Unclear on the concept
Newsweek's utter confusion concerning the basics of the Christian faith has become legendary since Lisa Miller's screed on gay "marriage" and the magazine's editorial condemnation of biblical authority (of any kind!) as "the worst form of fundamentalism" a few months ago- both in the same sad and sorry issue.
But now, the former newsmagazine has published a remarkable piece by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend presuming to declare that Barack Obama represents American Catholics better than the Pope does!
It has long been clear that Newsweek does not understand the elements of the Christian faith. It is now clear that Ms. Townsend- a notional Catholic herself- does not even understand what a Catholic is. But then, many American Catholics seem not to.
The Christian faith is not defined by majority vote, but by a content handed down through the centuries and embodied in the Scriptures. For Catholics, the papacy and the Magisterium are the infallible teachers whose job it is to explicate that content to the faithful. To the extent that they reject that teaching, they are, as Catholicism defines the matter, precisely not faithful.
As a Lutheran, I myself do not submit to the teaching authority of the Pope. But then, I don't claim to be a Catholic. Ms. Townsend does. She should perhaps reassess that claim in light of her article in Newsweek.
"Representing American Catholics" is simply not, on any showing, Pope Benedict's job. Rather, as defined by the faith to which they give lip service, it is the job of American Catholics to be taught by him and to conform their beliefs to the faith as he defines it- or to be honest enough not to call themselves Catholics anymore.
HT: Drudge
But now, the former newsmagazine has published a remarkable piece by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend presuming to declare that Barack Obama represents American Catholics better than the Pope does!
It has long been clear that Newsweek does not understand the elements of the Christian faith. It is now clear that Ms. Townsend- a notional Catholic herself- does not even understand what a Catholic is. But then, many American Catholics seem not to.
The Christian faith is not defined by majority vote, but by a content handed down through the centuries and embodied in the Scriptures. For Catholics, the papacy and the Magisterium are the infallible teachers whose job it is to explicate that content to the faithful. To the extent that they reject that teaching, they are, as Catholicism defines the matter, precisely not faithful.
As a Lutheran, I myself do not submit to the teaching authority of the Pope. But then, I don't claim to be a Catholic. Ms. Townsend does. She should perhaps reassess that claim in light of her article in Newsweek.
"Representing American Catholics" is simply not, on any showing, Pope Benedict's job. Rather, as defined by the faith to which they give lip service, it is the job of American Catholics to be taught by him and to conform their beliefs to the faith as he defines it- or to be honest enough not to call themselves Catholics anymore.
HT: Drudge
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