Update: John Vennari and Cancer

Inside the Vatican magazine November-December 2022 by Inside The ...

26/01/15 13:17

On Wayward Pontiffs

"Peter has no need of our lies or flattery. Those who blindly and indiscriminately defend every decision of the Supreme Pontiff are the very ones who do most to undermine the authority of the Holy See - they destroy instead of strengthening its foundations," Bishop Melchior Cano O.P., a theologian of the Council of Trent.

Can We Recognize and Resist?

By Robert J. Siscoe

Hold to Tradition

I will never leave you!” Pastoral Letter of UGCC Synod of Bishops ...

In St. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he discusses the great apostasy that will precede the rise of the antichrist. He then admonishes the Thessalonians, “stand fast, and hold to the traditions which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle”, thereby showing that adherence to tradition is the antidote that will protect them from being led astray during the time of apostasy.

Four Centuries of Tradition

Four Centuries later, St. Vincent of Lerins asked what Catholics should do if the entire Church was infected by a “novel contagion”. He explained that, at such a time, the safe path is to cleave to tradition.

Obedience in Crisis

What is the obligation of Catholics during the unprecedented ecclesiastical crisis in which we find ourselves? The answer lies in understanding the limits of obedience and the hierarchical order of virtues, placing the theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—above all others.

Adherence to Tradition

7 Key Differences Between Protestant and Catholic Doctrine - DTS Voice

Adherence to tradition, understood in both the strict and broad sense of the term, is always the certain path to follow, while novelty has always been the mark of heretics.

Epikeia: Understanding the Law

Epikeia, or “equity”, is a virtue necessary in our day, as it defends the common good and individual rights against the abuse of power, allowing the faithful to navigate the complexities of modern ecclesiastical challenges.

Beware of False Prophets

When faced with prelates preaching novel doctrines, the faithful may defend the tradition and resist these teachings without denying the authority of these prelates.

Conclusion

Those who hold fast to tradition as taught by St. Vincent of Lerins will find the way through the current crisis. The faithful can recognize the authority of a prelate, while resisting them in the exercise of authority. They will know when to obey and when to exercise Epikeia. This crisis, erupting in the 'information age', offers both challenges and opportunities for the devoted to fortify their convictions in the heritage of their faith.

Traveling Through Time and Tradition

As we navigate through the complex intersections of our lives and faith, it’s akin to traveling on a journey that spans not only physical distances but temporal ones. Holding onto tradition is like consulting the maps of our ancestors, ensuring we don’t lose our way as we forge ahead into the challenges of the modern era. These time-honored traditions, whether in faith, culture, or the arts, provide the compass that guides us through the ever-changing landscapes of life, allowing us to find solace in the continuity of what has been tested and held true across the centuries.