Some of you may have noticed that I have removed the image of Pius XII and the petition from the 1552 Book of Common Prayer against the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome, and all his detestable enormities. Long time readers of this 'blog will remember that before my utter rejection of the Roman communion there had been an image of pope Benedict. I replaced it with the aforementioned image of Pacelli in posture of Lord-knows-what, and the petition from the Litany. Some people think I am cracked like old Mr Bilbo, or a fanatic, and I guess that that ship has long since sailed. Think of it what you will - an attempt to regain credibility, a mild ecumenical gesture, completely random, whatever. I think of it as a symbol that Liturgiae Causa is not reactionary like Protestantism, set up in defiance of Christ's Church, even if most Roman Catholics see Protestantism only in terms of rejection of Papal authority, and fissiparous even so because therein lies the root cause of all heresy. Personally I think that there is more to Catholicism than intellectual assent to the teachings of the pope, and that such a notion as ''do what the pope says on a whim'' is wholly novel, and certainly unprecedented in the history of the Church. Catholicism encompasses all manner of traditions, pious customs and culture.
I hope that this move is welcomed by readers. I venture to ask, though; does anybody listen to me?
Pardon?
ReplyDeleteOnly Almighty God grants true pardon.
ReplyDeleteHell no.
ReplyDeletewho said that?
ReplyDeletePatricius,
ReplyDeleteCould you explain something to me?
I am a poor man, little education and raised (and remain) reformed ("protestant" I suppose). I disagree with the Ultramontane elements of Roman Catholicism which I believe to be foreign to the historic church. My problems with Rome are centered around Papal claims though I have differences in understanding the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
Anyway why is it that when I - as a Protestant - oppose Ultramontanism I am being "reactionary" and setting myself up "in defiance of Christ's Church", yet when you do the exact same you are merely refusing to give "intellectual assent" to novel whims "unprecedented in the history of the church"?
Surely by disagreeing with the Pope we are either right and Rome wrong? Or else we are both setting ourselves up in defiance of Christ's Church?
P.S. I listen and attempt to understand :)
Good going, Patrick. I can respect your issues with papal abuse of authority, but I failed to understand why you kept quoting from the heretical 1552 BCP to illustrate your point. In fact it undermined your argument and made you look like a Protestant.
ReplyDeleteJames C, I had this problem in my old parish. Even in the days not so long ago when I made assent to the Petrine claims I couldn't understand how overturning centuries of Tradition was inextricably linked to the said office - which to my understanding was one of safeguarding and husbandry, not usurping and destroying.
ReplyDeleteMy view is that popes do not have such authority, and those who claim to possess it are deceivers of men, unless they themselves have been deceived by subtle promptings from some other authority set up in defiance of God and Men. The Traddies, on the other hand, said that the popes did have the authority, but just questioned the application thereof. Which, therefore, is right? Me, or them?
Patricii,
ReplyDeleteyes, removing the objectionable early-protestant-reformation rantings is a very good thing. I would like to ask you though, what you mean by your utter rejction of the ''Roman Communion''? Have you put any other Church in its place yet?
For YOU write: ''Long time readers of this 'blog will remember that before my utter rejection of the Roman communion there had been an image of pope Benedict. I replaced it with the aforementioned image of Pacelli in posture of Lord-knows-what, and the petition from the Litany.''
Best regards,
Albertus
I doooooooooooo! Check it v often! I don't share the abjuration of the papacy however.
ReplyDeleteDear Patricius:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kindness in removing the reference to the Litany of the Prayer Book of King Edward. I for one appreciate it and welcome it. And fear not: I at least read what you have to say.
For my part, I also value your concern about the conception of a Magisterium (apparently held by altogether too many RCs) uninformed by Holy Tradition. Translated into simple English, it seems that there are too many who are willing to say that the Church can act without regard to Holy Tradition. Whether it be Modernists or NeoConservatives who are saying this, they say the same thing, and that thing is heresy.