Entering Synagogues, Praying With Non-christians, Etc.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769252' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:04 PM']Not sure about Benedict, but I think I remember that when JPII visited a Mosque, he prayed in his way, the rest of the attendees in theirs-i.e, JPII didn't face Mecca. I know you think it's theological indifferentism, but I think praying together, each in our own way, is beautiful. -Katie[/quote]
Certainly you have a right to your opinion.

Nevertheless, as an Eastern Catholic I look forward with joy to the day when Catholics (Roman and Eastern) and Eastern Orthodox can pray and receive holy communion together, but if the Pope (and Roman Catholics in general) keep praying with Muslims, Jews, Hindus, et al., then the restoration of communion will never happen, because the majority of Eastern Orthodox Churches refuse to participate in indifferentist activities.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Apotheoun

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1769271' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:13 AM']Certainly you have a right to your opinion.

Nevertheless, as an Eastern Catholic I look forward with joy to the day when Catholics (Roman and Eastern) and Eastern Orthodox can pray and receive holy communion together, but if the Pope (and Roman Catholics in general) keep praying with Muslims, Jews, Hindus, et al., then the restoration of communion will never happen, because the majority of Eastern Orthodox Churches refuse to participate in indifferentist activities.[/quote]

I maintain that ecumenism is not indifferentism. I can disagree with someone on some things but still focus on what we have in common and spend time with them, learn more about them, etc.-Katie

Edited February 2, 2009 by Tinkerlina

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769277' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:16 PM']I maintain that ecumenism is not indifferentism. -Katie[/quote]
The term "ecumenism" applies only to Christians.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1769278' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:17 AM']The term "ecumenism" applies only to Christians.[/quote]

Not necessarily, depends on how one views it. -Katie

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769285' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:20 PM']Not necessarily, depends on how one views it. -Katie[/quote]
Ecumenism is about reuniting Christians into one "oikoumene" (i.e., one Christian household). Don't confuse inter-religious dialogue, which simply has a goal of trying to insure peaceful co-existence, with ecumenism, which is about reuniting all the baptized into the one Catholic Church.

[Apotheoun]

I stand by what I have said: If Catholics wish to pray with non-Christians then they must accept the fact that the ecumenical movement (i.e., the attempt to reunite all Christians in the one Catholic Church) is dead.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1769291' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:23 AM']Ecumenism is about reuniting Christians into one "oikoumene" (i.e., one Christian household). Don't confuse inter-religious dialogue, which simply has a goal of trying to insure peaceful co-existence, with ecumenism, which is about reuniting all the baptized into the one Catholic Church.[/quote]

I realize that ecumenism usually refers to efforts to unite denominations wtihin Christianity, but I don't think that's its exclusive definition. Couldn't the eventual end of non Christian ecumenism/religious dialogue be planting the seed of Christianity-opening the door to conversion?-Katie

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769294' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:25 PM']I realize that ecumenism usually refers to efforts to unite denominations wtihin Christianity, but I don't think that's its exclusive definition. Couldn't the eventual end of non Christian ecumenism/religious dialogue be planting the seed of Christianity-opening the door to conversion?-Katie[/quote]
It is the exclusive Catholic definition of the term.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1769295' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:26 AM']It is the exclusive Catholic definition of the term.[/quote]

Alright, you're right, I'm wrong. -Katie

[Apotheoun]

There can be no theological unity between Catholics and Muslims, or Catholics and Hindus; instead, it is the duty of Catholics to fulfill the Great Commission given to the Church by Christ the Lord Himself, who said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

Christ is the sole savior of humanity, and all prayer is to be directed to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1769305' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:29 AM']There can be no theological unity between Catholics and Muslims, or Catholics and Hindus; instead, it is the duty of Catholics to fulfill the Great Commission given to the Church by Christ the Lord Himself, who said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

Christ is the sole savior of humanity, and all prayer is to be directed to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.[/quote]

If we dialogue, we may spark curiosity about our faith. You really think it's wrong to pray with someone of another faith, each in our own way? EDIT: I'll retract that, because I think we're into debate territory that is not for this board. -Katie

Edited February 2, 2009 by Tinkerlina

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769312' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:31 PM']If we dialogue, we may spark curiosity about our faith. You really think it's wrong to pray with someone of another faith, each in our own way? -Katie[/quote]
Christ, the sole redeemer of mankind, commanded His followers to preach the Good News of salvation, and not simply to chat with people and let them remain in a false religion.

Sadly, the missionary zeal of the Catholic Church over the past forty years has evaporated into inter-religious dialogue that does not require anything of anyone, and which ultimately encourages people to remain in theological error.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Apotheoun

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769312' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:31 PM']If we dialogue, we may spark curiosity about our faith. You really think it's wrong to pray with someone of another faith, each in our own way? EDIT: I'll retract that, because I think we're into debate territory that is not for this board. -Katie[/quote]
Don't worry too much, because if the thread becomes a debate a moderator will move it to the debate table.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1769317' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:35 AM']Christ, the sole redeemer of mankind, commanded His followers to preach the Good News of salvation, and not simply to chat with people and let them remain in a false religion.

Sadly, the missionary zeal of the Catholic Church over the past forty years has evaporated into inter-religious dialogue that does not require anything of anyone, and which ultimately encourages people to remain in theological error.[/quote]

If God wishes someone of another faith to become Catholic, He'll give them the necessary grace. But maybe it'd help if someone of the Catholic faith had shown openness to talking, approachability. I think Mother Theresa is a great example. -Katie

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1769321' date='Feb 1 2009, 10:38 PM']If God wishes someone of another faith to become Catholic, He'll give them the necessary grace. But maybe it'd help if someone of the Catholic faith had shown openness to talking, approachability. I think Mother Theresa is a great example. -Katie[/quote]
I see. So we should just ignore the Great Commission! Interesting.