There is one thing that fundamentalists have in common whether in Ireland or the Middle East and that is arrogance. In Ireland the Catholic fundamentalists believe that their version of the Catholic faith is the correct one. They even believe that they know better than Pope Francis or anybody else in positions of authority except those few who agree with them and indulge them. They even say that Pope Benedict supports their view of religion and has allowed them to introduce their eccentric practices into the Mass.
These people cause dissension and division in every parish. They seem to feel they can do what they like in parish churches throughout the country with or without the permission of the priests in charge. We are in a sorry state because the bishops have allowed this to happen without a word of protest or condemnation. Being on the right wing it may be thought that these people will do no harm.
These fundamentalists seem to have a lot of money at their disposal which they use to produce and distribute their right wing newspapers which are distributed free in every church in Ireland. Two of these ‘Alive’ and ‘The Catholic Voice’ are dropped into every church in the country. Who is paying for this rubbish? For these people everything is black or white. There is no grey. They miss the whole point about Christ’s approach to the human situation. They do not accept Mystery. Rather they have all the answers to all the problems. They constantly condemn those progressive voices in the Church – using quotes taken out of context to mock and belittle. They lack humility and honesty.
Spiritual writer Richard Rohr comments: “The only people who grow in truth are those who are humble and honest. This is traditional Christian doctrine. Without those two qualities—humility and honesty—we just don’t grow. If we try to use religion to aggrandize the self, we will end up just the opposite: proud and dishonest. Humility and honesty are really the same thing. A humble person is simply someone who is naturally honest about their own truth. You and I came along a few years ago; we’re going to be gone in a few more years. The only honest response to such a mystery is humility. Being so certain that “I know” won’t get you anywhere, spiritually speaking. The truth is, “I don’t really know anything!” Our real heroes might be those who know they don’t know, like Forrest Gump! Perhaps Gump is a metaphor for what we call beginner’s mind. Only such non-knowing is spacious enough to hold and not distort wisdom.”
I know some Eucharistic Ministers & all are fundamentalists in my opinion.
Even if you believe in a God, any God, what right has someone else to tell you how you should communicate, worship, pray etc with that God?
One of the many things I don’t understand about religious people.
Hi Fr. Joe,
This was an interesting piece up until you mentioned “Alive” and “The Catholic Voice”, or rather after you failed to give specific examples from both to back up your assertions.
Once you become specific in mentioning the organization(s) you have issue with, isn’t it fair to be just as specific with examples of where you see fault? Otherwise why should we believe you?
Without any details, this simply becomes an ad hominem attack. Which, as i’m sure you are aware, isn’t the best way to argue a point.
#disappointed.
Kieran
Hi Joe, a point I recently made to a Musilim friend was, God’s word is what we live by, the problem is, God’s word is interpreted by man, who is always imperfect.
Some poor souls spend their day’s, whether in religion, or politics, or media, trying to force their opinions down the throats of all others, the beneficial thing is, we can just ignore them.
With you on this Joe. Some of us still practicing Catholics are trying to provide an alternative through a number of Catholic reform groups such as the ‘Association of Catholics in Ireland’ (ACI) acireland.ie and the ‘We Are Church’. Both have very active Facebook pages. It would be great if you and others like you (Jude?) would like to occasionally contribute to the discussion on these sites. We can help people see that there is more than one way of being Catholic that doesn’t require closed and small minded fundamentalism. I believe we can do our bit to influence the collective consciousness that will ultimate bring about the change that is so badly required.
These people seem to have taken over the letters page of the Irish News lately.Day after day they lecture the rest of us and are in danger of displacing the “disso” cranks who also seem to have unfettered access to same “newspaper”.Both groups have an unabiding hatred for SF which might have something to do with it.
Michael C
Perhaps you read a different Irish News to the rest of us!Off the top of my head ,I can recall published letter writers who are faithful to the Sinn Fein view of the world.Do the names Manus Mc Daid,Dale Moore and P J Dorrian ring any bells with you?
Argenta
Stop obscuring the argument with your pesky facts.
Indeed,Gio.As the venerable Mr Storey might say,how dare I get in the way of a good prejudice by pointing out a few relevant facts!!
Where are you going with that post?
I’m saying that the Irish News is a SF hating rag that will slant every story to suit that agenda and give every right wing or Disso crank uncritical coverage .