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Abandon Eucharistic doctrine, dissidents urge Synod
Directions to Orthodoxy ^ | 10-04-05 | cwn

Posted on 10/04/2005 10:01:13 PM PDT by jec1ny

Abandon Eucharistic doctrine, dissidents urge Synod

'We Are Church' dissidents claim Catholic teachings open up for question Oct. 04 (CWNews.com) - The international dissident movement "We Are Church" is issuing an appeal to the Catholic bishops, gathered in Rome for the Synod, to confront the "real" problems relating to the Eucharist.

At an October 4 press conference in Rome, the dissident group called for reconsideration of the key Catholic doctrine on the transubstantiation, an end to the "hierarchical monopoly" on the sacraments, and approval of shared communion with other Christian denominations.

This is the 8th in a series of CWN news stories on the October 2005 meeting of the Synod of Bishops. Three leaders of the international movement-- Martha Heizer of Austria, Gigi De Paoli of Italy, and Norbert Scholl of Germany-- said that the Synod was likely to prove a "missed opportunity" because the bishops begin their deliberations on the basis of a working document that affirms Catholic dogmatic teachings on the Eucharist. We Are Church argued that all such teachings should be open to question.

Specifically, the dissident group called for abandoning the notion that the Eucharist is a sacrifice, and instead saying that the mass is "in memory of the entire life of Jesus." The group called for "full freedom of philosophical and theological interpretation of that mystery."

We Are Church argued that the dogma of the transubstantiation-- the teaching that the bread and wine at Mass are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ-- is unacceptable to Protestants, and thus impedes ecumenical unity. The group decried traditional forms of Catholic piety, such as Eucharistic adoration and processions, as tending to make an "idol" of the Blessed Sacrament.

The group also denounced the exclusion of women from the Catholic priesthood, the bar on Communion for those who are divorced and remarried, and "monopoly" claimed by priests as sacramental ministers.

During the last general assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in October 2001, We Are Church organized a 4-day "counter-synod" in Rome. The event, which drew about 30 participants, was styled as a "parallel synod of the People of God," with speakers demanding a more democratic Church. The "counter-synod" concluded that bishops should be elected, and all believers-- male or female, clerics and laity-- should be eligible.

After the election of Pope Benedict XVI, We Are Church announced that it was seeking a meeting with the new Pontiff, and hoping to being an "open and constructive dialogue." Christian Weisner, the president of the dissident group, said that he hoped the new Pope would prove "less rigid" than he had been as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Leaders of the group say that they have not had a response to the request for a meeting.

We Are Church, founded in Austria in 1995, emerged as an international movement the following year, with liberal Catholics from 20 different countries meeting in Rome to form a united front for "the reform of the Catholic Church on the basis of Vatican II."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ©2005, Directions to Orthodoxy


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ecumenism; Moral Issues; Orthodox Christian; Theology; Worship
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To: gscc

You are living in a typical Catholic-hating bigot fantasy world. Please name one person within say, the last three centuries, who was burnt at the stake for heresy? We live in a world of civil freedom of religion. As such, the Catholic Church has every right to hold the beliefs she holds, and insist that those who call themselves Catholic hold those beliefs or go elsewhere for their spiritual needs. Nobody in this day is forced to be Catholic.


21 posted on 10/05/2005 7:21:51 AM PDT by Unam Sanctam
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To: american colleen; Lady In Blue; Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; ...

The following organizations claim to be Catholic but instead promote opinions which dissent from Church teachings.
CATHOLIC DISSENTING ORGANIZATIONS

22 posted on 10/05/2005 7:22:08 AM PDT by NYer
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To: jec1ny
At an October 4 press conference in Rome, the dissident group called for reconsideration of the key Catholic doctrine on the transubstantiation, an end to the "hierarchical monopoly" on the sacraments, and approval of shared communion with other Christian denominations.

At least Luther had the decency to actually leave the Church when he wanted to start a new religion.

23 posted on 10/05/2005 7:25:04 AM PDT by conservonator (Pray for those suffering)
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To: jec1ny
You know, I'd be tempted to tell them to go to hell . . .

. . . but they're clearly headed that way anyhow.

24 posted on 10/05/2005 7:26:44 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: jec1ny
The group called for "full freedom of philosophical and theological interpretation of that mystery."

There is full freedom to do so. Nobody is stopping you from forming the "Church of random theological interpretation".

25 posted on 10/05/2005 7:26:56 AM PDT by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: gscc
Well, without even considering your virulent hatred of the Church, the Council of Constance was called by an anti-pope, so you can't really blame the Catholics for it. Blame the Germans, if you want to blame somebody, they propped John XXIII (no, not THAT John XXIII, the other one) up.

And if you have to go back to 1415 to find something to get mad about, you might want to find another hobby.

26 posted on 10/05/2005 7:32:28 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: jec1ny

It's just satanic. It's as simple as that.


27 posted on 10/05/2005 7:35:02 AM PDT by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: TotusTuus; NYer
"We Are Church argued that the dogma of the transubstantiation-- the teaching that the bread and wine at Mass are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ-- is unacceptable to Protestants, and thus impedes ecumenical unity."

Beyond "teaching", transubstantiation is as real as Christ's miracle to change water into wine. This dogma is command for all Christians and not mere "teaching". Jesus, Himself, ordered our obedience and it would be starvation and spiritual death to not follow Him.
28 posted on 10/05/2005 7:35:09 AM PDT by SaltyJoe (A mother's sorrowful heart and personal sacrifice redeems her lost child's soul.)
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To: jec1ny
"Specifically, the dissident group called for abandoning the notion that the Eucharist is a sacrifice, and instead saying that the mass is "in memory of the entire life of Jesus."

Congrats, you're now Protestants.

"We Are Church argued that the dogma of the transubstantiation-- the teaching that the bread and wine at Mass are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ-- is unacceptable to Protestants..."

Too bad. Let them swallow their pride and accept the teachings of the Chruch which Christ Himself established.

"The group also denounced the exclusion of women from the Catholic priesthood, the bar on Communion for those who are divorced and remarried, and "monopoly" claimed by priests as sacramental ministers."

Wait a sec, if they just want it to be crackers and grape juice, then why do they care if they can't take part?

"Leaders of the group say that they have not had a response to the request for a meeting."

Keep waiting... *chuckle*

"We Are Church, founded in Austria in 1995, emerged as an international movement the following year, with liberal Catholics from 20 different countries meeting in Rome to form a united front for "the reform of the Catholic Church on the basis of Vatican II."

That is what Benedict XVI is doing. Implementing Vatican II the way it was supposed to be done. Not the way these wingnuts want it implemented.

29 posted on 10/05/2005 7:35:29 AM PDT by Romish_Papist
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To: gscc
When did the RC Church stop the practice of burning at the stake?

About the same time that the protestant church stopped the practice of hanging, drawing, and quartering.

30 posted on 10/05/2005 7:36:18 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: jec1ny

They should just go to a Protestant church if that's what they believe.


31 posted on 10/05/2005 7:39:17 AM PDT by tiki
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To: Unam Sanctam; NYer
"Please name one person within say, the last three centuries, who was burnt at the stake for heresy?"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't most executions a matter of the secular/temporal state? The Church deemed whether heresy existed or not, but the temporal authority determined punishment. I'm not sure of this, so I'm open to comment.
32 posted on 10/05/2005 7:39:30 AM PDT by SaltyJoe (A mother's sorrowful heart and personal sacrifice redeems her lost child's soul.)
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To: AnAmericanMother
I don't have to go back very far at all

Grand jury findings - Philadelphia cardinals 'excused and enabled abuse, covered up crimes'

 

33 posted on 10/05/2005 7:40:56 AM PDT by gscc
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To: jec1ny

These are the same morons who were out and about condemning Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". Why? Well, the so-called anti-Semitism charge was a smokescreen for the their real issue with the movie...it focused clearly in on the SACRIFICE of Christ, and hence, on the very essence of the Mass. For some reason, Christ's Sacrifice and Act of Redemption offends them.

At least "We are Church" actually has the forthrightness to state exactly what they believe about the Mass and the Real Presence. Now, if only they take it one step more and logically start their own church (which they have already done de facto).


34 posted on 10/05/2005 7:41:38 AM PDT by jrny (Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto Decimo Sexto.)
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To: jec1ny

"Specifically, the dissident group called for abandoning the notion that the Eucharist is a sacrifice, and instead saying that the mass is "in memory of the entire life of Jesus." The group called for "full freedom of philosophical and theological interpretation of that mystery."

Yeah. That's going to happen anytime soon. Abandon one of the chief tenets of Catholicism. This is sheer unbridled, arrogance.


35 posted on 10/05/2005 7:47:15 AM PDT by markedman (Islam = surrender, and we will NEVER surrender!)
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To: jec1ny
Specifically, the dissident group called for abandoning the notion that the Eucharist is a sacrifice, and instead saying that the mass is "in memory of the entire life of Jesus." The group called for "full freedom of philosophical and theological interpretation of that mystery."

What a colossal ignorance of Catholic theology.

36 posted on 10/05/2005 7:51:39 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever (Stuck on Genius)
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To: Kolokotronis

We are Excommunicated....

This should be done and it should be done publicly!!!!!!!!


37 posted on 10/05/2005 7:52:21 AM PDT by FlatLandBeer
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To: AnAmericanMother
You know, I'd be tempted to tell them to go to hell . . .
. . . but they're clearly headed that way anyhow.
Inclusivity

38 posted on 10/05/2005 8:50:57 AM PDT by Carolina
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To: jec1ny

This article is from The Onion, right?


39 posted on 10/05/2005 8:55:12 AM PDT by Remole
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To: jec1ny

Well, gee, if these guys say so, we should abandon 2000 years of catholic teaching.


40 posted on 10/05/2005 8:56:21 AM PDT by stop_fascism
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