Worrying blog post from Father Z

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Unfortunately, he’s kind of on his own without any parish or flock to give attention to–other than those with concerns who have no where else to turn for a sympathetic ear–and so I can see how he could get overwhelmed by the stuff going on in and coming out of Rome these days.
I can see that. It might be time for him to take a sabbatical from his blog, but of course, that is between him and his bishop.

Yes, I did stick with him through his continuity thing. I do wish he had stayed the course. Francis is certainly much different than B16, but I think the most charitable reading of Pope Francis’ language shows he has not deviated from the modern magisterium.
 
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I agree with Genesis315 it more than just about flowers on the altar but with that said from your second link:

*therefore, the altar, the ambo and the Tabernacle, the baptismal font ( in the parish churches ) and the image of the Madonna or the patron saint are never to be overlooked . In particular, as regards the altar, it is recommended that "the ornament of the flowers be always measured and, rather than above the altar table, placed around it" ( General Order of the Roman Missal. No.305 ) .
 
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For a year or two after Pope Francis became Pope he made it his mission to show how Francis, while different from B16, was in continuity with him. He would sort of quiet the discontent amongst the “traditionalist” Internet crowd.
 
So he just abandoned the parish or community he was in to preach on the internet? Weird…
 
I would wonder if all these flowers are left there during Mass or there for decoration in between Masses?
An elderley friend of mine who used to do the flowers at her parish, once told me that she was instructed to put some on the altar and I’ve seen her photos. Sadly, it used to be done.

On Holy Thursday at the Altar of Repose flower arrangements are placed either side of the Tabernacle at my parish.

I believe flowers are not to be placed on the mensa of the altar upon which the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is to be offered. (And yes the GIRM does say what should and what should not be on the altar, iirc).

I have seen an old High Altar like in one of those photos with flowers on it, I guess the people thought it was ok as that particular altar was no longer being used. My own personal opinion is that even if no longer used, the mensa is still consecrated and the flowers should not be on it. The gradienes are the appropriate place, or on stands beside the altar, or in front on the floor as long as it doesn’t obstruct movement around the altar etc.
 
Anyway, I am much more concerned about the distrust of Pope Francis that is tearing apart the Catholic community in US than the position of the flowers on the Altar or around it.
 
So he just abandoned the parish or community he was in to preach on the internet? Weird…
I don’t think he abandoned anyone, but I honestly have no idea. He priestly assignment is between him and his bishop.
 
Father was just in Rome for the last 3 weeks or so. I think he probably gets a lot more of what the average person/prelate etc. ‘on the spot’ is getting than we do here in the U.S.
 
When is he working then? That’s what I understood from mrsdizzyd
I don’t know why you would have gotten that impression from me!

He runs a blog and a Latin mass society. I have no idea what else he does.

He is a priest of an Italian diocese currently working in the diocese of madison. I’d suspect his two bishops have given him assignments.
 
There is no worse deaf man than he who does not want to hear. (Italia proverb)
My unease with this movement goes deeper than convenient deafness. There are moments in Scripture that have very profound resonance and cause the contemplative great pause for discernment and judiciousness in reacting.

One of those is the sobering nature of “the unforgivable sin”. People often get scared about if they’ve committed it or not but we are told that if we are worried about it, it does not constitute unforgivablity. It is marked by an arrogant confidence and injudiciousness. Jesus spoke of it as the accusation publicly and shamelessly, that what is of the Holy Spirit is actually demonic. A confidence in their own personal conviction that desires to actually destroy what is Holy simply based on their own opinion of the thing.

It makes me wonder whether people who have this kind of arrogant conviction about what is from the devil, have actually ever contemplated Scripture deeply. I am more shaken by them than by anything the tribal people have brought before God.
 
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I think Fr Z is overreacting. It is not unusual to decorate the Altar with a pot of flowers or cut flowers. These are flowers that he may think are ugly but are flowers from the Amazon area, appropriate for an Amazon Synod. He also seems to have a problem with the flowers being red. Would he think the same if they were using red roses instead of red tropical flowers? Implying those flowers are being used in the Church for a demonic ritual is real (and dangerous) slander.
As I am sure that the early Christian martyrs were “overreacting” to the fact that they were being forced to burn incense to pagan gods and goddesses. I mean incense is used all the time in the Church.

Why did the early Christian martyrs view burning incense – not even in a Christian Church for that matter – as sacrilege? Clearly, they must have also been confused.

Heck all that bloodshed and mayhem in the coliseums could have been avoided had they used your logical approach.

Clearly all this religion stuff is inconsequential as far as you are concerned. Flowers, dirt, incense, flesh and blood, rituals? Does any of it really matter, according to you?
 
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…WHICH WERE THERE WITHOUT IDOLATROUS INTENTIONS…’

Also please read this too

 
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Of course I trust the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. What I don’t understand is why we believe the words of one priest writing a blog over the words of the Vicar of Christ.
 
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