medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Cate wrote:
> ...my catholic students have tended to interpret such a
discussion as the history of 'their' church. (Having been brought up as an Anglican, I tend to think of it as 'my' church too - if only because Anglicans worhip in ancient churches where the evidence of pre-Reformation practices are all around).
Edwin replies:
I think there is some justification for Roman Catholics to have some ownership of the historic Roman Catholic Church. First, it is forced upon them by those who chastise the contemporary Church for historic actions; Second because although much has changed over the years, there is significant continuity and shared heritage; and Thirdly because unlike the Lutherans, Anglicans or others who may have appropriated ex-Catholic churches for worship, the contemporary Church never "Protested" the the historic Church, and so arguably never rejected its inheritance.
It gets a little galling when a contemporary non-Roman Christian divorces themselves from the "sins" of medieval Church (putting those sins squarely on contemporary Catholics), and then claims the "good parts" as a common heritage. Your students may have a reasonable basis for their feelings.
Edwin
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