Monday, September 21, 2015

A Prince Of Peace Is Coming To Town??!!?

That's what Father Rosica said of Pope Francis' visit to the DC area.  In this clip you'll see both Rosica and Cardinal Wuerl being interviewed on Fox News Sunday (ht Pewsitter).  The commentator is questioning Rosica and Wuerl about US Rep Paul Gosar's announcement of his boycott of the Pope's planned address to Congress.  Both clerics poo-poo the idea that the Pope will be promoting any kind of political agenda, let alone a leftist one (although Wuerl admits to political "ramifications").  When asked if the Pope will broach religious freedom, contraception, etc when he meets with Obama, Rosica emphatically answers "no" (at the 3:40 mark).  Then at the 5:00 mark we hear Fr Rosica call the pope a "prince of peace".  There is so much to unpack I almost don't know where to begin.

Let's start with this "prince of peace" crack.  In all of Scripture and Tradition, only One Person has ever been identified as "prince of peace" and that is Jesus Christ.  No one has dared called another person - even a previous pontiff - as "prince of peace".  That is a title that has always been reserved for Our Lord and Him alone.  Is there some attempt at deification here?

Now as far as lack of political agenda goes, that too is stuff and nonsense.  Does anyone doubt that Laudato Si will not at least be mentioned?  That thing itself is chock-full of leftwing envirowhacko socialistic screed.  Rep Gosar is correct. Read this Breitbart article (and associated links) for his level-headed, truly Catholic thinking.  I commend him for his boycott and hope he's not alone in his principled stance.

In the video that I'll post below, Judge Andrew Napolitano is being interviewed about the Pope's trip.  Identifying himself as a traditional Catholic, he opines that Pope Francis is a "challenge and an obstacle" to traditional Catholics.  Napolitano succinctly states why it is simply wrong for the pope to lend the solemn dignity of his role as Vicar of Christ to his mere personal opinions.

I'll also link to an article written by Michelle Malkin (another Catholic) as she explores the ramifications of apparent papal disdain for air conditioners.  She's correct about all these folks bemoaning "carbon footprints" from their air-conditioned offices or their private jets.  Napolitano mentioned that the pope is charged with teaching on faith and morals.  We'd all be much better off if he paid attention to that mandate.  He is Christ's Vicar, not a rival "prince of peace".

9 comments:

  1. I don't know what to say about Fr. rosica. I hope he was just do excited that he didn't realize that he just popped out a bladsphemy.

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    1. He does seem to be the excitable sort given to irrationality. Recall that he's the priest who tried to sue our fellow Catholic blogger Vox Cantoris several months ago.

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  2. '"A Prince Of Peace Is Coming To Town??!!?"

    ...Well, O.K.,... 'cause Santa 'O' is already here, and it's not even Christmas yet.

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  3. Not that I would personally use that language to refer to the pope, but, upon reflection, it isn't as bad as it first sounds.

    The priest did us the article "a," which saves the statement from being blasphemous. Had he said that the pope is "the" prince of peace, I'm sure that would definitely raise more than a few eyebrows.

    In any event, Melchisedech, a type of Christ, is referred to as the "King of Peace" (i.e., King of Salem). Hebrews 7:2. "Kings" are usually higher than "princes," but no one would accuse Saint Paul of deifying Melchisedech.

    Still, I would not have used that language. The word "peacemaker" is usually what people use to get the point across.

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  4. These guys are a disgrace. They are enemies of the Church. Why be surprised by their heretical statements? After all, Francis spews out an endless bunch of them, himself. It gets worse every day...Lord, have mercy on us!

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  5. DJR I can't agree. To call any man including the pope (or bishop frank as he prefers) a prince of peace would get caught in the throat of any normal, well educated Catholic. It is an obvious reference to God Himself in the person of Jesus.

    Roscoe should be cashiered as a spokesman for the Church. He tries to sue bloggers, says inane things like Jorge Bergoglio is a prince of peace, not realizing how Omen-esque it sounds.

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  6. "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment & justice. both now & forever" (Is.9:5-6).
    This is a title of great honor given only to Christ Jesus our Lord.
    I have a feeling in my spirit of great unease regarding new Pope. We must not fear, however, rather pray and trust in God, the Blessed Trinity, 3-in-1. He is with us.

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  7. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;...For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever" (Is.9:1,5-6).

    It is always good to confirm with Scripture. This priest was incorrect & shows the error that has entered the priesthood.
    Words are very important and who speaks them will elevate them in importance. We must pray, and pray some more. I'm becoming old now but I have worked and labored with wonderful, strong Christians. I have been waiting for this Pope to show himself, to show his faith in Christ Jesus. To show his love for Jesus as John Paul II did so obviously. I have not seen it. Still I wait. I do however confirm what Mr. Skojec expressed in his blog, I have a deep spiritual unease when I hear or see this Pope. He is not what he appears to be. Something is off.
    We must Trust in Our God like never before; these are treacherous times. Pray and ask the Father to increase the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon his children especially the gift of discernment. Test everything and know that the Love of God surpasses all else. Watch, Wait and Trust God.

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  8. We seem to have forgotten the "incarnational" principle, sometimes called the "sacramental principle" or the conception of nature participating in the supernatural. Because Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine, in Jesus Christ, the Divine Word, humanity is united to divinity, nature is united to the supernatural, the human participates in the divine. If, for example, you look at the sacraments, the physical matter of water, in baptism, is united to the form of the liturgical Word, and supernatural grace is communicated to the recipient through, with, and in the sign which signifies both death (putting sin to death in the flesh; e. g. the Noahide flood, or the Exodus deliverance from Egypt) and the raising to walk in newness of life (in the Resurrection). Or look at papal documents from before Leo XIII where the pontiffs used the plural "We" when speaking because, it was customarily held, as the successor to St. Peter, and as Jesus Christ's prime minister or Vicar on earth, when Peter spoke, Jesus Christ spoke, "Roma locuta est, causa finita est". Most of these comments are bad faith, fastidious hand wringing of neb-traditionalists. Father Rosica said "a prince of peace", NOT "the Prince of Peace". The pontiffs ministry participates in that of Jesus Christ. He did not use a definite article ("the"), he used an indefinite article ("a"). Get over yourselves. These comments are neo-traditionalists trying to be "more Catholic than the Pope". So glad you have begun to discover tradition, hope it moves from simple head knowledge to a true way of life that is not in discontinuity, but in continuity with the whole Catholic tradition.

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