"What then should a Catholic do if some portion of the Church detaches itself from communion of the universal Faith? What choice can he make if some new contagion attempts to poison, no longer a small part of the Church, but the whole Church at once, then his great concern will be to attach himself to antiquity which can no longer be led astray by any lying novelty."
-- St. Vincent of Lerins
Mr. Blosser
ReplyDeleteWith absolutely no per-conceived opinion.. Why recent event(s) motivated you to post this excellent quote?
Thanks
Too late.
ReplyDeleteKarl
Tramtrist,
ReplyDeleteBecause, the topic is implicitly everywhere -- first, in the numerous articles insisting that everything is okay, the Barque of St. Peter is taking on no water, the Princes of Holy Mother Church are still adhering steadfastly to apostolic tradition; and, second, there are many who seem to be either headed towards the precipice of schism or who have thrown in the towel, like the author of the comment following yours.
We all need reminding that, even if THE CHURCH is an article of Faith, and even if the CHURCH is built upon the rock of ST. PETER, the rock on which our Catholic Faith rests is not the personal opinions or preferences of this or that prelate, but on the apostolic deposit of the Faith that has been passed down to us, to which St. Paul admonishes us to faithfully "hold fast" (2 Thes. 2:15), and from which he admonishes us never to depart, even if "an angel from heaven" should proclaim it to us (Gal. 1:8).
The faithful should not live in the anxious belief that the integrity of the Catholic Faith rests on the outcome of a given synod or the meaning of off-the-cuff opinions of the Holy Father that are tweeted by the media. The integrity of their Faith rests on its Divine Author and His promises.
Our task as members of the Church's faithful is to pray for our shepherds, yes, but primarily to see to our own fidelity to the Gospel and prepare our own souls for our Lord's particular judgment that awaits us at our death. I am thankful also for others who have also reminded me of this.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to spam, but, very related:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.unamsanctamcatholicam.com/apologetics/86-contra-protestantism/481-vincentian-canon.html
Also can you post the chapter and passage where you found that excellent quote?