The "Mayan Rite" and Papal Progressivism - by Abp. Héctor Agüer

 Abp. Héctor Agüer

Emeritus of La Plata

Buenos Aires, November 27, 2024

        The Liturgy represents the intimate life of the Church, its essence: the worship of the Triune God, in which the First Commandment is fulfilled; the reproduction of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ; the communication of the Grace of the Holy Spirit in the celebration of the Sacraments. 

        The Liturgy is carried out according to various Eastern and Western rites. The Roman Rite includes the Ordo of the Latin Mass, which originated around the 6th century and has never been abrogated. In 1970, Pope Paul VI sanctioned a new Ordo Missae, which is exercised with alterations here and there, and which lacks solemnity and beauty. For this reason, many young people adhere to the Tradition of the “Traditional Mass,” where it is not arbitrarily forbidden. The letter of that Traditional Mass has the accuracy of ecclesiastical Latin.

"Where Does the [Synod] Road Lead?" - Francis and the Church's Alignment with the UN Agenda 2030 -- by Abp. Héctor Agüer

 Archbishop Héctor Agüer

Emeritus of La Plata, Argentina

Buenos Aires, September 21, 2023

Synod is the exact translation of the Greek noun synodos. It is interesting to collect the elements from which the word is formed: syn, as an adverb means "whole, all together, at the same time", and as a preposition it can be translated "with, by means of". The noun synodos, indicates gathering, assembly, and also fellow traveler. The syn is composed with hodos, "way, route, guide" (it is feminine in Greek); from there it is also formed méthodos, method. Historically, in Christian antiquity the synod was called the convocation, and the meeting of the bishops, according to the ecclesiastical provinces, each presided over by the Metropolitan; which meet in assembly to deal with matters of utmost importance, define doctrines, and condemn and refute heresies, warning of the heterogeneity of those errors, in contradiction with respect to the didache, whose foundation is found in the apostolic beginnings. Two main features to keep in mind: the protagonists are always bishops, successors of the Apostles of Jesus, and the duration is determined in time, it does not extend excessively.

The name synod has remained to signify only those designated meetings, that is, an exclusively theological, ecclesiastical use. The history of the Church offers numerous testimonies of the interchange between synod and council, a name that comes from Latin, as we shall see below.

“That which thou dost, do quickly” for the Masquerade is over

Francesco Lamendola

H/T Riscossa Cristiana

April 2, 2019

That which thou dost, do quickly. Jesus addresses these words to Judas Iscariot, in the cenacle, after washing the feet of his disciples and after telling them He would be betrayed by one of them. And Judas, after these words, leaves the room and goes to the Elders of the people to arrange the arrest of Jesus and be their guide in the garden of olives – Gethsemane - where he knows Jesus is going to pray, after the Supper. And the Evangelist John adds: and it was night - while showing us Judas leaving the house to go and sell his Divine Master. It was night as the stars were already shining high in the Jerusalem skies; and it was the night of the soul, the night of the supreme sin: the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of His own.

By one of those who had followed him, listened to Him, heard Him pronounce sublime truths and seen Him do extraordinary things: calm the waters of a tempest-tossed lake; heal the crippled; liberate the demonically possessed; feed a crowd of thousands of people with a little bread and a few fish; and even call forth His friend Lazarus from the tomb.  

It was the great night of mankind: the Son of God had come into the world to bring the light, but men had preferred the darkness to the light. Men, Jesus says, prefer the darkness because their actions are not good, and the night conceals them. Those who walk according to the will of God love the light, because God is light and He illuminates the way; but those who have something to conceal, prefer the dark of night, because, if there was light, everyone would see their ignominy; and perhaps they would see also their hypocrisy, seeing that many, who have their hearts full of darkness, love, however, to make an exhibition of great virtue, to be admired and praised by men.

The historical time we are living in, demonstrates, more than any other, a striking analogy to the Gospel extract which describes Judas Iscariot leaving the house of the Last Supper.  That which you must do, do it quickly, would mean: enough of this farce, let’s put all our cards on the table: let the betrayal of Christ be done openly, in the light of day; it is too comfortabe to continue doing it under cover of darkness, all the while staying in the grey area of ambiguity.

For the record: Cardinal Burke's latest address on the Synod and "Annulment" Reform. Rorate reminder: 2015 Synod poised to assault Humanae Vitae too.

His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke gave a talk on Sunday, September 13, 2015 to Credo St. Louis, Missouri. The title of this talk was "The Truth of Christ in Marriage". An audio recording is now available on Youtube (h/t Vox Cantoris.)

 

A summary of the talk is on the LifeSite News article What do we do if the Synod takes a ‘strange turn’? The simple answer just got Cardinal Burke big applause, authored by the eminent theologian Fr. Brian Harrison, which also summarizes the Cardinal's reservations about the radical reform of the canonical process for the declaration of nullity (our emphasis):

... His Eminence also noted that certain problems could arise in connection with Pope Francis' new marriage nullity legislation, promulgated on September 8th.

Year of the Consecrated Life - I: Some Statistics and Observations.The Accelerated Decline of Women Religious

Reunion of Catalan Abbesses and Religious Superiors, Feb. 9, 2015. Source. 

H/t La Cigüeña de la Torre.

February 2 was instituted in 1997 by Pope John Paul II as the world day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life, and it was on this day, just three weeks ago, that Pope Francis opened the "Year of Consecrated Life" (although it already started on November 30 last year). It is the latest in a long string of "special years" proclaimed by the Popes - the Year of the Rosary (2002-2003), the Year of the Eucharist (2004-2005), the Year of St. Paul (2008-2009), the Year for Priests (2009-2010), and finally, the Year of Faith (2012-2013), itself the second such year to be declared after Vatican II (the first was in 1967-1968). 

Surely we are not alone in observing that the current "Year of Consecrated Life" is low-key compared to its predecessors? There is, apparently, very little talk about it, very little excitement. Perhaps it is weariness over "special years"? Perhaps it is because of the very real barrenness and exhaustion in much of Catholic religious life, despite the propaganda in official statements and in much of the "establishment" Catholic media and blogosphere? There are many signs of hope when it comes to religious life (we hope to write more about these soon) but in the immediate term the main trend in Catholic consecrated life will continue to be that of decline. 

According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (source - see "World Data over Time"), in 2012 the total number of female consecrated religious in the Catholic world was 705,529 for a reported (nominal) Catholic population of 1.229 billion. Only two years before, in 2010 there were 721,935. In 2000 there were 801,185. In 1970 there were 1,004,304 female religious for a reported Catholic population of 653.6 million. Overall, there has been a reduction by nearly a hundred thousand since the "Great Jubilee" that was meant to be the celebration of the "New Springtime" / "New Pentecost" in the Church.

"The Counterfeit Synod" There's a problem with it. - A Devastating Critique of a Sick Assembly

A Synod that's kind of a counterfeit?

While it is true that the Church is not a democracy, and that one cannot go forward by majority coups, the faithful as a whole cannot be subjected to theological and doctrinal mini-coups. Just as nature, the Church does not appreciate leaps.

Marco Tosatti

[Senior Religious Analyst for Italian daily] La Stampa

October 15, 2014

When the rapporteur - a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church - ignores more or less explicitly the fatherhood of a report that has his signature on it, then there's a problem

The Great Division - Wojtyła Nation to the Rescue. President of the Polish Bishops' Conference: "Synod Document Unacceptable"

Archbishop Gądecki: Document of the Synod of Bishops Unacceptable For Many

 The document summarizing the first week of the synod is not acceptable to many bishops - so says Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki.

Vatican Radio, October 13, 2014

First Synod Report creates a New Gospel: Homosexual Orientation must be "valued" by Church; Homosexual Unions "mutual aid that constitute precious support in the life of the partners"

James Tissot
The Sodomites (c. 1895)
Jewish Museum, New York

"Marini new Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship? For some, there are no more doubts about it..."

[Rumor has it... or a trial balloon?]

Marini new Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship? For some, there are no more doubts about it...

Il Timone [September 22, 2014]

Motus in fine velocior-1) PURGE - Magister: Burke to be removed, sent to symbolic position? -2) Synod Co-President: Church has "always" wanted to respect "stable" homosexual unions

Argentina Freak Show. Just in Time for Family Synod, Other Firsts: - Activists Celebrate Homosexual Catholic "Wedding-like Blessing" -- Plus Another "First" in Baptisms

Argentina, the Sun of the Universal Church: the Argentine Church is a freak show that keeps on giving gifts to the Catholic world! In just two days, two unbelievable stories.

____________________________________

Those are two men getting their civil "wedding" "blessed".

1. Saturday, Sep. 14 - After being barred from "marrying" them, priest "blesses" homosexual "marriage" in a wedding-like public ceremony in Santiago del Estero

Dictatorship of "Tolerance" at Radio Maria: Professor de Mattei removed for article - "Father, you're deluded if you think whirlwind won't hit you."

Professor Roberto de Mattei wrote an article in his style, published on Feb. 12, with the title "Motus in fine velocior", the great Latin expression that explains both physical reality and historical events - that is, that speed of change increases with the end of a historical era. We reproduce the article at the end of this post.

For years, Prof. de Mattei had been presenting, without receiving anything in return, a special program at Italian Catholic radio network Radio Maria dedicated to an exploration of the Christian roots of Europe. Radio Maria's director, Fr. Livio Fanzaga, considered "Motus in fine velocior", an op-ed published elsewhere, a step too far - the letter telling de Mattei of his removal is available below. De Mattei responded on the same day, and his letter is also available below; in it, he warns Fr. Fanzaga that, with the increasing speed of critical events, also he and his radio station will be soon forced to take a stand.

Two writers who are also bewildered by the situation in the Church in the past year, Alessandro Gnocchi and Mario Palmaro, had been fired by Radio Maria in October 2013 (we mentioned this shortly afterwards).

This is the new "Church of Tolerance and Mercy"!

We in Rorate have often posted op-eds by Prof. de Mattei. We do not always agree with every single opinion point he makes. But this does not mean his voice is to be silenced. Those who love most the Roman Church, her history and her prerogatives are those to whom no tolerance is to be granted right now. No mercy for them, despite their ceaseless loyalty to the Roman See. No "who am I to judge" for their heartfelt motivations. "Should not the great Church also allow herself to be generous in the knowledge of her great breadth, in the knowledge of the promise made to her? Should not we, as good educators, also be capable of overlooking various faults and making every effort to open up broader vistas? And should we not admit that some unpleasant things have also emerged in Church circles? At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate." (Benedict XVI, Letter to Bishops, 2009)

Documents below:
1. Letter of Removal from Director of Radio Maria to Prof. de Mattei.
2. Responding Letter from Prof. de Mattei to Radio Director.
3. Article "Motus in fine velocior", by Prof. de Mattei.

____________________________

1. Letter of Removal from the Director of Radio Maria to Prof. de Mattei.

Fr. Livio Fanzaga

February 13, 2014

Dear Prof. Roberto de Mattei,

I read your recent article "Motus in fine velocior", and I noticed the way you have been continuously increasing your critical position regarding the Pontificate of Pope Francis. I am very displeased with it, and I would have wished you put your great cultural competence at the service of the Successor of Peter.

You will understand, dear Professor, that your position is incompatible with the presence in Radio Maria, which calls for, in its guiding principles, adherence not only to the Magisterium of the Church, but also support to the pastoral action of the Supreme Pontiff.

Regretfully and bound by conscience, I must suspend your monthly broadcast, while thanking you, also in the name of listeners, for your deep effort, made as a voluntary, in the research of the Christian roots of Europe.

Dear Professor, if your approach regarding the current Pontificate should change and become more positive, there would be no difficulty for you to resume your broadcast.

Cordially,

Father Livio Fanzaga (Director) 

____________________________

2. Responding Letter from Prof. de Mattei to Radio Director.

February 13, 2014

Dear Father Livio,

With an e-mail message of February 13, you tell me that you have decided to suspend the program "Radici Cristiane" [Christian Roots] at Radio Maria, because I would "have been continuously increasing" my "critical position regarding the Pontificate of Pope Francis." "Your position" -- you write me -- "is incompatible with the presence in Radio Maria, which calls for, in its guiding principles, adherence not only to the Magisterium of the Church, but also support to the pastoral action of the Supreme Pontiff."

First of all, I thank you for the invitation you offered me four years ago to conduct the transmission “Radici Cristiane” on Radio Maria. Since then, until last January 15, every third Wednesday of the month, I tried to carry out to the best of my ability, the task that you had entrusted to me, by developing themes of a historical nature, apologetics and a spiritual and moral defense of the Church and Christian civilization. I thank you also for having publically defended me when, as a result of some of my transmissions, I was violently attacked by the secular press. All of my activity and apostolate has been and remains at the service of the Church and the Roman Pontiff, to whom I dedicated my latest book, Vicar of Christ: The Papacy - Normality and Exception Devotion to the Papacy is an essential part of my spiritual life.

Catholic doctrine teaches us however, that the Pope is infallible only in determined conditions and he can make mistakes, in the sphere of ecclesiastic politics for example, in strategic choices, in pastoral action and even in ordinary magisterium. In these cases it is not a sin, but a duty of conscience for a Catholic to criticize, provided that it is done with the maximum respect and love due to the Supreme Pontiff. The saints did so, and they have to be our models.

The Church allows Her children this freedom to criticize, and it is not a sin if one points out, with due respect, the faults of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Instead, the one who is silent because of cowardice or conformism, does sin. The drama in the Church today is precisely the fear in priests and bishops, who constitute the pars electa of the Church, in denouncing the terrible crisis which is occurring, identifying its causes and proposing solutions.

I re-read the article which represents the reason for my dismissal - and it seems to me that there is nothing disrespectful in it towards the reigning Pontiff, but simply some considerations of a historical nature more than theological, motivated by a pure love for the Truth. Besides, I did not express my concerns about the actual situation in the Church on my monthly Radio Maria transmission, but on my own information agency.

Dear Father Livio, you have every right to dismiss me from your radio, but it would have been better if you had done it without motivations, rather than advance such weak reasons, which are, if I may say so, unfounded. This incident does not bode well for you and I am truly sorry about it. The motion of events has accelerated at an increasingly faster pace and sooner or later the whirlwind will involve you and Radio Maria, constraining you to assume, in one way or the other, positions, which you are deluded in thinking can be avoided. The time will come, however, when one has to take sides. [Emphasis added] As far as I am concerned, I shall continue to exercise my Christian freedom, to defend the faith that I have received with my baptism and is the thing I hold dearest.

May the Holy Spirit help me never to succumb to any pressure or flattery, and never cease to state the truth, and to state it as loud as the silence of those who should be giving voice to it.

With deepest respect,

Roberto de Mattei

____________________________

3. Article "Motus in fine velocior", by Prof. de Mattei.

Motus in fine velocior

by Roberto de Mattei [Feb. 12. 2014]

February 11, 2013, is a date which has entered history. It was on that day that Benedict XVI communicated to an assembly of astonished cardinals his decision to renounce the pontificate. The announcement was received “like lightning in a serene sky,” according to the words addressed to the Pope by the cardinal deacon Angelo Sodano, and the image of lightning which, that very day, had struck the Basilica of St. Peter, spread throughout the world.