Posted by johnboy on October 06, 19100 at 07:42:45:
Friends: I regret I am unable to participate on the message boards on a regular basis. And, for manifold other reasons (for instance, like setting healthy boundaries on my internet usage), I am also not able to honor requests for private correspondence.
On the topic of incorporating the lessons learned from the East (through reading), learned from the heart (through "sitting"), and such as were robustly explored on this board in Sept 2000, let me recommend a wonderful resource. Richard Rohr, OFM, has a tape series "Come to the Table" and in that series, a tape, "Images of Jesus". In that tape, Fr. Rohr captures many of the nuances that, at times, seemed to have us talking "past" each other. Acquire that tape through the Shalomplace Bookstore or at your local Catholic bookstore. I think your experience "may" be like mine (Danger! Will Robinson! whenever someone says this!) and that is: Fr. Rohr is good at reconciling the disparate views we articulated from a very ecumenical standpoint.
To those who may have been too damaged by our part of the Mystical Body, as experienced in the visible structure of the Catholic Church, perhaps you might better explore doctrinal and administrative dispute issues in community on the Vatican2 listserv at Temple University. Some folks who were hurt too very badly may be unable to find nurturance in a Catholic forum, in the same manner that children who had disformative experiences with their fathers may be unable to find nurturance in the image of God as Father. The Church's teaching on Relgious Freedom and Moral Theology is clear and unambiguous: Foremost, one must follow one's conscience AND constantly strive toward and attend to the proper formation of conscience. It is almost presumptive that anyone who shows up here at Shalomplace (even those who desecrate the boards on occasion) is engaged in that enterprise by the very fact of being here!
Keep in mind, however, that the multiverse is large and so is the internet, and Shalomplace, like every other website has to define its mission statement and recognize its unique giftedness and annointing. Accordingly, it can't meet all needs of all comers. I would gently suggest that those who have "issues" that cause them to continually return to their point of woundedness in every thread, no matter what the topic, might be asking Shalomplace to meet a need which best be filled in other forums (like vatican2).
In solidarity, in compassion, whatever your creed, code, cult or culture---Shalom!
johnboy