Contradictory Advice From Priests

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CuriousInIL

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The specific question is unimportant; but, I asked the same moral theology/sin question of two priests and received totally contradictory answers. Each was well supported in his reasoning from the scriptures, Traditions and CCC. The reason for the difference in the two answers is a question of interpretation/definition of those sources.

What is one to do when receiving such contradictory advice from priests?

Asking a third priest as a tie-breaker seems less than reasonable and the reason I asked in the first place was because I was unsure.

By the way, the only reason that I asked the second priest was because a friend and I were discussing the answer I received from the first priest and the second priest came over to us during the discussion so we included him–I was not shopping for an answer, in fact, on a personal level, I prefer the first answer.
 
You should be able to search for confirmation one way or another by researching Church documents and teachings. Much has been written on many subjects. Hopefully you can find some type of indication one way or the other. Also, you might want to post the question here or pose it to Catholic Answers Apologists.

God Bless!
 
Tough, but all too common, situation.

If it were me, I would go with the advice of the priest that I know to be more orthodox in his beliefs. If I wasn’t sure about either of them, I would seek out a priest that I was sure was orthodox and go with his advice.

When you say that on a personal level you prefer the first answer, is it because it seems *right *or easy? Most of us tend to want to believe something that means less change for ourselves. But it is usually the more difficult advice that is right.

Good luck in determining the answer to your question. Oh, what I do when I want an orthodox answer is post my question in the Ask An Apologist forum.

Malia
 
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CuriousInIL:
Each was well supported in his reasoning from the scriptures, Traditions and CCC. The reason for the difference in the two answers is a question of interpretation/definition of those sources.

What is one to do when receiving such contradictory advice from priests?
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Welcome to the “I asked the same moral theology/sin question of two priests and received totally contradictory answers” alumni.

You want to know what the Church has consistently taught in application of moral theology to your particular situation. Many priests have personal “reasoning” and personal “interpretation”, which may very well mean their personal opinion. I am convinced that if you seek, research enough, that eventually you know what the Church has to say in your particular situation/application of moral theology. The key is to insist on orthodox advice/counsel. If for some reason your situation defies specific moral theology application, this is what the CCC has to say:

**1787 **Man is sometimes confronted by situations that make moral judgments less assured and decision difficult. But he must always seriously seek what is right and good and discern the will of God expressed in divine law.

**1783 **Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.
 
A Jewish friend once told me that when a Jew has a problem he is to pose it to a rabbi he trusts. He then has no sin if he folloows the rabbi’s advice. BUT, he must not ask two rabbis and take the answer he likes.

I think the same holds true for Catholics

[However, substitute priest for rabbi.😉 ]
 
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CuriousInIL:
The specific question is unimportant; but, I asked the same moral theology/sin question of two priests and received totally contradictory answers. Each was well supported in his reasoning from the scriptures, Traditions and CCC. The reason for the difference in the two answers is a question of interpretation/definition of those sources.

What is one to do when receiving such contradictory advice from priests?

Asking a third priest as a tie-breaker seems less than reasonable and the reason I asked in the first place was because I was unsure.

By the way, the only reason that I asked the second priest was because a friend and I were discussing the answer I received from the first priest and the second priest came over to us during the discussion so we included him–I was not shopping for an answer, in fact, on a personal level, I prefer the first answer.
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If the advice is contradictory, both priests cannot be correct.
 
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CuriousInIL:
Certainly true, but what is one to do in this situation?
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Well, start by checking the CCC. If one priest contradicts that and the other is in harmony, then you have your answer.

It would help if we could know what the question was, not the specifics, but in a general way what the topic was. Moral issues are often complicated.
 
The CCC does not help because the question is the interpretation of the CCC. And the first answer I received was the “stricter” answer. I really do not want to reveal the question because the debate will then center on the “right” answer to that question, which is not the point of this thread, but it concerns marital chastity.
 
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CuriousInIL:
The CCC does not help because the question is the interpretation of the CCC. And the first answer I received was the “stricter” answer. I really do not want to reveal the question because the debate will then center on the “right” answer to that question, which is not the point of this thread, but it concerns marital chastity.
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Often in cases which involve chastity (marital or other), the confusion lies in confusing objective sinfulness of the matter with the subjective culpability, which may be mitigated by circumstances.

Even priests don’t always see the distinction clearly and will say, for example, that masturbation is no longer considered a sin if it involves a strong, longstanding habit. But objectively taken, it is a sin. Subjective culpability, as mitigated by circumstances, is another matter altogether.
 
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CuriousInIL:
The CCC does not help because the question is the interpretation of the CCC. And the first answer I received was the “stricter” answer. I really do not want to reveal the question because the debate will then center on the “right” answer to that question, which is not the point of this thread, but it concerns marital chastity.
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The debate is one issue because there is a right or wrong in most cases. I really canot see what a stricter interpretation means.

I think the last post from merygate really is on the mark.
 
The point, however, is what does one do when you receive contradictory advice from priests on such a point and cannot tell objectively which advice is right.
 
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CuriousInIL:
The point, however, is what does one do when you receive contradictory advice from priests on such a point and cannot tell objectively which advice is right.
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Go with what you believe to be the higher standard.
 
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CuriousInIL:
The point, however, is what does one do when you receive contradictory advice from priests on such a point and cannot tell objectively which advice is right.
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I am trying to think of a situation when that would be the case? If the advice is contradictory, one would look at Church documents and see which advice is consistent with the constant teaching and which one is not.
 
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CuriousInIL:
The point, however, is what does one do when you receive contradictory advice from priests on such a point and cannot tell objectively which advice is right.
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Personally, depending upon how serious a matter, I would go with the higher standard as Mercygate suggested, or if it is a serious matter, I would continue my research as fix suggested until more conclusive.
 
While this is not the question being discussed by my friend and myself that led to my question, illustrative of my underlying issue is the following. How do you react when getting completely contradictory answers from two different priests on, for example. the meanings of “just reasons” or “the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood” from CCC 2368?
 
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CuriousInIL:
While this is not the question being discussed by my friend and myself that led to my question, illustrative of my underlying issue is the following. How do you react when getting completely contradictory answers from two different priests on, for example. the meanings of “just reasons” or “the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood” from CCC 2368?
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This paragraph is on contraception. I believe the threshold of “generosity” may be different for different couples depending on a LOT of reasons, including subjective ones, but not including a new Maserati. People tend to work on a continuum of grace, and the important thing is to be moving in the right direction.

Contraception would not be permissible, but a stringent adherence to best NFP practice could be justified based on a couple’s personal level of fear (provided they aim to overcome that fear). If a couple is not contra-cepting, and is abstaining from intercourse during fertile periods based on their best and generous judgment of what constitutes “serious reasons”, then that is all the Lord, the Church or anybody else can ask of them.
 
Mercygate

Thank you for your submission, but as I feared, talking about a particular question has led off of the issue. The question is not what constitutes “just reason.” The question is what is one to do with contradictory answers; for example, one priest definitievly says that concerns about the health of a baby due to the couple being older is a “just reason” and another just as definitiely says that it is not.

What does one do? Not which priest is right about that issue–my question is wht do you do after receiving such contradictory advice?
 
If your question is about NFP, then why not ask someone in the Church who is an expert on the subject? Did you try One More Soul:
omsoul.com/

Also, why not post your question about NFP on the NFP Outreach forum at EWTN.com?
 
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CuriousInIL:
Mercygate

Thank you for your submission, but as I feared, talking about a particular question has led off of the issue. The question is not what constitutes “just reason.” The question is what is one to do with contradictory answers; for example, one priest definitievly says that concerns about the health of a baby due to the couple being older is a “just reason” and another just as definitiely says that it is not.

What does one do? Not which priest is right about that issue–my question is wht do you do after receiving such contradictory advice?
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What you do is come to a mature decision based on your own knowledge as well as on the counsel you have received. The specific issue matters every bit as much as the contradictory clerical advice, as does your personal competence to come to a responsible decision. Humanae vitae does not state that you must hand your decision over to a priest.

If a couple wanted to abort a baby because of their age, then any advice supporting that decision must be discarded.

If they are planning to avoid intercourse because of their fear – which can be objective as well as subjective fear – then there is no Church teaching that says they must have intercourse during their fertile period. NFP is permissible and can be practiced with precision. Openness to life need not be interpreted as taking dead aim at it.
 
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