Posted on 04/26/2005 4:18:26 AM PDT by StAthanasiustheGreat
My Letter
The disappointment of Cafeteria Catholics and the Liberal Media Establishment to the election of Pope Benedict XVI is sadly, not surprising. They seemed shocked that the Holy Spirit would choose a Catholic to lead the Catholic Church. But then, they are prisoners of the “dictatorship of Relativism” where there is no absolute truth, no absolute right and wrong.
Catholic Doctrine is unchangeable. Moral Truth does not change because of the desires of our age or because it is inconvenient. It stands throughout the winds of time as a beacon of Truth. Abortion will always be intrinsically evil. Women can never be priests. Contraception will always represent an attack upon the family, sexuality, and the human person. Homosexuality will always run counter to natural law. The doctrines of the Church cannot change. The manner in which the truth is taught and conveyed can change, but the fundamental doctrines do not change. The Truth is the Truth and will always be the Truth.
The Pope is the defender of the Roman Catholic Faith. He is a servant to Christ and the Deposit of Faith. He will preach that faith unequivocally and uncompromisingly. A Catholic has a duty to inform his or her conscience according to the teachings of the Church which were handed to her by Christ and are protected by the Holy Spirit. A Catholic is free to accept the truth of the Church or to deny it. However, that choice will in the end have eternal ramifications.
The Response:
Like pope, dogma changes
Following the recent appointment of Pope Benedict XVI, many Catholics, myself included, have struggled when dealing with general criticism and media skepticism aimed at the Catholic Church. We must remember that our pope strives to unify, not alienate, members of the Church and the world at large. Sadly, J---- ---, in a letter published Monday, does not seem to share that vision.
Instead of expressing hope for a promising future that brings Catholics together, ---'s letter incites polarization and hatred, neither of which are expressed in the Catholic doctrine --- so frequently cites. Catholic doctrine is by no means "unchangeable." Vatican II revolutionized Catholic theology and liturgy in the 1960s, shocking many who would rather leave something broken because they were too afraid someone would fix it incorrectly. If the Church were static, it would have never made the contributions to its people and to the world that it has made over the last century alone.
It is disheartening that someone feels as though they can dictate the beliefs of the Church in such a dividing and patronizing manner, declaring "women will never be priests" -- which is a tradition of the Church, not a doctrine. That decision is up to the new pope and not up to J---- ---. Regardless of one's personal views, criticism of the beliefs, hopes or sexualities of others is not only unnecessary, but un-Christian.
Having been a Catholic my entire life, I am infuriated that someone would choose to represent my faith in this manner. Instead of the tolerance and compassion the Church preaches incessantly, this letter reeks of judgmental elitism. It leaves one questioning what makes J---- --- so much more "Catholic" than the rest of us.
I've been called a bigot and a member of a cult since Benedict XVI was elected for expressing exactly the same facts as in your letter. I feel your pain. ;-)
You are not slow. I am vague due to time constraints.I've got a sec now; I'll elaborate.
I think your letter was spot on. To be described as more Catholic than others in a pejorative way is typical and familiar. But it's true, only because you have made the decision, by exerting your will, to learn the mind of the Church through her immense paper trail. You have truth and knowlege on your side and that makes you more Catholic than others because they have lies and myths on their side.
Gotta run.
2 Cor 2:1-11 to be more exact. Particularly around vs 5.
Talk about a seaport city. Corinth was a double seaport city!
Ha Ha sounds like you upset a real DUmmie.
Of course, even the idea that one can be more Catholic than another, and have a resentment or malice because of it, stinks of some kind of egalitarian sentiment. It's not that you are more Catholic. It's actually the fact that your correspondent isn't Catholic enough. Certainly V2 didn't change one iota of "Catholic theology", and it would be perfectly proper to hammer facts home, at every opportunity. Sure, one is going to be called judgemental, rigid, hyper-religious, but damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. A spontaneous negative reaction that vilifies the speaker of truth is often replaced by understanding, and it is understanding that your opponents desperately need.
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