Most Christians Not Called To Be Heroic – Kasper Strikes Again….
.- In a recent interview with Commonweal, Cardinal Walter Kasper discussed his proposal that divorced and remarried persons might receive Communion, suggesting that Christians aren’t called to be heroic.
“To live together as brother and sister? Of course I have high respect for those who are doing this,” he told Commonweal’s Matthew Boudway and Grant Gallicho, referring to divorced partners who have entered into a new civil marriage.
“But it’s a heroic act, and heroism is not for the average Christian.” Click on photo of Cardinal Kasper to read the rest of this report. Then tell us your thoughts.
Comments (19)
Madame Editor,
This report on the sermon given by Cardinal Kasper illustrates the same ambiguity that we have come to associate with the documents that came out of Vatican II.
Consider this extract from the report:
By “not meant for heroism” the Cardinal could be suggesting that heroism is not expected of the average Catholic, but he could also be saying that the average Catholic (of today) does not indulge in heroism – not at all the same thing.
We know from the contempt in which the majority of Catholics hold Humanae vitae what they think of heroically observing the teachings of the Church and that they do not indulge in heroism – but that is a very far cry from the attitude of the Martyrs who gave their lives in support of the teachings of the Church and who certainly cannot be accused of lacking in heroism.
As for “people must do what is possible in their situation.”, the Martyrs showed just what was possible, but Cardinal Kaspar, despite his red hat, makes no suggestion that Catholics of today might consider laying down their lives for the Faith.
In conclusion, by whom is “the average Catholic not meant for heroism?”. I would venture to suggest that God certainly expects heroism from the average Catholic, from the day of their Confirmation onwards, but it would appear the Cardinal Kaspers of this world hold, and seek to encourage, different expectations.
What about the Christians that were/are called to be heroic? Are there different rules for them than there is for the ones that are not called?
Are they to have a door put over them and a few hundred weight of bricks on it to give them a wee squeeze before they are saved but the ones who couldn’t be trusted to keep their vows to God gets a free passage?
“Aye, don’t you dare go near communion: you have been called for heroism but your fancy man can go”
Talk about a joke!
Frankier,
Yes, there are different rules. Those like St. Margaret Clitheroe (who was indeed pressed to death for harbouring priests) go to Heaven.
Those who are found totally wanting at the hour of their death get a free passage. It is not for me to know where it will be a free passage to, but the parable of the tares and the wheat comes to mind.
Those who were not called to martyrdom, but who did their level best to know God, love Him and serve Him while they had the chance, and I count myself in that small number, could be in for a jolly good roasting in Purgatory but can entertain the hope of the Beatific Vision eventually.
As long as there are agents like Cardinal Kasper, the process of undermining the Kingship of Christ will continue – just keep smiling along and everybody will get there in the end. [Note the emboldened ambiguity].
Leprechaun,
Thanks for the reminder of the parable of the tares and the wheat. Sometimes I get impatient seeing the Church’s enemies getting the upper hand, Cardinal Kasper being a case in point. I just need to be patient and wait, because they won’t get away with their destruction of the Church.
The website quotes Jesus telling us to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect, and that is a call to heroism, surely?
Nice to know the hierarchy have high expectations for us. Like a father, presupposing his children’s mediocrity, how cruel.
Leprechaun
I was thinking of Margaret Clitheroe among many others who suffered even worse fates.
It is obvious that The Friendly Ghost isn’t interested in these great martyrs, otherwise he wouldn’t insult their memories.
You often wonder if it was really worth their while.
Card. (should have retired years ago) Kasper, clearly loves to dress up so meticulously with his attention to detail. He clearly loves the international travel and lifestyle. St John Ogilvie pray for us.
Mary Queen of heaven rid us of these Pharisees; these “prelates” who tear at Our Lord’s beard with their lies and falsehoods. Amen.
“…Cardinal Kasper [the Friendly Apostate], despite his red hat, makes no suggestion that Catholics of today might consider laying down their lives for the Faith.” – Leprechaun
I would go as far as to say, rather, that he has laid down the Faith for human respect. May God grant that I live long enough to see all these devils silenced, once and for all.
BTW, who do we have to thank for his elevation to the Cardinalate? Why, “saint” Pope JPII, of course! And who do we have to thank for his promotion to President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (translation: For Selling Out the Faith)? Why, the very same “saint”! And who do we have to thank for confirming him as said President after the death of said “saint”? Why, Pope Benedict the Abdicator.
Pardon me for paraphrasing St. Paul, but it appears that, in the Conciliar Church, all things work together for evil for them who have abandoned the Faith.
It seems indeed that this is a wholesale ‘selling out the faith’. If I’ve understood this correctly Cardinal Kasper has embraced sola scriptura as one of the ‘truths’ existing outside the Church in Protestantism – how else does sin, for him, seem to exist as an entity in an agentless vacuum, whereas the sinner (having repented of a ‘failed marriage’???) can go merrily on his justified way, committing adultery to his heart’s content for the rest of his life?
A reader emailed the following video interview with Fr Gruner on the problem of Freemasons within the Hierarchy. It’s very interesting indeed. Notice what is said about the “non-necessity” of actual Freemasonic membership as long as they have imbibed and spread the ideas of Freemasonry…
Trouble is that Kaspar the friendly Cardinal, is being encouraged in this betrayal of Our Lord’s teaching of the sacredness of marriage vows, by the pope himself!
No Vatican II promoters this ain’t the Holy Ghost…what it is, is the Zeitgeist. (very German).
Cardinal Kasper is like a silly schoolboy with a weak parent, able to keep dipping his hand in the cookie jar without getting into bother.
There is a determined drive to change Catholic teaching on marriage at the synod. There is no question about it, and they are getting the change they want by the back door, through the discipline of the sacraments, by allowing adulterers to say their previous marriage failed and they’re sorry, and that’s it. This sort of argument is how they are doing it – it’s too difficult for the “average” Catholic to live up to the Gospel teaching on marriage.
Before the pseudo-canonisations I thought this will never happen – not now. Everything’s up for grabs now and I think there will be some changes brought in at the synod. What will be really interesting will be to see if any priests have the faith and the courage to refuse to go along with any changes to the reception of the sacraments for divorced and remarried and cohabitees, who I presume will also be eligible for the eucharist under the new rules.
There is a determined drive to change Catholic teaching on marriage at the synod.
Fear not. It won’t happen. It can’t happen.
This is just like the debate that went on about contraception in the sixties, which ended with the Pope coming down firmly – as he had to – on the side of “no change” to the Church’s teaching. The problem was, that having had expectations of change falsely raised, many people found it difficult to accept that it was not forthcoming. Sadly I fear the same will happen at the Synod. There will be some discussion and there will be a re-statement of the Church’s Traditional belief in marriage, perhaps with some advice to priests on the pastoral care of those in irregular situations.
It is extremely unfortunate that people have been misled into thinking change can come. Who is responsible for that? Well I believe Pope Francis is responsible – in part. I have said since early in his papacy that he needs to learn how to use the media more wisely. I would like him to stop feeding the press convenient sound bites that, taken out of context, make those who know no better think he is about to “reform” and “update” the Church’s “old-fashioned” teachings. I have a wee suspicion, based on no evidence, just a gut feeling, that maybe someone close to the Pope is not playing fair by him. Could it be that some of His Holiness’s statements may not be translated with absolute accuracy and that it may be no accident that some of the snippets from his speeches which are passed to the media make it sound as if he is saying the things the press want to hear?
Because the Church is an organisation that contains fallible, sinful human beings, there will always be problems within it, and that has been the case since the Ascension. When it comes to unchangeable doctrine, however, we can absolutely trust the Holy Spirit to make sure that truth is upheld.
If anyone is opening a book on what happens at the Synod I will have a tenner on no change to the teaching in marriage.
Eileenanne,
“there will be a re-statement of the Church’s Traditional belief in marriage, perhaps with some advice to priests on the pastoral care of those in irregular situations.”
That’s what I mean – the “advice to priests on pastoral care” is what will make the change in practice. I know that the teaching of the Church on marriage cannot change but it can seem to change just as it has seemed to change on contraception because a majority of Catholics use it and a majority of priests don’t preach about it and give bad advice in confession. That’s what is going to happen after this synod. There will be a nod and a wink to “mercy” towards the divorced and remarried and nobody will be able to say a thing because of this new “advice to priests on the pastoral care of those in irregular situations.”
I’m speechless at your views about Pope Francis. He’s a well known liberal, from his days in Argentina, and it’s obvious that he is saying what he thinks, not being misinterpreted. Did you not see him on the video giving his talk to the Protestants? Nobody was pulling his strings, he was speaking his mind. Even neo-conservative Catholics are concerned at his behaviour.
That’s exactly how the modernists are planning to “change” (they think) Catholic teaching. Through permitting adulterers to receive Holy Communion with the blessing of the Church.
Let’s see what happens at the forthcoming synod. Diabolical disorientation par excellence, methinks…
I think here of my own mother and father who raised 11 of us on a pittance and never questioned their faith; indeed they drew their strength from it, even when two of their beloved children (11&3 years) died from illnesses associated with bad housing. In the midst of very hard times they persevered in the faith. I look back on them and rejoice in their holiness. They lived their lives in union with their Church (Pius XI and XII were their Popes) in the midst of near poverty, bigotry, and discrimination. I’d like to ask Cardinal Kasper about these devout, Catholic soldiers of Christ, who knew what self-sacrifice meant in the context of their married lives. Kasper (even his name jars with me) is to the fore with his milk toast offering of neither hot nor cold Catholicism: and we know what our Lord said about the lukewarm!
Bradders,
Very well said – I hope someone draws Cardinal Kasper’s attention to your comment at 3.35.pm because he really needs to be pulled up short and made to think of the huge damage he is doing, the insults his “theology for the brain dead” represent to faithful married people like your parents, not to mention abandoned spouses (like some friends/acquaintances of mine) who, having bargained for marriage and family, were forced to live a lonely life due to abandonment by their unfaithful spouse.
Yes, we know what Our Lord said about the fate of the lukewarm – and about the fate of those wolves disguised as shepherds, who lead souls astray: “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15)
Surely somebody close to him is warning Cardinal Kasper of the spiritual danger he is courting, not only for the faithful he’s leading astray, but for his own eternal salvation.
What am I saying? If he is called to his judgment tomorrow, he’d be on the fast track to sainthood by this time next week. At least if Mgr Loftus has his way…
Your parents sound wonderful. It is a real betrayal of faithful Catholics such as them, that the synod is even going to discuss changing the rules about Holy Communion for the divorced and “remarried”.
My comment at 7.36pm is a reply to Bradders.
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