Posted on 06/21/2002 9:43:49 PM PDT by Polycarp
Thanks for sharing.
Logic as nothing to do with it. Holy Tradition, however does, and the honorifics mentioned were and are unknown to the one holy catholic and apostolic church.
First among equals was the only title that was allowed to the bishop of Rome, for a time. When the capital of the Empire moved to Constantinople, that title went to her bishop, I believe.
If he is serious, and not on a power trip, JP2 could show his good intention by repenting publicly of kissing a Koran.
The Byzantine-rite parishes along with the other Eastern-rites are simply awesome. I know there are problems to be reported, but everything I have experienced tells me that they are keeping the Catholic Church alive in some places where the Latin-rite has already died (but no one has buried the corpse yet.)
But,unlike you,I believe that the fullness of Truth is found in the Catholic Church that Christ established on earth and entrusted to Peter and the Apostles,in perpetuity.Most Catholics on Free Republic also believe that. Therefore you should take your thoughts and comments and enlighten catholics who are much more like you in their thinking,in that they too believe they can read the Bible and find "their truth".
They are able to read and translate and interpret the scriptures very much like their political idol,Bill Clinton.Remember how he used to read scriptures and find no prohibitions against abortion or homosexuality?And as I recall,his wife,who was of a different denomination was able to "do" scripture in like manner.
Anyway,I think a lively discussion could ensue as you debated the truth as they find it and the truth as you find it and the truth as your various icons find it and perhaps you can illuminate each others minds with your "takes" on truth.
Most of us Catholics on FR are only interested in figuring out how to help the Church,get the message of Christ to all using Scripture,Tradition and the Pope and his Magisterium.Given the number of catholics who have chosen to echo Lucifer and Adam and Eve in their "non servium" and to determine good and evil as they see it,it is a daunting task and you and other non-Catholics could help us immensely.
For starters you should go too the websites of "America",the Jesuit magazine,"Commonweal",the Amchurch magazine,"St. Anthony's Messenger","National Catholic Reporter",the vehicle of dissenters and prophets,"Call To Action",a group of people who want to change the Church,"We Are Church","Wymyn Church","Dignity" and a plethora of other dissenting views.I think you might really find lively debate over there.
Here you just impede the progress of the many who know that God is sovereign and want everyone to know and understand that.We look at this "scandal",as a gift from a merciful God,Who once again affords man an oppurtunity to know,love and serve Him by shaking our cage mightily.
Thanks for your thoughts.
To understand the true nature of the divide, you must understand that the EP is not the Eastern pope. Orthodoxy is very clear, in that the faithful are to uphold the purity of the faith.
Maybe that is why we seem to be fragmented. We separate from apostate bishops, as the Councils tell us to do.
Some of the separations are from human sinfulness; others are required for fidelity to the Truth, such as the Russian Church Outside of Russia, off the Red revolution.
BS, pure and total. As for reunification, sure, any time, as soon as the Bishop of Rome becomes the Bishop of Rome and not some uber dictator of all Christiandom as was created in the Schism...may I remind you, it is present day Catholicism that split the church. As for the churchs some times working in cross currents, well so do the States of the United States but in the end they work towards the country as a whole...it's called a republican form, as opposed to a dictatorial form like the Catholic church, which by the way is out of communion with its own branches. The American church for the most part blows off Rome, while the Latin ones often work directly for communism...some unity.
The other day I did two long Freeps to you and darn if I hadn't written them on public post. After the second,I just figured I wasn't supposed to send it then,even though I was really upset.
I miss your Dad but do see him with little Michael in tow at the Coronation.
Are you writing something up?Shortly after your Dad died you said you were going to tell us everything about the funeral.God Bless You do so much for us all,thanks.Boy talk about thread spread,or freep creep,or whatever they call it,hope you understand.Sorry.
Are these some of the "bizarre ravings" to which you're referring?
Jesus warned his disciples against the elite class of "professional interpreters" of Scripture and tradition who loved pretentious titles and positions of influence.
[1 Pet.2:9; cf. Heb. 10:19-25; 12:22-24] show that ALL Christians have some ability to INTERPRET SCRIPTURE and some responsibility to seek God's wisdom in applying it to situations. ALL have access directly to God in order to seek to know his will.
The NT allows for no special class of Christians who have greater access to God than others.
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Gods own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
In the Old Testament economy there was a separate class of priests who mediated between man and God.
In the New Testament, however, we know that there is only "ONE mediator" between men and God: For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5).
It is because of His high priesthood that we are all constituted priests of God, with priestly ministries:
Hebrews 10:19-25 Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh .."
You disagree with that?
I have actually been quite taken aback by the animose displayed by so many Orthodox on Free Republic.Nonetheless,I am always impressed by the beauty of many Orthodox Catholics' writings on spiritual matters.
Proceed no further.
Trespassing on the land of those who see only what they want to see is detrimental to your health.
Yes, sometimes the attacks on Catholics from Orthodox on FR are more virulent than any others. They say the most appalling things!True. We need to do better and not allowed ourselves to be angered by the Roman Church's condescension toward us.
I don't mind ecumenical conversations, but the pseudo-imperial talk from some top Catholic heirarchy, IMO, is disturbing and usually condescending. I am disturbed by the attacks here at FR to a degree. But there are other angry conversations. Greek/Turk, anti-all-Islam for example. The worst I've seen lately is a thread about the treatment of dogs I posted!
Thanks for the ping friend.
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