Help with JW sin, as a Catholic

[Abeyta85]

Hello all!

I wanted to see if I could get some help going about this and give a good Catholic perspective of forgiving sin, to a JW friend of a friend. I have been chatting with a JW friend of mine, we got on the subject of our other frind “Eric” who is also a JW. Eric is engaged to a girl he met, and it looks like they have sinned. The friend who I am talking to “Frank” is also a JW. It looks as though Eric and His Fiance had Oral sex. Well He told one of his other JW friends Jason, who told eric to speak to an Elder and there Kingdom Hall. Eric didn’t, and his friend Jason went and told an Elder about the situation

Here is the conversation:

***FRANK: Jason did ask Eric to go to the elders, Eric was going to, then leery about it, then said that it was unnecessary- god already knew that they were sorry. Jason was in a really tough spot, his spirituality at much at stake due to what he knew. Eric was afraid of getting in trouble. That 's a very human reaction, but it’s still an immature one. Humans are imperfect, and err often, sometimes gravely. God is merciful, but he’s more so just. Discipline isn’t just punishment, it’s correction. To say Eric would lose his spirituality because he was pushed toward correction is difficult to comprehend
If you see the right of things, you cannot stumble your brother with regards to righteousness
I’m not condemning Eric, he’s human. Would I honestly do better in his situation?
All I could hope for is to remember to be humble, and not confuse my pride for dignity. ****

My Reply::::::

I reminded him not to condemn his friend Eric, and spoke of John 8:4, I told him eric needs to take this upon himself, and it doesnt seem right that someone else made a decision for him.

FRANK::There’s no doctrine involved with that text, the men who brought the woman before Jesus weren’t clearing their consciences, they were attempting to entrap Jesus, to say he was judging over them
Loose conduct is something that God abhors, but it would be the heart condition of the individual and the sincerity of the person that would be as much the factor in whether or not the congregation would still benefit from association with the person.
And the elders do know, and he’s hasn’t been.

So this is where I am at, I am sorry for the whole background, but Eric is a close friend of mine for 10 years, always has been a JW, and I think he might be starting to wake up and see the pain they are putting him though. I want to know, how can I explain to Frank in a catholic view that this is wrong and needs to go about it another way.

I really appreciate all your help!!

Thank you!!

 

[bnbkaine]

You probably won’t like my reply, but this really isn’t any of your business. Just continue being a friend to both and excuse yourself from the whole. If Eric complains to you, then you can gently guide him to what the Church teaches, but otherwise, Frank is not looking to be convinced of a Catholic teaching but is instead gossiping. Stay out of it.

 

[Abeyta85]

You probably won’t like my reply, but this really isn’t any of your business. Just continue being a friend to both and excuse yourself from the whole. If Eric complains to you, then you can gently guide him to what the Church teaches, but otherwise, Frank is not looking to be convinced of a Catholic teaching but is instead gossiping. Stay out of it.

Your right, I didn’t even think of that. Sometimes I get so involved, and I don’t even know it. I am sorry i didn’t even see it. Thank you my friend!

 

[SonCatcher]

You say “Eric” acknowledged the wrongness of his deed. Did he repent and make whatever changes necessary to ensure he doesn’t repeat it?

If so, there is no need for any further action by yourself, “Frank,” or “Jason.” I do not think they have some formal “reconciliation” process but if Eric has a spiritual director, he (and only he) should bring it up so he can obtain advice on how to not fall again.

If Eric did not repent and make the necessary changes, then Jason may have done the right thing, although he should have talked to Eric again together with Frank and anyone else familiar with the situation, first. However, before approaching their Elders, he must be absolutely certain the sinful activity is still going on. Otherwise, he commits slander (an offense against the commandment “do not bear false witness”).

Matthew 18:15-17 is the best text for this situation. Hopefully, their translation is adequate.

 

[SonCatcher]

You probably won’t like my reply, but this really isn’t any of your business. Just continue being a friend to both and excuse yourself from the whole. If Eric complains to you, then you can gently guide him to what the Church teaches, but otherwise, Frank is not looking to be convinced of a Catholic teaching but is instead gossiping. Stay out of it.

I didn’t even think of Frank’s culpability. Good catch.

 

[Abeyta85]

you guys are correct, this is what I wrote in return,

you know frank, bottom line, this is none of my buisness. It’s kinda hard to argue a point when the whole the reason it was done was in the rightnoess out the JW organization. Its like arguing a puck might be broken, when there isn’t any ice to even play on? Disfellowshipping is something Catholics don’t do as a movement. We can choose not to talk to someone, because they might be a bad influence, but we make that decision on our own, not with the rule of n hiarchy. So again its really hard for me understand something incorrect when the whole thing is broken.

Thanks!

 

[Catholic1954]

you guys are correct, this is what I wrote in return,

you know frank, bottom line, this is none of my buisness. It’s kinda hard to argue a point when the whole the reason it was done was in the rightnoess out the JW organization. Its like arguing a puck might be broken, when there isn’t any ice to even play on? Disfellowshipping is something Catholics don’t do as a movement. We can choose not to talk to someone, because they might be a bad influence, but we make that decision on our own, not with the rule of n hiarchy. So again its really hard for me understand something incorrect when the whole thing is broken.

Thanks!

Excellent answer. Sometimes there is a thin line between admonishing the sinner and plain ol’ gossip.

 

[Abeyta85]

Excellent answer. Sometimes there is a thin line between admonishing the sinner and plain ol’ gossip.

Very true, sometimes you don’t catch yourself and you need someone from the outside to slap you on the back of the head.

Thanks for the reminder:thumbsup: