Religion of the Belgian RF

[Reina]

I am confused by what you term the charismatic movement of this Opus Dei organization. Do they beleiev in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues? I just did a brief search about Opus Dei and it seems a bit confusing. But of course God can answer our prayers. That is our right as Christians. But I am confused by catholicism alot (and it seems alot of catholics are too). Some of it, to me, is not really what is in the Bible. I will see if this Opus Dei stuff is Biblical.

[Reina]

Where here is there "FAQ" page:http://www.opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&s=494

And it says:
Opus Dei is a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church that helps ordinary lay people seek holiness in and through their everyday activities, especially through work.

It was founded in 1928 by a 26-year-old Catholic priest, Josemaria Escriva, who died in 1975, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 6, 2002.

But I have a problem with this. You don't get holiness by just doing activities. That is purely ceremonial stuff that will get you no where spiritually. Beleiving in Him who died and rose again for our sins is a start. We must put our faith and hope in God that He will renew our hearts. Doing activities will not renew the heart. (Romans 2: 17-29; Romans 10; II Corinthians 5:11-21, etc.)

It says here (http://www.opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&p=296):
Opus Dei promotes only the teaching of the Catholic Church. What is specific to Opus Dei is the effort to bring the Gospel to all environments through the sanctification of work. Within Opus Dei there is freedom and pluralism in all the social, political, economic and cultural issues left undefined by the Church.

So I guess maybe there is not alot of differnece?

[Hannelore]

They aren't members of the charismatic movement, or opus dei.

They are roman catholics.

[Hannelore]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

I think Laurant is as intelligent as his brother and his sister but he is a bit high strung, has a nervous personality, while they are very calm.

I thougt Flip had made one or more political statements in the past and I thought that that was considered all right on this website by several members (but I can not remember the subject nor the members, am equally bright as Laurant :) and too lazy to read back)

The remarks Filip made were to protect his country. Wilst Laurent's remarks did damage (well not much but still).

Filip said he wasn't going to allow the VB (extreme right fascist and racist party who want to split up Belgium and send foreigners back to "their" country) to harm his country. He stood up for Belgium and showed the courage a lot of politicians lack.

Laurent answered a question from a VB politician by saying he was going to talk with him because he didn't know their program!!

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by Hannelore

They aren't members of the charismatic movement, or opus dei.

They are roman catholics.

Queen Fabiola has long been a supporter of Opus Dei. It is widely known among the European nobility.

[Alicky]

This is a good site on Opus Dei: http://www.odan.org/

[Regina]

Originally Posted by Hannelore

Filip said he wasn't going to allow the VB (extreme right fascist and racist party who want to split up Belgium and send foreigners back to "their" country) to harm his country. He stood up for Belgium and showed the courage a lot of politicians lack.

Laurent answered a question from a VB politician by saying he was going to talk with him because he didn't know their program!!

But there are for sure some people in Belgium who agree with VB, so IMO Prince Filipe shouldn't make political declarations.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

VB is an openly fascist and racist party, convicted by Belgian court for inciting hate towards people who have a different background than the Flemish one. (after which the VB top declared the Belgian judges who convicted them better watch their step beacuse nasty things may happen to them).Their meetings start with bringing the Hitler salute. I have personnally heard a member of the VB saying that mentally handicapped people should be locked inside and not walk in the streets.

If Philippe was not to stand up against this (and may I remind that his words were "Certain people are trying to destroy my country, I will not allow that") I would be very ashamed.

[susan alicia]

I tried to google "laurent and vb" and all kinds of variation but can not find anything about it. From what you write I am able to understand his answer, he does not know the particulars because he does not really care about politics (all though he knows that they are bad news) and he hopes that by talking to the person he can influence them positively.

Originally Posted by Hannelore

The remarks Filip made were to protect his country. Wilst Laurent's remarks did damage (well not much but still).

Filip said he wasn't going to allow the VB (extreme right fascist and racist party who want to split up Belgium and send foreigners back to "their" country) to harm his country. He stood up for Belgium and showed the courage a lot of politicians lack.

Laurent answered a question from a VB politician by saying he was going to talk with him because he didn't know their program!!

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

It was just one of Laurent's "unfortunate remarks"

[jm83au]

are Lorenz and Astrid very religous?

[ally_cooper]

I don't know, but all I've heard is that all the family is very religious.

[PreDoc]

I don't disbelieve that they are very religious, but they - like most other European families - are probably cautious that any strongly-held beliefs are tempered with the realization that they "represent" many people with differing interpretations and beliefs ... they seem to have bright political advisors who ensure that their true spiritual beliefs remain private.

[alejandro_sk]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

It was just one of Laurent's "unfortunate remarks"

Hi Cathérine!
That might have been an "unfortunate remark" but I think Laurent is no fool at all! He has a special sense of humour and some of his remarks to the press are very, very witty.
Take care! :)
Alejandro

Originally Posted by Sean.~

Queen Fabiola has long been a supporter of Opus Dei. It is widely known among the European nobility.

Hi Sean!
Can you picture King Albert or Queen Paola as members of Opus Dei?
I can't!
Take care! :)
Alejandro

[WordRider]

The Royal House of Belgium:In that God Bless their freedom.


Love Terrance

[Fie]

First of all, Prince Laurent may not own a degree, but he does know a lot about the enviroment and gets paid as the chairman of his own foundation. He's the only one of the royal family not receiving an allowance from the gouverment as far as I know.

About the faith question. They are roman-catholic. As Paola was present at the inauguration of a pope when she and Albert met it's concidered most lightly that she's a catholic too. Mathilde is also catholic, as she was (is) a member of the Order of Malta which assists dissabled people during their trip to Lourdes. Lorenz is a member of the Habsburg-family who has been catholic for several centuries so it is to be expected that he is catholic as well. And don't forget they made "Maria" (dutch for Mary, the mother of Christ) a part of their daughters names Maria-Laura, Luisa-Maria and Laetitia Maria and I wouldn't be surprised if the boys had that name too as their second third or fourth name. Fabiola is also roman-catholic and it is stated in books about her that she thought about becoming a nun if she hadn't married.

Crown prince Philippe hasn't got the easiest of positions. His role isn't defined in the constitution. Nothing is said against or pro him speaking out his mind about political questions. As a king he won't be allowed to speak his mind about politics as the king has to be neutral. But Philippe isn't king yet technically he "could" speak out his mind if he wants too, although it might be better not to express policital views, but then again, I'm not too fond of "Vlaams Belang" or "VB" myself and seeing the recent events in Belgium I'm glad he made those comments. As Cathérine has stated he didn't use the term "Vlaams Belang" or "VB" very obviously, but everyone in Belgium knew what he was talking about.

How I think of it? Crown Prince Philippe will allways get the blame. If he speaks out how he thinks about things he is ordered to shut up, and if he doesn't speak out his mind than he is accused of being to dumb to have his own oppinion.

[fee]

Todays monarchs are supposed to be very neutral and above political tamtam.
A good example is QEII, whose political tendencies could never ever been pinpointed.
But a monarch (and his heir as well) should work for the greater good of their country. (The ribbon cutting and waiving from balconies is just not enough )
And if a movement be it political or religious or whatever threatens to destroy the values of the society, isn't it then his/her duty to stand up for his country?
Fighting racism, hate and intolerance should be everyones duty and more so the duty of the souvereign, because as I said: Cutting ribbons is just not enough.

[purple_platinum]

Please remember this thread is about the Belgian Royals and their Religion. It is not a place to discuss about DaVinci Code & Opus Dei. All discussions about Catholic, Opus Dei and others that has no relations with the Belgian Royals have been removed. Any further discussion on the subject will be removed as per TRF Rules & Guidelines

Thank you.

purple_platinum
Belgian Forum Moderator