Do you have an ecumenical spirit?

  • Thread starter Thread starter goodcatholic
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Doctrine is revealed truth - not suggestions or committee-think. So, we either grant intellectual assent to all doctrines, or we dissent. The catechism gives the reasoning for the doctrines and the doctrines are thereby seen to be reasonable. It all simply makes sense and places absolute respect for human dignity as paramount, since we are the only creatures made in God’s image and likeness; the only creatures with rational souls.
 
In 2001 I worked in a care home, supporting people with a learning disability. After I had been there a few weeks, one of the residents asked me what I had done over the weekend, I said I went to church. She said she would like to go with me, and I arranged to take her on my day off. Within a few weeks, six more residents asked to come as well.

This soon caused problems with the secular staff and manager, they said I was taking advantage of vulnerable people. One of the residents did some voluntary work at the Baptist church, so I took all seven of them to the Baptist Church. Two of the residents joined the church. I took the remaining five to the Anglican Church, two of them remained there, and two joined the Salvation Army. The seventh resident stopped going.

This caused problems for the secular staff and management, because some of these residents needed support going to church. I left the care home seven years ago and the staff are still taking a couple of them to church now.
 
Interesting story Eric. As far as I’m concerned you led them to Christ and that’s the main thing.
 
po18guy said:
Doctrine is revealed truth - not suggestions or committee-think.
Click to expand...
Really? I was hoping we could amend and modify the commandments. maybe make a few more. Like “thou shalt not be caught doing the first 10” 🙂 or Thou shalt never question authority in the Church? thou shalt not have a sense of humour?
 
Last edited:
goodcatholic said:
Is it an all or nothing deal? You have to accept absolutely everything? Of course I accept most of the doctrines but give me some space to be myself and questions things at my own pace.
Click to expand...
Your thread was about ecumenism. No one said anything about pushing you to accept all of the Church doctrines before you’re ready.

Everyone is on their own journey. You should take the time you need to learn and ponder on Church teachings. Ask our Mother Mary to help guide you.

I would say, though, since your profile pic is a centenarian, don’t take too long in giving your life whole-heartedly to Jesus and His Church. Who knows how long you’ve got left?? 😉😆
 
I surrender ! I surrender! You guys win ! Catholics 1 Cath/Prots 0
 
goodcatholic said:
Is it an all or nothing deal?
Click to expand...
Yeah it is. I mean, Jesus spoke very strongly in the Bible about following the truth. And while he was merciful, he also had some strong words for those who wouldn’t accept the message he was preaching.

I think it’s kind of funny how people frame “conservative” Catholics as “dogmatic and rigid” when in reality we are just “orthodox”. We simply follow the teaching of the Church, as commanded by Christ.

We don’t generally go around bashing Protestants, but we do affirm that the Church has the truth. I think your posts create a caricature of what you see as “conservative” Catholics that doesn’t really exist. You seem to not realise it but your “non-judgementalism” involves judging the motives and intentions of a group of people to be negative.

And really…We’re talking about the road to eternal salvation here, why would you refuse to accept certain teachings of the Church instituted by Christ himself?
 
Last edited:
goodcatholic said:
Would I be right in concluding that CAF mainly consists of Conservative Catholics?
Click to expand...
I always thought that to be the case, especially in years past. Since the format change last year, some of the older posters seem to have fallen away, and I see a lot more diversity of opinion now (which I don’t think is necessarily a bad thing).

Catholic Answers, our host, has always struck me as being a conservative Catholic organization, although there are probably some Traditionalists who would likely say they aren’t sufficiently conservative. Even though I tend to be more progressive, I always liked the fact that like-minded conservative Catholics could come together here for fellowship and to commiserate, so to speak.

Anyway, that’s just my observation. I know some people bristle at labels like liberal and conservative (Catholics should just be Catholic. There is only one truth. Etc., etc.), but I see that they definitely do apply in the real world, whether we like it or not.
 
goodcatholic said:
Would I be right in concluding that CAF mainly consists of Conservative Catholics?
Click to expand...
@goodcatholic , my opinion is that labels are not for the good , though I am a “conservative” Catholic , but let me put that in some context .

I was fortunate to have lived through the Second Vatican Council . We would follow it with curiosity , excitement and hope .

The more vocal bishops at the Council became familiar names , and we soon came to realise that there was a real debate going on between the bishops at the Council . Some bishops did not want any change within the Church . Other bishops wanted to see reform in the way Pope John XXIII , Good Pope John , saw it . He spoke of aggiornamento . He said , " The Council’s principal task will be concerned with the condition and modernization (in Italian: aggiornamento) of the Church after 20 centuries of life. "

The bishops came to be looked upon as “Conservatives” and “Progressives” . And there was no wrong seen in speaking of them in this way . The conservative bishops were basically saying there is no need for change , things were just fine as they were . On the other hand , the progressive bishops said that things were not satisfactory , and that there was a need for reform . In his opening speech at the Council Good Pope John made an important point when he said , " The substance of the ancient doctrine of the deposit of faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being measured in the forms and proportions of a Magisterium which is predominantly pastoral in character. "

So the debates went on for four years , and the Council Fathers presented us with their documents which became part of the Church’s Tradition .

So how would I label myself ? Not “liberal” because of the way the word is abused .

Not “traditional” unless it is referring to all Catholics whose essence as Catholics is to be traditional .

I would call myself a conservative Catholic , wanting to conserve all that is good and true in the Church .

I would call myself a progressive Catholic , wanting to bring in reform where wrong thinking and practices need to be cast aside because they are hindering the good and true in the Church .

So I am a conservative , progressive Catholic or a progressive , conservative Catholic . Take your pick . It doesn’t matter either way .

Conserve “the deposit of faith” .

Reform when and where “the deposit of faith” needs to be presented in a way meaningful to the people of our time .
 
I love how you put that, and I agree in theory. We all tend to fall somewhere in the traditional/conservative-progressive/liberal spectrum. I still think the labels help to define the situation as it really is. Cardinal Raymond Burke and Cardinal Walter Kasper, for instance, are both respected leaders in the Church, but they certainly hold different points of view. Is one of them right and the other wrong? Many would say so. I am glad our Church is large enough for the both of them!
 
Last edited:
rob2
nice explanation
my bad. Guess I need to grow up. :slight_smile:before I die.
 
Since we are on this topic of labels I consider myself much more conservative than I’m coming across here. I don’t want to change the world, the Church or myself. It takes too much effort. 🙂 And I was born lazy.
 
I respect that a lot, and give you much credit for your enthusiasm and conviction. Same goes for all who have expressed strong statements of faith here. I’m probably too wishy-washy, I’ll admit, but I am what I am. Anyway, Onward Christian soldier!
 
I believe what the Church believes. That we are to respect all people, no matter their beliefs, because they are beloved children of God. However, we are not to support them when they are in error but lead them (by words, by our lifestyle, by our actions) lovingly to the Truth. Jesus is the Way and the Truth, and He left One Church for us. He prayed for unity. We are to work to bring people to the Catholic Church in whatever small and large way we can. We cannot foster the false idea that “all faiths are good.” Jesus never said or showed that in His life.
 
How does that sit with the greatest commandments and the parable of the Good Samaritan? The lawyer asked Jesus a very clear question, what must I do to inherit eternal life? The priest and the Levite did not get a good press by sticking to their religious duties.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top