The old proverb already said it: Desperate cuts must have desperate cures. The “cut” we are talking about here is very desperate, more even than what it seems, therefore it will not be cured with some minor treatment or with half measures based on an understanding attitude.

            It is amazing how easily we humans forget platitudes or commonsense truths. In the Diocese we are talking about, Bishops more concerned with politics than with their pastoral obligations have been tolerated for too many years; no pertinent measures were taken in that regard and nobody was removed from office. In the end, as was expected, nothing has been left in that Diocese other than pure nationalism and only a little Catholicism. Therefore, it not easy to grasp the fact that there are still people who are surprised and scandalized by events that occur and which are, after all, only the logical result of a number of circumstances that have been tolerated – and even welcomed and blessed.

            What is really needed is a profound reform of the Church. Surely there are people who are still shocked by this expression, which is another proof of the enormous deterioration that the Catholic Faith and Dogma have suffered. In former times –in truth, throughout the history of the Church—the expression Ecclesia semper reformanda (the Church must always be in a state of reform) was normally used, followed by a clarification: in Capite et in membris (in its Head as well as in its members); and nobody was shocked or made a great fuss about it. True Christians were always aware that they were far from perfection, their final end. The Holy Fathers had no objection to frequently calling the Church Casta Meretrix (Chaste and Meretrix); so much so that nobody ever doubted that She is Holy and Sinner at the same time (her true Head is Christ, whereas we, her members, are sinful men). 

            Unfortunately, the modern approach to the Mystery of the Church is different. The Church appears to contemplate herself as having a belly full of Springs and New Advents which have become exultant manifestations of the new Church, the same Church that represents the glorious zenith of humanity as such.

            Nowadays, therefore, it would be unthinkable, even dangerous, to speak about the need of reforms in Capite; perhaps reforms in membris would be accepted, but never in any other part of her. Besides, the Authority does not seem to accept very willingly being the object of constructive critical evaluations –although, oddly enough, she usually pleasantly accepts deconstructive critiques. The same attitude is observed among the faithful, who do not feel any need for reform or conversion; a need which is all the least felt since they found out that all men have been saved the moment the Incarnation of Christ and His union with human nature took place; and also since there is no difference between pagans and Christians, or between condemned and saved –we are referring here to the theories of universal salvation, Anonymous Christianity, and the consideration of hell as merely a real possibility but truly empty.

            Problems, like the one the previously mentioned Spanish Diocese is having and many other more serious and abundant troubles, can only be solved by a Council which would be willing to undertake a true and energetic reform of the Church. Could it truly take place some day?

            It depends. If we are perhaps –for only God really knows—in the last moments of the History of the World (such as it can be inferred from the facts that seem to fit the prophecies), the answer must be negative: Not at all.

            Conversely, if, according to the plans of God, the History of the World and the Church must continue, then it will be absolutely necessary to convene that Council. The Church will have to call a Council inasmuch as it is necessary that the promise of Her Divine Founder regarding her survival until the end be fulfilled.

            At present, the perspectives of a Council, or of something that resembles a true reform, are not envisioned anywhere; neither short, nor medium, nor long term, which can be explained, to a certain extent. On the one hand, the so-called conservatives would feel terror in view of the idea of a new Council; which is quite understandable if one keeps memories of the last Council and contemplates at the same time the current situation. On the other hand, those who could be termed as liberals or progressive would also feel horrified in view of the idea: The new modern Church that recognizes the worth and independence of human reason; the Church that defends the equality of all men when it comes to salvation, the goodness and validity of all religions, anthropocentrism and the glorification of man; the Church that does not believe in the existence of the narrow road or in obstacles capable of coercing the freedoms of each individual…; that Church, of course, has no room in her plans to accommodate the necessity of any change that could deviate her from the new itinerary she has decided to follow.

            After this, what is left for Christians of good will to do? The answer is prayer and trust in God. Just that, no more, no less; yet there is no doubt that, in ways not easily known, it will somehow be enough.