DOCSLIB.ORG

Serving the Body: Using the Political Theology of Pope Francis As A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Serving the Body: Using the Political Theology of Pope Francis As A To the Communion of Saints serving as witnesses to the life of the Body of Christ and all those on earth who inspire me to grow in holiness. Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 4 Pope St. John Paul II .................................................................................................................. 4 Theology of the Body ................................................................................................................. 5 Pope Francis ............................................................................................................................... 9 Political Theology .................................................................................................................... 10 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 17 Phenomenology ........................................................................................................................ 17 Themes of Theology of the Body ............................................................................................. 20 Bergoglian Principles ............................................................................................................... 28 Phenomenological Analyses ...................................................................................................... 32 Implications for Ministry .......................................................................................................... 35 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 39 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................... 41 1 Introduction In the beginning was God. He created the heavens and the earth, the land and the sea, and the animals. This story of creation is a bible story that most Christians are told a very young age and many people hear multiple times throughout their life. The story follows a repetitive pattern as God creates something each day. At the end of each day, God looks back on creation and proclaims that it is good. This pattern is broken on the sixth day. On this day, God creates man and the narrator points out that man was created in the image of God (imago dei). God then reflects on His creation and describes it as “very good”.1 The second creation story dives deeper into the creation of man where God says that man is not meant to be alone. He makes a companion for man, known as woman and places them in the Garden of Eden.2 From there, this creation story goes on to describe the events of the fall and exile from the garden. This is where St. John Paul II starts at the beginning of his document, Theology of the Body. He looks at this story, not as a bedtime tale that is told to young children, but as a rich, theological text. This is the diving board from which he dives into the deep theological anthropology of the human person. The intent of this text is to help readers understand what it means to be human. This search for the purpose of life is something that all people seek. Questions like “who am I?” and “what is my purpose?” are questions that people ask in various forms on an almost daily basis. In an attempt to find answers, people turn to a variety of places. Pop culture, social media, and relationships (both romantic and platonic) are just some of the outlets 1. Genesis 1:1-31. 2. Genesis 2:15-23. 2 that people have tried to use to find answers. These sources all have different answers on what it means to be human and can lead to confusion. There are two ways main ways that this question can be answered. The first claims that humanity has no ultimate meaning or reason for existence. Because there is no purpose, anything goes and people can act however they want. There is no end goal for man to pursue. The second answer claims that there is a greater purpose for being. If there is a reason why human beings exist, then the way that humans act matter. St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body argues for this second answer. It looks at the purpose of each individual and the way that man should orient his life to achieve this purpose. This analysis of personhood contained within the document has the potential to address many societal problems and divisions within society. It speaks about the state of man, our need for community, and the spousal dimension of the body. Understanding this document leads to a greater understand of the human person and greater empathy for the other. However, this document has not been utilized to its full potential within ministry. The teachings of Theology of the Body are typically presented through speakers, video series, or books which lay out the “facts” of Theology of the Body. This is usually catechetical and can be informative, but only represents a small part of what the document offers. This research looks for a way to dive deeper into Theology of the Body and strives to look at new ways to incorporate the document into ministry. It does so by taking the core themes of Theology of the Body and looks at them in a way that fosters a deeper, ingrained understanding of the human person. This is done by incorporating these themes with Pope Francis’s principles of evangelization, referred to as the Bergoglian Principles. These principles look at evangelizing within society in a way that makes the truths of the Catholic faith tangible 3 and approachable for the average person. When these are combined, the message of Theology of the Body becomes more concrete and implementable for pastoral ministers seeking to create a further understanding of the human person in their ministry. 4 Literature Review St. John Paul II Karol Wojtyla, later known as Pope John Paul II, was born in Wadowice, Poland in 1920. Growing up, Wojtyla learned what it meant to be both Catholic and Polish while living under Communist oppression. Wojtyla was the youngest of three children. He fostered a close relationship with both of his parents. His mother, who was very ill and suffered from depression, died when Wojtyla was only eight. Despite his young age, Wojtyla described her presence in the family as “the soul of the home”.3 After his mother’s passing, Karol Wojtyla’s father was his companion and role model. His devoted prayer life was an example of faith to the growing boy.4 These childhood experiences shaped St. John Paul II’s understanding of marriage of the family. As a growing man, Wojtyla faced many challenges because of the Communist government. They controlled his ability to express both his Polish upbringing and Catholic faith. Wojtyla spent part of his seminarian career studying in secret in Poland before proceeding to obtain further degrees in Rome and abroad. As a theologian, St. John Paul II’s works are rooted in philosophy and inspired by individuals such as St. John of the Cross. His works possess a mystical, contemplative dimension that draws from the Carmelite tradition.5 3. Jane Barnes and Helen Whitney, “John Paul II: His Life and Legacy,” Frontline, PBS, n.d., https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/pope/etc/bio.html. 4. Ibid. 5. St. John Paul II studied St. John of the Cross as a graduate student in Rome. St. John of the Cross was an author and mystic, writing books such as The Dark Night of the Soul and The Living Flame of Love. Both St. John of the Cross and St. Edith Stein (mentioned in the next section) are Carmelite saints. Both have studied and published philosophical, theological works centered around love. “John Paul II (1920-2005),” Biographical Profile, The Vatican, accessed December 28, 2018, http://www.vatican.va/special/canonizzazione-27042014/documents/biografia_gpii_canonizzazione_en.html. 5 This is especially seen in his Theology of the Body, which contemplates the phenomenon of love and how it manifests itself in the world through an understanding of the importance of “spousal imagery”.6 Theology of the Body St. John Paul II originally wrote Theology of the Body with the intent to publish it as a book, which would serve as the sequel to another one that he wrote, Love and Responsibility. Before this could happen, St. John Paul II became pope and he delivered this work as a series of talks on human love and its relation to God’s divine plan during Wednesday General Audiences in Rome. He began this series on September 5, 1979. It lasted for 129 General Audiences, eventually ending on November 28, 1984.7 This work, which is an anthropological theology, was originally called Man and Woman He Created Them then changed names before ultimately being termed Theology of the Body (TOB).8 Theology of the Body is a dense, philosophical work that has been interpreted and summarized by a variety of contemporary theologians. One of the most compact analyses that strives to capture the spirit of this document comes from Fr. Mike Schmitz.9 He breaks this topic into five main points. 6. Christopher West Theology of the Body Explained: A Commentary on John Paul II’s Man and Woman He Created Them, (Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2007), 2. 7. The weekly talks were interrupted by various events including an assassination
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Understanding Human Sexuality in John Paul II's Theology of the Body
    Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 5-6-2016 Understanding Human Sexuality in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body: An Analysis of the Historical Development of Doctrine in the Catholic Tradition John Segun Odeyemi Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Odeyemi, J. (2016). Understanding Human Sexuality in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body: An Analysis of the Historical Development of Doctrine in the Catholic Tradition (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1548 This One-year Embargo is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUALITY IN JOHN PAUL II’S THEOLOGY OF THE BODY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINE IN THE CATHOLIC TRADITION. A Dissertation Submitted to Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By John Segun Odeyemi May 2016 Copyright by John Segun Odeyemi 2016 UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUALITY IN JOHN PAUL II’S THEOLOGY OF THE BODY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINE IN THE CATHOLIC TRADITION. By John Segun Odeyemi Approved on March 31, 2016 _______________________________ __________________________ Prof. George S. Worgul Jr. S.T.D., Ph.D. Dr. Elizabeth Cochran Professor of Theology Associate Professor of Theology (Dissertation Director) (Committee Member) ________________________________ ________________________________ Rev. Dr. Gregory I. Olikenyen C.S.Sp. Dr. James Swindal Assistant Professor of Theology Dean, McAnulty College and Graduate (Committee Member) School of Liberal Arts iii DEDICATION In honor of my dearly beloved parents on the 50th anniversary of their marriage, (October 30th, 1965 – October 30th 2015) Richard Tunji and Agnes Morolayo Odeyemi.
    [Show full text]
  • Course Description: Goals: Books and Readings
    Syllabus THEO 60655: The Moral Theology of Pope Francis University of Notre Dame, Summer Session 2017. Instructor: Anselma Dolcich-Ashley, Ph.D. [email protected] Office: 309 O’Shaughnessy (inside the Glynn Family Honors Program lounge) Office hours: 11:30 am-12:00 noon, and 3:00-4:00 pm Syllabus subject to updates, alterations, new bright ideas, and changes. Course Description: Pope Francis has emerged as one of the most well known of the world’s personalities because of his simplicity, his closeness to the vulnerable and poor, his defense of the earth and the environment, and his advocacy for reforms within the Catholic Church. This course will examine Pope Francis’ unique contributions to and applications of Catholic moral theology which themselves draw on traditions of Christian spirituality, his participation in the modern Latin American context, and his discernment of moral concerns throughout the Catholic Church globally. We will study official papal (2013- present) and episcopal statements (1992-2013) and compare them with analogues from Popes Benedict XVI and St John Paul II. In addition we will understand Pope Francis’ place in the trajectory of Catholic moral theology of the post-Vatican II period. Goals: 1. To think like moral theologians, and to become better moral theologians by means of engaging theoretically and practically with Vatican II’s urging that moral theology connect closely with Scripture and the Christian life. 2. To understand and articulate Pope Francis’ unique contributions to moral theology in the context of the Catholic Church in the modern world. Books and Readings: 1. Our textbook is: William Spohn, Go and Do Likewise: Jesus and Ethics (Bloomsbury, 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Additional Resource List
    ________________________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LIST ARCHDIOCESAN OFFERINGS FOR THE VICTIM/SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Victim/Survivor Support Group for those who were Adults when they were Sexually Harmed by Clergy or by anyone else First Monday of the month 6:30 – 8 p.m. Central Online via ZOOM If you are interested in participating in this virtual/online session, please contact Paula Kaempffer (651-291-4429 or [email protected]) to obtain the ZOOM invitation. Join with others who were sexually abused by clergy when they were adults. There are others who share a similar experience and who want to provide support, affirmation, hope and empowerment. Often there is another layer of healing that is needed for these victim/survivors. This group is about providing a safe, confidential environment for those who want to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse. We can help in our own healing and benefit from the experience of others in accomplishing this. Victim/Survivor Support Group Third Monday of the month 6:30 – 8 p.m. Central Online via ZOOM If you are interested in participating in this virtual/online session, please contact Paula Kaempffer (651-291-4429 or [email protected]) to obtain the ZOOM invitation. Join with other victim/survivors of sexual abuse who share a similar experience and who want to provide each other with support, affirmation, hope and empowerment. Support Group for Men who have been Sexually Abused by Clergy/Religious Fourth Wednesday of each month 6:30 – 8 p.m. Central Online via ZOOM Join each monthly meeting at this link.
    [Show full text]
  • Techno-Science, Integral Thought, and the Reality of Limits in Laudato Si’ Lisa Sideris
    Document generated on 09/27/2021 3:06 a.m. The Trumpeter Journal of Ecosophy Techno-Science, Integral Thought, and the Reality of Limits in Laudato Si’ Lisa Sideris Focus on Laudato Si' Article abstract Volume 34, Number 1, 2018 "Reality" is a term that appears dozens of times in Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’. The term is not directly defined, but appears to signal for Francis a mysterious, URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1060947ar relational, created order that imposes limits on humans while also evoking DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/1060947ar positive feelings like wonder and peace. Francis contrasts this vision of reality with perspectives on the world that are human-centered, fragmented, or See table of contents reductionist. In this way, his account of reality grounds his sharp critique of narrow, techno-scientific perspectives on life and the world that entail a will to mastery and control. Francis’s critique of reductive, fragmentary perspectives is also connected to his concern with a category of humans and nonhuman Publisher(s) others whom Francis designates “the excluded” in Laudato Si’. Distorted views Athabasca University Press of reality perpetuate neglect of these excluded others and prevent us from grasping the integral functioning of human, ecological, and social realms. I conclude by contrasting Francis’s version of integral ecology with other forms ISSN of integral thought that express naïve enthusiasm for technology, and suggest a 1705-9429 (digital) denial of human and natural limits. Explore this journal Cite this article Sideris, L. (2018). Techno-Science, Integral Thought, and the Reality of Limits in Laudato Si’.
    [Show full text]
  • Solidarity and Mediation in the French Stream Of
    SOLIDARITY AND MEDIATION IN THE FRENCH STREAM OF MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST THEOLOGY Dissertation Submitted to The College of Arts and Sciences of the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology By Timothy R. Gabrielli Dayton, Ohio December 2014 SOLIDARITY AND MEDIATION IN THE FRENCH STREAM OF MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST THEOLOGY Name: Gabrielli, Timothy R. APPROVED BY: _________________________________________ William L. Portier, Ph.D. Faculty Advisor _________________________________________ Dennis M. Doyle, Ph.D. Faculty Reader _________________________________________ Anthony J. Godzieba, Ph.D. Outside Faculty Reader _________________________________________ Vincent J. Miller, Ph.D. Faculty Reader _________________________________________ Sandra A. Yocum, Ph.D. Faculty Reader _________________________________________ Daniel S. Thompson, Ph.D. Chairperson ii © Copyright by Timothy R. Gabrielli All rights reserved 2014 iii ABSTRACT SOLIDARITY MEDIATION IN THE FRENCH STREAM OF MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST THEOLOGY Name: Gabrielli, Timothy R. University of Dayton Advisor: William L. Portier, Ph.D. In its analysis of mystical body of Christ theology in the twentieth century, this dissertation identifies three major streams of mystical body theology operative in the early part of the century: the Roman, the German-Romantic, and the French-Social- Liturgical. Delineating these three streams of mystical body theology sheds light on the diversity of scholarly positions concerning the heritage of mystical body theology, on its mid twentieth-century recession, as well as on Pope Pius XII’s 1943 encyclical, Mystici Corporis Christi, which enshrined “mystical body of Christ” in Catholic magisterial teaching. Further, it links the work of Virgil Michel and Louis-Marie Chauvet, two scholars remote from each other on several fronts, in the long, winding French stream.
    [Show full text]
  • Gerard Mannion Is to Be Congratulated for This Splendid Collection on the Papacy of John Paul II
    “Gerard Mannion is to be congratulated for this splendid collection on the papacy of John Paul II. Well-focused and insightful essays help us to understand his thoughts on philosophy, the papacy, women, the church, religious life, morality, collegiality, interreligious dialogue, and liberation theology. With authors representing a wide variety of perspectives, Mannion avoids the predictable ideological battles over the legacy of Pope John Paul; rather he captures the depth and complexity of this extraordinary figure by the balance, intelligence, and comprehensiveness of the volume. A well-planned and beautifully executed project!” —James F. Keenan, SJ Founders Professor in Theology Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts “Scenes of the charismatic John Paul II kissing the tarmac, praying with global religious leaders, addressing throngs of adoring young people, and finally dying linger in the world’s imagination. This book turns to another side of this outsized religious leader and examines his vision of the church and his theological positions. Each of these finely tuned essays show the greatness of this man by replacing the mythological account with the historical record. The straightforward, honest, expert, and yet accessible analyses situate John Paul II in his context and show both the triumphs and the ambiguities of his intellectual legacy. This masterful collection is absolutely basic reading for critically appreciating the papacy of John Paul II.” —Roger Haight, SJ Union Theological Seminary New York “The length of John Paul II’s tenure of the papacy, the complexity of his personality, and the ambivalence of his legacy make him not only a compelling subject of study, but also a challenging one.
    [Show full text]
  • Biblical Reflections on Co-Creating with the Redeemer
    panel i co-cReaTing wiTh The cReaToR 14 Biblical Reflections on Co-Creating with the Redeemer williaM s. kuRz, sJ, phd Professor, Department of Theology, Marquette University with anne caRpenTeR With gratitude for Anne Carpenter’s research and editorial assistance absTRacT he Bible does not explicitly answer questions about co-creating with God and discerning whether to try to have children. In consulting Scripture regarding con- temporary concerns, one needs to go beyond histori- cal exegesis. Reading Scripture as God’s Word requires Tseeking what God, the divine author of all of Scripture, is currently saying in the biblical passages under study. The primary foundation for biblical teaching about marriage and family is Genesis, especially concerning God’s original intention in creating marriage (Gen 1-2). Humans are created in the image of God as male and female, and marriage is the two becoming one flesh. 230 Science, Faith, & Human Fertility Most of Scripture treats adjustments that were made after mar- riage and family were gravely wounded by human rebellion against the Creator’s plan (Gen 3). The Book of Ruth demonstrates the broader familial contexts and purposes of marriage beyond the couple. The Song of Songs is a powerful poem celebrating the passion, emotion, and love in court- ship and marriage. The prophet Hosea portrays the relation of God to his people as that of the covenant between husband and bride, on which the New Testament Letter to the Ephesians builds, in compar- ing Christian marriage to the mystery or sacrament of Christ’s mar- riage covenant with his bride, the Church.
    [Show full text]
  • WONDERFULLY MADE: SEEING OUR BODIES AS GOD SEES THEM North Wisconsin Pastors Conference, Eau Claire, WI September 24Th – 26Th, 2018 Dr
    WONDERFULLY MADE: SEEING OUR BODIES AS GOD SEES THEM North Wisconsin Pastors Conference, Eau Claire, WI September 24th – 26th, 2018 Dr. John W. Kleinig & Dr. Harold Senkbeil SESSION ONE – DR. JOHN KLEINIG God’s Creation of Human Bodies for Sexual Union in Marriage 1. SEXUAL CONFUSION • Sticker: Your body may be a temple, but mine’s an amusement park. • Meeting the challenge of our age ➢ Common notion of God as a sexual killjoy rather that the Creator of sexuality for our enjoyment ➢ Quest for guilt-free sexual enjoyment by rejection of God’s law and Christian teaching on sex. ➢ I can do what I like with my body because it belongs to me. ➢ Loss of Christian moral imagination by younger generation ➢ Recovery of the beauty of the Christian teaching and practice of sexuality ➢ Luther in LC 218: “I say these things in order that our young people may be led to acquire a love for the estate of marriage and know that it is a blessed and God-pleasing estate.” • Christian teaching: owned body ➢ St Paul in 1 Cor 6:19: You are not your own. ➢ Given by God its Creator as His gift: body that belongs to Him and my spouse ➢ Ordered sexual intercourse: protection of God’s gift and its enjoyment by His law ➢ Our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) 2. THE GOD’S GIFT OF OUR SEXUAL BODIES AS PART OF HIS COSMIC ORDER • Teaching of Jesus on divorce in Mark 10:6: from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.
    [Show full text]
  • Topical Index
    298 The Moral Life in Christ Index Page numbers in color indicate illustrations. Titles of paintings will be found under the name of the artist, unless they are anonymous. References to specific citations from Scripture and the Catechism will be found in the separate INDEX OF CITATIONS. A art and music in Church, 130 sanctifying grace in, 33, 34, atheism, 119, 124 235, 250–252, 287, 288 attractiveness. See sexuality Barzotti, Biagio, Pope abortion and abortion laws, Leo XIII with Cardinals St. Augustine of Hippo 50, 82, 88, 90–91, 103 Rampolla, Parochi, on Baptism, 43 Abraham, 103 Bonaparte, and Sacconi (ca. Benedict XVI on, 14 absolution, 148, 286 1890), 114 Champaigne, Philippe de, abstinence, 99, 175, 286 Baudricourt, Robert, 239 Saint Augustine (ca. 1650), Baumgartner, Johan acedia, 66, 286 212 Wolfgang, The Prodigal Son actual grace, 235, 286 Confessions, 12 Wasting his Inheritance (1724- Adam and Eve on Eternal Law, 58–59 1761), 6 marriage and, 108 on freedom, 9 beatitude, 34, 120, 193. See Original Justice and, 19 on grace, 246 also holiness Original Sin and, 17–22, 24, on happiness, 47 Beatitudes, 145, 147–150, 26, 33, 206, 293 152–154, 161, 165, 286 life of, 7 adoration, 275, 277, 286 Benedict XVI (pope) on love, 89 adulation, 129, 130, 286 Caritas in Veritate (papal passions and, 212 adultery, 93, 94, 102, 286 encyclical, 2009), 117–118 on prayer, 283 alcohol and drugs, 84, 141 Deus Caritas Est (papal Retractationes, 28 encyclical, 2005), 13–14 almsgiving, 123, 257, 286 On the Sermon on the general audience, Nov.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mother of Fair Love: the Beauty of the Ever-Virgin for the Vocations of Christian Life
    Marian Studies Volume 66 Mary and Holy Families Living Today Article 8 5-2015 The otheM r of Fair Love: The Beauty of the Ever- Virgin for the Vocations of Christian Life Kevin Clarke John Paul the Great Catholic University Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/marian_studies Part of the Catholic Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Clarke, Kevin (2015) "The otheM r of Fair Love: The Beauty of the Ever-Virgin for the Vocations of Christian Life," Marian Studies: Vol. 66, Article 8. Available at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/marian_studies/vol66/iss1/8 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Marian Library Publications at eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Marian Studies by an authorized editor of eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Clarke: Mother of Fair Love THE MOTHER OF FAIR LOVE: THE BEAUTY OF THE EVER-VIRGIN FOR THE VOCATIONS OF CHRISTIAN LIFE Kevin M. Clarke, PhD The beauty of the Virgin-Mother gives spiritual life to her children. In that regard, this article will explore the writings of some of the Church Fathers, the Marian psalter attributed to St. Bonaventure, and the theology-of-the-body audiences of Pope St. John Paul II to show how Mary is mother of the spiritual life and the exemplar of the life of the elect. I am the mother of fair love, and fear, and knowledge, and holy hope: I therefore, being eternal, am given to all my children which are named of him (Sirach 24:18).1 1 ἐγὼ μήτηρ τῆς ἀγαπήσεως τῆς καλῆς, καὶ φόβου καὶ γνώσεως καὶ τῆς ὁσίας ἐλπίδος, δίδομαι οὖν πᾶσι τοῖς τέκνοις μου, ἀειγενὴς τοῖς λεγομένοις ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ.
    [Show full text]
  • Archbishop's Visit of Reconciliation
    Catholic January 2019 FREE East Anglia Newspaper of the Diocese of East Anglia www.rcdea.org.uk Stained glass Faith restored Deep sorrow brings new after chalice for hurt is colour to church is stolen expressed – page 3 – page 5 – page 3 Welby visit is historic first for cathedral A Christmas message from Bishop Alan I In the Gospel for Mass on Christmas Day, St John the Evangelist describes the coming of Christ in the Nativity as a battle between light and darkness: a battle in which there is only one victor: “The Word was the true light that enlightens all men and women… A light that shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower.” As we journey through Advent, the Archbishop Justin Welby speaks at St John’s Cathedral, nights draw in and the days grow alongside Bishop Alan Hopes and Bishop Graham James. darker. It may seem to us, too, that the world around us is darkened and clouded by uncertainty and dissension. Deep divisions seem to shadow our soci - ety; divisions too about our nature and identity as a country and its place in the world, with no clear path visible where those who have disagreed might learn to walk forward together. Archbishop’s visit By way of contrast, our television and our computer screens are full of bright but garish and deceptive lights: the lights of celebrity culture, and of consumerism, that lead us into blind of reconciliation alleys and cul-de-sacs, where Christmas The Archbishop of Canter - that unity of the Body of Christ which cis said: ‘We must be more urgent in the is valued only in terms of what we buy is in accordance with his will and of ecumenism of action, proclaim the good and spend and consume.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecce Fides Pillar of Truth
    Ecce Fides Pillar of Truth Fr. John J. Pasquini TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication Foreword Introduction Chapter I: The Holy Scriptures and Tradition Where did the Bible come from? Would Jesus leave us in confusion? The Bible alone is insufficient and unchristian What Protestants can’t answer! Two forms of Revelation What about Revelation 22:18-19? Is all Scripture to be interpreted in the same way? Why was the Catholic Church careful in making Bibles available to individual believers? Why do Catholics have more books in the Old Testament than Protestants or Jews? Chapter II: The Church Who’s your founder? Was Constantine the founder of the Catholic Church? Was there a great apostasy? Is the Catholic Church the “Whore of Babylon”? Who founded the Church in Rome? Peter, the Rock upon which Jesus built his Church! Are the popes antichrists? Why is the pope so important? Without the popes, the successors of St. Peter, there would be no authentic Christianity! Why is apostolic succession so important? The gates of hell will not prevail against it! The major councils of the Church and the assurance of the true faith! Why is there so much confusion in belief among Protestants? What gave rise to the birth of Protestantism? Chapter III: Sacraments Are sacraments just symbols? What do Catholics mean by being “born again” and why do they baptize children? Baptism by blood and desire for adults and infants Does baptism require immersion? Baptism of the dead? Where do we find the Sacrament of Confirmation? Why do Catholics believe the Eucharist is the
    [Show full text]