Thoughts on Ecumenism or When Will Pope Francis Rehabilitate Henry VIII?

Rehabilitate Henry VIII?

• Cardinal Walter Kasper spoke a few days ago at an ecumenical monastery in Bose, Italy at a Conference on justification, the Gospel of grace. Among other things, he said, "the ecumenical program should be formulated in the following terms: an evangelical Catholicism and a Catholic Protestantism." What the heck does that mean? If both faith's compromise we can reunify? Hey, you Catholics give up on the indissolubility of marriage and evil of abortion and the Protestants will give up....um....uh....er...woman clergy? Yeah...don't hold your breath.

• Kasper also said that Catholics and Protestants are part of  "the one and only body of Christ, that is the Church" and ended his talk saying, "If we do not want the Churches to empty even more, we need to focus on the core." Anyone who has followed Cardinal Kasper's convoluted reasoning at the two synods on the family could easily believe he has no core on which to focus. Everything is up for grabs -- and that, essentially describes Protestantism. Empty pews are certainly preferable to empty (non-existent) theology. Kasper and other churchmen of his ilk explain why Jesus lamented, "When I return will I find any faith on the earth?" I don't think Christ will find much at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity headed by Kasper. 

Guest Post: Pope to Commemorate 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation

Luther in the canon of saints? Great idea! We'll dispense with
the miracle requirement for his admirable Gospel witness! 

By David Martin

In what is being hailed as a milestone in the ongoing progress toward Catholic-Lutheran unity, Pope Francis will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation on October 31, in Lund, Sweden. At 2:00 pm, the pope will participate in an ecumenical prayer service in the Lutheran cathedral in Lund, where he will deliver a sermon aimed at strengthening ecumenical ties between the two religions.

Religious Syncretism in the Diocese of Arlington

My friend, Jane, was deeply disturbed by a front page article in the Arlington Catholic Herald  (7/2/13) depicting an ecumenical service at the diocesan Cathedral of St. Thomas More where Buddhists, Muslims, and Protestants all prayed in their traditions for religious liberty. The picture in the Herald appears to have an open tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament removed (Thank God!), but the event contributes to the widespread belief that all religions are the same (syncrectism). See my comments and links after Jane's letter.

Open Letter to Bishop Loverde about His Fortnight of Freedom at St. Thomas More Cathedral

Freedom? Liberty?

Sorry, no. Neither was honored at this event. Truth was discredited. The sanctuary was desecrated. Christ was offended. The cathedral should be re-consecrated.

I Am the Lord Your God, You Shall Not Have Strange Gods Before Me: The Scandal of False Ecumenism

As Catholics we are called to evangelize other faiths, not to bring them into the sanctuary to worship their false gods. It seems that all the churches where these atrocities occurred, even in the sanctuary, should be required to be resanctified. How can this be rationalized with 2000 years of Catholic history? As St. Paul says, can a man join his body to a harlot? Can a Roman Catholic pray with a pagan or feminist who worships Isis? How can the Vatican participate in the Parliament of World Religions. Religious indifferentism is a sin against the first commandment. A "pan religious melting pot" is anathema to Catholicism, but it's still going on. No wonder we are in so much trouble. Have mercy on us, Lord our God.