[meandog]

I am curious, what is "prayed-for Vatican III"? What kind of outreach would you like to see coming from the Vatican? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well, where The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican (Vatican II) is usually accepted around here with revulsion by the traditional RC crowd, some of us (Anglican and Episcopalians) though really see it as a Renaissance toward the establishment of a truly "catholic" side of the church. That means that there are true fans of Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I; (IMO, all saints) and even to Bishop Karol Wojtyła, who became Pope John Paul II, as he didn't seem all that enthusiastic about Vatican II but was nonetheless a charismatic personality that kept it going. However, the current holder of the Throne of St. Peter appears to be a definite Vatican II foe.

To me, personally, Vatican II allowed me to enjoy the most profound religious experience I have ever had in that I was able to experience a Crucio--which came out of Vatican II. I don't believe, though, they are still done as the current pope has quashed such things. A Vatican III, which I pray will eventually occur, should be a final reach out to unify Christ's churches into one body again.

[Salvation]

Another council make take place, but if it is focused on unity, I would expect it to be held in another city, perhaps Jerusalem? Who knows??

[ArrogantBustard]

I was able to experience a Crucio--which came out of Vatican II,

Do you by any chance mean a "Cursillo"?

If so, that movement began in Spain, in the 1940s or '50s. I think it showed up in USA in the early '70s. At least, that's when I first ran across it. It may be older.

[annalex]

experience a Crucio

You mean Cursillo? That was prior to V2.

One canot unify what does not want to be unified. I think, unification with the Orthodox is possible in a few generations and maybe even in our lifetimes. Institutional reunification is perhaps possible with some Anglican and Lutheran factions, but it seems to me that the bulk of these denominations is heading toward less unity with Rome, not more. I think realistically, we'll see more individual conversions from Protestantism, but while those are happening, the trajectory of all Protestant (in the broad sense) communities of faith will continue to be centrifugal.

I do not think substantial reunification of any kind can be accelerated by any councils. To be sure, once a desire for reunification is ignited among the Orthodox, an ecumenical council that involves them will be necessary in order to sort out the doctrinal differences that exist. However, reunification, just like an individual conversion, happens in the hearts of the faithful and not top-down.

There were aspects of V2 that prepared room for future reunifications by clarifying the role of the Catholic Church in the the Christendom. Some other factors, especially the watering down the Holy Mass, were extremely harmful to the Church Catholic, as well as the broader Christian community. It was, if you pardon the mundane analogy, like trying to reinforce unity of a family by canceling the Thanksgiving dinner. I was wondering what specifically do you hope to come out of V3, if there ever is such a thing?

I think the direction the Church is going in the current pontificate is just right, but I don't think it is fair to characterize Poe Benedict XVI as "foe of Vatican II ".