Just more smoke and mirrors from Rome pretending they have never changed course in the past before. What a tragic church Rome is. To claim it has a sacred tradition which keeps then from ever be able to truly reform. So, throughout it's history, just continue to do things like this. My guess is many will move into eastern orthodox and God willing, many will come to a true church like the reformed tradition, that is, come to Jesus through faith alone.
Cardinal Burke has an established record as an outspoken conservative with a willingness to buck the system. He was appointed Cardinal by PBXVI in his attempt to pack the curia with as many traditionalists as possible. That an organization as old and large as the RCC has dissenters and anti-factions within its ranks is not at all surprising. Church history has demonstrated this over and over again.
Oh yes sir! If we are talking about mainline protestants and broadly evangelical Christians, even some reformed, that situation is an absolute train wreck. There is much valid criticism against protestants today. But as we know, there is the visible church and the invisible church.
Burke only “gently” bucks the system. He’s careful to stay within bounds, not following through on the Dubia threat. Many see him as cowardly because of this. Only Vigano and Strickland have any conservative backbone. It’s estimated that fewer than 10% of Catholics could be considered conservative in their moral or theological views. Yet these trads cling to their dogmas fiercely. Much if not most is simply arrogance and a refusal to acknowledge the reality of Rome’s disintegration. Of course, they look at Protestantism and it’s no wonder they are repelled. In my occasional forays onto their websites I can only counsel them to read the Scriptures and trust in Christ. Occasionally I get a warm response.
No doubt there are problems with many of the "professing Christian" world. As for the arrogance, let us check ourselves frequently. I have been guilty of pride many times in my life. However, it is likely the charge is going to be slander in many cases. The true church will always be persecuted because men love the darkness rather than the light. But let us continue to preach the true gospel anyway as God will have his people.
I agree with you about the dismal state of Protestantism, although polls do show significant differences in acceptance of same-sex marriage for example. But we are beset with the same problems and I am truly sympathetic to their situation. I should have been clearer about the source of arrogance. I was thinking about the doctrine of extra ecclesiam nulls salus which I encounter frequently. Without connection to the visible Roman communion (The Church that Jesus Built), one is simply outside the possibility of salvation. Lumen Gentium softened this dogma considerably but it is held by almost all traditional Catholics . Protestants of all stripes are dismissed as mere heretics. Of course, when I comment on a Trad site I don’t argue doctrine or present historical evidence. No polemics, treated respectfully. But I point them to Christ and Apostolic teaching. Some trads seem open to this. God’s Word is so powerful.
