Truism, I owe no one an apology at this point. Someone who denies the validity of the Ordinary Form (and by proxy the Extraordinary Form at the same time) or saying “we have been cursed for changing the Liturgy” (forgetting of course that the Liturgy has been changed several times before the Mass of Paul VI) borders on heresy, as it means the Gates of Hell has prevailed.
Wisdomseeker, I’m not yet a member of the Franciscan Order, as I have some unfinished business to attend to first. I do, however, still ascribe and live by the Franciscan Spirituality, which is no different than traditionalists who identify themselves with the FSSP or the SSPX. The Franciscans in your area may have fallen, that is not indicative of the rest of the Order. It’s one of the largest Orders in the world after all, there’s going to be some bad apples. We have some solid Franciscans on this very board who are tireless in their efforts. And in fact, apparently a certain Saint that a few people admire on these boards was a member of the Franciscans; Saint Pope Pius X. You may have heard of him and his followers. If you want to judge me based on Franciscans, then feel free to do so. I know the truth about the Order, and the holy men and women who were a part of it and continue to be a part of it.
“Guitar Masses” are in of and of themselves not a bad thing. If they were they would be banned by this point, but they are not. The current head of the CWDWS has stated recently he’s not going to ban guitars, the current head of the CDF is on the board of directors with the OCP publishing house. It appears both Cardinals understand that they have preferences, but not everyone shares those preferences. It’s a shame that the ones you have seen have had some outrageous abuses at them, which probably is what helped form your opinion about them. The same thing can happen to someone who runs into some schismatics like the Society of St. Pius V, who if that’s your first experience with “traditionalists” it’ll probably leave a sour taste in your mouth.
It’s also obvious the Charismatic movement in Brazil has been heavily influenced by Liberation Theology, and that you’re not a fan of the movement as you’ve specifically have mentioned two troublesome people and labeled them as Charismatic. That’s a true tragedy, as the Charismatic movement is fully endorsed by Rome. I’m certain if you ran into some schismatic traditionalists who claim the Chair of Peter is empty you wouldn’t assume all traditionalists were like that…right?
Schismatics are schismatics, regardless of their beliefs. But they need to be judged on an individual basis and not in broad strokes, otherwise it would be very easy to throw the SSPV and the SSPX together. Go a step further and you can, if you fly off the deep end, say that the FSSP is in that group even, as they share a traditionalist mindset in some cases. It’s a dangerous game, generalizing. And really, lets be honest; Liberation Theology is that pervasive that regardless of any movements that happen in Latin America, Liberation Theology would still find its way in.
*“If you have been lured into drumming at Mass and LifeTeen Masses, you may be well-intentioned, but nevertheless, just plain wrong”. *
I was never lured into anything. I willingly chose to join the Parish, and I freely chose to begin playing drums there. And although you may see it as “just plain wrong”, several other people do not, including people within Rome. It is your opinion that they are wrong, just as it is my opinion that Mozart’s music shouldn’t be used at Mass due to his Masonic ties.
Now is your chance to see the Truth, seek the Truth, and to use your leadership abilities to help people understand the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I already see the Truth. I see Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and I teach them to several people on a weekly basis. What some do is confuse tradition with Tradition, and when people disagree on traditions those who mix the two up immediately get up’n’arms about things. There are several things that some “traditionalists” see as terrible, but the reality is as lowercase traditions they do not have the same weight as that of uppercase Traditions. Things like the Immaculate Conception and women not being able to become Priests are from uppercase Tradition, and as such cannot be changed (and people should stop trying to change them. When the Venerable JP2 says women cannot be ordained because it’s simply not possible, people need to drop the issue). Disciplines and customs on the other hand, are not nearly as severe nor dogmatic as other items, despite the extreme (and in some cases excessive) importance some place on them.
I have a leadership role, and it’s one I take seriously. For seven years at that parish I have had a role in their Faith formation and I act as a paternal figure towards them (a “team dad”, as it were). Now I find that the kids I’ve ministered to when they were in high school are now becoming leaders themselves. And really; they’re all my kids. All of them.
The fact I play drums at Mass does not take away from my orthodoxy, regardless of your opinions on drums. I understand certain things have a stigma but if you and others like wisdomseeker can’t separate people from your preconceived notions, you’ll have a difficult time of things. You list off issues of orthodoxy as it pertains to dogma, Sacred Scripture, and Sacred Tradition and I will bet five metaphorical dollars we are in agreement.
It would be advisable if the OP knows of these incidents personally, to forward them directly to Rome.
