Pope won't take part in common prayers

[Dale_M]

Pope Benedict XVI has invited Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims to a pilgrimage at the Umbrian hilltop town of Assisi, but the leaders won’t take part in common prayers as they did when summoned for a daylong prayer for peace by Pope John Paul II 25 years ago.

Instead, Benedict held a pre-trip prayer service for Catholics at the Vatican on Wednesday, since Thursday’s Assisi event — unlike the 1986 edition — will only feature time for individual prayer and reflection.

Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger didn’t attend the 1986 event and disapproved of members of different faiths praying in the presence of one another. As a result, the 25th anniversary edition won’t involve any communal prayer: The estimated 300 participants will be given time to pray silently in individual rooms assigned to each one after lunch.

news.yahoo.com/pope-wont-part-common-prayers-112812125.html;_ylt=AgEUKU.iwONUe5eHA5vMxdk7Xs8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQzMnBnaWY0BG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBVU1NGIFJlbGlnaW9uU1NGBHBrZwNmNDRiYzc1MC0xZTk4LTM2NTQtYmU1Mi03NDNkNTdkYjc2NDkEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDZmM1ODBlNTAtZmZjZS0xMWUwLWJlYWItOTFmZjQzY2Q5ZDIw;_ylg=X3oDMTFwc3ZuNThtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN1c3xyZWxpZ2lvbgRwdANzZWN0aW9ucw–;_ylv=3

Rainbow of religious leaders join pope for peace

Buddhist monks, Muslim imams, Yoruba leaders and a handful of agnostics traveled with Pope Benedict XVI to the Umbrian hilltown of Assisi on Thursday to make a communal call for peace and insist that religion must not be used as a pretext for war.

The event was designed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a daylong prayer for peace called by Pope John Paul II in 1986 amid Cold War conflicts in dozens of countries. Some 300 delegates representing a rainbow of faiths answered Benedict’s invitation, though the event lacked the star power of 1986 when the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Native American chiefs and others came together to pray.

Traditional Catholics condemned the meeting as they did in 1986, saying it was blasphemy for the pope to invite leaders of “false” religions to pray to their Gods for peace. The Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway traditionalist group which Benedict has been working to bring back into Rome’s fold, said it would be celebrating 1,000 Masses to atone for the damage done by the event and urged the pope to use the occasion to urge others to convert to Catholicism.

news.yahoo.com/rainbow-religious-leaders-join-pope-peace-091838019.html;_ylt=AjtKu7ay7j4afwD9P7QmpFM7Xs8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQzZ3N0dG9yBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBVU1NGIFJlbGlnaW9uU1NGBHBrZwMyOTQ4MGU5OS1kODhiLTM0ODMtOTA0Ni0xODI0ODJmYmZhZWMEcG9zAzIEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDNzQzNjFlYTAtMDA5MC0xMWUxLThkMzUtMzhkYWIwZTJjZWMy;_ylg=X3oDMTFwc3ZuNThtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN1c3xyZWxpZ2lvbgRwdANzZWN0aW9ucw–;_ylv=3

 

[hazcompat]

BE NOT AFRAID.

peace

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

news.yahoo.com/pope-wont-part-common-prayers-112812125.html;_ylt=AgEUKU.iwONUe5eHA5vMxdk7Xs8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQzMnBnaWY0BG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBVU1NGIFJlbGlnaW9uU1NGBHBrZwNmNDRiYzc1MC0xZTk4LTM2NTQtYmU1Mi03NDNkNTdkYjc2NDkEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDZmM1ODBlNTAtZmZjZS0xMWUwLWJlYWItOTFmZjQzY2Q5ZDIw;_ylg=X3oDMTFwc3ZuNThtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN1c3xyZWxpZ2lvbgRwdANzZWN0aW9ucw–;_ylv=3

Rainbow of religious leaders join pope for peace

news.yahoo.com/rainbow-religious-leaders-join-pope-peace-091838019.html;_ylt=AjtKu7ay7j4afwD9P7QmpFM7Xs8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQzZ3N0dG9yBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBVU1NGIFJlbGlnaW9uU1NGBHBrZwMyOTQ4MGU5OS1kODhiLTM0ODMtOTA0Ni0xODI0ODJmYmZhZWMEcG9zAzIEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDNzQzNjFlYTAtMDA5MC0xMWUxLThkMzUtMzhkYWIwZTJjZWMy;_ylg=X3oDMTFwc3ZuNThtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN1c3xyZWxpZ2lvbgRwdANzZWN0aW9ucw–;_ylv=3

John Paul did it. Benedict did not.
Who is right? Who is wrong?
Shall I say none is wrong, both are right. John Paul understood one way, Benedict, another.
My idea::
John Paul understood that all are praying to the same God.
Benedicts understand that the God each one is praying is a different God. It is not that there are different Gods, but each one understand God on His own way, so does not make sense to pray together.

I guess both are right.
I would like to see comments on this thread.

 

[RPRPsych]

I like your view of things, Pfaffenhoffen. Though the truth is the truth, it can have many facets.

Having said this, though, I think this is a step in the right direction, at this time.

Many Catholics are experiencing doubts about whether ecumenical efforts have “gone too far”. In some cases, this has led them to question the authority of the Pope, with painful consequences for everyone concerned. Given this, it is wise to avoid placing a stumbling block in the way of some (cf. Romans 14.) I say this as one who, in a non-Western country, has sometimes seen ecumenism run wild - for example, I own an “Indian Catholic Bible” (with an imprimatur ) with “Indological” notes portraying Jesus as a “guru”, Mary Magdalene as a “bhakta” (devotee) offering “darshan” to her “guru”, etc.

This is not to criticize Blessed John Paul II, though. “For there are many gifts, but one Spirit”. Pope John Paul II’s gift was to reach out to those of other faiths, Pope Benedict’s is the conservation of Church tradition - as evidenced by his writings and his recent decisions (on the Mass in Latin, for example.) At this time, this is the right teaching, and I warmly congratulate the Holy Father for it.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

As I recall from EWTN Mt Assisi Coverage, Blessed John Paul II The Great Did follow the Biblical teaching of Each attendee Praying Seperatelly, very Remarkably even African and Native American historic Naturalists Cultures. Extremly Impressive.

• Same at the remarkeable Post 9/11 “Joint Prayers” at Yankee Stadium. Each Faith Elder said Brief Prayer, Focused on That Leader. We do the same at our Joint Word/Worship in Manassas VA, for over a Century. Each Minister is given 2 Minutes to Pray for All to hear. No favoritism, no Promotion for any Faith.

 

[Holly3278]

I find this to be a good thing though undoubtedly some non-Catholics and non-Christians will be unhappy about this.

 

[ringil]

I find this to be a good thing though undoubtedly some non-Catholics and non-Christians will be unhappy about this.

And apparently some Catholics as well, with the SSPX and their “1000 Masses of attonement”.

More Catholic than the Pope I guess. . . . .

 

[Not_Sure_1]

John Paul did it. Benedict did not.
Who is right? Who is wrong?
Shall I say none is wrong, both are right. John Paul understood one way, Benedict, another.
My idea::
John Paul understood that all are praying to the same God.
Benedicts understand that the God each one is praying is a different God. It is not that there are different Gods, but each one understand God on His own way, so does not make sense to pray together.

I guess both are right.
I would like to see comments on this thread.

The false religions, like the non-abrahamic religions, are not accidentally praying to the real God, they are praying to what they think the supreme god is. They are praying to nothing more than the wind or an ungraven idol, at worst they could be praying to a demon. Remember that the fallen angels (demons) want to bring humanity down to hell, why wouldn’t they pose themselves as if they were gods to turn them away from the true God.

 

[wisdomseeker]

All prayers must be done in teh Name of Jesus. Can they do that?

Thank God for the holy father not to be involved on this.

 

[rossum]

The false religions, like the non-abrahamic religions, are not accidentally praying to the real God, they are praying to what they think the supreme god is. They are praying to nothing more than the wind or an ungraven idol, at worst they could be praying to a demon. Remember that the fallen angels (demons) want to bring humanity down to hell, why wouldn’t they pose themselves as if they were gods to turn them away from the true God.

If your God is as described, then He can hear all prayers, whatever God or gods they are addressed to. If your God less welcoming to outsiders than Krishna?

Some with faith may offer worship
to other gods as devotees
but that is only me they worship
tho’ not in ways the law decrees.

• Bhagavad Gita 9:23

rossum

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

If your God is as described, then He can hear all prayers, whatever God or gods they are addressed to. If your God less welcoming to outsiders than Krishna?

Some with faith may offer worship
to other gods as devotees
but that is only me they worship
tho’ not in ways the law decrees.

• Bhagavad Gita 9:23

rossum

The Ultimate Truth is Jesus Christ.

 

[rossum]

The Ultimate Truth is Jesus Christ.

Ultimate Truth can die? A strange sort of truth you have.

rossum

 

[JReducation]

Don’t you love it when news sources can’t get their stories straight. It just creates panic in everyone. Those of us who get the daily Vatican buletin received this from the Vatican Information Service this morning.

** Following the exchange of the sign of peace the Pope concluded by thanking the organisers of the Assisi meeting. He also made specific mention of “the many young people who have made the pilgrimage to Santa Maria degli Angeli on foot, proof of the fact that many members of the new generations are committed to overcoming violence and discord, and to promoting justice and peace”.

"Today’s event is an image of how the spiritual dimension is a key element in the building of peace. Through this unique pilgrimage we have been able to engage in fraternal dialogue, to deepen our friendship, and to come together in silence and prayer. After renewing our commitment to peace and exchanging with one another a sign of peace, we feel even more profoundly involved, together with all the men and women from the communities that we represent, in our common human journey. We are not being separated; we will continue to meet, we will continue to be united in this journey, in dialogue, in the daily building of peace and in our commitment to a better world, a world in which every man and woman, and every people, can live in accordance with their own legitimate aspirations. From my heart I thank all of you here present for having accepted my invitation to come to Assisi as pilgrims of truth and peace and I greet each one of you in St. Francis’ own words: May the Lord grant you peace.

During the closing hymn the Pope and the delegations descended from the podium and entered the lower basilica of St. Francis where they remained in silence over the saint’s tomb. The Pontiff then greeted the Franciscan community and, accompanied by the heads of delegation, travelled by minibus to the railway station of Assisi where he boarded a train for his return to the Vatican.

PV-ITALY/ VIS 20111028 (610)**

Today he was meeting with different delegations individually. It’s pretty simple stuff.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Oren]

Ultimate Truth can die? A strange sort of truth you have.

rossum

That’s a rude thing to say for one thing. For another thing if you’re saying that you obviously have no understanding of what Christians believe. If so, maybe learn some more before you get rude with people.

As for Pope Benedict not praying with other faiths, good. Nothing good comes out of lying to people to make them feel better.

 

[rossum]

For another thing if you’re saying that you obviously have no understanding of what Christians believe.

As I understand Christianity, Jesus died on the cross, and stayed dead for ‘three days’ (Jewish count). If he didn’t truly die, then he couldn’t have truly risen from the dead. If He didn’t truly rise from the dead, then the basis of Christian salvation would seem to be somewhat shaky. Being in a coma for three days and then coming round does not seem to me to have the impact of dying and rising from the dead. Would that be enough to satisfy God’s desire for recompense for Adam’s sin?

Am I incorrect here?

rossum

 

[MPSchneiderLC]

John Paul did it. Benedict did not.

Actually John Paul didn’t from what I understood. I shall quote myself from an article I wrote almost a year ago. catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=6104

October 27, 1986, Pope John Paul II convoked a meeting in Assisi for religious leaders to pray for world peace. It has been called the interfaith prayer meeting, as the Pope encouraged the other religious leaders to pray for peace. It seems impossible to pray together unless you pray to the same God but many pray in a manner opposed to the Gospel…

The meeting in Assisi, however, had no common prayer. It was a meeting to encourage all religious people to pray for peace. Since we Catholics are the biggest religion in the world, it only seems appropriate that we organized it – which was done through the Pontifical Commission Iustitia et Pax (Justice and Peace), not the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to clarify it was a peace meeting. Is it better that a Hindu doesn’t pray, prays to Vishnu to destroy his enemies, or prays to Vishnu for peace? It is obvious that the third is best and closest to the Gospel, and hence the Pope’s initiative was correct. Card. Ratzinger skipped the original meeting, over concerns regarding the very misinterpretations that followed it, but as Pope, he just announced a similar event on the 25th anniversary this fall.

My source was a speach of a Cardinal cited at a congress on the 10th aniversary of Dominus Lesus but I can’t find it right now.

I think this goes to show that the media will never understand the Church.

God bless.

Br Matthew, LC