Pope Francis to visit Sweden for Reformation commemoration

  • Thread starter Thread starter _Abyssinia
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

_Abyssinia

Guest
Francis will visit the city of Lund in October for a joint ecumenical commemoration to mark the anniversary of the start of the Reformation
Pope Francis will visit Sweden in October for a joint ecumenical commemoration of the start of the Reformation, it has been announced.
Francis will be joined for the commemoration by leaders of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and representatives of other Christian Churches on October 31 in the Swedish city of Lund, a press release, released today by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) and the LWF, has confirmed.
catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/01/25/pope-francis-to-visit-sweden-for-reformation-commemoration/
 
The Holy See Press Office has announced that Pope Francis will travel to Lund, Sweden, on October 31 to take part in a joint Lutheran-Catholic ceremony commemorating the 500th anniversary …

More…
 
I don’t understand why we are celebrating the Protestant Revolt.:confused: Someone please explain.
 
I don’t understand why we are celebrating the Protestant Revolt.:confused: Someone please explain.
I think the Holy Father is trying to attract people to the Catholic Church. Not by denying any truths, yet by attempting to meet people where they are. St. Paul did the same thing, as we learn in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law–though not being myself under the law–that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law–not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ–that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.​

I believe we are living in unique times and these times call for a genuine renewal of our evangelical mission. If we “become” like those around us, while not compromising the truth in any way, we have a better chance of understanding how we can bring them to the saving truths found in the Church. And even if we cannot directly speak to them of the faith, by getting to know them better, we have an ability to offer more direct prayers for their spiritual guidance and salvation. This method takes more work, yet it can save some souls and the more souls that are saved, the fuller the expression of revealed truth becomes. IMO. 🙂
 
The mystery of Gods merciful love was always going to confound and displace us from our comfort zone. Perhaps God is saying enough’s enough now kids… come back together and stop this endless dawdling about it. Afterall there were many things about the ‘breakup’ that were our fault too.
 
From the article: "“The LWF is approaching the Reformation anniversary in a spirit of ecumenical accountability,” says Martin Junge, the Lutheran World Federation’s general secretary. “I’m carried by the profound conviction that by working towards reconciliation between Lutherans and Catholics, we are working towards justice, peace and reconciliation in a world torn apart by conflict and violence.”

Maybe the idea is to celebrate “working towards reconciliation.” There’s not much to celebrate about the breakup of Christianity.
 
I think the Holy Father is trying to attract people to the Catholic Church. Not by denying any truths, yet by attempting to meet people where they are. St. Paul did the same thing, as we learn in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9:
I assume this. Much like with the Anglicans under Benedict. And now there’s a bunch of Anglicans all over the world under the Pope.

I mean, some of the Lutheran sections have gone pretty far off the reservation. By the Pope showing up and saying “I get you guys, and if you agree with us on these core issues there’s space for you too.” Maybe a Personal Ordinariate for the Lutherans.

I mean, the LCMS was right up at front at the March for Life. Saw a picture of a guy wearing a hat of theirs and next to him was a Vatican flag.
 
I assume this. Much like with the Anglicans under Benedict. And now there’s a bunch of Anglicans all over the world under the Pope.

I mean, some of the Lutheran sections have gone pretty far off the reservation. By the Pope showing up and saying “I get you guys, and if you agree with us on these core issues there’s space for you too.” Maybe a Personal Ordinariate for the Lutherans.

I mean, the LCMS was right up at front at the March for Life. Saw a picture of a guy wearing a hat of theirs and next to him was a Vatican flag.
Great points. 🙂
 
This announcement was made for today in order to coincide with the close of the Chair of Unity Octave, when the Holy Father visits the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

On October 31 this year, he will go to Sweden to begin the joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation. October 31 of next year, 2017, will be the focus of the 500th anniversary commemorations with events throughout the year.

He will be using the Ceremony of Common Prayer which has just been co-published by the Holy See through the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, under the presidency of His Eminence, Kurt Cardinal Koch, and which will be the basis for joint prayer services co-presided by Catholic clergy and Lutheran clergy around the world.

A most informative document on the whole issue of Catholic-Lutheran relations in view of the 500th anniversary, From Conflict to Communion, can be found on the Vatican’s website:

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/lutheran-fed-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_2013_dal-conflitto-alla-comunione_en.html

These joint commemorations will be happening in dioceses throughout the world, led by the diocesan bishops with their Lutheran counterparts. In the United States, as but one example, the Archdiocese of Boston has announced plans that are already underway, by a letter co-signed by His Eminence, Sean Cardinal O’Malley and by Bishop James Hazelwood of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There will be many activities they will be undertaking jointly leading up to the main events in 2017.

bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=31804
 
I will be honest, I am a supporter of Pope Francis but I didn’t like this headline when I seen it. Granted, I’ve been confused by things that Pope Francis has done and said in the past before too. However, as another poster said, I believe he is attempting to attract more people to the Catholic Church by reaching out to our separated brethren while not compromising in the least on our faith and morals. I honestly think that Pope Francis is a saint in the making but unfortunately he is misunderstood by a lot of people and that’s largely because of misrepresentation in the media.
 
I wonder if the Catholics who are opposed to this are the ones the Pope is referring to as obstinate, rebels, and idolators ?
 
I think the Holy Father is trying to attract people to the Catholic Church. Not by denying any truths, yet by attempting to meet people where they are. St. Paul did the same thing, as we learn in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9:
The problem is that you’re trying to attract people to the same religion and its papacy they once revolted against. Truths would be a secondary issue IMO. They may like Pope Francis and all but is it possible to (re)convert those to the faith who don’t hold to papal primacy?

OTOH, ecumenism seems to be more about respect than conversion, or at least the way I understand it.
 
The Lutherans ordain women, they ordain open homosexuals, they disregard the Chair of St. Peter and succession. Please explain to me how we, as Catholics, are to square this circle? I cannot fathom how unity for the simple sake of unity, while jettisoning Catholic theology to do so can achieve anything but relativism. Someone please explain to me where I am mistaken. Seriously, answer this for me.

And for those who have not read the history of the reformation, wade through this.
newadvent.org/cathen/12700b.htm
 
I mean, the LCMS was right up at front at the March for Life. Saw a picture of a guy wearing a hat of theirs and next to him was a Vatican flag.
Ah yes, unity through having a common enemy. Seems to work. 🙂
 
The Lutherans ordain women, they ordain open homosexuals, they disregard the Chair of St. Peter and succession. Please explain to me how we, as Catholics, are to square this circle? I cannot fathom how unity for the simple sake of unity, while jettisoning Catholic theology to do so can achieve anything but relativism. Someone please explain to me where I am mistaken. Seriously, answer this for me.

And for those who have not read the history of the reformation, wade through this.
newadvent.org/cathen/12700b.htm
The Pope is not planning to accept Lutheran theology.

We are living in unique times that require a unique approach. So many lost souls.
 
The Lutherans ordain women, they ordain open homosexuals, they disregard the Chair of St. Peter and succession. Please explain to me how we, as Catholics, are to square this circle?
You’re right. The philosophies clash. But the Anglican Ordinariate only brought back those opposed to anything opposed by the church. Could have been by individual conversions but Pope Benedict made it easier as individual parishes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top