There was a stunning programme, which I watched on Sunday, having missed Mass for the first time in ages. It was about religious reliquary, and was on BBC 4, well worth a watch. It's about an hour long.
I was glued to it, but most most moved by the story of the assassination of Archbishop (The Most Reverend) Oscar Romaro of San Salvador, who spoke against the Salvadoran government in the 70's, when there was a major public uprising, savagely squashed by the government, who ordered the army to kill protestors out of hand. There is a clip of him quoting 'Thou shalt not kill' and telling soldiers they had no duty to obey an order which is against the law of God.
Romero was shot the next day in Church (24 March 1980), after speaking the sermon of the grains of wheat. The sermon was very apt, the grain of wheat may die but bring forth many sheaves of wheat. He knew he was about to die.
I was glued to it, but most most moved by the story of the assassination of Archbishop (The Most Reverend) Oscar Romaro of San Salvador, who spoke against the Salvadoran government in the 70's, when there was a major public uprising, savagely squashed by the government, who ordered the army to kill protestors out of hand. There is a clip of him quoting 'Thou shalt not kill' and telling soldiers they had no duty to obey an order which is against the law of God.
Romero was shot the next day in Church (24 March 1980), after speaking the sermon of the grains of wheat. The sermon was very apt, the grain of wheat may die but bring forth many sheaves of wheat. He knew he was about to die.
I have read more, and would like to devote a post to him, in the hope of introducing him to more people, as I unexpectedly was. The lady (interviewed in the programme, a scientist) who had much to do with preparing a shrine for him, containing his bloodstained alb and chasuble, was clearly very invested in him and said that she wanted people to be aware and to learn more about this man. There is an icon being made by a South Amerian artist which shows the story of his death; this entire shrine being a modern religious relic. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012248j. It's only on for 5 more days on iplayer.
PS One thing that did slightly irk me was that the presenter did state a couple of times that Catholics 'worship' saints. I think a huge chasm between the CofE and Catholics, created by Henry 8th and still remains to this day is founded on many myths and misconceptions about Catholic worship (which in essence is not really that much different to Cof E if we're talking about being Christian as opposed to anything else).
Please do note that the late Catholic Saint John Henry Newman started out as a Calvinist, became an Anglican scholar and high accademic/tutor at Oxford University, slating the Catholic faith as idolatrous and being degrading, but then on actually researching and becoming enlightened in the truth of the faith and the creed, converted to Catholocism.
Please do note that the late Catholic Saint John Henry Newman started out as a Calvinist, became an Anglican scholar and high accademic/tutor at Oxford University, slating the Catholic faith as idolatrous and being degrading, but then on actually researching and becoming enlightened in the truth of the faith and the creed, converted to Catholocism.
Catholics are taught that we do not worship anyone but God (the Holy Trinity) and we indulge in the adoration of Our Lady, this is the reality. If we were to learn more about the truth of the differences between the Church divisions, and put aside the atrocities committed by anyone who claimed/claims religious cause, we may be far more successful in out efforts to gain in the ecumenical church today, which is what I think God is really aiming for.
I really think that if we are happy with out own beleifs and accept that others may have different ones, and that whoever we call God is the same one, then we would all probably argue alot less over something that God really did not intend us to argue over. I love the Catholic Mass and although I enjoy my son's CofE school Mass, I will stick to the Catholic Mass, I identify so much with it. But Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and the Muslim faith are all positive and wonderful if used in the right way. It's human fault that spoils religion, not religion itself.
