Roman Catholic Church @ MindSay 
I wonder if this Pope realizes that even Protestants look up to him and for many of the faithful who are Protestants this represents an offensive statement which diminishes his influence and respect.
Ecumenism has certainly been struck a severe blow. Someone needs to remind him that "People who live in glass houses should NOT throw stones!" My father who is a Roman Catholic convert and is staunchly Roman Rite, said this very thing the other day. He reminded me that once upon a time there were three popes! Three popes all at once! So, one is left to wonder about Roman Rite ordination and Apostolic Succession.
Then Benedict XVI reinstates the use of the traditional Catholic Latin (Tridentine) Mass! One can only wonder why!? Another huge step away from Vatican II. (One can only wonder how many priests these days can actually speak Latin?) The current Mass is actually an older form dating to the 2nd Century AD.
Now, as if to add insult to injury, the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to settle its clergy sexual abuse cases for something like $600 million! What on earth were they thinking? Then of course, one is left wondering just how many cases of clergy sexual abuse that they had in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles!?! Hello! Earth to the Archbishop of Los Angles! How do you spell BANKRUPT?
An indulgence, according to the church, allows Catholics who perform certain acts to shorten the time after death that their souls will have to spend in purgatory to atone for their sins." (!!)
Well this was enough to set me off! This is the one area of Catholic theology that totally disturbs me. It isn't just the issue of indulgences that bothers me, but the issue that God doesn't forgive and forget sins. My Bible tells me that God forgives me when I ask for forgiveness of a sin and it is placed under the blood of Jesus. It is placed as far as the East is from the West, etc. Catholic theology doesn't believe this. Their theology of works attempts to have Christians trying to get good enough!
HOWEVER, the Catholic church will deny Communion to many of the Faithful due to things like being divorced and remarried (without first going through an annulment tribunal) or for using contraception, etc. In other words, these people are not worthy enough to receive communion! Poppycock! While I tip my hat to the Catholic church for even having a pastoral solution to the sticky problem of divorce and remarriage, I fault the Church for not streamlining this into the sacrament of reconciliation and even more, for a disingenuous theology of God's forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Oh man, I have so much to talk about. First off, I'm sorry I haven't made a real post in like three or four days. But, you know, with Easter and all, plus school and shit I've just failed to find the time to write a worthy entry.
Ok, so my Easter was pretty good, not much to report. I spent Saturday night with my Aunt Rita, Uncle Ray, and cousin Terese (by the way I have like thirty cousins on my father's side of the family, wow that's alot). We went to the Easter Vigil mass at our church, It's always funny that every year the priests alwatys give the same recycled homily (my church is named Church of the Ressurection Roman Catholic Church, so they always talk about the name and Easter). After mass we went to to Aunt Rita's for coffee and goodies (all homemade by the way).
Sunday, I had dinner at my folks. My mom prepared an awesome dinner. I love her sweet potatoes, yumm :P.I was able to do a load of laundry while I was there. I even took home a good sized helping of left over ham. My father, as ussual was a grumpy old man. Also, I'm convinced my mom's dog is totally crazy.
Ok, now for some bad news. Unfortunately, I won't be working at the shoe store for a couple months due to road construction being done right in front of the strore. This will most likely severely harm our bussiness for the next few months. My father has made up signs to put up all over downtown to let people know where he is. He is also thinking of taking out some more ads either on TV or in the newspaper (he does most of his ads in small numbers on the radio). Hopefully it all will help. Heck, we've been through it before but it still will hurt us for a while. Personally, this means I am going to be even more broke then I already am. :(. Man, this sucks, stupid construction seson.
But finally, I am just going to end this on a happy note with a random movie suggestion. I am so in love with the hilarious kids move Open Season. The Scotish squirrels alone are worth it. It's funny as hell and it's one of those kids movies that you can watch without wanting to pluck your eyes out. Oh yeah and did I mention the Scotish squirrels? You know, really have a soft spot for funy talking animals. Is that wrong?
Thanks,
Mark
Going through my mail just now I received two letters from two very diametrically opposed institutions: The Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and Planned Parenthood. I'm going to go out on the political/religious limb here (something which I don't do often) and share some of my thoughts.
I received the letter from the Diocese because I am a registered Roman Catholic, but I will be the first to admit I've been undergoing a crisis of faith for some time now, and although I highly doubt I will ever renounce the faith I was brought up in, I also cannot claim that I am a true believer in the institution of the Roman Catholic church and it's laws. Expounding on that subject would take a whole other post, and something I'm not ready to get into here, but let's just say I have my issues and I will deal with them in my own way, and in my own time. The letter from the Diocese is a request for a monetary donation to the Charity and Developmental Appeal (CDA), an organization that helps families in need, educates children, and helps seniors get the care they deserve. Programs which I want to help with, but my fear is this...can I be sure that my money will go to these good deeds, and not into the coffers of the Roman Catholic church? I will not give money to assist in the payoffs of pedophiles and perverts. The brochure lists a breakdown of how the money is spent. There is a section titled: Clergy, Seminarians and Religious ($1,648,710 out of $9, 424 005). My question to myself is this, "What does that encompass?" If I called and asked specifically if my money would end up in a legal fund for court cases and settlements, do you think they would admit that? I have to take it on "faith" that the most of my money will go where the brochure says it will go, but that's part of my problem...my faith in them is not that strong.
The letter from Planned Parenthood was also a very specific request for a monetary donation. In December the local health center (at which abortions are performed) was heavily damaged by a fire (it was deemed an accident). I am Pro Choice. I do not believe any outside person, institution or entity should have any say regarding this matter. The religious and moral consequences are between the woman and her god or gods. I have never had an abortion, but women near and dear to me have. Who am I to judge them? Who are you to judge them? This is my belief, these are my thoughts.
Having said all that...who do I give money to? I want to help families that are having a difficult time. I want to help children get a better education. I want to help provide seniors with the care they deserve, but I don't want any money whatsoever going to assist in the amelioration of past lies and deception that took place within the Roman Catholic church. I also want to ensure that the women of Phoenix still have a choice, and the access to make that choice. I just find this situation a little bizarre, that both of these requests have turned up on the same day from two very different organizations. I will be sending money to Planned Parenthood. I haven't decided yet if I will send money to the CDA, and if I decide not to, then I will find charities that have no connection to the church and that assist in similar programs and donate to them.
Thank you for reading with an open mind. I welcome respectful and sincere comments. If you have nothing helpful to add (regardless of your stance) then I'd rather you keep your comments to yourself. Thanks again.