Recent comments from Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI recently addressed the bishops of England and Wales, gathered for their ad Limina visit. Bishop Morlino found the Holy Father’s remarks to be of particular interest and asked that all those who assist in the catechetical work of the diocese read them. They are quite brief but thought-provoking.
Click here to read the Pope's comments.
A rEVOLution of Love
Everyday, our youth are bombarded with messages of love and happiness. What is real love…what is true love? Pope John Paul II understood love:
“Real love is demanding, I would fail in my mission if I did not tell you so. Love demands a personal commitment to the will of God.”
John Paul II
But how do we live it out? What are the practical guidelines the Church offers to assist all of us in reaching our full potential and navigating the sexualized culture we live in. Join us for three dynamic workshops to explore the truth of love and chastity.
Click here for more...
"The Shack"
A number of people have asked about "The Shack," a recent best-selling novel by William Young wherein the protagonist meets and spends time with the three persons of the triune God. The subject of much controversy, probably the best synopsis is given by Father Robert Barron, "...reading it is a bit like eating a watermelon: lots of good sweet stuff to eat, but you’ve got to spit out a few seeds!."
Some of the concerns are highlighted in this particular comment from the above blog:
...
Ok, I finished The Shack today, and I must say that I would not recommend it to anyone who isn't strong in their Catholic faith. Or Christian faith, period!
It seemed ok. A nice feel-good book, even with the sad parts, which I won't go into to spoil it for anyone. I was thinking, ok...yes...that's what I was taught....that's what I believe. And then it started to drift into what seemed like double-talk to me.
And THEN it got downright contradictory. To name only a few things that bothered me....
On page 136 ~ "Evil is only the absence of good, like dark is the absence of light." God is supposed to be saying this to the main character. No mention of satan anywhere in the book.
On page 177 ~ While Jesus says that the church is his bride, he/God is also against religion. God says that "religion, politics and economics are the man-created trinity of terror".
So much seems to go towards the 'new age feel good' attitude. It seems as if the author takes just enough truth to make you let your guard down, and then hits you with these weird ideas. Such as....
On page 181-182 ~ 'Jesus' "has no desire to make anyone a Christian". (excuse me? What about His command to the Apostles to go out and make disciples of all nations???)
On page 202 ~ The Ten Commandments no longer apply. It says that "Jesus fulfilled it all, so that it (the law) no longer has jurisdiction over you." (excuse me? What Jesus said was that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it...NOT abolish, as the book says)
On page 203 ~ It says that 'In Jesus, you are not under any laws.' (no laws? again...do what you like, it's ok.)
Ok...I'm done naming pages. I think you get the drift. In this book, the author says it's 'all about relationships', with God, with each other. No responsibility or rules as we know them. And I see in the back of the book that he has a non-fiction book that is for sale, which seems to mean to me that he will be teaching/preaching his theology, or whatever you want to call it.
This book worries me because it just seems that the 'feel good', 'no I don't really have to worry so much about sin', etc. may appeal to many people and actually take them away from God. I have seen/heard people say that it has "changed the way I view God and the Trinity.", and a very devout non-Catholic Christian friend of mine who is a leader in her church groups is all fired up over the 'teachings' in this book.
...
Reiki and the Catholic faith
Several people have called the OEC to ask about the practice of Reiki and whether it is compatible with the Catholic faith. On March 25, 2009, the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine issued a statement that strongly criticizes the practice. Click here to read "Guidlines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy."
Although some will object to such a classification, Reiki is basically a New Age spiritual practice. The Church offered a fairly extensive commentary on New Age stuff in "Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life." For more about this topic, visit our "Resources" page here.