Catholic Defence
Apologists for the Vatican claim that the recently reported lifting of the excommunication of four bishops illicitly consecrated by a rebellious archbishop in 1988 has been sorely misunderstood. The lifting of the excommunication had everything to do with the current pope's wish to reunify the fractured Catholic Church, and nothing whatever to do with the incidental and utterly irritating fact that one of the bishops happens to be a vile idiot.The Church, in resurrecting its communion, and restoring the bishops to legal status within the embrace of the Roman Catholic Church has a larger, more subtle purpose. It has hopes that those Catholics who embraced a more orthodox church culture and who took affront at the liberalizing effects of Vatican II, will now return meekly to the embrace of the larger Catholic Church.
The unfortunate sidebar of welcoming back into the church one such as Bishop Richard Williamson who delights in 9-11 conspiracy theories, and who makes no secret of his addiction to Holocaust denial, happily uttering racist taunts, has nothing whatever to do with the decision of Pope Benedict to make amends and re-legitimize the bishops.
No, the Vatican is not, by welcoming Bishop Williamson back into the fold, validating his belief in the authenticity of The Protocol of the Elders of Zion. Nor, they are swift to explain, do they wish to associate themselves with any of his quite absurd positions on the world order and the Jewish conspiracy to overtake that order and re-order it toward Jewcentricity.
All, all, an unfortunate misunderstanding. That by this decision the Vatican has effectively trivialized its relationship with global Jewry and the State of Israel and its responsibility toward its larger church membership, is mere hostile sophistry.
Meanwhile, anti-Semites the world over now have cause to take heed and rejoice. Possibly serving as an invitational incentive to join the Catholic Church, now suddenly and with cause become so dear to their hearts, thus accomplishing Pope Benedict's mission by delightful default.
Alas, the misunderstanding. It was imperative that the traditionalist society of St. Pius X be reinstated. Cannot Israel understand? Where is Jewish compassion?
Pope Benedict beseeches understanding: "While I renew with affection the expression of my full and unquestionable solidarity with our [Jewish] brothers, I hope the memory of the Shoah will induce humanity to reflect on the unpredictable power of hate when it conquers the heart of man." Sterling words of pious comfort.
Remember that tired old adage of actions speaking louder than words? Speaking of words: merely "unacceptable", according to the official Vatican newspaper, referring to Bishop Williamson's statements...? The confidently smirking Williamson has been formally barred from speaking publicly on such matters by his close superior. Frantic damage control the order of the day.
"It is evident that a Catholic bishop cannot speak with ecclesial authority if it is not a question of faith and morals", issued a statement from Switzerland. "Our fraternity does not claim any authority over other questions." Faith and morals? Why both are inclusive of those statements so proudly issuing from the mouth of the bishop.
"With great sadness we acknowledge the extent to which the violation of this mandate has damaged our mission. The statements of Bishop Williamson do not reflect in any way the position of our society." Solution? Remove his authority, go beyond denouncing the man's virulent anti-Semitism and functional illiteracy in world affairs.
His offence against humanity and rational thought is surely great enough to ensure his removal from active duty, as a representative of the Holy Roman Catholic church, is it not? How many minds might this man's poisonous utterings have critically vulgarized into believing he speaks the truth?
With no doubt equal sadness and the heaviest of hearts, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has seen fit to sever official ties with the Vatican. And has cancelled a meeting scheduled in Rome with the pope's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews.
For the simple fact is that Pope Benedict has himself irrevocably de-commissioned his very own commission and commitment.
Labels: Anti-Semitism, Political Realities, Religion
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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