The city of Ephesus hosts a chapel believed to mark the home of Mary, where pilgrimage offers a chance to connect with the holy. The author reflects on modern secularism’s impact on reverence, contrasting tourists with pilgrims. Reclaiming a sense of the sacred requires wonder and contemplation in daily life.
Tag Archives: modern catholic concerns
The Gospels: Myth or Parable?
Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on the evolving understanding of myths in teaching since the 1970s. He contrasts myths with parables, highlighting how religious stories, particularly in Christianity, challenge societal norms. Stoutzenberger argues that Jesus’s life embodies parabolic themes, subverting common beliefs about power, righteousness, and the nature of God’s love.
How Do Catholics Read the Bible?
The author reflects on his Catholic education, noting that he rarely engaged with the Bible directly. He discusses the historical context of Bible reading, the importance of interpretation within Catholicism, and the challenge of understanding scripture amid differing religious views. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for careful analysis when interpreting sacred texts.
Is Liberation Still Central to the Christian Message?
During the 1970s there was much talk of “liberation” among religions, especially in Catholicism. Gustavo Gutierrez and other Latin American theologians laid out a biblical and theological foundation for liberation as an essential element of the Christian message.
Will U.S. Catholicism Survive?
That sounds exactly like what Pope John XXIII and Pope Francis feared. They warned that the church was not meant to be a museum. If it was to survive it had to be a living, growing, thriving garden. To be that blossoming garden, both of these popes saw a need for change—what Pope John XXIII called aggiornamento, “updating.”
Catholicism: Does It Liberate?
In the 1990s, U.S. Catholic bishops noted the widespread use of artificial birth control among Catholic couples, citing poor teaching on the issue, and it was declared immoral in a 1968 papal encyclical. Joseph Stoutzenberger, drawing from his research, argues for critical thinking in Catholic education, suggesting that liberation involves questioning and analyzing beliefs, encouraging a deeper understanding of Catholicism aligned with Jesus’s teachings.
Roots and Wings
Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on the division within Catholicism since Vatican Council II, highlighting contrasting views on change and tradition among clergy and congregants. Pope Francis seeks to bridge these divides by promoting both rootedness in faith and responsiveness to contemporary issues. The ongoing tension over moral teachings remains unresolved, challenging unity.
Who Wears the Pants in the Family?
A newly ordained priest’s dictatorial decree banning women in pants from the sanctuary underscores a troubling trend of clericalism within the Church. These outdated views reflect a more profound fear of women asserting authority, revealing an institutional struggle with gender dynamics—the push for inclusivity clashes dramatically with his repressive stance.
Is Catholicism a Nature Religion?
The piece explores humanity’s connection to natural rhythms and the spiritual significance of seasonal changes, linking them to Catholic practices like the Liturgy of the Hours. It reflects on historical events, such as the Christmas truce of 1914, and emphasizes the importance of rest, nature, and divine presence in everyday life.
If God Is Love…
by Joseph Stoutzenberger When I was a child, I loved movies. As a paperboy, if I paid my bill in full by 10:00 Saturday morning I received a pass to our local movie theater. (My small home town had only one theater.) I attended many Saturday matinees. I took it to heart when a characterContinue reading “If God Is Love…”
Joseph Stoutzenberger 