Right here on Catholic Answers is a great source of trustworthy information about Catholic teaching. At the top of this thread is an ad for Knights of Columbus, home study course. Check into that for now also. Maybe if you can call the local priest, he may be able to help you answer many of your questions. He may even be able to arrange rides for you to Mass etc. Please don’t get discouraged. Your on the right path to Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is a challenge, especially at your age with lack of transportation and family support, but it is well worth the effort. In spite of what most protestants think, our Catholic Faith is centered around Jesus Christ and what he has taught us. We are the original Christians. We completely defend life, marriage, family, the dignity of every human person and so much more. I am a lifelong Catholic and 79 years old and I still learn more every day. Watching EWTN, the Catholic Cable network has taught me so much and also Catholic Answers. My prayers are with you, God Bless, Memaw
That is horrific! The priest has a duty to save the souls of all those within his parish. Is it human respect for the parents or fear of criticism from the world that makes priests turn people away from Jesus (which is precisely what they are doing if they deny entry to the Church for someone who believes in her teachings, desires to live a Godly life and requests entry)? Or is it ignorance? The age of reason is approximately 7, not 18.
Maybe you need to talk to a priest! God Bless, Memaw
Why?
It isn’t “horrific,” it’s common sense. How would you feel if a Protestant minister or cult leader went behind your back to convert your minor children?
Parents’ feelings do not dictate the truth. I would do what I could to prevent a Protestant minister or cult leader converting my children because their religions are not true and it would be my God given duty to protect them. A non-Catholic may in their ignorance believe it to be their duty to prevent their children being converted to Catholicism but they would be wrong. You are comparing apples with oranges. Children belong to God not their parents and it is our Catholic duty to convert them if we can. Jesus did not say ‘Adults, and children with your parents’ blessing, repent and believe in the Gospel’, It is a monstrous sin against charity to be in a position where you can convert a child, but refrain from doing so out of respect for the parents; That is called ‘human respect’. In any case, we are speaking here of children and even young adults under 18 asking to be received into the Church but being rejected. If they died without perfect contrition they would indeed go to hell and it is actually a difficult thing to remain in a state of grace without the sacraments and surrounded by worldlings and others seeking to lead you from the truth. The objection of the parents gives good grounds to have the child received as soon as possible so that they can receive the sacraments and keep the Faith in a hostile household.
Speak with your Priest. I don’t know any Priest who would allow a minor into the Church without the consent of the parents.
Purgatory is a place for those who die with venial sins on their soul, or with punishment remaining for their mortal and venial sins which have been forgiven. The sacraments are ordinarily necessary for salvation. Without the sacraments it is difficult to remain in a state of grace. Without Confession, it is necessary for salvation to have perfect contrition for any mortal sins. The priest has a duty to receive all those who are suitably disposed into the Church and the parents have no right to object. All rights come from God Who desires that all people should become Catholics.
Just a small but important correction to your otherwise totally admirable post, Ophelia.
Purgatory is not a means to separate Catholics from virtuous non-Catholics. If a non-Catholic is not gravely accountable for not being Catholic, and obeyed the dictates of their conscious and made reparations (as they knew how) there is nothing that says they wouldn’t instantaneously go to Heaven. Or likewise, that a Catholic might endure Purgatory for awhile even if they are fully orthodox and yet betrayed charity in some way without reparation. We are not (per se) measured according to our orthodoxy, because our orthodoxy or lack thereof is something we inherit from our parents and our culture. We are measured according to our love for our Jesus, who lives among all of us, and most especially in the most vulnerable. A soul that - without fault of their own - was ignorant of some dogmatic truth is not inferior to one who - because of circumstance rather than because of merit - was disposed to believe in it.
I didn’t say that. The person I replied to seemed to be saying that all non-Catholics deserve hell - and get it. Which would put most of my family and many friends there, in spite of being good Christians. I don’t believe that, and it’s not what the Church teaches. None of us is perfect, which is why most of us - Catholic & non-Catholic alike - will end up in purgatory for a while.
Looking again at my post, I can see why it would look like I’m trying rebuttal you. I am expanding on what you were saying.
I would recommend the RSVCE Bible, however as far as ‘non-Catholic’ Bibles go the King James Bible is good. It won’t have all of the books in a Catholic Bible, but the King James Bible is a good Bible. If you can’t get to Mass, say the Rosary, say your own prayers, and read your Bible.
None of us know whether or not we will get to Heaven, so your doubts are entirely normal. Your doubts in this regard are quite Catholic in nature. Christ died to redeem us all, but we need to cooperate with God’s grace in order to reach Salvation. What your pastor teaches you is not in line with what the Catholic Church teaches, your doubts are quite ‘Catholic’. As for doing wrong, we all do wrong. If we truly repent our sins through the Catholic Sacrament of Penance, then even the most serious of sins will be forgiven. God’s mercy knows no bounds.
To become a Catholic you need to be initiated into the Church through the Sacraments. For this you will need to contact a priest and programme (typically RCIA). Phone the priest in your nearest Catholic church to discuss this and explain your current situation.
The RCIA program is there for this. In the meantime get yourself a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
No need to apologise at all, this is great news. I will pray for you.