Discipleship Specialization

[mgull]

I’m having a dilemma, and since i feel responsible to do something about this dilemma I’m going to ask the question here to get some opinions. About one year ago i started a discipleship specialization group put on by my archdiocese. I got six months into it and then i quit. I was getting so angry at what was going on. So many people had so many questions about the faith but the facilitator never answered questions, she also let people attack the faith without ever correcting them. The last class i atttended the facilitator passed out a paper titled “a creation story” which put Jesus on the level of Buddha, Paul, Zeus, etc. We never opened the catechism, once we read from the Bible. We were constantly taught not to interpret the Bible literrally, never going to much depth about it. Darwinian evolution was taught as fact, never as questionable (still haven’t found that missing link), and it totally had that “Earth and Spirit” vibe going on. They want me to pay for the classes in full, but i don’t want to fund that program. Any suggestions?

 

[reggieM]

I’m having a dilemma, and since i feel responsible to do something about this dilemma I’m going to ask the question here to get some opinions. About one year ago i started a discipleship specialization group put on by my archdiocese. I got six months into it and then i quit. I was getting so angry at what was going on. So many people had so many questions about the faith but the facilitator never answered questions, she also let people attack the faith without ever correcting them. The last class i atttended the facilitator passed out a paper titled “a creation story” which put Jesus on the level of Buddha, Paul, Zeus, etc. We never opened the catechism, once we read from the Bible. We were constantly taught not to interpret the Bible literrally, never going to much depth about it. Darwinian evolution was taught as fact, never as questionable (still haven’t found that missing link), and it totally had that “Earth and Spirit” vibe going on. They want me to pay for the classes in full, but i don’t want to fund that program. Any suggestions?

It’s a harsh lesson. You’ve described them well, though – so you know quite well what you were dealing with. For me, the question on whether to give them any money is not the dilemma. My concern is that you were willing to give your time and talent to serving Christ and His Church – in this time when so much is needed and many souls are lost in programs like this one you mentioned. I hate to see the apostate-Catholics who dominate so many parishes (and whole dioceses) win any victories at all. Shutting you out of apostolic work would be an additional crime.
So, I hope you’ll take the right steps to bring your service to the Church. In an archdiocese that permits that kind of thing (much as my diocese does), the best way to get started is to reach out to fellow orthodox-traditional Catholics. There may be one or more groups you can find. Then work and do catechesis and evangelization with them.
As for paying for this poisonous dreck … I guess it depends. If you have an option, then simply don’t pay. If there’s a legal issue, consult with a good Catholic lawyer (maybe you can sue them for damages). They are guilty of breach of contract or fraudulent practice. If you purchased a product and it didn’t work, you’d be entitled to a refund. I cannot see any possible way that you would be morally required to fund that kind of thing – on the contrary, I think we have an obligation to fight against false-Catholicism. Our Lord warned us about false prophets and wolves in sheep’s clothing.
We are not bound by obedience to support sin and heresy like that. Official titles do not sanctify dissent against the magisterium. We’ve had to learn that sad lesson many times over.

 

[mgull]

It’s a harsh lesson. You’ve described them well, though – so you know quite well what you were dealing with. For me, the question on whether to give them any money is not the dilemma. My concern is that you were willing to give your time and talent to serving Christ and His Church – in this time when so much is needed and many souls are lost in programs like this one you mentioned. I hate to see the apostate-Catholics who dominate so many parishes (and whole dioceses) win any victories at all. Shutting you out of apostolic work would be an additional crime.
So, I hope you’ll take the right steps to bring your service to the Church. In an archdiocese that permits that kind of thing (much as my diocese does), the best way to get started is to reach out to fellow orthodox-traditional Catholics. There may be one or more groups you can find. Then work and do catechesis and evangelization with them.
As for paying for this poisonous dreck … I guess it depends. If you have an option, then simply don’t pay. If there’s a legal issue, consult with a good Catholic lawyer (maybe you can sue them for damages). They are guilty of breach of contract or fraudulent practice. If you purchased a product and it didn’t work, you’d be entitled to a refund. I cannot see any possible way that you would be morally required to fund that kind of thing – on the contrary, I think we have an obligation to fight against false-Catholicism. Our Lord warned us about false prophets and wolves in sheep’s clothing.
We are not bound by obedience to support sin and heresy like that. Official titles do not sanctify dissent against the magisterium. We’ve had to learn that sad lesson many times over.

Thanks for the advice. I thought about legal action although it seems harsh, but maybe it would be fruitful in the end. It’s not the money out of my pocket that bothers me, it’s how this same nonsense will be taught to other catholics who have no idea about their faith and are wanting to learn. Thanks again.