tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post8551289015940590415..comments2023-11-15T13:52:07.183-08:00Comments on + Stella Maris +: Are the battle lines becoming clearer? Dissident priests etcFr John Abbertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-17026446198896446772011-07-30T12:13:30.605-07:002011-07-30T12:13:30.605-07:00I think your methapor is correct, battleline, beca...I think your methapor is correct, battleline, because we are since long at war with these evil forces within the Church - but I think many of us have been waiting for them to come out of their lairs, until now they have been gathering, hiding... but when their army is complete they will raise their banner and storm His sanctuary... and when the war has begun, we are already closer to our victory! But as they say in war the hardest part is: waiting...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-81555215261378466662011-07-28T10:38:21.828-07:002011-07-28T10:38:21.828-07:00Father, I agree with you, there is something '...Father, I agree with you, there is something 'other' going on. Not that I am in any way able to discern authoritatively on these subjects.<br /><br />However, I know lies and flattery can boost low esteem ( something women do suffer from, it appears, quite a lot, in the Church). Why wouldn't the devil use these tactics to deceive hurt women? I would, if I were a devil( I hope I'm not!).<br /><br />Thankfully, I have never felt excluded or rejected due to the Church's teaching on female ordination. Some of her members have been rather cruel and rotten to female clerics outside of the church and also to women who are inclined in this area, within the Catholic church.<br /><br />I think mocking people and their desires is wrong. I may, at the beginning have said some unkind comments myself, on one blog, but now I try and see what hearts are saying.<br /><br />I do question women's relationship with Our Lady, especially if they are showing an interest in self-empowerment within their roles in the Church.<br /><br />Mary empowers women. Self worth is confirmed. Self esteem then naturally builds. Ofcourse, any sort of empowerment will raise self esteem, but self worth is something else. Only truth can validate one's self worth. She is the role model for the women of today, every day, as her wisdom is ageless and also, available. Her wisdom is to be obedient. That does not mean passive. Far from it. More like dignified courage (I'm still working on the dignified bit, she's a patient mother).<br /><br />Regarding self esteem and self worth, people get those two mixed up. One is changeable and conditional (esteem)and the other is an eternal fact. Going slightly off-topic, this means that when I mess up in life now, which I sometimes do, I know my worth in God's eyes hasn't changed. It gives me the strength to start again. <br /><br />Mary shows me, as a woman, my value and also my role, which is unfolding, one day at a time, contingent on my spiritual well being. She possibly does this for men as well, but I can't answer that, because I am a woman!!<br /><br />I know that I was 'meant to be' a part of God's plan. He didn't just 'fit me in' at the last minute, I was designed from the outset! My earthly position on earth, in man's eyes, or the Church's point of view has no bearing on how God values me. I am the number one ME! And you are the number one YOU, whoever you are. <br /><br />Ask God to show you, you.<br /><br />Sorry Father, I have gone off on a tangent here.....it's my age, I'm still subject to the old grey cell decay!<br /><br /><br /><br />The reasonmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06962374096401238994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-48135942303588042332011-07-28T09:09:57.688-07:002011-07-28T09:09:57.688-07:00Thanks Terry, but I was really talking about the p...Thanks Terry, but I was really talking about the problem of dissent or disobedience. The above case is just one example. It is not just a question of the ordination of women - there is much more to it than that, and in that sense - (disobedience towards Church teaching and the Magisterium) - it is a vast problem with many aspects.<br />I cannot stay off a subject because it might offend some people. However, I have probably said enough on the subject of the ordination of women for now anyway.Fr John Abbertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276480891318347779.post-13636519125037182892011-07-28T05:54:58.129-07:002011-07-28T05:54:58.129-07:00The question of the ordination of women is very lo...The question of the ordination of women is very low on the Church's list of "problems".<br />Your link to a site that quotes this sociolical study indicates this:<br /><br />"The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life has put hard numbers on the anecdotal evidence: One out of every 10 Americans is an ex-Catholic. If they were a separate denomination, they would be the third-largest denomination in the United States, after Catholics and Baptists. One of three people who were raised Catholic no longer identifies as Catholic.<br /><br />Any other institution that lost one-third of its members would want to know why. But the U.S. bishops have never devoted any time at their national meetings to discussing the exodus."<br /><br />The data outlines causes given by those leaving. Particularly interesting are the ones becoming Protestant, a small but telling number.<br /><br />With love and respect, as a priest who appears to have become a spiritual director (a worthy one) to a women's blog, it might be an idea for you to steer clear of this subject. (I have read your longer article)<br /><br />Whatever the arguments it always feels like a form of exclusion to many, in spite of the symbolism.<br />Best Wishes.Terrynoreply@blogger.com