I decided to take a hiatus this week from the forum as I felt it was taking me in a direction that was disturbing my peace. I don't wish to reopen any of the so difficult threads or comments, but I must say that I remain a bit worried at some of the tone and sense of disunity as the debates about Cardinal x or y or the type of "catholic" vs other types of "catholic" continue on. I worry because I look at this forum as Mary's living room and if there is disunity and arguments here, then what will happen beyond this space? I worry because the evil one revels in discord, sows chaos, and wants to create tensions and disturb our peace. I reflected upon this a lot this week and asked God to help me sort through it. In prayer this morning, I had the urge to recite the Creed- which is not a typical prayer for me. When I came to " I believe one one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" I stopped and interiorly asked myself do I really believe this and what does it mean exactly? So, I went to the CCC and focused on what the Church teaches. In particular I felt drawn to understand apostolic better and here us what it said: The bishops - successors of the apostles 861 "In order that the mission entrusted to them might be continued after their death, [the apostles] consigned, by will and testament, as it were, to their immediate collaborators the duty of completing and consolidating the work they had begun, urging them to tend to the whole flock, in which the Holy Spirit had appointed them to shepherd the Church of God. They accordingly designated such men and then made the ruling that likewise on their death other proven men should take over their ministry."374 862 "Just as the office which the Lord confided to Peter alone, as first of the apostles, destined to be transmitted to his successors, is a permanent one, so also endures the office, which the apostles received, of shepherding the Church, a charge destined to be exercised without interruption by the sacred order of bishops."375Hence the Church teaches that "the bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such wise that whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them despises Christ and him who sent Christ."376 The apostolate 863 The whole Church is apostolic, in that she remains, through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles, in communion of faith and life with her origin: and in that she is "sent out" into the whole world. All members of the Church share in this mission, though in various ways. "The Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well." Indeed, we call an apostolate "every activity of the Mystical Body" that aims "to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth."377 I think it is always good to discuss and debate and to search for the truth. At the same time, I think it is important recognize that our Pope, Cardinals, and bishops are imperfect human beings and will make errors, but it is also important to remember that they are successors to the apostles and mystically connect us to Jesus who is the ultimate Truth. I pray for all of these men and pray for OUR Church in these days and times that despite our different approaches and thoughts, that we be one as Jesus prayed. Peace http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm
I don't know if you are aware, miker, but Pope Francis spoke on this topic just a few days ago. The full homily is at: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-general-audience-the-church-was-born-catholic-and-apostolic Here is a quote from it: When we profess our faith, we affirm that the Church is “Catholic” and “Apostolic.” But what, effectively, is the meaning of these two words, these well known characteristic of the Church? And what value do they have for the Christian community and for each one of us? 1. Catholic means universal. A complete and clear definition is given us by one of the Fathers of the Church, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, when he states: “Without a doubt, the Church is said to be Catholic, that is, universal, because of the fact that she is spread everywhere from one end to the other of the earth; and because universally and without defection she teaches all the truths that must come to the knowledge of men, be it in regard to heavenly or earthly things” (18th Catechesis, 23). A clear sign of the Church’s catholicity is that she speaks in all languages. And this is nothing other than the effect of Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:1-13). It is the Holy Spirit, in fact, who has enabled the Apostles and the entire Church to resonate with all, to the ends of the earth, the Good News of salvation and of the love of God. The Church was born Catholic, “symphonic” from her origins, and cannot but be Catholic, pointing to evangelization and the encounter with all. The Word of God today is read in all languages, everyone has the Gospel in their own language to read. And I say again: it’s always good to take with you a small Gospel, to have in your pocket or purse and read a passage during the day. This is good for us. The Gospel has spread in all languages because the Church, the proclamation of Jesus Christ the Redeemer, is in all the world. And for this reason we say the Church is Catholic because it is universal.
