Mixing Catholicismm
with Non-Christian Religions

Mary Ann Collins
(A Former Catholic Nun)

June 2004
Revised August 2008

In October, 1986, Pope John Paul II convened and led a multi-faith service at Assisi, Italy. Leaders of non-Christian religions participated and publicly prayed to their gods. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, animists, and Zoroastrians participated in this service. So did an Orthodox patriarch and some Protestant leaders. (A picture and some articles are online.)[1]

The video, “Catholicism: Crisis of Faith,” has film footage of this service. You can see and hear the Dalai Lama chanting, African shamans calling on their gods, and Muslims chanting from the Koran.

The altar that was used for the service had a statue of Buddha on top of the Tabernacle (an ornate container for consecrated bread). Catholics believe that consecrated bread is literally the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Putting a statue of Buddha on top of the Tabernacle is, in effect, elevating Budda above Jesus Christ. (A picture is online.)[2]

In 2002, John Paul II convened another multi-faith service in Assisi. Leaders of non-Christian religions participated in the service.[3]

John Paul II met with a Buddhist patriarch and told him: “Buddhism is a religion of salvation.”[4] He also visited Benin, where he  apologized for the fact that westerners have rejected African religions, including voodoo.[5]

Some Catholic priests have written books that mix Catholicism with non-Christian  religions. Anthony de Mello wrote “Sadhana, A Way to God: Christian Exercises in Eastern Form.” Bede Griffiths wrote “Cosmic Revelation: The Hindu Way to God,” and “The Other Half of My Soul: Bede Griffiths and the Hindu-Christian Dialogue.” Aelred Graham wrote “Zen Catholicism,” and “Conversations: Christian and Buddhist.” George Maloney wrote “Mysticism and the New Age.” John J. Heaney wrote “The Sacred and the Psychic: Parapsychology & Christian Theology.”[6]

In America, there is  a Catholic-Hindu “house of prayer.” It has a statue of Shiva (the Hindu god of destruction), a statue of Buddha, and a crucifix. People who come there use mantras and Eastern meditation techniques. The “house of prayer” is popular and is usually filled to capacity. The local archbishop approves of it, and his diocese supports it financially.[7]

In India, there is a Benedictine monastery that is modeled after a Hindu ashram. The members of the community admire Hindu gods and goddesses. The founder (Bede Griffiths) says that Hindu temples are a “sacrament.” He teaches that Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims are all “brothers in Christ.”[8]

Catholic theologian Richard Grigg believes that Americans should replace the God of the Bible with “the Goddess.” He wrote the book, “When God Becomes Goddess: The Transformation of American Religion.”[9]

Thomas Merton is a modern Catholic monk who is widely known. He was a mystic who promoted contemplative prayer. Merton believed that all mystical experiences were valid, no matter what the source they came from. He wanted to see all of the religions of the world become united. Merton is widely admired among Buddhists, some of whom consider him to be a reincarnated Buddha. He is also admired by New Agers. One spirit medium believes that Merton has become an Ascended Master.[10]

Merton said that there is “no contradiction” between Catholicism and Buddhism. He went even further, saying “I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can.” He also said  that “we are Christ.”[11] Therefore, it is not surprising that he is so greatly admired by Buddhists and New Agers.

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NOTES

1. “October 1986: The Day Assisi Became the ‘Peace Capitol’ of the World, “American Catholic,” January 1987.
           
You can see Pope John Paul II lead the multi-faith service at Assisi in the video “Catholicism: Crisis of Faith.” You can also see and hear Muslims, shamans, Hindus, and the Dalai Lama call on their “gods.” (You can get the video at D&K Press: 800-777-8839.)
           
John Cotter, “Assisi Assessed.” You can read this article online of you search for the title and/or author.
           
A picture of Pope John Paul II leading the multi-faith service. This is on an ultra-conservative Catholic website. They believe that Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XIV are heretics because they teach things that are contrary to Catholic doctrine, as declared by previous popes and Catholic Church councils.

            http://www.truecatholic.org/nop/jp2assisi.htm
                                   
2. A picture of the altar that was used for the religious service in Assisi. There is a statue of Buddha on top of the Tabernacle (an ornate container for consecrated bread).

            http://www.truecatholic.org/nop/jp2buddha.htm

3. “Pope’s Assisi Prayers for Peace,” CNN.com, January 24, 2002.

            http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/01/24/pope.assisi0825/

4. A picture of the Pope with a Buddhist patriarch. The text gives quotations from the Pope, including his statement that salvation can be found through Buddhism.

            http://www.truecatholic.org/nop/jp2buddhist.htm

5. N. Adu Kwabena-Essem, “A New Look at ‘JuJu’: The Pope’s Apology to Africa”

            http://www.mamiwata.com/pope.htm

            http://afgen.com/afr_pope.html

6. These books are available at Amazon.com.

7. Randy England, “Unicorn in the Sanctuary: The Impact of the New Age on the Catholic Church” (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1991), pages 72-74. The author is a Catholic.

8. Randy England, pages 70-72.

9. Peter Jones, “Pagans in the Pews: How the New Spirituality Is Invading Your Home, Church and Community” (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2001), page 127.

10. Randy England, “The Unicorn in the Sanctuary: The Impact of the New Age on the Catholic Church,” pages 75-76.

11. Patrick Hart (editor), “Thomas Merton/Monk: A Monastic Tribute” (Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1983), page 88.

Copyright 2004, 2008 by Mary Ann Collins. All rights reserved.

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e-Mail: MaryAnnCollins@Juno.Com