Correcting my Priest

  • Thread starter Thread starter ConMan
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

ConMan

Guest
In my priest’s homily today, he stated that St. Paul was a convert to Christianity (correct) and was, prior to his conversion, a Gentile (incorrect). Should I do anything to make sure he knows Church history or is it more likely that this was just an honest mistake?
 
Seems like it was just a mistake- are you sure he wasn’t saying that Paul was the apostle to the gentiles?
 
A priest will not make that kind of mistake. He could have used the term loosely to mean that St. Paul was not a Christian prior to his conversion.

Let him be. If you want to discuss it with him as to why he said that, perhaps that’s ok.
 
Or just said the wrong word and not noticed. I know that happens to anyone engaging in public speaking - sometimes you manage to say something completely different from what you meant to say.

I have a fond memory of a high school teacher being very confused why we were all snickering about the death toll from the Black Death. Only she had instead explained how a large portion of the European population was killed by the Black Duck.
 
You might engage in a discussion with the priest in a non-corrective way when he has a few minutes.

“Father, I really enjoyed your homily, but I had a question. Were you saying that Paul was a Gentile? I wasn’t sure if I heard what you said there. I always understood that he was actually Jewish, but was a Roman citizen, and became the Apostle to the Gentiles.” And take it from there.
 
I’d go with honest mistake. Chances are if you go back to talk to him about it he’ll not even remember saying it.
 
Slip of the tongue. Just ignore it. Now if he keeps doing it, maybe it is time to say something. I’d wait and see.
 
well, he was a Roman citizen and a pharisee … so, dual citizenship of sorts, he was a gentile.
 
I’d mention it to him. He will probably clarify it to you. However, other’s may have interpreted it the way you did. He may want to clarify himself so as to not lead the flock astray.

Most people appreciate being corrected when they have an honest brain cramp.
 
You should contact his bishop immediately. The bishop needs to know about these sorts of things. The more enthusiastic you are in your initial contacts with the Chancery, the quicker this matter will be resolved.
 
AFAIK, talking to the priest on question here first is usually the best course of action. It was most likely an honest mistake
 
Wait I’m confused now, St. Paul was a Roman, but was he a Jew?
If not, wouldn’t he be a gentile?
 
You should contact his bishop immediately. The bishop needs to know about these sorts of things. The more enthusiastic you are in your initial contacts with the Chancery, the quicker this matter will be resolved.
I also think a letter to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may be in order… The Most Reverend Luis Ladaria Ferrer is probably who the letter should be addressed to.
 
He was a Roman citizen, but also still a Jew.

Born in Israel, but also somehow had Roman citizenship.
 
Thanks for clearing that up Max, I couldn’t remember whether he was a Jew or not. 😉
 
Last edited:
And, the thing is, that Roman citizenship was important.

It allowed him free travel, and the ability to appeal charges all the way to Caesar (eg the reason for the letter to the Romans, I believe)
 
I wouldn’t say anything.

Priests are well educated, I think he knows and he just misspoke or perhaps you misheard. That happens too.

Some priests might not take it the right way, unless you’re a personal friend, you could earn yourself and adversary here over nothing.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top