Richard Rohr - The Future of the Church

[jhgosnell]

Thanks...it's not a bad point. But, I would say it this way, you can perhaps stay rooted in your own tradition and yet appreciate the truth value of other traditions. Just come back home to your own!

[NixonisLord]

Why are there so many gay clergy/religious? Is it the fact that they have to wear weird clothes? Religion is so boring and pointless.

[truthclips]

You will know them by their fruits...and I encourage you to examine the fruit of Richard Rohr

[johnmarvinwoodruff]

Grardrails! Hahahahahahaha! You are a fool if you think that anything is not "feelings based."

[bearnurse1]

That's right. The conservatives believe that their ideas are true because they want them to be true.

[kboyar]

There is no "conservative" Catholic (cultural practices notwithstanding). You're either Catholic (i.e. believe in the teachings of the Church) or you're not.

[kboyar]

You're wrong. The very fact that the Roman Catholic Church IS NOT feelings based is why so many discount and hate the consistency of its teachings. Note: Unfortunately there are plenty of bad priests within the organization. Just don't confuse individuals with the institution. In this case - they're not the same thing.

[kboyar]

With all due respect - your understanding of Catholicism is wrong. Christ established His Church with a hierarchical structure (whether we like it or not - and even if it "offends" our sensibilities with respect to issues of equality). The Church provides the guardrails for our spiritual journey. Doctrines may indeed "grow" - they may never, however, be contradicted. Richard Rohr's theology of moral relativism and "feelings based" faith is dangerous.

[VoiceOfModeration]

right, he's a people-pleaser who thinks Jesus can be the 99th prophet, a liar and God all at the same time and it's up to the individual to decide what happened in the history of the world.

[solt87]

Hierarchical structure? Read the Gospels again, and you may see His teachings about this "hierarchical system". (Sorry, I never read the english bible, so i cant quote it correctly, but see the parts about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples; his "criticism" of the pharisees [could be a criticism of much of todays "hierarchical christianity"!], "those who want to be the first, be like the last" etc...).

[kboyar]

Yes - Hierarchical structure. What came first -the Gospels or The Church? With all due respect - who do you think St. Paul was communicating with when he wrote his various letters? The Gospels were written many decades after Christ established His Church.

[lauran08]

@kboyar This same "Father" is being posted in our Bulletins and being offered to the faithful parishioners as "solid" Catholic teaching, which it is NOT. Please pray for those trying to stop this heresy.

[jhgosnell]

@lauran08 Which part is heretical? 

[lauran08]

@jhgosnell - If you have never read the Catechism of the Catholic Faith, then I cannot explain to you what all this "Fr" is about. Only using 1 example - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. You cannot "lessen" your faith to accommodate a false "Ecumenism" - there is NO compromise to error.

[kboyar]

Here's the main problem - Father Rohr presents himself to be a Catholic priest. Clearly - if you don't believe in the teachings and Magisterium of the Church - you're Catholic in name only

[vernonevery]

To: kboyar, In what I understand about Catholicism, it is not a system that compels to follow a set of ideology or of a set of leaders, it is a continuous vigilance to listen - not to a thunder, not to a strong wind as the "sacred" is stereotypically represented - but to a still small voice of a crucified and risen Jesus. If it would be that, then everyone has a voice in the Church - theologians, politicians, as well as scientists...

[floridaredhead]

He's really amazing

[VoiceOfModeration]

I honestly dont mind liberal priests and I dont see why so many of us freak out. Im an orthodox Roman Catholic, and I believe and follow all the teachings, but if Fr Rohr wants to support gay marriage or womans ordination, why is that the end of the world?

The only unacceptable thing I think is if a priest is pro-choice, and supported the abortion holocaust. In that case, they should be instantly excommunicated

[vernonevery]

I agree with VoiceOfModeration...I think the spirit of Vatican II - that which Rohr or James Alison or James Keenan, SJ or John Fuller, SJ, etc. has been undermined by the the conservativity of the hierarchy.

[vernonevery]

The Church as I see it is a community in continuous dialogue for it is not a perfected creation but a sign of creation in progress. This cannot be achieved if the hierarchy silences new theologies and visions and suppresses alternative voices of those who as well "loves the flock."

[jmdcarmel]

Richard Rohr is superb. One's inner truth resonates when one listens to him or reads his books. I highly recommend Great Themes of St. Paul (CDs). I find him a great source of encouragement and inspired thinking.

[nashvilledisco]

Richard Rohr is wonderful and his books are amazing....very good spiritual teacher and writer. Anyone of any tradition can benefit greatly from his books!!

[jsalexander1]

Tom is a hero

[dllewiszz]

Richard Rohr's books are excellent, challenging reading. Check them out if you haven't done so.