Posted on 12/05/2014 10:02:26 AM PST by NKP_Vet
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has urged the Catholic Church's top theologians to listen to what ordinary Catholics have to say rather than just making their own pronouncements on hot-button issues.
Francis, whose near-disdain for theologians is well-known, told the International Theological Commission on Friday that they must "humbly listen" to what God tells the church by paying attention to how ordinary Catholics live out their faith.
The Vatican's orthodoxy and theology watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has long been assailed for issuing critiques of Catholic academics without even consulting them or advising them that they were under investigation.
Francis said theologians must "open their eyes and ears to the signs of the times."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Pope Saint Pius X pray for us.
So, he’s sort of moving in the direction of “priesthood of all believers”? Interesting.
Sounds an awful lot like doctrine-by-democracy.
There are plenty of Protestant churches (not saying all of them but some spring to mine so save the hate) I could join if I wanted that.
How about a plebiscite.
Horrible abuse of the concept of humility. True humility consists in discerning God’s truth, not the opinions of the uninformed and rebellious. The unfaithfulness of this man should NOT fill us with despair, but with righteous indignation and zeal to learn, practice and teach our Faith! Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us! Long live Christ the King. Let us resolve not to be “humble” in the proclamation of the Faith but to proclaim it boldly against the opinions of the revolutionaries and heretics.
It’s ok to consult with ordinary Catholics on non-doctrinal issues, but I think the pope wants to take it further than that: theology by public opinion poll. That is both un-Biblical and against the teachings of the Catholic Church. Public opinion got Jesus crucified (”Give us Barabbas!).
There are plenty of “ordinary Catholics” around the world, most of which are not actually living by their faith. Nancy Pelosi for one. Are these the ones the Pope wants Catholic theologians to humbly listen to before making their pronouncements?
Reminds me of how Bill Hybels started his Willow Creek mega-church by interviewing the non-believers in the area and finding out what their preferences were. That’s right. Go to the pagans first and find out what they want in a church and design your new church around those parameters.
Didn’t know you were SSPX.
Agreed. I’ve finally made peace with my strategy for dealing with Pope Francis.
(1) Don’t be an ultramontanist and discourage it in others
(2) Learn and explain to others what papal infallibility really means
(3) Concentrate on personal holiness - the only sphere of control one has
(4) Do penance and pray, pray, pray - especially for holy wisdom for +++Francis.
Clarification: By “non-doctrinal issues” I mean local concerns such as whether to remodel the church, or have a fundraiser, or open a food bank, or sponsor a Boy Scout troop.
Bad translation.
The overwhelming - and most understandable - reaction with all of this is toward feelings of discouragement, but we must fight it. Our responsibility is to lead a holy life and to witness to the Truth, each according to our capacity. Let us not lay our arms down, but let this motivate us to do spiritual battle.
Seems to be a lot of that going around.</sarc>
I believe you are confusing Bill Hybels with Rick Warren who started Saddleback Church in Southern California. And your description of what Rick did by going to “interview” people in the area sounds more like gossip than someone who truly read his book “A Purpose-Driven Church”. He didn’t ask their opinion on spiritual or theological matters, he built his “Saddleback Sam” model based on understanding the people in his community. I think it is a wonderfully “novel” idea for churches to build ministries for their communities based on listening to the needs of those being served - kind of like that guy Jesus did.
I remember from my college Christology class that the job of a theologian is to take the concepts and share them with the people in a way that is understandable and usable. It’s a teaching function.
I think I have encountered theologians who were out of touch with real people. If I hear one more guest homilist say the word “brokenness”, or use the word “gift” without a pronoun in front of it (”love is gift”)......
Theologians don’t need to learn doctrine from regular people. However, they do need to understand what regular people need in order to live their faith (clear instructions, help with moral decisions, etc.)
We had a priest who had no idea, until he lived with his married sister for a couple weeks, that dealing with little children’s morning needs can cause one to postpone his or her morning cup of coffee for an hour or more. He stood there holding his empty mug, until eventually it dawned on him what kind of ongoing daily sacrifice parenthood requires.
That’s what theologians need to learn from regular people.
(1) Either a bad translation or
(2) Internet hoax or
(3)taken out of context or
(4) (this one's my favorite) He wasn't speaking ex cathedra.
So really anything he says makes no difference whatsoever because the excuses are all ready to plug in. Any questions?
No, I am correct. I attended a conference a number of years ago where someone in leadership from Willow Creek spoke. He was promoting the “seeker sensitive” method of building churches.
Maybe we can have a vote! Or better yet a binding poll!
A theologian's job is to listen to and understand what God has already said, and then explain it.
"Listening to ordinary people" isn't really in the job description, at least as far as the "what" of theology is concerned. Maybe in regard to the "how," but that's it.
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