The Church dedicates this month to Mary's seven sorrows. Dürer's altarpiece portraying her sorrows is connected to a Catholic artist, a Catholic ruler, and a Catholic church lost to Luther.
“one wonders about the validity of the sacrament when consecrated by an apostate priest”
If the priest said the words “This is my body” and “this is my blood” it was a valid sacrament. Once ordained a priest is a priest forever, even if he is an apostate. He retains all priestly powers.
On another note isn’t it interesting how much money was behind the Protestant Revolution both in Germany and England. Both Frederick and Henry were greedy men who wanted the Church’s money and both remained Catholic until death. Didn’t Our Lord say something about the love of money being the root of all evil?
Sorry for taking so long to reply. I’m not totally sure how Substack works but I’m learning!
If I recall correctly Henry was never declared a heretic or schismatic and never excommunicated. He only sought to change what he needed to change to get what he wanted and assuage his conscience. Until he died he heard several Masses every day. A good confession would have put him to rights. In no way am I defending him. His behavior and choices were not those of someone who was working out his salvation in fear and trembling. He used religion for his own ends and personal gain.
Thomas Cranmer (Archbishop of Canterbury) and Thomas Cromwell (Chief Minister) were the real “founders” of the Protestant revolution in England, but they couldn’t have done it without Henry’s support. It wasn’t until after Henry died that Protestantism got a strong hold, mostly because the boy king’s (Edward VI) regents imposed it on the country. Edward himself was staunchly Protestant and anti-Catholic, and although de facto King of England, he had little power because he was underage. I don’t think Edward was excommunicated at any point. When he died at the age of 15 the Crown passed to the Catholic, Mary I, his eldest half-sister (daughter of Henry and his only true wife, Katherine of Aragon). Upon her death Elizabeth I (Bloody Bess) became Queen and she was excommunicated.
My goodness, I’m wordy! I hope this answers your question. Probably more than you wanted to know.
Wonderful post!
“one wonders about the validity of the sacrament when consecrated by an apostate priest”
If the priest said the words “This is my body” and “this is my blood” it was a valid sacrament. Once ordained a priest is a priest forever, even if he is an apostate. He retains all priestly powers.
On another note isn’t it interesting how much money was behind the Protestant Revolution both in Germany and England. Both Frederick and Henry were greedy men who wanted the Church’s money and both remained Catholic until death. Didn’t Our Lord say something about the love of money being the root of all evil?
Thanks for the compliment. And thanks for the clarification. I suspected the consecration was valid. But the state of the soul of the ruler is hazy.
I agree with the motivation of greed.
I didn't know Henry remained Catholic. Since he started a new schismatic denomination, wasn't he a member of it?
Sorry for taking so long to reply. I’m not totally sure how Substack works but I’m learning!
If I recall correctly Henry was never declared a heretic or schismatic and never excommunicated. He only sought to change what he needed to change to get what he wanted and assuage his conscience. Until he died he heard several Masses every day. A good confession would have put him to rights. In no way am I defending him. His behavior and choices were not those of someone who was working out his salvation in fear and trembling. He used religion for his own ends and personal gain.
Thomas Cranmer (Archbishop of Canterbury) and Thomas Cromwell (Chief Minister) were the real “founders” of the Protestant revolution in England, but they couldn’t have done it without Henry’s support. It wasn’t until after Henry died that Protestantism got a strong hold, mostly because the boy king’s (Edward VI) regents imposed it on the country. Edward himself was staunchly Protestant and anti-Catholic, and although de facto King of England, he had little power because he was underage. I don’t think Edward was excommunicated at any point. When he died at the age of 15 the Crown passed to the Catholic, Mary I, his eldest half-sister (daughter of Henry and his only true wife, Katherine of Aragon). Upon her death Elizabeth I (Bloody Bess) became Queen and she was excommunicated.
My goodness, I’m wordy! I hope this answers your question. Probably more than you wanted to know.
I so appreciate your love of art and your writing.
Very interesting, thanks for this piece.
Glad you liked it! I thought the connections were fascinating, and I hoped others would find them fascinating too.
I appreciate your appreciation! And your writing too! And you!