In some cases there is a cross with a risen Jesus superimposed.
I agree with you on the sadness of the lack of an altar. I also think that crucifixes are important. However, the cross with the risen Jesus predates the crucifix. The risen Christ, known as the Christus Rex, was the commonplace cross in churches when the cross finally replaced the icthus. Then, there was a widely disseminated heresy that Christ never actually died. Faithful Christians everywhere began to replace the Christus Rex with the Corpus Christi, as an acknowledgement that Christ actually did die. Then, the empty cross arose in practice as a response to the heresy that Christ was not raised from the dead.
I prefer the crucifix in terms of what it teaches, but all three styles of crosses are valid in worship. It’s a matter of emphasis, of course—and since Paul says “We preach Christ and Him crucified,” I think that the crucifix is especially important. But each variation of the cross is a response to heresy, rather than a watering down of the theology.
Granted, the Christus Rex and empty cross fit in more easily with a Theology of Glory rather than a Theology of the Cross, but considering recent statements by Episcopalian priests (one claimed that Christ’s resurrection was not necessary), I think that the Christus Rex is a needed reminder.
By the way, I love your concern for the catholic (universal) church. We are indeed headed for a “pop” Christianity that has nothing to do with Christ. Thank you for being aware of this and fighting against it.
I understand and believe your comments.
This entire act of shoving the new religion down our throats was inspired by modernists who are truly Satan’s little helpers. There was absolutely nothing about infallibility in this insane act of destruction. Good little Catholics still went to mass although it didn’t seem right to many.
This reminds me of what this evil central socialist Godless government has been doing since 1912. They grew their power in ways that brought a smile to Satan (Screwtape’s)
face. He said to himself “I couldn’t have done a better job myself. These cretins work like a clockwork orange on their own.
With morals down the drain and youngsters being herded into smaller classrooms so that rogue teachers can get their claws into them, convert them to correct thinking, America hasn’t a chance.
Europe is awakening. America is in a drugged state.
But the Catholic Church, which was a bellwether to ALL Christians now can take their example and move off to worship of a golden calf.