u/XavierP2002

Hi, I have an architectural question for you all. I know that many Episcopal churches feature the Gothic architecture typical of Anglican churches, where the altar is located at the far end of the apse, behind the choir stalls. My question is: doesn't that feel very distant for the people in the nave? I’m not criticizing it at all—I actually think it looks lovely—I’m just curious about what the experience is like. My country 🇨🇱 has literally no more than 5 old Anglican churches with those characteristics, and I’ve never had the chance to visit them (plus, they rarely actually celebrate the Eucharist, but that’s a separate issue), so I can’t quite visualize what a service looks like in a church like that. Also, the Roman Catholic liturgical reform of the 1960s was a bit more radical here than in other South American countries, so most altars here are positioned to be as visible as possible; consequently, the idea of ​​an altar being "hidden" behind the choir or a rood screen seems a bit strange to me. I know many Episcopal/Anglican churches now have a second altar between the nave and the choir, but many others still prefer the traditional layout. What do you think? Can you actually see the altar clearly? And when you go to the rail for Communion, don't you feel like you have to walk a long way up—especially considering the elderly?

El otro día estaba viendo weas en ig y quede pa adentro con esa suerte de revisionismo histórico del estallido social, sobretodo de parte del oficialismo. Por supuesto que estamos casi todos de acuerdo en que durante el estallido hubieron actos vandálicos y todo lo que quieran, pero wn, yo recuerdo que en esa época estábamos literal todos de acuerdo con que este país necesitaba profundas reformas sociales, recuerdo que incluso el mismisimo Kast subio una foto de la marcha del 25/10 diciendo eso mismo. Yo recuerdo a un montón de gente conocida que salía a marchar también y estaba de acuerdo con las marchas. A mi personalmente me gustaba el espiritu de unión que se llegaba a sentir en las marchas de ese tiempo, por eso me resulta un poco choqueante ahora ver como Kast y todo su sector pintan el estallido como una especie de armagedon, y que fue la tragedia mas grande que le ha pasado a este país y la wea, como si no hubiera sido una mayoría importante de los chilenos comunes y corrientes los que se movilizaron, y lo peor, es que mucha gente de esa tiene probablemente la misma vision de Kast (considerando el 58% que sacó en las elecciones) ¿Estoy siendo muy alaraco o alguien mas piensa la misma wea?

(Edit: Mención honrosa para la tonta estúpida del Movimiento Gremial de la UC q hace un par de años dijo que el 18 de octubre del 2019 fue más violento que el golpe de estado del 73 XDD)

Hi, I am a Chilean 🇨🇱, officially Roman Catholic, although internally I feel spiritually closer to Episcopalianism because there are many Roman Catholic doctrines and practices that I don't fully accept, such as papal infallibility, which I completely reject. I am in favor of the use of contraceptives, the ordination of women to the priesthood, and abolishing celibacy. I am also in favor of sam3-sex marriage because I myself am gay, and it pains me that catholic church (in which I have actively participated since childhood) forbids me from living my life with the person I love and sees my existence as a problem rather than a gift from God. Probably most Catholics in my country share my opinions on these issues, but theologically I also feel more aligned with Episcopalian theology than with Roman Catholic theology. For example, I don't like the doctrine of transubstantiation, but I do believe in the Real Presence, I uphold Prima Scriptura, I don't believe in purgatory, I'm uncomfortable with the superstitions or extravagances that sometimes arise around the invocation of saints (although I do believe in their intercession), I don't think the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption should be mandatory dogmas, etc. If there were an Episcopal Church in Chile, I'd probably already be a member, but the problem is, there isn't one. The Anglican Church of Chile is incredibly conservative and definitely anti-liturgical (they're basically an evangelical church with English pedigree), so becoming a member of that church isn't an option. The closest thing to the Episcopal Church (excluding the Catholic Church) is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, although I don't know if my devotional practices are very compatible with theirs. Adding to that, it's a very small church and they don't even have congregations in my home region, so I could only attend when I'm in Santiago (I go to university there). What do you think? Should I remain a member of the Catholic Church or perhaps try the Lutheran Church?

Hello, I've been considering converting to Lutheranism for a while now, but I'm having trouble with the doctrine of invoking saints. I'm Catholic (not that Roman Catholic, actually, haha), but I strongly believe in the doctrine of the communion of saints and that they continue to pray for the Church in heaven. I love the idea that all righteous people continue in communion with those of us who are pilgrims on this earth and that I can find inspiration in their lives. It makes me feel accompanied. I like to talk to the saints with whom I feel a special connection (especially the Virgin Mary) as if I were talking to a close friend, sharing a few things about my life and asking them what they would say or do in my place. I also ask them to pray for me in the same way that when I visit the graves of my deceased relatives, I ask them to pray for me (since they are probably closer to God than I am). Yes, when I pray I address myself directly to the Lord (I also tell Him my problems, but in a much more formal way because He is God after all), and occasionally I ask Him to hear the prayers of the saints for us. My question is, is this compatible with Lutheranism? Yes, I know what Article XXI of the Apology for the Augsburg Confession says and all that, but I've read that Lutherans practice a kind of veneration of the saints in their private devotions. Furthermore, I believe this refers to the practice of invoking saints as if they were pagan gods, with each saint representing a specific aspect of their being. I have personally witnessed such cases and find them ridiculous, just as I am sometimes scandalized by the way some Catholics treat the Virgin Mary as if she were a goddess instead of the Theotokos. I think it would be more beautiful for Mary if we read the Gospel and sing the Magnificat rather than adorning her images with extravagant dresses and gold jewelry and holding processions and festivals (which is culturally beautiful, but I'm not sure how happy it makes her). What do you think? Can I be Lutheran with this way of thinking, or if I converted would I have to leave my meditations next to the images of the saints? I'm reading your comments.

P.S. I've attached a picture of a service in honor of Saint Lawrence the Deacon, whom I love dearly, the patron saint of my region. Yes, it's a Roman Catholic Mass in Chile in the 90s.

https://preview.redd.it/9wttx6umvfzg1.png?width=527&format=png&auto=webp&s=6b89862c37ec7455fecf556bae767dca60c88374