Sacramentalist:
All the burden of proof is on Sungenis. Period. If he can show just one, just one bishop and/or theologian and/or canon lawyer who adovcates his own position on women’s headwear, then I’ll give it some credence.
Is Chrysostom a theologian? “A woman does not acquire a man’s dignity by having her head uncovered but rather loses her own. Her shame and reproach thus derive from her desire to be like a man as well as from her actions” (
Homilies on First Corinthians, 25, 4). Many other Patristics are cited in Sungenis’ article series.
Sacramentalist:
I mean, if his private interpretation is wrong, he should be able to name at least one authority other than himself.
Is Canon Law an authority?
"The 1917 code says:
“Men, in a church or outside a church, while they are assisting at sacred rites, shall be bear-headed, unless the approved mores of the people or peculiar circumstances of things determine otherwise; women, however, shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed especially when they approach the table of the Lord.”
The modernist further argues that, Canon 6 of the new 1983 code abrogates the 1917 code, and therefore, any commands given in the 1917 code are not applicable after 1983. Canon 6 states:
“When this Code takes force, the following are abrogated: (1) the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1917.”
…
canon 20 states:
“A later law [laws in the 1983 code] abrogates, or derogates, an earlier law if it states so expressly, is directly contrary to it, or completely reorders the entire matter of the earlier law.”
Here we see that the 1983 code puts limits around itself in relation to previous canon law. Apparently, the 1983 code will not allow itself to automatically “abrogate” an earlier law unless the 1983 code: (1) “states so expressly,” (2) makes a statement about that law which “is directly contrary to it,” or (3) “reorders the entire matter.” With regard to the issue of women wearing veils, none of these three things were done in the 1983 code.
Just so we know we are on the right track, canon 21 reinforces the meaning and extent of canon 20. It states:
“In case of doubt [e.g., about the application of veil wearing], the revocation of a pre-existing law is not presumed, but later laws must be related to the earlier ones and, insofar as possible, must be harmonized with them.”
Very interesting, no? Far from totally disavowing itself from the 1917 code, if the 1983 code is silent on an issue, it requires that we not presume that a previous law was revoked, and, in fact, the 1983 code says it “must be related to” and “must be harmonized with” the 1917 code.
Granted, as we have seen earlier, on a legal basis the 1983 code “abrogates” the 1917 code, but it is clear that, the 1983 imposes a legal stipulation on itself, a stipulation which requires it to consult with the 1917 code so that the final decision on a given issue will be in harmony with, not opposed to, the 1917 code. This would be especially applicable in regards to an ancient and scriptural practice such as veil-wearing - a practice that continued uninterrupted for over 1900 years in the Church."
Sacramentalist:
Otherwise, he needs to stop pretending that he knows everything about religion, apologetics, theology, science, can law, et al.
By not giving his proposal any credence whatsoever, you are acting like you know everything about theology and canon law.
Sacramentalist:
Sungenis’s opinions are not just opinions; in this particular issue, at least, he claims that that overwhelming vast majority of Catholic women are commiting material sin and a material violation of the Church’s canon law.
Yes, that is his opinion.
Sacramentalist:
And according to traditional Catholicism, openly criticizing the Pope in injurious to the faithful, as it puts their very authority in question and so is a source of scandal. It may be necessary to correct an erring Pope, but publicly on the internet is not the place for it.
Paul rebuked Peter publicly. I don’t even think criticizing the pope here is applicable, since I don’t know that the pope has done anything to abrogate the requirement of veils. And if he has, then his authority is not questioned, since I don’t believe it would have been an ex cathedra statement.