I just read about how a Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands is calling on Christians to start referring to God as "Allah" instead of God, as it "may help relieve tensions between Christians and Muslims."
A question to Stephen: how in God's name (pardon the pun) is a member of church heirarchy, a bishop no less, allowed to say something like this without some sort of threat of excommunication?
Since Vatican II, the Popes have been pacifists, shying away from any confrontation. But, that does not mean heretics have not been excommunicated post Vatican II.
There are two forms of excommunication. Our recent Popes, especially John Paul II, have relied heavily on "latae sententiae excommunication." To quote a reliable source... "The phrase “latae sententiae” means a judgment or sentence which has already been brought, in other words, a sentence or judgment which does not need a future additional judgment from someone in authority; it refers to a type of excommunication which is automatic." So, politicians and others that support abortion, homosexual "marriage", female ordinations, Aryanism, etc. are heretics and therefore have received an automatic excommunication. The second form, a "ferendae sententiae" excommunication (one that comes after a formal canonical trial, and is often a matter of public record) is used rarely, if ever nowadays. Some say our recent Popes rarely use this form as to not water down it's effect. Some theorize that the next future Pope will more liberally use the ferendae sententiae excommunication to more forcibly bring heretical Catholics to grips with their falling out with the Church. As society becomes more secular, people (which includes bishops and priests) will feel more inclined to believe and practice whatever their mood fancies. Future Popes must use the more public form of excommunication to curb the growing trend of defiance. I'm not sure if this Dutch Bishop deserves excommunication, if not just a good punch in the face.
4 comments:
I just read about how a Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands is calling on Christians to start referring to God as "Allah" instead of God, as it "may help relieve tensions between Christians and Muslims."
A question to Stephen: how in God's name (pardon the pun) is a member of church heirarchy, a bishop no less, allowed to say something like this without some sort of threat of excommunication?
Since Vatican II, the Popes have been pacifists, shying away from any confrontation. But, that does not mean heretics have not been excommunicated post Vatican II.
There are two forms of excommunication. Our recent Popes, especially John Paul II, have relied heavily on "latae sententiae excommunication." To quote a reliable source... "The phrase “latae sententiae” means a judgment or sentence which has already been brought, in other words, a sentence or judgment which does not need a future additional judgment from someone in authority; it refers to a type of excommunication which is automatic."
So, politicians and others that support abortion, homosexual "marriage", female ordinations, Aryanism, etc. are heretics and therefore have received an automatic excommunication.
The second form, a "ferendae sententiae" excommunication (one that comes after a formal canonical trial, and is often a matter of public record) is used rarely, if ever nowadays. Some say our recent Popes rarely use this form as to not water down it's effect.
Some theorize that the next future Pope will more liberally use the ferendae sententiae excommunication to more forcibly bring heretical Catholics to grips with their falling out with the Church. As society becomes more secular, people (which includes bishops and priests) will feel more inclined to believe and practice whatever their mood fancies. Future Popes must use the more public form of excommunication to curb the growing trend of defiance.
I'm not sure if this Dutch Bishop deserves excommunication, if not just a good punch in the face.
Oh. Hello, TC.
What an insightful and informative response, Stephen. No sarcasm, either. Well done.
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