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To: Mershon; sionnsar
I don't mean to be unecumenical,

Oh yes, you do. why should anybody care what a bunch of men who are only laymen in reality, think, say or do, no matter how they are dressed?

You characterize our bishops and archbishops as nothing more than laymen masquerading as divinely appointed clergy. How dare you?! You have impugned holy men who can trace their ordination through unbroken succession to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Your arrogance and audacity are an affront to the Gospel!

"True " church? I remember a division of the house in Constantinople a few centuries ago. "True " church indeed! I remember trials and public executions for those who dared speak out against sin in the camp and call for reform and repentance (does "Holy" Inquisition ring a bell?). "True" church indeed! I also remember a certain priest who nailed 99 theses to a cathedral door a few hundred years back. His reward was persecution. "True" church indeed! The bride of Christ (whatever human name she bears) is far from spotless and her dress is torn and wrinkled. She has played the harlot and is thoroughly bloody. Only true repentance and a returning submission to the sovereign lordship of Jesus Christ will cleanse her from her sin. Judgment has begun in the house of God and it is far from over. "True" church indeed!

17 posted on 12/28/2004 11:42:00 AM PST by LibreOuMort ("...But as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry)
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To: LibreOuMort; sionnsar

Pure ecumenism obligates a Catholic to tell the truth. Ecumenism without truth is false irenicism. This is teaching from the Second Vatican Council.

http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13curae.htm

We wish to direct our exhortation and our desires in a special way to those who are ministers of religion in their respective communities. They are men who from their very office take precedence in learning and authority, and who have at heart the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Let them be the first in joyfully submitting to the divine call and obey it, and furnish a glorious example to others. Assuredly, with an exceeding great joy, their Mother, the Church, will welcome them, and will cherish with all her love and care those whom the strength of their generous souls has, amidst many trials and difficulties, led back to her bosom. Nor could words express the recognition which this devoted courage will win for them from the assemblies of the brethren throughout the Catholic world, or what hope or confidence it will merit for them before Christ as their Judge, or what reward it will obtain from Him in the heavenly kingdom! And we, ourselves, in every lawful way, shall continue to promote their reconciliation with the Church in which individuals and masses, as we ardently desire, may find so much for their imitation. In the meantime, by the tender mercy of the Lord our God, we ask and beseech all to strive faithfully to follow in the path of divine grace and truth.


18 posted on 12/28/2004 11:56:55 AM PST by Mershon
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