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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Isolationist?	maryjean	Saturday, May 23, 2009
Question: Hi Brother, on checking the forums for my question before asking it, you mention you are praying for England.(2004). Please please continue - we are in a right old mess spiritually. My question is, what is the meaning of the term "Isolationist"? It has cropped up to me twice now in confession, as in "beware of being isolationist." As I understand to isolate oneself is part of a mental problem - and I am pretty certain I have at least 90% of my marbles. Over the years I have always tried to be involved in the church, but as a mum, making my family priority. The word "isolationist" has cropped up in response to my admission that I am becoming depressed or despondent about old traditions in the church being ousted for new initiatives. When I say old traditions, I am not speaking of the Latin mass, but primordial ones like adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The latest New initiative at evangelisation by our Archbishop has produced more focus groups producing more "leaflets". I don't want to alienate myself from my church or its people. It feels that I am being bullied to be honest, and that "isolationist" is another way of saying I should compromise and become part of what I see hapenning around me. (Or else be isolated). It also feels like it is a way of supressing or undermining those things I hold dear in my faith. Is it some kind of new clerical "buzz" word? Its difficult to see clearly when one feels so irritated. I hope you can put me straight. Thanks in anticipation of your the reply.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Maryjean: An isolationist is a person, in this context, would mean to set apart oneself or remove oneself from the community; a separation or detachment from others. If the issues are legitimate, as the ones you are describing such as about Adoration and the like, then when someone is suggesting you are an isolationist they are telling you to "chill and get with the program; don't rock the boat." In this sense Jesus was an isolationist because he set apart himself from the Pharisees and stood upon Truth. He did not "get with the program" and so they killed him. It is appropriate for you to be concerned about the minimalization of these traditions. In fact Canon Law says you have a right to express your concerns about such matters: Can. 210 All Christ's faithful, each according to his or her own condition, must make a wholehearted effort to lead a holy life, and to promote the growth of the Church and its continual sanctification. Can. 212 ß2 Christ's faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their spiritual needs, and their wishes to the Pastors of the Church. ß3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals. Do not let anyone, including a priest, tell you that you should not have concerns, or that you should not express those concerns, about matters that promote the Church, worship, reverence for God, and the sanctification of the Church and her Faithful. Standing firm upon your Canonical Rights and upon the good concern for the spiritual well-being of the parish may get you ostracized. But, what a blessing to be persecuted for Christ's sake. You should express your concerns, but, of course, do not become a dissenter, or be disrespectful. Live what you believe. For example, adore our Lord in the Eucharist by sitting in front of the Tabernacle. This is just as much Adoration as when the Eucharist is exposed. Even if you are the only one to do this, set the example for others, ask for God's help for yourself, and pray for the parish and its pastors. When others irritate you over this, or persecute you, offer it up to God in praise and thanksgiving for the conversion of the parish and pastors concerning these issues. We need to restore respect, honor, reverence, and a sense of sacredness to our parishes and to our own lives. If this is missing in your area, then consider yourself a missionary. Set the example and offer all suffering up to our Blessed Mother and our Lord. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Isolationist?

maryjean

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Question:

Hi Brother,
on checking the forums for my question before asking it, you mention you are praying for England.(2004). Please please continue - we are in a right old mess spiritually.

My question is, what is the meaning of the term "Isolationist"? It has cropped up to me twice now in confession, as in "beware of being isolationist."

As I understand to isolate oneself is part of a mental problem - and I am pretty certain I have at least 90% of my marbles. Over the years I have always tried to be involved in the church, but as a mum, making my family priority.

The word "isolationist" has cropped up in response to my admission that I am becoming depressed or despondent about old traditions in the church being ousted for new initiatives. When I say old traditions, I am not speaking of the Latin mass, but primordial ones like adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The latest New initiative at evangelisation by our Archbishop has produced more focus groups producing more "leaflets".

I don't want to alienate myself from my church or its people. It feels that I am being bullied to be honest, and that "isolationist" is another way of saying I should compromise and become part of what I see hapenning around me. (Or else be isolated). It also feels like it is a way of supressing or undermining those things I hold dear in my faith.

Is it some kind of new clerical "buzz" word?

Its difficult to see clearly when one feels so irritated. I hope you can put me straight.

Thanks in anticipation of your the reply.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Maryjean:

An isolationist is a person, in this context, would mean to set apart oneself or remove oneself from the community; a separation or detachment from others.

If the issues are legitimate, as the ones you are describing such as about Adoration and the like, then when someone is suggesting you are an isolationist they are telling you to "chill and get with the program; don't rock the boat."

In this sense Jesus was an isolationist because he set apart himself from the Pharisees and stood upon Truth. He did not "get with the program" and so they killed him.

It is appropriate for you to be concerned about the minimalization of these traditions. In fact Canon Law says you have a right to express your concerns about such matters:

Can. 210 All Christ's faithful, each according to his or her own condition, must make a wholehearted effort to lead a holy life, and to promote the growth of the Church and its continual sanctification.

Can. 212 ß2 Christ's faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their spiritual needs, and their wishes to the Pastors of the Church.

ß3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.

Do not let anyone, including a priest, tell you that you should not have concerns, or that you should not express those concerns, about matters that promote the Church, worship, reverence for God, and the sanctification of the Church and her Faithful.

Standing firm upon your Canonical Rights and upon the good concern for the spiritual well-being of the parish may get you ostracized. But, what a blessing to be persecuted for Christ's sake.

You should express your concerns, but, of course, do not become a dissenter, or be disrespectful. Live what you believe. For example, adore our Lord in the Eucharist by sitting in front of the Tabernacle. This is just as much Adoration as when the Eucharist is exposed. Even if you are the only one to do this, set the example for others, ask for God's help for yourself, and pray for the parish and its pastors.

When others irritate you over this, or persecute you, offer it up to God in praise and thanksgiving for the conversion of the parish and pastors concerning these issues.

We need to restore respect, honor, reverence, and a sense of sacredness to our parishes and to our own lives. If this is missing in your area, then consider yourself a missionary. Set the example and offer all suffering up to our Blessed Mother and our Lord.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum