Catholic Diocese Of Joliet

The whole point of religious freedom comes from God's invitation to each person to discover Him and to move toward Him. The reason why we uphold religious freedom is an impulse toward the Creator. That impulse needs to be protected. Each person has the right to have the impulse unfold. People often search for truth. People need to give their assent to the truth. Religious liberty comes from God, and is driven by a search for God. Conscience comes about as an inquiry to the truth. Conscience isn’t about convenience, while an inquiry into God is entering into a relationship with God. We are called into relationship with God, but humans are social. There is a need in us to share with others. We have a right to be free to search for God and in developing a conscience and in engaging in a common expression in relationship with God.

The Bishop continues his overview of the Declaration on Religious Freedom ("Dignitatis Humane") from Vatican II. The search for truth - when it includes religious liberty -- has to include free inquiry, teaching, instruction and dialogue. Religious liberty doesn't include the private expression of one's beliefs, but one that involves being able to express one's belief in God, such as acts of charity. Civil authority is there to protect human rights, not to control them. We can't impose anything on the outside on religious liberty since it comes from the internal "magnet" that is within each of us toward God. Religious groups have the right to tell others about their ideas to the rest of society.

The Bishop continues his overview of the Declaration on Religious Freedom ("Dignitatis Humane") from Vatican II. He said the Council Fathers declared in the document that people have right to religious freedom. People should be free from coercion so that people should not act against his religious convictions or have religious convictions imposed on them. The right of religious liberty is based on the dignity of the person as revealed by God and by reason itself. The bishops say we have religious freedom because God is calling us into a relationship with Him. Religious freedom allows us to enter the core of who we are and why we are, even if people don’t want to exercise that freedom.

The Bishop gives an overview of the Declaration on Religious Liberty, in terms of its place within the Vatican II Council and in how and why Blessed Pope John XXIII found it important to address. In terms of the declaration, man is becoming conscious of dignity of the human person, and in spiritual aspirations, and the bishops address this, but note that everything needs to be set to the context of the Church’s Magisterium and the Truth of the Catholic Church. In other words, not all religions are equal since the Catholic Church has the Truth.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council: Nostra Aetate ("In Our Age"). The declaration addresses people who belong to world religions. Historically, we Catholics have proclaimed the Gospel and invited people from other religions to see Jesus as Lord and Savior. We looked at people who belong to other world religions as objects of conversion. But, the Vatican II Council bishops wrote that we need to look at them as people who have been given as grace of faith. They share a belief in God, and that belief is to be respected. The bishops mention Hinduism and Buddhism, and the Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. They often have a ray, a truth, that enlightens all men. But the Church proclaims Christ as the way, the truth and the light. It is important that the Church enters into collaborations and discussions with other religions to try for mutual understanding.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council: Nostra Aetate ("In Our Age"). It’s a short document. The bishops understand that the world is a global village, and that the Church exists in the larger world. The Church is engaged in the world. Men look to religion to solve the riddles and major questions of life, the bishops said. Bishop Conlon said there are far fewer people asking these questions and far fewer finding the answers in a personal God. Thus, the place of religion in human society has changed in the past 50 years.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." It is the last installment in his series on the decree. The bishop talks about the importance of ecumenism, mainly because there should be one Church and the fact that we are divided isn't the will of God. Bishop Conlon adds that things have been more difficult in the area of ecumenism because of differences in moral and theological areas, making it more and more complex to work toward unity in the Church. But, we still need to seek unity whenever the opportunity opens up, but at the same time we have to be true to our Catholic traditions, which represents the truth revealed by God.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." He talks about the Catholic Church’s relationship with the Western Communions and how we all used to have common heritage as a Church, centuries when we were one Church. All Christians believe in baptism, but there are differences in understanding how that incorporation into the Church occurs, and there is no unity in regards to the Eucharist and in Holy Orders. There are elements of common belief so there should be dialogue about these common beliefs. The bishops are trying to emphasize as many positive things as positive between the Church and the other Communions.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he talks about the Eastern churches. The bishops at the council declare that the churches of the east govern themselves according to their own disciplines. The Founding Council Fathers also acknowledge that there are different doctrinal, theological traditions in the east and the west, because there are a different spiritualities, there are different ways of recognizing or coming at the Truth.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he talks about the two kinds of Christian communions with which the Church enters into ecumenical dialogue/activity. The first divisions in the Church happened in the east. Then other divisions occurred in the west. As we enter into a dialogue with Eastern Christians, we have to realize the history that is their heritage and their ecclesial culture.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he talks about the practices of Ecumenism. Dialogue is important, and Catholic doctrine needs to be presented clearly when dialogue occurs. There is great value when Christians work together.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, the bishop talks about how Catholics need to pray for Christian unity. He says attending ecumenical prayer services are good, but he cautions that prayer shouldn't be used as gimmick to force unity. That comes about through the goodness and grace of God. Also, Catholics should study what the different Christian communions believe in order to understand others and what the differences are.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he talks about the practices of ecumenism. The concern for restoring unity concerns everyone. The Church needs to look at itself and make sure the Church being faithful to its mission. And there needs to be interior conversion by faithful Catholics (being humble, loving, being of service to others).

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he talks about the Catholic principles. Some of them include that the Church is one; it is a sign of man’s sinfulness that the Church is divided, which he has referred to in previous podcasts. Many efforts are being made in prayer, word, and action to retain the fullness of unity – all of which is being fostered by the Holy Spirit. The Bishop talks about ecumenical encounters he has had with people from other denominations, and that is inspiring to hear others talk about their faith and religions, while at the same time a little discouraging because coming to common faith will be difficult. We, as Catholics, need to shine in our faith and grow in our faith in the Church. Ecumenism has to be encouraged and yet we’re a long way from the finish line.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The the basic Catholic principles of ecumenism, which is that they are based on Biblical teachings so that any Christian would understand and accept what the Church is teaching. Also, the principles are established by Jesus and infused with the Holy Spirit and made one by the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he said the Council Fathers talked about the one church of Christ, built by 12 apostles with Peter as the unifying force, and then they also address the division that happened within the Church. Large communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Church later on in history. The Council Fathers also say that those who belong to churches that divided away from the Catholic Church back in the day are not responsible for what happened earlier. Grace doesn’t come from the Church but through the Church. The bishops say we respect all as brothers and sisters in Christ, but there are difficulties in the lack of unity, and, although people who belong to other denominations don’t share in the fullness of faith, we are all together on this pilgrimage. We will be one in heaven, though.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." In this podcast, he refers to the introduction of the document and how the restoration of unity among all Christians was a priority for the Fathers of Vatican II. The bishops declared that Christ founded one Church and one Church only. The division of Christianity was against the will of Christ. Those who are interested in ecumenism are those who believe in God as the Trinity and Jesus as Lord and Savior. In the end, this decree serves as a guideline for Catholics.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." He outlines the basic Catholic principles of ecumenism, which is that they are based on Biblical teachings so that any Christian would understand and accept what the Church is teaching. Also, the principles are established by Jesus and infused with the Holy Spirit and made one by the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Decree on the Ecumenism, called "The Restoration of Unity" -- in Latin it is called "Unitatis Redintegratio." He traces the history of how the decree came about.

Do we, as Catholics, understand what it is to have a Pope? We tend to think of people in high office to be servants of the people. That's the nature of democratic government. That thought isn't the same as how the Church thinks. People wonder what changes will a new Pope bring about. However, the pope is, fundamentally, a stand-in for Christ. The pope is the vicar of Christ on earth. Christ is always the head of the Church. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. No political party or civil government can claim the power of the Holy Spirit. What the church teaches comes from Christ. People think the times change so the Church should change, too. Doctrine has to do with truth, which doesn't change. The Church is the guardian of doctrine, not the creator of doctrine.