I am a Canadian Catholic and Traditional Catholicism is not too conservative for me. I find many values of this culture highly objectionable.
Like what was said, Canada has taken - along with Europe - a very liberal turn, and has been going in one left direction ever since the 1950-60’s, maybe even the forties.
It’s been suttle, it started in the big towns, like in Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg. They eventually grew to the entire country, leaving not even isolated communities in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia dissaffected.
Jansenism eventually died out, a it was replaced by the idea that “everyone is the same”. I remember hearing a few members in my own family saying that “Anglicans are just us without the Pope”. Of course, that’s what it seems from the outside, but we know that’s false. Sure, even our Parish Priests told us this false information!
But Canadian culture today is so varied, that I think you can’t even say “Canadian culture”. You look at Quebec - the culture there, is Francophone - and most similar to France’s culture. You look at Newfoundland, the culture is almost identical to Ireland and the UK. There’s also a Francophonie culture. Just look at the various traditions of the Aboriginal and First Nations tribes and races.
Most important, look at the faith of the members of the Church in Canada. Poor catechesis seems to be the norm in every parish, there are exceptions that I know of, and that you probably know of too. Also notice the Bishops’ Conference. They’ve published a hymnbook which while indeed including some nice traditional hymns and even Gregorian chant, they’re outnumbered by Marty “hugatree” Haugen and David Haas, and other like-minded compositions. There are heretical hymns included with the approval of our own shepherds. Almost every parish in Canada uses that hymnal, some along with the New English Hymnal, others along with the Glory and Praise. The hymns included, such as “Gift of Finest Wheat” only spread the notion that we are not receiving Christ – rather it’s just bread and wine. It accomplished nothing in spreading the truth and glory of the blessed Eucharist which the Church alone possesses! From the pulipt, we’re told to abandon the “ways of old”. Men aren’t answering the call, and thus, people who attend Mass aren’t receiving the right message, which can literally undo years of memorising the Catechism by heart.
I can’t tell you how many older people I have talked to who believe that they don’t have to attend Mass anymore, don’t believe in the true presence any more, think the Rosary and prayer is superstition – all because the culture has been sucked into the evil vacuum of moral relativism, progressivity, and liberalism.
But, fortunately, as of late – I have seen more faithful bishops, and excellent Priests. However that number is small, and they are far between. Nevertheless, the number is growing. Slowly, hopefully, surely. And the growth of traditional Catholics - Catholics who are faithful to the Church, who pray, members of groups such as Una Voce and the FSSP, are getting up there. I don’t know of one Latin Mass that doesn’t have more than at LEAST 20 in the fold.
All I can say is that I pray a lot, and trust that Satan will never prevail against the Church.
Oh, and keep my temper down when one of those posh, flipsy-whipsy university students with a 2 metre long black turtle neck and fluffy scarf tells me I’m a bigoted “downer”.
