Straying from Tradition or Less Reverent?

[mikellie]

Do you believe that the Catholic Church as a whole is straying from Tradition or becoming less reverent?

 

[Eworms]

Though, I would like to qualify the “both” vote by pointing out that this is not a universal trend. I’ve come across a number of splendid parishes where both Tradition and reverence are very much observed and, at least locally, I’ve seen some traditional undercurrents growing in which reverence is valued. I guess what I’m trying to say there, is that although I believe that although Catholics have strayed far from our traditions and reverence, I do believe that in the coming generation we’ll see something of a resurgence of orthodoxy and a deep sense of respect for the faith.

 

[brigid12]

Though, I would like to qualify the “both” vote by pointing out that this is not a universal trend. I’ve come across a number of splendid parishes where both Tradition and reverence are very much observed and, at least locally, I’ve seen some traditional undercurrents growing in which reverence is valued. I guess what I’m trying to say there, is that although I believe that although Catholics have strayed far from our traditions and reverence, I do believe that in the coming generation we’ll see something of a resurgence of orthodoxy and a deep sense of respect for the faith.

Ditto!

 

[JRKH]

Do you believe that the Catholic Church as a whole is straying from Tradition or becoming less reverent?

I also selected the “Both” choice but agree with the others that it is not universal and that there are new currents calling us back to reverence and tradition. I believe that the next generation(s) of Church leaders will be able to carve a stronger and more vital Church from all of this.

I grew up during the '60’s. Started school with the Latin Mass and saw it change in the 4th grade. Most Catholics back then just rolled with the changes because, quite frankly, we were simply taught to obey the “inerrant” church. My parents took the position that, while they didn’t like many of the changes, they “were born Catholic and they would die Catholic. The heirarchy could do what they want.”

I was a child in school. Taught that the “Chuch was always right”, and that the Pope was Christ’s representative on Earth, etc. The idea that there was a heirarchy and rules and laws that the priests and bishops must abide by was perfectly natural. Little did I know of the infighting, interpreting, and downright disobedience, of some of the Bishops who had their own agenda and thought that they knew better than the Church in Rome. (here I am speaking of the American Bishops)

I am heartened by our new Pope’s committment to the Old Rite. I also hope that Rome will soon find itself able to take vigorous action against those Bishops who openly criticize and defy the Holy Father and Magesterium.

Father help us all to be faithful to you.
Father Preserve your Church

James

 

[TraditionalCath]

Do you believe that the Catholic Church as a whole is straying from Tradition or becoming less reverent?

both.

 

[Dempsey1919]

We are going through a crisis of faith at the moment. There are a lot of dissenters and liberals within the Church who want to change the Church to suit them. There are a lot of abuses that we all have to cope with.

Christ said that the gates of hell will not prevail. He didn’t say that they wouldn’t try. He only said that they wouldn’t win.

We must fight the good fight in the knowledge that we will be victorious in the end. For the last 40 years, there have been certain groups within the Church who have done all they can to undermine the faith - especially with regard to moral teachings. They have perpetrated liturgical abuses and upset many parishioners with faulty teaching. However, we have the Holy Spirit on our side.

I think that the future is bright for us. Many of the liberals are getting older and they are losing positions within the Church. The traditionalist movement is growing and our seminaries are full to the rafters. The Holy Father has done a great thing in allowing the unrestricted use of the Tridentine Mass; this will limit liturgical abuse and strengthen the faith of believers.

We all have doubts from time to time. I always remember that we must be the change we want to see in the Church. Have faith in the knowledge that Christ will never abandon us.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

In my opinion, there are dissenters on both sides of the spectrum and their dissent can, for the most part, be explained by the following:

• The “traditionalist” tends to raise discipline to the level of doctrine and dogma.
• The “progressive” tends to lower doctrine and dogma to the level of discipline.
  Both have a great distain for each other that borders on hatred. The Church has not changed, it is the dissenters who think it has.

The dissenter cannot see their dissent as dissent.

(runs for cover before the fur flies)

 

[puzzleannie]

even if 90% of its members could be decribed as “straying from tradition or less reverent” it would still be inaccurate to say “The Church” fits this description. Most of us will react on very limited experience, with a very narrow population of Catholics, in a very limited geographic area, and on hearsay about Catholics in other places. Most of us have not a clue about Catholics in other countries, so a characterization of our own local experience as “The WHOLE Church has changed” is inaccurate and ignorant. The Church cannot change, she is as established by Christ, one, holy, catholic and apostolic. That does not now and never has preserve her from being populated by sinners, heretics, and downright loonies, as well as saints and average Joe Catholics.