Europe is not the sum of its parts

Spengler of the Aisa Times is one of those authors who, when you don’t agree with him, usually puts up the best argument for the other side. This week he has a very perceptive article pointing out that Europe is not the sum of its parts. That seems obvious to me, but why does he think so, why does he think this is important?


. . .Europe existed before any of its constituent nations, and the unified Europe of Church and Empire created the nations along with their languages and cultures. As individual nations, Europe's constituent countries will die on the vine.

snip

Why do European nations exist in opposition to Europe? That fact, I believe, is not a measure of Europe's political maturity but rather of its decadence.

snip

Nationalism as an antipode to Empire did not effervesce from the rising bourgeoisie, or develop out of Protestantism. It was the invention of Cardinal Richelieu during the reign of Louis XIII. As I have reported elsewhere, [1] Richelieu for the first time proposed that the welfare of Christendom could be represented in a single European nation, whose particular interests thus defined the interests of the Christian world. . . . Europe's nationalism of the 19th century was a response to France, specifically to Richelieu's successor Napoleon Bonaparte. . . . Ethnically defined nationalism led Europe into World Wars I and II, from which it has not recovered, and from whose wounds it yet might die.

Snip

But I do not think that is the end of the matter. As I argued last month, Russia has become the frontier between Europe and the Islamic world and, unlike Europe, is not prepared to dissolve quietly into the ummah. [3] Pope Benedict's recent pilgrimage to Turkey, it must be remembered, only incidentally dealt with Catholic relations with Islam; first of all it was a gesture to Orthodoxy in the form of a visit to the former Byzantium, . . . For the time being, Europe's constitution will be stillborn. But Europe is not yet dead. Russia is the place to watch, and the quiet conversation of Catholicism is the still, small voice to listen for.


Read the whole article, and his articles that he links. It is a good assessment of the general problem with the current state of Europe and an interesting take on a solution.


H/T: Orthodoxy Today


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It is hardly news that

Perpetua and Felicity – Martyrs

Today is the Feast day of the Perpetua and Felicity and Companions. They were martyred in Carthage in 203. The account of there passion is widely anthologized. When I first read it in a public library (pre-internet) I had to fight back the tears. Widely popular in the early Church, so much so that Augustine had to remind his congregation it was not part of Scripture. Of note is that part of the account is in Perpetua’s own words, one of the very few examples of a feminine voice in the early Church or from that era of history.

Most often the martyrs death in the arena is excerpted, instead I am excerpting Perpetua’s account of the trial. Note that at any point she could have offered a token sacrifice to the Emperor and walked away free.

If the current trends of trying to force medical persons to engage in abortion and handle contraceptives against their will, requiring religious institutions to support gay marriage contrary to thier faith as a condition to operate, and generally praticing religious intolerance in the name of tolerance, this sort of scene may be reenacted all to often.


[W]e were still under legal surveillance and my father was liked to vex me with his words and continually strove to hurt my faith because of his love: Father, said I, Do you see (for examples) this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian.

Snip

A few days after, the report went abroad that we were to be tried. Also my father returned from the city spent with weariness; and he came up to me to cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be, called father by you; if with these hands I have brought you unto this flower of youth- and I-have preferred you before all your brothers; give me not over to the reproach of men. Look upon your brothers; look upon your mother and mother's sister; look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you. Give up your resolution; do not destroy us all together; for none of us will speak openly against men again if you suffer aught.


This he said fatherly in his love, kissing my hands and grovelling at my feet; and with tears he named me, not daughter, but lady. And I was grieved for my father's case because he would not rejoice at my passion out of all my kin; and I comforted him, saying: That shall be done at this tribunal, whatsoever God shall please; for know that we are not established in our own power, but in God's. And he went from me very sorrowful.

Another day as we were at meal we were suddenly snatched away to be tried; and we came to the forum. Therewith a report spread abroad through the parts near to the forum, and a very great multitude gathered together. We went up to the tribunal. The others being asked, confessed. So they came to me. And my father appeared there also, with my son, and would draw me from the step, saying: Perform the Sacrifice; have mercy on the child. And Hilarian the procurator - he that after the death of Minucius Timinian the proconsul had received in his room the right and power of the sword - said: Spare your father's grey hairs; spare the infancy of the boy. Make sacrifice for the Emperors' prosperity. And I answered: I am a Christian. And when my father stood by me yet to cast down my faith, he was bidden by Hilarian to be cast down and was smitten with a rod. And I sorrowed for my father's harm as though I had been smitten myself; so sorrowed I for his unhappy old age. Then Hilarian passed sentence upon us all and condemned us to the beasts; and cheerfully we went down to the dungeon.



HT: Amy Welborn’s Open Book

Update (09/19/2009):

Catholic Hero’s of the Faith has produced a video on St Perpetua. Avaliable at Amazon

Intended for younger people 8 and up, but it seems suitable for all ages. There is also a documentary and a Fun Page

Checkout the trailers


HT: Fathers of the Faith

To See or Not to See

David Duff of Duff and Nonsense will be directing the long awaited performance of Shakespeare's great play Hamlet at the:

Richmond Shakespeare Society
at The Mary Wallace Theatre
The Embankment, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 3DU

David writes:

The philosophical and psychological profundities of Hamlet are familiar to those who choose to read the play in their studies, but in theatre it is necessary to concentrate on telling what amounts to a thrilling tale; not so much a "who-dunnit" but more of a "will-he-do-it". In our production we shall aim to drive the story along with great energy and clarity to the slaughter, or if you like, the "collateral damage", that takes place in its bloody conclusion. The metaphysics can take care of themselves!

And very reasonably priced

· Main Shows: £8 (first three performances £7)
· Open Air Show: £12 (concessions £10)
March 2007
Mar 10(Sat), 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 (Sat) at 7.45pmMar 11(Sun) 4.00pmMatinée Mar 17(Sat) at 3pm

Box Office: How to Book

Booking information for each show will be sent to Members together with production details. You can also e-mail us or ring our 24-hour Information Line on 020 8892 2565 for advance news.

Alas, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune make a mere Eight Pounds plus round trip Trans-Atlantic airfare a little pricey. But for those in who live in the fare isles should make this a must see.