First English Edition (October 2006)
Translated by The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property® – TFP®
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Table of Contents
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF THE AMBIENCE IN WHICH CATHOLIC ACTION EMERGED
a) Disorganization of the Liberal States
b) Universal Panic
c) Dictatorships
d) The Supreme Catastrophe
PIUS XI FOUNDS CATHOLIC ACTION
Hopes and Triumphs
Exaggerations
Errors:
a) Regarding Spiritual Life
b) Regarding Apostolate
c) Regarding Discipline
THE REASON FOR THIS BOOK
THE SPIRIT IN WHICH WE WRITE IT
SUAVE TRUTHS, AUSTERE TRUTHS
DANGEROUS ONE-SIDEDNESS
CHARACTER OF THIS WORK
PART I – JURIDICAL CHARACTER OF CATHOLIC ACTION
CHAPTER 1 – DOCTRINE ON CATHOLIC ACTION AND THE MANDATE OF THE HIERARCHY
THE ORIGIN OF CATHOLIC ACTION’S PRESENT ORGANIZATIONS
JURIDICAL CHARACTER OF CATHOLIC ACTION: THE MANDATE OF CATHOLIC ACTION
NOTIONS ABOUT THE MANDATE
ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIL MEANING OF “MANDATE”
HIERARCHICAL CHARACTER OF CATHOLIC ACTION DEDUCED FROM THE MANDATE
CONCRETE CONSEQUENCES:
a) Regarding Other Lay Organizations
b) Regarding the Hierarchy
c) Regarding the Organization and Methods of Apostolate of Catholic Action
IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS
CHAPTER 2 – REFUTATION OF THE ERRONEOUS DOCTRINES
DEVELOPMENT OF SOME NOTIONS GIVEN IN THE PRECEDING CHAPTER
PHILOSOPHICAL INCONSISTENCY OF THE DOCTRINES DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING CHAPTER
OF THE VARIOUS KINDS OF COLLABORATION
ALL HAVE THE SAME ESSENCE
AND PRODUCE ANALOGOUS CONSEQUENCES
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MANDATE AND COLLABORATION
MANDATE AND DELEGATION
SUMMARY OF THE NOTIONS GIVEN IN THIS CHAPTER THUS FAR
MANDATE AND COLLABORATION IN REGARD TO THE LAY APOSTOLATE
THE MANDATE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO GIVE CATHOLIC ACTION A JURIDICAL ESSENCE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF OTHER LAY ORGANIZATIONS
THE MANDATE IS MERELY A WAY OF GRANTING POWERS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE POWERS GRANTED
THERE ARE OTHER WORKS ENDOWED WITH A MANDATE WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN ATTRIBUTED A JURIDICAL ESSENCE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF OTHER WORKS OF LAY APOSTOLATE
SOME FAITHFUL ARE ALSO ENDOWED WITH MANDATES, BUT THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THEIR STATUS OF SUBJECTS IN HOLY MOTHER CHURCH
PAPAL DOCUMENTS
SUMMONSES AND MANDATES PREVIOUS TO THE CREATION OF THE PRESENT STRUCTURE OF CATHOLIC ACTION
CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 3 – THE TRUE NATURE OF THE MANDATE OF CATHOLIC ACTION
THERE IS AN ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MANDATE GIVEN TO THE HIERARCHY BY OUR LORD AND THE MANDATE GIVEN BY THE HIERARCHY TO CATHOLIC ACTION
WHAT THIS DIFFERENCE IS NOT
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MANDATE RECEIVED BY THE HIERARCHY
IN WHAT SENSE CAN CATHOLIC ACTION COLLABORATE WITH THE HIERARCHY?
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MANDATE OF THE LAITY
ARE THERE IN THE CHURCH MANDATES OTHER THAN THOSE RECEIVED BY THE HIERARCHY?
THE GREAT HIERARCHICAL MANDATE—THE VARIOUS MANDATES OF THE SUBJECTS
a) That in Which They Are Equal—First Distinction
b) In What They Are Different – Second Distinction
THE LEADERS OF CATHOLIC ACTION UNQUESTIONABLY HAVE A CERTAIN AUTHORITY; BUT ONE CANNOT CLAIM THAT SUCH AUTHORITY HAS AN ESSENCE IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE HIERARCHY
GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE PRECEDING CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 4 – THE DEFINITION OF PIUS XI
ONE MORE ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF THE HIERARCHICAL ESSENCE OF THE APOSTOLATE OF CATHOLIC ACTION: THE DEFINITION OF CATHOLIC ACTION BY HIS HOLINESS PIUS XI
ERRONEOUS THESES
THE MANNER OF REFUTING THESE THESES
THE ELEMENTS OF THE ISSUE
THE ERROR COMMON TO THE TWO STATEMENTS WE REFUTE
THE PARTICULAR ERROR OF THOSE WHO MAINTAIN THAT CATHOLIC ACTION PARTICIPATES IN THE HIERARCHY
THE PARTICULAR ERROR OF THOSE WHO MAINTAIN THAT CATHOLIC ACTION HAS HIERARCHICAL FUNCTIONS
CONCLUSION
EVEN IF THE PREVIOUSLY REFUTED THESES WERE ADMISSIBLE, PIUS XI DID NOT GIVE CATHOLIC ACTION PARTICIPATION IN THE HIERARCHY OR IN HIERARCHICAL FUNCTIONS
ANALYSIS OF WHAT “HIERARCHICAL APOSTOLATE” IS
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIERARCHICAL APOSTOLATE AND LAY APOSTOLATE
DID THE DEFINITION OF PIUS XI GIVE THE LAITY A PARTICIPATION IN THE HIERARCHICAL POWERS?
VARIOUS MEANINGS OF “PARTICIPATION”
WHICH OF THEM IS THE LEGITIMATE ONE?
PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION
THE DEFINITION OF PIUS XI: ITS TRUE MEANING
SEMI-OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION OF THE DEFINITION OF PIUS XI
“PARTICIPATION” IN THE LIGHT OF CANON LAW
CONCLUSION
NOTICE
CHAPTER 5 – FUNDAMENTAL ERRORS
A CONSEQUENCE OF THE ERRORS WE REFUTE
THE SITUATION OF THE CLERGY UNTIL NOW
HOW SOME INTEND TO BELITTLE AND ULTIMATELY DESTROY THIS SITUATION
CONCRETE EXAMPLES OF WHAT WOULD RESULT
ARE WE RETURNING TO THE TIME OF “MASONIFIED” CONFRATERNITIES?
WILL ONE OF OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL TRADITIONS DISAPPEAR TO OUR APPLAUSE?
WILL THE AUTHORITY OF THE PASTOR AND SCHOOL DIRECTORS BE MUTILATED?
TO WHAT WILL THE AUTHORITY OF THE BISHOPS BE REDUCED?
CHAPTER 6 – THE CLERGY IN CATHOLIC ACTION
COMPLEXITY OF THE CHURCH’S GOVERNMENT
SPECIAL FORMATION OF THE CLERGY
INVALUABLE GUARANTEES WITH WHICH THE CHURCH PROTECTS HERSELF
ERRORS ABOUT THE ESSENCE OF CATHOLIC ACTION EXPOSE THESE GUARANTEES TO MOST GRAVE RISKS
IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS:
a) In Regard to the Intentions with Which Many People Defend These Errors
b) In Regard to the Advantage of the Spirit of Initiative and Frank Cooperation in the Laity
c) In Regard to the Preeminence of the Fundamental Organizations of Catholic Action over the Auxiliaries
PART II – CATHOLIC ACTION AND THE INTERIOR LIFE
CHAPTER 1 – GRACE, FREE WILL, AND LITURGY
LITURGY AND INTERIOR LIFE
THE “MANDATE” AND INTERIOR LIFE
TRADITIONAL ASCETICISM
THE WORK OF THE COUNTER-REFORMATION
THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY SEE
THE ORIGIN OF THESE ERRORS
THE RULES OF CHRISTIAN MODESTY
CHAPTER 2 – SIMILARITY TO “MODERNISM”
A COMPLETE DOCTRINAL SYSTEM
DIFFICULT FOR OBSERVERS TO PERCEIVE
BECAUSE OF THE METHODS USED TO SPREAD IT
MAN SHOULD BE DELIVERED FROM THE SOURNESS OF THE INTERIOR STRUGGLE
GIVING AN ERRONEOUS LITURGICAL FORMATION
CHAPTER 3 – THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
LITURGY AND MORTIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING OF THE HOLY SEE
DEVOTIONS APPROVED BY THE CHURCH MAY NOT BE ATTACKED
ONE CANNOT ADMIT CONTRADICTIONS IN THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS ORDERS
PART III – INTERNAL PROBLEMS OF CATHOLIC ACTION
CHAPTER 1 – ORGANIZATION, REGULATIONS, AND PENALTIES
NEW CONCEPTS ON THE CATHOLIC LAY MOVEMENT
a) Regarding Various Devotions
b) Regarding Periodical Acts of Piety in Common
c) Regarding the Promotion of Intimate Sociability among Its Members and Having a Recreation Center
d) Regarding Rules on Attire, Fashions, and the Like
A CURIOUS CONTRADICTION
a) On Applying Penalties to Guilty Members
MEEKNESS AND PERSUASION BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE
IS IT A LACK OF CHARITY TO PUNISH?
THE REAL PANORAMA
SYSTEMATIC IMPUNITY IS A LACK OF CHARITY
a) Towards Society
b) For Those Who Merit Punishment
c) Toward Those in Danger
d) Toward the Good
PUNISHMENT DOES NOT DEPRIVE CATHOLIC ACTION OF USEFUL AUXILIARIES
NOR DOES IT HARM THE AMBIENCE OF CATHOLIC ACTION
LET US AVOID ANY KIND OF ONE-SIDEDNESS
THE SPIRIT OF “MASONIFIED” FRATERNITIES
PUNISHMENT IS A HARSH NECESSITY
CHAPTER 2 – ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS
DIMINISHES THE DIGNITY OF CATHOLIC ACTION, IS INEFFECTIVE, PARTICULARLY IN BRAZIL
HOW SHOULD CATHOLIC ACTION RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS?
INTERIOR LIFE IS SUPERIOR TO TECHNICAL FORMATION
CHAPTER 3 – AUXILIARY ASSOCIATIONS—THE “APOSTOLATE OF CONQUEST”
THE PROBLEM
AUXILIARY ASSOCIATIONS MUST NOT DISAPPEAR
IT IS NO LESS SO WITH CATHOLIC ACTION
A SIMPLISTIC SOLUTION
THE PROBLEM’S TRUE CHARACTERISTICS
PIUS XII INDICATES NEW DIRECTIONS
ATTACKING THE PREROGATIVES OF CATHOLIC ACTION IS NEFARIOUS AND VAIN
ANOTHER FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM’S TRUE ASPECT
CHARITY ESTABLISHES PRIORITIES
a) We Should Concern Ourselves Above All With the Sanctification and Perseverance of the Good
b) Secondly, We Should Bring Sinners Back to the Life of Grace
EXPANDING THIS DOCTRINE CANNOT HARM THE APOSTOLATE WITH INFIDELS AND HERETICS
“APOSTOLATE OF CONQUEST”
AN OBJECTION
PART IV – HOW SOME IN CATHOLIC ACTION PROPOSE TO DISSEMINATE THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
Chapter 1 – HOW TO PRESENT CATHOLIC DOCTRINE
THERE IS A GREAT VARIETY OF SOULS
IMPLICITLY, THERE MUST BE A GREAT VARIETY OF APPROACHES IN THE APOSTOLATE
A “TECHNIQUE OF APOSTOLATE” THAT FAILS TO TAKE THIS FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH INTO ACCOUNT WILL ERR
“STRATEGIC RETREAT,” THE ONLY METHOD OF APOSTOLATE
THE CROSS OF CHRIST DOES NOT DRIVE NEOPHYTES AWAY FROM CATHOLIC ACTION
THESE DOCTRINES ARE ERRONEOUS BECAUSE THEY PRESUPPOSE A FALSE PANORAMA
AND SO THEY FAIL TO EMPLOY RESOURCES OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
…RESOURCES OUR LORD EMPLOYED
…WHOSE REJECTION THE HOLY SEE CONDEMNED
IT IS SEVERELY PUNISHED BY GOD
Chapter 2 – THE “COMMON GROUND” TACTIC
THE “COMMON GROUND” TACTIC AND RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENTISM
THE “COMMON GROUND” TACTIC AND FERVENT CATHOLICS
THE TRUE ATTITUDE
AN IMPORTANT RESERVATION
LET US NOT HIDE THE AUSTERITY OF OUR RELIGION
LET US NOT DEIFY POPULARITY
THE CHURCH NEITHER DESPISES NOR REJECTS POPULARITY
NOR DOES SHE MAKE IT THE END OF HER EFFORTS
CONCLUSION
CHARITY CANNOT OBFUSCATE THE TRUTH
THE EXAMPLE OF BISHOP VITAL MARIA GONÇALVES DE OLIVEIRA
LET US ADJUST OUR METHODS TO THE PRESENT-DAY MENTALITY
Chapter 3 – THE “APOSTOLATE OF INFILTRATION”
“APOSTOLATE OF INFILTRATION”
VARIETY OF AMBIENCES
PLURALITY OF ATTITUDES
HOW TO DO “APOSTOLATE OF INFILTRATION”
WHAT TO THINK OF DANCES?
Chapter 4 – NEUTRAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE TERMS OF THE PROBLEM
THE SOLUTION
THE DOCTRINE WE REFUTE
WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS BAD ABOUT IT
SHOULD CATHOLIC ACTION USE WORKSHOPS?
PART V – CONFIRMATION BY THE NEW TESTAMENT
CHAPTER 1 – IMPORTANCE OF THIS CHAPTER
SINNERS BEFORE AND AFTER CHRIST
EVANGELICAL PROCEDURE TOWARD MEN OF EVIL DOCTRINE
THE PREACHING OF AUSTERE TRUTHS
LET US PREACH MORTIFICATION AND THE CROSS
FORTITUDE AND SAGACITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
LET US FOLLOW THE LESSON OF THE GOSPEL WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 – CATHOLIC ACTION: ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A DEFINITION
- The Definition of Pius XI
- Collaboration or Participation
- In the First Encyclical of Pius XII
- Precious Fruits of the Definition
- Hierarchy and Laity
- Knitting a Tighter Union Between Priesthood and Laity
- At the Present Time
- The Commission of Cardinals in Italy
- The Ecclesiastical Assistants
- Substantial Continuity of Catholic Action
APPENDIX 2 – APOSTOLIC LETTER OF POPE PIUS X ON THE SILLON (AUGUST 25, 1910)
THE SILLON DID HAVE CONSIDERABLE QUALITIES
BUT THE GRAVITY OF ITS DEFECTS WAS EVEN GREATER
THAT FORCED THE POPE TO CONDEMN IT
THE SILLON TRIES TO DODGE CHURCH AUTHORITY
THE SILLON’S EGALITARIAN TENDENCIES ARE ERRONEOUS
EXPOUNDING THE SILLON’S SUBVERSIVE AND REVOLUTIONARY DOCTRINES
REFUTATION
THE EGALITARIAN STRUCTURE OF THE SILLON’S ORGANIZATION
THE ANARCHICAL SPIRIT IT INSTILLS
THE SILLON HAS A HATEFUL INTOLERANCE
EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO CHURCH PRINCIPLES
ONE OF SILLON’S GRAVE ERRORS IS INTERCONFESSIONALISM
FOR THIS REASON, THE SILLON CEASED BEING CATHOLIC
THE SILLON AND THE PLOTS OF CHURCH ENEMIES
THE SILLON CONVEYS A DISTORTED IDEA OF THE DIVINE REDEEMER
EXHORTATION TO THE EPISCOPATE
MEMBERS OF THE SILLON MUST OBEY