Megachurch pastor stuns congregation by announcing he’s converting to Catholicism

The Deacon's Bench ^ | March 10, 2014 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

Details:

During his Sunday morning service, Ulf Ekman announced the he and his wife, Birgitta, are converting to Roman Catholicism.

Ekman is the founder of Word of Life, a megachurch in Uppsala, Sweden. News reports and blogs coming out of the nation reveal congregation was “partially stunned” after hearing what was packaged as a “special announcement.” The theme was “follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”

“For Birgitta and me, this has been a slow process where we have gone from discovering new things, to appreciating what we have discovered, to approach and even learn from our fellow Christians,” Ekman says on his ministry website.

“We have seen a great love for Jesus and a sound theology, founded on the Bible and classic dogma. We have experienced the richness of sacramental life. We have seen the logic in having a solid structure for priesthood, that keeps the faith of the church and passes it on from one generation to the next. We have met an ethical and moral strength and consistency that dare to face up to the general opinion, and a kindness towards the poor and the weak. And, last but not least, we have come in contact with representatives for millions of charismatic Catholics and we have seen their living faith.”

According to the Alethia blog and think tank, Ekman’s conversion is a news story that affects a relatively large part of Swedish Christianity. Word of Life has about 3,000 members and a staff of 12 pastors. The church’s school has about 1,000 students. Ekman also launched Scandinavia’s largest Bible school, constructed Scandinavia’s largest free church building, and rolled out a media program with TV on all continents, recorded teaching that has been spread around the world, books in 60 languages, and a strong engagement for Israel.

“We have as many know, followed Ekman’s steps towards Roman Catholicism since 2007, at times under a lot of ridicule from both members and leadership of the congregation, but also from others within the Christian Community in Sweden,” writes Andreas Glandberger, who operates the think tank. “Based on Ulf Ekman’s various articles, sermons, statements, and even type of organizations he decided to support financially, a painstaking puzzle has been laid in which the last piece of the puzzle now is in place.”

Glandberger went on to say that “shock, anger, sadness, despair and confusion” among the reactions to the news. Others, he writes, were relieved that Ekman’s long love affair with the Catholic Church finally was consummated openly, which is also a help in theological discussions.

Continue reading.

[Gamecock]

Same with government school teachers.

The Roman Catholic Church.
Our Men Of God Are No Worse Than
Government Employees!

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

The report of the John Jay Commission was that the sexual abuse rate among priests was 1-2%, ministers 2-3%, and teachers 10%.

I don’t rely on the NYT for information regarding such things.

[Gamecock]

Just quoting on of your team.

[verga]

While I shouldn’t, I have to admit how much I’m enjoying the protestant “christians” in this thread weeping and gnashing of teeth. I know I shouldn’t enjoy it, but I just can’t help myself.

They mock what they fear.

[tired&retired]

He is becoming a “charismatic Catholic.”

Dime to a dollar that his conversion is temporary.

[AppyPappy]

A megachurch....in Sweden

[verga]

In the USA, we have a rather significant Catholic population who are still faithful Christians, and ditto for the Evangelicals. Among many of the other Protestant groups, it is rather hit and miss as to how much their faith really influences their lifestyles Christian faith is in a state of flux, and those who are true believers will eventually be winnowed from the chaff.

It depends on the part of the country. Here in the south Catholics make up a very small percentage. We have a very dedicated active parish.

[tired&retired]

If he sells all his belongings, gives the proceeds to the poor and then follows Jesus, it will greatly improve his credibility.

[tired&retired]

There goes the neighborhood!!!

If you can’t beat them, join them.... satan!

[verga]

I know; I lived it; I had to educate myself about my faith by *reading actual books on my own* as an adult.

Same here. That is why I can say with absolute assurance that there are two reasons Catholics become protestants: 1) un-confessed sin

2) Poor catechesis.

Anything else is just rationalization.

[tired&retired]

The Pope threw Matthew Fox out of the Catholic Church...

Here is an example on how satan joins the church and manipulates people. In my travels studying mind control techniques and religious manipulation I visited this guy several times...... the video shows and explains his rave mass services.

He has no idea what he is doing... It’s not religion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXNv5k9uFI

[Zuriel]

**i haven’t had tv since 1999 so i don’t know a lot of what’s out there**

I don’t have one either, but from what I’ve seen in ads online, start watching, and you’ll know even less (it’s been very effective at dumbing down the sheeple).

[Chode]

100%

[tired&retired]

Here is another example of stage hypnosis in a church... The Toronto Blessing Movement....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCeVZ6e2T0E

[Kackikat]

The Catholic and the Protestant faiths all profess Jesus as the son of God....all baptize. I see no conflict for anyone from these faiths going to heaven, except in those who like Man’s Doctrines more than Gods and deny Jesus is the Son of God.

As an analogy; This reminds me of politics, and the divisive ness that keeps us all from being Americans.

Christians are both Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal and so on. The Jews are God’s chosen family, Jesus was a Jew, and so are Christians through adoption into God’s Kingdom.

Seriously, this sibling rivalry is why we have problems today with terrorists. Jesus said “When all nations draw up against Israel”....that’s a key Biblical statement,that tells us the time and season when Jesus returns to fight Armageddon.

Ishmael was Abraham’s son by Handmaiden Hagar, Isaac was Abraham’s Son by Sarah...Isaac was the child of promise.
Ishamael is considered Mohammed’s ancestor, and Isaac is the Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Ishmael got put out to the desert with his mother, and he was jealous of Isaac...hence we have centuries of warfare in the form of fighting over ‘Jerusalem’ for both religions. The PA are just another group of antagonists for land promised by God to Abraham for his descendants, FOREVER. At the right time God will show up to protect his own.

Jealous Rivalry with Bloodshed and Destruction...This religious war is more about Ishmael and Isaac than us.

America represents all the Christian Missionaries who have gone throughout the world to spread Christianity. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and represents the prosperity of freedom. That is offensive to those who live in constant turmoil and bondage.

Islam vs Jews to the death for Jerusalem/Israel.

[metmom]

Well let’s not derail the good news of this thread but if you re-read this topic you’ll see a few cheap shots that are unrelated to the topic at hand.

But weeping and gnashing of teeth, it ain't.

[metmom]

And no one has instituted more strict, or effective, counter-measures that the Catholic Church in the U.S.

You need to get out more.

[metmom]

Derren Brown - Miracles For Sale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYjgeayfYPI

It’s an hour and 13 minutes but well worth watching.

It explains how mass hypnosis can be used and they create a *faith healer* using it. It’s a documentary.

[caww]

....”mass hypnosis”....

I have seen many incidents as this which most of the Pastors are well trained in just how to do this. What is striking is how easily the people literally fall for it.

...But then consider how they ‘set the stage’, getting people into the mood..singing..chanting/praying repetitiously etc. and the peoples willingness to believe anything that happens...and most looking for just that...it's not surprising.

When we open our minds and hearts to “anything and everything” you can be certain the enemy of God is nearby ready to act. As we know...during these end days we are told to expect many 'false' miracles and happenings....people today are ripe for it because they do not know the truth.

[fabian]

big deal..most of them are false preachers anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2QylEHLjhM&list=UUAGOFw0dKYygUvrbpB3xnjg