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In the cold clear light of morning, two points:
The Catholic Church’s veneration of Mary alone sets it above most other religions. The adoration, care, protection, and respect for the feminine is a progressive, humane virtue and not as central in most other faiths. As my favorite Bible commentary puts it, “Why is it so often our mostly male rulers who invoke the horrors of war, and allow our wives, mothers, daughters, and children to suffer the consequences? Can we not hear the sounds of Rachel weeping?” Is it not just as appropriate to pray to Mother Mary as it is to God or Jesus? Is not the veneration of Mary and mothers across time not a direct rebuke to that?
But even more significantly, the Catholic Church’s central ritual is a simple re-enactment of the oldest, truest Christian act there is. When someone takes the bread and juice, they are linked to 2,000 years of one hopefully eternal church, and the simple commands Jesus gave: “The bread of heaven…feed my sheep…the body of Christ…whatever you did for the least of these…the blood of Christ…cup of salvation.” Eating and drinking is one of our most basic functions and you can take communion every day if you like. Only Catholics celebrate this command as the centerpiece of their services; Episcopals take it weekly but there’s also a sermon; other Protestants take it periodically. In that respect, Protestants pale in comparison to Catholics in their commitment.
gotcha benson – from what i understand our lady of mt caramel is a pretty close knit community and they have a BIG say in what happens on their turf in East Williamsburg (it’s not a coincidence that no new liquor licenses have been issued for retail spaces on Lorimer or Leonard north of grand st in a long time)
the catholic church has always been pretty stingy with annulments – remember that whole english reformation thing?
Could be Scott. When we were going through the process, we had no interaction with our parish. It was handled be a separate office. No interaction with our Parish whatsoever. If that were the case, I had connections, who knew??
I agree that for some time the anulment process was being abused, in just the fashion you describe. One of Pope John Paul’s legacies was a widespread clamping down of anulments. They are given out a lot less frequently these days.
I know that I have 2 aunts who by any criteria I can think of should have been denied annulments. Both got them in the diocese they were married in but no longer lived in.
My grandparents happen to be huge contributors to their parish in that diocese and helped in the process for both aunts.
It could be a coincidence, but I have my doubts.
In another case a friend’s ex-wife got their Baptist wedding annulled by the Catholic church. My understanding is that her new husband’s family were wealthy and strong supporters of their RC Church.
I am not saying that they church will set a price or ask for money, but I think that large donors are more likely to get the annulment approved.
In the cold clear light of morning, two points:
The Catholic Church’s veneration of Mary alone sets it above most other religions. The adoration, care, protection, and respect for the feminine is a progressive, humane virtue and not as central in most other faiths. As my favorite Bible commentary puts it, “Why is it so often our mostly male rulers who invoke the horrors of war, and allow our wives, mothers, daughters, and children to suffer the consequences? Can we not hear the sounds of Rachel weeping?” Is it not just as appropriate to pray to Mother Mary as it is to God or Jesus? Is not the veneration of Mary and mothers across time not a direct rebuke to that?
But even more significantly, the Catholic Church’s central ritual is a simple re-enactment of the oldest, truest Christian act there is. When someone takes the bread and juice, they are linked to 2,000 years of one hopefully eternal church, and the simple commands Jesus gave: “The bread of heaven…feed my sheep…the body of Christ…whatever you did for the least of these…the blood of Christ…cup of salvation.” Eating and drinking is one of our most basic functions and you can take communion every day if you like. Only Catholics celebrate this command as the centerpiece of their services; Episcopals take it weekly but there’s also a sermon; other Protestants take it periodically. In that respect, Protestants pale in comparison to Catholics in their commitment.
the church near my grandmother furnished her entire apartment. that was very nice of them. she doesnt even attend services there.
*rob*
and by caramel – i mean carmel – duh
gotcha benson – from what i understand our lady of mt caramel is a pretty close knit community and they have a BIG say in what happens on their turf in East Williamsburg (it’s not a coincidence that no new liquor licenses have been issued for retail spaces on Lorimer or Leonard north of grand st in a long time)
the catholic church has always been pretty stingy with annulments – remember that whole english reformation thing?
Could be Scott. When we were going through the process, we had no interaction with our parish. It was handled be a separate office. No interaction with our Parish whatsoever. If that were the case, I had connections, who knew??
Scott;
I agree that for some time the anulment process was being abused, in just the fashion you describe. One of Pope John Paul’s legacies was a widespread clamping down of anulments. They are given out a lot less frequently these days.
“Finally: I just signed up for a fundraiser dinner/cigar night at Giando’s on the Bay to benefit Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.”
Only half jokingly, I often say that the primary reason I joined a church was to take part in all the parties disguised as fundraisers.
I know that I have 2 aunts who by any criteria I can think of should have been denied annulments. Both got them in the diocese they were married in but no longer lived in.
My grandparents happen to be huge contributors to their parish in that diocese and helped in the process for both aunts.
It could be a coincidence, but I have my doubts.
In another case a friend’s ex-wife got their Baptist wedding annulled by the Catholic church. My understanding is that her new husband’s family were wealthy and strong supporters of their RC Church.
I am not saying that they church will set a price or ask for money, but I think that large donors are more likely to get the annulment approved.
DH;
No, it will be during the month of May, before the feast.