Why do orthodox Catholics argue?
June 14, 2023
Author: Stephen Augustine
A Traditional View
February 15, 2021
I have been thinking about the divide between “conservatives” and “traditionalists” over 20 years. I put those terms in quotes, because they were never adequate (for reasons I will explain later elsewhere). I nearly completed a paper about it, but then Benedict became Pope and the issue seemed much less pressing. Then came Pope Francis, … More A Traditional View
Concerning Those Who “Cannot See the Difference”
July 21, 2020
This essays by G. K. Chesterton speaks to the blindness that often underlies disagreements: Why do people think it intelligent to say, “I can see no difference!” It is nowadays quite a mark of culture to say that one can see no difference between a man and a woman, or a man and an angel, … More Concerning Those Who “Cannot See the Difference”
The implications of the involvement of the Holy Ghost (and Satan) in the Church are too enormous for us to handle well.
May 14, 2020
The Holy Ghost always wants the good for the Church: so when bad things happen in the Church, they are within His permissive will but not His active will. Satan always wishes the bad for the Church, and while God brings good out of evil, the direct evil is desired only by Satan. It is … More The implications of the involvement of the Holy Ghost (and Satan) in the Church are too enormous for us to handle well.
What is Catholic vs Who is Catholic
May 14, 2020
The damage in relationships occur when the discussion turns from what is Catholic to who is Catholic–typically accompanied by strong implications that the person disagreeing with you is not really Catholic. Of course, this is sometimes true, but when you are dealing with a fellow orthodox Catholic, making such claims is spectacularly unwise. To use … More What is Catholic vs Who is Catholic
Are there really any “doubtful matters” concerning which we may disagree?
May 14, 2020
But the common saying, expressed in various ways and attributedto various authors, must be recalled with approval: in essentials,unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity. Pope John XXIII: Ad Petri Cathedram (1959) But there really are no “doubtful matters”, are there? I mean according to us, not according to the Church. And charity? … More Are there really any “doubtful matters” concerning which we may disagree?
Why Discussing Church Problems is Difficult
April 21, 2020
Such discussions often become heated and unproductive for three basic reasons: 1. Are there really any “doubtful matters” concerning which we may disagree? Yes. One need only to spend time with the Eastern churches that are in full communion with Rome to see that there is lots of room for legitimate differences within orthodox belief … More Why Discussing Church Problems is Difficult
Why We Seldom Convince Anybody of Anything on the Internet
April 7, 2020
Some of the reasons (which are often inter-related)… A. Difficulties specific the Church are discussed here. B. General problems: You can’t convince somebody of that which they refuse to believe, and self-deception is the true pandemic of our age. Although we can easily see the faults of others–both real and imagined–our own faults are much … More Why We Seldom Convince Anybody of Anything on the Internet
About Us
December 22, 2019
Overview. Stephen Augustine is an American raised in Indiana and Michigan, and who has lived mostly in the Eastern USA since then. He first became involved in G.K. Chesterton groups about 1997: attending lectures, discussions, performances, and conferences. He, and his wife, started a local group in 2013 which successfully ran for 4 years until … More About Us
Pageant of Life (1932)
July 4, 2017
This is a discussion of Fr. Dudley’s 3rd novel for those who have already read the book: it has some spoilers. There is one character that caries forward into his next novel (The Coming of the Monster) June Campion. This is his darkest novel, and the introductory note states: “I have endeavoured to present…an antithesis … More Pageant of Life (1932)