tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7203434.post8379953577389809923..comments2023-10-05T08:28:04.536-07:00Comments on The Forum: "Criticism" of Benedict in Rio?Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174642993051101471noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7203434.post-90023023919412792692013-07-30T08:18:46.567-07:002013-07-30T08:18:46.567-07:00Good points made above. Good points made above. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174642993051101471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7203434.post-68491369201200010612013-07-30T05:10:25.018-07:002013-07-30T05:10:25.018-07:00I think it's important to be clear that he is ...I think it's important to be clear that he is not advocating some sort of touchy-feely, sentimental approach to re-evangelization, but rather the use of simple, clear language when spreading the gospel message. The disciples were not men of great intellect, but ordinary, simple fishermen. For this reason, Jesus used simple parables to teach them. Most of the lay faithful don't have theology or philosophy degrees. They of course need doctrinal formation, and he clearly states that in his speech. Regarding the bishops, priests, religious and laity, he says: "What is needed is a solid human, cultural, effective, spiritual and doctrinal formation." I have to agree with you, most Catholic schools are doing a terrible job forming young people in this regard. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7203434.post-2132303005447484302013-07-29T17:18:51.511-07:002013-07-29T17:18:51.511-07:00To answer your question, Caroline: because we live...To answer your question, Caroline: because we live in an era of the primacy of emotions and instant gratification. Protestantism responds to that demand with touchy-feeling spirituality and a relativization of dogma. Sad thing is that Catholicism, in the US and in Latin America especially, has imbibed this trend (at least with the touchy-feely stuff, if not in the dogma). Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174642993051101471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7203434.post-90731301457698758312013-07-29T13:37:37.095-07:002013-07-29T13:37:37.095-07:00This, most definitely, is not a masked criticism o...This, most definitely, is not a masked criticism of Benedict. The media have it wrong yet again- surprise, surprise! Pope Francis has done nothing but show praise and gratitude towards his predecessor since becoming pope. I wonder is he referring more specifically to the church in Brazil & Latin America, than somewhere like the United States? Thousands of Catholics in Latin America are being lured in by the "happy clappy" Protestant churches, and this, I think, is what he is addressing. Why do people feel comfort and hope from these evangelical churches instead of the Catholic Church?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com