Before and right after I became a Catholic in 1977 at age 22, from Lutheranism, I read every Catholic history book I could find: Daniel-Rops, Belloc, Philip Hughes come to mind. And Newman's "Development of Christian Doctrine." Nothing has surprised me. The Church has been in turmoil many times. But, as Chesterton pointed out in "The Everlasting Man," every time the Church seems to be expiring, it comes back even stronger. Our priests and bishops, including the Bishop of Rome, are not Platonic Ideals, but men and sinners. I'm fortunate because I live in Orange County, Calif., with a good bishop, Kevin Vann, dozens of Norbertine priests, whose order was established here in the 1950s by refugees from communist Hungary, and Vietnamese priests who themselves, or their parents, were tortured by Hanoi communists and fled on boats. They have no illusions about Liberation Theology, Cultural Marxism, or whatever leftist political fad that has infested the Church and contaminated the theology and doctrinal innovations of some of the higher ups. I'll be 70 in June and don't have much time left. Many of my friends have left the Church over the scandals or whatever. Tomorrow I'm going to Confession. Mass on Sunday, probably the approved Traditional Latin Mass, but maybe the Norvus Ordo, reverently said. As for me, I'm sticking with Mother Church.
One priest I know after the fall of Saigon in 1975 as a layman was put in a cage. When they let him out, he found his way to America, then was ordained a priest. A couple of years ago he returned to Vietnam for the first time. He feared they would put him in a cage again. But he was treated well, and reported the communist government didn't interfere in the Catholic Church, provided it didn't get involved in politics. He was from Saigon, but traveled to Hanoi, where there is a big seminary overflowing with seminarians. It was negotiating with the regime to expand the facilities, but was having some problems. Persecutions end and suffering is a witness.
Perhaps the pithiest analysis of Pope Francis I saw was that of the High Church Anglican @andrewklavan. His version (reading between the lines of some of Card. Dolan’s politic remarks) was “Nice guy, Pope Francis. Pity he wasn’t a Catholic.”
Seriously, it is a very uplifting comment. It reminds me of the artisans building the cathedrals of Christendom. Making something beautiful for God. It is a nice reminder to not be troubled by the constant onslaught, but to press on, doing all for the glory of God.
Very insightful and wisely revealing wherein the former Anglican Bishop takes Pope Francis to task for many things, not the least of which involve moving the Church toward many things of the Anglicanism he wisely and joyfully fled from in embracing the One True Church.
To pile a little bit on John’s comment, aided by a quote from Fr. Perricone: “While many Catholics felt themselves adrift in a sea of disorientation, the grace of God endured. Impressive numbers of admirable Catholics permitted the free-fall to steel their Faith.”
I wonder if it possible to track or “measure” the amount of people who started going to Extraordinary Form masses during Francis’ reign? (I happily count myself in those numbers). May God bless us all, and he facilitate the much needed healing from harm done since 2013.
I do like the Joseph to the pit analogy, although I'm afraid it limps: Where is Reuben? I don't see him in the new Church. Where is the ongoing reverence and duty to Jacob - The symbolic Fatherhead? Hasn't that too been scorned by the sons of the New religion?
I read the linked Steve Skojec article and it unsettled me somewhat. It was like I was reading the thoughts of a future self, had I explored or given in to the questions of what subsequent Pope Francis types might mean for my faith.
I say this as I'm saddened to say I'm kind of happy or relieved he is dead/The Lord has taken him.
I'm certain this cannot be grave sin on my part to react this way, as well as having natural emotions of sadness and guilt.
Francis tested me. I careered between vocally slamming him, to lamentable silence, to harbouring in reason, time and time again.
Maybe we Latin traditionalists will alll need to run and flood the Eastern rites, and bunker down like Helms Deep for a while. Who knows what God wills, but I'm sick to my stomach thinking how this conclave will more than likely be for the worst, with not much hope in sight.
Before and right after I became a Catholic in 1977 at age 22, from Lutheranism, I read every Catholic history book I could find: Daniel-Rops, Belloc, Philip Hughes come to mind. And Newman's "Development of Christian Doctrine." Nothing has surprised me. The Church has been in turmoil many times. But, as Chesterton pointed out in "The Everlasting Man," every time the Church seems to be expiring, it comes back even stronger. Our priests and bishops, including the Bishop of Rome, are not Platonic Ideals, but men and sinners. I'm fortunate because I live in Orange County, Calif., with a good bishop, Kevin Vann, dozens of Norbertine priests, whose order was established here in the 1950s by refugees from communist Hungary, and Vietnamese priests who themselves, or their parents, were tortured by Hanoi communists and fled on boats. They have no illusions about Liberation Theology, Cultural Marxism, or whatever leftist political fad that has infested the Church and contaminated the theology and doctrinal innovations of some of the higher ups. I'll be 70 in June and don't have much time left. Many of my friends have left the Church over the scandals or whatever. Tomorrow I'm going to Confession. Mass on Sunday, probably the approved Traditional Latin Mass, but maybe the Norvus Ordo, reverently said. As for me, I'm sticking with Mother Church.
Persecution has a way of making Catholics real.
One priest I know after the fall of Saigon in 1975 as a layman was put in a cage. When they let him out, he found his way to America, then was ordained a priest. A couple of years ago he returned to Vietnam for the first time. He feared they would put him in a cage again. But he was treated well, and reported the communist government didn't interfere in the Catholic Church, provided it didn't get involved in politics. He was from Saigon, but traveled to Hanoi, where there is a big seminary overflowing with seminarians. It was negotiating with the regime to expand the facilities, but was having some problems. Persecutions end and suffering is a witness.
Perhaps the pithiest analysis of Pope Francis I saw was that of the High Church Anglican @andrewklavan. His version (reading between the lines of some of Card. Dolan’s politic remarks) was “Nice guy, Pope Francis. Pity he wasn’t a Catholic.”
"No matter."
Seriously, it is a very uplifting comment. It reminds me of the artisans building the cathedrals of Christendom. Making something beautiful for God. It is a nice reminder to not be troubled by the constant onslaught, but to press on, doing all for the glory of God.
Thank you!
Dr. K: If you haven't done so already, see Gavin Ashenden's comments found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgRUxpbeVi8
Very insightful and wisely revealing wherein the former Anglican Bishop takes Pope Francis to task for many things, not the least of which involve moving the Church toward many things of the Anglicanism he wisely and joyfully fled from in embracing the One True Church.
Another who points out the Anglican drift:
https://thefederalist.com/2025/04/21/the-legacy-of-pope-francis-is-chaos-confusion-and-division-in-the-catholic-church/
To pile a little bit on John’s comment, aided by a quote from Fr. Perricone: “While many Catholics felt themselves adrift in a sea of disorientation, the grace of God endured. Impressive numbers of admirable Catholics permitted the free-fall to steel their Faith.”
I wonder if it possible to track or “measure” the amount of people who started going to Extraordinary Form masses during Francis’ reign? (I happily count myself in those numbers). May God bless us all, and he facilitate the much needed healing from harm done since 2013.
I do like the Joseph to the pit analogy, although I'm afraid it limps: Where is Reuben? I don't see him in the new Church. Where is the ongoing reverence and duty to Jacob - The symbolic Fatherhead? Hasn't that too been scorned by the sons of the New religion?
I read the linked Steve Skojec article and it unsettled me somewhat. It was like I was reading the thoughts of a future self, had I explored or given in to the questions of what subsequent Pope Francis types might mean for my faith.
I say this as I'm saddened to say I'm kind of happy or relieved he is dead/The Lord has taken him.
I'm certain this cannot be grave sin on my part to react this way, as well as having natural emotions of sadness and guilt.
Francis tested me. I careered between vocally slamming him, to lamentable silence, to harbouring in reason, time and time again.
Maybe we Latin traditionalists will alll need to run and flood the Eastern rites, and bunker down like Helms Deep for a while. Who knows what God wills, but I'm sick to my stomach thinking how this conclave will more than likely be for the worst, with not much hope in sight.