Comments on: Is the pope still pope? http://stevebrownetc.com/blogs/the-guest-room/is-the-pope-still-pope/ This blog needs a description! Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:03:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Steve Martin http://stevebrownetc.com/blogs/the-guest-room/is-the-pope-still-pope/#comment-34456 Steve Martin Fri, 02 May 2008 02:21:08 +0000 http://stevebrownetc.com/blogs/the-guest-room/is-the-pope-still-pope/#comment-34456 A J Calabrese, I agree whole heartedly with you assessment od cultural Catholics. I have seen the same thing within my own family. I can only pray that on that last Day the Lord does not say to them, "depart from me I never knew you." Thanks very much. - Steve Martin San Clemente, CA A J Calabrese,

I agree whole heartedly with you assessment od cultural Catholics. I have seen the same thing within my own family.

I can only pray that on that last Day the Lord does not say to them, "depart from me I never knew you."

Thanks very much.

- Steve Martin San Clemente, CA

]]> By: A J Calabrese http://stevebrownetc.com/blogs/the-guest-room/is-the-pope-still-pope/#comment-33772 A J Calabrese Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:58:27 +0000 http://stevebrownetc.com/blogs/the-guest-room/is-the-pope-still-pope/#comment-33772 Good article Terry. This is one Roman Catholic who sees that you hit the nail on the head. One thing the American media and most pollsters fail to recognize that being "Catholic" is as much a cultural identity, usually attached to the mother country of their parents or grand parents. For example, in my immediate group of siblings, I am the only "practicing (professing)" Catholic. With the exception of one sibling who is now a Methodist, my other siblings if asked would all identify themselves as Catholic. Also, in some cultures "church" is seen as womens work, so you might go to a parish church and see mostly women, a few men, and some young people at Mass while the men folk, for the most part, are outside having a smoke. Now in their own heads they see themselves as Catholic, but their world view is totally secular. They identify with the Church, but that same Church does not play a part in the formation of their thoughts or morality. So you end up with a person who answers "YES" to the question are you Catholic, but then answers to the negative when it comes to Catholic teaching. Now in the US a lot of self identified "catholic" moral view is formed by the culture, including in many, if not most, Catholic colleges and universities. Pope Benedict XVI understands this and is trying to address this, while not compromising Church teaching and authority. Good article Terry. This is one Roman Catholic who sees that you hit the nail on the head. One thing the American media and most pollsters fail to recognize that being "Catholic" is as much a cultural identity, usually attached to the mother country of their parents or grand parents. For example, in my immediate group of siblings, I am the only "practicing (professing)" Catholic. With the exception of one sibling who is now a Methodist, my other siblings if asked would all identify themselves as Catholic. Also, in some cultures "church" is seen as womens work, so you might go to a parish church and see mostly women, a few men, and some young people at Mass while the men folk, for the most part, are outside having a smoke. Now in their own heads they see themselves as Catholic, but their world view is totally secular. They identify with the Church, but that same Church does not play a part in the formation of their thoughts or morality. So you end up with a person who answers "YES" to the question are you Catholic, but then answers to the negative when it comes to Catholic teaching. Now in the US a lot of self identified "catholic" moral view is formed by the culture, including in many, if not most, Catholic colleges and universities. Pope Benedict XVI understands this and is trying to address this, while not compromising Church teaching and authority.

]]>