A church's assertive shift toward tradition

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | July 18th, 2007 | Robert Marquand

[posterchild]

Rome and Paris - The leader of 1.1 billion Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI, is completing a significant theological shift of the Roman Catholic church – a sweeping change that not only eclipses 40 years of a more moderate and collegial Catholicism, but seeks to reassert the spiritual supremacy of the Vatican and more openly proclaim the authority of the office of pope among all Christians.

Some two years after taking the reins, say Protestant and Catholic theologians and religious experts, the Bavarian-born pope is moving swiftly to affirm orthodox doctrines and medieval church rituals that undermine the spirit of Vatican II, a period of modernization in which the church appeared to be rethinking its centuries-long insistence that it had exclusive claims to matters of grace, truth, salvation, and church structure in the Christian world.

Liberal Catholics go so far as to characterize Benedict as leading a counterreformation in the church – in which fervent backers of traditional Catholic identity and faith are favored, even at the expense of popularity. "While Vatican II said that the Holy Spirit was in operation among the people, now we are saying, no, the holy spirit is operating in the bishops. It is an enormous change." says Frank Flinn, author of the "Encyclopedia of Catholicism." The "impression [previous Pope] John Paul II gave was to emphasize teaching so that all may be one. But Benedict is turning around and saying to churches, 'you aren't all one.' It is destroying the ecumenical movement."

[chrisser]

which fervent backers of traditional Catholic identity and faith are favored, even at the expense of popularity

Well, if we're going to use popularity as a barometer, then based on mass attendance, I'd have to say V-II was a dismal failure compared to what came before.

[JamesP81]

And now, the liberals are all going "holy s***, the Pope is actually catholic!"

Idiots. And I say this as someone who does not believe that the Church is defined by papal authority. Unlike many, I don't find the RCC's position on that offensive. I agree with what a fellow from my own church, southern baptist, said not long back. The Pope isn't playing some kind of power game here. He is concerned about saving souls and believes he has the way to that. All he's doing is reiterating his own beliefs. Frankly, if the man didn't subscribe to his own beliefs, I wouldn't take him seriously.

[ConservativeDude]

Looking on as a schismatic here, (ie, a Protestant), I’m not sure this is at all bad.

Only a muscular church that stands for something is going to be a reliable counter to Islam and the secularism that is truly unhinged in Europe. The way I see it, if Roman Catholicism is soft on schismatics, then they will be soft on secularists and Islam. So, I’m all for the Roman Catholic church asserting itself in a muscular fashion.

From the Protestant perspective, while this makes it clear that Prots and Catholics are still very different, it doesn’t mean that we cannot together fight the secularists and the Muslims. A wimpy church that doesn’t think enough of itself to insist on fidelity and theological clarity will be a pretty unreliable ally when the chips are down.

[MarineBrat]

...traditional Catholic identity and faith are favored, even at the expense of popularity.

Putting faith before popularity?!?!?!? The horror... /s

[Pyro7480]

This Catholic says, hear! hear!

[wideawake]

Thanks for a rational outside analysis.

[wildandcrazyrussian]

As a Russian Orthodox, let me echo your sentiments. Just be honest and decide where to work together.

[posterchild]

Anyone know why I no longer see this thread listed at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/browse ? (yes, I am logged in:))

[Pyro7480]

It was moved to the Religion forum because its subject is religion, though it’s from a secular publication. Religion articles on the News forum, particularly when the religion being discussed is Catholicism, tend to degrade pretty quickly.

[posterchild]

Thanks for the explanation.

[wideawake]

Basically the MSM and liberal Christians (cafeteria Catholics, Robinson Episcopalians, etc.) are disturbed because:

(1) Catholics are recovering from their disgusting internal scandals and reaffirming their traditional moral doctrines in a hostile secular environment.

(2) Orthodox Christians are reconciling with one another and trying to reverse the damage that atheist Communism had on many of their countries.

(3) The Bible-affirming Anglicans are starting to reassert control over their communion.

(4) Bible-affirming evangelicals are fighting the culture wars rather than just passively resisting the rot.

In every major faction of Christianity core Christian principles of moral teaching and positive cultural assertion are being reinforced and accomodationist, secularist attitudes are being critically reexamined.

[maryz]

that undermine the spirit of Vatican II,

I don't even know where to begin with this -- but, as someone said, once the "spirit" of Vatican II is invoked, well, you know what to expect!

[ConservativeDude]

So...on this thread, we have Protestants (including the admitted Southern Baptist in the post before mine), Roman Catholics, and Russian Orthodox believers saying the same thing. Isn’t it interesting how this Pope by insisting on the traditions of his faith is actually NOT destroying ecunemism, but...ironically...perhaps, eveb encouraging it and helping it to flourish - and hopefully, even re-defining it?

[ConservativeDude]

If you 1-4 were to continue and improve, well, let’s face it. Liberalism will be in trouble!

[posterchild]

Nothing like a little clarity to get people talking and working together.

[Frank Sheed]

Pope Asserts Catholic Church is Only, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic!
News at 6:00.

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[maryz]

Under Vatican II, it was accepted that the coming of the kingdom is possible to experience on Earth and not simply in the afterlife.

I don't think anyone ever explicitly made such a nonsensical point, but I have to admit there are things suffused with that feeling, notably the "peace" movement as it has infested the Church -- yes, you can make the lion lie down with the lamb in this world. You're going to lose an awful lot of lambs though!

[Frank Sheed]

From the Protestant perspective, while this makes it clear that Prots and Catholics are still very different, it doesn’t mean that we cannot together fight the secularists and the Muslims.

I'll cover your back any time!

S/F

F

[maryz]

The Latin mass has long been hated by Jews for its emphasis on the Jewish role in turning Jesus over to the Romans for crucifixion and for its call for Jews to come into the church.

I was going to say something, but I find I'm pretty much speechless . . .