Posted on 10/07/2002 1:03:41 PM PDT by Polycarp
This is a decent summary from a non-Catholic source:
Current status of Mary:
Although the virgin Mary is rarely mentioned in the Bible, and although Protestant churches consider her to be a relatively minor biblical character, the Roman Catholic Church has long assigned her an elevated status.
The Roman Catholic Church has historically taught two basic dogmas about Mary:
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1. Mary is the Mother of God. |
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2. Perpetual Virginity: Mary was a virgin when Yeshua (Jesus) was conceived; this state continued throughout her life. |
Two additional dogmas about Mary were infallibly proclaimed by two popes during the 19th and 20th centuries:
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3. Immaculate Conception: Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on 1854-DEC-8. Many Roman Catholics believe that this refers to Jesus' conception circa 5 to 7 BCE. In fact, it means that Mary herself was conceived free of sin before her birth circa 20 BCE. |
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4. Assumption of Mary: Pope Pius XII, in his Munificentissimus Deus (1950-NOV-1), defined that Mary, "after the completion of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven." That is, she was "taken up body and soul into heaven," at the time of her death. She is there "exalted as Queen of the Universe." 1 |
In addition, various popes and church councils have referred to Mary as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate:
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In ancient times:
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1750: Alphonsus Mary de Liguori, canonized as Saint Alphonsus in 1839, wrote a book "The Glories of Mary." It continues to be published today, under various church imprimaturs. Various chapters in the book are titled: "Mary our Help," "Mary our Mediatress," "Mary our Advocate," etc. 1 | ||||||
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1935: Pope Pius XI gave the title co-redemptrix to Mary during a radio broadcast. 1 | ||||||
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Circa 1965: The Chapter 8 of the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, passed by the Vatican Council II states, in part:
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1985: Pope John Paul II recognized Mary as co-redemptrix" during a speech in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He said, in part, "Having suffered for the Church, Mary deserved to become the Mother of all the disciples of her Son, the Mother of their unity...In fact Mary’s role as Co-redemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son." 4 | ||||||
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1987-MAR-25: In his encyclical Redemptoris Mater, Pope John Paul II "referred to Mary as 'Mediatrix' three times, and as 'Advocate' twice." 1 | ||||||
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1997-APR-9: During an audience Pope John-Paul II referred to the role of Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus: "Mary … co-operated during the event itself and in the role of mother; thus her co-operation embraces the whole of Christ’s saving work. She alone was associated in this way with the redemptive sacrifice that merited the salvation of all mankind. In union with Christ and in submission to him, she collaborated in obtaining the grace of salvation for all humanity...In God’s plan, Mary is the ‘woman’ (cf. John 2:4; John 19:26), the New Eve, united to the New Adam in restoring humanity to its original dignity. Her cooperation with her Son continues for all time in the universal motherhood which she enjoys in the order of grace. Trusting in this maternal cooperation, let us turn to Mary, imploring her help in all our needs." 1 |
Although Mary has been referred to on numerous occasions as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate, none have the force of an infallible papal declaration.
Professor Mark Miravalle of Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, initiated a formal petition drive in 1993 during a Marian conference at that university. It asks the Pope to make infallible statement that would officially elevate Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the status of co-redeemer. More than six million signatures from 148 countries have reached the Vatican as of the end of the year 2000, asking that Pope John Paul II infallibly declare a new dogma: "That the Virgin Mary is a co-redeemer with Jesus and co-operates fully with her son in the redemption of humanity." If this were done, "she would be a vastly more powerful figure, something close to the fourth member of the Holy Trinity and the primary female face through which Christians experience the divine." 3 Miravalle's petition has received support from Mother Theresa, 550 bishops, Cardinal John O'Connor and 41 other cardinals (including at least 12 cardinals in Rome). If the dogma is declared infallibly, it would pronounce Mary as "Co-Redemptrix [co-redeemer], Mediatrix [mediator] of All Graces, and Advocate for the People of God." It would require all Roman Catholics to believe that:
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Mary is co-redemptrix with Jesus. She participates in people's redemption. |
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Mary is mediatrix and has the power to grant all graces. |
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Mary is the advocate for the people of God and has the authority to influence God's judgments. |
If the dogma is infallibly declared, many feel that, in the words of Father Rene Laurentin, it would be the equivalent of launching "bombs" at Protestants. Father Laurentin is a French monk and the world's leading Mary scholar. He believes that: "Mary is the model of our faith but she is not divine. There is no mediation or co-redemption except in Christ. He alone is God." Raising the status of Mary would further acerbate the split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Ecumenical activity would be negatively affected. There is speculation that a schism might develop over the issue within the Roman Catholic church. There may be a renewed debate over the role of the pope's power in the church. 5,6
You feel you have to GO somewhere to confess your sins???
<> Yes, it was all predestined that Jesus would establish His Catholic Church, send the Holy Spirit upon it to Teach it all truth, and Jesus would send His Apostles out into the whole world to Teach in His name, and Jesus would say who hears you hears me, and the Catholic Church would be the Pillar and Ground of Truth BUT, it would ALL be a LIE.
REALLY what happened is this. For reasons we don't really know, and don't have any rightr to ask, it was predetermined before time began that Jesus would establish a Catholic Church that would teach lies and falsehoods and really wouldn't be the Pillar and Ground of Truth but, in later days, Saints (kinda Later Day Saints, ya might say) like Calvin, would be raised to bring us the REAL truth and as to those poor saps who had swallowed the false Doctrines taught for 16 Centuries, well, they are rotting and burning in Hell (serves the bastards right) for listening to and believing a false, fradulent Church and when Jesus promised to be with His Catholic Church until the end of time, He was REALLY talking about Calvin who was to be born 16 Centuries AFTER Jesus' Death and Resurrection as had been predetermined before time began.
Yes, this is the Faith of Calvin, and the Ambassador, and RnMomm, and drstevej and this is what I am supposed to embrace, or else.
That is good..but do you ever wonder what is there beyond the 5 verses or so? Do you ever read it for understasnding not just personal meditation? Do you own a Bible?
Something like this:
"Muh daddy wuz ah Dem-a-cRAT, muh grandaddy wuz ah Dem-a-cRAT, annn muh hole famly wuz Dem-a-cRATS fur as fuuurrr bak as ah kin remembuuurrr --- an thats guuuuuuud E'nuff fur me!!!"
<> Holy Pickpocket, Batman. They ripped-off the Pope. Was it the Joker?
No, Robin, my good friend. It was the Holy Spirit
Holy duplicity, Batman. You mean the Holy Spirit turned against the Catholic Church Jesus established and ripped-off the Pope?
Right as rain, faithful friend.
Wow, Batman, why?
Predetermination, my friend. Predetermination...Don't ask....
Does the Pope know?
Ha, Ha, Ha...good one, Robin. No, he is clueless and I am not gonna be the one to tell him.
Who does have the Keys, Batman?
Calvin.
Batman, do you mean....
Yes. Yes I do boy wonder. Calvin inclined towards the Keys so the Holy Spirit cut a deal with him.
Holy duplicity, Batman. Predetermination?
Yes, boy wonder. Predetermination.
Gosh, Batman. It all makes sense once you stop and think about it....
Ha, Ha, Ha. It sure does. Say, boy wonder, did you know you are predetermined for Hell? Ha, ha, ha, ha,ha
( Fade to Black)
<> I don't operate on the basis of feelings.
I thought so. LOL
The thoughtless (born and bred useful idiots and suckers) and the cynical opportunists (Marx/Barnum/DemocRATS/False religions, etc.) that take advantage of them comprise the vast majority of the inhabitants of the earth.
God has a "little flock" by comparison.
You could have fooled me!!! LOL
By the way! Were you a "bred" Catholic, too?
Nope Ichabod is written over the door of St Peters
Evading another question, are you?
Here it is again:
Were you "born a Catholic" --- you know --- like the mindless who have a long family history of being "born DemocRATS"?
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