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Elizabeth502
Guest
To what “crisis” are you referring?
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Gallup Poll: U.S. Catholic Hispanic population becoming less religious and shrinking
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Cojuanco
Guest
The lopsided support Spanish speakers have for Nuestro Presidente and his gang. Sorry, I forget I’m no longer working for a Congressional campaign.To what “crisis” are you referring?
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Milliardo
Guest
Something that amazed and surprised me one morning was when I was listening to a Catholic radio station here in the Philippines and the priest, candidly saying this at Mass even, admitted that the Catholic population in South America and the Philippines is shrinking and that more likely than not the children of those attending at Mass will become Evangelicals. That left the attendees stunned; even in my car I can feel the stunned silence of those attending the Mass.
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Tigg
Guest
Do we, then, just throw our hands up in the air in our attempts to evangelize in The Year of Faith? And is it indicative of yet another aspect of Catholicism we seem to have lost along the way? Fox News interviewed a priest after the pope’s departure who was speaking about the future of the Church. He made a comment that the future pope must speak boldly and clearly and then went on to say “it’s not like everyone needs to become Catholic.” This is a complete reversal of an earlier church which preached unapologetically regarding matters of soteriology and the need to disseminate Truth.Something that amazed and surprised me one morning was when I was listening to a Catholic radio station here in the Philippines and the priest, candidly saying this at Mass even, admitted that the Catholic population in South America and the Philippines is shrinking and that more likely than not the children of those attending at Mass will become Evangelicals. That left the attendees stunned; even in my car I can feel the stunned silence of those attending the Mass.
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ProVobis
Guest
Isn’t this what’s implied by ecumenism?He made a comment that the future pope must speak boldly and clearly and then went on to say “it’s not like everyone needs to become Catholic.”
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Tigg
Guest
Some would think so, PV, some would think so.Isn’t this what’s implied by ecumenism?
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Lucky7
Guest
It’s as if political correctness has taken over the Church.Fox News interviewed a priest after the pope’s departure who was speaking about the future of the Church. He made a comment that the future pope must speak boldly and clearly and then went on to say “it’s not like everyone needs to become Catholic.” This is a complete reversal of an earlier church which preached unapologetically regarding matters of soteriology and the need to disseminate Truth.
Someone wake me when it’s all over.
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LisaA
Guest
Maybe a way of thinking about it is that we disseminate the Truth…no excuses, no backing down, no equivocating…but we do a better job demonstrating how living the Catholic faith makes for a peaceful joyful life? I am not sure about what the Priest said but I wonder if he was making a comment with respect to the Leftist media pushing a more “liberal” Pope who would thus embrace women priests, alternative lifestyles, “reproductive freedom,” and same sex marriage. IOW if people deny and demean and disgrace the Truth, well they are not going to be Catholics. All the happy clappy talk in the world isn’t going to change this reality.Do we, then, just throw our hands up in the air in our attempts to evangelize in The Year of Faith? And is it indicative of yet another aspect of Catholicism we seem to have lost along the way? Fox News interviewed a priest after the pope’s departure who was speaking about the future of the Church. He made a comment that the future pope must speak boldly and clearly and then went on to say “it’s not like everyone needs to become Catholic.” This is a complete reversal of an earlier church which preached unapologetically regarding matters of soteriology and the need to disseminate Truth.
I think it’s clear that everyone is welcome. And they are welcome to learn about how practicing the faith is a better way to live. I don’t think we are asked to change the Church to accommodate other opinions about the validity of our faith.
Many have noted that it’s a lot easier to “become” an Evangelical or a Protestant than to become a sincere practicing Catholic. Human nature is such that we take the easy road…if that were not the case how do all those “lose 90 lbs in a month” diet products keep selling? It’s easier to take a couple of pills or drink a miracle shake than to cut out sugar and work out. Spiritual fitness is no easier than physical fitness, in fact it’s even more difficult. By demonstrating that being Catholic is worth the effort and commitment, we can evangelize without compromising.
Lisa
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Lucky7
Guest
But the priest said no one needs to be Catholic. If we have the fullness of the Truth, why would a priest say this? This is not “disseminating the Truth”. I used to make excuses for these sorts of comments, actions, etc. I’m done excusing.Maybe a way of thinking about it is that we disseminate the Truth…no excuses, no backing down, no equivocating…but we do a better job demonstrating how living the Catholic faith makes for a peaceful joyful life? I am not sure about what the Priest said but I wonder if he was making a comment with respect to the Leftist media pushing a more “liberal” Pope who would thus embrace women priests, alternative lifestyles, “reproductive freedom,” and same sex marriage. IOW if people deny and demean and disgrace the Truth, well they are not going to be Catholics. All the happy clappy talk in the world isn’t going to change this reality.
I think it’s clear that everyone is welcome. And they are welcome to learn about how practicing the faith is a better way to live. I don’t think we are asked to change the Church to accommodate other opinions about the validity of our faith.
Many have noted that it’s a lot easier to “become” an Evangelical or a Protestant than to become a sincere practicing Catholic. Human nature is such that we take the easy road…if that were not the case how do all those “lose 90 lbs in a month” diet products keep selling? It’s easier to take a couple of pills or drink a miracle shake than to cut out sugar and work out. Spiritual fitness is no easier than physical fitness, in fact it’s even more difficult. By demonstrating that being Catholic is worth the effort and commitment, we can evangelize without compromising.
Lisa
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LisaA
Guest
I am not sure you have the quote correct. I believe Tigg quoted the priest that not EVERYBODY needs to be Catholic. Although before commenting we probably need an accurate accounting with the context. Again I think it’s more acknowledgement that we can speak the Truth but not everyone will accept it. We are not going to water it down to bring lost sheep into the fold.But the priest said no one needs to be Catholic. If we have the fullness of the Truth, why would a priest say this? This is not “disseminating the Truth”. I used to make excuses for these sorts of comments, actions, etc. I’m done excusing.
Lisa
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Mrs_Sally
Guest
Not necessarily. However without a bit of understanding of the other person’s viewpoint, it’s difficult to know what will help him see the truth and hopefully eventually convert.Isn’t this what’s implied by ecumenism?
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ProVobis
Guest
But is that necessary? We’ve gone into these discussions before (with Br JR et al) and we recognize that children of other faiths aren’t responsible for the actions of their parents, much less the Reformers. Their beliefs are their beliefs. But I think what this thread is about is Catholics leaving the Church, either going to other denominations or just stop going to Church altogether. This is a different situation than trying to convert others to Catholicism.Not necessarily. However without a bit of understanding of the other person’s viewpoint, it’s difficult to know what will help him see the truth and hopefully eventually convert.
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Lucky7
Guest
You’re right I should have written “everybody”, but my point is the same. What that means is that the priest is saying it’s okay if you’re not Catholic. It reinforces the idea (the wrong idea) that it doesn’t matter what faith you follow…all lead to God…all lead to Heaven. It’s why so many Catholics seem to think they don’t need to evangelize…that the Church doesn’t believe in evangelizing!I am not sure you have the quote correct. I believe Tigg quoted the priest that not EVERYBODY needs to be Catholic. Although before commenting we probably need an accurate accounting with the context. Again I think it’s more acknowledgement that we can speak the Truth but not everyone will accept it. We are not going to water it down to bring lost sheep into the fold.
Lisa
To be fair, you are correct that we should get the full context. Perhaps his words are not exactly what Tigg quoted and maybe in the right context his words would make more sense. However, if there really isn’t much more to what he said, then I’m going with my initial reaction…and I’ll still be annoyed.
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Tigg
Guest
I’m looking for it - the priest’s name is Fr. Jonathan Morris - I recognized his face on a website.You’re right I should have written “everybody”, but my point is the same. What that means is that the priest is saying it’s okay if you’re not Catholic. It reinforces the idea (the wrong idea) that it doesn’t matter what faith you follow…all lead to God…all lead to Heaven. It’s why so many Catholics seem to think they don’t need to evangelize…that the Church doesn’t believe in evangelizing!
To be fair, you are correct that we should get the full context. Perhaps his words are not exactly what Tigg quoted and maybe in the right context his words would make more sense. However, if there really isn’t much more to what he said, then I’m going with my initial reaction…and I’ll still be annoyed.
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LisaA
Guest
Yes I understand what you mean. As a Convert I am very aware of how little evangilizing is done, particularly vis a vis Protestant churches. I saw Tigg’s comment that it was Fr Jonathan Morris who is on TV quite frequently. I also hear him on The Catholic Channel. With the Pope’s resignation he is on a LOT and I hope and pray his comments were not meant as you interpreted. It does go to the point of being VERY careful what is said in the public sphere because I can see how easily it would be interpreted as giving everyone a ‘pass’ with a loosy goosy “everyone goes to heaven no matter what you believe…”You’re right I should have written “everybody”, but my point is the same. What that means is that the priest is saying it’s okay if you’re not Catholic. It reinforces the idea (the wrong idea) that it doesn’t matter what faith you follow…all lead to God…all lead to Heaven. It’s why so many Catholics seem to think they don’t need to evangelize…that the Church doesn’t believe in evangelizing!
To be fair, you are correct that we should get the full context. Perhaps his words are not exactly what Tigg quoted and maybe in the right context his words would make more sense. However, if there really isn’t much more to what he said, then I’m going with my initial reaction…and I’ll still be annoyed.
Back to the thread, this is an incredible opportunity for the Church to evangelize to Hispanics and to the entire world. Let’s not waste the opportunity
Lisa
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Milliardo
Guest
It is sad when we hear things like this, but with the priest at Mass I think he is challenging the people to be more bold in showing their faith, since to evangelize would mean not just telling people, but more so showing them what their faith is. Nothing can be more persuasive than for others to see a person living his faith, both in words and actions.Do we, then, just throw our hands up in the air in our attempts to evangelize in The Year of Faith? And is it indicative of yet another aspect of Catholicism we seem to have lost along the way? Fox News interviewed a priest after the pope’s departure who was speaking about the future of the Church. He made a comment that the future pope must speak boldly and clearly and then went on to say “it’s not like everyone needs to become Catholic.” This is a complete reversal of an earlier church which preached unapologetically regarding matters of soteriology and the need to disseminate Truth.
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