wow now catholic church so modern~!

Catknight SG · 2008-08-11T19:58:10+00:00

Tradition or tradition hmm? Big difference leh. One refers to the unchangeable Apostolic teachings while the other is simply historical rituals past down thr...

Catknight SG

I'm attending the RCIA in a church near my home, and found that it's becoming more modern and in some ways more prostestant...

It's such a far cry during the days I attended a catholic church in my schooldays

SingaporeMacross SG

where are you attending...

Mrlimkopi SG

Ya...also wondering which Church you go to.....and why you says it becomes more prostestant??

Kuali Baba SG

RCIA isn't the same as Mass. I'd pay more attention if you'd said the latter was becoming more Protestant.

Ariedartin SG

Might be neocathecumenism, if that's what you're talking about.

dumbdumb! SG

what's wrong with being more protestant? *blink blink*

Ariedartin SG

Erosion of tradition and theological awareness is always a primary concern.

SingaporeMacross SG

what's wrong with being more protestant? *blink blink*

Why don't I ask what's wrong with Protestants becoming more Catholic?

Ariedartin SG

Heh. That's exactly the same question I wanted to ask too.

dumbdumb! SG

Why don't I ask what's wrong with Protestants becoming more Catholic?

if you're talking about the hymns, or how the building looks like, i've got no issues with it.

would you?

Ariedartin SG

if you're talking about the hymns, or how the building looks like, i've got no issues with it.

would you?

RCIA is not about hymns and buildings.

However, I might. What would you do, then?

dumbdumb! SG

RCIA is not about hymns and buildings.

However, I might. What would you do, then?

then it's double standards, when it's ok if protestants are becoming more catholic in mannerism, but it's not ok if catholics are becoming more like protestants in mannerism.

and if it is double standards, i rest my case. won't be the first time i encounter it anyway.

dukedracula SG

what is catholic mannerism and what's theologically unsound about the protestants?

dumbdumb! SG

oh, i am assuming, since TS said that catholics are now becoming like protestants, because they are becoming "modern" i assume he would refer to elec guitars, drum set, modern looking buildings etc.

and so i asked, what's wrong with that? and i was shot back with the question

"Why don't I ask what's wrong with Protestants becoming more Catholic?"

so i said i don't see an issue with the types of worship songs sung, or the look of the building, but apparently some catholics here sees an issue if the scenario is reversed.

so, i find that it's double standards. AND it won't be the first time i see double standardness.

Ariedartin SG

then it's double standards, when it's ok if protestants are becoming more catholic in mannerism, but it's not ok if catholics are becoming more like protestants in mannerism.

and if it is double standards, i rest my case. won't be the first time i encounter it anyway.

It's funny how you jump to the wrong conclusions without allowing us to answer. Please stop doing that. It's not rational.

How about you judge this for yourself: you say it is good for atheists to become Christian, and bad for Christians to become atheists. Do you consider it double standards too?

In any case, it's not a simple case of "Catholic is better than protestant" either. The Catholic Church stresses the importance of tradition. It is not our concern if you decide to adopt our traditions or not, but we will take notice if our traditions are being replaced by protestant practices. That's why it's perfectly alright from your perspective if a church becomes more "Catholic". Simply because it fits in with your idea of being appropriate to your church does not mean it fits in with being appropriate to all churches either. Do learn to take other points of view into consideration.

Kuali Baba SG

Let's clarify a few things. While the modern-sounding songs that would be familiar to those who attended Christian schools here are synonymous with Protestant churches, the latter also have traditional services.

Whilst I have no problems with using the whole set-up for 'Praise & Worship' sessions, it's inappropriate for Mass, which is very important ritual to us. They can be equally reverent but the manner of it is too contrasting to fuse the two harmoniously. I'm okay with it if it's for RCIA/Y (by the way, Protestants converting to the Catholic faith do not need to go through that).

I'm also skeptical about effectiveness of this modern set-up in attracting youths to services. The basis of our faith should be in the teachings of Christ and the Church and a personal relationship with God, although I understand that someone may achieve the latter through that means. But we can't be dependent on it alone.

Whilst God is omnipresent and Christ is present "wherever two or three gather in My name", a church should look and feel like one. Modern building regulations, space constraints and design innovations mean that we won't see the return of the mediaeval and classical church architecture but it should be identifiable on the outside and have the appropriate atmosphere inside that draws the congregation into a sense of reverence. Anyway, there are elements inside a Catholic church that cannot be changed or removed, and thus mark it out from Protestant churches.

We are not saying, "We want to be reconciled as one Church, but don't touch our rituals;" we are saying, "Return to the one true Church." That is what we believe we are. Our succession runs from St Peter and we have retained the teachings of our Church Fathers. It's hardly double standards when we're sticking firmly to and rooting for what we believe in.

SingaporeMacross SG

Have you been attending Fr Gerard's chanted masses once a month?

Ah, I missed it yesterday.

Kuali Baba SG

Have you been attending Fr Gerard's chanted masses once a month?

Ah, I missed it yesterday.

I didn't know about them, I'll catch them next month before I return to uni. Let me know when before it happens.

SingaporeMacross SG

My bad. It wasn't yesterday. It's supposed to be 25 July.

ObiterDicta SG

Whilst I have no problems with using the whole set-up for 'Praise & Worship' sessions, it's inappropriate for Mass, which is very important ritual to us. They can be equally reverent but the manner of it is too contrasting to fuse the two harmoniously. I'm okay with it if it's for RCIA/Y (by the way, Protestants converting to the Catholic faith do not need to go through that).

Brother,

I need to correct you here. Protestants wishing to be accepted into full communion with the Church need to go through RCIA, as the journey allows them to learn about Church teachings so that they know what they are getting themselves into, and also to experience the Faith within a community setting.