You Can't Make These Things Up - Papal Visit to England Edition

This is an actual page from a pamphlet put out by the Catholic Bishops Council of England & Wales for the upcoming Papal Visit:

Do the people at the CBCEW really think the Catholics are that dumb to not even know what their own faith is about. Well, maybe? But id so then the fault lies at the feet of the Bishops for failing in doing their job.

The claim is that this was "aimed at workers from companies arranging events, police officers, broadcasters and journalists who may not be Catholics and are unsure about the Church’s rituals and beliefs" is ludicrous. But it gets better (worse?) A spokesman for the CBCEW said: ‘We are explaining to the Government, police and the technical people involved in the events that even though some of the services are in the open air, they have to be treated as if they are in a cathedral. We have used language familiar from their own experience while emphasising the reverence of the occasion.’ Get real!!!!!! Using terms that apply to a rock concert is supposed to emphasis reverance. Like the Theological Place of Eternal Damnation that most of them at the CBCEW don't believe in, it does!!!!! What this shows is the view of the CBCEW bureaucracy & a healthy number of the priests & bishops. This is what they see liturgy as, a show, not anything reverant.

The only 1 that makes any sense is "pilgram pass = ticket since that is what the pass is, a ticket, that the CBCEW sold to make money from their Papal Concert tour.

Sadly, this is not isolated. The official website has a page about the Catholic faith that shows how poor the catechisis in the UK is. For instance the Pope is "a follower of Jesus Christ" & "a Head of State" (the Vatican). While this is true as far as it goes, there is nothing about his being leader of the Catholic Church or chief shepherd of the flock. You have to go to the page on Electing a Pope before you even come across that fact, & that takes a couple of clicks to do that. He is there to "to share the Good News that God loves us unconditionally and is merciful". Again true as far as it goes. While the term saviour does pop up there is more emphasis on Jesus as friend, liberator & that we are all 1 happy family. For example: "The church building is the focal point for Catholic community gatherings, and is a place where friendships are made and lives shared." It says nothing about sin or repentance, just that "Our messes, mistakes and wrongs can be put right - we can be forgiven and know peace".

IMHO, I hope he gives the Bishops a good dressing down when he meets with them on the 19th. They clearly need it. They are not doing their job. OK, I know the priesthood is a vocation, but from what I see, the Bishops are more like upper management than shepherds over there, so I am sure they view what they do as work, not service & ministry.

I am sure that his use of Latin & Chant in the Masses isn't sitting well with the Bishops either. But given the above, it is the only way he will be able to keep any semblence of reverance at all. & a way of lecturing the Bishops & priests etc, about all the abuses the allow & condone by way of example rather that just merely words.

Looking at this also explains why the Bishops over there were not too happy about Papa Benedetto's offer to traditional Anglicans. Why would the Bishops want to welcome a group of believers who do things right & will show them up for failing to do what they should?

For additional takes see: • Some “Helpful Terms” (The Curt Jester)
Hard to imagine this is not a joke (Fr.Z)