Controversial S. African bishop speaks out in Hub

BostonHerald.com ^ | March 31, 2004 | Eric Convey

[Land of the Irish]

A soft-spoken South African Catholic bishop who made headlines worldwide by endorsing the use of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS in his homeland said the church would benefit from moving away from its hierarchical ways.

The Catholic church, said Bishop Kevin Dowling, should be ``about building the compassionate, caring, people-centered church.''

That means developing rules based on what the faithful believe they need rather than imposing rules from above, he said. ``We've got to continue the process of building a more people-centered and community-centered theology.''

Dowling, in a Herald interview before an appearance that was part Boston College's Church in the 21st Century Project, endorses condom use despite official Catholic teaching against it.

Catholics, he said, should ``keep on creating and re-creating a church which gives people the experience of this love-filled, compassion-filled God who is present in the human condition in order that it be transformed.''

``That is what I believe the church in Boston needs to do for its own people as we have to do in Rustenberg in South Africa.''

[Land of the Irish]

Ping

[old and tired]

Boston College's Church in the 21st Century Project, endorses condom use despite official Catholic teaching against it.

Figures.

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[ultima ratio]

That means developing rules based on what the faithful believe they need rather than imposing rules from above, he said. ``We've got to continue the process of building a more people-centered and community-centered theology.''

Sort of like Socialism. Who elevated this bozo anyway? I thought the Church was about the salvation of souls, not community outreach programs.

Anybody who thinks such men have something to teach the rest of us about being Catholic is smoking something. He is about as Catholic as Osama Bin Laden.

[Jim Noble]

That means developing rules based on what the faithful believe they need

And if they're wrong?

[NeoCaveman]

The Catholic church, said Bishop Kevin Dowling, should be ``about building the compassionate, caring, people-centered church.''

Wrong Bishop it is a God-centered church not a people-centered one.

[narses]

The Catholic church, said Bishop Kevin Dowling, should be ``about building the compassionate, caring, people-centered church.''

He is in Union with Rome.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

people-centered church.''

with expected results.

[Robert Drobot]

Anybody who thinks such men have something to teach the rest of us about being Catholic is smoking something. He is about as Catholic as Osama Bin Laden.

Worst! OBL is truthful. A deadly enemy of Roman Catholicism, but truthful. Dowling is a wolve disguised as a lamb. He is one of the dangerous 'enemies within' who takes great delight in spitting of Sacred Teachings.

Further, I have contempt for any institution, like 'catholic' Boston College that give a deceitful pretender a podium from which he can spew his hatefulheretical crap.

Freemasons never had it so good.

[Robert Drobot]

hateful heretical crap

[GirlShortstop]

That means developing rules based on what the faithful believe they need

The line above is a "dash of flavor" added by The Bostan Herald.

Typical liberal perspective, and apparently a garbage paper as well.

[american colleen]

That means developing rules based on what the faithful believe they need he said.

"he said." is at the end of that sentence, so it seems as if the good bishop did indeed say it.

I'm not surprised Boston College invited Bishop Kevin Dowling to speak. I would have been shocked had they invited say, Bishop Burke or Cardinal George.

Bishop Fulton Sheen must have had colleges like Boston College in mind when he said he advised his family to send their kids to secular colleges where they'd have to fight for their faith - he said it was better than sending them to a Catholic college where they'd have it stolen from them.

[GirlShortstop]

"he said." is at the end of that sentence, so it seems as if the good bishop did indeed say it.

My basis for "flavor" was that B.H. omitted quotes; very well may have added to, or restated what could, or should have been in quotes.  You contend that's incorrect; I appreciate your perspective.

I haven't "seen you around"... I hope things are going well.  FReegards!

[BobCNY]

Well I guess the "good" bishop would be an advocate of the "church of me" where no one is judged and everyone can define their rules and vision of the church independently (unless of course you ask for the use of latin during the service since it would no longer be a Mass).

But the Holy Spirit is watching over the Church and we have to have Faith and Hope in God's plan for us, while at the same time exercising Charity, Fortitude and Prudence as lay Catholics.

[siunevada]

That means developing rules based on what the faithful believe they need rather than imposing rules from above, he said. ``We've got to continue the process of building a more people-centered and community-centered theology.''

Yikes!

Sorry, Jesus. We put it to a vote and the narrow path is just too much.