It seems that Catholic liberalism has gone underground. I am guessing the order with the most free thinkers to be either the Jesuits or some sub-group of Franciscans, but I'm sure there are numerous communities where one would encounter more liberal thinking than the lay Catholic community would imagine. I know the Taize Brothers are ecumenical and quasi-Catholic, but I am not sure how conservative they are. Maryknoll Sisters, I believe, still honor a tradition of liberation theology... or no? Who can fill me in on the political / social / intellectual topography of contemporary religious life?
2007-03-11 15:10:09 · 6 answers · asked by uncle 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
(Dude, you are hilarious)
It isn't Opus Dei that ordains women priests! That is the funniest thing I've ever heard. The only authority that can 'pass' women priests in the Catholic church is the Pope. I have nothing against women priests at all, and I'm Catholic, but let me just make clear what exactly Opus Dei is.
Opus Dei was founded by a Spanish priest, St. Josémaria Escriva in the 1920s. It is not a cult, or a branch of Catholicism, it is 'normal', run of the mill Catholicism with one 'mantra' that members live by, which is (sorry to ruin the scandal, people) 'Love God in your everyday life through your work'. This is what Opus Dei means, 'The Work of God'. So it means working hard to serve God and others, praying a lot, offering sufferings to God, etc.
Opus Dei runs spiritual centres, where Catholics go for talks, confession, some even run university accomodation (and it's top notch, too). Anybody can join Opus Dei. There are 2 types of people in Opus Dei; those who have given their lives to God (but who have NOT taken any vows) are called numaries. Assistant numaries are those, usually women (though I can't see why men can't do the same) that help with the everyday running of the centres.
'Normal' people who usually do not work in an Opus Dei centre (though some numaries do work outside Opus Dei centres but live in the centres) and have a job and may or may not be married are called supernumaries, in that they advocate Opus Dei but live their life by it, rather than giving up marriage, etc to serve others.
Hope that helps iron out any confusion, but if not, please e-mail me (By the way, I'm not actually in Opus Dei).
2007-03-12 10:39:17 · answer #1 · answered by potterfaerie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Opus Dei
2007-03-11 15:14:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just recently I heard about a group that is ordaining women as priests into the Church. Forget the name, but google it. Very cool.
2007-03-11 15:13:34 · answer #3 · answered by Huddy 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Isn't liberal, progressive, Catholic an oxymoron? It is one of the most repressive superstitions the world has ever suffered.
2007-03-11 15:21:44 · answer #4 · answered by valcus43 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They all have their liberals. Dominicans can be just as bad as the Jesuits or Franciscans. They are more of the betrayers who dip into the dish with Jesus.
2007-03-11 15:18:24 · answer #5 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
jesuits are pretty liberal....and not in a good way
2007-03-11 15:16:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋