Archive for May, 2010
>Why should a Catholic Priest be banned from marrying or receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony?
>Do you think that the Catholic Priests could marry a woman? Why?
Out of 23 rites of the Church, only the Roman or Latin rite requires celibacy, and in the Roman rite, there are some priests who are married, such as Protestant or Anglican converted ministers. Celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine, and a priest cannot break the solemn vows he freely took.
Matt. 19:11-12 – Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church’s practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.
Matt. 19:29 – Jesus says that whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.
Matt. 22:30 – Jesus explains that in heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus’ kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.
1 Cor 7:1 – Paul teaches that it is well for a man not to touch a woman. This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.
1 Cor. 7:7 – Paul also acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.
1 Cor. 7:27 – Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full-time ministers in the Church.
1 Cor. 7:32-33, 38 – Paul recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”
1 Tim. 3:2 – Paul instructs that bishops must be married only once. Many Protestants use this verse to prove that the Church’s celibacy law is in error. But they are mistaken because this verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church’s Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.
1 Tim. 4:3 – in this verse, Paul refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. Many non-Catholics also use this verse to impugn the Church’s practice of celibacy. This is entirely misguided because the Catholic Church (unlike many Protestant churches) exalts marriage to a sacrament. In fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving. Paul is referring to doctrines that forbid marriage and other goods when done outside the teaching of Christ and for a lessor good. Celibacy is an act of giving up one good (marriage and children) for a greater good (complete spiritual union with God).
1 Tim. 5:9-12 – Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.
2 Tim. 2:3-4 – Paul instructs his bishop Timothy that no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him. Paul is using an analogy to describe the role of the celibate priesthood in the Church.
Rev. 14:4 – unlike our sinful world of the flesh, in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.
Isaiah 56:3-7 – the eunuchs who keep God’s covenant will have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.
Jer. 16:1-4 – Jeremiah is told by God not to take a wife or have children.
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May 10 2010 | Catholic | 16 Comments »
Hello. I am working on a project and I would like to know what are Chirisna symbols of mercy besides pelicansd and lilies? The lily is logical, but why is the pelican a Christian symbol of mercy?
Please let em know and please listas many items as possible. I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Mercy = “The act of sparing, or the forbearance of a violent act expected.” – Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
Pelican:
The Pelican is a symbol of the atonement and the Redeemer, and is often found in Christian murals, frescos, paintings and stained glass. The pelican was believed to wound itself in order to feed its young with its own blood. In the hymn "Adoro Te," St. Thomas Aquinas addresses the Savior with, "Pelican of Mercy, cleanse me in Thy Precious Blood." Allusion is even made to this belief in "Hamlet" (act iv): "To his good friend thus wide I’ll ope my arms And, like the kind, life-rendering pelican, Repast them with my blood."
The Cross stands as a symbol of God’s mercy.
Some Bible verses on MERCY:
MAT 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You
give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected
the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. You
should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
LUK 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
ROM 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to
the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him
govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
COL 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
JAM 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has
not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
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May 10 2010 | Christian | 1 Comment »
What should happen to a priest if he gets caught abusing young boys?
And has the Catholic Church done the right thing so far?
Or have they not done enough? Please explain yourself.
What should happen if anyone abuses children . . .
They should be reported, arrested, tried by group of their peers and sentenced.
Did the Roman church do any of these things, no she didn’t.
I am at a loss at how a church can blatantly proclaim she is the only church with God’s sanction and authority, yet have such wicked atrocities happening repeatedly in her church.
The latest scandal isn’t the first, nor is it the only.
The fact that the Roman church’s priest have been abusing children for decades is a tragedy.
Be Blessed:-)
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May 07 2010 | Catholic | 6 Comments »
As best you understand it, how people will live during this era? How will the world be governed? What will most of us be doing with our time? How will people change? Will there be a war before the arrival of a permanent peace? Who will be there? Who won’t? Do you believe the dead will be resurrected? What will be the state of science, technology, and medicine in this era? Please clearly state your own religious background in your response.
Non-Orthodox Jews who believe in a literal Mashiach are welcome to respond as well.
Eddie – sorry to see the hate, but we took the bait…
Eddie is right. Since human existence is one struggle after another, we have nothing to compare it to.
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May 05 2010 | 7 | 4 Comments »
For example, what if in science class they learn that the Earth revolves around the Sun and in Catholic class they learn that the Earth is the center of the universe, not the Sun.
They say, ‘…and that’s how goddidit.’
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May 05 2010 | Catholic | 8 Comments »
Can a Christian really do good works (Gods standard of good works) without the Holy Spirit willing and working through them?
So, is a Christian really working out from there salvation (which God is doing through them), not working for?
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
In this next passage Paul is telling Christians to take their salvation seriously because God is at work in their lives. He isn’t saying that they can add to their salvation with their good works.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
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May 05 2010 | Christian | 10 Comments »
After being in schism from the Catholic Church, is the schismatic Orthodox Church ever going to convert back to the Catholic Church? They have been separated from the Body of Christ for almost 1,000 years. Are they ever going to convert back to the faith of Christ again?
That’s a good question. Hopefully they will, for they are in a state of error in their refusal to acknowledge the authority of the Pope. I believe that one day they will rejoin the One True Church.
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May 03 2010 | 7 | 7 Comments »
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