Seven days that shook the Vatican

[Dale_M]

The past week has been pretty eventful. John Allen gives a listing of some of the more important happenings: the Belgium police raids, the US Supreme Court decision, the European Court of Human Rights, etc.

But his article is primarily one of interpretation/speculation.

Yet I’m inclined to think the past week does mean something, and here’s my first-blush stab at expressing it: Collectively, I think these events both symbolize and advance the collapse of Catholicism as a culture-shaping majority in the West. When the dust settles, policy-makers in the church, particularly in the Vatican, will be ever more committed to what social theorists call “identity politics,” a traditional defense mechanism relied upon by minorities when facing what they perceive as a hostile cultural majority.

While there are an almost infinite number of ways of defining a “minority,” one widely invoked model says it has four characteristics:

* Suffering discrimination and subordination
* Physical and/or cultural traits that set them apart, and which are disapproved by the dominant group
* A shared sense of collective identity and common burdens
* Socially shared rules about who belongs and who does not

A growing swath of Catholics in the West, particularly in the church’s leadership class, believes that all these markers now apply to the Catholic church, and the events of the past week will strongly reinforce those impressions.

ncronline.org/blogs/seven-days-shook-vatican

Allen is suggesting that the Catholic Church may be beginning to see itself as a minority group, one which has to guard its members against persecution and also against assimilation into the wider culture. And Allen suggests that the Church may be shifting into that defensive mode.

Its an interesting read. What do others here think of his speculation?

 

[Mark77]

**Christians have always been a minority & will always be such;

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Mt 7:14)

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (JN 15:18)

Jesus warned us;

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.” (Mt 24:9)

Jesus didn’t negotiate or try to get along, He died for our sins!
**
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[Redratfish]

The past week has been pretty eventful. John Allen gives a listing of some of the more important happenings: the Belgium police raids, the US Supreme Court decision, the European Court of Human Rights, etc.

But his article is primarily one of interpretation/speculation.

ncronline.org/blogs/seven-days-shook-vatican

Allen is suggesting that the Catholic Church may be beginning to see itself as a minority group, one which has to guard its members against persecution and also against assimilation into the wider culture. And Allen suggests that the Church may be shifting into that defensive mode.

Its an interesting read. What do others here think of his speculation?

I’m not worried. Around 2 percent of priests doesn’t change my faith. Clinton was a pervert, people still like Democrats

Defensive mode is correct though. I’ve gotten into more debates (I don’t start debates btw) in the last few months than I did all last year.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Isn’t new, really. Our present Holy Father himself predicted it might be a smaller, but more committed Church.

The small number that was Our Lord’s first followers changed the world. We, in much, much greater numbers can change the world again.

 

[Caveman]

Isn’t new, really. Our present Holy Father himself predicted it might be a smaller, but more committed Church.

The small number that was Our Lord’s first followers changed the world. We, in much, much greater numbers can change the world again.

Yep. And let’s not forget the warnings of Our Lady of Akita.

The Remnant Church, indeed.

 

[MugenOne]

That’s what Belloc says in his “Great Heresies” book. Modern Attack is the greatest threat to our faith. He sees our Church as a smaller church. I believe we are heading to our founding days of smaller, but faithful Church.The rest of the world will revert back to its pagan root.

Isn’t new, really. Our present Holy Father himself predicted it might be a smaller, but more committed Church.

 

[wisdomseeker]

The past week has been pretty eventful. John Allen gives a listing of some of the more important happenings: the Belgium police raids, the US Supreme Court decision, the European Court of Human Rights, etc.

But his article is primarily one of interpretation/speculation.

ncronline.org/blogs/seven-days-shook-vatican

Allen is suggesting that the Catholic Church may be beginning to see itself as a minority group, one which has to guard its members against persecution and also against assimilation into the wider culture. And Allen suggests that the Church may be shifting into that defensive mode.

Its an interesting read. What do others here think of his speculation?

It would be interesting to see how this is going to happen. what Catholics are staying in the boat and which will be cast out.

today, if we had excommunication, i think we would be left with a small group. is it what is going to happen?. i know that the heretics in teh Church is not going to leave without the door being closed on them. the heretics will remain because that is where they can win the battle, by diminish the morals of the Church and they can press on their heretical teachings and discredit the Church before the world. their presence in the Church is more damaging than any words they preach and they know that.
mixing faith is not such a good idea. God has prohibit the people of Israel from contaminating their faith wiht others. it should not be different today. this undescriminated ecumenism has dragged the Church into the mud. for today we have all kinds of things going the House of God. from gays to hereticals teachings from other faiths. and one wonder what is going on with the Church.