"But that's what my priest told me!"

[djrakowski]

If discussing religion at work isn’t one of the cardinal sins, it probably ought to be

I overheard one of my co-workers telling me when he was growing up in the '70s, his priest and catechists told him that individual confession to a priest was replaced by communal penance services. He also mentioned that the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays outside of Lent was eliminated, and objected when I told him that it had to be replaced by some other form of penance. In both cases, his answer was, “well, that’s what my priest told me!”

How do you approach folks who use this line to justify practices that are contrary to the explicit teachings of the Church?

 

[RCCDefender]

If discussing religion at work isn’t one of the cardinal sins, it probably ought to be

I overheard one of my co-workers telling me when he was growing up in the '70s, his priest and catechists told him that individual confession to a priest was replaced by communal penance services. He also mentioned that the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays outside of Lent was eliminated, and objected when I told him that it had to be replaced by some other form of penance. In both cases, his answer was, “well, that’s what my priest told me!”

How do you approach folks who use this line to justify practices that are contrary to the explicit teachings of the Church?

Say, “Well, priests are human too. He just made a mistake. Read your catechism!”

 

[djrakowski]

Say, “Well, priests are human too. He just made a mistake. Read your catechism!”

Yeah, I know

I said that, and he responded, “well, I’m gonna do what my parish tells me.” Cafeteria Catholic priests, as it seems is the case with this one, don’t help our cause one bit.

 

[netmilsmom]

If discussing religion at work isn’t one of the cardinal sins, it probably ought to be

I overheard one of my co-workers telling me when he was growing up in the '70s, his priest and catechists told him that individual confession to a priest was replaced by communal penance services. He also mentioned that the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays outside of Lent was eliminated, and objected when I told him that it had to be replaced by some other form of penance. In both cases, his answer was, “well, that’s what my priest told me!”

How do you approach folks who use this line to justify practices that are contrary to the explicit teachings of the Church?

Hey guess what D? I was told exactly the same thing!
Tell him that there was so much confusion in the past that now we turn to people like you who have studied the Catechism in a much more detailed way that us, cradle Catholics.

Pull out your copy of the CCC and show him the right instruction.
Although we believe the dogma to be infallable, individual Priests can be mistaken just like any of us. If the Priest still feels this way, your friend should ask him to show the documentation just as you have.

 

[djrakowski]

Hey guess what D? I was told exactly the same thing!
Tell him that there was so much confusion in the past that now we turn to people like you who have studied the Catechism in a much more detailed way that us, cradle Catholics.

Oh, knock it off, already, willya?!

Pull out your copy of the CCC and show him the right instruction.
Although we believe the dogma to be infallable, individual Priests can be mistaken just like any of us. If the Priest still feels this way, your friend should ask him to show the documentation just as you have.

Honestly, I think my co-worker and perhaps his parish priest are infected by a congregational Protestant mindset, where the pastor sets the rules for his flock, “and not some old guy in Rome who doesn’t know how we really live here in the States.”

In other words, what I have to say may not matter very much. I should also mention that this individual told me about his pre-marriage classes, and the priest gave them a wink-wink nudge-nudge when telling them, “well, the old guys in Rome *say *that you can’t sleep together before you’re married and you can’t use birth control.”

 

[netmilsmom]

Honestly, I think my co-worker and perhaps his parish priest are infected by a congregational Protestant mindset, where the pastor sets the rules for his flock, “and not some old guy in Rome who doesn’t know how we really live here in the States.”

In other words, what I have to say may not matter very much. I should also mention that this individual told me about his pre-marriage classes, and the priest gave them a wink-wink nudge-nudge when telling them, “well, the old guys in Rome *say *that you can’t sleep together before you’re married and you can’t use birth control.”

They’re from the Space ship parish aren’t they? You know the one, the “Mime Stations of the Cross” on Good Friday?

Look at him when he spouts something stupid and ask him if he likes being a heretic or if he’s just to dumb to know the difference?

I’m not helping here am I?

Oh, and tell him that if he and the priest will be meeting up in a place where it’s alway warm, if you get my drift.

 

[djrakowski]

They’re from the Space ship parish aren’t they? You know the one, the “Mime Stations of the Cross” on Good Friday?

Nah - they’re from a parish in Fraser - Our Lady Queen of All Saints, I think.

Look at him when he spouts something stupid and ask him if he likes being a heretic or if he’s just to dumb to know the difference?

I’m not helping here am I?

No, you’re not
I’d take your advice, but my family needs food, medicine and shelter, if you know what I mean.

 

[jmcrae]

Yeah, I know

I said that, and he responded, “well, I’m gonna do what my parish tells me.” Cafeteria Catholic priests, as it seems is the case with this one, don’t help our cause one bit.

Not saying it’s the case here, but I have run into people from time to time who say, “My priest told me …” when what they really mean to say is either, “I’m pretty sure my priest must have meant to say …” or else “If I were my priest, what I would have said was …”

I used to know a very sweet little old lady who used a really heretical version of the Bible at Bible study. When asked why she used this version instead of a Catholic Bible, her standard response was, “Father A. told me it was okay.”

One time, Father A. was actually in the room at the time she was asked the question. Guess what - that time, she suddenly recollected that it was actually Bishop C. who had told her that it was okay.

 

[netmilsmom]

No, you’re not
I’d take your advice, but my family needs food, medicine and shelter, if you know what I mean.

Well, next time just point and laugh. Hold your sides and tell him that he is such a hoot! You know he can’t possibly be serious. Then walk away wiping your eyes.

Or tell him that only the people that the Vatican REALLY cares about got the directions to follow the rules, and then ask him if he got his “Miraculous Metal” microchip. When he says no, drop your head and say, “Oh. Sorry man,”

That should get him thinking…
(okay that doesn’t help either)

 

[netmilsmom]

One time, Father A. was actually in the room at the time she was asked the question. Guess what - that time, she suddenly recollected that it was actually Bishop C. who had told her that it was okay.

What did Father A. say?

 

[Tom317]

Ask him what the name of his Priest is and offer to speak with the Priest about the matter.

 

[djrakowski]

Not saying it’s the case here, but I have run into people from time to time who say, “My priest told me …” when what they really mean to say is either, “I’m pretty sure my priest must have meant to say …” or else “If I were my priest, what I would have said was …”

You could be right on the money with this one. I guess it was rather unfair of me to immediately suspect that the priest and catechists were at fault.

I used to know a very sweet little old lady who used a really heretical version of the Bible at Bible study. When asked why she used this version instead of a Catholic Bible, her standard response was, “Father A. told me it was okay.”

One time, Father A. was actually in the room at the time she was asked the question. Guess what - that time, she suddenly recollected that it was actually Bishop C. who had told her that it was okay.

Funny how the sight of Fr. A suddenly jogged her memory, eh? I wonder what she would say if Bishop C were in the room - that Cardinal So-and-So was *really *the one who said it was OK?

 

[djrakowski]

Ask him what the name of his Priest is and offer to speak with the Priest about the matter.

I may just do that. It would only be fair, right?

 

[mrs_abbott]

If discussing religion at work isn’t one of the cardinal sins, it probably ought to be

I overheard one of my co-workers telling me when he was growing up in the '70s, his priest and catechists told him that individual confession to a priest was replaced by communal penance services. He also mentioned that the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays outside of Lent was eliminated, and objected when I told him that it had to be replaced by some other form of penance. In both cases, his answer was, “well, that’s what my priest told me!”

How do you approach folks who use this line to justify practices that are contrary to the explicit teachings of the Church?

Maybe he was talking about venial sins?

 

[netmilsmom]

Funny how the sight of Fr. A suddenly jogged her memory, eh? I wonder what she would say if Bishop C were in the room - that Cardinal So-and-So was *really *the one who said it was OK?

“Last week when I was speaking with Pope Benedict…”

 

[djrakowski]

Maybe he was talking about venial sins?

Nope - he said that individual confession was replaced completely by communal penance. I wish I could say otherwise

 

[jmcrae]

What did Father A. say?

He just folded his hands as though in prayer, gave a great frustrated-sounding sigh, and then started the lesson.

 

[netmilsmom]

He just folded his hands as though in prayer, gave a great frustrated-sounding sigh, and then started the lesson.

God Love him!
Sometimes that’s all you can do…

 

[RCCDefender]

Oh, knock it off, already, willya?!
Honestly, I think my co-worker and perhaps his parish priest are infected by a congregational Protestant mindset, where the pastor sets the rules for his flock, “and not some old guy in Rome who doesn’t know how we really live here in the States.”

In other words, what I have to say may not matter very much. I should also mention that this individual told me about his pre-marriage classes, and the priest gave them a wink-wink nudge-nudge when telling them, “well, the old guys in Rome *say *that you can’t sleep together before you’re married and you can’t use birth control.”

If I didn’t know any better I would this this guy goes to my old parish.

Notice I said “old” as in, nope, not gonna go there any more!! I found a good orthodox parish and I’m sticking with them!

 

[Tom317]

I may just do that. It would only be fair, right?

Of course. Just be nice and say you would like to show the Priest the proper documents reflecting the Churches teachings on those matters. If you do it nicely, you might win-over your co-worker.