Are the sacraments freely given instruments of grace that work spiritual effect ex opere operato?
Or are they mere rites of passage for the “worthy few” who have been properly socialized?
If a German bishop ordered his entire diocese to suspend canon law to deny children - children! - their ecclesial *right* to receive sacraments of initiation, we would all be up in arms.
I was raised Protestant, and I thank God every day that my “sacramental preparation” involved me being “moved by the spirit” to just walk up to a church volunteer after Sunday school and tell her I wanted to accept Jesus into my heart and ask for baptism.
It led to a lifelong devotion to Christ that has now lasted nearly 30 years of my 37 years.
I’d have been *turned away* by Bishop Solis, the old rat.
I'm sympathetic to what you're describing here, and largely agree, but I have to speak against calling the bishop an old rat, regardless of how angry he makes you. There's only one right Judge of any man's heart and worthiness, and thanks be to God it's neither you nor me. Let's leave that to Him.
This is absolutely horrifying.
Are the sacraments freely given instruments of grace that work spiritual effect ex opere operato?
Or are they mere rites of passage for the “worthy few” who have been properly socialized?
If a German bishop ordered his entire diocese to suspend canon law to deny children - children! - their ecclesial *right* to receive sacraments of initiation, we would all be up in arms.
I was raised Protestant, and I thank God every day that my “sacramental preparation” involved me being “moved by the spirit” to just walk up to a church volunteer after Sunday school and tell her I wanted to accept Jesus into my heart and ask for baptism.
It led to a lifelong devotion to Christ that has now lasted nearly 30 years of my 37 years.
I’d have been *turned away* by Bishop Solis, the old rat.
I'm sympathetic to what you're describing here, and largely agree, but I have to speak against calling the bishop an old rat, regardless of how angry he makes you. There's only one right Judge of any man's heart and worthiness, and thanks be to God it's neither you nor me. Let's leave that to Him.