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Megachurch pastor stuns congregation by announcing he’s converting to Catholicism
The Deacon's Bench ^ | March 10, 2014 | Deacon Greg Kandra

Posted on 03/10/2014 2:16:00 PM PDT by NYer

Details:

During his Sunday morning service, Ulf Ekman announced the he and his wife, Birgitta, are converting to Roman Catholicism.

Ekman is the founder of Word of Life, a megachurch in Uppsala, Sweden. News reports and blogs coming out of the nation reveal congregation was “partially stunned” after hearing what was packaged as a “special announcement.” The theme was “follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”

“For Birgitta and me, this has been a slow process where we have gone from discovering new things, to appreciating what we have discovered, to approach and even learn from our fellow Christians,” Ekman says on his ministry website.

“We have seen a great love for Jesus and a sound theology, founded on the Bible and classic dogma. We have experienced the richness of sacramental life. We have seen the logic in having a solid structure for priesthood, that keeps the faith of the church and passes it on from one generation to the next. We have met an ethical and moral strength and consistency that dare to face up to the general opinion, and a kindness towards the poor and the weak. And, last but not least, we have come in contact with representatives for millions of charismatic Catholics and we have seen their living faith.”

According to the Alethia blog and think tank, Ekman’s conversion is a news story that affects a relatively large part of Swedish Christianity. Word of Life has about 3,000 members and a staff of 12 pastors. The church’s school has about 1,000 students. Ekman also launched Scandinavia’s largest Bible school, constructed Scandinavia’s largest free church building, and rolled out a media program with TV on all continents, recorded teaching that has been spread around the world, books in 60 languages, and a strong engagement for Israel.

“We have as many know, followed Ekman’s steps towards Roman Catholicism since 2007, at times under a lot of ridicule from both members and leadership of the congregation, but also from others within the Christian Community in Sweden,” writes Andreas Glandberger, who operates the think tank. “Based on Ulf Ekman’s various articles, sermons, statements, and even type of organizations he decided to support financially, a painstaking puzzle has been laid in which the last piece of the puzzle now is in place.”

Glandberger went on to say that “shock, anger, sadness, despair and confusion” among the reactions to the news. Others, he writes, were relieved that Ekman’s long love affair with the Catholic Church finally was consummated openly, which is also a help in theological discussions.

Continue reading.


TOPICS: Catholic; Evangelical Christian; Ministry/Outreach
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholicism; convert; ekman; megachurch; sweden
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To: Arthur McGowan; metmom; Alex Murphy; daniel1212
Same with government school teachers.

The Roman Catholic Church.
Our Men Of God Are No Worse Than
Government Employees!

41 posted on 03/10/2014 5:12:56 PM PDT by Gamecock
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To: Gamecock

The report of the John Jay Commission was that the sexual abuse rate among priests was 1-2%, ministers 2-3%, and teachers 10%.

I don’t rely on the NYT for information regarding such things.


42 posted on 03/10/2014 5:22:53 PM PDT by St_Thomas_Aquinas ( Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

Just quoting on of your team.


43 posted on 03/10/2014 5:24:34 PM PDT by Gamecock
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To: escapefromboston
While I shouldn’t, I have to admit how much I’m enjoying the protestant “christians” in this thread weeping and gnashing of teeth. I know I shouldn’t enjoy it, but I just can’t help myself.

They mock what they fear.

44 posted on 03/10/2014 5:29:56 PM PDT by verga (Poor spiritual health is often manifested with poor physical health.)
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To: NYer

He is becoming a “charismatic Catholic.”

Dime to a dollar that his conversion is temporary.


45 posted on 03/10/2014 5:32:00 PM PDT by tired&retired
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To: NYer

A megachurch....in Sweden


46 posted on 03/10/2014 5:32:32 PM PDT by AppyPappy
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To: Gumdrop
In the USA, we have a rather significant Catholic population who are still faithful Christians, and ditto for the Evangelicals. Among many of the other Protestant groups, it is rather hit and miss as to how much their faith really influences their lifestyles Christian faith is in a state of flux, and those who are true believers will eventually be winnowed from the chaff.

It depends on the part of the country. Here in the south Catholics make up a very small percentage. We have a very dedicated active parish.

47 posted on 03/10/2014 5:33:26 PM PDT by verga (Poor spiritual health is often manifested with poor physical health.)
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To: lurk

If he sells all his belongings, gives the proceeds to the poor and then follows Jesus, it will greatly improve his credibility.


48 posted on 03/10/2014 5:34:09 PM PDT by tired&retired
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To: fishtank

There goes the neighborhood!!!

If you can’t beat them, join them.... satan!


49 posted on 03/10/2014 5:37:12 PM PDT by tired&retired
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To: Campion
I know; I lived it; I had to educate myself about my faith by *reading actual books on my own* as an adult.

Same here. That is why I can say with absolute assurance that there are two reasons Catholics become protestants: 1) un-confessed sin

2) Poor catechesis.

Anything else is just rationalization.

50 posted on 03/10/2014 5:38:42 PM PDT by verga (Poor spiritual health is often manifested with poor physical health.)
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To: NYer

The Pope threw Matthew Fox out of the Catholic Church...

Here is an example on how satan joins the church and manipulates people. In my travels studying mind control techniques and religious manipulation I visited this guy several times...... the video shows and explains his rave mass services.

He has no idea what he is doing... It’s not religion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXNv5k9uFI


51 posted on 03/10/2014 5:43:56 PM PDT by tired&retired
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To: Chode

**i haven’t had tv since 1999 so i don’t know a lot of what’s out there**

I don’t have one either, but from what I’ve seen in ads online, start watching, and you’ll know even less (it’s been very effective at dumbing down the sheeple).


52 posted on 03/10/2014 5:45:54 PM PDT by Zuriel (Acts 2:38,39....nearly 2,000 years and still working today!)
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To: Zuriel
100%
53 posted on 03/10/2014 5:49:37 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: tired&retired

Here is another example of stage hypnosis in a church... The Toronto Blessing Movement....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCeVZ6e2T0E


54 posted on 03/10/2014 5:49:46 PM PDT by tired&retired
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To: fishtank

The Catholic and the Protestant faiths all profess Jesus as the son of God....all baptize. I see no conflict for anyone from these faiths going to heaven, except in those who like Man’s Doctrines more than Gods and deny Jesus is the Son of God.

As an analogy; This reminds me of politics, and the divisive ness that keeps us all from being Americans.

Christians are both Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal and so on. The Jews are God’s chosen family, Jesus was a Jew, and so are Christians through adoption into God’s Kingdom.

Seriously, this sibling rivalry is why we have problems today with terrorists. Jesus said “When all nations draw up against Israel”....that’s a key Biblical statement,that tells us the time and season when Jesus returns to fight Armageddon.

Ishmael was Abraham’s son by Handmaiden Hagar, Isaac was Abraham’s Son by Sarah...Isaac was the child of promise.
Ishamael is considered Mohammed’s ancestor, and Isaac is the Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Ishmael got put out to the desert with his mother, and he was jealous of Isaac...hence we have centuries of warfare in the form of fighting over ‘Jerusalem’ for both religions. The PA are just another group of antagonists for land promised by God to Abraham for his descendants, FOREVER. At the right time God will show up to protect his own.

Jealous Rivalry with Bloodshed and Destruction...This religious war is more about Ishmael and Isaac than us.

America represents all the Christian Missionaries who have gone throughout the world to spread Christianity. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and represents the prosperity of freedom. That is offensive to those who live in constant turmoil and bondage.

Islam vs Jews to the death for Jerusalem/Israel.


55 posted on 03/10/2014 6:18:24 PM PDT by Kackikat
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To: escapefromboston
Well let’s not derail the good news of this thread but if you re-read this topic you’ll see a few cheap shots that are unrelated to the topic at hand.

But weeping and gnashing of teeth, it ain't.

56 posted on 03/10/2014 6:49:35 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: Arthur McGowan
And no one has instituted more strict, or effective, counter-measures that the Catholic Church in the U.S.

You need to get out more.

57 posted on 03/10/2014 6:51:51 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: tired&retired; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; count-your-change; CynicalBear; ..

Derren Brown - Miracles For Sale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYjgeayfYPI

It’s an hour and 13 minutes but well worth watching.

It explains how mass hypnosis can be used and they create a *faith healer* using it. It’s a documentary.


58 posted on 03/10/2014 7:01:38 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: metmom
....”mass hypnosis”....

I have seen many incidents as this which most of the Pastors are well trained in just how to do this. What is striking is how easily the people literally fall for it.

...But then consider how they ‘set the stage’, getting people into the mood..singing..chanting/praying repetitiously etc. and the peoples willingness to believe anything that happens...and most looking for just that...it's not surprising.

When we open our minds and hearts to “anything and everything” you can be certain the enemy of God is nearby ready to act. As we know...during these end days we are told to expect many 'false' miracles and happenings....people today are ripe for it because they do not know the truth.

59 posted on 03/10/2014 9:11:31 PM PDT by caww
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To: NYer

big deal..most of them are false preachers anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2QylEHLjhM&list=UUAGOFw0dKYygUvrbpB3xnjg


60 posted on 03/10/2014 9:15:14 PM PDT by fabian (" And a new day will dawn for those who stand long, and the forests will echo in laughter")
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