Solitudinem Faciunt (excerpt from-Ratzinger on VII)

The Remnant | August 15, 2003 | Michael Davies

[RaginCajunTrad]

The Cardinal makes it clear that we must abandon the idea that the Church began with Vatican II. Unless those in authority are prepared to free themselves from this delusion there is no hope of halting or even slowing down the decline. In an address to the bishops of Chile on 13 July 1988, the cardinal explained.

"There are many accounts of it which give the impression that, from Vatican II onward, everything has been changed, and that what preceded it has no value or, at best, has value only in the light of Vatican II. The Second Vatican Council has not been treated as a part of the entire living Tradition of the Church, but as an end of Tradition, a new start from zero. The truth is that this particular Council defined no dogma at all, and deliberately chose to remain on a modest level, as a merely pastoral council; and yet many treat it as though it had made itself into a sort of superdogma which takes away the importance of all the rest. This idea is made stronger by things that are now happening. That which previously was considered most holy-the form in which the liturgy was handed down-suddenly appears as the most forbidden of all things, the one thing that can safely be prohibited. It is intolerable to criticize decisions which have been taken since the Council; on the other hand, if men make question of ancient rules, or even of the great truths of the Faith-for instance, the corporal virginity of Mary, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, the immortality of the soul, etc.-nobody complains or only does so with the greatest moderation."

[RaginCajunTrad]

"The Second Vatican Council has not been treated as a part of the entire living Tradition of the Church, but as an end of Tradition, a new start from zero."

The above summarizes my experience in a Loyola Univ of New Orleans Masters of Pastoral Studies program, a diocesan diaconate program, and general attitude of many "in control" in my parish and diocese.

In fact, the largest parish in the town recently started a library. When they asked for donation of books, they specifically stated that they didn't want anything written before 1980.

Does the good cardinal have his summary on point?

[RaginCajunTrad]

Ping

[dsc]

Carved in stone over the entrance to the library at the University of Colorado are the words, "Who knows only his own generation remains always a child."

Perhaps the best lesson I learned in college.

[k omalley]

I guess that rules out Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Dante, most of the writings of the saints and popes, not to mention the Bible. Sheesh!

[As you well know...]

Good post. thanks. Your post reminded me of one of Chesterton's lines I dropped on my Pastor when he was, as usual, wrong about Catechetics and children; "The youngest people ought be taught the oldest things"

[RaginCajunTrad]

"The youngest people need to be taught the oldest things."

I love that quote. It is so true, but it is also so counter-cultural in modern America. Everything is disposable, especially tradition and truth.

It seems we have fallen in love with "new and improved."