Posted on 05/15/2010 6:36:24 AM PDT by markomalley
A Church of Scotland body is urging congregations to celebrate their common baptism with Roman Catholics for the first time by using a special joint liturgy for the reaffirmation of baptismal vows.
The groundbreaking call, seen as a huge step in inter-church links, is made in the report of the Kirk’s Ecumenical Relations Committee to the General Assembly.
The liturgy was devised by the Presbyterian denomination's Joint Commission on Doctrine, made up of officials from both churches.
Following an extensive study period which looked at our common understanding of baptism, this new service is now being recommended by the Ecumenical Relations Committee for use at major Christian festivals, such as Easter and Pentecost. This year Pentecost falls on the Sunday of General Assembly week (23 May 2010).
Theologically, both churches believe baptism involves conversion, pardoning and cleansing and marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, characterised by growth.
The report acknowledges that there are “continuing divisions” between Christians in the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church, largely stemming from the understanding of the nature of the Church. But it does say that a “real though imperfect communion” exists between Reformed and Catholic believers.
Biblically, greater ecumenism is inspired and encouraged by the Gospel of John, chapter 17 verse 21, where believers are called, in the light of Christ's commissioning prayer, to seek unity as their goal.
From ekklesia (UK source) ("Scottish Presbyterians encourage joint reaffirmation of baptism vows with Catholics"):
A Church of Scotland body is urging congregations to celebrate their common baptism with Roman Catholics for the first time by using a special joint liturgy for the reaffirmation of baptismal vows.
The groundbreaking call, seen as a huge step in inter-church links, is made in the report of the Kirk’s Ecumenical Relations Committee to the General Assembly.
The liturgy was devised by the Presbyterian denomination's Joint Commission on Doctrine, made up of officials from both churches.
Following an extensive study period which looked at our common understanding of baptism, this new service is now being recommended by the Ecumenical Relations Committee for use at major Christian festivals, such as Easter and Pentecost. This year Pentecost falls on the Sunday of General Assembly week (23 May 2010).
Theologically, both churches believe baptism involves conversion, pardoning and cleansing and marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, characterised by growth.
The report acknowledges that there are “continuing divisions” between Christians in the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church, largely stemming from the understanding of the nature of the Church. But it does say that a “real though imperfect communion” exists between Reformed and Catholic believers.
Biblically, greater ecumenism is inspired and encouraged by the Gospel of John, chapter 17 verse 21, where believers are called, in the light of Christ's commissioning prayer, to seek unity as their goal.
A historic Latin Mass in the cathedral of the Orkney Isles… blocked by the Catholic bishop
How sad to hear that plans to celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall – parts of which date back to 1137 – were recently blocked by the Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen, the Rt Rev Peter Moran. Sad but not surprising, since the Bishops of Scotland seem united in their determination to throw up as many obstacles as possible to the implementation of Summorum Pontificum.
The traditionalist group Una Voce Scotland had planned what would have been a historic and very beautiful celebration of the older form of the Roman Rite in the cathedral of the Orkneys (the most northerly in Britain), apparently with the permission of the Church of Scotland, which has occupied it for centuries. Una Voce has its own schola, so the plainchant would have been magnificent.
Enter Bishop Moran. “It has come to my attention,” he told Una Voce in a letter from last autumn that I’ve just been sent, “that … you have been making enquiries about the availability of St Magnus Cathedral for a possible celebration of Mass in the forma extraordinaria.”
Well, forget it. He didn’t approve of the choice of two priests from the traditionalist community of Papa Stronsay, now reunited with the Holy See after years of separation. Said the bishop: “While Fathers Michael Mary and Anthony Mary … are now, happily, in good standing with the Church, they have as yet only limited faculties to celebrate Mass in this diocese. (Like all priests of the Church they are at liberty to celebrate the forma extraordinaria privately without specific permission, and to have some people with them when they do, but for public celebration the local bishop’s permission is needed.)” (more at link)
You can draw your own conclusions on their fidelity...
As a presbyterian who adheres strongly to the priesthood of believers and the Five Solas, I cannot help but be saddened by this. I embrace those in the Roman Catholic church who have accepted salvation in Christ alone as my brothers and sisters, but I cannot help but be grieved at this step by the Scottish Presbyterians.
??????
Isn’t the Church of Scotland still Calvinist?
You are probably right. Freepers do have strong convictions.
Orthodox Catholics and orthodox Presbyterians both realize that about the only joint "liturgy" they could share would be a common recitation of the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed.
I would point out that Catholics also believe in the priesthood of all believers.
The distinction is that Catholics believe that there is a common priesthood and a sacrificial priesthood whereas Presbyterians do not believe that there can be a sacrificial priesthood.
In practice, any adult Catholic male - married or unmarried - can, if called to the order of deacon, perform the role that Presbyterian pastors are called to perform: preside at baptisms, solemnize marriages and burials, communicate the people in the Lord's Supper (not consecrate the Eucharist, but Presbyterians do not acknowledge a consecration), proclaim the Scriptures from the pulpit and preach God's Word.
Born to a Methodist Family
Missionary work with a Presbyterian Church
Saved in a Charismatic House Church
GodFather to a Catholic Boy for last 20 years
It gives a sense of perspective
Those in the Body of Christ can do well to
Honor that another has been Appointed a
somewhat different Vision of Our Walk in Christ,
without necessarily understanding it
No-One has All Knowledge
No-One has All Wisdom
No-One has All Vision
Not on This Earth
There Has Been One
But we killed Him...
He's Coming Back to Finish the Job
I See Poorly
And so do you
I Blind Myself
And so do you
I Am utterly Lost without Him
And so are you
Those in the Body of Christ would do well to
Honor that Vision that others have been Appointed,
Holding Fast to the Vision within them,
Honoring Always the Source of All Knowledge,
All Wisdom, and All Vision
Serving in the Appointed Path
Knowing the White Stone
with Your Name upon it
http://bible.cc/revelation/2-17.htm
I Love Eucaminical Threads
I appreciate your clarification of some distinctions. I would agree with you that the groups involved are not orthodox.
I am looking forward to the gathering of believers where this disagreements will be resolved and true fellowship will be experienced.
There have been about five different schisms from the Church of Scotland over the past 120 years.
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Free Church Scotland Continuing are the two traditionally Calvinist Presbyterian churches in Scotland.
There are about 5 million people in Scotland. About 2.25 million identify themselves as Church of Scotland/Presbyterian but only 500,000 people are officially members of the Church of Scotland. About 25,000 of those declaring themselves Presbyterians are traditional Calvinists.
There are 750,000 Roman Catholics in Scotland, of whom about 150,000 attend Mass regularly, and about 25,000 Anglicans.
Almost 2 million Scots say they have no religion.
There are 40,000 Muslims in Scotland.
Wonder if the Christians will be slammed with Are you Catholic? Are you Catholic? Are you Catholic? LOL!
Will they still call a soccer ball “The Pope’s Head?”
>>>>In practice, any adult Catholic male - married or unmarried - can, if called to the order of deacon, perform the role that Presbyterian pastors are called to perform
In the absence of a priest or deacon, any lay Catholic has the right to baptise a dying man, and offer him his last rights. I have heard of many cases in hospitals and in battlefields, where ordinary Catholics received dying people into the Catholic Church.
Oops. I meant “last rites”.
.
Baptism: yes
Last Rites (i.e., Extreme Unction; i.e., Annointing of the Sick): no. Only priests and bishops can minister that sacrament.
What I meant is that an ordinary Catholic can lead a dying man in final prayer, for the salvation of his soul. But he cannot administer sacraments.
A very valid point.
I, too, am shaking my head.
But I can possibly understand just this one time deal:
**for the reaffirmation of baptismal vows. **
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.