ZOT: If The Pope Asked Me how to attract more to the Catholic Church, pagans, & stray lambs too

The very notion that His Holiness, The Pope, way over there in Rome (Vatican) would ask me anything at all is of course, somewhat ludicrous and highly unlikey, to say the least. That is my initial disclaimer and statement of humility before I even start my excercise of answering questions I have not been seriously asked. Still, in the privacy of my home, I hold opinions, and by the miracle of this internet connection, I can speak to you by the press of a button. So, with that said, let's talk for a bit. Anyone could hold a valid point of view, other Catholics, other Christians, other spiritually anchored inhabitants of the planet, plus the leigions of scientists, teachers, and those who study knowledge for it's own sake. We are all entitled to form, hold and express a point of view when appropriate.

If The Catholic Church took a few years and asked it's millions of followers to give their opinion of how we could attract and keep more followers, plus how could we Catholics have a greater positive influence within this earthbound shared state of existence, there would be a variety of responses. Some would say, change nothing, let the new converts to our religion change to suit our requirements. Others may say, let's consider areas where being flexible would be beneficial and not necessarily a sign that Catholics are over-compromising or abandoning their core beliefs.

I would fit into the second catagory for the most part. I would have the Catholic Church consider the benefits of allowing women to become priests. I did not always feel that way. Take a good look at the momentum of christianity in the western world, for the most part, christianity is either in retreat or in a state of slowed growth. The severe economic struggles of europe has weighed heavily on the old, traditional lifestyles. Many in europe are told not to think of themselves as citizens of any particular country anymore, rather they are part of the European Union, a faceless formless blob of ever-expanding bureaucracy. When there is less parochial ownership, there is often less community participation. Much the same phenomena of lost identity is encouraged here in the states. Less of the really qualified, worthy people are willing to take leadership positions, because they may not want to deal with the personal attacks that come from being contrary.

All this is to say fewer men are training to be priests. If there are qualified, enthusiastic christian women who wish to offer leadership, willing to teach the highlights of a Christian life made of love, compassion, honesty, hard work and personal responsibility, I say let them do it, with a full heart and ready support from the Church.

We should also open the priesthood up to people who are married, have been married. This is not an easy world to stay alone in, if one wishes to lead a pure life. Not easy being prayerfully alone in a society that is lined with temptation, benign rationalisation of behaviors and opportunity to act out suffering no apparent consequence. I'm not saying one should surrender to the ID, live as a libertine and be held to no standards of behavior at all. That's not what I mean. Rather, I see that an update, an adjustment of expectations is long overdue. We catholics should widen the tent, not narrow it.

I think we catholics have three choices in a particular area of discussion, that being Gay Priests or Gayness in general. We could become more inclusive without showing prejudice, meaning the entire Catholic Church may be given the option, but not the obligation to observe Gay Priests or Gay Marriage or that lifestyle. We could form a version of the christian faith that allows for this. Or we could continue to not support Gay christians in any way except to pray for their presumeably lost souls. That is or right as a private organiation. If we decide to keep the Gay out, as it were, we need to be ready to become heavily devested of finances by many sources. Laws and social mores have changed in ways I would never, ever have predicted. I do not think there will be a great reversal anytime soon.

The Catholic Church has given much to the world, with its' churches, schools, hospitals and social agencies. One would hope Our Church will continue to help this world. This is not simple predictament. The Catholic Church has had to drop hundreds of foster parents and close many adoption agencies because they did not allow gay adoption. This is truly a difficult problem, where I can see both sides. Could we not have both kinds of families in some manner, without needing to destroy the other lifestyle?

There should be room for both. Adoption agencies already have certain foster familes that care for children with certain needs, be they physical or psychiatric. Perhaps the same can be done with sexuality, once the child is of appropriate age that it must be dealth with.

I chose to examine the consideration of officially changing some aspects of The Catholic Church in order to make it easier to include more good people, and spend less time, money in keeping them out of the faith. In future writings we will explore other ways in which this could occurr. I'd be very interested to get your point of view, pro or con (just be respectful).

You're already zotted, but I'll post anyway.

First, I'm not Catholic; nor was I ever. But, I don't even support women Pastors in Protestant Churches. When I was about 12, I felt called that I should go to Sunday School, and later Church service itself (no one in my family went)

So, I started attending at the local Presbyterian Church (don't remember what Convention). The Pastor was awesome and I really enjoyed being part of the Church.

When I moved, I found another Presbyterian Church to go to. Around the time I left the first Church, the Pastor left as well and they ended up with an Interim Pastor.

Anyhow, I continued to go to the second Church and something wasn't right....I started to pray about and look around for a different Church and ended up at a Baptist (SBC) Church.

Anyhow, I was back in the area of the first Church, so I decided to visit and reacquaint with old friends. The new "Pastor" was a woman (well, she was "new" to me; I hadn't been there in several years. I couldn't believe how different and empty it was compared to the (Southern Baptist) Church I was now a member of.

There were very few people attending the service and most of the people I had known were not in attendance. The was no choir (anymore); there were no children acolytes. About halfway through the service, it dawned on me......I was the only male in attendance at this service.

It was a small town Church that previously had 70-90 in attendance every Sunday; there was maybe at most a dozen, including me and my (ex)wife.

Apparently the Sunday prior the "Pastor" had queried the congregation for questions they could write down and put in the offering plate....so she could answer them the following (this) Sunday. One of the questions was about women "Pastors."

The "Pastor's" response to the question was vague, unconvincing, and lacking any type of substance; loosely related to the Bible mentioning women ministering to this person or that.

I'm not Catholic, and I probably never will be. I've debated various aspects of Christianity with Catholics, probably a few on this thread. But, I use this as a guide:

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9 38-41

I'm not against "them," nor do I believe they are against me, but rather we are for Christ together.

The point of that is to say if women "Priests" are against the tenets and doctrine of Catholicism, then by no means should they change, for this is what the Lord has called for them. Likewise, the same for Protestants, for we are told:

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 1 Timothy 2:10-15.

As a side note, In Church one Sunday, we had a guest Pastor. And he was discussing a poll that had been conducted. I don't remember the exact numbers, but some of the biggest reasons young people provided for why they didn't attend Church -

They didn't know what the Church stood for

The Church seemed hypocritical

When we play choose your own adventure cafeteria Christianity, we play exactly into that (Catholics and Protestants alike). We appear to not have any core beliefs; or at least that we don't adhere to any of them.

As another poster mentioned, the Bible is there to change the world; not for the world to change the Bible.

Further, the Word is God and God is the Word; the Lord's Prayer is "Thy Will be done," not 'God bend to my will.'

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