Posted on 04/13/2007 6:54:57 AM PDT by Frank Sheed
Two years into his reign, Pope Benedict XVI is finally poised to make a major mark on American Catholicism with a string of key bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of U.S. seminaries and bishops' involvement in politics.
Benedict's election on April 19, 2005, shook liberals and comforted conservatives who expected a doctrinal hard-liner. So far, they have found an easier hand - and someone who has not made the United States much of a priority.
When Benedict has gained attention, it has mostly been on the world stage, focusing on the re-Christianization of Europe, Islam and mending relations with Orthodox Christians. He also has stressed universal themes of faith and reason.
``The last two years have been much quieter years as far as the papacy is concerned because you have a very different personality'' than John Paul II, said Monsignor Robert Wister, chairman of the church history department at Seton Hall University's School of Theology.
``Many Americans were surprised - some happily, some disappointed - that he did not turn into the pit bull of dogma. He is taking a very pastoral approach, and I think people resonate very positively with that.''
Yet America's turn may be coming. At the top of the list is a looming generational shift among the nation's bishops, whose decisions at the local level greatly affect Catholics in the pews and can carry national weight. For instance, church leaders recently closed parishes in Boston and New York, while the St. Louis archbishop has clashed with a heavily Polish parish over control of its assets.
Key appointments are expected in New York, Baltimore and Detroit, where cardinals have reached retirement age - 75. And retirements or appointments are likely in at least seven other archdioceses...
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Tempus is a third declension noun (tempus, temporis) and forms its vocative identically to the nominative - hence o tempus.
I almost went with tempus . . . but couldn't remember if it was a 3rd declension or not.
I need to brush up on my Latin grammar . . . and my Greek grammar . . . and my Gaelic grammar . . . and while we're at it I need to review the English too . . . < g >
I’m going to eat some leftovers for lunch and go for a run, occasionally calling, “Hola! Que va?” to a neighbor.
You're very much mistaken. They could not have been "ordained pastors" in the CoC because the CoC doesn't have "ordained pastors" or ordained anything. It's "not authorized by scripture!"
Then I'll take the Puppy From Hell to the polo fields to do a few retrieves on a long line (I can't take them both together, there is too much competition for Mom and the Puppy From Hell won't stake out yet.)
Then I'll hit the Publix for some Friday sushi . . . have a nice run!
They have polo fields where my parents live, too.
Plus, about this time when the ponies come back from Palm Beach, I can get as much riding time as I want exercising the ponies!
There are scads of articles out there in the press (Newsweek, for example) painting a discouraging picture of BXVI, but I think they actually have little substance Iand are to marginalize him by simply dismissing him. Newsweek criticized him for not travelling enough, for example; what’s “enough,” and where is it written that any Pope has to go globe-trotting?
BXVI proceeds in a very slow and deliberate way, but he does proceed. He built up the case very carefully in Italy, for example, having a special study on the Church, legislation, and natural law, and then issuing a paper, so that the Italian bishops could then declare that anyone who voted for same-sex “marriage” was violating Church teachings and thus excommunicated. He is very thorough, and I think we’ll see the same thing here when he turns towards the US. But we’re in a difficult situation, with many difficult “leaders,” and I think he has to proceed carefully and with confidence that what he is doing is iron-clad from a doctrinal and canonical point of view.
Not at all.
They could not have been "ordained pastors" in the CoC because the CoC doesn't have "ordained pastors" or ordained anything.
They do not have a rite of "ordination" like liturgical churches do, but the congregation elders do indeed formally choose pastors and give them pastoral authority in the congregation. And unless the congregation is extremely rural or old-fashioned, the elders insist on having as a pastor someone who has completed biblical studies at an institution they approve of. In the case of my s-i-l's brother, Faulkner University in Montgomery.
It's "not authorized by scripture!"
The elders and deacons theoretically use Paul's admonishment's in Timothy as their guide for selecting pastors - considering a well-educated man a man "apt to teach."
I think there’s room for the analysis of any Pope’s activities. After all, he’s one of the most important public figures in the world and what he does (or doesn’t do) certainly has major consequences.
That’s a deal.
Good luck with the dogs!
The CoC educate their members and the elders may formally hire a minister, but there is no rite of ordination whatsoever.
I said that, ZC.
The word "ordain" has a broader semantic range than just liturgical anointing.
If you prefer, I could say that my s-i-l's father and brother were "formally selected as pastors by the elders of their respective Church of Christ congregations."
Would that suit?
Would that suit?
Perfectly.
"Ordain" at least implies or connotes a ritual of anointment or laying on of hands.
This guy sounds like he's part of the problem.
I trust all you highly atuned Freepers picked up on the "dogma is incompatible with the pastoral approach" insinuation? Good. Because as we all know by know, insisting on theological clarity and doctrinal accuracy is inconsistent with teaching the faith, right? Right. Combating heresy is just not "pastoral".
In practice of course, dogma and pastoral care are complimentary not incompatible but a professor of church history at a Catholic college couldn't be expected to understand that. The Pope has in fact been very clear on dogma and just because he hasn't fried Mahony on a spit (yet) doesn't mean he's a wimp.
Men that aren't truly pastoral don't usually get the call to the See of Peter from the Holy Spirit.
You want an e in “complementary.”
(Oops, sorry, this isn’t the homophones thread, is it?)
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, when used of people, the primary meaning of ordain is:
"To appoint to a charge, duty or office (with the official name or position as simple object or complement)."
In none of the 16 separate definitions proffered by the OED is anointing mentioned.
I think we're word-chopping.
Yes but Pope Benedict can ask him to retire early. It happen to a Cardinal in Ireland a couple years back.
Interesting. How has the Italian government received that? I imagine if a similar thing were done here, there would be calls to revoke the RCC’s tax exempt status (well, more calls I guess).
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