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LongingSoul
Guest
That quote doesn’t seem to fit with this situation. I’m sure Archbishop Sheen was not rousing the faithful against the hierarchy of the Church when he coined that sentence.
US priests urge Synod to issue clear affirmation of Church teaching on marriage
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PTL
Guest
If Catholics are so enthusiastic about defending our faith and Church, we would not have to face the chaos situation like this. Your “what if 70 people do the same” will never happen. If a priest receive more than one email, it is out of the norm. If every priest receives at least one email, there is hope for the situation.
What I did was just sent the link with the subject of “FYI”. The priest can read the website and go from there. If there are many people send FYI, it tells the priest many faithful know their faith and care about their faith. That is encouraging to a priest and may help him to take action.
The bottom line is if one cares about the situation and refuses to do anything, he actually does not care at all. Everyone has the ability to pray, to spread the word, to make people aware of the situation, to pass important information, to encourage our priests, to stand up. No one has to answer anyone else but his own conscience and to the Lord.
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FollowChrist34
Guest
Ok, fine. I just read the statement. I can in good conscience send that to a priest to sign (I will as you did just link to the website). It is pretty harmless. And, I agree, after you read the statement, it is kind of surreal that this is even happening. I feel like I am ever so respectfully, gently petitioning the sun to kindly confirm that it will continue to rise in the east.
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PTL
Guest
I am glad you read the priest petition statement.
It is also good that you agree sending an email to a priest with the link of the petition website is harmless. People may have the fear of offending the priest if they mention the petition website. Why?? What is offensive to express fidelity to the Church’s teaching? If anyone thinks it is offensive to express fidelity, he needs to examine his conscience and ask himself why?
In a way your analogy of this petition to asking the sun rise from the east is right. I understand where you come from. But there is a major difference. There is no need to petition to the sun because the sun will always rise from the east. The sun has no free will. The sun always obeys God. The Synod, however, is controlled by a group of human beings with their own free will. Some have twisted values or have been deeply deceived by the evil one. Not even mention the gay lobbyists’ relentless lobbying efforts.* There is a great need to make the petition to the Synod.
That’s why many UK and US priests are all worried and started the petition. That’s why everyone who cares about following Christ’s teaching must pray and do everything to help.
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Pulvis
Guest
I see nothing in this quote that suggests “rousing” the Faithful. I see a very dedicated, caring Bishop advising the Faithful that we are All defenders of the totality of the Faith. Which fits this current situation quite well.
And we have a responsibility to insure that what is being taught, preached and lived is the Totality of the Faith. Without ambiguity and caveats. A major reason we are in this particular situation is that for quite a while, the Church in the western countries has not taught the full Faith. Ignorance is not bliss. It is ignorance that leads to error. And these sorts of errors have horrible consequences.
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FollowChrist34
Guest
To be honest, I am doing it simply to follow my own conscience and my duty to fulfill the Gospel. (also I want to give US back up to the priests in England and Wales who have already put their necks on the line) I agree with them and it is cowardly to leave them out to hang. I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t. We are supposed to be pleasing God here not men.
IMHO, based on what I’ve seen, and I am not trying to start a cat fight here, liberal leaning Catholics pressure their priests/parishes as much (and often more effectively) than orthodox Catholics. Orthodox Catholics seem to just sit there piously, in trepidation, mouth shut. I could be wrong.
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PTL
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FollowChrist34, I agree.
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PTL
Guest
I think you are right on here. That is how the situation became what it is now. Orthodox are silent, liberals yell and scream loud relentlessly, and we see the crisis now. Yet the majority Orthodox are still silent. I don’t know what they are afraid of.
How does our Lord view the case of being indifferent to defend our faith and our Church?
Didn’t the Lord say he would spit out those who are neither hot nor cold? I know in the Mass when we publicly confess our sins, there is always the line “for what I have failed to do”.
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FollowChrist34
Guest
I’ve watched an Anglican parish divide like this - from the sidelines. I don’t wish that on us. I do want to keep the peace; it’s unChristian to do otherwise. (But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a right to say what I think, does it? Does this not apply to all laity and clergy? I take “sheep” as a metaphor, not literally.
) Especially when “what you think” accords with the Gospel. If that is a problem, we are all, my friends, in big trouble. (and far from Christ)But honestly, I don’t think it will be a problem. We are over-dramatizing. This is such a great line I’ve never forgot it: we often go through life fancying we are Hamlet, when in fact the rest of world sees us as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Frankly, I don’t think a priest would care that much; they are too busy and stressed being priests.
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LongingSoul
Guest
We are faithfully respecting the due process of a Catholic synod and the radical courage of a determined Pope to clear away shadows and misconceptions that may exist, with full trust in the hand of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church. We don’t just sit ‘piously’. We pray and practice our faith to the best of our ability while we await the guidance of the heirarchical Church which we will embrace by grace whatever it may be.
“What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical Church so defines.”― Ignatius of Loyola
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PTL
Guest
War in Heaven, excellent read:
lepantoinstitute.org/uncategorized/the-war-in-heaven-and-the-revolt-of-same-sex-marriage/
lepantoinstitute.org/uncategorized/the-war-in-heaven-and-the-revolt-of-same-sex-marriage/
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Teelynn
Guest
No he was rousing the faithful to help keep our priests faithful. I think it’s very fitting for this situation in a very positive and affirmative way.
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Tigg
Guest
This is what it’s always been about. Man’s infidelity to Christ allows his arrogance and rebellion to mimic the original rebel in ways we have never seen before. From the rejection of teaching on ABC to the acceptance of secular lies regarding life and women’s rights, to the gay issue, it has always been an ungodly force intent on the death of mankind.
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Tigg
Guest
One of my favorites and totally appropriate for this circumstance. Here’s another from Pope Leo XIII, *"An error which is not resisted is approved; a truth which is not defended is suppressed.” *
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PTL
Guest
Let’s remember to pray the St. Michael’s prayer for the marriage situation on top of Rosary.
We need to pray for the Supreme Court Justices, as well as the Synod Fathers. Lord have mercy!
We need to pray for the Supreme Court Justices, as well as the Synod Fathers. Lord have mercy!
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PTL
Guest
Christian’s from other nations send out a global cry for "Prayer for America’.
Watch this video:
youtube.com/watch?v=fppeSN1xBn4&sns=em
How can we not pray for our own nation’s crisis on marriage? Faithful Christians world wide know the serious consequence of US Supreme Court’s decision. It will be a decision affects the entire mankind.
Please pray, **fast **if you can.
Watch this video:
youtube.com/watch?v=fppeSN1xBn4&sns=em
How can we not pray for our own nation’s crisis on marriage? Faithful Christians world wide know the serious consequence of US Supreme Court’s decision. It will be a decision affects the entire mankind.
Please pray, **fast **if you can.
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Teelynn
Guest
I sent a link to my Pastor just for his information of the last petition signed by Priests. (I believe they were Canadian, but correct me if I’m wrong) I thought it was wonderful that so many Priests were willing to stand for Christ’s truth in His Church, and in the climate we seem to be in, a courageous thing to do. I heard nothing back from him and I usually do, so?? So now…I hesitate to send him this link, I do believe there are some Priests who just don’t want to get involved in anything they perceive as controversial, even if they are just reiterating Catholic teaching. I also wonder if this hesitation has anything to do with the way they think their Bishops may respond if their names are in print. Just a few thoughts.
Happened to look over the list of Priests that have already signed and none of mine were there. Hmm…
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Tigg
Guest
I have wondered the same myself. I have a book on my shelf (published several years ago) in which the priest author states, “my bishop and I no longer seem to be of the same faith.” And believe this or not…not all priests seem to be concerned with the shocking proposals that were the product of the mid-term report and rejected in the final.
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FollowChrist34
Guest
Yes, I am afraid politics do play a role in this, frankly I think a very big role. Also, I can see why a priest would resist the pressure. How would you feel if a Catholic with a so-called liberal cause did the same thing in your parish? Not too cool. The priests don’t want to be pawns in these disputes; I think they of course do have personal opinions but they have to serve all of us as part of their vocation. It would be tough. I think it’s ok to say your peace and stop there. And I personally feel that as these debates with respect to teaching and the Gospel heat up (i.e., think Synod in the fall) , diplomacy and quietism will become pretty much indistinguishable. At some point you do have to stand up and be counted. I run that risk at my job, social situations; it is the calling of the Christian; what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
For some priests we are there, for others not yet. Lastly, there is probably a lot we don’t know about inner politics too, in terms of who supports whom - that is my worst fear and I think it is unfortunately true. You did your duty.
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PTL
Guest
I emailed to at least 7 priests I know with FYI of the petition link. None of them has signed so far. At least 4 of these priests are very orthodoxy base on homilies I heard from them. I don’t know why they are not signing.
But I do see 3 priests in my diocese signed their names on the petition website. I have heard their homilies before. They always tell things as it is - yes is yes, no is no. They are not afraid of telling the truth.
I won’t speculate the reason why some who believe the Church’s teaching won’t let their names be seen and voice be heard on this important petition. I pray more and more priests will sign.
It is sad we even need to do such a thing, but with the liberal side yelling, screaming, kicking, jumping and lobbying so hard, our silence is actually helping them. I will continue to do my part and pray for the best outcome.
But I do see 3 priests in my diocese signed their names on the petition website. I have heard their homilies before. They always tell things as it is - yes is yes, no is no. They are not afraid of telling the truth.
I won’t speculate the reason why some who believe the Church’s teaching won’t let their names be seen and voice be heard on this important petition. I pray more and more priests will sign.
It is sad we even need to do such a thing, but with the liberal side yelling, screaming, kicking, jumping and lobbying so hard, our silence is actually helping them. I will continue to do my part and pray for the best outcome.
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