...all discussed in an excellent talk given by Philip Booth of the Institute of Economic Affairs, at the Catholic Writers' Guild this evening. Drawing on Pope Benedict's Caritas in Veritate Bl. John Paul's Centesimus Annus and Vatican II's Dignitatis Humanae along with Leo XII's Rerum Novarum, he gave us a thoughtful and challenging exploration of current economic and social problems. He was scathing about the way in which much of what has passed for Catholic social teaching in recent years has omitted the truths contained in the documents mentioned, and has thus massively missed its mark. May we hope for better in the years to come? General opinion seems to be "yes" , as a younger generation of clergy is taking a fresh approach and is less wedded to the economic ideas of the 1960s and the notion that the State should be the main provider and organiser of social welfare.
Over supper, general talk of Catholic matters....I'm underwhelmed by the (belated?) departure of Williamson from the Lefebvrists: the reasons for his having to leave seem to be that that he was disobedient and disruptive to the Society, rather than that he announced horrible opinions about Jewish people, and about the Church and the Second Vatican Council. And, alas, from Comments recieved (but not published) on this Blog, nasty anti-Jewish statements seem to be acceptable among supporters of the SSPX, in a way that I did not know about until recently.
Also discussed: worries about religious freedom, hopes for the Ordinariate, thoughts on the future of the C. of E. On that last point, I am quite genuinely sad about the fate of the Anglican Church as it pushes itself into absurdity by its apparent ambivalence on the issue of same-sex marriage, and its tortuous discussions about lady bishops. I'm not being patronising: it really is horrid watching it all happen. Please, Anglican readers: there is a great and noble home awaiting you in the Ordinariate: God is calling you, and you are needed, and you could do large and exciting things for our poor country...
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3 comments:
I wonder where your information comes from about about the CofE pushing itself into "absurdity" and "ambivalence" on the issue of same-sex marriage. Individuals can and do express personal opinions, but as far as I can discover the CofE has spoken against same-sex marriage. In my own parish the Coalition for Marriage petition was set out and we were encouraged to sign it.
I'm afraid I agree with Joanna on this one.
Yes, there was a petition and the CofE published a press release defending the position of traditional marriage. Not a lot has been heard since. Nor has the issue made it onto the November Synod agenda this year.
Having jumped ship last year, I did a bit of a search as an 'outsider' and after some time found that buried on the CofE website with a long, technical, expnation which would be incomprehensible to the unchurched or anyone else unfamilar with the jargon.
On occasion when the issue raises it's head, the 'Pro' party are audible, but Anglican clergy friends of mine express frustration at the lack of a loud, clear response. How much of this is down to journalism is a good question.
I do not have detailed figures, but I believe the Church of England ordains about 500 men and women as priests each year,of whom more than half go into full time stipendiary ministry. The Roman Catholic Church ordains about 35(the figure seems to vary considerably from year to year). On these figures, it may well be good for English Christianity as a whole for the Church of England to lose a number of clergy to the Roman Catholic priesthood each year.
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