I recently joined the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi in Raleigh NC.

[mmonk]

What am I wondering is how this community is allowed to track differently than the Pope and Bishops currently? How are we not reprimanded? I'm sure all of you are familiar of the reading of prayers from the faithful. There is no mention of abortion. There is no mention of homosexuality. There is no mention of contraception or the Church being under attack from government. In fact, the first prayer is directed to the Church about following Vatican II. My church even participates in the Gay Pride parade in Durham NC each year. And the only politically organized organization called Justice and Peace involves siding with the poor and downtrodden. How is it we aren't condemned or have some Cardinal from Rome to set us straight? Is it because we are an 800+ year old order?

[rug]

1. As Francis said. "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words."

Looks like your parish is living the Gospel and not a rightwing political agenda. I don't know what's going on in Raleigh but the Church was not founded to preach on politics. Keep it up!

[mmonk]

2. We'll do our best.

[musical_soul]

3. The church is not big on condemnation.....

which is why I love them so much. That and the Eucharist, which is the primary thing.

It could be that while the church is Catholic, it's not really considered part of the rest.

[okasha]

4. This wouldn't be the first time

the Franciscans took a different path from the PTB. Here's hoping your community stays free from official interference and continues its excellent work.

[No Vested Interest]

5. The church of the Immaculate Conception, Durham NC

Over the last 16 yrs I have been a frequent visitor to this church, which is also a Franciscan parish, and have noticed much the same culture you describe in Raleigh. In the prayers of the faithful, the migrant farm workers were often mentioned, something one would never hear in my Republican area of Ohio. I always left Mass at this Church in Durham feeling Catholic through and through. It is one of the few Catholic churches in the Durham area so far as I am aware.

[mmonk]

6. Glad to hear.