Gnostic Anglican "Priestess", Supporter of Homosexual Unions to Lead Prayer at Minneapolis RC Chuch

A number of comments on this thread, both in content and also especially in tone, are very disrespectful and certainly not in any way loving, yet somehow you feel that you are representatives of Christ, who is love. The Pharisees were very convinced of their ways and their own righteousness, yet the course of the gospels documents their rift with Christ, ending with their lobbying for His death. I hope that anyone who is orthodox yet finds himself judgemental, insulting, self-righteous even, would find parallels between themselves and the Pharisees.

Without patience, love, kindness, and humility you have nothing.

Yes, I believe that many of the issues that you speak about you speak with truth due to your allegiance with doctrine. And I personally agree with loyalty to the Catholic Church (vs. defining your own way, as many modern people do). But the manner with which a number of you seem to carry yourselves is, frankly, embarassing. I found this site by accident. I beleive I stumbled upon these discussions one other time, and, on a number of posts, I found the same insulting, frankly juvenile, almost “mob mentality” tone.

I do thank you for the information regarding the event at St. Olaf. I am choosing now not to attend.

As I read more of these posts I am further amazed. You make references to this woman as a lesbian. Is this a founded accusation ? Or is it baseless and defaming ? Many of you judged and criticized this woman based on her picture. How accurate or intelligent is that ? Do you know her ? I do not know her, but I began to read her book, as I was intending to go to this event. She is a gifted writer and comes across as a very kind and gentle person. And I can say as much even if I don’t agree with her now-known-to-me statements on homosexuality (which, now knowing, I am choosing to not go to the retreat tomorrow).

And for all those who appear so smug as they over and over again keep claiming they have the TRUTH because they are Catholic, please consider the following.

Isaiah 58:
5 “Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 “Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? 7 “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. - Mat 3:9

Luke 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26”What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]” 28”You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ....story of Good Samaritan.... 36”Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

We are also to speak out against heresy and blasphemy when we see it. Boldness is often seen as harsh but it IS said in love for Catholic brethren. It’s not hatred or bashing to speak the gospel truth to people we care about.

It is difficult to write things down and not speak them face to face. They may come across as harsh and I’m sorry if they do. You don’t know the heart of any of us who speak out against heresy. Most of us care deeply for Catholics.

Catholics on these posts often speak in disrespectful and unloving ways as well. It’s the nature of posting, I guess.

I’m glad you won’t be attending. You’ll probably be the better for staying home. Love, Mary

I agree that is right and good to speak out against heresy. But it can and should be done without insult and without false accustation and slander and gossip. What is the point of calling out evil by commiting evil while doing so ? I am referring to a collection of posts that I read, I’m not calling out anyone in particular. I could, if I chose to take the time, provide a more thorough analysis of the posts and demonstrate a pretty good argument about the collective sin that was committed here (if we are to call things out, then let them be called out). Love your enemies. Which to me means, don’t slander them, falsely accuse them, make fun of them, insult them, or gossip about them. Again, the issue at hand could have been discussed without resorting to such things. Saying that heresy should be called out is no excuse. Such conversation is not “bold”, it is “wrong”, and it is also childish and ineffective and a very negative witness. If anyone is doubting what I am referring to I can compile a list of the comments that were made.

But yes, speak the truth. I did a little more reading in a post over on faithful rebel, (or something like that) and there certainly are issues at hand that are of a great concern.

Yes, posting is dangerous. “Where words are many, sin is not absent” (Proversbs... something, can’t remember).

I once read a debate exchange between a Catholic apologist and a Protestant minister, and what I strongly came away with is how unloving BOTH of them were towards each other, with the argument itself spinning into nothingness because there was no respect, no acknowledgement, no real discourse. It was unfortunate, because I did want to see the issues intelligently debated.

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