is the blog of an Orthodox Christian and is published under the spiritual patronage of St. John of San Francisco. Topics likely to be discussed include matters relating to Orthodoxy as well as other religious confessions, politics, economics, social issues, current events or anything else which interests me. © 2006-2024
Friday, October 23, 2009
Here we go again
Some comments regarding unity with the Roman Catholic Church from a bishop of the Bulgarian Church that may or may not have been quoted accurately or in context are creating a stir among the kumbaya "UNITY NOW!" crowd all over the internet. Assuming he was quoted accurately and in context I find some of his remarks to be somewhat problematic. You can read the report of his remarks here. I posted a couple of responses to them which may be found here and here.
the haloscan does not actually tell us what site or blog you posted that comment to, what site was that? i'd like the see what the Author made of the zenith article
ReplyDeletethanks
Here is the link to the original post. This same story is popping up all over the internet though.
ReplyDeleteIn ICXC
John
ooops forgot the link...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/10/bulgarian-orthodox-express-desire-for.html#180563184509443316
Dear John,
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely site! Thank you for the hard work you do to maintain it, and for sharing it with others!
I happened upon your site through The New Liturgical Movement site, and your comments therein. The site had news about the talk desire for Orthodox union with Rome, and I posted a thought that I'm all for reunion, but not at the expense of the truth.
All my life I've been a Roman Catholic Christian, and I love my church very much. At the same time, I've come to a great interest and respect for Holy Orthodoxy. A good friend of mine is being ordained Subdeacon this Sunday in the OCA. Please pray for my friend, Seraphim.
For a long time now I've been very grieved and frustrated by certain tendencies and developments in the Roman Catholic Church; it is all I can do to just endure Sunday Mass.
One of the biggest turn-offs for me is the obsession with the "People of God" stuff, when we should be far more centered in the GOD whose people we are. The insipid ditties we're made to sing every weekend, the "Gather Us In" and "You Are Mine" stuff makes me want to stick a pencil in my eye.
My Orthodox friend Seraphim reminded me of Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi. I will repeat that. My ORTHODOX friend...these days in the RCC, folks think Lex Orandi and Lex Credendi are relatives of Lex Luthor, Superman's arch enemy.
Please forgive me if I sound mean spirited, because I'm trying very hard to remember to practice charity. I'm a sinner, a poor sinner. I'm just sick of my faith, my wife's faith, my mother's faith, etc., being made a laughing stock of.
Our church needs to spend more time recovering what it has lost and far, far less time trying to make itself "relevant." Don't even get me going on the "inclusive language" thing.
I pray to God that you Orthodox never, ever go the way the RCC has. If, God forbid, this ever happens, civilization is over and done with. Please, please keep the faith, and let it shine brightly for us who are in a scary darkness.
God love you, John.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments about the blog. As an ex RC I sympathize with your plight. May I suggest looking for a TLM? (Avoid any masses offered by the various schismatic sects like the SSPX etc.) Most dioceses now have at least one. You may have to drive a bit but it's far better than enduring the liturgical gruel being handed out in most RC parishes these days. If that fails you can always look for an Eastern Rite Catholic Church.
In the meantime take heart. +Benedict XVI is the best thing to hit your church in a very long time. He is steadily working to repair all of the damage. May God grant him many many years.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and your friend Seraphim.
Your servant in ICXC
John
Thank you, dear John,
ReplyDeleteYour comment just now has helped make it a good, good day! God love you, John.
There is an OCA in the city that I have been to, and probably will go to again. I know that I cannot receive Holy Communion there, but I can make an act of spiritual Communion when I go. There is one parish locally that offers the Mass in the Extraordinary Form, but I had a bad experience there, and it's a long story. I most heartily agree with you about Pope Benedict. And I believe (if it's God's will) that I would become Orthodox before going Eastern Rite.
Thank you for your prayers for Seraphim and for me. I am praying for you, too. Thank you for providing this blog. My email is robertglassmeyer@juno.com if you'd ever like to email.
God love you, John,
bob