Bishop Strickland and Glenn Beck, a Tale of Two Shills
The March of the Shills continues...
About a week ago we had a summit of two shills, Bishop Strickland, former bishop of Tyler Texas, and Glenn Beck, who I trust needs no introduction. I listened to this exchange, not because I expected to be enlightened one iota regarding the unfolding crisis of Altar and Throne, but just to check in and see how shills roll. And, as expected, I was not disappointed.
First off, Bishop Strickland obviously does not know what the Deposit of Faith is. When asked by Glenn Beck, he replied, "Sacred scripture, the Magisterial Teaching of the church, documents down through the ages, the catechism captures the deposit of the faith. A lot of the writings of the early fathers that did not become scripture..."
Wrong answer, Your Excellency. The Sacred Deposit of Faith is the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles transmitted through Scripture and Tradition, that ended with the death of the Apostle St John. The Magisterial Teaching of Holy Mother Church and "documents down through the ages" are not part of that deposit. They clarify points where needed, condemn errors- their primary function, and embellish what has already been handed down.
But this dumpster fire is just getting started. We next learn that Bishop Strickland knew he was receiving the "Apostolic Visitation" before he trotted off to Los Angeles to take part in the protest against what Glenn Beck referred to as "The Sisters of Perpetual Mercy". (That is, "The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence". Seriously Glenn, for an interview of this calibre, some cursory research just might be in order. But, I know, the Big Game was last weekend...) Well that is quite the revelation. Why did not Bishop Strickland just say so when all those rumors were circulating about how Pope Frantic wants to shut down those protesting Sodomy? (Not that that is not obviously true.) Why did he allow that Tweetstorm to even ensue?
Strickland and Beck are agreed that God created male and female, and those roles are not interchangeable. That is a relief. Thank God for some small favors.
A lot of time is wasted talking about "Gay Marriage". Hey, Bishop Strickland, can you say "Sodomy"?
At one point, Bishop Strickland says that there are Catholics who are not of Christ and others not Catholic who "have the faith", and all of this after stating that "Christ does not believe in denominations". Needless to say, this is very confused language. Yes, I too meet people who I can say appear to be of good heart who are not Catholics. But I cannot say they have the Faith. I can only certainly say that when they become professed Catholics and hold the Deposit of Faith.
But the real trainwreck comes when Glenn Beck asked the bishop about "Christian Nationalism".
Bishop Strickland: "Honestly I don't have a lot of understanding of that. Christian and Nationalism I don't know how that fits together. But to me Jesus Christ is Universal and not a nation or denomination but a way of living the Truth that the Son of God has revealed to us. But Christian Nationalism… there is a lot I would reject in that..."
I guess Bishop Strickland never heard about the Reign of Christ the King.
Glenn Beck goes on to expostulate that "My First citizenship is the kingdom of God and my second is to the USA..." Sadly, a Mormon has a better conception here than a Catholic. (Of course, Beck is not being a good Mormon here. Mormons, as I recollect, do not believe Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God.)
Now we start discussing the Latin Mass, and here is Bishop Strickland's theology: "As long as Bread and Wine are brought forth, and the priest says the words of Consecration, you have a valid Mass. The language does not matter. There are 21 or so different rites of Mass." He then goes on to state that of course the Novus Ordo is valid.
Well, not exactly. First off, as discussed on this Blog previously, the matter of the Epiclesis is substantial. Next, most theologians postulate that transubstantiation will only take place within the context of the Roman Canon. A priest just cannot walk into a bakery and "consecrate" all the bread there by pronouncing the Words of Institution. Next, the Mass has three parts, the offertory, the Canon, and the Oblation of the Victim, which occurs during the "Communion" of the Priest. Bishop Strickland displays an appalling ignorance of Catholic Theology here.
Of course, Glenn Beck is being disingenuous too. He keeps acting like he is a Christian. He keeps talking as though Our Lord Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior, when Mormans believe nothing of the sort. He talks about saving souls. Mormons profess that only 144,000 will be saved, while the rest are either damned or the slaves of the elect, distributed over their 40 or so planets. It is all there in the "Book of Mormon", the original copy of which was originally written by the Angel Gabrial on gold letters on silver pages, as I recall. (Needless to say, the original copy is unavailable for some reason.)
Bishop Strickland then goes on to state that the Latin Mass is like the "Beautiful Symphony" while the Novus Ordo is like banging out a melody on the Piano. And the Latin Mass, he says, focuses clearly on Our Lord Jesus Christ. He keeps using the word "supernatural" when talking about the "Latin Mass".
I do agree with the bishop that the world definitely was not perfect before Vatican II.
Lastly, Glenn Beck mentioned Fatima and whether this might have a connection with the "End Times".
The reply of Bishop Strickland. "I go to Jesus and He said 'Only the Father knows...'"
Right, your excellency. Our Lady worked the greatest public miracle seen since Moses parted the Red Sea and spoke of "Various nations being annihilated". But nothing to see here folks. Move along... Move along.
What is interesting is that they had nothing to say about the latest thermonuclear blast from the Vatican: Fidulcia Supplicans.
And the Shills go marching on...