Election of a Pope, how foreign it all is...

 

You can't help read the news without seeing something about the election of a new Pope.

I've looked through the candidates and can't help reflect that they will be all following the last Pope John Paul's, conservative roots. Celibacy, no condoms, no women ordination, etc etc.

I reflect on this while watching them, cardinals brightly dressed in red, old men. They appear completely out of place. I wonder if they have twitter, facebook accounts? Know what the latest music the young people are listening to where they live? Have an reflection on a current movie? I watch these elders shuffling along thinking of Nick Caves song "God is in the house" and wonder where?

I can't help thinking that the Catholic Church will continue to loose its way regarding relevancy. Its a shame Catholicism has a lot to offer, I love its mysticism, it's depth of theology,it's breathing with seasons.

But the Church appears uninspiring with the leaders it is putting forward.

Scottish Catholic Cardinal and the hypocrisy of it all

 

Cardinal O'Brien of the Catholic Church in Scotland recently admitted to inappropriate sexual activities. He was well known for vilification of homosexuals calling them a 'grotesque subversion'.

It doesn't surprise me. I once attended a Church in the early '90's where a guy I was speaking to went off on a rant about homosexuals. I sort of listened but didn't add anything. This again happened a few months latter. This time I pulled him up and said I didn't agree. It was much latter I discovered that he had had previous homosexual relationships.

I came away always to be wary of those who are bigots regarding same sex relationships. They are often the ones who have a personal issues with their sexuality. Much like Cardinal O'Brien.

I feel sorry for any Catholic priest. Chastity is basically unnatural. Its fighting what is deeply ingrained within the majority of all people: our sexuality. It is major part of what makes us human.

I fear more and more of these scandals will continue.

 

Who to replace Bishop Pell...

When I was at Eastern Palliative Care I meet a few time Anthony Fisher who is now Catholic Bishop in Parramatta. He was past of the ethics committee at EPC. I can remember him, as he was quite interested in my studies at Tabor College.

So I've been interested in his progression up the Catholic hierarchy for a while; and I recon he's the man to replace Pell...

Here's a clip piped up in my twitter feed. An impromptu performance at the Parramatta workman club taken a week ago.

 

The trouble with st Mary's : Compass

We watched the trouble with St Mary's on Compass. 
It is a story of a Catholic Church 'St Mary's in Brisbane which started practices which were outside of the doctrine of the Church. (blessing homosexual couples etc ), Eventually the Priest Father Peter Kennedy is asked to leave. He does so and the congregation follows. A first in the history of the Catholic Church in Australia.

A Few thoughts::

:: Interesting that this group of worshipers under Kennedy had something, it appears a move of God.
::There is a scene where Kenndy is at a loss. It appears he doesn't know what he believes any more and even doubts the existence of Jesus. (He points to the question of the 'Historical Jesus', A question that all must face I believe if they are serious about their faith)

• For his critics this most probably would say that this man has started a cult.
• For myself it is something that I can relate to. When you loose a lot, separated, bereaved this is a time when you question all that went before. For me it made the documentary even more compelling.
• I would rather follow a person who had doubts that had it all together.
• I think when Jesus talks about been 'born again' (I think this is in John). It is a word that is continuous. To be born again, and again, and again, and again. It is a continuous evolving of our relationship with God. It is where I see Kennedy to be. 

::Kennedy has spoken in 'progressive Christian' circles its a bit of a pity this wasn't mentioned.
::This is the first Catholic Church in Australia. It would be interesting if more follow. Certainly the 'Uniting Church' is over this hurdle, it will be interesting as the battle continues for main stream protestants and Catholics..

Election 2010:: Christian responces

Two interesting Christian responces to the Election. 

First from 'Cardinal' Pell who according to the ABC online

' labelled the Greens "anti-Christian" and "sweet-camouflaged poison". Cardinal Pell also claimed the Greens policies are expensive and will not help poor people.'

It is strange that the Pell actually gave an opinion usually mainstream churches are neutral.  If they do have an opinion it is usually to do with social justice or morality. Pell is commenting more on funding of policy than the policy itself.

A much better response is by Mark Connors from City Life church in Melbourne::

'...our approach as a church at CityLife is to be politically neutral, in that we don't tell people who or what party to vote for. We encourage prayerful and diligent research, so that followers of Christ make intelligent use of their privilege as an Australian citizen to vote for those who will govern us. So, never have I said and never will say, "Vote for Julia Gillard" ... or anyone else for that matter.

I think Mark has hit upon the Christian position. It's a shame about Pell, he has in his writing decreased the standing of the Catholic Church.

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