THE
HOUR OF PETER
(L'Ora di Pietro)
By:
Joseph Cardinal Siri
From Il
Dovere DellOrtodossia
Page 33 in
Il Dovere DellOrtodossia
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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