In the January 2003 edition of Si Si, No No, the Society of St. Pius X published the first installment of an eight part series on “The Errors of Vatican II.”
This valiant effort to warn the faithful of the dangers posed by the conciliar novelties began, well, at the very beginning – with the Opening Address that was delivered by Pope John XXIII on October 11, 1962.
The very “first error” treated in the exposé concerns a so-called “pastoral” approach that not only continues to thrive in the Novus Ordo church to this very day, but one that has also come to infect any number of heretofore solid defenders of tradition.
As such, the insights provided in this article are as timely now as ever – nay, they are more important now than ever!
Let’s take a look…
Speaking to the more than 2,000 bishops assembled in St. Peters Basilica on the Council’s opening day, the pope said:
The Church has always been opposed to these errors [the false opinions of men.] She has often condemned them with the greatest severity. Now, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to employ the medicine of mercy rather than that of harshness. She is going to meet today’s needs by demonstrating the validity of Her doctrine, rather than by renewing condemnations.
The Si Si, No No article went on to state the obvious (or at least what was obvious to all lovers of tradition at the time):
With this renunciation of employing proper, God-given authority to defend the deposit of the faith and to help souls through condemning errors that ensnare souls and prevent their eternal salvation, Pope John XXIII kicked aside his duties as Vicar of Christ. In fact, condemning error is essential for maintaining the deposit of faith, which is the Pontiff’s first duty, and with it, always confirming sound doctrine, thus demonstrating the efficacy of doing so with timely application.
The words contained in this excerpt were very well chosen indeed:
Condemning error is essential; i.e., it’s not one option among many, like leather seats and a sunroof in an automobile. Rather, if one wishes to make any headway in the effort to defend the deposit of faith and to lead souls to their eternal salvation, it is not enough to simply confirm sound doctrine.
Underscoring the necessity of condemnations, the article continues:
Moreover, from a pastoral point of view, condemning error is necessary because it supports and sustains the faithful, the well-educated as well as those less so, with the Magisterium’s incomparable authority. [Emphasis added.]
Far from simply a matter of “shouting” down falsehoods (or whatever derogatory expression one may wish to assign to the act), condemning error is truly merciful:
By its exercise [condemnations] they [the faithful]are strengthened to defend themselves against error, whose “logic” is often astute and seductive. This is not the only point: condemning error can lead errant souls to repent, by placing the true sustenance of their intellect before them. The condemnation of error is, in and of itself, a work of mercy.
Certainly, the condemnation of error may be employed for the wrong reasons, but its intrinsic quality remains even if obscured; namely, to protect and to sustain the faithful in the face of danger.
One of the reasons why I chose to cite this article from Si Si, No No is because it explains the logic behind the editorial approach taken here at akaCatholic perhaps even better than I can.
While most everyone with a public voice in traditional Catholic media would have wholeheartedly agreed with the Si Si, No No article when it was written back in 2003, today that doesn’t appear to be so – and this in spite of the fact that the dangers we are facing are even more pressing now than they have ever been.
Sure, I can hear our growing list of detractors now:
But akaCatholic has no authority! This article is speaking about the pope and the Magisterium!
Indeed, which is why the astute reader will notice that even though the contributors and commenters here may not always get everything just right, we do not make claims based on our own authority. Rather, we claim recourse to tradition and the authority of the Church and her divine Founder.
Not only is condemning error “the Pontiff’s first duty,” as the article states, it is the duty of all “soldiers for Christ” to so defend the doctrine of the Faith to the best of their ability.
So, what exactly merits condemnation and what is perhaps best overlooked?
The article states:
Not only heresies and theological errors in the strict sense have been [throughout the Church’s history] objects of condemnation, but every one of the world’s ideas that is not Catholic, not only those adverse to the Faith, but also those to whom Our Lord’s words apply, “He who does not gather with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth” (Mt. 12:30).
Certainly, one must be prudent concerning the way in which errors are condemned, but by this measure, all of them must be engaged. Overlooking error in the hope of a happy outcome isn’t just unrealistic; it is a dereliction of duty.
The article concludes its treatment of this novel “pastoral approach” wherein truth is preached apart from the condemnation of error saying:
The Church’s enemies-inside and out-appreciate this heterodox position.
Indeed, and I am certain that the Church’s enemies appreciate it even more today given the magnificent gains they have made since this article was written.
And this, my friends, is why we do what we do the way we do it.
+Lefebvre:
“But you will not forget that opposed to the reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ there is the reign of Satan. The reign of Satan has never perhaps been more extensive and penetrated everywhere into all domains as it has today. It surrounds us on all sides. What is the reign of Satan? The reign of Satan is the reign of scandal but scandal understood in its true sense understood in the sense of that which leads us to sin and, as a consequence, which leads us to HELL. That is scandal! Scandal is that which leads to sin, that which draws one into sin and indeed the reign of scandal is to be found in this world. Much is scandal around us, much is contrary to the law of God. Henceforth, in society, even the commandments of God are not only ignored but they are publicly and officially attacked. Laws are passed which are contrary to the law of God. All of this is legalized, officialized; the magistrates, the doctors are obliged to do some things which are contrary to the law of God, which are unjust, which are horrible, abominable! All of this in a time when one believes that our civilization has never been as great or as beautiful! On the contrary! This civilization bears the mark of SATAN and it bears the mark of HELL!
You will denounce these scandals in order to prevent them from leading souls to hell. You will not be afraid to denounce all that which drags souls into sin.
In order to have this courage and this force, you will ask these graces particularly of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You know, my dear friends, Mary is our Mediatrix Mother. She is the Mediatrix of all graces.”
If you listen to Bishop Fellay’s talks from a decade ago he sounds like a totally different man, and that was under Pope Benedict.
Card. Roncalli was a mega modernist. He was removed from teaching at the Lateran (mid semester) after only some months due to his heretical teaching. He lied under oath to the Holy Office (admitted by his own biographers) and saw his career in Rome abruptly ended.
The problem is, he was exiled for so long first to Bulgaria{no Catholics there} then Turkey{again no Catholics there} under Pope Pius XI, for decades on end that people simply didn’t know who the man was when he finally returned to Rome under Pius XII. He is the mastermind of the current mess and hand-picked the deplorable Card. Montini to be the flag carrier to conclude the “work” of the Council. No canons, no definitions, no condemnations…..this was being ‘pastoral’ to Roncalli. Somehow teaching truth without defining exactly what that truth was.
They say that our era, in comparison with past eras, is getting worse, and they behave as though at the time of former councils everything was a full triumph for the Christian idea and life and for proper religious liberty. We feel we must disagree with those prophets of gloom, who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world were at hand. In the present order of things, Divine Providence is leading us to a NEW ORDER of human relations…”
It really is amazing that as errors and scandals have only gotten worse, certain elements have yet softened their voices. Combat fatigue?
I have heard reports that Father Paul Morgan, SSPX Superior of the UK, has left the SSPX as of 8/10/17. Does anyone have any further information regarding this departure? I wonder how many SSPX priests no longer want to be a part of the “Combat Fatigue” unit as per Alphonsus, Jr.’s comment above. Louie, your article really hits the nail on the head–as usual.
Steve Skojec over at 1P5 has a different idea:
“…My friend Hilary White said to me recently that she thinks we’ve been hoodwinked into playing the enemy’s game. That they do something awful, and we react. Again and again, this cycle repeats itself, until we suddenly realize that we’ve long since been dancing to their tune. You may have noticed that she shut down her blog, What’s Up With the Synod? These realizations — and the alarming awareness that this isn’t good for any of us — were among the reasons she made that decision.
What I’m telling you is, I think we need to find a way back. Back out of the cesspool that our alleged shepherds have dug out for us. We need to study our faith. To re-learn it, or even to learn it for the first time. There are a lot of young Catholics now looking to tradition. They haven’t read the books. They are too young to remember what things were like before Summorum Pontificum. They do not carry the baggage of having watched the asteroid hit. They just want to know, to learn, to understand.
We can help them…”
https://onepeterfive.com/quo-vadis/
This makes more sense than the continuous, Burke did this, Burke said that, Fellay said this and that, the SSPX has lost its way, head for the nearest foxhole mass, we need to call out the Modernist pretenders of newchurch. What’s the end result of all of this? A handful of Sedevacantists harp and whine and sing the same old tune, week after week and month after month and year after year. Your calling out the evil doers except for one little detail, they don’t read aka Catholic.
Now you commentators can all chime in about Steve Skojec’s faults and failings. Tell us why you quit reading his blog. Go ahead a feed your self destructive discontent and your unending, compulsive rash judgement.
When confronted with Arianism, St Athansius was tireless in his battle to defeat heresy. We have modernism to combat. If I am hearing Rush and Steve correctly, you are advocating some sort of pause or detente in the battle? Getting a little lukewarm are we? Steve’s problem is that he is lacking zeal. His fatigue is from trying to make round holes fit square circles. Its a frustrating task. He is losing energy by defending the indefensible. Every single modernist must be attacked constantly with no compromise. This is impossible if one still holds that the enemy has authority over oneself. That is the source of Steve’s fatigue and the fatigue of all those who do not embrace the sede position. I know of not one sede who is troubled or weary from the battle. We fight because we must. To waver betrays Our Lord. There is no quarter with the enemies of Our Lord.
I wonder what a Saint Francis de Sales would advise all who have become war weary in the battle for souls?. He should know. Four years in enemy (Protestant fka Catholic) territory..(re)converting no one…before ultimately converting 70,000 to the OTF. Something tells me that: (1) He knew his subject cold; (2) He loved and lived the faith; (3) He was at all times firm but very civil and kind; (4) Everything he did began and overflowed from the graces of his prayer life.
Saint Pope Pius X favorite book was reported to be “Soul of the Apostolate” by Dom Chautard. In it DC points out that every action and success of an apostolate begins and continues with the (over) flow of graces from one’s prayer life. Great book. Great Pope. Two Great Saints. War Weary fighting for souls? Maybe we should try doubling down on one’s prayer life first and seek the overflow of its graces to refresh and reenergize us to continue the fight as a soldier in spiritual combat.
https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Apostolate-Dom-Chautard/dp/1570584893
“You’re calling out the evil doers except for one little detail, they don’t read aka Catholic.”
What must be understood is that the value of sites likes this is largely in making a record for the future. That’s my chief concern as a donor. Assuming a digital future (a big assumption, true), sites like this, Vdare, American Renaissance, The Occidental Observer and other dissident right outlets will serve as a message to future generations: “No, not all of us were mad.”
I think Steve et al are afraid of where the truth will lead them. This is not being a judge, just speaking from experience. Deep down they still love and want to see the Vatican II religion saved somehow (or at least save face). That train of comfort left the station decades ago and it’s not coming back. Took me years and years to get deprogrammed from my concept of the modern Church that I was raised with. It’s a dark night of the soul experience and it cannot be avoided unless you want to lose your faith. I think when the gravity and enormity of the problem hits the intellect with full force, it is very human to want some form of escape.
Agreed. Once they really come to understand the depth of the rot, they’ll throw off every remaining vestige of cuckservatism. I fear such understanding will, sadly, require much more pain.
I think Louie is absolutely right on this point.
A doctor’s main aim is to promote the health of his patients. He can do this in many ways – encouraging a good diet, advocating regular exercise, etc. But, it is a fact of life that good health is constantly under attack from disease. A doctor who confines himself to promoting good diet and exercise among his patients, without fighting disease, is not a good doctor, and will only end up with a lot of very sick and dead people on his hands! As a matter of fact, doctors spend most of their time fighting disease, precisely in order to ensure good health.
Surely something similar can be applied to the spiritual realm. Can it really be said that souls today are under less attack from spiritual disease (heresy, error and immorality) than bodies are from physical disease? As a result, the doctors of souls (who are first and foremost the Pope, the bishops and the priests) have no less of a duty to attack this disease in all of its manifestations than their medical counterparts. They cannot confine themselves to simply promoting spiritual health.
In a crisis situation where medical doctors stopped treating their patients or where there were not enough doctors, would it not be a duty in charity for ordinary citizens to help in the fight against disease, insofar as they possibly could? Wouldn’t that duty be more pressing on those who had better knowledge of medicine, even if they were not qualified, certified doctors?
Why can the same not be said for a time of spiritual crisis, where the overwhelming majority of “soul doctors” are not treating their patients (or, rather, are treating them with poison)? Should not those who have some knowledge of the spiritual diseases do what they can to attack them for the benefit of their fellow men?
Steve Skojec and Michael Voris (with their respective organizations) refuse, REFUSE to entertain the thought that their beloved Pope John Paul II (and all the other post conciliar popes, prelates, etc.) preached anything heretical. CM and 1P5 also have comment policies that prohibit ANYONE from posting ANYTHING that, in their opinion challenges the validity of the election of Bergoglio. They both opine that we, the laity, have no authority to judge the “pope” or to pass judgment. B.S. We, the laity who actually know the Faith, do not pass judgment. However, we can see the facts, connect the dots using correct logic, and come to the conclusion that Vatican II is a diabolical, non-dogmatic, non-doctrinal Council, that Bergoglio is not the pope, and that many learned Catholics have very serious doubts as to the validity of Benedict’s resignation. Say or write any of this on either website, and the moderators delete your comments, ban you from the website, and label you a heretic, apostate, or worse. How is it that they get to judge me, but I cannot come to a logical conclusion about VII or whether or not a cardinal is legitimately, validly elected? Their logic escapes me.
Rey–Your analogy makes a lot of sense, especially in these times when it is the “catholic” hierarchy in Modernist Rome which is most responsible for the disease itself. The cure must come from Traditional ” soul doctors” who have the true Sacraments and the zeal and militancy to fight the invading enemy from without and from within. Handing out a placebo won’t work. Spiritual wars must be fought valiantly and aggressively until the battle is won—and not one minute sooner.
May I add: Once the enemy has been identified, it must never be treated as a friend or with any degree of respect. The enemy is the enemy!
Error has no right. Simple as that.
It seems like you and a couple other bloggers are on point about not giving up.
Bishop Fellay, 2003, Superior General’s letter #63 (about Campos after they made an agreement with Rome):
“So little by little the will to fight grows weaker and finally one gets used to the situation. In Campos itself, everything positively traditional is being maintained, for sure, so the people see nothing different, except that the more perceptive amongst them notice the priests’ tendency to speak respectfully and more often of recent statements and events coming out of Rome, while yesterday’s warnings and today’s deviations are left out. The great danger here is that in the end one gets used to the situation as it is, and no longer tries to remedy it. For our part we have no intention of launching out until we are certain that Rome means to maintain Tradition. We need signs that they have converted.
Besides this wholly foreseeable evolution of minds by which the Campos priests have, whatever they say, given up the fight, we must note another occurrence, the increasing hostility between us. Bishop Rifan still says that he wants to be our friend, but some Campos priests are already accusing us of being schismatic because we refuse their agreement with Rome.
A little like one sees a boat pushing into mid-river, drifting down-stream and leaving the bank behind, so we see, little by little, several indications of the distance growing between ourselves and Campos. We had warned them of the great danger, they chose not to listen. Since they have no wish to row up-stream, then even while inside the boat things carry on as before, which gives them the impression that nothing has changed, nevertheless they are leaving us behind, as they show themselves more and more attached to the magisterium of today, as opposed to the position they held until recently and which we still hold, namely a sane criticism of the present in the light of the past.
To sum up, we are bound to say that the Campos priests, despite their claims to the contrary, are slowly being re-molded, following the lead of their new bishop, in the spirit of the Council. That is all Rome wants —for the moment.
One may object that our arguments are weak and too subtle, and of no weight as against Rome’s offer to regularize our situation. We reply that if one considers Rome’s offer of an Apostolic Administration just by itself, it is as splendid as the architect’s plan of a beautiful mansion. But the real problem is the practical problem of what foundations the mansion will rest on. On the shifting sands of Vatican II, or on the rock of Tradition going back to the first Apostle?
To guarantee our future, we must obtain from today’s Rome clear proof of its attachment to the Rome of yesterday. When the Roman authorities have re-stated with actions speaking louder than words that “there must be no innovations outside of Tradition”, then “we” shall no longer be a problem. And we beg God to hasten that day when the whole Church will flourish again, having re-discovered the secret of her past strength, freed from the modern unthought of which Paul VI said that “It is anti-Catholic in nature, Maybe it will prevail. It will never be the Church. There will have to be a faithful remnant, however tiny”.
Archbishop Lefebvre:
“I said to him (Cardinal Ratzinger) ‘Even if you grant us a bishop, even if you grant us some autonomy from the bishops, even if you grant us the 1962 Liturgy, even if you allow us to continue running our seminaries in the manner we are doing it right now—we cannot work together! It is impossible! Impossible! Because we are working in diametrically opposing directions. You are working to de-Christianize society, the human person and the Church, and we are working to Christianize them. We cannot get along together!’”
Archbishop Lefebvre:
“We must be free of compromise both with regard to sedevacantists as well as those who absolutely want to be subjected to ecclesiastical authority. We remain committed to our Lord Jesus Christ. But Vatican II has dethroned our Lord. We want to remain faithful to our Lord, the King, Prince and Ruler of the world. We cannot change this course of action. So when we get asked the question when will there be an agreement with Rome, my answer is simple: when Rome recrowns Our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot agree with those who uncrown Our Lord. The day they recognize again our Lord King of peoples and nations, it is not us who shall have rejoined them , but they who come back to the Catholic Church in which we live. “
Actually, many are recovering the traditional knowledge that food is medicine, and that bad eating habits are at the root of many of today’s diseases. The U.S. is the sickest country on earth. It’s no coincidence that it also has the worst eating habits.
I strongly urge you to watch the Forks Over Knives documentary and see the associated Forks Over Knives books. Also see the work of those such as Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, and Dr. Neal Barnard, all at the forefront of the WFPB (whole foods/plant based) movement to recover sanity in diet.
Today’s diabolical disorientation has penetrated into every aspect of life, including diet. Satan is indeed running wild in every field.
“In those times the atmosphere will be saturated with the spirit of impurity which, like a filthy sea, will engulf the streets and public places with incredible license.… Innocence will scarcely be found in children, or modesty in women.
“He who should speak seasonably will remain silent.
“There shall be scarcely any virgin souls in the world. The delicate flower of virginity will seek refuge in the cloisters.…Without virginity, fire from heaven will be needed to purify these lands.…
“Sects, having permeated all social classes, will find ways of introducing themselves into the very heart of homes to corrupt the innocence of children. The children’s hearts will be dainty morsels to regale the devil.…
“Religious communities will remain to sustain the Church and work with courage for the salvation of souls.… The secular clergy will fall far short of what is expected of them because they will not pursue their sacred duty. Losing the divine compass, they will stray from the way of priestly ministry mapped out for them by God and will become devoted to money, seeking it too earnestly.
“Pray constantly, implore tirelessly, and weep bitter tears in the seclusion of your heart, beseeching the Eucharistic Heart of my most holy Son to take pity on His ministers and to end as soon as possible these unhappy times by sending to His Church the Prelate who shall restore the spirit of her priests.”
http://www.tfp.org/prophecies-of-our-lady-of-good-success-about-our-times/
This simple but very important apparition is exactly the times we are living in. Are the Church Fathers silent? Yes. Has the morality of individuals and children been completely lost? Yes. Si Si, No No is silent just as predicted. The good news is we may be reaching the point where the light at the end of the tunnel can be seen; however, we are going to have to travel through the greatest darkness yet that will involve the greatest trial we have ever seen. Hopefully we live through it while keeping the faith or die a martyrs death rather than lose the faith. Keep the True Faith my Friends but remember, you and I cannot solve this crisis. We can only provide the resistance necessary to wake-up the Clergy and especially the Holy Father to preform their duties and be obedient to the Mother of God’s command given to the Pope 100 years ago.
“Now you commentators can all chime in about Steve Skojec’s faults and failings. Tell us why you quit reading his blog. Go ahead a feed your self destructive discontent and your unending, compulsive rash judgement.”
I believe they call that “projection.”
That is a mighty good suggestion, jacobum.
“Fight, children of light, you, the few who can see. For now is the time of all times, the end of all ends.” ~ Our Lady of LaSalette
Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces, pray for us!
Not to worry Al. CMTV and 1P5 will reep the fruits of their work another failed and false idea of what Catholicism is and should be. We are already seeing it. Millennial “Trads.” are clueless but they attend the TLM on Sunday’s so; therefore, we, as in CMTV and 1P5, are doing an excellent job. Forget that outside that 1 hour at best on Sundays their lives exist for drinking, smoking, and fitting in with the culture as much as possible. What has happened to the counterculture lifestyle that once was found among Traditional Catholics only? That is my question. Until we see a return of the Counterculture mentality among all Catholics the return of the Faith to the Church and the world is hopeless. Also until the Pope fulfills Our Lady’s request at Fatima the return of the Faith to the Church and the world is also hopeless. It is my understanding that is why we have Pope Francis and that Benedict XVI “resigned” and now Cardinal Mueller has been given the boot by Pope Francis. It’s beyond my imagination that Benedict XVI and many other high ranking clerics actually thought they could fix this crisis in the church by their own innovations and interventions through documents such as Summorum Pontificum and an SSPX canonical recognition. When will they learn God will not be mocked by the use of their means to fix the crisis in the church. God required a devotion to His Mothers Heart 100 years ago through a simple Consecration of Russia and the Popes and Hierarchy continue to disobey and in the 9th hour when it appears they have almost won God allows them get spanked again by none other than an empty headed Jesuit. I don’t know whether to Laugh or Cry or laugh so hard I start crying or cry so hard I start laughing. Nevertheless their efforts are exhausting, discouraging and depressing despite the fact that they may be waking up some Catholics only to find out one day that all along they were only half awoken to the dire situation we all find ourselves in.
“To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe. In both cases such mode of behaving is base and is insulting to God, and both are incompatible with the salvation of mankind. This kind of conduct is profitable only to the enemies of the faith, for nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good.”
-Pople Leo XIII, SAPIENTIAE CHRISTIANAE
Exactly JTLiuzza so why don’t you quit projecting.
The Novus Ordo loves the ‘ora’ but detests any ‘labora’……sorry just another cop out.
From your comment(s), a couple of things are evident.
1) You have not read the book “Soul Of An Apostolate”. If you have, you were either asleep or missed the whole point.
2) As to the NOM? Who is talking about that? Have you an anger problem? Too much Sede perhaps? Too many rabbit holes?
A key point of SOAA? If your apostolate is not first centered in the right prayer life it will not be successful. If that’s a cop out to you, then it speaks loud silent volumes.