What do Catholics believe today?

[JimBrown]

The recent re-release and wide distribution in DVD of the movie “The Conflict” featuring Trevor Howard, Martin Sheen, and Cyril Cusack has created great interest in Catholic church teachings and the changes in recent decades. This movie reminds me of my high school days in New Orleans during the time of Vatican 2 and my Catholic classmates who had interesting discussions about these matters. This is a fascinating story with endearing characters portrayed by great actors, but how much of it is real and what parts are fiction?

May i ask you please, to what extent does this movie accurately reflect the current teachings and practices of the Catholic church? More specifically:

1. Is the Latin mass no longer allowed?
2. Do Catholics no longer have individual private confessions with a priest?
3. Vatican FOUR ??? When was it? – For that matter when was Three? The last council i remember was Vatican Two (1962-1965) much of which was widely considered radical at the time and is still controversial.
4. Does the Catholic church no longer teach that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?
5. Has Lourdes closed down?
6. What is “the ecumenical rule of the World Council of Churches” referenced by the Father Abbot? Does this council have authority superior to that of the Pope?
7. Are there really priests involved in overthrowing governments in South America?
8. Martin Sheen’s character (Fr. Kinsella) is seen in his room sitting in the lotus position. Is this some new combined form of Zen Catholicism?
9. I vaguely remember reading some years ago about a syndrome of depression suffered by some priests when they prayed. Has that ever been explained?

 

[DavidFilmer]

1. Is the Latin mass no longer allowed?

There was a time when it was not, but that restriction has been lifted. Bishops have the final say, though.

1. Do Catholics no longer have individual private confessions with a priest?

That’s the only type of confession we have. Catholics don’t confess as often as they once did, but we still do it.

The last council i remember was Vatican Two (1962-1965)

There have been no further Councils. V2 was the last one. Your memory serves you well.

1. Does the Catholic church no longer teach that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?

No, we gave that up a long time ago. Just kidding. It’s the center of our Sacramental life.

1. Has Lourdes closed down?

Nope. Still there, and busy.

1. What is “the ecumenical rule of the World Council of Churches” referenced by the Father Abbot? Does this council have authority superior to that of the Pope?

I’ve never heard of this council. The Church only recognizes one authority higher than the Pope (and that would be God).

1. Are there really priests involved in overthrowing governments in South America?

Maybe, but they are not doing it at the direction of the Church. If a priest wants to be a revolutionary in his spare time, that’s fine.

1. Martin Sheen’s character (Fr. Kinsella) is seen in his room sitting in the lotus position. Is this some new combined form of Zen Catholicism?

There’s stuff like that going around, but it is not endorsed by the Church. But people do all sorts of wacky things (such as casting Martin Sheen to play a priest).

1. I vaguely remember reading some years ago about a syndrome of depression suffered by some priests when they prayed. Has that ever been explained?

I don’t know what that might be about. I’ve never heard of prayer causing depression.

 

[1ke]

1. Is the Latin mass no longer allowed?

Yes, it is allowed.

The Mass is not doctrinal, it is disciplinary as to what rubrics are followed, when, where, and by whom various forms of the Mass may be offered. For a time the Tridentine Latin Mass could only be offered under some limited circumstances, but it is now much more widely available via permission from the Pope.

1. Do Catholics no longer have individual private confessions with a priest?

Yes, Catholics must confess grave sins individually to a priest.

There has been no change in teaching.

1. Vatican FOUR ??? When was it? – For that matter when was Three? The last council i remember was Vatican Two (1962-1965) much of which was widely considered radical at the time and is still controversial.

There is no such thing as Vatican III or Vatican IV. There have been two ecumenical councils at the Vatican.

1. Does the Catholic church no longer teach that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?

Yes, the Church teaches that at the consecration the bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.

There has bee no change in teaching.

1. Has Lourdes closed down?

The city of Lourdes is very much still in existence. The Church there is still actively receiving pilgrims, holding Mass, etc. I’m not sure what you mean by closed down.

1. What is “the ecumenical rule of the World Council of Churches” referenced by the Father Abbot?

Never heard of it.

Does this council have authority superior to that of the Pope?

Don’t know what it is, but it would have no authority in the Catholic Church at all.

1. Are there really priests involved in overthrowing governments in South America?

I’m sure there are some individuals who have been involved in such pursuits, if you are considering all priests in all countries over some period of time-- say the last 50 years. Such priests would be in violation of Church teaching.

1. Martin Sheen’s character (Fr. Kinsella) is seen in his room sitting in the lotus position. Is this some new combined form of Zen Catholicism?

Don’t know, couldn’t say. No such thing as Zen Catholicism.

1. I vaguely remember reading some years ago about a syndrome of depression suffered by some priests when they prayed. Has that ever been explained?

Have no idea what you are talking about.

Frankly, you should not view a movie and walk away thinking it in any way represents actual Catholic teaching.

 

[DavidFilmer]

if you are considering all priests in all countries over some period of time-- say the last 50 years. Such priests would be in violation of Church teaching.

There’s no Church teaching that says a priest cannot be a revolutionary. If a government is corrupt or unjust, he has an obligation to oppose it - but peacefully. He can’t use violence.

Maximilian Kolbe was a revolutionary (against the Nazis), and he’s also a Saint.

 

[1ke]

There’s no Church teaching that says a priest cannot be a revolutionary. If a government is corrupt or unjust, he has an obligation to oppose it - but peacefully. He can’t use violence.

Maximilian Kolbe was a revolutionary (against the Nazis), and he’s also a Saint.

Revolutionary has a certain connotation, especially in terms of South American and Central America.

I disagree that Kolbe would be termed a revolutionary. He certainly was a martyr and saint.

But I think that we agree there is no teaching against opposing unjust laws, working for change in government, etc. Our own pro-life leaders in the US do the same. But, they are not revolutionaries, with violent overthrow of the government on the agenda.

 

[InspiritCarol]

OH MY GOODNESS.

From a Catholic perspective, “The Conflict” was such a piece of contrived garbage as to make me nausiated at the mention of it even today.

Please, please, please don’t look to Hollywood for explanations as to how Catholics behave.

Please?

I saw it recommended on thread on this site and made the mistake of renting it on Netflix. After it was all done, my husband and I sat in stunned disbelief over the complete mockery of religion in general.

 

[ESMDHokie77]

1. Vatican FOUR ??? When was it? – For that matter when was Three? The last council i remember was Vatican Two (1962-1965) much of which was widely considered radical at the time and is still controversial.

Where did you hear this…a long with all the other points?

 

[DavidFilmer]

Revolutionary has a certain connotation, especially in terms of South American and Central America.

I disagree that Kolbe would be termed a revolutionary. He certainly was a martyr and saint.

That’s semantics. Pick whatever term you please. Insurgent. Dissident. Whatever you want to describe someone who offers passive support in favor of overthrowing a (corrupt, unjust) government.

Kolbe did this, and was killed because he did this. Óscar Romero did this (in San Salvidor) and was killed because he did this. Lots of great Catholics have done this (and many have died as a result). There is nothing in Canon Law or Church teaching that says they should not do this. Catholics (both laypeople and ordained ministers) should oppose injustice and oppression in any way they can.