Catholic bishop addresses Mormon Institute students

Bishop Kicanas, past vice president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and current chairman of the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services, presented a stirringly inspirational young adult fireside as the guest speaker before nearly 300 students and others at the LDS Institute of Religion in Tucson.

Invited by the LDS Institute director, Norman Gardner, counselor in the Tucson Arizona North Stake and member of the regional public affairs committee, Bishop Kicanas spoke before the gathering including each of the stake presidents and LDS bishops of the five student wards. Brother Gardner said he was humbled by the thoughtful message of unity presented by someone so in tune to the needs of the world. That message was apparent as the Catholic Bishop, with humor, and touching stories, told how the interconnecting histories of Catholics and Mormons, our common ideals, and many of the issues that have affected both churches have placed their members on common ground.

He told how many Catholics have recognized the goodness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Kicanas described how during one organizational meeting the question came up how Catholics could improve their public image. One person said that they had all seen the recent “I’m a Mormon” advertising campaign. The bishop said everyone agreed that would be a great way to introduce themselves so, to the delight of the Institute students, he enthusiastically introduced himself and said, “I’m Bishop Gerald Kicanas, and I’m a Roman Catholic!”

Quoting Cardinal Francis George speaking at Brigham Young University early last year, Bishop Kicanas encouraged members of both religions to come together to be “spiritually united” in their effort to practice their beliefs. His theme was “Our shared history, our shared values, our shared challenges.”

He said one challenge LDS young adults don’t have any trouble with is singing. He said how impressed he was with the stirring opening hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” as well as the vocal duet, “I Feel my Savior’s Love,” sung by Kathryn Christensen and Kelsey Thomas, accompanied by Michelle Newbold, all students at the University of Arizona.

He stressed, “Religion isn’t something that stays in the church…. Religion is not a set of privately held beliefs, but rather, it is a means to practice our beliefs in society.” He said, “We need to raise our voice when it’s not popular.” Eventually we shall see that “we are more and more in conversation one with another, that you have a heart just like mine, a concern just like mine.”

At the end of his message, Tucson Arizona Stake President Gary Rasmussen invited the students to ask questions of the leader of more than a million Catholics throughout Arizona. He told how one of his favorite Bible stories was the Prodigal Son, that God’s forgiveness is for all. The students got the biggest heart-felt laugh when Bishop Kicanas was asked if he had read the Book of Mormon. He honestly said he had not, but, concluded, “And the next time I am here, I will have read the Book of Mormon!”

Calling it a “historic occasion,” Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson encouraged Latter-day Saints and Catholics to stand side-by-side in their joint responsibility to protect freedom of worship throughout the world....That message was apparent as the Catholic Bishop, with humor, and touching stories, told how the interconnecting histories of Catholics and Mormons, our common ideals, and many of the issues that have affected both churches have placed their members on common ground....Quoting Cardinal Francis George speaking at Brigham Young University early last year, Bishop Kicanas encouraged members of both religions to come together to be “spiritually united” in their effort to practice their beliefs. His theme was “Our shared history, our shared values, our shared challenges.”

- Warning! -

This thread has been flagged as

Cultic Mormon Spam

by Christians on

FreeRepublic

LET THE READER BEWARE!

Mormonism is a wolf in sheep's clothing... SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39)

“Beware of FALSE prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are RAVENING wolves ... For such are FALSE apostles,
DECEITFUL workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”

Jesus Christ, Matthew 7:15, The Apostle Paul, II Corinthians 11:13

We have quite different beliefs, but I’m glad a bishop spoke to LDS about religious freedom. I’m embarrassed by some of the disrespect shown here toward fellow Freepers. We can disagree passionately, but there’s no reason or excuse to treat those who disagree with us in the manner some do on these threads.

We can disagree passionately, but there’s no reason or excuse to treat those who disagree with us in the manner some do on these threads.

Whenever I wander over to the Catholic threads, I usually get the bum's rush and get treated like a pariah. Maybe you should convince your own posters to practice what you preach.

Thanks for the comment. On this we can sure agree! =-)

The last time I posted a Protestant thread, it was spammed by a whole slew of angry Catholic apologists. The comments were so vile I just requested that the thread be pulled. I get labeled an Anti-Catholic every time I post a disagreement with catholic dogma or theology.

So don't go preaching about how poorly the Mormons are treated. The Mormon Church labeled the Catholic Church " that Great Abominable Church" and the Mother of Harlots. They believe the Mormon Church replaced the Catholic Church and that the Catholic Church fell into apostasy in the first Century and that the gospel was lost for 1700 years, until Joseph Smith restored it.

So go ahead and defend them. If you don't know the secret handshakes, passwords, and wear the special Underwear, you aren't getting into the Celestial Kingdom.

“So classless. I feel sorry for you my friend. Really I do.”

You can post all the cultic Mormon spam you want to.

Christians will warn others of your heresy - just as Christ and the Apostle Paul warned others of FALSE prophets and Apostles in their day.

I can understand your dislike when we peel back your sheepskin costume and reveal you as a ravening wolf.

Freedom is a beautiful thing.

ampu

If you will ping me to where you were treated unfairly, I’ll do my best to give you a fair defense.

I’m defending courteous and respectful dialogue among Freepers of different faiths. I am aware of what LDS belief toward my Church and others is; I’m aware of past viciousness and even wars under the flag of religion, Protestant and Catholic. We do not have to defend each other’s religion in order to have something approaching respectful discussion of our beliefs.

Can this site be a place of respectful discussion among different faiths - all agreeing on a foundation of freedom of religion and worship?

Open threads here have devolved into hurtful flame wars, the same brickbats thrown over and over. I’ve been almost completely avoiding them and recommend others do the same.

Not that I haven’t lost my cool on occasion. I regret some of my own actions and their reflection on this site and my fellow Freepers. I hope to do better and hope that all Freepers can join together to do better - for ourselves and in order to better exemplify what Christian behavior should be - especially on Free Republic.

thanks for your reply.

Issue	Catholicism	Mormonism	Jehovah's Witnesses	Christianity
Specific Church Leader on earth	The Pope	The Prophet	Watchtower Organization	none (except, of course, Jesus)
Source of Theology	Bible and Tradition	Bible and additional Scripture	Bible and Watchtower Organization	Bible
Sample of non-biblical teachings	Purgatory, Penance, Indulgences, praying to Mary, her assumption.	Many gods, god from another world, goddess mother, you can become a god.	Jesus is Michael the Archangel. No blood transfusions, no hell, 144,000 go to heaven	If it isn't taught here, I don't believe it.
Method of Salvation	Faith, grace, baptism, works	Faith, grace, baptism, works	Faith, grace, baptism, works	Grace through Faith
True Church	Their church organization is one true church	Their church organization is one true church	Their church organization is one true church	All who are saved by grace through faith are in the true church
Claim of Authority	Apostolic Succession	Apostolic Succession	Being the faithful servant	In Jesus alone
Assets	Great Wealth and Power	Great Wealth and Power	Wealth, not much power	Treasures in heaven
Goddess-like figure	Mary has godlike abilities: able to hear and answer all prayers of all people all the time, intercede with God.	Goddess Mother who has populated this world with spirits who inhabit human bodies	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Images of God, or Jesus, or Mary, etc.	Used in worship in churches	Used in temples and headquarters	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

The problem with a lot of the religious threads is that disagreement is viewed as hatred. The peculiar problem with LDS threads is that anyone who actually posts the truth about Mormon Doctrine or History is automatically referee to as an "anti". The LDS Church is a peculiarly dishonest organization. They are not run so much by a Prophet as they are by advertising agencies. They deny their own history and try to paint themselves falsely as just another Christian Church, while at the same time teaching their members that everyone who isn't a Mormon is an Apostate.

I left the LDS Church after my eyes were opened to their organized deceit. While Mormons are by and large nice people ( Ted Bundy being a notable exception) the LDS Church Organization is a giant wolf which devours sheep and teaches doctrines of Demons.

As a former member of this cult, I consider it my Christian duty to sound the alarm.

I honestly think I understand. More than enough to have the same feelings and instincts.

The problem with a lot of the religious threads is that disagreement is viewed as hatred.

I've seen that charge made unfairly many times on many sides. As you've seen, one charge results in another, escalating, becoming personal and more and more, well, trying to hurt, swarm attacks, huge fonts, screaming and mayhem.

The internet anonymity is an easy vehicle for us to say things we would not otherwise say. And treat people in a way we would not if we were talking to them in person.

I think we have to ignore unfair attacks or at least not respond in kind.

I think you are more likely to post what you believe is correct, contrary to another poster's religion, in a respectful manner. I believe those of other faiths hold them as sincerely as we do ours and are more likely to consider what we have to say if it is presented courteously.

Is it possible to expect whole threads here to maintain respect for each other - even while passionately disagreeing? Or am I nuts in thinking it could happen? :)

You sort of missed the elephant in the turnip patch, though.

Catholics profess that Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Incarnate God.

So do you.

Mormons don't. Neither do JWs.

Scripture says, "No one can say, 'Jesus Christ is LORD,' except in the Holy Spirit."

You can post all the cultic Mormon spam you want to.

Christians will warn others of your heresy - just as Christ and the Apostle Paul warned others of FALSE prophets and Apostles in their day.

I can understand your dislike when we peel back your sheepskin costume and reveal you as a ravening wolf.

You seem to be a bit confused about what I mean. Your classlessness is not your disagreement, it’s how you choose to display it. You go way beyond disagreement.

Yeah we are free to do lots of things. It doesn’t mean you should.

There are some wolves here for sure. But they aren’t Mormons.

“You seem to be a bit confused about what I mean. Your classlessness is not your disagreement, it’s how you choose to display it. You go way beyond disagreement.”

I disagree with the heresy of mormonism that distorts the image of God and His Gospel of Grace. Practicing Christianity includes warning others of that heresy. Your evaluation, as a cultist, is not my concern.

“There are some wolves here for sure. But they aren’t Mormons.”

And that is where we disagree. Those who proselytize on FreeRepublic by spreading the cult of mormonism are false teachers and wolves who are attempting to appear as a sheep to get access to the flock. You also have a force of 52,000 mormonic missionaries knocking on the doors of Christians and telling them their Church is false. The condemnation of mormonism and its false teachers is just and necessary.

I understand why you don’t like it.

best,
ampu

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