Michael Fighting
"Michael…who standeth for…thy people," — Dan. 12:1-12
News Release
Condit's false syllogism on physical succession to the papacy:
A definite DISCONNECT
"There have been numerous pop-up conclaves of people here and there --- with the distinguishing characteristic that they have NO connection to Pius XII. Cardinal Siri was at the conclave in 1958, and did have a connection. Therefore, Gary Giuffre's research is credible and holds the most likely solution to the current crisis, in one way or another."
Jim Condit Jr. recently made the above statement to Lucio Mascarenhas in response to Mascarenhas' general refutation of the Siri farce and his more recent condemnation of David Hobson. (See details at http://www.geocities.com/livrant/hobsonmania.html)
The above syllogism, based on a false premise that ignores the doctrine of the Church, is a classic example of divorcing Thomistic philosophy from its necessarily theological foundations and thereby confusing and misleading the faithful, (see May 2 release, Breaking News).
A syllogism founded on a false premise cannot stand. The false premise is the implied need for a "connection" and Condit's erroneous interpretation of that connection. That such a misconception could be held by one claiming proficiency in Catholic dogma is frightening, to say the least. A look at the teaching of the Church on this subject will soon reveal the truth.
Why is the magisterium of the Supreme Pontiff referred to as "continual"? And why do we find frequent reference in theological manuals to "the constant teaching of the Church?" One answer and one answer only to this question will demonstrate the true nature of the connection necessary between Peter and his successors.
That great Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales, energetically opposed the false religions of Lutheranism and Calvinism in his day. That these heresies are alive and well among Traditionalists and other non-Catholics in our own day is obvious. Hear the words of this learned doctor, for they are the words not only of a saint, but also of a man whose teachings were revered by Catholics throughout the last four centuries:
"We are built upon the foundations of the Apostles — that is, upon their doctrine, which they have announced. All the Apostles are foundations of the Church, but in authority and government, St. Peter precedes all others." While Christ alone is the chief cornerstone of His Church, the Apostles, primarily St. Peter, constitute the remaining stones necessary to literally support and ground the Church. Vatican Council theologian St. Anthony Mary Claret, in his catechetical treatise on the Four Marks, links all four to the one doctrine taught by Christ to His Apostles and forever safeguarded, transmitted, rightly interpreted and faithfully taught by the continual magisterium, the Supreme Pontiffs. The Church is the same, forever.
For the true and perpetual Church of Christ on earth teaches only ONE doctrine, HOLY as its founder Jesus Christ is holy. It is a doctrine which is CATHOLIC, or universal, having been taught unchanged throughout the world since the time of Christ. It is an APOSTOLIC doctrine, coming down whole and entire to all peoples in all times, having been preserved by the Church from the mouths of Christ and His Apostles. THIS — not any pretended physical, superficial "connection" — is the glue that binds together Christ's Church. Pope Pius XII alone did not the papacy make, only his teaching in agreement with the continual teaching of all his predecessors. Pope Pius XII refuted the contention that a "clerical" connection is necessary by stating that a layman may be elected Pope and as such possesses jurisdiction from the moment of his election, before ordination or consecration. So clerical status cannot be the "connection" to which Condit refers. Therefore, Mr. Condit's syllogism and feigned "connection" falls to the ground.
Doctrinal integrity is the entire purpose of the infallible magisterium. That Joseph Siri rejected true doctrine and hence lost any clerical status according to Canon 188§4, invalidating any "election" and rendering himself incapable of electing has been clearly demonstrated on this site and elsewhere. Siri and any faithful cardinals yet existing were bound under penalty of ipso facto excommunication for heresy to exit the conclave electing Roncalli, reconvene elsewhere and provide the Church with a true head. This was done in the case of Innocent II vs. antipope Anacletus II and other antipopes. Threat or no threat, Siri was bound to follow this example, even if it cost him his life.
"Apostolicity of membership means that the Church in any given age is and remains numerically the same society as that planted by the apostles…The Church's government is necessarily apostolic…Apostolicity of membership follows as an inescapable consequence of apostolicity of government. A moral body, despite the fact that it constantly undergoes change and renovation in its personnel, remains numerically the same moral body so long as it retains the same social structure and the same authority. Please note the word, "numerically;" the same society. A mere specific likeness would never satisfy the requirement of apostolicity," (from the theologian Van Noort).
As to the "numerous conclaves" Condit mentions, this is a patent lie, intended to discredit Pope Michael's election. Prior to the 1990 conclave, according to all reliable reports, no other conclaves had elected a Pope, unless Mr. Condit now wishes to invent them. False popes were "mystically" (self) appointed by "visions," such as Michael Collin and his break-off brethren, the Canadian Jovites; or Clemente Dominguez Gomez, consecrated "bishop" by Ngo-Dinh-Thuc. The phone-in election of "Pius 13" and the European election of "Linus 2" both were held years after the 1990 conclave.
One group grounded a conclave on solidly Catholic principles prior to its convocation; one group has continued to demonstrate the truths of faith, publish the truth and condemn errors based solely on the scholastic maxims of St. Thomas Aquinas; one group has promoted the papacy for the past 20 years. "Where Peter is, there is the Church." As St. Bellarmine teaches, those who profess the same faith, participate in the same sacraments, and submit themselves to the visible representative of Christ on earth, they are the Church. The CONNECTION is doctrine and infallible truth, preserved by the continual magisterium undefiled from the mouth of Christ and His Apostles. To believe otherwise automatically DISCONNECTS one from the Catholic faith.
