Protestants and Apologies?

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HabemusFrancis

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I recently posted a topic in a generic Christian forum, about a possible apology to historic victims of “Witch hunts” in the spirit of JP II’s jubilee year apologies in the year 2000.

christianforums.net/showthread.php?t=52765

The responses I got were a tad strange. They said things like “what is there to apologize for? The victims and perpetrators are long dead. No one can apologize for what they did not do.”

I agree with that statement, but still think it is fitting as an institution to express sorrow for misdeeds committed in God’s name.

Btw, Is it true that historically, Protestant clergy were far more zealous in witch hunting than their Catholic counterparts?
 
I can kind of see where they are coming from, as in “why should I apologize for something I am not responsible for,” although there are organizational apologies such as companies or organizations apologizing for the behavior of its members… but also there tends to be this trend in Protestantism to separate oneself from the “bad Christians,” claiming that those Christians weren’t really Christians at all and thus avoid soiling self/the name of Christianity by associating with that group. The Catholic Church has no such luxury. We are one body in Christ and when one member sins it hurts the whole body, not just the sinner.
 
Perhaps you are right about the Protestants.

Many of them think that a “true born again, bible believin” Christian does not commit terrible sins. Of course Catholics have no such naiveté about our own baptized members.

The Protestants are somewhat fortunate for this viewpoint, for their historical hands are far from clean. First of all they had comparativly more superstitious, paranoid, and brutallly cruel witch trials than those conducted by the Church. I find it remarkable how even the Catholic leaders of the Spanish inquisition generally dismissed “witchcraft” as merely peasant superstition.

Secondly protestants (in particular Evangelicals/Baptists of the Jimmy Swaggart/ Jerry Fallwell variety) would need to apologize for supporting slavery and institutionalized discrimination.

The southern baptists were loudly pro confederate and anti emancipation and cited scripture as support for later jim crow laws. In contrast, though not wildly anti slavery in the antebellum era, the Church hierarchy was generally sympathetic and helpful toward the African American community in terms of material aid and support for civil rights. Wish same could be said of Catholic laity 0f 18- 1900s :(!

I am grateful for belonging to a Church that does air out its dirty laundry, current and historic, since it helps the Church grow in holiness!:signofcross:
 
HabemusFrancis said:
Perhaps you are right about the Protestants.

Many of them think that a “true born again, bible believin” Christian does not commit terrible sins. Of course Catholics have no such naiveté about our own baptized members.

The Protestants are somewhat fortunate for this viewpoint, for their historical hands are far from clean. First of all they had comparativly more superstitious, paranoid, and brutallly cruel witch trials than those conducted by the Church. I find it remarkable how even the Catholic leaders of the Spanish inquisition generally dismissed “witchcraft” as merely peasant superstition.

Secondly protestants (in particular Evangelicals/Baptists of the Jimmy Swaggart/ Jerry Fallwell variety) would need to apologize for supporting slavery and institutionalized discrimination.

The southern baptists were loudly pro confederate and anti emancipation and cited scripture as support for later jim crow laws. In contrast, though not wildly anti slavery in the antebellum era, the Church hierarchy was generally sympathetic and helpful toward the African American community in terms of material aid and support for civil rights. Wish same could be said of Catholic laity 0f 18- 1900s :(!

I am grateful for belonging to a Church that does air out its dirty laundry, current and historic, since it helps the Church grow in holiness!:signofcross:
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I must say that for an agnostic, you have a remarkably positive view of the Church that I have not seen before among others.
 
I am a seeker of truth.

By the way I am a Catholic. I experienced doubts a “dark knight of the soul” if you will.

I think it best to give credit when due, and criticize when due.

Really, my only big complaint with the Catholic Church now is that terrible sex abuse stuff. I know! different topic, and I know Church has learned and changed significantly since when the worst of it occurred.

I only hope reforms in united states/ Europe have happened in Africa and south America… will pray for that to occur…
 
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