Don’t expect Church teaching to shift with public opinion, says Bishop Davies

[_Abyssinia]

Bishop Davies will say in a pastoral letter that the Church’s task is not only to point the way but to accompany each soul

Western media should not be surprised that Church teaching remains the same, the Bishop of Shrewsbury will say this weekend in a pastoral letter which reflects on Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation.

Bishop Mark Davies will say in the letter for Good Shepherd Sunday: “Many media outlets accurately stated that Catholic teaching on marriage, the family and human sexuality remains unchanged. However, some reports expressed disappointment that the Church fails to conform herself to the prevailing western morality.”

catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/dont-expect-church-teaching-to-shift-with-public-opinion-says-bishop-davies/

 

[total_Catholic]

It is up the Bishops here in America to bring that to light as well however some are so enamored with the media, I suppose, to not upset the apple cart. Sad.

And again, I realize it’s not all the Bishops.

 

[johnnyc176]

It’s one thing for the liberal element in and outside the Catholic Church to pressure the Little Sisters of the Poor. Quite another to pressure Jesus.

 

[Tablefor9]

It’s one thing for the liberal element in and outside the Catholic Church to pressure the Little Sisters of the Poor. Quite another to pressure Jesus.

Jesus can take it. I fear for any in leadership that walk outside of the Lord’s commands.

James 3:1 has this to say:

Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.

 

[JosieN]

catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/dont-expect-church-teaching-to-shift-with-public-opinion-says-bishop-davies/

It is good to hear the Church will not shift with public opinion. If the Church’s teaching shifts with public opinion, it would no longer be a Church of God led by God’s rules but a Church of the people pretending to be a Church of God because they would be making the rules as public opinion shifted. You cannot change true teachings, if they are changed they become lies. Either the first teaching was false, or the changed teaching is. They cannot both be true. If adultery was a sin yesterday and the teaching was changed today that it was not a sin, one would be true the other a lie, they cannot both be true.

 

[mikekle]

From what I see, it certainly seems to me the church has shifted focus based on public opinion, or public popularity, why do literally all the churches within my county seem to be very ‘friendly’ with the cities they are in, and vice versa?

I can not think of a time when a church and a local city were ‘at each others throats’ over an issue, Im not sure so many churches being that ‘coozy’ with secular govts are a good thing, I think it shows the church IS shifting its teaching, but done in ways that are not drastic or immediately noticeable.

Personally, I think if the church were following exactly what God instructed for them, we would see the secular cities fighting and arguing with them much more, looking back thru history, its pretty clear the church and secular authority have much different opinions on what is right and wrong.

Being that these 2 entities are not arguing or fighting means the church is not teaching or saying anything the secular authority disagrees with…hmm…that cannot be a good thing.

 

[Pulvis]

From what I see, it certainly seems to me the church has shifted focus based on public opinion, or public popularity, why do literally all the churches within my county seem to be very ‘friendly’ with the cities they are in, and vice versa?

I can not think of a time when a church and a local city were ‘at each others throats’ over an issue, Im not sure so many churches being that ‘coozy’ with secular govts are a good thing, I think it shows the church IS shifting its teaching, but done in ways that are not drastic or immediately noticeable.

Personally, I think if the church were following exactly what God instructed for them, we would see the secular cities fighting and arguing with them much more, looking back thru history, its pretty clear the church and secular authority have much different opinions on what is right and wrong.

Being that these 2 entities are not arguing or fighting means the church is not teaching or saying anything the secular authority disagrees with…hmm…that cannot be a good thing.

 

[JosieN]

From what I see, it certainly seems to me the church has shifted focus based on public opinion, or public popularity, why do literally all the churches within my county seem to be very ‘friendly’ with the cities they are in, and vice versa?

I can not think of a time when a church and a local city were ‘at each others throats’ over an issue, Im not sure so many churches being that ‘coozy’ with secular govts are a good thing, I think it shows the church IS shifting its teaching, but done in ways that are not drastic or immediately noticeable.

Personally, I think if the church were following exactly what God instructed for them, we would see the secular cities fighting and arguing with them much more, looking back thru history, its pretty clear the church and secular authority have much different opinions on what is right and wrong.

Being that these 2 entities are not arguing or fighting means the church is not teaching or saying anything the secular authority disagrees with…hmm…that cannot be a good thing.

If the Church has shifted focus based on public opinion, or public popularity, then it is not staying true to it’s teachings. God did not change His focus or opinion. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today , and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4.) If the Church bends it’s rules to suit the secular authorities, it is bending God’s laws also and I agree this cannot be a good thing.

 

[mikekle]

If the Church has shifted focus based on public opinion, or public popularity, then it is not staying true to it’s teachings. God did not change His focus or opinion. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today , and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4.) If the Church bends it’s rules to suit the secular authorities, it is bending God’s laws also and I agree this cannot be a good thing.

Yes, its not supposed to be easy or comfortable for the catholic church in this world, history shows us how secular powers have tried to crush it, but in our times today, it seems something else is going on.

The word ‘collusion’ comes to mind, if they are not arguing or fighting, that means at least one of them is settling/ compromising, and Id bet its the not the secular govt!

Has there ever been another time in history when the church and the secular authorities are so buddy-buddy, especially when immorality is rampant?

 

[JosieN]

Yes, its not supposed to be easy or comfortable for the catholic church in this world, history shows us how secular powers have tried to crush it, but in our times today, it seems something else is going on.

The word ‘collusion’ comes to mind, if they are not arguing or fighting, that means at least one of them is settling/ compromising, and Id bet its the not the secular govt!

Has there ever been another time in history when the church and the secular authorities are so buddy-buddy, especially when immorality is rampant?

Yes, I agree. This may be why some of the faithful are moving towards the Traditional Church and it’s teachings. They do not want to settle or compromise their beliefs because it would not be true to the teachings of Christ. They recognize the falseness of agreeing to immoral teachings and care more about their soul and living their lives in a way that is pleasing to God because they chose Jesus Christ over the ways of the world. I fear we may see arguing and fighting in the years to come. The sad thing is it may be the new thinkers in the Church against those members inside the Church who refuse to compromise.

 

[OriginalJS]

The teaching may not have changed; but practices sure have. I’m old. I remember what went on in the 40’s and 50’s. As recently as the 70’s annulments were hard - I mean hard - to get. Saturday confession was the practice. . . I could go on, but won’t. It is just the way things are.

 

[J_Peterson]

Has there ever been another time in history when the church and the secular authorities are so buddy-buddy, especially when immorality is rampant?

Dark ages to the end of the Middle ages?