Friday, March 29, AD 2024 1:11am

Blunt Truth From Down Under

There’s only one way to stop this. Cardinal Pell, it’s rumored today, stood up during the proceedings on Thursday when the Synod leaders seemed to have decided on their own authority not to publish the reports of the small groups, presumably because they were uniformly tough on what’s been too soft. He slammed his hand on the table and said, “You must stop manipulating this Synod.” That forced a general vote – and the reports were published.

Robert Royal, The Catholic Thing

 

 

 

 

Hattip to Father Z.  One of the heroes emerging from the Synod is George Cardinal Pell.  It is a pleasure to hear the blunt spoken Aussie in the above video.

 

Cardinal George Pell said working-group reports from the Synod of Bishops on the family finally give a true picture of the assembly’s views, counteracting what he characterized as a misleading midterm report.

We wanted the Catholic people around the world to know actually what was going on in talking about marriage and the family and, by and large, I think people will be immensely reassured,” Cardinal Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, told Catholic News Service Oct. 16, the day the reports were published.

“We’re not giving in to the secular agenda; we’re not collapsing in a heap. We’ve got no intention of following those radical elements in all the Christian churches, according to the Catholic churches in one or two countries, and going out of business,” he said.

In a surprise move, synod members voted Oct. 16 to publish summaries of comments by 10 small groups into which they had divided to discuss an Oct. 13 midterm report by Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest. As the assembly’s relator, Cardinal Erdo has the task of guiding the discussion and synthesizing its results.

Cardinal Erdo’s report stirred controversy inside and outside the synod hall with its strikingly conciliatory language toward people with ways of life contrary to church teaching, including divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, cohabitating couples and those in same-sex unions.

The midterm report was “tendentious, skewed; it didn’t represent accurately the feelings of the synod fathers,” said Cardinal Pell. “In the immediate reaction to it, when there was an hour, an hour-and-a-half of discussion, three-quarters of those who spoke had some problems with the document.”

“A major absence was Scriptural teaching,” he said. “A major absence was a treatment of the church tradition,” including teaching on the family by Pope Paul VI, St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

“The secret for all Catholic vitality is fidelity to the teachings of Christ and to the tradition of the church,” said the cardinal, who sits on the nine-member Council of Cardinals advising Pope Francis on church governance.

Cardinal Pell said only three of the synod’s 10 small groups had supported a controversial proposal by German Cardinal Walter Kasper to make it easier for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, even without an annulment of their first, sacramental marriages.

“Communion for the divorced and remarried is for some — very few, certainly not the majority of synod fathers — it’s only the tip of the iceberg, it’s a stalking horse. They want wider changes, recognition of civil unions, recognition of homosexual unions,” Cardinal Pell said. “The church cannot go in that direction. It would be a capitulation from the beauties and strengths of the Catholic tradition, where people sacrificed themselves for hundreds, for thousands of years to do this.”

Go here to read the rest.  Amazing how God often uses for His purposes human weakness and folly.  That seems to be what is occuring now at the Synod, that I am sure Pope Francis is currently privately viewing as a runaway Synod.

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T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Friday, October 17, AD 2014 7:19am

“I am sure Pope Francis is currently privately viewing as a runaway Synod.”

I hope you are correct.

Phillip
Phillip
Friday, October 17, AD 2014 7:33am

““We’re not giving in to the secular agenda; we’re not collapsing in a heap. We’ve got no intention of following those radical elements in all the Christian churches, according to the Catholic churches in one or two countries, and going out of business,” (Pell) said.

What a reactionary. Why can’t we get Shea to the Synod to help poor Francis?

@FMShyanguya
Friday, October 17, AD 2014 4:53pm

May God be forever blessed for another true Prince of his Holy Church! And may God bless him [Card. Pell] for ever!

Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Friday, October 17, AD 2014 5:14pm

Yes, T. Shaw:: “I am sure Pope Francis is currently privately viewing as a runaway Synod.” – Respectfully, I dont think PF has a clue as to what he has allowed to be unleashed nor to its already palpable effects on “rank-and-file” Catholics’ lives.

Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Friday, October 17, AD 2014 6:06pm

Thank God! I was about to PANIC!!

TomD
TomD
Friday, October 17, AD 2014 11:38pm

I’ve always thought well of Cardinal George Pell. Now I always will.

BTW, this synod may turn out for the best. It’s starting to look like we will get the sewage flushed out into the open for all to see. It’s been hidden away for years. We will all be muttering under our breath about having to clean up this mess, but the cleaning could never happen without the flushing. Perhaps in the end we will be thankful.

Samuel Edwards
Samuel Edwards
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 7:15am

Earlier this week I had occasion to remark elsewhere, in reference to the Houston mayor’s attempt to subpoena sermons, that it is characteristic of Satan’s behavior, once he begins to get a whiff of victory, to strike too soon, to tip his hand, to let the mask drop, to overdo. It seems to have happened in Rome now — during the same week, concerning the same subject matter, AND during the Month of the Holy Rosary. It seems that the “Smoke of Satan” referred to by Ven. Pope Paul VI (who is being beatified tomorrow — there’s another indicator) is beginning to be blown away by the Holy Breath, and what is being exposed is the repulsive face of the Father of Lies. Thank God for Cardinals Pell and Burke and the many other Synod Fathers who have finally called for an end to the manipulations.

As to the role of Pope Francis in all this, I’m still of no settled opinion. The hypothesis that what he has tried to engineer is just what has now, one hopes, been derailed can be offset by another hypothesis, which is that what he has tried to engineer is a spiritual Cannae, wherein it is made clear just who the real revisionists are. (The guy is a Jesuit after all.) If it is the former, though, an historical observation from our splendid new, young, and solidly traditional young pastor may be apposite: He remarked that John Paul I was the first Roman Pontiff to refer to God as “Mother” and he was dead within the octave. The King can dismiss his Prime Ministers, with prejudice, at will.

David Spaulding
David Spaulding
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 7:48am

I like the closing very much: “The King can dismiss His Prime Ministers, with prejudice, at will.”

TomD
TomD
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 9:15am

“As to the role of Pope Francis in all this, I’m still of no settled opinion.”
Agreed. He has been far too friendly and accommodating to the Kaspers in the hierarchy, but he did fight the same libertine activities of the Kirchners in Argentina, and he has been giving Pell more power within the Vatican. Perhaps he just wanted to set up an airing and leave the results to God; if so it was risky almost to the point of reckless, but it may greatly profit the Church in the end. We’ll have to keep our eyes open and see.

Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 9:53am

Perhaps, TomD, (“PF has no settled opinion”)that is because PF doesn’t know what to think. I don’t think he thinks for himself. He is following the blueprint laid out for him by his papal electors.

Guy McClung
Admin
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 9:57am

Deo Gratias for those cardinals and bishops who have spoken
out and spoken the truth since the interim Relatio was published. This is what
St Dismas the Good Thief did on Calvary as he was suffering the same crucifixion as Our Lord – he “spoke out” proclaiming as a protoevangelist that Jesus was Lord and that he was King. In today’s world it often is not easy to speak out – sometimes when one speaks truth, especially when one speaks Truth to power [yes, upper case “T”] one gets one’s head handed to him or her on a platter of a modern day Herod or Herodias.
And what did St John speak out about outside the walls of Herod’s
palace? Much like those who spoke out about the interim Relatio St John spoke out about the sanctity of marriage (and the Roman-client King’s adultery). St Rose of Viterbo, a mere child, provides a similar example to that of St John; she took to the streets at the age of 12 to support the Church against the invading Emperor Frederick II. For this she was banished. And today we have the shining example of hundreds of Pastors in Houston who spoke out against the edicts of the pagan empress-mayor who rules above the law. Those who spoke out recently in Rome against the interim Relatio were not unlike the Christians who entered the hostile Colosseum smiling, rejoicing and saying prayers as they embraced martyrdom and publicly witnessed to their faith and to the Truth. Let each of us SPEAK OUT! whenever we can. Again for those cardinals and bishops, Thanks be to God!
Guy McClung, San Antonio”

ps-Samuel Edwards-You are spot on re Houston Pagan Empress Mayor Parker

TomD
TomD
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 11:04am

test – btw Don, I can’t see some comments that appear on the right hand list

Jeanne Rohl
Jeanne Rohl
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 11:15am

We have to have guidance and leadership to keep trying to be good and faithful Catholics. Not non stop excuses for deliberately disobeying the truths of the faith while plopping our butts in the first pew or distributing communion just isn’t cutting it. Right is wrong, wrong is kind of ok maybe? We are all sinners. We must all strive to abide by the teachings of Mother Church. If you don’t want to do that, why do you want to be Catholic? I just don’t get it. I am sure there are fine Protestant churches who would take in this bunch of jokers. Leave us alone. Or maybe they could rise up against IsIs and blow off some of this pent up hatred of their beautiful faith. I sure hope I didn’t hurt anyone’s feeling here.

Pat
Pat
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 11:50am

TomD,
For nearly two weeks, I’ve had to use the refresh button after opening the posts.
Or, open the site again using the menu bar: chose ‘What is the American Catholic?’ and it worked.

Mary De Voe
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 12:19pm

The opinion of pastors and priests expressed in their sermons about the Holy Scripture names no person, condemns no person as a sinner. (Names are forbidden in the Sacrament of Penance) The sermons, the opinion of the priests and pastors of Holy Scripture define the sin for the salvation of souls, the inspiration and edification of the faithful, therefore, no hatred, nor malice, can be intended. e.g. St. John the Baptist could not have witnessed Herod and Herodias committing adultery. It was on the self same testimony and witness given by Herod and Herodias. It was their claim to be violators of heaven’s rules for matrimony and decency that brought St. John’s insistence of purity in marriage to fore. Herod’s and Herodias’s bragging about themselves brought St. John’s reiteration of Holy Scripture.
I see, in Mayor Annise Parker’s bragging about and defending unisex toilets, a violation of privacy of the person, a biased approach to her constituency, and a breach of representative government. Unisex toilets is an invitation to crime for criminals. Priests and pastors have an obligation to reiterate the Holy Scripture, in thought, word and deed.
The solution to the problem of undecided sexuality is for a third kind of toilet. Derogating those constituents, who hold fast to their sexuality and human rights, does not encompass freedom and the constitution, especially the part of being secure in one’s person.
.
“He remarked that John Paul I was the first Roman Pontiff to refer to God as “Mother” and he was dead within the octave. The King can dismiss his Prime Ministers, with prejudice, at will.”
.
Referring to God as “Mother” deifies Our Blessed Mother, Mary.
If Our Lady is god, then she can commit any kind of transgression with impunity…and raise herself up after death,…and the list goes on infinitum.
.
…er, Eve came through Adam.
.
“ps-Samuel Edwards-You are spot on re Houston Pagan Empress Mayor Parker ”
.
She thinks she is god and above the law. Asinine.

Foxfier
Admin
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 12:45pm

Earlier this week I had occasion to remark elsewhere, in reference to the Houston mayor’s attempt to subpoena sermons, that it is characteristic of Satan’s behavior, once he begins to get a whiff of victory, to strike too soon, to tip his hand, to let the mask drop, to overdo.

Hope so.

Franco
Franco
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 2:26pm

According to today’s news the more traditional bishops prevented
the Synod from endorsing the progressive bishops, lead by Kasper,
effort to bring active gays into the church and to allow divorced
and remarried Catholics to take communion, which would have
brought the church eventually to accept contraception and abortion.

I don’t believe Pope Francis pursued this synod to expose progressive
clergymen. I believe Francis is a progressive who suffered a setback and
is unable to reform the church for now.

Bishops like Kasper should join the Episcopal Church or the Unitarian
Church instead of forcing the Catholic Church to bend to his will.

TomD
TomD
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 5:04pm

“Houston Pagan Empress Mayor Parker”
Ha! Somebody on a Charismatic site just called her a “Gorgon”.

Franco
Franco
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 5:46pm

One report states during the synod Francis, aware of
the division in the church, chastised bishops “who were
overly wed to doctrine and who were guided by a hostile
rigidity.”

What in the world is Francis saying: that bishops and lay
Catholics who follow church doctrine, which is rooted in
God’s eternal truths are stubbornly immoral and rigidly
hostile to Francis’ agenda of a church guided by modern
morals for a hip modern world.

As I said before, clergymen, who find Catholic teachings
difficult to accept, should turn to the Episcopal Church
or the Unitarian Church. Unfortunately, progressives never
give up. They’ll push and push their agenda until the
church succumbs to their will.

caterine113
caterine113
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 6:51pm

God is good all the time. Popes not so much! Catholics must stick with the Word Made Flesh, Jesus and all his Angels and Saints. Mother Mary pray for us!

Pat
Pat
Saturday, October 18, AD 2014 7:55pm

“I see, in Mayor Annise Parker’s bragging about and defending unisex toilets, a violation of privacy of the person, a biased approach to her constituency, and a breach of representative government. Unisex toilets is an invitation to crime for criminals – ” There is probably an unshared place near the mayor’s office marked private. Exemptions, such as those enjoyed by lawmakers (HHS, for example), are the secret wind in sails to public misery. Cost of a third category to taxpayers would be more doable than that of judicial proceedings.
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“A major absence was Scriptural teaching,” he said. “A major absence was a treatment of the church tradition,” including teaching on the family by Pope Paul VI, St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. “The secret for all Catholic vitality is fidelity to the teachings of Christ and to the tradition of the church,” said the cardinal,
What trouble and lost souls the dereliction of responsibility caused and continues to cause!
.
Cost is no concern for ideologues.

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