Is No One Else Frustrated by the Pope?
When I came across the news the other day that the Pope was still clinging to the ancient position that Protestant churches are somehow less than the Catholic church, it really made my blood boil. This latest document along with the return of Latin mass should cause some concern and pause for people of faith seeking to build bonds across denominational and religious lines. Some folks have responded as Rabbi Lerner this week addressed the anti-Semitism in the Latin mass (http://www.instituteforprogressivechristianity.org/crossleft/?q=node/5137), but most folks have stayed away from the issue.
I haven't been able to figure out why. Perhaps its too much of hot potato or perhaps folks are increasingly taking such proclamations from the Vatican as old hat and to be disregarded.
I'm not so sure. I was baptized Catholic and have great respect for the Catholic Church. Though I don't consider myself a Catholic, I feel quite at home when I go to mass with my girlfriend. I greatly respected this last Pope struck me as someone who was sincerely trying to overcome the centuries of bad history with other faiths. This current Pope unfortunatey wants to reinforce the supremacy of the Catholic faith to the detriment of others.
And I must say that the Vatican and this Pope are wrong. Just like I would say to an Fundamentalist who say the Catholic Church is somehow less than (and many fundamentalists make the case a bit more stridently), I say the Pope in this instance is terribly misguided. Protestant Churches are not less than and the theology supports us. Jesus called all to the table but usually reserved his judgement for the pious, the keepers of the religious law.
Ironically, those inside the Vatican who hold to the church law rather than opening up the table of grace and blessings so freely given by God, are doing what so greatly frustrated Jesus in his own lifetime. By focusing on their own supremacy, folks become even more disenchanted with the church.
Pope John Paul II showed the reconcilliation inherent in the love of God. I hope this Pope chooses not to move away from that position but increases the use of love over the doctrine of law in addressing and working with people of other faiths. Don't squander the goodwill built by Pope John Paul II.
The article is here:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/07/10/pope.churches.reut/index.html...
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Former Catholic not surprised by Benedict's comments
I've been checking out past crossleft posts and ran into this. As a former Catholic who still respects the church, I was not actually that surprised by what Pope Benedict said about Protestants and their status as Christian communities and not churches. Benedict has been saying that for years. But he defines "church" in terms of its link to apostolic succession, and for Benedict, only the Catholic Church and the Orthodox church have apostolic succession. He doesn't deny that Protestants are Christians, only that their churches are defined in his eyes as more Christian communities.
To my ears, it seems more like a semantic issue, but it shows Benedicts tin ear on how his words get perceived by the outside world. I think he's used to thinking as a theologian, and is used to having his words to be recieved in an insular academic environment, so he keeps putting his foot in his mouth in this controversy and in the mess he got himself into with the Muslims earlier this year.
I don't like many of Pope Benedict's positions, but I don't think he's a bad guy. Early in his papacy, he met with Han Kung, dissident theologian and former friend, which I thought was a nice attempt at reconciliation. I read where he was an early supporter of Vatican II, but turned away from the reformist way in the late 1960s when he encountered obnoxious Marxist students who shouted down people they disagreed with and mocked Jesus. Benedict seems to me like this shy academic type who seems more comfortable in the academic world than in the wider world.
Change Is Possible
Jim, as Catholic who is very upset with this Pope, I must disagree with you on one point: change is very possible within the Church. This was proven by Pope John XXIII (truly, the greatest pope within recent memory), Vatican II, and to lesser extent, by Pope Paul VI.
It can be done because it has been done. The trick isput in greater safeguards against the forces of reaction.
John XXIII - "our pope"
As an indication of the power of basic, humane Christianity, I offer the story of my father.
He was raised in part in a Jewish orphanage in Baltimore and learned to resent Roman Catholics bitterly. He and his orphanage friends would be hassled and taunted by Irish or Italian kids, I forget which, on their way to school every day. He felt great contempt for Catholicism in general, on many grounds.
So I was quite taken by surprise by his sorrow over the death of John 23rd. Then I was amazed to hear him say "he was our pope."
There's a lesson there. --- Bill
Good point Frank, but...
Frank,
I agree with you, but it feels like our current Pope is moving backwards. I guess we just wait him out until the next Pope?
s
We Do Anything BUT Wait Him Out
There is a lot of work both Catholics and non-Catholics can and should be doing in the meantime. Both Catholics and their non-Catholic friends and family should be jointly agitating. This pope has backed off before when faced with overwelming criticism (remember the remarks about Islam?); he could be so moved again.
More importanly, mainstream Catholics must go back to their parishes and take charge as much as possible. That means getting involved parish governments and school boards and other Catholic groups. We have got to act as a counterforce to the Opus Dei types. And if we get the urge to walk away, remember: that is exactly what they want.
Yes I am upset by the Pope
Yes I am upset by the Pope and the Catholic church of late but like many others, I suppose I don't want to offend Catholics. Even after my commnet in "Right on Rabbi Lerner", I later said "Oh, Gee, I hope I didn't offend anyone".There are many Catholics out there working for the common good, working in Pax Chirsti, and other groups, and we need them on "Our" side.
I have a problem with the "institutional church" but not the many devout wonderful Catholics still plugging away in Catholicism. I read and admire a particular Jesuit thinker even today and admire many of the saints and thinkers of Catholicism.
To me, the Catholic church has become a massive two ton boulder obstructing the road to progress. I chose to stop trying to push the boulder out of the way and just go around it. Fundamentalist Protestants often pose the same sort of obstruction. I am using the logic that when many of us proceed on that road to progress, then the church will move the two ton bouder itself.
The Catholic Church is not a democracy and working for change within is futile. It is a "top down" organizational structure that self perpetuates.
Good Luck and God Bless to al those still working for change from within.