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THE ATHANASIAN A publication of Traditional Catholics of America + Editor: Fr. Francis E. Fenton, STL t+ Volume XIV, No. 7 t October 15, 1993

A Few Thoughts About The Athanasian Fr. Francis E. Fenton

Frowrteen years of the publication of The Athanasian will unfavorably) and because we have no way to advertise, The have been completed with the next issue (December 1, Athanasian is a publication which, for the most part, is 1993). While that is no significant milestone, yet for a practically non-existent as far as public knowledge of it newsletter of this kind to have survived for even that length is concerned. of time is, perhaps, an accomplishment of sorts. But is this newsletter forever destined to have a relatively Back in the early years of its existence, it was my hope and small circulation, however good that circulation may be in expectation that The Athanasian would experience a steady comparison to similar publications? In my opinion, it is so and solid increase in circulation and that it would in time destined unless enough of our subscribers will do their full become a somewhat notable and influential publication part to publicize it among their relatives and friends and here in the USA. acquaintances. While it has long been my belief that the vast majority of subscribers to The Athanasian are among the That hope and expectation, however, never came close to best-informed and dedicated solidly traditional Roman realization. And why is this? Well, certainly not because Catholics in America, most of them (there are some notable The Athanasian is in any way defective or mediocre. exceptions) seem to me to do little or nothing to promote it. I Indeed, to read some of the highly complimentary letters we especially have in mind many of those subscribers who tell us receive, one might even think that it must be, well, just in their letters how “wonderful,” “great,” “exceptional,” “so about the best of its kind in the field of traditional Catholic much needed” our newsletter is. But if this be so, how many publications. As for Mr. Weiskittel’s excellent writings over of these people, I wonder, make any real and sustained effort the years on various vital topics relating to Church and to promote and publicize it? There are, I know for a fact, state, they have been described to me by a goodly number innumerable people out there who share our convictions and of our subscribers as being, in effect, unsurpassed by those who would subscribe to The Athanasian — but they don’t of any other traditional Catholic layman in the country. And even know it exists! And we simply have no way of reaching that could well be. them except through our subscribers. But why is it, then, that The Athanasian has failed, after so We have worked hard for many years now to make our many years, to attain any really substantial circulation? One newsletter a publication which, despite its unyielding reason seems quite obvious to me and that is the approach, would reflect well upon sound traditional consistently hard-line, uncompromising position it has Catholicism. It is, then, a source of much concern and invariably taken on the issues it has treated. Unpopular as a disappointment to me that The Athanasian has never particular topic may have been, we have never watered succeeded in making any notable impact upon the down the truth in any way to avoid giving offense or in order American scene. But perhaps there is still a possibility that to gain more subscribers. If we felt this or that subject, this situation can significantly change for the better even at however controversial, should be discussed, it has always this late date. Where there’s life, there’s hope — and hope been our policy to do so as honestly and clearly and springs eternal! objectively as possible. And such will ever remain our policy. P.S.: The readers of the above article should not send gift A second reason for the lack of any significant increase in subscriptions to The Athanasian to anyone merely for the subscriptions to The Athanasian over the years is that we purpose of increasing the number of recipients of the are unknown to the generality of traditional Roman newsletter. In other words, such gift subscriptions should Catholics. Because it is a rarity if any publication so much only be sent to individuals who are considered by the sender as mentions our newsletter by name (either favorably or to be well-disposed toward our stand and so worth a try. t u d e v s . T h e F o r c e s o f A n t i c h r i s t Catholic Forti John Kenneth Weiskittel

gh t Ca th ol ic s in to a si mi la rl y hi dd en F” the few truly traditional Roman Catholics still left persecution has brou te nc e, sO hi dd en th at th e tr ue Ch ur ch js around the world, the relentless attack on their form of exis n o w n t o t h e w o r l d a t l a r g e . beloved Church, in full force for the past quarter century virtually unk or so, has been an almost unendurable cross to bear. Only by the grace of God have they been able to persevere in the What this co ns ti tu te s is a ty pe of “d ry ma rt yr do m” for Faith. Resembling nothing so much as guerrilla warfare, traditional Ca th ol ic s; th at is, a sp ec ie s of pr of ou nd this ruthless assault on the sacred is the unbelievably suff er in g fo r th e Fa it h, di ff er in g fr om tr ue ma rt yr do m onl y successful culmination of an internal subversion initiated in that it does not involve the loss of life. A well-known by the Church’s enemies long before. Today it is of th e tw en ti et h ce nt ur y wa s Hu ng ar y’ s he ro ic “dry martyr” perpetuated by a handful of ecclesial infiltrators and prelate, Josef Cardinal Mindzenty, who at the hands of the traitors who, by appealing to the respect for Church Communists endured ridicule, imprisonment, terrible authority ingrained in Catholics from youth, have been deprivations, a propaganda “trial,” and even brainwashing able to enlist a veritable army of dupes to carry out (with for his holy and resolute opposition to their anti-Christian varying degrees of enthusiasm) their program of revolution regime. For Catholics in the present this takes a diferent under the banner of “reform.” — yet no less excruciating — form: While Cardinal Mindzenty’s enemies made no secret of their outright Making the agony all the greater, no crisis in Church contempt for Christ and His Church, those confronting the history has been as sweeping in its scope as the present faithful today are, in a sense, even more despicable than one, for none of them involved the defection from the the Communists, in that they carry out their acts of Faith of an occupant of the Holy See. This unprecedented destruction in the name of Catholicism. Yet, the crisis in situation, where a false Pope sits on the Chair of Peter, is the Church is only one source for concern. the most gut-wrenching part of this enemy occupation, for by securing the highest position of authority within the “A Reign Of Unheard-of Terror” Church they are assured of her continued destruction. Is It Approaching? As a result of this massive betrayal true Catholics have been forced to flee from the evils being imposed in the Reflecting on the plight of the Church is sufficient to name of the Church, and find their way to isolated havens produce endless lamentations from Catholics. But while it of spiritual sustenance and safety. This travail can be is undoubtedly the most serious of today’s woes for the likened to the Exodus of the Israelites, who, fleeing faithful, causing as it does immediate spiritual dangers, it Egypt’s tyrannical pharaoh, were miraculously sustained is by no means the only such affliction. The bre akdown of by God as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Christian civilization, begun with the Protestant Today, it is a spiritual desert through which Catholics must Reformation and steadily continued over the ensuing four traverse, where for many the Sacraments can only be centuries, was thrown into high gear after the Second found hundreds of miles away. Likewise, a parallel can be Vatican Council. With the sup pression of the true Mass, drawn to the early Christians who were forced by the and the ecclesial Promotion of false political philosophi bloody persecution of pagan Rome to find refuge in those es (such as “liberation theol ; ogy”) and toleration of religious burial vaults known as the catacombs. Today, a bloodless error and immorality ( readers are invited to choose their é@

THE ATHANASIAN OCTOBER 15, 1993 “favorites” from a very long list) in the name of the Roman Congressional investigator concerning policy directives Catholic Church (which was, after all, the founder of given the foundations by the White House and the OSS Christian civilization), the last remaining props bolstering (forerunner of the CIA): “The substance of them is that we that civilization have since been kicked violently aside. shall use our grant-making power to so alter life in the United States that we can be comfortably merged with the In these past two-and-a-half decades, country after Soviet Union.” (Cited, James Perloff, The Shadows of country known to be historically Catholic (or, at the very Power, p. 205) It only follows that to hasten this merger least, “Christian” — such as the United States) has changes needed to be made in Communist countries as renounced virtually all of Christ’s social teachings, and, well. The result of this has been a greatly increased lemming-like, has raced pell mell downhill toward the cliff togetherness between the onetime adversaries, and a of national self-destruction. Not that Vatican II can be held similarly enlarged role of the United Nations as policeman solely responsible for this; it merely had a significant role of the world. The ultimate end is the goal long desired by in tipping the scales in favor of the master conspirators. these conspirators: an all-powerful world government Some forty years or so ago a former Communist, Elizabeth known as the New World Order. Bentley, testified before a Congressional panel that a Primary aim of her ex-“employers” was to destroy America If this globalist scheme is ever allowed to be fully imple- not from an external invasion (which was deemed mented (and unfortunately, given the minuscule size and untenable), but — among other things — by a thorough influence of the opposition, the chances of this happening corrupting of her morals. Any honest observer of seem quite good) there is every reason to expect it to con- American culture over the past three decades cannot help tinue with the same social, economic, and political agenda but see a marked moral collapse in the intervening years. its supporters now promote at national and regional levels. (Foreign readers are invited to reflect in like fashion These policies include pushing for: “public” (read regarding the plight of their nations.) government) advocacy and financing of abortion and birth control; “public” defense of sexual perversion in the name After this collapse was firmly established, the task of the of “minority rights”; “public” control of children; “public” conspirators was made immeasurably easier. Since many regulations — often in the defense of the “ecology” — of the policies of Communist countries were already largely decreasing the right to private property, and increasing accepted as “social reform” (such as FDR’s New Deal), government “management” and ownership of land; and, in what could be easier than to convince the citizens of these general, a continuing growth of the “public” sector, same countries that Marxist regimes around the world matched by the ongoing erosion of érue individual rights, were likewise ready to make strides toward a “common and local government. In every phase this agenda is| center”? And so it has happened. The staged “freedom” of radically at odds with the Kingship of Christ: He has been the former Soviet Union and Iron Curtain nations is cast out of the domain of society, and replaced with a self- causing the West to drop its guard (whatever was /eft of it idolizing Cult of Man. / after decades of appeasement and betrayal). While “capitalism” is introduced in Russia and Red China, the Along with this global dictatorship a one-world religion is lure of big government continues to seduce the masses in being prepared — quite appropriately, since mankind must the United States and her allies. They are getting more be given something to believe in place of the “vanquished” “democratic,” while we grow more totalitarian. And this is Christ. At the so-called Parliament of the World’s not coincidental. Religions, held earlier this year in Chicago, delegates agreed to establish the “spiritual” equivalent of the United The aim is substantially the same as that given in 1953 by Nations. Consistent with its “ecumenism,” the Conciliar @ Ford Foundation president H. Rowan Gaither to a “Catholic” Church cast its support to the Parliament, with

THE ATHANASIAN OCTOBER 15, 1993 r i o u s c o u n t r i e s w e r e a b l e to f t h e p e o p l e i n t h e s e v a Many o “Cardinal” Bernardin, the local Novus Ordo “ordinary,” on by f l e e i n g t o n o n – C o m m u n i s t lands, tio n, tra dit ion al escape persecuti servin g as sp on so r of th e eve nt. By def ini “ U n i v e r s a l R e p u b l i c ” e v e r b e fu ll y Sho u l d , h o w e v e r , t h e ol ic is m, wh ic h fir mly ad he re s to bel ief in th e on e tru e n t s Ca th C a t h o l i c s a n d o t h e r o p p o n e to it q i n s t a l l e d , t r a d i t i o n a l Church, must be regarded as an obstacle to the fulfillment a n d w i II h a v e li tt le ch oi ce bu t to n o w h e r e t o r u n , of this utopian dream. will have h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s c o u l d w e l l ” f i g h t o r g o i n t o h i d i n g . T t h e c a t a c o m b s , w i t h o d e r n v e r s i o n o f In whatever direction the world is beheld today there is resemble a m li ve s, r o u n d ” t o p r e s e r v e t h e i r n g “ u n d e r g ample reason to conclude that the plan for world domina- Catholics g o i e l i g i o u s n t l y , t h e i r F a i t h : P r i e s t s a n d r tion, conceived over two centuries ago in the shadows by and, m o r e i m p o r t a e x i c a n m a r t y r , F a t h e r P r o ) , b l i g e d ( l i k e t h e M Masonic leaders, is nearing its fruition. The danger of such woul d b e o o n s p i c u o u s l y ; C a t h o l i c s w o u l d } a triumph by the forces of darkness so troubled Pope when in public, to dress inc d s a n d o t h e r s e c r e t s i g n s t o b e ) Benedict XV that he saw fit to warn against it in his 1920 need a system of code wor h e r ; a n d t h e p u b l i c M a s s w o u l d b e ) motu proprio, Bonum Sane. There His Holiness writes: able to identify one anot a thing of the past. The advent of a Universal Republic, which is longed for by all the worst elements of disorder, and Given their un fl in ch in g op po si ti on to su ch an an ti -C hr is ti an confidently expected by them, is an idea ripe for Wo rl d St at e, tr ad it io na l Ca th ol ic s wi ll be pr im e ta rg et s fo r executio.,. From this republic, based on the n, an d pe rh ap s li qu id at io n. So me — pe rh ap s persecutio principles of absolute equality of men and most — of them will fall victim to the “reign of unheard-of community of possessions, would be banned all terror.” And indeed, the implementation of this “New World national distinctions, nor in it would the authority of Order” does not appear to be very far off. The point here is the father over his children, or of God over human not to frighten Catholics, only to prepare them for what society, be any longer recognized. If these ideas are would be the worst possible scenario (forewarned is fore- put into practice, there will inevitably follow a reign armed), and to remind them of the mighty assistance God of unheard-of terror. Already, even now, a large provides the faithful in such harrowing moments. portion of Europe is going through that doleful experience and We see that it is sought to extend The Courage Of The Saints that awful state of affairs to other regions. (Cited, Father Denis Fahey, CSSp, The Mystical Body of “No saint was ever a coward.” So writes Bishop Louis L. Christ & the Reorganization of Society, 1945, Regina Publications, 1984 ed., p. 200) Morrow, STD, in his manuai of religion, My Catholic Faith. (My Mission House, 1958, p. 95) This remark may strike Subsequent history has shown that Pope to be amazingly some as stating the obvious, yet it is a truth that even accurate in his disturbing predictions. Russia, which had traditional Roman Catholics sometimes minimize or forget. fallen to these same forces three years before the Holy All too frequently bravery is thought to be a characteristic Father wrote, would not be long in spreading her atheistic reserved for the martyrs, while the other saints are seen as errors around the world, and in brutally enslaving many being able to get along nicely without it. True, dying for the other nations, including such largely Catholic populations Faith brings out the greatest possible manifestation of as Cuba, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, and divinely inspired gallantry, but to suppos e other saints Czechoslovakia. Soon after Pope Benedict’s remarks, lacked this would be to do them Sr ievous injustice. Catholics in Spain and Mexico would experience the bloody wrath of joint Masonic/Communist regimes, and Think, for example, of Sain t Athanasius, who spent so martyrs for the Faith would reach into the thousands. much of his life courageously spe aking Catholic truth in é

THE ATHANASIAN OCTOBER 15, 1993 exile, despite the threat of possible execution that ever sacrifice, in which the will is given to God without loomed over his head. Saint Francis Xavier placed his life reservation, and the life consumed in charity. on the line for Christ on numerous occasions during his immortal missionary activities to Asia. And though the “The Seed Of Christians” mission of Saint Francis De Sales never extended more than a few hundred miles, his ventures into the The life of the saint is at once the heroic adherence to and strongholds of hostile Calvinists (whom he converted by glorious fulfillment of Christ’s admonition: the tens of thousands) were extremely dangerous. These great saints and so many other non-martyrs clearly Amen, amen I say to you, unless a seed of wheat falling into the ground die, itself remaineth alone. demonstrate the importance of a will and intellect that — come what may — are firmly and inseparably united to But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that Christ. Whenever a personal affront is endured with loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his

patience for Christ or whenever He and His Church are life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal.

fearlessly defended without regard to the outcome, then (John 12:24-25) ; this noble trait is in evidence. Likewise, in a more hidden All Catholics must make an internal (spiritual) martyrdom, way, it is the quality that enables the saints to resist and it is to the extent that this is fulfilled that God is temptation. So, in all ways, it is something to which all pleased. Simply put, sanctity or sainthood consists of a Catholics must aspire. continual dying to self and its impulses in order to live in Moreover, the expression used by the Church in the Christ. This is what Saint Paul meant when he deciared: canonization process is heroic virtue. Contained in The “T die daily…” (I Cor. 15:31) Catholic Encyclopedia is a passage that sheds considerable light on this: But while denial of self is expected of all the faithful, it is most fully realized in the act of martyrdom. “Greater love It implies an unusual control of the insurgent than this no man hath,” declared the Savior, “that a man passions, and a promptitude and facility in well- lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) And it was doing which are above the common. According to Christ Himself Who provided the perfect model for this, Benedict XIV, for the manifestation of heroic virtue dying not only for His friends, but for His enemies as well. the matter must be difficult, so as to demand spiritual Since there is no greater testament to the Faith than energy above the ordinary and the practice must be offering up one’s life for it, the Church has fittingly prompt, unhesitating, joyful, enthusiastic and bestowed on her martyrs’ blood a glorious title, “the seed habitual… (Macmillan, 1931, p. 549) of Christians.”

Or to put it another way, the saints of the Church Militant The splendor of the martyr is, however, a reflected — martyr and non-martyr alike — can be likened on the splendor; no one is ever born a martyr, but becomes one spiritual level to the most outstanding soldiers of an as a result of their union with God. There are few greater earthly army, because while some Catholic heroes are examples of this than that of the Apostles. When Jesus was called on to give their lives for the greater good and others apprehended by His enemies in the Garden of Geth- are not, all are recognized for bravery, for “conduct above semani, His followers ran off in fright: “Then His disciples and beyond the call of duty.” So it is that a related term, leaving Him, fled away.” (Luke 14:50) So great did their moral courage, also has significance in this regard. It is a desire for self-preservation outweigh their undeniable love habit for which all Catholics must pray. Such valorous of Christ that they went into hiding, biding their time until > effort as is manifested by the saints always involves self- the immediate danger had passed and the “coast was

THE ATHANASIAN OCTOBER 15, 1993 u s it is e x p r e s s e d a s a d t h e l o v e o f G o d . T h clear.” In fact, after His Resurrection, Christ’s first good an g h t s f e a r o f n o t d o i n g t h e r i strength w h i c h o v e r c o m e appearance to them was in aroom where they purposely had e r 0! f a n i n d i v i d u a l w h o m a n i f e s t i n t h e c h a r a c t concealed themselves “for fear of the Jews.” (John 20:19) and is t h u s u c c u m b t o t e m p t a t i o n . I t acts ri g h t l y a n d d o e s n o t s f f o r t d e m a n d e d b y a g o o d r a c t i c e t o p l a c e t h e e Can these Apostles, who trembled at the mere thought of cap- aids in p f c r i t i c i s m , a n d p r o v i d e s t h e h e l p s t o e l i m i n a t e f e a r o ture, be the same ones who courageously preached the act, t C . r m g o o da c t s . ( F a t h e r R o b e r o n t i n u e t o p e r f o Gospel to a hostile world, heedless of the certain persecution will t o c T h e C a t h o l i c C o n c i s e and probable death that awaited them? Yes, they are one and Broderick, MA, editor, c h u s t e r , 1 9 5 6 , p p . 1 6 4 – 1 6 5 ) the same. How is it, then, that their conduct is so radically E n c y c l o p e d i a , S i m o n & S

different from before that it rightly can be described as a h m e a n s n te rm , fo rt is , w h i c transformation? The change is a direct result of Pentecost, Fortitude comes from the Lati te d to ma nl in es s, as is s u g g e s t e d in when all were spiritually renewed by the Holy Ghost. “strong.” This also is rela s “ L o q u e b a r , ” (F ir st C o m m o n of the Collect for the Mas s) , th e En gl is h tr an sl at io n of w h i c h be gi ns : “ O This Apostolic bravery or fortitude was part of a multifold Virgin Martyr e w o n d e r s of T h y p o w e r ha st gr an te d outpouring showered upon them by God at the time, which God, who among th e w e a k e r se x th e t r i u m p h of m a r t y r d o m . . . ” better would enable them to perform their mission. That is even to th not to say that they lacked it prior to Pentecost, only that it was greatly enhanced on that occasion. The deepening of That fortitude at once aids the soul in pursuing the good

this disposition to do good in the face of opposition gave and combating evil is made all the more evident when it is them the wherewithal to go forth boldly under Christ’s recalled that all the following English words have the same banner and be witnesses for His Church. Latin derivation: fort, forte (strength, strong point, or in music, loud), fortify, fortress, fortissimo (in music, very Fortitude is referred to by the Church as one of the seven loud), and fortification. From these expressions two basic Gifts of the Holy Ghost (the others being wisdom, concepts emerge: power and protection. At first glance understanding, counsel, knowledge, piety, and love of they may seem to be opposites, since protection conveys a God) received by all Catholics at Baptism. And (similar to defensive posture, while power is usually associated with what was experienced by the Apostles at Pentecost) it is an invading force. But, as anyone who has played a sport strengthened upon reception of Confirmation. Jesuit well knows, it is just as essential for a team to prevent Father M. Meschler gives this definition: “The Gift of scores as it is to make them. And when the idea of national Fortitude is a permanent power which the Holy Ghost defense is mentioned, it is always understood that what is communicates to our will to assist us in overcoming the meant involves not only the power to defend, but to go on difficulties which might deter us in the practice of what is the counterattack. right.” (Cited, Dom Gaspar Lefebvre, OSB, Saint Andrew Daily Missal, E. M. Lohmann, 1949, p. 423) It must be Hence, power and protection can be seen as

emphasized that the fortitude being discussed here is complimentary sides of the same two-bladed sword. As

distinct from the cardinal virtue by the same name, since Father Antoine Gardeil, OP, writes: “Fortitude has two

the two are sometimes mistaken for each other. The principal acts, supporting and attacking. These

confusion is hardly surprising, given that both involve the characteristics are rarely isolated, Nevertheless, as a rule, same essential object: the overcoming of formidable one of the two predominates…” (trans, Anselm M. hardships. As a virtue it is defined as follows: Townsend, OP, The Gifts of the Holy Ghost in the Dominican Saints, Bruce, 1937, p. 43) Fortitude thus [T]he strength of soul, or the firm and assured defends what is pleasing to God and attacks that which is practice of all other virtues practiced in the pursuit of hostile to Him — it is all part of the Same Gift. This is seen

THE ATHANASIAN OCTOBER 15, 1993 yr s di d no t di e on ly to up ho ld wh at of the Saints regarding Saint Lambert (p. 709), the French in the fact that the mart t w h a t H e c o n d e m n e d . bishop-martyr and the patron of Liege, Belgium, writes: He revealed. but to rejec

i r i t O f C o m p r o m i s e Fortitude, which appears most heroical and most Fortitude vs. The Sp conspicuous in martyrdom, is a cardinal virtue. and

th ol ic s wil l ne ve r be so fo rt un at e as to di e a ma rt yr ’s the mother of many glorious virtues, as courage. Most Ca gr an ts th at in es ti ma bl e pr iv il eg e to a greatness of soul, tranquility of mind under all death, for God only sou ls. Ne ve rt he le ss , iti s no bl e an d me ri to ri ou s fo r dangers, patience, longanimity [longsuffering — select few the faithf ul to ha ve su ch a de si re . Ne it he r th e Bl es se d Vi rg in JKW], constancy, and perseverance. It is the band and Ma ry (w ho m th e Ch ur ch ho no rs wi th th e gl or io us tit le support of all other virtues. As the root of a tree bears Queen of Martyrs), nor Saint John the Evangelist (the only the trunk, branches, flowers, and fruit, so fortitude

Apos tl e to di e a na tu ra l de at h in ol d ag e — th ou gh he su r- sustains, and is the strength of the whole system of vived, in a miraculous way, an attempt to take his life by the moral and Christian virtues, which sink at the first Emperor Domitian), nor Saint Mary Magdalen suffered shock without it. This, therefore, is an ingredient of martyrdom. Saint Joseph, by all accounts, died a natural every perfect virtue by which a man is ready to suffer death, yet his heroic and unswerving protection of Christ any hardships or death, to expose himself to any and His Mother during their perilous flight into Egypt can be dangers, and to forego all temporal advantages rather equally counted as a defense of the Faith no matter the cost than swerve from the path of justice. By confounding to his own personal safety. Such immortal witnesses of rashness, inconsiderate hardness, and fury with Christ as Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Therese of courage, many form a false idea of fortitude, which is Lisieux longed to be martyrs, and Saint Francis actually em- defined, “a considerable alacrity [readiness — JKW] barked on a dangerous journey into Moslem territory with in bearing hardships and undergoing dangers” It this in mind; yet neither fulfilled this holy ambition, since moderates in us the two opposite extremes of fear and God in His unsearchable wisdom had other plans for them. confidence, it teaches us reasonably to fear dangers and death, and to decline and avoid them, when The lives of these eminently great saints, and countless nothing obliges us to expose ourselves to them: for to others as well, not only point up the obvious reality that be foolhardy, and needlessly to precipitate ourselves relatively few are called to endure the supreme sacrifice upon them, is the height of folly and vice, and the (though no one knows with certitude that he will not be strongest mark ofa corvupt and abandoned heart. But called), but other realities just as important in their way. it is true fortitude to undertake and encounter all While the majority of Catholics will not die for the Faith, dangers, when duty or the cause of virtue requires it. all of them are called to defend it, and all of them, as God How noble and heroical is this virtue of fortitude! How decrees, must — at some point — die. While the martyr’s necessary in every Christian, especially in a pastor of glory is not within the grasp of all, two things most souls, that neither worldly views nor fears may ever in assuredly are — @ holy life and @ blessed death. And these the least warp his integrity, or blind his judgment! ideals are only possible through the solid and regular (Vol. II, Part III, Sarto Books, 1982 ed., p. 491) exercise of fortitude and the other Gifts of the Holy Ghost. This spiritual disposition must be cultivated into a habit if And in these turbulent times, all Catholics must pray for the allurements of the flesh, the devil, and the world are to an increase in fortitude. In the words of a prayer from be conquered, and the heavenly kingdom attained. Saint Thomas Aquinas: “Give me justice, to submit to thee; prudence, to avoid the snares of the enemy; In closing, we would do well to reflect prayerfully on the fol- temperance, to keep the just mean; fortitude, to bear eS} lowing. Father Alban Butler, in an article of his famous Lives adversities with patience.”

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THE ATHANASIAN hOCTOBER 15, 1998 r Modernism, The Co nc il ia r Ch ur ch , an d Th e Ca th ol ic Ch ur ch Fr. Oswald Baker (England)

ol ic do ct ri ne s no t be ca us e w e fi nd We are all familiar with the term “Modernism.” In its We are to accept Cath , W h o th ey c o m e f r o m G o d religious sense, Modernism means a loose, vague them useful, but because d c h to e x p o u n d t h e m in Hi s n a m e an movement for bringing the Church up to date, a campaign for commissioned His Chur h e la ws of G o d a n d th e tr ut hs of Go d, improving its image and impact in the world. It sounds with His authority. T Hi s Ch ur ch , ar e to be ac ce pt ed , an d no t plausible and innocent enough. The first proposal is that the transmitted to us by da te d, fo r th ey ar e, li ke Go d, un ch an ge ab le , Church must be updated. Constant renewal is necessary to adapted or up ly at ou r et er na l pe ri l sh al l w e ta mp er wi th th em . keep pace with modem ideas and needs, and doctrines must and on be reformulated in modern terms. The Church must adapt to The professed object of Vatican II, to bring the Church into our day and age, not attempt to rule it. In these times of wide more effective relationship with the world, resulted in the education there must be wider liberty, more freedom of formation of a new, unCatholic, earthy “Church,” secular in thought, more scope for personal initiative and personal outlook and practice, a new sect with a decreased area of the decision. What matters most is the fulfillment of our needs in sacred and a much diminished sense of reverence, a diaboli- accordance with our experience and natural desires. If what cal institution reeking of heresy, laxity, and immorality. The the Church has to teach is not useful to these needs, then it is Vatican II “Church” has adopted a worldly mentality. It has of no use at all. Usefulness is what matters. Usefulness to us is come to terms with the world and adapted to it, instead of the test of all things. The Church must be more flexible, elevating, refining, and sanctifying it. The Catholic Church adaptable, and accommodating, in practice and in faith and has always gained the respect of the world, if not its morals. If you find it helpful and cheering to believe, for submission, by insisting on unworldliness, discipline, example, in the Resurrection, then by all means believe it, mystery, and the pursuit of holiness, in the quest for heaven. even though it be mere wishful thinking. What matters is not We lose the respect and admiration of the world by conform- whether it is historical fact but whether it is consoling. Again, ing to its earthbound outlook. If we dilute our holy religion, in view of the population explosion the Church’s attitude in we fail to give the world Christ, and if we do not give the world delicate matters must be modernized. The Church must Christ, it will find or make its own — Jesus Superstar, and that abandon its antiquated, rigid outlook and consider human is not Our Lord as brought down on the altar by the priest to needs and human feelings — an approach which will have the be given to the world. If we manipulate the moral code, God’s added advantage of inducing a spirit of reconciliation among code, the world has neither the resources nor the desire to men of all beliefs. The Church is behind the times and must recover the original, the authentic. In thé perennial difficulty realize that the road to unity and peace lies through flexibility, of bringing human behaviour into line with Christian morals, give-and-take, compromise, and readiness for change. there is nothing new in the proposal to adapt Christian Much of which was at least implicit in the Second Vatican morals to human behaviour, an attempt in which Luther was Council. And superficially it can be attractive and persuasive. a pioneering genius in preaching what he practiced. Nothing But not when you examine it. Did you notice that in all that new, except that the attempt is made today by those who train of thought there is not a single mention of God? The profess to be Catholics, of the Conciliar Church. The terrible emphasis throughout is on the claims of man. The basis of result of meddling with the moral law is that people are Modernist thought is not the honour of God, not the law of enabled to sin with a clear conscience. All men need God, but human needs, human feelings and human utility. If authentic and complete Catholicism, with its discipline and you are going to accept only what you find useful, you might strictness, and its sacredness and mystery, without which we in the end jettison the whole Catholic religion. cannot even be fully human. +

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