Back To The Future, Catholic Style
Or have we just gone full circle?
A couple of articles today jumped off the screen and screamed at me. Now I'll let them scream at you. The first is from CatholicCulture.org. Here's just a very small snippet of the article; (The headline and the last sentence pretty much says it all)American bishops' compromise stand on political issues is breaking down
For years the US bishops have sidestepped public disputes on political issues by crafting statements that will barely satisfy both sides. Now that compromise is breaking down. Then we have an article from The Los Angeles Times, where the headline and a few of the last sentences pretty much say it all; The end of the Catholic vote
Obama's lead among Catholic voters may signal a profound shift.
There's also a profound demographic shift occurring in this sector. Nearly one-third of all American Catholics now are Latinos, as are more than 50% of all Catholics under 40. They have broken overwhelmingly for Obama because of his stands on the economy and immigration. (Shades of the 1840s.)
What all this suggests is that, in this and coming election cycles, we may see a new model for the Catholic vote... 75% of whom are overwhelmingly pro-Democratic, while a devout minority, the Orthodox, tends more strongly Republican... According to most reliable data, slightly less than one in four Catholics now assist at weekly Mass and are more open to GOP policies, while the overwhelming majority of their co-religionists have cast their lot with the Democrats' domestic and foreign policies.
In other words, back to the future. Now here's how the two articles tie together --
The first article points out the glaringly obvious. Weak-kneed and lukewarm "leaders" have led us down a path of destruction and desolation, all the while singing of a false Springtime of The Church that never really existed. Unless one considers neo-Protestantism "a new springtime".
Even though the staff writer for the LA Times doesn't even realize it himself, he's pointed out that we can all forget about what the census cards say... the real number of Catholics who actually follow and adhere to what The Church teaches is really a very, very small percentage of the American populace (just like back in the 1840's.)
So instead of being a powerhouse for God, thanks to the moral and theoligical cowardice of the USCCB and what they have fed Catholics for almost half a century, we've essentially found ourselves right back in the 1840's.
Thanks, USCCB. This must be that "Springtime" shit I've been hearing about for so long.
Or have we just gone full circle?
A couple of articles today jumped off the screen and screamed at me. Now I'll let them scream at you. The first is from CatholicCulture.org. Here's just a very small snippet of the article; (The headline and the last sentence pretty much says it all)
For years the US bishops have sidestepped public disputes on political issues by crafting statements that will barely satisfy both sides. Now that compromise is breaking down.
Obama's lead among Catholic voters may signal a profound shift.
There's also a profound demographic shift occurring in this sector. Nearly one-third of all American Catholics now are Latinos, as are more than 50% of all Catholics under 40. They have broken overwhelmingly for Obama because of his stands on the economy and immigration. (Shades of the 1840s.)
What all this suggests is that, in this and coming election cycles, we may see a new model for the Catholic vote... 75% of whom are overwhelmingly pro-Democratic, while a devout minority, the Orthodox, tends more strongly Republican... According to most reliable data, slightly less than one in four Catholics now assist at weekly Mass and are more open to GOP policies, while the overwhelming majority of their co-religionists have cast their lot with the Democrats' domestic and foreign policies.
In other words, back to the future.
The first article points out the glaringly obvious. Weak-kneed and lukewarm "leaders" have led us down a path of destruction and desolation, all the while singing of a false Springtime of The Church that never really existed. Unless one considers neo-Protestantism "a new springtime".
Even though the staff writer for the LA Times doesn't even realize it himself, he's pointed out that we can all forget about what the census cards say... the real number of Catholics who actually follow and adhere to what The Church teaches is really a very, very small percentage of the American populace (just like back in the 1840's.)
So instead of being a powerhouse for God, thanks to the moral and theoligical cowardice of the USCCB and what they have fed Catholics for almost half a century, we've essentially found ourselves right back in the 1840's.
Thanks, USCCB. This must be that "Springtime" shit I've been hearing about for so long.
posted by Kevin Whiteman at
2:47 AM
6 Comments:
New Springtime..neo protestantism...smaller but purer Church, i'll take it.
I never understood the proping up of people who are not loyal to the Church. I mean if your institution exists specifically because of the Church (as in the USCCB) and you put your faith in those that continuously turn their back on the Church when it is convenient for them. What advantage is there?
Unless your ultimate plan is to one day split from the Church and start your own. I wonder!
Look, the Catholic Church takes everyone, even sinners and incompletely-formed Catholics.
Having said that, I agree about the "Springtime" nonsense. But we can't allow ourselves to become the 21st century version of Donatism or those evangelical or pentecostal churches that throw out the less worthy. They were created in the image of God, too.
I'd suggest going back to more traditional stuff, like bishops becoming teachers again and the laity resuming their proper place. You know, like the good old days.
Look, the Catholic Church takes everyone, even sinners and incompletely-formed Catholics.
You're half-way there.
"Incomplete" need to be properly instructed on how to become "complete". Unfortunantly, many in positions of leadership have accepted improperly formed (and sometimes mal-formed) Catholics, and found that to be completely acceptable.
Anyhow, thanks for posting!
I think prima is suggesting something like, Orthodoxy?
Nahhh... we don't have to go back 1,000 yrs to see what Prima is suggesting. Just 40 short years ago, this was the norm.
And still is, in places like Sacred Heart - Dunn, NC; St Anne's, San Diego, CA, etc, etc.
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