The Pope has resigned!!

[SewTexas]

the Malachy prophecy is interesting....I don't know that I believe them, but I do find that kind of stuff interesting...I mean you can can twist things to fit anything, right? but apparently the next guy is suppose to be the last...and he's maybe suppose to be a Peter? and "they" are thinking that it might be time for an African, or S American? and one of the guys up for it is an African named Peter! but there is some concern about his thoughts on Muslims? there was no expansion on that subject??? all very interesting. personally, I'll stick with Baptist and/or non-D, I like my independence

[anygunanywhere]

Just my opinion. Benedict has been a study in contrasts. While supporting the spiritual and moral goals of the prelature there have been some points of friction between Benedict and OD. Blurring in the roles of layity and clergy, Benedict is very traditional in his views on the roles of both within the Church. While not really an option, doing without secular clergy would be a goal I believe he would favor. The role of women in OD in leadership/teaching. Focus on works, sure to be a theological thorn in his ecumenical outreach with Reformation churches.
Then again I wonder what his position really is on ecumenical outreach. The "Subsistit in" (from the Lumen Gentium) decision seemed to turn back the clock to a pre Vatican II time.

Do you have a firm grasp about Opus Dei?

There have been no blurring in the roles of clergy and laity.

There is no such thing as secular clergy in the Catholic church. Pope Benedict nor any Pope has sought to eliminate the laity from active participation in the Church. They have wanted greater participation. There has always been absolute defined roles for both. The Church cannot exist without the ordained clergy nor the laity. They are both the Church.

Pope Benedict has reached out ecumenically during his tenure. He has pushed many groups (SSPX for example) to return.

Lumen Gentium did not turn back the clock to Pre-Vatican II. Pope Benedict has been trying to repair the misconceptions and errors that disobedient and misguided countries and bishops have taken when "interpreting" Vatican II. The return to the Pre-Vatican II liturgical translations is a prime example.

Anygunanywhere

Any,
I am not attacking the Church.
"There is no such thing as secular clergy in the Catholic church."

I was married by a Diocesan Priest and there are Deacons celebrating the Mass at the altar most every time I attend. Both are examples of secular clergy, that live in the world outside of the discipline of a monastic order. St Thomas of Canterbury(Thomas a' Becket) is their patron. Some Deacons are even excused from the obligation of following the Liturgy of the Hours.

"There have been no blurring in the roles of clergy and laity. Pope Benedict nor any Pope has sought to eliminate the laity from active participation in the Church. They have wanted greater participation. There has always been absolute defined roles for both. The Church cannot exist without the ordained clergy nor the laity. They are both the Church."

Never said any of this. I said I believed there was a blurring of the roles within Opus Dei, Period. That someone should accept instruction or correction from a young female member of the laity in regards their spiritual life isn't acceptable to me. Which leads to,

"Do you have a firm grasp about Opus Dei?" Yes, I do. I was approached about membership just shortly after my eldest son's passing. I listened, I questioned, I read, and ultimately chose not to participate.

"Pope Benedict has reached out ecumenically during his tenure. He has pushed many groups (SSPX for example) to return."

The dialogue between the Holy See and the SSPX is a matter of Church discipline, excommunication due to withdrawal from submission to the Supreme Pontiff, not ecumenical outreach. And while the Pope has remitted those excommunications the SSPX still remains outside full communion willfully.

"Lumen Gentium did not turn back the clock to Pre-Vatican II. Pope Benedict has been trying to repair the misconceptions and errors that disobedient and misguided countries and bishops have taken when "interpreting" Vatican II. The return to the Pre-Vatican II liturgical translations is a prime example"

Agreed. I believe his statements in 2000 while still Prefect CDF pretty much put paid to that. Ecumenical Outreach, IMO, was his dialogue with Eastern, Lutheran, and Anglican congregations as well as those outside the Christian faith. The 2007 statement by his successor to the Prefecture was bad timing at the very least. Which led to my question on his position vis-a-vis ecumenical outreach.

I appreciate your pointing out my errors on the definition of secular clergy.

Opus Dei is not for everyone. I looked into it some time ago but chose a different path.

Anygunanywhere

[RPB]

Lightning Strikes St. Peter’s Dome in the Vatican http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50776091" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


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NBC video and photo