Comments on: Top 10 Bizarre Aspects of Catholicism http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/ Ultimate Top 10 Lists - Listverse Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:48:31 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Pedro http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-222447 Pedro Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:45:51 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-222447 Infallibility has been "exercised" more than three times. In fact, many magisterial pronouncements are in fact infallible, even if the Pope doesn't speak ex cathedra (e.g., ecumenical councils). For example, every canonization is considered to be infallible (therefore, every Blessed being canonized is really in Heaven). BCH (98): the penalty of excommunication still exists today. Not all excommunications are removed by going to confession; some are reserved to the Ordinary (i.e., the Bishop) or even the Holy See. Twirly (100): corporal mortification has been always a practice of the Church, until this day. It has never been officially "recommended against" as you say; read the lives of the Saints and you will see that most if not all of them practiced some form of mortification. In fact, at least Latin rite Catholics are required by current law to do a minimum of corporal penance: abstinence on Fridays (which can be replaced by other pious practices in some countries) and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (which cannot). Infallibility has been “exercised” more than three times. In fact, many magisterial pronouncements are in fact infallible, even if the Pope doesn’t speak ex cathedra (e.g., ecumenical councils). For example, every canonization is considered to be infallible (therefore, every Blessed being canonized is really in Heaven).

BCH (98): the penalty of excommunication still exists today. Not all excommunications are removed by going to confession; some are reserved to the Ordinary (i.e., the Bishop) or even the Holy See.

Twirly (100): corporal mortification has been always a practice of the Church, until this day. It has never been officially “recommended against” as you say; read the lives of the Saints and you will see that most if not all of them practiced some form of mortification. In fact, at least Latin rite Catholics are required by current law to do a minimum of corporal penance: abstinence on Fridays (which can be replaced by other pious practices in some countries) and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (which cannot).

]]> By: Twirly http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-219991 Twirly Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:27:50 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-219991 Also - Papal infallibility of often very misunderstood. Not only is it limited by the factors you pointed out, but it has only ever been exercised three times. THREE. And once was in order declare was Papal infallibility was. The other two had something to do with Mary... one I think was about the Assumption, I forget the other. Also – Papal infallibility of often very misunderstood. Not only is it limited by the factors you pointed out, but it has only ever been exercised three times. THREE. And once was in order declare was Papal infallibility was. The other two had something to do with Mary… one I think was about the Assumption, I forget the other.

]]> By: Twirly http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-219989 Twirly Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:24:33 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-219989 I am disappointed in this article... I was really enjoying this site. The presentation of corporal mortification is extremely misleading. The practice is not only "optional," it is strongly recommended AGAINST and those who practice is are often counseled for being... well, for lack of a more academic word, crazy. It's not uncommon - it's nearly unheard of. Also - exorcisms are common practices in many religions and cultures world-wide. It's not really a Catholic thing. I'll give you that transubstantiation might be odd to those who don't believe. And I don't understand what is "bizarre" about the scapular? Many religions have various strings/chords/etc they wear as a personal devotion... yarmulkes and Sikh forehead "dots" come to mind immediately. I am disappointed in this article… I was really enjoying this site.

The presentation of corporal mortification is extremely misleading. The practice is not only “optional,” it is strongly recommended AGAINST and those who practice is are often counseled for being… well, for lack of a more academic word, crazy. It’s not uncommon – it’s nearly unheard of.

Also – exorcisms are common practices in many religions and cultures world-wide. It’s not really a Catholic thing.

I’ll give you that transubstantiation might be odd to those who don’t believe.

And I don’t understand what is “bizarre” about the scapular? Many religions have various strings/chords/etc they wear as a personal devotion… yarmulkes and Sikh forehead “dots” come to mind immediately.

]]> By: Laurrie http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-217882 Laurrie Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:30:29 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-217882 jfrater: you are obviously Catholic, so I find it hilarious that people are accusing you of being anti-Catholic! And isn't it interesting how everyone (Catholic and non) claims to know the REAL TRUTH about Catholicism? I've taught Confirmation class in my parish, and I know that many Catholics never study their faith again after Confirmation at age 13. Which explains a lot. (Like Mike, for example.) jfrater: you are obviously Catholic, so I find it hilarious that people are accusing you of being anti-Catholic!

And isn’t it interesting how everyone (Catholic and non) claims to know the REAL TRUTH about Catholicism? I’ve taught Confirmation class in my parish, and I know that many Catholics never study their faith again after Confirmation at age 13. Which explains a lot. (Like Mike, for example.)

]]> By: BCH http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-217304 BCH Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:43:59 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-217304 Anathema does not mean cursed it means to be excommunicated formal excommunication does not exist since Vatican II. The type of excommunication this is referring to can be remedied by going to confession. Anathema does not mean cursed it means to be excommunicated formal excommunication does not exist since Vatican II. The type of excommunication this is referring to can be remedied by going to confession.

]]> By: lnxCthlc http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-212065 lnxCthlc Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:08:37 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-212065 Great list! Couldn't have said it better myself. Great list! Couldn’t have said it better myself.

]]> By: bookworm http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-204629 bookworm Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:12:19 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-204629 I have actually seen two examples of first class relics when I visited Italy a couple years ago. I am Catholic so we saw a lot of churches. The first was in Sienna. It was the preserved head and finger of St. Catherine of Sienna. The second on was in Florence and it was the right arm bone of St. John the Baptist, the cities patron Saint. I have actually seen two examples of first class relics when I visited Italy a couple years ago. I am Catholic so we saw a lot of churches. The first was in Sienna. It was the preserved head and finger of St. Catherine of Sienna. The second on was in Florence and it was the right arm bone of St. John the Baptist, the cities patron Saint.

]]> By: kennypo65 http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-202213 kennypo65 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:59:02 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-202213 As a Catholic I must admit that we believe in two things: Rhythm and bingo; if you don't have rhythm, BINGO! As a Catholic I must admit that we believe in two things: Rhythm and bingo; if you don’t have rhythm, BINGO!

]]> By: JoeDr http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-168109 JoeDr Sun, 03 May 2009 08:15:24 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-168109 Items 2 and 3 are based on an older Catholic theology and were by no means common. The other beliefs are current. The context of Catholic theology and spirituality out which they are arise, when understood properly, are purposeful and inspirational. Items 2 and 3 are based on an older Catholic theology and were by no means common. The other beliefs are current. The context of Catholic theology and spirituality out which they are arise, when understood properly, are purposeful and inspirational.

]]> By: trfan http://listverse.com/2007/09/12/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-161078 trfan Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:46:07 +0000 http://listverse.com/religion/top-10-bizarre-aspects-of-catholicism/#comment-161078 As a Catholic, thank you very much for writing a well-balanced article. Even if these things aren't strange to me, I liked that you gave some insight into each item. Personally, I do not use items 2-4 or 10, and I pray to God more than the saints, but I do strongly believe that the bread and wine is changed into the body and blood of Christ. As a Catholic, thank you very much for writing a well-balanced article. Even if these things aren’t strange to me, I liked that you gave some insight into each item. Personally, I do not use items 2-4 or 10, and I pray to God more than the saints, but I do strongly believe that the bread and wine is changed into the body and blood of Christ.

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