Pope- bishops must be holy

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa- c.f. Zenit news)Today the pope addressed many bishops- saying that if they desire to create fruit of salvation- they must live holy lives- seeking sanctity!

How to reconcile what is taught with what we believe- or how to clarify if another is not to be saying as they are!

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa )As a watchdog organization, and myself as a lay Catholic Theologian, and apologist- I often deal with persons scandalized because on decisions by bishops, or the church- which they dissagree with.

As we grow in faith- there are some ways to retain it when you disagree with doctrines.
Further- we must know that either there is a misunderstanding or an error- truth does not contradict truth.

And we must never be at odds with the magisterium- for this is schism or heresy- but must always seek the truth to have a foundation to faith and love!

1) We should seek to understand Mother Church's thinking- perhaps her experts see what we don't- have we never been wrong before- perhaps we should change our view and not her servants. Of course there are persons who teach heresy and this is wrong, but shown as not a disproof of truth- by Jesus choosing Judas as an apostle!
2)People are human- make mistakes, and are misunderstood- these could be enough to help us.

3) Talk to someone- always consider help from within the church- have you considered talking to Opus Dei or a parish priest- ask for an hour's spiritual guidance- at least one of the many in the area should give it.

4) Pray about it- ask for guidance- and God's will in both your lives- and determine to begin prayers for the salvation of those leading in the church- and their aid in the Spirit of our Lord.

5) Consider a second opinion- and perhaps attempt to save the person in the wrong- or prevent them from further damage!

Remember- mother church is a teacher-

We may not agree with her- but as our 2000 year old mother- she has got wisdom- even as parts of her go astray.

Recommended reading- acts 15, acts 5 verse 4.

See how in both cases- a human authority is acting validly in God's name-

this Authority is our beloved church!

-Marc

Heresy watch- how to spot bad doctrine- even from bishops, and why sometimes the heirachi errs!

(Scripturelink Catholic Watchdog South Africa)Now, we know that the magisterium of the church speaks from God- but that the individual bishops do not divinely preach the faith- but rather are trained to be good judges of heresy.

Unfortunately- many bishops- the heirs of Arius, and Eusebus- choose to front ideas not from inside the church- but from their culture and society.

Politics makes this worse- people are told to attend protestant churches, or not to put their moral code on others- or not to judge in any circumstance- or to forgive without justice or repentance-

So, how do we attempt to save our beloved church from such-

from an environment where Orthodoxy is often punished,
and separatist groups sometimes grow faster than the church?

The answer firstly is to focus on yourself!


If the litergy is abused- make sure this is in no way your sin.
If you read something from a church authority- judge it according to what you are accustomed to hearing from a bishop, and try to find what the source of this information is.

Is it the infallible Magisterium, or a bishop's personal opinion.

Opinion is oft unfortunately disguised as dogma- books like the "Modern Catholic Encyclopedia", carrying imprimatur often attack the teachings of the magisterium- this particular book's one author attacks the divinity of Christ.

Another popular book to be sold by Catholic bookstores is "a concise history of the church", it claims to be more conserative- but its statements about confession fall under the anathemas of Trent, and it often misrepresents information.

Other heirachical structures say that all religions are equal- and we must not judge or preach to those of other faiths- or must keep away from making laws in accordance with our morality.

Simply put- those things which come from the Traditions we are told in the bible to always hold to, those who hold to what we heard in the start- are those who are not pruned off of the vine, which is Christ.

When listening to a priest, confessor, bishop, diocesan official-

Be realistic- they are as likely to fall into heresy as any person here-
They are better trained at times, though often Seminary can be the source of their problems- rather - look into the backing of what they say- see where in the magisterium and tradition their words corrolate-

If you cannot find a correlation, but only a rough meaning they wrongly believe to be the "spirit" of works, like the spirit of a crowd, then discount their statement, and look into what the truth is- further- try to aid your fellows in this truth.

Unfortunately two things often occur- firstly, the best of speakers are misquoted, or misunderstood- or speak in a specific context.

Secondly- some bishops and priests and deacons and laymen believe they have a grasp of Catholicism, but without the true Reality of it within- and so front what their culture tells them to, or what that more radical teacher at seminary said.

With both- discussion of your scandal (harm caused by another's sin on a fellow) at this- may either clarify the issue, or save your fellows from the heresy of but one small section of the church- acting in isolation from truth.

Now- a small amount of good in an evil organization has an evil effect- in justifying and maintaining the evil, but a small amount of evil in a good organization- while it should be cleaved off- does not always affect the working of the whole- and it is God who works in the Divine Magisterium, and in the Sacraments- the mortal state of the worker of these- is not needed to be safe for them to work.

As even the Early church said- the feet are not to be the head of the church-
yet, the bishops will have to answer for how they pruned the flock of God.

It is those guilty of sin, or who are silent about this- who partake fully in it.

Admittadly the Church, in western society- has in some places a deadly cancer-

But organizations like Opus Dei, and like internet apolostates, and the Vatican website- are there- but we must not rely on others solely to grow us- we must ourselves research the truth, even as the inspiring Catechism of Baltemore- tells us to!

-Marc Aupiais

Could the ANC split and other issues!

This is not an endorsement of either camp in the ANC, nor a statement of guilt- 

Facts based on articles in The Star, and Mail and Guardian, and interpretation.

(Scripturelink Voters Guide)With rumors that the ANC will suspend Mr President Mbeki's membership so as to get those loyal to the ZUMA camp into office prior the election- or to quote their sources- because a judge investigating charges against mr ZUMA, determined to make allegations about the cabinate and Mr Mbeki- which have been used to justify the Zuma camp of the ANC- and has resulted in some press houses suddendly becomming quiet- as others continue to tell the story they always have been telling.

A split could emerge from this sort of action- which would be good for the opposition- especially because of the ties the ANC- especially the NEC has to the communist party- something which forces Catholics to vote opposition already- even without their support for abortion and other issues.

The acting itself- in a Party run democracy may well go ahead- as many of these issues have without any real power protesting.

South African Catholics should join the Vatican in her explicit rejection and choice to appose communism in every area.

Further we must pray continually for our own protection in an increasingly unstable nation.

We must further inform our fellows about the voting requirements- and remember to pray.

Governments are by nature sought by those seeking power- it is the job of the Catholic- to be a watchdog over every institution he aids- least he participate in their sins by silence.

For this reason we must pray for God's will triumphant- and inform our fellows of our political views- as politics, and every realm of life has impact over religious matters.

God Bless,

Marc Aupiais

Zimbabwe deal

Mr Mbeki has managed to broker a peace deal in Zimbabwe, let us continue to pray for Southern Africa!

Recent Trial

The recent political trial seems to have been conducted within the laws of South Africa.
The statements of the judge as to "political" interference, may be because the prosecutors had asked this to be taken out of the trial documents.

South Africans may view topics such as those with power making use of, or threatening violence, bloodshed or other actions in relation to the first of the seven non-negotiables on

Scripturelink Voters guide- South Africa's listing
http://scripturelinkvotersguide.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-non-negotiables-for-catholic-voters.html

Both silence, and endorsement of such actions, may be seen as Saint King David saw such- when he sent the warriors away- and placed water on the alter- saying he was responsible for the danger they encountered for encouraging it is some form.

Voting in the Country according to the ways of the Church

(Scripturelink voters guide)Voting guide for South African Catholics

Based on the 5 non-negotiables set out by Catholic Answers Action, in line with the CCC, a south African version of this, the 7 non-negotiables, adapted from the same information has been published to aid South African Catholics avoid mortal sin at the ballot box.

the guide may be seen here:

http://scripturelinkvotersguide.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-non-negotiables-for-catholic-voters.html

Tridentine Mass coming to Archdiocese of Johannesburg

(Tridentine South Africa , JHB, Pretoria)Tridentine South Africa (http://tridentinesa.blogspot.com/ )has recently announced new efforts to reintroduce this mass, if at least thirty people are prepared to attend once a month- the Parish Priest of St.John Fisher's parish lynnwood pretoria, will be prepared to host a latin mass.

Meeting 27th September at 09:00AM at the St.John Fisher's parish, Lynnwood, Pretoria to discuss formation of tridentine mass.

c.f.
http://tridentinesa.blogspot.com/2008/09/tridentine-mass-in-archdiocese-of.html

Other attempts are being made by Una Voice in South Africa, for more information, email us, or comment on this post.

Introduction

This will be a local and international news blog for the scripturelink service- focussing on South Africa's Catholic population- feel free to email me news (with references to check it up), or questions, I do study allot on topics of reality.

Marc