The True Colors of Schism in Self-Styled “Traditionalism”

The self-proclaimed “traditionalist” movement is showing its true colors more and more. I think they have probably always had schismatic tendencies, but in the past they seem to have been more subtle in their argumentation. This could very well be why the Holy Spirit chose Pope Francis for this era. Francis is forcing them to …

Thoughts on the “Infinite” Dignity of the Human Person

"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."Jesus, Matthew 25:40 “The Church has the mission to announce to the world, which is looking for better and more perfect forms of democracy, the highest and most needed message that there can be: the dignity of man, …

Did Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández say there was a unique “Doctrine of Pope Francis”?

No. He did not. From the interview with National Catholic Register, Fernandez said, When we speak of obedience to the magisterium, this is understood in at least two senses, which are inseparable and equally important. One is the more static sense, of a “deposit of faith,” which we must guard and preserve unscathed. But on …

Vatican I and Dogmatic Submission to Non-Infallible Doctrines and Disciplines

Disclaimer: Like all of my posts, this is a blog of my personal thoughts. I am a layman trying to understand difficult topics and may not have all the necessary information. I’m still learning so any conclusions stated here may not be fully correct and will likely be developed with any new information. The first …

Thoughts on the Appointment of Mariana Mazzucato to the Pontifical Academy for Life

Catholic news sites (particularly "conservative" Catholic sites and commentators) reacted strongly to the news that Mariana Mazzucato, an economics professor who supports abortion, was appointed to the Pontifical Academy for Life. The usual cast of characters did their usual denunciations of Pope Francis with their usual caricatures and distorted exaggerations. When I first heard the …

Catholic Discordance by Massimo Borghesi | A Book Review

As an Evangelical American in college, I allowed myself to be led down the primrose path of Capitalism and warmongering; in other words, Neoconservatism. I began reading a lot of apologetics for Capitalism and supported George W. Bush's wars in the Middle East. Much of this was because of things I saw as a kid …

“The Orthodoxy of Amoris Laetitia” by Pedro Gabriel: a book review

The Short Review Anyone concerned about the controversy surrounding Amoris Laetitia needs to read this book. https://wipfandstock.com/9781666733280/the-orthodoxy-of-amoris-laetitia/ The Longer Review Pedro Gabriel is a regular contributor to the website Where Peter Is and has become of one my favorite authors there. When I heard he was writing this book I was excited, and Mr. Gabriel …

Is anything wrong with Ultramontanism?

Of course, before such a question can be answered, Ultramontanism itself must be defined. From ChurchPop From what I can gather, when one speaks of Ultramontanism one is speaking of neither a specifically defined orthodox nor heretical position. As far as I know, the Church has neither defined the term nor used it in any …

What is Happening to Joseph Pearce?

"There are kings of the earth who have despotic authority, which their subjects obey indeed but disown in their hearts; but we must never murmur at that absolute rule which the Sovereign Pontiff has over us, because it is given to him by Christ, and, in obeying him, we are obeying his Lord. We must …

John Henry Newman on the Authority of the Pope

I have said that, like St. Peter, he is the Vicar of his Lord. He can judge, and he can acquit; he can pardon, and he can condemn; he can command and he can permit; he can forbid, and he can punish. He has a Supreme jurisdiction over the people of God. He can stop …

Pope Francis on Radical Individualism

Individualism does not make us more free, more equal, more fraternal. The mere sum of individual interests is not capable of generating a better world for the whole human family. Nor can it save us from the many ills that are now increasingly globalized. Radical individualism is a virus that is extremely difficult to eliminate, …

What would Pope Pius XII think of the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes?

"The Sovereign Pontiff alone enjoys the right to recognize and establish any practice touching the worship of God, to introduce and approve new rites, as also to modify those he judges to require modification. Bishops, for their part, have the right and duty carefully to watch over the exact observance of the prescriptions of the …

Pope Francis on the Ideology of Gender

Yet another challenge is posed by the various forms of an ideology of gender that “denies the difference and reciprocity in nature of a man and a woman and envisages a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the anthropological basis of the family. This ideology leads to educational programmes and legislative enactments that promote a …

Pope Francis on living with eternity in mind

We know that it happens that, unfortunately, we forget the purpose of our life, that is, the definitive appointment with God, thus losing the sense of expectation and making the present absolute. When one makes the present absolute, he or she looks only to the present, losing the sense of expectation, which is so good, …

Fratelli Tutti – An Encyclical for Our Times

I am caring less and less what others have to say about Pope Francis. When I read Pope Francis apart from any secondary commentary, I quite enjoy it and am always challenged to be a better Catholic. Therefore, when his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti was released, I rushed to read it before having the misfortune …