Getting
Back to Basics
2006 TFP National Conference
In complex times, it is good to go back
to simple basics. There is a need to review fundamental
principles, methods of action and tactics. It is good
to gather together scattered friends from across the country
to take stock and make future plans.
With this in mind, nearly 280 supporters,
friends and members of the American Society for the Defense
of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) met on October
6-8 in
Spring Grove, Penn. to discuss the theme “Back to
the Basics: Revisiting the Foundations of the Counter-Revolution.”
The Columbus Day weekend event at the TFP
national headquarters also served as a time to compare notes
since most of the participants had helped organize the 2093
protests against the blasphemous film The Da Vinci Code.
The last national conference had been the setting for the
plans that led to these theater protests.
The American TFP was honored with several
noteworthy guests. Delivering the Sunday luncheon address
was Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Braganza who traveled from
his native Brazil to be with those present. Also speaking
was Captain Guy Gruters, retired Air Force pilot and former
prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict.
The Basics
Indeed, for the purposes of analyzing events, there is nothing
more basic for the TFP than the book, Revolution and
Counterrevolution by TFP founder Prof. Plinio Corrêa
de Oliveira.
This basic handbook contains an outline
of the philosophical underpinnings and historical processes
behind the present world crisis. The succinct book speaks
of a centuries-old movement attacking Christian civilization
termed the Revolution which consisted of four major revolutions
in history: the Protestant, French and Communist Revolutions
and the Sexual Revolution of the Sixties. It also speaks
of a reaction to this process which Prof. Corrêa de
Oliveira termed the Counterrevolution
The characteristics of the Revolution and
the Counterrevolution and its concrete application to our
days served as the main focus of the 2006 National Conference
talks.
Talking
About Basics
Thus, the conference began by presenting the basic elements
of Christian ideals in society. Mr. Norman Fulkerson presented
a description of Christian civilization as presented in
the medieval order. His masterful presentation analyzed
many of the misconceptions and deliberate historical distortions
that often prevent Catholics from understanding and admiring
this epoch.
TFP Washington Bureau Director Mario Navarro da Costa
discussed “A Revolution-Counter-Revolution View
of History.” The talk contested the popular view
that history is a random sequence of events and argued
the need to understand and apply a theology of history
based on the perspectives of Saint Augustine.
Using examples found in daily life, TFP
Vice President John Horvat affirmed that the fundamental
concepts of Revolution and Counterrevolution are so basic
that everyone has a vague notion of them. He asserted that
the best way to engage defending the Faith outside the Church
doors was for participants to assert their Catholic identity
in the public square and thus confound those seeking to
destroy Christian civilization.
No Counter-Revolutionary action can be
conceived without a firm foundation in the laws governing
society. TFP Senior Researcher Luis Solimeo gave a refreshing
summary of eternal law, natural law and positive law in
which he disputed the subjective concept of such law that
is often used by the Revolution to push its agenda.
How theory applies to daily life was
the theme of TFP veteran Nelson Fragelli, President of
the Luci Sull’Est campaign in Italy. Mr. Fragelli
developed what is generally referred to as the Cultural
Revolution and its importance in changing mentalities.
Finally, American TFP member Michael Drake
made the connection between the Fatima Message and the Counterrevolution
His dynamic presentation sought to explain why the Fatima
message is so important and an integral part of the Counterrevolutionary
message. Because Fatima involves basic concepts such as
the revival of the notion of sin, the distinction of good
and evil and the unmasking of final goals, it is a major
challenge to the Modern World.
More than
Basics
However, the conference was about more than talks about
basics.
There were other talks to broaden the horizons of participants.
Capt. Guy Gruters gripping description of how his Catholic
Faith sustained him in a Vietnamese prison camp was especially
memorable. Mr. Alejandro Ezcuura of the American TFP Peruvian
sister organization Tradición y Acción spoke of his long
friendship with Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira.
The Sunday luncheon keynote speech about
the need to be involved in the Counterrevolutionary defense
of the Church by Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Braganza was
especially appreciated by the participants. Mr. Luiz Antonio
Fragelli’s “The Meaning of Life” final
address was a fitting conclusion to the whole round of talks.
And through the days, there were opportunities
to get to know each other. Ample coffee breaks between
talks were occasions to meet new people and converse with
old friends. Behind the scenes, students from the TFP-run
St. Louis de Montfort Academy and members of TFP Student
Action were everywhere helping to make sure things ran
smoothly.
Cultural Counter-Revolution
The conference had its cultural aspects. The atmosphere
was especially prepared to reflect the principles being
defended. Even the large tent which served as an auditorium
was decorated with taste and care to provide a proper ambiance
for the talks.
The TFP's Holy Choir of Angels Band was another cultural
highlight with an evening performance that featured a
delightful and lively selection of pieces for drums, fifes,
brass and bagpipes.
The cultural also met the spiritual and
supernatural. Especially memorable was the evening candlelight
Rosary procession. Despite the threat of rain, the American
TFP’s life-size replica of Seville’s Our Lady
of Hope, Macarena was carried on a large litter and
majestically presided over the touching event. The faith
of the participants triumphed as the shower held off until
after the procession was over.
And then there was the closing High Mass
celebrated at the historic Immaculate Conception Church
in York, Penn. early Sunday afternoon. Held with the permission
from Most Rev. Kevin Rhoades, Bishop of Harrisburg, the
Latin Mass was sung by the TFP members, wearing the ever-present
TFP ceremonial habit, and attended by nearly 300 participants
and local Catholics. The recessional procession ended with
the majestic rendition of the Papal Hymn accompanied with
organ, trumpet, drum and choir.
After Mass, the closing dinner as
held at the grand ballroom of the nearby historic Yorktowne
Hotel with closing remarks by TFP Chicago Bureau chief,
C. Preston Noell III, who spoke of the lessons learned from
The Da Vinci Code protests. The participants had
seen the basics and, now, were ready for further action.
As the final farewells faded into the night, they came to
realize how basic and reassuring it is to come together
for events of Catholic fellowship and camaraderie. All prepared
for the long return home where new battles certainly await.
