THE HOUR OF PETER
(L'Ora di Pietro)

By: Joseph Cardinal Siri

From “Il Dovere Dell’Ortodossia”

Page 33 in Il Dovere Dell’Ortodossia

and originally published in RENOVATIO V (1970), fasc. 3, pp. 325-326

Red bold print added for emphasis.


How many write of religion and of Christianity, and automatically label themselves as theologians. Yet rarely do they deserve this title, because theology is not based solely upon a degree or on instruction, but rather upon a crystal clear, coherent, and consistent method, faithful to the thinking of the Church and living within the Church.

It is this precise and binding connection with the Church that determines the quality of the theologian.

An errant rabble takes us towards the darkness. We do not say that they are all decadent or ignorant. They probably are not always in bad faith, but it is certain that they carry us all towards the darkness, certainly not towards the light. They have obscured God and amongst them are many that labor to show us the substitute for God.

They have- not the true theologians- but rather the others, obscured and darkened the Church. They presently believe that when humanity refuses that which is real they will substitute in its place an idealized and elusive image. The divine - exactly this superior form of humanity, living in a time like the present and yet to be fulfilled. This community no longer admits of authority, if it does not come from the mind of this superior (super) man and what ultimately serves him. One no longer speaks of truth; one accepts as valuable only the single activity of Marx: one no longer speaks of orthodoxy but rather of a rising practice. Why marvel then that some openly deny that the MAGISTERIUM extends also to the truth of ordinary morality? These are the errors of children, not those of thinkers (Philosophers)! To be such, one must, say little other than what is required is a category grander and more elevated, it is required to arrive at a global vision of the Church that is intended not as the Kingdom of God, but rather only as the automatic conscience of a human being in whom God is present only in so far as man has an infinite dimension. The becoming of history is the becoming of God!

Church, Magisterium, Pope, Hierarchy, Moral Tradition, celibacy all condemned to the bonfires. And even if someone fails to admit it, or does not comprehend the logic of what he says, he will be obliged to admit that in the heart of this bonfire is GOD. Now one understands why the ideals of man burn all, in this great bonfire, always in favor of superior truths, that are substituted with drugs and hallucinogens.

This fact is striking. The disorder is at such a point that a representative of “the new theology” holds that every thought is orthodox, if it is considered within its own values. Over there are the good and faithful people that hope to be able to nourish their faith with clarity and simplicity. They know what it is to suffer and because of this to hope. They feel the fruits of hatred and because of this ask only to love: they must go to polluted sources. These polluted sources are dissipated reservoirs.

Enough of these preachers. It is the Magisterium that we must turn to now and the theologians cannot consider themselves as genuine fonts; unless they submit to it, translate it and safeguard it. It is certain that good theologians exist. God increase the strength of their voice in the splendor of their obedience.

But, where is the Magisterium, where is it totally certain? The Church can without doubt teach infallibly but it can do so only if it is with Peter!

It is therefore necessary to return to the center, the alternative to this is the demolition of all, including man. Then? This is the hour of Peter!

 

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