Can you embrace both orthodox Catholicism and 12-step spirituality?

[ex-12stepper]

Here’s a thread that I’ve always wanted to start and have finally sat down to do it. About 10 years ago at age 22, I was in college and had some social problems that I felt were really bothering me. I just didn’t seem to fit in, I felt I was different than most people around me. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was also addicted to masturbation and regularly indulged in “soft-core” pornography on cable TV late at night. When things finally crashed down on me, I went to see a counselor, and he suggested that I was an Adult Child of an Alcoholic.

 I immediately indulged myself in the whole recovery movement, going to ACoA and Alanon meetings.  At first it was great, but then I began to fall into some really obsessive thinking.  I began to see all of these conflicts between 12 step philosophy and Catholic doctrine.  Whenever I had a sponsor and expressed my concerns that chastity as traditionally taught by the Catholic Church was the way to go, they told me I was being too rigid, following a co-dependent pathway.  The priests I met who were part of 12 step programs introduced me to a lot of heterodox, leftist philosophy, and I remained involved in it for many years.  
 Finally, about 3 years ago, I stopped going to alanon meetings, and completely surrendered myself to orthodox Catholicism.  It's been great!  FOR ME, I found that I couldn't do both.  It was like following two masters.  I've met MANY other Catholic young men who grew up in alcoholic families and many others who are/have been addicted to pornography, and instead of a 12 step program, they use the sacraments and Catholic spirituality to live a chaste, non-codependant life!  12 step programs call themselves spiritual programs, but it seems to me that all my spiritual needs should be taken care of by my religion.

I’d be interested to hear what others think. I’m aware that there are members of 12 step programs on this forum who find no conflict with being an orthodox Catholic and a member of AA.

 

[Lapsed]

I really think the value of the 12 Steps, much like the Bible, depends very much on what the individual does with them.

At their most basic, the 12 Steps represent an outline of the repentance process, which certainly fits with orthodox Catholocism. The 12 Step movement, on the other hand, is certainly dominated by relativist philosophy and a feel-good mentality.

So with minor modifications, the steps themselves fit with Catholicism, but I’ve yet to encounter a 12 Step group which does.

 

[puzzleannie]

the problem with your experience with AA was the priests you met who gave you bad pastoral counselling, and that is a problem unfortunately endemic in the Catholic Church, not with the AA the 12 step philosophy per se. According to my cousin a SA officer who has been involved her entire life in working with alcoholics, AA was founded by Catholics.

the 12 step program is a beginning spirituality to address a specific problem in one’s life, and when one is ready to move on in the spiritual life, the great Catholic tradition is ready to offer more, and that is also what you may be experiencing.

 

[Jim]

I’ve had some great success with 12 step spirituality myself in the past, but I can emphasize on the fact that nearly every heterodox liberal Catholic community I’ve come across always seems to be very involved with 12-step and/or pop-psychology movements.

 But there are many orthodox Catholic movements that embrace the 12-step model as well: among them are the group COURAGE ([www.couragerc.net)](www.couragerc.net)), which aims to help Catholics with same-sex-attraction live chaste lives.  Fr. Benedict Groeschel is a big fan of AA and says it's completely compatable with our Catholic faith.  
 Also, there's been a Dominican priest on Catholic Answers Live several times named Fr. Emmerich Vogt who promotes the spirituality of 12-step programs.  Jerry always introduces him as being on the board of directors of Sexaholics Anonymous.  His website is [12-step-review.org/about/](http://www.12-step-review.org/about/)

 

[rubycanoe]

I think this is a really good question. I have been a Catholic all my life. When I was younger and very much in a drinking problem I went to some AA meetings and never went back. Later I have attended several Al-Anon meetings , got several of the books, and read them a lot. But I have been praying about this for years, if God wants me to do this , or to become a better Catholic, pray more often, go to confession more often. I read the Bible daily. I still am conflicted about this and not sure if I should attend AA, Al-anon , or both, or neither. It seems like the church doesn’t take a stand on this. There are meetings in Catholic churches, and I think many Catholics belong. But there seem to be pagans and others at the meetings, and it seems odd to hold hands and pray the Our Father . I am praying for a clear picture if I should put these programs, books, pamphlets, meetings etc away or try them again. My husband is an active alcoholic after being in treatment. My stepdaughter is in jail and has been to treatment for meth addiction. Several family members are alcoholics and two are addicted to RX pain medication. I had a lot of problems with alcohol in my 20’s, in my 40’s now , and I definitely know God doesn’t want me to drink , so I dont, but it is a struggle sometimes. I will continue praying about this.
God Bless

 

[David_Zampino]

puzzleannie:

the problem with your experience with AA was the priests you met who gave you bad pastoral counselling, and that is a problem unfortunately endemic in the Catholic Church, not with the AA the 12 step philosophy per se. According to my cousin a SA officer who has been involved her entire life in working with alcoholics, AA was founded by Catholics.

the 12 step program is a beginning spirituality to address a specific problem in one’s life, and when one is ready to move on in the spiritual life, the great Catholic tradition is ready to offer more, and that is also what you may be experiencing.

AA was NOT founded by Catholics. The founders of AA found their roots in the traditions of the Episcopal and Lutheran churches – with an unhealthy emphasis on the Lutheran (and Calvinist) doctrine of Total Depravity.

This is not to say that ALL Twelve Step groups are “Protestant” – but in my experience, it is only a shadow of what is available within the AUTHENTIC Catholic tradition.

 

[ex-12stepper]

David Zampino:

The founders of AA found their roots in the traditions of the Episcopal and Lutheran churches – with an unhealthy emphasis on the Lutheran (and Calvinist) doctrine of Total Depravity.
QUOTE]

Interesting! I didn’t know that.

 

[B_a_r_b]

God led me to Catholicism at which point He drove me to despair. My pastor tried to help me but couldn’t. He directed me to a counselor who told me that I needed to find a 12-step group or I would not get better.

I know that if I stop going to meetings, my pastor will give me all kinds of grief. My counselor also won’t approve. He’s a monk. And my sponsor is one of the most devout Catholics I’ve ever met: daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the whole nine yards.

I think they’re compatible - but I also thing that if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Right now I see God more in 12-step meetings than in the Liturgy. I don’t think that’s the way it should be, or the way it’ll always be. It’s just the way it is for me right now.

It has been a weird journey, to say the least. Certainly not what I planned when I signed up to become Catholic!

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

The 12 steps are very similiar to early spirituality in the Church. The early centuries.

Later we get complex and precise methods for attaining the virtues and realising sancity.
The prophets of old and early Christians practised a similiar spirituality which had at it’s centre union with Gods will.
The 12 steps can lead one to sanctity. But we can also learn from all the spiritual masters of the Church and their writings and we can be assured that there is no conflict between the 12 steps and Catholic asceticism or teaching.