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FM927
Guest
Who are you to suggest that people leave the Catholic Church because they don’t follow
it the way you do. Let those people work it out with God and let HIM be the one to judge them, not you!
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it the way you do. Let those people work it out with God and let HIM be the one to judge them, not you!
J
JacktheCatholic
Guest
It has nothing to do with how I follow God but how God calls us to live.
That is a big problem with Protestants and cafeteria Catholics, they think it is all about them.
It is time for people to tell it like it is. God must be central to a Christian’s life. God established a Church and it is Catholic. Do not be mad at me for what God has created. Instead learn to Love and make God the center of your life. When you do I will see you at the Catholic Church.
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CWBetts
Guest
Absolutely right. It is time to speak boldly!
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SteveGC
Guest
There are a variety of acceptable ways in which Catholics individually practice their faith within The Church…whether it be devotion to Mary, daily Mass, venial sin confession, pilgrimages, vocations, on and on.
Then there are unacceptable ways…
Picking and choosing precepts to obey, partaking of the Eucharist under mortal sin, condoning contraception/abortion/euthanasia, Mass on Easter and Christmas only, or any other rebellious, cafeteria-style faith lifestyle which denies authentic teaching of faith and morals.
We refer to the latter of these as intolerable for Catholics, and you really have to be a practicing one to appreciate what this means to us. Cafeteria Catholics, in my opinion, do more damage to The Church than any group of anti-Catholics have ever done. Heck, I converted to the Church because of an anti-Catholic (my father), because the claims were so outlandish, I had to see for myself.
Cafeteria Catholics do far more damage, like the one probably in the story of the OP above. I’ll tell you what I think part of the problem is. The word “Catholic” has become a word like “Jewish”, having more than one connotation for people. Far too many “Catholics” identify themselves as such solely because they were born into it. Somewhere along the genealogy, their family probably were devout, and were therefore properly labeled a Catholic family. This label sticks regardless of the loss of faith of future generations within the family, and with damaging consequences. They now represent Catholicism to the world they encounter. It’s really bad in Hollywood and Washington. Case in point, Joy Behar of the View, and Nancy Pelosi. Two of the worst spokespersons for Catholicism in our modern age. Neither know squat about what the Church teaches, but wear the Catholic label around with no problem, and what’s worse, make decisions and voice opinions as if the Church teaches them the rubbish they speak.
On the flip side, no other denomination gets labeled like that. They’re all just “Christians”, safe in the chaotic mass of believers in Jesus, with no worry of misrepresenting an ecclesial community. So Catholics are easy targets because over half of them profess the title, while denying the Church.
I don’t want them to leave. I want them to STOP USING THE TITLE CATHOLIC until such time that they actually start to live up to it.
God Bless
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NHInsider
Guest
Except, of course, that they are Catholics. Even if you’ve been formally excommunicated, you’re still a Catholic. Unlike churches which are membership clubs which one joins and leaves at will, the Church is a new life, into which one is initiated by sacraments that leave, as we used to say, an “indelible mark” on the soul.
Lapsed Catholic, rebellious Catholic, schismatic Catholic, even damned Catholic, but Catholic just the same. “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic” is not a joke line.
I do think it’s reasonable to demand that people be honest, to NOT imply that what they say is “Catholic” because they happen to be Catholic. I think it is important for the Church to state firmly “that’s not compatible with Catholic teaching” when it’s not. I think it’s perfectly reasonable for a bishop to say “don’t present yourself for Communion in my diocese.”
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JacktheCatholic
Guest
I understand your line of thinking and agree. But in this same vein of thought we can say any person that has a received a valid baptism is Catholic also regardless of their professed faith. In that way of thinking Unam Sanctum makes perfect sense.
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SteveGC
Guest
Fully agreed. They are forever Catholic. Actually anyone validly baptized is such, whether they realize it or not, whether they accept it or not. But there’s a distinction to be made here.
Everyone validly baptized is enjoined to God, made adoptive sons or daughters of the Most High. And because the grace which flows from baptism which makes this adoption possible comes from the conduit of the Holy Spirit, The Catholic Church, they are forever identified as “Catholic”. Now, the only ones who would even desire to carry that title are those who were baptized in The Church, and do not depart from Her, whether they practice their faith post-baptism or not.
What I have a problem with is those who reject the Church post-baptism, yet profess themselves as “Catholic” unto the world. I have no problem with the fact that, in essence, they remain Catholic. I do have a problem with their social profession as such, for it scandalizes The Church when someone identifies themselves as part of Her, yet reject Her in one way or another…openly.
Like someone calling into a Protestant radio show, identifying themselves as Catholic, and proceeding to ask about salvation. If they want to call in and ask about salvation…fine. Have at it. But don’t publicly profess yourself as Catholic when you do. It is insult and scandal.
God Bless
J
JacktheCatholic
Guest
When I read the Bolded I thought of Jesus saying “Hypocrites!”
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SteveGC
Guest
Amen. It’s what I say too.
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Letchitsa1
Guest
Two words: poor catechesis. It is a failure at a number of levels: bishops who don’t emphasis correct church teaching and enforce it when necessary, priests who do not teach as they are called to do, parents who do not pass on the faith to their children as they have promised when they had their children baptized, and the individual who - in spite of all the hurdles put up in front of them, does nothing to fulfill their part in making sure they learn their faith to the best of their ability. Although it wasn’t always the case - this age of mass communication makes the resources available to all Catholics who really wish to learn their faith. Availability, however, cannot overcome willful ignorance.
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Letchitsa1
Guest
Not just after confirmation, but before it as well. Parents are the primary educators of their children. That still does not negate the Church’s responsibility to teach as well, however, especially from the pulpit. How many Catholics can pick a recent date on the calendar for when they last heard their parish priest speak on Church teachings on Sunday and tie those teachings into the Gospel and how it applies to our every day life? I bet the overwhelming majority cannot.
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Letchitsa1
Guest
Show them how their faith is relevant in their daily lives. Many people have never had that connection made for them and do not know how to make the connection themselves. It is human nature, however, to be interested in what we feel is relevant to us. Also - present it in a way that is fresh to them, though often just showing them how it is relevant will do that as well. But get them thinking and asking questions - their curiosity will take them quite a ways.
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MarysGirls
Guest
A Fr. Corapi quote that I always get a chuckle out of is most appropriate here:
lol… I can hear him saying that so well…
Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!
R
RubenZ
Guest
Exactly. Everything Protestants claim to know is proven wrong in the very bible they claim to know! Thats just as bad as a catholic not knowing his faith.
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