Black Pentecostal in Prayer
Black church leaders say priests' misdeeds should not overshadow Catholic 'great deeds'
St. Louis, Mo., April 25 (CNA) .- The misdeeds of a few priests who have committed "atrocities" should not overshadow the "great deeds" done by priests and religious of the Catholic Church, two leading African American ministers from St. Louis have said.
Writing in the St. Louis American were Pentecostal Bishop Alphonso Scott of the Lively Stone Church of God and Bishop Jesse Battle of the House of Deliverance Church. They are respectively president and vice-president of the Ecumenical Leadership Council, which represents hundreds of predominantly African American churches in Missouri.
Noting the headlines about sexual misconduct and abuse by Catholic priests, they said those truly convicted of "such atrocities" should at minimum no longer serve in any clerical capacity.
"However, while emotions are rightfully vested in anger, the membership of the Ecumenical Leadership Council would ask the public to remember that the Catholic Church has been a leader in relieving pain and suffering in the world, and in St. Louis," they continued.
"Their worldwide generosity has all too frequently been the difference between a significant number of the world's poor going hungry and homeless, and having a warm meal and secure shelter.
"We believe that the misdeeds of a few should not be allowed to cast a shadow on the great deeds done daily by the priests and nuns of the Catholic Church."
The two Protestant bishops noted that Catholic Charities had raised $82 million last year to help the less fortunate in St. Louis. They reported that the Catholic Archbishop of St. Louis Robert J. Carlson has reached out to bridge racial divides through dialogue with organizations like the Ecumenical Leadership Council.
"We strongly support the healing that obviously must occur in the Catholic Church. We acknowledge the alleged abuses of imperfect priests; however, we also know that imperfection is a human condition to which all humans are susceptible."
The two clergymen said they look forward to working with Archbishop Carlson and the Catholic clergy of St. Louis to continue their missions of spiritual guidance and leadership for worshipers of their respective faiths.
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ang mga pentecostals na ito po ba ay pareho ng mga pentecostal missionary church of christ (4th watch) dito sa pinas?
ReplyDeletewhere on earth do these people come from?
Naku, mahirap pong sagutin yan kasi napaka raming divisions ng Pentecostals. They are not united kasi as one group as we Catholics do. The one I was referring are those led by Black ministers in the U.S. but I have personally met some Pentecostal pastors in Legazpi City Philippines and they are very friendly and ecumenical. One of them told me that he has great admiration for Catholic priests because what they are usually saying in 1 or 2 hours we can deliver in only 10 to 20 minutes homily.
ReplyDeleteAko rin po yung nagtanong kanina,
ReplyDeletebilib pala sila sa mga pari at hindi hostile sa simbahang katoliko, sana naman maging Katoliko sila balang araw hihihi
Usually kasi may mga mababait on both sides. Hindi naninira at respectful. Pero meron ding mga Pentecostals na very anti-Catholic.
ReplyDeletetrinitarian din po ba ang mga pmcc 4th watch?
ReplyDeleteI think so. Pero hindi ako sure na sure kasi ang mga grupong ganyan ay hindi very precise ang Doctrines unlike the Catholic Church that the official and unchanging teachings are published officially.
ReplyDeletePentecostal Missionary Church of Christ 4th Watch? yan yung religion na sinamahan ng cousin ko! So sad for her! sila yung namamalimos sa mga palengke at bus! may School and Church sila sa Marikina named Maranatha(something whatever!)tapos meron pa silang church din sa Romblon na ang kwento ng Cousin ko may mga Fallen Angels daw na nakatayo dun sa Church nila!(Meganun) Isa rin yan sa mga Critics/Detractors ng Catholic Church base sa criticism ng cousin ko. So sad for my cousin kasi naloko sya ng church na yan..Di nya na tinapos yung pag-aaral nya ng College and sumama na sa simbahan na yan. To think na hinanap ng Auncle ko sa mga gatherings nila at tinago pa ng Pastor yung cousin ko!! Kaya I think ibang Pentecostal Church yung sinabi ni Fr. Abe.
ReplyDeleteMany times the bad if not the worst critics are those people of second or third hand opinion who are also the recipient of nothing at all information, why not try to look into and observe see for themselves..........peace
ReplyDelete