Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Wednesday, June 25, 2014 - "Roman Catholic *WHAT*?"

Making it All Up


I was at the computer keyboard, trying to click on those photos of celebrities without makeup, when an even uglier headline caught my eye. Something about the first female bishop in some state. Maybe Indiana?

Okay, well,  so what? Protestants seem to also have bishops, some of whom seem to have been female. Not that I've been keeping up or anything.

Then, the words, "Roman Catholic," leapt out.

Oh, another one of  those stories. Journalists love those, don't they?

I think journalists love to fantasize about the gates of Hell prevailing against Holy Mother Church. Then, anything would be permissible ---

The article explained that the only catch was that this bishop is not "officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church."

Well, that is quite a catch. Some might call it a whopper.
Is something fishy around here?
(Other than the lack of PhotoShop skills?)

And, it's quite a tale to tell.

Here's a funny quote from the website of the folks who claim to have ordained a female bishop, as well as female "priests":
"Roman Catholic Womenpriests are at the forefront of a model of service that offers Catholics a renewed priestly ministry in vibrant grassroots communities where all are equal and all are welcome." [I won't be including any link to this website, but it's not difficult to find.]

A Problematic Paragraph


Where do I begin?

They claim to be "at the forefront." Yet, how could that be, when the priesthood has been around for two thousand years.

Oh, okay, they don't claim to be at the forefront of history. Just at the forefront of "a model of service . . . "

What might that "model of service" be? Apparently something that "offers Catholics a renewed priestly ministry." Well, what if Catholics are already happy with the priestly ministry as it is now?

Oh, I see, the ministry we have now is apparently not welcoming or equalizing? --- According to these gals.

Perhaps because it does not take place "in vibrant grassroots communities . . ." characterized by the aforementioned equality and welcome.

But, didn't they just say it "offers Catholics a . . . ministry?"

So, that wouldn't be welcoming to "all," then, right, because it's only for Catholics? It's really quite a conundrum.

As Well as a Perplexing Paradigm


They claim to already be Roman Catholic. But, they actually aren't because they have chosen to disobey the teachings of the Magisterium. Which puts them outside of  a state of grace. Roman Catholics not in a state of grace are excommunicated until they go back to Confession. That was always my understanding.