Old Roman Catholic Church, Hudson Florida
By FrM
“The empire of Christ the King includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith: so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ.” – Pope Leo XIII, Annum sacrum
By FrM
A friend shared the following article:
The Left and Islam: An Alliance of the Dangerous and the Dim-Witted
I thought it was an excellent counter point deserving of discussion. So I share my thoughts which I hope you’ll find useful.
Many folks do not realize that in early British North America there was serious Catholic discrimination. On the right to vote, hold land, commerce employment etc. And in the article shared above the point is made that just as Catholics became normalized/ acculturated so may Islam. So let’s learn from our past and be welcoming/accommodating.
Before examining whether the prediction and prescription is valid we must address two key points:
1. Taken from a non-Catholic perspective was it unreasonable to suspect allegiance would be to Rome first, country second? Yes, no? What changed?; and
2. Is the anthropological and socio-political situation equivalent (or even similar) between the Catholic (and other discriminated immigrants) and the current perceived plight of the muslim and “islamophobia”. What data forms our view?
We also have to acknowledge an assumption from the “diversity is an absolute good” crowd.
The “progresso-left” hopes/assumes that secularization is the inevitable trajectory. That smart, educated people cast off religion. That someday we’ll live in a Star Trek utopia of equality and co-existence. We’ll all share one common successor to “religion” that is spiritual more than formally religious. Those who disagree do so SOLELY because their fear their privilege is threatened.
I would argue this view is not supported by history, social or behavioral science data (note, I said data not “experts”). So it sounds nice (to many). Is it so?
Instead, I’d suggest that nature abhors a vacuum and the practice of formal religion is hardwired. Some variant will soon return and it may be unlike many that preceded it, but return it shall.
Not all religions are created equal, not are equally good. Need proof? Read about Carthage or Aztec ritual and compare with Buddhism or Mother Theresa. Compare the actual Koran with the Gospel. Compare the actual biography of the FOUNDERS. Use THEIR sources not those of their enemies to determine this.
When I explored Christianity as a young adult I wanted to make up my own mind. I didn’t have a day of Sunday School. No church “brain-washing” as many secularists assume. I had a bible which I read through several times and a spiritual experience. Which led me to explore becoming a Presbyterian or other protestant but before I did I had to investigate and answer every objection to Catholicism in THEIR words- from their saints. I listened to both sides from the best each side had to offer in their own words. I ended up Catholic only to find later most modern Catholics didn’t believe in that old Faith either. It is from this process and experience that informs my understanding of theological diversity.
Catholicism in the United States was suspect until JFK. Why? Think about it- Catholics are more tolerable to non-Catholics when they ceased being distinctively “Catholic”.
Dad and Mom grew up as children in a part of Nova Scotia where folks on both sides would throw rocks at one another (Dad was protestant, Mom Catholic) nothing too serious but there was some community discomfort. Our generation doesn’t remember any of that.
What changed? Essentially culturally and in its applied theology Catholics admitted “protestants were right” and changed in the 1960’s. They called it the “Aggiornamento” (updating, accommodation, surrender to the world’s wisdom). It was good in terms of less friction in the local community- but at what cost?
Aggiornamento is why Pope Francis 2 years ago opted to bless a statue of Luther in Rome vs a public Mass for Our Lady of Victory/ OL of the Rosary. It’s why he doesn’t genuflect at what Catholics once considered the literal Real Presence of God. Even my Presbyterian father did that, not out of belief, but respect.
Trust me folks- if Catholics actually believed and lived the Catholicism of their great-grand parents they would be equally hated today as in days of old. Society didn’t become more “tolerant” Catholics sold out the Faith of their own saints. Don’t believe me? Read pre-1920 writings from Church leaders and saints. Different religions- perhaps different gods. (wikisearch “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”)
Basically the secularists and Left’s hope that muslims will have the same future dereliction and lukewarmness as Western Catholics- that they will retain some customs- a St Paddy’s day parade here and an iftar dinner there, but will ignore their respective FOUNDERS. Instead, replacing their respective God/god with a syncretist one, a god supported or realized in the State.
Maybe.
I think you will see some sort of catastrophe (economic, military, civil unrest?) that will ruin all of this. I cannot predict the details but something will shift; likely in our lifetimes and it will go hard over one way or the other. I guess we’ll find out.
So I outlined some problems with the whole frame, now to the questions I mentioned at the very beginning above.
1. Taken from a non-Catholic perspective was it unreasonable to suspect allegiance would be to Rome first, country second? Yes, no?
Actually the suspicion was well founded. Roman Catholicism teaches in its normative form something called the “Social Kingship of Christ” which progresso-lefties erroneously confuse with theocracy. Basically it means that all of the social order must be compatible with the Gospel (not that it be run by priests). Further we believe there will be no earthly, sustainable peace or justice if this is not so. Are we wrong? Maybe- that’s another discussion. To a Protestant American this means a Roman Catholic owes allegiance to God, Church, family and then country, in that order. This would be a traitorous view to may protestants or patriots of the time.
2. Is the anthropological and socio-political situation equivalent (or even similar) between the Catholic (and other discriminated immigrants) and the current perceived plight of the muslim and “islamophobia”.
How is the scenario described above different from a muslim believing in sharia first and ”law of the land” second? Huge. Catholicism/ normative Christianity teaches obedience to secular rulers unless it is to cooperate in sin, in which case we are to resist even to death. Since our secular society came from the foundation of Christendom (outside of abortion) there are few issues where they conflict. There are no Gospel proscriptions for secular government (other than be honest and diligent in your duties) but in islam’s case they have a highly evolved political philosophy that is theocratic in its normative structure.
Two major differences:
Firstly, Islam is a political philosophy with a religious component. Christianity is a Faith compatible with many different secular models of governance. You can have a democracy, a kingdom or a religious community- all can work. Therefore Christianity and its Catholic iterations can co-exist with the state. Islam demands modification of the state. Turkey is the best example- look what is going on today. Once a muslim population hits about 20% sharia accommodation becomes demanded and it impacts the non-muslims that share the same geography.
Secondly, most of the values between Catholic and Protestant were identical and remained so until 1930 with that year’s Lambeth conference. So the friction was on misunderstanding Catholic rituals and as mentioned above, there was a concern that there was a spiritual-temporal ruler (pope) that would hold their loyalty before their king, president, or PM. There was also (to non-Catholics) this irritating habit of Catholics insisting outside their own Church there was no salvation. I can appreciate that was offensive to religious people of other traditions of the day. But regardless it was still an organ of the same body- the same God, the Same Lord and King Jesus: fully God, fully human that would hold all Catholcis and Protestant to final account (“Dies Irae“).
Islam is one of two religions I do not respect. (Do not confuse this with me saying I do not like or respect individual muslims- I’m talking their religion just as the Left hates mine) The other is Scientology. Why can I see wisdom in Buddhism, sincerity in Confucianism, or good in stoicism but not in scientology or islam? They are synthetic constructs with the appearance of religion without true supernatural aspect. In islam’s case a socio-political ideology masked as a religion subservient to a god confused in these days with the Christian one. Easily provable if you have an honest muslim theologian share that from their perspective the Christian God is a polytheist idea that blasphemes by addressing God the Father as “Father”. Outside of Trinity – there is no Christian God. Let me repeat: outside of the Trinity there is no Christian God.- it doesn’t work no matter how the modernist Christians of this day are desperately trying to make it so. (Find me a respected normative Christian theologian who thought so pre-1960). We got it wrong for 2,000 yrs apparently. We’re much more holier and closer to God as a people… So by all means accept or reject either God/god but don’t assert they are “all the same”. No.
Does this sound similar to some of the anti-Catholic rhetoric of years ago? Yes it does. Is it the same? No, it’s not.
Why? Because one story reflects truth and the other falsity. Isn’t it just a matter of opinion? No, it’s a matter of ontology.
Nature abhors a vacuum. Secularism is leading/has led folks to a very dark place. We have tech but no joy. We can simulate happiness via various hedonisms or entertainments but in the end we just crave more and more. What used to satisfy, no longer does. The anthropological mess is blamed on Christendom and the solution is basically “coexist” syncretism and the ascendancy of the United Nations. Islam is very useful to both those ends. Islam and secularism has a common enemy in Christendom, ironically a concept abandoned by most self-identifying Christians. Islam will spread throughout formerly Christian lands and when it hits around 20% the demands to accommodate will grow and grow. Look at “secular” Turkey once considered an example of a “moderate” secular islam- no more. Turkey is a proto-caliphate with its accompanying tyranny.
We have a choice to make as individuals and as a nation. I’m not deluded to think my side (with current variables) will win in the temporal order.
We have a choice- it’s binary (oooh I said the “b” word). For Jesus Christ: fully God, fully human, true King or against.
The secularists, the modernist Christians, the syncretist “co-exist” crowd , islam, etc choose against Our Lord. And for those who do so boldly I applaud their honesty. I fear for their souls, but appreciate their candor.
At the end of the day, if I am correct, a devout mistaken muslim may well find themselves more in God’s favor than a lukewarm or indifferent Catholic. Which is why muslims and secularists are not my enemy, but islam and secularism are.
Agree? Disagree? Something need clarification? Your comments are welcome via direct email.
By FrM
St. Silverius was a native of Campania and was a legitimate son of Pope Hormisdas. He succeeded Agapitus in the Papacy ruling the Holy See from 8 June 536 until his martyrdom on 2 December 537. A dispute with the Empress Theodora had him banished to the island of Ponza. There he wrote to a bishop “I am fed upon the bread of tribulation and the water of affliction, but nevertheless I have not given up, and I will not give up, doing my duty.”
Many miracles at his grave led Christians to venerate him as a saint. One particularly famous story recalls that fishermen were in a small boat in a storm off Palmarola and they called on Saint Silverius for help. An apparition of Saint Silverius called them to Palmarola, where they survived and he is now ow the patron saint of the island of Ponza, Italy.
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Sylvester thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
By FrM
St. Juliana belonged to the noble Falconieri family of Florence. Her father built much of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Florence. Her uncle, Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order. Under his influence, she decided at a young age to follow the consecrated life.
Before she had finished her fifteenth year, she renounced a large inheritance, and made to God a vow of virginity, before holy Philip Benizi, from whom she was the first to receive the religious habit.
“She would often fall in to long moments and hours of ecstacy… She was daily caring for the sick in the streets, homes, and in hospitals and was known for using her own lips to suck out the infection of her patients open sores without fear of contracting any illness.”
St. Juliana directed the community of Servite Tertiaries for 35 years and ministered to her sisters in the meanest offices of the work of the house. She passed whole days in incessant prayer, and was often rapt in spirit, and the remainder of her time she toiled to make peace among the citizens, who were at variance together, to recall transgressors from the ways of iniquity, and to nurse the sick.
It was her custom to afflict her own body with whips, knotted cords, iron girdles, watching, and sleeping upon the ground. Upon Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, she ate very sparingly some unpalatable food, upon Fridays she took nothing except the Bread of Angels, and upon Saturdays, besides the Holy Communion, only bread and water.
The self-inflicted hardships of her life brought upon her a disease of the stomach, whereby, when she was seventy years of age, she was brought to the point of death. At this time she was unable to receive Holy Communion because of constant vomiting, she requested the priest to spread a corporal upon her chest and lay the Eucharistic host on it. Shortly thereafter, the host disappeared and Juliana died, on June 19, 1341. The image of a cross, just like the one on the host, was found on her breast.
Adapted from the Catholic Encyclopedia and the Divine Office.
O God, Who miraculously fortified blessed Juliana, Your Virgin, in her last illness with the precious Body of Your Son, grant, we beseech You, that with her merits pleading for us, we also, refreshed and strengthened by the same sacrament in our dying agony, may be brought to our heavenly home.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
By FrM
“Saint Ephrem the Syrian was a gifted and prolific poet of the fourth century who is said to have written over 3 million lines of verse. He also happens to be a saint and Doctor of the Church who eloquently defended Christian Orthodoxy during a time of great upheaval.
Born in 306 AD in the town of Nisibis in Syria (today called Nusaybin, Turkey), Ephrem became a deacon and a part of a community called the “members of the covenant,” a kind of proto-monasticism in which Christians practiced sexual abstinence and service to the Church. However, unlike later monasticism, the “sons” and “daughters” of the covenant remained in the wider community and worked alongside other Christians, evangelizing and participating in Church life.”