Encyclopedia? Catechism? Advice? which to turn to?

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CorieDreams

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I’ve been struggling with my faith for a bit, and finding answers to questions. I also spend a lot of time trying to learn about the faith, and have come to rely on the catechism and prayer and advice to help make decisions if I don’t know if something is sinful or immoral or not.

I was doing good. I came across this passage in the catechism:

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.

1788 To this purpose, man strives to interpret the data of experience and the signs of the times assisted by the virtue of prudence, by the advice of competent people, and by the help of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.

1789 Some rules apply in every case:
  • One may never do evil so that good may result from it;
  • the Golden Rule: "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them."56
  • charity always proceeds by way of respect for one’s neighbor and his conscience: "Thus sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience . . . you sin against Christ."57 Therefore "it is right not to . . . do anything that makes your brother stumble."58
And used it to help me when I was in doubt. I would pray, or read the catechism, or seek advice from devout Catholics or priests. But then I cam across this in the Catholic Encyclopedia:

“It must be observed, however, that where the question is one not merely of positive law but of securing a certain practical result, only the “safer” course may be followed. No opinion however probable, is allowed to take precedence of the most certain means of securing such ends; e.g. in providing for the validity of the sacraments, in discharging obligations of justice, or in avoiding injury to others. Thus doubtful baptisms and ordinations must be repeated conditionally.”

And now I worry. What does that mean? The “safer” option when “avoiding injury to others?” I’ve worried before about some of my actions causing scandal, or leading loved ones into temptation unwillingly, but the advice I sought from others and from priests told me it was not an issue to worry about, when I gave them my exact details. But should I ignore that and search for the “safer” option? How much “safer” dpes it mean? TO stop speaking to some people? Become more isolated? cut off friendships “just in case?” I know those might sound drastic, but aren’t they indeed “safer”? I’m very distressed, please. Should I follow the catechism, which says to follow the golden rule and to not willfully tempt others, which goes along with the advice I was given? Or is the encyclopedia right, and I need to choose the most strict path?
 
The “safer” option is merely doing what the CCC advises. Just follow the “do no harm” and “Golden Rule” options and you’ll be fine. There’s no need to give up friendships, but if friends want to do what is sinful, then you have to not do it with them but encourage them to a better action. IOW be a light before others of love and virtue.
 
Della said:
The “safer” option is merely doing what the CCC advises. Just follow the “do no harm” and “Golden Rule” options and you’ll be fine. There’s no need to give up friendships, but if friends want to do what is sinful, then you have to not do it with them but encourage them to a better action. IOW be a light before others of love and virtue.
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God bless you for your quick answer, Della. :angel1:
 
CorieDreams said:
God bless you for your quick answer, Della. :angel1:
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Your welcome. All this means is that we must use prudential judgment in situations in which it’s not clear what action you can take. In such situations if you keep true to the precepts outlined in the CCC you can’t go wrong. :tiphat:
 
If you have discussed your concerns with priests and other reliable people, you can take their word for it and not worry.
CorieDreams said:
I’ve been struggling with my faith for a bit, and finding answers to questions. I also spend a lot of time trying to learn about the faith, and have come to rely on the catechism and prayer and advice to help make decisions if I don’t know if something is sinful or immoral or not.

I was doing good. I came across this passage in the catechism:

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.

1788 To this purpose, man strives to interpret the data of experience and the signs of the times assisted by the virtue of prudence, by the advice of competent people, and by the help of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.

1789 Some rules apply in every case:
  • One may never do evil so that good may result from it;
  • the Golden Rule: "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them."56
  • charity always proceeds by way of respect for one’s neighbor and his conscience: "Thus sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience . . . you sin against Christ."57 Therefore "it is right not to . . . do anything that makes your brother stumble."58
And used it to help me when I was in doubt. I would pray, or read the catechism, or seek advice from devout Catholics or priests. But then I cam across this in the Catholic Encyclopedia:

“It must be observed, however, that where the question is one not merely of positive law but of securing a certain practical result, only the “safer” course may be followed. No opinion however probable, is allowed to take precedence of the most certain means of securing such ends; e.g. in providing for the validity of the sacraments, in discharging obligations of justice, or in avoiding injury to others. Thus doubtful baptisms and ordinations must be repeated conditionally.”

And now I worry. What does that mean? The “safer” option when “avoiding injury to others?” I’ve worried before about some of my actions causing scandal, or leading loved ones into temptation unwillingly, but the advice I sought from others and from priests told me it was not an issue to worry about, when I gave them my exact details. But should I ignore that and search for the “safer” option? How much “safer” dpes it mean? TO stop speaking to some people? Become more isolated? cut off friendships “just in case?” I know those might sound drastic, but aren’t they indeed “safer”? I’m very distressed, please. Should I follow the catechism, which says to follow the golden rule and to not willfully tempt others, which goes along with the advice I was given? Or is the encyclopedia right, and I need to choose the most strict path?
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CorieDreams said:
I’ve been struggling with my faith for a bit, and finding answers to questions. I also spend a lot of time trying to learn about the faith, and have come to rely on the catechism and prayer and advice to help make decisions if I don’t know if something is sinful or immoral or not.

I was doing good. I came across this passage in the catechism:

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.

1788 To this purpose, man strives to interpret the data of experience and the signs of the times assisted by the virtue of prudence, by the advice of competent people, and by the help of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.

1789 Some rules apply in every case:
  • One may never do evil so that good may result from it;
  • the Golden Rule: "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them."56
  • charity always proceeds by way of respect for one’s neighbor and his conscience: "Thus sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience . . . you sin against Christ."57 Therefore "it is right not to . . . do anything that makes your brother stumble."58
And used it to help me when I was in doubt. I would pray, or read the catechism, or seek advice from devout Catholics or priests. But then I cam across this in the Catholic Encyclopedia:

“It must be observed, however, that where the question is one not merely of positive law but of securing a certain practical result, only the “safer” course may be followed. No opinion however probable, is allowed to take precedence of the most certain means of securing such ends; e.g. in providing for the validity of the sacraments, in discharging obligations of justice, or in avoiding injury to others. Thus doubtful baptisms and ordinations must be repeated conditionally.”

And now I worry. What does that mean? The “safer” option when “avoiding injury to others?” I’ve worried before about some of my actions causing scandal, or leading loved ones into temptation unwillingly, but the advice I sought from others and from priests told me it was not an issue to worry about, when I gave them my exact details. But should I ignore that and search for the “safer” option? How much “safer” dpes it mean? TO stop speaking to some people? Become more isolated? cut off friendships “just in case?” I know those might sound drastic, but aren’t they indeed “safer”? I’m very distressed, please. Should I follow the catechism, which says to follow the golden rule and to not willfully tempt others, which goes along with the advice I was given? Or is the encyclopedia right, and I need to choose the most strict path?
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Context is everything, here it clearly speaks that if we have doubts about a sacrament we should be prudent and just to be sure we do the conditional baptism or ordination.
Because we hold that we can only baptize once we can only ordinate a priest once NOT multiple times like other “denominations” do.
As others pointed out if you have received an answer from priests be at peace, follow the Cathechism lots of prayer and deepening our faith and love for Jesus.

Peace 👍
 
thank you guys! I suppose my fear had been wondering if the priest hadn’t understood me, or if I hadn’t been specific enough (I only asked about a part of the issue I had not reached an answer about on my own or through the advice of trusted others) so I worried if he “Really” knew, then he would remind me that it’s not “safe” enough
 
I have heard it said that one should go with the Catechism first, because it’s newer and an official teaching collection, while the CE isn’t. Is this correct?
 
GodsLittleKayla said:
I have heard it said that one should go with the Catechism first, because it’s newer and an official teaching collection, while the CE isn’t. Is this correct?
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Nothing in the older CE is really out of date, but canon law does change as do disciplines and other Church laws. But canon law is not for the faint-hearted or the uneducated. It’s quite complex and is a study all its own. So, for the latest in disciplines and law it’s best to follow one’s bishop. The CCC is rather general and doesn’t contain the rubrics or GIRM or lectionary, etc. That’s not its function. 🙂
 
I hadn’t heard that the catechism was out of date save for some matters of eccumenism and race relations, but I did have a few people say that it’s better to consult the catechism first for everyday issues
 
CorieDreams said:
I hadn’t heard that the catechism was out of date save for some matters of eccumenism and race relations, but I did have a few people say that it’s better to consult the catechism first for everyday issues
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The catechism isn’t out of date, its the older version of the Catholic encyclopedia that is out of date in some respects–not regarding Church teachings, which never change, but only in disciplines and canon law.
 
Gah, I meant encyclopedia, sorry! And yes, that I’d heard! which is why I was so frustrated trying to use the CE exclusively. I rarely understood it and didn’t know if it was still applied the same way! At least in this case I know to follow advice and the CCC
 
Thank you all for your answers! LikeI said, I’ve spoken to a couple priests, and many more devout layCatholics for opinions (when i feel too embarassed to ask a priest the same question because I feel like I didn’t get it right!) so I need to prayerfully follow that advice
 
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