16 beatification

Doubts of the Society of St. Pius X About Beatifying John Paul II

Fr. Dominique Bourmaud, FSSPX

ay Day is a tradi- the Great,” “Santo subito,” canonize some of the most sacred religious tional day of rest to right now the “Sportsman of God”! beliefs: virtues, sanctity, Christian celebrate the feast of doctrine, and the papacy. This is work, especially in Silence Is Consent why, for the glory of God and the Rome, where every- Yet, that day, some groups will salvation of souls, Fr. de La Rocque body,M Communist or not, knows be noted by their absence in Rome. has written a book of complaints, that San Giuseppe was born in Italy. Most traditionalist groups, who have duly argumented, which was given There, many souls will flock to the agonized enough over the crisis in to Rome before May Day. Piazza San Pietro for another cer- the Church, will not toast or taste Now, both liberals and sede- emony which was announced Urbi the champagne! We consider it our vacantists may well laugh at our et Orbi, to celebrate another great duty to enlighten modernist Rome, endeavor. The former will scoff worker, John Paul II. Although however misguided it may be, with at the detailed analysis of endless rumored in Roman circles, it has our views and rational arguments quotes, at the judgment of inten- come as a surprise that Benedict against such gestures. We think it tion we will raise against a Pope XVI would proceed with the beatifi- our right, nay our duty, to show simply ahead of his time. The latter, cation of his predecessor on May 1st. the Church authorities why we dis- who think there is hardly anything The conciliar Church will gather all agree profoundly with a celebration left of the , simply its most passionate adherents, with which is ruinous and destructive of consider that the present leaders are trumpets and organs, to put another the most sacred values, so much ‘cadaveric’ authorities emptied out halo around the head of their hero: the more ruinous as it is touches on of their substance. No doubt, they “J. P. II, we love you!” “John Paul will be happy that our little work

THE ANGELUS • May 2011 www.angeluspress.org of Pope john paul ii 17 of ‘fraternal correction’ is in fact involving a triple judgment of the I think my essential and personal bringing more grist to the sedeva- Roman court: the orthodoxy of the mission is not to promulgate new cantist mill. writings (both private and public); and numerous new documents but Yet, this is a necessary gesture the heroism of the virtues, and the to bring it about that these docu- of sanity in an insane environment, authenticity of the miracles. Yet, ments [of John Paul II] be assimi- lated, because they constitute quite a an act of sobriety in the company of this process is as enigmatic as it is rich treasure. They are the authentic drunkards. For those who have not enlightening: since the divine origin interpretation of Vatican II. We bowed to Baal, for souls in search of the ‘miracle’ is virtually impos- know that the Pope was the man of truth, as a testimony for future sible to assert (save rare exceptions of the Council, that he had assimi- generations, at least someone must since the devil can capably ape lated the spirit and the letter of the speak his mind and say with the God), its authenticity depends on Council and, by these texts, he gave child of the fable: “The emperor has the heroism of the virtues. But to us to understand what the Council no clothes!” judge of the heroism of virtues can wanted and did not want.4 prove also very difficult as we judge There remains the question of Canonization and them only by their exterior acts as the speed of beatifying someone Beatification: Infallible? betraying their inner intention, only six years after his death. It is Before we get to the meat of the something easily fallible, and so, obvious that Benedict XVI wishes, critiques against a beatification of such judgment refers us to the first on the whole, to pursue the direc- the late Pope, it is worth our while one: doctrinal orthodoxy. Hence, tion and the momentum given by to clarify a few debated questions. all sainthood ultimately hinges on both Vatican II and John Paul II. Both liberals and sedevacantists the sound doctrine of the candidate, Although he is more conscious of would likely agree that canoniza- which, for once, is easy to deter- the crisis and liturgically conser- tions (and in some lesser way beati- mine. This is why, when theologians vative, he is a firm believer in the fications) involve papal infallibility. would speak of “infallible canon- Council. The present Pontiff may The liberals conclude from this that izations,” they meant precisely that consider that his days are numbered this seals the infallibility of all things canonizations rely firstly on the doc- and that, perhaps, time would run taught by the late Pontiff and who- trinal test.2 against the fame of John Paul II. ever opposes it, opposes Catholic This being said, it is not difficult Does he try to propel John Paul Truth, God, and His Church. The to find how far the present status of II to the heavenly skies so as to sedevacantists argue quite distinct- “canonization” differs from former give again to a disintegrating papacy ly. Given that the teachings of John times, which makes us very suspi- some credibility and reputation in Paul II are modernist and utter- cious of their infallible character.3 the public eye? Is this his last trump ly heretical, and given that these Moreover, speaking of John Paul II, card to play to salvage Vatican II in receive the seal of infallible approv- the method of attributing the mira- the landscape of a crumbling Con- al from Benedict XVI, it follows cle is raising some controversy as ciliar Church? that neither of them acts as real and the person “cured” was never clear- legitimate Pope. ly diagnosed, and received medical The Argument of Doubts Such extreme positions may treatment, blurring hopelessly the about a Beatification necessitate an examination of the “divine” origin of the cure. After these preambles, we need initial thesis of their argument: the to plunge into a summary and analy- infallibility of canonizations. The Ulterior Motives? sis of an important book, John Paul Angel of Theology, Saint Thomas, Questions need to be raised II: Doubts about a Beatification. This explains that a particular canoniza- as to why Benedict XVI is so con- is, without the shadow of a doubt, tion is between general truths (dog- cerned about speeding up the pro- a provocative gesture to the whole mas) and judgments of particular cess of canonization of John Paul Catholic hierarchy, the Pope and his cases because the Church could err II, who governed the Church from Curia in particular. It is to be feared based on false witnesses. “Since the 1978 till 2005. After the same John that, unless we act, no one will speak honor given to the saints is a cer- Paul II had beatified the Pope who up, and that silence would be taken tain profession of faith by which we had convoked Vatican II, we behold as a sign of consent. So, we proclaim believe in the glory of the saints, we that of the one who has incarnated loud and clear our “Non possumus.” need to believe piously that in this the Vatican II principles for a quar- We want to rock the boat. We need also, the judgment of the Church ter of a century and has left a huge to splash the smooth surface of the cannot err.”1 So, although his judg- legacy of conciliar interpretation Conciliar pond, stagnant with its ment is favorable, it is hardly a plain and practice. If he is beatified, for impermeable modernistic waters. and simple yes. the average Catholic this implies The book is divided into four By the time of St. Thomas, the that all the principles of the Council uneven parts, dealing with the process of canonization had become are written in stone. This is exactly theological virtues of Faith, Hope, both centralized and complex, the mindset of Benedict XVI: Charity, and the cardinal virtue

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of Prudence. Uniform in its gen- itself more clearly in the last years onto novel roads all too perilous for eral approach, the argument raises of his reign. Assisi saw the “hope” the Faith. the question of the heroic nature of John Paul II of building the civi- What this first section clearly of the virtues. Especially in his lization of love which would unite reveals is a doctrinal perversion papal duty, the heroic virtues of the entire human family. But that typical of the modernists of the John Paul II need to have complied would mean that Rome had finally early 20th century: the fog around with what Our Lord requested of succumbed to the old temptations the formerly essential distinctions Peter, to “confirm your brethren of the idolaters, graciously offering between nature and the supernat- in the faith.”5 Regarding the vir- a niche for Christ in the Pantheon ural, between the atheist and the tues of faith, hope, charity, and pru- of all religions or, as G. K. Ches- faithful, between divine mercy and dence, we need to evaluate how terton explains it: “Nobody under- justice. The supernatural is rede- much Pope Wojtyla, not as a mere stands the nature of the Church… fined on the basis of personal con- individual, but invested with his Pet- who does not realise that the whole sciousness and dragged down, in the rine ministry, has fulfilled the com- world once very nearly died of bro- , to the mand of Christ, so that “the Church admindedness and the brotherhood level of the natural, setting the tone of Christ, guardian and protector of all religions.”8 The Pope’s charity of his pontificate. Divine Revela- of the dogmas She has received in to travel the world over was, unfor- tion is simply man revealed to man; deposit, change nothing to them, tunately, not the zeal of St. Paul Christ’s Redemption has justified all take away nothing from them.”6 In to offer himself as a sacrifice for men by making them aware of their other words, a Pope can be no ordi- the conversion of his own nation to dignity; sin is but an incoherence nary saint. If he is no saintly Pope, Christ, but simply a pact of friend- within the conscience. These are he is no saint at all. His sainthood ship and love towards all religions, clear witnesses to his “anthropologi- consists in that he acted saintly in especially Judaism. The last aspect cal inversion”: “For, by his Incarna- his papal ministry, and this to the of the inquiry discusses the pru- tion, he, the son of God, in a certain point of heroism, regardless of the dence of the last papacy, with the way united himself with each man.” strained and difficult circumstances. assumption and conclusion that it Thus God sent a Redeemer who This critical study of the late put the Catholics to shame and is a “fully reveals man to himself,” invit- Pope is obviously looking at his scandal to all. ing him to encounter Christ who, teaching documents and practice by His redemptive act, has united because this is the only yardstick Faith in Man, Fundamental every man to himself for all time.10 by which to appraise his work. The Dimension for the Church The book stresses that, in his underlying argument is that, if John John Paul II ascended the pon- teaching, Pope Wojtyla has dissem- Paul II has denatured the essence of tifical throne with the alarming tone inated theses incompatible with these virtues, he will have necessar- of the loss of faith in the Church: Catholic doctrine. Here is the list ily erred in their Christian practice, Ideas contradicting the revealed of aspects of the Pope’s views, far and in no way can be seen as a good truths and always taught have from being exhaustive, which are Catholic, let alone a saint or saintly spread abundantly; real heresies mentioned: Pope. To do justice to this inquiry, have been propagated in the dog- leaving for more studious minds the matic and moral domain, creating l On the matter of Redemption: pleasure—and merit—of stomach- doubts, confusions, rebellions; even salvation is universal in that it ing/enduring/browsing through the the liturgy has been manipulated. is applied: a) to each and every- Plunged into the intellectual and endless 441 references, we must at moral relativism until everything one; b) in a perpetual and ina- least survey each section in a gen- is allowed, Christians are tempted missible way; c) from concep- eral fashion. To give a taste of the by atheism, agnosticism, a vaguely tion, whichever be the lot of book’s format, we shall quote the moralist illuminism, a sociologi- everyone. most salient papal texts and com- cal Christianism with no defined l On the matter of baptism: sanc- pare them to traditional Church dogmas and no objective morality.9 tifying grace is the indissoluble doctrine which might, incidentally, Someone fully aware of the bond between all baptized; it is tarnish the utopian attempt of Bene- stakes and the dangers against the present in all of them, regard- dict XVI to reconcile Vatican II and Faith would expect to see the Pope, less of their disposition at the Tradition. in the heroic practice of the theo- moment of baptism; it is not The Pope’s faith is man-cen- logical virtue of faith, recall in sea- destroyed by sin. tered: “Christmas is the feast of son and out of season the perpetual l On the matter of sin and satis- man. This message is addressed to teaching and to safeguard the depos- faction of sin by Christ: sin does each man, precisely as man, to his it entrusted to Peter. On the con- not offend divine justice; Christ humanity.”7 This anthropocentric the- trary, evidence suggests that he led in His Passion did not satisfy ology remained unchanged through- the barque of Peter and all Catholics truly and properly the divine out the decades, simply manifesting justice; strictly speaking, at the

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Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.–Ps. 1

General Judgment, God does pray for peace….I had before my finds two motives of hope. The first not condemn the damned, and eyes a great vision: all the nations of is that God dwells in the heart of no one is sure whether there is the world as pilgrims, from different each man,19 from the very fact that anyone in hell. place of earth, to gather together as a person, man is made to the near the Only God as in one single image and resemblance of God. The family.…All can realize how, in this Hope of Unifying spirit, the peace among nations is second reason is that God wants the the Human Family not a remote utopia.14 unity of all men, both supernatural We are dealing with a Pope He had it in mind “to build the civi- and natural, the former being the who endeavored to raise mankind lization of love, founded on the uni- salvation of all, and the latter being to high hopes at the turn of the third versal values of peace, solidarity, the unity and peace of mankind. millennium, who called himself “the justice and liberty.”15 “Mankind is called by God to form messenger of hope,”11 a Pope who In order to achieve such an out- a single family.…God loves all men entitled his first best sellerCrossing landish goal, the Pope explained and all women on earth and He the Threshold of Hope. If hope is the gives them the hope of a new era, that prayer (humanistic and social, 20 ringing note of the late papacy, it is respectful of the rights of all) and the an era of peace.” no wonder why about half our book diverse religions were the means of is spent dissecting the identity of this salvation and the means of bringing Charity of the Truth or papal hope. humanity together, since all reli- Philanthropic Love? Doubts about a Beatification lays gions are means of reaching the Among the requisite signs of out clearly the humanistic aspect of divinity, “even when they belong to heroic charity are the common ones Redemption given in the program- different cultures and traditions.”16 which involve the practice of the matic encyclical of John Paul II, They become messengers of peace: works of mercy, including the cor- hoping to fulfill “the expectation of “I have always considered that the rection of those who err to bring a world more human, rooted in the religious leaders played a vital role them back in the way of salvation. universal acknowledgment of the to feed the hope of peace and jus- Heroic charity will have the charity transcendental dimension of man.”12 tice without which there is no hope of truth towards infidels even in the After this naturalistic and hori- for mankind.”17 This is the “spirit of midst of strenuous circumstances, zontal definition of the virtue of Assisi” which subjects all religions, following the example of Christ who hope, our study lays out in steady starting with the Catholic one, as “If he was good for the strayed and succession the purpose of this hope, servants for the “dream” of John the sinners, did not respect their its means, and its profound motive. Paul II. Indeed, interreligious meet- erroneous convictions, however sin- The purpose of John Paul II’s ings “beget a humanism, that is to cere they might have seemed.”21 new hope is mostly temporal. His say a new mode of looking at each This book concentrates on the rela- “dream” is to promote the coming of other, of understanding each other, tions of John Paul II with the Jewish a “civilization of love,” an answer to of thinking about the world and religion because he had specifically the “imperious need of the nations of working for peace.”18 From this and extensively dealt with them, to dream of a future of peace and comes the imperative command that and this sets an example of his rela- prosperity for all.”13 According to both Church and State promote reli- tions with all major religions. him, the dream started to become gious liberty as an inalienable right The critique launches its attack reality at Assisi: of each person. From this, it follows on four points. The Pope has shown The dream of the human family: that the State is utterly incompetent an improper respect for the Jewish I made mine this dream when, in in religious matters. religion, speaking of the “spiritual October 1986, I invited to Assisi my The Pope, based on his anthro- treasures of the Jewish people,” 22 Christian brethren and the leaders pological—humanistic—theology, the “religious testimony of our peo- of the great religions of the world to ple.”23 This false respect explains

www.angeluspress.org THE ANGELUS • May 2011 20 beatification why he never called the Jews to infidelity and the crime of deicide On another score, the Pope convert to Christ, avoiding “the (not the individual but the collec- made scriptural allusions which are shadow and the suspicion of pros- tive responsibility of Judaism, as was plain delusions. Old Testament ter- elytism.”24 He has carefully avoid- the constant teaching of the Church minology is used which suggests ed the affirmation that Christ Fathers): “To the Jews as a people that present-day Judaism is still the is the real fulfillment of the Sacred one cannot impute any ancestral or offspring of Abraham, the father of Scriptures.25 collective fault for what has been all believers27; that the Jews are still Moreover, placed under the accomplished during the Passion of “the people of the Testament,28 the bushel is the question of Jewish Christ.”26 People of God of the old Testament,

Is the Faith of John Paul II… … the Faith of the Catholic Church?

Universal Redemption:

“Dives and Lazarus are both human beings, both were The Gospel places Lazarus in the bosom of Abra- created to the image and resemblance of God; both ham and Dives in hell, which all Church Fathers are similarly redeemed by Christ.”i have understood as the real hell.

“Each one is included in the mystery of Redemption Christ in glory will come at the and Jesus Christ united Himself for ever through this and “will separate” (Mt. 25:32) the good from mystery.”ii the evil, who will be cursed and condemned to eternal hell.

Baptism

“Although invisible, the still imperfect communion of To say that all Christians join in the communion our communities is in truth firmly joined by the full com- of sanctifying grace is against the Gospel and munion of saints, that is, of those who, at the end of Tradition, as if grievous sin, especially of heresy an existence faithful to grace, are in the communion and schism, did not destroy sanctifying grace. of the glorious Christ.”iii

“We are all held under the grace of Our Lord Jesus I Cor. 11:29 teaches that a may be Christ.”iv “You are co-citizens of the saints and mem- received unworthily, for one’s condemnation. bers of God’s family.”v

Sin and Redemption

“The revelation of the merciful love of a Father…hur- “If anyone says that the entire punishment is rying to embrace him, to pardon him, by wiping out always remitted by God at the same time as the all the consequences of sin.…”vi fault…let him be anathema.”vii

If it is clear that “damnation remains a real possibil- “Depart from me, ye cursed, and go into everlast- ity, we are not able to know, without a special rev- ing fire…” (Mt. 25:41); “Vessels of wrath, fitted elation, if human beings, and which ones, are truly for destruction” (Rom. 9:22). concerned.”viii

“Only the one who would have refused salvation, To reduce the general judgment to an auto-con- offered by God with an inexhaustible mercy, will be demnation is opposed to the faith (Rom. 2:5-6). condemned, because he will condemn himself.”ix God “will render to each one according to his works.”

i Homily 10/02/1979 in New York. iv 12/11/1983, to the Lutheran community of Rome. vii Council of Trent, Session 14, can. 12. ii Redemptor Hominis, n.13. v 01/10/1982, General audience. viii 07/28/1999, General Audience. iii , 84. vi 04/15/1992, General Audience ix 07/07/1999, General Audience.

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Testament which has never been Pope which constitute what St. Which Sainthood? denounced,”29 “Through your [of Thomas defined as a theological After Assisi, the Masonic lodges Abraham] descendants all nations scandal, that is, “a less proper word were jubilant: of the earth will be blessed because or action which gives an occasion of Our interconfessionalism earned you have obeyed me,”30 giving a fall.”33 Here is the list again, far from us the excommunication issued by proper and perpetual value”31 to the exhaustive, which speaks for itself: Clement XI in 1738. However, the Old Testament. To foment fruitful Church was certainly in error if it relations with the Jewish faith, the l Far from warning souls, the Pope is true that, October 27, 1986, the Pope requests that exegetes avoid often promoted the respect of present Pontiff united at Assisi men of all religious confessions to pray the sorrowful New Testament texts other religions incurring the risk together for peace.34 which reflect past events which are of promoting their errors too. What are we to conclude as to the l better left aside. The Pope has often participated sanctity of the late Pope? This is the The late Pope concludes by in the false worships given to churchman who sang the glory of saying that Judaism is an integral false gods. man rather than “Jesus Christ and l part of the Church, since every Jew He has several times discour- Him Crucified.” This is the Assisi is unconsciously a Christian and aged the conversion to the true leader whom the lodges vindicate our older brother: “We, Christians, faith. as one of them. l acknowledge that the Judaic reli- By his repeated acts of begging No doubt, Blessed Karol Woj- gious heritage is intrinsic to our pardon, he has devaluated the tyla will find a place in his encom- own faith. ‘You are our older broth- image of the Church in the pub- 32 passing ecumenical martyrologium ers.’” Hence, at the Assisi meeting lic eye. open to new martyrs and saints. He l of 1986, the Rabbi Toaff was placed By his example, he has invited will be glorified as a hero together on the right of the Pope among the the Catholics to despise eccle- with those whose praises he sang, leaders of the Christian religions siastical law, especially on par- like Luther, Gandhi, and Martin whereas the non-Christian religions ticipating in false worship and Luther King. Is he your man? Well were on his left. in eccentric papal Masses. and good for you! As for me—as the From complacent, the friend- Of course, the late Pope tried to French say—he is no saint of my par- ly gaze has become complicitous. dissipate by his words the misunder- ish! The Pope’s attitude reflects the stern standings created by his actions and warning of St. Augustine, that the the liturgical aberrations. But he has Fr. Dominique Bourmaud has spent the past truth of love did not respect the left the image of a Church which, by 26 years teaching at the Society seminaries in love of truth and thus love itself has America, Argentina, and Australia. He is pres- his revolutionary attitude, has rede- ently stationed at St. Vincent’s Priory, Kansas turned untrue. fined its place in a pluralistic society City, where he is in charge of the priests’ train- as a mere option. In this again, he ing program. Prudence of the Flesh has seriously sinned against the vir- and Spiritual Scandal tue of prudence. For the last section, the book reviews some gestures of the late

1 Quodlibet. IX last article. 11 Homily, 01/25/1998. 27 Discourse of 03/12/2000 at the Yad Vashem 2 Jean Bois, “Canonisation dans l’Eglise 12 Christmas message, 12/25/1978. Memorial. romaine,” D.T.C., Vol. II, col. 1647. Any 13 Letter to Card. Etchegaray, 09/05/2003. 28 Universal prayer, 03/12/2000 begging for doctrinal suspicion would bury the process 14 Letter to Card. Etchegaray, 08/28/2001. pardon. forever. Cf. Benedict XIV, De servorum Dei 15 Message of 11/12/1986 to the Eucharistic 29 Discourse of 11/17/1980 to the Mayence beatif. et beator. canoniz., l. II, c. xxv-xxxv, LII, Congress of Nicaragua. Jewish community. t. IV, pp. 3-68, 204-210. 16 Letter to Card. Arinze, 10/15/1996. 30 Discourse of 09/11/1987 to the U.S. Jewish 3 See Frs. Lorber & Gleize, “On canon. of 17 Discourse of 10/28/1999 to the Interreligious community, misquoting Gen. 22:18, which John Paul II,” The Angelus, January 2007; Fr. Assembly. was referring to “your seed” in the singular, Calderón, “Infallibilité des canonisations et 18 Letter to Card. Kasper, 09/03/2004. meaning Christ. lois universelles,” Sel de la Terre, No. 72, Spring 19 “Every authentic prayer is the fruit of the Holy 31 Discourse of 11/17/1980 to the Mayence 2010. Spirit who is mysteriously present in the heart Jewish community. 4 Benedict XVI, speaking to the Polish of each man.” Discourse of 12/22/1986. 32 Discourse of 03/23/2000 to the Great Rabbis television, 10/16/2005. 20 12/08/1999. of Israel. 5 Lk. 22:32. 21 St. Pius X, Notre Charge Apostolique. 33 Summa Theologica, IIa IIae, Q. 43, art. 1. 6 Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus. 22 Discourse of 09/11/1987. 34 Armando Corona, Grand-Master of the Great 7 Message of 12/25/1978. 23 Discourse of 10/09/1998. Lodge of the Equinox and of the Springtime, 8 The Everlasting Man (New York: Dodd, Mead 24 Discourse of 11/06/1986. Hiram, April 1987, in One Hundred Years of & Company, 1925), p. 214. 25 Discourse of 05/22/2003. Modernism, p. 317, (Kansas City: Angelus 9 Speech of 02/06/1981. 26 Discourse of 04/13/1986, at the Synagogue Press, 2006). 10 Redemptor Hominis, §8, italics in the original. of Rome.

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Is the Hope of John Paul II… … the Hope of the Catholic Church?

A humanistic Gospel

“In reality, the name for that deep amazement at “Apostle of Jesus Christ to lead the elect of God man’s worth and dignity is the Gospel, that is to say: in the hope of eternal life promised before all the Good News.”i ages by the God who does not lie.” (Tit. 1:1-2).

He hopes to fulfill “the expectation of a world more The Gospel, through the parable of the guests at human, rooted in the universal acknowledgment of the the wedding feast, names unworthy those who transcendental dimension of man.”ii did not correspond to the divine call (Mt. 22:8); and the evil man is worthy of the Gehenna (Mt. 23:15).

Those opposed to atheistic humanism are the “believ- “Those who declare natural the faith by which ers” and have the faith whose highest function is we believe in God conclude that they are faith- “to warrant equally to all citizens the right to live in ful in a certain way those who are strangers to agreement with their conscience and not to contradict the Church of Christ.”iv the norms of the natural moral order recognized by reason.”iii

Building the utopian civilization of love

“To build the civilization of love, founded on the uni- St. Pius X warned against a religious melting versal values of peace, solidarity, justice and liberty.”v pot: “a purely verbal and chimerical construc- tion, where shine pêle-mêle in a seductive confu- sion the words of liberty, justice, fraternity and love, equality and human exaltation, based on a human dignity poorly understood.”vi

“Religious liberty therefore constitutes the very heart Religious liberty favors the neutral state, the indif- of human rights. It is so inviolable as to demand that ferent laicism and the primacy of liberty of con- others recognize the freedom to change religions if science over the Truth. It undermines the natural one’s conscience requires it.”vii foundations of society and authority (Rom. 13:1).

Assisi, the symbol of united mankind

“How beautiful on the mountain of Assisi the feet of Parody of Is. 52:7 speaking of the feet of the those who seek God, united in their common will to be Apostles of Christ. It is an insult to God to pre- the witnesses of peace and friends of Him who dwells tend that the Holy Ghost could have inspired the in the heavens.”viii false religions spreading error and evil.

The need for the infinite in a human person is the Vital immanence was condemned by St. Pius X: proof of his interior union with God. “God dwells in “the need of the divine raises a particular senti- the heart of each man.”ix “The task of the apostle…is ment in the soul open to religion. This sentiment to make Him known to his brethren by showing that is proper in that it envelops God both as object He is already there, hidden in the midst of the nations, and as cause, and unites in some way man with at the heart of all cultures.”x God.”xi

i Redemptor Hominis, §10 (Washington, D.C.: v Message of 11/12/1986 to the Eucharistic ix “Every authentic prayer is the fruit of the Holy United States Catholic Conference, 1979). Congress of Nicaragua. Spirit who is mysteriously present in the heart of ii Christmas message, 12/25/1978. vi Notre Charge Apostolique, 08/25/1910. each man.” Discourse of 12/22/1986. iii Discourse of 10/11/1988 to the European vii January 1, 1999, supplement to Osservatore x Discourse to of North Africa,11/23/1991. Parliament. Romano, December 16, 1998. xi Pascendi, 09/08/1907, §7. Denzinger, No.2074. iv II Council of Orange, can 5. viii Letter to Card. Cassidy, 09/07/1994.

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