The Pope's Blunt Talk to American Non Catholic Leaders

The media always on the outlook for controversy and hard statements by Pope Benedict seems to be oblivious to the talk he gave yesterday TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES SAINT JOSEPH'S CHURCH, YORKVILLE.

The Pope talked to the leaders of the Protestant Christian Communities and ORTHODOX communities yesterday in talk that blunt, honest, and much needed. It might be called Benedict's View of being truly ecumenical AKA Pope Benedict Thinks the Southern Baptist are doing much Better than the American Episcopalians. I mention the American Episcopal community because of the largely unreported drama with their Presiding Bishop" that surrounded this meeting. Pope Benedict has shown both as Pope and as Cardinal that we are all in this together and when a major Protestant Community goes off the rails it affects of us all.

The entire talk is worth reading and I find it one of the most fascinating he has given so far. However let me highlight these parts:
Too often those who are not Christians, as they observe the splintering of Christian communities, are understandably confused about the Gospel message itself. Fundamental Christian beliefs and practices are sometimes changed within communities by so-called "prophetic actions" that are based on a hermeneutic not always consonant with the datum of Scripture and Tradition. Communities consequently give up the attempt to act as a unified body, choosing instead to function according to the idea of "local options". Somewhere in this process the need for diachronic koinonia - communion with the Church in every age - is lost, just at the time when the world is losing its bearings and needs a persuasive common witness to the saving power of the Gospel (cf. Rom 1:18-23).

Ouch that left a mark. That was a shot across the bow and the Pope being explicit about so called "prophetic actions" was intentional.

Faced with these difficulties, we must first recall that the unity of the Church flows from the perfect oneness of the Trinitarian God. In John's Gospel, we are told that Jesus prayed to his Father that his disciples might be one, "just as you are in me and I am in you" (Jn 17:21). This passage reflects the unwavering conviction of the early Christian community that its unity was both caused by, and is reflective of, the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This, in turn, suggests that the internal cohesion of believers was based on the sound integrity of their doctrinal confession (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-11). Throughout the New Testament, we find that the Apostles were repeatedly called to give an account for their faith to both Gentiles (cf. Acts 17:16-34) and Jews (cf. Acts 4:5-22; 5:27-42). The core of their argument was always the historical fact of Jesus's bodily resurrection from the tomb (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30). The ultimate effectiveness of their preaching did not depend on "lofty words" or "human wisdom" (1 Cor 2:13), but rather on the work of the Spirit (Eph 3:5) who confirmed the authoritative witness of the Apostles (cf. 1 Cor 15:1-11). The nucleus of Paul's preaching and that of the early Church was none other than Jesus Christ, and "him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). But this proclamation had to be guaranteed by the purity of normative doctrine expressed in creedal formulae - symbola - which articulated the essence of the Christian faith and constituted the foundation for the unity of the baptized (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-5; Gal 1:6-9; Unitatis Redintegratio, 2).

Good Stuff. Then the Pope gets explicit later on again.

My dear friends, the power of the kerygma has lost none of its internal dynamism. Yet we must ask ourselves whether its full force has not been attenuated by a relativistic approach to Christian doctrine similar to that found in secular ideologies, which, in alleging that science alone is "objective", relegate religion entirely to the subjective sphere of individual feeling. Scientific discoveries, and their application through human ingenuity, undoubtedly offer new possibilities for the betterment of humankind. This does not mean, however, that the "knowable" is limited to the empirically verifiable, nor religion restricted to the shifting realm of "personal experience".For Christians to accept this faulty line of reasoning would lead to the notion that there is little need to emphasize objective truth in the presentation of the Christian faith, for one need but follow his or her own conscience and choose a community that best suits his or her individual tastes.

The result is seen in the continual proliferation of communities which often eschew institutional structures and minimize the importance of doctrinal content for Christian living.Even within the ecumenical movement, Christians may be reluctant to assert the role of doctrine for fear that it would only exacerbate rather than heal the wounds of division. Yet a clear, convincing testimony to the salvation wrought for us in Christ Jesus has to be based upon the notion of normative apostolic teaching: a teaching which indeed underlies the inspired word of God and sustains the sacramental life of Christians today.

Those last lines are striking. Benedict is saying true Ecumenical discussion must include Doctrine not a watering down of it.

Returning to the issue of the American Episcopal Church, Pope Benedict's meeting above, his remarks, and who was not there has been the buzz of many of an Episcopal blogger on the net. I expect for that to increase today.

First the presiding Bishop of Episcopal Church USA, Katharine Jefferts Schori, was not present. She had a scheduling conflict. No doubt she was busying doing her regular business. Such as as conducting illegal Judicial proceedings against her Bishops and pretty much trying to stand out what many view the Traditional Anglican Bishops , in her community. I am proud to note that where I live which is the Episcopal Western Diocese of Louisiana they are fighting her on this.

Now most Catholics and most protestants are not aware that a few years ago the Vatican did something unprecedented. In a bold move, and in some peoples view a BRAZEN move, It took a side basically in an internal Protestant Church Conflict in the United States in a huge major way. At the time Pope John Paul the II , through the then Cardinal Ratzinger, pretty much voiced the Churches in support of people in the American Anglican communion that differed from the ruling hierarchy of the Episcopal Church.

What prompted this was the "straw" that broke the proverbial camel's back for many Episcopalians in the United States, in the Worldwide Anglican Communion, and it appears ROME. That is is the ordination of an man in New Hampshire that is a openly practicing Homosexual as Bishop in the state of New Hampshire in 2003 and the blessing of same sex unions that were occuring in some Dioceses. This elevation has set in motion a crisis that we are now seeing. That same year many of the more Orthodox Anglicans in American had enough and decided to meet in Plano Texas. This meeting did not go unnoticed by Rome. The Christians of this American Anglican Christian tradition that had gathered were shocked when the following letter was read.

October 9, 2003
From Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
The Vatican, on behalf of Pope John Paul II

I hasten to assure you of my heartfelt prayers for all those taking part in this convocation. The significance of your meeting is sensed far beyond Plano, and even in this City from which Saint Augustine of Canterbury was sent to confirm and strengthen the preaching of Christ¹s Gospel in England.

Nor can I fail to recall that barely 120 years later, Saint Boniface brought that same Christian faith from England to my own forebears in Germany.

The lives of these saints show us how in the Church of Christ there is a unity in truth and a communion of grace which transcend the borders of any nation. With this in mind, I pray in particular that God¹s will may be done by all those who seek that unity in the truth, the gift of Christ himself.
With fraternal regards, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

From reports at the Gathering was shocked and in tears. Cheers erupted when this was read at the opening of the conference. In fact John Paul the II show of support was noted by many in the World Wide Anglican communion with much pleasure. However the head honchos of the the American Hierarchy of the Episcopal Church was not pleased. So we are perhaps seeing by the good Bishop's absence a showing of that.

The Catholic News Service appears to have caught on to exactly what was going on last night in this article Pope says divisions, abandoning tradition weaken Christian witness.

Using unusually strong words for an ecumenical prayer service, Pope Benedict XVI said the witness of Christians in the world is weakened not only by their divisions, but also by some communities turning their backs on Christian tradition.......While the pope did not offer specific examples, he has in the past questioned Christian communities that have decided to ordain women to the priesthood and episcopacy or to bless homosexual unions and ordain openly gay men and women. The pope's concerns obviously extend to the Anglican Communion and its troubled relations with the U.S. Episcopal Church and some dioceses in Canada. The Anglican Communion is attempting to find ways to strengthen its structures for ensuring that one national member does not take actions that make other members of the communion uncomfortable. At times, bishops have been named to oversee pastoral care of members who do not go along with the changes. Pope Benedict said it was unfortunate that some church communities have given up "the attempt to act as a unified body, choosing instead to function according to the idea of 'local options.

In essence the Roman Catholic Church and now the second Roman Pontiff in a row is very concerned of the fracturing of the Anglican Communion. The America Anglican and even the Canadian right now is largely in the driver seat to a great extent what happens next.

As I noted earlier the Epsicopal Bloggers are taking note what happen. I found this comment very interesting I saw.:

If you watch the video (available at http://www.ewtn.com) you will see what for Anglicans should be the most pointed and symbolic moment of this ecumenical service. Following the Pope’s clear talk, he receives ecumenical guests. (It’s around 1 hour 20 minutes into the video.) As expected, the Eastern Orthodox are introduced first. And then, more unexpectedly, the Lutherans, the Methodist, the Presbyterians, Baptist, Pentecostals, and other various and sundry are presented to the Holy Father. Finally, dead last, is the Episcopal Bishop of New York, Mark Sisk.

This lineup is a significant statement for those familiar with Papal protocol, and quite telling of how the larger Christian community views the American Episcopal Church. According to the words of the Pope’s address: “Fundamental Christian belief and practices are sometimes changed within communities by so-called ‘prophetic actions’ that are based on a hermeneutic not always constant with the datum of Scripture and tradition.” For me the presentation of ecumenical guests was a moment of shame and sadness.

Another comment elsewhere on a thread discussing this:

So, when representatives of the other churches were presented to the Pope at the end of the servce, the commenters noted that the Orthodox went first because of their position [paraphrasing]. I noted that Bp. Mark Sisk was the last to be presented to greet the Pope, after the Baptists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Methodists, and all the other representatives. Wonder what Sisk said to His Holiness. I kinda thought the Pope didn't like what Sisk said; Benedict certainly wasn't smiling at the end of their tete a tete. I may be reading too much into it, but did anybody else think that?.

Now the Pope is not just addressing American Anglicans of course in his speech. Many American Protestant communities are going off the rails. However many are not!!!I think all this combines to show his concern. In the largely misreported statement RESPONSES TO SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN ASPECTSOF THE DOCTRINE ON THE CHURCH, that was released last August it should be noted that the Anglican Church was not deemed to be in the positon as the Orthodox as to the question of what is a Church. However, it is clear that in reality that the Catholic Church does not view the Anglican communion as just another Christian community. We can see that in it's interaction past and present. As the the Pope's words are digested by many in the Worldwide Anglican communion it will be interesting to see what more reaction occurs

I suspect that the Pope Benedicts words might be a wake up call to some and validation of what many in the Anglican communion are fighting for. The Anglican Communion sees themselves as a "Catholic"Church. Hence the term Anglo Catholic.

Update-
To see why Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul the II were so concerned let us go to an Anglican Source. Read this blunt plea from the Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican province of Jerusalem and the Middle East to the House of Bishops Conference last year in New Orleans.

Also to end a positive note lets us look at Anglicans that are doing things right and fight tooth and nail. Please visit these informative blogs I link on my blogroll for more
Drell’s Descants(Louisiana Anglican)
Vindicated(Anglican)
Bryan Sherwood(Anglo/Catholic)
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES(anglo Catholic)

Though the The Pink Flamingo from what I can tell stays away from some of the hot issues I have discussed (she might comment more I might have missed it ) she is very typical of many American Episcopalians that are truly doing Christ's work so check her blog out also.

Update I- The Very witty and Good Midwest Conservative Journal has a update here at UPSIDE THE HEAD.
As you can see the the Episcopalian Bishop that attended thought there was no intentional shot at them attended. This very well could be so. I thought the speech was well crafted to not be so obvious. However I do disagree with a tad with the comments in that thread that seem the Pope would not do this because who cares about TEC.

Because
(1) Currently there is no major American Church that is about to go "local option" on a large scale within a framework of a worldwide communion. Also are not the issues that the Pope is talking about as essential a big reason why there is fight going on in the TEC. Because many people do not view them as essential and thus Orthodox Anglicans are going to the protection of African Bishops. Are the Methodist having this fight? the Lutherans?

(2) I do think the Holy Father is concerned about the fracturing of the Anglican World Wide Communion especially in Africa where all Christians are fighting for their lives against a aggressive Islam in some places

and
(3) The Holy Father knows that if Anglicanism weakens or becomes divided these people will not come running to Rome despite all our Papist fantasies. That is most will just opt out of Christianity all together. That affects the culture as a whole and the Catholic Church.

I just have a feeling if the Vatican is aware of some meeting in Plano they are certaintly aware of what happened in New Orleans last year and are alarmed at precedent that is about to be set that could be a disaster.