tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2410716623228444076.post7027736226710027451..comments2024-03-14T06:20:59.015+00:00Comments on The Notion Club Papers - an Inklings blog: More on Tolkien and Vatican IIBruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2410716623228444076.post-43051681264930855112016-12-23T18:36:19.908+00:002016-12-23T18:36:19.908+00:00I recently read "Open Letter to Confused Cath...I recently read "Open Letter to Confused Catholics" and had never realized just how bad things were immediately after the reforms. It was effectively "do anything" and morals, articles of faith, everything was tossed out the window in the "spirit" of Vatican II.<br /><br />Much of the most egregious abuses have since been backtracked, but standard practices (at least in our US parishes) like "women in trousers" and children handing out communion every week still go on as normal even though, officially, they're not supposed to (that is, lay people are only supposed to distribute communion in rare circumstances of need).<br /><br />The authority of the church is in effect destroyed except in one way (towards leftism). No-one leftward leaning is actually fired or punished for doing these things, but the life of conservatives is made very difficult, at the least.<br /><br />Reading saint lives though, it seems the church has always dealt with failing faith, poor practice, abuses of liturgy - and those saints were made such in part for their reform, renewal, and commitment. The current situation though is certainly unique in the extent of the problem.<br /><br />Perhaps God desires for Christians to show more than basic obedience, but to turn to their personal conscience, or to investigate and read tradition, to go beyond what is easily available, to enable a greater commitment and faith among some.Nathanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04531664498277638757noreply@blogger.com