Dialoguing with the N-L-N-F and the Toads – Folha de S. Paulo, April 12, 1970

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

The NLNF mentioned in my latest article would not have liked the idea that the main issue in the modern world is the Church’s internal crisis. In fact, since they are used to viewing everything through the lens of old secular principles (because they have learned nothing and forgotten nothing), they would have thought that my statement is only acceptable from TFP’s perspective.

However, it so happens that some great truths are like very tall mountains that observers can see from very different points of view. Therefore, it is not surprising that a few days ago, while assessing the world situation from a perspective very different from ours, the columnist of the Notes and Information section of O Estado de São Paulo wrote this clear statement: “We make no secret of our conviction that, by its very nature, the Church is not only the most suitable institution but even the only one in a position to point the way forward for humanity at a time of such grave disorientation.” From this, it logically follows that the crises and wavering in the Church are the most catastrophic events of our time.

Perhaps this quote will help some N-L-N-F open their eyes…

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The Church’s crucial role in today’s crisis—this complements the latest article—is partly because our era is far more religious and traditionalist than many realize. This is especially true for the renewal of religious and traditionalist spirit among young people, more than for what remains of tradition and faith among older generations.

A few days ago, I read in a newspaper that a survey conducted by Paris Match magazine found that most French youth are “conservative and traditionalist” in their tendencies. About a thousand young people between 15 and 23 years old were surveyed, and the majority of them believe in God, prefer marriage over cohabitation, and want to have children.

Perhaps more exciting is another piece of news from Russia: the mature generation—specifically the one where N-L-N-Fs are most common—is the least represented in churches. Eighty percent of attendees are grandparents, and 20% are grandchildren—young people in whom the faith abandoned by their parents is being reborn. This spring is blooming in the middle of the Soviet winter!

Therefore, the N-L-N-F are mistaken in thinking they are in tune with the times. The times are quite different from what they believe.

This observation is crucial in our times, shaken by frenetic “aggiornamento” propaganda.

* * *

That said, it’s natural for any impartial observer to be very concerned about all signs of disorientation in Catholic circles.

The reader shouldn’t be surprised that I am once again discussing progressivism, this fever that is driving important parts of the Church into a frenzy.

I have a communist propaganda pamphlet in my hands, with a poor graphic design, obviously made to incite class struggle among us. Who do the communists seek support from in this pamphlet? Clearly, from the groups they’ve been working with, in addition to the standard “peasants and workers,’ including “students, intellectuals, and progressive clergy.” The communists expect nothing from the non-progressive clergy but pin their hopes on the progressive clergy. As they themselves say, the progressive area is the zone where communism influences the Church.

What could be clearer? Nothing.

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On the other hand, I know nothing more obscure than the impunity of the communist-progressive priest Joseph Coblin within the Church.

The historic petition, signed by 1,600,368 Brazilians, urging Paul VI to take action against communist infiltration in the clergy, made Fr. Comblin widely known by presenting him with proper documentation as a subversive example.

Let all readers be aware that the Belgian agitator, comfortably residing in the Archdiocese of Recife, continues his activities without any ecclesiastical reprimand. According to information I have just received, he has recently preached in several (or all, as the news was not complete) dioceses of Piauí.

The informant is reliable. Is the news accurate? Here is an appeal for someone to deny it if it isn’t. How relieved I would be if such a denial were made! For isn’t it a nightmare to contemplate this aberrant impunity in the Church of God?

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These unfortunate priests and nuns who plunge into the turbulent waters of progressivism remain unmoved, even when shown they are acting against the Church and their country. Will they be surprised to learn they are fighting against themselves?

Prof. James T. Nix from the University of Louisiana (USA) studied the health of 100,000 nuns who followed traditional rules before the progressive hurricane. He found that their average lifespan (76 years) was higher than the national average (65 years), mainly because of the living conditions created by those traditional rules.

Progressives are strongly criticizing this significant protection of women religious’ moral and physical well-being.

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Finally, here is some news that, although not directly related to religious issues, we cannot fail to comment on.

Despite facing a severe economic crisis, the Soviets—according to a recent article in Pravda—claim to have attracted Latin America into their trade sphere, with the declared goal of partially distancing it from the US.

Pravda states that Moscow offers commercial benefits and gives the nations in this hemisphere that trade with it a political edge. This is because Fidel Castro has stopped encouraging unrest in these countries at the Kremlin’s order.

With a cynicism unusual even among communists, Pravda explains how communism benefits from attracting Latin American countries. Communists aim to stir up in them an anti-imperialist wave that will make the establishment of a communist regime inevitable.

Some argue that trade relations with communist countries are limited to the economic realm and do not promote the communist cause, and no argument can change their mind. They are the “toads.”

Will Pravda’s cynical confession persuade them? I don’t think so. Changing a toad’s opinions is harder than destroying Sugarloaf Mountain with a pickaxe.

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This article, which strongly aims to persuade the N-L-N-F, ends with an argument for the toads, not to win them over but to show our readers how mistaken the toads are.