tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11976534.post2775697749985012482..comments2023-10-23T14:02:52.339-06:00Comments on Dominican Idaho: Why doubt is incompatible with faithMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02261197566240560777noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11976534.post-18040901299818587082010-01-23T20:13:57.854-07:002010-01-23T20:13:57.854-07:00Yes, many Catholics (progressive and conservative)...Yes, many Catholics (progressive and conservative) set themselves up as a magisterium of their own. I'm beginning more and more to think that we simply need to be Catholic--no labels.Deacon Bill Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11484509700642430451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11976534.post-78765985499588069182010-01-22T14:04:53.591-07:002010-01-22T14:04:53.591-07:00Your point is well taken, and is seen in the examp...Your point is well taken, and is seen in the example of Mary, whose "Fiat" is accompanied by a request to tell her how this will come to pass; in contrast to Zecharia, who brings censure by choosing to argue with the message of an angel! Thus, it is one thing to seek understanding for that which is not fully comprehended, it is something far different to consider one's own opinion as superior to a definitive statement of the Church, feining adherance while retaining disagreement. The prime example of this would be the closed issue of ordaining women to the priesthood. One may not understand and seek understanding, but one may no reserve disagreement. Good luck with that; there is a path through the hazing you will receive. <br /><br />But all that is really beyond the pale of the point, which is that far to many within the Church are even willing to concede the nature of the Church, and thus separate themselves from her. Newman's Discouse #10, "Faith and Private Judgement" addresses this well.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02261197566240560777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11976534.post-22370040795015306052010-01-22T13:52:18.386-07:002010-01-22T13:52:18.386-07:00Oh, one other thing. The point of mental reservati...Oh, one other thing. The point of mental reservation is not to find an out (because we;re still obligated to obedience) but to grapple with a teaching and by doing so come to thinking with the Church. And by "reconciling them in your conscience," I don't mind "making up your own mind," but coming to understand the matter based on the guidance of the Church. In essence, we're to remember that the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, even in reformable matters, and we should respect and honor that guidance.Deacon Bill Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11484509700642430451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11976534.post-85933989302214889522010-01-22T13:24:15.195-07:002010-01-22T13:24:15.195-07:00While what you say is true, it's also importan...While what you say is true, it's also important to remember that not all levels of magisterial teaching (there are four) carry the same weight and the same obligations of faith. Dogmatic teachings require religious assent (as you mentioned); definitive teachings are required to be "firmly held"; nondefinitive doctrines must be addressed with religious submission of will and intellect (rather tricky phraseology that needs to be explained in more detail); and disciplines must be accepted with willing submission. Of course, none of these levels of teaching give people the right to rebel (although one can hold mental reservations about reformable teachings so long as one makes every attempt to reconcile that matter in conscience). Open, flagrant, and persistent dissent is simply disobedience. LG 25 covers these, but "Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian" goes into more detail.Deacon Bill Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11484509700642430451noreply@blogger.com