some questions from a very interested person!

[LilyM]

Zaida, on the point of scandal driving people away from
the Church, it was always thus.

Think of Saul, the most notorious persecutor of early Christians, suddenly doing a 180 and converting! Imagine being one of those who saw family or friends fall victim to this man. Then imagine presto-changeo, practically the next day you’re being asked to accept this evil sinner as a brother in Christ? A teacher in the faith he had just been trying to stamp out? A leader? An equal of the Apostles no less?

Talk about scandal! I’m sure a lot of people walked out the door when St Paul walked in.

 

[grandfather]

Zaida, on the point of scandal driving people away from
the Church, it was always thus.

Think of Saul, the most notorious persecutor of early Christians, suddenly doing a 180 and converting! Imagine being one of those who saw family or friends fall victim to this man. Then imagine presto-changeo, practically the next day you’re being asked to accept this evil sinner as a brother in Christ? A teacher in the faith he had just been trying to stamp out? A leader? An equal of the Apostles no less?

Talk about scandal! I’m sure a lot of people walked out the door when St Paul walked in.

I used to have a little penny catechism. It fit in my pocket. The question came up about the sin of scandal. It said that scandal was a sin against the fifth commandment, thou shalt not kill, because scandal kills our neighbor’s soul.

Scandal drives people away from Jesus and the Church.

 

[JRKH]

Again, thank you all so much for your thoughtful responses. Its so wonderful, to have this much (name removed by moderator)ut. Ill answer some of your direct questions to me -

James - you asked if my friends/community are aware Im looking into the RC faith. I haven’t shared it with too many people yet, just a few hints here or there. But I plan on sharing with more. I find you point about authority vs independence a VERY interesting one, and my plan is to read scripture, and see where it points - towards authority or towards independence. (ofcourse as an episcopalian, I seem to straddle both!)

Just two things here…
On what Scripture points to…
I have done this too and have made some notes on the matter. I also posted a “blog” that touches on this matter of unity. If you’d like, I can share these with you, or perhaps you would prefer to peruse this without any “external influence”… Just let me know and I will be happy to share or withhold or speak privately or whatever…

The other point is - Have you heard of the “Pastoral Provision” for “Anglican Use Catholics”. It provides for persons or groups of Anglicans who wish to enter full communion with Rome but also to retain some of their specific practices, liturgies etc…
HERE is an article on Wiki about it if you are interested.

Peace
James