Is that ozone I smell?
Posted on 04/26/2005 4:18:26 AM PDT by StAthanasiustheGreat
My Letter
The disappointment of Cafeteria Catholics and the Liberal Media Establishment to the election of Pope Benedict XVI is sadly, not surprising. They seemed shocked that the Holy Spirit would choose a Catholic to lead the Catholic Church. But then, they are prisoners of the “dictatorship of Relativism” where there is no absolute truth, no absolute right and wrong.
Catholic Doctrine is unchangeable. Moral Truth does not change because of the desires of our age or because it is inconvenient. It stands throughout the winds of time as a beacon of Truth. Abortion will always be intrinsically evil. Women can never be priests. Contraception will always represent an attack upon the family, sexuality, and the human person. Homosexuality will always run counter to natural law. The doctrines of the Church cannot change. The manner in which the truth is taught and conveyed can change, but the fundamental doctrines do not change. The Truth is the Truth and will always be the Truth.
The Pope is the defender of the Roman Catholic Faith. He is a servant to Christ and the Deposit of Faith. He will preach that faith unequivocally and uncompromisingly. A Catholic has a duty to inform his or her conscience according to the teachings of the Church which were handed to her by Christ and are protected by the Holy Spirit. A Catholic is free to accept the truth of the Church or to deny it. However, that choice will in the end have eternal ramifications.
The Response:
Like pope, dogma changes
Following the recent appointment of Pope Benedict XVI, many Catholics, myself included, have struggled when dealing with general criticism and media skepticism aimed at the Catholic Church. We must remember that our pope strives to unify, not alienate, members of the Church and the world at large. Sadly, J---- ---, in a letter published Monday, does not seem to share that vision.
Instead of expressing hope for a promising future that brings Catholics together, ---'s letter incites polarization and hatred, neither of which are expressed in the Catholic doctrine --- so frequently cites. Catholic doctrine is by no means "unchangeable." Vatican II revolutionized Catholic theology and liturgy in the 1960s, shocking many who would rather leave something broken because they were too afraid someone would fix it incorrectly. If the Church were static, it would have never made the contributions to its people and to the world that it has made over the last century alone.
It is disheartening that someone feels as though they can dictate the beliefs of the Church in such a dividing and patronizing manner, declaring "women will never be priests" -- which is a tradition of the Church, not a doctrine. That decision is up to the new pope and not up to J---- ---. Regardless of one's personal views, criticism of the beliefs, hopes or sexualities of others is not only unnecessary, but un-Christian.
Having been a Catholic my entire life, I am infuriated that someone would choose to represent my faith in this manner. Instead of the tolerance and compassion the Church preaches incessantly, this letter reeks of judgmental elitism. It leaves one questioning what makes J---- --- so much more "Catholic" than the rest of us.
Firestorm over Doctrine and Benedict XVI
Some people just don't get it. Or know the history they cite to make a point. Using Vatican II as a change in theology? Heaven help us.
The writer tips his hand.
I stay away from publishing stuff in my paper. I have a communist professor who will see it :)
Stick this up their gullet:
Gal 1,6 "I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel. 7 Which is not another, only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. 9 As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
Is that ozone I smell?
"Instead of the tolerance and compassion the Church preaches incessantly, this letter reeks of judgmental elitism. It leaves one questioning what makes J---- --- so much more "Catholic" than the rest of us."
This is another take on the gnostic heresy that has overtaken our civilization. Second one I've read this morning. Man knows what God does not.
What was the zot?
I believe that the troll, being found naughty in the sight of God, hath been zotted.
:D
It is so sad to see in that persons response how ill formed they are as a member of the Catholic Faith. All we can do is educate and pray for them to walk out of the the darkness they are in of pride, ego, and relativism.
Development of doctrine means the elaboration and the detailed application to specific circumstances of the truths of the deposit of faith given by Christ to the apostles and taught in the Church by the apostles' successors down through the centuries in Scripture and Tradition. There can be no reversal of truths forming part of the deposit of faith, whether general concepts on faith and morals that have always been taught in the Church, or specifically defined dogmas with fixed words set forth by ecumenical councils or popes speaking ex cathedra. What can change are disciplinary matters and teachings that are not part of the deposit of faith. At least that is my nutshell understanding of the matter having studied the documents of Vatican I and II and Cardinal Newman on the development of doctrine.
I would agree that the Development of Doctrine only refers to the nature in which it is taught (Theology of the Body as an example). I have no idea where the person who responded to me came up with V2 as changing theology.
"I have no idea where the person who responded to me came up with V2 as changing theology."
Probably read it in the NY Times or something like that!
It is very sad to me to see how poorly educated the majority of Catholics are in the faith. We must pray that priests begin to teach during their homilies, rather than sugar coat the Gospel of the Cross. And perhaps that people actually take some interest in reading the Bible or the Catechism.
Regards
It's simply an application of the will.
Ya think?
Rule One:
you said "...You are assuming the writer is Catholic. I get the idea that she is just a loud mouth."
I agree with your second statement, Dominick, but she herself declares the following:
"Having been a Catholic my entire life, I am infuriated that someone would choose to represent my faith in this manner"
I stand by my statement that Catholics are poorly educated as a group.
Regards
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