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Catholic Social Teaching; Connecting with people
Topic Started: Saturday, 4. September 2010, 08:09 (882 Views)
Mairtin
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The BBC has published the results of an online poll about the Pope's visit. I don't want to discuss the findings about reactions to the Pope's visit, that is better done in the thread dedicated to the visit, but in the middle of the report comes this little gem:

Quote:
 
In the Theos survey, researchers also put 12 statements - taken without naming the source - from the Pope's third encyclical letter which outlines his social policy, to people taking part in the survey.

A majority backed 11 out of the 12 extracts, including 82% agreeing with the statement "technologically advanced societies can and must lower their domestic energy consumption".

Some 79% agreed with the Pope's statement "the natural environment is more than raw material to be manipulated at our pleasure".

Paul Wolley, director of Theos, said ... "What is really striking is not simply that the public tends to agree with Pope Benedict's social teaching but that they agree so strongly.

"This confirms the view that beneath the terrible stories of sex abuse that have dominated coverage of the Catholic church in recent times, there remains real potential for the church to connect with the public."

At the end of the article there is a quote from a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference who said it was pleased the survey showed the majority of people agreed with Catholic social teaching. So why don't they get off their backsides and do more to publicise this teaching?

I've been convinced for a long time that the message of our Church is still the message that society at large wants to hear, not least in the times we have recently been through; I have been equally depressed at how desperately bad our Church has become at promoting that message.
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Rose of York
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Catholic Bishops' Conference Spokesman
 


"While there is considerable discussion and debate in the lead up to the Pope's visit, once he arrives and people see him and hear what he has to say they will give him a warm welcome."

Why wait for the Pope to arrive? What about the things Popes have been saying, for a long long time, about social teaching? The messages need to be continuiusly spread throughout the land.

The general public are aware of the Catholic Church's strict stance on marriage, abortion, contraception. They know we have wonderful buildings and works of art. How come they are surprised when I mention the charitable work. and the missionaries who go to poor areas, of political unrest, knowing they risk martyrdom, while they provide education, health and welfare.

Somehow the Church in this country needs to make people aware that we have teachings on fair wages and conditions, the right to opportunity to make fair profit, social welfare, dignity in health care, respect and support for persons in need, State responsibilities for the family and poor people, etc etc etc.

I could make lots of suggestions as to how we could reach out to "the masses", will our leaders at least give thought to suggestions? Doubtful.

How about the dioceses using good PR representatives, for a start? Obvious, they would want to be paid a fair wage (in accordance with Catholic social teaching)





Keep the Faith!

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PJD

"I could make lots of suggestions as to how we could reach out to "the masses", will our leaders at least give thought to suggestions? Doubtful."

I have been thinking - we should look more closely (including Bishops) at the 4th Commandment. Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother.

PJD
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Mairtin
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In what sense, PJD?
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PJD

"In what sense, PJD? "

Starting from this sense Mairtin:-

CCC 907 "In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."

PJD
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Mairtin
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WOW

I wish I'd known about that paragraph in some previous discuissions about whether or not we should really be even debating Church issues in forums like this :wink:
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Rose of York
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PJD
Sunday, 5. September 2010, 08:27
"In what sense, PJD? "

Starting from this sense Mairtin:-

CCC 907 "In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."

PJD
I see, I (yes, I) have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors my opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church.

Experience taught me that it is a waste of time and effort, and attracts animosity.

I see, I (yes, I) have the right to make my opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.

Experience taught me that it is a waste of time and effort, and attracts animosity. Indeed, it is a truth commonly held, that the greatest sin of all is "writing to the bishop".

A church had Mass attendance of 0.25% of population, the national average, is 2%. The sacred pastor agreed, that the low amounts given in Offertory collection and standing orders indicated I was telling the truth. The sacred pastor said he was well aware of the cause, but did nothing. Some years later, positive action was taken by a new parish priest, who would stand no nonsense, and took action to rectify the problem that was driving people away.

They who act upon CCC 907 need every ounce of fortitude they can, with the help of The Holy Spirit, muster.
Keep the Faith!

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Rose of York
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Mairtin
Saturday, 4. September 2010, 08:09
At the end of the article there is a quote from a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference who said it was pleased the survey showed the majority of people agreed with Catholic social teaching. So why don't they get off their backsides and do more to publicise this teaching?

I've been convinced for a long time that the message of our Church is still the message that society at large wants to hear, not least in the times we have recently been through; I have been equally depressed at how desperately bad our Church has become at promoting that message.
Bright idea:

Just in case they would like to get off their backsides and do more to publicise Catholic Social Teaching, but they don't know how to go about it, why don't we have a go at teaching them?

One never knows who will pick up ideas from this thread, and pass them on, at least to parish clergy, who might take them up.
Keep the Faith!

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Gerard

PJD
Sunday, 5. September 2010, 08:27
"In what sense, PJD? "

Starting from this sense Mairtin:-

CCC 907 "In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."

PJD
sacred pastors?
reverence towards their pastors?


Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
Mairtin
Sunday, 5. September 2010, 13:44
WOW

I wish I'd known about that paragraph in some previous discuissions about whether or not we should really be even debating Church issues in forums like this :wink:
You must have missed this bit, Mairtin:

... with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals...

It doesn't say "with scant regard to the integrity of faith and morals".

Unless one thinks that scant regard is what the integrity of faith and morals is due...
S.A.G.

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Rose of York
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Gerard
Sunday, 5. September 2010, 14:52
sacred pastors?
reverence towards their pastors?
Very odd indeed. I am trying to work out what is sacred about my pastor. He's a nice chap, but it is doubtful whether he would agree that he is sacred.

How can we expect the clergy to connect with people if those at the top of the tree think they are sacred?

It must be something to do with those funny hats.

Keep the Faith!

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PJD

"sacred pastors?
reverence towards their pastors?
Gerry"


Not exactly the line along which I am musing on Gerry, which is about respect for your elders. Elders in caps methinks. Now do not children respect their parents, take notice of what they say and what they advise, have a natural mind with regard to what is in effect the experience of their mum and dad. Thus so as the parents did of their own parents, so do the grandchildren follow along the line. 4th Commandment if you please; or perhaps I am being too obscure.

So what of bishops, even priests etc. does the 4th stop at ordination, or does it stop solely towards their own parents, or does the 4th mean a little more than that?

PJD
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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
Rose of York
Sunday, 5. September 2010, 17:28
Gerard
Sunday, 5. September 2010, 14:52
sacred pastors?
reverence towards their pastors?
Very odd indeed. I am trying to work out what is sacred about my pastor. He's a nice chap, but it is doubtful whether he would agree that he is sacred.

How can we expect the clergy to connect with people if those at the top of the tree think they are sacred?
Objectively they are.
Edited by Clare, Sunday, 5. September 2010, 18:34.
S.A.G.

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Rose of York
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The pastor's ordination is sacred.
Keep the Faith!

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Gerard

Apologies for the diversion (But the Lord did say that only God is good [let alone sacred])

Mairtin,

Yes good point

PJD

Yes a much more down to earth and concrete example. If we live it we will be noticed. And to some extent we do live it. Religious orders are tending to change from running orphanages to running care homes for older people. I suspect Catholics are better at looking after their aged parents than society at large. But we could do more - more taking them into our own homes etc etc.

The clergy i know tend to be good at looking after theur parents (well no spouses to get in the way) and also good towards their elderly in the congregation.

Gerry

"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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