Whose Church Is It???

Bob Greger has wrestled with his share of questions. A Catholic for all of his 82 years, he has a master's degree in theology and has worked for the Archdiocese of Portland and for individual parishes for 15 years.

"This is my church," he says simply. "Everything about faith is a mystery that we can't understand fully." Church teaching changes over time, Greger says, often as a result of the study, prayers and experiences of lay people. He says he'd just like the leadership of the church to admit as much.

So much for his "Master's" degree in theology...

Greger does not stand alone. Catholics like him who question a range of church teaching -- from women's ordination to artificial birth control, as well as the hot-button issues of homosexuality, priestly celibacy and stem-cell research -- are scattered throughout Oregon's two dioceses

Now we get to the crux of the problem...Phony Catholics teaching others what Catholicism really is. The man, it seems, has rejected all that is Catholic, based upon his own notions due, no doubt, to his advanced learning. This is no different than that of his cohorts around the world, who have established themselves as their own 'magisterium', guided by their own malformed consciences.

Catholics like Greger increasingly feel pressure from bishops and others who suggest that doubters and dissenters should leave the church if they do not share all of its beliefs.

An integral part of being Catholic requires that one give assent and obedience to the teachings of the Church, even if one cannot fully understand or if one finds such teachings difficult.

Catholic historians and theologians say that dissent has always played a role in the church. "It's been going on since the Acts of the Apostles," says George Weigel, a conservative Catholic historian, referring to the biblical book that follows the four Gospels and recounts disagreements that arose among the first followers of Jesus.

"Catholics who take seriously the demands of tradition do not think the church is something we make up on our own. It's something Christ leaves to the world and leaves with it the structure of authority. . . . Some things are not up for a vote."

Authority? Is this not one of the fundamental issues today? A rejection of the Church's authority - a rejection, also, of Christ Himself?

Linda Dove and Judy Ringle are both members of St. Mary parish in Corvallis. The two women organized a reading group that has been meeting for several months. Right now, they're discussing "In Search of Belief," a study of the Apostles' Creed written by Sister Joan Chittister, a Benedictine sister who's written dozens of books.

Some Catholics from St. Mary's have challenged the group, which had met on church property with the parish priest's permission. Now they're back to meeting "off campus," Dove says.

"Sister" Joan can lead them to the fullness of ..... the darkness.

"Don't call me a dissenter," says Ringle, 66. "I am a faithful Catholic who loves the church and assents to the movement of the Holy Spirit in this era."

Does anyone even bother to ask how one would know if one is being guided by the "Holy Spirit"? Can they not see that this "spirit" might not be as 'holy' as some might think?

Dove, who is 51, says she's been called "Catholic to the bone" and only recently been criticized because she has spoken in favor of inclusive language and the ordination of women.

This is an excellent example of one who engages in self-deception. Of course, it is easy to do that, once one has imbibed the poison freely given to all by "Sister" Joan and her companions.

Bishop Vasa should be commended for his stance to uphold the Teachings of the Church and against those who would distort the faith while assuming positions of leadership in the Church where they may spread their dissent.

Source.