Reason #135986 That Dietrich Von Hildebrand Was The Man

[Nihil Obstat]

He was one of the founders of Una Voce America, and was its first chairperson.


Here's a letter he wrote in 1970:


Dear Mr. Alphonse Matt:

I thank you very much for your kind letter. But I believe that there is some misunderstanding. You assume that the new ordo missae and especially the rubrics constitute for me merely a personally painful change by replacing something very beautiful and perfect with something less beautiful and less perfect. But unfortunately it is my conviction that the new ordo missae is the greatest pastoral mistake and that its consequences for the Church may be disastrous.

I agree however completely with you that it is a grave problem, whether one should criticize it publicly or only intra muros. Concerning this problem every one must follow his conscience. But I frankly cannot understand that you do not only abstain from a public criticism of the new ordo missae but make the “Wanderer” an instrument for propagating and praising the new ordo. You even suggest in your letter, dear Mr. Matt, that I should join this propaganda. As you say that you agreed with my article in “Triumph” in which I stress that obedience to practical decisions of the Pope does not imply approval of them – it is difficult for me to understand why you expect me to utter a univocal approval of something which seems to be, from the purely religious point of view, a “suicidal” practical decision. I do not believe that a mere loyalty to the present Pope who does not act against those who destroy the Catholic faith daily more and more – like Kueng, Schillebecks, Padovano, Greeley and many others – and who does not use the means by which the Church survived through 2000 years: anathema and excommunication – can preserve Catholic faith untarnished.

Dear Mr. Matt, it is painful for me to disagree with you because of my sincere admiration for the “Wanderer” throughout the past years and our warm personal union in Christ. This disagreement, however should in no way affect our friendly relations.

Faithfully yours in Christ
Dietrich von Hildebrand




"One of the most horrifying and widespread diseases in the Church today is the
lethargy of the guardians of the Faith of the Church. ...
I am thinking [here] of the ... numerous bishops ... who make no use whatever of
their authority when it comes to intervening against heretical theologians or priests,
or against blasphemous performances of public worship. ...
But it is most especially infuriating when certain bishops who themselves show this
lethargy toward heretics, assume a rigorously authoritarian attitude towards those
believers who are fighting for orthodoxy, and who are thus doing what the bishops
ought to be doing themselves! ...
The drivel of the heretics, both priests and laymen, is tolerated; the bishops tacitly
acquiesce to the poisoning of the faithful.
But they want to silence the faithful believers who take up the cause of orthodoxy,
the very people who should by all rights be the joy of the bishops' hearts, their
consolation, a source of strength for overcoming their own lethargy.
Instead, these people are regarded as disturbers of the peace. ...
The insult to God which is embodied in heresy is often not as tangible and irritating
for them as a public act of rebellion against their authority."

What 3 popes said about Dietrich von Hildebrand:
"When the intellectual history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is written,
the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand will be most prominent among the figures of our
time." Pope Benedict XVI

“He is one of the greatest ethicists of the 20th century.” Pope John Paul II

"The 20th Century Doctor of the Church." Pius XII.


Sources:
http://loveundefiled.blogspot.com/2010/04/words-from-dietrich-von-hildebrand.html
http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/history_scrapbook.htm

[kavalamyself]

Wow. You are the man for finding that and posting it.

[Nihil Obstat]

Trojan Horse in the City of God is a favourite of mine. I should buy a couple of his other books that the Legacy Project has managed to translate.

[Laudate_Dominum]

I heart von Hildebrand!

[Skinzo]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1302368833' post='2227083']
Trojan Horse in the City of God is a favourite of mine. I should buy a couple of his other books that the Legacy Project has managed to translate.
[/quote]

Nihil,
He is truly IMHO, one of the greatest thinkers of modern times. Don't miss the biography his wife wrote. I'm hoping she completes it to cover his whole life. "Trojan Horse" was exquisite and the follow up "Devastated Vineyard" is just as good. And let's not forget "Transformation in Christ".
A shame so few listened to him.

S.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Skinzo' timestamp='1302497698' post='2227431']
Nihil,
He is truly IMHO, one of the greatest thinkers of modern times. Don't miss the biography his wife wrote. I'm hoping she completes it to cover his whole life. "Trojan Horse" was exquisite and the follow up "Devastated Vineyard" is just as good. And let's not forget "Transformation in Christ".
A shame so few listened to him.

S.
[/quote]
Trojan Horse completely blew my mind. As soon as I have some spare funds I'll get whatever else from him I can find. It's too bad that nearly everything is out of print.

[Laudate_Dominum]

My faves:

[list]

[*]The Nature of Love
[*]Transformation in Christ
[*]Ethics
[/list]

Haven't read any von Hildebrand in years which is sad.

[Cherie]

Transformation in Christ is my favorite! I recommend that for every personal Catholic library.

I also like his stuff on marriage.