Ecumenical Meeting Marks First Time Mormons Join In Papal Gathering
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802159.htm
By: Beth Griffin
Catholic News Service
In an important ecumenical milestone, Father James Massa, Executive Director of the U.S. Bishop’s Secretariat of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs has announced that two members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have attended a Papal prayer service at St. Joseph’s Church in New York.
On April 18, two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elders M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook took part in the historic meeting.
It’s my understanding from the article that the Catholic Church and the LDS Church have also been co-operating with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in helping the victims of natural disasters.
Kudos to both Churches for their generous service to those in need.
Click on over and read a very fine article on this ground breaking event.
~~John Cronin~~
April 20th, 2008 at 7:00 am
What wonderful example of differant faith’s coming together for the good of our country. I think that was special that the Morman’s attended the mass.
Yes, Kudos for the love of mankind! Isn’t that what God would want from us??
In faith, Paulee
April 20th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I think the pope should attend General Conference now. We would welcome him in Salt Lake City!
April 20th, 2008 at 10:40 am
This is terrific news!! As I watched the coverage of it, I was hoping someone from LDS was represented.
My prayer is for a meeting between Pope Benedict and Pres. Uchtdorf!
When it comes to the things that really matter, Catholic and LDS values are identical…it’s time to come together…and what a force for good it would be!
Alex
April 20th, 2008 at 11:24 am
The Church (LDS) has been a very large contributor to Catholic Charities for years. That charity has been better able to respond to disasters than the Church has in some areas, thus, the Church channels money to the disaster via Catholic Charities.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:43 am
This special occasion must be related to churches of all faiths who criticize other faiths - especially the followers of Mike Huckabee. Because of them, the opportunity to have the best leader of the free world was lost.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Unrelated post (but there aren’t a lot of relevant ones coming lately):
Here’s a thin little silver lining should the Democrats win in the fall with all their depressing doom and gloom naysaying (have you heard them say anything positive or uplifting? Chicken little, anyone?), all that depressing negativity might be just what the sagging economy needs. If you don’t believe me, check this out:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89761759
Another silver lining: if the Dems can drive us to spend our way out of the doledrums that they are inducing this election cycle, then we, like Michelle Obama, can finally feel proud about our country (for the first time in our adult lives).
But with every silver lining there is a dark cloud. All that self delusional “feel good” will put us in a reinforcing feedback loop that may lead to 8 years of liberal fiscal and political dilly dallying that will so erode the foundation of our economy that it will take decades to correct.
Not that the ensuing decades long spending spree wouldn’t have its advantages
April 20th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
With so much in common between the two churches I’m very pleased we’ve come together. We can do more good together than alone.
April 20th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Thank you of the Mormon faith for your kind words. I am a Catholic, and I changed from Democrat to Republican because I could no longer support the left wing lunacy,and lack of true American values. I thought Mitt would have been the perfect candidate- I still believe if he is chosen for VP- McCain will win. As Pope Benedict said today, we must take our beliefs to the town square-…and not be afraid to (not his exact words) Have courage and do not give up the fight to take back our country from the imposition of the beliefs of the left.
Benjamin Franklin said-”we must hang together or we will hang separately.”
April 20th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Dear Gail,
KKSM here. I was raised in the Catholic faith, went to Catholic school and retain wonderful memories. I am particulary impressed with this Pope. He is such a good man. He is strong in his declarations of what is evil and what is of Christ. He is truly doing good work with many people around the world. I think it is trememdous that he has come to America and not for just hours, but for days and fed a multitude of people that look to him for direction and guidance. He is definitely to be respected and admired…. thanks for your kind words as well
April 20th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Huck and your minons, take note: THIS is how you build bridges between faiths. I have sat on interfaith counsels in CA, dated a man who later became a Catholic Priest, and married an LDS man (I am also LDS) who is a former Catholic. This is great. I hope in the future, we can continue to work together for the common good of the world. It’s not about converts, it’s about souls.
Go MCCain/Romney 08. (please…. make it so!)
April 20th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Chris,
It sounds like your life is a very interesting story. Thanks for your words of wisdom… (pun intended!!!!)
April 21st, 2008 at 7:34 am
Q&A: Mitt Romney By Linda Douglass
On economics, age and elitism in the presidential race:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24204104/
April 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Thanks for the link, Ron. Mitt is advocating admirably for McCain - just like he said he would! Mitt Romney is an exemplary American.
As for the above article regarding Catholics and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint working together, marvelous!! There are good people of all faiths, as well as good people who don’t subscribe to a faith, who are charitable and generous - not just in service and donations, but in their souls.
When one’s heart and mind is transformed by the power of charity, bigotry and persecution are nowhere to be found.
April 21st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Nicely said, 2thepoint!!!!!!
Everyone seemed pleased about the Morman’s and Catholics. Warms our hearts and souls.
God Bless America!!
Paulee
April 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Thanks, Paulee.
I agree with you, too! May God bless our nation as we seek to elect a new president and vice-president at this critical time.
And, may we as Americans, live to be deserving of His watchful eye!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
2thepoint:
that is a great prayer: may we live to be deserving of His watchful eye is wonderful.. I would only add, “and His tender mercies”
I am not sure we as a nation understand how much depends on behaviour either bad or good. Amazing how far we as a whole have drifted from Him.
The religious events of this last weekend gave me hope however. When I learned that nearly 60,000 people came to mass, I was encouraged. The 2 LDS apostles who went are some of the most wonderful men on the earth. Encouraged!!!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 am
Book of Mormons are free, but the pages in the book are priceless!! Pick one up today if you don’t already have one and start reading. I love my church!! I know beyond anything that it is true, and of great worth. I am so proud of Brother Ballard and Brother Cook and for the Catholics that are supporting this great work for the good of those that have fallen on very difficult times. I am proud of the Pope too. What a great man.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:51 am
I watched the Pope and was so impreesed with his genuine love. Wonderful! The Mormons and the Catholics have always had a wonderful relationship. What a blessing.
Frommer’s Review , from The New York Times , April 22, 2008
St. George Temple
This is the most beautiful building in St. George — an excellent example of fine old-world craftsmanship, from the hand-quarried red stone walls to the intricate interior woodwork. Its craftsmen finished pine, which was all they had, to look like exotic hardwoods and even marble. Completed in 1876 after 13 years of work, the Tabernacle served as a house of worship and town meeting hall. During the 1880s, when a nearby silver strike brought many Catholics to the area, the Tabernacle was used for a Roman Catholic High Mass led by a Roman Catholic priest, but with music from the liturgy sung by the local Mormon choir — in Latin. Today, the Tabernacle functions as a community center, presenting free weekly concerts and other cultural events. The guided tour takes about half an hour.
Bishop Michael P. Driscoll, Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, Idaho
I ask Catholics in Idaho to join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who died yesterday. During his tenure as president, Hinckley tried to open doors to people of other faith traditions through respect and mutual cooperation. Because of his leadership, we have been able to work together on projects, such as Interfaith Sanctuary, that come to the aid of those most in need.
(This was earlier this year)
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Thanks for posting that Lvn. I love the comraderie that comes. So sad that we live in a time when everyone wants to be angry about something instead of looking to see the beauty that diversity brings. God is good!
Utah is beautiful isn’t it??? It has been a great place to raise a family. It is dry and it is brown, but the desert can be beautiful! Agian, thanks for posting! KKSM