New Politicking About the FFI Situation ... and the Truth from Fr. Geiger of Mary Victrix

Hello Everyone,

I do keep abrest of some particular blogs to keep an eye on Radical Traditionalist elements seeking to further divide Holy Mother Church, and so as to defend True Catholic Traditionalism and Glad Trads whenever necessary.

One of the blogs, the most notorious for Radical Catholic Reactionary behaviour is Rorate Caeli. One of their ongoing campaigns is to produce a distorted version of the truth about the destruction of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI). Many a time, it has been proven that their reporting on the FFI situation is inaccurate and full of half-lies and even full ones.

A couple of days ago, a "Michael Patrick" released unseen footage of a video that was going to be used for an online advertisement campaign or documentary of a day in the life of the FFI. While I will NOT put a hyperlink in to the Rorate Caeli article, I will link to the YouTube(tm) video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goR7yJMQlQ8. Rorate makes some claims about it, and once again claims an atmosphere of fear and "facts" about the video. A couple of right-wing Catholic blogs have also posted on this matter, some for spreading information, and some ... well, I'll keep it at that.

Now, as a journalist, let's say that you want to do an article on firefighting. Wouldn't you interview an ACTUAL firefighter or a fire chief to get the most accurate information on the topic, by someone who is active in that field of expertise?

This is where once again, Fr. Angelo Geiger of the Mary Victrix blog has heroically and gracefully, once again, made proper analysis on another hit piece of propaganda used by Rorate Caeli for their Radical Catholic Reactionary agenda. Father in his latest blog article, sets the record straight as an ACTUAL FRIAR, still formally affiliated with the FFI, as one who has completed formation. Being a shorter piece, I have decided to paste the full text below.

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My Reality, Your Reality

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Fr. Angelo M. Geiger

No not relativism.  Just an update 1.) to apprise the reader of my status, namely, that I did not fall off the face of the earth. and 2.) to disabuse whoever has eyes to see of the unreality of the latest “news” or “reporting” on the status of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.  Just because people say things does not make it true.

First, thanks to all those who have been praying for me. I made it to the end of the semester at the Angelicum still standing.  I have one more final, but most of the stress is now behind me.  I hope to blog at least a couple of times during the break.

Second, Rorate Caeli has posted a video by one of our former friars, which by all accounts is a fairly nice vocation video for the Institute as it stands now, but it has been posted with a predictable interpretation and broadcasted further by others.

Several clarifications:

1. At least 90% of the footage was taken by a seminarian who remains in the community and is quite happy to do so. Some of his footage was used for a 2013 vocation video which is was used by the producer of the new video without permission.  The parts of the new video that are not in the 2013 vocation video were shot for the vocation video and archived.  I have checked all my facts here from the seminarian in question, who watched the video in its entirety. RC says that the “footage was then kept in secret, witness of something no longer tolerable to those in power, unseen until now.”  This is simply false, as is evidenced by the video on YouTube.
2. About half of the seminarians who are in the video are no longer in the Institute, but to them others have been added who have passed through the novitiate.  When the seminary closed there were 51 seminarians.  Today there are 28.  The same pattern is true of the schola that sang in the video.  It still exists and the members sing regularly at our liturgy.  We continue, for example, to use the Liber Usualis every day for various parts of the liturgy.  Please keep in mind that for those who have orchestrated the exodus, with outside from help from willing collaborators like those at RC, this is exactly what they wanted.  Seminarians were being contacted clandestinely, and encouraged as well as pressured by both former friars and those still in the Institute to leave.  This planned and well-orchestrated effort, unfortunately, was highly successful (and contrary to the explicit will of Pope Francis, BTW).
3. Everything that is witnessed in the video, with the exception of the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the liturgy—a temporary restriction contingent on the temporary Commission—and the year long night rising for Matins we still do.  The Holy Father told us face to face that his intention was not to permanently forbid its celebration, but solely to see to it that the liturgy was not a source of division within the community.  Furthermore, the horarium has not changed, except for the continuous night rising, which was never part of our legislation anyway, and was only introduced in the seminary in November of 2011.  (We still rise at night for Matins during Lent—a practice mandated by our ecclesiastically approved Constitutions. Prior to the change in 2011, this had been the practice since 1990 and it remains in force.).
4. Thus, the quotations in the video from our legislation are norms still in force which we continue to observe.
5. The statement of RC that there now exists within the Institute “a new atmosphere of doctrinal corruption and moral relaxation, of the disintegration of the religious observance” is gratuitous, offered without evidence because there is none.
6. This is a fine example of a propaganda piece which says little in terms of facts, but effectively conveys an conclusion necessary to a world-view.  It is called: “painting the target around the arrow.”  For example, RC claims that the video was shot on the very day the seminary closed, in order to achieve a maximum sympathetic response.  But in fact, the friar who shot the material, who was able to identify all the various elements, and who was present when the seminary closed, did not see anything that was shot on the day the seminary closed.

RC writes:

But perhaps our Lady, on her feastday, is offering a vision very different to that which seems to dominate presently in the Church — a vision of the consecrated life which is, as Simeon says of Christ, a sign of contradiction.

Indeed, I couldn’t agree more.  May we have the grace to correspond to our vocation.  But I don’t think any of the friars, including most who would like to see things the way RC wants to see them, would presume they are the ideal, or that the Church is without many other fine religious communities and holy religious.

After all is said and done, after everyone has had their say and shouted from the rooftops what they speculate might be reality—though they are convinced that their opinion is more than that—there remains only one thing to do, especially for vowed religious: obey the Church.  Anything else would be a patent absurdity—a contradiction for sure, but not the sign of contradiction.

I kindly ask Rorate Caeli to link to this post, in the interests of truth, and also out of justice, since the footage does not belong to Rorate Caeli, but has its origin in the Institute and was the work of a friar still present in the community.

So there`s the real truth, from an actual priest/friar of the FFI. I hope, readers, that you continue to view his blog, as you will get real insider's info about the FFI order from him. Rorate Caeli unfortunately, does not even reveal their sources by name. It makes you wonder who they are relying on and how trustworthy the sources are.

I will say though. I hope and pray that Pope Francis makes good on his promise to resolve the FFI situation "soon," and prove to his detractors and slanderers that he is not the menace and tyrant that the media, especially the Radicals Misrepresenting Traditionalist kind, make him out to be. If he does have to pose, ``restrictions`` of any kind, I hope they are such that basically say, ``you guys want to be RCRs, then you will not have an active life in the church or your order. You don`t exhibit the behaviour, fine, you get the Latin Mass, but you won`t be given wanton freedom. Think of it like the FSSP's arrangement with Holy Mother Church ...``

May the Lord Bless Fr. Geiger in his works, especially revealing the truth of what is going on with the order.

Pax, Julian.

Double Highlight: Fr. Rick Heilman Forwards Fr. Longenecker Article on the "Mad Rad Trad" Issue Opened by Catholic Answers

Hello Everyone.

So the Catholic blogosphere is taking sides again after Catholic Answers let the cat out of the bag with the "Mad Rad Trad" thing. Some bloggers, usually on the pro-Traditionalist side or the `hardcore` Latin Mass/Trad Catholics side, are saying "No titles." Others, are saying that there should be titles and supporting C.A. on their take of their radio show they did on "Radical Traditionalism".

In my blog feed, I subscribe to a blog run by a priest in the USA, in the diocese of Madison, of Madison, Wisconsin. It is the "Knights of Divine Mercy". Aside from running what is an excellent Men's traditional Catholic social/spiritual association, Fr. Heilman posts a number of great articles on his blog dealing with spiritual combat against the Evil One, and calling out the garbage lingering around the social, institutional, and spiritual culture within the Church. He does so with clarity, charity, and true fraternal correction (not abuse).

Today, Fr. Heilman forwarded a great article examining the whole "Mad Rad Trad" issue from another awesome blogging priest, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, a convert from Anglicanism (pre-A.C. ordinates). He also posts in the same vein as Fr. Heilman on a number of issues and is well known in the Catholic blogosphere, alongside his other Patheos network confreres. Do search for the articles Fr. L mentions in his posting, even his humourous ones as "Mantilla the Hon".

I post the exact text here for you to read as it is by far excellent! It is, to me, the best article supporting the argument that we should keep the monikers and the reasons why, of which a couple are those I thought of before reading this article. Here you go, and Pax. Julian.

P.S. I've got something sweet coming up in a couple of hours .....
http://www.knightsofdivinemercy.com/2013/08/03/must-we-call-them-rad-trads/

Must We Call Them Rad Trads?

Fr. Rick Heilman | Aug 03, 2013 | Comments 0

From Fr. Longnecker:

There is a conversation going on over at Catholic Lane on Why the title “Rad Trad” or “Radical Traditionalist” should be dropped. You can go hereto read post.

This interests me because it is a term I use, and despite my best intentions to explain that I am on the traditionalists’ side, that I believe most of them are good, solid Catholics who simply prefer the Extraordinary Form, and that I do not think they are all wild eyed conspiracy theory extremists, still my comment box fills with vituperative remarks from traditionalists who accuse me of being some sort of enemy.

So let me explain why I think “rad trad” and “radical traditionalist” is a good term and why I’ll continue to use it. But before I do, here are a few real comments from my combox:

Wake up people! Francis is a unrepentant socialist, liberation theologist and homophile. And he is lurching the Church into heresy. Homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God. And catholic leaders need to identify it as such. Francis is building a case for openly homosexual priests and religious. Disgrace!
As far as my analysis of Francis, his actions speak louder than his words, although his words are bad enough. Take a look at his clerical history. If you have decided to become a Papal sycophant that is your business. And no, I am not a Sede Vacantist. We HAVE a Pope. His name is Benedict. And as far as my accusations, just watch closely in the coming months. Mark my words. Francis will systematically dismantle catholic teaching on abortion, sexuality, homosexuality, euthanasia, the True Presence, Mary’s role in salvation and the Divinity of Jesus.

This is the sort of position I criticize as “Radical Traditionalist” or “Rad Trad”. I could include other comments from my combox which are anti-Semitic, self righteous, hateful, angry, racist and well, insane. I am sure most traditionalists would shake their heads and be sorry for such negativity.
It is for this sort of traditionalist that I reserve the names like “mad rad trad”. Why is it wise to retain the “rad trad” label? Because we can identify this sort of sad individual by the label and not only criticize him, but more positively–support and praise the traditionalists who are NOT like him. If the label “rad trad” is dropped it is more likely that no distinctions will be made and this sort of extremist will be seen to be a spokesman for all traddies.

Some traditionalist critics of my blog has asked why I don’t write posts supporting traditionalist aims. I do. I have written much on necessity for beauty and solemnity in worship. My post on “what I say to my altar servers” has gone viral. My writings on traditional architecture, music and liturgy are widely read and appreciated. My alter ego Mantilla the Hon speaks up in a humorous and feisty way for traditionalist ideals. While I do not celebrate the Extraordinary Form, I’m pleased that permission is given for all to do so who wish to, and if there were a need in our town for me to serve traditionalists by saying the Latin Mass I would learn it happily.

Others critics have wondered why I don’t blast daffy dissenters and radical liberals. I do. My blog is a repository for regular posts lamenting lousy architecture, sappy music, sentimentalized Catholicism and shallow, empty headed progressivism.

To use “Mad Rad Trad” as a category for the extremist end of the traditionalist movement is not to throw stones at all traditionalists. In fact, it helps to defend, support and define the worthy traditionalist movement–the one which is made up of a majority of good, faithful, well intentioned Catholics who are helping the whole church in the “reform of the Reform” and are doing so with intelligence, wit, patience, obedience and faith.

If you are a traditionalist, then my advice is be a radical Catholic, but not a radical traditionalist. Love the traditional ways, support and promote them, but remember the bigger picture. The bigger picture is the whole mission of the Catholic Church. The whole mission of the Catholic Church is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to a needy world. The whole mission of the Catholic Church is to reach out to the needy with the love and healing ministry of Christ. The whole mission of the Catholic Church is to sanctify the people of God and lead us in the paths of holiness. The whole mission of the Catholic Church is to live lives filled with the Holy Spirit which testify to the power and grace and joy that comes from knowing Christ.

By all means be radical in these aims. Use the traditional teachings, devotions and liturgies of the church to do so. Reach out to the world and to other Catholics with joy and affirmation. The traditionalist movement is young and alive! Traditionalists have so much to share with the church, and they are doing so with great zeal, energy and faith. I say to traditionalists, don’t allow yourselves to be swept up into narrow minded little groups who point fingers of blame at everybody else. Don’t allow the angry or insane members of your group to speak for all.

Share the things you treasure with enthusiasm and do not be judgmental and condemnatory of other Catholics who for whatever reasons are not quite where you are. It’s okay to criticize abuse and wrong doing, but it’s also okay to leave them alone and accept them just as you wish to be left alone and accepted. Criticize abuse and wrong doing, but accept criticism when it comes your way. Your critic is often your best friend. Furthermore, if you expect other Catholics to listen to you and learn from you be prepared to listen to them and learn from them.  You may heartily dislike their ways of worship and truly believe they are wrong, wrong, wrong, but the Lord might have some things for you to learn from those Catholics who seem to be your enemy. Are you humble and open enough to listen and learn?

If you receive persecution from other Catholics or are treated unfairly from the hierarchy, respond with meekness and joy. Turn the other cheek. Show the true spirit of Christ that dwells in your hearts, for this is true and valid traditionalism: heart felt love for Jesus Christ and a true and joyful devotion to him as your King and Shepherd.

In my experience of traditionalists I have seen much more of this than the extremist rants and the sour self righteousness that I have criticized. That’s why for me the term “traditionalist” is a positive term, but why I will continue to use “rad trad” or “radical traditionalist” to denote those who do not represent the traditionalist movement well, and whose attitudes and actions lead to schism and strife.

Some Decent Stuff Being Spoken About by WYD RIO 2013

Hello Everyone.

So WYD is going on in Rio right now. I am not there as I chose to keep one week off the end of each summer month and to go on an Extraordinary Form Pilgrimage in Quebec called Marie De Reine.
While this is going on, I've seen already some things of concern, such as the Domus Sanctae or the main altar being previewed as some ultra modern spaceship thing, and apparently, some priest celebrated Mass with the LAITY con-celebrating with the priest at the Consecration. Sigh, there's always a few rotten apples who will use ANY reason to be lie-berals with the liturgy/the Church/doctrine/theology. Always has and always will be.

However, there are some good things going on. Right now I am tuned into the Salt and Light (or to some, Pepper and Darkness) website which has live stream coverage of certain events and speakers. I am listening to a bishop (he has a cape of sorts on too) speak on things as part of a Eucharistic Adoration session. By the time I tuned in, he spoke about:

• The Holy Eucharist in Adoration
• That the Church was borne despite scandal: Peter cutting off a slaves' ear, Judas' betrayal, even the abandonment of Jesus by most of the disciples at His crucifixion. Only John was there of the 12. 
• Addressed the fact that there has been scandal and things that have happened in the world that have made people doubt the Church.
• That the Church gives us many gifts, IT TAKES COURAGE, that the pilgrims will go forth from WYD to do the Work of the Lord.
• The missing of the "slap" from a Confirmation in his former diocese or parish in Sitka, Alaska, was asked by someone in attendance. On that note he went on about symbols, (e.g. Candles, incense ...), but made mention that they were symbols used within persecution/hiding in catacombs), and may be again symbols of persecution in future. Man that's a little bold for a "feel good Jesus-y" event to say to the youth. Guess he thinks these young people can handle some truth after all.
• When we gather for Eucharistic Adoration, Christ has called us to be the Disciples of today, and that we go forth, when we speak, we speak with clarity. When the moral voice is shared, it is shared with Charity. It is important we do all things with Love [The theological virtue of Charity].
• In the invitation to be here at WYD, Benedict XVI said ...: "The celebrated statue of Christ the Redeemer .... will be an eloquent symbol for us. Christ's open arms are a sign of .... immense love for each and every one of you. Let yourselves be drawn to Christ, along with the other young people .... accept Christ's love ...." (I didn't get all the words, I typed this as the bishop spoke).

In addition ... a number of my generation/JPII generation Priests, do attribute their vocations to WYD. Despite some goof-ups, maybe it's not all bad after all. Besides, a good portion of my Newman Center U of T friends are down there right now as pilgrims/volunteers! I know one of them is a Latin Mass attendee I've seen on occasion when I've gone to Holy Family in Parkdale, Toronto! I pray for their safety. Pray for the pilgrims, that they will be disciples for the Lord, and carry out the New Evangelization with courage.

Pax, Julian.

Reflection and a Highlight: Current Online Activity on Catholic "Trad" Blogosphere as of 19/07/2013

Hello Everyone,

There has been much activity going on in the "Trad" blogosphere as of late, and much commentary has been flying around with regards to a number of issues, all with a common thread. The issues are:

1) Criticism of a lay professor, Dr. Tracey Rowland from Australia, after she gave a speech on what from the perspective of the layperson, prevents others from attending the Latin Mass and why the Latin Mass should be valued. I currently posted a highlight from another blog who put the main points of her Sacra Liturgia 2013 lecture online, here.

2) Catholic Answers recently hosted a show called ``Radical Traditionalists``, which receive very heated action, likely from the very people the show was trying to address. They have since posted a reflection piece AND will be revisiting this topic in future on their ITunes Podcast radio show to give those people a chance to rebuttal or speak out on them.

3) I have noticed in and around my diocese, as of late, a lot of postings on the issue of sanctuaries and desecration thanks to concerts in the church body (including sanctuaries), coupled with modesty. Unfortunately, not all has been positive surrounding this discussion and the amount of posts are increasing in number as the days go by from the initial event that sparked all this.

4) That with (1) - (3), the central link binding all of these posts, seems to be, once again, the radical or reactionary replies by certain members of the traditionalist communities to all these events, and the refusal to stop giving stereotypical examples of what the church views Traditional Catholics as, via their actions.

I was going to go through these issues step by step, and really lay on things in a two-part post I initially created. However upon reflection, I have decided that it is better to be shorter about everything with some reflection and shorter commentary, and to pour my feelings/heart out a little.

On the first issue, the professor, whose main points from Sacra Liturgia Rome 2013, I highlighted here, states some barriers from the perspective of the average lay-person that are preventing them or intimidating them with regards to the Latin Mass. Some blogs have taken issue with what she said because it was perceived another attack on trads everywhere, or dismiss her concerns as hogwash. However, not all traditional blogs are agreeing with the attacking parties. Some are viewing the speech for what it's worth, such as this highlight I have indicated in the left side of my blog as a "Defender against Rad Trads", Mary Victrix. Please see this Holy Priest's commentary on the issue here.

On the second issue, while highlighting the radical traditionalist groups who express a willful disobedience from the Holy Mother Church a.k.a. "Rome", a number of people took to the caller lines and e-mails and fired off again, perceiving another "attack on the trads." Because of this, Catholic Answers now has identified another group amongst them, one who I have reflected upon here on occasion under different descriptors: The "Mad Trads" as they now call them. These Mad Trads are inside the canonical laws and legalities of the Church, as in they aren`t adherents of the radical societies e.g. SSPX, attending valid and licit diocesan Latin masses, and are defined by the following, anti-Catholic behaviours:
" ... if you accept the norms of the Second Vatican Council, to a Mad-Trad you’re a "Neo-Catholic," a misguided liberal; you know, like Mother Angelica and Blessed John Paul II. The main Mad-Trad hobbyhorse is strident resistance to the Second Vatican Council and all its pomps and all its works. The Catholic charismatic renewal is frequently singled out for tarring and feathering, despite (or because of?) strong papal support of that movement since the late '60s. Further, in addition to a strange attraction to conspiracy theories involving Jews and Masons, Mad-Trads tend invariably to reject the position of the Catholic Church regarding the 1984 consecration to Russia by Blessed Pope John Paul II as requested in 1917 by our Lady of Fatima. In the face of repeated affirmations by the Holy See to the contrary, Mad-Trads say that consecration didn’t “take” because her request was not fulfilled...."

Catholic Answers` reflection on the bombardment of hate mail and commentary is here. By the way, they are giving another chance for people to vent their criticisms in a second upcoming Catholic Answers Live radio broadcast, so they aren't being close minded.

Sadly, the third issue just won`t die. Not to mention I found another traditionalist blog, in another diocese outside but neighbouring Toronto`s, that has joined the fray on this issue. While I get the whole issue of sacredness of the Church, the loss of the concept from the public, and proper dress and decorum, the ``dead horse keeps getting kicked``, along with cries of non-repentance and continual persistence, even on events that have happened more than a year or so ago. The one that keeps getting touted was the cabaret concert in St. Michael`s cathedral with an ``Angelica.`` Worse, additional negative mention of the Archdiocese of Toronto and it`s office, and my Eminence, ++Collins, are also featured in one entry, because ++Collins mentioned to the youth at a pub night I attended at the Duke of York in Toronto, what exactly destroys Catholic discipleship: elitist, close minded communities who `take it upon themselves as their own magisteriums` [my words], and act as if they are more ``C``atholic than others. The link is further below in this posting.

This leads me to reflect and comment on the final tie in issue: More criticism, reluctance to accept feedback, and un-charity that has been expressed online from SOME elements of the ``Mad Trad``/radicals/whatever-you-want-to-call-them, etc.

What really sickens me, spiritually and to my heart, as someone who altar serves within the EF of the Roman Rite and is a part of these communities, is the sheer reluctance of these bloggers and other members of such communities, to truly listen to valid arguments and criticism, and to keep on mis-representing those who attend the EF or are "Traditionally Catholic". I am not the only one saying this. Fr Angelo at Mary Victrix, says this with regard to Prof. Rowland's video, but also encompasses what I've witnessed flying around the blogosphere in the past few weeks:

".... I would have suggested a fourth reason why there are people who might otherwise attend the EF who don not: 4) that the EF movement shows a habitual resistance to the most respectfully delivered critique, even when it comes from a sympathetic source. It seems to go largely unnoticed that Dr. Rowland is simply pointing out a fact that any fair-minded person with experience in the matter can verify.  There are a significant number of people who stay away from the EF, not because they have an aversion to the liturgical form of 1962, but for the reasons which Dr. Rowland mentions...."

For that matter, it seems that you cannot critique, or even say anything out of Catholic fraternal love at all to these types. All you seem to get at the end is more defiance, bitterness, and sharp and bitter rebuttals, laced with anger, with possible harassing phone calls, e-mails, even threats. Such reactionas are ironic. Often a time, the Conservative/Trad Catholics online, and in person, criticize liberals for having that same reaction when anything pre-Vatican II, proper theology, catechesis, etc. is presented to them. Yet, these online examples, show these Mad Trads as C.A. calls them, that they are over-reacting in destructive ways, no different from their `peers` on the left.

Worse, one post I read, even addressed issue 1) above, and in reply, it's the CATHOLIC LAITY who are to blame for not coming to the Latin Mass! Yes, it's their fault ENTIRELY for being resilient to the Latin Mass! Wow, that is just disappointing, and quite hurtful at first glance. I am sure that kind of deduction and mention will encourage many of the Novus Ordo people to come and explore such beautiful worship.

This above is not the proper approach to take to attract more Catholic to the Latin Mass. What we should be doing instead, is educating the people, and encourage them (and even go with them) to attend the Mass. That is why, at the very start of this blog, I created a Q and A posting, which you can find under my Latin Mass serving stuff at the right side page link of this blog. It's the Part 1 of the Q and A, but for your convenience, I've linked it here. Further, what ever happened to realizing that our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ are sinners, and weak as humans? We need to assist them in their spiritual journey, and help them come to the Lord. Even our own Lord told those who were seeking the Truth to simply, "Come and See," amongst other things in the Gospel.

And this brings me to the reflection portion of this post. Once again, my heart dips with sorrow and doubt at being part of the EF/Traditional Catholic community.

As a young Catholic, practicing male, I hate to wake up in the morning, encountering anywhere from every week to even daily, another EF blog criticizing another Catholic or wrong practice, without solid argumentation, reasoning, etc. because they do not fit the "profile" or desires of these Mad Trads. I hate to see yet more calls of defiance, stating I/we will continue to blog about this till kingdom come. How prideful!

I hate to continue to witness my archbishop, being criticized and assaulted when clearly he is better than most bishops that are in their positions in the Catholic Church, all because he rightly called out what he knows to be divisive elements in our Church working against the Body of Christ [See from 13:20 onward] and the Works of the Lord. And these elements do not just stay in the EF realm or the OF realm, but attack both areas of the Roman Rite. In fact, my bishop should NOT have to warn the young people to avoid these types. There should not be 'elitists' in the Catholic Church at all, even within our archdiocese. Sadly, he must .... he clearly knows about these bloggers' actions online and these groups, and the damage they do to the faithful.

++Collins also mentioned that he personally detests being an authoritarian, and only when needed, to bring his crosier down. He has only done it once. I shudder to think one day he might have to swing his "crosier down." I hope to God this does not happen because of the actions of a few. It would be a depressing blow for the Church and a great treasure would be lost to the archdiocese if the Latin Mass was banned from Toronto, or at least from its properties they take place in (a.k.a. the actual Churches, shrines, chapels, etc), and the Latin Mass is forced back to hotel conference rooms in secret, despite Summorum Pontificum and Ecclesiae Unitatem. By the time the letters would be written to Ecclesia Dei in Rome, it would be too late.

Personally, it saddens me to think what other young people are possibly thinking about the Latin Mass when they go exploring on the Internet in our diocese. We are the "wired" generations who use the "Google(TM) machine" as our first source of searchable info. When the main "spokespeople" for the EF with their blogs or their societies like the SSPX, outnumber voices like mine, what will they conclude? Will they want to explore the Latin Mass, or will they find those extremist voices and groups? Further, I hate doing this, but I now confess I have to tell my fellow friends, and warn them about, the said groups Collins refers to. I have to tell them to avoid certain EF offerings/ groups, or if they do go to them, only to go for the Latin Mass and to worship our Lord, but not get heavily involved to avoid all the politics and darkness. This sadly includes altar serving in those areas. I hate doing this, and harming the Latin Mass in any way, but I must protect those I care about and who care about me. I cannot in good conscience, allow for the loss of any more friends or allies to these elements in the Church, and possibly to the Devil's darkest sin of pride mixed with religious scrupulosity.

I tell you. One of these days, I would like to wake up to a day, even a week, where I see all the Latin Mass blogs talk about positive growth. I would love to see them not dishing it out on the latest target, what liturgical law or code they have broken (save those of the UTTER MOST NECESSITY e.g. pedophile priests, attacks on our Holy Father ...), and should commentary be done, that it is done in a firm, yet Charity-filled matter. I would love to see instead of Latin Mass groups, societies, bloggers, etc. attacking someone who discussed problems with the rite, suggesting solutions to the problems mentioned by those such as Prof. Rowland.

But for now, I guess like Christ, I will have to suffer more a the moment as one who partakes in the EF of the Roman Rite. Perhaps, everyone, would you say some extra prayers for the Latin Mass communities, for those who need to become more skilled at the ability of proper, Catholic, fraternal correction, and for those who are wrongly at the receiving end of such actions? Finally, also for our Holy Mother Church. It would be appreciated.

Sadly, but Pax tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

Interesting Wanderer Interview From an FSSP Priest Post 1988 Illegal SSPX Consecrations

Hello Everyone,

I added a blog to my blogger feed from someone who is a young adult male in the USA doing Latin Mass serving and made an entry or two about altar serving. The blog is "Real Roman Catholic."

Interestingly enough, the author found an old 1990`s article from a Traditional Catholic newspaper, the Wanderer, whereby an FSSP priest, Fr. John Emerson, was interviewed at the time of the Econe illegal consecrations of the SSPX that resulted in the formation of the Institute of the Pontifical Right, the Fraternal Society of St. Peter. The original article also says he studied at the Econe seminary pre-1988 consecrations and was ordained by (then validly AND LICIT) Archbishop Lefebvre in 1981. He then left the midst of Lefebvre/SSPX and joined the FSSP when it was formed.

This is quite an interesting article as it delves into the attitudes and mindset of the FSSP/SSPX and the noted differences. Of note, the biggest revelation I got from the article, is even then, Rome actually cares about the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Bonus: The rumour of Summorum Pontificum existed as far back as before the year 2000, under the pontificate of John Paul II!

The original article in PDF is here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2014278/WandererArticle_merged.pdf
Some possibly cleaner text, and the source blog is here:
http://realromancatholic.com/2013/07/14/fr-john-emerson-fssp-speaks-on-the-original-sspx-break-with-rome/

Enjoy the Reading! A great find indeed! Julian.

HIghlight: Lay Professor from Sacra Liturgia Rome 2013 Has all the Right Ideas about the Latin Mass!!!

Hello Everyone,

I found this after going down a rabbit hole. This comes from Fr. Ray Blake's blog here:

http://marymagdalen.blogspot.ca/

The article is the majority of the text from a lay-woman, a professor from Australia who discusses problems with spreading the Latin Mass and what we must to do increase positive spreading of it, as well as some of the theo-political factors as to why we had the Novus Ordo replace it (or at least the thinking behind it that lie-berals used to make radical change post Vatican II).
http://marymagdalen.blogspot.ca/2013/06/the-usus-antiquior-and-new.html

I am copying and pasting the full text here, because there are important things to be highlighted by yours truly. The boldfaced text should be considered highly important, and a wake-up call as to how to help the Latin Mass grow, and my commentary in the squared brackets.

“I want to argue that the usus antiquior is an antidote to the ruthless attacks on memory and tradition and high culture, typical of the culture of modernity, and that it satisfies the desire of the post-modern generations to be embedded within a coherent, non-fragmented tradition that is open to the transcendent.”

“The project of the 1960s generation was one of transposing a high sacral language into the vernacular of a low mundane culture, with the result that something sacred became more mundane, and when the sacred becomes mundane, it becomes boring.”
“In wrapping the faith in the forms of the contemporary culture and generally correlating the liturgy to the norms of the mass culture, the 1960s generation of pastoral strategists unwittingly fostered a crisis in liturgical theory and practice.”
“[The 1960s generation] dismantled a high Catholic culture by removing its cornerstone and they left subsequent generations of Catholics in a state of cultural poverty, confusion and boredom.”
“A Catholic who is ignorant of [the usus antiquior] is like a student who majors in English literature but is unfamiliar with Shakespeare.”
“It may be argued that [the] usus antiquior was the one thing that could bring the warring European tribes [of the 20th century] together.”
“[Benedict XVI] compared the pastoral strategy of bringing God down to the level of the people with the Hebrew’s worship of the golden calf and he described this practice as nothing less than a form of apostasy.”
“It would be a major advance if those responsible for liturgical decisions could at least get the message that modernity has not been fashionable since the 1960s.”
“Elements of Catholic culture which were suppressed by the 1960s generation of pastoral leaders are being rediscovered by younger Catholics who treat them like treasures found in their grandmother’s attic.” [That's so right! More and more, step by step, young people of my generation and the one below, are seeking out and wanting to go to the Latin Mass. Where there is a positive and supportive community with clergy and lay leaders who respect the Tradition, practices and teachings of the Catholic Faith, without spiritually damaging negativity and liturgical/theological politics, these communities are growing steady, even so much as to require larger worship spaces for their communities!!!]
“Catholics of the post-modern generations want to know how the Church looked, how the faith was practiced, when there was a coherent Catholic culture.”
“The whole structure of the usus antiquior engenders a deeper sense that there is a sacrifice, not a mere meal… There is really no greater antidote to secularism and what Pope Francis calls a ‘self-referential Christianity’ than a reflection on martyrdom and the sacrifice of Calvary and the Roman Canon sustains a person’s reflection on this reality.”
"In an era when globalisation is regarded as a good thing and governments spend millions of dollars of tax-payers’ money to keep alive the memory of minority languages and pre-modern social practices like Morris dancing, the Church should not be ashamed of her own cultural treasures.”
“The usus antiquior should be a standard element of the cultural capital of all Latin Rite Catholics since is so effectively resists secularism and satisfies the post-modern hunger for coherent order, beauty and an experience of self-transcendence.”
“I believe that the proponents of the usus antiquior are often their own worst enemies and foster practices and attitudes which deter many Catholics from attending Masses according to this Form.” [She is definitely hitting on something here. e.g. SSPX and other known proponents online for the Latin Mass ...]
“The obsession with dissecting every minute detail of the event is a symptom of what Joseph Ratzinger called the problem of aestheticism.”
“If pastoral pragmatism and its inherent philistinism is a problem at one end of the spectrum, aestheticism seems to be the problem at the other end of the spectrum.”
“Ordinary Catholics do not want to feel as though in attending the usus antiquior they are making a political stand against the Second Vatican Council.”
“The more [ordinary] people feel as though a whole raft of theo-political baggage comes with attendance at the usus antiquior Masses, the less likely they are to avail themselves of the opportunity to attend them.” [These stereotypes of Latin Mass communities and attendees must be broken by people on both sides! On the attendee side, those who partake in these communities must go in a spirit of joy and not in protest, and be cognoscente of those who are beginning to discover this Treasure of our Catholic Faith. On the other hand, the people who are coming over from outside the Church or from the Novus Ordo, must be willing to forsake the lies told to them by family, friends, and clergy, and enter with a clean slate while not being deterred from the few poor examples that do not represent the majority of Latin Mass goers.]
“To evangelise post-modern people [the Christian narrative] has to appear to be something starkly different from the secular culture they imbibe which is a culture parasitic upon the Christian tradition but completely decadent.” [Exactly! It must not be the same feel-good, self-centered goop that society has, just in a different venue (e.g. your "regular" Catholic parish), but also not be giving the same dark consequences of the culture (e.g. self-depreciation, horrible sins ...) It must be different and provide the joy, love, and hope that our Holy Fathers have been proclaiming about the Gospel, and tried their best to be examples of in their Papacies. It doesn't matter whether your parish is Novus Ordo or Latin Mass. This must be key in the hearts and minds of every lay member and clergy member of that parish.]

Pax, Julian.

Update on Current Rad Trad Situation in Archdiocese of Toronto: New Developments

Warning: as stated at the top of the ``Initial posting`` below, do not harass me or my friends, or the people mentioned in this posting. You will be listed for your harassment, the communications archived and unreleased, and my lawyer will be contacted. In other words, don`t try anything stupid. An no anonymous posters will be allowed.

Hello Everyone.

This is an update to the situation that is currently sweeping our diocese with some bloggers harassing a young startlet in Catholic entertainment.

The initial post I did to cover the shameful situation happening in our diocese was here:
http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2013/06/radtrads-once-again-stir-up-storm-of.html

I followed up yesterday with an appropriate, and (not???) coincidental highlight of a posting on Team Orthodoxy considering proper fraternal correction. The poster knew exactly what was right and wrong in these situations, with words from Holy Father Emeritus Benedict XVI and Scripture. The highlight posting is here: http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2013/06/highlight-not-coincidental-team.html

However, the in-fighting and the disgusting examples of these bloggers, and their close allies, continues. Some new developments have occurred:

1) A close ally of the first blogger in the initial covering post, decided to admonish the "sinners" of the sister, the starlet, and David Wang, using the sister's FB page when the sister posted a conversation in defense of her beloved family member. The ally incessantly continued to harass the family in both Facebook and messages to David Wang`s private email address(es?). The ally's manner of addressing the issue was no different than the first blogger, and highly uncharitable, lacking proper virtue. David Wang has now had to block the `warrior` of the first poster and is considering legal counsel. I, Julian of Servimus, also decided to contribute to the conversation and make known who these attackers are, as I know who this ally and the first blogger are.

At this time I will not elaborate here. All I will say is thank God I saw the light, and only took maybe a couple of sips of their brand of ``TruCath`` Kool-Aid and did not drink the whole glass.

2) The second blogger in the initial post, has made one today on decorum in churches, using the example of St. Peter`s Basilica in Rome. I know that this is related to these affairs currently happening in the Catholic blogosphere and Facebook. I do not disagree with the underlying message. In fact in my first posting, I said this with regard to the situation:

``.... 1) In a nutshell, yes, perhaps a little more clothing (e.g. a shawl or a super-lightweight long sleeve sweater) could have been worn, and the sandals/shoes kept on in the video for the sake of proper decorum. For that type of song, perhaps another venue could have been used or a soundstage/green-screen used to "mimic" a church with a disclaimer if needed. We as a whole, Catholic society, need to reclaim the sense of the sacred and that the Catholic Church is a "House of God." If concerts and the like must be done in a Church, may they adhere to Canon Law, Archdiocesan guidelines, and whatever other Vatican documents cover this topic. That is not to say people will intentionally ignore these laws, but as it seems, the artist and her team did go through lengths to secure permission with the proper authorities in the Church to do the video .... ``

However, it is not the underlying message. Were this posting done without the current events hanging around, it would have been credible and valid standing alone. However, because of the events, and what the second blogger has been doing to aid the first, this post is a passive-aggressive form of harassment online to ``shove it in the person`s`` face as it were. You can dress it in sugar and spice, but those of us following along, know it is facetiously nice.

I pray that through our Lord Jesus Christ, may the virtue of justice be restored here amongst all those who have been unfairly victimized, and the injustices committed in this situation by all parties involved, rectified by His Holy Will. May this rectification come about through prayer, repentance, sacrifices, etc. in whatever we can accomplish with His graces, and the rest from the Divine Power and Will of our Lord. Amen.

Pax, Julian.

Highlight: Not Coincidental, Team Orthdoxy Reflects on St. Peter and Paul and Fraternal Correction. Perfect in Light of the Recent RadTrad Stuff

Hello Everyone,

Well things have been are really heating up on Facebook and the Blogosphere with regard to my events spoken about in my posting here: http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2013/06/radtrads-once-again-stir-up-storm-of.html

So I decide to pull up my blogger feed today, and I get a fun read from Team Orthodoxy on today`s (Saturday Day, not vigil)`s Feast Day in both the Novus Ordo and the Extraordinary Form Calendars, The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

You may view the work of this team of young, Glad Trad, Soldiers for Christ here: http://orthodoxcatholicism.com/

One writer has reflected on the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, of which contains the topic of fraternal correction. On the topic, the poster writes in reflection of the Feast Day and readings:

``There is a rich tradition of admonishment in the Church beginning with Christ and the Apostles. The Church has, in her wisdom, included admonishment, also known an Fraternal Correction, to the list of the Spiritual Works of Mercy. This spiritual work, however, tends to fly in the face of the world’s standards. Sadly, the world’s standards have affected many of us, and so, like myself in the story above, we struggle with being corrected. The world encourages us to be our own measure of right and wrong, and so when someone corrects us, if we have even a small amount of the sin of pride, our defences go up and we want to fight or run the other way. Have we seen this in our own lives? How many of us tend to let things slide instead of dealing with our brother or sister in Christ? In Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Message for Lent in 2012, he spoke on this very fact stating that, “It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness.”

Those are some mighty words. Yes, many people, including your lukewarm ``c``atolic friends live life not as Catholics but as if they were secular atheists with a sprinkling of Jesus at Chrsitmas and Easter. Many will not correct their friends or family when it comes to moral and ethical issues, many of them usual being sexual stuff (e.g. contraception, abortion, homsexuality, etc.). Worse, as implied, society forces upon us the adoption of relativism, where you are ok and I am ok with our values as long as we do nothing. Tough beans. If you are a practicing Catholic, the world will hate you, and your very way of life is offensive to others.

Now some of you are likely thinking in the back of your minds `Yes I can chastise my hedonistic friends and liturgical violating idiots in my life!!!! NO WAY!!!! FRATERNAL CORRECTION IS NOT MEANT TO BE BULLYING, HARASSMENT, OR A LICENSE TO SLANDER AND DETRACT OTHERS. In fact, the author continues, knowing that the opposite extreme of vices exist:

`` .... There are those who use the concept of “Christian Admonishment”, and beat people into the ground with their words. This is not what Christian Admonishment is at all. Pope Emeritus ... said, “Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other.” If this is not the case, we need to shut our mouths. The bloggersphere is a breeding ground for unhealthy conversation and public humiliation. Our Blessed Lord, however, set the standard for how to deal with one another.  He states:

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matt 18:15-17).

Whoa! That is quite a lot. Unfortunately, there are but one too many examples of this happening daily in the Catholic Blogosphere, and sadly the bulk is done by a minority of self-governing authorities and bloggers who are the ``mouthpieces`` of Traditional Catholicism and the Latin Mass.  They embarrass us, and give our enemies in the world and the institutional Church good reason to hate anything Traditionally Catholic, believing in the lies of the ``Spirit of Vatican II.`` Over these past few days I have seen a number of anonymous bloggers with a few, notoriously known ringleaders in my Archdiocese rip apart a family involved in Catholic entertainment. Because David Wang, famous frontman of the Catholic rock band, Critical Mass, led the charge to defend a young female artist of the likes of Kathleen Dunn, Chris Bray, and others, the primary culprits who have refused to put the words of Scripture above and these messages of the Holy Father Emeritus to Heart, haved named all those who side with the artist, ``Wang`s Warriors``. (Though in honest credit, there is no racial slurs there in the statement, with the racial slur being the connection of someone being Asian and knowing martial arts. Rather this was just a moniker thrown at the young woman`s defenders).

The main point is: Fraternal Correction must be done with love for the person`s being and eternal salvation. When it is done out of a manner of liturgical, moral, etc. enforcement, it is done as a hateful control mechanism which debases the person`s dignity, a la Judge Frollo of the Disney Co. rendition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, or, as has been quoted by a couple of people, General Javert in Les Miserables (with Russell Crowe doing a marvelous job portraying the merciless and legal-obsessed captain in the recent remake). Further, one should logically, and rationally, do it in the manner dictated by Christ in his Gospels. That`s what a normal person does, going up the Chain of command. And yes, that does including trusting (to a certain extent) in Church authority in governing spiritual Matter. Ever heard of the Pastor, Bishop, Nuncio, then Vatican (Pope, congregations)???

Finally, the author of this post on Team Orthodoxy, leaves off with this:
"Catholic communities need to be built upon charity. This is obvious. You can really tell the spiritual maturity of a Catholic Community by how well the members bridle their tongue and speak in truth and charity. Our wonderful Pope Emeritus reminds us that, “the Lord’s disciples, united with him through the Eucharist, live in a fellowship that binds them one to another as members of a single body. This means that the other is part of me, and that his or her life, his or her salvation, concern my own life and salvation.” In the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis, Cain turned against Abel and killed him in cold blood. When God asked where Abel was after Cain murdered him, Cain responded, “I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?”(Genesis 4:9) "

So go spike the stats of Team Orthodoxy, and have a Happy and Holy Weekend. Go to Mass, especially the Extraordinary Form if you can attend in your diocese.

Pax, Julian.

RadTrads Once Again Stir up a Storm of Vitriol in Traddie Land and Harass a Family to Boot

BIG BOLDED WARNING!: I AM BEING THE MOST CURT I HAVE EVEN BEEN IN THIS POST, AND I KNOW "SPIES" WATCH MY BLOG AND HAVE SYMPATHY FOR RADICAL TRADITIONALIST GROUPS AND OTHERS WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER CONDUCT AS TRADITIONAL ROMAN CATHOLICS. SHOULD YOU REPORT BACK TO YOUR MASTERS AND YOU OR THEY, OR OTHERS INVOLVED, DARE TO SEND ME OR MY FRIENDS THREATENING E-MAILS OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS, I WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH SAID FRIENDS, AND ESPECIALLY MY LAWYER AND MAYBE THE POLICE! CAN'T REMAIN IN CONTROL? CLICK ON AND MOVE ON. ITS A "FREE" COUNTRY ON THE INTERNET. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY REQUESTS TO REMOVE MATERIAL. 

IN ADDITION, READ MY BLOG RULES ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE BEFORE POSTING. NO ANONYMOUS PEOPLE, AND IF YOU COMMITT THE CRIMES STATED, I WILL NAME YOU PUBLICALLY FOR YOUR INFRACTION, I WILL NOT POST YOUR COMMENT, AND IF IT IS BY EMAIL, IT WILL BE ARCHIVED AND A COPY SENT TO MY LAWYER.


Hello Everyone.

You just can't seem to escape Radical Traditionalism on the Internet. Just when you think that things calm down, another torrent of stereotypical Rad Trad problems affect the Body of Christ. This time, it decided to cross over into the Novus Ordo, in the harassment of a devout Catholic family involved in providing Catholic Christian Music.

On June 26, 2013, a certain blogger who has affiliations with the Extraordinary Form, decided that he had an issue with a certain music video of a young aspiring artist. The artist is rising up there with the likes of Kathleen Dunn of Dunn Media, Chris Bray, and David Wang and his Catholic band, Critical Mass.

After viewing the video, it was not enough for the blogger to discuss the loss of the sense of the sacredness of the sacred space of Catholic Churches and appropriate decorum and clothes, etc. There are ways to talk about such a topic with Catholic charity, and if needed, necessary fraternal correction, NOT EXCEEDING VIRTUE AND SPIRALLING INTO EMOTIONALLY ANGER AND VITRIOL.

The video in question is here. Blogger can`t find this video with the insert function, so use the link in purple.

 





Further, there were implications thrown around that the video was sexual in some scenes with a focus on the bare feet of the artist. In addition, one of the blogger's friends, who produced the video, became a target of said blogger's wrath. The sad irony in this, is that the producer made a video for the blogger about the beauty of Chant and the Latin Mass. This video is somewhere on the video network, Vimeo.

As the day went on, numerous ``allies`` of the blogger came to say, `Good job` to embarrassing and harassing the young woman publically on his internet blog for the sake of all things holy in the Church. There were valiant defenders who came to the woman`s aid over the past two days, even David Wang himself came out to support his fellow Catholic artist, but since then, those defense comments were removed from the blog and now, that blogger has put comment moderation on everything, with no anonymous comments, period. In past he has deleted comments he didn`t like and even taken down entire posts after confrontation online, so it`s no new thing. Plus I moderate my stuff anyways, knowing there`s people who don`t like me either right? .....

But that doesn`t stop there. The blogger, in continuing insistence, posted today, the 28th June, 2013, ``An Open Letter to ...`` the producer and David Wang, because they were in the wrong in this blogger`s eyes for their actions/defense, and not giving this blogger the time of day. If that was not enough, another blogger who goes under a pseudo-name, with a certain group of men who are EF supporting/Traditional Catholics, decided to support the first with his own posting. The posting starts out as a nice spiritual reflection on the hypocrisy of "c"atholics but turned into a slam fest on the Archdiocese for a concert at their Cathedral a year ago and then attacks the young artist once more.

Again, were these postings true and genuine in their approach, and the language appropriate of someone doing honest fraternal correction as Catholics, there would be no problem.

HOWEVER, once again, these individuals have taken it upon themselves in their actions, to embarrass and misrepresent the Extraordinary Form community. They have acted as elitists in their own power with no order or official mandate of the Church, who act as our Eminence ++ Collins put it in this talk to us young people at the Duke of York pub, starting at 13:10 at this video, as these ``purer Catholics``. In other words, these individuals and their supporters in their comments have functioned as Rad Trads. They have taken it upon themselves, to act as the Archdiocesan and worldwide Church liturgical police, who use detraction, slander, and calumny, to harass their `guilty parties`, which does not discriminate based on age, sex, creed, etc. Even their best friends are targets when they cause an infraction, and being an 18 year old devout Catholic female also does not protect you from their chastisements. Even certain clergy and offices (of the Archdiocese) are not immune to their attacks.

As the sole author of Servimus Unum Deum, of which my fourth major goal of this blog is, reposted from my about page:
``4) Because I am sick and tired of the insults thrown at Traditional/Latin Mass Catholics/practising Catholics: cold-hearted, nasty, radical, hypocritical, hyper-critical of clergy and other Catholics not in line with Traditional Catholicism or the EF Mass, etc. These stereotypes are lies and insults meant to slander and detract us, making us 2nd-class citizens in the Church, both by mis-educated and unwilling critics of the laity and clergy. What a social injustice!!! Even Pope Francis has called such actions (lies) the work of the Devil, under its more formal name: Slander. Our Holy Father has also told us that as Catholics we must be joyful and glad about our faith, without those "long-faces." Unfortunately, like all stereotypes, they are perpetuated by some select people and organizations. They tend to be the most "popular" mouthpieces that are active on the Internet and in dioceses, whether they are diocesan or canonically valid/invalid/in good standing as Catholics. They have provided poor examples to their fellow EF/Traditional or practising Catholics and further perpetuate the stereotypes mentioned above.

I, Julian, here with my blog, Servimus Unum Deum, hope to serve as a counter-example to those aforementioned examples, speaking with as much charity and proper fraternal correction as possible on such matters, though I will not hesitate to "call a spade a spade" when absolutely warranted. More importantly, may I and my blog serve to show that truly, most EF/Traditional Catholics are sinners who do their best to express faith, hope, and charity, while attempting to follow the Catholic faith in their fullness and put it in practice in their daily lives.

Major Messages:
Therefore, I will now say what is necessary on this matter which has caused damage to this young artist and her family, her producer, and has once again brought undeserved (for the majority,) shame and condemnation of the EF/Latin Mass/Solid and Orthodox Catholic Community.

1) In a nutshell, yes, perhaps a little more clothing (e.g. a shawl or a super-lightweight long sleeve sweater) could have been worn, and the sandals/shoes kept on in the video for the sake of proper decorum. For that type of song, perhaps another venue could have been used or a soundstage/green-screen used to "mimic" a church with a disclaimer if needed. We as a whole, Catholic society, need to reclaim the sense of the sacred and that the Catholic Church is a "House of God." If concerts and the like must be done in a Church, may they adhere to Canon Law, Archdiocesan guidelines, and whatever other Vatican documents cover this topic. That is not to say people will intentionally ignore these laws, but as it seems, the artist and her team did go through lengths to secure permission with the proper authorities in the Church to do the video.

2) However, in light of (1), the greater and more devious, even Satanic sins here were committed by members of, or who associate with the Extraordinary Form community. They have used their social media and communications to publically humiliate and harass the young artist and her family and the producer. This behaviour is stereotypical of Rad Trads, and IT IS PREPOSTEROUS!!! We are working so hard to help carry out Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's "reform of the reform" and the New Evangelization, and you go an ruin it with actions like this!!! And this is not your only occasion this has occurred! These bloggers also damage relations within the EF community in the Archdiocese of Toronto, and even criticise in a manner of insult and detraction the Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto on numerous occasions in a "We are more Catholic than you" manner. And you wonder why ++Collins has to tell the young people to watch out for types like this.

3) The only justice I can see here, would be the complete removal of the published postings on the blogs, and a formal, written apology by both bloggers, that is not general for the specific actions committed against the performer, her family, and her producer. That apology would need to remain permanent and fixed, unedited, and never deleted, for all time as long as those blogs stand.


There. I have spoken on this matter. The sad part is if they keep this up, they might just destroy the Latin Mass in my Archdiocese for good. They are not stupid and with this age of internet reporting, some people, perhaps those who had, or do associate with these individuals, will turn on them and do the same thing they are doing. And the rest of us will suffer in the politics of it all.

Why cannot we all just love one another as Christ loved us, and follow His example in the Gospels when matters of the soul absolutely had to be dealt with?

Pax Tibi Christ, Julian Barkin.

Update 0729pm
It seems that ties have been severed between the first blogger and producer of the young artist`s video. It`s a shame really. It`s as if there is no such thing as philios or the love of friendship anymore, not even in Traditional Catholicism.

Sad, but Not Unexpected .... SSPX Continues to Swell up With Pride and Closes Further Discussion with Vatican

Hello Everyone.

This just popped up in my blog feed thanks to Deacon Greg Kandra's blog:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/traditionalists-announce-definitive-break-with-catholic-church/

These paragraph say it all, which describe part of their main message on the 25th anniversary of their "ordinations":

"The traditionalist bishops announce that, in practice, the dialogue with the Vatican is over and that from now on, they will wait “either when Rome returns to Tradition and to the Faith of all time – which would re-establish order in the Church.”

Or, “when she explicitly acknowledges our right to profess integrally the Faith and to reject the errors which oppose it, with the right and the duty for us to oppose publicly the errors and the proponents of these errors, whoever they may be – which would allow the beginning of a re-establishing of order.”

Meanwhile “we persevere in the defense of Catholic Tradition and our hope remains entire,” the statement concludes."

Well, based on their actions throughout the whole thing, and Fellay's 360 degree turn around to becoming super RadTrad once again to keep the organization "together", I am not surprized they would puff up with pride again and reject Holy Mother Church once more.

When will these people and others in the Church get it? When you are not in union with "Rome" or the Church, you cannot truly do the full works of the Lord and bring salvation to others. This is especially true in their sacraments. They STILL AND NOW HAVE, Only one possible sacrament in the Eucharist as they have Valid, but ILLICIT priests (which is highly controversial), and all their other sacraments are fakes and have no validity as the SSPX does not operate under their diocesan ordinaries in the world (save rumoured and extremely rare cases).

Shame. Absolute same. The world is becoming a more hellish place, Catholicism is being eroded by all forces at the orchestration of Satan, and these guys have such planks in their eyes to help us spiritually fight evil and help restore traditional Catholic worship and practice, and save souls.

Nice going guys. Satan is truly laughing downstairs in the last layer of hell.

Oh well, pax.

Pope Francis' latest Words: Questions and Concerns and Truth All in One. Pure Truth, or a Possible Pattern?

Hello Everyone.

BIG BOLDED WARNING!: I AM BEING CURT IN THIS POST, AND I KNOW "SPIES" WATCH MY BLOG AND HAVE SYMPATHY FOR RADICAL TRADITIONALIST GROUPS. SHOULD YOU REPORT BACK TO YOUR MASTERS AND YOU OR THEY, OR OTHERS INVOLVED, DARE TO SEND ME OR MY FRIENDS THREATENING E-MAILS OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS, I WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THEM AND MY LAWYER AND MAYBE THE POLICE! CAN'T REMAIN IN CONTROL? CLICK ON AND MOVE ON. ITS A "FREE" COUNTRY ON THE INTERNET. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY REQUESTS TO REMOVE MATERIAL. 

I am going to be open, and frank in this post, so the warning was needed.

So once again, as per usual, the Pope gave a nice Fervorino in the Daily Mass he holds in the Sancta Maria chapel in the Vatican. Today's theme: Prudence with Words. Today's Fervorino comes to us from the primary (but secondary) source that is Vatican Radio. Find the summary Here: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/06/13/pope_at_mass:_the_grace_not_to_speak_ill_of_others/en1-701107

Some of you who have come to my blog may have seen my last post and I applauded the Holy Father's gusto to tackle both the RadTrads and the Lie-beral facets (slash self-serving New Agey facets hiding in the institutional) Church. Both serve the Church poorly and provide hypocritical examples of what it means to be a solid, Orthodox, and Traditional Catholic (or rather what it is NOT). However, with today's newest Fervorino, I wonder if there is a pattern brewing and perhaps, a little bias? I feel like this Fervorino combined with my last post is a double edged sword.

I'll be looking at the full text here and putting in my analysis/opinion of today's text with concerns. Good stuff will be bold-faced. The underlined commentary is where I am placing my concern.

Pope at Mass: The grace not to speak ill of others 

(Vatican Radio) May the Lord grant us the grace to watch our tongues and be careful of what we say of others, because through our weakness and sin, we often find it easier to insult and denigrate than say or do good. This was the lesson at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily Thursday morning at Mass, which he celebrated in his native Spanish. Greeting the men and women who work at Argentina’s embassies and consulates to Italy and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization in Rome, Pope Francis noted “It’s the first time I have celebrated Mass in Spanish since February 26th!, adding “it feels good!”. Emer McCarthy reports: RealAudioMP3 

As is tradition, Pope Francis’ homily was inspired by the Gospel of the day, in particular Christ’s words to his disciples "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven." 

Nice! What is the Gospel for Today's Novus Ordo?

Matthew 5:20-26 (NRSV-CE)

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven

21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgement ' 

22 but I say to you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says 'You fool! shall be liable to the hell of fire. 

23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 

24 leave your gift there before the altar and go first to be reconciled to your bother, and then come and offer your gift. 

25 Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; 

26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny."

Uh, wow. There is some serious stuff going on here. Look I may not be part of the Magisterium as a young adult male lay Catholic, but Jesus is really getting down to business here even on the surface:

1) Don't be like the Pharisees, who put the law verbatim and strict observance it to the point of forsaking the works part of faith (like in James Ch. 2). This general point is repeated many times in various situations including interacting with the Jewish authorities themselves.

2) Gossip, slander, detraction, etc. Falls under the 5th commandment of "You Shall Not Kill", and that is serious business as we usually understand killing to be murder. Will expand a bit below .....

3) Direct insult = Fires of Hell????? I'm going to expand on this one below, with number 2 .....

Clearly, this is a Gospel chock full of serious business from our Lord Jesus. Some might think that just because you use words and do not thrust an implement or use a firearm, that this isn't "killing" the person, but  I disagree with those sentiments, and truly, to think that is against the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ as outlined here in this very Gospel. 

Practical example will illustrate this. Do any you remember this recent suicide last year? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_of_Amanda_Todd/ Amanda was a teenager in British Columbia, Canada, who was bullied TO THE POINT OF SUICIDE! The nutshell story: In grade 7 while making "friends" on the Internet, she was foolish enough to show a picture of her naked breasts to an online "boy-friend" and unfortunately, this guy tried to blackmail her to do a "show" or he would release these photos to her friends. Now, the threat in a sense is stupid because unless you are a pro/semi-genius hacker or are part of her school community and know her friends, this is an idle threat. 2 years and another school later, the photos resurfaced on the Internet. This act of cyber-bullying resulted in "... anxiety, depression, and panic disorder due to the experience. Her family moved to a new home, where Todd later stated that she began using drugs and alcohol." Moving to a new school didn't help. She became bullied now physically by other girls in her school and failed at a suicide attempt where she downed bleach. To make matters worse, she was once again cyber-bullied online that she should have succeeded at her attempt. She did, sadly eventually, commit suicide. Worse, even after her death, "trolls" on the Internet still insulted her post-mortem. 

What's my take home message? Bullying, harassment, slander, and detraction is RIGHTFULLY GROUPED UNDER THE 5TH COMMANDMENT, as it kills the person. Such constant actions eventually can, and likely will, lead that person to commit sins to themselves, or others. How many a time, especially in the USA have boys (and possibly girls, soon if not now?) have gone on killing sprees with the weapons? Hear of Harris and Klebold, the Columbine Massacre, in the 90's? One or both of them were bullied and retreated to violent video games, and eventually, a massacre of their classmates. 

And even if these people do not "die" by suicide or become murderers themselves, the psychological/mental and possible physical damage dealt will last for one's life, even with proper psychological counselling. THEY MAY NEVER RECOVER AND LEAD LESS PRODUCTIVE LIVES, were they not to have been bullied and supported by their peers and their adult role models. 

Now, about directly insulting a person = Fires of Hell? Well look above. There's more than one way to get a person to die, whether it is by their own hand or by yours. In addition, for those who take their own life by your bullying, it can take the form of some of the 9 ways to being an accessory to another's sin: By counsel  and by command (as in Amanda Todd's case, doing the bleach thing again), BY PROVOCATION!!!, and for those adults who fail to assist the bullied in Schools (and unionized boards), by defense of the ill done. The other ways, FYI, are: by consent, by praise or flattery, by concealment, by partaking, and by silence. 

Finally, the Pope Himself in a Fervorino/Homily last month himself calls out these nefarious acts himself: "Calumny ... is worse than sin - it is the direct expression of Satan." That's right, the Pope has declared purposeful lying to destroy one's being an act of Satan. Not surprising  considering it's a violation of the commandment. Regardless what way it is approached, OT or New Testament, it's bloody serious. Finally, let's continue .....

The Pope noted how this Gospel follows the Gospel of the Beatitudes and Jesus promise that He had not come to dissolve the law but to fulfill it. Pope Francis said that Christ wants “reform in continuity: from the [planting of the ] seed up to the fruit”.

Pope Francis warned that anyone who "enters Christian life" will have “greater demands made of them than others" and not “greater advantages". He said Jesus mentions some of these demands, in particular the problem of “bad relations among brethren". If our heart harbors “bad feelings” towards our brothers, the Pope said, "something is not working and we must convert, we must change." Pope Francis noted that "anger towards a brother is an insult, it’s something almost deathly ", "it kills him." He then observed that, especially in the Latin tradition, there is a "wonderful creativity" in inventing epithets. But, he cautioned, "when this epithet is friendly this is fine, the problem is when there is another kind of epithet”, when the "mechanism of insult" comes into play, which is "a form of denigration of others." 

Once again, the Pope is stressing that being Catholic is much more than just showing up Christmas and Easter. One of his most recent Fervorinos a week or two ago also covered this same important point. Just because we are Catholic, should not be giving us a superiority complex. 

It is good and proper, and not prideful, to know that the Catholic Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic, and through Jesus Christ as he dictated in the Gospel`s He is the Truth and the Light, the Way to Salvation in the fullest completion of what was given to our Jewish brethen. What he is most likely speaking out against are those lukewarm `c`atholics, Those who just go to Mass at Christmas and Easter, or just weekly, and do nothing else to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. 

In addition, just being Catholic does not give us the Golden Ticket to heaven. Other passages in the Bible have proven, as well as the Catechism`s doctrines on Mortal Sin, that we can loose this path to salvation, that is our Sanctifying Grace. To believe such is heresy of "once saved/baptized is always saved", is also called `Predestination`. Not to mention common-sense wise it`s a foolish belief. Take that oh-so famous example of Hitler. If he was Christian, or let's make him Christian`` and got Baptized with the Trinitarian Formula, and did the Holocaust, he still goes to Heaven??? Most people with common sense would say "No. After that mass genocide he deserves it? HECK NO!!!" Now replace Hitler with any other Christian or Catholic. Now as for the lukewarm "c"atholics who are just "nice?" Check out the Book of Revelation. Yes, it's an official book of the Bible, and despite the whole "it was just about the Church's early history", it's still the Word of God as Scripture. 

As for that next bold-faced comment, didn't I say earlier that you don't need to directly be the wielder of a weapon to kill a person? Well the Pope beat me to it. Even he says that words can kill a person, if not directly, it kills them eventually via psychological trauma. It kills their souls. 

I'll tackle the underlined issue separately in its own section. 

“Y no hace falta ir al psicologo...”

Pope Francis continued: “There is no need to go to a psychologist to know that when we denigrates another person it is because we are unable to grow up and need to belittle others, to feel more important." This, he said, is "an ugly mechanism". Jesus, "with all the simplicity says: "Do not speak ill of one another. Do not denigrate one another. Do not belittle one another”. The Pope noted, "in the end we are all travelling on the same road", "we are all travelling on that road that will take us to the very end." Therefore "if we do not choose a fraternal path, it will end badly, for the person who insults and the insulted". The Pope noted that "if we are not able to keep our tongues in check, we lose”. “Natural aggression, that of Cain toward Abel, repeats itself throughout history." Pope Francis observed that it is not that we are bad, rather "we are weak and sinners." That's why it is "much easier", to "resolve a situation with an insult, with slander, defamation instead of resolving it with good means".

The bold-faced line that the Pope is saying, has been discussed so much that it is now commonplace knowledge. A good portion of the reasoning behind bullying is to make yourself feel superior in your life when one is not inferior. It gives you power over another individual and makes you feel "good". Really? is there anything positive from it? Joy, Happiness, Gratitude? No. Just anger, maybe envy, and even short-term self satisfaction. Further, bullies who will do it long term, might just end up on the repeat end of the stick someday when a "bigger" bully comes along, be it the law (police, lawsuit, etc.) or someone physically bigger who will be more than happy to actually kill you, or in the case of the Columbine shooting, buy munitions and firearms to the tune of "We're not gonna take it, anymore!" Further, would you, embracing this lifestyle, like to be with other people who because of your actions, or share your modus operandi, want to always be looking over your shoulder as to who will be your downfall in your career or physically? The expression here is "you live by the sword, you die by the sword," whether that sword is physical or not. 

As for the 2nd boldfaced comment, I really enjoy that line. It is so true. We humans are weak and are sinners in His Holy church. We should be taking the high road and striving to holiness (sainthood), but oh how we often fail! He is so right? It is much easier to use sins to solve a problem or quell a bad feeling/fear. Why should we help a person who just might do something better than I or get more fame or fortune or good things than I (ENVY!) when I can do calumny and slander and detract from his character, make him afraid, and get rid of the roadblock to MY progress? Why help him? He'll be better than me!

“Yo quisiera pedir al Señor que...”

Pope Francis concluded: “I would ask the Lord to give us all the grace to watch our tongues, to watch what we say about others." “It is a small penance - he added - but it bears a lot of fruit." "Sometimes, we go hungry and think, ‘What a pity I didn’t taste the fruit of a tasty comment against another person." But, he said, "that hunger bears fruit in the long run is good for us." That's why we ask the Lord for this grace: to adapt our lives "to this new law, which is the law of meekness, the law of love, the law of peace, and at least 'prune' our tongues a little, ‘prune’ the comments that we make of others and outbursts that lead us to an easy anger or insult. May the Lord grant us all this grace".

MY CONCERN

What our Holy Father is saying Correctly in this Statement

I will start with this last underlined and bold-faced comment, and lead into my concern, which might be unfounded or simply stupid temptations from the Devil, but might be concerning for those of us who embark on the road of Traditional Catholicism. 

The last bold-faced comment here greatly summarized the fervorino, and therefore, the main message of the homily today. We should definitely be pruning our tongues about others in anger, or insult, whether it is rightly justified or not. This is something I wholeheartedly agree with, and we should all be too, those of us who embark on Traditional Catholicism. 

I agree with our Holy Father on what he has said in this regard: One of the most unfortunate barriers that still floats around Traditional Catholic circles, are these sad sins of gossip, calumny, and detraction. The targets are many: "Novus Ordo" Catholics, bishops, cardinals, even average lay people. Regardless of the target, this is one of the unfortunate stereotypes that get slapped onto us as Traditional (or Traditional-supporting)

Catholics. Most of this is ill-willed, but sadly, there are still some of those who perpetuate these stereotypes. And unfortunately, these stereotypes are the ones that are carrying the most "weight" on the Traditional Catholic Blogosphere." Those ones, are the postings and examples, that get noticed by most Catholics and the hierarchy in the institutional Church. 

One example was the Society of St. Pius X, when their "superior" Fellay Came to Canada, administered sacramentally INVALID AND ILLICIT confirmations to those in the Toronto Chapel, and further, made a speech which featured anti-Semitic remarks. While there was clarification from their end, anyone who has seen the history of the SSPX has known that such things have gone hand in hand, and that kicking Wilson out of the group was to "save face". Other examples have not come from the society, but rather other "Traditional" blogs. Some of them, allow extreme anti-clerical or anti-Vatican II viewpoints. Others lightly, or directly, insult members of the (Arch/)diocesan chanceries and not in a charitable "spiritual"-with-valid -concern type of manner either. 

Sadly, it is these actions that are reaching the ears and eyes of the higher members of Church hierarchy besides pastors of parishes. And you wonder why they are reluctant to let the EF grow and why it only gives parish pastors credence to disallow celebration of the EF, even just their spaces for valid and licit diocesan worship! And parish priests talk with each other too you know. All it takes is some RadTrad's actions in person or online to reach the ears of a parish priest, whether it`s their own ears or by ``gossip`` and then they cower to the stereotype thinking "All Trads are Bad. Novus Ordo Good." When other clergy or EF groups inside their parish or outside, ask kindly for their parishes to hold Latin Masses (NOT EVEN FOR THEIR DIRECT HELP OR THEIR SERVERS TO BE PART OF THE MASS), those priests will kick out ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH TRADITIONAL CATHOLICISM thanks to the bad example of our peers who ignored the words of our Holy Father. 

This is why I side with the Pope of this one, mostly. In addition, I myself, in my journey in the EF Rite, have also seen this first hand and experienced the consequences of these bad examples. In a way I am thankful that the Lord opened my eyes, and made me realize that there is a proper and Gospel-appropriate way to go about Traditional Catholicism, and that He has shown me why such criticism is lobbied at us for our honest love for the Extraordinary Form. Now in case you want to know my personal stuff ..... NO! Out of respect for the EF community in general, I am not going to use my blog as a soapbox for that stuff. That is only for private ears whom I feel can handle my personal experience and I trust not to be calumnous or detracting themselves with such information. Critical exceptions will only be made, should I need to (1) legally defend myself or my allies against calumnous action with legal counsel (e.g. as a defendant or witness in a lawsuit or against criminal charges), should someone engage in abusing the legal system as a weapon for personal gain, and (2) Necessary calling out of spiritual and moral evil for the sake of souls. Such an instance of proclamation of sins for the benefit of souls should only be a last resort when secular channels of authority AND the princes of our Church fail to listen to reason and even commit accessory to sin by concealment, silence, and defense of the ill done. An example of necessary calling out of moral/spiritual evil for the sake of the souls of the faithful, is Fr. Matthew Despard's tell all e-book about homosexuality plaguing seminaries in Scotland, the co-working of the institutional Church hierarchy to work against proper catechesis of the souls of the faithful, and the DE-recruitment of true and honest soldiers for Christ in his Church (and consequently, the promoted recruitment of potential teen boy rapists (ephebophiles) into normal parish life and the hierarchy). Clearly such action was necessary, and led to Pope Francis beginning investigation into the matters, as well as no new bishops being elected to sees in the the country. In fact, the very diocese Fr. Despard works in (Motherwell), is now vacant as the bishop tendered his resignation (no doubt due to the work of Fr. Despard). 

However .....

What I fear is possibly, going on or being now frequently expressed in the Holy Father's homilies/audiences, etc.

It is exactly what I have described above which is starting to become a concern in my mind as a young adult, EF-supporting (and altar serving) male in the Catholic Church. 

Perhaps you remember my last posting about Pope Francis from the private audience with members of some group. I got a couple of comments too. In this posting, I titled it that Pope Francis has his head screwed on right. When I wrote this, I was correct in saying that he will not bend to the far right of Traditional Catholicism (e.g SSPX, SSPV, Rad Trads) nor give into radical Liberalism, as has been noted in his history prior to becoming Pope Francis (e.g. rejected liberal theology as a Jesuit and got ostracized by others in his order.). However, while we should be thankful for his doctrinal and dogmatic conservatism (which must be true of the Church, else the dogma of Infallibility is false and so is the Church) and his stance against hard-line extremes of the Church, I can't help but notice a repeat pattern between my last post and some of his fervorinos. I once again highlight the part where it concerns RadTrads:

"I share with you two concerns. One is the Pelagian current that there is in the Church at this moment. There are some restorationist groups. I know some, it fell upon me to receive them in Buenos Aires. And one feels as if one goes back 60 years! Before the Council... One feels in 1940... An anecdote, just to illustrate this, it is not to laugh at it, I took it with respect, but it concerns me; when I was elected, I received a letter from one of these groups, and they said: "Your Holiness, we offer you this spiritual treasure: 3,525 rosaries." Why don't they say, 'we pray for you, we ask...', but this thing of counting... And these groups return to practices and to disciplines that I lived through - not you, because you are not old - to disciplines, to things that in that moment took place, but not now, they do not exist today..."

Personally, I think this practice is ridiculous as a whole. Perhaps if it is needed to teach a young child routine for practicing prayer and establishing good behaviour (practices most adults lack with regard to junk food, exercise, etc.), then maybe for a young child to a certain point. Even so, a family or two-person rosary at a set time, like before bed, can also achieve the same end without the means of the treasure sheet. But this trend is tied into Radical Traditionalism and IS practiced in these groups, as I linked to in my post. Now, I boldfaced this part in the above citation because it tells us that the Pope has had to deal with Radical Traditionalism as a whole in his prior experience. Further, I wouldn't be surprised if he has read the briefs from Ecclesia Dei dealing with the SSPX negotiations to get caught up on the matter. However, let's tie that boldfaced comment into what I have underlined here: 

".... He then observed that, especially in the Latin tradition, there is a "wonderful creativity" in inventing epithets. But, he cautioned, "when this epithet is friendly this is fine, the problem is when there is another kind of epithet”, when the "mechanism of insult" comes into play, which is "a form of denigration of others ...." 

"... the law of peace, and at least 'prune' our tongues a little, ‘prune’ the comments that we make of others and outbursts that lead us to an easy anger or insult. May the Lord grant us all this grace".

Notice that it is mentioned the "Latin" tradition, not the Byzantine or the Maronite .... no, it is the Latin Tradition with its two forms. Further, the epithet comments, are, sadly, the very behaviour I have discussed above that has been prominent amongst RadTrads, whether it is light or directly blunt. Again: While it is valid, and even under canon law, for the faithful (and clergy like Fr. Despard) to speak against moral evils damaging the souls of the faithful, especially when all proper channels have been exhausted for whatever reasons, not every post or comment or behaviour has been proper in this way, and unfortunately, gives credence for the Holy Father and clergy to (misguidedly, but correctly in a certain sense thanks to a few outspoken members,) slap on the stereoptype for those of us who partake in the EF. 

When we combine the audience quote in red, the underlined above, AND other messages from the Holy Father in his fervorinos, his Jesuit education (and generally, the modern Jesuits do not care much for the liturgy as other things in their charism or orders' focus), AND his dealings with traditionalist groups in the red bolded portion, one has to wonder if sadly ... because of the actions of the few .... the Pope is caving into the stereotype of the Rad Trad when it comes to those involved with the EF. 

Now look, he does not totally hate us. In fact, one of my earlier posts shows here that he will not overturn Summorum Pontificum. Clearly, he knows that generally the faithful who partake in the EF are not all RadTrads. Still, common themes plus history seem to be giving us not good signs. I don't want to be paranoid, but one cannot be blind and just "pay, pray, and obey". Look where that has gotten us in terms of Catechesis in education. I am worried in a certain sense, and I am not the only one in the EF community who shares valid and proper concern. Perhaps we all have gotten too comfy and spoiled with Benedict Emeritus XVI, and to paraphrase Fr. Zuhlsdorf with regard to expanding the EF, it's time to take the training wheels of the bike and get peddling! With or without the Holy Father's examples or not. 

Concluding Remarks

I guess what I can say about this, in the end, is that what he is saying is powerful in his fervorinos. Many of these messages ring true for all Catholics and clearly he's no spiritual wimp! However, I would hope that because of the actions of a few, or those voices in public that misrepresent those who partake and aid in the EF, he is not harbouring sentiments against us. As people, sometimes we let those emotional sentiments or thoughts slip in our communication and behavior. If more fervorinos and homilies come out like this, this will make me highly concerned for the Latin Mass. With Benedict, we had a great strength in that he was leading by example with regard to traditional Catholic liturgy and the EF. If this becomes a trend for our Holy Father, it will become much more difficult to promote traditional liturgy with the EF, or even generally in the Latin Rite. 

If I could sit down with our Holy Father for 5-10 minutes, here's what I'd say regarding all this:"

Your Holiness, Thank you for having an audience with me, A young Male Catholic. I want to discuss with you about your powerful fervorinos and also, something of concern to me, as a partaker and altar server in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. What you are preaching in your "Fervorinos" in the Sancta Maria are excellent! You are really not afraid to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord never encouraged those who followed him to "play nice" and He knew His very Way to Salvation (and our choice to TRULY follow Him) would be like the very sword of division described in the Gospel of Matthew. Please keep doing that, but with a caution I must discuss.

I understand that in your prior history as Cardinal Bergoglio, before your Papacy, you had to deal with "RadTrads" and/or Traditional Catholics. Not all of us, Father, have been true to the example of the Gospel. Even myself at times, have acted like the Pharisees, and sadly, it is those who have not acted as true Traditional Catholics, who have been like "a noisy gong." It is these examples in person and on the Internet that have embarrassed those of us who partake in this form of the Rite, and as a consequence, have resulted in much opposition from priests, bishops, and even our own family and friends. 

Your Holiness. I apologize on behalf of those who have exhibited the stereotype behaviours that "liberals" accuse us of, and make people fear the EF and Traditional Catholicism. However your Holiness, please do not let these poor examples cloud your preaching and vision for the Church. The EF and those of us who are within it, are in majority among your loving and great servants to Holy Mother Church. Yes, there are Novus Ordo Catholics who are faithful servants to the Lord and the Church, but it cannot be denied that the EF and those of us in it are heralds of the Gospel and vital to the New Evangelization! And the Young People! We are becoming curious to this form of the Roman Rite not given to us in our childhoods and want to discover  this "Hidden Treasure" as St. Leonard's self-titled book calls it! Even my friends are coming to these masses. Young people like myself!

When you use certain words and phrases, even to describe a certain sin or general behaviour in your preaching and your discussions with others, and it goes on the Internet, we find out, and it hurts us. When the wrong words are chosen, they will be used by our enemies to paint us with a "Scarlett Letter" and for even good-hearted Catholics to shun us, just because of the example of a few. 

If you truly are hurt deep down because of some of our actions, again, I apologize, and like the Fervorino you made on June 13, here I come to apologize to you, my brother, leaving my gift at the altar, on behalf of us. But please, do work with us, with, others, with our Lord Jesus and let those hurts be healed!

Please your Holiness, please help us. We are just as vital and as important to the Church as the other Catholic in other rites and the Novus Ordo too! We truly love you and will serve Holy Mother Church. Please, do try your absolute best, to be cautionary with your words, and not to give our enemies the fuel that will smear us more, and even, commit the very murderous act of calumny, the work of the Devil, in vilifying us. You said it yourself. Please Holy Father, help us. 

Everyone, please pray for our Holy Father, and if you partake in the EF community, please do your best to be the light of the world, and the salt of the earth, and work to ensure that it is the truth about us that is prominent, and not the sins or poor examples of certain members. 

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian. 

P.S. Do you think that I am off my rocker or that there is some valid concern here? Any evidence to support or deny what I have said? I will encourage valid commentary and discussion IF you have at least a pseudo-name blogger or other profile (no anonymous postings), but as per my bold warning, don't try anything calumnous or detracting.

P.P.S. Um, I kind of feel like I am speaking in the manner of the Holy Father above. Is he having an influence on me? Or am I channeling what I read once, that to help people listen to you, speak in a similar manner (without mockery) and thought pattern like them, but keeping your message solid?