Priest shortage

Brother in Christ, It would be interesting to know the exact statistics. I am affiliated with a community of Brothers and there are more Brothers entering in Africa. However, a good number leave once they receive their education and some in certain parts of Africa expect the people to revere them and some others are good, devoted Brothers. I think that we be a great article in the NCR, where "vocations" are flourishing and what are those religious or priests or sisters like. Bridget Maloney

That's an interesting question. Last I heard the ratio in Latin America was something like 1 priest to hundreds of thousands of people. Perhaps it's only a problem if you think (or have experienced) having a closer ratio. Do you think?

Put that quote in context please. I absolutely hate it when people use that quote out of context, trying to say that Benedict XVI would rather have a smaller purer Church than anything else.

If you put it in context you will realize that what he is saying is that a smaller, purer Church is better than a larger, HETERODOX Church.

And of course the BEST is to have a LARGER, ORTHODOX Church.

So no, I'm sorry, but the larger, HETERODOX Church (which many on NCR want) is "contrary to the life and call of one Jesus Christ."

Hermeneutic of Continuity

As you say HofC, "I absolutely hate it when people..." begin a sanctimonious damning of alternate opinion with "So no, I'm sorry, but....". "I'm sorry but" the "cafeteria catholics' have failed to communicate what they are really all about. They are really the orthodox, the orthodox of the really important. Love, affective, intelligent, human love, deified by and with Christ is the chain of freedom that opens the heart to compassion and the mind to diversity, and the eyes to beauty and the will to act, that, as Benedict and his buddy what's his name, pray for perseverence in.
The rest, as real "tradition" seems to demonstrate is open to careful, respectful, judicious reflection, continuity, variation, change, always in consideration of consistency with the prime directive, risk, faith in the "Spirit" and sensitivity to past, present and future.

Apparently, Cardinal Ratzinger wanted it one way, but Pope Benedict XVI would like it another. At least he would like a larger, heterodox churchier culture (see Europe) than anything smaller or purer...which does suggest a larger, heterodox church, or else the gap would be too large a leap and the culture would be impossible to re-attach to the smaller, purer church. So, it looks as though Benedict has become more comfortable with the bridging aspects of those church members that some of you would place "on the margins". They do serve a purpose some folks don't understand and which those bonding people (more in need of catholic identity) cannot fill. Bridgers are not "contrary to the life and call of Jesus Christ", who did a fair amount of bridging himself, particularly after the call of the Gentile woman.

I agree, Pope Benedict is quite a more open and relaxed person than Cardinal Ratzinger. Almost two years since the events of his election and my massive heart attack! But seems the Holy Spirit has a sense of humor. Benedict sees the need for all those who believe in Christ to unite. Of course it would be nice to see that happen under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church, but I think he now views that ALL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES have a role to play in promoting the thought, teachings, and actions of the Son of God. I would love to get (Cardinal) Walter Kasper's opinion on this, as well as (Cardinal)Carlo Martini, who now unfortunately turned 80 on Feb 15 and is no longer eligible to vote in a papal election.

But I think overall Benedict is trying to build bridges rather than alienate the masses.

Can you explain what you mean by "larger, heterodox churchier" culture and where you got that info from?

Hermeneutic of Continuity

From his words. That's what he asked for. He pleaded for the return to catholic culture, which is not the same as just catholic churchiness in the way you espouse. It was for the larger supporting culture that the Church was once embedded in in Europe, which was not necessarily catholic culture even anymore, but mostly catholic and related religious culture that allowed the church to hold a more prominent place in the political and social arena. MOre as supporting the insider religion rather than fending off the outsider religion. Does that make sense to you?

I don't think parents need to bring their kids to mass. I think parents need to be witnesses of faith. Anyone can bring someone to mass. What good does one hour do if the rest of the week it is not practiced? I could bring a drug addict to an NA meeting, but will that change them if I use drugs with them the other 6 days of the week?

I agree the key is in the family. Yet, the Church needs to be ministers to the families and model heatlhy spiritual living.

Yes, it goes without saying that the parents need to put their faith into practice, but that isn't enough without the Mass.

Hermeneutic of Continuity

Oh my gosh, the apostles were men (as in, if even MEN can do this, surely God can?).

[sorry for misplacing the first comment. Must have been one of outbursts took over..].

Oh my gosh, the apostles did that too. Pushed on the idea of both sacrifice and community. Spent their lives building community to support sacrifice...at the same time....

Any definition of community which is predicated on physical proximity is flawed. Community is a transcendant concept as used in the language of the Mass. The spiritual energy of this community is huge and works in concert with Christ. Any spiritual system which only concentrates on the physical manifestation of community is fixated on the tip of the iceberg and should, by virtue of this arrogant indifference, go down like the Titanic.