Swick
Eucharistic Assistant
Posts: 216
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Post by Swick on Nov 16, 2007 10:29:57 GMT -5
"The reconciliation of a penitent is a service to officially re-install into the church someone who left or was rebuked and denied communion, a form of excommunication"
This is incorrect, Reconciliation of a Penitent is where individuals privately confess their sins to a priest. This explained in detail in the rubrics on page 446, "Concerning the Rite."
The service usually used to readmit someone who has left a church or who just wants to recommitt himself/herself to Christ is found in the Confirmation service under "Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows." I've never heard of any special service to readmit someone been denied communion, but Reaffirmation sounds like it should cover it.
The traditional Anglican attitude toward private confession is that all may, some should, none must. Most Anglicans are content with the General Confession that's usually prayed during the Eucharist.
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Post by zenkalar on Mar 3, 2013 19:35:55 GMT -5
Just ran across this thread, Bostonian. On the off-chance you're still paying attention after 6 years :
I, too, have done my share of seeking. I *love* the Catholic Church (my kids go to a Catholic school -- with professional teachers, not clergy), but celibacy is simply wrong. And, while I have a bit more tolerance for homosexuality than you've expressed (I'm a professional musician, and know a whole lot of gay men), I do believe it to be a social cancer which must be checked (while always demonstrating a deep Christ-like love for homosexuals themselves).
I do regularly attend Mass. My wife is ethnically Jewish, and we celebrate the Jewish high holidays. And I practice zen meditation.
But I've become quite involved in another Christian denomination which has provided a really beautiful framework for raising my family, and which matches my social and ethical views in every way. I am well aware that naming it, here, may bring on a wave of hate, and may kick-off a flame war (if anyone is still paying attention to this thread). I can only say that I *know* everything that anyone might post, I know the prejudices, I know the objections, I know the fear. But the congregations I've met with are filled with absolutely Christ-like people whose political, social and ethical aims are the most purely Christian I have found anywhere. There are a couple of quirks to the doctrine, but if anything, they only underscore dedication to traditional Christian values, and they do not detract in any way from Christ-centered living. They're the real deal, despite whatever is said about them.
So yeah, it's the Mormons (the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints).
* Lay clergy (not paid professionals) who do have families * Conservative views on homosexuality, abstinence before marriage, pornography * Super impressive charitable outreach programs : feeding the poor, educating in third-world countries * Family centered * Impressive support programs for addiction recovery, homosexuality, the works
With Mitt Romney running for president, I saw a lot of protestants put aside Mormon-hatred, and start treating Mormon's like human beings. (Catholics where pretty much already there.) It was a beautiful thing.
I've gotta tell you : I work with a whole lot of people in the music and entertainment businesses who write-off religionists all-together. In-fighting among Christian denominations makes them laugh and laugh. Above all, despite our doctrinal differences, we've got to foster a genuine brotherly love for all Christians (and all religionists, and really, all people everywhere), and present a united front against the formidable wave of social decline. I'm just lookin' for the tools to make that happen!
Love in Christ, David
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tina
Acolyte
Posts: 1
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Post by tina on May 13, 2013 12:10:21 GMT -5
Thank you for being brave and sharing your unabashed views, Bostonian. You make a very interesting point regarding confession in the Roman Catholic religious organization. You say that you do not like the aspect of having to recite your sins before a priest. I completely agree with you in this respect. I am an Episcopalian and have the option of obtaining wise counsel from my priest. I also am encouraged to bring my sins directly before the Throne of God. I believe that I can have that intimate relationship with God and go directly to him in all things - So that my life, my choices, my repentance is strictly between me and God. I believe that is how it should be. After living most of my life entrenched in the Roman Catholic religious organization, I feel that the Episcopal Church is absolutely everything that I could hope for from a community of believers. I also believe that I am called to love as Jesus love us. I will never attain that, but it is my ultimate goal. I believe that just because my Bishop is Gay, I still love her as close as I can to how Jesus has loves me and I respect her authority and office. I also believe that how a person chooses to live their life is between them and God...Just like The Roman Catholic's definition of confession seems to be abhorrent to you, having a religious organization condemn a person and exclude them based on who they love is Abhorrent to me. This is between them and God.
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Post by jeffrey on Oct 2, 2016 20:04:55 GMT -5
My Church is attended by Christians who happen to be gay. They identify primarily as Christians. They were looking for a place to worship and found welcome in our Church. It's as simple as that. Far too much can be made of peoples' sexual orientation, it seems to me--provided that orientation is 'gay'. In our Church the issue rarely comes up. Traditional Christian principles and values are what's focused on.
Bostonian, it may be that a bit of exposure will change your mind on this issue.
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