catholic?

[Lucky10279]

If someone (it is not me) does not beleive in indulgences or that they are obligated to go to mass on holy days of obligation is she a catholic?

 

[1ke]

A person is Catholic by virtue of their Catholic baptism.

Or, if they are baptized in a non-Catholic ecclesial community, they become Catholic through a profession of faith.

If this person has either been baptized Catholic or received into the Catholic Church, then that person is a Catholic.

As a Catholic they are obligated to assent to doctrines of the faith. Dissenting from Church teaching, missing Holy Days, etc, would be sins that need confessing.

You should direct your firiend to a priest for guidance.

 

[Lucky10279]

So it does not mean she left the faith?
It is my grandmother so I am not in much of a position to direct her to a priest.
Thanks though!
Mikayla

 

[1ke]

So it does not mean she left the faith?

No.

 

[Lucky10279]

Are you sure? When I went to CCD my teacher said that if someone does not believe what the church teaches they are not catholic. I do not mean to be rude I just do not know who to believe.
Mikayla

 

[Barbkw]

The five precepts of the Catholic Church:

beginningcatholic.com/precepts-of-the-catholic-church.html

Weekly Mass attendance is mandatory.

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.

We must “sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord” (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, “and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”

“If you are sick, tending to a sick child, or camping in the wilderness on Sunday and cannot get to Mass, it is not a grave violation to miss Mass that day.”

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c3a3.htm#II

II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

2042 The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.82

The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.83

The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.84

2043 The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.85

The fifth precept (“You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.86

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities.87

 

[1ke]

Are you sure? When I went to CCD my teacher said that if someone does not believe what the church teaches they are not catholic. I do not mean to be rude I just do not know who to believe.
Mikayla

Your CCD teacher is incorrect, or you misunderstood.

 

[steve_b]

If someone (it is not me) does not beleive in indulgences or that they are obligated to go to mass on holy days of obligation is she a catholic?

If a Catholic doesn’t believe in indulgences, chances are great, like 100%, they won’t ever benefit from them

If a Catholic doesn’t go to mass on Sundays, they are still Catholic but in mortal sin. A frightening prospect for the soul should it die in mortal sin.

 

[Lucky10279]

Thanks! She does go to mass on Sundays and holy days, she just does not think that it is a mortal sin to not go on holy days. And she does not believe in indulgences.
Mikayla

 

[thistle]

Thanks! She does go to mass on Sundays and holy days, she just does not think that it is a mortal sin to not go on holy days. And she does not believe in indulgences.
Mikayla

If she is actually ignorant about the Church teachings you should inform her of the teaching. Her vincible ignorance would not mean she had committed a mortal sin. However, if she knows the Church teaches that missing Mass on Sundays and other days of obligation is a sin of grave matter and she rejects that teaching then that would mean she is in a state of mortal sin.
When someone’s (especially a relative and loved one) immortal soul is in danger you should find a way to help and persuade her to see a priest.

 

[DavidFilmer]

She does go to mass on Sundays and holy days, she just does not think that it is a mortal sin to not go on holy days.

Does she think it is a mortal sin to break a promise? Is she Confirmed? If so, she has promised to uphold the precepts of the Church. This includes attending Mass on days of obligation, except with good cause otherwise.

It is not a sin if I do NOT wash your car next Saturday (and it ain’t gonna happen). But if I promise to wash your car next Saturday, and I fail to do so (without just reason), I have sinned - not because I have some moral obligation to wash your car, but because I broke my promise. Once I make a promise, I must keep my promise, which I have a moral obligation to keep. If I promise to uphold the precepts of the Church, then I must keep my promise. It does not matter if I promise to attend Mass on designated Holy Days, or if I promise to wash you car. Both promises are morally binding.

And she does not believe in indulgences.

That’s a completely different matter. No Catholic is ever compelled to seek or obtain an indulgence. She is perfectly free to “leave this money on the table” (as expressed in secular parlance). The Grace of Indulgences are freely available to her, but she is at liberty to ignore and reject this Grace. This Grace is not required for her salvation (though, like all forms of Grace, it is beneficial and constructive).

 

[Lucky10279]

Thanks!

 

[Chris_Etzel]

Thanks! She does go to mass on Sundays and holy days, she just does not think that it is a mortal sin to not go on holy days. And she does not believe in indulgences.
Mikayla

It sounds like she has opinions about certain aspects of the Catholic Christian faith. Why not find out why she doesn’t believe in indulgences or why she doesn’t consider it a mortal sin to miss Mass on holy days ? Compare her responses (privately) to Scripture and the Catechism.

She may simply take objection to indulgences because of a peripheral (or even direct) understanding of their role in the Crusades and Martin Luther’s movement.

She may simply consider things like Holy Days of Obligation to be man-made laws and not something the Lord would hold against her.

Again, find out why she feels this way and compare to Scripture and Catechism. You will surely be blessed by furthering your understanding not only of your Grandmother’s perspective on these things, but by a deeper understanding of indulgences/holy days yourself!

 

[Lucky10279]

Those are reasons are her reasons.
Mikayla