Posted on 03/21/2023 6:13:33 PM PDT by marshmallow
A booklet arguing that “to abolish clericalism, we must abolish the clergy” has ignited controversy among Belgium’s Catholics.
Following the document’s publication, a petition opposing its thesis gathered more than 600 signatures in 48 hours, according to local media.
The almost 60-page text, entitled “Restore the Church to the People of God: To put an end to clericalism,” was written by nine people associated with the Diocese of Liège, drawing criticism from the local bishop.
The authors, who include two priests, wrote: “From our point of view, it is a false idea to think of ordaining women and/or married men. This idea is based on the need to have a clergy at all costs, even if it means changing the rules of access to the sacred. But this idea will in no way bring new life to the communities and to the Church. We are still in blind clericalism.”
“It is necessary to overturn this organization and these centuries-old practices to recover a community dynamic closer to the spirit of Jesus Christ.”
They added: “A well-known canonist in our diocese said that separating governance and priesthood is nonsense... We affirm the opposite: it would be a service to the Church. We even think that, in order to abolish clericalism, we must abolish the clergy.”
The booklet also criticized what it called the “eucharistic-centric” focus of the contemporary Church.
“However, the center of the Christian life is not the Eucharist, but baptism! We dare to affirm this since we are taking this statement from the mouth of Pope Francis,” the authors said, without offering a citation.
(Excerpt) Read more at pillarcatholic.com ...
Europe seems to be on a greased skid to total apostasy. If the brakes aren’t put on by Francis or whoever succeeds him, and it spreads throughout the world, we may be well into the Great Apostasy.
The best of Europe was killed in WWI.
If you want to be Protestant, go join a Protestant church. No disrespect intended to any actual Protestants.
Seriously. These are Protestant sentiments. They’re bleeding members because of their straying from The Way, just as the RCC is. I’m sure some sect or other would be happy to welcome these guys aboard
Don’t see what this has to with Protestants. I know of no Protestants that want to abolish Pastors or don’t consider the Lord’s table as a Holy sacrament.
The Catholic idea of clergy goes beyond the Protestant understanding of the role of pastors. For Catholics, priests are set apart from the laity by the sacrament of holy orders, by which they alone are able to celebrate the Mass and the other sacraments. Along with bishops, who have the fullness of orders, they also teach and govern the Church with divine authority. For most Protestants, pastors do not differ from the laity in character. Rather, they consider their authority as having been derived from the appointment by they laity. The status and authority of priests was one of the major issues of the Reformation
I understand that but the point here wasn’t to ban sacerdotalism it was to ban priests altogether.
This is how the French did it in their revolution:
I'm not recommending it, by the way. I think they should explore several Reform churches, since they are reflecting a similar drive for following Jesus instead of obedience to priests that caused a schism 500 years ago.
Say what?
The words of St Paul...”10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment.
11For it hath been signified unto me, my brethren, of you, by them that are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I indeed am of Paul; and I am of Apollo; and I am of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14I give God thanks, that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Caius;
15Lest any should say that you were baptized in my name.
16And I baptized also the household of Stephanus; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
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