Transition At The Vatican
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-02-28/transition-vatican
Roman Catholic cardinals gather to choose a new pope. Diane and her guests discuss transition at the Vatican and challenges facing the world’s largest Christian denomination.
Guests
Maureen Fiedler
host of public radio's Interfaith Voices and Sister of Loretto.
Father Thomas Reese
Senior Fellow, Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.
Very Rev. Mark Morozowich
Dean, The School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America.
Jason Horowitz
reporter for The Washington Post.
Comments
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" I think the doctrine of the Virgin birth as something higher, sweeter, nobler than ordinary motherhood, is a slur on all the natural motherhood of the world....Out of this doctrine, and that which is akin to it, have sprung all the monasteries of the world, which have disgraced and distorted and demoralized manhood and womanhood for a thousand years. I place beside this false, monkish, unnatural claim...my mother, who was as holy in her motherhood as was Mary herself."
~Elizabeth Cady Stanton (written towards end of 19th century, one of our earliest feminist)
The most important issue the Catholic Church must address is the clean-up of the endemic corruption that has spawn under the cloak of secrecy promoted by the church.
The ripple effect of the deep and severe corruption of the church are mufti-generational and, in my view, accounts in great part for the decline of the Catholic Church in the United States, Canada & Europe.
I think corruption allows administrators of the church to be out of touch with reality and very, little able to take actions that need to be taken to protect human dignity. The Church has exacerbated the AIDS crisis in Africa because they discouraged the use of condoms. Another example of the effect of corruption is the lack of leadership in trying to help the people of the church in the Middle East.
I wish that goodness was in charge in the Catholic Church. For that I would have to see transparency and a Pope who is not treated like a king but who lives humbly and kindly. A Pope who administers the church openly and deals with abuse and corruption justly and swiftly. A Pope who values Christian ethics in his action not just his rhetoric. A Pope who would dismantle institutional corruption in the Church. A Pope who surrounds himself with honest, humble and intelligent administrators who are in touch with reality. I believe that this would make the church more relevant and more powerful spiritually. THAT would be an intelligent Pope! MY QUESTION: Is there any such man in the conclave??? Sadly, I do not think the church promotes the rise to power of such man.
I do NOT consider our last 2 popes intelligent. They were pious and well read but very poorly prepared intellectually for the ministry for which they held the keys.
The corruption of the church in our modern age, where they no longer have control over governments, is dragging down the church. They can tap on Africa and Latin America for a while but after a few generations of the same corrupt leadership, those "markets" will also fall away.
I was born 1/2 Catholic and !/2 Lutheran..
My parents said ,you decide..I decided against the lies and piety of organized churches. I decided there is NO MIDDLE MAN NEEDED. Pray directly to GOD.
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”...Gandhi...
clifford,
I completely respect your skepticism about the church. But you are mistaken about the "middle man", but that "middle man" is not the church. So weigh these thoughts:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
I recommend reading Hebrews 1 - 5:10 for a more in depth understanding.
Sr. Maureen Fiedler's comments, though interesting and predictable, lack a true understanding of the Catholic Church. She spoke of mainline churches that have done quite well with female ministers. She said further that the public attitude toward homosexuality and same-sex marriages has radically changed and that the Church, unless it adapts to these new attitudes, will become irrelevant. I certainly cannot disagree with her assessment of the present climate regarding the two issues mentioned. But just when did it become a popular notion that the Church should form its varied positions according to society's wishes rather than its understanding of what Christ and the Apostles taught? It is just absurd that the Church take its cues from society instead of holding fast to what it perceives to be divine law. True, some binding regulations from the Church ARE church created and conceivably could change with the advent of the new Pope. Such Church laws can never be contrary to God's laws. Acceptance of same-sex marriage and women priests? My perception is that it cannot happen.
Finally, one wonders why Sr. Maureen and others who share her beliefs remain in the Catholic Church. Even though E. J. Dionne of the Washington Post seems to approve of very few of the Church's teaching, one of his op-ed pieces was titled, "I Will Not Leave the Catholic Church." Again, one wonders why.
According to the New Testament, God himself chose Mary to be an unwed Mother of God i.e. HE needed no human man to procreate His Son, Jesus.
Jesus spent most of His life attended by and cared for by Mary. Although Joseph was a kind holy man who protected Mary and Jesus for a time as Mary's betrothed spouse - meaning Joseph eventually married Mary officially AFTER Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph's role vanished pretty much after Jesus was found in the Temple. The only reference mentioned that Jesus went with Mary and Joseph and was obedient to them as His human parents from that day. By the time Jesus entered public life, Joseph had probably passed away via old age or something that needed no further explanation.
SO.... considering the great emphasis the Church makes about Mary and her highly important role, even influencing Jesus to perform his first miracle at the wedding in Caana, why is it such a stretch to believe that women should have a better shot in the Church itself? Mary is considered the Patroness of the United States and she is revered around the world. The male hierarchy of most religions, and insisted upon by the Church, is curious and is more based on tradition than scripture or revelation.
Curious.....
Genevieve,
There is no need to be discouraged. The Pope has made a selfless choice for the good of Christ's church. He is old and frail and recognizes that. His priesthood does not cease nor does his calling to be Christian. The authority of the church lies in the chair is St Peter not in the person. It will not be vacant long before the Holy Spirit chooses another. It takes great humility to give up power for the greater good.
Congratulations on your baptism and welcome home. I, too, am a convert.
Gene F.
I take issue with Sr. Maureen's statement that most Catholics do not know this is a year of evanglism. Our parish is very aware of this and we have many events in our parish which address evangilism. Also, I am disappointed in the coverage of all topics Catholic, they seem to focus only on the sex abuse cases and not the good that is done by each parish and the church as a whole. I live very close to the Loretto Motherhouse and my church is full!
With reference to Joyce in Arizona, I believe I'm correct in saying that in my 77 years there has been only one infallible pronouncement: the 1950 doctrine of Mary's Assumption into Heaven. It was always believed by the Church but only then did it become a doctrine of faith.
Regarding the post from Gettysburgfarm and women's rights in the Church, perhaps Christ should have given us a better example regarding women's position in the Church. He chose a dozen apostles and then one more to replace Judas. Interestingly, not one of them was a woman. Dan Brown and the Da Vinci Code notwithstanding, Mary Magdalene was NOT an apostle.