Posted on 10/22/2002 8:50:25 AM PDT by Polycarp
Church's Social Work Is Not Political, John Paul II Says
Gospel Message Must Accompany Aid, He Tells Brazilian Bishops
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2002 (Zenit.org).- The social work carried out by the Church, especially among the poor, cannot be reduced to simple material or political work, says John Paul II.
When the Pope met Saturday with a group of bishops visiting from northeast Brazil, he reminded them that a bishop's first mission is to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, without which the work of the Church would be meaningless.
"As vicars and legates of Christ, you are called above all to offer a clear and vigorous proclamation of the Gospel," the Holy Father said.
He urged the Brazilian prelates not to have "reservations about associating the word of Christ to charitable activities by a misunderstood sense of respect for others' convictions."
"It is not an act of charity to leave brothers in darkness about truth," John Paul II stressed. "It is not an act of charity to feed the poor or visit the suffering by taking human resources to them but not communicating to them the Word that saves."
The Holy Father described the serious difficulties endured in northeast Brazil -- lack of employment, housing and health care; educational problems, social differences, and the presence of aggressive sects -- but he urged that pastoral action not be reduced "to the temporal and earthly dimension."
"It is not possible, for example, to think, of the challenges of the Church in Brazil by limiting oneself to some important but circumstantial questions, related to social policy, the concentration of land, the question of the environment, and others," he continued.
"To claim for the Church a participatory model of a political character, where decisions are voted on at the 'base,' limited to the poor and outcasts of society, but abstracted from the presence of all the segments of the People of God, would impair the original redemptive meaning proclaimed by Christ," the Pope warned.
On the contrary, "the fundamental mission of the bishop is evangelization, a task that he must carry out not only individually, but as Church," John Paul II stressed.
This mission is summarized in the triple mandate to "teach, sanctify and govern," he added.
The Holy Father acknowledged that the bishops of northeast Brazil must carry out the task of teaching in a cultural environment characterized by a high level of illiteracy, divorce, child violence, malnutrition, and superficiality promoted by some media.
In this ambience, the duty of the bishop is "to invite members of the particular Churches entrusted to him to accept in all its fullness the teaching of the Church in regard to questions of faith and morals," even if it means going against the current of the prevailing mentality, the Pope said.
In particular, this work must be done with young people -- a majority in Brazil's population -- promoting "the formation of a moral conscience, which must be respected as the 'sanctuary' of man alone with God, whose voice resounds in the intimacy of the heart," he added.
At the same time, John Paul II said, "remind your faithful that conscience is an exacting tribunal, whose judgment must always be conformed with the moral norms revealed by God and proposed with authority by the Church."
In this educational work, there must be a "return to the sacrament of reconciliation, unfortunately quite abandoned today, even in Catholic areas of your country," the Pontiff added.
In regard to "sanctification," the second mission of the bishop, John Paul II urged the prelates to highlight the two fundamental sacraments of Christian life: baptism and the Eucharist.
He said the living of the Eucharist, "source and center of the whole of Christian life," has two critical challenges in Brazil: on the one hand, the lack of priests and their unequal distribution, and on the other, the worrying drop in Sunday Mass attendance.
"It is evident that this situation suggests a provisional solution in order not to leave the community abandoned, with the risk of progressive spiritual impoverishment," the Pope emphasized.
"However, the incomplete sacramental character of these liturgical functions, carried out by persons who are not ordained, should induce the whole parish community to pray with greater fervor so that the Lord will send workers for his harvests," he said.
Lastly, the Pope focused on the bishop's mission to "govern." Above all, he must care for the priests, "especially when there is a delay in the fruits of pastoral work, with the possible temptation to discouragement and sadness."
"Many pastors do not have the feeling of working in an evangelical vineyard, but rather in an arid steppe," the Holy Father said. Yet, "the risen Lord walks with you and makes your efforts fruitful."
1Cr 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Terri, how and when did polytheism come into this discussion? Who said polytheism is fine? Certainly no one I know.
I am done here Mack declared me the winner:>)...I take victories where I can *grin* I just wanted people to think about the inconsistancy..
Oh well.
BigMack
First, it has always been the belief of Catholics that it is possible (although not certain and perhaps not even easy) for those who, through invincible ignorance do not know the fullness of the Catholic faith, and yet live fully in light of the truth that they do have to attain eternal salvation. This is the teaching both of the Bible (see for example Acts 10:34-35 and Rom 2:26-29) and of the Church Fathers (I can provide you with citations if you like) and of the vast majority of Catholic theologians throughout Church history. It is very easy to demonstrate that this was the constant teaching of the Church both before and after Trent.
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that Mother Teresa lived the beatitudes. I wish to God I had the grace to do with my life what she did with hers.
Its been fun, the defeat is complet, but its time to turn out the lights the "party is over"
BigMack
First of all, what was Trent trying to clarify? It addressed the issues pertinant to the division of the Christian world... not the Islamic world.
Mother Teresa did not believe all ways to God were valid, else she would have been a Universalist Unitarian... but she was not. She was a very devout Catholic Christian who lived her faith. Catholicism teaches that we should respect all religions, because they all have a portion of the Catholic truth, and many promote Christian virtues. I mean no offense, but all religions are a "subset," in a way, of Catholicism.
Should we "Love" other religions? In as much as they are on the side of justice, virtue, love, and faith in God, the answer is: Yes, we should "love" other religions. Can God use an imperfect religion as part of the path to Jesus Christ's Church? Yes, He can. By living the Gospel, Mother Teresa was following the marching orders of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
What a whining crybaby you are Siobhan.BigMack
Thank you for the insult, Big Mack. God bless you.
I imagine others left in disgust -- not because of any prowess displayed on your part or any of your friends but because it is really boring to see the same game played out over and over. But your tactic of manipulating the thread as if you were the referee was a new one. Of course all of the self-congratulating was not new.
I expect you treasure your faith in Jesus as Lord in Savior. I also treasure my faith in the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Obviously we both believe the other to be wrong on any number of theological issues, possibly even salvation itself. My prayer and hope is that we both will see the Lord Jesus face to face and be welcomed by Him to take our place among the mutlitude of his saints. I bid you peace.
How is your family?
I am so very, very glad you are back. I think of you often and in fact, we were (the CC) mentioning you and prayers for you and yours a few weeks back. God Bless.
I have learned to let Michael go safely into the arms of Jesus. We found out there had been an undiagnosed infection around his heart. It is rare, but it happens. I have had dreams about Michael and Jesus playing together with St. Mary and St. Anne. Very beautiful dreams that I feel Jesus gave to me to let me see just a glimpse of how wonderful heaven is and how much joy Michael experiences now.
I am overwhelmed by everyone's prayers and kindness. I really am overwhelmed. Well, I guess it is time for me to get off the computer and corral the kids for an early supper tonight. Thanks again for everything.
Moms argument is found almost verbatim at this site:
It is put together by an ex-Catholic or so he claims. One of his references is "A Woman Rides The Beast" by Dave Hunt. That should tell you something.
What a blessing we have in your return.
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