Mormons and Catholics Get Along Fine!

[zerinus]

I was looking for information about something else and accidentally came across these news items:

icatholic.org/indstory/2009/042409_01.html
ldschurchnews.com/articles/57177/Choir-performs-at-Cathedral-of-Madeleine.html
deseretnews.com/article/705298321/Choir-resonates-well-in-Cathedral.html
saltlakecathedral.org/component/content/article/34-centennial-celebration

The last is from the cathedral’s official website. On the right side of the page there is a link that takes you to a three-dimensional panoramic view of the interior of the cathedral that you can navigate with the mouse pointer. Then I did some more search and came across these items (among many more that can be found):

newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/mormon-tabernacle-choir-honored-with-mother-teresa-award
newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/catholic-bishop-decries-religious-bigotry-against-mormons
newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/measured-voices-provide-reason-support-amidst-proposition-8-reaction

All of which suggests that Mormons and Catholics (especially in Utah) get along just fine. It is a bunch of sour grapes in CAF that make it sound like they are mortal enemies.

 

[Zundrah]

Noob - Mormons are blasphemers!
You say that the bible is fall of error but you claim that THE BOOK OF MORMON IS PERFECTLY ACCURATE!?
Tch… such a discrace. Catholics and Mormons will never be fine. You guys believe that you will become Gods after you die! - blasphemy! You also believe that God was once a man! - Heresy! We believe that there is only one God! - True.
Mormons are a cult.

 

[1ke]

All of which suggests that Mormons and Catholics (especially in Utah) get along just fine.

The Catholic Church supports inter-religious dialog and working together in the areas of social concern.

This is nothing new.

It is a bunch of sour grapes in CAF that make it sound like they are mortal enemies.

Don’t confuse inter-religious dialog with indifferentism.

That means that dialog with non-Christians and working in areas of social concern should not be misconstrued as acknowledgement of their religion as an equal path to salvation. There is only one Church founded by Christ. That is the Catholic Church.

The Church acknowledges whatever truth can be found in other religions-- Mormon, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, etc. These religions do contain some elements of truth. However, they also contain error, and the Church’s mission is to evangelize and bring all souls to Christ.

So, again, certainly we should work together in areas of the works of mercy-- feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned. Certainly we should stand together to defend against moral corruption such as abortion, same sex marriage, and other things that pollute our society. Certainly we should find common ground and start dialog from our points of agreement.

But, it doesn’t end there. There must also be discussion of where these religions err.

As far as Catholic Answers goes, this is an apologetics website. It’s purpose is discussion and debate regarding points of theology, religion, philosophy, scripture, morality, etc. Certainly the focus can become the differences rather than the points of agreement. That is more the focus of this particular aspect of dicussion-- debating topics.

Always we should be charitable, and you are correct that not everyone is always charitable.

But the Catholic Church doesn’t view other religions as “mortal enemies” but rather as misguided individuals in need of the Truth.

 

[1edyson]

Noob - Mormons are blasphemers!
You say that the bible is fall of error but you claim that THE BOOK OF MORMON IS PERFECTLY ACCURATE!?
Tch… such a discrace. Catholics and Mormons will never be fine. You guys believe that you will become Gods after you die! - blasphemy! You also believe that God was once a man! - Heresy! We believe that there is only one God! - True.
Mormons are a cult.

I’m sure we can be more charitable

 

[zerinus]

Noob - Mormons are blasphemers!
You say that the bible is fall of error but you claim that THE BOOK OF MORMON IS PERFECTLY ACCURATE!?
Tch… such a discrace. Catholics and Mormons will never be fine. You guys believe that you will become Gods after you die! - blasphemy! You also believe that God was once a man! - Heresy! We believe that there is only one God! - True.
Mormons are a cult.

More sour grapes!

 

[zerinus]

The Catholic Church supports inter-religious dialog and working together in the areas of social concern.

This is nothing new.

Don’t confuse inter-religious dialog with indifferentism.

That means that dialog with non-Christians and working in areas of social concern should not be misconstrued as acknowledgement of their religion as an equal path to salvation. There is only one Church founded by Christ. That is the Catholic Church.

The Church acknowledges whatever truth can be found in other religions-- Mormon, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, etc. These religions do contain some elements of truth. However, they also contain error, and the Church’s mission is to evangelize and bring all souls to Christ.

So, again, certainly we should work together in areas of the works of mercy-- feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned. Certainly we should stand together to defend against moral corruption such as abortion, same sex marriage, and other things that pollute our society. Certainly we should find common ground and start dialog from our points of agreement.

But, it doesn’t end there. There must also be discussion of where these religions err.

As far as Catholic Answers goes, this is an apologetics website. It’s purpose is discussion and debate regarding points of theology, religion, philosophy, scripture, morality, etc. Certainly the focus can become the differences rather than the points of agreement. That is more the focus of this particular aspect of dicussion-- debating topics.

Always we should be charitable, and you are correct that not everyone is always charitable.

But the Catholic Church doesn’t view other religions as “mortal enemies” but rather as misguided individuals in need of the Truth.

Thank you; I agree. If that is your sentiments, then my post was not addressed to you. See my previous post.

 

[SonofMonica]

If the OP’s intent is to imply that Catholicism views the distinctives of Mormonism as anything other than abject heresy, the OP is mistaken.

If the OP’s intent is to imply that Catholicism recognizes truth and beauty to the extent that it exists outside the Church, then like some have said here, that’s nothing new.

I’m sure the Mormon choir mentioned above sings quite beautifully, and probably sings songs that Catholics would find unobjectionable, as I would imagine those sung at the Cathedral in Salt Lake City would be unobjectionable. But most of the conversations on this site about Mormonism have been about whether distinctly Mormon doctrines are true or not. So do not mistake an appreciation for Mormon art for an appreciation of the distinctives of the Mormon religion.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

I was looking for information about something else and accidentally came across these news items:

icatholic.org/indstory/2009/042409_01.html
ldschurchnews.com/articles/57177/Choir-performs-at-Cathedral-of-Madeleine.html
deseretnews.com/article/705298321/Choir-resonates-well-in-Cathedral.html
saltlakecathedral.org/component/content/article/34-centennial-celebration

The last is from the cathedral’s official website. On the right side of the page there is a link that takes you to a three-dimensional panoramic view of the interior of the cathedral that you can navigate with the mouse pointer. Then I did some more search and came across these items (among many more that can be found):

newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/mormon-tabernacle-choir-honored-with-mother-teresa-award
newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/catholic-bishop-decries-religious-bigotry-against-mormons
newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/measured-voices-provide-reason-support-amidst-proposition-8-reaction

All of which suggests that Mormons and Catholics (especially in Utah) get along just fine. It is a bunch of sour grapes in CAF that make it sound like they are mortal enemies.

I agree with this sentiment, from one of the articles you posted:

Michael Barber, Professor of Theology, Scripture & Christian Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University

“… we found it appalling that in the final days of the campaign, opponents of Proposition 8 ran an ad in which Mormon missionaries were presented as barging into a same-sex couple’s home, gleefully rummaging through their personal possessions and violating their rights. The ad attempted to ridicule people of the Mormon faith, even implying that it was wrong that they contributed money to the election. As a Catholic school, we stand beside our friends in the Mormon Church and of people of faith who work tirelessly to preserve the freedom of religion in America. We also strongly oppose any attempt to ridicule another person’s faith, even faiths with which we have strong historical and theological disagreements.”

Catholics and LDS members can encourage each other on social and moral issues on which we agree without compromising the significant doctrinal issues that separate us. Alway, there should be real charity infusing the dialog. Ridicule is not appropriate.

Peace,
Robert

 

[zerinus]

If the OP’s intent is to imply that Catholicism views the distinctives of Mormonism as anything other than abject heresy, the OP is mistaken.

If the OP’s intent is to imply that Catholicism recognizes truth and beauty to the extent that it exists outside the Church, then like some have said here, that’s nothing new.

I’m sure the Mormon choir mentioned above sings quite beautifully, and probably sings songs that Catholics would find unobjectionable, as I would imagine those sung at the Cathedral in Salt Lake City would be unobjectionable. But most of the conversations on this site about Mormonism have been about whether distinctly Mormon doctrines are true or not. So do not mistake an appreciation for Mormon art for an appreciation of the distinctives of the Mormon religion.

Thank you for your reply. Your comments, however, seems to me to breath a certain hostility that I think is unnecessary and unproductive. If you are confident of your own position, you do not need to become defensive about it. We can disagree theologically without being disagreeable. I can assure you that I feel no hostility towards Catholics, Catholicism, or the Catholic Church; and I am convinced the LDS Church does not either—our theological differences notwithstanding. The LDS Church does not speak of the Catholic Church in any other language than deep respect. This is in sharp contrast to how Protestants for example have interacted with the Catholic Church. Here is another interesting article you might like to look at. It is a statement put out by the First Presidency in honor of Archbishop George H. Niederauer three years ago when he left the Diocese of Salt Lake City to assume other duties assigned to him by the Vatican. I don’t see any hostility in any of that. That is how it should be.

 

[Casen]

I can confirm that the LDS church has a good relationship with the Catholic Church in Utah and works hard to preserve and enhance the relationship.

Watching all the Christian groups nit-pick each other to death on different forums seems a little like fighting over deck chairs aboard the Titanic. We would accomplish so much more if all the groups that subscribe to Judeo-Christian principles would do a better job joining forces to combat the global societal slouch towards Gomorrah. Proposition 8 in California was a good example of Christians coming together for a common cause and there is so much more we could do.

 

[zerinus]

I agree with this sentiment, from one of the articles you posted:

Catholics and LDS members can encourage each other on social and moral issues on which we agree without compromising the significant doctrinal issues that separate us. Alway, there should be real charity infusing the dialog. Ridicule is not appropriate.

Peace,
Robert

Thank you, I agree.

 

[SonofMonica]

Thank you for your reply. Your comments, however, seems to me to breath a certain hostility that I think is unnecessary and unproductive. If you are confident of your own position, you do not need to become defensive about it. We can disagree theologically without being disagreeable.

I’m unsure why you took my comments as hostile. I was merely trying to cast your original post in the correct light, so that no one would be confused about Catholic teaching. It would be a shame if someone thought you were trying to come on to a Catholic board to proselytize them by implying that the Catholic Church accepts Mormonism as valid merely because it allows a Mormon choir to sing inside one of its cathedrals. You wouldn’t want someone to think that is what you were implying, would you? I’ve said nothing here about my own position on anything, nor have I been defensive of my own position. Just trying to be helpful, that’s all.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I was looking for information about something else and accidentally came across these news items:

icatholic.org/indstory/2009/042409_01.html
ldschurchnews.com/articles/57177/Choir-performs-at-Cathedral-of-Madeleine.html
deseretnews.com/article/705298321/Choir-resonates-well-in-Cathedral.html
saltlakecathedral.org/component/content/article/34-centennial-celebration

The last is from the cathedral’s official website. On the right side of the page there is a link that takes you to a three-dimensional panoramic view of the interior of the cathedral that you can navigate with the mouse pointer. Then I did some more search and came across these items (among many more that can be found):

newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/mormon-tabernacle-choir-honored-with-mother-teresa-award
newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/catholic-bishop-decries-religious-bigotry-against-mormons
newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/measured-voices-provide-reason-support-amidst-proposition-8-reaction

All of which suggests that Mormons and Catholics (especially in Utah) get along just fine. It is a bunch of sour grapes in CAF that make it sound like they are mortal enemies.

I agree and thanks for this. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is awesome, and I would love to hear them in the Church of the Magdelene. I don’t know why there is so much animosity between Catholics and Mormons on this forum. We have a lot in common.

 

[zerinus]

I agree and thanks for this. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is awesome, and I would love to hear them in the Church of the Magdelene. I don’t know why there is so much animosity between Catholics and Mormons on this forum. We have a lot in common.

Thank you Christine. I always enjoy your posts.

 

[Zundrah]

More sour grapes!

I like sour grapes! How about trying to sweeten me up? Isn’t that what your bishop would want?
I have a book of Mormon at home!

P.S. …cult!

 

[Catholic20064]

I get along with the Mormons in my neighborhood quite well including the ones in my house. That doesn’t mean if they brought up a theological issue I wouldn’t clearly present the Catholic position as the truth.

 

[Zundrah]

I get along with the Mormons in my neighborhood quite well including the ones in my house. That doesn’t mean if they brought up a theological issue I wouldn’t clearly present the Catholic position as the truth.

This is what I say; befriend the Mormons and tolerate them when you can, but do not be quiet about their heresy’s and blaspheming! CULT!

 

[dianaiad]

Noob - Mormons are blasphemers!
You say that the bible is fall of error but you claim that THE BOOK OF MORMON IS PERFECTLY ACCURATE!?

Actually, no, we don’t do that, y’know. Right on the title page there is a disclaimer about forgiving any errors as being the errors of men.

As well, (as the anti’s are VERY fond of pointing out) there have been upwards of 3000 changes in the Book of Mormon from the first edition. True, all but, I think…six of them were spelling and punctuation errors, but still…

And those changes which were not strictly spelling and punctuation errors were corrections to get the text back to the written manuscript.

If the book were ‘absolutely accurate,’ we wouldn’t have had to change so much as a comma, would we?

As well, WE claim that it was written by men. Prophets, certainly, but men, nevertheless–and then it was abridged by yet another man–and translated by yet another. How could it possibly be 'absolutely accurate?" Only God is perfect. Men are not, and thus what they do is not.

There IS a claim out there that says it is 'the most correct book,"…but even that falls short of ‘absolutely accurate.’

Tch… such a discrace. Catholics and Mormons will never be fine. You guys believe that you will become Gods after you die! - blasphemy! You also believe that God was once a man! - Heresy! We believe that there is only one God! - True.
Mormons are a cult.

tsk, tsk…

Define ‘cult’ for us, would you?

 

[Catholic20064]

tsk, tsk…

Define ‘cult’ for us, would you?

A religion that requires you to pay 10% of your income to attend your childrens’ weddings while at the same time requiring unwavering obedience to their leader with searching questioning of your worthiness every couple of years might be signs of a cult. Quoting George Albert Smith:

When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God.

 

[dianaiad]

I like sour grapes! How about trying to sweeten me up? Isn’t that what your bishop would want?
I have a book of Mormon at home!

P.S. …cult!

Well, you are correct. Of course, the sense in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult is exactly the same sense in which Catholicism is, you realize that, right?