I have sought to analyze (minus proper names, a la Trent) the premises, presuppositions, logical and ecclesiological “bottom lines” and (in a word), the spirit of a false and divisive... More > radical Catholic reactionary strain of thought held by a distinctive and tiny sub-group of Catholics. The term “traditionalism” has been co-opted by groups and schools of thought within Catholicism that vary quite widely. It's similar to the love and adoption of the word “Christian” by many sects that are not Christian at all (since they deny the Holy Trinity or the divinity of Jesus Christ). Apologists and other observers need to differentiate groups that are using the same name, for purposes of identification and critique, and to prevent misunderstandings as to exactly what we are contending against as error. The book doesn't oppose the Tridentine Mass, or traditional liturgical practice and devotion (nor traditional morality and catechesis), but rather, far more radical ideas held by some Catholics.< Less
I have sought to analyze (minus proper names, a la Trent) the premises, presuppositions, logical and ecclesiological “bottom lines” and (in a word), the spirit of a false and divisive... More > radical Catholic reactionary strain of thought held by a distinctive and tiny sub-group of Catholics. The term “traditionalism” has been co-opted by groups and schools of thought within Catholicism that vary quite widely. It's similar to the love and adoption of the word “Christian” by many sects that are not Christian at all (since they deny the Holy Trinity or the divinity of Jesus Christ). Apologists and other observers need to differentiate groups that are using the same name, for purposes of identification and critique, and to prevent misunderstandings as to exactly what we are contending against as error. The book doesn't oppose the Tridentine Mass, or traditional liturgical practice and devotion (nor traditional morality and catechesis), but rather, far more radical ideas held by some Catholics.< Less
I have sought to analyze (minus proper names, a la Trent) the premises, presuppositions, logical and ecclesiological “bottom lines” and (in a word), the spirit of a false and divisive... More > radical Catholic reactionary strain of thought held by a distinctive and tiny sub-group of Catholics. The term “traditionalism” has been co-opted by groups and schools of thought within Catholicism that vary quite widely. It's similar to the love and adoption of the word “Christian” by many sects that are not Christian at all (since they deny the Holy Trinity or the divinity of Jesus Christ). Apologists and other observers need to differentiate groups that are using the same name, for purposes of identification and critique, and to prevent misunderstandings as to exactly what we are contending against as error. The book doesn't oppose the Tridentine Mass, or traditional liturgical practice and devotion (nor traditional morality and catechesis), but rather, far more radical ideas held by some Catholics.< Less
This volume consists of essays on 1) the distinction between the extreme radical Catholic reactionaries and mainstream “traditionalists,” 2) the New (Pauline, Novus Ordo) Mass and its... More > liturgical abuses, and 3) genuine, orthodox (not silly liberal) ecumenism. Radical Catholic reactionaries have been misled by various errors of the nature of what is called "rigorism". This recurring problem throughout Church history is seen in groups such as the Donatists, Montanists, Jansenists, and the Old Catholics who left the Church after Vatican I (1870): an error of thinking and out-of-whack perspective; an inability or unwillingness to think with the Mind of the Church, and a lack of charity. I love traditional Catholic worship, and the Tridentine Latin Mass, and have much affinity with "traditionalists." That’s not what this book critiques. Rather, it criticizes fringe views that seek to “bash” the New Mass as profoundly “inauthentic” and inferior Catholic worship, and to dismiss Vatican II and true ecumenism.< Less
With a preface by John Milbank, one of the world’s most distinguished theologians, this book addresses Radical Orthodoxy; the connections between the Hebraic and the Hellenic traditions; the... More > fallacy of both liberal and reactionary assumptions concerning the Second Vatican Council; Catholicism as, and as more than, Evangelical, Charismatic and liberal; Catholic imaginative writing, and anti-Catholicism as an imaginative stimulus, in Tudor and Stuart England; Newman, Hopkins, Belloc, Chesterton, Greene and Waugh; a Catholic defence of the Confessional State, including the Act of Settlement; the more recent works of Dr Edward Norman; the problems with, and the opportunities for, the Anglican Ordinariate, as well as the left-wing reasons why Parliament should in any case say no to women bishops in the Church of England; and the left-wing defence of Opus Dei.< Less
With a preface by John Milbank, one of the world’s most distinguished theologians, this book addresses Radical Orthodoxy; the connections between the Hebraic and the Hellenic traditions; the... More > fallacy of both liberal and reactionary assumptions concerning the Second Vatican Council; Catholicism as, and as more than, Evangelical, Charismatic and liberal; Catholic imaginative writing, and anti-Catholicism as an imaginative stimulus, in Tudor and Stuart England; Newman, Hopkins, Belloc, Chesterton, Greene and Waugh; a Catholic defence of the Confessional State, including the Act of Settlement; the more recent works of Dr Edward Norman; the problems with, and the opportunities for, the Anglican Ordinariate, as well as the left-wing reasons why Parliament should in any case say no to women bishops in the Church of England; and the left-wing defence of Opus Dei.< Less
It seems that everyone wants to make the pope into their own image. Those outside the Church want him to be so-called “progressive” and are more than willing to project this attribute... More > onto him, in a huge campaign of wishful thinking. But radical Catholic reactionaries, on the extreme right on the Catholic ecclesiological spectrum, become alarmed that the Church is compromising itself. A third group of obedient orthodox Catholics understand the pope's role and the nature and status of Catholic dogmas (which do not change), yet are confused by something a new pope says or does. Their concern is harmony with the existing tradition. For each “controversy” or supposed “scandal” or thing that Pope Francis said or did that has people in a confused state, I will attempt to show that the pope is in complete harmony with Catholic tradition. My hope and prayer is that my efforts will lessen the confusion of those who are sincerely seeking what the pope intends and means.< Less
It seems that everyone wants to make the pope into their own image. Those outside the Church want him to be so-called “progressive” and are more than willing to project this attribute... More > onto him, in a huge campaign of wishful thinking. But radical Catholic reactionaries, on the extreme right on the Catholic ecclesiological spectrum, become alarmed that the Church is compromising itself. A third group of obedient orthodox Catholics understand the pope's role and the nature and status of Catholic dogmas (which do not change), yet are confused by something a new pope says or does. Their concern is harmony with the existing tradition. For each “controversy” or supposed “scandal” or thing that Pope Francis said or did that has people in a confused state, I will attempt to show that the pope is in complete harmony with Catholic tradition. My hope and prayer is that my efforts will lessen the confusion of those who are sincerely seeking what the pope intends and means.< Less
It seems that everyone wants to make the pope into their own image. Those outside the Church want him to be so-called “progressive” and are more than willing to project this attribute... More > onto him, in a huge campaign of wishful thinking. But radical Catholic reactionaries, on the extreme right on the Catholic ecclesiological spectrum, become alarmed that the Church is compromising itself. A third group of obedient orthodox Catholics understand the pope's role and the nature and status of Catholic dogmas (which do not change), yet are confused by something a new pope says or does. Their concern is harmony with the existing tradition. For each “controversy” or supposed “scandal” or thing that Pope Francis said or did that has people in a confused state, I will attempt to show that the pope is in complete harmony with Catholic tradition. My hope and prayer is that my efforts will lessen the confusion of those who are sincerely seeking what the pope intends and means.< Less
This volume consists of essays on 1) the distinction between the extreme radical Catholic reactionaries and mainstream “traditionalists,” 2) the New (Pauline, Novus Ordo) Mass and its... More > liturgical abuses, and 3) genuine, orthodox (not silly liberal) ecumenism. Radical Catholic reactionaries have been misled by various errors of the nature of what is called "rigorism". This recurring problem throughout Church history is seen in groups such as the Donatists, Montanists, Jansenists, and the Old Catholics who left the Church after Vatican I (1870): an error of thinking and out-of-whack perspective; an inability or unwillingness to think with the Mind of the Church, and a lack of charity. I love traditional Catholic worship, and the Tridentine Latin Mass, and have much affinity with "traditionalists." That’s not what this book critiques. Rather, it criticizes fringe views that seek to “bash” the New Mass as profoundly “inauthentic” and inferior Catholic worship, and to dismiss Vatican II and true ecumenism.< Less
