06 October 2010

THE WINNIPEG STATEMENT: ANALYSIS BY MSGR. FOY



-------------------All things betrayeth thee
-------------------Who betrayest Me.

----------------------------------
Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven



Catholic Insight
, edited by my hero Fr. Alphonse de Valk, has just published a detailed article by Msgr. Vincent Foy chronicling the times leading up to, and the aftereffects of, the Winnipeg Statement - a 1968 issuance by the Canadian Bishops. It is entitled: "Recovering Humanae vitae in Canada" (Catholic Insight, October 2010, vol. xviii, no. 9, pp. 8-14; this piece follows a similar analysis by Msgr. Foy, pubilished twenty-two years ago, "Tragedy at Winnipeg", Challenge, vol. 14, 1988 LINK).

Some extracts:
Few Canadian bishops have prioritized the restoration of Humane vitae. Yet it surely is the most important need of the Church in Canada... It would take a lengthy article to detail the evils fruits of rejecting the charter of life and love called Humane vitae... The contraceptive mentality did not spring up overnight like a mushroom. It was the bad result of several years in which many Canadian bishops listened to dissident theologians rather than the magisterium of the Church.
Here we go...
In 1964 a book was published by Herder and Herder called Contraception and Holiness. It was presented as a "balanced and perceptive declaration of Christian dissent". Among the contributors were three professors of St. Michael's College in Toronto: Gregory Baum, OSA [whose books are published by Novalis and is a bosom buddy of Fr. Thomas Rosica], Stanley Kurtz, CBS, and Leslie Dewart. There was no condemnation by the bishops.

The Toronto Globe and Mail printed an interview with Gregory Baum [whose books are published by Novalis] on April 9, 1966. It was entitled "Catholics may use contraceptives now". He asserted that the traditional norm had become doubtful and therefore could not be imposed. His views got widespread coverage (e.g. Time Magazine, April 22, 1966). I [that is, Msgr. Foy] spoke [about the situation] to Archbishop Pocock [of Toronto] but he saw no need to respond. Unchecked, a year later, Gregory Baum [whose books are published by Novalis] was saying that even if the Pope came out against artificial contraception, his decision would be irrelevant (Globe and Mail, April 12, 1967).

After the encyclical was published on July 29, 1968, dissent in Canada began on July 30th. Like termites, dissent in Canada began destroying Church teaching from within... Gregory Baum [whose books are published by Novalis] said Catholics had the right to dissent... Even the Christian Family Movement, formerly so devoted to implementing Church teaching on marriage, signed a protest against Humanae vitae addressed to Archbishop Pocock of Toronto. It had come under the influence of Gregory Baum [whose books are published by Novalis].

Many bishops, priests and people had been seduced by Gregory Baum's [whose books are published by Novalis] claim that the period before Humane vitae was one of doubt and that a doubtful law did not oblige...

Already many Canadian bishops had given in to the cries of dissenters rather than the voice of the Pope invoking the authority of Christ...
Msgr. Foy even mentions the Blueberry Muffin:
In Canada dissent remains widespread and rarely checked. Note that Sister Joan Chittister, OSB [whose books are published by Novalis], who had rejected magisterial teachings on many issues, was a speaker at the National Catholic Mission for 2010...
Now watch as Monsignor Vincent Foy, 95-year-old master canonist, goes in for the kill:
Cardinal Edouard Gagnon, PSS (1918-2007), one-time head of the Committee of the Family and later President of the Council for the Family, expressed more than once the opinion that those Canadian bishops who supported the Winnipeg Statement were in schism. In truth, by the Winnipeg Statement, Canadian bishops became promoters of mass murder and complicit in turning thousands of sewers into tombs.
KA BOOM !

This article is currently only available in hardcopy form. Eventually, it will be uploaded to the Catholic Insight website. To subscribe to Catholic Insight, the best Catholic magazine in Canada, go here.

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16 comments:

Anita Moore said...

I am on record as opining that Humanae vitae is a proof of papal infallibility on a par with Clement VII's refusal to grant an annulment to Henry VII. In both cases, you had a not particularly strong personality on the Throne of Peter; you had the leading lights of the day supporting the wrong thing; you had temptation in the shape of threats of disaster (i.e., schism) if the Pope did not do what the leading lights wanted; and you had the Pope doing the right thing, notwithstanding their own weakness and the immense contrary pressure. I wish the dissident bishops would reflect on all that and on the false position in which they have placed themselves.

Optimusmastro said...

Humanae Vitae definetely shaped a generation's understanding of contraception or lack thereof,..My generation were the pen ultimate test subjects as we were exposed both to the beliefs of those on par with the Winnepeg Statement, and the Holy Spirit's antidote which came through our late Holy Father JPII's Theology of the Body!!! Even Gregory Baum, shied away from commenting on Theology of the Body,.'Too much philosophy, doesn't take into account the human experience.' As I had mentioned he spoke at my parish! (sadly..)

BTW,.Did you know his books are published by Novalis? ;-) lol!

Patrick Button said...

TH2: You wanna move to the U.S? We're screwed up too but at least our Bishops aren't in schism. You could live somewhere that has moose and beavers and Canadian stuff like that. Maybe Montana.

Al said...

Patrick the USCCB may not be in schism, but at times they sure seem to come close. & some members has lapsed into heresy.

TH2 - The repeating of the phrase "[whose books are published by Novalis]" made what he wrote sound like a litany of heritics. As they say, birds of a feather flock together. So if, as Fr. Marx said, the Blueberry Muffin is an evil woman, then the rest who hang arround with her at Novalis clearly aren't saints either.


Have to go back & read the '88 article. Looks like it should be very interesting.

TH2 said...

Anita: ...you had a not particularly strong personality on the Throne of Peter I am glad that you mentioned that. The evidence shows that that, unfortunately, was the situation of Paul VI.

Marco: My generation were the pen ultimate test subjects. A very true statement. Good catch. And look what the Winnipeg Statement has wrought.

Patrick: Yes, there are times I want do depart and go to the US. Still, I love my country and feel most at home up here. Visited a number of states, but not Montana. I should visit some day.

Al: Ditto on your Novalis comment (though I am no saint myself). Yes, the 1988 article by Msgr. Foy is a worthwhile article to read.

Teresa said...

Excellent post!!
I agree with Al. The USCCB sure seems to dissent from Church Teaching on some occasions. Although, I can't say for sure whether it's worse or better than the Bishops in Canada.

TH2 said...

Thanks, Teresa. But the credit really goes to Msgr. Foy. I would argue things are worse up here. But perhaps I am biased as I am more familiar with happenings appertaining to the CCCB (more so than the USCCB).

Anita Moore said...

CCCB or CCCP?

TH2 said...

Your just too cool. Looking forward to your Oct. 13/Fatima post. It better be good.

Al said...

Been reading the article by Msgr. Foy. Can only get through part of it at a time as it is depressing to see how the Canadian Bishops went into apostasy. "Tragedy" is absolutely right. I also can't help but think how a similar mindset resulted in the "Land-O-Lakes" Statement was the result of the same mindset, with similarly disastrous results.

As for the "not saints". Granted you & I aren't Capital letter "S" saints, but we are heading in the right direction or at least trying to.
Those Novalis authors seem to be just as determined as Joanie to be & spread evil.

Sanctus Belle said...

Anita: ...you had a not particularly strong personality on the Throne of Peter.

How very true perhaps, but yet as we know, even the "weaker" Popes are granted the Keys of Peter. The Lord sometimes works His greatest works through the weakest of vessels.

TH2 said...

Very good point, Sanctus.

Anonymous said...

Check it out: the Holy Father recently spoke on using the internet in accordance with Christian values.

I wonder: How can you pontificate on the internet when you're lampooning nuns with your "Habitless Hussy Gallery"? It's really quite alarming. You undermine your credibility and frustrate the very important process of addressing issues that are so critical to the life of the church. Making fun of nuns is reprehensible. In any generation. These PEOPLE are CONSECTRATED! Show some respect. Tasteless incivility suggests that you are not so much interested in defending truth as bent on amassing some kind of worldly power (Your choice of the phrase "DEFEAT" the Habitless Hordes kind of illustrates that). Not only is it off putting, but it suggests spiritual blindness to me. (I'm not suggesting the liberals are any better...) God help the church. I hope and pray it doesn't fall apart. I don't *beleive* it will, but I fear for its place in the world. And our place in the hereafter. ... Humility. Charity. They go hand in hand with reverent and devout religious observance. So, let's make that happen, rather than drag each other through the mud. (I'm in the middle. 33 years old. Born well past Vatican II, but innately aware since I was an altar boy that some things are amok -- especially with the liturgy. But trying to live a Christian life amid this confusion -- especially WITHIN church -- is increasingly a challenge. People want to know what "side" you're on! (That's a sad day for a church!) Websites like yours don't help. I sympathise with so much of what you stand for, but I can't take you seriously because of the way you posture yourselves. There's something out of sorts in your approach, as though you've allowed your legitimate frustrations to pull you towards extremes and away from charity. Try to be humble and spiritual. Pray for and love your opponents rather than roosting away in your own self righteousness. Participate in your parishes. In RCIA. On the liturgy committee. Make your voice heard, but do it in a way that means something and might lead somewhere rather than having a rant on internet. (And stop treating the extraordinary form like some kind of theatre, bringing your hand held cameras!!! It's "not done" to film the sacred liturgy.) Instead, reach out and have courage in what you do. Participate in the church! And as for some of the things on this website, remember what the Lord instructed Moses to tell his people: "You may have to reprove your fellow citizens, but dont incur sin because of them." (Lev 19:17 -- out of my head, so forgive me if not quite correctly cited.) Anyway, we might get somewhere if there were less of this kind of inflamatory behaviour, and hopefully restore some lost dignity to our church and our liturgy.) Sad. So sad. Your website is probably a source of encouragement for its frequent readers, but it just got me depressed. Anyway, we'll see how long this post lasts.

TH2 said...

Anonymous: Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed comment. I will respond to some of your points in a day or so - busy with work now and preparing another post.

TH2 said...

Anonymous:

How can you pontificate on the internet when you're lampooning nuns with your "Habitless Hussy Gallery"? It's really quite alarming. You undermine your credibility and frustrate the very important process of addressing issues that are so critical to the life of the church. Making fun of nuns is reprehensible. In any generation. These PEOPLE are CONSECTRATED! Show some respect.

"Pontificating" - try not to confuse my writing style, admittedly straightforward, with facts presented. You need to get a sense of humour regarding the apostate/heretical nuns. Regardless, they have done much damage (witness Sr. Carol Keehan in the US) and are absolutely defiant. A little humour is a good jolt. Your position here seems Pharisaical.

Not only is it off putting, but it suggests spiritual blindness to me. ...Humility. Charity. They go hand in hand with reverent and devout religious observance. So, let's make that happen, rather than drag each other through the mud.
Don't visit the blog if it is off putting. Is it not interesting how the word "charity" is often used and abused? Frequently meaning an excuse, in my experience, for being "nice", not contradicting, etc. Christ, you might recall, used very harsh words at times. E.g. "You brood of vipers, etc. See a good post on the matter here

Tasteless incivility suggests that you are not so much interested in defending truth as bent on amassing some kind of worldly power
How did you know that my dream is global domination? Blast you!, Anonymous. You ruined my plans.

Pray for and love your opponents rather than roosting away in your own self righteousness.
How do you know that I don't pray for them? "Self-righteousness" - again, I think you confusing my hard writing style with views presented - which I always try to make consistent with Church teaching, etc.

Sad. So sad.
Perhaps a rather condescending remark. But that is fine with me. I welcome that. I dish things out hard around here so such responses are expected. You are not the first.

Your website is probably a source of encouragement for its frequent readers, but it just got me depressed. Anyway, we'll see how long this post lasts.
I pray that you not be depressed and especially welcome comments at variance to what is presented here. Your comment will remain.

Have a nice day ;-)

Liadop said...

God bless Monsignor Vincent Foy. For those of you who would like to read the entire text of "Recovering Humanae vitae in Canada", you can find it in three parts at this website: http://militesveritatis.blogspot.ca/2010/08/recovering-humanae-vitae-in-canada-new.html

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