Current Events: July 2007 Archives

I was listening to "Ask a Bishop" (7/18 3p) on Catholic Answers Live. A guy called and said that his wife belonged to a certain "ecclesial community". This confused His Excellency, who thought he was referring to something within the Catholic church or some ecumenical entity. The guy of course was referring to what in common parlance we'd call a "church" but apparently wanted to use the theologically correct language for it (following the recent CDF document). Too bad it was lost on the clueless bishop.

I do admit the language sounded clunky but one could argue he was only using it as it's been prescribed. One could make the counterargument though that the CDF document was not directed toward colloquial use of language, only to theological/ecclesiological use of it. In other words, you can say "My brother belongs to the Lutheran church, so I have to find a Catholic church when I visit him"; you don't have to say "My brother belongs to the Lutheran ecclesiastical community" as this man was essentially saying. Sometimes context and the rules pertaining to it can be confusing and ambiguous in the Catholic Church.

Ever notice out there is a surfeit of bitter ex-Catholics, while I have never in all of my experience encountered a convert to Catholicism who was bitter toward his former church. Indeed, in virtually all cases they are grateful to their former church for teaching them the Christian faith and preparing them for Catholicism.

Consider this man's claim that his time as a Catholic was "wasted". I wonder if he ever really thought about all the basics of the Christian faith he learned in the Catholic church, and how much of the Gospel he was familiar with from the Sunday readings. Admittedly it may not have been as thorough as he later wished for, and he has valid points about catechesis, but at least he had a starting point. Imagine what it would be like being totally unchurched. Would he have even accepted the faith if he had been unchurched?

I'm sure someone could argue against me on this point but to me the fact that ex-Catholics Christians tend to be bitterly vituperative and ex-Protestant Catholics tend to be grateful to their former church tells me we're doing something right. You know a tree by its fruits.

So if you've heard about the Pope's new document allowing greater use of the 1962 Latin Mass, there is a brouhaha brewing. Seems that some Jews are upset about it. Why? Because there is an itsy-bitsy teeny-tiny prayer on one day (Good Friday) in the rite that prays for the conversion of the Jews. Well, you'd have thought the Mass called for a pogrom every time it was celebrated, the outcry is so great. The fact is there could be no more than a few thousand people throughout the world who will ever hear this prayer each year.

Beyond the disproportionality of it all, it seems to be that religions have a fundamental right to seek the conversion of other people. I realize that Jews don't do it but they have to realize that certain religions believe they possess the truth and means to salvation, and naturally want to share that with people. If some Mormons wanted to pray for my conversion, I'd smile and say Go for it, and thank them for thinking of me. I just don't fundamentally understand getting outraged over some religion's desire to pray for my conversion. We're not even talking about active attempts to convert, only a prayer. (Although I suppose they would argue that if you publically pray for their conversion, people will be emboldened to take action in that regard.) I could understand disagreement; I could understand annoyance; but outrage?

I guess what I find most embarrassing is that no one was outraged before this over what the Catholic Church is doing now to convert Jews (and Gentiles).

That blessed date will soon be upon us. What do you plan to do this Saturday, 7/7/7, to celebrate the milestone? It will not happen for another 100 years — a once in a lifetime opportunity. Missed my chance to get married on the date, though! (It's even on a Saturday!)

As for me, well, frankly, I have no clue what I'm going to do besides mark it. I'll have to see if I can get some friends together to celebrate it. I just got a new grill so it might be a good opportunity. Maybe get a big banner to hang across my house ... I'm sure the neighbors will think highly of me after that <grin>. Maybe make a special pilgrimage. Sheesh, why isn't the church talking this up??

All hail, 7/7/7!