Authentic vs. Inauthentic Renewal – Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Recognizing that the Church was certainly in need of renewal at the end of the fifteenthĀ century, we will examine the movements of authentic renewal that were rising to addressĀ the problems.

“The real foundation of real ecumenism is devotion to Jesus Christ… Devotion is a powerful personal conviction that our Divine Savior in eternal life knows me, knows you individually, knows us, not as the great choir, but one at a time. That He cares about us. That He sends us grace. That in the difficult times of life we can trust in Him and that He will lead us even through the valley of the shadow of death. That He expects things of us and that when we fail He expects our repentance.That He hears our prayers especially for those who are dear to us and for the world, and that in the hour of death when we close our eyes we will find Him — He will be there.ā€Ā Fr. Benedict GroeschelĀ 

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Study Questions:

-Discuss Fr. Groeschel’s definition of ā€œdevotionā€ to JesusĀ Christ. How does this compliment and/or differ from your
understanding of Catholic devotion?

-What point does Fr. Groeschel make about Orthodox and otherĀ ancient, Christian churches, such as Coptic or Armenian?

-How did the Black Death in 1350 effect the Catholic Church?

-How did William of Ockham’s theory of arbitrariness effectĀ the Reformation?

-Why does Fr. Groeschel state that Calvinism is theologicallyĀ closer to Catholicism than Lutheranism?

-What point does Fr. Groeschel make about celibacy in theĀ Middle Ages?

-Who were some of the female reformers in the Middle AgesĀ and how did these women go about reforming from within theĀ Catholic Church? What quality united all reformers, ProtestantĀ and Catholic?

-Why does Fr. Groeschel believe the Catholic Church today isĀ in desperate need of renewal? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

-What needs to be done to effectively – authentically – reformĀ our Catholic Church today, according to Fr. Groeschel?

Vocabulary:

Catholic CharismaticĀ Movement (CharismaticĀ Renewal): A movement withinĀ the Catholic Church, in whichĀ worship is characterized byĀ vibrant Masses, as well asĀ prayer meetings featuringĀ prophecy, healing and ā€œprayingĀ in tongues.ā€ This movement isĀ based on the belief that certainĀ gifts of the Holy Spirit, such asĀ the abilities to pray in tonguesĀ and to heal (which ChristiansĀ generally believe existed in theĀ early Church as described in theĀ Bible) should still be practicedĀ today.

Reform: To give new or betterĀ form to an existing reality whileĀ preserving its essentials.

Protestant HolinessĀ Movement: A set of beliefs andĀ practices emerging from theĀ Methodist Christian church inĀ the mid 19th century, which isĀ distinguished by its emphasisĀ on John Wesley’s doctrine ofĀ ā€œChristian perfectionā€ – theĀ belief that it is possible to liveĀ free of voluntary sin.

Madam Adorno: Referring toĀ St. Catherine of Genoa, ItalianĀ mystic and author, who died inĀ 1510.

Evangelical: Of, relating to, orĀ being in agreement with theĀ Christian gospel especially asĀ it is presented in the fourĀ Gospels.