10 Biarawati Gereja Episkopal AS Bergabung ke dalam Gereja Katolik

*) Menegaskan Apresiasi Mereka akan Orthodoksi dan Persatuan Gereja Katolik

BALTIMORE, Maryland, AUG. 31, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Hari Kamis, sebuah komunitas biarawati Episkopal dan pemimpin mereka akan diterima masuk ke dalam Gereja Katolik oleh Uskup Baltimore AS.

Sepuluh suster dari Serikat Saudari Dina dari Orang-orang Suci akan diterima ke dalam Gereja oleh Uskup Agung Edwin O’Brien bersama dengan Pastor Episkopal Rm.Warren Tange, berita ini dilaporkan oleh media keuskupan Baltimore kamis lalu.

Menghabiskan waktu selama tujuh tahun dalam doa dan kecermatan sikap, para suster tersebut akhirnya tertarik terhadap iman Katolik khususnya aspek orthodoksi dan persatuan.

Kepala biara dari komunitas yang berlokasi di Catonsville itu, Bunda Christina Christie, menegaskan bahwa setelah mempelajari ajaran Katolik selama dua tahun, para suster itu “sangat bergairah” karena penerimaan mereka menjadi Katolik.

Di kapel biara mereka, para biarawati tersebut akan menerima sakramen krisma dan akan memperbaharui janji mereka yakni kemiskinan, kesalehan dan ketaatan.

Pemimpin mereka, Rm.Warren Tange, juga akan masuk menjadi anggota Gereja pada saat bersamaan, meskipun dia masih bergumul apakah ada kemungkinan dia dapat menjadi imam Katolik.

Bunda Christina menegaskan, “Kami merasa Allah membimbing kami ke arah ini dalam waktu yang lama”.

Pernyataan yang disampaikan dari komunitas tersebut adalah bahwa banyak dari mereka merasa kesulitan akibat adanya perubahan kebijakan dalam gereja Episkopal, termasuk masalah legitimasi pentahbisan imam wanita, pentahbisan uskup homoseksual dan masalah-masalah lain yang secara moral sangat lemah.

Seorang biarawati yang lain, Suster Mary Joan Walker, mengatakan. “Kami tetap berpikir bahwa kami masih dapat membantu dengan menjadi saksi orthodoksi”.

Kepala biara tersebut menjelaskan, bahwa ternyata usaha mereka “tidak membantu sebesar harapan mereka itu akan terjadi dalam Gereja Episkopal.”

Kepala biara itu lantas berujar bahwa: “Orang-orang yang tidak mengenal kami lantas melihat kami seakan-akan kami sepakat dengan apa yang sedang terjadi dalam Gereja Episkopal; dengan tetap setia dan tidak melakukan apa-apa, lalu kami mengirimkan pesan yang menyatakan bahwa pandangan mereka tidak benar.

Para suster tersebut mengakui bahwa beberapa dari teman mereka di Gereja Episkopal merasa disakiti oleh keputusan mereka meninggalkan gereja episkopal, yang kemudian menuduh para suster tersebut meninggalkan perjuangan untuk mempertahankan orthodoksi dalam gereja mereka.

“Kami tidak begitu,” lanjut Suster Emily Ann Lindsey. “Kami melakukannya dalam aspek yang berbeda saat ini.”

Kepemimpinan Paus

Dalam ketidaknyamanan atas beberapa isu tertentu dalam gereja mereka, para suster tersebut menghabiskan banyak waktu untuk melakukan penelitian atas berbagai kelompok pecahan Espiskopal, begitu juga terhadap denominasi Kristen lainnya. Pada akhirnya, para suster tersebut menyadari bahwa mereka secara tanpa paksaan tertarik ke dalam Gereja Katolik.

“Ini adalah karya besar dari Roh Kudus,” ujar Bunda Christina.

Saat ini, bertahun-tahun setelah mempelajari Konsili Vatikan Ke-2 dan ajaran-ajaran Gereja lainnya, para suster tersebut menegaskan bahwa ajaran-ajaran tersebut bukan lagi halangan untuk diatasinya.

Pada awalnya konsep infalibilitas paus adalah isu yang sangat sulit bagi sebagian para suster tetapi sekarang para suster tersebut menegaskan bahwa Paus menjalani sebuah otoritas yang tidak ada dalam Gereja Episkopal.

“Persatuan yang Kristus maksudkan dapat dijumpai dalam Gereja Katolik di bawah kepemimpinan Paus, “ ujar mereka.

“Persatuan adalah isu yang tepat diantara semua isu ini, “ ujar Suster Catherine Grace Bowen. “Ini adalah daya dorong yang utama.”

Meskipun ada dua orang biarawati yang memutuskan untuk tidak menjadi Katolik, namun mereka akan tetap hidup bersama komunitas tersebut dan bekerja bersama-sama dengan para suster lainnya.

Para biarawati tersebut mendedikasikan hidup mereka untuk berdoa, memberikan layanan retret, mengunjungi orang-orang yang ada dalam perlindungan sosial serta membuat kartu-kartu bernuansa religius.

Komunitas yang tetap memelihara tradisi dengan memakai pakaian hitam panjang dan penutup kepala berwarna putih ini merupakan cabang komunitas yang berasal dari Inggris. Cabang AS inilah yang ada di Baltimore sejak 1872, melayani orang-orang miskin dalam area mereka sebagai bagian dari karisma panggilan mereka untuk membantu sesama.

Sumber: Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-26730?l=english

*) Diterjemahkan oleh Leonard T.Panjaitan

Paus Benediktus XVI Memuji Studi Ekumenis tentang St.Agustinus

*) Desakan agar Simposium menemukan Titik Konvergensi

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 3, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Paus Benediktus XVI mendesak symposium agar kalangan teolog Katolik dan Orthodox mempelajari warisan St.Agustinus untuk menemukan kembali titik konvergensi diantara dua tradisi Kristen ini.

Paus mengatakan hal ini dalam suratnya yang dikirimkan hari ini kepada Kardinal Walter Kasper, Presiden Dewan Kepausan Untuk Peningkatan Persatuan Umat Kristen, pada acara Simposium ke-11 Antar Umat Kristen yang dimulai hari ini di Roma.

Pertemuan tiga hari ini diselenggarakan oleh Institut Spiritualitas Fransiskan dari Universitas Kepausan Antonianum dan Fakultas Teologi dari Orthodox Aristoteles Thessalonica

Simposium Katolik-Orthodox yang bertujuan untuk peningkatan persatuan Kristen telah berlangsung secara timbal balik baik di lokasi Katolik maupun Orthodox sejak tahun 1992.

Simposium kali ini memilih tema studi aktual yakni: “St.Agustinus dalam Tradisi Barat dan Timur”.

Benediktus XVI menyebutkan bahwa topik ini layak sebagai refleksi timbal balik. Dia menjelaskan: “Santo dari Hippo, Bapa Gereja termasyur dari Gereja Latin begitu penting sekali secara fundamental untuk bidang teologi khususnya bagi Tradisi Barat, meskipun penerimaan St.Agustinus dalam teologi Orthodox dalam beberapa segi memiliki problem tersendiri.

“Oleh karenanya untuk mengetahui objektivitas historis dan kebaikan fraternal dari kekayaan spiritual dan doktrinal yang menyumbangkan kepada warisan kekayaan Timur dan Barat, Paus selanjutnya berucap, “maka sangat diperlukan sekali bukan hanya kita menghormati kekayaan St.Agustinus tersebut namun juga mempromosikannya secara timbal balik diantara umat Kristen”.

Bapa Suci berkata, dia berharap agar symposium ini bisa sukses, dan bahwa symposium ini “dapat menemukan kembali konvergensi spiritual dan doktrinal yang bermanfaat untuk membangun bersama Kota Allah, dimana anak-anakNya dapat hidup damai dan penuh kasih kebapaan, yang berdasarkan kebenaran iman yang sama”.

*) Diterjemahkan oleh Leonard T.Panjaitan

Paus Benediktus XVI Mendukung "Green Day" di Italia

 Pontiff: Italy's Green Day "Significant"

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 30, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Ahead of Italy's Day for the Protection of Creation, Benedict XVI is urging people to commit themselves to safeguarding the environment.

The Pope said this today to the crowds gathered at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo to pray the midday Angelus.

Italy will observe the day to protect the environment on Tuesday.

"It is a significant event, even of ecumenical importance," the Pontiff said, "that has as its theme this year 'air,' an indispensable element for life."

"I call everyone to a greater commitment to the safeguarding of creation, gift of God," the Holy Father added, repeating his message from last Wednesday's general audience.

"In particular," he concluded, "I encourage the industrialized countries to cooperate responsibly for the future of the planet, and that the poorest populations not pay the greatest price for climactic changes."

Uskup Tulsa Oklahoma AS Liturginya Menghadap ke arah Timur

Tulsa Bishop Explains Why He "Faces East"

Expresses Desire to Recover "Authentic" Worship

TULSA, Oklahoma, AUG. 19, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The bishop of Tulsa explains his decision to celebrate Mass at the diocesan cathedral "ad orientem" -- facing east -- as an effort to recapture a "more authentic" Catholic worship.

Bishop Edward Slattery affirmed this in an article featured in the September edition of the Eastern Oklahoma Catholic, titled "Ad Orientem: Revival of Ancient Rite Brings Multiple Advantages, Some Misperceptions."

In a discussion about liturgy, the prelate said, it is necessary to grasp this "essential" truth: "At Mass, Christ joins us to himself as he offers himself in sacrifice to the Father for the world's redemption."

He reminded his readers that "all of the faithful offer the Eucharistic Sacrifice as members of Christ's body" through baptism.

The priest has a unique role in this offering, the bishop affirmed, to stand "in the person of Christ, the historic Head of the Mystical Body, so that, at Mass, it is the whole body of Christ -- Head and members together that make the offering."

Bishop Slattery explained that "from ancient times, the position of the priest and the people reflected this understanding of the Mass."

As well, he added, "everyone -- celebrant and congregation -- faced the same direction, since they were united with Christ in offering to the Father Christ's unique, unrepeatable and acceptable sacrifice."

The prelate continued: "When we study the most ancient liturgical practices of the Church, we find that the priest and the people faced in the same direction, usually toward the east, in the expectation that when Christ returns, he will return 'from the east.'

"At Mass, the Church keeps vigil, waiting for that return. This single position is called 'ad orientem,' which simply means 'toward the east.'"

This traditional posture lasted for nearly 18 centuries in the Church, he noted, as something that was handed on from the time of the Apostles.

Journey together

The bishop observed that this single eastward position "reveals the nature of the Mass" as an act of worship shared by the priest and the congregation.

However, he said, this "shared orientation was lost" as the priest and people became accustomed to facing opposite directions.

Bishop Slattery explained, "This innovation was introduced after the Vatican Council, partly to help the people understand the liturgical action of the Mass by allowing them to see what was going on, and partly as an accommodation to contemporary culture where people who exercise authority are expected to face directly the people they serve, like a teacher sitting behind her desk."

Unfortunately, he added, this change had some "unforeseen and largely negative effects."

Not only was it a "serious rupture with the Church’s ancient tradition," the prelate asserted, but it also "can give the appearance that the priest and the people were engaged in a conversation about God, rather than the worship of God."

He stated that it also "places an inordinate importance on the personality of the celebrant by placing him on a kind of liturgical stage."

The bishop noted Benedict XVI's appeal to "draw upon the ancient liturgical practice of the Church to recover a more authentic Catholic worship."

He continued, "For that reason, I have restored the venerable 'ad orientem' position when I celebrate Mass at the cathedral."

This gesture, he stated, is not one of rudeness or hostility toward the faithful, nor an attempt to "turn back the clock."

Rather, Bishop Slattery affirmed, it represents the fact that "we journey together to God."

As well, he continued, it is an attempt to respond to the Pope's invitation to "discover what underlies this ancient tradition and made it viable for so many centuries, namely, the Church's understanding that the worship of the Mass is primarily and essentially the worship which Christ offers to his Father."

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On the Net:

Full text: http://dioceseoftulsa.org/eoc/eoc200909.pdf

Cardinal Napier (the Catholic Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa) meets Vassula Ryden

I received a link to an article yesterday which goes to the Catholic Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa. Durban is the second largest city of South Africa with a population of about 3.5 million people. The article is favorable to Vassula and her mission.

In May controversial 'messenger of God' Vassula Ryden visited Durban where she spoke to a number of groups. Because some of the following questions were being asked about her – whether her 'revelations' are regarded as genuine; whether she is orthodox in her writings; and what her standing is with the Catholic Church - I invited her to the Chancery for a conversation over lunch.

Our conversation made it clear that her calling to be a mouth-piece whom Jesus Christ is using took place in extraordinary circumstances. But what is even more challenging is her relationship with the Catholic Church.

In 1995 the Holy See made it known that it had serious doubts about the authenticity of the revelations published by Vassula. In 2004 in response to a request by Vassula the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made a thorough investigation. Cardinal Ratzinger then Prefect of the Congregation stated in a letter that Vassula had answered satisfactorily the questions put to her. However the matter was confused anew by Cardinal Levada's 2007 statement which reaffirms the 1995 notification but totally ignores the 2004 statement.

It was therefore with keen interest that I awaited the opportunity to engage her in conversation. What struck me from the start and what remains a lasting impression is her total openness - especially when asked to explain what happened to her or why it should have happened to her at all. She is just as puzzled why she should have been chosen since she had completely lapsed from the practice of her Greek orthodox faith.

Another matter of interest is her relationship with the Holy See. She enjoys cordial relations with many of the top officials at the Vatican who are anything but negative towards her.

It is therefore reasonable to state categorically that as far as the Church is concerned Vassula poses no threat to the Catholic Faith whatsoever. Indeed the messages which are communicated through her are consistent with the Church's own call to repentance and a return to the basics of the faith - in particular the basic prayers such as the Rosary and other devotions once so common in Catholic family and parish spiritual life.