A priest friend sent me a copy of his diocesan newspaper in which he had highlighted a particular article concerning a Mass celebrated by the Bishop for catechists. After Holy Communion there was a quiet reading of the following meditation. Put on your best soothing voice...
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE EUCHARISTBut Father! You are being horrible and facetious about a booootiful meditation. Well no, actually, I'm deadly serious here. The reference to child abuse was not just a gratuitous swipe. One question that tormented Cardinal Ratzinger when the files came streaming across his desk was how these men could do such things and then go out and say Mass next day as if they were in a state of grace. The answer lies at least in part in this kind of spirichooaliddy in which God loves us all unconditionally, we are all weak and broken wounded healers, everything is grace, all sin is forgiven; and don't you dare mention mortal sin or the possibility of eternal damnation. For a comprehensive study of the link between the clergy scandals and the loss of traditional ascetical theology and practice, see the book After Asceticism which I reviewed for Faith Magazine a couple of years ago.
It could be said that the bits and pieces of each day’s jigsaw puzzle are put together at the altar; [well, it could, I suppose] that the separate, often discordant notes of a day in our life are fused into one flowing symphony; [this is the "Woman's Weekly" spirituality that goes some way to explain the absence of young male Catholics in the Church, something James Preece rightly points out regularly] that the hurts, fears and betrayals of our lives are all held and embraced [yes, that "holding and embracing God" who hugs you and rubs your back, buys you flowers, goes clothes shopping with you and will chat for hours on the phone sympathising with all your complaints about the men in your life] in this ritual of bread and wine; [Nooo! These people are catechists?] that the Eucharist creates stories and poems out of the mixed-up alphabet of the lies, the promises, the failures that happen during life; [one good poem related to our lies and failures is the "Dies Irae". There is a good running commentary going at the moment at Libera Me] that the scattered beads of our broken vows are again refashioned into a new rosary of pearls; [Just like that?] that, at Mass we are astonished at the nearness of a God who comes to us disguised as our emotions, our bodies and our needy lives. [And there was I, foolishly thinking that it was going to say that God was disguised under the appearances of bread and wine] The Eucharist guarantees that every relationship is sacred; [Seriously - every relationship? Adulterous ones? Child abusing ones?] that no bitter tear or heartfelt wish is ever wasted; that nothing is ‘merely’ human any more; [That's the key - Rahner-lite - "everything is grace"] that no sin is ever left unredeemed; [Yep, more of the same - "all sin is forgiven". Except it's not - until you repent] that nothing is lost; [God does not will anyone to be lost. But Jesus did seem to say quite often that some would be] that everything, in the end, is harvest. [In fact, Jesus does tell us that everything will be harvested. But the tares will be thrown in the fire.]
A headteacher, imbued with this spirichooaliddy once challenged me at a meeting, saying "Jesus did not impose conditions on his followers". I pointed out that according to the gospel accounts he did ("If anyone would be a follower of mine, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me", "If you love me, keep my commandments", "Unless a man is born again by water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" etc.) It seems to be a nice, child-friendly way to present the faith to remove all the difficult bits about sin and hell, and present a God who is a big fluffy teddy bear who magically transforms our broken vows into strings of pearls. The consequences on the ground are not so pretty. A while back, I wrote a little about an alternative approach: Defending St Alphonsus.
The failure to grasp Catholic doctrine on the real presence in a meditation after communion is the icing on the cake. Only this morning in his address to the Italian Bishops' Conference Pope Benedict quoted the definition of Lateran IV
"His body and blood are truly contained in the sacrament of the altar under the forms of bread and wine, the bread and wine having been transubstantiated, by God's power, into his body and blood."I'm not going to name the Diocese whose newspaper this appeared in or the Bishop (and please don't try to put either in the comment box) because this kind of thing is endemic in many dioceses and picking on one diocese would distract from the point I want to make, that in addition to the liturgical and doctrinal life of the Church, the hermeneutic of continuity applies also to our teaching on the spiritual life.
33 comments:
What in the world?! I could hardly force myself to read that nonsense. Very badly written, sappy as one of those Hallmark Cards. And folk think this will be attractive to Catholics?? Ugh!
Please would you attach a spiritual health warning to pieces like this, before posting. Having come across it I felt impelled to rend my garments at the blasphemies contained therein, and have ruined a perfectly good Marks and Spencers' suit in the process.
I too like to read the diocesan bulletin of a certain bishopric, to keep in touch with events and people from my childhood - and have noted that (co-incidentally) since an important appointment by the Pope earlier this year - it has shed similar wacky articles (e.g. Wimminpriests - doncha luv 'em), and the spirichooaliddy brigade have been put firmly back into their chocolate boxes.
I am sure the editor of Womans Weekly will be in touch to point out that they are a very spiritual publication - in comparison to Womans Own who had the ghastly Ma Rayner as Agony Aunt in the 60s and 70s.
Hear! Hear!
Bravo! A tour de force, Father!
But hasn't Archbishop Nichols dismissed mortal sin as "an unsuccessful attempt to motivate the faithful"? I quote from memory.
It's a terrible time for the faithful when the true shepherds are to be found mainly on the blogosphere.
That bishop needs someone to introduce a shoemaker to his tailor! Swiftly!
My good Lord! What sort of utterly banal trash is this? Who in their correct minds reads any sort of meaning into this stream of verbeage? I am reminded of Fr Ray's excellent post recently about the appeal of the EF Mass to (young) men.
There should be no place for this among the faithful. It is misguarded, misinformed, and dangerous to those who would seek to cocoon themselves from the reality of the Cross and of our sin.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the scandal of the Cross have nothing to do with "feeling good", with pretty flower petals, with comforting embraces and coloured pebbles, but we have lost sight of any concept of sacrifice and personal responsibility for sin.
For my part, I thank God for the sacrament of Confession, and am overcome with joy but also shamed by the mercy which He shows me therein which I so little deserve.
Didn't understand all the meaning of all the words, but I am beginning to notice this trait everywhere, lately. The 'well God loves us all, so surely, it's ALL ok?' type of lark.
By their fruits, ye shall know them! My dad used to repeat that, all the time, when we were kids. I used to ask him, why did he keep saying that? He said, in life, when you meet people and they have a message to proclaim, or sell: look at the people around them. Whom do they attract? Like seeks like. It's a good measuring stick. I still say, we need to pray for revival. God rises up prophets. He's well known for this type of thing. Trust Him. All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well, very well. Love Julian, gave my last copy of her showings away, as usual, but guess what? Jesus keeps finding me another copy! He is so exciting to live with, when you let go, and let God. Oh, don't let me get carried away, I still shrink back into my safe, secure hole. Far too often. But!!!! Come on, focus on the trust in His plan. It won't be thwarted, not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit..
Boy oh boy, do we need some faith filled pastors for Christ, right now, on the planet! I reckon He's got you on His list Father, plus a few others on blogger. They don't know it yet, but they have a little army of 'woman's weekly' rosary prayers, gunning for them.
God never wastes a prayer Father. Tell that, to your congregation on Sunday, because it's the truth. Bless you and keep you safe, under Our Lady's mantle.
There is one bullet left in the chamber and I am about to use it. Gaaaaaaaargh!
Of course just because some believe & extol the real presence & write spiritually orthodox meditations doesn't prevent them being paedophiles etc. In my experience I have seen the most devout & holy up in court! Trust no-one but God is my motto these days..
This bishop is talking a load of hogwash. Its not surprising with training like that our catechists fail to pass on the Catholic Faith,
I don't remember when I last heard any priest teach or explain Catholic belief in church.
Only variations on the usual "be nice to your neighbour" theme.
But that's not quite true. One brave young priest recently spoke on the "Four Last Things". There was Death, dodgy given the advanced age of many of his congregation, and Heaven - but no mention at all of Judgement and the Danger of Hell, that would be going too far and people might get upset.
Since modern catechetics are now so inadequate, is it not time for the parish priest to revert to what they used to do and teach Catholic doctrine and the Catholic Faith in the sermon.
A few trendies might get up and walk out, and the priest might be exiled to some remote part of the diocese, unlikely in view of the shortage, but we all have to take chances to spread Christ's Teaching.
Jackie - If someone was in court - and was guilty of offences against minors - then they were ipso facto not "most devout and holy".
The total number of priests "up in court" in England and Wales is relatively small. How many of these cases have you actually been acquainted with? Is your experience really enough for you to dismiss the After Asceticism study and imply that the abandoning of traditional ascetical teaching was not a factor in the massive rise in cases in from the late 60s to the early 80s?
jdgm - let's be accurate. It was not the Bishop who gave the meditation. It was given after communion at a Mass said by the Bishop.
(Still I think he should have prevented it being published in the Diocesan newspaper.)
I agree with your criticism of the ridiculous article, but wish you hadn't damned the expression "everything is grace" (which doesn't appear) as "Rahner-lite". It was St Thérèse of Lisieux, and after her Georges Bernanos, who popularised the expression, and so long as it is not taken literally, but rather read in the context of the spirituality expressed both by the Little Flower and Diary of a Country Priest, it is good and true.
Blech!
And that is coming from one who is probably in the demographic for which it was written.
But "spirichooaliddy" is a lovely word and new to me. Where does it originate?
Stitchwort - I just made the word up today :-)
Some how I'm thinking Jesus wasn't giving that kind dribble to the Apostles after the Last Supper. Lord Pray for us! How after 2000 years did we end up with that?
The last place in the world to look for God-in-disguise is in your "emotions".
Such delusional, bogus, pretentious, emetic garbage is not "feminisation", merely - it's the utter negation of absolutely everything. It's poison: the best one can say of it is that its lethality is betrayed, rather than disguised, by the sheer repulsiveness of its glutinous sugary coating
May I recommend The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, perused three times a day, until symptoms are erased?
Most times I feel a bit shy to post on such important blogs as yours because, usualy, people who post here know a lot so, what can I put here that is important on top of so many good things other people write?! But now I can't resist: thank you for your post. We must, must, must denounce this kind of softy catholicism where, like in the world, nothing is wrong, everything is good, let's abuse Our Lord and do everything we want. That's why so many bad things happened in our Church.
Yes Fr Tim you are right..only about half a dozen priests I know..abuse was early 60s..nothing to do with late 60s 70s stuff..
On another note this obsession with the Vatican Council leading to poor catechesis & other things is not q accurate since in the 50s there were signs of weakening faith..
Oh also I do know of again a few..trads with unhealthy interests in young boys..
Just my experience...
Ah yes, the gospel of “All you need is lurv”…
In contrast Fr. Simon Henry (http://offerimustibidomine.blogspot.com/) has a video of Bishop Morlino preaching on devotion to and respect for the Eucharist. The same Bishop Morlino who responded very clearly and charitably to parishioners in one of his parishes who objected to the orthodoxy of the priests assigned to their parish.
*sighs loudly*
Jesus didn't come to tell us what we want to hear.
This kind of thing is what finally drove me out of the Episcopal Church (the American branch of the Anglican franchise).
I knew God loved me just as I am -- but what I am is a miserable sinner in need of redemption. The kind of soothing syrup spirituality expressed in this piece offers no hope of redemption, and doesn't even understand the concept.
Interesting review, Father. I have only seen the aftermath of what I gather was a relaxation of discipline due to false interpretations of the Council: brothers who were so allergic to the idea of asceticism that 'fast' (at least the communal variety) was the equivalent of a four-letter word and described only the speed with which they ran from the mere suggestion. They were reacting to their own formation, which they had found oppressive, but they seemed to have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Roll on the reform of the reform!
Seems fairly obvious that if you neglect asceticism, then the passions will tend to rule. I believe that asceticism (the purgative way) is the 'base camp' for the spiritual life. Unless there are exceptions (?), it can't be circumvented.
Unconditional love? The parables of the labourers in the vineyard and the prodigal son seem to suggest fairly clearly that God's fatherly love is given freely and without conditions whether we deserve it or not. Admittedly it then calls for an appropriate response on our part, which may include awareness of our sinfulness, but if the Church does not first witness unmistakeably to God's love it is not true to its Gospel and is selling people short. And a lot of the time the Catholic Church, despite all its talk, is not seen as witnessing to a God of love. The harping on sin and damnation suggests a harsh, condemning, judging God that nobody in their right mind could worship, let alone alone. Religious people are good at doing all the judging of others that anyone could need.
I remember in the 80`s attending a meeting a the now disappeared La Sainte Union where some feminists were praying. It was a sad occasions for these would be women priests and one asked `What can we do in our brokenness?" I was tempted to offer a suggestion. The meetings was full of this jargon. The enemy was those traditional catholis with their doctrines and rituals who denied them their rights. On All Souls Day many priests changed the readings. We had again a second day of celebrating All Saints but the `superstitious practices` of prahing for the dead was allowed after Mass. As I said to a colleague "Do not mention Purgatory or the Church might fall down". I ceased to be angry at these things a long time ago. I just have to laugh at the antics. These people are lost in ignorance and cannot see they are making fools of themselves.
Thank you, Fr. Tim, for that very prompt answer!
I still love the word. And it could be pronounced with almost an "a--choo!" in the middle, as in a sneeze brought on by an allergic reaction.
Savonarola - thank you for your comment and for taking part here. I would say that "infinite love" is a better expression than "unconditional love" which has an ambiguity that has been exploited with damaging consequences.
St Alphonsus had it right, I think, by teaching that when we are tempted to sin, we should recall God's judgement and the consequences of sin - including eternal damnation. When we have sinned, we should recall God's mercy and love so as not to despair or fail to trust in him.
You do not have to "harp on" about damnation but it is a part of the teaching of Christ (very clearly in the gospels) and we sell people short if it is never mentioned.
Savonarola -
"Admittedly it then calls for an appropriate response on our part"
It certainly does!
"which may include awareness of our sinfulness"
No "may" about it. We need to repent of our sins.
"The harping on sin and damnation suggests a harsh, condemning, judging God that nobody in their right mind could worship"
Sorry, but this is just misguided. God doesn't condemn us - indeed He freely gives us everything possible for redemption, including His own Son (what more do you want??)- it is we who condemn ourselves by our rejection of what God teaches us.
great observations. I agree. I mean, meditations like that are for personal devotion at best, and I usre as heck wouldn't want anyone appealing to sentiments like those anywhere near my liturgical celebration, or teaching children at our Church. Those sorts of sentiments are never for the mass or a community newsletter.
If Catholics would just be Catholic, the world might understand why we claim to have a corner on Truth, Goodness and Beauty.
The feel-good theology of the Protestants has no room in a Church as ancient and as deep as the Roman Catholic Church. I wish the protestants would just stop trying to turn us into them and let us be Catholic.
Thank God for people sticking up for truth.
Rusticus, thank you for your condescension in regarding me as misguided: always reassuring when religious people are so courteous towards each other. Without knowing you I do you the credit of thinking that you are guided by God as much aas I hope I am.
Perhaps it is just a difference of emphasis, but these words of Fr. Finigan - 'God loves us all unconditionally, we are all weak and broken wounded healers, everything is grace, all sin is forgiven' - surely do reflect the Gospel. Unconditional is accurate if God's love is freely given and not dependent on our worthiness to receive it, and God's desire is to forgive our sin and he is endlessly willing to do so. The priority of God's love over our need for repentance is the point. The Church's stress on sin and damnation can obscure this.
FAO Jackie Parkes MJ -
Jackie, you said:
"On another note this obsession with the Vatican Council leading to poor catechesis & other things is not q accurate since in the 50s there were signs of weakening faith.."
I happen to agree; although that weakening of faith, which started roughly after Vatican One and continued to infect the Church until 1962 is what enabled the errors of Vatican Two (whether they be of a falsely interpreted nature, or directly intended or sinisterly implicit) to flourish.
If you haven't already done so, then I suggest you (and anyone else) read "Iota Unum - a study of the changes in the Catholic Church in the 20th Century" by Prof. Amerio Romano (deceased) who acted as peritus at Vatican Two. It's an incredible read.
Southwell Books has it.
Iota Unum
Savanarola: you say that 'Religious people are good at doing all the judging of others that anyone could need' and write of 'The Church's stress on sin and damnation ....' I have heard similar criticisms from others ('non-religious people') but I think they are figments of the imagination. I don't believe they would survice contact with real committed religious people and the Church. When was the last time anyone heard a sermon about sin and damnation?
I think you should enable emoticons so that they can be added to spirichooaliddy readings on the web.
The odd smiley or frowney would add much to your own blog as well, especially that little devil or the cherubs!
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