tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post8084889889836001778..comments2024-03-12T19:57:41.861+00:00Comments on THINKING CATHOLICISM: THIS BLOG - ITS CRITICSThinking Catholicismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-21500748450529092782016-05-30T20:57:54.892+01:002016-05-30T20:57:54.892+01:00To Anonymous at 15:59, YOU very obviously do care ...To Anonymous at 15:59, YOU very obviously do care about the hierarchy. ..enough to comment on the matter through this blog.Magna Cartahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10242128271477821605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-49990171849367594142016-05-27T18:53:08.902+01:002016-05-27T18:53:08.902+01:00I agree and disagree. I hope you don't mind An...I agree and disagree. I hope you don't mind Anon 00:09. I believe people are voting with their feet. A small number of disgruntleds are leaving. Let us not deny it. But far more people are coming to the Roman Catholic faith. Look at the current great and prominent Catholic apologists/writers: <br /><br />*Scott Hahn<br />*Steve Ray (Brilliant)<br />*Jimmy Akin<br />*Trent Horn (Amazing)<br />*Mark Shea<br /><br />What have they all in common? Formerly anti-Catholic Protestants/Evangelicals who are not only Roman Catholic but are bringing more and more people to the faith. Entire Anglican/Episcopalian parishes in England/America are coming back to Roman. It's amazing! <br /><br />If people are voting with their feet they are coming to the Roman Catholic faith. Not leaving it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-3169240942821446062016-05-27T16:12:39.434+01:002016-05-27T16:12:39.434+01:00Indeed. I don't find these figures very credib...Indeed. I don't find these figures very credible. <br /><br />Pat seems to suggest that these numbers suggest support. Not necessarily.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-48139227245851160102016-05-27T15:59:44.687+01:002016-05-27T15:59:44.687+01:00I've never actually seen Pat Buckley mention J...I've never actually seen Pat Buckley mention Jesus on this blog. He should read the bible - it's great. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-57009111923628156632016-05-27T15:53:10.243+01:002016-05-27T15:53:10.243+01:00I agree. Personally I feel this blog focuses on is...I agree. Personally I feel this blog focuses on issues that are non-issues for 99.9% of Catholics. <br /><br />I don't really care about the hierarchy. I don't think anyone but Bishop Buckley really does. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-31741011394138625432016-05-27T15:11:36.428+01:002016-05-27T15:11:36.428+01:00Are you serious? Have you missed the fact there is...Are you serious? Have you missed the fact there is a Church of Ireland church in every parish. LOL. <br /><br />I don't believe that Roman Catholics are searching for an alternative to out Church. In Northern Ireland there are hundreds of different denominations, non denominational and independent churches. As a gay man I don't feel in anyway unhappy with the Catholic Church. Obviously I have my own wishes, but it's not about me. It's about God. <br /><br />It's not about finding a church that tells you want you want to hear. Pick N Mix religion is not centred on Christ, it is centered on telling people what they want to here so you get bums on seats. <br /><br />I have always been well involved in any parish I have lived in, and I can tell you that in Northern Ireland I have never heard anyone complain about the Church hierarchy. People don't really care about bishops and seminaries or any of the other stuff that Pat Buckley tries to denigrate on this blog. <br /><br />Pat Buckley appears at least to be complaining that he is more interested in God than the hierarchy of the church, but he genuinely seems obsessed with the hierarchy of the church whereas most Roman Catholics aren't. It's not about the hierarchy - it's about Jesus. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-10399709388853140312016-05-27T10:22:26.533+01:002016-05-27T10:22:26.533+01:00Thank you for your enlightening responses. I live ...Thank you for your enlightening responses. I live in Manchester & am active in my Church of England Parish. I am away from Southern Ireland for over 15 years but believe the South is pretty stagnant in terms of denominational choice. It took me a long time to get my head around the fact that the R C Church do not "Own the Jesus Franchise" Augustine also said Our souls are restless until they rest in God. My point is that the sheep including me need a descent field in which to feel safe Fly on Th Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12520198020314816276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-5240669610496495132016-05-27T00:49:29.831+01:002016-05-27T00:49:29.831+01:00PP Armagh at 15:25 on 26 May refers to Eamon Marti...PP Armagh at 15:25 on 26 May refers to Eamon Martin's 'expected red hat'. I honestly believe that Archbishop Martin will never receive a red hat as long as Francis is pope. I may be very wide off the mark but, based on Francis' trend of cardinal appointments I think that no new red hat will come to Ireland until 2020 - when Sean Brady turns 80. If Francis is still in charge by then I believe that he will really push the boat out and appoint Archbishop Kieran O' Reilly of Cashel & Emly as Ireland's next cardinal. O' Reilly is a missionary priest, promoted from Killaloe to Cashel and very well received in both dioceses. He has the smell of the sheep off him & fits well with the type of bishop that Pope Francis likes.<br />You heard it here first - Kieran O' Reilly will get the red hat, but only if Francis is still around.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-57813203798946228972016-05-27T00:16:33.037+01:002016-05-27T00:16:33.037+01:00People ARE voting with their feet. They are choosi...People ARE voting with their feet. They are choosing not to walk. <br /><br />It is worth remembering that even in the early days the men Christ chose were not perfect. He still chose them. And Pentecost happened. <br /><br />I am not perfect and I recognize that. When you accept your own imperfections it is easier to accept the imperfections of others. But whatever the failings/mistakes of our leaders I could/would never leave the Church because I believe it is the true church. Pat Buckley has decided that he doesn't. Good luck to him I say and I think most Roman Catholics would agree. <br /><br />It's just a shame he doesn't want to be Roman Catholic but he can't just go. Not quite sure why he claims to be liberated but still lingers on the periphery - he is neither use nor ornament as my old mum would have said. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-25297861238193997452016-05-27T00:09:30.867+01:002016-05-27T00:09:30.867+01:00They are not voting with their feet!! Look at Sou...They are not voting with their feet!! Look at South America, the Hispanics in the USA etc etc. 23:05. You really need to have a reality check.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-44868014473181278192016-05-26T23:05:29.525+01:002016-05-26T23:05:29.525+01:00As St Augustine wrote: "If not to you Lord, t...As St Augustine wrote: "If not to you Lord, then where shall we go?"<br /><br />The thing is Regular Contributor, is the the RC church is not a prison. No one is forced to remain. There are any number of Protestant denominations (including Pat's) and plenty of non denominational churches. People can vote with their feet. If they want to leave the Christ-ordained Church then no one is preventing them. <br /><br />But they aren't voting with their feet. The church may not be perfect. It can't be perfect. It is made up of humans. But it is the one true church. So whatever the issue, why would we leave. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-80242176378121620572016-05-26T22:20:52.998+01:002016-05-26T22:20:52.998+01:00Do you feel powerful? Do you feel big? Do you feel...Do you feel powerful? Do you feel big? Do you feel that statistics mean something? You will get nowhere fast! Finance minister, good Catholic!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-50293481517592841592016-05-26T21:17:17.245+01:002016-05-26T21:17:17.245+01:00Pat have you seen this? http://irishcatholic.ie/ar...Pat have you seen this? http://irishcatholic.ie/article/%E2%80%98inappropriate%E2%80%99-behaviour-claim-robustly-dealt-%E2%80%93-maynoothAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-50351236338623039942016-05-26T19:41:57.846+01:002016-05-26T19:41:57.846+01:00I am a regular contributor who is honest and open-...I am a regular contributor who is honest and open-I would like to think. I am not out to get anyone nor do I believe I have any chips on my shoulder-anymore! If I were to have a gripe for it would be why is there so much talking/blogging and so little apparent action. The R C church needs a credible concrete alternative to turn to. WHERE IS IT LADS & LASSIESFly on Th Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12520198020314816276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-19560577615244808372016-05-26T18:23:49.287+01:002016-05-26T18:23:49.287+01:00When I arrived in Larne (1984) I was also given a ...When I arrived in Larne (1984) I was also given a list of those I should visit and cultivate and those I should avoid.<br /><br />I tore up the piece of paper and dropped it at the feet of my "advisor". Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-20869876987674805182016-05-26T17:55:28.497+01:002016-05-26T17:55:28.497+01:00Couldn't agree more with 15:43 and your respon...Couldn't agree more with 15:43 and your response Pat. Had the PP of St Brigids "disappeared" the vacancy would have been filled before he got the length of Shaftsbury Circus. Such is the way with the Catholic Church. Are are equal but some more equal than others.<br />My cousin,now deceased, was a priest in D&C and was very much " in the know". He would have admitted to being one of the boys. Some of his stories about diocesesan goings on ( pre Treanor) would leave you speechless. He would often talk of who knew what and did not one jot during the Fr Brendan Smyth business. <br />He said the back stabbing among clergy was unbelievable. He knew who were forever phoning Lisbreen to stick other priests in the mire.<br />He told my sister that on his first appointment as PP to a smallish Co Antrim town (not Rasharkin) the outgoing PP contacted him. During the conversation he "marked his card" by telling him the names of the few wealthy families in the parish and suggested that he should visit them as soon as he arrived. The rest of the parish were, according to the departing priest, not worth bothering about !! <br />My late relative said that that mindset wasn't uncommon among that generation of D&C clergy.<br />Is it any wonder people don't really give a damn now.<br />Lisburn Larry<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-16089238693964190412016-05-26T17:44:41.964+01:002016-05-26T17:44:41.964+01:00Why? Are there problems in paradise???Why? Are there problems in paradise???Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-72150821433559685512016-05-26T17:33:40.003+01:002016-05-26T17:33:40.003+01:00Maybe you're not as well informed about St Bri...Maybe you're not as well informed about St Brigid's as you appear to be about Rasharkin:-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-54276119501079643722016-05-26T15:56:59.236+01:002016-05-26T15:56:59.236+01:00PS: If Rasharkin was St Brigid's on the Malone...PS: If Rasharkin was St Brigid's on the Malone Road, you would be treated very differently.Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-29568800006303190762016-05-26T15:55:19.778+01:002016-05-26T15:55:19.778+01:00Thank you.
But if I were to behave as unanswerabl...Thank you.<br /><br />But if I were to behave as unanswerable to critics would I not be behaving like those I criticise?<br /><br />I am all for constructive criticism.<br /><br />But I do not publish comments here that are wildly abusive, obscene and personalised. Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-27694443647929516052016-05-26T15:53:02.413+01:002016-05-26T15:53:02.413+01:00You shouldn't have to clarify yourself Pat. I ... <br />You shouldn't have to clarify yourself Pat. I came across this blog by accident a few months ago and I enjoy reading it on a daily basis. It enlightens us on matters affecting others throughout the church and permits us to raise issues for open discussion in the forum. Thank you Pat :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-36169243216555247092016-05-26T15:45:58.798+01:002016-05-26T15:45:58.798+01:00Sadly, you are right. Nobody in authority in Down ...Sadly, you are right. Nobody in authority in Down and Connor gives a hoot about you :-(<br /><br />Why do not the parishioners rise up and invite your own priest in?<br /><br />As for shaming those who are negligent of you - forget it. They are shameless!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-19797791267359846142016-05-26T15:43:31.696+01:002016-05-26T15:43:31.696+01:00I totally agree with the last comments, very well ...I totally agree with the last comments, very well written. I just feel as a Church goer at Saint Marys, Rasharkin, nobody gives a hoot about us, whether we sink or swim. They say that communication is the Art of Management, shows the lack of management our Bishop(s) have in this case. We are tired of being the forgotten Parish – a total disgrace and shame on you all. Just wish I knew how to bring shame to the hierarchy and so called leaders. Something you might think about !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-37186525826386122062016-05-26T15:25:04.450+01:002016-05-26T15:25:04.450+01:00Archbishop Eamon Martin is taking the political vi...Archbishop Eamon Martin is taking the political view on Father Coyle. He is waiting to see what happens. Rory Coyle, once an asset is now a liability. <br /><br />You can be sure of one thing - if Rory Coyle puts his expected red hat in any danger Eamon Martin will let Rory disappear into the mincer (excuse the pun).<br /><br />PP Armagh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543129696041324861.post-90444043291065812792016-05-26T15:19:52.529+01:002016-05-26T15:19:52.529+01:00According to the website of the Parish of Armagh F...According to the website of the Parish of Armagh Father Rory Coyle is still listed as an active curate of the parish?<br /><br />The archbishop says he is on extended leave.<br /><br />You are right about his "sin".<br /><br />The fact that he is a card carrying member of the RC Church and is a prominent priest in it means that one should be able to expect that he practices what he and his church teach.<br /><br />And he has never distanced himself from that teaching.<br /><br />The "sin" is indeed hypocrisy. <br /><br />But the Catholic Church - and all the churches I know - are mired in such hypocrisy. <br /><br />It is no coincidence that Jesus condemned the hardest those guilty of hypocrisy - the Pharisees of his day.<br /><br />Much of organised Christianity of today is the new Phaiseeism. <br /><br />More and more people are seeing through this and walking away.Thinking Catholicismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16589713565062075036noreply@blogger.com