New Pope

[Robert F. Smith]

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.

The LDS Church does emphasize large-scale proselyting missions, but I wouldn't say that the LDS and RC Churches are opposites in that respect. During its long history the RC Church has had vast missionary efforts in many countries that the LDS cannot even penetrate just now.

And while it may be true that the RC Church has service missions more extensive than their proselyting missions, it is also true that the LDS Church engages in a wide variety of service missions to people who are not LDS and who are not considered prospective converts. This is not only true in cases of disasters such as the flooding of New Orleans, or the Haitian earthquake, but in many cases of drought and epidemic worldwide. Where the LDS Church does not have personnel on scene, we often utilize the skill and organization of Catholic Relief -- as we have done so often in Africa.

Mormons and Roman Catholics have cooperated in other ways as well, sometimes surprisingly so -- as at the end of World War II, when a young Marine officer was granted an audience with the Pope so that he could have credibility with Bavarian Catholics whom he needed to convince of democratic reforms for the new Germany. That officer was a Mormon, and the unit he headed was busy trying to create a modern and viable West Germany. Fortunately, with the help of the Pope and other Roman Catholics, he succeeded.

[ChristKnight]

The LDS Church does emphasize large-scale proselyting missions, but I wouldn't say that the LDS and RC Churches are opposites in that respect. During its long history the RC Church has had vast missionary efforts in many countries that the LDS cannot even penetrate just now.

And while it may be true that the RC Church has service missions more extensive than their proselyting missions, it is also true that the LDS Church engages in a wide variety of service missions to people who are not LDS and who are not considered prospective converts. This is not only true in cases of disasters such as the flooding of New Orleans, or the Haitian earthquake, but in many cases of drought and epidemic worldwide. Where the LDS Church does not have personnel on scene, we often utilize the skill and organization of Catholic Relief -- as we have done so often in Africa.

Mormons and Roman Catholics have cooperated in other ways as well, sometimes surprisingly so -- as at the end of World War II, when a young Marine officer was granted an audience with the Pope so that he could have credibility with Bavarian Catholics whom he needed to convince of democratic reforms for the new Germany. That officer was a Mormon, and the unit he headed was busy trying to create a modern and viable West Germany. Fortunately, with the help of the Pope and other Roman Catholics, he succeeded.

I can agree with that (I was not stating nor implying that the LDS Church does not engage in a wide variety of service missions to those not LDS. I participated in such efforts with Sandy relief here in NYC).

[ChristKnight]

Pope Francis changes Holy Thursday plans to celebrate Mass in prison

This. Is cool.

Indeed.