Last week we thought that the Vatican's Relationship with the Chinese government was improving.
And this week we find that the Chinese Communist Government has installed two Bishops in 3 days without Rome's approval.
I think this is a positive development. I was getting sick of all the liberals articles about how the Catholic Church in China (the underground Church) and the Schismatic Patriotic Catholic Association were really all on the same page except for a few hardliners who were unwilling to "forgive" those who attended the CPA. The way they frame the issue is really something, isn't it?
This will add clarity to the issue. Because when Catholic Bishops loyal to the Pope are being arrested and so-called Bishops elevated by the Communists are being celebrated I don't think you can really say we're all the same page.
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So, I've been reading your blog and I think you have made a lot of misconceptions regarding the Church in the modern era. First..please read my post to you in your blog entry about St. Michael's College in VT. Second, you are not helping the world by putting blame on everyone else. The Catholic Church should allow female altar servers. This is one of the only ways for females to be active participants in the liturgy. I feel like you are someone who would look at biblical passages and read them as they are put, and not look into them, their historical context, translation issues, etc... Perhaps though, you are not even concerned with the Bible (as most Catholics are-I am a Catholic), but are only concerned with what the Pope says. Do not follow blindly. Perhaps the leaders of the Church are following their own agendas and not that of the Church's. I have heard of the former Bishop of VT, Kenneth Angell, stopping a team from educating priest on the pastoral care of the LGBT community because he had his heart set of defeating the civil union bill. This seems to me to be against what the Church believes. What happened to the dignity of the human person?
Dear Anonymous,
I'm so glad you posted. And I agree with you about something very important- the dignity of the human person. How do you think that dignity is best preserved and promoted? By condoning or encouraging homosexual acts? The Bible is very specific about homosexuality; it is a sin that cries out to heaven for justice. I have all the sympathy in the world for someone who finds him or herself afflicted with a homosexual orientation. I hope that they do what the Church asks of them and remain chaste. That is what preserves human dignity, not to mention physical health.
It is sad to think that you believe only female altar servers participate. Anyone who can read, think or pray participates because the purpose of assisting at the sacrifice of the Mass is to worship God. Only a man can become a priest so there is no point in encouraging women and girls to aspire to "being on the altar". It's pointless and unfair to them and the parishoners.
Thank you for your comments.
Anonymous;
Your post leaves me with many questions. In your post you...
1. assert that this blog writer "puts the blame on everyone else." The blame for what? Errant Bishops; rogue Churches; homosexuality?
2. assert that "most Catholics" are "not concerned with the Bible." Any Catholic following the precepts of the Church hears at least two readings from the Bible (weekly), and in the case of the N.O., three readings from the Bible (weekly), with a psalm thrown in. On what do you base your assertion that most Catholics are not concerned with the Bible?
3. suggest that the blog writer is following "blindly" "what the Pope says." Which Pope? Pope Benedict? What exactly has "he" said that contradicts the Teaching Magesterium of the Church?
4. relate an event wherein the Bishop of Vermont chooses from whom the priests under his care should or should not receive instruction. Isn't that part of his pastoral ministry? How is this "against what the Church believes?"
I find your post lacking in any logical thought process, but rife with cliches. Perhaps you ought to wonder who is "following blindly" those who are "following their own agendas and not that of the Church's."
I wish you well.
Poor misled 'anonymous' - he/she is a perfect example of how the St Michael's is missing the boat in teaching the Faith to it's students. To say that women don't participate in the liturgy is rediculous. It is the same thought process that believes that sodomites should be allowed to adopt children to 'participate' in the formation of a (choke) 'family'. Hey, we all need to admit that there are many things we are unable to do because of the fact of our gender. Why not let that choice God made for each of us from all eternity guide our behaviour - we will become exactly what He planned for us. Chill out. Life is short
You are all misunderstanding what I am trying to say. Women cannot serve in priestly ministry. Why not give them to opportunity to serve the Church, other than going to mass and participating.
Second, homosexuality is indeed a difficult subject in the Church. Perhaps you should regard you're own biblical reflection in order to truly read what is said about it. Sodom and Gormorrah has nothing to do with true homosexuals, than with justice and hospitality. David and Jonathan were lovers in the Old Testament.
Outside of biblical readings, Church teaching often doesn't even make sense in itself. The Church proclaims the inborn nature of homosexuality. Then the Church proclaims that all human persons need to be treated with dignity and respect. If you are not recognizing, or delegitimizing homosexuality, would it not follow that therefore you would not be respecting a whole human person? Are homosexuals only sub-human according to Church teaching?
Perhaps if the Church woulod focus more on the lives of gay and lesbians, instead of the "sinfullness" of homo-genital acts, the Church would be fulfilling it's mission.
If you read my previous post at your St. Michael's article, you would understand Natural Law. Perhaps it is you my friend who is misunderstanding original Church Teaching.
Your idea concerning homo-genital intercourse and health are also mis-leading. If you regard statistics world wide, there are far more heterosexual persons who are infected with HIV/AIDS. This is a misconception that conservatives love to discuss in order to cause a stigma to homosexuality.
Do what Jesus would want and work for social justice. Jesus would have been a liberal. In fact in Mark's Gospel, he kicks out the conservative members of the Jewish community who thought that they knew God.
Madeline- Isn't the Bishop's job to serve the people of his Diocese. Perhaps if he weren't a self-proclaimed homophobe and actually served the men and women of his diocese, he wouldn't be opposed to an initiative to minister to his people.
Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans
"26 For this cause God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. 27 And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error. 28 And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness, full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity, whisperers, 30 Detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Foolish, dissolute, without affection, without fidelity, without mercy. 32 Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death; and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them."
Anonymous: With regards to "social justice." Social justice is a natural pursuit for those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ; but it is not the sole, or even the first, aim of those who wish to follow Him. And social injustice is not the greatest evil. One who suffers calumny and oppression from others can still enter (and probably has a better chance of entering) the Kingdom of God.
Gospel According to St. Luke; Chapter 12
21 "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. 22 And he said to his disciples: Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat; nor for your body, what you shall put on. 23 The life is more than the meat, and the body is more than the raiment. 24 Consider the ravens, for they sow not, neither do they reap, neither have they storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them. How much are you more valuable than they? 25 And which of you, by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If then ye be not able to do so much as the least thing, why are you solicitous for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. 28 Now if God clothe in this manner the grass that is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.
31 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom. 33 Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35 Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands."
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