Matt Fradd's Blog, page 11

How the Media Distorted Vatican II

People love simple narratives. Examples: “Australians are laid back”; “The French are arrogant” and “Americans are loud.”

Sometimes, there is a kernel of truth to these stereotypes. But reality is often much more complex than that.

This is especially true of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The media covering Vatican II created an oversimplified narrative that has distorted people’s perception of the council ever since.

Here are two things the media got wrong.

They looked at the council through a political lens.
The media portrayed the council as a battle between conservatives and liberals — these two camps being understood in a political rather than religious sense. One week the “conservatives” would score a victory; the next week it was the “liberals.”

In reality, the bishops represented a spectrum rather than two clearly defined camps. While two bishops would agree on one issue — say, the immorality of torture — they would disagree on another, such as ecumenism. There were no clear-cut lines between “conservatives” and “liberals.”

They thought that the bishops let their theological experts run the council.
While the bishops — united to the pope — are the ultimate authorities in an ecumenical council, many of them brought theological experts to Vatican II to aid them with the issues under discussion.

The media overemphasized the theologians’ role in creating the documents of the council. Some outlets even went so far as to say that the bishops were unaware of what their helpers put into the documents yet voted on them anyway.

This is false. The bishops kept a close eye on everything going into the council documents. “Dei Verbum” — one of the shortest documents from the council at only about 12 pages long — went through many drafts with numerous comments from bishops who wanted to make sure it was as clear and accurate as possible.

In addition, the drafting committees couldn’t change a document unless a bishop had requested it. Bishops were very aware of the content of the Vatican II documents and every document received the approval of the vast majority of bishops.

Vatican II — like every council before it — was a messy event. But the Holy Spirit guided it, so we can be confident that the final documents given to us are what God wants us to believe and live in this troubled age of ours.

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The Real Meaning of “No Salvation Outside of the Church”

One of the many theological debates among Catholics is the meaning of this phrase: No salvation outside the Church. Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly taught that it does NOT mean that all non-Catholics are definitely going to hell.

In some mysterious fashion known to God alone, these people are saved by the grace He gave the Catholic Church.

Many Catholics — especially those on the more extreme fringes of Traditionalist circles — argue that this contradicts previous Church teaching, which supposedly says that anyone who dies outside of full communion won’t go to heaven.

However, Vatican II and the Catechism are in full harmony with the Church’s tradition. Here’s why.

The Church has always held a more nuanced view of this doctrine than the fringe interpretation asserts.
Some Traditionalists point to St. Cyprian’s assertion that there’s no salvation outside the Church as evidence for their view. But Cyprian is addressing Catholics threatening to break away from the Church and follow an illegitimate bishop. He’s not talking about Indigenous people who never heard the name of Christ.

The Catechism of Pope St. Pius X, published a little more than 50 years before Vatican II, affirmed that people outside of the Church could be saved under certain conditions, such as the presence of faith. It says that even though such people are not joined to the body of the Church, they are joined to its soul.

Before Vatican II, the Church also condemned the radical interpretation of salvation of the Feeneyites, who said a person had to be a card-carrying member of the Church to receive salvation.

Scripture affirms that God wills the salvation of all.
God wants everyone to be saved, though He gave us free will to accept or reject this offer. This means that each person has the chance to get to heaven — even those millions who were never blessed to hear the Good News.

God may give such individuals the grace to respond to His voice in their conscience, even if they don’t know the source of this interior call.

Even though non-Catholics can be saved, this is not an excuse to forgo evangelization. Other religions lack many of the divine gifts given to the Catholic Church to aid our salvation, such as sacraments, so why not invite our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to the full feast?

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What Did Vatican II Really Say About Religious Liberty?

The documents of Vatican II have been stirring controversy ever since the council closed nearly 60 years ago. Few are as hotly debated as “Dignitatis humanae” — the declaration on religious freedom.

Some Catholics say this document contradicts previous Church teaching on the subject by presenting a more liberal stance — focusing on an individual’s religious freedom at the expense of evangelization.

What does “Dignitatis humanae” actually say? Let’s take a look.

 

“Dignitatis humanae” is just as much about the Church’s right to evangelize as it is about individual liberty.
Many people think this declaration talks solely about the individual citizen’s freedom from coercion from civil society in religious matters. It does deal with that, as well as the individual’s responsibility to seek and embrace the true faith.

The declaration also positively affirms the right of the Church to evangelize due to the divine mandate it received from Christ. No government has the right to interfere with this mission. Vatican II was held at a time when communist societies held sway in many places and Catholics were persecuted.

Why is this important? Some Americans have taken an extreme interpretation of the concept of separation of Church and state to mean that the Church has no right to share the Gospel in the public square. Religion, they argue, should be a private matter.

But Christ didn’t just tell us to develop a personal relationship with Him. He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). This didn’t mean preach only to those who want to hear it. Our Lord assured us that some people would hate those who share the Good News, and we should count that persecution as a blessing.

Vatican II strongly reaffirmed the traditional teaching of the right of the Church to evangelize and the need for civil governments to recognize this freedom.

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The Church Is the Only Thing That Can Truly Unite Us

Ever notice that many parts of America look like someone pressed Control-C, Control-V on a keyboard to copy and paste the same bland corporate institutions from sea to shining sea?

It seems like America’s becoming one giant, boring parking lot.

In a way, big corporations are trying to fill the role of the Church, vying to be the ultimate unifier of diverse peoples and places. Big brands have become religious communities of sorts- bringing people together, communicating values, and fostering a sense of personal identity.

In the movie “The Founder,” Ray Croc (portrayed by Michael Keaton) perfectly captures this spirit when he says, “McDonald’s can be the new American church.”

There’s nothing wrong with loyalty to a particular brand. But is your ultimate compass in life God or the latest fad?

The Church is the only thing that can truly unify us on a global scale. It alone has received the revelation from our Creator about our ultimate purpose in this life. And no, that purpose is not to get the latest gadget or consume the hottest new menu item: It’s to love each other into Heaven. Everything else is secondary.

Try as they may, corporations have failed to meet our need for a deep spiritual unity. Religion alone is the answer.

So, you can continue to love your favorite brand or business. But love Jesus more, and remember that the only truly universal values are those that last into eternity.

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Thoughts to Keep in Mind as the Synod Drama Unfolds

The Vatican’s Synod on Synodality continues to stir the ecclesial pot. Some Catholics say it provides a platform for heresy. Others think it doesn’t go far enough.

The synod is set to conclude in October 2024, so it’s too early to make any definite judgments about it.

Rather, keep these basic principles in mind as you weather the synodal drama and the sometimes inaccurate reporting surrounding it.

The correct meaning of “listening.”
We keep hearing that this synod is about “listening,” especially to underrepresented groups. In a sense, this is a good thing, but we need to interpret this concept with the mind of Christ, not of the world.

The synod emphasizes that we should listen to the poor. This is clearly in line with Christian tradition, as Christ identified with the poor and commanded us to serve them. The synod also singles out victims of racism, abuse, and other groups who also deserve to be heard.

However, many are treating our need to listen in the neo-Marxist way, through the lens of violent dialectic (as many of our secular contemporaries do). To them, this means if you’re part of a group that was fortunate to have its voice heard in the past, no one cares for you now and you don’t have a right to speak because you’re a “violent oppressor.”

The problem with this idea is that it silences the voices of the many who are not at fault for the crimes of their forefathers. We should treat listening as a way to transcend this Marxist dialectic of violence, not reinforce it.

The basic hierarchical structure of the Church is permanent.
Although we all participate in the priesthood of Christ, our Lord established a special ministerial priesthood. He calls certain men to be instruments of His grace through the sacraments. He instituted bishops to have authority over their people and the successor of Peter over the entire Church.

This basic structure will never change. Certain aspects about how the parts function may, but there will always be bishops to oversee the Church, priests to bring us the sacraments, and lay men and women to bring the Gospel to their secular peers.

Inspiration comes from unexpected places.
The synod is trying to cultivate a communal consciousness of our responsibility for the life of the Church. Even though we’re obedient to the magisterium, this doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit won’t inspire a member of the laity in something that helps deepen our understanding of our faith. (This assumes, of course, that this inspiration doesn’t go against the legitimate authority of the Church.)

That’s another reason why listening is important. Yes, there are many voices in the synod who are not speaking with the mind of Christ. But others are and they are people we would otherwise overlook.

At the end of the day, the Holy Spirit will continue to guide the Church. Meetings like this synod are often messy affairs, but don’t let the drama weaken your faith. Christ is still steering this ship.

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Do More for God With These Three Tips

When you look at the saints, how do you feel? Hopefully inspired, but if you’re like many of us, you’re somewhat discouraged. Perhaps you think, “I’m a horrible person. I could never become that holy.”

Sometimes these feelings come from expecting too much of ourselves or trying to rush sanctity.

In a strict theological sense, no one can ever do enough for God. But He is a patient and loving father to His children. And He never asks us to do anything that is beyond our strength.

If you feel like you’re falling short of becoming the man or woman you want to be, try these three tips.

1. Imitate the virtue, not the person.
It’s easy to want to be like someone else, but it’s much better to be yourself. You’ll always fall short of that desire because you’re not them. Instead, identify a virtue they embody and look to them as a concrete example of how to live out that virtue.

For example, let’s say you admire Pope St. John Paul II. Don’t think, “I want to become just like JPII.” Pick a virtue he had, such as courage. Observe how he exercised this in his day-to-day life and try your best to follow suit.

2. Look at the progress you’ve made.
If you’re going to compare yourself with anybody, do it with yourself. There probably are many areas in your life where you’ve grown.

Recognize that and thank God for helping you arrive where you are. It’s not pride to acknowledge this growth and it will give you the courage to continue fighting your battles.

3. Focus on what you can do, not what you wish you could do.
It takes time to grow in spiritual life. Tackling too much at one time can make you feel overwhelmed and cause you to give up. Instead, think of things you can manage in small bites, right here, right now.

In the Gospels, the Apostles observe Jesus going to the mountaintop to pray all night to the Father. When he returns, they ask him to teach them to pray. Does he teach them an eight-hour intense meditation? No. He gives them the “Our Father,” an easy prayer that takes less than a minute to say.

You won’t become a saint overnight, so be patient with yourself. You will progress step by step. If you can’t pray an entire rosary, just do a decade a day for a while and work yourself up to the whole thing.

Through it all, remember that God is with you, holding the grace you need each day in His hands, waiting for you to ask Him for it. Stay close to Him and you will get where you need to be.

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3 Ways Protestants Are Better Evangelists Than Catholics

Even many very devout Catholics fall short when evangelizing. Yet, we all know those Protestants who boldly approach family members, friends, coworkers, and even strangers, asking them, “Have you been saved?”

Overall, Protestants are crushing Catholics in the evangelization game. Here are some things they can teach us about winning more souls for Christ.

They’re better at getting people in the door.
Most of the battle is helping people take that first step to believe in Christ. Protestants excel in this — although their message of “once saved, always saved” sounds too good to be true because it is.

We can’t lead with this line. Instead, share how Jesus has personally worked in your life. You’ll be surprised how effective that can be!

They’re more involved in small groups.
You’ll find everything from Bible studies to prayer groups in a Protestant church. Many Catholic parishes have some of these as well, but they’re often very small. Most in the parish don’t participate.

There is a downside to many Protestant groups, though. They often don’t like to get into deep theology. Therefore, Bible studies often revolve more around each member’s interpretation of the text rather than digging into the deeper theological meaning.

This is a chance for parishes to offer something theologically more in-depth to build their own small groups.

They exercise initiative.
Too often, lay Catholics passively sit in the pew and expect their pastors to do all the evangelizing. But while clergy are the chief evangelizers in parishes and dioceses, the laity are called to share Christ in their homes and workplaces (working in union with the hierarchy, of course).

Protestants generally have a better sense of their responsibility to spread the reign of Christ, even if it’s marred by a faulty theology of the nature of the Church.

These are generalizations — there are many great Catholic evangelists out there. But it’s clear we’re falling short of our divine mandate. Let’s step it up and go save some souls!

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Meet the Man Behind Today’s Gender Madness

Sadly, we’ve grown accustomed to today’s gender craze. But where did this radical dissociation between sex and gender come from?

While there are multiple sources, there is one man who deserves a heavy share of the blame.

Meet Dr. John Money
Dr. John Money (1921–2006) was a prominent psychologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University. Born in New Zealand, he earned his PhD at Harvard and was a pioneer in the field of gender identity.

During the 1950s and succeeding decades, discussions arose about whether gender was based on nature or nurture. (Note that this was before we had the ability to seriously study the genome or look at chromosomes.)

Dr. Money said gender is based more on nurture than nature.
According to Dr. Money, the only nature-based characteristics of a woman are that she can gestate, menstruate, and lactate. (Of course, even this type of statement is considered hate speech in today’s world. Now it’s said men can do all these things as well.)

Dr. Money also said that all other differences between men and women are based on their upbringing and societal expectations — boys prefer trucks and girls prefer dolls to comply with what is deemed acceptable by society.

While Catholics believe that it’s normal for some men to exhibit more feminine characteristics and for some women to enjoy more traditionally masculine activities, this doesn’t mean their biological sex changes. We also believe that the fundamental differences between the two go beyond mere biology and include emotional, mental, and spiritual differences.

To read more about Dr. Money and the origins of modern gender theory, we recommend our good friend Dr. Miriam Grossman’s book “Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrist’s Guide Out of the Madness.”

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Is It Okay to Complain to God?

Catholics have PLENTY to complain about: the crackdown on beautiful Latin Mass communities while liberal clergy seemingly get an easy pass; the encroachment of the LGBTQ+ agenda in Catholic schools and parishes; and our increasing sense of alienation and isolation among secular family members, friends, and coworkers.

With all of that, we often feel guilty about complaining to God. Instead, we let these frustrations build in our hearts until we’re steaming like kettles.

There’s a difference between complaining to God and complaining about God. Here’s why we should bring our grievances to Him.

This shows our childlike trust in Him.
Children complain to their fathers because they trust that they can make things right. God calls us to approach Him in a childlike spirit. He wants to know everything that hurts us and how bad the pain is.

When talking to God, be reverent but honest. As a good Father, God knows our needs but wants us to communicate them to Him.

For example, if the Church hierarchy is frustrating you, tell God plainly, “I don’t understand the Holy Father. I don’t understand the bishops.” If you listen closely, you may hear Him reply, “Do you think those concerns originate in your heart? You’re echoing what’s in my heart.”

The Bible canonizes prayers of complaint.
The Psalms are the only prayers the Church says 24/7. Of the 150 Psalms, roughly 40% are called Psalms of Complaint. For example, Psalm 22 begins with, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but thou dost not answer.”

Remember, all of Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, including these Psalms of Complaint. God shows us that He wants us to approach Him in this way.

It’s 100% OK to complain to God. Just always do it as a prayer. Pray without ceasing and frequent the sacraments. That way — no matter what befalls you — you are assured of eventual victory over your trials.

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Why You Shouldn’t Leave the Church Over Pope Francis

Pope Francis has done and said things that have challenged the faith of many Catholics. Some people have even jumped ship and taken refuge in Eastern Orthodoxy or sedevacantism.

Catholics who stay on the ship of St. Peter may feel uneasy. If you or someone you know has been tempted to leave the Church because of Pope Francis, here are some reasons to stay.

The Church has had many bad popes (some worse than Francis).
For 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has gotten by with 266 popes. There are those who did unspeakable evil, like Benedict IX, who purportedly hosted orgies. Pope Alexander VI fathered children through his mistresses.

Thankfully, we’ve had many good popes, but relatively few have been declared saints. John Paul II left a lasting mark on the modern papacy and it’s hard for any pope to avoid comparison to him.

Pope Francis isn’t perfect, but so far he hasn’t risen to the scandals of some earlier popes. If we stayed in the Church despite those earlier figures, we shouldn’t leave now.

Be careful about making the pope more than he is.
Christ is the head of the Church and the pope is his vicar. The pope’s authority comes from his office and not his person. Modern media has elevated the pope’s visibility. Throughout most of Church history, the average Catholic didn’t know what the pope looked like and may not have even known his name.

Pope St. John Paul II had a big personality and did much good through it, but there is always the risk of expecting too much from a pope. He is a human sinner like the rest of us.

Don’t ignore the good that Pope Francis has accomplished.
Pope Francis has his issues, but don’t let this overshadow the gifts he has brought to the Church. Take Amoris Laetitia — yes, the document with the highly controversial footnote on divorce. People have almost solely focused on that footnote and ignored the first seven chapters, where the pope quotes generously his predecessors such as Pius XI and presents a beautiful reflection on married love.

There is no good reason to leave the Church over Pope Francis. Instead, redouble your prayers for the Holy Father. He carries the weight of the worldwide Church on his shoulders and needs your spiritual support!

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