Posted on 06/13/2011 4:44:17 AM PDT by GonzoII
(Reuters) - Members of a liberal group of U.S. Roman Catholics on Sunday called on Church leaders to open talks with their members on controversies ranging from the ordination of women to allowing priests to marry.
Members of the American Catholic Council, meeting in Detroit, said they had grown concerned the church's hierarchy was not listening to its members on issues such as the role of women, married clergy and the treatment of homosexuals.
The meeting comes as the Roman Catholic Church in the United States is struggling with a sexual abuse crisis, loss of membership and a dwindling number of priests.
"When in God's name are the conversations going to begin?" asked Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun who addressed the meeting of about 2,000 people -- part of a liberal wing that represents a minority in the 1.2 billion-member Church.
She likened the structure, with bishops and archbishops answering to the pope in Rome, to "a medieval system that has now been abandoned by humanity everywhere, except by us."
Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron had warned before the meeting that any members of the clergy who attended the group's mass would risk being defrocked.
"All of the invited keynote speakers have manifested dissent from Catholic teachings or support for dissenters," the archdiocese said in a posting on its website.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
The UU’s would welcome them in.
I’m not Catholic, but if the liberals don’t like their church, then leave and find another or start their own.
They would be selcome into any one of the 30,000 protestant denomination.
Besides, it is an abomination to call them Catholics; they are not.
The church should follow the entire Bible including the parts that state clearing choosing homosexuality is an abomination.
See Sodom and Gomorrah for consequences of rejecting His word.
Joan Chittister is 75 years old, so, actuarially speaking, her conversation should begin any time now - but it will probably be a short one.
Good point. The Archbishop ought to remind these disgruntled cino’s that there are other denominations that accept their ideas and that the Church will not bend to their selfish wants.
Father Z had a great column on this yesterday:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/06/life-imitates-art-the-american-catholic-councils-litany-of-lament/
Why should the Roman Catholic Church listen to a gaggle of assorted agnostic, athiest, perverted anti-Catholic spoilers?
The Church apparently doesn’t consult God before radically changing Christ’s Church: its tenets, rubics, architecture, music, role of the priest and everything that was guaranteed to last until the Second Coming,
Pontiff’s subsequent to Pius XII had much explaining to do before the disposition of their souls; especially’Saint’ John Paul.
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Yes, but what about these people’s feelings?
The Church is listening and just doesn’t agree. Also since when are the Liberal Chatholics many who are non practicing and least supportive the ones the church should be listening to? Liberals have such egocentricism. I’ve never understood their need to be a part of that which they seem to dislike so much. They want to be in church, the schouts, etc. Whatever happenned to leave us the hell alone and we’ll leave you the hell alone. The problem with liberalism whether it is fiscal or social it always leads to the same big ego big govt ideas. Everyone has to change to suit the exceptions. They need to get over themselves. Personally I don’t think they were beaten enough as children.
I just love how by putting the word “America” in front of “Catholic Council” it automatically makes it legitimate or pro-Catholic...you know, similar to the American Civil Liberties Union being pro civil liberties.
Poor darlings. Let ‘em join the Methodists...
“They dont listen to me!”
That’s what teenagers say when parents don’t let them have their way.
The Church is listening.
The answer is NO.
“Liberal U.S. Catholics say their Church is not listening”
What a great way to start my week, thank you for posting this!
I’m not Roman Catholic, but these whiners need to leave and find a wishy-washy “church” that is a better fit for them.
As a P.K., I was always amused by members who expected Dad to ignore Biblical principles in favor of their mere mortal whims.
’Liberal U.S. Catholics say their Church is not listening’
What a great way to start my week, thank you for posting this!”
Dittos.
Obviously, Mother Church must have started doing something right!
Exactly. The Church has made itself clear via the Bible. Christianity is not a buffet; therefore, these libs do not get to choose what they do and do not want to believe.
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