Posts Tagged ‘Society’

Bishop Fellay: Jews, Masons, and Modernists are ‘enemies of the Church’

New Hamburg, Canada, Jan 4, 2013 / 04:37 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Bernard Fellay, the head of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, mentioned Jews as “enemies of the Church” in a recent address reviewing the situation of the group as it considered full communion with Rome this past year.

“Who, during that time, was the most opposed that the Church would recognize the Society? The enemies of the Church. The Jews, the Masons, the Modernists,” Bishop Fellay, superior general of the society, said during a talk Dec. 28 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel in New Hamburg, Ontario.

The comment was made in passing during the wide-ranging address, which lasted one hour and 40 minutes.

The Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 as a response to what he described as errors that had crept into the Church following the Second Vatican Council. Its relations with the Vatican became strained in 1988 when Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without the permission of Pope John Paul II.

Since Benedict XVI became the Pope, talks to reconcile the society with the Church have intensified, with a particular increase in 2012. However, the discussions seem to have broken down over the summer.

Speaking about this impasse, Bishop Fellay said that groups “outside the Church, who were clearly during centuries, were enemies of the Church,” expressed opposition to the reconciliation of the traditionalist society with the Catholic Church. His reference to “groups” seems to have been a reference his earlier mention of “the Jews, the Masons, the Modernists.”

The bishop said that 2012 saw trials “extended to almost the whole Society,” an experience he worried could mean “some people have then lost the trust in the authority.”

Bishop Fellay said that the society has received mixed signals from Rome, and that talks eventually broke down with accusations of the Pius X Society being “Protestants,” and of Roman Catholics being “Modernists.”

The group’s position, according to Bishop Fellay, is that the portions of the Second Vatican Council are “opposed to what the Church has always taught” must be rejected. He said that Pope Benedict’s “hermeneutic of continuity” is untenable because the council documents are in places “contrary” or “opposed to Tradition.”

But Bishop Fellay said that he remains hopeful for the situation in the long-term, even if reconciliation will not be possible in the near future.

“The situation is not desperate, no. It’s not worse than before … there’s some hope. I don’t think for right for now, but for us, we just continue.”

We must “continue to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray the Rosary,” Bishop Fellay concluded.

Human rights or human wrongs?

by Judie Brown January 4, 2013, (American Life League) – The line between what is an acceptable and moral practice is continually blurred, and may soon be non-existent. In our “me-first” society, it is expected that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, with our bodies because, after all, they are…

Notre Dame’s HHS lawsuit tossed

by Cardinal Newman Society SOUTH BEND, IN, January 4, 2013, (Campus Notes) – An Indiana federal judge on Monday threw out the University of Notre Dame’s challenge to the HHS contraception mandate, according to LAW360.com. Once again, this dismissal is not on the merits of the case but the timing. The decision reportedly states…

Jesuit university invites pro-abortion, lesbian atheist to address college

by Cardinal Newman Society FAIRFIELD, CT, January 4, 2013, (Campus Notes) – Fairfield University has announced that it will be hosting atheist, lesbian, pro-abortion social commentator Fran Lebowitz next month, inviting comparison to last month’s controversy at nearby Fordham University over a canceled lecture by conservative…

After Newtown Shooting, Bishops Call for Cultural Changes

By MICHELLE BAUMAN/CNA/EWTN |
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Disturbing trends of violence in society should prompt both policy examinations and cultural changes, said committee leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“It is time for our…

Bishops call for cultural changes after Newtown shooting

Newtown, Conn., Jan 3, 2013 / 02:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Disturbing trends of violence in society should prompt both policy examinations and cultural changes, said committee leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“It is time for our nation to renew a culture of life in our society,” said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

The prelates, who lead the U.S. bishops’ committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Communications; and Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, respectively, released a Dec. 21 statement responding to a recent mass shooting.

They urged a re-consideration of national firearm policies, mental health treatment availability and violence in the entertainment industry, as well as broader efforts to restore the value that society places on human life.

On Dec. 14, a gunman identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza opened fire on teachers and students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. He killed 27 people – including his mother and 20 elementary school students – before taking his own life.

Offering a message of comfort and peace, the bishops extended their prayerful solidarity to all those affected by the “horrific evil.”

“No words can capture your suffering,” they acknowledged. “We look to Christ, his words and deeds, and ultimately to his Cross and Resurrection. It is in Jesus that we place our hope.”

To counter such violent acts, America’s elected leaders should consider reasonable limits on firearms that do not infringe upon people’s rights, the bishops said. While they acknowledged that “the intent to protect one’s loved ones is an honorable one,” they added that “guns are too easily accessible.”
 
The bishops reiterated the call made in their 2000 statement, “Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice,” for legislation aimed at protecting society “from the violence associated with easy access to deadly weapons including assault weapons.”

The voiced their support for the “sensible regulations of handguns,” such as “measures that control the sale and use of firearms” and efforts to prevent their unauthorized use.

The bishops also encouraged an evaluation of the impact that violent movies and video games have on the culture.

Entertainers should recognize that when their products glorify violence, they also “prey on the insecurities and immaturity of our young people,” they said.
 
“Such portrayals of violence have desensitized all of us,” they added, stressing that society must acknowledge the “emotional, psychological and spiritual effects” that these entertainment products have on people.

In addition, the bishops highlighted the need to address society’s treatment of those with mental illnesses. Recognizing the “pervasive role of addiction and mental illness in crime,” they encouraged reflection on social fears and prejudices toward those with special mental health needs.

Emphasizing the importance of sensitivity and support, they also urged the removal of “burdensome healthcare policies” that prevent those in need from receiving help.

“There is no shame in seeking help for oneself or others,” they said, “the only shame is in refusing to provide care and support.”

The bishops called on Catholics and “all people of goodwill to help bring about a culture of life and peace.”

“The events in Newtown call us to turn to our Lord in prayer and to witness more profoundly Christ’s perfect love, mercy and compassion,” they stressed. “We must confront violence with love.”

Ten people punished for believing in traditional marriage

by Peter Saunders January 2, 2013 (PJSaunders) – Freedom to disagree and the right to private conscience are fundamental liberties in any truly open society. Yet, the Government has utterly failed to consider the impact on civil liberty of its plans to redefine marriage (See their proposals here). I have already given…

Dec 30 – Homily: Model for a Happy Family

Dec 30 – Homily: Model for a Happy Family

Fr. Dominic explains that at the root of society is the family, and often today the removal of God is leading to its destruction. Thankfully we look to the Holy Family at Nazareth as a model for happiness in…

Catholic Blogger Made Chancellor of College, Leo XIII: Without Faith Liberty Degenerates and More!

By TITO EDWARDS |
Catholic Blogger Dr. Taylor Marshall Made Chancellor of Catholic College by Matthew Archbold of The Cardinal Newman Society Blog/Campus Notes – Big Pulpit

Pope Leo XIII: “Without Faith, Liberty Degenerates into Licens…

Rachael is still crying

It is so easy to cringe at Herod’s slaughter of the innocents. This was such an evil man whose lust for power would brook no interference. Where even Caesar Augustus said of him “It is better to be Herod’s dog than one of his children.” A child was seen as a rival and the age […]

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