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Crazy_Diamond
Guest
I had kind of gleaned that from the writings, so it’s nice to get solid confirmation. Thanks for a well-written, concise explanation!
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Crazy_Diamond
Guest
[Edited]
The Holy Spirit calls some people to focus on particular problems. He uses the interests and talents he’s given each us to edify the whole body of Christ. It’s a common temptation to think “I don’t care about that issue, so no one else should either” but that’s not the way the body works. Hands work on being hands and feet on being feet. We all have our job to do. If the hands say “this beam is too heavy to hold up” the feet need to respond and get out of the way. The feet should never think they are separate from the hands just because the hands are focusing on a different task than the feet.
The Holy Spirit calls some people to focus on particular problems. He uses the interests and talents he’s given each us to edify the whole body of Christ. It’s a common temptation to think “I don’t care about that issue, so no one else should either” but that’s not the way the body works. Hands work on being hands and feet on being feet. We all have our job to do. If the hands say “this beam is too heavy to hold up” the feet need to respond and get out of the way. The feet should never think they are separate from the hands just because the hands are focusing on a different task than the feet.
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FrDavid96
Guest
It’s not a matter of falling too far outside the definition. It’s a matter of applying a usage that is entirely in conflict with the very meaning of the word, and the very purpose of Godparents. One who is not a member of the Church cannot possibly sponsor someone else to become a new member. How can one who practices a religion which is by its very nature opposed to Catholicism (ie Protestantism in its many and varied forms), possibly sponsor someone to become a Catholic? If you don’t believe the faith of the Church, and in fact you go so far as to outwardly deny the faith of the Church, how can you agree to share and foster that faith in someone else? The very concept defies logic itself.
The real issue is to address the problem of people using the word "Godparent’ when the word does not apply. It’s hardly a technical word. There are other words which we use that are far more technical. If I were to tell people that transubstantiation happens at baptism, would people say to themselves “well, he’s using that in a non-technical way, so let’s allow that one to slide”? Of course not.
Godparent is a word that we use everyday in our Catholic vocabulary. It has a very deep meaning for us. To dilute and distort that meaning by saying that the Church has one understanding of Godparent, but the faithful have a different understanding is not exactly a desirable situation. The word and the concept both are too important for us to treat them casually.
It’s also a situation based on an untruth. It’s one of those “Vatican II says” things where people have taken their own personal opinion and replaced the actual teaching of the Council.
Remember the axion “error has no rights.”
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thomfra
Guest
Yes, I understand what you are saying - But I would also think it is important for all to have an understanding of the broader picture and message from Christ.
Perhaps even spend some time in reflection prioritising what will bring a postive result, and what may give a negative (neutral result at best) is in order for all of us.
Perhaps I’m a pragmatist. But I think one should focus one’s efforts where they can make a tangible difference.
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