www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Holy Worship in an Unholy Place?

Holy worship in an unholy place? Some might find this topic offensive or otherwise controversial, and if so I apologize.

I am wondering how forum members feel about Divine Liturgy being celebrated in a chapel that at other times of the week hosts gatherings for those engaging in such new-age practices as �centering prayers,� �reiki touch-healing,� and �yogi meditation� � replete with gongs, chants, and other Hindu trappings?

As the title of this thread suggests, I have grave misgivings about this. Yes, I realize that the Divine Liturgy has been celebrated in odd places at different points in history � catacombs and former pagan temples in Rome, cemeteries outside of Antioch, the �sharing� of a church with Muslims in Damascus, etc. In the instance of the Pantheon, however, it was consecrated and ceased to be a temple of the gods of Olympus � Divine Liturgy did not take place in the off-hours when it was not being utilized by the pagans. As for the church of St. John of the Desert in Damascus, the �sharing� with the muslims was at the point of the sword, and the church was soon �sold� to the muslims � worship ceased there as soon as possible.

Celebrating the mid-week feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and having the Roman Catholics show up for their yogi meditations mid-Liturgy was more than a little disconcerting. I appear to be the only one at my mission parish who is not troubled by this situation. The general sentiment is that we should be thankful that the Latins and the religious order which staffs the parish are allowing us the use of their chapel and what they use it for the rest of the week is no concern of ours. My feeling is that perhaps we should instead be looking for the use of a chapel at another Latin parish, or even one of the Orthodox parishes if they were willing to accommodate us, but I am a minority of one in this thought.

This is only one of the many things that are troubling to me and making me question my remaining Eastern Catholic. Am I out of place in being upset? If not, what are my alternatives? I love my fellow parishioners and don�t want to offend or make waves. At times I feel I should just leave and be done with it. I truly am at a loss and would appreciate others thoughts on this matter.


~Isaac

I share your misgivings. One possibility is to hold the Lesser Blessing of Water before every service.

Fr. Serge

I would have similar misgivings. Fr. Serge's suggestion is surely apropos. But looking further afield for a home might be advisable.

My question would be why are "supposed" Roman Catholics doing yogi meditations?????? Is Paganism, demon worship and idolatry not grounds for excommunication????

Alexandr

I would have misgivings about that as well.

I mean it is completely different if there are no other options - For instance a military chapel which is used for many purposes due to space restrictions.

But in an situation where there is another option I would be very uncomfortable.

I, too, would question why a Catholic parish (of any rite) would allow such new-age practices at all.

If I were in your parish, I'd probably say the same as the rest of your congregation: it doesn't matter what they want to do with it the rest of the week, we know what we are doing with it now.

If I were your priest, I would probably respond to your thoughtful concern by trying to work something out, such as the lesser blessing of waters that Fr. Serge mentioned.

If I were you, I would be doing some detective work on other possible places we could move to and when I had several real and viable options, I would kindly offer the suggestions to the priest and/or parish council as possible solutions.

Might I suggest, though, that your focus change from one of contempt to one of problem-solving before you approach others with the problem and/or solutions? No matter how nicely you smile or how politely you try to word something, it has been my experience that the animosity and frustration come through and put people on the defensive before they even hear what you have to say. (I'm sure you know this, but in my experience it sometimes takes quite a long period of purposeful focus and prayer in order to bring this change about in myself, depending on the severity of the problem. Since you are talking about 'doxing, I assume the problem is quite severe to you. If this isn't a problem for you, though, feel free to ignore it.)