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To: jmaroneps37

Jesuits have always been rather...pragmatic about allowing heterodox beliefs and practices as long as it resulted in conversion.

The Chinese Rites controversy was all about the Dominicans demanding that Chinese converts practice the same Mass as Europe, and the Jesuits allowed for traditional practices like ancestor worship. That was centuries ago.

Marxism and Postmodern philosophy is a lot more dangerous to accommodate these days.


7 posted on 11/18/2012 9:28:08 AM PST by Shadow44
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To: Shadow44

>>Jesuits have always been rather...pragmatic about allowing heterodox beliefs and practices as long as it resulted in conversion.<<

I knew giving away toaster ovens for conversions would come back to bite them...


14 posted on 11/18/2012 10:04:59 AM PST by freedumb2003 (Here comes bama claus here comes bama claus left down bama claus lane!)
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To: Shadow44; jmaroneps37
Shadow, in reference to the Chinese Rites controversy, I believe your interpretation is questionable.

As I understand it, Fr. Mateo Ricci and others of the 16th-18th century Chinese mission, were appropriately allowing Chinese customs which had been purified of non-Christian meanngs. The most well-known was the Chinese custom of ancestor-worship. This was, in part, a matter of civic custom, (like putting a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Soldier); partly simple acknowledgment of felial piety, and partly a matter of pagan spiritist beliefs. Ricci saw that the first two meanings are compatible with Catholicism, and the third could be re-interpreted by believers as a reminder to pray for the souls of the dead.

The Catholic Church suppressed the Jesuit mission, wrongly believing that they tolerated idolatry; the Church reversed this stance in 1939, after further investigation and a clarified ruling by Pope Pius XII. But by then it was too late: the Catolic Mission in China was substantially dismantled.

15 posted on 11/18/2012 10:14:41 AM PST by Mrs. Don-o (What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly with your God.)
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