Bishop Williamson threatened in November 2012 to consecrate bishops

For those following the Rome-SSPX situation - as we do at Witness - Bishop Richard Williamson threatened last November that he could foresee a future in which he would be ordaining and consecrating priests and bishops. Unless Bishop Fellay reconsiders and begins again constructive action to return to Rome, all will be lost. Was it not the Abbe de Nantes who predicted decades ago that after Archbishop Lefebvre's break with Rome "nothing good will come out of the SSPX" (I may be paraphrasing, but the point is there)? Let us hope the now deceased Abbe was be wrong. However, the seeds of Williamson's rebellion go back to the late seventies when the SSPX seminary was harbouring students who were of a sedevacantist intent. This then led to the eventual expulsions after internal friction (incidentally the Archbishop's theological advisor from the Council, Canon Berthod left the seminary after he became aware of such students being allowed to stay there). Let us not forget that Williamson was student in the seventies during this period.  His admits a Pope on paper, but in action behaves as if the See of Peter is empty. Please pray for the SSPX and for Bishop Williamson. 

On November 10, 1012 in his Kyrie Eleison Comments "Marcellus Initiative", Williamson offered us the first public glimpse as to his future directions:

By hook or by crook, tomorrow’s Congregations and seminaries must keep their grip on reality, and not get lost in dreams of how “normal” they are, or need to be. Can it be done ? With God’s help, yes. But God is God, and for the salvation of souls tomorrow it may be that he will no longer resort to the classical Congregation or seminary of yesterday. For myself, I shall attempt to follow his Providence in the ordaining of priests - or in the consecrating of bishops. God’s will be done. 

Bishop Richard Williamson to consecrate a bishop in near future?

Bishop Richard Williamson

Ex-SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson has stated that he will be considering in the future ordaining priests and consecrating (schismatic) bishops. A report of a clandestine meeting of former SSPX (Anglo-Catholic liturgical usage, in union with Rome) suggests that this possibility may be weeks away.

For further information please see here. 

UNA VOCE TORONTO reviews the Liturgy of the Roman Rite

Toronto Traditional Mass Society~
Una Voce Toronto

A remarkable analysis of the liturgy and rubrical history of the Roman Rite is available at the blog of Una Voce Toronto (UVT). Over the past few months God has granted the Toronto Traditional Mass Society-UVT the opportunity to assist a number of priests in offering the Holy Sacrifice according to the more ancient usage of the Roman Rite.  The recent Rorate Mass being a fine example. A comprehensive review of the TTMS-UVT's activity by Mr. David Domet (President of the Society) was recently published by the well-know international blog, Rorate Caeli.

From the UNA VOCE TORONTO blog:

"Let us all be educated in these important matters to serve loyally and faithfully. Let us not make the mistakes either out of ignorance or intent as so often found in the Ordinary Form; "I did it, my way." Let us also respect though, the established norms of existing communities of faithful and the customs to which they or their priests have maintained. The dialogue. for example, should not be forced on any individual, where it is not the custom; on the other hand, neither should anyone be chastised for engaging in it.

The Toronto Traditional Mass Society--UNA VOCE TORONTO will enthusiastically assist any priest or server or individual with gaining a greater understanding of the ars celebrandi of this venerable Rite. You may write us at unavocetoronto@rogers.com.

Bishop Williamson: the Church of the 1950s was close to disaster

An interesting reflection by former SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson (Kyrie Eleison Comments, January 12, 2012) should cause us to reflect on why the Church fell so precipitously in the 1960s. Cardinal Ratzinger himself reflected on some of the causes following the 1988 episcopal consecrations, outlining the aspects of the crisis in the Church that provided Archbishop Lefebvre with his belief in the need for the consecrations. This post being not a debate on the SSPX, but a reflection - from whomever the source - on the intrusive secularism that demolished much of the Church from the mid-60s onwards. Williamson's argument - not original - is that many see a return to the 1950s as a golden age (here, he accuses the present SSPX leadership of this). Yet, the 50s and far earlier, contained all the elements that exploded in the 60s. My opinion - and, I am sure it is also not original - is that the 60s was but a continuation of the Roaring Twenties (brought to an abrupt halt by the Depression, the War and post-War rebuilding). (As an interesting cultural observation, the aftermath of the 60s are seen in even the most "traditional" Mass settings. For example, many women (even little girls) are dressed in a manner reminiscent of the Flower movement. Fascinating, but I digress). 

In part, Williamson argues:

For was not the Catholicism of the 1950's like a man standing on the edge of a tall and dangerous cliff ? On the one hand it was still standing at a great height, otherwise Vatican II would not have been such a fall. On the other hand it was dangerously close to the edge of the cliff, otherwise again it could not have fallen so precipitously in the 1960's. By no means everything was bad in the Church of the 1950's, but it was too close to disaster. Why ?

Because Catholics in general in the 1950's were outwardly maintaining the appearances of the true religion, but inwardly too many were flirting with the godless errors of the modern world: liberalism (what matters most in life is freedom), subjectivism (so man's mind and will are free of any objective truth or law), indifferentism (so it does not matter what religion a man has), and so on. So Catholics having the faith and not wanting to lose it, gradually adapted it to these errors. They would attend Mass on Sundays, they might still go to confession, but they would be feeding their minds on the vile media, and their hearts would be chafing at certain laws of the Church, on marriage for the laity, on celibacy for the clergy. So they might be keeping the faith, but they wanted less and less to swim against the powerful current of the glamorous and irreligious world all around them. They were getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff.

And who can say Williamson is wrong? When one reflects on the collapse of the Church in Quebec, was the Faith truly embedded in that society? Were the bishops and priests integrally Catholic? Were the laity? We should not forget Pius XI equal condemnation of social modernism along with doctrinal modernism. Catholics began to compromise socially, and - human nature being what it is - before long began to look to excuse and justify doctrinal modernism. So, socially winking at protestantism led to a false ecumenism and so on.  

A bishop must be courageous: Pope Benedict

Vox Cantoris carries the news of the death of Archbishop Plourde. Much has been written about the collapse of the Church in Quebec and the rest of Canada; in part, no doubt to the failure of bishops. Yet, all must take their fair share of the blame. The laity were childish in their Faith and miserably failed when the pastors fell into confusion. Much of this confusion had its nexus in dissent from Humanae vitae; which is a modern-day "litmus test" on orthodoxy. As mentioned in other posts, now ex-Fr. Baum (and other theologians) played a leading role in confusing the bishops and undermining the Faith in Canada. 

Vox's post reminded me of the Holy Father's address to the new bishops' consecrated on the Feast of the Epiphany: the call to be "courageous". 

The Holy Father went on to speak of the challenges that face a bishop today, and the virtues he needs to face those challenges. He spoke of the humility of faith, of sharing the faith of the Church of every age, which will constantly be in conflict with the prevailing wisdom of those who cling to what seems certain. He said, “Anyone who lives and proclaims the faith of the Church is on many points out of step with the prevalent way of thinking, even in our own day.”

“[T]he courage to contradict the prevailing mindset is particularly urgent for a Bishop today,” said Pope Benedict. “[A Bishop] must be courageous.”

The Holy Father: Be a good Samaritan (World Day for the Sick)

Our society strives to block out the sick and suffering; to hide away from the reality of eventual death and judgment. It is no wonder that the sick and elderly are locked away lest many in our society be upset. One lady I know in my neighbourhood exemplifies this: she refuses to see her sick mother because it is too disturbing, too (so she tells me) upsetting. This may well be so. But one cannot hide from illness, suffering. One must face it as a cross to carry. 

The Holy Father has just released his message for the World Day for the Sick. In part the letter reads: 

The Gospel parable recounted by Saint Luke is part of a series of scenes and events taken from daily life by which Jesus helps us to understand the deep love of God for every human being, especially those afflicted by sickness or pain. With the concluding words of the parable of the Good Samaritan, “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37), the Lord also indicates the attitude that each of his disciples should have towards others, especially those in need. We need to draw from the infinite love of God, through an intense relationship with him in prayer, the strength to live day by day with concrete concern, like that of the Good Samaritan, for those suffering in body and spirit who ask for our help, whether or not we know them and however poor they may be. This is true, not only for pastoral or health care workers, but for everyone, even for the sick themselves, who can experience this condition from a perspective of faith: “It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love” (Spe Salvi, 37).

Christmas ends on Candlemas Day

Given that today is the Three Kings/Epiphany, it may well be a good opportunity to remind ourselves that Christmas is not over. In fact, Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season. So, please continue to celebrate our Blessed Lord; continue the Carols, keep your Christmas tree up, keep those lights up etc., etc.... So, once again, a blessed Christmas to you all. 

The 1961 St. Joseph's Missal

The Adventures of Fr. Aidan McNutty: Chapter Two

Chapter Two: The Wolf's Lair

Archbishop Rupert Weakling met Fr. McNutty in the lavish entrance hall of his Georgian Palladian mansion. Interiorly, the opulent residence seemed reminiscent of the mediaeval castles that McNutty had seen in books when only a lad. The archbishop was wearing a light-blue silk shirt with gold cufflinks dipped in platinum, double-pleated white trousers, and patent leather slippers with his coat of arms embroidered on each one. Balding, with dark blotches decorating his skull, the squat Weakling could best be described as an evil looking toad. "Have a sherry", he said, as he led his new rector into his office."Thanks", said McNutty, sitting down and putting his feet up on the Archbishop's antique oak desk. Flicking off a possibly imaginary piece of fluff off his sleeve, the archbishop poured himself a copious amount of whiskey, then took his place behind the desk.

"What's that?" asked McNutty, gesturing vulgarly towards a picture that had been turned towards the wall. "Oh, Pius something or other, err Pius X actually", replied the archbishop. "Yep, just thinking about him gives me a headache. I keep it here so as to keep an eye on it. I'm going to sell it and don't trust it leaving my office".

"Why don't you put up Kung in his place"? asked the still learning unimaginative modernist. "Well, Aidan, he's a bit old-hat now, I want a real beakthrough thinker. I'm thinking of Fr. Matthew Fox".

"Wow! shouted McNutty, jumping to his feet, "he's great"! "He sure is", said Rupert, lighting a cigar. Leaning back in his armchair, the archbishop puffed and pondered his next move against the Catholics. Something was disturbing him, it was someone that he knew he would have to face sooner or later...

Breaking the archbishop's train of thought, young McNutty interjected, "Oh, Rupert, to change the subject, the schools are beginning the new year and the Sex Ed courses -  are they printed yet"?

"Just look at this", said Weakling. Rising from his armchair, he strode into a side room and returned with a glossy book and DVD package. "I've got twenty boxes - in total 2000 of these".

McNutty flicked through the photo riddled book with salacious glee. What a wonderful programme he thought! "Just think Rupert, before the Council we would have been booted out of the priesthood for stuff like this. No pension, no flats, no luxury", mused the young man.

"That's right my boy, answered the archbishop, "a few years ago we would be know as purveyors of pornography. Now, we are respected clerics."

"Well, what about those meddlesome people who keep going to the Latin Mass? You've got to get rid of them Rupert".

The Archbishop, visibly annoyed, twirled his cigar and then after chomping on it angrily, ground it into his ashtray and picked up the phone. "Sadie, get me Teresa Insane", growled the archbishop. After a few seconds, the Archbishop began speaking with probably the power in his diocese - the frightful feminist,  a lesbian-Marxist with an un-resplendent crew-cut: Sr.Teresa Insane! 

Young Aidan, pouring himself another dry sherry, listened to his master chatting with Teresa. 

  

"When can we expect the chancellery to come up with some sort of canonical pretext to outlaw these idiots?.......Oh....... I see....well can't we confuse the issues?.......great, that's brilliant- just confusion, that will do it.......you are so right, most people are obedient and will follow us.......anyhow, I believe that we have convinced people that Latin is dumb and as such they won't want to go......but I think we have to think something up in the long run........you see, it is the sex-ed, if they get started, it could be difficult.......I have my own problems here at the seminary. I've got my own gang in, they are a diverse lot and we are very open about things here........after all, did we not take a few lessons from the the way you recruited your.......'your sisters' "? 

So saying, Weakling roared with laughter, adding: "I always remember the day when that moron cardinal came from Rome to investigate the seminary. Did we EVER fool him!" The archbishop sniggered and giggled evilly with his eager conspirator in sin, and then hung up the phone.

"These Romans are dumb, aren't they"?, offered McNutty.

"Yes they are, replied Weaking, "but only for the moment. If they ever awoke and regained power we could be eliminated in a flash. Vigilance, Aidan, vigilance". "Yes Rupert, " said Aidan obediently, and as if to emphasize the point, gulped down his sherry. 

The archbishop, seemingly inspired by a dark inner force, began to sermonize and educate his underling.

"We bishops must be watchpersons (sic) against these fascists who would turn back the clock to clericalism. The church (sic) is now a human-rights organization with liturgical ceremony as window dressing. It is a communitarian experience. In this way we have progressed and developed beyond what even the great men before us could ever envisage. Marx proposed destroying the church. We propose destroying her, yes - but still maintaining the structural corporate body. Marx did not see that far. We still pray to God - but Marx could not see the day when "God" meant oneself! The Modernists could. We follow our Modernist greats: do not destroy the church (sic), corrupt her. My dear Aidan, we are worshipping ourselves and therefore we are the leading exponents of human rights and humanism. Don't ever forget that you are involved in a great and noble enterprise - the advancement of a humanism that only prophets like Comte, Nietzsche, de Chardin could see. Aidan, the Omega point is nothing but the reality that we are all progressing to be as gods. This is really what Jesus teaches - the Gospels are window dressing - fluff. What they really mean is that each and every one of us is divine". 

Rising to his feet, Weakling vulgarly imbibed his 18 year Laphroaig and walked towards the door. "I have to go now Aidan. I'm flying out to Rome play a few rounds with Msgr. Frederico Fabrizzi. He's one of our boys and an important ally." The archbishop strolled out onto the grounds at the rear of the multi-acre property and boarded a diocesan leased executive helicopter for the short trip to the airport. From there, the repulsive prelate would fly by private jet to Rome.

... to be continued ...