Horrible advice in the confessional. Should I report it to my Bishop?

[JReducation]

This is exactly what I’m afraid of.

I sometimes listen to Sharon Lee Giganti who comes on Catholic Answers and she talks about New Age philosophy and blending it with Christianity. I know Budhism is not new age, but In the past, the two have certainly been entangled.

Buddhism is really a philosophy, nota religion. To understand the relationship between Buddhism and Christianity I would recommend Crossing the Threshold of Hope by Bl. John Paul. He did a very good job at pointing to the pitfalls in these movements and at the same time he points to those elements that are very Catholic.

Obviously, if you are not too sure if you know enough to sort things out, it is better to stick to what you understand.

Also, for those who say one must obey, is not advice given in the confessional just advice? A priest can be wrong. He is not the OP’s spiritual director. I’m sure he had good intentions, but I don’t believe that is good advice for someone who already leans in that direction.

Advice is just advice. The job of the confessor is to hear the confession, determine if their is proper contrition and grant absolution. Anything else he says is not part of the sacrament and it’s not binding on the peninent.

I know the priest that was recommended to me and what his retreats entail so I don’t want partake of something that will cause me to fall away from the faith due to my previous history with Buddhism.

Right here, you have your answer. It’s not that the confessor gave you horrible advice. He did not say anything contrary to the faith. He gave you advice that is not useful to you, because of your situation. You need to back peddal here and clarify for everyone else. Because you titled this thread “Horrible advice . . .”, which casts a shadow over the priest who in fact thought that he might be helping you. Doing damage to a person’s good name or casting a shadow on their good intetion, is wrong. We must be very careful how we say things about others.

What in Hinduism did Mother Teresa borrow? I never heard of this.

The way that the sisters structure their physical space and their postures are some examples of Hindu influence. The way they greet each other and over people too, shows the influence of Hinduism. The way that Mother names her houses. They are never named using the traditional saints, Catholic mysteries, but instead they are named using concepts:

City of Peace, House of Hope, Home of Love, Home for the Dying, etc. It is a very Hindu practice to name holy places according to the attributes of the divine. Mother is very clever. She uses the Hindu custom and inserts a Christian message that no one can find offensive.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[TempleofTheSoul]

Right here, you have your answer. It’s not that the confessor gave you horrible advice. He did not say anything contrary to the faith. He gave you advice that is not useful to you, because of your situation. You need to back peddal here and clarify for everyone else. Because you titled this thread “Horrible advice . . .”, which casts a shadow over the priest who in fact thought that he might be helping you. Doing damage to a person’s good name or casting a shadow on their good intetion, is wrong. We must be very careful how we say things about others.

It is horrible advice due to the fact that if another person in the same dilemma as me went to this same priest for confession and was given the recommendation of the Zen priest it would lead them to fall away from genuine Christian contemplation.

I want to prevent such things from happening to others that have periods of falling back into practices that are not for their spiritual benefit. And I am not casting a shadow on a person’s good name I am stating the facts.

The way that the sisters structure their physical space and their postures are some examples of Hindu influence. The way they greet each other and over people too, shows the influence of Hinduism. The way that Mother names her houses. They are never named using the traditional saints, Catholic mysteries, but instead they are named using concepts:

City of Peace, House of Hope, Home of Love, Home for the Dying, etc. It is a very Hindu practice to name holy places according to the attributes of the divine. Mother is very clever. She uses the Hindu custom and inserts a Christian message that no one can find offensive.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

That’s more cultural than religious. If that’s what you mean by borrowing from Hinduism as a religion I don’t see it. I’ve seen secular institutions named “Home for the Dying” or other similar names.

God bless

 

[JReducation]

It is horrible advice due to the fact that if another person in the same dilemma as me went to this same priest for confession and was given the recommendation of the Zen priest it would lead them to fall away from genuine Christian contemplation.

First of all, you must understand that he did not say anything contrary to the faith.

Second, we cannot assume that because we would fall away, others would too.

Third, not having attended this other priest’s seminars or retreats, unless you have references that he is not good at what he does, the advice remains neutral.

I want to prevent such things from happening to others that have periods of falling back into practices that are not for their spiritual benefit. And I am not casting a shadow on a person’s good name I am stating the facts.

First, even if something is a fact does not mean that we make it public.

Second, it is not a fact that this advice is bad for everyone. It is bad for you. Unless the priest knows you very well, how is can you accuse him of bad advice?

Third, you need to look at his intent.

That’s more cultural than religious. If that’s what you mean by borrowing from Hinduism as a religion I don’t see it. I’ve seen secular institutions named “Home for the Dying” or other similar names.

God bless

But Mother introduces these elements into her congregation to keep it Indian. Indian culture is heavily influenced by Hinduism. That’s the point here. We’re not talking theology, since Hinduism does not have a cohesive theology. It has a series of practices or customs that are common to the many different Hindu families. Many of these are included in Mother’s congregation, including the sari, which is the typical dress of a Hindu woman, not a Roman Catholic woman religious.

We must not miss the important part here. The important part is that she takes the good and the useful without blurring the lines.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Will_S]

JReducation:

…It is also very inappropriate for people on these threads to jump quickly to such statements as

“Run to the nearest FSSP parish”

“Run to the nearest Traditional parish”

If everyone who is making such statements would stop and think of the message that this is giving about every religious order, religious congregation and every other secular priest in the Catholic Church, they may not be making such a statement. Such statements inadvertently imply that no one else is orthodox. You just threw everyone else under the bus.

Quite true. I think people who offer such potentially harmful advice are themselves unsure of their own chosen path and feel they need to reinforce it by recommending it to others.

I quite disagree. The reason why someone would say “Run to the nearest FSSP parish” and not “Run to the Dominicans” or “Try another priest” is because when you go to the FSSP, you know exactly what you are going to get: completely orthodox and traditional Catholic doctrine, sacraments, and counseling. Go to a Dominican, or some other secular priest and … who knows? Could be good, could be useless, could be bad.

 

[joanofarc2008]

I’m not quite sure what you mean. The OP is concerned that his priest may have given him spiritually unhelpful advice. This is a concern worth addressing.

I’m not quite sure what you think you are arguing with in my post!

Unfortunate tag - sorry - but also what is being addresses as this post has progressed is not whether the priest has led this poster astray but people’s opinions on Eastern Meditation. Guess what - our opinons are only as valid as the confines of Rome. This may be tough to swallow. So my tag was not really directed at you in particular but the type of statement. We should be more concerned with our own type of prayer than the way others pray.

As far as Centering prayer it is a very valid form of prayer when lead properly. Just like anything else that is done within the confines of Magiesterial teaching - it can be done well or it can be done badly.

 

[TempleofTheSoul]

First of all, you must understand that he did not say anything contrary to the faith.

Second, we cannot assume that because we would fall away, others would too.

Third, not having attended this other priest’s seminars or retreats, unless you have references that he is not good at what he does, the advice remains neutral.

I don’t get your reasoning. If someone else has close to the same spiritual dilemma’s as I have experienced and are given advice to look at the spiritual practices of a foreign philosophy instead of to their own faith which they have committed themselves to following despite the fact that one may fall here and there spiritually, then if that isn’t leading the faithful away from the faith then I don’t know what is.

First, even if something is a fact does not mean that we make it public.

Second, it is not a fact that this advice is bad for everyone. It is bad for you. Unless the priest knows you very well, how is can you accuse him of bad advice?

Third, you need to look at his intent.

I can make it public since I am not bound under the seal of confession.

The priest doesn’t know me well enough to advise something that could’ve taken me out of the faith. Why are you coming across as if “well, if the advice would have made you fall away its ok because other people might not” kind of an attitude? I guess the risk of losing one of the flock in the faith is ok because there’s the “potential” that they may react differently?

If someone has an illness you don’t go and prescribe a remedy that is geared towards an animal for a human being. You prescribe what will best help sustain their health.

God bless

 

[Samuel63]

Why is Sharon Lee Giganti such an indisputable authority?

It’s rather amusing to see Catholics exalt laypeople sponsored by apologetics organizations above their own priests and bishops.

Or rather, it would be amusing if it weren’t sad.

Of course the priest may be wrong and Sharon Lee Giganti may be right. But it sounds as if you give her authority simply because she speaks on Catholic Answers Live. That makes no sense at all.

Catholic Answers is just a bunch of laypeople and at least one priest. They have no authority that other Catholics do not have.

Edwin

Sharon Lee Giganti was deep into the New Age movement for many years and has recovered and returned to the one true faith. She is an expert on how this movement trys to attract people and deceive them into venturing into New Age. Many people are trapped in this movement and their eternal fate is precarious.

She is not consecrated religious but has wisdom to offer on this topic. Wisdom is a virtue.

 

[Bookcat]

Here is the document from the Church that addresses the question:

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMED.HTM

 

[Christian_polk]

rULE OF THUMB

 

[Castello]

The people at the Bishop’s office will be helpful, give them a call on Monday.

If I may, you might want to try reading Jacques Philippe’s work, begin with “Time For God”.

 

[JReducation]

I don’t get your reasoning. If someone else has close to the same spiritual dilemma’s as I have experienced and are given advice to look at the spiritual practices of a foreign philosophy instead of to their own faith which they have committed themselves to following despite the fact that one may fall here and there spiritually, then if that isn’t leading the faithful away from the faith then I don’t know what is.

Here is what I’m trying to say. If the priest gives an advice that is not contrary to the faith and if he’s advicing something that is approved by the Church, even though it may not be a good piece of advice for you personally, it’s not “horible advice”. It may be impractical for you. We don’t know if it may be helpful to someone else. We can’t assume that what is not helpful for me is not helpful for others. The advice is neutral, because it’s not contrary to Church teaching and it’s pointing you to something approved by the local Church. When you take it to the personal level, it becomes (name removed by moderator)ractical or inappropriate, because it does not work for you. But as you say below, the priest does not know you well enough. He’s doing the best he can with the little he has on you.

I can make it public since I am not bound under the seal of confession.

I’m not saying that you cannot talk about your own confession. Allow me explain it differently. Even if something is true and even if it’s not a good thing. Moral law says that we do not make comments about people when those comments can hurt their good name. This is where the need to knnow comes in. If the priest had truly violated the moral law, doctrine or diocesan policy, the person with the need to know is his superior, no one else.

The priest doesn’t know me well enough to advise something that could’ve taken me out of the faith. Why are you coming across as if “well, if the advice would have made you fall away its ok because other people might not” kind of an attitude? I guess the risk of losing one of the flock in the faith is ok because there’s the “potential” that they may react differently?

First of all, you have to be gentle with yourself and the priest. Here is the key. He does not know you well. He’s hearing your confession and is trying to offer something that he believes may be helpful. He’s not trying to do you harm.

You also have to be gentle with yourself. It may be true that this priest’s retreats are not good for you, but just trust your guts on this without getting yourself so excited and upset. In the end, you only frustrate yourself, feel anxious or even mistrust about a priest who was trying to be helpful. What you have to do for yourself is accept that this may not work for you. Realize that it’s onlly advice, not a command. Understand that the priest is trying to be helpful, not do you harm. Then you choose to not attend the retreat. This way, you do what is best for you without upsetting yourself. Again, be gentle with yourself and the priest.

If someone has an illness you don’t go and prescribe a remedy that is geared towards an animal for a human being. You prescribe what will best help sustain their health.

God bless

Even in medicine, the doctor prescribes based on the information that he has. There are times when things go wrong, because there was something that the doctor did not know. This does not make the doctor a bad doctor. Again, a holy gentleness coupled with wisdom enters the picture here. You know yourself better than the doctor. Calmly give him as much information as you can.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[TrueLight]

I wonder… are there any religions/faiths that the Church sees as not okay?

 

[JReducation]

I wonder… are there any religions/faiths that the Church sees as not okay?

That’s a very good question. The answer is actually quite simple. As a matter of policy and charity, the Catholic Church does not make it a practice to point fingers at religions, but at practices.

In the end, this actually works better, because there are practices that are repeated in different religions. If you make a statement that X religion is bad, the simple person will conclude, the Y is OK. This may not be true, because Y may have similar practices, but the Church has no way of knowing every single religion in the world.

For example, in speaking about Buddhism in Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Bl. John Paul speaks about the fruits of Buddhism, but then proceeds to discuss the weaknesses of nihilism found in Buddhism and many other Asian faiths and philosophies. Notice how he does not throw stones at Buddhism? He takes Nihalism to task for its lack of faith in eternal life and a loving God who awaits us in heaven.

If you can get your hands on this book, try to read it. It’s awesome.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[TimothyH]

If you can get your hands on this book, try to read it. It’s awesome.

I’ve had this book on my bookshelf for over a year. Got it at a goodwill store for a buck.

I hadn’t read it yet. Thanks for the prompt.

-Tim-

 

[mlz]

It sounds like he may have given you good advice. For it may be that he is trying to integrate your desire for the meditative aspects of Zen, removing the religious aspects, with the Christian aspects. Perhaps you could also look into both Meditative and Contemplative prayer as a way to further your walk with God.

I’m sorry but I would have to differ from your advice. There truely IS a spiritual battle going on for the souls that belong to Jesus. These so called “meditative aspects of Zen” are clearly not Christian and are dangerous. Not at first, but over time. You must be careful. There is a spiritual addiction of which is clearly being shown by the person that posted.

I will pray,
mlz

 

[TempleofTheSoul]

We can’t assume that what is not helpful for me is not helpful for others. The advice is neutral, because it’s not contrary to Church teaching and it’s pointing you to something approved by the local Church.

And your assuming that others will not take it in the same way as me. Still, your reasoning makes no sense. Where is this approval from the local church you are talking about? I highly doubt that Holy Mother Church would approve of sending someone to get spiritual guidance in a philosophy that is not even Catholic…let alone on the local level despite the advice of the priest in question.

Moral law says that we do not make comments about people when those comments can hurt their good name. This is where the need to knnow comes in. If the priest had truly violated the moral law, doctrine or diocesan policy, the person with the need to know is his superior, no one else.

Have you even seen me name the priest in question? No. I am simply stating the facts and yet you continue insinuating that I am purposely trying to smear the name of the priest.

I can see that this is going nowhere and that all that is happening are **long drawn out posts ** going round in circles. This is last time that I want to speak to you of this. All I wanted was to know whether or not I should report what was recommended to me by the priest to my Bishop and how to go about it. Nothing more nothing less. End of story.

God bless

 

[OraLabora]

The “approval” of the local church comes from the fact that the priest in the confessional recommended another priest to help you, presumably one not under some kind of interdict. You are making the uncharitable assumption that he is somehow doing something wrong or outside the faith when all he is doing is using an Eastern meditation technique within the faith. You seem to be assuming he is teaching another religion.

I can understand that this may not be your thing… I have tried it and am lukewarm to it myself but some find it helpful.

But to suggest the priest who heard you did something terribly wrong is a bit over the top, ISTM.

If it’s not your schtick, I suggest simply letting it go and moving on. If you try to manufacture a scandal out of this everyone will come out hurt.

All of us have received well-intentioned but inappropriate advice from time to time. The key words are “well intentioned”. Receive it in the spirit of charity it was given, thank the priest for his advice and concern, then ignore it if it isn’t for you. Then let it go.

 

[TempleofTheSoul]

You are making the uncharitable assumption that he is somehow doing something wrong or outside the faith when all he is doing is using an Eastern meditation technique within the faith. You seem to be assuming he is teaching another religion.

Look, this is the last time I am going to post this… I am NOT making an assumption about the Zen priest that was recommended to me. He is well-known in Buddhist circles in my area and so I know what his zazen retreats entail.

You are making quite the assumption that I am just pulling out of thin air my opinion when I even posted a link to the website of the Zen priest in my earlier posts. And I know what you are going to say… “well, if you already know this Zen priest then don’t take the advice and get over it”. If I know that the recommendation if given to others can possibly take others out of the faith then that is a serious matter, no matter what made up assumptions other posters here may think that I am making.

But to suggest the priest who heard you did something terribly wrong is a bit over the top, ISTM.

It’s not a bit over the top when the same advice if given to others can possibly lead the away from the faith. And I don’t want to hear that just because it could of lead me away from the faith doesn’t mean it will do the same for others type of response.

 

[TrueLight]

TempleoftheSoul,

I know you’re from Jersey, but take it down a notch will you?

 

[Monte_RCMS]

The priest in confession offered some suggestions that he thought … without knowing you personally … might be useful to you.

You are free to take or not take his suggestions.

Priests constantly hear confessions from total strangers … they offer absolution … and usually some advice based on their limited knowledge of the penitent’s situation.

If, as sometimes happens, the personalities or approaches of the confessor and penitent do not align, then the penitent is perfectly free to visit some other confessor.

Keep in mind also, that the sacrament of reconciliation, while useful as counseling, is too short as counseling, and is not a substitute for some form of counseling or therapy. The sacrament is not intended as counseling, but rather as forgiveness of sin.

The best thing is just to move on and find some other venue for confession.

In addition, under the seal of confession, the priest cannot defend himself.