Post by Caillin on Sept 8, 2023 10:59:48 GMT -5
I'm looking to gather sources that critique Fr. Wathen's views. I have a general knowledge of him and his views, but am going to need to become more familiar with them because of family circumstances.
Briefly, my parents-in-law have just recently discovered him and become infatuated. It seems reasonable to say that they have aligned all of their beliefs with his, particularly with what's found in his 855 page tome, "Who Shall Ascend?" His Feeneyism certainly played a large part in what drew them to him, since they have professed the same views on it intensely for decades, but they've also recently changed their ecclesiological views that they've staunchly held for decades to align with his, such as rejecting the sedevacantism they've long held. As surprising as it was to hear, I don't think it's that big a deal that they reject sedevacantism. They are now receiving sacraments at the SSPX, which is a vast improvement from what they've been doing in recent years. With regard to their new position on sedevacantism, my concern is not so much their rejection of it, but the theology of Fr. Wathen they've adopted to reject it.
My primary concern is not with trying to correct or change their views on things like Feeneyism, NFP, and their new ecclesiology. They've long ago learned to ignore and despise anything I say that might be critical of their views. But they are now trying very hard to get their many children to adopt Fr. Wathen's views wholecloth. They use emotional talk to try to persuade their adult children, have been playing Fr Wathen sermons when their children visit, asking them to sit and listen with them, and unceasingly gush over him. He's their latest religious infatuation after finally coming to regret their infatuation with Crawford. They just gave my wife "Who Shall Ascend?" for her birthday asking her to read it. She was disturbed and put off by the fact that they would use her birthday as a way to get her to read a massive book that they know is a challenge to her views, especially when she has little time to read it while taking care of 7 children. She feels like she is being emotionally manipulated by this and other interactions, and her siblings have stated the same. Her parents have said they intend to buy "Who Shall Ascend?" for all their children, and ask them to read it.
My wife and I are going to read it together without haste, and discuss the issues. I've already noticed some significant issues and inconsistencies in just skimming it, which I'll save for another post, perhaps. I intend to focus on the more fundamental issues, rather than get caught up in an 855 page by page critique.
Long story short.... any resources critiquing Fr. Wathen's views would be helpful.
Briefly, my parents-in-law have just recently discovered him and become infatuated. It seems reasonable to say that they have aligned all of their beliefs with his, particularly with what's found in his 855 page tome, "Who Shall Ascend?" His Feeneyism certainly played a large part in what drew them to him, since they have professed the same views on it intensely for decades, but they've also recently changed their ecclesiological views that they've staunchly held for decades to align with his, such as rejecting the sedevacantism they've long held. As surprising as it was to hear, I don't think it's that big a deal that they reject sedevacantism. They are now receiving sacraments at the SSPX, which is a vast improvement from what they've been doing in recent years. With regard to their new position on sedevacantism, my concern is not so much their rejection of it, but the theology of Fr. Wathen they've adopted to reject it.
My primary concern is not with trying to correct or change their views on things like Feeneyism, NFP, and their new ecclesiology. They've long ago learned to ignore and despise anything I say that might be critical of their views. But they are now trying very hard to get their many children to adopt Fr. Wathen's views wholecloth. They use emotional talk to try to persuade their adult children, have been playing Fr Wathen sermons when their children visit, asking them to sit and listen with them, and unceasingly gush over him. He's their latest religious infatuation after finally coming to regret their infatuation with Crawford. They just gave my wife "Who Shall Ascend?" for her birthday asking her to read it. She was disturbed and put off by the fact that they would use her birthday as a way to get her to read a massive book that they know is a challenge to her views, especially when she has little time to read it while taking care of 7 children. She feels like she is being emotionally manipulated by this and other interactions, and her siblings have stated the same. Her parents have said they intend to buy "Who Shall Ascend?" for all their children, and ask them to read it.
My wife and I are going to read it together without haste, and discuss the issues. I've already noticed some significant issues and inconsistencies in just skimming it, which I'll save for another post, perhaps. I intend to focus on the more fundamental issues, rather than get caught up in an 855 page by page critique.
Long story short.... any resources critiquing Fr. Wathen's views would be helpful.