Posted on 01/17/2009 4:00:56 PM PST by NYer
.- The Vatican congregation in charge of overseeing the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as the granting of indulgences has just finished a conference in Rome. The aim of the meeting was help people recover “the joy of the personal experience of the mercy of God” and to encourage priests to make this a priority.
According to the L’Osservatore Romano, the event which took place January 13 and 14 was, in the words of the head of the Apostolic Penitentary, Cardinal Francis Stafford, an occasion “to offer to the men and women of today, immersed in a post-modern culture, the opportunity to reflect profoundly on their interior life and ask God for forgiveness for the ‘abuse of power’ that is in their hands.”
“Our objective,” he said, “is to reflect deeply on the pastoral meaning of our Tribunal and why the Church, in her wisdom, created this tribunal of mercy. My hope is that the answer has been clear in these two days of meeting and conversation.”
The Vatican newspaper also quoted Manlio Sodi of the Salesian Pontifical University, who led a round-table discussing during the Symposium and said the issue of penitential services and general confessions, which are more common in North America, are “rites that fundamentally alter the very foundations of the personal act of Confession.”
“It is a practice that poses enormous problems. If the rite of Penance were observed and taught instead, the faithful would not be misguided,” Sodi explained.
L’Osservatore Romano also pointed out that the “traditional rite of Confession underscores the aspect of liberation which divine mercy freely offers to the penitent who wishes to be reconciled with God.”
Ping!
Hasn't that been causing trouble in the Catholic Church for over 800 years? I think that is one issue that Martin Luther was pretty upset about (among several).
Those who attack the Church for its use of indulgences rely upon—and take advantage of—the ignorance of both Catholics and non-Catholics.
What is an indulgence? The Church explains, "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain defined conditions through the Church’s help when, as a minister of redemption, she dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions won by Christ and the saints" (Indulgentarium Doctrina 1). To see the biblical foundations for indulgences, see the Catholic Answers tract A Primer on Indulgences.Myth 7: A person used to be able to buy indulgences.
One never could "buy" indulgences. The financial scandal surrounding indulgences, the scandal that gave Martin Luther an excuse for his heterodoxy, involved alms—indulgences in which the giving of alms to some charitable fund or foundation was used as the occasion to grant the indulgence. There was no outright selling of indulgences. The Catholic Encyclopedia states: "[I]t is easy to see how abuses crept in. Among the good works which might be encouraged by being made the condition of an indulgence, almsgiving would naturally hold a conspicuous place. . . . It is well to observe that in these purposes there is nothing essentially evil. To give money to God or to the poor is a praiseworthy act, and, when it is done from right motives, it will surely not go unrewarded."
“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs,” Father Johann Tetzel
Consider the source.
I just completed three research papers on early church figures (I hesitate to use the term "fathers"...). A great deal of info was gleaned from the Catholic Encyclopedia. But I also found an amazing paradox. Figures that history shows were adamantly against many practices of the church, are now considered to be "Saints" who "never" REALLY argued those teachings.
One example is Cyprian of Carthage. He railed against the bishop of Rome taking a position of "supremacy". He taught that the local Bishop should be the focus and that the fellowship of said bishops constituted the unity of the church.
Yet, that isn't what "The Catholic Encyclopedia" says about him.
They explain around his teaching that he didn't really mean what he taught. He did recognize apostolic connections - but to the Bishops, not to one supreme leader (Pope).
So - again, consider the source.
Alway - Catholic or not - any doctrine that conflicts with the Bible is a major problem. Forgiveness of sins is granted by God himself because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And don't even try the "whatever you bind here on earth will be bound in heaven"... won't work. I have been down that road.
Write and research all you want, there is only one true Christian church and it’s the Catholic Church. It’s always been and always will to the end of time.
Then what does it mean if not what it is thought to mean?
No, it "caused trouble" for about 40 years, almost 500 years ago.
Why do you think it "causes trouble" now? (If, by "causes trouble," you mean "is unfortunately rather neglected and forgotten about," I'll grant your point, but otherwise, I don't see it at all.)
**The aim of the meeting was help people recover “the joy of the personal experience of the mercy of God” and to encourage priests to make this a priority.**
Yes!
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1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:
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Sacrament...
Please list the “Sacraments” that are specified in the Bible.
Aw geez.
Please list the contents of the Bible as listed in the Bible, and let me know by what rule we keep or exclude the Book of Enoch.
Guess you haven’t looked very closely since all the sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ.
Baptism — vivid of John the Baptist and Jesus. Also Jesus instructs his apostles and disciples in Matthew — Go out to all the nations, sharing the Gospel and baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Reconciliation — how many times does Christ say — “Your sins are forgiven you.” and then he does the physical healing. This was passed on to the apostles too.
Penance — “Receive the Holy Spirit, whose sins you shall forgiven theey are forgiven them, whose sins you shall withold, they are witheld.”
Marriage — By performing the miracle at the Wedding of Cana, Christ condones marriage.
Holy Orders — “Receive ye, the Holy Spirit.....” also for Confirmation
Annointing of the Sick — how many sick people did Christ heal with his touch — which is what the Sacrament does — must always be done by a priest since sins are also forgiven.
And, of course, the Holy Eucharist, vividly set forth in the synoptic Gospels at the Last Supper.
But then, you probably don’t believe a word of what I have said, because you read the Bible selectively and use YOPIOS — Your Own Personal Interpretation of Scripture.
Lesson 15: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS
Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation? Confirmation and First Eucharist together? (Vanity)
"Virtual" Sacraments Ruled Out
Are Sacraments Narrow? (Imparting Grace through the Sacraments)
Catholic Caucus: Regarding Sinful priests, and Validity of Mass/Sacraments
Doesn’t God the Father set up marriage in the Book of Genesis?
You can say that again.
Only proviso is that many NO priests, or so I'm told, fail to conduct a proper Sacrament because they minimize or reject the sinfulness of actions and thoughts that were and are considered sinful by traditionalists. No cultural relativism in the Confessional for me!
You do realize that Luther was a paranoid, schizophrenic, anti-semitic, alcoholic who couldn't control his libido, don't you? Hardly the type of person you want to hitch your doctrinal wagon to, unless you're content being ignorant.
**Only proviso is that many NO priests, or so I’m told, fail to conduct a proper Sacrament because they minimize or reject the sinfulness of actions and thoughts that were and are considered sinful by traditionalists. **
Not for my priest! He calls you on the dime!
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