‘Quit Catholic schools if you can’t stand our principles’ - Osei-Bonsu

[St_Francis]

So defending your beliefs and bringing people into the fold are mutually exclusive? I hardly think that’s true.

jtauke;12796590:

So defending your beliefs and bringing people into the fold are mutually exclusive? I hardly think that’s true.

Exactly it is this attitude which left most people adrift ,and it is time that the catholic teachers did their job. To do that they need to be better educated and better at inspiring .

What I see is someone who is reacting to a specific situation: parents sent their children to Catholic schools, and when the Catholic authority said that the educators in the schools needed to teach and act according to the teaching of the Catholic school, some parents *rebelled. *

Now, bringing people into the fold requires a certain amount of cooperation. If they cooperate, then one is not “defending” one’s beliefs. The Catholic Church is supposed to teach or proclaim certain truths. This does involve an effort to explain how the teachings are reasonable.

However, if the truths are in need of defending, then they are being attacked, no? And this means that the people doing the attacking are *not *cooperating.

So what is the Church to do? Some people say, Oh, the Church should not require annulments of previous marriages; the Church should simply accept current marriage. Other people say, I could join the Church if it weren’t for the fact the Church teaches pre- or extramarital activity is wrong–I think if they really loooooove each other, it’s ok. Some people object to the fact that the Church teaches that Christ is divine, that He is God and not just a really really really good man, or a special prophet. Other people say, I like the Church, but I hate that they require one to believe in God; I am an atheist, but I don’t want to stick out in church by not receiving the Eucharist.

So what do you suggest?

 

[edwest2]

That’s not what I said, nor meant.

Could his tone been different? Perhaps. But the point is that many people return to the Church or to evangelical communities because they do stand for something.

If we continue (in America) or other nations allow our/their Catholic education to be watered down or void of religion, we will lose future generations.

What good is it to attract some people now if 80 -90 % the next generation of Catholics do not come to Church?

Our schools have to teach our Children young so they do not fall into secularism and the false idea of “spiritual but not religious”

We have to fix and secure the foundation before focusing on growing. And that foundation is our children and young adults.

That is exactly right. Catholic schools cannot be symbolic, they need to be fully Catholic. They need to teach Catholic principles. The foundation must be laid and built upon so that we have young men and women who know the truth and are set free.

Ed

 

[edwest2]

What I see is someone who is reacting to a specific situation: parents sent their children to Catholic schools, and when the Catholic authority said that the educators in the schools needed to teach and act according to the teaching of the Catholic school, some parents *rebelled. *

Now, bringing people into the fold requires a certain amount of cooperation. If they cooperate, then one is not “defending” one’s beliefs. The Catholic Church is supposed to teach or proclaim certain truths. This does involve an effort to explain how the teachings are reasonable.

However, if the truths are in need of defending, then they are being attacked, no? And this means that the people doing the attacking are *not *cooperating.

So what is the Church to do? Some people say, Oh, the Church should not require annulments of previous marriages; the Church should simply accept current marriage. Other people say, I could join the Church if it weren’t for the fact the Church teaches pre- or extramarital activity is wrong–I think if they really loooooove each other, it’s ok. Some people object to the fact that the Church teaches that Christ is divine, that He is God and not just a really really really good man, or a special prophet. Other people say, I like the Church, but I hate that they require one to believe in God; I am an atheist, but I don’t want to stick out in church by not receiving the Eucharist.

So what do you suggest?

In a recent survey, some respondents said they found religion ‘too demanding.’

biblehub.com/matthew/7-13.htm

If we fail to tell the truth about God and the way they should live, to those going to Catholic schools, we fail in our goal to save them, their children and their children’s children.

Ed

 

[Catholic_farmer]

The mentality towards religion is sort of like the mentality towards shopping. Some people will not buy it if it isn’t convenient, easy, and comfortable. Throughout history, and today in the Middle East, being Christian is anything but comfortable. Just as it wasn’t comfortable being fed to lions long ago. Just reading about the apostles and early Church fathers tells us just how much Jesus asked of many of His followers. It was nothing less than everything. People don’t understand this very well. I know I didn’t before I studied to become Catholic.

Our world easily distracts us from what’s most important. I don’t blame the parents for not understanding, or for sending their kids to Catholic schools for the quality of education rather than the religion. That’s fine. Perhaps some of them will be curious enough to look deeper. Perhaps we’ll inspire their children. That’s the mission. As long as we are true to that, we are doing well. Let them come and don’t compromise our values. Maybe some of them will find God through the school. That’s how I became Catholic.

 

[SouthCatholic]

Are the parishioners leaving because of arrogance, or because Father teaches/preaches the full faith without compromise? Not trying to be snippy, I am really curious.

No. he doesn’t teach the full faith. In fact, some Sundays I sit there and wonder if he’s even Christian. His homilies generally have very little to do with the readings. He attacks people he has personal problems with from the altar. No one goes to confession there because he is known to throw stuff in your face and use it against you later. When I can’t deal with him, I go to another Catholic Church further down the road.

 

[Pulvis]

No. he doesn’t teach the full faith. In fact, some Sundays I sit there and wonder if he’s even Christian. His homilies generally have very little to do with the readings. He attacks people he has personal problems with from the altar. No one goes to confession there because he is known to throw stuff in your face and use it against you later. When I can’t deal with him, I go to another Catholic Church further down the road.

Very sad to hear this.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Shouldn’t he be trying to bring people back into the fold, rather than push them out or dare them to leave?

It is dangerous, if not suicidal, for any organization to allow people in, or permit them to stay in, if their stated goal is to change the bedrock values of the existing organization and make it conform to their own beliefs.

Better to clearly state the organization’s values, emphasize that these will not change under any circumstances, and that people should leave if they are unwilling to accept these principles. Attempts may be made to show schismatics the error of their ways, but under no circumstances should they be encouraged to believe that their subversive values will be accepted or that the organization will change its values.

At best, they may be allowed to remain, if they remain silent, but that has proven to be an invitation to insurrection.

If those same people persist in their defiance, and vocally attempt to subvert others in the organization into accepting the beliefs that are in opposition to the established values, they should be politely but courteously shown the way to the door.

 

[Tigg]

It is dangerous, if not suicidal, for any organization to allow people in, or permit them to stay in, if their stated goal is to change the bedrock values of the existing organization and make it conform to their own beliefs.

Better to clearly state the organization’s values, emphasize that these will not change under any circumstances, and that people should leave if they are unwilling to accept these principles. Attempts may be made to show schismatics the error of their ways, but under no circumstances should they be encouraged to believe that their subversive values will be accepted or that the organization will change its values.

At best, they may be allowed to remain, if they remain silent, but that has proven to be an invitation to insurrection.

If those same people persist in their defiance, and vocally attempt to subvert others in the organization into accepting the beliefs that are in opposition to the established values, they should be politely but courteously shown the way to the door.

 

[GraceSofia]

The whole issue was stirred up by Muslims students who enrolled in Catholic schools and then didn’t want to follow rules or attend the morning devotions. It’s being portrayed as Catholics discriminating against Muslims.

We won’t attend devotion --Muslims reject GES directive

Ghana Catholic Bishops: President’s threats to schools unwarranted
Includes the complete statement from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference on religious practices in mission schools.

 

[Catholic_farmer]

It is dangerous, if not suicidal, for any organization to allow people in, or permit them to stay in, if their stated goal is to change the bedrock values of the existing organization and make it conform to their own beliefs.

Better to clearly state the organization’s values, emphasize that these will not change under any circumstances, and that people should leave if they are unwilling to accept these principles. Attempts may be made to show schismatics the error of their ways, but under no circumstances should they be encouraged to believe that their subversive values will be accepted or that the organization will change its values.

At best, they may be allowed to remain, if they remain silent, but that has proven to be an invitation to insurrection.

If those same people persist in their defiance, and vocally attempt to subvert others in the organization into accepting the beliefs that are in opposition to the established values, they should be politely but courteously shown the way to the door.

Well stated! Every effort should be made to reach out, especially for the sake of children, but when the Catholic teachings are completely rejected and a push is made to force change, it is better to part ways.