The Church is the bride of Christ and the body of Christ. Neither of those are metaphors, but a mystical reality. It is all of the baptized, all of the laity and bishops, angels and saints, but it’s also something more, sanctified by Christ.
It seems almost impossible to agree and unite on the differences that divide us. The greatest way to unity would be through the greatest commandments, we can do nothing greater. How do we love people who are different to us, as we love ourselves?
Doesn’t the Catholic Church admit contradictory positions? for example:
Not sure who “some” are. But, no, the Church does not teach opposing positions, but rather teaches s single truth. It does not in one place say -this is wrong; and then in another place say “this same thing is good”.
Indeed!
I don’t think so because at one point in time Catholics were taught by the prayers at Mass that the Blood was shed for all. Now it is said that the Blood was shed for many.
You know you will get a chunk load of explinations very carefully contructed on all of that (or just the age old loophole that it’s the people and not the Church). But I agree. Inconsistencies are evident!
Only in the United States was shed for all in the prayer, due to a mistranslation of the Latin, which Rome for years told the USCCB to correct. But, Rome in the official prayers from which the English drew it’s translations, quite clearly taught that the blood was shed for many.
And both can be true. The BCC Divine Liturgy does not say proceeds only from the Father. So the question if the Spirit proceeds also from the Son is left unanswered in the Byzantine Catholic Church. And again it also entails by what is meant by proceed. In the context that some use it, does it mean originate? Because, that is the way the East is using the term, but not the way the West uses the term proceed. Which is why the two ways of saying the creed are not contradictory, as some Eastern theologians have admitted.
None of this is doctrine Tom. Just like how communion is received -hand or tongue - or the particular wordings of liturgy. You quoted capital punishment earlier - there too the teaching is consistent (through time and place) - it can be permitted (i.e., is not intrinsically evil). Nowhere does the Church take the contrary position and declare it to be intrinsically evil.
That eastern catholic churches are permitted to continue in the custom of their churches in reciting the older version of the Nicene Creed does not mean the CC admits multiple positions. Discussion of the filioque can’t be boiled down so simply, while at the same time some Orthodox theologians have themselves, after study of the Latin position, conceded that on this point, at least, when the Son is properly understood and stressed as Himself begotten by the Father, its a small issue that’s not a barrier to communion (though other things may be), and its simply different stress on the issue that is complementary, not in disagreement, and, even if many Orthodox disagree with that assessment, it’s the consistent position of the CC on the matter.
What is the answer in the US? What about in New Zealand? Discussion is easier if you select contemporary topics where the meaning of the events described, and the circumstances are understood.
Did Innocent say it was good? Did Innocent ever teach it was good? Or did he say it was allowed? You seem to conflate a person allowing something to happen, with that person thinking what is allowed is good. There is a major difference. Moses never taught divorce was good, but he did allow it. By your logic, since he allowed it, he thought it was good.
Are you kidding me? Is that the argument? Allowing your kid to go on a sleepover doesn’t mean you think it’s good, but what’s the harm? Allowing torture and just staying neutral, oh my … Wow.
Did Moses consider divorce good?
On occasion a newer person on CAF will post an “innocent” question somewhat off topic, because they genuinely seek information. It’s ok to provide a brief answer, maybe give them a link to a source, then go back to the topic. They often don’t know where to ask this question, or what official sources exist. So a mini-tangent is ok.
