Posted on 06/13/2017 10:49:10 AM PDT by ebb tide
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (ChurchMilitant.com) - Faithful Catholics in the dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg are concerned about the planned "celebrations" of the Protestant revolt 500 years ago. They are up in arms about joint celebrations last March and upcoming in June and October with Catholics and Protestants, asking for Church Militant's interpretation of the validity of the events, believing these should not be going on.
Events such as the regional effort between the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Byzantine Catholic Church in southwest Pennsylvania are causing much confusion and frustration.
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The first talk, held in March, focused on the theme of repentance. The goal of the evening was to "Reassess our shared histories and divisions," and to "repent of our prejudices and past mutual condemnations and seek God's forgiveness."
An "Evening of Thanksgiving" is calling Catholics and Lutherans together to observe the 500th anniversary of Reformation Day — the date when Martin Luther sent the Abps. of Mainz and Magdeburg his document protesting the sale of indulgence. This text became known as the 95 Theses and eventually led to his excommunication.
Organizers of the evening are seeking to restore five centuries of "division and schism among the followers of Jesus Christ." They are claiming:
Christ's call to truly be one in Him remains in many ways unrealized due to long-standing misunderstandings and division. That we are not yet able to share in each other's Eucharistic celebrations is but one example for this needed work to foster true, visible unity among Catholics and Lutherans.
Church Militant reached out to the two of the bishops involved in the event, explaining the consternation of our readers and requesting clarification from Bp. Edward Malesic of the Diocese of Greensburg and Bp. David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Both declined our requests for comments and interviews.
Instead, we were referred to the Vatican's 2017 document From Conflict to Communion. It states, "Catholics and Lutherans have so much of the faith in common that they can — and in fact should — be thankful together, especially on the day of commemoration of the Reformation."
The Vatican's doctrinal watchdog, Cdl. Gerhard Müller, called the Protestant revolt the beginning of the "rupture of Western Christianity," stating in a March interview Catholics have "no reason" to celebrate the Reformation.
He also warned of misguided ecumenical efforts that modernize ideologies and make truth relative, claiming the failure to recognize objective Truth makes the Catholic Church Protestant, blocking unity with other Christians and Christ himself. He said:,
A Protestantization of the Catholic Church on the basis of a secular vision without reference to transcendence not only cannot reconcile us with the Protestants but also cannot allow an encounter with the mystery of Christ, because in Him we are repositories of a supernatural revelation to which all of us owe total obedience of intellect and will.
There will be a second talk held on June 29. It will focus on testimonials and thanksgiving for "the progress that 50 years of ecumenical dialog have brought forth." Participants will use the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, From Conflict to Communion, and Declaration on the Way as "tools to assist us in seeking more visible unity as siblings of our Lord Jesus. Our progress in finding consensus on some issues also enables us to address remaining differences among us."
The final talk, scheduled for October 28, is a commemoration of hope. "Emboldened by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Catholics and Lutherans will witness together to the mercy of God in proclamation and service to the world and will seek greater unity with other Christians as well."
Pennsylvania Catholics say it is exactly these sorts of events that lead to a distortion of Catholic identity and a loss of faith for so many. What is also disconcerting, they say, is the flock can no longer look to their shepherds for answers and a clear response to legitimate questions and concerns.
The Vatican's doctrinal watchdog, Cdl. Gerhard Müller, called the Protestant revolt the beginning of the "rupture of Western Christianity," stating in a March interview Catholics have "no reason" to celebrate the Reformation."
>snip<
Pennsylvania Catholics say it is exactly these sorts of events that lead to a distortion of Catholic identity and a loss of faith for so many. What is also disconcerting, they say, is the flock can no longer look to their shepherds for answers and a clear response to legitimate questions and concerns.
Interesting what topics you choose to ‘caucus’ and which you don’t. Or maybe you just forgot it this time.
Pray the Protestant Heresy ends soon
A large number of Catholics fail to believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, coincidentally, at about the same numbers as those who practice artificial contraception.
Imagine my surprise to see a devout Lutheran hymn of belief that Jesus said what He meant in John chapter 6.
An Awe-ful Mystery is Here
http://hymnary.org/text/an_awful_mystery_is_here
The 500th anniversary of the Schism is nothing to celebrate, no matter which side you’re on.
As this is caucus, best not to criticise Protestantism in general. Keep to criticising the blithering idiots who thought this celebration was a good idea.
Nowhere did I mention “caucus”. This is not a caucus thread.
My bad, Ebb Tide
For such a mechanical, rule-bound and ritualistic belief system, it’s adherents sure do have difficulty with the concept of a caucus. We see it again and again here on FR. I guess that’s because a caucus is congregationalist in nature, i.e. derived from Protestantism, much like our system of governance. Which, not coincidentally, explains majority party affiliation and voting habits also.
Thank you for sharing your drive-by chauvinism on this thread.
For once it’s actually relevant, even helpful. You’re demonstrating that there is indeed nothing to celebrate after 500 years of Schism.
Please be aware that this isn’t a caucus thread. Also: the confusion about its non-caucus status was caused, if I’m not much mistaken, by a non-Catholic poster. This could be an useful opportunity for self-reflection.
Oh, that’s funny. Pray that the Papal Heresy and the State that supports it is relegated to the dustbin of history.
Brother, do you not see that even your prayers are hateful?
Seriously: let us pray for one another this evening. That way some good can come from this snarl of a thread.
Blinkered as ever, look upthread and see where the “hate” began.
Everyone can see when it began.
I should add: and let’s try to stop it.
Yes, it began with your coreligionist in reply #3 but you’re blind to that.
You should have replied to him then.
Seriously, all this confusion and pointless bickering. Let’s stop it now, in Christ’s name.
Protrstantism has caused so much misery death and destruction since it spewed forth from Hell. I pray it ends soon.
Ebb Tide, I know this is not a caucus thread, but I’d say the Catholics who celebrate the Reformation are bigger dopes than the Protestants — and I suspect many of the Protestants who allow the Catholics to join the Reformation celebrations are just being polite.
I am Catholic, and I was embarrassed and ticked off when Pope Francis flew to Germany to join the Reformation celebrations last year. What the devil was the Pontiff celebrating? It just makes no sense to be jubilant over the anniversary of the split in Christianity.
Physician heal thyself. Absorbing apostate liberal Lutherans certainly isn't going to accomplish that end, though.
This makes about as much sense as the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics celebrating together the Schism of 1054.
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