Pope sends direct message to Ben

[DinoDoc]

I didn't think it was possible but this thread got even more boring.

[DinoDoc]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3954776.html

I knew I was going to like this guy.

Incidentally:

Pope Francis Excommunicates Priest Who Backed Women’s Ordination and Gays

Despite his reforming attitude, Francis still supports traditional doctrine

Father Greg Reynolds of Melbourne, Australia found out last week that Pope Francis had excommunicated him, and he was shocked. Granted, Reynolds holds less than traditional views in the Catholic Church—he supports women’s ordination and gay marriage—but Pope Francis has more than hinted lately that the Church needs to adopt a new tone towards those social issues. “I am very surprised that this order has come under his watch; it seems so inconsistent with everything else he has said and done,” Reynolds told the National Catholic Reporter, a widely read source for Catholic news.

Excommunication is a severe penalty in the Catholic Church. Today it is the church’s harshest punishment, and it means an individual can no longer participate in the sacraments or worship ceremonies, much less ever officiate a mass again. Reynolds’ letter of excommunication itself contained no official explanation for his excommunication. It accused Reynolds of heresy and claimed he had violated the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Reynolds told the National Catholic Reporter that he also believes he was excommunicated because of his support for the gay community. He has officiated mass weddings for gay couples, even though he claimed they were unofficial, and he justified his actions as a call for reform. “I still love the church and am committed to it,” he told the Standard newspaper, arguing he was trying “to help highlight some of the failing and limitations.”

Pope Francis has made waves lately for advocating for necessary reforms in the Catholic Church, especially when it comes to gays and women. While the Supreme Pontiff does have to sign off on excommunications, Francis may not be as directly responsible for Reynolds’ dismissal as it might initially appear. Excommunication processes tend to take a long time, even years, and Reynolds was likely already tagged for removal before Francis took office in March. His non-traditional views stem back years. He preached in support of women’s ordination in 2010, resigned as a priest in the Melbourne Archdiocese in 2011, and yet continued to practice as a priest without the authority and backing of the church. He then founded a group called “Inclusive Catholics” for people who also support women’s ordination and gay marriage.

However, the announcement serves as a reminder that despite the recent excitement over Pope Francis’ reforming attitudes and calls for increased compassion for women and gays, he has not changed any actual Catholic doctrine, nor is he likely to do so. Women’s ordination and gay marriage are still closed doors. The Pope, as they say, is still Catholic.

Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/09/25/pop...#ixzz2g0o2pj4q

[Imran Siddiqui]

I was reading up on it and the reason I think he was excommunicated (rather than censured or something) is because he kept officiating at weddings for gay couples, saying he was doing it as a Catholic priest (even if claims they were unofficial). Not that kentonio would like that anyway, but for greater clarity.

[Ben Kenobi]

I was reading up on it and the reason I think he was excommunicated (rather than censured or something) is because he kept officiating at weddings for gay couples, saying he was doing it as a Catholic priest (even if claims they were unofficial). Not that kentonio would like that anyway, but for greater clarity.

He was excommunicated because he's been doing all sorts of things contrary to canon law, including letting animals take the host, etc.

[Imran Siddiqui]

letting animals take the host

Yes, Fido - Christ has forgiven your sins too! How silly.

[DinoDoc]

Yes, Fido - Christ has forgiven your sins too! How silly.

All dogs go to heaven anyway.

[Sava]

I didn't think it was possible but this thread got even more boring.

[DinoDoc]

That didn't help matters.

[Imran Siddiqui]

All Dog-mas go to heaven? Eh? Eh...?

[kentonio]

That didn't help matters.

Yes it did.

[Elok]

I didn't think it was possible but this thread got even more boring.

I'm sorry. Would you like me to describe the third conditional for you? Would that spice things up?

[Lorizael]

What really amazes me about this is BK's fantastic ability to look at any discussion, find the wrong side, and support the hell out of it.

[Elok]

It is kind of weird, seeing him go to war against standard English grammar. Is arithmetic next?

[Ben Kenobi]

What really amazes me about this is BK's fantastic ability to look at any discussion, find the wrong side, and support the hell out of it.

Is everyone else here as bored with this topic as I am?

[rah]

It never gets boring making fun of you. Tedious yes, boring no.