Parish Priest: If Church Does Not Adapt To 21st Century It It Doomed!

[Cinette]

*Yes, the old man said that if the Church did not adapt to the 21st Century we are doomed!!!

I prayed “Lord forgive Fr Marmaduke (*) for he knows not what he is saying!”

I know there is a shortage of priests but I believe that it is because most parishes are “maintenance” parishes and not “missionary parishes”. Also good Catholic families product vocations.

I know there is a problem but the problem must be attacked by US!

Would like your views.

Blessings
Cinette * Nom de plume*******

 

[texasnan]

*Yes, the old man said that if the Church did not adapt to the 21st Century we are doomed!!!

I prayed “Lord forgive Fr Marmaduke (*) for he knows not what he is saying!”

I know there is a shortage of priests but I believe that it is because most parishes are “maintenance” parishes and not “missionary parishes”. Also good Catholic families product vocations.

I know there is a problem but the problem must be attacked by US!

Would like your views.

Blessings
Cinette * Nom de plume*******

A little context would be helpful. Exactly what was he talking about when he said this?

 

[Cinette]

A little context would be helpful. Exactly what was he talking about when he said this?

*He didn’t elaborate but I can guess because this has been debated before:

• women priests
• married priests

I think an Order of married priests is OK but women priestesses is not right IMHO.

Blessings
Cinette*

 

[Jehoshua]

The Churches teaching is uncahngeable, if this priest meant that the church should change its teachings to conform to the error of our days then he has prpbably fallen into heresy.

However if he meant that the church should change its methods to convey the truth, similar to the counter-reformation period while preserving, cherishing and building on the traditions of 2 millenia then he is quite correct.

 

[JustaServant]

I’d be happy if some parishes faced the fact the 60s and 70s are over. There is nothing worse than graying, pot-bellied, middle-aged hippies singing ‘Get Together’ during Mass. Even my 21 year old convert daughter rolled her eyes on that one.

 

[Jehoshua]

I can agree with that sentiment: There is no instrument i more despise then the guitar and i bet you can guess where that dislike came from…

 

[ZDHayden]

The Church has not adapted to the times since the Apostles. Priests still wear Roman coats, for example. The way I see it, in the Western world, the Church is the only constant. No, I say this instead: the day the Church changes how the progressives want her to change (i.e. women priests) is the day the Western World collapses: the Western World, to the worst fears of the non-religious and the anti-Catholics out there, is built on the steady foundation of the Church. Like a poorly built house on a solid foundation in a violent storm, the house may be ripped to shreds, but its foundation remains firm. But if the foundation cracks, no storm is needed to destroy the house. In short, Western civilization can be destroyed and the Church would remain, but if the Church cracks, Western civilization dies. If the Western world wants to die, let it, but let us take as many people to safety as possible. Any man, woman, or child who says the Church must change in order to survive is either blatantly lying or is sorely mistaken. The Son promised us when he was on this earth that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church – that does not give us as members of that Church the permission to fire flaming arrows from the gates at the Church. (a gate is a defensive weapon. Whilst sin may seem to be rampant, remember, Christ promised us that it is on the defensive because of his Church. Let us not let up the siege.

 

[Cinette]

The Church has not adapted to the times since the Apostles. Priests still wear Roman coats, for example. The way I see it, in the Western world, the Church is the only constant. No, I say this instead: the day the Church changes how the progressives want her to change (i.e. women priests) is the day the Western World collapses: the Western World, to the worst fears of the non-religious and the anti-Catholics out there, is built on the steady foundation of the Church. Like a poorly built house on a solid foundation in a violent storm, the house may be ripped to shreds, but its foundation remains firm. But if the foundation cracks, no storm is needed to destroy the house. In short, Western civilization can be destroyed and the Church would remain, but if the Church cracks, Western civilization dies. If the Western world wants to die, let it, but let us take as many people to safety as possible. Any man, woman, or child who says the Church must change in order to survive is either blatantly lying or is sorely mistaken. The Son promised us when he was on this earth that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church – that does not give us as members of that Church the permission to fire flaming arrows from the gates at the Church. (a gate is a defensive weapon. Whilst sin may seem to be rampant, remember, Christ promised us that it is on the defensive because of his Church. Let us not let up the siege.

*Thank you for that. I couldn’t agree with you more.

In regard to the habit I really think that it is necessary. For example Scott Hahn recounts of an experience he had at the airport in Toronto when there was a terrible storm but the flight was not cancelled. He spotted a Catholic priest on a bench and approached the priest and asked if he would hear his Confession. When he had finished there was a queue of people in line for Confession!

Sometimes someone may need a priest and if priests do not wear their garb it could be a sad lost opportunity.

Blessings
Cinette*

 

[PaulinVA]

Saint Paul addressed this in Romans 12:2

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

That pretty much says it all.

 

[Cinette]

*Hello Paulin!

I was very pleased with your post and sent it to Fr “Marmaduke”!!

Thank you
Cinette*

 

[utah_rose]

*Yes, the old man said that if the Church did not adapt to the 21st Century we are doomed!!!

I prayed “Lord forgive Fr Marmaduke (*) for he knows not what he is saying!”

I know there is a shortage of priests but I believe that it is because most parishes are “maintenance” parishes and not “missionary parishes”. Also good Catholic families product vocations.

I know there is a problem but the problem must be attacked by US!

Would like your views.

Blessings
Cinette * Nom de plume*******

I would ask him privately and in a non-confratational way what he meant by that. If he was referring to women or married priests, homosexual marriage, etc. I would refer him to the bishop of your diocese. I would just write a letter to him marking it confidential. If the problem isn’t solved, I would tell the bishop that I would be moving to a different parish and also refer the matter to the Papal Nuncio, which bishops don’t care for.

All of these things are against Church teachings and would be leading souls astray, and your Bishop needs to be aware of this.

Then I would join another parish if you can. You don’t need a heretical priest, but I would pray for him.

 

[OraLabora]

Anybody who prays the psalms regularly will quickly come to realize that there is nothing specific to adapt to in the 21st century. The preoccupations of the people today are pretty much the same as they were in King David’s days: fears about health, longevity, morality, war, starvation, exile, the good guys getting the shaft and the bad guys getting off easy, and the list goes on.

The only thing about the 21st century is we have the technology to screw ourselves up more efficiently and more thoroughly, but the essence is the same and we fall prey to the same idols as we did since we stole that apple.

It’s one reason I came back to the Church: the timelessness and constancy of its message of reconciliation to God’s will, against the timelessness and constancy of mankind’s depravity.

Someone should point out to the good father what "adapting to to the 16th/17th/18th/19th/20th/21st century has done to the Anglicans. Going with the the flow, or rather the will of the people rather than the will of God, has pretty much destroyed the Anglicans. The seeds of their doom were planted when it adapted to the will of the king rather than the will of God.

 

[Catholic_EC]

Anybody who prays the psalms regularly will quickly come to realize that there is nothing specific to adapt to in the 21st century. The preoccupations of the people today are pretty much the same as they were in King David’s days: fears about health, longevity, morality, war, starvation, exile, the good guys getting the shaft and the bad guys getting off easy, and the list goes on.

The only thing about the 21st century is we have the technology to screw ourselves up more efficiently and more thoroughly, but the essence is the same and we fall prey to the same idols as we did since we stole that apple.

It’s one reason I came back to the Church: the timelessness and constancy of its message of reconciliation to God’s will, against the timelessness and constancy of mankind’s depravity.

Someone should point out to the good father what "adapting to to the 16th/17th/18th/19th/20th/21st century has done to the Anglicans. Going with the the flow, or rather the will of the people rather than the will of God, has pretty much destroyed the Anglicans. The seeds of their doom were planted when it adapted to the will of the king rather than the will of God.

Amen!

 

[dottyefarrell]

Anybody who prays the psalms regularly will quickly come to realize that there is nothing specific to adapt to in the 21st century. The preoccupations of the people today are pretty much the same as they were in King David’s days: fears about health, longevity, morality, war, starvation, exile, the good guys getting the shaft and the bad guys getting off easy, and the list goes on.

The only thing about the 21st century is we have the technology to screw ourselves up more efficiently and more thoroughly, but the essence is the same and we fall prey to the same idols as we did since we stole that apple.

It’s one reason I came back to the Church: the timelessness and constancy of its message of reconciliation to God’s will, against the timelessness and constancy of mankind’s depravity.

Someone should point out to the good father what "adapting to to the 16th/17th/18th/19th/20th/21st century has done to the Anglicans. Going with the the flow, or rather the will of the people rather than the will of God, has pretty much destroyed the Anglicans. The seeds of their doom were planted when it adapted to the will of the king rather than the will of God.

WOW, well said. I tried last week to make this point on CARM regarding the Evangelical Lutheran decision to allow openly non-celibate gay ministers to minister to their “parish” communities. It always seems that the first cave comes from the Anglican/Episcopal churches, then we soon see caves in other Protestant churches.

It happened that way with OSAS, eternal security, interpret the Bible as you see fit, make your own rules, birth control, abortion, women priests, gay priests. It’s no wonder to me that Europe is filled with empty churches when you can make your own rules, anytime, anywhere. There is nothing special about Religious teaching, values and doctrines. Be your own Pope; in your own church anything goes.

 

[kimmielittle]

Anybody who prays the psalms regularly will quickly come to realize that there is nothing specific to adapt to in the 21st century. The preoccupations of the people today are pretty much the same as they were in King David’s days: fears about health, longevity, morality, war, starvation, exile, the good guys getting the shaft and the bad guys getting off easy, and the list goes on.

The only thing about the 21st century is we have the technology to screw ourselves up more efficiently and more thoroughly, but the essence is the same and we fall prey to the same idols as we did since we stole that apple.

It’s one reason I came back to the Church: the timelessness and constancy of its message of reconciliation to God’s will, against the timelessness and constancy of mankind’s depravity.

Someone should point out to the good father what "adapting to to the 16th/17th/18th/19th/20th/21st century has done to the Anglicans. Going with the the flow, or rather the will of the people rather than the will of God, has pretty much destroyed the Anglicans. The seeds of their doom were planted when it adapted to the will of the king rather than the will of God.

:clapping::clapping:

 

[3Sanctus]

Through the prayers of Saint Pius X and the Holy Mother of God, may we be delivered from the modernists!

 

[GEddie]

*Yes, the old man said that if the Church did not adapt to the 21st Century we are doomed!!!

I prayed “Lord forgive Fr Marmaduke (*) for he knows not what he is saying!”

I know there is a shortage of priests but I believe that it is because most parishes are “maintenance” parishes and not “missionary parishes”. Also good Catholic families product vocations.

I know there is a problem but the problem must be attacked by US!

Would like your views.

Blessings
Cinette * Nom de plume*******

Was it CS Lewis who said, “Those who keep up with the times end up where all times go?”

The Church is called to be salt for the world. Salt is a preservative; it does not accompany the meat into decay, it HOLDS IT BACK!!! That is its job!!!

“The light of the world,
the salt of the earth,
We scatter the darkness
when Love becomes our way” —WYD 2002 Toronto

ICXC NIKA!

 

[barb_finnegan]

Anybody who prays the psalms regularly will quickly come to realize that there is nothing specific to adapt to in the 21st century. The preoccupations of the people today are pretty much the same as they were in King David’s days: fears about health, longevity, morality, war, starvation, exile, the good guys getting the shaft and the bad guys getting off easy, and the list goes on.

The only thing about the 21st century is we have the technology to screw ourselves up more efficiently and more thoroughly, but the essence is the same and we fall prey to the same idols as we did since we stole that apple.

It’s one reason I came back to the Church: the timelessness and constancy of its message of reconciliation to God’s will, against the timelessness and constancy of mankind’s depravity.

Someone should point out to the good father what "adapting to to the 16th/17th/18th/19th/20th/21st century has done to the Anglicans. Going with the the flow, or rather the will of the people rather than the will of God, has pretty much destroyed the Anglicans. The seeds of their doom were planted when it adapted to the will of the king rather than the will of God.

Amen to our friend North of the border! You hit it square on the head! :clapping::clapping:

 

[texasnan]

*He didn’t elaborate but I can guess because this has been debated before:

• women priests
• married priests

I think an Order of married priests is OK but women priestesses is not right IMHO.

Blessings
Cinette*

But you’re guessing, you don’t know for sure that this is what he was talking about? Wouldn’t it be just common courtesy to ask him, before posting something that starts accusations of heresy?

 

[CradleCath]

I’d be happy if some parishes faced the fact the 60s and 70s are over. There is nothing worse than graying, pot-bellied, middle-aged hippies singing ‘Get Together’ during Mass. Even my 21 year old convert daughter rolled her eyes on that one.

So, SO true.