[Cronos]

Ebb tide, you are posting sensationalized headlines no better than the MSM.

Here are the factual and theological realities of what occurred in Raleigh:

1. This was Inculturation not "Paganism"
Ever since the Apostles Christians have been taking neutral cultural symbols and directing them toward the True God. Using burning sage or incense as a symbol of purification and prayer rising to Heaven is a biblical concept (Psalm 141:2; Rev 8:3-4). To claim burning plant herbs while directing prayers to Our Christian God is as the article says inherently "pagan" would be them claiming the Old Testament Temple worship pagan as well.

2. The event was held in honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, a canonized saint who was native American
. Native American Christians noring a Native American saint using indigenous cultural expressions is not "pagan prayer"; it is a Christian celebration.

Labeling Native American cultural expressions as "shamanism" while accepting European cultural adaptations is an arbitrary double standard, unless you want us all to dress as 1st century Jews.

Reading clickbait articles designed to provoke outrage is not a substitute for understanding theology.

[ebb tide]

So now you’re defending paganism.

You’re going downhill fast.

[SavannahWonderer]

Good to see a real Catholic countering ebb turd and his/their constant slandering.
We appreciate you, keep up the good fight, knowing that there’s quite a few praying for you!

[Jamestown1630]

My first thought was to wonder how different smudging is from incense in church...

[blackpacific]

If smudging involves talking to or inviting spirits as part of the ceremony I would call it dangerous. Can you truly say their actions are “neutral”?

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.

[ebb tide]

Sacred Earth, Sacred Unity: Walking Together with St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

"Sacred Earth, Sacred Unity" - That could very well be the war cry of the synodal pachamama popes who want "unity" of "humanity" over all other things while protecting "Mother Earth".