Sunday, January 13, 2008

OPEN LETTER: The Necessity Of Immediate Action

Related to: Teddy Bear Picnic Mass

Roma locuta est. Come back to me, with all your heart.

"There is one truth, even though it can always be more deeply known." Franc Cardinal Rode, the Prefect for the Congregation for Institutes of the Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life to the Jesuits.

The Church should act without delay in this matter of doctrinal corruption, which is made imperative, especially by the fact that the partisans of error are to be sought not only among the Church's open enemies; but, what is to be most dreaded and deplored, is that these enemies are found in the very bosom of Holy Church.

What is alluded to here are the many who belong to the Catholic laity, and, what is much more sad, to the ranks of the religious life and the priesthood itself. Who, animated by a false zeal for the Church to "move with the times", as it were, and lacking the solid safeguards of philosophy and theology, imbued with poisonous doctrines and a loss of sense of holy Christian modesty have put themselves forward as "reformers" of the Church; and, forming more boldly into a line of attack have assailed all that is most sacred in the work of Christ, not sparing even the Person of our Holy Redeemer, whom, with sacrilegious audacity, they degrade to the condition of a simple and ordinary man.

Although these men and women express their astonishment that we who are faithful to the sacred traditions of our Holy Mother the Church are "outdated and outmoded", yet, in truth, it is they who are the most pernicious of all the enemies of the Church. For they put into operation their errorenous designs and invalid rites for the undoing of Holy Church, not from without but from within. Hence, the danger they present appears almost in the very veins and heart of the Church, whose injury is the more certain from the very fact that their knowledge of Holy Church is more intimate.

By their error and corrupted doctrine, they lay the axe to the very roots of the Church, that is, to the Holy Faith and Sacred Traditions at its deepest level. Once they have struck at its root, there is no end to the amount of doctrinal poison they begin to diffuse through the whole tree, which is the Church. So there is no part of Catholic Truth which they leave untouched none that they do not strive to corrupt. For they play the dubious part of both rationalist and Catholic, and this is so craftily done that it even leads the elect into error. To this must be added the fact, which indeed is well calculated to deceive souls, that they lead a life of ardent holiness. All with the front of corrupting and manipulating the innocent.

Finally, there is the fact which is all but fatal to the hope of cure that their very doctrines have given such a bent to their minds, that they rely upon a false conscience, they attempt to ascribe to love the truth, yet, they introduce foreign and uncatholic rites and doctrines. They pray with other faiths at the one same Holy Altar and even allow the doctrines and ideas of other religions to influence Catholic belief and practice. They teach error to children in the name of catechetics and confused the aged and elderly with their untruths. Different interpretations of the same Scriptures abound and what was once deemed as Protestant, heretical and schismatic is now venerated as doctrine and truth.

The Church in this post modern day and age has indeed fallen by the wayside like the man in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It will take the compassion of Christ, the Good Samaritan, to move hearts and hands of those who tuly love Holy Church with her rich traditions and sacred doctrines, to pick up the Church wounded with the afflictions of doctrinal error and pouring the oil and wine of the Holy Spirit upon those wounds in fervent prayer, bring Catholicism to the inn, which is in fact a return to True Rome!!

Jesus dixit ei, "Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam."

Jesus said, "Thou art Peter (Cephas), and on this rock (Cephas) I will build my Church, and the gates of the hades shall never prevail against my Church."

Acknowledgements:
Fraternitas Mater Doloroso

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, January 13, 2008  0 Comments

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Open Letter: The Love of God

Dear Naliakbar, I'm a Catholic (I do not hold certain views of Islam which the Protestants have) and I hope we can have an open discussion on the matters of religion; my only intention is to know and understand more. There are so many similariteies which we share as "people of the book". We believe in monoaestic faith, God is a transcendent creator, sovereign, ominpotent, spoke (and continues to speak) to humanity through prophets, angels, written word, knows our intimate thoughts, the wicked will be judged.

Having said all this, my issue with Islam is the concept of the love of God/Allah.

In Chrisitanity, God, the Father, provided a sinless savior- Jesus Christ- who took our sins upon himself & bore God's wrath in our place.(Mt20:28,26:28,Lk22:37,Jhn3:16,10:9-11,2Cor5:21,Gal3:13,1The5:9-10) whereas in Islam, Allah provided a messenger- Muhd (P.B.U.H.)- who warned of Allah's impending judgement(Surah2:119,5:19,7:184,188,15:89-90). Through the death & ressurection of Christ, there is no condemnation; hence the love of God is shown and perpetuated. Thus, there isn't a need to weigh good deeds against bad deeds (Surah 7:8-9, 21:47).

Also, on love, Catholics- as many other Christians- believe that God does not take any pleasure in the death of the wicked (Eze 18:23) & is "not wanting anyone to perish but come back to repentance" (2Pet3:9), however in the Koran (Surah 5:49,Ali;Surah4:168-169,7:179,9:2,40:10), we see that Allah desires to afflict man for some of their sins. Perhaps you could explain this part as Catholics do have some understanding regarding this matter where souls are sent to purgatory. Does "afflict them for their sins" imply purgatory or damnation?

Still on love, Allah "loves not the prodigals" (Surah3:140) & neither does he love "him who is treacherous or sinful" (Surah4:107;Ali). This is entirely different from the Christian doctrine where god demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us- our sins (Rom5:8), also looking at the Parable in the Gospel of the prodigal son who returned to the father was warmly welcomed.

Now, there seems to be some contridiction since the Koran says that the God of Islam is the God of the Christians and Jews (Surah 29:46). How can this be when Allah is impersonal and unitarian (Surah4:48) whereas the Christian scriptures reveal God as personal (1Pet5:6-7) and Trinitarian (2Cor13:14)? Also, how can God/Allah be changeble or capricious (Surah 2:284)? Finally, how can the God of the Muslims be the God of the Christians when no where is Allah ever presented as the God of love; not being a loving God is contrary to the very essence and nature of God (1Jhn4:7-16).

Thank you for you time, please correct me if I've wrongly quoted the Koran or if I've misinterpretated it. Otherwise, I hope you can provide your view(s). Anywhere where a harsh or rude tone of language is sensed is not intended.

Before, I go, what are your opinions on this: The Catechism of the Catholic Church 841 regarding the Catholic Church's relationship with the Muslims: "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

Hope to hear from you soon.

In the God of Abraham,
Paul M.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Wednesday, April 18, 2007  2 Comments

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Letter to Editor: Missa In Cantu

The following is an extract of a letter I sent recently to the Catholic News:

Paragraph 16 of Musicam Sacrum (Instruction on Music in the Liturgy) from the Second Vatican Council states:

"One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations
than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song. Therefore
the active participation of the whole people, which is shown in singing, is to
be carefully promoted..."

Paragraph 16 appears to be rather definitive; a person is actually worshipping at his best when singing. Active participation is clearly shown by singing.

Sacred Music in the Liturgy deeply involves the congregation in worshipping God. It draws the congregation rather than excluding them. Singing is so wonderful that “to sing” says St. Augustine “is to have prayed twice”.

Paragraph 27 states,

“For the celebration of the Eucharist with the people, especially on Sundays and
feast days, a form of sung Mass (Missa in cantu) is to be preferred as
much as possible, even several times on the same day.”

Certainly, the older generation of Catholics can remember the High Sung Masses of old that would take place at least once every Sunday. As I am a young Catholic, I never had the opportunity to attend a High Sung Mass. However, there have been occasions where I’ve heard priests like Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ong, Rev. Fr. Michael Teo and Rev. Fr. John Joseph Fenelon sing the Mass. These were rare and random occassions.

In my opinion, sung Masses lift up the people to a greater level of worship of God and adds an extra and unique element to the Holy Sacrifice. Paragraph 28 shows the effort taken by the Council Fathers to make the “Mass more beautiful by singing”.

Since Sacred Music is for "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful" (Paragraph 4, Musicam Sacrum), is it possible for parishes to include a sung Mass for Sundays and other Solemnities; listing down on the bulletin the time for such a Mass?

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, April 03, 2007  0 Comments

Monday, March 5, 2007

A Simple Letter to 'The Straits Times Forum'

5th March 2007

The Forum Editor
The Straits Times


Dear Sir/Madam,

Tall Corn Plants Obstructing Beautiful National Monument

I am writing this letter with regards to the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph’s in Victoria Street. This beautiful gothic Cathedral Church which was opened in 1912 (replacing the old church building) is an architectural marvel and a part of (Portuguese) Eurasian Community's heritage in Singapore. This was emphasized in 1993 when the Church- structured in the form of a Latin cross- was gazetted as a conservation building in 1993.

The view of this beautiful National Monument from Victoria Street is obstructed by Corn plants, more common known as tie shu. From a pedestrian’s view, these tall Corn plants obstruct the central lower dome and its two small towers. The beautiful statues of the three saints and the Church’s insignia are also being blocked.

This is truly a waste. Many people (tourists and locals alike) who walk pass are not able to appreciate the beauty of this architectural marvel or have a Kodak moment.

As a National Monument, it should be given pride of place and showcased to everyone. Therefore, our suggestion (the Rector’s and mine) is to replace the tall Corn Plants with shade-loving shrubs to enhance the distinct charm of the Old Portuguese Mission. This will solve the problem of the obstruction as well as enable people (Catholics and non-Catholics) alike to view the well attended Good Friday Processions that take place through the grounds of the Church without having to scale the Church’s fence.

I hope that the National Parks Board or any relevant authority will look into this matter.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Monday, March 05, 2007  0 Comments

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Pastoral Letter of Exhortation from Archbishop Nicholas Chia


BE CONVERTED AND believe in the Gospel (Mk 1:15). This command of Jesus rings out ever more strongly today, inviting man to conversion. This inner attitude of conversion, that is the condemnation of and detachment from sin and a striving towards God, is accompanied also by external acts of penitential practices.


The interior and religious character of penance neither excludes nor lessens in any way the external practice of this virtue. By divine law all the faithful are required to do penance. Even in biblical times we see people doing some form of penance as a sign of sorrow for their sin. It is indeed a religious, personal act which has as its aim, love and surrender to God. There is no lack of examples in Scriptures also of a social or collective awareness of sin.

Reaffirming this necessity, the church continues to seek - beyond fast and abstinence - new expressions of penance, more suitable for the times. Lent remains the pre-eminent Penitential season. All Fridays are days of penance because each Friday recalls the crucifixion of Our Lord. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remain days of fast and abstinence.

Fasting means that the amount of food we eat is considerably reduced. All Christians from the age of 18 to the beginning of 60 are bound by the law of abstinence (C. 1252). However our penance cannot be restricted to refraining from meat on Fridays.

In order that we appreciate the meaning of penance more deeply, any of the following practices may also be adopted to fulfil the obligation of penance (on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities):
1) By abstaining from meat and having simple meals;
2) By abstaining from alcoholic drink, smoking or some form of amusement;
3) By making the special effort involved in family prayer, taking part in the Mass, a visit to the Blessed Sacrament or a more attentive reading of the Bible, visiting the Blessed Sacrament or praying the Stations of the Cross;
4) By fasting from all food for a longer period than usual and perhaps by giving what is saved in this way to the needy at home and abroad; and
5) By making a special effort to spend time with or help somebody who is poor, sick, old or lonely.

The obligation to do penance every Friday remains an essential part of our Christian life. However, the manner we do it can take a different form every Friday. It is hoped that all the faithful of this region may make that sincere effort in memory of the Passion and Death of our Lord.

May this Lenten Season be a special time of grace for all of us. May we learn to die to ourselves so that we will rise with Christ at Easter!

Yours devotedly in Christ,
Archbishop Nicholas Chia


Also read H.H. Pope Benedict's Lenten Message 2007

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Sunday, February 11, 2007  0 Comments

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

OPEN LETTER: The Divine Sower Commands Good Soil

In am writing this in response to Mr. Manuel Sacramento's online letter to the Catholic News (Wednesday, October 25th, 2006 at 6:37 am).

Though, I agree with him that "the Catholic Church needs more laborers in these crucial times". I do not agree with the way that he explains we should go about doing it; perhaps, he didn't read the first article on this topic, 'Importance of joining seminary for those discerning vocation to priesthood'.

The approach that Mr. Sacramento suggests is "to allow discernment while being in the world". This is not parallel to the teaching of the Council of Trent on Seminaries, 23rd Session. The holy council affirms that “unless young people are well educated, they can be easily be led astray towards the pleasures of the world.” Please be reminded that that declaration of the Council was made on the 15th July 1563. The "pleasures" that faced young Catholics back then, could not possibly be greater than that of today's. If that had to be the approach then, I don't see why not know.

The Council continues, “Also, unless they are trained in religion at the tenderest age, when the vicious habits have not entirely taken hold of them, it is impossible for them to persevere in a perfect fashion in Church discipline without great and special protection from Almighty God.” Look at all the abuses that are occurring now in the universal Church, one cannot help but be disgusted. It seems that the Council has already forewarned of this and has already provided a clear solution.

We have to remember that what the Church needs are not more theologians but priests after the heart of Jesus, holy, simple men who are willing to put their lives before others like the first martys, to care for souls and bring them back to God. To offer the spotless and immaculate victim on the Altar of Sacrifice.

To leave a soul to discern in the temptations of the world may no doubt strengthen the aspirant, but it will also cause many others to be lured to the pleasures of life. The world is not the place to test a vocation, my first letter that quoted author and Jesuit , Rev. Fr. William Doyle makes it dangerously clear,

“They urge that getting to know the world will develop their faculties and enable them to understand their own mind better; that such a process will broaden their views and help them to judge things at their proper value; finally, that a vocation which cannot stand such a trial, the buffeting of dangerous temptations, and the seductive allurements of worldly pleasures, to which it has been unnecessarily exposed, is no vocation and had far better be abandoned.”

There is a saying, by the fruits you can tell. The past 30 to 40 years have shown clearly that Mr. Sacramento's proposed method (no doubt noble in theory) is not bearing fruit?

Jesus in one of His parables tells us that only the seed that is planted in good soil would flourish and grow. Why then not plant the seeds in good soil as commanded by the divine sower?

God puts into the heart a coal.
It is up to those in authority to ensure it glows.
The external elements not only put out the glow,
it also destroys the coal.

In REPLY TO:

Church needs priests and religious of quality, not only quantity (Oct 25). I refer to the article written by Rose Loh in the October 29, 2006 issue of CN.

I most definitely agree that the Catholic Church needs more laborers in these crucial times. Indeed, temptations abound in our society today. But the urgent need for priests and religious is not only in terms of quantity, but also, of quality. By this I do not mean that opening the seminary to boys at an earlier stage of vocational discernment leads to ‘lower quality’ priests. But it certainly helps in the formation process of the future leaders of the Church that they fully understand the context in which our faith stands today. Certainly, faith does not grow in a vacuum, i.e., solely in the silent confines of the seminary. Precisely, Jesus calls us to be witnesses of His love and be engaged in the world. I see this as a motivation for the Church to allow discernment while being in the world.

We must remember that Jesus, Himself, was tempted by the devil ¬ not once, but thrice. It is precisely in knowing the enemy that we are able to fully prepare and equip ourselves to overcome temptation and sin. The complexity of the world today, brought by materialism and secular ideas, all the more are an imperative for pastors and shepherds who can handle the equally complex needs of the Church and its members. How can priests serve as good counsels and examples without the exposure to the real world? God is in and with the world. As the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (5:8) instructs as to be Lux in Domino, or Light in the World, we must BE that light. As such, advising those who are hearing the call of religious life to continuously discern while being engaged in reality is not and must not be equated with the Church driving the laborers away. Rather, it is an open invitation to perseveringly choose God more and more as we live our daily lives, and consequently and freely reject evil in all its forms.

Manuel Ricardo Sacramento
Singapore 120330

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Tuesday, October 31, 2006  3 Comments

Saturday, October 28, 2006

OPEN LETTER: Will Pending Indult Split The Church?

UPDATE: Pope Defends the Old Rite

Over the past few weeks, there has been news of a universal indult that would allow any priest anywhere in the world to celebrate the traditional Tridentine rite mass without the permission of the local bishop. While this may seem as good news to some, it's probably ringing the alarm bells in others. It is to my understanding that those who are not receiving this as good news are those who fear that this may cause a disunity in both the local and universal Church.

I'm sure that those who fear have good intentions for the growth of the Church. However, to do so aren't we forgetting the awesomeness of our Lord Jesus Christ and if I may put it bluntly, ignorant to the teachings of the Church.

In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The mystery of Christ is so unfathomably rich that it cannot be exhausted by its expression in any single liturgical tradition.” (CCC 1201).

It is a sad symptom of what is “certainly a genuine crisis” (Pope John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor, 5) in the current life of the Church that those faithful who are rightfully attached to the traditional Latin liturgy have been accused of being ‘divisive’ or of ‘causing disunity’ in virtue of their attachment. The Holy Father has condemned such unjust treatment of traditional Catholics and even asked forgiveness for…

“the at times partial, one-sided and erroneous application of the directives
of the Second Vatican Council, [which] may have caused scandal and
disturbance concerning the interpretation of the doctrine and the veneration due
to [theSacrament of the Holy Eucharist]” (Dominicae Cenae, III.12).
There is indeed a great threat to unity in the Church. It comes, however, from those who reject and disobey the apostolic tradition, not from those who uphold it:

“The criterion that assures unity amid the diversity of liturgical traditions
isfidelity to apostolic Tradition”(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1209).
Therefore, it is the actions of the majority of the mainstream Catholic Church clergy and laity who have deviated from fidelity to apostolic tradition that has plunged the Church into the crisis that all of us now face. Only if wisdom that respected history, tradition, and sensitivity had prevailed, there would have been a far better result and less division.

Futhermore, many young people have not heard of this rite of Mass that Pope Urban VII proclaimed as, ''the most beautiful thing this side of heaven". Perhaps, the church could also take this opportunity to expose young Catholics to the ancient Catholic religion and give them a sense of pride in their faith. Only with pride and zeal for their faith, will young people step out to serve in the various ministries on their own accord. The traditional Mass is the birth right of all Roman Catholics around the world.

The Second Vatican II Council refered to the Church as a Community, I'm sure that there are the older generation of Catholics who miss the old rite of Mass too, we have to be charitable and ensure that they do not feel left out. As a community of believers, we have to take into consideration all our brothers and sisters and not only our own intentions.

Perhaps, the spirit of our beloved late Holy Father John Paul II is with us now, expanding the 'new evangelization' he once called for. Let all of us look forward to the indult with warm, welcoming hearts.

May we turn to Holy Father Pope St. Pius X & Pope St. Pius V for the restoration of the Sacred Liturgy and Traditionalism in the Universal Church.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, October 28, 2006  2 Comments

OPEN LETTER: Communion on Hand

I am not sure whether faithful Catholics as well as Church authorities are aware about the problem (or rather danger) of receiving communion on the hand.

A seminarian brought this matter to my attention earlier this year and I decided to check it out for myself. Thus, over the course of the past two weeks, I received communion on my hand. The results were shocking! 5 out of the 14 times I received communion on my hand, I noticed sacred fragments of the consecrated host left behind. I consumed the fragments by licking my palm.

The truth is that many people do not realize this grave matter and simply rub their palms together or on their clothing after the reception of our Lord’s sacred body. I’m sure that they cannot be held accountable for sacrilege. However, we should respond by rectifying this problem. If we do not do something, our Eucharistic Lord will continue to be trampled on each day at mass.

One dogma of the Church comes immediately to mind when examining the reception of the Sacred Host on hand:

The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and
endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and
entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in
such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ. (Catechism of
the Catholic Church 1377) [Note 205: Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1641.]


Therefore, very great reverence, respect and care is to be taken of these fragments. Since this is the case, why would we multiply immensely the number of persons who are handling the Sacred Host?

Also, St. Augustine tells us that:

“Each receives Christ the Lord, and He is entire in each portion. He is not
diminished by being given to many, but gives Himself whole and entire to
each.... the body of our Lord is contained whole and entire under the least
particle of the bread."


If this is so, what about the Fragments that are being left on the hands of the faithful? Very great reverence, respect and care are to be taken of these fragments.

The sure way to solve this problem is to encourage every Catholic to receive communion on the tongue. Pope Paul VI tells us in Memoriale Domini that this method of reception is also more conducive to faith, reverence and humility, affirming that, "This method, on the tongue, must be retained”.

To this must be added three points:

The Eucharist is Core to our Faith.
Let us give it the reverence it deserves.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, October 28, 2006  1 Comments

OPEN LETTER: Seminary For Aspirants

Published: Catholic News, Sep 17 2006

I KNOW OF young Catholic men who, upon expressing their inclination to the priesthood, are told by the secular world (including Catholics), “You don’t know what you’re getting into. Go out and see what the world offers first; test the waters.”

I must say that such advice does seem prudent and practical in some aspects. But is such advice right? Should young men who are discerning listen to such advice?

Jesuit Father William Doyle wrote of such advice on a Vocational Website: “They urge that getting to know the world will develop their faculties and enable them to understand their own mind better; that such a process will broaden their views and help them to judge things at their proper value; finally, that a vocation which cannot stand such a trial, the buffeting of dangerous temptations, and the seductive allurements of worldly pleasures, to which it has been unnecessarily exposed, is no vocation and had far better be abandoned.”

St. Vincent de Paul once said that the world is not the place to “try a vocation”. For example, a farmer does not plant a seed in lousy soil to see if it grows. He grows it in fertile soil. Likewise, Catholics who are discerning cannot continue to test their vocation by staying in the world. The best place to test this vocation is the seminary.

Father Lessius writes, “Whosoever wishes to preserve and see grow in his heart, the seed which the Divine Sower has cast there, ought to fl y from the world and reach a safe refuge as soon as possible.” If one finds there is no vocation to the priesthood, than he is free to leave. After all, it doesn’t mean that one who enters the seminary is definitely going to enter the priesthood.
Now, I want to express what I feel about the statement in the first paragraph that both the secular world and some Catholics make to discerning young men, “You don’t know what you’re getting into. Go out and see what the world offers first; test the waters.”

People who make such statements do not value the priesthood in it’s fullness.

They are ignorant of the “Alter Christus” nature of the priesthood and have not grasped fully the mission of the Catholic Church. Take this analogy for example: What teacher ever told a student who professed an interest in being a teacher to stay away from college, and take a hiatus for a couple of years to see if he or she really really wants to give up a life of riley to be a respectable teacher? Their advice would have been something like this: “Take good classes in university, volunteer as a student-teacher at different levels to see what you’re best suited to teach, maybe get involved in community youth programmes at the local community centre.”

God is still calling many young men to serve him.
People are intercepting the calls.

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# posted by Vidimusdominum : Saturday, October 28, 2006  0 Comments

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