THE RETURN OF PAGANISM

As Christianity Declines, Superstitions Gain Force

LONDON, FEB. 9, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Like European politicians who continue to block any mention of Christianity in the draft of the continent's Constitution, public officials around the globe increasingly are adopting measures that favor a return to pre-Christian paganism.

see article.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 10, 2004

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-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 10, 2004.

Well, I suppose this is nothing new. New in some ways, sure--neo -pagans trade the virulent anti-Christianity of their "ancestors" for a passive non-acceptance and indifference. Highly effective, I should say.

Similarly, the solution is nothing new--but new in some ways. We need better priests--priests who aren't afraid of the cultic dimension of Catholicism (incense, transubstantiation, clerical collars, novenas to Mary, Lenten ashes, Latin, the works.) And we need better educated priests, like the first Dominicans, trained specifically for propagation of the faith.

My main concern with some seminaries now--including really orthodox ones like Mt. St Mary's & the Pontifical Josephinum, is that they seem to have associated high levels of education with heresy (thank you, Baby Boomer Jesuits). Hence now they have a reputation for sacrificing academics in favor of mere orthodoxy conditioning. That can't be done--there's no room for anti-intellectualism in our priesthood, whether orthodox or liberal. If tommorrow's priests aren't prepared for a pagan world--one that sacrifices human brains instead of hearts--things will have to get much worse before they get better.

Of course, I would never fall into clericalism by failing to mention that a lay evangelical culture is absolutely vital too. But in a secular world, who are going to be the initial movers & shakers, if not priests? They're foundational, whether we like it or not.

-- old-timer (Anon@ymous.godbless), February 11, 2004.

Oh, bother.

-- Anon (ymous@god.bless), February 11, 2004.

I'm an old timer too. I would have to agree with you, and say that our priests must be holy priests.

I would, if they were failing the way you seem to think they are. Here in my part of the country we are blessed with many devout priests. Of course we see some who don't seem to inspire us to holiness; and we've seen a few who created scandal. But in either case, these are an exception to the rule. Most priests have good and lasting influence in our lives. To suggest that suddenly all our priests forgot about ''incense, transubstantiation, clerical collars, novenas to Mary, Lenten ashes, Latin, the works--'' is a big mistake. They all give us transubstantiation, for one thing; and every one of our Church's sacraments. A great many lead us in prayer, including services like Lenten services, novenas, benedictions, holy hours. As an old timer I can testify the only thing we no longer have every day is Latin. We definitely love and honor the Blessed virgin in EVERY church; don't imply that's only us old timers.

You should qualify all of your statements. If what you mean to say is we need more solemnity, or fervent preachers, or better attention by the laity to our faith; I'm in agreement. I just don't see how you can make blanket staements about priests in today's Church. That's uncharitable. Just pray for them and support them. All of them.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 11, 2004.

Hi Eugene. I shouldn't have called myself an "old-timer"--I meant more like a "long timer;" i.e. I'm not new to the forums. I'm only 22.

We're agreed on the "no stereotypes" business. I only said we need more good priests--not that all or most of them are bad. My own diocese has lots of problems. But I know there are other dioceses, like yours and that of a friend of mine (Scranton) that are exceptionally good.

You are very blessed. Praise God!

-- anon (ymous@god.bless), February 11, 2004.