Here is a list of accusations made by Francis against me and people like me, people who adhere to the Catechism and tradition:
1) rigid; 2) monopoly on the interpretation of social realities; 3) monopoly on the proposal of solutions to contemporary problems; 4) self-absorbed promethean neo Pelagianism; 5) trusting only in their own powers; 6) feeling superior to others; 7) observing certain rules; 8) remaining intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style from the past; 9) narcissistic and authoritarian elitism; 10) analyzes and classifies others; 11) inspecting and verifying; 12) adulterated forms of Christianity; 13) shut up within structures that give a false sense of security; 14) shut up within rules, which make harsh judges; 15) shut up within habits that feel safe; 16) sick.
Pelagianism definition: Whenever there is division, discord, or disaster in the Church, many seem to unwittingly embrace a Pelagian solution, which amounts to taking matters into their own hands and righting the situation on their own terms.
What exactly, sir, have I taken into my own hands? I did not invent the Catechism. I had no part in tradition. I merely accepted both as binding. I made a promise at Confirmation, age 12, so to do, and I will not renege. That makes me rigid and sick?
If anyone doubts the list of 16 accusations, I can provide the citation.
This is how I combat melancholy. I listen to someone who can express it for me -
1) rigid; 2) monopoly on the interpretation of social realities; 3) monopoly on the proposal of solutions to contemporary problems; 4) self-absorbed promethean neo Pelagianism; 5) trusting only in their own powers; 6) feeling superior to others; 7) observing certain rules; 8) remaining intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style from the past; 9) narcissistic and authoritarian elitism; 10) analyzes and classifies others; 11) inspecting and verifying; 12) adulterated forms of Christianity; 13) shut up within structures that give a false sense of security; 14) shut up within rules, which make harsh judges; 15) shut up within habits that feel safe; 16) sick.
Pelagianism definition: Whenever there is division, discord, or disaster in the Church, many seem to unwittingly embrace a Pelagian solution, which amounts to taking matters into their own hands and righting the situation on their own terms.
What exactly, sir, have I taken into my own hands? I did not invent the Catechism. I had no part in tradition. I merely accepted both as binding. I made a promise at Confirmation, age 12, so to do, and I will not renege. That makes me rigid and sick?
If anyone doubts the list of 16 accusations, I can provide the citation.
This is how I combat melancholy. I listen to someone who can express it for me -
Anyone who tampers with my emotions, the best part of me, is unallied with my Savior, because He is the One Who put them there and loves me for holding on to them, at every costly turn, whether emotional lacerations were caused by someone else, through my own fault, or by accident. If my emotions kill me, so be it, for they will take me out of this quagmire and into His life and embrace.
Here is a comment from one of my friends from St. Stephen –
“For you and me today, we are living in our section of this gigantic, turbulent river and it is confusing, we go under, we get pulled by the current so that we cannot even control our limbs, our brains are being drowned, we can’t figure out where we are going, and it’s beyond our control!
“Thinking about the Pope . . . the bend in the river is different, the rocks seem more formidable, but truly it is the same river that every person must endure.”
True friends keep you afloat.
Still, this pope, this senex et mari, writes and speaks from a secured loggia. If he came to my front door, alone, and made these accusations directly, the whole neighborhood would hear a door slam. He had a black eye once before.
He’s no father either. My own father got mad at me once in my life for defying him, but never, never did he attack my character. His name was Joe. He was a boxer in his youth and could have been arrested one night for disturbing the peace at a dancehall but was sent home instead by his brother-in-law cop. Joe was infinitely more saintly than F, abbreviation and grade for pontifex.
So, as I said, listening to music is a way for me to combat melancholy. Following is a mini lesson on levels of achievement for piano.
“Nocturne in C sharp minor” is one of Chopin’s more accessible pieces, not the easiest, around an RCM Level 9, yet difficult to play convincingly.
The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM)
- Elementary (Preparatory-Level 4)
- Intermediate (Level 5-8)
- Advanced (Level 9-10)
- Diplomas.
I would say I was at Level 8, slowly sliding into Level 9, when Joe, who liked hearing me play piano, coaxed me into playing sports exclusively. He knew that a solo act was not the best thing for a 15-year-old. Here is a repost that illustrates the levels:
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