Then and Now

The history of the Catholic Church is very much intertwined with the history of humanity. The Catholic Church considered as the new Israel goes through the same experiences as the Jews of the Old Testament. A cycle of unfaithfulness, slavery, repentance, resolution, and freedom. There is comfort in seeing how the Church survives through it all and, at the same time, it shows even more her Divine Institution.

THEN. According to Church historian, Baronius (b.1538; d.1607), the tenth century was perhaps the saddest in Christian annals which he described as "that Christ was as if asleep in the vessel of the Church."

I wonder if future historians would look at our time the same way. However, there are so many similarities. In Benedict XVI's final address in 2013, "I have felt like St. Peter with the Apostles in the boat on the Sea of Galilee: the Lord has given us many days of sunshine and gentle breeze, days in which the catch has been abundant; then there have been times when the seas were rough and the wind against us, as in the whole history of the Church it has ever been—and the Lord seemed to sleep. Nevertheless, I always knew that the Lord is in the barque."

Even (St) Bruno, Bishop of Segni, Italy spoke of that period upon the election of Pope Leo IX (152nd pope, 1049-54) as: "the whole world lay in wickedness, holiness had disappeared, justice had perished and truth had been buried; Simon Magus lording it over the Church, whose bishops and priests were given to luxury and fornication."

CHURCH ESTATE

Then. During that time, the Church had many estates, and thus, priests and religious were also landlords. On the other hand, the secular world was governed by monarchs, dukes, and emperors. With the Church's material wealth, worldly and power hungry people took interest in her.

Now. The Church's estate had been reduced to the Vatican State within Rome, Italy. The rest of its material property is spread out in monasteries, buildings, and dioceses. The Catholic Church is still considered rich with its precious assets.

SIMONY and RELATIONSHIP with WORLDLY POWERS

Simony was the biggest problem of the Church wherin clerical office are bought. The emperor at that time was from the Franconian line. Germany was the Imperial land. Kings and dukes were fond of investing clerics for political influence.

Now. There are many independent nations with their own system of government. Majority is governed by electoral process. In issues of artificial contraception, abortion, euthanasia,and same-sex marriage, majority of bishops' conference are still at odds with the government.

ECCLESIASTICAL EDIFICE

How bad were things? [1] Then,Leo IX also appointed Hildebrand as propositus or promisor of the monastery of St. Paul extra Muros (St. Paul outside the walls). The historic and venerable establishment had suffered much from the past violence of lawless bands of the Champagne. The building had been so neglected that sheeps and cattles would roam around through the unrepaired broken doors. Just as broken down was the monastic discipline within the establishment. The monks were being attended by women in the refectory and the regiments of prayers were not being observed.

Now. From those of age at the time of Vatican II's implementation witnessed the demolishing of sanctuary rails, moving of altar table to accommodate priest facing people, moving of the tabernacle to the side. Many Churches after Vatican II function like multipurpose edifice where cultural presentations are held. Modern Church architecture had also emerged taking away much of the symbolism of old churches.


SEXUAL IMMORALITY

And the extent of sexual immorality then?
Peter Damian, monk, published his treatise on the vices of the clergy, the "Liber Gomorrhianus" (Book of Gomorrha) in 1051, dedicating it to the pope who was two years into his pontificate. It became a controversial book. Those that were alluded to were certainly not happy with the author. The pope who at first praised Peter Damian’s work soon distanced himself with the author with the rising controversy and considered the writing as an exaggeration. Peter vigorously protested in his letter to the pope.

The issues tackled in the book were:
•The problems of homosexual bishops or heads of religious orders who engage their "spiritual sons" in acts of sodomy.
•The sacrilegious use of the sacraments by homosexual clerics and religious.
•The special problems for the Church related to the seduction of youths by clerical pederasts, and
•The problem of overtly lax canons and penances for clerical and religious offenders that make a mockery of the seriously sinful nature of homosexual acts.

During the time of Ratzinger in Rome, the sexual abuse scandal erupted in the press. The extent, though, about 0.1% of the priesthood was alarming.
Worst was the clique that developed from it and became a homo lobby within the Church which can be likened to (St) Peter Damien's Book of Gomorrah.

Cardinal Ratzinger and later as Benedict XVI tried to clean up the Church and more succinctly fight the homoheresy. Ratzinger called it the "filth" within the church.

EASTERN CHURCH

Then, there was also the continuing tension between the Church in the East with the Church in the West. The conflict that allowed the Moslem an advantage in conquering several territories in the East.
Pope Leo IX didn’t live to see the result of his embassy to Constantinople. On 16th of July, 1054 the two cardinals excommunicated Caerularius and the Greek Patriarch, likewise, excommunicated the Roman pontiff.

Now. Pope Paul VI, on his trip to the Holy Land, together with the Patriarch mutually lifted the excommunication. Succeeding popes have traveled to the Holy Land but "communion" had not been arrived.


ISLAM

Then. Islam was aggressive in occupying territories. Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand) tried to call a crusade to help the Christians in the Middle East but his call was met with indifference.

Now, Islam had become the dominant religion in the Middle East. Israel also has its own land but the conflict remains in the East. Shari'a law is enforced in both Sunni and Shiite controlled areas. Most of Middle East had become rich through its oil and gas production. However, Christian persecution of Political and militant Moslems prevail in greater intensity.



HOLY EUCHARIST

Another notable problem then was the heresy of Berengarius of Tours (b.999; d.1088) questioning the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

Although there is no outright Berengarius heresy, the actuations of priests and laity towards the Holy Eucharist speak tons. Clown masses, Priests distributing Holy Communion as if they were handing out coins to be received by the hand. The churchgoers dressed up for another occasion and the Mass was just a convenient incidental in their schedule. The unrecognizable Sacrifice of the Mass abound.



DISSENT/ CELIBACY DEBATE

In spite of reforms, condemnations, and sending papal legates, bishops and priests were openly dissenting. Dissent became the norm and those who are faithful to the teaching of the Church were treated with contempt. It was then and it is now.

Deacon Ariald and Anselm of Lucca were amongst those going against the current. Deacon Ariald was slained in 1065 on his way to Rome.

Now, open dissent from bishops and lay leaders. Kasper, Mahoney, with many dissenting organizations.

HILDEBRAND AND RATZINGER



After Hildebrand's 20 year long service to the pope's, he was elected pope on 1073. He was about 50 years old and took the name of Gregory VII. The Holy Roman Emperor at that time was 23-year-old King Henry IV of the Franconian line. He was consecrated on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, 29 June 1073, which was the anniversary of his priestly ordination.
Hildebrand asked for a lot of prayers and he wrote to Desiderius, Abbot of Monte Cassino, referring to his elevation to the pontificate with the words of Psalm: "I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me... Fearlessness and trembling are come upon me, and darkness hath covered me."

Ratzinger after serving as prefect of Congregation of Doctrine and Faith was elected into the papacy on 2005 and took the name of Benedict XVI
In his inaugural address on April 24, he said, "Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves." Joseph Ratzinger was ordained in the priesthood on 29 June 1951.

January 1075, Pope Gregory VII to Abbot Hugh of Cluny: "The Eastern Church has FALLEN AWAY from the Faith and is now assailed on every side by infidels. Wherever I turn my eyes--to the west, to the north, or to the south--I find everywhere bishops who have OBTAINED their office in an irregular way, whose lives and conversation are strangely at variance with their SACRED CALLING; who go through their duties not for the LOVE of CHRIST but from motives of WORLDLY gain. There are no longer princes who set God's honour before their own selfish ends, or who allow justice to stand in the way of their ambition... And those among whom I live-- Romans, Lombards, and Normans --are, as I have often told them, worse than Jews or Pagans".

In the flight en route to Fatima, 13 May 2010, Ratzinger said, "As for the new things which we can find in this message today, there is also the fact that attacks on the Pope and the Church come not only from without, but the sufferings of the Church come precisely from within the Church, from the sin existing within the Church. This too is something that we have always known, but today we are seeing it in a really terrifying way: that the greatest persecution of the Church comes not from her enemies without, but arises from sin within the Church, and that the Church thus has a deep need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn forgiveness on the one hand, but also the need for justice."

23 January 1076, King Henry who continued to practice Simony called his own council with bishops aligning with him and declared Gregory VII deposed, putting his own anti-pope. Hildebrand excommunicated King Henry and his allies. In spite of the terrible state of Christendom, the masses still believe in Christianity and declared they want a new king rather than the excommunicated one. King Henry, thus, realized he needs the approval of the pope.
In 1084, after so many attempts King Henry succeeded in occupying Rome and consecrated Guibert as Clement III. 61-year-old Pope Gregory VII was exiled at the Castle of Sant’ Angelo. He was liberated by the Normans, but their abuses were too much for the Romans who went on uprising. Hildebrand went into self-exile at Monte Cassimo then at Salerno.

On May 25, 1085, Hildebrand/ Pope Gregory VII died at Salerno around the age of 60 or 65. His last words were: "I have LOVED JUSTICE and HATED INIQUITY, therefore I die in EXILE."

On February 11, 2013, Ratzinger/ Benedict XVI announced his renunciation. Beginning the 28th of February, he began his life of reclusion at Castel Gandolfo then at the Monastery of Mater Ecclesiae within the Vatican City.

POST- HILDEBRAND

Several pontificates and anti-popes came after Hildebrand. It would be in the age of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (B. 1090; D. 21 August, 1153) when Christianity would blossom again.

Reference: New Advent: Pope St. Gregory VII

Sadly

Sadly, it seems true.

Slum Pleasures goes... I have received, and published already, the following comment:

This Francis fool was the perfect candidate to weaken Papacy to the point of irrelevance, I visited Argentina 2 years ago, when I was working for a russian news agency and visited some slums in Buenos Aires to cover the work of the “curas villeros” (slum priests) in the many shanty towns of the capital, I was shocked to see that practically all those priests had concubines and had sons with them, other were openly homosexual or had transexual partners and everyone knew about this!I talked with people from the slums and asked them what did they think about this? their answers were basically the same: “it’s ok, they love each other, they harm nobody” I also talked with more cultured (and minoritarian) sectors of the catholic church in Buenos Aires who were infuriated by the situation but they were unable to do anything about it, they said they were largely outnumbered by the “populist priests”.They also told me that all the high hierarchy of the church in Buenos Aires, Bergoglio included, were aware of the dubious morality of the slum priests, the argentine traditionalist catholics also told me that in those slums the priest is considered a “fairy godmother” by the poor people who live there, in fact the priests are to many of them the only “help” since the hypecorrupt state is practically absent, thus the priest is perceived as a ” good nanny” who feeds and takes care, so no one dares or bothers to question his life and morality, to slum people everything the priests do is ok as long as they keep supplying them with free stuff…. a doctrine of sterile assistentialism that leads nowhere, keeps the poor in poverty, the lazy in laziness and the sinner happy with his sins.Bergoglio has started to export this model of spiritual misery and moral decay to the rest of the world since he was elected and sadly he will continue vomiting the filthy populist nonsense that’s been coming out of argentina provincial, ultracorrupt politics for decades.

Read the entire article.



One commenter said:

María Victoria Álvarez on September 18, 2013 at 4:53 pm

Dear Mundabor, I’m argerntine and what this post says it’s absolutely true, Bergoglio condoned , tolerated and encouraged all kind of transgresions, heresies and sins here in my country, now I’m seeing that he’s doing the same in Rome and he wants to spread this pestilence all over the world. The ricca scandal pales in comparisson to the myriad of sex scandals that the argentine catholics have witnessed during “The bergoglio era” but as this post says: since the traditionalist catholics are a minority the voices of those who denounce these scandals are lost in the maremagnum of praises and justifications from low, little people who get some “welfare benefit” from them.

Buddy Sheep and Shepherd

It is great when the shepherd and the sheep get along like buddies, but if all the shepherd does is to be a buddy then he becomes a sheep and the sheepfold will be lost. Then, the robber comes along and the sheepfold is taken in to a different pasture.

Yes, the (ordained) shepherd smell like the sheep and acted like a sheep. When the sheepfold got stolen by the enemy, the shepherd still acting like the buddy was stolen, too.

With the sheepfold and the shepherd still together, they are clueless that they have been buddying up in the enemy fold. The voice that had been leading them was that of the thief and the liar.

TEF: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Subjected to Gender Ideologists .

Rorate Caeli: Update from the Irish Redemptorists: “The devil got into me”

Warning: Contains photos of priests in drag. Viewer discretion advised.

St. John the Baptist and Christianity Today

Mundabor reflects on how John the Baptist would fit in our inclusive, merciful, and pastoral evangelization. Yes, I don't think St. John the Baptist would be popular with what he preached. Just as he was not liked by the people who feel offended and judged then, so will it be now. There will always be people who wouldn't want to hear the Truth.

To a certain extent, the world had never changed. Yet, it had changed so much that it could be alarming.

Most of the followers of John the Baptist became followers of Jesus. The question now is, will those who claim to be followers of Jesus heed St. John the Baptist's call and stance? That is the alarming change... what the supposed to be "Christianity" had become.

Awesome Love

The awesome love that God gives in the Eucharist - to give Himself in the form of bread and wine.

The Eucharist is more than a personal relationship. It is more than a book and reader relationship. It is more than a sinner and Messiah relationship.

It is an INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. It is a gift of self from the very source of love and life. The Perfect gives Himself to the imperfect. The Perfect Love gives Himself to the imperfect lover. The Life Giver who gives Himself to a creature. I am continually in awe in this Mystery of Love.

Thank You, Lord, for this Mystery of Love. Thank You, Lord, for You have deigned to grant us this miracle daily in the hands of a priest. Thank You, Lord, for being there in the Eucharist-body, blood, soul, and divinity.

Upon This Rock

"The gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18), that is what we Catholics hold on to. The Church will last until the end of time. It is indestructible and the Truth it holds will remain available until Jesus returns.
Monsignor Pope explains the literal and figurative meaning of the words. I remember Jeff Cavins describing the place where Jesus spoke these words to Peter. It was upon a huge rock and below it was a cavelike opening which was believed by the locals as the entrance to hell and exit of the devil as it goes about prowling bringing souls to hell.



In spite of this confidence in the Divinely instituted Church which is the Catholic Church, we are still aware of the confrontation between good and evil. We wonder if it is possible to be on the wrong side of who we follow. Fr. Dwight Longenecker writes how to recognize the Antichrist based on the writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Abp Sheen wrote:
The Antichrist will not be so called; otherwise he would have no followers. He will not wear red tights, nor vomit sulphur, nor carry a trident nor wave an arrowed tail as Mephistopheles in Faust. This masquerade has helped the Devil convince men that he does not exist. When no man recognizes him, the more power he exercises.

His logic is simple: if there is no heaven there is no hell; if there is no hell, then there is no sin; if there is no sin, then there is no judge, and if there is no judgment then evil is good and good is evil. But above all these descriptions, Our Lord tells us that he will be so much like Himself that he would deceive even the elect–and certainly no devil ever seen in picture books could deceive even the elect.

this is the temptation to have a new religion without a Cross, a liturgy without a world to come, a religion to destroy a religion, or a politics which is a religion–one that renders unto Caesar even the things that are God’s.In the midst of all his seeming love for humanity and his glib talk of freedom and equality, he will have one great secret which he will tell to no one: he will not believe in God.

Because his religion will be brotherhood of Man without the fatherhood of God, he will deceive even the elect. He will set up a counter church which will be the ape of the Church, because he, the Devil, is the ape of God. It will have all the notes and characteristics of the Church, but in reverse and emptied of its divine content. It will be a mystical body of the Antichrist that will in all externals resemble the mystical body of Christ. . . .

More Than a Field Hospital

The spiritual battle in our time is fiercer. It comes from all sides and inside. There are things happening which one would think only bad people do. Yet, at this time, we see good people whom we admire and respect at the other side of the fence. I have always believed that the biggest losers in the spiritual battle are the ones who do not even know they are in a battlefield.

It would be so wrong to think the Catholic Church is only a field hospital. In a battle, there will be those in the FRONTLINE prepared, armed, and must have full support in their morale and armaments. These are the great defenders of Truth defending the non-negotiables of Benedict XVI- life, marriage, family. Marching, writing, teaching, and speaking out. The CDF (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) and those who fight heresy would likewise be in the frontline category. Someone had to be in the frontline or souls will be lost.

Our Mother Mary is in the frontline of the battlefield.

Then, we have the FIELD HOSPITAL attending to the wounds of the spiritual battle. Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity, Aid to the Church in Need and the like who are reaching out, caring and loving the victims of our unjust world. Wounded and often without help and hope. It doesn't matter what they believe in. Part of the field hospital, too, are the father confessors ready to welcome prodigal children and bathing the soul of those who are healthy. The field hospital is not about cuddling the Enemy who do not even recognize its own woundedness. It is not a diplomat who tries to make compromises with the devil.

Aid to the Church in Need in Syria

The majority would be the TRAINORS and FORMATORS starting with the family, parish church, school, cathechists, and the like. Not everyone would be in the same level of spiritual maturity. It is here where we learn to live with each other, helping and guiding each other. For in each heart is a spiritual battle.

Then, there is also the police or WATCHDOGS of the Church. Making sure there is fraternal correction within the Church. Checking also those who claim to be in the Church. They complement the frontliner and serve also to safeguard them by alerting them to the workings of the Enemy.

The HEART and ARMORY of the Church would be the cloistered nuns, monks, and prayer warriors. They are the secret weapons that give strength and light to those in battle. They provide the armor for everyone in the Church. If there is lacking in armory, the battle becomes fierce and difficult.

There are no prisoners of war in God's camp, only freely can they choose.

There would be many more in the comprehensive scheme. One thing is for sure, this pilgrim world is a battlefield for souls.

A New Pentecost?

Pentecost is referred to as the birth of the Church when the awaited Holy Spirit had come upon the Apostles and they began their mission.

A new pentecost for Pope Francis? Islamic prayers to be held at Vatican. This is part of the continuing saga of the Holy Land Pilgrimage wherein Jesus was not the focus of his pilgrimage but the fraternal(?) EMBRACE. Vatican calls it a break from politics but it would seem to me like a pursuit of an all-too-political peace. Vatican clarifies also that it is "not praying together" but "together praying".
That reminds me of the story of the two seminarians caught smoking. One said, "Father, I smoked while I pray." The other said, "Father, I prayed while I smoke."


Meanwhile, a horrible description of Church desecration in Milan. The Eucharist, the image of Jesus and Mary... outrageous desecration in the See of St. Ambrose, St. Charles Borromeo, Pope Paul VI, and Cardinal Martini. Acts of Reconsecration and Reparation will be done.

In Besançon, France, the church had become a place for performances.

From Catholic Conclave

It's all too sad to think, but the Church, the true church will always be there until the end of time. Yes, as promised by our Messiah. We have 2000 years of spiritual wealth. Lives given up and a great deal of sacrifice and conviction made it possible to preserve. What will happen tomorrow? For the majority, it is faith in the same old life. For the seekers and lovers of truth... ?

Catholic Church- Source of Good

Father Enrico Zoffoli (1915 - 1996) in RorateCaeli, The Source of all that is good.

To sum up:

- evil is in the Church, but not of the Church; She welcomes the errant, but does not approve their error; She open Her arms to the sick, but does not absorb their sickness; She, rather, continues to impose Her attack against sin, which in its defiling of human society, threatens Her members.

- evil – through the fault of believers who are not yet fully assimilated in Christ – is in the Church as the enemy or anti-Church, which lays snares for Her, tries to seduce, overwhelm and secularize Her. Evil, belongs to the world and is enthroned there as in the kingdom of all covetousness and abominations.

Read more at Rorate.

The Four Marks of the Church

The FOUR MARKS of the Catholic Church are:

ONE - This means that the Church is One in the One Body of Christ. It is the very Vine of Christ and no branch can break away without losing the fullness of truth.

HOLY - The Catholic Church is holy but it does not depend on the holiness of its members. Its claim for being a Holy Church comes from being founded and instituted by Jesus Christ who is God.

CATHOLIC - Catholic means "universal" as Jesus made it available for all. It is not defined by geography, culture, or race. . It is God who holds it all together and gather everyone to Himself.

APOSTOLIC - The Church is apostolic because it has a mandate to be faithful to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Thus, the Church, in its teaching authority can not CHANGE anything. The mission of the Apostles had been handed down through generations in apostolic succession.

St. Ireneaus encapsulized this, “This preaching and this faith, the Church, although, scattered over the whole world diligently observes, as if it occupied but ONE HOUSE, and believes as if it had ONE MIND, and preaches and teaches, as if it had ONE MOUTH. And although there are many dialects in the world, the MEANING of the tradition is ONE and the same.”

The Future of the Catholic Church?

Oh my! Sell the Churches!



Then, we might have a need a lot of this portable altar!



The Church will survive with street Masses!

Awww! Priests shortage!

Wait, they are talking of a flourishing traditional community. Oh! But..but they are strangling the community of Franciscan Friars and Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate. They... who could really be "they"?

There is the SSPX, but I hardly know them. From V2 history, Cardinal Santos was sympathetic to the side of the Lefebrevists.

The other remnants of Christianity: Protestants, Sede Vacantists, and others have become irrational.

Well, Jesus said "the gates of hell will not prevail against it" and "I will be with you always until the end of time". Yes, the Church will make it through. I don't know how, but it will.

Does Religion Matter

My protestant friends and family believe and would say so categorically that religion isn't important. It is the personal relationship with God and the confession of faith that matters. And it is the Bible alone that has the sole authority. Then, there is the viral video of "I am spiritual but not religious". And Pope Francis often reiterates that even atheist can go to heaven.

Yes, I can imagine some people going to heaven. And I understand the teaching of the Church regarding salvation outside the Church. And I really like to leave that unto God to choose who He would allow to enter heaven. But all these can leave one asking, does religion matter?

I remember posting this question to Bishop (now Cardinal) Tagle in the Word Exposed Discussion Board: "There are good and bad atheists. There are good and bad Protestants. There are good and bad Moslems. There are good and bad Catholics. And so on... I guess you would know where this is leading to... does religion matter?"

Bishop (Cardinal) Luis Antonio Tagle answered it in his TV show (Youtube) "The Word Exposed". I can not recall his verbatim answer but I remember that he pointed out that it is better to ask if it is his/her Christianity (atheism, Protestanism, and so on) that brought about the goodness in that person. The crucial thing, too, is the question of Divine Revelation.

If one truly believes that the Catholic Church was and is Divinely instituted by God, why wouldn't we want to be a part of it. And if God deems it necessary to institute a Church or a Religion, then, He has a purpose for doing so. The Church has a commission from God - to be the bearer of the deposit of Truth and to make it available for all peoples and all nations.

Sometimes we can not see or feel the divinity of the Church. Seems like Jesus is asleep as the storm rages and shakes the boat. Even at such times, we continue to plea and to trust in Him.

Does religion still matter? An excerpt on love over dogma from Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz (with my emphasis):

"Does genuine love in fact belittle, undermine or underrate dogma? Is genuine dogma not in effect the product of real love? Is there a contest between true love and solid dogma? Does love lessen the dogma about the existence of God, the dogma that Christ is true God and true Man. The dogma that there is heaven and inferno, salvation and damnation – among many other dogmas? One thing is to love all men – saints and sinners alike. Quite another is to love criminality and vice, graft and corrupt practices, war, killing, and destruction".

"In other words, according to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, there are only Two Commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbor. But both loves in no way say that the truth – such as a dogma – may be loved less. Why? Because God is Truth – a dogma. Because the truth is that man is created from the Image of God – a dogma. In other words, there is no contest between dogma and love."

So when people dismiss religion because we are saved not by dogma but by love, we can agree. We are saved by a love borne out of Truth. A way of love which is a way to life. For God is love and He is also the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God saves, Amen.

Changing Church?

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz on the changes in the Catholic Church. He went on to explain the meaning of the Local Bishop's Conference and the Dicastery. He concluded with...
"The novel thinking of Pope Francis is that instead of sending to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican for their resolutions, all questions, issues and doubts about local doctrinal matters and practices, these could be left instead to the competence of the likewise local Bishops’ Conference to decide on. This would be a real and interesting novelty in the Universal Church. And this demonstrates the expanded and creative thinking of Pope Francis!"

I hope this doesn't make the Catholic Church just a confederation of national churches or else, it would be the Traditional Catholic Church that would turn out to be the umiversal church. "Expanded and creative thinking"... hopefully for the best as Pope Benedict XVI had reminded us during his last days in office that the Church is Christ's. It's not Benedict's, not Francis'.

Fr. Thomas Rosica must like Pope Francis' papacy a lot. He called a NYTimes article "great" when it trashes Pope Benedict. I thought he works for the Vatican Press. Maybe it's like showbusiness wherein "any publicity is good publicity" because it puts the actors and actresses in the news and in the public's attention. Then, no wonder, the deluge of publicity had kept people ranting, defending, praising, hurting, enjoying, laughing.

And to take things lightly, from a Spanish blog of Fr. Jorge from Madrid. It's really funny, and the idea of a Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Papal "off the cuff" remarks. Perhaps, it will now be the task of the different Local Bishops Conferences.

Still, we can not forget what is happening in the MiddleEast as Cardinal Rai reiterates Christians always pay the highest price.

More Words After the 12000

After the 12,000-word interview were more words from all over the world including the Philippines. In the Philippine setting, the spin is that the Philippine Catholic Bishops are acting not in accord with the Pope with its strong opposition to Reproductive Health, Same-sex marriage, Divorce. Naturally, Catholic defenders had to explain it away. Fr. Nono Alfonso, S.J. likewise, also interpreted the Pope on Radio Veritas846.

The article on Rorate Cæli featuring an article of a Conservative non-Trad Spanish writer, Juan Manuel de Prada was perhaps the most touching of all. It reminds me of some heart breaking reactions when Pope Benedict XVI renounced the papacy. The papacy is a vocation of fatherhood and it is of greater import in a fatherless society- a Papa, it must be, to the universal church..

Then, there is the spin on the "parable of the Prodigal Son". The Pope is the good, merciful father who welcomes with a feast the atheists, divorcees, gays, pro-abortion. On the other hand, the Catholics who react negatively to the pope's words are likened to the other son filled with interior sins. Well, there is a prodigal son and the other son in each of us, but the Pope, though the Vicar of Christ, is not God. The Sensible Bond is a great piece. It is neither defensive nor offensive.

Ultimately, we will be confronted with what we are truly convicted of.
Do we really believe that Jesus is God who instituted the Catholic Church?
Do we really believe in Jesus' promise that "the gates of hell will not prevail against it"?
Do we really believe in the teachings of the Church on Contraception, Abortion, Marriage, Family?

It is an ever increasing challenging times for Catholics, demanding white martyrdom and in many places, red martyrdom. Things are not going to get easier. Somehow, I predict this will be a short pontificate but a highly visible one. It is after this pontificate wherein the simmer reaches a boiling point and schism will happen.

Continually, we must pray, reflect, and keep aflame the thirst and quest for Truth. Do I stand with Jesus, Mary, the saints, the Church, the Bible, the magisterium, and the valid Pope?

Church Alive and Kicking Each Other

Oh, the exchanges in the internet world! I wonder which blogs and articles St. Jerome and St. Augustine would be responding, too. Today, must be like the time of Luther when pamphletering abound, and there were many voices. Should I laugh, be sad or must I be worried? Majority of Catholics do not read encyclicals, Pope's addresses, or homilies. They simply rely on quotes from priests and Catholic speakers. And they persevere in the faith, knowing deep down that it was the Church established by Christ Himself. The first encyclical I ever read was Pacem en Terris. I do like reading including spiritual books like Henri Nouwen and books about or by the saints but rarely would I be interested in papal documents. It was when I was convicted of the wisdom of the Church regarding artificial contraception [admitting to myself that I was wrong and the Church got it right] that I became more interested in what the Church has to say. But even then, it was just a few that I read: Cathechism, Humanae Vitae, Splendour of the Truth, and Familiaris Consortium. It was Benedict XVI who got me hooked on reading more including homilies and addresses. I read/listen to Benedict XVI because his words and messages are beautiful, educational, and inspiring. He is an outstanding writer. With the new papacy, others kept on reading everything Pope Francis says even when they can't seem to grasp the message. I guess they have to because they are Catholic writers. And then there are the writers who just can't accept any negative commentaries on the Pope... because they are Catholic apologists. Are all these making the Church crumble from within? I hope not. As always, there will be converts, reverts and there will be fallen away. Will the great apostasy happen or will the great mass conversion happen as we near the end times? I don't know, we all have our deaths to reckon with. Maybe what is happening is just a cultural gap. When Pope Francis was elected, I felt orphaned because he was just like our parish priest. Benedict XVI was a pope. However, Pope Francis is the pope and I accept. In the Third World, a priest must only have old, impractical cars which he can rant about. Car is a big deal. Bishops from rugged countryside were castigated for accepting/ soliciting SUVs from the PCSO. Our parish priest when he bought a motorcycle was readily petitioned for ousting. There is great divide between the "have" and "have not" in the Third World. The "have" has BMW, Benz, Porsche. The locally manufactured vehicle would be the Sarao jeepney for the "have not". The "have" use signature apparels- bags, clothes, shoes since they are all imported from the "first world". The "have" has helpers, drivers, and nannies. The "have not" does everything for themselves and if in a much worse situation, be the helpers, drivers, and nannies of the "have". Pope Francis is a politically and socially correct Third World priest. In the Third World, charity is associated with giving something to the poor. The sharing of truth in words (like Benedict's) would hardly pass as an act of charity. In the Third World, the Church is the watchdog of the government. So priests are very political and social justice is often the shout out. And hardly would a Third World Priest be concerned about the Liturgy. He just appears for the Liturgy. A Third World Priest is focused in giving hope amd reaching out. Street, Mall, TV Masses so as to accomodate the bustling Third World people who have to labor much and need rest or shopping. Even the homilies of Pope Francis are quite typical. Like Mother Mary lets in everyone to heaven while St. Peter was away. Then, there's the sermon about gossipers which is a burden to Third World priests. I am not sure if the pope had a sermon about corruption which is often a theme in homilies. A "Third World" priest attends processions, watches the Choir's concert and the Youth group's play. A priest must be game; Sing, dance, clap, and joke with the people. These make for a vibrant church with many religions around. All these are in no way indicative of a good priest or a bad priest. It is just the social setting they are placed. But how about the Pope of the Universal Church? Maybe in time, Pope Francis will be less of himself. Or perhaps, this is what Jesus wants for our time. No matter what, we have the Word of God, the Sacraments, and the Magisterium. We can pray. So we go on, allowing God to transform us that we may be conformed to Him.

The Poor Church

An excellent blog from UK, Fr. Ray Blake on the Poorer Church.Excerpts:
In brief, our catechesis, like our sacramental celebrations have been person centred rather than God centred. We have emphasised human skill, human ingenuity, the human nature of worship, the human-centredness of catechesis and avoiding anything to do with God. Ratzinger spoke of the 'closed circle' not just of contemporary worship but of contemporary Church life, similarly of "the community celebrating itself", of "self reverentialisam".

Ratzinger's answer was 're-orientation'. It is the dependency on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ which is lacking.

A poorer Church therefore is one that recognises its need for re-orientation because centred on itself it is heading to ruin. For Benedict the symbolic re-orientation of worship was of absolute significance because it was about the Church looking beyond itself towards God as true believers rather than looking inwards to itself as a congregation of self sufficient Pelagians.

Arrogance is undermining God while overestimating one's self. A truly humble Church acknowledges God as the source of all that is good and beautiful. She can be comfortable with the gifts endowed to her because she is conscious of the Giver and is committed to the purpose for which the gift is given. When we recognize the grandeur of God and His love, we realize our poverty. Yet, at the same time, we are being raised up in our worth... and being opened up to our greater possibilities. And in this kind of poverty, we find a sense of equality with others. We need not be other people's savior.

Versus News

Retired Bishop tells Catholics to IGNORE the Archbishop Well, it was on a specific issue- receiving Holy Communion for those promoting Same-Sex Marriage. He insists punitive has no place in pastoral work. Oh yeah... like fathers who do not know tough love. No standing in the corner. Never grounded. Just love. Whatever that means.

And so... UK Liturgist says DON'T IMITATE the Pope ... that is, on Liturgical practice. Well, he is the Pope.

So... okay. Then... To HELL with Uniform; Let's just Love. Yeah, what is important is what's in the heart. I use that excuse when I want to cop out.

EXPLOSIONS Rock Finish of Boston Marathon on April 5, 2013. Now, don't tell me this is love. What could be in their hearts to do such a thing.

Amidst all the strifes and darkness, we can go Go FORWARD with Certainty. The world is broken but there is still hope and true love.

I Miss Pope Benedict XVI

Humility seemed to echo in the Catholic world. But to me, the portrait of authentic humility is Pope Benedict XVI.

As a cardinal, he used to commute and walk, garbed in his black suit and collar but when he became Pope he accepted the changes in his life. He said a total "yes" albeit with fear and trembling.
Benedict XVI became a pope and he shared generously his heart and mind. But he left all the rest of him. There was no more Ratzinger.
He accepted the gifts given to him be it a pair of shoes, a car, solar panels but also the misinterpretations, adulation, and criticism. He wasn't just a giver but he allowed himself to be a recipient deeming himself in equality as children of God.
Benedict XVI allowed himself to be helped. No arrogant self-sufficiency that everything can only be done well and right by him. He recognized that he could be assisted with the household, with security, with writing his books. It is necessary to fulfill what he is called for. It was different, he used to answer every letter he received. He used to grant invitation requests to the houses of different colleges. As pope, he should abide by the protocol.
Benedict XVI knows that what he has to offer was not his alone so he honors and respect his predecessors from whose wisdom he had received.
Benedict XVI knows he is a creature and he honors the Kingship and Beauty of the Creator. Elevating the Creator in His rightful place and letting God be God in our lives - the King, the Author, the Source of all Love.
Benedict XVI knows that the man is distinct from the office he holds. He knows his mission but he knows he is dispensable. He steps down.

I feel more orphaned now that we have a new pope. More than the time Benedict XVI abdicated. Pope Francis is likeable, he is very much like the Jesuit-formed Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle whom I admired. Pope Francis is actually like our parish priest and the many wonderful priests around. And that is why I feel orphaned because I do not have a pope.

In spite of it, we are never really orphaned because God is our loving Father, Jesus our saving Brother, and the Holy Spirit who leads and breathes love. Thus, we remain faithful. In humility and trust, we accept what God permits and discern what God truly wills for us.

Benedict XVI, Indeed, the Glory of Olives

Pope Benedict XVI was elected April 19, 2005. The Holy Week that year was marked by the grave illness of Pope John Paul II who died the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday. In hindsight, media and Vaticanists say, he was the easy choice. Yet, then, noone was really thinking out loud that Ratzinger was a strong papal candidate. He was a "politically incorrect" choice. He had many enemies and he was far removed from the charismatic image of Pope John Paul II.

If people were surprised at the election of Pope Francis because they don't know him. In 2005, people were surprised at the election of Joseph Ratzinger because they knew him. Tears of joy flowed as the Latin name of Joseph was mentioned. The Holy Spirit was undaunted by the media and the culture. That was truly the work of the Holy Spirit. Rarely would the Holy Spirit interfere with the politicking of humanity but will, inspite of it, not allow any Church teaching to be contrary to the Truth and God. It is Divine Justice that the Truth will always be made available throughout the ages.

Joseph Ratzinger was born on Holy Saturday, April 16. Thus, the Lenten Season and the Passion of Christ would hold a special place in him. His book, Jesus of Nazareth, vol2 on the Passion of Christ was one of his most popular book.

"And when they had said an hymn, they went forth to the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith to them: You will all be scandalized in my regard this night; for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed. But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee." (Mark 14:26-28 DRA)

Benedict XVI, even as prefect of CDF, has desired for retirement. Yet, he had to stay in the Garden of Gethsemane and say "Not my will, but Your Will be done". The labor of the Sun made the Olive grove ripe and ready, Benedict XVI like an oil press was set to share his mind, heart, and strength to the world.

Pope Benedict XVI was dearly loved or viciously hated. In his mount of Olives, he was betrayed by people who had access to him. Those that feed him, give him his medicine. Those who knew his iteneraries. Benedict XVI allowed himself to be VULNERABLE, a heroic COURAGE to love and be loved. It was a courage that comes from sanctity, a close relationship with Jesus Christ, who has made Himself vulnerable as a little Babe and a crucified Messiah, naked and nailed to a Cross. With this relationship, Benedict XVI was able to sustain himself even in hostile environment, going to hostile territories, tackling extremely controversial issues.

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing in the sight of the lord of the earth.[Rev11:4]

Benedict XVI brought into fruition the pre-Vatican and post- Vatican. The continuity that suffered by the fragility of the flower of flowers papacy of Paul VI. It was an era of the flower children (hippies). Paul VI, who was himself fragile, laid out the truth in this fragile times and bore in his head the crown of thorns of the flower. Benedict XVI reconciled the pre and post Vatican II correcting the misinterpretations that had prevailed.
In our disconnect world, Benedict XVI wove in the tapestry the intricate connections of things: Faith and Reason, Charity and Truth, Hope and Salvation, Beauty and God. He was, undoubtedly, of great mind, but it was an intellect not deprived of inspiration.

Benedict XVI was not carrying a branch of olive, he disturbed the peace of one's comfort zone. He courageously addressed the questions of the heart, and it can make one accept or violently reject. Such courage he possessed wasn't a whimsical courage of those who do not care. It was not an angry courage of a self-righteous. It was not an angry courage fuelled by hate. His was a HOLY COURAGE anchored on a Truth he sought, embraced, and nurtured.

I will be as the dew, Israel shall spring as the lily, and his root shall shoot forth as that of Libanus. His branches shall spread, and his glory shall be as the olive tree: and his smell as that of Libanus. They shall be converted that sit under his shadow: they shall live upon wheat, and they shall blossom as a vine: his memorial shall be as the wine of Libanus. (Hosea 14:6-8 DRA)

The short papacy of Benedict XVI was amazingly rich. It was a surprise to the world that the pope who lack the stage presence and charm of his predecessor would draw crowds; And his books, homilies, and writings would be read.

Benedict XVI's papacy was the culmination of Benedict XV's papacy. Giacomo Della Chiesa had seen the continuing decimation of Christianity. As a seminarian in Rome, he saw the depopulation of religious life which Pecci was trying to rebuild. As a priest, his assignment in Madrid saw the revolution and overthrow of the regency of Ma. Cristina. Evenmore so in his papacy, apart from being the pope of World War I, Benedict XV was at the bark of Peter when two forces contrived in 1917: The Bolshevik Revolution giving birth to communism and socialism, and the Birth Control League which gave birth to Planned Parenthood - artificial contraception and abortion. It was a battle for Eve and Mary took part in the battle with her apparition in Fatima, Portugal. Benedict XV's papacy was marked with Religion being pushed to the margin.
It was redeemed with the long and energetic papacy of John Paul II who labored to shine even when his own sunset was approaching. Benedict XVI pushed it and religion was back with a voice into the public square and into the digital mission field.

Benedict XVI was God's loving surprise to mankind. Like an Olive Tree who wants to do its part in the Vineyard, yet never wanting attention for himself. Uncomfortable as he was with the media attention he was given, he did not shun it like a renegade. He humbly allowed himself to be used, but always carrying with him the Christ who is foremost his Master, his Love, and his Joy.

It was apt that Benedict XVI would end his papacy like an Olive Tree that withstood the lightning and the storm. He would renounce the papacy but he will not abandon the children. He was like a father who lets go of the bicycle but quietly and prayerfully watch his children. It was the best way to teach.

And like the Olive Trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, he quietly and serenely bore witness to the Love of Christ for the pilgrims to encounter Jesus. Indeed, Benedict XVI's papacy was the glory of the Olives, Gloria oliuæ.

The State of the Church

There are so many people making a "State of the Catholic Church Address". So many proposals. And, of course, it all depends on where you stand.

The Catholic Church (religious and laity) is part of society and not immuned to the ills of society and its influences. Whatever problems the Church has, society has. Whatever problems society has, the Church has it as well.

The Church, at any given time in history, has its joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous mysteries. Every saint is a reformer - going against the tide. Generally, going against one's inclination to join the world.

It is a given that good and evil co-exist in our pilgrim world. That is our dilemma. That is our battle with our very selves... where do we side? And which side is good or evil?

Yes, there are things to be done. There are things that need to change. The Truth is unchanging, but we can always align ourselves with the truth and be a co-worker of the Truth. It is an inexhaustible journey to the "depths, breadth, and width" of it.

Rather than making a "state of the nation address" or a "state of the church address", the best Lenten practice we can do is make a "state of the self address" and bring it to God and the Sacrament of Confession.

"Human evil and ignorance simply cannot thwart the divine plan of salvation and redemption. Evil is simply incapable of that."
-Pope Benedict XVI, March 2012-


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