New Pope

[blackstrap]

As usual , the flies come out of the woodwork to criticize his envolvement during the troubles in Argentina with the dictatorship and the 30,000 murders . I personally think his behavior will stand up to scrutiny and can sympathize with the " rock and a hard place " position he was put in.

[cdowis]

What you have are cafeteria style Catholics who are now cafeteria style Mormons.

On the flip side, a lot of the LDS converts to Catholicism want to be as involved in parish life as they were in their wards.

Interesting. Wonder if it will influence more LDS to return to the Catholic church.

[Damien the Leper]

Interesting. Wonder if it will influence more LDS to return to the Catholic church.

Uh...no. No single church can handle that much ego.

[thesometimesaint]

Interesting. Wonder if it will influence more LDS to return to the Catholic church.

There will probably be a few. It is hard to go from a belief in the need for a Restoration to no Restoration was needed. I think that far more would go to Agnosticism, if not Atheism.

[Robert F. Smith]

The most important religious position has been chosen. Pope Francis I, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the new guy on the job. Go Argentina!!

The first words my LDS colleagues and I repeated the hour he was chosen: habemus papam.

Seems a good choice, and a man well known to the other cardinals. Also, I like Jesuits who are humble and care for the poor.

[Storm Rider]

I believe this fellow will be a wonderful servant of the Lord. His humility and love for the people will set an great example for the rest of us to follow.

[blueadept]

The first words my LDS colleagues and I repeated the hour he was chosen: habemus papam.

Seems a good choice, and a man well known to the other cardinals. Also, I like Jesuits who are humble and care for the poor.

What's interesting is that the Franciscans are known for taking care of the poor, the Dominicans are the preachers (orators) and the Jesuits are the intellects. Pope Francis is a Jesuit who dresses like a Dominican and obvious took the name (and lives like) attributed to the Franciscan Order....oh my. What should we expect?

[Alan]

Couple of points.

Firstly, he is not Pope Francis I. You don't have a first unless there is a second.

Secondly, it doesn't matter what he says and by what authority he claims to say it.......... the Falklands are, and will remain, British.

[Damien the Leper]

Couple of points.

Firstly, he is not Pope Francis I. You don't have a first unless there is a second.

Secondly, it doesn't matter what he says and by what authority he claims to say it.......... the Falklands are, and will remain, British.

First, the Roman Numeral looks better with than without.

Second, you're so sensitive...lol. But I like you Alan.

Lastly, I'm just curious. Are you still technically a member of Community of Christ or did you remove your name?

[Damien the Leper]

The first words my LDS colleagues and I repeated the hour he was chosen: habemus papam.

Seems a good choice, and a man well known to the other cardinals. Also, I like Jesuits who are humble and care for the poor.

I believe this fellow will be a wonderful servant of the Lord. His humility and love for the people will set an great example for the rest of us to follow.

He'll make an interesting prophet I believe.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

OK, he's a very nice person, but let's get back to the real issue.

This should energize the RCC in Latin America, so how do you think it will affect future growth of the LDS church in this area.

Nothing will change...the Catholic Church is not a missionary church like we are. As. I understand it, you cannot just ask to be a member. They increase their numbers through birth's. You can be baptized if you have a sponsor and only at certain times.

[Robert F. Smith]

He'll make an interesting prophet I believe.

Except that he has no authority from God. Apart from that, I think that he will be a great leader and that he will manage the magisterium effectively.

[Calm]

You can be baptized if you have a sponsor and only at certain times.

I assume this is accurate from what I've heard describe on the board:

http://www.wikihow.com/Become-Catholic

[Storm Rider]

Nothing will change...the Catholic Church is not a missionary church like we are. As. I understand it, you cannot just ask to be a member. They increase their numbers through birth's. You can be baptized if you have a sponsor and only at certain times.

Yes, anyone can become a Catholic; just ask a priest and the process begins. Before you can become a member of the Catholic Church you must go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. When an individual becomes committed to being baptized they become a Catechumenate. Then a sponsor is provided and the baptism is done during the Easter Vigil as well as Confirmation. The process is much longer, obviously, than in the Church of Jesus Christ. Their objective is for a new convert to understand, or become relatively familiar with, Catholic liturgy, doctrine and faith. High Church adherence is more complex, at least in rite and liturgy, than in our church and demands more explanation. I also think the difference is there is a greater focus on an intellectual understanding of their church where we are really, almost exclusively, focused on teaching faith through revelation. Once revelation is received baptism should follow immediately in our way of belief. There are pros and cons to all things.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

the Falklands are, and will remain, British.

Only time will tell. My wife was always telling me about the Falklands.

[ChristKnight]

Nothing will change...the Catholic Church is not a missionary church like we are. As. I understand it, you cannot just ask to be a member. They increase their numbers through birth's. You can be baptized if you have a sponsor and only at certain times.

As already mentioned, this is incorrect. It is true that the Catholic Church isn't a missionary church in the sense of proselytizing missions being the focus of missionary work. I think the Catholic Church is the opposite of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in that the LDS Church has both proselytizing and service missions, with the proselytizing missions being the majority of missionary work. In contrast, the Catholic Church has both as well, but service missions are the majority of work (I believe it is blueadept that is a member of a Catholic organization/apostolate that does proselytizing missionary work). Both believe that service is also an opportunity to preach the Gospel.

Also, yes, you can just ask to be a member, just like in the LDS Church. The question then becomes, how you become a member. For adult Catholic converts, as mentioned, you go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). This process lasts around 10 months or so (obviously depends on the individual), with various classes on Catholic beliefs and practices being held throughout the process. RCIA ends during Easter season, where the initiate repents through Confession, is baptized (if they haven't already been validly baptized), confirmed, and receives Eucharist (Sacrament/Communion) at the Easter Vigil. Yes, you do need a "sponsor", a practicing Catholic that guides you through the process. Many adult converts to Catholicism will be baptized next Saturday night.

I do think there are pros and cons to both ways of accepting new converts.

[saemo]

Nothing will change...the Catholic Church is not a missionary church like we are. As. I understand it, you cannot just ask to be a member. They increase their numbers through birth's. You can be baptized if you have a sponsor and only at certain times.

I can see how an LDS member would view Catholic missionary work in this way. No, we generally don't have people going door to door but we do evangelize. Evangelization was a central them of Pope Benedict's papacy. Pope Francis continues the same, he has shown us, and you what Catholic evangelization looks like.

As for baptism, the Catholic Church Christianizes those who are not Christians, and teaches her doctrines to Christians who are received into the Church. A non-Christian will spend 9-12 months learning about Christ, everything. If you're really that interested I can give you an example of the topics covered in a year long catechumenate schedule. A baptized Christian (ie, Protestant), will spend the time needed to learn Catholic doctrines. In our parish, the time taken can be anywhere from a few months to a year. It depends on the person, and several factors, including their own schedules and other personal needs.

Whatever the amount of time, it is a time of prayer, learning and discernment. The Holy Spirit brings people to Christ, the Church is where and how this happens.

Sponsors are technically called godparents. A catechumen is not only learning about Christ, and being drawn to Him, but also is joining a parish community. A sponsor helps teach, prays especially with and for the person entering the Church, and helps them get to know the parish and the people in it. Having sponsored a few people myself, lifelong friendships are formed. It is a privilege for me to be involved in their life as they journey. I've seen some very amazing things.

The Church traditionally baptizes adults converts at the Easter Vigil. Our baptism is tied so very intimately to Christ's resurrection. It is the most important holy day for us, and so is not only an appropriate time, it is a joyous occasion. The baptized also renew their baptismal vows at Easter, so it all works together as it should. But it isn't required that an adult convert be baptized at the Easter Vigil.

[David T]

Pope Francis changes Holy Thursday plans to celebrate Mass in prison

This. Is cool.

[saemo]

As already mentioned, this is incorrect. It is true that the Catholic Church isn't a missionary church in the sense of proselytizing missions being the focus of missionary work. I think the Catholic Church is the opposite of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in that the LDS Church has both proselytizing and service missions, with the proselytizing missions being the majority of missionary work. In contrast, the Catholic Church has both as well, but service missions are the majority of work (I believe it is blueadept that is a member of a Catholic organization/apostolate that does proselytizing missionary work). Both believe that service is also an opportunity to preach the Gospel.

Also, yes, you can just ask to be a member, just like in the LDS Church. The question then becomes, how you become a member. For adult Catholic converts, as mentioned, you go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). This process lasts around 10 months or so (obviously depends on the individual), with various classes on Catholic beliefs and practices being held throughout the process. RCIA ends during Easter season, where the initiate repents through Confession, is baptized (if they haven't already been validly baptized), confirmed, and receives Eucharist (Sacrament/Communion) at the Easter Vigil. Yes, you do need a "sponsor", a practicing Catholic that guides you through the process. Many adult converts to Catholicism will be baptized next Saturday night.

I do think there are pros and cons to both ways of accepting new converts.

Jinx.

[Somebodyz]

Couple of points.

Firstly, he is not Pope Francis I. You don't have a first unless there is a second.

Secondly, it doesn't matter what he says and by what authority he claims to say it.......... the Falklands are, and will remain, British.

I hope he stays out of the Falklands business. The people there have voted. Argentina only want the oil.

[Damien the Leper]

Except that he has no authority from God. Apart from that, I think that he will be a great leader and that he will manage the magisterium effectively.

I said prophet...not Prophet.

[Nathair/|\]

An interesting take on his relationship with his fellow Jesuits.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/erikcampano/2013/03/jesuits-pope-francis-patrick-hornbeck-fordham-erik-campano/

[saemo]

An interesting take on his relationship with his fellow Jesuits.

http://www.patheos.c...m-erik-campano/

I wasn't Catholic very long when I read someone who called Jesuits "everything that is wrong with the Church". I keep an eye out for the evidence of this. lol. There are Jesuit jokes that have this assumptive "knowledge" as the foundation.

A man has three sons who entered three different religious orders: the oldest became a Dominican, the second a Franciscan, and the youngest a Jesuit. On his deathbed, the father tells his sons, "I know you all have vows of poverty, but as a sign of your love for me, I want each of you to place one thousand dollars into my casket to be buried with me."

On the day of the funeral, the Dominican son steps up, places $1000 in the casket, and says, "This seems like a waste of money, since you can't take it with you, Dad. But with the special permission of my superiors, I'm doing as you requested, as a sign of my love."

Next, the Franciscan son approaches the casket and says, "You know I love you, Dad, but the needs of the poor are so great, I just can't let $1000 be buried with you. I hope you understand, now that you are in heaven. Please forgive me."

Finally, the Jesuit son comes forward and says to his brother, "Don't worry, Frank. I'll pay your share." Then he reaches into the casket, takes the cash left by his eldest brother, and puts in a check for $3000.

You'll note, our beloved Jesuit Pope took the name of the Franciscan! He seems to be all three orders wrapped into one person.

[Stargazer]

I wasn't Catholic very long when I read someone who called Jesuits "everything that is wrong with the Church". I keep an eye out for the evidence of this. lol. There are Jesuit jokes that have this assumptive "knowledge" as the foundation.

A man has three sons who entered three different religious orders: the oldest became a Dominican, the second a Franciscan, and the youngest a Jesuit. On his deathbed, the father tells his sons, "I know you all have vows of poverty, but as a sign of your love for me, I want each of you to place one thousand dollars into my casket to be buried with me."

On the day of the funeral, the Dominican son steps up, places $1000 in the casket, and says, "This seems like a waste of money, since you can't take it with you, Dad. But with the special permission of my superiors, I'm doing as you requested, as a sign of my love."

Next, the Franciscan son approaches the casket and says, "You know I love you, Dad, but the needs of the poor are so great, I just can't let $1000 be buried with you. I hope you understand, now that you are in heaven. Please forgive me."

Finally, the Jesuit son comes forward and says to his brother, "Don't worry, Frank. I'll pay your share." Then he reaches into the casket, takes the cash left by his eldest brother, and puts in a check for $3000.

You'll note, our beloved Jesuit Pope took the name of the Franciscan! He seems to be all three orders wrapped into one person.

Odd, I always thought of the Jesuits as the coolest order of the RCC. I never could understand why they were so reviled. I was pleased that the new pope is SJ.

That little joke I've seen in other contexts, but it is also funny in this one.

[saemo]

Odd, I always thought of the Jesuits as the coolest order of the RCC. I never could understand why they were so reviled. I was pleased that the new pope is SJ.

That little joke I've seen in other contexts, but it is also funny in this one.

Got me. I just find Catholic culture amusing at times.