When I use the term liberalism and liberal, this is what I mean.

Since I often discuss liberalism which undergirds the nature of liberals, I think it might be helpful to define terms and explain exactly what liberalism is. Socrates often began his dialogues by defining terms. How can people have an intelligent discussion if they aren't using words in the same way? They can end up arguing with Humpty Dumpty who says, "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean- neither more nor less." Unfortunately, many liberals follow Humpty Dumpty's rules of engagement which is a ticket to the Tower of Babel. To use a silly example, suppose an alien landed in Washington, D.C. and someone told him that the first Catholic Catholic president, JFK, was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Imagine the confusion going forward. But that's often true when people use language in contrary ways. 

So let's talk definitions. The definition of liberalism I use comes from a 19th century priest, Fr. Felix Sarda Y Salvany and his wonderful book, Liberalism is a Sin. Fr. Salvany calls liberalism, "The monster of our times,...the evil of all evils,...a deadly heresy,... a living lion going about seeking whom he may devour." Such an enemy needs to be fought vigorously not like it's a little kitten-sized "puddy tat." So we'd better know who that enemy is and what it looks like.

Interestingly, Fr. Silvany's book poked a stick in the hornet's nest of liberal theologians already infecting the church. In response to the publication of Liberalism is a Sin, another priest wrote a book attacking Salvany's. Both books were sent to the Sacred Congregation of the Index which was dissolved by Pope Paul VI in 1966 after Vatican II. (Are we surprised?) The Congregation endorsed Salvany's work and condemned his detractor's in a letter to the Bishop of Barcelona in whose diocese Fr. Salvany worked:

Whereupon, the Sacred Congregation has carefully examined both works and decided as follows:

In the first, not only is nothing found contrary to sound doctrine, but its author, D. Felix Sarda, merits great praise for his exposition and defense of the sound doctrine therein set forth with solidity, order and lucidity, and without personal offense to anyone.

The same judgment, however, cannot be passed on the other work, that by D. de Pazos, for in matter it needs corrections. Moreover, his injurious manner of speaking cannot be approved, for he inveighs rather against the person of D. Sarda than against the latter's supposed errors.

Therefore, the Sacred Congregation has commanded D. de Pazos, admonished by his own Bishop, to withdraw his book, as far as he can, from circulation, and in the future, if any discussion of the subject should arise, to abstain from all expressions personally injurious, according to the precept of true Christian charity; and this all the more since Our Holy Father, Leo XIII, whereas he urgently recommends castigation of error, neither desires nor approves expressions personally injurious, especially when directed against those who are eminent for their doctrine and their piety.

In communicating to you this order of the Sacred Congregation of the Index, that you may be able to make it known to the illustrious priest of your diocese, D. Sarda, for his peace of mind....

So back to our definition. First of all, Fr. Salvany is using the term liberalism in a religious sense, not a political one, although, as the publisher writes in his preface, "it definitely bears on that realm as well." It's impossible to separate religion from politics since we live our lives in a society governed by political systems. As laity, we spend most of our time in the marketplace not in the parish. And the marketplace is steeped in liberalism. Fr. Salvany writes:

"Liberalism is the dogmatic affirmation of the absolute independence of the individual and of the social reason. Catholicity is the dogma of the absolute subjection of the individual and of the social order to the revealed law of God. One doctrine is the exact antithesis of the other. They are opposites in direct conflict." (Ch. 6).

The battle is joined! The root of liberalism, according to the author, is Protestantism which ultimately makes everyone a pope in the pew, interpreting divine revelation according to his own opinions and beliefs. Individual reason and conscience rule all:

 The individual or sect interprets as it pleases -- rejecting or accepting what it chooses. This is popularly called liberty of conscience....If one creed is as good as another, on the plea of rational liberty, on the same plea, no creed is as good as any.

Exactly and, sadly, this heresy has infected the church. Modernism, the synthesis of all heresies, and liberalism are twin scourges. These are the principles of liberalism:

1. The absolute sovereignty of the individual in his entire independence of God and God's authority.

2. The absolute sovereignty of society in its entire independence of everything which does not proceed from itself.

3. Absolute civil sovereignty in the implied right of the people to make their own laws in entire independence and utter disregard of any other criterion than the popular will expressed at the polls and in parliamentary majorities.

4. Absolute freedom of thought in politics, morals, or in religion. The unrestrained liberty of the press.

Does this not sound familiar? Is it not the attitude of many in our culture including ill-formed Catholics, the majority of Protestants, and the masqueraders who wear the mask of faith but reject God's laws, calling good evil and evil good? It is especially evident in those who champion intrinsic moral evils like abortion, same sex "marriage", contraception, and sodomy -- all mortal sins. Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, often said, "I will do exactly as I please." And she did. Her philosophical clones are legion! 

Not every liberal embraces all these principles, but even those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior often accept the idea of unbridled freedom in social action and politics. There are many examples I could cite including the idea of "freedom of religion" which is causing such destruction in the United States by allowing Islam and even Satanism to be treated on an equal basis with Christianity. When shrines to Baphomet begin appraring in the public square, we are in deep trouble indeed.

As Catholic warriors we need to fight against evil ideologies and liberalism is one of them. Let us pray and work for its demise.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.