[note: the title of this paper is a generalization; not meant to imply that there are no exceptions, but rather, to express a strong correlation]
*
Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]
*Reactionary Influence: Correctio & June 2016 Criticism of the Pope [1-24-18]*
Now the latest “joint statement” is the Open Letter to Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and Bishop Athanasius Schneider (July 9, 2020): a wholesale attack on the sublime magisterial authority of Vatican II. It was signed by 50 people. With just a cursory glance at the signatories, I found 19 or so that were familiar to me as having signed one or more of the documents above. And they include (not surprisingly) Christopher Ferrara.
The saddest one (to me) is Dr. Janet Smith: an excellent moral theologian (specializing in defense of Humanae Vitae) who has recently descended into reactionaryism, to the extent that she is now in favor of improper and quasi-schismatic criticism of an ecumenical council. How very sad. It’s a case study of a person who is far better than some false beliefs she has fallen prey to. I tried to persuade her otherwise, months ago, to no avail:
Viganò, Schneider, Pachamama, & VCII (vs. Janet E. Smith) [11-25-19]
For my part, I have repeatedly defended Vatican II as fully in line with previous Catholic tradition; particularly in a twelve-part reply to Dr. Paolo Pasqualucci: whose name also appears on this latest farcical document. Many other defenses of it may be found on my Catholic Church web page (word-search for the section: “Ecclesiastical Authority: The Second Vatican Council”).
The ubiquitous Dr. Peter Kwasniewski signed it. I have debated him several times in writing:
Peter Kwasniewski, Fr. Thomas Kocik and a Growing Chorus Disagree with Pope Benedict XVI Regarding the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite Mass (Or, Reports of the Death of the Reform of the Reform are Greatly Exaggerated) [+ Part Two] [2-26-14]
Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]
“Postconciliar” Reply to Peter Kwasniewski & John Lamont [6-10-19]
Taylor Marshall associate Timothy Flanders appears also. I have debated him as well (and he says he wants to continue, time-permitting):
*
Reply to Timothy Flanders’ Defense of Taylor Marshall [7-8-19]
Dialogue w Ally of Taylor Marshall, Timothy Flanders [7-17-19]
Dialogue w 1P5 Writer Timothy Flanders: Introduction [2-1-20]
Dialogue w Timothy Flanders #2: State of Emergency? [2-25-20]
Alexander Tschugguel, Taylor Marshall, & God’s Wrath [3-19-20]
And, of course, I’m probably the biggest orthodox Catholic critic of Taylor Marshall (who banned me from his Twitter page upon my very first critique, after having recommended my books and website for many years). See numerous critiques under his name on my Traditionalist & Reactionaries web page.
Leila Lawler appears: wife of Phil Lawler, whose book Lost Shepherd I have critiqued 21 times (see his section on my Papacy page). I noted how Phil was starting to question — to some extent — Vatican II, himself, almost three years ago now. So here we are, observing his wife signing this document. No surprise to me! It’s part of my job as an apologist to keep track of these aberrations.
Henry Sire is on the list. I critiqued his book, The Dictator Pope.
I’ve had several exchanges with Chris Ferrara (almost always typified by his obnoxious mockery and ad hominem attacks), or regarding The Remnant:
Debate on the Reactionary Group, The Remnant [1-24-00]
Critique of The Remnant [2000]
Chris Ferrara vs. Pope Benedict XVI (New Mass) [12-18-15]
Reactionary Chris Ferrara’s Lies Re Pope Francis & Hell [3-31-18]
And I have severely criticized Abp. Viganò and Bp. Schneider many times.
And so on and on it goes. I called all this and predicted it: basically 20 years ago. Remember, these four things are almost always found together:
1) Pope-Bashing (and not just of Francis, but from Pope st. John XXIII onward).
2) Vatican II-bashing.
3) Ordinary Form / Pauline / “New” Mass-bashing.
4) Ecumenism-bashing (falsely making out that all ecumenism is indifferentist relativism).
And a word to the wise: if you see these things, avoid them like the plague. It’ll do you no spiritual or theological good. And it won’t because these things run counter to the teaching of Holy Mother Church: whom God appointed as the Guardian of your souls. Don’t do it! I’m here as an apologist to warn you against error and to help you on your spiritual journey.
I’m not rich; I have no monetary or any other personal interest in saying these things (in fact, I have had to suffer loss for saying them). I do solely because they are true and good and because I care about people, and have observed what has happened to many good people through the years who have fallen into these grave errors. It’s part of my job.
2 Timothy 4:1-8 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. [5] As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. [6] For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.*2 Timothy 3:1-9 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. [6] For among them are those who make their way into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and swayed by various impulses, [7] who will listen to anybody and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. [8] As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith; [9] but they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
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