"Saruman" Taylor Marshall's False Dichotomies on Francis

Dr. Taylor Marshall's podcast from Wednesday discusses Bergoglio and "civil unions"as well as Francis's status as Pope starting right about minute 27.

Unfortunately, Marshall sets up a false dichotomy. He represents our choice of responses as, "Bergoglio is a heretic, let's start a new Church," or "Bergoglio's the Pope and that's just the way it is." Who ever said anything about starting a new Church? There have been a number of anti-popes during the course of history and dealing with them has never meant that.

Then he uses the annulment analogy, and another false dichotomy sets in. Either a couple decides for themselves (which is wrong) or the couple waits passively for the judgment of the Church, declaring themselves incompetent even to form and advance a reasoned opinion.

This is ridiculous. If people couldn't form their own judgment, they couldn't petition the Tribunal in the first place. How could you wait for and submit to the judgment of the Church if the Church receives no petition to judge?

Like Gandalf talking to Saruman, I reject the options that Taylor has outlined here. I wonder, does he have others to offer? Because God does, and so does Canon Law.

Note: This was written by a good friend and one of the most intelligent persons I know. The Catholic Monitor is honored to post it.

Pray an Our Father now for the restoration of the Mass and the Church as well as for the Triumph of the Kingdom of the Sacred Heart of the Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Comments

CM7 said…

Dear Catholic Monitor,

On the same line of thought, a public declaration by the Church must proceed from a number of individual judgments by those who join their personal judgment to that of the body. IOW, those who say one acts against the Church prior to a declaration must condemn even those who partake in the process that precedes the public declaration. Being a Bishop or Cardinal does not grant a person any exceptions to the rule.

God bless.

11:32 AM

Fr. VF said…

Marshall often says totally off-the-wall things, such as: If you believe that Benedict is pope, but attend a Mass at which Bergoglio is named as pope, then you commit the mortal sin of schism, and if you don't attend Mass at all, you also commit the mortal sin of missing Mass.

10:09 PM

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