A
angieob
Guest
Thank you for reading my question.
I would like to ask the Church’s position (if there is one) on Catholics participating in 12 step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Over the past year or so, I was trying to overcome problems (most problems because of not being active in faith - I know that now), but became uncomfortable with secular recovery and the referrals to ‘higher power’ by AA, even though having been born into ‘catholic’ family had drifted away since high school.
By the grace of God I believe, I stumbled upon a female, christian counsellor. (I live in a Muslim country, Egypt - so it is quite unbelievable) I feel she is the one who was able to touch my heart and soul and guide me back to Christ, through Christian counselling. She awakened in me a searching and longing that has been in my heart all my adult life through her love and caring.
After many months I began to pray. But became uneasy with non-Catholic christian books, guidance etc. While i was looking for a 12 step podcast on i tunes, i once again ‘stumbled’ upon a gift from God - ‘Catholic Answers Live’. After a couple a months it has totally brought me back home to Catholic church. But I know it is the Holy Spirit.
I kept working on in AA. But now i am really uneasy with it. I would rather talk to a priest or listen, read, pray in the Catholic church than try and put Christ into the label of ‘higher power’. I just struggle with getting advice from one who is not Catholic now - it that predjudice? I only feel ‘home’ and trusting with Catholic answers, even if it means having to try and deal with my problems (alone)
But I recently saw a tv programme from home (Australia) which was documenting the life of a Catholic Priest who became alcoholic and went to AA. So now I am a little confused. But I’m still scared that my rebirth in the Catholic church is still so new and fragile and precious to me that I can’t ‘dilute’ it at this stage with other methods/people.
I hope I was able to convey my ‘question’/life story clearly.
Again, I would appreciate any advice/insight you could take time to offer.
With gratitude,
Angelique.
Anyway, I would really appreciate
I would like to ask the Church’s position (if there is one) on Catholics participating in 12 step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Over the past year or so, I was trying to overcome problems (most problems because of not being active in faith - I know that now), but became uncomfortable with secular recovery and the referrals to ‘higher power’ by AA, even though having been born into ‘catholic’ family had drifted away since high school.
By the grace of God I believe, I stumbled upon a female, christian counsellor. (I live in a Muslim country, Egypt - so it is quite unbelievable) I feel she is the one who was able to touch my heart and soul and guide me back to Christ, through Christian counselling. She awakened in me a searching and longing that has been in my heart all my adult life through her love and caring.
After many months I began to pray. But became uneasy with non-Catholic christian books, guidance etc. While i was looking for a 12 step podcast on i tunes, i once again ‘stumbled’ upon a gift from God - ‘Catholic Answers Live’. After a couple a months it has totally brought me back home to Catholic church. But I know it is the Holy Spirit.
I kept working on in AA. But now i am really uneasy with it. I would rather talk to a priest or listen, read, pray in the Catholic church than try and put Christ into the label of ‘higher power’. I just struggle with getting advice from one who is not Catholic now - it that predjudice? I only feel ‘home’ and trusting with Catholic answers, even if it means having to try and deal with my problems (alone)
But I recently saw a tv programme from home (Australia) which was documenting the life of a Catholic Priest who became alcoholic and went to AA. So now I am a little confused. But I’m still scared that my rebirth in the Catholic church is still so new and fragile and precious to me that I can’t ‘dilute’ it at this stage with other methods/people.
I hope I was able to convey my ‘question’/life story clearly.
Again, I would appreciate any advice/insight you could take time to offer.
With gratitude,
Angelique.
Anyway, I would really appreciate