With all of the talk of mercy this past year, people would be tempted to think that we are all assured of Heaven; that all that is left to do for us in the Catholic religion is to help make life on earth better. But is this true? Does mercy mean that as long as we are generally "nice" people who believe in social justice causes we are, more or less, assured Heaven? Would it not be unjust for God to send anyone to Hell? After all, sending souls to Hell is not at all in line with the new mercy.
Indeed with the advent of Amoris Laetitia, one wonders if anyone is culpable for any sin they commit. For if one can receive Holy Communion regardless of the objectively sinful state of their life, based on an imperfect purpose of amendment, who can be damned?
Thankfully for us, the Reverend John Evangelist Zollner has the answer to these questions. With stunning precision only a priest of the past could provide, Fr. Zollner exposes with laser like insight, the false mercy preached by many Catholic prelates and priests today.
Without further ado, I give you Fr. John Zollner, writing in 1884, from Volume One of a series called "The Pulpit Orator."
Chris Jackson
Indeed with the advent of Amoris Laetitia, one wonders if anyone is culpable for any sin they commit. For if one can receive Holy Communion regardless of the objectively sinful state of their life, based on an imperfect purpose of amendment, who can be damned?
Thankfully for us, the Reverend John Evangelist Zollner has the answer to these questions. With stunning precision only a priest of the past could provide, Fr. Zollner exposes with laser like insight, the false mercy preached by many Catholic prelates and priests today.
Without further ado, I give you Fr. John Zollner, writing in 1884, from Volume One of a series called "The Pulpit Orator."
Chris Jackson
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on St. Columbanus states:
On his arrival at Milan in 612, Columbanus met with a kindly welcome from King Agilulf and Queen Theodelinda. He immediately began to confute the Arians and wrote a treatise against their teaching, which has been lost. At the request of the king, he wrote a letter to Pope Boniface on the debated subject of "The Three Chapters". These writings were considered to favour Nestorianism. Pope St. Gregory, however, tolerated in Lombardy those persons who defended them..
On his arrival at Milan in 612, Columbanus met with a kindly welcome from King Agilulf and Queen Theodelinda. He immediately began to confute the Arians and wrote a treatise against their teaching, which has been lost. At the request of the king, he wrote a letter to Pope Boniface on the debated subject of "The Three Chapters". These writings were considered to favour Nestorianism. Pope St. Gregory, however, tolerated in Lombardy those persons who defended them..
Friday, May 6, 2016
Profiles in Resistance: An Irish Saint Rebukes the Pope
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
On Monday, February 22, 1869 His Eminence, Cardinal Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland submitted evidence to a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Primary Education in Ireland. Cardinal Cullen’s tenure as the Archbishop of Dublin is summed up by the catholic encyclopedia as follows:
The condition of the Catholic Church in Ireland, in 1878, in contrast with what it was in 1850, affords abundant proof of the fruitfulness of Cardinal Cullen's zeal and of the beneficent results achieved during his episcopate. Those twenty eight years marked a continuous period of triumphant progress in all matters connected with religion, discipline, education and charity. The eloquent Dominican Father Thomas N. Burke wrote in 1878: "The guiding spirit animating, encouraging and directing the wonderful work of the Irish Catholic Church for the last twenty eight years was Paul, Cardinal Cullen, and history will record the events of his administration as, perhaps, the most wonderful and glorious epoch in the whole ecclesiastical history of Ireland. The result of his labors was the wonderful revival of Catholic devotion and piety which in our day was restored so much of our ancient glory of sanctity to the land once called the 'Island of Saints'". No other Church in Christendom during the same period achieved grander religious results or yielded in richer abundance the choicest fruit of genuine Catholic piety. His remains rest beneath the apse of the Church attached to the diocesan seminary at Clonliffe.
The condition of the Catholic Church in Ireland, in 1878, in contrast with what it was in 1850, affords abundant proof of the fruitfulness of Cardinal Cullen's zeal and of the beneficent results achieved during his episcopate. Those twenty eight years marked a continuous period of triumphant progress in all matters connected with religion, discipline, education and charity. The eloquent Dominican Father Thomas N. Burke wrote in 1878: "The guiding spirit animating, encouraging and directing the wonderful work of the Irish Catholic Church for the last twenty eight years was Paul, Cardinal Cullen, and history will record the events of his administration as, perhaps, the most wonderful and glorious epoch in the whole ecclesiastical history of Ireland. The result of his labors was the wonderful revival of Catholic devotion and piety which in our day was restored so much of our ancient glory of sanctity to the land once called the 'Island of Saints'". No other Church in Christendom during the same period achieved grander religious results or yielded in richer abundance the choicest fruit of genuine Catholic piety. His remains rest beneath the apse of the Church attached to the diocesan seminary at Clonliffe.
Published in
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Can the Divorced and Remarried Receive Holy Communion?
Recently, Cardinal Walter Kasper gave an interview regarding Pope Francis’ plans for the Church. A summary of the interview includes the following:
[Kasper] continues, in the context of the question about “remarried” divorcees, by saying that Pope Francis has agreed with him about making some “humane decisions.” The German cardinal recounts how he once told Pope Francis about a priest whom he knew who had decided not to forbid a “remarried” mother to receive Holy Communion on the day of the First Holy Communion of her daughter. Cardinal Kasper himself concurred with that priest’s decision, saying: “That priest was fully right.” About his further conversation with the pope, he added these words: “I told this to the pope and he confirmed my attitude [with the following words]: ‘That is where the pastor has to make the decision.’” Kasper concludes: “There is now a tail wind to help solve such situations in a humane way.”
Recently, Cardinal Walter Kasper gave an interview regarding Pope Francis’ plans for the Church. A summary of the interview includes the following:
[Kasper] continues, in the context of the question about “remarried” divorcees, by saying that Pope Francis has agreed with him about making some “humane decisions.” The German cardinal recounts how he once told Pope Francis about a priest whom he knew who had decided not to forbid a “remarried” mother to receive Holy Communion on the day of the First Holy Communion of her daughter. Cardinal Kasper himself concurred with that priest’s decision, saying: “That priest was fully right.” About his further conversation with the pope, he added these words: “I told this to the pope and he confirmed my attitude [with the following words]: ‘That is where the pastor has to make the decision.’” Kasper concludes: “There is now a tail wind to help solve such situations in a humane way.”
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Authentic Mercy: The Truth Will Set You Free
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
Now that Francis is officially allowing sacrilegious Communion to unrepentant adulterers, sane Catholics are starting to ask questions. Isn’t the pope supposed to be our guardian of orthodoxy? Isn’t he infallible? Isn’t the Church supposed to be indefectible? In that vein, I was fortuitous enough to come across the following article, which discusses possible scenarios regarding an heretical pope. I know that many articles have been written on this subject since Vatican II, mostly pertaining to the sedevacanist issue. However, I have never seen an article quite like this. The kicker? It was written in 1868. Therefore it cannot be accused in any way of being biased. The author speculates on possibilities regarding the pope I have never before seen in a Pre-Vatican II Catholic document. I think it is a fascinating read.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Popes, "Seeming" Popes, and Anti-Popes
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
In the early 1900’s Britain set up a “Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes” in order to consider new legislation liberalizing divorce laws in the country. As part of the process, experts were called before the Commission in order to acquire diverse opinions about the issue. On 27 June 1910, a Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor James Moyes was called to testify before the Commission.
According to Msgr. Moyes' Wikipedia entry:
Moyes was born Edinburgh, Scotland. He was educated in Ireland, France, and Rome at the Venerabile. Ordained into the priesthood in 1875, he was later appointed professor at St Bede's College, Manchester, England. He was appointed canon theologian of Salford Chapter, 1891, and of the Westminster Chapter, 1895. In 1896, he served on the Papal Commission in Rome on Anglican matters on which he was an authority. In 1903 he was chosen as sub-delegate Apostolic for the Cause of English Martyrs. He edited the Dublin Review until 1903, contributed a vast amount of controversial literature on theological subjects to The Tablet, and wrote Aspects of Anglicanism, 1906. Moyes died in London, England in 1927.
According to Msgr. Moyes' Wikipedia entry:
Moyes was born Edinburgh, Scotland. He was educated in Ireland, France, and Rome at the Venerabile. Ordained into the priesthood in 1875, he was later appointed professor at St Bede's College, Manchester, England. He was appointed canon theologian of Salford Chapter, 1891, and of the Westminster Chapter, 1895. In 1896, he served on the Papal Commission in Rome on Anglican matters on which he was an authority. In 1903 he was chosen as sub-delegate Apostolic for the Cause of English Martyrs. He edited the Dublin Review until 1903, contributed a vast amount of controversial literature on theological subjects to The Tablet, and wrote Aspects of Anglicanism, 1906. Moyes died in London, England in 1927.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Msgr. Moyes: The True Catholic Teaching on Marriage
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
Dear Readers,
I originally had no intention to offer a point by point rebuttal of Michael Voris’ hour-long “Catholi-Schism” video. The video is part of what Voris likes to call his “FBI” or Faith-Based Investigation” series. In reality a more proper acronym would have been “DOA” or “Dead on Arrival.” For the video does nothing more than make a systematic presentation of old arguments against the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) which have all been answered before.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
The SSPX is Not in Schism: A Point by Point Rebuttal to CMTV's "Catholi-Schism" Video
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
This concludes our reprint of the article, "Reunion or Submission" penned by Arthur Featherstone Marshall in The American Catholic Quarterly Review of 1893.
(Click Here for Part I , here for Part II, here for Part III, here for Part IV)
"In America as in England, the gravest of non-Catholics have expressed their ardent desire for conciliation. Schemes have been proposed; congresses have been assembled; bishops and clergy have drawn up “Certain Points of Agreement;” and though such experiments have come to naught, still every earnest-minded man says, “If it be possible, let us strive after reunion." The sole mistake of such admirable wishes or aspirations is in not recognizing that there must be submission. Why wish for so-called reunion, save because truth cannot be divided; and since there can only be one true Church why not submit to it, instead of wasting years in futile talk while millions of Protestants live and die outside the Visible Church, deprived of all the marvelous riches of her spiritual life, as well as of the exquisite enjoyments of her serenity, because they will not submit instead of speculating ; will not obey, instead of inventing a thousand excuses."
(Click Here for Part I , here for Part II, here for Part III, here for Part IV)
"In America as in England, the gravest of non-Catholics have expressed their ardent desire for conciliation. Schemes have been proposed; congresses have been assembled; bishops and clergy have drawn up “Certain Points of Agreement;” and though such experiments have come to naught, still every earnest-minded man says, “If it be possible, let us strive after reunion." The sole mistake of such admirable wishes or aspirations is in not recognizing that there must be submission. Why wish for so-called reunion, save because truth cannot be divided; and since there can only be one true Church why not submit to it, instead of wasting years in futile talk while millions of Protestants live and die outside the Visible Church, deprived of all the marvelous riches of her spiritual life, as well as of the exquisite enjoyments of her serenity, because they will not submit instead of speculating ; will not obey, instead of inventing a thousand excuses."
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Why Ecumenism is Solemn Nonsense: Part V
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
This continues our reprint of the article, "Reunion or Submission" penned by Arthur Featherstone Marshall in The American Catholic Quarterly Review of 1893.
(Click Here for Part I , here for Part II, here for Part III)
Which is the Divine Authority?
Such reflections lead us easily to the conclusion that a reunion can mean only a submission; for, not to submit to divine authority would be insane; it would be not only wicked, it would be mad. The one question which every Christian has to ask himself, in searching for the answer to '' What is truth?" is, ''which is the divine authority among many authorities?" If there be no divine authority, there is no duty in believing; for no man can invent the Catholic faith for himself, any more than he can obey his own mind. On the other hand, if there be a divine authority, all that we have to do is submit to it. We must not talk about reunion, but about submission. God has not placed a divine authority in this world to make compromises with the" views'' of various sects, but to teach all men the whole truth unto salvation, and to be obeyed with the whole will, the whole heart.
(Click Here for Part I , here for Part II, here for Part III)
Which is the Divine Authority?
Such reflections lead us easily to the conclusion that a reunion can mean only a submission; for, not to submit to divine authority would be insane; it would be not only wicked, it would be mad. The one question which every Christian has to ask himself, in searching for the answer to '' What is truth?" is, ''which is the divine authority among many authorities?" If there be no divine authority, there is no duty in believing; for no man can invent the Catholic faith for himself, any more than he can obey his own mind. On the other hand, if there be a divine authority, all that we have to do is submit to it. We must not talk about reunion, but about submission. God has not placed a divine authority in this world to make compromises with the" views'' of various sects, but to teach all men the whole truth unto salvation, and to be obeyed with the whole will, the whole heart.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Why Ecumenism Is Solemn Nonsense: Part IV
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers
This continues our reprint of the article, "Reunion or Submission" penned by Arthur Featherstone Marshall in The American Catholic Quarterly Review of 1893.
(Click Here for Part I and here for Part II)
Is the Catholic Church Divinely Authoritative?
If non-Catholics have accepted the estimate just now hazarded, that "the claim to possess the divine authority to teach truth" is in itself a strong presumption of that possession; they will have easily passed to the corollary, that “ the disclaimer of divine authority is in itself a strong presumption of not possessing it"; and they will therefore naturally turn to the authority which says, "I can teach,” and will ask, “Prove to me that you are from, heaven and I will obey you." Well might the Catholic Church reply with her Divine Master, "Have I been so long time with, you, and yet hast thou not known me?" But in truth all non-Catholics recognize the truism, that the Catholic Church alone is authoritative. It is because she is authoritative that they quarrel with her, alleging that they prefer their private judgment. The question with any Protestant is not, "Is the Catholic Church authoritative?” but, "Is the Catholic Church divinely authoritative?" This question we should like to try to answer.
(Click Here for Part I and here for Part II)
Is the Catholic Church Divinely Authoritative?
If non-Catholics have accepted the estimate just now hazarded, that "the claim to possess the divine authority to teach truth" is in itself a strong presumption of that possession; they will have easily passed to the corollary, that “ the disclaimer of divine authority is in itself a strong presumption of not possessing it"; and they will therefore naturally turn to the authority which says, "I can teach,” and will ask, “Prove to me that you are from, heaven and I will obey you." Well might the Catholic Church reply with her Divine Master, "Have I been so long time with, you, and yet hast thou not known me?" But in truth all non-Catholics recognize the truism, that the Catholic Church alone is authoritative. It is because she is authoritative that they quarrel with her, alleging that they prefer their private judgment. The question with any Protestant is not, "Is the Catholic Church authoritative?” but, "Is the Catholic Church divinely authoritative?" This question we should like to try to answer.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Why Ecumenism Is Solemn Nonsense: Part III
By: Chris Jackson | Remnant Columnist
Published in
Traditional Catholic Answers