What is a Liberal Catholic?

tinythinker · #51 4th December 2008, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by lucyclaire

I think The Jesuits teaching is mostly progressive, I attend a Jesuit parish and I find the Priests to be truely ecumenical, academic, compassionate, funny, utterly commited to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and giving love and service to others.
Though they did campaign against the Embroyric Research Bill in the UK parliament and inform us fully about the issues, they are strong on Life but they never talk about birth control, though we are a big family church where people are stopping at two children. When I have talked to my Parish priest I know that he never, ever judges me and infact accepts me. We also fought against the Euthanasia Bill, which involved a debate with a panel made up of Catholics, Hindus and Jews.
Currently we are doing a course run by a Catholic Acedemic about Islam and what Muslims believe it is rivetting and has a large turn out each week.

In August one of our Priest's died very suddenly aged 76, exemplified the Jesuit belief of love for people and love for Jesus Christ. He had to have two funerals, both packed to overflowing, amoung the mourners were the children he had taught, teenaged boys in tears because he had gone. He was a Progressive but he also loved Jesus Christ and loved his work as a Priest, teacher and friend. He lived like the other Jesuit priests lived by the prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola and to many Conservatives that is considered liberal, just like feeding the homeless and teaching about Islam is.

Originally Posted by Protinus

sounds like my church lucyclaire! Welcome!!

I don't want to suggest that parishes are either completely conservative or liberal, or that such distinctions are the most important element, but is there any way to get an idea of which ones are going to be more like the highlighted (bolded) portions above? We have three Catholic churches in the small town where I am currently residing. It would be so rude to phone them up and ask - hey, are you a more liberal parish on issues like X, Y, and Z? Only one of the churches has a website, so there isn't a lot to go on.

JasonV · #52 4th December 2008, 04:20 PM

TT,

I'm betting you'll have to visit them all in person to know for sure.

Ave Maria · #53 5th December 2008, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Crosslight

I am not familiar with your beliefs.
Where do you stand on the social issues that are abounding everywhere?
Abortion, Gay Weddings, Ordained Women, Priests getting married, Gifts of the Spirit, Speaking in tongues.. things like this.

And, I have been reading "WWMC"... what is wwmc?

Thanks for any answers..

stace\o/

Here is where I stand on the issues that you mention.

As far as abortion goes, I am pro-choice. I see nothing wrong with leaving the decision to get an abortion up to the woman. I do not believe the government should ban abortion.

As for gay weddings, I am for them. I believe that the GLBT community needs to have equal rights as heterosexuals.

As for ordained women, I am also for the ordination of women. I see nothing wrong with allowing women to hold the priesthood or the bishop's office.

As for priests getting married, I certainly think that priests should be allowed to marry if they want to. I think it's wrong to prohibit them from marrying.

And as for the gifts of the Spirit and speaking in tongues, I am a charismatic Catholic so I believe in those as well.