Roman Catholic priest teaches reincarnation, spiritism, love for animals. Is Catholicism evolving?

Question

Before answering this question, please read the article at http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=10242

Excerpts:

"Father Jay said, 'You know, if I'm in heaven, and a person I loved dearly is in hell, I could not be completely happy.' He said, 'I think God, in his goodness, would have us all in heaven, but maybe not all at the same time.'"

"[Roman Catholic priest] Samonie has a doctoral degree in metaphysics from University of Detroit and two master's degrees. He meditates and practices yoga — has been for more than four decades — and his quest for truth has led him to study Eastern traditions in which religion coincides with personal mystical experiences. But it took him years to come to terms with the out-of-body sensations — the visions, the visits from spirit guides and spontaneous trances that brought to his mind vivid memories of past lives as a concert pianist, a Mayan architect and the 17th century painter Diego Velásquez."

Fascinating article.

Answer 1

excellent article ...
and pffftt to James Randi .. i have recently learned of a few people that i know who have approached him only to be ignored by him

Answer 2

The priest has a right to his own opinions, but don't confuse them with the constant and authentic truths of the Catholic Church.

Jesus and I get together at least once a week, too. But I've never felt the need to go looking for a spirit guide.

Why would anyone need a spirit guide when they already have Jesus?

Fascinating pehaps, but a bit on the wacky side.

This priest has gone off the deep end, and I'm very concerned about his ability to discern spirits.

Answer 3

Well, we know several respondents didn't even bother to read the article or they would know that Father Jay has stepped outside the boundaries of Catholic teaching.

Jesus told us this sort of thing would happen:

Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the householder came and said to him, `Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' He said to them, `An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, `Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he said, `No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" (Matthew 13:24-30)

Answer 4

father needs to pick up the Bible and get a daily dose of God's word. John 3;16 "For God so love the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it but that the world through Him might be saved. Deut. 18:10 "....Do not let your people practice fortune-telling or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft or cast spells or function as mediums or psychic or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. .....but you must be blameless before the Lord your God...because the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.
Awesome Words.

Answer 5

I think you are being intellectually dishonest. The article clearly states that he is a retired priest who has been brought up on heresy charges 4 times. The article clearly states that reincarnatioon is contrary to catholic doctrine.

Answer 6

You can NOT say what the Catholic Church teaches based on pne person.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOES NOT TEACH REINCARNATION, IT FACT, SHE CATEGORICALLY STATES THERE IS NO SUCH THING. Belief in reincarnation would be an explicit denial of the fact that we are all created with separate and unique souls.

THE PRIEST IN THIS ARTICLE IS A NEW AGE HERETIC. He is dabbling in things he knows are contrary to Catholic teaching.

If you want solid information on Catholic teachings, go to www.ewtn.com

Answer 7

He's off the reservation. If the Vatican hears about it, he'll have some explaining to do. Roman Catholic teaching does not (and should not) change with societal fads. If any "re-interpretation" is done, it is after much study and consultation at the Vatican level.

Answer 8

I'm a catholic and I say the whole thing is bunk however I do believe god loves animals

Answer 9

when did this happen? I was raised roman catholic! I was unaware of the change.

As a side note, you would think that someone with such insight would admit that Buddhism had more truth than Catholicism, but I guess people are as stubborn as mules sometimes.

Answer 10

This is happening in many different churches. The mixing of Hinduism into Christianity is blasphemy.