Episcopalians...Are you Happy?

[aidanbradypop]

The Catholic Church in America seems rather flimsy to me on many issues. Perhaps they condemn it to an extent, but I never see action taken against pseudo-Catholic politicians, and more of a great resignation when they lose on a great social battle.

Even Cardinal Dolan seems rather uncomfortable with confronting the gay marriage issue, trying to walk on egg shells.

Once cannot cast judgment on a faith from the people that practice it. We often do in many times, but such judgment is really unfair. If I see a Baptist drinking in a bar, I cannot in good faith proclaim that all Baptist believe that way.

 

[FabiusMaximus]

Once cannot cast judgment on a faith from the people that practice it. We often do in many times, but such judgment is really unfair. If I see a Baptist drinking in a bar, I cannot in good faith proclaim that all Baptist believe that way.

Absolutely, but I’m talking about the institution itself.

I certainly have not seen the opposition to certain issues as I would have expected from an institution as large as the Catholic Church.

Take a look at when New York legalized gay marriage. As soon as the bill hit the Senate floor, the bishops accepted what happened, and did nothing to the Catholic politicians who supported the legislation. Isn’t the Catholic teaching technically to deny them Communion? Why wasn’t that done? Why isn’t that done to Joe Biden? Nancy Pelosi?

In Italy, Silvio Berlusconi was denied Communion because he divorced and remarried.

But then again, the Catholic Church in Italy isn’t so tough on some issues, either.

 

[englishredrose]

Thanks englishredrose! Nice to hear someone give an honest view!

I quoted the above bacause I am wondering what you mean by getting it right?

I believe we should be worried about getting our faith right and not going down a wrong path. Some Catholics can get a bit carried away with it, but we should always strive to do our best at making sure we are living as Christ commanded. Right? Or are you talking about something else?

Too many here are worried about getting it right… by that I mean should they have done this or that stuff and essentially it is taking away what is important about faith.
I do not know if Catholics who post on these boards realise that their message of worry is not a good message of those reading about the people of the church. It is good they are able to share their worries but most of them should really be to the priest anyway but the amount of worry or anxiety posted here isn’t a good image for a Church who predominant message ought to be Love and Peace. People worry about doing the right thing by the Sacraments etc… That is worrying and am not decrying their worry but surely the Church isn’t doing something right if people cannot see that the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation is their friend in their fight against evil. It not something to be worried and stressed up about but their friend, their tool with fighting against evil. The amount of worry on these boards should be a worry in inself that there is something missing in Church

and please I am not saying ‘we’ have it any better apart from we don’t have the same stress on sin as you guys and yes as a church we do have a lot of difficulties but that is a real part of communities and families. There isn’t going to be a perfect community anywhere if we are all being human because we are all different and want different things. But for a church that is supposedly preaching the good news of Love and Peace and people are worried about sin and entry to heaven. Our God is a Loving God and there seems to be something missing at least on these boards about that message. Too many posts are backed up with that it is GIRMS etc, rather than that we Love God.

I am not so sure I have seen anyone here declare that they do Love God in their testamonies as Christian as Catholic. There is too much worry about choice of hymn tunes and whether to sit or kneel or stand or whether the priest omitted something or missed out a sin in confession then worry about it validity These people are not at peace with God and that is a worry. I have my difficulties of my own and wouldn’t post them here because I am private person but also I can approach my priest and share there. They just come out of confession and still don’t feel Gods Love because they are too worried about omitting a sin or whether they have said confession right…

That is what I mean about getting it right I think

 

[aidanbradypop]

Too many here are worried about getting it right… by that I mean should they have done this or that stuff and essentially it is taking away what is important about faith.
I do not know if Catholics who post on these boards realise that their message of worry is not a good message of those reading about the people of the church. It is good they are able to share their worries but most of them should really be to the priest anyway but the amount of worry or anxiety posted here isn’t a good image for a Church who predominant message ought to be Love and Peace. People worry about doing the right thing by the Sacraments etc… That is worrying and am not decrying their worry but surely the Church isn’t doing something right if people cannot see that the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation is their friend in their fight against evil. It not something to be worried and stressed up about but their friend, their tool with fighting against evil. The amount of worry on these boards should be a worry in inself that there is something missing in Church

and please I am not saying ‘we’ have it any better apart from we don’t have the same stress on sin as you guys and yes as a church we do have a lot of difficulties but that is a real part of communities and families. There isn’t going to be a perfect community anywhere if we are all being human because we are all different and want different things. But for a church that is supposedly preaching the good news of Love and Peace and people are worried about sin and entry to heaven. Our God is a Loving God and there seems to be something missing at least on these boards about that message. Too many posts are backed up with that it is GIRMS etc, rather than that we Love God.

I am not so sure I have seen anyone here declare that they do Love God in their testamonies as Christian as Catholic. There is too much worry about choice of hymn tunes and whether to sit or kneel or stand or whether the priest omitted something or missed out a sin in confession then worry about it validity These people are not at peace with God and that is a worry. I have my difficulties of my own and wouldn’t post them here because I am private person but also I can approach my priest and share there. They just come out of confession and still don’t feel Gods Love because they are too worried about omitting a sin or whether they have said confession right…

That is what I mean about getting it right I think

I see what you are saying, but if I may, one cannot fault the Church for the actions of an individual. I believe the Church needs to do a better job at educating believers in the faith, but the priest and deacons cannot force anyone to attend. I believe people who focus on the negative usually does not know much about Church teaching.

Yes God is love and full of mercy and we should focus on that every chance we get, but we should also be mindful of our sins as well. We should not stress over them, but rather place our faith in God that he is just and loving.

 

[Indifferently]

I suspect reform begetting reform is actually quite a lot like what was constantly happening to Israel in the Old Testament. God had to keep pulling them back and rebuking them when they erred and strayed. He is doing this to us now - Western society is awash with strife and misery, abortion, increasing size and power of the State, welfare dependency, a mucky popular culture obsessed with sex and violence. This is what we get when we refuse to heed the lessons of the past and the Lord’s call to us.

 

[aidanbradypop]

I suspect reform begetting reform is actually quite a lot like what was constantly happening to Israel in the Old Testament. God had to keep pulling them back and rebuking them when they erred and strayed. He is doing this to us now - Western society is awash with strife and misery, abortion, increasing size and power of the State, welfare dependency, a mucky popular culture obsessed with sex and violence. This is what we get when we refuse to heed the lessons of the past and the Lord’s call to us.

 

[Christian_Soul]

Though I am not officially a member, yes I am happy with TEC. It’s a church where I have found Christians can disagree on something like homosexuality, yet still be part of the same family, and as believers in one God and in Jesus, can worship together in community and in communion. An Episcopal priest once shared with me about the time a lesbian couple was confirmed at her church at the request of their priest when they missed the bishop’s visitation at their church. And it was not a problem. The congregation was just thankful for their confirmation and though they do not have a rainbow flag flying, they are ok with letting people be who they are. I love that about TEC, at least this particular congregation and others I know of. And also the open communion TEC practices of not turning away baptized Christians who come to Him. Granted though Catholics of course do not believe Jesus is present in Episcopal communion.