Replies

Dear Fifthmark: Before anything -- I apologize for the lack of ping here -- please see below.

You posted above:

"If you're going to take cheapshots at me, I'd at least appreciate a ping. I merely stated "Huh?" at the obscure verbiage contained in the article.

I agree with you that she co-operated with Our Lord in the Redemption of mankind; hence, I hail her under the title of Co-Redemptrix, as many of the saints of the Church were wont to do. I carry around the Rosary in my pocket and say it everyday. I'm glad to hear that you have recourse to Our Blessed Mother also - may she help bring you to the True Faith."

First of all: I am still a relative newbie around here. I have seen "Pings." I have been wondering what they are because I have never seen them anywhere else before. I have no idea how to "Ping." If you want to be pinged, fine. If you would be willing to help me out, you could explain about the ping thing and let me know how to do it. If the proper protocol was to read all the fine print on this website before posting, I apologize. I taught myself how to use a computer and to go on the Internet all by myself -- seat-of-the-pants style. So, too many complications just get me lost, and I tend to ignore the more wondrous options.

Meanwhile -- I do not think I was taking "cheap shots" at you. I agree that the verbiage in the article was indeed obscure. I was trying to help clarify. It is really interesting, but not at all surprising, how much emotional energy bubbles up as soon as Our Lady is mentioned. The people I am annoyed with are those who make it sound like any attempt at Christian unity is some dark conspiracy to destroy Christ's Church. Our Lord is grieved by our infighting, I believe.

I think that ahadams2 put our position very clearly. Many of us actually believe the Marian doctrines. (I am quite convinced of the immaculate conception, personally) We just object to making them *necessary* for salvation, which is what is meant by the Roman term, "dogma." If I am annoyed by anyone around here, it is at whomever wrote that the attempts at ecumenism were merely selling out Our Lady's place and role in the Faith.

As for your final comment: Buddy, to the best of my understanding, Our Lady has already helped to bring me to the true Faith: that which we have received from Our Lord Jesus Christ through the Apostles. Marian doctrines help to enrich, strengthen and clarify our Faith in Christ. Making them mandatory for salvation exceeds the magisterial mandate. In this our Eastern Orthodox brethren agree with us Anglicans.

So happy pinging. I will try to get the hang of it.

Blessings EN+