Where the Rubber Hits the Road

The following series of questions allows the particular Churches to participate actively in the preparation of the Extraordinary Synod, whose purpose is to proclaim the Gospel in the context of the pastoral challenges facing the family today. 1. The Diffusion of the Teachings on the Family in Sacred Scripture and the Church’s Magisterium a) Describe how the Catholic Church’s teachings on the value of the family contained in the Bible,  Gaudium et spes ,  Familiaris consortio  and other documents of the post-conciliar Magisterium is understood by people today? What formation is given to our people on the Church’s teaching on family life? b) In those cases where the Church's teaching is known, is it accepted fully or are there difficulties in putting it into practice? If so, what are they? c) How widespread is the Church's teaching in pastoral programmes at the national, diocesan and parish levels? What catechesis is done on the family? d ) To what extent — an...

Marriage Redefined: ‘Monogamish,’ ‘Throuple’ and ‘Wedlease’ | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Clifford and Theresa McConnell In the midst of all the bad news about the state of marriage in our country, here's a little tidbit from the local Pembroke paper about the secret to success for a couple celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary! "We just love each other" - The Daily Observer - Ontario, CA

I have only one problem with this letter from the Bishops. They have again published something that is putatively addressed to the laity, (in this case, married couples) but they employ language that's beyond their understanding. It makes excellent use of theological language to express the nuance and finesse of this teaching but this renders it almost incomprehensible to anyone without training in theology. Until the Bishops learn how to present their message using the parlance of everyday life, comprehensible to the majority of Catholics, they're wasting their time and resources as few can take advantage of what they offer. They must come to understand that people are bushed when they get to that point in their day when they would be free to read such a document. They're too tired to slog their way through the dense theological language that the letter is written with. The Bishops have forgotten that the Catholics that they are addressing, lack the catechetical training...

  This is exactly what the Canadian Bishops said would happen once we opened the door to same sex marriages. First, it will be those who are exclusively civil officers of marriage that will be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies. Soon the courts will be asked to force the Churches to do the same. We are headed to a European style of marriage ceremony. I predict that soon clergy will soon begin to renounce their civil license to marry and couples will then go through two ceremonies: one civil for the State and (if desired) a religious ceremony to solemnize the union. Maybe this is a good thing? What do you think? Opting out of marrying same-sex couples unconstitutional: Sask. court | Posted | National Post

by Outlaw_CA Dec 22 2009 11:48 PM The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible at closely defined times. The Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine as true. This comes from the words of Jesus to Peter (the first Pope) and the Apostles (the first bishops), "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) and "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16). At all other times the Pope can be just as sinful as you and me and be in need of forgiveness. I have never really believed that any human being could be infallible and that explains all the contradictions in the Bible, as well why some things in the Bible are in fact dead wrong. Should we accept that then many questions arise, the first comes to my mind is that just because body of bishops and the Pope are in agreement is important but not necessarily good enough reason to accept that ...

In the wake of another defeat at the ballot box in the gay "rights" movement to establish a new definition of marriage, various voices in the movement reflect upon why they are losing every state vote on the issue. Maybe it's because people understand that playing with fundamental institutions like marriage is not worth the risk. You can find a link to this article in the Referenced Stories box on left side of page, or by posting the address below into your browser window. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/maine-event/