Pope John Paul II on Catholic Ecumenism

[CSloan]

"Globalization presents the demand for solidarity, particularly the construction of a more human world for all."

            John Paul ll May 14 2002, Global Forum in Rome.

"It is the duty of all believers, to whichever religion they belong, to proclaim that we can never be happy pitted one against the other, the future of humanity will never be able to be secured by terrorism and by the logic of war."

           John Paul ll Sunday remarks from studio window, Feb 23, 2003

"The Holy Father explained the Holy Spirit is mysteriously present in the heart of every person through the practice of what is good in their own religious traditions, and following the dictates of their consciences, members of other religions positively respond to God's invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even though they may not recognize Him as their Savior."

          Vatican Information Service reporting on what the Pope had to say on the 'Seeds of Truth in Non-Christian Religions', Sep, 1998 (ok it is not a quote but second hand reporting from the Vatican.)

It is) "clear that the future lies in unity and solidarity..."

      (He called for ) "strengthening of the bond...between Christians and other great religions which flourish here."

      "May the resources of the church...set unity and love as their supreme goal."

         John Paul ll to Christians in Amman Jordan at a mass. This was part of his week long pilgrimage to the Holy Land to visit Christians, Muslims and Jews for meetings on peace and interfaith dialogue. July 29, 2003

"I come to you as a pilgrim of peace. My presence among you is a sign that the Catholic Church wants to enter a dialogue with the religions of the world."

      "...religion must not be a pretext for conflict...."

      "...the peoples of all faiths must shun the path of isolation and division."

         John Paul ll in New Dehli India at a mass in which he drew parallels between Djwali, the Hindu festival of lights. The mass was punctuated by English and Hindi hymns, traditional dances from across Asia and prayers (to who?) offered in several languages. the stadium service was adapted for Hindu culture, with priests ringing bells and showering petals in traditional temple rituals. He later met with Hindu, buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Jain, Parsee, Jewish and Baha'i leaders. Nov 7, 1999

[ravenlorre]

Hmmmm....

So the Vatican gets criticized for ruling the World during the Medieval period; threatening to re-assert it's power today; AND for reaching out to people of other faiths TOO much?

Good grief - the Pope just can't win.

blessings

[navyvet]

Hmmmm....

So the Vatican gets criticized for ruling the World during the Medieval period; threatening to re-assert it's power today; AND for reaching out to people of other faiths TOO much?

Good grief - the Pope just can't win.

blessings

Problem is that Benedict XVI  is now Pope and is not nearly as ecumenical as his predecessor.

[CSloan]

Thats a problem?

[navyvet]

Thats a problem?

The problem is the answer presuming "the Pope can't get a break." If it's not a problem as such for you, great. Since I come from a (arguably) Protestant background, the Catholic Church doesn't think I attend a real church, anyway. I'm right up there with the number 5: right out.

[ravenlorre]

Hmmmm....

So the Vatican gets criticized for ruling the World during the Medieval period; threatening to re-assert it's power today; AND for reaching out to people of other faiths TOO much?

Good grief - the Pope just can't win.

blessings

Problem is that Benedict XVI  is now Pope and is not nearly as ecumenical as his predecessor.

Actually, you're wrong.  Pope Benedict and John Paul II are extremely similar; they were both extremely active in the Vatican II Council.

John Paul II and Pope Benedict believe that differences in religious beliefs should not lead to conflict - I am not sure how anyone can disagree with that POV.

blessings

[James Rondon]

John Paul II and Pope Benedict believe that differences in religious beliefs should not lead to conflict

And even more, that they can lead to a One World Religion under a One World Government?