Post by jeanne on May 8, 2006 19:56:17 GMT -7
Nancy & rdywenur,
Thanks for your tips on quoting. Time will tell if I can master that, though I will keep trying!
Nancy,
I probably should have prefaced my comments by saying that I'm referring to the Church in America only, as that is what I am familiar with. I don't know what the situation is in other countries.
First I should say that I am very careful when using the words "liberal" or "conservative" when referring to the Church. The teachings of the Church are what they are and do not change over time and are neither. Of course there are always factions and people in the Church who can be referred to either as liberal or conservative but in either case they are usually bending the teachings of the Church for their own purposes (or comfort).
What I was trying to say in my comments was that the teachings of the Church regarding non-Catholics not being able to receive Communion have not changed from the 70's until now. Immediately following Vatican II there was a lot of confusion in the Church as to what the teachings were. Liberal theologians and members of the media were bent on finding CHANGE in the documents of the Council and looked for any indications of such and interpreted things as they pleased before the Church itself had had time to reflect on the meaning of the documents. A lot of young priests at the time were naturally the product of the profound cultural/sexual revolution that was occuring in secular society. They tended also to make their own interpretations of what the "changes" happening in the Council were and did what they wished regarding various practices. This confusion in the Church during those years was also reflected in the religious education of the children. A whole generation of people (those in their 40's and 30's now) grew up knowing no more about their Faith than the fact that God loved them. Now they are not able to pass the Faith on to their children and are not passing it on because they do not understand it themselves...but now I'm rambling. Anyway, the writings and teachings of JP II, who was a key player in the creation of the Council documents, has allowed the Church to reflect on those documents and to emphasize finally that the real "changes" spelled out by Vatican II were in the role of the laity, not in doctrine. The universal call to holiness of the laity and the sanctification of the laity through their work are examples of this. So while the teachings of the Church have not changed, the Church has become better at clarifing what those teachings are. (The new Catechism has been key in accomplishing this also). Which is not to say that you might not still find priests who will offer Communion to non-Catholics, but that the teaching has become generally more clearer that it is not approved of.
George,
Thanks for your comments. When I used the phrase "cleaning up their act" I was only referring to the fact that the Church had gotten better at clarifying what its teachings are!
I think the teaching on the Eucharist is that it is first and foremost a sign of unity and if someone receives Communion who does not believe and embrace the beliefs of the Faith, then it becomes a false sign of unity.
Thanks for your tips on quoting. Time will tell if I can master that, though I will keep trying!
Nancy,
I probably should have prefaced my comments by saying that I'm referring to the Church in America only, as that is what I am familiar with. I don't know what the situation is in other countries.
First I should say that I am very careful when using the words "liberal" or "conservative" when referring to the Church. The teachings of the Church are what they are and do not change over time and are neither. Of course there are always factions and people in the Church who can be referred to either as liberal or conservative but in either case they are usually bending the teachings of the Church for their own purposes (or comfort).
What I was trying to say in my comments was that the teachings of the Church regarding non-Catholics not being able to receive Communion have not changed from the 70's until now. Immediately following Vatican II there was a lot of confusion in the Church as to what the teachings were. Liberal theologians and members of the media were bent on finding CHANGE in the documents of the Council and looked for any indications of such and interpreted things as they pleased before the Church itself had had time to reflect on the meaning of the documents. A lot of young priests at the time were naturally the product of the profound cultural/sexual revolution that was occuring in secular society. They tended also to make their own interpretations of what the "changes" happening in the Council were and did what they wished regarding various practices. This confusion in the Church during those years was also reflected in the religious education of the children. A whole generation of people (those in their 40's and 30's now) grew up knowing no more about their Faith than the fact that God loved them. Now they are not able to pass the Faith on to their children and are not passing it on because they do not understand it themselves...but now I'm rambling. Anyway, the writings and teachings of JP II, who was a key player in the creation of the Council documents, has allowed the Church to reflect on those documents and to emphasize finally that the real "changes" spelled out by Vatican II were in the role of the laity, not in doctrine. The universal call to holiness of the laity and the sanctification of the laity through their work are examples of this. So while the teachings of the Church have not changed, the Church has become better at clarifing what those teachings are. (The new Catechism has been key in accomplishing this also). Which is not to say that you might not still find priests who will offer Communion to non-Catholics, but that the teaching has become generally more clearer that it is not approved of.
George,
Thanks for your comments. When I used the phrase "cleaning up their act" I was only referring to the fact that the Church had gotten better at clarifying what its teachings are!
I think the teaching on the Eucharist is that it is first and foremost a sign of unity and if someone receives Communion who does not believe and embrace the beliefs of the Faith, then it becomes a false sign of unity.