"It is...Our will that Catholics should abstain from certain appellations which have recently been brought into use to distinguish one group of Catholics from another. They are to be avoided not only as 'profane novelties of words,' out of harmony with both truth and justice, but also because they give rise to great trouble and confusion among Catholics. Such is the nature of Catholicism that it does not admit of more or less, but must be held as a whole or as a whole rejected: 'This is the Catholic faith, which unless a man believe faithfully and firmly; he cannot be saved' (Athanasian Creed). There is no need of adding any qualifying terms to the profession of Catholicism: it is quite enough for each one to proclaim 'Christian is my name and Catholic my surname,' only let him endeavour to be in reality what he calls himself." -- Pope Benedict XV, Ad Beatissimi Apostolorum 24 (1914)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Inevitable Result of Dissenters

Austrian dissidents escalate conflict, challenge hierarchy
November 07, 2011
Dissident Catholics in Austria have announced their intention to conduct liturgical ceremonies in which lay people act as priests, preaching and simulating the celebration of Mass.

"Church law bans this," acknowledged Hans Peter Hurka, the leader of the We Are Church movement. His group issued a challenging manifesto just before the Austrian bishops gathered for their annual meeting.

The lay-led ceremonies would violate not only canonical rules but also fundamental theological principles, ignoring central doctrinal teachings about the nature of the Eucharist and of Holy Orders. Nevertheless Hurka made the claim that his group's stance is in accordance with the teachings of Vatican II.

The Austrian hierarchy already faces a challenge from the Priests' Initiative, another radical group that has called for defiance of Church law. The nation's leading prelate, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, has warned repeatedly that the dissident priests are creating a danger of "serious conflict" within the Church. However the cardinal has declined to take disciplinary action, saying that he is "counting on dialogue and cooperation."

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=12279

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