Should Christians bring lawsuits against each other? "Absolutely not"

The Holy Bible provides us with instruction for living the Christian life. The greatest commandment given  by Our Blessed Lord is that we "love one another".  The following is from a protestant website. If they can get it right, why can't we, as Catholics, as members of Christ's One, True Church?

The apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian believers to not  to court against one another (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). For Christians not to forgive each other and reconcile their own differences is to demonstrate spiritual defeat. Why would someone want to become a Christian if Christians have just as many problems and are just as incapable of solving them?... 

Paul further declares, “Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1 Corinthians 6:7). The thing Paul is concerned with here is the testimony of the believer. It would be far better for us to be taken advantage of, or even abused, than it would be for us to push a person even further away from Christ by taking him/her to court. Which is more important—a legal battle or the battle for a person’s eternal soul? In summary, should Christians take each other to court over church matters? Absolutely not! Should Christians take each other to court over civil matters? If it can in any way be avoided, no...

Holy Father Francis: "no to warring among ourselves... whom are we going to evangelize if this is the way we act"?

"Love is endures all things... it is not easily angered...

No to warring among ourselves

98. How many wars take place within the people of God and in our different communities! In our neighbourhoods and in the workplace, how many wars are caused by envy and jealousy, even among Christians! Spiritual worldliness leads some Christians to war with other Christians who stand in the way of their quest for power, prestige, pleasure and economic security. Some are even no longer content to live as part of the greater Church community but stoke a spirit of exclusivity, creating an “inner circle”. Instead of belonging to the whole Church in all its rich variety, they belong to this or that group which thinks itself different or special.

99. Our world is being torn apart by wars and violence, and wounded by a widespread individualism which divides human beings, setting them against one another as they pursue their own well-being. In various countries, conflicts and old divisions from the past are re-emerging. I especially ask Christians in communities throughout the world to offer a radiant and attractive witness of fraternal communion. Let everyone admire how you care for one another, and how you encourage and accompany one another: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). This was Jesus’ heartfelt prayer to the Father: “That they may all be one... in us... so that the world may believe” (Jn 17:21). Beware of the temptation of jealousy! We are all in the same boat and headed to the same port! Let us ask for the grace to rejoice in the gifts of each, which belong to all.

100. Those wounded by historical divisions find it difficult to accept our invitation to forgiveness and reconciliation, since they think that we are ignoring their pain or are asking them to give up their memory and ideals. But if they see the witness of authentically fraternal and reconciled communities, they will find that witness luminous and attractive. It always pains me greatly to discover how some Christian communities, and even consecrated persons, can tolerate different forms of enmity, division, calumny, defamation, vendetta, jealousy and the desire to impose certain ideas at all costs, even to persecutions which appear as veritable witch hunts. Whom are we going to evangelize if this is the way we act?

101. Let us ask the Lord to help us understand the law of love. How good it is to have this law! How much good it does us to love one another, in spite of everything. Yes, in spite of everything! Saint Paul’s exhortation is directed to each of us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). And again: “Let us not grow weary in doing what is right” (Gal 6:9). We all have our likes and dislikes, and perhaps at this very moment we are angry with someone. At least let us say to the Lord: “Lord, I am angry with this person, with that person. I pray to you for him and for her”. To pray for a person with whom I am irritated is a beautiful step forward in love, and an act of evangelization. Let us do it today! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the ideal of fraternal love!

Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis 

Vatican spokesman Fr. Thomas Rosica threatens with a lawsuit the faithful Catholic blogger, Vox Cantoris

Most readers are by now aware that Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB has threatened our friend Vox Cantoris with a lawsuit. Full details may be read here. 

This is unjust, unChristian and uncharitable. It is an attempt to silence, intimidate and censor a faithful son of Our Divine Lord and His Most Holy Mother.  

The Office of Readings for this past Thursday, from a Sermon by Saint Leo the Great contains these words: "the person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace". 

When I read those words the other day, I was reminded of what has just happened, and I thought: surely, as brothers in Christ Jesus, there is another way? 

Please contact the following and ask that the lawsuit be withdrawn immediately: 

When writing to Salt and Light please cc: His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins. 

God bless you all.

Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fatherrosica

Salt and Light TV

Phone: 416.971.5353
Toll free: 1.888.302.7181 
Fax: 416.971.6733 
Email: info@saltandlighttv.org

His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins

Phone: 416.934.0606 ext. 609

Fax: 416.934.3452
Email:tcollins@archtoronto.org 

Archdiocese of Toronto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/archtoronto

The Basilian Fathers on Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheBasilians

The Basilian Fathers' Spokesman: Fr. Timothy Scott: 416.998.4004

Michael Voris ~ Freedom of the Press and Clerical Careerists

Interesting, very interesting....

Michael Voris: "Conflicts of Interest"

We report; you decide: 

Fr. Thomas Rosica and Professor Gregory Baum: the crisis deepens

"... you have been for me and continue to be a real model of hope".  

Fr. Thomas Rosica, addressing ex-priest/dissident theologian, Professor Gregory Baum. 

Professor Gregory Baum

[originally published: 1/1/2013]
The words quoted above are from the Witness video interview that aired October 11, 2012 on Salt and Light Television (Canada's "Catholic channel of hope").  This post is about the truth. Albeit it involves persons - for truth is actualized via the person - but it is not an ad hominem attack. Nor should it be construed as such. It is, to adopt a quote from Msgr. Vincent Foy, "a search for the truth" about the identity of S+ L. It is to ask questions about a public interview, which, as a result, has resulted in confusion and scandal; a serious questioning of the Catholic identity of S + L.

“What is taught by the Church on contraception is not one of the matters that may be freely disputed by theologians. To teach the contrary is the equivalent to leading the conscience of spouses into error”.

Pope John Paul II, 1987

A little background. Back in the late 1960s, then Fr. Gregory Baum (having achieved some fame as a peritus at the Council) achieved far greater public notice in Canada with his opposition to Humanae vitae. Fr. Baum was amongst a number of well-known Canadian theologians who rebelled against the Pope with regard to Catholic morality (c.f. Foy, 1997). Msgr. Vincent Foy would eventually refer to the former priest as an "arch-dissenter" (Foy, p.33, 1997), a man who had  inflicted incalculable harm on the Church in Canada, particularly as a theological advisor to the dissenting Winnipeg Statement. Regarding the 1968 attack and undermining of Humanae vitae, Msgr. Foy wrote: 'other signs of impending rebellion came from various dissident groups and from Fr. Gregory Baum, writing on August 1 in the Toronto Globe and Mail that "Catholics may follow their consciences" and that the Church could well be mistaken as it was not a case of infallible teaching' (Foy, pp.12-13).  The rebellion continued in the Church since the issuance of the encyclical. Indeed, given  wide spread dissent, the opposition of dissident theologians, the silence of priests in preaching and teaching on the sacredness of the marital act and the illicitness of contraception, the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith once again, in 1988, issued a statement on its evils. It is beyond this post to discuss Professor Baum's view of the Church, or his constantly evolving theology with respect to what is faith (immanentism), the authority of the Church, women as "priests" etc. It is enough to know that he was and remains a dissident in matters of faith and morals. 

 "Recently a group of priests from a European country issued a summons to disobedience, and at the same time gave concrete examples of the forms this disobedience might take, even to the point of disregarding definitive decisions of the Church’s Magisterium, such as the question of women’s ordination, for which Blessed Pope John Paul II stated irrevocably that the Church has received no authority from the Lord. Is disobedience a path of renewal for the Church"?

Pope Benedict XVI, Chrism Mass, 2012

Much has been, and will continue to be written and discussed on the internet about the S+L interview. Fr. Rosica, in an attempt to quell the rising chorus of criticism, responded in a blog by critiquing Mr. Michael Voris. The blog entry was a serious miscalculation as it raised more questions without answering any (the combox being closed after a strong reaction against the Rosica-Baum interview). The fact is, the controversy is not about ex-Fr. Baum's being a peritus, nor is it - contrary to what Fr. Rosica may write - about Mr. Voris. It is about what actually was said in the interview.  Fr. Rosica did, in fact, admit this: "Let those who have eyes and ears to see and hear view the entire interview and not base judgments on others’ interpretation and distortion of my WITNESS interview with Professor Baum". We agree totally. As such, keeping in mind Professor Baum's long history of dissent (e.g. Dominus Jesus), and with the mind of the Church, let us review a number of gravely disturbing statements made in this interview.

At the commencement of the interview, Fr. Rosica addressed him as follows:

"I've certainly admired very much your theology, your writings; but also your love of the Church, your love of Christ, and you help to keep alive - not only the spirit of the Second Vatican Council - but the authentic teaching of the Council". 

After a brief discussion of contemporary Catholicism and the rise of a return to orthodoxy, Fr. Rosica commented:

"... many of those who are on the front lines - the crusaders - of the orthodoxy today (I would call it a pseudo-orthodoxy) are among the most unhappy and sad and angry ..."

Developing from the discussion on the point of orthodoxy, Baum said: 

"I don't think that we need this enormous unanimity about everything in the Church... I think we are united in the Creed; we're united in the kind of vision that we have of the world, and we work together. But this kind of unanimity - you know - elements, doctrines that are quite removed from the Scriptures - I don't really think this is such a good formula". 

As the interview concluded - after having heard Professor Baum speak negatively about unity in the Faith [which is nothing but liberal-protestantism]; after Baum had just stated that the Church teaches doctrines not found in Sacred Scripture [ again, classical protestantism !!], Fr. Rosica addressed Baum thus: 

"... you remain a faithful, deeply devoted Catholic; you love Jesus, the Church, the Eucharist". 

What are we to make of all this? On the surface, this interview seems to portray Fr. Rosica as a man who leads with his emotions, not his intellect. While it is true that Pope Benedict can maintain a friendly relationship with Hans Kung, he is, nevertheless, aware of the theological differences between them. Fr. Rosica obviously has some positive feelings for Gregory Baum with whom he is a personal friend, and there is nothing wrong with that. Could it be  that he seems to be incapable of separating his feelings from the intellectual content of Baum's position? Might Fr. Rosica actually disapprove of Professor Baum's dissident theology? Or, does the problem with the interview go deeper?

Might it be Fr. Rosica approves of Baum's theology (or aspects of it)? Might it be Fr. Rosica's position that it is possible to believe that the Church teaches doctrines "removed from Scriptures" and yet be a "faithful, deeply devout Catholic"? If so, such a position is contrary to the teachings of the Church (c.f. commentary on Ad Tuendam Fidem). With his concluding remarks (as quoted above) is Fr. Rosica implying that one may be a faithful Catholic yet hold the views that Professor Baum does? Let us be quite honest: this is the thought that many will be left with. Others may  - at best - be utterly confused. Fr. Rosica has yet to explain himself.  He has yet to explain how a dissenter from the Faith can be a "real model of hope" for a Catholic - indeed, for a Catholic priest. The Church is our Mother and Teacher, to reject Her is to reject Christ. 

"...anyone who rejects propositions which are to be held definitively sets himself against the teaching of the Catholic Church." Ad Tuandem Fidem

This then begs the question: can Salt and Light continue to claim to be a "Catholic channel of hope", rooted in the teachings of the Church...? Tragically, unless Fr. Rosica explains himself, the answer is no. 

The Witness "Team"

References:

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: The moral norms of Humanae vitae and pastoral duty

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Ad Tuendam Fidem

Foy, V. (1997). Did Pope Paul VI approve the Winnipeg Statement? A search for the truth. Life Ethics Information Centre, Toronto.

Peters, E, N. (1998). A canonical look at  Ad Tuendam Fidem 

BREAKING NEWS: Mary Wagner's trial is set for April 16th

Jane Wagner's Two Roses for Mary
One was Linda's, and the other mine; we give them with love to Jane

Mary Wagner, Our Lord's humble handmaid and our dear sister appeared in Court today. Mary, in absolute solidarity with those who have no voice, remained silent. 

The hearing, which commenced at 1:30, lasted about 10 minutes. The female attorney, representing the Crown, asked the Judge that the court be emptied of Mary's supporters (armed with Rosaries and white roses). The Judge asked this woman where it was in the Criminal Code that the court had to be emptied. She could not reply. Mary's supporters remained. The Judge set the trial for April 16th, 10 a.m. in Rm 508. 

Jane Wagner's Two Roses for Mary 

Mary smiled and acknowledged her supporters! When she sat, they sat, when she stood, they stood. About 35 supporters turned up, a solid majority being connected to the vibrant Polish Catholic community. I overheard two women in the morning praying the Rosary, and then, upon completion, the Divine Mercy. A bit later, I noticed another devout lady petitioning Our Blessed Mother.  


Dear friends: Do you love Christ and His Holy Mother? Do you love Mary Wagner? 

Then show your love in action: pledge a Rosary for the unborn, which will go towards Mary's birthday gift, "A Rosary Bouquet for the Unborn". Already well over 300 Rosaries have been said. You have until tomorrow at 12 p.m. I will be visiting Mary and taking her the results of the Bouquet that is pouring in from all over the world! 

Please visit this Page to join; OR email us at: 
torontocatholicwitness@rogers.com 

Thomas Rosica CSB. - He should resign from the Holy See Press Office

Fr. Thomas Rosica., CSB., - whom this blog and Vox Cantoris have the honour of being "blocked" from his Twitter feed (what "sin" we committed we have no idea)  - has retweeted that an African prelate supports giving Holy Communion to the divorced and civilly remarried (to adulterers).  

St. John Paul the Betrayed? 

The Blessed Columba Marmion - beatified by our sainted Pope John Paul II -  wrote in "Christ, the Life of the Soul", that to knowingly receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion in grave sin makes God out to be a liar. Is Blessed Columba wrong? Was St. Pope John Paul II wrong when he absolutely reaffirmed the doctrine of the Church in Familiaris Consortio that Holy Communion cannot be given to an adulterer? 

One may ask: where does Fr. Rosica stand on the giving of Holy Communion to adulterers? Does he support this African prelate? Catholics may wish to review his most recent public statements about the scandalous and heretical mid-term relatio that came out of Rome last October. 

It seems incongruous that Fr. Rosica is both simultaneously a spokesman for the Holy See Press Office and seemingly promoting via Salt and Light TV employees a heterodox position vis-a-vis the Adulterist party and the Homosexualist Party. His recent weak argument that no one understands natural law, etc. has been demolished by His Excellency Archbishop Henryk Hoser. Fr. Rosica should resign. 

I have news for the Adulterist and Homosexualist Parties: if they think that they can pervert and sway the Polish Hierarchy to their way of thinking they are in for a rude awakening! The Queen of Poland, Our Blessed Lady will never allow her faithful sons to be seduced by the world, the flesh and the devil. May God preserve the Church in Poland from the "itching ear" virus that has caught on in the decadent "West". 

This blog and Vox Cantoris stand for Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. We refuse to offer a grain of incense to the idol of compromise, we refuse to kneel before sybaritic hedonism that has invaded Holy Matrimony, we refuse to genuflect before perverted sexuality! 

May the Mother of God protect us all!

St. Pope John Paul II, Pope of the Family, pray for us!