Letting a Jewish synagogue use our church

[JReducation]

I have already answered Father’s question. I told him that I stand by what I have written.

But this does not really admit that you can be wrong on this. Unless you’re saying that you can’t possibly be wrong. I don’t mean that what you’re reading wrong. I mean, that it is possible that any of us can apply something too rigorously.

There is also the case where one can loosely interpret something and stretch it to a place where it was never meant to go.

I agree with this point. This can and does happen.

I do believe that what has happened in this case sets a bad precedent, a very bad one.

I can respect that you feel that way. But we don’t all have to feel this way.

Furthermore, nothing in what atxne wrote indicated that the diocese gave its approval to this.

But I believe that Father made a good point when he said that the diocesan response sounded like they were more concerned with being out of the loop. They may have said not, had they been asked. But we don’t know this. They have not said so. We have to take the statement at face value. They want to be in the loop in the future.

I have a dear friend who attends the parish. I will call her later on today to ascertain what happened,

This is an example of what I was saying above. You certainly are free to call your friend. But I believe that this is the kind of issue that has been resolved for the moment. I certainly am not going to call my confreres in TX about this. I’m going to let it rest and let them take care of it.

although I have no reason to doubt what the OP and atxne have posted. I am also familiar with the parish.

I for one do not doubt the strong feelings that the OP has about this issue. I just feel that it’s making something more complicated than it is.

I also believe that this goes back to relativism. While I respect our Jewish brothers and sisters, their form of worship is not consant with the Church’s. One form of prayer is not as good as another. What happens in our sanctuary is something entirely different than what goes on in their synagogue. Furthermore, we proclaim Christ and hold him as our Redeemer, our Messiah. They have not yet been brought to that fulfillment.

But the law does not say that only Catholic prayer can be allowed in a Catholic church. The law seems to focus on protecting the sanctity of the place. As I mentioned above, we use churches for graduations. That’s not liturgy. It’s common, not only in the USA.

The Jewish congregation is not the only one in Austin. I am curious as to why the other congregation and the one at UT did not offer to share their resources.

Does it really matter? I’ll take one guess, but I could be wrong. The Church may be in their neighborhood. Many Jewish people do not drive on high holy days. They walk.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[ac_claire]

atxne;5729827:

Do acts of charity require us to cover up the stations of the cross that are prominently placed on the church walls so as not to offend the visitors?

Perhaps.

atxne;5729827:

Is it really appropriate to cover and hide the statues that are in the church?

Perhaps.

(Reposting from post #58.) I’m not baiting, Father, I’m genuinely curious. Under what circumstances would it be appropriate and/or required by charity to cover up any part of a Catholic sanctuary to spare visitors from being offended?

 

[ac_claire]

First, I am not “attack[ing] the parish priest and the diocese without evidence.” To imply that is simply not reasonable and there is nothing in any of my posts that would suggest same. Nor would that be charitable or truthful.

Perhaps the reason that you have such a difficult time in understanding how such a thing might happen without notice being provided to either the bishop’s office or the office of administrator, and without the proper protocols having been followed, is precisely why many of us are having such a difficult time with this. (Interestingly, you describe this as “something of this magnitude” but your earlier remark appear to downplay this as any significant type of event) As provided in an email response from the diocese dated this past Saturday, the diocese did not learn of this arrangement until the very afternoon on the day before the Jewish celebration was to begin at the church.

The diocese further noted in the same transmittal that discussions did thereafter occur with the parish priest regarding this matter and that the diocese and the priest agreed that in the future the bishop or diocesan administrator should first be included as a part of these initiatives so as to avoid the very situation that has now occurred.

In my opinion you cannot read too much into the fact that no correction was made upon learning of the plans mere hours before the celebration was to begin and thousands of Jewish faithful were prepared to attend at the churc. I certainly do not see this as the diocese’s imprimatur on this matter.

I am hopeful that you now have a better understanding as to both how this issue began, and why it is one that has made many of us uncomfortable.

Really? I didn’t know this. I’m trying to put together a letter to the diocese administrator, can you tell me where you got this info so I won’t come off as not knowing what I’m talking about when I write?

ETA: unless this is info you got from personal correspondence…in which case, it’s your business and I don’t need to know more.

 

[Walking_Home]

I must take exception to the manner in which you are addressing Brother JR. It is commonplace on these boards for people to quote saints as backup for their positions and opinions. So there’s nothing wrong with quoting the saints, even if it is just one saint. And on top of that, as a Franciscan, Br. JR is a life commited “student” of St. Francis and would thus be most knowledgable about quoting him in context.

Is there a reason you have to make personal accusations against another person? Also, is there a reason you feel the need to make accusations against a religious who has dedicated his entire life and being to serving the Church?

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Again --with all due respect Father—quoting a Saint is one thing—using the Saint to sway/manipulate is another.