Word: dissenter
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...heard a more candid, widely publicized presentation on church discord from a group of bishops. And never before had U.S. Catholics -- priests and laity alike -- been told so plainly by the Pontiff that they should not consider themselves good Catholics unless they accept all of the church's teachings. "Dissent from church doctrine remains what it is: dissent," he declared. "As such it may not be proposed or received on an equal footing with the church's authentic teaching...
...observations about troublesome moral issues, notably birth control, homosexuality and abortion. The Pope unleashed a vigorous defense of the Magisterium (the church's teaching authority), firmly rejecting the pick-and- choose approach toward church doctrine among many lay U.S. Catholics. "It is sometimes claimed," intoned the Holy Father, "that dissent from the Magisterium is totally compatible with being a 'good Catholic' and poses no obstacle to the reception of the sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching office of the bishops of the United States and elsewhere...
...also attacked Vice President Salvador Laurel, who a few days earlier had polled loyal soldiers on their opinion of Colonel Gregorio ("Gringo") Honasan, the leader of the most recent rebellion. The soldiers felt that Honasan should not only be pardoned but also promoted. Arroyo accused Laurel of fomenting dissent...
...Once regarded by Rome as among the most dutiful sons and daughters of the church, many American Catholics now believe they have a right to pick and choose the elements of their faith, ignoring teachings of the church they disagree with. Nonetheless, more than in most Western nations where dissent is widespread, American Catholics continue to be committed to the church, though increasingly on their own terms...
...much can be made of this dissent from official church teaching. Indeed, the Pope can and will find many signs of exceptional vitality in American Catholicism. Attendance at worship services is notably higher in the U.S. than in most other Western countries: 54% in the TIME poll report that they attend Mass weekly or nearly every week. Still, 38% say they attend less frequently than a decade ago, and 60% say they go to confession less often than they used to. The poll also finds that less than one-fifth of the laity is unhappy with the leadership of bishops...