Bishop Lynch and the Dismantling of Summorum Pontificum

One Peter Five ^ | May 14, 2015 | Brian Williams

[piusv]

Who cares why they join it?

Of course it matters why they join. Otherwise, they are just there for the "smells and bells" of the TLM, not for the True Faith. If they are there and are not being fed the Faith by not being informed of the errors and modernism taught by the hierarchy as a result of Vatican II, then why be there at all? To me, this smacks of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".

They might as well attend the local diocesan TLM mass.

[Alberta's Child]

Not everyone in this world is going to be knocked off his horse on his way to Damascus.

You have no right to judge anyone for the path they take to get to the True Faith. For some people the "smells and bells" is a very tiny first step. And I will give you a fair warning here: even well-intended people who don't understand that can be obstacles to the Faith for others.

I would add that I have no knowledge of what "limitations" might be in place for groups like the FSSP regarding Vatican II. I can tell you that I've been to Tridentine Masses in various places and in various orders, and I've never come across one where a priest was hesitant to speak clearly about anything idiotic that came out of Vatican II. Personally, I think the fixation on Vatican II by traditionalists is counter-productive. Vatican II did nothing to promote zeal for the True Faith, and with every passing day it recedes further into history without so much as a whimper. By its fruits ye shall know it.

[piusv]

I’m not judging anyone. I get that it can be a first step for some. But I am speaking about the need for a FSSP. On the face of it, if the FSSP is not speaking the Truth, then those that are there are not going to even see the need for another step (unless they are hearing the truth from other sources). That’s my point.

[piusv]

I would add that I have no knowledge of what "limitations" might be in place for groups like the FSSP regarding Vatican II. I can tell you that I've been to Tridentine Masses in various places and in various orders, and I've never come across one where a priest was hesitant to speak clearly about anything idiotic that came out of Vatican II. Personally, I think the fixation on Vatican II by traditionalists is counter-productive.

Obviously we differ. Vatican II is the reason why we are where we are. To not fixate on it is to ignore the cause.

I would be interested, however, to hear what you mean by traditionalist/FSSP priests speaking clearly "about anything idiotic that came out of Vatican II". What are some examples of what they say?

[Alberta's Child]

Unitatis Redintegratio was a complete disaster, for example ... as was Dignitatis Humanae. Not only do these documents contain things that directly contradict Church doctrine in these matters, but the practical application of these things is the eventual disappearance of whatever "Church" was referred to in these documents.

The irony is that Unitatis Redintegratio effectively gives a group like the SSPX all the "cover" they need. If salvation can be obtained outside the Church, then surely the SSPX is no less legitimate than any other organized religious group.

[Jim Noble]

Can we be joyful that we are but barely a Remnant now, who are left in Christ’s Church?

There are thousands of tiny protestant congregations with exactly that understanding of themselves.

[piusv]

I think you have misunderstood my question. I agree wholeheartedly with you on those examples. I guess I would be interested in knowing whether the priests you referred to in your previous post are actually saying these same things from the pulpit. If they are, that’s great! But, I was under the impression that, technically, they shouldn’t be doing so.

[RitaOK]

Although I had not heard that FSSP must not speak against VII, I think there are those who could, or would, infer that given that FSSP is clearly in line with the Pope and the Roman Church.

Whether that is a formal directive or tenet, I can’t say, but then my rare experience with FSSP is really through the beautiful Traditional Latin Mass. They rather appear (to me) to keep their head down and tend to that mission of celebrating the Mass, and diligently to the other sacraments and the old blessings of candles, people, places and things.

How engaged they are in worldly opinions, or even worldly affairs, I just can’t tell. I believe they would not enjoy the increasing success they’ve known, however, if they were outside the invitation and approval of the several bishops who are not blocking the Summorum Pontificum.

[RitaOK]

YIKES! VERY well said! I agree with you, to boot.

[RitaOK]

Yes, you’re right. That is what they believe. Invincible ignorance may allow God’s mercy on their soul. Coming from the Protestant course myself, I would like to think so. Many of us converts have parents, family and friends who died Protestant and I spent many decades in that condition.

There is something true about invincible ignorance, as in, not. a. clue., in so many of these cases, and also not a shred of anti-Catholic bias. Just pure invincible ignorance.