Pope Benedict: Theological Debate 'Healthy,' but Must Remain Faithful to Church Teaching

[Catholic_Press]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Catholic Church needs healthy debates between theologians to increase the understanding of faith, but the debate must always uphold official church teaching and must be conducted in a way that does not confuse the faithful, Pope Benedict XVI said.

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[Sonny1954]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Catholic Church needs healthy debates between theologians to increase the understanding of faith, but the debate must always uphold official church teaching and must be conducted in a way that does not confuse the faithful, Pope Benedict XVI said.

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In the header, I think the word “debate” should be in quotations, not the word healthy. The Catholic Church is not a debating society. It is rather like the military: orders are given from the top and everyone else obeys. If one wants to debate, go into politics, lots to debate about there, whether one has anything to say or not.

 

[SeanTom]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Catholic Church needs healthy debates between theologians to increase the understanding of faith, but the debate must always uphold official church teaching and must be conducted in a way that does not confuse the faithful, Pope Benedict XVI said.

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I agree whole-heartedly. The same goes for private revelations and apparitions. The church does not tell us we can not believe in personal revelations and apparitions, as long as what is seen or said, by the individual, does not detract, in any way, from the teachings of the Catholic Church. Any Catholic who gives their primary attention to alleged private revelations or apparitions at the expense of Sacred Scripture, the teaching of the church, Sacramental practice, prayer and fidelity to Church authority, is definitely wrong. Of course if these revelations or apparitions are eventually approved by the church as being authentic, then we can accept them as such. For information, The church has approved 12 apparitions out of 295 that have been studied, the last one being those of Our Lady of Laus, approved on May 4, 2008.

 

[otjm]

In the header, I think the word “debate” should be in quotations, not the word healthy. The Catholic Church is not a debating society. It is rather like the military: orders are given from the top and everyone else obeys. If one wants to debate, go into politics, lots to debate about there, whether one has anything to say or not.

It would appear that you are not familiar with theological issues. There is room for healthy debate in the arena; it is not a free-for-all witha nything and everything being questioned. But there are a whole lot of issues that are subject to study and debate.

 

[pnewton]

It would appear that you are not familiar with theological issues. There is room for healthy debate in the arena; it is not a free-for-all witha nything and everything being questioned. But there are a whole lot of issues that are subject to study and debate.

Also, the realm of debate is often dictated by vocation. Educated Church theologians have a little freer hand than we might. On the other hand, areas of prudence and application may be better debated among laity. The important thing I got from the article is the point you bring up about there being boundries.

In this particular forum, even the best flavor of ice cream might prove a slippery slope.

 

[JReducation]

Debates are very common and very healthy among theologians. Many of us belong to theological societies such as the Canon Law Society, the Biblical Society or research groups in specific areas of theology. For example, I belong to several Franciscan research institutes. We gather together at simposiums, workshops, and seminars to debate Franciscan theology. The debates are healthy and often very enlightening. I’ve often learned new things from listening to debates or being engaged in them. I believe this is what the Holy Father is speaking about.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Eucharisted]

Amen!