Am I really Catholic?

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anthonyjm

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Please be kind, as I am reluctant to even ask this question:

If I have a real understanding of what papal infallibility, papal authority, and the binding authority of papal encyclicals are and I disagree with it, consciously of course, am I truly a Catholic?

Simply put, if I believe in a more honorary rather than supremacy role of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, can I really consider myself a Catholic?

I am only asking so that I can be completely honest with who I am, not to start any controversies.

Kind regards…
 
Are you baptized in the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…
 
Yes, I was baptized, confirmed, in the RCC. One could say I’m a devout Catholic, as I have frequently received the Sacraments these past few years, i.e. daily Mass & regular Confession and have on/ off prayed the Rosary. It’s just that I believe in a decentralized hierarchy similar to the Orthodox Churches or Anglican Communion.
 
I though that publicly renouncing Catholic faith meant excommunication, but that you’d still be technically Catholic. So what is it I’m misunderstanding?
 
Thanks Deacon, for your response. So here is my next question: with all of this in mind, can or should I receive Holy Communion?
 
Yes, I was baptized, confirmed, in the RCC. One could say I’m a devout Catholic, as I have frequently received the Sacraments these past few years, i.e. daily Mass & regular Confession and have on/ off prayed the Rosary. It’s just that I believe in a decentralized hierarchy similar to the Orthodox Churches or Anglican Communion.
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Perhaps you touch on something I did not think to ask: does “yes” to my original question somehow “ex-communicate” me?

I’m not trying to ex-communicate myself by any means. I’m just looking for a polite, but honest answer.
 
Thank you… if I my ask: are you an ordained deacon or is that just your screen name.
 
Ah, I see. So what would the effect under today’s canon be? The excommunicated but still Catholic? I’m thankful for your time.
 
Papal infallibility is Catholic belief which you must accept. Disagreeing with it means you are unable to believe one of the core tenets of Church faith. Technically, a baptized Catholic will make you remain a Catholic. You have to examine yourself thoroughly and in prayers why you disagree, then deal with the reason. You have to be humble to accept Church’s belief and believe that the Church has the fullness of truth.

God bless.
 
Blessings
Unless Pope speaks ExCathedra, we can disagree. Plus, if the ExCathedra issue is something that doesn’t concern us, so what. There is no religion that you will find that you will entirely agree w beliefs. Enjoy your worship and relationship w Jesus. No abortions or death penalties. The gospel is simple and complex. God is, He loves you. He sent His Son to save you. Believe and have new life.
In Christ’s love,
Tweedlealice
 
I see there is a range of opinion here. Thank you all for your answers. I think my best course of action is to be patient and see what God reveals to me. This past weekend was the first weekend in many, many years that I did not attend a Catholic Liturgy. I felt like I just needed to take a break for awhile. So I actually went to a Protestant Church and accepted their open offer to receive Holy Communion (and yes, I understand its not a “valid” Eucharist in an Episcopal Church). What I don’t understand is how I am now in a state of mortal sin. I’m a policeman and leaving for work soon. God forbid something should happen to me and according to Church teaching I’m pretty much doomed. Doesn’t make sense.
 
Think you really need to talk to a good solid, faithful priest. Maybe in confession, maybe a weekend retreat, maybe at some other setting. While I’m sure the Deacon’s response is certainly correct, I think from your last post there is something to your post that is not complete clear or stated.
You went to an Episcopal service and received communion. If you did it because intellectually you were and are searching, I wonder if that constitutes sufficient reflection and full consent of the will to a mortal sin? If you received as a public statement that as a Catholic you don’t believe in the RCC as a member of the RCC, that’s a different kettle of fish.
With all due respect, it sounds like there are more issues at work than just an intellectual question about Church authority. Think you need to examine this to a more thorough degree than just with anonymous posters on a internet forum. I wish you well.
Shalom
 
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