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Showing posts with label Catholic resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic resources. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
New Issue of The Flock
Available here.
More on the 'Gay' Masses in Soho;
Book Reviews,
A Catechetical Summer School in Scotland.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Daphne MacLeod's catechetical DVDs on sale
This is highly recommended. From CFnews: Daphne Mcleod's recent EWTN series on 'Discovering Our Glorious Faith ' is now available on DVD. On four discs Daphne discusses basic truths about: Almighty God - The Blessed Trinity - Sanctifying Grace - Ourselves in God's Image - Our Lady - The Church - the Bible Promise of a Redeemer - Jesus' Life on Earth - The Blessed Sacrament - The Moral Law - The Sacramental System - Our Life of Prayer - the Four Last Things. This series is designed to help parents, teachers and catechists present the truths of the Faith to their charges. It is also being used in parishes as an Adult Education Course and by priests instructing converts. To purchase the set of four discs containing thirteen 30 minute talks, visit the EWTN web-site ( http://www.ewtn.com) click on to 'Religious Catalogue' and then on the 'Quick Shop ' option at the foot of the page and enter order Number HDDOGF The cost is $40 plus p+p. 1543.36
Comment: the chaps at PEEP and CFNews still have a little learn about links. See Daphne MacLeod's DVD series on sale here and follow the instructions, or follow the mad series of steps described below!
Evangelium conference
Event Frm CFNews: Evangelium Conference 7th-9th August 2009, 'Explaining the Catholic Faith in the Modern World'. Speakers include David Quinn, journalist, former editor of The Irish Catholic' and founder of the Iona Institute; Fr Brian Harrison, theologian, writer and associate editor of 'Living Tradition'; Dr Helen Watt, director of the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics, London; oFr Timothy Finigan, blogger and founder of Association of Priests for the Gospel of Life; Fr Nicholas Schofield, historian, author and Westminster diocesan archivist ; Joanna Bogle, broadcaster and writer; Dr Thomas Pink, philosopher, King s College, London; Fiorella Nash, writer and pro-life campaigner; Fr Jerome Bertram, author and historian; Fr Jeremy Davies, author and exorcist for Westminster; Fr Thomas Crean OP, author of 'A Catholic Replies to Professor Dawkins'; Dr James Bogle, barrister, vice-chairman of the Catholic Union; Fr Andreew Pinsent, philosopher and former particle physicist at CERN. For more information or to reserve a place, visit http://www.evangelium.co.uk. Tel 07526 908741. Email : evanngeliumproject@gmail.com, or write to Evangelium, PO Box 28, Tenby SA69 9ZB. Price: Standard Accommodation (full board): just £95. Spaces are limited to 180 guests, so please book now.
Friday, March 13, 2009
"Catholic mom of 10" is back!
She's got a new blog, and we wish her all the best!
Jackie is just in time to report on the appalling 'celebration of Mohamed's birthday' in a Catholic university chapel on her doorstep in Birmingham.
See what happens when you stop blogging, Jackie?
http://catholicmomof10journey.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 06, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Lent 09 issue of The Flock
The Lent issue of The Flock, the newsletter of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, is available on-line. SADLY, Bishop Conry's stance differs very little from that of his brother bishops, with Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue the one notable exception. All the others betray the Catholic Church and its members by 1 their consistent failure to ensure that the Catholic schools they are responsible for, teach the faith according to the 1994 Catechism; 2 uniting our Catholic schools with Anglican schools and arranging joint Anglican/Catholic religious instruction, often given by non-Catholic teachers; 3 permitting explicit classroom lessons on sex even in Catholic primary schools, in spite of the Vatican ruling that such lessons are always unlawful and sex should never be taught to children of primary age: 4 agreeing to install Moslem Prayer Rooms and ritual washing facilities in Catholic schools although these are not required by law and are not found in state schools; 5 insisting that Catholic schools must accept children who have been baptised without considering Sunday Mass attendance or reception of the Sacraments. This goes further than Government requirements and it means that good schools like Cardinal Vaughan Senior School may have to refuse faithful Catholics while admitting those who do not practice; 6 producing a leaflet urging parish priests to welcome homosexuals in Homilies and Bidding Prayers expressing “appreciation of the gifts homosexuals bring to their faith community” without mentioning that all single Catholics are called to celibacy. This has caused particular distress to Catholic homosexuals striving to live chaste lives; 7 knowingly allowing openly practising homosexuals to hold Conferences and to celebrate Masses where Holy Communion is given, in their dioceses. Perhaps the most glaring example is Warwick Street Church in Westminster Archdiocese where every other Sunday Masses for openly practising homosexuals are permitted at 5 p.m. followed by a Social. These have continued for two years now and we still pray the Rosary outside in reparation for the sacrileges committed. 8 ignoring instructions from Rome on the Liturgy and other points saying “This doesn't apply to England”! Even contradicting the Holy Father, as H.E. Cardinal Cormac did recently when he insisted that the Pope's clear insistence that the Church teaches homosexuals are unsuitable for ordination was “very much misrepresented.” His Eminence claims that the Pope was merely discussing “human ecology”! See The Catholic Times for 11th Jan. 2009. 9 allowing General Absolution condemned by Rome as a serious abuse of the Sacrament of Penance, to continue unabated and openly advertised on web-sites and in parish newsletters in many dioceses. 10 permittimg marriage preparation programmes which fail to mention Church teaching on marriage and sometimes Our Lord Himself – for an example visit: http://www.torchofthefaith.com There is much more, but these examples show how low we have sunk, partl y However, any diocesan bishop is free to exercise his rightful authority any time he chooses. Bishop O'Donoghue has shown the way in his Diocese. The Vatican, in the person of Archbishop Luis Ladaria, Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, endorsed Bishop O'Donoghue's Fit for Mission Documents. His Grace also expressed the hope that “Catholics throughout Britain will find hope and encouragement in these Documents” . If you have not yet seen the Documents, we still have copies of the Summary which you can order from us for a small donation. You can also view them here: Bishop O'Donoghue's two Mission Documents. See also the other recommended publications in the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice shop at: http://www.proecclesia.com/page_pro%20ecclesia%20shop.htm
Contents:
CAN CATHOLICS DISSENT FROM CHURCH TEACHING?
AN OPEN LETTER TO BISHOP CONRY OF ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON
BISHOP CONRY IS NOT ALONE IN HIS DISSENT
‘LOONEY LEFT' VERSUS ‘CONSERVATIVE RIGHT'!
“. . . and the trumpets sounded for them on the other side!”
DEAR FRIENDS
OBEDIENCE TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER
GOOD RESOURCES WE CAN USE
A PRAYER TO OUR LADY
WRITING TO ROME.
Highlights: Daphne MacLeod's article on 'Loony left vs. conservative right' is excellent, and contains a number of amusing anecdotes, such as this one:
Another time, at a talk in Portsmouth for catechists, I inadvertently upset a priest by saying I found Mass and Holy Communion helpful when the Speaker, a crazy Australian, wanted suggestions like hugging a tree which he finds spiritually uplifting. Father told me in no uncertain terms to go and he would refund my fee. I didn't go so he smouldered all day and as I finally set off home I could still hear him shouting “whitened sepulchre” down the street after me.we paste in below the article 'Bishop Conry is not alone in his dissent'.
due to a misunderstanding of collegiality which leads to majority rule instea d
of each bishop individually taking responsibility for the Faith in his diocese.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Vatican You-Tube channel
Briefing. The film quality is superb but bizarrely they have disabled the 'embeding' facility.
From CFnews: On Friday morning Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of Vatican Radio, of the Vatican Television Centre (CTV) and of the Holy See Press Office, announced the creation of a new Vatican channel on YouTube, http://uk.youtube.com/vatican through which various forms of video news will be available concerning the activities of the Pope and events in the Vatican. The site will be updated with one or two news pieces each day, none longer than two minutes, he said. For the moment, the languages available are English, Spanish, German and Italian.
The web page of the new channel, he explained, contains various links via which the visitor can find more information and documentation on the Pope, the Vatican and the Catholic Church. The main links connect to the multi-lingual web pages of CTV and Vatican Radio, to the Vatican and to the new site of Vatican City State. 'Of particular importance', said Fr. Lombardi, 'is the link to H2O News which transmits other video news items on the life of the Church in the world'.
He went on: 'Further links under the main video give access to other Vatican news sources: in each linguistic sub-channel is a link to the web page of Vatican Radio in that language, to the web page of the Holy See Press Office Bulletin (with complete texts in original language), and to that language's edition of the 'Osservatore Romano' newspaper'.
In the light of the possibility offered by YouTube to exchange information, establish relationships, etc., 'we will consider how best to administer this 'global' flow of comments and replies', said the Holy See Press Office Director. 'The Pope', he concluded, 'was personally informed of our project, and gave his approval with his usual courtesy and graciousness. For us this is a great encouragement'.
[Vatican Information Service]
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Flock, Autumn 08 now available
Read it here.
Headlines:
IS THE TIDE ABOUT TO TURN
WHY THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH?
AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT
GOOD THINGS WE CAN BENEFIT FROM
UPDATE ON THE SOHO MASSES
DEAR FRIENDS
CHRISTUS REX
A BISHOP SPEAKS
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
St. Thérèse of Lisieux will visit England from 16/9/09
Briefing. There's a page on the visit on the website of the E&W Bishops' Conference.
From CFNews: The Catholic Community of England and Wales has begun to make preparations for the arrival of the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux next year. Venues are being announced today and it is anticipated that thousands of pilgrims will flock to the twenty two different locations across England and Wales to venerate 'The Little Flower's Relics'.
At the request of His Eminence, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, St. Thérèse's relics will visit both countries from 16th September 2009 until 16th October 2009. Portsmouth Cathedral will be the first to host the casket containing the earthly remains of the saint, and subsequent venues, amongst others are Aylesford Priory in Kent, , the National Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham, York Minster, concluding at Westminster Cathedral in London. Some Carmelite convents will also briefly welcome the relics as the casket makes its way to the larger venues which can more easily accommodate the anticipated crowds.
Mgr Keith Barltrop, the National Coordinator of the visit said: 'We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for this initiative and since the initial announcement in February, we have had to extend the dates to try to accommodate the sheer number of people and parishes who want to support it. We've worked hard to ensure that the visit includes a good geographical spread so that as many people as possible can participate.'
St. Thérèse is 'Patroness of the Missions' of the Catholic Church and a 'Doctor of the Church'. Born in Alençon, Normandy in 1873, she entered the Carmelite convent of Lisieux at an early age. Known to many as 'The Little Flower', partly because she famously said before her death that she would '…spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses,' she was declared a saint in 1925 and is most famed for the spirituality that she lived by, which is called the 'Little Way'. Over the last 15 years her relics have visited 40 countries in all five continents, and millions of people have prayed beside them and experienced many graces of healing, conversion and vocation.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon (Nottingham) is a bishop patron of the visit, together with Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds; Bishop McMahon said: 'As 'Patroness of the Missions' St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us that it is up to all of us to go and teach the Gospel as Our Lord commanded us to. Her life and writings emphasise that whatever our state in life, even if we're unable to make big gestures, we can be bearers of God's love and mercy if we surrender all that we are to Jesus Christ. I encourage the baptised to use this evangelistic opportunity to proclaim in their daily lives the reality of God's love and mercy. If you are not a Catholic, come and see. A warm welcome awaits you.'
Every parish in England and Wales has been sent an introductory letter about the visit to invite and encourage them to support the initiative. It's hoped that local groups will organise transport to the venues so as to enable Catholics, those of other Christian denominations and faiths, and those of no faith, to share in this unique experience, which has as its focus Christ-centred prayer.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
'Fit for Mission? - Church: CTS edition available
H-T to Fr Tim Finnigan, who writes: The CTS are publishing Bishop O'Donoghue's Fit for Mission? Church, which I wrote about at the end of August and (again the other day) with reference to Archbishop Piacenza's praise for the document.
The CTS edition will be an expanded version, drawing on Pope Benedict XVI's addresses and homilies in 2008 at World Youth Day and during his apostolic journey to France; as well as the writings of John Henry Newman, and others.
104 pages, £8.95, available from 10 October 2008. Advance orders can be placed now at the CTS website.
Friday, September 26, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 16
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
From section 10.9.3, pp8of
So can a Catholic in good conscience vote and campaign for a political candidate who supports and promotes abortion and/ or euthanasia or promotes a cut in international aid? My personal answer to this question is: I can’t and I won’t. But I do know some serious Catholics — people whom I admire on a whole range of issues — who will vote and campaign for MPs who hold all kinds of positions that are against the teachings of the Church. I know that they do sincerely struggle with their party’s position on, say, abortion or stem-cell research, and it causes them real pain. More importantly: They don’t keep quiet about it! They re-double their efforts to bring about reform of their party’s position.
In my opinion, it is only in these very strict circumstances that it is permissible to support and vote for a Member of Parliament who holds positions against the teaching of the Church. It is never permissible to casually vote for a candidate without knowing their stance on these issues, or to vote for them and leave it at that.
• I earnestly call on all Catholics in my diocese to support politicians who are opposed to abortion, euthanasia, research on embryonic human beings, or promote an increase in international aid, the support of migrants or campaign for the UN Millennium Goals.
• If all the candidates are anti-life then consider voting for the candidate who is most in sympathy with Catholic social teaching, for example on the question of international aid. However, never tire of campaigning to change the candidates mind on these life issues.
• Above all follow your conscience, informed by the teaching of the Church. It may be that you cannot vote for any candidate.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 15
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
In this passage Bishop O'Donaghue talks about his experience bring grilled by a House of Commons committee, which we reported on here.
From section 10.9.2, p79f:
Reflecting on the encounter, I was disappointed at the basic lack of knowledge exhibited by some members of the committee about Catholic education, and the Catholic Church in general. There appeared to be an a priori suspicion and scepticism about the motives and practices of faith schools in general, and Catholic schools and the Church in particular. Any hint of evangelisation or catechesis, even within our Catholic schools, is increasingly viewed as intolerable indoctrination and proselytism.
I came away concerned that a breach seems to be growing between the State and the Church, and the position of faith in general, which will harm the ability of both to help the citizens of our county to ‘fulfil their personal and social vocation.’ As Gaudium et Spes puts it, ‘the more they co-operate reasonably...the more effectively they will perform this service to everybody’s advantage.’ (GS 76).
Of one thing I am certain, this breach will not be mended though compromising the faith and morals of Catholic doctrine. What is needed is evangelisation of state power through ‘its confrontation with the abiding objectivity of the natural moral law, itself an expression of the divine Wisdom, and the measure of all positive law on earth.’ (Aidan Nichols, The Realm, p.147).
Monday, September 22, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 14
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
From section 10.8.3, p76f:
Pope Benedict XVI makes it clear that the Church’s action for justice and love is quite distinctive. Our work for charity and social justice is done in the name and power of Jesus Christ. This is not the same as saying this work is done in the spirit of Gandhi or Martin Luther King, no matter how praiseworthy. When Christians work in the spirit of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we do it ‘in Christ’, so that He is present and active in ways beyond our comprehension.
Practical activity will always be insufficient, unless it visibly expresses a love for man, a love nourished by an encounter with Christ. My deep personal sharing in the needs and sufferings of others becomes a sharing of my very self with them: if my gift is not to prove a source of humiliation, I must give to others not only something that is my own, but my very self; I must be personally present in my gift. (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 34).
Thursday, September 18, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 12
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
From section 10.6.2, p69:
These statistics reveal the shocking depth and extent of the suffering and impoverishment of so many families and children due to the separation of the unitive and procreative nature of sexual love, and the wide-spread practice of pre-marital sexual behaviour. I am convinced that there must be profoundly damaging consequences for the family in a country were contraception and abortion are so wide-spread. No wonder so many children are suffering depression and mental illness in a country that is such a hostile environment for human life. No wonder divorce is so prevalent when family life is so often characterised by a lack of generosity or self-giving love.
From 10.7.3, p71:
What do we mean when we use the phrase ‘Culture of Death’? There is the legalised, state-sponsored culture of death, facilitated by some medical professionals, scientists, politicians and journalists. And there is the illegal, criminally facilitated culture of death that, for example, pushes drugs, trafficking in women and children for the sex industry, and facilitates degrading activities. Both the legal and illegal cultures of death reinforce and sustain each other through spreading the general darkening of conscience in society.
From 10.7.3, p72
As Bishop of Lancaster I have recently spoken out against a crime against life that the UK Government is enacting in the most degrading way – experimentation on embryonic human beings and the creation of human-animal hybrid. As I said in my Easter Vigil homily (2008):
‘The Prime Minister has made it clear that he wants Britain to be the world’s number one centre for genetic and stem cell research. He sees it as building up the hi-tech sector of British industry and contributing to economic growth. It is good to develop British industry and foster economic growth, but not through exploiting and destroying embryonic human persons’.
‘A society that seeks medical cures and economic development at the cost of human rights, human dignity and human life is ‘monstrous’. It is not the defenceless, human-animal embryo, that is ‘monstrous’; it is we ourselves who have become ‘monsters’ for allowing the exploitation of the unborn for our economic and medical gain’.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 11
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
This extract is of special importance for an understanding of the situation in the Church today: Bishops' Conferences are usurping the teaching role of bishops and making it harder for orthodox ones to speak out.
From section 9.9, p61
We must keep it clearly in mind that the Bishop is not the manager of his local branch of the Catholic Church, who reports to the board of the national Episcopal Conference. Rather the Bishop is ‘a visible source and foundation of the unity of the particular Church entrusted to his pastoral ministry’ (LG 23).
The presence of confident, courageous and prophetic bishops is vital for the well-being of the Church during this time of increasingly aggressive secularism. We need to remind ourselves of the authority and dignity of bishops:
Bishops preside in the place of God over the flock whose shepherds they are, as teachers of doctrine, priests of sacred worship and ministers of government.
By divine institution, Bishops have succeeded to the Apostles as Shepherds of the Church.
Bishops govern the particular churches entrusted to them as the vicars and ambassadors of Christ, by their counsel, exhortations and example, but also by their authority and sacred power. (Pope John Paul, Apostolos Suos, 19).
Sunday, September 14, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 10
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
This extract is of special importance for an understanding of the situation in the Church today: Bishops' Conferences are usurping the teaching role of bishops and making it harder for orthodox ones to speak out.
From section 9.8, p60-61
The Extraordinary Synod (1985) went on to highlight an area of concern about the conferences, that they must keep in mind the ‘inalienable responsibility of each bishop in relation to the universal Church and the particular Church’. Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter Apostolos Suos further sought to highlight the necessity of limiting the authority of national Episcopal conferences, along with conference committees, commissions, advisors and experts in favour of the authority of the individual bishop in his diocese and through the bishop’s direct and personal co-operation in a national conference.
I must admit that during my 15 years as a bishop I have increasingly come to share certain concerns about the relationship between individual bishops and the National Conference:
Due to the division of areas of responsibility among the bishops, such as education, liturgy, healthcare, migrants etc, there can often be reluctance among the rest of the bishops to speak out on these issues, as if somehow they had handed over their competence in these areas to the responsible bishop and his particular committee. For example, there seemed some surprise in some circles that I had issued my teaching document, Fit for Mission? Schools.
Friday, September 12, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 9
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
From section 8.8.4, p53
I would like to encourage a greater devotion to the martyrs of our diocese, because I am very much aware of the truth of that ancient saying, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church’. There is something deeply life-giving about the martyrs’ witness to the truth
that will benefit our witness to the truth.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 8
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
From section 8.6, p47
As your bishop I am concerned that those in positions of responsibility pass on a full and complete exposition of Catholic doctrine. It is my duty to ensure that none of you are deprived of the right ‘to receive the message of the Church in its purity and integrity and not to be disturbed by a particular dangerous opinion’. (CDF, Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian; 37). Dei Verbum sets up a series of checks and balances that should be used by theologians in studying scripture and by the faithful to judge the authenticity of sensational claims and media-hyped speculations.
Firstly, the Bible is the Book of the Church. In order for the meaning of the sacred texts to be correctly brought to light, ‘the living tradition of the whole Church must be taken into account along with the harmony which exists between elements of the faith’. (DV 12).
Secondly, the Bible has been entrusted to the Church. The Church has final judgement over the interpretation of Scripture, ‘which carries out the divine commission and ministry of guarding and interpreting the word of God’. (DV 12). As Pope John Paul II puts it, a Catholic does not take an individualistic approach to Scripture, based on the assumption that they can be better understood outside the community of believers. The opposite is true, Scripture has been entrusted to the Church, ‘in order to nourish faith and guide the life of charity.’ (His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Address on The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, 10).
Thirdly, the Bible cannot interpret itself. The deeper understanding of sacred Scripture is not to be undertaken solely through the historical critical method, but also through attention to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture (DV 12), and through the study of the Fathers of the Church and sacred liturgies (DV 23).
Monday, September 08, 2008
FFM Parishes: O'Donaghue on being Catholic, 7
Another of our extracts from 'Fit for Mission? - Parishes' by Bishop O'Donaghue of Lancaster. Click on the 'label' FFM Parishes to see others. See the 'Fit for Mission?' website and download the full document. The previous title in the series, 'Fit for Mission? - Schools' is downloadable here (pdf). This generated a Facebook support group.
From section 8.5, p47
Let me be clear, disagreement and debate between people of good-will about reformable ideas and practises are to be encouraged in the Church. However, when such disagreement and debate becomes public dissent through organised opposition, lobbying and campaigns, there is a danger to the unity and well being of the Church.
I’ve also observed that Catholics who privately dissent from certain doctrines and disciplines of the Church are often prey to growing anger and disillusionment with the Church in general. What starts out as a doubt or scepticism due to some piece of historical-critical research, taken in isolation, becomes a type of creeping doubt about the certainty of doctrine. Doubting the historical authenticity of a saying or deed of Christ in the Gospel, they can eventually come to doubt the truth of the Church. Such doubts can lead to discontent with the Church, often focused against the person of the reigning Pope and the local bishop. It is common for bishops to receive letters and emails angrily demanding the Church change a doctrine of faith or morals, such as the Church’s opposition to contraception or homosexual life-styles, or the discipline of priestly celibacy, as if we are politicians who can be pressured to change
a political policy!
Let me be clear here, Church teaching is not the opinion of the Pope and bishops that can be changed by lobbying or through the succession of a new Pope or Bishop, but the teaching of Jesus Christ, Son of God, safe-guarded and preserved by the teaching office of the Church.
My heart goes out to all those who have become trapped in this unhappy state of doubt and discontent, to which we can all become vulnerable at one time or another. I pray for their enlightenment by the Spirit of truth and love.
I, like many others, am aware of the enormous socio-cultural pressures, exerted through the media, culture and politics, that propagate secularism and relativism which fuel dissent and indifferentism within the Church. As the people of God we must develop strategies and counter-measures to protect ourselves from forces that are destructive of faith.
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