Modern Theology

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clayton

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I am new to the Catholic Church, having completed my RCIA two years ago. However, I love the faith, most especially the traditions.

Anyway, I belong to a rural parish and it has become overwhelmingly apparent that there is a real push to modern theology, rather than the traditional teachings of the faith. This is most distressing as it is grossly affecting our mass, our small library, as well as just about every other facet of our church.

We push, we have spoken to the Priest whom we want to follow, however, it seems he is the main catalyst for this movement.

What should we do?

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Maybe you could check out how everyone else feels about the push for modern theology. Get the ones who are against it to sign a petition to let the priest know how parishioners feel. If he ignores it go to the bishop with your complaints, and hopefully the bishop won’t side with the priest. Other than that I don’t really know what you could do.
Hope it all works out for you.
 
without knowing what you mean by modern theology I can’t comment, but there should be nothing in your parish library, or no materials used in religious education classes for adults or children, which is not in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and which does not carry an imprimatur (statement of a bishop that there is nothing objectionable in the text).
 
What I mean by modern Theology, there is a constant and continual intellectualization of the faith and there is a liberal idea of what traditions are necessary and what are not. I believe they should all be followed, but that is where the “movement” begins.

For instance, we serve our Eucharist in glass rather than precious metal. Our library has protestant books in it rather than solely Catholic. Our RCIA program does not respect the catechism; rather deems it as ancilliary reading rather than fundamental. This has been brought up over and over again but seemingly to no avail as it continues.

I hope this clears up to some degree what I mean by Modern Theology.
 
What you describe is not “modern theology,” it is liberalism and dissent. I can understand your concerns; your parish was once orthodox and now there is an increasing liberal presence.

First, I would voice your concerns and find like-minded individuals within the Parish. Then you could discuss different strategies to solve the problems.

Second, I would look at the things that are bothering you and do some research. If you find any abuses, then I would inform the Priest. If that doesn’t solve the matter, write to the Bishop. However, don’t just complain; back up your arguments with facts.

Third, I would try to stock your library with good, faithful books. Try to remove all Protestant books because they most likely contain errors and could be harmful to the faith of some people. You don’t need protestant books because there is a wealth of good Catholic books out there.

You must nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse. I realise that this will be a difficult thing to do but someone has to do it. There are probably many within your parish who feel the same way but are too frightened to speak up. If you take a stand, then these people will join you.
 
Excellent points.

However, we have done most of what you have suggested:

First, I would voice your concerns and find like-minded individuals within the Parish. Then you could discuss different strategies to solve the problems.
We have done this and there is definitely a large group of frustrated people:

Second, I would look at the things that are bothering you and do some research. If you find any abuses, then I would inform the Priest. If that doesn’t solve the matter, write to the Bishop. However, don’t just complain; back up your arguments with facts.
We have done this as well to no avail. Many people on many occasions have met with the parties that be and nothing changes or it changes for a single homily.

Third, I would try to stock your library with good, faithful books. Try to remove all Protestant books because they most likely contain errors and could be harmful to the faith of some people. You don’t need protestant books because there is a wealth of good Catholic books out there.
This has been the argument and it is now in front of the Pastoral Council. Unfortunately, the majority of people who say the inclusion of these books is okay, including our priest, are on this council. Ironically, an ex-priest and nun are on this council and they along with the current priest support the inclusion.

You must nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse. I realise that this will be a difficult thing to do but someone has to do it. There are probably many within your parish who feel the same way but are too frightened to speak up. If you take a stand, then these people will join you.
Herein lies the problem. It has been going on now for years. And if the priest approves of these things, and the Bishop is unwilling to do anything about it, what choice do we have? Should I email the Vatican? I have never been one to back down from a cause I believe in, nor do I want to leave. However, I also have children going to this church, one confirmed and one in RCIA right now, and I consider our attendance almost as a confirmation of the worngs. I refuse to expose my children to these issues.

What to do?
 
clayton said:
What I mean by modern Theology, there is a constant and continual intellectualization of the faith and there is a liberal idea of what traditions are necessary and what are not. I believe they should all be followed, but that is where the “movement” begins.

. Our RCIA program does not respect the catechism; rather deems it as ancilliary reading rather than fundamental. This has been brought up over and over again but seemingly to no avail as it continues.

I hope this clears up to some degree what I mean by Modern Theology.
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I am afraid I must be dense. What does constant and continual intellectualization of the Faith mean? Any examples? What traditions are we talking about?

I could see using some other text instead of the CCC for RCIA, but the CCC should certainly be available for reference and deeper reading. Insisting that some folks start with the CCC is like throwing a non-swimmer into the water and saying “Come on swim!”

Using Glass vessels? Protestant books in the parish library? Even though I don’t quite understand the items I mentioned above , those are certainly signs that the Parish has problems.
 
The problem is that the liberals hold all of the positions of power within your parish and this is preventing you from making any changes. This is a difficult situation.

Can anyone join the Pastoral Council? If possible, you should join. If you really want to make a change then you should be willing to commit yourself. I suggest that you and your group of like-minded individuals attempt to take over the Pastoral Council. As long as the current Council is in power, your complaints will fall on deaf ears.

The liberals have infiltrated the Church and now occupy many prominent positions in parish life. This is how they are able to push their agenda on the rest of us. If things are to improve, faithful Catholics such as yourself need to stand up and be counted.
However, I also have children going to this church, one confirmed and one in RCIA right now, and I consider our attendance almost as a confirmation of the worngs. I refuse to expose my children to these issues.
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What to do?
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Leaving is not the answer. Don’t let these people win. You have the advantage because God is on your side. You stand for the truth and are a faithful Catholic. This parish needs you.

Have you considered teaching RCIA? It may take a lot of time but you’d be suprised how much of a difference one person can make. Our children are our future and we must ensure that they have a thorough knowledge of the faith.

I believe that many of the problems faced by the Church are caused by liberals/dissenters who hold prominent positions. I really believe that we must be the change we want to see in the Church. It is time for faithful Catholics to stand up and take charge!
 
By intellectualization I mean they take the mystery’s of our faith and rationalize them.

When I went through the RCIA program two years ago, the main reading was a book by a person who went on to actually examine things like Noah’s Ark, Parting of the red sea, and detail how they were actually metaphors and really represented something else.

Moreover, when I told the committee that I would be a traditional Catholic, the response was “Well that is too bad”. I told them that I was a person who needed to use my faith as a means of guidance and they told me that that was okay, but we really needed to question our faith as a means of growing in our faith? I said “what”?. I don’t question my faith, rather build upon it by learning more about it from the church and others. When I asked about the catechism, it was kind of treated as “old school”. The Baltimore catechism was actually the subject of jokes.

Lastly, there is a general absence of reverence in our services. We are given a brief synopsis prior to each reading and the gospel, we use glass for the blood of Christ rather than precious metal, there is little or no time for confession, and I have yet to see or hear of any opportunity to practice the rosary.

Overall, I feel like I am at a seminar rather than working to save my soul.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks, now I get it. I don’t believe that dissenters set out to take over a parish, but it is my observation over the 40 plus years since Vatican II that they seem more inclined to join committees and band together. It makes them feel like they are really doing Catholicism/Church.

I once had a Jesuit tell me that one can be on all kinds of committees and discussion groups and still go to hell because it substitutes for a decent prayer life. Sort of like dying spiritually, but not even feeling it because they are so involved…
 
Great parallelism.

I guess it really boils down to what you are willing to fight for and possibly compromise for in the end if it doesn’t work.

Ironically, it always seems like the liberals have more voice than conservatives. Or at least they speak louder than others.

Perhaps that is because they are always working against that which is established rather than conservatives who are the usually the real builders.
 
One in the same. I had computer problems and had to reregister.

Sorry.
 
It seems to me that there is a great deal of frustration that is being unnecessarily suffered.

You don’t like the contents of the library? So? Start a good books club; get something from Scott Hahn, or any number of texts from Catholc Answers or Ignatious Press or any number of other sources, read them and pass them around, join together as a group. make a group purchase and start your own discussion group. You don’t need the pastor’s approval to read George Weigel’s biography of John Paul 2, fro crying out loud!

Quit the pity party and do something positive. Get together and do a Scripture study - there are several good ones that have come out recently. Or get some of the materials from some of the better know Apologists and study them as a group.

In short, lead, follow, or get off the road. It sounds like you have a bunch of people who like to spend more time talking about how bad things are, and did you know Father did… or Sister said… which borders really, really close to gossip, than they do doing something positive.

Get off the dime, quit bemoaning how bad it is, and actually do something to make it better. You are not going to get the priest replaced, or run out those whom you don’t like, so get over that. Find something you can take responsiblity for and take that responsibility. And quit worrying about the rest.
 
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