Fr John Chandler, a recently ordained priest of Portsmouth Diocese, must be somewhat nonplussed that his decision to withdraw the use of his Church Hall for a Pilates class that turned out in fact to be a Pilates and spiritual Yoga class, has led to a feeding frenzy in the world's press. Fr Chandler is to be commended for his clear-sightedness and courage in taking a stand on this issue despite the storm of negative publicity. He is quite right to refuse to allow the Church premises to be used for something incompatible with the Catholic faith. I am sure that Bishop Egan, the new Bishop of Portsmouth, will be very supportive of his action.
Read Daily Telegraph article or any one of the other 250 or so pieces you will find with a quick Google News search. They all seem to have the same quotes repeated probably from one of the agencies. Hence you learn of Cori Withell's indignant protest that she paid £180 for the use of the Hall - without hearing that (obviously) she got her money back and consequently the Church has lost revenue from the hire of its hall.
The Yoga Journal which reports the ban on one of its blogs has an enlightening discussion elsewhere on its site of whether Yoga is a religion. Many adherents would prefer not to call it a religion but a philosophy that involves Samadhi (the path toward a mystical state of enlightenment or union with the Divine) and Dharma (a law of the consciousness universe involving a theory of kharma and rebirth.)
The controversy highlights how people who reject "religion" in favour of a "philosophy" fail to realise that their "philosophy" indeed a religion and is in fact incompatible with other religions, and particularly with Christianity. At least the Yoga Journal recognises that there is a discussion to be had. In secular Britain you can promote all sorts of religious philosophies while blithely taking the unchallenged high ground of maintaining that you do not have a religion and that the Catholic Church is narrow-minded for not agreeing with you. The action of priests like Fr Chandler is crucial in exposing this aspect of the dictatorship of relativism.
Global Hinduism runs the story and quotes Pierre Bibby, of the charity British Wheel of Yoga, who said:
‘Research demonstrates yoga improves people’s health and wellbeing physically and mentally. Who could object to that?’Directly underneath, in the "Most Popular Posts" widget for Global Hinduism is an article headed "32000 year old Idol of Narsimha (Lord Vishnu’s Avatar) found in Germany." Once you get into alternative spirituality based on dharmas and kharmas, you don't know where you are going to end up, or indeed what kind of "consciousness" you are inviting into the life force of your chakrahs (see my post on Holistic Indian Head Massage.)
So my advice to you is: if you want to get some exercise, do some press-ups, sit-ups and tuck-jumps and go for a brisk run - preferably in the opposite direction from the nearest yogilates session.
13 comments:
Thank you, Father Chandler! May God keep you and protect you even more during this time.
This trend over the years of hosting non-Catholic events as these is worrisome; I don't think we need yoga, etc. anywhere near our churches.
I pray while I'm biking or walking. Passing by my church, I'll kneel before Our Lord for some more prayer. I am improved physically, mentally, and spiritually.
This has definitely been a busy week in Portsmouth diocese!
It is good to see an enthusiastic shepherd protecting his flock
The national press has unfairly attacked him
If anyone is in any doubt about the wisdom of his actions they need only look on the Vatican website at:
"Jesus Christ The Bearer Of The Water Of Life - A Christian reflection on the New Age"
which is at
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html#FOREWORD
They might also wish to consult the then Cardinal Ratzinger `s "Letter on some aspects of Christian Meditation" (15th October 1989) ("Orationis formas") (especially the section on the wrong forms of prayer)
which is at
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19891015_meditazione-cristiana_en.html
Fr Chandler is to be commended for his clear-sightedness and courage in taking a stand on this issue despite the storm of negative publicity".
I heartily agree
A brave priest, but safe with the new bishop in situ. Question: how did the good father pass the seminary screening process, or was he at Oscott?
As a seminariarian Fr John came to our parish. He is an excellent person and deserves our full support. Well done Fr John.
Western people who practise Pilates and/or Yoga almost certainly do so because of the physical wellbeing they engender, something which other forms of exercise may not give them. If the practice works, one might feel that the underlying philosophy may well have some degree of truth to it. How sad that Catholic clergy are so narrow-minded that they cannot conceive this possibility in a world where we are discovering more and more of the spiritual depth and richness of other faiths and where there can be no threat to Christian faith. Particularly distressing that young clergy who have scarcely lived, who have never known anything but school and seminary, can be so certain that they have got God finally and fully worked out and there is nothing more for them to know. This seems like worshipping the idol of Catholicism rather than the one universal God.
Spirit Daily has a very useful current link," Dont be fooled into yoga"; informative comments by an experienced priest, printable on to two sides.
Re the exercise bit, better again, get on yer bike and head away from your nearest yoga session into the beauty of God's countryside.
Savonarola - were you to meet the students currently training for the priesthood, you would be surprised at how much they have "lived" and how well aware they are of the culture of syncretism that Fr Chandler has had the courage to stand up against.
They know the difference between worshipping the one true God and a philosophy based on me and my chakrahs.
Quel surprise. The Tablet doesn’t approve of Fr John’s action, nor of his superior, the Bishop of Portsmouth.
Poor Ma P. How she must long for the comforting certainties of the ancient regime.
TABULA DELENDA EST.
Oh the hypocrisy of the press!
101 reasons would be given were a Christian group to try and hire or even put a poster up in any state/hate organisation like a publick library.
These sloppy journalists just get their PA/Reuters feed on their computer and spue it forth with a bit of filling. Saves having to go out into the real world.
Savonarola said:
"Particularly distressing that young clergy who have scarcely lived, who have never known anything but school and seminary, can be so certain that they have got God finally and fully worked out and there is nothing more for them to know."
I have a son in his fifth year of the Seminary another entering this Saturday and a daughter in a Traditional Catholic Convent. When you come from a large Catholic family, we were blessed with 10 children, you learn so much so quick and the most important thing of all is they learn about sacrifice! Something the world does not teach.
You go Father Chandler!
PRIESTS'
HANDS
Your hand, I'd kiss
But not for this,
The mundane games
Men play.
Your hand, I'd kiss
For doing this,
Absolve my sins
Away.
Your hand, I'd kiss
But not for this,
That any man
Can do.
Your hand, I'd kiss,
For doing this
God's strong, His choice,
The few.
Your hand, I'd kiss
But not for this,
Like any
Virile male.
Your hand, I'd kiss
For doing this,
Place Him between
Lips, pale.
Your hand, I'd kiss
But not for this,
Your strength
Exudes each pore.
Your hand, I'd kiss
For doing this,
Your prayers,
I do implore.
Too bad Pilates was linked to Yoga, because Pilates has nothing to do with eastern religion or chaka or New Age. Pilates is named after the man who developed these specialized exercises--Joe Pilates. Pilates are use to strengthen your core. Doctors prescribe it for people with back problems and dancers and gymnists have been using it for years.
I know of places where church halls - never churches - are rented to synagogues who need extra space on the principle Jewish holidays.
Always assuming it's not Sunday, how does anyone feel about that?
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