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Catholic Church Prepares for Cold War With Evangelists
Pacific News Service ^ | 05/31/05 | Paolo Pontoniere

Posted on 06/01/2005 6:29:39 AM PDT by murphE

Editor's Note: Statements by Pope Benedict XVI and the appointment of San Francisco Archbishop William Levada signal a Holy See ready to counteract the expansion of evangelical groups worldwide.

SAN FRANCISCO--On the day before the conclave to choose a new pope began, future pontiff Joseph Ratzinger led a liturgy that reassured the church's believers that the Holy See was not giving up on them and was prepared to fight for the salvation of their souls. He surely meant to allude to the fight against moral relativism, but he also had his sights set on evangelicalism.

Indeed, during the first mass held by Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, he strongly implied that the Catholic church is the rightful House of Christ, and said that his first commitment was toward "the full and visible unity of Christ's followers."

Today, to regain ground in the first world and continue to expand in the Third World, the Roman Catholic Church, more than fighting secularism, must counteract the expansion of evangelical groups. It is a silent clash that could be compared to the protracted, mostly slow-burning feud between capitalism and communism during the Cold War.

According to some researchers, evangelical Christianity is expanding three times faster than the world population and is the only existing religious group showing a significant growth through conversion. By contrast, the Roman Catholic Church is expanding at a slower pace than the population, which will mean an overall decrease in the number of Catholics worldwide.

In addition, the dissolution of the Berlin Wall not only reinvigorated the Orthodox church, but also saw huge numbers of believers from the former Socialist bloc -- where the church had been persecuted -- move into evangelical groups.

There are currently more evangelicals in Asia than in North America. Singapore's churches are among the most active in the world, sending one missionary abroad per every 1,000 members. Seven of the world's 10 largest evangelical churches can be found in Seoul alone, a city in which 110 years ago there was none.

In Latin America, a mostly Catholic region for the past 500 years, the number of evangelicals has grown from under 250,000 in 1900 to over 60 million in 2000. Critics of the Vatican say the vacuum left by Pope John Paul II's disavowal of the "basic Christian communities" movement has been filled by the evangelicals.

In 1960, the number of evangelicals living in the developing countries were one-half of those in the West; in the year 2000 they were four times more and in 2010 they will be seven times as numerous.

In America, where even Protestant groups have lost 5.4 million members over the last decade, evangelicals have enjoyed a growth rate of 40 percent. They have become the largest religious force in the United States, with 26 percent of all believers -- and they wield undeniable political clout.

"The current pope is a renovator. But there cannot be renovation without tradition," says Father Joseph Fazio, founder of St. Ignatius Press and Chancellor of Ave Maria University in Florida. "I don't have any doubt that he'll realize the full spirit of Vatican II, of unifying all of Christ's believers under the benevolent care of the Holy See.

"He has already laid the doctrinal ground for the renaissance of the church -- he did it when he was at the helm of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. Under Benedict XVI the world will know that the Roman Catholic Church has Christ's message at its core and follows his teachings closely," adds Fr. Fazio.

The battle for the soul of believers in developed countries, particularly the United States, is also critical -- most of the funds used by alternative evangelical churches to send missionaries and proselytize in the poorer countries come from there.

The appointment of San Francisco Archbishop William Levada to the previous position held by Pope Benedict XVI himself can be better appreciated in this light.

Levada's appointment sends the message that the church entrusts its doctrines to a prelate who had led a diocese in America's most secular humanist and morally relativistic city. Levada has dealt firsthand with the legacies of free love, feminism, the gay movement and the evangelical juggernaut.

"Benedict XVI has chosen Levada specifically because he knows how to face these challenges," says Father Labib Kobti, pastor at St. Thomas More in San Francisco and U.S. Representative for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

"When Levada expressed his surprise at his appointment, the Pope responded that he was in fact the right man for the task because he came from a world where evangelical groups were a challenge, where the message of Christ was being distorted, and that he had provided a compassionate but firm rebuttal to the many assaults that the church of San Francisco had faced during his years as head of the diocese."

Under Levada's almost decade-long tenure, San Francisco's Catholic church regained a religious presence that had been faltered under the more politically adaptable administration of Archbishop John Quinn.

Father Kobti, however, dismisses suggestions that the Vatican is more than alarmed at the growing influence of evangelicalism. "In the past the church has been given for dead more than once," he says. "Take for example the rise of the Baptists and of the Lutherans."


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Politics; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholiclist; evangelicals; pope; vatican
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To: P-Marlowe
So the Catholic Church has declared war on those who are seeking to bring people to Christ and abandoning the war against those who would seek to destroy Christianity altogether.

No, that was my point earlier, I don't think it has at all, nor do I think there is any evidence to support that statement. This appears to be an attempt by a liberal minded person to drive a wedge between Christians and weaken any unity that they do possess on moral issues..

161 posted on 06/01/2005 1:05:09 PM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
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To: HKMk23
Yes, but so what? The real question is, "Are they contrary to the Bible?"

Why is that the real question? And who gets to decide if they are contrary?

162 posted on 06/01/2005 1:07:38 PM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
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To: Onelifetogive
Sure, there is a "single" version of the Truth of Catholicism. It's just that EVERY single Catholic (including the Pope) has his own version of what it is.....

C'mon, you've GOT to know that your argument is based on a total misrepresentation of what doctrine is.

There are things you have to believe as Catholics, and things you are permitted to use your judgment on within certain guidelines, and things where you can believe what you want to, so long as it doesn't conflict with some doctrine.

Just because a bishop has an opinion on something doesn't mean it's doctrine that everyone has to believe. To suggest that is pure ignorance on your part.

163 posted on 06/01/2005 1:15:22 PM PDT by JohnnyZ (Defeat Pat DeWine, RINO Mike DeWine's son! Tom Brinkman for Congress http://www.gobrinkman.com/)
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To: murphE
When Levada expressed his surprise at his appointment, the Pope responded that he was in fact the right man for the task because he came from a world where evangelical groups were a challenge, where the message of Christ was being distorted, and that he had provided a compassionate but firm rebuttal to the many assaults that the church of San Francisco had faced during his years as head of the diocese."

This must be some kind of joke.

164 posted on 06/01/2005 1:18:24 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: Onelifetogive

I hate to disappoint you, but as a Catholic I do read the Bible daily.

Now, scat.


165 posted on 06/01/2005 1:21:04 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Rhadaghast

Thank you for you great reply to an incredibly ignorant statement made by "onelifetogive".


166 posted on 06/01/2005 1:23:45 PM PDT by AxelPaulsenJr (Pray Daily For Our Troops and President Bush)
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To: aspiring.hillbilly
The teachings of the Bible are for eternity and not intended to be overruled by the trendy whims of the age. The watershed undoing was the notorious Vatican II, the aftermath of that sowed the seeds of the many scandals. What the Church needs is a wholesale return to its pre Vatican II roots. If the calling for the return to the ways of righteous as defined in the word of the Bible is what you interpret as hate, you need to examine your conscience..

LOL. You would hate a "pre Vatican II" Church more than you hate the current one. You simply have no idea what it is you are talking about.

Please go back to your comic books.

SD

167 posted on 06/01/2005 1:24:44 PM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: redgolum
Interesting. I don't blame Protestants for doing what they believe to be right, even if that means trying to convert people out of the Catholic faith. Of course I don't agree with it, and I don't think that they are leading people to truth, but I don't think they have malicious intent [at least for the most part ;-)].

I blame our own Catholic church men for falling down on the job, for not adequately trying to fulfill the Church's mission: "Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."

168 posted on 06/01/2005 1:25:46 PM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
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To: Salvation
I hate to disappoint you, but as a Catholic I do read the Bible daily.

Do you attempt to understand it? If so, we are NO different.

169 posted on 06/01/2005 1:25:54 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (* Sarcasm tag ALWAYS required. For some FReepers, sarcasm can NEVER be obvious enough.)
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To: Mark in the Old South

**You may be right but then it begs the question "What happened?" After all the Church have a very active conversion rate Mid-20th century, an active parochial school system, active adult education in matters of the faith.**

I agree that the entire picture needs to be looked at again. It would be wonderful to have quality Catholic schools being offered again with support for the parents also.

Very good points, and I don't consider your comments as "harping". You are being very practical.

Holy Spirit help us to put the "heart" back into this Catholic education!


170 posted on 06/01/2005 1:30:17 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Mark in the Old South

Excellent answer, thank you.


171 posted on 06/01/2005 1:31:17 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: FourtySeven

Great! Thanks for the input!


172 posted on 06/01/2005 1:33:11 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: JohnnyZ
There are things you have to believe as Catholics...

If you were to name one of these specific items, I'll bet I could find a priest, bishop or pope who contradicted it...

173 posted on 06/01/2005 1:41:06 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (* Sarcasm tag ALWAYS required. For some FReepers, sarcasm can NEVER be obvious enough.)
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To: murphE
It funny that in Asia and Africa, the in fighting between Trinitarian Christians is minimal, and rarely that heated.

A friend once joked that maybe the Holy Spirit was fed up with us in the west, and so was leading the east to Christ.

As far as the Catholic clergy failing to do good catechism leading to non Catholics snatching them up, that is true. In South America, many a priest has left to go "north". Better pay, benefits, status, etc. The non Catholic churches like the SBA and such can send down a group of missionaries and laypeople for short trips in targeted areas, and then train up locals. Might be a strategy that Rome needs to look into.
174 posted on 06/01/2005 1:45:51 PM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: Onelifetogive
If you were to name one of these specific items, I'll bet I could find a priest, bishop or pope who contradicted it...

It's possible. But that would make them an apostate or heretic or something, I'm a little sketchy on the exact terminology. You're free to start with the whole Nicene Creed and try to find one who denies it. We'd all be interested to know of any priest who would, believe me.

But your larger approach is bizarre -- as if the heresy of one "Catholic" would invalidate Catholic belief?

I really wonder about you ....

175 posted on 06/01/2005 1:53:29 PM PDT by JohnnyZ (Defeat Pat DeWine, RINO Mike DeWine's son! Tom Brinkman for Congress http://www.gobrinkman.com/)
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To: JohnnyZ
But your larger approach is bizarre -- as if the heresy of one "Catholic" would invalidate Catholic belief?

I was responding to:

"As for Catholics,...we're rock solid on what we believe."

I can assure you that there are MANY catholics, priests, bishops, and popes that are NOT "rock solid" concerning what you say are "Catholic beliefs."

176 posted on 06/01/2005 2:01:49 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (* Sarcasm tag ALWAYS required. For some FReepers, sarcasm can NEVER be obvious enough.)
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To: Onelifetogive

Please list the many popes who you say deny Catholic teaching


177 posted on 06/01/2005 2:04:34 PM PDT by JohnnyZ (Defeat Pat DeWine, RINO Mike DeWine's son! Tom Brinkman for Congress http://www.gobrinkman.com/)
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To: Onelifetogive

But again ..... YOU STILL DON'T GET IT! The Catholic Church isn't "I read the Bible last night and I came up with a new belief, and it's from the Bible so it must be right". Catholic beliefs ARE rock solid regardless of how many people accept it or reject it.


178 posted on 06/01/2005 2:08:06 PM PDT by JohnnyZ (Defeat Pat DeWine, RINO Mike DeWine's son! Tom Brinkman for Congress http://www.gobrinkman.com/)
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah

exactly... finally someone who gets it.


179 posted on 06/01/2005 2:13:47 PM PDT by murphE (These are days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed but his own. --G.K. Chesterton)
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To: Onelifetogive
Re: "If you were to name one of these specific items, I'll bet I could find a priest, bishop or pope who contradicted it..."

Big deal. Do you think Judas believed when he sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver? There have always been Priests, Bishops and Laity who have believed otherwise. God grants us freewill and not all people who want to teach another doctrine has the honor to resign their post when they are so obviously opposed to the doctrine. Look at the Episcopalians for the love of Pete. They had a Lambeth Conference that upheld the Traditional teaching on Homosexuality and undermined it the very first chance they got. The Church of England is allowing their Priests to marry their boyfriends but they have to stay celibate //wink wink//

You have Baptist ministers who advocate civil unions but they still take the paycheck.

I will not hold these wayward ministers against your Church if you agree to the same. The issue comes in when the doctrine of the Church is under review and subject to change. And it is here the Protestant is at far greater risk. Consider birth control, where was your denomination on this in 1955? Chances are real good they would be appalled at the suggestion they would teach something other than the notion it is intrinsically evil. The separation of the purpose of sex from the pleasure was a road most Protestant Churches would have found unquestionable wrong.

I could give a long list of such changes in beliefs (such as divorce) in Protestant Churches going back in our lifetimes or even generations. There was a time many Protestant Churches would find the notion of rebelling against a King unChristian. Times change I guess but the Truths of God are not subject to change. All the "Christian" Churches teach this but not all act upon this in the same manner.

There are those who say the Catholic Church is behind the times. Well God help us all if they ever succeed in catching up.
180 posted on 06/01/2005 2:17:41 PM PDT by Mark in the Old South (Sister Lucia of Fatima pray for us)
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