Modernists do not care about Divine Truth Rev. J. Vida Elmer 5-15-83

by Joseph Saraceno

Rev. J. Vida ElmerRev. J. Vida Elmer

My booklet, “The Smoke of the AntiChrist”, has met enthusiastic approval by traditionalist Catholics in the United States and in Europe (A zealous Catholic soul is working on the German and French editions). Some of the readers, in their zeal for the REMNANT CHURCH, intend to send the above booklet to the Novus Ordo priests, nuns and bishops, hoping that reading this booklet will open their eyes, and will be instrumental in their conversion to the traditional Catholic Faith.

I do not discourage anybody from distributing this booklet.  However, I must caution these zealous souls not to become disappointed if they do not see their hope coming true. Conversion is made by the help of inner grace of God which is given to those who love the truth. Modernists do not care about Divine Truth.  These are the ones about whom St. Paul wrote the following: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, who have both tasted the heavenly gift and become partakers of the Holy Spirit, who have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, and then have fallen away, to be renewed again to repentance; since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and make Him a mockery.” (Hebrews 6, 4-6)

Our Lord Himself said: “Amen I say to you, that all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of man . . .  but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, never has forgiveness, but will be guilty to an everlasting sin.” (Mk 3, 28-30)  (Confer also: Mt. 12,31)

Archbishop LefebvreArchbishop Lefebvre

TURMOIL IN THE SOCIETY OF ST. PIUS X
Since the controversial DECLARATION ON THE NEW MASS AND THE POPE published by Archbishop Lefebvre in November, 1979, traditional Catholics, to their chagrin, have discovered signs of change in the speeches and actions of Abp. Lefebvre. In 1976, the Archbishop condemned the Second Vatican Council, the Conciliar Church and its leaders with unequivocal words as heretics and schismatics. By doing this, he has gained the confidence and love of millions of faithful Catholics. However, after the above mentioned DECLARATION, he has been seeking (for whatever reason, we don’t know yet) a reconciliation and rapport with the same unrepentant Conciliar Church. Because of this, he had to face open criticism from outsiders (not members of his Society). In the U.S., the Western part of his Society supported the change in course by the Archbishop. However, most of the priests of the Eastern District have been dissatisfied with the proposed changes, and regarded them as a betrayal of the trust that Catholics had granted to the Abp., – but they kept their disappointment under lid until recently.

On March 25, 1983, nine priests of the Eastern District petitioned (in a respectful way) the Abp. for correcting the wrong course. As an answer, the Abp. fired the nine priests who had signed the petition. This act, like an explosion, brought the latent problems into the air.

For further comments, we would rather wait until the dust subsides. I am sure that there will be a lot of comments, discussions, evaluations. On top of them, possibly lawsuits will follow over the ownership of the different properties.

This is a tragic event for the followers of Abp. Lefebvre, and in a broader view, for all traditional Catholics. If every cloud has a silver lining, I hope that the silver lining of this cloud will bring some clarification of who is really faithful to TRADITION, and who is not.  The REMNANT CHURCH and CATHOLIC TRADITION will survive with or without Archbishop Lefebvre.

Some good traditional people think that if they read all the so-called ‘traditionalist’ newsletters upon which they could put their hands, they would get more information for orientation.  I am afraid this indiscriminate reading habit will bring them confusion rather than information. Selective reading is the first step toward arriving to the right conclusions and unwavering faith.

There is a lot of junk on the market. So, for the sake of your soul, please, discard the junk and keep only one or two really good traditional newsletters.  Those writers who cannot distinguish between the Catholic Church and the Conciliar Church as opposing and excluding each other, are not really traditionalist persons.