Bergoglio, Vatican II, and Hell - Fr. Germán Fliess 09-13-20

Summary

Fr. Germán Fliess presents a critical examination of the modern Catholic Church’s (specifically the Novus Ordo or post-Vatican II Church) treatment and teaching of the doctrine of Hell. He argues that, contrary to the clear and repeated warnings of Hell in Sacred Scripture and traditional Catholic teaching, the contemporary Church largely denies or downplays the reality and seriousness of Hell. Fr. Fliess contends that many Novus Ordo clergy and laity do not truly believe in Hell or the possibility of eternal damnation, which results in the near absence of preaching about Hell from modern pulpits and religious instruction. This neglect is seen as a departure from the Gospel teachings of Christ, who frequently and explicitly warned about Hell and eternal punishment. Fr. Fliess provides a personal anecdote illustrating this denial of Hell within Novus Ordo clergy and highlights how such a stance contradicts fundamental dogmas, including the immortality of the soul and the eternal nature of Hell. Finally, Fr. Fliess reaffirms the biblical teaching that individuals will reap the consequences of their earthly actions, emphasizing the spiritual battle between flesh and spirit and the necessity of vigilance against mortal sin.

Highlights

• The modern Novus Ordo Church largely denies or minimizes the doctrine of Hell.
• Official Church documents mention Hell but rarely emphasize its reality or danger.
• Novus Ordo clergy, as a rule, do not preach or even believe in the real possibility of going to Hell.
• Pope Francis’s teaching on the annihilation of souls contradicts key Catholic dogmas.
• Sacred Scripture and Christ’s teachings consistently and explicitly warn about Hell and eternal punishment.
• The failure to preach Hell undermines the spiritual urgency necessary to combat mortal sin.
• The author’s personal experience reveals the practical denial of Hell within the modern Church’s clergy.

Key Insights

• Systematic Denial of Hell in the Novus Ordo Context: Fr. Fliess reveals a widespread phenomenon where Hell is effectively removed from the spiritual discourse in the Novus Ordo Church. This denial is not just an absence but an active disbelief among clergy and laity alike, which results in an altered understanding of salvation and damnation. This shift undermines traditional Catholic eschatology and pastoral practice, diminishing the urgency of repentance and the fear of divine justice.
• Contradiction with Catholic Dogma by Modern Leadership: Fr. Fliess highlights a significant theological crisis whereby Pope Francis’s assertion that unrepentant sinners’ souls are annihilated denies two essential Catholic dogmas—the immortality of the soul and the eternal punishment of Hell. This contradiction is profound because it challenges the continuity of Catholic teaching and the authority of the Church’s magisterium, raising questions about doctrinal fidelity in the post-Vatican II era.
• Scripture as the Foundation for the Doctrine of Hell: Fr. Fliess underscores that the reality of Hell and eternal punishment is one of the most explicit and frequently repeated teachings of Christ in the Gospels. By citing the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the ten virgins, the marriage feast, and the final judgment, the text stresses that the neglect of Hell in modern preaching contradicts the very heart of the Gospel message. Jesus’ repeated warnings about Hell demonstrate its crucial role in Christian moral and spiritual formation.
• The Role of Fear and Remorse in Spiritual Discipline: Fr. Fliess argues that Christ’s insistence on warning about Hell is a pastoral strategy addressing human weakness and the power of sin. Fear of eternal punishment serves as a necessary deterrent against sin and a motivator for spiritual vigilance. Ignoring or softening this warning diminishes the spiritual battle between flesh and spirit and encourages complacency, weakening the resolve to live a holy life.
• Failure of Religious Education in the Novus Ordo: Fr. Fliess presents the observation that children raised in the Novus Ordo often lack foundational knowledge about Hell and eternity, indicating a failure of catechesis. Since early religious education shapes lifelong belief, this omission results in a generation of Catholics unaware of critical aspects of their faith, which can lead to spiritual indifference or error.
• Personal Testimony as Evidence of the Problem: Through the author’s anecdote of requesting the brown scapular and encountering disbelief from a Novus Ordo priest, the text illustrates the practical consequences of this doctrinal neglect. The priest’s shocked response that “we do not believe in that anymore” reveals how deeply entrenched th