Did the St. Gallen Group Invalidate the 2013 Conclave? Bishop Gracida still Calling Upon the Cardinals to Consider this Question

I must say I love my morning constitutional, which keeps me both up-to-date and "regular" at the same time, as it were.  I wash my face and sit for a spell with my phone in hand, checking the Drudge Report, Canon 212, Yahoo science/tech news, and my emails.  I suspect some of you have similar daily habits.

This morning I noticed among the ever-nauseating church reports about the latest hierarchical sexual abuse scandal, which I tend to not delve into because they have become so incredibly common, another link to Bishop Rene' Gracida's blog.  

He is offering something that to me is both simultaneously very serious but hopeful, a reminder yes of the chaos, but a booster shot in the arm that we still have courageous shepherds, to remind us Christ will preserve the Church.  We really need frequent booster shots.

This good, tradition-minded bishop continues to call into question the validity of the 2013 conclave that elected Cardinal Bergoglio to the Chair of St. Peter, because he defends and loves the Church.  LINK   I myself interviewed Gracida back in May about his argument HERE.  I support his call to the Cardinals to consider the questions, but I personally draw no certain conclusion.

So was the 2013 Conclave Invalid?  Is Pope Francis truly the Supreme Pontiff?

I am not a sedevacantist, but I think considering the unprecedented doctrinal paradigm shift from this pontificate, and how traditionalists and conservatives are rightly observing how the Francis Revolution is plunging the conciliar crisis to deeper depths (cue the German hierarchy, for example), that these are at least legitimate questions to be discussed.

And, as Bishop Gracida underlines, while we the laity can and should express these concerns to the hierarchy, in the end it is only the Cardinals who have the actual authority to take up our concern and in the end consider a remedy.  Or not. 

But the historical evidence, as presented by many reliable sources, is that the St. Gallen Group did conspire to elect Bergoglio, and that their machinations at the 2013 conclave did violate conclave legislation.  

Cardinal Burke himself, as the de facto leader of the conservative Cardinals, a canon lawyer, and former head of the highest court in the Church (!), seems to be in the most opportune position to consider the canonical facts of what went down.  Likely he has by now at least heard about Gracida's argument, if not already given it consideration.

Additional Points in Bishop Gracida's Argument:

Reading his new blog post, presenting what appears to be a formal theological argument for us all to consider, and comparing it to the original thesis he circulated months ago, you can see how he also addresses counter-criticisms.

On the superficial surface, one of the main, indirect objections seems to be basically "Bishop Gracida can't be taken seriously since he is 95 years old," as if being that age necessitates senility.  But if you watch more recent interviews of Gracida, and read the logic and organization of his argument, it is clear to me he is demonstrating that he is not senile, but a man of clarity, logic, intellectual fairness, and wisdom.  Whether or not he is correct in his conclusions, he is a reliable source as one of the most senior, tradition-minded, and still active prelates in the Church today.   He demonstrates that well in his writings.

"Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding 
in length of days"  - Job 12:12

He also explains how the conclave legislation of John Paul II renders a conclave's result null and void in several ways, which the 2013 conclave, he argues, violated.   It is only the section forbidding simony under pain of excommunication, that allows the result to remain still valid;  yet, all other illegal maneuverings invalidate the election.

Bishop Gracida also raises an additional point, that would make the Cardinals' consideration even more serious:  if Francis is not a valid pope, his appointed Cardinals are not valid Cardinals, while many of the Cardinals present at the 2013 conclave, who remain valid Cardinals, will soon not be eligible to vote in a future conclave once they reach the age of 80.   If Francis' papacy is invalid, then eventually there will be no eligible Cardinals to elect a future pope.  

Not a good paradigm, I'd think.  Doesn't it seem more sane and less dramatic for Cardinals to sit down right now and consider if we have an anti-pope, vs. facing the possibility of a string of anti-popes and invalid conclaves for decades or centuries to come?   

When you have a group of progressivist Cardinals elect a heterodox Cardinal, to advance a new, outright heretical system of reform, is that not exactly why past popes actually drafted legislation to deal with both invalid and illicit papal elections?  If the Cardinals cannot actually question the validity of a papal conclave, what was the point of the conclave legislation in the first place?  

Conclusion:

That is as much as I can say without going above my pay grade as a lay Catholic.  This is one bishop, one who by the way celebrates the Ancient and Venerable Rite of the Mass daily, asking the Cardinals to consider a remedy to the current papal crisis, and putting it out there on the Catholic blogosphere for our consideration.  Fair enough?

In the meantime, we have cause for hope that the good, true, and beautiful is still protected within the human element of the Church. We have good bishops like Bishop Gracida, Schneider, Burke, etc.  We have priestly fraternities, monasteries, convents, parishes, and homes keeping the traditional Faith, with a special devotion to preserving our Sacred Tradition.

The Comment section is open.  

Leisure: the Basis of Culture

The title of the Thomistic philosopher Joseph Pieper's must read about the Christian meaning of leisure.

Not mere amusement or Epicurean stimulation, but a contemplative, re-creative activity.

Such was our attempt this blessed Sunday.  Holy Mass, lunch with discussion on matters of faith, then sitting down at home enjoying a Belgian ale, then a trip out to Flint Creek to picnic and swim.

The conversation, communion with nature, and the simple beauty of the country drive across northeast Oklahoma reminded me of the Divine source of all our lives.

Wishing you had an equally leisurely Sunday.

Renewed Goals for The Okie Traditonalist Blog

First things First:

But let's be clear, this is just a blog.  I am no expert, saint, cleric, or authority figure.  I am just one lay traditional Catholic guy with a blog.  A blog is not an organ of the Magisterium, after all.  It is literally a "website" + "log" of one's thoughts about any subject.   Hence the word blog.   

Website + Log = BLOG

By now my regular readers hopefully appreciate that I try and keep these writings at that level, rather than trying to be a self-appointed, pontificating, professional theologian.

At the same time, I believe the power of a "Catholic blog" is that it becomes part of a critically needed, online network, voicing shared concerns, perspectives, and catechesis to help the Church and a Christian society.  Not a substitute for the hierarchy, but one of many places to voice the point of view of lay Catholics (who compose 99.999% of the world's 1.18 billion Catholics).    

After all, Canon Law no. 212 says (LINK):

The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.§3. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful

Renewed Goals for the Blog:

In light of all the really great experiences I've had these last two years of blogging on "The Okie Traditionalist" blog, connecting with many different people from all sorts of places and backgrounds, but also in light of the nuttiness, infighting, and downright dark ugliness I not rarely encounter, I am renewing the goals for this hobby of mine:

1.  I will continue to use humor, irony, satire, and reference to modern media and language, to shed light on truth, because that is my personality.  But I plan to tailor my style to be more focused and effective in conveying my points, while polishing up my spelling, grammar, and writing skills.   

My target audience is both moderation-loving traditional Catholics, and any human being even remotely disposed towards traditional Catholicism.   So I'll still be using words like "cool," or "pee your pants laughing," or referencing mainstream movies, or saying traditionalists as a group need to drink more alcohol, because we are not angelic spirits living in the Garden of Eden.  

Fair enough, Okie Trad!

Thanks, GK!

2.  At the same time, I will continue to call out the extremes and abuses of both the liberal left, and from time to time the traditionalist/conservative right (of which I identify).  I love our Catholic tradition, and support the Latin Mass movement, but pharisaism is also a damning force that tempts traditionalists, that needs to be sometimes addressed, not only evils of the flesh and modernity.  

If you frequent this place, odds are you appreciate me voicing these concerns.  


3.  I will continue to share information with readers to help build up my local Church.   I will be discreet and very careful of any negative information I might share, and it will be factual, public, verified, and respectful if conveyed.   If the sacrilege of modernism rears its ugly head in my own diocese, I may report about it and comment in the future.  

If the local presbyteral council tries to publicly undo another traditional work of retired Bishop Slattery, I reserve the right speak about it, but matter-of-factedly and with concern.  That said, when I blog about something local, the focus will be on what is good, true, and beautiful, on what is being done here in Oklahoma to "restore all things to Christ."

Sounds like a plan!

4.  I want to write about my personal experience as a traditional Catholic, here in my own local Church, and living in Oklahoma, as a microcosm of what is happening everywhere in the world.   I get emails often from people in other states and countries, relating to my experiences here, which indicates to me my method is working.   

But I intend to develop that style more as I go.  On one hand, I am thinking of the overall positive feedback of local traditionalists here, that there seems to be a good deal of Okies who look kindly on this endeavor.  On the other hand, most readers do not live in Oklahoma, but many are attracted to the more local, Okie flavor of how I sometimes write, so I will be writing to both audiences (which requires some mental gymnastics in imagining what you want to say, and how).

Microcosm

5.  I will write about topics related to subjects I have degrees in, and professional experience with:  science, education, Catholic philosophy, and health care.  I also want to talk more about my personal interests:  nature, outdoor adventure, gardening, cooking, movies, and helping others.

And at the same time, I will speak about these things from the perspective of being a traditional Catholic...which I think fits well into the parameters of what defines a "blog" in the first place.  A personalized place to voice ideas in writing about serious topics, but also not-so-serious topics, to be true to life and reality.

If that makes your anal sphincter muscles contract in fear or anger, then there are literally 439,999,999 (LINK) other blogs on the world wide web you can read.  Fair enough?

A Blog Post Designed to Literally Make You Pee Your Pants Laughing

Happy Saturday!  We made it to the weekend! After a week of Ora et Labora.  Or odds are working in today's "live to work, vs. work to live" proletariat culture, it was oppressively heavy on the Labora.  

It seems very stressful for us traditional Catholics in today's world.  We have to pay the bills like anybody else, but under the pressure of subtle or even overt disenfranchisement for our Catholic identity, not to mention being gas-lighted by the Catholic hierarchy for our attachment to Tradition. No wonder some trads fall into puritanism.  This includes me at times in the past, mea culpa.

So this Saturday morning tonic is just for you. 

Goal:  make you laugh so hard you literally pee your pants, to help us uncoil.  

It's something called "urge incontinence."  When you experience a truth on an emotional level (example: the truth that we live in a dark age), sometimes it arouses the region of the brain responsible for laughter -->  which results in laughter --> which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system --> which relaxes the bladder muscles.  Hence how humor can shed light on truth, to the point of you literally pee your pants. Or at least a trickle.

Here goes:

To make you pee your pants laughing, it is vital you follow my advise, otherwise you may not laugh, at least out loud, or actually pee your pants. You may be tempted to set aside my instructions, to see what is so funny, but then I promise you, you won't get the full, therapeutic effect.

This video is a discussion between a liberal priest/bishop/nun, who are members of what is called the Independent Catholic Movement.  In the first 15 minutes, they discuss how they are similar to Roman Catholics, but are inclusive of the divorced-and-remarried, gays and lesbians, transgenders, yada yada, even praising our beloved Pope Francis' approach to ministry several times.  It is a window into the mind of religious liberals, both outside and inside the actual Catholic Church.

Instruction:   

First, you have to rewind to the beginning.  DO NOT fast forward to Time 15:04.  You may be tempted to, but please wait, and I assure you, when you reach that point, you will thank me for maintaining the suspense, which will make the moment of humor even more intense.  I encourage just watching the first 15 minutes, 3 seconds.  It will pay off.  If you are stretched for time, you could fast forward through parts of it, but slow down to hear their liberal views.  Notice the priest and bishop are up to that point oddly dominating the conversation, the nun not saying a word.  After Time 15:04, the humor begins but there is more suspense.  The peeing should actually commence at Time 15:26.  Okay, here is the video.  

So...did I make you pee your pants laughing, as I did?  I hope at least I made you laugh out loud!  Let me know in the comments section, where we can laugh about the video.  

The times we live in.  We laugh lest we cry, is the approach I try to take here at this blog!

Random Midweek Thoughts

Blue Hole Spring.   In the general vicinity of Locust Grove, OK.  Went there Sunday after going to the Maronite rite (somewhat traditional, but love the priest).
Wow and double wow.  55 degree spring water will lower your body temperature for hours, which feels relaxing.   Highly recommend it for your next summer, family outing.

Arby's curly fries.  Man those are good, but I really need to get back on strict low carb.  Best way to loose weight, imho, if you're horizontally challenged like me. But their curly fries are literally the best.  So crispy and well seasoned.  Deo gracias.  All things in moderation, right?

Pope Francis.   Too busy to read the headlines.  Would rather be canoing the Illinois River.  Who is game?   We can leave real early one Saturday morning, canoe just a short trip, and be back after lunch.

That blog post about trads and alcohol.  People, it was hyperbole.
I don't literally think you should "spike the baby bottle." But I suspect you all knew that.   The two alcoholic contrarian commentators, absolutely yes, don't drink alcohol, but do something to unravel the tightened cords of religiosity and scrupulosity.   How about an enema?  Just ask your local pharmacist what aisle.

It's almost the weekend fellow Okie Trads and Beyond!  Thinking of all you who read this little weekly log of my thoughts.

Traditionalist Catholics need to Drink more Alcohol! I agree!

Disclaimer: If you struggle with past or present alcohol abuse, I encourage you to seek the counsel of a good, traditional priest.  

I tip my hat to Okiepapist, past contributor here, for his observation many trads need to drink more spirits, figuratively was my point, but his point was we need to literally be drinking more!  Not in excess, but that trads would greatly benefit from upping our consumption of fermented beverages.  I'm compelled to raise my glass in agreement as I ruminate and reflect on this intervention.  I've heard the same admonition before from within other trad quarters.  It seems to be a recurring theme, that begs the question about the religious temperament of the Latin Mass community as a whole.

Ja, Das ist richtig, Okie Trad!

This advise goes for yours truly as much as any ecclesiastically gas-lighted, over-wound Catholic out there trying to keep the Faith (and our sanity).

Start 'em young I say, spike the baby bottle! Nothing will teach a little youngster as much about the virtue of moderation, and indirectly all virtues, than by learning the value of moderating drink. A few ounces of wine at the Sunday dinner table will help your eight year old appreciate the fruits of the Earth, and that alcohol, like all other sources of nutrition, is not sinful but sustaining.

When Jr. has received the sacrament of Confirmation, and is able to endure the physical hardship of carrying a heavy backpack for a ten mile mountain trek, he should be handed the whiskey bottle when it is, later that night, passed around the campfire.

My Current Go-To

He will be far less likely to become an adult alcoholic, or addicted to anything. I guarantee Our Lord enjoyed some local brew with his foster father St. Joseph, at the end of a hot Mediterranean day of hard physical labor.

The next time your church circle is tempted to form its own informal parallel parish within a parish (I've heard too many stories of intra-parish trad rebellions to shake a stick at), instead turn your basement into a bar lounge, and invite your clique over to theologize, laugh, and play. Stock up on vodka, whiskey, wine, and beer, and invite Padre over for a drink, to respectfully hash out issues.

The next time your trad priest preaches a seemingly watered down sermon, or swings the other way and chastises families from the pulpit by name for owning televisions (I've witnessed this), don't rush home and stew in your chair in anger. Instead, hit up the local Irish pub on your way home from Mass, and make it a tall Guinness. Let your anger be quenched by ethanol and fermented, nutrient-dense grains!  Far more healthy than the toxic, defensive, anti-social tactics that you'll see play out within trad circles.  

Kilkenny's Irish Pub in Tulsa. 

Minutes from any local Latin Mass.

Are your church gatherings growing stale? Mixed with boredom, petty quarrels, or insularity? Nothing will open up the group, get the sphincter muscles to relax, and the stress hormones to dissipate more than installing a full bar in your parish hall!  I'll be the first to volunteer to bartend. "Father, can I convince you to have another beer?"

There's no better cure for pseudo-Catholic religious fundamentalism (or Jansenism, or whatever you want to call it), than a Boiler Maker. Stop abusing the gift of language, please, and instead of chastising the seeming worldlings among your ranks beneath you for not following Amish rules of conduct, drink that tall beer. At the bottom of the glass is a shot of whiskey you gulp down.  Grace builds upon nature, after all.  

Let us trads install full, liquor bars in our home, to accompany our family altars, libraries, wood burning stoves, and pianos.  The next time you go to the bookshelf to read yet again another book about the evil New World Order, take a break and read The Rule St. Benedict, with classic commentary.  The Rule was/is a tonic for all things extreme in Catholicism.  It prescribes daily wine for the monk, after all.  Or at least make yourself a White Russian to go with your next conspiracy theory.

Planning to buy something like

this in a few months

After all, St Paul recommends drinking wine everyday. It's right there in the Bible folks. And old St Paul could get pretty hard core.

Tomorrow night I'll be relaxing with my favorite R&R whiskey, and checking the comments below to see if you agree.

Have a good weekend. Cheers!