traditions) and we should take care not to scorn Jesus in each other. Peace be with you.

It may not be what you intend, but it certainly does read that way and you continue to lecture about what everyone else should be doing because you know SO much better.

Hello Pot, meet Kettle…

 

[CradleCath]

Good post!

Jesus gave “binding and loosing” powers to the Church and whatever the Church binds and looses on earth; these decisions are upheld in heaven. (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18, Luke 10:16) God also prevents His Church from teaching error regarding faith and morals. (John 16:13)/QUOTE


Why, thank you SHW.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

It may not be what you intend, but it certainly does read that way and you continue to lecture about what everyone else should be doing because you know SO much better.

Hello Pot, meet Kettle…

How well you model “…the still more*** perfect*** way…” (St.Paul)
Forgiven

 

[CradleCath]

I’ve noticed that quite a bit here at Catholic Answers. It’s very unattractive and legalistic and makes the **Catholic Church look like every stereotype that Protestants like to envision of us. **
The Traditionalist is a step backwards in this regard. It seems to be motivated by many legalistic thinkers from my observations here;

This is not addressed to you, particularly, Middleman, as I have seen the same concern for how Protestants see us MANY times on this board. It’s hard for me to understand, as it doesn’t really matter what non-Catholics think of us. It matters what God thinks of us.

I realize that this new type of Ecumenicism started at Vatican II. Annibale Bugnini, who wrote the Novus Ordo Mass, stated that “We must strip from our Catholic prayers and from the Catholic liturgy anything that would be a stumbling block for our separated brethren".

Then, of course, there was Karl Rahner…dubbed the Father of the Council.
** The first Marian schema presented to the council contained the words ‘who [the Son] willed the bodily integrity of his Mother to remain, in the moment of birth (in ipsomet partu), incorrupt and untouched…**’, In other words, the schema reiterated the dogma of the Immaculate Conception & the Virgin birth.

According to Father Rahner, whose written comments were distributed to all participants in the conference, the schema as then drafted was ‘a source of the greatest concern’…Were the text to be accepted as it stood, he contended, ‘unimaginable harm would result from an ecumenical point of view, in relation to both Orientals and Protestants.’ It could not be too strongly stressed, he said, 'that all the success achieved in the field of ecumenism through the Council and in connection with the Council will be rendered worthless by the retention of the schema as it stands.

Mary was downplayed for 40 years after the council & the rosary seemed to be an embarrassment until John Paul declared the year of the rosary & gave us the new mysteries.

There were many more attempts to make Catholicism less Catholic…all in the name of Ecumenicism. Mind you, I’m all for bringing non-Catholics into the Church. However, what we been doing since the council is converting people into a watered down version of Christ’s Church.

As for Tradtional Catholics being too legalistic, just remember that God gave us 10 Commandments, not 10 suggestions.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

This is not addressed to you, particularly, Middleman, as I have seen the same concern for how Protestants see us MANY times on this board. It’s hard for me to understand, as it doesn’t really matter what non-Catholics think of us. It matters what God thinks of us.

I realize that this new type of Ecumenicism started at Vatican II. Annibale Bugnini, who wrote the Novus Ordo Mass, stated that “We must strip from our Catholic prayers and from the Catholic liturgy anything that would be a stumbling block for our separated brethren".

Then, of course, there was Karl Rahner…dubbed the Father of the Council.
** The first Marian schema presented to the council contained the words ‘who [the Son] willed the bodily integrity of his Mother to remain, in the moment of birth (in ipsomet partu), incorrupt and untouched…**’, In other words, the schema reiterated the dogma of the Immaculate Conception & the Virgin birth.

According to Father Rahner, whose written comments were distributed to all participants in the conference, the schema as then drafted was ‘a source of the greatest concern’…Were the text to be accepted as it stood, he contended, ‘unimaginable harm would result from an ecumenical point of view, in relation to both Orientals and Protestants.’ It could not be too strongly stressed, he said, 'that all the success achieved in the field of ecumenism through the Council and in connection with the Council will be rendered worthless by the retention of the schema as it stands.

Mary was downplayed for 40 years after the council & the rosary seemed to be an embarrassment until John Paul declared the year of the rosary & gave us the new mysteries.

There were many more attempts to make Catholicism less Catholic…all in the name of Ecumenicism. Mind you, I’m all for bringing non-Catholics into the Church. However, what we been doing since the council is converting people into a watered down version of Christ’s Church.

Dear friend in Christ, You are right to say that many dissenters, heretics and unholy men have distorted and downplayed the great devotions and Dogmas of the Church and Her Councils, through the centuries.This is a result of the inherent rebellion in the hearts of fallen men who have not assimilated Christ’s work of Redemption in their lives, in full or in part.But to blame the prophetic work of God through Vatican II for the injuries the Church sustained in wake of that great Council, is a presumption that remains divisive and unfounded to this day.
When holy and faithful servants of the Most High are single-hearted in their filial devotion and obedience. pious and self-emptying in their service, and unfailing in their love of God and neighbor, there can no longer exist the disunity and factions that tear at Christ’s Body. May the Holy Cure of Ars, who by his profound love and sacrifice converted a multitude of souls for the Kingdom, intercede for us on his feast day today, during this Great Jubilee Year of Priesthood!

 

[SHW]

I had an interesting discussion with a sedevacantist. He said that Mother Teresa was not saintly at all because she neglected to try to convert all her patients, etc. to Catholicism so she is not a saint, nor ever will be, because she is in hell instead.

Sedevacantists also believe that Sr. Faustina’s Divine Mercy Messages are satanic even though she was canonized in 2000 A.D. They do not believe that this canonization is valid because it was made by the alleged antipope, Pope John Paul II.

What is their main objection to St. Faustina, who died in 1938, well before the alleged satanic Vatican II even convened?

The fact that her messages were, at one time, on the Index of Forbidden Books.

"After the death of St. Faustina, the nuns at her convent sent her writings to the Vatican. Prior to 1966, any reported visions of Jesus and Mary required approval from the Holy See before they could be released to the public.[5]

In 1959, Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani at the Holy Office included her works on a list he submitted to the newly elected Pope John XXIII. The pope signed the decree that placed her work on the Index of Forbidden Books and they remained on the Index for over 20 years. Father Sopoćko was harshly reprimanded, and all his work was suppressed. However, Eugeniusz Baziak, the archbishop of Kraków, permitted the nuns to leave the original picture hanging in their chapel so that those who wished to continue to pray before it could do so.

The current position of the Vatican is that misunderstandings were created by a faulty Italian translation of Kowalska’s Diary in that the questionable material could not be correlated with the original Polish version because of difficulties in communication throughout World War II and the subsequent Communist era." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Faustina_Kowalska

They also vehemently oppose Faustina’s claim that “the Host came out of the tabernacle and came to rest in her own hands,” since according to sedevacantists, touching the Host by a woman’s own hands is a sacrilege so therefore her messages and visions are delusions from Satan himself.

Sr. Faustina Notebook 1:

“One day Jesus said to me, “I am going to leave this house…because there are things here which displease Me.” And the Host came out of the tabernacle and came to rest in my hands and I, with joy, placed it back in the tabernacle. This was repeated a second time, and I did the same thing. Despite this, it happened a third time, but the Host was transformed into the living Lord Jesus, who said to me, “I will stay here no longer!” At this a powerful love for Jesus rose up in my soul. I answered, “And I, I will not let You leave this house, Jesus!” And again Jesus disappeared while the Host remained in my hands. Once again I put it back in the chalice and closed it up in the tabernacle. And Jesus stayed with us. I undertook to make three days of adoration by way of reparation.” From: our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy/book1/

Sedevacantists also have their own pope, but it is a secret, and he will not be revealed until the proper time due to security reasons. According to them, their alleged previous pope, Pope Gregory XVII, died in captivity in the Vatican in 1989. thepopeinred.com/bio-gregory-xvii.htm Isn’t it amazing that only one priest makes claims for the existence of this original alleged legitimate Pope Gregory XVII and also for the one which has allegedly taken his place as Supreme Shepherd of the True Catholic Church? I suspect that this one priest may even become their pope one day.

Because I questioned the webmaster about these so-called facts and asked legitimate questions, which he could not answer reasonably, he believes now that I am also an instrument of Satan.

I will continue to choose to follow Pope Benedict XVI, Vicar of Christ, and hope for God’s merciful judgment on my soul.

 

[RyanML]

I had an interesting discussion with a sedevacantist. He said that Mother Teresa was not saintly at all because she neglected to try to convert all her patients, etc. to Catholicism so she is not a saint, nor ever will be, because she is in hell instead.

Sedevacantists also believe that Sr. Faustina’s Divine Mercy Messages are satanic even though she was canonized in 2000 A.D. They do not believe that this canonization is valid because it was made by the alleged antipope, Pope John Paul II.

What is their main objection to St. Faustina, who died in 1938, well before the alleged satanic Vatican II even convened?

The fact that her messages were, at one time, on the Index of Forbidden Books.

They also vehemently oppose Faustina’s claim that "the Host came out of the tabernacle and came to rest in her own hands," since according to sedevacantists, touching the Host by a woman’s own hands is a sacrilege so therefore her messages and visions are delusions from Satan himself.

Sr. Faustina Notebook 1:

Sedevacantists also have their own pope, but it is a secret, and he will not be revealed until the proper time due to security reasons. According to them, their alleged previous pope, Pope Gregory XVII, died in captivity in the Vatican in 1989. thepopeinred.com/bio-gregory-xvii.htm Isn’t it amazing that only one priest makes claims for the existence of this original alleged legitimate Pope Gregory XVII and also for the one which has allegedly taken his place as Supreme Shepherd of the True Catholic Church? I suspect that this one priest may even become their pope one day.

Because I questioned the webmaster about these so-called facts and asked legitimate questions, which he could not answer reasonably, he believes now that I am also an instrument of Satan.

I will continue to choose to follow Pope Benedict XVI, Vicar of Christ, and hope for God’s merciful judgment on my soul.

I would just like to point out that not all Sedevacantists believe the same things. There are many “strands” of sedevacantism and those who claim that Cardinal Siri was the true Pope Gregory XVII are a small minority of sedes.

I am the furthest thing from a sedevacantist, but I too question Mother Theresa’s views regarding other religions. She was a saintly woman for sure, but I don’t think that she was perfect.

Sedevacantists hold the Catholic faith, but they err in relegating to themselves authority that only an ecumenical council possesses, to declare a pope a heretic. Many of them are in good faith, wishing only to live the Catholic faith to the best of their abilities. They are sincere, though I believe them sincerely wrong. As traditional Catholics we have to respond with charity and humility to both sides.

 

[r4j]

I agree that there are different types of fear. Fear of the Lord is a good fear when it helps us to enter through the narrow gate. It becomes unhealthy when it manifests in scrupulosity and despair. We should do our best, but we also should not agonize about it.

Every day we should say a fervent prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of active faith. St. Ignatius of Loyola: “We must work as if everything depends on us, but we must pray as if everything depends on God.” There has to be a balance between the two.

I used to be somewhat like your daughter. My “lists” became so long that I dreaded praying! Then, I learned that it is good to place each new intention on either my “usual intentions list” or my “special intentions list” and then keep these lists in my heart and ask Jesus to maintain them for me. So, when I get a request for prayer, I either put it on my Usual Intentions List which is the list for ongoing non-expiring requests or onto my Special Intentions List which is the list for intentions that need to be prayed about for a limited time only. I immediately say a prayer for each new intention/request as I mentally put it on one of my lists and then if this same intention is brought to my conscious mind at another time, I say an extra prayer for this specific intention. Otherwise, Jesus continually maintains my lists for me, and I do not ever worry about them anymore. Now, I just say, “Please remember my usual and special intentions” whenever I pray or offer up something to God. It was very liberating for me. God has a perfect memory, I don’t.

I also had a problem with saying the prayer for eternal rest to be granted to a person. Whenever I would say it, then another name would pop into my mind so then I would say a prayer for that person, and on and on and on.

But, now I say, “Eternal rest grant unto “name” O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon all the poor souls in purgatory, and may they all rest in peace.”

Scrupulosity is difficult to temper and/or overcome, but it can be done.

Thank you SWH - I will share this with my daughter.

 

[CradleCath]

Dear friend in Christ, You are right to say that many dissenters, heretics and unholy men have distorted and downplayed the great devotions and Dogmas of the Church and Her Councils, through the centuries.This is a result of the inherent rebellion in the hearts of fallen men who have not assimilated Christ’s work of Redemption in their lives, in full or in part.But to blame the prophetic work of God through Vatican II for the injuries the Church sustained in wake of that great Council, is a presumption that remains divisive and unfounded to this day

.

I don’t blame “the prophetic work of God” for anything & I’m sure that He was present at the council…as was Satan. Nothing pleases the devil more than to insert himself into the inner workings of Christ’s own Church. Christ promised us that the gates of Hell will never PREVAIL, however, He didn’t promise us that Satan wouldn’t get a few good licks in during the fight between good & evil.

Some very good & holy members of our hierarchy were part of Vatican II. OTOH some men whose FIRST priority was to “bring the Church into the 20th century”.held some high positions during Vatican II. They were just so embarrassed by the Rosary, the Novenas, the prayers to the saints, the fact that the Church didn’t hand out birth control pills to those families that “had so many kids”. And not allowing gays into the priesthood? what a shame. How about all of those Holy Days of Obligation? who has time. Women covering their heads? How degrading. Children required to go to Confession??? & on & on.

When holy and faithful servants of the Most High are single-hearted in their filial devotion and obedience. pious and self-emptying in their service, and unfailing in their love of God and neighbor

 

[SHW]

Thank you SWH - I will share this with my daughter.

You are welcome. I hope it helps her.

 

[SHW]

I would just like to point out that not all Sedevacantists believe the same things. There are many “strands” of sedevacantism and those who claim that Cardinal Siri was the true Pope Gregory XVII are a small minority of sedes.

I agree that they are most likely a small minority who think that “Gregory XVII” was the true pope.

I am the furthest thing from a sedevacantist, but I too question Mother Theresa’s views regarding other religions. She was a saintly woman for sure, but I don’t think that she was perfect.

Saints are not necessarily “perfect” while on earth. “Canonized” saints are singled out for honor as good role models. However, all persons in heaven, canonized or not, are saints. All persons have their own personal opinions and they do not necessarily agree with other Catholics’ opinions. Our duty is to obey the Pope and Magisterium of the Church.

Sedevacantists hold the Catholic faith, but they err in relegating to themselves authority that only an ecumenical council possesses, to declare a pope a heretic. Many of them are in good faith, wishing only to live the Catholic faith to the best of their abilities. They are sincere, though I believe them sincerely wrong. As traditional Catholics we have to respond with charity and humility to both sides.

I agree that they hold the Catholic faith, but I have found many of them who tend to demonize all that they do not agree with. Others are just doing their best to please God and are very kind to others who do not agree with their beliefs.

It is true that we must respond with charity and humility towards all of them since no persons are perfect (that I personally know, anyway ) and we all need God’s mercy.

 

[SHW]

…but, until then there will be problems. Remember St. Paul’s problems with Peter.There have been divisions, disunity, etc. since the Church was born.

I agree that there has been disunity since the Church was born, but I don’t think that Paul had a problem with Pope Peter. I believe he was reprimanding a different Cephas in Galatians. I also think that the James and John cited were also of the original 70 disciples as was this other Cephas and that none of the three were apostles.

members.cox.net/studyhisword/PeterVindicated.pdf