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Catholic Critique

Christian World View & Analysis

Catholic Social Teaching and Liberation Theology

In 2008 Nikolas Kozloff wrote in the New York Times,

“During the 1980s and 1990s Benedict, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, acted as John Paul II’s doctrinal czar. At the time, John Paul was in the midst of a fierce battle to silence prominent Church liberals.

“This conception of Christ as a political figure, a revolutionary, as the subversive of Nazareth,” the Pontiff once said, “does not tally with the church’s catechism.” [Italics supplied]

In 1983 the Pope wagged his finger at Sandinista government minister and Nicaraguan priest, Ernesto Cardenal on a trip to Managua, warning the latter to “straighten out the situation in your church.” Cardenal was one of the most prominent Liberation Theologians of the Sandinista era.

John Paul II admonishes Ernesto Cardenas against holding political office as priest

Joseph Ratzinger

… As prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog agency, Cardinal Ratzinger warned against the temptation to view Christianity in an exclusively political light. Liberation Theology, he once said, was dangerous as it fused “the Bible’s view of history with Marxist dialectics.”

Calling Liberation Theology a “singular heresy,” Ratzinger went on the offensive. He blasted the new movement as a “fundamental threat” to the church and prohibited some of its leading proponents from speaking publicly. In an effort to clean house, Ratzinger even summoned outspoken priests to Rome and censured them on grounds that they were abandoning the church’s spiritual role for inappropriate socioeconomic activism.

Hijacked

As Pope, Ratzinger [did] not [seek] to hide his lack of esteem for Liberation Theology. During a recent trip to Brazil, he was pressed by reporters to comment on Oscar Romero’s tragic murder in El Salvador. The Pope complained that Romero’s cause had been hijacked by supporters of liberation theology.

John Paul II, Oscar Romero

Commenting on a new book about the slain archbishop, the Pope said that Romero should not be seen simply as a political figure. Hoping to avoid any meaningful political discussion on the matter [i.e., what the Marxist Sandinistas cynically counted as “meaningful” SH], Benedict said

“He was killed during the consecration of the Eucharist. Therefore, his death is testimony of the faith.”  — The Pope’s Holy War Against Liberation Theology. BXVI. — Nikolas Kozloff, NYT, Apr. 30, 2008

Traditional Catholics especially must be mindful

Warning against Partiality. James Chapter 2

2 My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while you say to the poor man, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 

5 Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name by which you are called?

8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

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October 3, 2022October 3, 2022 SDHCatholic Social Justice, Catholic Social Teaching, Christology, Communism, Marxism, Cultural Marxism, Economics, Liberation Theologies, Marxism, Progressivism, Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Social Justice, Statism, Theological Progressivism, Traditional Catholic" Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Catholic Social Justice, Catholic Social Teaching, Christology, Communism, Karl Marx, Marxism, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Leo XIII, Progressivism, Sacred Tradition, Saint John Paul II, Social Justice, Socialism, Theological Progressivism

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The Bride and the Dragon
Rev. 12: 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the heavens and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. Confess the Faith, "in season and out". [2 Tim.4:2; Rom.10:9].
For our grandchildren ❤️ and the future. Note: Citing what I regard as a significant insight from an author or article does not imply any unconditional endorsement of the author’s entire philosophy, theology or worldview. SH

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Catholic Critique: 2024-26. There is no aim to teach here, only to share opinions, other content, thoughts or principles of interpretation which I have found to be helpful in spiritually challenging times. Any errors here are my own. All final judgments belong to the Church. - 2021-2026. - Stephen Hand, editor: sthand@email.com

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