Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 1

Baroque crucifix venerated at TFP National Council headquarters in São Paulo (the actual corpus of Our Lord is 32 cm high). From a 32-picture study by Studio F. Albuquerque, São Paulo.

HIDDEN GROUPS PLOT SUBVERSION IN THE CHURCH

On the Cross Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered not only because of the moral and physical abuse inflicted by His executioners. He also suffered anticipating all the sins that would be committed until the end of time. Among them, the secret plot hatched in powerful Catholic circles to ‘reform’ the Church and turn her into a pantheist, demythified, desacralized and disalienated New Church at the service of communism undoubtedly was one of the most atrocious torments of our Divine Redeemer Who, with His Life, Passion and Death taught precisely the opposite of these clamorous errors.

Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 2

Next to the Paris-Lyon railway, an employee controls the level crossing. Is she married or single? What are her beliefs, thoughts and way of life? Nothing transpires. She is just like any other employee. This is the "new look" of women religious in the New Church according to the aspirations of the so-called “prophetic groups.” This is the "ideal" of desacralization: Nuns should display nothing sacred or with an appearance of sacred. This employee is Sister Germaine, of the Dominican Order (this picture and the first two on the last page are from a report by Robert Serrou quoted in footnote 34 of the text).

Nuns like the ‘New Church’ wants them – and doesn’t

There is no possible misunderstanding. This is an authentic nun that dedicates her whole life to specifically religious works and is fully immersed in a sacral environment. She is guiding children in a parish procession in Paris. The “prophetic groups" fermenting the New Church detest not only the appearance but also the spiritual content of such scenes. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 3

In triumphal ascension:

The Modernist Heresy

Most Rev. Antônio de Castro Mayer, Bishop of Campos

Easily one of the most expressive to the modernist spirit of innovation infecting figures of Vatican II by his solid arguments souls here, there and everywhere. That and elegant language, in a hallway resistance includes the invaluable work by conversation Cardinal Ruffini said that Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, In Defense of modernism is now enthroned in the Church. Catholic Action, which did nothing but warn The eminent prelate closely knew the official groups of the lay apostolate against a person and work of the greatest Pontiff of this modernization which, in essence, established century, so he knew very well what he was a New Church. talking about. We, in the government of Our diocese, Indeed, after being crushed by the have also felt an obligation to alert Our flock apostolic vigor of St. Pius X, modernists against a series of theses which, in the words never relented on their nefarious enterprise. of the Sacred Congregation for Seminaries, According to the testimony of St. Pius X stealthily spread among the faithful like himself (Motu Proprio Sacrorum Antistitum, serpents and contain the whole modernist September 1, 1910), after being condemned mentality. the modernists took refuge in secret societies Currently, abusing the patience of the and from their dens cautiously but relentlessly Holy Father, the enterprise to reconcile the continued to disseminate the poison of their Church with the evolutionary and sensual destructive spirit modern world has in Catholic circles. left the hiding All the places of secret successors of St. sects and come Pius X felt obliged out in broad to renew his daylight, warnings to the embodied in the faithful against so-called “post- Modernism. That conciliar” Church. lasted until Paul The two VI, who did so in documents his first Catolicismo offers encyclical, its readers in this Ecclesiam Suam. double issue attest For this reason, to what we have echoing the just said. They show in what teachings of the At a family home in Houilles, in the outskirts of Paris, a priest in Magisterium, civil attire consecrates common bread and wine on a table where a sense the meal will be served shortly afterward. This is the desacralized way resistance arose innovators to celebrate Mass advocated by “prophetic groups” in the New understand the among the faithful Church. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 4 prophetic role of the people of God mentioned intentions and pointing out the propaganda by the Council. In fact, like the Modernists, organs of those who have set out on this the prophetic groups swarming throughout the foolhardy enterprise (fortunately doomed to Church seek to establish a new religion: the failure) to build a new religion on the ruins of religion of self-deified man who dispenses the traditional Church, the One Church that with the Creator. For its part, IDO-C, an Jesus Christ bequeathed to men as a means to infrastructure setup to support and spread the honor God and save their souls. ideas of the “prophetic groups” throughout We deem it a meritorious work of the the world, extends its tentacles over the five apostolate to spread as widely as possible the continents like a huge octopus. studies that Catolicismo now presents to the Since in war it is of paramount Brazilian public. And We warmly recommend importance to know the enemy's plans, their reading. Catolicismo renders an immense service to the salvation of souls by publishing the

Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 5

The reason for this double issue

Catholic Church Infiltrated by Veiled Adversaries

Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

Catolicismo publishes today a double “Dossier on IDO-C,” was published in the issue corresponding to the months of April Catholic bulletin Approaches, of London (no. and May to present to its readers a couple of 10-11, January 1968) and can be found on genuine bombshell documents on the present page 10 of this issue. The second came to crisis in Holy Church. The first, titled light under the title, “Small Groups and the Prophetic Current” in the Madrid-based magazine Ecclesia, no. 1423, January 11, 1969; a translation is found on page 14. To facilitate our readers’ understanding, each document is preceded by an introduction (with a substantial summary of its text) by the staff of this journal.

IDO-C and the “International Catholic Establishment” The Approaches document reveals the existence of a somewhat enigmatic organization called “International Catholic Establishment.” It is officially independent from any religious or state institution and commands a gigantic propaganda machine, the IDO-C, that is, Center for International Documentation on the Contemporary Church. This machine has been set up to inoculate in Catholic circles, in a more or less veiled fashion through the press, radio, television and public lectures a doctrine that is the opposite of the Catholic Religion. The document shows that this machine is like an immense octopus whose tentacles spread The “bread” in the basket and the “wine” the groom sips are no less than the Holy Eucharist. In throughout Europe and the United States, in France, this is a new way to receive communion at addition to its ramifications in South America a wedding Mass. Another photo shows that the and other regions of the earth. It commands bride is wearing a miniskirt. The “prophetic groups” deem all this a still timid step toward the bulk of Catholic publications in Europe desacralization and the new morals they want to and North America, which makes its power implant. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 6 inside the Church appear to be – humanly reader to wonder what points of similarity and speaking, of course – indisputable. contrast actually exist between IDO-C and the This fact creates for the Church a “prophetic groups.” To this, we answer: situation very similar to a country at war in 1. The points of similarity are primarily which the vast majority of television and doctrinal. What the Approaches article says radio stations and the press have sold out to about the doctrines propagated by IDO-C are the enemy. And this is not just any enemy so to speak genuine fragments of the doctrine but, as the readers will see, it is a radical and that Ecclesia shows to be the one held by the implacably destructive adversary extremely “prophetic groups;” adept in employing highly subtle and effective means of action and endowed with 2. IDO-C and the "prophetic groups" also practically inexhaustible material resources. share the same concrete attitude and agenda regarding the Church: a) destroy her through a “Prophetic groups” quasi-clandestine infiltration; b) employ The Ecclesia article strongly ecclesiastics, militant Catholics, Catholic reinforces the tragic impression that today the works and institutions to accomplish this Church is like a country undermined by the work of destruction; enemy. It tells us about the systematic efforts of a movement that is becoming increasingly 3. The least one can say is that both the widespread in Catholic circles in many “prophetic groups” and IDO-C have the same countries: the “prophetic groups.” friendly attitude toward communism. In fact, Very similar in its quasi-clandestine structure and methods of initiation to some organizations of Masonic agitation in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries such as the Carbonari, this movement is made up of myriads of small, scattered groups. Their unity stands out, from the outset, by their common ideology, goals and methods of action, as well as by the remarkable mutual collaboration among these small groups seemingly without a central direction. They are living cells of activists that infiltrate various Catholic organizations - seminaries, universities, high schools, social works etc. There they promote, in a more or less veiled fashion, an ideological system, which as is the case with IDO-C, represents the opposite of the Catholic Religion. The “prophetic groups” are really powerful not only because of their large numbers but on account of the highly subtle techniques to initiate their members, put pressure on public opinion and promote agitation. They form within the Church an immense network of semi-secret anti-Catholic propaganda spread mainly verbally from person to person..

Fingers of the same hand I.C.I. reports that this Spanish bishop, Most. Rev. Horlando Arce Moya directs a jazz ensemble in With these two appalling documents “nightclubs”: a barely sacral function which the “prophetic before his eyes, it is only natural for the groups” rejoice to see a prelate exercise. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 7 the Marxist camp returns the favor. This meaning of the transformation that the clearly shows that Communists regard the octopus installed in the Church wants to action of IDO-C and the “prophetic groups” impose. as useful to help them win. And that A palpable and easy to grasp example usefulness is all the more important given the of this can be found in the famous document immense power of both organizations; by Fr. Joseph Comblin, critiqued by the author of this note as President of the 4. From the standpoint of their instruments of National Council of the Brazilian TFP in an action, IDO-C and the "prophetic groups" are open letter to Archbishop Helder Câmara profoundly different and complete each other. (Catolicismo, no. 211, July 1968). Let the IDO-C works on the Catholic masses, acting reader revisit that monument to progressivism on them with the most adequate means, that and he will see how the analogies between the is, as we have said, books, magazines, doctrines of the quasi-secret octopus and newspapers, television, radio, lectures, etc. In those of Fr. Comblin stand out like a sore contrast, the "prophetic groups" aim at the thumb.1 thousands of key circles that run the Catholic movement. And both groups employ mainly Without further extending the picture discrete oral propaganda obviously spread by concerning Brazil by recalling well known crafty and well-placed agitators. events that happened here over the past few years, we propose that the reader relate what In short, like fingers of the same we publish today on IDO-C and the hand or tentacles of the same octopus, the “prophetic groups” with that which "prophetic groups" and IDO-C help and newspapers tell us everyday about the wave complement each other both with their of progressivist unrest shaking Latin America similarities and differences. from north to south, from scandals in Facing progressivist agitation in

Latin America Naturally, having reached this 1 If the reader wants to delve deeper into the Brazilian aspects of this issue, he can read about the remote origins of conclusion, the reader will ask himself what infiltration by groups like the “prophetic groups” in the book, In relationship is there between, on the one hand, Defense of Catholic Action, published by the then President of the Archdiocesan Board of Catholic Action in Sao Paulo, who writes this IDO-C and the “prophetic groups” and on the article. That work, published in 1943 (Editora Ave Maria, Sao other, the communism-soaked progressivism Paulo), and prefaced by the then Apostolic Nuncio to Brazil, now Cardinal Aloisi Masella, reveals the existence of large-scale that impregnates our ambience to such a point progressivist infiltration in Catholic Action. It describes the latter in that, on the initiative of the TFPs in Brazil, terms strikingly similar to the information published by Ecclesia on the "prophetic groups." That book was the object of a warm letter of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, an impressive praise written to the author on behalf of Pius XII by the Deputy two million people signed a petition asking Secretary of State of the Holy See, Msgr. Giovanni Battista Montini, now Pope Paul VI. Paul VI to take measures against that scourge. Of great value in this sense is a letter of March 7, 1950, There is no room in this issue of still under Pius XII, in which the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities warns Brazilian bishops against erroneous opinions Catolicismo, already so crowded, to delve covertly spreading in our country’s seminaries (Acta Apostolicae deeper into this burning issue. Sedis, vol. 42, p. 836 ff.). Also relevant to mention is the Pastoral Letter on In order to clarify this matter – at Problems of Modern Apostolate (Boa Imprensa Ltda., Campos, 1953), in which Bishop Antonio de Castro Mayer describes and least to some extent – it is interesting to analyzes multiple errors infiltrated in Catholic circles, errors which compare the revelations in Approaches and reek at the same time with both progressivism and the doctrines of Ecclesia IDO-C and the “prophetic groups.” From the impact it has had about the goals of IDO-C and the abroad, with editions in France (La Cité Catholique, Paris, 1953), “prophetic groups” on the one hand and on Italy (Istituto Editoriale Bartolo Longo, Pompei, 1954 and Edizioni dell'Albero, Torino, 1964), Spain (Coleción Fe Integra of the CPCR the other hand the goals advocated by Fathers, Madrid, 1955), Argentina (Libreria Acción Católica, Buenos progressivist agitators. Every single goal of Aires, 1959) and Canada (La Cité Catholique, Quebec, 1962) it is progressivists favors disalienation (a term clear that the document by Bishop Mayer presented a concrete interest to those countries. whose meaning is explained below in the first The reader may also consult the collections of Legionário few topics of the article on page X). and Catolicismo. Disalienation is, in fact, the profound Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 8

Cuernavaca, Mexico to the episode with Fr. one of the best means to defend themselves. Zaffaroni in Uruguay or the occupation of the And that is why Catolicismo is publishing this Cathedral in Santiago, Chile. double issue. But, someone in certain Catholic Three dramatic questions circles of churchmen or laity may ask, will Since an ideological blaze set by IDO- your new publication about this issue be C and the "prophetic groups" is raging in useful to Brazil? The ongoing repression of Europe and North America, and a similar fire leftist causes allows us to enjoy a relative is spreading across Latin America where the peace. Progressivists are quiet, at least within tentacles of IDO-C and presumably the our borders. The moderation of most of our "prophetic movement" are also present, we bishops leads us expect that if we treat cannot not fail to raise three questions of progressivists with great kindness they will absolutely fundamental importance for the mellow somewhat. Why then raise once again nations of Latin America: the thorny problems we have just enunciated? 1. Do IDO-C and the “prophetic Repression has had the real merit of groups” have any responsibility for this reducing both Catholic and non-Catholic religious blaze, which is taking on leftists to silence on radio, television and the apocalyptic proportions? press. But this does not mean they have been 2. Are there any organizations reduced to inaction. Progressivists are right committed to the same task other than here and often find themselves in precious, IDO-C and the “prophetic groups”? key situations. Who can sleep soundly in the assurance they are not acting on the sly and 3. Since communism obviously continuing their work of intoxicating young obtains huge gains with this religious fire students, religious ambiences and the working and the action of IDO-C and the class? Furthermore, those who were to see “prophetic groups,” and since some of the progressivism and the plots of IDO-C and the actions favoring communism are directly "prophetic groups" only as a fight between initiated, guided and financed by communism and anticommunism would be communists while they help, coach and fooling themselves. This is an essentially direct other actions for the same end we religious question. And while in this journal ask: to what point the religious fire in we deal only collaterally with its implications Latin America (and the whole Catholic with communism, our position on this issue is world, we could add) is commanded by fundamentally grounded on religion. Moscow and Peking? At any rate, the fact is that if Anyone who was to deny the moderation can bring valuable advantages in relevance, timeliness and obvious seriousness certain circumstances, the condition for these of these questions (studied in more detail in benefits to be effective is that it not be our article page Y) would inevitably trigger interpreted as an invitation to optimistic another question: Is he not trying to prevent improvidence, inaction, and sitting on one’s the problem from arousing public attention hands before the adversary. Thus, we do not and becoming the object of annoying believe that the so-called restraint in many of investigations? In that case, is he not an our bishops is a reason to upbraid those who accomplice in this subversive scheme? strive to keep public opinion lucid and Chinese wall vigilant. In Brazil’s present conditions, these Finally, let us not yield to the illusion three questions amount to a call for vigilance that the repression-moderation formula can addressed to the entire nation. The work like a Chinese wall around our country, progressivist uprising is in full swing right closing off access to bad examples, bad before our eyes. Our people are intelligent incentives and unsound doctrines from the and insightful. To alert them is to give them outside. They have entered and inexorably continue to cross our borders. And if the bad Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 9 seed has found enthusiasts worldwide, there is countries – though mostly from France – on no reason to think it will not find them in how Catholics should behave facing acute Brazil. Ideas cannot be fought without having manifestations of progressivism. The recourse to ideas. Ideological silence is a document, supported by the illustrious French condition for the triumph of those who Archbishop, Most Rev. Marcel Lefèbvre is disseminate error in the cover of shadows. It published in Brazil under the auspices of the would be extraordinarily anachronistic to illustrious Bishop of Campos, Most Rev. imagine that in the age of radio and television Antonio de Castro Mayer. we can isolate Brazil within an ideological His Excellency opportunely wanted Great Wall of China made of repression, this Vademecum translated into Portuguese to moderation and silence. be published simultaneously with this issue. Encouragement Enthusiasm of TFP young men It is not sufficient, in combat, to raise legitimate apprehensions and invite our fellow Finally, it should be noted once again compatriots to exercise a shrewd vigilance. that if this crisis is ecclesiastical, it affects They also need to be encouraged. Christian civilization and the temporal order Thus, along with this double issue in their very roots. That is why we understand Catolicismo is pleased to make available an the enthusiastic participation of TFP members exciting document telling us about the and young volunteers of Tradition, Family reaction which progressivism has been and Property in the campaign to spread this meeting in France. Titled Vademecum of the double issue. They are committed to Faithful Catholic, it contains most precious defending the basic principles of the Christian recommendations by 350 priests from various natural order in the temporal sphere. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 10

Analytical Summary of the Approaches Article

The Media Superpower of Progressivist Illuminati

The average Catholic, who sees most considered a sensational revelation. With rich diverse newspapers, magazines, books, radio documentation, the report denounces the and TV stations worldwide noisily serve as existence of a very discreet central vehicles for progressive propaganda, is organization whose goal is to direct Catholic naturally inclined to believe that this opinion throughout the world, particularly in portentous advertising is an exclusive and religious matters. Strongly supported by spontaneous result of ideological tendencies communist higher ups, with agents in over gaining ground in many men of thought and thirty countries and assisted by 120 experts action of our time. including theologians, members of research A more attentive observer, however, institutes and religious correspondents, the would know how to make out, behind what IDO-C (International Center for looks like sniper crossfire, a clever Information and Documentation on the is an organization that manipulation that would explain the result of Conciliar Church) this undeniably successful propaganda does a lot more than its seemingly innocuous bombardment. name would have us believe. Up until now, however, neither In fact, it is a Moloch-sized incautious readers nor sagacious observers organization that comprises and has at its had been able to grasp the scope of this service major publishers and leading mysterious newspapers and magazines in the main organization countries of that free Europe manipulates and North the America and loudspeaker even in s of some progressivist nations propaganda. beyond the Iron Curtain, Thus and thus , a report controls the contained in propaganda last year’s of so-called January Catholic issue of the progressivis renowned m in various English parts of the Catholic world. newsletter, Approaches, The should be A highly sacral scene: following ancient customs, Dominicans at the Convent of Approaches Avila, Spain, enter through the cloister door article is all Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 11 the more important as it shows with sufficient news exchanges among progressivist clarity the existence behind IDO-C of a true journalists at the time. “progressivist Freemasonry” that dominates IDO-C, which proclaims itself Catholic life in many countries and tends to "independent of any religious or state extend its influence to others. A member of institution” is therefore a non-Catholic the sect admits its existence in the United organization that intends very suspiciously, as States. The article designates the organization we said, to orient Catholic opinion around the as the "Catholic Establishment". world in strictly religious matters. It is clear, therefore, that in its most In this regard, IDO-C itself clarifies: potent and dynamic aspects, progressivist “While the content [of the documentation propaganda is entirely artificial. Approaches distributed] refers primarily to updating the shows how it is pervasive, skilled at creating Catholic Church, it is more and more oriented demagogic popularity ratings, seducing and in an ecumenical line; since today’s problems defaming. It has thus become a powerful lever are no longer confined to one church or for the progressivist revolution that aims to another, our service is not destined destroy the Holy Roman Catholic Church exclusively for Catholics.” from the inside and replace it with a New Church - the Church of “small prophetic “Its subscribers include bishops... groups” described in the Ecclesia article theology teachers, advanced students in featured in this issue (p. Z). Catholic, Protestant and Jewish seminaries, directors of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish The fact that the Approaches study has publications, and persons in charge of the been reproduced in other respected Catholic religious sections of major newspapers and publications such as Permanences in France, magazines of general information,” states an Nunc et Semper in Germany and Rome in IDO-C circular. Buenos Aires, in addition to its publication in booklet form by CIO publishing house in Who directs it Madrid underscores its importance and seriousness. The President of IDO-C’s International Executive Committee is Since this is a rather extensive work Dominican Father Rafael Van Kets, a (see p. Zz), we deem it appropriate to professor at the Angelicum in Rome; its present first an analytical summary of it, secretary general is a Dutch priest, Fr. Leo highlighting its most important parts. Alting von Geusau. Also participate in the Committee, among others, an American priest IDOC-C in its own words of Vatican Radio, a leader of the Christian IDO-C presents itself as "an Family Movement in Mexico, a writer for international group with headquarters in the very well known French magazine, Rome and a growing network of branches Informations Catholiques Internationales, covering the whole world." Its specific and a member of “Znak,” a Catholic- function, as it defines it, is "to collect and Communist" group in Poland. Also part of distribute" to interested specialists IDO-C’s International Executive Committee "documentation on the structural and is the director of Slant magazine in Britain, theological effects of the continued which maintains good relations with “Pax,” implementation of the decrees and spirit of another well known "Catholic"-communist Vatican Council II." Polish group. England’s IDO-C did not find it IDO-C says it was founded in repugnant to include on its board of directors the Communist leader Jack Dunman, several December 1965 from a merger of the DO-C information center, which served the Dutch times candidate for MP on the slate of the Episcopate during the Council, with the British Communist Party, a director of the Center for Coordination of Conciliar latter’s agrarian magazine, and a specialist in dialogue between Catholics and Communists. Communications (CCCC), which promoted Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 12

A propaganda dinosaur Liaisons with communism in England and Commenting in the daily press of São beyond the Iron Curtain Paulo about the Approaches study, Prof. It is telltale that countries dominated Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira quite suggestively by Communist governments such as Hungary, called IDO-C a “propaganda dinosaur.” Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia Indeed, this strange organization has at its accept IDO-C’s functioning unflinchingly. disposal the world’s largest Catholic Furthermore, even without considering publishers such as the very well known the service that IDO-C renders to the Herder International, the Paulist Press, Communist cause or the advantages which which is the largest Catholic publisher in the communism draws from IDO-C – as noted in United States, and in Burns and Oates the introductory article to this issue (p. T) – it England, which boasts the title “Publishers to is terrifying to realize, as Approaches the Holy See,” etc. observes, that IDO-C’s England chapter, As for the main newspapers and totally composed of progressivists, is magazines directly represented in IDO-C, internally controlled by a Marxist nucleus they include, in England, The Guardian, under the direction of the already mentioned Slant, The Tablet; in France, Informations Jack Dunman, one of the most experienced Catholiques Internationales (whose Communist leaders in Great Britain. ideological identification with the French IDO-C is such that the latter can be called the “International Catholic Establishment” international expression of ICI’s viewpoints) In English, the term “establishment” is in the United States, the St. Louis Review; in often used in a pejorative sense to designate Argentina, Criterio, of Buenos Aires, etc. an influential clique that imposes its ideology, Among newspapers not directly ways of being and above all its will on a represented in IDO-C but influenced by it given society. In its Spanish version of the stand out, in the United States, the National Approaches article, CIO Publishing House Catholic Reporter and The Long Island translates “establishment” as “pressure or Catholic (so-called Catholic dailies), Time influence group.” magazine, The New York Times and the The “establishment” designation is Chicago Sunday Times (secular papers with usual for secular cliques all around the world. international repercussion); in France and In the Catholic camp, however, only recently, Canada, La Croix, Témoignage Chrétien etc. in the United States, did the progressivist It is well to point out that IDO-C conspiracy unabashedly call itself “Catholic controls the religious sections of newspapers Establishment.” Approaches clarifies that the with worldwide repercussions such as Le expression “Catholic Establishment” was first Monde and Le Figaro in Paris and The New employed by John Leo in an article published York Times in the USA, not to speak of its in the December-1966-January-1967 issue of influence in important Catholic formation The Critic. Both the writer and paper centers such as the Catholic Press Union, the avowedly belong to the self-entitled pressure NCWC, the National Catholic group. Communications Center, the Religious Using the progressive conspirators’ Newswriters Association, etc. Finally, own words, Approaches shows how one can Approaches adds that IDO-C-released news is speak of a real International Catholic spread by key persons in Vatican Radio and Establishment made up of initiates, the in Radio Canada as well. Illuminati of progressivism, who constitute Thus, while proclaiming itself a non- the nucleus that orients progressivism both Catholic entity, IDO-C in fact has huge means inside the Church and in its relations with the at its disposal to carry out its declared goal to outside world. Approaches calls it a “parallel direct Catholic opinion worldwide in hierarchy” installed in the bosom of the specifically religious matters. Church. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 13

While the brains of this powerful national Catholic weekly published in Saint international Catholic group appear to be in Paul, Minnesota, and Triumph, a monthly France, one can have a better idea of how it magazine recently founded and published by functions in the whole world by focusing on Brent Bozell. its U.S. branch. The main newspapers of the “Catholic Further on we will delve into Establishment” include the National Catholic relationships between the “Catholic Reporter, Cross Currents, Jubilee, Establishment” and IDO-C. Commonweal, Continuum, and The Critic. It is well to note that the “Establishment” The “American Catholic Establishment” recently took control of the extremely The said article by John Leo in The important Catholic Press Association. Critic is a significant testimony on how the Mutual advertising by “microphone American Catholic pressure group carries out seizers:” In its quest to dominate Catholic its action. opinion, the “Establishment” set up a ‘It is the Establishment that decides veritable fraternity – loose but exclusive – what Catholics will discuss, not just in with dozens of scholars, journalists, activists Establishment journals, but after a time lag - and editors. This fraternity has “seized all the in nearly all Catholic journals and discussion microphones in a determination to speak for groups from coast to coast’. He adds, the Church...” The “microphone-seizers... significantly: ‘The birth control discussion in write for and edit the most influential Catholic the United States, for instance, was entirely an journals…publish one another's manuscripts, Establishment production’. The article brags warmly review one another's books, cite one about governing the thought of American another in lectures, invite one another to give, Catholics today. then collect the lectures and articles into books for yet another round of favorable A transmission belt of ideas discussion.” All this is by John Leo. This is attained through a highly Add to that the fact that the U.S. efficient and well-defined technique of “Catholic Establishment” also controls “'most ideological dissemination. For starters, large of the big lecture series,” as John Leo states – publications linked with the Catholic above all through two lecture-organizing Establishment launch a word of order that is agencies, “University Speakers” and the faithfully spread by the largest Catholic “National Lecture Service” – and we will publications. That word of order is then clearly understand the meaning of echoed by medium-size newspapers and “microphone seizers.” magazines until it finally reaches the lowest level publications. Thus, through a real Deception: Also debates on secondary “transmission belt of ideas,” the Catholic points are organized to avoid the impression Establishment dominates the whole press that that the intellectuals orchestrated by the shapes American Catholic opinion. discreet dinosaur have no autonomy and obey the same baton. They thus create the illusion As a consequence of this direct of a free debate (cf. John Leo, art. cit.). influence of the “Establishment” on papers which do not belong to it, today very few Conspiracy: By applying the “mutual Catholic publications in the United States fail praise method,” Establishment members to echo the viewpoints of the “Establishment” artificially fabricate a reputation for their and amplify them to a large extent. And since colleagues and even for members of the these publications still are reasonably Bishops Conference aligned with their orthodox, a constant and growing pressure is ideology, who are turned into popular figures exerted on them to “update” and become overnight. Prelates who fail to toe the progressivist. There are only two papers with “Establishment” line become immediate nationwide readership that still fight against targets for discredit – a most effective means the “Establishment”: The Wanderer, a Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 14 to dissuade their colleagues from acting like the “Establishment”-led Church is capable of them. playing a decisive role in human councils and We are thus clearly facing a real assemblies; and whoever hinders its forward conspiracy, as John Leo recognizes referring march cannot be a friend of God. to the U.S. “Catholic Establishment:” In its particular case, the French “Though hardly a conspiracy in the modern “Catholic Establishment” owes to its links political sense of the word, it is one in John with the secular (Masonic and Communist) Courtney Murray's sense of ‘a breathing “Establishment” the fact that its viewpoints together’. In the Establishment, everyone are faithfully mirrored in Le Monde (by Henri breathes together.” Fesquet), Le Figaro (by Fr. René Laurentin), and even in L’Humanité (the French Catholic “Establishment” and secular Communist Party newspaper). “Establishment” Predictably, in the U.S. a liaison was Where IDO-C comes in quickly established between the “American The link between IDO-C and the Catholic Establishment” and its secular “Catholic Establishment” becomes counterpart pressure group. That liaison can sufficiently visible when one considers that be detected beginning with the Center for the five out of the twenty-one people who make , which Study of Democratic Institutions up IDO-C’s International Committee for Approaches presents as the foremost pillar of the Development of Religious the “ ” Four important secular Establishment. Documentation and Information are key members of the “Catholic Establishment” figures in the “Establishment.” In England, actively participate in the works of that this link is manifested above all through Neil Center. Middleton, a pro-communist writer of Slant The Center for the Study of who is at the same time a member of the Democratic Institutions is composed of English “Establishment” and of IDO-C’s members of all hues – progressivist Catholics, International Executive Committee. Protestants, masons, Jews, Communists, Approaches mentions other examples of such bleeding-heart experts in demographics, links as well. firebrand family planners, ultra-humanitarian Headquartered in Rome and extending gentlemen, diehard pacifists, frantic co- its ramifications throughout the world, IDO-C existentialists, etc. Among the Center’s goals, is a priceless trump card to reinforce the Approaches points out the promotion of a design of the “Catholic Establishment” to merge between communism and capitalism replace the Magisterium of the Church. On under the auspices of “some system of world the other hand, IDO-C is able to “show its government.” As “practical” goals, the Center face” while the international pressure group at this time advocates admitting Communist remains in the shadows. China into the U.N. and a U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam, in addition to a radical It was thanks to IDO-C that the revision of the West’s foreign policy, which it “Catholic Establishment” managed to deems far too anticommunist. infiltrate its ideology in certain areas of the Catholic community that had hitherto shown Approaches delves into the themselves impermeable to its influence. fundamental importance to the “Catholic Establishment” and its links with the “secular In the United States, it was also Establishment.” It was thanks to the latter that through IDO-C that the “Catholic its Catholic counterpart managed to make its Establishment” managed to establish direct voice heard through the powerful secular and quasi-institutional relations with the mass media. Thus, it managed to convey the powerful secular “Establishment,” whose impression that, while the “pre-conciliar” leftist tendencies we have already pointed out. Church was a closed “ghetto” completely removed from the affairs of human society, Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 15

IDO-C’s worldwide ramifications cause consciously and intentionally. Given the very nature of IDO-C, this reservation by Approaches closes its dossier on IDO- Approaches appears almost unnecessary. C by presenting a list of members of the International Committee for the Complete doctrine Development of Religious Documentation and Information, which belongs to IDO-C. What could be the “full creed” that That list – issued by IDO-C itself – contains IDO-C thus manages to infiltrate into names from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Catholic circles? Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and The Approaches report does not countries on other continents. The list is provide further data in this regard. In order to interesting to look at as it gives an idea of the have a full answer we also need to read the scope of the IDO-C-led progressivist Ecclesia article, which Catolicismo conspiracy throughout the world. reproduces in this issue. Reservation At any rate, the enormous importance of the Approaches revelations, published here Obviously, given the surreptitious for all interested readers, is undeniable. nature of IDO-C’s action, one cannot affirm that every person affiliated with it serves its

Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 16

Analytical Summary of the Ecclesia Article

Insubordination and “Disalienation,” Telltale Insights into “Prophetic Mysteries”

The Introduction to this issue (p. X) “prophetic groups,” their obvious harmfulness describes IDO-C’s relationships with the and the need to stop them we ask what their “prophetic groups.” It is easy to see that both program is, whether it is supported by a organizations as a whole constitute a huge defined structure for guidance and semi-secret network encysted in the Church to propaganda, how that structure is organized, carry out the evil design of transforming her how it acts, how do they see the into the opposite of what she has been for transformations the Church has undergone over two thousand years. and continues to go through, what techniques they use for recruiment, formation and We will now attempt to help the subversion, and finally, what are their reader study the Ecclesia article on relationships with communism. “prophetic groups” (“Small Groups and the Prophetic Current,” reproduced on p. Y of this It is in the Ecclesia article that we find issue) by emphasizing particularly what we answers to these questions. see as the most profound and clarifying aspects of these ‘initiatory’-type societies. In this commentary we do not intend to delve deeper into the doctrine of the “prophetic groups” properly speaking, the internal coherence of the several theses that comprise it, its teachers, forerunners and affinities or discrepancies with other systems of thought. Nor do we intend to analyze the cultural, political, social, economic or other conditions that favor or hinder the genesis and development of these groups. Our goal is more limited and with a more immediate practical Cassock-clad Dominicans stage a protest before DOPS headquarters in São purpose. Facing the Paulo. Church garb protects them from inprisonment. That is when the notion of palpable growth of the sacrality is remembered... Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 17

I. Disalienation: revolt against all have ended, fraternity may reign among superiority and inequality men. In our view, the key concept in the This is the famous Communist doctrine of the “prophetic groups” is chimera. alienation. Hence, we will take it as the starting point and leading thread of this II. The supreme “prophetic” goal: a exposition. In this way, the reader will be able Church neither alienating nor alienated to see how the issue becomes clear and From what the Ecclesia article accessible. expounds, we deduce that the “prophetic Alienus is a Latin word from which groups” want to transform the Catholic the English word, “alien,” originates. An Church from an alienating and alienated alienated person does not belong to himself Church, which it is, into a New Church but is subject to someone else. without any form of alienation. From the Communist standpoint, all First disalienation of the Church: in authority and social, economic or religious relation to God superiority of one class over another entails a. The “Constantinian” Church alienation. The alienating social class is the (according to the “prophetic groups,” the one exercising authority or having superiority Constantinian era began with Constantine, the over another through a king, head of State, 4th century Roman Emperor who freed the pope, bishop, priest, general, professor, or Church from persecution and took her out of company head. Alienated is the class that the catacombs; an era that supposedly obeys the alienating class. By the very fact of continues to this day) believes in a being subject to another class to a greater or transcendental and personal God endowed lesser degree, and to the full extent of that with intelligence and will; a perfect and subjection, the alienated class does not belong eternal God Who created, governs, and judges to itself but is alienated to the other. all men. These are infinitely inferior to God Transposing the concept of person-to- and owe Him complete subjection. By person alienation to the religious sphere one believing in such a God, men accept an can say that as a participant in the ruling class alienating God. Religion is sheer alienation. a pope, bishop or priest is alienating in The New Church does not believe in relation to a simple individual faithful who is an alienating God. The God of the a member of the governed class, that is, the “Constantinian” Church corresponds to an laity. already obsolete stage in man’s evolution, a All alienation is exploitation of the stage in which man was infantile and alienated by the alienating. And since all alienated. Today’s man, rendered adult by exploitation is hateful, the evolution of evolution, no longer accepts a God of Whom mankind must lead to the suppression of all in the final analysis he is a servant, a God alienations and therefore of all authorities and Who keeps him dependent on His paternal or inequalities; for every inequality somehow paternalistic power, as the “prophetic groups” creates an authority. The motto of the French pejoratively put it. Adult man rejects all Revolution, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” is alienation and wants another image of God: a the most popular and well-known formula of God that does not transcend him but is complete non-alienation. An absolute, radical immanent in him. A God that is impersonal application of this motto entails the like an element diffusely spread throughout implantation of “anarchy” without chaos. The nature and therefore in every man as well; in a dictatorship of the proletariat is but one stage word, a God that does not alienate. in the attainment of anarchy. b. The “Constantinian” Church Radical egalitarianism is a condition generates atheism because she does not accept for the existence of liberty so that, once this new image of God and obstinately insists exploitation and the consequent class struggle on maintaining the old figure of a personal, Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 18 transcendental and alienating God. Today’s a. First of all, it is obvious that the ‘adult’ man, unable to accept this infantile New Church is entirely placed in the natural image of divinity, proclaims himself an order. She fulfills her salvific mission by atheist. If the Church presented to him an inducing the faithful to become engaged in updated, immanent and non-alienating God, and committed to promoting earthly well- he would accept it and cease being an atheist. being. c. It is quite true that the affirmation of b. Thus, the notion of Church as a a transcendent and alienating God is founded society distinct from the State and sovereign on numerous narrations of the Sacred in the spiritual sphere loses its whole raison Scriptures. However, these narrations are not d’être. In temporal society, the desacralized precise historic realities. They are myths Church is a private group like any other concocted by non-adult, alienated men thirsty whose mission is to be on the vanguard of the for more alienation. Today they should be forces promoting the evolution of humanity. reinterpreted according to an adult conception c. The meaning of sacramental life rather than alienating one or even refused changes as well. Sacraments have a merely outright. With that, Religion is purified of its natural symbolic meaning. The Eucharist, for myths. This is called . demythification example, is an agape in which brethren d. This must be done, for example, on fraternize around the same table. Hence, it explaining the unfortunate situation of man, must be received as any other food in a subject to error, pain and death. For an adult common meal. man, the remedy for this situation cannot d. The priestly condition should no come from a Redemption operated by the longer be considered sacred, as sacrality dies sacrifice of the incarnate transcendent God with the death of all alienations. and completed with the sufferings of the individual faithful. That remedy comes from In the way they present themselves, evolution, technology and progress. In the dress and live, priests should be just like any view of disalienated man, there is no longer a laymen, because the sphere of the sacred, to reason for the somewhat masochistic which they belonged, has disappeared; and mortification that the “Constantinian” Church they must become part and parcel of the used to promote. The New Church invites to a temporal sphere without reservation. Men and new life wholly turned to earthly happiness. women religious should behave likewise if The goal of redemptive progress is not to the three vows of obedience, poverty and take men to an extraterrestrial heaven but to chastity still exist in the disalienating and turn earth into a heaven. disalienated Church. Second disalienation of the Church: e. There is no reason for buildings in relation to the sacred and supernatural destined exclusively for worship, since the supernatural and the sacred are dead. In this Consistent with its doctrine on the highly evolved and adult world averse to transcendence of God, the “Constantinian” alienation, the immanent God diffused in Catholic Religion admits the supernatural and nature can be worshiped in any profane place. with it the sacral. Now then, the concept of a If there are buildings destined for worship, let supernatural order superior to the natural them also be used for profane ends so as to order, of a religious and sacred sphere avoid the alienating distinction between superior to the temporal sphere entails spiritual and temporal. obvious inequalities. It gives rise, ipso facto, to multiple alienations. The disalienating and Third disalienation of the Church: disalienated New Church only admits as in relation to Faith, Morals, the reality that which is natural, temporal, Magisterium, and evangelization profane. It is a desacralized church. The a. The New Church is a poor Church, consequences are many: above all in the spiritual sense of the word. One of the riches of the “Constantinian” Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 19

Church was to call herself infallible Mistress. now desacralized and disalienated from The New Church neither sees herself as Religion. Mistress nor treats the faithful as disciples, e. Furthermore, the New Church is since that would be alienating. poor in the material sense of the word. She Each person receives charismas from not only refuses cathedrals and basilicas in the Holy Spirit that speak directly to his soul. which sacrality triumphalistically displayed And it is in this interior voice, of which we her superiority; existing in the era of the poor, can become conscious, that every man must she rejects any riches for any reason believe. whatsoever. This is true regarding matters of faith f. Finally, the New Church is poor and morals as well. Each man has his own because she is the Church of the poor. A foe morals, suggested by his conscience. of all alienations, she feels inimical toward all In short, man lives from the interior alienating factors of any kind and connatural with the cause of all alienated ones. For this testimony of the charismas of which he becomes conscious. Thus, the New Church reason, those exploited and alienated in does not possess a privileged patrimony of today’s society have their proper place in the truths. And in this is found the principal New Church. And she is essentially their defender against all those who hold earthly aspect of her poverty. authority or superiority. Conversely, for b. From this arises yet another form of analogous reasons, by her very nature the poverty. The New Church has no borders. She “Constantinian” Church is complicit with all welcomes men of any belief as long as they alienating and exploitative oligarchies. actively work to bring about the true Redemption, which is earthly progress. Thus, Fourth disalienation of the Church: she is not like a spiritual kingdom with in relation to the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy doctrinally defined borders but like something Since authority is always alienating, it ethereal and fluid which is more or less must no longer exist. And if it does exist, let it confused with any church. In other words, the be only to the degree that it fulfills the wishes New Church is super ecumenical. of the alienated ones, who thus escape – at least to a great extent – the yoke of alienation. c. Another title of poverty of the New Church is that, being no longer the Mistress In the “Constantinian” Church, the but rather super-ecumenical, she no longer hierarchy is vested with the triple power of needs works of the apostolate. Thus, Catholic order, magisterium and jurisdiction. Now universities, Catholic schools and Catholic then, by emptying of supernatural content the works of charity only keep their reason to sacraments, which are under the power of the exist on the condition they not seek to do any hierarchy of order, and by denying the apostolate or have any alienating and Magisterium, it stands to reason that the New unecumenical subjection to the Church; in Church would also rise up against the other words, they must renounce their hierarchy of jurisdiction. Catholic tone and take on a wholly profane, Thus, the existence of a Pope, a secular and lay character. spiritual Monarch surrounded with the d. The New Church is poor also in College of Church Princes – the Bishops – that, since culture and civilization are values each of whom is in his own diocese like a of the temporal and earthly order and the monarch subject to the Pope – is not Church is no longer willing to exert any compatible with the New Church. Nor should magisterium or mold temporal society after parish priests, who govern portions of the herself, one can no longer speak of Christian diocesan flock under the power of the bishop, culture and civilization. The culture and subsist. civilization of adult and evolved man have For the Church to become entirely received their title of emancipation: they are disalienated from the hierarchy, she must be Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 20 democratized. A representative body must be temporal power nor wants to maintain power- set up in it where the faithful may express to-power relations with it. In this way, their what the charismas say in the depths of their mutual alienation will have ceased. consciences. Naturally, that should be an Conclusion elective body that represents the crowd; an organ that may decisively make its will bear Consequently, the New Church will be down on Church hierarchs who, incidentally, entirely disalienated and will completely should be elected from now on. In our view, cease to be alienating. the reform of Church structures advocated by the “prophetic movement” logically can be III – Only class struggle will achieve seen only as a stage toward the final disalienation inside the Church realization of its objectives; for on a higher 1. The hierarchy has helped execute stage, complete disalienation would involve the “prophetic” program for disalienation; the abolition of the whole hierarchy. however, it cannot take the final step However, considering only the reform Can the “prophetic groups” expect the the “prophetic groups” are explicitly calling hierarchy to achieve the total disalienation for we can say it would transform the Church whereby the “Constantinian” Church should into a monarchy like England’s, that is, an metamorphose into the New Church? effectively democratic regime basically directed by an elective popular chamber Since many members of the hierarchy which holds all powers while keeping a pro- have supported disalienating measures, one forma, decorative king (in the case of the New would answer yes. All the more since the Church, the Pope), lords without effective “prophetic groups” affirm that the work of power (bishops and pastors), and a decorative Vatican Council II had a disalienating high chamber (the College of Bishops). Still, (read desacralizing and egalitarian) in order for the analogy between the regime in character that represents a first step – though England and in the New Church to be timid – toward more radical transformations. complete we would need to imagine an However, without scorning the elective king and lords (pope and bishops advantages they claim to gain by exploiting elected by the people). the attitudes of some hierarchs and decisions To complete the picture of of Vatican Council II, the “prophetic groups” democratization we should add that parishes figure that complete disalienation can come in the New Church would be fluid and only from class struggle between the bishops unstable groups rather than defined territorial and clergy on the one hand and the laity on circumscriptions as they are today. Logically, the other. that fluidity would also extend to dioceses. The reason, they say, is that however Hierarchy in the Church would become only willing a disalienation-friendly hierarch may an empty name. be to make concessions that reduce his Fifth disalienation of the Church: in powers he cannot be expected to make a relation to the public authority complete renunciation, which would be tantamount to suicide. This form of disalienation is already included in different ways in the previous 2. An insurrection of the laity is the items. A sovereign government in its own means to attain the victory of the sphere, the “Constantinian” Church welcomes disalienating revolution in the Church union and collaboration with the temporal Thus, lay people must be power. But with that she somehow alienates conscientized to fight the hierarchs and herself to it, and in some way it alienates demand structural reforms that will itself to her. democratize the Church. In short, the For all the reasons expounded, the solution is class struggle inside the Church. New Church declares she neither needs the Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 21

That struggle must take place in 2. The secret structure of the stages: “prophetic movement” a – Campaign to discredit the The movement’s structure is very “Constantinian” Church; flexible and apt to promote subversion in the b – Instill a desire to reform Church Church. structures; The “prophetic groups” are cells with c – Promote agitation, strikes; variable numbers of people, though never a large number. Not all participants are aware d – Capitulation of the hierarchy and to the same degree of the group’s ends, implantation of reforms. methods and connections. Each cell is, thus, a mini secret society. IV – “Prophetic groups” stir up class struggle to bring about disalienation in the Each cell is habitually in touch with Church others of the same kind, turning the movement into a huge machine with myriads The New Church receives no longer of small parts. from the hierarchy but from the faithful people the new charismas from which she will To this functional unity is added live. Thus, as we have seen, the hierarchy another, even more valuable: the fact that they must obey the people. all pursue the same goal, class struggle, to impose a disalienating reform on the Church. Obey the entire people? If not governed, the latter must at least be We should also mention the enlightened and led by charismatic and uniformity with which they employ the same prophetic groups, which the Spirit raises up in complicated and subtle methods to carry out the Church to bear witness. recruitment and subversion. We will speak about the latter further on. As a whole, inside the invertebrate Church they dream of, these groups will thus All these factors make the “prophetic form a network of influences that will actually groups,” seen as a whole, an impressively hold real power. united movement. This adds interest to studying the Given this unity, one could ask structure and methods of the “prophetic whether they are under a supreme leadership. groups,” which we will do below. While the Ecclesia study does not say it explicitly, the data it provides make a Incidentally, the People’s Chamber negative answer impossible. For one does not inside the New Church will be filled with see how anyone could keep such a large persons recruited from these groups, natural constellation of corpuscles in various and representatives of the laity. distant countries faithful to a complex What means does the “prophetic doctrine and uniform in their delicate internal movement” have to promote reformist structures and sophisticated and specialized subversion in the Church? methods. The more an ensemble is multiple and varied, the more it needs a strong 1. The extension of the “prophetic structural bond to keep united. So we movement” conclude, the “prophetic groups” are a The “prophetic groups” exist in large clandestine organization also from the numbers in many countries. The ambience of standpoint of their central command. close conviviality they provide fulfills How does that central command profound longings for sociability in maintain its effective yet anonymous power contemporary man, who feels lost and over the cells? The appearances, we answer, isolated in the anonymity of large crowds. For lead us to believe that some of the this and other reasons, these groups tend to movement’s higher ups are made aware of the multiply indefinitely. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 22 existence of the central command but agree Church. We will merely summarize what not to disclose it. everyone sees. Why keep it a mystery? For a simple Usually helped by strong media reason: The “prophetic groups” are presented support (very likely IDO-C-related), some as the spontaneous fruit of a rain of charismas activists begin to promote parishioner strikes that animate a laity that has matured and against some bishop or priest who does not became adult through a profoundly natural immediately accept their wild demands. If not and spontaneous evolution. So they cannot strikes, they promote demonstrations, take on the airs of a movement organized by a occupation of church premises, manifestos in small, astute and efficient leadership. the press etc. It is always a class struggle to lead the laity to destroy the alienations 3. Methods for recruiting and purported to benefit an alienating and formation: “prophetic” initiation exploitative clergy. A “prophetic group” penetrates a Catholic ambience or institution, and lives Obviously, the publicity surrounding and multiplies in it just as bacteria penetrate those events is destined to attract to the ranks and live in a body. In general it is put together of agitators new recruits who are by a few discreet agitators who hold meetings impressionable or eager to show off. The about very broad and nice-sounding topics movement thus grows in size and ability to like peace, for example. They recruit their carry out more daring acts of subversion. first handful of adepts among the participants In their ensemble, these events create of those meetings. a climate of media terrorism against So as not to raise suspicions the recalcitrants, isolating them from friends and agitators invite some priest or bishop – naive even family and reducing to silence nearly all or complicit, we suppose – to one meeting or those who otherwise would be willing to another to approve and bless it. react. Gradually, when a larger number of In places with “prophetic groups,” this members has been recruited the subversive terror is prepared long in advance through inoculation begins. tendentious statistics and surveys put together and released by those groups. They thus This inoculation has two phases. In the manage to make believe that the bulk of the first, the “Constantinian” Church is gradually Catholic faithful wants reforms in the Church; defamed. In the second, inflammatory rhetoric that such is the unstoppable ‘spirit of the invites members to desire reforms to turn the times’; and that to oppose such reforms is the “Constantinian” Church into a New Church. same as trying to stop a rising sea tide with This work begins slowly, with small one’s bare hands. The real (or forged) sarcastic comments here and there, loose symptoms of revolutionary tendencies in the phrases and carefully chosen slogans. multitudes are ‘signs of the times.’ They are Members who respond favorably to these discerned with special perspicacity by those subversive stimuli are gradually promoted to possessing “prophetic charismas.” Thus, the knowledge of broader revolutionary thanks to the din of the “prophetic groups” horizons. The others are left to stagnate and subversion in the Church – the work of a are muted or jettisoned. minority – appears to correspond to the hardly repressible longings of huge crowds furious at V. How the “prophetic groups” judging themselves alienated. carry on class struggle in the Church According to the “prophetic groups,” A sufficiently wide network of the spirit of the times “prophetically” “prophetic groups” having thus been formed, discerned in the ‘signs of the times’ is the the movement is apt to leave the shadows and supreme norm. Nothing is crazier than trying noisily go into action. Nowadays, everyone is to resist: to do so would be anachronistic, able to see how agitation is being done in the ridiculous and despicable. The Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 23

“Constantinian” Church proudly thought she be also a vaster entity producing should shape the times; the New Church, on progressivism throughout the Church? the contrary, must allow herself to be Answering this important question goes modeled by them. beyond the limits of this article. Thus, either the Church accepts the VII – The “prophetic groups” are at the reforms imposed by evolution and transforms service of communism herself into the New Church, or she dies. From what has been expounded we It is extremely difficult to resist this believe there is a serious suspicion that the pressure, brought to bear inside the very “prophetic groups” are at the service of Church in so many countries by all members communism. To wit: of the “prophetic groups” and by the great publicity machinery of IDO-C. a – The “prophetic groups” have an affinity with communism; Only very select souls with unshakably solid principles and readiness to b – They are useful to communism; bear the most bitter and unexpected setbacks c – Since the adepts of the latter are able to resist. usually set up and direct kindred movements to help the Communist cause, it is highly VI – Relations between the “prophetic likely that the “prophetic groups” were movement” and progressivism created and are directed by Communists; The Brazilian public is already very d – It is an usual Marxist tactic to familiar with the set of aspirations, doctrines, infiltrate friendly groups to place them at the transformations and tumults that characterize service of the Communist cause; thus, even if the thinking and action of so-called Catholic the “prophetic groups” were not created by . And the affinity of the progressivism Communists it is at least highly probable that “prophetic groups” and IDO-C with they are directed by the latter to infiltrate the progressivism is such that our readers Church; probably have been asking themselves what the relationship is between the two and e – Meaningful events pointed out progressivism. below strongly corroborate these suspicions. The question is absolutely pertinent, Let us delve into this matter a bit. since not even one characteristic trait of Affinities between the objectives of progressivism fails to relate with the the “prophetic groups” and those of “prophetic groups” whether explicitly or communism are obvious: the former seek to implicitly, closely or remotely. disalienate and desacralize the spiritual The action of progressivists is so Society – the Church – and turn her into a ample and varied in its multiple hues – from strictly egalitarian church; and they incite “moderate” and “conservative” all the way to Catholics to work for disalienation in Communist revolutionary – that we believe it temporal society. For their part, the would be an exaggeration to point the Communists seek to disalienate temporal “prophetic movement” and IDO-C as the society and make it strictly egalitarian. So, causes of the progressivist current all over the one can say that the “prophetic groups” carry world. However, it is beyond doubt that the out Communist revolution inside the Church. “prophetic minorities” can be called What advantage does Communism progressive. gain from that? The New Church resulting This observation brings up yet another from the action of the “prophetic movement” problem. If, contrary to what one could does not believe in a personal God but in a suppose at first sight, the “prophetic diffuse and impersonal God, immanent to and movement” stems from a clearly structured omnipresent in nature. She believes in semi clandestine organization, could there not evolution, progress and technology as the great unavoidable forces that animate the Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 24 universal movement, remedy man’s violence or risk of causing reactions through misfortune and set the course of history. It is an unbloody metamorphosis of the Catholic easy to see how this doctrine is tantamount to Church into the New Church. divinizing evolution, progress and Facing this possibility, the grave technology. This is extraordinarily similar, if suspicions we initially raised based on the not identical, to Marx’s evolutionist and Ecclesia study on the position of the materialistic conception. To oppose Communist movement regarding the communism, the New Church lacks the “prophetic movement” gain a new color: insurmountable religious motives that led the they become a moral certainty. Anyone who “Constantinian” Church to oppose it as her knows the ability of international communism worst adversary. Instead, the theology of the to infiltrate and neutralize the adversary and New Church prepares people’s minds to support all favorable subversive movements adhere to communism. cannot admit that Communist leaders would In other words, to the degree it remain indifferent and inert facing the gains new adepts, the New Church forms invaluable tactical success they could obtain Communist sympathizers or even activists. by infiltrating “prophetic groups” among the The attitude of the New Church also world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, neutralizing that differs from the traditional position of the huge force and using it to favor the Marxist “Constantinian” Church regarding the social cause. and economic aspects of Marxism. Indeed, In turn, no one with common sense based on the 7th and 9th Commandments, the can admit that Communists, favored by the latter condemns the Communist New Church in such a large scale, do not help socioeconomic regime as immoral and affirms it. Given their brazen proselytism and the legitimacy of individual property, countless resources, on this topic we can capitalism and the salary regime. She would concretely apply the reasoning: they were thus remain irreducibly anticommunist even if able to do it, wanted to do it, and therefore did a Communist regime were to recognize her it (potuit plane; si igitur voluit, fecit). Let us legal existence and allow freedom of worship. apply this to the facts: On the contrary, the New Church, averse to - The Communists are able to help all alienation, can only look favorably on the bring about the victory of the New suppression of patrimonial and labor-related Church in a thousand ways; and situations that Communists brand as they find her only ready to accept alienating. their help; Thus – even in social matters – a - Now then, it is obvious that the victory of the New Church would entail a Communists ardently want that fatal transformation of the Catholic victory; Religion from a force irreducibly opposed - Therefore, they strongly favor the to communism into one of its auxiliary or “prophetic movement” building driving forces. the New Church. And if they favor What is the concrete meaning of that it so largely, they obviously have eventual transformation? all the necessary means to There are about 500 million Catholics infiltrate and direct it. in the world [NT: 1,166 billion at the end of More than one datum in the Ecclesia 2010]; what a victory it would be for study speaks in favor of this conclusion. communism to turn them from inflexible One is that the “prophetic groups” enemies into auxiliaries or activists! advise their members to refuse any What the Communists have been cooperation with non-communist regimes, unable to achieve to this day – and would seen as alienating. However, they recommend never attain through the most atrocious their members to collaborate with Communist persecutions – they would achieve without regimes, which they see as disalienating. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 25

Another news item, reported on the In that case, no one knows what alarming final topic of Ecclesia that we have saved to proportions the crisis might assume. Just publish in our next issue, informs that the think of the Arian heresy in the 4th century, “prophetic groups” have had considerable which conquered almost all of Christendom. growth in East Germany, something that What terrible trials Providence allowed, at would be impossible without an acquiescence that juncture, for the punishment of men! of the Communist authorities. A horrifying confusion also took place It would not be too much to recall in the pontificate of Honorius I. Theologians IDO-C’s affinities with the Communist affirm that because of his omissions and movement. Since IDO-C is also kindred with ambiguity, that Pope favored the Monothelite the “prophetic groups,” there is likewise an heresy. As is known, he wrote a letter to affinity between the latter and the Communist Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople in such movement; for two movements that have terms that it was condemned by the 6th affinity with a third from the same standpoint Ecumenical Council approved by Pope Saint have an affinity with each other. Leo II. That letter created such confusion that to this day a large number of theologians still VIII – Viability of the Communist plan for regard that issue as obscure. the New Church All the Communists need to do is to One last question, of a strategic nature, open any compendium of Church history to should be asked: Do the “prophetic groups” see that such calamities are possible. and their Marxist accomplices seriously Therefore, it is in the nature of the beast that expect to obtain a metamorphosis of the they will try everything to bring them about in whole “Constantinian” Church into the New our days. Church? On this point, the Ecclesia study provides some data that can be used for That is certainly what they are aiming conjectures. at with the “prophetic groups” even if the latter are able to recruit only a few Catholics, While selling their reform program as or rather “former Catholics.” What a huge an imperative of the times which huge crowds advantage communism would gain if that of revolted people demand with indignant hypothetical revival of the past were to clamor, the leaders of the “prophetic become reality. movement” admit that once their reforms are imposed on the Church they will cause so Obviously, in that case the Holy Ghost many apostasies and dispersion that the New would watch over the integrity of the Faith. Church probably will be reduced to a small Papal infallibility would never cease to exist. group of faithful. The immortal Church would never die, and in her divine constitution would be found a That said, the question is, how would remedy for that calamitous situation.2 communism profit in that case? Let us imagine the reformers’ hopes come true. With the complicity of some bishops and priests, many of their peers, weak 2 On these complex matters, it is interesting to study, and fearful, would gradually cave in to ever for example: Pope Adrian II (All. 3 Conc. VIII act. 7); more violent pressure from the “prophetic Pope Innocence III (sermo IV in cons. Pont.); St. Antoninus (S. Th., III, 23-24); St. Robert Bellarmine groups.” The reformist wave would grow (De R. Pont. 2,30; 4,6 ff.); Suárez (De Fide, X, 6; De more and more threatening. Heresy would Leg., IV, 7); St. Alphonsus (Th. Mor., I, nn. 121-135); become more patent. A legitimate reaction by Bouix (Tr. De Papa, II, p. 635-673); Wernz-Vidal (I. the faithful would also begin to grow. And to Can, II, pp. 517 ff.); Card. Billot (De Eccl. Chr. Pp. the degree that it grew, bad shepherds would 609 ff.); Vermeersh-Creusen (Ep. J. Can., I, n. 340); Card. Journet (L’Egl. Du Verbe Inc., I, pp. 625 ff.; II, start persecuting their sheep: censorship here, pp. 821, 1063 ff.). See also Arnaldo Vidigal Xavier excommunication and interdicts there. A da Silveira, articles “What is the Doctrinal Authority chasm would open up between the two sides. of the Popes and Councils?” , “Not Only Heresy Can be Condemned by the Ecclesiastical Auth..”, “Acts, Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 26

Let us ask Divine Providence to spare the Spouse of Christ from it. But even if that trial were allowed, the Church would end up by triumphing. She is assisted by the Divine promise and comforted by the words of Our Lady at Fatima: “Finally, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

Gestures, Attitudes and Omissions Can Characterize a Heretic,” “Answering Objections from an Imaginary Progressivist Reader,” in Catolicismo , nos. 202, 203, 204 and 206, Oct., Nov. and Dec. 1967 and Feb. 1968. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 27

The Approaches text

Dossier on IDO-C

This “Dossier on IDO-C” was published by the British bulletin Approaches, issue no. 10-11, January 1968, pp. 30-95 and reprinted in many Catholic publications in Europe and the Americas. We have suppressed a few topics that do not refer directly to IDO-C and appear of lesser interest to the American public; this suppression is indicated by suspension marks … For greater clarity, we have inserted one word or another into the text; such additions always appear between brackets [].We have emphasized in bold face some passages or expressions. Footnotes and subtitles are by Approaches.

issued in French gives us the following I. What Is IDO-C? information: According to a circular, “What is IDO-C?,” published by the U.K. ‘IDO-C (International Centre of Administrative Section of IDO-C, Information and Documentation concerning the Conciliar Church) seeks to continue the IDO-C is an international group with new "horizontal" communication sparked off headquarters in Rome and a growing network by the Council between bishops and of branches around the world. It is theologians, between different peoples and independent of any religious or state continents, between Catholics and other institution, a non-profit organisation Christians, between the Institutional Church established under Italian law with open and public opinion, thus putting in contact the membership and democratically elected opinions and thoughts of all members of the officers. People of God. Its specific function is to assemble and ‘To guarantee this communication, distribute documentation on the structural and IDO-C has set up a committee composed of theological effects of the continuing 120 theologians, members of research implementation of the decrees and the spirit institutions and religious correspondents in of the Second Vatican Council. This something like 30 countries. It is also documentation is not presented at a popular indebted to two of the most important centres level (as a newspaper or news agency would set up during Vatican II: the C.C.C.C. (Centre present it), but at a level meaningful to for the Co-ordination of Conciliar specialists in the sciences related to Church Communications) which served the press, and affairs and communications media. Do-C (the Dutch Documentation centre which “Among its subscribers are bishops, catered primarily for bishops and theologians) heads of diocesan commissions (liturgy, and continues their work.’ canon law reform, clerical-lay relations, etc.) The French language bulletin also professors of theology, scripture, canon law, informs us that: 'The International Committee sociology, psychology, Church history, etc. of IDO-C is represented by an Executive and advanced students in Catholic, Protestant Committee whose members are as follows: and Jewish seminaries, editors of Catholic, Prof. R.Van Kets, 0.P. (President) - Protestant and Jewish newspapers, editors of Belgium/Rome; Dr. L.G.M. Alting von religious departments of big general Geusau (General Secretary) - Holland/Rome; newspapers. A somewhat similar bulletin Dr. G. Bigazzi (Administrator) – Rome; Dr. B.Tonna (Counsellor) - Sedos/Feres/Malta/ Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 28

Rome; Prof. Alberigo, Centro di new project. The General Secretary would Documentazione, Bologna, Italy; M. G. also seem to be IDO-C's chief 'missionary'. Alvarez Icaza, Movimiento Familiar, Mexico; For according to the U.K. Administrative M. J.P. Dubois Dumée, Informations Section's publicity bulletin, he 'recently toured Catholiques Internationales, France; Dr. R. Latin America and organised centres in Lynch, S.J., Radio Vaticana, U.S.A./Rome; Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay and Prof. J. Mojia, Criterio, Buenos Aires; M. N. Brazil, from which we hope soon to start Middleton, Sheed &Ward, London; Dr. A. distribution on a large scale in Latin America. Montero, Ecclesia, Spain; M. Donald Quin, Similar centres already function in the U.S.A., St. Louis Review, St. Louis, U.S.A.; Mlle Ch. France, Holland, Spain and Ireland. de Schryver, Dia, Africa/Belgium; Dr. J. Documents are at present sent out in English, Seeber, Herder Korrespondenz, Germany; Dr. French, Italian, German and Spanish.We J. Turowicz, Znak, Cracow, Poland. should like to add at least Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and Japanese, in order to reach II. History of IDO-C the major world cultures. Although its content Though brief, the history of IDO-C is mainly concerns the updating of the Catholic most interesting. In December 1963, there Church, and it is moving more and more in an came into existence a centre of information ecumenical direction, as the problems of for Dutch bishops, which published bulletins today are no longer limited to one or another in Dutch. In due course, however, consequent Church, our service is not only for Catholics.' on a demand from other groups, the centre The U.K. Administrative Section of began publishing information bulletins in IDO-C came into existence only recently. French, English, German, Spanish and Italian. This does not mean, however, that IDO-C has This information centre, which from its hitherto had no influence on the British press. inception, bore the title DO-C, included non- The Tablet was already acknowledging IDO- Dutch specialists in religious information. C as a source of information as early as Around the same period, in order to December 1966. How much unacknowledged promote an exchange of information material in British publications has been of concerning the Council among 'progressive' IDO-C origin it is, of course, impossible to journalists, C.C.C.C. (Centro di know. We do know, however, that IDO-C's Coordinazione delle Communicazione sul International Committee for the Development Concilio) came into being. of Religious Information and Documentation has from its inception included At the end of the Council, the work of representatives of the (Manchester) Guardian, this press bureau came to an end, for it had TheTablet, The Month and Slant as well as of been conceived as a temporary establishment. the publishing houses of Burns & Oates and However, with a view to-maintaining such Sheed & Ward, whose then managing relations as had been established during the director, Neil Middleton (who is also actively Council, the religious correspondents who associated with Slant) was an original composed it joined forces with the Dutch member of IDO-C's International Executive agency and it was thus that IDO-C came into Committee. existence in December 1965. Although IDO-C was at its inception Its principal animators were the Rev. largely inspired by avant gardiste Dutch Leo Alting von Geusau, a Dutch priest theologians and intellectuals, it has since then resident in Rome, and the Rev. Rafael van broadened out to become in effect the Kets, a professor at the Angelicum in 'progressive' International Catholic Rome.The General Secretary of IDO-C is the Establishment's centre for Documentation and Rev. Leo Alting von Geusau, and we are Information. As the publicity bulletin issued reliably informed that immediately prior to by IDO-C's U.K. Administrative Section puts the foundation of IDO-C he paid a visit to the it: U.S.A., presumably in order to obtain sufficient resources with which to launch the Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 29

“Because of the historic circumstances England); Mr. Martin Redfern (Executive of its foundation (fusing of the Dutch DO-C Editor of Slant); Mr. Anthony Spencer centre with CCCC), IDO-C was long thought (Newman Association); The Rev. John Weller of as primarily a Dutch centre. In practice (non-Catholic) Mr.Theo Westow; Mr. Hugh there was first some justification for this Wilcox; Mr. Austin Winckley. because of the personnel and contacts carried 2. Slant’s Influence over, and also because the Church in Holland was particularly active in responding to the Before proceeding to look at further initiatives of Vatican II. Now, however IDO- aspects of IDO-C's 'truly international' C can claim to be truly international in composition, let us note in passing that in composition as well as outlook. Of the 36 addition to being represented on IDO-C's members of the international editorial board International Executive Committee by Neil only 5 today are Dutch. Of the 15 people Middleton (publisher and editor of Slant), currently working in the Rome Office, 7 are Slant is also represented on IDO-C's U.K. Italian, 2 Spanish, 1 Brazilian, 1 English, 2 Section by its Executive Editor (Martin Dutch, 1 Australian and 1 Belgian.” Redfern), two members of its Editorial Board (The Rev. Laurence Bright and Adrian IDO-C is certainly solidly implanted Cunningham) and by one of its leading in the U.K., where its address is that of the activists (Mrs. Pauline Clough). Even more prestigious publishing house of Burns & significant, as we shall see, however, is the Oates who not only publish the official fact that the President of IDO-C's U.K. Catholic Directory but also boast of being Section is none other than Father Laurence 'Publishers to the Holy See'. These 'Publishers Bright, O.P. to the Holy See' were, however, taken over less than a year ago by the international The significance of Slant’s influence 'progressive' publishing house of Herder & within IDO-C's U.K. Section (4 members out Herder, which is represented on IDO-C's of 15) can be appreciated only in relationship international Executive Committee by Dr. J. to the following facts: Seeber of Germany and on IDO-C's 1. That at a conference in Edinburgh International Committee for the Development on November 26, 1966, Terry Eagleton, of Religious Documentation and Information admitted that Slant was on the best of terms by Dr. Seeber and also by Professor N. with the Polish secret police agency PAX; Greiteman of Vienna (and now-also by Paul Burns of Burns & Oates), so that Herder & 2. That in any 'front' organisation's Herder have no less than four voices in these committee 4 hard-core key people out of 15 two key international committees of IDO-C. are more than enough to make sure that the remainder fall in line. III – IDO-C in the United Kingdom This would be true even if Jack 1. Leading personnel Dunman was not also a member of the group. As it is, however, the Slant 'fraction' within The leading personnel of IDO-C's IDO-C's U.K. Section can rely on him, not U.K. Section are as follows: The Rev. merely for an extra vote, but also for the Laurence Bright, 0.P., President (Slant benefit of his considerable experience in this Editorial Board); Mr. Paul Burns (Burns & kind of work and this increases the Oates, i.e. Herder & Herder); Mrs. Pauline effectiveness of Slant’s influence within IDO- Clough (Leader of Slant Group, C immensely. Southampton); Mr. Adrian Cunningham (Slant Editorial Board); Mr. Jack Dunman Dunman's presence in the group is not (Communist Party of Great Britain, leading therefore to be measured merely in terms of specialist in ecumenism); The Rev. John the fact that this means that no less than one Foster; The Rev. Nicholas Lash; Dr. Monica third of IDO-C's leading personnel in the Lawlor (Newman Association Hon. Secy.); U.K. is either avowedly Communist or The Rev. Paul Oestreicher (Church of 'Catholic'-Marxist. Its significance can be Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 30 fully appreciated only when it is realised that The Country Standard (which, incidentally, is this means that the Marxist 'fraction' of five advertised in Slant). within' IDO-C's U.K. section is under the Of late, however, Dunman has been guidance of one of the leading cadres of the showing a belated versatility and has become Communist Party of Great Britain. a specialist in 'dialogue' with Christians. We 3. Who is Dunman? thus find him a member of the Communist team of 15 'ecumenists' who recently This would no doubt be heatedly dialogued with a peculiar assortment of denied by the ‘Slantites’, who probably tell Christians under the joint auspices of themselves (and perhaps even believe it) that MARXISM TODAY (a. Communist Party they defer to Mr. Dunman's expertise only in organ) and the international department of the organisational and tactical matters. But could British Council of Churches, whose associate Dunman and the Communist Party of Great secretary, The Rev. Paul Oestreicher, is also, Britain possibly wish for more? curiously enough, on IDO-C's U.K. Section. In case it may be thought that Dunman (Some idea of the kind of ‘defense’ of the is not as important a Communist as we have Christian position advanced in this 'dialogue' been making him out to be, it is appropriate to can be gauged from the fact that the Christian give a rough outline of his career within the team included two key members of Slant’s Communist Party. This reveals beyond all editorial Board (Neil Middleton and Adrian doubt that he is anything but a rank and file Cunningham, already cited as a member of intellectual who just staggered into IDO-C for IDO-C's U.K. Section), two other members of want of something better to do. IDO-C's British team (Theo Westow and The Dunman was a Party organiser as long Rev. Paul Oestreicher) and Dr. Oliver Pratt, ago as 1939. Ten years later we find him who was one of those who sponsored the standing as Communist candidate, in petition on behalf of Father Herbert McCabe. Berkshire. In 1950 he was again a Communist Apart from these, none of the other Catholic Candidate, this time in Abingdon, and two laymen at the dialogue seems to have been years later he again represented the Party as heard of before.) candidate in Harwell. All this however, was It is true that Dunman is listed only as purely incidental to Dunman's regular work a member of the Communist 'ecumenical' for the party, for in 1950 he became secretary team. This self-effacement on his part should of the Communist Party's Agricultural not, however, deceive us.The fact that he is Committee and ever since then he has been the only leading Communist known to be a acknowledged as the Party's leading expert in member of a supposedly 'Catholic' body the agricultural field. He is also the editor of (IDO-C), and the editor of the only the Country Standard, the Communist Party's Communist organ that advertises in SLANT, organ for affairs agricultural. One aspect of suffices to indicate that he is now the key his work in this field is the interest he has figure in 'ecumenical' activities undertaken by taken for many years in the affairs of the the Party. In short, Dunman would appear to National Union of Agricultural Workers. The be the more celebrated and talented Roger Daily Worker of January 10, 1948, reported Garaudy's opposite number this side of the that even then he was a member of Berkshire Channel. County Committee of the N.U.A.W. 4. Other Leaders of Britan’s IDO-C His specialist knowledge being What of the other 10 members of invaluable to the Party, he has also been on its IDO-C's British team? National Executive Committee, and in 1965 he addressed the National Congress of the As we have already seen, the Rev. Communist Party on agricultural problems Paul Oestreicher specializes in arranging (with particular reference to evictions and tied peculiarly cozy dialogues with the cottages). And of course he still is editor of Communist Party. This he does by virtue of his being associate international secretary of Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 31 the British Council of Churches, with special secretary of the Newman Association, she responsibility for East-West relations and for was railroaded into launching this campaign, the Church of England's dialogue with for she is co-author of The McCabe Affair, a Communism. He also seems to consider it his book recently published (needless to say by duty to have intimate relations with the Slant Sheed & Ward), obviously with the purpose group, for we find him as a speaker (along of serving as a permanent record of with the Slantite Dominican, Fr Boxer) at the ecclesiastical 'injustice' in post-Conciliar annual conference of the December (Slant) Britain. Group at Spode House in 1966. He is also an This leaves 7. Of these, the Rev. John ardent Teilhardist, and as such he addressed Weller would seem to be a non-Catholic, for the 1967 Conference of the Teilhard de there is certainly no priest of that name listed Chardin Association. From the report of his in the 1967 Catholic Directory. address in The Tablet, it seems that he took advantage of the occasion to declare publicly Which leaves 6, a mere two-fifths of his fervent admiration of Martin Luther King IDO-C's U.K. team. Of these, it is not known and the ultra-'progressive' Jesuit, Daniel how many are distinguished passengers Berrigan, whose extremism led to his being unlikely to rock the IDO-C boat. Mr. Paul disciplined temporarily even in the now Burns of Burns & Oates (or rather of Herder latitudinarian U,S.A. It would therefore seem & Herder) almost certainly comes into this most unlikely that the Rev. Paul Oestreicher category. Having lent IDO-C the prestigious will seriously cramp the style of the address of the 'Publishers to the Holy See', Communist-guided Marxist 'fraction' within Messrs Herder & Herder are clearly entitled IDO-C's U.K. team. to representation. As their employee, Mr. Burns can presumably be relied upon This leaves 9. At least two of these are faithfully to echo their viewpoint. known to be what with characteristic English understatement could be described as most Of the remaining 5, it is possible that decidedly well left of centre. They are Mr some are mere nonentities in the 'progressive' Anthony Spencer and Dr. Monica Lawlor. camp who have been co-opted precisely because nothing is known about them.3 It was Dr. Lawlor who, as secretary of the Newman Association mounted the Notwithstanding their obscurity, defence of Father Herbert McCabe, O.P. however, this at least we do know of them: when he was so justifiably sacked from his the very fact that Laurence Bright, O.P. is post as editor of New Blackfriars (which, he President of the group enables us to infer that admitted - at the Edinburgh conference not one of them takes particularly strong already mentioned - was, like Slant, also on exception to the viewpoint of the Marxist good terms with the Polish secret police 'fraction'. For it is quite unthinkable that the agency PAX). latter, having at its disposal the political savoir faire of one of the Communist Party of This defence action supplemented a Great Britain's leading cadres, would have petition to Rome (one of whose sponsors was been so foolish as to make Father Bright Anthony Spencer) with a 'Teach-in' (at which one of the principal speakers was Anthony Spencer) preceded by a 'Pray-in' on behalf of those who, like Charles Davis and Father 3 We have since learned something about Theo McCabe, had been 'persecuted' by Westow and the Rev. Nicholas Lash. The latter it seems has written an introduction to a 'progressive' ecclesiastical authority - a 'pray-in' of which a book by the former which was reviewed in the more charitable view could be taken if the November 11 issue of the Tablet by the 'progressive', Newmanites who organised it had ever waxed Fr. Henry St. John, O.P. More recently still, Fr. Lash similarly indignant concerning the real reviewed A Question of Conscience by Charles Davis persecution of our brethren in Jesus Christ in The Universe, (Nov, 17, 1967) saying among other things: ‘...lucidity and candour....Charles Davis will behind the Iron and Bamboo curtains. Nor can have placed us all in his debt.’ it be alleged in Dr. Lawlor's favour that, as

Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 32

President if there had been any possibility of Laurentin) and even in l'Humanité his being unacceptable to any of the others, (mouthpiece of the French Communist Party). for there is nothing the Party does not know 2. IDO-C’s action on the French [ress about keeping its passengers happy. In much the same way as The 1t is therefore no exaggeration to say Guardian became the willing mouthpiece of that IDO-C's U.K. section is composed Slant-Newman opinion at the time of the entirely of 'progressives' and that the group is McCabe Affair in England, so does the controlled from within by a Marxist 'fraction' French secular press (and, more often than operating under the guidance of one of the not, La Croix also, alas!) tend to amplify the most experienced cadres of the Communist voice of Catholic progressivism, while Party of Great Britain. simultaneously silencing the loyalist So much therefore for IDO-C's boast, opposition. And this notwithstanding the fact in one of its bulletins in our possession, that it that Catholics loyal to the Magisterium of is ‘a centre at the service of the Church’. Mother Church in contemporary France can organize rallies and congresses which attract a IV. IDO-C in France greater number of people than can be attracted 1. I.C.I. and IDO-C by the Left with all the power of the press at its disposal. The list of IDO-C's International Executive Committee includes Monsieur J.P. This, however, is not news: news Dubois Dumée as representing Informations being by definition whatever events concur catholiques internationales. J.P. Dubois with the will of the occult powers that control Dumée is, however, much more than a mere the mass media. In the real world, shadow is representative of Informations catholiques but evidence of the existence of substance, internationales. He is a key figure in the whose true nature it may distort out of all progressive' French Catholic establishment. proportion, but in the make- believe world of And the French Catholic Establishment is newsprint and television, where only the indeed a power to be reckoned with. Through shadows can be seen, and where shadows can its stranglehold on the various 'Catholic' be freely manipulated in accordance with periodicals it controls, directly or indirectly, it editorial whim and caprice, flesh and blood has been able to effectively silence opposition reality is almost invariably portrayed in to its will, not only in Catholic Action types caricature. Whereas in the real world we say of organisation, but even within the churches, there is no smoke without fire, we know where it is the exception rather than the rule perfectly well that it is quite possible for there to find on sale any journal that is to be fire without smoke. But in the world of uncompromisingly loyal to the Magisterium. daily newspapers and television screens, men Journals such as l'Homme Nouveau, France have been carefully conditioned to believe catholique, and Itinéraires are thus placed on only what they see and hear. In short, unless the Establishment's Index Librorum it's on television or in the headlines it just Prohibitorum, while Establishment organs never happened. Treatment of the Lausanne such as Informations catholiques Congress. internationales and Témoignage chrétien How this works out in practice is appear to have the official imprimatur. exemplified in the treatment accorded the The French Catholic Establishment is 1967 Lausanne Congress organized by the not however dependent for its influence on International Office of Associations for Civic such journals as it controls directly. By virtue Education and Cultural Action in accordance of its links with the secular Establishment with Christian Principles and the Natural (Masonic and Communist), which, needless Law. Here was a gathering of some 2,200 to say, it has never actively combated, its people, most of them in the full flush of viewpoint is also faithfully echoed in Le youth, each of whom had sacrificed at least Monde (by Henri Fesquet) in Figaro (by Abbé £20 [£300 in 2013 currency], as well as three days' holidays, in order to show fidelity to the Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 33 social doctrine of the Roman Magisterium. If France would not have been comprehensible such a Congress had been organised under the to English and American Catholics. Prior to auspices of Informations catholiques Vatican II, it was as though we were living in internationales, Témoignage Chrétien, or an entirely different world as compared with IDO-C, to bear witness to progressivist that of our French coreligionists. As indeed determination to defy the Roman we were. For even in the time of Pius XII, Magisterium, it would have received most there already existed in France - though generous publicity not only in Le Monde and nowhere else in the entire world - much the Figaro but also in La Croix, with perhaps same state of affairs as now prevails in this some editorial comment into the bargain. And country and to an even more marked degree since Roger Garaudy, the leading theoretician in the U.S.A. of the French-Communist Party would almost In the mid-'fifties, it was well-nigh certainly have been there - he is seldom impossible for the ordinary British or absent from any really important gathering of. American Catholic to credit the substance of Catholic 'progressives' anywhere nowadays - Jean Madiran's revelations (in “Ils ne savent one may be sure that a 'progressive'. Congress pas ce qu'ils font” and “Ils ne savent pas ce of Lausanne dimensions would also receive qu'ils dissent”) concerning the ramifications equally generous publicity in 1'Humanité. of the progressivist conspiracy in France. It In fact, however, the Lausanne seemed to them as though the poor man must Congress received virtually no publicity in the have been having a nightmare. The truth alas French press. The Congressists being is simply that he was describing a nightmare. Catholics loyal to Rome, they were The truth is that in objectively reporting what automatically transformed into un-persons then existed only in France he was simply and the Congress into a non-event. describing the nightmare of progressivist subversion that has since then become The power of modern media of universal. communication to condition the human mind is never more manifest than when those in Which brings us back to M. J.P. control decide that there shall be no Dubois Dumeé, for he was one of the communication. By comparison with the principal authors of the progressivist editorial blue pencil, the magic wand was an nightmare so effectively portrayed by Jean absurdly crude instrument. The full import of Madiran. technological development in the media of As we have already noted, M. Dubois communication can be grasped only when it is Dumeé's role on IDO-C's International realized that it is now possible, by doing Executive Committee is to represent nothing, to conjure flesh and blood reality out Informations catholiques Internationales. But of existence. Seen in this perspective, he is also there as representative of the entire existentialism opens up vista undreamed of 'progressive' French Catholic Establishment, even by the new theology - except perhaps by including the French Lay Apostolate, of such of its exponents as have already decreed which he was principal spokesman at the that transubstantiation can become Third World Congress of the Lay Apostolate meaningful to modern man only when (whose carrefours he directed). As a member represented as a figment of his imagination. of IDO-C's International Executive Now that we have seen the English- Committee, M. Dubois Dumeé has therefore language Catholic press taken over almost two distinct roles: plenipotentiary completely by progressivism on both sides of representing the French Catholic the Atlantic, and also the manner in which the Establishment within IDO-C, and IDO-C progressivist Catholic press is amplified ten plenipotentiary within France, the latter role million fold by the secular mass media, it is being symbolised by the fact that IDO-C's not, of course, at all difficult for us to original address in France was c/o understand similar developments in France. Informations catholiques internationales. It is Prior to Vatican II, however, the situation in only comparatively recently that it has been Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 34 decided (no doubt for the sake of IDO-C's 'Told that CardinalWyszynski had image) to nominate a Monsieur Galbiati to act confirmed the accuracy of the facts reported as IDO-C representative in France, giving him in "La Croix" articles, and not daring to attack power (in the words of Informations him openly, M. de Broucker, editor-in chief catholiques internationales) 'to assure liaison of I.C.I. showed his sentiments in one of his between Rome and the French public' from "Letters to the Friends of I.C.I." distributed his office at 23, rue Anatole-France, 92 only to the inner circle of his followers, in Chaville. which he made it to be understood that Cardinal Wyszynski ought, during the 3. IDO-C and the “Pax” movement of Council, to render an account of his the Communist police stewardship to the Cardinals of the Roman It is therefore no exaggeration to Church, "his judges and his peers". equate the ideology of IDO-C in France with ‘When the La Croix articles were that of Informations catholiques about to appear in book-form, the internationales or, conversely, to say that Ecclesiastical Censor for Paris made it known IDO-C represents an international expression to the author that, "not having found any of the Informations catholiques doctrinal errors in the text, he was unable to internationales viewpoint. And what the latter refuse the imprimatur, but that he hoped the is can be seen from The PAX Document, author would HAVE THE COURAGE which was sent by the Office of the Secretary (expressis verbis) to suppress the chapter of State at the Vatican to the Secretariat of the dealing with PAX.’ French Episcopate, which forwarded it (together with a covering letter dated June 6, 'Once published, this book (Pierre 1963) to the Bishops and Major Religious Lenert, The Catholic Church in Poland) Superiors resident in France. This document became the object of a fierce campaign on the evaluated the influence of the Polish secret part of PAX and its French friends. police agency PAX within France in the 'Curiously, PAX, in its bulletin, following terms: expressed its surprise that, the imprimatur ‘In France, the agents of PAX are in could have been granted to this work. permanent contact with certain groups of 'Not a single fact is denied. PAX catholic "progressives" who rally to their admits that Lenert's book had been defense, whenever they believe them "circulated" during the first session of the threatened. PAX has managed, in the main, to Council, but forgets to say that the Polish implant in certain French. Catholic circles the bishops, consulted on this matter, were belief that it (PAX) suffers persecution By unanimous in acknowledging the accuracy of Cardinal Wyszynski and the Polish the facts reported. It is obvious that PAX Episcopate on account of its "progressive" dreads being exposed in France. tendencies. 'Its very existence is at stake. If it were This attitude showed itself in a. once recognized by the Catholics of the West striking fashion when a series of articles on as nothing but an agency of a police network the position of the Church in Poland appeared entrusted with the penetration and subjection in La Croix in 'February, 1962. The Reverend of the Church, it would lose its following in Father Wenger, Editor-in-chief, was their ranks and, in so doing, would lose ITS immediately taken to task by priests and JUSTIFICATION in the eyes of its laymen who vehemently denied the contents paymasters. of these articles, boasting of their travels or tours in Poland. '"It is not the Communists, whom we fear," said a Polish bishop. "What fills us with ‘They were for the most part friends of anguish, are the FALSE BRETHREN,"' PAX, belonging to the circle of Informations Catholiques Internationales (I.C.I.). Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 35

V. IDO-C in Poland - by the Warsaw Government for "the so keenly awaited" normalization of relations Having dealt with the role of between the Church and the State. It is a Communist Subversion in France via question, in short, of the acceptance in full of Informations catholiques internationales, the notorious principle POLITICS FIRST, by IDO-C's guarantor to the French public, it is the TOTAL subordination of the Church to now appropriate to investigate ZNAK, IDO- the advancement of the Communist C's principal agency within Poland. Revolution. In other words, this First, it must be made clear that, "normalization" can only take place at the unlike PAX, ZNAK does not appear to be a price of a FORMAL COMMITTAL of the police agency. That, however, is about all that Church in Poland to the service of a particular can be said in its favor, for its outlook is very political party.' (Quoted from 'The PAX closely akin to that of Slant, which like Document'. The emphasis is not ours.). Informations catholiques internationales, From this it is clear that what ZNAK prefers to regard PAX (notwithstanding the means by 'political intransigence' is simply Polish Primate's authoritative evaluation of it fidelity to the Christian principle of refusing as a secret police agency) as a legitimate to render to Caesar that which is God's. It is expression of 'progressive' Catholic opinion. interesting to note that while 'progressives' of For from such investigations as we have every hue unanimously condemn the 'pre- made, the following facts about ZNAK Conciliar Church for, having made itself emerge: acceptable to feudalism, capitalism, 1. ZNAK is a 'circle' attached to the monarchism, nationalism, imperialism, Communist-dominated National Unity Front. colonialism and what have you, they 2. ZNAK accepts the Marxist simultaneously condemn her for exhibiting economic structure of the State. 'political intransigence' for not accepting 'total subordination' to Communism. In other words, ZNAK categorically repudiates the social doctrine of the 5. ZNAK appears to consider the Magisterium of Mother Church. materialism of the Gomulka regime to be merely 'nominal'. 3. ZNAK also accepts Poland's general support for Russian foreign policy. And since This priceless euphemism makes even Russia's foreign policy is nothing more or less 'double-speak' seem delightfully than an instrument of Moscow's subversive unambiguous. influence throughout the entire world ZNAK Just how 'nominal' is the materialism accepts this too presumably. of the Polish State can be seen from the 4. ZNAK is opposed to Cardinal following excerpt from a Pastoral Letter Wyszynski, whom it accuses of 'political issued by the entire Polish Episcopate on intransigence'. March 21, 1963: This, again, is as logical for a 'circle' ‘a) Since the beginning of 1963 there attached to the Communist-dominated has been a constant increase in the number of National Unity Front as its repudiation of enactments aimed at religious teaching. Catholic social doctrine and its support for b) The Office for Religious Affairs Russian foreign policy. As Cardinal forbade priests belonging to religious orders, Wyszynski has pointed out, there is only one even if they were the parish priests, or species of 'normalization' of relations between curates, nuns and even many lay catechists to the Catholic Church and the Communist State teach catechism. that is acceptable to the latter (and also, c) Religious instruction is forbidden in needless to say to such 'circles' as are attached private houses, parish halls, chapels, and even to the Communist-dominated National Unity in certain churches. Front). In Cardinal Wyszynski's own words: there is 'no doubt as to the conditions required Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 36

d) Some Inspectors of Public In one sense - i.e. in the sense that the Education demand from parish priests blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church, detailed reports on the religious instruction in the sense that persecution tends to confirm given in their churches and are increasing the rather than attenuate the faith of those number of their inspections. persecuted - this is, of course, undoubtedly true. Nowhere, indeed, is this more obvious e) The parish priests, who refuse to than in contemporary Poland, where attacks make these reports, are punished with on the Church have served merely to unite the crippling fines up to ten thousand zlotys or Polish people solidly behind their heroic more. Those, who are unable to pay these Primate. exorbitant sums are threatened with and often suffer, imprisonment or distraints. In this sense, however, neither Nero on the one hand nor Stalin, Hitler and Mao f) Use is made of all manner of Tse-tung on the other could be described as intimidation, indeed of threats, to hinder ‘real enemies of the Faith’, however children attending catechism. The parents of determinedly and savagely they sought to children who refuse to give way are the eradicate it. victims of heavy penalties. Certain social groups (Civil Servants, Agents of the U.B., But whether the Church is being etc.) are officially forbidden to send their persecuted with bestial savagery - as by the children to catechism under pain of dismissal. tyrants we have just mentioned - or more subtly, but no less implacably, by the g) Every year, the holiday centres Gomulkas of this world (or for that matter by gather together thousands of children, who are the urbane, sophisticated, highly literate prevented on a thousand pretexts from humanitarians who constitute the British attending Mass on Sundays. In some cases Humanist Association), no Christian worthy they have been kept penned behind barbed- of the name ever takes the side of the wire for the whole duration of the parish persecutor. Masses. In an epoch of persecution, it is true h) No priest has the right to enter, at that it is not the actual persecutors who any price, within the boundaries of these constitute 'the real enemy of the Faith'. The holiday centres or camps. name of 'the real enemy of the Faith' is i) The children who do succeed in Catholic Infidelity. In the words of the Polish escaping to go to Sunday Mass are punished. Bishop quoted by Cardinal Wyszynski in. The j) Young people, who go out on PAX Document: 'It is not the Communists excursions with a priest, are tracked by the whom we fear. What fills us with anguish are police, often in helicopters, in order to check the false brethren’. whether, under cover of the forest or 7. ZNAK is said to have the support of mountain, they are attending Mass. Taken in many priests, to be tolerated by most bishops, flagranti delicto [caught red-handed] students and encouraged by some. are often refused the right to continue their ... But even if ZNAK has persuaded no studies’. more than one or two bishops and a handful If the foregoing exemplifies 'the of priests to take sides with them against materialism "nominally" professed by the Cardinal Wyszynski, this makes them no less Gomulka Government,' God forbid that it dangerous potentially. For as The PAX should ever think in terms of taking its Document makes clear, the technique of materialism seriously. Communist subversion of the Church in 6. ZNAK does not consider the Poland operates along the following lines: materialism of the Gomulka regime 'the real “The technique is to act as a solvent, enemy to the Faith'. to form cells of disunity among the faithful, but especially in the ranks of the priests and religious. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 37

To split the bishops into two blocs, the various organizations, alone suffice to diffuse “Integrists” and the “Progressives”. IDO-C news and views directly to such influential secular journals as the NewYork To align, under a thousand pretexts, Times,Time magazine and the Chicago the priests against their bishops. Sunday Times as well as to 'Catholic' journals To drive a subtle wedge into the such as the Long Island Catholic, the National masses by cleverly contrived distinctions Catholic Reporter, and the St. Louis Review, between "reactionaries" and "progressives". and also to the influential Paulist Press, to Never to attack the Church directly, information centres such as the Catholic Press but only "for her own good", "her outdated union, N.C.W.C., the National Catholic forms" and "the abuses which disfigure her". Communications Centre of Toronto, and two If necessary to be more Catholic than the other somewhat similar centres in Ottawa and Pope. Montreal, to the Religious Newswriters' Association and, last but by no means least, to By hammering away cunningly, to Radio Vatican and Radio Canada. form in the ranks of the clergy pockets of the “discontented” so as to lure them bit by bit This, however, was but the original “into a climate favorable to class warfare”. set-up. Since then, IDO-C AMERICA (as it now calls itself) has opened a distribution and To sum up, the essential facts are as promotion centre in New York (address: Box follows: 265, Baldwin, N.Y.) which churns out a 1. ZNAK is Poland's voice within regular supply of documentation and IDO-C. information to chanceries, religious information centres and editorial offices 2 – ZNAK is an organization of fellow throughout the entire sub-continent. travelers comparable to those inspired by Slant and Informations catholiques But in addition to putting its U.S. internationales. house in order, IDO-C AMERICA has also taken steps to place American know-how and What we know of IDO-C's Polish dynamism at the disposal of ID0-C's Rome friends, therefore, corroborates the impression Centre. For after establishing IDO-C obtained by a study of IDO-C in Britain and AMERICA on a sound footing, former France. Pittsburg Catholic columnist Dr. Gary VI. IDO-C in Canada and the U.S.A. McEoin set out for Rome to take over as executive director of IDO-C's central office, It will have been noted that the two to reorganise it, as an IDO-C AMERICA U.S. members of IDO-C's International bulletin stated, 'in preparation for the Synod Executive Committee are the Rev. Edward of Bishops'. Lynch of Radio Vatican and the St. Louis Review representative Donald Quinn, who In view of the effective manner in has been described in the U.S. as the which the Synod had its privacy violated and controversial ex-editor of the even more its confidences diffused (after appropriate controversial Oklahoma Courier. distortion) prior to its being publicly lectured and put in its place by one of IDO-C's tame This, however, does nothing like 'masters of theology', it certainly cannot be justice to the role of the U.S. within IDO-C alleged that Dr. McEoin's 'preparation' left or, conversely, to the role of IDO-C in the anything to be desired. This does not signify, U.S.A. A much more realistic (though still however, that he has ousted the original IDO- inadequate) picture is given by the names of C boss, the Rev. Leo Alting von Geusau, who Americans from the U.S.A. and Canada who continues to be IDO-C's General Secretary. are members of IDO- C's International Now that Dr. McEoin has taken so much Committee for the Development of Religious delicate 'administrative' work (such as coping Documentation and Information. These key effectively with events such as the Synod) off people, totaling no less than 21 assorted the Rev. Leo's shoulder's, the hardworking journalists, theologians and representatives of Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 38

General Secretary will now no doubt be able Prior to Vatican II, the only notable to spend even more of his time on missionary exception to this rule was France, where the endeavors. Church had been in a state of undeclared civil war for nearly a century, but, even there, But it is not merely American while progressivist influence did in fact come expertise and dynamism (and presumably near to constituting an 'Establishment' in dollars as well) that Dr. McEoin brings to rivalry with the ecclesiastical hierarchy, the Rome. His presence there also testifies to the term 'Establishment' was used only by those increasingly important role now played by the who sought, by thus designating it, to indicate American Catholic Establishment within the that this development in effect represented the International Catholic Establishment. Before emergence of a parallel hierarchy and was enlarging on this, however, it is first thus quite intolerable. necessary to make clear what is meant by the term 'Catholic Establishment', and to It is only in the U.S.A., and even there apologise for having already used this term in most recently (December 1966 to be precise), relation to the progressivist conspiracy that the progressivist conspiracy has boldly elsewhere without explaining either the origin styled itself 'The Catholic Establishment'. of the term or its precise meaning. There is no more frightening measure It must be first emphasized that the of the dimensions of the crisis within the term is not ours. 'The Catholic Establishment' contemporary Church, than the open is what the American progressivist conspiracy admission of what, hitherto, would have been calls itself. an incredible state of affairs: the explicit affirmation by the progressivist conspiracy of The term 'Establishment' has of course ambitions which have previously been for long been used as a synonym for any heatedly denied, even by the most subversive influential coterie that imposes its ideology, of liberals, whenever it was alleged that they its conventions and above all its will on a harbored such pretentions. Yet, as we shall given society. Thus, for example, while the see, the self-styled 'Catholic Establishment' in former 'British Establishment' represented a the U.S.A. openly boasts that it is it, rather Protestant expression of masonic ambitions, than the Magisterium of the Church, that now the new 'British Establishment, which informs effectively governs the mind of the Catholic all institutions and political parties throughout community. the U.K. (as the new 'American Establishment' similarly informs 'the It is precisely because the use of the American way of life'), is an. expression in term 'Catholic Establishment' manifests what terms of Secular Humanism and are the ultimate ambitions of progressivists Progressivism of 20th century masonic everywhere that, for the sake of clarity, we ecumenism. have chosen thus to designate the progressivist conspiracy elsewhere throughout If hitherto it has not been customary to the world. But it is particularly appropriate speak of a 'Catholic Establishment' this was thus to describe European progressivism, for for the very good reason that, until the 'Catholic Establishment' in the U.S.A. is comparatively recently, however considerably simply a belated extension overseas of the the ethos of Catholic life was conditioned by European progressivist conspiracy whose the influence of the outside world, within the French vanguard was so effectively unmasked Catholic community as such there was no by Jean Madiran in the mid-fifties. effective challenge to the influence of the ecclesiastical hierarchy (the only 'Catholic Needless to say, the French Establishment' then conceivable by the progressivists, being French, were primarily Faithful) and it was quite pointless to devise concerned with establishing their influence an alternative description for the Institutional rather than with boasting of it. And while it is Church. true that the U.S. Catholic Establishment has indeed much of which to boast, the fact remains that the fertile mind of France Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 39 continues to be the intellectual mainspring of the microphones in a determination to speak the International Catholic Establishment - just for the Church...' as it is also in France that there is already ‘The microphone-seizers are a loose emerging an effective Catholic resurgence in but exclusive fraternity of several dozen full accordance with the mind of the true post- scholars, journalists, activists and publishers. Conciliar Church (of which the post-Conciliar They write for and edit the most influential Church spoken of by IDO-C is an absurd Catholic journals… They publish one caricature). Thus, however grateful we may another's manuscripts, warmly review one be to the U.S. Catholic Establishment for its another's books, cite one another in lectures childish folly in openly disclosing not only its they invite one another to give, then collect objectives, but also its mode of operation, and the lectures and articles into books for yet even its key personnel, let us not be deceived another round of favorable discussion. by American pretentiousness. .... 'The Establishment is liberal, VII. The anatomy of the Catholic progressive, largely urban, suspicious of Establishment institutions, anti-war (but mostly non- Having said all this, let us now turn to pacifist), half-clerical and half-lay, and an examination of the U.S. Catholic concerned mainly with intramural Catholic Establishment by seeing what it says about problems. They are not necessarily the best- itself. known or brightest Catholics in the land, and Characteristically, it does not few of them hold official positions in the- explicitly call in question the Church's Church. They don't have to. They are the Magisterium. It prefers to liquidate its Establishment. effective influence by simply ignoring it and ‘The chief business of the deciding for itself what the Church and the Establishment is the shaping and publicizing Faithful must both think and do. of the issues that will dominate American As John Leo says, openly boasting not Catholic life. This is done largely through the only of the Catholic Establishment's six Establishment journals, all of them edited existence, but also of its power, in his now by laymen: the National Catholic Reporter, famous Critic article entitled 'The Catholic Cross Currents, Jubilee, Commonweal, Establishment3: 'It is the Establishment that Continuum and The Critic. They provide the decides what Catholics will discuss, not just links to the publishing houses, the campuses, in Establishment journals, but after a time lag the secular journals and the Protestant world, - in nearly all Catholic journals and as well as to the lower-level publicists and discussion groups from coast to coast.' (He periodicals which take their cue from the adds, significantly: 'The birth control Establishment and function as transmission discussion in the United States, for instance, belts for Establishment ideas. was entirely an Establishment production,' ‘On paper, the Establishment looks and then proceeds to explain in some detail like an interlocking directorate….’ just how this was achieved between 1963 and Leo then proceeds to give numerous the end of 1964 by the exercise of what has examples of how this 'interlocking directorate' been described in Holland as the 'progressive operates in order to impose its will on terrorism of Catholic public opinion'.) Catholic public opinion and thus on the As this self-styled 'Establishment Church. He shows for example that the columnist' also admitted, quoting Father John publishers of Cross Currents and The Critic Hugo without demur in his already mentioned (Joseph Cuneen and Dan Herr respectively) notorious article in The Critic, an admittedly are both on the board of the National Catholic 'Establishment review': The Establishment is Reporter; that one of the Cross Currents 'a small coterie admiring one another's editors (William Birmingham) edits Mentor- writings, although at times politely and Omega paperback books while tentatively disagreeing', who 'have seized all simultaneously working part-time for Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 40

Commonweal; that Justus George Lawlor, savagely intolerant of conservative opinions editor of Continuum, who also writes for in any shape of form. Commonweal, is the chief editor of the pro- One of the essential aspects of the Establishment publishing house of Herder and Establishment's capacity to influence Catholic Herder; that Sheed and Ward's American public opinion is its control of 'most of the big publishing house is headed by the former lecture series' a control which Leo tells us is Commonweal editor and Critic columnist substantially 'reinforced by two Establishment Philip Scharper; that Wilfrid Sheed himself lecture agencies: University Speakers and the who is now with Commonweal was formerly National Lecture Service.' Of late, however, with Jubilee; and that the key Establishment the Establishment has conjured into existence figure, Michael Novak, has access to all an entirely new creation which still further Establishment journals and publishing houses. reinforces its influence: The Institute for Leo also gives several examples of Freedom in the Church. The 'freedom' in how Establishment members take in each question, needless to say is freedom for the other's washing, build up synthetic reputations Establishment. It has also recently got control (mentioning in particular the case of the of the key Catholic Press Association. Canadian theologian Bernard Lonergan's lionisation by a combined operation on the VIII. Cadres and Agencies of the part of Justus George Lawlor and Michael Establishment Novak despite the fact that scarcely anyone The following are the people and had read Lonergan), and how the institutions which Leo lists as belonging to Establishment rallies to the defence of the the Establishment: 'persecuted' (i.e. Establishment heroes who incur ecclesiastical discipline, such as the Journals: Commonweal, Continuum, extremist Jesuit, Father Daniel Berrigan) in The Critic, Cross Currents, Jubilee and the much the same way as the English Slant- National Catholic Reporter. Newman operation was mounted in defense Publishers; Helicon, Herder & Herder, of Father Herbert McCabe, O.P. in the spring Macmillan (when edited by Elizabeth of 1967. Bartelme), Mentor-Omega, (paperbacks), Even Leo admits, however, that Sheed & Ward. Establishment operations are difficult to Lecture Agencies: University pinpoint. This is because, 'like most Speakers and National Lecture Service. establishments' the Catholic Establishment 'moves ahead imperceptibly by the individual Scripture Wing: The Rev. Barnabas acts of members who share common Ahern, C.P.; The Rev. Raymond Brown; The assumptions.' He adds, significantly: 'Though Rev. John McKenzie; The Rev. Roland hardly a conspiracy in the modern political Murphy; Mother Kathryn Sullivan; and The sense of the word, it is one in John Courtney Rev. Bruce Vawter. Murray's sense of ‘a breathing together’. In Columnists: Dan Herr, publisher of the Establishment everyone breathes The Critic, on Board of National Catholic together.' Reporter; John Leo, National Catholic As he tells us elsewhere, 'The Reporter and The Critic; Philip Scharper, Establishment is essentially a team.' And from head of Sheed & Ward, now Critic columnist, what he says, it is not difficult to infer that formerly editor of Commonweal; Garry Wills, Establishment teamwork is never more in National Catholic Reporter. evidence than when sham fights on Columnists: Dan Herr, publisher of inessentials are staged between Establishment The Critic, on Board of National Catholic spokesmen who 'usually attack the same Reporter; John Leo, National Catholic things and defend each other', as a means of Reporter and The Critic; Philip Scharper, creating an illusion of free debate in journals head of Sheed & Ward, now Critic columnist, Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 41 formerly editor of Commonweal; Garry Wills, Favorite: Archbishop Roberts, S.J. National Catholic Reporter. (former Archbishop of Mumbai). Ideologists: Daniel Callahan (wife is Cause: Father William Dubay, Sidney Cornelia Callahan, author and member advocate of a trade union for priests. of Establishment); Justus George Lawlor, Activist Wing: Matthew Ahmann; The chief editor of Herder & Herder, editor of Rev. Daniel Berrigan, S.J.; the Rev. Philip Continuum, also writes for Commonweal. Berrigan; the Rev. Harry Browne; Dennis Ladies Auxiliary: Elizabeth Bartelme, Clark; Mgr. John Egan; James Forest; The Macmillan editor; Sister Charles Borromeo, Rev.Walter Imbiorski; the Immaculate Heart Establishment nun; Sidney Cornelia Callahan, Nuns; The Rev. Daniel Mallete. author and wife of Daniel Callahan; Sister Liturgical Wing: The Rev. Godfrey Corrita, Establishment 'activist'; Mary Daly, Diekmann; The Rev. Frederick McManus; lay theologian; Sister Jacqueline, leading Jack Mannion; Robert Rambusch (husband of Establishment nun; Rosemary Lauer, Nancy). philosopher; Sister Luke, Establishment nun; Nancy Rambusch, Montessori leader and wife Theologians, philosophers, of Robert Rambusch; Rosemary Ruether, ecumenists: The Rev. Gregory Baum, The birth-control specialist. Rev. Bernard Cooke, S.J.; The Rev. John Courtney-Murray, S.J. (now deceased); The Academic and Miscellaneous Wing: Rev. Bernard Lonergan (whose reputation The Rev. William Clancy, Provost Pittsburgh was built up by Michael Novak and Justus Oratory; John Cogley, New York Times, George Lawlor); James McCue, lay Centre for Study of Democratic Institutions, a theologian; The Rev. Daniel O'Hanlon, S.J.; key Establishment figure; James Collins, The Rev.Thomas Stransky, Unity Secretariat, Philosopher; Leslie Dewart, Philosopher, Rome; Leonard Swidler, founder of Journal pacifist, University of Toronto; Robert of Oecumenical Studies; The Rev. George Drinan; The Rev. Edward Duff; The Rev. Tavard. John Dunne; Louis Dupre, specialist in birth- control and marriage; Mgr. John Tracy Ellis; Ex-members: The Rev. Andrew The Rev. Joseph Fichter, sociologist; James Greeley and Mgr. George Higgins both Finn, Editor World View; The Rev. Robert expelled for being insufficiently 'liberal' (Fr. Francoeur, prominent Teilhardist; The Rev. Greeley is, however, still much admired); Dexter Hanley; Richard Horschler, National Donald McDonald (since 'promoted' to Centre Conference of Christians and Jews; The Rev. for Study of Democratic Institutions); The Robert Johann, philosopher; The Rev. Rev. Thomas Merton (still much admired but William Lynch, Establishment specialist on considered too shrill - the magazine Ramparts art and communication; Ernan McMullin, is likewise admired but considered lacking in philosopher; Bernard Murchland, balance); Bishop Thomas Wright. philosopher; John Noonan, authority on Recent Establishment acquisitions: contraception; Michael Novak, key “Lamp” Catholic Press Association Establishment figure, author of The Open Church; George Schuster, Notre Dame; Recent Establishment creation: The Wilfrid Sheed, of Sheed & Ward, Institute for Freedom in the Church. Commonweal, formerly with Jubilee; Dan It must, however, be understood that Sullivan, specialist on birth-control and the people, publishers and institutions listed marriage; Gordon Zahn, pacifist, linked with by John Leo give only a hint of the real power Ramparts. wielded by the Establishment. The real source Heroes: Dorothy Day, founder of The of its power to condition the minds of the Catholic Worker; The Rev. H.A. Reinhold, faithful derives from its links with what John patron of Liturgical reform. Leo calls the 'lower-level publicists and periodicals which take their cue from the Establishment and function as transmission Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 42 belts for Establishment ideas! For as a result disassociating itself from ultra-'progressive' of this indirect power of the Establishment, Fr. Dubay and the ultra-avant gardiste journal there are very few Catholic journals in the Ramparts (while admiring them both in U.S.A, today which do not in large measure certain ways). It does this, indeed, in much echo and amplify the Establishment's the same way as the Communist Party expels viewpoints. And such journals as are still both right-wing 'revisionists' and left-wing reasonably orthodox are under steadily intransigents, and essentially for the same increasing pressure to become 'updated' and reason: the need to preserve intact a hard core 'progressive'. As for national newspapers and of the initiated who can be depended upon for reviews (we do not include bulletins in this utter fidelity to the cause and yet know how to category) that are militantly anti- be infinitely flexible. Establishment, there are only two: The The Establishment is exclusive, not Wanderer, the national Catholic weekly only because it appreciates what a world of published in St. Paul, Minnesota, and difference there is between being progressive Triumph, the recently established monthly and being effectively progressive, but above review edited by Brent Bozell. all because it is determined to be nothing if This almost complete take-over of the not effective. It is precisely keeping itself Catholic press would not, however, have been exclusive, by insisting on certain standards of possible had the Establishment had to rely discipline from the initiated, that the solely on its links with only the Catholic Establishment has been able to exploit to the press. If the latter has succumbed so easily to advantage of its cause the opportunism, the Establishment blandishments, this is largely a indiscretion and the wild adventurism of function of the Establishment's links with progressivism's right and left wing secular journals, the Protestant world and. the opportunists, who, left to themselves, would more 'progressive' (i.e. Zionist) sections of the have succeeded only in cancelling each other Jewish community. As a consequence of these out and in discrediting progressivism as such. 'links', the Catholic Establishment has been As it is, however, both bring grist to the able to harness the incredibly persuasive Establishment's mill: the irresponsibles on the power of the secular mass media of lunatic fringe making the Establishment contemporary America to its chariot. appear comparatively sane and even almost a bulwark of orthodoxy in the eyes of Authority We shall in due course examine the (particularly given the utter folly of certain Catholic Establishment's links with the world ultra-'traditionalists'); while compromisers at large. Before doing so, however, it is within the progressivist camp enable the necessary to make perfectly clear-what the Establishment to demonstrate how substantial Catholic Establishment is and what it is not. is the difference between flexible service of IX – The True Nature of the Catholic the cause and its betrayal. Establishment In short, the Establishment is First what it is NOT. While it most composed of the initiated, the enlightened, the certainly is a league of sorts (John Leo does illuminati of the progressivist camp and is its not hesitate even to describe it as a certain guiding nucleus both within the Church and kind of 'conspiracy'), undoubtedly militant, in its relationship with the world at large. and nothing if not 'progressive', to describe it as simply a league of militant 'progressives' X. The Catholic Establishment and would be to fail completely to indicate its the Secular Establishment essential nature. For the Establishment is Concerning the Catholic essentially exclusive. It unhesitatingly Establishment's relationship with the outside excludes people such as Mgr. Higgins and Fr. world, there are five Establishment names of Greeley, however prestigious they may be, particular significance: Richard Horchler, the moment they begin to compromise with who is the Establishment's representative in the 'unenlightened' ecclesiastical the National Conference of Christians and 'bureaucracy', while simultaneously Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 43

Jews; and John Cogley, formerly of contents itself with supporting 'practical' Commonweal but now with the NewYork objectives, such as getting Red China into the Times; the late Fr. John Courtney-Murray, U.N. and the U.S. out of South East Asia, and S.J., arch-peritus at Vatican II; Donald of course, a reappraisal of all aspects of McDonald, columnist in a host of diocesan Western foreign policies that seem to be too newspapers and former dean of the School of uncompromisingly anti-Communist. Such Journalism at Marquette University; and then is the pillar of the Secular Establishment George N. Shuster, also formerly with with which the Catholic Establishment chose Commonweal and now assistant President of to establish liaison through no less than four Notre Dame University - Cogley, Fr. Murray, of its key representatives. McDonald and Shuster all having been This liaison with the Secular actively involved in the affairs of the Centre Establishment is quite indispensable to the for the Study of Democratic Institutions: achievement of its objectives. For by virtue of which could best be described as a major this liaison with the Centre - aided of course pillar of the Secular Establishment. by John Cogley's key role in the NewYork The Centre for the Study of Times, for which he acted as religious news Democratic Institutions is an outgrowth of the editor during the critical period of Vatican II - Fund for the Republic and its President is the the Catholic Establishment has been able to controversial Robert M. Hutchins, who is also have its voice echoed and amplified by the President of the Fund for the Republic. The now quasi-omnipotent secular mass media. Centre, under the guidance of Hutchins, As a consequence it has been able to create exemplifies what is sometimes called the impression that whereas the 'pre-Conciliar' 'synarchism'. It represents a coming together Church was ghetto-bound and cut off of secular humanists of every hue (including completely from the affairs of human society, key representatives of the Communist Party), the new, 'forward-looking', Establishment-led 'progressive' Catholics, modernist Protestants, Church is able to exercise a decisive voice in Freemasons, Jews, liberal technologists, the councils of secular society, and that worried demographic experts, fervent family anyone who stands in the path of its onward planners, ultra-humanitarians, uncompro- march must be no friend of God. mising 'peace-lovers' (whose emphasis, Had the Catholic press been worth its needless to say is on Viet Nam!), frenzied salt, it could of course have debunked these coexistentialists, Uncle Tom Cobley and all - pretensions quite easily by showing that, far all of them most 'intellectual' and 'forward- from echoing the voice of the Church within looking' - with a common denominator secular society, the Establishment is simply perspective which seeks Peace on Earth the willing mouthpiece of the world within independently of God and with generous the Church. As it was, however, since the condescension approves religion unreservedly Catholic press had already been largely so long as (in the words of one of the Centre's colonised by the Establishment, and since publications) it is conceived of in terms of conformity is the first law of the famous 'usefulness' and 'service to the community'. 'American way of life', before long diocesan The Centre accepts unquestioningly as an editors and publicity seeking clerics were inescapable fact of life what its President tripping over one another to see who could describes as our being 'built into the technical jump most spectacularly on to such an system as cogs in the machine and as apparently exciting bandwagon. automatic claque'; it deplores religious education in the school (but magnanimously Given this atmosphere, which has concedes that parochial - i.e. Catholic-schools since conditioned Catholic life in the U.S.A. 'may be tolerated until they become a "threat" for the last few years, given also the to the common welfare'; it seeks eventually to institutional Church's reluctance to become promote a fusion of Communism and involved in political affairs, the Establishment capitalism under the auspices of 'some system has proceeded to subject the ecclesiastical of world government', but for the time being hierarchy to what is virtually blackmail. Thus, Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 44 while any bishop who dares to come out Establishment realises as clearly as do its openly against any of the Establishment's opponents. Hence why IDO-C is quite objectives - as did Cardinal Spellman on the indispensable as a means of reinforcing the Vietnam question - finds himself the victim of Establishment's magisterial pretensions. For character assassination (a most effective since IDO-C is undoubtedly both Rome- means of deterring any of his colleagues from centred and even now in process of becoming doing likewise), the few who appear to be on universal, the new schismatic Establishment the Establishment's wave length on this or Church thus has at its disposal means that issue receive the most fulsome praise and whereby it can resemble the one true Catholic find themselves popular public figures and Apostolic Church in much the same way overnight. as it is said that Anti-Christ will appear to be almost indistinguishable from the Saviour of By thus polarising the hierarchy into mankind. 'warmongering' prelates (prelate is an unmistakably dirty word with overtones of In order to make IDO-C itself 'juridicism') and 'peace-loving' 'men of God', credible, however, it was first necessary to the Establishment thus seeks to 'dialecticise' ensure that only a minority of IDO-C's the Magisterium and by this means reduce it leading personnel could be openly identified to silence, so that only the Establishment's with the Establishment. Every effort was thus voice remains as the infallible guide of both made to camouflage the new creation by Christian and unbeliever. involving well-known respectable people and journals in association with it. In this respect, Having already largely achieved the the American Establishment has certainly goal of undermining the authority of the been much more discreet than its U.K. Magisterium, the Establishment is now counterpart, for whereas the latter is beginning to think in terms of guarding the represented on IDO-C's International authority of it own magisterial authority by Executive Committee only by the notorious speaking of the need for more, not less and indeed pro-Communist Neil Middleton of authority in the Church. (This incidentally Slant fame, neither of the two U.S. was the main burden of Fr.Herbert McCabe's representatives on this body (The Rev. P. speech at the London 'Teach-In' convened as Lynch, S.J. and Donald Quinn) are known a means of protesting against his 'persecution' members of the American Establishment. And by ecclesiastical authority.) By this, needless even on IDO-C's International Committee for to say, Establishment spokesmen do not mean the Development of Religious Documentation more authority for the actual magisterium of and Information, the American Establishment the Church, but for the Magisterium of a has wisely restrained itself, so that of the 21 hypothetical Establishment-dominated U.S. and Canadian people on this committee Church that would authoritatively espouse the known Establishment strength is limited Establishment causes such as the to no more than 5: Cogley, Mgr. D. Hanley, abandonment of Viet Nam, unrestricted birth- Prof. D. O'Hanlon, S.J., and Professor control, legalised abortion, sexual reform Gregory Baum (all key Establishment figures) (with reference even to homosexuality), the and R.G. Hoyt representing the Establishment liquidation of Catholic education and, last but National Catholic Reporter. Let it not be not least, the complete democratization of imagined, however, that this makes IDO-C 'Mother Church. What they are thereby doing, any the less an essentially Establishment however, is simply to demand greater respect creation: IDO-C America being no more than for their own authority, for they take it for an American expression of the European granted that they already are the Magisterium. Establishment which engendered the XI – Why IDO-C is indispensable to precursors of IDO-C at a time when the voice the Establishment of dissent was scarcely audible across the Clearly, however, there can be no Atlantic. Catholic Magisterium that is not both XII – IDO-C's other advantages universal and. Rome-centred. This the Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 45

From all this it can be seen that to say (as did John Leo in the Critic article already IDO-C not only permits the quoted) that 'the Establishment is gaining Establishment's pretensions to appear ground rapidly' is a characteristically un- somewhat more credible by the apparent American masterpiece of understatement. corroboration of what it has hitherto been saying by a new, apparently 'independent' XIII – IDO-C elsewhere international association, which presents an image of massive erudition and purports to Having portrayed IDO-C in Britain, represent the universal consensus of France, Poland and the U.S.A., it now 'educated' Catholic opinion; by this means it remains to indicate briefly its tentacles in also makes possible the infiltration of other countries concerning which we do not Establishment notions into certain areas of the as yet have adequate documentation. This can Catholic community that have as yet proved be done most authoritatively by simply listing comparatively impervious to Establishment the members of IDO-C's International pressure. Committee for the Development of Religious Documentation and Information. These are as IDO-C America, is, however, of follows: particular significance in the economy of subversion in that it has enabled the Africa International Catholic Establishment to enter Rev. J. Ceuppens - D.I.A. - 3e Boite into direct, quasi-institutional relations with Postale, 2598, Kinshasa, Rep. Democr. du the powerful Secular Establishment of the Congo. U.S.A. In this connection, it is quite impossible to ignore the presence on IDO-C's Rev. Derks - Die Brug 8e Andreus International Committee for the Development Road 52 Houghton, Johannesburg - South of Religious Documentation and Information, Africa. not only of John Cogley, who can be said to Rev. L. Matthys - Bishop's House, represent the Centre for the Study of P.O. Box 17054, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Democratic Institutions as well as the New South Africa. York Times the key organ of the U.S. Secular Establishment; but also of Israel Shenker, the Rev. A. Plesters - Ursuline Convent. Jewish manager of Time magazine's Rome 30 Kitchener Av., Johannesburg, South Africa bureau; David Meade of the Chicago Sunday Rev. N. Scholten, 0.P. - Dpt.vir Times; and Gerard Lemioux of Radio Canada. Ekumeniese Aangeleenthede - Postbus 5902, It is also noteworthy, however, that the U.K. Johannesburg, South Africa. Secular Establishment is also represented on Rev.A.H. Schwarer - 62 Orient Road, this same committee by a representative of the Primrose, Germiston, TVL, South Africa. prestigious Guardian, which performs a key role in amplifying the voice of the British Rev. Y. Tourigny pb C.I.P.A. -Via Catholic Establishment. Aurelia 269 Rome, Italy. At the same time, by including the names of other 'progressive' publicists who do Germany not belong to the Establishment but who are in general sympathy with its 'progressive' Rev. P.A.Ahlbrecht - Una Sancta - outlook and are primarily attracted by IDO-C 8351 Abtei Nieder Altaich, Nbd. as a source of information, and by thus Prof. H. Haas - K.D.S.A.- Rheinweg borrowing the names of the more or less 34, Bonn. prestigious journals these non-Establishment publicists represent, IDO-C becomes an Pastor J. Chr. Liamre - Evang. invaluable 'front' organization for the Pressedienst - 8021, Hohenschaftlarn bei International Catholic Establishment. Munchen, Forststrasse 53. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 46

Dr. E. Kellner - Paulus-Gesellschaft - J. Kerkhofs – Pro Mundi Vita – 6, rue 8828 Freilassung Pustschliessfach 66. de la Limite – Brussels 3. Dr. Kleine - FrankfurterAllgemeine - Fr. R. Van Kets, O.P. – professor at Frankfurt 1 Postfach 3463 the Angelicum – Largo Angelico 1, Roma. Dr. J. Seeber - Herder - Freiburg i.Br. Dom C. Rousseau, O.S.B., Irenikon – Rev. P. Seibel, S.J. - Stiinmen der Zeit Monastère Bénédictin de Chévetogne – Poste Lunchen, Succalistrasse, 16. Haversin (temporary address: Via del Babuino, 149 – Rome).

Mlle. Ch. De Schrijver – DIA – 40, Argentina ave. G. Gezelle – St. Nicholaes-Waes. Juan M. Soler – Aqui Concilio - Calle 55, no. 578 ½ - La Plata Brazil Carlos F. P. Lohlé – Editora – Viamonte, 795 – Buenos Aires. Marina Bandeira – MEB – Rua São Clemente, 385 – Rio de Janeiro (ZC 02). Fr. J. Luzzi S.J. – Colegio Máximo abajo San Miguel (FCNSM). M. Sampaio Pinto – Asapress – Al. Ribeirão Preto, 267, apto. 56 – São Paulo. Fr. Jorge Mejia – Critério – Alsina, 845 – Buenos Aires. Fr. A. Guglielmi – Av. Paulo de Frontin – Rio de Janeiro.

J. Abreu Vale - IDO-C – Via S. Maria Australia Dell’Anima, 30 – Roma. Rev. Michael Parer – The Advocate – PO Box 1256 L. – Melbourne. Canada Journalist Desmond O’Grady – Via Bartelomeo Gosio, 77 - Roma Fr. Gregory Baum – St. Michael’s College – Toronto, 5.

Miss B. Brennan – Nat. Cath. Comm. Austria Centre – 830, Bathurst Street – Toronto- Prof. N. Greitman – Herder & Cia. – Ontário. Postfach, 248A, 1011 – Vienna M. Chabot – Office Catholique Prof. Klostermann – University of National des Techniques de Diffusion – 4635, Vienna – Waldegghofgass, 3/5 – Vienna 17. rue de Lorimier – Montreal 34 – P.Q. Prof. O. Mauer – Wort und Wahrheit – Bernard Daly – Inf. Bureau Can. of Wäringerstrasse 2 – Vienna 1. Catholic Conferences – 90, ave. Parent – Ottawa 2. Dr. E. Meditz – Linzer Quartalschr. – Goethestrasse 54 – Linz. Gérard Lemieux – Radio Canada – Via Archimede, 25 – Roma.

Belgium Czechoslovakia M. P. Bouman – FAO – Via Vicenzo Statella, 64 – Roma Prof. Jiri Nemec – Scientific Academy – Benesovska, 42 – Praha 10. Dr. J. Grootaers – De Maand – Lieveheersbeestjeslaan, 49 – Brussels 17. Canon François Houtart – FERES – Chile 116, rue de Flamands – Louvain. Fr. Juan Ochegavia, S.J. – Mensaje – Casilla, 10.445 – Santiago. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 47

Fr. J. Poblete, S.J. – Centro Pastoral – Msgr. D. Hanley – Long Island Casilla 10.445 – Santiago. Catholic – 53 N. Park Ave. – Rockville Centre, NY. R.G. Hoyt – National Catholic Colombia Reporter – P.O. Box 281 – Kansas City, MO L. Revollo Bravo – ULAPC – Apto. 64141. Aereo 12333 – Bogota. James Johnson – National Catholic Fr. Gustavo Pérez – ICODES – Apto. Reporter – 8th Grand Ave. – Kansas City, Mo. Aereo 11966 – Bogota. Fr. E. Lynch, S.J. – Radio Vatican – Via Carmeluccie 180 - Roma. Scandinavia Gary McEoin – Catholic Press Union Dr. H. Selieer – Katolsk – 17 Dodd Street – Nutley NJ (presently in Informationstjanst. – St. Johannesgatan 5 B Rome, c/o IDO-C). Uppsala – Finland. David Meade – Chicago Sunday Mlle. G. Vallquist – Brahegatan 40 – Times – 401 N. Wabash Ave. – Chicago IL Stockholm – Sweden. 60611. Fr. Edward Vogt – Sentrum vor R. Kaiser – 19906 Pacific Coast Kulturog Religionsforskning – Cristiesgate, Highway – Malibu (Califórnia). 16 – Bergen – Norway. Fr. R. Quinn, C.S.P. – 5, Park St. – Boston, Mass. Spain Donald Quinn – St. Louis Review – 462 Taylor Street – St. Louis (Mo). Fr. Arias – Pueblo – Via Asmara, 11 – Roma. Harold Schackern – Religious Newswriters Association – Detroit Free Press Fr. Cipriano Calderón - Ecclesia – – Detroit, MI 48231. Via di Torre Rossa, 2 – Roma. Fr. Sheerin, C.S.P. – Paulist Press, Fr. Dr. R. Doucastella – ISPA – Editor, The Catholic World – 304, West 58th. Buenavista, 6 – Barcelona. Street – New York (NY). Fr. Dr. J. M. Gonzáles Ruiz – Siglo Israel Shenker – Time – Via Sardegna, XX – Galileo 20 Bajo A – Madrid. 14 – Roma. Msgr. J. Irribaren – Yá – Plaza S. Juan Msgr. V. Yzermans – NCWC – 1512, de la Cruz, 6 – Madrid. Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington (DC). Fr. A. Montero – PPC – Levante, 16 – Martin Work – National Council of Madrid. Catholic Men – 1312, Massachusetts Ave. Dr. E. Miret Magdalena – “Triunfo” – NW Washington (DC). Héroes del 10 de Agosto, 12 – Madrid 1. Fr. Prof. D. O’Hanlon, S.J. – Alma Prof. J. Ruiz-Giménez – Cuadernos College – Los Gatos CA. para el Diálogo – Héroes del 10 de Agosto, 4 – Madrid. France

G. Blerdone – Centre Jeunes Nations – United States 19, rue du Plat – Lyon 2. John Cogley – The New York Times – J.-P. Dubois-Dumée – Informations Times Square – New York. Catholiques Internationales – 163, Boulevard Malesherbes – Paris. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 48

Fr. Ch. Ehlinger – Editions du Dr. R. Panikkar – Hanumanghat, Centurion – 17, rue de Babylone – Paris VIIe. b4/34 – Varanasi. Henri Fesquet – Le Monde – 5, rue des Italiens – Paris. England Fr. E. Gabel – Le Jounaliste G. Armstrong – Manchester Guardian Catholique – 43, rue Saint-Augustin – Paris. – Via della Purificazione, 8/9 – Roma. Fr. René Laurentin – Le Figaro – Fr. L. Bright, O.P. – Slant – St. Grand Bourg, Evry-Petit-Bourg (Seine-et- Dominic’s Priory – London NW 5. Oise). P. Burns – Burns and Oates – 25, Fr. Rouquette, S.J. – Etudes – 15, rue Ashley Place – Londres, S.W. 1. Monsieur – Paris– VIIe. Mr. & Mrs. Glough – 2 Greenband Crescent – Southampton. Holland Fr. Hebblethwaite, S.J., The Month, Fr. Dr. L. Alting von Geusau - IDO-C Jesuit review) – 31, Farm Street – London – 30, Via S. Maria Dell’Anima – Roma. W1. L. Baas – EUROS – Kon. N. Middleton – Sheed and Ward Ltd. Wilhelminalaan, 17 – Amersfoort. – 33, Maiden Lane – London WC 2. Fr. Dr. W Goddijn, O.F.M. – Fr. W. A. Purdy – The Tablet – Pastoraal Instituut –‘s-Gravendijkawal, 61 – Collegio Beda, Viale di S. Paolo, 18 – Roma. Rotterdam. Prof. Dr. J. C. Groot – Willibrord- Ireland Verg – Den Eikenhorst, Esch, post Boxtel. Fr. A. Flannery, O.P. – Doctrine and Fr. Dr. E. van Montfoort, A.A. – Life – St. Saviours, Upper Dorset Street – Bysantijns Instituut – Sofialaan, 4 – Nimjen. Dublin. Dr. H. J. van Santvoort – Katholiek M. Gill – Gill and Son Ltd. – 50, Archief – Kon. Wilhelminalaan, 17 – Upper O’Connel Street – Dublin 1 Amersfoort. John Horgan – Irish Times – 67, Mej. A.E. van Tol - IDO-C – Wellington Road – Dublin 4. Pompweg, 22 – Ubbergen. S. McReamoinn – Radio Eireann – R. D. de Vree – KRO – Emmastraat – T. E. Donnybrook – Dublin 4. Hilversum.

W. Kusters – KASKI – Paul Gabrielstraat, 28-30 – ‘s-Gravenhage. Italy Prof. G. Alberigo – Centro di Documentazione – Via S. Vitale, 114 – Hungary Bologna Prof. Vid. Mholics – Vigilia – Kossuth Fr. Balducci – Testimonianze – Piazza Lajos V 1 – Budapest. Monte Gandio, 8 – Roma. Fr. R. Bacsvary, S.J. – Dr. Ignas Dott. G. Bigazzi – Nuovo Osservatore Seipel-Platz, 1 – Vienna. – P. Irnerio, 57 – Roma.

Dott. S. Burgalassi – Istituto di India Sociologia – Via delle Belle Torri, 44 – Pisa. Rev. B. Aguiar – Bombay Examiner – Fr. P. Cabra – Ed. Quiriniana – Via 5 Convent Street – Bombaim. Piamarta, 6 – Brescia. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 49

Dott. Vitt. Citterich – Avv. D’Italia – Peru Via Trasone, 39 – Roma. Fr. G. Gutiérrez Merino – Rev. V. Comelli – Il Regno – Via Universidade de Lima – Apto. 3234 – Lima. Nosadella, 6 – Bologna. V. d’Agostino – Rocca – Pro Civitate Poland Christiana – Assisi. Julius Eska – Wiez – U. Kopernika, 34 N. Fabro – “Il Gallo” – Cas. Post. – Warsaw 1242 – Genova. Jerzy Turowica – Znak – R. La Valle – “Avv. D’Italia” – Via C. Lenartowizca, 3/10 – Krakow. Boldroni, 11 – Bologna.

Dott. R. Scarpati – SEDOS – 1ra. Transversal 2da., Avda., Los Palos Grandes, Portugal Ed. Kariba, ap. 22 – Caracas (Venezuela). A. Alcada – Tempo e Modos – Av. 5 Fr. R. Tucci, S.J., Civiltà Cattolica – de Outubro 297, 1 Dto. – Lisboa 1. Via de Porte Pinciano 1 – Roma. Sra. H. Gentil Vaz da Silva – Concilium – idem. Yugoslavia Rev. Luiz Moita – Tempos e Modos – idem Prof. Sagi-Buniò – Borska, 35 – Zagreb. Fr. M. Reuvers, O. Carm. – CITOC – Casa Beato Nuno – Fátima.

Lebanon Switzerland Fr. Mounged Hachem – Boite Postale 2221 – Beirut. Fr. J. Bréchet, S.J. – Choisir – C.P. 140 – Geneva.

Fr. M. von Galli, S.J. – Orientierung Malta – Scheidegstrasse, 45, Zürich. Dr. B. Tonna – CCCC – 65 Old Mint Fr. Kaufman, S.J. – Orientierung – Street – Valleta. idem. Fr. J. Ghigo, S.J. – Problemi Tallom – Dr. W. Ledergerber – Walter Verlag – Xavier House, St. Paul St. 226 – Valleta. Amtshausquai, 21 – Oiten. Mme. M. Pompe – Pax Romana – 42, Mexico route de Berne – Fribourg. J. Álvarez Icaza – Mov. Familiar – G. Strasser – Pax Romana – route Jura Tacuba, 26 – México, 1 DF. 1 – Fribourg. J. Chaivez Gonzalez – Revista Señal – Hamburgo 31 – México, 22 DF. Uruguay Srta. B. Hollants – Grupo Cuernavaca L. A. Verissimo – Pedro F. Berreo 871 – Apto. 479 – Cuernavaca. – Montevideo. Mr. & Mrs. Xavier Wiechers – Mov.

Familiar – Aristóteles, 239 – México, 5 DF.

Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 50

As the foregoing list indicates, there is Communist front organisation.That a already scarcely a corner of the globe where considerable number of those involved in IDO-C is not even now exercising widespread IDO-C are pro-Communists; that few of them influence on the media of com- are not at least anti-anti-Communist; that munication.This immensely powerful parallel 1DO-C seeks to 'dialecticise' the Church in 'Congregation of Propaganda' at the disposal much the same way as do Communists; that of the 'parallel hierarchy' thus has most Communists (such as Roger Garaudy for formidable means of brainwashing the example) thus find the IDO-C ambiance most Faithful into conformity with the will of the convenient to their designs; that if they could Establishment. And the few places not yet they would thoroughly 'nucleate' it and make covered will no doubt soon be visited by it an instrument of their will:5 all this is quite IDO-C's peripatetic General Secretary, the undeniable, but it no more makes IDO-C a Rev. Leo Alting von Geusau, for as IDO-C's Communist front organisation than similar U.K. bulletin informs us: 'We should like to influences within trade unions and add at least Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, professional organisations make the ordinary Chinese and Japanese, [language bulletins]in trade union or professional organisation a order to reach the major world cultures.' Communist front organisation. In publishing this list, which is not IDO-C is a front, not for Communism, ours but IDO-C's, we are not implying that all but for neo-Modernism. And the key people those listed are consciously seeking to subvert who run this exceedingly powerful and well Mother Church, any more than it would be lubricated propaganda machine are not true to say that all those who permit their Communists but simply case-hardened neo- names to be used by Communist front Modernists who are implacably hostile to the organisations are Communists, or for that Teaching Authority of the Church. That and matter even pro-Communist. nothing more. The essential purpose of a 'front' That in itself, alas! is sufficiently organisation is to create an image of alarming. If in 1910, three years after Pope St respectability which gives the hard core of Pius X anathematised Modernism in his initiated subversives access to circles from celebrated encyclical letter Pascendi, he found which they would otherwise be debarred. But it necessary to warn against the existence of a the very fact that IDO-C is a 'front' secret society of modernists within the organisation (among other things) means that Church, today the neo-Modernists have no some of those listed may be, though need for secrecy. What was once a mere 'progressive` in certain ways, quite ignorant secret society has long since become a public of the manner in which they are being used. scandal: a stumbling block for the entire people of God. ... Nor are we insinuating that because in certain ways IDO-C resembles a Communist front-organisation that it is in any sense a Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 51

The Ecclesia Article

Small Groups and the “Prophetic Current”

The work translated below appeared in Madrid’s Ecclesia magazine, official organ of the Spanish Catholic Action, no. 1423, January 11, 1969 pp. 19-33. Introducing the work, the magazine writes, “Our newsroom has received, with all the guarantees of reputable seriousness and validity, an extensive study we now offer our readers on the thinking and action of certain groups called ‘prophetic groups’, which are swarming in the bosom of the Christian community inside and outside our borders. On publishing it, we believe to be rendering our readers a good service. Indeed, in addition to the study’s information value, it can dispel confusion in many minds and prevent possible errors to which many of our faithful could otherwise be led.” In order not to overextend this issue, we have left for the June issue the publication of the final topic on this matter regarding concrete manifestations of the “prophetic groups” in various countries around the world.

We will first examine a few aspects of Preliminary notice the “prophetic current” that remarkably resemble the thinking of the so-called This study is not intended to give a “theologians of the death of God.” Then we complete and exhaustive picture of the give a brief overview of the “prophetic “prophetic ideology” but only to point out the groups,” their nature, mission, development aspects we deem more relevant and easier to and concrete manifestations. grasp; aspects which, in turn, can be of some At this point, we would like to thank help to carry out more profound and complete all those who collaborated in the preparation studies. It is, therefore, a modest contribution of this work, whose value shows at the same for a possible study on ideological religious time their competence and the great effort currents more conspicuous and widespread they have made. We sincerely believe they around the world and whose influence and have rendered the Church an excellent presence are felt also in Spain. service; and for that alone they would deserve We have drawn the information for the our heartfelt appreciation. exposition below mainly from the IDO-C center and the magazine, Informations Catholiques Internationales (which for the Content, structure and manifestations sake of brevity we abbreviate in the text as I. Introduction ICI). Both are considered the mainstays of the “prophetic movement.” The former, because 1. The small groups it provides the ideological content and issues Observing the panorama of the lay the guidelines to be followed; the latter, apostolate, we have found a phenomenon: the because, with its extraordinary penetration in appearance and proliferation of small Catholic circles, it disseminates concrete manifestations of the “prophetic movement” and proposes them as examples. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 52 independent groups detached from any community, becoming a factor of concrete organization of apostolate.4 disintegration in Church unity; This fact may be due, among other - severing links with the hierarchy causes, to the natural aspiration of modern in a more or less conscious way. man – who lives in a society of masses and If these risks are overcome through a often feels depersonalized and diluted in connection with the Church’s basic countless ways – to join small communities communities (parish etc.) and an attentive where his individuality and personality are docility to the orientations of the Magisterium recognized and where he can express himself (Pope and bishops) – the formula will be through responsible participation in a warm perfectly valid and enriching and we do not and welcoming ambience. believe there will be reason to worry. It would Along with that aspiration, one should simply coincide with the natural tendencies also note the tendency – very marked in some arising in the new paths Council Vatican II sectors – to reject any structure with a opened up for the lay apostolate. complex organization. However, in a growing number of From that standpoint, these are cases this new form of inserting the lay legitimate and respectable tendencies of our apostolate in the Church presents some time that also have an influence inside the alarming characteristics that deserve serious Church. In them and concretely in the area of reflection and study. lay apostolate there is a great variety of Indeed, while the small groups have a vocations, options and ways that are perfectly flexible structure, some of them are legitimate. characterized by certain constants that make For this reason, the small groups may them unmistakable and place them in the orbit have a reason to exist nowadays; and their of a certain “current” that corresponds to a dynamics can even offer a means to involve system of thought and to concrete attitudes. hitherto passive sectors of the Church that This current defines itself as the “prophetic 5 would not otherwise participate in the tasks of current.” evangelization. All members of these small groups, to Yet this structure clearly has also its a greater or lesser degree and in a more or less risks, which may include: conscious manner, participate in this current or in its ideas and attitudes. - becoming horizontally dismembered from the community This is because – in spite of their and turning into a “ghetto” with an seeming dispersion and varied appearances in elite complex; the ambit of the universal Church – these groups are interconnected through people and - living and acting on the margin of the needs of the ecclesial common ideas and techniques. In most cases, these bonds go unnoticed by their members. However, this does not mean that the

4 “prophetic current” is reduced only to these ICI, no. 303, p. 6; François Houtart: “It is necessary groups. They are the main ones spreading it; to discover, as a recent and accelerating phenomenon, the appearance of small groups of lay people that at however, as such this current goes largely times gain real importance and establish themselves beyond them and invades ever wider sectors outside official structures and without any organic link of the Church worldwide. with the hierarchy, though remaining inside the Church.” Thus, thanks to their members’ dynamism and effective promotional J. Grotaers: “Structures and Living Communities in the Post-Conciliar Church,” IDO-C, May 15, 1967, p. techniques they manage to enter seminaries, 14: “For twenty years now we have witnessed the spontaneous birth or countless lay groups that represent one of the future forms of lay apostolate in a secularized society.” 5 J. Grotaers: lecture cit. pp. 14 & ff. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 53 organizations of the apostolate, Religious a) A radical reform of fundamental Orders, pastoral centers, Catholic publications aspects of the “Church- and publishing houses, and Catholic institution”: Magisterium, moral conferences. In all these venues, either theology, sacraments, liturgy etc. personally or through representative figures to be carried out by the (lay) from the clergy or laity, they carry out a “charismatic Church.” dissemination of ideas that receive a b) Accepting the premise that the marvelous welcome in this climate of post- only valid Christian witness before conciliar “aggiornamento.” men is the “incarnate temporal 2. Their characteristics commitment,” that is to say, collaboration with Marxists and Here are some of the most salient members of other Christian characteristics of the “prophetic groups”: confessions for the “liberation of 1. Ordinarily, these groups are born the oppressed and exploited,” not so much from the impulse of a resorting to all kinds of means, specific vocation for the apostolate including violence. but from a more or less ostensive 5. They distinguish themselves by a confrontation with the Church bitter criticism: hierarchy that leads them to - of all apostolate linked to the separate from [established] hierarchy, which they see as out of organizations. step, obsolete and incapable of 2. They are not set up as one more being in sync with the world to form of apostolate but as the only provide an adequate response to valid form to bear witness and the needs of our time; present “the true face of the - of the Magisterium. According to Church.” them, these criticisms, which they 3. They consider themselves address mainly to the bishops but especially assisted by the even to the Pope and the Council, charismas of the Holy Spirit – to are caused by the resistance of the which they attribute their awesome bishops of the universal Church and “spontaneous” proliferation on against accepting the new ideas on all continents – to fulfill a the mission of the Church in the prophetic mission. That mission world and engaging with the consists in denouncing corruption secular world. in the structures of society and the These characteristics shed light to Church and introducing a new provide a more profound understanding of Church adapted to the demands of some situations taking place in the Church a secularized world and an adult today. laity.6 4. For this reason, they deem For example, many people believe that absolutely necessary: the tensions and “crises” presently occurring inside Catholic Action in different countries (France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, etc.) are simply due to discrepancies between the bishops and more “dynamic” leaders 6 ICI, no. 303, p. 8, Gunnel Valquist: “The Awakening of Prophetism”: “I have found the same regarding the concrete way to adapt to diverse thing everywhere: on the one hand, the ‘young Church’ countries and situations the fundamental or ‘new Church’ represented by a large number of principles of the lay apostolate formulated by youths, students, workers and priests. And on the other the Council. hand, the ‘established Church’ led by its hierarchy, with very few exceptions such as the case of Holland, Reality is altogether different. Those whose bishops have had the courage to assume very fundamental principles are the object of responsibility also for the young Church.” Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 54 the polemics. At stake is the very essence of focus on Church realities by employing the lay apostolate as a whole. It is not merely exclusively sociopolitical criteria and thus a question of making a rigorous readjustment fatally plunging into relativism. of the structures of Catholic Action or Add to that the aggravating granting access to other movements to circumstance that many of the surveys they dialogue on an institutional level or yet promote do not merely inquire about and recognizing other, more flexible forms of harvest an opinion but are clearly directed apostolate. to CREATE IT in a certain direction in It is definitely a question of union with which the pollsters are interested. Questions or separation from the Ecclesiastical are usually asked in such a way as to place the Hierarchy, depending on whether or not the interviewed person before the alternative of latter accepts to compromise with the choosing something archaic and obsolete or temporal sphere. And this affects all sectors giving the exact answer the researchers want of the lay apostolate whether organized or to get, which is always presented as the most not. “attractive.” The result is obvious: facing a This separation is one of the hasty questionnaire without time to reflect or characteristics of the “prophetic current.” Its dealing with topics we do not know in depth, short-term goal is “the liberation of all of us today prefer to be seen as “advanced” excessively heavy structures” by rejecting the rather than “backward.” mandate of the hierarchy and creating On the other hand, these sciences are “prophetic groups” engaged in temporal given such an absolute value that they are action. turned from indicative into normative However, latent behind this initial sciences. On pointing out certain facts they formula – which is hoisted as a necessary emphasize “that which is,” so that one could reform of the structures of organized lay not even think of “that which should be;” apostolate in line with the Council to better “that which is” simply becomes the same as adjust it to a secularized society – is a new “that which should be.” conception of Church that in fact opposes a No longer is it a question for these “church community of men” to the “Church sciences to tell us, among other things, what institution,” and “lay prophetism” to the “the signs of the times” are; instead, ecclesiastical Magisterium. everything they tell us are “signs of the times” (meaning a ‘sign’ that the Church must II – Ideological content of the welcome and accept). prophetic current Consequently, everything they 1. Worldview indicate constitutes “inevitable processes” In the first place, the movement that do not admit opposition or adjustment but shows a special interest in discovering the on the contrary impose change and reality of today’s world as an indispensable adaptation. Hence, as we will see later, one must not try, for example, to “resacralize the condition to attain the much-desired 7 adaptation of the Church to these realities. world” but rather to “desacralize religion.” To discover the “signs of the times” Atheism and Secularization they employ modern techniques of social investigation: sociology and statistics. But in this case that necessary employment has some fundamental flaws: 7 On the one hand, they ignore any Fr. Yves Congar mentioned and refuted this idea in kind of reality that one cannot grasp or his lecture, “God’s Appeal,” to the Third World Congress of the Lay Apostolate held in Rome in explain through these techniques. The result October 1967. The full text of that lecture was is that, overdoing a necessary realism, they transcribed in Congar’s book, A mes frères”, Editions du Cerf, 1968, chapter III, pp. 77-104. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 55

As a result of this state of the world, without help from a “support-God” or an they find themselves facing an obvious fact: a “explanation-God.” phenomenon of massive atheism. This This admiration leads them to ask undeniable reality has become so radical and themselves what makes a Christian different widespread that they conclude that today’s from an atheist. Their answer is disconcerting: man is essentially atheistic, rejects all religion “We have often times touched on this point in and only accepts help to promote himself our discussions without obtaining satisfactory culturally and socially. Delving deeper into answers.”9 the causes of atheism, they summarize them by saying it is a coherent and logical Appreciation of the atheist also phenomenon that totally corresponds to the extends to the modern and atheistic ideal of ‘counter-testimony’ given by Christians both the world; an ideal they believe to have individually and in community. achieved goals where we Christians have abysmally failed, and that sooner or later will - “The world is atheistic not for its end by imposing itself. own fault but by our fault.” - “We have turned our God and our This sensation of frustration, along Church into a scarecrow that will with an appreciation of its immediate be logically despised by those who efficacy, is the cause of their fascination with love sincerity, liberty, Marxism, leading them to accept a stable responsibility, and to whom we collaboration with it in the work of remain faithful, to our own transforming society especially in the fields of shame.” labor unions and politics. - “We have so disfigured the face of The conclusion of this analysis is that the Church that she can no longer atheism, after all, is nothing but a process of be accepted by men.” secularization. - “Instead of presenting a living, Its concept of secularization is not realistic, incarnate God, we limited to: Christians so often nurture - a recognition of the autonomy of religious legends and myths that natural laws; we have been incapable of convincing.”8 - a just appreciation of temporal realities without pseudo-sacred or On the other hand, they claim that pseudo-religious references or atheism can become a positive factor: more explanations; than a “loss of faith” one should speak of a - a suppression of the abuses in process of purification and maturity. which men and Christians may Today’s man, liberated by scientific progress have fallen in certain epochs or from an ancient state of mystification, situations; but they understand replaces religious myths with something more secularization as a radical rational and therefore more consonant with suppression, by obsolescence, of his nature. everything that is a sign or In their eyes, the atheist acquires a presence in the world, of realities new dimension. He is no longer a diminished superior to purely human and or incomplete person as we were often told. natural realities common to all On the contrary, he is seen as a man “of men and acceptable by elevated stature” that “moves in the everyone. 10 In this secularized vanguard” and has the courage to live facing his problems and world problems head-on

9 L. Evely: op. cit., p. 31. 10 A concrete and meaningful manifestation of this fact, 8 L. Evely: A Religion for Our Time, pp. 27-28. along with the forgetfulness or neglect of Christian Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 56

world, the only possibility of (global protest), often causes concern because drawing the Church closer to man of its radicality.12 is achieving a humanism that For this reason, they seek to justify it: coincides with the one practiced by groups of different hues. 1. by framing it into a climate of Therefore, the consequence of profound disquiet over the their analysis is that the Church survival of the Church, on the must be the object of a drastic brink of failure –they claim– “for reform so she can be ready to having betrayed her mission;” adapt to the present-day world, 2. by deeming it an unmistakable which demands that she: sign of vitality in a Church of - make new commitments; adults that has overcome the phase 13 - setup new structures; of “bovine passivity” of the laity. - come up with a new concept of On the other hand, since at times this evangelization.11 criticism is based on real facts or on half- truths, it is easily accepted and often 2. Criticism of the Church assimilated even in its most corrosive aspects. Criticism is the indispensable Far from encouraging those who listen premise for edifying the “new Church,” to build the “new Church,” this criticism because: leads in many cases to a situation of 1. it brings the conviction that the bitterness, frustration and resentment that Church’s present corruption causes a total break with the Church demands radical change; community.14 2. it makes obvious that the reform The promoters of the “prophetic must come from the laity, current” realize this but are not shaken. They because nothing can be expected argue that those incapable of overcoming that of the hierarchy. shock and purging their faith belong to the This criticism, occasionally “alienated masses” that sooner or later will accompanied with noisy acts of “contestation” take a distance from the Church so that the

12 ICI, no. 321, pp. 11, 12, 13: “Youths Break into the Katholikentag,” Ibid. no. 321, p. 13: “Occupation of the Cathedral of Parma”, Ibid. no. 319, p. 7: “Occupation of the Cathedral of Chile.” Ibid. no. 315, martyrs, is perhaps the exaltation of ‘lay saints’: men pp. 36 & ff.: “Les agitations de l’Eglise ‘contestatrice’ without faith but with a ‘lay mystique’ that leads them à Lille.” Texts transcribed in Part III–4 of this study, to give up their lives for a human cause. titled, “Development and Concrete Manifestations.” Alceu Amoroso [Lima], a member of the Pontifical 13 ICI, no. 319, p. 1, editorial: “The authority of the Commission for Justice and Peace, in an article titled papal Magisterium today is the object of vehement “About the Victims of Violence: Camilo Torres, Che debates. In many countries, there is talk about a ‘crisis Guevara and Régis Debray” (ICI, no. 301, p. 21), of authority.’ We are neither indifferent nor alien to writes: “I can praise without fear the heroism of these this debate. To us it appears inevitable and healthy in a three hardly common men: a priest, a philosopher and a living Church.” physician... I cannot deny that these three victims of 14 ICI, no. 313-314, p. 15: “One even sees groups of violence represent, in our time of technological these Christians leaving the Church and practically pragmatism, not only an example of what is there of separating themselves from her. There are movements most pure in human nature, to wit, the capacity to of engaged Christian youths in which they no longer sacrifice for a just cause, but also a desperate protest of talk about the Church and no longer feel any anguish human dignity against the pessimism, false happiness over the situation in the Church: these Christians stay and injustice of civilization; against prosperity founded outside of it; and while keeping the Christian faith, on justice.” they see no reason at all to remain in the Christian 11 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., pp. 14-16. communities.” Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 57 latter will be reduced to a small minority Holy Spirit and the word. We were without triumphalism or manifestations of left with hierarchy and rite;” 15 power. • an established Church with a Analyzed with sociopolitical criteria, whole network of “confessional” the whole past of the Church is thus judged institutions and organizations that in an impious and negative fashion. now hinder the development of an engaged missionary commitment; As far as they are concerned, the Church began to corrupt herself from the time • finally, a Church which in all her of Constantine; and all her later development history was unable to bring was conditioned by that fact. anything positive to humanity: Thus, the Church hidden in the catacombs became: “For many centuries we have done • a triumphalist Church beholden nothing but fail and thought of nothing but to the State: Western Christendom, surmised. We failed in the democratic supported only by official and republican turnabout; we failed in the social external pillars, led to a mythified question; we failed in the biblical question...” religion. Christendom was not a “The failure of Catholic missions is tragically product of the faith but of political obvious.” alienation; “The question of modern science, • a Church dominated by a modern philosophy, modern technologies, is providentialist paternalism and by something we have ignored or underrated to a clerical paternalism that cause the point that it seems we are not in this infantilism in the laity; world.” • a Church ruled by a Magisterium “The history of the last two centuries full of abuse and contradiction is not, as many Catholic historians believe, that not only failed to respect the above all a revolution of men against God but autonomy of individual a diehard resistance by some conservative, consciences but also “constrained lazy and tyrannical Christians, backward in the world,” obliging it to act economy, sociology, science, philosophy, and according to “our truth”;16 even in theology, exegesis, liturgy and God- • knows-what-else, to all those who wanted to a dehumanized Church. On 17 basing love of man on love of move forward.” God, the Church betrayed man’s The bishops receive the harshest love for himself. “In order to love criticism, as according to those in “prophetic man, it was necessary to break groups” they are responsible for the Church with the Church;” being stuck since, “far from engaging the • a rigid and inflexible Church problems of our time they constitute the which placed her structures above greatest obstacle for renewal.” the “spirit” in crucial moments of The accusations are formulated thus: her history. “In the Reformation, Protestants took with them the 1- the laity’s coming of age and present dynamism gives them a new vision of bearing witness and of temporal commitment; 15 G. Casallis, in ICI, no. 303, p. 8, cites Robinson’s 2- it is utopian, in a secularized theory that the Church must accept death as a social reality “in order to participate in the annihilation of society, to try to conquer Christ.” 16 Nicolas Boulte, president of the French JUC (Catholic University Youth) in Le Monde, November 3, 1965 (see annexes 1-2) 17 L. Evely: op. cit. pp. 27-29. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 58

ambiences from within as Cardin anchored in obsolete positions, advocated. Today a Christian must and tied down by Constantinian accept secularized society as it is, commitments. and blend in with all men without In essence, its nonpolitical attitude is distinguishing himself from them nothing but “a larval form of conservatism.” in any way. Consequently, he must Its quietism may be interpreted as entirely reject confessional actions “acceptance of the established disorder.” By or groups, that is, groups that wear holding on to archaic structures like the the Christian label; hierarchical mandate, it in fact opposes the 3- therefore, the only valid temporal renewal of the lay apostolate.19 Ideally, this commitment and witness is to situation should liberate organizations from engage with any group that seeks the control of the hierarchy. But that is often to raise the condition of the not possible, so that when the time comes to oppressed. That commitment must make temporal commitments people must be so radical that the person must leave those organizations to form flexible not refrain from violent groups with complete freedom of 18 revolution; movement. 20 See annex 1 on “the crisis of 4- the hierarchy must support this Catholic Action” in France and the birth of new conception of temporal JUC. commitment and encourage all On the Council they opine that it was organizations to adopt it so as not a hope but fell so far short of expectations that to become an obstacle to the it has already become obsolete: march of history. But it does not do that because it is out of step, • the Church failed to commit herself. The hierarchy insinuated solutions but did not delve deeper 18 Croissance des Jeunes Nations magazine, no. 67 p. to arrive at their final 24. consequences. In fact, save for rare exceptions, it never left its An article by (ICI director) Georges Hourdin on “The Just Violence of the Opressed” cites Arlino Souza (ex- traditional immobility and did not coordinator of Catholic youths). give the laity an opportunity to In the magazine, Tiempos Modernos (April 1967), he speak out amply; states: “Cristianity and revolution are reconcilable... • this obliges adult Christians to One should be able to be Communist and Christian… a remain in state of tension and Christian and guerrilla man? ... Why not, if there is no prepare a new Council in which an other remedy?”… ample, qualified and dynamic lay In Uruguay, the magazine Víspera (January 1968), of representation may explode the the students of the Pax Romana group devotes nearly two-thirds of its pages to Che Guevara, revolution and guerrilla warfare; and it is not to attack them” (ICI, no. 306, p. 6). “Open Letter to the Pope,” by the Latin Confederation of Christian Unions (CLASC): “As for the revolution, the most important point is not violence or non violence; we simply must carry out revolution to its ultimate consequences” (ICI, no. 321, p. 8). 19 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., pp. 8, 11, 13. A letter by eight hundred priests to the episcopate on 20 The case of the French JEC (Catholic Student Youth) the Latin-American continent asks for “an ample in the crisis of 1965 is such an example. The leaders margin of freedom in choosing the most adequate who resigned to maintain their commitments with means to liberate peoples from passive violence” (ICI, UNEF (National Union of French Students, part of the no. 321, p. 8). International Students Union, a member of the Marxist See also Part III–3 of this study, titled “Concrete International) founded JUC [Catholic University Manifestations”: “France: The Church and the Youth] which defined itself as “prophetic” (see annex Revolution. The Revolution in the Church.” no. 1). Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 59

barrier that separates the Church problems of humanity (hunger, from the world.21 justice, development) are solved; The “prophetic groups” criticize the - they identify history of salvation Council especially regarding the Decree on with history of the cosmos, the Apostolate of the Laity, which they kingdom of God with progress of consider “a second rate conciliar document civilization. They believe the that will not have much future” and owes its growth of humanity – following its existence to the support of episcopates (in own movement – is the growth of Germany, France, Spain) that wanted to the Mystical Body of Christ. preserve existing structures at any cost. 3. New Church They consider the Decree has two Their critique and examination of the important flaws: situation manifest an obvious fact: that the - ratification of the hierarchical Church as such is not valid in a new world. mandate; Therefore, if she wants to serve today’s man she has no other remedy but “to tear down her - establishment of a now obsolete temporal-spiritual duality. structures and enter the path of secularization.” Here is what they think of the Therefore, they feel called to a mandate: fascinating task: to reform the Church and - it harms the notion of give her “a new face.” This reforms implies responsibility of the laity in the having a new concept of Church with new Church; contents; a radical revision of some of her - lay people subjected to it are concrete aspects; and democratization as the destined to be “submissive only means to carry out that reform. interlocutors” of a hierarchy A) New concept of Church which, instead of dialoguing, continues its monologue; “The criticisms, appeals and demands of atheists outline a real program for us by - if some lay leaders admit the mandate, it is “for the prestige and showing the traits that should characterize and do characterize the true Church of the true moral advantages that submission 24 to the hierarchy procures them” God.” (see note 19).22 To answer these criticisms, follow that program and survive in a secularized – atheist Regarding temporal dualism:23 – world, the only alternative for the Church is - they deny that Christian principles “prophetic reform.” must inspire action in the temporal sphere; This supposes a revolutionary concept of Church: - they deny that the lay apostolate has a direct evangelizing mission; - the fundamental requirement to at best they admit this directly belong to her is to love man and join the evangelizing action will happen sociopolitical struggle for his liberation. “The only when the more urgent main thing for us is our militant revolutionary commitment;” - the concept one may have of religion (supreme value or alienation), its relationship with God (indifference, 21 ICI, no. 315, pp. 36 & ff. (transcribed in Part III – 3). The movement “Bible and Revolution” calls for “a negation or direct attack), and attitude future Council be held with the grassroots in mind.”

22 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., pp. 13 & ff. 23 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., p. 9. 24 L. Evely: op. cit., p. 28. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 60 toward the believer (respect or atheistic will because they figure he has no riches to proselytism), are secondary questions; give and is always ready to receive. - what someone thinks of God does 2 – Accordingly, the Church will not not matter as long as the person is concerned be poor or prepared to enter the path of with his fellowmen. In fact, he who loves man secularization as long as she does not detach loves God even if he thinks he is fighting herself from “her cathedrals,” institutions Him; and works; as long as she does not - for this reason, a Communist atheist relinquish all external, organized and who fights for man is a full-fledged member massive manifestations. of the prophetic Church, more so than a a) As a consequence, the Church must baptized person who is not committed to the divest herself from her teaching institutions revolutionary struggle. at all levels.26 B) New contents “A Catholic university is an obstacle to evangelization;” A poor Church, a Church of the poor “A confessional school is a germ of division opposed to universal fraternity;” 1 – The first riches of which the Church must be despoiled is “the “Teaching in general must be secular unbearable sufficiency of possessing the and neutral. Religious Orders which have Truth.”25 hitherto devoted themselves to this work will now perform a strictly cultural function and For many centuries, we have adopt a secular way of life.” fabricated for ourselves a “God explanation” for everything that exists, a “God-support” for b) The Church’s charitable works human frailty. We have used religion as (beneficent, cultural, educational etc.) must morphine. We have presented the Truth as a limit themselves to act in a merely humanist monolithic block of granite. fashion by helping man for the sake of man without any kind of religious reference.27 We have turned religious education into a protective armor that has placed us in c) Organizations of the apostolate an “offensive” stance: avoid being seduced face this alternative: while nevertheless retaining our capacity to Either replace an out-of-step seduce. evangelizing action with a completely non- Facing this obsolete sufficiency – confessional temporal commitment, that is, a which covers up a larval infantilism – today a revolutionary temporal commitment, or new type of mature and adult Christian disappear.28 , one who: imposes himself d) Christians must abandon any - knows that the Truth does not exist, political or social action that implies but rather “my truth and your truth;” - accepts doubt, insecurity, obscurity, vacillation; - walks unarmed, vulnerable, naked, 26 ICI, no. 321, pp. 31-32. ICI, no. 319, p. 18. La Vie open, extending a friendly hand to all men; Catholique Illustrée, no. 1156, pp. 34 & ff.: “I put my son in a secular school so that his faith will be more - does not provoke others with the genuine. Looking at other religions and at the atheism riches of his faith and self-assurance. of his teachers and colleagues contantly obliges him to think about his faith and purge it, reducing it to the In a word, a person who is really essential.” “poor:” one with whom everybody meets at 27 Fêtes et Saisons, August-September 1967, no. 217 rd (fully dedicated to the preparation for the 3 World Congress of the Lay Apostolate), p. 9. 25 L. Evely: op. cit., p. 28. 28 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., pp. 14-16. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 61 defending a conception of society according between Christians and Communists inside to Christian principles. the “prophetic Church.”30 Therefore, any political party or A Charismatic Church: confessional union that prevents or hinders Led and governed not by the the union of Christians with other men, hierarchical Magisterium but by “charismas” especially with Marxists, must be rejected.29 manifested preferably in the lay Church. An incarnate, desacralized, Because of his baptism, a layman demythified and anthropological Church: receives from the Holy Ghost certain Reduced to small communities charismas which of themselves escape the without manifestations of power, idealisms or judgment and assessment of the hierarchical triumphalism; Church. Committed with the struggle for the The Church has cast aside and poor, giving its members only an answer to smothered this independence, especially since the problems of hunger, justice and the Protestant Reformation and as a reaction development; against it. Only four centuries later, at Vatican II, did the Church recognize her error. Bereft of the philosophy of the past; bearing witness not through the word and However, the Magisterium continues through worship but through temporal action to refuse accepting “lay prophetism” with all and commitment: “social justice and love of its consequences. others, no idolatrous worship;” That makes it necessary for lay people A Church free from any Constantinian to unite and demand their legitimate right commitments, that is, totally detached from before the institutional Church to supervise the temporal power so that she may need no the final decisions of the Magisterium so that concordats or any kind of stable relationship. it is unable to adopt any attitude that runs counter the general consensus of the laity.31 Collaboration and participation by Christians in capitalist [Western] C) Radical revision of some concrete governments is seen as a compromise with aspects “established disorder” and must be replaced The new morals 32 with an action of opposition and guerrilla [warfare] coming from a Church “in the catacombs.”

This norm is valid only in Western 30 countries. On the contrary, in socialist See part III–3, “Concrete Manifestations”: “Federal [Republic of] Germany. East Germany.” countries, the Church as such and Christians 31 as such must collaborate with their nation’s ICI, no. 303, p. 8 Marietta Peitz: “The problem of the ‘two Churches’ is raised more in Latin America regime and hold government posts. than in Europe... In Peru, I found a tragic abyss Germans in particular have a between the official, almighty hierarchical Church and providential historic mission: to serve as youths who are alone and fight alone. I found only ten priests who understood what the Church of the poor is bridge between East and West and reconcile about: they oppose the Nuncio.” the two Germanies through reconciliation This idea was very present in some sectors of the 3rd World Congress of the Lay Apostolate (Rome, October 1968). One of the texts most employed to support this theory is the recent work by Hans Kung, The Church, particularly the chapter devoted to studying the “Charismatic Church.” 32 Fêtes et Saisons, no. 217, August-September 1967, 29 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., pp. 14-16. pp. 12 & ff.: “The essential is to love and order the behavior of love. Conjugal morals make no sense to a Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 62

The traditional morals of the past, Penance is called into question by casuistic, impregnated with “taboos” and a Christians because the way it is now practiced sense of sin, and defined in concrete norms, makes it strange and unbearable for today’s must be overtaken with new morals, more man. It must be replaced with collective ample and general, for mature and free men. liturgical penances. The only thing that Christianity is only a vital attitude, an matters is for man to recognize himself a ethics that derives from the consideration and sinner and adopt an attitude of sinner. presentation of Jesus Christ as a perfect man, Accusing one’s sins to a priest is an addition, an anthropology, a social morals. something we have invented out of masochism and eagerness to incorporate According to each man’s concrete everything that is disagreeable into our situation, individual conscience has absolute religion.34 primacy upon any objective norm. The Church must not interfere by dictating norms The Mass as such purifies and justifies or general principles about concrete problems. a man who finds himself in mortal sin without the need for confession. Canon Law must not be reformed but eliminated. Collective homilies are the best way to take to the Church all the problems Christian morals must be reformed by (doctrinal, theological, political, social etc.) the laity and not by the hierarchy (pope, that arise in the world and in the Church today bishops and priests), whom celibacy and and have them freely discussed and debated removal from the world’s problems render by the laity.35 unfit to face some of the most burning issues. The bond of marriage is The sacraments automatically severed when love disappears. Creation and Incarnation are the two In case of separation, the Church must fundamental facts in the history of salvation. authorize the innocent consort to contract a Through them, God purified and dignified new marriage.36 matter (the world) and man to such a point that they are the only two important Religious vows suppose a now “sacraments.” obsolete “consecration” that separates those who make it from the world, thus alienating Everything that adds to this elevation great masses of people from the Church. They of the world and of man sacralizes, mythifies depersonalize and dehumanize, creating a and diminishes the autonomy of the order of type of man or woman Religious closed to Creation. temporal realities. Above all, nuns give the As a consequence, the Christian sacraments add nothing new, or only very little. And thus one cannot say that baptism is 34 Fêtes et Saisons, no. 217, pp. 14-18, and no. 218, p. the first religious act of man; his birth is 10. Survey: “Why Don’t They Want to Go to instead.33 Confession?” 35 Administering baptism to children is ICI, no. 305, pp. 32 & ff. Federal Germany: “Since it is impossible for us to dialogue with our bishop, only a lack of respect for the dignity and liberty of one solution is left for us: to provoke the institution. the human person. Each must decide about How? By speaking out for Vietnam or bringing politics being baptized when he has maturity to into the Mass.” understand the commitments that this 36 Fêtes et Saisons, no. 217, p. 35: “The Church has sacrament entails. talked too much to women about resignation and sacrifice. At times that supposes fleeing from effort… Other teachers today advise women to reject the Christian faith, linked to those more or less distorted couple who truly love each other…To sin is to not values. The Church must admit a solution to the love” (ICI, no. 319, p. 25). problem of separated couples by accepting the 33 Quoted by Congar in his lecture at the 3rd World possibility for women abandoned by their husbands to Congress of the Lay Apostolate (Rome, October 1967). remarry.” Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 63 secularized society of the 20th century an The parish must divest itself of all anachronistic note. activities organized under its aegis: schools, sponsorships, works of charity, libraries, Celibacy creates a really repellent kind of asexual pervert. It must be abolished; sports clubs etc. and priests must marry to avoid the This does not mean that Christians impression that sexuality in marriage is should no longer take an interest in all these something less than perfect. activities and forms of action. What they did The causes of the massive exodus before as parish members, they will do later in from the priesthood that we see today are: State institutions in collaboration with non- believers. - discouragement at Church slowness in carrying out social The parish is divided into small groups and ecclesiastical reforms; whose members freely get together according to their affinities and temporal commitments: - the asphyxiating model of priest “I do not experience the feeling of being that the Council ratified: Church except when I take part in a restricted “Recruiting young and generous meeting of friends in which we pray and work men to make them fit the priestly together united by a minimum of common mold defined by Vatican Council options.” II will end up being an offense to public morals.” The groups gather in private homes where they celebrate the Eucharist sitting The term “consecration” has become around a table after a frugal meal. obsolete and must be replaced with “ordination;” the priest should now be These Masses are celebrated in a considered a functionary at the service of God climate of patent “desacralization”: the priest and all men. dons no vestments and consecrates pieces of common bread, which everyone eats, and Differences between priests and common wine in a large cup, from which laymen must be overcome, desacralizing the everyone drinks. figure of the priest, now to be seen as an “ordained layman.” Liturgy is subject to free creativity according to each person’s inspiration. The priest will devote himself to his ministry only part time; the rest of the day No church building is necessary. God should be spent on some manual work or is found in men and not in a temple. professional activity. This is for economic The church must not be considered a 37 reasons and pastoral efficacy. sacred place such as a “house of God.” Being An aspiring priest must be formed in the “house of God,” the temple must be used the “prophetic groups.” He will begin by at the service of the people for profane ends attending as a member, later train as a deacon (reading room, auditorium, meeting room...) and finally arrive at priesthood after studying and be open to all men without ideological theology in a private day school. discrimination. 40 Therefore, seminaries must be D) Democratization 38 suppressed. “Radical democratization” is the only Worship and parish39 way for the Church to acquire this “new

39 Fêtes et Saisons, August-September 1967, no. 217, 37 Roger Serrou: Paris-Match, no. 992, July 13, 1968, pp. 8 & 19, Roger Serrou: “Blanco y Negro”, no. 2946, pp. 88 & ff., “Tomorrow’s Priest Is Already among October 19, 1968, pp. 36-56. Us,” in ICI, no. 315, p. 11. 40 ICI, no. 315, pp. 11, 38 & 39. See proposal by the 38 Fêtes et Saisons, August-September 1967, no. 217, Filipino delegation at the 3rd World Congress of the pp. 24-25. Lay Apostolate (Rome, October 1968). Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 64 face;” given the omission of the hierarchy, unstoppable process of advancement of only lay pressure can turn the necessary history, which would be useless to try and changes into reality. halt. This democratization of the Church The first stage of this evolution – supposes: before the Second World War – was that of 1 – that the “sensus fidelium” “Catholic works” that sought to preserve the effectively conditions decisions by the Christian world from the secularization hierarchy; process. At that stage the unitary Catholic Action developed. 2 – the creation of “institutionalized organs” of lay people who: - become the sole At a second moment, the Church spokesmen for the “sensus fidelium”; - make sought to go on the offensive by reconquering possible the existence of a real “co- ambiences from the inside. For that end, government,” making decisions and pastoral specialized movements were created. orientations for the whole Church in parallel However, these movements – whose with the hierarchy. This will be possible only dynamism reached its apex shortly before the Second World War – thereafter, began a when a world organization of the laity is established with sufficient strength to face the descending curve with talk about a crisis in Catholic Action.” hierarchy on an equal footing. With their charismas, dynamism and situation in key The post-war period is the hour of posts in Church agencies that sound out prophetic movements that do not seek to public opinion in the Church, the prophetic conquer ambiences but to accept secularized minorities are called to occupy representative society and adapt themselves to it.41 posts in institutionalized organs of dialogue as This natural evolution sociologically spokesmen of the aspirations of the people of explains the bewildering proliferation of God; prophetic groups not only in Europe (West 3 – lay participation in the election for Germany and East Germany, Belgium, posts, particularly of bishops. While State France, Italy, Spain, Holland etc.) but also in privileges in this field are an unacceptable North and South America and in third world interference, this matter should not be left in countries. the hands of Bishops Conferences, which In the latter, the prophetic movement could turn out to be equally sectarian; is greatly developed thanks to the impulse 4 – access by the laity to the internal given to the France-based “Ad Lucem” workings of the Church and information even groups by their international director, Louis on matters hitherto reserved to the highest Evely. ecclesiastical echelons. Information must be These groups focus their action on accessible at all levels through total Asian and African countries and, twenty years disclosure. after their foundation have members in more than twenty nations.42 III. The Prophetic Groups Today, many Catholic Action 1. Their historic mission according movements have evolved toward prophetism; to the prophetic current and many others, including those in Spain, are “Organized lay apostolate has now expected to follow their example very reached a moment of liberation from shortly.43 excessively heavy structures; a moment of temporal disincarnation to find a prophetic way looking toward new commitments.” As a consequence, the evolution of lay 41 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., p. 14. apostolate in the sense of forming prophetic 42 L. Evely: op. cit., pp. 11 & 14. groups is a phenomenon that fits into the 43 J. Grotaers: lecture cit., pp. 8 & 16. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 65

2. Nature and structure preferably workers and students but also couples etc. These are very flexible groups created under the influence of a layman, a “prophet” b) On a first stage they show great priest or magazine and supported on the interest in seeking “confessionality,” that is, é, international level by powerful organizations taking over or appearing to take over the such as IDO-C. parish and other religious buildings or organizations of the apostolate. On certain (In May 1967 IDO-C magazine occasions, they will invite the local bishop for published an issue featuring a lecture by its a meeting to bless the “work,” allowing them co-founder, Jean Grotaers, in which he to become established in the diocese. This is pointed out as the main task of participants in necessary not to “scare away” their the 3rd World Congress for the Lay Apostolate sympathizers. “We are still relatively weak to free lay apostolate from “overly heavy and need to count on the support of the bishop structures” by severing links with the and the parish priest to take the first steps, but hierarchy “to set up prophetic groups.”) later we will do without that.” “No one The “prophetic groups” include, suspects anything and no one fears anything, without distinction, Catholics, Protestants and because this is born within the Church.” Marxists united around a common, c) Initial meetings are oriented toward “incarnate” temporal commitment. attracting potential members. In general they Members of the “prophetic groups” adopt the format of a “liturgy of the word” are men and women, single or married, from held in a climate of friendship in which they all ages and walks of life; for the most part deal with topics as attractive as charity, peace they are highly competent technicians etc. based on biblical readings, with chants dedicated to different professions and careers. and the recitation of Psalms accompanied by a There are priests among them, but they work final colloquy. like laymen; they are called “ordained d) Later they organize and propose a laymen.” greater interaction or conviviality for which Relationships in these groups are not they invite the more “restless” and paternalistic but fraternal; they are animated “impressed” people. At that point, they try to by a prophetic team in which the distinction obtain their “conversion,” that is: between clergy and laity has been overcome. - recognize themselves sinners for These groups are not isolated. In the not having lived in charity and for above-mentioned lecture, Grotaers spoke of a having a false religion; weekend meeting in Flemish Belgium in - an individual recognition is not which he had participated; the twenty enough; they also need to become participating groups of intellectuals were aware of the sins of the Church; linked with one another. - they must humiliate themselves Nor are these groups always on the and take a poor man’s attitude; sidelines of organized apostolate. They can acquire the consciousness of being spring up and be established inside poor in a Church of the poor; organizations of the apostolate. In this case, - and then ask forgiveness. Upon their mission is to rise to the board of being accepted by the brethren into directors in order to impress the “prophetic the community and beginning to sign” on the organization. love, all is forgiven. 3. Meetings and technicians e) There is also a cathecumenate. To a) Each group is established by a attend it is necessary to reset oneself to a “prophet” who is either a lay person or an “blank page.” Forget every trace of that false, “ordained layman” with three or four people, obsolete religion. This is indispensable for the person to open up to others and love them in Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 66 the new Church. If this responsive flexibility The “De Horstink” Center, which until is lacking, the new member is invited in one 1965 was the National Center of Catholic way or another to leave the group. Action, abandoned its “mandate” to become a f) In relation to the Magisterium and “Center of Communications between the the hierarchy, their attitude evolves according Church and the World.” It carries out its work to a process of radicalization: in collaboration with Protestants and atheists (Grotaers, lecture cited, p. 11). - at a first moment they leave out any reference to the hierarchy. “Charity” and “peace” occupy the Italy whole time and exhaust the “Political clericalism,” which gives subject; the Italian republic a confessional hue by - later they begin to ridicule the virtue of the Concordat, slows down hierarchy with sayings or more or missionary action. In this situation, the more less regular jokes and then start dynamic vocations of the lay apostolate broke making totally negative criticisms away from Catholic Action and joined groups of it; with a more flexible structure and without a - ending up in a real climate of mandate, groups that proliferate in an confrontation, separation and incredible way (Grotaers, lecture cited, p. 12). opposition. g) In the first contacts, group members East Germany insist that the meetings are not prepared at all and that they have practically no techniques Experiences here are particularly of action. “Everything is spontaneous because interesting. only the charismas of the Holy Spirit are at First, there are the “Christians of work.” However, liturgical meetings are Dialogue.” They are small groups of prepared in advance so that if any of those in Catholics who, abandoning the position of the attendance asks a question or proposes a non- institutional Church and opposing the foreseen topic, he will be silenced or ignored. majority of Catholics, embrace “the great h) They hide the mutual bonds among mission” of holding government posts and the groups and deny the existence of leaders collaborating with the [Communist] regime in in their current, claiming that only the Holy an attempt to make the premises of the Spirit leads and spreads their groups Communist society compatible with throughout the Church. Christianity. By acting that way, they believe to be fulfilling an historic, providential i) Only group leaders know the totality mission. of the prophetic ideology, which they make known gradually and with great caution, With them are groups of the above all on the early stages. They themselves “Gossner Mission,” strongly influenced by recognize that their viewpoints on the “new Bonhoffer and by the first wave of French Church” (Baptism, Confession and their worker-priests who seek to demonstrate that relations with the Magisterium, the Pope etc.) one can be a Christian and live in a socialist are known only to a small number of their society, and even become a Communist members. without ceasing to be Christian. They deny that communism is necessarily atheistic. They strenuously fight absenteeism by Catholics 4. Development and concrete faithful to the Magisterium. These groups’ manifestations lifestyle is in line with many others in the West. They also celebrate the Eucharist in

private homes as they figure that worshipping Holland in church has become obsolete. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 67

In the student world, the Associations, “formerly known for their “Studentengemeinden” groups formed by docility”), they asked for: Protestants and Catholics also give signs of - criticism of authority; great “dynamism.” They gather students, future professors, humanists and theologians. - dissolution of Church-State “As is natural,” they show some opposition to relationships; the official Church. They are committed to - democratization of teaching and theological reform, particularly in regard to suppression of confessional education; Church-world relationships, and to search for new ways to celebrate the liturgy. - contacts with Eastern Europe; In parallel to these groups, the - a fundamental revision of doctrine on “Evangelic Academies” call Church birth control by the Pope (Humanae Vitae); traditions into question in name of the - suppression of the “imprimatur”; “Church of tomorrow.” Their study journeys deal with every possible and imaginable - suppression of regulations on mixed problem relating to commitment “with the marriages; new society.” - more democracy and disclosure in These academies and some pastoral diocesan finances; Catholic centers try to come up with new - democratization of the ecclesiastical theological creations starting from press; considerations such as “the priest as layman - replacing the “Katholikentag” with a and the layman as theologian” (ICI, February National Council like Holland’s; and 15, 1968, pp. 30 & ff.). - creating a “Kirchentag” organized

jointly with Protestant churches. Federal Republic of Germany The “Group 55” and the “Munich Facing a Church “drowned and Group” work silently but publish the most enmeshed in the sociopolitical context in leftist monthly magazine in German which it is engaged,” small groups arise and Catholicism: Werkhefte, “a magazine for strive to renew church structures and shake problems of society and Catholicism.” In Catholics from their “spiritual and moral August 1968, it organized a colloquy with complacency.” Marxists. The “Critical Catholicism” Another group is the “Rühr movement (also called “Kapo,” extra- University Students.” The parish of Catholic parliamentary Catholic opposition) was born students in Bochum is closely united with in 1968 from the grouping of several Protestants. A theology student says, “Since it associations including “Pax Christi.” It is impossible for us to dialogue with our proposes to renew and democratize the bishops, we have only one solution: to Church. It claims that its thought is inspired provoke the Institution. How? By making from the theories of the Münster theologian, J. statements favoring Vietnam or by bringing B. Metz, according to whom the Church must politics into the Mass.” play a critical role vis-à-vis society. October 1967 saw the foundation of a Its members intervened in the 82nd “Democratic and Catholic Workgroup” “Katholikentag” held in Essen from presided by a professor, a journalist and a September 4 to 8, 1968. In it, their criticism student. This circle proposes democratizing and action – like those by “little groups” of the thinking and structures of the Catholic French students in May [NT: known as the Church or at least – in the words of Hans ‘Sorbonne Revolution’] – found a favorable Friemund, who works at Berlin Radio – “to ground. United with representatives of the bring out the urgency of this democratization” BDKJ (Federation of Catholic Youth (ICI, no. 325, pp. 11-13). Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 68

causes of the malaise reigning in the Church community. France About twenty Christians, men and The Church and the Revolution women, physicians, engineers, economists, (ICI no. 315, pp. 36-40). sociologists, students and chaired professors Based on the May developments, held an assembly as numerous as leftist Christians accuse the institutional heterogeneous to pose a question: Is the Church of: Church as such an obstacle for the fulfillment of her mission? Why? In what way? - not really taking a stand regarding events; In spite of opposition by part of the parish clergy, the pastor gave his support and - not being revolutionary since “the the bishop his authorization. established Churches objectively support capitalist regimes;” and “their structure is The assistant to the chair of alienating.” Geography of the Faculty of Letters, Mr. Jean Pierre Angrand, opened the debate and The “small groups” organize expounded the why and how of the assembly. numerous public debates on “Christians and He started out thus: Revolution.” One of them was organized at “free Sorbonne” on June 8 by Sister Marie - “whereas for thirty years now, and Edmon, a helper and director of the magazine thanks particularly to the development of Echanges at request of CRAC (Revolutionary Catholic Action movements, we Christians Committee for Cultural Agitation) on the are present in the world participating in the topic, “From Che Guevara to Jesus Christ.” social, economic and political life of the nation;” Revolution in the Church - “this presence enables us to live in (ICI, ibid.). contact with nonbelievers and ‘marginalized,’ Leftist Christians also “contest” non-practicing Christians;” church structures; that “contestation” takes - “we ask ourselves: why are these various forms, from extremely revolutionary Christians on the margins or outside the kinds all the way to more “dialoguing” ones: Church? Is there not some cause within the 1 – The “Bible and Revolution Church herself (administration, mentalities, Movement”: structures of laity and clergy)?” - wants to hold popular assemblies - “we deem it a duty to come here outside worship hours; today to ask ourselves this question. All of you can intervene, but without accusations or - asks “for a future Council to be held requests for justification. We ask priests to with the grassroots in mind;” listen patiently without giving any answer in 2 – The “Temoignage Chrétien” their own name or in the Church’s name. Federation of Groups: Tonight we will not answer anything;” “Rejoices” over the fact that - “we will present a dossier to reflect “contestation” exists also in the Church and all together. We will begin a work of makes a concrete proposal: to create at all searching – that must not be blocked with levels of the Christian community, elective premature questions – to see the cause of our lay councils endowed with great powers to difficulties;” guide and orient. - little by little, everything has been 3 – Assembly held at the Church of analyzed: a picture, already obsolete, of the Saints Peter and Paul in Lille: parish; the Catholic Action movements directed by the hierarchy, whose structures A workgroup was formed to seek new need to be modified to give their members structures that make it possible to discover the Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 69 greater responsibility; the political-temporal - the Church as an accomplice of commitment of the Christian and of the imperialism and capitalism; church as such; - he spoke of the death of God and - “can a Christian engage in a political proclaimed that all that matters is “Jesus movement of the extreme left?” The answer Christ, dead and resurrected.” to this was that “the Church must engage a lot - “the hierarchy is good for nothing; more;” and the Pope would do well to say that and go - “the Church’s pyramidal structure is away,” he said. called into question. Lay participation is A priest said that everything in the asked not only among the “grassroots” but Church can be “contested” except for Christ; also in the highest posts: Bishops – and why just as everything in society can be not? – Pope;” “contested” except man. - opinions were greatly divided. Some Some Christians spoke about thought the assembly was marvelous, others “profound traumas” caused by “obsolete not; ecclesiastical structures.” - “it is a pity that this ‘contestation’ 5 – Public debates at the Catholic movement did not exist before to influence Institute of Paris: the Council;” A request was made to develop at the - “this meeting,” a Protestant pastor Catholic Institute “a movement consistent said, “is dangerous if we do not truly trust the with the Sorbonne movement” and more word of God....because if these are merely generally “to establish inside the Church the human thoughts they could lead us too far;” practice of principles recognized as valid for - the assembly directors promised to ‘contesting’ society. come up with a “list of demands” for the 6 – Groups of students from the Church. Protestant Faculty of Theology of Paris: 4 – Permanent debate of Catholic Protest against: law students at the “St. Yves Center” in Paris during the May events, directed by - a theology centered exclusively on Dominican fathers: the pastoral ministry; A large banner was placed on the - which does nothing but confirm the façade: “Students, workers, the revolution, contradictions of the capitalist system, in and Christians.” which the ecclesiastical institution participates; Just like in the Sorbonne, students, young workers, adults and persons from - they call into question the structures different ambiences, nonbelievers and at of that society (the Church) “which seeks the times even interested passers-by participate in alienating cadres she needs in order to the debates. survive.” We have learned this in the barricades in a definitive way; These deal with the attitude of Christians facing the events, relations 7 – Ecumenical group of fourteen between Marxists and Christians, and the priests, Protestant pastors and laity of need for revolution. Paris: A former director of the Christian Launch an appeal to Christians student movement presented himself as proposing that they “gather in groups revolutionary “par état” and denounced, to according to initiatives they deem most those present: adapted and efficacious to define with greater freedom and create conditions for this - religious alienation; renewal of Christian existence” (ICI, nº 313- 314, pp. 21 & ff.). Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 70

At the same time, the manifesto argues: Italy Occupation of the Cathedral of - in favor of an evangelical structure, Parma (ICI no. 325, p. 13): - of a poor, free church open to man. Participants thus explained the Everything is an object of criticism objective of the occupation: and “contestation” (global protest): - we do not want the Church of St. - the Eucharistic Congress, Evasius, presently under construction in a suburb of the city, to be built with funds from - the Pope’s trip, the Savings Bank (Cassa di Risparmio); - good words not followed by positive - we do not accept that a priest be effects, transferred without consulting the faithful - cohabitation of the institutional directly affected; Church with the powerful, - we denounce the imbalance in the - Church oppression of people’s economic situations of priests in this diocese; consciences, - we oppose to continue spending - the condition of priests. money to maintain the diocesan Catholic seminary, a by-product of bourgeois “Since we do not believe in the clericalism; possibilities of dialogue in the Church, we had recourse to a violent gesture: occupying - we deem it urgent to reform the Cathedral.” seminaries so they stop producing less than cultured priests; - we find with pain that these Mexico intolerable situations are the logical Forty-eight Mexican lay organizations consequence of a Church understood with ask for reform in Church structures and authoritarianism and as a support of the authority. “Catholic lifestyle is not conducive established power. to honesty, criticism, open and public discussion” (ICI, September 1, 1968, p. 7). Chile Forming students on a world Occupation of the Cathedral in scale Santiago (August 2, 1968): (ICI no. 313-314, June 1968, pp. 14- About two hundred Christians calling 15). themselves members of the “Young Church” movement celebrated the Eucharist and went Small “charismatic” and “prophetic” on to hold a collective press conference. minorities have dragged masses of students all over the world to leftist agitation. On August 13, the occupiers explained their gesture in a manifesto published in the The different material or moral claims Communist newspaper, El Siglo titled, that served as pretexts to begin that agitation “Church Prevents Commitment with the – lack of premises, lack of academic freedom, People and Their Struggle.” scarcity of teachers, protests against racism, the Vietnam war, State authoritarianism The manifesto is a diatribe “against etc.— were catalyzed into a more general the power structure of domination and riches revolutionary feeling: global “contestation” of in which the Church often acts and against the society. mentality of the organizations that condition and adulterate the work of the Church hierarchy.” Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 71

This “contestation” of civil society On the contrary, they believe that in this also includes “contestation” of the present revolutionary combat their faith will take on a structures of the ecclesial community. new form of expression. This occurs in Catholic universities Among them are groups that and in Catholic and Protestant schools of practically separate themselves from the theology. Church. There are movements of engaged Christian youths who no longer speak about Everywhere, but above all in Latin the Church because the Church does not America, revolutionary students adopt “a kind matter. While claiming to preserve their faith, of Marxist renewal.” That includes Christian they no longer see a reason to remain in the students who, like the rest, have come to see a Christian communities. renewed Marxism (scientific but rejecting Moscow’s orthodoxy) as the only manly force Facing the Church refusal to authorize capable of confronting the revolution. the political engagement of Christian student movements as such, the more dynamic Starting form the same analysis of the elements of those movements leave the situation and the same reflections as the Church. Marxists, Christians have began to engage in the same commitments. Christian student youths in Europe are still absorbed in their juridical relationships They do not believe it necessary to with the ecclesiastical hierarchy, but in some assume “a specifically Christian attitude” countries (including Spain) they are already toward events. beginning to seriously and openly reflect They see no contradiction between about the current problems of our society. scientific Marxism and their Christian faith. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 72

‘Engaged’ and ‘Disalienated’ Church v. Sacral and ‘Alienating’ Church

Two French workers entirely “engaged” in temporal affairs doing their job. One is a grocery deliveryman, the other a bricklayer. In fact, the two are priests in New Church style and are thus desacralized, showing none of the exterior signs of their sublime mission.

A sit-in of student agitation? At first sight, it seems so. In fact, however, it is a sit-in by 130 priests in Washington protesting a punishment of their colleagues by Church authority. This scene is highly desacralized. The episode deserves raving applause by the New Church’s “prophetic groups,” opposed to any kind of punishment or subordination; in other words, to “alienation.”

Authority, subordination and “alienation” in the Catholic Church. In the Cistercian monastery of Poblet, Spain, monks prostrated on the ground do the mea culpa before the Abbot and the Chapter. Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 73

CONTENTS

HIDDEN GROUPS PLOT SUBVERSION IN THE CHURCH ...... 1 TRIUMPHAL ASCENSION ...... 3 THE MODERNIST HERESY ...... 3 MOST REV. ANTONIO DE CASTRO MAYER, BISHOP OF CAMPOS ...... 3 THE REASON FOR THIS DOUBLE ISSUE ...... 5 CATHOLIC CHURCH INFILTRATED BY VEILED ADVERSARIES ...... 5 PLINIO CORRÊA DE OLIVEIRA ...... 5 IDO-C and the “International Catholic Establishment” ...... 5 “Prophetic Groups” ...... 6 Fingers of the same hand ...... 6 Facing progressivist agitation in Latin America ...... 7 Three dramatic questions ...... 7 Chinese Wall ...... 8 Encouraging ...... 8 Enthusiasm of TFP young men ...... Errore. Il segnalibro non è definito. ANALYTICAL SUMMARY OF THE APPROACHES ARTICLE ...... 10 THE MEDIA SUPERPOWER OF PROGRESSIVIST ILLUMINATI ...... 10 IDO-C in its own words ...... 11 Who directs it ...... 11 A publicity dinosaur ...... 11 Liaisons with communism in England and beyond the Iron Curtain ...... 12 The “International Catholic Establishment” ...... 12 The “American Catholic Establishment” ...... 13 Catholic "Establishment” and secular “Establishment” ...... 14 Where IDO-C comes in ...... 14 IDO-C's worldwide ramifications ...... 15 Reservation ...... 15 Complete doctrine ...... 15 ANALYTICAL SUMMARY OF THE ECCLESIA ARTICLE ...... 16 INSUBORDINATION AND “DISALIENATION,” TELLTALE INSIGHTS INTO 'PROPHETIC' MYSTERIES ...... 16 I . Disalienation: revolt against all superiority and inequality ...... 17 II . The supreme “prophetic” goal: a Church neither alienating nor alienated ...... 17 III – Only class struggle will achieve disalienation in the Church ...... 20 IV –The “prophetic groups” stir up class struggle to bring about disalienation inside the Church ...... 21 V . How the “prophetic groups” carry out class struggle in the Church ...... 22 VI – Relations between the” prophetic movement” and progressivism ...... 23 VII – The “prophetic groups” are at the service of communism ...... 23 VIII – Viability of the Communist plan for the New Church ...... 25 THE APPROACHES TEXT ...... 27 DOSSIER ON IDO-C ...... 27 I - What is IDO-C?...... 27 II . History of IDO-C ...... 27 III –IDO-C in the United Kingdom ...... 29 IV . IDO-C in France ...... 32 V . IDO-C in Poland ...... 34 VII . Anatomy of the “Catholic Establishment” ...... 38 VIII . Leaders and agencies of the “Catholic Establishment” ...... 40 IX – The true nature of the “Catholic Establishment” ...... 42 X . “Catholic Establishment” and “Secular Establishment” ...... 42 XI – Why IDO-C is indispensable to the “Establishment”...... 44 XII – IDO-C's other advantages ...... 44 Catolicismo, no. 220-221 – April-May 1969 – Hidden Groups Plot Subversion in the Church 74

XIII –IDO-C in other places ...... 45 THE ECCLESIA TEXT...... 51 THE SMALL GROUPS AND THE “PROPHETIC CURRENT ” ...... 51 Preliminary Notice ...... 51 CONTENT, STRUCTURE AND MANIFESTATIONS ...... 51 I - Introduction ...... 51 II – Ideological Content of the Prophetic Current ...... 54 III - The Prophetic Groups ...... 64 FORMING STUDENTS ON A WORLD SCALE ...... 70 CONTENTS ...... 73