A reaction to a reaction by the ‘Reverend’
[In writing the following I hope I don't offend any readers but what I say is what I believe.]
‘During the 12th of July celebrations in ‘Orange’ sections of the country a cry of outrage could be heard from Co. Antrim. Yet when the shocked observers saw the source there was little surprise’. I would like to say that an article from the paper read like this but it didn’t. In our hopes for peace we will hold our tongues in public……but this isn’t a paper.
The man roaring from amongst the orange sashed crowds was Ian Paisley…oh sorry ‘Rev.’ ‘Dr.’ Ian Paisley….(there, don’t 
say I don’t try!). As usual he was spouting condemnation for the actions of our Pope, or as the ‘rev.’ likes to call him: ‘The anti-Christ’. In a recent document released at the Vatican Pope Benedict referred to the Catholic and Orthodox Churches as “Churches” and to the reformation ‘Churches’ as “eclesial communities”. This has obviously outraged Paisley who claimed that the Pope had “celebrated the twelfth of July by unchurching every church in Christendom with the exception of his own Church”. In other words that the Pope excommunicated all churches but that of Rome.
This is certainly not true. The structure of the Catholic Church and those of churches of the Orthodox tradition mean that they are referred to as ‘Churches’ whereas the reformation churches don’t have such a structure but are more in the form of communities and so are referred to as ‘eclesial communities’. Such words used by Pope Benedict are simply another example of his extensive theological knowledge. As somewhat of a perfectionist our new pontiff tends to write in theologically correct language that many don’t understand…this leads to misunderstandings and offence.
The arguments put forward by ‘Rev’ Paisley are a testament to his understanding of theology and clarify, for all who wonder, how he achieved a doctorate. You’ll notice such figures as the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury-Rowan Williams-didn’t cause a fuss….but then again the Archbishop is a proponent of ecumenism. On the other hand Paisley sees ecumenism as nothing more than a submission to “the terrible darkness” that is the Church of Rome.
While the reaction of Mr. Paisley doesn’t shock me so much what does is the handling of the story by such papers as ‘The Irish Times’ who’s religious correspondant wrote of these comments by Paisley as a reaction to a document “that restated Roman Catholic claims to being the one true Church.” While this is a view that the Church holds it must be noted that such a ‘claim’ in the recent document was in reply to a question asked on the Churches stance. I would imagine that such questions and answers are meant to encourage a better understanding of Church doctrine by the faithful and not as a statement directed at other Christian communities.
In ending I would like to point out that the words above are not meant to incite any form of ‘hatred’. As written elsewhere I believe strongly in ecumenism. I believe that love and forgiveness are at the center of our faith and that all Christian communities are united by an irrufatable bond that is our love of the one God. Yet, while I believe these things such obstacles to ecumenism as comments made by Ian Paisley frustate me to the extent that I had little choice but to write them down.
Thursday, July 26th, 2007 and is filed under Rome.
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Michael Keohane Says:
It has become tiresome but it seems to me that when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith or other Catholic leaders clarify or restate the teachings of the Church some of the most immediate and reactionary responses come from nominal Catholics within the media or elsewhere. Rather than taking the time to analyse and put such declarations into context there are some who yet again see an opportunity to deride and misunderstand the Church to which they are ambivalent or reject entirely, or to quote Archbishop Martin, treat as a “service station”. Debate should be encouraged by all means but without prejudice.
August 14th, 2007 at 2:22 am
Ronan Says:
Here, here.
August 18th, 2007 at 11:46 am