What does “ordain” mean? Well the BBC doesn’t have the correct answer.
Just a clue to the BBC, only deacons, priests and bishops are “ordained” in the Catholic Church. In this article, they clearly say that Blessed Alphonsa of Kerala was “ordained”. But what happens when a religious brother or sister becomes such is not referred to as “ordained”, but rather as taking a “profession of vows”.
She persisted with her religious vocation despite serious health problems, and in 1928, she was ordained, taking the name Sister Alphonsa.
[From BBC NEWS | South Asia | Vatican to canonise Indian woman]
Now while I am sure that no one from the BBC would stoop so low as to use the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the Oxford dictionary requires an account to look up words. So I’ll use MW instead. They define “ordain” as:
1: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
[From ordain - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]
Other wise this was great article, until it got an agenda.
Indian Christians have been accused by hardline Hindu nationalists of “forced conversions” - especially among low-caste and tribal peoples.
They are also accused of making conversion to Christianity a condition for receiving treatment at medical centres they run.
[From BBC NEWS | South Asia | Vatican to canonise Indian woman]
UM…OK….While I don’t know if this may or may not be happening, I’m not sure what it has to do with the subject of this story. And, if it is happening, it is deplorable and what Christ wanted out of us. Our Blessed Lord offered the woman at the well the water of life before she converted, not after.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Typical media bias. Why don’t they do their homework before making such blunders. I don’t believe people are turned away from medical care because they are not Christians.
March 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am
First, the English press never makes mistakes or speaks from a bias. They verifiy everything very carefully….. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAA. Second, the only reason this hit the wires was that it is background on another current political/religous story showing yet again how Indian politics can’t be trusted–”Should still be a Colony–What, What?” Finally, we should trust but verify. I have not heard of requiring conversion prior to treatment anywhere. If so, it’s deplorable. n If, as is likely, this is not so, shame on Fleet Street. Ever wonder why the papers look like the National Enquirer?
March 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Adam - You are off hook man!
Fr. Jay - You are so right.