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There’s a lot we can learn from the Reformed Churches

From Kosciol.pl: Abp Gołębiewski: wiele możemy się nauczyć od Kościołów reformowanych (Archbishop Gołębiewski: There is much to be learned from the Reformed Churches).

Od protestantów możemy się nauczyć większego szacunku dla Słowa Bożego —“ powiedział metropolita wrocławski (We have the opportunity to learn great regard for the Word of God from the Protestant Churches says the Metropolitan of Wrocław)

Unfortunately, the article is only available in the Polish language. The translations provided above are mine. More on Archbishop Gołębiewski

As I’ve noted in previous posts, the Roman Church held a Synod on the Word of God this past October. Let’s pray that the Roman Church follows the PNCC in elevating the hearing of and teaching on the Word of God to sacramental status.

Christian Witness, Current Events

Russian Orthodox Church elects Kirill 16th patriarch

Patriarch KIRILL

Thanks to the Young Fogey for the lead on this. The L.A. Times reports:

“It is with humility and full understanding of my responsibility that I accept the divine choice through which I am being handed the mission to serve as patriarch,” Kirill said after the results of a secret vote were announced. “At the center of this mission is the cross of Christ.”

Amen and Sto Lat!

Perspective, PNCC,

As long as you….. then you’re one of us

I would like to take a whole different tack on the little Roman Catholic reconciliation that took place this weekend. The Bishop of Rome un-excommunicated four bishops from the Society of St. Pius X. What fascinates me about the whole thing is the level to which the Bishop of Rome will go to reconcile certain folks, while adamantly keeping others at bay.

Of course the SSPX believes in the office of the Pope as defined by the Roman Church. They hold lots of other beliefs in common, especially certain “dogmas” much of the rest of Catholic world rejectsIn terms of their being defined dogmas.. That said, these bishops and their clergy also reject much of what the Roman Church teaches. Think on that! They do not adhere at the level where they can honestly say: “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.” As a matter of fact they differ quite a bit on that, and are unable to accept a lot of what has been defined and taught since 1962.

The document lifting the excommunications makes that point clear:

With this act, it is desires to consolidate the reciprocal relations of confidence and to intensify and grant stability to the relationship of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X with this Apostolic See. This gift of peace, at the end of the Christmas celebrations, wishes also to be a sign to promote unity in the charity of the universal Church and to try to end the scandal of division.

It is hoped that this step be followed by the prompt accomplishment of full communion with the Church of the entire Fraternity of Saint Pius X, thus testifying true fidelity and true recognition of the Magisterium and of the authority of the Pope with the proof of visible unity.

It even paraphrases the letter, allegedly from the SSPX bishops, requesting that the excommunications be lifted, clearly making the point that the SSPX has differences which must be “discussed:”

His Holiness Benedict XVI … faithful in the effort expressed by them in the aforementioned letter of not sparing any effort to deepen the necessary discussions with the Authority of the Holy See in the still open matters, so as to achieve shortly a full and satisfactory solution of the problem posed in the origin

So the Bishop of Rome brought folks who express less than full adherence to the Roman Church’s teachings, folks who have open questions that still need discussion, and an acknowledged (in writing) imperfect communion (lacking “true fidelity and true recognition”), back into full communion. It boggles the mind.

The Roman Church is defining this as an act of charity, and I’m sure that it is for some the faithful who attend SSPX chapelsAt the same time, others in those chapels have less than a pin-head full of filial affection for the local Ordinary. They wouldn’t follow him if their life depended on it.. On the other hand, it is uncharitable to those who have tried to work with Rome on issues of reconciliation. In doing this the Roman Church is saying that impaired communion is fine and fully acceptable, while turning to Churches such as the PNCC, and saying impaired communion isn’t good enough.

Where’s the bright line to be crossed to achieve unity? We all know of course – believe in the Pope (as we define him) and the other recent innovations in dogma. As long as you do that, the rest is up-for-grabs (and not all that important).

If Benedict was trying to reach out to the Orthodox and the other Catholic Churches in his moves toward stricter standards, this sends the opposite message. It says that the standards are whatever you declare them to be at the moment. The spirit of VII — arbitrary and capricious fits and starts — continues to be the cause celeb. The rules are different at different times, as long as Rome if filling in the blank “As long as you….. then you’re one of us.”

On a funny note, this blogger mentions the PNCC as one of a group of options for “uber-liberal” Roman Catholics who may wish to desert the Roman Church. Of course anyone can find a home with us, and all are welcome to come to our Lord and Savior with us, but he knows little to nothing about the PNCC, its Catholic nature, its history, its life, and what it teaches. He paints everything with the broad “us versus them” brush. Unfortunately (at least from his perspective) the Roman Church can’t even define what full communion really means. For all the Te Deums being sung on conservative Roman Catholic blogs, take a moment to think about the totality of what was done. Further, those bloggers and apologists see the Church as coming into agreement with their perspectives, with their way of thinking. They too have the spirit of VII — the Church is me, and I am the Church, I get to tell the Church what’s right and wrong. Pater nostrum indeed.

Christian Witness, Current Events, PNCC, ,

Honoring Dr. King in Stratford, Connecticut

From the Stratford Star: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to be honored Sunday

The annual Stratford Community Interfaith Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport, 96 Chapel St. in the Putney section of Stratford.

This service is organized by clergy serving congregations in Stratford in an effort to create a service that is respectful to people of all religions. This year’s preacher will be Bishop Anthony Kopka of St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church.

There will be music from two church choirs and a combined choir. All who would like to sing in the combined choir are asked to arrive at the church at 3 p.m. that day for rehearsal.

Each year at this service a collection is taken to support scholarships in King’s name which benefit students at Stratford’s high schools.

Questions can be directed to the host pastor and president of the Stratford Clergy Association, the Rev. Julie-Ann Silberman-Bunn, at 378-1020.

Christian Witness, PNCC,

Helping our brothers and sisters in Christ

From the Scranton Times Tribune: Scranton church gets conditional approval

A fledgling church won city zoning approval Wednesday to stay open, but on the condition that parking requirements are addressed.

The zoning board voted 3-2 to grant Maranatha Ministries Pentecostal Church’s appeal to occupy 1110-1112 Prospect Ave., but the church must provide written confirmation that it has permission to use a nearby church’s parking lot during services.

Zoning officials in October found the property did not meet place-of-worship zoning criteria as the space was less than the 10,000 square-foot minimum in a residential area, parking was inadequate and there was an illegal apartment conversion on one floor and nonpermitted restoration on two abandoned apartments on another.

The board granted variances on all the issues contingent on the parking. Church officials said they have a verbal agreement with the Polish National Catholic Church to use that church’s parking.

…

The board did not give the church a deadline to produce the letter —” technically, the 40-member church cannot operate until it satisfies the parking condition.

—The city will give them a reasonable amount of time,— solicitor Dan Penetar said.

…

The Rev. Benitez moved his parish from another part of Scranton to the Prospect Avenue building in April and said he is confident all issues will be resolved.

—I’m at peace,— the Rev. Benitez said after the vote.

PNCC, ,

Ethnic trees in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

From The Morning Call: Ethnic trees in Bethlehem a success

The South Bethlehem Historical Society thanks all those who made the Nov. 30 Ethnic Tree Lighting Ceremony a rousing success. The staff of the Comfort Suites was most welcoming and more than helpful by preparing each tree with lights, then setting up the tables for refreshments for all to enjoy.

Ahart’s Market, Weis-King, Giant, Wegman’s and BJ’s Wholesale Club contributed cookies and pastries, as well as individual bakers. Via helped with red, white and blue ornaments for the new American tree.

Entertainment was by the string ensemble from Holy Infancy School under the direction of Rosemary Fry; Liberty High School pipes soloist Tyler Albright; and the Greek folk dancers led by Tammy Pappas and Panagiota Papalopoulos.

The Rev. Ron Rice of Advent Moravian Church offered ”Moravian Traditions,” Mayor John Callahan spoke, Frank Podleiszek led a carol sing, Rev. Wayne Killian of the Holy Ghost parish offered the invocation, and Rev. Carmen Bolock of Our Lord’s Ascension Polish National Catholic Church closed with the benediction.

We thank all those who attended the event in hopes that they will join us again next Christmas season.

Christian Witness, Poland - Polish - Polonia

A Buffalo News profile of Father Anzelm Chałupka

From the Buffalo News: The Rev. Anzelm Chalupka: An unconventional clergyman

When the Rev. Anzelm Chalupka landed at Corpus Christi Church in January 2004, he was determined to understand his new city. Along the way, he helped resurrect one historic church, and gave energy to a very tired East Side neighborhood. At age 39, he is like fresh air.

Fr. Chałupka, along with Fr. Marek and Brother Peter, is getting it done in a hard scrabble neighborhood many, including the Franciscans, had given up on. May the Lord bless his work and his outreach.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective, ,

Eternal rest grant onto him

On Friday the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Alexy II passed on to eternal life. May the perpetual light shine upon him.

Like Russia he was an enigma, and because he lived during these moments in history he was more so.

I think we, as Americans, fail to perceive the complexities of life in other countries, and especially in countries we perceive as threats. We tend to view things as black and white especially when the media and government feed us “acceptable perspectives.” Think back to communism in the Soviet Union and that imposed by Russia upon the states that were sold off by their British and American allies (yes, our leaders sold people into slavery and death). We think of intellectual oppression, gulags, and a lack of toilet paper and shoes. Of course things on the ground, day-to-day life, relationships between families and friends were far more complex.

A funny story. When I was in Poland for the first time I marveled at the fact that people knew and appreciated all sorts of American and British music from the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s — Paul Anka, the Beatles. I was indoctrinated to think that people sat in apartment blocks, poorly built buildings, shivering in small apartments filled with at least 10 bodies, weeping over their misfortune, longing for democracy. I thought that the music they were referencing was verboten. In retrospect it was silly, but I needed that encounter. I needed to hear their stories before I could truly understand the reality, the positives and negatives of the system.

Right now some of Poland’s former leaders are on trial. Here’s a reference to: Poland’s former leader on trial from the BBC.

Poland’s last communist leader, General Wojciech Jaruzelski, has gone on trial accused of committing a crime by imposing martial law in 1981.

I sincerely doubt that these were great or brave men in the majority of their actions. Rather, they were weak and selfish in many rights, using the system to their benefit, accommodating base principals. The real tragedy is that happens in every system, including the good old U. S. of A. It is one of the reasons I sincerely dislike the process of lustration. Men and women will take advantage regardless of the system. These folks will not be the protesters, the ones who stand behind barricades fighting to change the system. Those actions are for the poor and disenfranchised. These folks — the ex-communist businessmen, the oligarchs — just morph into the proper role for the times. The system has changed, but in name only; only in its methods of exploitation.

So this was the environment for Alexy, for the clergy subject under these systems. Did they make unfortunate choices, did they make errors, were they less than absolutely perfect? Certainly. Will they do so under the current system? For sure, just look to the sins of religious leaders in the United States. Before we judge, or throw stones, or expect absolute perfection, let’s take a moment to understand, to talk, and to encounter. We will find that nothing is black and white, nothing is perfect, nothing is as we have been led to believe.

What does matter is that all of us, like Alexy II, are on that road to God. Climbing the ladder to that ultimate union includes the discovery that perfection exists in God alone. Our love for Him, our desire for life in Him, are the impulses that grow as we grow closer to Him. If we focus ourselves on our climb and the rooting out of our imperfections, then we will have made real progress.

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