|
Post by cato on Jul 16, 2018 17:42:25 GMT
I didn't make it to Jordan Peterson's appearance in Dublin on Saturday which drew a crowd of around 10,000 mainly young people predominantly male. Naturally this got very little mainstream media coverage. David Quinn has a good piece over at the Iona Institute blog on the gathering that included 2 atheists Sam Harris and Douglas Murray discussing God among other issues with a Jungian Psychologist.
It says something about the state of Christianity in general and Irish catholicism in particular that despite all our jargon about dialogue there are few if any any serious orthodox christian believers engaging in these important discussions that do appeal to a significant demographic ignored by politically correct feminist circles. It is also a demographic alienated from christian worship for at least 40 years now.
|
|
|
Post by Maolsheachlann on Jul 16, 2018 17:54:10 GMT
I didn't make it to Jordan Peterson's appearance in Dublin on Saturday which drew a crowd of around 10,000 mainly young people predominantly male. Naturally this got very little mainstream media coverage. David Quinn has a good piece over at the Iona Institute blog on the gathering that included 2 atheists Sam Harris and Douglas Murray discussing God among other issues with a Jungian Psychologist. It says something about the state of Christianity in general and Irish catholicism in particular that despite all our jargon about dialogue there are few if any any serious orthodox christian believers engaging in these important discussions that do appeal to a significant demographic ignored by politically correct feminist circles. It is also a demographic alienated from christian worship for at least 40 years now. That's very true. I wonder, though, if we have any figures with a sufficient public profile to qualify for such a discussion. John Waters might be the closest thing, but the reaction from the man (and lady) in the street would almost certainly be: "Who?".
|
|
|
Post by cato on Jul 16, 2018 18:17:11 GMT
Most of our dialogue is internal and self focused which is completely out of synch with the call of Christ to be missionary and outward focused. Part of a genuine call to dialogue is a conviction we have a valuable message (once called the truth) and that it is an act of love to share this.
Most "dialogue" in reality consists of liberal catholics comparing the faith unfavourably with secular liberal values and lifestyles and seeking to downplay what is distinct or demanding. The three speakers on Saturday all had conviction their views were important and needed airing. Sadly few Catholic speakers seem to have a similar zeal.
|
|
|
Post by cato on Jul 16, 2018 18:23:21 GMT
That's very true. I wonder, though, if we have any figures with a sufficient public profile to qualify for such a discussion. John Waters might be the closest thing, but the reaction from the man (and lady) in the street would almost certainly be: "Who?".[/quote]
After 2000 years you would think some one in the Church some where would have noticed there is a teeny weeny need for high profile trained apologists and spokespeople.
We do have communications Sundays and various people paid supposedly to communicate the truth but as soon as any controversy hits the headlines the normal church response is the sound of silence.
I know media types are far from perfect but the few I know have said it's almost impossible to get official church people to comment or take part in any public discussion outside of safe issues.
|
|
|
Post by Maolsheachlann on Jul 16, 2018 18:44:21 GMT
Fr. Vincent Twomey is the best "official" spokesman for the Church in Ireland, in my experience.
Sometimes Catholic priests seem more eager to argue the secularists' side of the argument...I don't know if anyone saw Vincent Browne's Challenging God, which seemed to bring on such a cleric every week, during its short run. It was cringe-inducing.
|
|
|
Post by cato on Jul 16, 2018 20:12:21 GMT
Fr. Vincent Twomey is the best "official" spokesman for the Church in Ireland, in my experience. Sometimes Catholic priests seem more eager to argue the secularists' side of the argument...I don't know if anyone saw Vincent Browne's Challenging God, which seemed to bring on such a cleric every week, during its short run. It was cringe-inducing. Pity bishops or religious superiors tolerate this lukewarm sedition. A few clerical equivalents of p45s or transfers to missionary posts in the Isis Calipate might dampen their prophetic vigor.
|
|
|
Post by Maolsheachlann on Jul 16, 2018 20:32:55 GMT
Fr. Vincent Twomey is the best "official" spokesman for the Church in Ireland, in my experience. Sometimes Catholic priests seem more eager to argue the secularists' side of the argument...I don't know if anyone saw Vincent Browne's Challenging God, which seemed to bring on such a cleric every week, during its short run. It was cringe-inducing. Pity bishops or religious superiors tolerate this lukewarm sedition. A few clerical equivalents of p45s or transfers to missionary posts in the Isis Calipate might dampen their prophetic vigor. I sometimes wonder if the explanation is that every priest is needed at this stage.
|
|
|
Post by cato on Jul 16, 2018 22:20:38 GMT
Pity bishops or religious superiors tolerate this lukewarm sedition. A few clerical equivalents of p45s or transfers to missionary posts in the Isis Calipate might dampen their prophetic vigor. I sometimes wonder if the explanation is that every priest is needed at this stage. That's the standard line given. Imagine that position had been taken when Fr Martin Luther and Fr Jean Calvin had started attacking the faith. What use for example is the rather vocal "silenced" Fr Tony Flannery who even doubts his priesthood is of divine origin but hasn't the courage to walk away? The clerical rebels are emboldened by the knowledge there are no negative consequences to doctrinal betrayal, indeed there is often praise and admiration .
|
|
|
Post by Maolsheachlann on Jul 16, 2018 22:41:11 GMT
I've come to despise the blogger Mark Shea more than pretty much anyone in the world.
But he does have a facility for neat phrases-- "bravely facing the applause" was one he used for such dissident priests.
|
|