United In A Common Ruin

This is from an article entitled "Kirk and Catholic Church strengthen ties."

The two faiths, historically divided along sectarian lines, have taken what the Kirk has described as "a monumental step in inter-church links" by creating a "joint-liturgy" for the reaffirmation of baptismal vows.

As a result, Scotland has the first Protestant church in the world to form such a bond with the Catholic Church. The two churches will also join together to mark the 450th anniversary of the Reformation later this year.

First, I don't know what a "joint liturgy" is. Second, I don't know how one even goes about "creating" liturgies in the first place, especially with folks who aren't Catholic. I always thought the the liturgy was something that God did. Of course, that was before we had the wonders of liturgical committees, though, which clarified that the public worship of the Church was strictly outside of God's omnipotence and very much an entirely human affair.

Check out the occasion for all this what-not, though:

Ms Kesting said the decision to hold a joint ceremony in St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh this year to mark the 450th anniversary of the Reformation – which saw the creation of the Presbyterian Church when it split from the Catholic Church – was a public statement of the strength of their relationship.

Schism and heresy! WooHoo! It's a party!

Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: "This is a significant and seminal moment in Scottish church history.

And tragic.

"While the emphasis in the Catholic Church is more about commemorating the event, rather than celebrating, it is still a moment in history that had an impact that must be debated and discussed."

Oh, so it's only SORT OF about celebrating it. It's MORE of a commemoration. I guess that makes it ok then. Did you commemorate this anniversary of sacrilege and blasphemy with prayer and lamentation? No, you got together for "joint liturgy."

"We should not be afraid to tackle it, and we very much want to be involved in the debate about what happened 450 years ago."

It was settled at the Council of Trent. Perhaps you've heard of it?

Mr Kearney said that, while there were differences between the two churches, worshippers from both denominations were "part of the body of Christ".

False and entirely contrary to Church teaching.

What we really have here is a perfect example of fake ecumenism. Nobody here is really concerned about the "debate" of the Reformation. If so, they wouldn't be hauling off with all this pomp and circumstance as though the divisions (that they admit are there) don't exist. They can't even agree on what the baptisms they are promoting actually do. The main interest is in ignoring the divisions so that pretended progress towards a fabricated communion can produce a religion that is completely emptied of any meaning whatsoever. Which means that we'll finally be able to ditch God for good.

But some, through enthusiasm for an imprudent "eirenism" seem to consider as an obstacle to the restoration of fraternal union, things founded on the laws and principles given by Christ and likewise on institutions founded by Him, or which are the defense and support of the integrity of the faith, and the removal of which would bring about the union of all, but only to their destruction.

Venerable Pope Pius XII, Humani Generis

Just give us time, Holy Father. God help us, but we're working on that.