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THE ATHANASIAN itio nal Cath olic s of Amer ica t Edit or: John K. Weisk ittel , STL t Vol ume XIV, No. 8 t+ Dec emb er 1, 1993 A publication of Trad

CAPSULE COMMENTS

(oy —/ Fr. Francis E. Fenton and John Kenneth Weiskittel

By now many of our readers are aware of Father Fenton’s Athanasian is to enjoy even the modest growth Father

LID| recent hospitalization. Within a span of two months he has Fenton long had sought, I am firmly convinced that it must undergone three separate surgeries, and presently is unable acquire a more visually stimulating look, and it will be up to to carry out his duties at The Athanasian. Nevertheless, it is me to give it that look. Father’s wish that the newsletter continue publication, and Finally, am sure that some readers will feel anxious over the has named me editor in his absence. All prayers for Father changes — I know that I do! Some may even be hesitant -Fenton are deeply appreciated. about renewing their subscriptions. This is understandable, Before going on, I want to pledge in no uncertain terms that It is with this in mind that I make the following risk-free offer as long as I hold this position, the newsletter is always going to all readers of The Athanasian whose subscriptions are up to retain the same character that our faithful readers have for renewal between now and March. Make your usual $12 come to expect over the years. This means, of course, that (or $16) payment, and then wait until you see the new issue. our aims here will continue to be the same: a total, If you are as delighted with it as I am confident you will be, unequivocal commitment to Catholic traditon that strives simply mail in the remaining amount due. If for any reason militantly against the pseudo-Catholic Vatican II sect, an you are dissatisfied with it, your payment will be promptly unabashed love of country (warts and all) that steadfastly refunded in full, and you can keep the copy at our expense. opposes those subversive forces moving in it ever closer to an Until the March unveiling, may God bless you. — J.K.W. atheistic New World Order, an equally fervent commitment tttrtrtrtTtttttt ttt tt tttt to the cornerstone of society — the family — which is beset “If the United Nations succeeds, then there is indeed hope for by insidious attacks from every side, and an exposure of the the future.” So declared John Paul II during his visit to Denver anti-Christian enemy that is behind these assaults on God, in August. But the U.N. is a godless organization that seeks to family, and country. impose upon the world’s population an equally godless, in- There will, however, be some changes unrelated to the human, tyrannical organization (the New World Order) where newsletter’s editorial stands, beginning with the next issue. unheard-of terror will be the order of the day. When that be- Two important factors have come into play in this decision. comes a reality, then, according to John Paul II, there is hope First, as I now wear two hats — editor and chief writer — it for the future. Satan could have said the same thing! — F.E.F. will be nearly impossible to publish eight issues a year. (Manuscripts are welcome, as always, preferably preceded by tTttTtTtrttrttt tt ttt ttt ttt a query letter.) Second, the total number of subscriptions has For the past several years a number of armed forces bases been slowly declining for some time, despite the fact that the around the USA have been closed, and thousands of people vast majority of our readers are supportive of our hard-line, compelled to seek other employment. Chances are that you no-nonsense approach and the quality of our articles. live near one of these bases or know of someone who has been adversely affected by the closings. You may have read As a solution to both of these problems, I am implementing a about debates between civic leaders as to the best uses for bold new direction for The Athanasian. Starting in 1994 it the former camps. Perhaps your life or that of someone in will be published quarterly, contain more than twice the your family has been changed as a result. current number of pages, and benefit from a much more lively design, including photos and other pictures. The But do you know why the closings are taking place? subscription rate will also be raised (for the first time in Something about a “peace dividend,” you say? After Ronald several years) to $20 for the USA, Canada, and Mexico and Reagan assured us that the “evil empire” known as the $24 for other countries (bulk order rates are yet to be USSR had become a “good neighbor” under Mikhail decided). The first issue will be mailed sometime in February Gorbachev, it was decided that America had more bases than or March. I apologize ahead of time for this inconvenience, were needed in a post-Cold War world. Well, that’s what we but the simple fact is that during the transition I will really be were told, all right; that was the pretext, but there was wearing a third hat as well — graphics designer. If The something else behind it barely known to most Americans. In d ha nd li i ng pe r co py (s pe ciial ra te s ar e av ai l. 1961, President John Kennedy signed a document, Freedom er s sh ou ld be aw ar e th at of te n or mo re ). Re ad From War, that calls for total disarmament of all nations. oleeo rs u s o b j e c t i o n s t o t h e way changes our s e r i o One of the steps proposed there reads as follows: “T he si i e i M a s o n t y 8 a n d e y o f o m i t t i n g a n y r e f e r e n k tn ines v o l l dismantling or the conversion for peaceful uses of certain N W O . N e v e r t _ e s s ” e i v m J o h n P a u l II ‘s li nk s w i t h th e military bases and facilities wherever located…” Don’t feel h e i s s u e r e s e n t s a b s t a n al ly tion t h a t is p r o v i d e d i n t bad if you’ve never heard of Freedom From War, the State o n t i n g u s . He nc e, i s g i v i n g s com p l e t e p i c t u r e o f t h e ev il c o n f r Department declared it “out of print” not long afterwards, is g i ve n t o it . — J K W . w a r m r e c o m m e n d a t i o n when patriots began exposing its dangerous proposals to aside, a their fellow citizens. The matter was quickly forgotten. etet tat att TTT aT tt Today, some three decades later, these same proposals are Ov er th e pa st co up le of mo nt hs , th e av er ag e mo nt hl y in co me now being implemented as essential steps to the ha s de cr ea se d by so me thi rty pe rc en t. Th is to the TCA establishment of the New World Order (NWO). American unplea sa nt de ve lo pm en t is al mo st su re ly th e re su lt of cer tai n soldiers are now being merged into a United Nations army th at ha ve ap pe ar ed in re ce nt is su es of The articles which has as its objective not the defense of the nation, but of Atha na si an , su ch as “S tr an ge Al li an ce s — Wh at Pr ic e the global government rapidly being set in place. Again, this st or at io n? ” in th e Ju ly 15 is su e an d “P an – Catholic Re dismantlement of our armed forces, and its reassembly as traditionalism” in the September 1 issue. Because I firmly part of a U.N. “Peace Force” is mapped out in advance by believe that they contain nothing but the truth, I have Freedom From War. no regrets whatsoever in having carried them in the In short, the fight to preserve U.S. sovereignty has reached newsletter. If we are to be honest and consistent, the eleventh hour, and it is a struggle that is being lost. If large compromise with the enemy — in this case, the Conciliar numbers of Americans are not awakened immediately, the Church — in any manner is completely out of the question. country soon will pass the point of no return. It is with this in We must oppose and fight that enemy all the way with every mind that The New American magazine has devoted its morally lawful means at our disposal. November 29th issue to a single theme: “The New World Just thought I would mention the substantial loss in financial Army.” Included with it is a complete copy of Freedom From support we have experienced. Perhaps it’s only a temporary War. We believe the issue is so important as an educational tool in the fight against the NWO that, ina departure from our situation though. We’ll see. — FEF. usual “no endorsements” policy, we are urging readers to get [Recent developments have already begun to vindicate us. In a copy, read it, and then see that others read it too. If itis not July “Father” Carlos Cassavantes, who was mentioned in the at a newsstand near you, please write to The New American, “Strange Alliances” article, took part in an “ecumenical” P. O. Box 8040, Appleton, Wisconsin 54913. Ask for “The wedding held at a Methodist church. This and other develop- New World Army,” special issue, and enclose $2.50 plus ments will be covered in a future issue. —JKW]

The date on the envelope address label indicates the PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY month and year in which the recipient’s subscription WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR is due for renewal. At the proper time, a subscription envelope will be enclosed with the newsletter. One may enter a new subscription at any time, of course, and The enclosed white envelope will then receive the eight following newsletter issues. is fo r the convenience of those who may wish to send a donati is also enclosed, that is to beon fo the TCA. If a blue envelope used for subscription renewal.

THE ATHANASIAN | Published by Traditional Cathol ics of America Eight issues a year: (Jan. 15, Mar. 1, Apr. 15, June 1, July 15, Sept.1, Oct. 35, De c. 1) Subscriptions: $12 per year (via First Class Mail) for the USA, Canada and Mexico: $16 per year (via Air Ma Additional Copies: Single copy – $1.50; 10 copies – il) for all other countr $12.00; 40 or more to same addr ies. ess ~ $1.00 each Mailing Address: P. O. Box 38335, Colorado Springs, CO 80937 Telephone: (719) 636-1575 ges of any kind ar preferred would be the i i sand adeq inclusion with the aticl uate credit is given to es epee oftes1 Ormation contained in this box. Notes Concerning The “Episcopal Consecration” Of Father Dolan John Kenneth Weiskittel

he article that follows, taking as it does a definite stand A number of frequently cited works are abbreviated (using on a very constroversial matter, is bound to receive authors’ initials) as follows: mixed reviews. We expect as much. A few readers will AC] — Father Anthony Cekada, “Two Bishops In Every Garage,” Probably write wishing to know why The Athanasian has (October/November, 1990 Roman Catholic reprint of a January, 1983 insisted on carrying it, because such a study: 1) takes space article in the same journal under the pseudonym “Peregrinus”). away from articles concerning more important subjects; or AC2 — Father Anthony Cekada, “The Validity Of The Thuc Consecrations,” (1983 2) is unnecessary, since the issue has already been settled. Catholic Restoration reprint of an article in the Spring 1992 Sacerdotium). Generally, those expressing the first of these objections are WJ — Father William Jenkins, “The Thuc Consecrations: An Open Appeal Catholics who have read for the past year or more tracts To Father Donald Sanborn,” (November, 1993 Society of Saint from priests either defending or attacking topics closely V booklet). Pius connected to the issue at hand. We certainly can sympathize CK — Father Clarence Kelly, “Tragedy and Travesty,” (The Bulletin, with all who have grown weary from the experience, but the October, 1993). disputed consecration of a traditional bishop has now taken DS — Father Donald Sanborn, “The Thuc Consecrations: A Postscript,” (a place and it is vital that others know where we stand on this. September, 1993 Catholic Restoration pamphlet).

As to the second of objections, it comes from critics who have tTtttt read what they believe are conclusive arguments in favor of Throughout the Christian Era the consecration of a bishop the consecration. And why shouldn’t they believe them; after — the elevation of a priest as a successor to the Apostles — all, priests they trust have told them that the hundreds upon hundreds of hours spent researching the critical question “all has always been an occasion for great rejoicing in the lead to one unavoidable conclusion: we are obliged to regard Church. But today, in a time of terrible crisis, there is reason as valid the episcopal consecrations Archbishop P. M. Ngo- for the faithful to be even more jubilant at word of such an dinh-Thuc conferred on M. L. Guerard des Lauriers and event, since a truly traditional Catholic bishop is so Moises Carmona Rivera.” (AC2, p. 4. See list of works fol- desperately needed. And we here at The Athanasian, along lowing this introduction.) This study will show that a subject with so many others, have long hoped and prayed that a vital to settling the issue was neglected in their research, a strong, courageous, and thoroughly orthodox bishop, free topic that they have even sought to stifle open discussion of. from any ties to the Conciliar “Catholic” Church, would emerge to lead the cause of restoration. One last point. The consecration controversy has primarly been debated between two main groups: the Fathers Dolan On the evening of November 30, a solemn ceremony took and Cekada camp (pro) and the Fathers Kelly and Jenkins place at Saint Gertrude the Great Church in the Cincinnati camp (anti). Lest our opposition be misconstrued, the suburb of Sharonville that has given some of the faithful what following clarification needs to be made. We at The they believe is reason for rejoicing. For it was there that Athanasian in no way seek to enter into what amounts to the Father Daniel L. Dolan was consecrated a traditional equivalent of partisan politics — the truly lamentable Catholic bishop. Or was he? As with so many issues facing us division of priests who should be united for the good of the today, the apparent consecration has proven to be Church. Where some of our articles have been critical of controversial. Many of Father Dolan’s followers are other traditional Catholics, we have always tried to do so ina trumpeting it as a great triumph for traditionalism, but other constructive way. We have always assumed the good in- supporters speak in less enthusiastic terms. One of the best- tentions of those with whom we disagreed — and have said known of these, Father Donald Sanbom, editor of Catholic so! We feel that the step Father Dolan has taken is one he Restoration (CR), declares that Catholics should both sincerely believes will benefit the Church. In short, our op- “rejoice and lament” in it (that is, be happy to get a bishop, position here, as elsewhere, is not the product of frvoritism but sad at the circumstances surrounding the act). toward one camp at the expense of the other (it should be recalled that we have also taken exception to certain policies Meanwhile, those questioning the “consecration” have also of Father Kelly and his Society of Saint Pius V), but based been divided as to details. Not only have some declared it solely on upon our perception as to the most prudent course invalid, decried it as scandalous, or even expressed doubts for Catholics to take, as well as the perils to avoid, when about Father Dolan’s qualifications for the office, but Father crossing the post-Vatican I minefield. Clarence Kelly of the Society of Saint Pius V has gone so far

THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1993 si on de ra nc e of tr ut h on its as to denounce it as a “sacrilege.” (CK, p.8) The remainder himself: “Which wre n e spon e s h a s ve to Ca th ol ic s wh o in qu ir e of this article will reveal some of the factors that are causing side? What Ra th er an d un bi as ed ex am in at io n, this wide divergence of opinion, give Father Fenton’s view of about this? After a careful on it he r th e pr o- no r an i ;se the consecration, show why the rite’s validity is definitely has concluded that ne v e i a or suspect, and offer recommendations. side has provided conc lu si ve pr oo f co nc er ni ng e “T hu c bi sh op s (s uc h as : sh op M a r invalidity of th ie s A “Rite” Confusing Mess “c on se cr at or , a n e ; Pivarunas, and his own le av es th e is su e in a so rt 0} ; ee r lo gi c Over the past decade, two of the most divisive issues be- Carmona), which deviling traditional Catholics have been a group known as limbo, the consequences of which will be covered at the end the CMRI (Congregation of Mary Immaculate) and the ti cl e. Th e sp ec if ic wo rd th at Fa th er Fe nt on us ed to of this ar various lines of dubious bishops established in the mid-1970s th e “c on se cr at io n” of Fa th er Do la n is describe to early 1980s by “Archbishop” Ngo-dinh-Thuc [1897-1894, “questionable.” While Father also sees the status of the RIP]. (Although he was made a bishop as early as 1938, the CMRI as unclear, this article will be limited to a specific facet title Archbishop is in quotation marks because it came froma of the validity question. doubtful Pope — John XXII — in 1960. I will refer to him as Monsignor Thuc.) The supposed consecration of Father For anyone other than a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of the Dolan has brought these controversies together as the inevit- “consecration,” Father Fenton’s caution makes a lot of sense. able culmination of years of unsettled dispute, since the man Despite effusive assurances by its defenders ofthe open-and- from whom it is claimed he received the episcopacy, Mark shut case favoring its validity, opinion in Catholic circles is Pivarunas, is both a “Thuc bishop” and the rector of CMRI’s just as divided as when the debate commenced. If the validity Mater Dei Seminary. Much ink has been spilled — and, of Mgr. Thuc’s consecrations is crystal clear as they claim, why unfortunately, much hostility generated — by those seeking did the pro-consecration priests have to spend up to a thou- to defend the validity of the Thuc lines and uphold the status sand hours (their count — AC2, p. 6) searching the shelves of of the CMRI, and those who attack the same propositions. seminary libraries to prove the “obvious”? And if, despite It is the interweaving of these two elements (Thuc and CMRI) their painstaking investigation, they neglected to examine that has given rise to differences in both the pro- and anti- adequately the plausible line of inquiry raised in the next sec- consecration camps. For example, while both Fathers Dolan tion, what other areas may also have been overlooked? It is and Sanbom agree on the validity of the rite, they do not do easy to see, then, why Father Fenton has reached his conclu- so regarding the CMRI. Father Dolan has hailed it as nothing sion: For all the talk about definitively resolving the Thuc less than the “wave of the future” for traditional Catholicism. controversy, certain questions just have not been satisfactori- (A remark made to JKW during a phone conversation in the ly addressed. One of the biggest unanswered problems late summer/early autumn of 1992.) Father Sanborn, involves the disputed mental state of the monsignor. however, while defending the group’s involvement at the Mgr. Thue: Was There Madness To His M “consecration” as a “circumstantial evil” that is tolerable ethod? , refused to attend the ceremony due to its presence, an Of the various controverted Points surr d says ounding the “Thuc he has changed neither his Communion rule prohibiting bishops,” none is so delicate as the one concerning the pre- CMRI adherents from receiving the Blessed Sacrament late’s mental state between 1975 an at his d his death in 1984. chapels nor his pronouncement that because of its Doubts have been raised about “bad his habitual lucidity then, reputation,” the CMRI “should. ..be dissolved for the sake which in turn would cast definite of doubts about the validity of protecting the reputation of the Roman Catholic Church the consecrations he attempted du and ring those years. It is a line of the traditional movement.” (March-April, 1992 CR, of inquiry upon which Pro-co p. 37, nsecration writers have and November, 1993 phone conversation with J KW) said In the ranks of the opposition, as mentioned above, some foes deny the “consecration’s” validity, while others protest Thuc suffered mentally Father Dolan’s involvement with a group they ch arge with from the ravages of old age, being schismatic or, at very least, checkered with It is the position of Fat scandals, hers Cekada and Sanb Then there are naysayers who arrange these | basis orn that there is and other files it under “dubious o this contention. Fath objections into various combinations. And betw een these bjections,” and « ‘negati Cekada pro- and anti-consecration camps are yet other faithful who He maintains that “[tlhe objectors ha ve’ doubts . have read the arguments batted back and forth by ve p both sides, and still unable to decide between the respective huc was ‘insane merits, Or ‘senile’ when the ¢ throw their hands up in frustration, crying: “What is a Catholic to think in such a matter? What is he to do? A similar dilemma has faced Father Fenton wh en evaluating the position papers of the different sides, He has had to ask

THE ATHANASIAN

DECEMBER 1, 1993 echoes this, but takes the premise to its logical charitable to believe that Mgr. Thuc was not lucid at the time engin “It is a mortal sin [italics added] to continue to he performed them; otherwise, he is to some degree culpable repeat it.” (DS, p. 8) By declaring it off limits, they seek to of unspeakable crimes against the Church. (WJ, p. 12) impose a gag rule on the subject. Curiously, none of the priests writing on either side of this de- © certainly what the reverend fathers are saying would be bate saw fit to avail themselves of any texts dealing with psy- accurate if there were no witnesses or evidence to support chiatry or geriatrics. I am dumbfounded that while the term assertions of mental imbalance. Then it would be a negative senile was tossed freely about, no one saw fit to consult those doubt, upon which we are forbidden to act. But it is not texts that pertain to that condition. True, everyone has a gen- accurate, because their research is not complete. Father eral idea of what it entails, but that idea often includes inac- Cekada cites a number of witnesses in defense of Mgr. Thuc’s curacies. I decided to find out how close (if at all) Mgr. Thuc’s reason, but not one questioning it. The reader is led to behavior fit the clinical profile of someone suffering from that believe there were none, because surely one would have been malady. Did he or did he not exhibit textbook symptoms? mentioned if there had been. What is provided is a theory Before analyzing the monsignor, a bit of clarification about from French traditionalist Father Noel Barbara that “the senility (or senescence), is in order. While the term is broadly Conciliar Church started the rumor attacking Abp. Thuc’s related to old age and its various infirmities, it is mental de- sanity.” (AC2, p. 23) What could that sect possibly gain from terioration — senile dementia — that most associate with the doing this? Challenge the validity of his consecrations and word. (There are other senile psychoses, such as Pick’s ordinations? That would be a plausible explanation Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease, but the symptoms are not considering the source, but four pages earlier Father Cekada suggested in Mgr. Thuc’s case.) Senility is fairly rare — one quotes a Novus Ordo official who speaks of a Thuc estimate puts the number of all people over 65 years of age consecration being valid. (p. 19) On the other hand, Father suffering mild senility at ten percent, and five percent having Sanborn gives a couple of flawed witnesses as being representative of the poverty of the argument. (DS, p. 5) a severe form of it. (See Siegfried Kra, M.D., Aging Myths, Neither priest comes even close to the whole story. McGraw-Hill, 1986, p. 10.) Senescence typically involves (to use a lay term) the shrinking of the brain, but researchers dif- Before getting to the evidence, a few words are in order to fer as to the cause: theories vary, from poor diet to a specific show the Church’s teaching concerning the mental state of disease, from abnormal brain chemistry to a lack of mental her priests. Insanity is considered an “irregularity … [which] “exercise.” Better known are the symptoms, a few of which is a canonical impediment of a permanent nature which include (though not necessarily all in the same person): loss @ directly renders it unlawful to receive ordination and of short-term memory, loss of long-term memory, paranoia, indirectly forbids the exercise of orders received.” (Rev. depression, diminished judgment, isolation, etc. Heribert Jone, Moral Theology, Newman Press, 1953, pp. My contention is that Mgr. Thuc most definitely exhibited 454, 458) Not only does the Church insist upon mental integrity as an absolute obligation for those men seekin some of these symptoms. Considered alone they mean little, g the priesthood and for those already ordained to but when taken as a whole they are compelling proof that he continue was assuredly not compos mentis (that is, of sound mind). Al- functioning as priests, but the same is required before it is even possible for them to administer the sacram though senile, his impairment was relatively mild, else he ents validly. In The Sacraments: a Dogmatic Treatise, would not have been able to compose his autobiographical the Rt. Rev. Mgr. J oseph Pohle writes that the confection of a vali reflections (written between 1982 and 1984). And he never d sacrament “require[s] a minister who has the full co displayed the symptoms of full-blown senility (such as deliri- mmand of reason. Hence lunatics, children, and others who um, erosion of motor skills, vegetative state, etc.) But it must have not the full use of reason are incapable of administering a be remembered that the mildly senile person is still one who, Sacrament.” (Cited, CK, p.5) A moment’ reflection is however slowly, is losing his mind. The “full command of all that is needed to grasp theramifications this has on the Thuc consec reason” required of her priests by the Church is not present. rations: If a prudent (or positive) doubt What follows is evidence found to back his contention, uniting about his rationality is established, then the doubt is carried over to his sac testimony, Mgr. Thuc’s actions, and the pertinentsymptoms. raments. Monsignor Thuc’s activities are in themse I. “Inand out of lucidity” reason to begin an inquiry of lves sufficient this sort: When a person According to one priest at the time who met him, Mgr. Th advanced in years displays erra uc tic behavior on many “went in and out of lucidity.” (Cited, DS, p. 5) Al different occasions it warrants though investigation, especially Father Sanbom raises reasonable doubts about th when such behavior could at cleric’s have detrimental effect on episcopal Powers. Considering these his talent at psychiatric diagnosis, the “in and out of many horrid acts lucidity” is (altempted Ordination and/or consistent with senility in its early stages and consecration of a felon, a also with the Sexual ceviate, two false myst monsignor’s perplexing caprices (outlined ics, several men belonging below). For @a olic sects, etc.), Father Jenkin to example, Dr. Lawrence C. Kolb, in Modern s counters the Clinical mny” charges by Stating that it Psychiatry, a standard text in the field, st may, in fact, be ates: “The transition from usual old age to senile dementia is ordinarily

THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1993

iia ed t o a f e w m i s t a k e s , o n e is gradual, and any decision as to when the imaginary line is While everyone is entitl r N g o [ T h u c ] a d e b y F a t h e passed must often be an arbitrary one.” (Ninth ed., W. B. forced to say that those m, e l y , t hh e y w e r e o p b jeecct i v Saunders, 1977, p. 251) Giving the case history of a were very grave indeed — o p w i t h g r e a t a b l e , e s p e c i a l l y f o r a b i s h successful artist’s descent into senescence, Kolb notes that ine x c u s a d e m i c d a br i il li an t a c “(t]he failure in his mental functioning proceeded slowly,” astoral experii ence an a n o n la w. gy , ph il os op hy a n d c distinguished by “periods of disorientation” and “some background in theolo beginning failure of memory.” (p. 255) Florence Safford, [italics added] (ACI, p. 20) D.S.W., a specialist in geriatrics, similarly writes of a ng the On the same page is a quote from a newsletter backiior “gradual disintegration.” (Caring for the Mentally Impaired ignor: d for his abber ant aa behav by ’ monsignor; that accounte’ Elderly, Henry Holt, 1986, p. 2) Kra talks about influenced , calling him a “timid [A]siatic who washadeasily “acquired some “progressive” memory loss. (p. 26) And Professor Alexander i “ psychologically worm out,” ” an and who ; an Pilcz, in an article in The Catholic Encyclopedia, refers to complexes.” And it added, “[his] age doesn’t help things.” (In “increasing dementia.” (“Pathology,” Vol. XI, p. 544) It is some cases, timidity can be a personality change brought on quite possible, then, that Mgr. Thuc seemed normal to the by senility, Kolb relates causes for this that mirror Mgr. Thuc’s untrained observers cited by Fathers Cekada and Sanborn. double agony: Vatican II and the Communist takeover of his Yet those witnesses labored under three disadvantages: they beloved Vietnam. See p. 253) This same impression Is evident 1) saw him only for short visits, which prevented them from when Fathe r Sanbo rn relate s that two men acqua inted with getting a real feel for his condition; 2) knew him only as an old man, so they had no way to directly assess whether his Mgr. Thuc said he “had the mind ofa child,” meaning that “he was guileless and somewhat naive in dealing with others, a current mental state differed greatly from earlier years (it did fact which explains why he did certain consecrations which he as will be shown directly); and 3) regarded him as strange later regretted.” (DS, p. 7) The expression “mind of a child,” but lucid, because of their failure to recognize subtle but in the sense Father Sanborn interprets it, cannot reasonably unmistakable signs of senility. Hence, the testimony of those be used to describe the intellect of a man who had three claiming his lucidity must be measured against the gradual, doctorates in very demanding disciplines, and taught at episodic, almost imperceptible nature of early stage seminaries and universities (including the Sorbonne, senescence, and against the whole matrix of his behavior. recognized as one of the world’s greatest institutions of I. Faulty judgment higher learning). When this truly formidable intellect is Late in 1975, when he was living in the Italian village of combined with “great pastoral experience“ it is impossible for Arpino, Mgr. Thuc was visited by a priest who came to him any objective person to believe their possessor capable of unannounced. The monsignor recounted their conversation: being either “naive” or “easily influenced” in such vital @ matters as the determining of worthy candidates for the “Your Excellency [the priest said], the Holy Virgin sent me to bring you to Spain at once to render her a service. priesthood or episcopacy. The fact of the matter is that it was My car awaits you at the door of the rectory, and we not the same intellect at work, but a mere portion of that shall depart at once to be there for Christmas.” Flabber- intellect. The passages above are all clues to solving the gasted by this invitation, I said to him: “If it is a service mystery, but only if one knows what they are looking for. In requested by the Blessed Virgin, I’m ready to follow you particular, the “mind of a child” expression is instructive, for to the ends of the earth…” (Cited, AC1, p. 18) it unintentionally conveys a sense similar to “second childhood,” the term used to describe elderly who have As it turns out he went no farther than Palmar de Troya, passed into dotage. When senility is allowed as an Spain, where he complied with the service requested by the explanation, Mgr. Thuc’s acts immediately become “Holy Virgin.” What “she” was telling him, writes Father fathomable, because diminished common sense is one Cekada, “[was] that he should ordain laymen to the priest- of its hood (whom he had just met, and who had done no ecclesi- symptoms. Describing the different ways the senile person’s judgment becomes impaired, Kolb notes: “He may astical studies) and then consecrate them as bishops — all in become ine Nictim of unscupulous Persons, particularly if three weeks time. [italics added] (AC1, p. 18) Father Cekada their aptly describes this as “a truly colossal lack of common ofeither com ves an appeal to the patient’s vanity, in matters petence or sex.” (p. 254) In Safford we read: sense…”) In 1978, one of these men demonstrated the “authenticity” of the apparition when he announced to the People can make mistakes injudg mentall through their world that he was “Pope Gregory XVII.” It is difficult to say lives, but when poorjudgment re flects errors based on which aspect of this incident is the greater manifestation of norma Y Simple associations , it is then q mptom ofan Mgr. Thuc’s credulity: His lack of discernment in trusting a illness. {italics added] This mental loss atioets such po dubious apparition or his lack of prudence in attempting to tentially hazardous areas as th – e ability to drive a car, to pass on Holy Orders to total strangers! Whatever the case, andle finances, orto protect oneself from crime. (p. 26) this is but one of numerous occasions in which the monsignor demonstrated an utter lack of good judgment. Again, moan, ae observes: “By reason of the disturbance of quoting Father Cekada: t© unpri Ory ncipl ar leedSugge stibi lity, scoun drels , these patients often fall victim who swindle them out of their 6g

THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1993 i in du ce th em to ma ke fo ol is h wil ls, et c. ” (p. he learned that Mgr. Thuc attempted to confer the ot) The only reasonable explanation for why this prelate episcopacy upon yet another non-Catholic, and openly with “great pastoral experience” and a “brilliant academic stated in his publication Fortes in Fides that it was not rash to background” allowed himself to fall prey again and again to wonder about the monsignor’s sanity: “Perhaps he was in the suggestions of spiritual cranks and swindlers (only to Possession of his faculties, and perhaps he was not. That later rue these unsavory associations) is that his mind had would leave a doubt hovering over the censures incurred become addled. [from the Conciliar Church — JKW], but also over the validity of all these consecrations.” {italics added] (Cited, Il. Impulsiveness WJ, p. 14) Closely related to the loss of judgment is impulsiveness, Safford writes: “When someone who has usually behaved in Conciliar Bishop Gilles Barthe, with whom Mgr. Thuc once a mature and rational manner be[gin]s to behave publicly concelebrated the New “Mass” and in whose diocese impulsively, it may also be a symptom of mental change. The he finally settled, told in the French monthly da change may not be noticeable unless it is related to Documentation Catholique (February 21, 1982) of his imprudent decisions… [italics added] (p. 41) What could concerns surrounding the elderly pelate’s activities. “I voice prompt a bishop, on impulse, to drive across Europe with a the most express reservations about the value [validity] of stranger simply because he is told of an apparition, and then these ordinations,” he stated, then going on to question Mgr. attempt to ordain and consecrate other total strangers, Thuc’s lucidity during the rites: “It is even less [clear] for the based not on his knowledge that they had vocations, but ordinations done in his house at Toulon. It is permitted to ask merely because an alleged apparition told him to do so? A oneself up to what point he was well aware of the acts which he bishop, I submit, whose mind has lost its cutting edge. did and to what point his liberty went…” (Cited, WSJ, P. 16. Mgr. Thuc’s liberty of thought was surely markedly impaired Answering three objections will help clarify the degree of as early as 1975, when he was drawn into the Palmar fiasco.) Mgr. Thuc’s mental impairment. Father Cekada brings up the fact that the facsimiles of the bishop’s handwriting from Regarding many of Mgr. Thuc’s scandalous misadventures, late in life revealed a hand that was “clear, firm and more Father Jenkins writes: “Such erratic behavior certainly gives legible than my own.” (AC2, p. 23) This he advances as a rise to a prudent doubt about Archbishop Thuc’s mental proof of mental competence. It is true that the “handwriting ludicity.” (WJ, p. 12) Even champions of the “Thuc bishops” becomes tremulous” in the senescent, but only in those have been known to say such things. Father Cekada actually suffering from “advanced forms” of the illness. (Kolb, p. 254) once gave “advanced age” as a partial reason fo the prelate’s The monsignor does not appear to have ever been anything mistakes, and Father Sanborn, referring to his “bizarre worse than mildly senile, and would thus not be notably behavior,” declared: “It is true that Archbishop Thuc was affected in his motor skills. But how, some may ask, could either insane, senile, or extremely gullible in order to have Mgr. Thuc have written his autobiography if he were senile. done the things he did.” (AC1, p. 20, and, cited, WJ, pp. 1l, The “autobiography” mentioned, lest anyone get the wrong 17) So how is it, with so much corroborative evidence idea, was really a series of fragments covering no more strongly pointing to senility, that they can accuse their than fifty Pages or so. But be that as it may, mild senility opponents on this issue of “calumny” and mortal sin”? After only disturbs short-term memory, so recollections from reading the proofs assembled here, it is hoped that they will years back would be no problem, (See Kra, p. 25) Again, cease to hurl such groundless charges. Father Cekada quotes the prelate’s regrets for having taken part ina Novus Ordo service as demonstrating that he “clearly had On the contrary, they should be asking themselves if they can wits about him.” (AC2, p. 24) In senility’s early his continue to argue for the validity of sacraments emanating stages there is no deadening of the capacity for remorse, and, “periods of from a mentally impaired bishop. Since serious doubt to his reactive depression following some power of reason from 1975 has been established, then there specific event are common.” (Kolb, p. 251) is equally serious reason to distrust the power of his sacraments over the same span of years. It makes no Valid Doubts = Doubtful Vali difference whether he performed the rites; without “full dity As far as witnesses questioning Mgr. command of reason” it was impossible for him to confect the Thuc’s lucidity, there is Father Barbara, who also defended it on sacraments in the first place. Such a “consecration” is as another occasion. For reasons already outlined above, Father Barb fundamentally flawed as the will a senile person naively short visits (in 1981 and 1982) with th ar a’s two e bishop are hardly suf- rewrites at the request of a swindler. How, then, can the ficient for a verifi cation of sanity. “What is needed to consecration of Father Dolan even begin to be considered assure valid so long as those performed by his “episcopal great- j © pabitual lucidity of Archbishop Thuc,” writes Father . ms Isnota couple of brief interviews grandfather” are debatable? 0 3 reliable person who has spen , but the testimony t enough time with him to Catholics are forbidden to approach a sacrament when there wakrehihisssenormal state of mind.” (W4J, p. 12) Less than a year is prudent doubt about its validity. Although Father Dolan cond visit, Father Barbara be came incensed when was undoubtedly sincere in this enterprise, it does not

THE ATHANASIAN DECEMBER 1, 1993

ST change its dubious nature. Because of this The Athanasian should not — mean that the other side is to be demonized. advises the faithful to abstain from attending St. Gertrude’s Unl ess con fro nte d wit h cle ar evi den ce to the con tra ry, the and affiliate chapels until such time as he is prepared to good intentions of fellow traditional Catholics ° oul ays relinquish his ill-founded claim to the episcopacy. It is with a be assumed. Our motto should always be, to oon rom mixture of sadness and resignation that we reflect on “The Lincoln: “With malice toward none, with charity forall. ‘May Great Consecration Controversy of 1993.” That dis- we always continue to pray for closer unity within our ran *s agreements arise in these times is inevitable, but let us pray a step toward the restoration of the Church, but never s ou id that they not be at the expense of charity. Simply because we join in the activities of those who, out of desperation, have there is a division over a controverted issue does not — or taken unacceptable means to reachthisend. t

The Traditionalist Case Fr Oswald Baker (England)

O bedience. Vatican II. The Mass. Three cardinal com- false religion, a satanic foundation, whose purpose is to ponents in the Catholic traditionalist standpoint. destroy and replace Catholicism. Traditionalists are accused of disobedience. But critics who bring this charge accept Vatican II, even though it pr Integral to the new and false religion is a new and false o- Mass. Only the Pope may make changes in the Mass, but claimed a universal right to follow a dictate of conscience , not even the Pope may dismantle the Mass and substitute a the right being rooted, we were told, in the very dignit y of a Protestant prayer service. Whereas the traditional Mass human being. All manner of disobedience is tolerated by the echoes the Council of Trent, Quo primum being based on new Conciliar Church; traditionalists being selected for that Council’s infallibly defined doctrines, the new “Mass” rebuke and repression. Priests and bishops who reject the echoes the fallible Second Vatican Council. But the promulgation of God’s law in delicate matters are not even responsible liturgical Commission, appointed by Vatican II, rebuked. We cannot accept changes which have brought went far beyond what even the Council had envisioned. about what Paul VI himself deplored as the Church It is ’s “self- well known that the new “Mass” is closely modeled destruction” and the “smoke of Satan” in her, on a sorry Cranmer’s “Mass,” which was composed with the condition for which John Paul II has apologized express (February, purpose of illustrating Protestant rejection of 1980) to the Catholics of the world. Both ough the Catholic t to have Sacrifice of the Mass. The cooperation of Protestants perceived that in remaining faithful to Catholic in the truth and concoction of the new “Mass” ensured discipline traditionalist Catholics are right and the exclusion of exemplary. whatever was not acceptable to non-Catholics. But it is important to keep pointing out that Even the what we are words of Consecration were changed, disobeying is quite certainly no longer and the act of the Catholic Consecration was changed into the Church. Millions of Catholics are now Cathol mere reading of a ic in name narrative. Transubstantiation was tacitly depreciated only, for to accept the pronouncements of elimination of rubrics indicating by Vatican II is to the Real Presence. The cease to be a Catholic. In the pursuit of new “Mass” is compatible with deni ecumenism, al of the Real Presence, preoccupied with the appeasement of non-Ca and is in fact used by Protestants tholics, the who do deny it, Council presented a new concept of the Chur A meal rather than a sacrifice, ch of Christ, the new “Mass” is directed to Portraying it as, in the phrase of a delighte the satisfaction and enjoymen d Anglican t of the people. This led to observer, “something bigger than the Roma jollification, and then to b n Catholic uffoonery. The first mistak Church.” Vatican II passed a new, un-Catholic, change from Latin to e, the erroneous the vernacular, judgement on the status of heretical disastrously to the misund sects, on the erstanding of the meani meaning of religious freedom, and on united Mass. C ardinal Benelli himself, r ng of the services, and ejecting the petition for bracketed the Catholic Church with those “searching for “parity of rites,” admitted — nay, insisted — that truth.” Ecumenism brought about compro Masses, the old and the two mise with error, the new, connote two di compromise quite flagrant in the no fferent torious “Agreed Statements.” Catholic claims and Catholic tr uth being no longer proclaimed, Catholic morality wa Attendance at the ne s soon no longer w “Mass” is morally imposed, and became widely resented sinful. One will perceive wrong, gravely and repudiated — the logic al, inevitable by Catholics. The late Archbishop Dwye One must not come to consequence. r of Oregon wrote Holy Com Munion a Paul VI, in 1976, objecting that Mass until having pro t the old and true very few bishops were mised neve Y again t teaching authentic Catholicism, By new “Mass.” Attendan o be present at the reason of ecumenism, ce at th € old Mas which is an illusion and betrayal s is not a mere that can only lead, as Pope Pius XII warmed, to unity in common ruin, Vatican II gave birth to a new Church, a new, ecumenical, Catholic doctrine in its purity and integrit yi expression of

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