Liberal Crozier
06-20-2006, 08:58 AM
We have several friends who are liberal Roman Catholic priest theologians - some gay and some straight - who have been effectively silenced for the past two decades. In order to understand their insights, you must find early works - often prior to the APA pronouncements - in order to understand their attack upon Scholasticism and Natural Law arguements used against us.
The Western Church or Patriarchate (Rome) following the Great Schism from the Eastern Church or Patriarchates (Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria) followed a different philosophically-constructed and Aristotelian approach to teaching the Faith. I have always remarked upon the fact that the Eastern Church has had schisms, but not a Western Church-style Protestantism denying the essentials of Apostolic sacramental Christianity. This system permeated even the Reformers - who themselves used the constructions in such works as Calvin's INSTITUTES.
Without a doubt, most Catholics today are vastly ignorant of their Faith beyond a simple catechetical understanding. Boomers raised in parochial schools and Catholic high schools did so in the last period where religious vocations had been fed during the Great Depression. Today, if these institutions still exist, they are entirely secular in staff and approach. A single solitary priest, or religious man or woman identifies the reality. This void has been filled by the fundamentalist and dominionist Christian sects.
Decades ago, when I first learned the Latin language, I became aware that the grammatical rule was explained in one simple sentence - whilst the exceptions to the rule filled the rest of the extensive chapter. This is a perfect analogy for the reality of Catholic faith and practice where the beliefs hit the pews.
For example, the rule is that Roman Catholic priests are celibate. The exceptions have always been there. The "Uniate" or Ritual Churches have always used Orthodox discipline in optional celibacy for lower grades of clergy. The Pastoral Provision programme has allowed Anglican or Lutheran clergy to be reordained....if they did not possess the "Dutch Touch" whereby they were merely received into Communion with their wives and families. A cute aside is that this Provision is ONLY allowed for cradle Anglicans and Lutherans who have NEVER been Roman Catholics in their lay or clerical lifetimes.
Do NOT even get me started on issues like birth control or divorce/annulment. The average Catholic is aware of the duplicities that inform those doctrinal issues.
There is no doubt that the Roman Catholic position on homosexuality is still informed upon the paedophilia scandals and the loss of many European North Americans who have left the Faith or simply have lapsed attendance and support. The largest group of Roman Catholics worldwide are in Latin America, where Protestant fundamentalist inroads are becoming significant.
The scientific community has spoken clearly, unequivocally and without any subtefuge. We are part of the " natural law " in all disciplines. The diversity is clearly known. We discovered the microscope in the 19th century. We know that ovaries exist. Yes, not to the naked eye, but they do. Our ancestors knew only about wombs and sperm and made the wrong theological and scientific conclusions. The male and not the female determines gender, and "spilling your seed" did not mean that you were spilling a potential foetus. How many young teenagers in full throws of puberty and multiple masturbatory days and nights had to also wrestle with Natural Law, Scholasticism, and Mortal Sin?
Is it possible for LGBT Catholic Christians to remain loyal to the Roman Magisterium led by Joseph Ratzinger and effect change in their Church? I suggest that the question is ill-posed. Let me attempt another question.
Is it possible for LGBT Roman Catholic Christians to remain Catholics but leave the Roman Catholic jurisdiction and join an autocephalus gay-affirming Catholic jurisdiction? For Anglicans, Orthodox and Catholic gay and lesbian Christians - changing pews is more complex than for their Protestant brothers and sisters. It speaks to the nature of the sacraments and not so much the absence, but the certainty, of validity of the Eucharistic celebration and the Reconciliation bond.
This is the first day since being in hospital that I feel somewhat better. My son is playing at my feet, and at age 3 1/2, likes to massage my bald pate.
When the lack of taste buds, and therefore appetite governs my day- adding nausea to the mix - I stare at the photo of the man who sits in his office and has shared my bed for thirty years - often in an " open cupboard", and I know the true meaning of the words " natural family."
Please be assured of my prayers for Soulforce and its prophetic and Spirit-led founders and leaders, and for each and every one of you who read these words. You have my Apostolic Blessing given by internet - truly " urbi et orbi" (huge sheepish grin)
The Western Church or Patriarchate (Rome) following the Great Schism from the Eastern Church or Patriarchates (Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria) followed a different philosophically-constructed and Aristotelian approach to teaching the Faith. I have always remarked upon the fact that the Eastern Church has had schisms, but not a Western Church-style Protestantism denying the essentials of Apostolic sacramental Christianity. This system permeated even the Reformers - who themselves used the constructions in such works as Calvin's INSTITUTES.
Without a doubt, most Catholics today are vastly ignorant of their Faith beyond a simple catechetical understanding. Boomers raised in parochial schools and Catholic high schools did so in the last period where religious vocations had been fed during the Great Depression. Today, if these institutions still exist, they are entirely secular in staff and approach. A single solitary priest, or religious man or woman identifies the reality. This void has been filled by the fundamentalist and dominionist Christian sects.
Decades ago, when I first learned the Latin language, I became aware that the grammatical rule was explained in one simple sentence - whilst the exceptions to the rule filled the rest of the extensive chapter. This is a perfect analogy for the reality of Catholic faith and practice where the beliefs hit the pews.
For example, the rule is that Roman Catholic priests are celibate. The exceptions have always been there. The "Uniate" or Ritual Churches have always used Orthodox discipline in optional celibacy for lower grades of clergy. The Pastoral Provision programme has allowed Anglican or Lutheran clergy to be reordained....if they did not possess the "Dutch Touch" whereby they were merely received into Communion with their wives and families. A cute aside is that this Provision is ONLY allowed for cradle Anglicans and Lutherans who have NEVER been Roman Catholics in their lay or clerical lifetimes.
Do NOT even get me started on issues like birth control or divorce/annulment. The average Catholic is aware of the duplicities that inform those doctrinal issues.
There is no doubt that the Roman Catholic position on homosexuality is still informed upon the paedophilia scandals and the loss of many European North Americans who have left the Faith or simply have lapsed attendance and support. The largest group of Roman Catholics worldwide are in Latin America, where Protestant fundamentalist inroads are becoming significant.
The scientific community has spoken clearly, unequivocally and without any subtefuge. We are part of the " natural law " in all disciplines. The diversity is clearly known. We discovered the microscope in the 19th century. We know that ovaries exist. Yes, not to the naked eye, but they do. Our ancestors knew only about wombs and sperm and made the wrong theological and scientific conclusions. The male and not the female determines gender, and "spilling your seed" did not mean that you were spilling a potential foetus. How many young teenagers in full throws of puberty and multiple masturbatory days and nights had to also wrestle with Natural Law, Scholasticism, and Mortal Sin?
Is it possible for LGBT Catholic Christians to remain loyal to the Roman Magisterium led by Joseph Ratzinger and effect change in their Church? I suggest that the question is ill-posed. Let me attempt another question.
Is it possible for LGBT Roman Catholic Christians to remain Catholics but leave the Roman Catholic jurisdiction and join an autocephalus gay-affirming Catholic jurisdiction? For Anglicans, Orthodox and Catholic gay and lesbian Christians - changing pews is more complex than for their Protestant brothers and sisters. It speaks to the nature of the sacraments and not so much the absence, but the certainty, of validity of the Eucharistic celebration and the Reconciliation bond.
This is the first day since being in hospital that I feel somewhat better. My son is playing at my feet, and at age 3 1/2, likes to massage my bald pate.
When the lack of taste buds, and therefore appetite governs my day- adding nausea to the mix - I stare at the photo of the man who sits in his office and has shared my bed for thirty years - often in an " open cupboard", and I know the true meaning of the words " natural family."
Please be assured of my prayers for Soulforce and its prophetic and Spirit-led founders and leaders, and for each and every one of you who read these words. You have my Apostolic Blessing given by internet - truly " urbi et orbi" (huge sheepish grin)