Impact of EWTN & The Internet?

[Crusader]

I am wondering about the effects of EWTN and the Internet on the celebration of the Mass?

There is little question that many Catholics in the USA are horribly catechized through traditional channels such as Catholic schools, CCD and RCIA.

On the other hand, EWTN and the Internet are proving to be remarkable sources of information for Catholics. Could this be why some liturgically abusive clerics and “liturgists” are acting so nervous and uptight in many cases today?

Imagine this was 1950. Unless one had access to a seminary/diocesan library, or a truly wonderful pastor, few Catholics had the means to understand the GIRM, CofC, different encyclicals, etc. Today they are a few keystrokes away.

Is there is a certain tension that is being created by giving lay Catholics far better access to Church documents?

In my own personal opinion, the Internet and EWTN are two tool of true renewal within the Church…

 

[Ray_Marshall]

Crusader:

Is there is a certain tension that is being created by giving lay Catholics far better access to Church documents?

I would think so.

In my own personal opinion, the Internet and EWTN are two tool of true renewal within the Church…

This is also true. But there is a danger here when a lot of partially trained people begin to access original documents and make decisions as to their meaning.

Do we really want a religion where everybody gets to decide what’s right? There actually is a religion like that now. It’s called Protestantism.

So hopefully we all use these new tools to educate ourselves and train ourselves to work with our priests and bishops for the betterment of the Church that Jesus Christ gave to us.

That will mean the supression of egos for many.

So I recommend that anybody that begins to access documents off of the Internet, first download the Humility Litany before doing anything else.

 

[Crusader]

Ray Marshall:

I would think so.

This is also true. But there is a danger here when a lot of partially trained people begin to access original documents and make decisions as to their meaning.

Do we really want a religion where everybody gets to decide what’s right? There actually is a religion like that now. It’s called Protestantism.

So hopefully we all use these new tools to educate ourselves and train ourselves to work with our priests and bishops for the betterment of the Church that Jesus Christ gave to us.

That will mean the supression of egos for many.

So I recommend that anybody that begins to access documents off of the Internet, first download the Humility Litany before doing anything else.

There is a HUGE difference between trying to interpret the Bible by oneself (a big no-no), and understanding a clear, lucid document like the GIRM that requires no interpretation. Apples and oranges…

 

[jennstall]

Ray Marshall:

I would think so.

This is also true. But there is a danger here when a lot of partially trained people begin to access original documents and make decisions as to their meaning.

Some things require no more than the basic skills of reading comprehension to be understood. The Bible is not one of these things, but the GIRM definitely is and so are many other Church documents. I think there is a danger in assuming that no one but an “expert” is capable of understanding the English language.

 

[Crusader]

jennstall:

Some things require no more than the basic skills of reading comprehension to be understood. The Bible is not one of these things, but the GIRM definitely is and so are many other Church documents. I think there is a danger in assuming that no one but an “expert” is capable of understanding the English language.

No man or woman is capable of interpreting the Bible on his or her own. None.

This is simply not true of the GIRM or other such documents, although some people would like to sell just that sort of idea…

 

[Catholic2003]

Crusader:

There is a HUGE difference between trying to interpret the Bible by oneself (a big no-no), and understanding a clear, lucid document like the GIRM that requires no interpretation. Apples and oranges…

Interpreting the Bible requires the assistance of the Holy Spirit that is guaranteed to the Church’s magisterium.

All that interpreting the GIRM requires is a degree in canon law with some specialization in liturgical law.

So these are as different as apples and oranges. The problem comes in when the other fruits and nuts try to get their two cents in. (For example, making up rules that say female altar servers are only allowed when there are no boys or men available, etc.)

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

Remember back when the Catechism of the Catholic Church was released?
Many of the American clergy warned that the laity should NOT read it and try to understand it on our own.

Then, along came the Holy Father to World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, and it was distributed to all the young people!

Seems the Holy Father thinks a bit more highly of our reading comprehension skills than many clergy…or, were the liberal American priests just afraid that we’d learn too much about our Faith? :ehh:

It should always be edifying to read Church documents and publications.

In particular, reading the Bible is edifying and uplifting. Catholics are encouraged to read the Bible. However, interpretation is left to the Church, since only She is guided infallibly by the Holy Spirit. And goodness knows, there are many, many ways to twist the meanings of nearly every passage of Scripture!

Pax Christi. <><

 

[Faithful_2_Rome]

I dont see any danger at all for US…for WAYWARD Priests…thats a different story though… …

They cant get away with Doctrinal abuses, etc like they used to…and the Vatican herself has given us access to her archives…she dont see a danger, I dont either…she is giving US the tools to be her eyes and ears on the battlefield of Orthodoxy., and I am happy to play a very small part in helping those Holy Orthodox Priests and Nuns with whatever support they need to fight the reprobates and either bring them BACK to the fold, or oust them once and for all

 

[puzzleannie]

Catechesis about the liturgy happens primarily at the liturgy. If Catholics don’t understand what goes on at Mass, maybe it is because what is going on is abusive of the mystery of the Eucharist.

EWTN will only have influence on those who watch it, the CCC will only influence those who read it.

the root of the priest scandal and the decline in the Church is rooted in abuse of the liturgy.

 

[Crusader]

Catholic2003:

Interpreting the Bible requires the assistance of the Holy Spirit that is guaranteed to the Church’s magisterium.

All that interpreting the GIRM requires is a degree in canon law with some specialization in liturgical law.

So these are as different as apples and oranges. The problem comes in when the other fruits and nuts try to get their two cents in. (For example, making up rules that say female altar servers are only allowed when there are no boys or men available, etc.)

Not so. The GIRM is a clear and lucid manual. No interpretation required. What you suggest is the very thing some people are trying to sell in order to keep things confused…

 

[Crusader]

Panis Angelicas:

Remember back when the Catechism of the Catholic Church was released?
Many of the American clergy warned that the laity should NOT read it and try to understand it on our own.

Then, along came the Holy Father to World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, and it was distributed to all the young people!

Seems the Holy Father thinks a bit more highly of our reading comprehension skills than many clergy…or, were the liberal American priests just afraid that we’d learn too much about our Faith? :ehh:

It should always be edifying to read Church documents and publications.

In particular, reading the Bible is edifying and uplifting. Catholics are encouraged to read the Bible. However, interpretation is left to the Church, since only She is guided infallibly by the Holy Spirit. And goodness knows, there are many, many ways to twist the meanings of nearly every passage of Scripture!

Pax Christi. <><

This reminds me of an exchange with a religious brother in an RCIA class years ago:

Brother: The Catechism (of the Catholic Church) was created for the benefit of bishops and printers.

Crusader: All Catholics should read the CCC.

Brother: Not so! It’s not intended for laypeople!

Crusader: You disagree with the Pope on this issue.

Brother: Turns beet red.

Crusader: You need to get the facts straight before addressing people in the process of becoming Catholics.

 

[Crusader]

Catholic2003:

Interpreting the Bible requires the assistance of the Holy Spirit that is guaranteed to the Church’s magisterium.

All that interpreting the GIRM requires is a degree in canon law with some specialization in liturgical law.

So these are as different as apples and oranges. The problem comes in when the other fruits and nuts try to get their two cents in. (For example, making up rules that say female altar servers are only allowed when there are no boys or men available, etc.)

A local “rule” such as this that is supported by the pastor would in no way contravene the GIRM.

The use of female altar servers is ultimately up to the celebrant of the Mass, not the local ordinary – although the local ordinary can forbid the practice altogether.

 

[jennstall]

No man or woman is capable of interpreting the Bible on his or her own. None.

This is simply not true of the GIRM or other such documents, although some people would like to sell just that sort of idea…

I wasn’t disagreeing with you.

 

[Catholic2003]

Crusader:

A local “rule” such as this that is supported by the pastor would in no way contravene the GIRM.

The use of female altar servers is ultimately up to the celebrant of the Mass, not the local ordinary – although the local ordinary can forbid the practice altogether.

However, some folks have misinterpreted liturgical documents, e.g., sections of Redemptionis Sacramentum, to incorrectly accuse their priests and bishops of liturgical abuse whenever they permit female altar servers in situations where male altar servers are available.

 

[rwoehmke]

I would have to say to the original question that yes, EWTN and then internet are wonderful learning toolsm for Catholics and other interested persons. At the same time after reading a number of threads in several categories over the past three months that it also leads to a lot of heated discussion and perhaps even anger towards other respondents. On the whole I find them both EWTN and the Internet really interesting, but I am starting to wonder if my Faith might not become stronger and my connection to Jesus closer if I spent that same time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.i

 

[Paul_W]

Panis Angelicas:

Remember back when the Catechism of the Catholic Church was released?
Many of the American clergy warned that the laity should NOT read it and try to understand it on our own.

Then, along came the Holy Father to World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, and it was distributed to all the young people!

Although Crusader relates a similar experience, I don’t ever remember any member of the clergy saying that the laity should not read the Catechism. I recall the clergy (at least in my diocese) advising everyone to buy a copy as soon as the English translation was approved. I remember waiting impatiently for a year or more for this approval, and then everyone finally running out to buy one.

Perhaps that’s a significant benefit of EWTN and the internet. . . it allows faithful Catholics to know when their local clergy are out of step with the Church.

Yes, Crusader, I appreciate the fact that the Pope can sign an encyclical, and the next day I can download it from the internet, having heard on Catholic radio that it was available. Not too long ago, it would have taken at least a week for the Bishops to receive a copy of an encyclical, and another week or more to transmit the information to the local clergy, and further time for them to mention it in a sermon.

 

[Crusader]

Catholic2003:

However, some folks have misinterpreted liturgical documents, e.g., sections of Redemptionis Sacramentum, to incorrectly accuse their priests and bishops of liturgical abuse whenever they permit female altar servers in situations where male altar servers are available.

Correct. You might be talking about some “traditionalist” or “tlm” Catholics in some cases…