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Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
IN DEFENSE OF CATHOLIC ACTION
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First English Edition (October 2006) Translated by The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property® - TFP® Copyright © 2006 The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property® - TFP® 1358 Jefferson Road, Spring Grove, Penn. 17362 Tel.: (866) 661-0272 www.tfp.org All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property® - TFP®. The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property® and TFP® are registered names of The Foundation for a Christian Civilization, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. |
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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 1. The Definition of Pius XI 2. Collaboration or Participation 3. In the First Encyclical of Pius XII 4. Precious Fruits of the Definition 5. Hierarchy and Laity 6. Knitting a Tighter Union Between Priesthood and Laity 7. At the Present Time 8. The Commission of Cardinals in Italy 9. The Ecclesiastical Assistants 10. 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
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