Vatican, Jul. 12, 2007 (CWNews.com)-
The Vatican has issued a new doctrinal statement confirming the essential role of the Catholic Church in God's plan for salvation.The short document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), presented in question-and-answer format, addresses questions about the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that the Church founded by Jesus Christ "subsists" in the Catholic Church.
The CDF affirms that while other Christian bodies can play a role in bringing people to salvation, it is in the Catholic Church that "the Church of Christ is concretely found on this earth." The Vatican document makes a further distinction between Orthodox churches that have preserved valid sacraments, and should be recognized as "sister churches," and Protestant groups that have not preserved the Eucharistic presence.
The document, entitled "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church," is approved by Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) and signed by Cardinal William Levada and Archbishop Angelo Amato, the prefect and secretary, respectively, of the CDF.The is available on the Vatican web site. (Scroll down for the English-language version.)The document opens with the observation that the teachings of Vatican II"In the first of 5 questions posed and answered, the CDF document asks, "Did the Second Vatican Council change the Catholic doctrine on the Church?" The answer begins with a straightforward statement: "The Second Vatican Council neither changed nor intended to change this doctrine, rather it developed, deepened and more fully explained it."Questions #2 and #3 address the teaching of the conciliar document Lumen Gentium (doc) (#8) that the Church of Christ "subsists" in the Catholic Church. The CDF document explains: "It is possible, according to Catholic doctrine, to affirm correctly that the Church of Christ is present and operative in the churches and ecclesial Communities not yet fully in communion with the Catholic Church, on account of the elements of sanctification and truth that are present in them." Nevertheless, only the Catholic Church is characterized by identifying marks of Christ's Church: being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
The Christian communities separated from the Catholic Church, the CDF continues, "though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation." These communities can act as instruments of salvation, because of their partial participation in "that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church."In the 4th and 5th questions that complete the document, the CDF draws a clear distinction between the Orthodox and Protestant denominations.
The Eastern churches, the document notes, "have true sacraments and above all – because of the apostolic succession – the priesthood and the Eucharist." They are therefore sister churches, even if they fall short of universality because of their separation from the Holy See.
The Protestant communities, on the other hand, "do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Orders." Because these communities "have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery," the CDF writes, they "cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called "churches" in the proper sense.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Papist ..a rallying cry!
3th July 2007
I have been called allot of things in my 47 years, however the phrase, “Papist,” is perhaps the nicest one right after being called a, “Catholic.”It seems that will all of the papal pronouncements that came forth from the Vatican in early July there are many Catholics that are starting to “come around” to the spirit of the new evangelizing of Benedict XVI.
What is really reassuring is simply this, there is nothing really new in this phase of evangelization, it is really all included in Gaudium et Spes and Lumen Gentium.It just happens that there are generations of Catholics that have never really become familiar with the Council’s documents and their long term applications.The power of the Holy Spirit is amazing in the fact that you never quite know when, how and where the ecumenical spirit will hit.
It seems that after 40 years of trying to come to an understanding of Vatican II, Catholics are receiving a refresher course in the spirit of the Council from the actions and teachings of Benedict XVI.Earlier in the month, I noted how Vatican II was still alive and present in our Catholic Church. While it seems that Vatican II was intended as a replacement for the pre-Council Church it was really a vehicle for reformation of the pre-Council Church. What I specifically mean by this is that Vatican II really never intended to replace the doctrinal aspects of the Council of Trent, it really intended to reform the reformers, and make Church life more appealing to the modern world.
In all of this updating and reforming, it is slowly becoming evident that the primacy of the Bishop of Rome is a belief that is strongly reestablishing itself throughout the Catholic world. Vatican II did focus on the hierarchy and it’s relationship to the People of God, those fully incorporated into the faith, those less than fully incorporated into the faith, the non-Christians, the non-believers and the atheists.However in the post-Council years it seems that our entire Catholic concept of hierarchy is beginning to reestablish the Bishop of Rome as the central teaching focal point for a global Church, now rooted in a new global evangelization.
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Church was still in the reactionary mode of the Council of Trent. Now it seems that the Church, quite realistically has gotten over the Reformation and the subsequent…anathemas lodged against the reformers and heretics and the rest. In the spirit of Vatican II, we tried an ecumenical approach and tried to distinguish all types of “degrees of incorporation” into the Catholic Church, and tried to be the most politically correct in our descriptions.Now it seems that the era of ecumenical political correctness is over and the Holy See is not only reaffirming the directives of the Council of Trent, but it is very precisely extrapolating on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council since the dust has settled in the past four decades.
That does not mean we are in a period of returning to a Church that is anti-ecumenical, anti-Jewish, anti-Islamic or anti-anything. It appears that the Church and it’s papal leadership is beginning to affirm Catholic primacy as the legitimate and logical heir to salvation history, and is ramping up it’s membership campaign.For decades we have as a Church tried in the spirit of ecumenism and ecumenical brotherhood tried to provide a sort of theological melting pot for everyone that was just a bit…well, put off by our papist roles and rituals.
Finally, after years of minimizing our liturgical rituals and hierarchical beliefs the Pontifex Maximus is once again flexing the papal vocal chords and teaching in a defined, clear and Catholic manner and message.Benedict XVI clearly understands that the future of the Church’s development in the modern world is the strong evangelizing of new believers and followers in a world that is increasingly attacked by secular humanism, and Islam.
If in fact the Catholic Church intends to be a theocentric player on the global world stage, then our beliefs and unique Catholic identity needs to be proclaimed.It is no longer an issue that Catholics and other Christian denominations have philosophical and theological differences. It appears that Benedict XVI is holding out a papal olive branch to all of these groups with his ardent desire for continued dialogue; however our Catholic dialogue seems to be strongly supportive of maintaining Catholic identity and dignity.The papal teachings are not indicting non Catholics as heretics and non believers, but rather as groups of faithful followers that have strayed a bit from the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic family.
The rhetoric that reaffirms all of our Catholic beliefs, and the re institution of a liturgy that reaffirms our Catholic Roman identity are positive moves that clearly indicate being, “Catholic” is a good and positive thing.Not only is being Catholic a good and positive thing…having a Pope as the central spokesman for theological truths and teachings is also a good thing and for us Catholics the greatest thing that we have realized over the past 500 or so years since the Reformation.Trent, Vatican I and Vatican II have not changed anything, but rather have clarified and solidified the true importance and value of the ministry of the Prince of the Apostles.
Each time the Pope reaches out to the four corners of our global village and makes a proclamation, it’s purpose is to reignite a new evangelizing movement that pivots the future life of the Catholic Church against religious extremism and political zealots throughout the world.Papist, I am! Catholic, I am! Newly inspired towards evangelizing, yes…not because the Catholic Church is always right…but because it is on the right path towards global realization of theological and philosophical unity against threats of Islamic and political extremism!
Don't be afraid of Charismatics
July 3th 2007
By Patricia ZaporCatholic News ServiceSECAUCUS, N.J. (CNS) --
Mention that you're attending a charismatic renewal event to most American Catholics and they may take a cautious step backward, as if they expect you to lay a hand on their foreheads and pray over them, unbidden.In a world where being Catholic can seem countercultural, being a charismatic Catholic often adds one more layer of popular misunderstanding.
Terminology like "slain in the Spirit" and "speaking in tongues," hand-waving, dancing and enthusiastically expressed joy are images of charismatics that make other Catholics more than a little uncomfortable.But by one estimate, 14 percent of North American Catholics -- nearly 10 million people -- fall under the broad umbrella of the charismatic renewal.
The fastest growing portion of the U.S. church, Latinos, are five times more likely than their Anglo counterparts to be a part of charismatic activities.The U.S. church is becoming more charismatic, whether or not other American Catholics feel awkward around charismatic practices.Speaking with Catholic News Service during a 40th anniversary Conference of the Charismatic Renewal in New Jersey in late June, a bishop who has long been a part of the charismatic movement and three other leaders told the stories of how they came to be involved in it.Walter Matthews, executive director of Chariscenter USA, described being in a prayer group in Manhattan after college when he had a profound experience of the Holy Spirit.Msgr. Joseph Malagreca, pastor of Ss. Joachim and Anne Parish in Queens Village, N.Y., was a senior in college when he said he was "overwhelmed by the Spirit" during a seminarian's witness story.
For Father John Gordon, a Newark archdiocesan priest, it was August 1975 during a prayer meeting at a parish where participants prayed for what is called "baptism of the Holy Spirit."And for Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux, La., it was in September 1969, five years after his ordination, at a gathering of 15 fellow priests when he first experienced the sense of spiritual renewal that has drawn him to the charismatic movement for nearly 40 years.The four explained the origins of the Catholic charismatic renewal -- a student retreat at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1967 -- and its rapid spread, first across college campuses and soon around the world.
From its beginning the movement has had strong support at high levels of the church.As early as 1969, a U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine report about the charismatic renewal noted its "strong biblical basis" and legitimate theological reasons for existence. The report said the movement should be allowed to develop and gave recommendations to bishops about how to guide it.The late Belgian Cardinal Leo Jozef Suenens was an early proponent of the charismatic renewal, and Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI have all supported it in various ways. At one point, every U.S. diocese had an official liaison to the charismatic renewal.
Father Gordon said that, although the very physical, very emotional expressions of charismatics often are more associated with Pentecostal Protestants, since the early days of the church Catholicism has been a part of the Spirit-filled approach to faith."For Catholics it's not a big leap," said Father Gordon. "We expect the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives. Our experience of worship is very physical. It involves all the senses," through incense, candlelight, the Eucharist and song.Among the typical characteristics of charismatic experiences are the "gifts of the Holy Spirit." Some people are overcome with a physical feeling of warmth and well-being, sometimes called "baptism of the Spirit." Some find they can "prophesy" or relate to others a message from God.Other people shout or dance, sometimes without control over their actions, falling to the floor in what is called being "slain in the Spirit." Others may simply raise a hand high, swaying along with a song. What is called "speaking in tongues" is traditionally the ability to speak in a language unknown to the individual, but may be heard as a phrase such as "Jesus is Lord" or something indecipherable, repeated over and over like a mantra.
Defining who is a part of the charismatic renewal is even harder to quantify.News stories about what was called Catholic Pentecostalism in the 1970s described massive gatherings: 20,000 at a 1973 conference at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; 10,000 in 1975 at the Vatican; 600 priests -- about 1 percent of all priests in the country at the time -- praying together over three priests with medical problems at a healing service in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1975.Today, no one organization keeps track of who is involved in the many practices, groups and events that might be described as charismatic, such as Life in the Spirit seminars, Life Teen, covenant communities, healing ministries, retreat programs and parish missions.
The Council on Faith in Action, a Latino evangelical organization, estimates there are 3 million charismatic Catholics in the United States. The International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services cites the World Christian Encyclopedia in estimating there are 9.7 million charismatic Catholics in North America and more than 119 million in 235 countries worldwide.There's little doubt, though, that as the U.S. church becomes more predominantly Hispanic, the percentage of charismatic Catholics will grow.A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 62 percent of Catholic Hispanics at least occasionally attend Masses that have "displays of excitement and enthusiasm, such as raising hands, clapping, shouting or jumping.
"Among non-Hispanic Catholics, only about 12 percent consider themselves charismatics, the study found.Bishop Jacobs believes the way to ensure that more people come to at least accept, if not participate in, the charismatic renewal is to "bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and God will convert their hearts." He suggested activities that have helped people find such a personal connection to God, including Life in the Spirit seminars, retreats and Marriage Encounter.Father Gordon said he would like to encourage other Catholics "not to be afraid" of the Holy Spirit working in ways that seem strange to them.END
By Patricia ZaporCatholic News ServiceSECAUCUS, N.J. (CNS) --
Mention that you're attending a charismatic renewal event to most American Catholics and they may take a cautious step backward, as if they expect you to lay a hand on their foreheads and pray over them, unbidden.In a world where being Catholic can seem countercultural, being a charismatic Catholic often adds one more layer of popular misunderstanding.
Terminology like "slain in the Spirit" and "speaking in tongues," hand-waving, dancing and enthusiastically expressed joy are images of charismatics that make other Catholics more than a little uncomfortable.But by one estimate, 14 percent of North American Catholics -- nearly 10 million people -- fall under the broad umbrella of the charismatic renewal.
The fastest growing portion of the U.S. church, Latinos, are five times more likely than their Anglo counterparts to be a part of charismatic activities.The U.S. church is becoming more charismatic, whether or not other American Catholics feel awkward around charismatic practices.Speaking with Catholic News Service during a 40th anniversary Conference of the Charismatic Renewal in New Jersey in late June, a bishop who has long been a part of the charismatic movement and three other leaders told the stories of how they came to be involved in it.Walter Matthews, executive director of Chariscenter USA, described being in a prayer group in Manhattan after college when he had a profound experience of the Holy Spirit.Msgr. Joseph Malagreca, pastor of Ss. Joachim and Anne Parish in Queens Village, N.Y., was a senior in college when he said he was "overwhelmed by the Spirit" during a seminarian's witness story.
For Father John Gordon, a Newark archdiocesan priest, it was August 1975 during a prayer meeting at a parish where participants prayed for what is called "baptism of the Holy Spirit."And for Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux, La., it was in September 1969, five years after his ordination, at a gathering of 15 fellow priests when he first experienced the sense of spiritual renewal that has drawn him to the charismatic movement for nearly 40 years.The four explained the origins of the Catholic charismatic renewal -- a student retreat at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1967 -- and its rapid spread, first across college campuses and soon around the world.
From its beginning the movement has had strong support at high levels of the church.As early as 1969, a U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine report about the charismatic renewal noted its "strong biblical basis" and legitimate theological reasons for existence. The report said the movement should be allowed to develop and gave recommendations to bishops about how to guide it.The late Belgian Cardinal Leo Jozef Suenens was an early proponent of the charismatic renewal, and Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI have all supported it in various ways. At one point, every U.S. diocese had an official liaison to the charismatic renewal.
Father Gordon said that, although the very physical, very emotional expressions of charismatics often are more associated with Pentecostal Protestants, since the early days of the church Catholicism has been a part of the Spirit-filled approach to faith."For Catholics it's not a big leap," said Father Gordon. "We expect the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives. Our experience of worship is very physical. It involves all the senses," through incense, candlelight, the Eucharist and song.Among the typical characteristics of charismatic experiences are the "gifts of the Holy Spirit." Some people are overcome with a physical feeling of warmth and well-being, sometimes called "baptism of the Spirit." Some find they can "prophesy" or relate to others a message from God.Other people shout or dance, sometimes without control over their actions, falling to the floor in what is called being "slain in the Spirit." Others may simply raise a hand high, swaying along with a song. What is called "speaking in tongues" is traditionally the ability to speak in a language unknown to the individual, but may be heard as a phrase such as "Jesus is Lord" or something indecipherable, repeated over and over like a mantra.
Defining who is a part of the charismatic renewal is even harder to quantify.News stories about what was called Catholic Pentecostalism in the 1970s described massive gatherings: 20,000 at a 1973 conference at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; 10,000 in 1975 at the Vatican; 600 priests -- about 1 percent of all priests in the country at the time -- praying together over three priests with medical problems at a healing service in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1975.Today, no one organization keeps track of who is involved in the many practices, groups and events that might be described as charismatic, such as Life in the Spirit seminars, Life Teen, covenant communities, healing ministries, retreat programs and parish missions.
The Council on Faith in Action, a Latino evangelical organization, estimates there are 3 million charismatic Catholics in the United States. The International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services cites the World Christian Encyclopedia in estimating there are 9.7 million charismatic Catholics in North America and more than 119 million in 235 countries worldwide.There's little doubt, though, that as the U.S. church becomes more predominantly Hispanic, the percentage of charismatic Catholics will grow.A recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 62 percent of Catholic Hispanics at least occasionally attend Masses that have "displays of excitement and enthusiasm, such as raising hands, clapping, shouting or jumping.
"Among non-Hispanic Catholics, only about 12 percent consider themselves charismatics, the study found.Bishop Jacobs believes the way to ensure that more people come to at least accept, if not participate in, the charismatic renewal is to "bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and God will convert their hearts." He suggested activities that have helped people find such a personal connection to God, including Life in the Spirit seminars, retreats and Marriage Encounter.Father Gordon said he would like to encourage other Catholics "not to be afraid" of the Holy Spirit working in ways that seem strange to them.END
Pope announces special year dedicated to St. Paul
POPE-PAUL Jun-28-2007
By John ThavisCatholic News ServiceROME (CNS)
Pope Benedict XVI announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul, saying the church needs modern Christians who will imitate the apostle's missionary energy and spirit of sacrifice.The pope said the Pauline year will run from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009, to mark the approximately 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth.He made the announcement while presiding over a vespers service at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome June 28, the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome."Dear brothers and sisters, as in the (church's) beginning, today, too, Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St. Paul," the pope said.
The Pauline year will feature numerous special liturgies and events in Rome, the pope said, but should also be celebrated in local churches and in the sanctuaries, religious orders and other institutions that have a special link to St. Paul.In a special way, the Pauline year will be ecumenical, reflecting the saint's commitment to the unity and harmony among all Christians, he said.The pope's announcement was met with applause in the crowded basilica.Seated near the altar were representatives of other Christian churches, in particular a delegation from the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The pope made a point of greeting them warmly and reiterating their "common commitment to do everything possible to hasten the time of full communion between the Christian East and West."Beneath the basilica's main altar, Vatican experts in recent years have unearthed what they say is evidence that a roughly cut marble sarcophagus was indeed the tomb of St. Paul, who was believed martyred nearby.
Pope Benedict went even further, saying in his sermon that the sarcophagus "according to the common opinion of the experts and unopposed tradition holds the remains of the apostle Paul."He said that during the Pauline year particular care should be taken to welcome Catholics from various countries who may want to make penitential pilgrimages to the saint's tomb.St. Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey, at the start of the Christian era, sometime between A.D. 7 and 10, according to church historians.After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he became one of the church's foremost evangelizers, first among Jews, then among Gentiles.The pope said the commemorative year would include symposiums and special publications devoted to the writings of St. Paul.
The saint's letters are a primary source of information about the life of the early church and have strongly influenced church thinking through the centuries.In his sermon, the pope said St. Paul's success as an evangelizer was not credited to skills as a speaker or to a "refined strategy" of missionary argumentation.His achievements had more to do with his extraordinary personal involvement in announcing the Gospel and his total dedication to Christ, despite problems and persecutions, he said.St. Paul's life holds a lesson for modern Christians, the pope said.
The action of the church is credible and effective only to the extent that Christians are willing to "pay personally for their faith in Christ, in every situation," he said.Where this commitment is lacking, the appeal of the Gospel will be weaker, he said.The pope recalled that St. Paul was once a violent persecutor of Christians who experienced a lasting personal conversion."He lived and worked for Christ; he suffered and died for him.
How current is his example today," he said.The pope also noted that, according to a long-standing tradition, Sts. Peter and Paul met near the basilica before they were martyred, and they hugged and blessed each other.They were very different figures, with different roles in the church, and there were sometimes tensions between them, the pope said, but together they helped build the church and showed the world a new way of being brothers.END
By John ThavisCatholic News ServiceROME (CNS)
Pope Benedict XVI announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul, saying the church needs modern Christians who will imitate the apostle's missionary energy and spirit of sacrifice.The pope said the Pauline year will run from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009, to mark the approximately 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth.He made the announcement while presiding over a vespers service at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome June 28, the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome."Dear brothers and sisters, as in the (church's) beginning, today, too, Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St. Paul," the pope said.
The Pauline year will feature numerous special liturgies and events in Rome, the pope said, but should also be celebrated in local churches and in the sanctuaries, religious orders and other institutions that have a special link to St. Paul.In a special way, the Pauline year will be ecumenical, reflecting the saint's commitment to the unity and harmony among all Christians, he said.The pope's announcement was met with applause in the crowded basilica.Seated near the altar were representatives of other Christian churches, in particular a delegation from the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The pope made a point of greeting them warmly and reiterating their "common commitment to do everything possible to hasten the time of full communion between the Christian East and West."Beneath the basilica's main altar, Vatican experts in recent years have unearthed what they say is evidence that a roughly cut marble sarcophagus was indeed the tomb of St. Paul, who was believed martyred nearby.
Pope Benedict went even further, saying in his sermon that the sarcophagus "according to the common opinion of the experts and unopposed tradition holds the remains of the apostle Paul."He said that during the Pauline year particular care should be taken to welcome Catholics from various countries who may want to make penitential pilgrimages to the saint's tomb.St. Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey, at the start of the Christian era, sometime between A.D. 7 and 10, according to church historians.After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he became one of the church's foremost evangelizers, first among Jews, then among Gentiles.The pope said the commemorative year would include symposiums and special publications devoted to the writings of St. Paul.
The saint's letters are a primary source of information about the life of the early church and have strongly influenced church thinking through the centuries.In his sermon, the pope said St. Paul's success as an evangelizer was not credited to skills as a speaker or to a "refined strategy" of missionary argumentation.His achievements had more to do with his extraordinary personal involvement in announcing the Gospel and his total dedication to Christ, despite problems and persecutions, he said.St. Paul's life holds a lesson for modern Christians, the pope said.
The action of the church is credible and effective only to the extent that Christians are willing to "pay personally for their faith in Christ, in every situation," he said.Where this commitment is lacking, the appeal of the Gospel will be weaker, he said.The pope recalled that St. Paul was once a violent persecutor of Christians who experienced a lasting personal conversion."He lived and worked for Christ; he suffered and died for him.
How current is his example today," he said.The pope also noted that, according to a long-standing tradition, Sts. Peter and Paul met near the basilica before they were martyred, and they hugged and blessed each other.They were very different figures, with different roles in the church, and there were sometimes tensions between them, the pope said, but together they helped build the church and showed the world a new way of being brothers.END
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