Can I work for the Episcopal church?

[PhilipIII]

Hi, I applied for a job at a Episcopal church as an administrative assistant. I was called for an interview which isn’t to take place until the 20th of April. I really didn’t think much about it until I read a little on the Episcopal church, now I’m a bit worried. Is it a sin as a Catholic to work for another church?

Thanks,

Philip

 

[beeliner]

Hi, I applied for a job at a Episcopal church as an administrative assistant. I was called for an interview which isn’t to take place until the 20th of April. I really didn’t think much about it until I read a little on the Episcopal church, now I’m a bit worried. Is it a sin as a Catholic to work for another church?

Thanks,

Philip

Of course not! Hope you get the job!

(P.S. I would be a little more concerned if it were a church known to be hostile to Catholicism, but in that case they probably wouldn’t hire you anyway.)

 

[curlycool89]

I’m not really sure.

I would say that as with all jobs though that if working there becomes an occasion of sin then it’s probably better to not work there.

 

[baltobetsy]

I work in an Episcopal parish as a paid choir soloist. Been there 22 years. None of my (strict & serious) confessors have ever told me I should not work there.

Good luck.

Betsy

 

[Holly3278]

I doubt that it is a sin to work for the Episcopal Church but personally, I wouldn’t do it. I would not want to support an organization that is known for its support of gravely immoral things such as homosexual “marriage”, abortion, and the ordination of women.

 

[rick43235]

I doubt that it is a sin to work for the Episcopal Church but personally, I wouldn’t do it. I would not want to support an organization that is known for its support of gravely immoral things such as homosexual “marriage”, abortion, and the ordination of women.

Would your job duties include marrying a person of your own sex? Performing abortions? Ordaining women? If not, I think you’re good to go.

 

[beeliner]

I doubt that it is a sin to work for the Episcopal Church but personally, I wouldn’t do it. I would not want to support an organization that is known for its support of gravely immoral things such as homosexual “marriage”, abortion, and the ordination of women.

I am not, under ANY circustances, going to get into a protracted exchange over abortion, but, taking your items one at a time:

The Episcopal Church is deeply divided over the issue of homosexual relationships.

It certainly does not support abortion.

There isn’t anything ‘gravely immoral’ about the ordination of women. Like allowing priests to marry, it is something that the Episcopal Church permits and the Roman Catholic Church currently does not. Not a moral issue at all.

If the thread originator is still in doubt, however, s/he should consult his/her own pastor.

 

[Holly3278]

I am not, under ANY circustances, going to get into a protracted exchange over abortion, but, taking your items one at a time:

The Episcopal Church is deeply divided over the issue of homosexual relationships.

It certainly does not support abortion.

There isn’t anything ‘gravely immoral’ about the ordination of women. Like allowing priests to marry, it is something that the Episcopal Church permits and the Roman Catholic Church currently does not. Not a moral issue at all.

If the thread originator is still in doubt, however, s/he should consult his/her own pastor.

Actually, the ordination of women is immoral. It is wrong and it is immoral.

catholic.com/library/Women_and_the_Priesthood.asp

Also, you say that the Roman Catholic Church currently does not permit the ordination of women. Well, I can tell you with 100% certainty that the Catholic Church will never allow the ordination of women.

That said, I did not intend to offend you and I also did not intend to try and start a debate on abortion. Please forgive me if I have offended you. If, however, I have offended you by posting the truth then I do not ask for forgiveness because I have done nothing wrong by posting the truth.

 

[beeliner]

Actually, the ordination of women is immoral. It is wrong and it is immoral.

catholic.com/library/Women_and_the_Priesthood.asp

Also, you say that the Roman Catholic Church currently does not permit the ordination of women. Well, I can tell you with 100% certainty that the Catholic Church will never allow the ordination of women.

That said, I did not intend to offend you and I also did not intend to try and start a debate on abortion. Please forgive me if I have offended you. If, however, I have offended you by posting the truth then I do not ask for forgiveness because I have done nothing wrong by posting the truth.

Hi Holly! No, you haven’t offended me at all, if everyone agreed on every issue this board would be quite boring!

I have no doubt that Catholics, especially Catholic clergy, once said that a woman could NEVER become a Doctor of the Church, and kept on saying that, with the same “100% certainty” that you profess, right up until St. Teresa of Avila was so honored.

I simply don’t understand your theory that female ordination is a MORAL matter. Moral in what sense? That the Roman Catholic Church does not permit it is not in dispute. The Episcopal Church once did not and now does. Other Protestant churches, notably the Methodists, have had female clergy for a long time. Should a future pope decide that the time has come to open the RC priesthood to women, then open it will be.

But I’m not holding my breath.

In any case, good luck with your tummy!

 

[Bran_Stark]

I doubt that it is a sin to work for the Episcopal Church but personally, I wouldn’t do it. I would not want to support an organization that is known for its support of gravely immoral things such as homosexual “marriage”, abortion, and the ordination of women.

Well, from Rome’s perspective, male Episcopal priests are just as invalid as female Episcopal priests, right?

 

[camerong]

Well, from Rome’s perspective, male Episcopal priests are just as invalid as female Episcopal priests, right?

Exactly. And this, I think, is what makes it qualitatively different from, say, a church which marries homosexuals in other ways. Marrying homosexuals causes each to be in grave sin. Having a female preaching and giving crackers that are symbolic of Christ is no worse than having a male do the same–and neither leads a person into sin, per se.

It seems to me that if the particular pastor you work for would marry homosexuals, or condone premarital sex or in any other way lead people into grave sin, then you shouldn’t work there and help him/her accomplish this purpose. Otherwise, all the more power to you in helping non-Catholic churches. They’re our brothers and sisters in Christ–even if they have some big misunderstandings–and they’re trying to bring people to Him as well.

 

[curlycool89]

I simply don’t understand your theory that female ordination is a MORAL matter. Moral in what sense? That the Roman Catholic Church does not permit it is not in dispute. The Episcopal Church once did not and now does. Other Protestant churches, notably the Methodists, have had female clergy for a long time. Should a future pope decide that the time has come to open the RC priesthood to women, then open it will be.

The priesthood is male-only. That is part of the deposit of faith. It is unchangeable. Protestants have also changed their mind of artificial birth control, and some have changed their mind on abortion, but that doesn’t make it right. The Pope cannot open the priesthood to women because Holy Orders cannon be validly given to women. Even if a woman receives Orders from a validly ordained Bishop using the valid form, it would still be invalid. Rome simply does not have the power to change it, just like it doesn’t have the power to change the matter of the Eucharist.

 

[lizaanne]

Hi, I applied for a job at a Episcopal church as an administrative assistant. I was called for an interview which isn’t to take place until the 20th of April. I really didn’t think much about it until I read a little on the Episcopal church, now I’m a bit worried. Is it a sin as a Catholic to work for another church?

Thanks,

Philip

Why would you in any way wish to promote or support a religion that teaches heresy? I would have massive issues with that, I could never bring myself to do such a thing.

~Liza

 

[beeliner]

The priesthood is male-only. That is part of the deposit of faith. It is unchangeable. Protestants have also changed their mind of artificial birth control, and some have changed their mind on abortion, but that doesn’t make it right. The Pope cannot open the priesthood to women because Holy Orders cannon be validly given to women. Even if a woman receives Orders from a validly ordained Bishop using the valid form, it would still be invalid. Rome simply does not have the power to change it, just like it doesn’t have the power to change the matter of the Eucharist.

Well, firstly, my difference of opinion with poster Holly was whether it was a matter of MORALITY rather than VALIDITY vis-a-vis canon law. But perhaps this is little more than semantics. To me, whether it is right to lie, kill, or commit adultery is in a different category than what the Church allows or forbids on the basis of its authority. The former are MORAL matters, the latter are not, in that sense.

Apart from that, I think you are on rather shaky ground here. Should a future pope choose to open the priesthood to women, who would stop him? God, by causing the death of that pope before the change went through? Fair enough, I’m all for that situation occurring and seeing if the Lord intervenes. Are you? And by the way, I have NEVER met a Catholic, clergy or laity, who thinks that women should not be eligible for ordination, apart from my contacts on this forum.

Now, regarding contraception, which Protestants have ‘changed their mind’ on that? I don’t know of ANYONE except Roman Catholics and perhaps a few ultra-orthodox Jews, who has EVER considered it sinful for married couples to plan their families RESPONSIBLY, using reliable methods of birth control, rather than being IRRESPOSIBLE by having more children than they want and/or can afford. And of the Roman Catholics, what percentage simply ignores the Church’s prohibition as being ridiculous and lacking common sense, while continuing to love the Lord and their Church?
I think that percentage would be high, though I’m not aware of reliable statistics being available.

Hopefully the current scandals will have the ‘silver lining’ of ultimately bringing Church leadership into closer touch with reality.

 

[curlycool89]

Now, regarding contraception, which Protestants have ‘changed their mind’ on that? I don’t know of ANYONE except Roman Catholics and perhaps a few ultra-orthodox Jews, who has EVER considered it sinful for married couples to plan their families RESPONSIBLY, using reliable methods of birth control, rather than being IRRESPOSIBLE by having more children than they want and/or can afford. And of the Roman Catholics, what percentage simply ignores the Church’s prohibition as being ridiculous and lacking common sense, while continuing to love the Lord and their Church?
I think that percentage would be high, though I’m not aware of reliable statistics being available.

Ok, I really don’t want to drag this off topic, but now you’ve gone right off the deep end. Humanae Vitae is the authoritative document on artificial contraception and is an unchangeable Catholic doctrine. Even if every Catholic in the world thought it was right, it would still be wrong because what is ultimately moral is not dictated by majority opinion. God is the only one who can set morality, and the Catholic Church is the only one infallibly protected by the Holy Spirit in order to present what is moral or not.

Apart from that, I think you are on rather shaky ground here. Should a future pope choose to open the priesthood to women, who would stop him? God, by causing the death of that pope before the change went through?

Don’t be too hasty, it’s happened before. There was a Pope (Pope Sixtus V looks like) who was about to teach heresy (in a new translation of the Bible no less) who suddenly died (something like a few days before it was going to happen). He was in good health and everything. There was a second Pope (looks like it was Pope Vigilius) who suddenly recanted on a heretical belief that he was expected to make “official”.

Fair enough, I’m all for that situation occurring and seeing if the Lord intervenes. Are you? And by the way, I have NEVER met a Catholic, clergy or laity, who thinks that women should not be eligible for ordination, apart from my contacts on this forum.

I live in Canada (you know, that liberal enclave) and go to a public university. We have a Catholic liberal arts college here. People who hang around are pretty secure in the belief in a male-only priesthood.

 

[kage_ar]

Could we clear up which Episcopal group we are talking about?

 

[Whidbey]

I did for many years, with my Priest’s blessings. It was a rather Anglican church not hostile to Catholic teachings (as some are) and a wonderful work place.

I kept a copy of the Catechism in my desk. It was not my job to evangelize (as the Rector made sure to point out!) and when questions came up (and they did!) I would simply say that if they wanted to know about Catholicism they should look to the Bible and the Catechism, and then I’d lend them the Catechism and give them my home phone number in case they wanted to talk after work.

 

[beeliner]

1. Ok, I really don’t want to drag this off topic, but now you’ve gone right off the deep end. Humanae Vitae is the authoritative document on artificial contraception and is an unchangeable Catholic doctrine.
2. Don’t be too hasty, it’s happened before. There was a Pope (Pope Sixtus V looks like) who was about to teach heresy (in a new translation of the Bible no less) who suddenly died (something like a few days before it was going to happen). He was in good health and everything. There was a second Pope (looks like it was Pope Vigilius) who suddenly recanted on a heretical belief that he was expected to make “official”.
3. I live in Canada (you know, that liberal enclave) and go to a public university. We have a Catholic liberal arts college here. People who hang around are pretty secure in the belief in a male-only priesthood.

1. Firstly, you’re right, it’s off topic.

Secondly, I accept my Church’s authority to ‘bind and loose’ on ecclesiastical and liturgical matters. That would certainly include who is and is not eligible for ordination to the priesthood. We disagree only in whether a future pope has the authority to make changes.

If, however, the Church were to declare, infallibly and ex cathedra, that two plus two equals five, it would still equal four. Also, don’t I recall something from a few centuries ago regarding the motions of heavenly bodies?

It seems to me that telling me how to plan my family and what to do in bed with my wife’s own heavenly body comes very close to that. Those are not matters in which the Church hierarchy has any reason to intervene. It’s not a matter of authority so much as common sense. Now, if I were mistreating her, or my children, that would obviously be a different matter, that would be a moral issue.

1. That is very likely true. Nonetheless, in the scenario I proposed, if I were a gambling man, and I am, I would bet that the pope would come through unscathed and the ordination of women would proceed, marking a giant step forward for Catholicism. It is simply impossible for me to believe that God is sexist or unfair.
2. Does that apply to the women or only the men? I never said there weren’t any, only that I wasn’t personally acquainted with any.

 

[OraLabora]

Actually, the ordination of women is immoral. It is wrong and it is immoral.

Being wrong does not make one necessarily “immoral”. It just makes one wrong.

The doctrine is erroneous (and rightly so) in our eyes, but licit and correct in theirs.

What would in fact be immoral would be for them to act against their deeply held convictions. That could actually mean it would be immoral for them to discriminate against female clergy if in fact they have the deeply-held belief that female clergy is OK.

Last I saw the Church upholds freedom of religious beliefs even when those are in error, and never ever condemns the moral fiber of the believers who hold beliefs opposite to ours.

I fully concur that female ordination is heretical, but don’t see how we can impose that on non-Catholics.

 

[curlycool89]

If, however, the Church were to declare, infallibly and ex cathedra, that two plus two equals five, it would still equal four.

A Pope can only speak ex cathedra on faith and morals. If the Pope says that Catholic’s should only support the Red Sox, you can ignore him. Math is not part of faith and morals.

Also, don’t I recall something from a few centuries ago regarding the motions of heavenly bodies?

I swear that I keep answering the same questions on different forums. The problem with Galileo was that he moved from science into theology. He was allowed to continue the science, and told to stop with the theology.

It seems to me that telling me how to plan my family and what to do in bed with my wife’s own heavenly body comes very close to that. Those are not matters in which the Church hierarchy has any reason to intervene. It’s not a matter of authority so much as common sense.

I’m not sure who mislead you into this. God has authority over everything, including sexual behaviors. Morally, sex is ordered towards unity and procreation. Anything that goes against that, including being closed to life by using artificial contraception, is disordered.

1. That is very likely true. Nonetheless, in the scenario I proposed, if I were a gambling man, and I am, I would bet that the pope would come through unscathed and the ordination of women would proceed, marking a giant step forward for Catholicism. It is simply impossible for me to believe that God is sexist or unfair.

And yet God revealed Himself as Father and Jesus was the Son of God. You can’t dispute that. It is the priesthood of Jesus Christ, who was a man. Full stop.

There’s also no good theological reason to support it. You can’t just add stuff willy nilly. There’s only an emotional victim complex.

1. Does that apply to the women or only the men? I never said there weren’t any, only that I wasn’t personally acquainted with any.

Both. We’re seem to be a bunch of faithful young Catholics. Not staunch traditionalists either.