"Maybe if I were an Argentine Jesuit provincial, Bruges might impress me. But I'm not, so it doesn't."
The planned visit seems like a vote of confidence in the Belgian-German approach to blessings, but maybe I'm just reading it through that lens because of what preoccupies me. Belgium is not exactly Polynesia or Mongolia, though, so the visit seems less like a visit to the ends of the earth, and more like a sign of favor toward a specific local church, and in this case, one with a distinct position.
My wife is Belgian, and we're planning to visit over the Christmas holy days. Of course, we will be celebrating all of the feasts in her hometown parish. But, I'm trying to prepare myself for how few people will actually be in attendance. For a place that historically has produced great saints - and had the blessing of two approved Marian apparitions - Belgium has fallen far. It saddens me.
The situation in Belgium should put an end to any claims that sexual abuse would not be tolerated in a “progressive” church. And it is another example of a state-subsidized church that has slipped into irrelevance.
The Pope and Cardinal Danneels were friendly, but Danneels was on St. Peter's balcony primarily because he was the senior cardinal-priest in the conclave. Cardinal Hummes was on the balcony solely due to friendship, not rank.
If I was a sinner who repented of my Sinful behavior, and truly desired God‘s mercy on my journey towards heaven, I would want forgiveness from my sincere contrition, and I would hope that I could be blessed along the Way by whatever means my Catholic faith would take me. “bless me father for I have sinned…”
If I am not sincere in my repentance, then a presumed ritual blessing can go really bad for me in the end. This may be especially scandalous, if I’m influencing anyone else to sin against God and neighbor. What hope of redemption could I expect with such hypocrisy?
It’s a beautiful challenge to be Catholic and it’s even harder to mean it in our every moment and daily lives. Only with God‘s grace can we do anything good. I pray for the good for those being blessed as I hope I can be when I turn from sin.
However, if it’s glaringly apparent that I am not turning away from sin, while requesting a church blessings and consequently I received such a blessing, then there needs to be pastoral clarity in the consequences of such blessings since it can appear scandalous. But, I’m not sure we’re getting all of that spelled out for us by those responsible for such catechesis. The meaning of a specific teaching is supposed to be written un-ambiguously for pastoral instruction in the local language of their country and diocese. Why aren’t our bishops clearly defining it for the faithful? Why does the faithful have to second-guess leadership on catechesis which appears woefully inadequate in this case?
Help us Church! or maybe we should focus on helping ourselves to helping this situation. Where is the charity. m
"Maybe if I were an Argentine Jesuit provincial, Bruges might impress me. But I'm not, so it doesn't."
The planned visit seems like a vote of confidence in the Belgian-German approach to blessings, but maybe I'm just reading it through that lens because of what preoccupies me. Belgium is not exactly Polynesia or Mongolia, though, so the visit seems less like a visit to the ends of the earth, and more like a sign of favor toward a specific local church, and in this case, one with a distinct position.
The pope does what the pope does, damn the consequences.
It's not his damnation of consequences that worries me most.
Great evaluation of a potentially complicated situation. Thanks for the article, as always!
Has any country damaged the Church more than Belgium?
Germany is a strong contender.
Speaking historically, Germany and Russia.
My wife is Belgian, and we're planning to visit over the Christmas holy days. Of course, we will be celebrating all of the feasts in her hometown parish. But, I'm trying to prepare myself for how few people will actually be in attendance. For a place that historically has produced great saints - and had the blessing of two approved Marian apparitions - Belgium has fallen far. It saddens me.
God keep you and your family safe during your travels!
The situation in Belgium should put an end to any claims that sexual abuse would not be tolerated in a “progressive” church. And it is another example of a state-subsidized church that has slipped into irrelevance.
The Pope and Cardinal Danneels were friendly, but Danneels was on St. Peter's balcony primarily because he was the senior cardinal-priest in the conclave. Cardinal Hummes was on the balcony solely due to friendship, not rank.
If I was a sinner who repented of my Sinful behavior, and truly desired God‘s mercy on my journey towards heaven, I would want forgiveness from my sincere contrition, and I would hope that I could be blessed along the Way by whatever means my Catholic faith would take me. “bless me father for I have sinned…”
If I am not sincere in my repentance, then a presumed ritual blessing can go really bad for me in the end. This may be especially scandalous, if I’m influencing anyone else to sin against God and neighbor. What hope of redemption could I expect with such hypocrisy?
It’s a beautiful challenge to be Catholic and it’s even harder to mean it in our every moment and daily lives. Only with God‘s grace can we do anything good. I pray for the good for those being blessed as I hope I can be when I turn from sin.
However, if it’s glaringly apparent that I am not turning away from sin, while requesting a church blessings and consequently I received such a blessing, then there needs to be pastoral clarity in the consequences of such blessings since it can appear scandalous. But, I’m not sure we’re getting all of that spelled out for us by those responsible for such catechesis. The meaning of a specific teaching is supposed to be written un-ambiguously for pastoral instruction in the local language of their country and diocese. Why aren’t our bishops clearly defining it for the faithful? Why does the faithful have to second-guess leadership on catechesis which appears woefully inadequate in this case?
Help us Church! or maybe we should focus on helping ourselves to helping this situation. Where is the charity. m