In another wonderfully astute move my the new Pope, the Vatican has again stated stated that Catholics are the only true Christians (see article here). Rome seems to feel the need to reiterate this every few years.
The statement stoke the smoldering flame of disagreement with the Orthodox church stating, "It follows that these separated (Orthodox) churches and communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation." Boy, don't you think all the millions of Orthodox Christians around the world are really going to appreciate their Catholic brothers and sisters calling them 'defects.' Wait, it gets even better for the Protestants...
The statement doesn't even give Protestants the privledge of being called 'defects'. Instead all the Protestant Christians are just fooling themselves thinking they are going to Church each Sunday, when in reality, they are merely attending social groups on Sundays. It states, "These ecclesial (Protestant) communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood … cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called 'churches' in the proper sense." So all you high church Protestant out there who want think they are taking the sacraments every Sunday...too bad...its just grape juice and a ritz cracker.
Another good job Pappa Benedict! Keep up the great work of unifying and reconciling the worldwide Church to itself. At this rate, a new Inquistion might be right around the corner. I can't wait!
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5 comments:
Before being sarcastic about a Catholic "inquisition," I'd look in the mirror at the Inquisitorial nature of Liberalism. Political correctness ring a bell.
Oh to be young and conservative again... what bliss...
I don't see what your problem is. The path to truth and reconciliation doesn't lie in ignoring differences, it lies in talking about them.
If Protestant churches don't fit the Catholic definition of "Church", then the Vatican is right to say that, so everyone knows where they stand.
To attempt to conceal real differences is intellectually dishonest and should be deplored.
The point is not in concealing differences, but in taking REAL steps toward reconciliation and unity.
Reconciliation doesn't come in incessantly repeating "I'm right and your wrong." I think 500 years of that idea has run its course--on every side of the argument, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox.
Real progress includes (but not limited to) the Vatican humbling itself enough to stop the name-calling of the Orthodox and the belittling of Protestant Christians.
Benedict's conservative reiteration of old Catholic arguments are akin to Bush's conservative foreign policy of being "with us or against us."
In this post-modern era that we live in, its time to move beyond these tired modern diatribes. But I am afraid that this recent move by Benedict shows that this Pope is not ready to take the needed steps toward true reconciliation.
Jeff,
Hey man, still trying to get in touch with you...send me an email at jasonmoyes@smeebuilders.com Are you living in the Bay Area?
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