LeahInancsi:
I’m currently an RCIA student. We have never had the time to get off on the wild tangents that Palmas85 mentioned. Beside the fact that our instructor would never discuss such issues.
I’m currently overwhelmed by the amount information I would like to know in order feel confident that I’m properly practicing Catholicism. Two hours a week for nine months only scratches the surface without getting side tracked on political issues.
With regard to documenting the information discussed in RCIA classes, our classes are recorded on DVD to be viewed by people who missed a class or anyone wanting a second viewing of the class.
After reading the responses I spoke with my friend to see exactly what context these things were said . They were receiving a lecture in Church History, specifically the last thousand years. Apparently the lecturer stayed fairly much on topic, even with his open admiration of Martin Luther and his courageous stand against the evils of the Pope, he apparently did present most of the reformation period factually.
His talk took a sharp turn when it came to the colonization of the Americas and the Church was labeled as being responsible for the murder or rather the butchering of millions of Mexican Indians and other indigenous people of the areas. It was hinted that the extermination were motivated by racism and greed on the part of the European church fathers and especially the Popes of the time, all of whom profited handsomely.
When the lecture reached the 20th century is when most of the political views came out. According to my friend no mention was made about Vatican II at all and the changes to the Church as a result. The comment about the atomic bombs came after a brief section on the Vatican treaty with the Italian Government before the war, and how it centralized Vatican power over the Church and basically put the Vatican into bed with the fascists. The Cuba comments came at the end of a twenty minute or so speech on the general evils of capitalism and subsequent suffering of the poor, who cannot even receive medical care and education It ended with spirited defense of Liberation theology and glowing statements about small Christian Base camp communities in Brazil, Honduras and El Salvador as well as southern Mexico,as being the purest form of Christianity, and quite posibly being the future of the church…
I spoke with two of his classmates this afternoon and they confirmed what he told me. They too were also bewildered and, all being in the US military, frankly appalled at what they had heard., The three of them plan to present their grievances to their RCIA team leader at their meeting this week.
Thanks for all the responses, they were greatly appreciated.
