Tag: Roman Catholicism

The Divide in Catholicism

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The topic of Ross Douthat’s Erasmus Lecture for First Things magazine this week was “The Crisis of Conservative Catholicism,” a timely one given the recent public tussles over the Synod of the Family in Rome. On the same evening, a group of prominent Catholic theologians released an . . .

CHR Comment: Kaya Oakes looks at the divide in Roman Catholicism, which the writer characterizes as liberal Catholics v. conservative Catholics. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat is the conservative, whose recent article drew criticism. Toward the end of the article Oakes characterizes conservative Roman Catholics by certain liturgical practices rather than by specific doctrinal views or moral views.

Source: “Own Your Heresy”: The Argument Over Who Gets to Do Public Theology Takes a Sharp Turn | Religion Dispatches

Defrocked Gay Vatican Priest Pins Hopes on Pope Francis

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The Polish priest announced on Oct. 3 that he was gay, on the eve of the Vatican’s synod on the family.

CHR Comment: The interview expresses significant disappointment in the synod on the family, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church in general. Charamsa does not think the church will change its doctrine. Yet the disaffected priest still expresses hope that Pope Francis will foster greater openness to homosexual Roman Catholics. One wonders how Charamsa’s public and defiant actions affected future discussions of the issues.

Source: Defrocked gay Vatican priest says he has no regrets

Christians Facing “Indonesian Jihad”

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If you look to the left as your plane approaches the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta, one can easily see the 153-foot Christ Blessing statue in off in the distance in Manado City.

CHR Comment: Christians in the Aceh region face opposition from the Muslim majority. The region is governed by Sharia law. In October a group of Muslim’s carrying axes and machetes attacked a church in Suka Makmur. 8,000 Christians were “displaced”; one person, thought to be a Muslim attacker, died from a gun shot. Tensions are increasing in the capital, Jakarta, as Christians from outlying areas move into the city to find work. Attempts to start churches are being violently opposed or stopped through prejudicial regulations.

Source: Christians facing ‘Indonesian jihad’ as churches burned on imams’ orders: report | Fox News#.Vkc4Ujgm4rg.email

500 Years of Virgin Mary Sightings in One Map

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Apparitions of the Virgin Mary, inspiring wonder and devotion among millions, have been tracked for centuries.

CHR Comment: A fantastic visual exploration of popular Roman Catholic piety. The infographic charts show how the number of sightings has increased in modern times, perhaps due to better recording and reporting. This illustrates how important new revelations are to Roman Catholics. I will add a link to this on the maps page of Church History Review.

Source: 500 Years of Virgin Mary Sightings in One Map

50 Years of the Jewish-Christian Dialogue

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There is no question that the document Nostra Aetate (“In our Time”) — promulgated by the Second Vatican Council in October 1965 — changed the discourse in the field of Jewish-Christian dialogue in particular, and interreligious dialogue in general, in the contemporary period.

CHR Comment: The article notes the fifty year anniversary of the papal document that spurred interfaith dialogue as a modern feature of religious life. The author believes that ignorance remains the most important obstacle to overcome as Christians and others interact with one another.

Source: 50 Years of the Jewish-Christian Dialogue — The Way Forward | Ron Kronish

Roman Catholic Plot to Destroy Parliament. Guy Fawkes Day

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Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.

CHR Comment: The infamous gunpowder plot of 1605 is still widely remembered and observed in England though the activities are less about faith than frolic these days. The town of Lewes also remembers the martyrdom of 17 Protestants at this time by hosting huge bonfires.

Source: Q&A: Remember, remember the fifth of November. Who is Guy Fawkes anyway?

Santa Muerte Worshippers Prepare Festivities To Celebrate Mexican Folk Saint

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Described as the fastest-growing religious movement in the Americas, the cult of Santa Muerte is about seeking safe passage to the afterlife.

CHR Comment: Blessed Reformation Day! This is a great example of syncretism in Mexican culture, where the Mayan religion involved human sacrifice and mixed with ideas from Catholicism. Thankfully, the Roman Catholic Church regards this as blasphemous. Unfortunately, the actions of conquistadors from that area were likewise dishonoring to the Lord.

Source: Day Of The Dead 2015: Santa Muerte Worshippers Prepare Festivities To Celebrate Mexican Folk Saint

Biased Media for Synod on the Family

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The final document was an obvious compromise intended to gain support from both reformers and hardliners.

CHR Comment: Statements from the media seemed especially sensitive to some of the rhetoric from members of the synod. Articles published in the International Business Times and Reuters News Service described the pope as “lambasting” conservatives. The attached USA Today article accused the synod of punting on the topic of homosexuality. Members of the media seem intent on pushing for change in Roman Catholicism. One headline described the church as moving to the left slowly. The new statements about divorce are significant.

Source: Vatican summit opens door for divorced, punts on welcome to gays