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| I was happy to try to become an "evangelical catholic" Lutheran priest in the ELCA. Well, unfortunately for me, the "evangelical catholic" movement is evaporating quickly, though I am in an oratory for Lutheran pastors who pledge to pray the daily offices, restore the use of private confession, and work for closer relations with the bishop and church of Rome. Phillip Johnson, just became a Catholic on Sunday, and other "evangelical catholic" Lutherans like Richard John Neuhaus, Jaroslav Pelikan (God bless his soul), Reinhard Hutter, Jay Rochelle, and others have left for Rome or Constantinople. I have mixed feelings about it all. Meanwhile, I am a married pastor with children. I am not eligible for the "Pastoral Provision" that allows Lutheran and Episcopal priests to become Catholic priests and keep their wives, because I was confirmed by a Catholic bishop and am therefore ruled out. But I really would return to the RCC as a "gatekeeper", or find some way of moving toward that direction, if I *really* thought it was correct in all its teachings. As you can tell, I have lots of difficulties with various teachings, however, so I am honestly not convinced that it is The True Church. But I am open to being convinced. Were you connected with the CEC at some point, or is this just your apostolate to defend the Catholic Faith? Thank you for this opportunity to share a bit about myself. I hope it wasn't too boring! Blessings upon your work, Ken. I admire your love for the Church and the Lord. |
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| I do trust deeply in the words of our Lord, "the gates of hades will never hold out against it" and "I am with you always". This must mean that there will *always* be a Body of Christ on earth until He comes, always a gathered, baptized assembly of believers who call upon the name of Jesus. This is sometimes called the "indefectibility" of the Church, and I wholeheartedly accept that. So, I trust basically that when it comes to our living *relationship* with God the Father, Son and Spirit, Christ the Son keeps us from going off the rails completely. He does allow sin and error, but never to the point where our relationship with Christ will be destroyed. This may, or may not, mean that every doctrine is inerrantly formulated. And, even if the RCC were proven to be incorrect on some doctrines, that does *not* mean God has abandoned her. Just as Elijah and Elisha and Amos, etc., were active in the Northern Tribes that split from David's line, so I believe God is active and working in *any* baptized and gathered assembly that calls on Jesus's name, whether they are all right, or only partially correct, in every jot and tittle of teaching. CHRIST is the Truth; our formulations may be lacking, but He is not. Whether the RCC is perfect in teaching or not, God or the angels or saints may still work powerfully in its midst for salvation, life and healing. |
| QUOTE (kenfollis@juno.com @ Sep 21 2006, 12:25 PM) |
| I am not eligible for the "Pastoral Provision" that allows Lutheran and Episcopal priests to become Catholic priests and keep their wives, because I was confirmed by a Catholic bishop and am therefore ruled out. |