I'm conscious as I read this of what a pleasure it is to read something which was not AI generated. Thank you for your work, JD, and all the Pillar writers.
Loved your reflection on America. The vitriolic comments from faithful / normie Catholics (not bot accounts) when the usccb posts about social justice issues are horrific. We have to be better, as Catholics and Americans. And also love all your saint stories (or pope, in this case). They always teach me about someone I haven't heard of!
In Mass today, father made a point that really struck me, and seems relevant to the discussion of America (despite being said over in Europe):
A defining trait of all the martyrs has always been that they forgive their executioners, just as Our Lord did on the Cross. In our secularized era, it is easy to fall into an us-versus-them attitude, hating those we identify as our enemies. But if the martyrs were able to forgive and love those who tortured and killed them, can I not at least love the secular people around me?
In fairness, no less a martyr than St. Paul also used every legal move available to prolong his ministry--even as he regarded martyrdom as a near certainty. We can and should struggle lawfully, but that "lawfully" matters! And then also forgive, as you so justly point out.
Continued prayers for Ed. I feel even worse for him given that something newsworthy regarding the canonical ban on freemasonry happened while he is out!
And that people in the comments on the Pope's letter asked about canon law and he wasn't there to answer them, not that JD couldn't but still. We miss Ed. Please Jesus make him better quickly. Thank you.
I was not convinced by the last minute letter from Rome. Sorry, seemed a bit overly dramatic. It is not a surprise that the SSPX have been planning to do this for quite some time and everyone knew it so why now the letter saying “don’t do it, let’s talk”? A bit like the half hearted letter to a girlfriend with whom you are breaking up. It doesn’t convince me that either side are taking this seriously enough. It is certainly not the level of concern to be played out in the media with “open letters” (both sides equally guilty).
Now a bright bunny would say “ok, SSPX gets its own shoebox like the Maronites, the Ukrainians or the rest of them (even defecting Anglicans) but the bishops have to swear obedience directly to me, the Pope. Also, no throwing bread rolls by the traddies at the liberals”. That way, it becomes another tradition within the Church and everyone is happy. Instead we will see/ hear canon law huffing and puffing and self martyrdom in Latin. That helps no one at a time when the Church is confronting growing pains and cannot engage in acts of self harm.
Perhaps everyone takes a step back, breathes deeply and looks in the mirror.
just chiming in to clarify Rome has been ongoing in negotiations with the SSPX, this letter seems to be the public "last chance" warning.
Also it isn't so simple as suggesting that the SSPX be given their own ordinariate or turned into a separate rite of the church. Nor does it seem likely that they would accept a non SSPX bishop appointed by the Pope given that they consider non SSPX ordinations doubtful.
There are good faith negotiations that try to get to win-win and then other negotiations that aim for I win-you lose. Over the last few decades under different popes with axe-grinding cardinals and stonewalling bishops chipping in from the sidelines, this matter has not gone away and neither side appear particularly edifying. Was it not this very Pontiff that proclaimed dialogue was better than war? Meanwhile the faithful laity on both sides look on wondering at the competence of the church hierarchy. Are there really no bigger issues? Really?
Has Rome ever asked the SSPX by what authority they believe they can proclaim and act accordingly that there is a "crisis," or "state of emergency" in the Church?
I'm conscious as I read this of what a pleasure it is to read something which was not AI generated. Thank you for your work, JD, and all the Pillar writers.
Very well said, JD!!!
Loved your reflection on America. The vitriolic comments from faithful / normie Catholics (not bot accounts) when the usccb posts about social justice issues are horrific. We have to be better, as Catholics and Americans. And also love all your saint stories (or pope, in this case). They always teach me about someone I haven't heard of!
Continued prayers for Ed, and all of y'all...
In Mass today, father made a point that really struck me, and seems relevant to the discussion of America (despite being said over in Europe):
A defining trait of all the martyrs has always been that they forgive their executioners, just as Our Lord did on the Cross. In our secularized era, it is easy to fall into an us-versus-them attitude, hating those we identify as our enemies. But if the martyrs were able to forgive and love those who tortured and killed them, can I not at least love the secular people around me?
In fairness, no less a martyr than St. Paul also used every legal move available to prolong his ministry--even as he regarded martyrdom as a near certainty. We can and should struggle lawfully, but that "lawfully" matters! And then also forgive, as you so justly point out.
Good stuff. My respect for Leo continues to grow.
Continued prayers for Ed. I feel even worse for him given that something newsworthy regarding the canonical ban on freemasonry happened while he is out!
And that people in the comments on the Pope's letter asked about canon law and he wasn't there to answer them, not that JD couldn't but still. We miss Ed. Please Jesus make him better quickly. Thank you.
I didn’t answer because the other commenters got it right!
I had the same thought!
Full marks for "virtue of American people" not "the American people." Subtle significance.
I was not convinced by the last minute letter from Rome. Sorry, seemed a bit overly dramatic. It is not a surprise that the SSPX have been planning to do this for quite some time and everyone knew it so why now the letter saying “don’t do it, let’s talk”? A bit like the half hearted letter to a girlfriend with whom you are breaking up. It doesn’t convince me that either side are taking this seriously enough. It is certainly not the level of concern to be played out in the media with “open letters” (both sides equally guilty).
Now a bright bunny would say “ok, SSPX gets its own shoebox like the Maronites, the Ukrainians or the rest of them (even defecting Anglicans) but the bishops have to swear obedience directly to me, the Pope. Also, no throwing bread rolls by the traddies at the liberals”. That way, it becomes another tradition within the Church and everyone is happy. Instead we will see/ hear canon law huffing and puffing and self martyrdom in Latin. That helps no one at a time when the Church is confronting growing pains and cannot engage in acts of self harm.
Perhaps everyone takes a step back, breathes deeply and looks in the mirror.
just chiming in to clarify Rome has been ongoing in negotiations with the SSPX, this letter seems to be the public "last chance" warning.
Also it isn't so simple as suggesting that the SSPX be given their own ordinariate or turned into a separate rite of the church. Nor does it seem likely that they would accept a non SSPX bishop appointed by the Pope given that they consider non SSPX ordinations doubtful.
There are good faith negotiations that try to get to win-win and then other negotiations that aim for I win-you lose. Over the last few decades under different popes with axe-grinding cardinals and stonewalling bishops chipping in from the sidelines, this matter has not gone away and neither side appear particularly edifying. Was it not this very Pontiff that proclaimed dialogue was better than war? Meanwhile the faithful laity on both sides look on wondering at the competence of the church hierarchy. Are there really no bigger issues? Really?
Has Rome ever asked the SSPX by what authority they believe they can proclaim and act accordingly that there is a "crisis," or "state of emergency" in the Church?
They are assuming the same authority that Martin Luther had. Namely, none.
I think that JD is on the money with his predictions about the upcoming SSPX train wreck.