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Cardinal Martini speaks to Church from beyond the grave
Topic Started: Monday, 10. September 2012, 00:40 (580 Views)
Rose of York
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http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=21013

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Father Georg Sporschill, a fellow Jesuit who interviewed him for Night Conversations in Jerusalem, and Federica Radice met Cardinal Martini on August 8: "A sort of spiritual testament. Cardinal Martini read and approved the text. "

How do you see the situation of the Church?

"The Church is tired in Europe and America. Our culture has aged, our Churches are large, our religious houses are empty and the bureaucracy of the Church climbs higher, our rituals and our clothes are pompous. Do these things express what we are today? (...) The burden of care. We stand there like the rich young man who went away sad when Jesus called him to make him his disciple. I know that we can not leave it all with ease. But at least we can try to be people who are free and closer to our neighbours. As were Bishop Romero and the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador. Where are our heroes to inspire us? For no reason, should we restrict them within the constraints of the institution".

Who can help the Church today?

"Father Karl Rahner willingly used the image of the embers hidden under ashes. I see in the Church today is so much ash over the coals that often a sense of helplessness comes over me.

Can you remove the ash from the fire so as to revive the flame of love? For first we have to look for this fire. Where are the individuals full of generosity like the Good Samaritan? Who has faith like the Roman centurion? Who are enthusiastic as John the Baptist? Who dare to be new as Paul? Who are as faithful as Mary Magdalene?

I advice the Pope and to the bishops to seek twelve people who work outside the box to point the way.

Men that are close to the poor and are surrounded by young and that experience things in a new way . We need the comparison with men who are passionate so that the spirit can spread everywhere. "

What tools are recommended to fight against fatigue of the Church?

"I recommend three very strongly.

The first is the conversion.

The Church must recognize her mistakes and must follow a path of radical change, starting with the Pope and the bishops. The scandals of paedophilia impel us to embark on a journey of conversion. The questions on sexuality and all issues involving the body are one example. These are important for everyone and sometimes maybe they are too important. We must ask ourselves if people still listen to the advice of the Church on sexual matters. Is the Church still an authority in this field of reference or only a caricature in the media?

The second is the Word of God

The Second Vatican Council returned the Bible to Catholics. (...) Only those who feels in their heart that Word may be part of those who help the renewal of Church and will answer personal questions with a correct choice. The Word of God is simple and looks like a heart that listens companion (...). Neither the clergy nor the Church law can replace the interiority of man. All the external rules, laws, dogmas are data given to clarify the inner voice and the discernment of spirits?

What are the saraments for? These are the third instrument of healing.

The sacraments are not a tool for discipline, but an aid to men in the moments of their journey and weaknesses of life. We bring the sacraments to the people that need a new power? I think of all the divorced and remarried couples who create families. These need a special protection. The Cwnhurch supports the indissolubility of marriage. It is a grace when a marriage and a family succeed (...).

The attitude we take toward extended families will determine the approach to the Church of the next generation of children. A woman was abandoned by her husband and finds a new partner that takes care of her and her three children. The second love succeeds. If this family is discriminated against, not only the mother is cut off but also his children. If parents feel outside the Church or do not feel the support, the Church will lose the next generation. Before Communion we pray: "Lord I am not worthy ..." We know we are not worthy (...). Love is grace. Love is a gift. The question of whether the divorced can go to Communion should be reversed. How can the Church get to help with the power of the sacraments those who have complex family situations? "

What do you do personally?

The Church has been left behind for 200 years. Why does she not shake? What are we afraid of? Fear instead of courage? However, the faith is the foundation of the Church. The faith, confidence, courage. I am old and sick, and I depend on the help of others. The good people around me make me feel the love. This love is stronger than the feeling of distrust that I sometimes perceive in to the Church in Europe. Only love conquers fatigue. God is Love. I still have a question for you: what you can do for the Church?


Article reproduced in full, with permission.
Keep the Faith!

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Penfold
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I knew I liked this chap.
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Our culture has aged, our Churches are large, our religious houses are empty and the bureaucracy of the Church climbs higher, our rituals and our clothes are pompous.



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The Church must recognize her mistakes and must follow a path of radical change, starting with the Pope and the bishops. The scandals of paedophilia impel us to embark on a journey of conversion. The questions on sexuality and all issues involving the body are one example. These are important for everyone and sometimes maybe they are too important. We must ask ourselves if people still listen to the advice of the Church on sexual matters. Is the Church still an authority in this field of reference or only a caricature in the media?
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Rose of York
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Interview with Cardinal Martini
 
Father Georg Sporschill

Interviewer, Father Georg Sporschill

Who can help the Church today?

Cardinal Martini"Father Karl Rahner willingly used the image of the embers hidden under ashes. I see in the Church today is so much ash over the coals that often a sense of helplessness comes over me.

Can you remove the ash from the fire so as to revive the flame of love? For first we have to look for this fire. Where are the individuals full of generosity like the Good Samaritan? Who has faith like the Roman centurion? Who are enthusiastic as John the Baptist? Who dare to be new as Paul? Who are as faithful as Mary Magdalene?

I advice the Pope and to the bishops to seek twelve people who work outside the box to point the way.


Cardinal Martini said his advice to the Pope would be to seek twelve people who work outside the box to point the way. By "out of the box" did he mean outside the Vatican, or outside of the College of Cardinals. I think it is a good idea, and hopefully would include young, middle aged, elderly, married, single and ordained.
Keep the Faith!

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Mairtin
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A very thought provoking piece, the bit I find hardest is "I still have a question for you: what you can do for the Church?".

I am quick to criticise the Church for her shortcomings but what am I doing to put those things right? I know what I am doing; l also know that it is nowhere near enough!

Some more thoughts on the Rosary thread.
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draig
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Mairtin
Monday, 10. September 2012, 20:48
A very thought provoking piece, the bit I find hardest is "I still have a question for you: what you can do for the Church?".
I have another, pertinent, question...

What will The Church allow you to do?
Gripe. Moan. Snipe. Ignore any inconvenient truth. Don't provide specific data. Don't, whatever you do, provide links to hard evidence. The Traditional Way To Maintain A Discussion.
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Derekap
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I think members of this forum are by their discussions amd argumemts contributing something for The Church. Hopefuly casual readers gain something. I have learned a lot and still do. Even if we are trying to convert each other! :tc:


Reading requests for prayers is another realisation of the needs for people,
Edited by Derekap, Monday, 10. September 2012, 21:35.
Derekap
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Rose of York
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Derekap
Monday, 10. September 2012, 21:34
I think members of this forum are by their discussions amd argumemts contributing something for The Church. Hopefuly casual readers gain something. I have learned a lot and still do. Even if we are trying to convert each other! :tc:


Reading requests for prayers is another realisation of the needs for people,
I have often wondered if any bishops read this website. It might help them get some insight into what the lay people think, feel and say about every aspect of Catholicism.
Keep the Faith!

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Rose of York
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Rose of York
Monday, 10. September 2012, 19:40
Interview with Cardinal Martini
 
Father Georg Sporschill

Interviewer, Father Georg Sporschill

Who can help the Church today?

Cardinal Martini"Father Karl Rahner willingly used the image of the embers hidden under ashes. I see in the Church today is so much ash over the coals that often a sense of helplessness comes over me.

Can you remove the ash from the fire so as to revive the flame of love? For first we have to look for this fire. Where are the individuals full of generosity like the Good Samaritan? Who has faith like the Roman centurion? Who are enthusiastic as John the Baptist? Who dare to be new as Paul? Who are as faithful as Mary Magdalene?

I advice the Pope and to the bishops to seek twelve people who work outside the box to point the way.


Cardinal Martini said his advice to the Pope would be to seek twelve people who work outside the box to point the way. By "out of the box" did he mean outside the Vatican, or outside of the College of Cardinals. I think it is a good idea, and hopefully would include young, middle aged, elderly, married, single and ordained.
Having taken another look at the interview, I see that I omitted a paragraph.

Quote:
 
I advice the Pope and to the bishops to seek twelve people who work outside the box to point the way.

Men that are close to the poor and are surrounded by young and that experience things in a new way . We need the comparison with men who are passionate so that the spirit can spread everywhere. "


I wish Cardinal Martini had included women.
Keep the Faith!

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Mairtin
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Derekap
Monday, 10. September 2012, 21:34
I think members of this forum are by their discussions amd argumemts contributing something for The Church.
I agree, Derek, but it is easy to discuss religion with other people who are religious, how many of us try to have similar discussions with people who aren't religious?
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Mairtin
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draig
Monday, 10. September 2012, 21:23
I have another, pertinent, question...

What will The Church allow you to do?
I think it is too easy to get caught up in the things that we need permission for and forget the things we don't need permission for.

I know I have always played down my religious views under the pretext that religion is a private matter and shouldn’t be rammed down people's throats,; most of my colleagues and friends would be aware that I am Catholic (it goes with the territory in Ireland) but very few of them would realise how important it actually is to me and how big a part of my life it is. Perhaps if they knew more about the strength of my religious views, it might stimulate some fresh thinking by some of the ones who are agnostic or atheist but have come to respect me in some regard or other.

It can be very simple things. When friends are discussing the latest bed hopping in soapland or among celebrities, they might possibly notice that I generally don’t take part in the discussion but I doubt that they are really aware how I consider this to be immoral behaviour.

When I do something good or help somebody out, I doubt if they fully realise that doing that is as natural to me as breathing or eating.

I suspect most Catholics are like me in those regards but we don’t need anybody’s permission to lead our lives the way Jesus taught us and let other people see that we are doing that.
Edited by Mairtin, Tuesday, 11. September 2012, 08:33.
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Derekap
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Mairtin
Tuesday, 11. September 2012, 08:31
Derekap
Monday, 10. September 2012, 21:34
I think members of this forum are by their discussions amd argumemts contributing something for The Church.
I agree, Derek, but it is easy to discuss religion with other people who are religious, how many of us try to have similar discussions with people who aren't religious?
Frankly it is very very rarely that I do. I don't feel confident enough to do so. Wherever I've been particularly in different offices of the company I worked for; they seem to know in advance I was a Catholic as a matter of course.
Derekap
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Gerard

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The Church has been left behind for 200 years.


:bravo:

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"What can you do for the church?"


Support the ACP.

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

Why is there so much emphasis and reliance on tradition in the church? We are not a forward thinking church, just stuck in a sort of time warp.
Let go of the pomp,ceremony and theatre. I realise that in Christ's day the synagogue would have had ritual but isn't it time we moved on and left the theatre for significant liturgical dates (christmas/easter).

Illiterate and ignorant people in past times welcomed the theatrical side, it was necessary for understanding today we have education and very fast means of communication.

Let's have more masses televised, the housebound could request communion be administered by an EME if the priest is too busy. At least the message would be getting through.
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Rose of York
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paul
Saturday, 15. September 2012, 20:39
Why is there so much emphasis and reliance on tradition in the church? We are not a forward thinking church, just stuck in a sort of time warp.
Let go of the pomp,ceremony and theatre. I realise that in Christ's day the synagogue would have had ritual but isn't it time we moved on and left the theatre for significant liturgical dates (christmas/easter).
Excessively embroidered vestments and mitres give the impression the people are there to see a bishop and his entourage taking part in a theatrical performance. The spectacle is hardly likely to convince a newcomer to Catholic worship that the "audience" are there to raise their minds and hearts to God.

Vestments of simple design are less distracting.
Keep the Faith!

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paul
Saturday, 15. September 2012, 20:39
Why is there so much emphasis and reliance on tradition in the church? We are not a forward thinking church, just stuck in a sort of time warp.
Let go of the pomp,ceremony and theatre. I realise that in Christ's day the synagogue would have had ritual but isn't it time we moved on and left the theatre for significant liturgical dates (christmas/easter).
I am odd but I rather like to think of every day as a gift and the Party should never end :highland: :band:
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