One of the bloggers protests that, although we can fulfil our Sunday obligation by attending an SSPX chapel, the Vatican does not recommend it for fear of falling into the “schismatic mindset”. I think the phrase was actually “schismatic spirit”, but who cares. Another blogger rightly points out that nowhere is the “schismatic mindset” more evident that in any modern parish you care to name, where just about everything that happens in the sanctuary is in defiance of various Vatican instructions and the kind of reading material available is designed to help you lose your faith in the shortest possible time. This is nowhere more true than of the Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh.
We have quoted, ad nauseum, statements of dissent from the lips of both Cardinal O’Brien and Archbishop Conti – see our website, Masses section (Edinburgh and Glasgow pages respectively), so check that out to see that we are, in Scotland, and have been for many years now, in a state of de facto schism. Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos eat your heart out…
Yesterday, for example, a reader telephoned to say he had put a booklet in the post to me, taken from a huge pile available at the back of St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. This booklet, promoting events at the Edinburgh International Festival, is entitled Festival of Spirituality and Peace – which is your first clue. And you are right to be suspicious. This is where you need your Catholic sense. This booklet is definitely not approporiate material for a Catholic, or indeed anyone claiming to be a Christian. Anyone who could attend the events advertised therein and billed as conversations, film, drama and storytelling, prayer and meditation, exhibitions and concerts, hasn’t got a Catholic bone in their body. Obnoxious stuff.
It almost goes without saying that homosexuality is a recurring theme. “Bishop” Gene Robinson, the “gay bishop” who hit the headlines when some of his Anglican brothers and sisters objected to his “ordination” is named as one of the guests at a “Launch event, Be the Change” advertised on page 4 and on page 8 an advertisement appears for that other famous “gay”, Rabbi Lionel Blue, described as “the nation’s favourite clergyman” who will be foisting his thoughts on us regarding “our idealistic desires to change the world” (for which read impose/consolidate “diversity of lifestyles”) in conversation with Catholic priest, Fr Gerard Hughes SJ, author of ‘God of Surprises’. Well, my guess is that there will indeed be some surprises in store for Fr Hughes when he comes face to face with God but more than that, I dare not speculate.
Talking about priests, there is a nice little nugget on page 16, where we read that “former Catholic priest Idris Tawfiq will explain the perspective of his adopted faith of Islam”. So, Cardinal O’Brien (in good standing with Rome, remember) has no qualms about encouraging people visiting his cathedral to go along to listen to a “former” Catholic priest praising the religion to which he converted – Islam. And keep reminding yourself, that if you asked Cardinal O’Brien if you could attend an SSPX Mass, he would undoubtedly tell you - with a straight face – that they are in schism. Or (if pushed to tell the truth) – OK, you may attend to fulfil your obligation, but watch you don’t catch the schismatic spirit! Yeah, right.
Finally, not to make this article too lengthy, just when you’re thinking to yourself, “if I, as Cardinal, was making this shocking booklet available to my congregation, I would be trembling at the thought of meeting God”, you flip to page 17 and see the heading: “Trembling Before G-d”. (that’s right – “G-d”) This turns out to be an advert for “an unprecedented feature documentary that shatters assumptions about faith,sexuality and religious fundamentalism. The film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma - how to reconcile their passionate love of Judaism and the Divine with the drastic Biblical prohibitions that forbid homosexuality…” This disgraceful event concludes with a 30 minute Q & A with ‘Bishop’ Gene Robinson, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Peter Tatchell (homosexual rights activist) and Dr Christian Lange (lecturer in Islamic Studies).
Now before some dumpling blogs to say that maybe someone put a bundle of this “evil booklet” (to quote the reader who posted it to me) at the back of the cathedral without the Cardinal’s knowledge - please!
Believe me, if anyone dared to place a pile of Catholic Truth newsletters at the back of the same cathedral, they’d be removed with such urgency that you would be forgiven for thinking it was a matter of national security and those newsletters containing solid Catholic doctrine and reports on the state of the Church in Scotland and the UK, would be lining the floor of the nearest dustbin before you could say “schismatic spirit”.
We have a Cardinal who is already on public record saying he has no problem with “gay” teachers, living with partners, teaching in Catholic schools and no problem with celibacy withering away because he wants his priests to have the liberty to enjoy sex rather than feel they have to be celibate all their lives, so we know he’s no saint. Indeed, the only thing he seems to have a problem with is Catholic Truth which he once described as “a scurrilous publication” in my unworthy presence. So much for dialogue.
So, sure, he’s no Robert Bellarmine. Now, however, it is clear that his dissenting utterances are no mere one-off slips of the tongue or passing musings. The huge pile of these booklets advertising homosexual events and talks by a priest-convert to Islam is manifest evidence of a subversive influence at work. The fact the the subversive influence owns a red hat should make everyone head for an SSPX chapel and take their chances with the “schismatic spirit” – which they won’t find there, anyway. Switch your brains on folks. Think!
Or maybe some of you broadminded modern Catholics out there think it’s cool to attend these events – tell us, please, if you dare, I mean, if you do. We’d just LOVE to hear from you…
