The Confession of the Archbishop, and the Mother of the Confessions
What is one to say of the recent allegations of the former papal nuncio to the United States, Carlo Maria Vigano, claiming a network of complaisance, cover-up, deceit, aiding and abetting in homosexual behaviour amongst clergy, reaching to the highest echelons of the hierarchy, even implicating Pope Francis himself? As the Archbishop confessed, he did not want to go before God with this on his conscience. Indeed.
I would not call this entirely unprecedented (just read some of the forthright reflections and exhortations of Saint Peter Damian in the 11th century, when things were also rather dire), but what we are witnessing comes close to being unique. I would describe what is unfolding as ‘apocalyptic’, perhaps not in the ‘end of the world’ sense (although we know neither the day nor the hour), but in the sense that many things are being revealed that were once hidden in darkness, which may well be salutary to driving out the rot and evil (which, we should remind ourselves, resides in all our hearts).
When asked about the disturbing allegations on the plane ride back from Ireland (a visit fraught with difficulties, and quite unlike John Paul II’s ebullient pilgrimage in 1979), the Holy Father replied that ‘he’s not going to say a word’ about the letter which, he ominously added, ‘speaks for itself’, urging reporters to ‘draw their own conclusions’.
One is not sure what to make of this, but we may hope that the truth, and its implications, will unfold over the next few days.
As Archbishop Vigano states in his letter, it is only the truth that can set us free, and Nietzsche wrote once that the test of a man is how much of the truth he could take. We may soon all be tested more than we might have thought, or wanted.
In the secular world of politics, we have the sad state of the federal Conservative Party here in Canada where, in their policy convention on the weekend, the motion to include ‘limiting abortion in Canada’ as part of their platform was defeated, albeit by a narrow margin. I have heard that social conservatives are not all that welcome amongst the more entrenched members of the Conservatives, who seem a tad too comfortable in the status quo.
If the Conservatives refuse to touch any ‘social’ issues (itself a misleading term, for all issues are ‘social’), then how do they differ from the Liberals, except not being quite as radical, driving us off the precipice and into whatever abyss lies ahead if we continue on our present tragic course (see Venezuela) perhaps a bit more slowly?
We are in the problems we are in, both in the Church and in the world, because people did not speak the truth, especially those whose duty it was to do so. We need more of that virtue of parrhesia of which Saint Paul speaks, boldness and courage in the truth, not more complaisance and going-along-to-get-along, waiting for that ‘opportunity’ that never comes. As the saying goes, fortuna audaces iuvat, fortune favours the bold, and it is well past time now to proclaim the truth from the housetops.
On that note, today is the memorial of Saint Monica (+387), mother of Saint Augustine, for whose conversion she prayed incessantly, living to see her immensely gifted son not only return to the Church, but become one of the greatest theologians, doctors and bishops who have ever graced those offices. Saint Augustine recounts the moving story of his mother’s final moments, and their last conversation, in his autobiographical Confessions, the central part of which is in today’s Office, declaring his deep love and affection for the woman who gave him both physical and, more to the point, spiritual birth.
She is the patron saint of mothers, especially those who pray, suffer and intercede for their children, which includes pretty much all of them.
So a hearty thanks to all mothers out there, my own dear Mum and all the rest, for all you have done. So while we may advocate preaching the truth more boldly, we should not forget that there is also a quiet sort of holiness, the more common and perhaps effective variety, hidden in homes across the world, sacrifices made day in and day out, diapers changed, meals prepared, children tutored and taught. Such families, mothers and fathers and children, need the truth, the Church, and her pastors, to speak clearly, to support them, like Augustine in Hippo, to be the ‘pillar and bulwark’ that Christ intended her to be, instead of a shaky reed blown in the wind, or worse.
But more on that in the days ahead.
And on a happier note, here is the link to the recent editions of the Kids’ Bulletin, for all you Mums out there.
Saint Monica, ora pro nobis, omnibus.
Carney’s Amoral Majority
After five defections – euphemistically described as ‘crossing the floor’ – and three by-elections, Mark Carney and his Liberals how have their coveted majority. One wonders what bowls of pottage were offered in back-room deals. In the archaic monarchical system that is the Dominion of Canada, this majority allows the newly-minted Prime Minister to rule[…]Continue reading→
Saint Kateri , Canada’s Protectress
This was the title given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, by Pope Benedict XVI, when he canonized her on October 28th, 2012, along with six others, in Saint Peter’ Square (she had been beatified by Pope John Paul II back in 1980). With Saint Joseph as our protector, along with the Canadian martyrs, we seem to[…]Continue reading→
Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk
(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→
A Tale of Two Benedicts
A grace-filled Holy Week to all our readers! As we await and prepare for the Resurrection about to dawn upon us, we might keep in mind two Benedicts: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, requiescat in pace, elected on this day in 2005; and today’s commemoration of the mystic pilgrim, Benedict Joseph Labre, who died on this[…]Continue reading→
My Name is Bernadette
April 16th is a propitious day, for besides the anniversary of Father de Valk’s death, who founded Catholic Insight in its print form decades ago, and the commemoration of the ‘two Benedicts’, mentioned in accompanying posts, today we also recall Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary to whom the Virgin Mary appeared numerous times at[…]Continue reading→
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam and Suffering Joyfully
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam (1380 – 1433) was one of the countless and glorious ‘victim souls’ in the history of the Church, those whose lives are filled with suffering, often of an unimaginable intensity, but who suffer joyfully. She was a fifteen-year old Dutch girl, out skating one day, when she fell and broke one[…]Continue reading→
The Glorious Martyrdoms of Martin and Maximus
As we enter into Eastertide, we recall on this 13th of April Pope Saint Martin I (+655), one of the noblest, if most tragic, of the successors of Saint Peter. Born in Umbria, Italy, he was of noble lineage, with great intelligence combined with charity and love of the poor and the Church. While still[…]Continue reading→
Divine Mercy Sunday – An Echo of Every Mass
Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe’… ‘My Lord and my God!’ (Jn. 20:18)). Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, and as we celebrate the end of the Easter Octave, we contemplate the wounded side of our Saviour, the Church’s source of life. On Good Friday in the[…]Continue reading→
Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów
We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→
Saint Gemma Galgani
On this April 11th, in 1903 – the same year that the Italian Guiseppe Sarto was elected Pope later that summer as Pius X – a lovely, young Italian woman died, by the name of Gemma Galgani. She lived a brief life of 24 years, as did a number of other young saints, including Pier[…]Continue reading→