Its rather disappointing to see the faith being weaponized by politicians who clearly wouldn’t care otherwise given France’s stance on open displays of religious fervor. Personally I am not sure who I would pick of the three front runners but their personal faiths and stances on religion are likely not going to sway me. I would venture to guess that any meaningful discussion of Christianity and the Catholic faith are not going to be had. I do think the ever growing reach of Islam though is in a sense revitalizing Catholic identities even if its simply national identity and not religious practice.
Archives For Catholocism
This sounds like an interesting opportunity. Glad to see that the Catholic church is committed to keeping Latin alive. I had the pleasure of attending a service in Rome which followed the Traditional Latin Mass. While glad that the Bible was translated to the masses, there is still a beauty in keeping with the traditions of old.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/albertlittle/reformation-is-over/
As someone who is not Catholic I would say that historical continuity and institutional unity are not good enough reasons for me to switch. The distinctive and controversial doctrines or practices of the Roman Catholic Church are all stooped in historical tradition. Purgatory, the mass, transubstantiation, indulgences, the treasury of merit, penance, the rosary, prayers to Mary, holy water, the papacy, and on and on. What you will find is that biblical exegesis does not support these traditions. Furthermore just because the Catholic Church has reformed itself since Vatican II doesn’t take into account the hundreds of years of false interpretation and downright un-Christ-like teachings of the past. Especially when the historical past is their go to justification for their claim as the “true church.” While true the divisions post-Reformation are not ideal for Christ’s church, a unity for the sake of unity at the expense of Christ’s teachings is just as damaging.
Glória in excélsis Deo
et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.
Laudámus te,
benedícimus te,
adorámus te,
glorificámus te,
grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam
Latin liturgy, Mass: Gloria
Acerbity [əˈsɜːbɪtɪ] 