I will wholeheartely agree, that the above list certainly violates what we believe as Catholics. I will even agree that perhaps those things constitue heresy, and “ipso facto excommunication”.
This is what bothers me. You have the layman in the pew judging the priests and bishops. For some issues, this would seem easy and logical. For others, it would escalate into defamation. This slippery slope is not hypothetical. There are already some that have slide all the way out of the Church into sedevacantism or other questionable status on this very issue. They can drag others with them outside of the One Catholic Church.
Within the past several days, a number of threads here have been deleted or locked by moderators over this very issue.
We’re on the same page regarding those things, then.
Pointing out the heresy that someone is teaching can protect others from accepting their false teachings. It is simply making an observation about the nature of someone’s teachings. Using words like “accuse” and “decree” don’t really portray an accurate picture of what we’re talking about, in my mind.
I am glad that we are in agreement here.
Yes, ethelzguy, I agree that we–all of us, on both sides of the issues-- can get too big for our britches at times. But the opposite is also true: sometimes we can fail to fill our britches. Either way, our britches don’t fit.
Well, just because some have erred does not mean that all will or that we should do nothing at all. I have no intention of leaving the Catholic Church or of dragging anyone else out. The Catholic Church alone contains the fullness of the Christian faith, and we must do all we can to protect it. I am one of only a couple of Catholics in my entire immediate and extended family of staunch Protestants. I have given up much, including close relationships with many friends and family members, to embrace and uphold this faith. I love the Catholic Church and will do what I am able to protect it.
There are already 14 or 15 accessible pages on CAF which specifically mention this individual. Probably enough has already been said for anyone who cares to search to know that many of his teachings are false. It doesn’t bother me that we can’t talk about him here anymore.
I think that this kind of “I’m only worried about myself & my own sins” attitude could, in itself be a sin of omission. (please note that I said “could”)…To NOT inform new Catholics & Catholics who are uninformed about this heretic…would. IMO., be cruel.
Can you tell me what you think are the responsibilites of the Catholic laity…toward the institutional Church?
Perhaps we would better serve our faith if we were to explain heresy to new/uninformed Catholics in order that they my learn to recognize and understand what heresy is, and entails, as opposed to pointing and yelling “HERETIC”…then trying to explain why.
Fascinating knowledge for one who had posted only one post prior to* Paul* Folbrecht being suspended this month. But then since that suspension the post count has blossomed.
So a person must admit to a crime to be guilty of the crime. Interesting, and completely wrong.
Well, I would say that the original post is not the problem here…would you agree?
DITTO
Thank you for providing an outside perspective. However, to give an analogy, wouldn’t it also be confusing for people understanding Baptist to read some of the stuff of Landmark Baptists or, even worse, Westboro Baptist Church?
Its tough to make the analogy with Protestants, particuarly Baptists. I was raised Southern Baptist, and historically I have been told that lots of people are going to hell… so it would be nothing to make the claim that Landmarkists, Westboro Baptist Church, and even Missionary Baptists are not affiliated with us and leave it at that.
You are confusing guilt with judgment. I was speaking about judgment. Don’t equate the two.
Now you’ve switched topics and are talking a Church tribunal, which is not, of course, what I was referring to when I spoke of judgments by an observer. I was talking about judgments by a private individual.
That’s a straw man. I never said this.
And there in lies the difference. As Baptists, one is free to up and start their own Church over differences. As Catholics, that is not an option. Therefore, our fringe elements maintain at least a semblance of remaining Catholic and in some cases continue the claim that they are part of the Catholic Church even after excommunication.