Catholic Marriage Preparation Alienates Potential Church-Goers

Phillip Jenkins, Professor of History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University, wrote a book in 2003 called: The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice. Jenkins, along with numerous other scholars, have noted how polemical terms like "Spanish Inquisition" are used in reference to the Catholic Church. Not only are these terms used in polemics but they are loaded with legend and prejudice. They encapsulate a sentiment: hatred toward the Catholic Church. The Spanish Inquisition was initiated by Spanish Monarchs not the Catholic Church. Also, the Catholic Church, as we know it was much less centralized than it is now and it is anachronistic to assume that we can speak of a Church as a centralized institution as it is in the modern era. The papacy did have influence, but the popes were manipulated by many forces, beyond their own 'sinfulness'. Pope Sixtus IV was against the inquisition but was pressured into 'signing on' because of Ferndinand's threat of withdrawing much needed military protection. Further, in popular culture there is still present an image of the Inquisition that exaggerates its negative aspects to continue, often unknowingly, Protestant-Catholic polemics.

There was no reason for Bonnie Erbe to end the blog entry with a polemical, prejudice reference to a Black Legend perspective of the inquisition. Protestant and Catholic scholars know better. Please do a better job at being more sensitive. Catholics are a people with a rich history and culture, like any culture's history, it is imperfect, but they are none-the-less a people who deserve more than backhanded references that would be unacceptable if aimed toward Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, etc.

Barry Schoedel of WA 9:22PM February 12, 2009

Without pre-cana, do engaged couples do any pre-marital counseling. This relaxed forum helps couples to ask questions and communicats about issues that are either assumed to be agreed upon or never discussed. The answers ti eachothers questions can be quite enlightening

Tom of IL 12:22PM February 12, 2009

I'm sorry you dismiss my words - I only refuted your reasoning and suggested you look a little deeper...

By the way, I never called protestants heretics or apostates - I was referring to pseudo Catholics. Protestants are protesters, outside the Church. Officially known as "separated brethren".

Regarding ecumenism - there is some common ground, but sadly with 3000, and growing , protestant denominations/churches/groups etc., it is fairly certain that no union will ever be achieved. Between the Orthodox and Latin Church ( share the same sacraments) perhaps, but with protestant churches - never.

Again, if you truly look deep enough you will find that there is only one Truth - not many, and all roads do lead to Rome.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 5:55PM February 11, 2009

RELIGIONS

are all man made, so ,why expect any divine utterances ,when it,s all put together by imperfect men?

We have just now entered into the AGE OF AQUARIUS.

We arejust leaving the AGE OF PISCES, WHICH WAS RULED BY

FAITH. In the AGE OF AQUARIUS,THERE WILL BE REALITY CHECKS ON MOST THINGS. AND JUST BECAUSE SOME ,SO-CALLED AUTHORITY FIGURE STANDS UP TO SAY SOMETHING, DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD BELIEVE THIS INDIVIDUAL.AS Pres. Reagan used to say, TRUST BUT VERIFY. And if a thing cannot be varified, then it stands to reason thatone is under no obligation to go along with whatever some person might come out and say.

It,s wise to try to see,what hidden agenda do they have?

Leslie Howell of AL 5:14PM February 11, 2009