Cardinal O’Malley: ‘The Church Will Not Change Her Teaching on Marriage’

[McCall1981]

I think this statement from Card O’Malley is pretty encouraging for a couple of reasons.

First, he said it “will not change”, which is a clear and unambiguous, he didn’t just say "I personally don’t see a reason to change it.

Secondly, the fact that he is on the Council of Cardinals, so he’s clearly in the know and is able to speak, not just theologically, but to the practical reality of the situation.

And third, since Card O’Malley is pretty non-ideological, I would think his statement is probably reliable (the same applies to Card Nichols’, who gave a similar statement as well).

 

[MtnDwellar]

But look at your previous statement

Originally Posted by MtnDwellar View Post
Anything that is not contained in Catholicism is a lie

makes my comment NOT trivial. I agree with you that Catholicism is true, but stating that all of their (Protestant) beliefs are not true will push people away from your message.

I never stated that all of their (Protestant) beliefs are not true. I stated the exact opposite. Any truth in Protestantism came from Catholicism. There is an intersecttion between Catholic and Protestant beliefs. All of the Catholic beliefs are true. Those part of the Protestant beliefs which are also Catholic are true too! If a Protestant belief is not part of Catholicism, then it’s false.

If you are trying to lead people to Catholicism, then my brother, in my humble opinion, you are doing it in an insulting way. I would suggest softening your tone. There is a book by Mark Brumley (CEO of Ignatius Press) called “How Not to Share Your Faith: The Seven Deadly Sins of Catholic Apologetics and Evangelization”. Its a great book for those involved in Catholic apologetics, I would suggest you read it. In the chapter entitled “Pride” he says:

It took your reply to my last post for you to put more context around your first post, that I commented on. All I am saying is that we are called by St. Peter to defend our faith, but we do it with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15)

Peace

Thanks for your unsolicited opinion. In my opinion my tone is exactly right. I would be insulted by anyone who tried to talk down to me and soften their words.

Also, I don’t need to learn from Protestants. I think I have better reading already on my list, but thanks anyway.

 

[shockerfan]

I never stated that all of their (Protestant) beliefs are not true. I stated the exact opposite. Any truth in Protestantism came from Catholicism. There is an intersecttion between Catholic and Protestant beliefs. All of the Catholic beliefs are true. Those part of the Protestant beliefs which are also Catholic are true too! If a Protestant belief is not part of Catholicism, then it’s false.

Thanks for your unsolicited opinion. In my opinion my tone is exactly right. I would be insulted by anyone who tried to talk down to me and soften their words.

Also, I don’t need to learn from Protestants. I think I have better reading already on my list, but thanks anyway.

“Win an argument, lose a soul.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen

 

[McCall1981]

Here is a very recent interview with Card. Burke, in which he addresses, and firmly rejects, Card. Kasper’s proposals:

rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/03/card-burke-there-are-many-difficulties.html

 

[FollowChrist34]

Why don’t you leave ‘the Protestants’ out of this? Yes, the Church’s long-standing traditions and theology are what allow us to maintain confidence in the truth, but to make a blanket statement that ‘most Protestants … change positions to please society’ is ignorant and unkind.

I, for one, have no problem sincerely apologizing to you for this attitude in the Catholic Church. It’s really strong at CAF for some reason. I see a much milder version among everyday Catholics around me who regularly attend Mass.

I draw a very definitive distinction between classic Protestantism (15th, 16th century) and the modern watered down liberal (basically dead) and conservative offshoots. I have little use for the modern types. I do respect the tenacity of the Evangelists, but I think they cling to the Bible in an uneducated way and do not open themselves to receive the full true contents of historical Christianity as contained in the Catholic Church. They get a heck of lot right though, just from the Bible - very good on morality, weak on charity and humility, serious lack of knowledge of the real history and tradition of their own Church. Liberal Protestants I frankly don’t even really see as serious Christians; they are completely overrun by modern secularism. (This is a lesson for us Catholics.)

Classic Protestantism as you see in Luther or in the original Anglican Church, for example, is a different story. Because they keep the liturgy and real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, I believe they are much closer to the truth. I put this kind of Protestantism on a par with the Orthodox Church. Furthermore, I believe God knows his Church - he’s the only one who REALLY knows if you are in his flock or not. I don’t, you don’t, CAF doesn’t.

Without the Protestant Reformation, we would never have had the Catholic Counter Reformation. I don’t know for sure if the Church would have survived to this day. God works in mysterious ways. Serious Christian Protestant believers are my brothers and sisters. They are part of the body of Christ. God bless.