It comes as no surprise that the ultra-traditionalist Society of St. Pius X is less than elated by the U.S. Catholic bishops' latest salvo in the religious-freedom wars, "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty." The U.S. District of SSPX has issued a stern rebuttal to the bishops' statement, calling it "problematic." And then some. In case the bishops forgot, SSPX helpfully reminds them that

In the first place, the Faith teaches that our most cherished liberty is our liberation from Original Sin and the consequences that follow (eternal death), which Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ has obtained for us through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

Sure, according to SSPX, there are other sorts of liberties -- like, for example, the freedom to reject an ecumenical council of the church -- but not them's that do evil:

Or as the Catechism asks: Why did God create you? Thus error never has any rights. However, the secularistic and anti-Catholic principle of religious liberty denies this reality and instead, makes error equal to Truth.

Anti-Catholic? That seems a bit strong. Are you sure that's the most accurate way to --

Certainly we must fight for the liberty of the Catholic Church --

-- Great, so we agree that religious liberty may not be best characterized as --

that is, the ability for her to fulfill her divine mission to save souls, promote the faith (particularly in society) and enact the corporal acts of mercy. However, this is a much different thing then defending religious liberty, a false notion that originated with the Protestants and condemned as an error under the generic title of Liberalism.

The Protestants. Wait, condemned by whom? I mean, if you put a maniple to my head, I'd have to go with someone who wears a lot of white.

Unfortunately, the USCCB is exhorting Catholics to legitimately defend the Churchs liberty via the false principle of religious liberty and in doing so, has presented a series of historical fallacies from our countrys ecclesiastical history which exemplifies another error: Americanism, condemned by Pope Leo XIII in Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae.

I have to admit, you've got a point there. It's striking to see the U.S. bishops parrot Gersonian rah-rahs about America as a beacon of hope for freedom on a city on a hill, or however they put it, when only yesterday so many of them were accused of spreading the "heresy" of "Americanism." Hang on. So does that mean you're against the separation of church and state? Or are you for it, provided there are enough Catholics to make sure the citizenry is worshiping right (if you know what I mean and I think you do)?

We are now face-to-face with the outcome of the American bishops support of religious liberty as they are being coerced to jettison the Churchs moral teachings.

Jettison? But they're tooth-and-nailing the heck out of this --

Furthermore, the USCCBs unstinting praise and support of our countrys supposed religious liberty doctrine is paradoxically ironic, as this has always been elusive for American Catholics.

That sounds like the worst kind of irony.

From the first starting with Lord Baltimores Maryland colony before it even left the English dockside - the principle of religious liberty was applied unequally to the Protestants. These same Protestants while enjoying religious freedom - also ensured that the local colonial laws in our country generally forbade Catholics from practicing their religion in public or holding civil office. But even worse, they supplanted Americas original Catholic soul (paid with the blood of first Spanish, then French missionaries) and heritage with their heretical Calvinist one.

You seem really annoyed by Protestants. Sorry, the Protestants. And what kind of souls did the Native Americans have? At first, I mean.

Despite all this, for the defense and continuance of America's religious liberty the USCCB has requested:

the fourteen days from June 21the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas Moreto July 4, Independence Day, be dedicated to this "fortnight for freedom"a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political powerSt. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.

This suggestion is astonishing --

I agree. Do the bishops think this is going to fly at the parish level? How many Catholics are eager to be conscripted into a political battle to serve their bishops' policy aims?

because all of these saints opposed the error of religious liberty in fact, one could say they died because of this error since they were martyred for Christ, Who is the only Way and Truth.

Martyred because of religious freedom. I thought -- you know what? Forget it. This has been great. But I think I need to run. Suddenly I'm feeling a strong urge to find a guitar Mass, and I don't think I can fight it any longer.