Fifty Years of Vatican II - Bp. Donald Sanborn 11-24-15

SummaryBp. Donald Sanborn examines the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and critically assesses its impact on the Roman Catholic Church. He argues that Vatican II introduced condemned doctrines contrary to the Church’s traditional dogma, marking the beginning of a profound crisis rooted in modernism. Over the past five decades, this crisis has manifested as a great apostasy, predicted in scripture, characterized by a loss of love for the truth and an embrace of error, particularly exemplified by the Novus Ordo Mass and modernist reforms. Bp. Sanborn outlines five key principles: the Church’s infallibility and continuity in doctrine; the biblical prophecy of a great apostasy and the coming of the Antichrist; the historical infiltration of the Church by enemies intent on transforming it from within; the Church’s demonstrated divine assistance through doctrinal continuity despite attacks; and finally, the necessity of divine grace for any restoration or solution. Bp. Sanborn warns against compromising with modernist errors and emphasizes the duty of faithful Catholics to reject the Vatican II apostasy uncompromisingly. Despite widespread apostasy, a faithful remnant remains, guided by grace, who recognize the discontinuity between pre- and post-Vatican II teachings. The homily concludes with a call for steadfastness in faith, likening the Church’s resilience to the immune system’s rejection of foreign invaders, and underscores hope in God’s providence and timing for the Church’s ultimate restoration or final judgment.HighlightsVatican II promulgated doctrines contradictory to traditional Catholic dogma, initiating a crisis of modernism within the Church.Scripture predicts a “great apostasy” and the coming of the Antichrist before the end of the world, which the current era appears to fulfill.The Church’s divine assistance ensures continuity of essential doctrine despite internal and external attacks.Enemies have historically sought to subvert the Church from within by promoting adaptation to modern secular values.The Novus Ordo Mass and Vatican II reforms are identified as manifestations of the “operation of error” permitted by God as punishment for humanity’s rejection of truth.Compromise with modernist errors is rejected as a false, naturalistic solution; faithful Catholics must remain uncompromising in defense of traditional doctrine.A faithful remnant, often young and self-taught, remains grounded in pre-Vatican II Catholicism, sustained by grace and committed to preserving true faith.Key InsightsThe Crisis of Vatican II as a Defining Moment in Modern Church History:Bp. Sanborn situates December 8, 1965, the date Vatican II was closed and its documents promulgated, as a watershed moment that catalyzed the Church’s struggle against modernism. This moment is not merely a historical fact but the starting point of a doctrinal and disciplinary rupture that challenges the Church’s claim to infallibility and continuity. Bp. Sanborn’s perspective underscores the gravity of Vatican II’s impact as a turning point where condemned doctrines were officially integrated, thus sowing confusion and division.Scriptural Foundation for Understanding the Present Crisis: By referencing 2 Thessalonians and other biblical texts, Bp. Sanborn frames the contemporary apostasy within a prophetic narrative. The “mystery of iniquity” already active in the first century now finds a parallel in modern times, where the “love of the truth” has waned, enabling the rise of the Antichrist and a widespread rejection of authentic Catholic doctrine. This theological framework offers believers a lens through which to interpret the Church’s current tribulations as part of a divinely permitted but temporary period of trial.Continuity versus Discontinuity in Church Doctrine:Bp. Sanborn emphasizes the necessity of doctrinal continuity as a hallmark of the Church’s divine assistance and infallibility. He argues that any significant departure from immutable teachings is impossible under divine protection, thereby framing Vatican II reforms as a rupture rather than a legitimate development. This insistence on continuity serves as a criterion for identifying true Catholicism and rejecting modernist innovations.Historical and Contemporary Enemies of the Church: The homily highlights a longstanding strategy by Freemasons and modernists to infiltrate and transform the Church from within by promoting accommodation with modern secular and liberal values. This historical insight reveals that the current crisis is not accidental but the result of deliberate subversion, which has been predicted and resisted by previous popes such as Pius X. This awareness reinforces the need for vigilance and resistance within the Church.The “Operation of Error” and God’s Permissive Justice: The concept that God permits hardened sinners to be given over to error as a form of judgment is crucial for understanding the Novus Ordo and other post-Vatican II changes. This theological explanation suggests that the Church’s crisis is partly a divine chastisement for the rejection of truth, with the “operation of error” serving as both punishment and a test of faith. This insight frames the contemporary crisis not only as a human failure but also as a component of God’s providential plan.The Importance of a Faithful Remnant and Divine Grace:Bp. Sanborn stresses that despite the overwhelming apostasy, a faithful remnant remains, sustained by God’s grace. This remnant is often small, sometimes young and self-formed through independent study, and refuses compromise with modernism. Their survival is likened to God’s choosing of a small, worthy group (as in the biblical example of Gideon’s 300). This insight encourages perseverance and hope, reminding believers that God’s work is not dependent on human numbers or timelines.Rejection of Compromise as a Moral and Theological Imperative:Bp. Sanborn unequivocally rejects attempts to reconcile Vatican II reforms with traditional Catholicism, viewing such efforts as naturalistic and ultimately harmful compromises. The call for uncompromising fidelity is framed as a duty to protect the Church’s indefectibility and holiness, drawing an analogy to the immune system’s immediate rejection of foreign invaders. This insight places the defense of tradition as a spiritual battle, requiring firmness, clarity, and courage.ConclusionThis homily provides a rigorous theological and historical critique of Vatican II and its aftermath, framing the post-conciliar Church’s crisis as both a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and a consequence of deliberate infiltration by modernist enemies. It calls for unwavering fidelity to the Church’s traditional teachings and disciplines as the essential response to the apostasy. Through an emphasis on divine grace, the endurance of a faithful remnant, and the rejection of compromise, Bp. Sanborn offers a vision of hope rooted in God’s providence for the Church’s eventual restoration or final judgment.TrueCatholicFaith.com