Catholic Radio & Divine Mercy, Bad?

[Nana_Rose]

Help me! I went to confession and started by telling the priest that this would be difficult for me. He was kind and encouraging. Told me to take a deep breath and go ahead when I was ready. I told him that I heard a priest on the radio…he interupted me to say, “You can’t believe everything you hear on the radio!” I said, it was on Catholic Radio. He said, “Well, I’m not a fan of Catholic Radio. They portrait everything as black and white, and it isn’t.” Well in my case, I said, it was a good thing. This priest encouraged people to not be afraid, that priest have heard it all…and to tell the priest you’re having a hard time and then trust in Jesus and make a good confession. Then I proceeded to say that I’ve had a strong devotion for some time now to Divine Mercy. He again interupted me and said,“That isn’t the best devotion.” When I questioned him as to why he said, “Well there are theological issues with it.” I didn’t press the issue and even though he was very kind and charitalbe I was feeling quite uneasy. My spirit was disturbed…can anyone relate? I can’t put my finger on it, but there you have it. I left feeling confussed. Is this what the church has come too? Are we this divided? I thank you for reading this and look forward to (name removed by moderator)ut…maybe from a priest out there?

 

[Ray_Marshall]

Nana Rose:

I told him that I heard a priest on the radio…he interupted me to say, “You can’t believe everything you hear on the radio!” I said, it was on Catholic Radio. He said, “Well, I’m not a fan of Catholic Radio. They portrait everything as black and white, and it isn’t…”

Then I proceeded to say that I’ve had a strong devotion for some time now to Divine Mercy. He again interupted me and said,“That isn’t the best devotion…” :

I’m not a theologian, but you might want to consider going to confession to a different priest.

Catholic radio is indeed very conservative. But it is not “dogmatic.”

The denial of God’s mercy by a priest is very troubling. Personally, without the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, there are many days on which I would be without hope.

 

[The_Barrister]

Devotions are not dogmatic. The priest might feel another devotion is more appropriate than yours, but that’s strictly a personal matter. His comment was off-base.

Priests DO have a responsibility to put your sins into focus, to discover what you’re doing in your life, so it’s perfectly fine for him to make deeper inquiries into your private life and private devotions. It is certainly within the bounds of confession that he can and should comment upon these things, so you have no complaint that he did so, but you CAN complain that the content of his comments were not in keeping with the faith.

It would appear that this particular priest may have a non-magisterial view of the way you’re learning, living and applying the faith. It might be in your best interests to seek a different confessor.

 

[OhioBob]

Nana Rose:

…I left feeling confussed. Is this what the church has come too? Are we this divided? I thank you for reading this and look forward to (name removed by moderator)ut…maybe from a priest out there?

Like everyone, priests are not perfect. And not all of them are equally skilled in all aspects of their ministry. Some are great preachers, some are not. Similarly, some are wonderful, empathetic, constructive confessors. Some are not. While all priests can offer absolution, some seem to have a gift in connecting with the penitent. At least that has been my experience.

It’s not an indictment of particular priests. Seminaries don’t produce atomatons who are identical in every aspect of their personality and ecclesiatical competence. They are just like everyone else in any profession in this regard.

I would seek out another priest as confessor. Hopefully you will find the comfort and solace that you seek.

Blessings.

 

[oldfogey]

Did he by any chance go to one of the seminaries where the students are actually discouraged from being too “devotional?” I think in general the Church discourages devotionals because many of the clergy have differences with all of them.

 

[Br.Dan_OCD]

Dear Nana Rose,

Many people can relate to you. The priest offered his opinions on Catholic radio and the chaplet. In this case, his opinions are not well founded so it seems to me that you can freely dismiss them. I, too, would suggest looking for another confessor–one whom you feel comfortable revealing your soul to. With this priest, you are likely going to struggle greatly in being open with him because you’ll fear his beng critical of you. It’s a natural reaction. Your disagreement with him isn’t a big concern as far as the entire Church is concerned but in the moment of confession, a confessor who we feel really understands us and is like us (devotionally and spiritually speaking) is very helpful and comforting. In the meantime, be confident in the mercy of God and know that you are forgiven even if the confession itself was rather penitential… (a penitential confession is not such a bad thing, after all. )

 

[Nana_Rose]

The Barrister:

Priests DO have a responsibility to put your sins into focus, to discover what you’re doing in your life, so it’s perfectly fine for him to make deeper inquiries into your private life and private devotions. It is certainly within the bounds of confession that he can and should comment upon these things, so you have no complaint that he did so, but you CAN complain that the content of his comments were not in keeping with the faith.

Thanks to all of you who have commented so far. And to Barrister, you’re absolutely right…they should take an interest and have every right to make inquiries…I hope I didn’t sound mad at him for that! I’m not even mad at this priest. They all do have different personalities and I’ve confessed to many different priest over the years. And in fact this is not my regular confessor. But what troubles me is this underlying anger…I’m not sure what is a good word. I have had such a positive experience with the devotion to Divine Mercy…unbelievable…wonderful! I have spread this devotion to family and friends too, and am not aware that there is anything wrong with this. And I’ve never heard anything bad on Catholic Radio. Just wondered if I’m in the dark. My husband said maybe I was sent to this priest for confession so I could pray for him. I probably will see him again…being the time available for confession is great for me, and I liked some of what he said, and the bottom line is I NEED THE SACRAMENT! Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Edwin1961]

As long as priests are human beings, you will find opinions smattered within their dialogue.

My brother is a priest, not yet a pastor, but I believe he will be rather orthodox when he gets a chance to run a parish. He has already told me that some ot the things his pastor does, does hit a nerve with him.

I just wonder what the percentage of pastors conduct Mass on the Second Sunday after Easter as prescribed by JP2 to be Divine Mercy Sunday. I think the problem is that St. Faustina is such a recent Saint and that the Devotion might seem to be pushed suddenly upon the parishes so quickly.

As a Byzantine Catholic, we have our own set of prayers and devotions BUT YET I have prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary because I do believe in the powerful graces they hold.

Keep your devotion strong and pray for this particular priest that the Lord opens his heart to the Divine Mercy.

go with God!
Edwin

 

[rayne89]

I can relate. When my husband and I began using NFP we also went to confession at the church we took the class at. When we had to return 2 weeks late because we used birth control (old habits die hard) i was told in the confessional I didn’t need to come that much only if I had serious sins. I said isn’t using birthcontrol serious? He siad *I *don’t think so. ( I wanted to say I’m really interested it what God thinks), but I didn’t want to be disrespectful. My husband was told if we have to go to confession( in the context of discussing sexual sins) before recieveing the Eucharist nobody would go.

Keep searching for a good confessor. It is easy to get disillusioned, I’ve been there.

 

[Mamamull]

Any preist who disses the Divine Mercy is not a true follower of the Holy Father. Who did more to see that St. Faustina was canonized than our Holy Father? He helped to start the process for canonization while he was a Bishop or Cardinal in Poland.

If our Holy Father even made St. Faustina the first saint of the new millenium. I know us Polish folks are pleased to stand up for what is good in our heritage, but the Holy FAther could have chosen some saint – like Padre Pio to be the first of new millenium.

The priest could have had better manners that to correct you so much and listened more with compassion. I would find a different confessor. A good confessor is essential to your spiritual life.