I know some Catholics are getting pretty excited for the upcoming 500th anniversary of Luther's 95 theses. I've studied much of Luther's writings. I've studied much of Calvin's writings. In fact, I'll stick my neck out and say I've studied them far more than the vast majority of priests and bishops. Look, it's a big moment. Many dioceses are celebrating it. Others are unsure of how to commemorate this moment in history. I personally am looking forward to celebrating something else in a few years. From June 15, 1520, here is an excerpt from Pope Leo X's Exsurge Domine:

“With the advice and consent of these our venerable brothers, with mature deliberation on each and every one of the above theses, and by the authority of almighty God, the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own authority, we condemn, reprobate, and reject completely each of these theses or errors as either heretical, scandalous, false, offensive to pious ears or seductive of simple minds, and against Catholic truth. By listing them, we decree and declare that all the faithful of both sexes must regard them as condemned, reprobated, and rejected . . . We restrain all in the virtue of holy obedience and under the penalty of an automatic major excommunication….

Moreover, because the preceding errors and many others are contained in the books or writings of Martin Luther, we likewise condemn, reprobate, and reject completely the books and all the writings and sermons of the said Martin, whether in Latin or any other language, containing the said errors or any one of them; and we wish them to be regarded as utterly condemned, reprobated, and rejected. We forbid each and every one of the faithful of either sex, in virtue of holy obedience and under the above penalties to be incurred automatically, to read, assert, preach, PRAISE, print, publish, or defend them. They will incur these penalties if they presume to uphold them in any way, personally or through another or others, directly or indirectly, tacitly or explicitly, publicly or occultly, either in their own homes or in other public or private places. Indeed immediately after the publication of this letter these works, wherever they may be, shall be sought out carefully by the ordinaries and others [ecclesiastics and regulars], and under each and every one of the above penalties shall be burned publicly and solemnly in the presence of the clerics and people.”

Oh but I left out some of the more juicy items from his writing. That's just how both sides communicated back in the day. By the way, Luther's response? He burned a copy of this Papal Bull. Along with a copy of Canon Law. Anyway, best of luck to those planning a Reformation celebration.

What is modernism? Ask Father.

What is modernism? Does it still exist? What is an example of modernism? Let's ask Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI:

Ron Rolheiser, OMI

18 hrs · 

When Jesus describes the last judgment at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, he tells us that this judgment will not be, first of all, about right doctrine, good theology, church attendance, or even personal piety and sexual morality, but about how we treated the poor.

Yes, thank you. An excellent example. In 1907 Pope St. Pius X wrote an encyclical, Pascendi Dominici Gregis, against modernism. Modernism, to give a most basic answer, is the taking of partial truth and mixing in some personal sentiment in such a way that the actual original truth is, in effect, changed. It is extremely effective, and dangerous. St. Pius X writes: "Therefore the religious sentiment, which through the agency of vital immanence emerges from the lurking places of the subconsciousness, is the germ of all religion" (par. 10). 

Looking at our example provided by Fr. Rolheiser, he states that the end of Matthew's Gospel does not mention judgment (at least "first") in relation to right doctrine, good theology, church attendance, etc. Only how we treat the poor. I think he is referring to the story of "I was in prison and you did not visit me..." However, note, the end of the Gospel also does not directly condemn rape, abortion, throwing jello at old ladies, or even, take this liberals, building pipelines across country. In other words, so what if the end of Matthew's Gospel doesn't mention sexual morality in relation to judgment? But through this partial truth of what the end of Matthew's Gospel says, or doesn't say, Fr. Rolheiser insinuates, through sentiment, that we in fact will not be judged on such things as morality, heresy, and Church precepts. Just how we treat the poor. So how will the poor be judged, by the way?

The result of this post? Many people gushing over this sentiment. Treat the poor right! We all will be saved. If I may change St. Augustine's teaching: Love the poor, and do what you will.

And just out of curiosity, the last verse of Matthew's Gospel tells the apostles to "teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time" (Mt. 28:20).

My sentiments exactly.

The Shocking Truth

We got mail today! And it wasn't a bill! It was a shocking letter from Catholic Insight. They were writing to inform us that, due to financial reasons, there would be no more Catholic Insight. After a 23 year run of being one of the only truly Catholic voices in Canada, they couldn't survive.

It was both shocking and unshocking (sorry, my vocabulary is shockingly limited). Back in September Becca and I got our own subscription, finally. At first we were excited to read all the good stories and, well, Catholic insights offered. However, by about December we both had to admit our disappointment. There were endless pages debating the worth of the wacky Jesuit Teilhard de Chardin, news updates nearly two months old, long long articles about female Lord of the Rings characters, and just overall unexciting and uninteresting publications. Oh there were some good articles too. Dr. David Beresford was/is always interesting and good for a laugh. I appreciated Dr. Ryan Topping's work on church architecture. And every now and then we'd read one or two good articles. But for the most part I would read very few of the articles in the magazine.

I'm tempted to speculate why they couldn't make a go of it. Why things fell off the way they did. But instead I mourn the loss of what had been, and what could have been. We've lost one of the few Canadian Catholic voices. I know that the internet is largely responsible for the loss of many print publications, and in fact there are still many good Catholic people writing on the internet. I also know that the quality of Catholic Insight seemed to have dropped a notch or two. It happens.

However, why do the liberal "Catholic" print voices always remain? Why, for instance, is the Prairie Heretic, er, Messenger, still able to promote shockingly heretical work (limited vocabulary again)? The Prairie Messenger has now resorted to publishing the work of a once Catholic Insight writer, and once Catholic-in-general writer, Michael Coren. In case you're wondering, Coren has now jumped on the abortion bandwagon in this article. At this rate expect Coren to be promoting child sacrifice by Christmas. Or worse, country music. But I digress. The Prairie Messenger still stands. No fear. They can say what they want. When pressed on the Coren article they brought out every heretical and illogical argument in the book. They referred to the seamless garment theory (because saving water bottles is just as important as Jesus dying for our salvation), staying "open" with dialogue, and the newly predictable "Pope Francis wants us to..." line. How about: Pope Francis wants you to stop lying and using his name to further your agenda. What next? Pope Francis for child sacrifice? Well, at least Coren can't use that line. He's burned his Catholic bridges, again. Or worse, Pope Francis for country music... at Mass...How Magisterial of you Prairie Messenger. Again, how shocking.

Where was I again? Oh yes, the bottom line is there is little room for error amongst good Catholic people, good Catholic publications, and any good Catholic work. We are held to the highest standards. We are not free to spout out whatever we want and be rewarded for it. We are bound to the truth. We are also bound to use our brains throughout the process; to be sharp as serpents and innocent as doves. And if we somewhat momentarily lose this, we may find ourselves looking back and saying "what if?..."

Thank you Catholic Insight for all the good things you have done. May your work carry on somehow, someway. Canada needs this.

I'd be shocked if it didn't. Pope Francis wants it that way.