Perhaps one needs to look at this from a secular perspective to believe that there will be.
Women Priests? Acceptance of homosexuals? Married Priests?
What do you see happening over the next 91 years?
What major changes do you envision for the Roman Catholic Church before the dawn of the 22nd century?
The Church has not changed in 2000 years...I would not hold my breath if I was you. The Church cannot change from the teaching of our Lord. The Church is not of the world but is instead other worldly. God bless!
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
What major changes do you envision for the Roman Catholic Church before the dawn of the 22nd century?
I'm hoping that all three will come about.
The Church really needs to modernize.
Oh god, I hope it's not still there in 91 years. You'd think we'd have moved on a bit by the 22nd century. I guess I'll never know.
Paul II said that if the next pope (the one in now) was not an extreme liberal pope, then the one following him would be. That wouldn't surprise me. I believe they must to gain greater power in the world (which is the opposite of what Jesus taught we are to be like).
I see the allowing of Latin rite priests to get married to combat the priest shortage, though that will create an uproar from the SSPX.
The pope himself does not have the power to allow women priests and has personally said so, so that's not going to happen.
And we already accept gay people.
Women priests might require an infallible pronouncement from the Pope one way or the other in time. If the pronouncement is negative, it will never happen. - Homosexuals are already accepted; however, sexual activity can never be condoned among them since this is reserved only between a man and a woman %26amp; ONLY as a married couple. - Married priests is a possibility, but celibacy would remain an option.
Smaller, more devout. Stronger liturgy. Reunions between east and west. More prot groups coming home. If it changes much, it will become more traditional. However, I fear a couple of the South American bishops will break away under 'liberation theology.' However that is being cleaned up too.
The married priests, pro-homo crowd are and will die out (aka the gnashing of dentures.)
The truth is not relative but is objective. you will find the teachings of Jesus were relevant 2000 yrs ago as they are today. With time the truth has been discerned with constant prayer to go ever more deeply into the deposit of faith entrusted to the Apostles and handed over their successors, the doctrine of the faith will not change to suit secular society
Bible prophecy says that %26quot;Babylon The Great%26quot; which is the world empire of false religion will fall.
i see a massive downfall . well actually i just hope it happens . i am sick of being forced into the Roman slavery . God lead the slaves out of Egypt when will he lead US out of slavery of Rome .
Whatever the Holy Spirit wants. Nothing that the Holy Spirit does not want.
I do not attempt to try and discern what the Holy Spirit will do.
By the way, the Catholic Church does accept homosexuals.
Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.
The Catholic Church believes there is nothing sinful about being homosexual. But all unmarried people (homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual) are called to celibacy.
The Church specifically says that homosexuals %26quot;must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.%26quot;
Official Church documents:
+ %26quot;Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers%26quot;
http://www.usccb.org/laity/always.shtml
+ %26quot;On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons%26quot; http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df鈥?/a>
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2357-2359: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3s鈥?/a>
With love in Christ.
Actually, there likely will NOT be any %26quot;big changes%26quot;.
It is *possible* that they might begin allowing priests to marry (in order to increase the number of priests ordained - celibacy is the primary deterrent). It is possible now - one need merely become an Anglican priest, marry, then switch allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church...so that is not SO much of a change.
Woman priests - not a chance.
Acceptance of homosexuals - they are accepted.
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com
%26lt;%26lt;What major changes do you envision for the Roman Catholic Church before the dawn of the 22nd century?%26gt;%26gt;
Changes? None.
Doctrinal Developments? One or two is possible.
%26lt;%26lt;There will likely be changes. Big ones.%26gt;%26gt;
There's no way of knowing for sure what Doctrinal Developments will take place, or when.
%26lt;%26lt;Perhaps one needs to look at this from a secular perspective to believe that there will be.%26gt;%26gt;
Well, you certainly can't find any %26quot;big%26quot; need for %26quot;change%26quot; from the Dogmatic point of view!
You have to go from a secular point of view because secular values, and Dogmatic values are quite often directly opposed to each other.
Since God's Law (Dogma) trascends earthly law (secularism) it's easy to see, from a Dogmatic point of view, how wrong secularism is when compared to Church teachings.
%26lt;%26lt;Women Priests?%26gt;%26gt;
No. That is a Scriptural impossibility. If it wasn't, there would be women priests by now.
%26lt;%26lt;Acceptance of homosexuals?%26gt;%26gt;
Merely being homosexual is not a sin. Therefore, homosexuals are accepted.
The sin of homosexual sex is not accepted on account of the fact it violates the Christian Virtues of Chastity and Abstinence.
%26lt;%26lt;Married Priests?%26gt;%26gt;
Theologically, it has always been possible for married men to become priests.
What is not theologically possible is for a single man, who is also a priest, to then marry.
Put simply, once a man is ordained, he can no longer receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. If one wants to be both a married man and a priest, he needs to marry first, and then be Ordained.
%26lt;%26lt;What do you see happening over the next 91 years?%26gt;%26gt;
Certainly not the same developments you deem necessary.
That might be because I am seeing it from a strictly Dogmatic point of view while you see it from a secular perspective.
The most important development will be continued expansion of the education of Catholics and non-Catholics about Roman Catholic doctrine and dogma. That will come through forums such as this exchange, and through verifiable and easily accessible sources such as The Catechism of The Catholic Church. People's education hopefully will develop with the welcome guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is conclusive and clear regarding %26quot;women priests%26quot;, and is very clear about homosexuality. A careful reading of even a few sections of the Catechism will leave most people with the clear impression that it is written in a spirit of genuine love for God and all His creation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is available in English in an inexpensive paperback. If you can't afford it, any Catholic priest would likely help you get a copy.
Well over 91 years it MIGHT be possible that the church will get more relaxed on the priests not being married. I doubt it though. There are some protestant pastors who converted and became priests that are married from what I hear, so it possible they might get a little more relaxed with it, but the chance is slim to none.
As for the others, I seriously doubt those things will change. I really don't see the church allowing women to become priests, and I seriously don't think that the views on homosexuality will change (which is that it is a sin)-- btw, you make it sound like we don't accept homosexuals as if we view them as outcasts and we can't even associate with them, but this is not true. It's viewed as a sin, but since we are all sinners, we can't judge them.
I don't doubt that some changes will occur. We will, for instance, see a Pope from Africa or Latin America, and one not only of European descent at that. This is inevitable as the Church as a whole (across all Christendom) is experiencing its most rapid growth there.
Doctrinally, I think we'll see a major change in the importance given to Marian theology, which is doctrinally defined but seems to be more important to certain ethnic identities. If these identities shift (ie, Mexican-Americans see themselves as more American) then these cultural devotions may decrease in importance, and Marian theology may lose importance in practice. Conversely, with the heavy focus of Evangelical missionaries in the third world where Marian veneration is often practiced, we may see a strengthening of Marian theology as Catholics seek to distinguish themselves from Evangelicals.
We will also likely see progress in relations with Muslims, the world's most rapidly-growing faith, and often a faith against which Catholicism butts heads.
As far as internal changes, I think married priests are far more likely than women priests simply because there is precedent but also because the source of these rules are very distinct. The Catholic Church points to Scripture to rule out women being priests (because Jesus appointed men), however its ruling on celibacy is more recent - it came into effect because of certain conditions, and may very well change if those conditions merit it. It may not be practical (think of all the funds that would leave coffers to help cover health insurance, etc, for priests' families), though, so that must be considered as a caveat.
As far as acceptance of homosexuals, I should note that it is homosexuality (ie, the actions) that is forbidden. The homosexuals - the people - are welcomed because we are all sinners in this Church.
I think we'll also see a closer relationship with the Orthodox Churches, which we don't see much of in the U.S. for historical reasons, but which are much more important in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. We may very well see ecumenical inroads with our Reform brethren as well.
