Guest Post: Daniel Graham Gives a History Lesson on the Crisis in the Church

I'm delighted to post this article from Daniel Graham, author of Lex Orandi, a book that 
gives a side-by-side comparison of all the sacraments before and after the changes made in the spirit of Vatican II. Every concerned Catholic should know exactly what we've lost. I highly recommend Dan's book. Only when we understand what's been lost can we be like the woman in the parable who sweeps her house looking for her lost coin and rejoicing when she finds it. Those of us who defend the faith of our fathers are also like the man who sold everything to buy the pearl of great price. When one has a treasure, he protects it. And that is what Archbishop Lefebvre did. Those of us who go to SSPX chapels love the faith, love the Church, and love the papacy. Read the encyclicals of Pope St. Pius X and then read those of Pope Francis to see the conflict. Will the real defender of the faith please stand up. Don't get lost in the weeds. Be at peace and soldier on.

The Conflict between Modernism and Tradition

by Daniel Graham

More Reasons for Hope! The Young are Standing up for the Faith!

Young voters and young Catholics are increasingly more "conservative". I use that word in the sense of conservation, upholding what in the past has made the secular culture and the Church strong. 

We've known for several years that seminarians and young priests are increasingly more orthodox, a great sign for the future. A major survey in 2023 by Catholic University of America indicated that "progressive" priests are going extinct. Alleluia for that! A bit from the article:

“Simply put, the portion of new priests who see themselves as politically ‘liberal’ or theologically ‘progressive’ has been steadily declining since the Second Vatican Council and has now all but vanished,” the report asserts.

Sunday Meditation: If you want to go to hell, here's the Rx from "Dr." Voltaire

François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)

It's hard to believe that anyone would actually seek to become an atheist and develop a program to turn belief into disbelief offering it as a prescription for hating God and His Church. Why? 

If you don't believe, why not just shrug and walk away? Why actively pursue hatred of the God in Whom you don't believe? Wouldn't it make more sense to pursue truth, goodness justice, mercy, etc.? Aren't those the most noble pursuits? And consider Voltaire's given name. His parents obviously dedicated him to Our Lady. His mother died when he was only seven. How sad that he did not turn to the Queen of Heaven.

To me, the idea that someone would desire and pursue hatred of a God in which he disbelieves is unfathomable. But that's what Voltaire not only did himself, but he advised others to do it as well. Where is Voltaire today one wonders in alarm. The loss of any soul for Whom Christ suffered and died is a tragedy. Let us pray that Voltaire, a brilliant but stupid man, repented in the end.

Pope Francis, It's Sin, Not Climate Change or Other Progressive Fads, that Endanger Us!

The world fawns over this pope!

As we continue to reflect on Amoris Laetitia, consider these wise voices:

Female Doctor tells Pope to his Face: “Evil, in this world, comes from sin. Not from income disparity or “climate change”.

Reflections on “Amoris Laetitia” by Fr. Gerald Murray

Pope Francis' "pastoral" approach flies in the face of Church teaching. And the fact that the world loves him is more than troubling; it's alarming. Here are several paragraphs from Fr. Murray's long reflections. Keep in mind that he is a canon lawyer. He knows what he's talking about:

The publication of Amoris Laetitia brought an end to this discipline. [Denying Communion to the divorced and invalidly remarried] Now, the Church’s help and accompaniment of people publicly known to be living in “an objective state of sin” [305] has changed, as set forth in footnote 351 (and somewhat obscurely in footnote 336): “In certain cases, this can include the help of the sacraments.” The footnote refers to two statements Pope Francis made previously encouraging pastors to act with mildness and wide latitude when administering the sacraments of penance and the Holy Eucharist.

Is the Deck Stacked in Favor of the "Progressives" at the Ordinary Synod on the Family?

Sure looks like it.

Here's an article with Bishop Rene Gracida's take on the appointments.

A Few Clues to the October Synod

One thing should encourage us, however. Catholic Culture points out that the Gospel reading for the start of the Synod (October 7th, the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time) contains this:

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.

Are Vatican Sharks Purging Orthodox Bishops?

Why Bishop Finn but not Cardinal Danneels?

Bishop Finn's "crime" was that he delayed reporting a priest with child porn on his computer. There was never an accusation of his covering up sex abuse. Danneels, on the other hand, did cover up sex abuse (including his own nephew!) for years. But he is still A-okay while Finn was purged. Is this the Vatican administration of the long knives? In with the progressives out with the orthodox?

Here's Finn's real crime: