Disobeying the Pope and Sins of Omission - Michael Voris' Latest Thoughts

JMJ

Church Militant TV just issued another vortex on the topic of obedience to the Pope, when it is really

Michael Voris has another vortex out and touches on the topic of criticizing the Pope publicly.

His rationale has two foundations:

Criticizing the Pope publicly results in driving many 'confused Catholics' into schismatic or near-schismatic (SSPX) groups.
It is useless to criticize the Pope as it is the Bishops who are the ones who are really the problem.

I disagree with Michael on the principle that it is not right to publicly criticize the Pope. In practice, the criticism must be delivered with respect for his office and charity for the souls - the Pope's first as well as the rest of the Church.

Even the Pope said he accepted the criticisms of the late journalist (name escapes me) and he accepted them because he knew these criticisms came from love.

So criticising or complaining about the Pope's actions do not necessarily translate into an attack upon the person of the Pope.

For example, I can definitely criticize St. Pope John Paul II's decision to kiss a koran that was presented to him. This is a sinful act against the first commandment and no one should imitate the Pope in this matter.

I also would like to note that Pope Francis' orders being disobeyed by the bishops were curiously absent. I suspect that there aren't any orders to disobey since the Pope himself is acting in accord with the bishops.

But I digress.

The reason why anyone should criticize the Pope is in order to remove the confusion about Church Teaching/Doctrine that the Pope is himself creating.

The koran kissing is a good example, but there are many examples of Pontifical actions that are causing scandal and causing people to leave the Church of Christ because of the confusion. Far more leave the Church altogether than the few thousands that take refuge in the SSPX and even the sedevacantist organizations.

And they are leaving in droves.

To not say something can be a sin of omission and as such when the Pope does something scandalous, those in positions of authority need to assert the elements of the True Faith - within their realm of authority.

Michael point about the local bishops is right - to a point however his aerial vs ground assault analogy is completely off base.

Why?

Because this crisis of the Church will not end until the Pope is strong enough to take a stand on Catholic Teaching. This is true from a doctrinal point of view and true from a cultural point of view.

Any gains made at the diocesan level can be erased as quickly as a new bishop can be installed.

Those who have a wider influence have an obligation to make use of that influence for the service of the Church. If it is required to point out, with respect, to the Pope that he is damaging the Mystical Body of Christ - then so be it.

I would not want to stand before my just judge and say: But he was the Pope.

Everyone of the abuses sickening the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church was approved by a Pope.

Following Michael's logic we should hunker down and listen to them and obey.

But the cognitive dissonance would tear us apart.

Until next time ...

P^3
Prayer
Penance
Patience

Is it sinful to attend the Novus Ordo (New Mass) - Is it Sinful to Not Attend the Novus Ordo on Sunday?

+ JMJ A non-SSPX Catholic is upset over the SSPX statements on not attending the Novus Ordo Missae. Ladies and gentlemen, what the SSPX, or at least its website editor, is advocating is a mortal sin against the Third Commandment. Unless the priest deviates from the language of the Sacramentary, the consecration, and thus the rest of Mass is to be considered valid. No one may elect not to attend Mass simply because abuses are occurring therein. Might I suggest that such absenteeism is its own abuse? The Third Commandment binds under mortal sin. Father So-And-So from the SSPX has no authority whatsoever to excuse attendance at Mass, be that Mass ever so unpalatable. Source:Restore DC Catholicism Well, this is interesting. First why does the SSPX issue this statement? Because it is sinful to put your faith in danger by attending a protestant service. It is likewise dangerous to put your faith in danger by attending a protestantized mass (ie the Novus Ordo Missae

Regarding Post: Fr. Joseph Pfeiffer no longer ... now Bishop Joseph Pfeiffer (Can't see this being a problem...)

+ JMJ I've been watching the popularity of the post about Fr. Pfeiffer's attempted episcopal consecration and its continued top listing on the 'popular posts' list at the bottom of posts. After some thought, I decided that I don't want to be responsible for anyone joining Fr. Pfeiffer's 'group', however unlikely that would be at this time. So I have reverted the article to the draft state. If anyone wants it reinstated, I would ask that they comment on this post with a rationale for reinstatement. P^3

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

The Vatican and SSPX – An Organizational Culture Perspective

Introduction The recent and continuing interactions between the Vatican and the SSPX have been a great opportunity for prayer and reflection. The basis for the disagreement is theological and not liturgical. As noted by Dr. Lamont (2012), the SSPX theological position on the four key controversial aspects of the Second Vatican Council are base on prior theological work that resulted from relevant magisterial pronouncements. So it is difficult to understand the apparent rejection of the theological position of the SSPX.

Auctorem Fidei

Can the SSPX be right about the Novus Ordo? Revision: Feb 11, 2013 On another web forum, I was engaged in a rather heated discussion about the documents of Vatican II.

Tradicat

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