SHOT: that meaning of the sacred dogmas is ever to be maintained which has once been declared by Holy mother Church, and there must never be any abandonment of this sense under the pretext or in the name of a more profound understanding. —Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith, Vatican Council I If anyone says that it is possible that at some time, given the advancement of knowledge, a sense may be assigned to the dogmas propounded by the Church which is different from that which the Church has understood and understands: let him be anathema.

Shot: The pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings. Pope Francis_,_ A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together Chaser: …we are bound absolutely to worship God in that way which He has shown to be His will. Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei

Shot: It is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel, because a decision is voluntarily made to suppress a human life, which is always sacred in the eyes of the Creator and of whom, in the last analysis, only God can be the true judge and guarantor Pope Francis, 11 October 2017 Chaser: Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent.

Shot: …doctrine cannot be preserved without allowing it to develop, nor can it be tied to an interpretation that is rigid and immutable without demeaning the working of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis, 11 October 2017 Chaser: nothing of the things appointed ought to be diminished; nothing changed; nothing added; but they must be preserved both as regards expression and meaning. Pope Saint Agatho, as quoted by Pope Gregory XVI in Mirari Vos

“When the Pope uses the title of servus servorum Dei, originally assumed by Pope St. Gregory the Great as a description of the power of the Supreme Keys, one must remember that the formula servus servorum is not a genitive of object, as if the pope were the one who serves the servants of God, but an hebraic genitive signifying a superlative sense as in saecula saeculorum, virgo virginum, caeli caelorum, and so on.

Shot: A subject may know full well the rule, yet have great difficulty in understanding “its inherent values”, or be in a concrete situation which does not allow him or her to act differently and decide otherwise without further sin. Amoris Laetitiae, §301 Chaser: If anyone says that the commandments of God are impossible to observe even for a man who is justified and established in grace, let him be anathema.

So the pope held another interview on a plane. And, unfortunately, he said something scandalous. This is going to be a bit long, but I think it’s needed to make the following points: Yes, what he said is actually scandalous. No, seriously, it is actually scandalous. Just ignoring it is a disservice to souls. Here’s the question and answer from the interview in its entirety: Paloma García Ovejero, Cadena COPE (Spain): Holy Father, for several weeks there’s been a lot of concern in many Latin American countries but also in Europe regarding the Zika virus.

As these situations especially affect children, we are aware of a greater urgency to foster a true welcome for these families in our communities. For how can we encourage these parents to raise their children in the Christian life, to give them an example of Christian faith, if we keep them at arm’s length? I am especially grateful to the many pastors, guided by my Predecessors, who have worked diligently to let these families know they are still a part of the Church.

A follow-up to the previous post regarding the seventh commandment: “And immediately there came to mind the thief we all have inside ourselves and while I arranged the flowers I took the cross and with just a bit of force I removed it,” Pope Francis said. The idea to steal a crucifix from a priest’s corpse was a temptation. The “thief we all have inside ourselves” is likely a demon tempting its prey, although it is quite possible the temptation was natural and occurred without any demonic prompting.

When you evangelize and present the Catholic faith as it has been taught for centuries, you will be persecuted. Some of that persecution will be from within the Church. A most trenchant example is the latest persecution of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI). That Rorate Cæli link has a thorough explanation of what’s gone on most recently. The problems started when a small group within the order petitioned Rome, complaining that the order was too traditional.

Pope Francis says at a daily Mass that evangelizing is not proselytizing. Since they are two separate words, I am inclined to agree. But why does the pope need to make this distinction? Evangelization is the act of proclaiming Jesus Christ. Proselytizing is the attempt to win converts to your cause. Emphasizing their differences masks just how complementary they are. Why proclaim the good news that is Jesus if you did not wish to convert people to His religion?