As of this writing, I assume all 66 subscribers to this newsletter know me, whether in real life or through my book, my old blog, or social media in general. But you know me somehow. And if you know me, odds are you know about my admiration for Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk
Cari, this is absolutely spot-on and beautifully said. Introducing this painful issue of Christian cultural isolationism with the adoption of the Christmas tree is so, so poignant. St. Paul summed it all up so well in Galatians, yet somehow the same old problems keep cropping up. There's so much beauty in the grafting of regional culture with Christianity, and a stark disservice has been done by trying to put a wedge between them.
I do not have a problem acknowledging the many, many issues that European settlers caused when they came to the Americas. I don't have a problem discussing how the sins committed by these people still cause roadblocks for conversion for Native peoples today.
But the Amazon Synod gives me great, great pause. I'm willing to entertain the idea that certain ceremonies or rituals weren't explained well - and I would really, really like to hear those explanations! But there was a lot things happening there that really did seem like idolatry. Were those statues the Amazon goddess Pachamama? That is how the Pope referred to them. The Vatican denied they were the Blessed Virgin, but wouldn't explain what they were!
This entire incident was centered within a papacy that is riddled with problems in providing moral guidance, even on issues that are clearly settled church teaching. So it makes sense that a cloud of suspicion followed these events - and since then, we've certainly had no indication that our Holy Father would have any problem actively promoting a practice that would be contrary to the faith, since he systematically refuses to clarify any action or words of his which cast doubt on Catholic beliefs and morals.
Honestly, I think it's difficult to place people's reactions to the Amazonian Synod into a category unaffiliated with people's deep anger at Pope who refuses to be a shepherd.
Most people are unfamiliar with indigenous practices - unfamiliar and uninterested. A discussion of what they are, and how they can benefit the entire Church, is a conversation worth having.
I hear you, and share many of your frustrations. I think the Vatican in general and the Pope specifically handled the synod so, so badly.
As generously said as possible, this papacy seems particularly marked by a refusal to answer questions generated by its own actions. We’re still waiting for answers to the 5 dubia from “Amoris Laetitia”, for Pete’s sake!
Between the Amazon Synod, and visits he’s made to First Nations groups in Canada, I am really heartened by what I perceive as the first baby steps in authentic evangelization and inclusion of indigenous people & contributions to the Faith. But because of our Holy Father’s track record of ambiguous/troubling statements, it’s my fear that those actions are creating new problems and exacerbating old ones. His refusal to engage with good faith questions is unacceptable and so frustrating.
I don’t have any answers, and it would be super easy for me to sidetrack into a whole thing about this papacy vs that papacy and what is the Holy Spirit doing anyway? But I don’t think there’s anything helpful for me down that road, so I’ll just leave it at this: there are obstacles and suspicion and bad blood on all sides of this issue, the sort that are only going to be resolved with Christ’s grace. So that’s what I’m going to keep praying for, and hope to help spread with my actions.
Cari, this is absolutely spot-on and beautifully said. Introducing this painful issue of Christian cultural isolationism with the adoption of the Christmas tree is so, so poignant. St. Paul summed it all up so well in Galatians, yet somehow the same old problems keep cropping up. There's so much beauty in the grafting of regional culture with Christianity, and a stark disservice has been done by trying to put a wedge between them.
“Christian cultural isolationism”. I’ve never heard that phrase before. It’s spot on!
I have a lot of questions about this topic.
I do not have a problem acknowledging the many, many issues that European settlers caused when they came to the Americas. I don't have a problem discussing how the sins committed by these people still cause roadblocks for conversion for Native peoples today.
But the Amazon Synod gives me great, great pause. I'm willing to entertain the idea that certain ceremonies or rituals weren't explained well - and I would really, really like to hear those explanations! But there was a lot things happening there that really did seem like idolatry. Were those statues the Amazon goddess Pachamama? That is how the Pope referred to them. The Vatican denied they were the Blessed Virgin, but wouldn't explain what they were!
This entire incident was centered within a papacy that is riddled with problems in providing moral guidance, even on issues that are clearly settled church teaching. So it makes sense that a cloud of suspicion followed these events - and since then, we've certainly had no indication that our Holy Father would have any problem actively promoting a practice that would be contrary to the faith, since he systematically refuses to clarify any action or words of his which cast doubt on Catholic beliefs and morals.
Honestly, I think it's difficult to place people's reactions to the Amazonian Synod into a category unaffiliated with people's deep anger at Pope who refuses to be a shepherd.
Most people are unfamiliar with indigenous practices - unfamiliar and uninterested. A discussion of what they are, and how they can benefit the entire Church, is a conversation worth having.
I hear you, and share many of your frustrations. I think the Vatican in general and the Pope specifically handled the synod so, so badly.
As generously said as possible, this papacy seems particularly marked by a refusal to answer questions generated by its own actions. We’re still waiting for answers to the 5 dubia from “Amoris Laetitia”, for Pete’s sake!
Between the Amazon Synod, and visits he’s made to First Nations groups in Canada, I am really heartened by what I perceive as the first baby steps in authentic evangelization and inclusion of indigenous people & contributions to the Faith. But because of our Holy Father’s track record of ambiguous/troubling statements, it’s my fear that those actions are creating new problems and exacerbating old ones. His refusal to engage with good faith questions is unacceptable and so frustrating.
I don’t have any answers, and it would be super easy for me to sidetrack into a whole thing about this papacy vs that papacy and what is the Holy Spirit doing anyway? But I don’t think there’s anything helpful for me down that road, so I’ll just leave it at this: there are obstacles and suspicion and bad blood on all sides of this issue, the sort that are only going to be resolved with Christ’s grace. So that’s what I’m going to keep praying for, and hope to help spread with my actions.