tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post6761784637400675696..comments2024-03-12T19:57:41.861+00:00Comments on THINKING CATHOLICISM: WHO / WHAT IS THE ANTI-CHRIST?Thinking Catholicismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-61152466212896467022014-08-20T15:54:12.195+01:002014-08-20T15:54:12.195+01:00Daer MMM,
Thank you for your continuing insightfu...Daer MMM,<br /><br />Thank you for your continuing insightful contributions.<br /><br />I laughed at your story above.<br /><br />I have no problem with priests going out for nice meals. I confess to doing it regulraly.<br /><br />We all need to socialise but this must be only a small part of a good priest's life. If those 4 priests were dedicated to their vocations and flocks - and had the habit of sharing and helping the poor - no problem.<br /><br />Jesus never condemned those who HAD - but rather those who HAD AND NEVER SHARED.<br /><br />In my experience far too many priests do the minimum of pastoral work and spend a lot of time wining and dining; golfing, playing poker with each other; visiting the homes of the wealthier parishioners and going on 5 star holidays.<br /><br />A good priest is a rare treasure. I have been privileged to know a few.<br /><br />A self serving priest is a total contradiction - and if there is a God - will have a lot of explaining to do before him.<br /><br />Pat <br /><br />Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-66310550995845428342014-08-20T14:49:45.647+01:002014-08-20T14:49:45.647+01:00Those last two anonymous comments, for me sum up s...Those last two anonymous comments, for me sum up something noticeably absent in most catholic clergy, a genuine care WITHOUT strings attached.<br />A few year ago, out walking with my sister, an expensive car with four "jowly well nourished looking" catholic priests all about 50 yrs old, stopped us to ask directions to a nearby four star hotel/restaurant. It was about 7 pm and fairly obvious they were on their way to an expensive meal. My sister, much more deferential than I started to tell them when I interrupted by saying, "I think gentlemen your collars would be better served by going and helping out for an hour at the local food bank, so I'll direct you there if you like". I said it pleasantly and politely, but with my, at times when appropriate, steely stare.<br />They didn't wait for any directions. Now I wonder why.<br />The pompous power of the catholic hierarchy here in Ireland will only go when ordinary people tell the clergy at all levels their day of lording it over us is gone, laugh at their man made rules and regulations, follow their consciences, and above all, simply refuse to contribute in any way financially to the perpetuation of the catholic ediface as it has become.<br />From what I've gleaned from these blogs/comments, the Oratory community seems more like what I understand the early Christian church to have been<br />MournemanMichael<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-24627965816600217842014-08-20T14:04:00.138+01:002014-08-20T14:04:00.138+01:00Our son was dying of cancer in Belfast City Hospit...Our son was dying of cancer in Belfast City Hospital some years ago and we wrere crying in the lift when Bishop Buckley stepped into the lift and asked us why we were crying. We told him and he offered to come to our son's room and pray with with us as a family. He then told us that he was on the way back from a wedding in Dublin and that he had everything he needed in the car to offer Mass in the room if we wished. We were delighted to say yes. Bishop Buckley said Mass at the end of our son's bed on the movable bed tray. He only wore a simple white robe and I cannot remember seeing him wearing anything that would make you aware he was a bishop. We had a most beautiful Mass that lasted an hour and that Mass gave us the grace of acceptance. We wanted to give Bishop Buckley a donation for the Mass but he absolutely refused. When our son died he attended the funeral and we asked if Bishop Buckley could take part in his funeral Mass and our parish priest refused so he sat with the family. He later came to our home to say an anniversary Mass for our son and again refused a donation. We have not met him for years but will never forget how he ministered to us at a very painful time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-17287624243921060332014-08-20T13:00:43.485+01:002014-08-20T13:00:43.485+01:00I do my best to be a "practioner" of spi...I do my best to be a "practioner" of spirituality.<br /><br />Your mention of the "former harbour policeman" reminds me that the first disciples were in the main also connected with harbours and the sea - they were fishermen.<br /><br />I do not believe that Jesus ever made a "bishop". But in the very early Christian Community ministry developed into a three fold minister - the episcopi overseer or bishop - the presbyter or priest and the deacon.<br /><br />I think this was a perfectly acceptable development until the Bishop of Rome threw in his lot with the emperor Constantine - and from that time on bishops became more and more bosses, dictators, overlords etc.<br /><br />I believe that the challenge to the Christian Churches today is to return to the relative simplicity and powerlessness of the early church - with the Scriptures and the 7 Sacraments (including Holy Orders) as the basis structure.<br /><br />I believe that our small community in Larne - which is not perfect - is something like the early Christian gatherings were - with a meaningful Sunday Eucharist foollowed by a cup of tea, a chat and a laugh in the kitchen.<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-41174733577925598782014-08-20T11:58:44.392+01:002014-08-20T11:58:44.392+01:00A few years ago when my young brother was dying of...A few years ago when my young brother was dying of cancer Pat visited him regulary in hospital in Belfast. One day my brother admired his cross and chain and Pat took it off and put it around my brother's neck. That cross and chain remained with him as he suffered and died. In fact he died holding Pat's cross.<br /><br />When he died Pat came to the house to sympathise with us. We handed him back his cross and chain. Pat went over to the coffin and put the cross and chain back around my brother's neck. It was buried with him and it consoled us all greatly.<br /><br />Anyone who thinks that Pat is into possessions does not know him.<br /><br />M. Co. DownAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-70226997375558080252014-08-20T10:50:08.621+01:002014-08-20T10:50:08.621+01:00Well then! While I think there's an element of...Well then! While I think there's an element of validity in what you, anonymous 20.59, say, for I too have wondered why Pat appears to underline/place emphasis on his episcopal status, Your comment (like those of Pats on Brady) however comes across as unnecessarily personalised.<br />I'm not bothered by Pats bishop-status-thingey. I've never met him. I just like the way he pokes at the pomp and duplicity of the catholic church as an institution, and shows up the whole farrago by the behaviour of some of its "eminent rulers". Of course their pecadillos and more serious faults could simply be seen as failings of weak human nature? I think not. They're indicative of something deeper, more corrosive, and rotten.<br />So I reckon Pat does well to expose them. I don't like to see him personally criticised, just as I don't like some of his highly personalised criticisms of others, and have said so. As a humanist, I accept the wonderful diversity of all our talents and frailties. And if Pat likes a little bit of purple, so what? <br />PS. I'm guessing you're the D&C PP supporter who wrote a while back you would not be revisiting Pat's blogs? <br />MournemanMichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-58512401154413540242014-08-20T00:15:19.669+01:002014-08-20T00:15:19.669+01:00The only time I ever see Pat wear a mitre is durni...The only time I ever see Pat wear a mitre is durning a Chrism mass. His pectoral cross is silver plated and most Sundays he celebrates mass with a simple alb and stole. As for purple socks, well they can be bought in tescos, £5 for half a dozen. <br /><br />Occasional oratory attendee Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-77291659254330848922014-08-19T20:59:59.123+01:002014-08-19T20:59:59.123+01:00Interesting and says it all really that you save y...Interesting and says it all really that you save your appreciation for those who praise your blogs and who placate your huge ego Pat. Yet those who challenge you, those who ask you to examine your conscience and reflect on your mercilessness towards those whom your perceive as being against you and your made up religion, you reserve for them your ire, condemnation and bile. Pat you are a practitioner of religion, whatever you may say. The official church would not make you a bishop and so you made yourself one at the hands of a former harbour police man from the south. The many times you have published blogs about the validity of your "episcopal orders" is a proof, if proof were needed, of how much you are a church man, a company man, albeit a disappointed one and a discontented one. If your really followed the call of Jesus of Nazareth you would not be prancing around in mitre, pectoral cross, ring and purple socks. For goodness sake have some self respect and know what you are. As much a product of the system as the cardinals, bishops and priests you so mercilessly condemn. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-59466639562729724572014-08-19T17:22:11.934+01:002014-08-19T17:22:11.934+01:00I loved Tony Benn. Maybe because my Dad (RIP) was ...I loved Tony Benn. Maybe because my Dad (RIP) was a life time socialist and trade union official. I was on picket lines with my Dad sine I was 3 years old :-)<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-38186496263669202792014-08-19T15:02:45.313+01:002014-08-19T15:02:45.313+01:00Dear Broadminded Parishioner your comment reminds ...Dear Broadminded Parishioner your comment reminds me of a quote I heard in college many a time-Christianity is not a religion. However many denominations like to think they own the Jesus Franchise. I was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith & by choice am now a member of Church of England. C of E like R C has a hierarchy. This has not yet been a source of conflict for me. The one thing to remember is that the Church exists to minister to the individual. The individual does not exist to bow and scrape before church leadership. Seanroscommonmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08748800697962234196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-2079745237323099632014-08-19T14:09:27.310+01:002014-08-19T14:09:27.310+01:00Nope! Not sins, as you rightly put it in quotation...Nope! Not sins, as you rightly put it in quotation marks: just the occasional "headstagger" (good NornIron phrase that), we're all inclined to. Or rather those with passion, convictions and courage enough to "set their stall out".<br />I'd very much rather that than the collusive insipid crowd pleasing lackey: and you'll never be called that!<br />That lovely man, Anthony Wedgewood Benn, aka Tony, who gave up a hereditary title to represent the ordinary people, spoke eloquently at Cambridge Folk Festival in 2000. With Roy Bailey accompanying him singing songs in the same vein, Roy traced some of the significant changes in English history brought about by ordinary people with convictions strong enough to stand apart from the crowd and withstand the inevitable consequences of criticism, oppression and in some cases even death. A bit like Christ I think.<br />It's certainly worth listening to, available on CD as CFCD405. Likes of Amazon should have it. Roy's website is: www.roybailey.net<br />Tony, now sadly dead, said for years that he stopped being an MP "so I can devote more time to politics". So he left "the club" of parliament. Any parallels?<br />MourneManMichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-76607798862156396032014-08-19T13:14:45.152+01:002014-08-19T13:14:45.152+01:00Thanks MMM.
Hope I have made up for recent "...Thanks MMM.<br /><br />Hope I have made up for recent "sins" :-)<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-84159997683259147582014-08-19T13:12:56.102+01:002014-08-19T13:12:56.102+01:00Glad you like the pic:-)Glad you like the pic:-)Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-39350311221678363132014-08-19T13:12:18.021+01:002014-08-19T13:12:18.021+01:00Thanks. You don't have to go it alone. You hav...Thanks. You don't have to go it alone. You have Jesus, your God given conscience and many like minded friends.<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-826325539283531612014-08-19T13:10:54.593+01:002014-08-19T13:10:54.593+01:00Good contribution, Sean.
PatGood contribution, Sean.<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-60864710134320788712014-08-19T13:09:52.122+01:002014-08-19T13:09:52.122+01:00Amen. TooAmen. TooThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-52253071961035808652014-08-19T13:08:53.014+01:002014-08-19T13:08:53.014+01:00Excellent contribution.
PatExcellent contribution.<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-59908817800581476422014-08-19T13:08:24.721+01:002014-08-19T13:08:24.721+01:00Its great that you found the True Christ. It would...Its great that you found the True Christ. It would be nearly impossible to find him in the mainstream churches.<br /><br />Faith is a relationship - not a slavery.<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-76348342688461625442014-08-19T11:26:50.231+01:002014-08-19T11:26:50.231+01:00Broad Minded Parishoner: greetings. You've st...Broad Minded Parishoner: greetings. You've started a journey. I turned a corner, without realising it then, and started on that path about 45 years ago. Looking back, I've absolutely no regrets, and the path is much clearer, firmer, and easier to follow. The "do as you would be done by" philosophy you follow suffices.<br />Bon voyage.<br />MourneManMichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-50663360948404268332014-08-19T11:19:04.786+01:002014-08-19T11:19:04.786+01:00Anything on this Blog can be reposted anywhere
Pa...Anything on this Blog can be reposted anywhere<br /><br />PatThinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-86711681306194999452014-08-19T01:00:33.243+01:002014-08-19T01:00:33.243+01:00Amen to that!!!
Anna, HalifaxAmen to that!!!<br />Anna, HalifaxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-13008084359593922222014-08-18T23:47:25.741+01:002014-08-18T23:47:25.741+01:00That's pretty good. Do you mind me posting it ...That's pretty good. Do you mind me posting it on my Facebook?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-2430297741432599192014-08-18T22:47:29.169+01:002014-08-18T22:47:29.169+01:00Oh and Pat your sense of humour just kills me. I ...Oh and Pat your sense of humour just kills me. I laughed so hard at "can you see Jesus in this picture". Broad Minded Parishionernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-89793670967972555612014-08-18T22:45:59.741+01:002014-08-18T22:45:59.741+01:00WOW. So many thought provoking comments and a GRE...WOW. So many thought provoking comments and a GREAT blog. Has really made me think and be a little sad too because there is so much truth in it all. This religion thing is looking very ropey to me all of a sudden. I read of so many people on this blog that have left the church, as it stands, behind and for reasons that are hard to argue with. I have always taken Catholicism with a pinch of salt which probably didn't/doesn't make me a good a Catholic and it is not a case of cherry-picking what I like or what suits me. I don't see why they have to rail against gays, I don't see why women have to be left out of the priesthood, I don't see why 10 commandments have become hundreds. My faith has always been based on the "do as you would be done by" philosophy. I'm not ready to go it alone so to speak but you have all made me think.Broad Minded Parishionernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-1804678222292866352014-08-18T21:03:49.169+01:002014-08-18T21:03:49.169+01:00Antichrist..? Reminds me of the horror films. I wo...Antichrist..? Reminds me of the horror films. I would see antichrist behaviour as a system that takes advantage of people when they are down under the guise of providing help. Most religions have a sort of hidden agenda as in I am the best. Many registered charities struggle to survive because of ongoing cutbacks from funding providers. Society wants to help more and more people, politicians included but government and government agencies give less and less in funding. A housing association sent a plumber (now being trained as a painter) to paint a mans ceiling. 3 times the plumber returned with his paintbrush. Would it not have been cheaper to send a painter in the first place to do the job properly. Then there are these modern apprenticeships. What percentage of these is another name for cheap labour. Am I raving? It would not be the first time if I am. Seanroscommonmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08748800697962234196noreply@blogger.com