Enda kenny on the Meaning of Life

RobertKK

Did any of you watch it?

What I found amazing was how he said he is Catholic, goes to mass every Sunday, but then went onto to describe something which was not Catholic.

Enda said he goes to mass to be a part of the community, didn't seem to believe it was to celebrate the Eucharist.

Should people call themselves Catholic if they don't in essence believe in the teachings?

generic2012

It seemed to me, initially anyway, that he was just afraid to admit on an essentially religious show on public television that he is agnostic.

Manach

I've not watched it, but I'd assume (and trying not to be influenced by his general political background) he was part of the general Catholic tradition. That is there are always various degrees of commitment within any belief system, so a general adherence to at least some form of beliefs is a good starting point. With the Church all of us have an equally of being sinners, and anyone (even a political) can grow into better life.
Examples of politicians which are Catholic but coming from a liberal perspective would be Nanci Pelosi of the US. Personally I'd not agree with her perception of how the Church should change, but she has a degree of personal conviction that is genuine.

RobertKK

Manach wrote: »

I've not watched it, but I'd assume (and trying not to be influenced by his general political background) he was part of the general Catholic tradition. That is there are always various degrees of commitment within any belief system, so a general adherence to at least some form of beliefs is a good starting point. With the Church all of us have an equally of being sinners, and anyone (even a political) can grow into better life.
Examples of politicians which are Catholic but coming from a liberal perspective would be Nanci Pelosi of the US. Personally I'd not agree with her perception of how the Church should change, but she has a degree of personal conviction that is genuine.

Enda reduced going to mass to something akin to a town hall get together. it was not about he Eucharist, he didn't seem to understand why one goes to mass.

He talked about humans having indestructible energy with Jesus the epitome of this indestructible energy and how it moves through space and time.

He also presumed he is going to heaven, that God will tell him to 'Get in' when he is judged.

I found it rather shocking, a cultural Catholic should at least understand the basics of the faith.

generic2012

RobertKK wrote: »

He also presumed he is going to heaven, that God will tell him to 'Get in' when he is judged.

I found it rather shocking, a cultural Catholic should at least understand the basics of the faith.

I think he was asked what he would say 'if' he got to heaven, and then he said he'd ask for a another while on earth, Gay then asked what god would say to that, to which Kenny replied 'get in'. I could be wrong, I presume it's on RTEplayer, but that's how I remember it.

I think he did understand them just didn't agree with them. He seemed quite adamant in separating his 'faith' from the institution of the church, which is in line with some of his speeches after the various controversies.

lazybones32

RobertKK wrote: »

Did any of you watch it?

No, I didn't watch it and if I knew it was on, I still wouldn't have watched it. I'm not surprised by what I've read of it though.
I guess the argument could be made that the whole of Mass is about community: the people of God coming together to worship him as one, in order to become one with him. If Enda goes just because everyone else is going, well...he's hardly going to benefit from that but God hasn't given up on him.

I often look at the people who are seated around the church before Mass and I wonder why they have come: some seem to be there in body only, some are there because a parent brought them, some come out of habit.