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proud2bcatholic
Guest
I’m game.
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geojack
Guest
I have a problem with the rich and powerful not being ordinary catholics. Some are. Wellington Mara as an example.
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vern_humphrey
Guest
The point is the rich and powerful who violate Catholic doctrine are treated differently.
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Elzee
Guest
Is the target audience ALL Bishops/priests, or American Bishops/priests, with hopes of also sending on to Rome?
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vern_humphrey
Guest
I think just American bishops and priests (and perhaps Canadian.) I know in some countries the bishops are very good about doing their jobs – and not so good in others.
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Elzee
Guest
vern humphrey:
Thank you, that helps.
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Loboto-Me
Guest
Canada could use all the help it can get!
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Lapsed
Guest
It would be great if Canada was included in this project as we are facing largely the same issues in the Canadian Church as the American Church is dea ling with.
This I really like:
Elzee:
“…desperately want our religious leaders to unapologetically teach the full doctrines of the Catholic faith…”
This I really like:
The only suggestion I have is to add “full” or “complete” here:
“…desperately want our religious leaders to unapologetically teach the full doctrines of the Catholic faith…”
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Elzee
Guest
Excellent suggestion. I’ll post an update later tonight hopefully.
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geojack
Guest
vern humphrey:
It still sounds like class warfare. Why the distinction for the rich and powerful? Why no mention of the poor and powerless that violate Catholic doctrine? “Who violate Catholic doctrine” makes the point. Adding certain groups makes it look like there is more to the agenda.
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Maureen_Fiore
Guest
Does anyone have any ideas on what we can put into the website. I spoke tonight to our IT person at work and he told me that he could help us design a website. I need some specifics as to what everyone thinks should go into the web page. Do you think we only need text or will there be flashy images? Please let me know your thoughts on this too.
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Maureen_Fiore
Guest
I thought about the original thread and I wonder if we can use some of this article as a base to help us brainstorm.
http:www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48363
Pat Buchanan wrote a very good article regarding how certain Cardinals allow powerful politicians to dictate what the teaching of the church can be. We must be able to stand together and tell the Shepherds of our church that they were wrong. We fully back the true teachings of our church. It is up to the faithful to recognize when the hierarchy of the church become consumed with this evil. Powerful people (politicians) create turmoil in our church and cause the faithful to become confused.
I don’t know what you think but maybe we can use some of what Pat Buchanan stated and add to it. Of course we will give credit. No Plagurism
http:www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48363
Pat Buchanan wrote a very good article regarding how certain Cardinals allow powerful politicians to dictate what the teaching of the church can be. We must be able to stand together and tell the Shepherds of our church that they were wrong. We fully back the true teachings of our church. It is up to the faithful to recognize when the hierarchy of the church become consumed with this evil. Powerful people (politicians) create turmoil in our church and cause the faithful to become confused.
I don’t know what you think but maybe we can use some of what Pat Buchanan stated and add to it. Of course we will give credit. No Plagurism
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Elzee
Guest
The original is above, the revision below. The quote still needs to be verified.
Can’t say I’m thrilled with the long sentence, but when I tried to break it down it lost the feel of a “Mission Statement”.
Because of that, I made sure to keep the first sentence short and to the point, setting the theme for the entire Statement.
**
Edit/adjust as you all think best!!!**
Our Mission:
To encourage our Bishops and Priests to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in accordance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. We will do this by demonstrating through our website and our prayers that there are faithful Catholics committed to the infallible teachings of the Church who desperately want our leaders to unapologetically teach the fullness of truth entrusted to the Catholic faith, regardless of its unpopular or controversial nature. We hold fast to the words of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI - “Truth is not determined by a majority vote.”
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Did you miss this part:
When we are talking about people who violate Church doctrine we must identify them – at least by the doctrines they violate.
We have a clear problem in the Church – we have failed to deal with the awful mass killing called abortion. We are seeking support from the bishops – as is their duty under Canon law 212 – in stating clearly and unequivocably that abortion is wrong and backing it up with action.
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legeorge
Guest
Hey there everybody. I don’t have much to add today, but I am stewing this whole project around in my head. I like the mission statement so far. It is evolving nicely.
I think we might want to add somewhere (not necessarily in the mission statement) how we are committed to this project because of our tremendous love for the Church and our desire to see her flourish in this dark culture we live in. In the darkest of days, our Church needs to shine exceptionally bright to lead the people to God and His great love. “Those who live in darkness have seen a great light” and we want to share that light with others without dimming it down. (Not exact words, but the idea I’m trying get across). What do y’all think?
I think we might want to add somewhere (not necessarily in the mission statement) how we are committed to this project because of our tremendous love for the Church and our desire to see her flourish in this dark culture we live in. In the darkest of days, our Church needs to shine exceptionally bright to lead the people to God and His great love. “Those who live in darkness have seen a great light” and we want to share that light with others without dimming it down. (Not exact words, but the idea I’m trying get across). What do y’all think?
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Very good. How’s this:
Do you think we’re getting there?
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Elzee
Guest
A*s faithful Catholics, we are disturbed and confused by the politicization of the Eucharist.
At every mass, we see good people who cannot take communion in our churches, usually because they have been divorced and remarried. Yet we also see powerful politicians who publicly support abortion, who enter and sponsor bills making abortion more available being admitted to communion.
We see there are two Catholic Churches – one for ordinary Catholics like ourselves, and another for the rich and powerful. We see the Eucharist given to those who clearly are in violation of all the Church stands for, because it is the political thing to do.
We see Catholics who are confused – if leaders who espouse abortion do not receive the same treatment as those who merely remarry after divorce, how bad can abortion be?*
Just some (name removed by moderator)ut:
I think the points there are concerns about or encouragement wants to be given about would be more easily understood and digested if they were bulleted.
Like someone above posted, I think the ‘rich and powerful’ statement could be taken in the wrong way. To achieve maximum credibility the wording needs to be strong, but needs to avoid the ‘perception’ of having personal agendas (I’m not saying anyone does, but I think it could give that impression).
Might be helpful to include a bullet list of actions by the USCCB people are thankful for. It always helps to demonstrate your fair-mindedness and appreciation when appreciation is due.
Just a few thoughts…
At every mass, we see good people who cannot take communion in our churches, usually because they have been divorced and remarried. Yet we also see powerful politicians who publicly support abortion, who enter and sponsor bills making abortion more available being admitted to communion.
We see there are two Catholic Churches – one for ordinary Catholics like ourselves, and another for the rich and powerful. We see the Eucharist given to those who clearly are in violation of all the Church stands for, because it is the political thing to do.
We see Catholics who are confused – if leaders who espouse abortion do not receive the same treatment as those who merely remarry after divorce, how bad can abortion be?*
Just some (name removed by moderator)ut:
I think the points there are concerns about or encouragement wants to be given about would be more easily understood and digested if they were bulleted.
Like someone above posted, I think the ‘rich and powerful’ statement could be taken in the wrong way. To achieve maximum credibility the wording needs to be strong, but needs to avoid the ‘perception’ of having personal agendas (I’m not saying anyone does, but I think it could give that impression).
Might be helpful to include a bullet list of actions by the USCCB people are thankful for. It always helps to demonstrate your fair-mindedness and appreciation when appreciation is due.
Just a few thoughts…
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Suppose we substitute “politically powerful” for “rich and powerful.”
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Elzee
Guest
vern humphrey:
I think the ‘two Catholic Churches’ is limiting - that’s not the word I’m really looking for but I just can’t think today…The examples given aren’t the only divison points we see. The beliefs held by its members, and publicly supported and defended by its members - in many instances by Church leaders themselves (priests, bishops, nun, deacons, etc.) - may lead to the perception there are informal, valid schisms in the Church when it comes to doctrine. Perhaps this is already occurring, I don’t know.
It also has led to the confusion of many Catholics and non-Catholics in regard to the tenets of the Catholic faith, and has drawn into question the faithfulness of some of our religious, and even more sadly, the authority of Rome in regard to our American bishops and priests.
On the broader, evangelization scale, some non-Catholics question even the Christianity of our faith because of the example set by our religious and laity when it comes to homosexual marriage, divorce, etc. (“You will know them by their fruits…”) There are people preach the faith and represent the church in a formal, ordained role, but in reality do not adhere to Church doctrine.
Also, I think stating* ‘because it is the political thing to do’* may be a generalization. Some Bishops and priests think it is the right thing to do because each person must deal with his/her own conscience before God. (A priest I know would probably think this way - for him, it wouldn’t be political at all - he doesn’t concern himself with what is politically correct.)
As I said, this is just one person’s opinion. You’ll get a lot of differing ones I’m sure!
- We see there are two Catholic Churches – one for ordinary Catholics like ourselves, and another for the rich and powerful. We see the Eucharist given to those who clearly are in violation of all the Church stands for, because it is the political thing to do.*
I think the ‘two Catholic Churches’ is limiting - that’s not the word I’m really looking for but I just can’t think today…The examples given aren’t the only divison points we see. The beliefs held by its members, and publicly supported and defended by its members - in many instances by Church leaders themselves (priests, bishops, nun, deacons, etc.) - may lead to the perception there are informal, valid schisms in the Church when it comes to doctrine. Perhaps this is already occurring, I don’t know.
It also has led to the confusion of many Catholics and non-Catholics in regard to the tenets of the Catholic faith, and has drawn into question the faithfulness of some of our religious, and even more sadly, the authority of Rome in regard to our American bishops and priests.
On the broader, evangelization scale, some non-Catholics question even the Christianity of our faith because of the example set by our religious and laity when it comes to homosexual marriage, divorce, etc. (“You will know them by their fruits…”) There are people preach the faith and represent the church in a formal, ordained role, but in reality do not adhere to Church doctrine.
Also, I think stating* ‘because it is the political thing to do’* may be a generalization. Some Bishops and priests think it is the right thing to do because each person must deal with his/her own conscience before God. (A priest I know would probably think this way - for him, it wouldn’t be political at all - he doesn’t concern himself with what is politically correct.)
As I said, this is just one person’s opinion. You’ll get a lot of differing ones I’m sure!
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vern_humphrey
Guest
But remember, we can’t write a book. We have to be tightly focussed – so it’s better to say “two Churches” than “a hundred Churches.”
While that is true – taht some people question our Christianity, there is nothing we can do to directly affect that. I think we must focus not on what Protestants think, but on what Catholics think and how it affects the laity.
It’s difficult to separate the political from the religious in many cases – but clearly there must be some reason why people who are divorced and remarried can’t take communion, but pro-abortion politicians can. Given His Holiness’ stance on this, it is more likely that much politics is shrouded in piety – people let their politics drive their religion.
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