QUOTE(photosynthesis @ Mar 15 2006, 01:13 AM)
I saw this too. I think this phenomenon has to do with liberalism itself. The liberals like to de-emphasize the differences between men and women and priests + laypeople. They like to think that everyone is equal in all ways. They don't understand that we are in the Kingdom of God, not the Democracy of God, and His ways are not like our ways. Throughout the Bible, we see God making all kinds of distinctions among people, and if we are going to follow Him we have to do so according to His ways.
Also, liberals have a poor understanding of human sexuality. If people understand sexuality to be a commodity, something that all people have an equal right to experience regardless of the nature of their relationships, then celibacy is not going to be valued as a Godly way of life. If these people have no respect for celibacy, then it's going to be hard for them to get vocations. I don't really have a problem with this, since we don't need liberal religious orders going out and spreading false teachings.
[right][snapback]912120[/snapback][/right]
Perhaps it would be helpful for us all to remember that using political terms to define people within our Church is not always helpful. And in this case, IMHO, it had lead to
gross overgeneralizations. Example: "All liberals have a poor understanding of human sexuality." People on every end of the political spectrum, as well as many inside the Church, have a poor understanding of human sexuality. It is certianly not limited to a specific demographic.
Furthermore, it does not appear as if this community has a lack of respect for the vow of celibacy. And it's not as if the information to make such a judgement could be found on their website alone. So please, let us not all jump to that conclusion. AND LEAST OF ALL, let us not be "pleased" that it appears as if they are not getting vocations.
I am filled with hope lately as it truly appears as if the tone of the comments on this board are those of respect. After all, it is not our place to judge religious men and women, or communities. And I do believe this intentional change has come about because of prayer and thoughtfulness in our posts.
Heavenly Father, please let us not deteroriate further in our efforts. May Jesus Christ be an inspiration to all of us to go and proclaim the Gospel. And may the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and our fingers in our responses.
Amen.