[Greek] καταστέλλω (katastellō), [Latin] sedare, [French] lapaiser: to keep down, to keep quiet, to appease, to quiet, to send down; Acts 19:35-36
Pope Pius X prophetically stated that conservative and traditional Catholics (Christians) would be called called intolerant and “rigid”. We all must now call out the Modernists who are creating havoc in Jesus’ Church.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to put in the right place, to equip, to clothe, to let down, to pacify (in the case of panic, unrest, and revolt), to restrain, and to reduce.
Euripides’ Bacchae 933: “But I who ought to wait on you will rearrange it. Hold up your head. Here you arrange it, for I depend on you.”
Euripides’ Iphenia in Aulis 934: “I will by every effect in a young man’s power, set right, investing you with that amount of pity.”
Old Testament: This term, used in a positive sense, means to settle the affair, to stop a disturbance, and to adorn. This indicates a person with authority.
New Testament: This term means to restrain, to calm, and to bring under control.
Scripture:
“The town clerk restrained the crowd, and said, ‘You Ephesians, what person is there who does not know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis?” Acts 19:35
Because of his authority, the clerk pacifies and settles down the excited crowd in Ephesus. Otherwise, Ephesus would have received retribution from the Roman authorities for this disturbance.
“Since these things are undeniable, you must calm yourself and not do anything rash.” Acts 19:36
No one can all into question the Ephesians’ devotion to Artemis. The town clerk seeks to convince the Ephesians that this matter must be settled in an orderly way.
Riot of the Silversmiths: Acts 19:23-36
- Demetrius called a meeting to discuss how Paul persuaded and “misled” the people by saying that these gods were not gods at all. (Paul “misleads” by stating the Christian view of idols. According to Demetrius, Paul is stating “disinformation”.)
- This danger was harming their business and tarnishing the image of Artemis. (These pagans must not have this Christianity ruin their pagan livelihood.)
- The city was filled with confusion and chaos and the people seized Paul’s companions.
- The disciples would not let Paul go before the crowd. (I think we all can imagine that Paul was more than eager to respond to the silversmiths.)
- Some of the crowd prompted the Jew Alexander to speak the gathering.
- When the people recognized that Alexander was a Jew, they responded in protest. (In contrast, Alexander, having no authority, could not prevail against the crowd.)
- The town clerk restrained the crowd and told them not to do anything rash. (The town clerk held the authority needed to quell the crowd.)
- The town clerk told the crowd to let this matter be sorted in the assembly (courts).
- The town clerk was fearful of this gathering being charged with rioting by the Roman authorities. (If Rome hears of this disturbance, there would be dire consequences for Ephesus.)
“The Jews from the province of Asia noticed Paul in the temple, stirred up the crowd, and had laid hands on Paul.” Acts 21:27
In contrast, Paul, hated by the Jews, does NOT have authority according to the contemporary world. Paul’s authority comes from being an apostle of Christ.
Quotes by Pope Francis:
“Be aware of rigidity, it is a perversion. Behind the rigidity, there is no Holy Spirit.” (This is a perfect illustration of Pope Francis’ disdain for anything (anyone) associated with Tradition.)
“The danger today is indietrismo, the reaction against the modern. It is a nostalgic disease.” (This notion was part of Pope Francis’ reasoning for issuing Traditionis Custodes for removing the Traditional Latin Mass.)
“It is a mistake for the Church to try to hold onto old traditions or to have clear answers for everything.” (It can be said that Pope Francis continues to create liturgical confusion in the Church. Unfortunately, Pope Francis thinks that is a good thing!)
Conclusion:
Sedate, sedation, appease, appeasement
Update: In their own German synodal way, the German Catholic Church continues to doctrinally go off the rails into heresy and schism. Pope Francis criticizes them not for their heresy, but for their process (“they are going too fast”). Pope Francis seeks to slow-walk the process to get to that more extreme position.
Pope Francis accuses young priests who wear traditional priestly garments of “clericalism”. It is a “scandal” to go to ecclesiastical tailors. Pope Francis is criticizing priests who look like priests! A typical Modernist.
It also seems that the Vatican’s “pope-splainers” are out in full force pacifying, defending, and explaining the actions (statements) of the Vatican.
As Novus Order Mass attendance declines and churches are closing, attendance at Traditional Latin Masses (where permitted) is increasing. Yet, Pope Francis is implementing Traditiones Custodes in order to shut down the TLM. The Vatican is certainly not “reading the room” in inspiring Catholics and growing the Church. It is quite the opposite! It is as if the Modernists are managing the decline of Jesus’ Church.
In response to the German Churches push or blessing same-sex unions, Pope Francis produces Fiducia Supplicans (the non-liturgical blessings of “irregular couples.” (Pope Francis responds in “piece-meal” fashion.)
It seems that the Vatican is appeasing (only giving “lip-service”) the German bishops because Germany brings in much needed revenue to the Vatican.
In their outreach to the LGBT community, Pope Francis and his inner circle are appeasing the world’s values in not following Jesus’ command to sin no more (Jn.8:11). As a result, there continues to be efforts (by clergy) to redefine, destigmatize, and rationalize the sinful nature of homosexuality and same-sex unions.
As a result, the Vatican, Pope Francis and others are abdicating their clerical authority in stating Church teachings (on sin) and failing in their responsibility to lead souls into heaven.
The most wicked liberal Catholics are those who support abortion!
The Vatican is appeasing the women’s rights constituencies in starting the process for potentially creating the position of deaconesses (woman deacons). The Vatican is succumbing to the worldly value that Church vocations are jobs. Therefore, this becomes a “women’s rights issue”.
The American Catholic Church seems not to want to fall in line with the Vatican. And that is a good thing!
The Church in America seems to be getting more conservative and the Modernists (and the Vatican) do not like it. And that is also a good thing!
- Continuing interest in the Traditional Latin Mass (where it is still permitted).
- The younger priests and seminarians are more conservative minded.
- The older moderate and liberal clergy are retiring or dying out.
- More women are wearing veils at Mass.
- More younger people are seeking a much more meaningful and reverent liturgical celebration.
My person opinion: I sense that the Catholic faithful have seen enough (opening their eyes and minds) of the liturgical chaos, confusion, and problems in the Church. We are beginning to see a movement for the desire to bring back and restore the traditions of the Catholic Church! The Holy Spirit is at work in this. And that is a good thing!
Quotes by Pope Pius X
“The primary duty of charity does not lie in the toleration of false ideas.”
“Behind those who accuse the Church of Christ of being rigid there is only the perversion of the false prophets who attempt against the Truth of Christ.”
“If a future Pope teaches anything contrary to the Catholic faith, do not follow him.”