Help: Ecumenism:What is it for Catholics and how do I explain it to non-Catholics?

[EsclavoDeCristo]

So how do I explain the Churches view to someone who says that us Catholics are mean because we expect others to accept all that we teach while at the same time not “compromising”? I understand where they are comming from but I also know that we can’t compromise Truth. My friends tend to be turned off by our “arrogant” notion that we have the “fullness” of Truth. Any suggestions/links will be greatly appreciated!

God bless you and thanks in advance!

 

[Mystery5]

Tell them that their little ecclesial communities are very quaint and have nice music and all, but the Catholic Church is bigger, better, and has it all. How does that sound??? :bounce:

 

[EsclavoDeCristo]

Mystery5:

Tell them that their little ecclesial communities are very quaint and have nice music and all, but the Catholic Church is bigger, better, and has it all. How does that sound??? :bounce:

um…i think thats what im trying NOT to do…thanks though. I want to find a good, precise and non-emotional/non-confrontational way of being both compassionate but not compromising the Truth!

 

[Mystery5]

Hi again,
I’ve found sharing Bible Scripture with my Protestant friends a good way of relating. What really makes them uncomfortable is hearing anything that is specifically Catholic, like references to going to confession, or Mary, etc. But, if you show some knowledge of the Bible, they like that.

 

[Tonks40]

I consider myself “ecumenical” - I was once part of a non-denominational Christian gospel choir, and I met many wonderful people through our common love of singing.

When I speak of my faith, I try to say it in words that are non-confrontational. I simply say, “I went to Mass yesterday” or “My son’s thinking about doing a devotional to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” Most of the time, they just look at me, smile, and nod, but there have been times where someone would ask me about it, then I would explain what I was trying to tell them, and explain why we believe and do the things that “Catholics” do, making sure I inject the sentence, “we’ve been at this for 2000 years. I would bank on that track-record.”

I do acknowledge to others that other non-Christian denominations do have the truth, and that we share the common idea that we should get closer to our Lord thru Jesus Christ. This makes it less divisive, and them more receptive to what you’re saying.

I haven’t gotten to the point yet to where some of my friends have expressed an interest in learning more about the my faith, but I have a feeling there are a few starting to get curious…

…God bless and good luck to you!!

Tonks40

 

[Mystophilus]

EsclavoDeCristo:

So how do I explain the Churches view to someone who says that us Catholics are mean because we expect others to accept all that we teach while at the same time not “compromising”?

You might begin by acknowledging the fact that the Church has developed and modified its doctrines over time, which gives it every reason to understand that some of its current beliefs may require future adjustment. After all, only doctrines listed as ‘infallible’ are supposed to be unalterable, and there are very few of those. This might help to allay fears of arrogance.

What could also be worth noting is the fact that no one holds any belief unless he or she considers that belief to be accurate. Belief in one’s beliefs is neither peculiar nor perverse. Almost everyone you ask will firmly assert that the sun is going to rise tomorrow, and yet none of them has the slightest evidence to prove their claim. Instead, they rely upon history to predict the future.

Then you could mention that the Church does not invent its beliefs ex nihilo, but relies instead upon the consensus of many centuries of theological study and debate. If these friends are Christians, you might point out that now, as in the past, the Catholic Church comprises the majority of the world’s Christians.

 

[Sgt_Sweaters]

Explain to them very gently that the Catholic Church is the Church which Christ founded. She has retained, by the Grace of God, His teachings to the fullest degree possible. Protestants have bits and pieces of Truth, but they don’t have the fullness of it because along the way some men strayed from the path. They rejected certain doctrines and such that are very important to our faith walk, and the Protestants of today have inherited that rejection.

I generally go about it along those lines, anyway.

God bless.

+Joel

 

[Mystery5]

Sgt Sweaters:

Explain to them very gently that the Catholic Church is the Church which Christ founded. She has retained, by the Grace of God, His teachings to the fullest degree possible. Protestants have bits and pieces of Truth, but they don’t have the fullness of it because along the way some men strayed from the path. They rejected certain doctrines and such that are very important to our faith walk, and the Protestants of today have inherited that rejection.

I generally go about it along those lines, anyway.

God bless.

+Joel

Just don’t get mad when they counter that the Catholic Church is actually ‘The Whore of Babylon’ and the Pope will be the AntiChrist as outlined in the ‘Left Behind’ books. :banghead:

 

[EsclavoDeCristo]

Mystery5:

Just don’t get mad when they counter that the Catholic Church is actually ‘The Whore of Babylon’ and the Pope will be the AntiChrist as outlined in the ‘Left Behind’ books. :banghead:

Living much of my life in rural mountains of Kentucky, I am very used to that type of response. Actually, it is that attitude which forced me to learn about my faith and be able to defend it. So I thank God for their hostility . It helped me fall in love with the Chruch!

 

[JOHNYJ]

The Catholic church founded by Jesus Christ .Believes she has a responsibility to Re-unite Christianity.At one tme it was thought that ,that meant that all should be Catholic ! That has been softened to a unity of christians getting along with each other possibly with intercommunion.The Catholic church is very aggressive in this .That is why she has been able to come to agreements and understandings with so many christian churches.
In this she has to be careful of, 'False"
Ecumenism.In which basic beliefs or principals are sacrificed for a false unity.