Discussion: DEUS CARITAS EST (doom, hell, church, sex, catholic)

[Scott1]

For any and all of you out there who are, like myself, making your way through Pope Benedict's first Encyclical Letter: DEUS CARITAS EST, I hope you take the time to offer a few comments in this thread.

I'm especially pleased, not only for the chance to read something else from the Holy Father, but because of the subject matter of the letter.

Upon the election of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to the See of Peter, many in the world (including some Catholics) were dissapointed... some horrified... about the man who was chosen to become the visible head of the world's largest Christian Church.

"God's Rotweiller" they called him... he was sure to "lay the smackdown on heresy" (an actual quote I say on a Ratzinger fan club site!)... they viewed him as an emotionless man that cared more about discipline than charity....


. ....and his first Encyclical Letter is on LOVE

I had a daydream about what heaven's reaction to Benedict would be:

I can almost see John Paul sitting with our divine mother.


Mary has a pleased smile on her face and turns to JP and says "See, I told you not to let him retire!".

[Quiddity]

I must admit that wasn't as informed on Cardinal Ratzinger as I should have. So I didn't really have any preconceived view.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Victor

I must admit that wasn't as informed on Cardinal Ratzinger as I should have. So I didn't really have any preconceived view.

Are you reading/have you read the Letter?

[Quiddity]

Originally Posted by Scott1

Are you reading/have you read the Letter?

Not the whole thing. But I started to here:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=104

[YmirGF]

I just skimmed it Scott1, I have bookmarked it for more thorough reading later, but I am encouraged. You know, being called God's Rottweiller is not such a bad thing. Anyone who knows the breed will tell you they are tremendously affectionate creatures as well as formidable foes. This encyclical would seem to lend that idea support.

I think this message may be in part addressing those doomsayers that hold the belief that Benedict XVI will lead us down a rocky road of intolerance. I think it is therefore a rather bold and brilliant "opening move". The man is obviously nobody's fool.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

I think this message may be in part addressing those doomsayers that hold the belief that Benedict XVI will lead us down a rocky road of intolerance. I think it is therefore a rather bold and brilliant "opening move". The man is obviously nobody's fool.

Well said.... I have begun to think this Letter was a very calculated move on his part. Although it does chime with the Holy Father's Augustinian backround... and is a rather beautiful teaching about love, it really does not reinforce much in the way of authentic Catholic teaching.

Quite the contrary (in my opinion).

The Letter speaks of love "between man and woman" as "neither planned nor willed" but somehow "impose(d)" upon human beings (#3) ........ but does little (at least to me) to show why this should not be the case for same sex couples.

Love is an "apparently irresistible promise of happiness"(#2).... but somehow this "promise" is qualified by the ability to procreate.

Hmmm... methinks I have to do some more research.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Scott1

Well said.... I have begun to think this Letter was a very calculated move on his part. Although it does chime with the Holy Father's Augustinian backround... and is a rather beautiful teaching about love, it really does not reinforce much in the way of authentic Catholic teaching.

Quite the contrary (in my opinion).

The Letter speaks of love "between man and woman" as "neither planned nor willed" but somehow "impose(d)" upon human beings (#3) ........ but does little (at least to me) to show why this should not be the case for same sex couples.

Love is an "apparently irresistible promise of happiness"(#2).... but somehow this "promise" is qualified by the ability to procreate.

Hmmm... methinks I have to do some more research.

Very interesting and (dare I say it) a bit indigestible; not quite the read for a Sunday afternoon. But it is well written, and as YmirGF says, it is couched in hints of tollerance.

[Evelyn]

I need to read this. Thanks Scott.

[Scott1]

Hello all!~

Just wondering if Victor or anyone had any additional comments..... I just finished reading a few more of the Holy Father's books, so I have a bit more insight into his theology.

In Christ,
Scott

[Quiddity]

Originally Posted by Scott1

Hello all!~

Just wondering if Victor or anyone had any additional comments..... I just finished reading a few more of the Holy Father's books, so I have a bit more insight into his theology.

In Christ,
Scott

Why do you think he focused his first letter on Love?