Should Catholic Institutions in America be more Catholic?

[Jimmy_B]

http://studiesirishreview.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/touchdown_jesus_1sized.jpg

Should Catholic Institutions in America be more Catholic?

Are Catholic institutions in America as “Catholic” as they once were?

Should Catholic Institutions be more “Catholic” than they are today?

What can and should the Roman Catholic Pope, the Roman Catholic Church and the faithful do to make sure that our Catholic institutions do not lose their way and fall into relativism and/or secularism?

Has this already occurred in Catholic institutions in America?

 

[Cluny]

How are you more Catholic than Catholic?

It’s like being “a little bit pregnant” or “almost right” in arithmetic.

 

[Jimmy_B]

How are you more Catholic than Catholic?

It’s like being “a little bit pregnant” or “almost right” in arithmetic.

Thank you Cluny,

I understand your point here, however, what I was referring to the verb, “acting Catholic” and not to “Catholic”, the title or name only.

One can become a Catholic and never act like a Catholic. An institution or group can start Catholic and later break from the Catholic Church.

Maybe my question here is worded wrong… it wouldn’t be the first time.

My point here is that there seems to me to be more and more conflict in the Catholic Church in America, in recent years. For instance, It seems to me that there are more “Catholics” today who will side with a particular political party, over their Catholic religion and when this happens and those political beliefs are at odd’s with their Catholic beliefs, a conflict is created.

One can have the title “Catholic” and never act Catholic. Catholic institutions do not exist without Catholic people, acting Catholic. Notre Dame for example, is a place, an American university and a Catholic institution…remove all the people and it is just a place. Reject or remove the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and Catholic teachings and it is just a university.

I am not implying that Notre Dame is not Catholic; however, I would like to see Notre Dame and other Catholic institutions in America, act more Catholic.

My oldest son graduated from a Catholic school and at times, I wished it were more Catholic, if you know what I mean.

In my opinion, I believe that some of these Catholic institutions in America are not as Catholic as they once were. I am afraid that American politics, relativism and secularism is creepy into some of our Catholic institutions.

Am I wrong?

 

[Cluny]

If your son’s high school were to, say, install an Iconostasion, have the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom every day, sung with incense, as is the norm, have all the meals served strictly according to the Byzantine fasting rules, have a priestmonk from the Monastery of St. Nilus at Grottaferratta hear their confessions weekly, and teach religion totally out of such writers as Raya and Kucharek, would you recognize it as being “more Catholic”?

 

[latinmasslover]

Thank you Cluny,

I understand your point here, however, what I was referring to the verb, “acting Catholic” and not to “Catholic”, the title or name only.

One can become a Catholic and never act like a Catholic. An institution or group can start Catholic and later break from the Catholic Church.

Maybe my question here is worded wrong… it wouldn’t be the first time.

My point here is that there seems to me to be more and more conflict in the Catholic Church in America, in recent years. For instance, It seems to me that there are more “Catholics” today who will side with a particular political party, over their Catholic religion and when this happens and those political beliefs are at odd’s with their Catholic beliefs, a conflict is created.

One can have the title “Catholic” and never act Catholic. Catholic institutions do not exist without Catholic people, acting Catholic. Notre Dame for example, is a place, an American university and a Catholic institution…remove all the people and it is just a place. Reject or remove the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and Catholic teachings and it is just a university.

I am not implying that Notre Dame is not Catholic; however, I would like to see Notre Dame and other Catholic institutions in America, act more Catholic.

My oldest son graduated from a Catholic school and at times, I wished it were more Catholic, if you know what I mean.

In my opinion, I believe that some of these Catholic institutions in America are not as Catholic as they once were. I am afraid that American politics, relativism and secularism is creepy into some of our Catholic institutions.

Am I wrong?

You’re not wrong, many of the Catholic institutions are Catholic in name only. Pathetic really. Many schools and parishes teach/preach freemason ideas rather than the Faith of Christ. What can we do about it? Pray and make life heck for those slacking off in their religious responsibilities. Call them on the carpet. Nothing done? Pray some more and report them. Still nothing? Pray, and go higher and higher up the chain until something is done. Get others to join you, signatures, etc. Any means necessary. And pray.

 

[Hesychios]

You’re not wrong, many of the Catholic institutions are Catholic in name only.

This is true, it is in the nature of the thing. This has happened to Protestant institutions too.

These things (school, hospitals, etc.) are not exactly part of the church. They certainly are not owned by the church in most cases. In other words, if it is owned by the Society of Jesus or the Knights of Columbus, that does not mean that it is ‘owned by the church’. If it is owned by some diocese that is a different case.

I remember when I was young, I visited a small college in Iowa. It was established by the Methodists. by the time I was there more than thirty years ago there was not much about it that was Methodist. The oldest building on the site was called “old Sem”, and it was the original seminary building.

The old chapel, which was very large, was used for concerts. I don’t remember whether they had built a new chapel, I assume they still had a Methodist chaplain but most of the students were not Methodist, and many were Catholics.

The board of Trustees typically represents the financial supporters, not the original founders, and they have been increasingly dependent upon the Alumni, not the church at large, for their support.

As long a schools continue to accept non-Catholics into the student body, and accept money from non-Catholic donors, they will be influenced by non-Catholic policies.

There is a hospital in my area called ’ ----- Community Hospital’. It has been there nearly thirty years. Most people have no idea that it is a ‘Catholic’ hospital. It is the successor of an old hospital in the city called Saint Georges Hospital, and that is still it’s formal legal incorporated name.

http://www.theboldtcompany.com/boldtconsulting/images/mlg_palos1.jpg

Yes, an order of nuns still owns it. But this is not a mission of mercy as when female religious first came to America to heal the sick and save souls for Christ. It is their means of financial support, an investment, and they have professionals from every conceivable creed managing the establishment and doing the ‘work’ of healing.

Presumably they are donating earnings to worthy Catholic causes.

http://mca-architecture.com/portfolio/p_images/palosA_080404.jpg

It would be easy to sell to some corporation. No one would notice the change.

Pathetic really.

It is certainly a disappointment.

 

[JuanCarlos]

If your son’s high school were to, say, install an Iconostasion, have the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom every day, sung with incense, as is the norm, have all the meals served strictly according to the Byzantine fasting rules, have a priestmonk from the Monastery of St. Nilus at Grottaferratta hear their confessions weekly, and teach religion totally out of such writers as Raya and Kucharek, would you recognize it as being “more Catholic”?

Where do I sign up?

 

[Deblette]

If an institution anywhere labels itself as Catholic, it should be following the doctrines of the Catholic faith. If they are not, they either need to return to those doctrines or remove Catholic from their name and affiliation.

I think what we are seeing currently is a restoration of the Church after forty years of extreme liberalism and materialism infecting everything. True Catholics are tired of it and the younger generation and those returning to the Church are more conservative.

I believe our goal is to always want to have people return to the Church and know and live the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We want their souls to be saved. By the same token, the Church does not need Catholics in name only to be spreading heresy to the public. People like Biden and Pelosi and others who really don’t know anything about the Catholic Church or faith beyond showing up on Sunday, need to either find their way back or leave the Church.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will come into all of the lives of those who have strayed and those who have never known the wonder and beauty of all the Lord left us in His Church and open the eyes of their hearts so that they may be made aware of His Truth.

Going to Mass on Sunday does not make one a Catholic anymore than sitting in your garage makes one a car.

 

[Hesychios]

Going to Mass on Sunday does not make one a Catholic anymore than sitting in your garage makes one a car.

Wow, that’s a great expression.