Evangelical Catholic

[Philthy]

As far as speaking to a Priest, I already have.

Good work! There is definitely hope for you yet!

I have mentioned to him that I have doubts about some uniquely Catholic Dogmas and that I may never come to see that they are true.

You have doubts? Welcome to the club! That is a far cry from your original claim that:
“I cannot come to believe” certain things the Church teaches dogmatically. Having doubts is one thing, saying you CANNOT believe something is different. And BTW, it probably was not a good idea to list Baptism and the Eucharist under your list of teachings you cannot accept while saying that you DO accept them. I overlooked it and assumed you didnt beleive in the Eucharist or Baptism and I bet many others did the same thing…that might explain some of the incredulous comments you received. It would be better in the future to say something like,
"While I believe wholeheartedly in the Catholic teachings on the Eucharist and Baptism, there are several areas where I have my DOUBTS.

He told me to stay in the Church and continue to pray and seek God’s guidance and that because I have these issues does not make me a “bad” or “lapsed” Catholic. He also told me not to let others tell me that I am “not Catholic”, that everyone wrestles and struggles with their Faith at times and that it is actually a sign of an active Faith because it is a part of “Faith seeking understanding” and that even Mother Theresa had doubts and struggles.

Wise advice. Lets get to those issues on another thread - start with one. As a practical tip I would save Mary for last…

 

[FCEGM]

. . .

As far as speaking to a Priest, I already have. I have mentioned to him that I have doubts about some uniquely Catholic Dogmas and that I may never come to see that they are true. He told me to stay in the Church and continue to pray and seek God’s guidance and that because I have these issues does not make me a “bad” or “lapsed” Catholic. He also told me not to let others tell me that I am “not Catholic”, that everyone wrestles and struggles with their Faith at times and that it is actually a sign of an active Faith because it is a part of “Faith seeking understanding” and that even Mother Theresa had doubts and struggles.

But from what you’ve stated in your first post, these are no longer doubts or struggles, but beliefs that you hold to with a surety contrary to known Catholic teaching - a BIG difference.

 

[garysibio]

It has been some time since I have posted here. The last time I posted here I was on the balance of whether or not to leave the Church and become a non-Roman Catholic Christian. I really don’t want to go elsewhere because I have too many issues with non Catholic Churches as well. That being said I choose to stay in the Catholic Church BUT I simply cannot believe some Catholic beliefs. I also consider myself an “Evangelical Catholic” meaning that I do believe many things our Evangelical Christian brothers and sisters believe.

Catholic Dogmas I cannot come to believe:

1. Papal Infallibility. I do not believe that the Pope is Infallible. He can make mistakes just like any of us, and yes I do know what the Dogma of Papal Infallibility is, it means that when the Pope speaks ex-cathedra on any matter of Faith and Morals he is Infallible.
2. I don’t accept any “Ecumenical Council” after the split between East and West because after the split there were no true Ecumenical Councils of the ENTIRE Church East and West.IE Trent and Vatican I and II are local non-binding councils.
3. I accept wholeheartedly the Lutheran and Reformed views of Justification by Faith as the true and Biblical Theology of how we are Justified and saved.
4. I don’t believe in Purgatory or Indulgences
5. Roman Catholic Marian Dogma.If one wants to believe that Mary was Immaculately Conceived and Assumed into Heaven and that she remained Ever-Virgin then that is fine If one wants to believe that as “Pious Belief” then ok, but those who don’t are equally entitled to not believe those things and still be Catholic. I also believe that most Marian Devotion and Piety goes too far and for all practical purposes replaces Jesus with Mary.
6. I do believe that the Catholic Church is right in what is believed about Baptism and the Eucharist.
7. Confession. I believe that we are to Confess our sins directly to God. As far as “Sacramental Confession” goes there are some that may be troubled by some particular sins, or those who need some outward assurance that they have been forgiven then by all means they should “go to Confession” IE Some Should, All May, None Must.

Thats it, the views of an Evangelical Catholic. So under those conditions I remain in the Catholic Church.

I don’t know what you are but I do know what you are not: Catholic.

You can change your name to Toyota and move into a garage, but it doesn’t make you a car. Neither does calling yourself a Catholic make you one. Believe whatever you have to believe but you are just another Protestant denomination of one.

Gary

 

[garysibio]

I have run into many Catholics who believe the same things I do. So if you say I am not Catholic then at least half of the Catholics I know aren’t. And BTW the Lutheran/Catholic Document which both the Catholic Church and the Lutherans signed essentially agree with each other. I have read it and done research. Catholic Theologians are all but coming out and saying Luther was essentially right about Justification by Faith. Rome is trying to distance itself from Trent.

As to Papal Infallibility all one has to do is study the history of the Papacy to see how Popes have contradicted each other. I am not saying there shouldn’t be a Pope, but simply that they have and can err. Even the great Augustine said that if the Catholic Bishops (and this would include the Pope) were wrong or taught heresy then the Faithful (us) are not obligated to agree with or believe them.

That depends on whether or not your friends reject these truths like you have or are just ignorant of the truth.

Gary

 

[garysibio]

kotek,
Since you categorically reject so many Catholic teachings, why do you even want to call yourself Catholic? I don’t get it.

I agree with you 100% At one point in my life I also found myself unable to accept certain Catholic teachings. I left the Church. Fortunately God was able to show me where I was wrong and I returned. If someone believes as this person does, he could still attend Mass but he should not receive the Eucharist since he would be doing so unworthily.

Gary