Sir, – Every time I see letters titled “Catholic Spring”, I read them in anticipation of finding some insightful, uplifting and balanced comments. Alas,except for a few, the majority of these letters are devoid of a true understanding of authentic Catholic philosophy and of the role of the Catholic Church in our lives.
Brendan Butler (January 2nd), besides taking a rather crude swipe at the new liturgical missal,rails against papal infallibility and in particular the role that he assigns to both Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict in its “incestuous reinforcement” (Mr Butler’s words).
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the church states very clearly that infallibility belongs first to God, to his Son Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit. It also observes that church infallibility precedes papal infallibility. Infallibility concerns solemn and public declarations addressed to the whole church. This is a very rare occurrence. Since its definition by the First Vatican Council, a Pope has only once made use of it, to define the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
If the approach to a so-called “Catholic Spring”, is to endeavour in some way to dismantle the teachings of the church and to discredit the honourable intentions of Popes John Paul and Benedict,then I fear that it will be more akin to a “Winter of Discontent” than any spring. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Loosely following the debate on the “Catholic Spring” in these pages and in particular after reading Mary Stewart’s letter (December 31st), one would get the impression there was only one Christian “church”, which has the monopoly on the interpretation of the teachings of Christ. Christianity is divided into five main groups, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant; each claiming to be followers of Jesus of Nazareth and practising His teachings in their own way.
Mary Stewart believes His “church” was established because, ordinary human beings may “interpret these teachings to suit themselves”. I feel this “church” has over-complicated and interpreted these simple teachings and philosophies for living, to benefit this “institution” and ensure its survival at all costs.
One writer suggests “the Catholic Church is a refuge for those who prefer others to do their thinking for them”. I suggest it is a refuge from personal responsibility and if you do mess up the penalties are minor and all is forgiven.
Is it time for a “Catholic Spring”? Perhaps it’s time for a “Christian Renaissance” . – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Mary Stewart (December 31st) criticises critics of the Catholic Church because “most seem to take the interpretation of the teaching from the media”, adding “His church was established with Peter as leader and He did promise to be with it to the end of time”. Might I point out that the church in question is also a human medium, and that as such it edited the documentary records to suit its own temporal ends. It continues to do so by masking the original message in a blizzard of canon law, which it uses to trump the democratically mediated laws intended to protect our children from all-too human predators under its frocks.
In this case, the medium is not the original message. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – “Catholic Spring”: part of the Pope Mobile’s suspension system? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Michael P Kelly (December 30th) is confusing “faith” with “denomination” ie Christianity with Catholicism (or Christianity with Anglicanism).
Furthermore, he is mistakenly assuming that Anglicanism is not catholic. It is. Any catholic who has serious doubts about the supremacy of the Vatican, the power of bishops, celibacy of priests, the ban on women priests and virtual deification of Mary (and virginity) is indeed far closer to Anglican catholicism than to Roman Catholicism.
As someone with those same doubts – very much reinforced by admittedly very few paedophile priests, too many hypocritical bishops and a wrong-minded Vatican (all celibate) not to mention the downgrading of many highly spiritual women who surely could not be worse and likely would be far better Roman Catholic clergy – I for one could not in conscience, continue within the Roman Catholic church but, I remain a catholic and a Christian (and less of a hypocrite, I hope) now within the Church of Ireland. – Yours, etc,