THANKSGIVING TO GOD AS OUR VISITORS SURPASSED 300,000

We express our heartfelt gratitude to God for blessing this Blog and making it a living instrument to strengthen the faith of many of our readers. So far, this has been visited by more than 300,000 visitors from 207 countries with 232 signed followers. Besides many things have happened since then. We have been elected National Spiritual Director of Catholic Faith Defenders and have joined my fellow Defensores Fidei apologists in defending the faith up to Baguio City and the Benguet. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! GLORY TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, IS NOW AND WILL BE FOREVER. AMEN. Pro Deo et Ecclesia! _____________________ I wish to share this happiness with my partners in defending the faith: Atty. Marswil Llasos for his brilliant defense of the faith and Bro. Franz Luigi Lugena for being my partner and assistant in apologetic ministry. I also remember with great affection those who contributed their studies here: Bro. Adrian Tams, Bro. Ednard Kim la Rosa [whose help against SSPX and Sedevacantists is truly very valuable] and Bro. Nico Lopez. In a special way I also acknowledge the priceless contributions of Bro. Carlos Antonio Palad and Dr. Paul Horrigan.

Caritas Mobilized on 3 Fronts in Indonesia

Tsunami hit area in Indonesia

Aiding Flood, Volcano and Tsunami Victims

ROME, OCT. 27, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Caritas workers in Indonesia are working tirelessly to come to the aid of those affected by three different natural disasters: floods, a volcanic eruption and a tsunami. "The emergencies succeed one another and accumulated," said Father Sigit Pramuji, a director of the Caritas agency in Indonesia, named Karina. "We were still in the midst of operations of reconstruction and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the floods that took place in Papua, when we were surprised by these two other events: the eruption of the Merapi volcano and the tsunami in western Sumatra." "We mobilized immediately," he added, in comments to the Fides news agency. "We are close to the people who are suffering; it is our mission." Earlier this month, flash floods in West Papua killed some 145 people, and destroyed dozens of homes and bridges. On Monday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the island to the northwest of the capital Jakarta, which then caused a tsunami that killed nearly 300 people, and some 500 are still reported missing. On Tuesday, Mount Merapi erupted in Java, leaving some 30 people dead and another 40,000 displaced. "In Java, in the Diocese of Semarang, the situation is under control. The diocesan Caritas is very strong and well organized," said Father Pramuji. "A team of priests is working in close contact with indigenous populations that live on the slopes of the volcano. "Thanks to them and to the Caritas volunteers -- given the information on an imminent eruption -- a vast work of prevention was carried out and we saved many lives." In Sumatra where the earthquake and tsunami stuck, the priest reported that "priests and nuns are active in the first emergency, consoling the victims and helping to bury corpses." "The population is being sorely tested," he added. Father Pramuji said that during the next national assembly of the Indonesian Church -- which will be held in Bogor beginning Nov. 1 -- he hopes to make an appeal to all the Catholic communities of the country. The meeting, which will bring together representatives of all the dioceses will be, according to the priest, an occasion to reflect on the identity and mission of the Catholic community in the country and "to launch a great appeal for solidarity and mobilize the whole community of the archipelago." "Over the next few days, according to the unfolding of the emergencies, we will decide if we will also ask for foreign aid. The English Caritas (CAFOD), and Caritas-Germany have already spontaneously promised us support," he added.

SINO BA ANG TUNAY NA COMFORTER, ANG HOLY SPIRIT O SI MOHAMMAD?

The Holy Spirit revealed Himself with the Father and the Son during the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan.

Anonymous said...

Dear Father Abe,

May katanungan lang po ako tungkol sa Holy Spirit. Dito kasi sa saudi may ilan na rin akong nakakausap na mga religious muslims tulad ng mga Muttawwa (saudi religious police) at may dalawa pang pilipino na nakausap ko din dun sa Islamic Center na nangungumbinse sa akin na mag convert sa Islam. Ang kanilang pilit na pinagdidiinan na hindi Holy Spirit ang tinutukoy sa Bibliya na isang Comforter na darating kundi si Muhammad daw. Ang kanilang rason, may nakakaranas na raw po ng Holy Spirit bago pa man dumating si Kristo kaya malinaw daw po na nung nandito na si Kristo ay nandito na rin ang Holy Spirit. So hindi daw po un Holy Spirit ang tinutukoy na Comforter sa Bibliya kasi nandito na sya bago pa man dumating si Kristo kaya tugma daw po na si Muhammad daw po un.

Sana magbigyan nyo po ako ng kasagotan ng meron din akong maibato laban sa kanila kung meron mang ibang pagkakataon na magkakaharap kami.

Maraming Salamat Fr. Abe

Marcelo

Saudi Arabia

October 27, 2010 11:04 PM

Fr. Abe, CRS said...

DEAR BRO. MARCELO,

[Ang kanilang pilit na pinagdidiinan na hindi Holy Spirit ang tinutukoy sa Bibliya na isang Comforter na darating kundi si Muhammad daw.]

YAN AY ISANG KABALIWAN DAHIL HINDI MAN LAMANG NABANGGIT SI MOHAMMAD SA BIBLIA. HINGGIL SA IDENTITY NG COMFORTER ITO ANG MALINAW NA ISINASAAD NG BANAL NA KASULATAN:

JOHN 14:15-17 "If you love me you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever - the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and will be in you."

JOHN 14:25,26 "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

JOHN 15:26 "When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."

JOHN 16:7,8 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment...."

JOHN 16:13-15 "But when he, the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it know to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."

[Ang kanilang rason, may nakakaranas na raw po ng Holy Spirit bago pa man dumating si Kristo kaya malinaw daw po na nung nandito na si Kristo ay nandito na rin ang Holy Spirit.]

MAS PABOR ITO SA ATIN. KASI PARA SA CATHOLIC THEOLOGY ANG HOLY SPIRIT AY

* ANG ESPIRITU NG DIOS AMA [1 Cor 6:11].

* ANG ESPIRITU SANTO AY DIOS [1 Cor 3:16-17].

SO, IT IS BUT NATURAL THAT BEFORE THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ALREADY PRESENT IN THE WORLD BECAUSE HE IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD [Genesis 1:1-2]. BUT AT THE SAME TIME THIS SAME HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST BECAUSE JESUS IS GOD:

* Galatian 4:6 "The Spirit of the Son"

* 1 Peter 1:11 "The Spirit of Christ"

SO, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS PRESENT BEFORE CHRIST AS THE TRANSCENDENTAL SPIRIT OF GOD BUT WHEN JESUS WAS HERE ON EARTH THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS PRESENT IN HIS PERSON IN A PERFECT AND ABSOLUTE MANNER. AND WHEN JESUS WENT UP TO HEAVEN AGAIN HE PROMISED TO REMAIN WITH US UNTIL THE END OF TIME [cf. Matthew 28:19-20] THROUGH HIS SPIRIT.

ANG TANONG:

KUNG SI MOHAMMAD ANG COMFORTER PAPANO SIYA NAGING NAUNA KAY CRISTO?

KUNG SI MOHAMMAD ANG COMFORTER IBIG SABIHIN BEFORE MOHAMMAD WALANG COMFORTER?

ABA'Y HINDI PWEDE YAN. KASI ANG PRESENCE OF GOD AS A COMFORTER, GUIDE AND PROVIDER OF THE WORLD AY PRESENT NA NUON PA MAN. KAYA MALI NA SABIHING SI MOHAMMAD ANG COMFORTER.

[ So hindi daw po un Holy Spirit ang tinutukoy na Comforter sa Bibliya kasi nandito na sya bago pa man dumating si Kristo kaya tugma daw po na si Muhammad daw po un.]

PALPAK. ANG COMFORTER AY IPINANGAKO NI CRISTO SA KANYANG MGA APOSTOLES HINDI SA MGA ARABO HUNDREDS OF YEARS LATER. NO, NO, NO... ISA PA, ANO BANG COMFORT ANG IBINIGAY NI MOHAMMAD SA ATIN? WALA NAMAN A. ANG TUNAY NA COMFORT AY MATATAGPUAN SA PILING NG DIOS. SI ALLAH ANG COMFORTER HINDI SI MOHAMMAD. PAPANO MAGIGING COMFORTER NG LAHAT NG TAO ANG ISANG TAONG NAMATAY DIN?

[Sana magbigyan nyo po ako ng kasagotan ng meron din akong maibato laban sa kanila kung meron mang ibang pagkakataon na magkakaharap kami.]

I HOPE MAKATULONG ITO SA IYO.

October 28, 2010 7:41 AM

CLARIFYING THE STAND OF THE PHILIPPINE CHURCH ON RH BILL

Alceo Dossena Madonna and Child, St Giovannino, St Anne and two Cherubs in the style of Donatello

Anonymous said...

Hi Fr. Abe,

I'm not too familiar with the RH bill. I am a catholic, however, one of the things which I don't necessarily agree is the stand of the church against contraception. I believe every human being has a choice which is why God has given us free will, to make our own choice. The church is there to guide us in making sure that we make the "right" (according to the society's norms) choice. The Church should never dictate to the people what they should do as human nature would tell us, the more you try to control the people the more they will retaliate. Having said that, I'm not saying that the Church must approve of contraception, all I'm saying is that the Church must provide the people the choice. If the bill is there (sorry, I'm not too familiar with the bill), does that mean all the people will adopt it?It means, the people are given the choice.

In this entire saga, I'm just disappointed why the Church is reacting like this. They have said their point but I'm sure the Church has more pressing issues that she needs to solve too. This issue - population control, is not only a MORAL issue but a SOCIAL one which is why the government is trying to do something about it. Will the Church share the responsibility if more social problems are created if we don't try to curb the population explosion? I don't think so, at the end of the day, we blame it to the government, although I'm not saying they're not to be blamed, coz they also have faults. Be that as it may, I sincerely hope that the Church will stop bashing PNOY (or other Catholics)if he (they) support artificial contraception. At the end of the day, if the Church has really done a good job in inculcating to its people what is morally right, then the same people will do the right thing.

October 22, 2010 10:50 AM

Fr. Abe, CRS said...

[Hi Fr. Abe,]

HELLO THERE.

[I'm not too familiar with the RH bill.]

I SUGGEST THAT YOU BE FAMILIAR WITH IT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF THE ILLEGAL ELEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN.

[I am a catholic, however, one of the things which I don't necessarily agree is the stand of the church against contraception.]

IT IS A PITY THAT YOU CHOSE TO DISOBEY THE FAITH AND MORALS OF YOUR OWN CHURCH. A CATHOLIC IS ONE WHO BELIEVES AND PRACTICES HIS CATHOLIC FAITH NOT THE FAITH AND PRACTICES OF ATHEISTS, CONDOMISTS, ABORTIONISTS AND ANTI-LIFE ADVOCATES.

IT PAINS ME THAT YOU CHOSE TO BE A TRAITOR TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND TO THE FAITH THAT ST. LORENZO RUIZ AND BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD GAVE UP THEIR LIVES FOR.

[I believe every human being has a choice which is why God has given us free will, to make our own choice.]

IT IS TRUE THAT GOD GAVE US THE FREEDOM AND THE FREE WILL AND BECAUSE OF THEM WE DO HAVE A CHOICE. HOWEVER, GOD ALSO ASKED US TO CHOOSE WHAT IS GOOD AND AVOID WHAT IS EVIL. GOD DIDN'T SAY THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A FREE WILL WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT. BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A THING AS GOOD AND EVIL. IF FREEDOM IS ABSOLUTE BECAUSE WE HAVE A CHOICE THEN WE HAVE TO GLORIFY SATAN WHO CHOSE TO BE A TRAITOR TO GOD WHO CREATED HIM, THEN WE HAVE TO HONOR THE MURDERERS AND THE RAPISTS BECAUSE THEY FOLLOWED THEIR PREFERRED CHOICE. THE HOSTAGE-TAKING OF MENDOZA IN LUNETA WAS HONORABLE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS EVIL? EVERYTHING THAT IS LIFE-GIVING, LIFE ENHANCING, LIFE-PROMOTING IS GOOD AND EVERY THING THAT DESTROYS, HARM AND PREVENT LIFE IS EVIL.

CONTRACEPTION IS EVIL BECAUSE IT PREVENTS LIFE.

[The church is there to guide us in making sure that we make the "right" (according to the society's norms) choice.]

WRONG.

THE CHURCH IS THERE TO GUIDE US IN MAKING SURE THAT WE MAKE THE "RIGHT" CHOICE ACCORDING TO THE NORMS OF GOD... NOT OF THE SOCIETY. THE SOCIETY IS EASILY GOVERNED BY MOB RULE AND BY CAPRICES OF THE FEW. MOST OF THE TIME IT CHOOSES WHAT IS CONVENIENT RATHER THAN WHAT IS REALLY GOOD. DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF SIN THE HUMAN PERSON IS INCAPABLE OF GENUINELY CHOOSING GOD OVER THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH, MONEY, POWER AND PRESTIGE. THIS SINFULNESS CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

WE NEED THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES AND ONE OF THE GIFTS GIVEN US BY GOD TO GUIDE US IS THE CHURCH 'THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH' ACCORDING TO ST. PAUL [cf. 1 Timothy 3:15].

[The Church should never dictate to the people what they should do as human nature would tell us,]

I THINK YOU ARE IGNORANT OF WHAT THE CHURCH IS. THE CHURCH BEING THE BODY OF CHRIST IS THE MOTHER AND TEACHER OF HER MEMBERS. IT IS HER DUTY TO TEACH ER MEMBERS WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS EVIL ESPECIALLY THE SPIRITUAL AND MORAL PRINCIPLES INVOLVING THE SOCIAL ISSUES CONFRONTING THE PEOPLE TODAY LIKE CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION.

IT IS DEMONIC TO SAY THAT THE CHURCH SHOULD JUST BE SILENT AND ALLOW HER MEMBERS TO DO WHAT THEY WANT. THOSE WHO WANT TO COMMIT ADULTERY THEY JUST DO IT. THOSE WHO WANT TO STEAL THEY MUST BE ALLOWED TO DO IT. SO, WHY DON'T YOU TELL THE GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THE AMPATUAN SINCE THEY MADE A CHOICE TO KILL? WHY DO WE HAVE TO PUT THEM TO TRIAL AND IMPRISON THEM FOR THEIR CHOICES? YOUR REASONING IS ABSURD... HAVE YOU NOT REALIZED THAT EVEN OSAMA BIN LADEN AND HIS 911 TEAM OF TERRORISTS FOLLOWED THEIR FREE CHOICE TOO?

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A RELIGION THAT TEACHES HER DOCTRINES TO PEOPLE. HOW CAN YOU STILL CLAIM THAT YOU ARE A CATHOLIC IF YOU ARE NO LONGER BELIEVING CATHOLIC TEACHINGS, PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF GOVERNING? I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOUR GOVERNMENT ASK YOU TO PAY YOUR TAXES AND MUST PASS AN EXAMINATION BEFORE GETTING A PUBLIC LICENSE YOU WILL OBEY IT NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT. YET THE BENEVOLENT TEACHING AUTHORITY OF YOUR CHURCH IS BECOMING BURDENSOME FOR YOU TO THE POINT THAT YOU HAVE ABANDONED IT IN FAVOR OF PAGAN MENTALITIES OR THE 'SEXED CULTURE' OF THE WEST.

YOU ARE FREE TO DISOBEY THE CHURCH, BUT YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO TELL YOUR CHURCH TO STOP TEACHING HER MEMBERS. WE WILL DO IT AS LONG AS THERE IS STILL ONE PERSON WHO IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO US. AND EVEN IF THAT ONE WILL BECOME A TRAITOR LIKE YOU, WE WILL STILL SPEAK TO THE STONES AND TO WINDS THE TRUTH OF OUR FAITH IF NO ONE ELSE WILL LISTEN.

ASKING US TO STOP TEACHING IS LIKE IMPRISONING THE WIND.

[the more you try to control the people the more they will retaliate.]

WE DO NOT TRY TO CONTROL THE PEOPLE. THEY CAN INSERT HOW MANY CONDOMS THEY WANT TO INSERT IN THEIR BODIES. THEY CAN EVEN SWALLOW THEM IF THEY WANT. THEY CAN DRINK A FULL BOX OF PILLS IN ONE SHOT WITHOUT A SINGLE PRIEST OR NUN TO STOP OR CONTROL THEM. NO, NO, NO...

WE ARE ONLY TEACHING AND PREACHING. AND WE ARE DOING IT INSIDE OUR CHURCHES AND IN OUR BLOGS OR WEBSITES OR IN OUR COLUMNS IN NEWSPAPERS OR ON RADIO OR TV RIGHT IN OUR PROGRAMS. WE NEVER ENTER YOUR HOUSES MUCH MORE YOUR BEDROOMS TO CONTROL YOU. NO, NO, NO...

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS IN THE REALMS OF YOUR PRIVACY. YOU CAN BED YOUR WIFE OR YOUR MISTRESS OR YOUR PET DOG OR A MONKEY BUT THE POPE, THE CARDINALS, BISHOPS AND PRIESTS SHALL NEVER KNOW. SO STOP HALLUCINATING THAT WE WILL CONTROL YOU. YOU ARE FREE LIKE A BIRD.

[Having said that, I'm not saying that the Church must approve of contraception,]

HOW NICE OF YOU. HOW VERY KIND. DO YOU WANT ME TO APPLAUSE FOR YOU?

OF COURSE, THE CHURCH SHALL NEVER APPROVE CONTRACEPTION. WHAT IS IMMORAL AND ANTI-LIFE SHALL NEVER BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHURCH. NEVER.

[all I'm saying is that the Church must provide the people the choice.]

YEAH, WE ARE PROVIDING YOU WITH A CHOICE. A CHOICE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, GIVING LIFE OR PREVENTING LIFE. GOOD OR EVIL. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO CHOOSE WHAT IS GOOD AND IT IS YOU WHO WILL DECIDE IT NOT ME, NOT THE POPE, NOT THE BISHOP AND NOT THE CARDINAL.

THAT IS WHY YOUR CALL TO GIVE YOU THE CHOICE IS VERY PATHETIC. YOU ARE SHOWING ME THAT YOU ARE IGNORANT OF YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH BECAUSE THE CATHOLICS ARE THE FREEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

[If the bill is there (sorry, I'm not too familiar with the bill), does that mean all the people will adopt it?It means, the people are given the choice.]

YEAH, THEY ARE GIVEN THE CHOICE TO USE THE CONDOMS OR NOT, TO DRINK THE PILLS OR NOT, TO CASTRATE THEMSELVES OR NOT. THEY CAN COMMIT SUICIDE OR EXTERMINATE OTHERS BY HAND GRENADE. BUT WE ARE IMPLORING THEM NOT TO DO THOSE THINGS AND INSTEAD CHOSE A LIFE WORTHY OF BEING SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD.

SPECIFICALLY, WHAT THE CHURCH IS TELLING IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO BUY CONDOMS AND PILLS FOR THE USE OF YOUR OWN GENITALS AND THAT OF YOUR SEXUAL PARTNER THEN USE YOUR OWN MONEY NOT THE MONEY OF THE GOVERNMENT. BECAUSE THE MONEY OF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT MEANT FOR YOUR SEXUAL ENJOYMENT BUT FOR INFRASTRUCTURES, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE.

FULFILL THE NEEDS OF YOUR LIBIDO WITH YOUR OWN MONEY DON'T INCLUDE THE MONEY OF THE CATHOLICS WHO ARE NOT TRAITORS TO GOD AND TO THE CHURCH AS YOU DO. WE SHALL NOT ALLOW YOU TO WALLOW AND BE INTOXICATED BY YOUR SEXUAL PROMISCUITY ON OUR POCKET'S BEHALF. O NO, NO, NO...

[In this entire saga, I'm just disappointed why the Church is reacting like this.]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE REACTION OF THE CHURCH? SHE SIMPLY OPPOSES SOMETHING THAT SHE BELIEVES TO BE EVIL. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?

IF OTHERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUPPORT THE RH BILL THE CHURCH TOGETHER WITH ALL FILIPINOS HAVE THE RIGHT TO OPPOSE IT. IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUT ON CONDOMS OR EVEN TO DRINK IT WITH WHISKEY OR BRANDY THEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO TEACH AGAINST IT. TEACHING AND PREACHING AGAINST A BELIEVED TO BE ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL LEGISLATIVE BILL IS NOT DEPRIVING OTHERS OF THEIR FREEDOM. SO WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM WITH THAT?

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO OBEY YOUR CHURCH SO YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE THE CHURCH OR FOUND YOUR OWN RELIGION. BE AN ATHEIST, A MOSLEM, A HINDU, A SNAKE-CHARMER, A SATANIST OR WHAT. NOT THAT I WANT YOU TO LEAVE. I WANT YOU TO STAY. BUT IF YOU STAY YOU BETTER STAY BECAUSE YOU ARE CONVINCED THAT YOUR CHURCH IS TEACHING YOU THE TRUTH COMING FROM GOD. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE TRUTH OF GOD IS IN CONDOMS OR IN NOYNOY AQUINO WHO IS PRO-RH BILL FINE. YOU CAN ATTEND MASSES WITH NOYNOY AQUINO AS YOUR HIGH PRIEST WITH RICO PUNO AND OCHOA AS YOUR CARDINALS WITH OTHER KABARKADA INCORPORATED. YOU CAN HAVE THE AUTHORS OF RH BILL LIKE EDCEL LAGMAN AS YOUR SPIRITUAL GUARDIANS.

IF YOU DO NOT TRUST THE POPE AND THE BISHOPS AND THE PRIESTS THEN TRUST THE POLITICIANS. THEY WILL LEAD YOU TO HEAVENLY LIFE BECAUSE THEY WILL BRING YOU TO THE TRUTH MORE THAN THE POPE. THE CONGRESSMEN ARE MORE HOLY, MORE VIRTUOUS, MORE MORAL, CLEANER AND MORE TRUSTWORTHY FOR YOU THAN YOUR POPE WHO IS SUPPOSE TO BE THE SUCCESSOR OF ST. PETER FOR CATHOLICS LIKE YOU AND ME.

[They have said their point but I'm sure the Church has more pressing issues that she needs to solve too.]

THE CHURCH IS ACTIVE IN ALL PRESSING ISSUES THAT SHE NEEDS TO SOLVE TOO. SHE HAS BUILT MORE ORPHANAGES THAN THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS RECEIVING OUR TAXES, SHE HAS MORE HOME FOR THE AGED, SHE HAS BUILT BETTER SCHOOLS THAN THE GOVERNMENT OWNED WHO ARE MOSTLY ROTTEN AND DECAPITATED.

[This issue - population control, is not only a MORAL issue but a SOCIAL one which is why the government is trying to do something about it.]

IT IS MORAL, SPIRITUAL, DOCTRINAL, SOCIAL, LEGAL, ETC.

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE POLITICIANS WILL HAVE IN HEART THE SOCIAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OR THEY WERE MERELY PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BY THE CONDOM AND PILL'S MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATIONS TO MAKE THE BODIES OF OUR WOMEN THE DUMPING SITES OF THEIR MEDICAL JUNKS?

[Will the Church share the responsibility if more social problems are created if we don't try to curb the population explosion?]

THERE WILL BE NO POPULATION EXPLOSION IF THE YOUNG PEOPLE SHALL BE TAUGHT MORAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES OF VIRGINITY, CHASTITY AND PURITY. INSTEAD, THE CONDOMS AND THE PILLS PROMOTE SEXUAL PROMISCUITY THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY TEENAGE PREGNANCIES. IF THE COUPLES ARE FAITHFUL TO EACH OTHER THEN THERE WILL BE LESS PEOPLE TO BE BORN IN THE WORLD BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NO CHILDREN OUTSIDE OF WEDLOCK. THE SOLUTION OF THE CHURCH IS CHEAPER BECAUSE IT REQUIRES NO MEDICINE TO TAKE BUT ONLY THE FORCE OF THE WILL FOR SELF-CONTROL AND RIGHTEOUS LIVING. IT IS SAFER BECAUSE THERE IS NO NEED OF ANY MEDICINE TO POLLUTE THE BODY.

THE CHURCH IS DOING ITS SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SOCIAL SPHERE. IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS FEEDING MORE STREET CHILDREN THAN THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. TRY TO VISIT THE DSWD CENTERS. THEIR SOCIAL SERVICES ARE TOO SUPERFICIAL. GO TO THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS OF THE PRIESTS AND NUNS: FREE EDUCATION, BOARD AND LODGING, TRAININGS FOR FINDING JOBS. GO TO DON BOSCO CENTERS, HOSPICIO DE SAN JOSE, AND COMPARE THEM TO THOSE GIVEN BY YOUR BELOVED CORRUPT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

THE CONGREGATION IN WHICH I BELONG HAS BUILT FIVE LARGE ORPHANAGES IN THE PHILIPPINES AND HAS GIVEN THOUSANDS OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO MANY STUDENTS FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS OF ITS PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES. DO YOU KNOW THAT? DO YOU KNOW THAT IN THE WORLD THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS MORE INSTITUTIONS OF CHARITIES AND EDUCATION FOR THE POOR THAN THE UNITED NATIONS?

YOU ARE SPEAKING AS IF THE CHURCH IS NOT DOING SOMETHING FOR THE SOCIETY. EXCUSE ME. I ADVISE YOU TO LIST ALL DSWD INSTITUTIONS THEN VISITS ALL INSTITUTIONS OF MOTHER TERESA OR OF DON BOSCO OR OF DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY AND YOU WILL SEE WHICH IS MORE NUMEROUS AND BETTER IN QUALITY.

HERE IN SORSOGON THE DSWD INSTITUTION FOR THE POOR BOYS IS VERY POOR IN QUALITY BUT THOSE RUN BY THE PRIESTS AND NUNS ARE VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL AND LARGER. THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 20 BOYS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT CENTER BUT THAT OF THE PRIESTS TAKE CARE OF MORE THAN 50 AND THE NUNS OF MORE THAN 30.

October 25, 2010 9:41 PM

More Defense of the Mass in Vernacular

Pope Benedict XVI during the Consecration with other priests during mass in Manger Square in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

john said...

The post is very troublesome in its denigration of Latin Masses pre-V2, even by defenders of Latin. That people fall short of doing something well is not an excuse for abandoning it. If that is the standard, then it should be applied equally to the Novus Ordo. Look at the abuses infractions in the Novus Ordo now.

There are pros and cons to both Latin and vernacular. Of course, Latin has not been the common language for centuries but is retained precisely because it is not subject to the whims of fads. The Church has been ruptured before due to a single mistranslation or misunderstanding in its definitions. Look at the case of the English translations of ICEL.

People should be adults and if they cannot understand something, they should seek knowledge instead of lambasting their ignorance. It is sad to hear somebody say they do not understand the kyrie.

The dismal ignorance and the support for RH Bill in a catholic majority country is proof that vernacular is not the panacea extolled. If things are so great in vernacular world of worship, why the widespread ignorance?

Litury is confused with catechesis.Understanding is done by catechesis. In many parishes and dioceses, there is a collapse of catechesis after the change to vernacular in the liturgy. Maybe the idea is that understanding the liturgy makes the faith self-evident.

The irony is that the draconian imposition of Novus Ordo is the last gasp for the Tridentine style of ruling the church. A way that is much maligned by liberals. Never again will the entire church just accept the whims of a Bugnini. SP did not at all impose removing N.O., why make wild conjectures of mass rebellion. Prepare for the new English translation and the hysteria of liberals.

October 25, 2010 8:06 AM

Fr. Abe, CRS said...

[The post is very troublesome in its denigration of Latin Masses pre-V2,]

EXCUSE ME. IT IS NOT THE LATIN MASSES THAT IS DEGRADED HERE BUT THE ILLICIT SSPX REBELS. DON'T EQUATE THAT GROUP WITH THE LATIN MASS. THEY DO NOT OWN THE LATIN MASS. THEY ARE ONLY USING IT FOR THEIR REBELLION AGAINST THE CHURCH.

[ even by defenders of Latin.]

THE SSPX DOES NOT DEFEND LATIN. IT ONLY USES IT TO FEED ITS REBELLION.

[ That people fall short of doing something well is not an excuse for abandoning it.]

IT IS NOT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT FALL SHORT. THE LATIN LANGUAGE ALREADY FELL SHORT FOR THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE. IT IS NO LONGER USE IN ACADEME, IN LITERATURE AND IN SCIENCES EXCEPT AMONG THOSE SPECIALIZING IN THAT PARTICULAR LANGUAGE. THUS, IT IS NO LONGER THE LIVING LANGUAGE THAT THE CHURCH HAD CHOSEN IN FAVOR OF GREEK IN THE 4TH CENTURY. AS IT WAS CHOSEN IN FAVOR OF GREEK, IT CAN ALSO BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER ONCE THE LANGUAGE IS NO LONGER UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE PEOPLE.

[ If that is the standard, then it should be applied equally to the Novus Ordo.]

THAT IS AN STANDARD BUT NOT THE ONLY STANDARD. IN LATIN IT IS THE LANGUAGE ITSELF THAT DIED DOWN. IT'S NOT THE FAULT OF THE PEOPLE. IT IS THE NATURAL WEAKNESS OF THE LANGUAGE THAT OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS.

THE VERNACULAR IS THE NEW 'VULGATE' OF THE PEOPLE THEN IT MUST BE USED IN THE LITURGY. THERE IS NO DOGMA IN THE CHURCH THAT SAYS THE HOLY MASS MUST BE CELEBRATED IN ONE LANGUAGE ALONE PERPETUALLY. THE USE OF LATIN IS NOT A DOGMA, BUT A PASTORAL NECESSITY... NOW, THAT NECESSITY IS GOD. THE NECESSITY CHANGED IN FAVOR OF THE VERNACULAR.

THE SSPX KEEPS ON SAYING THAT VATICAN II IS PASTORAL. WELL, THE USE OF LATIN IS ALSO PASTORAL.

[Look at the abuses infractions in the Novus Ordo now.]

EXCUSE ME. YOU ARE USING THAT SO CALLED ABUSES IN NOVUS ORDO AS IF THE ABUSES ARE NOT PRESENT IN THE PAST.

THE LITURGICAL ABUSES NOW IS NO MORE THAN THE LITURGICAL ABUSES DURING THE TIME OF THE APOSTLES WHEN PEOPLE WERE DYING DUE TO THEIR SINS AGAINST THE HOLY EUCHARIST AS REPORTED BY ST. PAUL IN 1 CORINTHIANS 11. BEFORE AND AFTER THE COUNCIL OF TRENT THE CHURCH WAS ALSO BESIEGED BY CANONICAL AND LITURGICAL ABUSES. THE ABUSES CONFRONTED BY TRENT IS MUCH TERRIBLE IN DEGREE THAN THOSE WE ARE CONFRONTING TODAY.

DURING THE PRE-VATICAN II THERE WERE ABUSES ALSO. WHAT IS LACKING IS THE TECHNOLOGY THAT RECORDS AND SENDS THESE ABUSES IN THE INTERNET OR TELEVISION FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE.

[There are pros and cons to both Latin and vernacular.]

OBVIOUSLY, AS THE DEBATES DURING THE VATICAN II SHOWED THE PROS IN FAVOR OF VERNACULAR IS MORE THAN THE CONS AND THE CONS IN USING THE LATIN ALONE IS GREATER THAN THE PROS.

[Of course, Latin has not been the common language for centuries but is retained precisely because it is not subject to the whims of fads.]

LANGUAGE IS NOT THE WHIMS OF FADS. IT IS A PRODUCT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE. THE CHURCH USUS THE LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDABLE TO PEOPLE NOT THE ONE THAT IS ONLY THE LEARNED AND THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD UNDERSTAND.

DURING THE PENTECOST THE SPIRIT OF GOD RESPECTED THE LANGUAGE OF PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS PLACES BY MAKING EACH ONE OF THEM UNDERSTAND THE PREACHING OF THE APOSTLES IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. AND THE SAME SPIRIT DIDN'T DECREE THAT LATIN WILL BE THE ONLY LANGUAGE TO BE USED FOR THE DIVINE LITURGY. O NO, NO, NO...

LATIN WAS USED BY THE CHURCH WHEN IT WAS THE 'VULGATE'... THE 'VULGAR' OR COMMON LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE. WHEN IT WAS NO LONGER COMMON THE CHURCH WISELY REPLACED IT.

TO CONTINUOUSLY USE LATIN IS TO FALLOW THE WHIMS AND CAPRICES OF THE FEW ROMANTICS WHO ARE DREAMERS OF THE PAST AND NOT VISIONARY FOR THE FUTURE. PEOPLE WITH STAGNANT MIND AND COLD HEART FOR THE WARM REALITY THAT LATIN IS DEAD.

[The Church has been ruptured before due to a single mistranslation or misunderstanding in its definitions.]

THE CHURCH IS NEVER BEEN RUPTURED. THE CHURCH IS THE CHURCH, ALWAYS AND EVERY WHERE. PROBLEM WITH TRANSLATION FROM TIME TO TIME DOES NOT IN ANY WAY DIMINISH THE CHURCH AND DEFINITELY THERE WAS NO RUPTURE.

[Look at the case of the English translations of ICEL.]

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSLATIONS OF ICEL? IS THERE ANY HERESY WITH IT? AND MUCH MORE, IT MAY NOT BE A PERFECT TRANSLATION BUT IT IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND ENRICHING TRANSLATION.

[People should be adults and if they cannot understand something, they should seek knowledge instead of lambasting their ignorance.]

IT SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL BUT BASICALLY DEFECTIVE.

IF THE LORD JESUS DIDN'T IMPOSE ARAMAIC OR HEBREW ON THE APOSTLES WHY DO YOU IMPOSE LATIN ON US? THE APOSTLES CELEBRATED THE MASS AND WROTE AND PREACHED IN GREEK. THE LATER ON POPE ST. DAMASUS CHANGED IT TO LATIN WITHOUT DETRIMENT TO GREEK RITE AND OTHER ORIENTAL RITES. HOW COME THE USE OF VERNACULAR IS SUDDENLY BECOMING EVIL TODAY?

THE ROOTS OF EVIL TODAY IS NOT THE NOVUS ORDO AND THE VERNACULAR BUT SIN. AND THE ROOT OF HOLINESS IN PRE-VATICAN II LITURGY IS NOT LATIN BUT THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH IS PRESENT STILL TODAY. THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT EXCLUSIVE IN THE LATIN LANGUAGE. TO CLAIM OTHERWISE IS A MANIFESTATION OF SUBLIME LIES AND STUPIDITY.

[It is sad to hear somebody say they do not understand the kyrie.]

OF COURSE, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE KYRIE. EVEN IF THEY KNOW ITS TRANSLATION IT IS ONLY KNOWING THE TRANSLATION BUT NOT KNOWING IT INSTINCTIVELY. FOR AN AMERICAN TO SING 'LORD, HAVE MERCY' OR FOR A FILIPINO TO SING 'PANGINOON, MAAWA KA' IS NOT JUST PRAYING THROUGH TRANSLATIONS BUT DIRECT EXPRESSION OF WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART AND MIND AND VERY BEING. THAT IS WHY THE HOLY SPIRIT COMMUNICATES DIRECTLY THROUGH THE NATIVE LANGUAGE OF THE AUDIENCE IN PENTECOST. AS WE ALL KNOW, THE PENTECOST IS THE CHURCH IN ITS SEMINAL FORM OR RATHER THE CHURCH IN HER INFANCY.

[The dismal ignorance and the support for RH Bill in a catholic majority country is proof that vernacular is not the panacea extolled.]

NOT SO. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE DEFENDING THE CHURCH AGAINST THE RH BILL. THE CATHOLIC APOLOGISTS INCLUDING MY PERSON AND THIS BLOG AND THE MEMBERS OF DEFENSORES FIDEI AND CATHOLIC FAITH DEFENDERS WHO ARE 99% LAY ARE DEFENDING THE CHURCH. WE NEVER HEARD ANY OF THE SSPX PRIESTS OR SUPPORTERS DEFENDING THE CHURCH IN PUBLIC FORUM. THEY SIMPLY JOIN THE ENEMIES. THE HOMOSEXUALS AND FEMINISTS ATTACK THE CHURCH AND THE POPE ON RH BILL, WHILE THE SSPX SUPPORTERS ATTACK THE CHURCH AND THE POPE ON MATTERS OF LITURGY. SEE, YOU ARE NOT WITH THE CHURCH AND THE POPE. YOU BELONG TO THE OTHER SIDE. YOU ARE ONE WITH OUR ENEMIES.

I STILL HAVE TO SEE AN SSPX LAY PERSON TO GO TO THE MEDIA EXPLAINING THE MEANING OF FREEDOM AND CONSCIENCE IN LATIN IN ORDER TO DEBUNK THE RH BILL. SHOW ME ANY VIDEO. ON MY PART, I'VE BEEN ON SEVERAL SEMINARS, RADIO SHOWS ALREADY TOGETHER WITH LAY CATHOLICS DEFENDING THE CHURCH AGAINST THE RH BILL.

DO NOT PROJECT UNTO US YOUR OWN USELESSNESS AND INABILITY. IF YOU CANNOT TRUST THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ON LITURGY THEN YOU CANNOT TRUST HER ON MORAL ISSUES. TO BE TRAITOR IN LITURGY IS TO BE TRAITOR ON MORALS AND ON DOGMA AND ON ALL ASPECTS OF CHURCH LIFE INCLUDING THE CANON LAW.

[If things are so great in vernacular world of worship, why the widespread ignorance?]

THE CATHOLICS DURING THE PRE-VATICAN II ARE MORE IGNORANT. GATHER TOGETHER THE NUMBER OF BOOKS WRITTEN BY LAY DURING THE PRE-VATICAN II? GET THE NAMES OF LAY PREACHERS AND TEACHER OF FAITH BEFORE? ALMOST NONE. NOW, THE CATHOLIC RADIOS, TV's, NEWSPAPERS ARE MOSTLY RUN, ADMINISTERED AND MANNED BY LAY PEOPLE. AFTER VATICAN II LAY CATHOLIC APOLOGISTS ROSE IN PROMINENCE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO CONVERT THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF CONVERTS YEAR AFTER YEAR IN U.S. ALONE. TO THE POINT THAT EVERY YEAR MORE THAN 350,000 ADULT CONVERSIONS ARE HAPPENING IN THE U.S.

GO TO FACEBOOK, GO TO RELIGIOUS BLOGS. THE APOLOGISTS AND CATHOLIC BLOGGERS ARE LAY PEOPLE. THEY ARE DEFENDING THE CHURCH ON RH BILL AND ON DOGMATIC MATTERS. ONE OF THEIR ENEMIES ARE THE SSPX DIE-HARDS WHO KNOW NOTHING EXCEPT ATTACKING THE POPE, THE NOVUS ORDO AND VATICAN II. THEY ARE BUNCH OF USELESS AND TREACHEROUS PEOPLE.

[Litury is confused with catechesis.]

THERE IS NO CONFUSION. THERE IS ONLY ESSENTIAL UNITY AND HARMONY BETWEEN THE TWO. IN THE LATIN MASS, SO MUCH SILENCE DILUTES THE KERYGMATIC NATURE OF THE LITURGY.

[Understanding is done by catechesis.]

SO, YOU ARE ADMITTING NOW THAT IT IS OK TO BE IGNORANT DURING THE MASS AS LONG AS THE EXPLANATION WILL BE GIVEN THROUGH CATECHESIS. HOW DO YOU GIVE THEM CATECHESIS? SHALL YOU CALL THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED YOUR SUNDAY MASS THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HEAR CATECHESIS?

WHEN JESUS CELEBRATED THE LAST SUPPER, IT WAS LITURGICAL AND AT THE SAME TIME CATECHETICAL. IT WAS SPIRITUAL AND KERYGMATIC AT THE SAME TIME. YOU ARE CREATING A BIFURCATION ON SOMETHING THAT IS ESSENTIALLY UNITED.

[In many parishes and dioceses, there is a collapse of catechesis after the change to vernacular in the liturgy.]

O NO, NO, NO... ACTUALLY THERE IS A MORE ACTIVE CATECHESIS NOW THAN BEFORE. BECAUSE THE SIMPLE PEOPLE ARE SINGING CATHOLIC SONGS USED IN THE MASS EVEN AT HOME AND THEY SERVE AS CATECHESIS. THUS, THE POPULARITY OF 'ANG PANGINOON ANG AKING PASTOL' 'HINDI KITA MALILIMUTAN' 'PURIHIN ANG PANGINOON' WHICH PEOPLE SING FROM THE HEART.

[Maybe the idea is that understanding the liturgy makes the faith self-evident.]

THE IDEA IS THAT UNDERSTANDING THE LITURGY MAKES THE FAITH BETTER UNDERSTOOD BY THE PEOPLE. WHETHER THE MASS IS IN LATIN OR VERNACULAR THERE WILL BE HYPCRISY AMONG THE FAITHFUL. THERE ARE IDIOTS AMONG TLM FOLLOWERS AND ALSO IN NOVUS ORDO. BUT IN NOVUS ORDO IT IS UNDERSTOOD WHILE IN TLM IT IS NOT.

[The irony is that the draconian imposition of Novus Ordo is the last gasp for the Tridentine style of ruling the church.]

THERE IS NO DRACONIAN IMPOSITION OF NOVUS ORDO. THERE IS ONLY THE PONTIFICAL COMMAND FOR ITS UNIVERSAL USE. YOUR LANGUAGE IS MORE PROPER FOR 'DRAGONS' NOT FOR CATHOLICS.

WELL, THE LAST GASP FOR THE TRIDENTINE STYLE OF RULING THE CHURCH IS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE VATICAN STYLE OF RULING THE CHURCH. THE TRIDENTINE SYTLE BROUGHT AN END TO THE LATERAN STYLE AND THE LATERAN SYTLE BROUGHT AN END TO THE CONSTANTINOPOLITAN STYLE. AND THE CONSTANTINOPOLITAN STYLE BROUGHT AN END TO THE CHALCEDONIAN STYLE.

THESE STYLES ARE NOT DOGMAS. THEY ARE PASTORAL. THEY ARE BOUND TO CHANGE. IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN IN THE TRIDENTINE STYLE THEN JOIN THE 'OLD CATHOLICS'. THE PROCESS OF CHANGE FROM TRIDENTINE TO VATICAN STYLE CAME WITH THE FIRST VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL.

[ A way that is much maligned by liberals.]

THE LIBERALS MALIGNED THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE POPE. EXACTLY THE MANNER OF LEFEBVRE AND HIS COHORTS. THAT IS WHY YOU ARE MORE IN COMMON WITH THEM. THE CHURCH AND THE POPE IS OPPOSED BY THE PRO-RH BILL AND YOU ARE DOING THE SAME ON THE LITURGICAL LEVEL. THE SAME DEMON THAT POSSESSED THESE LIBERALS IS THE SAME DEMON THAT IS POSSESSING YOUR MIND.

THE ULTRA TRADITIONALS AT SO AT PAINED THAT THE LIBERALS MALIGNED THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH YET THEY ARE DOING THE SAME.

[ Never again will the entire church just accept the whims of a Bugnini.]

BUGNINI SIMPLY FOLLOWS THE DIRECTIVE OF POPE PAUL VI.

99.99% OF THE CHURCH RESPECTED THE DECISION OF THE POPE THROUGH BUGNINI ONLY VERY FEW FOLLOWED THE REBELLION OF THAT WACKY OLD FOOL NAMED LEFEBVRE IN DISOBEYING THE POPE. CARDINALS OTTAVIANI, SIRI AND OTHERS REFUSED TO JOIN THE REBELLION OF LEFEBVRE.

YOU CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE ENTIRE CHURCH BECAUSE THE ENTIRE CHURCH HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED THE USE OF THE NOVUS ORDO. FROM TIME TO TIME THERE WILL BE FEW THOUSANDS WHO PREFER LATIN OVER VERNACULAR. BUT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS LOVE THE USE OF THE VERNACULAR.

[SP did not at all impose removing N.O., why make wild conjectures of mass rebellion.]

I DO NOT MAKE WILD CONJECTURES OF MASS REBELLION. BECAUSE THE FOLLOWERS OF SSPX ARE SURELY NOT ON THE LEVEL OF A 'MASS' OR A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THEY ARE SO FEW. YET SO NOISY. AND INDEED THEY ARE IN REBELLION. NOT MASS REBELLION BUT SIMPLY REBELLION. LITURGICAL REBELLION.

[Prepare for the new English translation and the hysteria of liberals.]

THE LIBERALS CAN CRY THEIR HEARTS OUT TILL THEY BLEED TO DEATH BUT THE NEW TRANSLATIONS SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT.

ON THE PART OF THE SSPX, THE VERNACULAR SHALL BE IN USE WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT.

October 25, 2010 10:28 AM

How did St. Ignatius of Antioch Congtribute to the Sacred Traditon of the Church?

St. Ignatius of Antioch, dying in martyrdom... fed to the lions at the Coliseum of Rome during the Roman Persecutions of the Catholic Church.

Anonymous said...

how did St.ignatius of antioch contribute to sacred tradition?

October 25, 2010 3:44 AM

Fr. Abe, CRS said...

He contributed by giving witness to the Sacred Tradition and the Catholic Faith until death when he showed courage and fidelity to the Church until he was being fed to the lions in public martyrdom in the Coliseum of the pagan Rome.

St. Ignatius of Antioch didn't add anything to the Sacred Tradition. Instead, he proclaimed it courage and preserved it with his life. His testimony for the faith is very important. Because Antioch is one of the most ancient and largest center of Christian Faith since the Apostolic Age. In his epistle to the Romans he explained that the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul both wrote to the Roman Church:

"I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Romans, 4 (c. A.D. 110).

This statement dispelled any doubt that the Babylon referred by St. Peter in 1 Peter 5:13 is no other than the City of Rome and St. Peter greets on behalf of the Roman Christians. Not only that, the Letter of Paul to the Romans is very clear and his stay in Rome is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. That of Peter was not as categorically narrated in Scriptures but St. Ignatius of Antioch provide the historical testimony of Peter's leadership in the Church of Rome by ranking him ahead of St. Paul in giving commands to the Roman Church.

Being founded by St. Peter and St. Paul, the Church of Rome according to St. Ignatius is the greatest in honor and dignity among all the See or local churches of the Christian Faith:

"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Mast High God the Father, and of Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is sanctified and enlightened by the will of God, who farmed all things that are according to the faith and love of Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour; the Church which presides in the place of the region of the Romans, and which is worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of credit, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love..." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Romans, Prologue (A.D. 110).

Also, as a Bishop personally ordained by St. Peter and a disciple of the Apostles he is a direct link in the Apostolic Succession and a proof that the Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus. In fact, second to the Sacred Scriptures he is the first among the Fathers to refer to the Church as 'The Catholic Church'

"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).

AS THE CHURCH IS FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS IN ANTIOCH, IT IS ALSO IN ANTIOCH THAT THE NAME THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GAINED ITS WIDESPREAD USE.

October 25, 2010 5:41 AM

Anglican Ordinariate will help restore Anglo-Catholic patrimony to universal Church, writer says

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman

London, England, October 21 (CNA) .- Speculating about the future of Anglicanism, a Catholic Church observer in England says that Anglo-Catholics have recognized their battle is "lost." However, Pope Benedict's appreciation of their tradition and his establishment of a special church structure for them will help restore their patrimony to the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI, acting through the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus," established the Anglican Ordinariate in October 2009 to help Anglicans who wish to become Catholic while preserving many of their unique traditions.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that senior Catholic Church figures in England expect the new jurisdiction to accommodate "thousands" of converts. The Anglican church of St. Peter in Folkestone has declared its intention to become Catholic, as has the Anglican Bishop of Fulham John Broadhurst, chairman of the Anglican group Forward in Faith.

Strife in the Anglican Communion has resulted from differences on theological and moral matters such as the ordination of women bishops and sexual ethics.

Damian Thompson, a Catholic commentator for the Telegraph, remarked that Bishop Broadhurst thought the Anglican tradition called Anglo-Catholicism was worth fighting for.

"Now he knows that the battle is lost," he claimed.

Thompson voiced his suspicion that the future of the Anglican Ordinariate is not with prelates such as Broadhurst but rather with younger Anglo-Catholic clergy and "thousands of committed lay people" who are already used to worshiping at a church that suits and not at their local parish.

"The important thing is that they believe that the intellectual case for traditional Anglo-Catholicism is no longer tenable. The High Church wing of the (Church of England) has moved in a liberal protestant direction: it has reached an accommodation with women priests and will do so with women bishops, too."

By contrast, Thompson continued, the election of Pope Benedict XVI and his visit to England has helped "tip the balance." The Pontiff appreciates the achievements of Anglo-Catholicism and believes that the best Anglo-Catholic worship retains elements of Catholic patrimony that will be "restored" to the Western Church.

Thompson wrote that he cannot foresee the Church of England allowing more than a few church buildings to leave, but large Anglo-Catholic congregations are likely to split over the possibility of entering into communion with Rome.

While Anglican converts will face obstacles from "philistine RC liberals," he cited a Catholic priest who said these Anglicans should consider who they have on their side:

"The Pope. Blessed John Henry Newman. And the Holy Spirit."

Thompson said he was "more and more convinced" that the Apostolic Constitution will bear fruit in "new, evangelistic parish communities" that will challenge "sluggish mediocrity" among some Catholics.

"No wonder so many younger, orthodox, cradle Catholics are excited by the Ordinariate mission," he concluded.