And I am glad that this is so, but for the longest time, the [Roman] Catholic Church STOOD ALONE in it's fight against abortion. I can remember the days when the rest of christen- dom was babbling to themselves, not knowing what to say for fear of loosing church members who happened to disagree. (I'm talking about the the 1950's and earlier)

Subject: Catholic Church To: Charlie Ray From: William Putnam

Date: 9/13/95 12:10:00 ----(Continued from previous post)

WP>When have you witnessed a Catholic Mass lately?

CR> I have witnessed televised Mass from time to time.

Probably an inadequate experience, but in any case, what do you see? Give me your impression............

WP>Now I wish the Church (In America) had not done away with the WP>Latin and the beautiful Gregorian Chants (in too many cases) WP>the ceremony is in English and pretty much modernized. Now we WP>don't go quite as far as some of the protestant services I WP>have seen (and I don't criticize them.) Vain repetitious WP>prayers? I say my rosary as repetitiously as possible, but not WP>in vain! The wonderful Joyful, Sorrowful, and Triumphal WP>mysteries we catholics contemplate during the rosary bring me WP>close to God every day!

CR> Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Rosary of recent development? CR> (i.e. vintage WWI). Where is that in first century Christianity?

Oh heck no, Charlie! The rosary goes way back to the very early days of the Church! I was going to quote a lot out of my Catholic Encyclopedia, but I'll spare you unless you are interested in some details.

WP>But your charge of "dead institutionalism" makes me think back WP>on a recent event, a world meeting (Cairo?) to address the WP>"plight of the starving child" (something like that) when the WP>papal legate denounced attempts to introduce abortion from the WP>pro-choice contingent to the meeting, resulting in that agenda WP>item being abandoned.

CR> Protestants and Catholics have much in agreement concerning matters CR> like abortion and the current culture wars. However, good works do CR> not constitute spiritual life in liturgy. They that worship Him must CR> worship in SPIRIT and in truth (Cf. John 4:21-24).

And I am glad that this is so, but for the longest time, the Catholic Church STOOD ALONE in it's fight against abortion. I can remember the days when the rest of christen- dom was babbling to themselves, not knowing what to say for fear of loosing church members who happened to disagree. (I'm talking about the the 1950's and earlier)

Insofar as John 4:21-24 are concerned, catholics are in compliance just as much as you are, Charlie.

WP>How's that for a "dead institution," WP>Charlie? I will say to you that there is no greater moral WP>force, present and visible on earth, then the Catholic Church. WP>Pope John Paul II journeys to America soon. Are you going to WP>tell me that his visit will not have any relevancy to all of WP>us? Does some (if not all) of his words and teachings have any WP>influence on you at all?

CR> No more or less than any other Christian leader who stands for CR> biblical morals. The Pope is not the vicar of Christ, but I respect CR> his stand for biblical ethics and morality as well as his stand for CR> conservative and traditional theology.

Good, I at least got you to say that, and I'm glad! I'll let it slide that you don't think John Paul II is the vicar of Christ, but I'm tolerant of ya! <g>

WP> I could go on and show you just how WP>**vibrant** this "dead institution" has been over the last 200 WP>years, but then perhaps I would suggest you look back over my WP>posts this past year to see what I have covered on this very WP>issue.

CR> Vibrant churches don't play bingo to raise funds:)

Why not? The money gained also sends catholic missionaries to the mission fields too, Charlie. Also helps pay for roof repairs from the last hurricane!

CR> Besides, the RCC and mainline Protestants are going to have to come to CR> terms with Pentecostal theology sooner or later. Pentecostals now CR> number 410 million world-wide, second only to Catholicism.

At whose expense? I realize that some catholics are enticed over to that, but I think most come from the flesh of other protestant churches. Just a guess on my part...........

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