Posted on 05/19/2014 3:04:33 PM PDT by Faith Presses On
I've been wondering lately about the Catholic Church and mission activity. I question whether any missionary work is done today in places like Africa and Asia, and if so who does it. Evangelicals, whether in another ministry or not, take part in missionary work and supporting it. And, relatedly, I've been wondering if the Catholic church is involved in missionary work in remote areas where isolated peoples have never heard of Jesus and missionaries need to learn a previously unknown language in order to share the Gospel and over time work on translating God's Word into this language. I have looked quite thoroughly on the Internet for indications that the Catholic Church might be doing this work but haven't found any. If so, it doesn't seem publicized at all. Obviously, if it turns out the Catholic Church isn't do such work, then it would not be foolowing Jesus' commands to share the Gospel.
“Proselytization is solemn nonsense” - Pope Francis
That would have been because I was quoting you.
Missionary work in PNG is ongoing. I heard Mass a few years ago said by a visit in priest who had spent most of his years living with and serving one of the primitive tribes there.
There were headhunters in PNG, lots of them, as recently as the 1940's.
“visiting priest” — not sure why Android thinks it needs to correct that
That attitude didn't start with this pope. It's been around a long, long time.
I was a member of the Catholic Church for six years. To join I had to make all the moves. It was like joining the Masonic lodge (you know, you have to ask them to let you join).
I think the rejection of proselyitization, like the rejection of Genesis, is meant to distinguish them from those alleged inbred, bigoted, moronic, and ignorant denizens of the trailer parks (whom American Catholics detest so thoroughly). I know that proselytizers can be a pain in the neck, but I think a lot of people miss the point that at least proselytizers show that they care about the person they are nagging. They want his or her membership in their religion. They actually find him/her desirable in a way. It's too bad the older and more respectable religions have universally decided to drop this message. There could be some people hurting very badly who would like to hear it.
Your posts are predictable and not worth responding to. You’re a Catholic-basher. In your eyes the Catholic Church has never did anything right, never spread the word of God, or anything else. But you have a hard time coming up with an explanation why there are a billion Catholics worldwide.
But I can’t understand why you would put that in quotes unless you meant to put doubt it somehow. When I tried to think of an example to give you, instantly “sexual abuse” came to mind, so I’ll use that. Suppose I said something to someone about sexual abuse by priests or even about sexual abuse by clergy and they responded with “well, about that ‘sexual abuse....’”?
I have no idea about the type of work done by that priest in PNG, although that could possibly be looked into. The 1940’s isn’t recent enough. My question is about right now, the present and recent past.
Why are you wondering? Not capable of researching on your own? Or is your slip showing?
My belief is that it’s what God thinks and says that matters, and I don’t want to be found fighting against Him and pray that He would correct me if I was and that I’d take His correction. He’s told us we’ll be accountable for our words, so I go to Him before writing anything because I don’t want to be speaking from myself. I grew up Lutheran and as an adult tried the Catholic Church, first when I really embraced the Lord on my own, outside of something like confirmation, and the second time years later when I first read the whole Bible. The second time I really understood things much better and the more I’ve learned about the Catholic Church the more it troubles me. I do know a lot about the history of the Christian faith, but I’d have to look into much, much more to even begin to think about making definite statements about things done in past centuries. Ultimately, too, churches are not saved or condemned, but individuals, and only God knows people from past centuries enought to judge them.
Then there's this man's story.
But, really, this thread is a waste of bandwidth. People whose minds are made up waste other people's time by pretending to ask questions when they don't really want answers.
I’m sure if you pray for us misguided Catholics we will be better for your efforts.
Oh, I know.
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