Abbey-Roads2

Of Motu Poo-poo-ers and non-Catholics.

Ray of Stella Borealis sent me a link to Fr. Debruycker’s 2 Cents column from the St. Joan of Arc bulletin.  I liked it.  I thought it contained a certain wisdom, and was rather restrained, even sage-like.  Father’s column really deals with the Vatican clarification of the Catholic Church as the true Church, rather than the recent Motu Proprio on the TLM.  (I just wanted to use my term, Motu Poo-poo!) 

So a priest and a rabbi…

“I have been discussing the Pope’s statement about the primacy of the Roman Catholic faith with a variety of different friends. I asked my old friend Rabbi Oelnik his thoughts about the subject. Now some people think Rabbi Oelnik is my invisible friend, but I can tell you Dumbledore and Gandalf would disagree.

“So rabbi what do you think?”

“I’ll tell you. I am not a Rabbi because I think I am wrong. I am a very nice fellow but I believe what the scriptures say: that the people of Israel are a people chosen. I believe there are laws set in the scriptures by which I must live my life - ways to pray, ways to dress, ways to eat, ways to act. When I disagree with these teachings - and there are exceptions in emergencies - I must be able to tell myself and my people with good reason why.”

“So, your Pope believes he is not wrong either; it’s nice to know he believes in what he stands for. He must want you to clarify your exceptions and tell him why you are still Catholic. There is nothing more dishonest than to pretend you agree when you don’t. How can you ever make true progress?” “ - Fr. DeBruycker (Read the whole article.) 

The great divide.

I think the rabbi presents a valid point of view.  However, the arguing and protests he recommends seem to me to be rather pointless.  One can’t expect to change the perennial teaching of the Catholic Church.  The discussion simply reinforces my view that the current Pope’s affirmation of Church teaching is a defining moment in Church history.  Some may see it as divisive, but Christ came for division (Luke 12: 51), and those dividing lines seem to be in the process of being delineated by those opposed to Benedict XVI.  (Although, let me be quick to say, I don’t believe Fr. DeBruycker is opposed to B16.  He is a good priest.)

It seems to me the Holy Father is simply putting on the brakes, with regard to liberal interpretations of Vatican II and Church discipline, and some heads (ideas) may just go through the windshield.