Posted on 06/23/2005 2:52:16 PM PDT by murphE
The cornerstone of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral boldly proclaims, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples." We enflesh those words in number of ways.
Since its dedication, an innumerable number of interfaith prayer services have been held in our Cathedral. Last month for example, representatives of the Armenian, Evangelical Christian, Baha'i, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Faiths lead a large congregation of diverse people in an Interfaith Prayer Service commemorating the life of our Late Pope, John Paul II.
Earlier this week, as part of the seventh International Conference on Buddhist Christian Dialogue, representatives of various Buddhist traditions and Catholic, Southern Baptist, and Episcopal clergy gathered in the Cathedral to conduct a Buddhist Christian Prayer Service. An Interfaith Prayer Service is currently being planned to be held at the Cathedral prior to the upcoming inauguration of our new mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa.
In addition to such services, the Cathedral has hosted a number of sacred music events, such as choral presentations, organ recitals and performances, reflecting the diversity of faith found in our city. An Interreligious art exhibit, Passion and Passover, recently graced the walls of the side chapels of the Cathedral, featuring the works of Jewish and Christian artists.
The Cathedral has also been made available to members of other faiths in times of civic tragedy, such as the recent funeral for a member of the Airport Police Department who was so tragically killed in an act of violence: a non-Catholic, his funeral service was conducted by a Baptist Minister.
Occasionally we are asked by a single denomination to use the Cathedral. Our Guidelines for the Ecumenical and Interreligious Use of the Cathedral specifically state: "If a particular denomination is celebrating a special moment in its life and history, then the Cathedral may be available for Prayer Services, Vespers or other non-sacramental celebrations" [III.A].
The Guidelines further state: "The use of the Cathedral's altars is reserved for the celebration of the Eucharist by Catholic priests and bishops according to the usages of Catholic Churches, that is, those in communion with the Bishop of Rome" [III.B]. And further: "The celebration of Eucharistic or other sacramental liturgies by other denominations is best reserved to the designated places of worship of those denominations or other appropriate locations" [ibid].
Last Sunday, we were honored to host the Pontifical Divine Liturgy of His Holiness, Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, at our Cathedral. Why this exception to the above guidelines?
In Unitatis Redintegratio, the Vatican II Degree on Ecumenism, the special position of the Eastern Churches is specifically noted: "These Churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments, above all --- by apostolic succession --- the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy" [III.14]. This cannot be said of all Christian Churches, but certainly can be said of the Armenian Church.
In light of the conciliar document and the Ecumenical overtures of both our late Pope, John Paul II, and our current Pope, Benedict XVI, to the Eastern Churches, and acknowledging the hospitality extended by Karekin II to John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Armenia, when the Pope celebrated Mass on the altar of the Catholicos' Palace Chapel, we were singularly honored to host that spiritually rich and historic liturgy on our Cathedral altar.
Given the religious diversity of our city, it is fitting that our Cathedral be used both ecumenically and interreligiously, that it truly serve as the spiritual heart of Los Angeles.
Know what. You made you point, regarding ecumenism. Now this is where you get off. Get lost, asshole.
Ideology is defeated. The secular state will find a new vehicle for itself. But Eastern and Central Europe, thanks to the late Pope, are not going to be affected, -- we are.
That's not very ecumenical, you know...
Have yourself a good night and a great tomorrow.
Do you receive Holy Communion with that mouth or yours?
or=of
I had the privilege of meeting Fr. McMahon briefly. He is not only impressive in his faithfulness and holiness, but in his physical stature as well. He looks like he could be a Marine if he wasn't a priest. A fine representative of the Church Militant, he is.
Its really a shame. I'd like to think those...outbursts are just the unfortunate result of an imbalanced mind, but I think that's pretty naiive. No doubt this person got freepmails expressing encouragement, high-fives and "LOLs" from the same folks who boast of their strict "obedience" to Catholic teachings and undying love for "the Great" late pope who you would think would have inspired them to patience and words far more civil than what routinely comes from their keyboards.
You need to examine your attitude as well, Murph. Possibly, you are ignorant of the history of the Soviet Empire and its dissolution, and who did what, and with what result. Most likely, just like your schismatic sidekick, you simply troll the thread with little regard to logic or fact, looking to spead one calumny or another.
When a pagan or a protestant does it, anger toward the Church is their defining characteristic, and it can be reasoned with. Indiffirentist mentality of Cardinal Mahoney can also be reasoned with. When someone who imagines himself Catholic insults the memory of the Holy Father, civilized conversation is pointless, and even harmful.
A friend who happens to be Lutheran, had been working to get his son-in-law into regularly attending church. The son-in-law always had an excuse and mocked the Reformed Protestant church services and the lack of Protestants to agree with one another. In the process of getting him to church, he took the son-in-law to the Mass at a local diocese/church and noticed that there was 50 minutes of dancing and singing by other than Catholic attendees, no kneeling pads, and only a short liturgy with singing by others going on concurrently. He remarked to his son-in-law that the Lutheran Church was more catholic than the Catholic Church.
Interesting observation. The same idea struck me when I attended a high Anglican church some time ago.
A church is Catholic when a priest ordained in an apostolic succession in union with the Bishop of Rome says a valid mass whereby consecrated bread and wine become precious body and blood of Christ. The solemn disposition is very much something to be desired, and lack of it, -- very much something to be deplored, but it is not a defining characteristic of Catholicism. On the other hand, a church may be very high on piety and solemnity, if it is in schism with Rome, does not have a valid priest, and consequently cannot have a valid Eucharist, it is not Catholic.
I'll take that from where it comes.
Possibly, you are ignorant of the history of the Soviet Empire and its dissolution, and who did what, and with what result.
Quite possibly nothing of the sort happened. Possibly it only put on a different mask and uniform and the players all remained the same. Maybe I'm wrong, prove it.
Most likely, just like your schismatic sidekick,
Most likely you can't win your argument with facts so you resort to slander. Neither I nor sempertrad are schismatic, no matter how many times you choose to assert this falsehood it remains a falsehood.
you simply troll the thread with little regard to logic or fact, looking to speedy one calumny or another.
projection the attribution of one's own ideas, feelings, or attitudes to other people or to objects; especially : the externalization of blame, guilt, or responsibility as a defense against anxiety.
Physician heal thyself.
I started this thread and I most certainly didn't ping you to it. Who is doing the trolling? But don't worry, you say whatever you want, only traditional Catholics get banned.
When someone who imagines himself Catholic
Who the heck do you think you are to imply anything about me? Padre Pio?
insults the memory of the Holy Father
You do this by spreading falsehoods about his legacy. I have done nothing of the sort.
civilized conversation is pointless,
and impossible for you it seems, for the reasons mentioned above. At least something we can agree on. So why are you posting on a thread I started if you can't keep your conversation civil? You need to examine that. Have a nice day.
Its your illogical, dreamy-eyed romanticizing of memories which rejects the factual reality of this past pontificate. And that's far more harmful to his memory than any critical remarks I could ever make - Folks like you have got him "stomping up to Heaven" most likely telling God, "I believe that's my seat you're in.." Folks like me know that God doesn't judge souls based on the number of people who loved him in an undefined, vague worldly way. Looking at the reality compels prayers for his soul. Denying it runs the grave risk of leaving him hanging in great need of prayer.
Of course, in your "reality" encouraging others to sin - not once, but twice - and then using every possible opportunity to speak fondly of the "spirit" of these gravely offensive events, is a "blunder" akin to spilling one's milk.
Lastly, if you're going to post in a forum for Catholic discussion, as a Catholic, defending Catholicism, your distateful outbursts are quite harmful and a very poor reflection of the majority of Catholics who know how to control themselves.
Coming for more?
You compared the legacy of the late Pope to that of an empty-headed adulteress that belongs to a soap opera. You are going to live with that, buster.
Murph, trust me. You know nothing of the Soviet Empire. I do. Stop your trolling.
Learn how to read. I was comparing the worldly love for the late pope to the same type of worldly love for the late princess. I did not say they lived similar lives. I said they were loved by the world for similar reasons - all based emotion, romanticism and no substance . And I was specifically speaking about non-Catholics when I made that remark.
And what's with the tough guy "coming back for more" silliness? You think you gave me a verbal beating, or something? Get over yourself.
Uh huh. Since you've built up such a good rapport, shown yourself to be of good character etc?
Stop your trolling.
Have you absolutely no self control?
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