Materialism and worldly pleasures harmful to spirituality and healing?

[TreeOfLife123]

Hi PuzzleAnnie,

If I understood and read this writing from the Vatican official website correctly it is mentioned in here(that materialism is one cause of mental illess):

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/hlthwork/documents/rc_pc_hlthwork_doc_20060211_barragan-adelaide_en.html

I quote the section I am referring to from the above link:

“The are many and varied causes at the origin of the illness: among the most important we find the negation of God and ethical-religious relativism, the crisis of reference values, hedonism and materialism, the technological culture closed in on itself, the exasperation of desires produced by this culture, the pursuit of the impossible, the religious and cultural conflict and the magic ritualism of several religious sects.”

Peace,
Adam

 

[Viola_Incognita]

The Vatican teaches that worldly pleasure and materialism can cause mental illness as well as be very harmful to spirituality and cause all sorts of other social problems.

The document you quote is a homily by Cardinal Barragan from World Youth Day 2006. Homilies are very instructive, but be careful of saying, “The Vatican teaches…” Sometimes people take that the wrong way – they blame the Vatican for stuff when the Vatican didn’t really say something.

When you find something on the Vatican website, it’s better to say who exactly said something and what exactly they said and put in the link – as you did later. That was very good! Thank you.

Materialism is only one of many causes of mental illness mentioned in the homily. It’s hard to tell what the Cardinal meant by materialism. Materialism can mean a lot of things. It can be an idea in society that devalues human life. The Cardinal seemed to be talking about the level of society, not the level of the individual.

The homily mentioned many causes of mental illness and many situations (20!!!) which cause people to be at risk of mental illness.

He also mentioned societal and individual values which are important for helping the mentally ill. For example, his homily stressed the importance of stable families and competent, caring health care professionals.

The love and acceptence of other people is so important to any person who is suffering. That’s why I love the prayer at the end:

"Today, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, health of the sick. When a mentally-sick person feels the affectionate maternal hand of Our Lady that helps and protects him, the world ceases to be hostile for him, he feels himself sure and full of happiness.

“Today, we implore Our Mother Mary, health of the sick, to place all mentally-ill people in the world under her maternal protection, so that she may console them, enliven them, give them confidence and trust, strength and happiness. May she confirm us in an outstanding fraternal solidarity with our afflicted brothers and sisters who unite with the suffering Christ in the depth of their souls.”

How beautiful! Thanks for finding and posting that link!

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/hlthwork/documents/rc_pc_hlthwork_doc_20060211_barragan-adelaide_en.html

 

[TreeOfLife123]

Thank you for the response.

I am not Catholic. I might convert someday.

Since I didn’t really understand the Vatican and how she works I felt pretty bad writing certain things I have.

Despite my lack of understanding of the Vatican I derive a lot of spriitual nourishment from the Vatican Website and pictures of the Pope.

I think I should not speak about the Vatican or anything pertaining to Scripture until I am much more knowledgeable and have very good understanding and know things for absolute sure.

Adam

 

[Viola_Incognita]

Since I didn’t really understand the Vatican and how she works I felt pretty bad writing certain things I have.

That’s OK, Adam. You’re trying. You’re just beginning. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

Despite my lack of understanding of the Vatican I derive a lot of spriitual nourishment from the Vatican Website and pictures of the Pope.

That’s great!

I think I should not speak about the Vatican or anything pertaining to Scripture until I am much more knowledgeable and have very good understanding and know things for absolute sure.

You’re doing fine. Ask lots of questions as you’ve been doing. That way we all learn. Look at all of the great resources people shared because you had that question.

The Vatican website can be pretty hard to figure out. Here are some other good sites.

The “Catholics Come Home” website has a section for non-Catholics.
catholicscomehome.org/

The EWTN site is good too.
ewtn.com/

You can watch EWTN live online from their website. Or you can watch many programs, homilies, devotions and prayers on their YouTube channel.
youtube.com/ewtn

Have you ever seen “The Journey Home”? It’s an interview show where the host, Marcus Grodi, interviews people who have converted to Catholicism. On EWTN’s YouTube page, enter “journey home” in the search field.

Marcus Grodi is the founder of “The Coming Home Network International.” It says on their website “A fellowship of clergy and lay converts to the Catholic Church and those who are on the journey home.”
chnetwork.org/information/marcus-grodi/

There are also free resources online for understanding the Bible from a Catholic perspective. Scott Hahn’s Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology has courses you can do on your own at home.
salvationhistory.com/studies/courses/online

You’re doing great, Adam. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how we learn.