Posted on 04/12/2014 10:37:31 AM PDT by marshmallow
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Kathleen Schlenz of Peace Dale knew something was wrong when her daughter, Anna, arrived home from school Friday.
The Rev. Francis “Rocky” Hoffman, a priest of Opus Dei, an orthodox division of the Roman Catholic Church, and executive director and radio host of Relevant Radio, a Catholic radio network that broadcasts on 33 stations in 13 states and online, had spoken to a school-wide assembly at The Prout School, where Anna is a junior. The speech was being taped to be broadcast on Relevant Radio at a later date.
“She was most upset about the divisive and offensive language regarding divorce, homosexuality and even adoption,” Kathleen Schlenz said. “None of the parents or faculty knew it was being taped to be aired. They were essentially held hostage and told to clap after this man’s responses to questions, even when they didn’t agree with them.”
Father Hoffman was on retreat and unavailable for comment before the Independent went to press Wednesday.
On April 10, parents received a letter of apology from Principal David Carradini since Friday. In the new letter, Carradini announced he would not resign.
“People in our community are calling for my resignation, seeing in this event the culmination of frustration with my leadership,” Carradini wrote in the April 10 letter. ”I have taken this call very seriously, deliberating with myself for days and seeking counsel from others. I sincerely believe that my resignation as Principal is not in the best interests of The Prout School. I have this discussed this option with diocesan officials and they, too, believe that I should continue in my position as the leader of our School.”
“Many have questioned why I did not stop Fr. Hoffman when I sensed things were going badly,” Carradini wrote. “I have offered three explanations.......
(Excerpt) Read more at independentri.com ...
There is something seriously wrong with the Catholic mindset. I am not sure if it like a mental defect, or an intentional departure from reality. They speak one thing, then claim another. They talk of “faith”, but they mean acting out certain behaviors like saying so many paternosters or hail marys. When confronted, they retreat to a world of their own making, lost in the darkness of religiosity, but without any of the truth explained “clearly” in Scripture. They cannot listen to Paul, but they can listen to a string of popes, many of whom killed to get their positions.
Those of us here who cling to Jesus Christ alone, not some apparition of mary or some bone of peter, or some swinging smoke can, call to all of those who might listen. Come out from the whore of Babylon, come out into the light of Christ, alone. If you are being drawn to Him, if you have been given to Him by the Father, then you will hear His voice and leave that monstrosity of dark theological error and cling to Him. You will be clothed in His righteousness, not a righteousness of your own making. You have no hope, unless He rescues you. And, you will be rescued, if He decides to rescue you. That is the biblical Gospel, not Rome’s sick version. But, otherwise, God has excluded you as He excluded Esau.
“There is something seriously wrong with the Catholic mindset.”
No, there’s just something wrong with the mindset of Protestant anti-Catholic bigots. That bigotry seems to retard the bigot’s ability to reason, to think, to comprehend. Does it also provide the bigot with a justification for making things up that no one actually said, to lie in other words? It sure seems to.
“I am not sure if it like a mental defect, or an intentional departure from reality. They speak one thing, then claim another.”
I don’t. I just make the proper and necessary distinctions and refuse to stand idly by while a Protestant anti-Catholic bigot insists I said something in words I never used, or that I expressed an idea I never expressed.
“They talk of “faith”, but they mean acting out certain behaviors like saying so many paternosters or hail marys.”
I don’t know what you mean, because, not surprisingly you’re not providing context at all. Catholics and Protestants often use the same words differently. A Catholic would expect someone of faith to act on it since that is exactly what scripture tells us. There’s a reason why St. Paul used the phrase “obedience of faith”. Protestants, however, having forced a wedge between faith and works (meaning our cooperation with those works God begins in us and shares with us) cannot see what scripture actually says. This has been somewhat corrected with the inevitable “New Perspective on Paul” but there is a long way to go before Protestants will know the actual gospel rather than their “faith alone” caricature of it.
“When confronted, they retreat to a world of their own making,”
No retreat whatsoever - but the Christian world is undoubtedly not of a Protestant making since it was up to Christ and His Church to make it and Protestants are at least partially estranged from both.
“lost in the darkness of religiosity,”
It is amazing to me how someone who insisted I was judging people of my own faith can write something like that about people of another faith and apparently not see the blatant hypocrisy that statement exhibits. Bigotry. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“but without any of the truth explained “clearly” in Scripture. They cannot listen to Paul, but they can listen to a string of popes, many of whom killed to get their positions.”
Again, the hypocrisy. I had not even seen the above comment until I had already mentioned St. Paul’s use of the phrase “obedience of faith” and yet, here I am, and every other Catholic too, accused of not even being able to listen to St. Paul. Perhaps among any other people in the world the very hubris of such a statement might give a person among that people pause - but not among Protestant anti-Catholic bigots. No, not among them. In their twilight world of bigotry there apparently is little or no circumspection or reflection.
“Those of us here who cling to Jesus Christ alone, not some apparition of mary or some bone of peter, or some swinging smoke can, call to all of those who might listen.”
Notice the bigotry? First, it is denied that we “cling to Jesus Christ alone”. Second we are said to replace Him with Marian apparitions, relics of saints, and incense. Let’s put this to the test. Does a believer who clings to Jesus alone believe in scripture? Then isn’t that Jesus plus the Bible? Does the believe in question pray? Isn’t that Jesus plus prayer? Does the believer go to church, or tithe, or feed the hungry? Plus, plus, plus. Now, in reality we all know that what we should want is every gift Christ can give us. Every single one - for they are all for our benefit and His glory. So, if He allows His mother to appear to men to tell them to honor her Son, pray, love their neighbor, etc. why would I have a problem with that? Relics were used to heal people - through the power of Christ. Even Peter’s shadow healed men - through the power of Christ. Why would I have a problem with that gift from Christ? And incense? Incense was used in Jesus’ day to worship the Father. Now we use it to worship Christ too. Think about it. When is incense most used in the Mass? It is used at the altar before the Eucharist, and at the ambo before the gospel is read. It’s about Jesus. I see no reason to reject that typological reminder in our liturgical worship. It’s a gift from Christ.
“Come out from the whore of Babylon, come out into the light of Christ, alone.”
I did. That’s why I am not a Protestant.
“If you are being drawn to Him, if you have been given to Him by the Father, then you will hear His voice and leave that monstrosity of dark theological error and cling to Him.”
Again, I did, that is why I am not a Protestant.
“You will be clothed in His righteousness, not a righteousness of your own making.”
Oh? And who here claims we have a “righteousness of [our] own making”? That’s yet another example of something being completely made up that no one here ever expressed.
“You have no hope, unless He rescues you.”
He already did. That is why I am not a Protestant.
“And, you will be rescued, if He decides to rescue you.”
He did decide. That is why I am not a Protestant.
“That is the biblical Gospel, not Rome’s sick version.”
The sickness poured out of Geneva and Wittenberg and Zurich and London/Canterbury. Protestants do not know the true gospel. They only have a caricature of it.
“But, otherwise, God has excluded you as He excluded Esau.”
He has not excluded us. That is why we are not Protestants.
I am happy you are not a Protestant...whatever that is. The believers, as the Scriptures call them, don’t need appellations as Roman Catholics do. Believers don’t need the seven sacraments, as Romanists do. Romanists view this pronouncement as “bigotry”, which is a laughable concept. Speaking truth to an error has never been bigotry...just as pronouncing homosexuality as sin is not bigotry. But, notice who is calling who a bigot?
“I am happy you are not a Protestant...whatever that is.”
Look in the mirror.
“The believers, as the Scriptures call them, don’t need appellations as Roman Catholics do.”
I’m not “Roman Catholic”. I’m just Catholic.
“Believers don’t need the seven sacraments, as Romanists do.”
I’m not a “Romanist”, but since God gave us seven sacraments - and all ancient Christians have them (leaves out your sects) - He clearly wanted us to have them.
“Romanists view this pronouncement as “bigotry”, which is a laughable concept.”
Bigots use terms like “Romanists” while claiming not to be bigots.
“Speaking truth to an error has never been bigotry...”
That’s not what you’re doing.
“just as pronouncing homosexuality as sin is not bigotry.”
What you are saying would be true - if that was what you’re doing, but you aren’t.
“But, notice who is calling who a bigot?”
Notice who is using terms like “Romanist”?
Notice who must use ad hominem because their argument doesn’t make sense in itself? God did not give you seven sacraments, that is a fabrication of your organization. and, nowhere does the Scripture support such superstitious nonsense. Nowhere in Scripture does the term “Catholic” appear with or without Rome (and don’t throw “trinity” around, that old saw is worn). Thus, we will continue to point you away from self-made religion and to Jesus, Himself...
“Notice who must use ad hominem because their argument doesn’t make sense in itself?”
“who” is singular. “their” is plural. My argument make perfect sense. The same cannot be said for yours.
“God did not give you seven sacraments, that is a fabrication of your organization.”
So why then do the Coptic Christians say God instituted 7 sacraments? They are not on “[my] organization”.
“and, nowhere does the Scripture support such superstitious nonsense.”
Scripture supports seven sacraments.
“Nowhere in Scripture does the term “Catholic” appear with or without Rome (and don’t throw “trinity” around, that old saw is worn).”
Perhaps worn, but still true. “Trinity” appears nowhere in scripture. Neither does “Bible”.
“Thus, we will continue to point you away from self-made religion and to Jesus, Himself...”
You’ve never done that. All you have done is point me toward the heresy of Protestantism while falsely claiming that is about Jesus.
Well, then my FRiend, I suspect we will have to wait and see who was closer to the Scriptural message from God when this is all over. I understand that you wish to remain permanently planted in the view of Rome; I will stick with the Scriptures.
“I will stick with the Scriptures.”
You stick with Geneva. That’s all you do.
I understand the seven sacraments Rome requires for salvation, but what doctrines in particular do you think emanate from Geneva?
“I understand the seven sacraments Rome requires for salvation...”
Does the Coptic Church have 7 sacraments?
Do the Eastern Orthodox churches have 7 sacraments?
Except that this was a private Catholic school. It is implicit (and generally explicit in the agreements that parents sign upon enrollment) that the kids will be exposed to Catholic teachings.
If parents sent their kids to an Islamic madrassah, and then complain about Hadith instruction, I would similarly say "WTF were you expecting?".
Does Rome still have the Tiber full of garbage?
Just yes or no...
That tells you all you need to know. The author was afraid to specify what he thought "offensive", because revealing what he's offended by says a lot about the author.
“Does Rome still have the Tiber full of garbage?”
Does Geneva still teach a false gospel of “faith alone” as found nowhere in scripture?
Just yes or no...
I am not certain Geneva teaches anything...most of the Swiss folks I know are pagans. But, if you mean, do those holding to the biblically based Gospel of “grace alone through faith” still believe it is found in Scripture, the answer is unequivocally, “Yes”. Eph 2. Rome may wish to read the Book it claims to have delivered (more head-swelling error). But, that would upend the seven sacraments, now wouldn’t it? Nothing is of us, all is of God, but Rome wants control...a control it does not have.
Geneva’s gospel was always false and still is.
That very well may be. I have only a vague idea what Geneva teaches these days. As I said, most of the folks I know from Switzerland are unbelievers by declaration. The state owns all of the gatherings, pays the teachers, requires contributions (like a tax, if I am not mistaken) and probably teaches a sort of warmed-over Catholicism. Something like, do good ‘cause God likes good little boys and girls. Like I said, warmed over Catholicism (go ask around what the typical Catholic thinks gets them to heaven...try to do the 7 sacs & be a good little boy...go ahead, ask).
“Like I said, warmed over Catholicism (go ask around what the typical Catholic thinks gets them to heaven...try to do the 7 sacs & be a good little boy...go ahead, ask).”
When I want to know what the Catholic Church teaches I consult the Church, not whoever it is you think is “the typical Catholic”. I do not ask a Protestant about the true gospel because he doesn’t know what it is.
I completely agree that the typical Protestant (whatever that is, because you probably link Mormons, JWs, SDAs, and Christian Science into that group) does not know the Gospel of grace. Most are actually bad derivatives of spurious doctrines.
But, it is interesting you think that the typical Catholic is not a very good source to explain the results of Catholic teaching. But, really, ask any good little Catholic boy and 90% will tell you that the sense they have is that you need at least a C&E attendance, the 7, and throw in a hail mary, be a good boy and then go to heaven (well, after a little purgatory). I know, I have asked them.
But, ask someone who holds a biblical perspective taught by reformers and you will get a theologically sound response...the real Gospel of grace. I know, I have asked them.
“I completely agree that the typical Protestant (whatever that is,”
I said anything about “the typical Protestant”.
“because you probably link Mormons, JWs, SDAs, and Christian Science into that group)”
Actually, no, I don’t for JWs or Mormons. They are not Christians at all. About SDA and Christian Science, I think they are quasi-Protestants at best.
“does not know the Gospel of grace. Most are actually bad derivatives of spurious doctrines.”
Protestantism is in effect no less a derivative of spurious doctrines.
“But, it is interesting you think that the typical Catholic is not a very good source to explain the results of Catholic teaching.”
Actually, no it isn’t interesting. The vast majority of Catholics here at FR would agree with me as well. But I speak of their knowledge of Catholic teaching, not the “results of Catholic teaching.” You are once again inventing things I’ve never said.
“But, really, ask any good little Catholic boy and 90% will tell you that the sense they have is that you need at least a C&E attendance, the 7, and throw in a hail mary, be a good boy and then go to heaven (well, after a little purgatory). I know, I have asked them.”
I have too and got vastly different responses. Still not the best responses, but commonly not the ones you claim to have received. Perhaps you should hang out with different Catholics.
“But, ask someone who holds a biblical perspective taught by reformers and you will get a theologically sound response...the real Gospel of grace. I know, I have asked them.”
No, I don’t think you have. No Protestant truly knows of the gospel. If he did, he would not be a Protestant. All you can get is the distorted, phony, invented-in-the-16th century “faith alone” Gospel. Often that is tainted by Once-saved-always-saved nonsense as well.
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